University of Virginia Library

47. CHAPTER XLVII.
FURTHER SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS.

On the first day of May, Dearborn's victorious
army evacuated York, and embarked on board
the fleet; and on the eighth, set sail for the American
shore. Having another expedition in contemplation,
the vicinity of Fort Niagara, near the
head of the lake, was pitched upon as the most
eligible position for making the necessary arrangements;
to that place the squadron, therefore, proceeded,
where the troops were landed, when part
of the fleet was ordered to Sacket's Harbor for
reinforcements. The intrepid Scott, who was
made a prisoner at Queenston, had been lately exchanged,
and now joined Dearborn, in capacity
of adjutant-general to the northern army.

Having procured the necessary reinforcements,
which increased his army to near five thousand
men, Dearborn determined on attempting the
reduction of the peninsula on the opposite side of
the straits, where was situated a strong fortress
called Fort George. The necessary arrangements
were all completed on the twenty-sixth of May,
and on the following night, at one o'clock, the
whole army embarked, on Lake Ontario, about
three miles east of Fort Niagara. It was arranged
in six divisions of boats; the first of which
contained the advance guard, under colonel Scott,
who was specially selected for this command.

This was followed by colonel Porter, with the
field train, the brigades of Boyd, Winder, and
Chandler, and a reserve under colonel M`Comb.

On the preceding day Chauncey had reconnoitred
the position for landing the troops; he
sounded the shore in the night, and placed buoys
to mark the stations of the small vessels. Captain
Perry (who, for some months, had been employed
at Erie, in superintending the building
and equipping vessels for the service of that
lake, to the command of which he had been appointed)
arrived in the vicinity of Fort Niagara,
to procure seamen for his squadron, just as the
army were about to embark on their present expedition.
He immediately volunteered his services,
which were promptly accepted by Dearborn
and Chauncey, who cheerfully confided to
his management the conducting of the divisions,
which was an operation of some difficulty, in consequence
of the winds and a strong current, together
with the tremendous fire of the enemy. In
the discharge of this duty, Perry was present at
every point where he could be useful, under
showers of musketry, and rendered very essential
services to the advance guard, which he accompanied
nearly to its point of attack. The
squadron took a position to open their fire upon
the British batteries, while a heavy discharge from
Fort Niagara was also directed against them. In
ten minutes they were nearly all silenced, and
soon after abandoned by the enemy.

Scott effected his landing in good order, near
one of the silenced forts, under a severe and galling
fire of musketry, which was poured upon him
from a high bank like a parapet, on which the
English stood to receive their invaders. Scott

formed his line on the beach, and then gallantly
scaled the bank (fifteen feet in height) against a
row of fifteen hundred bayonets which fringed its
summit. The assault was brisk and vigorous,
but twice repeated without success. At this moment,
Boyd landed with his brigade, and the
united troops advanced with such determined
bravery, that the enemy gave way, and the bank
was occupied by the Americans. Boyd was the
senior officer on shore, and as such commanded
both brigades. He was the first man who reached
the top of the bank, where he proclaimed his
success by three cheers. In a few minutes, however,
the British rallied, and returned to the
charge, when a most desperate and destructive
conflict ensued, which continued for about fifteen
minutes, and terminated in the total rout of the
enemy at every point, who, during their retreat,
were exposed to a tremendous shower of grape
and canister from the squadron. Above one hundred
of them bit the dust on the summit of the bank.

The retreating foe was closely pursued for
above five miles up the river, and the greater part
of them would have probably been made prisoners,
had not the light troops under colonel Scott
and colonel Miller, been injudiciously called in
from the pursuit, and for the second time, permitted
a beaten enemy to escape from their conquerors.

As the Americans advanced towards Fort
George, (the bulwark of the peninsula) it was
perceived that the garrison were in the act of
abandoning it, the shot from Fort Niagara being
so accurately thrown as to render it untenable.
Two companies were immediately ordered forward
to prevent this movement, who succeeded

in making several prisoners, but the rest escaped.
When within eighty paces of the abandoned fort,
one of its magazines was blown up with a tremendous
explosion. The front gate was instantly
forced, and Scott was the first to enter, and with
his own hands struck the British flag which was
yet waving on the works. Trains had been laid
by the retreating garrison to three other magazines,
and the matches were almost burnt to the
fatal mark, when the Americans entered the fort.
Lieutenant Willoughby (who entered the gate
with captains Hindman and Stockton, immediately
behind Scott) sprang forward and snatched one
of the matches from the train, while the other two
were with equal alacrity secured by Hindman and
Stockton; thus by the coolness and presence of
mind of these gallant officers, the lives of many
hundreds were saved, and a formidable fortress
preserved from destruction.

The British loss of regular soldiers, in killed,
wounded, and prisoners, was three hundred and
eighty-six, and five hundred militia prisoners,
who were paroled, making their total loss amount
to eight hundred and eighty-six. Colonel Myers,
who commanded them, was wounded and taken
prisoner. The American loss in killed and
wounded was one hundred and fifty.

