A journal containing an accurate and interesting account of the hardships, sufferings, battles, defeat, and captivity of those heroic Kentucky volunteers and regulars, commanded by General Winchester, in the year 1812-13: Also, two narratives, by men that were wounded in the battles on the River Raisin, and taken captive by the IndiansDarnell, Elias
History
A journal containing an accurate and interesting account of the hardships, sufferings, battles, defeat, and captivity of those heroic Kentucky volunteers and regulars, commanded by General Winchester, in the year 1812-13: Also, two narratives, by men that were wounded in the battles on the River Raisin, and taken captive by the Indians
Darnell, Elias
Kentucky. Militia; United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Personal narratives
We set out from this town, and marched seventeen miles to Sandwich,
a small town on the east side of Detroit River, and one mile below
Detroit; it contains perhaps about three hundred inhabitants. We were
divided in small companies, and put into different houses, where we
had the happiness once more to see fire.
_27th._ We drew a ration of bread and fresh beef, but no salt, and had
no way of cooking the beef. We commenced our march at 1 o’clock, and
marched ten miles, part of the way on Lake St. Clair. In the evening we
were conducted to cold barns, and there shut up till morning, deprived
of fire.
_28th._ We recommenced our march early, as cold a morning as ever I
experienced, and continued twenty-four miles on Lake St. Clair; at
night we were conducted to a cold barn on the beach; we lay without
fire, except a few who could not get in, who had the happiness of
encamping in the woods.
_29th._ We again resumed our march, and continued on the lake fifteen
miles to the mouth of La Tranche River, called by some the River
Thames; during this time we had to run to keep ourselves from freezing;
we continued up the river five miles, and stopped while the guard went
in to warm and to get their dinner. Having drawn no provisions since we
left Sandwich, some of the prisoners were driven to the necessity of
picking up frozen potatoes and apple peelings that had been thrown out
in the yard. One of the prisoners, being unable to keep pace with the
rest, was left on the lake, but was accidentally overtaken by a sleigh
and brought on. After being in a stove room some time, he was led out
to march, trembling with cold. One of the guard observed, “he was a man
of no spirit to freeze such a day as this.” So barbarous were their
dispositions and treatment, that I concluded we should die of cold and
hunger. We marched ten miles farther to Captain Dolson’s, where we were
conducted into a large still-house. A number lodged below among the
still-tubs by the fire; the rest on the loft, where they were annoyed
with the smoke. Some time in the night they brought us a little bread
and meat.
_30th._ We drew two days’ provisions, and cooked it.
_31st._ It snowed all day; notwithstanding, we marched twenty-four
miles and were shut up in a barn wet and cold. Going to a barn to lodge
so cold an evening was like approaching a formidable enemy, for we
expected to perish with cold in the dreary dwelling. Many got their
feet frostbitten. We tried in vain to keep our shoes from freezing by
putting them under our heads.
_February 1._ We continued our march twenty-two miles in a thinly
settled country, and passed through the Moravian nation of Indians; in
the evening we encamped in the woods.
_2d._ We marched twenty-two miles, suffering greatly both with
hunger and cold. In the evening we arrived at Delaware township, a
small settlement on the River La Tranche. We were divided into small
companies, and were permitted to lodge in houses by fires.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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