Chapter XIV: Section 2: And be it further resolved, That the President of (3)

On the morning of the 4th, Brigadier-General Scott, with his
brigade and a corps of artillery, was ordered to advance toward
Chippewa, and be governed by circumstances; taking care to secure
a good military position for the night. After some skirmishing
with the enemy, he selected this plain with the eye of a soldier,
his right resting on the river, and a ravine being in front. At
11 at night I joined him with the reserve, under General Ripley,
our field and battering train, and corps of artillery under Major
Hindman. General Porter arrived the next morning with a part of
the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the
warriors of the Six Nations.

Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy commenced a petty war
upon our pickets, and, as he was indulged, his presumption
increased; by noon he showed himself on the left of our extensive
line, and attacked one of our pickets as it was returning to
camp. Captain Treat, who commanded it, retired disgracefully,
leaving a wounded man on the ground. Captain Biddle, of the
artillery, who was near the scene, impelled by feelings highly
honourable to him as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the
command of this picket, led it back to the wounded man and
brought him off the field. I ordered Captain Treat, on the post,
to retire from the army, as I am anxious that no officer (p. 206)
shall remain under my command who can be suspected of cowardice.
I advise that Captain Treat[96] be struck from the rolls of the
army.

At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, agreeably to a plan I had given
General Porter, he advanced from the rear of our camp, with the
volunteers and Indians (taking the woods in order to keep out of
view of the enemy), with the hope of bringing his pickets and
scouting parties between his (Porter's) line of march, and our
camp. As Porter moved, I ordered the parties advanced in front of
our camp to fall back gradually, under the enemy's fire, in order
to draw him, if possible, up to our line. About half past 4, the
advance of General Porter's command met the light parties of the
enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left. The enemy were driven,
and Porter advancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in
order of battle. From the cloud of dust rising, and the heavy
firing, I was led to conclude that the entire force of the enemy
was in march, and prepared for action. I immediately ordered
General Scott to advance with his brigade, and Towson's
artillery, and meet them upon the plain in front of our camp. The
general did not expect to be gratified with a field engagement.
He advanced in the most prompt and officer-like style, and in a
few minutes was in close action upon the plain, with a superior
force of British regular troops. By this time General Porter's
command had given way, and fled in every direction,
notwithstanding his personal gallantry, and great exertions to
stay their flight. The retreat of the volunteers and Indians
caused the left flank of General Scott's brigade to be greatly
exposed. Captain Harris, with his dragoons, was directed to stop
the fugitives, behind the ravine fronting our camp; and I sent
Colonel Gardner to order General Ripley to advance with the 21st
regiment which formed part of the reserve, pass to the left of
our camp, skirt the woods so as to keep out of view, and fall
upon the rear of the enemy's right flank. This order was promptly
obeyed, and the greatest exertions were made by the 21st regiment
to gain their position, and close with the enemy, but in vain;
for such was the zeal and gallantry of the line commanded by
General Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was not to be
checked. Major Jessup, commanding the left flank battalion,
finding himself pressed in front and in flank, and his men
falling fast around him, ordered his battalion to "support arms
and advance;" the order was promptly obeyed, amidst the most
deadly and destructive fire. He gained a more secure position,
and returned upon the enemy so galling a discharge, as caused
them to retire. By this time, their whole line was falling back,
and our gallant soldiers pressing upon them as fast as possible.
As soon as the enemy had gained the sloping ground, descending
towards Chippewa, and distant a quarter of a mile, he broke and
ran to gain his works. In this effort he was too successful, and
the guns from his batteries opening immediately upon our line,
checked in some degree the pursuit. At this moment I resolved to
bring up all my ordnance and force the place by a direct attack,
and gave the order accordingly. Major Wood, of the corps of
engineers, and my aid, Captain Austin, rode to the bank of the
creek towards the right of their line of works, and examined
them. I was induced by their report, the lateness of the hour,
and the advice of General Scott and Major Wood, to order the
forces to retire to camp.

My most difficult duty remains to be performed; I am (p. 207)
depressed with the fear of not being able to do justice to my
brave companions in arms, and apprehensive, that some who had an
opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and promptly embraced
it, will escape my notice.

Brigadier-General Scott is entitled to the highest praise our
country can bestow: to him, more than any other man, I am
indebted for the victory of the 5th of July. His brigade has
covered itself with glory. Every officer and every man of the 9th
and 22d, 11th and 15th regiments _did his duty_ with a zeal and
energy worthy of the American character. When every officer
stands so pre-eminently high in the path of his duty and honour,
it is impossible to discriminate, but I cannot deprive myself of
the pleasure of saying, that Major Leavenworth commanded the 9th
and 22d, Major Jessup the 25th, and Major McNeil the 11th.
Colonel Campbell was wounded early in the action, gallantly
leading on his regiment.

