Fort Niagara Was Out Of Repair

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OLD FORT NIAGARA:

Fort Niagara's Southwest Blockhouse

The official declaration of the war, made June 18th, reached Fort Niagara June 26th, a day after the news had reached the Canadian Frontier by private messengers sent to his agents hereabouts by John Jacob Astor, who had vast commercial interests at stake. According to the commandant's private admission, the fortifications were out of repair, there was scarcely any arms or ammunition, and only one company of soldiers in the fort, showing great negligence on the part of the War department.