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Domestic News
June 11, 1814
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
American forces under Major Appling ambushed and captured a British naval detachment at Sandy Creek on May 8, 1814, seizing boats and taking over 150 prisoners with minimal losses during the War of 1812.
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Washington June 8.
A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT.
Copy of a letter from Gen Gaines to the Secretary of War.
Head-quarters, Sacket's Harbor,
May 8th, 1814.
SIR—Major Appling of the rifle regt. with a small detachment placed under his command for the purpose of protecting the naval stores coming from Oswego, having got safely into Sandy Creek, this morning [were] attacked by a detachment from the British navy; and after an action of ten minutes, beat and captured the whole of the enemy's force, without the loss of a man excepting one Indian.
The loss of the enemy is 13 killed, 28 wounded, and 153 taken; with four large and as many small boats. Amongst the prisoners are two Post Captains, four Lieutenants of the navy, one Captain of marines and two Lieutenants, and two Midshipmen. The Captain of Marines and one Midshipman are badly wounded.
Major Appling's detailed report will be forwarded as soon received.
Most respectfully, I am, &c.
G. P. GAINES,
Brig. Gen. Comdg
The Hon. Gen. John Armstrong,
Department of War, Washington
Copy of a letter from Com. Chauncey, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated
U. S. Ship Superior,
Sacket's Harbor, May 30 1814.
SIR—The mail being about closing, I have only time to state to you, that we have been so fortunate as to capture four of the enemy's boats at Sandy Creek. I believe we have about 200 prisoners, amongst them two Captains, but whether Post or Commanders I have not yet learnt.
I shall have the honor of giving you the particulars to-morrow.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. William Jones,
Secretary of the Navy:
NEWS PAPER ACCOUNT.
Albany Argus Extra, June 4.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR AT SANDY CREEK.
Extract of a letter from Sacket's Harbor, dated on Tuesday last, May 31.
"I embrace the earliest opportunity of giving you as accurate an account as I possibly can at present obtain, of an action which took place yesterday morning 16 miles from this village.
"A number of our boats, coming from Oswego with cannon and rigging for the new vessels, put into Sandy Creek—being well manned with sailors, riflemen and Indians, under the command of Capt. Woolsey, of the navy; who on entering the creek dispatched an express to this place for reinforcements. The mounted dragoons, under Capt. Harris; the marines, under Smith; the heavy and light artillery under Lieut. Col. Mitchell, who so lately signalized themselves at Oswego, and a few infantry were sent as a reinforcement tho' they did not arrive till the business was over.
"Our commander apprehending an attack placed the Riflemen and Indians in the woods, on each side of the creek, and sent a few raw militia, with the show of opposing the enemy's landing. The plan succeeded. The militia retreated on the first fire,—pursued by the enemy; but as soon as they had passed the Indians and Riflemen, who were in ambush, these last attacked them in rear,—while a battery of 4 field pieces opened upon them in front. Thus cut off in their retreat after a smart action of 20 minutes, in which they had 20 killed and 40 or 50 wounded, the whole force of the enemy, 137 in number, surrendered with their gun-boats, five in number.
One of these boats carried a 68 lb. carronade, one a long 32, one a long 24, one two long 12s. and one two brass pieces, one of which they threw overboard. Not a man escaped to carry the news to Sir James. There were among the enemy's killed, one Lieut of marines and one Midshipman; among the prisoners are 2 Post Captains, one the Commander of the Wolf, 4 Lieutenants and 4 Midshipmen. The British force consisted of sailors and marines. Our loss was one Indian killed and 3 wounded. The prisoners were conducted to this place last evening by the militia.
"An express has this moment arrived bringing an account, that last night, another gun boat from the fleet, with 36 men, went up the creek in search of their comrades, when they were attacked and captured after a few shot.
"The enemy have captured one of our boats from Oswego, having on board two 32 pounders and an 18 inch cable. This will not retard our operations, as we have both spare cables and guns."
A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT.
Copy of a letter from Gen Gaines to the Secretary of War.
Head-quarters, Sacket's Harbor,
May 8th, 1814.
SIR—Major Appling of the rifle regt. with a small detachment placed under his command for the purpose of protecting the naval stores coming from Oswego, having got safely into Sandy Creek, this morning [were] attacked by a detachment from the British navy; and after an action of ten minutes, beat and captured the whole of the enemy's force, without the loss of a man excepting one Indian.
