They Were Great Soldiers But Lousy Sailors

They Were Great Soldiers But Lousy Sailors

While Ensign William Schillinger was home on leave the end of May, 1813, Captain Hosbrook and his company had been ordered to Ft. Winchester with boat loads of supplies for that place. When Schillinger arrived back at the fort on June 5th, the first thing he noticed was that Fort Amanda felt deserved. There were only  dozen or so soldiers at the fort, the others taking supplies to Fort Winchester. Schillinger then learned that while he was gone Private Charles Murry of his company had died on June 1st, just 4 days earlier. The following day, Schillinger wrote in his journal;

 “found myself quite Lonesome on account of the Company being gone. “Note Charles Murry, a Private in our Company Died on the 1st Day of June & was buried with the Honors of War “at this post (Amanda).”

Boat Becomes Grounded

The letter below is from Captain Hosbrook to Major Kain regarding one of the boats carrying supplies was stuck on a rock near Fort Winchester.

 Fort Winchester June the 3rd, 1813

Sir: On the 2nd instant one o’clock pm, I landed at this place, and in a short time after the boats were all safe landed with the exception of two; viz, with one of them used by Ensign Gray which (?) upon a rock about three quarters of a mile above this place. The one that was grounded just below Amanda floated against it, drove it over the rock and sticking fast itself on the same rock sunk immediately by at the stern and in consequences of the crack above the gunnel seams being large and open, the barrels were afloat in it before we were able to get them all out, we landed the craft we had and threw the balance overboard leaving the boat full of water. The flour floated down to the fort where I had it taken out. The Ensigns boat landed here, the lading was taken out, after which it went to the bottom; some of the flour perhaps would be the better of replacing. I believe the loss is not great.

You will please to let Col. Orr know that all the boats manned by the men of my company are safe with their loading at this place; some of the men that were not on land then were employed in clearing   and in searching for the channel viz. nine in number and all were necessarily employed.

The fort is so crowded that I preferred the tented field, not withstanding the invitation I had to enter and partake with my brother officers and fellow soldiers. We were all well too except George Sedgwick. I wish to see my company all together again as soon as circumstances and the public (?) will permit.

Give my respects to all inquiring friends tell them I am well

With respect sir, I remain yours
Daniel Hosbrook

 

The Original Letter

Thee are a couple interesting points in this letter.  First of all Hosbrook mentions the terms “gunnels” and “seams” meaning the boats were more sophisticated in construction than rafts or canoes. In fact Schillinger in an April 1813 entry, he noted that one boat coming up from Ft. Logan (Wapakoneta) was carrying 50 barrels of flour.

Also interesting is that the letter from Hosbrook to Major Kain at Ft. Amanda is dated June 3rd. The boat trip from Amanda to Winchester was normally a 2 day trip, meaning Hosbrook and his company probably left Amanda the same day Murry died. Because Hosbrook only mentions George Sedgwick being ill, and nothing about Murry, the assumption is Murry died later in the day after the company left and Captain Hosbrook had not yet been informed of it.

Note: Hosbrook that one of the boats being used by Ensign Gray had gotten stuck on a rock;
“…about three quarters of a mile above this place.”

This would have placed the accident near this islands in the Auglaize River shown in the picture below:

Hosbrook also mentioned;

 The one that was grounded just below Amanda floated against it, drove it over the rock and sticking fast itself on the same rock sunk immediately by at the stern and in consequences of the crack above the gunnel seams being large and open, the barrels were afloat in it before we were able to get them all out,.

The one that was grounded just below Amanda floated against it, drove it over the rock and sticking fast itself on the same rock sunk immediately by at the stern and in consequences of the crack above the gunnel seams being large and open, the barrels were afloat in it before we were able to get them all out,