Star Crossed

An American Soldier Writes to a British Lady During the War of 1812

Dear Anna,

August 10th, 1814, Canada

I write to you while I wait for more orders. I am lucky to be fit enough to fight again, thanks to your gentle care. I do not know what made you take pity on me, but I am glad that you did. I wish you had stayed with me here in Canada. I hope you are safe in Washington and still doing what you do best, tending the wounded.

After you left for Washington, I was sad and lonely. I was surrounded by people and yet, I was alone. I cannot speak to anyone about why I miss you so much. Being on different sides as we are is a cruel twist of fate. I hope that you found your brothers where you are and that they are not lost as so many others are.

Maybe one day, I will come find you and we can be together without conflict around us.

Yours, James

Dear James,

August 24th, 1814, Washington

Your capitol in Washington is now burning. All I can do is tend to the wounded. I am glad I saved you in Canada. My heart took pity on you because you reminded me of my brothers. Every single soldier is a brother and a son to someone. I should not have saved you for my country’s sake, but I do not care about sides anymore.

Each side has seen so much blood. I wish it would all stop and then I could see you without a guilty conscience. I pray that you do not meet my brothers at all during the fighting. I have had a long day on my feet. I am tired but I cannot sleep. There is still so much to do.

I miss your smile and your grey-blue eyes that remind me of the ocean. They never seemed to have a bottom when I looked into them. You were the only one who made me smile in return. The combination of your eyes and black hair always made my heart stutter.

I will write again when I can. Please be careful.

I cannot tend to you from here.

Yours, Anna

Dear Anna,

August 28th, 1814, Canada

I am still waiting to hear what we are going to do on our side. There is a lot of waiting here at Fort Erie for the time being. My idle mind keeps turning back to you and your kind, hazel eyes. I miss your gentle touch and forceful orders to rest.

I have rested enough now, I think. My hands have the need to do something. Writing to you is keeping me sane. I hope the fires are finished in Washington. I would not want to be surrounded by fire.

I hope you think of me when you have the time.

Yours, James

Dear James,

September 1st, 1814, Maryland

I am now in Maryland. I have been informed that the Americans are now in Maine. I wondered if you were there too. I hope you get this letter and that you are still doing well. I am glad writing to me gives your hands something to do while you wait. I wish letters would arrive faster and we could write every day.

My days are long and so I write to you by candlelight when I am able. Noone disturbs my thoughts at this hour of the night. All I hear are injured men breathing deeply or moaning into the dark.

Like your hands, my mind cannot rest at night.

My hands are raw and cracked with work. I barely had the time to have one cup of tea. I wish there were more women here to help with the bandages. I had cleaned all the used bandages all day long.

The only color I can see on my hands is red.

Yours, Anna

Dear Anna,

September 9th, 1814, New Hampshire

It was a disaster for us in Hampden. We retreated from Hampden in the rain and fog to our base in New Hampshire. We have finally arrived. It was a wet journey, and several men got sick on the way there. I did not, I am happy to report.

My feet might be just as tired as yours. I was rested before, but now I could use some more sleep. The Fall colors here are beautiful. You would love the trees. Every house seems to be made from wood. I hope there are no fires.

I wish I could clean your hands and kiss them free from blood.

Yours, James

Dear James

September 15th, 1814, Maryland

I am glad you have made it safely and that you are not sick. There is yet another battle. They are calling it, The Battle of Baltimore. The bombing lasted five and twenty hours.

I must take care of strangers all day and all I want to do is take care of you. The screams and moans ring in my head long after they have finally stopped.

I wish I could talk about you to the men. I wish to give them some kind of hope. I want to tell them there is still love in the world. You are my light, my hope, within all this darkness that will not stop.

Please come back to me.

Yours, Anna

P.S. Have you heard the new song, The Star-Spangled Banner?

Dear Anna,

October 22nd, 1814, Canada

I am now stationed under General Duncan McArthur. I have yet another battle to fight. We have better numbers now. Canada does not feel the same without you nearby. It is getting colder out here. I do not wish for Winter to come. I pray the fighting ends before it gets too cold.

The colors of the trees are still breathtaking. I wish you could see the brilliance and light they bring. The forest is where I have some peace, while I am on patrol. I saw a bald eagle the last time. It cocked its head and stared at me for a good while. I wanted to stay there as long as I could.

I wonder what birds think of us.

P.S. Yes, I have heard the Star-Spangled Banner. I heard the British tried to turn it into a drinking song. Is that true? I will lift a glass to you if it is.

Yours, James

Dear James,

November 29th, 1814, Maryland

I heard your last battle ended. I am happy to know you are still alive. I do not wish for Winter either. I do not know how to keep every wounded soldier warm enough. I hope your eagle is a good omen for peace to come.

I told my wounded of your eagle. It brought a sparkle back into their eyes.

I wish I could have seen it with my own eyes with you by my side.

P.S. It is true, the Americans can have it. Thank you, I will think of you when I hear it.

Dear Anna,

December 24th, 1814, Canada

I cannot say that I am glad it is Christmas Eve, but I can say it is quiet here. I am glad for that. A night when everyone remains still. I wish you were here with me by the fire, a cup of tea in hand. I would drink coffee. How do the British drink so much tea?

Men are singing Christmas carols round the fire. The stars are shining bright. It is a comfort to know you see the same moon as I do.

I wish you a peaceful Christmas.

Yours, James

Dear James

January 15th, 1815

I am so happy that you are not in the navy and not on the USS President after the news I heard of its capture. I cannot fathom being a prisoner of war. I touched my cheeks and realized they were wet with tears at the news.

So many families have suffered and have been torn asunder, including my own family. My brothers are still writing to me, thank heavens! My brother, George, is a naval officer. I pray for his safety every single day.

I wanted this new year to bring peace. I hope it may.

Yours, Anna

Dear Anna,

February 20th, 1815, Canada

I cannot believe the news. Anna, the war is finally over! The treaty has been signed. Men who have not laughed in years, are finally laughing. They are singing and dancing openly.

We can meet whenever we wish to. I could yell to the world that I love you, Anna, and only you.

Please tell me a place and a time to see you.

I just want to hold you in my arms and never let go.

Yours, James

Dear James

February 25th, 1815, Maryland

Do my eyes deceive me? I feel as though I have finally woken up from a bad dream and we are both free. I heard the birds singing this morning and it felt as if they too were singing in celebration.

This is the best day!

I will go wherever you go.

Yours forever, Anna

Source of war information:

https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/major-events/war-of-1812-chronology/