The British Colonist
Thursday, March 22, 1838
We give below the official account of the Point au Pele business. It differs
little in substance from the accounts we were enabled to give before, from private
sources.
[Copy.]
Amherstburgh, U. C. 4th March, 1838.
Sir, - When I wrote to you on Sunday last, announcing the defeat of the pirates at
Fighting Island, I did not think I should have to report to you another instance of a
British Island, being taken possession of in this quarter.
Early in the week, I received information from different quarters, that Point Pele
Island had been taken possession of by the pirates from Sandusky Bay. This island is of
considerable magnitude, being form seven to nine miles in length and from four to five in
breadth; it is situated in Lake Erie, about forty miles from Amherstburgh, and twenty
miles from the shore. I sent three or four local officers to ascertain the fact of their
being there; they went close to the shore, and were fired upon; this, together with the
circumstance of several people who had gone over to the island to look after their
property, and who were detained by the pirates, confirmed me that the report was true. I,
therefore, on Thursday afternoon despatched Captain Glasgow, of the Royal Artillery, to
inspect the strength of the ice, and report his opinion to me, as to the practicability of
moving guns and troops to that place. He returned the following day, at 12 o’clock,
and reported that the ice was practicable and strong enough to pass. I therefore
determined, without loss of time, to attack them by day break the following morning;
accordingly, with two guns, (6 pounders) the 4 companies of the 32d Regt, 1 comp’y of
the 83d, a small detachment of 30 belonging to the Sandwich troop of Cavalry, and St.
Thomas troop of Cavalry, 1 company of the Essex Volunteer militia, and a small party of
Indians, moved that evening under my own immediate command, eighteen miles along the lake
shore, where I halted for some time, to rest the horses, and at two o’clock in the
morning commenced my march on the lake ice, arriving at the island just at the break of
day.
I had previously arranged my plan of attack, which was as follows: - I directed Captain
Brown, with the first and second companies of the 32d Regiment to proceed round to the
south end of the island, and take up a position on the ice to intercept any attempting at
escape by that direction, he was accompanied by a detachment of about twenty-five men of
the Sandwich and St. Thomas Cavalry; having made this arrangement, I landed myself with
the remainder of the force and the two guns at the north end; the rebels fled at my
approach, and escaped into the woods. I was here informed by some of the loyalists, who
had been made prisoners by the pirates on the island, that they were in force to the
amount of about five hundred, the troops moved on in extended order, and pursued them
through the Island, but, as the wood was thick, and the snow extremely deep and heavy, the
men were much retarded in their progress.
The rebels finding themselves hemmed in on every side, moved out at the south end of
the island, the only place by which they could escape to the American shore, and advanced
in a line upwards of 300 men, well armed, and organized, upon Captain Brown’s
detachment, where they met with the greatest resistance, a brisk fire being kept up on
both sides for some time, and several of Captain Brown’s detachment having fallen he
determined to charge them, which he did, and forced them back (to the wood where they
retreated in great confusion,) at the point of the bayonet. I particularly beg to
recommend this circumstance to the notice of His Excellency the Lieutenant General
commanding.
On the road, inside of the wood, the rebels had a number of sleighs, by which means
they succeeded in escaping at the southernmost point of the Island, and got over to the
American coast, leaving killed on the spot their commanding officer – a Colonel
Bradley, a Major Howdley, and Captains Van Rensselaer and McKeon, and several others; some
prisoners were taken, several of whom were severely wounded.
I regret to say that the taking of the island has not been gained without considerable
loss on our part, and I have to request that you will report for his Excellency’s
information, that thirty soldiers of the 32d Regt. Fell in this affair, 2 of whom were
killed, the others wounded, some dangerously, some severely. I sincerely regret the loss
of so many brave soldiers, and feel it more when I reflect they did not fall before an
honorable enemy, but under the fire of a desperate gang of murderers and marauders. A list
of the killed and wounded I have the honor herewith to enclose. Having scoured the woods,
and satisfied myself that the island was cleared, I reformed the troops, and about five
o’clock in the evening proceeded back; and the soldiers returned to their quarters at
Amherstburgh that night.
