The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1Roger, Charles
History
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1
Roger, Charles
Canada -- History
Brown was busily employed in bringing up the
whole of his remaining force, and he afterwards renewed the attack with
fresh troops, to be everywhere repulsed, with equal gallantry and
success. Drummond had not neglected to bring up Riall's wing which had
been previously ordered to retire. He placed them in a second line,
with the exception of the Royal Scots, with which he prolonged his
front line, on the right, where he was apprehensive of being outflanked
by the enemy. The enemy's efforts to carry the hill were continued
until about midnight, when he had suffered so severely from the
superior steadiness and discipline of the British that he gave up the
contest and retreated with great precipitation to his camp, beyond the
Chippewa, which he abandoned on the following day, throwing the
greatest part of his baggage, camp equipage, and provisions, into the
rapids. He then set fire to Street's Mills, destroyed the bridge at
Chippewa, and, in great disorder, continued his retreat towards Fort
Erie. General Drummond detached his light troops, cavalry, and Indians,
in pursuit, to harass his rear.
The Americans lost, in this fiercely contested struggle, at least 1,500
men, in killed, wounded, and prisoners: among the wounded were the two
generals commanding, Brown and Scott. There were 5,000 Americans
engaged, and only 2,800 British. General Drummond received a musket
ball in the neck, but, concealing the circumstance from his troops, he
remained on the ground until the close of the action. Lieutenant-Colonel
Morrison, of the 89th regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson, Captain
Robinson, of the King's regiment, in command of the militia, and
several other officers were severely wounded. The British loss, in all,
was eight hundred and seventy men, including forty-two made prisoners,
among whom were General Riall and his staff.
The Americans, now under the command of General Ripley, retreated upon
Fort Erie, and intrenched themselves in its neighborhood. Gen'l. Gaines
then assumed the command at Fort Erie, having come from Sackett's
Harbour, in the fleet which was to have co-operated with the army, now
cooped up in Fort Erie and altogether indifferent to such co-operation.
The fleet went back again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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