French, with his detachment and field-piece, arrived at the river at 4 o’clock; at which time a respectable body of militia, infantry, and artillery, occupied the banks on both sides, in the momentary expectation that the enemy would attempt to descend. It was, however, soon perceived that it was not their intention to attempt going out before dark, and that the only chance of taking or destroying them was by a joint attack by land and water; timely measures for this purpose were prevented by the want of water craft, a misfortune which could not be remedied in the very short period required. A strong fresh, an ebb tide, and thick mist, enabled the enemy to escape down the river, unheard and unseen, except by a very few, who commenced a fire, which was followed at random by many, who discerned no object to direct their aim. The troops from the garrison, and marines on foot, did not arrive until the British had escaped. Thus ended an expedition, achieved with the smallest loss to the enemy, and the greatest in magnitude of damage, that has occurred on the seaboard since the commencement of the war.”
On this occasion, six ships, five brigs, seven schooners, nine sloops, a number of pleasure boats, a great quantity of naval stores, and several butts of rum, were destroyed. The escape of the British would have been next to a miracle, had not the Americans, by way of making sure to destroy them, injudiciously facilitated their retreat. At the narrow part of the river, where there are two juttings, they lighted immense fires, vis à, vis: these beacons pointed out the fair way, and, added to a very dark night, enabled our countrymen to make good their retreat in safety; whereas, had the Yankees lighted only one fire, and stationed a force opposite to it, the destruction of their assailants must have been inevitable.
On the. 14th April, 1814, the commander-in-chief on the Halifax station addressed a letter to Captain Capel, of which the following is a copy:–
“Sir,– I desire that you will convey to Captain Coote, and the officers, seamen, and marines, employed under his immediate command on the expedition in the Connecticut river, that I view their conduct with admiration; and that I shall feel much satisfaction in laying their merits before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
“The orderly and exemplary conduct of the men while on shore, particularly with respect to their sobriety, has been a principal cause of saving many valuable lives, and the return of the expedition with comparatively so small a loss[1]; their conduct while on shore has drawn forth praise from- ↑ Two killed, two wounded.
