o clock in the morning, and by 7 the firing commenced upon their
landing party. The situation of the ground was unfavorable to
regular troops, for the enemy s rifle corps took to the woods near
the landing, and under that cover annoyed and half-destroyed the
grenadiers of the King s Own ; their captain fell early and the corn
pany broke. The Newfoundland and militia destined to support
the grenadiers were obliged to give way, and, although they were
rallied by Sir Roger in person, eventually left him w r ith his aide-
de-camp, Captain Loring, between the enemy arid our retreating
force. After the first repulse we collected in numbers at our bat
tery of two 18-pounders, which whilst filled and surrounded by
troops was blown up by an accidental fire set to the moveable
magazine. The consequent dispersion of the militia was not
recovered ; the column of the enemy having gained the bank this
battery was abandoned and the retreat continued, Sir Roger direct
ing the magazine to be blown up, which was done with a tremendous
explosion, destroying the enemy s General Pike arid about 200 men.
The match was rather short or the whole column would have been
in the air. Captain Loring s horse was killed by the fall of a stone
and himself stunned. A halt was made before we got to the ship
yard, the object of the expedition. Sir Roger deciding upon a
retreat, between 3 and 4 in the afternoon directed the ship and the
naval storehouse to be burnt, which was done, and he effected his
retreat, w T ith about 200 regulars, to Kingston.

(File in Library of Parliament, Ottawa.)



From "The War," Vol. I., No. 49, p. 204.

Extract of a letter from a field officer in the force which landed
at York, to the Department of War :

The column of attack consisted of the 6th, 15th, 16th and 21st
Regiments of infantry and a detachment of light and heavy artil-



213

lery. Major Forsyth s corps of riflemen and Lieut. -Colonel Mc-
Clure s corps of volunteers acted on the flanks. There was a long
piece of woods to go through, which offered many obstacles to our
heavy ordnance. As was expected, we were there annoyed on our
flanks by a party of the British and Indians, with a 6-pounder and
two howitzers. One of the enemy s batteries accidentally blew up, by
which they lost fifty men of the 8th Regiment. A part of our force
was detached from our column as it came into the open ground,
which carried the second battery by storm. The troops were halted
a few minutes to bring up the heavy ordnance to play on the block
house. General Sheaflk despairing of holding the town, ordered
fire to be put to the magazine in which there were 500 barrels of
powder, many cartloads of stone, and an immense quantity of iron
shells and shot. The explosion was tremendous. The column was
raked from front to rear. General Pike and his three aids and 250
officers and men were killed and wounded in the column. Not
withstanding this calamity and the discomfiture that might be
expected to follow it, the troops gave three cheers, instantly formed
the column and marched on towards the town. General Sheaffe
fled and left his papers and baggage behind him. About 60 regu
lars accompanied him, leaving their wounded in every farm house.
They acknowledge the loss of three hundred killed and wounded.
Their force consisted of 1,000 men. We took between four and five
hundred prisoners.

(File in Library of Buffalo Historical Society.)



(From the United States Gazette of Philadelphia, 24th May, 1813.)

Letter from an officer in the United States army to the Editor
of the United State* Gazette:

In the woods, 4 miles from Niagara, May 9, 1813.
DEAR SIR,

We landed here last night from the fleet which had just arrived
from York. Ere this reaches you I presume the official account of
the victory we gained over the British will have been published, so
that this letter will afford you no new intelligence except a few
incidents too trivial for an official paper. I will principally extract
from my journal.

On Friday, 23d April, embarked on board the fleet lying at
Sackett s Harbor, commanded by Commodore Chauncey. The wind
became very tempestuous and we put back. April 24th we collected
a few more troops on board. About 5 a, in. on the 25th April the
fleet set sail, wind fair and weather beautiful. The wind and wea-



214

ther continued fair. About midnight, within three hours sail of
land, saw a light ahead. 27th, at daylight saw York lighthouse.
At 6 a. in. the fleet took in sail and bore down about a mile and a
half below the enemy s batteries, and moored opposite what is called
the old French fort. About 7 we commenced landing the troops
from the shipping. At half-past 7 we were landed on the beach
and attacked by the British and Indians. At 8 o clock the enemy
gave way. Major Forsyth and his riflemen, followed by the 15th
Regiment, supported themselves on the hill. The British fought
very gallantly and made an attempt to charge. They were driven
back. The Indians shouted and retreated in much disorder. The
Canadian militia followed the Indians.

