History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Part 72

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards
Number of Pages: 776

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

with no one on board, the erew having been taken end of the year, and, with the " Neimen," " Jason." prisoners.

On August 11th Dr. James Tilton, treasurer of the Wilmington Veteran Association, was appointed by President Madison physician general of the ar- mies of the United States. At this time the depre- dations by the British, under Admiral Cockburn, in Chesapeake Bay, caused considerable alarm along the shores of the Delaware, where they were expected every day. In September James O'Boyle, in an ad- vertisement in the Delaware Watchman, offered a re- ward of one thousand dollars for Admiral Cockburn's head and five hundred dollars for each of his ears, adding that " my house and many others have been burned by that inhuman wretch."

The news of Commodore Perry's victory on Lake Erie reached Wilmington on the 23d of September, and created the greatest enthusiasm. The military companies paraded and the artillery fired a national salute. In the evening the houses were illuminated and the streets were filled with happy people.1 On the 25th the Grand Lodge of Delaware, with Com- modore Angus, of the Delaware gunboat squadron, and his officers and seamen, honored the event with a grand Masonic proces-ion. The exercises were elosed by an eloquent oration from George Read, Jr., in the Presbyterian Church.

Wilmington way again brilliantly illuminated on October 15th, in honor of the "decisive vietory of Gen. Harrison over the allied enemy." Upon this occasion the bridges in the borongh were faneifully lighted, and the vessels in port were decorated.

In compliance with the aet of Congress passed in December, no vessels were allowed to leave one port in this country for another until further instruc- tions,

A meeting of the citizens of Wilmington was held on December 27, 1813, in the Town Hall. Carson Wilson presided and Joseph Downing was secretary. This meeting declared that the monopolizing specu- lations of a few individuals in the town was injurious to the public welfare, and that " we deelare our de- termination after this day to abstain from the use of the following articles, unless they conld be purchased at the prices named : eoffee, 25 cents per pound; sugar, 20 cents; and tea, $1.50." The meeting also recommended their fellow-citizens generally to adopt similar measures.

The British squadron was kept eruising off the Capes during the remainder of the year 1813, and effeetnally cut off all intercourse between the ocean and Philadelphia, which naturally gave rise to much discontent. The only attempt made by the British to plunder was early in December, when a barge be- longing to the sloop " Jason " entered Milford Creek with a lieutenant and seven men, and captured two shallops. They were cut off, however, and taken prisoners. The "Belvidera " returned toward the

1 When Commodore Perry visited Wilmington, a few months later, he was received with every demonstration of joy and approbation.

