History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 154

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317


USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 154


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The first detachment, under the command of Lieut. Lewis, served at Stonington from June 13 to June 29, 1813, consisting of twenty-three men, as follows, viz. : Horatio G. Lewis, lieutenant commanding; Allen Palmer, sergeant; Hosea Grant, corporal; Joshua Brown, corporal ; Augustus L. Babcock, drummer; George Hemstead, filer; James Crandall, . Thomas Geer, Harris Geer, Jesse Chapman, Elias Chap- man, Thomas H. Edwards, John Coats, Richard W. Berry, Ezekiel Bailey, Eldridge Whipple, Amos Baldwin, Caleb Woodward, Daniel Dewey, Samuel A. Burdick, Amos Chesebrough, Russel Bentley, and Nathan Lewis, privates. Another detachment had been ordered to succeed this, which served from June 29 to Ang. 11, 1813, consisting of twenty-two men, as follows, viz .: Horatio G. Lewis, lieutenant commanding ; Gurdon Trumbull, sergeant ; David A. Starr, corporal; Alexander G. Smith, corporal; Samuel Bottum, Jr., Elihu Chesebrough, Jr., David T. Chesebrough, Joseph Cutler, Joseph Frink, Amos Hancox, Isaac Leaper, Benjamin Merritt, Otis Pen- dleton, Zeba D. Palmer, James Stanton, Joshua


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STONINGTON.


Swan, Jr., John Territt, Aaron Taylor, Hamilton White, Nathan Wilcox, and Samuel Burch, privates.


While this detachment was stationed at Stonington, on the 19th day of June, 1813, a portion of the British fleet, under the command of Capt. T. M. Hardy, ap- proached New London, creating fearful apprehension on the part of the people of that place and Groton Bank. Memories of the battle and massacre at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1781, intensified the excitement and alarm. Brig .- Gen. Jirah Isham, then in com- mand, immediately summoned his brigade by orders borne by post-riders, directed to the lieutenant-colo- nels commanding each regiment.


The following is a copy of the order directed to Lieut .- Col. Randall, then in command of the Thir- tieth Regiment, composed of eight companies of in- fantry, four from Stonington and four from North Stonington :


" To Lieut .- Col. WILLIAM RANDALL, commanding the 30th Regiment, in the 3d Brigade Conn. Militia :


"SIR,-You will immediately on the receipt of this order the regi- ment under your command to march to the defence of New London and Groton and vicinity, giving them notice to be armed and equipped accord- ing to law. Lose no time, as those places are in such imminent danger of invasion as will admit of no delay.


" Headquarters at New London, June 19, 1813.


" JIRAI ISHAM,


Brig .- Genl. 3d Brigade, Commanding. "By order : GEO. L. PERKINS, Maj. 3d Brigade."


Immediately on receipt of this order, Col. Randall, though living in the country, and widely separated from his staff and from most of the officers of his regiment, acted with such energy and dispatch that his whole regiment paraded on Groton Bank the next morning, after marching nearly all night in a raging tempest to assemble and reach the place, some fifteen miles away. The roll-call showed the presence of Lieut .- Col. Wm. Randall, First Maj. Nathan Wheeler, Second Maj. Nathan Pendleton, Adjt. Cyrus Wil- liams, Paymaster Samuel Chapman, Quartermaster Latham Hull, Surgeon's Mate John Billings, Sergt .- Maj. Nathan Smith, Quartermaster's-Sergt. John P. Williams, Drum-Maj. Augustus A. Babcock, Fife-Maj. Christopher Dewey, six captains (one absent, and one vacancy), seven lieutenants, eight ensigns, twenty-six sergeants, twenty-one corporals, two hundred and nine privates ; total, three hundred and one men. This muster of a regiment that made up a roll at its review and dress-parade in October following of only two hundred and forty-two men shows something of the spirit of our citizens and soldiers in the face of the threatened invasion, and of the confidence reposed in their commander. Col. Randall was a brave, efficient, and energetic officer, and during the whole war com- manded the Thirtieth Regiment, who were proud of him, and most cheerfully obeyed his orders under all circumstances.


