present at the attack upon Sackett’s Harbour, ending in the destruction of a small 10-gun brig (formerly British) and a barrack containing, among other valuable articles, the whole of the naval stores recently captured at York, by the American Commodore Chauncey. The other naval operations of that year are detailed at pp. 91–93.
On the 14th Feb. 1814, Lieutenant Dobbs was promoted to the rank of commander; and in May following, “he behaved much to the satisfaction” of Sir James Yeo, at the attack and capture of Oswego[1].
After this important event, two brigs and two schooners were placed under the orders of Captain Dobbs, and sent up the Niagara to co-operate with Lieutenant-General Drummond, on which service they remained during the whole campaign.
In the early part of August, the American schooners Ohio, Somers, and Porcupine, were stationed close to Fort Erie, then in the enemy’s possession, and Captain Dobbs resolved to attempt their capture or destruction. For this purpose he landed a detachment of 75 men, and caused them to carry his gig upon their shoulders, from Queenstown to Frenchman’s creek, a distance of 20 miles. From the latter spot, by the aid of the Canadian militia, five batteaux, as well as the gig, were got across through the woods to Lake Erie: the result of this extraordinary enterprise is shewn by his official report, dated Aug. 13, 1814.