"Narcissus " and two tenders, kept np the blockade. The only action of interest that was taken in the State was the continual issuing of new commissions to volunteers. The following is a list of those issued by Governor Haslet during the year, with the excep- tion of Lientenant Panter Laws and Ensign Thomas Pepper, and those of April 12th, when the militia was organized, which have already been mentioned : May 17th, to Constantine Smith, lieutenant ; Heze- kiah Wingate, ensign ; Seventh Company, Seventh Regiment. May 19th, to Henry Steel, captain, Sec- ond Company, Second Regiment. May 26th, to George Reid, Jr., lieutenant, Second Company, Second Regiment. May 27th, to George linsey, cornet, Second Troop, First Battalion ; Isane Walk- er, lientenant ; llenry Walker, ensign ; Fifth Company, Third Regiment. William Mason, ensign, Eighth Company, Third Regiment. Thomas Herry, ensign, Seventh Company. Third Regiment. June 5th, to Walter Hutchison, ensign, Eighth Com- pany, Third Regiment. June sth, to Thomas Bur- ton, lientenant; John Field, ensign ; Fourth Com- pany, Eighth Regiment. Joseph V. Crocket, lienten- ant ; Dixon Harris, ensign; Second Company, Tenth Regiment. Benjamin Riggen, captain ; Peter Carroll, lieutenant ; John Sanders, ensign ; Fourth Company, Ninth Regiment. June 10th, Jonathan Walton, en- sign, First Corp>, Seventh Regiment. Michael Wal- laston, Fourth Corps, Second Regiment. William Rothwell, ensign, Second Company, Third Regiment. June 11th, to John Sergeant, ensign, Fifth Company, Second Regiment ; John Clark, lieutenant ; William Guthery, ensign ; Seventh Company, Second Regi- ment. Nicholas Van Dyke, captain ; Thomas Shoe- maker, lieutenant ; James Rogers, ensign ; Light In- fantry, First Battalion, Second Regiment. June 25th, to Caleb P. Bennet, major of battalion of artil- lery attached to the First Brigade. July 6th, to Ed- ward Ross, captain ; Philip D. Fiddemen, first-lien- tenant; Reuben Turner, second lieutenant; John Fleming, cornet; Second Troop Cavalry attached to the Second Brigade. August 11th, to Thomas Prim- rose, Jr., lientenant, Fourth Company, Sixth Regi- ment. September 27th, to Jacob Townsend, ensign, Third Company, Seventh Regiment. October 8th, to Philip Wingate, ensign, company of light infantry attached to the First Battalion, Eighth Regiment. John Hill, captain : Thomas Warrington, lieutenant ; Daniel Burton, ensign ; Third Company, Eighth Regiment. October 12th, Gilley G. Short, lieutenant ; Brinkley Davis, ensign ; Eighth Company, Eighth Regiment. October 27th, to Solomon Beckley, en- sign, Fourth Company, First Regiment. November Ist, to Amos Talley, captain ; Joseph Perkins, lieu- tenant ; Second Company, First Regiment. Henry Rumer, captain ; Samuel Marshall, lientenant; John Stillwell, en-ign ; Seventh Company, First Regiment. James Gordon, captain, Lighth Company, First Reg- iment. November 10th, to James Robinson, lieuten-

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THE WAR OF 1812-15.

ant ; Robert Robinson, ensign ; Eighth Company, First Regiment. November 26th, to David C. Wil- woon, captain ; Benjamin II. Springer, first lieutenant ; Jacob W. Robinson, second lieutenant ; Third Com- pany of Artillery, First Brigade. December 11th, to Joseph Hutchinson, ensign, Light Infantry, First Battalion, Fitth Regiment. December 1sth, to David Helford, lieutenant, Fourth Company, Fourth Regi- ment. December 21st, to James Clarke, captain ; Samuel Warren, Jr., first lieutenant ; Charles Buck- master, second lieutenant ; Samuel Thronley, eornet ; Third Troop, Second Brigade. December 21st, to Thomas Green, captain ; John Jeffries, first lieuten- ant ; Daniel Reynolds, Jr., second-lieutenant ; Second Company of Artillery, Second Brigade.

At the election, October, 1813, Daniel Rodney was elected Governor, of whom Niles' Register says : "Mr. Rodney, is a 'Federalist.' As many do not know that there are two families of Rodneys in Delaware, who have never agreed on any political question since 1775, it may serve the publie informa- tion to state that the Mr. Rodney elected is of the op- posite line to the late Attorney-General of the United States"-Cæsar A. Rodney. In his message to the Legislature, Jan. 18, 1814, Gov. Rodney says : " In relation to the war in which we are engaged it may be observed, that whatever dangers or distresses may befal us, whatever embarassments may ensne from the novel and critical situation of the country, it should be remembered that such dangers and embar- rassments will not always be within the control of the administration, nor within the means of the State to prevent. Limited in our resources, we must look for protection, support and relief to the Government of the United States. On Congress is imposed the duty, and to them is given the authority, of providing for the common defense, and it is both hoped and expected that the United States will be prepared to meet any invasion or hostile attempts which may be made on our shores in the ensuing season. At the same time, my earnest exertions shall not be wanting to employ in the most effectual manner, according to the pro- visions of the laws, the power and energy of the State in repelling the enemy, and in the protection of onr fellow-citizens."

