r with the darkness of the night
and the clouds of smoke, threw them into the greatest confusion and
disorder. Not so, however, with the British troops; their plans had been
so well concerted, that every man knew his rallying signal; they were,
therefore, at all times beyond surprise. The American army, being
completely discomfited, retreated from their bivouac in the greatest
confusion.

"As soon as General Vincent had completed the defeat of the enemy, he
again fell back upon Burlington Heights, taking as trophies of his
victory three field-pieces and a brass field howitzer, captured from the
enemy, besides both their generals, and about 150 officers, sergeants,
and rank and file.

"After the defeat at Stony Creek, the American army, in the most
indescribable manner [helter-skelter, every man for himself] retreated
towards Fort George [whence they came] without the least military order
or subordination; in fact, such officers as could avail themselves of
horses on the road, regardless of the means employed for that purpose,
took them and made their way to the lines with all possible speed, and
left the rest of the army to shift for themselves; they, therefore,
retreated [or scampered] in small detached parties, some of whom had
exonerated themselves of their arms and equipments. Thus did they travel
[at double-quick] towards their headquarters from two or three to a
dozen; and were, in compassion for their sufferings, succoured by those
very people whose houses, a day or two previous, they had ransacked and
plundered."[211]

PART VII.

GENERAL VINCENT, REINFORCED, PURSUES THE RETREATING ENEMY--BRILLIANT
AFFAIR OF THE BEAVER DAMS, IN WHICH SEVERAL HUNDRED AMERICANS SURRENDER
TO ONE-FIFTH THEIR NUMBER--THE AMERICANS COOPED UP IN FORT GEORGE--FORT
SCHLOSSER AND BLACK ROCK ATTACKED BY THE BRITISH, AND THE PUBLIC FORTS
AND MAGAZINES DESTROYED OR TAKEN--THE AMERICAN ARMY CANNOT BE INDUCED TO
COME OUT OF FORT GEORGE INTO OPEN FIELD FIGHT.

In a short time General Vincent received some reinforcements, and
assumed the offensive, advanced towards Fort George with a view to
investing it--forming his line on the Four Mile Creek, with his left
resting on the lake; but he ultimately extended his line from the Twelve
Mile Creek (St. Catharines) to Queenston.

General Lewis, who now had full command (General Dearborn having
resigned), finding his advance posts and foraging parties continually
harassed and frequently made pr