ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Generals Brown, Scott, Porter, Gaines, Macomb, Ripley, and Miller.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major General Brown, and through him, to the officers and men of the regular army, and of the militia under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the successive battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, in Upper Canada, in which British veteran troops were beaten and repulsed by equal or inferior numbers; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of these triumphs, and presented to Major-General Brown.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Major-General Scott, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his distinguished services in the successive conflicts of Chippewa and Niagara, and of his uniform gallantry and good conduct in sustaining the reputation of the arms of the United States.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Brigadier-General Ripley, Brigadier-General Miller, and Major-General Porter, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of their gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.
Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major-General Gaines, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the enemy at Erie on the fifteenth of August, repelling with great slaughter the attack of a British veteran army, superior in numbers; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to Major-General Gaines.
Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major-General Macomb, and through him to the officers and men of the regular army under his command, and to the militia and volunteers of New York and Vermont, for their gallantry and good conduct, in defeating the enemy at Plattsburgh on the eleventh of September, repelling with one thousand five hundred men, aided by a body of militia and volunteers from New York and Vermont, a British veteran army, greatly superior in number; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to Major-General Macomb.
Approved November 3, 1814.
Major-General Brown to the Secretary of War.
Head Quarters, Chippewa Plains,
July 7th, 1814.
To the Honourable
John Armstrong,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Sir: On the 2d instant I issued my order for crossing the Niagara river, and made the arrangements deemed necessary for securing the garrison of Fort Erie. On the 3d that post surrendered at 5 p.m. Our loss in this affair was four of the 25th regiment, under Major Jessup, of Brigadier-General Scott's brigade, wounded. I have enclosed a return of the prisoners, of the ordnance and ordnance stores captured.
To secure my rear, I have placed a garrison in this fort, and requested Captain Kennedy to station his vessels near the post.
On the morning of the 4th, Brigadier-General Scott, with his brigade and a corps of artillery, was ordered to advance toward Chippewa, and be governed by circumstances; taking care to secure a good military position for the night. After some skirmishing with the enemy, he selected this plain with the eye of a soldier, his right resting on the river, and a ravine being in front. At 11 at night I joined him with the reserve, under General Ripley, our field and battering train, and corps of artillery under Major Hindman. General Porter arrived the next morning with a part of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the warriors of the Six Nations.
Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy commenced a petty war upon our pickets, and, as he was indulged, his presumption increased; by noon he showed himself on the left of our extensive line, and attacked one of our pickets as it was returning to camp. Captain Treat, who commanded it, retired disgracefully, leaving a wounded man on the ground. Captain Biddle, of the artillery, who was near the scene, impelled by feelings highly honourable to him as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the command of this picket, led it back to the wounded man and brought him off the field. I ordered Captain Treat, on the post, to retire from the army, as I am anxious that no officer shall remain under my command who can be suspected of cowardice. I advise that Captain Treat[96] be struck from the rolls of the army.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, agreeably to a plan I had given General Porter, he advanced from the rear of our camp, with the volunteers and Indians (taking the woods in order to keep out of view of the enemy), with the hope of bringing his pickets and scouting parties between his (Porter's) line of march, and our camp. As Porter moved, I ordered the parties advanced in front of our camp to fall back gradually, under the enemy's fire, in order to draw him, if possible, up to our line. About half past 4, the advance of General Porter's command met the light parties of the enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left. The enemy were driven, and Porter advancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in order of battle. From the cloud of dust rising, and the heavy firing, I was led to conclude that the entire force of the enemy was in march, and prepared for action. I immediately ordered General Scott to advance with his brigade, and Towson's artillery, and meet them upon the plain in front of our camp. The general did not expect to be gratified with a field engagement. He advanced in the most prompt and officer-like style, and in a few minutes was in close action upon the plain, with a superior force of British regular troops. By this time General Porter's command had given way, and fled in every direction, notwithstanding his personal gallantry, and great exertions to stay their flight. The retreat of the volunteers and Indians caused the left flank of General Scott's brigade to be greatly exposed. Captain Harris, with his dragoons, was directed to stop the fugitives, behind the ravine fronting our camp; and I sent Colonel Gardner to order General Ripley to advance with the 21st regiment which formed part of the reserve, pass to the left of our camp, skirt the woods so as to keep out of view, and fall upon the rear of the enemy's right flank. This order was promptly obeyed, and the greatest exertions were made by the 21st regiment to gain their position, and close with the enemy, but in vain; for such was the zeal and gallantry of the line commanded by General Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was not to be checked. Major Jessup, commanding the left flank battalion, finding himself pressed in front and in flank, and his men falling fast around him, ordered his battalion to "support arms and advance;" the order was promptly obeyed, amidst the most deadly and destructive fire. He gained a more secure position, and returned upon the enemy so galling a discharge, as caused them to retire. By this time, their whole line was falling back, and our gallant soldiers pressing upon them as fast as possible. As soon as the enemy had gained the sloping ground, descending towards Chippewa, and distant a quarter of a mile, he broke and ran to gain his works. In this effort he was too successful, and the guns from his batteries opening immediately upon our line, checked in some degree the pursuit. At this moment I resolved to bring up all my ordnance and force the place by a direct attack, and gave the order accordingly. Major Wood, of the corps of engineers, and my aid, Captain Austin, rode to the bank of the creek towards the right of their line of works, and examined them. I was induced by their report, the lateness of the hour, and the advice of General Scott and Major Wood, to order the forces to retire to camp.
