The Great Lakes: The Vessels That Plough Them: Their Owners, Their Sailors, and Their Cargoes, Together with a Brief History of Our Inland SeasCurwood, James Oliver
History
The Great Lakes: The Vessels That Plough Them: Their Owners, Their Sailors, and Their Cargoes, Together with a Brief History of Our Inland Seas
Curwood, James Oliver
Great Lakes (North America); Inland navigation -- United States; Shipping -- Great Lakes (North America)
Scott was unaware of the full strength of the enemy until he found
Riall and Drummond drawn up to meet him at Lundy’s Lane. This was at
five o’clock in the afternoon, and with the idea of impressing upon the
British that the entire American army was at his back, General Scott at
once began the attack. The struggle was one of intense courage on both
sides and continued until 10.30 at night, when the British were driven
from the field, leaving General Riall a prisoner. The American loss
had also been so severe that they retired from the field, abandoning a
captured battery. During the night, this battery was again manned by
the British and a bloody fight ensued the following morning before it
was recaptured. At Lundy’s Lane, the Americans lost 171 killed and 571
wounded; the British 84 killed and 559 wounded. General Scott had been
severely wounded in the struggle, and General Brown was laid up with
injuries at Back Rock, so that the command fell upon General Ripley who
at once made preparations to recross into the American frontier. Brown
sent positive orders that this move should not be made and that General
Ripley should hold Fort Erie. On August 2d, General Drummond, who had
been reinforced by over 1000 men, laid siege to this stronghold, and
for two weeks desultory fighting occurred around it. On the night of
the 14th, at twelve o’clock, a terrific assault was begun upon the
works and continued until daylight. The British had captured one of
the bastions and it was while holding this position that a fearful
explosion occurred directly under their feet, killing and wounding the
greater portion of them and striking the decisive blow of the siege.
The American loss was 17 killed and 56 wounded, while the British lost
221 killed and 174 wounded.
[Illustration: Scene when Admiral Dewey Passed through the Soo Locks.]
For several weeks, both sides continued to strengthen their positions,
and by the middle of September, 5000 Americans under Generals Brown
and Porter were ready for an attack on the British. On the 17th, Riall
was engaged by the entire American force and was driven from the
position he had taken, with a loss of about 500 in killed and wounded.
Meanwhile, General Izard’s division was hurrying to the frontier and
with his arrival the American force was increased to 8000. Riall and
Drummond in the face of these overwhelming odds retreated to Fort
George and Burlington Heights, and on November 4th, Fort Erie was blown
up, General Izard believing that it would be of no further use to the
Americans. Active operations along the frontier then ceased for the
winter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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