pieces. The terrific conflict in which "The Wasp," Capt. Jones, triumphed over and captured "The Frolic," Capt. Whinyates, heightened the enthusiasm of the American people, and produced most important moral effects bearing upon the historical power of the two nations.

Our first naval defeat was on the first day of June, 1813, when "The Chesapeake" was captured by "The Shannon," after a most heroic struggle on both sides.

Subsequent engagements were numerous, great gallantry being displayed on both sides, the results varying, but, upon the whole, very clearly vindicating the prophetic judgment of Story, placed at the head of this chapter.

CAMPAIGNS FROM THE WEST AND EAST.

Harrison, rallying troops for the defence of Indiana without regard to form, was made a brevet major-general of Kentucky. On his way to the scene of action, information reached him from Washington that Winchester had been placed in command; while he, with the rank of a brigadiergeneral, was to defend Indiana and Illinois. The West, however, already beginning to be a power in the nation, demanded and secured the appointment of Harrison to the chief command of the Western army, now raised to the nominal force of ten thousand men.

Harrison was brave and active. He determined to destroy some hostile Indian settlements, and then by a bold dash, if possible, recover Detroit. But the crude masses of volunteers under his command, not having yet learned to obey, were not an army; and his plans were frustrated. Capt. Taylor now appears, foiling with skill and bravery the attack of the Indians upon Fort Harrison, on the Wabash. It is interesting to see these two future presidents in their young manhood thus gallantly coming into the field together. They were both to display great generalship, endure severe trials, rise high in popular favor, be exalted to the first place

of distinction in the Republic, if not in the world, and both to fall by death soon after their respective inaugurations.

Gen. Dearborn attempted a demonstration in the direction of Montreal, which evidently, for want of capacity in the commander, became a disastrous failure. Smyth, after his valorous and "grandiloquent proclamations," made another disgraceful failure on the Niagara frontier.

In the winter of 1813, Harrison made his second attempt to reach Detroit. As a preliminary measure, Winchester was ordered to occupy the Rapids. He reached this objective point without casualty, and was immediately drawn into an attempt to relieve Frenchtown, where our little army was attacked by Proctor from Malden. Winchester was taken prisoner, and induced to surrender his command. The barbarous treatment of the prisoners from the British and their Indian allies disgraced their victory. The advancing troops of Harrison met the fugitives from Frenchtown; and, prudently abandoning his plan of attacking Malden, he was compelled to content himself for the present by fortifying the Rapids, named, for the governor of Ohio, Fort Meigs. As an evidence, however, of the confidence of the government, he was soon raised to the rank of major-general.

Jackson now appears in the South, taking the responsibility of disobeying orders, that he might perform a great act of humanity in marching his men four hundred and sixty miles back to Nashville and disbanding them near their homes. Wilkinson had contrived, without bloodshed, to get possession of the fort at Mobile; the only "victory" on land we have been permitted to record since the success of Capt. Taylor at Fort Harrison.

In the summer of 1813, the gallant Perry moved the small nucleus of his fleet out into Lake Erie. With nine vessels and fifty-five guns, he confronted the British squadron, commanded by Capt. Barclay, with six vessels and sixtythree guns. Having a hundred and fifty of Harrison's men on board, he aimed to reach and assault the fort at Mal

den. The two fleets met; and, after a desperate engagement of three hours, every ship of the British squadron struck to the victorious Perry. He now promptly converted such of his prizes as were manageable into transports, and conveyed Harrison's troops across the lake. Proctor, consulting his prudence, burned the fort at Malden, and commenced his retreat. Harrison was once more on his way to Detroit. In two days he overtook Proctor's rear, and captured all his stores and ammunition. The main body of the British, some eight hundred in number, were drawn up in order of battle 66 near the Moravian town," with Tecumseh and his Indians on the right in a swamp. Johnson with his mounted men rushed upon them with such fury, that they were completely overpowered, threw down their arms, and surrendered. "Proctor and his suite, with some two hundred men, escaped by timely flight."* The Indians fought desperately; but the renowned Tecumseh was slain, probably by Johnson's own hand, and his braves were killed or dispersed.

