Americans became masters of Lake Erie, but the territory of Michigan,
which had been surrendered by Hull, was still in possession of Colonel
Procter. The next movements of General Harrison were therefore against
the British and Indians at Detroit and Malden. General Harrison had
previously assembled a portion of the Ohio militia on the Sandusky
river; and on the 7th of September four thousand from Kentucky, the
flower of the state, with Governor Shelby at their head, arrived at his
camp. With the cöoperation of the fleet, it was determined to proceed at
once to Malden. On the 27th, the troops were received on board, and
reached Malden on the same day; but the British had, in the mean time,
destroyed the fort and public stores, and had retreated along the Thames
towards the Moravian villages, together with Tecumseh's Indians,
consisting of twelve or fifteen hundred. It was now resolved to proceed
in pursuit of Procter. On the 5th of October, a severe action occurred
between the two armies at the river Thames, by which the British army
fell into the hands of the Americans. In this battle, Tecumseh was
killed, and the Indians fled. The British loss was nineteen regulars
killed, fifty wounded, and about six hundred prisoners. The American
loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to upwards of fifty. Procter made
his escape down the Thames.
[Illustration: BATTLE OF THE THAMES.]
On the 29th of September, the Americans took possession of Detroit,
which, on the approach of Harrison's army, had been abandoned by the
British.
[Illustration: Creek Chiefs surrendering to General Jackson.]
_Creek War._--While affairs were proceeding at the North, the public
attention was arrested by hostilities commenced by the Creek Indians.
They had been visited by Tecumseh, who had persuaded them that the Great
Spirit required them to unite in an attempt to extirpate the whites. In
the fall of 1812, a sanguinary war had been waged by the Creeks and
Seminoles, against the frontier inhabitants of Georgia. At the head of
two thousand five hundred volunteers from Tennessee, General Jackson had
marched into their country, and compelled them to desist; but, soon
after his return, their animosity burst forth with increased and fatal
violence. Dreading their cruelty, some three hundred men, women, and
children, took refuge in Fort Mimms. Here, at noon-day, on the 30th of
August, they were surprised by a party of six hundred Indians, who, from
the fort, drove the people into the houses which it inclosed. To these
they set fire. Seventeen only of the refugees escaped to carry the
horrid tidings to the neighboring stations. But the whites resolved on
vengeance. General Jackson, at the head of three thousand five hundred
militia of Tennessee, again took up his march into the southern
wilderness. A detachment, under General Coffee, encountering at
Tallushatchie a body of Indians, a sanguinary conflict ensued. The
latter fought with desperation, neither giving nor receiving quarter,
until nearly every warrior had perished. Yet still, the spirit of the
Creeks remained unsubdued. With no little sagacity and skill, they
selected and fortified another position on the Tallapoosa, called by
themselves Tohopeka, and by whites Horse-shoe Bend. Here nearly a
thousand warriors, animated with a fierce and determined resolution,
were collected. Three thousand men, commanded by General Jackson,
marched to attack this post. To prevent escape, a detachment under
General Coffee encircled the Bend. The main body advanced to the
fortress, and for a few minutes the opposing forces were engaged muzzle
to muzzle at the port-holes; but at length, the troops leaping over the
walls, mingled in furious combat with the savages. When the Indians,
fleeing to the river, beheld the troops on the opposite bank, they
returned, and fought with increased fury and desperation. Six hundred
warriors were killed; four only yielded themselves prisoners; the
remaining three hundred escaped. Of the whites, fifty-five were killed
and one hundred and forty-six wounded. It was deemed probable that
further resistance would be made by the Indians at a place called the
Hickory-ground; but, on General Jackson's arriving thither in April,
1814, the principal chiefs came out to meet him, and among them was
Weatherford, a half-blood, distinguished equally for his talents and
cruelty. "I am in your power," said he; "do with me what you please. I
have done the white people all the harm I could. I have fought them, and
fought them bravely. There was a time when I had a choice; I have none
now; even hope is ended. Once, I could animate my warriors; but I
cannot animate the dead. They can no longer hear my voice; their bones
are at Tallushatchie, Talladega, Emuckfaw, and Tohopeka. While there was
a chance of success, I never supplicated peace; but my people are gone,
