Letter to Capt. Alex. Hamilton, N. Lt. Dragoons, Niagara from Ch. Askin, Strabane, 5 August 1812
Abstract
**Please note: This letter contains language that reflect the time period when it was created and the view of its creator. This can include offensive and negative language, references, and stereotypes that are no longer used or appropriate today. The item(s) retain their original content to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the historical record. The Archives & Special Collections are actively working on including more respectful and representative language in our own descriptions now and into the future.**------------------------------------------- [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.