Capture of York, Ontario
Captain Isaac Chauncey, USN, to the Secretary of the Navy

USS MADISON, at anchor off York, Upper Canada, 28 April 1813

Agreeably to your instructions and arrangements with major general Dearborn, I took on board the squadron under my command, the general and suite, and about 1700 troops, and left Sackett's Harbor on the 25th instant for this place. We arrived here yesterday morning, and took a position about one mile south and westward of the enemy's principal fort, and as near the shore as we could, with safety to the vessels. The place fixed upon by the major general and myself for landing the troops, was the site of the old French fort Tarento.

The debarkation commenced about 8 o'clock A.M. and was completed about ten. The wind blowing heavy from the eastward, the boats fell to leeward of the position fixed upon, and were, in consequence, exposed to a galling fire of the enemy, who had taken a position in a thick wood near where the first troops landed; however, the cool intrepidity of the officers and men overcame every obstacle. Their attack upon the enemy was so vigorous, that he fled in every direction, leaving a great many of his killed and wounded upon the field. As soon as the troops were landed, I directed the schooners to take a position near the forts, in order that the attack on them by the army and navy might be simultaneous. The schooners were obliged to beat up to their position, which they did in a very handsome order, under a very heavy fire from the enemy's batteries, and took a position within about six hundred yards of their principal fort, and opened a heavy cannonade upon the enemy, which did great execution, and very much contributed to their final destruction. The troops, as soon as landed, were formed under the immediate orders of brigadier general Pike, who led in a most gallant manner the attack upon the forts, and after having carried two redoubts in their approach to their principal works, the enemy (having previously laid a train) blew up his magazine, which in its effects upon our troops, was dreadful, having killed and wounded a great many, and amongst the former, the ever to be lamented brigadier general Pike, who fell at the head of his column by a contusion received by a heavy stone from the magazine. His death at this time, is much to be regretted, as he had the perfect confidence of the major general; and his known activity, zeal and experience, make his loss a national one.

In consequence of the fall of general Pike, the command of the troops devolved, for a time, upon colonel Pearce, who soon after took possession of the town. About 2 PM the American flag was substituted for the British, and at about four our troops were in quiet possession of the town. As soon as general Dearborn learned the situation of general Pike, he landed, and assumed the command. I have the honour of enclosing a copy of the capitulation which was entered into, and approved by general Dearborn and myself.

The enemy set fire to some of his principal stores, containing large quantities of naval and military stores, as well as a large ship upon the stocks, nearly finished. The only vessel found here, is the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, undergoing repairs. The PRINCE REGENT left here on the 24th, for Kingston. We have not yet had a return made of the naval and military stores; consequently can form no idea of the quantity, but have made arrangements to have all taken on board that we can receive; the rest will be destroyed.

I have to regret the death of midshipmen Thompson and Hatfield, and several seamen killed-the exact number I do not know, as the returns from the different vessels have not yet been received. From the judicious arrangements made by general Dearborn, I presume that the public stores will be disposed of, so that the troops will be ready to re-embark to morrow, and proceed to execute other objects of the expedition the first fair wind. I cannot speak in too much praise of the cool intrepidity of the officers and men generally, under my command, and I feel myself particularly indebted to the officers commanding vessels, for their zeal in seconding my views.

John Brannan, ed. Official Letters of the Military and Naval Officers of the United States During the War with Great Britain in the Years 1812, 13, 14, & 15 With Some Additional Letters and Documents Elucidating the History of that Period. (Washington: 1823), pp. 146-147.