Col. Fenwick to Gen. Van Rensselaer. Sir, Fort Niagara, Sept. 18, 1812. Yesterday afternoon was Sent over in a Flag eleven Women and nineteen Children, their Situation is a distressing one, there is also a Fifer of the 1st U. S. Infantry, he brings from Gen Brock no Pass or Certificate. I know not in what light to view them. I beg your Instructions respecting these People, I don't think it prudent to leave them here. Your order revoking the Sentence upon the two unfortunate Criminals has been carried into Effect, the Scene was affecting, and.I flatter myself will be attended with Beneficial Consequences. No occurrence of Moment has happened Since I last wrote you. I beg you to order a General Court Martial, we have four or five deserters. Accept Sir, the assurance of my Esteem and Consideration. Major Genl. Van Rensselaer. JOHN R. FENWICK, L Col. The two criminals mentioned above were deserters, and having been found guilty by the court martial, were sentenced to be "shot to death on the grand parade at Fort Niagara on Friday the eighteenth instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of that day. On this solemn occasion all the Troops not on duty will be drawn up to witness the execution. And the major general hopes that this awful example will be a warning to others and, in future prevent desertions from that service to which their oaths if not their love of country should bind them." A petition for the pardon of Reuben Schuyler and Thomas Moore, sentenced by the general order of the 9th instant was sent to the major general by the "officers of the United States army at Fort Niagara" to request the consideration of the general and to recommend them as fit subjects for mercy. General Orders. Head Quarters, Lewiston 17th Sept., 1812. Major General Van Rensselaer revokes the sentence of death pronounced against Reuben Schuyler and Thomas Moore, by the Court Martial whereof Captain Leonard was President, and by General Orders of the Ninth instant directed to be carried into execution on the Eighteenth instant at Fort Niagara. This act of clemency of the Major General, in declaring the full and absolute pardon of those unfortunate men, it is hoped will make a lasting impression on their future conduct in life and that they will still shew by their good behaviour that they are worthy of a life which they had forfeited to their Country and their God. But let it not be presumed that this first act of lenity in the Major General will be extended to others: He is under obligations of duty to his Country, and with these his feelings, as a man, shall not interpose. The Prisoners will be released and return to their duty. By Order of Major General Van Rensselaer, SOL. VAN RENSSELAER, Aid de Camp. The decision of General Van Rensselaer in these occurrences comported with justice and humanity. He was well aware that such terrible. examples are often necessary in all well regulated armies and from a regard to the good of the service, in which they were engaged, it would not answer, often, to impede punishment. Sir, Major General Van Rensselaer to his Excellency Gov. Tompkins. Head Quarters, Lewiston, 17th Sept., 1812. Í have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your packet by Major Noon, who arrived in camp last evening. The duties of the day are too pressing to allow me the leisure I could wish, to answer your letter particularly. I must, therefore, beg leave to refer your Excellency to my despatch of this date to Major General Dearborn. I cannot, however, but express the satisfaction I feel at the approbation, which my conduct thus far in the campaign has received. To perform my duty, arduous as it is, is comparatively easy, but to determine what my duty is, in a wide field for action, where everything is unshaped and uncertain, is often a task of no small difficulty; I am conscious to myself that I have studied it faithfully, and performed to the best of my ability. My situation is growing every hour more interesting, perhaps critical. The particulars you will find in my letter to Gen. Dearborn; but with my little force I shall certainly attempt to hold my position, with full reliance upon your Excellency's assurances, that every effort will be made to support me. A retrograde movement of this army upon the back of that disaster which has befallen the one at Detroit, would stamp a stigma upon the national character which time could never wipe away. I shall therefore try to hold out against superior force and every disadvantage, until I shall be reinforced. I am happy to learn that the money to pay off the troops is at hand. The information cheers our camp. I announced it in orders this morning; I hope they will soon realize their expectations, for in truth their wants are many. I have the honour, &c. His Excellency Governor Tompkins. Dear Alexander, : Major Lovett to Joseph Alexander. Head Quarters, Lewiston, 22d Sept., 1812. I have lately received two letters from you, and thank you kindly for them in our situation, letters from friends, come like the cooling stream to a famishing Pilgrim in a desert of sand. General Van Rensselaer is well aware of the critical situation he is in it has been announced to him from all quarters; from the highest to the lowest authority: he sees it, feels it every hour. But, after all, having taken into consideration