My Journey to Fitzgibbon

     Today, I am back home from my journey, and I have lots to talk about! I first set off on a cowpath that led to St. David’s, and then I would go through the Black Swamp from there. I knew I had to avoid main roads, so I wouldn't be caught by officers. I remember getting stopped once by an American officer, asking me where I was going. I told him I was going to visit my brother Charles wounded at the home of Mrs. Stephen Ingersoll in St. David’s. After hearing that, he let me pass, and I hurried to Charles’s home, and told everyone there about my mission.

      My brother’s fiancée Elizabeth volunteered to go with me to Shipman’s corner, and we set off towards the swamp. After arriving at the swamp, I armed myself with a branch to help fight off wild animals, and we walked through mud, bushes, and trees, until we reached the main road that lead to Shipman’s corner. Next, Elizabeth left, and I started down Twelve Mile Creek. Halfway across I lost my shoe in the rushing water, but I went on, remembering the words of the men at my house. 

Black Swamp

     After crossing the creek, I went up a hill, and was surprised of the clusters of tents and groups of men there. At least a dozen men came towards me, and I recognized them as the First Nations Peoples. Although I was so scared, I told them in a firm voice to bring me to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon. And that was exactly what they did. The chief sent one of his men to escort me to the stone house where the Lieutenant was stationed. Once we arrived, he brought me to the Lieutenant, and I remember exactly everything I said:

“I am the wife of Sergeant James Secord, who was wounded in active duty at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Since my husband is not able to travel, I have brought this message. The enemy under Colonel Boerstler and directed by Chapin’s guerrillas plan a surprise attack tomorrow. They have a much larger force than you.” 

James FitzGibbon
(Red)

     After the Lieutenant looked at me for a while, he suddenly blurted out my name, and that was when I realized that Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon was Red! He then sent me to a lady upstairs to Mrs. De Cew, who sent me with a man who brought me in a farmhouse a few fields away from the stone house, in a small clean room. Mrs. De Cew helped me wash my bleeding feet and give me soft shoes to wear. After resting for a bit, I was told that the Americans had surrendered without a battle, and that Red wanted to talk to me. 

     So, the following afternoon, I was at the De Cew house talking with Red about how he came to the British army. He told me that after the sailed to Ireland, the French fleet invaded his area, and troops from England were sent to protect the area. That was when he wanted to join the army. After our little chat, Mr. Turney, the owner of the farmhouse I stayed in let me ride in his wagon to bring me back home. Once I arrived home, James gave me a warm welcome, and now, I am feeling so proud of myself for my contribution to the war. 

A map of my journey

Overhearing Battle Plans

     This evening, something quite scary happened. But before I go on, I would like to provide you with some background knowledge on the war. The Americans now control a large part of the Niagara Peninsula. But, in the lower region of the peninsula, an Irishman named James Fitzgibbon still inhabits it. The war seems to be in favor of the Americans, with three thousand Americans against only seven hundred Canadians. 

     Anyways, today (June 21, 1813), some American soldiers came knocking on our door, and they tried to search our house. But, I quickly offered to show them around the house and I lead them upstairs, then back down to the main floor. I then offered them a meal, which they immediately agreed to. In about twenty minutes, I had finished preparing the meal, and I served the food to them. They ate like pigs, eating large portions of the food. 

     I recognized that the leader of the group was Dr. Cyrenius Chapin and I walked out the back door, and heard the conversation of the men inside through the kitchen window, and the most frightening news came about. This is what I heard:

“So, Captain, we attack the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, we’ll combine forces with all Boerstler’s troops at Fort George and march down on the last foothold in the Niagara Peninsula. When he’s wiped out, Upper Canada is ours!”

     I was so scared to hear that. What if they did decide to attack? The entire Upper Canada may become American territory if nobody warned Fitzgibbon of the attack! So after the men left, I told James what I had heard. We discussed how if he does attack, all of Upper Canada will be in danger, and that if Fitzgibbon is not warned, they might gain the Peninsula, and soon Upper Canada as well! 

     Since James was wounded, I decided to bring the message to Fitzgibbon, and I will be leaving first thing in the morning tomorrow. So, forgive me for not posting anything for the next week or so, because I am to go on a mission! 

