The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-08-25

III n0pcS 10 uraW Dack inc cncthy, WIN
was supposed to have crossed with his
main force, Brown directed an advance
on Queenstown. He had already been
deserted by his Indians, and his elective
force was reduced now to less than 5000
men Scott led this re-advance upon
Queenstown with his own brigade and
Towsons artillery, about 1000 men
but he had not proceeded above mile
from the Chippewa, when, about sunset,
at Bridgewater, directly adjacent to the
Falls of Niagara, he unexpectedly en-
countered the enemy. A wood conceal
cd them from view, and Scott knew not
their numbers. II was, in fact, Rail
with his whole army, which had followed
close in Browns rear with intent to attack
him the next morning, and which now
occupied commanding height. crowned
with park of seven pieces Major Jes-
sup, who commanded one of Scott's regi-
mcnts. being detached to gain and turn
the encmy's left, the rest of the brigade
passed the wood and deploycd, when
they fell under terrible fire from the
enemy's artillery, placed too high for
Towsons's guns to take much effect upon
them. Thus exposed for an hour or
more. the ranks of the regiments were
broken, and their numbers greatly thin
ned. near third of the men had fallen
but the enemy did not charge, and Scott
still held on, hoping to be relieved by
Brown
Jcssup. meanwhile, cncountcring no
thing bnt Canadian militia, who fled
before him, had gained and turned the
cncmy's rear when he succeeded in ma
king many prisoners, among them Gene
raj Rail himself, retired wounded from
the front also an aid-dc-camp of Drum.
monds. sent forward to communicate
with Rial, from whom Jcssup learned
that Drummond, with most of the for
ces from York. was close behind, advan
cling to Rails support. The British
general was secured and sent to the a
mcrican camp; most of the other prison
crs escaped, but not till they had been
disarmcd.
1t being now quite dark. and the fire
greatly slackened, Brown came up, with
Ripley's brigade, which was ordered to
intcrposc itself between Scott and the
enemy. 1t was seen. in the course Of
this movement, that the British park Of
artillery, now increased to nine pieces
was now the key of his position, and Col
oncl James Miller was ordered to storm
it. While the other regiments engaged
the enemy front, leading his battalion
partially covered by the fence of a
church-yard, silently up the bill, Miller
pushed the artillerists from their guns
at the point of the bayonct. Soon sup.
ported by the 22d regiment, which
though recoiling at first from the enemy S
fire, Ripley had rallied and led up to the
charge, after severe but short struggle
the British infantry was driven backs the
guns remaining in Ripley's hands. His
whole brigade was now drawn up on the
hill, supported on the right by Porter's
volunteers, and presently joined by Jes-
sup, who, in gradually making his way
from the enemy's rear, had just encoun
tered and routed British battalion.
The British, reinforced by Drum
mond's arrival, presently rallied and
advanced in the darkness to recover
their guns but they soon recoiled a
gain before the terrible fire of those who
held the hill. In about half an houl
they advanced again but after short
though severe conflict, during which
Scott took them in flank with the rem
nants of his brigade, formed now into a
single battalion, they were again driver
back Rallying again with desperate
energy, third and more obstinate at
tack was made, perfect blaze Of fire be
ing kept up for half an hour. and the sol
ders in many places crossing bayonets
but still the Americans held the hill, re
plenishing their ammunition from the car
trigc-boxes of the fallen enemy.
1t was now midnight. The British
having retired for the third time, pro
found silence ensucd, interrupted onl,
by the groans of the wounded and dy
ing, and the monotonous roar of iii,
great waterfall, moaning, as it were, owe
this fatal scene of fraternal strife an,
military glory. The men, utterly exhaus
ted, were almost perishing with thirst
All the regimental officers were scverel,
wounded also Brown and Scott, VIII,
retired from the field After waitin,
half an hour, with no renewal of attack
Ripley, who had been left in command
gave order to collect the wounded meu
and to Withdraw to the camp. Yastl
to Browns vexation, the want of horse
and the exhausted state of the mel
made it impossible to bring off the cap
tured artillery, and when an Office
was sent back for that purpose, it wa
found that the enemy had reoccupied th
hill. Excessively mortified, Brown OF
dered Ripley to march the next morn
ing to recover the cannon. But no
more than 1000 men could be mustered
and those stiff from yesterdays exeI
tions; and Brown was at last induced
by Ripleys remonstrances, to recall hi
orders Ripley left again in comman
by Browns retirement to be cured o
his wounds, destroyed the bridge owe
the Chippewa, and part of his stores
and retired to point opposite Blacl
Rock. whence he sent the wounded t
Buffalo. whittier Brown had himsel
gone. According TO the official reports
there had been killed aud wounded O
the American side 743 men, on the Brit
ish s7s. -a.
An n.4c- NJ I HI.