Peter Carr Johnston to Staff Officers, December 30-31, 1814

[Peter Carr Johnston at New York, New York, to staff officers, December 30 and 31, 1814. US National Archives, Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984, Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889. Link here.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

                                                  New York, Dec'r 30th 1814

Sir, 

I was ordered to this place as a witness before the Gen'l Court Martial engaged in the trial of Col. Coles. My testimony is given, and I am now without orders. Anxious, for private considerations important to me, to spend a few days in Virginia, I would request from the General permission to be absent till the 1st of Match next, by which time I will join my Regiment at Buffaloe [Buffalo].

The following is a copy of the Order I received from Maj'r Gen'l Izard:

Extract from Gen'l Orders --

                                            Head Quarters Buffaloe Dec. 10th 1814

Lieut. Johnston 12th Inf'y will proceed to New York agreeably to summons from Washington.

                                            By Order of Maj'r Gen'l Izard
                                                 (Signed)
                                                                [C.] K. Gardner
                                                                       Adj't Gen'l

             I am, Sir, with the highest respect
                            your Ob't Serv't
                                      Peter C. Johnston
                                       Lieut: 12th Inf'y

Maj'r Christie
Asst. Adj't Gen'l  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      New York, Dec'r 31st 1814

Sir, 

I was ordered to this place as a witness in the trial of Col. Coles, now in progress: my Testimony is given, and I am without orders. 

Anxious, for private considerations of importance to me, to spend a few days in Virginia, I would solicit permission to be absent from my Regiment till the 1st of Match next, by which time I will join it at Buffaloe [Buffalo].

The following is a copy of my orders from Maj'r Gen'l Izard:

Extract from Gen'l Orders --

                                            Head Quarters Buffaloe Dec. 10th 1814

Lieut: Johnston 12th Inf'y will proceed to New York agreeably to Summons from Washington.

                                            By Order of Maj'r Gen'l Izard
                                                 (Signed)
                                                                [C.] K. Gardner
                                                                       Adj't Gen'l

             I am, Sir, with the highest 
                            Respect
                               your Ob't Serv't
                                      Peter C. Johnston
                                       Lieut: 12th Inf'y

Gen'l Parker 
Adj't Insp'r Gen'l  

[Lt. Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877).
Col. Coles = Isaac A. Coles (1780-1841) of the 12th US Infantry, challenged to a duel by Dr. James O. Bronaugh of the same regiment. Coles was a friend of Thomas Jefferson.
Major General Izard = George Izard (1776-1828).
C. K.Gardner = Charles Kitchell Gardner (1787-1869). See also Charles K. (Charles Kitchell) Gardner Papers, 1803-1897 (SC12914), New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections. Link to finding aid here.
Major Christie = probably Thomas Christie of the 23rd US Infantry.
General Parker = Daniel Parker (1782-1846).] 

Peter Carr Johnston to Charles Kitchell Gardner, November 30, 1814

Northern front (Royal Military College of Canada)

[Peter Carr Johnston at Camp near Buffalo, New York, to Charles Kitchell Gardner at Buffalo, New York, November 30, 1814. US National Archives, Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984, Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889. Link here.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

                                                    Camp near Buffaloe [aka Buffalo]
                                                         Nov'r 30th 1814

Sir, 

The Gen'l court martial, of which Col. Pinckney is President, is now duly organized, and awaits for is ready to proceed to the trial of any cases that may be brought before them.

I beg leave to request for myself that the Maj. Gen'l. will order me to be relieved. -- The charges upon which the Court was intended to act having been withdrawn, and the court ordered to take cognizance of any case brought before them, it is probable that its session will continue for some time; and the constant attendance which it will be necessary for me to pay to it on account of the duties of Judge Advocate that I have to discharge, will make it impossible for me to perform the duty of Adjutant of the 12th [U.S. Infantry].

                                        I am, with the highest respect your ob't serv't
                                           Peter C. Johnston
                                           J. Adv't

Col. C. K. Gardner
         Adj't Gen'l

P.S. I am directed to request you to order an orderly to be detailed to attend the Court.
                                                   Yours &c.
                                                       P.C.J.
                                                        J.A. 


