A Journal of Two Campaigns of the Fourth Regiment of U.S. Infantry: In the Michigan and Indiana Territories, Under the Command of Col. John P. Boyd, and Lt. Col. James Miller During the Years 1811, & 12. — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
A Journal of Two Campaigns of the Fourth Regiment of U.S. Infantry: In the Michigan and Indiana Territories, Under the Command of Col. John P. Boyd, and Lt. Col. James Miller During the Years 1811, & 12.
John Stuart Mill · en
Aug. 16.--At day light the firing recommenced upon the fort, where was
stationed the 4th regiment. Not a gun was fired from this place in
return. Five men were killed and wounded in the fort, where the Gen.
and some citizens from the town had repaired. At sunrise the Indians
appeared in the woods back of the town, while the British were seen
landing from the Queen Charlotte at Spring Wells, three miles below
us. About 8 o'clock they began to move towards us in close column. It
was now that we every moment expected the orders of the Gen. to march
out and commence the battle which was to decide the fate of this
army.--The long wished for moment had now arrived; the eyes of
the soldiers of the 4th regiment were turned towards their brave
Commander, Col. Miller, and seemed to express the ardent wishes of the
men for _him_ to give the word and lead the way.
The militia were posted outside of the fort, behind a line of pickets.
Two 24 pounders loaded with grape shot were placed in a situation to
sweep the advancing column of the enemy.
The British troops advanced with a regular step, and in fine order.
All was silent in the fort--"Not a discontent broke upon the ear--Not
a look of cowardice met the eye." We listened in eager expectation,
that each moment our ears would be saluted from the discharge of
the 24 pounders. What was our surprise when we beheld the militia
retreating towards the fort, and at the same time an American Officer
on horseback riding towards the British column bearing a _white flag_,
while another was placed on the parapet of the fort. A soldier
attempted to knock it down with his musquet--an officer stepped up and
commanded him to desist--"There sir," says the soldier, pointing to
the American colors, then waving on the flag-staff--"_There is the
flag I choose to fight under!_"--Such was the spirit which animated
the whole body of the troops. A British officer rode up to the fort,
and in thirty minutes afterwards a capitulation was signed. The
Adjutant soon after came in and informed the troops that we must
consider ourselves prisoners of war to His Britannic Majesty's forces
under Gen. Brock.
Such curses and imprecations as were now uttered by the soldiers upon
the head of our General, were perhaps never before made use in any
army.--"_Treachery_"--"_We are sold_"--was the cry throughout.
We were ordered to pack up our effects as soon as possible. Some
officers entered the loft of the store house, where they found a few
articles of clothing, which was distributed among us. The militia had
been crowded into the fort which now was nearly filled with troops, in
great disorder.