In
last week's post, I wrote of the children of Flanders and Jemima Callaway, including their son Captain James Callaway. Captain James Callaway served in the rangers in the War of 1812 and died in combat when he and his men were ambushed along the Prairie Fork of Loutre Creek on March 7, 1815. Here I want to share a letter from Captain Callaway to his parents, especially because of its last paragraph. It was sent from Island Camp opposite Cap au Gris (along the Mississippi east of Winfield, MO). The expedition to "michilimakinak" (Mackinac Island, MI) that he mentions in the letter had ended in defeat for the Americans five days before he wrote the letter (the news would take time to reach him). He was right that he and his men would head toward Prairie du Chein soon -- they were part of a force mustered at Fort Cap au Gris under Major Zachary Taylor, but they would be outnumbered and defeated at the battle of Credit Island (Sept. 4-5, 1814). The letter is included in "
James Callaway in the War of 1812: Letters, Diary, and Rosters" by Edgar B. Wesley (Volume V, Number 1, October 1927 issue of
The Missouri Historical Society Collections).
Isleand Camp opposite Cappo Grais 9th August 1814
Dear father and Mother
I Take advantage of a few Leisure moments to inform you that I am well at Present and I hope when this Reaches you that you as well as the Rest of the family will be enjoying good Health. You will no Doubt Hear before this Reaches you of the surrender of the Troops at perara Deshain [Prairie du Chein] I have no orders at this time more than to lay here untill further orders, my men are generally Healthy and in High Sperits I expect that I shall go on to the Perara as I understand that their is Large Drafts a making amongst the malitia
I feel in great Sperits myself, I have a very good running Boat and well fortified — I think we are at the Defiance of the Indians unavoidable accidents expected I understand that an expedition is on foot against michilimakinak if they should be successful we shall have easy times to what is generally expected at this time and at all events the attention of the Indians will be Drawn towards that place as it is a post of greater Importance than Perara Deshain it is the opinion of the officers from pereri De Shain that the Indians will not be very Troublesome Down this way only in scouting parties as the great boddy of warriors will be Drawn of to the north and against they return it will be too Late to Come Down, and besides they must have time to hunt provisions for their families to Live on in the winter season
Dear parents I mentioned in the foregoing part of my Letter that I was in high sperits you will understand that this sperit flows only when I think of the Voyage I have undertaken, and believing that a man embarking in his Country Cause is not only honourable but his duty, and especially when it is invaded by a Cruel and savage foe. Should I Fall the Cause then will be an honourable one and I Trust no man may have it in his power to add a cowardly one, and, I want no person to grieve for me, but when I Consider that I am connected to a woman worthy of every blessing and calculated to render me entirely happy; to leave her together with my Darling Infants unprotected in a savage world my high millitary sperits falls below par, and I am almost Readdy to resign my Commission, but a moment Reflection with Respect to the situation of my Country together with this consideration that their is a number of men that has Joined the service that would not if any other person Commanded makes me Quit such Thoughts - Their is no man that Longs for a Private Life than I do, but I am at a great distance from it at present should you have an opportunity to call and Consolate my wife in her forlorn situation it would be Truly gratifying to me, with sincere wishes for your health welfare and hapiness I Remain sincerely your Dutiful son
JAs Callaway
Mr Flanders and Jamimah Callaway
St. Charles County
Sharette Village
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