No. 2. From colonel Murray to major-general Vincent. SIR, Fort-George, Dec. 12, 1813. Having obtained information that the enemy had determined on driving the country between Fort-George and the advance, and was carrying off the loyal part of the inhabitants, notwithstanding the inclemency of the season, I deemed it my duty to make a rapid and forced march towards him with the light troops under my command, which not only frustrated his designs, but compelled him to evacuate Fort-George, by precipitately crossing the river, and abandoning the whole of the Niagara frontier. On learning our approach, he laid the town of Newark in ashes, passed over his cannon and stores, but failed in an attempt to destroy the fortifications, which are evidently so much strengthened whilst. in his possession. as might have enabled general M'Clure (the commanding officer) to have maintained a regular siege; but such was the apparent panic, that he left the whole of his tents standing. I trust the indefatigable exertions of this handful of men have rendered an essential service to the country, by rescuing from a merciless enemy the inhabitants of an extensive and highly cultivated tract of land, stored with cattle, grain and provisions, of every description; and it must be an exultation to them to find themselves delivered from the oppression of a Jawless banditti, composed of the disaffected of the country, organised under the direct influence of the American government, who carried terror and dismay into every family. I have the honor to be, &c. J. MURRAY, colonel. To major-general Vincent, &c. No. 3. From the same to lieutenat-general Drummond. SIR, Fort-Niagara, Dec. 19, 1813. In obedience to your honor's commands, directing me to attack Fort-Niagara, with the advance of the army of the right, I resolved upon attempting a surprise. The embarkation commenced on the 18th, at night, and the whole of the troops were landed three miles from the fort early on the following morning, in the following order of attack:-Advanced guard one subaltern and 20 rank and file; grenadiers 100th regiment; royal artillery, with grenadiers; five companies 100th regiment, under lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, to assault the main gate, and escalade the works adjacent; three companies of the 100th regiment, under captain Martin, to storm the eastern demi-bastion: captain Bailey, with the grenadiers royal Scots, was directed to attack the salient angle of the fortification; and the flank companies of the 41st regiment were ordered to support the principal attack.-Each party was provided with scaling ladders and axes. I have great satisfaction in acquainting your honor, that the fortress was carried by assault in the most resolute and gallant manner, after a short but spirited resistance.. L The highly gratifying but difficult duty remains, of endea vouring to do justice to the bravery, intrepidity, and devotion of the 100th regiment to the service of their country, under that gallant officer lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, to whom I feel highly indebted for his cordial assistance. Captain Martin, 100th regiment, who executed the task allotted to him in the most intrepid manner, merits the greatest praise; I have to express my admiration of the valour of the royals, grenadiers, under captain Bailey, whose zeal and gallantry were very conspicuous. The just tribute of my applause is equally due to the flank companies of the 41st regiment, under lieutenant Bullock, who advanced to the attack with great spirit. The royal artillery, under lieutenant Charlton, deserve my particular notice. To captain Elliot, deputy-assistant-quarter-mastergeneral, who conducted one of the columns of attack, and superintended the embarkation, I feel highly obliged. I cannot pass over the brilliant services of lieutenant Dawson and captain Fawcett, 100th, in command of the advance and grenadiers, who gallantly executed the orders entrusted to them, by entirely cutting off two of the enemy's piquets, and surpris ing the sentries on the glacis and at the gate, by which means the watch-word was obtained, and the entrance into the fort greatly facilitated, to which may be attributed in a great degree our trifling loss. I beg leave to recommend these meritorious officers to your honor's protection. The scientific knowledge of lieutenant Gengruben, royal engineers, in suggesting arrangements previous to the attack, and for securing the fort afterwards, I cannot too highly appreciate. The unwearied exertions of acting quarter-master Pilkington, 100th regiment, in bringing forward the materials requisite for the attack, demand my acknowledgements. Captain Kirby, lieutenants Ball, Scroos, and Hamilton, of the different provincial corps, deserve my thanks. My staff-adjutant, Mr. Brampton, will have the honor of presenting this despatch, and the standard of the American garrison; to his intelligence, valor, and friendly assistance, not only on this trying occasion, but on many former, I feel most grateful. Our force consisted of about 500 rank and file. Annexed is a return of our casualties, and the enemy's loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The ordnance and commissariat stores are so immense, that it is totally out of my power to forward to you a correct statement for some days, but 27 pieces of cannon, of different calibres, are on the works, and upwards of 3000 stand of arms and many rifles in the arsenal. The store-houses are full of cloathing and camp equipage of every description. J. MURKAY, colonel. His honor lieutenant-gen. Drummond, &c. &c. &c. Return of killed and wounded in an assault of Fort-Niagara, at day. break, on the morning of the 19th of December, 1813. General staff;-1 officer, wounded. Royal artillery;-1 staff, wounded. 