News of the US: Week Three of July 1813
July 15: From Richmond — “we were indulged by a respected friend with the perusal of a letter from Tippahannock, dated on Sunday, (15th from which it appears that the enemy still menaces the shores of the Rappahannock, and keeps the inhabitants in constant alarm. . . . The dread of our riflemen, and of the desertion of his men, operates powerfully to confine him on board his ships, except when ‘obliged by hunger.'”–Aurora, August 21, 1813
George Croghan
July 15: From Ohio — “Five hundred of the 12 months’ men, under the command of Col. Paul, arrived at Upper Sandusky on the 15th inst. and the same day, Major Croghan, with 200 regulars arrived at Lower Sandusky.”–Green Mountain Farmer, August 17, 1813
July 15: From Chillicothe — “We learn from Cleveland, by a letter dated the 3d inst. that sixty boats, calculated to carry forty men each, are in readiness, and will probably take in the troops destined to cross the lake on this day (15th). . . . Gen. Harrison arrived at Cleveland on the 5th instant, escorted by Colonel Ball’s squadron.”–National Intelligencer, July 24, 1813
July 16: From Washington — “On Thursday and Friday the House went into secret session, on a proposition for providing for the security of the Capitol, in case of an attack from the enemy, who were supposed to be within a few hours sail of it; but after receiving a report fro the military committee, that the preparation for defence was in every respect adequate to the emergency, the subject was dropped and the injunction of secrecy was removed.”–Boston Weekly Messenger, July 23, 1813
July 16: From Erie — “Capt. O. H. Perry, the naval commander at this station, has lately received information of seamen being on their way destined for his little fleet. As soon as they arrive, it is supposed, that capt. Perry will co-operate with gen. Harrison, whose forces are rapidly concentrating at the head-quarters of the N. Western army.”–National Advocate, July 19, 1813
July 16: From Pittsburg — “The steam boat Comet, lately built at this place, by Mr. Smith, sailed on Tuesday last for Louisville, in Kentucky. She is intended as a regular packet between this place and the falls of Ohio, and is handsomely fitted up for the accommodation of passengers.”–Aurora, July 24, 1813
July 17: From Montreal — “The last detachment of 339 American prisoners captured on the 24th ult. [Colonel Boerstler’s unit] arrived here on Tuesday and on Thursday embarked for Quebec.”–Plattsburgh Republican, July 24, 1813
July 17: From Monticello, Georgia — “Gen. M’Intosh (a chief) left this place last Thursday evening for the Cherokee nation for 800 or 1000 warriors, which number he inherits in consequence of his late marriage in that nation . . . . Governor Mitchill visits Jones county today, and will reach our county to-morrow, for the purpose of raising men for a campaign in the nation.”–Aurora, August 16, 1813
July 17: From Norfolk — “On Wednesday last, a boat with two Lieutenants, fifteen seamen, and eight marines, landed from the Plantagenet 74 gun ship, near Cape Henry, for the purpose of procuring water.–Captain Richard Lawson, with about fifty militia, of Princess Anne County, under him, had concealed themselves behind the sand-hills, until the boat’s crew landed. Capt. Lawson, then ordered his men to fire . . . the result is, that one marine was killed, two drowned, one Lieutenant wounded, and the others taken, without any loss whatever on our part.”–American Daily Advertiser, July 24, 1813
July 18: From Raleigh — “North-Carolinians! Since my address to you of the 8th inst. the Seat of War has been changed. Our State has been invaded, and this is the moment of my departure for Newbern under the orders of his Excellency the Commander in Chief. All those who may tender their services conformably to the proposition contained in my Address, are invited immediately to repair to Newbern, armed efficiently with Muskets, Rifles, or Sabres & Pistols, to be organized under my orders. CALVIN JONES.”–Raleigh Register, July 23, 1813
July 18: “Mr. E. Mix, of the Navy, a gentleman of ingenuity and enterprize, has been , for several weeks past, preparing Torpedoes to attempt the explosion of some of the enemy’s shipping in Lynhaven Bay. . . .” Mix was unable to launch a torpedo until the night of the 24th, and it exploded short of its object.–New York Herald, August 4, 1813
July18: From Albany — “we have by the Western Mail of this evening, received the pleasing intelligence of Capt. Chapin’s company of Mounted Volunteers, who were disgracefully surrendered by Colonel Boerstler to a Lieutenant’s guard of the enemy; having, after they were put on board the Boats and ordered down the Lake to Montreal, risen on the Guard, confined them, took charge of the boats, and bro’t themselves safe to Fort George.”-The Gleaner, August 13, 1813
July 19: From London papers — “The frigate Alexandria, of 32 guns, discovered the U. S. ship President, Com. Rodgers, on the 19th July, and chased here for 92 hours, and a distance of 413 miles. On the 23d of July, the Norge, of 74 guns, was spoken, lat 67 12, N. lon. 23 26, in search of the frigate President.”
July 19: From Erie, Pennsylvania — “Five British vessels are just off our harbor, viz. the ship Queen Charlotte, brig Hunter, and Lady Prevost and two gun boats, their intention not known. Our situation is not favorable, having no sailors to man our fleet.”–New York Herald, July 31, 1813
July 19: From Washington — “The bill to allow the President 14,000 dollars for the benefit of the Palace, has passed the house to-day. By the opponents of this Bill, it was urged, in this period of calamity and distress, that this enormous sum ought not to be lavished upon the Queen of the Palace. The 25,000 dollars allowed to the President for his salary, was not only an ample compensation for his services, but would enable him to live in that style of elegance and even profusion which became him.”–New York Herald, July 28, 1813
July 20: From Brig. Gen. Boyd, dated Fort George — “I have the honour to report, that on the 17th inst. the enemy attacked our pickets, in a body of about 200 British, besides Indians. Detachments were sent out to support them, but with instructions to act defensively. After a contest of one hour occasionally severe, the enemy were dispersed.”–Maryland Gazette, August 5, 1813
July 20: From Sackett’s Harbor — “A little expedition of volunteers from the country, to which by the advice of Com. Chauncy I lent forty soldiers, sailed from hence three days since on board of two small row-boats, with a six-pounder to the head of the St. Lawrence, where they captured a fine gun-boat mounting a 24 pounder, 14 batteaux loaded, & officers and 6i1 men.”–Gettysburg Adams Centinel, August 4, 1813
July 20: From the London Courier, of unknown date — “Before the war commenced, concession might have been proper; we always thought it unwise. But the hour of concession and of compromise is passed; America has rushed unnecessarily and unnaturally into war, and she must be made to feel the effects of her folly and injustice. Peace must be the consequence of punishment, and retraction of her insolent demands must precede negociation.”–National Intelligencer, July 20, 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.