THE NATIONAL ADVOCATE, New York, March 15, 1814

• Capture of Fort Niagara
• War of 1812 British victory

The front page has a report headed: "Sackett's Harbour" "Diomede's Cruise" and: "Capture of Two French Frigates".
Inside has: "Blue Lights!!" "Peacock Sailed" "Federal Consistency--Again"; a report from: "Head Quarters, Buffalo" concerning the loss of Fort Niagara; a "Letter from the Secretary of War to Maj. Lee..." and more.
Four pages, very nice condition.

Background: On December 19, 1813, during the War of 1812, British forces launched a surprise night assault on Fort Niagara, a strategically vital American stronghold at the mouth of the Niagara River in New York. The attack was led by Colonel John Murray and consisted of approximately 562 British regulars, who were seeking retribution for the recent American burning of the Canadian town of Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake). Poorly defended and underprepared, the American garrison was swiftly overwhelmed in a brutal close-quarters battle that lasted less than half an hour. Many American soldiers were killed in their sleep or captured, and the British seized a large quantity of arms, ammunition, and supplies. The fall of Fort Niagara marked a turning point in the Niagara frontier, giving the British control of the eastern end of Lake Ontario and enabling a series of destructive raids into western New York, including the burning of Buffalo and Black Rock. This decisive British victory not only avenged the destruction of Newark but also significantly undermined American military presence and morale in the region.