Some Account of the Public Life of the Late Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart Part 17

No. XXVIII.

_Extract of a Letter from Major-General Sir James Kempt to Sir George Prevost, respecting the intended Attack upon Sackett's Harbour, dated_

"_Kingston, 18th Sept. 1814._

"Sir,

"With all due deference to your Excellency's superior judgment, it appears to me, that an operation of this magnitude, and _probable duration_, should not be undertaken without the most ample means, and at the very best season of the year; that not less than 8,000 infantry, with a strong efficient corps of artillery and engineers, should be employed on this service; that Watertown and Brownville should be occupied in force by strong corps of observation, capable of covering the operations; that there should be an intermediate rendezvous for the a.s.sembly of the troops and stores, between this and the place of debarkation; and, that above all, we should have the _decided superiority_ on the Lake, before the service is undertaken.

"I have the honour to be, with great respect,

"Your Excellency's most obedient

"And most humble servant,

"JAMES KEMPT.

Lieut.-Gen."

No. XXIX.

_Extract of a Letter from Sir J. L. Yeo to Sir George Prevost, dated 29th Aug. 1814, p. 141._

"I have this day received a correct statement of all the officers and men belonging to the establishment on Lake Champlain.

"I enclose your Excellency a scale of the complement of each vessel, agreeable to the Admiralty order, by which you will perceive that, after each complement is complete, there will remain 97 seamen over and above.

Your Excellency must be aware, that when this squadron proceeds up the Lake, I shall be under the necessity of taking the seamen out of the gun-boats; neither will the number of seamen we have in this country, afford a sufficient number of men to man the gun-boats on Lake Champlain, independent of the s.h.i.+ps."

No. x.x.x.

_Correspondence between Sir George Prevost and Capt. Downie, p. 145._

"_Head-Quarters, Plattsburg, Wednesday, 7 a. m. 7th Sept. 1814._

"Sir,

"The enemy's force in the Bay consists of a s.h.i.+p, inferior to the Confiance, a brig, a large schooner, a sloop, and seven or eight gun-boats.

When the gun-boats are manned, the remaining craft appear to have but few men left on board. If you feel that the vessels under your command are equal to a contest with those I have described, you will find the present moment offers many advantages which may not again occur.

"As my ulterior movements depend on your decision, you will have the goodness to favour me with it, with all possible prompt.i.tude.

"In the event of your coming forward immediately, you will furnish conveyance for the two 8-inch mortars, ordered from Isle aux Noix, with their stores, provided you can do so, without delaying the sailing of your squadron.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) "G. PREVOST."

"_To Captain Downie, &c._"

"_H. M. S. Confiance, off La Cole, 7th Sept. 4 p. m. 1814._

"Sir,

"I have the honour of your Excellency's letter of this morning.

"I am aware of the comparative force of the two squadrons, and am thus far on my way to find the enemy, conceiving that the moment I can put this s.h.i.+p into a state for action, I shall be able to meet them.

"The Confiance at this moment is in such a state, as to require at least a day[107] or two to make her efficient before the enemy; but with all the exertion I can use, it will probably be that time at least, before it will be possible to get her up to Chazy, where I shall be happy to receive any further communication from your Excellency.

"I have the honour to be, Sir,

"Your most obedient servant,

"GEO. DOWNIE."

"_His Excellency Lieut.-Gen.

Sir G. Prevost, Bart. &c. &c._"

"_Head-Quarters, Plattsburg, Thursday Morning, 8th Sept. 1814._

"Sir,

"I have just received your reply to my communication of yesterday.

"As it is of the highest importance the s.h.i.+p, vessels, and gun-boats, under your command, should commence a co-operation with the division of the army, now occupying Plattsburg, I have sent my Aid-de-Camp, Major Coore, with this letter, in order that you may obtain from him correct information of the disposition made by the enemy of his naval force in this bay.

"I only wait for your arrival to proceed against General Macomb's last position, on the south bank of the Saranac. Your share in the operation, in the first instance, will be to destroy or capture the enemy's squadron, if it should wait for a contest, and afterwards co-operate with this division of the army; but if it should run away, or get out of your reach, we must meet here to consult on ulterior movements.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) "G. PREVOST."

"_H. M. S. Confiance, off Point au Fer, 8th Sept. 1814._

"Sir,

"I have the honour of your Excellency's letter of this day; and have to state, that I am advancing with the squadron to Chazy as fast as the wind and weather will allow.

"In the letter I did myself the honour to address to you yesterday, I stated to your Excellency, that this s.h.i.+p was not ready--she is not ready now; and until she is ready, it is my duty not to hazard the squadron before an enemy, who will even then be considerably superior in force.