The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-08-31
BUFFALO, August le.
Splendid de/cnee Of Fort Erie.

win the ioHo"inR Biorious ahu hibbly lDser-
esting news from our gallant afmy at For, Erie,
received late last evening from undoubied
authority.
On Sunday evening It. Con. Drummond
made his dispositions for storming Fort Erie.
About half past two o'clock yesterday morning,
the attack commenced from three colomns,
one directed against the fort--one against
Towson's battery, and third moved up she ri.
yer in order to force passage between the
Fort and river. The column that approached
the fort, succeeded in gaining the rampant,
after they had been several times repulsed
when abou, 800 Of them had gained the works
and made stand, an explosion from some
unknown cause, completely cleared the ram
parts of the enemy, the most OF whom were
utterly destroyed. The column that moved TO
attack the south (or Towson's) battery, made
desperate charges, but were met with such
fimness by our artillery and infantry, that they
were compelled to fall back--they advanced
second aud third time with great resolution,
but being alc, with such distinguished galIan-
try, they gave way snd retired. The column
that marched up The river, were repuIsed be-
fore they assailed the batteries. Shortly after
the explosion, the enemy finding every effort
TO gain the Fort or carry the batteries, unavail-
ing, withdraw his forces from the whole line,
and rc,reated to the woods. The action con-
iinued one hour and half, during which,
(except the short interval that the enemy oc-
cupied the ramparts) the artillery from the
fort and batteries kept up a most destructive
fire, as we'll on the main body Of the enemy,
as on the attacking columDs--Thcse columns
were composed Of the best Of the British army,
volunteers from every corps, The Jorlorn hohe.
The encmy's loss is estimated at rising 800.
l23 taDk and file passed this place this morn
ing for Grcen5ush. Col. Drummond and 6
or officers were killed. One Dep. @. M.
Gen. (said to be Capt. Eliiott,) and two platoon
officers, prisoners. Our loss in killed, does
not exceed twenty, most of which we learn are
Of the artillery. We regret to state, that Capt.
Williams aud 1t. M'Donough, of the artillery,
are killed; 1t. Fontane, missing, supposed
prisoners.
Several of our officers were wounded, but
we have not learned their names.
From the circumstances of of the enemy's
main body lying within grape and cannistcs
distance from the Fort, their loss must be very
severe, greater than what is mentioned in the
above estimation. The cncmy's Wagons
were uncommonly active yesterday morning
10 removing the wounded.
The prisoners are of the 9th, Tooth, lo3d,
losth and De Watteville's regiments, ard a
few sailors.
II is impossible for Us in this sketch, to say
any thing of the individual skill and gallantry
Of the officers, or the steady bravery of The
men engaged in this glorious defence we
presume all did their duty.--Brig. Gen.
Gaines commanded the fort.
-:xs:-
From the Correspondents Of the Commercial .fdrertiser
ALBANY, August 90,
Half past 10 o'clock, A. NJ. {
We learn by an officer Immediately from
Buffalo, that on Tuesday night last another
attack or skirnish took place between our
troops at Eric and the enemy. The nigh,
was very dark, and the result was unknown
when The officer left Buffalo. He further
states tha; the British lost in the late attack on
the Fort, 500 killed, and IA prisoners, includ.
ing wounded, go of whom were severely
wounded. Our loss was Is killed and 30
wounded-S have since died.
"a gentleman from ST Lawrence states,
that the British had Informed the inhabitants
Of Ogdensburgh, that they should immediat.
ely take possession of that town.
Albany .8ag. 90.
81 enclose you the Buffalo Gazette receiv.
cd by the mail Of las, evening.
I" m addition to what you may collect from
this source, which is the most complete yet
come to hand, learn by an officer who 'arriv.
ed last evening, and who left Buffalo on We'd
nescay last, that he saw $40 Of the enc my bur-
led, and about 80 lying ia pile.--4l4 pris-
oners were on their way 10 Greenhush, some
of the officers of which arrived here on Sat.
urday evening last.-rhe enemy were repul-
sed four successive times before they succeed.
cd against only one bas,ion. Shortly their
entry therein, the magazine exploded and pre-
cipiiated many Of the " Poor FcHo-ps" into the
presence of their God. Lieut.. M'Donough,a a
young and en,erprising officer, fought desper- 1
aely with the iiller Of a gun ill he was bay.
one,ted. Lieutenant Fontane the remaining
officer Of the hastion, seeing himself alone.