[Lt. Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877).
Col. Pinckney = Lt. Col. Ninian Pinckney (1771-1825). 
Charles Kitchell Gardner (1787-1869). See also Charles K. (Charles Kitchell) Gardner Papers, 1803-1897 (SC12914), New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections. Link to finding aid here.] 

Peter Carr Johnston to Secretary of the War Department, April 13, 1813

[Peter Carr Johnston at Abingdon, Virginia, to Hon: Secretary of the War Department (John Armstrong, Jr., 1758-1843), April 18, 1813. US National Archives, Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984; Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889. Link here.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

                                           Abingdon April 18th 1813

Sir,

This morning's mail brought me a notification of my appointment to the rank of Third Lieutenant in the army of the United States. In the present situation of our country, every citizen is loudly called on to exert himself in support of a government engaged in defending the rights and liberty so dear to free men: and it affords me pleasure that I have an opportunity of exerting myself to render some service to my country. I accept of the appointment without hesitation, and think myself fortunate in having it conferred on me.

                        I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration
                                                                 Your's -                             
                                                                      Peter C. Johnston
                                                                      3rd Lieut. 12th Reg: Inf:

Hon: Secretary of the
War Department

[Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877).]

Elizabeth Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, April 19, 1816

Sandusky Lynchburg Nov 2008 by Pubdog Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

[Elizabeth Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston at Sandusky, Lynchburg, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia], Nelson County, Virginia, April 19, 1816, by Mrs. Miller & Mrs. Lee. Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.

Note on verso: "Introducing the celebrated impostors, Mrs. Miller & Lee . . . They [left] the state before they were found out."]

I have taken the liberty my dear Sally introducing to you two unfortunate women, who are on their return home to the State of Ohio. They came on to this place last winter in great distress, having had their Husbands killed by the Indians, houses burned, and all their property destroyed. 

Left in this situation with large families of children, they set out, from home with a view of visiting a brother which one of them had in North Carolina, to get from him some assistance, but did not succeed in finding him.

They have been twice in this Neighborhood, at Brother James', George's, Grand mama's, & Papa's, all of whom have been very kind to them. They have met with much attention and friendship from every body here, and as I know your charitable and humane disposition, expect you will not let them go on without giving them some assistance. 

We are all well, much love to you and your good man; believe me affectionately yours
                                                                                    Eliza P. Johnston  

[Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) had married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.

Elizabeth Prentiss "Betsey" "Eliza" Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820), married Charles Johnston (1769-1833) over New Year's, 1806/1807. 

Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827), married Catherine Mitchell (1780-1858) in 1808.

George = George Steptoe (1785-1862), married Maria Ann Thomas (1792-1872) in 1810.

Grandmama = not sure who this is. 

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).] 

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]   

Maria Hamilton Campbell to David Campbell, September 26, 1812 (Part 2)

[Maria Hamilton Campbell at Abingdon, Virginia, to David Campbell at Fort Niagara, New York, September 26, 1812, part 2 (post-marked October 1, 1812), Box 2, Campbell Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

After all my hurry I did not finish writing before the mail was closed. I do not kow [know] that I ought to say any thing to you about my domestic affairs unless I was confident your mind was as calm to all trivial things of that kind as my own, but as it is the character of a soldier to triumph over ever[y] difficulty, I will venture to tell my soldier a few of the evils that the object of his Dearest care triumphs over without apparent effort, such is our situation when we have greater things to occupy our minds.

For five or six weeks [M]illy has been thaking merkery [taking mercury] of Doctor Clap. I sent her out last week to his house to stay a month longer.

[O]n serch [search] being made for stolen goods after the fire some were found in our kitchen for which [S]am was put in jail. [M]illy was supposed to be too sick. I was for tow [two] weeks without my servent [servant] but little [S]arah accept [except] when Mrs. Jonston [Johnston] would send hers which she [indecipherable word] did when I was sick. 

Cousin David and [J]efferson my tree [three] Brothers in heart made every exertion to precure [procure] me servents [servants] either by hire or purchis [purchase]. [A]fter fore [four] or five aplications [applications] the[y] have hired Mrs. [T]amberly's [W]inny, how long the cros[s] old thing will let her stay I don't know.

