now the Montreal, her four, with the same number 1814. of 32-pounder carronades. The schooners Moira May. and Sidney-Smith had been altered into brigs, and their names changed to the Charwell and Magnet; as had been the names of the Melville and Beresford to the Star and Netley; but, it is believed, no alterations, beyond those already mentioned, were made in the armaments of any of the british vessels. of ame. Before the end of March, commodore Chauncey Same had succeeded in equipping two large brig-sloops, rican the Jones and Jefferson, each, as acknowledged, of force. 500 tons american, and therefore of at least 530 tons english. It has been stated, that these brigs carried 42-pounder carronades, and mounted 24 guns each; but they will be considered as having mounted the same as the ships Frolic and Peacock, with the addition of a long 24-pounder upon a traversing carriage. The Sylph, now a brig, mounted, in lieu of her former armament, 14 carronades, 24-pounders, and two long 12s. On the 1st of May, was launched at Sackett's-Harbour, the Superior, of about 1580 tons, mounting 30 columbiad or medium 32-pounders on the lower or main deck, two long 24s, and 30 carronades, 42-pounders, on the upper or spar deck, total 62 guns, with a complement of 550 men. expedi wego. Oswego is situated on the river of the same name, British near its confluence with Lake Ontario, and is distant tion to from Sackett's-Harbour about 60 miles. At the the Osmouth of the river there is a safe harbour, with two fathoms' water; the channel to which is completely commanded by a well-built fort, standing, along with the state warehouses, barracks, and a few houses, upon a commanding height on the eastern shore of the river, having its front towards the lake. On the western bank of the river stands the town, consisting of about 30 houses. As this river afforded the only water communication between New-York and Sackett's-Harbour, the accumulation of naval stores in the warehouses of Oswego is readily explained, 1814. and gave to the post an importance which it would May. not otherwise possess. On the 3d of May, in the evening, a detachment of troops, numbering altogether 1080 rank and file, embarked in the vessels of sir James Yeo's fleet, lying at Kingston; and, early on the following morning, lieutenant-general Dummond went on board the Prince-Regent, as commander of the troops. The squadron, consisting of the Prince-Regent, captain Richard James Lawrence O'Connor, bearing the broad pendant of sir James Yeo, Princess-Charlotte, captain William Howe Mulcaster, Montreal, captain Stephen Popham, Niagara, captain Francis Brockell Spilsbury, Charwell, captain Alexander Dobbs, Star, captain Charles Anthony, and Magnet, captain Henry Collier, immediately stood out of the harbour; but, on account of light and variable winds, did not arrive off Oswego until noon on the following day. Defen prepa by the cans. Either suspicion, or direct information, of the sive attack had led to preparations on the part of the rations Americans. Since the 30th of April lieutenantAmeri- colonel Mitchell had arrived from Sackett's-Harbour, with 300 heavy and light artillery, and several engineer and artillery officers. The batteries were repaired and fresh picketed, and new platforms laid for the guns; which were four in number, 24, 12, and 6 pounders; besides a 12-pounder, planted en barbette close to the lake-shore. The United States' schooner Growler, of three heavy guns, lieutenant George Pearce, was lying in the harbour, preparing, under the superintendence of captain Woolsey, to conduct to Sackett's-Harbour a division of batteaux laden with stores. Arrangements had also been made for assembling the militia of the district; and, no sooner did the british squadron show itself at 6 A. M. on the 5th, than alarm guns were fired, which soon brought to the post upwards of 200 militia; thus making a total force of at least 540 men. By way, also, of making this force appear treble what it was, in the hope thereby to daunt the British, and prevent them from attempting to 1814. land, the Americans pitched all their tents upon May. the opposite, or town side of the river, while they themselves remained in their barracks. ships a gale. At 3 P. M. the ships lay to within long range of British the shore; and the gun-boats, 11 in number, were driven sent in, under the orders of captain Collier, to off by induce the enemy to show the number and position of his guns. At 4 P. M., by which time the gunboats had got within point-blank range, the Americans opened their fire, and a mutual cannonade was kept up until 5 h. 30 m. P. M.; when, having effected his object, captain Collier stood back to the fleet. Preparations were now made for disembarking the troops on that evening, but, about sunset, a heavy gale from the north-west compelled the ships to gain an offing; in which effort, four of the boats, their crews being first taken out, were obliged to be cut adrift. As soon as the weather moderated, the squadron cast anchor about 10 miles to the northward of the fort. 1 and &c. On the 6th, in the