the enemy crossed the river at the Five-mile Meadows, in great force-consisting of regulars and Indians, who made their way, undiscovered, to the garrison, which, from the most correct information I could collect, was completely surprised. Our men were nearly all asleep in their tents-the enemy rushed in, and commenced a most horrid slaughter; such as escaped the fury of the first onset retired to the old mess-house, where they kept up a destructive fire on the enemy, until a want of ammunition compelled them to surrender. Although our force was very inferior, and comparatively small indeed, I am induced to think that the disaster is not attributable to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in the commanding officer of the fort, Captain Leonard, in not preparing, being ready, and looking out for the expected attack.

I have not heen able to ascertain, correctly, the number of killed and wounded; about twenty regulars have escaped out of the fort, some badly wounded. Lieut. Peck, of the 24th regiment, is killed, and it is said three others. You will perceive, sir, by the enclosed general orders, that I apprehended an attack, and made the necessary arrangements to meet it; but have reason to believe, from information received by those who have made their escape, that the commandant did not, in any respect, comply with those orders.

On the same morning, a detachment under Major Bennet, stationed at Lewiston Heights, was attacked by a party of savages; but the Major, and his little corps, by making a desperate charge, effected their retreat, after being surrounded by several hundred, with the loss of six or eight, who doubtless were killed, among whom were two sons of Capt. Jones, Indian interpreter. The villages of Youngstown, Lewistown, Manchester, and the Indian Tuscarora village, were reduced to ashes; and the inoffensive inhabitants, who could not escape, were, without regard to age or sex, inhumanly butchered by savages, headed by British officers, painted. A

British officer, who is taken prisoner, avows, that many small children were murdered by their Indians. Major Mallory, who was stationed at Schlosser, with about 40 Canadian volunteers, advanced to Lewistown Heights, and compelled the advanced guard of the enemy to fall back to the foot of the mountain; the Major is a meritorious officer; he fought the enemy two days, and contended every inch of ground to the Tautawanty creek. In these actions, Lieut. Lowe, 23d regiment U. S. infantry, and 8 of the Canadian volunteers, were killed. I. had, myself, three days previous to the attack on the Niagara, left it with a view of providing for the defence of this place, Black Rock, and the other villages on this frontier. I came here without troops, and have called out the militia of Genesee, Niagara and Chatauque counties, en masse. I have the honor, &c.

GEO. M'CLURE, Brig. Gen. Comg..

Hon. J. ARMSTRONG.

These movements closed the campaign of the north, and both armies went into winter quarters..

CHAPTER XXX.

A General View of the Southern War.

VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS.

Copy of a letter from Major General Cocke, to the Secretary of War, dated

H. Q. Fort Armstrong, Nov. 28, 1813.

SIR--I have the honor to enclose you a copy of Brig. Gen. James White's detailed report of his excursion to the Hillibee Towns.

I am, &c.

JOHN COCKE, Maj. Gen..

GEN. WHITE'S REPORT.

Fort Armstrong, Nov. 24th, 1813.

Dear General-In mine of the 19th instant, by Major Outlaw, I promised you a detailed report, respecting the detachment ordered by you to the Hillibee Towns, in the Creek nation. In compliance with that promise, I have now the honor to state-That, under your order of the 11th inst. I immediately marched with the mounted infantry, under the immediate command of Colonel Burch; the cavalry, under the command of Major Porter; and a few of the Cherokee Indians, under the command of Col. Morgan-with very short rations for four days only. We continued our march to little Oakfuskie, when we fell in with and captured five hostile Creek. warriors, supposed to be spies. Finding no other In

dians at that place, we burned the town, which consisted of 30 houses. We then proceeded to a town called Genalga, and burned the same, which consisted of 93 houses; thence we proceeded to Nitty Chaptoa, consisting of about 25 houses, which I considered it most prudent not to destroy, as it might possibly be of use at some future period. From thence we marched to the Hillibee Town, consisting of about 20 houses, adjoining which was Grayson's farm. Previous to our arrival at that place, I was advised that a part of the hostile Creeks was assembled there. Having marched within six or seven miles of it, on the 17th, I dismounted a part of the force under my command, and sent them, under the command of Col. Burch, with the Cherokees, under the command of Col. Morgan, in advance, to surround the town in the night, and make the attack at day-light, on the 18th. Owing to the darkness of the night, the town was not reached until after day-light-but so complete was the surprise, that we succeeded in surrounding the town, and killing, and capturing almost (if not entirely) the whole of the hostile Creeks assembled there, consisting of about 316, of which number about 60 warriors were killed on the spot, and the remainder made prisoners. Before the close of the engagement, my whole force was up, and ready for action, had it become necessary; but, owing to the want of knowledge, on the part of the Indians, of our approach, they were entirely killed and taken before they could prepare for any effectual defence. We lost not one drop of blood in accomplishing this enterprise. We destroyed this village; and, in obedience to your orders, commenced our march for this post, which we were unable to reach until yesterday. I estimate the distance, from this to Grayson's farm, at about 100 miles. The ground over which we travelled, is so rough and hilly as to render a passage very difficult. Many defiles it was impossible to pass in safety, without the greatest precaution. For a part of the time, the weather was so very wet, being

encumbered with prisoners, and the troops, and their horses having to subsist, in a very great degree, upon such supplies as we could procure in the nation, rendered our march more tardy than it otherwise would have been.

The troops under my command have visited the heart of that section of the Creek nations where the Red Sticks were first distributed.

In justice to this gallant band, I am proud to state, that the whole of the officers and men, under the command of Col. Burch, performed their duty cheerfully, and without complaint-that from the cool, orderly and prompt manner in which Major Porter, and the cavalry under his command formed and conducted themselves in every case of alarm, I had the highest confidence in them. Col. Morgan, and the Cherokees under his command, gave undeniable evidence that they merit the employ of their government. In short, sir the whole detachment under my command, conducted in such a manner as to enable me to assure you that they are capable of performing any thing to which the same number of men are equal.

It gives me pleasure to add, that Mr. M'Corry, who acted as my aid in this expedition, rendered services that to me were indispensable-to his country very useful, and to himself highly honorable.

I have the honor to be, &c.

JAMES WHITE, Brig. Gen.

Maj. Gen. JOHN COCKE,