History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 9

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 9
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 9

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The lapse of years has increased rather than diminished the estimate of the fine qualities of Adjutant Campbell, and on the 5th of July, 1891, a new and more expressive monument was placed over the same spot by citizens of New Haven and other points in the Union. Although he fell as an enemy, his worth as a man merited this tender and grateful recognition, and henceforth we preserve his grave as friends.

Near this same spot, the eccentric Professor Napthali Daggett was taken prisoner by the British, who carried him into New Haven, where he was released. The part he took in this engagement was thus related by Honorable Elizur Goodrich, who was at that time a college student and had accompanied Captain James Hillhouse to meet the advancing enemy.

" I well remember the surprise we felt, as we were marching over West Bridge, towards the enemy, to see Dr. Daggett riding furiously by us on his old black mare, with his fowling piece in his hand ready for action. We knew the old gentleman had studied the matter thor- oughly, and had settled in his own mind as to the right and propriety of fighting it out, but we were not quite prepared to see him come forth in so gallant a style to carry his principles into practice. Giving him a hearty cheer as we passed, we turned at the foot of Milford Hill towards West Haven, while he ascended a little to the west, and took his station in a copse of wood, where he appeared to be reconnoitering the enemy like one who was determined to bide his time. As we passed on toward the south, we met an advance guard of the enemy. and from our stand at a line of fence, we fired on them several times, and then chased them the length of three or four fields as they retreated, until we found ourselves involved with the main body, and

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

in danger of being surrounded. It was now our turn to run, which we did for our lives.

" Passing by Dr. Daggett, in his station on the hill, we retreated rapidly across West Bridge, which was instantly taken down by per- sons who stood ready for that purpose, to prevent the enemy from entering the town from that road. In the meantime, Dr. Daggett, as we heard afterwards, stood his ground manfully while the British column advanced to the foot of the hill, determined to have the battle to himself, as we had left him in the lurch, and using his fowling- piece now and then to excellent effect, as occasion offered, under cover of the bushes. But this could not last long. A detachment was sent up the hillside to look into the matter. and then the commanding officer coming suddenly, to his great surprise, on a single individual in a black coat blazing away in this style; cried out :

". What are you doing there, you old fool, firing on his Majesty's troops "

"'Exercising the rights of war,' rejoined the old gentleman.

" The very audacity of this reply, and the mixture of drollery it contained, seemed to amuse the officer, and he said :

"'If I let you go this time, will you ever fire again on the troops of his Majesty?'

".Nothing more likely,' rejoined the old gentleman in his dry way.

" This was too much for flesh and blood to bear, and it is a wonder they did not put a bullet through him on the spot."

Dr. Daggett was thereupon taken into custody and subjected to many indignities by the brutal soldiers, who beat him over the head, kicked him in his bowels and insulted him in many ways. After stripping him of his shoes he was forcibly marched along and reached the green more dead than alive. On the 26th of July, 1779. he wrote an account of his cruel treatment which has been preserved among the state papers, and is a very interesting document. He died in 1780, his death being hastened by the injuries he received on this occasion.

The Connecticut Journal of July 7th. 1779, published the following as the loss of the Americans at the invasion of New Haven :

" Killed -John Hotchkiss. Caleb Hotchkiss. Jun., Ezekiel Hotchkiss, Captain John Gilbert, Michael Gilbert. John Kennedy. Joseph Dorman, Asa Todd. Samuel Wooden, Silas Wooden. Benjamin English, Isaac Pardis, Jeduthan Thompson, Aaron Russel (a lad), Jacob Thorp, and Pomp (a negro), all of New Haven ; Eldad Parker, Wallingford; - Bradley, Derby; Timothy Ludlenton, Guilford; John Baldwin, Gideon Goodrich. Branford: and one person whose name is unknown. " Wounded-Rev. Dr. Daggett. Nathan Beers (since died of his wounds), David Austin, Jun., Elizur Goodrich. Jun., Joseph Bassett, Captain Caleb Mix. Thomas Mix, and Israel Wooden. Taken -- John Austin, Abraham Pinto. Jeremiah Austin, Nathan Drummer. Edinund

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Smith, and Elisha Tuttle (since dead of his wounds, whose tongue was cut out by the enemy), all of New Haven; Atwater and a negro, of Wallingford; and Benjamin Howd, of Branford. The total number of the 'martyrs' was twenty-four killed, fifteen wounded. and nine captured."

