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journal of 
 
 ^n American prisoner 
 
 At 
 
 Jfort iHalbcu aub (Quebec 
 
 in the 
 
 ^nr of 1812 
 
 (fbiicb bii 
 
 (r». m. 3fnirrl)il5. jr. 
 
 Butbor cf 
 
 "IFrom Mj! (Qnebtc *rrnp Vooli." " (BUnnings from iQucbtc' 
 
 "^ Ttiilirulons Courting. "A uJlintrr (Tnmibnl." tic. 
 
 prinKlt printed bt 
 tznnk OCnrrrl. limitti). CQurbtc 
 
 1900 
 
''7?-f^ 
 
 200 Copies privately ^rtnteJ>. 
 Cop? 1Klo._5..8 
 
 ■RegletCreS by G. M. Fairchidd, Jr., in the Of/ice of the 
 Minister of Agriculture in conformity with the Law 
 passed by the Parliament of Canada, in the year 1906. 
 
 ducbtc, 1909: — Ube fflailj Uelegrapb printing Co. 
 
Cxplanatorp j^ote 
 
 The book containiiuj this journal is un ordinary pocket 
 memorandum or account booh measuring 6 x 4\ inches and 
 covered with split calf. The journal opens the day of the 
 author's capture, and closes on the day he receives orders at 
 Quebec to prepare to leave for Boston. The author s name is 
 nowhere to be found in the book, and several pages at the 
 beginning have been cut out, evidently by the origi7ial owner. 
 The journal was found among the papers of the late J. Gradden, 
 a benevolent merchant of Quebec who rendered considerable aid 
 to the American prisoners of war confined there on prison 
 ships. The journal was no doubt presented to Mr. Gradden 
 by Us autlwr as a return for kindnesses. Mr. Gradden s son, 
 t}ie late Chas. Gradden of Kilmarnock, gave if to Sir James 
 .M . LeMoine, tJie venerable Historian of Quebec, who in turn 
 presented it to me with the understanding that I would edit 
 and jmnt it. 
 
 Although the aidho/s name is not attached to the journal 
 it bears unmi.itakable evidence of having been -written by Sur- 
 geon s Mate James Reynolds wfio was deputed by Surgeon 
 General Edwards of Gen. Hull's army to the charge of the 
 sick on Oie two vessels tluit were dispatched from Maumee to 
 
 PAOE THREE 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 Detroit, but which were captured at Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) 
 by the British. Lossing, in his " Pictorial Field Book of 
 the war of 1812 " says that the sclwoner conveying the sick in 
 charge of Reynolds escaped and reached Detroit, and that the 
 Dr. Reynold's of this expedition was killed at the attack on 
 Detroit by a cannon ball. There is a mistake someivhere as 
 the author of this journal says that he loas in charge of the 
 Cugahoga conveying the sick, and that the accompanying 
 schooner carried the stores, and that both vessels were captured 
 at Maiden. Could it be that there were two Reynolds, one the 
 Surgeon s Mate and the other the Dr. Reynolds that Lossing 
 refers to as Jiaving been killed, and hence the confusion ? 
 / am inclined to this view in the absence of convincing proof 
 to the contrary. The journal itself is strongly corroborative 
 of my contention as the weight of evidence is with the writer 
 whose story is everywhere the simple straightforward one of 
 the daily chronicler of the events that came under Jiis observa- 
 tion. It is a very human document and not without historical 
 value. It will take its place in the Archives of the war of 
 1812 on the Frontiers. 
 
 G. M. Fairchild, Jr., 
 
 Editor. 
 
 Note. — 0?i a blank page in the book I find written in 
 pencil in the author's handtvriting, Sergt. Ord. Reed, Dougherty, 
 Jowlen, Madison, Printiss, Button, Noble — Emetic {The 
 author had evidently dosed them all). 
 
