He now joined the forces under Colonel Van Renssalaer, "who, with a detachment of about one thousand men, crossed the river Niagara, and attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This detachment succeeded in dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the militia from the American side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, and obliged to surrender. Eight hundred British soldiers now came to the aid of the others, and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans for a time continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war." [_Interesting Events_: Battle at Queenstown: Early in the morning of the 13th of October, 1812, a detachment of about 1000 men, from the army of the Centre, crossed the river Niagara and attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This detachment, under the command of Colonel Solomon Van Rensellaer, succeeded in dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the militia, from the American side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, and were obliged to surrender. ... Eight hundred British soldiers, from fort George, now hove in sight, and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans, for a time, continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war.] The fate of war was hard for Theodore, on his first expedition. He was taken, and carried among the rest on board a prison-ship, and sent with a number of others to England. [[This paragraph summarizes the equivalent of several chapters of _Alonzo and Melissa_.]] This disastrous event, however, was shortly followed by one more fortunate for the Americans. "General Dearborn embarked at Sackett's Harbour, with sixteen hundred men, on an expedition against York, and succeeded in the capture of that place. [_Interesting Events_: Capture of York: Gen. Dearborn embarked at Sackett's Harbor, with sixteen hundred men, on an expedition against York....] "York was the seat of government for Upper Canada, and the principal depot for the Niagara frontier. More naval stores were taken by the Americans than could be carried away. The government hall was burned, contrary to the orders of the American general." [_Interesting Events_: Capture of York: ... more naval stores were taken by the Americans than could be carried away.... York was the seat of government for Upper Canada, and the principal depot for the Niagara frontier, and Detroit.... In the government hall ... the mace and other emblems of power. This building was burned, contrary to the orders of the American General.] CHAPTER XIV. "See, winter comes," and boisterous on its way, See darkening clouds obscure the cheerful day; Its hollow voice is muttering in the gale, While chilling hail and snow the earth assail.