...ross over to Fort Niagara. The weather became extremely cold, and on Dec. 10 he attempted to blow up the fort while his troops were crossing the river. He also wantonly set on fire the village of Newark , near by, and 150 houses were speedily laid in ashes. The exasperated British determined on retaliation. They crossed the Niagara River on the night of Dec. 18, about 1,000 strong, regulars and...