artillery into complete regiments, or as nearly so as possible, for the winter, retaining a full complement of your most efficient officers to command them, and detaching all surplus officers immediately on the recruiting service, and to the several districts indicated by the rules and regulations. This regulation should extend to general Hampton's division.

An immediate inquiry into the terms of enlistment of the men composing your army should be instituted, and endeavours should be made to re-enlist all those whose terms of service are about expiring.

The most severe attention to discipline must be begun, and the slightest departures from it, whether in officer or soldier, noticed and punished. Clerks to the several companies must be appointed, and company books kept, showing every thing received by the soldier, and charging him therewith. If on the next or any future inspection it be found that any article of his clothing, or of his arms, has been lost or sold, the article is to be supplied, and the price deducted from his wages. With regard to clothing and arms, there have been the most shocking abuses..

Confidential reports are provided by the rules, and must be made agreeably thereto. The inspector who neglects or refuses to perform this duty, shall be dismissed the service. I am sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG.

Major-General Wilkinson.

Extract of a Letter from Major-General Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated Head-Quarters, Malone, Military District, No. 9, December 6, 1813.

"Your three letters of the 25th ultimo came to hand on the 30th; and I am happy to find that I had anticipated the views communicated in those letters, as far as respects the security of our flanks and centre. When I ordered majorgeneral Hampton to reinforce the post of the Four Corners, it was under the impression that Cumberland-head was guarded; but the moment I was undeceived and apprised of the exposed situation of our depot at Plattsburg, the order was countermanded, as you have seen from the documents which I have transmitted you. You must also have perceived from those documents, that I was not insensible of the importance of condensing our force, and that I had made a proposition respecting quarters preparatory to such event."

Abstract from the Report of the Adjutant-General of General Wilkinson's Army, showing the whole number of non-commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Artificers of the several Regiments and Corps, on December 1, 1813.

Light artillery

472

A. Y. NICOLL, Inspector-General.

Note. The two regiments of light dragoons, which had made part of general Wilkinson's force in descending the St. Lawrence, are not included in this return, these corps having been detached to Utica.

Extract of a Letter from Major-General Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated

Malone, December 8, 1813. "The unavoidable delay of the express (as no reliance can be placed on the mail from this place) enables me to send you the copy of a letter from general Izard, dated the 6th instant, which exhibits additional expositions of the pernicious and unwarrantable conduct of major-general Hampton. I will not charge this man with traitorous designs, but I apprehend, in any other government, a military officer who first defeated the objects of a campaign by disobedience of orders, and then, without authority, furloughed all the officers of the division he commanded on a national frontier, in the vicinity of an enemy, would incur heavy penalties.'

Extract of a Letter from Brigadier-General Izard to MajorGeneral Wilkinson, dated

Plattsburg, December 5, 1813. "There is an unavoidable delay in the returns of the regiments of this division, proceeding from the extreme inexperience of the officers of all grades, now with them; almost every efficient officer is either sick, or was furloughed by major-general Hampton at the moment of his own departure; those that remain are barely enough to perform the routine of duty in this cantonment."

Extract of a Letter from Major-General Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated

Malone, Dec. 24, 1813. "I believe I have not hitherto transmitted you a copy of a communication which took place between commodore Chauncey and myself, the day before I sailed from French creek, and I do it now to show you what were my anticipations of the movements of the enemy left behind me, and how delusive were all the promises made to me that my rear should be protected."

Dear Sir,

French Creek, Nov. 4, 1813.

I was so ill yesterday I could not call to see you; and I now send up to say that I shall sail this evening; and if I am not obstructed by the enemy's armed vessels which may have slipped down the other channel, I shall pass Prescott to-morrow night, or land the next morning to take the place, if I cannot pass it without too great hazard. As this operation may require three or four days, it is not improbable the enemy's squadron may make some attempts to destroy my boats; and therefore I must intreat you to watch his every motion, and to give my flotilla every protection in your power.

