After re

and arrived within point of attack, they were formed in line and commenced a fire upon him. He led his force directly against them and drove them from the bridge at the first onset. treating, they formed again and he again threw them into confusion. They were re-inforced from the fort, and as often as they formed for defence, Col. Cass broke their ranks, and forced them to retreat. He pursued them until it became so dark that pursuit was relinquished. A number of the enemy were killed and some prisoners taken. The whole affair was conducted with bravery and skill; the daring and courage of the officers were nobly seconded by the alacrity and readiness of the men. A verbal message was sent to Gen. Hull notifying him of the important advantage obtained by Col. Cass, stating that the possession of the bridge opened the way for our army to subdue Malden. Gen. Hull did not agree with Col. Cass as to the expediency of retaining occupation of the bridge, but peremptorily ordered him to return to camp. Reluctant to abandon, without further effort, the immense military benefit which he had obtained, Col. Cass and his officers remonstrated with Gen. Hull in a written communication. But that officer would not yield his opinion or retract from his position, blindly ass med. He was, however, so far impressed by the obvious trnths of the arguments of his officers, as to refer the subject to the discretion of Col. Cass and the officers with him, still expressing his disinclination to keep possession of the bridge, because the cannon wanted for the anticipated attack upon Malden, were not ready for transportation. Col. Cass and his associates thus placed in a novel position by the indecision of the commanding general, held a council, as to what course should be adopted. The council regarding the question as one of military discipline, by a majority resolved to abandon the bridge. Col. Cass did not accede to this decision, but with Capt. Snelling insisted upon remaining there. Finding themselves in a minority on this point they were obliged to yield, and the detachment in accordance with the orders of Gen. Hull returned to his head quarters.

Knowledge, afterwards obtained, established, beyond doubt, the correctness of the views of those officers who urged an immediate assault upon the British works at Malden. During the visit of Col. Cass, with the flag of truce, at that place, before the army

moved into Canada, its indefensible condition was apparent. Hence his earnest entreaties, and unwavering desire for its capture. From the enemy's own statements, it appears that they did not believe the place could be defended against the vigorous attack of a determined enemy, and the commanding officer had determined to risk the fate of a great battle, rather than the hazard of a siege. With the exception of the powder magazine, the works were principally of wood, covered with thin pine shingles, and could not have horne the weight of shells and shot which would have been poured upon them.

The defeat of the enemy at Aux Canards, and the capture of the bridge, created the utmost consternation at Malden. Preparations were made for abandoning it; but when it was ascertained that the American General did not intend to complete what Col. Cass had so successfully commenced, all fears were dispelled-the citizens and soldiers increased the defence of the town, and waited re-inforcements. The first fatal and unfortunate step was bnt the precursor of other fatalities which were in store for our noblehearted volunteers, who only wanted opportunity and permission to hew their enemies down before them.

To Col. Cass belongs the honor, not only of being the first man to invade the enemy's territory, but also of having opened the campaign with a victory.

The return of the detachment from Aux Canards, together with that of Col. McArthur who had been patrollng the country in the direction of the river Thames--instead of infusing courage and activity into the movements of the commanding general, seemed to increase his desire to get back to Detroit with as much expedition as he could. Having called a council, he announced his purpose to abandon the country and retreat across the river. Although a majority of the council decided upon remaining and waiting until the ordnance should be got ready for the attack on Malden-yet Gen. Hull ordered his own opinion to be carried into effect, declaring that, even though every person should oppose him, he was responsible, and would act agreeably to his own judgment. During the stay of the army in Canada, councils were called every day, and the General was urged to move down on the Aux Canards, or proceed at once to Malden. From these repeated ex

pressions on the part of his associates, he could not be mistaken as to their wishes or the inclination of the whole army. General Hull, from time to time, yielded to the advice of his associates, so far to remain where he was, and make preparations ostensibly for the wished for attack on the British fort. But news having arrived of the fall of Mackinac, apprehensions of a descent by the great number of Indians supposed to have been on the upper lakes, caused the General to suspend further operations in the enemy's country, except to erect a picket fort, in which he would leave a small detachment, while he would return to Detroit with the main army. The gallant Col. McArthur, whom Gen. Hull proposed to leave in command of this picket, was so indignant at the obvious falsity of the proposition, that he could not refrain from telling his commander, that, though he considered it a hardship that his regiment should be so sacrificed, yet, if such were his orders, he would obey, and that while the result must inevitably bring defeat and disgrace upon the officers and soldiers left there, it might serve to avert a portion of the General's own disgrace for recrossing the river. The energetic manner of Col. McArthur, temporarily aroused the drooping spirits of the commander, and he issued orders to prepare for the advance upon Malden. This order was received by all with the utmost pleasure, and a confident expectation spread among the soldiers that the commanding General would himself lead them to the storming of the place.

