SORTIE FROM FORT ERIE. set on firs 295 tired to Fort Erie, and there entrenched themselves. P'T. IV. The enemy, to the number of 5,000, followed and be- P'D. II. sieged them. They made an attempt to take the fort CH. VI. by storm, but were repulsed by the Americans. Col. 1814. Drummond had partially succeeded, and was in the Aug. 15. act of denying mercy to the conquered, who asked for quarter, when a barrel of powder beneath him became ignited, and he and they were blown together into the air. Br. loss at Erie about 500. Am. 84. and ta 12. Gen. Brown, observing that a portion of the British army was divided from the rest, ordered a sortie Scrtie. from the fort; which was one of the best conducted Br. loss, killed, operations of the war. Gen. Porter here distinguished wounded himself, as did many others. But the loss was heavy ken pri for the wasting army of the Americans, and the coun- soners, 1,000. try became anxious for the fate of those whose valor Am. k. had shown the foe, that when once inured to war, there are no better officers or soldiers, than those of the American Republic. Gen. Izard had, on this account, been sent from Plattsburg; and now, with 5,000 troops, he joined Gen. Brown. The British, after this, retired to their entrenchments behind Chippewa. and w. 300. CHAPTER VII. Washington taken by the British.- Baltimore threatened. 1. THE British fleet in the Chesapeake was augmented by the arrival of Admiral Cochrane, who had been sent out with a large land force, commanded by Gen. Ross; in pursuance of the resolution which had been taken by the British government, "to destroy and 11. What was the condition of the American army after the battle? What the strength of the British? What was done by each? What loss occurred? - - 12. Describe the sortie from Fort Erie? What was the loss? What feeling had the country now respecting this army? What had the army shown? Who joined Gen. Brown? With what force? CHAPTER VII.--1 What barbarous resolution had been taken by the British governinent? 296 WASHINGTON TAKFN. 1 P'D. II. PT. IV. lay waste such towns and districts upon the coast, as might be found assailable." It was on the 19th, that CH. VI. Gen. Ross landed at Benedict with 5,000 infantry, and g. 22. began his march to Washington, distant twenty-seven Pig miles, keeping along the right bank of the Patuxent. Point. At Pig Point, was stationed an American flotilla, comflotilla. manded by Com. Barney. He blew up the boats, and retired with his men. Au Barney's 2. The enemy's approach to Washington was by Aug. 24. the Bladensburg road. Here he was met by Gen. Bladens Stansbury, with the militia from Baltimore; by Com. Am. loss, Barney's brave marines, and finally, by the small army 80. under Gen. Winder, to which had been assigned the defense of the capital. The British were victorious. burg. Br. 249. Aug. 25. Ross en 3. Gen. Ross entered Washington at eight in the evening. His troops burnt, not only the capitol, which was in an unfinished state, but its extensive library, Gen. records, and other collections; appertaining not to war, ters the but to peace and civilization. The public offices and capital. the president's house were wantonly sacrificed, together with many private dwellings. This barbarous usage irritated, as it insulted the American nation, and made the war popular with all parties. As 4. Admiral Cochrane, having received on board his fleet the elated conquerors, the combined land and Sept. 11. sea forces moved on to the attack of Baltimore. The Br. threaten cending the Chesapeake, they appeared at the mouth Balti- of the Patapsco, fourteen miles from that city. Gen. more. Sept. 12. mish. Ross, with his army, amounting to about 5,000, debarked at North Point, and commenced his march towards the city. 5. Gen. Smith, commanded the defenders. He disSkir patched 2,000 men, under Gen. Stricker, who advanced to meet the enemy. A skirmish ensued, in which Death of Gen. Ross was killed. Col. Brooke, having the instructions of Gen. Ross, continued to move forward. The Americans gave way, and Gen. Stricker retired to Ross. 1. What sea and land forces had been sent out? 2. What opposition did Gen. Ross meet? What was the loss in the battle of Bladensburg?-3. When did the British enter Washington 1 What did they destroy?-4. Where did they next go? -5. What steps were taken to defend Baltimore? THE NORTHERNERS JUSTLY OFFENDED. 297 the heights, where Gen. Smith was stationed with the PT. IV. main army. P'D. IL 6. Col. Brooke could not draw Gen. Smith from his c. vII. entrenchments. The fleet had not been able to pass Night of Fort McHenry. Brooke removed his troops in the Sept. 14. night, and re-embarked at North Point, to the great withjoy of the inhabitants of Baltimore. The Br draw, July and 7. The eastern portion of the coast of Maine, was taken into quiet possession by the British. The frigate, John Adams, had been placed in the Penobscot August. river, near Hampden, for preservation. On the approach of the British, the militia, who were there stationed as a guard, blew up the frigate and fled. Maine. British 8. A British fleet under Com. Hardy appeared before Stonington. They landed and attacked at different Aug. 9. points. So far were they from finding that Connecti- attack cut was attached to the British cause, that no where Stoning had their predatory excursions been met, by the are remilitia, with more spirit. After bombarding the place pulsed for three days, Com. Hardy drew off his fleet. ton, but Sir G. invades at Cham 9. The British army in Canada was augmented by another body of those troops, who had served under Sept. 3. Wellington. With such an army, fourteen thousand Prevost strong, Sir George Prevost invaded by the western bank of Lake Champlain. From Champlain, he pro- plain. claimed, that his arms would only be directed against His prothe government, and those who supported it; while tion of no injury should be done to the peaceful and unof- fends the people. fending inhabitants. clama 10. The fire of genuine patriotism rekindled in the breasts of the Americans, when they heard, that an invading enemy had dared to call on the people to sepa- They rate themselves from their government. The inhabi- rise to tants of the northern part of New York, and the hardy the inva sons of the Green Mountains, without distinction of ders. party, rose in arms, and hastened towards the scene of action. 