The British fleet, after making a showy demonstra- tion at the mouth of the Thames, went back to their anchorage-ground in Gardner's Bay, relieving the inhabitants of Groton Bank and New London of


their impending danger. Gen. Isham's brigade re- mained in camp at New London and Groton Bank for several days, awaiting another demonstration from Capt. Hardy, who wisely kept his fleet at their old anchorage. On the morning of June 25th, Gen. Isham ordered the lieutenant-colonels commanding each regiment of his brigade to detach about one-half of the officers and men of their respective regiments to remain in service, the remainder thereof to be dis- charged and to return to their homes. In pursuance thereof, Col. Randall issued the following order :


" REGIMENTAL ORDERS, 30TH REGIMENT, 3D BRIGADE CONN. MILITIA.


" I am directed by Brig-Gen. Jirah Ishani to detach from the regi- ment under my command, now in service at Groton Bank (omitting in said detachment the Eighth Company, who were from Stonington Borough, and were then needed for the defense of that place), thus, 1 major, 1 adjutant, 1 quartermaster, I chaplain, 1 surgeon's mate, 2 captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 8 sergeants, 8 corporals, 120 privates, who are to remain in service until further orders. Pursuant to which I do hereby detach Maj. Nathan Pendleton, Adjt. Cyrus Williams, Quarter- master Latham Hull, Chaplain Rev. Ira Hart, Surgeon's Mate John Bil- lings, Capt. Asa A. Swan of the Second Company, and Lewis Kenyon of the Sixth Company, Lieut. Thomas Lewis of the First Company, Lieut. John Ilyde of the Fifth Company, Ensign George W. Baldwin of the Second Company, Ensign Phineas Wheeler of the Seventh Company, Sergt. George Sheffield of the First Company, Thomas Browing of the Second Company, Roswell R. Avery of the Third Company, Cyrus Swan of the Fourth Company, Daniel Hobart of the Fifth Company, Nathan Chapman, Jr., of the Sixth Company, Chandler Main and Jesse Main of the Seventh Company, Corporals Sanford Billings of the Second Com- pany, Isaac Burdick of the Third Company, David Coats and Henry Grant of the Fourth Company, William Bailey and Richard Hempstead of the Fifth Company, Allen Breed of the Sixth Company, John H. Reynolds of the Seventh Company, Fifers Elias Wheeler of the Second Company, Daniel Hempstead of the Fifth Company, David Crumb of the Seventh Company, Drummers IIenry Davis of the Third Company, An- gustus L. Babcock and Stephen Wilcox, or his substitute, of the Fourth Company. Lieut. Thomas Lewis of the First Company will forthwith detach from the company under his command fifteen privates; Capt. Asa A. Swan of the Second Company will detach eighteen privates ; Capt. Jesse Breed of the Third Company, fourteen privates; Capt. Lath- rop Williams of the Fourth Company, twelve privates; Lieut. John Hyde of the Fifth Company, thirty privates ; Capt. Lewis Kenyon of the Sixth Company, twenty-one privates; Capt. Daniel Miner of the Seventh Company will delach ten privates. Immediately thereon they will make a return to the adjutant of the men detached, including the offi- cers above named, which belong to their respective companies. The residne of officers and privates will be discharged for the present from further service at three o'clock this afternoon, after delivering the arms, ammunitions, and camp utensils, for the purpose of delivering which they will parade at two o'clock in front of headquarters.


" In behalf of the brigadier general, I have to express his warmest thanks to the officers and soldiers of this regiment for the alacrity and unusual promptitude manifested by them, while, disregarding the tem- pestuous state of the weather, they appeared in defense of the rights and sovereignty of their country when threatened with immediate dan- ger. Dated at headquarters, June 25, 1813.