The family of General Scott were conspicuous in the field;
Lieutenant Smith of the 6th infantry, major of brigade, and
Lieutenants Worth and Watts his aids.

From General Ripley and his brigade, I received every assistance
that I gave them an opportunity of rendering. I did not order any
part of the reserve into action until General Porter's command
had given way, and then General Scott's movements were so rapid
and decisive, that General Ripley could not get up in time with
the 21st, to the position as directed. The corps of artillery
under Major Hindman were not generally in action; this was not
their fault. Captain Towson's company was the only one that had a
full opportunity of distinguishing itself, and it is believed
that no company ever embraced an opportunity with more zeal or
more success.

A detachment from the 2d brigade under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, penetrated the woods with the
Indians and volunteers, and for their support. The conduct of
McDonald and his command reflects high honour on the brigade to
which they belong.

The conduct of General Porter has been conspicuously gallant.
Every assistance in his power to afford, with the description of
force under his command, has been rendered. We could not expect
him to contend with the British column of regulars which appeared
upon the plains of Chippewa. It was no cause of surprise to me to
see his command retire before this column.

Justice forbids that I should omit to name my own family. They
yield to none in honourable zeal, intelligence, and attention to
duty. Colonel Gardner, Major Jones, and my aids, Captains Austin
and Spencer, have been as active and as much devoted to the cause
as any officers of the army. Their conduct merits my warmest
acknowledgments; of Gardner and Jones I shall have occasion again
to speak to you.

Major Camp, deputy-quarter-master-general, deserves my particular
notice and approbation. By his great exertions, I was enabled to
find the means of crossing. Captain Daliba, of the ordnance
department, has rendered every service in his power.

The inclosed return will show you our loss, and furnish you with
the names of the dead and wounded officers. These gallant men
must not be forgotten. Our country will remember them, and do
them justice.

With great respect, &c.,
Jacob BROWN.

[Footnote 96: Captain Treat was tried by a
court-martial and honorably acquitted.]

_____

_General Orders._ (p. 208)

Adjutant-General's Office, left Division,
Chippewa Plains, July 6th, 1814.

Major-General Brown has the gratification to say, that the
soldiers of the 2d division, west of the Niagara, merit greater
applause than he is able to bestow in general orders; they merit
the highest approbation of the country. The conduct of
Brigadier-General Scott's brigade, which had the opportunity to
engage the whole force of the enemy, the greater part, it is
believed, of all in the peninsula, removes on the day of this
battle the reflection on our country, that its reputation in arms
is yet to be established. His brigade consists of battalions of
the 9th, the 11th, the 25th and a detachment of the 22d. Towson's
company of artillery, which was attached to it, gallantly
commenced, and with it sustained the action.

The volunteers and Indians performed their part; they drove the
enemy's Indians and light troops until they met the British army:
they meet the general's approbation.

Of the reports of killed and wounded, the names of the wounded
officers will be mentioned, in order that they may be rewarded
with that honourable mention which is due.

By order of Major-General Brown.
C. K. GARDNER, _Adj't Gen_.

_____

_General Brown to the Secretary of War._

To the Honourable
John ARMSTRONG, Buffalo, August, 1814.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: Confined as I was, and have been, since the last engagement
with the enemy, I fear that the account I am about to give may be
less full and satisfactory than under other circumstances it
might have been made. I particularly fear that the conduct of the
gallant men it was my good fortune to lead, will not be noticed
in a way due to their fame and the honour of our country.

You are already apprized that the army had, on the 25th ultimo,
taken a position at Chippewa. About noon of that day, Colonel
Swift, who was posted at Lewistown advised me by express that the
enemy appeared in considerable force in Queenstown, and on its
heights; that four of the enemy's fleet had arrived during the
preceding night, and were then lying near Fort Niagara, and that
a number of boats were in view moving up the strait. Within a few
minutes after this intelligence had been received, I was further
informed by Captain Denmons, of the quarter-master's department,
that the enemy was landing at Lewistown, and that our baggage and
stores at Schlosser, and on their way thither, were in danger of
immediate capture. It is proper here to mention, that having
received advices as late as the 20th from General James, that our
fleet was then in port, and the commodore sick, we ceased to look
for co-operation from that quarter, and determined to disencumber
ourselves of baggage, and march directly for Burlington (p. 209)
Heights. To mask this intention, and to draw from Schlosser a
small supply of provisions, I fell back upon Chippewa.

