at Fort Malden and Quebec in the War of 1812
July 1st (1812).--After a long and tedious march I with the sick, went
on board the Caryaorgo[1] packet at Maume, a little town on the Maume
River[2]. Doctor Edwards Surgeon General of the North Wertern Army gave
me charge of the Hospital stores and sick to go by water to Detroit. We
sailed about 4 p.m. and had a gentle breeze the afternoon. At sunset the
wind died away and we ancored for the night[3] and about 4 o'clock in
the morning the wind rose and we weighed ancor and with a fair wind
entered Lake Erie all in to good spirits to think we should be at
Detroit by 3 o'clock in the afternoon. To our surprise just as we were
about to enter Detroit River we saw a boat that hailed us and ordered
the Captain to lower his sails[4]. Our arms were all in the hole (hold)
and the men sick. I thought it improper to make any resistance as I had
not been informed that war was declared[5] and had not had orders from
the Genl. to make any resistence. Lt. Goodwin and 2nd Master Beatt and
Mr. Dent paymaster to the 3rd Regt. Ohio Vlts. and three ladies and two
soldiers wifes making in the whole forty-five in number and not more
than six well persons among them it must have been imprudent in the
highest degree to have attempted to resisted a boat of eight well armed
men and a Capt., and another of 5 men who demanded us as prisoners of
war and we were nearly under the cover of the guns at Ft. Malden, soever
we gave ourselves up and was taken into Malden and our property was all
stored in the hole (hold) and hatches nailed immediately and we were
taken alongside a prison ship. The next morning about X o'clock our
Schooner was[6] taken and all our effects even to a blanket. The Doctor
came on board to see some of the sick and I asked him for knapsacks and
blankets for the men which were returned immediately and the cloths of
the officers and men on board.
3rd.--The day past with Mallone holey (wholly) the men sick and despond,
nothing pleasing appeard.
4th.--We were surrounded with Savages singing and dancing their war
dances through the town[7]. O heavens what a glory Sun for independence
can any person discribe the feeling of a free born subject to see the
Savages dancing their war dance and hooting about the town and to be
confined when we knew they were preparing (to) murder our fellow
creatures and not only the soldiers but the helpless women and children.
These horrible and dispicable seens closed the day and Sol returned to
his rest.
5th.--Some gentlemen[8] from our (side) came from Detroit with a flag of
truce and brought news that our army had arrived their safe and that the
men were in tolerable health and spirits but we could not see them
without a British being present. We sent some papers to Detroit after
having them examined (by) an officer (of) the Part we would expect for
prisoners[9].
6th.--We were provided with tolerable rations, and nothing happened
through the day.
7th.--Nothing especial happened through the day, but all the (men) were
making preparations for war.
9th.--Know news for prisoners.
X.--Nothing extra happened in the course of the day.
10th.--We were moved below town. Dr. Davis attends on our sick daily.
The weather verry warm and the men suffer much from the heat.
11th.--We had a very warm day in the afternoon. The officers and Indians
were verry busy, however we heard nothing[10]
12th.--Sunday. The American troops crossed the river into Sandwich and
divested the people of their arms and sent them to their farms.
13th.--Monday. Pleasant and cool. Nothing extra happened.
14th.--Tuesday. Nothing worthy of notice.
15th.--Wensday, healthy weather. People was moving very much in town and
considerable blustor.
16th.--Thursday. Pleasant and cool. Capt. Brown[11] came to town with a
flag of truce on and (what) express news we knew not, but could judge by
the movements. Two topsail vessels were sent out of the river and the
people were moving out of the town at night.
17th.--Friday. The Indians[12] were flocking into town all the morning
armed and painted black. A lousifer with their arms and the town was in
an uproar. It appeared by ten o'clock that almost every person had left
the town. About five o'clock the Savages began to return into town
hollowing and barekin and firing all around our vessell, and to crown
the whole they had one of our men's scalp stretched on a pole as they
past by us to aggrevate us in a helpless state and wound the feelings of
prisoners. These Indians[13] were headed by a british subject. Is it
possible that their can be so much corruption in the British Government.
They are void of feelings and in fact are as bad as the savages
themselves for they carry on their intrigues under the pretence that
they cannot govern the Indians, and in fact they themselves are
personally at their head and give them their instructions. God deliver
me from monarch's gag laws and all their subjects[14] for free I was
born and free I'll die or by the sword shall we live like bruts and
worse, glory in each other's fall and more than that confine our fellow
creatures and tantalize them by the blood of our fellow mortals. What
will man do when left to himself. But thanks be to God this (is) about
the last act of bravery you can show you are on your last legs. The
crown will loose another jewil and savage yell dispersed and harmony
fill the land. The eagle here shall build her nest and every subject
shall be at peice[15].
