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
[G] A Frenchman who lived in this village said when the word came
the Americans were in sight, there was an old Indian smoking at his
fireside; the Indian exclaimed, “_Ho, de Mericans come; I suppose Ohio
men come, we give them another chase_:” (alluding to the time they
chased Gen. Tapper from the Rapids.) He walked to the door smoking,
apparently very unconcerned, and looked at us till we formed the line
of battle, and rushed on them with a mighty shout! he then called out
“_Kentuck, by God!_” and picked up his gun and ran to the woods like a
wild beast.
[H] It would have been better for us if we had been contented with the
possession of the village, without pursuing them to the woods.
[I] This want of precaution was a great cause of our mournful defeat!
[J] When the right wing began to retreat, it is said orders were given
by some of the officers to the men in the eastern end of the picketing
to march out to their assistance. Capt. Price and a number of men
sallied out. Capt. Price was killed, and most of the men.
[K] Col. Proctor had informed Gen. Winchester he would afford him an
opportunity of surrendering his troops, and if not accepted he would
let loose the Indians on us, who would burn the town, and he would not
be accountable for their conduct. Gen. Winchester, not knowing how we
had resisted their efforts, thought probably it would be the case.
But why did not Col. Proctor make this proposition before he had
exerted all his skill in trying to burn the town and to set the Indians
on us? Proctor knew very well he had done all that was in his power
with the force he had then, and he was then less able to rout us from
the town than he was at first.
The British informed us afterwards that Col. Proctor had ordered a
general retreat to Malden, and that they had _spiked four pieces of
their cannon_! but he thought he would demand a surrender, according to
custom.
Our officers, knowing that we had but little ammunition, and the troops
being still exposed to the fire of the cannon, thought proper to
surrender.
[L] I was since informed that Col. Elliott instructed the interpreters
to leave the wounded, after dark, to the mercy of the savages. They all
went off, except one half-Indian.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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