Indians had formed a kind of fortress, covering about a hundred acres of ground, and rendered, as they conceived, impregnable, by the benedictions of their prophets, and the skill of their warriors. The breast-work of this fortified peninsula was from five to eight feet in height, and the congregated warriors of Oakfuska, Oakehagu, New Youka, Hillabeea, the Fish Ponds, and Eufatua, formed its garrison. Having dispatched General Coffee to place himself in the rear of the enemy by securing the opposite banks of the river, the commander of the American army determined to take possession of the breast-work by storm. The regular troops, led on by Colonel Williams and Major Montgomery, were soon in possession of the advanced part of the works, when an obstinate contest, through the port holes, musket to musket, took place, and in which many of the Indian bullets became transfixed upon the bayonets of their adversaries. At length the assailants succeeded in scaling the works, and the event was now no longer doubtful. The Indians, although they fought to the last moment of their existence, and displayed that kind of bravery which desperation inspires, were entirely routed and cut to pieces. margin of the river was strewed with their slain. Five hundred and fifty dead bodies laid upon the field, and from two to three hundred others were buried in the water. Not more than twenty escaped; and among the dead was found their famous prophet, Monahell, with two other prophets of less celebrity. The loss of the Americans in killed and wounded amounted to about two hundred, among the former of whom was Major Montgomery, and Lieutenants Sommerville and Moulton.

The

This action, which was continued for five hours, and till the exterminating sword could find no more victims, terminated the Creek war. The Tallapoosa king was made prisoner; Tostahatchee, King of Hickroy, afterwards surrendered himself; and Wetherford, their speaker, seeing that all further resistance was vain, ranked himself voluntarily among the captives.*

In the month of April a peace was concluded, BOOK V. and General Jackson withdrew his forces. The terms of the treaty were dictated by the United CHAP. II. States, and proceeded upon the principle of in1814 demnity for the past, and security for the future. The victors were to retain as much of the Creek country as would by its sale defray the expenses of the war; and to guard against future incursions from the tribes, the right of establishing military posts along the line of the whole frontier was conceded to them. It does not appear by any means clear, notwithstanding the confident assertions to the contrary, that this war, so disastrous to the Creeks, was instigated by the British government, and it is certain that not a single British officer or soldier was found in the Indian ranks.

The message of the American President at the opening of the congress, on the 7th of November, 1810, announced, that Great Britain had declined the offer made by the Emperor Alexander, to mediate the existing differences between that power and the United States; and under such circumstances, the president conceived, that a nation proud of its rights, and conscious of its strength, had no choice but in exertion of the one in support of the other. The door of negociation was not, however, finally closed; for while Great Britain was disinclined to commit the decision of the question at issue to the mediation of a power that, in common with America, might be disposed to circumscribe her maritime claims, she professed a readiness to nominate plenipotentiaries to treat directly with the plenipotentiaries of the American government, and expressed an earnest wish that their conferences might result in establishing between the two nations the blessings and reciprocal advantages of peace.† This proposal, which was communicated by Lord Castlereagh to the American secretary of state on the 4th of November, was accepted by the government of the United States without hesitation, and Gottenburg, being neutral territory, was fixed upon as the place at which the plenipotentiaries should assemble.

* In a private interview with General Jackson, after the battle, the intrepid Wetherford thus addressed his conqueror:-"I fought at Fort Mims-I fought the Georgian army-I did you all the injury I could-Had I been supported I would have done you more. But my warriors are all killed-I can fight no longer. I am sorry for the destruction of my nation am now in your power-do with me what you please-I am a soldier."

+ Dispatch from Lord Cathcart to the Count Nesselrode, dated Toplitz, September 1, 1813.

CHAPTER III.

