of the setting sun fell distinctly on the spray cast up by the Falls, and was refracted into a glorious rainbow, one arm of which rested on the American column. The roar of the cataract was mingled with the roll of the drum and volleys of musketry. The British line opened its fire at the distance of one hundred and fifty paces. It numbered about eighteen hundred strong, and was posted in Lundy's Lane, which ran along a ridge nearly perpendicular to the line of the river. The left was about two hundred yards from the river, between which and it intervened a thicket. Major Jesup, supported by Colonel Brady, was ordered by Scott to turn the enemy's flank by taking possession of this opening, which they did, while the other battalions and Towson's artillery formed line to the front. The cavalry was reserved. An attempt to outflank the American left was at once repelled by Major McNeil, but not without great loss. While the lines were hotly engaged with each other, Brady had resumed his proper place, as also had Jesup, who, after outflanking the British left, had charged through it and formed line again on his position. In this manœuvre he had captured Major-General Riall and many other officers. The British general surrendered his sword to Major Ketchum of the 25th infantry, who not only died in the service himself, but left two members of his family who have since been commissioned.

When darkness had rendered all things indistinct, the action still raged. At nine o'clock, General Brown arrived, and found that the enemy's right and left were routed, and that the centre alone was able to keep position. Battalions of Drummond's reinforcements continued to arrive; and Brown insisted on Scott's informing him personally of all that had occurred.

Of the new troops he had brought into the field,

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General Brown determined to form a new line, and make of Scott's brigade a reserve.

To do this with

safety, it was necessary to carry the enemy's battery, which, strongly posted, was the key of his whole position. Turning to Colonel Miller, the general asked him if he could "carry that battery?" "I can try, sir,"* was the brief and soldierly reply. He rushed up the hill, and did carry it. This secured the battle. This battery became the subsequent object of both combatants; and frequent attempts by the British to retake it, were repulsed. One of them Scott repelled in person. General Brown was wounded, and sought to turn over the command to Scott. He also had been twice wounded, and, exhausted by loss of blood, was disabled. General Brown continued to command.

After the capture of the battery, the army of General Brown changed its position, being drawn up across the lane, with the Niagara behind it. Ripley was in the centre, with Scott and Porter on the right and left respectively. The British continued to attempt to recapture the battery and crest of the hill, but each time failed.

At eleven o'clock, Scott was wounded in the left shoulder, immediately after a successful attack on the British line, which compelled it yet further to retire. His aides-de-camp, Lieutenants Worth and Smith, were both wounded by his side.

The loss on each side was about equal, the Americans having one hundred and seventy-one killed, five hundred and seventy-two wounded, and one hundred and seventeen taken prisoners; total, eight hundred and sixty. The British lost eighty-four killed, five hundred and fifty

* These words were afterwards borne on the colors and buttons of his regiment.

aine wounded, and two hundred and thirty-five taken prisoners; total, eight hundred and seventy-eight.

At a late hour of the day, General Brown was forced by his wounds to retire; and, in the absence of Scott, confided the command to General Ripley, with orders to bring the dead, wounded, and artillery from the field. The want of drag-ropes and horses, however, rendered it impossible to bring off the guns, which the British were on the next day able to regain.

The battle had been fought by night, and when morning came, the hostile armies had scarcely begun to repose or shaken off the delirium of battle. Charge after charge, and volley after volley, had been given by night; and, as an admirable writer states, "For a time the faint beams of the moon struggled with the smoke, and gave a little light to the combatants; but it was but little. The moon itself became obscured, and no light, save the rapid flashes of musket and cannon, pierced the heavy clouds."

This battle is called by the British general, in his report, the battle of "Lundy's Lane." In the United States, it is called "Bridgewater." Its true name should be that of "Niagara." Its field is another of our conquests, which, whatever the political condition of Canada may be, is indissolubly connected with the United States.

Our army then went to Chippewa, and took possession of the enemy's works. A report having been circulated that Sir Gordon Drummond, at the head of heavy reinforcements, was again advancing, the American army proceeded to Black Rock, where, after ordering the old Fort Erie to be repaired, General Brown, who had again assumed the direction of affairs, assigned the command to Brigadier-General Gaines.