Recollections & Extracts From The Journals Of Miss Anne Prevost Anne Prevost - Biography Women and War

Part 9: The Death of Captain Milnes July 26th, 1813, Monday: We did not hear from my Father, but from other sources we received the melancholy intelligence that Captain Milnes was killed on the 20th in some rencontre with Gun Boats. It seems that on the 19th, one Gun Boat and 16 Bateaux laden with provisions, were captured 30 miles this side of Kingston by two of the Enemy's Gun Boats, owing to the negligence of our men. In consequence of this disaster 6 of our Gun Boats were sent the next day to intercept them–but we failed in the attempt and poor Captain Milnes fell, shot through the head. 28th: The Steam Boat arrived from Montreal, and brought us letters from Kingston as late as the 22nd. Captain Milnes was not killed, but dangerously wounded: a musket ball entered behind his left ear and came out at his forehead–he had then survived the wound 30 hours but had not spoken. Mr. McCauley has not the least hope of his recovery, but some of the Surgeons at Kingston think more favourably. Captain Milnes died on the 25th August, 1813. For two days before he expired he appeared to know every body about him: he asked for lemonade, but the only sentences he spoke were parts of the Lord's Prayer–"Thy will be done–Thy will be done–on earth as it is in Heaven!" Thus died this accomplished young soldier. We went to Montreal the middle of August and remained there till the 16th of October. Gloomy tidings had been received from Upper Canada before we quitted Montreal. The Division of the Army under General Procter had been defeated and almost all captured.