USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the Genesee country (western New York) comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates, Volume I > Part 34
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H. M. Ship Wolfe, off the False Duck Islands,
on Lake Ontario, Sept. 12, 1813.
Sir :
I have the honor to acquaint you that H. M.'s squadron under my command, being becalmed on Genesee River, on the 11th in- stant, the enemy's fleet of eleven sail, having a partial wind, suc- ceeded in getting within range of their 24- and 32-pounders; and from their having the wind of us, and the dull sailing of some of our squadron, I found it impossible to bring them to close action. We remained in this mortifying situation five hours, having only six guns in the squadron that would reach the enemy (not a carronade being fired) ; at sunset a breeze sprang up from the westward, when I steered for the False Duck Islands, under which the enemy could not keep the weather gauge, but be obliged to meet us on equal terms. This, however, he care- fully avoided.
Although I have to regret the loss of Mr. William Ellery, mid-
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shipman, and three seamen killed, and seven wounded, I cannot but conceive it fortunate that none of the squadron have received material damage, which must have been considerable, had the enemy acted with the least spirit, and taken advantage of the superiority of position they possessed.
Inclosed is a list of killed and wounded.
Killed, 3; wounded 7.
J. L. YEO. 13
On board the U. S. S., Gen. Pike, off Duck Island, Sept. 13, 1813.
Sir :
On the 7th at daylight, the enemy's fleet was discovered close in with the Niagara River, wind from the southward. Made the signal, weighed with the fleet (prepared for action), and stood out of the river after him. He immediately made all sail to the northward; we made sail in chase, with our heavy schooners in tow-and have continued the chase, all round the lake, night and day until yesterday morning, when he succeeded into Amherst Bay, which is so little known to our pilots and said to be so full of shoals, that they are not willing to take me in there. I shall, however, (unless driven from my station by a gale of wind), en- deavor to watch him so close as to prevent his getting out upon the lake. During our long chase we frequently got within from one to two miles of the enemy; but our heavy-sailing schooners prevented our closing in with him, until the 11th off Genesee River; we carried a breeze with us, when he lay becalmed, to within about three-fourths of a mile of him, when he took the breeze, and we had a running fight of three and a half hours; but by his superior sailing he escaped me, and ran into Amherst Bay, yesterday morning. In the course of our chase, on the 11th, I got several broadsides from this ship, upon the enemy, which must have done him considerable injury, as many of the shots were seen to strike him, and people were observed, over the side, plugging shot-holes ; a few shot struck our hull, and a little rigging was cut, but nothing of importance-not a man was hurt.
I was much disappointed that Sir James refused to fight me, as he was so much superior in point of force, both in guns and
13 Cf. James, Naval Occurrences, London, 1817. See also, Rochester Historical Society Publications, III, p. 48, (Hanford's article).
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men-having upwards of 20 guns more than we have, and throws a greater weight of shot.
This ship, the Madison, and Sylph, have each a schr. con- stantly in tow; yet the others cannot sail as fast as the enemy's squadron, which gives him decidedly the advantage, and puts it in his power to engage me when and how he chooses.
I have the honor, etc.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. W. Jones, Sec'y. Navy.
From the records it appears that Yeo had six vessels with a total tonnage of 2,091, 92 guns with a broadside poundage of 1,374, and 770 men. Chauncey had ten vessels with a tonnage of 2,042, 98 guns with a broadside of 1,288 pounds of metal, and 865 men.
The appearance of the British fleet off the Genesee caused a great stir throughout the region, it being thought that a landing might be intended by the enemy. Turner tells us14 that messen- gers were sent into the interior with warnings of the danger; in response, men, armed and unarmed, flocked from the backwoods settlements, ready to fight or run as chances of invasion should make it expedient.
"While anxiously watching the British fleet," says Turner, "expecting every moment to see their boats coming toward the shore, a light breeze sprang up, and soon after, the fleet of Com- modore Chauncey was seen rounding Bluff Point. It was a wel- come advent, was hailed with joyous shouts from the shore; at a moment when a weak force had supposed themselves about to engage with a vastly superior one, succor had come-a champion had stepped, or rather sailed in, quite equal to the task of defense, in fact seeking the opportunity that seemed to have occurred. Commodore Chauncey brought his fleet within a mile from the shore, and when it was directly opposite the becalmed fleet of the enemy he opened a tremendous fire upon it. At first a sheet of flame arose from the American fleet, and then a dense cloud of smoke that rolled off before a light breeze, blowing off shore, as completely shut out the British fleet from view as if the curtains of night had been suddenly drawn; while the American fleet re- mained in full view. The fire was returned, but as the breeze
14 Turner's History of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase.
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increased, both moved down the lake, continuing to exchange shots until after dark."
