Although one man was killed and five wounded loading hot-shot, Betsy survived the artillery barrage and her bravery was mentioned in several battle reports. The story of her actions spread quickly among the American troops at the fort and the whole region.
In December 1813, Betsy fled the Fort Niagara area when the British invaded and captured Fort Niagara. Withn her children at her side, she fled 300 miles to the East Greenbush Cantonment near Albany, New York.
This journey took nearly four months.
Betsy Doyle then served for six years as a nurse and laundress at the cantonment. Sometimes, she did not receive pay from the Army.
Betsy fell ill and was bedridden for a month before her death in April.
According to one officer: "Her death was accelerated by the want of necessities which her pay would have procured."
Despite her service, Betsy Doyle became a victim of the war long before it ended.
--Brock-Perry
No comments:
Post a Comment