Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Extract of a letter from Mr. Thomas Russell, a Surgeon in the army, to his friends in this town, dated Plattsburg, Sept. 13.

After giving some general account of the battle on the lake, and the operations on the land, in which the valor of our Tars and our Militia were gloriously manifested, he proceeds,

"I have now not only seen a naval but a land engagement. The action between the fleets was not more than a mile from the shore, and in full view before our tents. The scene was such as I had never imagined. I thought if such must be the impression on the mind of a mere spectator, what must be the effect upon one, in whose ears, with the roar of cannon are mingled the cries and groans of the dying and wounded. Having little to do on shore, I volunteered and was sent on board the fleet, after the action, to assist in taking care of the wounded. I will not attempt a description of the carnage & havock I beheld, but only observe, that we have been for two days incessantly binding up the wounded, and have not yet finished. The engagement was very severe to us, but far more so to them, both by sea and land."