a thick wood, and after carrying one battery by assault, were moving in columns towards the main work; when within 60 rods of this, a tremendous explosion took place, from a magazine previously prepared, and which threw out such immense quantities of stone, as most seriously to injure our troops. I have not yet been able to collect the returns of the killed and wounded; but our loss will, I fear, exceed 100; and among these, I have to lament the loss of that brave and excellent officer, Brig. Gen. Pike, who received a contusion from a large stone, which terminated his valuable life within a few hours.-Previously to this explosion, the enemy had retired into town, excepting a party of regulars, to the number of forty, who did not escape the shock, and were destroyed. Gen. Sheaffe moved off, with the regular troops, and left directions with the commanding officer of the militia, to make the best terms he could. In the mean time, all further resistance, on the part of the enemy, ceased; and the outlines of a capitulation were agreed on.

As soon as I learned that Gen. Pike had been wounded, I went on shore; to the General, I had been induced to confide the immediate attack, from a knowledge that it was his wish, and that he would have felt mortified had it not been given to him.

Our loss in the morning, and in carrying the first battery, was not great; perhaps 40 or 50 killed and wounded, and of them a full proportion of officers.— Notwithstanding the enemy's advantage in position, and numbers, in the commencement of the action, their loss was greater than ours, especially in officers.

I am under the greatest obligations to Com. Chauncey, for his able and indefatigable exertions, in every possible manner which could give facility and effect to the expedition; he is equally estimable for sound judgment, bravery and industry; the government could not have made a more fortunate selection.

Unfortunately the enemy's armed ship, Prince Regent, left this place, for Kingston, a few days before we arrived. A large ship, on the stocks, and nearly planked up, and much naval stores, were set fire to by the enemy, soon after the explosion of the magazine; a considerable quantity of military stores, and provisions, remain, but no vessels fit for use.

We have not the means of transporting the prisoners, and must, of course, leave them on parole.

I hope we shall so far complete what is necessary to be done here, as to be able to sail to-morrow for Niagara, whither I send this, by a small vessel, with notice to Gen. Lewis, of our approach.

I have the honor, &c.

Hon. Sec. War.

H. DEARBORN.

TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS TO YORK.

Copy of a letter from Commodore Chauncey, to the Secretary of the Navy.

SIR,

U. S. Ship Madison, at anchor,

Off York, 28th April, 1813.

Agreeably to your instructions, and arrangements, made with Major-General Dearborn, I took on board the squadron, under my command, the General and suite, and about 1700 troops, and left Sackett's Harbor on the 25th inst. for this place. We arrived here yesterday morning, and took a position about one mile to the south and westward of the enemy's principal fort, and as near the shore as we could, with safety to the vessels. The place fixed upon, by the Maj. Gen. and myself, for landing the troops, was the scite of the old French fort, Taranta. The debarkation commenced ~bout 8 o'clock, A. M. and was completed about 10;

That the troops, regular and militia, at this post, and the naval officers and seaman, shall be surrendered prisoners of war-the troops regular and militia, to ground their arms, immediately on parade, and the naval officers and seaman be immediately surrendered.

That all public stores, naval and military, shall be immediately given up, to the commanding officers of the army and navy of the United States; all private property shall be guaranteed to the citizens of the town of York.

That all papers belonging to the civil officers, shall be retained by them;-that such surgeons, as may be procured to attend the wounded of the British regulars, and Canadian militia, shall not be considered prisoners of war.

That 1 Lieut. Colonel, 1 Major, 13 Captains, 9 Lieutenants, 11 Ensigns, 1 Quarter-master, 1 Dep. Adj. General, of the militia, 19 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 204 rank and file; of the field train department, 1; of the provincial navy, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Midshipmen, 1 Captain's Clerk, 1 Boatswain, 15 naval artificers. Of his majesty's regular troops, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant-Major; and of the royal artillery, 1 Bombardier, and 3 Gunners, shall be surrendered as prisoners, of war, and accounted for in the exchange of prisoners, between the United States and Great Britain. (Signed)

G. S. MITCHELL, Lieut. Col. 3d, A. U. S.
SAML. S. CONNER, Maj. and Aid to Gen. D.
WM. KING, Major, 15 U. S. Infantry.
JESSE D. ELLIOT, Lieut. U. S. Navy.

W. CHEWITT, Lieut. Col. comg. 3d Reg. Y. M.
W. ALLEN, Maj. 3d Reg. York Militia,
F. GAURREAU, Lieut. M. Dpt.

Our loss was, 14 killed in battle, and 38 by the explosion-32 wounded in battle, and 222 by the explosion; total, killed and wounded, 306.

FURTHER ACCOUNT.

Extract of a letter from Maj. General Henry Dearborn, to the Secretary of War, dated

Niagara, May 3d.

As nearly as I have been able to ascertain, the loss of the enemy, in the late affair of York, amounted to 100 killed, 200 prisoners, and 300 wounded. I have not been able to ascertain, precisely, the amount of militia put on their parole; I presume it could not be less than 500. There was an immense depot of naval and military stores. York was a magazine for Niagara, Detroit, &c. and, notwithstanding the immense amount which was destroyed by them, we found more than we could bring off. Gen. Sheaffe's baggage and papers fell into my hands. The papers are a valuable acquisition. A SCALP was found in the Executive and Legislative Council Chamber, suspended near the speaker's chair, in company with the mace.

H. DEARBORN.

CHAPTER XXI.

General Operations Continued.

On the 22d of May, the general embarked his army and proceeded against the British forts on the Niagara, under cover of Commodore Chauncey's fleet. General Lewis led on the troops to victory and conquest, during the illness of General Dearborn. The British forts, and more than 500 Canada militia, surrendered prisoners of war. The Americans lost 39 killed and 111 woun

ded. The next day the British blew up fort Erie, and all remaining fortifications, and returned to the head of Burlington bay.

TAKING OF FORT GEORGE.

Copies of letters from Commodore Chauncey, to the Secretary of the

SIR,

Navy.

U. S. Ship Madison,

Niagara River, 27th May, 1813.

I am happy to have it in my power to say, that the American flag is flying upon fort George. We were in quiet possession of all the forts at 12 o'clock.

SIR,

I have the honor, &c.

I. CHAUNCEY.

U. S. S. Madison, 28th May 1813.

Agreeably to arrangements, which I have already had the honor of detailing to you, I left Sackett's Harbor, with this ship, on the 22d inst. with about 350 of Col. M'Comb's regiment on board; the winds being light from the westward, I did not arrive in the vicinity of Niagara, before the 25th; the other parts of the squadron had arrived, several days before, and lauded their troops. The Fair American, and Pert, I had ordered to Sackett's Harbor, for the purpose of watching the enemy's movements at Kingston. I immediately had an interview with Gen. Dearborn, for the purpose of making arrangements to attack the enemy, as soon as possible; and it was agreed, between him and myself, to make the attack the moment that the weather was such as to allow the vessels and boats to approach the shore with safety. On the 26th, I reconnoitered the position for landing the troops, and at night sounded