[CRUIKSHANK] COMMAND OF LAKE ONTARIO, 1812-1813 187 
squadron are very short of marines I should wish much if you could 
spare us a few of your fine fellows for the day of action.” 
Prevost, however, sedately counselled caution and learning 
that day that Vincent had retreated from Niagara toward Burlington 
Heights instructed him to take on board his ships two hundred men 
of the 8th as a reinforcement with a much needed supply of clothing, 
ammunition, and provisions and co-operate with that division. This 
delayed his departure from Kingston until the morning of June 3. 
Next day Chauncey wrote to the Secretary of the Navy in a 
very serious mood: “I beg to call your attention to the situation of 
the naval forces on the lakes. I have under my command on this 
lake 14 vessels of every description, mounting 62 guns, well manned 
and well appointed. The enemy have seven vessels and six gunboats, 
mounting 106 guns, well officered and manned. If he leaves Kingston 
I shall meet him. The result may be doubtful but worth the trial.” 
Now on the afternoon of the 3rd Yeo had appeared off the harbour 
and lingered there for several hours apparently in the expectation 
that Chauncey would come out. His squadron could hardly have 
escaped observation. Arriving off York on the 6th he received a 
message stating that Vincent had been the victor in a night attack 
upon his pursuers at Stoney. Creek, a few hours before, and stood over 
toward the mouth of the Niagara and thence bore along shore toward 
the head of the lake to locate the positions of the opposing forces 
on land. The appearance of his ships caused the garrisons of the forts 
to remain under arms all night in apprehension of an attack. Late on 
the afternoon of the 7th they were seen close in shore from the American 
camp near the mouth of the Forty Mile Creek and here too the whole 
force stood to arms during the night. At dawn the two schooners 
were within a mile of the shore. Tents were being struck in great 
haste and many large boats, in which the baggage had been trans- 
ported, were hauled up on the beach. It was a dead calm. The 
Beresford and Sidney Smith were towed in closer by their boats and 
opened fire. Four field guns replied with round shot heated in an 
improvised furnace. An officer with a flag of truce was sent on shore 
to demand a surrender. This was of course refused. Soon after the 
boats on the beach were loaded and pushed off, escorted by a guard on 
shore. After they had rowed eastward for about three miles a breeze 
sprang up and the Beresford gave chase and rapidly overhauled them, 
taking or destroying twelve with a large part of their baggage. It 
was afterwards ascertained that their reconnoissance of the mouth of 
the Niagara had created so much alarm that General Dearborn sent 
a message recalling all his troops to Fort George. 
