Chapter XVI: Section 2: And be it further resolved, That the President of (5)

American loss: 3 killed, 12 wounded. British loss: 35 killed, 42
wounded. Prisoners taken, 313.

_____

_Minutes of the action between the United States frigate Constitution, and His Britannic Majesty's skips Cyane and Levant, on the 20th February, 1815._

Commences with light breezes from the east, and cloudy weather.
At one, discovered a sail two points on the larboard bow, hauled
up and made sail in chase. At a quarter past one, made the sail
to be a ship; at three-quarters past one, discovered another sail
ahead; made them out at two P.M. to be both ships, standing
close hauled, with their starboard tacks on board; at four P.M.
the weathermost ship made signals, and bore up to her consort,
then about 10 miles to leeward; we bore up after her, and set
lower top-mast, top-gallant, and royal studding-sails in chase;
at half-past four, carried away our main royal mast; took in the
sails and got another prepared; at five P.M. commenced firing on
the chase from our two larboard bow guns; our shot falling short,
ceased firing; at half-past five, finding it impossible to
prevent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about four
miles from the two ships; at forty minutes after five, they
passed within hail of each other, and hauled by the wind on the
starboard tack, hauled up their courses, and prepared to receive
us: at forty-five minutes past five, they made all sail close
hauled by the wind, in hopes of getting to the windward of us; at
fifty-five minutes past five, finding themselves disappointed in
their object, and we were closing with them fast, they shortened
sail, and formed on a line of wind, about half a cable's length
from each other. At six P.M. having them under command of our
battery, hoisted our colours, which was answered by both ships
hoisting English ensigns. At five minutes past six, ranged up on
the starboard side of the sternmost ship, about 300 yards
distant, and commenced the action by broadsides, both ships
returning our fire with the greatest spirit for about fifteen
minutes, then the fire of the enemy beginning to slacken, and
the great column of smoke collected under our lee, induced (p. 248)
us to cease our fire to ascertain their positions and conditions.
In about three minutes the smoke clearing away, we found
ourselves abreast of the headmost ship, the sternmost ship
luffing up for our larboard quarter; we poured a broadside into
the headmost ship, and then braced aback our main and mizzen
topsails, and backed astern under cover of the smoke, abreast the
sternmost ship, when the action was continued with spirit and
considerable effect until 35 minutes past 6, when the enemy's
fire again slackened, and we discovered the headmost bearing up;
filled our topsails, shot ahead, and gave her two stern rakes. We
then discovered the sternmost ship wearing also; wore ship
immediately after her, and gave her a stern rake, she luffing to
on our starboard bow and giving us her larboard broadside. We
ranged upon her larboard quarter, within hail, and were about to
give her our starboard broadside, when she struck her colours,
fired a lee gun and yielded. At fifty minutes past six took
possession of His Britannic Majesty's ship Cyane, Captain Gordon
Falcon, mounting 34 guns. At 8 P.M. filled away after her
consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At half-past eight
found her standing towards us, with her starboard tacks close
hauled, with top-gallant sails set and colours flying. At 50
minutes past 8 ranged close alongside to windward of her, on
opposite tacks, and exchanged broadsides; wore immediately under
her stern, and raked her with a broadside. She then crowded all
sail and endeavoured to escape by running, hauled on board our
tacks, set spanker and flying-jib in chase. At half-past 9
commenced firing on her from our starboard bow chaser; gave her
several shot, which cut her spars and rigging considerably. At 10
P.M. finding they could not escape, fired a gun, struck her
colours, and yielded. We immediately took possession of His
Britannic Majesty's ship Levant, Hon. Captain George Douglas,
mounting 21 guns. At 1 A.M. the damages of our rigging were
repaired, sails shifted, and the ship in fighting condition.

No. 48. (p. 249) PLATE XLIX.

_March 23, 1815._

The Congress of the U. S. to Capt. James Biddle, etc. [Rx].
Capture of the British ship Penguin by the U. S. ship Hornet.

CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE.

[_Capture of the Penguin._]

THE CONGRESS OF THE U. S. (_United States_) TO CAPT. (_Captain_) JAMES BIDDLE. FOR HIS GALLANTRY GOOD CONDUCT AND SERVICES. Bust of Captain Biddle, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SHIP PENGUIN BY THE U. S. (_United States_) SHIP HORNET. Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Hornet, of eighteen guns, Captain Biddle, and the British sloop-of-war Penguin, of nineteen guns, Captain Dickenson. The Hornet, to windward, is raking the Penguin. The British vessel has lost her main-top-gallant-mast In the distance the peak of Tristan d'Acunha. Exergue: OFF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA MARCH XXIII MDCCCXV. On the platform, FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

JAMES BIDDLE was born in Philadelphia, February 28, 1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800, and went to the Mediterranean with Captain Bainbridge. He was wrecked in the Philadelphia, and was a prisoner in Tripoli for nearly two years; was a lieutenant in 1807, and first lieutenant of the Wasp in 1812, when she captured the Frolic. For his conduct on this occasion he was promoted to the rank of master-commandant. While in command of the sloop-of-war Hornet he captured the British sloop-of-war Penguin, Captain Dickenson, March 23, 1815, receiving for this gallant deed the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He became a captain in the same year, and commanded (p. 250) the Mediterranean squadron, 1830-1832. He was governor of the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, 1838-1842; commanded the East India squadron, 1845, and was on the west coast of Mexico during the Mexican war. He died in Philadelphia, October 1, 1848.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Biddle, etc._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the
President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to
present to Captain James Biddle, of the sloop of war Hornet, a
gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver
medal,[107] with suitable emblems and devices, to each
commissioned officer of the said sloop of war, in testimony of
the high sense entertained by Congress, of the gallantry, good
conduct, and services of Captain Biddle, his officers and crew,
in capturing the British sloop of war Penguin, after a brave and
skilful combat.

