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Ix'rjjrilltcd from THK PKNN.SYr,VANIA MAOAZINE of UrSTOIlY AND BlOOUAI'HY, Jllfl/, 1803. JOURNAL OF MAJOR ISAAC ROACH, 1812-1824. CONTRIBUTED BY MARY ROACH ARCHER. [Major Isaac Roach served throughout the war of 1812 and until April 1, 1824, when he retired tr civil life. His father, Captain Isaac Roach, had distinguished himself during the War of the Revolution, in the operations in the Delaware River and lower bay, in command of the gunboat " Congress" and other vessels, being severely wounded sev- eral times in a very active series of operations against the enemy's ves- sels in the defence of the approaches to the city. Major Roach was elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1838. He also served as guardian of the poor, commissioner on the Almshouse purchase, vestryman of St. Peter's Church, Third and Pine Streets, manager of Christ Church Hos- pital, member of the Select Council of the city and Board of Health, and treasurer of the United States Mint at Philadelphia. He died December 30, 1848. J My <^randlatlier was a Scotchman and a sailing master in a British P'leet which was sent to ascertain the houndary he- twoen Maryland a>ul Delaware, abont 1740. He left the service and settled in Delaware near Rehoboth Bay. where my father was born in 1748, and where he continued until apprenticed to Mr. Fisher of Lewestovvn, Delaware, a pilot of the Bay and River Delaware. He became a skilful pilot 1 2 Jmu-nnl of Major Isaac Roach, 1812-182/^. and much rcflpected by tho mercantile community, lie was married in 1774, and at the commencement of tho war be- tween this and the mother country he promptly decided for his Country's Liberty, took up arms and fought till his country was free. He commanded the armed vessel or gun boat " Congress" which was actively engaged in the defence of the Delaware River and Bay. He was also an officer on board the brig " Charming Sally" which was in company with the " Ilyder Ali" when she captured the British ship " General Monk." The *' Charming Sally" was captured by the British, but my father succeeded in retaking her, and was badly wounded. He was put on shore and tho brig went to sea. He held commissions successively under the Proprietary of Pennsylvania, from Franklin, Washington, John Adams, Jefferson and Madison, and with the exception of a few years he continued in government service until his death in 1817. lie was much respected as a brave and zealous officer. I had from my infancy listened to my father's recitals of tho injuries sustained by this country and the violation of every principle of justice by Great Britain, and now [1812] it had become a jest and byword in England that the coun- try " could not be kicked into a war;" but we were kicked into it, and totally unprepared for such a contest. After a peace of thirty years, and entirely engrossed in trade, every means had been neglected to prepare for war. Our treasury poor, our arsenals empty, fortitic.itions in ruin, our Navy neglected, Military Science unknown, our Army nominally about 6000 men, tho country divided in opinion, one-half advocating British measures, tho other French, and no natio!ial feeling or true patriotism until the Declaration of War, which was carried by that party called " Demo- crats," and opposed by those called " Federalist.'' Indeed with few exceptions the war was carried on to its termina- tion by the " Democrats," and violently opposed by their own citizens who advocated the conduct of the British, even during the struggle. Journal of Major Isaac Roa^h, 1812-1S24.. 8 I had some doubts of the propriety of leaving my aged parents, but I had heard my father's opinion relative to the duty of defending our beloved country, and I did not long hesitate but without any delay applied for a commission in the army as soon as the Bill for War passed Congress, and obtained the appointment of second lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment U. S. Artillery. As I had requested to be as- signed to this Regiment of Artillery, I was obliged to accept of the lowest rank. This regiment was 2000 strong, and commanded by Col. George Izard, and Lt. Col. Winfield Scott, so long my immediate commanding officer and highly valued friend. On coming home to dinner one day my father said, — " Here is a package for you from the War Department" — which I opened, and taking from it my let- ter of appointment handed it to him to read. He said, — " why did you not consult me ?" I replied, because I knew his opinion of the propriety of my conduct and wished to surprize him. He was well satisfied, and my beloved mother who seemed to hang on me as her last stay, said : " my dear son, you know your mother cannot spare you, but I trust the Almighty will protect you, and I hope you will always do your duty." In July, 1812, 1 joined my regiment then forming on the east bank of the Schuylkill, under command of Lt. Col. Scott, — who applied to Col. Izard md I was appointed Ad- jutant. This to a young officer without family, friends or influence, was a good beginning. It introduced me more intimately to both those valuable officers, to whom I was subsequently indebted for many proofs of their regard, and I can truly say I endeavored faithfully ta do my duty on all occasions as well towards thera as to my country. Early in September 1812, Col. Scott applied for orders to proceed to the Canadian frontier with the Companies of Capt. N. Towson and Capt. James N. Barker. Our Troops were very much disheartened at this period by the very disgraceful surrender which had been made by Genl. Hull of his Troops at Detroit, yet every officer and man in our little detachment seemed desirous to be in the field, and JonmnI of Major Isaac Roach, /lrii; ubout, UH nuirry uh crlckntH. A piirccl of tai'H wlio had Itucii marched tVoin AUmiiy, had jiiHt arrived, and wtM'o ulad to HOC a vcMHcl aijain. About 8 o'clock wo haidcd out ot'Skiii- gaucito Creek and tracked our boatn Hileiitly up ai^aiuHt the rapid current of the Nia<(aru to tlio nu)uth ol" Huil'ulo (Jreek. Here wo wore to embark, to row up into Lake Krio, where there was no current, ami descend to the attack on tlie Britiwh Hide where wo wouhl be leant expected. A detach- ment of the r)tii Infantry liere Joined urt umh'r EnHii:;n Pres- ton, and tlie tide on the bar being low, we weio obliged to wado up to our shoulders, and jjuhIi the boats over the bar of Buttsdo Creek. This was one of our cold sleety even- ings in October, vhen the water of Lake Eric is too cool to bathe in, aiul we were obliged to sit in our wet clothes for three hours in a snudl boat, and not allowed to even laugh to keep ourselves warm. We rowed very quietly up the Lake several miles before we crossed, and then came down upon friend "John Bull" in hopes to catch him napping; but when wo neared wim we foun«l him wide awake. There was a fire on board the "Detroit" in the caboose which light we steered by. Our boats were steered like the whaleboat with a long oar. When within a half mile of the brig Lt. Elliott directed our men not to tire but to be silent. I told the sailor who was steering to give me the helm, and get ready his grapple. We were now within musket range when I headed for her fore foot and rounded too, so as to board her head to tide. They now hailed from the brig, and immediately fired all their nmskctry, and we received a second volley before we were alongside, — as I preferred laying alongside securely, and not to miss our game as the Sailing Master did in the other boat, which swung under the enemy's stern, lost sev- eral men, and undoubtedly would have sheered oil", if Cap- tain Towson had not ordered the men to haul up alongside, boarded and carried her. In our boat we were no sooner alongside than well secured, and every one mounted on board. Lt. Elliott and myself Jniirmd of Major Isaac Roach, IS12-18'.'/t, 7 lioiirdc'd ill tlio iimiii rli^i^ini;, which hnnii^ht uh diroctiy into coiirtict with thi) otHcoi'H of Iho l)i-i«^ on tlio f^avy rain, and taking the same boats with which we had just captured the " Detroit" and " Caledo- nian," I rigged a platform from the shore, and embarked our guns and ammunition, and reported to Col. Scott, who soon marched down his men ; and ofi' we pushed for Lewis- town, halted that night above Schlosscr, and next morning landed at Schlosser, 7 miles above Lcwistown ; and whilst my brother officers were breakfasting at the tavern, I went to work and had my guns remounted and ready for v. march. Col. Scott then galloped over to head-quarters to obtain further orders ; and in the evening we moved down the road, and arrived at General Van Rensselaer's camp about two hours before his troops embarked to the attack of Queens- town. But the General's jealousy would not permit any more Regulars to join him, and we were ordered to the bank of the Niagara to cover the boats in crossing ; and as soon as daylight appeared we commenced firing on the British Artillery at a distance of 600 yards. Col. Scott and myself rode down to the shore to witness the embarkation ; when Lt. Col. Christy who had been on the British side and returned to hasten the movements, told the Colonel he wanted a Lieutenant of Artillery to go with him; when I dismounted, left my horse tied to a fence, and jumped into a boat with Col. Christy and in a few minutes I was on 10 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, ISlJ-lSJ/f. British ground for the first time, and climbing up tlie preci- pice, joined our troops, then under tlie comnumd of Col. Christy. Our troops were now attacked by a reinforcement of British from Fort George under command of Col. Brock, of the 41st Infantry, — a very gallant ofHcer who had served with distinction under Abercrombie in Egypt, and who had captured our troops under Hull at Detroit. This brave man was killed by our advance and his aid Major McDonald also. The enemy again retreated from the Heights, and in about an hour I was pleased to see Col. Scott, who bad also suc- ceeded in volunteering to cross the river without his bat- talion, but before he could make any movement of the troops, the " Old Patroon" — as General Van was called — sent over Brigadier General Wadsworth to take the com- mand from Col. Scott, determined to keep the Militia offi- cers in command. The enemy again returned to the attack, and, aided by their Indians drove in our Albany volunteers, (who had fouglit very bravely,) and were received by Col. Scott with the 13th Infantry and repulsed. In the attack I was severely wounded thro' the left arm whilst commanding a detachment of the 13th Infantry, — which formed our right, — and having for a week previous undergone much fatigue, and being half starved also, I was compelled to leave the line, and retire to the rear. At the moment I was wounded I was directing a soldier to take aim at an Indian hid under a small bush, and the same In- dian was taking a good aim at me. Col. Scott and myself were in full dress Chapeau and plume, which made us a good mark. This is imprudent at all times, more especially when opposed to Savages, who always endeavor to kill offi- cers, as well, to aid in the defeat as in expectation of plun- der, and being able to boast in the number of their scalps, that of a chief warrior. In an hour or two the surgeon who had the care of Cap- tain John E. Wool of the 13th Infantry and myself, deter- miiied to take us over to our side of the river, as he had no means of dressing some of the wounds ; and by crossing Joanial of Major Imac Roach, 18 13-18 J//.. 11 to our own side, I esciipcd being nuulo prisoner, us all our detachment was captured : — occasioned, no doubt, by tbe ignorance and obstinacy of our Militia General, in sending so small a detachment to retain possession of the post — so cut off from reinforcements and supplies by a deep and very rapid river — at that place full of whirlpools and rapids requiring much skill to cross it. As an evidence of the folly of placing any dependence on the Militia, I will relate what occurred after our defeat. On recrossing to Lewistown I found my horse whore I had left him early in the morning, and being lifted on him I was enabled to tiiul the 2iid Artillery, and right glad were my comrades to see me alive again. I found the troops all withdrawn a mile from the shore, and that night when it was rei)orted the British and Indians had crossed at Five Mile Meadow, below, our gallant Militia began to think they had seen service enough, and walked off to the rear by companies ; one Colonel whose name I never heard, recom- mending to his men " to make the best of their way into the Interior," — and sure enough they did. The day following General Van liensselaer sent for Cap- tain Towson, and gave him command of his camp, directing Majors, Colonels &c. all to obey his instructions.