 PAGE FOUR 
 
|[^istoricali2ote 
 
 AniiciiKifing the formal declaration of war President 
 Madison of the United States during the winter of 1811-li2 
 commissioned Gov. ]Vm. Hull of the Territory of Michigan 
 as a Brigadier General to command the Ohio and Michigan 
 troops at Detroit, with the understanding that immediately 
 M/x)n the announcement of war he was to invade all that part 
 of Canada contiguous to Detroit. On June 'iilh. 181-2, Gen. 
 Hull with several thousand troops had arrived at Fort Findlay. 
 Here he received despatches from Washington to hasten his 
 forces to Detroit and there airait further orders. When the 
 troops arrived at the navigable waters on the Maumee (or Mi- 
 ami) Hull determined to relieve his tired men of as much 
 baggage as possible by dispatching it by water. Accordingly 
 a considerable portion of the stores and intrenching tools. 
 Hulls and his staff's personal baggage, and the trunk co/itain- 
 ing Hull's ijistructions and the muster rolls of the army together 
 with other valuable papers — also three officers' wives, Lt. 
 Goodwin. Lieut. Dntt iritli thirty soldiers were transferred to 
 the CugaluHja packet and <ni (iiniliary schooner. Jiotli reached 
 Maumee Bay where Toledo noiv stands on the evening of 
 July 1st. On the morning of the 'ind of J nly the Cuyahoga 
 
 V sit Z !• I V K 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 and the schooner entered the Detroit River and while sailing 
 past Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) the British armed vessel 
 Hunter went alongside of the Cuyahoga, and vessel and cargo 
 became a prize, while the crew, troops and passengers were 
 declared prisoners of war. Lossing says that the auxiliary 
 schooner bearing the invalids, being behind the Cuyahoga, 
 escaped and reached Detroit next day. The auilwr of the 
 journal says that this auxiliary vessel which contained only 
 the stores was also captured later in the day and brought in 
 under the guns of Fort Maiden. Col. St. George, the com- 
 mander at Fort Maiden, had received the news of the declaration 
 of war on the 30th of June, while Gen. Hull only received it 
 on the 2nd of July when he immediately despatched an officer 
 to the mouth of the Raisen to intercept the two vessels, but he 
 arrived too late. In the capture of these two vessels valuable 
 stores and yet more valuable hi^ormation fell into the hands 
 of the British. The journal of the Surgeon s Mate begins 
 July 1st and some of the events that lead to the final surrender 
 of Detroit and the forces under Gen. Hull's command are 
 recorded in the jour7ial from such observations as were possible 
 to a prisoner on a vessel, and from stray information. The 
 journey from Maiden to Quebec is recounted and the subsequent 
 imprisonment there on a ship in the harbor until he with 
 others were sent to Boston for exchange. 
 
 PAGE SIX 
 
journal of an Smeiican ^lis^ouer 
 
 at Jfort i^laltJcn anb (QucIjcc 
 in tlje imav of 1812 
 
 July Ist (ISH). — After n lon^' and tedious march I 
 with tlu' sick, went on Ijoani the Caryaorgo ' packet at 
 Maunie, a little town on the Maume River'. 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 ' 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 S o'clock in the afternoon. To our sur- 
 prise just as we were about to enter Detroit River we saw 
 a boat that hailed us and ordered the Captain to lower 
 his sails^ Our arms were all in the hole (hold) and the 
 
 1. — Cuyahoga. Cayahogo according to Kingtford. 
 
 2. — Maumet or Miami Rivtr oj the Laket to distinguish it from two others oj 
 the tame name. 
 
 3. — Maumee Bay where Toledo now stands. 
 
 4. — Lotting says that Reynolds and his party of sick sailed from the Maumee 
 in an accompanying sloop and that the latter rrachrd Detroit in najcly. 1 hit is rx-itltntly 
 a mistake. The tloop, or as Reynolds calls it schooner was also captund and U uxis 
 this schooner that contained the stores. 
 
