Star.
London, England, 1814-10-29 00:00:00

AMERICAN PAPERS.

,GErERAL GAINES:S OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE
lIAT I I.E OF FORT ERIE.

Head-quarters, I.t.ft Wing, 2d Dividou,
Fort Erie, U. C. August —, 1814.
r a Stn—l have the honour to communicate, for the
infnr, •ation of the D?partment of War, the particu-
lars of tl'e battle fought at this place, on the 15th
instant, hetween the left wine of the '2d divisiOn of
111,6 No•rh-rn Army, under my command, and the
Lruish torus in the Peninsula of Lipper Canada, com-
manded by Lieutenant-General Drummond, uh'cit
terminated in a signal victory, in favuur of the United
A Enciican arms.

" Our position on the margin of tke Lake, at the
entrance of the Niagara River, being nearly
zoutal plain, twelve to fiftept feet above the surface
iii the water, possessing few natural advantages, had
been strengthened in front •by temporary parapet
breast-works, entrenchments, and ahatth, with two
batteries and six field pieces. The small unfinished
Fort Erie, with a '24, 18, and 12. pounder, forms the
rio'ith-east, and the Douglas Battery, with an i 8 and
6-pounder, near the edge of the Lake, the south-east
angle of our right. The left is defended by a redoubt
'battery with six field-pieces just thrown up on a small
ridge. Our rear was left open to the Lake, bordered
by 'a rocky shore of easy ascent. The battery on the
left was defended by captain 'Towson; Fort Erie by
Cailatin Williams, with Major Trimble's command
of the 19:h infantry ; the batteries on the front by
Captains Biddle and Fanning; the whole of the artil-
y commanded by M.ljor Hindman. Parts of the
1 !tit, 9!1), and 22d infantry, (of the late veteran bri-
glde of Major-General Scott) were posted on the
ht under tne command of Lieurenant,Colonel As.
pidwaii. General Ripley's brigade, consisting of the
'2lst and 28d defended the left. General Porter's
tAade of New York atid Pennsylvania Volunteers,
with our distinguished rifl?men, occupied the centre.
.4 I h4ve 10eretofore omitted stating to you, that'
daring the ISth and 14th, the enemy had kept up a
brisk Cannonade, which was sharply returned from
our batteries, without any considerable loss on our
part. At six p. sr. one cf their shells lodged in a
small magazine in Fort Erie, which was fortunately
almost empty. It blew up with an explosion more
awful in appearance than injurious in its effects, as it
did not disable a man or derange a gun. It occa-
!i,ixed but a momentary cessation of the thunders of
the artillery on both sides; it was followed by a loud
aid joyous shout by the British army, which was
instantly retuned on cur part; and Captain Wil-
liams, amidst the smoke of the explosion, renewed the
contest by an animated roar of his heavy cannon.
66f rpm the supposed loss of our ammunition, and
the consequent depression such an event was likely
;o psodisoe un 'the minds of our. men, I felt per.
suaded that this explosion would lead the enemy to
anal* ;n
, and ode rat arrangements accordingly.
'6'7ll_ 'tight was dark, and the early part of it
rlie;sks. Atytt the faithful Sentinel slept not; one-third
91* the irubPs were up at their posts.
,g At half-past two o'clock the right column of the
ersenii npproacited, and though enveloped in dar4.
Ines*, bhiFk is his designs and principles, was diatinctly
heard on our and promptly marked by our
6 .

musketry under. Major Wood, and cannon under'
Captain Towson. •
Being nr•unted at the moment, I repaired to the
;mint of attack, where the sheet of fire rolling from
Towson's sattery, and the musquetry of the lett wing
of the 21st infantry, under Major Wood, enabled
me to see the enemy's column of about MOO men,
approaching on that point. His advance was not
checked until it had approached within ten feet of
our infantry. A. line of loose brush, representing an
abattis, only intervened. A column of the enemy
attempted to pass round the abattis through the water,
where it was nearly breast deep. Apprehending that
this point would be carried, I ordered a detachment
of riflemen And infantry to its support ; but having
met with the gallant commander Major Wood, was
assured by him that he could defend his position
without reanforcenymts. At this moment the enemy
were revised, but instantly renewed the charge and
were again repulsed. •
41 My attention was now called to the right, where
our batteries and lines were soon lighted by a most
brilliant fire of cannon and musketry ; it announced
the approach of the centre and left colitmlis of the
enemy, under Colonels Drummond and Scott; the
latter was received by the veteran 9th, under the
command of Captain Foster, and Captains Bough-
ton and Harding's companies of New York and Pen.
sylvania volunteers, aided by a siz-pounder judici-
ously posted by Major M'Kee, Chief Engineer, who
was most active and useful at this point—they were
repulsed. That of the centre, led by Colonel Drum.
mond, was not long kept in check ; it approached
at once every assailable point of the tort, and with
scaling ladders ascended the parapet, but was re-
pulsed with dreadful carnage.
" The assault was twice repeated, and as often
checked, but the enemy having moved round in the
ditch, covered by darkness, added to the heavy cloud
of smoke which had rolled from our cannon and um-
quetry, enveloping surrounding objects, repeated the
charge, reascended the ladders; their pikes, bayo-
nets and spears, fell upon our gallant artillerists.—
The gallant spirits of our favourite Captain Williams
and Lieutenant: M'Donough and Waimough, with
their brave men, were overcome. The two former,
and several of their men received deadly wounds. Our
bastion wos lost. .