My most difficult duty remains to be performed; I am depressed with the fear of not being able to do justice to my brave companions in arms, and apprehensive, that some who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and promptly embraced it, will escape my notice.
Brigadier-General Scott is entitled to the highest praise our country can bestow: to him, more than any other man, I am indebted for the victory of the 5th of July. His brigade has covered itself with glory. Every officer and every man of the 9th and 22d, 11th and 15th regiments did his duty with a zeal and energy worthy of the American character. When every officer stands so pre-eminently high in the path of his duty and honour, it is impossible to discriminate, but I cannot deprive myself of the pleasure of saying, that Major Leavenworth commanded the 9th and 22d, Major Jessup the 25th, and Major McNeil the 11th. Colonel Campbell was wounded early in the action, gallantly leading on his regiment.
The family of General Scott were conspicuous in the field; Lieutenant Smith of the 6th infantry, major of brigade, and Lieutenants Worth and Watts his aids.
From General Ripley and his brigade, I received every assistance that I gave them an opportunity of rendering. I did not order any part of the reserve into action until General Porter's command had given way, and then General Scott's movements were so rapid and decisive, that General Ripley could not get up in time with the 21st, to the position as directed. The corps of artillery under Major Hindman were not generally in action; this was not their fault. Captain Towson's company was the only one that had a full opportunity of distinguishing itself, and it is believed that no company ever embraced an opportunity with more zeal or more success.
A detachment from the 2d brigade under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, penetrated the woods with the Indians and volunteers, and for their support. The conduct of McDonald and his command reflects high honour on the brigade to which they belong.
The conduct of General Porter has been conspicuously gallant. Every assistance in his power to afford, with the description of force under his command, has been rendered. We could not expect him to contend with the British column of regulars which appeared upon the plains of Chippewa. It was no cause of surprise to me to see his command retire before this column.
Justice forbids that I should omit to name my own family. They yield to none in honourable zeal, intelligence, and attention to duty. Colonel Gardner, Major Jones, and my aids, Captains Austin and Spencer, have been as active and as much devoted to the cause as any officers of the army. Their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments; of Gardner and Jones I shall have occasion again to speak to you.
Major Camp, deputy-quarter-master-general, deserves my particular notice and approbation. By his great exertions, I was enabled to find the means of crossing. Captain Daliba, of the ordnance department, has rendered every service in his power.
The inclosed return will show you our loss, and furnish you with the names of the dead and wounded officers. These gallant men must not be forgotten. Our country will remember them, and do them justice.
With great respect, &c.,
Jacob Brown.
Adjutant-General's Office, left Division,
Chippewa Plains, July 6th, 1814.
Major-General Brown has the gratification to say, that the soldiers of the 2d division, west of the Niagara, merit greater applause than he is able to bestow in general orders; they merit the highest approbation of the country. The conduct of Brigadier-General Scott's brigade, which had the opportunity to engage the whole force of the enemy, the greater part, it is believed, of all in the peninsula, removes on the day of this battle the reflection on our country, that its reputation in arms is yet to be established. His brigade consists of battalions of the 9th, the 11th, the 25th and a detachment of the 22d. Towson's company of artillery, which was attached to it, gallantly commenced, and with it sustained the action.