Great excitement prevailed, and the militia was made subject to call at any moment, General Amos Hall, of Bloomfield, whose headquarters were at Batavia, taking over the situation a few weeks later. The event off Charlotte was not the last during the war, for several times afterwards the guns of armed war boats were heard and both forces landed men upon the beaches of Ontario.
On November 13th Chauncey, who now was master of the lake, sailed up the Genesee again, taking on board his ships 1,100 soldiers belonging to General Harrison's army; the schooner transports took off the men in a gale which carried them rapidly to the head of the lake. Chauncey now sailed to a position off Kingston to hold back the enemy while the troops were being moved. By the 27th all the transports had arrived at Sackett's Harbor, and the fleet went into winter quarters, the lake being virtually closed to navigation, owing to the weather and rough seas. But while the lakes were closed to fighting, the land was still open, and operations began to assume importance. Chaun- cey's only fruits of victory were those of October 5, when he en- countered a fleet of seven sail bound for Kingston, capturing five of them with their provisions and crews.
Let us now look backward through the year and note some of the important events on other fronts. The Six Nations of the Iroquois, finding their national domain invaded, declared war on Great Britain in July and the United States accepted their serv- ices. Their leaders were chosen from among their own people and included Major Jack Berry, Captain Cold, Captain Red Jacket, Captain Little Billy, Captain Strong, Captain Corn- planter and several other chiefs. The venerable Farmers Brother held a rank equivalent to that of colonel. There were more than 300 Senecas and 300 warriors from the other tribes, under Gen- eral Peter B. Porter, who knew the Indians as well as any military man on the Niagara front. Red Jacket had done much to swing his people into line and prevent Tecumseh from drawing off the younger hot-heads. He looked at the plans of Pontiac and Te- cumseh as wild dreams and counseled his tribesmen to have noth- ing to do with the Indian confederation in the west. Porter gave these Indians strict charge to conduct themselves according to the
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rules of civilized warfare, and, to the credit of the Six Nations, let it be said that they acquitted themselves with humanity as well as bravery. The British could not point out a single atrocity, while their own Indians, coming from wilder tribes, often be- haved in a shocking manner and "could not be restrained."
Late in July General Proctor with 500 Canadian and western hostile Indians and 500 British regulars marched against Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky River in Ohio; on the 1st of August he invested it and demanded surrender. In command of the fort was Major Croghan, a young man of 21 years. With the major were 160 men. They proved to be as daring as he, and, to a man, refused to entertain the idea of surrender. The thousand sur- rounded the fort, and the 160 within saw what would happen if they gave way. As usual, had there been a surrender, the British, "could scarcely restrain their savage allies." Croghan's men were good shots and in the battle that ensued nearly every soldier averaged a man, 150 of the enemy falling; Proctor retired to Malden, scoring but one American killed and seven wounded.
Early in the year the United States ship Hornet, commanded by Captain Lawrence, had encountered the British sloop of war Peacock. In a fifteen-minute engagement the Peacock struck her colors and soon sank; there were three impressed American sea- men on board.
Our navy now suffered a reverse. The United States frigate Chesapeake was lying in Boston harbor, Captain Lawrence hav- ing been given command as a reward for taking the Peacock. The British frigate Shannon hove into sight and challenged Law- rence to come out and fight. Lawrence took in the situation, and though he was at an entire disadvantage, having a new and un- familiar crew almost mutinous by reason of not having received their pay. The British frigate, on the contrary, had a picked crew of officers and men, eager to whip the Yankees. Lawrence deemed it a matter of honor to sail out and fight. The engagement did not last long, for the British were prepared in every detail. The Chesapeake was riddled and every officer capable of com- manding was wounded; Lawrence himself, received a mortal wound, and the battle becoming hopeless he was asked if the colors should be struck. "Not while I live," he replied in his de- lirium, at the same time crying out, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP." The ship, nevertheless, was soon boarded and taken by
31-Vol. I
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Captain Broke, commanding the Shannon. It was borne away to Halifax, where Lawrence died four days later, honored by the old- est captains in the British navy stationed there. His thrilling command to his defeated men has long been the battle cry of the American navy, and was Perry's slogan at Put-in-Bay.
