Thomas Warner: War of 1812

From Thomas Warner to his Wife

"Do be pleased to write me how my dear children are and yourself ..."

Dear Mary

We arrived here after fatiguing a march to some of our men on Saturday evening, very good weather until the last day when it rained the whole day. The water ran down the mountains in torrents, however our men were in the highest spirits singing and joking each other all the way. Will have not a man on the sick list. For my own part I never was healthier in my life. In high spirits.

The citizens of Carlile have treated us with the greatest hospitality. They would not suffer us to pitch our tents until Sunday. They came forward and offered their houses beds and provisions for our accomodation gratis. On yesterday they presented the whole corps with an ellegant dinner and plenty of wine to drink their healths with which was done with enthusiasm. In truth their hospitality is beyond anything I ever experienced. Please to inform Mr. Barckley I saw his Brother Robert who was well. I met here a great number of old acquaintances Brother officers who treated me with the most marked attention. Should you be acquainted with any of those particular Ladies of the seventh ward who presented us our stand of colours you will please inform them they were so much admired we were obliged to display them.

My dear wife you will please inform my mother, my brothers and sisters and my friends also of my health etc. tell them I would write them but the extreem difficulty an officer is under of getting paper, time and other necessarys totally incapassitate me. Therefore they must wait with patience.

Do be pleased to write me how my dear children are and yourself as you and them are the only thing that prey on my mind I hope you will excuse me for not calling to bid you adieu as the trial would have been too great for me to bear. At the same time remember you are a soldiers wife - and one who loves you dearly give them one kiss and tell them their father puts up a prayer to heaven for their welfare.

Mr. Nolan, Our waggoner will be in town on Saturday and if you or any of my friends will write he will bring them direct to me. He will be found at Mr. Leypolds. Afterwards the letters must be directed to Niagara. Be pleased to tell Mr. Barckley to give my respects to Mr. Richardson, Mr. Sollers, Haslet, Taylor, Barry, Myers & all enquiring friends--- particularly request Mr. Barckley to write by Nolan, give my sincere love and respects to Groff and my Brother Andrew --- except for yourself and Children my love and esteem Mrs. Mary Ann Warner.

Your affectionate husband until death
Thomas Warner

I beg of you to write me by Nolan who will be at the shop on Saturday or Monday yours
T. W.

From Thomas Warner to his Wife

"... we embark for Canada - consequently it will be liberty or death."

My Dear Wife,

It is with a degree of satisfaction I inform you of my health and the greatest part of the Company. Tomorrow at 7 o'clock we embark for Canada - consequently it will be liberty or death.

You must excuse me for not writing you more as I am officer of the day and guard both, therefore, I am obliged through necessity to wright at 12 o'clock to night. My love to my parents and relations and tell them the next they hear from me I shall be in Canada.

Remember me to my Children tell them my soldiers love, and that nothing but death shall ever part us. You will please remember me to Mssrs. Graof, Barkley, Sollers, Richardson, Taylor, Haslet, Barry and all enquiring friends --- except my dear wife my sincere love and esteem

Thomas Warner Esign B. V.

N.B. direct your letters to Thomas Warner Ensign, B.V. care of Major Noon at Buffalo or elsewhere Yours, T. W.

From Thomas Warner to his Wife

"Remember me to my children. Tell them I have not forgot them."

My Dear Wife,

I arrived here on Saturday last after a disagreeable journey blocked by ice, snow, etc. We are preparing to move off from here but to where I do not know. Under the circumstances I cannot tell you where to direct your letters which is truly mortifying to me. If I should be spared when I possibly can I will write you.

I am rather unwell at present. I hope it will not continue long. Remember me to my children. Tell them I have not forgot them. You please inform my Brother and all those who may enquire after me that I would write them but it is with the greatest difficulty I have time to write this to you, therefore tell them that our regiment is divided and our Company and the Albany Greens are attached to general Pikes Brigade and are to embark abroad of the fleet for some secret expedition which they shall hear of as soon as the nature of it has transpired.

Tell them our Company has reduced to 65 effective men out of all those brave fellow we started with. That their decipline far exceeded any regulars I ever saw, that the British call us the Baltimore Blood hounds. If we should meet with any of them we shall give a good account of them.

The beauty of our little fleet surpasses anything I ever saw, I think they can flog twice their number without any difficulty. One of them, called the growler, has gone out as a spie to see whether the coast is clear or not etc. etc.

Give my love to my father and mother sisters, brothers & to old seventisixer and tell him I have not forgot what he suffered for my liberties. Neither will I part with them until I suffer full as much. Being hurried I must close.

except for yourself and children My Dear Wife a father and Husbands love and esteem

Thomas Warner Ensign
B.U.T. Vtrss

N. B. my sincere respects to Mr. Taylor, Froly, Barkley Majors Haslett, Richardson, Soller etc. etc. etc.
Yours T. W.