History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 159

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 159

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" The year following this incursion of the enemy, Gen. Putnam was ordered into this part of the State, just across the Redding line, for the winter, and fears of further invasions all subsided. An ineident of his stay we allude to for the purpose of presenting a pie- ture of army-life in that early day, as well as of eor- reeting what seems to be a wrong statement :

"It was late in the autumn of 1778 when Gen. Put- nam removed his army from White Plains and Peeks- kill to Redding, at which plaee lie was to establishı his headquarters for the winter. The position thus selected was in many respects an advatageous one. He was enabled to cover the country adjoining the Sound and the southwestern frontier, and at the same time to support the garrison at West Point, if neees- sary. The house which lie oceupied as his headquar- ters is still standing, although in a dilapidated eondi- tion, and is situated on the old Danbury and Norwalk road, about three miles west of the Congregational church, and is now owned by Mr. Meeker. The northeast room of the same house was also at one time oceupied by Joel Barlow, LL.D., who was a native of this town. It was in this room that most of his poetry was written.

"Gen. Putnam had at this time under his orders Gen. Poor's New Hampshire brigade, two brigades of Connecticut troops, the corps of infantry commanded by Col. Hazen, and the corps of cavalry under Col. Sheldon.

"It was while at Redding that the soldiers suffering from the want of proper food and clothing were so strongly tempted to rebel against the authority of their, commanding offieers and, if necessary, at the point of the bayonet demand of General Assembly what they esteemed their rights.

" We must remember that they were not soldiers by profession; they were simply eitizens armed for the defense of their country. They had known and ap- preeiated the endearments of home and all the do- mestie enjoyments of life. They were men who had been always accustomed to think independently and speak out their thoughts without fear or favor. There- fore they were restless under the iron discipline of the camp and the privations which seemed to them need- lessly severe. They were ready to suffer and die, if need be, for their country ; there was no lack of eour- age or patriotism. No thought of insubordination probably ever entered their minds when actually en- gaged in battle or in the aetive duties of military life, but now their time was passing in comparative idle- ness, and they had abundant leisure to brood over their privations and their gloomy prospeets. And, as if to fill to overflowing their eup of bitterness, they had thus far been paid off in the depreciated eurrency of the times, which had proven almost worthless not alone to them, but to their families, left in straitened circumstanees behind them.

" It was under such eireumstanees that the Connee- ticut brigades formed the design of marehing to Hart- ford, where the Legislature was then sitting, and de- mand redress. One of the brigades was actually under arms for this purpose when the news for the first reached the ears of Gen. Putnam. Springing into his saddle, he rode to the cantonment, and thus addressed them: 'My brave lads, whither are you going ? Do you intend to desert your offieers, and to invite the enemy to follow you into the country ? Whose eause have you been fighting and suffering so long in? Is it not your own? Have you no property, no parents, wives, or ehildren ? You have behaved like men so far; all the world is full of your praises ; and posterity will stand astonished at your deeds, but not if you spoil all at last. Don't you consider how much the country is distressed by the war, and that your offieers have not been any better paid than yourselves? But we all expeet better times, and that the country will do us ample justiee. Let us stand by one another, then, and fight it out like brave soldiers. Think what a shame it would be for Con- neeticut men to run away from their officers!'

" Each regiment received the general with the usual salutations as he rode along the lines. When he had eoneluded his address he direeted the aeting major of

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brigade to give the word for them to shoulder arms, to march to their regimental parades, and there to lodge their guns. They obeyed with promptness and apparent good-humor. A single soldier only who had been most active in the affair was confined in the quarter-guard, and was shot dead by the sentinel while attempting to escape during the succeeding night.

"During Putnam's stay at Redding two persons were executed,-one a soldier, by the name of Smith, who was shot for desertion ; the other a Mr. Jones, of Ridgefield, a royalist, who was hung as a spy : both suffered on the same day. These executions took place on Gallows Hill, a mile or more from Gen. Putnam's headquarters.

