Letter to Capt. Alex. Hamilton, N. Lt. Dragoons, Niagara from Ch. Askin, Strabane, 5 August 1812

Abstract

[The following letter was dated August 5, 1812. Given the content of the letter, it is more likely that this letter was written on September 5.]

Letter to Capt. Alex. Hamilton, N. Lt. Dragoons, Niagara from Ch. Askin, Strabane. The letter contains war news. He states that ill health has prevented him from being with Hamilton, and he is unable to make the journey by land, but will try to travel by water if the opportunity arises. Hamilton Merritt thinks of leaving to return to Niagara and will be accompanied by a young gentleman named Durham who was at Detroit when it was surrendered. He asks that he would be obliged if Hamilton showed him every attention during his stay at Queenston or Niagara. He adds that the Indians have taken Chicago by storm, and this is the first garrison they are known to have taken in this way. He writes that the Indians found means to draw water into the cannons so that the guns could not go off. Fort Wayne and St. Ursulines are both now besieged by the Indians. He writes that Alex McKee has a horse that would please him. He has sent down by Hamilton Merritt a grey mare he has bought from Bush, and asks that they be taken care of. He notes that Col. Peacher and Col. Nichol have been to Fort Miami and then to Amherstburgh. He doesn’t know what took them there, August 5, 1812. A note next to the address indicates the letter was forwarded by Mr. Durham.