From Sir James L. Yoe to Mr. Croker. been nailed to the mast. My gallant and Sir,-My letter of the 15th of April last much esteemed friend, captain Mulcaster, will have informed their lordships, that his led the seamen to the assault with his ac Majesty's ships, Prince Regent and Princess customed bravery; but I lament to say, he Charlotte, were launched on the preceeding received a dangerous wound in the act of day! I now have the satisfaction to acquaint entering the fort, which I apprehend will, you, for their Lordship's information, that for a considerable time, deprive me of his the squadron, by the unremitting exertions valuable services. Mr. Scott, my first lieuof the officers and men under my command, tenant, who was next in command, nobly were ready on the 3rd instant, when it was led them on; and soon gained the ramparts. determined by lieutenant-general Drum- Captain O'Connor, of the Prince Regent, to mond and myself, that an immediate attack whom I entrusted the landing of the troops, should be made on the forts and town of displayed great ability and cool judgment; Oswego: which, in point of position, is the the boats being under a heavy fire from all most formidable I have seen in Upper Cana- points. da; and where the enemy had, by river navigation, collected from the interior several heavy guns, and naval stores for the ships, and large depots of provisions for their army. Captain Popham, of the Montreal, anchored his ship in a most gallant style, sustaining the whole fire until we gained the shore. She was set on fire three times by red-hot shot, and much cut up in her hull, At noon, on the 5th, we got off the port, masts, and rigging; Captain Popham reand were on the point of landing, when a ceived a severe wound in his right hand, and heavy gale from the N. W. obliged me to speaks in high terms of Mr. Richardson, the gain an offing. On the morning of the 6th, master, who, from a severe wound in the left everything being ready, 140 troops, 200 sea- arm, was obliged to undergo amputation at men armed with pikes, under Captain Mul- the shoulder joint. caster, and 400 marines were put into the boats. The Montreal and Niagara took their stations abreast, and within a quarter of a town, and the Star and Charwell to cover the landing, which was effected under a most heavy fire of round, grape, and musketry, kept up with great spirit. Our men having to ascend a very steep and long hill, were consequently exposed to a destructive fire. Their gallantry overcoming every difficulty, they soon gained the summit of the hill; and, throwing themselves into the fosse, mounted the ramparts on all sides, vieing with each other who should be foremost. Lieutenant Laurie, my secretary, was the first who gained the ramparts; and lieutenant Hewitt climbed the flag-staff under a heavy fire, and in the most gallant style struck the American colours, which had Captain Spilsbury, of the Niagara; Captain Dobbs, of the Charwell; Captain An mile, of the fort; the Magnet opposite the thony of the Star: and Captain Collier of the Magnet, behaved much to my satisfaction. The second battalion of royal marines excited the admiration of all; they were led by the gallant Col. Malcolm, and suffered severely. Captain Holloway, doing duty in the Princess Charlotte, gallantly fell at the head of his company. Having landed with the seamen and marines, I had great pleasure in witnessing not only the zeal and prompt attention of the officers to my orders, but also the intrepid bravery of the men, whose good and temperate conduct, under circumstances of great temptation, (being a whole night in the town, employed loading the captured vessels with ordnance, naval stores, and provisions) most justly claim my high approbation and acknowledgment. And I here beg leave to recommend to their lordships' notice the service of my first lieutenant, Mr. Scott; and of my aid-de-camp, acting lieutenant Yoe, to whom I beg leave to refer their lordships for information; nor should Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell had, in all, less than 300 men; and the fosse of the enemy, by land and water, exceeded 3000. R. JONES, assistant-adjt.-gen. the meritorious exertions of acting lieutenant not very likely that any addition to them Griffin, severely wounded in the arm, or Mr. would have been made, which could only Brown, both of whom were attached to the result in heavy expenses to the parties thus storming party, be omitted. It is a great increasing the honour of their exploits by a source of satisfaction to me to acquaint their direct taxation on their pockets. lordships, that I have on this and all other occasions, received from Lieut-Gen. Drum mond that support and attention, which never fail in securing perfect cordiality between the two services. The British loss at Oswego was severeThat the eighty-two killed and wounded. Americans, however, were not suffered to retreat quite so coolly as is represented, may be inferred from the fact that their I herewith transmit a list of the killed and own accounts return sixty-nine killed and wounded, and of the ordnance, naval stores, wounded, while sixty prisoners were capand provisions, captured and destroyed by tured. the combined attack on the 6th instant. I have the honour to be, &c., JAMES LUCAS