On August 14th the U. S. sloop Argus struck to the British Pelican in English waters, but eighteen days later the Portland captured the British Boxer, the commanders of both vessels be- ing killed in action. About this time the Creek War was settled by a treaty, the Creeks being thoroughly whipped and their lead- ers taken; many of their bravest warriors perishing in a hopeless resistance. It was during this year that congress passed the em- bargo act, and the Emperor of Russia offered to mediate between the two warring countries; an army appropriation bill provided for heavy bounties for enlistments and bonuses for securing re- cruits.
CHAPTER XVII. THE WAR OF 1812. (Continued.)
BY ARTHUR C. PARKER.
At the military conference on August 28th, 1813, convoked by General Wilkinson, and attended by the leading officers of the district, it was decided to concentrate all the troops at Sackett's Harbor, save the forces stationed on Champlain. The nine thou- sand British soldiers at Montreal, Kingston and Burlington Heights, were causing the American commanders much uneasi- ness. After this council of war, Wilkinson hastened to Fort George, where he called another council of officers. A decision was made to abandon Fort George and transfer all troops to the east end of the lake. No sooner had this plan been projected than contrary orders arrived from Washington to "-put Fort George in condition to resist assault; to leave there an efficient garrison of at least 600 regular troops-" The orders proceeded to cover the matter of forces and commands; for example, Captain Nathaniel Leonard was ordered removed from the command of the fort at Niagara, and General Armistead directed to assume the office. Wilkinson never carried out this part of the order, nor certain other specific directions.
A sudden movement of the British forces from Burlington Heights, caused Colonel Scott to leave his post at Fort George and cross the Niagara in anticipation of active service on the St. Lawrence. The fort was handed over to General George Mc- Clure, of the New York militia. Scott then undertook a march with his regulars on October 13th to the mouth of the Genesee River, where he expected to find lake transports ready to take his forces to Sackett's Harbor. He was greatly disappointed, how- ever, and, amid great difficulties was compelled to march his troops up through the mud hole that now is Rochester, on through the marshes of Syracuse to Utica, where a road branched
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off for the Black River country, the shores of which were his des- tination. There he met General Armstrong, who permitted him to leave his troops with Major Hindman and proceed to Ogdens- burg, where he joined Wilkinson. All the military movements were toward the St. Lawrence front and, though troops came, they passed through or around Fort George. McClure was left there with his militia and volunteers unsupported; the enlistment period of the militia had about expired, and the hardships they had endured in the campaign were no inducement to the men to remain in service; they were marking time awaiting only the moment of their discharge. Melancholy news now floated in that Wilkinson had failed in his northern campaign; more startling yet was the report that General Drummond and General Riall, at the head of a large body of troops, were at the Peninsula, and that Murray with regulars and Indians was on his way to Fort George.
Let us consider McClure's position. His effective force was a remnant of the 24th U. S. Infantry-60 men in all. The fort could easily be wrested from this little group; they would be made prisoners; the fort occupied, and the enemy stationed in comfortable quarters in the neighboring village of Newark. What should be done? McClure determined to abandon the fort before investment, to destroy his stores and to burn the village of Newark. It was a rash decision, but a desperate situation seemed to demand it, McClure thought. His orders from the war department seemed specific, and read:
War Department, Oct. 4, 1813.
Sir-Understanding that the post committed to your charge may render it proper to destroy the town of Newark, you are hereby directed to apprise the inhabitants of this circumstance and to invite them to remove themselves and their effects to some place of greater safety.
John Armstrong.
Brigadier General McClure or
Officer Commanding Fort George.