As this arrangement, under the increased force of the enemy, left
much at hazard on our side of the Niagara, and as it appeared by
the before stated information, that the enemy was about to avail
himself of it, I conceived that the most effectual method of
recalling him from this object was to put myself in motion
towards Queenstown. General Scott, with his first brigade,
Towson's artillery, and all the dragoons and mounted men were
accordingly put in march on the road leading thither, with orders
to report, if the enemy appeared, and to call for assistance, if
that was necessary. On the general's arrival at the falls, he
learned that the enemy was in force directly in his front, a
narrow piece of woods alone intercepting his view of them.
Waiting only to give this information, he advanced upon them. By
this time Assistant Adjutant General Jones had delivered his
message, the action began, and before the remaining part of the
division had crossed the Chippewa, it had become close and
general between the advanced corps. Though General Ripley with
his second brigade, Major Hindman with the corps of artillery,
and General Porter at the head of his command, had respectively
pressed forward with ardour, it was not less than an hour before
they were brought to sustain General Scott, during which time his
command most skilfully and gallantly maintained the conflict.
Upon my arrival, I found that the general had passed the wood,
and engaged the enemy on the Queenstown road, and on the ground
to the left of it, with the 9th, 11th and 22d regiments, and
Towson's artillery. The 25th had been thrown to the right, to be
governed by circumstances.

Apprehending that these corps were much exhausted, and knowing
that they had suffered severely, I determined to interpose a new
line with the advancing troops; and thus disengage General Scott,
and hold his brigade in reserve. Orders were accordingly given to
General Ripley. The enemy's artillery at this moment occupied a
hill which gave great advantage, and was the key of the whole
position. It was supported by a line of infantry. To secure
victory, it was necessary to carry this artillery and seize the
height. This duty was assigned to Colonel Miller, while, to
favour its execution, the 1st regiment, under the command of
Colonel Nicholas, was directed to manoeuvre and amuse the
infantry. To my great mortification, this regiment, after a
discharge or two, gave way and retreated some distance, before it
could be rallied, though it is believed the officers of the
regiment exerted themselves to shorten this distance. In the mean
time, Colonel Miller, without regard to this occurrence, advanced
steadily and gallantly to his object, and carried the height and
the cannon. General Ripley brought up the 23d regiment, (which
had also faltered,) to his support, and the enemy disappeared
from before them. The 1st regiment was now brought into line on
the left of the 21st, and the detachment of the 17th and 19th,
General Porter occupying with his command the extreme left. About
this time, Colonel Miller carried the enemy's cannon. The 25th
regiment, under Major Jessup was engaged in a more obstinate
conflict with all that remained to dispute with us the field of
battle. The major, as has been already stated, had been ordered
by General Scott, at the commencement of the action, to take
ground to his right. He had succeeded in turning the enemy's
flank; had captured (by a detachment under Captain Ketchum), (p. 210)
General Riall and sundry other officers, and showed himself again
to his own army, in a blaze of fire, which defeated or destroyed
a very superior force of the enemy. He was ordered to form on the
right of the 2d regiment. The enemy rallying his forces, and as
is believed, having received reinforcements, now attempted to
drive us from our position and regain his artillery. Our line was
unshaken and the enemy repulsed. Two other attempts having the
same object, had the same issue. General Scott was again engaged
in repelling the former of these, and the last I saw of him in
the field of battle, he was near the head of his column, and
giving to its march a direction that would place him on the
enemy's right. It was with great pleasure I saw the good order
and intrepidity of General Porter's volunteers from the moment of
their arrival; but during the last charge of the enemy those
qualities were conspicuous. Stimulated by the examples set them
by their gallant leader, by Major Wood of the Pennsylvania corps,
by Colonel Dobbin of New York, and by their officers generally,
they precipitated themselves upon the enemy's line, and made all
the prisoners which were taken at this point of the action.

Having been for some time wounded, and being a good deal
exhausted by the loss of blood, it became my wish to devolve the
command on General Scott, and retire from the field; but on
enquiry, I had the misfortune to learn, that he was disabled by
wounds; I therefore kept my post, and had the satisfaction to see
the enemy's last effort repulsed. I now consigned the command to
General Ripley.

While retiring from the field, I saw and felt, that the victory
was complete on our part, if proper measures were promptly
adopted to secure it. The exhaustion of the men was, however,
such as made some refreshment necessary. They particularly
required water. I was myself extremely sensible of the want of
this necessary article. I therefore believed it proper, that
General Ripley and the troops should return to camp, after
bringing off the dead, the wounded, and artillery; and in this I
saw no difficulty, as the enemy had entirely ceased to act.
Within an hour after my arrival in camp, I was informed that
General Ripley had returned without annoyance, and in good order.
I now sent for him, and after giving him my reasons for the
measure I was about to adopt, ordered him to put the troops in
the best possible condition; to give to them the necessary
refreshment; to take the pickets and camp-guards, and every other
description of force; to put himself on the field of battle as
the day dawned, and there to meet and beat the enemy if he again
appeared. To this order he made no objection, and I relied upon
its execution. It was not executed. I feel most sensibly how
inadequate are my powers in speaking of the troops, to do justice
to their merits, or to my own sense of them. Under abler
direction, they might have done more and better.

