The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier/Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Myers re. The Battle of Cook's Mills - War of 1812

Lieut.-Colonel Christopher Myers, Deputy Quartermaster-General, to Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond.


 * Misener’s House, on Lyon’s Creek, October 19, 1814.

SIR, -- I have the honor to report to you that I proceeded this morning to reconnoitre the position of the enemy at Cook’s Mills, distant from hence three miles, where he was understood to be in force. I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Battersby, with the Glengary Regiment of light infantry, to move in front of the flanks; Lieutenant-Colonel the Marquess of Tweeddale with the 100th, flank companies of the 104th, and those of the 82nd, with a six pounder and the rockets, in support, and Major Proctor with the remainder of the 82nd Regiment to move in reserve, the whole about seven hundred and fifty men.

I found the enemy’s advance with a strong support posted on the right bank of a ravine, which runs to Lyon’s Creek, a small distance from the Mills. A part of the Glengary Regiment turned round a small wood which covered the front of the enemy and crossed the head of the ravine, whilst the remainder passed through the wood. By this movement, the enemy’s light troops were driven back in admirable style, whilst a part of his force crossed Lyon’s Creek for the purpose of annoying our left. Having chiefly the reconnaissance in view and finding that object not attainable by a forward movement from the thickness of the woods, I retired the Glengary Regiment and fell back a small distance, in the hope of drawing the enemy forth to the open ground, and, if circumstances would justify it, to bring him to a more general action. This had no farther the desired effect than that he advanced to the skirts of the wood, and showed two columns on our left and one on our right, opening a heavy fire of small arms and which from the distance we sparingly returned, but the fire of the six-pounder and the rockets the enemy’s column on our left suffered severely. From my own observation and the reports I have received, I cannot estimate the force of the enemy at less than 1,500 to 2,000 men. He had no cannon. Finding it impossible to draw him fairly from the woods, I retired the troops to the cantonments around this place, keeping my advance close to that of the enemy.

The conduct of the Glengary Light Infantry during this campaign has been so conspicuous the Lieutenant-Colonel Battersby and the officers and men of that corps can receive little further from any report of mine, but on this occasion I cannot refrain from adding my humble tribute of praise to their well-earned fame.

To Lieutenant-Colonel the Marquess of Tweeddale and the corps under his immediate orders, and to Major Proctor and the 82nd Regiment, my best acknowledgments are due. The steadiness and conduct of those troops merit my highest commendation. The service of the six-pounder and rockets was most judiciously directed by Lieutenant Carter of the Royal Artillery. I beg also to state the able assistance I received from Major Sparrow, Assistant-Adjutant-General, and from Captain Powell Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster-General, who attached in the first instance to Lieutenant-Colonel Battersby, and I am happy of this opportunity to acknowledge the zealous and meritorious conduct of this officer in his department since the opening of the campaign. To Major Glegg, who was sent forward for a report, I am much indebted during the time he remained with me. I transmit a return of casualties, which I regret should be so great, and I am much concerned to find that a valuable officer, Captain McMillan of the Glengary Regiment, is amongst the wounded. The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained, but I have every reason to believe it severe, his columns being under the fire of the six-pounder and the rockets.