Erie, Fort, Can

during the War of 1812, was abandoned and fired with all its stores, May 28, 1813, by orders of General Vincent. The same day the Americans cro ed the Niagara and took po e ion of the ruins. After the Americans had withdrawn from the Canadian shore, the British rebuilt the fort and stationed there 170 men under command of Major Buck, July 3, 1813, General Jacob Brown, preparatory to an invasion of Canada, invested the fort, and on demand it surrendered. The fort was now strengthened, and made capable of enduring a siege. After the battle of Niagara, the British advanced against the American position. From August 7 to 14 the bombardment was almost ince ant. At two o'clock on the morning of the fifteenth, the British, 1,500 strong, tried to surprise the Americans. Attacks were made upon three points, but one only was succe ful. The main bastion of the fort was captured and held against all attack. Suddenly its magazine blew up with tremendous force, the attack was renewed and the British retreated, leaving 221 dead, 174 wounded and 186 prisoners. The Americans lost, all told, 137men. The siege still continued, the attacking works were continually pushed nearer; but on September 17 General Brown, in charge at Vol. V.—16 the fort, planned a sortie to destroy the British works. An attack in three divisions was arranged and executed undercover of a fog. It was completely succe ful. The works were captured and destroyed, th: British broke camp and gave up the siege, leaving behind over 800 men killed, captured or wounded. When the Americans finally abandoned Canada, Fort Erie was blown up November 5, 1814, and never rebuilt. 245