The volunteers and Indians performed their part; they drove the enemy's Indians and light troops until they met the British army: they meet the general's approbation.
Of the reports of killed and wounded, the names of the wounded officers will be mentioned, in order that they may be rewarded with that honourable mention which is due.
By order of Major-General Brown.
C. K. Gardner, Adj't Gen.
General Brown to the Secretary of War.
Buffalo, August, 1814.
To the Honourable
John Armstrong,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Sir: Confined as I was, and have been, since the last engagement with the enemy, I fear that the account I am about to give may be less full and satisfactory than under other circumstances it might have been made. I particularly fear that the conduct of the gallant men it was my good fortune to lead, will not be noticed in a way due to their fame and the honour of our country.
You are already apprized that the army had, on the 25th ultimo, taken a position at Chippewa. About noon of that day, Colonel Swift, who was posted at Lewistown advised me by express that the enemy appeared in considerable force in Queenstown, and on its heights; that four of the enemy's fleet had arrived during the preceding night, and were then lying near Fort Niagara, and that a number of boats were in view moving up the strait. Within a few minutes after this intelligence had been received, I was further informed by Captain Denmons, of the quarter-master's department, that the enemy was landing at Lewistown, and that our baggage and stores at Schlosser, and on their way thither, were in danger of immediate capture. It is proper here to mention, that having received advices as late as the 20th from General James, that our fleet was then in port, and the commodore sick, we ceased to look for co-operation from that quarter, and determined to disencumber ourselves of baggage, and march directly for Burlington Heights. To mask this intention, and to draw from Schlosser a small supply of provisions, I fell back upon Chippewa.
As this arrangement, under the increased force of the enemy, left much at hazard on our side of the Niagara, and as it appeared by the before stated information, that the enemy was about to avail himself of it, I conceived that the most effectual method of recalling him from this object was to put myself in motion towards Queenstown. General Scott, with his first brigade, Towson's artillery, and all the dragoons and mounted men were accordingly put in march on the road leading thither, with orders to report, if the enemy appeared, and to call for assistance, if that was necessary. On the general's arrival at the falls, he learned that the enemy was in force directly in his front, a narrow piece of woods alone intercepting his view of them. Waiting only to give this information, he advanced upon them. By this time Assistant Adjutant General Jones had delivered his message, the action began, and before the remaining part of the division had crossed the Chippewa, it had become close and general between the advanced corps. Though General Ripley with his second brigade, Major Hindman with the corps of artillery, and General Porter at the head of his command, had respectively pressed forward with ardour, it was not less than an hour before they were brought to sustain General Scott, during which time his command most skilfully and gallantly maintained the conflict. Upon my arrival, I found that the general had passed the wood, and engaged the enemy on the Queenstown road, and on the ground to the left of it, with the 9th, 11th and 22d regiments, and Towson's artillery. The 25th had been thrown to the right, to be governed by circumstances.
Apprehending that these corps were much exhausted, and knowing that they had suffered severely, I determined to interpose a new line with the advancing troops; and thus disengage General Scott, and hold his brigade in reserve. Orders were accordingly given to General Ripley. The enemy's artillery at this moment occupied a hill which gave great advantage, and was the key of the whole position. It was supported by a line of infantry. To secure victory, it was necessary to carry this artillery and seize the height. This duty was assigned to Colonel Miller, while, to favour its execution, the 1st regiment, under the command of Colonel Nicholas, was directed to manœuvre and amuse the infantry. To my great mortification, this regiment, after a discharge or two, gave way and retreated some distance, before it could be rallied, though it is believed the officers of the regiment exerted themselves to shorten this distance. In the mean time, Colonel Miller, without regard to this occurrence, advanced steadily and gallantly to his object, and carried the height and the cannon. General Ripley brought up the 23d regiment, (which had also faltered,) to his support, and the enemy disappeared from before them. The 1st regiment was now brought into line on the left of the 21st, and the detachment of the 17th and 19th, General Porter occupying with his command the extreme left. About this time, Colonel Miller carried the enemy's cannon. The 25th regiment, under Major Jessup was engaged in a more obstinate conflict with all that remained to dispute with us the field of battle. The major, as has been already stated, had been ordered by General Scott, at the commencement of the action, to take ground to his right. He had succeeded in turning the enemy's flank; had captured (by a detachment under Captain Ketchum), General Riall and sundry other officers, and showed himself again to his own army, in a blaze of fire, which defeated or destroyed a very superior force of the enemy. He was ordered to form on the right of the 2d regiment. The enemy rallying his forces, and as is believed, having received reinforcements, now attempted to drive us from our position and regain his artillery. Our line was unshaken and the enemy repulsed. Two other attempts having the same object, had the same issue. General Scott was again engaged in repelling the former of these, and the last I saw of him in the field of battle, he was near the head of his column, and giving to its march a direction that would place him on the enemy's right. It was with great pleasure I saw the good order and intrepidity of General Porter's volunteers from the moment of their arrival; but during the last charge of the enemy those qualities were conspicuous. Stimulated by the examples set them by their gallant leader, by Major Wood of the Pennsylvania corps, by Colonel Dobbin of New York, and by their officers generally, they precipitated themselves upon the enemy's line, and made all the prisoners which were taken at this point of the action.
