USA > New York > Jefferson County > A history of Jefferson County in the state of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 52
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Having taken on board all the naval stores that could be trans- ported, the place was evacuated, and the army was taken to Nia- gara. Chauncey returned to Sackets Harbor on the 13th of May, and, having taken on board 350 troops, sailed on the 22d for Niagara, where he arrived on the 25th.
The descent upon York provoked the resentment of the enemy, who, knowing that Sackets Harbor had been weakened by the withdrawal of troops to the Niagara, planned an attack upon the former, well knowing that the capture or destruction of the vessels there building, and the stores collected, would at once give them the supremacy in the campaign, and effectually sup- press any further offensive operations of the Americans for ome time.
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Sackets Harbor was at this time but poorly prepared for de- fense. Fort Tompkins, occupying the site of the present resi- dence of the commanding officer of the station, was manned by about two hundred dismounted dragoons, under Colonel Backus, a detachment of forty or fifty artillerists, under Lieutenant Ket- chum, and seventy or eighty infantry invalids, recruits, and parts of companies. A little east of the village was Fort Volunteer, a slight work that had been chiefly erected by a company of exempts. General Dearborn had written to Brigadier General Brown, to assume the command, and make provisions for a de- fense, which letter was not answered, from motives of delicacy towards Colonel Backus, but preparations were made for resist- ance, if required.
Between the village and Horse Island, a mile distant, was a thin wood that had been partly cut over, and was filled with brush, logs, and stumps. Opposite the island was a clearing of about four acres, and the island itself, which embraces twenty-nine acres, and lies at the entrance of the bay, was covered with a growth of timber, and at that time connected with the main land by a bar, that afforded a crossing, nearly or quite dry. The beach opposite, was composed, then as now, of a ridge of gravel, which at that time made a natural breastwork, four or five feet high. A short distance back, and further south on the shore, a strip of woods extended, which had been obstructed as much as possible several days previous, by felling trees in every direction.
The enemy having made preparations at Kingston for an at- tack, embarked 1,200 men, under Sir George Prevost, on the evening of May 27th, on board the ships Wolfe, a new vessel of 24 guns; the Royal George, 24 guns; the brig Earl of Moira, 18 guns; and the schooners Prince Regent, Simcoe and Seneca, mounting each several guns; two gun boats, and about forty barges, under Sir James L. Yeo ; and on the following morning (Friday, May 28th) appeared in the offing, having been dis- covered by the schooner Lady of the Lake, that had been cruising on the lake, to watch the motions of the enemy.
As this vessel came in, signal guns were fired, and upon her arrival Colonel Backus dispatched an express to General Brown, who, since the expiration of his six months' term, had been re- siding on his farm in Brownville, eight miles from the harbor. He immediately repaired to that place, and issued summary or- ders for rallying the neighboring militia, and preparing the place for defence. Alarm guns were fired, and dragoons dispatched in every direction to hasten the arrival of succor, and especially that of Colonel Tuttle, who was known to be advancing with several hundred regulars. No landing was attempted by the enemy on the 28th, their attention being drawn off by a fleet of
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American barges from Oswego, of which twelve were taken, their crews having fled to the woods, and seven, by outsailing the enemy, got safely into port, thus increasing the disposable force of General Brown. These recruits proved to be a part of a regiment of infantry under Colonel Aspinwall, on his way by water from Oswego to Sackets Harbor, who did not discover the enemy until he was doubling Six Town Point. As the route of those that landed was very circuitous, they did not arrive until nine o'clock in the evening.
The militia soon began to assemble, and as fast as they arrived they were armed, and sent to Horse Island, which was the point at which the enemy were expected to land. The number that came in during the day, was about 600, fresh from their homes, and without discipline, experience or organization, and although not wanting in patriotism or courage, yet lacked that assurance which an acquaintance with military affairs can alone confer. These, with about 300 regulars, and 100 of Aspinwall's party, fatigued with their day's march, comprised the force by which the enemy were to be opposed.
