War of 1812 Bicentennial

From the same.  

(Communication.)

Particulars of the late disastrous affair on Lake Champlain, &c.

The brave and lamented Captain Downie, in the Confiance, led our small flotilla into battle in a gallant style, and as far as talents, the valor of British tars, and enthusiastic devotion to their country, could command victory, the most successful event one reasonably expected. That noble officer fell in his country's cause, the second shot, but his place was ably filled by his Lieutenant, who continued the engagement with unabated vigor, and was in the act of laying along side the largest ship of the enemy, when the leader of the Confiance was nushipped by a shot from the enemy. The Linnet, a small brig, which with the Confiance was the only vessel of any size in our flotilla, went ashore; in this state laying like a log on the water, the Confiance maintained the unequal contest with the whole flotilla of the enemy, in which were four vessels of large size.—History produces nothing superior to the valor and gallantry of the officers and crew of the Confiance; suffice it ti say that she was literally fought to the water's edge; and if accounts are true, there remained but thirty of her men unhurt at the end of five hour's fighting—Such men will bring down the Americans, as their fathers heretofore have done the Dutch, who without disparagement, were at one time yet better sailors, than our unnatural foe. Would that a veil could be drawn over the scene on shore! but it must afford a sad tale in the page of British history! The scientific brave Generals, Officers, and soldiers of the Duke of Wellington's army, and the others who have before fought in our cause in the Canadas, did every thing which depended on them to support the noble efforts of their brothers on the water.—That distinguished officer, General Robinson, who has been twice wounded this year on the other continent, with part of his brigade, had braved all danger in an assault. Some of the picquets of the Fort were tore away, and a few minutes more would have given up the fortifications, with an immense train of artillery into our hands, and every American must fallen, or been made prisoner. It was thought necessary to check the ardor of the troops, and we must now instantly redouble our energies to obtain the command of the Lake, or with humility await our future destiny.