News of the US: Week Four of September 1813
September 22: From Rutland, Vermont — “Col. Clark, we understand, has received orders from Gen. Hampton, to raise 1000 mounted volunteers, to be reported at Cumberland Head on the 24th inst. This looks like a speedy preparation for a commencement of hostilities.”–Centinel of Freedom, October 5, 1813
September 22: From Ohio — “General Harrison, with his army embarked on Thursday last for Malden. He would land on Hog Island, about 3 miles this side, where about 1000 men had gone a few days previous, as we are informed, to make preparatons for the attack.”–Baltimore Patriot, October 7, 1813
September 22: From Milledgeville, Georgia — “We have a negro which we will send to you–he says he was in Sam. Mims’s Fort at Tensaw, which was taken by the indians about the 26th of August. There were near 1000 Indians–they attacked the fort about ten o’clock in the morning,, and took it about one o’clock. That Cyrus, a negro man, cut down the pickets. The Indians lost 49, some of them said 50. After the battle, the Indians encamped about a mile from the Fort until net day at twelve o’clock, during which time they were busy hunting negroes, horses and cattle, and brought off a great many”–New York Spectator, August 9, 1813
September 23: From General Harrison from Amhurstburg — . “I have the honor to inform you that I landed the Army under my command about three miles below this place at 3 o’clock this evening, without opposition, and took possession of the town an hour after. Gen. Proctor has retreated to Sandwich with his regular troops and Indians, having previously burned the Fort, Navy Yard, Barracks and Public Store Houses—the two latter were very extensive, covering several acres of ground. I will pursue the enemy to-morrow, although there is no probability of over taking him, as he has upwards of one thousand horses, and we have not one in the Army.”–Charleston City Gazette, October 18, 1813
September 23: Editorial on Perry’s victory — “The possession of Lake Erie being secured beyond redemption, some of the lighter vessels of the fleet will doubtless be detached to pass through the river St. Clair, scour Lake Huron, and break up at once the nest of infernal butchers, whose agency has precipitated the savages on our unoffending frontier.”–National Intelligencer,September 23, 1813
September 23: From Huntsville, Mississippi Territory –“A few days since Madison county was boasting a population of several thousnads inhabitants, with flattering prospect on every side, but alas what is her present situation? nearly one third of her inhabitants have fled from their country, leaving their flourishing crops, comfortable dwellings, and an imense quantity of valuable property to be ravaged and laid waste by the merciless savages.”–Carthage Gazette, October 1, 1813
September 24: From Burlington, Vermont — “Col. Clark, we understand, has received orders from Gen. Hampton, to raise 1000 mounted volunteers, to be reported at Cumberland Head on the 24th inst. This looks like a speedy commencement of hostilities.”–Albany Argus, September 28, 1813
September 24: From Boston — “The United States frigate President, Com. Rodgers had been into a small port on the North of Scotland, landed prisoners, and procured water and fresh provisions, for which he paid liberally, and departed, supposed (in England) for the coast of Greenland, to intercept their whalemen–a great many ships of war had gone in pursuit of him.”–Richmond Enquirer, October 1, 1813
September 24: From Alexandria, Louisiana — “The unfortunate sufferers are coming in daily. It appears that, much to the astonishment of all, Elesondo has liberated the Americans taken prisoners in and after the action [near San Antonio]. No parole was required; he advised them never to take up arms against the Royalists again, unless by approbation of the American government, of which he spoke with much respect, and intimated, that an expedition under the patronage of government would have his cooperation.’–New York Spectator, October 27, 1813
September 25: From Providence — “The Russian ship Hope, in 47 days from Plymouth, (England) in ballast and 400 prisoners, arrived at New-Bedford on Saturday afternoon . . . On Thursday last, off Nantucket south Shoal, was boarded from the U. S. frigate President, Com. Rodgers, and informed . . . that during their cruize they had captured and destroyed 16 sail and ransomed 11.”–New York Spectator, October 2, 1813
September 25: From Philadelphia –“America has the honor of introducing steam boat navigation, and by the improvements which the invention of the Hydrostatic Engine cannot fail to superincuce, we shall probably, in a short time, have Stam Boats navigating against the current of the Mississippi, with as much facility, as they now steam the tide of the Hudson. An Hydrostatic Engine, driven by water, is now in operation a short distance from Riter’s Tavern in Germantown.”–Wilmington American Watchman, September 25, 1813
September 25: From Albany — “By a gentleman from Plattsburgh we learn, that Gen. Hampton, with the army under his command, amounting to between 1 and 5,000 men, had crossed the Canada line and were encamped at Odeltown, and that roads were cutting preparatory to the army proceeding to its ulterior point of destination.”–Gettysburg Adams Centinel, October 6, 1813
September 26: From Newport — Arrival of Commodore Rodgers in the U. S. frigate President, and her prize the High Flyer, tender to Admiral Warren. “Com. Rodgers has obtained possession of the British Private Signals, and Ad. Warren’s Instructions. On examining Admiral Warren’s Instructions, Com. Rodgers discovered the number of British squadrons stationed on the American Coast–their force, and relative position–with pointed instructions to all of them, if possible to capture the President.”–Boston Gazette, September 30, 1813
September 26: Letter to General Clairborne — “Agreeably to your order of the 21st instant, we proceeded to Mim’s Fort, to collect the bones of our countrymen that fell in the late attack on that place, and to bury their remains . . . . We collected and consigned to the earth two hundred and forty-seven, including men, women and children.”–Aurora, November 16, 1813
