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The Memoirs of Jarvis Hanks
Memoirs Continued Part 2: The Harsh Reality of Army Punishment Part 3: An American farmer's greed; battle in a Canadian farmer's field Part 4: Drilling in Winfield Scott's camp at Buffalo Part 5: At the Battle of Lundy’s Lane Part 6: The siege of Fort Erie
Drummerboy Jarvis Hanks' account of the Battle of Lundy's Lane
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New York City, January 1831
The following pages of my biography are recorded for my own amusement, and for the perusal of a few friends. They have filled up my leisure hours, perhaps not unprofitably, and may yet serve a good purpose in the review of them, and show me all the way of life in which kind Providence has led me. Jarvis Frary Hanks EDITOR'S NOTE: The following memoirs of Jarvis Hanks are copied directly from his original writings, all spelling and punctuation appears as therein.
Part 1: Early Life and the Decision to EnlistI was born in Pittsford, Otsego County, New York, on the 24th of September 1799. I am the son of Joseph Hanks, whose father's name was William, who lived in the green mountains of Vermont, and whose progenitors emigrated from Holland. My mother's maiden name was Anna Frary and her descent is traced to "the pilgrims". In 1810, on account of my repeated solicitations, and most likely because my kind father was willing to indulge my wishes, he consented and I was removed to an adjoining town, where I learned to beat the drum. The reason of my choice of this in preference to another instrument were: I thought it produced the most pleasing noise; I knew that the drummer occupied a conspicuous station in the ranks of a regiment, and that a boy not older than myself, being a good performer, was looked on as a prodigy. In 1813, a sergeant of the United States Army, under the authority of the government, made his appearance in Pawlet, beating up for recruits, offering twenty dollars bounty (advance pay) and 160 acres of land, to any who would enlist for either five years, or during the war. My youthful mind was fired with ardour in anticipation of a soldier's career; the pomp and splendour of a military life were vividly portrayed in my foolish imagination, and produced a desire to engage in the service, which was not to be relinquished. I wanted only a few months of fourteen years of age, and yet, young as I was, the officer had no objection to me as a musician; nay, he seemed quite desirous of securing me. Probably he would have refused to give me a place in the ranks as a private, under the burthens of a heavy musket. My father consented to abandon me to vicissitudes, and vices, and dangers of a life of war, for an uncertain length of time; it might be only a few months, or it might continue for many years. My excellent and affectionate mother had hitherto concealed her anxiety for my welfare, and the pain she felt in anticipation of her bereavement in the loss of her oldest son; for she has since informed me that she would rather have seen me decently buried than go into the army. When previously consulted by my father concerning my enlistment, she remonstrated but to no purpose. And now it was too late!
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