Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-01-22

Rensselaer,, we are indebted Tor the IoiioW-
ing important and highly interesting letter,
from a gentleman of the first responsibility
at Buffalo, detailing the events which have
of late taken place on the Niagara frontier.
1t will be read with q deep interest by eve
ny citizen. How is the honorable and proud
character of our country, furnished, fallen,
and disgraced
BuFFALoE, Dec. 6, 1879.
DEAR Sin,
/ ought, previous TO this, to have
given you a history of events that have oc-
Cured on this frontier, since you left it.
The confused state of our affairs, and the
agitation of mind, consequent thereon,
must be my apology for my delay. But as
transactions have lately taken place, which
involve the destruction of individual happi-
ness, and which vitality affect the interest
of the nation, gill now perform the pro
mise l made you, and endavor to give a
sketch of the most prominent among them,
Nothing was done on the part of Gen.
Smyth which promised a continuance of
the campaign, until the 10th of November;
when he issued his proclamation, calling
to the citizens of this state, to volunteer
for the purpose of invading Canada-That
proclamation, you nave doubtless seen in
the public papers. Ofcourse, need make
no remarks upon it but will only mention
the effects which it produced in this quar-
ter. Some parts of it were deservedly ridi-
culed by candid men fall parties and a
mong the friends ofthose who had anxiously
labored, and who had exposed their lives
to promote the welfare of the union, it ex-
cited strong feelings of honest Indignation.
Not a few, however, were ready to believe
that a man who could so barefacedly charge
others of being " alike destitute of theory
and experience in the art of war;" must
possess both, in an eminent degree. A
bout 400 volunteers came in, in conse-
quence of that proclamation, and we're or
ganized into a brigade under Gea, p. b.
Porter. l was induced from a concurrence
of circumstances, which it is needless to
mention, to accept of a post of some inn
portance in that corps but | shall ever re-
greet that i engaged in business, which has
terminated in shame and disgrace.
On thel6th another proclamation appear
ed, which you have also undoubtedly seen,
After this nothing material occurred, until
Wednesday the 25th, when we witnessed a
scene In this village, similar to the tragedy
which was acted III Baltimore last July
Mr.. Pomeroy, who kept a public house,
had by some imprudent and unjustifable
expressions, given offence to the volunteer
company from Baltimore, and to a number
of the irish Greens, from New-York and
Albany. Pomeroy is a federalist, or, in
their language, a tory and of course, by
men of their principles, or rather of no
principles, would for the slightest offence,
be doomed to prescription. Nothing seri-
Gus, however, was apprehended until the
time above mentioned, when, upon some
new provocation, their ungovernable fury
burst forth. They began by breaking in
pieces whatever property of his they could
lay their hands on, and seemed determined
not to desist until they should have laid his
house in ruins. A number of our cirizens
(among whom was Mr.. Grosvenor) who
endeavored to restrain the fury of the mob,
narrowly escaped with their lives. Several
officers used every exertion to quell and
dispense them, but without avail. Neither
threats nor entreaties were of any USE
Captain Allison's company of volunteers
was brought forward and ordered to charge
upon them. But they appeared unwilling
to shed the blood of those, who for some
time had lived in the same camp with them
selves. The mob seemed conscious that |
they had nothing TO fear from this compa-
ny, and continued their operations without
regarding them. The house at this time
was empty, and the men were drawn up
before it, merely with a design of prevent
ing the villains from entering it. Soon at
ter Col. Mcclure, who had been indefatiga-
bic in his exertions to restore tranquility,
was called away to attend on some imPor- |
tant duty, and requested Gen. Porter, who
was present, to see, if possible, that no fur
Their outrages were committed.
BY some mistake or neglect, the guard
was removed, and Immediately 10 or l2 of
the ringleader, entered the house, and be-
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