there was immediate necessity for reinforcements to meet the fresh columns of British and Indians, advancing under Gen. Sheaffe [shefe], Van Rensselaer returned to Lewiston to hasten the embarkation of his remaining troops. The men stood ready on the shore; but the sight of their wounded comrades brought back to camp had suddenly dampened their ardor. They denied the constitutional right of the general to lead them out of their own state, and refused to embark. Meanwhile those on the Canada side, thus basely abandoned to the enemy, after maintaining for a while an unequal struggle, at length had to surrender. Sixty were killed, 100 wounded, and the rest were taken prisoners. Van Rensselaer resigned his command in disgust, and was succeeded by Gen. Smyth, who was a good tactician, but had seen little service. After projecting two invasions of Canada, both of which were unsuccessful, Smyth also resigned. 478. Thus far the reverses of the Americans on land had been as decided as their triumphs on the ocean. Twice they repulsed the enemy at Ogdensburg, and these successes, with the defeat of a party of British and Indians by Col. Pike during a rapid incursion into Canada, were the only victories of which they could boast. Nothing more was attempted during the remainder of the season. The presidential election engrossed the attention of the people during the fall, Madison being warmly opposed by those who condemned the war. He was chosen, however, for another term, and the vice-presidency was conferred on Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts. 479. The reassembling of Congress in November was the. signal for violent discussion between the advocates and opponents of the war. The latter pointed to the successive defeats of the campaign, and complained in strong terms of the inefficient measures of government. Still Congress pre so doing? How many Americans had crossed? What rendered it necessary to have immediate reinforcements? Where did Van Rensselaer go? What position did his men take? What was the consequence of this cowardly conduct? What was the American loss? What did Van Rensselaer do? By whom was he succeeded? What is said of Gen. Smyth? 478. What had thus far been the fortune of the Americans on land? What were the only victories of which they could boast? 479. What ensued on the 1813] COMMENCEMENT OF HIS SECOND TERM. 353 pared to prosecute hostilities with vigor. Provision was made for the increase of the army, and the construction of four ships-of-the-line, six frigates, and six sloops-of-war. CHAPTER VI. MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION (CONTINUED), 1813. 480. EARLY in 1813, in deference to public sentiment, Madison made some changes in his cabinet; appointing William Jones, of Pennsylvania, head of the navy department, and Gen. Armstrong secretary of war. James Monroe, who had been secretary of state ever since the commencement of the war, continued at the head of the cabinet. The thirteenth Congress commenced an extra session on the 24th of May. Daniel Webster took his seat for the first time in the house of representatives, and Henry Clay was reëlected speaker. The federalists, as a body, constantly voted against the measures proposed by government. Some of them, however, including Rufus King, senator from New York, supported the president on the ground, that, though unwisely commenced, the war should be vigorously prosecuted. 481. The only force in the field for the protection of the western frontier, after the fall of Detroit, was a body of Kentucky volunteers, who had promptly responded to the call of the executive, before the news of Hull's surrender was received. In accordance with the universal wish, the governor of Kentucky had appointed Gen. Harrison to the command of this force, though he was not a resident of the state. Hardly had Harrison joined his men, and inspired them with reässembling of Congress? Of what did the opponents of the war complain? What measures were taken by Congress? 480. Early in 1813, what changes were made in the cabinet? Who remained secretary of state? When did Congress meet? Who appeared in the lower house for the first time? Who was elected speaker? What was the course of most of the federalists ? What position was taken by a portion of that party? 481. What was the only force now in the field for the defence of the western frontier? Who was appointed to their confidence and enthusiasm, when he was obliged to give way to Gen. Winchester, whom the national government had appointed to the command of the northwestern army. The volunteers expressed their dissatisfaction freely; and it was found expedient to yield to their wishes, and supersede Winchester with the veteran who more than all others enjoyed the confidence of the West. With his commission Harrison received extraordinary powers, which no officer before him had enjoyed except Washington and Greene in the Revolution. He was required to defend the whole frontier from Pennsylvania to Missouri, and immediately began to reorganize the army. October, 1812, found Harrison and his men on the march for Detroit, which post it was resolved to recover. Their route lay through a swamp that seemed interminable, and the soldiers suffered much. Their officers, however, bore every hardship with them, and they continued to advance. Their progress was necessarily slow, and the approach of winter obliged Gen. Harrison to defer the attack on Detroit till spring. He fixed his head-quarters at Franklinton, Ohio, and stationed a division of his army, under Gen. Winchester, at Fort Defiance, on the Maumee. 