British naval force already in the
Richelieu River, and available for service, consisted of a brig, two
sloops, and twelve or fourteen gunboats. The American flotilla
included a large corvette, a schooner, a small sloop, and ten
gunboats, or galleys, propelled with oars. Seeing that the British
were preparing for active hostilities, the Americans began to build,
with all possible speed, a large brig; a move which the enemy promptly
met by pushing forward with equal energy the construction of a
frigate. While the new vessels were on the stocks, an irregular
warfare was carried on by those already in commission. At the opening
of the season, the American vessels lay in Otter Creek; and, just as
they were ready to leave port, the enemy appeared off the mouth of the
creek with a force consisting of the brig "Linnet" and eight or ten
galleys. The object of the British was to so obstruct the mouth of the
creek that the Americans should be unable to come out. With this end
in view, they had brought two sloops laden with stones, which they
intended to sink in the narrow channel. But, luckily, the Americans
had thrown up earthworks at the mouth of the river; and a party of
sailors so worked the guns, that, after much manoeuvring, the British
were forced to retire without effecting their purpose.

About the middle of August, the Americans launched their new brig, the
"Eagle;" and the little squadron put out at once into the lake, under
command of Capt. Thomas Macdonough. Eight days later, the British got
their new ship, the "Confiance," into the water. She possessed one
feature new to American naval architecture,--a furnace in which to
heat cannon-balls.

By this time (September, 1814), the invading column of British
veterans, eleven thousand strong, had begun its march into New York
along the west shore of the lake. Two thousand Americans only could be
gathered to dispute their progress; and these, under the command of
Brigadier-Gen. Macomb, were gathered at Plattsburg. To this point,
accordingly, Macdonough took his fleet, and awaited the coming of the
enemy; knowing that if he could beat back the fleet of the British,
their land forces, however powerful, would be forced to cease their
advance. The fleet that he commanded consisted of the flagship
"Saratoga," carrying eight long twenty-four-pounders, six
forty-two-pound and twelve thirty-two-pound carronades; the brig
"Eagle," carrying eight long eighteens, and twelve thirty-