The Patriot, Friday, March 2, 1838
& The Upper Canada Herald – Tuesday, March 6, 1838.
Amherstburgh, 25th Feb. 1838.
Sir, - I have the honour to report that agreeably to
your instructions, I last night proceeded with an escort of the St. Thomas Volunteer
Cavalry to the Petit Cote for the purpose of reconnoitring the position of Fighting
Island, then in the possession of the rebels, and to ascertain the practicability of
passing troops over the ice for the purpose of dislodging them. Finding that Colonel
Elliot, commanding at Sandwich, had returned to his post with the Militia and Volunteers
under his command, I immediately despatched a Dragoon for the purpose of recalling him,
and desiring that he would meet me with all his disposable force for the purpose of
co-operating with the regular troops you were so good as to entrust me with from this
garrison. The latter, consisting of Captain Browne’s Company, 32d Regiment, the 83d
Company under Lieutenant Kelsall, and Captain Glasgow’s detachment of the Royal
Artillery, with one nine-pounder, joined me this morning at about half past six, A.M. The
former under Colonels Elliot and Askin, arrived about seven, amounting to between three
and four hundred men. I immediately gave instructions for Captain Glasgow to open a fire
on the enemy, who were seen in great numbers on the banks of the Island and on the ice;
and I have great satisfaction in adding that his practice was attended with the best
results, the enemy being much discomposed by the precision and rapidity of the fire.
On concentrating my forces I immediately adopted the revolution of
passing the ice at any point that might be found practicable, much doubt existing as to the
safety of the passage. We, however, were fortunate in selecting one at which to cross in
single files below the Island, the enemy, I have reason to believe, supposing such an
event impossible.
Captain Browne, with the Company of the 32d, leading the way, followed
by the 83d, the former being the first over, I directed to keep the outskirts of the
Island, facing the American shore, with a view of intercepting the retreat of the rebels;
whilst the latter moved at extended order through the brushwood, flanked and supported by
the Militia and Volunteers.
This advance was executed with regularity and order, and I only regret
that the enemy did not give us the opportunity of disproving to the American nation and
the rebels who have so actively disseminated the libel "that the Militia of the Upper
Province would not fight against them," as I can safely say I never witnessed more
alacrity and zeal displayed than was shown on this occasion by that body, or greater
anxiety to encounter their foul aspersers.
The flight of the rebels was most precipitate, leaving behind them one
gun which was only discharged once, various arms, rifles, muskets, pistols, swords, and
provisions of every kind, together with powder, shot, and other munitions. I beg to
observe of the muskets, that they were of the United States Army, and perfectly new, not
having been fired, and apparently just taken out of the boxes which were found in their
camp. Of the provisions too I must add that they were in many cases of a quality different
to what would be furnished for the use of troops, consisting of crackers in barrels, boxes
of smoked herrings, &c., and such as would have been contributed by a sympathizing
public rather than by a Commissariat.
The most pleasing and yet most difficult part of my duty remains to be
performed, viz. the calling your attention to the steadiness and general good conduct of
the troops employed on this occasion, and the alacrity and zeal evinced by the large body
of Volunteers and Militia that responded to my call.
Where every one vied in the discharge of the duties assigned to them it
would be invidious in me to particularize – but I must be excused if I mention the
zealous co-operation of the following officers commanding corps: - Colonels Elliot and
Askin, of the 2nd Essex Militia – Capt. Glasgow of the Royal Artillery
– Capt. Ermatinger of the St. Thomas Volunteer Cavalry – and Lieut. Colonel
Prince who, though not commanding, was conspicuous as a Volunteer; I also beg to call your
attention to the alacrity with which the Indians of the neighbourhood turned out to our
assistance – it is perhaps worthy of remark that on the Rebels retiring to the
American shore, they there formed themselves into Platoons and fired several rounds on us,
but without effect.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
H. D. TOWNSHEND,
Major 24th Regt. & Colonel.
