August 1812 Stories

First Edition Published July 26, 2015

Second Edition Published July 11, 2016

Third Edition Published May 23, 2018

Fourth Edition Published September 6, 2021

Copyright by Fred Blair

 

Changes and Additions are in blue text.

 

This chapter contains a transcript of Private William McCay’s journal

and recollections from “A Mohawk Memoir from the War of 1812,

John Norton – Teyoninhokarawen”

 


 

August 1, 1812

On the Niagara Frontier

            Private William McCay and 59 other rank and file of the 2nd York and 5th Lincoln Militias volunteered to leave the Queenston Camp and join Brigadier General Isaac Brock’s expedition to Detroit.[1]

            These militia men were placed under the command of Captain Samuel Hatt of the 5th Lincoln Militia.

            Captain William Applegarth later certified that William had served in Captain John Chisholm’s Flank Company of the 2nd York Militia at Queenston Heights during the summer of 1812.[2]

 

On the St. Lawrence River

            Captain William Morgan of the militia seized the boat of Matthew Gray of Madrid, New York, as it was returning home up the St. Lawrence River.  Matthew had arrived in Quebec about the first of June with a raft of masts for the British government.  He was still in Quebec when war was declared and at that time applied for and received permission to return home to New York with his property.  Captain Morgan discovered the boat at the landing at Osnabruck and as he had orders to prevent vessels returning to the United States, seized the vessel there.  The boat was put into service by the British and never returned to Matthew who claimed for its value after the war.  His claim was rejected by the Upper Canada claims board because Matthew was not a British subject.[3]

 

August 2, 1812

At Amherstburg

            Tecumseth helped persuade the Wyandots (Hurons) to form an alliance with the British.[4]

 

August 4, 1812

In the United States

            The former American President, Thomas Jefferson, declared that taking Upper Canada was “a mere matter of marching.”[5]

On the Niagara Frontier

            Private William McCay kept a journal of the daily events of the expedition.  “After receiving our Regimental Clothes and taking leave of our friends, our Company consisting of 61 men besides our officers set off from Queenston Camp about noon for Detroit.  We were carried in Waggons to Fort Erie, at which place we arrived about 9 o’clock after a very pleasant ride.”  Brock had ordered that the militia men to be issued the red regimental uniforms to disguise them as British troops. There were 3 officers and one man had a leave of absence.  The rest of the journey would not be pleasant.[6]

            Some histories had Brock issue the British red uniforms at Sandwich as well prior to the attack on Fort Detroit on August 16th.

 

August 5, 1812

The Battle of Brownstown

            Descriptions of the events at Brownstown vary.  Here are a few slightly different histories.

            John Richardson recorded that in Amherstburg, Colonel Procter learned that the Americans were escorting supplies to Fort Detroit and ordered Brevet Major Adam Muir to cross the river to occupy the Village of Brownstown on the American side.  The British force was composed of about 100 men from the 41st Regiment and a few militia men.

            Indigenous warriors had intercepted the Americans and forced them to halt at the River Raisin, 36 miles below Fort Detroit.  Tecumseth, at Brownstown, took a party of 24 warriors to form an ambush on the road about three miles south of the village.  The Americans, under the command of Major Van Horne, had neglected to send out an advance guard and the whole of their force came suddenly within range of the ambushers.  A number of Americans, mostly mounted, were killed before the force turned about and out ran the warriors.  Tecumseth and his warriors returned to an Indigenous village.  Only Chief John Logan had been killed among the ambushers.  He had been well liked and a regular interpreter for the British.

            Mr. Elliott was the oldest son of Colonel Elliott, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs.[7]

            What was young Elliott’s name?

            A second report of the battle was that Brigadier General Hull had sent an American force south to the River Raisin in Michigan Territory to escort cattle and other supplies to the fort.  The soldiers were attacked while crossing Brownstown Creek by a mixed force of British regulars, militia, and Indigenous warriors.  The Americans retreated before that force.[8]

            John Norton’s and Carl Benn’s descriptions of the battle were slightly different.  The British had encamped at the Wyandot village near Brownstown in order to disrupt American communications between Detroit and Frenchtown on the River Raisin.  General Hull had sent 200 riflemen south to escort supplies back to Fort Detroit.  Tecumseth engaged them with between 25 and 70 warriors.  After 30 Americans had been killed, they retreated back to Detroit.

            A second party of warriors had engaged 25 Americans carrying mail north to the fort and most of those soldiers were killed.

            Then Hull sent a major force to defeat the British.  They encountered Captain Adam Muir with the 41st Grenadiers and 200 to 300 warriors commanded by Roundhead (also known as Stayeghtha), Tecumseh, and Myeerah.  The Americans suffered heavy losses.[9]

In Moraviantown

            Captain John Norton and a party of Indigenous warriors arrived in the town.  He was informed that four American scouts had been there to assess the quantity of supplies there that could be impressed to support Hull’s men in Sandwich.[10]

At York

            Brigadier General Isaac Brock sailed from the Town of York to Burlington Bay on his way to join the expedition to Detroit.