" The scene as described by Mr. Barber in his ' His- torical Collections' is revolting to every feeling of humanity and degrading to the character of the gen- eral in command. He says (page 399), 'The man on whom the duty of hangman devolved left the camp, and on the day of execution could not be found. A couple of boys about the age of twelve years were ordered by Gen. Putnam to perform the duties of the absconding hangman. The gallows was about twenty feet from the ground. Jones was com- pelled to ascend the ladder, and the rope around his neck was attached to the cross-beam. Gen. Putnam then ordered Jones to jump from the ladder. "No, Gen. Putnam," said Jones, "I am innocent of the crime laid to my charge ; I shall not do it." Putnam then ordered the boys before mentioned to turn the ladder over. The boys were deeply affected by the trying scene; they cried and sobbed loudly, and earn- estly entreated to be excused from doing anything on this distressing occasion. Putnamn, drawing his sword, ordered them forward, and compelled them at the sword's point to obey his orders. The soldier that was shot for desertion was but a youth of sixteen or seven- teen years of age. Three balls were shot through his breast; he fell on his face, but immediately turned over on his back ; a soldier then advanced, and, put- ting the muzzle of his gun near the convulsive body of the youth, discharged its contents into his fore- head. The body was then taken up and put into a coffin. The soldiers had fired their pieces so near that they set the boy's clothing on fire, which con- tinued burning. An officer with a drawn sword stood by, while every soldier of the three brigades which were out on the occasion was ordered to march by and look at the mangled remains.'

"Mr. Barber says, in a foot-note, that the particu- lars of the execution of these two persons were de- rived from an aged inhabitant of Redding who was present on the occasion, and stood but a few feet from Jones when he was executed.

" Mr. Hollister, however, in his 'History of Con- necticut,' does not credit the account given by Mr. Barber. The following note, taken from vol. ii., page 375, will explain itself :

"" The Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, who was pastor of the Cong! Church in Redding for u perlod of fifty years, officiated as chaplain to the en- campinent during the winter, and was present at the execution. Ile in- torceded with Gen. Putnam to defer the excention of Smith until Wash- ington could be consulted, the offender being a youth of seventeen years; but the commander assured him that a reprieve could not be grantod.

" Mr. Bartlett was an carnest and fearless Whlg, and openly talked and preached "rebellion ;" so innch so that the Torles, who were unmerous in the eastern part of the town, threatened to hang lilm if they could catch him. In consequence of these threats, he often carried a loaded musket with him when on his parochial visits. His son and successor in the ministry at Redding-the Rev. Jonathan Bartlett, now (1855) in his ninety-first year-well remembers the Revolutionary encampment at Redding, and frequently visited it. Ile is sure that the story in Barber's "Ilistorical Collections" about Putnam's inlinmanity at the execution of Smith and Jones is incorrect. Though not present himself, he has often heard his father relato the incidents of the occasion ; and, further- more, he once called the attention of Col. Asbibel Salmon (who died in 1848, aged ninety-one), who was a sergeant In attendance upon the exc- cution, to the statement, and he declared that nothing of the kind took place.'

" As further evidence of the incorrectness of Mr. Barber's statement, we would offer the following ex- tract from the notes of a sermon preached in the Congregational church in Green's Farmns by Rev. Thomas F. Davies (father of the present Dr. Davies, of Philadelphia), on March 29, 1839.

" Referring to this matter as related by Mr. Barber, he says,-

"' Mr. Barber must have been misinformed. Redding is my native town, and from my boyhood I have heard the history of the proceedings on the occasion referred to, and was much surprised at the statements in the " Historical Collections." The Rev. Mr. Bartlett, whose father was chaplain on that occasion, informs me that Gen. Putunm could not linve been guilty of the acts there charged.