Having been for some time wounded, and being a good deal exhausted by the loss of blood, it became my wish to devolve the command on General Scott, and retire from the field; but on enquiry, I had the misfortune to learn, that he was disabled by wounds; I therefore kept my post, and had the satisfaction to see the enemy's last effort repulsed. I now consigned the command to General Ripley.
While retiring from the field, I saw and felt, that the victory was complete on our part, if proper measures were promptly adopted to secure it. The exhaustion of the men was, however, such as made some refreshment necessary. They particularly required water. I was myself extremely sensible of the want of this necessary article. I therefore believed it proper, that General Ripley and the troops should return to camp, after bringing off the dead, the wounded, and artillery; and in this I saw no difficulty, as the enemy had entirely ceased to act. Within an hour after my arrival in camp, I was informed that General Ripley had returned without annoyance, and in good order. I now sent for him, and after giving him my reasons for the measure I was about to adopt, ordered him to put the troops in the best possible condition; to give to them the necessary refreshment; to take the pickets and camp-guards, and every other description of force; to put himself on the field of battle as the day dawned, and there to meet and beat the enemy if he again appeared. To this order he made no objection, and I relied upon its execution. It was not executed. I feel most sensibly how inadequate are my powers in speaking of the troops, to do justice to their merits, or to my own sense of them. Under abler direction, they might have done more and better.
From the preceding details, you have new evidence of the distinguished gallantry of Generals Scott and Porter, of Colonel Miller and Major Jessup, of the 1st brigade. The chief, with his aid-de-camp Worth, his major of brigade Smith, and every commander of battalion, were wounded. The 2d brigade suffered less; but as a brigade, their conduct entitled them to the applause of their country. After the enemy's strong position had been carried by the 21st and the detachments of the 17th and 19th, the 1st and 23d assumed a new character. They could not again be shaken or dismayed. Major McFarland, of the latter, fell nobly at the head of his battalion.
Under the command of General Porter, the militia volunteers of Pennsylvania and New York stood undismayed amidst the hottest fire, and repulsed the veterans opposed to them. The Canadian volunteers, commanded by Colonel Wilson, are reported by General Porter as having merited and received his approbation.
The corps of artillery commanded by Major Hindman, behaved with its usual gallantry. Towson's company attached to the 1st brigade, was the first and the last engaged, and during the whole conflict maintained that high character which they had previously won by their skill and their valour. Captains Biddle and Ritchie were both wounded early in the action, but refused to quit the field. The latter declared that he would never leave his piece; and true to his engagement, fell by its side covered with wounds.
The staff of the army had its peculiar merit and distinction. Colonel Gardner, adjutant-general, though ill, was on horseback, and did all in his power; his assistant, Major Jones, was very active and useful. My gallant aids-de-camp, Austin and Spencer, had many and critical duties to perform, in discharge of which the latter fell; I shall ever think of this young man with pride and regret; regret that his career has been so short; pride that it has been so noble and distinguished. The engineers, Majors McRee and Wood, were greatly distinguished on this day, and their high military talents exerted with great effect; they were much under my eye and near my person, and to their assistance a great deal is fairly to be ascribed. I most earnestly recommend them as worthy of the highest trust and confidence. The staff of Generals Ripley and Porter, discovered great zeal and attention to duty. Lieutenant E. B. Randolph, of the 20th regiment, is entitled to notice; his courage was conspicuous.
