ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH

SEPTEMBER 11, 1814

The following account is taken from the "extra" of the "Northern Sentinel," published at Burlington, Vt., on Tuesday, September 13, 1814.

"GLORIOUS INTELLIGENCE."

"The anxiety of the public to learn the particulars of the late splendid victory over the British squadron on this Lake, has induced us to publish the following, which are all that have come to our knowledge.

"On Sunday, the ever memorable 11^th of September, the enemy’s squadron was discovered about eight o’clock, A. M., standing up the lake with a favorable breeze, under a press of sail. Every preparation was made by our gallant Commodore to give them a warm and cordial reception; with his squadron at anchor he awaited their approach. The enemy soon made their appearance off Cumberland head and bore down for our squadron—the enemy’s two largest vessels taking a position to attach the Saratoga, our flag ship. The first broadside from her killed the British commodore (Downie) and her fire continued so spirited and well directed that the enemy’s flag ship, the Confiance, soon after struck. At this time the whole broadside guns of the Saratoga next to the enemy were completely unmanageable. The enemy’s brig continued her fire. Our commodore slipped his cable and wore round; two broadsides compelled the brig to follow the example of the Confiance. In the meantime the Preble compelled one of the enemy’s sloops to strike. The other grounded on Hospital Island just before the battle ended, and was taken possession of by some of our Gallies. The enemy’s Gallies, except two which were sunk, with the assistance of their oars effected their escape. The slaughter on board the British fleet was immense. The Confiance alone had 110 killed and wounded. Our loss is severe—56 men killed and wounded on board the Saratoga—commodore Macdonough himself was three different times knocked down by the splinters and falling spars and blocks, but has escaped with trifling injury. The loss on either side it is difficult and as yet impossible to ascertain.

"On the result of this most glorious victory comment is unnecessary. The names of Macdonough and of his gallant officers, will be inserted among those of Decatur, Hull, Perry, Bainbridge, Porter, and Jones, and like them will be held in everlasting remembrance.

"The enemy under Sir George Prevost amounting to 14,000 regulars and embodied militia, in four brigades commanded by major Generals De Rottenburgh, Powers, Brisbane, and Robinson, appeared before our works at Plattsburg, and after bombarding, cannonading, and rocket-firing were obliged to retreat in the night of Sunday last, in great confusion, leaving a number of their tents, several pieces cannon, great quantities of ammunition, bombs, cannon balls, grape shot, fixed cartridges, shovels, spades, axes, pick axes, bread, flour, beef, etc., etc., in our possession, together with all their sick and wounded to our mercy. The gallantry of General Macomb, his subalterns and brave regulars (not exceeding 1,500), have never been exceeded. Not a pallid cheek was seen during the whole affair, notwithstanding the showers of shot, shells and rockets which were directed at our works. On silencing the enemy’s battery the second time, Sir George made his escape with his life guard, while we were playing the tune of Yankee Doodle.

"The militia, thirty-two hundred, without distinction of party or age, in every instance have distinguished themselves. The Vermont volunteers have behaved with the coolness of regulars, and their conduct has fulfilled the expectations, which the promptness and spirit with which they turned out had raised.

"The enemy in their flight destroyed all the bridges and obstructed the road y trees, baggage, etc. They were however pursued as far as Chazy, but on account of the obstructions of the road and their percipient retreat, our breves were not able to overtake them. The enemy have learnt a lesson long to be remembered, that the ‘soil of Freedom is sacred, that it must not, shall not, be polluted with impunity.’ In this their expedition by land and water, we can account to Sir George for more than two thousand of his men killed and prisoners, and more then ninety pieces of cannon:

"To the interposition of heaven, be ascribed our glorious victory."

BRITISH ACCOUNT FROM THE MONTREAL "HERALD" OF SEPTEMBER 17, 1814.

"Particulars of the late Disastrous affair of lake Champlain.

"The brave and lamented Captain Downie, in the Confiance, led our small flotilla in battle in a gallant style, and as far as talents, the valor of British tars, and enthusiastic devotion to their country, could command victory, the most successful event was reasonably expected. That noble officer fell in his country’s cause, the second shot, but his place was ably filled by his Lieut. Who continued the engagement with unabated vigor, and was in the act of laying alongside the largest ship of the enemy, when the rudder of the Confiance was unshipped by a shot from the enemy. The Linnet, a small brig, which with the Confiance, was the only vessel of any size in our flotilla, went ashore; in this state lying like a log on the water, the Confiance maintained the unequal contest with the whole flotilla of the enemy, in which were 4 vessel of large size. History produces nothing superior to the valor and gallantry of the officers and crew of the Confiance; suffice it to say that she was literally fought to the water’s edge; and if accounts are true, there remained but thirty of her man unhurt at the end of 5 hours’ fighting. Such men will bring down the Americans, as their fathers heretofore have done the Dutch, who without disparagement, were at one time better sailors than our unnatural foes. Would that a veil could be drawn over the scene on shore! but it must afford a sad tale in the page of British history! The scientific, brave, Generals, Officers, and soldiers of the Duke of Wellington’s army, and the others who have before fought in our cause in the Canadas, dud everything which depended on them to support the noble efforts of their brothers’ on the water. That distinguished officer, General Robinson, who has been twice wounded this year on the other continent, with part of his brigade, had braved all danger in the assault. Some of the picquet Fort were heretofore away, and a few minutes more would have given up the fortifications, with an immense train of artillery into our hands, and every American must have fallen, or been made prisoner. It was thought necessary to check the ardor of the troops, and we must now instantly redouble our energies to obtain the command of the lake, or with humility await our future destiny."