The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-10

the 18th was upwards of thousand
Your ob't servant
u. p. GAINES,
Brig. Gen. Comd'g.
Gen. ARMSTRONG,
Secreta,ynf Mar. -
Head Quarters! Left Hing,
Cd Dirision, Fort Erie, u. c.
august 1914.
STR-I have the honor to Communicate for
the information of the Department of War,
the particulars of the battle fought at this
place on the 18th inst between the left wing
OF the Cd division of the Northern Army, I'M
dermy command, and the British forces in
the Peninsula of Upper Canada, commanded
by Lieut.. Gen. Drummopd, which terminated
Ia signal victory in favor of the United A.
IneiTcan arms.
Our position on the margin of the lake at
the entrance of the Niagara River, being
nearly horizontal plain twelve 20 fifteen
feet above the surface of the water possessing
lew natural advantages, had been strengthen
ec. In trout by temporary parapet breastworls,
entertainments and abbattis, with two bate
ries and six field pieces. The small unhnsh-
ed Fort Erie, with "a Is and IL Founders,
forms the North East, and the Douglass Bat
terry, with an ID and 6 FOUNDER near the edge
OF the Lake, the SOUTHEAST angle of our
right. The left is defended by a redoubt bat
tery with six field pieces just thrown up on
small, ridge. Our rear was left open to the
Lake, bordered by a rocky shore OF easy as
cent. l he battery OH the left was defended by
Capt Tcysson Fort Erie by Capt. Williams,
with Major Trimble's command of the 10Th
intantry /; the batteries on the front By Cap
tains Biddle and Tanning the whole of the
artillery commanded by Major Hindman-
Parts Of the 18th, 9th, and 22d, infantry (of
the late veteran brigade of Maj. Cen Scott)
were posted on the right under the command
of Lieut.. Col. Aspinwall. Gen. Ripley's bri-
gaae, consisting of the Dist and Esd, defended
the LETT. General Porter|'s brigade of New
York and Pennsylvania Volunteers, with our
distinguished riaemen, occupied the centre.
have heretofore omitted stating to YOU,
that during the 18th and 18th the enemy had
kept up brisk cannonade, which was sharp
" returned from our batteries, without any
considerable loss on our part. At 6. =. Nj
one OF their shells lodged in small magazine
in Fort Erie which was fortunately almost
empty. 1t blew up with An explosion more
awful in appearance than injurious in its eff
feet, rs It did not disabled man or derangc
gun. 1t occasioned but Tnomentary cessa-
ton OF the thunders OF the artillery on both
sides it was followed BY loud and Joyous
Shout by the British army, which was instantly
returned on our part, and Captain Williams
amidst the smoke Of the explosion renew
ed the contest by an animated roar of his hea-
w cannon.
From the supposed less OF our ammunition,
and the consequent depression such an event
was likely to produce upon the minds of oui
men, l felt persuaded that this explosion
would lead the enemy to assault, and made
my arrangements accordingly The annex
edraper No. 1. is a copy Of L. Gen. Drum
fn0rd's order and plan ofa:tack.
The night was dark and the early part of it
raining, bat the faithful centinel slept not -
one third Of the troops were up ar their posts.
At half past o'clock the right column of the
enemy approached, and though enveloped in
darkness black as his designs and principles,
was distinctly heard on our left and prompt
w marked by our musquetry under Major
Wood and cannon under Capt. Towson. Be
ing mounted at the moment, repaired to the
point Of attack, where the sheet of fire roll
ing from TowSon's battery and the musquctry
of the lett wing of the Dist infantry under
11ai. Wood, enabled me to see the enenv's
Column OF about 1900 men approaching on
that point his advance was not checked un-
til it had approached within ten fcet of our
infantry. y line of loose brush presenting an
0baHis only interviewed column Of the enc
my attempted to pass round the ADULTS thro'
ne water where it was nearly GTeaSt deeH-
Apprehending that this point would be car
iIcd, ordered a detachment Of rifemen and
infantry to it's support, bat, having met with
the gallant commander Major Wood, was as
sired by IA III that he conld defend his position
without rcinfOrCeuIents. At this moment tn
enemy were lepulsed, but instantly reaewed
tue charge and were agdn repused. My at
tcntion was now called to the right, where our
batteries q lines were a1on lighted by a most
brilliant fire OF cannon & uuspuetry 1t IN
Irounccd the approach Of the centre and left
cIumns ofthc enemy, unier Colonels Drum
Jnond and scott, the latter was received Nv
th- veteran On under the command q Capt
Foster, and Captains 3oughtcn and IIarGing's
companies OF NcwYorS auI PENNSYLVANIA
Volunteers, aided BY pcunAer jndiciouslv
posted by Major Mckee, Chief Eng rcer. who
was most active and useful az tlis point -
tney we're rcpdls"d. That OF. the ccutre led
by Col. Drummond was not tong kept IT. check
It approached AZ once every assa.iablc point
Of tue Fort, AID win scaling lad. ascend
ed the parapet, but was repdlscd with dread
1ui caInage. The assault was twice repeat
ed, aul a. ofsen checEed, bUt the enemy ba-
Wing novel round in &c ditch covered bv
erkness aided to the he1ey clou4 of smoke
4 scpcrQi ffy1ee Hsa7I .lzI s3,o,t,, ~ -.