PTE WILLIAM MCCAY’S DIARY OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST DETROIT AUG 1812

01 Aug

           Private William McCay and 59 other rank and file of the 2nd York and 5th Lincoln Militias volunteered to leave the Queenston Camp and join Brigadier General Isaac Brock’s expedition to Detroit.

04 Aug

“After receiving our Regimental Clothes and taking leave of our friends, our Company consisting of 61 men besides our officers set off from Queenston Camp about noon for Detroit.  We were carried in Waggons to Fort Erie, at which place we arrived about 9 o’clock after a very pleasant ride.”

05 Aug

We lodged in the Fort last night very well and the forenoon we spent in rambling over the village.  The Fort is a handsome place but the wall is not finished around it, which if it was would be very strong.  In the evening we marched about 4 miles up the Lake to where the boats lay that we were to go in.”

06 Aug

“We were alarmed by the Sentrys about 10 o’clock and were soon all under arms.  It was expected that the Americans who had seen us march in had formed the design of following us, but it was a false alarm.  We set off very early. The first place we landed was at a small island a little below the mouth of the Grand River where we found a great plenty of sand cherries.  We did not stop long, but put into the mouth of the Grand River 40 miles from Fort Erie.

07 Aug

“We slept under the trees on the bank of the river.  Arose early and set off and did not land until we came to Patterson’s Creek, 10 miles from the Grand River. He we were informed that the Volunteers from York, some of the 41st, and some militia … were to go with us.”

08 Aug

 “Slept on shore in the best manner we could. Two of our company deserted this morning. We did not leave this place till 12 o’clock when we set off and came to Long Point in the evening, drew our boats across and put up for the night.”

09 Aug

Arose early this morning and about sunrise was joined by General Brock and 6 boats loaded with the troops from Patterson’s Creek.  We all set off together having a fair wind til about … o’clock.  I then rowed til night when we landed at Kettle Creek 6 miles below Port Talbert.”

10 Aug

“Wet and cold last night. Some of us lay in the boats and some on the sand.  We set off early but the wind blew so hard ahead we were obliged to put into Port Talbert.  We covered our baggage from the rain which still continued and most of us set out to get something to eat being tired of bread and pork.  5 of us found our way to a place where we got a very good breakfast.  Bought some butter & sugar and returned.  We lay here all day, the wind being high.”

11 Aug

“We set off early with a fair wind but it soon blew so hard we have had to land on the beach and draw up our boats, having come 12 or 15 miles.  Some of us built camps and covered them with bark to shelter us from the rain which poured down incessantly, but I was obliged to go on guard – as I was.  Some of our men discovered horse tracks a few miles above us which we supposed were American horsemen for we were informed they came within a few miles of Port Talbert.”

12 Aug

“We set off before day light and came on till breakfast time when we stopt at a long point where we found plenty of sand Cheeries.  They are just getting ripe and are very good.  We continued on voyage all night which was very fatiguing being so crowded in the boats we could not lie down.”

13 Aug

           “We came to a settlement this morning, the first since we left Port Talbert.  The inhabitants informed us the Americans had all retired to their own side of the River.  Also that there was a skirmish between our troops and them on their own side.  We made no stop, only to boil our pork but kept on til about 2 o’clock, then lay on the beach until morning.  Some of the boats with the General went on.”

14 Aug

“We landed at Fort Malden about 2 o’clock, very tired rowing and our faces burnt with the sun til the skin came off … Our company was marched to a stone house where we took out our baggage and dryed it and cleaned our guns. Were paraded at 11 o’clock and all our arms & ammunition that was damaged was replaced.  We then rambled about the town till evening when all the troops that were in Amhurst Burgh were paraded on the commons.  They were calculated at 8 or 9 hundred men.”

15 Aug

“Arose early and set off with our boats for Sandwich.  We scampered off to the orchards with our haversacks, where we got apples & pears as many as we could wish.  Then marched up to the town in good order commanded by Major Chambers.  We found it crowded with whites and Indians all in arms.  We are told we are to attack them tomorrow.  We all appear well agreed and in high spirits.  We were paraded in the evening and while we were in the ranks, the cannonading began between our batteries & the American Fort & batteries and continued about an hour & a half.  We were 1 and a half miles from the scene of action, our men appeared anxious to be engaged.”

16 Aug

“By daylight we were all under arms and soon began to cross the river, while the cannons began to roar again.  The place where we crossed was about three miles below the Fort of Detroit.  We loaded in boats and effected our landing without any opposition.  As we came over we formed in order.  The 41st in front, to the amount of 3 or 4 hundred, Capt. … Campbell next, the York Militia next and the Militia from other places followed while the Indians dressed in the most warlike … were all around us.  Soon as most of us was over we marched up through the town expecting to be fired upon every moment … The houses in the lower part of the Town were most of them deserted and the Indians broke into them and as we marched along we saw the best of goods & furniture destroyed or carried off ….  We halted in a little Vale about half a mile below the fort. The firing ceased which had been kept up very briskly upwards of 2 hours, and our officers saw the flag of truce go from the fort over to our batteries.”  The Americans had surrendered the fort.

“We then marched into the fort but soon returned and were placed around it.  Our sentries relieved theirs and the American flag came down while the British was hoisted amidst the shouts of the whole army.   According to the best accounts I can get there was between 25 & 30 hundred men made prisoners of war amongst whom not more than 4 hundred were regulars.  As soon as possible the regulars were put on board the vessels, several of which lay in the river.  They were all in very bad condition, both dirty & ragged, owing they told us to their marching a great distance through wilderness and not receiving their pay or clothing.  I never saw such a day in my life, such a hurry & confusion we had not time to eat anything except a bite of bread we brought with us, for we had double of numbers of prisoners to take care of.”

