Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

AUTHENTIC.

The following is an extract of a letter from Captain
James Bruff to the Secretary of War, dated
Fort of Niagara, August 20, 1796.

"My last informed you of the evacuation of Oswego, and of it being taken possession of (by the
detachment I have the honor to command) on the
14th July.

"I now have the additional honor to inform you,
that after being detained near a month, for the
means of transportation, and after making an attempt
with six Batteaux, and being cast away, and
regaining that post; embarked on the 5th August
with 50 men, the artillery, ammunition, and the
principal part of the stores on board the Kingston
Packet of about 50 tons, (which Contractor
O'Hara had procured for us,) arrived on the 10th in
the afternoon, being in sight of Niagara, dispatched
a boat with an officer to the British commandant,
with notice of the approach of the advance
troops of the United States, destined to receive
possession of it; and about one hour came to at a mile
distance from the Fort, when I received his answer,
and an offer of immediate possession. I accepted.
and my guard under a commissioned officer marched
in, on captain Sheaff's marching out; his serjeant
attending mine in posting the sentries, &c. The
next day in the forenoon, the artillery, stores, and
the rest of the men were landed in time to display
the flag of the United States, under a federal salute,
by 3 o'clock.

"I was visited in the morning by Captain Sheaff,
who was so polite as to walk round the works, and
give me every information necessary for a relieving,
officer."