After indulging in some general observations drawn from ancient history, against entangling alliances with foreign nations, Gov. Rodney continues:

" The expenses which are incurred in our military operations last spring, and all other similar expenses which may arise in the course of the war, ought to be sustained exclusively by the federal government. I, therefore, recommend to you, gentlemen, for the keeping of regular accounts of all future disburse- ments, and for the preservation of those already made or received by the commissioners heretofore ap- pointed. I feel it incumbent on me to suggest to you, that application should be made to Congress, or the President, for the reimbursement of last summer's ex- penditures, and for such as may in future acerue.

We have heretofore borne our full proportion of the charges of the general government, and no one who knows the disposition of the people of this State, their attachment to the Constitution, and their patriotie affection for their fellow-citizens of the United States, will hesitate in believing that they will acquiesce in contributing their share of all neces- sary taxes, imiposts and excises imposed by Congress, both in war aud in peace."

Onterbridge Horsey, who had been elected Senator in room of Samuel White, deceased, was again elected for the term beginning March 4, 1815. The House of Representatives of the State consisted of twenty-one members, seven from each county. The State tax amounted to fifteen thousand dollars, of which Kent and Sussex, combining and voting together, had levied 89036.47 on the county of New Castle-being nearly two-thirds of the whole tax. This was re- garded as an extortion and made a great excitement among the people. At this time there were thirty establishments, great and small, for the manufacture of cotton and wool, within twenty miles of Wilming- ton. Some had just commenced operations and had but a few hands at work, while others were large and flourishing concerns. Those thirty cotton and woolen- mills were estimated by writers at that day1 to have cost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, indepen- dent of the value of the miil-houses and other houses for workmen, and to have employed from three hun- dred to five hundred hands ; besides these, there were thought to be from one hundred to one hundred and fitty persons engaged in making cotton and woolen machinery around Wilmington. This the writer con - sidered to be a "moderate computation," as the greater number of those workmen were ennmerated from residents in and around that eity.

On the 24th of January, 1814, the Pea Patch again ocenpied the attention of the Legislature. Although it had been ceded to the United States in the sum- mer of 1813, in the expectation that a battery would be built thereon, no action had as yet been taken in that direction. Consequently, a resolution was passed by the Senate and Honse of Represesentatives re- questing the President of the United States to take the matter under consideration. On the following day Gov. Rodney addressed a long letter to the Hon. John Armstrong, Secretary of War, from headquarters at Lewistown. He recounted the unprotected condi- tion of the coast from New Castle to the ocean, and the consequent suffering to which the people of the State had been subjected by the enemy during the whole of the preceding year. The secretary was re- quested to lay the matter before the President and endeavor to secure for the following six months a bat- talion of infantry, with a small proportion of artillery and cavalry, to be stationed in the State. The advis- bility was suggested of employing a part of the flotilla then in the Delaware also in protecting the com-

Niles' Register

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

merce. Through the-e letters the actual condition of pointment of a select committee to consider the bill, but further efforts to repeat the embargo proved futile.

