... “The twenty-third was formed in close column under its commander, Major McFarland, and the first regiment, under Colonel Nicholas, was left to keep the infantry in check. The two regiments moved on to one of the most perilous charges ever attempted; the whole of the artillery opened upon them as they advanced, supported by a powerful line of infantry. The twenty-first advanced steadily to its purpose; the twenty-third faltered on receiving the deadly fire of the enemy, but was soon rallied by the personal exertions of General Ripley. When within a hundred yards of the summit, they received another dreadful discharge, by which Major McFarland was killed, and the command devolved on Major Brooks. To the amazement of the British, the intrepid Miller firmly advanced, until within a few paces of their line, when he impetuously charged upon the artillery, which, after a short but desperate resistance, yielded their whole battery, and the American line was in a moment formed in the rear upon the ground previously occupied by the British infantry. In carrying the larger pieces, the twenty-first suffered severely; Lieutenant Cilley, after an unexampled effort, fell wounded by the side of the piece which he took: there were but few of the officers of this regiment who were not either killed or wounded. “So far as I can recollect, the personal narrative of my friend was as follows: Miller, quietly surveying the battery, coolly replied—‘I’ll try, sir;’ then turning to his regiment, drilled to beautiful precision, said, ‘Attention, twenty-first.’ He directed them as they rushed up the hill, to deliver their fire at the port-lights of the artillerymen, and to immediately carry the guns at the point of the bayonet. In a very short time they moved on to the charge, delivered their fire as directed, and after a furious struggle of a few moments over the cannon, the battery was in their possession. The words of caution of the officers, ‘Close up—steady, men—steady,’ I have heard indifferently ascribed to them at this charge, and at the desperate sortie from Fort Erie. I am thus particular with regard to the detail of this transaction, not that I think your correspondent, any more than myself, regards it as of much moment, but lest my friend should be considered responsible for words which he did not utter.