6. Why did Col. Brooke withdraw?-7. What happened in Maine? 8. What in Connecticut? 9. What reinforcement had Sir G. Prevost received? What was his force? How did he employ it? What proclamation make at Champlain ? What effect did it produce? oppose 3 298 P'T. IV P'D. II. CH. VII. A GREAT DAY AT PLATTSBURG. .in. Regvices 11. Sir George Prevost advanced upon Plattsburg His way was obstructed by the felling of trees, and by a party, who in a skirmish, killed or wounded 120 of his men. But there was not a force at Plattsburg, 1814. Condi- which, at that time, could have resisted so formidable tion of an army. Gen. Izard's departure had left-Gen Maforce. comb, his successor, not more than 2,000 regulars.Volunteers were, however, hourly arriving. the Am. 12. Sir George waited, expecting that his navy would get the control of the waters of Lake Champlain. It was commanded by Com. Downie, and was composed of the Confiance, a frigate of thirty-nine guns, with val force several smaller vessels, mounting, in the whole, ninetyon Lake five guns, and having 1,000 men. The American plain. squadron, under Com. Macdonough, which was an The na Cham Sept. 11. Cham k. 84, w chored in the bay, mounted no more than eighty-six 13. Com. Downie chose his position and made the attack. The fleets engaged at nine in the morning. The eager crowds upon the shore, beheld the combat under circumstances of intense and various interest. Naval The powerful army of Prevost, was formed in order battle on of battle, to follow up the striking of the American plain flag, with an assault, which the Americans, who beheld Bross, the fight, had reason to believe must be successful 110, pris But it was the British, and not the American flag which was struck. Great was the joy of the inhabi52, w.58 tants. Sir George Prevost retreated in such haste, that he left a quantity of stores and ammunition behind He was pursued by the Vermont volunteers under Gen. Strong, who cut off a straggling party. The whole of the British fleet remained the prize of the Americans. 800. Am. k. Com. Porter in the 14. Com. Porter, who sailed in the frigate Essex, Pacific. had cruised in the Pacific Ocean. He had greatly 11. What resistance was made by the Americans? What force had Gen. Macomb ? 12. Why did Sir George suspend his attack? What naval force had the British on the Lake? What had the Americans? 13. Describe the naval battle or Lake Champlain. ? THE ESSEX CAPTURED. 299 annoyed the enemy's commerce, having captured PT. IV twelve armed whale ships, whose aggregate force P'D. II. amounted to 107 guns, and 302 men. One of these CH. VII. prizes was equipped,-named the Essex Junior, and 1814 given in command to Lieut. Downes. Com. Hillyar sent to meet 15. To meet the Essex, the British admiralty had sent out Com. Hillyar, with the Phebe frigate, accompanied by Capt. Tucker, with the Cherub sloop of war. Com. Porter finding that this squadron was greatly his superior in force, remained in the harbor of Valparaiso. But at length the Phebe approached, when by a storm the Essex had been partially dis- The Esabled. Porter, however, joined battle, and fought the sex cap most severe naval action of the whole war. He did Am. loss, not surrender until all his officers but one were disabled, and nearly three-quarters of his crew. tured. 227. War prize. a 16. The sloop of war Frolic, was captured by a April 21 British frigate. The American sloop of war Peacock, April 25 fought and took the brig Epervier. The Wasp, in Capt. command of Capt. Blakeley, sailed from Portsmouth, ringtor New Hampshire. She fought the brig Rein-deer, and takes was conqueror after a desperate battle. Continuing her cruise, she next met, fought, and conquered the brig Avon. Three British vessels hove in sight and the Wasp left her prize. She afterwards captured fif- founders teen merchant vessels. But the gallant ship was heard of no more; and she probably went down at sea. The Wasp at sea. Conven tion 17. The discontents of the opposition party, produced a convention, which met at Hartford. Delegates were appointed by the legislatures of three Dec. 14. states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. This assemblage, and the resolutions which they meet at passed, were considered by the people generally, as tending to separate New England from the Union, at least in degree; and the convention was therefore very - 15. 14. Where was Com. Porter? What had he done? Who was sent to meet him? What was the consequence? What was the American loss? -16. What naval actions occurred in April and May? Give an account of the Wasp?- 17. On what occasion did a convention meet at Hartford? Was this an affair of individuals acting in their private capacity, or one in which state governments were implicated? Why was it unpopular? Hartford 3 |