The loss of the enemy is 13 killed, 28 wounded, and 153 taken; with four large and as many small boats. Amongst the prisoners are two Post Captains, four Lieutenants of the navy, one Captain of marines and two Lieutenants, and two Midshipmen. The Captain of Marines and one Midshipman are badly wounded.
Major Appling's detailed report will be forwarded as soon received.
Most respectfully, I am, &c.
G. P. GAINES,
Brig. Gen. Comdg
The Hon. Gen. John Armstrong,
Department of War, Washington
Copy of a letter from Com. Chauncey, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated
U. S. Ship Superior,
Sacket's Harbor, May 30 1814.
SIR—The mail being about closing, I have only time to state to you, that we have been so fortunate as to capture four of the enemy's boats at Sandy Creek. I believe we have about 200 prisoners, amongst them two Captains, but whether Post or Commanders I have not yet learnt.
I shall have the honor of giving you the particulars to-morrow.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. William Jones,
Secretary of the Navy:
NEWS PAPER ACCOUNT.
Albany Argus Extra, June 4.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR AT SANDY CREEK.
Extract of a letter from Sacket's Harbor, dated on Tuesday last, May 31.
"I embrace the earliest opportunity of giving you as accurate an account as I possibly can at present obtain, of an action which took place yesterday morning 16 miles from this village.
"A number of our boats, coming from Oswego with cannon and rigging for the new vessels, put into Sandy Creek—being well manned with sailors, riflemen and Indians, under the command of Capt. Woolsey, of the navy; who on entering the creek dispatched an express to this place for reinforcements. The mounted dragoons, under Capt. Harris; the marines, under Smith; the heavy and light artillery under Lieut. Col. Mitchell, who so lately signalized themselves at Oswego, and a few infantry were sent as a reinforcement tho' they did not arrive till the business was over.
"Our commander apprehending an attack placed the Riflemen and Indians in the woods, on each side of the creek, and sent a few raw militia, with the show of opposing the enemy's landing. The plan succeeded. The militia retreated on the first fire,—pursued by the enemy; but as soon as they had passed the Indians and Riflemen, who were in ambush, these last attacked them in rear,—while a battery of 4 field pieces opened upon them in front. Thus cut off in their retreat after a smart action of 20 minutes, in which they had 20 killed and 40 or 50 wounded, the whole force of the enemy, 137 in number, surrendered with their gun-boats, five in number.
One of these boats carried a 68 lb. carronade, one a long 32, one a long 24, one two long 12s. and one two brass pieces, one of which they threw overboard. Not a man escaped to carry the news to Sir James. There were among the enemy's killed, one Lieut of marines and one Midshipman; among the prisoners are 2 Post Captains, one the Commander of the Wolf, 4 Lieutenants and 4 Midshipmen. The British force consisted of sailors and marines. Our loss was one Indian killed and 3 wounded. The prisoners were conducted to this place last evening by the militia.
"An express has this moment arrived bringing an account, that last night, another gun boat from the fleet, with 36 men, went up the creek in search of their comrades, when they were attacked and captured after a few shot.
"The enemy have captured one of our boats from Oswego, having on board two 32 pounders and an 18 inch cable. This will not retard our operations, as we have both spare cables and guns."
What sub-type of article is it?
Military
Shipping
What keywords are associated?
Sandy Creek
British Capture
War Of 1812
Naval Ambush
Major Appling
What entities or persons were involved?
Major Appling
Gen. G. P. Gaines
Com. Isaac Chauncey
Capt. Woolsey
Capt. Harris
Lieut. Col. Mitchell
Where did it happen?
Sandy Creek
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Sandy Creek
Event Date
May 8th, 1814
Key Persons
Major Appling
Gen. G. P. Gaines
Com. Isaac Chauncey
Capt. Woolsey
Capt. Harris
Lieut. Col. Mitchell
Outcome
american loss: 1 indian killed, 3 wounded. british: 13-20 killed, 28-50 wounded, 153-200 prisoners captured, including 2 post captains, officers; 4-5 boats and guns seized.
Event Details
American detachment protecting naval stores from Oswego entered Sandy Creek and ambushed British naval force attacking them; after 10-20 minutes action, captured entire enemy force of sailors and marines with boats.