Our troops were forming line in the plain called the old French
fort. The British troops were in the woods within half gun shot.
A brisk fire was commenced. The enemy was compelled finally to
retreat, about live minutes after nine. Our troops were formed in
open column and advanced with a howitzer and six-pounder in
front, commanded by Lieut. Fanning, (Captain Brooks being absent,)
who did much execution on the enemy s batter}*. The grape shot
was whistling about us from their battery as we advanced. About
10 o clock we carried two of their batteries. At half past 10 our
column halted for six more pieces of artillery, ordered by Major
Eustis to advance to the front to support Lieut. Fanning.

About eleven o clock the enemy fired their magazine and imme
diately retired. An explosion ensued which scattered terror and
death into our ranks. The brave General Pike was mortally
wounded, Captain Lyon was killed. Capt. J. W. Fox was also
mortally wounded by my side; many more strewed around in every
direction.

Our troops gave three cheers in the midst of this dreadful
scene. Not a single company of the first brigade gave way. The
scene around seemed to add vigor to their strength. About one
o clock we had possession of all three batteries. At two the column
halted and sent a flag of truce by Captain Young, demanding a
surrender of all their stores, troops, &c. The officer who received
the flag replied that he was authorized by General Sheatfe to capitu
late, during which time the commanding General and all his regu
lar troops retreated, leaving us to take a few hundred scattered
militia. The enemy as they retreated set fire to the naval store
house as well as to a large ship building in the ship yard. About
30 minutes after 3 we marched triumphantly through the town of
York. At 4 we returned to the garrison, previously occupied by
the British, and took comfortable quarters. About half -past 5 I
visited the field of battle and saw a vast number of wounded who



215



were not assisted by a single surgeon, but left to groan and bleed
to death by their wounds. At six returned to the garrison and sent
a party of men to bring the wounded from the cold ground. About
7 p. m. the surgeon and mate of the Oth Regiment took charge of
the wounded, who had been brought up to the garrison. At 8 p.
m. I returned to my quarters very much fatigued.

(File in the Philadelphia Library, Philadelphia.)



Memo, by I/ieut. -Colonel Glegg.

Casualties in a detach t of the 8th or King s Regt. stationed at
York in Upper Canada when that place was captured by the
Americans, 27th April :

Killed. , Wounded. f Missing.



Grenadier Comp y


46


30




Capt Eustace s Comp v


6


6


9


Batt n Comp y attached to grenadiers.


7








59


36


9



J. B. GLEGG, B. M.

(From a memorandum book in possession of Lieut. -Col. Turner.)



Return of Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing of the Troops

at York under the Command of Major-General Sir Roger

Hale Sheaffe, on the ayth ultimo.

KINGSTON, May 10th, 1813.

Royal Artillery Three gunners killed : one driver wounded
and prisoner, one bombardier, three gunners prisoners : total 9.

8th or King s Regiment One captain, one sergeant-major, four
sergeants, 40 rank and Hie killed : two sergeants, two rank and tile
wounded, 25 rank and file wounded and prisoners, one rank and
file missing : total 77.

Royal Newfoundland Regiment One sergeant, one drummer,
ten rank and Hie killed ; one drummer, six rank and tile wounded :
one lieutenant, three sergeants, one drummer, eight rank and tile
wounded and prisoners: two rank and tile prisoners, two rank and
tile missing: total 36.

Glengarry Light Infantry Two rank and file killed : one
ensign, three rank and tile wounded : three rank and file missing.



216

49th Regiment Three rank and file wounded and prisoners;
two rank and tile missing, in hospital : total 5.

RECAPITULATION.

One captain, one sergeant-major, four sergeants, one drummer,
fifty-two rank and file killed ; one ensign, two sergeants, one drum
mer, thirty rank and file wounded : one lieutenant, four sergeants,
one drummer, thirty-six rank and file, one driver, wounded and
prisoners : six rank and file, one bombardier, three gunners, prison
ers ; six rank and file, one gunner, missing.

NAMES OF OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED.

Killed 8th or King s Regiment Captain McNeal, Volunteer
Donald McLean, Clerk of the House of Assembly.

Wounded Royal Newfoundland Regiment Lieutenant De
Koven, (prisoner.) Glengarry Light Infantry Ensign Robins,
slightly. General staff Captain Loring, 104th Regiment, slightly.
Incorporated Militia Captain Jarvis. volunteer ; Mr. Hartney,
barrack master. No return yet received of the loss of the militia.

RICHARD LEONARD,
Acting-Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General.

EDWARD HAYNES,
Adjutant-General, North America.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 121, 222 a.)