 PAor HKvr.s 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 men sick. I thought it improper to make any resistance 
 as I had not been informed that war was declared ' and had 
 not had orders from the Genl. to make any resistence. 
 Lt. Goodwin and 2nd Master Beatt and Mr. Dent pay- 
 master 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 andaCapt. , and 
 another of 5 men who demanded us as prisoners of war 
 and we were nearly under the cover of the guns at Ft. 
 Maiden, soever we gave ourselves up and was taken into 
 Maiden and our property was all stored in the hole (hold) 
 and hatches nailed immediately and we were taken along- 
 side a prison ship. The next morning about X o'clock our 
 Schooner was^ 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. 
 
 1. — News of the declaration of war had been received by Col. St. George in com- 
 mand at Fort Maiden as early as June ZQth, 1812. 
 
 2. — This schooner contained Gen. Hull's despatch box and a great quantity oj 
 stores jor his army. The despatches put the English in possession of valuable injorma- 
 ticn as to Hull's forces, etc. 
 
 PAGE EIGHT 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN 1' R I S N E R 
 
 ■tth. — We were surroundecl with Savages singinj; and 
 danciu"- their war ihiiut'> throui/h the town". () 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 tlie town and to l)e 
 confined when we knew they were |)rei)aring (to) iiuirder 
 our fellow creatures anil not only the sohliers but the 
 helpless women and children. These horrible and dis- 
 picable seens closed the day and Sol returned to his rest. 
 
 5th. — Some gentlemen' 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 ^ 
 
 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. 
 
 1. — AmhertlbuTij near uhich stood Fort Maiden. 
 
 2. — On the morning oj the Gth Col. Caxs ua« sent to Maiden u-ith a llaij oj truce 
 to demand the baggage and prisoners taken jrom the schooner. The demand uas unheided 
 and ht returned to camp xrith ('apt. Hurbanks o/ the Urituh Army. M'Akf.e. 
 
 3.— A/r. HejfTiotds wrote by this means and this may hare led to the belitf that 
 Kt and his party oj invalid soldiers had reached Detroit in nalcty on the schooner. 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 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' 
 
 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. 
 
 loth. — Wensday, healthy weather. People was moving 
 very much in town and considerable blustor. 
 
 1. — On the 12th Hull crossed his army to Sandu-ith oj which he took possession. 
 The jew British troops stationed here retired to Fort Maiden. Col. Miller oj the Amer- 
 ican army in a letter to his wije says : " As we were crossing the river we saw two 
 British ofjicers ride up very jast opposite where we intended landing, but they went 
 back jaster than they came. They were Col. St. George, commanding officer at Maiden, 
 and one oj his Captains." 
 
 PAGE TEN 
 
JOURS A L OF AS AMERICAS PRISONER 
 
 Kith. —Thursday. Pleasant and cool. Capt. Brown ' 
 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' were flocking into town 
 all the morning armed and painted black. A lousifer with 
 their arms and the town was in an uproar. It aj)peared 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 i)arekin and firing all around our vesscll, 
 anfl 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' were headed by a i)ritish subject. Is it possible 
 that their can be so much corruption in the British Govern- 
 ment. They are void of feelings and in fact are as bad as 
 the savages them.selves for they carry on their intrigues 
 under the pretence that they cannot govern the Indians, 
 
 I.— Probably »mi by Gen. Hull to announce to Col. St. George of hit (Gen. Hull't) 
 intention to attack Fort Maiden and to adi-ite the removal jrom the toun oj the non- 
 combattants . 
 
 2. — There inert frequent and small engagements between the American outposts 
 and the Indians on the British side. Scalping the dead was practised by both Indian 
 and the jrontirrs men on both sides. 
 
 3. — The Indians were almost invariably commanded or led by their own chiefs, 
 but oft'times under the direction of an English officer. 
 
 PAGE ELCVCS 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 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' 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 '. 
 
 18th. — Pleasant. All things peccable through (the) 
 day. About X o'clock in the evening their was an alarm' 
 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. 
 
