The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 Part 63

To the Honourable Head-Quarters, Plattsburgh, John ARMSTRONG, September 15th, 1814.

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to communicate for the information of the war department, the particulars of the advance of the enemy into the territory of the United States, the circ.u.mstances attending the siege of Plattsburgh, and the defence of the posts entrusted to my charge.

The governor-general of the Canadas, Sir George Prevost, having collected all the disposable force of Lower Canada, with a view of conquering the country as far as Crown Point and Ticonderoga, entered the territories of the United States on the first of the month, and occupied the village of Champlain, there avowed his intentions, and issued orders and proclamations tending to dissuade the people from their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish his army with provisions. He immediately began to press the wagons and teams in the vicinity, and loaded them with his heavy baggage and stores. From this I was persuaded he intended to attack this place. I had but just returned from the lines, where I had commanded a fine brigade, which was broken to form the division under Major-General Izard, ordered to the westward.

Being senior officer he left me in command, and except the four companies of the 6th regiment, I had not an organized battalion among those remaining. The garrison was composed of convalescents and recruits of the new regiments, all in the greatest confusion, as well as the ordnance and stores, and the works in no state of defence.

To create an emulation and zeal among the officers and men in completing the works, I divided them into detachments, and placed them near the several forts; declaring in orders, that each detachment was the garrison of its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremity. The enemy advanced cautiously and by short marches, and our soldiers worked day and night; so that by the time he made his appearance before this place we were prepared to receive him.

General Izard named the princ.i.p.al work _Fort Moreau_, and to remind the troops of the actions of their brave countrymen, I called the redoubt on the right _Fort Brown_, and that on the left _Fort Scott_. Besides these three works, we have two block-houses strongly fortified.

Finding, on examining the returns of the garrison, that our force did not exceed fifteen hundred effective men for duty, and well informed that the enemy had as many thousands, I called on General Mooers, of the New York militia, and arranged with him plans for bringing forth the militia _en ma.s.se_. The inhabitants of the village fled with their families and effects, except a few worthy citizens and some boys, who formed themselves into a party, received rifles, and were exceedingly useful. By the 4th of the month, General Mooers collected about 700 militia, and advanced seven miles on the Beekmantown road, to watch the motions of the enemy, and to skirmish with him as he advanced; also to obstruct the roads with fallen trees, and to break up the bridges.

On the Lake road, at Deer Creek bridge, I posted 200 men (p. 235) under Captain Sproul, of the 13th regiment, with orders to _abatis_ the woods, to place obstructions in the road, and to fortify himself; to this party I added two field pieces. In advance of that position, was Lieutenant-Colonel Appling, with 110 riflemen, watching the movements of the enemy and procuring intelligence. It was ascertained that before daylight on the 6th, the enemy would advance in two columns, on the two roads before mentioned, dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy village.

