History - Kings Orange Rangers

17
Considering the apparent obligation, Bird had earlier in the day shown significant disdain for his
commanding officer. Captain Bartholomew Uniack related what in retrospect was a premonition
of what was to pass the evening of the 10 th . At around eleven that morning, Bird had come with
Captain Coffin to the latter’s hut where he spent the next few hours in the company of Coffin and
Uniack. As Uniack rose to take his leave, Bird followed him, asking if he could shift himself in
the former’s hut which was agreed. At the captain’s, Bird sat on the bed and asked if Uniack’s
servant might bring him a shirt which was done. Bird then picked up a book and began to read it,
querying whose it was. When Uniack responded that it belonged to Colonel Bayard, Bird flew
into a rage replying that “it belonged to a damn’d Rascal and a Scoundrel.” Uniack countered
that the lieutenant had best “Guard [his] expressions else [he] may get [his] backside whipt.” He
seemed to settle down and sat by the fire in conversation with his host.
As Bird rose to leave, he saw a sword hanging by the bed and asked Uniack to lend it to him.
Uniack replied he wanted to use it himself, but he would lend him a bayonet. Bird replied he had
one of his own and went to the bed and put it on. After another hour of fireside chat, Uniack
observed it was nearing dinner time and that they should leave for the barracks to be sure to be
on time. While passing by the 45 th guardroom, Bird made a curious remark: “You will see what
a dust I will kick up today, a Short life and a merry one, that’s the life damn me.” Upon reaching
the barracks Uniack went inside and Bird left for an unknown destination.
Dinner went without incident. A little before sundown when Major DeWint was called outside.
The major returned shortly there after and asked Bird to step outside the room which he did.
DeWint subsequently returned to the table taking his place beside Captain Burgess to whom he
said “I am surprized Mr. BIRD does not mind his duty better, that a complaint was made of a
deficiency of wood in the Barracks, which Mr. BIRD ought to have look’d into and seen done.”
About ten minutes later and shortly after the beating of the retreat, Bird returned to the table
sitting to Burgess’s left. By now the colonel was entertaining the room with a song to the
enjoyment of the assembly. Bird place his hand on Burgess’s shoulder and whispered to him
that he wanted to speak with him out of the room. Burgess replied that his business was not so
urgent that it couldn’t wait until after the song was over. Bayard having finished, Burgess went
to the far end of the room to ask Bird what he wanted to which the reply was that he wanted
Burgess to lend him his sword. Burgess refused, but Bird persisted repeating the request two or
three times. Burgess became concerned and asked Bird if he and the major had had words when
out of the room. Bird replied that he and DeWint had not quarrelled. In any event, Burgess
declined to lend his sword, remarking to Bird that he was carrying a bayonet. Bird seemed to be
satisfied and returned to the table seating himself opposite Major DeWint and next to Captain
Coffin. Some ten to fifteen minutes later Captain Uniack left for the room next door where he
remained for about another half hour ant then went home to bed. He was later to tell the court
that “from Mr. BIRD’s expressions, I apprehended there might be some disturbance, and retired
on that very Account”. The court would later ask Burgess if Bird “was affected with liquor” to
which he replied, “he might be a little elevated, but was in such a Situation as to know a moral
act, from an immoral one”.
King’s Orange Rangers