affairs in Delaware was brought before the United States officials, and on March 11th Governor Rodney received a communication from Adjutant-tieneral Duane, of the Fourth Military District, requesting certain information for the use of Colonel Cromwell Pearse, who had succeeded General Bloomfield in command of the district, He desired to know the text of the militia laws then in force in the State, a return of the militia, ordnance and arms, and many other particular-, which were promptly furnished by Adjutant-General Jes-e Green, of the State militia. A full statement of all expenditures for defense, for the year ending March 14, 1814, was transmitted to Secretary Armstrong, by order of the Assembly, with a request that the State be reimbursed. Gov- ernor Rodney had already issued a number of commissions since his inauguration as Gov- ernor, which were as follows: On January 7th. to William Colgan, ensign, Fourth Company, Fifth Regiment ; January 7th, to James Gardiner, second lieutenant, and Nicholas A. Williamson, cornet, in Captain Jolin Warren's troop, First Brigade ; Janu- ary 13th, to William Shankland, major of battalion of cavalry, and John McCoy, ensign, Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment; January 15th, to Peter Carrol, captain, John Saunders, lieutenant, Samuel Hitch, eu- sign, Fourth Company, Ninth Regiment ; Levin Sher- man, lieutenant, and John Smith, ensign, Fifth Com- pany, Ninth Regiment : David Mustard, captain, Seventh Company, Eighth Regiment ; January 17th, to John Campbell, captain, and George Shockley, lieu- tenant of a company of light infantry attached to the First Battalion, Seventh Regiment ; Daniel Harring- ton, captain, Avery Needles, lieutenant, and William Roe, ensign, First Company, Sixth Regiment ; Janu- ary 16th. to William Kennedy, major, battalion of cavalry attached to Second Brigade; February 22d, to Francis A. Boyer, second lieutenant, troop of cav- alry; Micajah Greenfield, cornet, attached to Second Brigade; Kendal Batson, commissary of military stores for Sussex County ; John Many, for Kent County ; and on March 3d, to James R. Black to the same of- fice in New Castle County.1

Several attempts were made in Congress during the spring of 1814 to effect a repeal of the Embargo Act. In the Senate, ou March 231, Senator Outerbridge Horsey, of Delaware, presented a petition, signed by citizens of his own State, demanding the repeal of the obnoxious measure. Mr. Horsey secured the ap-

1 The following letter, written by a private, whose name is uuknowt, tells its own sad story :

" OSWEGO FALLS, New York, March 8, 1814.

"Dear Sir : I am very sorry it is my melancholy duty to inform the citizens of Newcastle county of the death of our friend and comrade Lieutenant Daniel Bliny, of the a Rozment of artillery. He was killed on the 6th inst., at the attack of the British on Owego, by a shot through the heart. It- death is very much lamented, as he was a brave and courageous otheer. He fell on the field of glory, and duel in de- fending the rights of lus country, und hr rests in the grave of honor. He was buried yesterday, with military honors, in the graveyard at the village of Oswego. Ihis brother others will place & tombstone over his grave."

There was little activity in the State during the early part of the year, as the British confined their operations to the North. June lath an order was issued by the Governor, at the request of Brigadier- General Stockton, for a general-court martial. It was to consist of thirteen members and to a-semble at New Castle on July 18th, for the trial of Major Caleb P. Bennet, of the artillery attached to the First Brigade, and any other persons who might be brought before it. Major Thomas Robinson was appointed president of the court-martial and the other members were: Judge Advocate, Lieutenant-Colonel John Caldwell, Lieutenant-Colonel Joshua Carter, Lieutenant- Colonel David Niven, Major Mordecai Mckinney, Major John Moody, Major Joseph Grubb, Major Patrick MeConaughy, Major Samuel Moore, Major Oliver R. Howell, Captain Christopher Vandegrift, Major John Crow and Captain James Miles. The charge for which Major Bennet was brought to trial was not proven and he was discharged.

On June 20th the British frigate " Nieman " anchor- ed off'the Capes and sent several barges with sixty men into Indian River, burning two or three coasters and shallops loaded with lumber, and securing a ransom for two others. Governor Rodney ordered a com- pany of fifty men to proceed to Lewistown to assist Captain Holland in defending the surrounding coun- try. Early in July the Secretary of War informed the Governor that the State would be required to furnish one thousand men as its quota of a requisition for ninety-three thousand then issued by the President. The troops were to consist of one hundred artillery and nine hundred infantry. Agree- able to this order, Governor Rodney issued instruc- tions to Adjutant-General Robert Dill, on the 25th, ordering him to organize and hold in readiness for immediate service the whole of the second class and such portion of the third class of each company of the several militia regiments as had not performed a tour of duty. The receipt of this communication was duly advertised with a view to securing volunteers who were particularly desired and cheerfully accepted as a part of the requisition. The enemy had now no force whatever in the bay with the exception of a single frigate which cruised off the capes. The See- retary of War. in compliance with continued requests. authorized the Governor to station a company of de- tached militia at Lewistown under Major Charles Hunter.