The night was spent by General Brown in making disposi- tions for the attack, which circumstances rendered highly pro- bable would be made where the militia had been posted. The shore, for most of the way between this place and the village, is an abrupt precipice, fifteen or twenty feet high; and the fleet, to land above the village, must have to pass the batteries on shore, and would require a favorable wind. During the night the ene- my landed about forty Indians, under Lieutenant Anderson, on the main land in Henderson Bay, with the view of attacking the rear of the militia, and towards morning the militia were with- drawn from the island to the shore opposite. Camp fires had been built along the shore early in the evening, but these were ordered to be put out.
About four hundred militia, with a six pounder, under Colonel Mills, of the Albany volunteers, were stationed near the shore opposite the island, with orders to reserve their fire until the enemy should approach within pistol shot. The remainder of the militia under Colonel Gershom Tuttle, were posted in the edge of the woods, back of the clearing, and Colonel Backus, with his dismounted dragoons, was stationed in the skirt of the woods near the village, with orders to advance through the woods towards Horse Island, the moment it was known that the enemy had landed. Colonel Aspinwall, with his men, was posted to the left of Backus; and the artillerists under Lieutenant Ketchum were stationed in Fort Tompkins, with no other armament than a 32 pounder, mounted on a pivot. The militia on the shore were directed that, in case of being driven from their position,
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they should fall back into the woods, and annoy the right flank of the enemy, as he advanced towards the town. Colonel Tut- tle was directed, in the same event, to attack their rear, and de- stroy their boats. The night was spent in making these arrange- ments, and all parties anxiously awaited the approach of day.
The morning of the 29th dawned beautifully clear and calm. Not a breath of air ruffled the placid surface of the lake, and there existed that peculiar state of density and uniformity in the atmosphere, in which sounds are propagated to a great distance, as is sometimes noticed before a storm; and the report of small arms in the action which followed, was heard with remarkable distinctness on the hills in Rutland, while the discharge of can- non echoed clear and far over the country, to distances since un- paralleled, and was heard through Lewis, and even in Oneida County. This very naturally excited throughout the country the greatest anxiety and alarm, and the solicitude of families for the fate of fathers, husbands and sons, who had been hastily sum- moned from home, was such as could scarcely endure the sus- pense which it occasioned.
The calm prevented the enemy from bringing their vessels to co-operate in the attack, and was one of the causes that influ- enced their subsequent retreat. As soon as it was light, the ene- my were seen approaching in thirty-three large boats, under cover of gun boats, directing their course to the outside of the island, where they landed and formed without opposition; but in cross- ing the bar that connected it with the main land, they encoun- tered a galling fire, and lost several in killed and wounded, which they subsequently carried off. As the landing was being effect- ed, the heavy gun in Fort Tompkins was brought to bear with considerable effect upon the enemy's column.
The fire of the militia was at first well directed and deadly, and was answered by discharges of musketry and by two small cannon loaded with grape shot; but Colonel Mills, who was sta- tioned a short distance towards the village, with his cannon, fell early in the engagement, and his death, with the unaccustomed whistling of balls that cut down the branches of the trees around them, struck with terror the inexperienced militia, and without waiting to return the fire or recover from the panic, they turned and fled towards the town in the greatest confusion. This retreat was not entirely general. Captain Samuel McNitt, who had been stationed with his company on the extreme left of the flanking party of the militia, not noticing the movements of his comrades, continued his firing after some moments longer, and before he was aware he found himself and his party alone, and in danger of being cut off by the enemy. General Brown, finding himself nearly alone, with no support but this company, retired towards the village,
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directing those that could be rallied to annoy the advancing column of the enemy as much as possible. The enemy having gained the beach and dispersed the militia, formed in good order, and marched towards the town.
They were soon met by the troops of Colonel Backus, who had advanced to dispute their progress, and who gallantly en- countered and returned their fire, retiring slowly before them through the half cleared woods. General Brown had succeeded in rallying about a hundred militia, with the aid of Caleb West- cott, a citizen, and others, and had joined the detachment of Backus; but at this juncture, happening to look towards the ship- yard, he was surprised to see huge volumes of smoke issuing from the store houses that contained the spoils of York. Not knowing but that the enemy might have gained his rear, he has- tened to the spot, and ascertained that the disastrous panic of the militia had been communicated to those in charge, and a report had reached Lieutenant Chauncey of the navy, that all was lost, and upon the faith of this rumor he had given orders to fire the buildings, an act which the most extreme and desperate issue of affairs could alone justify. Learning the cause of the confla- gration, and somewhat relieved by the knowledge that the ene- my were still but on one side, he returned, giving directions to Lieutenant Ketchum in Fort Tompkins, to maintain that post as long as the heat of the flames would permit. The regulars of Colonel Backus felt their courage renewed, upon learning the nature of the accident that had given a natural alarm, and con- tinued steadily to oppose the advance of the enemy, who had now gained the clearing next the village. Very soon after, Colonel Backus fell, mortally wounded, and was borne off the field; his troops taking possession of some log barracks, and continuing their resistance.