^ My wound, and fatigue of being up every night, bro't on a fever which confined me for two months, and I did not entirely recover for five months. Indeed, very few who were attacked with those fevers, ever recovered. It was called Typhus and Lake fever and was accompanied in my case by dysentery, and trying to the strength of my body, I was removed during illness five times in wagons and boats a distance of 30 miles, and suffering constantly for want of nourishment, and those kind attentions so requisite in sick- ness. In all my changes I found Captain Towson the same kind friend. Col. Scott being kept a prisoner, and our battalion much weakened by deaths, and the campaign soon closing, I ap- plied for orders to join Col. Izard in Philadelphia; and in > s ;ee " Tliompson'a History of the War" for particulars of tliis affair. 12 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, /8LJ-I82/^. the beginning of December I was able to be removed from Buffalo by placing my buiiUlo skin in the bottom of a Penn- sylvania wagon, and the first day rode seven miles. By de- grees I reached Batavia, when, the snows commencing, I obtained a sloigh and with three other officers, was enabled to travel comfortably, — strengthened with the retlection that I was travelling homeward, soon to meet my parents, who would be delighted to see me, and not less so for being informed that I had done my duty to my couiitry. I arrived at Philadelphia, December 26th, 1812, and found my parents in tolerable health, and all my friends delighted to see me again, and I not a little gratified to find all my brother oflicers disposed to do me more than justice for my exertions. On my arrival in Philadelphia I joined Col. Izard, who was organizing his regiment for the ensuing campaign; and my friend Scott who had been carried a prisoner to Quebec, was paroled and arrived in Philadelphia in the Winter. In February, 1813, Col. Izard was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and ordered to the command of New York and the defences near it, and I was ordered to accom- pany him. On our arrival in New York, we found the British fiect were off Sandy Hook, and the inhabitants of the city in the expectation of an attack. They were much pleased with the exchange of the command from old Gen- eral Burbeck to General Izard. The General visited all the posts down to Sandy Hook, where we found a 6 gun battery. There were large bat- teries on both sides of the Narrows, and works on the Heights on Long Island, on Governor's, Bedlow, and Ellis's Islands, and in the city circular batteries, — Forts Clinton, Gansevoort and North Batteries on the North lliver side. The British fleet often threatened to enter the harbor, but as often decli!ied, as our forces were too numerous. As the Spring advanced I began to look towards the frontier, where we expected the most active operations, and tho' I could have renuiincd with General Izard in all the luxury of the city, I felt as if I was not doing my duty; and so Journal of Mr Isaac Roach, 1813-182^. 13 stated to the General, who ordered me on duty to the War Dopartmont with dispatches, and introducing me to General Armstrong, then Secretary, who received me very flatter- ingly. Having dined with him in company with my friend AVm. Jones, then Secretary of the Navy, I was next morn- ing told by General Armstrong he had given me a Captain's commission in the 23rd Infantry, in which regiment he said he liad two sons. This compliment I thanked him for but hesitated to accept it, as I could not think of leaving the 2nd Artillery where I had so many friends; but when I re- tlected I was jumping from a 2nd Lieutenancy to a Cap- taincy over all the Lieutenants in service, I soon determined to accept and posted oii" for the Niagara Iliver to join my regiment in time for the attack on Fort George opposite Fort Niagara, which the Secretary said I would just have time enough to do, after remaining a week in Philadelphia witli my parents, and changing my uniform from Artillery to Infantry. I left Philadelphia the latter end of April, 1813, for the army, and without delay of an hour, hastened again to the Hold, i^assing in my route many officers who expressed much desire to get to the frontier, forgetting they had not applied for orders, which were seldom refused to those who asked for them. In my memorandum of the movement of our battalion, — 2nd Artillery, from Albany to Buffiilo, N. Y. in September, 1812, it might possibly benoiit some to know the many dis- advantages to be incurred in going into a war so totally unprepared as we were in 1812. The army was to be organized at Green Bush opposite All)any, N. Y. Major General Dearborn, who had served in the Revolution was to command. When the 2nd Artillery arrived at Head-quarters we found about 1500 men, including the 3rd regiment Artillery, commanded by Col. Macomb (now [1836] Major General commanding the army). Col. A. Smyth, Adjutant and In- spector General was drilling the troops. He was standing c?us,9 h'(j(jed reading the words of command from a book, he 14 Journal of Mnjor Isaac Roach, 1S1?-1S?4. said lie liiid compiled from the French, .and this book with " Toupjird" for the Artillery was all the instruction wo had to aid US in our disci}iIino. Col. Scott, thiidcing he had not much to loarn at head-quarters, preferred taking some prac- tical lessons from the enemy, and urged General Dearborn to order him to the Niagara; and we moved off in a day or two, leaving Col, Macomb to prepare his regiment for tlie next spring. From the arsenal of the state near Albany, avc received two iron pounders, guns and implements, and from the (Quarter Master 20 horses and harness. These hordes liad l)een purchased in the neighborhood, and sold by the owners — not for their many good qualities. They had not l)een iried at work; the harness had been made by contract, — wliicli in those days meant that the Government was to be cheated by the agent and contractor together, as General Tike sai'l to the Secretary of War, of Tench Coxe, the Pur- veyor; when to exhibit the gross impositions on the soldier, the General folded up very neatly one of Coxo's blaidcets in an envelope addressed to the War Department, to show in a stronger manner than language could, the covering 4 feet by tlirce, intended for a Canadian winter. As to stockings, they would fit any sized foot; for if too short, the soldier had only to push his toes between the threads. As I have said, our horses and harness were alike untried, and when ordered forward some pulled back, others jumped entirely out of their harness, — away went girths and traces aiul away went horses and thus every day several times was our line of march disordered in breaking horses and in breaking harness too. In a few days half our horses were galled and lamed by bad made harness, and by the time we came to the bad roads and swamps, our horses were broken down ; and we had sometimes to take a double team to drag one 6 pounder out of the mire. As to funds — " the sinews of war" — there was but one Pay Master in New York, Mr. Aiken, and he as usual with- out funds ; and with a positive order from General Dear- born I was enabled to get 2 months' pay. As we had left Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1812-lS2Jf. 16 )()k witli wo had had not nic prac- )earborii a (hiy or for the received roiii the Bes Imd e owners lot heeii iitract, — as to be General the Pur- ; soldier, mkots in si low in ng 4 feet ;ockings, 3 soldier untried, I jumped id traces mes was and in ses were time we ! broken I to drag but one uil with- d Dear- had left Philadelphia at 48 hours' notice, there was a plentiful scarcity of cash among the officers, and before wo had marched 3 days, there were not ij^lO in the mess except my late actpii- ftition of pay, which was to pay all the bills to the last shil- ling, and that shilling also. But none of us cared for money. We were as good to be shot at, poor as rich, and as merry as crickets. But seriously, it must be madness in the ex- treme in any Government to push an army into the field, without being in some degree prepared with the munitions of war, of which in 1812 we were entirely destitute; and when I now passed over the same route again in 1813, things looked no better as to the materials. There were more troops on the road, but no better supplied, no better disci- plined. But I had to obey orders, and as I told General Armstrong I would be at Fort Niagara before the lirst spring tight, I arrived there May 9tli, and reported to Col. Scott now Adjutant General of the army and also comniand- iiig the 2nd Artillery. My old comrades said they did not know whether to congratulate me on my promotion or not, as they did not like to see me in " pewter" — a nickname for Infantry uniform. The 23rd regiment, to which I belonged, arrived in a few days, and I began to regret my promotion when I began to make comparisons with officers and men ; for I sincerely think there could not be a nobler collection of warm hearts and willing hands than the officers of the 2nd Artillery then at head-quarters, — say Col. Scott, Captains N. Towson — J. Ilindman — J. N. Barker — Thos. Biddle — Sam'l Archer — Spotswood Henry — Wm. Nicholas, and Lieutenants — Zant- zinger — Kearsley — Tyler — McDonough — Fontaine — Davis — Hook and Stewart — not one individual of whom but is borne on the reports as having been distinguished ; — Scott, Towson, Biddle and McDonough in every battle that was fought, and McDonough only was killed, I believe all the others were wounded, except Ilindman. Previous to this period an attack had been made on the British at Little York, U. C. The place was taken, but with much loss on both sides. Many of the enemy were killed \ 16 Journal of Major Isaac Koach, ISli-lSJJ^. by our rillumen, and wo lost several hundred, killed and wounded, by the treachery of the British blowing up their magazine after the white ilag was hoisted by them and our troops marching into the battery. Brigadier General Pike was killed here. All the wounded were brought in Com- modore CliauncCy's fleet up to Fort Niagara. We had now assembled about 6000 men, aided by Com- modore Chauncey's fleet, and they were about 3000, and their fleet not on the Lake. Wo now had the experiment to repeat, of sending superannuated men of the Revolution to command. As the failure of the aged Patroon, General Van Rensselaer, lost us everything in 1812, so was the age and infirmity of General Dearborn the cause of many errors. About the 10th May, a council of general ofiicers was called, when it was asked by General Dearborn : " is it ex- pedient that we attack the enemy ?" " Yes," was the unan- imous reply from Generals Lewis, Chandler, Boyd and Winder, and Quarter Master General Swartwout. "Then we do attack," said General Dearborn; and the council dismissed. Nol/diu/ iva.'^ done on our part for two ivecks, except the issuiuif of orders and counter-orders ; at one time resisjn- ing the command to Genl, Lewis and the same hour order- ing the internal arrangement of the Division, until confi- dence in our Commander was very much diminished. Not wishing to go into action with the raw recruits of the 23rd Infty. I volunteered as an aid to my old friend Col. M. Potter, in command of the Artillery and was oliered the appointment of Aid to Brig. Genl. Winder. But I preferred going to the attack of Fort George with Col. Scott, who was appointed to command the advance, and although the 2nd Artly to compose the advance was to do duty as Infan- try I as Captain of Infty was permitted to join it with a light Field Piece. This was quite a compliment from the Col. commanding and it was followed by Towson and Bid- die, Ilindman and others, saying, " take what men you want for your gun from our Companies." On the night of the 24th, whilst I was yet remaining with Col. Porter on the right l)ank ol' Niagara, where his command having in Fort '2A. Jonmnl of Major Tsnao Roach, 1S12-1824.. 