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
They continued here about a month, and then removed about eight miles
on the River Rouge, in order to prepare for making sugar. While we were
employed at this business a Frenchman persuaded me to marry a squaw,
if they insisted, for I would then be treated with more respect, and
consequently would have greater liberties. After mature consideration,
I thought probably this would be the best plan I could adopt, in order
to make my escape, and therefore resolved to marry the next one that
was presented to me. It was not long before they brought me a squaw
(the most decent looking one I had seen), whom I resolved to marry
without hesitation. I however, when just on the point of forming a
connubial alliance with her, was prevented by an Indian, who claimed
her as _his_ squaw.
Several weeks before the battle of Fort Meigs, the Indians began to
collect and dance the _war-dance_.
Just before the Indians marched they prepared a number of hoops, both
ends of which they stuck in the ground and spread their blankets over
them. In this place they put hot stones, threw water on them, and then
went in themselves and remained until they were wet with sweat. This
I conjectured was done in the way of devotion, or in imploring the
assistance of the Great Spirit in their intended expedition.
When the Indians marched I was committed to the care of the squaws
and a few old invalids. Thinking this the most favorable opportunity
I could get, I was determined to put my plan in execution. At night
I lay down with the intention of starting when the moon arose, but
overslept my time and did not awake till daylight. I arose and started,
notwithstanding I was apprehensive of being discovered, and ran
directly to Detroit, a distance of about nine miles, probably in as
short a time as any Indian in the nation could have performed the same
journey.
As soon as I had arrived at Detroit I went to Mr. T. S’s, who had
persuaded me to run away, and he and his friends would conceal me,
which they did accordingly. It was but a short time before a Frenchman,
of the name of Shover, and some squaws, came in search of me, but could
not find me.
From here I was sent to Sandwich, and concealed there two days, and
suffered extremely for provisions. From Sandwich I was sent to Malden,
where I found six of my fellow-prisoners, who, together with myself,
were kept under close confinement in the fort for three weeks. While
we remained here we frequently heard from the Rapids, but the news
was always favorable on the British side. One morning an old man, who
looked as if he had just emerged from the lower regions, came into the
fort and exclaimed, “good news, gentlemen! good news! we have killed
_fifteen hundred Yankees_, and have taken Harrison and all the rest
that were at the fort prisoners!!” I was informed afterwards that this
old man was the notorious Simon Girty, so much renowned for cruelty
and slaughter, and who has delighted in the shrieks of dying women and
_expiring infants_!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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