morning, the ships having Return returned and every thing being ready, a division of land about 770 men, including 200 seamen, armed with troops, pikes, under captain Mulcaster, embarked in the boats. Owing to the shoalness of the water off the harbour, the Prince-Regent and Princess-Charlotte could not approach near enough to cannonade the battery with any effect; but this service was most gallantly performed by the Montreal and Niagara, under a heavy discharge of red-hot shot, which set the Montreal on fire three times. The Magnet took her station in front of the town, on the opposite side of the river; while the Star and Charwell towed in and covered the boats, containing the troops. The wind was at this time nearly ahead; and the consequent tardiness in the approach of the boats exposed the men to a heavy and destructive fire. from the enemy's batteries, and from upwards of 500 regulars and militia, drawn up on the brow of 1814, the hill. The British, nevertheless, effected their landing, and instantly formed on the beach. Having of the to ascend a steep and long hill, the troops suffered Ameri- extremely from the enemy's fire. No sooner, how Retreat cans. ever, had they reached the summit, than the 300 american regulars retired to the rear of the fort, and the 200 american militia fled, helter-skelter, into the woods. In 10 minutes after the British had gained the height, the fort was in their possession. Lieutenant James Laurie, of the marines, lantry of lieut. was the first man who entered it; and lieutenant Hewett John Hewett, of the same corps, climbed the flag Gal Loss on each side. Stores, &c. and de staff, under a heavy fire, and struck the american colours, which had been nailed to the mast; more, as it would seem, to give trouble to the British, than to evince a determination, on the part of the Americans, of defending the post with any unusual obstinacy. The British loss in the affair of Oswego was rather severe. It amounted to one captain of marines, (William Holtoway,) and 14 non-commissioned officers and privates of the royal marines and De Watteville's regiment, and three seamen killed, one captain and one subaltern of De Watteville's, two captains, (William Howe Mulcaster, dangerously, and Stephen Popham,) one lieutenant, (Charles William Griffith Griffin,) and one master of the navy, (Richardson,) 51 non-commissioned officers and privates of the royal marines and De Watteville's, and seven seamen wounded, total, 18 killed and 64 wounded. The Americans stated their loss at one lieutenant and five men killed, 38 wounded, and 25 missing. The British captured 60 prisoners. navy,( The British carried away with them seven long carried guns, 32 and 24 pounders, a great quantity of away ordnance stores, and large rope, 2400 barrels of stroyed provisions, and three schooners. They destroyed by the three long 24-pounder guns, one long 12, and two long 6s, a schooner, the barracks, and all the other public buildings. One of the schooners British was the Growler, late Hamilton. Besides the above, 1814. a quantity of cordage, and other naval stores, and May. three long 32-pounders, were sunk in the river by the Americans themselves. The guns and stores for the new ship Superior, had, unknown to the British, been removed from Oswego previously to the attack; and reached Sackett's-Harbour, chiefly by land conveyance. After departing from Oswego, sir James anchored off Sackett's-Harbour, and blockaded a port which sir George Prevost, with a portion of the large force then concentrated around him at his " camp of instruction" at Chambly, ought to have enabled him to attack. cessful captains and Sandy By the capture of a boat from Oswego, containing Unsuc two long 24-pounders and a 19 inch cable for the attack Superior, sir James became apprized that 18 other by boats, similarly laden, were waiting at Sandy creek Pop for an opportunity of reaching Sackett's-Harbour. He accordingly detached captains Popham and Spils- Spilsbury, with 180 seamen and marines, to endeavour to cut bury at out the vessels. On the 30th of May, shortly after day- creek. light, the two captains arrived at and began ascending the creek; and, when within a quarter of a mile of the enemy, lieutenant Thomas S. Cox, with the principal part of the marines, was landed on the left bank, and lieutenant Brown, with the cohorn and small-arm party, accompanied by lieutenant Patrick M'Veagh, with a few marines, landed on the right bank. Just as the leading british boat, containing a 68-pounder in the bow and a 24-pounder in the stern, had arrived within sight of the american boats, the 68-pounder, the previous fire from which had dispersed a body of Indians from the banks of the river, became disabled, and the boat pulled round to bring the 24-pounder to bear. Considering by this that the British were on their retreat, the Americans, to the number of 150 riflemen, 200 Indians, and a large body of militia and cavalry, unexpectedly rushed upon them. The British made a noble resistance, but were at length overpowered and made prisoners. As a proof that captains Popham |