2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Autograph Letter Signed, “Jos. Bickley”Liuet. Col. Ball’s Squadron Light Dragoons, U.S. Volunteers, 4p. quarto, August 3, 1813, Camp Lower Serreca Town, 9 miles form Sandusky, with excellent content, it reads in most part: “...Day before yesterday myself with six others went from this place to Sandusky with Mag. Baodly our spies had got in ho had been down Sandusky River & brought news that the British were moving up towards Sandusky - we remained there about 3 hours & returned to this place; about 10 minutes after we started the British made their appearance - several of our men were out of the Fort, the Indians killedo ne and took another. Col. Elliott demanded a surrender of the fort. Maj. Croughan who commanded told him he had been preparing for him & before he would surrender he would bury his bones in the ashes of the Fort. The British then erected their Batteries within 150 yards of the Fort & commenced cannonading but not very brisk they continued firing slowly until yesterday evening about 3 oclock when the firing began much sharper; they continued so until near sundwon when they attempted to storm we had but one cannon in the Fort a 6 pounder which was placed in a position to rake an outside ditch - which the enemy knew nothing of - they moved up in 3 columns to the Fort; it being an open place many of them were killed; when they got to the ditch they thought it was the dirt thrown up against the picketing some active men jumped across but many fell in; so soon as our men saw this & having their cannon well loaded with slugs of lead they discharged it twice before any could get out nearly every one were killed this damded their ardour & they retreated from the picketting - so soon as it grew dark nearly al of their killed & wounded were taken off by the Indians. This morning the pleasing news arrived at this place - Gen. Harrison with our squadron & 500 foot marched immediately for Sandusky where we reviewed the scene. 1 Lieut Col. 1 Lieutenant & 21 privates were lieing dead in the ditch 25 privates & one sergt. were prisoners. 12 of them badly wounded. Those that could walk were marched to this place. Procter was there about 500 British & 2000 Indians; Maj. Croughan had but about 200 in the Fort only 140 fit for duty - we had but one man killed & about 10 wounded. After the British retreated some of their men deserted & came to the Fort they say 250 of the British were killed & wounded & many Indians. Majr. Muir of the British army was wounded the Col. who was killed is by the name of Short. When the British were ordered to storm Col. Elliot told them to show no quarters Procter & Elliott fell back when they attempted to storm - We have about 2000 regulars here beside the squadron...” Some toning, mostly affects 2nd leaf, else VG.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.