[Footnote 107: The silver medals are copies of the
one in gold to Captain Biddle.]

Approved February 22, 1816.

_____

_Captain Biddle to the Secretary of the Navy._

To the Honourable United States sloop Hornet,
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Off Tristan D'Acunha, March 25th, 1815.
Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you, that on the morning of the
23d instant, at half past ten, when about to anchor off the north
end of the island of Tristan d'Acunha, a sail was seen to the
southward and eastward, steering to the westward, the wind fresh
from the S. S. W. In a few minutes she had passed on to the
westward, so that we could not see her for the land. I
immediately made sail for the westward, and shortly after getting
in sight of her again, perceived her to bear up before the wind.
I hove to for him to come down to us. When she had approached
near, I filled the main-topsail, and continued to yaw the ship,
while she continued to come down, wearing occasionally to prevent
her passing under our stern. At 1.40 P.M. being within nearly
musket shot distance, she hauled her wind on the starboard tack,
hoisted English colours and fired a gun. We immediately luffed
to, hoisted our ensign and gave the enemy a broadside. The action
being thus commenced, a quick and well directed fire was (p. 251)
kept up from this ship, the enemy gradually driving near to
us, when at 1.05 minutes he bore up apparently to run us on
board. As soon as I perceived he would certainly fall on board, I
called the boarders, so as to be ready to repel any attempt to
board us. At the instant every officer and man repaired to the
quarterdeck, where the two vessels were coming in contact, and
eagerly pressed me to permit them to board the enemy; but this I
would not permit, as it was evident, from the commencement of the
action, that our fire was greatly superior both in quickness and
effect. The enemy's bowsprit came in between our main and mizzen
rigging, on our starboard side, affording him an opportunity to
board us, if such was his design, but no attempt was made. There
was a considerable swell on, and as the sea lifted us ahead, the
enemy's boom carried away our mizzen shrouds, stern davits, and
spanker boom, and he hung upon our larboard quarter. At this
moment an officer, who was afterwards recognized to be Mr.
M'Donald, the first lieutenant, and the then commanding officer,
called out that they had surrendered. I directed the marines and
musketry men to cease firing, and, while on the taffrail asking
if they had surrendered, I received a wound in the neck. The
enemy had just then got clear of us, and his fore-mast and
bowsprit being both gone, and perceiving us wearing to give a
fresh broadside, he again called out that he had surrendered. It
was with difficulty I could restrain my crew from firing into him
again, as he had certainly fired into us after having
surrendered. From the firing of the first gun, to the last time
the enemy cried out he had surrendered, was exactly 22 minutes by
the watch. She proved to be His Britannic Majesty's sloop of war
Penguin, mounting six 32 pound carronades, two long 12's, a 12
pound carronade on the top-gallant fore-castle, with swivels on
the capstern in the tops. She had a spare port forward, so as to
fight both her long guns a side. She sailed from England in
September last. She was shorter upon deck than this ship, by two
feet, but she had a greater length of keel, greater breadth of
beam, thicker sides, and higher bulwarks than this ship, and was
in all respects a remarkably fine vessel of her class. The enemy
acknowledge a complement of 132, 12 of them supernumerary marines
from the Medway 74, received on board in consequence of their
being ordered to cruise for the American privateer Young Wasp.
They acknowledge, also, a loss of 14 killed and 28 wounded; but
Mr. Mayo, who was in charge of the prize, assures me that the
number of killed was certainly greater. Among the killed is
Captain Dickenson, who fell at the close of the action, and the
boatswain; among the wounded is the second lieutenant, purser,
and two midshipmen. Each of the midshipmen lost a leg. We
received on board, in all, 118 prisoners, four of whom have since
died of their wounds. Having removed the prisoners, and taken on
board such provisions and stores as would be useful to us, I
scuttled the Penguin this morning, before daylight, and she went
down. As she was completely riddled by our shot, her foremast and
bowsprit both gone, and her main-mast so crippled as to be
incapable of being secured, it seemed unadvisable, at this
distance from home, to attempt sending her to the United States.

This ship did not receive a single round shot in her hull, nor
any material wound in her spars; the rigging and sails were very
much cut; but having bent a new suit of sails and knotted and
secured our rigging, we are now completely ready, in all (p. 252)
respects, for any service. We were eight men short of complement,
and had nine upon the sick list the morning of the action.

Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded. I lament to state that
Lieutenant Conner is wounded dangerously. I feel great solicitude
on his account, as he is an officer of much promise, and his loss
would be a serious loss to the service.

It is a most pleasing part of my duty to acquaint you that the
conduct of Lieutenants Conner and Newton, Mr. Mayo,
Acting-Lieutenant Brownlow, of the marines, sailing master
Romney, and other officers, seamen, and marines I have the honour
to command, was in the highest degree creditable to them, and
calls for my warmest recommendation. I cannot, indeed, do justice
to their merits. The satisfaction which was diffused throughout
the ship when it was ascertained that the stranger was an enemy's
sloop of war, and the alacrity with which every one repaired to
quarters, fully assured me that their conduct in the action would
be marked with coolness and intrepidity.

