scouting parties between his [Porter's] line of march, and our, camp. As Porter moved, I ordered the parties advanced in front of our camp to fall back gradually, under the enemy's fire, in order to draw him, if possible, up to our line. About half past 4, the advance of general Porter's command met the light parties of the enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left. The enemy were driven, and Porter advancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in order of battle. From the cloud of dust rising, and the heavy firing, I was led to conclude that the entire force of the enemy was in march, and prepared for action. I immediately ordered general Scott to advance with his brigade, and Towson's artillery, and meet them upon the plain in front of our camp. The general did not expect to be gratified with a field engagement. He advanced in the most prompt and officer-like style, and in a few minutes was in close action upon the plain, with a superior force of British regular troops. By this time general Porter's command had given way, and fled in every direction, notwithstanding his personal gallantry, and great exertions to stay their flight. The retreat of the volunteers and Indians caused the left flank of general Scott's brigade to be greatly exposed. Captain Harris, with his dragoons, was directed to stop the fugitives, behind the ravine fronting our camp; and I sent colonel Gardner to order general Ripley to advance with the 21st regiment which formed part of the reserve, pass to the left of our camp, skirt the woods so as to keep out of view, and fall upon the rear of the enemy's right flank. This order was promptly obeyed, and the greatest exertions were made by the 21st regiment to gain their position, and close with the enemy, but in vain ; for such was the zeal and gallantry of the line commanded by general Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was not to be checked. Major Jessup, commanding the left flank battalion, finding himself pressed in front and in flank, and his men falling fast around him, ordered his battalion to "support arms and advance;" the order was promptly obeyed, amidst the most deadly and destructive fire. He gained a more secure position, and returned upon the enemy so galling a discharge, as caused them to retire. By this time, their whole line was falling back, and our gallant soldiers pressing upon them as fast as possible. As soon as the enemy had gained the sloping ground descending towards Chippewa, and distant a quarter of a mile, he broke and ran to gain his works. In this effort he was too successful, and the guns from his batteries opening immediately upon our line, checked in some degree the pursuit. At this moment I resolved to bring up all my ordnance, and force the place by a direct attack, and gave the order accordingly. Major Wood, of the corps of engineers, and my aid, captain Austin, rode to the bank of the creek towards the right of their line of works, and examined them. I was induced by their report, the lateness of the hour, and the advice of general Scott and major Wood, to order the forces to retire to camp. My most difficult duty remains to be performed; I am depressed with the fear of not being able to do justice to my brave companions in arms, and apprehensive, that some who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and promptly embraced it, will escape my notice. Brigadier general Scott is entitled to the highest praise our country can bestow: to him, more than any other man, I am indebted for the victory of the 5th of July. His brigade has covered itself with glory. Every officer and every man of the 9th and 22d, 11th and 25th regiments, did his duty, with a zeal and energy, worthy of the American character. When every officer stands so pre-eminently high in the path of his duty and honour, it is impossible to discriminate, but I cannot deprive myself of the pleasure of saying, that major Lavenworth commanded the 9th and 22d, major Jessup the 25th, and major M'Neil the 11th. Colonel Campbell was wounded early in the action, gallantly leading on his regiment. The family of general Scott were conspicuous in the field; lieutenant Smith of the 6th infantry, major of brigade, and lieutenants Worth and Watts, his aids. From general Ripley and his brigade, I received every assistance that I gave them an opportunity of rendering. I did not order any part of the reserve into action, until general Porter's command had given way, and then general Scott's movements were so rapid and decisive, that general Ripley could not get up in time with the 21st, to the position as directed. The corps of artillery under major Hindman, were not generally in action; this was not their fault. Captain Towson's company was the only one that had a full opportunity of distinguishing itself, and it is believed, that no company ever embraced an opportunity with more zeal or more success. A detachment from the 2d brigade under the command of lieutenant M'Donald, penetrated the woods with the Indians and volunteers, and for their support. The conduct of M'Donald and his command reflects high honour on the brigade to which they belong. The conduct of general Porter has been conspicuously gallant. Every assistance in his power to afford, with the description of force under his command, has been rendered. We could not expect him to contend with the British column of regulars which appeared upon the plains of Chippewa. It was no cause of surprise to me, to see his command retire before this column. Justice forbids that I should omit to name my own family They yield to none in honourable zeal, intelligence, and attention to duty. Colonel Gardner, major Jones, and my aids, captains Austin and Spencer, have been as active and as much devoted to the cause as any officers of the army. Their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments; of Gardner and Jones I shall have occasion again to speak to you. Major Camp, deputy quarter master general, deserves my particular notice and approbation. By his great exertions, I was enabled to find the means of crossing. Captain Daliba, of the ordnance department, has rendered every service in his power. The inclosed return will show you our loss, and furnish you with the names of the dead and wounded officers. These gallant men must not be forgotten. Our country will remember them, and do them justice. With great respect, &c. Hon. John Armstrong, Secretary of War JACOB BROWN. INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, H. Q. LEFT DIVISION, Return of the killed, wounded, and prisoners, of the enemy, in the action of the 5th instant, fought on the plains within half a mile of Chippewa, between the left division of the United States' army, commanded by major general Brown, and the English forces, under the command of major general Riall. KILLED. Three captains, three subalterns, and eighty-seven rank and file of the regular troops. WOUNDED.