By the first week in September, Sir George Prevost had organized his forces, and started at the head of fourteen thousand men to the southward. It was his intention to dislodge General Macomb, who was stationed at Plattsburg, where considerable fortifications had been erected. A great deal of the militia force had been drawn down the State to the city of New York, owing to the fears then entertained that the British intended making an attack upon the city from their fleet. It was Sir George’s plan to destroy forever the power of the Americans upon the lake, and for that reason it was necessary to capture the naval force which had been for some time under the command of Macdonough. The English leader arranged a plan with Captain Downie, who was at the head of the squadron, that simultaneous attacks should be made by water and land. At eight o’clock on the morning of September 11th news was brought to Lieutenant Macdonough that the enemy was approaching. As his own vessels were in a good position to repel an attack, he decided to remain at anchor, and await the onslaught in a line formation. In about an hour the enemy had come within gunshot distance, and formed a line of his own parallel with that of the Americans. There was little or no breeze, and consequently small chance for manoeuvring. The _Confiance_ evidently claimed the honor of exchanging broadsides with the _Saratoga_. The _Linnet_ stopped opposite the _Eagle_, and the galleys rowed in and began to fire at the _Ticonderoga_ and the _Preble_. Macdonough wrote such a clear and concise account of the action that it is best to quote from it: “... The whole force on both sides became engaged, the _Saratoga_ suffering much from the heavy fire of the _Confiance_. I could perceive at the same time, however, that our fire was very destructive to her. The _Ticonderoga_, Lieutenant-Commandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of the action. At half-past ten the _Eagle_, not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable, and anchored in a more eligible position, between my ship and the _Ticonderoga_, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately leaving me exposed to a galling fire from the enemy’s brig.