Memoirs of William Miller - Sylvester Bliss

The day passed; her agony subsided, but not
her fears. The friends with her thought she had had
a nervous time, or was slightly insane. Nothing was
heard from the scene of conflict at the north till
near the close of Monday. The first intimation of
the tidings, to that family, was the strong peal of
the village bell. A member of the family was sent
out to inquire its meaning, and the glad shout of
victory was heard on every hand. A fleet horse and
rider had brought the news, and passed on south!
The sound of victory was most welcome. That
was all that patriotism might ask. But family
affection could not rest till it had learned the price
of victory. An old, iron-hearted soldier has
remarked, that “the next calamity to a defeat, in
war, is a triumph!” Some must have fallen at
Plattsburgh. And how many anxious hearts awaited
the arrival of the next mail from the seat of war!
That mail brought to Mrs. Miller the letter before
referred to. It reads as follows:
“Fort Scott, September 12, 1814.
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