Star. — 1814-02-04 (London, England)

LETTER FRONT GENERAL 1100EURE, OF THE NEW-YORK r.,TATE TRi,CPS, 10 THE SECRETARY OF Att Head-quarters, Buffalo, Dec. 22, 180. "Stn-Iregret to be under the necessity of announcing to you the mortifying intelligence of the loss of Fort Niagara. On the morning of the 19th instant, about four o'clock, the enemy crossed the river at the Five Mile Meadows in great force, Consisting of regulars and Indians, who made their way undiscovered to the garrison, which, from the most correct information I can collect, was completely surprised. Our men were nearly all asleep in their tents ; the enemy rushed in and commenced a most horrible slaughter. sucL as escaped the fury of the first onset, retired to the old Mess-house, where they kept up a destructive fire on the enemy, until a want of ammunition compelled them to surrender. Although our force was.very inferior, and comparatively small indeed, I am induced to think that thediaster is not attributable. to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in the Coinoaanding ()leer of Me fort, Captain Leonard, in not prepar,ing, being ready, and looking out for the expected attack. •  s' I have not been able to ascertain correctly the number of killed and wounded. About twenty regulars have escaped out of the fort, some badly wounded. Lieutenant Peck,.2lth regiment, is killed, and it is said three others.  " You will perceive, Sir, by the enclosed General Orders, that I apprehended an attack, and made the necessary arrangements to meet it, but have reason to believe, from ustormation received from those who h tve made their escape, that the Commandant did not in any r..spect comply with those orders. 6f On the same morning a detachment of militia, under M jor Bennett, stationed at Lewiston Heights, was attacked by a party of Savages; but the Major and his little corps, by making a desperate charge, effected tl,eir retreat, after being surrounded by several hundreds, with the loss of six or eight, who doubtless were killed; among whom were two sons of Cap. Lint Jones, Llama Interpreter. The villages of  Youngston, Lewiston, Manchester, and the Indian Tuscarora village, were reduced to ashes, and the inoffensive inhabitants who could not escape, were, without regard- to age or sex, inhumanly butchered by Savages, headed by British Officers painted. A British Officer who is taken prisoner, avows that many small children were murdered by their Indians. Major Mallory, who was stationed at Schlosser, with about forty Canadian volunteers, advanced to Lewiston Heights, and compelled the advanced guard of, the enemy to fall hack to the foot of the mountain. The Major is a meritorious officer, he fought tlie enemy two days, and contested every inch of ground to the Taut iwanty Creek. In these actions Lieutenant Lowe, 23c1 regiment of the United States army, and eight of the Canadian volunteers were killed. I had myself, three days previous to the attack on the Niagara, left it with a view of providing for the defence of this place, Black Rock, and the other villages on this frontier, ,4•I came here without troops, and have called out the militia of Gennessc.., Niagara, and Chataugee counties en musse. 1 his place was then thought to be in imminent danger, as well as the shipping, but I have no doubt is now perfectly secure. Volunteers are coming in in great numbers ; they are, however, a species of troops that cannot be expected to continue to service for a long time. In a few days, 1000 detached militia, lately drafted, will be on. " I have the honour to be, &c. "