CHAPTER III.

THE WAR OF 1612-1814.

The people of the United States remembered with pride, the patriotisin ant tiMvery exhibited by their army in the revolutionary war. A long period of peace and prosperity had increased their confidence in their own strength; and the belief was generally entertained, that victory over the same foe would now be so much the more certainly and easily gained, as the nation was more rich and populous. Perhaps they did not reflect that peace had impaired the military energies of the republic, while their enemy, by constant exercise in arms, had acquired not only additional strength, but greater skill to use and apply it.

From the veteran officers who had acquired fame in the former conflict, a selection was made to fill the principal posts in the new army. Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, was appointed major-general and commander-in-chief: he was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and in the expedition to Quebec; and had distinguished himself on other occasions. Thomas Pinckney, of South Carolina, was also appointed a major-general; and Wilkinson, Hull, Hampton, and Bloomfield, were among the brigadiers. With such names at the head of their forces, the people might seem to an extent justified in expecting soon to see brave deeds enrolled on the escutcheon of their country's fame. Yet strangely different were the first results.

At the time of the declaration of war, General Hull was also governor of the Michigan territory, of which Detroit was the capital. On the 12th of July, with two thousand regulars and volunteers, he crossed the river dividing the United States from Canada. On the same day, he addressed a proclamation to the Canadians, tendering them the blessings of civil and eligious liberty, and assuring them, in a lofty tone," that his force was sufficient to break down all opposition," and yet was but the van-guard of une much greater. It appeared to be his purpose to attack Maiden (tho strongest fortress in Upper Canada, and then but weakly guarded), and hence proceed to Montreal. Had the attack been instantly made, success would have undoubtedly crowned it: but a month was wasted in ruinous delay, allowing the ardour of the troops to cool, and Maiden to be reinforced. Distrust and contempt took tho place of confidence in the jreasts of the Canadians; and at this critical moment information was •eceived that Mackinaw, an American post of importance above Detroit. lad been surprised, and had surrendered to a large body of British and Indians, who were rushing down in numbers sufficient to overwhelm lie American forces. Panic-struck, General Hull hastened back to Jttroit.

General Brock, the commander at Maiden, pursued him with a force superior in number, but composed chiefly of militia and Indians. On the 14th of August, he erected batteries opposite Detroit. The next day he began a cannonade upon the American fortifications, which was returned with precision and effect. On the 16th, the enemy crossed the river, taking post about three miles above the city. Meeting with no resistance, 'id hearing that some of the American troops were absent, General irock resolved to march directly forward and assault the fort. The troops, cool and undaunted, awaited in good order the approach of the nemy, anticipating an easy victory. To the astonishment of all, General lull forbade the artillejy to fire, and hung out a white flag in token of a wish to capitulate. A correspondence between the two generals was im mediately opened, which ended in the surrender of the army and of tha territory of Michigan.

It is impossible to describe the indignation of the soldiers and citizens,

when they saw themselves thus delivered, by the authority of one man into the power of an enemy whom they supposed they might easily hart conquered. Kven the women were indignant at so shameful a submis. sion. And the same feelings pervaded the entire Union, as all had lookeu in this quarter with the most confident anticipations of perfect success. On being exchanged, General Hull was arrested and brought to trial, charged with treason, cowardice, and neglect of duty. The court martial not having legal jurisdiction in treasonable matters, declined giving judg ment on the first charge; but he was found guilty on the other charge?, and sentenced to be shot. The president, however, iu consideration oi former good conduct, and the age of the prisoner, remitted the punishmta: of death.