I enclose a return of our loss: those noted missing may generally be numbered with the dead. The enemy had but little opportunity of making prisoners.
I have the honour to be, etc.,
Jacob Brown.
General Brown to the Secretary of War.
Headquarters, Camp Fort Erie,
September 29th, 1814.
To the Honourable
John Armstrong,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Sir: In my letter of the 18th instant I briefly informed you of the fortunate issue of the sortie which took place the day preceding. But it is due to the gallant officers and men, to whose bravery we are indebted for our success on this occasion, that I should give you a more circumstantial and detailed account of this affair.
The enemy's camp I had ascertained to be situated in a field, surrounded by woods, nearly two miles distant from their batteries and entrenchments, the object of which was to keep the parts of their force which was not upon duty, out of the range of our fire from Fort Erie and Black Rock. Their infantry was formed into three brigades, estimated at 1,200 or 1,500 men each. One of these brigades, with a detail from their artillery, was stationed at their works, (these being but 500 yards distant from old Fort Erie, and the right of our line). We had already suffered much from the fire of two of their batteries, and were aware that a third was about to open upon us. Under these circumstances, I resolved to storm the batteries, destroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade upon duty, before those in reserve could be brought into action.
On the morning of the 17th, the infantry and riflemen, regulars and militia, were ordered to be paraded, and put in readiness to march precisely at 12 o'clock. General Porter with the volunteers, Colonel Gibson with the riflemen, and Major Brooke with the 23rd and 21st infantry, and a few dragoons acting as infantry, were ordered to move from the extreme left of our position, upon the enemy's right, by a passage opened through the woods for the occasion. General Miller was directed to station his command in the ravine, which lies between Fort Erie and the enemy's batteries, by passing them by detachments through the skirts of the wood, and the 21st infantry, under General Ripley, was posted as a corps of reserve between the new bastions of Fort Erie; all under cover and out of the view of the enemy.
About 20 minutes before 3 p.m. I found the left columns, under the command of General Porter, which were destined to turn the enemy's right, within a few rods of the British entrenchments. They were ordered to advance and commence the action. Passing down the ravine, I judged from the report of musketry, that the action had commenced on our left; I now hastened to General Miller and directed him to seize the moment and pierce the enemy's entrenchments between batteries No. 2 and 3. My orders were promptly and ably executed. Within 30 minutes after the first gun was fired, batteries No. 3 and 2, the enemy's line of entrenchments, and his two block houses, were in our possession. Soon after, battery No. 1 was abandoned by the British. The guns in each were spiked by us, or otherwise destroyed, and the magazine of No. 3 was blown up.
A few minutes before the explosion, I had ordered up the reserve under General Ripley. As he passed me at the head of his column, I desired him, as he would be the senior in advance, to ascertain, as near as possible, the situation of the troops in general, and to have a care that not more was hazarded than the occasion required; that, the object of the sortie effected, the troops would retire in good order, &c. General Ripley passed rapidly on; soon after, I became alarmed for General Miller, and sent an order for the 21st to hasten to his support towards battery No. 1. Colonel Upham received the order, and advanced to the aid of General Miller. General Ripley had inclined to the left, where Major Brooke's command was engaged, with a view of making some necessary enquiries of that officer, and in the act of doing so, was unfortunately wounded. By this time, the object of the sortie was accomplished beyond my most sanguine expectations. General Miller had consequently ordered the troops on the right to fall back; observing this movement, I sent my staff along the line to call in the other corps. Within a few minutes they retired from the ravine, and from thence to camp.
Thus, one thousand regulars, and an equal portion of militia, in one hour of close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, destroyed the fruits of fifty days labour, and diminished his effective force 1,000 men at least. I am at a loss how to express my satisfaction at the gallant conduct of the officers and men of this division, whose valour has shown superior to every trial. General Porter, in his official report herein enclosed, has very properly noticed those patriotic citizens who have done so much honour to themselves, by freely and voluntarily tendering their services at a dangerous and critical period.
As the scene of action was in a wood, in advance of the position I had chosen for directing the movements of the whole, the several reports of commandants of corps, must guide me in noticing individuals.