" WILLIAM RANDALL, Lieut .- Col. Commanding. " By order : CYRUS WILLIAMS, Adjutant."


The immediate return required by the foregoing order, showing the officers and men detached in pur- suance thereof, is as follows, viz. :


Cyrus Williams, adjutant ; Latham Hull, quartermaster ; Rev. Ira Hart, chaplain ; John Billings, surgeon's mate; Asa A. Swan, Lewis Kenyon, captains ; Thomas Lewis, John IIyde, lientenants; Phin- eas Wheeler, George W. Baldwin, ensigns.


From First Company .- George Sheffield, sergeant: Privates, Charles Palmer, John Noyes, Ezra Chesebro, Samuel Helme, Henry Palmer, Constant Taylor, Peleg West, Nathaniel M. Noyes, William Cran- dall, Thomas B. Stanton, Ephraim Williams, Elias Stanton, Enoch Willcox, Oliver Dodge, Daniel L. Sisson.


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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


From Second Company .- Thomas Browing. sergeant; Sanford Billings, corporal : Elias Wheeler, fifer; Privates, Samuel 11. Prentiss, Thomas Hall, Jonathan Wilkinson, Ezra B. Smith, Alvin Green, George Wil- kinson (2), Elias Hewitt (2), James Wheeler, John Smith, Rus- sel Lewis, Charles Church, Jonas Hewitt (3), Joseph Ayre (2), John Yeomans, Amos Gerrel.


From the Thard Company .- Roswell R. Avery, sergeant ; Isaae Burdick, corporal ; Privates, Simon Baldwin, Esquire P. Bromley, Isaac Miner, Oliver Miner, Roswell Breed, Samuel Frink, Samuel Breed, Jr., Gur- don lugraham, Asa Baldwin, Jr., William P. Frink, David Brom- ley, Lodowick Babcock, Christopher Burdick (3), Roswell Brown, Levi Amsbury, Avery Prentiss, Isaac Miner.


From the Fourth Company .- Cyrus Swan, sergeant ; David Coats, Jr., larry Grant, corporals ; Privates, Dudley Denison, Jabez Edgecomb, Joshına Il. Thompson, Ansel Coats, Harry Chase, James Holmes, Jr., John Dean, Simeon Avery, Rufus Wheeler, Sanford Brown, Nathan Stanton ; Augustus 1. Babcock, drummer; Nathan Champlin, drummer.


From the Fifth Company .- Daniel Hobart, sergeant ; Richard Hempstead, William Bailey, corporals; Daniel Hempstead, fifer; Privates, David Leeds, John Benuett, Edward Lewis, Joshna Wheeler, Jr., Daniel Wheeler, Amos Gallup, David Wheeler, John P. Breed, Oliver Ben- nelt, Joshua Brown (2), Gilbert Williams, Joseph Hobart, Henry Lewis, Jared Starr, Eleazer Williams, Jr., Amos Denison (3), Edward C. Williams, Andrew Denison, John Leroy, Amos Miner, Henry Brightman, Elijah Brown, Saml. M. Wilcox, Charles P. Noyes, Jona- than M. Williams, Frederick Denison, John S. Berry, Jesse Miner, Sylvester Coon, Robert Fellows.


From the Sirth Company .- Nathan Chapman, sergeant; Allen Breed, cor- poral ; Privates, Elisha Coon, Resolved Willcox, Luther Palmer, Stephen Tift, Aaron Thompson, Luke C. Reynolds, John Burdick, Sanford Chapman, Ezra Geer, Zebulon York, Lyman Willcox, Elijah Crary, Benjamin Peabody, Daniel Green, Robert Palmer, Jeffry Champlin, Amos Chapman, Amos Miner (2), Noah Willcox, Lewis Chapman, Nathan Tucker.


