| Title: | Robert Peel Dawson, Laprairie to his parents. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2102 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Peel Dawson, Robert/114 |
| Year | 1838 |
| Sender | Peel Dawson, Robert |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | army officer |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | La Prairie, Quebec, Canada |
| Destination | Ireland |
| Recipient | |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | T 850/1: Obtained from Mrs Brackenbury, Moyola Park, Castledawson, Co. Londonderry. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 8950009 |
| Date | 17/11/1838 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 25:10:1993. |
| Word Count | 1378 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Laprairie, Novr [November?] 17th 1838 My dearest, dearest Parents, Since Monday the 4th instant (the date of my last letter to you) I have passed through scenes & encountered hardships which till then I was totally unacquainted with. The news of the second Rebellion in Canada reached Quebec on that day. I was on the Citadel Guard and was not relieved till the moment that the whole Battalion of Grenadier Guards was hurried on board a Steamer to convey us we knew not where. I had scarcely time to change my coat. My servant had packed up a few necessaries in a carpet bag. The steam boat was so laden with Cannon & heavy warlike implements that we did not reach Montreal till the middle of the day on Wednesday the 6th instant. The higher we proceeded up the river the more apparent was the consternation and the terror which prevailed amongst the respectable classes. They came to the side of the vessel hoping to escape from what they conceived certain destruction. Few French Canadians appeared. Before we disembarked we heard that Sir John Colborne was waiting our arrival in Montreal to concentrate the force he meant to oppose to the Rebel Town of Napierville, which was the headquarters of the disaffected and only eleven miles from the American Frontier. The English Troops left Montreal by different routes to assemble together the following day at St. Johns, situated fifteen miles distant on the Southern Bank of the River. Sir John Colborne had under his command five thousand men. They were divided into two Brigades. Sir James McDonnell was at the head of the Artillery, - 7th Hussars - Grenadier Guards - 71st Regt. [Regiment?] and part of the 93d. General Clithero commanded another detachment of Artillery - King's Dragoon Guards 15th - 24th and 73rd Regiments. We were all stirring at day break, but a portion only of our Regiment could be conveyed at the same time & my Company & two Others did not consequently reach Laprairie till two o'clock. There is a rail road from Laprairie to St. Johns. The advance Party had left by it when we arrived, we were several hours in a barn awaiting the return of the Trains. At eight o'clock we learnt that as soon as the first Detachment had passed, the Rebels had quickly begun to destroy the iron work on the Rail Road and that the carriages in coming for us, had been thrown out of their proper course and entirely destroyed. The enemy had calculated that the empty trains would pass, and give way when filled with soldiers. Happily for us the weight of the engine exposed and defeated their plans so far as human life was concerned. Dispatches came to us that we must at all events reach St. Johns that night. The men, and I may also say the Officers, had had no food during the day - the weather was stormy and dark. The stores were all at St. Johns, no provisions could be procured and at twelve o'clock at night we were obliged to commence our weary march with no other refreshment than a glass of rum served out to each man. We were seven hours on foot, exposed to dreadful weather and wretched roads. The rain was incessant, but we were all wet through before we started. I certainly was overcome by fatigue, want of sleep and hunger, when at seven o'clock we reached L'Acadie. I threw myself on the floor of a house and nearly fainted, but three hours sleep and something to eat were of great use to me. We had none of us changed our wet clothes the Rain still continued. The drum beat and we again commenced a dreary march. The #PAGE 2 excitement and the necessity of exerting ourselves for the next day's anticipated work rallied our spirits. I felt much better when we arrived at Longueville, six miles from Napierville. We slept there. I caught a fowl in one of the deserted farm yards, my servant cooked it and I never relished anything more. I passed the night in a stable and slept most soundly. At daylight we were again on the move. We expected the Rebels to give us a warm reception and we approached the Town with caution and secrecy. Every one was elated, we expected victory. We were within a mile of Napierville. The Artillery guns were pointed. Our men had there Firelocks loaded, ready to be discharged at a single word. We were to make the first charge, my Company and another were ordered a hundred yards in advance. I was breathless with expectation, but never felt cooler or more composed in my life. I knew that I was in a post of danger, but I trusted in Providence & thought of you & the many happy years we had passed together. We slowly, but surely proceeded nearer and I felt surprised that the roar of Artillery, the volleys of Musketry & the stirring sounds of War were yet unheard. Hour after hour elapsed. At last we found ourselves in the middle of a deserted Town, the Rebels all fled. They had of course, got intimation of our approach & had gone off in all directions. We tried to pursue them but they were too far in advance and we only killed a few stragglers and made about fifty prisoners. Plunder then became the Order of the Day. The town was given up to the soldiery and on our departure the next day sacked and partially burnt. A town on fire has a grand effect but still gives rise to many painful feelings. After our departure from Napierville we spent nearly a week in pursuit of the Patriots (as they style themselves) but on our approach to every town, we found them fled and we had no other course left than to burn their houses. Horses and everything were also obtained for nothing & we soon assumed the appearance of a mounted Regiment. To march over the bad roads was indeed almost impossible, the continued wet had rendered them so heavy. We have been here four days and are billeted upon the inhabitants according to Martial Law. Sir John Colborne says that he will employ us when anything is to be done and has promised that we shall be quartered for the Winter in Montreal or its neighbourhood. We furnish seven officers to sit upon the important Court Martial which is to decide the fate of eight hundred prisoners now confined in Montreal. The disturbances in Canada, though put down in the Lower Province, are now raging in the Upper. The Frontiers near Prescott are constantly crossed by the Americans. I find my Father's present of the pistols of the greatest use. I always carry them in my sword belt. I am very much obliged to dearest Mamma for her extra payments into Coxe's hands. You are both so generous to me that I can never sufficiently thank you. If I could continue to live as cheaply as I have done the last fortnight I should find little use for money. Everything here is left with owners & the Government Act of Confiscation renders Appropriation lawful. What different scenes I am now engaged in to any I ever saw in England. How I shall enjoy that dear country again and the society of the very many kind friends I have left there. How I do love you all. I am afraid that the Guards will be detained in Canada some time but the happy day of meeting you must arrive at last. Sir John Colborne has, I believe, written home for more troops. Much as I should rejoice in #PAGE 3 seeing dearest George here, I am not so selfish as to wish the Rifle Brigade to be sent out. The separation from two sons would, I well know, be insupportable to you. I will write soon again & tell you everything relative to my eventful career. In the meantime, assure yourselves of my unaltered love and affection. You are my best friends and my anxious wish is that I may always be worthy of you. Remember me most tenderly to my dearest brothers. Ever your most attached Son, Robert Peel Dawson. |
