[CRUIKSHANK] COMMAND OF LAKE ONTARIO, 1812-1813 Pai 
possibility of success, unless we can force them to close action, which 
they have ever avoided with the most studied circumspection.””! | 
Five men were killed and thirteen wounded on his squadron 
which, with the exception of the Wolfe, had suffered little injury. 
A battery was hastily constructed and armed for its protection. 
Immediate steps were taken to refit the flagship. During the night 
the gale grew more violent and next morning eight of the American 
vessels were seen off York lighthouse struggling to make the mouth 
of the Niagara near which they came to anchor that night. 
Next day Chauncey landed to confer with General Wilkinson. 
The naval engagement had been watched by many eager eyes from the 
heights of Lewiston and Queenston as well as from the ramparts of 
the forts. The masts of the Wolfe were plainly seen to fall overboard 
and the Royal George was observed to bear down to her assistance 
and fire three broadsides in quick succession. The firing was heard to 
continue for some time after both squadrons had passed out of sight 
leaving the spectators in a state of anxious suspense. 
Wilkinson wrote the next day: 
‘The issue must therefore have been decisive, because the breeze 
freshened without any change in its direction, and the narrowness of 
the lake made it impossible for the vanquished party to escape by 
any manoeuvre. 
“JT have no doubt the victory is ours, but am apprehensive it 
must have cost us dear, since the batteries of the enemy were superior 
to those of our squadron, and the British commander is an officer not 
only of desperate resolution but of great naval skill.’” 
The movement of the bulk of his force from Niagara to Sackett’s 
Harbour began in open boats on the morning of September 28 but the 
strength of the-gale forced them to return. When the wind fell, another 
start was made on the ist of October and most of the boats succeeded 
in reaching Eighteen Mile Creek. 
In a memorandum addressed to Chauncey that day, Wilkinson said : 
“The main body of the division of the army at this point has 
sailed to join that at Sackett’s Harbour at the head of the St. Lawrence 
with the design to reduce Kingston and Prescott and to proceed 
against Montreal. 
“The main body of the enemy’s force is in this vicinity, at the 
head of the lake, and in York, leaving Kingston very weak. 
“The enemy’s squadron, beaten and forced to the head of the 
lake, is not in a position to attempt the regaining of Kingston harbor 
while the American squadron keeps an eye upon it. 


1 Yeo to Prevost, Sept. 29. 
2 Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, Fort George, Sept. 29. 
