Allegheny County War of 1812 The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), December 23, 1812 Pittsburg, Dec. 11 Mr. Ralph Dawson, a citizen of this town, arrived on Wednesday evening last, direct from Black Rock, which place he left on Saturday the 28th ult. He states that a detachment of the regular troops between day break and sunrise of that morning, under cover of the fire from our 3 batteries crossed over to the British side and took two of their batteries and that the British troops retreated down the river to the lower battery. The landing of our troops was opposed by the British flying artillery and constant fire from the fort and batteries. When Mr. Dawson left Black Rock, the three American batteries were keeping up a constant and heavy fire on Fort Erie and the battery which the British still retained possession of. He distinctly saw a large fire behind the batteries which he conjectured was the burning either of the enemy’s barracks or stores. Orders were issued for the remainder of the troops to cross over and reinforce the regulars and it was confidently believed that Fort Erie would that night be in possession of the Americans. With pride we announce that Capts Lithgow, Cooper and Torbet’s companies, all from this town and neighborhood had volunteered to cross together with a number of other volunteer companies. Mr. Dawson however, understood, that some volunteers had refused to go over. Submitted by Nancy Piper
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