"' That Mr. Barber may have something to substitute for the narra- tive to which 1 object, 1 give tho following: When Gen. Putnam occu- pied tho honse of which Mr. Barber has given an engraving, a scene occurred which presents the general in a very amiable light. A poor man with a family needing support, and who lived in the neighboring town of Ridgefield, was told by ono acquainted with his wants that if he would visit Gen. Putnam and hold a conversation with him, he would, on his return and on proof of the fact, give him n bushel of wheat. The temptation in that tinic of scarcity and taxes was great, and so also was the fear of intruding upon so distinguished an individual, but the stern necessities of his condition at length induced the poor mau to venture. Ile accordingly presented himself at headquarters and re- quested the servant to solicit for him an interview with the general. Putnam promptly summoned the man to his presence, directed him to be sented, and listened with interest while the man, with great trepida- tion, gave the statement which accounted for the liberty he had taken. The general directed the servant to bring some winc, conversed for a time very pleasantly with his needy visitor, and then, calling for pen and ink, wrote a certificate, in which ho gave the name of the individual and stated that he had visited and conversed with Gen. Putnam, who signed it in his official character. Thus furnished with the means of giving bread to his family, the distressed individual returned to his humble roof; and this anecdote, which I have on the very best au- thority, is proof that Putnam was not destitute of those kind and gentle affections which aro so desimblo an ornament of the most heroic char- acter.'

" Among the most familiar names in the town a half-century ago was that of Gen. Joshua King. He was the father of the present Hon. Joshua I. King, who in 1849 represented the Eleventh District in the State Senate, and of the late Rufus H. King, a well- known merchant of Albany.

" When Gen. King was but seventeen years of age he enlisted in the regular army, and served with great bravery and fidelity until the close of the war.

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6-48

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

" At the time of Maj. Andre's capture, Gen. King (then lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Light Dragoons, under Col. Sheldon) was stationed in Soutlı Salem. The house which was occupied by Lieut. King, and which has been but recently removed, stood about one mile north of the Presbyterian church.

"The morning after the capture of Andre lie was brought to Lieut. King's quarters. Lieut. King was at the moment being shaved. After his valet had finished the operation and had dressed his hair, Lieut. King turned to his prisoner and politely inquired if like services would not also be agrceable to him. Lieut. King did not at the time recognize in Maj. Andre so distinguished a personage, but was never- theless impressed with the belief that, whatever his rank as a soldier might be, he was at all events a gentleman. His dusty and somewhat rusty garments, his soiled and travel-stained linen, could not effectu- ally hide those distinctive marks which always be- tray refinement and culture.

"Maj. Andre readily accepted the kind offer, and was soon under the careful manipulations of the valet. As soon as the powder began to fly from the prisoner's hair the lieutenant was convinced that he was by no means an ordinary man.

" After being shaved and having his hair dressed, he courteously asked the privilege of retiring to his bed, that lie might have his soiled linen washed. Lieut. King assured him that such a step would be unnecessary, as he himself would supply him with whatever change he might desire. The major, with many expressions of gratitude, availed himself of the lieutenant's hospitality, and soon appcared in a much improved condition. The most friendly relations con- sistent with their respective positions at once sprang up between the two; they walked and talked as incli- nation led, and at night occupied the same bed.

"The lieutenant and two of his men were detailed to convey Maj. Andre to headquarters. While on their way a dispatch informed Lieut. King for the first who his illustrious prisoner was,-that he was no less a personage than the adjutant-general of the British army ; that he was suspected of being a spy and holding a treasonable correspondence with Ar- nold for the surrender of West Point. So soon as the message was received, Maj. Andre eagerly inquired whether Arnold had actually succeeded in making his escape, evincing, seemingly, more interest in Ar- nold's safety than in his own.

" After they arrived at headquarters, Lieut. King's relations with the prisoner were no less intimate ; al- though closely confined, he remained with him till lis execution, even walking with him to the gallows.

"In relating the circumstances afterwards to a friend, Gen. King said that when Andre first caught sight of the fatal gibbet he gave a sudden start, and exclaimed, 'I am reconciled to death, but not to the mode,' and added, 'it will be but a momentary pang.' "On arriving at the spot the brave and. accom-

plished young officer mounted the cart, adjusted the rope to his neck with his own hands, and paid the penalty of his unsuccessful espionage.

" In the year 1817, Gen. King was written to by a friend who desired to know the exact facts in relation to Maj. Andre's capture, etc. The following letter was written by Gen. King in reply, and, although previously solicited for publication, is now for the first given to the public :

" ' RIDGEFIELD, June 17th, 1817.

