Henry Crowell Letter of  1812
Submitted by Millie Stewart

Point Pitter 22 November 1812
 

Dear Wife,

I have nothing worth communicating since my last to
you and only write that you may have the satisfaction
of hearing that I am very well.  I am in better state
of health and fatter than I have been in two years.
My waistcoats are too small and my breaches too
tight.

I am apprehensive you are not all so well at home for
I fear there is something amiss or some of you would
have wrote me before now.

It is quite uncertain when we shall leave here not
before two or three weeks if then unless they send me
to Fernandina or Amelia Island, which has been
contemplated by Col. Smith, but tis uncertain whether
that will take place or not.

There will be no further movements of the troops from
this place till further orders firm General Pinkney
who is absent in Florida or from Gen. Flournoy, the
orders will depend entirely on the decision of
Congress to say whether they will or will not take
Augustine if they say take it we shall commence a
train operations, if not we shall be ordered out of
the province. I am strongly of the opinion we shall
be ordered to commence to plan of operations and they
will be vastly laborious.

Richard Whitaker has been sick with a cold, he is
better. S. Paul and Hardy Whitaker are both fat.
Went with his company to Florida.

I hope wife you will bear my absence with fortitude
recollecting I am in the service of my country and if
I die my grave will be overspread with laurels.  A
letter from you or your father would be satisfactory.

Tell Mary I; have just opened the big jar of butter
eat little about twice a week to taste my mouth, tis
very good.  We are all healthy colds excepted.

I am dear wife your constant and affectionate
husband.

H. Crowell

Note:
Point Pitter is near Penfield in Greene County.
Don't hold me to that one.  He was a Captain, and He
was under Col. Smith. He formed his own company. They
were apparently under General Pinkney.  I find that
the War of 1812 is somewhat sketchy for records.

Henry and Sarah Cantey eloped, she 16, and he 26.
The story goes that he rode his horse to the Lady's
kitchen window, and she jumped from the window to the
back of the horse and they were off in gallop. They
married in Washington County, where he was Deputy
Sheriff in 1811.  However they married in 1808.

Camp 10 October 1812
 
Dear Wife,

I have but little to write and but little time to
write, for I have got up and put on my clothes at ten
o'clock to write this. We are going on but very
slowly.  We have this night camp! about fifty miles
below Sanderville.  We are going on tolerable well &
in tolerable health. There is some sickness among us
which I believe originates from being out and eating
fresh beef.

I have found the most infinite service from the
provisions I took with me in first. I do not know how
I should have made out without it.  Mamma Martin gave
me a jar of butter & one of preserves.  I have never
drawn a ration yet.

I hope I shall have it in my favor to write you more
favorable news of my situation than you expected,
before the middle of next month.

I will write to you by every opportunity if I would
write & leave the letters at Tuckers, it could be
handed to me  by private Last(?). We have about 600
men along and 20 wagons. Kiss the children for me &
learn Jack to call Papa before I come home.

I am dear
wife, as usual, your devoted companion-

H. Crowell
                                                

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