 1. — On the 16th Col. Cass of the Americnn Army with a force of about 280 nun 
 pushed forward to the Ta-ron-tee or Riviere avx Canards about four miles above Maiden 
 and engaged the British outpost guarding the bridge across the river. The British and 
 Indians fled and were pursued by the Americans. Night put an end to the engagement 
 and the Americans returned to the bridge. Hull however retired the force to Sandwich 
 as he said the position was untenable with so small a force. 
 
 2. — The autlior somewhat mixes himself in his rhapsody. 
 
 3. — On the 18th Capt. Snelling of the American Army and a small detachment 
 left Sandxmch on a reconnoitring expedition towards Maiden. 
 
 PAGE TWELVE 
 
JOURNAL OF A\ AM ERIC AN PRISONER 
 
 19th.- Sunday. Warm and niufigy weather. Tlieir 
 was considerate movement, tho Indiims aj^ain pa.st armed 
 ami about '^ [).m. we heard firinj; towards Sands\ ii h '. 'I'he 
 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 iiy an<l fired several times near 
 us and struck up their war hoop. 
 
 •20 th. —Monday. To day the Indians past by armed 
 as usual, they returned about sun.set some verry much 
 fatigue<l. 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. 
 
 -i'ind. — Wednesday. Everything still. Nothing extra 
 occurred. 
 
 23rd.^Thursdav. Cold for the season and some rain. 
 
 I. — On the \Hth July Gen Hull issued an ordfT jot a general morenxent on 
 Fort Maiden, f'nl. McArthur with a delaehmeni oj his rryimenl jmned Capl. Snetling 
 on the \9lh fit Petite Cote about a mile abnvr the Aux Canards Bridge. A general 
 ikirmish ensued irith the Indians under enmmand oj Terumsrh and Mr Arthur iias 
 eomftUtd to fall back. He tent /or rrinloreemenls and Col. Cass hastened to his aid 
 wUh a HI pounder, but ajter another short engagement with the Indians and the English 
 supports that had been hastened to their assistance the American forces returned to 
 Handicieh. 
 
 PAor THIKTCr. M 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 24th. — Friday '. Cold and pleasant for the season. 
 I was ordered to the King's Stores in order to give informa- 
 tion about the hospital stores. Everything peciable. 
 
 25th. — Saterday. Pleasant. Nothing worth mention- 
 ing 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. — IVIonday. 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. — W^ensday. 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 ' were 
 
 1. — For some reason or other Reynolds makes no mention here oj the engagement 
 oj the 24th, when Major Denny and a considerable force of Americans were engaged 
 with some Indians and retreated in considerable confusion pusrued by the Indians. 
 Denny lost six killed and two wounded. This was the first blood shed in the war. 
 
 2. — The captive American officers are probably meant. 
 
 PAGE FOURTEEN 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 ordered on hoard tlie Lady Provost to go to Niagary. 
 Nothing further happened through the day. 
 
 August 1st.— Saterday. Tleasanl. Nothing worth 
 recording. 
 
 ^nd. — Sunday. Cloudy. Nothing extra, the Indians 
 commence (to cross to) Brownstow n witli Britishs and 
 officers. 
 
 3rd.— Monday '. Pleasant. The sohliers and Indians 
 crossed to Brown's town twelves boats loailed. 1 sliould 
 judge about -iUO in numbers. 1 cannot tell tlieir Inisiness. 
 
 -Ith.— Tuesday. Pleasant, 'i'he troops and Indians 
 crossed the river as yestirday and returned about eight 
 o'clock in the evening. 
 
 5th. — Wensday '. Plesent. The Inilians crossed the 
 river about 11 o'clock and the people appeared very much 
 ullarmed. A party of them returned about sunset but the 
 
 1 — Col. Proctor icho now commanded at Amherstiurg or Maiden detached the 
 Indians under Tecumseh acrots the Detroit Hirer to intercept u convoy that Major 
 VanUornt and a force oj A mericane had been tnit to eajcly conduct vithin the A nunian 
 line*. 
 