Among the champions of freedom who particularly
distinguished themselves on this occasion,
posterity will meet the names of Boyd, Scott, Winder,
Lewis, M`Clure, M`Comb, Chandler, Fraser,
(now Chandler's aid) Willoughby, Porter, Armistead,
Forsyth, Riddle, Hindman, Totten,Stockton,
King, Arrowsmith, Steel, Roach, and Swearingen,
of whom the five last were wounded. Among the
heroes attached to the squadron, it is but just to

mention, after their gallant commander, lieutenants
Macpherson, Brown, Pettigrew, Smith, Osgood,
Trant, Mix, and Stevens. Chauncey was
indefatigable in his co-operations with the army,
in all its important movements, and much of that
day's success and glory is attributable to his judicious
plans and unremitting exertions in their
execution.

On the day after the battle, Perry departed for
Lake Erie, taking with him fifty seamen for his
little squadron on those waters. Two brigs had
been launched at Erie, and two or three small
schooners had been purchased for the service.
His present object was to take his fifty seamen to
Black Rock, to take five vessels from the river
Niagara into the lake. Previous to his departure,
however, he had an interview with our hero,
when a reciprocal relation of adventures took
place, to the mutual satisfaction of both the young
heroes.

Perry had, it seems, become weary of commanding
gun-boats; for his enterprising and active
mind required a less contracted theatre for
the exercise of his aspiring talents. Every situation
will become irksome to a brave man which
affords no opportunity of being useful to his country,
or of acquiring honor to himself. Perry,
therefore, applied to the navy department for an
appointment on the Lakes, and the application
was successful.[1] So attached to him were the
brave tars of his gun-boat squadron, that they
cheerfully volunteered to follow his new fortunes,
and accompany him to the lakes.

In a few days he was ready to depart, and tearing
himself from the comforts of home, and the

endearments of a young and beautiful wife and
blooming child, he set off with his generous and
hardy followers, on his expedition to the wilderness.
The rivers being completely frozen over,
they were obliged to perform the journey by land,
in the depth of winter. The greatest order and
good humor, however, prevailed throughout the little
band of adventurers, to whom the whole expedition
seemed a kind of frolic, and who were
delighted with what they termed a land cruise.

He proceeded, with his men, to Sacket's Harbor,
and reported himself to Chauncey, who immediately
detached him to Lake Erie, to take the
command of the squadron on that station, and to
superintend the building of additional vessels.
The British, at this time, held the entire and exclusive
possession of this lake, and to Perry was
confided the important duty of creating a fleet, in
the face of a proud and insolent foe. He had not
only to contemplate the day as extremely dubious
and distant when he should meet his enemy on
fair and honorable terms on the bosom of the lake,
but likewise to guard against surprise, and run the
risk of having his navy destroyed on the stocks.
But to a mind like his, obstacles only added ardor
and excited perseverance—he was determined
to succeed. Perry and Willoughby parted
with mutual regret, both sincerely wishing that
they had been destined to serve their country on
the same element.

On the day following the capture of Fort
George, Dearborn received information that the
retreating enemy had made a stand at a place
called Beaver Dams, about eight miles from
Queenston; he therefore immediately ordered
general Lewis to march to that place with Chandler's

and Winder's brigades, the light artillery,
dragoons and riflemen, to cut off their retreat.
The English, however, although considerably reinforced,
would not risk another battle, but broke
up their encampment on the approach of the
Americans, and fled with precipitation along the
mountains, towards Lake Ontario. Lewis moved
on, and took possession of every British post between
Fort George and Fort Erie, the latter of
which had been abandoned by the panic-struck
enemy, and was now occupied by lieutenant-colonel
Preston. Thus the whole peninsula between
the two lakes was brought under the controul of
the Americans, and the navigation of Niagara river
secured to their vessels. An important preliminary
step to the operations of Perry.

Finding no enemy to contend with, Lewis returned
to Fort George; but intelligence had
reached Dearborn that Proctor's army was on a
rapid march from the Northwest to join that of
Vincent, and retrieve the misfortunes of the British
arms; he therefore ordered Winder and
Chandler to proceed with their brigades towards
Burlington Bay, (the most western point of Lake
Ontario) in order to prevent a junction of the British
generals. Vincent had already made a stand
on Burlington Heights, about fifty miles from Fort
George, when these two brigades encamped in
his vicinity. The chief command of the Americans
on this expedition had been assigned to
Chandler, and the whole encamped, on the evening
of the fifth of June, at a place called Stony
Creek.

A little after midnight, captain Van Vechten,
who commanded the advance guard, was alarmed
by several deep groans near him, as of a person

in the agonies of death, but before he had time to
form a conjecture on the subject, his guard was
surrounded by the British, and the whole with
himself made prisoners. The enemy had approached
in the most profound silence, effectually
screened by the darkness of the night; had despatched
the sentinels with their bayonets, and
now seizing five pieces of light artillery, instantly
turned them upon the encampment, before any
alarm could be given, and poured their contents
in among the sleeping troops.