YEO, J. W. Croker, Esq., &c. A list of officers and seamen, of his Majesty's fleet on Lake Ontario, killed and wounded at Oswego, on the 6th of May, 1814. Three seamen, killed; 2 captains, 1 lieutenant, 1 master, 7 seamen, wounded. Total-3 killed, 11 wounded. A statement of ordnance, naval stores, and provisions, brought off and destroyed in a combined attack of the sea and land forces on the town and fort of Oswego, on the 6th Ordnance Stores brought off :-Three long Naval Stores and Provisions :-3 schooners; 300 barrels of flour, 500 barrels of pork, 600 barrels of salt, 500 barrels of bread. A quantity of large rope. Destroyed:-Three long 24-pounder guns, one long 12-pounder gun, two long 6-pounder guns. The style in which Armstrong winds up his account of this affair is very amusing, especially when taken in contrast with his version of another occurrence which happened shortly after. "On the morning of the 7th, having collected the small booty afforded by the post, and burned the barracks, the fleet and army of the enemy abandoned the enterprise, and returned to Kingston." One would scarcely imagine that the enterprise thus carelessly spoken of had cost the Americans forty thousand dollars, besides a heavy loss both of life and in prisoners.. The other occurrence alluded to above took place on the 30th May, and strikingly illustrates General Armstrong's unfair mode of writing history. By the capture of a boat, Sir James Yeo learned that eighteen other boats, each armed with two guns, twenty-four pounders, were waiting at Sandy Creek for an opportunity of reaching Sackett's Harbour. Sir James accordingly despatched Captains Popham and Spilsbury with one hundred and eighty seamen and marines to intercept them or cut them out. The party having reached One schooner, and barracks and other the creek where they had ascertained that public buildings. the enemy were, commenced the passage up, but were attacked from the shore by a Commodore and Commander in Chief. large party of riflemen, one hundred and fifty in number, besides militia, infantry, The statement of stores captured, given and cavalry, mustering some two hundred by Sir James Yeo, corresponds pretty closely strong. The British were here fairly caught with the returns made by the other officers; in a trap, and all that remained for them and, as all the articles enumerated in the was to fight their way back; and to do this, lists would have to be accounted for, it is parties were landed on both banks, in order J. L. YEO, to drive back the enemy from a situation British had induced the American comman. commanding the passage of the boats. This der to concentrate about Buffalo and Erie attempt was gallantly made, but numbers (where the fleet lay) a large body of troops. prevailed, and the result of the affair was One of the American officers, a Colonel the destruction or capture of the whole Campbell, judging, doubtless, that it was a party. As a proof, however, of the resist-pity so many men should remain inactive, ance, it will suffice to state that the killed saw, in the occupation of Dover, an opportuand wounded amounted to more than one- nity of distinguishing himself and benefiting third of the party. That the Americans his country. Taking, then, full five hundred must have had Indians as their allies, is United States infantry, he crossed over from evident from the conclusion of Captain Pop- Erie on the 13th May, and, the British troops ham's official despatch:-"The exertions of retiring before him, destroyed the mills, disMr. the American officers of the rifle corps, com- tilleries, and houses in the village. manded by Major Appling, in saving the Thornton says: A squadron of British lives of many of the officers and men, whom dragoons stationed at the place fled at the their own men and the Indians were devoting approach of Colonel Campbell's detachment, to death, were conspicuous, and claim our and abandoned the women and children, warmest gratitude." who experienced humane treatment from the Americans." Armstrong begins his statement of the affair by styling it an "achievement" accom- If the burning of stores, barns, and dwellplished by Major Appling and one hundred ing houses of peaceable and unresisting inhaand thirty-two men, omitting all mention of bitants be included in Mr. Thornton's cateeither militia or Indians, and he declares that gory of humane treatment, we should like to the whole British party fell into the hands be enlightened as to what would be considered of the Americans without the loss of a single harsh treatment. As a proof, however, that man of their party. The probability of this even the Americans were ashamed of the the reader can judge of, when it is borne in transaction, we have only to mention that a mind that a hand-to-hand conflict occurred court of inquiry, of which General Scott was on both banks of the river, and that the president, was instituted to take the facts British were only overpowered by numbers. into consideration, and that their decision The same disregard of truth, however, which was, "that in burning the houses of the caused Armstrong to suppress all mention inhabitants, Colonel Campbell had greatly of the militia and infantry, would doubtless erred; but this error they imputed to the prompt him to conceal the