A SOLDIER’S LIFE ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER IN 1813
Prepared by the staff of the
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
1953
One of a historical series, this pamphlet is published under the directionof the governing Boards of the Public Library of Fort Wayne andAllen County.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL CITY OF FORT WAYNE
- B. F. Geyer, President
- Joseph E. Kramer, Secretary
- W. Page Yarnelle, Treasurer
- Willard Shambaugh
- Mrs. Sadie Fulk Roehrs
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD FOR ALLEN COUNTY
The members of this Board include the members of the Board ofTrustees of the School City of Fort Wayne (with the same officers), togetherwith the following citizens chosen from Allen County outside the corporatecity of Fort Wayne:
- James E. Graham
- Arthur Niemeier
- Mrs. Glenn Henderson
- Mrs. Charles Reynolds
FOREWORD
The following letter, written by an anonymous author to an unknowncorrespondent, vividly depicts the life of an American soldier on the westernfrontier during the War of 1812. Reprinted from the WEEKLY REGISTER,this letter might have been written by a twentieth-century soldier,for the experiences, hopes, and fears of this enlisted man in the early nineteenthcentury are similar to those of an American serviceman of our ownday. Hardships, sufferings, and dangers are illustrated; but good will, respectfor authority, and companionship are present in no lesser degree.The letter is reprinted as published except that grammar, spelling, andpunctuation have been changed to conform to current usage.
Zanesville, Ohio
March 28, 1813
When I last wrote you from Upper Sandusky, I confidently expectedthat something of considerable importance would have transpired within avery short time; but, unfortunately, the war in this quarter is protractedto a much longer period than I contemplated at that time. Indeed, the best-informedpeople in the army think that nothing decisive can be done beforenext winter. Invasions of a country with militia will never be successful.Some militiamen will not cross the lines; others will not submit to any kindof authority; and, in fact, they would all prefer being at home rather thancourting fame on the battlefield.
The Kentucky and Ohio militia have been discharged for some time;the Pennsylvania and Virginia militia are to be discharged on April 1; and,unless other troops arrive, the camp will, in a great measure, be unprotected.No men will be left except our battalion, consisting of the PetersburgVolunteers and two companies from Pittsburgh (fifty men in one andfifteen in the other), together with about three hundred and fifty regulars.Ensign James G. Chalmers, who is appointed paymaster for all the twelve-monthvolunteers, and I left the rapids on the eighth. We have to remainhere until the arrival of the district paymaster.
The next day