 

            A change in the Militia Act allowed Upper Canadian militia men to send an able-bodied substitute in their place when a partial regimental muster was ordered.  Hiring a substitute was sometimes expensive.  William Shaw of Captain John Cameron’s Company of the 3rd York later hired Philip Philips to take his place, but Mr. Philips having been paid, deserted after a few days of duty.[11]

 

            A repeal of part of the Militia Act was passed on this day in Upper Canada.  Exemptions from duty were given to judges, the clergy, council members and officers, magistrates, sheriffs, coroners, retired half-pay officers, physicians and surgeons, school masters, ferrymen, and one miller from each grist mill.[12]

 

            Upper Canadians who deserted from their regiments could be sentenced to death if they were found guilty at a court martial.  In practice, few deserters were prosecuted and very few were sentenced to death.[13]

 

At Fort Erie

 

            From William McCay’s Journal, “We lodged in the Fort last night very well and the forenoon we spent in rambling over the village.  The Fort is a handsome place but the wall is not finished around it, which if it was would be very strong.  In the evening we marched about 4 miles up the Lake to where the boats lay that we were to go in.” [14]

 

In the London District

 

            Job Lodor of the London District took advantage of the new law and always hired a substitute when he was ordered to report for duty.  When a general call for militia was made, he remained at home and waited to be fined.[15]

            On November 7, 1814, Job Lodor of Townsend Township and his neighbours were raided by the Americans.[16]

 

August 6, 1812

 

At Brownstown

 

            John Richardson witnessed an act of revenge for John Logan’s death near Brownstown on the previous day.  The chief’s body had been placed in a council house where the warriors gathered about.  The warriors brought in an American prisoner on that they had captured that day.  He was made to sit in the circle with young Mr. Elliott who was dressed as a warrior.  The American was offered food and while eating Logan’s aunt snuck up behind him with a tomahawk and struck him twice in the head.[17]

 

At Fort Erie

 

            From William McCay, “We were alarmed by the Sentrys about 10 o’clock and were soon all under arms.  It was expected that the Americans who had seen us march in had formed the design of following us, but it was a false alarm.  We set off very early. The first place we landed was at a small island a little below the mouth of the Grand River where we found a great plenty of sand cherries.  We did not stop long, but put into the mouth of the Grand River 40 miles from Fort Erie.”  Local fruit and produce would supplement their daily rations of bread and pork.[18]

 

On the Grand River

 

            Brock and his men stopped at the Grand River to meet with Haudenosaunee at the Mohawk Village.  These Mohawks decided not to support the attack.

 

On Lake Erie

 

            Jacob Fight of Rainham Township supplied a boat with sail and oars at Long Point for Brock’s expedition to Fort Detroit.  He was exempted from service in the 2nd Norfolk Militia because his eye sight was known to be poor.  He worked frequently as a teamster for the British throughout the war and supplied the militia with provisions.  His home was raided by the Americans about September, 1814.[19]

            Jacob “Fite” sold his property on Lot 19, Concession 19 to his son Martin in 1806.[20]

 

            Daniel Hoover had his boat impressed for the expedition to Detroit.  After the capture of the fort, the boat was given to Colonel McArthur to convey American prisoners to Cleveland.  By agreement with the colonel the Americans destroyed the boat.  After the war Daniel made a war loss claim for the value of the boat.[21]

            Daniel was a Pennsylvania Mennonite who farmed on Hoover’s Point, in Rainham Township, on the north shore of Lake Erie.  He used his boat to transport goods from Stoney Creek to the west of his farm and to Sugarloaf in the east.  Sugarloaf later became Port Colborne.  Daniel’s nephew, Jacob Hoover, married Isaac Brock’s niece, Elizabeth Brick/Brock.[22]

 

August 7, 1812

 

At Fort Detroit

 

            General Hull received a report from the Niagara Frontier that boats loaded with British soldiers had been sighted crossing Lake Erie on route to Amherstburg.[23]

 

At Sandwich

 

            Preparing for Brock’s arrival, the destroyed bridge over the River Canard that had earlier frustrated General Hull’s attempts to cross the river was now being restored by the British with the assistance of the Norfolk and Oxford Militias under the command of Captain John Bostwick and Lieutenants George Ryerson and George Rolph.[24]

 

In Moraviantown

 

            Captain John Norton and three Indigenous warriors mounted horses and set off in pursuit of the four American scouts who had recently visited Moraviantown.  They found their campsite on the Thames River and pursued them west.  They sited the Americans in their canoe across the river.  The Americans saw John’s party and beached their canoe and fled across the fields and into the trees.  This was easily done before the warriors were able to ford the river and as it was near dusk the Americans eluded pursuit in the dark woods.  John gave up pursuit and returned to the canoe.  The soldier’s uniforms and some of their gear had been left in it.  The weapons were a prize as some of John’s party back in Moraviantown lacked fire arms.[25]

 

On Lake Erie

 

            William McCay wrote, “We slept under the trees on the bank of the river.  Arose early and set off and did not land until we came to Patterson’s Creek, 10 miles from the Grand River. He we were informed that the Volunteers from York, some of the 41st, and some militia … were to go with us.”  These reinforcements were on the way from the Grand River area with General Brock.  Apparently, there were not enough boats, because Captain Peter Robinson’s Rifle Company of the 1st York Militia had to march overland.[26]

 

August 8, 1812

 

At Port Dover

 

            Brock arrived at Port Dover, on the north shore of Lake Erie.  Additional boats had been commandeered there for his use there but there were not enough, nor were they in good condition.  The following day was spent trying to get ten of them into condition for the expedition’s passage.  When the expedition later continued across the lake it was discovered that the Port Dover boats required constant bailing.[27]

 

            Brock ordered the arrest of Judge John Beemer and others who had advised the Norfolk Militia to disobey his orders to muster in July.  Chester Rogers, Isaac and Elijah Willett, Samuel and Stephen Hartwell, and others were arrested for aiding the Americans.  They were put on trial on September 11th and 12th and Allan McDougall, Antoine Meloche, Antoine Lafitte, and Isaac Willett were indicted for treason. [28]

 

            Major General Brock later reported that he had left Long Point in bateaux with about 300 men on the 8th.[29]

 

            William McCay reported that they “Slept on shore in the best manner we could. Two of our company deserted this morning. We did not leave this place till 12 o’clock when we set off and came to Long Point in the evening, drew our boats across and put up for the night.” 