From the preceding details, you have new evidence of the
distinguished gallantry of Generals Scott and Porter, of Colonel
Miller and Major Jessup, of the 1st brigade. The chief, with his
aid-de-camp Worth, his major of brigade Smith, and every
commander of battalion, were wounded. The 2d brigade suffered
less; but as a brigade, their conduct entitled them to the
applause of their country. After the enemy's strong position had
been carried by the 21st and the detachments of the 17th and
19th, the 1st and 23d assumed a new character. They could not
again be shaken or dismayed. Major McFarland, of the latter, fell
nobly at the head of his battalion.

Under the command of General Porter, the militia volunteers (p. 211)
of Pennsylvania and New York stood undismayed amidst the hottest
fire, and repulsed the veterans opposed to them. The Canadian
volunteers, commanded by Colonel Wilson, are reported by General
Porter as having merited and received his approbation.

The corps of artillery commanded by Major Hindman, behaved with
its usual gallantry. Towson's company attached to the 1st
brigade, was the first and the last engaged, and during the whole
conflict maintained that high character which they had previously
won by their skill and their valour. Captains Biddle and Ritchie
were both wounded early in the action, but refused to quit the
field. The latter declared that he would never leave his piece;
and true to his engagement, fell by its side covered with wounds.

The staff of the army had its peculiar merit and distinction.
Colonel Gardner, adjutant-general, though ill, was on horseback,
and did all in his power; his assistant, Major Jones, was very
active and useful. My gallant aids-de-camp, Austin and Spencer,
had many and critical duties to perform, in discharge of which
the latter fell; I shall ever think of this young man with pride
and regret; regret that his career has been so short; pride that
it has been so noble and distinguished. The engineers, Majors
McRee and Wood, were greatly distinguished on this day, and their
high military talents exerted with great effect; they were much
under my eye and near my person, and to their assistance a great
deal is fairly to be ascribed. I most earnestly recommend them as
worthy of the highest trust and confidence. The staff of Generals
Ripley and Porter, discovered great zeal and attention to duty.
Lieutenant E. B. Randolph, of the 20th regiment, is entitled to
notice; his courage was conspicuous.

I enclose a return of our loss: those noted missing may generally
be numbered with the dead. The enemy had but little opportunity
of making prisoners.

I have the honour to be, etc.,
Jacob BROWN.

_____

_General Brown to the Secretary of War._

To the Honourable Headquarters, Camp Fort Erie,
John ARMSTRONG, September 29th, 1814.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: 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 fire from Fort Erie and Black Rock. Their infantry was formed
into three brigades, estimated at 1,200 or 1,500 men each. One of
these brigades, with a detail from their artillery, was (p. 212)
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 Brooke
with the 23rd 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. 3 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
general, 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 Brooke's 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 diminished his
effective force 1,000 men at least. I am at a loss how to express
my satisfaction at the gallant conduct of the officers and (p. 213)
men of this division, whose valour has shown superior to
every trial. General Porter, in his official report herein
enclosed, 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 Adjutant 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 Brooke, 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 the 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 in command at Buffalo with the remains of
the 22d infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel McRee 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 (p. 214)
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 soldiers in the path of duty so
long as true heroism is held in estimation. McRee 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 87th 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 Frenchman's
creek; the enemy destroyed part of their stores by setting fire
to the building 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.,
Jacob BROWN.

_____

_General Brown to the Secretary of War._

To the Honourable Head Quarters, Fort Camp Erie,
John ARMSTRONG, October 1st, 1814.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: 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 21st.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
Jacob BROWN.

No. 40. (p. 215) PLATE XLI.

_July 5 and 25, and September 17, 1814._

Major General Peter B. Porter. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress
November 3. 1814.

MAJOR-GENERAL PETER BUEL PORTER.

[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]

MAJOR GENERAL PETER B. (_Buel_) PORTER. Bust of General Porter, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. A winged Victory, holding in her right hand a palm branch and a wreath of laurel, and in her left three standards, upon which are written: "ERIE" "CHIPPEWA" "NIAGARA." She dictates to the muse of History, who is seated on the ground, writing. Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA. JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA. JULY 25. 1814. ERIE. SEP. (_September_) 17. 1814. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

PETER BUEL PORTER was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, August 14, 1773. He was graduated at Yale College, New Haven, in 1791; and studied law and commenced practice in Canandaigua, New York, in 1795. He was a member of Congress, 1809-1813; a major-general of New York volunteers, 1813; and distinguished himself at the battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, for which Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal.[97] He was again a member of Congress, 1815-1816; was appointed a United States commissioner for determining the north-western boundary, 1816; and was secretary of War in 1828-1829. He died at Niagara Falls, March 20, 1844.