The loss on board the Hornet, was 1 killed and 11 wounded.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
J. BIDDLE.

No. 49. (p. 253) PLATE L.

_March 4, 1817--March 4, 1825._

James Monroe President of the U. S. A. D. 1817. [Rx]. Peace and
friendship.

PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE.

[_Fifth President of the United States of America._]

JAMES MONROE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (_United States_) A. D. (_Anno Domini: The year of our Lord_) 1817. Bust of President Monroe, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes, and buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

JAMES MONROE was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, April 28, 1758. He was educated at William and Mary College, Virginia, served with distinction in the revolutionary war from 1776 to 1778; was member of the Virginia Assembly, 1782; delegate to Congress, 1783-1786; senator of the United States, 1790-1794; minister to France, 1794-1796; governor of Virginia, 1799-1802; was sent on a special mission to France for the acquisition of Louisiana, 1802; was minister to England, 1803-1808; and to Spain, 1805; governor of Virginia, 1810; secretary of State under President Madison, 1811-1817; acting secretary of War, 1814-1815; President of the United States (first term), 1817-1821; (second term), 1821-1825. He died in the city of New York, July 4, 1831, on the fifty-fifth anniversary of the Independence of the United States.

No. 50. (p. 254) PLATE LI.

_October 5, 1813._

Major General William H. Harrison. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress
April 4. 1818.

MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

[_Victory of the Thames._]

MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM H. (_Henry_) HARRISON. Bust of General Harrison, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS APRIL 4, 1818. America, personified as a maiden, with a spear in her right hand and resting on the American shield, places with her left a crown of laurel on a trophy formed of the arms of the enemy, on which hangs a buckler, with the inscription FORT MEIGS BATTLE OF THE THAMES. Exergue: BATTLE OF THE THAMES OCTOBER 5. 1813. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON was born in Berkeley, Charles City County, Virginia, February 9, 1773. He entered the army as ensign in 1791; served in the north-west against the Indians, under General St. Clair, and afterward under General Wayne, to whom he was aid-de-camp; became captain in 1795; resigned in 1797; was appointed secretary of the North-west territory, and was its delegate in Congress, 1799. He was governor of the territory of Indiana, 1801-1813; defeated Tecumseh at Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811; was made brigadier-general and commander of the North-west territory in 1812, major-general in 1813; gallantly defended Fort Meigs, and defeated the British army at the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, for which victory Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He resigned his commission shortly afterwards. Was a member of Congress from Ohio, 1816-1819; Ohio State senator, 1819-1824; United States senator, 1825-1828, and (p. 255) President of the United States, March 4, 1841. He died in the White House, Washington, on April 4, one month after his inauguration. He was known in the West by the sobriquet of "Old Tippecanoe." No presidential medal of him was struck.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to General Harrison and Governor Shelby, etc._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the
thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to
Major-General William Henry Harrison, and Isaac Shelby, late
Governor of Kentucky, and, through them, to the officers and men
under their command, for their gallantry and good conduct in
defeating the combined British and Indian forces under
Major-General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, on the
fifth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen,
capturing the British army, with their baggage, camp equipage and
artillery; and that the President of the United States be
requested to cause two gold medals to be struck, emblematical of
this triumph, and presented to General Harrison and Isaac Shelby,
late Governor of Kentucky.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested
to present to Colonel Richard M. Johnson a sword, as a testimony
of the high sense entertained by Congress of the daring and
distinguished valour displayed by himself and the regiment of
volunteers under his command, in charging and essentially
contributing to vanquish the combined British and Indian forces
under Major-General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, on
the fifth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and
thirteen.

Approved April 4, 1818.

_____

_General Harrison to the Secretary of War._

To Headquarters, near Moravian Town,
GENERAL JOHN ARMSTRONG, On the river Thames,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 80 miles from Detroit,
October 5, 1813.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you that, by the blessing of
Providence, the army under my command has obtained a complete
victory over the combined Indian and British forces under (p. 256)
the command of General Proctor. I believe that nearly the
whole of the enemy's regulars are taken or killed. Amongst the
former are all the superior officers, excepting General Proctor.
My mounted men are now in pursuit of him. Our loss is very
trifling. The brave Colonel R. M. Johnson is the only officer
whom I have heard of that is wounded, he badly, but I hope not
dangerously.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
William H. HARRISON.

_____

_General Harrison to the Secretary of War._

To
GENERAL JOHN ARMSTRONG, Head Quarters, Detroit,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. October 9th, 1813.

Sir: In my last letter from Sandwich, of the 30th ultimo, I did
myself the honour to inform you, that I was preparing to pursue
the enemy on the following day. From various causes, however, I
was unable to put the troops in motion until the morning of the
2d instant, and then to take with me only about 140 of the
regular troops, Johnson's mounted regiment, and such of Governor
Shelby's volunteers as were fit for a rapid march, the whole
amounting to about 3500 men. To General M'Arthur, with about 700
effectives, the protection of this place, and the sick, was
committed. General Cass's brigade, and the corps of
Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, were left at Sandwich, with orders to
follow me as soon as the men received their knapsacks and
blankets, which had been left on an island in Lake Erie.