Private James Bycraft of the 5th Lincoln Militia Flank Companies was one of these deserters.  Captain Hatt’s roll recorded that Anson McArtey and Aaron Cornwall of the 2nd York had deserted but did not indicate when or where.

            On September 1st, William would give evidence at the trial of Private James Bycraft who deserted at Patterson’s Creek.[30]

 

In Moraviantown

 

            Captain John Norton left the town with his part of Indigenous warriors.  He met a party of Chippewas that informed him that the River St. Clair Chippewas had decided to support the British.  John sent a messenger back to them to ask them to join him at the mouth of the Thames River on Lake St. Clair.

            On his journey west, John met local militiamen and exhorted them to expel the American scouts from their area.  He did not ask them to march west because he knew that it was harvest time and that the men were needed on the farms.  He was also aware that General Hull’s army did not appear to have moved towards them.

            John’s warriors prepared spears and he was able to obtain ammunition from Mr. McGregor, a merchant, for his warriors who had fire arms.  John McGregor was a miller, merchant, politician, and militia office based in Sandwich.

Another messenger arrived with the news that 100 St. Clair River warriors planned to meet with him about August 10th.  Lieutenant Colonel Porter sent an order to join his British force at Amherstburg as soon as possible. [31]

 

August 9, 1812

 

On Lake Erie

 

            William McKay reported that they “Arose early this morning and about sunrise was joined by General Brock and 6 boats loaded with the troops from Patterson’s Creek.  We all set off together having a fair wind til about … o’clock.  I then rowed til night when we landed at Kettle Creek 6 miles below Port Talbert.” [32]

 

At Sandwich

 

            Captain John Norton’s party of 70 Chippewa, Delaware, and Odawa warriors marched the last 40 miles to Sandwich.[33]

 

At Brownstown

 

            The British detachment under Major Adam Muir, still stationed at Brownstown, received word from the Indigenous scouts that a large American force was approaching, on their way to Fort Detroit.  As the Americans were encumbered with guns, it was thought that they would not arrive until the following morning.  The detachment marched to Maguaga, an Indigenous village, and on through the area where the unburied Americans had fallen on August 5th

            A quarter mile beyond the town, they and their Indigenous allies selected concealed positions in the woods to lay upon the ground in ambush.  They were soon joined by Lieutenant Bullock of the 41st Regiment with twenty of his grenadiers, twenty Light Infantry, and twenty battalion men.  The warriors engaged the Americans first and firing then broke out along the entire British line for about thirty minutes.

            Some of the British mistook the warriors retreating on their right flank for an opposing force and turned their fire upon them.  The error had been made because of the reduced visibility in the forest.

            With the Americans close upon their front and a suspected flanking formation on the right, the British decided to retreat.  Major Adam Muir rallied the men about a quarter mile back on a hill overlooking a short narrow bridge on the elevated roadway that the Americans would need to transport their guns across the wetland. 

            During the retreat they had lost communications with Tecumseth.  As they heard fire on their left flank, they suspected that the Americans were trying to outflank them on the left.  The British continued their retreat to their boats and crossed back across the river.

            John Richardson, a volunteer, reported the British losses as one rank and file killed and the wounded as Major Muir and Lieutenant Sutherland, two sergeants, and nineteen rank and file.  He thought Mr. Cardwell of Amherstburg had carried the lieutenant out of the woods on his back.  Tecumseth was thought to have received a minor wound as well.[34]

 

            Other sources had the British losses as higher.  The American Major James Dalliba reported that the Upper Canada Militia, dressed and painted as “savages”, had the end of the line to the Detroit River with the Indigenous warriors commanded by Walk-in-the-Water and Marpot.  Tecumseth and his warriors had been on the American left flank and had retreated west.  John Richardson later disputed some of the details in Major Dalliba’s description of the battle.[35]

           

            The militia men lacking uniforms, had put sprigs of basswood into their caps to identify who they were.  While the British had been preparing their ambush, Thomas Vercheres de Boucherville laid on the ground next to his friend, Lieutenant Colonel Francois Baby, whose home General Hull had requisitioned.  During the engagement, Thomas was hit in the thigh by a musket ball.  While the British force had retired from the battle, Thomas and Jean-Baptiste Berthe, a regular soldier, were cut off but had hidden in the woods, near the Americans.  During a thunderstorm that night they made their escape to the river.  At dawn they built a raft from wood gathered from an abandon Indigenous village and crossed the river where their friends and others cheered their arrival.  A surgeon removed the ball from Thomas’ thigh and Tecumseth had a Shawnee healer applied an herbal remedy.  Ten days later the wound had healed enough that he was back behind his shop counter serving customers.[36]

            Thomas Vercheres de Boucherville, a fur trader and storekeeper in Amherstburg, was with the Upper Canadian militia and witnessed Indigenous warriors kill American prisoners.[37]

 

Upper Canadian Wounded

 

Private Francois Bouthelier, 1st Essex, at Mongwaga[38]

           

August 10, 1812

 

On Lake Erie

 

            William McCay complained, “Wet and cold last night. Some of us lay in the boats and some on the sand.  We set off early but the wind blew so hard ahead we were obliged to put into Port Talbert.  We covered our baggage from the rain which still continued and most of us set out to get something to eat being tired of bread and pork.  5 of us found our way to a place where we got a very good breakfast.  Bought some butter & sugar and returned.  We lay here all day, the wind being high.” [39]

 

August 11, 1812

 

            “We set off early with a fair wind but it soon blew so hard we have had to land on the beach and draw up our boats, having come 12 or 15 miles.  Some of us built camps and covered them with bark to shelter us from the rain which poured down incessantly, but I was obliged to go on guard – as I was.  Some of our men discovered horse tracks a few miles above us which we supposed were American horsemen for we were informed they came within a few miles of Port Talbert.” [40]

 

            Brock was ashore 15 miles southwest of Port Talbot at 6:00 pm.  He ordered troops to be prepared to embark in their boats at midnight.  The commanding boat would have a light and no other boats were to pass it.