The enemy had throughout evinced great courage and cool- ness, and were under the immediate command of Captain Gray, of the quarter-master general's department, who was advancing in front of the ranks, and walking backwards, waving his sword for his troops to follow, and shouting, Come on, boys; the day is ours! Remember York! when he suddenly fell, wounded, and immediately expired.
At this moment, the signal for retreat was given from the fleet, and the enemy hastily retreated to their boats. This re- treat is said to have been in part caused by hearing a report of small arms on the right, from the rallied militia, but which the enemy mistook for a reinforcement of 450 regulars which they had learned was advancing under Colonel Tuttle, and was then within a mile of the place. Their arrival would at once put an end to the contest, by giving us the advantage of numbers. The
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enemy on their retreat removed a part of their wounded, and, having re-embarked, they at about 10 o'clock sent a flag demand- ing a surrender of the place which they had been unable to cap- ture, and were of course refused. They however were promised that decent attention should be paid to the dead, and humane treatment to the wounded. They shortly after sent another flag requesting to send surgeons to their wounded, which was denied, as they still seemed not to have abandoned the attack, and were laying by in their barges; but shortly after, they put off to the fleet, which lay about five miles from the town, and made sail for Kingston. Both Sir George Prevost and Sir James Yeo are said to have landed during the engagement.
The loss of the British was 150 in killed and wounded; 25 of their privates were found dead, 2 captains and 20 privates were wounded, and, including the wounded, 2 captains, 1 ensign and 32 privates were taken prisoners. Our loss was 150 killed, wounded and missing. The enemy took a few prisoners, and one man was found killed and scalped in the woods by the In- dians.
The flames of the burning stores were subdued as quickly as possible, but not till they had consumed half a million of dol- lars' worth of property. The ship Pike, then on the stocks, was saved. The prize schooner, the Duke of Gloucester, was saved by Lieutenant Talman, of the army, who boarded it, extinguishing the fire, and brought her from under the flames of the store houses. This heroic conduct will be appreciated when it is known that a large quantity of gunpowder was on board. The schooners Fair American and the Pert, cut their cables and retreated up the river, and several of the guns on Navy Point were spiked. Had it not been for this disastrous mistake, our success would have been complete. Colonel Backus survived eight days, and hopes of his recovery were entertained, but mortification super- vened.
We will close our account of this battle, by giving the official reports of the commanding officers of the two armies:
" SACKETS HARBOR, May 29, 1813.
DEAR SIR: We were attacked at the dawn of this day, by a British regular force of at least 900 men, most probably 1,200. They made good their landing at Horse Island. The enemy's fleet consisted of two ships, four schooners, and thirty large open boats. We are completely victor- ious. The enemy lost a considerable number of killed and wounded on the field, and among the number, several officers of distinction. After having reembarked, they sent a flag, desiring us to have their killed and wounded attended to. I made them satisfied on that subject. Americans will be distinguished for humanity and bravery. Our loss is not numerous, but serious from the great worth of those who have fallen. Colonel Mills was shot dead at the commencement of the action, and Colonel Backus, of the 1st regiment of light dragoons, nobly fell at the head of the regiment, as victory was declaring for us. I will not presume to
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praise this regiment. Their gallant conduct on this day merits much more than praise. The new ship, and Commodore Chauncey's prize, the Duke of Gloucester, are yet safe in Sackets Harbor. Sir George Prevost landed and commanded in person. Sir James Yeo commanded the enemy's fleet. In haste yours, JACOB BROWN."
His Excellency D. D. Tompkins.