The column on the Beekmantown road proceeded most rapidly, the militia skirmished with his advanced parties, and, except a few brave men, fell back most precipitately in the greatest disorder, notwithstanding the British troops did not deign to fire on them, except by their flankers and advanced patrols. The night previous, I ordered Major Wool to advance with a detachment of 250 men, to support the militia, and set them an example of firmness. Also Captain Leonard, of the light artillery, was directed to proceed with two pieces, to be on the ground before day; yet he did not make his appearance before 8 o'clock, when the enemy had approached within two miles of the village. With his conduct, therefore, I am not well pleased. Major Wool, with his party, disputed the road with great obstinacy, but the militia could not be prevailed on to stand, notwithstanding the exertions of their general and staff officers; although the fields were divided by strong stone walls, and they were told that the enemy could not possibly cut them off. The State dragoons of New York wear red coats, and they being on the heights to watch the enemy, gave constant alarm to the militia, who mistook them for the enemy, and feared his getting in their rear. Finding the enemy's columns had penetrated within a mile of Plattsburgh, I despatched my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Root, to bring off the detachment at Dead Creek, and to inform Lieutenant-Colonel Appling that I wished him to fall on the enemy's right flank. The colonel fortunately arrived just in time to save his retreat, and to fall in with the head of a column _debouching_ from the woods. Here he poured in a destructive fire from his riflemen at rest, and continued to annoy the column until he formed a junction with Major Wool. The field pieces did considerable execution among the enemy's columns. So undaunted, however, was the enemy, that he never deployed in his whole march, always pressing on our columns. Finding that every road was full of troops crowding on us on all sides, I ordered the field pieces to retire across the bridge and form a battery for its protection, and to cover the retreat of the infantry, which was accordingly done, and the parties of Appling and Wool, as well as that of Sproul, retired alternately, keeping up a brisk fire until they got under cover of the works. The enemy's light troops occupied the houses near the bridge, and kept up a constant firing from the windows and balconies, and annoyed us much. I ordered them to be driven out with hot shot, which soon put the houses in flames, and obliged the sharp-shooters to retire. The whole day, until it was too late to see, the enemy's light troops endeavoured to drive our guards from the bridge, but they suffered dearly for their perseverance. An attempt was also made to cross the upper bridge, where the militia handsomely drove them back. The column which marched by the Lake road was much impeded by the obstructions and the removal of the bridge at Dead Creek, and, as it pa.s.sed the creek and beach, the gallies kept up a lively and galling fire. Our troops being now all on the south side of the Saranac, I directed the planks to be taken off the bridges and piled up in the form of breastworks, to (p. 236) cover our parties intended for disputing the pa.s.sage, which afterwards enabled us to hold the bridges against very superior numbers.

From the 7th to the 11th, the enemy was employed in getting on his battering train, and erecting his batteries and approaches, and constantly skirmishing at the bridges and fords. By this time, the militia of New York, and the volunteers of Vermont, were pouring in from all quarters: I advised General Mooers to keep his force along the Saranac, to prevent the enemy's crossing the river, and to send a strong body in his rear to hara.s.s him day and night, and keep him in continual alarm. The militia behaved with great spirit after the first day, and the volunteers of Vermont were exceedingly serviceable. Our regular troops, notwithstanding the constant skirmishing and repeated endeavours of the enemy to cross the river, kept at their work day and night strengthening the defences, and evinced a determination to hold out to the last extremity.

It was reported that the enemy had only waited the arrival of his flotilla, to make a general attack. About eight in the morning of the 11th, as was expected, the flotilla appeared in sight round c.u.mberland Head, and at nine, bore down and engaged our flotilla at anchor in the bay off the town. At the same instant, the batteries were opened on us, and continued throwing bomb sh.e.l.ls, shrapnels, b.a.l.l.s, and congreve rockets until sunset, when the bombardment ceased, every battery of the enemy being silenced by the superiority of our fire. The naval engagement lasted but two hours, in full view of both armies. Three efforts were made by the enemy to pa.s.s the river, at the commencement of the cannonade and bombardment, with a view of a.s.saulting the works, and he had prepared for that purpose an immense number of scaling ladders.

One attempt to cross was made at the village bridge, another at the upper bridge, and a third at a ford about three miles from the works. At the two first he was repulsed by the regulars; at the ford, by the brave volunteers and militia, where he suffered severely in killed, wounded, and prisoners; a considerable body having crossed the stream, but were either killed, taken, or driven back. The woods at this place were very favourable to the operations of the militia. A whole company of the 76th regiment was here destroyed, the three lieutenants and 27 men prisoners, the captain and the rest killed.

I cannot forego the pleasure of here stating the gallant conduct of Captain M'Gla.s.sin, of the 15th regiment, who was ordered to ford the river, and attack a party constructing a battery on the right of the enemy's line, within five hundred yards of Fort Brown, which he handsomely executed at midnight with fifty men; drove off the working party, consisting of one hundred and fifty, and defeated a covering party of the same number, killing one officer and six men in the charge, and wounding many. At dusk the enemy withdrew his artillery from the batteries, and raised the siege; at nine, under cover of the night, he sent off in a great hurry all the baggage he could find transport for, and also his artillery. At two next morning the whole army precipitately retreated, leaving the sick and wounded to our generosity, and the governor left a note with a surgeon requesting the humane attention of the commanding general.

