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Copy of a letter from Captain Morris to the Secretary of

the Navy. Sir,

Boston, September 20th, 1814. I have the honour to forward a detailed report of the circumstances attending the destruction of the United States' ship Adams, at Hampden, on the 3d instant.

On the 1st instant, at noon, I received intelligence by express, that the enemy with a force of sixteen sail were off the harbour of Castine, thirty miles below us. This intelligence was immediately forwarded to brigadier-general Blake, with a request that he would direct such force as could be collected, to repair immediately to Hampden. As our ship was prepared for heaving down, was in no situation to receive her armament, our attention was immediately directed to the occupation of such positions on shore as would best enable us to protect her. By great and unremitted exertions, and the prompt assistance of all the inhabitants in our immediate vicinity, during the 1st and 2d instant, nine pieces were transported to a commanding eminence near the ship, one to the place selected by general Blake for his line of battle, fourteen upon a wharf commanding the river below, and one on a point covering the communication between our hill and wharf batteries; temporary platforms of loose plank were laid, and such other arrangements made as would enable us to dispute the passage of a naval force.

Want of time prevented our improving all the advantages of our position, and we were compelled to leave our rear and flanks to the defence of the militia in case of attack by land troops. Favoured by a fresh breeze, the enemy had advanced to within three miles of our position at sunset on the 2d, with the Sylph mounting 26, and Peruvian 11 guns, and one transport, one tender, and ten barges, manned with seamen from the Bulwark and Dragon, under the command of commodore Barrie. Troops were landed under 'command of colonel Johns, opposite their shipping, without any opposition, their numbers unknown, but supposed to be about 350. To oppose these troops about 370 militia were then collected, , assisted by lieutenant Lewis of the United States artillery, who by a forced march had arrived from Castine with his detachment of 28 men. Many of the militia were without arms, and most of them without any ammunition, and as our numbers were barely sufficient to man our batteries, I ordered the ship's muskets to be distributed among the militia, and further ordered them to be supplied with ammunition. Our sick were sent across a creek, with orders for such as

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were able, to secure themselves in the woods in case of our defeat.

These arrangements were not concluded until late on the evening of the 2d. As the wind was fair for the enemy's approach, and the night dark, rainy, and favourable for his attempting a surprise, our men were compelled, notwithstanding previous fatigue, to remain at their batteries. At daylight, on the ed, I received intelligence from general Blake, that he had been reinforced by three companies, and that the enemy were then advancing upon him. A thick fog concealed their early movements, and their advance of barges and rocket-boats was not discovered until about 7 o'clock. Believ-' ing from their movements that they intended a simultaneous attack by land and water, I placed the hill battery under my

I first lieutenant, Wadsworth, assisted by lieutenant Madison, and Mr. Rogers the purser, and directed lieutenant Watson to place his small detachment of 20 marines in a position to watch the movements of the enemy's main body, assist in covering our flank, and finally to cover our retreat in case that became necessary. I had but just joined the wharf battery under the direction of lieutenants Parker and Beatty, and sailing master M‘Culloh, when the enemy's infantry commenced their attack upon the militia. The launches still held their position beyond the reach of our fire, ready to improve any advantage their troops might obtain. A few minutes only had elapsed when lieutenant Wadsworth informed me that our troops were retreating, and immediately after that they were dispersed and flying in great confusion. We had now no alternative but precipitate retreat or captivity. Our rear and flanks entirely exposed, without other means of defence on that side than our pikes and cutlasses. The only bridge across the creek above us nearer the

than ourselves, and the creek only fordable at low water, with the tide then rising. I therefore ordered lieutenant Wadsworth to spike his gúns, and retire across the bridge, which was done in perfect order, the marines under lieutenant Watson covering their rear. Orders were given at the same time to, fire the ship, spike the guns of the lower battery and join our companions across the creek. Before these orders were fully executed the enemy appeared on the hill from which our men just retired, and were exposed to their fire for a short time while completing them. Retreating in front of them for about five hundred yards, we discovered it impossible to gain the bridge, forded the creek, ascended the opposite bank, and gained our companions without receiving the slightest injury

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from the ill-directed fire of the enemy. We continued our retreat towards Bangor, when we found and retired upon a road leading to the Kennebec by a circuitous route of sixtyfive miles. Perceiving it impossible to subsist our men in a body through a country almost destitute of inhabitants, they were ordered to repair to Portland as speedily as they might be able. The entire loss of all personal effects rendered us dependent on the generosity of the inhabitants between the Penobscot and Kennebec for subsistence, who most cheerfully and liberally supplied our wants to the utmost extent of their limited means. Our warmest thanks are also due to the inhabitants of Waterville, Augusta, and Hallowell, for their liberality and attention. Our loss was but one marine and one seaman, made prisoners. That of the enemy was estimated at eight or ten killed, and from forty to fifty wounded, principally by the 18-pounder under charge of lieutenant Lewis of the United States artillery.

