USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > Revolutionary characters of New Haven : the subject of addresses and papers delivered before the General David Humphreys branch, no. 1, Connecticut society, Sons of the American revolution > Part 6
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She goes on to say that Col. H. took great interest in the discipline and education of the apprentice-boys employed in his factory. Seventy-three of these boys were from the New York almshouse, and from the neigh- boring villages. For these he established Sunday and evening schools with competent teachers, and indulged his military tastes by uniforming them, at no light ex- pense to himself, as a militia company, drilling them himself. "Lady" Humphreys made and beautifully embroidered an elegant silk flag for the company, which is still preserved, its inscription being as follows:
"Humphreysville. JAM NOVA PROGENIES, PERSEVERANDA PACTA, SEMPER SERRANDA, MDCCCX."
Of course there were rogues among the boys, and when thefts or small vices were discovered, the offender was given his choice to be rendered up to the civil au- thorities, or tried and punished by a court organized on the premises. Almost invariably they elected the latter.
The Colonel, in his business enterprise, did not forget
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his literary propensities that had connected him with Barlow and Trumbull at Yale College. He wrote a great deal for the benefit and amusement of the operatives; and the Christmas holidays were often celebrated with private theatricals, at which an original play (written by the Colonel) would be performed by the most talented work-people, and in which he himself, more than once, took a prominent part. These representations were attended by the best people of the neighborhood and adjoining towns. In fact he omitted nothing that could arouse the ambition or promote the intellectual improve- ment of the operatives, and this he did after a grand military fashion. His large size increased his fine com- manding appearance, as he was six feet two inches in height, and weighed about 230 pounds. He was a great stickler for etiquette, so much so as to have drawn upon himself the ridicule and lampoons of those who failed to appreciate his keen sense of propriety and decorum.
He was representative from Derby to the State Legis- lature five sessions, in 1812, '13 and '14, when his public career appears to have terminated.
He was associated, as Member or Fellow, with sev- eral literary institutions, both in this country and Europe, and received from three American colleges the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
His last years were spent principally in Boston and New Haven, his death occurring very suddenly, at the latter place, February 2Ist, 1818, at the age of sixty-five years. He had been suffering, for a few days, from an apparently slight indisposition. With his usual courtesy he handed a lady friend to her carriage, standing, hat in hand, until her departure, then returned to his apartments at the hotel,* lay down on the sofa, and expired.
His monument stands in the northwestern part of the ancient New Haven cemetery. It is a granite obelisk about twelve feet in height. The following inscriptions
* The Tontine (?).
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General David Humphreys
are upon two bronze tablets which are inserted in the east and west sides of the pedestal. The epitaph was written by his early and faithful friend, Judge John Trum- bull, the poet.
DAVID HUMPHREYS, LL.D. Acad. Scient. Philad. Mass. et Connect. et in Anglia Aquae Solis, et Regiae Societat, Socius. Patriae et Libertatis amore accensus, Juvenis vitam Reipub. integram consecravit, patriam armis tuebatur, consiliis auxit, literis exorvavit, apud exteras gentes concordia stabilivit. (On the reverse side) In bello gerendo maximi ducis Washington administer et adjutor; in exercitu patrio Chiliarchus; in Republica Connecticutensi militum evocatorum Imperator; ad Aulam Lusitan. et Hispan. Legatas, Iberia reversus natale solum vellere vere aureo ditavit. In Historia et Poesi scriptor eximius; in Artibus et Scientiis excolendis, quae vel decori vel usui inserviunt, optimus ipse et patronus et exemplar. Omnibus demum officiis expletis, cursug; vitae feliciter peraeto, fato cessit, Die XXI. Februar. Anno Domini MDCCCXVIII, cum annos vixisset LXV.
(TRANSLATION.)
David Humphreys, Doctor of Laws, Member of the Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia, Massachusetts and Connecticut: of the Bath (Agricultural) Society, and of the Royal Society of London. Fired with the love of country and of liberty, he consecrated his youth wholly to the service of the Republic, which he defended by his arms, aided by his counsels, adorned by his learning, and preserved in har- mony with foreign nations.
In the field he was the companion and aide of the great Wash- ington, a Colonel in the army of his country, and commander of the Veteran Volunteers of Connecticut. He went as Ambassador to the Courts of Portugal and Spain, and returning, enriched his native land with the true Golden Fleece. He was a distinguished Historian and Poet ;- a model and Patron of Science, and of the ornamental and useful arts.