17 Aug

“Most of us have been on guard in and around the Fort.  Being relieved this morning my Comrade (John Ireland) & me took a ramble through the town and Garrison.  It is a matter of surprise to us to obtain such a strong fortification defended by double our numbers without the loss of a man, there being only one sargent of the Royal artillery wounded.  I saw only 7 men killed in the fort but I understand there was several more.  It was a disagreeable sight to behold them.  One was shot through the middle, anothers head was dashed to pieces.  In the afternoon we crossed over to Sandwich to get our knapsacks which we had left behind, and went in a boat down to one of the vessels loaded with prisoners.”

18 Aug

“I spent last night the most uncomfortable of any since I left home, for we lay in the boat alongside of the vessels.  The boat was full of us and leaked very fast.  I lay on a wheel of the Carriage of the Artillery wet and cold and very much fatigued.  We then went on board the NANCY, a merchant brig which was full of prisoners before we came.  We lay opposite Sandwich waiting til the other vessels were ready to sail.”

19 Aug

“We droped down the river to Fort Walden where we left one of our Company (Thos. Cornir) in the Hospital who has been sick several days.”

20 Aug

“It rained most of this day very fast.  We were obliged to stay on deck without any shelter through it all.  In the afternoon some of our men were ordered on where as we still lay opposite Amherstburgh, to procure provisions and wood for our voyage.”

21 Aug

“We drafted down the river a short distance but the wind being contrary we were obliged to cast anchor.  Several of the prisoners were taken out of our vessel and put on board the QUEEN CHARLOTTE who was to sail in company with us.”

22 Aug

“Very early this morning a gun was fired from the CHARLOTTE, the signal for sailing.  We immediately weighed anchor and set sail.  We … lively till noon when the wind failing, we lay beating on the Lake til night, & then cast anchor among several small islands.”

23 Aug

“This was a very pleasant day.  We purchased some ground corn and young potatos of an old French man who lived on one of the Islands which was a great rarity to us all.  The wind raising about 10 oclock we again set sail, a matter of joy to us all for we were heartily tired of our present mode of living.”

24 Aug

“The wind keeping up, we sailed on very well, but the other vessels that we were to company with, not being able to keep up with us, we were frequently oblidged to lower our sail.”

25 Aug

“This morning we perceived we have passed long point which was almost out of sight.  I was very unwell to day owing to our way of living, unwell to day owing to our way of living, being up at night (for we mounted 20 guards every night who must all be awake continually) and then sleeping in the hot sun.  Likewise our provisions were very bad having got wet, the bread especially.  In the evening as we drew near Fort Erie we were informed that an armistice was concluded between the contending powers and that 4 days notice was to be given before hostilities would be commenced.  This new pleased us much, as we were in hopes of getting home to see our friends.”

26 Aug

“We lay at anchor in sight of Fort Erie all night & in the morning, about 9 oclock came alongside of the wharf.  The prisoners were landed under a strong guard.  Here I had the first sight of General Hall.  After some time we got in order for marching.  Captain Hatt’s Company was the advance guard, while the York volunteers guarded the prisoners.  We marched on pretty briskly at first, but laying still so long, we soon became tired.  We came to Chippaway about sunset.  Most of us got our suppers at a tavern and our camps lodged in a barn, the best place we have had the some time.”

27 Aug

“An alarm was made about 2 oclock last night & all that was able was under arms.  We were marched up the river about a mile while it rained pretty fast.  It was expected the Americans were attempting to cross the river by their movements, but it all proved to be nothing.  We tarried the remainder of the night in a stone house a mile and a half about Chippaway, but being wet and cold we slept but little.  My Comrade, Ireland, has been very unwell for several days & this morning I made some tea which we brought from Detroit, and we had a comfortable breakfast.  It took us a long time to get in order for marching and we came but slowly sot that it was 12 oclock ere we reached Queenston.  We were not allowed to stop at the camp, except those who were not able to go on.  By the middle of the afternoon we arrived at Fort Niagara.  It appeared the whole town moved towards us.  Several of our friends met us there who was much rejoiced to see us return safe.  We were much fatigued and covered with dust but our Officers treated us very liberally & we got in the baggage waggons and returned to Queenston in high spirits.  The Americans have built a great number of tents opposite Queenston but it is said there is not many troops arrived.  Some deserters having come over lately brought the intellingence.”

28 Aug

“Slept very well last night in the Officer’s tent and after getting a good breakfast feel much refreshed.  We are told that we shall be dismissed in a few days and return home which pleases us very well.  I received two letters this evening from my Brother Nages, the other from my wife.  Our friends are all well and express much satisfaction on the account of the success of the expedition we were engaged in.”

29 Aug

“I have caught a cold and do not feel well & my comrade Ireland was put in the hospital in Queenston.”

30 Aug

“We were paraded and our arms examined this morning.  They still give us encouragement of our going home.  The afternoon was cool and rainy.  I went to the Hospital and tarried all night.”

31 Aug

“We were paraded at 9 oclock, & again at 11, all in marching order, having our knapsacks & blankets on our backs.  Several of our company have taken sick since we returned from Detroit.”

Taken from a transcript of “Quick March to Glory” by LCol William McCay provided by the Chatham – Kent Museum. Published in “War of 1812 Canadian Stories” by Fred Blair on Blogspot