The unavoidable delay at Sandwich was attended with no
disadvantage to us. General Proctor had posted himself at
Dalson's, on the right bank of the river Thames (or French),
fifty-six miles from this place, where I was informed he intended
to fortify and to receive me. He must have believed, however,
that I had no disposition to follow him, or that he had secured
my continuance here, by the reports that were circulated that the
Indians would attack and destroy this place, upon the advance of
the army, as he neglected the breaking up of the bridges until
the night of the 2d instant. On the night our army reached the
river, which is 25 miles from Sandwich, and is one of four
streams crossing our route, over all of which are bridges, and
being deep and muddy, are unfordable for a considerable distance
into the country. The bridge here was found entire, and in the
morning I proceeded with Johnson's regiment, to save, if
possible, the others. At the second bridge, over a branch of the
river Thames, we were fortunate enough to capture a lieutenant of
dragoons and 11 privates, who had been sent by General Proctor to
destroy them. From the prisoners I learned that the third bridge
was broken up, and that the enemy had no certain information of
our advance. The bridge, having been imperfectly destroyed, was
soon repaired, and the army encamped at Drake's farm, four miles
below Dalson's.

The river Thames, along the banks of which our route lay, is a
fine deep stream, navigable for vessels of considerable burthen,
after the passage of the bar at its mouth, over which there is
six and a half feet water.

The baggage of the army was brought from Detroit in boats, (p. 257)
protected by three gun-boats, which Commodore Perry had
furnished for the purpose, as well as to cover the passage of the
army over the Thames itself, or the mouth of its tributary
streams; the banks being low, and the country generally open
(prairies), as high as Dalson's, these vessels were well
calculated for the purpose. Above Dalson's, however, the
character of the river and adjacent country, is considerably
changed. The former, though still deep, is very narrow, and its
banks high and woody. The commodore and myself, therefore, agreed
upon the propriety of leaving the boats under a guard of 150
infantry, and I determined to trust to fortune, and the bravery
of my troops, to effect the passage of the river. Below a place
called Chatham, and four miles above Dalson's, is the third
fordable branch of the Thames. The bridge over its mouth had been
taken up by the Indians, as well as at M'Gregor's Mills, one mile
above. Several hundred of the Indians remained to dispute our
passage, and, upon the arrival of the advanced guard, commenced a
heavy fire from the opposite bank of the creek, as well as that
of the river. Believing that the whole force of the enemy was
there, I halted the army formed in order of battle, and brought
up our two six-pounders to cover the party that were ordered to
repair the bridge, and cross the troops. Colonel Johnson's
mounted regiment, being upon the right of the army, had seized
the remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire from
the Indians. Our loss, upon this occasion, was two killed and
three or four wounded; that of the enemy was ascertained to be
considerably greater. A house near the bridge, containing a very
considerable number of muskets, had been set on fire; but it was
extinguished by our troops, and the arms saved. At the first farm
above the bridge, we found one of the enemy's vessels on fire,
loaded with arms and ordnance stores, and learned that they were
a few miles ahead of us, still on the right bank of the river,
with the great body of Indians. At Bowles's farm, four miles from
the bridge, we halted for the night, found two other vessels, and
a large distillery, filled with ordnance and other valuable
stores, to an immense amount, in flames. It was impossible to put
out the fire; two twenty-four pounders, with their carriages,
were taken, and a large quantity of ball and shells of various
sizes. The army was put in motion early on the morning of the
5th. I pushed on, in advance, with the mounted regiment, and
requested Governor Shelby to follow, as expeditiously as
possible, with the infantry. The governor's zeal, and that of his
men, enabled them to keep up with the cavalry, and by 9 o'clock,
we were at Arnold's mills, having taken, in the course of the
morning, two gun-boats and several bateaux, loaded with
provisions and ammunition.

A rapid at the river at Arnold's mills affords the only fording
to be met with for a very considerable distance; but, upon
examination, it was found too deep for the infantry. Having,
however, fortunately taken two or three boats and some canoes, on
the spot, and obliging the horsemen to take a footman behind
each, the whole were safely crossed by 12 o'clock. Eight miles
from the crossing we passed a farm where a part of the British
troops had encamped the night before, under the command of
Colonel Warburton. The detachment with General Proctor had
arrived the day before at the Moravian towns, four miles higher
up. Being now certainly near the enemy, I directed the advance of
Johnson's regiment to accelerate their march, for the purpose of
procuring intelligence. The officer commanding it, in a short
time, sent to inform me that his progress was stopped by (p. 258)
the enemy, who were formed across our line of march. One of
the enemy's wagoners being also taken prisoner, from the
information received from him, and my own observation, assisted
by some of my officers, I soon ascertained enough of their
position, and order of battle, to determine that which it was
proper for me to adopt.

I have the honour herewith to enclose you my general order of the
27th ultimo, prescribing the order of march and of battle when
the whole army should act together. But as the number and
description of the troops had been essentially changed since the
issuing of the order, it became necessary to make a corresponding
alteration in their disposition. From the place where our army
was last halted, to the Moravian towns, a distance of about three
and a half miles, the road passes through a beech forest without
any clearing, and for the first two miles near to the bank of the
river. At from two to three hundred yards from the river a swamp
extends parallel to it throughout the whole distance. The
intermediate ground is dry, and although the trees are tolerably
thick, it is in many places clear of underbrush. Across this
strip of land, its left _appuyed_ upon the river, supported by
artillery placed in the wood, their right in the swamp covered by
the whole of their Indian force, the British troops were drawn
up.

