Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-08-24

nation, shook very seriouslythe countfvs and even
The soldier sconfdence in our commanders and our
troops, or the ability Of either TO withstand the ex
penence of British generals and the diScipline of
British armies. Under such a feeling, victory
grows scarcely possible, andthe war must have been
little but a SucceSsion of sdiSgraces, il daring
Young soldier, had not speedily come forward to
break on land as Hull did at sea, the spell Of En-
gland supposed superiority. ,9ss -. a4
'SCoTTIS SPR0MOTEDMHI FIRST SHOT AT
1- THE ENEMY. -
7a The rapid professional attaiments of Scott and
ms high qualities for the soldier, had now been
perceived. rHewaS in July 1872, promoted to the
Lieutenant-c cOlonelcy, of the second regiment of
artillery, and sent to Black Rock, there to protect
with the two companies of TowsOn and Barker, its
little navy yard. While he lay there, onthe 9Th of
october, his assistance asked, by Lieut. Elliott
OF the navy, towards capturing two British armed.
brgS (the Adams and the Caledonia which were
moored under thegunS of Fort Erie, almost Oppo-i
Site He at once sent Capt. TowSOn, and part of
his company; getting ready, meantime, to give his
help if necessary, from the shore. The attempt
was gallant and successful; the brigS were captlr-
ed; but IN carrying them of, one of them, (the.
Adams,l drltted ashore upon SQuaw Island, where
the batteries of the fort commanding her Elliott.
took to his boats again, and abandoned her. The
enemy now sent armed boats to recover her; but
she lay within the reach of ScottS guns as wen as
the forts, and he drove back their boats as the fort
finally bear her OF, was quite sharp, and tried yery
well the artillery practice on either side At last
however, Scotia ardor and skill prevailed; he re-
covered the brig and held her, until by the orders
OF Gen. Smythe, afterwards noted for his procla-
nations and his discoveries in the ApocalypSe,) she
was burnt. -i4E.g l,l4.+ei -. q l's-ysa, d. Z
BRAVE LITTLE BATTLEoF QUEENSTOWN
p '' HEIGHTS.
This exploit, reused to such degree the force of
militia, about $500 strong, which lay below at
Lewistown, under Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer,,
with about $50 regulars, that they demanded to be-
led at once across into Canada, where, indeed,
there was not then within reach, British force
more than half as large to make eheadagainst them
On the other hand, there was no motive but that of
honor, for such an invasion; for the had
made no preparations for any such movement; and
ltwOuld, necessarily, have soon been cut Off if it
advanced, or driven back, lift did not. Besides
not even the easy preparation of boats enough for
carrying over thOuSandmen alta time, had been
made But Van Rensselears men threatened to
leave him, if he did not send force across; and he
yielded. TheplaH adopted was, to cross to Queens
town, with two columns, of about three hundred
men each; to carry by storm the batteries on the
Heights; and, a Judgement for invasion being thus
made to hold there, until one could be gotready
When on the 18th, the news of what was iinten-
ded, reached Scott at Black Rock, he forthwith
FASTENED to the scene of action foreSeeing well,
that that there would be need of him; he offered
himself and his artillery. But the arrangements
were already made, and all that he could obtain
was leave TO bring down his corps, and to act af-
terwardS, according to circumstances, He accor-
dinghy came to LewiStOwn the next morning, and
took up position from which his guns could best
play upon the enemy's batteries and cover our
landing. And now the two divisions of attack
moved off in only eight boats. Col. Solomon Van
Rensselaer, led the way: Col. ChryStie followed
with the second division. The former succeeded
in landing part of his men; the latter's boats
were swept down by the current; q portion Of the
men falling into the enemy's power, while the rest
were driven back: Among the latter, was their
brave commander wounded; who, however, Cross
ed yet again with some Teinforcelnents, aud b6fe
his part m the these who landed
with Van Rensselaer,, formed and advanced under
amurderous cannonade from the Heights. Beneath
it. the Colonel and all his officers fell wounded or
killed. Happily, Others landed in time to take
their places, and To lead on very gallant assault
upon the midway battery, and that of the sum
init. Both these were carried in quick succession
and their routed defenders forced to take refuge
in a strong stone house near the waters edge
Here they were reinforced by Governor Brock in
person, who had now arrived.
That gallant and beloved officer soon afterwards
fell, with his secretary, Col Mcdonald, in leading
back his men TO take the heights. Hefalling, they
were repulsed. Meantime, scattered parties OF
Americans had been getting over, from time to time
in the few and half disabled boatS but scarcely one
Therest were either landed too high up, where the
clffcould not be scaled, were swept too far down
andmade prisoners. Probably six hundred, were
the utmOStever atone time engaged in the fight
Just at the time OfBrock'S fall Col. Scott reached
the hghts he had at leave to Cross and
take the command. He Immediately drew up his
men in, the best position that could be taken for
maintaining the ground and covering the landing of
the militia expected from the other side. Yainwas
that latter expectation, however, themlitia refused
To- cross. Some Constitutional ScrupleS about the
Presidents right TO march them beyond the border
had suddenly siezed them, and they left their COM
radeS at Queenstown to their fate. The enemy was
not SO nice about helping theirpeope At the first
sound ofthe Cannonade, Gen. Sheaffe had marched
from Fort George, eightmles below, with eight hun
dred and fifty British regulars; anda nearer body of
FIVE hundred Indian warriors had flung themselves
forward dupon Queenstown. These latter, arriving
first, reinforced the wOrStd enemy, who now, with
quite superior numbers, poured upon our position
terrible attack. Itwas on the point of foverwhelm-
ing our men; they were faltenng under it; when
Scott who had been personally directing in the rear
therepair OfSome captured cannon (now most neede
full rushed back to the 'front.' terminated our men,
and turning the defence intoa fierce attack, drove
routed aSsailantS in headlOng flight by shear val
OF and resumed his position. This was several
times repeated Distinguishablet to all, notmore by
his remarkable stature and fpll=dress uniform in
which he fought, than by his presence at every point
and the yntrepdity with which he met or led ey-
eryaSSahlt Scott became the frequent mark of In
dian rifles. Agallant militia officer, Gen., Wads-
worth, again and again shielded him, with his own
person, from the savage marksman. 1t was now an
occasionw when notnansuvering was to be used, but
anexample of fupconquerdble courage to be given;
and, therefore, when urged toquithis regimentals,
as making him too conspicuous, who was quite
enough so withoutit he more than once said, ssNo,
Iwin die in my fobeS'' Fired by his example, ALL
mlitia andregua alike, fought like tigers; and the
enemy was Obliged to draw OtF.,
And now again reinforcementS would not have
been too late But none came, and everything grew
desperate For now marchedup to join::the adver-
sary Gen. SheafTe, with such force as left no
choice but either TO surrender or to die glonously.
Scott mounted on the trunk of fallen tree and ex
horted hismen to the latter choice. 1t was neces-
sary, he told them to wipe out the shame of Hulps
surrender, and teach foe and friend that Americans
knew how to fghttO the last. "grHen lives would
be well laid down for 'suchia purpose, and would,
: in the warnow only just begun, beworth many VIC
tories. Weary, few, and sore. as they were, his,
men all cheerfdly aSSented, and prepared for last
struggle. Sheaffe, however, more wary than the
earlier British leaders, did not indulge any
more charges, but coolly took his measures for sur
rounding them; and men who are
/. being able to fight on all sides at n must
prisoners whether they will OF ), our