            In the interim, officers were to inspect arms and ammunition and to ensure the men were ready for service.  They were about to pass through an area that had been recently patrolled by the Americans.  A captain and subaltern were to place thirty men on picket duty while ashore and a sentry was to guard each boat and be regularly relieved.  A patrol was to be sent out a mile from the encampment.[41]

 

August 12, 1812

 

            It was another rough night for William McCay.  “We set off before day light and came on till breakfast time when we stopt at a long point where we found plenty of sand Cheeries.  They are just getting ripe and are very good.  We continued on voyage all night which was very fatiguing being so crowded in the boats we could not lie down.” [42]

 

            Major General Brock ordered that if the wind continued fair, the boats were to continue their journey on Lake Erie during the night.   Care was to be taken to prevent the boats separating or falling behind.  As this passage of the lake was more dangerous and difficult than what they had previously encountered, the boats were not to land unless it was extremely necessary and that great care must be taken by the officers as to where the boats were beached.  Officers were also to guard against being surprised by the Americans.[43]

 

August 13, 1812

 

At Amherstburg

 

            Major General Brock arrived at Amherstburg, with about 1300 men, where he discovered that the Americans, faced with food shortages and disease, had retreated back across the river to Fort Detroit.[44]

 

            “We came to a settlement this morning, the first since we left Port Talbert.  The inhabitants informed us the Americans had all retired to their own side of the River.  Also that there was a skirmish between our troops and them on their own side.  We made no stop, only to boil our pork but kept on til about 2 o’clock, then lay on the beach until morning.  Some of the boats with the General went on.”  Brock would have been relieved to learn that the Americans had retreated back to Fort Detroit.[45]

 

            Aware of the massive militia desertions in the area, Brock ordered the local officers to make lists of the names of men who had remained loyal.  He did not attempt to fine the deserters.  Later a court of enquiry suggested that ten officers from the Essex and Kent Militias be removed.[46]

 

            Francois Reaume of Malden Township received orders from Brock to carry dispatches from Amherstburg to Robert Dickson on the Mississippi River.  In the event that he could not make the complete journey himself, he was to arrange to have someone else make the delivery.  He left Amherstburg with two Indigenous companions.  Having run out of provisions and starving near Chicago, he decided to procure supplies in that area.  As it was possible that the Americans might arrest him, he gave the dispatches to the two Indigenous men.  He was taken prisoner, the Indigenous men proceeded on without him, and the dispatches were delivered.

            After his release, Francois applied to Colonel Elliott for the money owed him but did not receive payment at that time.  In 1824, he presented his war loss claim to the Commission.[47]

 

            Robert Dickson was a western fur trader who commanded Indigenous warriors at the Capture of Mackinac Island and the Capture of Fort Detroit.  At the end of September, he arrived in Amherstburg with a number of warriors.  He travelled on to Montreal where he was appointed as Agent and Superintendent of the western tribes for the Indian Department.  He engaged the Americans a number of times throughout the war.  After the war, he resumed fur trading.[48]

 

August 14, 1812

 

At Sandwich

 

            William McCay completed the boat journey.  “We landed at Fort Malden about 2 o’clock, very tired rowing and our faces burnt with the sun til the skin came off … Our company was marched to a stone house where we took out our baggage and dryed it and cleaned our guns. Were paraded at 11 o’clock and all our arms & ammunition that was damaged was replaced.  We then rambled about the town till evening when all the troops that were in Amhurst Burgh were paraded on the commons.  They were calculated at 8 or 9 hundred men.”[49]

 

            Detroit was about two miles up the river, which contained several small islands.  The low banks were cultivated but the wilderness could be seen behind them.

 

August 15, 1812

American Evacuation of Fort Dearborn (Chicago)

 

            Fort Dearborn was successfully taken by Potawatomi warriors after a 15-minute battle.

 

At Sandwich

 

            William McCay wrote, “Arose early and set off with our boats for Sandwich.  We scampered off to the orchards with our haversacks, where we got apples & pears as many as we could wish.  Then marched up to the town in good order commanded by Major Chambers.  We found it crowded with whites and Indians all in arms.  We are told we are to attack them tomorrow.  We all appear well agreed and in high spirits.  We were paraded in the evening and while we were in the ranks, the cannonading began between our batteries & the American Fort & batteries and continued about an hour & a half.  We were 1 and a half miles from the scene of action, our men appeared anxious to be engaged.” [50]

 

            Charles Askin witnessed the arrival of Brock’s flotilla at Sandwich.[51]

 

            Brock reported that Major Thomas Evan’s idea of clothing the militia in cast off clothing from the 41st Regiment had made his force look twice as large.[52]

 

August 16, 1812

The British Capture of Fort Detroit

 

            William McCay reported that, “By daylight we were all under arms and soon began to cross the river, while the cannons began to roar again.  The place where we crossed was about three miles below the Fort of Detroit.  We loaded in boats and effected our landing without any opposition.  As we came over we formed in order.  The 41st in front, to the amount of 3 or 4 hundred, Capt. … Campbell next, the York Militia next and the Militia from other places followed while the Indians dressed in the most warlike … were all around us.  Soon as most of us was over we marched up through the town expecting to be fired upon every moment … The houses in the lower part of the Town were most of them deserted and the Indians broke into them and as we marched along we saw the best of goods & furniture destroyed or carried off ....  We halted in a little Vale about half a mile below the fort. The firing ceased which had been kept up very briskly upwards of 2 hours, and our officers saw the flag of truce go from the fort over to our batteries.”  The Americans had surrendered the fort.

