Reminiscences of Roswell Tomlinson
Roswell Tomlinson's Reminiscences Of the Rebellion of
'37
From London Free Press, June 1891 and
also published in Early Settlers and Other Records of
County of Elgin, Elgin Historical and Scientific
Institute, St. Thomas 1911.
The Suckertown Incident
I have seen several statements in the Free Press from the old
vets of '37, and no particulars. I was living in Port Stanley
at the time. One night in November I was on guard near foot of
Bostwick's Hill, where the road branched off to a village called
Suckertown. In the corner of the fence between the two roads,
about midnight, I saw two sharp flashes, one after the other, I did
not like; I alarmed the guard, they came out about twenty strong,
but could see nothing. The next morning we found tracks in the
field and on the hill above the village. A man by the name of
Walter Chase lived in Port, but fled to Sparta and joined the
rebels after, and was taken prisoner on board the schooner Ann, at
Amherstburg; confessed that he snapped his gun twice at the
sentries that night and saw we were too strong for him to face, and
fled.
Call Out January 6th '38 - Fearfully
Muddy
On the sixth of January, '38, the Colonel got orders to call out
a company and march to the front, Windsor. We marched on the
seventh: the roads were fearfully muddy; January thaw; no frost in
the ground. We started with teams. The first day we got to
Water's Tavern, on Talbot Street, one mile west of what is now
Fingal. We all volunteered to take it afoot; off we started,
through much, fields and woods.
Plagued with Thin Ice but Comfortable
Bedding
We were four days going to Chatham. There we expected to take
the steamboat for Windsor. A few days before we got there the
steamer was burnt (supposed by the rebels); in consequence we were
obliged to lay five or six days in Chatham until the Tilbury swamp
froze over. While we laid in Chatham the schooner Ann was taken at
Amherstburg, and when we got strong we took up the march over the
swamp. We did not find the ice quite strong enough to bear up our
baggage team. We were obliged to take off the team and lead them
separately, and with a strong rope to the wagon, and all hands too
hold, and drew it on the ice. We stopped on the swamp all night in
a vacated old log house, built by fishermen and trappers for their
summer avocation. The one I was in was partly filled with straw, so
I made it quite comfortable with my blanket.
Got up in the morning, broke our fast on uncooked fat pork - in
fact it was our principal meat.
Little piece of bread,
And a little piece of meat,
Lard a massy, how sweet
It did eat.
John Best - Best Friend 'In Deed'
We got over the swamp about nightfall. On the route we came
across several places that were not frozen over, from ten to thirty
feet wide and about four or five inches deep. I had on low shoes.
My chum, John Best, now of Strathroy had boots. When we came to one
of these open places he would say, 'Here Ros, jump on my back?"
Away we would go across the water.
Sent Home after Six Weeks in Windsor
The fourth day we got to Windsor. After we left Chatham we were
stationed opposite Hay Island. I was there about five or six
weeks. The Colonel came to me one day on parade and said he
was going to send several home that were needed home more than on
the front. He said he thought I had better go for one, as he knew
my father was with the St. Thomas Light Horse Company at
Amherstburg, and my oldest brother at home, only nine years old. He
could not look after the affairs at home, so I consented to go home
about 20th
Returned to Switch Places with Father
February, and got things in shape in a few days, and started for
Amherstburg with horse and cutter to take my father's place in the
St. Thomas troop of horse. I got there the last day of February and
took his place on the first of March.
Unusual Weapon!
The next day, in the afternoon, the whole garrison was called
out, with all deadly instruments of war we had or could get. My
weapon was a pole about ten feet long, with what they called a pike
on one end. Our troop was under the command of James Ermatinger,
now, I learn, Clerk of the County, at Simcoe, Norfolk County. He
was a fine and noble officer, and a Briton at that, and was liked
and beloved by all of his men. They would go any length for him
when needed. About the middle of the afternoon the word was given
to fall in and get to our places.