Meeting Red      

     Today, the most amazing thing happened. It started when a large old woman came to the front of my kitchen door, asking for some of my baking. I welcomed her into the house, and she asked me for some butter for her to purchase. Before I went to get the butter, I served her a meal of hot potatoes and eggs. But what had really confused me was why this old lady had worn military boots. 

     I was about to leave to get the butter, when the lady told me in a low smooth voice to not be afraid. She also called me “Laura Ingersoll”, which meant she had known me before I was married. Then, the lady took off the heavy grey wig, and it was a man. He explained that he was Red! I can't believe it! I have seen Red again! So, I told him about my moving to Queenston, and how my family is now. 

     Then, after giving him his butter, he left, and I am quite sure I will never see him again. But, meeting Red was such a great surprise for me, because I have forgotten about him for a long time, and I was pretty sure I would never encounter him again. 

All because of some butter, I get to meet Red again!

After the Battle of Queenston Heights    

     I am glad I finally have the time to post again, because for the past months, I have been so busy with helping James with his wounds, and caring for the children. The family is well, and James’s shoulder wound has healed. But he still can't put full weight on his leg with the wounded knee. 

     The war however, has not been going too well for us. York has been invaded and captured by the Americans, and the Canadian frigate Isaac Brock was burned. Now, James is fuming over this loss. I just hope things go back to normal soon! But now, I will just have do the most I can to take of the family.

York is captured by the Americans

Finding James in the Battlefield     

     So much has happened today, so I will start from the beginning. The day started off normally, as Mrs. Law and her son John came to the farm to get away from the battle. Her older son and husband had been killed in the war. But shortly after their arrival, we realized John had disappeared. We looked everywhere in the farm, but only found that Mr. Clement’s musket and cartridge pouch had disappeared as well! 

     So, I went with Mrs. Law to the battlefield in Queenston, which we all guessed John would be trying to get revenge for his brother’s and father’s deaths. Once we got to the battlefield, we found John, and dragged him to my house, although Mrs. Law had gotten shot on the ankle. Then, several men defending the Heights came in the report news of the war, and after I asked them if they had seem James, they told me he was wounded on the battlefield! 

     Without hesitating, I rushed out to the battlefield in search of James, and towards the enemy line. I was so scared then, until I saw James lying still on the ground between two American soldiers who wanted to kill him! I ran in front of James to stop them from firing, and before they could do anything more, an American officer named Captain Wool stopped them, and allowed me to take James home, which I did right away. 

     After arriving home, a doctor named Dr. Greenfield came to see James. It turns out that he could not get the ball on his knee and that his leg may need to be amputated if it got infected. Oh, poor James! But I could not grieve for his injuries then, because I had to tend to him. A moment later, I heard men shouting the good news, that we have taken the Heights, and had won! When James heard of that, he seemed to relax more. Speaking of James, I think that I better go give him some clean clothes and water now! 

Journey to Clement's Farm     

     As I write this, I am not in my own home, but in Clements’ farm. But before I go on, I shall explain to you what has happened. Once I had woken up, I heard a cannon firing, and I knew right away that the war had come to Queenston. 

     Just when I was starting to worry about James, he came to the house with a team of four men carrying the great General Isaac Brock. They placed the dead general onto my bed, and James told me to bring the children to the countryside, where it will be safe from the war. 

     So, after speaking with him, I gathered the children and hurried away from the Heights, where the battle was fought. We went towards the Clement farm, because even though it was farther away, it would also be farther from Queenston and the war. After a long walk on muddy paths and forests, we arrived at the farm, where Mrs. Clement greeted us warmly and welcomed us in. Well, it is about time I checked on my children. I will go on about what happened tomorrow! 

Clement's Farm

Return to Queenston     

     I have come back to Queenston, and now, I shall update you with the recent news of the war. Unbelievable news of an American brigadier-general William Hull arrived recently. What happened was that Hull had lead troops across the Detroit River to Upper Canada, and sent men to plunder the countryside. But, he did not attack Amherstburg’s Fort Maiden, and even retreated across the Detroit River in mid-August! But, this news to me is not that good, because the next attack would obviously be farther east. What if their next target was Queenston? James would be in danger of going to defend Queenston, and the entire family had the danger of getting hurt. I pray that they won't strike Queenston, and that we will all be safe for whatever's coming.

A map of Queenston, one of the possible targets of the next American attack