War 1812 (28 page)

From the edge of the swamp, men cheered as Johnson was brought out. “Three cheers for Colonel Johnson, the man who killed Tecumseh.”

“Reckon he’ll ever give you the credit?” Surprised, Jonah and Moses turned. “I saw it,” Captain Clay Gesslin said. “He shouldn’t take the credit.”

“So far, I haven’t heard him do so,” Jonah remarked.

“He ain’t said he didn’t,” Gesslin replied, staunch in his belief.

“He won’t.” Again the three men turned. It was Captain Hampton. In searching for his friends, he’d heard the exchange. “He needs the political recognition that will come from being known as the man that killed Tecumseh. He might even ride the reputation to the White House. You don’t have any political aspirations, do you, Jonah?”

Shaking his head, Jonah replied, “None.”

“Then you shouldn’t mind, sir, as your silence will give you a powerful man as an ally. Believe me, gentlemen, if he lives, Johnson will one day be a powerful man.”

Epilogue

O
nce back on the
main road, Jonah’s group was spotted by Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson. As the colonel rode over to the men, he inquired about his brother. After hearing of his wounds, Johnson rode off to where the surgical tent had been set up. The surgeons from both armies were busy caring for the wounded, regardless of their uniform.

As Johnson rode off, Jonah looked up at the still mounted Commodore Perry. He had been at Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson’s side since the first bugle had sounded.

“Well Commodore, “Jonah said with a smile. “Are you ready to give up your ships and sails for the Calvary?”

Chuckling, the commodore shook his head. “It’s been exciting. and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Then, with his feet in the stirrups, he rose up and pulled at his trousers adding, “But I don’t think my bottom could stand much more.” This brought about the laugh as he knew it would.

As soldiers drifted out of the swamp, one of Gesslin’s men approached and volunteered, “Did you hear, sir? Not only did we get Tecumseh, but we killed six other chiefs as well. One of them is said to be Tecumseh’s brother-in-law, Wahsikegaboe (Firm Fellow). He was married to Tecumapeace, who was Tecumseh’s sister.”

I wonder how he knows that,
Jonah thought. But the man answered the question before it was asked.

“Most of the Indians ran off carrying as many of their wounded as possible. But one of the captured Indians is being taken around, and he’s identifying those left behind, both the dead and wounded.

The sun was starting to go down when the patrol Harrison sent after General Proctor returned. They had not been able to overtake the British general, but they were able to capture his baggage train, which Proctor had not spared the time or men for. Going through the confiscated possessions, Harrison’s men collected personal papers and dispatches, which Harrison decided to forward on to Washington.

In a jovial mood after winning the battle, Harrison sent for Jonah. “Well, old friend,” he greeted Jonah. “I see we’ve made it through another campaign. I feel we have broken the British hold on the northwest, and I’m about to send dispatches to that effect to Washington. I’m still waiting on an accurate count of men killed, wounded, and prisoners captured to include in that dispatch. That will give you time to write your own report so the rider can include it in his bag.”

This was a kind offer, Jonah realized. Harrison was offering the proverbial ‘olive branch.’ Why shouldn’t he? The campaign had been won. Not much of a battle in one sense, but a great victory in another.

“Thank you, sir. I will write a brief report. General,” Jonah spoke again.

“Yes,” Harrison replied.

“My congratulations, sir; I salute you.”

Moved by Jonah’s remarks, Harrison responded, “You were a big part of it, old friend. Let not a few words spoken in anger at heated times come between us.”

“Thank you,” Jonah replied.

Later, by the heat of a flickering campfire, drinking strong black coffee, Hampton was quoting figures to his friends. “We’ve been able to count thirty-three dead Indians, and there’s no telling how many of them the retreating Indians dragged away. However, when we went back for Tecumseh’s body it was nowhere to be found.”

“I’m sure some of his braves snuck back and took the body,” Moses volunteered.

“Regardless, we’ll pack up and head home tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!” Jonah repeated.

“Yes,” Hampton replied. “Harrison has nailed shut the door the Commodore closed. Harrison will reinforce strategic forts and will push on with a large force making sure the British don’t mount a counter offensive. But for most of the volunteer militia, the war is over. Governor Shelby is taking his boys home tomorrow; their moment of glory is over.”

“I think we shall ride with them, at least as far as Sandwich,” Jonah replied. “Plan on spending some time there, do you?” Gesslin jokingly said to his friend.

“One never knows,” Jonah returned, but his mind was firmly set on a lovely widow who said she’d be waiting.

Without another word, Moses went about packing their belongings and thinking they’d more likely-than-not meet up with some of the Indian women who responded so positive to his protection. Downright grateful they were!

Historical Notes

This book was written to honor the 200th anniversary of America’s second revolution. The forgotten conflict as it is called by some. Tom Grundner and I talked about the upcoming 200th anniversary, and it was his encouragement that was the deciding factor for me to agree to write a trilogy on the war.

With the exception of my characters, I tried to remain true, good or bad, to the leaders of the war. The battles from Frenchtown and the massacre at the River Raisin, to the attack at Fort Stephenson; and the last big battle outside of Moraviantown were as historically accurate as possible. The ship to ship battles on the Great Lakes where Commodore Perry defeated the British naval commander, Captain Barclay followed the history books very closely.

The description of the landscape and the elements endured by our fighting men was as close to the actual events as I could make it. Of course, this is a work of fiction, so I did take certain liberties. There was no way to put a real life person at all the historically significant events, hence the creation of the president’s man. A person who had a certain degree of freedom to move about as he wished and could travel to hot spots as the need arose.

The following books in the trilogy will deal with the Battle of Horseshoe Bend and include the fall of Washington. The last book will be based on the Battle of New Orleans.

For anyone interested in reading more on the War of 1812, I highly recommend the following books:

Kentucky in the War of 1812
by Anderson, Chenault, Quisenberry

The War of 1812, a Forgotten Conflict
by Donald R. Hickey

1812, the War that Forged a Nation
by Walter R. Borneman

Union 1812
by A.J. Langguth

Warships of the Great Lakes 1754-1834
by Robert Malcomson

About the Author

Michael Aye is a retired Naval Medical Officer. He has long been a student of early American and British Naval history. Since reading his first Kent novel, Mike has spent many hours reading the great authors of sea fiction, often while being “haze gray and underway” himself. This is his first novel on the War of 1812.

Acknowledgements

American authors, Jim Nelson and Bill Hammond, continue to lend an ear and offer advice and wisdom to a novice. I feel that they set the standard by which the rest of us strive to reach. Thanks for always being there.

British author, Alaric Bond, has become a good friend. His in-depth knowledge and willingness to share information about the business has been heartfelt. Alaric’s unique style and deviation from the usual format for his characters place him in a category by himself and in line with the masters of nautical fiction.

To Chris Lindensmith of Bitingduck. This is our first work together and it has been a pleasure.

The availability of this work is totally due to the dedication and tireless efforts of my writing partner and my partner in life. Her name should come first.