The judicious preparations and steady conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall commanding the first brigade, merit approbation.
To Major McRee, chief engineer, the greatest credit is due for the excellent arrangement and skillful execution of his plans for fortifying and defending the right, and for his correct and seasonable suggestions to regain the bastion. Major Wood, of the engineers, also greatly contributed to the previous measures of defence. He has accepted the command of a regiment of infantry, (the 21st,) for which he has often proved himself well qualified, but never so conspicuously as on this occasion.
Towson's battery emitted a constant sheet of fire. Wood's small arms lighted up the space, and repulsed five terrible charges made between the battery and the lake. Brigadier-General Ripley speaks in high terms of the officers and men engaged, particularly Captains Marston and Ropes, Lieutenants Riddle (of the 15th, doing duty with the 21st) and Hall; Ensigns Benn, Jones, Cummings and Thomas of the 21st, and Keally and Green of the 19th.
Major Hindman, and the whole of the artillery under the command of that excellent officer, displayed a degree of gallantry and good conduct not to be surpassed. The particular situation of Captain Towson, and the much lamented Captain Williams and Lieutenant M'Donough, and that of Lieutenant Watmough, as already described, with their respective commands, rendered them most conspicuous. The courage and good conduct of Lieutenant Zantzinger and Lieutenant Childs, is spoken of in high terms by Major Hindman and Captain Towson, as also that of Sergeant-Major Denhon. Captains Biddle and Fanning, on the centre and right of their entrenchments, threw their shot to the right, left and front, and annoyed the Indians and light troops of the enemy approaching from the woods. Lieutenant Fontaine in his zeal to meet the enemy, was unfortunately wounded and made prisoner. Lieutenant Bird was active and useful, and in fact every individual belonging to the corps did their duty.
The detachment of Scott's gallant brigade, consisting of parts of the 9th, 11th and 22d infantry, did its duty in a manner worthy the high reputation the brigade had acquired at Chippewa, and at the Falls of Niagara. The 9th, under the command of Captain Edmund Foster, was actively engaged against the left of the enemy, and with the aid of Lieutenant Douglass's corps of bombardiers, commanding the water battery, and that of the volunteers, under Captains Broughton and Harding, effected their repulse. The good conduct of Lieutenants Childs, Cushman and Foot, and Ensign Blake, deserves commendation.
The officers killed, are Captain Williams and Lieutenant McDonough of the artillery. Wounded, Lieutenant Watmough of the artillery; Ensign Cissney 19th; Lieutenant Bushnel 21st; Lieutenants Brown and Belknap 23d; and Captain Birdsall, 4th rifle regiment, all severely.
Lieutenant Fontaine of the artillery, who was taken prisoner, writes from the British camp, that he fortunately fell into the hands of the Indians, who, after taking his money, treated him kindly. It would seem, then, that these savages had not joined in the resolution to give no quarter.
To Major Jones, assistant adjutant-general, and Major Hull, assistant inspector-general; Captain Harris of the dragoons, volunteer aid-de-camp; Lieutenant Belton, aid-de-camp, much credit is due for their constant vigilance and strict attention to every duty previous to the action, and the steady courage, zeal, and activity, which they manifested during the action.
The surgeons, doctors Fuller 23d, Trowbridge 21st, with their mates, doctors Gale of the 23d, and Everett and Allen of the 21st, deserve the warmest approbation, for their indefatigable exertions and humane attention to the wounded of our army, as well as to the prisoners who fell into their hands.
I have the honour to be, etc.,
E. P. Gaines,
Brigadier-General commanding.