 2.~4}n thin day the Indiana under Tecuntfeh badly dejeatcd Major VanHome't 
 force oj Americaru near lirounttou-n and the laltir retreated \n gnat dttordtr. The 
 mail fell into the hand* of the British and revealed the mutinous spirit in Hull's amiy 
 tn (Ail tngagemeni urtnteen of the American* urere hilled and eight u-ounded. 
 
 PAOC I'irTCKN 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AM ERIC AN PRISONER 
 
 boats had few in them. Their was six guns fired about 
 1 1 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 them- 
 selves. 
 
 8th. — Saterday. Pleasant. The Schooner or brig Rl° 
 from Fort Erie with about fifty or sixty '. Nothing further 
 worth recording. 
 
 No news from the army. 
 
 9th. — Sunday ^ 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. — ^JVIonday. Rainy in the morning. We herd in 
 the morning that they had a hard battle at Browns Town 
 
 1. — ReinjoTce merits of the 41si Regt, under Lt. Bullock. 
 
 2. — The battle oj Maguaga where Col. Miller in command oj a force of Americans 
 defeated the British and Indians and drove them to their boats whence they relumed to 
 Maiden. The advantages of this victory were not followed vp for the relief of Brush 
 on his way to Detroit with a convoy of supplies for Hull's army. 
 
 PAGE SIXTEEN 
 
JOURNAL OF A .V .1 M E H 1 C A .V /' li I S U S E H 
 
 and the Americans raentained their <;rouiiil. Sivt'iiil kilUci 
 and wounded on both sides. We were likewise informed 
 that they intendeil to liave another battle this ihiy '. 
 
 1 Ith. —Continued showers of rain. About J o'elock we 
 herd a eontinual Hring near Browns Town whieh continued 
 about one hour and a haU' and from the nois tlie American 
 army drove the Indians and British '. The Schooner 
 Chipowav came from Lk. Erie with one company of red 
 coats. 
 
 Hth.— Monday. No rain. A htlle cloud v. The British 
 moved their army — moved troni B t Browns) Town a ntl it 
 ap})eared that the Indians had all come to this town and 
 left Browns Town. 
 
 l:Uh.— ^Tliursday . IMeasant. 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 hot (boat) entere<l the river about fifty in number 
 and the I>. dis't. C. A. ijall that evening herd both by the 
 Indians and white people. 
 
 1. — Shirmuhing occurred for ttvtral days after the main engagement oj the \Olh. 
 
 2. — Ma)or Muir and hit tuballem Sutherland of the liritith lorcen icere both 
 uvundtd. The lomet and canaltie» on the American tide tcere rery heai-y. 
 
 3. — 6>n. Hrock joined Cot. Proctor at Maiden (Amherttburg) on the night o/ 
 tkt \3th urilk thret hundred militia and a for rrgulart 
 
 rAUC IIKVCNTCES 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 14th. — Friday '. Pleasant. After (noon) made the 
 detail for the 13 th. 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 army 
 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 ^ 
 
 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 
 
 1. — Gen. Brock marched that day unth the forces under his command and took 
 possession oj Sandwich which had been abandoned by the Americans. 
 
 2. — About 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the 15th, a general cannonading began 
 between the British at Sandtinth and the Ameru:ans at Detroit. Considerable damage 
 was done by the British artillery and several American officers were killed. Two guns 
 on the British side were silenced by the American artillerists. 
 
 PAGE EIGHTEEN 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 gave up liis post. Shame to him, shame to his country, 
 shame to the world. When Hull first eame to Detroit the 
 4th I'. S. Hef^'t. woulfi have taken Maiden and he with his 
 great generalship has lost about '200 men and his Territory '. 
 
 Can he be forgiven when he had command of an army 
 of about ^500 men besides the Regulars and Militia of his 
 Territorv 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. 
 
