the previous day on the
British side of the river to drive off the Canadian militia, who were
collecting together in considerable numbers, at the head of the Long
Sault. On the 18th, General Browne's brigade, with a body of dragoons,
also landed on the British shore; and the remainder of Wilkinson's
troops were landed at the head of the Sault, under the command of
Brigadier-General Boyd.

Colonel Morrison, of the 8th British regiment, had landed at Hamilton,
on the American side, on the 10th, took possession of a quantity of
provisions and stores for the American army, and also of two field
pieces. Nor was Colonel Harvey idle. He kept close upon the heels of
the enemy. Seeing them one evening emerging from a wood, he tried the
effect of round shot upon them. They did not at all relish it, and went
back again. On the same evening, the opposing gun-boats came into
collision and some rounds were fired without any important result. Next
day Colonel Morrison pressed the American General Boyd, so closely that
he was compelled to stand and give battle. Boyd's brigade consisted of
between three and four thousand men, and a regiment of cavalry,
Morrison's entire force only numbered eight hundred rank and file. At
two in the afternoon, the Americans moving from Chrystler's Point,
attacked the British advance. The British retired slowly and orderly
upon the position which had been marked out for them. The flank
companies of the 49th, the detachment of the Canadian with one field
piece, somewhat in advance on the road, were on the right; the
companies of the 89th, under Captain Barnes, with a gun formed in
echelon, with the advance on its left supporting it; the 49th and the
89th thrown more to the rear, with a gun, formed the main body and
reserve, extending to the woods, on the left, which were occupied by
Voltigeurs and Indians. In half an hour the battle became general. The
artillery behaved nobly. They kept up a most steady and destructive
fire, and when the American cavalry attempted to charge, they were
literally mowed down and were compelled to wheel about. The infantry
charged the enemy's guns and captured one at the point of the bayonet.
The Americans had not, apparently, room to act. They were too much
cooped up. They attempted to turn the British flank, but the Voltigeurs
and Indians, secure behind the trees, poured forth a deadly fire and
drove them back. The enemy then concentrated his forces with the view
of pushing