90

OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH.

ties which they had committed. The incursion of Colonel Campbell, with six hundred men, against the towns on the Mississenewa, affords a delightful relief to this dark picture. On the 17th of November, a charge was made upon one of the towns; seven warriors only were killed, and thirty-seven prisoners, including women and children, were taken. The next morning his camp was attacked by a considerable body of Indians, who were received very gallantly, and at length repulsed, with the loss of about forty men. 'The valour of this enterprising band was equalled only by its humanity; and it deserves to be recorded, as a proof of its subordination and forbearance, that the most punctual obedience was paid to the orders of the general, not only in saving the lives of the women and children, but in sparing those of the warriors who ceased to resist.

In the meantime, events of no less importance were taking place in the vicinity of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. The chief command of the troops, and of the military department in this quarter, was given to General Dearborn, subordinate to whom, a force was stationed at Plattsburg, under Brigadier-General Bloomfield, and another at Buffalo, under Brigadier-General Smyth. The militia of the State of New York, then in the service of the United States, were commanded by Major-General Van Rensselaer, of that state, and amounted to about three thousand five hundred men, most of whom were stationed on the Niagara frontier. Bodies of regulars and militia were also stationed at Sackett's Harbour, at Black Rock, and at Ogdensburg; and the state of military preparations throughout, evinced the intention of the government to prosecute the war with vigour. In this situation of affairs, much time was lost in useless negotiations, and it was not until the season was far advanced that the Americans commenced operations. The militia and volunteers displaying great eagerness to be led against the enemy, many of them, indeed, having threatened to return to their homes if their wishes were not complied with, General Van Rensselaer, who commanded the army of the centre, determined to make

BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN.

91

an attack upon the British position at Queenstown. This town, the possession of which was of the greatest importance to any ulterior operations in Canada, is situated on the river Niagara, eight miles below the celebrated falls, and directly opposite to Lewistown, the head-quarters of the American army. The morning of the 11th of October was fixed upon for the attack; but, such was the strength of the current and the tempestuous violence of the weather, that it was postponed till the break of day on the 13th. The force destined for the attack was divided into two parts; one, of three hundred regulars, under Lieutenant-Colonel Christie; and the other, of the same number of militia, under Colonel Van Rensselaer, who commanded the whole. These were to be followed by the flying-artillery, under Colonel Fenwick, and the rest of the regulars, under Major Mullany.

When the embarkation was commenced, the British were found prepared, reinforcements having already arrived from Fort George. A brisk fire was commenced from the British musketry, which was returned by the American batteries; Colonel Scott, who arrived after midnight the night before from Black Rock, with a detachment of artillery, co-operating efficiently with his pieces. The eddies, however, in the river were uncommonly violent, the enemy's fire very effective, and the boats were, in many instances, carried below the point of landing. Colonel Van Rensselaer, notwithstanding, with about one hundred men, succeeded in gaining the shore, where, in a few minutes, he received several severe wounds. He continued, nevertheless, to encourage the troops, with the greatest intrepidity, and ordered them to storm the fort, which they effected, in the most gallant manner, under Captains Ogilvie and Wool. This small body drove the enemy before them, and, assisted by the batteries on the American side, completely silenced those of the enemy. By this time, Colonel Christie, who had been carried below the point of destination, by the bad management of the boatmen, had arrived, with considerable reinforcements of regulars and militia. The enemy were also powerfully reinforced, by the arrival of

General Brock, with about six hundred men.

Perceiving that this force was moving in the rear of the battery, Captain Wool ordered a detachment of one hundred and sixty men, to meet them, who were driven back; but, being again reinforced, again met with as little success. Colonel Christie now joined them with an additional body, which increased the detachment to about three hundred and twenty men; and, leading them on with fixed bayonets, he succeeded in routing the gallant enemy opposed to him. Their distinguished leader, General Brock, fell, mortally wounded, in an attempt to rally them. In this situation, the victory was considered as gained by the American general, who crossed over for the purpose of fortifying his camp. The enemy, however, being reinforced by several hundred Indians, again advanced to the attack, and were once more repulsed. General Van Rensselaer, now finding his own reinforcements embarking but slowly, recrossed for the purpose of accelerating their movements. To his utter surprise and mortification, however, he found that this part of the militia, who had heretofore evinced so much eager

CONDUCT OF THE MILITIA.

93 ness to meet the enemy, now faltered, at the moment their services were required. Covering their pusillanimity, or want of patriotism, with the parade of legal knowledge, they refused to pass the American boundary, on the plea of constitutional privilege. Such a plea, at such a moment, when their countrymen were on the eve of being overpowered for want of assistance, and the character and cause of their common country were at stake, ought to consign to indelible contempt those who made use of it.

Disappointed in this most essential endeavour, and seeing that reinforcements were again advancing to the aid of the enemy, General Van Rensselaer could only send an additional supply of ammunition to the troops on the opposite side; he laboured in vain to collect a number of boats, for the purpose of bringing them off; but such had been the fear of the boatmen, that few could be found.

A desperate contest now commenced, the enemy being reinforced by the arrival of a strong party from Fort George, and assisted by artillery and Indians. The Americans, although dispirited by the dastardly conduct of their countrymen on the opposite shore, maintained their post with great bravery, until, overcome by numbers, they were compelled to retreat to the water's edge. Here, finding no means of conveyance, and the enemy pushing hard upon their rear, they were compelled to surrender. The loss of the Americans in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was estimated at about one thousand men that of the enemy is not exactly known. The death of their commander was a severe misfortune, as he possessed great military talents and considerable experience, as well as the affections of his troops. The Americans marked their respect for his character, by firing minute-guns from Fort Niagara during his funeral procession.

General Van Rensselaer having resigned the command after the affair of Queenstown, was succeeded by Brigadier-General Smyth, who after making several unsuccessful attempts to enter Canada, abandoned the enterprise, and ordered his army into winter quarters.

CHAPTER LII.

NAVAL CAMPAIGN OF 1812.

HE importance of securing the mastery of the great inland waters which bordered on the region where military operations were now in progress, although at first overlooked, soon became apparent to both belligerents; and before transferring our narrative to other scenes, it may be proper to take notice of some events which occurred on Lakes Erie and Ontario. The necessity of having a superior force on Lake Erie, was pointed out by Governor Hull of Michigan, three months before the declaration of war. This suggestion, however, was so little regarded, that on the commencement of hostilities, the United States had but one vessel on the lake, which was at the time preparing, and was not launched until the following month. This vessel was surrendered, soon after, by Governor Hull, with the garrison of Detroit. From this