18 Feb 1954 by Edward Manley: I have been able to obtain an old letter written during the War of 1812, by Samuel Luce, an early youth of Muhlenberg, a son of David and Elizabeth (Carter) Luce. David was an early justice of the peace and son of pioneer Abner Luce and his wife Mehetable (Hallock) Luce. Abner originally was from Suffolk County, Long Island, NY, the move to Morris County, NJ, and long before 1800 to Nelson County, KY where he removed to the Skilesville section of Muhlenberg before 1800. The soldier-writer of the following letter died the same year (1815) at Natchez, MS during the very bad epidemic of measles contracted during the war. I have been granted full consent for the Times-Argus-Messenger to publish this rare letter in the original spelling and capitalization. Punctuation and paragraphing have been added. The letter follows. "January the 19th day, 1815. Respective father and mother, after Best Respects to you I will tell you in short manner of my health & situation. I have not Bin Sick none of eny account Sens I have Bin gone. I am will at present and I thank god for his Mercies. hoping these lines will find you all in the same State helth. We left the Mouth of Cumberland on the 9th of December and landed at Neworleans on the 4th of january and Encamped about 3 miles Below neworleans. joined jacksons Camp and thare he had Brest works Built Soficient for hour Safty. it was seposed when we joined him he had about 16000 men, the British was Stationed about one Mile Below us and we Canonaded on till the 8th of this instant and the Battle commenced on the 4th Early Sunday Morning just at day light. we was Peraded and March to the Brestworks to the Battle. they Red Coats undertook to Charge on hour Brestworks. when they began to come tords us they Blowd and plaid a Butiful Music. Captain MClain's Command was about the Senter of the Battle and his orders was to not Shoot till we could See the white of the eye. they marched up verry Rappid But we give them led and powder about 2 hours and they fell like Sheap. their loss was about, 2600 kild wounded and taken. they Retreated to their Camp again. hour loss was about fifty But the most taken prisoner 100 men. out captain MClains Company wounded nary one Kild. they was William Graham and linuiel hulett. We cannonade them till the 14th and they left us and went to their Ships and took watter We Sepose. It is sed we will Soon Bee disCharged But I Believe We Shal Stay hour Six months out. I have not seen nor heard of Brother Abner Sinse I have Bin gone. Bradford Rhoades is well and wants to Bee Remembered to his father and Mother. give my love and Kind Compliments to Thomas and Mehetabell Everton and James Everton & to my Brothers & sisters & to all Uncles and aunts & Couzens Likewis to all the young ladis in Buler and to one Particular one in Muhlenburg A Small Lady Sono more at present onely Remain you Afectionate Son until death. [signed] Samuel Luce