Kentucky Gazette

DOMESTIC.

Pittsburgh Dec 17

AFFAIRS AT BLACK ROCK.

In the last Mercury we gave, by way of postscript, an account of the commencement of an enterprise, which we then confidently anticipated would have reflected the highest glory on the Americans. On the receipt of this intelligence, all were filled with the liveliest anticipations of success—The anxious expectations of the citizens were all directed towards this expected theatre of American glory. But alas! we fear the enterprise has issued in dishonour!

We have now, with mingled feelings of disappointment, mortification, and disgust, to record the sequel of the story, and to lament over the fate of our country. The loss of a fair fought battle, and even the treacherous capitulation of an important post, are incidents, which fortitude can bear, and which American courage might retrieve. But the heart sickens, and we turn with disgust from a scene, in which we see a spirit of insubordination prevailing in the army, their camp broke up, the men, without leave, returning to their homes, and leaving the republic to the scoff and derision of her enemies. It is too painful to dwell on the disgusting picture.

The account published in our last of the seamen and regulars having crossed the Niagara, was correct as far as it went—Subsequent information, which we believe may be relied on, is as follows:

On Friday the 20th ult. about 100 sailors and 150 regulars crossed the Niagara in the night by order of Gen. Smyth, from Black Rock, under the Cover of the American batteries. They were completely successful in this enterprise; having carried two of the British batteries spiked their cannon, and returned with thirty-three British prisoners, among whom were two officers.

On the next morning, by order of the commanding general, the troops were rendezvoused on the beach, the boats filled and were about starting, when they received orders to return. Our Batteries kept up their fire. A shot from one of them had at this time completely dismounted the only remaining gun (a six pounder) on the enemy's battery. Gen. Smyth then sent over a flag of truce, which returned with a British officer, with whom Gen. Smyth had a Conference. About 400 of the New-York militia, declared they would go without orders—and started—but were ordered back by the officer commanding the flag. The American troops were ordered to return to their camp. On Monday night, about twelve o'clock, the troops were again assembled on the beach They had with them three day's provision ready cooked. The regulars once more entered the boats, when the expedition was again ordered back by the commanding general

What could have been the motive of Gen. Smyth, for this extraordinary conduct, we have not learned. Exasperated by their repeated disappointments, the general, it is said, was obliged to conceal himself, to avoid the fury of the enraged soldiery—Some accounts state that he has fled: others, that the public inns at Black Rock, fearing an assault on their houses, were afraid to afford him shelter, and that he is now at Buffalo, under the safe guard of a party of regulars.

The volunteer companies commanded by captains Cooper and Lithgow, from Pittsburgh, and captain Turbit of this neighborhood, were all, not only willing but desirous to cross. It is said this was also the case generally, with a few exceptions Geoeral Tannehill is sick. The troops at Black Rock were ordered to build huts, and take up their winter quarters: but the report is, that the army, so far at least as relates to the militia and volunteers, is completely broken up; the greater part of them without waiting for a discharge, having left their arms and started for their respective homes. From the number of them which are daily arriving here, we fear there is but too much ground to believe the truth of this report!

This is a period of trial to the government, This winter's campaign is now at an end. There is now but one safe course to pursue, We must have a regular army The expense must not be regarded Regulars must be procured. Let the utmost circumspection be employed in the choice of officers. Let the talents of the nation; its courage and its enterprize be called into action—And let our glorious little navy, which has never disappointed the expectations of their country, be entrusted, and all will be well.

We have endeavored to condense this important intelligence as much as possible We add the following account from the last Buffalo Gazette, in order to gratify the curiosity of our readers.—Mercury

From the Buffalo Gazette, December 1.

From the time the armistice expired until Saturday last the weather, with the exception of one day, was inclement and extremely unfavorable to military movements and warlike operations. However, on Friday last, a movement being resolved upon, the troops removed from their several encampments, and concentrated their forces in the vicinity of Black Rock. On Saturday morning, at three o'clock, a party of about 200 sailors and soldiers, under the command of capt. King, made a descent upon the enemy's shore; attacked and carried three several batteries, dismounted and spiked their cannon and destroyed their gun carriages The most determined, intrepid bravery was displayed upon this occasion. About thirty prisoners, among whom were two British officers, were captured. A large two story house was burned, in which there was a quantity ammunition. A barn near the house was also fired and consumed, in which it was said were the enemy's light artillery, several horses already harnessed, were destroyed. The loss of the British in killed and wounded is uncertain : it is rated at between twenty and thirty. Our loss consists of four or five killed and (say twenty) wounded. Captains King and Dox taken prisoners, the latter wounded and re-taken. Sailing-master Watts was killed The party returned to Black Rock, about six o'clock. During this daring enterprise, there were a few cannon shot fired from our battery

A short time after this achievement, col. Wynder, with a column of 300 regulars from his regiment embarked (whether with an intention to cross the river, or to reconnoitre, we know not) at the mouth of Conjockety creek, behind Squaw Island, and after passing the foot of the island, dropped a few miles down the river, on the enemy's shore, when the boats were furiously attacked with grape and musquetry from a considerable force on shore, which had lain in ambush-the fire was very spiritedly returned from the boats for several minutes Seeing, however, the danger of effecting a landing against a superior force on shore, possessing every advantage, the boats returned, with a small loss in killed and wounded.

