The Memoirs of Jarvis Hanks The Americans Take Fort Erie   Jarvis Hanks - biography Memoirs Continued Part 1: Early Life and the Decision to Enlist Part 2: The Harsh Reality of Army Punishment Part 3: An American farmer's greed; battle in a Canadian farmer's field Part 4: Drilling in Winfield Scott's camp at Buffalo Part 5: At the Battle of Lundy’s Lane Part 7: Very Close Shaves Part 8: PEACE! Drummerboy Jarvis Hanks' account of the Battle of Lundy's Lane Boys at War

Part 6: The siege of Fort Erie The Americans soon returned to Fort Erie, and began to strengthen and add to the fortifications. In a few days the enemy followed us up the river and planted himself about 300 yards north of the fort and began to intrench, and commenced a cannonade. Meanwhile, some of their men deserted from them and came to us, by whom we learned that Colonel Drummond, who had the command, had determined to attack us on the night of the 15th of August [1814]. Preparations were immediately made for their reception, and every man was ordered, on that night, to sleep on their arms. The night was rainy and extremely dark; and as anticipated, the attack commenced at two in the morning. The enemy came with bayonets, scaling ladders, hand grenades and faggots. Every one of them was supplied with an extra half-pint of rum for the strengthening and whetting up his courage; to make him fierce and brave in the attack and reckless of danger to himself. Their main force was directed against the old fort. Into this, about two to three hundred of them succeeded in climbing by means of their ladders notwithstanding several of our cannon and plenty of musketry were employed in demolishing them. The voice of Colonel Drummond was distinctly heard: "Give the damned Yankees no quarter!" He was soon shot through the heart. In ten or fifteen minutes after they took possession of the bastion, and while they were bringing some of its guns to bear upon our 9th regiment and raking them from one end to the other, as they lay along the short embankment from the fort to the river, an awful explosion occurred which blew up the bastion; sent, in a moment, near two hundred of our enemies into eternity; caused the remainder to retreat with terror to their camp; and closed the contest for the present. This explosion occurred just before daylight. During the forenoon, I inspected the awful scene. I counted 196 bodies lying in the ditch and about the fort; most of them dead; some dying. Their faces and hands were burned black, many of them were horribly mutilated. Here an there were legs, arms and heads lying in confusion, separated by the concussion from the trunks to which they had long been attached. One trunk I observed, deprived of all its limbs and head. A large hole was dug outside the fort and these bodies thrown in and buried before night. The enemy was so devoid of humanity that they fired on us, while we were engaged in this melancholy service.