USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. I > Part 26
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The only favorable result of the three expeditions by the English against the French in the year 1755 was the achieve- ment by Major-General Johnson's command at Lake George. That by General Braddock was a sad disaster-a defeat and the loss of the commander-in-chief. The second, under Gov- ernor Shirley, was fruitless, except the repairs of some forts at Oswego and Lake Ontario. Soon after General Johnson ar- rived at Fort Lydius he planned the enlargement of that fort,
* This lake was called by the Mohawks, Oujadarakte; but, in 1646, it was named by the Jesuit priest, Father Isaac Jogues. "Lake Saint Sacrament." See Charlevoix's History of New France, translation, vol. II, pp. 15 and 186.
t "I am building a fort at this lake, where no house was ever before built, nor a rod of land cleared, which the French call Lake Saint Sacrament; but I have given it the name ' Lake George,' in honor of his majesty."-See Sir William Johnson's letter to the Board of Trade, September 3, 1755; Documentary History of New York, vol. II, p. 689.
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and left this duty in charge of General Lyman and about 250 of the Connecticut troops, while he moved, on the 26th of August, for Lake George. On his arrival he commenced the erection of a fort for the protection of his supplies, and to secure a place for a safe retreat should it he necessary. Gen- eral Lyman, having received re-enforcements, left the carry- ing place, which he now named " Fort Lyman," and joined General Johnson at Lake George, taking with him all the heavy artillery, arriving on the 3d of September.
On the evening of the 7th Johnson's scouts brought news of the near approach of the French and Indians in force, and plans were now made to meet them. About 1,000 men were sent forward in direction of Fort Lyman on the morn- ing of the 8th, when, in about two hours, the battle com- menced. Colonel Ephraim Williams and the great Mohawk chief who led this advance force fell early in the engagement, a general retreat followed, and soon they all returned to head- quarters at the lake, and united with the army under the com- mand of Johnson .*
A general action now ensued, that continued abont four hours. The French and their Indian allies were defeated. Baron Dieskan, their commander, being severely wounded, fell into the hands of the English. With the loss of their princi- pal officers, the French withdrew, and continued their retreat to Fort St. Frederick and to Canada, which closed this cam- paign on their part.
The chief commander of provincials (this force being exceln- sively from New England and New York), Major-General Johnson,t being severely wounded at the commencement of
* See Documentary History of New York, vol. II, p. 691.
t Sir William Johnson, born in the year 1715, in Ireland, came to America in 1735, to manage an estate of Admiral Sir Peter Warren, his uncle, and settled in the Mohawk country. He married a German girl, Catherine Wisenberg, about 1740. His house was located on the south side of the Mohawk river, and known as " Mount Johnson," about twenty-four miles west of Schenectady. His wife died young, leaving three children. He
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the general action, retired to his camp, and gave the command to Major-General Lyman, who conducted the several attacks with great skill and bravery, but was scarcely mentioned by the chief commander in his report of this vietory.
General Lyman was anxious to pursue the defeated army, but was not permitted by Johnson. But the Rangers, under the command of Captains Putnam and Rogers, continued active, and picked off the enemies' stragglers, even under the range of their guns of Crown Point, then known as St. Frederick.
The chief loss among the officers of the provincials was that of Colonel Ephraim Williams,* who had been distin- guished for his valor and activity in defending the north- western frontier of Massachusetts against the incursions of the French and Indians during the previous French war.
General Johnson continued for some time after this engage- ment at the head of this lake, but performed little service, ex- cept to build the fort since known as " Fort William Henry,"t and preparing a way back to the great carrying-place, a dis- tanee of about fourteen miles, and finishing the fort erected there by General Lyman, which received afterwards the name of " Fort Edward."
This French war, which continued seven years, took from
subsequently took to his house Molly Brant, an Indian girl; they were never married, but he had eight children by her. He, by appointment of the English government, was gen- eral Indian agent with the Mowhawk tribes. Died, July 11, 1774.
* Ephraim Williams, born at Newton, Massachusetts, in 1715; killed at the battle of Lake George, September 8, 1755. While at Albany, on his way to join this expedition, he executed his will, leaving a residuary bequest in lands, and some notes and bonds, to be applied to the support of a free school in a township west of Fort Massachusetts. The result gave his name to a town now Williamstown, and the establishing there, in 1793, Williams college.