41st foot ;-1 rank and file, wounded. 100th foot ;-1 lieutenant, 5 rank and file, killed; 2 rank and file, wounded. Names of officers killed and wounded. Killed-100th foot; -Lieutenant Nowlan. Wounded;-Col. Murray, cominanding, severely (not dangerously). Royal artillery ;-Assistant-surgeon Ogilvie, slightly. J. HARVEY, lieut.-col., and deputy-assistant-gen. Return of the enemy's loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, who fell into our hands, in an assault on Fort-Niagara, on the morning of the 19th of December, 1813. Killed ;-65. 1 lieutenant, I assistant-surgeon, 12 rank and file. Prisoners ;- 1 captain, 9 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 1 surgeon, 1 commissary, 12 serjeants, 318 rank and file. J. HARVEY, lieut.-col., and dep.-adjt.-gen. No. 4. From brigadier-general M'Clure to the American secretary SIR, at war. Head-quarters, Buffaloe, I regret 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 undis. covered 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 com, menced a most horrid slaughter. Such as escaped the fury of the first contest, 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 the disaster is not attributable to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in the commanding officer of the fort, captain Leonard, in not preparing, being ready, and looking out for, the expected attack. I have not been able to ascertain correctly the number of killed and wounded. About 20 regulars have escaped out of the fort, some badly wounded. Lieutenant Beck, 24th 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 arrangement to meet it; but have reason to believe, from information received by those who have made their escape, that the commandant did not in any respect comply with those orders. On the same morning a detachment of militia, under major Bennett, stationed at Lewistown Heights, was attacked by a party of savages; but the major and his little corps, by making a desperate charge, effected their retrcat, after being surrounded by several hundreds, with the loss of six or eight, who doubtless were killed; among whom were two sons of captain Jones, Indian interpreter. The villages of Youngstown, Lewistown, 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 40 Canadian volunteers, advanced to Lewistown Heights, and compelled the advanced guard of the enemy to fall back to the foot of the mountain. The major is a meritorious officer; he fought the enemy two days, and contested every inch of ground to the Tantawanty Creek. In these actions lieutenant Lowe, 23d 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. I came here with the troops, and have called out the militia of Gennessee, Niagara, and Chatauqua counties, en masse. C This 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 great numbers; they are, however, a species of troops that cannot be expected to continue in the service for a long time. In a few days 1000 detached militia, lately drafted, will be on. I have the honor to be, &c. G. M'CLURE, brig.-gen. com. Hon. J. Armstrong, secretary at war. No. 5. First American general order. Head-quarters, Fort-Niagara, December 12, 1813. Captain Leonard will, as soon as possible, have a proportion of hand-grenades in the different block-houses, and give directions to the officers of the infantry where they should be posted with their men, in case of an attack; and should they not be able to maintain the out-works, to repair to the block and mess-houses, and have every thing arranged in such a manner as though he expected an immediate attack. Much is expected from captain Leonard, from his long experience and knowledge of duty; and the general feels confident he will be well supported by captain Lomas, of the artillery, as well as the officers of the infantry. By order of brig..gen. M'Clure, DONALD FRASER, lieutenant 15 U. S. inf., and vol. aid de camp. No. 6. 7 From major-general Riall to lieutenant-general Drummond.' Niagara frontier, near Fort-Erie, SIR, I have the honor to report to you, that, agreeably to the Instructions contained in your letter of the 29th ult., and your general order of that day, to pass the river Niagara, for the purpose of attacking the enemy's force, collected at Black Rock and Buffalo; and carring into execution the other objects therein mentioned, I crossed the river in the following night, |