After the battle of August 15, the British continued to bombard Fort Erie. No great damage was done; but a shell exploded in Gaines’s quarters August 29, injuring him severely and obliging him to relinquish command. Brown was still unfit for service, but was bent upon more fighting, and knew that Ripley preferred to abandon Fort Erie altogether. Accordingly he resumed command at Buffalo, September 2, and set himself to study the situation. The situation was uncomfortable, but in no way perilous. The lines of Fort Erie were stronger than ever, and beyond danger of capture from any British force that could be brought to assault them, until Drummond should discover some new means of supplying troops with subsistence. The army return of August 31 gave the precise strength of the garrison. _Strength of the Army at Fort Erie, Aug. 31, 1814._ PRESENT FOR DUTY. AGGREGATE. /---------------/\-------------\ Non com. Officers, Officers. Present and rank-and-file. absent. Dragoons 27 1 48 Bombardiers, etc. 34 51 Artillery Corps 206 10 369 First Brigade 725 39 2311 Second Brigade 698 42 1646 Porter’s Brigade 220 16 599 First and Fourth Rifles 217 11 504 ---- --- ---- Total 2127 119 5528 The regular force in Fort Erie numbered two thousand and thirty-three effectives[123] September 4, and though annoyed by the enemy’s fire and worn by hard work, they were in both these respects better situated than the besiegers. Sooner or later the British would be obliged to retreat; and Brown was informed by deserters that Drummond was then contemplating withdrawal.[124] Brown estimated the British force very loosely at three or four thousand;[125] and it was in fact about the smaller number.