The character of my first lieutenant Wadsworth was already too well established to require the additional evidence he gave of richly deserving the entire confidence of the department and his country. His brother officers of the navy and marines, equally zealous and attentive, are equally entitled to my thanks and their country's approbation. The bravery of the seamen and marines is unquestioned, their uncommon good conduct upon their march, those feelings which induced them to rally round their flag at a distance of two hundred miles from the place of their dispersion, without one instance of desertion, entitle them to particular approbation, and render them an example which their brother tars may ever be proud to emulate. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. MORRIS. Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy.

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EXPEDITION AGAINST MICHILLIMACKINAC.

Copy of a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Croghan, to the Se

cretary of War, dated United States Sloop of War Niagara,

of Thunder Bay, 9th August, 1814. Sir,

We left Fort Gratiot (head of straits St. Clair), on the 13th ultimo, and imagined that we should arrive, in a few days, at Malchadash Bay. At the end of a week, however,

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the commodore, from the want of pilots acquainted with that unfrequented part of the lake, despaired of being able to find out a passage through the island into that bay; and made for St. Joseph's, where he anchored on the 20th day of July. After setting fire to the fort of St. Joseph, which seemed not to have been recently occupied, a detachment of infantry and artillery, under major Holmes, was ordered up to sault St. Mary's, for the purpose of breaking up the enemy's establishment at that place. For particulars relative to the execution of this order, I beg leave to refer you to major Holmes' report herewith inclosed. Finding, on my arrival at Michillimackinac, on the 26th ultimo, that the enemy had strongly fortified the height overlooking the old fort of Mackinac, I at once despaired of being able, with my small force, to carry the place by storm, and determined (as the only course remaining), on landing and establishing myself on some favourable position, whence I could be enabled to annoy the enemy by gradual and slow approaches, under cover of my artillery, in which I should have the superiority in point of metal. I was urged to adopt this step by another reason, not a little cogent; could a position be taken and fortified on the island, I was well aware that it would either induce the enemy to attack me in my strong holds, or force his Indians and Canadians (his most efficient, and only disposable force), off the island, as they would be very unwilling to remain in my neighbourhood after a permanent footing had been taken. On inquiry, I learned from individuals, who had lived many years on the island, that a position as desirable as I might wish, could be found on the west end, and therefore immediately made arrangements for disembarking. A landing was effected on the 4th instant, under cover of the guns ping, and the line being quickly formed, had advanced to the edge of the field spoken of for a camp, when intelligence was conveyed to me, that the enemy was a-head; a few seconds more brought us a fire from his battery, of four pieces, firing shot and shells. After reconnoitring his position, which was well selected, his line reaching along the edge of the woods, at the further extremity of the field, and covered by a temporary breast-work, I determined on changing my position (which was now two lines, the militia forming the front), by advancing major Holmes' battalion of regulars on the right of the militia, thus to out-flank him, and by a vigorous effort to gain his rear. This movement was immediately ordered, but before it could be executed, a fire was opened by some Indians posted in a thick wood near our right, which proved

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fatal to major Holmes, and severely wounded captain Desha, the officer next in rank. This unlucky fire, by depriving us of the services of our most valuable officers, threw that part of the line into confusion, from which the best exertions of the officers were not able to recover it. Finding it impossible to gain the enemy's left, owing to the impenetrable thickness of the woods, a charge was ordered to be made by the regulars immediately against the front. This charge, although made in some confusion, served to drive the enemy back into the woods, from whence an annoying fire was kept up by the Indians.

Lieutenant Morgan was ordered up with a light piece to assist the left, now particularly galled; the excellent practice of this piece brought the enemy to fire at a longer distance. Discovering that this disposition from whence the enemy had just been driven (and which had been represented to me as so high and commanding), was by no means tenable, from being interspersed with thickets, and intersected in every way by ravines; I determined no longer to expose my force to the fire of an enemy deriving every advantage which could be obtained from numbers and a knowledge of the position, and therefore ordered an immediate retreat towards the shipping

This affair, which cost us many valuable lives, leaves us to lament the fall of that gallant officer major Holmes, whose character is so well known to the war department. Captain Vanhorn, of the 19th infantry, and lieutenant Jackson, of the 24th infantry, both brave intrepid young men, fell mortally wounded at the head of their respective commands. The conduct of all my officers on this occasion merits my approbation. Captain Desha of the 24th infantry, although severely wounded, continued with his command until forced to retire from faintness through loss of blood. Captains Saunders, Hawkins, and Sturgus, with every subaltern of that battalion, acted in the most exemplary manner. Ensign Bryan, second rifle regiment acting-adjutant to the battalion, actively forwarded the wishes of the commanding officer. Lieutenants Hickman, 28th infantry, and Hyde, of the United States marines, who commanded the reserve, claim my particular thanks for their activity in keeping that command in readiness to meet any exigency. I have before mentioned lieutenant Morgan's activity: his two assistants, lieutenant Pickett and Mr. Peters, conductor of artillery, also merit the name of good officers.

The militia were wanting in no part of their duty. Colonel

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