18th.--Pleasant. All things peceable through (the) day. About X o'clock
in the evening their was an alarm[16] and the prisoners, sick and well,
were all ordered in to the hole (hold) together and what a disagreeable
(night) it was to have forty men half sick all stowed together and some
had to stand all night.
19th.--Sunday. Warm and muggy weather. Their was considerable movement,
the Indians again past armed and about 2 p.m. we heard firing towards
Sandwich[17]. The Savages returned about dark in not so good spirits as
usual and this led us to suppose their success had not been so good as
they could wish. About 8 in the evening their came a party (of) Savages
by and fired several times near us and struck up their war hoop.
20th.--Monday. To day the Indians past by armed as usual, they returned
about sunset some verry much fatigued. We were informed that the Indians
and some of the militia had a Scirmish with some of our troops
yesterday.
21st.--Tuesday. Cloudy and rain. Nothing extra occurred.
22nd.--Wednesday. Everything still. Nothing extra occurred.
23rd.--Thursday. Cold for the season and some rain.
24th.--Friday[18]. Cold and pleasant for the season. I was ordered to
the King's Stores in order to give information about the hospital
stores. Everything peciable.
25th.--Saterday. Pleasant. Nothing worth mentioning through the day. The
Indians went out as usual and returned in the evening and are now
partickular morn (ful).
26th.--Sunday. Nothing extraordinary.
27th.--Monday. We had three prisoners brought on board our vessel one of
which was from our army. We rec'd him with joy, and he thought the army
would be down in a week.
28th.--Tuesday. Pleasant. Nothing happened extra through the day. All
past peceable.
29th.--Wensday. The Indians killed a man and his servants and took a
boat loaded with goods and two bbls whiskey, got drunk and raised the
divil all knight.
30th.--Thursday. Pleasant. Nothing extra.
31st.--Friday. Cloudy and rainy. The officers[19] were ordered on board
the Lady Provost to go to Niagary. Nothing further happened through the
day.
August 1st.--Saterday. Pleasant. Nothing worth recording.
2nd.--Sunday. Cloudy. Nothing extra, the Indians commence (to cross to)
Brownstown with Britishs and officers.
3rd.--Monday[20]. Pleasant. The soldiers and Indians crossed to Brown's
town twelves boats loaded. I should judge about 400 in numbers. I cannot
tell their business.
4th.--Tuesday. Pleasant. The troops and Indians crossed the river as
yestirday and returned about eight o'clock in the evening.
5th.--Wensday[21]. Plesent. The Indians crossed the river about 11
o'clock and the people appeared very much allarmed. A party of them
returned about sunset but the boats had few in them. Their was six guns
fired about 11 o'clock at Browns Town.
6th.--Thursday. Pleasant. Nothing in particular.
7th.--Friday. Pleasant. Capt. Olds and Ensign Elison came on board and
informed us that two hundred militia ran from forty Indians and several
of our men was taken. God save the ignorant for they cannot take care of
themselves.
8th.--Saterday. Pleasant. The Schooner or brig R1^o from Fort Erie with
about fifty or sixty[22]. Nothing further worth recording.
No news from the army.
9th.--Sunday[23]. The little brig. Hunter ret'd this morning from Fort
Erie. The people seemed to be in considerable motion about tewlve
o'clock and we heard about sunset that their was an engagement on the
other side of the river. Considerable motion in the evening.
10th.--Monday. Rainy in the morning. We herd in the morning that they
had a hard battle at Browns Town and the Americans mentained their
ground. Several killed and wounded on both sides. We were likewise
informed that they intended to have another battle this day[24].
11th.--Continued showers of rain. About 5 o'clock we herd a continual
firing near Browns Town which continued about one hour and a half and
from the nois the American army drove the Indians and British[25]. The
Schooner Chipoway came from Lk. Erie with one company of red coats.
12th.--Monday. No rain. A little cloudy. The British moved their
army--moved from B (Browns) Town and it appeared that the Indians had
all come to this town and left Browns Town.
13th.--Thursday[26]. Pleasant. The people had all left the town. Not
much moving until evening. The Indians began their war dance and
commenced firing about daily daun and a bot (boat) entered the river
about fifty in number and the D. dis't. C. A. ball that evening herd
both by the Indians and white people.
14th.--Friday[27]. Pleasant. After (noon) made the detail for the 13th.
Their was five boats came up loaded with soldiers, and five more this
morning loaded with from 12 to 20 men in each making in the whole about
170 men. Another boat arrived about eleven o'clock--20 men in it, and
the new soldiers all appeared to leave the town about sunset.
