The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2Headley, Joel Tyler
History
The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2
Headley, Joel Tyler
United States -- History -- War of 1812
over to the Canadian side and with fifteen hundred men under General
Boyd, been despatched against the enemy, which was constantly
harassing his rear.
[Sidenote: Nov. 11.]
General Boyd, accompanied by Generals Swartwout and Covington as
volunteers, moved forward in three columns. Colonel Ripley advancing
with the 21st Regiment, drove the enemy's sharp shooters from the
woods, and emerged on an open space, called Chrystler's Field, and
directly in front of two English regiments. Notwithstanding the
disparity of numbers this gallant officer ordered a charge, which was
executed with such firmness that the two regiments retired. Rallying
and making a stand, they were again charged and driven back. General
Covington falling fiercely on the left flank, where the artillery was
posted, forced it to recoil. But at this critical moment, while
bravely leading on his men, he was shot through the body. His fall
disconcerted the brigade, and a shower of grape shot at the same
moment scourging it severely, it retired in confusion. This restored
the combat, and for more than two hours that open field was the scene
of successive and most gallant charges. The front of battle wavered to
and fro, and deeds of personal courage and daring were done that
showed that the troops and younger officers only needed a proper
commander, and they would soon give a report of themselves which would
change the aspect of affairs.
At length the British retired to their camp and the Americans
maintained their position on the shore, so that the flotilla passed
the Saut in safety. This action has never received the praise it
deserves--the disgraceful failure of the campaign having cast a shadow
upon it. The British, though inferior in numbers, had greatly the
advantage in having possession of a stone house in the midst of the
field, from which, as from a citadel, they could keep up a constant
fire, without being injured in return. The conflict was close and
murderous, and the American troops gave there a foretaste of Chippewa
and Lundy's Lane. Nearly one-fifth of the entire force engaged were
killed or wounded; a mortality never exhibited in a drawn battle
without most desperate fighting.
General Wilkinson, who lay sick in his boat, knew nothing of what was
transpiring, except by report. Brown's cannon thundering amid the
rapids below--the dropping fire in the rear of his flotilla, and the
incessant crash of artillery and rattle of musketry in the forest,
blended their echoes around him, augmenting the power of disease, and
increasing that nervous anxiety, which made him long to be away from
such turbulent scenes, amid occupations more befitting his age and
infirmities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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