American Historical Ephemera & Photography

3 pages, 4to, on a bifolium, addressed on an integral leaf. 

MORTON WRITES TO PETER P. DOX ABOUT HIS BROTHER, CAPTAIN MYNDERT M. DOX

Myndert M. Dox served as Captain in the Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry from 1812 to 1815 in Geneva, NY.  G. H. Morton sends his brother, Peter P. Dox, an updated: "Err this you will have heard of the strange and unaccountable manner in which General Smyth has closed the campaign of the army of the centre. We have received a letter from Jacob in Buffalo dated 4th...giving an account of the movements of the army from Saturday morning until Tuesday when the expedition was declared to be at an end. I will repeat the substance of his acct.--The regular war marched down to Black Rock on Friday evening and before day on Saturday morning. 150 regulars and 100 sailors were sent over to attack the batteries." 

 "Myndert who had command of one detachment received a wound immediately on landing and notwithstanding drew up his boats on shore and having formed his men made a furious attack upon the enemy artillery and took two pieces. ...on looking around found his boats afloat down the river. He immediately called to his men to come and assist in recovering the boats and rushed up to his arm pits into the water. His men ran down leaped into the boards and put up the to the opposite shore, in spite of Myndert ordering them back. He was left entirely alone and on getting out of the water was taken prisoner by a party of the enemy. They took away his sword and proceeded with him toward one of the batteries. On their approach, Myndert discovered it in possession of our men and gave the countersign Wynder and was instantly released and the British guard fired on. ...Myndert was then in snug quarters in Buffalo and received every attention. His wound is in the calf of his leg and will not confine him long...We have not had a single line from him since he left Geneva. ...While writing Lawson has just arrived safe."

Morton includes an extensive description of the battle action in early December around Black Rock and includes descriptions of the actions of General Smyth.