ed
up the river as high as the foot of the rapids below Fort Erie.
Unfortunately they took the ground and could not be got off for a long
time. Indeed, morning had dawned before the royals, intended to turn
the enemy's position by attacking above Black Rock, while Riall's
division attacked below, suffered so severely from the fire of the
enemy that a landing was not effected in sufficient time for the full
accomplishment of General Drummond's purpose. Riall, nevertheless,
moved forward and attacked the Americans. They were strongly posted and
in considerable force, but Riall drove them out of their batteries at
the point of the bayonet, turning the enemy's one twenty-four, three
twelves, and a nine pounder upon the now retreating foe. Riall,
following up his successes, pursued the fleeing enemy into Buffalo.
There they rallied, but it was only for a moment. They drew out a large
body of fresh infantry, exhibited some cavalry, and fired a few rounds
from a field piece, unlimbered on a height commanding the road. The
British still pushed on and the enemy again gave way. They retreated
notwithstanding their reinforcement so hurriedly that the six pounder
brass gun on the height, an iron eighteen, and an iron six pounder were
left behind. At last they reached the woods and Riall considered that
for one day he had done enough, on land. But not yet fully satisfied,
he detached Captain Robinson with two companies of the King's regiment
to destroy three armed vessels, part of Perry's squadron, and their
stores, if it were possible to do so. These vessels were at anchor a
short distance below Buffalo, and Captain Robinson did as he was
ordered to the letter.

From the time of the landing at Black Rock until the full
accomplishment of the object of the expedition, with one, not
unimportant, exception, the Americans lost from three to four hundred
men in killed and wounded, and one hundred and thirty men taken
prisoners, while the British loss was thirty-one men killed, and four
officers, sixty-eight men wounded, and nine men missing.

The exception to the full accomplishment of the object of the
expedition, that is to say, the burning of private property, was an
exception to the general rule of the British army. But as evil, in some
cases, must be done that good may follow, the rule, now laid down by
General Drummond, was to pillage, burn, and lay waste, in retaliation
for Newark. In accordance with this new rule, therefore, Ge