 

“We then marched into the fort but soon returned and were placed around it.  Our sentries relieved theirs and the American flag came down while the British was hoisted amidst the shouts of the whole army.   According to the best accounts I can get there was between 25 & 30 hundred men made prisoners of war amongst whom not more than 4 hundred were regulars.  As soon as possible the regulars were put on board the vessels, several of which lay in the river.  They were all in very bad condition, both dirty & ragged, owing they told us to their marching a great distance through wilderness and not receiving their pay or clothing.  I never saw such a day in my life, such a hurry & confusion we had not time to eat anything except a bite of bread we brought with us, for we had double of numbers of prisoners to take care of.” [53]

 

            John Richardson wrote that they had crossed in boats and scows accompanied by numerous canoes filled with Indigenous warriors “decorated in their half nakedness,” though most of them had crossed over during the night.  The militia who had rowed the boats across were not part of the attacking force.

            The British forces attacking included the Kent, 1st and 2nd Essex, and detachments of the York, Lincoln, Oxford, and Norfolk Militias.[54]

 

            The warriors from Amherstburg were led by Stayeghtha, Tecumseth, Tharoutera, and Myeerah.  They had paraded through the woods in view of the Americans in the fort.  They were to attack the Americans on their flank if they marched out of the fort.[55]

 

            Captain John Norton and his party had crossed over at La Belle Fontaine to support the main British force.  He consulted with Brock and suggested that his warriors advance on the left flank so that they could examine a ravine that might be concealing “an ambuscade”.  Brock ordered him to proceed and they discovered French Canadian women and children from the town sheltering there from the British cannon fire.  John’s party moved forward toward the fort.  As they approached William McComb’s stockaded property the spotted the heads of the American pickets stationed there.  The pickets quickly retreated back towards the fort.  John then saw some Americans riding towards the fort and he ordered his warriors to run ahead and intercept them.  The Americans escaped into the fort before the warriors could cut them off but the warriors did capture one of the sentries there.[56]

 

            Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Nichol, Quartermaster-General of the Militia, wrote that Brock’s army had crossed the Detroit River and took up a position near the house of William Forsyth, where they found themselves temporarily without provisions.  William invited the General Staff and other officers into his home, where he provided them with refreshments and supplied the army with provisions.  After the war, William claimed for:

 

24 gallons of brandy at 30 shillings each

15 gallons of Madeira wine at 30 shillings each

9 gallons of port at 30 shillings each

and provisions at 12 pounds, 10 shillings.[57]

 

            Colonel Elijah Brush signed the American capitulation as the Attorney General of the North West Territory.  He was also commander of the 1st Michigan Militia.  In 1802, he had married Adelaide Barthe Askin, the daughter of the British Colonel John Askin.  This also made him John Richardson’s great uncle.  The Canadian relatives interceded and arranged special privileges for Colonel Brush.  He would repay this kindness before the war was over when he interceded with the Americans for the treatment of Doctor Richardson, John’s father.[58]

 

            John Richardson reported that the guard of honour that took possession of the fort included Lieutenants John Beverley Robinson and Samuel Peter Jarvis of the 3rd York Militia and Captain William Chisholm of the 2nd York Militia.  Lieutenant Jarvis was attached to the 41st Regiment.[59]

 

            Volunteer John Richardson was among the sentinels placed on the ramparts of the fort and was the first guard at the flag staff.  Dean, a member of the 41st Regiment who was captured by the Americans earlier in the month at the River Canard, was freed from the fort prison.[60]

            As a Volunteer what was Richardson rank in the 41st Regiment?  Who was Dean?

 

            Major General Brock issued an order from Fort Detroit commending the services of the men who aided in the capture.  Among the militia, he mentioned Major Salmon, Captains Hatt, Heward, Bostwick, and Robinson, and Lieutenant Colonel Nichol.

            Major George C. Salmon commanded the 2nd Norfolk Militia, Captain Samuel Hatt was a member of the 5th Lincoln Militia, Captain Stephen Heward served in the 3rd York Militia, and Captains John Bostwick and William Robinson were with the Norfolk Militia.  Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nichol commanded the 2nd Norfolk Militia and was also Quarter Master General of the Militia in Upper Canada.  He had arranged the movement of Brock’s flotilla from Long Point to Amherstburg and commanded the crossing to Fort Detroit.

            Colonel Elliott and Captain Thomas McKee of the Department of Indian Affairs had commanded the Indigenous warriors.  Brock commended the warriors on their humanity in the treatment of the few prisoners taken during their advance on the fort.[61]

 

            A proclamation was issued to all militia officers that all arms in their possession were to be “given up.”[62]

 

            Captain John Norton estimated that the captured American arms included over two thousand “stands”.  His party returned across the river to Sandwich and proceeded to Amherstburg the following morning.  Carl Benn wrote that John was entitled to 120 pounds of prize money as a chief from the captured supplies but as a captain in the Indian Department he would have been entitled to more.[63]

 

At Michilimackinac

 

Indian Agent John Askin reported that Big Gun (Kitchiposekizegan “Gichi-basshkizigan”) left for Detroit with 270 warriors, a distance of 204 nautical miles.  The journey was probably made in a canoe brigade.[64]

 

August 17, 1812

 

At Detroit

 

            William McCay wrote that, “Most of us have been on guard in and around the Fort.  Being relieved this morning my Comrade (John Ireland) & me took a ramble through the town and Garrison.  It is a matter of surprise to us to obtain such a strong fortification defended by double our numbers without the loss of a man, there being only one sargent of the Royal artillery wounded.  I saw only 7 men killed in the fort but I understand there was several more.  It was a disagreeable sight to behold them.  One was shot through the middle, anothers head was dashed to pieces.  In the afternoon we crossed over to Sandwich to get our knapsacks which we had left behind, and went in a boat down to one of the vessels loaded with prisoners.” [65]

 

            John Ireland, like William, served as a private in a 2nd York Militia Flank Company who also served at the Battle of Queenston Heights.  After 1812, he served as an issuer and storekeeper with the Commissariat Department and was in charge of maintaining the supply line on Dundas Street. 

