USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Salisbury > Historical collections relating to the town of Salisbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
During the Revolution it should be borne in mind that the Continental Army composed one part of the American forces and the State Militias the other. They were all militia to start with, but the organization was not sufficiently cohesive to cope with the disciplined British regulars, and the Continental Army proper was organized as a means of meeting the English on an equal footing. The regiments which composed it were mustered into the United States service precisely as were our volunteer troops in the Civil War, and were designated by the respective State names and numbers, as Ist Conn. Continental Line, equiva- lent to Ist Conn. Volunteer Infantry.
The militia, on the other hand, was usually ordered out on short terms of enlistment, either to reinforce the Continentals, or, in many cases, to conduct operations themselves.
The 14th Regiment of militia, Chas. Burrall of Canaan, Colonel, and Joshua Porter of Salisbury, Lieutenant-Colonel, was com- posed entirely of men from five towns in northwestern Litchfield County. This regiment saw much active service, chiefly in this and New York state. Col. Porter was in command of a regiment at Peekskill, and engaged in the battles of Saratoga, but whether or not with the 14th does not appear.
No town in Connecticut, not actually the scene of conflict, was so much in the minds of our leaders, both civil and military, as was Salisbury. The crying need of the American forces was
IO
146
Historical Collections
not so much of men as of ordnance, and this we could supply. In December, 1776, the General Assembly in its proceedings* said :---
Whereas the article of Cannon is of great importance and indispensably necessary in warlike preparations for offence and defence and much of ours has in the last campaign fallen into the hands of our enemies so as to render them scarce and this state is also applyed to by the Honble Continental Congress for a large number to be sent to the northern forts and for the ships, and they are also greatly needed for our more imme- diate defence, and there appears no way to obtain them but by our foundery at Salisbury, and there is danger that the furnace there will soon be blown out and stopped unless effectual measures are immediately taken to continue the blast and the manufacturing of Cannon as long as possible : Resolved by this Assembly, That Mr. Benjamin Henshaw be and is hereby appointed and directed to repair forthwith to Salisbury and apply to Colo. Joshua Porter, manager of said foundery, and afford him all the assistance in his power, etc.
Whereas it is of the greatest importance for the safety and defence of this and the United States of America, that the foundery of cannon should be continued at Salisbury, and in order thereto that some proper persons should be appointed to procure and furnish wood and coal and other materials for that purpose. Resolved, etc.
The old furnace at Lakeville was dear to the heart of Brother Jonathan and he and his advisers operated it to its full capacity for four or five years, keeping fifty men or more at work con- stantly, often under guard for fear lest it should be captured by the British on one of the numerous raids into Connecticut or up the Hudson. Great quantities of mortars, cannon (carrying shot up to eighteen pounds, which was nearly the maximum weight at that time), swivel guns for the Navy, shot, shell, hand grenades, camp kettles and other necessaries were made and widely distributed.
The voices of those old cast-iron smooth-bores were raised from fortifications all along the coast, from Providence to York- town, from the decks of the infant navy, and from inland battle fields. Later, in the second war with England the Constellation and the Constitution-"Old Ironsides"-won their victories with Salisbury cannon.
The weary years of the great struggle for independence at length drew to a close. From careful estimates it would seem
* Records of the State of Conn., Vol. I, p. 130.
147
A Brief Military History
that of our adult male population of about three hundred and fifty, nearly one-half had seen active service in the field and most of the other half active service at home in whatever capacity they were fitted for.
One hundred and twenty-eight years ago this month, May 6. 1783, the citizens in Town Meeting assembled, Voted "that thirty pounds of powder now in the town stock be appropriated to the purpose of congratulating the Continental soldiers belonging to this town on their Discharge and Return," and that "Col. Nathaniel Buell be appointed and desired to address" them "and to present them with the thanks of this Town for their generous and spirited exertions in the cause of their country."
