SC1896_FF1_062

58
[Tight binding, right margin is hard to read]
us, all at once, to one of the "Sister Islands" [over?]
which the great naval battle, was fought.
The Island is small, not having an area of more
than 9 or 10 acres, on which 5000 men were encamped
two or three days & became in that time the [fil-?]
[thiest?] [filthiest] spot [port] I ever saw. When we landed on it
it was literally covered with snails. Here I [became?]
so much worse that I could not be removed.
When the Army was about to embark for the
Canada shore, distant about 9 or 10 miles,
I gave orders to have me put into a boat, but
General Shelby hearing of my situation, came to see
me in company with Dr. Mitchell, his Surgeon
General, who gave it, as his opinion, that if I
was removed at that time, & put into one of the
boats, that I would not reach the Canada
shore alive. The Gen. peremptorily forbid my
being removed. A large number besides my-
self and friends, who were left with me were
also left on this filthy, desolate Island, mostly
without provisions amongst others was Maj.
Robt. P. Henry, son of Genl. Henry, who like myself
was too sick to be removed. A few nights [after-?]
wards [afterwards] at a late hour, an officer of the Navy
having the command of a small vessel, [?]
[led?] for he purpose of taking us to Detroit.
He came first to my quarters, & [?]
my removal to his vessel, & afterwards [?]
for Maj. Henry, who had with him a few
friends. I had with me some 4 or 5. He im-
mediately [immediately] gave orders for the vessel to sail
leaving at least 100 poor fellows on the Island.
Maj. Henry & myself remonstrated against
his sailing without taking all on board, when
he could have done in perfect safety. But
he was about "half seas [bear?]" & was deaf to
our entreaties. He landed us, the next day
Detroit. The poor fellows left on the Island
subsisted for 2 or 3 weeks on damaged meat
that had been thrown from the vessels while
lying at anchor off the Island; finding starvation
staring them in the face, they ultimately got off by patching
up and old boat [that?] had been left or had drifted on
the Island.
[Bottom of page torn off. Might be more words.]