 

            Brock ordered that all the absent militia men in Upper Canada be called to return to the Niagara Frontier as their crops should have been harvested by this time.  He noted that many men in the area had already deserted to their homes.[66]

 

            Captain John Norton suggested that he remain in the west but Brock ordered him to the Niagara Frontier where he expected the Americans to retaliate for the loss of Detroit.  John’s party of warriors was finally joined by the 100 Chippawa from River St. Clair and another 100 from the Grand River.[67]

            John’s memoirs picked up again when he was in the Niagara area.

 

August 18, 1812

 

            William McCay complained, “I spent last night the most uncomfortable of any since I left home, for we lay in the boat alongside of the vessels.  The boat was full of us and leaked very fast.  I lay on a wheel of the Carriage of the Artillery wet and cold and very much fatigued.  We then went on board the NANCY, a merchant brig which was full of prisoners before we came.  We lay opposite Sandwich waiting til the other vessels were ready to sail.” [68]

 

On the Thames River

 

            John McGregor was born in Scotland about 1751, arrived in Detroit in 1784, and became active as a merchant.  When the British withdrew from Detroit, he obtained land in Sandwich and Amherstburg.  By 1812 he owned an eighty-ton vessel, The Thames, and a mill on McGregor’s Creek.  He served as a lieutenant in the Kent Militia and by the end of the war achieved the rank of captain.  He lost an arm in March of 1813 but was to later take part in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in July, 1814.  He suffered a number of losses during the war to both the Americans and the British and their Indigenous allies.[69]

            John McGregor was aware that the American, Colonel McArthur, and his men were raiding in the Thames River area.  To hide his merchandise and provisions from them he sent his property to the home of Matthew Dolsen on the river, where John had a mill.  As the British retreated from there towards Amherstburg, the Americans heard that John had supplies stored at Dolsen’s home.  Believing that McGregor and Dolsen had raised a body of Indigenous warriors and militia to oppose them, an order was issued to shoot the two men if they were found.  Both men fled from Dolsen’s home as the American detachment came in sight.

            Among the goods seized by the Americans were:

 

a 37-gallon barrel of Madeira wine at 40 shillings per gallon

10 barrels of rock salt at 10 pounds each

3 barrels of Anadago salt at 4 pounds, 16 shillings each

4 barrels of Anadago salt at 9 pounds, 6 shillings each

34 barrels of salt at 9 pounds, 6 shillings each

100 quintels of flour at 32 shillings each

50 bags of flour at 6 shillings each

49 barrels of flour at 6 pounds, 4 shillings each

30 grinding stones at 40 shillings each

500 blankets at 800 pounds

 

and half a ton of iron, two hundred pounds of steel, a large boat with sails, a large Canadian boat, and over two hundred yards of striped cotton.[70]

            A quintal was 100 pounds of weight.  What was Anadago salt?

 

            On October 3, 1813, John McGregor would suffer a major loss again during another British retreat.

 

In Kingston

 

            Christiana Trump offered a reward of $12.00 for information leading to the conviction of the persons who had cut and carried off timber from her farm on Lot 24, Concession 2, Kingston Township.[71]

 

August 19, 1812

 

At Fort Malden

 

            William McCay reported, “We droped down the river to Fort Walden where we left one of our Company (Thos. Cornir) in the Hospital who has been sick several days.” [72]

 

            Private Thomas Corner of Nelson Township was about nineteen years old at the time and served as a private in the 2nd York Militia.  From September 25th to December 19th that year he served in Captain John Chisholm’s Flank Company in Queenston.[73]

 

August 20, 1812

 

            From William McCay, “It rained most of this day very fast.  We were obliged to stay on deck without any shelter through it all.  In the afternoon some of our men were ordered on where as we still lay opposite Amherstburgh, to procure provisions and wood for our voyage.” [74]

 

On the Niagara Frontier

 

            Captain William H. Merritt reported that the militia had returned from Fort Detroit to the Niagara Frontier escorting American prisoners.[75]

 

August 21, 1812

 

On the Detroit River

 

            William McCay wrote, “We drafted down the river a short distance but the wind being contrary we were obliged to cast anchor.  Several of the prisoners were taken out of our vessel and put on board the QUEEN CHARLOTTE who was to sail in company with us.” [76]

 

August 22, 1812

 

            From William’s journal, “Very early this morning a gun was fired from the CHARLOTTE, the signal for sailing.  We immediately weighed anchor and set sail.  We … lively till noon when the wind failing, we lay beating on the Lake til night, & then cast anchor among several small islands.” [77]

 

At Fort George

 

            Brock returned to Fort George and learned that Sir George Prevost had arranged a temporary armistice with the Americans.[78]

 

At Amherstburg

 

            Colonel John Askin, of the Indian Department, arrived in Amherstburg with270 Indigenous warriors under the command of Chief Big-gun.  They had left Michilimackinac on the 16th and journeyed fifty miles across Saginaw Bay in their canoes to relieve Amherstburg.[79]

 

August 23, 1812

 

On Lake Erie

 

            It was a good day for William McCay, “This was a very pleasant day.  We purchased some ground corn and young potatos of an old French man who lived on one of the Islands which was a great rarity to us all.  The wind raising about 10 oclock we again set sail, a matter of joy to us all for we were heartily tired of our present mode of living.” [80]

 

August 24, 1812

 

            William wrote, “The wind keeping up, we sailed on very well, but the other vessels that we were to company with, not being able to keep up with us, we were frequently oblidged to lower our sail.” [81]

 

In Willoughby Township

 

            George Rathwall of Willoughby Township submitted a bill to the British for his work as a gunsmith over the previous year.  He had mended a bayonet and a stock, replaced ramrods and screws, and fixed locks and guns.[82]

 

At Niagara

 

            A Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery was held at Niagara in the Niagara District by Justice William Campbell.  William Chittendon was found guilty of a felony and was sentenced to be hanged until dead.

