Description:

WAR OF 1812 SOLDIER''S LETTER
Good content A.L.S., 3pp. 4to., Fort Greenwich, NY, Oct. 10, 1814, written by John Black, an American soldier, to Abner Austin. In part" ... I have gone through a new series of action since I left Catskill. I have changed my profession from that of a paper maker to a soldier, changed the useful paper mould for the cruel implements of Death, changed the domestic circle for the din of arms, the social fireside for the tented field. I have made no advancement in my military profession, neither do I expect to this campaign, for our officers are alike destitute both of theory and practice. I thought once, I lived in a country where merit alone bore distinction... On the night of the 6th ... I was suddenly awakened ... by the rattling of drums. I lay contemplating the cause when our Major came rattling through our tents crying turn out turn out damn it turn out, don''t you hear the alarm ... we bold heroes who knew the alarm to be false who never shrunk at danger when we knew there was not any, lept [sic] forward and in less than five minutes formed a line all with their glittering muskets in their hand - for that was all we had for we have neither cartrige [sic] boxes bayonet belts ... then we were ordered to fire which we did in perfect order ... we poured three volleys into John Bull which raked him at a terrible rate for we fired without powder or ball ... we then returned to our tents which ended the Battle of Greenwich..." Addressed on the verso, minor foxing and paper loss from the opening of the original wax seal, else very good.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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