composed of cotton. She then ran out of the house and the wind caused her clothing to burn faster and drove the blaze with more violence against her body which was burned (its outside) to a crisp. This caused her death. Most of the people of Sunbury ran to see this distressing sight. There was a collection made upon the race course and about one hundred dollars were raised for the mother. Next morning I started for home, and after passing through Halifax, I met with the father of the little girl that was burned to death. I asked him if he had heard from home, he said he had not, I observed you have not heard then of the sad accident which has happened, no was his reply, and asked me eagerly what it was. I then told him that his little girl had been burned to death. Upon hearing this, he hung down his head and wept sore. I thought it best to tell him, and seeing that it made such an impression upon him I felt very unpleasant myself, and was glad to part with him and pursue my journey homewards. When I arrived at the house of my friend, the landlord who had furnished me with a horse, I found he was very well pleased with my horse and I being as well pleased with his, we were induced to knock up a trade and make an exchange of horses for good, which we did, I then started for home very well satisfied indeed. When relating at home my great accident and miraculous escape, I caused quite a surprise.

4

CHAPTER XXV.

On the 1st of April, 1813, I removed my family to Manchester, situated on the turnpike road leading from Baltimore to Carlisle and in Baltimore (now Carrol) county, Maryland. As the second war was raging at this time, every nerve of the friends of LIBERTY and INDEPENDENCE was braced in noble exertions to give countenance and support to the measures of the

general and States' Governments for defence. The clarion of war had been loudly and voluntarily (although reluctantly) sounded in the declaration of war on the 18th of June, 1812. It then behoved the friends of justice, Liberty, free trade and sailors' rights to rally around their dearest constitutional freedom, and stand ready to repel the invading attacks of a foreign oppres

sor.

As I have before stated, the war was raging when I removed to Manchester in Maryland, and it seemed like old times, there was that to defend and maintain, which I had contributed something towards gaining in the dark days of a severe Revolutionary struggle. I felt as though I ought to stand erect once more in defence of a waving Star Spangled Banner, my home and the free institutions of my country. Although considerably above the age of FORTY-FIVE, I hired to play the fife for a recruiting party in. the town of Hanover in York county, Pa. At that place I remained until a considerable number of men were enlisted. I played the company off towards Carlisle barracs, and then returned to my home at Manchester.

Shortly after my return to Manchester Captain Hively's company of Volunteer Riflemen ofed on to go to Baltimore.

were call

There were some of the members of this company that were trembling with fear and were willing to give a pretty fair price for substitutes, I engaged to go in the room of a member of the name of Stone Syfert. I would have gone in some capacity or other, and I thought that I might as well take his money and go in his place. Syfert was not a fifer, but I being such, was immediately called into that service, for which I received an additional sum besides his pay.

All things being in readiness, we marched direct to Baltimore (distant 30 miles) and were then marched down to North Point where we encamped. We were not many days at North Point. There being no call for us there, we were marched back and encamped at Chinquepin Hill. We were not long here however, until we

were discharged. We all returned immediately to our homes at and near to Manchester.

We were not very long at home, until a call was made upon the militia of Baltimore and other counties in Maryland. This draft caused another great bustle about Manchester, and substitutes were again in great demand. This time I engaged for one Andrew Schaffer, a member of Captain Kerlinger's Company. Schaffer was not a fifer either, but I was called as before to do duty in the musical department. We received marching orders and again set out for Baltimore. When we arrived at that place, we were marched out to Chinquepin Hill, where we pitched our tents. We did not lie here very long, until we were again discharged and sent home.

The next Spring (1814) my second wife died, and her decease was immediately followed by the death of one of my children.