" Lieutenant M,Donough being severely wounded
demanded quarter—it was refused by Colonel Drum-
mond. The Lieutenant then seized a hand4pike, and
nobly defended himself until he was shot down with
a pistol, by the monster who had refused him qur•rter,
who often reiterated the order—" give the teamed
[ Yankees no quarter."
" This officer, whose bravery, if it hid been sea.
soned with virtue, would have entitled him to the ad-
miratirn of every soldier--this hudened murderer
soon met his fate. He was shot through the breast
by of the regiment, while repeating Cie order,
" to give no quarter."
" The battle now raged with• increased fury on the
'right, but on the •left the enemy was repulsed and
put to flight. Thence and from the centre I ordered
reinforcements—they were promptly s:•tit by Bri-
gadier General Ripley and Brigadier General Por-
ter. Captain Fanning, of the corps of artillery, kept
up a spirited and destructive fire with his field pieces
on the enemy attempting to approach the fort,
" Major Hindman's gallant efforts, aided by
Major Trimble, having failed to drive the enemy
from the bastion, with the remaining artillerists and
infantry in the fort, Captain Birdsall, of the 4th rifle
regiment, with a detachment of riflemen, gallantly
rushed in through the gateway to their Assistance,
and wi'h some infantry, charged the enemy; but
was repulsed, and the captain severely wounded.
" A detachment from the I lth, 19th, and 22.1 in-
fantry, under Capt. Foster, of the I I th, were intro-
duced over the interior bastion, for the purpose of
charging the enemy. Major Hall, Assistant Adju-
tant-General, very handsomely tendered his services,
" The charge was gallantly made by Captain Fos-
ter and Major Hall, but owing to the narrowness efl
the passage up to the bastion admitting only two or
three men abreast, it failed. It was often repeated,
and as often checked. The enemy's force in the bas-1
ti ai w is, however, mteh cut to pieces, end. dimi-1
nishetl, by our artillery and small arms. 'At thie me.
:rent every operation was arrtEed by the explosiiu
of some cartriiges deposited in the end of the stone
buildieg adjoining the contested bastion. The explie
sion was tremendous—it was decisive—the bastion
was restored.

" At this moment Captain Biddle was ordered to
cause A fie!d piece to he posted to as to enfilade the
ea erior plain and salient glacis. The Captain, though
recovtrcd from a severe contusion in the shoulder
received from one of the en any's shells, pro:nptly
took his position, 'and served his field piece with vi-
vacity and effect. Captain Fanning's• battery like-
wise played upon them at this time with great effect.
The enemy were in a few moments entirely defeated,
taken, or ptit to flight, leaving on the field `2222 killed,
174 wounded, and 186 prisoners, including 14 &ft-
cers killed, and severt wounded and priiunert. A
large portion are so severely wounded that they can-
not survive ; the slightly wounded, it is presumed,
were carried off.
64 To Brigadier General Ripley much credit is due'
for the judicious ditposition tot the left wing previous
to the action, and for the steady disciplined courage
manifested by him and his immediate command, and
for the promptness with .which he complied with my
()Hers for reinforcement during the acti•in.
" Brigadier-General Porter, commanding the New
York and Peasyleania volunteers, manifested a de-
gree of vigilance and pidgment, in his preparatory ar-
rangements, as well as militai y skill and courage in
action, which proves Lim to be worthy the confidence
of his country, and the brave vulunteet-,s who fought
under him. Of the volunteers, Captains Blughton
and audit*, with their detachments, posted on the
right and attached to the line, commanded by Cap-
lain E. Foster, of the veteran 9:11 infant-y, hand-
somely contributed to the repulse of the kft column
of the enemy under Colonel Scott.
" The judicious preparations and steady conduct
of Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall, commanding the
Ist brigade, merit approbation.
'ro Major M'Kee, chief engineer, the greatest
credit is due for the excellent arrangement and skit-
ful execution of his plans for fortifying and defending
the right, and for his correct and seasonable sugges-
' tions to regain the bastion.
6, Major Wood, of the. engineers, alsi greatly con.
. .

tr ibuted to the pratious measures of defence. He had •
accepted the command of a regiment of infantry,
(the 21st) for whiCh he has often prowd himself
well qualified, but never as conspicuously as on this
occasion..

44 Towson's battery emitted a constant sheet of
fire. Wood'i small arms lighted up the space, and
repulsed five terrible charges made between the bat-
tery and the lake. Brigadier-General Ripley speaks
in high terms of the officers and men engaged, parti-
cularly C.ptains Marston and Ropes; Lieutenants
Riddle, (of the 15th, doing duty with the 21st), and
I fall ; Ensigns Benn, Jones, Cummings, and Thomas,
of the 21st, and Keally and Green of the 19th.