The troops at my disposal consisted of about one hundred and
twenty regulars of the 27th regiment, five brigades of Kentucky
volunteer militia infantry under his excellency Governor Shelby,
averaging less than five hundred men, and Colonel Johnson's
regiment of mounted infantry, making in the whole an aggregate
something above 3000. No disposition of an army opposed to an
Indian force can be safe, unless it is secured on the flanks and
in the rear. I had therefore no difficulty in arranging the
infantry conformably to my general order of battle. General
Trotter's brigade of 500 men formed the front line, his right
upon the road and his left upon the swamp. General King's brigade
as a second line, 150 yards in the rear of Trotter's, and
Childs's brigade, as a corps of reserve, in the rear of it. These
three brigades formed the command of Major-General Henry; the
whole of General Desha's division, consisting of two brigades,
were formed _en potence_ upon the left of Trotter.

While I was engaged in forming the infantry, I had directed
Colonel Johnson's regiment, which was still in front, to be
formed in two lines opposite to the enemy, and upon the advance
of the infantry, to take ground to the left, and forming upon
that flank, to endeavour to turn the right of the Indians. A
moment's reflection, however, convinced me, that from the
thickness of the woods and swampiness of the ground, they would
be unable to do anything on horseback, and there was no time to
dismount them and place their horses in security; I therefore
determined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to break the
British lines at once by a charge of the mounted infantry; the
measure was not sanctioned by any thing I had seen or heard of,
but I was fully convinced that it would succeed. The American
backwoodsmen ride better in the woods than any other people. A
musket or rifle is no impediment to them, being accustomed to
carry them on horseback from their earliest youth. I was
persuaded, too, that the enemy would be quite unprepared for the
shock, and that they could not resist it. Conformably to this
idea, I directed the regiment to be drawn up in close column, (p. 259)
with its right at the distance of fifty yards from the road
(that it might be, in some measure, protected by the trees
from the artillery), its left upon the swamp, and to charge, at
full speed, as soon as the enemy delivered their fire. The few
regular troops of the 27th regiment, under the command of their
colonel (Paul), occupied, in column of sections of four, the
small space between the road and the river, for the purpose of
seizing the enemy's artillery, and some ten or twelve friendly
Indians were directed to move under the bank. The crotchet,
formed by the front line and General Desha's division was an
important point. At that place the venerable governor of Kentucky
was posted, who, at the age of sixty-six, preserves all the
vigour of youth, the ardent zeal which distinguished him in the
Revolutionary war, and the undaunted bravery which he manifested
at King's Mountain. With my aids-de-camp, the acting Assistant
Adjutant-General, Captain Buttler, my gallant friend Commodore
Perry, who did me the honour to serve as my volunteer
aid-de-camp, and Brigadier-General Cass, who, having no command,
tendered me his assistance, I placed myself at the head of the
front line of infantry, to direct the movements of the cavalry
and give them the necessary support. The army had moved on this
order but a short distance, when the mounted men received the
fire of the British line, and were ordered to charge; the horses
in the front of the column recoiled from the fire; another was
given by the enemy, and our column, at length getting into
motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible force. In one
minute the contest in front was over. The British officers seeing
no hopes of reducing their disordered ranks to order, and our
mounted men wheeling upon them and pouring in a destructive fire,
immediately surrendered. It is certain that three only of our
troops were wounded in this charge. Upon the left, however, the
contest was more severe with the Indians. Colonel Johnson, who
commanded on that flank of his regiment, received a most galling
fire from them, which was returned with great effect. The Indians
still further to the right advanced and fell in with our front
line of infantry, near its junction with Desha's division, and,
for a moment, made an impression on it. His Excellency, Governor
Shelby, however, brought up a regiment to its support, and the
enemy, receiving a severe fire in front, and a part of Johnson's
regiment having gained their rear, retreated with precipitation.
Their loss was very considerable in the action and many were
killed in their retreat.

I can give no satisfactory information of the number of Indians
that were in the action, but they must have been considerably
upwards of one thousand. From the documents in my possession
(General Proctor's official letters, all of which were taken),
and from the information of respectable inhabitants of this
territory, the Indians, kept in pay by the British, were much
more numerous than has been generally supposed. In a letter to
General de Rottenburg, of the 27th instant, General Proctor
speaks of having prevailed upon most of the Indians to accompany
him. Of these it is certain that fifty or sixty Wyandot warriors
abandoned him.

A British officer, of high rank, assured one of my aids-de-camp,
that on the day of our landing, General Proctor had at his
disposal upwards of three thousand Indian warriors, but asserted
that the greatest part had left him previous to the action.

The number of our troops was certainly greater than that of (p. 260)
the enemy, but when it is recollected that they had chosen a
position that effectually secured their flank, which it was
impossible for us to turn, and that we could not present to them
a line more extended than their own, it will not be considered
arrogant to claim for my troops the palm of superior bravery.