17 , killed and iiig up their lem mid our ieneral Pike i^lit in Corn- ed by Com- t 3000, and experiment Revolution on, General viis the age iiany errors, afficers was : " is it ex- is the unan- Boyd and It. «' Then the council echs, except inie resign- Liour order- until eonfi- shed. Not Df the 23rd d Col. M. ottered the I preferred Scott, who though the y as Infan- i it with a from the II and Bid- 1 you want ght of the ter on the iig in Fort Niagara 6 12 pre., 2 nines, some Gs and a mortar; Battery No. 2 at the Graveyard one 12 pr. and a Mortar ; No. 8 Lt. Murdoch 2 6 prs. ; No. 4 or salt Battery named from fur- nishing it with barrels of salt covered with earth, 2 beauti- ful 18 prs. called rifles, 2 6 prs., 2 8 in. French Howitzers and 2 8 inch mortars, here we had Col. Porter, Ca[»t. Totten, 11 Engineers, Capt. Archer and myself; No. 5 Lt. Davis 2 12 prs. ; No. 6, or Fox point, Captain Gates, 2 12 prs. ; — these batteries forming a crescent to the enemy's works, distant about 700 yards. On the night of the 24th, when some of our boats were sent down from 5 Mile Meachnv by Major Van DeVenter, Directing Quarter Master General, the enemy tired on them ; when Col. Porter opened his battery on Fort George for about two hours. The British were now certain we were coming; but no orders for embarkation yet, — no enquiry from head-quarters, 4 miles oft', to know why we tired. Next morning May 25th, Col. Porter again opened all his batteries with hot shot, and in one hour we had burnt the enemy's largo block-liouse in Fort George, and by 8 A. M. we had burnt four large block-houses inside and three store- houses outside their works. But one building remained, and Col. Porter directed me to proceed to head-quarters and report to General Dearborn our operations. It was said the old General had not been seen to smile for a week })revious, but he was delighted to hear what we had done. I returned to Col. Porter with instructions for him to use his own dis- cretion in burning the remaining buildings in Fort George. Now the venerable Col. Porter had from the first persisted, and even swore we could not burn a building at that dis- tance; because \/hen he was at Fort Mitiiin, in the lievolu- tion, the British tired heated shot for a week but could burn nothing. Our officers persuaded the Colonel, and he said to the oflicers of the batteries near him : — " Load all the guns, and I will give you one hour to burn the blockhouse." He gave the signal with his gold-headed cane. Bang ! went the shot; and in less than ten miimtes by my watch, the blockhouse was on fire. The old Colonel, leaning on his 18 Journal of Major hnnc Tinneh, ISIS-IS?/,. caiic witli both liaiids, jumped oiY the grontul, swoarintij ho couhl Hct the world on fire, and said to nio — " Stop the tlr'niw, and lot U8 go in to breakfast." I\Aonld h(!ro remark that altho' the British enfjcinoers and Artillery officers should have been so much our suporiorB, our shot and shell, did double the execution. Not one of their shells burst in our battery, whilst in Fort George we could see our shells burst in the most desirable places, and the weather boards of the buildings frequently flying when they burst. On the 27th May, 1813, before daylight, we embarked to attack Fort George, and I was attached to Col. Scott's ad- vance with n liglit piece of Artillery. I was shot in the riglit arm, and before night we were in quiet possession of Fort George.' In the landing of our advance, 650 strong, after ascend- ing the bank, which was a soft sandy soil, wo formed in good order with my " grasshopper Artillery" on the left. The enemy now charged and drove us off the bank, where the officers of the old Second sucooeded in making a stand, and with the bank for a cover, opened a severe fire on the enemy. They lost in killed and wounded nearly 300, and we only one-third the number. This shews the advantage which troops of inferior numbers may find in taking a po- sition such as the above or covered by the edge of a ravine. Brush wood, a wall, or even a post and rail fence, affords slielter, gives confidence to undisciplined men, and disguises your actual number froin a stronger enemy. When wo took possession of Fort George, I had evidence enough of the effect of heated shot and shells. Every ])uikling had been burnt, and even the fire engine entirely destroyed ; indeed, everything seemed destroyed or scattered in frag- ments. Every few yards was the mark of a shell, and the ploughing up of our heavy shot. Nothing was saved but those articles placed in detaclied magazines in the ramparts. I would suggest several small magazines in a garrison, to ' See a correct account in " Thompson's History of the War." Journal of Major Tmao Roach, 1S17-1824' 19 frag- dlvido the risk of explosion, aa well as to futilitute the serving of butteries in action. I took up my (juarters in Fort George with my veteran friend Porter, who was promoted to a Brigadier General ; and being wounded I did not join my regiment for several weeks, but remained with my Artillery friends in Fort George. From the confusion in crossing, marching and counter- marching there was some difKculty in obtaining my com- pany, owing to my promotion and some others. Many of the First Lieutenants of Infantry resigned and left the army, but an order from General Armstrong accepting all their resignations soon stopped the affair, and about the 20th I obtained a full company in the 23rd Infantry, and tho' unable to do duty, proceeded to clothe and discipline my men, who altho' now in the enemy's country, were des- titute of both. From the day of taking Fort George there had been a constant marching and counter-marching of our troops, and either owing to the ill health or age of General Dearborn it must have been evident to the enemy we wanted discipline. Almost every night w^e were kept under arms, and for weeks it rained very hard, until more than half our men were on the sick list. Indeed for several nights I have known the officers generally to have to turn out with muskets at night to patrol. General Dearborn was sick and unable to command, and yet he would not j)ormit General Lewis to do so, — who was in everything his superior. It was the practice to send every day or two some of the l)attalions into the country to reconnoitre the enemy, who had taken a very strong position at Burlington Heights; and amongst the applicants for command was a Col. Boerst- ler, commanding the 14th Infantry, who had served tlie year before on the Niagara with but little credit. On the afternoon of June 23rd, 1813, 1 was engaged in issuing clothing to my men, which I had obtained by the friendship of Col. Christie of the 13th Infantry. Captain Horatio Armstrong, son of my good friend the General, 20 Jovrnnl nf Major hnao nnnch, JSf?-lS?4. had boon rolievod from gimnl uiid wuh Hli-eping in my tent, when tlio Adjutiuit, Lienteniiiit T3i rr cmiu' in fiiyiii^ Cap- tain Armstrong wuH detailed for command. Kno\vin<( the Iinrd tain McOhesm'y of tho (itli, wlio had hoci with mo in 1812, at the battle of (JueonKtown joinc'' at t-hi.< moment, and Captair* McDowell of tlio Liglit Aililh ly. In ft few miinitCH the 14tli Infantry appeared, mnl th u their ('oloncl [{oerrttler, wlio mounted anre(l to ^o In loHH I l>ri^';mle. liuen field; which bro't me into .> close tire with that part of the IndiatiH which had taken post \\\ the woods. Captain McDowell now opened a 12 potnider down the road on which we hud advanced. I pulled o t my watch, and it wanted 15 minutes )f nine A. M. Captain McChesney now took post on my rf'-ht, and the nuiin body of Indians, about 300, commenceil . destructive tire on our two companies; a smaller part attacking tho troops whidi continued in tlie road. I noticed h t\v useless the tire of Artillery was, and recpiested Major Taylor to have tho pieces depressed, showing him how Ca;>tain McDowell was cutting off the upper lindjs of the treet- All this time I saw but one Red Coat, but the Indian^ be- haved with uncommon bravery, several times dashing out of the woods to within 30 or 40 yards, . s tlio' confident of their numbers, they would close on us, and old McChesney and myself wore left to take care of ourselves. My men behaved very well. They had nearly emptied their car- tridge boxes. Ammunition was bro't up. and while they were firing, my Lieutenant, Griswold, assisted me in filling up the boxes ; the musicians being engagei in carrying the wounded to the rear, to prevent their fallin. into the hands of the Indians when we should move. It i- also an advan- tage to remove from the line the wounded, to prevent making an impression on the others. Not one of my men, I believe, had ever been in a fight; my Lieutenant was direct from West Point Academy, yet he was cool and attentive. From the division of the enemy into two parties, our de- tachment became divided for more than an hour. Several 22 Jownal nf Major Isaac Roach, 18 12-182 J^. raoveiiieiits were now made by Col. Boerstler to draw the Indians from the woods, but ineffectually. The enemy were now reinforcing, as we could observe, and now was the mo- ment to have made a retreat. But the Colonel said that would never do, as we had beaten the enemy, and his orders were positive to proceed to De Con's house, which was yet 3 miles in advance. The lire of the enemy was slackened, but he was busy in getting his Indians on our rear. Another attempt was made to draw him from cover, and we moved to a by-road near the farm house. Not being able to draw him out, our sapient Colonel now thouglit of looking towards retreat. A column of platoons was formed in a road perpendicular to the raaui road, and placing the 14th in front, next Artillery, tlieu the wagons witli wounded, then McChesney, and last, in the post of honor, my company. Now no doubt it was Col. Boerstler's object to retain his own regiment without loss, but it was decided injustice to compel my company to remain in the Kear-guard so long as he did; and Captain McChesney who ranked all of us, was remonstrating against the injustice done him, and as he was badly wounded in the wrist, we both were cross enough. We encouraged our men for a charge thro' the woods, and a retreating light; and at the moment we expected the order to move on the enemy, Major Taylor whispered me, that he feared our Colonel was frightened, as a flag was received from the enemy, and in another half hour Col. Boerstler agreed to surreiuier his command, reporting to the Government that he held a council of his officers ; which was not true, as Major Taylor, McChesney, and myself knew nothing of it. It was now live minutes [)ast twelve o'clock M., and a few of D' Clia})in's Forty Thieves, having deserted in the early part ol' the action, reported to General Dearborn, that Col. Boerstler had surrendered without firing a musket, and this the General reported to the Government. We were engaged three hours ; twice my cartridge boxes were tilled and expended. But fighting is not the hardest part of a soldier's life. Now came the tug of war. — We were sur- Journal of Major Isaac Roach, lS12-lS'2/f.. 23 rciulorcd without discretion to a detachment of about 80 British Eegulars under Lieutenant Fitzgibbon, — about 200 Embodied Militia under Lieutenant Colonel De Ham, who were equal to Regulars, — and a body of North "Western Indians, about 550 in number, who had that morning ar- rived from the upper country under the direction of Ker the Lidian agent. Lieutenant Colonel Bishop with 120 men joined them at the moment of surrender, and took the command. But instead of being received by the British, wo were surrounded by the Indians, who commenced their business of plundering the officers. I slipped my sword under my coat, in hopes to save it ; but one Indian de- manded it, while another very significantly made a Hourish of his gun over my head and took my sword. I believe our wise Colonel now saw the snare he was in when too late, and how little dependence can at any time be placed on the promises of a British army officer. Col. Bocrstler surrendered on condition that his wounded should be protected ; his officers retain their side arms, and be paroled to return to Fort George immediately. Not one item of this was ever complied with. Nearly all our wounded were killed by the Indians that night. The officers were marched 7 miles to Col. Bishop's quarters, thro' various parties of Indians, and protected by 2 officers and 2 men, who were more afraid and less accustomed to the Indians than ourselves; my time was occupied