A fictional journal account of a young woman of the War of 1812.
Copyright 2012 by Mollie Pearce McKibbon
September 30, 1812
Thistledown Farm, Grenville County
Dear Janetta,
I have very disturbing news. Mrs. Randall’s sister, Miss Blaine of Gananoque, has had to take refuge with the Randall family because of a recent raid on the town by the American army. Remember how Charles warned us to be wary of our neighbours across the St. Lawrence and I got so upset with him? Charles thought they would retaliate for the taking of Detroit by Tecumseh and General Brock. I owe Charles an abject apology because, early morning on September 21, the Americans attacked Gananoque and destroyed the military depot there. The Leeds Militia fought back gallantly, but were no match for the superior numbers from the other side of the St. Lawrence River.
Miss Blaine said that she woke up to the shooting and shouting. She and many others, still in their night clothes, ran for their very lives. Mrs. Joel Stone, the wife of the Leeds Militia commander, was unfortunately wounded by a musket ball in her hip when the soldiers ransacked her home. They also destroyed all the town’s food supplies and took their ammunition. Now none of us is sleeping soundly and William, Robert and Arthur are drilling all the time. They are hardly ever at home.
With much trepidation,
Adeline
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