the incalculable consequences which must result from falling back from his present position, he has determined to risk events. In the last general deliberation which was had upon the subject, he sat and heard all that was said, then rising up he said "No, what will the world think we are made of? No: I'll DIE before I'll quit this ground, and there's no more to be said about it." And there has been no more said about it. The enemy appear to be in a state of preparedness to give, or receive an attack. Every day or two they make some movement which indicates dispositions to attack us immediately. Night before last every ship they have on Lake Ontario came into the mouth of Niagara River, then, to be sure, we thought it time to look out for breakers. But yesterday when Col. Van Rensselaer went over with a Flag to Fort George, there was not a Ship in sight, nor a General Officer there, where gone, we know not. Notwithstanding the most positive orders on both sides, our Sentinels have kept up almost a constant warfare for a month past. On the Bank of the River Musket Balls are about as thick as Whippowills in a summer's evening. A wretch fired the other evening, at Judge Barten and myself as we were setting upon our horses on the bank; the shot came in a correct line but fell 30 rods short, in the River. Last Saturday morning one of our lads returned the Compliment and put his ball so quick thro' a lad's head on the other side that he fell dead without even winking. Over came Lieut. Col. Myers with whom I had the honor of an hour's conference on the bank, both talked it largely and returned good fellows. In short we are all fire and powder on both sides the River, and every day that passes without blood seems to me more and more strange. We have made the best possible dispositions of the force we have to meet an attack, if it comes, I am very certain there will be some old fashioned fighting, we can't help it; for in truth, we can't run away without fighting and I believe this is the best way to post an army of raw Troops. It is now about eleven days we have lain in this situation. It has become as much a matter of course to fix my papers and prime my Pistols when I go to bed, as it is to pull off my Boots. And after all, I cannot tell whether they will attack us or not; but if they do not they are certainly governed by some considerations of policy which they may consider of more importance than cutting up a little 2,000 Army. Time must determine. We are promised reinforcements by companies, Battalions, Regiments, Brigades, and I might almost say Armies; but not a single man has joined us in some weeks. Besides, our men here are getting down very fast within three or four days. This morning Report of Sick was 149. We have lately had the most tremendous storm of cold rains and wind that I ever saw at this season of the year, it was 'eno' to make an Ox quake. The wind was terrible, hail, lightening, thunder and the whole army of terrors seemed pressed into requisition. Many tents blew up and over; the General's Marquee was deluged, bed and all drenched. My Tent hooks gave away; I jumped out of my Blanket, in quick time, to save my Papers, stood in my shirt-tail for half an hour, holding the sides together, until I had not a dry thread to brag of; and when I went to my Blankets, they were as wet as myself, however, I made the best of them thro' the night. O, the glorious life, and the innumerable comforts of Soldiers! Give Mrs. Lovett the enclosed, it contains an impression of General Brock's Seal, with his most appropriate Motto, "He who guards, never Sleeps." The Campaign will wind up with some very interesting occurrences, I think, I begin to see how the crisis is forming. We shall invade Canada. Come what may you may be assured we shall not disgrace Albany. Do write often. I entirely agree in opinion with Gen. V. R. who on reading your last letter made this observation "He writes more like a Gentleman than any of them" and added "I had no idea he was such a man!" there's for ye: and no man knows better, or more highly appreciates the character of a true bred Gentleman than that same General. I had no idea of his perfect finish in Etiquette. I am your friend, JOHN LOVETT. CHAPTER XI. BATTLE ON QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. Col. Marinus Willett to Maj. Gen. Van Rensselaer. Dear Sir, New York, 25th Sept., 1812. I should before this have offered my services to you, had I not been apprehensive that the infirmities of age, which cause me to fear I might be burdensome, prevented me; but tho' I cannot enjoy that satisfaction, I trust you will not be displeased with my addressing you with a few observations on the subject of Indian warfare. In the summer of the year 1763, soon after the disbanding of the army, General Washington visited the frontiers of our State: on this occasion I accompanied him; and as we were traveling along the Mohawk River, the devastations that had taken place there introduced the subject of Indian Warfare. I signified to the General my disapproval of the Virginia mode of fighting Indians by the men taking to trees, and fighting the Indians in their own way, which would continue for a number of hours, with no great advantage on either side. It was remarked that the Indians, who were generally furious in their