Letter by Jesse Duncan Elliott to Callender Irvine, May 29, 1813

Abstract

A letter by Jesse Duncan Elliott to Callender Irvine informing him of the American capture of Fort George during the War of 1812. Irvine was the Commissary General of the United States Army at the time. The letter is 2 ½ pages and is dated May 29, 1813 from the US ship Madison, Niagara River. Elliott was the commander of the USS Madison. He writes that “I have again the satisfaction to inform you of another…victory…Fort George is ours with a moderate purchase the loss of 15 men killed & 60 wounded. The Enemies 65 killed…The particulars of the action [began?] on the night of the 27th. Boats…from Niagara River…when descending the river Fort George commenced a fire on them with little effect. Fort Niagara answered…” He later states that “the following morning our troops commenced…under firing under the immediate direction of Major Genl. Dearborn and under command of Major Genl. Lewis…first with Genl. Boyd, second Genl Winder and third Gen. Chandler. At 10 the troops landed under cover of the fire of the vessel, who had silenced the Battalion[?]…in the woods where they were supposed to be concealed our men were met on the beach and did land under a most grueling fire. The first division commanded by Genl. Boyd and Col. Scott consisting of 1000 men first reached the shore 1700 to oppose them…fired and did succeed in driving them into the woods. Scott was the honor of the Day….The British have retreated…for Queenston and…our troops will follow this morning…we have a force of 3000 men…” A small, clipped signature from JD Elliott is also included.