Preparations for the march were continued until the middle of the day following the issuing of the orders, when Gen. Hull again changed his mind, and calling his officers together, told them that, notwithstanding the respect he entertained for their opinions, he considered himself responsible for the movements and fate of the army, and had come to the determination to recross the river, for the protection of the fort and town of Detroit. The order was gi ven, and the army, dispirited and dejected, re-crossed and took post at the back of the town.

CHAPTER II.

Battle of Brownstown-Battle of Maguaga--Col. Cass volunteers to accompany a detachment through the wilderness to the River Raisin-The Surrender of Detroit-The detachment ordered to return-Indignation of Cols. Cass and McArthur-Their Return to Detroit-Letter of Gov. Meigs-Resolutions of General Assembly of Ohio-Official Letter of Col. Cass to the War Depart

ment.

WHILE Gen. Hull was in Canada, he received information, that a company of Ohio militia, under the command of Capt. Brush, had reached the River Raisin, having in charge a number of beef cattle, which they were driving to the garrison at Detroit, and fearing an attack from the Indians and British at Malden, were waiting for a reinforcement from head quarters. It was reported that a body of savages had been sent across the Detroit river from Malden, the British post at the mouth of the river, to intercept and cut off the escort on its march to Detroit. Major Van Horne, of Col. Findlay's regiment, was therefore ordered to take a detachment of one hundred and fifty riflemen, and some militia, who had remained at Detroit, and proceed with them, by a back route, to the Raisin, to meet and aid the escort of Capt. Brush.

Van Horne crossed the river from Canada on the night of the 4th of August, 1812, with his riflemen. At Detroit he collected fifty militia men, and commenced his march. He proceeded a few miles beyond the river Ecorce, where he halted, and while the detachment was at rest, he went among the inhabitants to get information about the back route, which his instructions directed him to take, in order to avoid the hazard of an ambuscade on the route through the village of Brownstown. There was no back route known to any of the people living in the vicinity; to his inquiries. they declared that they never heard of any. Nor could he procure guides to conduct him through the woods. The inhabitants represented the country to be one vast and continuous swamp, and that it would be impossible for the soldiers to get through to the Raisin

by that way. In consequence of not being able to find any back route or procure guides, Major Van Horne was compelled to take the road through Brownstown. When the detachment arrived near Brownstown creek, and was marching through a small space of open ground, it was fired upon by a body of Indians from the woods. No enemy was seen, but most terrific yells were heard in the direction of the attack. Major Van Horne ordered his men to retire to the edge of the woods and form a line. The troops retreated, firing as they went. Having returned about a quarter of a mile, a line was formed, and a fire commenced upon the Indians. The soldiers did not retreat in good order, and became greatly dispersed. In the skirmish, eighteen were killed, twelve wounded; and about seventy were missing, who fortunately reached Detroit in safety. Major Van Horne returned with his detachment to Detroit.

For

On the 8th of August, the same day the army re-crossed from Canada to Detroit, another attempt was made to open a communication between Detroit and the Ohio militia at the Raisin. this purpose Col. James Miller, who commanded the fourth regiment of United States infantry in Gen Hull's army, was detached on the evening of the 8th of August, with six hundred men, regulars and volunteers, with orders to join the escort at the Raisin, and march it to Detroit. While on the march, on the afternoon of the ninth, Captain Snelling, who commanded the advance guard, came upon a large body of British and Indians, near Maguaga, drawn up in regular order of battle, protected by a thicket of under-brush, and a breastwork of logs which they had erected. Capt. Snelling was some distance in advance of the detachment, and bravely fought against the severe and murderous attack of the enemy, until Col. Miller came up with the rest of the force. The soldiers were immediately formed into line for attack. Col. Miller had one field piece, and a howitzer. He marched his troops to within a short distance of the enemy, fired, and then charged upon them with the bayonet. The contest was honerable to the American force-particularly to the Michigan and Ohio volunteers, who formed most of the detachment. The British and Indians retreated towards Browntown, and succeeded in crossing the river to Malden. Col. Miller pursued them until night-fall, when darkness