The torch was applied to the village and soon the splendid little settlement, the pride of that part of Canada, was reduced to ashes. The question is whether or not the "defense of the post" actually did "render it proper to destroy the village of Newark." McClure thought so and did it, but in so doing he kindled the flame of British revenge that did not die out until the capitol of
Yerk. now Tpronto
D
LAKE ONTARIO
Burlington Heights
+Ft. Niagara
Niagara o Ft. Georgen
R
5 mile meadows
Queenston o Ho Lewiston
Chippewa
Dams
Tells
P
Chippewa
Black Rock
Grand R
Ft.Erie 4
o Buffalo
ERIE
LAKE
STATE OF NEW
MAP OF THE NIAGARA FRONTIER.
Schlosser
YORK
R.
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the Republic itself had been laid in ruins. The Canadians could not forget the awful flight of their women and children through the snow of winter in a piercing wind.
McClure abandoned his post and retreated across the Niag- ara, amid considerable hardship, and placed his command in Fort Niagara, leaving that post two days later for his headquarters at Buffalo, putting Captain Leonard in charge.
Colonel Murray was at Twelve mile creek when he heard of the Newark affair, not knowing that Fort George had been evac- uated, he pressed on, hoping to surprise and capture the garri- son. News of his approach had caused McClure to retreat faster than he should have done, and, consequently, the stores at the fort, the supplies of clothing and about 1,500 army tents were left behind in the barracks. All this, together with several can- non and shot, fell into the possession of the British forces, who came up in time to take ten men who had lingered in the fort. That night Murray's troops slept in peace within the walls of Fort George. "Let us retaliate with fire and sword," exclaimed Murray to General Drummond, as they gazed in indignation at the smouldering timbers of Newark. "Do so," answered Drum- mond, "do so, swiftly and thoroughly." On the night of the 18th, a night cold, bleak and black, Murray, with about 1,000 British soldiers and Indians, crossed the river at Five Meadows, three miles above Fort Niagara. With about 550 regulars he pushed on under the cover of night, his men carrying scaling ladders and other tools of assault. How little they needed these things they did not know-or did Murray have better knowledge? The plan of attack was well worked out. An assault was to be made sim- ultaneously from all sides. The five companies of the One Hun- dredth regiment under Colonel Hamilton were to assail the gate, the escalade and the protecting works; Colonel Martin's com- panies were to attack the eastern demi-bastion, while the Royal Scott grenadiers under Captain Bailey were to storm the salient angle of the fort. The flank companies of the Forty-First were to support the gate attack. The British reached the fort at 3 o'clock in the morning.
All went well and the advance pickets were captured and held in silence. The British quietly marched up to the slumbering fort. They made ready to storm the main gate. But all their splendid preparations were for naught; the gate was wide open !
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Not only was the gate open, but unguarded. The commandant, Captain Leonard, was absent on a visit to his home. He had left the 500 men without a hint of the expected attack, knowledge of which he has been accused of possessing. The garrison was with- out orders or competent leadership;1 it might easily have repelled the attack, as young Croghan had done on the western front. As it was, the British rushed in, made prisoners of the Americans, bayoneted the wounded in the hospital and killed eighty men in all. All was over before the garrison was fairly awake. And on that day (Sunday, December 19th, 1813), there fell into British hands, through this treachery or incompetence of Leonard, not only the fort and 500 men, but twenty-seven cannon, 3,000 stand of arms, an immense amount of ordnance and commissariat stores, a vast quantity of clothing and camp supplies and other materials of value.
The capture of the fort by Murray a settled fact, he caused one of the largest cannon to be charged and fired. It was his signal to General Riall and his regulars and Indians, awaiting at Queenston. That shot was also the signal for another movement by the British troops, including 500 Indians.
Riall's troops moved on and at dawn crossed the Niagara, landed and took possession of the village of Lewiston, unhindered by Major Bennet, stationed on Lewiston Heights, at Fort Gray. Lewiston was plundered and sacked and many civilians murdered. Eight or ten were found stripped and scalped, one was headless and one ten-year-old boy was scalped. The British allowed full rein to their savage allies, and Lewiston was desolate indeed. An advance was now made toward Manchester (Niagara Falls vil- lage), but the enemy was temporarily checked by Major Malloy and forty Canadian volunteers, and held back for two days. The march could not be stayed for long, however, and soon the enemy, .spreading in all directions, involved the whole country between Fort Niagara and Tonawanda Creek for a distance of thirty-six miles inland in a reign of terror. Manchester and Schlosser were desolated and the Tuscarora villages were burned, and unre- strained license was given to the British Indians, who murdered all they met, driving women and children into the winter's snow. Buffalo was only saved for the moment by the destruction of the
1 It is said that most of the men were intoxicated or sleeping off the effects of a debauch.
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bridge over the Tonawanda. But there was another way to reach Buffalo; a bridge more or less could not stop the enemy.
