624

WAR OF 1812 INVESTIGATION A.Ms.

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WAR OF 1812 INVESTIGATION A.Ms.
<b>624. WAR OF 1812 INVESTIGATION </b>An intriguing A.Ms. 4pp. legal folio, [n.p., n.d. c. 1812] entitled "<i>Remarks On the failure of the Army of Niagara to cross into Canada</i>", being an apparent defense of General Alexander Smyth's conduct in the Niagara Campaign of 1812. Smyth, whose lack of support resulted in Van Rensselaer's defeat at Queenstown, was ironically appointed in his place. Smyth, who had little practical military experience, led an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Niagara River and capture Fort. Erie. The resulting defeat exposed Smyth to accusations of cowardice. Peter B. Porter publicly denounced Smyth after this disgrace and even challenged him to a duel. James Madison later remarked that Smyth's "<i>talent for military command was...equally mistaken by himself and by his friends</i>". The manuscript details Symth's defense of his actions, and might very well be a contemporary account of Smyth's public address in which he defended his actions. It reads in question and answer format concluding that the defeat was due to a lack of supplies for the troops as well as the inability of Colonel Winder's men to land on the Canadian side of the Niagara River: "<i>...'The successful landing of the whole force under your command was only prevented by the misfortune of a number of boats not having landed & the consequent mistake of Leiut Angers, by which we were ignorant of the success of Capt. King, until the enemy had time to collect his scattered forces, bring up reinforcements, & prepare some field artillery to oppose us.'...</i>". Very good condition.<b> $100-150</b>