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You know of Molly Pitcher. Do you know of Betsy Doyle?
You know of Molly Pitcher. Do you know of Betsy Doyle?
Item # 702993
December 19, 1812
THE WAR, New York, Dec. 19, 1812
* Rare Betsy Doyle report
* Fort Niagara heroine
* War of 1812
Most of the front page is taken up with a: "Official Report, to Brigadier General Smyth with much war reporting, signed in type: Geo. McFeeley, Lt. Col. Commanding Fort Niagara.
Within McFeeley's report is: "...An instance of extraordinary bravery in a female (the wife of one Doyle, a private in the United States Artillery, made a prisoner at Queenston,) I cannot pass over. During the most tremendous cannonading I have ever seen, she attended the six-pounder on the mess-house with red hot shot, and showed fortitude equal to the Maid of Orleans...".
In an act of female heroism during combat, much like the work of Molly Pitcher (although considered folklore by many historians), Betsy Doyle played a notable role. A mother of four whose husband was captured at the Battle of Queenston & held as a prisoner by the British, after some gunners were wounded Betsy stepped in to help. The Americans were loading "red hot shot" into their guns to fire at Fort George. Betsy helped bring the shot from the fireplaces downstairs to the guns.
Inside has: "Brilliant Naval Exploits" concerning Capt. Decatur & the frigate United States capturing the Macedonian, being a report to Congress signed by the President; James Madison; a great letter written on board the U.S.S. United States, at Sea & signed: Stephen Decatur, with his account of the taking of the Macedonian, including a list of killed & wounded on his ship. More on this also in an editorial datelined: "Washington, Dec. 10".
Page 3 has: "General Smyth's Account" which has a prefacing paragraph as to him recovering from his wounds, followed by Smyth's: "...reasons for not planting the American standard on the Canada shore...". It carries over to take half of page 4. The back page also has a letter from Commodore Rodgers to the Sec. of the Navy.
Four pages, 9 by 11 1/4 inches, tiny binding holes at the blank spine, good condition.
This is a fascinating, short-lived newspaper, having begun in 1812 with the exclusive purpose of reporting on the War of 1812 (hence the title). When the war ended, so did this newspaper.
Category: War of 1812
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