September 26: Battle of the New York privateer Saratoga and the British Packet brig Morgiana. The Saratoga’s captain on the Morgiana — “she is a very fast sailing vessel…she sails nearly as well as the Saratoga, and I think will make an excellent privateer–she has been a Spanish sloop of war, a French sloop of war; an English Packet: and is now a Yankee prize; and is a fine vessel.”–Baltimore Patriot, Octobe 25, 1813
September 27: “It is said, that H. M. brig Boxer has been taken by the U. S. brig Enterprize, after a most severe and bloody action. The former had 40 men, having sent two boats to cut out some vessels; the latter is said to have had about 120 men, and was every way far superior to the Boxer.”–Boston Gazette, September 27, 1813
September 27: — General Order, outside Malden — “KENTUCKIANS–remember the river Raisin; but remember it only while the victory is suspended. The revenge of a soldier cannot be gratified upon a fallen enemy.”–American Watchman, November 6, 1813
September 27: From San Antonio –Proclamation of Joze Alvarez Toledo — “The government of Texas, wishing, by all the means in its power, to promote industry and the population of the country, by introducing into its fertile territoroy the useful arts and sciences, the propagation whereof so much influences the prosperity and riches of the inhabitants; invites foreigners of all nations, excepting those of Spain, to a secure asylum and paternal protection.”–American Watchman, November 13, 1813
September 28: From Vermont –“We hear that the old veteran ranger Col. Clark, is appointed to command a body of mounted riflemen and militia, and we hope will intercept tory droves, and tory smugglers with a facility hitherto unknown. The times demand vigilance and decision.”–Green Mountain Framer, September 28, 1813
September 28: From Malden — “Gen. Harrison and the whole army arrived here yesterday in fine spirits, and wll supplied with all things necessary for the campaign. The enemy has burnt all the batteries and public buildings here, together with this strong fortress. . . . A great clous of smoke was seen in that direction in the afternoon, and we have no doubt but all the works are consumed.”–Louisiana Courier, October 25, 1813
September 28: From Buffalo — “About 200 Indians arrived in this village on Saturday last, principally from the Oneida tribe. They are destined for Fort George. Maj. Chapin and his corps, together with the Oneida Indians, have marched for Fort George. Mr. Lorin Hodge, of this town, has raised a company of volunteers, and has joined Major Chapin.”–Baltimore Patriot,October 8, 1813
September 27, 28, 29: From Cumberland College — “the semi-annual examination of the students of Cumberland College took place on the different branches of study pursued during the last session. The Junior Class . . . were examined, on Xenophon, Comedies of Terence, Euclid’s Elements, Simpson’s Algebra and Virgil.”–Nashville Clarion, October 12, 1813
September 29: From General Harrison re Detroit –“The enemy having been driven from the Territory of Michigan, and a part of the army under my command having taken possession of it, it becomes necessary that the civil government of the territory should be re-established and the former officers renew the exercise of their authority . . . . the citizens of the territory are restored to all the rights and privileges which they enjoyed previous to the capitulation made by General Hull on the 15th of August, 1812.–Scioto Supporter, October 20, 1813
September 29: From Milledgeville, Georgia – “The account published in our last of the massacre at Tensaw, if but to true. Instead, however, of sixty, near 400 persons perished—290 were whites, a small number of halfbreeds, and the remainder negroes.”–United States’ Gazette, October 16, 1813
September 29: Advertisement — “The members of the American Antiquarian Society are hereby notified that their next meeting will be holden at the dwelling-house of colonel Reuben Sikes, in Worcester, on Wednesday the 29th inst. at 6 o’clock, P.M. A general and punctual attendance is requested.”–Massachusetts Spy, September 22, 1813
September 30: From St. Francisville, (W. Flor.) — “Gen. Toledo, and Col. R. Kemper, arrived in this village on Tuesday last. The Editor has had the pleasure of free and frequent conversations with these gentlemen, from whom he has collected the following particulars relative to the late disastrous battle near St. Antonio, and its consequences.”–Richmond Enquirer, October 29, 1813
September 30: From General Harrison at Sandwich, Upper Canada –“The Ottowas and Chippewas have withdrawn from the British, and have sent in three of their warriors to beg for peace, promising to agree to any terms that I shall prescribe . . . Their Wyandots, Miamies, and the band of Delawares, which had joined the enemy, are also desirous to be received upon the same terms.”–Weekly Aurora, October 19, 1813
September 30: From Chillicoothe — “Capt. Elliott, whom we stated in our last to be among the British prisoners, was not on board–consequently he was not taken. All the prisoners wil be here tomorrow. It is rumoured that Detroit has been burnt by the British; but we cannot vouch for the correcctness of the report, although such an event might naturally be expected.”–Commercial Advertiser, October 11, 1813
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About the Author
Mary Bowden is a researcher working at the Texas Collections Deposit Library at the University of Texas. A little-known but invaluable treasure of U.S. history and the history of American journalism is archived in the collection of bound United States’ Newspapers at the University of Texas at Austin. The collection began more than a century ago and has been stored in recent years in the Texas Collections Deposit Library on the campus of the University of Texas. The sizeable archive is currently in the early stages of being digitized before being moved to a more climate-controlled environment at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus of the University, on the north side of Austin.