After the close of the war, there followed a period of adjust- ment to new conditions, recuperation of resources, and growth in population which was interfered with only by the difficulties which led to the war of 1812, a conflict which was decidedly unpopular in New England.
England in her struggle with Napoleon made a partially suc- cessful attempt to close all European ports to neutral trade, and in effect this was a direct blow at American commerce, although aimed at the French. Coupled with this, the indiscriminate impressment of American seamen into the British service on the ground that they were deserters from British vessels (in some cases the fact) resulted in the retaliatory Embargo Bill of 1807, prohibiting foreign commerce, and the Enforcement Act of 1809, authorizing collectors of customs to hold American goods going toward the sea, till they had been placed under bond that they would not be taken out of the United States. These measures aroused the most violent opposition in the New England states, whose people believed that their extensive commercial interests were being needlessly sacrificed. New England refused to let her militia assist in the enforcement of these laws, or be used for defence outside of the respective states.
Befooled by Napoleon* and continually harassed by England, it at length became necessary, as Dr. Woodrow Wilson says, for
* For an account of Napoleon's duplicity in connection with the proposed session of Florida, his blockade of English ports and seizure of American vessels, see Woodrow Wilson's History of the American People, Vol. III, pp. 187-210.
148
Historical Collections
the United States to "do something if only to keep itself in countenance." The country was divided in sentiment and in every way unprepared for war, but nevertheless war was declared on the 18th of June, 1812. Singularly enough England repealed her non-intercourse acts on the 17th of June, just too late to prevent the opening of hostilities. This was a fitting beginning to a war arising from a tangle of diplomatic relations, just as its ending was marked by the occurrence of the battle of New Orleans, after peace was declared. When war actually came New Eng- land, of course, supported the government and bore her part, but it was largely one in defence of her own coast line, and she naturally did not participate to any extent in the actions on the northern frontier of New York and the lakes. With the building and manning of the American Navy, which dates as a sea power from that period, she was identified.
For the reasons mentioned there were few Salisbury men at the front in the War of 1812. Their training and situation pre- cluded naval service, the militia was kept at home, and the volun- teer force was chiefly recruited from the regions nearest to the northern and western frontiers. The records of a few Salisbury men have been preserved, however, and probably the list could be enlarged if the state records did not append to the names of its soldiers places of enlistment and service rather than of residence. Judge Church says that "several non-com. officers and privates enlisted from this town, but few of whom ever returned." One of them, John O'Cain, while lying mortally wounded on the field of Bridgewater, is said to have discharged his musket twice at the enemy. Ebenezer Bissell, James Graves, James Lane, John Lemley, Nicholas Rugg, Samuel Stephens, Heman White and Philo White served in the Regular Army.
Our present militia organization or National Guard is a small but highly effective force, totalling I believe not over five thou- sand men, but a hundred years ago it was an immense establish- ment, for the most part loosely organized and indifferently equipped and drilled. It consisted of no less than thirty-five regiments of infantry and eight of cavalry, divided into eight brigades and four divisions. In it were some forty thousand men, representing theoretically the available fighting force of the state. This town had four companies within it, and it is no
149
A Brief Military History
wonder that with rotation in office year after year, there was hardly a man of standing in the community who was not entitled to some military prefix: in fact titles were so common that they were frequently lost sight of. I was surprised some years ago to find that the late A. H. Holley attained the rank of Colonel about 1830, as I had never heard it mentioned either in his family or out of it.
From about 1835 to the opening of the Civil War, the militia gradually declined in efficiency and popularity and was certainly ready for the reorganization that it eventually received.
During the War of 1812 about twelve thousand men of this force were called into service within the state, chiefly for short periods during alarms along the Sound.
Elisha Sterling of Salisbury commanded the local regiment, the 14th, during most of the war, and served in that capacity for two months at New London in 1813. In the closing years of the struggle he was promoted successively to the command of the 6th Brigade, and the 4th Division, the latter carrying with it the rank of Major General. In this 14th Regiment Dr. Ovid Plumb was surgeon, Wm. C. Sterling paymaster and Newman Holley adjutant. The captains of the four Salisbury companies in 1813 were David Landon, Eliphalet Whittlesey, James Sheldon and John Ensign, Jr.
