What the Letter Told Us

Actual letter used, dated February 26th 1813.

In examining Joseph Rosseel’s letter to David Parish regarding the Battle of Ogdensburg and Rosseel’s experience there, we were able to get an understanding of the British battle tactics and their ability to take the city from American control. Rosseel was present at the time of the invasion, and many of the British actually landed behind his house on the St. Lawrence River. We learned about the numbers of British troops involved, around 700 total, and the escape routes used by the US military to escape the sneak attack. Rosseel explains what happened in the aftermath of the battle, how many homes were raided and property stolen by British troops, especially the native Americans and Jacobins from Canada. He explained to Parish that his house had been destroyed by the concussion effect of so much cannon fire, and his fence had been used as cover and was equally destroyed. Rosseel explains that the British are still firmly in control of Canada and they take and hold US prisoners there. Being Parish’s land agent, he explains to Parish that $5,400 will be transferred to him in credit after it was passed by a Mr. Hoard. All of this information was obtained firsthand because Rosseel was present during the attack and had stayed in Ogdensburg in an attempt to save his property.