From "A Statistical Account of Upper Canada" by Robert Gour-

lay, 1822.

The flour and other provisions were, by General Dearborn s
order, distributed among the poor people of the town and garrison.
A party of American sailors, without the knowledge or orders of
their commanders, set fire to the two wings of the Parliament
House and consumed them, with the adjoining clerks offices and
the library and papers deposited there, under a pretense of irritation
on account of a scalp alleged to have been found suspended as a
trophy. This statement, that the burning was by the American
sailors, is the result of all my inquiries on the subject, though
Captain Grafton, who commanded the American guard, declares
that " upon discovering the fire he hastened to the place and found
some inhabitants standing near it : that he asked them who set it
on fire ; their reply was that they did not know, that there were no
sailors or soldiers to be seen, and he thought it as probable that
some disaffected inhabitants had done it as that any American



217

soldiers or sailors had been guilty of disobeying the orders of their
commanders."

Notwithstanding his opinion, it is an unquestionable fact that
the tire was set by a number of Americans, supposed from their
appearance to be sailors, unattended by any officer.

But according to a statement of a mem
ber of the House of Representatives, who was acquainted with the
circumstances, they were simply these : The scalp was sent as a
curiosity enclosed in a letter from an officer in the army to his
friend the Clerk of the House. Upon opening the letter he and
two or three others who happened to be present were disgusted
at the sight and threw the letter into an under drawer of his table
among a parcel of old papers. There it w 7 as probably found by
some of the sailors, who imposed on the officers the fiction of its
having been suspended on the walls of the house.

(Vol. I., pp. 90-1.)



Return of Garrison and Field Ordnance at the "Undermentioned

Posts.

FORT GEORGE, 31st March, 1813.

GARRISON ORDNANCE.

Iii six batteries on the left of Fort George One 24-pdr. car-
ronade, iron : one 18-pdr. carronade, iron ; three iron 9-pdrs., five
brass 4 2/5 inch mortars.

In Fort George Two 24-pdr. iron carronades, one iron 12-
pdr., one brass 10 inch mortar, one brass 8 inch mortar.

In three batteries between Fort George and Queenston One
iron 12-pdr., two iron 9-pdrs.

At Queenston Two iron 9-pdrs.

At Chippawa Two iron 9-pdrs., one iron G-pdr. Gunboats
at Chippawa, four iron 12-pdrs.

At Fort Erie One iron 18-pdr., two iron 12-pdrs., one iron
6-pdr., one 8 inch brass mortar.

Total on the line of the Niagara Three 24-pdrs., two 18-pdrs.,
four 12-pdrs., nine 9-pdrs., two G-pdrs. : long guns, four 12-
pounder carronades, one ten inch, two eight inch, five 425 inch
mortars.

At York Two 18-pounder long guns, two 12-pounders, six
6-pounders, eight 18-pounder carronades.

FIELD ORDNANCE.

On the left of Fort George One brass 1 2-pounder ; at Fort



218

George one brass 6-pounder, one brass 5| inch howitzer, one iron
6-pounder.

At Queenston Two brass 3-pounders.

At Chippawa One brass 6-pounder.

At Fort Erie Three brass 6-pounders, two brass 3-pounders.

At York Two brass 6-pounders.

Small arms At Fort George, 720 English muskets, 240 French
muskets.

(Canadian Archives, C. 387, pp. 48-50.)



Extract from a I/etter from I/ieut.-Col. Bruyeres, R. !., to Sir

George Prevost.

KINGSTON, 13th February, 1813.

The works at Fort George are in a very ruinous and unfinished
condition. Fortunately the line of parapet to the curtain opposite
the American fort was completed last fall, and protected the troops
during the cannonade then. It should be completed as a field
work as soon as the season will permit, and the line diminished by
cutting off the present work on the south eastern front, to reduce
the extent of the fort and splinter proof barracks built to contain
400 men. The present blockhouses are so much exposed that it
will be necessary to take down the upper story and lower them to
the level of the terre pleine. The public buildings at Navy Hall
should be removed. There are six detached batteries, containing
eleven guns, between the lake and Fort George : four batteries with
five pieces between Fort George and Queenston, two batteries with
two guns at Queenston on the Mountain, two batteries with three
guns at Chippawa, three batteries with three guns opposite Black
Rock, below 7 Fort Erie. These bitteries should be protected in rear
by palisades to guard against sudden surprise. This would have
been done last fall but the force was constantly employed and
harassed. I have directed this to be done, and small magazines to
contain a fe\v barrels of powder to be constructed. A tower or
redoubt should be built on Missassauga Point to command the
entrance to the river. The work at Fort Erie should be completed.
The battery to protect the fort should be constructed of sod-work
with traversing carriages. So many of the houses in this quarter
have been destroyed by fire that quarters should be built to lodge
the men. Twenty-eight miles of this frontier are accessible and
favourable to disembark. The force must be augmented. The ship
at York is not far advanced. I have arranged to arm her with
eight eighteen-pounder carronades to spare at Fort George and now
on their way to York, two long eighteen-pounders, expected from



