Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
September 29, 1814
Martinsburgh Gazette
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Letters reporting U.S. victory over British forces at Plattsburgh in 1814: Commodore Macdonough details naval capture of enemy ships on Lake Champlain; Gen. Macomb describes repulsion of 14,000 British troops, their retreat, and minimal U.S. losses.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Copy of a letter from Commodore Macdonough to the Secretary of the Navy, dated
U. States' ship Saratoga, off
Plattsburgh, September 11.
SIR--The Almighty has been pleased to grant us a signal victory on Lake Champlain, in the capture of one frigate, one brig and two sloops of war of the enemy.
I have the honor to be very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant.
T. MACDONOUGH, Com.
Hon. W. Jones, Secretary of the Navy.
Copy of a letter from Gen. Macomb (just received) to the Secretary of War, dated
Fort Moreau, September 12.
SIR--I have the honor to inform you that the British army, consisting of four brigades, a corps of artillery, a squadron of horse, and a strong light corps, amounting in all to about fourteen thousand men, after investing this place on the north of the Saranac river since the fifth inst. broke up their camp and raised the siege this morning at two o'clock.
They are now retreating precipitately, leaving their sick and wounded behind.
The enemy opened his batteries yesterday morning, and continued the cannonading, bombarding and rocket firing until sunset; by this time our batteries had completely silenced those of our opponents.
The light troops and militia are now in full pursuit of the enemy, making prisoners in all directions. Deserters are continually coming in, so that the loss of the British army in this enterprize will be considerable.
The officers and men have all done their duty. The artillery and engineers have performed their functions with a zeal and precision highly creditable to themselves and honorable to their country.
Our loss is trifling indeed, having only one officer and fifteen men killed, and one officer and thirty men wounded.
The militia of New York and the volunteers of Vermont have been exceedingly serviceable, and have evinced a degree of patriotism and bravery worthy of themselves and to the states which they respectively belong.
The strength of the garrison is only fifteen hundred effective men rank and file.--
I have the honor to be with perfect respect, sir, your most obedient servant,
ALEX'R. MACOMB.
The Hon. the Secretary of War.
U. States' ship Saratoga, off
Plattsburgh, September 11.
SIR--The Almighty has been pleased to grant us a signal victory on Lake Champlain, in the capture of one frigate, one brig and two sloops of war of the enemy.
I have the honor to be very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant.
T. MACDONOUGH, Com.
Hon. W. Jones, Secretary of the Navy.
Copy of a letter from Gen. Macomb (just received) to the Secretary of War, dated
Fort Moreau, September 12.
SIR--I have the honor to inform you that the British army, consisting of four brigades, a corps of artillery, a squadron of horse, and a strong light corps, amounting in all to about fourteen thousand men, after investing this place on the north of the Saranac river since the fifth inst. broke up their camp and raised the siege this morning at two o'clock.
They are now retreating precipitately, leaving their sick and wounded behind.
The enemy opened his batteries yesterday morning, and continued the cannonading, bombarding and rocket firing until sunset; by this time our batteries had completely silenced those of our opponents.
The light troops and militia are now in full pursuit of the enemy, making prisoners in all directions. Deserters are continually coming in, so that the loss of the British army in this enterprize will be considerable.
The officers and men have all done their duty. The artillery and engineers have performed their functions with a zeal and precision highly creditable to themselves and honorable to their country.
Our loss is trifling indeed, having only one officer and fifteen men killed, and one officer and thirty men wounded.
The militia of New York and the volunteers of Vermont have been exceedingly serviceable, and have evinced a degree of patriotism and bravery worthy of themselves and to the states which they respectively belong.
The strength of the garrison is only fifteen hundred effective men rank and file.--
I have the honor to be with perfect respect, sir, your most obedient servant,
ALEX'R. MACOMB.
The Hon. the Secretary of War.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Military Action
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Providence Divine
Bravery Heroism
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Battle Of Plattsburgh
Lake Champlain Victory
British Retreat
American Triumph
War Of 1812
What entities or persons were involved?
T. Macdonough
Alex'r. Macomb
W. Jones
Where did it happen?
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, Fort Moreau, Saranac River
Story Details
Key Persons
T. Macdonough
Alex'r. Macomb
W. Jones
Location
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, Fort Moreau, Saranac River
Event Date
September 11, September 12
Story Details
U.S. forces under Commodore Macdonough achieve naval victory capturing British ships on Lake Champlain; Gen. Macomb repels British army siege at Fort Moreau, leading to their retreat with significant losses and minimal U.S. casualties.