From the Seventh Company .- Chandler Main, sergeant ; Jesse Main, ser- geant ; John Il Reynolds, corporal; Privates, Avery Brown, Cyrus 1 .. Park, John Brown, James Brown, Ethan Allen, John Miner, Jonas Partelo, Nathan York, Latham Brown, Jon" Allen, Jr.


Wm. Randall, lieutenant-colonel Comdt, 30th Regiment, 3rd Brigade.


The foregoing detachments were organized into two companies, and served under the field, staff, and company officers specially detached to command them.


The company organized under the command of Capt. Lewis Kenyon consisted of the following num- ber of officers and men :


Lewis Kenyon, captain; John Hyde, lieutenant; Phineas Wheeler, en- sign ; Daniel Hobart, sergeant ; Nathan Chapman, sergeant ; Chan- · dler Main, sergeant ; Jesse Main, sergeant; Richard Hemstead, cor- poral ; William Bailey, corporal; John II. Reynolds, corporal ; Allen Breed, corporal ; Nathan Champlain, drummer; David Crumb, fifer; Daniel Hampstead, fifer; Privates, David Leeds, John Bennett, Edwin Lewis, Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., David Wheeler, Amos Gallup, Jr., Daniel Wheeler, John P. Breed, Oliver Bennett, Joshua Brown (2), Gilbert Williams, Joseph Hobart, Henry Lewis, Jared Starr, Eleazer Williams, Amos Denison (2), Edward C. Williams, Andrew Denison, John Leroy, Amos Miner, Henry Brightman, Elijah Brown, Samuel M. Brown, Jonathan M. Williams, Charles P. Noyes, Fred- erick Denison, John S. Berry, Jesse Miner, Sylvester Coon, Robert Fellows, Elisha Coon, Resolved Willcox. Luther Palmer, Stephen Tift, Aaron Thompson, Luke C. Reynolds, John Burdick, Sanford Chapman, Ezra Geer, Zebulon York, Lyman Wilcox, Elijah Crary, Benjamin Peabody, Robert Palmer, Jeffry Champlin, Amos Chapman, Amos Main (2), Noah Wilcox, Lewis Chapman, Nathan Tucker, Avery Brown, Cyrus L. Park, John Brown, James Brown, Ethan Allen, John Main, Jonas Partelo, Nathan York, Latham Brown, Jonathan Allen, Jr.


The company under command of Capt. Asa A. Swan was as follows, viz .:


Asa A. Swan, captain : Thos. Lewis, lieutenant ; Geo. W. Baldwin, ensign ; Geo. Sheffield, sergeant ; Roswell R. Avery, sergeant ; Thos. Browing,


sergeant; Cyrus Swan, sergeant ; David Coats, Jr., corporal ; Harry Grant, corporal; Sanford Billings, corporal ; Asa Burdick, corporal ; Elias Wheeler, fifer; Augustus L. Babcock, drummer; Privates, Chas. Palmer, John Noyes, Ezra Chesebro, Samuel Helme, Henry Palmer, Constant Taylor, P'eleg West, Nathaniel M. Noyes, Wm. Crandall, Thomas B. Stanton, Ephraim Williams, Elias Stanton, Enoch Wil- cox, Oliver Dodge, Daniel L. Lisson, Samuel H. P'reulice, Thomas Hall, JJonathan Wilkinson, Ezra B. Smith, Alvin Green, George Wil- kinson (2), Elias Hewitt (2), James Wheeler (2), John Smith, Russel Lewis, Charles Church, Jonas Hewitt (3), Joseph Ayer (2), John Yeomans, Amos Grant, Levi Amsbury, Avery Pendleton, Israel Main, Simeon Baldwin, Esquire P. Bromley, Isaac Miner, Oliver Miner, Roswell Breed, Samuel Frink, Samuel Breed, Jr , Gurdon Ingraham, Wm. P. Frink, Lodowick Babcock, Christopher Burdick (3), Roswell Brown, Dudley Denison, Jabez Edgeomb, Joshua Thompson, Ansel Coats, Harry Chase, James Holmes, Jr., John Dean, Simeon Avery, Rufus Wheeler, Sanford Brown, Nathan Slanton.