219

Lower Canada, and ten 12-pounders now on the Prince Regent,
the Prince Regent to be armed with six-pounders from the
Gloucester.

(Canadian Archives, C. 378.)



Extract from a I/etter from Colonel R. H. Bruyeres, R. E., to
Major-General R. H. Sheaffe.

KINGSTON, 19th Feb y, 1813.

I am opinion this may be made a very strong position, capable
of resisting every effort of the enemy, and this at a very moderate
expense. I wish I could say as much in favor of the position at
York, but I do not think it possible to do anything there with
advantage at present. It will require immense labor and expense
to make it a strong post, for it does not possess any advantageous
feature of ground to work upon. It must be all art, without any
assistance of nature.

(Canadian Archives, Q., 162, p. 341.)



lyieut.-Colonel George Macdonell to Rev d Alexander Macdonell,

Glengarry.

PRESCOTT, Feb y, 28, 1813.

Sill, I avail myself of the first moment of leisure I have had
since my assault upon Ogdensburg and Fort Oswegatchie to return
you my warmest thanks [for the services] rendered by you on that
day, both to the Government and myself.

I have long seen with admiration the zealous measures you
have invariably pursued since the commencement of hostilities to
stimulate and encourage the valuable Highland population of this
district under the many privations they must have unavoidably
experienced in being in the immediate vicinity of the seat of war,
and I am convinced that your address to that portion of my
embodied militia under your pastoral care on the eve of the attack
of the 22d instant, contributed much to the decided and persevering
gallantry which allowed no obstacle to resist them.

I must also thank you for the energetic steps which I find you
took to enforce the order I had sent back from Ogdensburg for the
general requisition of the transport of this district after the success
ful termination of the attack, as I have reason to think the fidelity
(sic) of some people would have reduced me to the necessity of leav
ing very valuable stores in the enemy s store, which your active
assistance gave me the means of lodging safely in His Majesty s
magazines.



220

I embrace this opportunity of expressing also my thanks for
the valuable personal activity and professional influence displayed
by you in collecting and exciting volunteers from the Highland
Militia regiments, who in November last formed the advance guard
under my command in the successful little expedition against the
enemy s strong position at the French Mills on Salmon River.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 157-1, pp. 645.)



From a Diary kept by Thomas McCrae of the Township of Raleigh

near Chatham.

RALEIGH, 4th May, 1813.

This is a most extraordinary wet season ; the like has not been
seen for many years.

9th May.

This last week has been a most extraordinary week of wet
weather as has been seen for many years. The rain began on
Monday morning, (3d May,) and but seldom ceased night or day
until Saturday afternoon.

llth May.

Most of the militia returned this afternoon. They have not
taken the fort at the foot of the rapids.

(From the original in the possession of A. McCrae, Buffalo, N. Y.)



Memorandum by Captain W. H. Merritt.

Nothing material transpired until the capture of York, when I
was sent to bring the boats down at Burlington. I performed this
service so quick that Gen. Vincent and Harvey, who I conceived to
be most against me, took me by the hand, thanked me for the ser
vice I had performed, praised my zeal, &c., &c., &c. Appearances
from this changed ; the former ever after proved my best friend ;
he was really and truly a good man. I was made a volunteer aid
to Col. Harvey after this : had the pleasure of riding every night
up and down the river with him. They found the dragoons now of
service : there was a patrol every night up to Queenston and back.
Our horses were getting better and the men received every
encouragement, which they needed, as it was impossible for the duty
to be more severe. Some men were actually on picket 12 and 14
nights following. Many false alarms took place.

(From the Merritt MSS.)



221
Memo, by I^ieut. -Colonel Glegg.

Distribution return of the troops of the line under the com
mand of Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp, 3d May, 1813 :

Corps. Stations, R. & File. Total.