482. Early in January, 1813, Winchester received information that the inhabitants of Frenchtown, on the Raisin River, were in danger of attack; and, though he thereby ran the risk of disconcerting the plans of his commander, he marched forth to their help. The enemy were found and dispersed. Shortly afterwards, Winchester's camp was attacked by an army of 1,500 British and Indians, from Malden, under Proctor. After a struggle, which cost each party not far from 300 men, the surviving Americans surrendered on the command by the governor of Kentucky? Who, by the national government? What change did the administration soon find it expedient to make? What powers were in. trusted to Gen. Harrison? What was he required to do? Where were Harrison and his men in October, 1812? What post was it proposed to recover? Give an account of their march. What did the approach of winter compel Harrison to do? Where did he fix his head-quarters? Where was Gen. Winchester stationed? 482. What information did Winchester receive early in January? [See Map, p. 345.-Where is Fort Defiance? Into what does the Maumee empty? Where is Frenchtown? Into what does the Raisin empty ?] What did Winchester do? Give an account of his expedi 1813] SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 355 recommendation of their general, who had been taken, and the pledge that their lives and property should be safe. Proctor immediately returned to Malden with such of his prisoners as were able to walk, leaving the rest behind without any guard to protect them from his bloodthirsty allies. Hardly had the British departed when the savages gave free vent to their passions, robbing, torturing, and scalping their defenceless victims. The British officer left in command made no attempt to save the sufferers. To revenge the losses they had sustained in the battle, the Indians finally set fire to two houses in which most of the wounded were crowded, driving back into the flames those who attempted to escape. Such of the Americans as survived these atrocities were taken to Detroit, where they were dragged through the streets and offered for sale. The people of the place sacrificed every thing they could spare to ransom them, and remonstrated with Proctor for allowing such barbarities, but without effect. 483. The loss of this important division deranged General Harrison's plans. He was too weak to attack Detroit, and could only hope to hold the ground already occupied. Fort Meigs [megz] was commenced at the Rapids of the Maumee; and the whole American force, 1,200 strong, labored day and night to complete it before the enemy should gather for its attack. They needed all their haste. Hardly had they completed their works, and surrounded them with a ditch dug in the frozen ground, when Proctor with his British, and Tecumseh with 600 warriors from the Wabash, appeared before the fort. Their batteries opened on the 1st of May, but a high breastwork of earth protected the Americans, and little impression was made on their defences. The Indians fired into the fort from trees, which they climbed for the purpose. On one occasion, a soldier was mortally wounded at tion. By whom was he attacked at Frenchtown? What was the result of the battle? How did Proctor keep his pledge? How were the prisoners that were left behind treated? 483. What was the consequence of the loss of this division? What was the most that Harrison could hope to do? What fort was erected? Where? By whom was it Soon invested? When did the enemy open their batteries? By what were the Amer icans protected? How did the Indians try to pick off the garrison? What narrow the side of Harrison; on another, a ball struck the bench on which the general was sitting. Still he escaped, though constantly employed in directing the defences. His example made every man a hero. On the 4th of May, news reached the beleaguered garrison that Gen. Clay, who had come by rapid marches with a reinforcement of 1,200 Kentuckians, was within a few miles of the fort. Harrison sent orders that a detachment from this force should land on the left side of the river and destroy the British batteries, while a sortie was made from the fort against those on the right side. The latter movement succeeded, and 45 prisoners were taken. On the left side, Col. Dudley was less fortunate. His men gallantly drove the British from their batteries; but the joy of Gen. Harrison, who was watching them with his glass, was turned into consternation, when, instead of retreating to their boats, according to his orders, he saw them preparing to maintain their position. Already the main body of the enemy was in motion to intercept them. Foreseeing their fate unless they saved themselves by an immediate retreat, Harrison offered $1,000 to any one who would cross the river and warn Col. Dudley of his danger. The mission was undertaken; but, before the messenger could get across, the Americans were cut off. About 80 were killed, and 550 taken prisoners; 150 escaped to their boats. The prisoners were treated with the usual barbarity. Gen. Proctor took no pains to save them. The savages, while glutting their thirst for blood, were suddenly startled by terrible shouts in their own tongue, and the next moment Tecumseh dashed into the circle. Two Indians were in the act of killing a helpless American who had surrendered. Hurling the murderers to the earth, he drew his knife and tomahawk, and dared any of the affrighted throng to take the life of an unresisting prisoner. Even Proctor escaped not escapes had Gen. Harrison? What news reached the garrison of Fort Meigs, on the 4th of May? What orders were sent by Harrison? What was the success of the sally? What was Col. Dudley's success on the other side? What fatal mistake did he make? What did Harrison soon see? How did he try to save them? What was the result? How were the prisoners treated? Describe Tecumseh's noble conduct. What passed |