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30 HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
The attention of the Detroit was so closely engaged by these proceedings,
that the approach of Lieutenant Elliott, in the other boat, was not observed;
so that he was enabled to carry that vessel without loss, and with but little
difficulty. Both brigs were immediately got under way, and both unfortunately grounded on the Niagara River, within point-blank shot of the Canada
shore. Advantage was taken of this disaster by the enemy, who, as soon as
day dawned, brought up a few field-pieces, and opened a fire on the brigs.
The sailing-master and pilot left the vessel, with the prisoners, about sunrise.
Captain Towson remained on board, took out the greater part of the cargo
(consisting of furs), and succeeded in getting the brig afloat about sunset;
but not being versed in navigation, and all the sailors except two having
deserted in landing the cargo, he ran aground a second time near Squaw
Island. In the night, Colonel Schuyler, who had just taken the command at
.Black Rock, received intelligence that General Brock had crossed the Niagara
below with a formidable force, and was marching to attack him. Lieutenant
Elliott, after destroying the Detroit, sent an officer with this information to
Captain Towson, with combustibles, and an order to set fire to the brig.
Towson would not permit this order to be executed; but, believing his presence with his company necessary in the event of an attack on shore, he left
a faithful non-commissioned officer and two men on board, with orders to fire
and abandon her if it should appear that the enemy were likely to succeed in
forcing the troops to retire to the main body at Flint Hill. This did not
happen ; General Brock had not crossed the Niagara, as reported; and thus,
by the judicious management of Captain Towson, was the Caledonia reserved
to make one of the gallant Perry's victorious fleet. In this brilliant affair
the Americans lost two killed and five wounded.1
The projected invasion of Canada resulted in the battle of Queenstown,
in which the Marylanders, under Towson, bore a conspicuous part. This
expedition, however, resulted in a failure which General Smythe attempted to
atone for by organizing another for the same object. He gave orders on the
25th of November, for " the whole army to be ready to march at a moments
warning." Everything being in readiness, an advance was embarked near
Buffalo, in two divisions, at three in the morning, on November 29, 1812.
The first division, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler, with
about two hundred men of Colonel Winder's regiment, in eleven boats, was
to cross over the river about five miles below Fort Erie, capture the guard
stationed there, kill or take the artillery horses, and, with the prisoners if
any, return to the American shore. The second division was under the
command of Captain King, with one hundred and fifty regular soldiers, and
seventy sailors under Lieutenant Angus, in ten boats, was to cross higher
1 In his report of this engagement, dated Oc- fantry . . . for their soldier-like conduct,
tober 9, 1812, Captain Elliott said: " To my In a word, sir, every man fought as if with
officers and men, I feel under great obligation. hearts animated only by the interest and honor
To Captain Towson . . . of the 2d Regiment of their country."
of artillery, and Ensign Presstman, of the in-
| Title | History of Maryland - 3 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000055 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 30 HISTORY OF MARYLAND. The attention of the Detroit was so closely engaged by these proceedings, that the approach of Lieutenant Elliott, in the other boat, was not observed; so that he was enabled to carry that vessel without loss, and with but little difficulty. Both brigs were immediately got under way, and both unfortunately grounded on the Niagara River, within point-blank shot of the Canada shore. Advantage was taken of this disaster by the enemy, who, as soon as day dawned, brought up a few field-pieces, and opened a fire on the brigs. The sailing-master and pilot left the vessel, with the prisoners, about sunrise. Captain Towson remained on board, took out the greater part of the cargo (consisting of furs), and succeeded in getting the brig afloat about sunset; but not being versed in navigation, and all the sailors except two having deserted in landing the cargo, he ran aground a second time near Squaw Island. In the night, Colonel Schuyler, who had just taken the command at .Black Rock, received intelligence that General Brock had crossed the Niagara below with a formidable force, and was marching to attack him. Lieutenant Elliott, after destroying the Detroit, sent an officer with this information to Captain Towson, with combustibles, and an order to set fire to the brig. Towson would not permit this order to be executed; but, believing his presence with his company necessary in the event of an attack on shore, he left a faithful non-commissioned officer and two men on board, with orders to fire and abandon her if it should appear that the enemy were likely to succeed in forcing the troops to retire to the main body at Flint Hill. This did not happen ; General Brock had not crossed the Niagara, as reported; and thus, by the judicious management of Captain Towson, was the Caledonia reserved to make one of the gallant Perry's victorious fleet. In this brilliant affair the Americans lost two killed and five wounded.1 The projected invasion of Canada resulted in the battle of Queenstown, in which the Marylanders, under Towson, bore a conspicuous part. This expedition, however, resulted in a failure which General Smythe attempted to atone for by organizing another for the same object. He gave orders on the 25th of November, for " the whole army to be ready to march at a moments warning." Everything being in readiness, an advance was embarked near Buffalo, in two divisions, at three in the morning, on November 29, 1812. The first division, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler, with about two hundred men of Colonel Winder's regiment, in eleven boats, was to cross over the river about five miles below Fort Erie, capture the guard stationed there, kill or take the artillery horses, and, with the prisoners if any, return to the American shore. The second division was under the command of Captain King, with one hundred and fifty regular soldiers, and seventy sailors under Lieutenant Angus, in ten boats, was to cross higher 1 In his report of this engagement, dated Oc- fantry . . . for their soldier-like conduct, tober 9, 1812, Captain Elliott said: " To my In a word, sir, every man fought as if with officers and men, I feel under great obligation. hearts animated only by the interest and honor To Captain Towson . . . of the 2d Regiment of their country." of artillery, and Ensign Presstman, of the in- |