Many of the above were in Captain John Gilbert's company and lost their lives at "Ditch Corner," as is related elsewhere.# The Hotchkisses were among the first killed. They lived at Westville (then called Hotchkisstown), and early hastened to check the advance of the British. Benjamin English, an aged and infirm man, was killed in his own house, in the town. Nathan Beers was also shot without provocation, in his own dwelling, and was too feeble to offer resist- ance. Elisha Tuttle was a " distracted " man and was probably mal- treated in so base a manner by the English when they were crazed with drink.

Among those carried away as prisoners were John Whiting, judge of the probate court and county clerk. Captain John Mix, Captain Elijah Foster, Hezekiah Sabin, Sr., Thomas Barrett, Jerre Townsend and Adonijah Sherman.

The British destroyed the defenses at Black Rock Fort, which Colonel Thompson had built in 1775-6, and carried with them as public property six field pieces and an armed privateer. It was esti- mated that the total value of the property destroyed in the raid was £24.893, 7s., 6d. The largest individual loss was sustained by Amos Morris, of Morris Cove, whose farm buildings were destroyed.

Early in September, 1781, three of the enemy's vessels again appeared off the coast at West Haven and landed 150 men, who cap- tured the sentinels maintained at that point, and made a short raid in so quiet a manner that but a few people were aware of their presence. " They took off four of the inhabitants and about thirty head of cattle and horses."

The remaining events of the war were so far removed that they but little affected the county. Some of her citizens, however. served in the southern campaigns and Colonel David Humphreys, of Derby, had the honor of receiving the colors of the British, at the surrender at Yorktown. At this time he was an aid-de-camp, on the staff of General Washington. Other citizens of Derby, the Hulls. Thompsons, Tomlinsons, etc., rendered fitting service in the revolution, as did also the citizens of other towns in the county. Besides at the points indi- cated in the foregoing pages, there were no maneuvers of the enemy on the soil of the county, but in the progress of the early campaigns, the troops of the continental army moved east or west through New Haven. La Fayette, while thus marching, encamped in Southbury and Middlebury, and it is claimed that General Washington also visited the former town during the war.

* See History of Hamden.

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The declaration of peace, with the acknowledgment of the inde pendence of the colonies, was everywhere hailed with delight and appropriately celebrated. An account of the affair at New Haven has been taken from the Connecticut Journal of May 1st, 1783, as follows:

" Thursday last was observed as a day of festivity and rejoicing in this town, on receipt of indubitable testimony of the most important, grand, and ever memorable event-the total cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and these United States, and the full acknowl- edgment of their sovereignty and independence. Accordingly, the day, with the rising sun, was ushered in by the discharge of thirteen cannon, paraded on the green' for that purpose, under elegant silk colors, with the Coat-of-Arms of the United States most ingeniously represented thereon, which was generously contributed upon the occa- sion by the ladies of the town. At nine o'clock in the forenoon, the inhabitants met in the brick Meeting-House for divine service, where was convened a very crowded assembly. The service was opened with an anthem; then a very pertinent prayer, together with thanks- giving, was made by the Rev. Dr. Stiles, President of Yale College; after was sung some lines, purposely composed for the occasion, by the singers of all the congregations in concert. Then followed a very ingenious oration, spoken by Mr. Elizur Goodrich, one of the Tutors of the College; after which a very liberal collection was made for the poor of the town, to elevate their hearts for rejoicing. The service was concluded with an anthem.

" A number of respectable gentlemen of the town dined together at the Coffee-House. After dinner several patriotic toasts were drank.

" At three o'clock were discharged thirteen cannon -- at four, twenty-one ditto-at five, seven ditto-at six, thirteen ditto-at seven were displayed the fire-works, with rockets, serpents, &c .- at nine o'clock, a bonfire on the Green concluded the diversions of the day. The whole affair was conducted with a decorum and decency uncom- mon for such occasions, without any unfortunate accident; a most pacific disposition and heartfelt joy was universally conspicuous, and most emphatically expressed by the features of every countenance."