In communicating to the President, through you, Sir, my opinion
of the conduct of the officers who served under my command, I am
at a loss how to mention that of Governor Shelby, being convinced
that no eulogium of mine can reach his merits. The governor of an
independent State, greatly my superior in years, in experience
and in military character, he placed himself under my command,
and was not more remarkable for his zeal and activity, than for
the promptitude and cheerfulness with which he obeyed my orders.
The Major-Generals Henry and Desha, and the Brigadiers Allen,
Caldwell, King, Childs, and Trotter, all of the Kentucky
volunteers, manifested great zeal and activity. Of Governor
Shelby's staff, his adjutant-general, Colonel Walker, rendered
great service, as did his aids-de-camp, General Adair, and Majors
Barry and Crittenden. The military skill of the former was of
great service to us, and the activity of the two latter gentlemen
could not be surpassed. Illness deprived me of the talents of my
adjutant-general, Colonel Gaines, who was left at Sandwich. His
duties were, however, ably performed by the acting assistant
adjutant-general, Captain Buttler. My aids-de-camp, Lieutenant
O'Fallon and Captain Todd, of the line, and my volunteer aids,
John Speed Smith and John Chambers, Esquires, have rendered me
the most important services from the opening of the campaign. I
have already stated that General Cass and Commodore Perry
assisted me in forming the troops for the action. The former is
an officer of the highest merit, and the appearance of the brave
commodore cheered and animated every breast.

It would be useless, Sir, after stating the circumstances of the
action, to pass encomiums upon Colonel Johnson and his regiment.
Veterans could not have manifested more firmness. The colonel's
numerous wounds prove that he was in the post of danger.
Lieutenant-Colonel James Johnson, and the Majors Payne and
Thompson were equally active though more fortunate. Major Wood of
the engineers, already distinguished by his conduct at Fort
Meigs, attended the army with two six-pounders. Having no use for
them in the action, he joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and
with Major Payne, of the mounted regiment, two of my
aids-de-camp, Todd and Chambers, and three privates, continued it
for several miles after the rest of the troops had halted, and
made many prisoners.

I left the army before an official return of the prisoners, or
that of the killed and wounded, was made out. It was however
ascertained that the former amounts to 601 regulars, including 25
officers. Our loss is 7 killed and 22 wounded, 5 of which have
since died. Of the British troops 12 were killed and 22 wounded.
The Indians suffered most, 33 of them having been found upon the
ground, besides those killed on the retreat.

On the day of the action, six pieces of brass artillery were
taken, and two iron 24 pounders the day before. Several others
were discovered in the river, and can be easily procured. Of the
brass pieces, three are the trophies of our revolutionary war,
that were taken at Saratoga and York, and surrendered by General
Hull. The number of small arms taken by us and destroyed (p. 261)
by the enemy, must amount to upwards of 5000; most of them had
been ours and taken by the enemy at the surrender of Detroit, at
the river Raisin, and at Colonel Dudley's defeat. I believe that
the enemy retain no other military trophy of their victories than
the standard of the 4th regiment; they were not magnanimous
enough to bring that of the 4th regiment into the field, or it
would have been taken.

You have been informed, Sir, of the conduct of the troops under
my command in action; it gives me great pleasure to inform you,
that they merit also the approbation of their country for their
conduct, in submitting to the greatest privations with the utmost
cheerfulness.

The infantry were entirely without tents, and for several days
the whole army subsisted upon fresh beef, without bread or salt.

I have the honour to be, etc.,
William H. HARRISON.

P.S. General Proctor escaped by the fleetness of his horses,
escorted by 40 dragoons and a number of mounted Indians.

_____

_General Orders of Debarkation, of March, and of Battle._

Head Quarters, on Board
the United States schooner Ariel,
September 27, 1813.

As it is the intention of the general to land the army on the
enemy's coast, the following will be order of debarkation, of
march, and of battle:

The right wing of the army will be composed of the Kentucky
volunteers, under the command of His Excellency, Governor Shelby,
acting as major-general. The left wing, of the light corps of
Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, and the brigades of Generals M'Arthur
and Cass. The arrangement is made with a view to the localities
of the ground upon which the troops are to act and the
composition of the enemy's force, and is calculated, in marching
up the lake or straight, to place our regular troops in the open
ground on the lake, where they will probably be opposed by the
British regulars, and the Kentucky volunteers in the woods, which
it is presumed will be occupied by the enemy's militia and the
Indians. When the signal is given for putting to the shore, the
corps of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball will precede the left wing: the
regiment of volunteer riflemen the right wing: these corps will
land with the utmost celerity, consistent with the preservation
of good order, and as soon as landed will seize the most
favourable position of annoying the enemy and covering the
disembarkation of the troops of the line. General Cass's brigade
will follow Colonel Ball's corps, and General Calmes the
volunteer riflemen. The regiments will land and form in
succession upon those which precede them. The right wing, with
its left in front, displaying to the right; and the left wing,
with its right in front, displaying to the left. The brigades of
Generals King, Allen, and Caldwell will form successively to the
right of General Calmes. General M'Arthur and Child's (p. 262)
brigades will form the reserve. The general will command in
person the right brigades of Generals Cass and Calmes, assisted
by Major-General Henry. His Excellency, Governor Shelby, will
have the immediate command of three brigades on the right,
assisted by Major-General Desha. As soon as the troops are
disembarked, the boats are to be immediately sent back to the
fleet. It will be observed that the order of landing here
prescribed is somewhat that of direct eschelons deployed into
line upon the advanced corps of the right and left wing. It is
the intention of the general, however, that all the troops which
are provided with boats should land in as quick succession as
possible; and the general officers in command towards the
extremities of the line, are authorized to deviate from the
arrangement to counteract any movement of the enemy, by landing
any part of their commands, previously to the formation of the
corps, which is herein directed to precede them. The corps of
Lieutenant-Colonel Ball and the volunteer rifle regiment will
maintain the position they occupy on landing, until the troops of
the line are formed to support them; they will then retire
through the intervals of the line, or to the flanks, and form in
the rear of the line.

