Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-14

captulated, at the same place, only one month and
two days afterwards This most unexpected event,
while it cnraged and mortified the nation, shook
very seriously the countrys and even the soldier
confidence in commanders and oar troops, or the
ability of either to withstand the experience of Brit
ish generals and the discipline Of British armies,
Under such feeling victory grows scarcely posi-
BILE, and the war must have been little but sue
cession of disgraces, if daring young soldier had
not speedily come forward to break on land as Hull
did at sea, the spell Of Engand's supposed supe-
riority.
SCOTT is PRoMoTED-HIS FIRST SHOT AT THE
ENEMY
The rapid professional attanments of Scott and
his high qualities for the soldier had now been per-
ceved He was in July, 1872, promoted to the
Internationally of the second regiment OF ar
tillery and sent to Black Rock, there to protect,
with the two companies OF Towson and Barker, Its
little navy yard While he lay there, on the 9th Of
October his assistance was asked by Lieut.. Elliott,
Of the navy, towards capturing two British armed
briggs (the Adams and the Caledonia) which were
moored under the guns Of Fort Erie, almost oppo-
site He at once sent Capt Towson and a part OF
his company getting ready meantime to give his
help, if necessary, from the shore. The attempt
was gallant and successful the briggs were captured
but in carrying them off one of them (the Adams)
drifted ashore upon Squaw Island, where, the bat
teries 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 SCOTS guns as we'll as the
forts and he drove back their boats as the fort had
driven off Elliott. The contest who should finally
bear her off was quite sharp, and tried very well
the artillery practice on either side. At last, how
ever SCOTS ardor and skill prevailed he recovered
the brig, and held her until by the orders of Gen.
Smyhe afterwards noted for his proclamations and
his discoveries in the apocalypse she was burnt.
BRAVE LITTLE BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN HEIGHTS
This exploit reused to sach 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 head against
them. On the other hand, there was no motive
but that of honor for such an invasion: for the
Government had made no preparations for any such
movements; and it would, necessarily have soon
been cut off, if it advanced or driven back if it did
not. Besides, not even the easy preparation Of
boats enough for carrying over thousand men at a
time had been made. But Van Rensselaer's men
threatened to leave him if he did not send force
across; and he yielded. The plan adopted was, to
cross to Queenstown, with two columns of about
three hundred men each to carry by storm the bat
teries on the Heights and, Judgment for invasion
being thus made, to hold on there until one could
be got ready. When, on the 18th, the news of what
was intended reached Scott at Black Rock, he forth
with fastened to the scene of action, foreseeing well
that there would be need of him and offered himself
and his artillery But the arrangements were al
ready made, and all that he could obtain leave
to bring down his corps and to act afterwards ac-
cording to circumstances. He accordingly came to
J.auyi tha mr. tool nm
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 divi-
sion The former succeeded in landing part of
his men the latter's boats swept down by the
current portion of the men falling into the enc
my's power, while the rest were driven back.
Among the latter was their brave commander,
wounded who, however, crossed yet again with
some renforcements, and bore his part in the fight.
! Meantime, those who landed with Van Rensselaer,
formed and advanced under murderous cannonade
from the heights. Beneath it, the Colonel and all
his officers fell, wounded killed Happily, others
were landed in time to take their places and TO lead
on very gallant assault upon the midway battery
and that OF the summit. 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 Gov
ernor 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 retake the heights. He falling,
they were repulsed. Meantime scattered parties of
Americans had been getting over, from time to
time in the few and haf-dsabled boats; but scarce
ly one out Of two in these parties able to join
the fight The rest were either landed too high up,
where the cliff could not be scaled, or were swept
too far down and made prisoners. Probably SIX
hundred were the utmost ever at one time engaged
in the fight. Just at the time Of Brooks fall Col
Scott reached the heights he had at last obtained
leave to cross and take the command He immedi-
ately 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 Vain was that latter expectation,
however; the militia refused to cross Some con-
stitutional scrupes about the Presidents right to
march them beyond the border had suddenly seized
them, and they left their comrades at Queenstown
to their fate. The enemy was not 50 nice about
helping their people. At the first sound Of the
| cannonade Gen. Sheafe had marched from Fort
George, eight miles below, with eight hundred and
fifty British regulars and nearer body Of FIVE
hundred Indian warriors bad flung themselves for
ward upon Queenstown These latter, arriving first,
reinforced the worsted enemy, who now, with quite
| superior numbers, poured upon our position ter
rible attack 1t was on the point of overwhelming
our men they were faltering under it; when Scott,
who had been personally directing in the rear the
rpnoir of some canturpd cannon NOW most needful0