I had allmost [almost] bought Captain Craig's [J]acob, but from the undue influence of [H]enderson and Captain Smith over the boy, I was prevented from completing any longer, and the purchesed [purchased] hire. [S]am ran off a few days after he was let out of jail and has not yet returned, Captain Smith has the conscience to say he will give three hundred dollars for him, the[y] gave five hundred and fifty for [J]acob, I will hire servents [servants] untill [until] I can perches [purchase] good ones.

Uncle Campbell's family are exceedingly friendly to me, if it was not for the girls of the family, I should be lonesome indeed uncle acts quite like a feather [father] to me, I shall complain of none but I cannot forbade mentioning my real friends as I have now learnt who the[y] are.

It is jennerally [generally] thought here that Edward and Rhody will be married, it is very prabable [probable] he is quite devoted to the family. I suspect very strongly that [A]rthur and [S]ally Greenway will make a match, as for the rest the[y] are in status [quo?]

Do my Dear Husband have your likeness taken and the ring with your [?], and have you a breast pin made with mine so you can look on it and think of me. My heart and prayers are ever with you.

Do my Husband write me what to do with myself this winter if you don't send for me. Write particularly your situation and health don't disseve [deceive] me in any thing, is the country around [N]iagara inhabited with sivilised [civilized] people or saviges [savages]. I fear very much you will have to sivilize [civilize] [I]ndians or be stationed in their country. I dead [dread] th[e] horred [horrid] retches [wretches], but not on my own account. I should fear nothing with yo[u].

Write to uncle Campbell and [J]efferson and tell me what you have done with my gray horse, did you give [S]am any mony [money] when he left [W]inchester he has had some then he could come home honestly by since he has this won't come home.

You never saw so miserable a look[ing] place as this in your life every thing appears to be going to decay, the people have lost all spirits the[y] ever had, even the[ir] actively groveling dispositions gave them has diminished in a grate [great] measure, I fear if the[y] deginurate [degenerate] much more the[y] all [will] turn to rock goats. Col. Preston's dubble [double] head [N]ed is suspected for burning the town, he is caut [caught] and some evidence discovered against him I expect he will be convicted.

I have some idea of going down to my father's and staying a few weeks, I believe I will not lay in winter provisions till I hear from you.

We expect [J]ames home in a few days he expresses great interest for you in all his letters.

Ben Clark's daughter Mrs. Crawford has died with the jandice [jaundice] and several others in the neighborhood, most of judge jonston's [Johhnston's] family had it and recovered.

Mr. Clarke and Mr. Jankry[?] boath [both] show their attachment to you in their friendly conduct to me, my Dear Husband write every mail and lesson [lessen] my anxiety as mutch [much] as posable [possible], I will write but I fear you will not receiv[e] my letters, I must again force myself to bid you farewell.

                                                                               Maria H. Campbell

[End part two. She had intended to mail part 1 on September 26, but the letter, with new part 2 added, was not postmarked until October 1, 1812. For part 1, see previous post.]

[Edward Campbell (1781-1833)
David Campbell (1779-1859). Serving as Major, Twelfth U.S. Infantry. 
Maria Hamilton Campbell (1783-1859)
Col. Preston = William Smith Preston (1765-1835)
Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831), had recently moved with his family from Prince Edward County to Abingdon.
Rather than attempting to identify the entire cast of fascinating characters mentioned in this letter, I will leave that task for a future date. Court records would be very instructive.]

     
For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the Campbell Family Papers (1731-1969), here's a link to the guide.     

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]

Maria Hamilton Campbell to David Campbell, September 26, 1812

[Maria Hamilton Campbell at Abingdon, Virginia, to David Campbell at Fort Niagara, New York, September 26, 1812. Box 2, Campbell Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My Dear Husband

I this morning received your two letters from Carlisle and Sunbury and last Sunday I received one of the 2 this month from Chambersburg it found me closely consumed in bed from which reason it wasn't immediately answered, you will see by this I have perfectly recovered. The day I wrote you last I was taken with the jandes [jaundice] which confined me to my bed three long weeks. I bore my sickness with great firmness without expressing in the least, except at being prevented from writing to you.

