[riddell] navy island EPISODE, 1837 71 



human blood. On leaving Chippewa, however, he left orders with the 

 Colonels in command to use their own discretion. 



The Artillery at length arrived and a Number of Men were des- 

 patched up the river to raise embankments and breast work, pre- 

 paratory to a general Bombardment. This was done at Night, the 

 first set of Men being obliged to retire from their work in consequence 

 of Cannon having fired to dislodge thern, which was soon effected. 

 None of the workmen received any Injury, but the works having first 

 commenced in front of my friend's House, sad dilapidation ensued: 

 the front wall fell in soon afterwards, which rendered the building 

 quite unsafe and uninhabitable. At length the works were completed 

 and our Mortars and Cannon being in readiness, a regular attack was 

 contemplated, but so many schemes and plans were devised, that 

 Nothing effectual took place after all. Three Schooners were manned 

 and stationed up the river under the Command of Captain Graham, 

 Lieutenant Drew and Lieutenant Elmsley — three Gentlemen of 

 confirmed bravery — they were to cut off all Communication by water 

 with Buffalo; then there were near 100 Boats of various sizes in readiness 

 which, when manned, were to effect a landing at one End of the Island, 

 whilst the Artillery were playing upon the Centre and Northern End ; 

 these however were quiescent, to try the effect first of all, of the Bom- 

 bardment; when this commenced, the Bravados were alarmed not a 

 little. The 24 pounders and Mortars raked the Trees and the Shanties 

 — tore up the ground and Killed some of the Rebels: but main body 

 still clung to the Islknd. Had the Boats been ready Manned, a landing 

 might with ease have been effected during their panic: this scheme 

 was however overruled — so much for a multiplicity of Councillors, in 

 which we are told safety Consists. The prolongation of storming 

 the Island had a bad effect, inasmuch as the alarm was unabated; 

 it also drove many peaceable families from their homes and domestic 

 firesides at an inclement Season of the year. I never could comprehend 

 the policy of their operations, further than what I stated before — 

 the desire to prevent the dreadful Massacre that must have ensued 

 for very few I apprehend would have escaped, so Indignant were the 

 people on this memorable occasion. 



That you may judge the situation of the contending parties, 

 I hand you a small Map of our positions, sufficient to guide your 

 Ideas to the spot, remarkable in history. There lay entrenched a 

 handful of desperate fellows who Kept a whole Country in agitation 

 for upwards of a Month, and we residing within Cannon shot, liable 

 at a Moment s impulse to have a ball sent through the House or perhaps 

 a leg shot off whilst perambulating the Banks of the River. 



^ec. II, Sig. 6 