66 Major Hindman, and the whole of the artillery
under the command of that excellent officer, displayed
a degree of gallantry and good conduct not to be sur-
passed. The particular situation of Capt. Towson,
and the much-lamented Captain Williams and Lieu-
tenant M.Donough, and that of Lieut. Watmough,
as already described, with their r.tspeetive commands,
rendered them most conspicuous.
The courage and good conduct of Lieutenants
Zantzinger and Childs, is spoken of in high terms by
Maki!. 'Hindman and Captain Towson, as also that
of Serjeant Major Denhon. Captains Biddle and
Fanning on the centre and right of their entrench.
ments, threw their shot to the right, left, and front,
and annoyed the Indians and light troops of the
enemy, approaching from the woods. Lieutenant
Fontaine, in his zeal to meet the enemy, was total-.
tunately wounded and made prisoner. Lieutenant
Bird Was active and useful, and in fact every indivi-
dual of the corps did his duty-
-66 The detachment of Scott's gallant brigade, con-
sisting of parts of the 9th, 11th, and 22d infantry,
did its duty in a manner worthy the high reputation
the brigade had acquired at Chippewa, and at the
Falls of Niagara. The 9th, under the command of
Captain E. Foster, was actively engaged against th
left of the enemy, and with the aid of Liemenarst
D.-uglass's corps of bombardiers, commanding the
tracer battery, and that of the volunteers, under Cap-
tains Broughton and Harding, effecied their repillse.
The good conduct of Lieutenants Childs, Cushman,
and Foot, and Ensign Blake, deserves commendation.
.4 The rtil.:ers killed are, Captain Williams, and
Lieutenant M.Donough of the artillery.
64 Wounded—Lieutenant Watmough, of the artil-
lery; Ensign Cisna, 19:h; Lieutenant Bushnell, 21st;
I.:entrn•tnts Brown and Belknap, 23d ; and Captain
4-h rifle regiment—all severely.
Lieutenant Fontaine, of the artillery, who was
taken prisoner, writes from the British csmp, that he
fortunately fell ints the hands of the Indians, who
after taking his money, treated him kindly. It
would seem then, that these savages had not joined
in the resolution to give no quarter.
" To Major Jones, Assistant Adjutant.! enertl;
and Major Hall, Assistant Inspector-General ; Cap-
tain Harris, of the dragoons, Volunteer Aide-dc-
Camp; Lieutenant Belton, Aide-de-Camp, much
credit is due for their constant vigilance and strict at-
tention to every duty previous to the action, a::t! they
steady courage, zeal, and activity which they mani-
fested during the action.
" The Surgeons—Doctors Fuller; 23d ; Tron-
bridge, 21st, with their Mates; Doctors Gale, of the
13d, and Everitt and Allen, of the 21st, deserve the
warmest aprri.hation for their indefatigable exertions
and hutnane atteraion to the wounded of our army,
as well as to the rrisoners who fell into their hands.

" I have tie honour to be, Sir,
" Your very obediento
(Signed) " E. P. GAINFt,
lion. John Arms:rorr, Secretary/ Briz.-Gen. Conunan.'ing.
ut War, Washing:on.
REPORT GS the KILLED, WOUNDED, and PRISONERS, taken at
%Le BATTLE or liltlt Upper Canada, August 15, I g 14.

KillAl,leit on the field, 22..--Wounded, left on the field.l74.
Prisoners, Int; —6 rand Teal, £B2.

Two hundred supposed to be killed, on the left flank, near
&Jahr Hill, (in the water), and permitted to float down the
Niagara. '1 he number on the right flank, near the woods,
could ro: be ascertained.

•" Given at the Inspector-General's Office, Fort
Erie; Upper Canada. (Signed) .

46 NATH°L. N. HALL.
Assist. Insp.-Gen."

" Brio.-Cen. E. P. Gaines, Ste.
BURLINGTON, SEPTEMBER Is.

The enemy in their flight from Plattsburgh de-
stroyed all the bridges, and obstructed the road by
trees, baggage, &c. They were, however, pursued a;
tar as Chazy, but on account of the obstructions of the
road, and their precipitate retreat, our heroes rere
not able to overtake them. The enemy have learned
a less( n long to be remembered, that the " soil of
frez.lbm is sacred, that it must not, shall nor, be pol-
luted with impunity." In this, their expedition by
land and water, we can account to Sr George for
mole than 2060 cf his men, ki:led or prisoners, and
more than 9:; pieces of cannon. •
To the interposition of HeavEN be ascribed oar
glorious ricory.
Our veil tge last evening presented a most brilliant
spectacle. Every house was illuminated, which, with
the ringing of bells, discharges of musketry, and sa-
lutes of ordnance from the wharf and eacampment,
proclaimed the joy ofour citizens, and their gratitude
to their heroic deliverers. •