AMERICAN WAR (Concluded) Objects of the Campaign of 1814-Repulse of the Americans at
Odell-town-Operations on the Shores of the Lakes: Battle of Chippaway-Battle of
Bridgewater-Repulse of the British at Fort Erie-Siege raised-Defeat of the British
Flotilla on Lake Champlain-Disastrous Result of the Expedition under Sir George
Prevost against Plattsburgh-Capture of the Essex Frigate-Loss of the Reindeer-En-
gagement between the Wasp and the Avon-Resolution taken by the British Government to
destroy and lay waste the Towns and Districts upon the American Coast-Destruction of
the Flotilla upon the Patuxent-Battle of Bladensburg-Destruction of the Public Edifices
in Washington-Surrender of Alexandria—Unsuccessful Attack upon Bellair, and Fall of
Captain Sir Peter Parker-Battle of Baltimore, and Fall of General Ross-Retreat of
the British Army-Expedition to the Penobscot-President's Message-Financial and
Military Arrangemeuts—Meeting of the Plenipotentiaries of Great Britain and America at
Ghent-Unsuccessful Attack on Fort Bowyer-Expedition against Louisiana-Advance of the
British Army-Battle of New Orleans-Fall of Sir Edward Pakenham and Major-general
Gibbs-The Expedition abandoned-Capture of Fort Bowyer-Capture of the President
Frigate-Negociations at Ghent-Treaty of Peace concluded.

BOOK V. THE slow operations of diplomacy, com-
bined with the great crisis in Europe, which
CHAP. III. had now arrived, and which absorbed the
principal attention of the British government,
1814
doomed the United States of America to suffer
for another year all the horrors of war. After
the fall of Napoleon, it was held in this country,
with a lamentable ignorance of the real state of
the feelings and energies of the United States,
that Britain, so long the undisputed mistress of
the ocean, would soon be able to sweep from
the seas the ships of America; and that those
troops which had acquired so much glory when
contending with the veteran armies of Europe,
would no sooner show themselves on the western
side of the Atlantic, than the panic-struck sol-
diers of the United States would be driven far
within their own frontiers. These pleasing
illusions were heightened by the hope that
England would soon be able to dictate peace
in the capital of the republic; or at least, that
the splendour of British_triumphs, and the
pressure of American embarrassments, would
induce and encourage the inhabitants of the
northern states to form a separate government,
under the protection of the crown of Great
Britain, if not actually under the sway of her
sceptre.

During the early part of the year 1814 the
war with America was suffered to languish; but
no sooner was Europe restored to peace, by the
dethronement of Bonaparte, than the British
government resolved to prosecute the contest
with increased vigour, and to obtain in the field

a recognition of those maritime rights which had hitherto been so strenuously resisted in the cabinet. Two distinct modes of prosecuting the war seem to have been determined upon by the British ministry-first, an invasion of the coasts of the United States; and, second, after the protection of Canada had been secured, the conquest of so much of the adjoining territory as might, in the event of a future war, effectually guard that province from all danger. The peace of Paris was scarcely ratified before fourteen thousand of those troops which had gained so much renown under the Duke of Wellington, were embarked at Bourdeaux for Canada; and about the same time, a strong naval force, with an adequate number of troops, was collected, and dispatched for the purpose of invading different parts of the coast of the United States.

So early as the month of March, some movements had taken place in the American army of the north, under General Wilkinson, indicative of an intention to try once more the fortune of war on the Canadian territory; and on the 30th of that month, the position of Odell-town, under the command of Major Hancock, was attacked with considerable vigour; but the resistance made by the British commander was so spirited and judicious, that the assailants were repulsed with considerable loss, and obliged again to retreat to their position at Plattsburg.

Before the reinforcements from Europe arrived in America, an expedition was undertaken, under the command of General Drummond

and Commodore Sir James Yeo, against the fort of Oswego, on Lake Ontario. On the 6th of May preparations were made for commencing the attack, but it was soon discovered that the garrison had made their escape, and General Drummond took possession of the town and fort without opposition. After the barracks had been destroyed, and all the damage inflicted upon the works that was found practicable, the troops re-embarked, bringing away seven heavy guns, and a quantity of stores. Another attempt on a small scale, made on Sandy Creek, by Captain Popham of the navy, in concert with Captain Spilsbury, proved unfortunate, and was attended with a loss of eighteen men killed, and fifty dangerously wounded, exclusive of prisoners.

