The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-12-21

SUMMARY OF POLITICS.

dmer,can Wdr.--ln my last, noticed the
bloody battle of Ceihhepa. After that battle
it appears that the contest was renewed (our
army having been rei9foreed) in the front Of
Fort Erie, into which the Yankees bad retir.
ed, and where our gallant coun,rymcn and
their associates seemed to have been resolutc-
ly bent to fulfil our wishes, and TO give them
"a dru66ing"+Alas ! the Hrubbing" fell
upon our own gallant army, who amountcd to
only about two thousand men, and who were
compelled to retreat, with all possible speed,
leaving 9o5 either dead, wounded or prison
ers! The American genctal Gaines, says that
he destroyed our people at The foint Of fhe
bayonef.-Our general says, that the angle Of
bas,ion vas blown up with two hundred OF
our men on it.--Ths las, nigh, be, ,and yet the
case would not be much altered in our favor
Such conflict as this never before read Of
II surpasses that oil Chippewa and that sur
passed, in point OF proporionatc destruction,
any thing In modern warfare. And, il ough,
to be observed, that great part OF this army
OF Yankees were Militia some of thcrn vol-
1afeers and not nan OF them who wohld
suffer any one to say that he had him under
his commend !-It Is, then, a fact beyond all
dispute, that the Yankees will sometimes fight
and, there is no such thing as asccrtainIDg be.
lorehsnd the precise time when the fighting
tit Will come on them, they being stch an ir-
regular sort OF people, and subject to no kind
OF discipline, l think it is the height Of pru.
dcncc in our commanders on the Atlantic
coast not to venture too far at a time from
our ships.
Upon hearing Of The battle ef Erie (fov il
cost as many men as several of the battles of
Wellingsoh,) was, must cohfess, eager to
hear what the Times writer would be able to
say upon the subject. had half mind to
hope, that he would begin 10 repent Of the
part no had acted in the stirring up Of this
war but, on reflections, concluded, that, like
the reProbates mentioned in the good book,
repentance was not in his power. This con.
clusion was right, as the reader will now see.
The Unfortunate evenf which cast partial shade
the successes of our Canadian army is al length
communicated TO US in an authentic shape We ex.
tract, from the papers received yesterday from that
part of the world, copy of sir George Prevosts
general order, dated Montreal 9th Of Aug which
states the loss sustained at the attack on Fort Erie
on the 18th preceding, AZ 800 killed, wounded and
missing. Compared sith the whole, number Of gen.
Drummopd's force this loss is no doubt very consd-
cradle but We glad see hint given, that the
event likely to occasion our troops TO fall back.
The msadvenure must no doubt, be ranked amongst
Hose cHdnces g rIr 10 which the or0ued drns1es and
best taid pians. are subject. It was preceded by q
brilliant achievement, executed four days before by
capt Dobbs. of the royal navy, who, with party Of
seamen and marine = most galIaniy boarded and
took two armed schooncrs, anchored close to Fort
Erie. The consequence Of this capture being to de-
prive the enemys position Of great part OF its de-
fence gen. Drlmmond re solved to follow it up by
general attack on Fort Erie and the American en-
trenchmenis. In this daring Attempt he had nearly
attained complete spccess. The spirit Of our brave
soldiers snonned epery obstacle They bad actually
entered the fort, and had already turned part Of It's
guns against the enemys last point Of refuge, when
Suddenly a tremendous explosion took place, which
not only destroyed many valuable lives. but necesss-
ry involved all operations in confusion and left
no alternative but prcripitate retreat TO our first
approaches. II is eDiderf therefore, that General
Gaines's boast Of having repulsed our men ut the
point y the 6eseuef. is Idle gaseensds The iamensa-
Ole result was, in all probability, occssioped by
eitens; but IL the American General had any share
in IL, i, was one which reflected more credit bis
policy than on his bravery. To spring mine on an
assaIling enemy, may be in such circumstances an
allowable mode of destruction but whilst humanity
is panied BY contemplating such event, there is
no counter feeling Of admiration for The h>roism Of
those BY whom the dreadful deed vas executed"
Oh you vile hypocrise !" Hsmanify" on
your lips on these same lips from which