and I now ask it for my nation and myself." Peace was concluded, and
General Jackson and his troops enjoyed an honorable but short
repose.[75]
_Battles of Chippewa and Bridgewater._--In the beginning of July,
General Brown crossed the Niagara with about three thousand men, and
took possession without opposition of Fort Erie. In a strong position at
Chippewa, a few miles distant, was intrenched an equal number of British
troops, commanded by General Riall. On the 4th, General Brown approached
their works; and the next day, on the plains of Chippewa, an obstinate
and sanguinary battle was fought, which compelled the British to retire
to their intrenchments. In this action, which was fought with great
judgment and coolness on both sides, the loss of the Americans was about
four hundred men; that of the British was upwards of five hundred. Soon
afterwards, General Riall, abandoning his works, retired to the heights
of Burlington. Here Lieutenant-general Drummond, with a large
rëinforcement, joined him, and, assuming the command, led back the army
towards the American camp. On the 25th was fought the battle of
Bridgewater, which began at four in the afternoon, and continued till
midnight. After a desperate conflict, the British troops were withdrawn,
and the Americans left in possession of the field. The loss on both
sides was severe, and nearly equal. Generals Brown and Scott having both
been severely wounded, the command devolved upon General Ripley. He
remained a few hours upon the hill, collected the wounded, and then
retired unmolested to the camp. This battle was fought near the cataract
of Niagara, whose roar was silenced by the thunder of cannon and the din
of arms, but was distinctly heard during the pauses of the fight. The
American general found his force so much weakened, that he deemed it
prudent again to occupy Fort Erie. On the 4th of August, it was invested
by General Drummond with five thousand troops. In the night, between the
14th and 15th, the besiegers made a daring assault upon the fort, which
was repelled with conspicuous gallantry by the garrison, the former
being more than nine hundred men, the latter but eighty-four. The siege
was still continued. On the 2d of September, General Brown having
recovered from his wounds, threw himself into the fort, and took command
of the garrison. For their fate, great anxiety was felt by the nation,
which was, however, in some degree removed, by the march from
Plattsburgh of five thousand men to their relief. After an hour of close
fighting, they entered the fort, having killed, wounded, and taken one
thousand of the British. The loss of the Americans was also
considerable, amounting to more than five hundred. On the 21st of
September, the forty-ninth day of the siege, General Drummond withdrew
his forces.
_Capture of Washington._--About the middle of August, a British
squadron of between fifty and sixty sail, arrived in the Chesapeake,
with troops destined for the attack of Washington, the capital of the
United States. A body of five thousand of them having landed, an
action was fought at Bladensburgh, six miles from Washington. General
Winder commanded the American force; Commodore Barney the flotilla.
The British were commanded by Major-general Ross and Rear-admiral
Cockburn. The Americans were repulsed, and General Ross, at the head
of about seven hundred men, took possession of Washington, and burned
the capitol, the president's house, and public offices, the arsenal,
the navy yard, and the bridge over the Potomac. The loss of the
British in this expedition, was nearly a thousand men in killed,
wounded, and missing; the loss of the Americans was ten or twelve
killed, and thirty or forty wounded. Commodore Barney's horse was
killed under him, and himself wounded in the thigh, and taken
prisoner; but he was paroled on the field of battle for his bravery.
After the capture of Washington, the British army rëembarked on board
the fleet in the Patuxent, and Admiral Cockburn moved down that river,
and proceeded up the Chesapeake. On the 29th of August, the corporation
of Alexandria submitted to articles of capitulation, and the city was
delivered up to the British. On the 11th of September, the British
admiral appeared at the mouth of the Patapsco, fourteen miles from
Baltimore, with a fleet of ships of war and transports, amounting to
fifty sail. The next day, six thousand troops were landed at North
point, and commenced their march towards the city. In this march, when
the foremost ranks were harassed by a brisk fire from a wood,
Major-general Ross was mortally wounded. A battle was fought on this
day. The American forces, the militia, and the inhabitants of Baltimore,
made a gallant defence, but were compelled to retreat; the British,
however, abandoning the attempt to get possession of the city, retired
to their shipping during the night of the 13th of September.