Soon after the war the city of New Haven became noted for her commercial enterprise and her trade at the beginning of the present century was very considerable. The embargo act, of December 22d, 1807, greatly affected this commerce and the occupation of hundreds of men in all parts of the county, and especially along the coast, so that the measures which brought on the war of 1812 were unpopular and poorly supported. Soon after the war was declared Colonel David Humphreys raised a company of cavalry and offered its service to the governor. The company was accepted and Colonel Humphreys was not long after appointed major general of the state militia, which he commanded during the war. He took measures for the defense of the coast of the state and various points were fortified. In 1814 the

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

defenses at New Haven harbor were strengthened and in addition to Fort Hale # new earthworks were built on Beacon hill, which received the name of Fort Wooster. Concerning this fortification the Connec- ticut Journal of October 4th, 1814, said :

" This work has progressed with great rapidity and is now nearly completed. The inhabitants of the neighboring towns deserve and receive the thanks of the public, for volunteering their aid in this patriotic labor. On Wednesday and Thursday last, one hundred men from Cheshire, under the direction of Andrew Hull, Esq., labored with great industry and effect at the fortifications for two days. On their return through the city, in wagons, with music playing, they were saluted with a discharge of artillery and cheered by the citizens, who had collected in great numbers on the public square. On Thurs- day one hundred men from the town of North Haven, under the direction of their reverend pastor, Dr. Trumbull, the venerable historian of Connecticut, eighty years of age, volunteered their ser- vices and spent the day in the same patriotic work. This aged minister addressed the throne of grace and implored the Divine blessing on their undertaking. On Friday the same number from Hamden, under the command of Captain Jacob Whiting, with great industry labored at the same work, and were saluted and cheered on their return. The inhabitants of the town of Meriden, with a patriotism not exceeded by their neighbors, have volunteered their aid for Wednesday next. It is confidently hoped that our fellow citizens of other towns in this vicinity will, in the course of the present week, complete the works which are now nearly finished. Parties who are willing to give their assistance in this preparation for the common defense are desired to give notice to the committee of the time when it will be agreeable to them to give their attendance. The enemy is hovering on the coast. Where the next blow will be attempted no one can tell. Preparation to repel invasion cannot too speedily be made."

The second war with Great Britain, so far as it affected New Haven, was almost wholly maritime. The commerce of the city, already greatly impaired by the embargo act, was now almost wholly sus- pended, leaving, as a natural result, many seamen unemployed. Some of these were adventurous and freely engaged in privateering, little

* After the revolution Black Rock Fort received this name in honor of Cap- tain Nathan Hale, the "Martyr Spy" of the revolution. He graduated from Yale in 1773. Joining the patriots early in the struggle. he commanded a com- pany in Colonel Knowlton's regiment, of Ashford. After the retreat of the Americans from Long Island, in August, 1776, he was sent by General Washing- ton to ascertain the enemy's future plans. Having obtained this information, and just as he was leaving the Island he was recognized by a Tory relative, and betrayed. He was taken before Sir William Howe, who, without a trial ordered him to be hanged the next morning. September 22d, 1:76. He mnet his fate calmly, saying : "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." His statue has been placed on the capitol grounds at Hartford.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

reckoning about the perils of such an undertaking. Their adventures, in some instances, read like a romance. Mr. T. R. Trowbridge, of New Haven, has given the following interesting account of one of them :

"The . Actress' was a fine, fast-sailing sloop of sixty tons, and had for a crew forty-two young, able-bodied, New Haven county men, every one of whom was anxious to make his fortune by privateering. For an armament, the sloop carried eight small guns, with the usual assortment of small arms, cutlasses, boarding-pikes, etc.

" The commander of the ' Actress' was John Lumsden, an English- man by birth, but a naturalized American. He was an able seaman, and had commanded several of the best New Haven ships; his officers were experienced sailors. Thus appointed, she sailed from Long Wharf on the evening of the 11th of July, 1812, 'on a cruise.' Reach- ing the open sea, early next morning, everything on board the privateer was put in ship-shape order, and a six weeks' cruise agreed upon. Sharp and anxious eyes scanned the horizon ; for a reward of fifty dollars was promised to the man who should first desery a vessel that should prove to be a . Britisher.'

" Nothing, however, was seen for several days. and the ship's com- pany began to think privateering slow work, and to long for their farms; when, to the joy of all, at daybreak, July 19th, on the northern edge of the Gulf Stream, a inan on the foretopmast rigging cried out, ' Sail, ho?' with the singular prolongation of sound that no landsman can imitate.

". Where away?' bawled the officer in charge of the deck.

"'A mile to the lu'ard,' was the reply, and then came the welcome words, 'and a Britisher, too.'