It was now the spring of 1814; and the war party in England rose in spirits as the British had triumphed over the great Napoleon, and they demanded the exemplary chastisement of the democrats of America. The veterans of the English army were to be brought over for this purpose.

Brown, now a major-general, was a man of courage; and Scott, now a brigadier, stood by his side, burning with desire. to prove that the Americans were competent to resist and conquer the British regulars. They obtained permission to attempt another invasion of Canada. This expedition resulted in the severe battle of Bridgewater, or Lundy's Lane. Crossing the lake from Buffalo on the 2d of July, our army of about three thousand five hundred men had the good fortune to receive the surrender of Fort Erie. Scott advanced with intrepidity to attack the British under Riall; and a smart but brief engagement drove the enemy from his intrenchments, from Chippewa, and from Queenstown, with the

* Hildreth, 2d Series, iii. 437, 438.

loss of some five hundred men, while the loss of the Americans was about three hundred. Fort George, however, still manned by the British, was promptly re-enforced; and both parties prepared for a severe conflict.

On the 25th of July, Scott, with a thousand men, fearlessly advanced, and suddenly encountered the whole of Riall's army. In a brief time, near a third of Scott's force had fallen before the terrific fire of the enemy. Scott, however, again and again rallied his men to the onset. By his orders, Major Jessup reached the enemy's rear, and pressed him severely, making many prisoners; among them Gen. Riall, retiring, severely wounded, from the front. "Brown now came up with Ripley's brigade, which was ordered between Scott and the enemy." The British park of artillery, raised to nine pieces, was the key of his position; and Col. James Miller was ordered to storm it, which he did in gallant style, driving the artillery-men from their guns at the point of the bayonet. Ripley brought up the Twentythird, and secured the guns. Porter's volunteers promptly supported him on the right; and Jessup soon reached the front, routing a British brigade on his way.

The enemy, now re-enforced by Drummond, made a desperate effort in the darkness of the night to recover their guns. The Americans, however, were on their guard; and, after three terrific assaults, the British recoiled from their fire and bayonets, and retired from the field of slaughter.

Brown and Scott, severely wounded, were compelled to retire, leaving all the regimental officers wounded, and seven hundred and forty-three men dead or wounded. The loss of the British was eight hundred and seventy-eight. The Americans had at length risen to the greatness of the emergency. They had fought a desperate battle, and gained a decisive victory; but, for the want of horses, they could not take away their trophies, and retired, under command of Ripley, to care for their wounded. The British, unopposed, returned to the battle-ground, and reclaimed their guns.

WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE.

About the middle of August, "a new and large British fleet," commanded by Cockburn, appeared in the Chesapeake, bearing four thousand of Wellington's veterans under Ross.

President Madison at length began to realize the danger, and to show an utter incapacity to make provisions against it. Gov. Winder of Maryland made the best dispositions in his power for the defence of his State, and especially of Baltimore. But, by the 20th, the Potomac was blockaded, and the main fleet had ascended the Patuxent as far as Benedict, and landed Ross, with forty-five hundred men, within fifty miles of Washington. Without horses, these indefatigable soldiers and sailors marched through the heat, which was to them almost insufferable, dragging three pieces of lightartillery, and carrying munitions of war. On this dreadful march, exhausted and encumbered as they were, they might, it would seem, have been cut to pieces without difficulty; but, quite unopposed, they reached Bladensburg on the 24th, in no condition to commence an engagement. At that instant, the Americans should have made the attack with vigor, and by sudden victory saved their capital and the honor of the nation. We cannot avoid thinking, that if Brown and Scott with the men of Lundy's Lane, or Jackson from New Orleans, had been in command, this would have been done; but the president and other civilians and amateur warriors were there to distract the counsels of Winder and his officers, and communicate their fears to the men.

In the mean time, the British, ready to sink from fatigue, were led on to the attack: the battle of Bladensburg was lost, and the veterans of Wellington marched into Washington. The Capitol, the President's House, and all the public buildings but the Patent and General Post Offices, were committed to the flames. Valuable papers and the public library were consumed, - a piece of Vandalism which nothing in civilized warfare could excuse.