 ISlh. The Prov()31arshal ' eame on board and wanted 
 a list of the Regular Troops, and told us that the Regular 
 Troops 1 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 
 
 l—I)urint; thr night tht BrUifh lorcm crossed lo Ihf DetroU side oj the river 
 and prepared jnr an atsault on the tou-n. The gunx al Sandirieh opening a heavy 
 rannnnading and their range was so accurate that many Anirrtcnns iirre slain. Dr. 
 Reynolds who it is supposed accompanied Hull's inialids from the Staunifc to IMrott 
 <ras irutanlly kiiled. Gen. Hull early decided lo cajiilulatt. 
 
 2 —fly the terms of the surrender the American Militia vrre paroled and 
 alUncen to return lo their homes, but the regulars were declared to be jnitonrrs of uar 
 and were tent on board the prison sJiipi. 
 
 3.— Mostly the Uh Regt. of Regulars. 
 
 P A C N I S C T E C N 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 board the Elinor. Their was a detachment of prisoners 
 joined us. 
 
 19th. — -Wensday. Pleasant. I got provisions and medi- 
 cines on board. The other vessels came from Detroit. 
 Nothing exti'aordinary 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 PhilHps came on board. 
 
 22nd. — Saterday. Clouday but no rain. We sailed to 
 the Three Sisters and lay to for the Sharlott ', 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 Nia- 
 
 1. — The Queen Charlotte and Hunter were also detailed to convey some of the 
 prisoners of war including Gen. Hull and other officers, to Fort Erie opposite Buffalo. 
 
 PAGE TWENTY 
 
JOUR X AL OF A N AM ERIC A S P Rl SO N E R 
 
 gary ' and was put on shore where we found wagons ready 
 for the transportation of our l)a','<faf;e and about VI o'clock 
 we proceeded on our way to Chippawa where we stayed 
 the nijjht. 
 
 27th. — Thursday. Pleasant. We proceeded on our 
 march from Chippawa to Fort Cieorge '. We pased through 
 Queenstown and opposite to the town was two or three 
 hundred American Troops was stationed. We past by 
 Niagary VaWs. We arrived at Fort (leorge about 5 o'clock 
 p.m. and staved in the river all night and we are very nuich 
 crowded. 
 
 'iSth.— Friday. Pleasant. We had a fair wind for 
 King's Town (Kingston) which was our next place of 
 destination. We weiglied ancor about "i o'clock and had 
 pleasant sail through the day and niglit. 
 
 "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 siik and 
 wouHfled. 
 
 30th. — Sundav. Plea.sant but cool for the season. The 
 
 1. — TKe writer eridently truant Fort t-rxe at the entrance to the Siagara Hirrr. 
 2. — Fart George directly oppotite Fort Siagara which wa» on American 
 territory and garritoned by American troop*. 
 
 I o Ej^T w 
 
 E S T T - O .N B 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 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' 
 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. 
 
 1. — The British escort from Kingston was commanded by Major Heathcote of 
 the Nova Scotia Regt. 
 
 PAGE TWENTY-TWO 
 
JOU RN AL OF A.\ AM E HI C A\ PRISONER 
 
 We past several line towns on both sides of tlie river. 
 Ilunileton is a line tow n on the American side. 
 
 4tli. "Kriday. ("louday and told east wind. We 
 slaye<l at Cornwall ' all this day as we had a head wind. 
 The men remained in the gaol yard and fought several 
 times anil in fait played hell all day. 
 
 5th. — Saturday. Pleasant, head wind, however we 
 proceeded on our journey and have about thirty sick. We 
 stayed at Point Biirdet. 
 
 6th. — Sunday. Pleasant. We started about orlcok 
 and stopped at Lachein ami 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 
 (iarri-son '. 
 
 1. — From Comtrall to Lachine the BrxlUh escort uas in command oj Capta\n 
 (iray of the Quarter Matter General's DejA. From Lachine to Montreal Captains 
 Hiehardnon and Ogilrie with three militia comjnnies, and a cumjxivy oj the Mi Hegt. 
 commanded by Cap!. Blackmore formed an escort. 
 