Towards the end of June of that year Maj .- Gen. Henry Burbeck arrived in New London and assumed the military command of the district, which had been assumed by the general government. The troops then on duty probably did not exceed eight hundred men, and belonged to the militia of the State, and were un- der no orders but of the Governor. The refusal of Connecticut to place her militia under the orders of the United States to be marched away from her pro- tection to Canada and elsewhere had greatly vexed the general government, who had determined on a change. So Gen. Burbeck, on the 12th day of July, 1813, in pursuance of an order from the Secretary of War, dismissed the whole force, and our Stonington men then on duty returned to their homes. But Gen. Burbeck did not dismiss the guard in Stonington, then under the command of Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis. But the evacuation of Forts Griswold and Trumbull, with- out a man on duty to protect the property even, and at a time too when the British fleet in the Sound was being largely augmented, created a panic not only among the inhabitants over there, but at Stonington, who felt the protection of a large force at New Lon- don and Groton Bank. By some underground com- munication the officers of the British squadron had learned of the discharge of our military force, and the next day the " Ramillies" and her consorts came up to the mouth of the harbor and saluted the panic- stricken inhabitants with a tremendous cannonade. Gen. Burbeck realizing the danger of the situation, on his own responsibility applied to the Governor for a temporary force, who authorized Brig .- Gen. Wil- liams to call out as large a body of militia as emer- gencies should demand. But no additional requisi- tion was made on Col. Randall for any more troops from Stonington.


During the latter part of July, August, and Sep- tember the British squadron were so much engaged in blockading the river Thames and the eastern ap- proach of Long Island Sound through the Race, and in pursuing the Yankee privateers that vexed their commerce, that they did not molest the village of Stonington ; but during October their threatening at- titude alarmed the inhabitants, who petitioned the Governor, under the approval of Brig .- Gen. Burbeck,


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STONINGTON.


commanding the United States troops at New London, who in reply issued the following order :


"NEW IIAVEN, 29 Oct., 1813. " COL. WILLIAM RANDALL, 30th Regiment of Militia :


" Sir,-Pursuant to a request of certain inhabitants of the Town of Sto- nington, and of Brigadier Gen. Burbeck, commanding the United States troops at New London, I do hereby, in conformity to advice of the Coun- cil, direct yon to detach from your Regiment one subaltern, two sergeants, two corporals, and twenty-six privates, for a guard at Stonington Point, to serve from the first day of November next to the 30th of the same month, inclusive, unless sooner discharged. Application must be imnie- diately made to Brigadier-General Burbeck, at New London, for provis- ions, to whom also the subaltern commanding the detachment will apply for orders, and to whom he must make a report from time to time as he shall be directed.


.


"I am, Sir, your Obt. servant,


" JOHN COTTON SMITH, Cupt. General."


" REGIMENTAL ORDERS, 30THI REGIMENT CONN. MILITIA :


" Pursuant to orders from the Capt. Gent directing a detachment from the 30th Regt., consisting of I Subaltern, 2 Sergeants, 2 Corporals, and twenty-six privates, to serve as a guard at Stonington Point, from the Ist of Nov., 1813, to the 30th of the same month, inclusive, unless sooner discharged, I do therefore direct that the officers commanding companies to detach in the following manner:


" From the First Company, 3 privates; Second Company, 3 privates ; Third Company, 3 privates; Fourth Company, 1 corpl., 3 privates; Filth Company, 1 corpl., 4 privates; Sixth Company, 4 privates; Seventh Company, 3 privates; Eighth Company, I sergt., 3 privates: all able bodied, effective men, and as far as practicable well equipped and in uniform, and forward this forthwith, together with a muster-Roll, to the care of Lient. I. G. Lewis, of the 8th Connt., who is detached to take command of said Guards. Officers commanding companies will return a list of the men's names to the adjt. of the 30th Regiment.