The announcement of the capture of Washington, late in August, brought measures for defense once more to the attention of the authorities and people. It was feared that General Ross might march from Washington at the head of his victorious troops and spread destruction and misery through Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The people felt conti- dent, however, that the land forces could be held in

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THE WAR OF 1812-15.

check, providing they were able to prevent a fleet from entering the Delaware and joining the invading army.

The protection of the Delaware consequently Frame the all-absorbing topic which occupied the attention of the people. The resources of Delaware were not sufficient to erect the necessary fortifications without outside assistance. The State had ceded Pea Patch Island to the United States, hoping that suit- able batteries would be erected thereon ; but, in spite of many appeals to the government. nothing was done. The Philadelphians, however, took the matter resolutely in hand. The old "Commissioners of De- fen-e " had been excused from duty in February, but, on August 26th, the citizens of that city and the vicinity met in the State-House yard and organized themselves into a new Committee of Defense, which wasafterwards distinguished for the zeal with which they conducted their work. Thomas MeKean, formerly Governor of Pennsylvania, was called to the chair. The com- mittee appointed consisted of Charles Biddle, Thomas Leiper, Thomas Cadwalader. General John Steel, George Latimer, John Barker, Henry Hawkins, Liberty Browne, Charles Ross, Manuel Evre, John Connelly, Condy Raguet, William MeFadden, John Sergeant, John Geyer (mayor) and Joseph Reed, for the city of Philadelphia ; Colonel Jonathan Williams, John Goodman. Daniel Graves, John Barclay, John Naglee, Thomas Snyder, J. W. Norris, Michael Leib, Jacob Huff, James Whitehead, for the Northern Lib- erties and Penn township ; and James Josiah, R. Mc- Mullin, John Thompson. E. Ferguson, James Ronald- son, P. Miercken, R. Palmer and P. Peltz, for the district of Southwark and the townships of Moya- mensing and Passyunk. The most important sub- committee was that for "Defense on the Delaware and to procure Seamen, ete." The members of this sub-committee were Henry Hawkins, James Josiah, William McFadden, John Naglee and Peter Mierck- en. The committee at once opened correspondence with the Governor of Delaware, citizens of Wilming- ton, the Governor of New Jersey and others, relative to the work they had in charge. Comntodore Mur- ray placed at their disposal three gun-boats, already armed and equipped, and the Marine Artillery volun- teered seventy men, under Captain An-ley, to man the vessels. The committee made a thorough investiga- tion of the measures most necessary for a complete defense of the river and bay. At their request, Gen. Bloomfield ordered thirty men of the First Troop of Cavalry, under Captain Ro-s, to form a chain of videttes from Philadelphia to Port Penn and the mouth of the Elk River, to convey intelligence of the movements of the enemy. They next communicated with the Secretaries of the War and Navy Departments, with a view to securing the co-operation of the general government. A request was made to allow the erection of a battery of thirty-two twenty-four- pounders on the Pea Patch, and suitable fortifications on Newbold's Point and Red Bank, which was granted

by the Navy Department, and additional batteries were also erected at Fort Milllin.

The expenses arising ont of these measures were largely met by sunt- voted by the city and State, and general contributions. The Bank of Pennsylvania alone advanced three hundred thousand dollars.

