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
July 19.--A number of Indians came in from a skirmish with our troops,
having one of their number badly wounded; when they came opposite to
us, they suddenly halted and pointed their rifles towards us as we
were walking the deck, in order to frighten us, as we supposed; but
not taking any particular notice of them, they discharged several
pieces at us; some of their shot came very close, but they did no
injury.
July 21.--The Indians received new blankets and guns from the King's
store. An American prisoner was brought to the fort by the name of
Burns--he was shot through the thigh, and had been awfully beat by the
squaws: an officer found means to purchase him, and thereby saved his
life.
Aug. 4.--The Indians at Brownstown agreed in council to take up the
tomahawk against the Americans, and a number of boats passed across
the river to assist them over with their effects.--Gen. Brock soon
after arrived with troops from York. Nothing more of consequence took
place here until the arrival of our troops from Detroit.
On our arrival at Malden we were put on board of different vessels in
the river: The private property taken in the schooner the 2d of July
was restored to its right owners.
Aug. 19.--The regular troops were put on board the Queen Charlotte and
another small vessel in the river. Provisions were dealt out to us,
consisting of pork and flour; but we had no convenience allowed us to
cook it, and were obliged to eat our pork raw. The flour, we contrived
to mix into small cakes, and when the greasy cook to the vessel saw
fit to grant us permission, we threw them into his kettle, where they
were boiled.
The Militia prisoners departed in two vessels for Cleveland where they
were to receive their paroles.
Aug. 20.--We set sail from Malden for fort Erie in the Queen Charlotte
and a schooner.--Our situation on board the schooner was truly
deplorable: being 150 of us in number, there was hardly room
sufficient for us to stand together in the hold. Only a few were
allowed to remain on deck at a time, and at night all were turned
below, where we were obliged to huddle together and each one rest the
best way he could. The hold became so foul before morning that the men
would gather at the hatchway, greatly distressed for fresh air.
After a passage of three days we arrived at Fort Erie, half famished
with hunger; although we had a plenty of provisions on board such as
it was;--raw pork and dough may answer two or three meals for a
_soldier_, but a continuance of such food would starve even him.