in attending to my friend McChesney whose wound was very painful, as the ball passed through the wrist joint and cut off the blood vessel, when he was shot being near me. I had placed my field Tourniquet on his arm but he continued to bleed all that night and when (quartered for the night we were surrounded by savages intoxicated by the Liquor found in our wagons. I barricaded the door and armed with McCliesney's sword I watched him all night, at one time I expected the Indians to break into our room, as they were in the house and not thinking my comrade would live till morning as his arm continued blecdinc; and he did not expect to live but in the morning the bleeding stopped and 24 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 181J-18J//.. his linn was saved as tlio British were to have taken it off in the morning. Next day the 25th we were taken to Ilead Quarters at Burlington Heights and were again marched through several parties of Indians and insulted and plun- dered. The officers having us in charge not daring to oppose them. On our arrival at Head Quarters in the evening the officers signed a Parole except myself, who refused. We were then embarked on board the British Fleet, myself and two others went on board the Brig "Earl Moira," Capt. Dobbs, who was a kind gentlemanly officer. We were now told wo could not be sent to Fort George as agreed upon but Sir James Yeo would run up to the Niag- ara and obtain our baggage and as I had intended when I refused to sign the Parole, if we run near the shore to take leave of them if possible ; but about one o'clock next morning when within three miles of the river tbe wind headed us off and not wishing to meet our Fleet which had gone towards Sackett Harbor, we bore awa}' for Kingston, where we arrived June 28th. Captain Dobbs was a well educated gentlemanly officer, but there was nothing like Man O' War regularity on board. There was much severity and roughness of conduct between the different grades without discipline ; and tho' there appeared to me no want of personal bravery, there was wanting a conlidence in and a respect for, the abilities of others, exhibited in every grade of officers on board a la milicc, which I think must give our Regulars the advantage in a light. I have known Captain Dobbs lecture his Lieutenant, McGee, in my pres- ence, in terms not suited to a warrant officer for sonie trilling neglect. — McGee was afterwards killed. On our arrival at Kingston, U. C, we were escorted to head-quarters and paroled by Lieutenant Colonel Drum- mond (subsequently of bayonet memory), and tho' paroled we were confined to our quarters, and occasionally visited by the loyal inhabitants, and insulted by the Lulians, some of whom threatened to "skin our heads." Kingston is situated at the head of the St. Lawrence River, on the left bank or north side, and opposite to Wolfe .1 i I ?/,. Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1812-1834. 25 cen it off in m to Head in marched [ and plun- t daring to tors in the lyself, who the British Brig " Earl anly officer. : George as ,0 tlie Niag- dcd when I lore to take 'clock next r the wind t which had r Kingston, ; was a well othing like ;ch severity ent grades me no want nlidence in ed in every think must avo known in my pres- for sonie escorted to )nel Drum- ho' paroled dly visited lians, some Lawrence to to AVolfc » Island. It occupies the site of our old Fort Frontinac. It has a harrack for troops ; quarters, — hospital, — storehouses, — an Episcopal church, — courthouse and gaol. Tlie cove affords a good harbor for shipping. The town is defended by a blockhouse in front, and on Wolfe Island by a blockhouse and a water battery of 10 guns; and on the right of the town is a strong battery, and in the rear another blockhouse. The navy yard is on Wolfe Island. Large vessels seldom go below Kingston, tho' it is navigable 70 miles downward. July 1, 1813, the American officers, prisoners on parole, departed for Quebec under escort of Lieutenant Colonel Boucherville, of the militia, aid to Sir George Prevost, and from whom we received many kind attentions, — and whose treatment, like that of nearly all the Canadian officers, was kind, and very different from the abusive and unfeeling conduct of the British officers generally. Colonel Drum- mond knew we were to have been paroled and sent back to our army by the terms of the capitulation, — not one article of which was ever complied with ; and we were not allowed to remain even for our baggage, to obtain a change of clothing for which we were suffering. The passage from Kingston to La Chine in boats was very pleasant, and served to amuse us in our trouble, and having been placed under the care of Canadians who were disposed to feel for us, we now began to shake off some of the melancholy and moroseness consequent on our capture, as we most of us felt it a disgraceful surrender on the part of our Bobadil Colonel. AVe now began to look pleasantly on the scenery around us, and occasionally jested with each other on our appearance, and the smart looks of some one who had obtained the sight of a mirror on shore and beau- tified his appearanco by turning out the least dirty part of his cravat for the seventh time ; — or some one remarked on the comforts of clean linen, who said he had just turned his shirt and would do for another week. The passage down the St. Lawrence is very pleasant and in many places very interesting. The current is generally 'i, i' i; ; ii 26 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 181^-1824.. six miles an hour, and the rapidity with which the traveller passes from one scene to another cannot fail to amuse. On the afternoon of the first of Jul}' we passed an immense number of islands, called " Mille Isle," and truly of a thousand different shapes and sizes. It is here one begins to feel and observe the rapidity of the current, when, pass- ing so swiftly from one view of the scenery to another, it appeared as if the scenery was truly being changed, instead of our moving past it ; and it was as pleasing as varied. Our boatmen (who know no will but their master's) rowed all niglit singing their Canadian boat songs, and by sunrise next morning (the second) we were at Prescot, 60 miles from Kingston. Prescot is a place of military importance, well defended, and with works to contain a thousand men ; and commanding the passage down the river, and the main road. It is opposite Ogdensburg on the American side, where Messrs. Parrish & Ogden have extensive iron works, and which was protected by the British during the war, as Mr. Parrish was a British subject and had made a declara- tion that he had not loaned money to the U. S. Government but as an agent for others. On the 2nd Instant we passed " the Cedars" where the passage is very dangerous. The best channel is on the Canadian side, and close to the shore. We passed over a fall about G feet high, which is not perceived in descending the fall until directly on it, and requires much skill in steering thro' it. In the early conquest of Canada, forty bateaux filled with soldiers were lost in passing over this fall. Here is a lock for upward navigation and some remains of field fortification. In a few minutes after passing " the Cedars" we come to " the Long Sault" or Rapids, the length of which is three miles. The passage thro' the Rapids, tho' somewhat dangerous, is indeed beautiful, — the rocks in many places appearing above the surface, against which the rapid current threatens to dash the boat, and must alarm the passenger, until, when within a low foot of them by the pilot's skilful hand, the u. Journal of Major Isaac. Roach, 1812-1821) 27 the traveller amu8e. On an immense truly of a ) one begins when, pass- > another, it ged, instead g as varied, ter's) rowed d by sunrise )t, 60 miles importance, usand men ; tid the main eriean side, iron works, the war, as le a declara- ^Jovernment ' where the is on the ssed over a descending ch skill in mada, forty g over this me remains ve come to ch is three dangerous, appearing t threatens until, when hand, the boat is turned in another direction, and one could almost step on the rock. At every turn the scene varies ; becomes more beautiful and less dangerous ; until having passed the Rapids in safety, the Canadian boatman crosses himself, returns thanks to his Heavenly Preserver, and again re - sumeshis song, the subject of which is some brunette, whom he extols in even more extravagant terms than Don Quixotte did his Dulcinea Del Tobosa, — and perhaps they were equally deserving of praise. This da}' — July 2nd — we reached Cote Du Sac, a village situate on a small stream, both sides of which are fortified. The principal works are on the north side, and consist of three blockhouses and a field work of masonr}^ — a hepta- gon with a large ditch. Here is also a lock in the passage. July 3rd at 12 M., we arrived at La Chine, about 9 miles above Montreal, and the nearest navigable point, owing to rocks and falls. Opposite to La Chine is a very fine Indian village, probably the best in the country, of about 150 houses and a large church. The tribe is called Cockinawa, and arc Catholics. It is here that the great Council Fire of all the northern tribes is lighted. There is another tribe, whose village joins the Cockinawa's and tho' they have lived thus neighbors for many years, not one instance o^ Intermarriage has occurred, nor do they speak the same language. At 2 r. M. we arrived at Montreal, and were quartered in Dillon's Hotel Place Des Amies and ordered not to leave the house. Indeed we were not desirous of appearing abroad, as we were without our baggage and destitute of even a change of linen until we sent to a store and pur- chased it on the evening of our arrival. Montreal is situated on an island of this name, and was formerly enclosed by a wall. But this has been taken down and the city extended. The houses are of stone, well built, and mostly with iron covered shutters. The inhabitants are mostly natives of Scotland and the United States. July 4, 1813. I had the honor to be born under a free Republican Government, and from my earliest youth I had li'll :' i I ;!! 28 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1812-18.24.. < I i I boGU tiiught and accustomed to welcome the anniversary of my country's freedom with thankfuhiess for this blessing which was purchased so dearly. This was a sad reverse to all of us, smarting as we were from our recent capture. But the most of us were young, and looking at the fair side of things, we were enabled to spend this day Avith some sat- isfaction, remembering that some of our comrades were in arms, and we might ere long be enabled to join them. July Gth. Left Montreal for Quebec. One observes nothing interesting on the passage. The river is generally about 1 J miles wide passing thro' Lake St. Peter. The banks arc low and regular until one arrives near Quebec, when they become very high and rough. About 30 miles above Quebec are considerable falls, which are dangerous to pass in the night. The channel is in the middle of the river — the cur- rent rapid and cannot be ascended but with a fair wind or steam. The River Chaudine empties into the St. Lawrence about 3 miles above Quebec on the south side. July 7th. At daybreak arrived at Quebec, when our amiable and attentive escort — Colonel Boucherville — waited on Major General Glasgow, Commanding, to report our arrival, and about 8 A. M. an officer in naval dress came alongside and ordered us on board the prison ship to be paroled. On our arrival here we were paraded in the presence of about 480 of our men, who had been taken previously to ourselves. We were now examined as to age, height, &c. &c. by a clerk, and paroled by Captain Kempt of Ilis Majesty's Royal Navy, who was very otfensive in his enquiries ; but from further acquaintance it was found to proceed from weakness of intellect. Our parole enjoined on us not to do any vio- lence, to conform to the laws, &c., not to leave our quarters after sunset, and to keep within two miles of the church of Beauport, 5 miles north of Quebec, on the left bank of the St. Lawrence. About noon we landed at Beauport, and were turned loose among a people with whose language we were unac- quainted (except Col. Boerstler, who spoke French). The I 821 iiniversary of this blessing lad reverse to .iciit capture. ; the fair side 'ith some sat- ades were in II them. )ne observes r is generally \ The banks 30, when they ibove Quebec ) pass in the ver — the cur- i fair wind or St. Lawrence c, when our villc — waited ) report our 1 dress came n ship to be •aded in the [ been taken &c. &c. by a jesty's Royal ; but from om weakness > do any vio- our quarters fthe church left bank of were turned i were unac- •ench). The Joiirndl of Major t.sndc lioaclt, /'>/ J-JSJ^. 