[Footnote 97: The resolution of Congress voting
this medal, and the official reports of the battles
of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, are given under No.
39, page 203.]

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 216)

_Brigadier-General P. B. Porter to Major-General Jacob Brown._

To
Jacob BROWN, Esq., Fort Erie, September 22d, 1814.
Major-General commanding.

Sir: In executing the duty you have imposed on me, of reporting
the conduct of the officers and men composing the left column,
which you were pleased to place under my command, in the sortie
of the 17th instant, the pleasure I derive in representing to you
the admirable conduct of the whole, is deeply chastened by sorrow
for the loss of many brave and distinguished men.

Being obliged, from the nature of the ground, to act on foot, it
was impossible that my own personal observation should reach to
every officer. Some part of this report must therefore rest upon
the information of others.

It is the business of this communication to speak of the conduct
of individuals; yet you will permit me to premise, although well
known to yourself already, that the object of the left column was
to penetrate by a circuitous route between the enemy's batteries,
where one-third of his force was always kept on duty, and his
main camp, and that it was sub-divided into three divisions: the
advance of 200 riflemen, and a few Indians, commanded by Colonel
Gibson, and two columns moving parallel to, and 30 yards distant
from, each other. The right column was commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, headed by 400 infantry, under Major
Brooke, of the 23d, and followed by 500 volunteers and militia,
being parts of Lieutenant-Colonels Dobbin's, M'Burney's, and
Fleming's regiments, and was intended to attack the batteries.

The left column of 500 militia was commanded by Brigadier-General
Davis, and comprised the commands of Lieutenant-Colonels Hopkins,
Churchhill and Crosby, and was intended to hold in check any
reinforcements from the enemy's camp; or both columns
(circumstances requiring it, which frequently happened) to
co-operate in the same object.

After carrying by storm, in the handsomest style, a strong block
house, in rear of the third battery, making its garrison
prisoners, destroying the three 24-pounders and their carriages
in the third battery, and blowing up the enemy's magazine, and
after co-operating with General Miller in taking the second
battery, the gallant leaders of the three divisions all fell
nearly at the same time; Colonel Gibson, at the second battery,
and General Davis and Lieutenant-Colonel Wood in an assault upon
the first.

Brigadier-General Davis, although a militia officer of little
experience, conducted on this occasion with all the coolness and
bravery of a veteran, and fell while advancing upon the enemy's
entrenchments. His loss as a citizen as well as a soldier, will
be severely felt in the patriotic county of Genesee. Colonel
Gibson fully sustained the high military reputation which he had
before so justly acquired. You know how exalted an opinion I have
always entertained of Lieutenant-Colonel Wood of the engineers.
His conduct on this day was what it uniformly has been, on every
similar occasion, an exhibition of military skill, acute judgment,
and heroic valour. Of the other regular officers, (p. 217)
Lieutenant-Colonel M'Donald and Major Brooke, senior in command,
will report to you in relation to their respective divisions.
Permit me, however, to say of these two officers, that, much as
was left to them by the fall of their distinguished leaders, they
were able to sustain their parts in the most admirable manner,
and they richly deserve the notice of the government.

Of the militia, I regret that the limits of a report will not
permit me even to name all of those who on this occasion
established claims to the gratitude of their fellow citizens;
much less to particularize individual merit. Lieutenant-Colonels
Hopkins, M'Burney, Churchhill and Crosby, and Majors Lee, Marcle,
Wilson, Lawrence, Burr, Dunham, Kellogg and Ganson, are entitled
to the highest praise for their gallant conduct, their steady and
persevering exertions. Lieutenant-Colonel Dobbin being prevented
by severe indisposition from taking the field, Major Hall,
assistant inspector general, volunteered his services to join
Major Lee in the command of the volunteer regiment; and Major Lee
and every other officer speak in the highest terms of the gallant
and good conduct of this young officer.

Captain Fleming, who commanded the Indians, was, as he always is,
in the front of the battle. There is not a more intrepid soldier
in the army. I should be ungrateful were I to omit the names of
Captains Knapp and Hull of the volunteers, and Captain Parker and
Lieutenant Chatfield of the militia, by whose intrepidity I was,
during the action, extricated from the most unpleasant situation.
Captains Richardson, Buel and Kennedy, Lieutenants Parkhurst and
Brown, and Adjutants Dobbin, Bates and Robinson, particularly
distinguished themselves. The patriotic conduct of Captain
Elliot, with twenty young gentlemen, who volunteered from
Batavia, and of Major Hubbard, with fourteen men exempted by age
from military duty, should not be omitted. They were conspicuous
during the action.

