Often called our Second War of Independence, the importance of the War of 1812 is sometimes overlooked. Though ending in a stalemate, it once and for all confirmed America's independence from Britain as well as Canada's right to exist as a British colony in North America.

By the middle of 1814, American generals, including Major Generals Jacob Brown and Winfield Scott, had drastically improved the fighting abilities and discipline of the army. Their renewed attack on the Niagara peninsula quickly captured Fort Erie. Winfield Scott then gained a decisive victory over an equal British force at the Battle of Chippewa on July 5. An attempt to advance further ended with a hard-fought drawn battle at Lundy's Lane on July 25. The Americans withdrew but withstood a prolonged Siege of Fort Erie. The British raised the siege, but lack of provisions forced the Americans to retreat across the Niagara.

4 pp. Manuscript Document from Capt. John B. Hogan, Deputy Quartermaster
with superb content

It reads: (incl. spelling errors):
"Erie 22, 1814, Dear Sir, Comfortable to your instructions, I arrived here yesterday and immediately visited the docks, I found one Schooner of 40 tons called the "Lady of the Lake"
-- -she was receiving her cargo for detroit and about one half on board I have conversed with the Owner who appears willing to hire his vessell, but cannot get clear of his contract, with the merchants – who have Chartered him

– they all swear they will immediately bring suit against him,
it will require force to get possession of his vessel
upon reviewing my instruction
I find I am not authorized to press into the private service vessel and I do not feal (sic) myself safe in doing it unless specially ordered,

and that order a written one…at detroit there is upwards of 30 or 60 fine boats belonging to the United States the same that Genl Harrison made use of last year,  and but few at Cleveland as principally all the water craft have gone to Detroit…please give me written instructions in respect to pressing boats and whether I shall proceed to detroit or halt at Cleveland and return with what boats can be obtained at the latter place, - and in the mean time that Mr. Beard will be absent I shall go over to Le Beauf or Waterford & buy up all the boats there that will be fit for the lake service & transport them over the portage, the boat build here have begun two large open boats to carry about 160 men, 80 Cabs & will be finished in a week or ten days. I find it difficult to hire water men at this place.
The Lady of the Lake is the best finished private vessell on this lake – her cabin will affoard Elegant accommodation for Eight officers and she will carry about 200 men in her hold and deck.

The owner requires me to find a pilot if necessary, provision his crew,
shield him against damage from Capture or make good any injury she might receive from the fire of the Enemy

& from a civil suit for breaking his contract with his present employers & pay him 1500 dollars per month for the use of his vessel & crew…my own opinion is that it would be the most prudent step to run one of those vessells up to Cleveland & Detroit & bring down all the U.S. boats from both places & purchase the balance…Forage is out of the question at this place…

Please tell Genl Scott that no beer is to be had here, but some draft porter at $20 per barrel…if he wishes I will forward it to the next vessell –

Col. Brady & a detachment is expected here immediately from Pittsburg; for Buffalo. They are now five days on their march…John B. Hogan Deputy Q.M.."

In the battle of Chippewa, on the 5^th of July 1814, two weeks after this letter was written, an American advance from Plattsburg led by Maj. Gen. James Wilkinson, was checked just beyond the border, but on 3 July 3,500 men under General Brown seized Fort Erie across the Niagara in a coordinated attack with Commodore Isaac Chauncey's fleet designed to wrest control of Lake Ontario from the British.

In subsequent troop maneuvers in the Niagara region, Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott's brigade (1,300 men) of Brown's command was unexpectedly confronted by a large British force while preparing for an Independence Day parade (5 July 1814) near the Chippewa River. Scott's well-trained troops broke the enemy line with a skillfully executed charge, sending the survivors into a hasty retreat. British losses were 137 killed and 304 wounded; American, 48 killed and 227 wounded. In Fine condition.                                                           $2,500.