 2. — The line of march in Montreal vas as follows : 
 
 \st. The Sth Regt. Hand. 
 
 2nd. The first escort divisicm. 
 
 3rd. Gen. Hull and ('apt. Gray in a carriage. 
 
 ilh The American Officers. 
 
 Uh. The non-coms, and soldiers. 
 
 iilh The second escort division. 
 
 rknt T W E N T T - T H H « E 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AM ERIC AN PRISONER 
 
 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 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 wei-e 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 
 
 3. — Gen. Hull was paroled at Montreal with 8 other officers and lejt the city 
 for the United States. 
 
 PAGE TWENTY -FOUR 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 much in par;nliiii,' llu' huats. Wo stopped at tlic Tliiee 
 Sisters for the night. 
 
 11 til. — Friday '. IMea.sant. We stayed for the tide to 
 eonie in. Started about ten oeloek ami deseentled the river 
 rapidly with the tide and arrived at Quebec about sunset 
 and was put on l)oril one of the transports for the night. 
 
 l-iih. — Saturday. Cloudy and rainy in the afternoon. 
 .\11 in confusion, the prisoners very troublesome, however 
 1 hope this is not for life. 
 
 13th. — Sunday. Clouday. The proceedings verry much 
 as yesterday, our oHicer> 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. — Mondav. Cloudav. Our rations were bread 
 
 1. — The Ofjicerii and regular troops of the Amenrun Army takai at Detroit 
 and trkifh knre no permitrion to return on their parole arrired at Anse des Merea 
 Friday afternoon e»eorted by a detachment oj the Rtgt. oj Glrnyary of Three River». 
 The pn»vner», tnth the tzceptitm oj the ofjicere were immediately embarked in hoatg 
 lor Ike trantporti. The officers urere lodged in the city for the night and the following 
 day were rondudrd to CharUnbourg where they u-Ul be domiciled on parole. — QuEUEr 
 
 flAZETTE 
 
 The Quettec Mercury of Sept. l.'ith says : The commijuiioned officers irerr lilt- 
 erated on their parole. They passed Saturday morning at the Union Hotel trhere they 
 ifert the gating stock of the multitude, whilst they in no way abashed presented a bold 
 front to the public stare, puffed the smoke of tlwir cigars into the faces of such as 
 approached too near. About 2 o'clock they sit off by stage u-ilh four horses fur 
 Charltsboury the destimd place of their rendence. 
 
 P*Ot TWENTT-riVK 
 
 \ 
 
 » 
 
 ( 
 
 \ 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AM ERIC AN PRISONER 
 
 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. 
 
 PAGE TWENTY-8IX 
 
JOURNAL OF AN A .\f E R I C A N PRISONER 
 
 2i9t. — Monday. Pleasant. The men no better and no 
 Doct. to see tlu'in and no medicine, no j)lii.sition attended us, 
 the time ihil)ioii.>< an<l ihc iihmi down hearted — not verry 
 good accommodation. 
 
 iiml. —Tuesday. Clouday and some rain in the morn- 
 ing. Many of the men verry low, l.ut vcriy little refre.sh- 
 ment fur the sick. Thirteen more sick came on hoard 
 which augmented the sick to 54. 
 
 23rd. — Wensday. Pleasant. The men that came on 
 board yesterday are better after being phisiced. Nothing 
 new. 
 
 -2H\i. Thursday. Clouday. The men generally better 
 17 men were sent from our ship to those where the main 
 Regt. lav. Nothing further worth attention. 
 
 4.5th. -Friday. Pleasant. Two sick men sent on lioard 
 our ship which made our number 40. James Dutfer died 
 at 4 o'clock p.m. with Hectic fever. Many of the men are 
 very low. Bellcw and Collins were sent to our .ship which 
 augments our number to H men. 
 
 '^(ith. Satciilav. ( l(iuda\. McDntV ' was buried at 
 ten o'clock. Sergt. Traig and Corp. WCntw.irtii. M( liilosh 
 went on shore to attend the funeril. lb- was decently 
 
 I. — TKt man pTt\iouiily relerrtd to at Ihifftr. 
 r A « K r w r. N T T - H K V F. s 
 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 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. 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 
 
 1. — Commisary General's Office. 
 
