ans in their
war paint were enough, Nairne thought, "to frighten the Black Deil
himsel'," and their proximity in the campaign is one of many causes for
which he thanks Heaven that the plague of war is so far removed from
Murray Bay; even if it lasted for years, it would still not reach that
remote haven, he says. Meanwhile Murray Bay can help him. Two pairs of
socks, one flannel and one linen shirt, have been the modest increases
to his wardrobe since the hasty exit from Fort George many weeks before.
He begs his sisters to make him some shirts and socks, but not many,
since on the marches, usually made at night, he has to carry all his
belongings on his own back. The charge of a too elaborate transport
service sometimes brought against the British army in modern campaigns
seems to have no place in the War of 1812. The British, few in number
and defending an immense area, had to do killing work. Nairne says that
his men were able only rarely even to take off their accoutrements.

With the arrival of Yeo's squadron the war was again half military, half
naval. Yeo was a brilliant young officer and the remote waters of Lake
Ontario witnessed some clever naval tactics. The small fleets were
evenly matched. Chauncey, the American commander, was very cautious and
would not fight unless he could get the advantage of his longer range of
guns, while Yeo, if he fought at all, preferred to fight at close
quarters; so they manoeuvred for position, each declaring that the
other could not be brought to bay. On August 3rd, 1813, Nairne wrote
from Burlington Heights to Malcolm Fraser. In an earlier letter that
veteran had expressed the desire of dancing at Tom's wedding and Tom had
told him, with the prophetic saving clause "should I outlive this war,"
that to see his friend of eighty years dancing would be a considerable
inducement to marry. He hopes that they may soon discuss the war "over a
good bottle of your Madeira at Mount Murray."

He calls Burlington Heights the stronghold of Upper Canada. "The
situation we have chosen is by nature a strong position being bounded on
the east by Burlington bay, on the south by a commanding battery, ditch
and parapet, this being the only side bounded by the mainland; on the
west by a morass and creek; on the north by the continuation of this
same creek, which here discharges itself into Burlington bay. The height
of the land above the level of the water all round is upwards of 100
feet and the