After a full discharge of every duty and a life well spent, he died on the 21st day of February, 1818, aged 65 years."
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VII
The literary works of General Humphreys, both in prose and verse, which were numerous, may be found in an octavo volume entitled "The Miscellaneous Works of David Humphreys, Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the U. S. to the Court of Madrid." Several editions of his writings were published both in Europe and America.
REV. MR. LEWIS ADDED THIS ADDENDA TO HIS SKETCH:
"There ought to be erected to the memory of Gen. Humphreys a public monument worthy of his fame and services. The citizens of his native town, whose name was changed from Humphreysville to Seymour, ought to do this as an act of justice.
In his Valedictory Address to the Society of the Cincinnati in Connecticut, July 4, 1804, Gen. Humphreys said in substance: 'In sixty years slavery in the United States will practically disappear.' In 1863 (59 years after this prophecy) President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation."
THE BENEDICT ARNOLD HOUSE. Formerly on the north side of Water Street about midway between Union and Olive Streets.
THE EARLY CAREER OF BENEDICT ARNOLD
BY GEORGE HARE FORD.
Read before the General David Humphreys Branch, Connecticut Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and the members of the Second Company Governor's Foot Guard, at their Armory, November, 1907.
It is not inappropriate that here in this Armory occupied by a command that has been continually in existence since the Revolutionary period, we consider the early career of Benedict Arnold, who was elected its first Captain, March 6th, 1775.
Although of Connecticut birth, and a New Haven citizen, his career belongs to the whole country, and next to the immortal Washington, probably no American name has been more conspicuous for soldierly ability and heroism, though in his later life it was tarnished with disgrace and infamy.
ANCESTRY.
In the old historical churchyard at Newport, adjoining the aristocratic Trinity edifice, the Arnold plot is prominent to-day. The stones, in a good state of preservation, record the genealogy of the family for generations, for the Ar- nolds were among the first settlers and proprietors of Rhode Island.
William Arnold came with Roger Williams,-suc- ceeded him as President of the colony under the first charter, and was for fifteen years governor of the colony under the second charter. He had three sons, Benedict, Thomas and Stephen. This Benedict was the grandfather of Captain, Colonel, Brigadier, and afterwards Major- General Benedict Arnold. Benedict, General Arnold's
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
father, moved to Norwich, Connecticut, in 1730, and en- gaged in commerce with England and the West Indies ; was the owner of vessels, acquired a competency, and became a merchant ; served as Collector, Selectman and militia Cap- tain. He married a Mrs. King, a widow, who is said to have been eminent for her amiable qualities and Christian virtues, and highly connected.
HIS BOYHOOD DAYS.
Half way between Norwich and the upper town, in a fine old colonial residence, Arnold was born January 3rd, 1740 (Sparks Biography, 1835), although some historians give the date January 14th, 1741. The most trustworthy authorities indicate the former date as correct. He was reared in the atmosphere and associations of such men as Jonathan Trumbull, General Jabez Huntington, aide to Washington; Samuel Huntington, president of Congress, and others, whose influence helped to develop in young Arnold character that was powerful, patriotic and lasting.
As a boy it is recorded that his courage was remarkable, that among his playmates he was an athletic despot, a ring- leader in every bit of mischief, performing feats of daring, such as firing field pieces with fire brands in his hands, cele- brating events by building bonfires from valuable casks, boxes, and any available material, and offering to fight any authority who attempted to interrupt his pranks. His con- duct then is said to have caused perpetual. anxiety to his mother.
Under date of April 12th, 1754, attending school at Canterbury, she wrote him as follows :
" Keep a strict watch over your thoughts, words and actions. Be dutiful to your superiors, obliging to your equals, and affable to in- feriors, if any there be. Always choose that your companions be your betters, that by their good examples you may learn.
Your affectionate mother,
HANNAH ARNOLD."
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
Apprenticed while a lad to his uncles, Lathrop Brothers, druggists (said to have been distinguished in their day for worth of character and extensive business relations), indif- ferent to the good or ill opinion of others, continuing his feats of rashness and daring, he soon wearied of his duties, and at sixteen enlisted as a soldier, without the knowledge of his family. His mother was so distressed that, through influential friends, she succeeded in getting him released from the army, and brought back, but he soon ran away again, re-enlisted, and was stationed at Ticonderoga and different places on the Canadian frontier. Employed in garrison duty only, and seeing no prospect of gratifying his ambition for bold adventures, he returned to Norwich and the position he had left.
