Bound Volumes

December 1, 2022

210 YEARS AGOExcerpts from an address to soldiers by Brigadier Alexander Smyth, Commanding at Buffalo: “The time is at hand when you will cross the stream of the Niagara, to conquer Canada, and to secure the peace of the American frontier. You will enter a country that is to be one of the United States. You will arrive among a people who are to become your fellow citizens. It is not against them that we come to make war – it is against the government which holds them as vassals. You will make this war as little as possible distressful to the Canadian people. If they are peaceable, they are to be secure in their persons; and in their property, as far as our imperious necessities will allow. Private plundering is absolutely forbidden. Any soldier who quits his rank, to plunder on the field of battle, will be punished in the most exemplary manner. But your just rights as soldiers will be maintained. Whatever is booty by the usages of war, you shall have. All horses belonging to artillery and cavalry; all wagons and teams in public service will be sold for the benefit of the captors – 200 dollars for each horse drawing light artillery and $40 for the arms and spoils of each savage warrior killed. Public stores will be secured for the service of the United States. The government will, with justice, pay you the value.”

December 5, 1812