ate charges of the
enemy were succeeded by a dead silence, interrupted only by the groans
of the dying, and the dull sounds of the stupendous Falls of Niagara,
while the adverse lines were now and then dimly discerned through the
moonlight, by the dismal gleam of their arms. These anxious pauses were
succeeded by a blaze of musketry along the lines, and by a repetition of
the most desperate charges from the enemy, which the British received
with the most unshaken firmness.' General Drummond, in his official
report of the battle, says:--'In so determined a manner were these
attacks directed against our guns, that our artillerymen were bayoneted
by the enemy in the act of loading, and the muzzles of the enemy's guns
were advanced within a few yards of ours. The darkness of the night,
during this extraordinary conflict, occasioned several uncommon
incidents; our troops having, for a moment, been pushed back, some of
our guns remained for a few minutes in the enemy's hands; they were,
however, not only quickly recovered, but the two pieces, a six-pounder
and a five-and-a-half-inch howitzer, which the enemy had brought up,
were captured by us, together with several tumbrils. About nine o'clock
(the action having commenced at six) there was a short intermission of
firing, during which it appears the enemy was employed in bringing up
the whole of his remaining force; and he shortly afterwards renewed the
attack with fresh troops, but was everywhere repelled with equal
gallantry and success. The enemy's efforts to carry the hill were
continued until about midnight, when he had suffered so severely from
the superior steadiness and discipline of his Majesty's troops, that he
gave up the contest, and retreated with great precipitation to his camp
beyond the Chippewa. On the following day he abandoned his camp, threw
the greatest part of his baggage, camp equipage and provisions into the
Rapids; and having set fire to Street's Mills, and destroyed the bridge
at Chippewa, he continued his retreat in great disorder towards Fort
Erie.'

"In this bloody battle, the Canadian militia fought side by side with
the regular soldiers; and General Drummond said, 'the bravery of the
militia on this occasion could not have been excelled by the most
resolute veterans.'

"Such was the loyalty of our grandfathers and fathers, and such their
self-devotion and courage in the darkest hour of our country's dangers
and sufferings, and though few in nu