A scene of dreadful confusion ensued, the halfwaked
Americans not being able to distinguish
friends from foes, but desperately assailed each
other in the dark. Not being aware that the artillery
in front was in the hands of the British,
Chandler and Winder flew to the battery to
change the direction of its fire, and were both
made prisoners. Of this event the other officers
were ignorant, and every one chose his own plan
of resisting the assailants, not knowing where to
look for orders.

Towson's artillery was stationed more in the
rear, and he now opened its fire on the enemy with
such effect that the confusion and dismay was
suddenly transferred from the American to the
British ranks. This gallant officer was soon supported
by spirits born to conquer; Hindman, Nicholas,
Burn, Milton, Steele, Willoughby, Chrystie,
Eldridge, Fraser, Biddle, Archer, M`Chesney,
M`Donough, Armstrong, Riddle, and others as
brave, carried death in every direction. Their
fire was irresistible. The enemy were dispersed
at all points, but again returned to the contest.

Several desperate attempts were made to retake
the artillery, but without success; till, at

length, lieutenant M`Chesney (with a gallantry
that will immortalize his name) dashed into the
thickest of the enemy, hewed a bloody path to
the nearest piece, and succeeded in restoring it
to the original possessors. His bravery also
saved several other pieces from falling into the
enemy's power.

The dawn of day now enabled the troops to
distinguish each other, when colonel Burn took
command of the Americans, and proceeded to
form the yet disordered line, the conflict still continuing
with the most desperate fury on both sides.

The American dragoons at length made a tremendous
and effectual assault—the enemy could not
withstand the impetuosity of the charge, but broke
and fled in every direction. Their commanding
officer was missing some time before, and was not
found by his troops until the following day, when
he was discovered about four miles from the scene
of action, destitute of a hat, without a horse, and
almost famished. During the retreat of the British,
lieutenant M`Donough very gallantly recovered
another field-piece, which they were attempting
to carry off with them.

The total loss of the Americans in this affair,
(which was trifling in comparison with that of the
British) was one hundred and fifty-four, including
killed, wounded, and missing, while the British
missing alone must have been nearly equal to that
number, as above a hundred of them were sent
as prisoners to Fort George. Fraser (who acted
as aid to Chandler) was slightly wounded, and

narrowly escaped sharing the captivity of his
general.

On the second day after the battle, as the army
were encamped on the borders of the lake, about
ten miles from the scene of action, (where they had
been joined by Boyd and Lewis, the latter having
the command) they were summoned to surrender
by Sir James Yeo, the commander of the
British squadron, which had arrived in the night,
and was now stationed abreast of the encampment,
within a mile of the shore. No notice was taken
of this insolent demand, and as Dearborn had sent
an express to recall the troops to Fort George,
Lewis prepared to retire in obedience to this order,
and the army returned accordingly.

While these transactions were passing in the
enemy's territory, an event of some importance
occurred on the American shore of Ontario. The
defenceless state in which Sacket's Harbor was
necessarily left, (by employing the army and the
squadron in the foregoing expedition) induced
the British to attempt its reduction, and thereby
secure to themselves the mastery of the Lake.
Dearborn was apprised of this intention, and
therefore wrote to general Brown, requesting him
to repair immediately to that important post, with
as much militia force as he could collect, and assume
the command there.[2] Brown, knowing that
colonel Backus, a regular officer of character and
experience, was then in command at that place, at
first hesitated. But the request being again repeated,
and urged by Backus himself, he finally
yielded, and immediately set out for that post,
where he arrived with a small body of militia early
on the morning of Friday the twenty-eighth

day of May. At day-break, the next morning,
Sir George Provost landed at the head of one
thousand picked men, under cover of a heavy fire
from his gun-boats. Brown, depending chiefly
upon the well known superiority of the American
musketry, had posted five hundred of his militia
to receive the enemy on their landing, with orders
that they should lie close, and reserve their
fire until the enemy had approached so nigh that
every shot might hit its object. But the trepidation
and confusion of the moment excited one of
those sudden panics to which undisciplined volunteers
are so subject, and the whole line fired
at the very instant of the enemy's landing, and
then fled in disorder. Brown threw himself
among them to stop their flight, and having rallied
about a hundred men, he gained a position
on the enemy's left flank, and harassed them by
a galling fire, by which they were held in check,
until they were met by the regular troops under
colonel Backus. Brown now hurried to this
point of action, and found the gallant Backus dangerously
wounded, and the battle still raging, but
with very evident advantage on the American
side. After a short conflict he was completely
victorious, and Prevost retreated rapidly to his
ships, leaving a number of men and several officers
killed and wounded on the field.

On the first of June Chauncey returned to
Sacket's Harbor with the squadron, and Brown
once more retired to his farm and ordinary occupation.
But his military reputation was now
established, and public expectation was anxiously
turned towards him as one to whom the fortunes
and honor of the American arms might be confidently
entrusted; all wishing that his rank was in
the regular army instead of the militia.