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dc.contributor.authorBrown, Ephraim
dc.date.accessioned2019-09-27T18:18:50Z
dc.date.available2019-09-27T18:18:50Z
dc.date.issued1812-09-27
dc.identifier.citationRG 698, Brown Family Correspondence, 1783-1834, n.d. (noninclusive), Brock University Archives.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10464/14534
dc.descriptionAs the American army was gathering for an attack on Canada during the War of 1812 at Lewiston, New York, Ephraim Brown took a moment to write his brother this letter. On October 13, the American army crossed the Niagara River in the early morning and attacked the high ground at Queenston. Major General Isaac Brock was shot and killed along with his Aide-de-Camp John Macdonnell. After early success by the Americans at the Battle of Queenston Heights, the Americans retreated to New York as British soldiers, militia and indigenous allies arrived. Transcript: [Ephraim Brown to his brother Henry in Springfield, New York ] Camp at Lewiston Sunday September 27, 1812 Brother Henry, Your letter came to hand a few days since which I can assure you I was happy to receive as it was the only line I had received from you since I left Springfield. Your letter must have been detained sometime in Batavia as well as at Fort Niagara where it was directed… To comply with your request in giving you a history of the Campaign I should be happy in doing could I convey new or important on this subject. Much has been said I presume and much remains to be said in order to investigate the truth respecting the operations in this quarter, indeed operations like these founded upon the purest principles of Democracy are sufficient I should suppose to stagger the minds of our political rulers, not only theirs but the minds of every individual must be lost in doubt and obscurity respecting the issue of this political campaign, that the result of this War may be and what the intentions of our Government are time only can determine. We are at present on the confines of Canada, without men and means waiting as mute spectators for the mysterious plans of our political rulers. There are on the lines from Buffalo to Niagara about three thousand men including detached militia and regular troops, a force nearly one half what we have to contend with. What troops there are in this quarter have heretofore labored under many inconveniences such as the necessary munitions of war and the necessary supplied for the comforts of the men. This however is in some measure obviated of late by the supplies received, tho they are so inconsiderable now as would not last but a short engagement should such a thing take place. All the volunteer companies in Niagara, Genesee and Ontario Counties have been ordered a few days since by Maj. Gen. Van Rensellaer to repair immediately to this place and I am credibly informed that a large number of the Regular troops from different quarters are destined and are actually on their march for this Frontier if so probably a desent [sic] upon Canada this fall will be made. Such has been our strength hitherto that a decent upon Canada would have been very unwise and imprudent and for our Government to think that such a thing might take place certainly betrays their weakness even the inhabitants have not rested secure under the banners of our Army & consequently have principally moved from this place to the Eastward. A number of Fortifications have been thrown up near the banks of the River on both sides of it from Buffalo to Niagara into which a number of pieces of Artillery are planted. These Batteries are well calculated to annoy an army in crossing the river and will I presume produce great mortality in the attempt. So small and insignificant are the calculations of our Government that much blood must be spilt in the conquest of Canada much more than would be required if a large and powerful Army were sent for the purpose. A peculiar mode of warfare has been practiced for some time in this quarter which was difficult to restrain such as firing upon centinels [sic] across the River. This continued until two men were killed one on the other side & one on this side of the river. The latter was killed by a person coming over on this side in the night afterwards made his escape. This took place a few days since, as also another accident took place at the same time between two persons belonging to the Flying Artillery, one struck the other on the head with a club which proved fatal in a short time. The merchant vessels on the Lakes are fitting out to carry the operation of Democracy into effect. It is said that our strength on the Lakes is equal if not superior to the British. They have four armed Vessels on Lake Ontario & three on Lake Erie. Their vessels are larger and carry heavier metal than ours but are not so numerous. A formidable Navy. The assignment of Brig. Gen. to Wm. Wadsworth being made on his taking the command he was desirous that I should go to Lewiston with him and as there was no Hospital Establishment in that quarter he conferred a favor on me in appointing [me] Hospital Surgeon. We arrived here on the 3rd of July. Since that time I have acted in the capacity of Hospital Surgeon. There has been considerable sickness among the troops such as Fevers, Dyssenteries, Dyarrhoeas &c but among the whole number that I have attended there has been only one death. There has been however considerable sickness & mortality in Lt. Col. Swifts Regiment stationed at Black Rock not less than eighteen or twenty have died out of that Regiment since they have been on the line. Gardner Wells is Surgeon’s mate of that Regiment – My appointment was first made by Brig. Gen. Wadsworth and has since been approved of by Maj. General Hall & Maj. Gen. Van Rensellaer. My situation is a very pleasant one as it respects my political friends but my political enemies feel somewhat inimical towards me particularly some of the surgeons. I have this however to comfort me for they are certainly a very motley crew totally incompetent for the duties of surgeon. I remain yours most sincerely. Ephraim Brown N.B. My best Respect to Doct White & Family [also] to all acquaintances in Springfield.en_US
dc.description.abstractAs the American army was gathering for an attack on Canada during the War of 1812 at Lewiston, New York, Ephraim Brown took a moment to write his brother Henry this letter on September 27, 1812. On October 13, the American army crossed the Niagara River in the early morning and attacked the high ground at Queenston. Major General Isaac Brock was shot and killed along with his Aide-de-Camp John Macdonnell. After early success by the Americans at the Battle of Queenston Heights, the Americans retreated to New York as British soldiers, militia and indigenous allies arrived. Transcript of the letter available in the full description.en_US
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.rightsCC0 1.0 Universal*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/*
dc.subjectWar of 1812en_US
dc.subjectDoctorsen_US
dc.subjectBattle of Queenston Heightsen_US
dc.subjectMilitaryen_US
dc.titleLetter from Eprhaim Brown to Henry Brown from Lewiston, New York - 27 September 1812en_US
dc.typeOtheren_US


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