General Miller mentions Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall, Lieutenant-Colonel Beedle, Major Trimble, Captain Hull, Captain Ingersoll, Lieutenant Crawford, Lieutenant Lee, and particularly Ensign O'Fling, as entitled to distinction.
Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, upon whom the command of the rifle corps devolved, upon the fall of the brave and generous Gibson, names Adjutant Shortridge, of the 1st, and Ballard of the 4th regiments, as deserving the highest applause for their promptness and gallantry in communicating orders. Of the other officers of the corps, he reports generally, that the bravery and good conduct of all was so conspicuous as to render it impossible to discriminate.
Major Brooke, to whom much credit is due for the distinguished manner in which he executed the orders he received, speaks in high terms of Lieutenants Goodell, Ingersoll, Livingston, and ensigns Brant and O'Fling, of the 23d, particularly of the latter. Also of Captain Simms, Lieutenants Bissel, Shore, and Brinot, of the 1st infantry, and Lieutenant Watts, of the dragoons.
Lieutenant-Colonel Upham, who took the command of the reserve after General Ripley was disabled, bestows great praise upon Major Chambers, of the 4th regiment of riflemen, attached to the 21st infantry, as also upon Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Holding of that regiment.
My staff, Colonel Snelling, Colonel Gardner, Major Jones, and my aids-de-camp, Major Austin and Lieutenant Armstrong, were, as usual, zealous, intelligent, and active; they performed every duty required of them to my entire satisfaction.
Major Hall, assistant inspector general, led a battalion of militia, and conducted with skill and gallantry. Lieutenant Kirby, aid-de-camp to General Ripley, was extremely active and useful during the time he was in action.
Lieutenants Frazer and Riddle were in General Porter's staff; their bravery was conspicuous, and no officers of their grade were more useful.
The corps of artillery, commanded by Major Hindman, which has been so eminently distinguished throughout this campaign, had no opportunity of taking a part in the sortie. The 25th infantry, under Colonel Jessup, was stationed in Fort Erie to hold the key of our position.
Colonel Brady, on whose firmness and good conduct every reliance could be placed, was in command at Buffalo with the remains of the 22d infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel McRee and Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, of the corps of engineers, having rendered to this army services the most important, I must seize the opportunity of again mentioning them particularly. On every trying occasion, I have reaped much benefit from their sound and excellent advice. No two officers of their grade could have contributed more to the safety and honour of this army. Wood, brave, generous and enterprising, died as he had lived, without a feeling but for the honour of his country and glory of her arms. His name and example will live to guide the soldiers in the path of duty so long as true heroism is held in estimation. McRee lives to enjoy the approbation of every virtuous and generous mind, and to receive the reward due to his services and high military talents.
It is proper here to notice, that although but one-third of the enemy's force was on duty when his works were carried, the whole were brought into action while we were employed in destroying his cannon. We secured prisoners from seven of his regiments, and know that the 6th and 87th suffered severely in killed and wounded, yet these regiments were not upon duty.
Lieutenant-General Drummond broke up his camp during the night of the 21st, and retired to his entrenchments behind the Chippewa. A part of our men came up with the rear of his army at Frenchman's creek; the enemy destroyed part of their stores by setting fire to the building from which they were employed in conveying them. We found in and about the camp a considerable quantity of cannon ball, and upwards of one hundred stand of arms.
I send you enclosed herein a return of our loss. The return of prisoners enclosed does not include the stragglers that came in after the action.
I have the honour to be, &c.,
Jacob Brown.
General Brown to the Secretary of War.
Head Quarters, Fort Camp Erie,
October 1st, 1814.
To the Honourable
John Armstrong,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Sir: Looking over my official account of the action of the 17th ultimo, I find that the names of the regiments which composed General Miller's command have not been given. As I believe it even more important to distinguish corps than individuals, I am anxious to correct this mistake. General Miller on that day commanded the remains of the 9th and 11th infantry, and a detachment of the 19th. Of three field officers who were attached to them, two were severely wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall, of the 9th, gallantly leading his men to the attack upon the enemy's entrenchments; and Major Trimble, of the 19th, who was shot within their works, conducting with great skill and bravery. A detachment of the 17th regiment was attached to the 21st.
I have the honour to be, &c.,
Jacob Brown.
July 5 and 25, and September 17, 1814.
Major General Peter B. Porter. ℞. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.