onset, depended much on the noise of their Yells to strike a terror which not unfrequent, had the intended effect and caused their enemy to run, when they usually made great havock. In their mode of fighting they extend their line to great lengths, and endeavour to surround their foes the noise, which by this means appears from different quarters, generally occasions surprise, and sometimes terror; either of which is easily prevented a vigilant and smart officer can effect it in an instant. with rapidity to place himself conspicuously in front: off with his hat, wave it round his head, and order his men to rush among the Indians with loud and repeated huzzas. The Indians, who have no compactness to oppose to such force, and losing the noise of their yells, by the superior noise of the huzzas, are sure to set running; when, by having some good marksmen, you may hit some of them; But tho' I never found it difficult to drive them, I could not kill many; for it is not often that a fair shot can be had at them. They will, however, after having been driven from one position, generally, take another; and tho' they may not pursue the same course they did in their first onset, by commencing a fresh fire at considerable distance, they will be constantly taking off men, unless the same mode of driving them is pursued. He is I have been fighting Indians when they were vastly superior to me in numbers; and have been obliged to pursue this mode of driving them from one position to another for four or five miles. I always found them dexterous in taking positions, but experienced little difficulty in driving them. The officer who commands the troops engaged with Indians, must be smart, active and brave; and it is proper always to have covering parties, under the direction of a steady, firm man: but the officer who leads the troops to attack ought to possess a great deal of fire; every thing depends on his activity, vigilance and courage. There is nothing can discover greater weakness, or folly than to run from Indians: it is almost certain death: but to face, and run in upon them is the sure means of beating and overcoming them: for, tho" they have agility and dexterity, they are by no means equal in strength to our soldiers. But it is not, my dear Sir, in fighting Indians, only, that I have experienced the advantage of a bold charge upon the enemy. I have tried it, several times with British troops, as well as with Indians; and it uniformly succeeded. Soldiers must be taught to look their enemies in the face, they should be brought into action as often as possible. Soldiers must be taught to fight, a few good officers can do a great deal, the road to danger is the road to honor for a soldier. It is important that such ideas as these be instilled into young officers, as well as the necessity of their being reconciled to fatigue, and deprivations. That you may go on, in a course of glory to yourself, and advantage to your country is the ardent wish of Dear Sir, Your very obedient Servant, Major General Van Rensselaer, "Colonel Willett joined the army under Abercrombie as a lieutenant, in 1758. He was in the disastrous battle at Ticonderoga, and accompanied Broadstreet in his expedition against Fort Frontenac. Willett early espoused the republican cause when British aggression aroused resistance here. When the British troops in the New York garrison were ordered to Boston, after the skirmish at Lexington, they attempted, in addition to their own, to carry off a large quantity of spare arms. Willett captured the wagons and took them back. He died Aug., 1830, aged 91 years." Brigadier Gen. Alexander Smyth to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. Sir, Buffalo, 29th September, 1812. I have been ordered by Major General Dearborn to Niagara, to take command of a brigade of the U. S. troops; and directed, on my arrival in the vicinity of your quarters, to report myself to you which I now do. I intended to have reported myself personally; but the conclusions I have drawn as to the interests of the service, have determined me to stop at this place for the present. From the description I have had of the river below the falls, the view of the shore below Fort Erie, and the information received as to the preparations of the enemy, I am of opinion that our crossing should be effected between Fort Erie and Chippewa. It has therefore, seemed to me proper to encamp the U. S. troops near Buffalo, there to prepare for offensive operations. Your instructions, or better information, may decide you to give me different orders, which I will await. I have the honour. Major General Van Rensselaer. "This letter was offensive, first, because the subordinate officer not only failed to report himself in person, as he was bound in duty to do, but assumed perfect independence by choosing his own theatre of action; and secondly, because the writer, an entire stranger to the country, just arrived, went out of his way to obtrude advice upon his commanding general touching movements and localities of which he knew nothing, when he knew that the general had been there for weeks, and was necessarily familiar with every rood of the ground and every disposition of the enemy. The cause of Gen. Smyth's presumptuous conduct on this occasion, as well as his subsequent evasive behavior, is merely a matter |