of 150, and defeated a covering party of the number killing one officer and six men in the charge and wounding many more.

Being repulsed at all points, at dusk the enemy withdrew his artillery from the batteries and raised the siege. At nine, under cover of the night, he sent off all the baggage he could find transports to carry. At two o'clock in the morning the army precipitately retreated, leaving their sick and wounded behind, whom he recommended to the humanity of the American general.

The British camp was found covered with vast quantities of provisions partially destroyed, concealed in holes, buried in the earth and thrown into ponds and creeks. Also an immense quantity of bomb shells, grape shot, muskets, ammunition, flints, &c. &c. entrenching tools of all sorts, tents, markees, clothing, &c. &c.

A continual fall of rain and a violent storm prevent. ed a general pursuit. The light troops harrassed their rear, captured several baggage waggons and some pris

oners.

The total loss of the enemy was upwards of 2,000, about 300 of whom were deserters.

The American loss, from the 6th to the 11th of September, was thirty seven killed, 62 wounded and twenty missing.

NAVAL ACTION ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN

THIS battle was fought on the 11th of September,

1814, in full view of the American and British armies, in Plattsburgh bay.

The American fleet consisted of the ship Saratoga of 16 guns, brig Eagle, 20, schooner Ticonderoga, 17, Preble sloop, 7, and 10 gun boats carrying 16 guns, making in all 86 guns.

The British fleet, under Commodore Downie, comprised the new ship La Confiance of 39 guns, brig Linnet of 16, sloop Chubb of 11, sloop Eagle of 10, and 13 gun boats carrying 18 guns, which gave the enemy a superiority of nine guns.

The British fleet was manned by 1,050 men; the American by 820.

When the enemy made his appearance the American fleet were at anchor in line of battle. He also anchored in line at the distance of 300 yards from Commodore M'Donough's line, with La Confiance opposed to the Saratoga, his brig to the Eagle; his gallies and sloops to the Ticonderoga and Preble and a division of our gallies; our remaining gallies with the Saratoga and Eagle.

Commodore M'Donough gives the details of the action in the following words:

In this situation, the whole force on both sides became engaged, the Saratoga suffering much from the

heavy fire of the Confiance. I could perceive at the same time, however, that our fire was very destructive to her. The Ticonderoga, Lieutenant Commandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of the action. At half past 10 o'clock, the Eagle, not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable and anchored in a more eligible position, between my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately leaving me exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's brig. Our guns on the starboard side being nearly all dismounted or not manageable, a stern anchor was let go, the bow cable cut and the ship wind-ed with a fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which soon after surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung. to bear on the brig, which surrendered in about fifteen minutes after.

"The sloop that was opposed to the Eagle, had struck some time before and drifted down the line; the sloop which was with the gallies having struck also. Three of their gallies are said to be sunk, the others pulled off. Our gallies were about obeying, with alac-. rity, the signal to follow them, when all the vessels were reported to be in a sinking state; it then became necessary to annul the signal to the gallies, and order their men to the pumps.

"I could only look at the enemy's gallies going off in a shattered condition, for there was not a mast in either squadron that could stand to make a sail on; the lower rigging being nearly shot away, hung down as though it had been just placed over mast heads.

"The Saratoga had 55 round shot in her hull; the Confiance 105. The enemy's shot passed principally just over our heads, as there was not 20 whole ham

mocks in the nettings at the close of the action, which lasted without intermission two hours and twenty minutes.

"The absence and sickness of Lt. Reymond Perry, left me without the services of that excellent officer much ought fairly to be attributed to him for his great care and attention in disciplining the ship's crew, as her first lieutenant. His place was filled by a gallant young officer, Lieutenant Peter Gamble, who, I regret to inform you, was killed early in the action. Acting Lieutenant Vallette worked the 1st and 2d division of guns with able effect. Sailing Master Brum's attention to the springs and in the execution of the order to wind the ship, and occasionally at the guns, met with my entire approbation; also Captain Youngs, commanding the acting marines, who took his men to the guns. Mr. Beal, purser, was of great service at the guns, and in carrying my orders throughout the ship with Midshipman Montgomery. Master's Mate Joshua Justin had command of the Sd division; his çonduct during the action was that of a brave and correct officer. Midshipmen Monteath, Graham, Williamson, Platt and Thwing, and acting Midshipman Baldwin, all behaved well, and gave evidence of their making valuable offi-

cers.

"The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot from the enemy's ships.

"I close, sir, this communication with feelings of gratitude for the able support I received from every officer and man attached to the squadron which I had the honor to command."

According to an official statement of the purser of the Saratoga the killed and wounded of the enemy ex-..

ceeded 260. The American loss in killed and wounded amounted to 110. We had but two officers killed; these were Lieutenants Gamble and Stansbury. The British officers killed, were Commodore Downie and three lieutenants.

There was taken on board the enemy's fleet 17,000 pounds of powder, besides fixed ammunition for their ships; between 80 and 90,000 pounds of balls, &c. ; 600 muskets; 600 suits of soldiers' clothing, and the winter. clothing for the whole of the land army.

In addition to this the enemy sunk eight tons of ball: at Chazey, and a vessel laden with various warlike instruments at Isle La Motte, which was raised by the Americans.