Vast quant.i.ties of provisions were left behind and destroyed, also an immense quant.i.ty of bombsh.e.l.ls, cannon b.a.l.l.s, grape shot, ammunition, flints, &c., &c.; intrenching tools of all (p. 237) sorts, also tents and marquees. A great deal has been found concealed in the ponds and creeks, and buried in the ground, and a vast quant.i.ty carried off by the inhabitants. Such was the precipitancy of his retreat, that he arrived at Chazy, a distance of eight miles, before we had discovered he had gone. The light troops, volunteers, and militia pursued immediately on learning of his flight; and some of the mounted men made prisoners five dragoons of the 19th regiment, and several others of the rear guard. A continued fall of rain and a violent storm prevented further pursuit. Upwards of 300 deserters have come in, and many are hourly arriving. We have buried the British officers of the army and navy with the honours of war, and shown every attention and kindness to those who have fallen into our hands.

The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of my command, during this trying occasion, cannot be represented in too high terms, and I feel it my duty to recommend to the particular notice of government, Lieutenant-Colonel Appling of the 1st rifle corps, Major Wool of the 29th, Major Totten of the corps of engineers, Captain Brooks of the artillery, Captain M'Gla.s.sin of the 15th, Lieutenants De Russy and Trescott of the corps of engineers, Lieutenants Smyth, Mountford, and Cromwell of the artillery, also my aid-de-camp Lieutenant Root, who have all distinguished themselves by their uncommon zeal and activity, and have been greatly instrumental in producing the happy and glorious result of the siege.

I have the honour to be, &c., Alexander MACOMB.

The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters, since his first appearance, cannot fall short of 2,500, including many officers, among whom is Colonel Wellington, of the Buffs.

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_Resolution of Congress Voting Rifles to Martin F. Aitkin and others._

_Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled_: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to cause to be delivered to Martin J. Aitkin, Azariah C. Flagg, Ira A. Wood, Gustavus A. Bird, James Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Henry K. Averill, St. John B. L. Skinner, Frederick P. Allen, Hiram Walworth, Ethan Everist, Amos Soper, James Patten, Bartemus Brooks, Smith Bateman, Melancthon W. Travis and Flavel Williams, each, one rifle, promised them by General Macomb, while commanding the Champlain department, for their gallantry and patriotic services as a volunteer corps, during the siege of Plattsburgh in September, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, on each of which said rifles there shall be a plate containing an appropriate inscription.

Approved May 20, 1826.

No. 46. (p. 238) PLATE XLVII.

_January 8, 1815._

Major General Andrew Jackson. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress February 27. 1815.

MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON.

[_Victory of New Orleans._]

MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON. Bust of General Jackson, in uniform, facing the right. FuRST. F. (_fecit_).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS FEBRUARY 27. 1815. A winged Victory, holding in her left hand a crown of laurel, and a tablet upon which she has written, at the dictation of Peace, the word ORLEANS. Exergue: BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS JANUARY 8. 1815. FuRST. F. (_fecit_).

ANDREW JACKSON was born in the Waxhaw Settlement, North Carolina, March 15, 1767. His parents had recently emigrated from Ireland, and he lost them both early in life. In 1781 he joined the Continental Army and served in North Carolina. Having studied law, he removed, in 1788, to Nashville. He was the first member of Congress from Tennessee, in 1796; was United States senator, 1797-1798; judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, 1799; resigned in 1804, and retired to his farm, called "The Hermitage," near Nashville. As major-general of the Tennessee Volunteers, he gained victories over the Creek Indians at Talladega, November 9, 1813, at Emuckfaw and Enotochopco, January 22 and 24, and at Tohopeka, March 27, 1814. He was appointed brigadier-general in the United States Army on April 19, (p. 239) major-general on May 1, 1814, and commander-in-chief for the defence of Louisiana against the British troops under General Packenham, whom he completely defeated at the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815.

For this great victory Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He retired from the army, 1819, was governor of Florida territory, 1821, United States senator from Tennessee, 1823-1824, unsuccessful presidential candidate in 1824, and President of the United States (first term), 1829-1833; (second term), 1833-1837. He retired to the Hermitage in 1837, and died there June 8, 1845. He was known by the sobriquet of "Old Hickory."