The people of Ohio and Kentucky were alarmed. Nearly ten thousand citizens made a tender of their services—and a part of them were placed under the command of General W. H. Harrison and marched toward the territory of Michigan. But great and numerous were the difficulties encountered; the volunteers were unwilling to submit to the wholesome is straints of discipline; and winter arrived before any important undertak ing* could be accomplished. Several incursions were made into tb» country of the savages, who, owing to the influence of British agents and a fanatic termed the prophet, had become almost universally hostile. Fur the purpose of invading Canada in another quarter, an army of regulars and militia were assembled on the northern frontier of New-York. It was far less numerous than the government had anticipated. So happy was the condition of even the poorest class of American citizens, that few could be induced to enlist as soldiers. And in some of the stales the plausible doctrine was maintained, that the officers of the general gorern ment have no power over the militia until called into regular service tad consigned to their authority by the state executive; and that even thea they cannot be compelled to march beyond the boundary of the republic. Several governors actually withheld their militia when called for by the president, and thus diminished the amount of one species of force Qpon which the general government had relied.

General Van Rensselaer, of the New-York militia, being the senior o ficer on that frontier, had the command of these troops, which were called the army of the centre. His head-quarters were at Lewistown, on tie river Niagara, and on the opposite was Queenstown, a fortified Britisl post. The militia displaying great eagerness to be led against the enemy, the general determined to cross over to Queenstown. The first attempt was defeated by tempestuous weather. On the 13th of October, a party led by Colonel Van Rensselaer effected a landing, although opposed by a British force stationed on the bank. The colonel was severely wounded, but the troops, under captains Ogilvie and Wool, advanced to storm the fort. They gained possession, but at the moment of success, General Brock arrived from a neighbouring post, with a reinforcement of six hundred men. These, although the most numerous, were gallantly drives back by the American troops. In attempting to rally them. General Brock and his aid-de-camp were both killed. General Van Rensselaer, who had previously crossed over, now returned to hasten the embarkation of the rear division. But those who had lately shown so nwek eagerness to meet the enemy, now utterly refused to pass beyood the national boundary! He entreated and remonstrated, but in vain" Meanwhile the enemy, having received another reinforcement, advanced to attack the Americans in the fort. A desperate and bloody conflict ensued, of which the militia at Lewistown were calm spectators—ma!us$ a constitutional privilege their plea for cowardice. In the end, the British were completely victorious: so that of above one thousand men, vie had crossed into Canada, but few effected their escape.

Soon after this disaster, General Van Rensselaer retired from the serIvice, and was succeeded by General Alexander Smyth, of Virginia. In turgid address 10 the "men of New-York," he announced that in a few days he should retrieve the lost honour of the country, by planting the American standard in Canada, and invited them to share in the danger and rlory of the enterprise His force was increased speedily to four thousand :ive hundred men: and the morning of the 28th of November, assigned as the time for crossing. The time came, but strangely enough the troops could not be got ready to pass over. Another day was appointed, and when that arrived, it was found the general had changed his plan of operations. A council of war was called, the invasion of Canada was postponed, and the troops were ordered into winter quarters. The blame jf these failures was attributed by the soldiers to their commander; and 10 highly were they exasperated, that for several days his life was in fcneer from their fury.

The army of the north, which was under the immediate eommand of General Dearborn, was stationed at Greenbush, near Albany, and at Plattsburgh, on Lake Champlain. From the latter post, a detachment marched s short distance into Canada, surprised a small body of British and Indians, and destroyed a considerable quantity of public stores. Other novements were anxiously expected by the people; but after the misfor; iiies at Detroit and Niagara, the general deemed it inexpedient to engage in any important enterprise: and thus ended the campaign of 1812. Although on many occasions extraordinary gallantry had been displayed, ret nothing was accomplished, and the losses sustained were numerous ind heavy. Those who approved the declaration of war, felt disappointed, mortified, and dejected. Those who were opposed to it, assumed 1 bolder tone of censure, and evinced a more determined spirit of oppo

sition.

