196 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
On the 25th Chauncey was rejoined by the Pert and on the 27th 
by the Lady of the Lake with 250 soldiers commanded by Colonel 
Winfield Scott and several refugees to act as guides. After a consul- 
tation with that officer it was considered advisable to embark more 
troops and the squadron stood over to Niagara where it arrived the 
same evening. Several hundred soldiers were taken on board and all 
sail set on a direct course for Burlington Bay but owing to light breezes 
and calms the squadron failed to come to an anchorage off the heights 
until late on the afternoon of the 29th. Two parties were sent on 
shore who were informed by friendly inhabitants that the garrison 
had been strongly reinforced that day. Militia and Indians from the 
adjacent country were assembling in considerable numbers for the 
defence of the post. Colonel Battersby in command of a demi- 
brigade of regular troops, stationed at York had also marched to its 
relief as soon as the destination of the American squadron had become 
apparent. 
Next morning all the troops and marines with some sailors were 
landed and the British position on the heights was closely reconnoitered 
with the result that it was pronounced to be too strong to be carried 
by an assault. The re-embarkation took place the same afternoon. 
In the evening Chauncey weighed anchor and at three o’clock on the 
afternoon of the 31st appeared off the harbour of York. The ships 
remained outside while the schooners entered with the aid of sweeps 
and landed the troops who took possession of the town without resis- 
tance. At midnight they were again embarked after removing all 
the stores and provisions that could be found. Having obtained in- 
formation that a quantity of valuable stores had been concealed 
some distance up the river Don, a landing was again made and boats 
sent up that stream to make a search. Some bateaux were found and 
carried off with several hundred barrels of provisions and some un- 
serviceable cannon. The prisoners in the jail were liberated and the 
barracks, store-houses and woodyard set on fire. Battersby’s force 
which had halted at midnight within eight miles of Burlington Heights, 
marched back as rapidly as the weary condition of the men would ad- 
mit, but arrived several hours after the departure of the squadron 
which stood across the lake and cast anchor off the mouth of the Niagara 
on August 3. Here Chauncey remained for the next four days, 
landing the captured stores and making arrangements for another 
combined operation. 
On the morning of July 31, having completed the equipment 
and refitting of his vessels, Yeo sailed from Kingston with a firm 
determination to seek a decisive action. 