Col. The Hon. John Maitland, Commanding 32d Regiment,
Amherstburgh.
Amherstburg, U. C.
25th February, 1838.
Sir – I have the honour to inform you that information reached me
yesterday afternoon, about 3 o’clock, that a considerable body of piratical rebels
from Detroit had entered the British territories on this frontier, and taken possession of
Her Majesty’s Island called Fighting Island.
This Island is a long strip of land situated between Sandwich and
Amherstburg, about 8 miles from hence; from the best information I could collect, the
Rebels there were reported to number from three to five hundred men, well provided with
arms, ammunition and provisions; as I was given to understand that reinforcements of men
and cannon were expected at the island immediately to strengthen their position, and
fearing that such would doubtless follow if means were not taken to dislodge them, I
determined to lose no time in sending a detachment of troops to drive them off the Island;
at three o’clock this morning I despatched to the village opposite that place two
companies, one of Her Majesty’s 32d Regiment, and one do. Of the 83d Regiment,
accompanied by a nine-pounder under the command of Captain Glasgow of the Royal Artillery.
I directed Lieut. Colonel Elliott, commanding the Militia force at
Sandwich, to meet this detachment at the village with about 250 of his men; the whole were
accordingly assembled, and under the command of Col. Townshend of Her Majesty’s 24th
Regiment, with instructions from me to the above effect, and which I am happy to say has
been accomplished; (and the troops have returned to their quarters at 12 this day,) as you
will see by the enclosed report directed to me, which, together with my letter, I have to
request you will lay before his Excellency the Lieut. Governor of the province, as also
His Excellency the Lieutenant General Commanding.
I trust that this trifling affair will check the proceedings of the
lawless banditti which of late have been the means of much disappointment and annoyance,
by keeping the troops on this frontier perpetually in expectation of an attack. The last
three nights, I have been obliged to keep the soldiers in readiness to move at a
moment’s call; last night, from reports I received I had every reason to expect that
I should have been attacked at Amherstburgh, by a force said to be collected, amounting
from fifteen hundred to two thousand men, at Munroe and in that neighbourhood; from the
credible sources I derived these accounts; it obliges me t be, I may say, in hourly
expectation of the advance of the Rebels, but I regret to say they do no more than repeat
those threats, and which will no doubt continue until the ice breaks up, which at present
in this neighbourhood is firm from the opposite shore all round us. Should they have the
temerity to try an attack, I am in every way prepared for them.
There is an important circumstance connected with this affair, which I
deem it my duty to notice – the individuals dislodged from Fighting Island by the
Queen’s troops are chiefly American citizens; and further, that the arms in their
possession, a few stands of which were captured, are new United States muskets, and marked
accordingly; and, strange to say! That on the evacuation of the Island by these people, it
is a remarkable fact that they were permitted to return to the American shore, where they
formed in line, and opened a fire from thence on Her Majesty’s troops, and this
without obstruction on the part of the American Authorities. Whatever may be the professed
desire to preserve the neutrality between Great Britain and the United States, or the
orders given for enforcing it, my opinion is, that the conduct of the Authorities in this
instance partakes more of connivance at the outrages daily practiced under their own eyes,
than of the smallest effort to prevent those occurrences so much to be complained of.
Since writing the above, I have ascertained from two United States
officers who have waited upon me, that several of the Rebels were severely wounded by the
cannon-shot.
I have the honor to be
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
John Maitland, Lieut.-Col.
Commanding 32d Regt. And
Colonel commanding..
Colonel Foster, Commanding the Troops in U. C. &c. &c.
Now let us sing the Yankee Song of Triumph:-
"Let our victorious banner fly,
And give our bugles breath!
Forward! And let the battle-cry
Be victory or death!
"But what is yonder dusky cloud?
And what yon bold array?
THE BRITONS COME! Lord! What a crowd!
GOOD GOD! LET'S RUN AWAY!"
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