            Joe Bartlett was found guilty of grand larceny and was sentenced to be confined for three months, to be publicly whipped with thirty-nine lashes each of the three months, to ensure is good behaviour for twelve months, to pay a fine of fifty pounds, and to pay two sureties of twenty-five pounds each.

            William Groff was also found guilty of grand larceny and was sentenced to be confined for one calendar month and to be whipped with thirty-nine lashes once.

            Joe Bastedo pleaded guilty to sedition and had to pay a fine of five shillings, be confined for two calendar months, and at the end of his confinement stand in the pillory for one hour.[83]

 

August 25, 1812

 

On Lake Erie

 

            From William McCay, “This morning we perceived we have passed long point which was almost out of sight.  I was very unwell to day owing to our way of living, unwell to day owing to our way of living, being up at night (for we mounted 20 guards every night who must all be awake continually) and then sleeping in the hot sun.  Likewise our provisions were very bad having got wet, the bread especially.  In the evening as we drew near Fort Erie we were informed that an armistice was concluded between the contending powers and that 4 days notice was to be given before hostilities would be commenced.  This new pleased us much, as we were in hopes of getting home to see our friends.” [84]          

 

August 26, 1812

 

            “We lay at anchor in sight of Fort Erie all night & in the morning, about 9 oclock came alongside of the wharf.  The prisoners were landed under a strong guard.  Here I had the first sight of General Hall.  After some time we got in order for marching.  Captain Hatt’s Company was the advance guard, while the York volunteers guarded the prisoners.  We marched on pretty briskly at first, but laying still so long, we soon became tired.  We came to Chippaway about sunset.  Most of us got our suppers at a tavern and our camps lodged in a barn, the best place we have had the some time.” [85]

 

            Major General Brock had sailed home in a very small trading schooner containing 70 imprisoned Ohio Riflemen.  They were guarded by a small party of York militia riflemen under the command of Lieutenant Jarvis.  The guards were not allowed to go below deck with the prisoners.  No more than 6 of the prisoners were allowed on deck at a time.  Near Fort Erie the schooner was becalmed in the fog when a chance break in the fog revealed that they were just off Buffalo.  A shot was fired to attract the attention of the Queen Charlotte which was anchored between Abino and Fort Erie.  That vessel came to the rescue with the aid of a slight breeze and took the schooner in tow back into British waters.[86]

            Lieutenant Jarvis was Samuel Peters Jarvis of the 3rd York Militia.

 

On the Niagara Frontier

 

            Brock issued orders that up to 80 percent of the militia men serving in flank companies on the Niagara Frontier could be sent home.  General inspections of the militia were to be carried out in the Home, Niagara, and London Districts.  Every individual residing in each regiment’s muster area was to be accounted for.  Those granted exemptions from duty were to be accounted for under the headings of Age and Infirmity, Quakers, Mennonists, and Tunkers, and Others, with the reason for each exemption.  Militia men were to be called out for drill once a week.  Each man was to take the Oath of Allegiance and those who refused were to be reported.[87]

 

            Also exempt were judges, clergy, members and officers of provincial councils, magistrates, sheriffs, coroners, retired officers, physicians, surgeons, school masters, ferrymen, and one miller from each grist mill.[88]

 

At Niagara

 

            A Grand Jury charged Joseph Bastedo and Abraham Lazalere guilty of sedition.  Joseph pleaded guilty but Abraham went to trial and was acquitted.[89]

 

At Charlotteville, Norfolk County

 

            John Beemer and Joseph Willcocks were charged with sedition.  In 1811, Joseph had told Mr. Backhouse of Walsingham that he had a power of attorney from the Six Nations on the Grand River to act as their agent and that they would stand with him when the country would soon be taken by the Americans.  He also declared that few settlers would defend the country at that time and that he was collecting money to aid the invasion.[90]

 

August 27, 1812

 

On the Niagara Frontier

 

            William McCay recorded, “An alarm was made about 2 oclock last night & all that was able was under arms.  We were marched up the river about a mile while it rained pretty fast.  It was expected the Americans were attempting to cross the river by their movements, but it all proved to be nothing.  We tarried the remainder of the night in a stone house a mile and a half about Chippaway, but being wet and cold we slept but little.  My Comrade, Ireland, has been very unwell for several days & this morning I made some tea which we brought from Detroit, and we had a comfortable breakfast.  It took us a long time to get in order for marching and we came but slowly sot that it was 12 oclock ere we reached Queenston.  We were not allowed to stop at the camp, except those who were not able to go on.  By the middle of the afternoon we arrived at Fort Niagara.  It appeared the whole town moved towards us.  Several of our friends met us there who was much rejoiced to see us return safe.  We were much fatigued and covered with dust but our Officers treated us very liberally & we got in the baggage waggons and returned to Queenston in high spirits.  The Americans have built a great number of tents opposite Queenston but it is said there is not many troops arrived.  Some deserters having come over lately brought the intellingence.” [91]

            William or the transcriber mistook Fort George for Fort Niagara.

