heavy calibre, threw the advantage on their
side. Downie was killed by the wind of a shot a few minutes after the
commencement of the action. Still it was the hardest contested action
of the war; Pring being well worthy to take Downie's place.

It was impossible to have done more on either side; and the gentleman
who gave me this information added, that McDonough told him that so
nicely balanced were the chances, that he took out his watch just before
the British colours were hauled down, and observed, "If they hold out
ten minutes more, it will be more than, I am afraid, we can do." As
soon as the victory was decided on the part of the Americans, the
British general commenced his retreat, and was followed by this handful
of militia. In a day or two afterwards, General McCoomb came up, and a
large force was poured in from all quarters.

There was something very similar and quite as ridiculous in the affair
at Sackett's harbour. Our forces advancing would have cut off some
hundreds of the American militia, who were _really_ retreating, but by a
road which led in such a direction as for a time to make the English
commandant suppose that they were intending to take him in flank. This
made him imagine that they must be advancing in large numbers, when, the
fact was, they were running away from his superior force. He made a
retreat; upon ascertaining which, the Americans turned back and followed
him, harassing his rear.

I was told, at Baltimore, that had the English advanced, the American
militia was quite ready to run away, not having the idea of opposing
themselves to trained soldiers. It really was very absurd; but in many
instances during the war, which have come to my knowledge, it was
exactly this,--"If you don't run, I will; but if you will, I won't!"

The name given by the French to Vermont, designates the features of the
country, which is composed of small mountains, covered with verdure to
their summits; but the land is by no means good.

At the bottoms, on the banks of the rivers, the alluvial soil is rich,
and, generally speaking, the land in this State admits of cultivation
about half-way up the mountains; after which, it is fit for nothing but
sheep-walks, or to grow small timber upon. I have travelled much in the
Eastern States, and have been surprised to find how very small a portion
of all of them is under cultivation, considering how long they have been
settled; nor will there be more of the