A detachment of artillery, with a six, four and three-pounder and
howitzer, will land with the advanced light corps; the rest of
the artillery will be held in reserve, and landed at such point
as Major Wood may direct.

The point of landing for the reserve, under Brigadier-General
M'Arthur, cannot now be designated; it will be made to support
any point of the line which may require aid, or be formed on the
flanks, as circumstances may render necessary. The arrangement
for landing the troops will be made entirely under the direction
of an officer of the navy, whom Commodore Perry has been so
obliging as to offer for that purpose. The debarkation of the
troops will be covered by the cannon of the vessels. The troops
being landed, and the enemy driven off, or not opposing the
landing, the army will change its front to the left, and form in
order of battle in the following manner: The two brigades of
regular troops, and two of the volunteers, to be formed in two
lines at right angles to the shore of the lake. General
M'Arthur's brigade and Calmes' to form the front line, and Cass's
and Childs's the second line; the regular troops still on the
left; that flank of both lines, resting on the shore; the
distance between the two lines will be 300 yards. The remaining
three brigades of volunteers will be drawn up in a single line of
two ranks, at right angles to the line of march, its head upon
the right of the front line, forming a crotchet (_en potence_)
with that line, and extending beyond the second line. The corps
of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball will form the advance of the left
wing, at the distance of 300 yards, the regiment of rifle
volunteers the advance of the right wing, at the same distance.

Some light pieces of artillery will be placed in the road leading
up the lake, and at such other points as Major Wood may direct.
When the order is given for marching, the first and second lines
will advance by files from the heads of companies; in other
words, these two lines will form two columns, marching by their
flanks by companies at entire distances. The three brigades on
the right flank will be faced to the left and marched forward;
the head of this column still forming en potence with the front
line. It is probable that the two brigades of the front line
will extend from the lake some distance into the woods, on (p. 263)
the right flank, and it is desirable it should be so; but
should it be otherwise, and the crotchet or angle be at any time
on the open ground, his excellency Governor Shelby will
immediately prolong the front line to the right, by adding to it
as many companies of the leading brigade of the flank column as
will bring the angle, and consequently the flank column itself,
completely within the woods. It is to be presumed that the enemy
will make their attack upon the army in its march, that their
regular troops will form their right upon the lake, their militia
occupy the ground between the regulars and the woods, and the
Indians the woods. The formation herein prescribed is intended to
resist an arrangement of this kind. Should the general's
conjecture on that subject prove correct, as it must be evident
that the right of the enemy cannot be turned, and on that wing
his best troops must be placed, it will be proper to refuse him
our left, and direct our principal effort to uncover the flank of
his regulars by driving off his militia. In the event supposed,
therefore, it will be proper to bring up a part or the whole of
General Cass's brigade, to assist the charge made by General
Calmes, or that the former should change positions with the
brigade of volunteers in the second line. Should the general
think it safe to order the whole of Cass's brigade to the right,
without replacing it with another, General Cass will march to the
right, formed in oblique eschelons of companies. It will be the
business of General M'Arthur, in the event of his wing being
refused to watch the motions of the enemy, with the assistance of
the artillery, to prevent his front line at least from
interrupting the progress of our right. Should the enemy's
militia be defeated, the brigade of ours in advance will
immediately wheel upon the flank of the British regulars, and
General M'Arthur will advance to attack them in front. In the
mean time, his excellency Governor Shelby can use the brigade in
reserve of the second line to prolong the flank line from its
front or left, or to reinforce any weak part of the line. In all
cases where troops in advance are obliged to retire through those
who are advancing to support them, it will be done by companies
in files, which will retire through the intervals of the
advancing line, and will immediately form in rear. The light
troops will be particularly governed by this direction.

The disposition of the troops on the right flank is such as the
commanding general thinks best calculated to resist an attack
from Indians, which is only to be expected from that quarter. His
excellency Governor Shelby will, however, use his discretion in
making any alteration which his experience and judgment may
dictate. Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, Lieutenant-Colonel Simral, and
the general officers commanding on the flank line, are to send
out small detachments in advance of the two former corps, and to
the flank of the latter. Should they discover the enemy in force,
immediately notice will be sent to the head of the lines. The
general commanding on the spot will immediately order the signals
for forming in order of battle, which will be the beat "_to
arms_."

All signals will be immediately repeated by all the drums of the
line; the signal for the whole to halt, is the retreat. Drums
will be distributed along the heads of companies, and the taps
occasionally given to regulate their march.

Lieutenant-Colonels Ball and Simral are to keep the general
constantly advised of the discoveries made by the advanced
parties. Where it shall become necessary for the corps of (p. 264)
Ball and Simral to retire, they will form on the flank or in
the rear of Generals M'Arthur and Calmes's brigades, and receive
the orders of the brigadiers respectively.

Brigadier-General Cass will designate such officers as he may
deem proper, to assist Captain Elliott, of the navy, in the
arrangement of the troops. The general will be the signal for the
whole to move. By command,

Edmund P. GAINES, _Col. Adj. Gen._

No. 51. (p. 265) PLATE LII.

_October 5, 1813._

Governor Isaac Shelby. [Rx]. Battle of the Thames. Octo. 5. 1813.

GOVERNOR ISAAC SHELBY.