_Engagement on Lake Champlain._--Towards the close of the winter of
1814, the troops under General Wilkinson removed from their
winter-quarters at French Mills, and took station opposite
Plattsburgh. At this time, General Izard assumed the command. During
the summer, the troops were reduced, by various detachments, to
fifteen hundred. Moreover, the defences here were mostly in a state of
dilapidation, and the stores and ordinances in great disorder.
It was while troops and fortifications were in this state, that
intelligence was received that Sir George Prevost, governor-general of
Canada, was on his march, at the head of fourteen hundred men,
well-disciplined, with ample stores and a numerous train of artillery.
In addition, the British had a respectable naval force on the lake,
amounting to ninety-five guns and one thousand and fifty men. To cope
with this combined, and vastly superior force, the Americans had the
troops already named, and a flotilla carrying eighty-six guns and
eight hundred and twenty-six men.
On the 3d of September, Sir George Prevost, having taken possession of
Champlain, proceeded to occupy Plattsburgh. But, instead of making the
most of his advantage, the British general contented himself with
erecting works, by which to annoy the Americans--thus giving the
latter opportunity to strengthen themselves, and to summon from New
York and Vermont a considerable force to their aid. At the moment, the
delay of the British was not understood, but in a few days it was
explained by the appearance of the British squadron, which was
observed bearing down in order of battle. It consisted of the frigate
Confiance, carrying thirty-nine guns; twenty-seven of which were
twenty-four pounders; the brig Linnet, of sixteen guns; the sloops
Chub and Finch, each carrying eleven guns; thirteen gallies, five of
two guns, and the remainder of one gun. Commodore McDonough,
commanding the American squadron, lay at this time at anchor in
Plattsburgh bay. His fleet consisted of the Saratoga, of twenty-six
guns, eight of which were long twenty-four pounders; the Eagle, twenty
guns; the Ticonderoga, seventeen guns; the Preble, seven, and twenty
gallies, six of which carried two, and the remainder one gun each. One
of this squadron had been constructed in eighteen days, from timber
cut for this purpose, standing on the shore of the lake.
At about nine o'clock, the British commander, Captain Downie, anchored
in line abreast the American squadron, about three hundred yards
distant--the Confiance taking a position opposite the Saratoga--the
Linnet, opposite the Eagle--the British galleys and one of the sloops,
opposite the Ticonderoga, Preble, and left division of the American
galleys--the other sloop was opposed to the right division.
The action now opened, and at the same time an engagement commenced
on the land, between the forces under General McComb and Sir George
Prevost. The fate of the day depended chiefly on the result of the
engagement between the two large vessels. For two hours, this contest
was waged, with great skill and bravery, between these two; but the
greater weight of the enemy's battery seemed to incline the scale of
victory. By this time, the guns of the Saratoga, on the starboard
side, had been either dismounted or rendered unmanageable: nor was the
condition of the Confiance much better. The fortune of the day now
depended upon a difficult manœuvre--to change the position of the
vessels, so as to bring their larboard sides into action. In this, the
Saratoga succeeded, while the attempt on the part of the Confiance
failed. The explosions of the former, on wheeling, now became
tremendous, and a short and successful work was made of it. In
eighteen minutes, the Saratoga announced her surrender. Meanwhile, the
Linnet had struck to the Eagle. Three of the galleys were sunk; the
rest escaped. With the exception of the latter, the entire squadron
was captured. It was a most sanguinary and disastrous contest. The
Saratoga had received in her hull fifty-five round shot; the
Confiance, one hundred and five. Twice the Saratoga was set on fire by
hot shot. The time occupied in the action was two hours and twenty
minutes. Captain Downie, of the Confiance, was killed, with forty-nine
of his men, and sixty wounded. The Saratoga lost twenty-eight killed
and twenty-nine wounded. The total loss of the American squadron
amounted to fifty-two killed and fifty-eight wounded. The loss of the
British was eighty-four killed, one hundred and ten wounded, and eight
hundred and fifty-six prisoners.
