Beschreibung:

Extensive archive of War of 1812 correspondence, 38 Autograph Letters Signed by Benjamin Watson to his wife, Frances (primarily dating from his service in the War) and 17 Manuscript Documents concerning a court-martial, almost all 4to, various lengths, 1812-1815, condition varies. Watson gives frank and thrilling descriptions of his war experience to his wife. He was one of only 18 men to survive the massacre at the Battle of Lundy Lane and describes conditions before and after this and other battles. In part: "Skirmishes are continually taking place between our foraging parties and Pickets of the Red Coats and Indians ... tremendous war whoop has become familiar to our ear ... Oct 19, 1812 ... we arrived here yesterday after a tedious march thru mud and bad weather ... November 17 1812 ... I was seized about a fortnight since with the camp fever and that with bleeding, pukeing physicking want of appetite ... it snowed almost continuously ... June 16 1813 ... the British charged in upon the Lane ... twice they were repulsed by our fire ... 45 were killed & wounded ... we were totally unsupported except by one Regiment ... my horse was shot in action, 500 men were entirelly cut off , the whole being killed or taken prisoners ... July 1813 ... the enemy are about 12 miles from this place ... skirmishes are daily taking place ... a party of about 40 men were yesterday cut off by the Indians, 6 of them were found dead in the field scalped and mangled in a shocking manner ..." and much more. Watson was such a devoted correspondent that two letters here are written with his left hand, when his right arm was lamed. See illustration.