ALS signed “John Bently,” one page both sides, 8 x 13, May 28, 1814. Letter home from Lt. John Bently to his wife Betty, providing a firsthand account of military matters in Buffalo approximately one month before American forces would cross into Canada for the last of the Niagara campaigns during the War of 1812. In part: "I want to have the wars to end, but still, I want that we should have a sufficient force to conquer the Canades, at this Post General Scott commands, and all the troops stationed here would not exceed four thousand, I want to see twenty thousand at this Post, at least, and to have orders to cross over to scower the Canades, and drive them to St. Jones or Halifax…I understand that recruits are coming on bravely, I hope as soon as a sufficient number arrive, to cross over, I will venture my carcass, I know what it is to stand regular fire. I commanded the company most of the time in Williamsburg action, the Capt. being unwell & no officer higher than my self in the company…Staying in the field was to assist the wounded, and help them off. Colo. El. W. Ripley is advanced to Brigadier General, and it is much pleasing to the Regim't as we were in the 4th Brigade under Gen'l Scott, now am under Gen'l Ripley who commands the 2d Brigade, and of course will order us on to Plattsburgh…This town or village is building up very fast, you may depend, this day I understand 1000 Indians are coming into this place, to join us, I have seen many Indian villages since I joined the Army." In good to very good condition, with staining, foxing, splitting to the folds, a few areas of paper loss, and the address panel detached but present.