 

August 28, 1812

 

            “Slept very well last night in the Officer’s tent and after getting a good breakfast feel much refreshed.  We are told that we shall be dismissed in a few days and return home which pleases us very well.  I received two letters this evening from my Brother Nages, the other from my wife.  Our friends are all well and express much satisfaction on the account of the success of the expedition we were engaged in.” [92]

 

In the Indiana Territory

 

            In the Indiana Territory, the assistant trade factor at Fort Wayne was killed about a mile from the fort.  On the 26th, word had reached the fort about the fall of Fort Dearborn.  Women and children were being evacuated to Ohio.

            The Potawatomi and Miami tribes would attack the following week.[93]

 

August 29, 1812

 

On the Niagara Frontier

 

            A short report from William McCay, “I have caught a cold and do not feel well & my comrade Ireland was put in the hospital in Queenston.” [94]

 

            Private John Ireland of Nelson Township was about thirty years old at the time and served in a flank company of the 2nd York Militia.  He was on furlough from September 25th to November 24th from Captain John Chisholm’s Flank Company, which might suggest that he was not yet fit for duty.[95]

            William McCay, Thomas Corner, and John Ireland were all from Nelson Township.  As they were among the few men mentioned by name in his journal, William probably knew them well.

 

In York

 

            Alexander Wood, a merchant in York, reported that groceries were scarce in the town.[96]

 

August 30, 1812

 

            William McCay joined Ireland, “We were paraded and our arms examined this morning.  They still give us encouragement of our going home.  The afternoon was cool and rainy.  I went to the Hospital and tarried all night.”

 

            William added an extra day to the month and reported on August 31st, “We were paraded at 9 oclock, & again at 11, all in marching order, having our knapsacks & blankets on our backs.  Several of our company have taken sick since we returned from Detroit.” [97]

 

In York Township

 

            During August, Ely Playter in York Township suffered a swollen foot, had his mare shod, bought some whiskey and flour, drew in his hay, took up his wheat and drew it into the barn, made some brushes, hoed his potatoes, threshed his wheat, took it to the mill, and had it ground.

 As a lieutenant in the 3rd York Militia he read the Militia Act to his company and ordered drills.[98]

 

In Ancaster Township

 

            Benjamin Smith in Ancaster Township raked and bound hay with his neighbours, brought in 1333 sheaves of wheat, fixed his wagon while it rained, began thrashing, cleaning, and drying his wheat, killed a hog while it rained again, hauled in his rye, mowed grass, and harried his fields.

He attended 2 Sunday meetings and read his Book on those Sundays that he stayed home.[99]

 

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[60] Major John Richardson, Richardson’s War of 1812, edited by Alexander Casselman, Coles Publishing Company, Toronto, 1974, page 58.

[61] Major John Richardson, Richardson’s War of 1812, edited by Alexander Casselman, Coles Publishing Company, Toronto, 1974, pages 60-66.

[62] Major John Richardson, Richardson’s War of 1812, edited by Alexander Casselman, Coles Publishing Company, Toronto, 1974, page 69.

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[64] Alan Corbiere, Anishnaabeg in the War of 1812:  More than Tecumseh and his Indians, Sept. 10, 2014, https://activehistory.ca/2014/09/anishnaabeg-in-the-war-of-1812-more-than-tecumseh-and-his-indians/?fbclid=IwAR0H7GnUoUcZYuvTz83x4p888mNDUGgztgd4ekyhc22C4Is0WphgncSyXgk, accessed Aug. 19, 2020.

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[76] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[77] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[78] George Sheppard, Plunder, Profit, and Paroles:  A Social History of the War of 1812 in Upper Canada, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1994, page 57.

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[80] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[81] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[82] Collections Canada, War of 1812, Board of Claims and Losses, Microfilm t-1126, pages 852-853.

[83] Linda Corupe, U.E., Upper Canada Justice, Early Assize Court Records of Ontario, Vol. 2, 1810-1818, transcribed and indexed 2008, pages 64-67.

[84] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[85] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[86] Major John Richardson, Richardson’s War of 1812, edited by Alexander Casselman, Coles Publishing Company, Toronto, 1974, pages 91-92.

[87] Ernest Alexander Cruikshank, History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier, Part 3, Lundy’s Lane Historical Society, printed at the Tribune Office, Welland, 1899, pages 212-213, at www.ourroots.ca, accessed on Jan. 16, 2014.

[88] George Sheppard, Plunder, Profit, and Paroles:  A Social History of the War of 1812 in Upper Canada, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1994, page 60.

[89] Colonel E.A. Cruikshank, A Study of Disaffection in Upper Canada in 1812-1815, The Royal Society of Canada, Ottawa, 1912, page 26.

[90] Colonel E.A. Cruikshank, A Study of Disaffection in Upper Canada in 1812-1815, The Royal Society of Canada, Ottawa, 1912, pages 26-27.

[91] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[92] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[93] Siege of Fort Wayne, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Fort_Wayne, accessed Feb. 22, 2018.

[94] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[95] Collections Canada, War of 1812:  Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists, Microfilm t-10384, pages 103-108 and 123-125.

[96] The Fife and Drum, The Newsletter of The Friends of Fort York and Garrison Common, Volume 16, Number 3, July, 2012, page 7.

[97] Lieut. Col. William McCay’s Journal 1812-1814, Quick March to Glory, transcript from Chatham-Kent Museum.

[98] Ely Playter’s Diary, August, 1812, https://twitter.com/ElyPlayter1812, accessed June 7, 2015.

[99] Benjamin Smith’s Diary, Benjamin Smith Fonds F582, Ontario Archives, Toronto, Ontario.

 

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