This engagement took place in sight of the two armies. But they were
not idle spectators of the exciting scene. They also became engaged,
and, during the naval conflict, the noise of cannon, bombs, rockets
responded to the explosions on the water. Three desperate efforts were
made by the British to cross over, and storm the American works.
Other modes of attack were resorted to, but repulse and defeat
followed each and every one of them. On the loss of the squadron,
which was as painful as unexpected, the efforts of the British
relaxed; but the firing was still kept up, and continued till night,
when the siege was raised, and the artillery withdrawn. During the
night, Prevost withdrew his forces and retired.
Thus failed a project for which liberal preparations had been made,
and of whose success, the highest hopes had been indulged. Thus Sir
George Prevost was taught, that not then, nor there, whatever he might
do at some future day, could he display British colors as a token of
triumph. The "star-spangled banner" must still wave on the waters of
Champlain; and our national flag still float over the fortifications
of Plattsburgh.
_Battle of New Orleans._--In the spring of 1814, General Jackson was
appointed a major-general in the army of the United States, and assigned
to the protection of the city of New Orleans, and the circumjacent
territory. To this duty he addressed himself with a promptitude and
resolution characteristic of the man, and commensurate with the
preparations which, it was supposed, the British had made to subdue it.
On the 1st day of December, the general reached New Orleans, and, on the
4th, rumor was rife that a hostile fleet was already wending its way
along the coast. On the 6th, this rumor was confirmed. Admiral Cochrane
and Sir George Cockburn, after the burning of Washington, and subsequent
retreat down the Chesapeake, were now directing their course towards New
Orleans. The expedition was formidable, consisting of more than eighty
sail, which were still to be rëinforced; on board the transports were
some eleven thousand troops, "veteran heroes of the Peninsula," ardent
for the attack--commanded by four generals of great experience--two
admirals, and twelve thousand seamen and marines, with fire-ships,
rockets, ammunition, and artillery in abundance.
The inhabitants of New Orleans were, at this time, supposed to be not
less than thirty thousand--a number quite sufficient, under ordinary
circumstances, to furnish adequate assistance. But they were chiefly
of French and Spanish extraction. By the purchase of Louisiana, they
had recently become citizens of the United States; but the sympathies
and patriotism of some had not followed their transfer. In addition,
the city had few, if any defences; arms, ammunition, troops--all were
wanting.
In circumstances like these, General Jackson assumed command of the
city. He saw the danger which impended; he saw the importance of power
amid the conflicting elements. He has sometimes been censured for his
despotic bearing during these scenes of turmoil and confusion. But we
must not judge too severely. He felt the emergency, and did not
hesitate to proclaim martial law, as, in his view, the only means of
safety and protection to the city.
The force which General Jackson had brought with him from Mobile,
amounted to only about fifteen hundred men, and consisted of Coffee's
Tennessee volunteers, Hind's company of cavalry, and the seventh and
forty-fourth regiments. To these were added three hundred city
volunteers, and a battalion of men of color, two hundred, making a
total, with the troops in garrison at Fort St. Philips, of only
twenty-five hundred men. This force was so obviously inadequate, that
General Jackson made every effort to supply the deficiency; and in
this, he was seconded by the executive of Kentucky, Tennessee, and
Louisiana. But their patriotic exertions were, in a great measure,
unavailing; there being, at no time, of Louisianians, in the army of
General Jackson, more than nine hundred, and still less from any other
state. The naval force, stationed at New Orleans, consisted of six
gun-boats and several smaller vessels, under command of Commodore
Daniel T. Patterson.
