Kingston, Upper Canada, June 3, 1813. My lord,-I have the honour of acquainting your lordship, that, on the 27th ult. the enemy succeeded in effecting a landing, about two miles from Fort George, under the cover of the fire of their flotilla and batteries, with a force so very far superior to any which we could bring against them, that notwithstanding the most determined and gallant opposition on the part of his Majesty's troops, under the command of Colonel Vincent, he was unable to maintain his position on that frontier, and obliged, after falling back upon Queenstown, to retire with the whole of his army, which he had collected from Chip pawa and Fort Erie, to the head of the lake. By the report of Colonel Vincent, which I have the honour herewith to transmit, your lordship will find, that this part of the frontier was not abandoned until every possible exertion had been made to retain it, and until the forts and batteries had been rendered, at least for a time, an useless acquisition to the enemy, by their destruction, and that of the ammunition, which could not be carried away.

I have great satisfaction in stating to your lordship, that, notwithstanding the unequal contest which was so long and so gallantly supported by a handful of his Majesty's troops against an overwhelming force, the army has not been very considerably weakened by the loss they have sustained; and that they were enabled to retire without molestation from the enemy, to a position at the head of Lake Ontario, where Colonel Vincent will endeavour to make a stand until I shall have it in my power to rein

force him, or until circumstances shall oblige him farther to fall back. Conceiving that the appearance of the fleet under Commodore Sir James Yeo off the position occupied by Colonel Vincent might give additional consequence to his troops, I have embarked the remainder of the 8th regiment, consisting of about 200 men, with which, and a supply of clothing, ammunition, and provisions, the fleet sailed this morning.

The enemy's flotilla were seen yesterday returning to Sackett's harbour, to which place they had, without doubt, been recalled by the attack upon it. I last night received a confirmation of this fact from a flag of truce, which had been sent over with one of our wounded officers, from whom I learn, that their fleet is in port, and that the whole of the naval stores collected at Sackett's harbour were consumed by fire on the day of the attack.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) GEORGE PREVOST.

Earl Bathurst, &c.

Admiralty Office, July 10. Copy of a letter from the Hon. Captain Capel, of his Majesty's ship La Hogue, to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dated at Halifax, June 11, 1813.

Sir, It is with the greatest pleasure I transmit you a letter I have just received from Captain Broke, of his Majesty's ship Shannon, detailing a most brilliant achievement, in the capture of the United States frigate Chesapeake, in 15 minutes. Capt. Broke relates so fully the particulars of this gallant affair, that I feel it unne

cessary

cessary to add much to his narrative; but I cannot forbear expressing the pleasure I feel in bearing testimony to the indefatigable exertions, and persevering zeal of Capt. Broke, during the time he has been under my orders: placing a firm reliance on the valour of his officers and crew, and a just confidence in his system of discipline, he sought every opportunity of meeting the enemy on fair terms; and I have to rejoice with his country and his friends, at the glorious result of this contest: he gallantly headed his boarders in the assault, and carried all before him. His wounds are severe, but I trust his country will not be long deprived of his ser

Vices.

I have the honour to be, &c.

THOMAS BLADEN CAPEL, Capt. and senior officer at Halifax.

Shannon, Halifax, June 6, 1813. Sir, I have the honour to inform you, that being close in with Boston Light House, in his Majesty's ship under my command, on the 1st inst. I had the pleasure of seeing that the United States frigate Chesapeake (whom we had long been watching) was coming out of the harbour to engage the Shannon; I took a position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove-to for him to join us; the enemy came down in a very handsome manner, having three American ensigns flying; when closing with us, he sent down his royal yards. I kept the Shannon's up, expecting the breeze would die away. At half past five p. m. the enemy hauled up within bail of us on the starboard side,

and the battle began, both ships steering full under the topsails; after exchanging between two and three broadsides, the enemy's ship fell on board of us, her mizen channels locking in with our forerigging. I went forward to ascertain her position, and observing that the enemy were flinching from their guns, I gave orders to prepare for boarding. Our gallant bands appointed to that service immediately rushed in, under their respective officers, upon the enemy's decks, driving every thing before them with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate but disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gangways, and between the tops, but in two minutes' time the enemy were driven sword in hand from every post. The American flag was hauled down, and the proud old British Union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they ceased firing from below, and called for quarter. The whole of this service was achieved in fifteen minutes from the commencement of the action.

I have to lament the loss of many of my gallant shipmates, but they fell exulting in their conquest.

My brave first lieutenant, Mr. Watt, was slain in the moment of victory, in the act of hoisting the British colours; his death is a severe loss to the service. Mr. Aldham, the purser, who had spiritedly volunteered the charge of a party of small arm men, was killed at his post on the gangway. My faithful old clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. Mr. Aldham has left a widow to lament his loss. I request the com

mander

mander in chief will recommend her to the protection of the lords commissioners of the Admiralty. My veteran boatswain, Mr. Stephens, has lost an arm. He fought under Lord Rodney on the 12th of April. I trust his age and services will be duly rewarded.

I am happy to say that Mr. Samwell, a midshipman of much merit, is the only other officer wounded besides myself, and be not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and marines we had twenty-three slain and fifty six wounded. I subjoin the names of the former. No expressions I can make use of can do justice to the merits of my valiant officers and crew; the calm courage they displayed during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of their fire, could only be equalled by the ardour with which they rushed to the assault. I recommend them all warmly to the protection of the commander in chief. Having received a severe sabre wound at the first onset, whilst charging a part of the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command till assured our conquest was complete, and then directing second Lieut, Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners, I left the third lieutenant, Mr. Falkiner (who had headed the main deck boarders) in charge of the prize. I beg to recommend these officers most strongly to the commander in chief's patronage, for the gallantry they displayed during the action, and the skill and judgment they evinced in the anxious duties which afterwards devolved upon them.