( Fort Erie 10



. , . Butteries 8 25

Artillery ^ Putnam s 2 J

T\ y-k ( Chippawa . . 51

Do. Drivers ^ r V-

[ Fort Erie 1 J

oil TT- 5 TI . I Wintermute s. . .1

Sibling s Regt.| Chi



( Fort Erie ..................... 178 ]

41st Regt. Batteries ...................... 33 - 295

[ Chippawa ...................... 84 J

^^- { cS n " Creek :::::::.::::}S} 145

Glengarry s Putnam s .......................... 109 109



659
Add Royal Newfdl d not included, Fort Erie and Ferry 95



754

(From memorandum book in possession of Lieut. -Col. Gr. V. Turner.)



Memo, by I/ieut.-Col. Glegg.

Garrison state, Fort George, 5th May, 1813 :

Present fit for duty. Sick



Royal Artillery. .
8th, King s Regt,

41st

49th

Total... .

Black corps

Militia. .



Grand total..



Artificers.



26,
205
165
232



628

23

172



923

88



4

9



23



36
5



41



1011



(From meinorandum book in possession of Lieut. -Col. G. Villiers Turner. Reading:,
England.:



222
Sir James Yeo to Hon. John Wilson Croker.

QUEBEC, NORTH AMERICA, the 5th May, 1813.

(No. 1.)

SIR, I have the honour to request you will be pleased to state
for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
that I arrived here this morning in His Majesty s ship Woolwich.
I am sorry to inform their Lordships that the American flotilla
with troops made an attack on the town of York on the Lake
Ontario on the 28th ultimo., and that they obtained possession of
it and the ship of 30 guns, which was building- there. From the
information I have received during my little stay here it appears
the enemy have a great superiority of naval force assembled on the
lakes, having armed all their vessels with 32 and 18-pounder guns
and 32-pounder carronades, whereas ours have only 18-pounder
carronades.

I therefore trust their Lordships will give such orders respect
ing the further supply of ordnance as they may deem necessary.

His Excellency Sir George Prevost left this place yesterday for
Upper Canada, where I hope to follow him this evening or early
to-morrow mornino\

O

Also, to assure their Lordships that the utmost exertions shall
be used on my part to give a favorable turn to operations in that
quarter.

I cannot close this letter without expressing the high sense I
entertain of Captain Sullivan s unremitted attention and persever
ance upon all occasions during our passage, particularly in conduct
ing the Woohvich through the immense quantities of ice which we
met on the coast of America and in approaching the River St.
Lawrence.

(Admiralty papers, Canadian Archives, M. 389-6, p. 12.)



Maitland, Gardner & Auldjo, to Thomas Cummings & Co.

MONTREAL, 6th May, 1813.
DEAR SIRS,

Yours of the 5th March only reached us 4th inst. The bills
are sent to Quebec. We trust you have sold your pork and flour.
Mr. Crooks, we have no doubt, got the prices at which we offered
yours ; we are therefore astonished it had not been accepted of.
Considering the risk from the enemy it must at all times be pru
dent to get as much out of danger as possible. The late event at
York strongly verifies this opinion, more especially at a time there
was no prospect of your being able to send it down. We strongly



223

recommend your securing- everything by sale or otherwise while the
chance of war is so great. 400 seamen under experienced officers
are arrived at Quebec : may be here to-morrow ; Sir John L. Yeo,
commandant for the lake service ; they will be pushed up immedi
ately. Sir George goes as far as Kingston. Troops are looked for
every hour.

John C. Spencer to General P. B. Porter.

May 6, 1813.

SIR, Your two letters received to-day were very welcome.
God is with us. By the eastern mail just received, and from
Dominie Wigton, who is not quite orthodox, we learn the certainty
of Tompkins election by at least 4000 majority Ne\v York gives
300 for V. Rensselaer and 150 only for the Fed. Assembly ticket :
Rockland, 500 for Tompkins, ])utchess, 450 for V. R.; Columbia,
600: Rensselaer, 830: Albany, 1175: Greene, 250: Oneida, 700:
Madison, 250; Montgomery, small against us. Orange, 1152 for
Tompkins : Suffolk, 1500 : Cayuga, 1282 : Seneca, 600: Genesee, 982.
There yet remains some doubt of the House of Assembly. How
ever, we have carried Washington, which gives us a gain of 3,
amounting to 6. We shall certainly succeed in Jefferson 2 more,
amounting to 4 : probably in Otsego, 4, so that there is yet great
chance of success even there. This is all we know. You have set
me such an excellent example of punctuality that you may depend
on my steadily following it. Be so good as to let me hear from you
whenever anything happens. Your letter was so good and joyful
that I could not resist the temptation of publishing it. I assure
you I made no corrections.