Soon after reaching New Orleans, General Jackson proceeded to examine
the various fortified points below the city, and gave directions for
strengthening them as his means allowed. On the 9th, he returned to
the city, whence he proceeded on a similar tour of inspection to the
lakes. Contrary to all expectation, the British armament, instead of
coming up the Mississippi, entered the lakes which connect with the
gulf, and, on the 23d of December, commenced landing their forces on
the narrow strip of land bordering the river. Before reaching this
point, however, an engagement had taken place between the gun-boats
and a large British force, which had resulted in the capture of the
former. It was a spirited action of some two hours, and the Americans
surrendered only when the enemy had gained their decks, and
overpowered them by numbers. The whole number of guns in the American
vessels was twenty-three, and of men one hundred and eighty-three. The
British had forty-five boats, forty-three pieces of cannon, and twelve
hundred men. The loss of the Americans was very small, while that of
the British was not less than three hundred, including several
officers, killed and wounded.
The invading army, it was now certain, was at hand. Indeed, they had
effected a landing; they were on the banks of the Mississippi, only
nine miles from the city. This, as we have stated, was on the 23d of
December.
General Jackson had decided, in case of their landing, to attack them
the first possible moment. "Feeble as my force is," said he, "I am
resolved to assail the enemy on his first landing, and perish sooner
than he shall reach the city:" a resolution which he now proceeded to
fulfill with all the energy in his power. That same night was the time
appointed.
A little before dark, the American troops arrived in view of the
enemy. They were, at this time, about two thousand strong, but
afterwards rëinforced to the number of one thousand more. Among the
vessels, which had escaped the British, was one of considerable size,
called the Caroline. With this, Commodore Patterson was to drop down
the river, anchor in front of the British, and commence the attack,
which should be a signal for a general assault.
A British officer, who was present during the scene, thus describes
the dismay of the British troops, when first the Caroline opened her
appalling fire upon them.
"The day passed without any alarm, and, the darkness having set in,
the fires were made to blaze with increased splendor; our evening meal
was eaten, and we prepared to sleep. But about half-past seven
o'clock, the attention of several individuals was drawn to a large
vessel, which seemed to be stealing up the river till she came
opposite to our camp, when her anchor was dropped, and the sails
leisurely furled. We hailed her, but she gave no answer. This forboded
no good. Soon after, we heard some one cry, in a commanding voice,
'Give them this for the honor of America!' and they did give it to us.
Explosion after explosion burst upon us, and showers of grape swept
down numbers in the camp.
"Nor to this dreadful storm of fire had we any thing to oppose. Our
artillery was too light to bring into competition with an adversary so
powerful. Our only alternative was to shelter the men, as much as
possible, from this iron hail; and our only shelter was to hasten
under the dyke ["levee"]. There we lay for an hour, unable to move
from our ground, or offer any opposition; when the sound of musketry,
at some distance, called our attention towards the pickets, and warned
us to prepare for a closer and more desperate strife. Soon after, our
apprehensions were realized. A semi-circular blaze of musketry burst
upon us. We were surrounded." The assailants were Coffee's brigade of
six hundred dismounted riflemen.
The further details of proceedings that night, we must omit. For two
hours, such warfare was carried on as the darkness allowed. The
American troops did not exceed two thousand; the force of the enemy
reached, at length, four or five thousand. The Americans were not the
victors, nor were they vanquished. They retired in safety, with a loss
of but twenty-four killed, one hundred and fifteen wounded, and
seventy-four made prisoners. The loss of the British was not less than
four hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Among the Americans
killed were two valiant officers--Colonel Lauderdale and Lieutenant
McClelland. This action was probably the salvation of New Orleans.
From that hour, the Americans had more confidence; the British less.
On the 4th of January, the long-expected rëinforcement from Kentucky,
amounting to two thousand two hundred and fifty, under command of
Major-general Thomas, reached New Orleans, but the great advantage,
anticipated from this additional force, failed of being realized. Not
more than five hundred of them were supplied with muskets fit for
service; for the remainder, none could possibly be furnished.
For several days longer, the armies continued in view of each other,
but comparatively inactive. Preparations, however, were making. The
clouds were gathering. The storm was approaching. At length, the 8th
of January arrived; a day rendered memorable by the victory achieved
by the Americans over a British force greatly superior, and in every
possible way prepared for the contest.