"' DEAR SIR : Yours of the 9th is before me. I have noted the con- tents and am sorry to express the indignation I feel at the idea of being obliged to translate a foreign language to obtain a true history of any part of our Revolution. The facts, so far as I am acquainted with them, I will state to the best of my ability or recollection. Paulding, Williams, and Van Wort I never saw before, or since, that event. I know nothing abont them. The time and place where they stopped Major Andre seems to justify the character yon have drawn of them. The truth is, to the imprudence of the man, and not the patriotism of any one, is to be as- cribed the capture of Major Andre. I was the first and only officer who had charge of him whilst at the Headquarters of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, which was then at Esquire Gilbert's in South Salen. He was brought up by an adjutant and four men belonging to the Con- necticut militia under the command of Lient-Col. Jamison from the lines near Tarrytown, a character under the disguised name of John Ander- son. lle looked somewhat like a reduced gentleman. His small clothes were nankin, with long white top boots, in part, his undress military suit. His coat purple, with gold lace, worn somewhat threadbare, with a small brimmed tarnished beaver on his head. Ile wore his hair in a quien with long, black band and his clothes somewhat dirty. In this garb I took charge of him. After breakfast my Barber came in to dress me-after which, I requested him to undergo the same operation, which he did.

""" When the ribbon was taken from his hair, I observed it full of powder. This circumstance, with others that occurred, induced me to believe I had no ordinary person in charge.

"' He requested permission to take the bed, whilst his shirt and small clothes could be washed. I told him, that was needless, for a change was at his service,-which he accepted.

" We were close pent up in a bedroom with a guard at the door and window. There was a spacious yard before the door, which he desired he might be permitted to walk in with me, I accordingly disposed of my guard in such a wanner as to prevent an escape. While walking together, he observed, he must make a confidant of somebody and he knew not a more proper person than myself, as I had appeared to befriend a stranger in distress. After settling the point between ourselves, he told me who he was, and gave me a short account of himself from the time he was taken at St. Johns in 1775 to that time. He requested pen and ink and wrote immediately to Gen' Washington, declaring who he was. About midnight the express returned with orders from Gen1 Wash- ington to Col Sheldon to send Major Andre immediately to Headquarters.

"'I started with him and before I got to North Salem meeting-house met another express with a letter directed to the Officer who had Major Andre in charge, and which letter directed a circuitons route to Head- quarters for fear of re-capture, and gave an account of Arnold's de- sertion &c-with directions to forward the letter to Col Sheldon. I did so, and before I got to the end of my journey, I was joined by Captain Hoodgers first, and after by Major Talmadge and Captain Rogers. Hav- ing giving you this clue, I proceed with the major's own story. He said he came up the North river in the sloop of war Vulture for the purpose of seeing a person by flag of truce. That was not however accomplished. Of course he had to come ashore in a skiff, aud after he had done his business, the wind was so high, the Dutchman who took him ashore daro not venture to return him on board. The night following the militia had lined the shore, so that no attempt would be made with safety, con- sequently he was furnished, after changing his clothes, with a continental horse and General Arnold's pass and was to take a ronte by Peekskill, Crumpound, Pinesbridge, Sing Sing, Tarrytown, &c to New York.

"Nothing occurred to disturb him on his route until he arrived at the last place, except at Crumpound. He told me, his hair stood, erect 'and his heart was in his mouth on meeting Col Samuel B. Webb of our army plump in the face. An acquaintance of his said that Col Stod- dert knew him and he thought that he was gone but they kept moving along aud soou passed each other. He then thought himself past all

