utterly inefficient for their protection, that the Indians were suffered to make their way among the prisoners, and shoot, tomahawk, and scalp them at their pleasure.

All this while, Proctor and other British officers stood at a distance, within view of the massacre, without attempting to control the bloody excesses of the savages.

Fortunately for those who yet survived this onslaught, Tecumseh galloped up at full speed, sprang from his horse, and dashing into the midst of his bloodthirsty warriors, interposed his own person between them and the victims they had devoted to destruction. When their safety was accomplished, he sought out Proctor, and indignantly demanded why he had not put a stop to the massacre?

"Sir," said Proctor, "your Indians cannot be commanded." "Begone!" replied the chief contemptuously, "you are not fit to command. Go and put on petticoats."

Almost simultaneously with this cruel slaughter, a detachment of Kentuckians sallied out from Fort Meigs, in company with a party of regulars, and attacked a battery on the southern shore of the river. It was a spirited and brilliant little affair and conducted with great courage, but with a corresponding loss of men.

Well aware that the garrison had been reinforced, entertaining no hope of its speedy cap

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ture, and becoming alarmed at the capture of Fort George by General Dearborn, Proctor abandoned the siege on the 9th of May, and retired with his forces toward Malden.

CHAPTER XXII.

Great advantages possessed by the British-Perry ordered to build vessels on the shore of Lake Erie-Extraordinary activity and despatch-Proctor assaults Fort StephensonCroghan's noble defence-Perry's victory on Lake ErieHarrison advances into Canada-Proctor retreats toward the Moravian towns-Battle of the Thames-Surrender of the regulars and flight of Proctor-Desperate conflict with the Indians Colonel Johnson severely wounded-Tecumseh killed-The British forces under Packenham threaten New Orleans-Vanguard of the enemy bivouac on the Mississippi-Night attack by Jackson and Coffee, supported by the schooner Caroline-Arrival of Packenham-His tardy movements-Activity of Jackson-Kentucky reinforcement arrives Battle of the 8th of January-Terrible slaughter of the enemy-Death of Packenham-Retreat of the enemy.

HITHERTO the war on the frontiers of Canada had been peculiarly disastrous to the American arms. One cause of this was, undoubtedly, the entire control which the enemy possessed over the navigation of Lake Erie. It gave the British general the important advantage of landing his troops with ease upon any point along the shores of the lake, and of moving his provisions and material of war with equal ease and absence of

fatigue; and if discomfited, it enabled him to retire into Canada without fear of being pursued.

The Americans, on the other hand, were compelled to bring their reinforcements and supplies through nearly two hundred miles of a wild and difficult country, and to occupy isolated posts, where even small losses were of consequence, and large ones required months of energetic activity to repair.

To counteract the superiority which the enemy had acquired by holding undisputed command of the lake, a number of small vessels were ordered to be built upon the shores of the lake, the superintendence and equipment of which were intrusted to Lieutenant Perry, who was also authorized to assume command of the fleet as soon as it was ready for service. So rapidly were the orders from the navy department prosecuted, and so efficient were the officers and men detached upon this service, that two brigs and seven smaller vessels, of which the timber was growing in the forest in the month of June, 1813, were built and ready for a cruise by the 1st of August following; and three days afterward, Perry set sail in search of the enemy.

In the midst of these naval preparations, Proctor, who had remained at Malden until his force was reorganized, made a second attempt to capture Fort Meigs; but being foiled in his object he drew off his troops, and with his Indian auxi

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liaries sailed for Fort Stephenson, a small picketed stockade built at Upper Sandusky the year previous.

The garrison at this place consisted of one hundred and sixty men. They were commanded by Major Croghan of Kentucky, at that time a young man whose age did not exceed twenty-one years. The whole artillery of the fort was a single six-pounder.

Believing the place to be utterly untenable, Harrison directed Croghan to abandon it, and

retreat upon the main army.

Fearful that his

note would fall into the hands of the Indians, Croghan sent an answer in return "that he was determined to defend the place at all hazards." He was immediately put under arrest for disobedience of orders; but on an explanation taking place, was reinstated in his command, with the understanding that he was to evacuate the post and repair to head-quarters in the event of the British approaching in force.

No time, however, was given him to do so. On the 13th of July, the fort was invested by Proctor, at the head of five hundred regular troops, and seven or eight hundred Indians. As soon as he had completely cut off the retreat of the garrison, he demanded an immediate surrender.

After consulting with his companions, Croghan returned the following spirited answer: "When the fort shall be taken there will be none

left to massacre, and it will not be given up while a man is able to fight."

The enemy immediately commenced a fire upon the fort from six field-pieces, and kept it up at intervals during the night. Under cover of the darkness, they succeeded in planting three of their cannon within a short distance of the pickets. After working their guns with great vigour during the whole of the next morning, without making any sensible impression upon the garrison, they changed their mode of attack, and concentrated the whole fire from their six-pounders upon the northwest angle of the fort. Foreseeing that the intention of Proctor was to carry the place by storm, as soon as a practicable breach could be effected, the defenders immediately strengthened the works on that side with bags of flour and sand. Loading their only fieldpiece with slugs and grape, they concealed it in the bastion covering the point to be assailed, and waited calmly the approach of the enemy. Shrouded entirely from view by the smoke of their artillery, five hundred British regulars advanced to within twenty paces of the lines. A steady fire of musketry from the garrison producing some confusion, Colonel Short sprang over the outer works into the ditch, and called upon his men to follow. Immediately they did so, the six-pounder from the bastion opened upon them, succeeded by a fire of musketry.