Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp4.djvu/100

 most gallant style, sustaining the whole fire of the American fort, until the storming party gained the shore .” In this battle, the Montreal was set on fire three times by red-hot shot; nor could it be wholly extinguished for near three hours after the cannonading had ceased: her masts, sails, and rigging were much cut; Captain Popham was severely wounded in his right hand, by a piece of one of the above shot; and Mr. James Richardson, master, from a severe wound in the left arm, was obliged to undergo amputation at the shoulder joint; one of her crew was killed, and four others wounded.

Captain Popham was subsequently sent with a detachment of boats, containing about 180 men, to endeavour to intercept a number of small craft, laden with ordnance, cordage, &c. for the enemy’s shipping at Sackett’s harbour. Having obtained certain information, that the Americans had taken shelter in Sandy Creek, he proceeded to the entrance of it, landed there shortly after day-light. May 31, and having reconnoitred their position, determined on an immediate attack; the disastrous result of that enterprise will be seen by the following extracts of his official report to Commodore Sir James L. Yeo:–

“Sackett’s Harbour, June 1, 1814.

“The masts of their boats, 18 in number, were plainly seen over the marsh, and, from their situation, did not appear to be very near the woods; their not attempting to interrupt our entry into the creek, led me to hope they were only protected by militia. This circumstance, added to the very great importance of the lading of their boats to the equipment of their squadron, was a strong motive for me to risk the attack, not aware that they brought their rifleman in their boats, and that a body of Indians had accompanied them along the beach.

“The boats advanced cautiously to within about a quarter of a mile of the enemy, when Lieutenant Cox, of the royal marines, was landed, with the principal part of his men, on the left bank; and Captain Spilsbury and Lieutenant Browne, with the cohorn and small-arm party, accompanied by Lieutenant M‘Veagh, with a few marines, were landed on the right bank. Their respective parties advanced on the flanks of the gunboats (which had, from their fire, dispersed a body of Indians) to a 