post, having no influence, direct or indirect, on the issue of the war. But again; had this been otherwise, and the acquisition of the points designated for attack been important, the means employed fell short of their purpose; as may be fairly inferred from the facts, that Matchadash could not be found from a want of competent pilotage; that Fort Michilimackinac, from its unexpected elevation, was unassailable by either the guns of the shipping, or the bayonets of the infantry; and lastly, that Nautauwasaga, from its proximity to York, was considered too difficult to hold. Had Croghan therefore been left with his two battalions, as originally intended, to make part of Brown's division, they would have been usefully employed; while Sinclair, with the naval part of the armament, would have captured Fort William, and returned laden with furs, if not with laurels."-Notices of the War of 1812, by John Armstrong, vol. II, pp. 74-77, 79-81.

CAPTURE OF STORES AT SAULT STE. MARIE, 1814 (A letter from Major Holmes to Lieut.-Col. Croghan) "ON BOARD THE U. S. SCHR. SCORPION,

27th July, 1814.
inst., I left the

"Sir:-Pursuant to your orders of the squadron with lieut. Turner of the navy, and arrived at Sault St. Mary's at noon the day after; two hours before, the North West Agent had received notice of our approach, and succeeded in escaping with a considerable amount of goods, after setting fire to the vessel above the falls. The design of this latter measure was frustrated only by the intrepid exertions of Mr. Turner, with his own men and a few of capt. Saunder's company.

"The vessel was brought down the falls on the 25th, but, having bilged, Mr. Turner destroyed her. Much of the goods we have taken were found in the woods, on the American side, and were claimed by the agent of John Johnston, an Indian trader.

"I secured this property because it was good prize by the maratime law of nations as recognized in the English courts, (witness the case of admiral Rodney adjudged by lord Mansfield) further, because John Johnston has acted the part of a traitor, having been a citizen and a magistrate of Michigan territory, before the

war, and its commencement, and now discharging the functions of a magistrate under the British government. Because his agents armed the Indians from his stores at our approach; and lastly because those goods or a considerable part were designed to be taken to Michilimackinac. Pork, salt and groceries compose the chief part. Johnston himself passed to Michilimackinac since the squadron arrived at St. Joseph. With high respect

"A. H. Holmes, major 32d infantry, "Lieutenant colonel Croghan, 2d rifle commanding.”—Niles Weekly Register, VII, 5.

REPORT OF KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING IN

THE BATTLE OF MACKINAC ISLAND ON

AUGUST 4, 1814

"On Board the U. S. Sloop of War Niagara,

"Artillery-wounded, three privates.

11th August, 1814.

"Infantry-17th Regiment; killed, five privates; wounded, two corporals, fifteen privates. Two privates since dead. Two privates missing.

"19th Regiment-wounded, one captain, nine privates. Captain Isaac Van Horne, Jr., since dead-one private since dead.

"24th Regiment-killed, five privates; wounded, one captain, one lieutenant, three sergeants, one corporal, one musician, five privates. Captain Robert Desha severely; Lieut. Hezekiah Jackson since dead-one sergeant since dead.

"32nd Regiment-killed, one major. Major Andrew Hunter Holmes.

"United States Marines-wounded, one sergeant.

"Ohio Militia-killed, two privates; wounded, six privatesone private since dead of his wounds.

"Grand total-one major and twelve privates killed; two captains, one lieutenant, six sergeants, three corporals, one musician and thirty-eight privates wounded. Two privates missing.

"The above return exhibits a true statement of the killed and

missing in the affair of the 4th instant.

"N. H. MOORE,

Captain 28th Infantry,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General."

-Kelton, Annals of Fort Mackinac, p. 178.

AN INTERCEPTED LETTER

"MICHILIMACKINACK, 28th July, 1814.