" Given under my hand at Stonington this 4th day of November, 1813. " WILLIAM RANDALL, Lieut .- Col. Conn. 30th Regt."


Roll of the aforesaid guard :


Horatio G. Lewis, lieutenant ; Charles H. Smith, sergeant ; Ralph Miner, sergeant; William Wheeler, sergeant; Privates, Asher Baldwin, James Bliven, Joshna Brown, Cyrus W. Brown, Simeon Carew, Lewis Chapman, David T. Chesebrough, Jarins Frink, Jr., Joseph Holmes, Isaac Morgan, William Niles, Henry Palmer, Isaac Partelo, Thomas Spencer, Denison Swan, Joseph Tift, Gilbert Williams, Enoch Wil- cox, Phinias Wilcox.


" LIEUT. HORATIO G. LEWIS, of the 8 Compy., 30th Regt., Connecticut Militia :


" Sir,-Pursuant to an order received from his Excellency the Capt. General, Dated Oct. 29th, 1813, Directing me to detach from said Regt. one Subaltern, two Sergts., two' Corps,, and 26 privates for a guard at Stonington to serve from the first of November, 1813, until the 30th of the same, inclusive, unless sooner Discharged, you are therefore De- tached to take command of said gnard, and will Receive them under your care as they arrive, you will make immediate application to Briga- dier General Burbeck at New London for provisions, to whom also you will apply for orders, and to whom you will make report from time to time as he shall direct.


"Given under my hand at Stonington this 4th day of November, 1813.


" WILLIAM RANDALL, " Lieut. Col. Comd. 30th Regt."


During the winter months of 1813 and 1814 no alarming demonstrations were made by the enemy, but as soon as the spring opened unusual activity was observable on their part, which was so formidable that another draft upon the militia was made for a detachment to be stationed at Stonington under the command of Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis. They num- bered forty-one men, as follows :


Horatio G. Lewis, lieutenant; Peleg Hancox, Russel Wheeler, sergeants; John Yeomans, Elias Miner, corporals ; John Ilewitt, drummer ; John Davis, fifer; Privates, Paul P. Babcock, John H. Miner, Gurdon


Ingraham, James Brown, Moses Palmer, Elijah Kenyon, Ansel Coats, John Noyes, Elihu Robinson, Uriah Main, Allen Wheeler, John Dodge, Palmer Chapman, Elisha Coon, Benjamin F. Stanton, Paul Mason, Jesse Chapman, Israel Palmer, David Wheeler, Nathan York, Frederick Denison, Jr., Andrew Breed, Henry Brown, Wil- liam Crandall, Benjamin H. Frink, Stephen Babcock, Jr., Ethan Allen, Luke C. Reynolds, John Deane Gallup, Avery Prentice, Geo. Stewart, Paul Prentice, Eller Levi Meech, Silas E. Burrows.


This detachment served from May 31 to June 30, 1814, when they were dismissed, and another detach- ment drafted from the militia in the northern part of the State took their places, and served from June 29 to Aug. 29, 1814, when they were dismissed. This detachment was under the command of Lieut. Samuel Hough. Being present at Stonington on the 10th of August, they participated in the battle and defense of the place. They numbered forty men, as follows :


Samnel Hough, lieutenant; Job Pitts, Benjamin Taylor, sergeants; Caleb Whitford, John Trowbridge, corporals ; John Potter, drummer ; Henry Bush, fiter; Privates, Allen Anderson, James D. Almy, Ma- załdas Brown, Daniel Buffington, Cyrus Babcock, Augustus Birge, Palmer Carpenter, Christopher Cond, Saul Curtis, Rufus Crain, Simeon Dalbie, Alexander Horne, Jehiel Horne, Amos Hayward, Robert Hall, Elisha Ingraham, Reuben Jolison, Sylvester Kenyon, Clark Payne, Jerrie Root, Marshall Robbins, Stephen Skinner, Wm. T. Sloan, Daniel E. Sweet, Seth Spalding, James Tillinghast, Charles B. Titus, Jonathan Watrous, Jr., Morgan Watrous, John Wheaton (Charles P. Wheeler substitute), Marham B. Walker, Fland Whiton, Joshua Yeomans, Northrop W. Young, Benjamin T. Cutter.