+ Fort William Henry was named in honor of William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, son of Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales, and grandson of George 11. Fort Edward received its name in honor of Elward Augustus, Duke of York, and brother of William Henry, above. This point was regarded as of great strategic importance; a fort was first erected here in 1700 by General Francis Nicholson, aud about the year 1740 it was known as the fortified house of Lydius, and then, having been strengthened by General Lyman in 1755, was called for a time Fort Lyman.
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France all her extensive colonial dominion on the continent of North America ; and freed the frontier settlements of the English colonies from the long-continued depredations of the numerous northern Indians, who had been controlled mostly by the French and the more wily enemies of the English Protestants, the Jesuit priests.
This war, however, was but a school for provincial officers for learning the taeties and strategy of military science ; and many officers, like Israel Putnam, who had served through this war, were well prepared to unite in the greater struggle of the Revolution, which was to relieve these colonies from the op- pressions of the mother country. They watched vigilantly the series of encroachments of the English government, and, as the crisis came, were inspired with a patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty, which led them at once to yield to their country's call, and unite in the fearful strife.
Woodstock having furnished her full share of men for the last French war, was ready to yield to the more severe de- mands of the Revolution. The records of the town and relig- ions society exhibit several patriotic resolutions favoring this cause.
As was usual in this exciting time, a committee of corres- pondence and safety was appointed in 1774, to keep up a knowledge of the acts of the General and Colonial govern- ments, as also that of the neighboring towns.
The following are the names of those appointed for said committee : Captain Elisha Child, Charles C. Chandler, JJede- diah Morse, Captain Samuel MeClellan, and Nathaniel Child. On the news of the battle of Lexington, six military compa- nies marched from Woodstock to Boston, viz. : Captain Ben- jamin Lyon, with thirty-five men; Captain Ephraim Manning, with twenty two men ; Lieutenant Mark Elwell, with twenty- two men ; Captain Samuel MeClellan, with forty-five cavalry- men, with horses; Captain Daniel Lyon, with twenty-seven
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men; and Captain Nathaniel Marey, with thirty-eight men; a total of 189. The money paid to Woodstock for troops furnished on this occasion was £352 13s. 5d., being a larger sum than was paid any other town in Connecticut, except to the town of Windham. It was represented by Colonel Gaylord, of Ashford, in a letter to Captain William Lyon, that the troops furnished by Woodstock on this occasion, which marched to the relief of Boston, exceeded the number sent from any other town in the State.
The seventh company in the regiment, commanded by General Israel Putnam in the battle of Bunker Hill, were men from Woodstock, and quite probably some of the men who had followed his fortunes through the French war. The officers were : captain, Ephraim Manning; first lieutenant, Stephen Lyon ; second lieutenant, Asa Morris ; and ensign, William Frizell.
William Lyon was one of the soldiers that served in the French war, and entered the service at the beginning of the Revolution. He served for a time as lieutenant in Captain Manning's company while at Cambridge, and continued through the war, part of the time commanding a company of cavalry in the regiment of Colonel Samuel Mcclellan.
Captain Stephen Lyon followed Washington from Cam- bridge, with his company to Long Island, and thenee in the retreat to Fort Washington and White Plains. His officers were Josiah Child, first lieutenant ; John Kimball, second lieutenant ; and Richard Peabody, ensign.
Captain William Manning served six years in this war, without returning home. His commission was signed by John Hancock. He was another who had served in the French war.
Colonel Samuel McClellan had been an officer in the French war and entered the service of the Revolution as captain and rose to a colonel, and continued through the greater part of the war. He was with his regiment in the army at Rhode
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Island, and followed Washington through New York and on the heights of Hudson river. It is represented that when the government failed to pay his men he advanced from his own estate for the relief of his soldiers, £1,000.
Another Connecticut regiment was commanded by Colonel Thomas Chandler of Woodstock. Dr. David Holmes of this town was surgeon, and died in the service. Asa Lyon served the entire war as lieutenant. Jabez and John Fox, and also Samuel Perry, served in the war.
The foregoing names are but a part of the roll of honor that stands to the credit of the town of Woodstock. Several of these officers became distinguished for their soldierly qual- ities and bravery, and there has no record been found to de- tract from the good character of either officers or soldiers. It is much to be regretted that the names of all who served are not recorded, that posterity may know who were ready in this canse of liberty to sacrifice themselves for the good of their country.