A large American force, under Majorgeneral Brown, crossed the Niagara river on the 3d of July, and advancing against Fort Erie, demanded the surrender of the garrison. Major Buck, to, whom the command of the fort was confided, appears to have been very ill informed of the hostile movement by which he was assailed; and instead of atoning for his want of vigilance by a gallant defence, surrendered the fort at the first summons, himself, and one hundred and forty men, being made prisoners of war. After the fall of Fort E.ie, General Brown advanced towards the British lines of Chippaway; but no sooner was Major-general Riall, who commanded the British troops in the neighbourhood, made acquainted with this movement, than he ordered the immediate advance of five companies of royal Scots to reinforce the garrison, while a detachment of the 100th regiment, with a body of militia, and a few Indians, moved forward for the purpose of reconnoitring the position, and ascertaining the number of the enemy. Early in the morning of the 5th several affairs of posts took place, and at four o'clock in the afternoon both armies were drawn up in battle array on a plain, about a mile to the west of Chippaway. The enemy, in expectation of being attacked, had taken up a position with his right, under General Scott, resting on an orchard, close to the river Niagara, and strongly supported by artillery; his left, under General Porter, rested on a wood, with a body of riflemen and Indians in front; and General Ripley's brigade placed in reserve. In a few minutes the British line advanced in three columns, the light companies of the royal Scots and the 100th regiment, with the 2d Lincoln, forming the advance, under Lieutenant-colonel Pearson, while the Indian warriors, posted on the right flank, occupied the woods. About half past four the Canadian militia and the Indians were sharply engaged with the enemy's riflemen and Indians, who at first checked their advance; but

1814

the light troops being brought to their support, BOOK V. the division under General Porter, consisting principally of the New York and Pennsylvania CHAP. 111. volunteers, gave way, and fled in every direction. After this success, General Riall ordered the king's regiment to move to the right, while the royal Scots, and the 100th regiment, were directed to charge the enemy in front. The steady bravery with which this charge was received by General Scott's brigade, gave the first intimation that the Americans had found, in the increased gallantry of their armies, a counterpoise against the veteran troops which Great Britain was at this moment pouring upon their shores. shores. Two battalions of General Scott's brigade, with an enlarged interval between them, received the assailants in open plain, and prepared to take them in front and flank at the same time, while Captain Towson advanced to the front of the British left with three pieces of artillery, and took post on the river. The fire of the enemy's corps, accompanied by their artillery, produced a visible impression upon the British ranks, and the explosion of an ammunition waggon silenced the most efficient of their batteries. A heavy discharge of cannister shot was now poured on the British infantry, and General Riall, being no longer able to sustain this accumulated fire, ordered the attack to be abandoned, and the troops to retire behind their works at Chippaway. In this engagement, which closed only with the day, Lieut.-colonel Gordon, of the royal Scots, and Lieut.-colonel the Marquis of Tweedale, late aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington, were both wounded, as were most of the officers belonging to their respective regiments. The loss on both sides was nearly equal, and may be estimated in round numbers at five hundred each. The number of British regulars engaged in the battle of Chippaway is stated by their general at fifteen hundred, exclusive of militia and Indians; and on the same authority, it is said, that the enemy's force amounted to about six thousand men.

Emboldened by the success which had attended their first operations, the enemy looked forward to still greater advantages. After the action of the 5th, General Riall retreated to a position near Fort Niagara; and the American army took post at Chippaway. On the arrival of General Drummond at Niagara, on the morning of the 25th of July, he advanced at the head of a considerable force towards the Falls; and scarcely had he formed a junction with General Riall, when intelligence arrived that the American army, under General Brown, was again advancing. The British general immediately proceeded to meet the enemy, whom he found strongly posted on a rising ground at Bridgewater, near the Falls of Niagara, and

* According to the American accounts, the whole amount of their force engaged on the 25th of July did not exceed 2,800, of which their loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, amounted but to 860; while the loss of the British is stated by General Drummond at 878.