29 inIial)itantH received us very kindly. \Vo had no other guide than to keep within 2 miles of the church steeple. Here wu found on i)arole Brigadier Generals — Winchester of Teimessee, CMiandlcr ol" Massachusetts, and Winder of Maryland, (!!oloiu'l Lewis and Major Madison of Kcintucky, and Major Van de Venter, Directing (Quarter Master General, and Lieutenant !S. Smith of the U. S. Navy, and about a dozen others, which with our addition (jf al)out twenty, made a sad colleelion of long faces. The vilhige extends along the road about o miles, and from its eonuiiencement at the southern limit 3 miles from Quebec, the ground gradually ascends to the northern boundary at the falls of Montmo- rency. The inhabitants or " habiton," as it is pronounced in French, are native Canadians, with the exception of a few families, who at this time, 1813, were Col. J)u Bon, Col. Lewis, Col. Lewis l)e Sallibury, and CaA. I)u Chcsney of the militia, Col. Touch a retired Colonel of the army, and 8. Ryland Secretary of State for the L. i*rovince, and who was active in the alliiir of Henry's conspiracy to gull the U. S. (government in 1810. From Colo!icls Toncli, De Sallibury, and ])u Chcsney, niost of our officers received continued kindness, and to those of us who [irojierly ap[)reciated such attentions, their kindness was unremitting and continued to the last day of our sojourn among them. But to Colonel De Sallibury and family I cannot do justice for the delicacy with which the Colonel evinced his syjni)athy for our misfortune. Having taken a fancy that Van De Venter, Randall of the 14th, and myself either could speak French or would soon learn to do so, not many days passed without an invitation of some kind being received from the family. The Colonel was of the " anciene Regime," born in France. His father had been a Colonel in the army of Louis XVI, and our Colonel entered the French army before or about the period of the conquest, and came to Canada, lie served many years in the Canadian Militia, and now has two sons, who are very gallant ollicers in the Embodied Militia. 3 ■'I 'I I 30 Journal of Major Isaac lionch, ISl^-lS^J/.. t: I I Some of our officers nicsRcd togotlior, others l)ojir(lo(] with the "hiibiton," and some who were disjjosed to ho dissi- pated went to a tavern. Every one took liis own courso for amusement. From tlic elevated part of the village one has a heautiful view of tlio north side of Quehec, ahruptly arising from the margin of the point where the River St. Charles enters tlie St. Lawrence. Tiio city rises to a great height, the houses ut a little distance appearing to stand on each other, and aa most of them are covered with tin, they look very gay. I couhl not learn whether this tin was in manner prepared for roofing, hut it did not corrode any. The air is remarkahly pure, and nothing seems to rust, for even the old men and women did not seem to fall off their hinges. As a humor- some midshipman of our Navy used to say — they had shelves near the stoves where they laid old peoiile during the winter, ami in the spring they hecame animated and sallied forth again. The appearance of these old Canadians at their churcli on Sunday was interesting. I^\)r here everyhody who is ahle to leave homo goes to church in the morning, but as in rM Catholic countries, each one seeks his own amusement in the afternoon and oven thinks it no sin to take down iiis violin; and the family soon hegin to foot it away, hut with sohriety and .ii»i)arently with " pious mirth." And such is the force of example, good or had, that I have known some persons from the land of steady habits, after looking on this picture of domestic hap|)in(!ss for a while, at length staiul up, and after a few awkward looks and turns of the man, begin to shuflle away as if they were Canadians born. We soon became great favorites with the natives, not only from their sympathy for us, but from the contrast between our behaviour to them aiul that of haughty John Bull of their own army, wlio always considers tlieiu as a conquered people, and several scales beneath him in society; and very unjustly so, for in all the good ofKces of society, they were their superiors. The Canadian retains all tb.c simplicity of nuinners and habits of the early settlers. Journal of Mdjor haaa Roach, L -IS^^. 31 The lands were gninted by the kings of Franco in seign- iories of several miles in extent to settlers of good families, and are yet held by their descendants; the peasantry holding small farms on lease by paying tithe rent, and their seignior owns mills at which they must have their grain ground and pay toll. Each one is compelled to give a portion to feed the cure and keep the church in repair, and to keep the highroads opposite to his or their bounds in good order, and to serve in the Militia when called on for defence; and this is all the burden placed on the Canadian. lie pays no taxes, and the expenses of the country are borne by the British Government, costing them many pounds sterling per annum, and it is by this system only they have been able to retain possession of their provinces. About three miles north of Beauport are the falls of Montmorency, — a beautiful perpendicular fall of about 240 feet in height. The stream is about of the same width. We were occasionally allowed to visit the falls, and tho' one finds none of the grandeur of Niagara, yet the falls and the neighboring scenery are beautiful. The mountains in the east. Isle D'Orlcans in the west, Quebec to the south, — with the milky whiteness of the fall contrasted with the dark slate of its banks, together are very interest- ing. Below the falls the stream quietly enters the St. Law- rence opposite the south end of Isle D'Orleans. The stream maybe ascended to within a few yards of the sheet of water, and stepping on some rocks one may stand so near that the spray soon wets the clothes, and if about noon or after, you appear encircled by a miniature rainbow of brilliant colors beautiful and interesting at all times, but yet more so when, by being placed in the centre of it, as if by nuigic one seems to ride on it, and the cataract of milky whiteness fallirig in all its grandeur at your feet. It was on the seventh of July, 1813, we arrived at Quebec. I was told the snow had only disfippeared from Beauport about three weeks — say the 16th of June, and by the 1st of September harvest began. I have seen very line straw- berries, peas, wheat, oats and corn, all ripe ut once and on :V2 Journaf of Major Imac lioach, lSl'2-lS'JJf. tlio 1^'i of October uvorytliiiii; in t;iit mid socurod and winter iij^ain iiotltiuH it« upproaeli. Thus in llin-e inontha Nature furnislieH a snpitly (hiu-Ii a.s it is) for the year. Severe an is their winter, (he (yunadian looks wilh pK-asui-e to its aj»- proach. His hd)or is over; iiis wants are few ami jirovided lor. lie preparcH liis eoverin;^ of I'nr, and nuninting his (Uiriol, (or li«^ht sleigh) and aeeoinpanied l»y his hrunette, who has borne with him tiie lieat and hibor of the harvest, his spirited horse (hishes oil" witli iiim on a visit to a neigh- borinu,' "liabilon" sure of a kind reception, which is en- eonra_L,a'(l by tlie tenets of their relii^ion, teaehin<^ them liospitality as an important duty. The stranijer, rich or poor, is always sure of a kind rccoj.'iion from the Caiuidian, more especially from the kind aiid charitable cure of the villau;e, — forming a striking eontrai.t with surly John Bull, who bears the sway in Quebec. On Septend)er 13, 1813, Major Taylor and twenty-four captains and Bui)alterns were sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The general o:meers and the balance of us kept within hail- ing distance of "his Excellency," Sir (leorge Prevost &c. On the 12th of Octouor we were told to prepare for a trip by water. It was at tliis time I had an opportunity to read the correspondence of the IJritish and American agents for prisoners, accusing each other of their prisoners havitig taken up arms when paroled previous to being exchanged. The British allegation was unfounded, and I am satisfied not an instance occurred during the war of an American oflicer having violated his parole, tho' many were the violations of British pledges. A battalion of lloyal Scots, taken in the transport ships Sanmel and Sarah, tho" on parole were in the field under Sir George, and fighting, four months before they were exchanged. This, no doubt, was considered " coming old soldier over us," as was the pledge of the Governor General to General Scott to release me for Captain Fitzgerald of the 49th Infantry, who was sent in to Sir George, and immediately I was placed in close con- finement, supposing from my being named as an act of friendship only, that my return was in some way important. Jiiid vvintor itliH Niiluru ^uvore m is U) its a|>- <1 provided iiiititiiij his < hriiiK'tte, lie lijirvest, to 11 iieii^li- ich is eii- liii^i^ thcra sr, rich or Caiiiidirm, are of tlio Fohii Bull, vonty-four >vii Scotiiu ithiii Iiail- vost &c. for u trip ty to read i,<^eiits for s hiiviiijif changed. satisfied \iuerieaii were the 'al Scots, tho oil ting, tour jubt, was 10 i^ledge 5e me for sent in lose eon- n act of iportant, Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 18l?-1^?4. m and therefore the lienor of tlie British Governor General was made plialde. On the 29tli of October, 1813, wliilst sitting at dinner with General Winchester's mess, our quarters were sur- rounded l)ya troop of Cavalry, and Brigadier Major Dennis — a worthy ofHcer whom I had met before — presented an order for the close confinement of 23 commissioned and 23 non-commissioned officers as hostages. This was after- wards exj)lained by a general order of October 27th nt Montreal, and which was produced by General Dearborn's having imprisoned some British non-commissioned ofiicers and men as hostages for 23 Americans who were cap- tured at Queenstown in 1812, and sent to England as being British subjects, — this producing the hostage rpicstion which occasioned more trouble and torment than half a dozen battles, and which when abandoned, proved of no advantage to either country — like most other quarrels national or private. As I had before determined, when John Bull placed a guard over me I should not be bound by my parole, when I was called into the General's private room and informed of my name being tho second on the list of hostages, I immediately turned to Major Dennis and said — " Major, I am your prisoner, and from this moment released from my parole." For now I had to set my wits to work, and going thro' tho dining-room to my chamber, I called my old friend Major Madison of Kentucky into my chamber, and said — " now I shall escape from prison if possi- ble," and then took paper and hastily wrote a number of sen- tences having double meanings, by which I could correspond with him on my intended escape. For instance this jdiraso — " present my regards to General Winchester" — meant " I have detcrniincd to escape;" " my friends Major V and Ca[»tain S are well," meant "they were to join me in the attempt;" "present my respects to our kind friends in Beauport" meant "obtain a guide aiid a boat to cross tho St. Lawrence;" and other sentences I do not now remember. In a few minutes I (iopied this pa^.cr and handed it to the Major, who appeared alarmed at the idea of an attempt to 34 Jou mill of Major Juaar liaarli, ISfi'-fSJi^f, CHciipo IVoiii Huch IV Hti'oii^ place ji8t2nol>o»', but Huid ho would do ill! in li'iH power to aid lue. A Holdier'K trunk Ik hooii packed, and in an hour I was ready to nuirch ; hut it occupied Hcvcral hours to collect the ollicers throu/^h the vilhii^e extendini^ two niileH, and it waH near HunHet heforo wo reached our prinon Iiouho, which was not tho eitaihd of Oape I)ianu)nd an we oxpecttid, or any other piU'tof tho military delbnceH, — hut the conuuon prison of the city: — as tho' insidt was to ho added to all the other evils of captivity. This prison was a new stone build- ing oil tho south Hi ull tli« oiii! hiiild- '>liirH 1111(1 I one Hi(I(. orii's, iiiid