Green, Joseph W., fl. 1812-1815 [Journal of a privateer and of prisoner of war during the War of 1812]
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00498.01 Author/Creator: Green, Joseph W., fl. 1812-1815 Place Written: Various Places Type: Diary Date: 1813-1815 Pagination: 103 p. ; Height: 19 cm, Width: 15 cm Order a Copy
Diary written while aboard the privateer Alfred and as a prisoner of war in Melville Island Prison, Halifax, and Dartmoor Prison. Records many sightings and occasional capturing of ships. Entry on 22 February 1814 records the capture of Green's privateer by the British and being brought to Melville Island Prison at Halifax. Records writing to family and the arrival of new prisoners. Notable entries include mention of a prisoners' petition to General John Mason on 28 April 1814, the reduction of rations on 1 May 1814, the release of 90 prisoners on 23 July 1814. There are also undated verse and aphorisms, much of it dealing with religion, war, and women. Filling 16 pages is "A Comic Poem" by Thomas Sturtevant and written down by Green on 1 March 1814, along with numerous other patriotic poems. An entry from 22 February 1815 notes the passing of his brother's birthday. A long entry on 18 August 1814 records the grueling transport to Dartmoor Prison, at the end of which he discloses learning of his Uncle's death. An entry from Dartmoor on 26 February 1815 indicates his expectations of "the Peace arriving from the States. He recorded his final entry on the day he was to leave Dartmoor: "...the happiest day to me that I ever experienced. my heart is alive when I think I am to leave the place that so many of my unfortunate countryman has breathed there [sic] last in."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.