On the Lakes 95 



to send out an expedition to capture the others. He 

 accordingly despatched Captains Popham and Spils- 

 bury in two gunboats, one armed with one 68-pound 

 and one 24-pound carronade, and the other with 

 a long 32, accompanied by three cutters and a 

 gig, mounting between them two long I2's and 

 two brass 6's, with a total of 180 men. 6 They rode 

 up to Sandy Creek and lay off its mouth all the 

 night, and began ascending it shortly after day 

 light on the 3oth. Their force, however, was ab 

 surdly inadequate for the accomplishment of their 

 object. Captain Woolsey had been reinforced by 

 some Oneida Indians, a company of light artillery, 

 and some militia, so that his only care was, not to 

 repulse, but to capture the British party entire, and 

 even this did not need any exertion. He accord 

 ingly despatched Major Appling down the river with 

 1 20 riflemen 7 and some Indians to lie in ambush. 8 

 When going up the creek the British marines, under 

 Lieutenant Cox, were landed on the left bank, and 

 the small-arm men, under Lieutenant Brown, on the 



' James, vi, 487; while Cooper says 186, James says the 

 British loss was 18 killed and 50 wounded; Major Appling 

 says "14 were killed, 28 wounded, and 27 marines and 106 

 sailors captured." 



1 Letter from Major D. Appling, May 30, 1814. 



8 Letter of Capt. M. T. Woolsey, June i, 1814. There were 

 about 60 Indians; in all the American force amounted to 180 

 men. James adds 30 riflemen, 140 Indians, and "a large body 

 of militia and cavalry" none of whom were present. 