Lieut. Edward O. Holley served in the State Corps, as it was called, and the following letter typifies the extent and nature of the militiamen's service.
Union Camp near New London, Sept. 29, 1813.
Dear Brother :
You will very much oblige Lieutenant Holley by writing him the news in Salisbury, or any circumstances that you may think proper for you must be very sensible that a letter from you would be very acceptable, particularly when in a strange place and surrounded by strangers, for as an old man said when in the Green woods it is a desert place. The troops are this day waiting to move into houses, which will make it very com- fortable, for the weather is getting cold and stormy. I have had the honor of being introduced to Commodore Decatur-in company with Major Ellsworth we went on board the three ships where we received every attention : after viewing as long as we wished we were set on shore in a Twelve Oared Barge for the Naval Officers think very highly of the Officers of the State Corps. The United States, Macedonian and
150
Historical Collections
Sloop of War Hornet compose our fleet and they are expected down as far as New London this week-they have started but got aground. If they get down here our Frollick will be over soon for the Valiant 74 Capt. Oliver and the Frigate Acasta with a sloop of war lie so near watching that we can see their men on board. If they should attack our ships we should have nothing to do unless they should attempt to land which they won't 'do, but it is generally believed that Decatur intends to run out this storm if the wind is fair and sufficiently strong. If this should be the case, we shall be discharged soon. I have passed my time pleasantly since my arrival in camp for my health has been good and seven officers of us mess together as it is called in camp and all of the Ist Regiment.
New London is a very dirty place and the inhabitants generally jockeys-most of them study to take the advantage of men who are stationed here to defend their lives and properties. I shall probably want you, when my time is out, to come down with my wagon after me, as you will want to come to Hartford about that time, but I will write you again before the time. My love to Sally.
Your affectionate brother
E. O. Holley.
N. Holley.
One son of Salisbury, although serving from New York, won great distinction and a medal from Congress for gallantry in action. This was Major General Peter B. Porter, and the par- ticular exploits in which he was conspicuous, the repulse of the British sortie from Fort Erie, and the last charge that won Lundy's Lane, were illustrative of the same spirit that actuated Salisbury men of the preceding generation at old Ticonderoga and Stony Point. In 1815, President Madison offered him the post of Commander-in-chief of the Army, which he declined. He was Secretary of War during a part of the administration of J. Q. Adams, and was the most distinguished soldier that this town has produced.
The Mexican War, short in its duration and in its progress and conclusion intimately affecting only a part of the country rather than the whole of it, witnessed a brilliant series of American victories. The contest was really one of great political significance, but to New Englanders it was little more than an episode. Connecticut had a representation of seven or eight hundred men in the Regular Army, but the only Salisbury men for whom I find any active service record were Lieut. Albert E.
151
A Brief Military History
Church of the Regular Artillery and Albert Johnston, a private in Co. K, 5th U. S. Infantry. Lieut: Church was a son of Chief Justice Samuel Church, graduated from West Point and long occupied the chair of mathematics in that institution.
As a speaker of thirty-five years ago naïvely remarked, after claiming almost everything for Salisbury, through thirty pages of manuscript,-"The war of the Rebellion was not an institu- tion of Salisbury origin." It was an "institution," however, that received our unanimous support. Again as in the old French War and the Revolution, although actuated by different motives, there went forth fully one-half of our eligible men,-three hun- dred and twenty-five of them; this time to fight at Petersburg and Winchester, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, Drury's Bluff, Port Hudson and a score of other fields. Again as at Louisburg and Ticonderoga, Stony Point and Fort Erie, Salisbury courage was tested to the full and proved worthy, as at Cold Harbor, where the Litchfield County regiment, the 2nd Heavies, left three hundred and twenty-three men upon the field, after they had done all that mortals could do to capture Longstreet's impreg- nable intrenchments.
