Lead Up to Battle of Sodus Point-- Part 4: His Home destroyed Because Militia Stationed There

Asabel Bannister stated that during the British attack of the village of Sodus, that he acted as Quartermaster for  in Col. Swift's regiment of  militia, then in gthe service of the United States.  He was the bearer of a flag of truce to the enemy and met them also under a flag of truce.

The British officer told Bannister that they would spare the village and not burn or destroy any private property upon the condition that the public stores and provisions which had been removed, be given to them.

Quartermaster Bannister replied that he was not authorized  to make any such stipulation, but would report the request to his superior officers and in three to four hours return with an answer.  Those officers refused the offer and Bannister returned to the British with the news.

This led to the nighttime engagement that took place a little west of William Eadus' home which reslted in the  killing and wounding of several of the British.  In his claim to the U.S. government, he stated that the reason for his home's destruction was that military stores were in Sodus and that his home had been used as barracks for some of the American soldiers.

--Brock-Perry