In the mean time, on September 5th, United States Marshal James Brobson issued orders for all " aliens" residing in Wilmington to report at his office once a month. All deserter- from the enemy, when they arrived in the borough, were also required to report to him. When intelligence was received at Wil- mington that the British had landed at North Point, on the Patapsco River, to attack Baltimore, the vol- unteer corps and the militia of the Fourth Military District of Delaware were orderel by Gen. Bloom- field to proceed, with all possible despatch, under Col. John Thompson, to Kennett Square, Chester County, Pa. The militia of the adjoining counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware were ordered to march, fully equipped, with all possible despatch, to Marcus Hook.

During the excitement caused by the threatened invasion by the British under Maj .- Gen. Ross, the citizens of Wilmington, on September 13th, called a town-meeting at the City Hall. Gen. John Stockton was made chairman and N. G. Williams secretary. Peter Caverly and John Gordon were added to the Committee of Safety. Wilmington was divided into four districts, and four persons were appointed in each to serve as a committee of vigilance. They were required to examine all suspicious persons and report them to the Committee of Safety. Ezekiel Massey, James Collins, John Elliot and John Simp- son were appointed for the First District; John Hedges, Jared Chestnut, James Hogg and Isaac Bonsall for the Second; John Rumford, Thomas Richardson, George Whitelock and Esau Cox for the Third; and William Woodcock, William Collins, John Dixon and Capt. David Kirkpatrick for the Fourth District.

The news of the defeat of the British, in their attack npon Baltimore, and the death of Gen. Ross, was brought to Wilmington by the mail-stage from Havre-de-Grace, MId., and reached the town about 9 A.M. the following day. The stage stopped at the Indian King tavern, where a crowd gathered to hear the joyful intelligence. It created the greatest ex- citement, which was increased by the following pub- lication in the American Watchman on September 15th :

"GOOD NEWS! GLORIOUS NEWS !! "

" It is with inexpressible joy that we prevent to our revers the ful- lowing cherring intelligence. The hire l, blood thirsty myrmid ins, the off-seomings of the earth, and the refund of creation, sent by Great Britain to burn, paillage, lay waste and destroy, by the favor of Heaven and the valor of American soldiers, lasve been defeated at Baltimore and have been forced to make a disgraceful potreat to their floating don geons."

On September 16th, Dr. Arthur Johns and Samuel MeDonnell began to recruit men for the flying artil- lery corps, comufanded by George Read, of New

19}

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE:

Castle. They offered to supply the recruits with saddles, bridles, holsters, pistols, sabres and every necessary equipment free of expense.1

Three ve.sels were purchased in September, -- the sloop " Two Sisters," for $1400; the schooner " Ruby," for $1500; and the sloop " Three Sisters," for $1600; and about the same time, Secretary Jones of the Navy Department detailed Commodore John Rad- gers for duty in Delaware Bay with his whole faree.

Governor Rodney tendered the Committee of De- fense of Philadelphia every assistance in his power, and forwarded them a letter explaining the wer mea- sures the State had put into force for the protection of the coast.

As soon as Commodore Rodgers had arrived in the river, he recommended the construction of batteries and bulwarks in the vicinity of the Pea Patch. Messrs. Williams, Steel, Leiper, Sergeant, Eyre, Con- nelly and Hawkins were appointed a committee to go to New Castle and accompany Commodore Rodgers to the Pea Patch, and ascertain what steps were necessary for the protection of the State. The colt- mittee reported on October 5th, "That, considering the Pea Patch as an island but recently formed by the alluvion of the river, and perceiving that the part now visible at high tide is only so by the reeds and other aquatie plants that grow upon it, the committee conceive that it would require much time and labor to procure a solid foundation of efficient work. It follows that a temporary fortification, hastily erected on the surface, can only be contemplated for any immediate effect. The Delaware side of the river is banked meadow, with various intersecting ditches and soft ground. It was found impossible to rear a base in a right line on the bank ; the d'stance between the shore and the island could not, therefore, be ascer- tained, but it is evidently equal to that between the island and the Jersey shore, which, by running a line on its sandy beach, was found to be one mile and a quarter."

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History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Part 72

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards Number of Pages: 776

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards
Number of Pages: 776