A detachment of col. Porter's light artillery had now passed over to Squaw Island, where two pieces played upon the enemy with some effect. From an early hour in the morning until nearly twelve o'clock the several batteries at Black Rock, mounting twenty-four, eighteen, twelve and six pounders, played upon the opposite shore. The enemy returned but a few shot from a six pounder, which had escaped spiking.

Between nine and ten o'clock, three sailors embarked in a boat, passed over to the enemy's shore, and set fire to the dwelling house of B. Hardison and to the house and store of Mr. Douglas, which were consumed. After remaining on shore about two hours they returned, with a boat loaded with articles taken from the houses. We understand this act was unauthorised.

From seven until ten or eleven in the morning, there was a constant embarkation of troops at the navy yard, and before the hour of eleven there were about sixty boats loaded and stationed in shore, awaiting the signal to make a descent. The day was fine—the troops were in excellent spirits—no opposing force appeared on the shore. A flag was now sent by general Smyth to the British commander. The flag returned. The troops in the boats were ordered to debark, and the volunteers who were in readiness for embarkation, were ordered back to their respective encampments. Since which several movements have taken place, but as we are in possession of no official statements, we can at present give no further account—perhaps, indeed, hereafter some satisfactory statement may appear.

Here follows the official report of colonel M'Feely, commandant at Fort Niagara, to gen. Smyth, stating that a heavy cannonade had taken place at Fort Niagara on the 21st, which continued during the whole day. Our batteries there several times during the day had set the town of Newark in flames, as also the centre buildings in Fort George, but the fire was extinguished by engines. One of the enemy's batteries was silenced for a considerable time; a number of buildings near the wharf were consumed and a schooner sunk. We lost 5 men killed and 7 wounded. Two of the men were killed by the enemy's shot, the remaining three by the bursting of one of our cannon.

Want of room compels us to omit this report till our next.

The Meadville Messenger of the 9th inst. speaking of the affairs of Black Rock, says—

In addition to the interesting matter copied from the Buffalo Gazette, we learn verbally, that all further attempts to invade Canada in this quarter, has been abandoned for the present. The volunteer militia from New York have been ordered to deliver up their arms and go to their respective homes; and those from this state required to build huts, for winter quarters. Complaints are loud against Gen. Smyth. He is charged with being a second Hull. But when we consider the number, quality, and disposition of the troops under his command, although mortified, we are by no means disappointed at the event.

The greater part of the troops that were organized at this place have disgraced the state they represent. We have a letter before us written by a young man of truth and candour, attached to Capt. Withrow's company of this place, in which, he states that only 600 of our brigade had volunteered to cross the line.—Out of this company there were thirteen volunteered, among which we have the pleasure of recording the names of Robert I. Curtis (who was the first that stepped out of the ranks), William White (son of Bar. White, killed at the battle of Brownstown), William Kennedy, Joseph Douglas, William Compton, Peter Sailor, J. D. Williams, and -- Epsey. The names of the others could not be recollected. From the Chambersburgh company, commanded by Capt. M'Clintock, there were three; Reist's company of riflemen, seven; Greene Castle Green's, one, an ensign, and from the Mercersburgh Blues, twenty-one who volunteered. The company commanded by Capt. Kleckner, from Aaronsburgh, Centre county, we are told, have deserted to a man. They were advised to do so by their captain, who supposed, when they were gone, he would find no difficulty in procuring his discharge!

The companies from Pittsburgh are reported to have acted honourably. Capt. Cooper's volunteered to a man; so did Capt. Lithgow's, with but few exceptions. The greatest number of volunteers were found in the regiments commanded by Cols. Irwin and Purviance.

The morning report of the regulars, we are credibly informed, on the 30th ult. furnishes but very few more than one thousand effective men. The volunteers from New York did not exceed eight hundred. After discovering that the conscientious scruples of the greater part of our volunteers to crossing the line could not be removed, we think the determination of Gen. Smyth was such as any prudent officer would have adopted.