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September 8 1812: Armistice Ends

On September 8, 1812, at noon,  the armistice ended and the war commenced again. Brock was now at Fort George overlooking Lewiston, where a nervous Major John Lovett writes again to his friend, Abraham Van Vechten: 
John Lovett to Abraham Van Vechten.  Head Quarters, Lewiston Sept. 8, 1812.
My Dear Sir - Colonel Van Rensselaer has been with General Wadsworth the whole day at Niagara, and I have been on the jump from dawn of day to this 5 p. M. Brock has returned from York to Fort George and the Enemy are certainly very active, but whether they contemplate defensive or offensive measures it is impossible to say. It would seem that in our situation we might with facility obtain information of the enemy's force and movements. Not so. Not a soul will risk his neck from this side among them, and those who come over are such Scamps, no trust. We have moved our Camp from the River to the Ridge Road. In short, the enemy having put Hull out of the way, have it in their power to turn their whole force against us. Our poor fellows are patient, patriotic and exceedingly attached to their General; they swear He can't be bribed, and to tell you the real truth, this Confidence is all that saves us from every sort of disgrace. We are calm, self-collected, and determined to act as near Right as we can. But God only knows how we shall come out. A great fever is coming on, I understand, but no pay, no shoes, no any thing.
The General has gone to have a Talk with the Tuscarora Tribe this afternoon. The Armistice terminated at 12 o'clock, and no movement is made. We are all well, Don't be alarmed. We shall never disgrace ourselves, Albany or our Country. Don't let my Wife get alarmed, I shall eat my New Year's Dinner with her if she is not starved out.Yours truly, John Lovett.

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