MOVES TO NEW HAVEN.
With a capital of $2,000, furnished him by his former employers, he moved to New Haven and opened an apothe- cary shop at the corner of George and Church Sts. He soon added general merchandise, and prospered to such an ex- tent that his later place on Water Street became, in his time, what might be termed a big department store of to-day. With its profits he purchased and built vessels, ex- tended his trade by sailing them to the West Indies, became a navigator himself and traveled as far north in the country as Canada, purchasing horses and cattle for his shipments, and rapidly moving to the front as a merchant, and becoming prominent in public affairs.
The late Thomas R. Trowbridge, Sr., writes in New Haven Historical Society papers, giving the names of the owners of New Haven vessels, that about this period more than one hundred New Haven ships were engaged in trade and commerce with Europe and the West Indies, Arnold owning the Fortune, Charming Sally, and Three Brothers.
He was absent on a voyage at the time of the Boston massacre, 1770, and on hearing the news upon his return,
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
his indignation was great, his utterances and arguments were outspoken, and his patriotism conspicuous and inspir- ing to his fellow citizens.
He was a foremost man in the community, and when he was chosen Commander of the Second Company, Gov- ernor's Foot Guard, good citizens of every calling appeared in the ranks. To be a private in his command was an honor ; to be an officer, a mark of high distinction.
MARCH TO CAMBRIDGE.
The story of the assembling of his command upon the New Haven Green in April, 1775, upon the arrival of the news of the battle of Lexington; the opposition that he received from his superior commander, General Wooster, who advised him to wait for proper orders; his impetuous reply, "None but Almighty God shall prevent my march;" his demand upon the New Haven selectmen for the keys to the powder house, and upon their refusal, his second demand that if they did not yield, he would take his ammunition by force; his ardor as a leader, with his com- pany hastening forward by rapid march to Cambridge, are details too well known to be dwelt on here.
The compact that he drew up, and compelled each man to sign, stipulated that they would conduct themselves decently and orderly to their countrymen and each other, avoid drunkenness, gaming, profanity, and every vice, obey their officers, and that upon the decision of a majority, any person guilty of offence should be dismissed from the service.
Historians all concede that the Revolutionary campaign of Connecticut forces began under Benedict Arnold and his command, and it is said to have been a proud day for the city and state when the company took up the line of march to Cambridge with banners bearing the arms of the colony, and drum heads painted with the crest and motto of the state.
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
COMMISSIONED A COLONEL.
The import of the engagements at Concord and Lexing- ton over, and plans for a campaign were considered. Many of his company returned home, but Arnold remained, and proposed to the Massachusetts authorities a scheme for the capture of Ticonderoga. From his experience and famili- arity with the locality, he offered to take the lead in the enterprise. In thirty days he was commissioned as a colonel in the service of Massachusetts and commander-in- chief of four hundred men to proceed on this expedition to take this fort. He was authorized to procure stores and provisions for his command.
CAPTURES TICONDEROGA.
His temperament admitted no delay. Three days after receiving his commission he arrived in Stockbridge, near the frontier of Massachusetts. Forty miles distant at Ben- nington he met an unorganized body of Green Mountain boys under Ethan Allen, who had also conceived the idea of capturing Ticonderoga. Arnold showed his commission, and claimed the command of the joint expedition, but the Green Mountain boys were too much attached to their com- mander to permit any one to supersede him, and for once the discretion of Arnold got the better of his ambition, and he consented to a compromise, and joined the party as a volunteer, maintaining his rank, but not the chief command.
"In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress" the fort was captured by the combined forces, Ethan Allen, the commander, entering the fort at the head of his men, and Arnold passing at his left hand, the love of glory, common to both, being gratified.
Although wounded in pride, Arnold again assuming that no other person was vested with authority equal to his, attempted to assume command, but was again defeated.
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
COMMANDS NAVY.
But it was not his nature to be idle. In four days (and here his maritime experience became useful) he commanded a vessel and with fifty volunteers went down Lake Cham- plain, surprised the garrison at St. John's, captured valuable stores, one sloop and four boats, and burned five others. Hence he became commander of the first naval engagement between the Americans and the British.