15th.--Saterday. Foggy. The drums beat to arms about sunrise and the
troops were all in motion or at least all that were left. The citizens
all entered boats for Detroit, as I am told. The Indians went by in
boats. By land about 300. About sunset the Cannon began to roar at
Sandwich[28].
16th.--Sunday. Pleasant weather but unpleasant news we herd about noon
that Hull had given up Detroit and the whole Territory Mitchigan. The
Indians began to return about sunset well mounted and some with horses
and chais. Who can express the feelings of a person who knows that Hull
had men enough to have this place three times and gave up his post.
Shame to him, shame to his country, shame to the world. When Hull first
came to Detroit the 4th U. S. Regt. would have taken Malden and he with
his great generalship has lost about 200 men and his Territory[29].
Can he be forgiven when he had command of an army of about 2500 men
besides the Regulars and Militia of his Territory and given up to about
400 regular troops and Militia and about 700 Indians.
17th.--Monday. Clouday. The news of yesterday was confirmed. The Indians
were riding our horses and hollowing and shouting the whole day.
18th.--The Provo Marshal[30] came on board and wanted a list of the
Regular Troops, and told us that the Regular Troops[31] were prisoners
of war and the militia had liberty to go home. We were taken from the
Schooner Thames and put into a little Schooner but every attention paid
us that was possible. In the evening we were ordered on board the
Elinor. Their was a detachment of prisoners joined us.
19th.--Wensday. Pleasant. I got provisions and medicines on board. The
other vessels came from Detroit. Nothing extraordinary through the day.
20th.--Thursday. Rainy. Unpleasant on board. The militia left the river.
21st.--Friday. We drifted out of the river into the Lake. Capt. Brown
and Ensign Phillips came on board.
22nd.--Saterday. Clouday but no rain. We sailed to the Three Sisters and
lay to for the Sharlott[32], and about 12 o'clock we came to ancor.
23rd.--Sunday. Pleasant and warm. No wind. Several sick on bord but none
dangerous. The wounded are in a good way. About sunset the wind rose and
we weighed ancor.
24th.--Monday. Pleasant. Fair wind. We made good headway. Nothing extra.
25th.--Tuesday. Pleasant. Good wind.
26th.--Wensday. Pleasant. We arrived at Fort Niagary[33] and was put on
shore where we found wagons ready for the transportation of our baggage
and about 12 o'clock we proceeded on our way to Chippawa where we stayed
the night.
27th.--Thursday. Pleasant. We proceeded on our march from Chippawa to
Fort George[34]. We pased through Queenstown and opposite to the town
was two or three hundred American Troops was stationed. We past by
Niagary Falls. We arrived at Fort George about 5 o'clock p.m. and stayed
in the river all night and we are very much crowded.
28th.--Friday. Pleasant. We had a fair wind for King's Town (Kingston)
which was our next place of destination. We weighed ancor about 2
o'clock and had pleasant sail through the day and night.
29th.--Saterday.--Pleasant. We hove in sight of King's Town (Kingston)
about 7 o'clock a.m. Cast ancor about 9 o'clock and was landed on an
Island near Kingston. About 5 p.m. I was ordered to take charge of the
sick and wounded.
30th.--Sunday. Pleasant but cool for the season. The sick were visited
by the Doctor about eleven o'clock. Three of the sick were taken to
Kingston hospital, the other 40 sick and wounded were left in my charge.
31st.--Monday. Pleasant. A detachment of 400 men arrived here from
Montreal for Detroit. 2 men deserted last evening. The sick are better.
The officers treat us very kindly and we are well provided for for
people in our situation.
Sept. 1st.--Tuesday. Pleasant. We left Kingston[35] about 4 o'clock p.m.
for Montreal. We went 18 miles in the evening.
2nd.--Wensday. Pleasant. We started nearly with the sun and past the
Thousand Islands and our first stop Elizabeth Town on the St. Lawrence
opposite. After staying about half an hour we proceeded down the river.
Very good wind and past several handsome towns on each side of the
river. The Sun above an hour high we past about five hundred of our
troops stationed on the bank of the river at Sagrota and stopped at
Johns Town.
3rd.--Thursday. Pleasant. We started nearly with the sun and stopped
about 9 o'clock about half an hour. Proceeded to Cornwall where we
stayed through the knight. We past several fine towns on both sides of
the river. Hamleton is a fine town on the American side.
4th.--Friday. Clouday and cold--east wind. We stayed at Cornwall[36] all
this day as we had a head wind. The men remained in the gaol yard and
fought several times and in fact played hell all day.
