occasion he was wounded), and at the attack of Almunñecar. in April and May, 1812[1]. His promotion to the rank of commander took place Mar. 8, 1813; and he shortly afterwards accompanied Sir James Lucas Yeo to Canada, where he was appointed by that officer to the Beresford schooner, then at Kingston, on Lake Ontario.
About this time, the Canadian Lakes had become the most active scene of warfare; and a number of spirited actions took place on them and their coasts. Towards the end of April, 1813, Colonel Proctor embarked with a force of between 800 and 900 regulars and militia, joined by about 1200 Indians, to attack an American post at the rapids of Miami, a river flowing into Lake Erie; but, in consequence of heavy rains, he was not able to open his batteries till the 1st May, by which time the enemy had so well secured themselves, by block-houses and batteries, that no impression could be made on them. While he was engaged in overcoming these impediments, an American reinforcement of 1300 men, commanded by Brigadier-General Clay, came down the river, and made an attack upon him, aided by a sally from the garrison. After a severe contest, they were repulsed, and the greatest part, except those from the garrison, killed or taken prisoners; but Colonel Proctor was not able to maintain his position, having been deserted by half the militia, and almost all his Indian auxiliaries.
On the 27th May, the Americans in force effected a landing near Fort St. George, on the Niagara, and proceeded to attack it. They were very gallantly opposed by Colonel Vincent, commanding at that station, and the troops under him; but the superiority of numbers rendering a lasting resistance impossible, he spiked his guns, destroyed the ammunition, and retired to a position near the head of Lake Ontario. In his retreat he was joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Bishopp, with all the detachments from Chippawa to fort Erie, and by some other parties, which increased his whole force to about 1600 men. The enemy, estimated at 10,000, in the mean time,