But let it ever be remembered that the result of all this sacrifice of time, treasure, military effort, and numerous valna- ble lives, was the confirmation of that declaration of independ- ence, made July 4, 1776, which separated the thirteen English colonies in America from the government of Great Britain, and formed the government of the United States of America, which now, after a period of abont one century of its exist- ence, stands as one of the most powerful, most honored, and prosperous of any known land ; while the rights and privileges conferred upon its inhabitants are more liberal and more extensive and as well secured by law as in that of any other government in existence.
That memorable day, the 4th of July, 1776, the most glo- rious of all the holidays set apart for honor or amusement, was appropriately referred to by Daniel Webster in his re- markable discourse, delivered in Fanenil Hall, Boston, on the
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2d of August, 1826, in commemoration of the lives and ser- vices of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Adams was supposed to say :
" Through the thick gloom of the present I see the brightness of the future as the sun in Heaven. We shall make this a glorious, an immor- tal day. When we are in our graves our children will honor it; they will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires, and illuminations. On the annual return they will shed tears, copious, gush- ing tears, but of exultation, of gratitude, and of joy."
Thus, as above expressed, that day has been celebrated, and has come down to the present time, with increased and increas- ing honor. And, as has been said by another,
" The most glorious of days is that of July 4, 1776; and the most enthusiastic, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, October 19, 1781; the proudest, that of 1789, the first year under Washington as the first president under the constitution of the United States of America; the most dismal, that of 1861, the first year of the great Rebellion; the most impressive, that of 1865, in consequence of the suppression of the Rebellion. President Lincoln's assassination, and the capture of Jeffer- son Davis; and the grandest, that of 1870, witnessing the abolition of slavery in the Southern States, the Union restored, and equal, civil, and political rights established as a part of the supreme law of these United States."
In conclusion, it will be appropriate here to refer to the celebration of the 4th of July in this ancient and staid old Puritan town in the year 1870-a day long to be remembered as one of rare interest to the people in this vicinity. Here- tofore, when this day had been celebrated here, it was done by the gathering of a few townsmen and the inhabitants of this neighborhood without exciting anything more than the ordinary recollection of the return of the anniversary of our country's birthday ; but this year, through the known energy of their townsman, Henry C. Bowen, Esq., the day was made one of unusual notoriety and interest.
Early in the season Mr. Bowen had visited the President of the United States, and by invitation, had induced him to visit
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Woodstock, and unite with its people, and those of the vicinity, in celebrating the returning national anniversary at this place, on the hill of the old South Parish.
The President, General U. S. Grant, and other celebrities, came by way of Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill Railroad, through Willimantic to Plainfield, and thence on the Norwich and Worcester Railroad to Putnam, where carriages were in readiness to convey the guests to Woodstock. On the way from Hartford there was a continued scene of ovation at all the towns through which the train passed.
Accompanying the President were Governor Marshall Jew- ell, ex-Governor Hawley, and Representative Stout, of Con- nectient, M. E. Bowen, E. HI. Robinson, Generals Pleasanton and Woodford, Postmaster Whitaker, Baron Catacazy, Count Orloff, Calvin Day, J. R. Buck, Mr. Bromley, General Harlan, of Norwich ; Mr. Church, ex-Lieutenant-Governor Avery, United States Marshal Carri, Mr. Goodlow, George M. Bar- tholomew, Professor Northup, the Superintendent of Public Schools of the State ; Mr. Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. Sayles, Mr. McManus, Superintendent of New London and Northern Railroad; Rowland Swift, David Gollop, and Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. The company increased as it passed each of the towns on the way.
At Windham Governor Jewell introduced the President to Governor Cleveland, who delivered the following address :
" Mr. President-As chairman of the general committee of reception, I have the honor of welcoming you and your distinguished suite within the border and to the hospitality of Windham county : a county in whose bosom rests the honored dust of Putnam, Lyon, and others who fought for a free government in the Revolution, and for its salvation and per- petuation in the late war of Rebellion; a county that has always been loyal to the democratic Puritan idea that spake in the Declaration of Independence and in the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of our country. We recall with pleasure and pride the fact that, for nearly two hundred years, Connecticut was the home of your Puritan ancestors.
" The people are assembled on this glorious day by tens of thousands
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to testify their gratitude to you, sir, for the inestimable services you have rendered your country. May God bless you, Mr. President, and grant you wisdom and grace to lead this great people on to a still larger liberty and a higher civilization. Again, on behalf of our citizens, we cordially welcome you and your friends to Windham county."
THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY.