But the details of that great struggle I purposely omit, because you already have in enduring form an invaluable account of Salisbury's part in it, by a participant .*
Of the last war, the Spanish-American, there is but little to be said. Although far-reaching in its effects and of great value to this country, in emphasizing our present national unity, it must take rank, historically, rather as a military episode than a great conflict. It was too short and, except at one or two apparently critical moments, too tame, to arouse much patriotic ardor, or to necessitate general enlistment. The local Camp of Sons of Veterans offered its services as provisional militia, and was neither surprised, nor greatly pained, to find that it was not needed. Aside from this, as far as can be learned, our record is a blank, in this connection.
Conditions have so completely changed in the last two hundred years that we can hardly realize that what was once considered
* "Salisbury in War Time," Memorial Day Address by Thomas L. Norton, 1910.
152
Historical Collections
the chief glory of a nation, the ability to subjugate and despoil its neighbors, upon slight pretext or none, is now frowned upon by all Christendom. Arbitration and intervention have gone a long way to prevent war, and may in the course of time eliminate it, but it seems inevitable that conditions shall occasionally arise which will demand an appeal to arms.
To those who insist upon peace at any cost, it may be said that we are here because of wars and not in spite of them-that wars, though in many instances seemingly preventable, have almost invariably eventuated in greater good to the greater number of the people. This is certainly true of all wars that have been fought for high principles, if so much cannot be said of all that have been waged for conquest only. But however we argue it, may we never let our natural abhorrence of so violent and terrible a scourge, blind us to the worth of men of other days, who faced conditions of which we, accustomed only to the bloodless conflicts of the ballot-box, have no conception.
For you, our surviving defenders of the Union, we feel the deepest gratitude for all the hardship that you underwent, and hold you in high esteem, as well, because you had the moral courage to uphold the natural rights of man, and the sense to know that national power and economic progress depend on national harmony and enlightened cooperation.
"And now in conclusion"-trite yet ever welcome phrase- I dare to voice the hope that in time to come, many of our citizens who thoughtlessly desecrate this day, will meet with us, and come to recognize its true significance.
Here, seated at our ease, warmed and invigorated by the fragrant breath of Spring, let us turn our thoughts, reflectively and reverently, toward yonder slope, where stand the mute reminders of so many of the pioneers and soldiers who made Salisbury what it is, and whose mortal bodies have these many years mouldered into native dust. Recall them, not as personages remotely dim and different from ourselves, but rather as our predecessors by a little space of time, who, all their days, were filled as we are now, with joys and sorrows, hopes and fears. They made their mark and passed : we make our mark and pass. Look to it that the future generations know us, too, as men who strove to give our best of heart and hand and brain to Salisbury.
INDEX
This is an index of persons mentioned in Part II (Military History) only. Part I is arranged alphabetically and is not indexed.
Adams, Isaac, 135. Adams, J. Q., 150. Allen, Ethan, 138, 139, 142, 143. Allen, Heman, 143. Allen, Ira, 139. Allen, Levi, 142. Arnold, Benedict, 143.
Barton, Andrew, 133. Beebe, David, 143. Beebe, Samuel, 131. Beebe, William, 14I. Bellows, Samuel, 133, 134. Bignall, Richard, 143. Bird, Isaac, 133. Bissell, Ebenezer, 148. Blagden, Samuel, 142, 143. Brinsmaid, Daniel, 143. Bryan, Alexander, 135. Buell, Nathaniel, 133, 134, 141, 143, 147. Burchard, Thomas, 134. Burrall, Charles, 145.
Camp, Abial, 134, 135, 14I. Camp, Hez., Jr., 135. Camp, Luke, 141, 143. Chipman, John, 143, 144. Chipman, Jonathan, 133. Chipman, Nathaniel, 139, 143. Chipman, Thos., 13I. Chittenden, Thomas, 139. Chittenden, Timothy, 133, 141, 143. Church, Albert E., 151. Church, Samuel, 148, 151. Claghorn, Eleazer, 143, 145. Claghorn, James, 143.
