The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-14
BATTLE AT FORT ERIE.
Cchy Of a iener from Brig. Gen. GAINES, "a
Me Secretary al War, dated

OF the battle fought this place on the l5,h inst
between the left wing OF the 2d division of The nor
thern atmv, under my command, and the British
forces IN The peninsula of Upper Canada command
ed by LIT. Gen Drummond, which terminated in u
signal victory III favor of the United American al ms
have heretofore omitted sating TO yuu, that dur
ing the 18Th and l4th, the enemy had kept up a
b'lsk cannonade, which was sharply returned from
our batteries, Wi,hou, any considerable loss our
part. AZ o. u. NJ. one ot their shells lodged in n
small magazine in Fou Erie. which was fortunately
almost empty. Ii blew UP with explosion more
awful In appearance than injurious its effects, as
II did not disable man or gun. l. occasiongd but
momentary cessation of the thunlers of the artl-
lery on both sides it followed b, loud aud
joyous shout by the British army, which was ia
stanty returned on our part, and Capt Williams a.
midst the smoke of the explosion renewed the con.
ties, BY an animated roar OF his heavy artillery.
From the supposed loss Of our ammunition, and
the const queDt depression such an event was kcy
To produce upon The minds of our men, felt per.
suaded that this explosion would lead the enemy
tn assault, and made my arrangements accordingly
The night was dark and the early part of il rain
ing, but the faithful sentinel slept no,--one third of
The troops were UP at their posts. At LIZ O'Clock
the right column of the enemy approached, and
though en3eicped in darkness black as his designs
and principles, was distinctly heard on our left and
promptly marked by our musquetry ct the left wing
OF the ash infantry under MAJ. Wood enabled me
TO see the enemy's column Of about $500 men ap.
PEoaChHp Oh mat point HiS advance was not check.
ed until II had approached within ten feet Of our in.
fantry. line OF loose brush representing an abat.
tbs only interviewed, a column of the enemy attempt.
ed TO pass round the abais through the water where
IT was nearly breas, deep. Arprehending that this
point would be carried, ordered u detachment of
rhemen and infantry TO it's support, but having met
with the gallant commander Major Wood. was as
sured by him that he could defend his position with
out reinforcemenis. At this moment the enc INV
were repuised, but instantly renewed the charge and
were again rephlsed. My attention was now cali,d
10 the right ~s.re cur batteries t Iiaes were soo,
lighted by most brilliant fire OF Cannon and mus.
qnetry; 1t announced the approach OF the cehtre
and left columns Of the enemy, under Coils Drum.
mond and Scott the latter WAS received by the vet
eran 9Th under the command OF Capt. Foster, and
Cap,s Bough;on and iiarding's companies Of New.
York and Pennsylvania volunteers, aided BY 6-pr
judiciousy posted by Maj. Nj Kee, chief engineer,
who was most active and useful AT this pont--,hey
were rCpused That of the centre, led by Colonel
ID ummond, was not long kept in che OK it APP
pIoachcd a, once every assaable point of the foit
and with scaling ladders ascended HE parapet, but
was repulsed with dreadful carnage The assault
was twice reDeated, 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 musquetry, eIveop-
ng surrounding objects, repeated the charge, re.
ascended the ladders; their pixies, bayonels and
spears tell upon our gallant artiilcrists. The gall
liant spirits of our favorite Capt Williams and Its.
M'Donough and Wa,mough, with their braVe men
were overcome. The two former and several of
their men received deadly wounds Our bastion was
lost. 1t NJ Donough. being severely wounded, de-
ma nded quarter. Ii was refused by Colonel Drum
mond. The lieutenant then seized handspike and
nobiy defended bimseif until lie shot down with
pistol by the monster who had refused him GUAR
ter, who often reiterated the order" Give the
damn'd Yankees no quarter" This officer, who're
bravery, Vt II had been seasoned with virtue, would
have entitled him 10 the admiration Of every soldier
this hardened murderer soon met his fate. iIe
was shot through the breast by Of the regt
while repeating the crder to "give no quarter"
The battle now ragged with incre ased fury on the
right, but on the left the enemy was repused and
put 10 flight Thence and from the centre ordered
reinforcemehts They were promptly sent by bri.
gadler gen. Ripley, and brig. gen Porter. Capt.
fannlng, of the corps of artillery, kept up spirited
and destructive fire with his field pieces the enc.
my attempting to approach the fort. Major Hind.
mans gallant efforts, aided by major Trmbie, having
failed to drive the enemy from the basiion with the
r, naming artilicrists and infantry in he fort capt
Blrdsaii OF 4;h rife regiment, with detachment of
rliemen galIantry rushed in through the gateway 10
their assistance, and ith infantry charged the
enemy bu, WAS repuised, and the capt severely
wounded. detachment from the llth, 18Th, and
I'D infantry under capt Foster of tie lIh, we're in.
troduced oTer the interior baston, for the purpose
OF charging the enemy. NJ jor Hail. assistant inspec-
tor gen. very handsomely rendered bis services TO
,esu tue charge The charge was galiantly made
by capt. Foster and maj Hail. but owing to the mar.
rowness of the passage Up to the ba.an admitting
ony two or three men abreast IT failedt often
repeated, ard as often Tine enem,'s force
in the baston was. however, much cut 10 pieces |
AID diminished by our artillery and small arms. At |
tbs moment every operation arrested by the
piosion OF some cartridge, deposed in the end OF the
stone building adjoining the contested bssion. The
explosion was tremsndOus-it ~zs decisive the bas-
tIoa was restored. Al this moment captain Bidde I
was ordered to have felG piece posted to en-
MADE Tie exterior PLAIN and salient glscis. The |
csg,in, though not recovered fom a severe contus-
the shoulder received from one Of the enem,s
shells, promptly took bis position, and served his
several times heard. and many Of our officers