5th.--Saturday. Pleasant, head wind, however we proceeded on our journey
and have about thirty sick. We stayed at Point Burdet.
6th.--Sunday. Pleasant. We started about 6 o'clcok and stopped at
Lachein and the well men were marched to Montreal by land. The sick went
in boats by water where we arrived about 7 in the evening and was
marched to the Garrison[37].
7th.--Monday. Pleasant. We stayed at the Garrison through the day and
four of the sick sent to the King's Hospital which reduced my number to
about 30.
8th.--Tuesday. Pleasant. We left Montreal[38] about 10 A.M. and
descended the St. Lawrence. We had a pleasant prospect on both sides of
the river handsome meadows and fine farms and several handsome towns. We
stopped at Sorril (Sorel) and were marched from the boats to a room
where we were all put into a room together and locked up and not a man
allowed to get a drink of water nor allowed to leave the room on any
occasion. The men were obliged to comply with natures requests in the
room where we all lay, and we suffered verry much all knight.
9th.--Pleasant. The British officers that came with us when informed of
our treatment was very much offended and told the officers of the 100th.
regiment. We started about 9 o'clock A.M. with a fair wind and arrived
late at St. Francis and stopped at Three Rivers about two hours and then
went about two miles down the river and camped for the knight.
10th.--Thursday. Pleasant. Head winds we started the sun about one hour
high. and spent the day pretty much in parading the boats. We stopped
at the Three Sisters for the night.
11th.--Friday[39]. Pleasant. We stayed for the tide to come in. Started
about ten o'clock and descended the river rapidly with the tide and
arrlved at Quebec about sunset and was put on bord one of the transports
for the night.
12th.--Saturday. Cloudy and rainy in the afternoon. All in confusion,
the prisoners very troublesome, however I hope this is not for life.
13th.--Sunday. Clouday. The proceedings verry much as yesterday, our
officers in town and do not visit us, the reason why I know not why. We
are guarded this day. Parroled prisoners from the States. Nothing extra.
14th.--Monday. Clouday. Our rations were bread that would crawl with
worms, in fact our fare is hard and unwholesome, half the men sick with
the diarrie. No news of any better times.
15th.--Tuesday. Pleasant. I gave five men emetic and 3 carthartic. Our
provisions better than yesterday. No news, the men are something better.
16th.--Wensday. Pleasant. Our sick were taken from our vessel. We had
several good things for our vituals, rice, oatmeal and this plenty. This
is called banyan day. The surgeon came on board our vessel and ordered
men and me on bord the brig 160 transport.
17th.--Thursday. Pleasant. I proceeded to give the men medicine and gave
them gruel and they appeared verry much better at night. We had twelve
women on board and some worse than the devil--they quarreled like cats
and dogs and in fact I had to make use of rash (harsh) means in order
for to live.
18th.--Friday. Pleasant. The men generally better with one or two
exceptions. The women in better nature than yesterday. Nothing extra
happened through the day.
19th.--Saterday. Pleasant, nothing particular through the day.
20th.--Sunday. Cold and windy. The men not so well.
21st.--Monday. Pleasant. The men no better and no Doct. to see them and
no medicine, no phisition attended us, the time dubious and the men down
hearted--not verry good accommodation.
22nd.--Tuesday. Clouday and some rain in the morning. Many of the men
verry low, but verry little refreshment for the sick. Thirteen more sick
came on board which augmented the sick to 54.
23rd.--Wensday. Pleasant. The men that came on board yesterday are
better after being phisiced. Nothing new.
24th.--Thursday. Clouday. The men generally better 17 men were sent from
our ship to those where the main Regt. lay. Nothing further worth
attention.
25th.--Friday. Pleasant. Two sick men sent on board our ship which made
our number 40. James Duffer died at 4 o'clock p.m. with Hectic fever.
Many of the men are very low. Bellew and Collins were sent to our ship
which augments our number to 42 men.
26th.--Saterday. Clouday. McDuff[40] was buried at ten o'clock. Sergt.
Traig and Corp. Wentworth, McIntosh went on shore to attend the funeril.
He was decently intered. The English people here are decent, friendlay
and humane
27th.--Sunday. Pleasant. The men are something better. Nothing happened
through the day.
28th.--Monday.[41] Pleasant but cold for the season. The men better, the
women cross etc. The Surgeon came on bord.
29th.---Tuesday. Nothing worth recording.
30th.--Wensday. Pleasant. The Doct. came on bord. Nothing other worth
recording. Good weather but cold for the season.
