Ïcruikshank] FROM ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 47 



to meet the approaching vessel but before they gained the first bend 

 in the stream, near Arch island, another sail was discovered and they 

 hurriedly opened fire on the one nearest them. Observing that the 

 American vessels were moving slowly and had arrived in a narrow 

 part of the river where they appeared to be within easy musket shot 

 from the high banks on either side alternately, Major Taylor promptly 

 ordered two bateaux and two rowboats to be manned for the purpose 

 of landing parties to take advantage of this opportunity of annoying 

 and co-operating with the attack of the galleys. These two detach- 

 ments of troops, which were commanded by Captain Frederick 

 Gordon of the Royal Artillery and Lieut. George B. Williams of the 

 100th Regiment, took post in the woods and thickets on either bank and 

 began a brisk and effective fire. The greatest width of the stream at 

 that point did not much exceed two hundred yards and the navigable 

 channel was much narrower. In their efforts to tack and beat back 

 toward the lake against the wind, for they had already abandoned 

 all hope of a successful offensive, the sloops were obliged to stand in 

 close to the highest ground on either side alternately to keep in the 

 deep water and were much exposed to the musketry of these parties. 

 A good many of their men were wounded and the remainder driven 

 from the guns and compelled to seek shelter behind the bulwarks 

 which were too thick to be penetrated by musket balls. The galleys, 

 each of which was propelled by sixteen oars were able to move quickly 

 and enter shallow water whenever it became necessary. They lay 

 low beneath the decks of their adversaries and were very difficult 

 to aim at. The action continued for almost four hours without material 

 injury on either side until the forestay and main boom of the Growler 

 were shot away carrying with them much of the running rigging. 

 That sloop immediately became unmanageable and ran aground. 

 A few minutes later the bottom of the Eagle was pierced by a round 

 shot. It was found impossible to keep this hole on the weather side 

 .while attempting to tack and the vessel gradually filled and sank 

 in shoal water until her deck was submerged a few inches. In this 

 hopeless situation, Lieut. Smith had no alternative but surrender. 

 Sailing Master Loomis, who commanded the other sloop, soon fol- 

 lowed his example. One man had been killed and eight men were 

 wounded on board the Growler. Eleven men were wounded on the 

 Ragle, mostly by musketry from the land. Ninety-one unwounded 

 prisoners were taken. Each of the prizes was armed with a long 

 eighteen pounder, mounted on a circle, and ten carronades of the same 

 calibre. They were amply equipped with small arms, cutlasses, 

 boarding axes and pikes. The British force engaged numbered 108 

 of all ranks and arms and had three men wounded. 