Riall with his forces marched back to the ruins of Lewiston, crossed over to Queenston, and on December 28 was at Chippewa under his superior, General Drummond. The next day he marched to a point opposite Black Rock, reconnoitered, and, at midnight, crossed over with 1,000 Canadians and Indians, landing two miles below Black Rock. The devastation of the frontier north of the Tonawanda spread consternation throughout western New York; the whole Genesee Country was panic stricken. Gen- eral McClure had previously issued a stirring address to the in- habitants of Niagara, Genesee and Chautauqua, calling them to the defense of the frontier. "The present crisis is alarming," he wrote, "the enemy are preparing to invade your frontier and let their savages loose upon your families and property. It is now in your power to avoid that evil by repairing to Lewiston, Schlosser and Buffalo."
General Amos Hall, whose headquarters were at Batavia, re- sponded with his usual energy, calling out the militia and asking for volunteers. Batavia was a good rendezvous, for there the government had an arsenal, and there were the offices of the New York Militia. Hall assumed command, after McClure's pro- tempore resignation, and the latter then took his orders from the former. Hall now hastened to Buffalo, where he found that 200 ill-equipped men had responded to his call. In a letter to Governor Tompkins, of New York, he wrote:
Buffalo, December 26, 1813.
His Excellency Governor Tompkins.
Sir: On my receiving information of the enemy's crossing the Niagara River, and taking the fort, I immediately set off for that frontier. On my arrival at Batavia I found a number of volunteers assembled. I tarried one day to forward them on to the frontier and make arrangements for those who should follow.
I this day arrived at Buffalo and assumed command of the troops (being all volunteers) now at this station. The whole number here and at Lewiston, etc., may amount to 200 of all de- scriptions. The enemy have made their appearance opposite B. Rock, and an invasion is to be expected.
The troops now out can be kept but a few days-the troops
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called out on your Excellency's last requisition can not all arrive at this place until the middle or last of this week. The order did not reach me until the evening of the 16th inst.
Our loss in the capture of Niagara has been immense. What number of brave men have been sacrificed we have not yet been able to learn; it must have been great. Several inhabitants have been killed at Lewiston, among whom it is not ascertained there are any women or children.
I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most humble servant, AMOS HALL.
A few days later, when General Hall reviewed his troops at Buffalo, he found a motley lot of volunteers of all descriptions. They were greatly demoralized and confused, but after organiz- ing them, he found that he had 2,000 men for the defense of Buf- falo and the Niagara frontier. An analysis of these forces taken from Hall's official report is interesting. The following is the list: Lieutenant-Colonel Boughton, with 129 mounted volunteers; Lieu- tenant-Colonel Blakeslee, of Ontario, 433 exempts and volunteers; Colonel Chapin, 136 Buffalo militia ; Major Malloroy, 97 Canadian volunteers; Major Adams, 332 Genesee militia. At Black Rock were forces as follows: Lieutenant-Colonel McMahon, 300 Chau- tauqua militia; Lieutenant-Colonel Granger, 83 Indians (prob- ably Senecas) ; Lieutenant Seeley, with 25 artillerymen with a six-pounder ; Brigadier-General Hopkins, 382 effective men (com- mands of Colonels Warren and Churchill) ; Colonel Ransom, 37 mounted infantrymen.
Such were the forces mustered to defend the Niagara frontier and resist the Canadian invasion. Opposing them were seasoned British troops, organized volunteers and Indians "who could not be restrained."
At midnight on the 29th of December, General Riall crossed the Niagara. Marching through the darkness over ground they had reconnoitered well, the British and Indians soon encountered the pickets stationed by Lieutenant Boughton; there was a brief resistance of these scattered men, and then they broke and fled before the British over Kenjockety (Shogeoquady) Creek, which flows into the Niagara at Squaw Island. The enemy took posses- sion of "Sailor's Battery" and the bridge, which the Americans had failed to destroy. Boughton now hastened with all speed to
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