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danger and while ruminating on his good luck and hairbreadth escapes he was assailed by three bushmen near Tarrytown, who ordered hin to stand. Ile said to them, "I hope gentlemen you belong to the lower party."-" Wo do," says ono,-" So do I," says he, "and by the token of this ring and key you will let me pass. I am a British. officer on business of importance and must not be detained." Ono of then took his watch from him and then ordered him to dismount. The moment that was done, ho said he found he was mistaken, ho must shift his tone. Ho says, "I am happy gentlemen to find I am mis- taken-yon belong to tho upper party and so do I,-and to con- vince you of it hero is Gen1 Arnold's pass," handing it to them. "Damn Arnold's pass," said they. "You said you wero a British officer. Where is your money ?"-" Gentlemen I have nono about me," he replied .- " You a British Officor with a gold watch and no money! let us search him." They did so, but found none. Says one, " He has got his money in his boots, lets have them off and see." They took off his boots and thero they found his papors, but no money. They then examined his saddle, but found none. Ilo said he saw they had such a thirst for money, ho would put them in the way to get it, if they would bo directed by him. Ho asked them to namo their sum to deliver him at King'sbridge. They answered him in this way, "If we deliver you at King'sbridge, we shall bo sent to the sugar- house and you will save your money." He says, " If you will not trust my honor, two of you may stay with me and one shall go with the letter I will write, name your sum." The sum was agreed upon, but I eannot recollect whether it was 500 or 1000 guineas but the latter, I think, was the sum. They held a consultation a considerable timo and finally they told him if he wrote, a party would be sent out and take them and then they should all be prisoners. They said they had concluded to take him to the commanding officer on tho lines. They did so and retained the wateh until Gen1 Washington sent for them to Tappen, when tho watch was restored to Maj. Andre. Tims, you see, had money been at command, after the imprudent conclusion of Maj. Andre, or any security given that the British would have put confidence in, he might have passed on to Sir Henry Clinton's Headquarters with all his papers and Arnold's pass into the bargain. I do not recollect to have seen a true statement of this business in any history that has fallen into my hands. If my memory serves me, Arnold solicited and obtained the command of West Point in consequeneo or his being an invalid and the reason why his negociation was not completed by flag of truce, I will state what Gen1 Washington told the French ambassador, Lueerne. He stated on his route to Hartford, that he dined with Gen1 Arnold at Haverstraw at Joshua Smith's, where Arnold and Andre met. Gen1 Arnold shewed him a letter from Gen1 Robinson directed to Gen1 Israel Putnam, or Officer com- manding West Point requesting an interview by flag on business of the first importance to the United States. Gen1 Arnold asked Gen1 Washington if he should go and hear what he had to say, Gen Washington replied that it would be very improper for the Commander in chief of a post to meet anybody himself-he could send a trusty hand if he thought proper. But, he added, I had no more suspicion of Arnold than I had of myself. This accounts for Maj. Andre's failuro to negociate by flag and his subse- quent movements. I have thus complied with your request, giving you such facts, viz, what I had from the mouth of Maj. Andre and what I heard Gen1 Washington tell the French minister soon after the execution of Andre.'

" J. Howard King, Esq., has in his possession the chair used by Maj. Andre while a prisoner in the hands of his grandfather, Gen. Joshua King. Maj. Andre in all probability occupied the chair when he penned his celebrated letter to Washington, for by reference to Irving's 'Life of Washington' it will be scen that this letter was written while at South Salem. Then it was that he was for the first made acquainted with the fact that the papers found secreted in his boots had been forwarded to Gen. Washington.

" He immediately sat down and wrote the following lines :

"' I beg your Excellency will be persuaded that no alteration in the temper of my mind or apprehensions for my safety induces me to take the step of addressing you ; but that it is to securo myself from the imputa- tion of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes, or self-interest. It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit security.

"' The person in your possession is Maj. John Andre, adjutant-general of the British army.

" The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary Is an advantage taken in war. A correspondence for this purpose I held, an confidential (in the present instance) with his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, To favor it, I agreed to meet upon ground not within the ports of either army, a person who was to give me intelligence. I came up in tho 'Vulture' man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched from the shoro to tho beach. Being there, I was told that the approach of day would prevent my return, and that I innst be concealed until the next night. I was in my regimentals and had fairly risked my person.

"' Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my knowledge beforehand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Thus was I be- trayed into the vile condition of an enemy within your posts.

"' Having avowed myself a British officer, I have nothing to reveal but what relates to myself, which is true, on the honor of an officer and a gentleman.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 159

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572