The war thus far had progressed with varying suc- cess. The navy of the United States had immortal- ized itself upon the ocean, while on the land our armies, though small in numbers, had performed prod- igies of valor. The early part of this year was marked by some of the most momentous events of the world's history. Napoleon was overthrown after a fearful struggle, and the treaty of peace at Fontainebleau, which was concluded April 4, 1814, between France and the allied powers of Europe, released the larger part of the British army from active service there; and as soon as the exigencies of the case would ad- mit, were transported to this country and employed against the United States.


So all-pervading was the apprehension of an attack from the enemy on our sea-coast that the captain- general of our State, in the early spring of 1814, issued orders to the militia, through their superior officers, as follows, viz. :


BRIGADE ORDERS.


"3d BRIGADE, CONN. MILITIA. "Pursuant to orders and instructions from his Excellency the Com- mander in chief. The Brigadier General directs that an inspection be made without delay of the troops under your command, and you will see that they are in every respect prepared, as the law directs, for immedi- ate service. If orders cannot be furnished to the respective Captains in season to have the inspection made on the first Monday in May next, it is the pleasure of the Captain General that the inspection may be per- formed by the Commissioned officers at the dwellings of the men to pre- vent burdensome meetings of the militia. The Captain General relies with confidence on the zeal and fidelity on the several officers in the performance of the duty so essential at the present juncture. From the recent movements of the Hostile Squadron in our waters, There is rea- son to apprehend that further attempts will be made to invade the terri- tory of the State, as well as to destroy the vessels in our harbor. For these reasons the Brigadier General is directed by his Excellency the Commander in Chief to call upon all the officers and soldiers of the 3rd


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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


Brigade to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warn- ing, completely equipped and furnished for immediate and actual ser- vice. The respective Lieut. Cols Commandant of Regiments will imme- diately on the receipt of this establish some suitable place on the most elevated ground and as near the center of their Regiment, as possible, which they will provide at the expense of the state . for a signal to give notice to their men, in case of an alarm) several Tar Barrels to be raised one at a time, on the end of a pole to be erected for that purpose, and burnt in succession as circumstances will require, the Barrels to be fur- nished with such a quantity of tar and other articles as to burn the longest time practicable and emit the largest quantity of fire and smoke, particularly the latter, if fired in the day time, and have them so ar- ranged that fire may be put to them in a moment, and some proper officer must be entrusted with this duty residing near the spot. Let this be done without delay in each Regiment, and notice given as soon as possible to the brigadier of the place where these signals are erected, and also the names of the officers who are appointed to take charge of them. Should an alarm first come to the knowledge of the Brigadier, he will send expresses to the officer who has charge of the signal in those Regi- ments whose services may be required, and the Commandant will do the like, in their respective Regiments, should the alarm first reach them, and should the signals be made at any time of day or night, the troops in the Regiment will forth with and with ont further order, assemble at some alarm post, (as near the southern limits of their Regiment as can be with convenience,) to be previously designated by the respective com- mandants and notified in their orders, from which alarm posts (to be also communicated to the Brigadiers) the men will march as soon as a com- pany or part of a company has assembled, to such point as the Com- mandant of Regiments shall direct, if they first notify the alarm, or as shall be directed by the brigadier, in case he gives notice, and in that case he will by express, at the same time he notifies the officer in charge of the signals, also give notice to tho colonel where to march his men. In addition to these signals a Capt. commanding artillery companies will, when the signals are made, immediately fire three alarm guns in quick succession.




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