My very sickest night we had a fire in Abingdon which broak [broke] out in Colo. Preston's new brick house and took all before it on that side of the street down to William Trigg's, there its ravages was [were] stopped. I was the most active person weak as I was in carrying out and garding [guarding] our little plunder in case the house which I had no doubt of should be burnt, you would have been astonished at my composure and deliberation.

Edward has written to you since and detailed the hoal [whole] circumstances. I [?] weather [whether] his letter nor mine of the 2d of this month will reach you soon the[y] were directed to Beathleham [Bethlehem]. 

Your account of your good health delites [delights] me very much and your hardiness astonishes me, but don't my Dear Husband expose yourself unnesesarily [unnecessarily] your health may be injured when you least expect it. O how my heart longs for the joyful hours of our meating [meeting] that I might see you in perfect health, but no more of this. 

I am now become the perfect philosopher and will bare [bear] every thing with fortitude for my Husband's and my Country's sake, my tears flowed very plentifull [plentiful] when I heard of the Traitorous conduct of Hull, our belove[d] Country received a severe wound which must fill the heart of every American with the bitterest indignation. I hope it will inspire the youths of our Country with more curage [courage] to resent the injustices offered us by that perjured nation that continues to have the audacity to call itself our mother.

You see I am no coward, and if you should think proper to permit me to be situated near you I can assure you my Husband I never would be the caus[e] of disgrase [disgrace] to you, nor will I ask anything unreasonable or even wish it, but my heart would be much gratified to see you before you take the field, if it cannot be I will submit with patience.

You tell me to write Abingdon news it is such a little place and filled with such little minds that I really think the news is not worth entertaining your great mind with. I must however except Judge Jonstone's [Johnston's] family which every branch of further[?] the appithel [epithet or appraisal] I have given to the rest of the villagers, the[y] are great in my opinion, but Mr. R and his family act with more littleness than ever. God has given him a head but no heart or at least a very puny one. I could tell you a great deal but it is best to omit giving you a detail at this distance. 

The spirit of patriotism is not very high in this place. I expect there will be but few that will vollenteer [volunteer] there [their] services to thise [this] coutry [country]. 

There have been no orders for the militias of this pleace [place] yet, their Col. has not yet returned I heard that E had made a conquest of a Mr. Read from Kentucky. 

I do not know that ever our honourable Brother has even mentioned my name to any of his correspondence [correspondents], at least none of them have ever told me he has, nor have I ever been shown one of his letters tho the[y] are oftain [often] handed all round in my presence you must understand are very oftain [often] in collected bodies.  I am ignorant of the ears of "this" seclusion of me nor do I make any inquiry in to the ears my independent spirit will never be broken nor beat.

Our oald [old] father and mather [mother] are well sister Betsey has had the lump taken out of her breast and is perfectly recovered. I am so pestered with company to day I can nether [neither] write well nor help as much as I intended. I will send it with all it[s] imperfections and write more and better next mail.

I am much lower in fleash [flesh] than I was with the most affectionate heart your wife

                                                                       Maria H. Campbell

[End part one. She had intended to mail it on that date, but the letter, with new part two added, was not postmarked until October 1, 1812. For part two, see next post.]

[Edward Campbell (1781-1833)
David Campbell (1779-1859). Serving as Major, Twelfth U.S. Infantry. 
Maria Hamilton Campbell (1783-1859)
Betsey/Eliza Campbell (1787-?)
Col. Preston = William Smith Preston (1765-1835)
William Trigg (1784-1813)
William Hull  (1753-1825), for cowardice and dereliction of duty, was sentenced to death by firing squad but spared by President James Madison.
Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831), had recently moved with his family from Prince Edward County to Abingdon.
Mr. R = [not sure at this juncture to whom she is referring.]
     
For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the Campbell Family Papers (1731-1969), here's a link to the guide.     