On to Pelee Island
Then the word was given, March" - direction, down the river to
the lake shore; then down the shore on the ice. The day was clear
and bright and cold. The sun was setting as we got on the lake; and
we kept on the ice until we got, I think, to Colchester. Then was
the first we knew of our destination. At a hotel there we were all
provided for, both man and beast. We got there about eleven
o'clock; then started at one o'clock in the morning, clear and
cold, the whole force about 400 strong, under command of
Colonel Maitland and piloted by Captain
Fox, of the Windsor Horse Troop. We got
to the Island about the break of day Saturday, March 3rd
'38.
Fear of Poisoning
We halted within half a mile of the Island - 20 or 30 sleighs
that conveyed the regulars, two half companies, 32nd and
83rd under command of Major Brown,
volunteers. The rebel sentinel espied us. They all turned out. They
thought it was not best to face us. We could see their bayonets
glitter as the sun rose on them. They fled down the Island in the
woods. When we got on shore not a soul was to be seen. They had on
the fire a tin-pail kettle full of potatoes boiling. They had other
provisions, but we did not eat any for fear of poison. We found our
caution was correct for the soldiers that were wounded died with
the effects of poisoned balls.
Bullets Flew Sharp and Quick - like
Waterloo
When we got on the Island we were divided. One part went down
the Island with Col. Maitland and the other
division went down on the ice on the American side, under the
command of Major Brown, with the two half
companies of regulars and a few volunteers; two horse companies,
the St. Thomas and Windsor. We got about half way down the Island.
The rebels came out of a thicket cedar, with the intent to cut
their way and escape to the American side. They had no other
alternative. They formed in regular line of battle, under command
of Col. Bradley (an old Mexican ranger) about four
hundred strong. We prepared in quick time to meet them. We fired
first. They returned it with great precision, and for about fifteen
minutes the bullets flew sharp and quick. The Major said he did not
see a greater test at Waterloo.
Rebel Leader Bradley Shot - Killed
Instantly
I Lost One Comrade - Joshua Parrish
Col. Bradley was shot in the forehead and
killed instantly, by a Sergeant of the regulars, and that threw the
rebels into a kind of panic. Major Brown
then gave the command "Charge bayonets." Then it
was a sight to see which would get in the cedar swamp first and
keep out of reach of English steel. We thought it not prudent to
follow them as they were well fortified in the swamp. I lost one
comrade, Joshua Parrish, of St. Thomas. He was
shot dead on his horse. He was riding between my father and Thomas
Meek (Sheriff Glass' uncle).
Four Hours Sleep in Forty Eight
When all was over we marched for the main land, and got on shore
about 11 o'clock p.m., hungry and tired; had nothing to eat until
we got back on shore. We stopped until next day (Sunday). After a
scanty meal we started from Amherstburg, and got there in the
evening, completely fagged out; had about 4 hours sleep out of
48.
Military Funeral for Joshua Parrish
On Tuesday we had a military funeral, my brother trooper and one
of the regular soldiers, 32nd. We kept on duty until the
first of May. We were disbanded, with strict orders to be ready at
a minute's call.
Sixty Return to Windsor in July
In July the rebels made a raid on Windsor. We were called out on
duty. Not many of the old troopers responded to the call, and we
filled up with new recruits. Sixty strong, we laid in St. Thomas
until fall; then we were ordered to London to be attached to the
2nd Regiment that was there, to carry dispatches. The
Simcoe troop joined us, Capt. Wilson in command.
Few Left [1891]
There are only two persons now living [1891] that I know were
with us at Amherstburg; that is Mr. Meek, of Strathroy, father of
F.W. Meek, druggist, and Dr. McKenzie, London. Dr. McKenzie was our
troop surgeon at Amherstburg.
There are only six of us living that I know of - our brave and
noble Capt. James Ermatinger, Wm. Meek, John Best, Thomas Davidson,
Henry Wilcox, and the writer - out of sixty. I would like to see
all that are living meet in London on Dominion Day if possible. I
was trumpeter in the troop. We were disbanded on the first day of
May, 1840, to turn out at a minute/s warning. I will be 7 the
14th day of August next.
by Roswell Tomlinson.
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