American loss, whatever it might have been. recollection of the scenes of the Raisin and the Miami, in the Western territories, to the army of which Colonel Campbell was at that time attached, and to the recent devastation of the Niagara frontier." An occurrence on the shores of Lake Erie, to which we have already alluded, does not reflect quite so much credit on the national character as did Major Appling's and his The court appears to have had most conofficers' conduct. Early in March, General venient memories, or they could scarcely Drummond had quartered at the inconsider- have forgotten that an act very similar to able village of Dover a small body of dragoons. the present had alone caused the destruction This was done by way of establishing an out-along the banks of the Niagara. We learn post, so that the Americans might not be from the transaction, that the American enabled, having the command of the Lake, military tribunals of that day looked upon to land, without opposition or notice, troops, pillage and destruction of private property, at a post so close to Burlington heights, the only a "a trifling error." We will have grand centre of the British position, and the occasion to notice in what light the destrucdepot for the troops on the Niagara line. Fear of another attack on the part of the tion of the public buildings at Washington was regarded, and whether the course of the British Generals is so lightly considered. Expeditions against Matchadash. Early in April an expedition was organized, at Washington, was not despatched until the having for its object an 3rd of July, at which time a detachment of Machilimackinac and attack on a new post esta regular troops and militia, under the comblished at Matchadash, mand of Colonel Crogan, was embarked on and the recapture of Michilimackinac. The board of the fleet, which sailed soon after expedition, however, in consequence, says from Detroit for Matchadash. Armstrong, of a discrepancy in the Cabinet * President.-April 31st, 1814. The idea of attacking Matchadash was very soon abandoned, in consequence of sun • Letter from the Secretary of War to the dry impediments, writes Armstrong, "arising from shoals, rocks, dangerous islands, SIR: So long as we had reason to believe that perpetual fogs, and bad pilotage," and the the enemy intended and was in condition to re- safer and easier plan of an attack on the establish himself on the Thames, and open anew his intercourse with the Indian tribes of the west, North-West Company's settlement at St. it was, no doubt, proper to give to our naval means Mary's substituted. This part of the expea direction which would best obstruct or defeat dition was entrusted to Captain Holmes of such movement or designs. An order has been accordingly given by the navy department, to emthe United States Army, and Lieutenant ploy the flotilla, in scouring the shores of the more Turner of the United States Navy, and very western lakes, in destroying the enemy's trading effectually the work entrusted to them was establishment at St. Joseph's, and in recapturing Fort Michilimackinac. As, however, our last ad- executed, as every house at the post was devices show, that the enemy has no efficient force stroyed, no public buildings of any descripwestward of Burlington bay, and that he has tion being there to warrant this atrocious suffered the season of easy and rapid transport ation to escape him, it is evident that he means to outrage. The horses and cattle were killed, strengthen himself on the peninsula, and make and even the provisions and garden stuff, Fort Erie, which he is now repairing, the western extremity of his line of operation. Under this which could not be removed, were destroyed, new state of things, it is respectfully submitted, with a view of thoroughly ruining the post. whether another and better use cannot be made of our flotilla ? Messrs Thomson and Smith are particu In explaining myself, it is necessary to premise larly reserved as to the conduct of their that, the garrisons of Detroit and Malden included, it will be practicable to assemble on the shores and countrymen at St. Mary's, but Mr. O'Connor navigable waters of Lake Erie, five thousand boldly declares that "the property destroyed regular troops, and three thousand volunteers and was, according to the maritime law of namilitia, and that measures have been taken to pro- tions, as recognized in the English courts, duce this effect on or before the 10th day of June next. Without, however, the aid of naval means, good prize, as well as because the Company's this force will be comparatively inoperative, and agent, Johnson, acted the infamous part of a necessarily dispersed, but with such aid, compe- traitor, having been a citizen and magistrate tent to great objects. Lake Erie on which our dominion is undisputed, of the Michigan territory, before the war, furnishes a way scarcely less convenient for ap- and at its commencement, and now dischargproaching the heart of Upper Canada than Lake ing the functions of magistrate under the Ontario. Eight, or even six thousand men landed in the bay between Point Abino and Fort Erie. British Government." and operating either on the line of the Niagara, or more directly [if a more direct route is found], against the British post at