After being subjected to these bereavements, I sold off my household goods, purchased a horse and started (intending to go) out to the State of Ohio to make search for my brother Thomas, who I was informed, had removed there. My horse becoming lame I was unable to proceed farther than Bloody Run, a few miles below Bedford, Pa. I put up at Moyers' Hotel. The landlord used me very well, and procured pasture for my horse. Finding that on account of the lameness of my horse I would be forced to abandon my design for a time, I set in to work at shoemaking. Here I remained until another "rumpus,"-another call was made upon the militia. I immediately "packed kitt" and started back to Manchester, Maryland.

Upon my return I found that the troops of Manchester and its neighborhood had already gone down to Baltimore. I mounted my horse immediately and rode down to their camp, which was situated above Baltimore and near to the "Fall's Road." I called to see Captain Showers of Dug Hill District. He desired me to come and play the fife for his company, but his not offering me as much pay as I believed myself entitled to, I did

not consent to stay. Still, if I had had my clothes with me and my horse at home, I would have staid. Thus circumstanced, I concluded to go home to Manchester and then return again to Baltimore. The troops returned to Manchester before I was able to join them, they having been again discharged soon after I was at camp.

The races at Bladensburg (for so was the retreating called) had commenced, the news of which, the burning of the Capitol, with the call and orders to march caused a great commotion throughout the country. At Manchester and surrounding neighborhoods there was quite a confusion-a gloom was cast upon the face of society generally. I again set out for Baltimore and attached myself to Captain Showers' company. The militia and volunteer troops were pouring in from all quarters. I had a son in Lancaster whom as I have before stated, I had bound out to learn the tailoring business. He was now free, and was among the drafted militia from Lancaster lying at this time at Baltimore. Here he remained until the war was ended.

Sometime after peace was established Captain Hook was recruiting in Baltimore, and William (my son) enlisted in the regular service. Captain Hook's company was ordered on to Pensacola, in Florida, and was then attached to Captain Wagers' company of Light Dragoons. When William's time had nearly expired, I received a letter from Captain Wagers which informed me that my son William Dewees for his good conduct as a soldier, would shortly be appointed Ensign of the company. But how short lived are our best hopes and brightest expectations. In a few weeks after receiving Captain Wagers' first letter containing this cheering intelligence, I received from him a second letter sealed with two black seals which informed me of my son's death, and that the whole camp was in mourning for him. My readers may now see what myself and family have endured for the liberties and prosperity of our common country.

But to return to my account of military operations on

and about Chinquepin Hill and Baltimore. Whilst we lay here I had to play for two regiments, and beside doing this, I had to play for some others, upon some particular occasions. I had to play the reveille at the break of day, at sun-rise the long roll, the signal for the men to form ranks and answer to their names.

This is called roll call. After breakfast I had to play for the beating up of the troop down and up the parade grounds.Then play the guards to their stations, and often the fatigue men when marched off to duty. Sometimes I had to play the piquet guards out to Bear Creek, and sometimes nearly to North Point. Then I (with my drummer) would have to hurry back and play the long roll again, a signal to summon the men on parade, preparatory to their going through with their maneuvers or military evolutions which generally consumed an hour or two. At three o'clock in the afternoon I had to play the long roll again for the exercising of the men with arms in hand-in learning the manual exercise. Then about sun-down I had to play the retreat, down and up the parade grounds for roll call. At nine o'clock at night, I had to play tattoo a signal for all to retire to rest. Sometimes I was sent for to play the roast beef for other regiments. At other times, I was sent for to play the Rogue's March. There were few musicians in the militia, and among some of the volunteers from different parts of the country that could play many of these tunes. I was almost every hour of the day upon duty. Whilst at Baltimore, I done double and treble duty and more. The time of the Western Expedition or Whiskey Insurrection, I had a great deal to do in the way of playing the fife, but at Baltimore, I played (at times) more in one day than I ever played in six at any time in all my life previous; Revolutionary war and all. So my readers may judge, whether I had good times or bad ones at Baltimore. I can state, however, that it was necessary and was therefore my duty.

The day of the battle of North Point, was a sore day for some poor fellows that stood their ground whilst oth