" True it was. In a few moments the mist lifted, and less than a mile to the leeward of the privateer lay a huge British ship, to all appearances a merchantman. There she lay with all the three top- sails mast-headed, waiting for the morning breeze to spring up. From the fact that the topsails were 'mast-headed' (hauled up to the head of the topmast), the privateersman accepted it as a sure sign that the stranger was a merchant-vessel, and her capture was certain. There was on board the sloop a great contrast to the dullness of the previous days. Muskets, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes were brought on deck, and put in order; the little eight pounders were swabbed out, loaded, and a supply of powder and shot placed near them. Aboard the 'Actress,' excitement and bustle were everywhere from stem to stern.

"I am told when the commander first saw the ship, he was in the ordinary costume of a New Haven privateersman, namely, a tarpaulin hat, red shirt, and a pair of blue trousers ' cat-harpinned at the knee.' When he was satisfied that a prize was soon to fall into his hands, he retired to the cabin to array himself in a becoming manner, and shortly

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

afterwards appeared on his quarter deck, clad in a blue suit with red facings, and a cocked hat, all of which were loaned him by a Foxon militia captain, Jeduthan Bradley by name.

"Sword by his side and speaking trumpet under his arm, the doughty sailor trod his weather deck, and after feasting his eyes for several minutes upon the Britisher, he gave his helmsman orders to put up the wheel. Forthwith the 'Actress,' with her two score valiant New Haveners, bore down upon the stranger; and so certain was commander Lumsden and his crew of securing the prize, that a crew of eighteen men were immediately told off to carry the ship into New London, if possible,-but into Boston, at all hazards.

" All hands judged the helpless Englishman to be a London tea- ship from Canton, bound for Boston, and, of course, ignorant that war had been declared. They considered, therefore, that their for- ttines were made, and that lives of ease and luxury awaited them at home.

" Just before the ' Actress' left Long Wharf, a friend of the com- mander, and a part owner of the vessel, had put on board a quarter cusk of Jamaica rum, requesting that it should be drunk when the first prize should be captured. The captain and crew reckoning to a cer- tainty that the Englishman was as good as captured, it was now pro- posed to drink the rum without further delay. The captain was at first opposed to it; but after the prize crew had explained to him, that if they were sent aboard the ship they would lose their share. he gave his consent. The cask was accordingly hoisted on deck and broached. The libations were heavy and frequent.

"In the meantime, the privateer had been gradually nearing the ship, apparently unnoticed by the leviathan; and when within speak- ing distance, Captain Lumsden, in a voice tremulous with patriotic pride. hailed the ship.

" In a moment the answer came back: 'The Spartan. of London.'

" At the mention of this name, a peculiar expression, we are told, was visible in the faces of many of the privateersmen; several pairs of jaws chattered, many knees knocked feelingly one against another, and cans half emptied were laid upon the deck (a rare proceeding in those days). because the 'Spartan ' was the well-known name of one of the fleet blockading New London. It was the name of one that had caused a wholesome dread to be entertained all along our shores, from the Vineyard to Sandy Hook. She had for several months harried our coast, her vigilant commander boasting that nothing had escaped him. Only two weeks previous to Captain Lumsden's experi- ence with her, she had chased, captured, and sent in to Halifax, the splended American ship . Melancthon,' bound from Valparaiso to Boston, with a cargo of copper ore valued at $350,000.

"Our privateersmen, however, soon recovered their courage and coolness, and reasoned :- The ' Spartan ' is a frigate; this is a helpless

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Indiaman hailing from London. Captain Lumsden now drew him- self to his full height. In a manner as imposing as he could assume. he roared out :-

". Consider your ship a prize to the United States privateer " Actress." Send your papers aboard.'

" The commander of the 'Spartan,' who afterwards attained the highest post in the British navy, was in his way a wag, and he made answer :-

". Really now, captain, would you ask that I, the commander of such a great ship as this, should strike my flag to such a little fellow as you ?'

" The reply from the New Haven Nelson, liberally garnished with his country's oath, was :--

". Strike ! or I'll fire into you.'

" A moment thereafter, the shrill sound of the boatswain's whistle was heard, and suddenly, as if by magic, the ports on each side of the ship were trieed up, exposing to view about sixty heavy guns. At the same time, a cheery, wholesome voice said :-

" . Come to our gangway, and we'll hoist you in.'