Brown and Scott, in the battle of Bridgewater, the command of the left wing of the 2d division of the northern army had devolved upon Brigadier general Gaines, who had exerted his utmost efforts to strengthen his position within the fort. During the 13th and 14th a brisk cannonade was kept up against the works, when General Drummond, having reason to believe that a sufficient impression had been produced, resolved to carry the place by a nocturnal assault. Two attacks were accordingly ordered to be made; the one by a heavy column under Lieutenant-colonel Fischer, directed against the intrenchments on the side of Snakehill; and the other, under Colonel Scott, and Lieutenantcolonel Drummond, on the fort and intrenchments leading to the lake. At half past two o'clock in the morning of the 15th, two hours before day-light, the British columns advanced to the attack; when Lieutenant-colonel Fischer, emerging from a thick wood, found himself suddenly checked, within ten yards of the intrenchment, by a kind of abbatis, defended by the enemy's musketry under Major Wood, and by their cannon under Captain Towson. The attention of the American general was soon after called to the right, where the approach of the centre and left of the British columns, under Colonels Drummond and Scott, was announced by a fire of cannon and musketry. A vigorous attack made by the left column, under Colonel Scott, was successfully resisted by the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, aided by a six pounder, under Major M'Kee; but the centre, led on by Colonel Drummond, was not long kept in check; it approached at once every assailable point of the fort, and with scaling ladders ascended the parapet. The assault at this point was twice repeated, and as often as often checked; but the British troops, having moved round the ditch unobserved, re-ascended their ladders, and after carrying the bastion at the point of the bayonet, actually turned the guns of the fortress against its defenders. According to the American accounts, Colonel Drummond performed prodigies of valour, but on the same authority a stigma is cast upon the memory of this gallant officer, by the assertion that he frequently reiterated a sanguinary order to "give the damned yankees no quarter." The battle now raged with increased fury, and several attempts were made by the garrison to dislodge the assailants; but in a moment every operation was arrested by the accidental explosion of a quantity of ammunition which had been placed under the platform, and by which almost all the troops that had entered the place were dreadfully mangled. A panic instantly communicated

1814

itself to the British troops; and so fixed was BOOK V.
their persuasion that the explosion was not
accidental, that the utmost exertion of the few CHAP. III.
surviving officers to restore order proved in-
effectual. The enemy, availing himself of this
advantage, pressed forward upon the disordered
columns, and before day appeared the besiegers
were obliged to abandon the bastion, and to seek
shelter behind their own batteries. The loss of
the British in this disastrous enterprise amounted,
in killed, wounded, and missing, to upwards of
nine hundred men; and both Colonel Scott and
Lieutenant-colonel Drummond were numbered
among the slain. The American loss was com-
paratively small, and is stated, in their own ac-
counts, not to have exceeded eighty-four men ;
of whom seventeen were killed, fifty-six wound-
ed, and eleven missing.

The loss of the British army was greatly
aggravated by a sortie made upon their works
before Fort Erie on the 17th of September,
and from the details of which, as stated in the
American official reports, it should appear that a
due degree of vigilance did not prevail in the
camp. Early in the morning of that day, the
infantry and riflemen, both of the regulars and
militia, were ordered by General Brown, who
had now resumed the command, to hold them-
selves in a state of readiness to march against
the English batteries. At twelve o'clock, Gene-
ral Porter was ordered to move, at the head of
his detachment, by a passage previously opened
through the woods, for the purpose of attacking
the right of the besieging army. General Mil-
ler was, at the same time, directed to occupy
the ravine between Fort Erie and the batteries;
while General Ripley was posted with a corps
of reserve between the two bastions of the fort.
Soon after three o'clock in the afternoon, General
Porter's column, which was destined to pene-
trate to the rear of the British batteries, and to
turn their right, carried a strong block-house by
storm; while General Miller, advancing from
the ravine, pierced the intrenchments, and within
half an hour from the time that the first gun was
fired, two of the batteries out of the three were
in possession of the enemy. The fate of the
remaining battery was soon after decided, and
the assailants, having spiked the British guns,
and destroyed one of the magazines, withdrew
within their own lines. Thus, in the short space
of one hour, the fruits of fifty days' labour was
destroyed, and the efficient force of the British
army diminished at least one thousand men, of
whom three hundred and eighty-five were made
prisoners. The aggregate loss of the Americans
amounted to five hundred and eleven, of whom
forty-five were officers, and the remainder non-

* Dispatches from General Gaines to the American Secretary at War, dated Fort Erie, August 23d, 1814.