-Two captains of the 1st Royal Scots, one lieute nant of the 100th regiment, and seventy-two rank and file of the Royal Scots, 8th and 100th regiments. PRISONERS.-One captain of the Indians, and nine rank and file of the regulars. KILLED IN THE WOODS.-Of the Indians eighty-seven, of the militia and regulars eighteen. INDIAN PRISONERS.-One chief and four privates. Total of the enemy placed hors de combat, that we have ascertained beyond a doubt, 6 captains, 4 subalterns, and 298 rank and file. Those reported under the head of wounded and prisoners, were so severely injured, that it would have been impracticable for them to have escaped. The enemy had the same facilities of carrying their wounded from the field at the commencement of the action as ourselves, and there can be no doubt, from the information that I have received from unquestionable sources, that they carried from the field as many of their wounded as are reported above in the total. Major general Brown. A. ORNE, Asst. Ins. Gen. Report of the killed and wounded of the left division, commanded by major general Brown, in the action of the 5th July, 1814, on the plains of Chippewa, Upper Canada. H. Q. CAMP CHIPPEWA, July 7th, 1814. ARTILLERY-Killed, 4 privates; wounded severely, 3 corporals, 5 privates; 8 privates slightly. GENERAL SCOTT'S BRIGADE, 9TH INFANTRY-Killed, 2 musicians, 11 privates; wounded severely, 1 captain, 2 subalterns, 2 corporals, 19 privates; slightly, 2 sergeants, 18 privates. 22D INFANTRY ATTACHED-Killed, 8 privates; wounded severely, 1 captain, 8 privates; slightly, 2 sergeants, 33 privates. 11TH INFANTRY-Killed, I sergeant, 4 corporals, 10 privates; wounded severely, 1 colonel, 1 subaltern, 3 sergeants, 5 corporals, 28 privates; slightly, 3 sergeants, 19 privates. 23D INFANTRY-Killed, 1 sergeant, 4 privates; wounded severely, 1 captain, 2 subalterns, 5 sergeants, 2 corporals, 57 privates; slightly, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 musician, 19 privates. GENERAL RIPLEY'S BRIGADE, 21ST REGIMENT, NONE; 19TH INFANTRY ATTACHED-Killed, 3 privates; severely wounded, 2 privates; missing, 2. 23D INFANTRY--Severely wounded, 1 private. GENERAL P. B. PORTER'S COMMAND, FENTON's Regiment of PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA-Killed, 3 privates; severely wounded, 1 private; slightly, I private; missing, 3 officers, 4 non-commissioned officers and privates. CORPS OF INDIANS-Killed, 9 privates; severely wounded, 4; slightly, 4; missing, 10. GRAND TOTAL-2 sergeants, 4 corporals, 2 musicians, 52 privates, killed. 1 colonel, 3 captains, 5 subalterns, 8 sergeants, 12 corporals, 105 privates, severely wounded. 9 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 musician, 103 privates, slightly wounded. S officers, 16 non-commissioned officers and privates, missing. Total, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, 316. Aggregate, 328. Names and rank of Officers wounded. Colonel Campbell, 11th infantry, severely; knee-pan fractured. Captain King, 22d infantry, dangerously; shot wound in the abdomen. Captain Read, 25th infantry, badly; flesh wound in the thigh. Captain Harrison, 42d, doing duty in the 9th infantry, severely; shot wound in the shoulder. Lieutenant Barron, 11th infantry, severely. Lieutenant De Witt, 25th infantry, severely. Lieutenant Patchim, 25th infantry, badly; flesh wound in the thigh. Lieutenant Brimhall, 9th infantry, slightly. NOTE. The slightly wounded are fast recovering. C. K. GARDNER, Adjt. Gen. INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, H. Q. LEFT DIVISION, Return of the British prisoners of War, who surrendered by capitulation with Fort Erie, on the afternoon of the 3d July, 1814, to the left division of the United States' army, under the com mand of major general Brown. 8th or King's Regiment-1 major. Royal Artillery-1 lieutenant, 1 corporal, 1 bombardier, and 19 gunners. 100th Regiment-1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 4 sergeants, 5 corporals, 3 musicians, 93 privates. Recapitulation. 8th Regiment-1 major. Royal Artillery-1 subaltern, 4 sergeants, 5 corporals, 3 musicians, 98 privates. Aggregate, 137. Major general Brown. SIR, A. ORNE, Asst. Ins. Gen. LOSS OF THE ALLIGATOR. ST. HELENA ISLAND, July 2d, 1814. The painful task of informing you of the particulars of the loss of the United States' schooner Alligator, I am now able to undertake. On the 1st July, at 3 P. M. while at anchor in the Port Royal Sound, with lower yards down, and top-gallant-masts housed, a heavy dark cloud rose in the west, and coming rapidly by us, the squall, when within about half a mile, had the appearance of a water spout or whirlwind; supposing from its appearance it would upset or destroy us, I thought the only way to save the vessel would be to run her on shore, as it was first quarter flood; the cable was cut and the head of the jib hoisted; when before the wind, she was struck by a most tremendous blast, but no injury was done; it then cleared up. The small bower anchor was then let go, and the vessel brought up. In ten minutes she was struck by another still more violent gust, and instantly upset; the cable was again cut, in hopes that she would drive on shore, but all to no purpose; she sunk in four fathoms water, some of the men attempted to gain the shore by swimming, but dreadful to relate only four succeeded; twenty-three were drowned. Among |