The letters of Veritas, re-published from the Montreal herald; containing a succinct narrative of the military administration of Sir George Prevost ... that the merit of preserving them from c - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1815 Excerpt: ... followed the capture of the vessels, hut circumstances occurred to delay it until the 15th before day. At the outset, 'we had a fair prospect of success, our troops having entered their works at several points, hut especially having established themselves in Fort Erie, when unhappily an explosion there took place, (whether from accident or design, is still a contested point, but I think the former) which destroyed so many of our officers and men, as to occasion the rest to retire with precipitation.' Our loss was most severe, being in all in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 900; and in this loss was.comprised some most valuable officers, amongst whom were Col. Scott and Lieut. Col. Drummond, with others of inferior rank. The list of wounded officers, including prisoners, was above 3c... The loss of the enemy must have been muck inferior. The result of this attack is greatly to be lamented, as the loss it cost us was most heavy 5 but I can by no means consider the implied censure thereon by Sir George Prevost, as founded upon found military principles. The ground thereof wa&) from its being a uight attack aow in almost every instance, of a desperate attack upon fortified positions, it has been done at night, and for this reason, that the troops in advancing, are covered by the darkness from that precision in the fire of the enemy, which would otherwise be destructive. There is a recent proof of this, in General Lambert's dispatches, for he assigns it as one cause of the failure at New Orleans, that the attack, although intended to be before day, was from various causes delayed so long, that our troops could be seen at 200 yards distance from the enemy's lines as they advanced to the assault. It is hardly fair in those who risk nothing either by day...