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]

Edward Campbell to David Campbell, September 12, 1812

Northern front (Royal Military College of Canada)

[Edward Campbell at Abingdon, Virginia, to David Campbell in the field, September 12, 1812, Box 2, Campbell Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. This is my rough transcription. Use of the long 's' modernized; extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

Dear Brother

I received your letter dated on the 22d of August, in which you promised to write to me again before you left Winchester. Not having received anything from you since, has led me to conclude that you have either not written, or your letter has miscarried. I had delayed writing sooner that I might receive that letter, but as our little Village has been the victim of calamity, I have forborne to wait longer.

On last Thursday night we were alarmed, about 12 O'clock with the cry of fire. I hastened to the spot and found Col. Preston's new brick house all in flames, set on fire, no doubt, by the hand of some infernal, hellish incendiary. The new Courthouse was also set on fire, but was discovered before any damage was done and extinguished.

The night was calm, the inclination of the wind, (which was astir, tho') being Westward, there was no possibility of stopping the fury of the devouring element until it arrived at William Trigg's. There we made a vigorous effort and there we succeeded in stopping its ravages.

All the houses on that side of the street, between that and the corner were laid in ruins. No lives were lost nor any injured except one or two slightly. The citizens generally saved their property or the most of it. It was an awful night you may rest assured; but there seemed to be less alarm among the citizens than I would have suppos'd.

Maria has been unwell for several days with the jaundice, a complaint which seems to be very prevalent here at this time: tho' I'm in hopes she will be well enough in a few days. She wrote to you by the last Sunday's mail and mentioned that we would not finally determine until we had heard from you again, as to the course we should adopt. 

She also mentioned the cancer which afflicts our sister Eliza. I intend having it removed as soon as possible. She seems willing to do any thing that I may advise. The doctor told me the other day that it would be nearly as large as a goose's egg.

Your maid is also down. 'Tis said with the pox, and the doctor says she must be salivated, which will require about two months.

I assure you sir I have my hands full; but go on with s much alacrity as the nature of things will permit. form the uncertainty as to the manner and time of Maria's departure, I am placed in rather an unpleasant situation. I know not on what to resolve, you will therefore be explicit on that subject, for unless you are so, there can be no concert between us. If you intend sending a carriage let me know on what I am to depend, and make my arrangements to carry Maria to any point on the Continent where she would wish to go: but I would rather have done so before the intense cold weather would set in.

Maria says nothing about going to Tennessee. Nor do I believe she will want to go that course while a hope remains of going towards the North. I have not yet got your pistols from Gilliland but will as soon as possible and bring or send them to you.

We have heard of Hull's disgrace, I can call it nothing better. [Brigadier General William Hull surrendered Detroit to the British on August 16, 1812.] Some of us here do not credit the account & I for one. For is it possible that 2 or 3,000 men, Americans too -- the sons of liberty would willingly surrender to any foe on the whole face of the earth, without a single effort, when defended by a strongly fortified garrison, unless there was the most damnable treachery in the commander[?] Yet this is [the] account we have received. I cannot, will [not] believe it until I see an official statement well authenticated.

Mr. Edmiston showed me your letter the other day but did not tell me what he intended doing. Capt. Henry marched from this place on this day week with about sixty men for Philadelphia.

I have written in haste and in the warmth of a brother's hand

                                                            Must bid you
                                                                            Adieu
                                                                                    Edward

[Edward Campbell (1781-1833)
David Campbell (1779-1859). Serving as Major, Twelfth U.S. Infantry. Edward's letter was originally addressed to Reading, Pennsylvania, scratched out and "Albany or Buffaloe" added for updated address along the way. 
Maria Hamilton Campbell (1783-1859)
Eliza Campbell (1787-?)
Col. Preston = William Smith Preston (1765-1835)
William Trigg (1784-1813)
William Hull  (1753-1825), for cowardice and dereliction of duty, was sentenced to death by firing squad but spared by President James Madison.
Mr. Edmiston = possibly Captain John Montgomery Edmiston (1764-1813), veteran of King's Mountain (1780), killed in action at River Raisin on January 22, 1813. 
Around this time, Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831), moved with his family from Prince Edward County to Abingdon.]
     
For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the Campbell Family Papers (1731-1969), here's a link to the guide.     

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]