While, however, defeat and disgrace attended the American arms on :tnd, far different results were witnessed on the ocean. On that great

field where were committed the offences which led to the war, they gained 1 rich harvest of victory and glory. Upon the declaration of war, the Vmerican officers and seamen were filled with ardour to avenge the sufferings of their impressed fellow-citizens, and to vindicate the honour of the 'epublicnn flag. Such ships of war as were ready for sea, immediately iailed in search of the enemy. On the 19th of August, Captain Hull, vho commanded the Constitution, of forty-four guns, descried a British frigale; his crew, giving three cheers, requested to be placed alongside if their antagonist. For three quarters of an hour the latter endeavoured, >y skilful manœuvring, to obtain the advantage of position. Defeated in this, she advanced toward the Constitution, firing broadsides at intervals. When she had approached within half pistol shot, a tremendous cannonade iurst upon her from the American frigate. In thirty minutes, every mast and nearly every spar being shot away, she struck her flag. She wai found to be the Guerriere, of thirty-eight guns, commanded by Captain )acres, who had been cruizing in quest of an American frigate. her mast-head she had displayed her name, and a flag upon which was he taunting inscription, "No Little Belt." Of her crew, fifty were iilled and sixty-four wounded; and the vessel itself was so much injured that it was set fire to and blown up. The damage sustained by the Constiiution was very slight; of her crew, but seven were killed and seven •ounded; and the ship in a few hours was ready for another action. This battle was the more remarkable, as Great Britain hud not for thirty years previous lost a frigate in any conflict with a similar equality of force, 'ongress voted fifteen thousand dollars to the crew of the Constiiution, as a recompense for the loss of their prize, and the officers were promoted.

At

This was only the first of a series of naval victories. On the 18th of October, Captain Jones, in the Wasp, of eighteen guns, captured the Frolic, of twenty-two, after a bloody conflict of three quarters of an hour, In this action, the Americans obtained a victory over a force decidedly superior. On their part, but eight were killed and wounded; on that of tbe enemy, about eighty; the Frolic fired as she rose upon the water, so tlu: ner sbot was either thrown away or but touched the rigging of the Amer icnn; the Wasp, on the contrary, fired as she descended; and thus, at every discharge, struck the hull of her antagonist. On boarding the British vessel, the surprise of the Americans can scarcely be imagined. They behele only three officers, and the seaman at the helm. The deck was slippery with blood, presenting a most awful scene of havoc and distress. The colours were still flying—there being no one left to haul them down. Neither of the vessels, however, arrived in the United Stales. They were both captured, before evening, by a British ship of the line.

On the 25th, the frigate United States, commanded by Captain Decatur, encountered and captured the British frigate Macedonian. The former carried a few guns the most, but the disparity of loss was astonishingly great. Ou the part of the enemy, a hundred and four were killed aoi wounded on the part of the Americans, but eleven! The United States brought her prize safely to New-York. The conduct of the American seamen on this occasion, drew forth a species of praise from the enemy, not less grateful than that experienced from their friends. All the private property belonging to the officers and crew of the Macedonian was restored, with the most perfect exactness, and they were treated with the greatest humanity and politeness.

A fourth naval battle was fought, and a fourth victory gained, on tbs 29th of December. On that day, the Constitution, of forty-four guns, then commanded by Captain Bainbridge, captured the British frigate Jiva, of thirty-eight. The combat was continued with the utmost obstinacy, for more than three hours. The Java was reduced to a wreck; of b*r crew one hundred and sixty-one were killed and wounded; of that of the Constitution thirty-four. General Hislop, governor of Bombay, having in charge a body of troops, was passenger on board the Java; that officer presented Captain Bainbridge with an elegant sword, as a slight testinonial for his gentlemanly conduct after the action.

On the lakes, some small operations were this season successfully conducted by the Americans. One in particular, may be mentioned Lieutenant Elliott, on Lake Erie, with great credit to himself projected ar undertaking by which he captured two British armed vessels—the Detrsit and the Caledonia. This was merely the precursor of other and more brilliant affairs, shortly to come off upon that and the adjacent inlacj

seas.