 Quebec 28 Sept. 1812. 
 
 Wanted for the American prisoners of uar comfortable uarm clothing consisting 
 of the following articles viz : Jackets, shirts, troii-'ers. tlockings mockesfons or shoes — 
 also 2000 /6s of soap. They will reqiiire to be delivered immediately . 
 
 PAGE TWENTY -EIGHT 
 
JOURNAL OF A .\ A M ERI C A X P RI S OXER 
 
 child (lied this morning about (hiy t)rake and was buried 
 (at) 4 o'clock [I. III. Mrs. Andrews ha.s been in traviiil 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, ("louday. I visited all the jjrison ships 
 in the harlior and took 4 men on bonl 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. — Wen.sday. Could and sfpiaUvs of snow. The 
 guard came to bury Sergt. Stoner's child. I visited all the 
 pri.son ships in the Harbor and gave medicine to the sick. 
 We had some sugar, rice, and barley scut for the sick and 
 some other refreshments was .sent on liord. 
 
 8th. — Thursday. Cold and rain. They brought 7 men 
 sick from i to (i i o'clock i and we returned five. About 
 nf)thing further. 
 
 TAflC TWESTY-NI.VE 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 9th. — Friday. Cold for the season. Corp. Berries child 
 died about three o'clock this morning. The men are some- 
 thing 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. 
 
 PAGE THIRTY 
 
JOU R\ A L F A S A M E RIC A S I' H I S .V E R 
 
 14th. — Wensday. Tlie storm continues. Wires child 
 ilit'd at -— o'clock. Four men rcceivcii and 6 discharged. 
 Ingals child died at 1 o'clock this afternoon. The times 
 are serious and the les.sons striking. 
 
 15th. — ^Thursday. Clouday and warm. John McMaster 
 died at halt' [)a>t three o'clock this morning. Henry Pluck 
 
 died at halt" j)a>f K' o"( lock this evening. 
 
 Kith. -Friday. Cold and clouday. A Surgeon came 
 on liord. A Mister (minister) of the Church of England 
 came on board and baptised Ingalls. 
 
 17th. — Saterday. Clouday. Wc hiiw five sick men 
 from No. 40G. Discharged two, one from So, and one sent 
 lo 35. Two women sent to 71 . Pluck buried this forenoon. 
 
 18th. — Sunday. Clouday. 1 rec-eived hospital tted- 
 ding and cloths iclothes) the men in genl. better e.xcept 
 Ingals. 
 
 l!)th. -Monday. I'leasant. Amos Ingals died at 5 
 o'clock this morning, (i men came from 4UG and 4 returned. 
 The men verry sick many of them, 44 in our number of 
 sick. I ha«l a reprimand from one of the B. (British) Os. 
 {Officers). 
 
 ■HH\i. — ^Tuesday. Pleasant. Ingals buried. I gave 
 
 PAOI THIHTT-OVK 
 
JOURNAL OF AN AMERICAN PRISONER 
 
 the men some cloths (clothes) and they appear better 
 generally. 
 
 21st. — Wensday. Pleasant. Nothing particular hap- 
 pened through the day. The Surgeon did not visit us. 
 
 22nd. — Thursday. Pleasant and cold. Dennis Hager- 
 man died at 2 o'clock this morning. The Surgeon came on 
 bord at 10 o'clock. We rec'd five sick men — none dis- 
 charged. 
 
 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 
 Dur passage to Boston. 
 
 25th. — Sunday. Clouday. I and the sick were ordered 
 
 on bord the 406. The men paid -Hene 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 l).e point 
 
 oj emharking for Boston for the purpose of being exclianged. Five cannon are now 
 
 lying in the Chateau Court taken at Detroit." 
 
 PAGE THIRTY-TWO 
 
 
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