ed very near to Fort Covington, when they began to throw rockets; intended, I presume, to give them an opportunity of examining the shores-as I have since understood, they had detached 1250 picked men, with scaling ladders, for the purpose of storming this fort. We once more had an opportunity of opening our batteries, and kept up a continued blaze for nearly two hours, which had the effect again to drive them off.

In justice to lieutenant Newcomb, of the United States' navy, who commanded at fort Covington, with a detachment of sailors, and lieutenant Webster, of the flotilla, who commanded the six gun battery near that fort, I ought to state, that during this time they kept up an animated, and I believe, a very destructive fire, to which I am persuaded, we are much indebted in repulsing the enemy. One of his sunken barges has since been found with two dead men in it; others have been seen floating in the river. The only means we had of directing our guns, was by the blaze of their rockets, and the flashes of their guns. Had they ventured to the same situation in the day time, not a man would have escaped.

The bombardment continued on the part of the enemy until 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when it ceased; and about 9, their ships got under weigh, and stood down the river. During the bombardment, which lasted 25 hours (with two slight intermissions) from the best calculation I can make, from 15 to 1800 shells were thrown by the enemy. A few of these fell short. A large proportion burst over us, throwing their fragments among us, and threatening destruction. Many passed over, and about 400 fell within the works. Two of the public buildings are materially injured, the others but slightly. I am happy to inform you (wonderful as it may appear) that our loss amounts only to four men killed, and 24 wounded. The latter will all recover. Among the killed, I have to lament the loss of lieutenant Clagget, and sergeant Clemm, both of captain Nicholson's volunteers; two men whose fate is to be deplored, not only for their personal bravery, but for their high standing, amiable demeanor, and spotless integrity in private life. Lieutenant Russel, of the company under lieutenant Pennington, received, early in the attack, a severe contusion in the heal; notwithstanding which he remained at his post during the whole bombardment.

Were I to name any individuals who signalized themselves, it would be doing injustice to others. Suffice it to say, that every officer and soldier under my command did their duty to my entire satisfaction.

The Secretary of War.

SIR,

I have the honour to be, &c.

G. ARMISTEAD, Lt. Col. U. S. A.

HEAD QUARTERS, CAMP FORT ERIE, September 29th, 1814. 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 fre from Fort Erie and Black Rock. Their infantry was formed into three brigades, estimated at 12 or 1500 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 Brooks with the 23d 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. S 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 ge

neral, 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 Brooks' 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 diminised his effective force 1000 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 valor has shone superior to every trial. General Porter, in his official report herein inclosed, 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 adjutants 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 Brooks, 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 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 on command at Buffalo with the remains of the 22d infantry. Lieutenant colonel M'Ree 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 soldier in the path of duty so long as true heroism is held in estimation. M'Ree 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 82d 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 Frenchinan's creek; the enemy destroyed part of their stores, by setting fire to the buildings 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.

Hon. Secretary of War.

JACOB BROWN.

SIR,

H. Q. CAMP FORT ERIE, October 1st, 1814,

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

With infinite regret I am constrained to say, it has eventually fallen to my lot to state to you the loss and destruction of the private armed brig General Armstrong, late under my command.

We sailed from Sandy Hook on the evening of the 9th ultimo, and about midnight fell in chase, aboard of a razee and ship of the line. They pursued till next day noon, when they thought proper to give over the chase. On the 11th, after a nine hours' chace, boarded the private armed schooner Perry, John Colman, six days from Philadelphia, had thrown over all his guns. On the following day fell in with an enemy's gun brig; exchanged a few shots with and left him. On the 24th, boarded a Spanish brig and schooner, and a Portuguese ship, all from the Havanna. On the 26th following, came to in Fayal Roads, for the purpose of filling water; called on the American consul who very politely ordered our water immediately sent off, it being our intention to proceed to sea