The exertions of Commodore Chauncey, in creating a fleet upon tbe northern lakes, produced the most beneficial results. In the beginning of October, the Americans had not a single armed vessel on Lake Erie; and their whole force on Lake Ontario was a brig carrying sixteen guns. Oa the first of November, the commodore had under his command six vessels, mounting altogether thirty-two guns; and although not equal in strength to their opponents, they managed to capture the Prince Regent schooner of eighteen guns, and put to flight the Royal George of twenty-six.

These successive victories were peculiarly gratifying to the natior. They were gained in the midst of disasters on land, and by that class of citizens whose rights had been more specially violated; and they were gained over a people claiming to be lords of the sea, whom long-continued success had rendered haughty and insolent, and who had confidently boasted that the whole American navy would soon be swept from fa* ocean. A number of British merchantmen were likewise captured by the

American navy and privateers issuing from almost every port, man) of ihem bearing flags inscribed "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," were remarkably successful. The number of prizes made during the first icven mouths of the war exceeded five hundred; upwards of fifty of them were armed, carrying nearly six hundred guns. More than three thou land prisoners were taken.

Various reasons have been assigned for the continued success of the American arms upon the water. The British themselves assert it to be owing to the superior dimensions of their enemy's vessels; but this cause is not by any means sufficient to prove the fact, as all historical evidence contradicts it. The British were formerly almost everywhere victorious, Ip spite of the superior force of a few guns. Perhaps the truth may be arrived at, when we consider the manner in which different navies are in the habit of aiming their war-missiles. The French throw all their shot among the enemy's rigging, thus hoping to disable him: the English aim directly for the decks, with the intention to destroy life; but the Americans pursue a system different from either—pouring all their fury against the hull of their antagonist. Thus a single broadside frequently opens their enemy's sides to the torrents of the ocean, and compels the drowning foe to strike his colours.

In the autumn of this year (1812), the quadrennial period for the election of president and vice-president again recurred. The candidates were, on one side, the incumbent James Madison, of Virginia, and Elhridge Gerry, of Massachusetts: on the other, De Witt Clinton, of New-York, and Jared Ingersoll, of Pennsylvania. Those who opposed the war, were in lavour of the latter candidates: those who wero called democrats, supported the former. Great exertions were made by the partizans of the opposing candidates, and the passions of the people, especially in the middle and northern states, were highly excited. Of the electoral votes given, Mr. Madison received one hundred and twenty-eight, and Mr. Gerry one hundred and thirty-one, and were elected. Mr. Clinton received eightynine, and Mr Ing%rsoll eighty-six.

At the commencement of the session of Congress near the close of 1812, the president, in his message, stated that he had received official information of ihe repeal of the orders in council; and that two propositions for an armistice had been made to him, both of which he had rejected, as they could not have been accepted without conceding to Great Britain the right of impressment. The rejection of these propositions was approved by the national representatives, who, instead of abandoning the ground they had taken, adopted more vigorous measures for the prosecution of the war. The bounty and the wages of the soldiers were increased. The president was authorized to raise twenty additional regiments of infantry, to issue treasury notes, and to borrow money. Provision was also made for building four ships of the line, six frigates, and as many vessels of war on the great lakes as the public service might require.

So great was the desire of the citizens of the western country to regain possession of the territory of Michigan, that in order to effect it, General Harrison resolved to undertake a winter campaign. Information was received that a small body of British and Indians were stationed at Frenchtown, a village on the river Raisin, not far from Detroit. General Winchester proceeded in advance, with a portion of the western army, and attacked and entirely dispersed the enemy. The Americans encamped near the field of battle, a part of them being protected by close garden DrcKets: yet, although near an enemy's fort, but little precaution was laken to prevent a surprise. Early in the morning of the 22nd of January, they were attacked by a large force of British and Indians, tho former commanded by Colonel Proctor, the latter by the chiefs Rouudheaa and Split-log. The troops in the open field were thrown into disor