HEAD QUARTERS, SACKETS HARBOR, June 1, 1813.
SIR: "You will have received my despatch on the 29th ult., written from the field of battle, and stating generally, that this post had been at- tacked by Sir George Prevost, and that we had succeeded in repulsing him, principally owing to the gallantry of Colonel Backus and the regular troops under his command. Now I beg leave to offer to you the events of that day more in detail.
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On the 25th ultimo, I received a letter from General Dearborn, request- ing me to repair to this post for the purpose of taking command. Knowing that Lieutenant Colonel Backus, an officer of the first regiment of dragoons, and of experience, was here, I hesitated, as I would do no act which might wound his feelings. In the night of the 27th I received a note from this officer, by Major Swan, deputy quarter-master-general, joining in the request already made by Major General Dearborn. I could no longer hesitate, and accordingly arrived at this post early in the morning of the 28th. These circumstances will explain how I came to be in command upon this occasion. Knowing well the ground, my ar- rangements for defence, in the event of an attack, were soon made.
In the course of the morning of the 28th, Lieutenant Chauncey, of the navy, came in from the lake, firing guns of alarm. Those of the same character, intended to bring in the militia, were fired from the posts. The enemy's fleet soon after appeared, accompanied by a large number of boats. Believing that he would land on the peninsula, commonly called Horse Island, I determined to meet him at the water's edge with such militia as I could collect, and the Albany volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mills; Lieutenant Colonel Backus, with the regulars, formed a second line; the care of Fort Tompkins was committed to the regular artillerists and some volunteers, and that of Navy Point to Lieutenant Chauncey of the navy. If driven from my position, Lieutenant Colonel Backus was ordered to advance and meet the head of the enemy's column, while rallying my corps. I was to fall on its flanks. If unable here to resist the enemy's attack, Lieutenant Chauncey was in that case to destroy the stores, &c., and retire to the south shore of the bay, east of Fort Volunteer, while I proceeded to occupy that fort as our dernier resort.
In the course of the 27th and during the nights of the 28th and 29th ultimo, a considerable militia force came in, and were ordered to the water side near Horse Island, on which was Lieutenant Colonel Mills and his volunteers. Our strength at this point was now 500 men-all anxious for battle, as far as profession would go. The moment it was light enough to discover the approach of the enemy, we found his ships in line between Horse Island and Stony Point, and in a few minutes afterwards, 33 large boats, filled with troops, came off to the Larger In- dian or Garden Island, under cover of the fire of his gun boats. My orders were, that the troops should lie close and reserve their fire till the enemy had approached so near that every shot might hit its object. It is, however, impossible to execute such orders with raw troops unac- customed to subordination. My orders were in this case disobeyed. The whole line fired, and not without effect-but in the moment while I was
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contemplating this, to my utter astonishment, they rose from their cover and fled. Colonel Mills fell gallantly in brave but in vain endeavors to stop his men. I was personally more fortunate. Gathering together about 100 militia, under the immediate command of Captain M'Nitt of that corps, we threw ourselves on the rear of the enemy's flank, and I trust, did some execution. It was during this last movement that the regulars under Colonel Backus first engaged the enemy, nor was it long before they defeated him.
Hurrying to this point of action, I found the battle still raging, but with obvious advantage on our side. The result of the action, so glorious for the officers and soldiers of the regular army, has already been commu- nicated in letter of the 29th. Had not General Prevost retreated most rapidly under the guns of his vessels, he would never have returned to Kingston.
One thing in this business is to be seriously regretted. In the midst of the conflict, fire was ordered to be set to the navy barracks and stores. This was owing to the infamous conduct of those who brought informa- tion to Lieutenant Chauncey, that the battle was lost, and that to prevent the stores from falling into the enemy's hands, they must be destroyed.
The enemy's force consisted of 1,000 picked men, led by Sir George Prevost in person. Their fleet consisted of the new ship Wolfe, the Royal George, the Prince Regent, Earl of Moira, two armed schooners, and their gun and other boats.