Coon, James, 144. Crossman, Joseph W., 132.
Dauchy, Nathan, 143. Decatur, Commodore, 149, 150. De La Place, Capt., 142. Dutcher, Ruloff, 143.
Ellsworth, Maj., 149. Elmore, Capt., 133. Ensign, John, Jr., 149. Evarts, Nathaniel, 133, 134. Everts, John, 140.
Everts, Nathaniel, Jr., 143.
Fletcher, Ebenezer, 143. Fisher, Sidney G., 137. Fitch, Hezekiah, 14I. Fitch, Joseph, 134, 135. Fitch, Thomas, 135.
George the Third, 136. Gifford, Weston, 134. Graves, James, 148.
Hanmer, John, 133. Henshaw, Benjamin, 146. Holcomb, Timothy, 143. Holley, A. H., 149. Holley, Edward O., 149, 150. Holley, Newman, 149, 150. Holmes, James, 143. Hutchinson, John, 134.
Indians, 127, 128, 130, 134.
Jeffry, Capt., 133.
154
Index
NOTE .- This is an index of persons mentioned in Part II (Military History) only. Part I is arranged alphabetically and is not indexed.
Jewel, Joshua, 135. Johnston, Albert, 151.
Landon, David, 149.
Landon, James, 134, 136.
Lane, James, 148.
Lane, Samuel, 141, 143.
Law, Jonathan, 130, 132.
Lee, Jonathan, 133.
Lee, Joseph, 133.
Lee, Noah, 143, 144.
Lemley, John, 148.
Livingstons, The, 144.
Lyddius, John, 131. Lyman, Moses, 133.
Madison, Pres., 150.
Marsh, Eben, 135, 136.
Marsh, John, 133, 135.
Minor, Joseph, 130, 135.
Montcalm, 134.
Montgomery, Richard, 144. Moravians, 129, 130.
Moore, Roger, 143.
Moore, Samuel, 134, 135, 136.
More, Jonathan, 133.
Mott, Edward, 142.
Napoleon, 147. Nichols, John, 133. Norton, Lot, 133, 14I.
Norton, Thomas L., 151.
O'Cain, John, 148. Oliver, Capt., 150.
Painter, Gamaliel, 143, 144. Peck, Isaac, 133, 134.
Pitkin, William, 130, 13I. Plumb, Ovid, 149.
Porter, Joshua, 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, I46. Porter, Peter B., 150.
Rugg, Nicholas, 148.
Sawyer, Jesse, 143.
Sheldon, Elisha, 141, 143.
Sheldon, James, 149.
Skinner, James, 143.
Skinner, Samuel, 133.
Sprague, John, 131.
Stanton, Joshua, 143.
Stephens, Samuel, 148.
Sterling, Elisha, 149.
Sterling, William C., 149.
Stevens, Capt., 133.
Stoddard, Darius, 143, 144.
Stoddard, Josiah, 141, 1-42, 143, 144.
Stoddard, Luther, 143.
Strong, Adonijah, 143, 144.
Strong, Simeon, 133.
Surdam, Tunis, 134.
Talcott, John, 128. Trumbull, 139. Tuttles, 133.
Vallans, Wm., Jr., 135.
Wayne, Gen., 145.
Washington, 139.
Waterous, Samuel, 143.
Wheeler, Lemuel, 141, 143.
White, Heman, 148.
White, Philo, 149.
Whiting, Lieut .- Col., 133.
Whitney, David, 131.
Whitney, Tarball, 133.
Whittlesey, Eliphalet, 149.
Williams, Capt., 13I.
Williams, John, 13I.
Wolcott, 132. Woodworths, 133.
Young, Dr. Thomas, 138.
2
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.