Late in the evening, while many of the men were cooking, and others were asleep, a large vessel was seen stealing quietly up the river until she arrived opposite the bivouac fires, and before it was ascertained whether she was British or American a broadside of grape-shot swept down many soldiers in the camp. Having no means of attacking this formidable adversary, the soldiers took shelter behind a bank: the night was dark, and the only light to be seen was the flashes of the enemy's guns, as he continued to pour showers of shot into the camp. At length a firing was heard from the advance posts, and before the import of this was known a loud shout, followed by a semicircular blaze of musketry, proved that the piquets were surrounded by a very superior enemy. The KING'S OWN were instantly ordered to form in column behind the camp, while the eighty-fifth, and five companies of the ninety-fifth, flew to the support of the piquets. The enemy had brought forward about five thousand men, thinking to overwhelm this solitary brigade in the dark; but the British, regardless of the superior numbers of their antagonists, rushed upon the opposing legions and fought, bayonet to bayonet, and sword to sword, with a degree of energy and resolution impossible to describe. Some of the soldiers having lost their bayonets in the strife, laid about them with the butt-ends of their firelocks; numerous feats of individual gallantry were performed, and the Americans eventually gave way before this furious and desperate charge, and fled with the loss of many men killed, wounded, and prisoners. The KING'S OWN had Captain Francis Johnston and Lieutenant John Sutherland killed; also Lieutenant Thomas Moody severely wounded; and a number of private men killed and wounded. Notwithstanding this victory, the troops were unable to return to their camp, as it was completely commanded by the fire of the American schooner, and no provision could be procured. Meanwhile the other brigades arrived from Pine Island, and the whole were in position before dark on the 24th of December. Major-General the Hon. Sir Edward Pakenham also joined to take the command, and he was accompanied by Major-General Gibbs. [Sidenote: 1815]