troit, but, after a severe
conflict, Captain Muir was compelled to retreat.

From the moment that Major-General Brock heard of the invasion of the
western district, he determined on proceeding thither in person after he
had met the legislature and dispatched the public business. Having
expressed a wish of being accompanied by such of the militia as might
voluntarily offer their services, 500, principally the sons of veteran
soldiers who had settled in the province, cheerfully came forward for
that purpose. The threatening attitude, however, of the enemy on the
Niagara frontier, obliged the general to content himself with half this
number; and he left York on the 6th of August for Burlington Bay, whence
he proceeded by land for Long Point, on Lake Erie. In passing the
Mohawks' village, on the Grand River, or Ouse, he desired the Indians
there to tell him who were, and who were not, his friends; and at a
council held on the 7th of August, they promised that about 60 of their
number should follow him on the ensuing Monday, the 10th. At Long Point,
a few regulars and nearly 300 militia embarked with him on the 8th of
the same month in boats of every description, collected among the
neighbouring farmers, who usually employed them for transporting their
corn and flour. The distance from Long Point to Amherstburg is about 200
miles along the shore, which in many parts is a high precipitous bank of
red clay, with scarcely a creek for shelter. The little flotilla
encountered heavy rain and tempestuous weather, but nothing could for a
moment retard its progress, or diminish the confidence of the men in
their indefatigable leader. Among his general orders from the
commencement of hostilities, the only one relating to this voyage is the
following, which, from the singularity of the circumstances attending
it, is thought worthy of being preserved:

G.O. Head Quarters, Pointe au Prince, Aug. 12, 1812.

It is Major-General Brock's intention, should the wind
continue fair, to proceed during the night; officers
commanding boats will therefore pay attention to the order of
sailing, as directed yesterday; the greatest care and
attention will be required to prevent the boats from
separating or falling behind. A great part of the banks of
the lake, where the boats will this day pass, is much more
dangerous and difficult of access than any we have passed; the
boats will, therefore, not land except i