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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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A Memoir of the Late William Hodge, Sen.
Bigelow Bros., Buffalo, N.Y. - 1885


   (60-61)
                           THE BATTLE OF FORT ERIE
                                  --------

        The next summer after the village of Buffalo was burned, our army
     took possession of Fort Erie and held it for some time. I remember the
     cannonading for forty days and nights from the British batteries; and
     at length, September 17, 1814, they determined to drive our men from,
     and get possession of, the fort. They did get possession, so far as to
     drive our men from the main battery, and turn the guns upon them.  As
     the Americans were retreating from the fort, under the fire of the
     cannon, the magazine, which was under the battery, exploded with a
     tremendous noise, and great destruction of "life and limb" of the
     enemy. Several hundred who were on the battery were blown up. This
     caused a re-action; those of the enemy who survived, retreated, most
     of them were made prisoners, and our soldiers regained possession of
     the fort.
        When the battle had ceased, on the blowing up of the magazine, the
     people on this side of the river were in great anxiety to hear the
     result. The loud noise made by the explosion the magazine, they could
     not account for, and which party had gained the victory they could not
     tell. They were in a state of trying suspense until word was brought
     across the river, and they were exceedingly relieved when they learned
     that our men had gained the day.  Had we been unsuccessful the enemy
     would have been over here the next day.
        I remember well, seeing a number of wagons which stopped at my
     father's house the next day loaded with wounded prisoners. They were
     in great pain, and begged for whiskey some other liquor to drown their
     suffering. They were awful objects to behold, —some with their eye-
     sight gone, and others with their faces blackened and otherwise dis-
     figured. They were taken to Williamsville, and afterwards those that
     recovered, to Greenbush, opposite Albany.  The other prisoners, those
     that were not maimed or wounded — were marched on foot.  As they were
     halted in front of our place, and saw our burned brick house being
     repaired, they declared that they would burn it again before one year
     passed by; but this threat was never carried out.

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