Of the officers who distinguished themselves, I can not but repeat the name of Lieutenant Colonel Backus, who, praised be God! yet lives. Captain M'Nitt's conduct was noble; he well deserves to be placed in the regular army. Major Swan, of the army, served as my adjutant general, and was highly useful. Lieutenant Chauncey is a brave and honorable man. To him no blame can attach for what happened at the Navy Point. He was deceived. Lieutenant Colonel Tuttle was in march for this post, but with every exertion was unable to reach it in time to take part in the action. This is felt by the Colonel and every officer of his detachment as a misfortune.
At the moment I am closing this communication, Commodore Chaun- cey has arrived with his squadron. This renders my longer stay here unnecessary. I shall therefore immediately return to my home.
I am, sir, with the highest respect, &c. JACOB BROWN,
Brigadier General of the N. Y. Militia. Hon. John Armstrong Secretary of War.
Report of the killed, wounded and missing in the action of the 29th May, 1813, at Sacket's Harbor.
Killed .- 20 privates, regulars, and 1 volunteer.
Wounded .- I lieutenant colonel, 3 second lieutenants, 1 ensign, 7 non- commissioned(officers, 2 musicians and 68 privates, regulars ; and 1 musi- cian, and 2 privates, volunteers.
Missing .- 2 non-commissioned officers, 7 privates, regulars; 1 non- commissioned officer, 1 musician, and 15 privates, volunteers.
Aggregate loss .- 110 regulars and 21 volunteers; number not known, but not to exceed 25 militia. Total 156.
About 400 of the regular troops sustained the heat of the action ; these consisted chiefly of the 1st regiment of light dragoons, some of the 9th, 21st, and a few of the 23d infantry, 3d and light artillery.
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Report of the enemy's loss in the action of the 29th May, 1813, at Sackets Harbor.
Adjutant General Gray, Colonel Moody, Major Edwards, 1 captain, and 25 rank and file found dead in the field.
2 captains and 20 rank and file found wounded in the field. 3 captains, 1 ensign and 32 rank and file made prisoners.
In addition to the above, many were killed and wounded in their boats by the militia and Albany volunteers, while effecting a landing; a number were likewise carried off the field by the enemy, previous to the commencement of his retreat.
HEAD QUARTERS, KINGSTON, Adjutant General's Office, 30th May, 1813. 5
GENERAL ORDERS : His Excellency, the commander of the forces, considers it an act of justice due to the detachment placed under the command of Col. Baynes, to express his entire approbation of their con- duct in the recent attack made upon Sackets Harbor at day break on the morning of the 29th inst. The regularity and patient firmness exhibited by the troops under circumstances of peculiar privation and fatigue, have been exceeded only by their intrepid gallantry in action, forcing a passage at the point of the bayonet, through a thickly wooded country, affording strong positions to the enemy, but not affording a single spot of cleared ground favorable for the operations of the troops. The woods were filled with infantry, supported by field pieces; and an incessant, heavy and destructive fire from a numerous and almost invincible foe, did not arrest the determined advance of the troops, who, after taking three field pieces, six pounders, from the enemy, drove them in a spirit- ed charge to seek shelter within the block-houses of his enclosed forts, and induced him to set fire to his store-houses. Unfortunately, light and adverse winds prevented the cooperation of the larger vessels of the fleet. The gun boats under the direction of Capt. Mulcaster rendered every assistance in their power, to support the landing and advance of the troops, but proved unequal to silence the guns of the enemy's batteries, or to have any effect on their block-house, and it being found impracti- cable, without their assistance and the cooperation of the ships, to carry their fort by assault, the troops were reluctantly ordered to leave a beaten enemy, whom they had driven before them for upwards of three hours, and who did not venture to offer the slightest opposition to the reembarkation of the troops, which was effected with perfect order.
The grenadier company of the 100th regiment, commanded by Capt. Burke, to which was attached a subaltern's detachment of the Royal Scotts, led the column with undaunted gallantry, supported by a detach- ment of the King's, under Major Evans, which nobly upheld the high established character of that distinguished corps. The detachment of the 104th regiment, under Major Moodie, behaved with the utmost gallantry and spirit, and their example was followed by Capt. McPherson's com- pany of the Glengary light infautry. The detachment of Canadian Vol- tigeurs under Major Harriot, behaved with a degree of spirit and stead- iness so as to justify expectation of their becoming a highly useful and valuable corps.
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