To Mr. Etough, the acting

master, I am much indebted, for the steadiness in which he conn'd the ship into action. The Lieuts. Johns and Law, of the marines, bravely boarded at the head of their respective divisions. It is impossible to particularize every brillant deed performed by my officers and mer; but I must mention, when the ships' yard-arms were locked together, that Mr Cosnahan, who commanded in our main-top, finding himself screened from the enemy by the foot of the topsail, laid out at the main-yard-arm to fire upon them, and shot three men in that situation. Mr. Smith, who commanded in our fore-top, stormed the enemy's fore-top from the fore-yard arm, and destroyed all the Americans remaining in it. I particularly beg leave to recom. mend Mr. Etough, the acting master, and Messrs. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and Little, john, midshipmen. This latter officer is the son of Capt. Littlejohn, who was slain in the Berwick, The loss of the enemy was about 70 killed, and 100 wounded. Among the former were the four lieutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master and many other officers. Capt. Laurence is since dead of his wounds.

The enemy came into action with a complement of four hundred and forty men; the Shannon having picked up some recaptured seamen, had three hundred and thirty. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts forty-nine guns, eighteens on her main deck, two and thirties on her quarter-deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most beautiful order, their rigging appearing as

perfect

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) P. B. V. BROKE. To Captain the Hon. T. Bladen Capel, &c. Halifax.

Admiralty Office, August 14. Dispatches of which the follow ing are copies, have been received at this office from Admiral the Right Hon. Sir J. B. Warren, Bart. and K. B. commander in chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels on the American and West Indian station, addressed to J. W. Croker, Esq.

San Domingo, Hampton roads,

Chesapeake, June 24.

Sir,-1 request you will inform their lordships, that, from the information received of the enemy's fortifying Craney Island, and it being necessary to obtain possession of that place, to enable the light ships and vessels to proceed up the narrow channel towards Norfolk, to transport the troops over, on that side for them to attack the new fort and lines, in the rear of which the Constellation frigate was anchored, I directed the troops under Sir Sydney Beck with to be landed upon the continent, within the nearest point to that place, and a reinforcement of seamen and marines from the ships; but, upon approaching the island, from the extreme shoalness of the water on the sea-side, and the difficulty of getting across from the land, as well as the island itself being fortified with a number of guns and men from the frigate and the militia, and flanked by fifteen

quence of the representation of the officer commanding the troops, of the difficulty of their passing over from the land, that the persevering in the attempt would cost more men than the number with us would permit, as the other forts must have been stormed before the

frigate and dock-yard could be destroyed; I therefore ordered the troops to be re-embarked.

I am happy to say, that the loss in the above affair (returns of which are enclosed) has not been considerable, and only two boats sunk. I have to regret, that Capt. Hanchett, of his Majesty's ship Diadein, who volunteered his services, and led the division of boats with great gallantry, was severely wounded by a ball in the thigh. The officers and men behaved with much bravery, and if it had been possible to have got at the enemy, I am persuaded would have soon gained the place.

I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN BORLASE WARREN. J. W. Croker, Esq.

Norfolk,

Norfolk, I considered it advisable, and with a view to cut off their resources, to direct it to be attacked by the troops composing the flying corps attached to this squadron; and having instructed RearAdmiral Cockburn to conduct the naval part of the expedition, and placed Captain Pechell, with the Mohawk sloop and launches, as a covering force, under his orders, the troops were disembarked with the greatest zeal and alacrity.

Sir S. Beckwith,commanding the troops, having most ably attacked and defeated the enemy's force, and took their guns, colours, and camp, I refer their lordships to the quarter-master-general's report (which is enclosed), and that will explain the gallantry and behaviour of the several officers and men employed on this occasion, and I trust will entitle them to the favour of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and the approbation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

Sir Sydney Beckwith having reported to me that the defences of the town were entirely destroyed, and the enemy completely dispersed in the neighbourhood, I ordered the troops to be re-embarked, which was performed with the utmost good order by the several officers of the squadron, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Cockburn. I have, &c.

JOHN B. WARREN.

J. W. Croker, Esq.

His Majesty's ship San Domingo, Hampton Roads,

June 28.

Sir, I have the honour to report to you, that in compliance with your orders to attack the ene

my in town and camp at Hampton, the troops under my command were put into light sailing vessels and boats during the night of the 25th instant, and by the excellent arrangements of Rear Admiral Cockburn, who was pleased in person to superintend the advance, under Lieut.-Colonel Napier, consisting of the 102d regiment, two companies of Canadian chasseurs, three companies of marines from the squadron, with two six pounders from the royal marines artillery, were landed half an hour before daylight the next morning, about two miles to the westward of the town, and the royal marine battalions, under Lieut.-Colonel Williams were brought on shore so expeditiously, that the column was speedily enabled to move forward.

With a view to turn the enemy's position, our march was directed towards the great road, leading from the country into the rear of the town whilst the troops moved off in this direction, Rear Admiral Cockburn, to engage the enemy's attention, ordered the armed launches and rocket boats to commence a fire upon their batteries; this succeeded so completely, that the head of our advanced guard had cleared a wood, and were already on the enemy's flank before our approach was perceived; they then moved from their camp to their position in rear of the town, and here they were vigorously attacked by Lieut.-Colonel Napier, and the advance; unable to stand which, they continued their march to the rear of the town, when a detachment, under Lieut. Col. Williams, conducted by Captain Powell, assistant quarter mastergeneral,