iiy out of ioutonurit and af'tor imiirtli of Ives. Tlio Hcrvuuts )lid rock. (Ir> l("f(,; iidfd diiy iiHt us, — g ordons buminjif ■ ollicorH tli(! wiu- vitli llio iivmy of dicTH 111 ! nioved g ul)OUt sudden :)nr ini- Jountdl of Mdjni' fmuir. litxirh, ISt,2-lS.?4' 36 priHonniont m liostiigeH to reach WuHliington, iin I I .again by the officer of the day, Sergeant of tlie Guard, Keepers, Turnkeys, itc. We were in a fortress second only to Gibral- tar in strength, and at this time garrisoned by 4000 of Wellington's veteran troops, — the conquerors of the French army in Spain. Every precaution was taken to keep us secure. The city was strongly walled. At every gate was a guard, and as our prison was near St. Louis and St. John Gates, we could plainly hoar of a quiet morning the chal- lenge of the sentinel — " Who goes there?" and the answer " A friend," as the inhabitants passed from the city. We were in an enemy's country where not one in ten spoke English except in the towns. We were ignorant of the road, and when one adds the near approach of dreary winter (the thermometer is not often higher than 18 below zero at Quebec), I tliink it may be inferred our prospect was not very bright. On the other side when we turned our eyes to our present degraded situation, and the duty we owed our country to leave no exertions untried to escape ; and I think we may add, a little malicious disposition in each of us, to annoy John Bull on all occasions; — the attem}>t was to be made. As a conclusive argument in favor of my plan to go from the roof of the l)uilding, I promised to make all the arrange- ments, tie all the knots, and then descend first myself. This was agreed to. Now came into operation my plan of corresponding with Major IMadison at IJeauport, and all my notes except one were sent thro' the hands of Major General Glasgow, Comnuuuling, by which a boat was pre- pared to cross the St. Lawrence, and a guide was obtained to go with us, intending to take Cniigs Koad, which leads direct to the United States. Van Do V'ontor said, if I could effect our escape from the garrison, he would get us out of the country, and to him was given the direction. Indeed my part of the (h'ama was certainly the star if it succeeded, and if it did not wo neither of us would have a " benefit" — utdoss it might be the Ijcnolit of clergy. Our greatest dilli(ailty was to avoid the sentinels, one of whom walked at niurht under the window that we were to Jonninl of Major Isaac Roach, 181S-18S4' 37 descend from. But I was fixed on trying it. By dropping a thread with a piece of lead to the ground the height was found. My liip joint was three feet, and as we measured tlie number of yards we were likely to tumhle, many jokes were exchanged; and it was concluded that aa Smith was a sailor, and I a piece of one, if any tumbling was to be done, it must bo by Van De Venter, that, as his name indicated, he could bear it best. The almanac was consulted to avoid the moonlight, and Saturday evening fixed on, as on that evening many arrange- ments were required for supplies for Sunday, of food, books, clothing, &c., and we were locked up an hour later on that evening, say 9 o'clock, when the sentinel was removed from inside, and posted with the others outside. My washer- woman from Beauport, Madomoiselle PouUin, bro't mo a note from the mess, begging me not to attempt what to them seemed a mad and visionary project, but says the good Madison, " I am ready to do all I can for you." My answer was in these words, " to prevent any mistake, wo will be at your quarters, Beauport, at 9 o'clock on Saturday evening next," I gave the note to the woman, a few minutes afterwards informed my comrades, and went to work in earnest. We had not only the enemy to deceive but our own friends, for if any of the others knew of our plati, it must produce confusion. Our trunks and papers were arranged, each of us provided with a haversack filled with biscuit, cheese, loaf sugar, &c. A letter was written to the Major thaid-cing him for civilities received, and exonerating all his Majesty's subjects from having aided us. We wore yet in hopes of hearing of some arrangement of Govern- ment for our release, but none came. On Saturday morning, November 27, 1813, wo met each other with much anxiety, but went to work destroying our public papers, and leaving orders with our servants, who were now entrusted with our plan. They were told to get the keys of the wing, as the attic was called, and to keep them till evening. Our favorite carpet had been taken up the day before on pretence of cleaning our room, and hung 38 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 181:1-183^. i;' ii i' 'i I li 1% ilii. up to the collar beams of the roof, aiul as often as I could, unobserved, had been ripping the seams, even whilst others were eating, and when I had to be on the look out the ser- vants finished it. Towards evening we became very sociable with the keeper of the prison, whom we had heretofore kept very distant from us, and as we began to try the eifects of brandy, he became very obliging. I had now double duty to do, for as the time approached, the other conspirators looked cool, tho' Van said "call me when you are ready," Smith said : — " Iloach, it won't do. Van De Venter thinks he ought to drop out of it. We must be caught." We were in the upi)cr entry, and the moon appeared to rue to be very lazy in retiring, and no anxious lover ever watched her witli more interest than I at that moment. The moon shone on the path of the sentinel, and must be down l)cfore I could lower the carpet from the roof. In this moment of intense excitement the rattling of keys announced the keeper's a[»proach, and we imagined we were discovered, for the first person he asked for vras Sydney Smith, as he called the Lieutenant. We came from our hiding })]aces looking queer enough. The keeper went with his Sergeant of the Guard into one of the rooms, and T asked what he wanted with Mr. Smith, for I was afraid to trust Smith to say a word. He had a letter for him oidy. Smith took the letter, but could not read it, and giving it to me said : — " Road it whilst Read (the keeper) ajid I take some grog," — and mixing a real Man ()' War's dose handed it to Read who swallowed it very kindly, and said to my servant Cornelius : — " Where are the keys of the wing?" " O ! by Gosh!" says my fellow, scratching his pate, "I lef 'em down stairs." I ati'ecting to be angry with him, said: — " How dare you take their keys or have anything to do with them ?" Now for a jump. T gave Smith and Van a sign to be ready, and turning to Read, said; — "I want something out of our room below. Light me down there before you lock up." "Yes, sir!" and down we went. At the room below Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1812-182//,. 39 I hoard some one calliti^ for water, and said : — " Read, you would not be so cruel as to keep those poor creatures all night without water ! Go and give them a bucket of water, and then I will be ready for you." lie was now pretty tolerably drunk, and otf he went with his Sergeant, and as they descended the next ttight of stone stairs, I closed my room and locked it, put the key in my pocket, ran up to the wing, where all was ready ; lashed the one end of our carpet to a rafter, threw the other end over the roof, and it was scarcely down before I was on it and wending, or rather, sliding my way to the earth. Where the carpet was tied together sufficed for a momo' hiry resting place. On my alightint; on the ain, where these men had served. The carpet was shaken again, and it shook as if it was loaded again, when, before my good friend, the Qiiiarter Master Ueneral had reached the grouml in safety, he came to the conclusion that as he had been descending so long he must be near the ground, anm 40 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1S1.?-1S!B4. ahead, and aa I came near the sentinel o.t the gate, I walked very leisurely past him. lie challenged. I answered, and the others followed close hehind, and we walked thro' the several gates hung in the wall, until we reached the hridge over the ditch. We had scarcely dared to hreathe for the last fifteen minutes. "We now made off in fine stylo for Beauport hy the St. Charles Bridge. The road was frozen and rough. Smith was no great traveller, and Van felt sore from his fiill. I therefore gained the hridge first, and taking out a shilling to pay our toll ran over the hridge to the north end where the gates were, which I found shut, and it occurred to me, if possihle, to get thro' unobserved, as it might confuse our pursuers. For we had not gained but a few hundred yards from the city, when we heard the alarm, — bugles and drums, and heavy rattling of the chained gates shutting and a great uproar, — and expected to be followed on the Beauport lload. On examining the gates of the bridge, which were of oak shingling lath, I found them made close to the floor and roof, and that they were locked. On going to the side which was a considerable height from the water, I found the lath fence extended over the water 8 or 10 feet; but jumping up on the bridge rail, and shaking the lath to try them, I swung hand over hand around the wing and landed on the ground t'other side of the fence before my friends came up, wliom I hushed to be silent, and showed Smith the way roujid, and then Van De Venter. I now walked up to the toll-house and looking in the window, saw the gate keeper asleep in his chair before the fire. Away we went delighted with our ruse and with our success so far. We had gone near a mile when we heard the clattcrini!: of horses on the bridije. Not wishing to see company that evening, we jumped the fence and travelled thro' the meadow expecting every moment to hear the cavalry alongside of us. But see the effect of our Yankeeism. I was told afterwards by Dr. Clark wlio directed this troop, that as soon as they could get thro' the gates, he reined up his horse, and enquired who had gone thro' since dusk. The keeper, half awake, said Journal of Major J.s(i,(t() Roach, lS12-LS2/f.. 41 " 110 one." ''It is liilso," Ktiid tlio Doctor, " Tlic Aincricuii oflii'or.s, Ilostii^es, Imve csiiupcd I'roni prison, luid tlioy have gone tliro'." For lie wiis certain we would go 1o our friends at J»eau[»ort. The kee[»er, linding his veracity and his allegiance thus called in question, i'eplief Major Txtutc IloavJt, lSt?-lS,l'i. ■V. .011- and had that were the d to " damn mv ^nittons." But we were not daunted. The man liad one horse and a ^rey mare, which, no douht, was his wifo'K, for she protested aiijainst liis selliniif her, until sliegot a si^lit of some guineas I held carelessly to her view, when the hargain was made. We took some dinner, and mounting Smith and Van on horsehack, we moved off towards our Itieee of woods, where we again found our guide, much frightened, who told us the whole country was in arms in pursuit of us, and hegged us to surrender, as if lie were taken he must he executed, and hegged us to allow him to return to his family. We again said everything to encourage him, and told him to go on hefore us, and we would follow him as soon as it hecame dark, as we had hefore arranged to meet him heyond the ferry. We now saw one of the young men from the farm liouse passing the wood in great haste toward Quehec, and we had reason to helieve we wore sus- pected hy the people, lie was most likely on his way to inform some one of our hcing there. The snow now fell very fast. We pushed off, our guide ahead, and then took the main road, intending, if possihle, to cross the Chaudiere and gain the Craig Road, — cut hy Sir James Craig when Governor of Canada. Our guide was to give us notice, if he could do so, of the condition of the guard at the next ferry. In an hour or two we again met our Sancho, who treinhling now told us we must give up, as at every house in which he had heen, the inhahitants were looking out for us ; and a troop had passed him towards the ferry where the guard was waiting +"or us. Thus at every step new difficul- ties met us; and we had also to encourage and spur on this timid Canadian. We were now entering a village about three miles from the ferry, and telling our avant courrier to croFS the ferry and keep a good lookout for us, he began to tliink us de- ranged, and repeating his Pater Nosier lie obeyed our direc- tion. We were obliged to halt occasionally and proceed slowly, as in my haste to buy our horses, I had not dis- covered that one of them had no shoes on the hind feet and the frozen road not yet covered enough with snow, made 4 I() Juarnal of .Iftijur Imao Roavh, IS/J-JS:?