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ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Jackson._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled_: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, given to Major-General Jackson, and, through him, to the officers and soldiers of the regular army, of the militia and of the volunteers, under his immediate command, and to the officers and soldiers charged with the defence of Fort St. Philip, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct, conspicuously displayed against the enemy, from the time of his landing before New Orleans until his final expulsion from the State of Louisiana, and particularly for the valour, skill, and good conduct on the eighth of January last, in repulsing, with great slaughter, a numerous British army of chosen veteran troops, when attempting by a bold and daring attack to carry by storm the works hastily thrown up for the protection of New Orleans, and thereby obtaining a most signal victory over the enemy with a disparity of loss, on his part, unexampled in military annals.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with devices emblematical of this splendid achievement, and presented to Major-General Jackson, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his judicious and distinguished conduct on that memorable occasion.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolution to be communicated to Major-General Jackson in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the objects thereof.

Approved February 27, 1815.

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_General Jackson to the Secretary of War._ (p. 240)

To the Honourable Head Quarters, SECRETARY OF WAR, Camp 4 miles below New Orleans, Washington, D. C. January 13th, 1815.

Sir: At such a crisis, I conceive it my duty to keep you constantly advised of my situation.

On the 10th instant I forwarded you an account of the bold attempt made by the enemy on the morning of the 8th to take possession of my works by storm, and of the severe repulse he met with. That report having been sent by the mail which crosses the lake, may possibly have miscarried; for which reason I think it the more necessary briefly to repeat the substance of it.

Early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy having been actively employed the two preceding days in making preparations for a storm, advanced in two strong columns on my right and left. They were received, however, with a firmness which it seems they little expected, and which defeated all their hopes. My men, undisturbed by their approach, which indeed they long anxiously wished for, opened upon them a fire so deliberate and certain as rendered their scaling ladders and fascines, as well as their more direct implements of war, perfectly useless. For upwards of an hour it was continued with a briskness of which there have been but few instances, perhaps in any country. In justice to the enemy, it must be said, they withstood it as long as could be expected from the most determined bravery. At length, however, when all prospect of success became hopeless, they fled in confusion from the field, leaving it covered with their dead and wounded. Their loss was immense. I had at first computed it at 1500, but it is since ascertained to have been much greater. Upon information which is believed to be correct, Colonel Hayne, the inspector-general, reports it to be in total 2600. His report I enclose you. My loss was inconsiderable, being only seven killed and six wounded. Such a disproportion in loss, when we consider the number and kind of troops engaged, must, I know, excite astonishment, and may not everywhere be fully credited; yet I am perfectly satisfied that the account is not exaggerated on the one part, nor underrated on the other.

The enemy, having hastily quitted a post which they had gained possession of on the other side of the river, and we having immediately returned to it, both armies at present occupy their former positions. Whether, after the severe losses he has sustained, he is preparing to return to his shipping, or to make still mightier efforts to attain his first object, I do not pretend to determine. It becomes me to act as though the latter were his intention. One thing, however, seems certain, that if he still calculates on effecting what he has. .h.i.therto been unable to accomplish, he must expect considerable reinforcements, as the force with which he landed must undoubtedly be diminished by at least 3000. Besides the loss which he sustained on the night of the 23d ultimo, which is estimated at 400, he cannot have suffered less between that period and the morning of the 18th instant than 3000; having, within that time, been repulsed in two general attempts to drive us from our position, and there having been continual cannonading and skirmishing during the whole of it. Yet he is still able to show a very formidable force.

There is little doubt that the commanding general, Sir Edward (p. 241) Packenham, was killed in the action of the 8th, and that Major-Generals Keane and Gibbs were badly wounded.

Whenever a more leisure moment shall occur, I will take the liberty to make and forward you a more circ.u.mstantial account of the several actions, and particularly that of the 8th, in doing which my chief motive will be to render justice to those brave men I have the honour to command, and who have so remarkably distinguished themselves.

I have the honour to be, &c., Andrew JACKSON.

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_General Jackson to the Secretary of War._

To the Honourable SECRETARY OF WAR, Camp below New Orleans, Washington, D. C. January 19th, 1815.