"SIR-The American expedition destined for the attack of this island, having at length made its appearance, under the command of commodore Elliot and lieut. col. Croghan, consisting of the Niagara, 20 guns, Lawrence, 20, Hunter brig, 8 guns, and a large schooner of guns, the Mary of — guns, five gun-boats, and the Mink, their prizes, I hasten to apprize you of this circumstance, lest the Nancy and her valuable cargo fall into their hands, and that you may be enabled to take such steps for their preservation as will appear to you most expedient under the present circumstances. I have taken such precautions as were in my power, to make you acquainted with this event, in case you should be on your passage. If so, I would recommend you to return to the Nothawasaga river, and to take the Nancy up as high as possible, place her in a judicious position, and hastily run up a strong log house (such as were made when the boats were built, but larger) with loop holes and embrasures for your two six-pounders, which will enable you to defend her should you be attacked, which is not unlikely.

"The mode of obtaining her cargo, of such value to us, will depend upon the result of the attack, which we daily expect, and of the duration of the blockade. I see no other way of obtaining the provisions but by bringing them in batteaux protected by the carronade in the bows of two of them.

"I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

"RT. M'DOUALL, Lieut. col. commanding at Michilimackinack.

"You will probably receive instructions from Kingston as to your conduct."

LETTER FROM CAPTAIN SINCLAIR TO LIEUT. DAVID TURNER, 1814, ON NAVAL OPERATIONS NEAR

MACKINAC ISLAND

"U. S. sloop of war Niagara, "Nautawasauga River, Aug. 18, 1814.

"Sir:-Having accomplished the object for which the squadron came into this quarter, in the destruction of the enemy's whole naval force on this lake, I am on the eve of returning to lake Erie: but as it is all important to cut the enemy's line of communication from Michilimackinac to York, which is through the Nautawasauga river, lake Sinclair, &c., and on which his very existence depends, you will remain here and keep a rigid blockade until you shall be driven from the lake by the inclemency of the season, suffering not a boat or canoe to pass in or out of this river. I shall leave the Tigress with you. In case accident should happen to either one of the vessels, the other may afford her necessary assistance. Should you deem it proper to send the Tigress up to cruise a week or two, about St. Joseph's, in order to intercept the enemy's fur canoes between St. Marie's and French River, you can do so, as one vessel is sufficient to blockade this river.

"I should recommend your immediately finding out anchorage to cover you from N. W. gales, as that is the only wind which can affect you in this bay. I see from the Nancy's Log Book, that the small island on the S. W. of this bay is such a place as you could wish, directions for which I herewith give you. The islands north of us, may also give you good anchorage; but always be sure of some good bottom before anchorage, as the loss of an anchor might prove of serious consequence to you. Should you find anchorage on both sides, I would recommend your changing frequently, and in a way not to be observed by the enemy, who might not avail himself of your position to move out his boats in the night on the opposite side, but he might attempt surprising you

by throwing a number of men on board. Against attacks of this kind, which he might be driven to do by his desperate situation, as this blockade must starve him into a surrender by spring, I must particularly caution you. When the Tigress is here it would be well to be on the opposite shores and sometimes to run out of sight, taking care to scour both shores as you return. I shall endeavor to annoy the navigation of the river by felling trees across its mouth in order that a portage must be performed there; which must be seen by you.

"I wish you to take an accurate survey of this bay, and its islands, and if possible the one on the north of it, called Matschadash, observing all the islands, creeks, bays, shoals, anchorages, courses, distances, and soundings, particularly attending to the kind of bottom.

"Should anything occur to make it necessary, you can send the Tigress express to me. If we can keep their boats from passing until October, I think the weather will effectually cut off all communication by any they have on float, and in the spring an early blockade will possess us of Mackinac.

"You will be particularly careful in having communication with the shore, and when you send a party for wood, let it be on an island, under the protection of your guns, and a guard from both vessels. Wishing you a pleasant cruize,

"I remain very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

(Signed) "A. SINCLAIR.

"Lieut. comdt. David Turner, U. S. schr. Scorpion."

-Niles' Weekly Register, VII, 157.

DESTRUCTION OF THE BRITISH SCHOONER
NANCY, 1814

(Letter from Lieut.-Col. Croghan to Brig.-Gen. McArthur, 1814)

"DETROIT, August 23, 1814.

"Dear Sir-I communicated in my report of the 11th inst. my intention of continuing on lake Huron with three companies, for the purpose of breaking up any depots which the enemy might have on the east side of the lake.