Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-08-27
A SOLDIERS STORY.

dents through which he has passed but his
appearance indicates that he is ono who has
no motive for deception, and those who know
him, Of whom there are two or three respcc-
table citizens, vouch for the truth Of his
statements.
This spring when Mr.. Wood got able TO
travel, he left Dctroi, and travelled over the
old battle ground, and from thence to Fort
Wayne and Lafayette Oh tlio.W abash river,
expecting to 90 down the Wabash on
steamboat, but me water being too low, he
took passage in a two-horsc wpgon with
friend to Bclcillc, Illinois, and from there
walked to St.Louis. After remaining week
or more, he left Natchcz on Sunday last, on
board the aAsaboat Gen. Pratte, in search
Of his family. What must be the feelings
of his family, if any of them are yet alive,
when he shall return st. Louis Rcp.
was born in Mason comfy, Kentucky,
January 10, 1885, and kinsman of Major
Enos Wood the United States Engineers
He was my uncle and was with Gen. larri-
sun at the seigc of Fort Nleigs, and at thebat-
ale of the Thames-he was afterwards killed
at Fort George.
At the time war was declared in 1912, |
was living with my wife and two small chill
drcn, on aaarm which had purchased in
Adams county, Mississippi, near Natchez
and feeling it my duty to enroll myself in
in the service of my country, enlisted in
the 18th U. 5. Rcgt. of foot, and joined
Gen. Harrison at Fort Washington, march,
ed under his personal command to Fort
WAYNE, and after some fighting with the
Indians, who had that Fort in their possess
sion, we took it, and burned their towns in
its vicinity, and compelled them to flee from
that part Of the country. While we were
doing well under the leader of our choice,
Gen. Winchester came on and took the
command of the army-tlis change was the
cause of universal regret and some discon-
tent.
Winchester moved with the main body of
the army to Fort Defiance, and soon after
General Harrison made his appearance
among us again as our commander which
made our hearts glad once more.
Itnow fell to my lot TO accompany Gen
cral Winchester tothe Rapids ofthe Nlaumee
where we began TO erect Fort Nlcigs, and
and while thus employed were precipitated
into fatal action near the River Raisin-
here Winchester acted independent of his
superior, Harrison, who knew nothing of
this movement winch proved fatal to the
flower of his army. was among the few
who escaped the general massacre; but,
alas, was a captive and was sent with
Lewis. Madison, and others, to Quebec,
where was separated from my officers and
sent to prison hulk in Plymouth, England,
and was socn after ordered to be sent to
Dartmoor. On my way to that place
made my escape from the escort in the night
bat could not succeed in getting out of Eng
land.-AIter being at large three days, was
taken up by press gang and dragged on
board man-ot-war, although said all |
could 70 get sent back to prison.again, but
might as well have addressed the wind.
They would brow beat me down that was
no American, but that my pretenslon was
only to get clear of the service so that
soon found there was no alternative left me
but to join them in their predatory warfare
against my country, or make my escape
from them. was resolved to 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
clear of the ships three times, somehow, we
would be taken and brought back, when We
made some work for the boatswain and his
cat o'ninetails, as well as the armorer il
putting us tn irons. This. only made us the
more resolved en- quitting such tyrants bu
at last we were sent to Cockburn's fleet tc
get the benefit of general court martial
the crime with which we were charged wa.
that Of destroying IA boat and repeated deser-
tons, and not returning until brought back
by force of arms. We tried hard to pc
leave to write to our friends to get proof o
being Americans but the President Gen
Ross told us that there was too much evil
dencc of guilt for us to hope to get clear,anC
advised us to plead guilty and throw oursel
YES on the mercy ofthc court. He was tolt
that we were not subjects Of his Majesty
and therefore were no deserters; on this ht
called us to silence, and would hear no more
So in few minutes we were informed tina
we were to suffer death by being shot. A
the same time we were told we should bl
recommended to mercy, and in five day
after it was announced to us that we wer,
to serve as soldiers in any regiment, troop
or company, in the East Indies, during on
natural lives.
And now | have been crouching under TIN
British llag twenty-tour years, in torrid Hin
dooslan, until became deaf and worn GU
ard pronounced unfit for service. Provi
dcnce raised me up friends there and Ina
| sent we to England as AN indoor pensi0nel
and through the nterposltion of the sam
Providence, got out to Quebec, and aile
spending last winter in the hospital at Detro
| have now got this tar on my way home
pennyless but not friendless-alter being dc
privcd Of wife, children, liberty, and all thu
could render life desirable. Yes-twent,
eight long years adventure.
pity the sonows of poor old man.
Whose trembling limbs have borne
Him TO your city