The Enquirer

Aug 17.

Siege of Fort Sandusky.

We are sorry to perceive, that all the accounts hitherto received, concur in representing the conduct of the British on this occasion, as affording ample proof of the characteristic barbarity and the sanguinary disposition of that nation, which has been called by men professing to be Americans, the "bulwark of religion," and the "shield of oppressed humanity." From sources entitled to credit, we learn, that when Col. Elliott demanded the surrender of the Fort, he stated that unless his demand was promptly acceded to, a general massacre would ensue. And when Col. Short who commanded the British regulars destined to storm the Fort, had formed his troops in a line parallel with the ditch, he ordered them, in the hearing of our men, to leap the ditch, cut down the pickets, and give the Americans no quarter. This barbarous order, which none but a savage could give, was not however permitted to go unpunished: for the words were hardly out of the mouth of the British commander, when the retributive justice of providence arrested him; and the wretch was obliged to sue for that mercy which he had determined not to extend to others. It may be observed here in honor of the character of the American soldier, that although our little band were well aware of the fate which the enemy had prepared for them, & yet they were no sooner subdued than the Americans forgot their crimes in their sufferings; and the wounded in the ditch, whose groans and constant calls for water were heard by our men in the Fort, were supplied with that necessary article, on the night succeeding the discomfiture of the enemy by the generosity of the Americans, who with considerable hazard, ventured to risk their lives in order to alleviate the sufferings of the very men who had plotted their entire destruction.

Fredonian.