You will excuse me if I shall seem partial in speaking of my own
family, consisting of my brigade major, Frazer, my volunteer
aid-de-camp Riddle (both first lieutenants in the 15th infantry),
Captain Bigger, of the Canadian volunteers, Messrs. Williams and
Delapierre, volunteer aids for the day, all of whom, except Mr.
Williams, were wounded.

Lieutenants Frazer and Riddle were engaged for the most of the
preceding day with fatigue parties, cutting roads for the advance
of the column through the swamp, and falling timber to the rear,
and within 150 yards of the enemy's right; which service they
executed with so much address as to avoid discovery; and on the
succeeding day they conducted the two columns to the attack.
Frazer was severely wounded by a musket ball while spiking a gun
on the second battery. Riddle, after the first battery was
carried, descended into the enemy's magazine, and after securing
(with the assistance of quarter master Greene of the volunteers,
whose good conduct deserves much praise) a quantity of fixed
ammunition, blew up the magazine, and suffered severely by the
explosion. I must solicit, through you, Sir, the attention of the
general government to these meritorious young men. Captain Bigger
is an excellent officer, and rendered me much assistance, but was
dangerously wounded. The other young gentlemen are citizens, and
deserve much credit for their activity, and for having
voluntarily encountered danger. My aid-de-camp, Major Dox, was
confined at Buffalo by sickness.

On the whole, Sir, I can say of the regular troops attached (p. 218)
to the left column, of the veteran volunteers of Lieutenant-Colonel
Dobbin's regiment, that every man did his duty, and their conduct
on this occasion reflects a new lustre on their former brilliant
achievements. To the militia, the compliment is justly due, and I
could pay them no greater one, than to say, that they were not
surpassed by the heroes of Chippewa and Niagara in steadiness and
bravery.

The studied intricacy of the enemy's defences, consisting not
only of the breastwork connecting their batteries, but of
successive lines of entrenchments for a hundred yards in the
rear, covering the batteries and enfilading each other, and the
whole obstructed by abatis, brush and felled timber, was
calculated to produce confusion among the assailants, and led to
several contests at the point of the bayonet. But by our double
columns, any temporary irregularity in the one, was always
corrected by the other. Our success would probably have been more
complete but for the rain which unfortunately set in soon after
we commenced our march, which rendered the fire of many of our
muskets useless, and by obscuring the sun, led to several unlucky
mistakes. As an instance of this, a body of 50 prisoners who had
surrendered, were ordered to the fort in charge of a subaltern
and 14 volunteers; the officer mistaking the direction, conducted
them towards the British camp in the route by which we had
advanced, and they were re-taken with the whole of the guard,
excepting the officer and one man, who fought their way back.
Several of our stragglers were made prisoners by the same
mistake. But, Sir, notwithstanding these accidents, we have
reason to rejoice at our signal success, in inflicting a vastly
disproportionate injury on the enemy, and in wholly defeating all
his plans of operation against this army.

I have the honour to be, &c.
P. B. PORTER,
_Brigadier General commanding Volunteers and Militia_.

No. 41. (p. 219) PLATE XLII.

_July 5 and 25, August 15, and September 17, 1814._

Brig. General Eleazer W. Ripley. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress
Novemb. 3. 1814.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL ELEAZER WHEELOCK RIPLEY.

[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]

BRIG. (_Brigadier_) GENERAL ELEAZER W. (_Wheelock_) RIPLEY. Bust of General Ripley, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMB. (_November_) 3. 1814. A winged Victory, standing, holds in her right hand a trumpet and a crown of laurel, and with her left is hanging upon a palm tree a shield on which are the words: "CHIPPEWA" "NIAGARA" "ERIE." Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA JULY 25. 1814. ERIE. AUG. (_August_) 15. SEP. (_September_) 17 1814. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).[98]

[Footnote 98: The resolution of Congress voting
this medal, and the official reports of the battles
of Chippewa, Niagara and Erie, are given under No.
39, page 203, and No. 44, page 226.]

ELEAZER WHEELOCK RIPLEY was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, April 15, 1782. He was graduated at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1800, and studied law. He was speaker of the Legislature of Massachusetts in 1812; a lieutenant-colonel the same year; colonel of the 21st regiment of infantry, 1813; and a brigadier-general, 1814. He distinguished himself at Chippewa, at Niagara, and at Erie, for which services he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He (p. 220) was wounded at Niagara, and again dangerously at Erie; was breveted a major-general, July 25, 1814; resigned in 1820, and settled in Louisiana, which he represented in Congress, 1835-1839. He died at West Feliciana, Louisiana, March 2, 1839.

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Brigadier-General E. W. Ripley to Brigadier-General Gaines._

To
BRIGADIER-GENERAL GAINES. Fort Erie, August 17th, 1814.

