The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-29
as our commander, which made our hearts glad

as our commander, which made our hearts glad
once more.
II now fell 10 my lot TO accompany General
Winchester 10 the Rapids Of the Maumee,
where we began TO erect Fort Megs, and while
thus employed, were precipitated into fatal ac-
tlon near the River Rasin-here Winchester
acted independent of his SUPERIOR Harrison,
who knew nothing Of this movement which
proved fatal 10 the flower Of his army. | was
among The few who escaped the general mas
sacIe but, alas, was captive and was sent
win Lewis, Madison, and others, To Quebec,
where was separated from my officers and sent
10 prison hulk in Plymouth, England, and
was soon after ordered to be sent 10 Dartmoor.
On my way to that place made my escape
from the escort in the night, but could not sue
coed IN getting out of England. After being at
large three days, | was taken up BY press gang
and dragged on board a man -of-war, although |
said all could 10 get sent back TO prison again,
but might as well have addressed The wind
lhey would brow beat me down that | was no
American, but that my pretension was only TO
get clear oil the service; so that ] soon found
there was no alternative left me but to Join them
in their predatory warfare against my country,
OF make my escape from them. l was resolved
10 try the latter, and although there were seven
OF US, all young and resolute, who had resolved
on liberty at all hazards, and although we got
we would be taken and brought back, when we
made some work for the boatswan and his cat
onnetails, as well as the armorer in putting US
In IRONS. This only made us the more resolved on
leaving such tyrants but at last we were sent to
Cockburns feet 10 get the benefit of general
court martial-the crime with which we were
charged was that of destroying boat and re-
peated desertlons, and not returning until brought
back by force of arms. We tried hard TO get
lnau 70 l. f..rl 4.
ing Americans but the President General
Ross) told US that there was TOO much evidence
OF guilt for US TO hope to get clear and advised us
TO plead guilty and throw ourselves on the mer-
cy OF the court He was told that we were
not subjects Of his Majesty, and therefore were
no deserters; on this he called us to silence, and
would hear no more. So in few minutes we
were Informed that we were to suffer death BY
being shot. AT the same time we were told we
should be recommended to mercy, and in five
days after il was announced TO us that we were
TO serve as soldiers in any regiment, troop, or
company, in the East Indies, during our natural
lives.
And now | have been crouching under the
British flag twenty -four years, in torrid Hindos-
tan, until became deaf and worn out and pro-
nounced unit Tor service. Providence raised
me up friends there and had me sent 10 Eng
land as an indoor pensioner, and through the
nterpositon Of the same Providence, got out
10 Quebec, and after spending last winter in the
hospital ut Detroit, have now got this far on
my way home-pennyless but not friendless-
after being deprived of wife, children, liberty,
and all that could render life desirable. Yes
twenty-eight long years have been held in du-
rance vile. Surely may exclalm the cruel
wars
II live to find home this side of the grave,
will publish an account of my twenty weight
years adventure.
" Pity the sorrows of poor old man
Whose Trembling limbs have borne
Him to your" city.
ST. LOUIS, July 9th. JOHN WOOD