Thus in an eight-day campaign under Allen and Arnold, the formidable outposts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, renowned in former wars, fell into the hands of the Ameri- cans.
Meantime, preparations were being made to bring some vessels from Montreal in an expedition to proceed up Lake Champlain to take the forts. This gave Arnold an oppor- tunity for separating from Allen, and he was made com- mander of the North on the lake. With headquarters on the king's sloop which he had captured, he proceeded to equip his vessels with guns, mortars and stores, and com- missioned a captain for each vessel.
In June of this same year he expressed to Congress the belief that the whole of Canada might be taken with two thousand men, and offered to head this expedition, and be responsible for consequences. He was personally acquainted with the country, and, in his mercantile pursuits, had made friends in Montreal and Quebec.
ADMIRAL OF A FLEET.
Arnold was then acting in the double capacity of com- mander of the fortress at Crown Point, and admiral of his little fleet, and paid from his own pocket hundreds of pounds, and contracted debts on his own personal credit. It is stated that his presumption and arrogance at this time be- came a subject of censure. Protests against the assump- tion of so large an authority resulted in the appointment of a committee from Connecticut and Massachusetts to con-
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
sider the situation. Meanwhile General Washington had taken command of the army at Cambridge, and Congress had decided upon the invasion of Canada, to be made under General Schuyler, and Arnold was selected to conduct the expedition, receiving from Washington the commission of colonel in the Continental service.
PROMOTED TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL.
In September, 1775, six months after his election as cap- tain of the Foot Guard, he left Boston for Quebec, with his company of men, including volunteers under Colonel Aaron Burr, afterwards Vice President of the United States. The route was over the mountains, across the rivers and marshes of Maine and New Hampshire, an uninhabited country, hauling barges with them; cold weather and snow overtook them; clothing in rags, limbs torn by briers, provisions scarce, and blankets worn out, hemlock boughs supplying them shelter, fish and roots their chief diet. "Marvelous," says Carrington, "was the endurance of these men." As though in his element, Arnold's courage never abated, his confidence of success never failed him. He was animated by the thought that they would surprise Quebec and suc- ceed in the conquest of Canada. When he saw the towers of Quebec from the top of Mt. Bigelow, less than three days' rations remained after thirty-two days' march through the wilderness without meeting a human being.
At daylight, on the morning of November 9th, the drums in the city of Quebec beat "To arms," when Arnold's men appeared upon the river shore. By the aid of thirty bark canoes he had transferred his seven hundred and fifty men across the river, with many unserviceable muskets, ruined cartridges, and an average of five pounds only of ammunition per man.
On Christmas Day, 1775, at the officers' council, it was resolved to make an attack as soon as possible, the little army having formed a junction with Montgomery, who
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
had the chief command. On the 31st day of December an attack was made under the most adverse circumstances. The breath of the men covered their faces with ice, the ground was hard and slippery. Amid a whirl of grapeshot Montgomery was killed; Arnold moved on, becoming the ranking commander. His right knee was shattered by a musket ball, and he was carried to the rear. The assault failed.
However, Congress, on receiving the news of the attack on Quebec, promoted Arnold to the rank of brigadier-gen- eral, in recognition of his gallant conduct and extraordi- nary ability. With his shadow of an army he maintained a blockade through that tedious winter.
AT MONTREAL.
In the spring of the following year General Wooster ar- rived in Quebec, and, being of superior rank, succeeded Arnold in command. A coldness and reserve sprang up be- tween them, and Arnold, with his detachment, retired to Montreal, which he held at great risk until the last moment. In evacuating Montreal, after his men were safely em- barked, Arnold, with his aide-de-camp, rode two miles to reconnoitre, then returned, stripped the horses, shot them and pushed off the boat with his own hands, thus indulging in the vanity of being the last man to embark from the shore.