^. l••^ liiin u't) himo. Tliis villni^e, lil tiiKU/rc, and lay down on the floor, acMing three more to the grotesque assend)Iy, — the women and children not appearing to notice our joining them. Wt? were thaidut it is said one never loses by politeness. In this case we did not. I was walk- ing by the horses and as soon as our olllcer came near us, I commenced with "saint! Boiijour, II fait beautemp," ite., und passing on really convinced this " man of war" that wo were too polite to be jirisoners, Ijy which mistake he lost some three or four hundred dollars reward, and [jromotion to be a Major of his Majesty's Militia. After tiiniiiig to the right, as the man at the river told us, we were much pleased again to see our Monsieur Toiison, who putting u[) both hands and with some pious ejaculation at our having got over tiie river, told us we were now on the highway back to (Quebec via that identical ferry we so much desired to avoid. "Ah! Monsieur, attendee voila!" said he, " Here is Lo Major Francis ]Je Le Marie de — sometliiiig else — parading his men to pursue you, and every man is under orders to take you. How impossible lor you to proceed !" "Courage!" we replied, — " Put us in the right road again;" and agreeing on a rendezvous at night, away we went until we came near a village, and thinking it not i)rudent to pass another detachment of Militia in daylight, we turned our liorscs into a wood to wait till evening, and here our guide pronused to meet us. But the enemy were increasing so fast, and the certain destruction consequent on his detection drove him from us and we never saw him again. After standing (juiet a while we found a peasant was hauling logs from this wood to build a house; and having (i 48 Joniiuil nf Mdjni' f«<«t<; lioacli, tSf.'-lSJ4. with liini ;i siimll dot;, ovcry time Ik; |iiihhc<1 us tliirt llttlo niscul WDiihl run in and conit' to Ji (K'lid Hot at ns. And tlnirt ort. Our only hope now was to jirocure this man to guide us, as we almost despaired of again seeing our Sancho, whose neck was in too much danger to meet us after all the detachments of Militia he had passed, — for we liad passed several of them ourselves. We told the hunter our story of expecting to uieet some cattle near the lines of the Unite 1 States, and wanted a guide to go with us. TFe said his hrother was ill, and he must go for a physician. We used many arguments to jiersuade liim to go direct into the woods with us, hut without (^tU^ct. We aftt'rwards over- lieard him conversing with his hrother, and fouiul he sus- pected who we were. He then came aiul told us he was our frieiul, and would do all he dare for us: hut he had already heen im[)risoued hy the Mayor of (iuehee for only hringing in some uewspa[>ers from the IJnitcHl States, and if he was now detected he would forfeit his property and [terhaps his life. lie promised if wc were not pursued that night, he would ]>rocure an Indian to guide us, and as we could not proceed without one we had now to suhmit. We were now at the foot of a mountain, — the country covered with snow, — the winter set in, and this the last house in Canada and sixty miles from an Americj'.n settle- Journal of Major Isaac Roach, lS12-lS2/f, 51 mont. Smith now found liia feet so badly swollen and frozon, we had to cut his boots in pieces, and found large black spots of frost bite on his foot, and lie could march no further. Van Do Venter, tho' lame, was in good spirits, and willing to take to the woods; but as we had before re- fused to separate, wo now refused to leave Smith, as he proposed. Indeed a beneiicent Providence directed us otherwise, for our best friends in Canada all agreed if we had gone into the mountain, we must have perished with cold. Wo wore compelled to halt for the night, and we did all halt and hobble enough, l)ut Charley gave Smith and Van something to bathe with, and cooked us an excellent supper of spare ribs, which we did not s[(are — tho' I never liked much to hear of spare ribs afterward — and we went to bed not much satisfied with tho appearance of things. A word here on the subject of exposure to frost. In crossing the river St. Lawrence, we had all boon equally exposed, all equally wet, and all slept together in tho snow. Previous to lying down, I persuaded Van to take off his boots, and doing the same, [ tied both our foot close together in two silk handkerchiefs, having from a child dreaded frosted foot. Smith refused to take off his boots. Our foot wore ujiinjurod, — his badly frosted. My head and that of the Major's was covered with a (totton cap and hat, and yet both our heads wore injured by frost, as well as Smith's, and I am convinced a silk covering would have been a great protection. Thus far, in our attempt to escape, the tickle Goddess, Fortune, had been unusually kind, and led us with smiles, but co(pietto like, she now withdrew, to make our disap- pointment greater, and left us — perhaps thinking it too cold to go any further with us. I am sure we deserved better treatment at her hands, for never did any of her votaries more faithfully labor in her service, or court her smiles, than we throe gallant knights. But turning from us, we were left to a fate which our daring and perseverance had not deserved. >i 52 Journal of Major laaac Roach, 1812-182Jf. About 4 A.M. December Ist, we heard tbe trampling of steeds, and soon found tbe bouse surrounded. I turned to Van, wbo was in bed witb me, and asked bim what be tbougbt of our cbancc now. In a minute we beard tbem post sentinels at cacb window. Tbe roori door was opened, and about 20 armed men -entered to make a desperate cbarge on us, and frigbtcned our poor bost very mucb. Smitb slept in tbe next room, and we could not but langb to bear the sailor abusing them in English, whilst tlioy in French de- manded bis surrender, and not understanding a word each other said. They next charged on Van and myself, and in tbe name of His Majesty demanded our surrender, whilst their muskets were pointed at us over the shoulder of their officer. We told them not to be uneasy, that we did not feel disposed just then for a fight, especially as we were unarmed, and they ten to one in numbers, — tho' looking at the time, I really thought I could have managed three of them. For after we bad surrendered, and were getting something to eat previous to our journey " bock agcji," they begged their officers to tie us, supposing no doubt as we had escaped from tbe Regulars at Quebec, and given tbem such a chase, we must be dangerous fellows. Now as the country and climate presented so many difficulties to any further attempt at that time, we did not hesitate to assure tbe officer in command, Major Verault, that we would give him no further trouble to Quebec. And whilst under his charge, this gentleman treated us with every kindness, in opposition to tbe urgent desire of bis men to tie us, who, poor fellows, did not know how much more secure our promise given to tbe officer made us. About sunrise, sleigh and sled were in readiness, and surrounded by our guard, we began to retrograde towards (Quebec. Our feelings were not to be envied. After so much (luring, so much exposure and sutfcring, we thought we were entitled to better luck ; yet such is the elasticity of the youthful mind, — and more so that of a soldier, wiio when he enters on the Military career, and bis country demamls from him his entire devotion, must make up his 11 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1S12~1S!24- 63 mind to take the smiles and frowns of War as they may chance to come, — and we were young, wo had done what was our duty to attempt an escape, and having persevered to the utmost, we were now content, and when our eyes met occasionally on the road, could jest each other on our gro- tesque appearance. Smith was told he expected promotion soon, as he appeared to be making a chapcau of his hat by sleeping on it. Van was told he looked like his ancestor. Rip Van Winkle, just awakened. I was reminded I need not mind the rips, as I had enough of them in m^^lothes, tho' they might serve me till we reached Quebec, when Jack Ketch would bo entitled to them. Now this was no joke, for we had been threatened with execution as hostages; — but my friend, Tom Randall, told a British Colonel, — "Just you hang us now, and it will bo dear hanging to you." To return — we stof)ped at the house of Captain Chiquet of Militia, who had formerly commanded a vessel on Lake Eric and who spoke good English. Tho Captain told us when wo passed within a hundred yards of his house in our charette, he held in his hand the order for our arrest, and was directing his Lieutenant to muster his Company, and supposing wo were some of the civil authority, jogging along so leisurely, he commenced abusing our want of zeal in His Majesty's service, little dreaming that we were the veritable men that he was displaying so much military skill in pursuit of. Then Major Verault told him how I had made so much noise in passing his house, with my " marche done" &c., and we had a fjood lauiih. We were soon joined by a Lt. Marinuult of Quebec Em- bodied Militia in pursuit, and with orders, if retaken, to receive us from any detachment of Militia, and return with us to Quebec. Lt. Marinuult was very polite also, and that evening we reached the house of Major Verault, where we were entertained sumptuously, and rested all night, and on the next, left for Quebec wliere we arrived at 7 o'clock P.M., December 2nd, and went with Lt. Marinault, at our request, to the quarters of Major ALuir of Embodied T^.Iilitia, then on duty, whom Van was acquainted with, — a Scotch gentleman !t 54 Journal of Mnjor Isaac Roach, 1812-182 J/. w who alwaj's evinced mucli kindness to all of us. The Major went with us to the prison, and gave orders that we should be treated with kindness; that we liad only done our duty in endeavoring to escape. On our return to Quebec we found the whole garrison in confueion. A general order had been issued by the Com- mander in Chief, Sir George Trevost, severely reprimanding Major General Glasgow, Commanding, for permitting three prisoners of war, and hostages also, to escape from such a fortress as Quebec, garrisoned with 4000 of veteran troops, and the country full of Militia. For the British as well as our friends thought we were clear. On our return to prison, what a scene of confusion ! Our companions had been treated very badly, and more closely confmed. Yet they were almost in tears at seeing us again, and said they would rather sutler ten fold more than see us retaken. The keeper of the prison, Sergeant of the Guard and sentinel in close conlinement, the oiHcerof the Guard under arrest, the ofKcers of the garrison generally much censured, and even the Ivlayor of the city suspected of having aided in our escii]ie, because he had been kind enough to let us buy a carpet for our room, or perhaps because he had married a rhiladelpiiia lady (daughter of Dr. Rush), but Mr. Ross Cuthbert soon repelled the base accusation, and frowned into silence these John Bulls, who were anxious to blame anyone but fhemselves, and not disposed to give us three Yaidritish officers. The second in command, Colonel Parry of the 103rd Infantry, examined each of our companions, and heaped insult on those who dared to express their satisfaction at our escape, calling us by abusive names for daring to elude his vigilance. Ife confined two ofilcers in the same dungeon with a mur- derer for defending us. My servant was called up, and as he could give no infornuition, the redoubtable (%)lonel of Ilis Majesty's 103rd Foot pulled the poor fellow by the car, where lie had been wounded in battle until the blood ran down his neck. This poor fellow's sufiering distressed me much raorj than my own, and I sent a message to Colonel Parry by an officer, and tlio' he was in Quebec some days after our return, he did not come near us. Yet we were visited by many officers who expressed their sympathy for us. The next day after our return we three were separated from our comrades, and placed in separate rooms, with posi- tive orders for no person to be allowed to visit, except the Aids of the Commanding General. Even our good friends, the Catholic priests, were denied admittance to us. But when