"Never was an order obeyed with more alaerity; and amid the laughter of derision and scorn, the ' Actress ' was swept alongside. At eight, A. M., with a prize crew of ten men, she was on her course to Halifax. Her valiant erew were divided. Half were transferred to the frigate, and half left on board of the privateer. They all returned to New Haven some weeks afterward, but without their eruiser.'

Not long after this the packet "Susan," Captain John Miles, master, laden with a cargo valued at $15,000, attempted to run the bloekade from New York to New Haven. She had great hopes of succeeding, when, near Stratford point, she was pursued by a British cruiser, captured and taken to New London. This news greatly excited some of the warlike citizens of New Haven and it was deter- mined to have revenge. A vessel was immediately manned by about fifty persons who hastily started in pursuit of the bold cruiser. After a short sail, they, too, ran into the "Lion's" mouth, being taken in by the vessel they sought to capture. Their release was secured by ransom and in the course of a few days they returned to their families with greatly enlarged ideas of naval warfare.

In pleasing contrast with these reverses, is the story of the bril- liant success of another New Haven county man, Commodore Isaae Hull, who by his heroie deeds on the frigate "Constitution," became the naval hero of the war. His celebrated sea fight took place August 19th, 1812, when the "Constitution." carrying 44 guns, fell in with his majesty's ship: the "Guerriere," Captain J. R. Dacres, eom- mander, and carrying 50 guns. As the vessels neared each other Dacres began to fire at long range. Hull calmly stood on the quarter

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

deck determined that no shot should be fired until the enemy was close at hand. Every man on the "Constitution " stood at his post calmly waiting for the momentous word of command, or as Captain Hull himself reported: "From the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest seaman not a look of fear was seen. They all went into action giving three cheers and requesting to be laid alongside of the enemy." At the auspicious moment when the "Constitution " was alongside and within pistol shot of the " Guerriere," Hull shouted the command, " Fire !" and with guns double shotted soon silenced the foe. In the words of a song of that period:

" Isaac did so maul and rake her That the decks of Captain Dacres Were in such a woeful pickle As if death with scythe and sickle With his sling and with his shaft Had cut his harvest fore and aft.

" Thus in thirty minutes ended Mischief that could never be mended. Masts and yards and ship descended All to David Jones' locker, Such a ship in such a pucker."

Although the British several times threatened to invade the county no serious attempt was made. A few soldiers were landed at Stony Creek in Branford, in September, 1814, but beyond carrying off some property, no damage was done. The shore towns, however, were thoroughly alarmed, and that event very materially hastened the building of Fort Wooster, on Beacon hill, which, fortunately was never called on to defend the harbor of New Haven against the entrance of an enemy.

One of the incidents connected with the blockade of the sound ports by the British fleet was the following: During the war the three houses of worship on New Haven green were built. The lumber used was brought down the Connecticut river in boats, whose passage into New Haven harbor was obstructed until the British Commodore Hardy learned for what purpose the lumber was wanted, when he said that he was "not making war on religion," and authorized the vessels to be passed. After this vessels after vessels, laden with lumber were entered, as bringing material for the meeting houses, until the buildings were completed and the lumber yards stocked as they never were before.

The news of peace was received about the middle of February. 1815, and caused much rejoicing in the county, especially in New Haven, where commerce had so long suffered. One hundred vessels owned here, manned by more than six hundred American seamen. and scores of vessels in Derby, Milford, Branford and Guilford were soon basking in tropical sunshine. and the unpleasant feelings occa-

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

sioned by the war were soon forgotten in the enjoyment of the pros- perity now visible on every hand.

When the war of the rebellion broke out in 1861, William A. Buck- ingham, of Norwich, was in the gubernatorial office. He was a zealous, energetic unionist, a man of large wealth and had extensive business relations. This well fitted him to direct affairs in such perilous times, and it was largely owing to his influence and action, that Connecticut gave the general government such a strong and active support, so early in the struggle. The zeal manifested at the beginning was con- tinued unabated, during the war, and as a consequence the state had an excess of more than 7,000 men over its quota. The entire number of men enlisted in the state (the terms being reduced to a basis of three years) was 48,181, of whom only 263 were drafted. It is said of Governor Buckingham that he stood in the same relation to the Union, in the rebellion, that Governor Trumbull (the famous Brother Jona- than) did toward the colonies in the revolution. The latter was the friend and adviser of General Washington; the former was one of President Lincoln's most tried and trusted friends.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 9

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 966

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966