Lyrics
'Twas November the Fourth in the year of Ninety-One
We had a strong engagement near to Fort Jefferson
Sinclair was our commander, which may remembered be
But we left nine hundred comrades in that dreadful territory
The Indians attacked our force just as the day did dawn
The arrows fell like deadly rain as we were set upon
One hundred men fell writhing before our startled eyes
While horrid yells of savages resounded through the skies
'Twas at Bunker's Hill and Kennebec where many a hero fell
Likewise at Canandaigua, it is I the truth can tell
But such a bloody carnage may I never see again
As happened near Fort Jefferson all on that river plain
Three hours more we fought them, 'til then we had to yield
Nine hundred of our comrades lay stretched upon the field
Says Major Clarke, "My heroes, we can no longer stand
We will strive to form in order and retreat the best we can"
The word "retreat" being passed around, there rose a dismal cry
Then helter-skelter through the woods like wolves and sheep they fly
This well-appointed army which had fought so brave before
Now fled before the savage and his bloody kind of war
Alas, the dead and dying, how awful to relate
The tomahawk and scalping knife, it was their dreadful fate
But pity more the wounded who were taken in that fray
To writhe in torment at the stake to close that awful day
'Twas November the Fourth in the year of Ninety-One
We had a strong engagement near to Fort Jefferson
Sinclair was our commander, which may remembered be
But we left nine hundred comrades in that dreadful territory