Sir: I take the liberty of reporting you the cause of operations
on the left flank of the camp, during the action of the 15th
instant.

From indications satisfactory to me, I was persuaded very early
of the enemy's design of attacking us in our position. Before any
alarm, I caused my brigade to occupy their alarm posts. On the
first fire of the picket, Captain Towson opened his artillery
upon them from Fort Williams, in a style which does him infinite
credit. It was continued with very great effect upon the enemy
during the whole action.

The enemy advanced with fixed bayonets, and attempted to enter
our works between the fort and water. They brought ladders for
the purpose of scaling, and in order to prevent their troops from
resorting to any other course excepting the bayonet, had caused
all the flints to be taken from their muskets. The column that
approached in this direction consisted of Colonel Fischer's
command, and amounted in number to at least 1,500 men; and,
according to the representation of prisoners, they were 2,000
strong. The companies posted at the point of the works, which
they attempted to escalade, were Captain Ross's, Captain
Marston's, Lieutenant Bowman's, and Lieutenant Larned's, of the
21st regiment, not exceeding 250 men, under command of Major
Wood, of the engineer corps. On the enemy's approach they opened
their musketry upon them in a manner the most powerful. Fort
Williams and this little band, emitted one broad uninterrupted
sheet of light. The enemy were repulsed. They rallied, came on a
second time to the charge, and a party waded round our line by
the lake, and came in on the flank; but a reserve of two
companies, posted in the commencement of the action to support
this point, marched up and fired upon the party, who were all
killed or taken. Five times in this manner did the enemy advance
to the charge; five times were their columns beaten back in the
utmost confusion by a force one-sixth of their numbers; till (p. 221)
at length finding the contest unavailing, they retired. At
this point we made 147 prisoners.

During the contest in this quarter, the lines of the whole of the
left wing were perfectly lined, in addition to the reserves; and
I found myself able to detach three companies of the 23d regiment
from the left, to reinforce the troops at Fort Erie, viz.:
Captain Wattles', Lieutenant Cantine's, and Lieutenant Brown's
companies, and one of the 19th under Captain Chunn. They were in
the fort during the time of the explosion, and their conduct is
highly spoken of by Major Brooke, their commanding officer.
Indeed, from the high state to which that regiment has been
brought by Major Brooke, I am convinced that no troops will
behave better.

In submitting to your view the conduct of the troops under my
command on this occasion, I find every thing to applaud, nothing
to reprehend. The utmost coolness and subordination was
manifested, both by the 21st and 23d regiments. To Major Wood I
feel particularly indebted. This officer's merits are so well
known, that approbation can scarcely add to his reputation. He
has the merit, with the Spartan band, in connection with Captain
Towson's artillery, of defeating a vaunting foe of six times his
force. Major Brooke did every thing in his power: and it affords
me pleasure at all times to call the attention of the general
commanding to this amiable and accomplished officer.

The officers commanding companies immediately engaged, have my
highest commendation. Their conduct was most judicious and
gallant. I cannot refrain from adverting to the manner in which
Captain Towson's artillery was served. I have never seen it
equalled. This officer has so often distinguished himself, that
to say simply that he is in action, is a volume of eulogium; the
army, only to be informed he is there, by a spontaneous assent,
are at once satisfied that he has performed well his part. I have
no idea that there is an artillery officer in any service
superior to him in the knowledge and performance of his duty.

The officers I have mentioned as commanding companies of the 21st
and 23d regiments, are particularly commended by their commanding
officers. Captain Marston, a most valuable officer, commanded a
first line of three companies opposed to the enemy's column.
Captain Ropes commanded the companies of reserve. Major Wood
reports in the highest terms of the good conduct of the
subalterns. Lieutenants Riddle, of the 15th, attached to the
21st, and Hall, and ensigns Bean, Jones, Gumming, and Thomas, of
the 19th, as being extremely active, and performing their duties
with alacrity.

The manner in which Lieutenant Belknap, of the 23d, retired with
his picket guard from before the enemy's column, excites my
particular commendation. He gave orders to fire three times as he
was retreating to camp, himself bringing up the rear. In this
gallant manner, he kept the light advance of the enemy in check,
for a distance of two or three hundred yards. I have to regret,
that when entering our lines after his troops, the enemy pushed
so close upon him that he received a severe wound from a bayonet.

Lieutenant Bushnel and Cissney, of the 19th, while gallantly
engaged with the enemy at Fort Erie, were both severely, if not
mortally, wounded. Their conduct merits the warmest approbation.

Permit me to recommend to your notice, the good conduct of my (p. 222)
staff, Lieutenant Kirby, of the corps of artillery, my
aid-de-camp, and Lieutenant Holding, acting brigade major; their
activity and zeal was entirely to my satisfaction.

