It was reported that the enemy had only waited the arrival of his flotilla, to make a general attack. About eight in the morning of the 11th, as was expected, the flotilla appeared in sight round Cumberland Head, and at nine, bore down and engaged our flotilla at anchor in the bay off the town. At the same instant, the batteries were opened on us, and continued throwing bomb shells, shrapnels, balls, and congreve rockets until sunset, when the bombardment ceased, every battery of the enemy being silenced by the superiority of our fire. The naval engagement lasted but two hours, in full view of both armies. Three efforts were made by the enemy to pass the river, at the commencement of the cannonade and bombardment, with a view of assaulting the works, and he had prepared for that purpose an immense number of scaling ladders. One attempt to cross was made at the village bridge, another at the upper bridge, and a third at a ford about three miles from the works. At the two first he was repulsed by the regulars; at the ford, by the brave volunteers and militia, where he suffered severely in killed, wounded, and prisoners; a considerable body having crossed the stream, but were either killed, taken, or driven back. The woods at this place were very favourable to the operations of the militia. A whole company of the 76th regiment was here destroyed, the three lieutenants and 27 men prisoners, the captain and the rest killed.
I cannot forego the pleasure of here stating the gallant conduct of Captain M'Glassin, of the 15th regiment, who was ordered to ford the river, and attack a party constructing a battery on the right of the enemy's line, within five hundred yards of Fort Brown, which he handsomely executed at midnight with fifty men; drove off the working party, consisting of one hundred and fifty, and defeated a covering party of the same number, killing one officer and six men in the charge, and wounding many. At dusk the enemy withdrew his artillery from the batteries, and raised the siege; at nine, under cover of the night, he sent off in a great hurry all the baggage he could find transport for, and also his artillery. At two next morning the whole army precipitately retreated, leaving the sick and wounded to our generosity, and the governor left a note with a surgeon requesting the humane attention of the commanding general.
Vast quantities of provisions were left behind and destroyed, also an immense quantity of bombshells, cannon balls, grape shot, ammunition, flints, &c., &c.; intrenching tools of all sorts, also tents and marquees. A great deal has been found concealed in the ponds and creeks, and buried in the ground, and a vast quantity carried off by the inhabitants. Such was the precipitancy of his retreat, that he arrived at Chazy, a distance of eight miles, before we had discovered he had gone. The light troops, volunteers, and militia pursued immediately on learning of his flight; and some of the mounted men made prisoners five dragoons of the 19th regiment, and several others of the rear guard. A continued fall of rain and a violent storm prevented further pursuit. Upwards of 300 deserters have come in, and many are hourly arriving. We have buried the British officers of the army and navy with the honours of war, and shown every attention and kindness to those who have fallen into our hands.
The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of my command, during this trying occasion, cannot be represented in too high terms, and I feel it my duty to recommend to the particular notice of government, Lieutenant-Colonel Appling of the 1st rifle corps, Major Wool of the 29th, Major Totten of the corps of engineers, Captain Brooks of the artillery, Captain M'Glassin of the 15th, Lieutenants De Russy and Trescott of the corps of engineers, Lieutenants Smyth, Mountford, and Cromwell of the artillery, also my aid-de-camp Lieutenant Root, who have all distinguished themselves by their uncommon zeal and activity, and have been greatly instrumental in producing the happy and glorious result of the siege.
I have the honour to be, &c.,
Alexander Macomb.
The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters, since his first appearance, cannot fall short of 2,500, including many officers, among whom is Colonel Wellington, of the Buffs.
Resolution of Congress Voting Rifles to Martin F. Aitkin and others.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to cause to be delivered to Martin J. Aitkin, Azariah C. Flagg, Ira A. Wood, Gustavus A. Bird, James Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Henry K. Averill, St. John B. L. Skinner, Frederick P. Allen, Hiram Walworth, Ethan Everist, Amos Soper, James Patten, Bartemus Brooks, Smith Bateman, Melancthon W. Travis and Flavel Williams, each, one rifle, promised them by General Macomb, while commanding the Champlain department, for their gallantry and patriotic services as a volunteer corps, during the siege of Plattsburgh in September, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, on each of which said rifles there shall be a plate containing an appropriate inscription.
Approved May 20, 1826.