A quarrel having arisen among members of his com- mand, Arnold went to Albany to report Seizing supplies at Montreal for sustenance, the goods were taken in such a hurry that lists of the articles, and form of delivery, were not complete, and they were placed in charge of Col. Hazen, who from personal hostility to Arnold neglected to properly care for them, and the blame fell on Arnold as the mover in the enterprise. He, in return, threw the blame on Hazen, which resulted in a court martial for Col. Hazen. The court martial refused to accept the testimony of one of
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Arnold's principal witnesses, decided in favor of Hazen, and demanded an apology from Arnold, who promptly refused, with a letter in which he criticized the Court of Inquiry. The matter was referred to General Gates, who had succeeded Schuyler as commander-in-chief of the north. Gates endorsed the conduct of Arnold, stating that "the country must not be deprived of that most excellent officer's services at this important moment."
Although the court acquitted Hazen, Arnold's military popularity sustained him in his prestige as an officer. This transaction was the first important link in the chain of events which finally led to Arnold's ruin.
BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG.
About this time the British conceived the plan of reach- ing New York by Lake Champlain. Arnold was appointed in command of the fleet on the lakes, and on October IIth, 1776, occurred the most obstinate naval battle in Revolu- tionary history, off Plattsburg. Overcome by superior numbers, Arnold ordered his fleet on shore, and as soon as the vessels were aground, set them on fire and ordered his forces to leap in the water, and wade to the beach, which done he formed them on the bank to prevent the approach of the small boats of the enemy, he being the last to leave his own galley, and then not until the fire had made such progress that it could not be extinguished. Not being in con- dition to oppose the enemy, he proceeded through the woods to Crown Point and Ticonderoga. At this time, though disliked by many in the army from a spirit of jealousy and rivalry, he was admired by the people at large for his daring achievements. Now ordered to reinforce General Wash- ington in New Jersey, he arrived a week preceding the battle of Trenton, and was immediately dispatched to Rhode Island, January, 1777.
6
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER HIM.
About this time an incident happened which made him begin to talk of the ingratitude of his country, and had an important bearing on his future. Congress, operating on the same principle as to-day of dividing patronage, created five new major-generals, without including Arnold, then the senior brigadier, in the list. All of them were juniors in rank. He was astonished and indignant, but concealed his emotions with more moderation than might have been expected from such an impetuous disposition. Washington was surprised, feared the ill effects, and wrote Arnold a soothing letter, begging him to take no hasty steps, express- ing his conviction that there was some mistake which would be, in due time, rectified, adding assurances of his own admiration and friendship. Arnold replied immediately, but with symptoms of strong feeling. "Congress undoubtedly has a right," said he, "of promoting those who, from their abilities and their long and arduous service, it esteems the most deserving, but the promoting of junior officers to the rank of major-generals, I view in a civil way as requesting my resignation. I have sacrificed my business interests, ease, and happiness in our cause, I have repeatedly fought and bled, and am ready at all times to risk my life. My commission was conferred unsolicited, and received with pleasure, only as a means of serving my country. With equal pleasure I resign, when I can no longer serve with honor."
.
VALOR AT DANBURY.
His business gone, his wife dead, and family scattered in his absence, his property pledged; disgusted and dis- heartened on his way home via Philadelphia where he de- manded of Congress his rights, he arrived in Connecticut at the time the British expedition under General Tryon landed at Compo, near Fairfield. Generals Silliman and Wooster had collected about six hundred men, only one hundred
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The Early Career of Benedict Arnold
being Continental troops, the others volunteers. Arnold joined them near Redding, marched to Bethel, and learned in the middle of the night that the town of Danbury had been destroyed. Wooster with two hundred men marched to harass the enemy in the rear, Arnold and Silliman, with the other division, taking a different route, with a design of intercepting their retreat. Wooster overtook the enemy's rear and attacked them, placing himself at the front to encourage his men, and had just called out, "Come on, my boys, never mind those random shots," when he received the wound that proved mortal.
Arnold reached Ridgefield, took a position and erected a barricade of carts, logs and earth across the road to prevent the British from passing. With only five hundred men against the two thousand, Arnold was obliged to retreat, but was the last man to leave the scene. Entangled with his struggling horse, which had been shot under him, one of the redcoats rushed forward with a fixed bayonet to kill him, shouting, "Surrender! You are my prisoner!" "Not yet," said the intrepid Arnold, and drawing his pistol, he shot the would-be captor dead, and escaped under heavy fire unharmed. This was only another exhibition of his cool and steady courage in moments of extreme danger. Con- gress made good his horse with the following words of approval : "In the name of this Congress, as a token of their approbation for his gallant conduct in the action against the enemy in their late enterprise at Danbury."
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