When you take a view of the circumstances of this affair, I need hardly detail to you
the arduous duties the soldiers have had to perform, from the time they left until their
return – traveling as they did forty miles in an excessively cold night twenty of
which were across the lake, accomplishing the object I had in view, namely, the liberating
the loyal people detained on the island, gaining possession of the place; restoring it to
the proprietors, defeating with considerable loss, the enemy, and returning again to the
barracks within forty hours.
My warmest thanks are due to the whole of the officers, who supported me in this
undertaking, and it is impossible for me in words to do justice to the gallant soldiers of
Her Majesty’s Royal Artillery, 32d Regt., 83d Reg., and the Loyal Volunteers of
Cavalry, Infantry, and the few Indians who constituted the force under my command. I have
to regret that Mr. Thomas Parish, a private in the St. Thomas Troop of Volunteer Cavalry
was killed in rear of the 32d Regiment by a musket shot.
I trust this second repulse on this frontier, of the American banditi, (let it be
understood that I have it from satisfactory authority that the whole of this gang driven
from Pele Island, are American citizens,) will be a lesson to them that they are not with
impunity to hold British Territory.
A large tri-colored flag, with two stars and the word "Liberty" worked upon
it, and eleven prisoners, were also taken, some of whom state they were formerly on Navy
Island; about forty stand of American muskets, some ammunition, swords, &c. were also
taken.
I am informed by the prisoners, that it was the decided intention of these people to
land on the Canadian shore last night, and march upon Amherstburgh, destroying by fire all
the houses &c. they had to pass and for which six sleigh loads of American citizens
from Sandusky Bay had joined them in the night previous to my attack, and made their
escape back again immediately on my appearance in front of the island.
I have the honor to request that you will lay the substance of this letter before his
Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and forward it to Montreal, for the information of his
Excellency the Lieutenant General Commanding.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient,
Humble Servant,
(Signed) JOHN MAITLAND,
Lt. Col. Commanding 32d Regt., and Col. Commanding the Western Frontier.
[Copy.]
Amherstburgh, U. C. 5th March, 1838.
Dear Colonel – I have to report to you that Sutherland and a young of the name of
Spencer, who they say is his Aid de Camp; were captured yesterday by Colonel Prince of
Sandwich, about two miles on the ice; he brought them in here, and lodged them in the
Guard House; but I think it is not safe that they should remain here long; I shall forward
them today under a strong escort to Toronto, in charge of Captain Rudyerd, of the loyal
Essex Volunteers.
I have had no conversation with this man, merely to state to him that it was my duty to
send him to Toronto.
Captain Rudyerd has been acting here as Brigade Major since the calling out of the
Militia Forces in this part of the country, - I and Colonel Townshend have found him very
useful in this situation; he was with his company with me at the capture of Point au Pele
Island, and will be able to give you any information you may require upon this subject.
I was very lucky in having nearly the last of the frosty weather to drive these fellows
off the Island, for last night and this morning the =weather has become soft, and the ice
is beginning to get rotten.
Some how or other, I think Sutherland must have been making his way to the island when
he was taken, but he pretends to know nothing of the action that took place.
I have nothing new to report to you. – Our wounded men are doing pretty well, but
some of them of the wounds are most severe bone wounds. I have been obliged to send to
London express, for the other Assistant Surgeon of the Regiment, indeed I think if he
could be spared, another Medical Officer is required here for the moment.
Enclosed is a deposition made before a Magistrate by Colonel Prince, relative to the
capture of Sutherland and Spencer.
I am dear Colonel,
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) JOHN MAITLAND,
Colonel Commanding Western District.
To Colonel Foster,
Commanding the forces in Upper Canada.
&c. &c. &c.
Toronto
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14 Nov 2003 20:14:31
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