the head of Burlington bay, cannot be resisted with effect, without compelling the enemy so to weaken his more eastern posts, as to bring them within reach of our means at Sackett's Harbour and Plattsburgh. This position of Mr. O'Connor's, that merchandise on shore as well as afloat is good prize, must not be lost sight of, as the same writer will be found laying down a very different interpretation of what constitutes good prize," when the proceedings of the In choosing between this object and that to which the flotilla is now destined, there cannot, I think, be much, if any, hesitation. Our attack, British in the Chesapeake are under his carried to Burlington and York, interposes a barrier, consideration. which completely protects Malden and Detroit makes doubtful and hazardous the enemy's inter course with the western Indians, reduces Mackinac take Mackinac, and what is gained, but Mackinae to a possession perfectly useless, renders probable itself. the abandonment of Fort Niagara, and takes from the enemy half his motive for continuing the naval conflict on Lake Ontario. On the other hand, I have the honour to be, &c., (Signed,) JOHN ARMSTRONG What, too, could the American Govern- found himself anticipated by the enemy; ment have thought of the monstrous position and in a few minutes, assailed in front from laid down, that a man, who deserted, "played a redoubt mounting four pieces of artillery, the infamous part of a traitor." What a and in flank, by one or more Indian attacks bitter satire is this of Mr. O'Connor's on the made from the surrounding woods. Succeedwhole American Government? and evening, at last, in repulsing these, and in driving more particularly direct does his shaft fly the enemy from the cleared ground, it was against the commanders of the vessels who soon discovered that the position was not had captured, either in merchantmen or such as was at all proper for a camp of either vessels of war, British subjects, and who had siege or investment, being of narrow surface, employed every means short of death to force skirted in the whole circumference by woods, them to abandon their national flag. intersected by deep ravines, and furnishing only a difficult and perilous communication with the fleet. Croghan, at once and wisely, It must not be forgotten that there was not a military or naval man of any description at St. Mary's, to warrant this conduct withdrew to the Lake shore and re-embarked on the part of the Americans; and there is the troops. Our loss on the occasion was very little room for doubt but that the course not great, numerically considered; but beadopted was in revenge for the failure of the came deeply interesting by the fate of Capt. principal object of the expedition, which was Holmes, a young man of high promise, unito get hold of the North-West furs, which versally respected and regretted." scheme was, however, happily frustrated. All this reads well, and doubtless pro"This service," says Armstrong, "being soon and successfully performed, the fleet sailed for Michilimacinac, and, on the 26th, anchored off that island." The laboured attempt of Armstrong to invest this post with all the defences that citadels like Quebec possess, is so ludicrous, that we are tempted to transcribe the whole passage: "After a short reconnoissance, and a few experiments, three discoveries, altogether unlooked for, were made 1st, That, from the great elevation of the fort, its walls could not be battered by the guns of the shipping. 24, That, from the steepness of the ascent, any attempt to carry the fort by storm would probably fail. 3d. That should this mode of attack succeed, it would be useless, inasmuch as every foot of its interior was commanded by guns placed on higher ground. duced the desired effect; but what were the real facts? That the Americans made a feint of landing in one quarter, in which direction the British troops hastened, the real landing having been effected elsewhere almost without opposition. A short time, however, after the landing, the Americans were attacked by a body of Indians, and compelled to retreat, the British troops having no share in the action, the whole credit of which belongs to the Indians. Had the garrison been present to co-operate, there is no doubt but that the whole party would have been captured or killed, The savage and ruthless Holmes, the author of all the ravages at St. Mary's, met a well-deserved fate, being shot during the skirmish. Armstrong and others have done their utmost to gloss over this repulse, by representing Michilimacinac as an isolated post, having no influence, direct or indirect, on the war. This sort of argument is very convenient after defeat, but the question naturally These facts, leaving no hope of success but arises, why did the American Government from an attack of the upper battery, the despatch one thousand troops (for such was troops were landed on the 4th August, and the number, and not five hundred, as repreconducted to the verge of an old field; indi- sented by Armstrong and others,) against so cated by the inhabitants as the position unimportant a post? which would best fulfil the intention of the In Lieutenant-Col. Macdonald's despatch movement, when, to Croghan's surprise, he to Sir George Prevost, it will be found that |