[_Victory of the Thames._]

GOVERNOR ISAAC SHELBY. Bust of Governor Shelby in a general's uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

BATTLE OF THE THAMES. OCTO. (_October_) 5. 1813. The battle of the Thames; in the background, a forest; in the foreground, the mounted riflemen are charging the enemy. Exergue: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS APRIL 4. 1818. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).[108]

[Footnote 108: The resolution of Congress voting
this medal and the official reports of the Battle
of the Thames are given under No. 50, page 254.]

ISAAC SHELBY was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, December 11, 1750. He served in the South throughout the Revolutionary War, rose to the rank of colonel, and displayed great gallantry in the battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, for which he received a sword of honor and thanks from the Legislature of North Carolina. He was governor of Kentucky, 1792-1796, and 1812-1816; he joined General Harrison with four thousand Kentucky volunteers, and distinguished himself in the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, for which victory Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He declined to be secretary of War in 1817, and died in Lincoln County, Kentucky, July 18, 1826.

No. 52. (p. 266) PLATE LIII.

_June 24, 1822._

Lvdovicvs. XVIII Franc. et. Nav. rex. [Rx]. Gallia. et. America.
foederata.

TREATY OF COMMERCE WITH FRANCE.

LVDOVICVS. XVIII FRANC. ET. NAV. REX. (_Ludovicus XVIII. Franciæ et Navarræ rex: Louis XVIII, King of France and Navarre._) Bust of Louis the Eighteenth, facing the right DE PUYMAURIN DIREXIT[109] (_directed_). On edge of bust, ANDRIEU. F. (_fecit_).

[Footnote 109: De Puymaurin was director of the
Paris Mint at the time this medal was struck.]

GALLIA. ET. AMERICA. FOEDERATA. (_France and America allied._) France and America, personified as two female figures, standing, leaning on a column, on which is a bust of Mercury. France, beside whom is a shield bearing the three fleurs de lis, holds in her right hand a cornucopia, and America rests her left hand on the prow of a galley; on the face of the column is engraved: MDCCCXXII (1822). Exergue: NOVIS. COMMERCIORVM. PACTIS IVNCTAE (_United by new treaties of commerce._) GAYRARD. F. (_fecit_).[110]

[Footnote 110: See INTRODUCTION, pages x and
xxiii.]

BERTRAND ANDRIEU was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1762. He studied first at the academy of Bordeaux, then with Lavaux. He came to Paris early in life. Among his principal medals are: the taking of the Bastille; the battle of Marengo; the passage of the St. Bernard; the baptism of the King of Rome; the head of the Emperor Napoleon; the head of the Empress Josephine; the head of the Empress Marie Louise; and the cathedral of Vienna. He also executed the obverse of the medal commemorating the treaty of commerce of 1822, between the United States of America and France. He died in Paris, December 10, 1822.

RAYMOND GAYRARD was born at Rodez, France, in 1777. He (p. 267) volunteered and served in the army from 1796 to 1802; then studied under Launay and Jeoffroy, and first attracted attention by his medallions of the Emperor Napoleon and of the Archduchess Marie Louise, on the occasion of their marriage. Among his principal medals are: the visits to the mint of the Emperor of Austria, and of the King of Prussia; the second entrance of Louis XVIII. into Paris; the removal of the ashes of the Duke d'Enghien to the chapel at Vincennes; the triumphal entrance of the Duke d'Angoulême into Paris; the death of Louis XVIII.; and the accession to the throne of Charles X. He also engraved the reverse of the medal commemorating the treaty of commerce between the United States of America and France. He was distinguished also as a sculptor, and among his statues is one of the American Republic. He was engraver to King Louis XVIII. and Charles X., was decorated with the Legion of Honor in 1825, and received a medal of the 2d class for sculpture at the Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1814, and an honorable mention at the Universal Exhibition of 1855. He died in Paris, May 4, 1858.

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Treaty with France, 1822._

_Convention of Navigation and Commerce between the United States
of America and His Majesty the King of France and Navarre,
concluded June 24, 1822; ratifications exchanged February 12,
1823; proclaimed February 12, 1823._

The United States of America and His Majesty the King of France
and Navarre, being desirous of settling the relations of
navigation and commerce between their respective nations, by a
temporary convention reciprocally beneficial and satisfactory,
and thereby of leading to a more permanent and comprehensive
arrangement, have respectively furnished their full powers in
manner following, that is to say,

The President of the United States to John Quincy Adams, their
Secretary of State, and His Most Christian Majesty to the Baron
Hyde de Neuville, Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St.
Louis, Commander of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross of the
Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic, his Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary near the United
States; Who, after exchanging their full powers, have agreed (p. 268)
on the following articles:

ARTICLE I.

Articles of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United
States, imported into France in vessels of the United States,
shall pay an additional duty, not exceeding twenty francs per ton
of merchandize, over and above the duties paid on the like
articles, also of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the
United States, when imported in French vessels.

ARTICLE II.

Articles of the growth, produce or manufacture of France,
imported into the United States in French vessels, shall pay an
additional duty, not exceeding three dollars and seventy-five
cents per ton of merchandize, over and above the duties collected
upon the like articles, also of the growth, produce or
manufacture of France, when imported in vessels of the United
States.

ARTICLE III.

No discriminating duty shall be levied upon the productions of
the soil or industry of France, imported in French bottoms into
the ports of the United States for transit or re-exportation; nor
shall any such duties be levied upon the productions of the soil
or industry of the United States, imported in vessels of the
United States into the ports of France for transit or
re-exportation.

ARTICLE IV.