Oct. 1st.--Thursday. Pleasant. Sergt. Maj. Huggins and two men all sick
came on bord our vessel and I sent (away) three well men in their room
(place). The three men that came on bord were verry sick.
2nd.--Friday. Clouday. The men something better. The Surgeon did not
call to see us.
3rd.--Saturday. Clouday and rainy. Corp. Perries child died this
morning about day brake and was buried (at) 4 o'clock p.m. Mrs. Andrews
has been in travail ever since early this morning.
4th.--Sunday. Rainy. Mrs. Andrews was delivered of a fine boy after 24
hours labor. The men not much better.
5th.--Monday. Clouday. I visited all the prison ships in the harbor and
took 4 men on bord our vessel. The sick verry low
6th.--Tuesday. Cold. Sergt. Stoner's child died this morning. The men
verry low, many of them. For the first time I had to lay violent hands
on Mrs. Critchet and the first time I ever saw her made to hold her
tongue. Women deprived of decency are the damdest creatures that ever
were borned.
7th.--Wensday. Could and squalws of snow. The guard came to bury Sergt.
Stoner's child. I visited all the prison ships in the Harbor and gave
medicine to the sick. We had some sugar, rice, and barley sent for the
sick and some other refreshments was sent on bord.
8th.--Thursday. Cold and rain. They brought 7 men sick from 4 to 6
(o'clock) and we returned five. About nothing further.
9th.--Friday. Cold for the season. Corp. Berries child died about three
o'clock this morning. The men are something better. I visited all the
prison ships in the harbor. Corp. Perries child was buried this
afternoon. Three men came from No. 85--three returned to No. 85 and
three to 406. (Transports and prison ships).
10th.--Saterday. Clouday. Three men that was sent to No. 406 came on
bord this morning and we returned them immediately. We drawed fresh
bread for the first time. Nothing further.
11th.--Sunday. Clouday and cold. I visited all the prison ships in the
harbor. The women were all ordered from our ship, accordingly they all
went, but four who had sick children and one lately layed in (confined).
We had snow this evening and rain. We had a fresh surply of stores.
12th.--Monday. Clouday and cold. The sail covered with snow. Joseph
Quil's child died at 12 o'clock this morning and Saml. Lewis died at
half past 12 o'clock. The Surgeon came on bord at 9 o'clock. The men
something better. I took from Morgan his scrotum and left the testicles
entirely naked.
13th.--Violent storm of snow but not cold. The people on bord better
except Ingalls and McMaster. We had 3 men from 406 and returned two.
14th.--Wensday. The storm continues. Wires child died at -- o'clock.
Four men received and 6 discharged. Ingals child died at 4 o'clock this
afternoon. The times are serious and the lessons striking.
15th.--Thursday. Clouday and warm. John McMaster died at half past three
o'clock this morning. Henry Pluck died at half past 10 o'clock this
evening.
16th.--Friday. Cold and clouday. A Surgeon came on bord. A Mister
(minister) of the Church of England came on board and baptised Ingalls.
17th.--Saterday. Clouday. We have five sick men from No. 406. Discharged
two, one from 35, and one sent to 35. Two women sent to 71. Pluck buried
this forenoon.
18th.--Sunday. Clouday. I received hospital bedding and cloths (clothes)
the men in genl. better except Ingals.
19th.--Monday. Pleasant. Amos Ingals died at 5 o'clock this morning. 6
men came from 406 and 4 returned. The men verry sick many of them, 44 in
our number of sick. I had a reprimand from one of the B. (British) Os.
(Officers).
20th.--Tuesday. Pleasant. Ingals buried. I gave the men some cloths
(clothes) and they appear better generally.
21st.--Wensday. Pleasant. Nothing particular happened through the day.
The Surgeon did not visit us.
22nd.--Thursday. Pleasant and cold. Dennis Hagerman died at 2 o'clock
this morning. The Surgeon came on bord at 10 o'clock. We rec'd five sick
men--none discharged.
23rd.--Friday. Clouday. We this day herd that we were destined for
Boston--the men very much revived.
24th.--Saturday. Clouday. The Surgeon came on bord, and Capt. Baker of
our service gave me an order to make a minute of what would be necessary
for the sick on our passage to Boston.
25th.--Sunday. Clouday. I and the sick were ordered on bord the 406. The
men paid----_Here the diary abruptly ends._
* * * * *
_The "Quebec Mercury" of 29th Oct. 1812 contains
the following:_
_"The prisoners taken at Detroit and brought down
to Quebec are on the point of embarking for Boston
for the purpose of being exchanged. Five cannon
are now lying in the Chateau Court taken at
Detroit."_