D'Ri and I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War with the British.: Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U.S.A

In Short

Set in the untamed wilderness along the St. Lawrence River during the War of 1812, this narrative follows Ramon Bell and his loyal, eccentric woodsman friend, D’ri, as they transition from pioneer life to the front lines of the American military. Blending historical action with personal romance and the colorful vernacular of the Northern Yankee, the book chronicles their survival against British forces and their own internal struggles. It remains a poignant, firsthand-style account of the birth of a nation’s northern identity, remembered through the eyes of those who cleared its forests.

The Story

The narrative begins in the early 19th century, in the dense, timber-rich valley south of the St. Lawrence River. Ramon Bell, a young man of Puritan and French descent, settles into a primitive log life alongside his father and a rugged, plain-spoken woodsman named D’ri. As the War of 1812 ignites, this quiet frontier becomes a theater of conflict. Ramon and D’ri are soon drawn from their peaceful labor into a dangerous game of espionage and open warfare against British incursions.

The pair’s bond is tested as they face capture, harrowing escapes, and the harsh realities of combat on the ice and at sea. Between these battles, Ramon finds himself entangled in a complicated romantic drama involving two sisters, Louison and Louise, who are caught in the web of French aristocracy and the looming presence of British officers. Ramon’s affection for the sisters forces him to balance his duty as a soldier with his private, often painful, search for happiness. Through a series of disguises, daring rescues, and narrow escapes—including one where Ramon assumes a feminine identity to outmaneuver his foes—the duo remains inseparable.

As the conflict deepens, the scope of their service widens. They participate in the pivotal naval engagement on Lake Erie, witnessing the wreckage of war firsthand, and continue their dangerous missions to secure the safety of those they love. The climax sees the tension of their divided loyalties resolved through a final, high-stakes trade of prisoners. Having survived the "tragedy" of the border war, Ramon finds peace, eventually marrying and settling into the reality of a transformed America. The story concludes with the visit of President Monroe, who honors the "sons of the woodsmen" for their sacrifices. Ramon reflects on the beauty and sorrow of his youth, acknowledging that while many things are left unsaid, his life has been shaped by the grit of his friend and the enduring influence of the women who captured his heart.

How It Unfolds

The wilderness frontier Ramon and D’ri establish their home in the northern woods, felling timber and building a cabin while learning the ways of a rugged, sequestered life.

The call to arms As the war breaks out, the tranquility of their valley vanishes, and the two men are pulled into the service of their young Republic.

The capture and the rescue Ramon and D’ri are forced into a series of dangerous encounters with British troops, leading to the imprisonment of the count and his noble companions.

The battle of wits and steel Ramon engages in personal duels and strategic skirmishes, using both his sword and his cleverness to protect those he has sworn to save.

The naval clash The scene shifts to the bloody deck of the Lawrence on Lake Erie, where the men experience the brutal cost of the struggle firsthand.

The final exchange Ramon and D’ri execute a risky plan to trade their British prisoners, securing the liberation of the women who have haunted their thoughts.

The closing of the era Years later, as peace takes hold, the arrival of the President serves as a final, bittersweet acknowledgment of the soldiers’ contributions to the nation’s future.

The People

Ramon Bell is the protagonist, a man of mixed ancestry who bridges the gap between the refined world of French nobility and the rough life of the American frontier. He begins as an earnest, somewhat naive youth and grows into a hardened captain who learns the weight of duty and the complexity of romantic love.

D’ri is the heart of the narrative. A "pure-bred Yankee," he is defined by his rugged wisdom, his humorous and distinct dialect, and his unflinching devotion to Ramon. Though he claims he is no hand at praying or fighting for England, his loyalty proves unbreakable, and he remains the steady, grounding force in Ramon’s life.

Louison and Louise are the sisters who complicate Ramon’s life. Louison is the spirited, strategic, and often mischievous one, while Louise represents a more statuesque, serene, and noble grace. Their presence forces Ramon to grapple with the limitations of his own social standing and the risks inherent in his soldiering.

The British adversaries, particularly the officer Ramon duels, represent a refined but dangerous foil. They test Ramon’s skill with a sabre and his resolve as an American, ultimately serving as the catalyst for his professional and personal development.

In Its Own Voice

"O God, tek care o' gran'ma. Help us t' go on careful, an' when we 're riled, help us t' keep er mouths shet."

D’ri offers this heartfelt, idiosyncratic prayer during a moment of peril, highlighting his reliance on simple, earthy wisdom.

"I have been to meeting but I hain't never been no great hand fer prayin'."

D’ri explains his reluctance to lead a formal prayer, grounded in the reality of his life as a woodsman rather than a man of the cloth.

What It's Really About

The narrative argues that the American Republic was forged not just by political declarations, but by the sweat, blood, and quiet endurance of plain, woods-dwelling people. It explores the tension between the romantic, often "splendid" world of European aristocracy and the rugged, unpolished reality of the North country. The core question is one of legacy: what does it mean to be a citizen of a country still in its infancy? The author suggests that identity is found in the dirt, the forest, and the shared sacrifice of those who faced the "ancient wilderness" and the "clang of steel" with equal fortitude.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical fiction that prioritizes the texture of daily life will find much to appreciate here. The book captures the transition from a wilderness frontier to a burgeoning nation with a sincerity that feels deeply rooted in regional history. It is a slow, immersive read that invites you into the specific, rhythmic speech of the North country—a challenge for some, but a rewarding experience for those who appreciate authentic period voices. The dialogue is thick with the idiosyncratic dialect of the early 19th-century Yankee, which requires patience but adds a distinct, humorous flavor to the interactions between D’ri and Ramon.

While the attitudes toward gender and class reflect the era in which the book was written, the core of the story—the deep, platonic bond between two men from different worlds and the universal search for love amidst the chaos of war—remains resonant. You will likely walk away from this book with a vivid sense of the North country's "shifting scenes" and a lingering admiration for the quiet, rugged men who left their mark on a landscape where even the "bushes walk" with danger. It is a gentle, earnest tribute to the foundations of the Republic.