my friend, the Rev. Mr. Mignault, was stopped at the threshold, — " AV^hat," said he, — " the minister of (Jod for- bidden to visit the sicic and prisoner! Open that door instantly, and let Sir George Prevost dare to prevent my entrance here again." And he continued almost daily to visit us whilst we remained in prison. The first jiight of our separation by order, I managed the Sergeant who had the keys, — for since our escape poor Read the keeper was a prisoner in his own castle, and the officers and men were more vigilant. But I had always 66 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1S12-lS2Jf. treated the Sergeant well ; and every night, after all was quiet, ray door was unlocked, and I spent most of the night with Van De Venter, and in a few days we had planned another escape. The hars of our windows already sawed T. .n entirely new mode of travel was marked out, and p jT Smitli was to he left hehind. lie now appeared to l)e quite contented to while away his time hotween his violin, a walk of ten feet across liis room, and his glass of grog, — and no douht thinking, as most others phuied in our situa- tion have supposed, that having made so much exertion to escape, and heen defeated, they had done enough. But no, a soldier should ho stinmlated hy defeat to renewed exer- tions, and to use increased vigilance, and Van and myself, trusting to Providence, were nearly ready to cut and run, — when down comes an order from Sir George J'revost in the Held, to take those three troublesome officers out of prison, and place them on parole. What a compliment to a Yankee oilicer, thus to acknowl- edge that his hostages were to he better secured hy our word, than by the massive walls of his prison and fortress, and by the bristling bayonets of his VV^cllington veterans! Van J3e Venter and myself were not desirous again to risk our lives opposed to the attacks of our guards, or the intense severity of the winter (which was yet severe), but we never would have relaxed our exertions to escape from a loathsome prison. Van De Venter, Smith and myself were now (March 1814) paroled, alter being closely conlined tive months, and removed to quarters in Port Louis Street, near the gate of that name, and in view of the grand parade ground. Hero we found Generals Winchester Chandler and Winder, Colo- nel Wm. Lewis, Major Madison, and a dozen Captains, Lieutenants, aiid Sailing Masters, who, tho' not closely con- lined, were not allowed to go beyond the house and garden, and even this was a liberty that we who had been closely coniined, estimated a great blessing. We had greater ad- vantages of conversation and books; we could send into the city for anything we wanted, and had more frequent opportunities of heading from our army :ind from liomc. A Juanud of Major I.smic Roach, 1812-lS:'Jf.. 57 mess was estiiblishcd, juul as I had evinced some ingenuity in doing witliout ibod, I was appointed caterer and major domo, and we lived very comfortably tliro' the rem.'inder of along C^anadian winter; my mind l)eing about etpial v di- vided between my housekeeping duties, reading and re- flection, and — looking at the girls, nu)re especially at the daughter of Lord Jacob Mountain, Bishop of (Quebec, whom I had selected for my Dulcina Del T()l)oso, and from my observation across the narrow street of I'ort Louis, I fancied the young lady was everything that that damsel should be. I further had reason to think the young lady knew of my profound devotion, and if like Sancho, in describing the manner of the lady's mounting, I did not see her vault on horseback in exactly the same style, I hiid evidence of her liorsemanship, and tho' I lived all winter in regrets of having no means of introduction to this scion of the church, — when we removed the following summer to Beauport, I ni' her bj entire accident in the road, and I almost feel t ...pted to carry out honest Sancho's description of his master's mistress. I never sought an introduction, but in tho society of our estimable friends Colonel Salibury and family, we enjoyed much pleasure and seldom met with any of the English ladies. It nuiy be readily seen our situation was far from being pleasant or even comfortable, altho' so far preferable to a prison house. We were mostly young men, who had ''heerfuliy perilled our lives for the honor of our country, and felt very sensibly our being deprived of the oi)portunities of serving with our comrades in the field, but we cheered each (^ther. AV^e amused ourselves in .he various ways of riding, walk- ing, fishing &c., occasionally getting up a cat light to the utter horror of some half dozen spinsters of Beauport, who had prepared a remonstrance to the Governor General, to be presented by a committee of old maids, until they were induced to suspend this delegation by the good Colonel Do Salibury showing them that — as the English officers were in the practice of cock fighting, it no doubt was the custom in the United States to fight eats; and it would seem hard 58 Journal of Major Isaac Roach, 1812-181'). to prevent tliciriiimiHemciits, — advising MiiniHello Le Bhiiic, wlio appeared on bolialf of the cats, to endeavor to keep them at lionic, until the Americans sliould leave the village. I believe this cat question was jj^reatly aij^gravated by the miseliief of Tom Randall, who aifected to sympathize very much with the torn cats, and in a feigned French hand wrote to Mamselle Le Blanc, condoling with her on the insult to her bel-chat, and urging her to revenge, Now this Mademoiselle Le Blanc was a very dignified lady of the ancioi ra/iinc, and Van and myself took tea with lier a few days after the battle of the toni cats, when the lady re- counted to us minutely all the damage actual and supposed her poor cat had sustained, whilst puss sat at a distance laboring to wash off the eifects of the battle, and evidently afraid to ai>[>roacli the tea table, — allho' Van and myself were in tio manner concerned in this offence to the single ladies of Beauport. Lt, Gregory of the Navy acted as Mischief Master (Jlen- eral (M1 those occasions, and lie deserved Provost rank. Our mischief was not always harmless. It extended to prac- tising on each other the burning of gnnj)owder, lest we might forget the use of it, — but no more on this subject. After being prisoners a year, our time became very un- pleii'^ant, and our desire to l)e of use to our country in- creased. The British ollieers endeavored to keep from us all intelligence of a cheering luiture, and gave us their own ver- sion of every battle fought. Our letters from home, if they contained any unfavorable opinions of dohn Bull, were not delivered to us. The caiiture and burning of Washington City was speedily handed to us; and on the same day that we were lamenting over the fallen honor of our country, some kind friend gave us the account of the defeat of the British at Baltimore and at IMattsburgh. What a glorious contrast was here! Thus were we agitated by hopes and fears until the close of the campaign of 1814. At length both Governments became heartily tired of the hostage question, and this war of words was ended by an exchange of prisoners on both sides; and after much ceremony and preparation, Juanud of Major hudc Rodch, lSl,^-larcd condition of our army at that period to oppose the veterans of iiritain ; it was matter of utter astonishment how Sir Gcorije I'revost — with the best troops in the world, and in number iifty to one, having taken a position within gunshot on grouml commanding the place, having attacked and partly carried the bridge over the Saranac, and the i-troam itself fordable, — yet when the JJritish fleet was defeated, without a moment't- delay re- treated in utter confusion, to tlie dishonor of not only liim- self, but thousands of as gallant oiticers and men as ever lived. I subsc(iucntly met many oflicers who served with Sir (Jeorge in that disgraceful campaign, and I verily be- lieve better troops never lived than they were, and 14,000 strontj.' As to the battle of Lake Champlain, it was truly characteris- tic of the brave tars of b(>th countries and was literally an affair of" hanl knocks," in which iSfcDonough fouglit until one side of his vessel was cut entirely out, then sprung his cable and turned the otlier side, which proved too hard lor John Bull. On leaving I'lattsburgh, our detaciiment of ofUcers crossed thro' the ice in a packet boat to Burlington, Vermont, ami next day reached only Vcrgemies, and left next morning and arrived at Wliitehall. Here we found several oflicers of the Navy with the remains of McDonougli's fleet, which we went on board of in the evening, aiul left next morning, Sec " Thouipsou's History of the War." GO Journdl of Mojiir hdnc lloacli, ISIJ-IS.'/^. iber 24tli, 1M14, (1 iit uiul on tliu second diiy, J)uct!i Albjiny. llavini^ truvollod from (iueboc nil tlio diHtanco, 850 miles, except ')0 in HJeigh.s, we were riu^lit ijliid to ex- cliiinge for ii good wurm post eoiicli, and llie rattle of its wlieelri. We left for New York, and after an absence of nearly two years, I once again reached IMiiladelpliia, and was heartily welcomed by my parents, and I felt thankful to the Almighty who had preserved me thro' many dangers and much sutferini' , and bro't me in safety to my home. Our party of olHcers was diminished at every halt we made, but we did not separate without mutual kind feelings and professions of lasting friendships, which had formed in scenes of danger, and cemented by mutual suffering; and to this day those who live are yet endeared to eacli other. Altho' I had suifered much :md long, I knew it was for my country, and with youth and a yet unbroken constitu- tion, and tlic solace of having at all times endeavored to do my duty, enabled me to push dull care away, and }»repare myself for the next campaign, which was likely to be a severe one, as our country was becoming more dis[iosed to su[»port the Government, whi(;h had thus far carried on tiie war by tlie ])emocratic citizens alone, but now every one found it was re({uisite to defend his home and country. On the other side the British had defeated and driven back tiie French, and every exertion was making to strike the Yankees a hard blow in 1815. Our Government received thcii- [irisoners home with mueh kindness, and in a day or two after my arrival, I received a very affectionate congratulation from my friend General Scott, to welcome nio home; and as lie commanded the department, I was handed by his Inspector, General J. Hare Powell, at Baltimore, a furlough to renuiin ([uiet at home as long as I wished. The General knew that that would not be long. It was soon known that Lt. Col. Boerstler was to have a Court of Enquiry on his conduct, and I among others was summoned to Baltimore to give testimony. But the Court and everyone else thought the Colonel had suifered Jounuif of Miij(n- fsdiif Hiii/cli, tSi3-ls:j/f. (>1 enough for liis ii^nonuico luid tolly, uiul tlierofore iiciiuitlod him. .1 spoilt two or three weekH in Haltinioro very pleiirtiuitly Burrounded hy militury tVieiids, — for (k'neral Scott (eoni- niiindiiiplied to the War Department to commission mc. rmmediati'ly every preparation was nudcing hy hoth countries t'* prosecute the next campaign most vigorously. It was now the nii Ft)rt McIIenry, tilled \\[t the i^arrison there, and lindinj; that the Corps of Artillery was aj»portioned in two divisions, North and South, and all the old Captains claimin<^ the North,! went on to Washin,i!;ton, and obtained un order to remain at Ft)rt McIIenry on duty, not wishint? to go far from my parents. Colonel George Armistead who had defended Fort McIIenry, going on a furlough, I was })laced in command of his favorite garrison all summer and autumn, till by exposure I was attacked with inter- mittent fever, and the Colonel returning, I returned to Phil- adel[)hla to recruit men for the Colonel, great numbers of men having been discharged. Whilst on this duty in riiil- a(leli>hia, my father was violently attacked, October, 1815, with paralysis of the entire left side; and it was a blessing that I was near to attend on him, as he continued sick and lame till his death nearly three years after. My dear mother's health was also failing very fast. In the spring of 1810, Ca[)tain lioyle died at New York, Jnurnal of Mnjor J»a(Ui liudcli, tSl^*-lSJ^. 03 and I \vu8 kept in tlio Nortli division, and Ills e()in|);iiiy wuh ordorod to join Major T. BiddU^ mir Jm