We are a match for the gun-boats of the enemy, but inferior to armed schooners, and therefore could you consistently spare us the Pert, or some armed vessel, to run down to the vicinity of Ogdensburg, and immediately return, it would add security to our movements.

Major Johnson will have the honour to deliver you this, and I will thank you for any information you can give me respecting the movements of the enemy.

I wish very much to say farewel to you, but I am sensible of the delicacy of your situation, and my disease having changed into a violent inflammation of the breast, I dare not

get wet. If then it is destined that we are not to meet again, I will leave with you my prayers for long life and laurels in this world, and everlasting happiness in that which is to come.

Farewel, my friend, and may your country understand your skill and valour as well as does

Commodore Chauncey.

JA. WILKINSON.

United States Ship General Pike, at anchor off the east end of Long Island,

Dear Sir,

River St. Lawrence, Nov. 4, 1813. Your favour of this day's date has this moment been handed to me by major Johnson.

From the best information that I can get, the enemy's Яeet is at or in the vicinity of Kingston, and I think that you have nothing to apprehend from them, as I am in a situation to watch both channels.

I should deem it unsafe to separate any part of my squadron as long as the enemy remains above me: in fact, I am in hourly expectation of being attacked by sir James down the south channel; in that case I shall require all my force, as he has added a number of gun-boats to his fleet. If, however, sir James should detach any part of his fleet down the north channel, I will send a sufficient force down to oppose him.

I will remain in my present station until you pass Prescott, but am anxious for that event to take place at as early a day as possible, as the fleet cannot move out of this river except with a fair wind. It is to be apprehended that after a few days a spell of westwardly winds will set in, which may detain us until the ice makes, which would endanger the safety of the fleet, and probably lead to its final destruction. If it is possible for you to communicate to me in any way, when you pass Prescott, I should esteem it as a particular favour.

May your present enterprise be crowned with all the success that you yourself can wish; and that your eminent services may be duly appreciated by your country is the prayer of, dear sir, your friend and humble servant,

ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Major-General James Wilkinson, Commander in Chief of the American Forces in and upon the St. Lawrence, &c. &c. &c.

Correspondence between the Secretary of War and Colonel Porter and General M'Clure, &c.

Sir,

War Department, February 23, 1813. As the enemy's force and defences on the Canada side of the Niagara river are understood to be weak; as your force is respectable, and supposed to be competent to a successful attack of these; and as the season has now furnished you with a bridge, as well for retreat as for advance, it is thought advisable that you do not permit circumstances so favourable to escape without making a stroke on such points of the enemy's line, as may be most within your reach. If, after feeling the enemy at fort Erie, you should find yourself able to extend your attack to fort George, it will be desirable; but of this you can judge best after your first experiment. To an old soldier, like yourself, it is unnecessary to go more into detail. You know what you ought to do, and you will do it. Communicate this letter to lieutenant-colonel Bærstler, and accept the assurances of my respect and good wishes. (Signed) JOHN ARMSTRONG. Colonel Porter, Light Artillery, commanding the Troops of the United States on the Niagara river.

Extract of a Letter from Major-General Dearborn to the Secretary of War, dated

Albany, March 25, 1813. "Colonel Porter informs me that he had commenced the necessary preparations for an attack on fort Erie, but the desertion of a serjeant prevented his carrying his intended attack into operation. Two officers with six men pursued the serjeant so far as to be surrounded on the ice, and were made prisoners. Fort Erie was immediately reinforced, and he had given over any immediate movement."

Letter from Colonel Scott (3d Artillery Regiment) to MajorGeneral Wilkinson.

Sir,

Fort George, Monday, 7 o'Clock, P. M., October 11, 1813. Within the last five minutes, I have had the honour to receive your despatch by "The Lady of the Lake."

The enemy has treated me with neglect. He continued. in his old positions until Saturday last, (the 9th) when he took up his retreat on Burlington heights, and has abandoned this whole peninsula. Two causes are assigned for this preci