I close this long report, with stating to you, in the highest
terms of approbation, the skillfulness exhibited by Doctor
Fuller, surgeon of the 23d, and Doctor Trowbridge, surgeon of the
21st infantry, with their mates Doctor Gale, of the 23d, and
Doctors Everett and Allen, of the 21st; their active, humane and
judicious treatment of the wounded, both of the enemy and of our
own, together with their steady and constant attention to the
duties of their station, must have attracted your personal
observation, and I am confident will receive your approbation.

I have the honour to be, etc.,
E. W. RIPLEY,
_Brigadier-General commanding 2d Brigade_.

No. 42. (p. 223) PLATE XLIII.

_July 5 and 25, and September 17, 1814._

Brigadier Genl. James Miller. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress
November 3. 1814.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES MILLER.

[_Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie._]

BRIGADIER GEN{L}. (_General_) JAMES MILLER. Bust of General Miller, in uniform, facing the right. Exergue: I'LL TRY. His answer when he received the order to attack the enemy's batteries on the hill at Niagara. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. Colonel Miller, at the head of his troops, is carrying the British batteries on the hill at Niagara. Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA. JULY 25. 1814. ERIE SEP. (_September_) 17. 1814. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

JAMES MILLER was born in Peterborough, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, April 25, 1776. He practiced law from 1803 to 1808, when he entered the army with the rank of major; was made a lieutenant-colonel in 1810, and distinguished himself in the West, under Harrison; and became colonel of the 21st infantry, March 9, 1814. He greatly distinguished himself at Chippewa, Niagara, and at Erie, for which he was breveted a brigadier-general and received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal.[99] At Niagara, when ordered to carry the British batteries on the heights, he made the celebrated reply, "I'll try, Sir." He resigned in 1819; and was governor of Arkansas Territory in 1819-1825, and United States collector of customs at Salem, Massachusetts, from 1825 to 1849. He died at Temple, New Hampshire, June 7, 1851.

[Footnote 99: The resolution of Congress voting
this medal, and the official reports of the battles
of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, are given under No.
39, page 203.]

No. 43. (p. 224) PLATE XLIV.

_July 5 and 25, 1814._

Major General Winfield Scott. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress
November 3. 1814 etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT.

[_Victories of Chippewa and Niagara._]

MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. Bust of General Scott, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

A serpent, entwined in a wreath of laurel and palm, is biting its tail--emblem of immortality through glory and victory. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA JULY 25. 1814. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).[100],[101]

[Footnote 100: See INTRODUCTION, page
ix.]

[Footnote 101: The resolution of Congress voting
this medal, and the official reports of the battles
of Chippewa and Niagara, are given under No. 39,
page 203.]

WINFIELD SCOTT was born near Petersburg, Virginia, June 13, 1786. He was graduated at William and Mary College, Virginia, studied law, and for some time engaged in practice. He was appointed captain of light artillery, May 3, 1808, and served in Louisiana under General Wilkinson, but resigned on account of differences with him. He was made lieutenant-colonel of the 2d artillery, July 6, 1812, and was taken prisoner at Queenstown Heights, Upper Canada, in the following October. He became colonel of the 2d artillery and adjutant-general under General Dearborn, March 18, 1813, and brigadier-general March 9, 1814. He distinguished himself at Chippewa, July 5, and on July 25, at Niagara (Lundy's Lane) where he was severely wounded. Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal for Chippewa and Niagara, and he was breveted a major-general, September 14, 1814. He went on a mission to Europe in 1815; was sent to Maine to settle the boundary question in 1839, and was promoted major-general and commander-in-chief of (p. 225) the army, June 25, 1841. As commander-in-chief in Mexico he took Vera Cruz, March 26, 1847, and gained the battles of Cerro Gordo, April 18; Contreras, August 19; San Antonio and Churubusco, August 20; Molinos del Rey, September 8; Chapultepec, September 13; and occupied the City of Mexico, September 14. For this brilliant campaign Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal.[102] He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Columbia College, New York, in 1850, and also from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1861. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency in 1852; was made lieutenant-general, by brevet, February 28, 1855; was sent on a mission to Oregon to settle the boundary question, 1859; remained true to the Union at the outbreak of the Civil War, and resigned, November 1, 1861. He died at West Point, New York, May 29, 1866.

[Footnote 102: See No. 62, page 304.]

No. 44. (p. 226) PLATE XLV.

_August 15, 1814._

Major General Edmund P. Gaines. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress
November 3. 1814.

MAJOR-GENERAL EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES.

[_Victory of Erie._]

MAJOR GENERAL EDMUND P. (_Pendleton_) GAINES. Bust of General Gaines, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).