From the Otsego Herald

for Saturday, Oct. 10, 1812

Compiled, with comments

by HUGH C. MacDOUGALL



Weather: Utica 1812 Almanack: Now clear and pleasant.



Obituary

Died, in the town of De Ruyter, county of Madison (N.Y.) on the 30th day of September, at five o’clock in the morning, after a long and severe illness, of three months and five days; which she bore with uncommon patience and christian fortitude, Mrs. Lucinda Coye, wife of Mr. Jason Coye, in the forty second year of her age.

COMMENT: Lucinda (Thorpe) Coye was the wife of Jason Coye or Coy (b. Pomfret, Conn., in 1770); they had one child, Hannah. In 1860 Jason was still living, (with a farmer in Butternuts), and was listed as blind.



A New Doctor

DR. CARPENTER, respectfully, informs the Public, that he has commenced the practice, of PHYSIC and SURGERY, in the town of Maryland; and hopes to merit the patronage, of a generous public; by a strict and punctual attention, to every command, in the line of his Profession; the least favor will be greatfully [sic] acknowledged, and advice given gratis.

N.B. A Student can be accommodated, with the use of a good Library. Maryland, Oct. 5, 1812.

COMMENT: Dr. Joseph Carpenter (1784-1855) was born in Massachusetts; he married Hannah Olmstead (b. ca. 1784).

He lived out his life in Schenevus, Town of Maryland, and is buried in the Schenevus cemetery.



Indian Attack

“Since the capture of General Hull [by the British at Detroit], the Indians are becoming very troublesome on our frontiers. About 20 miles from this [Louisville, Ky.], in the Indiana Territory, a settlement of 7 families was attacked by the savages: they killed 17 persons. Several children were found buchered [sic] in a most shocking manner. With the houses were burnt also several mothers and children -- they burnt every cabin in the settlement, rendering it a bloody waste! This all occurred on the night of the 2nd [of September]. Yesterday a posy [posse] collected on the ground: we have now collected and in our yard, nine bodies (women and children only) whose situation is too bad to describe.

“A party of about 200 men have gone in pursuit of this detatchment of Indians.” — Letter to Baltimore, dated September 5, from a merchant in Louisville, Kentucky.



Another Attack

Lexington, K., September 3. A gentleman of undoubted veracity arrived in this place yesterday morning who was at the house of Col. Colloway in Henry county, about 12 miles from Westport, on Friday night last. He states that between one and two o’clock in the morning, an express arrived to Col. Colloway informing him that considerable mischief had been done by the Indians on Thursday night, on Pigeon Fort of Silver creek, fifteen miles from Westport.

The Colonel immediately collected about 100 men, and proceeded on to Westport, when he crossed the Ohio about 12 o’clock on Saturday. From Westport he sent a message home, stating that 15 families had been killed by the Indians, two individuals only have been known to have escaped. The greatest activity was prevailing when our informant left Colonel Colloway’s, and he supposed by this day 1000 men will have crossed the river to pursue the Indians.



Kentucky Volunteers

For several days past volunteers from various parts of the state have been marching through our town, to join the army under gov. [William Henry] Harrison. Men more hardy and determined, more capable of braving the fatigues of an active campaign, we have never seen.

They are the sons and true representatives of those old warriors, who first conquered and defended, and then settled Kentucky. They will support the reputation which Kentucky has acquired for vallor [sic] and patriotism. They know they fight in a just cause, and are eager to avenge upon our enemies the wrongs done to our country.

We were much pleased to see Mr. M’KEE and Mr. MONTGOMERY in the ranks as common soldiers. Mr. M’Kee had voted in Congress for the war, and now proves the sincerity of his professions by offering his blood and life to his country’s service. Mr. Montgomery is a new member of that body; and his present conduct affords testimony of what we may expect in time to come. — Lexington Republican

COMMENT: Samuel McKee (1774-1826) was a Representative from Kentucky from 1809-1817, who had played a key role in promoting the War of 1812 with Great Britain. He served as a private soldier in the summer of 1812, where as a member of the staff of General William Henry Harrison, he reported back to his friends in Congress, including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Thomas Montgomery (1779-1828) served as Representative from Kentucky from 1813-1815 and 1821-1823.



American surrender of Fort Michilimackinac

Letter from Lt. Porter Hanks, American commander of the strategic fort between Lakes Huron and Michigan, dated Aug. 4, 1812:

“I could discover that the enemy were in possession of the heights that commanded the fort.... At half past 11 o’clock [on July 17] the enemy...demand[ed] the surrender of the fort and island.... I was as well prepared...as I possibly could have been with the force under my command, amounting to 56 effective men, including officers.... I ascertained the strength of the enemy to be from 900 to 1000 strong...[with] two pieces of artillery.... [It] was impossible...to hold out against such a superior force.... The fort and garrison were accordingly surrendered....”

COMMENT: Thus the United States lost control of the upper Great Lakes for the War of 1812. Lt. Hanks was captured, released, and killed at Detroit on Aug. 16.