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EXTRACTS FROM GENERAL ORDERS ISSUED BY GEN. ALEX. MACOMB,
AT PLATTSBURGH, SEPTEMBER 14, 1814.
"The Governor General of the Canadas and Commander in Chief of the
British Forces in north America, having invaded the Territories of the
united States, with the avowed purpose of conquering the country as far as
Crown Point and Ticonderoga, there to winter his forces with a view to
further conquer, brought with him a powerful army and flotilla,--an army
amounting to fourteen thousand men, completely equipped and accompanied by a
numerous train of artillery and all the engines of war,--men who had
conquered in France, Spain, Portugal, the Indies, and in various other parts
of the Globe, and led by the most distinguished Generals of the British
Army. A flotilla also, superior to ours in vessels, men, and guns, had
determined at once to crush us both by land and by water.
"The Governor General * * * appeared before the village of
Plattsburgh, with his whole army, and on the eleventh, the day fixed for the
general attack, the flotilla arrived.
"The enemy’s flotilla at 8 in the morning passed Cumberland Head,
and at 9 engaged our flotilla at anchor in the bay off the town, fully
confident of crushing in an instant the whole of our naval force; but our
gallant Commodore Macdonough in the short space of two hours, obliged the
large vessels to strike their colors, whilst the gallies saved themselves by
flight. This glorious achievement was in full view of the several forts, and
the American forces had the satisfaction of witnessing the victory. The
British army was also posted on the surrounding heights, that it could not
but behold the interesting struggle for dominion on the Lake. At the same
hour the fleets engaged, the enemy opened his batteries on our Forts,
throwing hundreds of shells, balls and rockets and attempted at the same
time to cross the Saranack at three different points to assault the works.
At the upper ford he was met by the Militia and Volunteers, and after
repeated attempts was driven back with considerable loss in killed, wounded
and prisoners. At the bridge near the Village, he was repulsed by the
pickets and brave riflemen under Captain Grovernor and Lts. Hamilton and
Riley and at the Bridge in the town, he was foiled by the guards, Block
House, and the Artillery of the forts, served by Capt. Alexander Brooks,
Capts. Richard and smith, and Lieuts Mountford, Smyth, and Cromwell. The
enemy’s fire was returned with effect from our batteries and by sunset we
had the satisfaction to silence seven batteries which he had erected, and to
see his column retiring to their camps, beyond the reach of our guns.
"Thus beaten by land and by water, the governor General withdrew his
artillery, and raised the siege; at 9 at night sent off his heavy baggage
and under cover of darkness, retreated with his whole army towards Canada,
leaving his wounded on the field, and a vast quantity of bread, flour, and
beef which he had not time to destroy, besides a quantity of bombshells,
shot, flints and ammunition of all kinds, which remain at the batteries and
lie concealed in the ponds and rivers. As soon as his retreat was discovered
the Light troops, Volunteers and Militia, were in pursuit, and followed as
far as Chazy, capturing several dragoons and soldiers, besides covering the
escape of hundreds of deserters, who continue still to be coming in. A
violent storm and continual fall of rain prevented the brave Volunteers and
Militia from further pursuit.
"Thus have the attempts of the invaders been frustrated by a regular
force of only fifteen hundred men, a brave and active body of Militia of the
State of New York, under Gen. Macomb, and the Volunteers of the respectable
and patriotic citizens of Vermont, led by Gen. Strong and other gentlemen of
distinction, the whole not exceeding two thousand five hundred men.
"The British forces being now either expelled or captured, the
services of the Volunteers and Militia may be dispensed with.
"General Macomb cannot however permit the Militia of New York and
the volunteers of Vermont, to depart without carrying with them the high
sense he entertains for their merits. The zeal with which they came forward
in defense of their Country, when the signal of danger was given b y the
General, reflects the highest lustre on their patriotism and spirit * * *
"The General, in the name of the United States, thanks the
Volunteers and the militia for their distinguished services, and wishes them
a happy return to their families and friends."
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