The President replied :
"I feel under great obligations to the people of Connecticut and Windham county for the kind reception they have given me. I have met a warm welcome in my entire journey through the State, and I find also that Windham county is no exception. I thank you for the recep- tion, and am glad to be among you."
Here Senator Buckingham, Mayor Blackstone, of Norwich, and a delegation from Windham county joined in an extra car that had been provided. Passing through Danielsonville, where the cars stopped for a moment to give the large gath- ering there a sight of the President, they then moved on to Putnamı, where the company arrived at ten o'clock, carriages being in readiness to convey them about five miles to Wood- stock. About fifteen carriages contained the President and his company, which were joined in a procession of great length by a vast number, making a very unusual exhibit in this quiet region.
The whole procession of carriages was escorted by a large cavalcade of citizens, headed by Gilmore's band, and the Third Regiment's band, of Norwich.
On arriving at South Woodstock, the Lyon Guards, drawn up for the purpose, saluted the President, and wheeled into column, taking the advance, when the whole moved on, under the direction of the chief marshal of the day and his assist- ants, through the village to the residence of II. C. Bowen. The road from Putnam to Woodstock, the line of the proces- sion, was on both sides literally packed with men, women, and children, from the many towns, near and distant, in this region,
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to witness this novel scene to the inhabitants of this inland district.
On the arrival at the Bowen mansion, salutes of cannon, tolling of bells, and music by the bands, opened the scene of festivities. The Lyon Guards were stationed on the lawn around these premises to keep the multitude from encroaching upon this, the quarters of the President and his suite, and the town's committee, with such distinguished guests as had been invited by the generons host, to do honor to the chief of the nation.
After adjusting their toilets, the President and suite appeared in the parlor of the mansion, and met the family and a few friends of Mr. Bowen then present, whom he presented, as follows : Mrs. H. C. Bowen, and three daughters, Mary, Grace, and Alice ; Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Bowen, U. A. Bowen, E. H. Bowen, E. Bowen, Clarence Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, Professor and Mrs. Fiske, and daughter, Mr. Plumer, and G. C. Holt.
The grounds around this mansion, and the park opposite, shaded with fine trees, were simply, but elegantly decorated. Along the shaded carriage-way, between the grounds of the mansion and park, were posted numerous streamers, each con- taining the name of one of the States of the National Union. And a number of flags were also posted about the lawn, each bearing the name of one of the distinguished generals of the late war of Rebellion. After a brief time spent by the Presi- dent and party in conversation with the family of Mr. Bowen, he and a few select friends were invited to partake of a richly prepared lunch. Among these were the following that took seats at the table : The President ; on his right, Mr. Catacazy ; on his left, Henry Ward Beecher, ex-Lieutenant Governor Stewart S. Woodford; and the other seats had General Pleas- anton, Mayor Blackstone, and J. T. Norton, of Norwich ; Lieutenant-Governor Averill, Mr. Bartell, of Providence ;
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Governor Jewell, Governor Hawley, General Porter, Secretary of the President ; Governor Buckingham, and Count Orloff.
At one o'clock the Lyons Guard, with music, escorted the town committee, the general committee, and distinguished guests, to the speakers' stand on the common. Here an im- mence temporary structure had been erected with back-ground of tiers of seats ; here the President, and many distinguished individuals before named, and others, took seats.
Cheer upon cheer was given as these persons took their places on the platform, the President and principal speakers, and his suite in front.
After this company were seated, Senator Buckingham in- troduced the chief magistrate of the nation to the multitude that covered the grounds, tens of thousands in number, who enthusiastically received him with cheers.
Then, after music by the bands, the Declaration of Inde- pendence was read, and Mr. Buckingham, with a few brief remarks, introduced ex-Governor Woodford, who, according to the programme, delivered the principal oration, which was able and patriotic, but too lengthy for insertion here.
After the oration was delivered, Mr. Cleveland read the following resolutions :
"The citizens of Windham county, assembled at Woodstock, on the ninety-fourth anniversary of the nation's independence, make this renewed declaration of their political sentiments.
" First. We believe that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, liberty, and the pursuit of hap- piness, and that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
" Second. We reflect with profound gratitude to Almighty God upon the marvelous progress of our beloved country, upon its increase from 3,000,000 to 40,000,000; upon its vast expanse of territory; upon its growth in wealth, invention, art, science, education, and religion ; upon its success and glory in war, and its greater love of peace, and upon its promise of a yet more glorious future, as the most populous and power- ful of civilized nations, leading the way towards the perfection of social, political, and religious happiness.
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"Third. We rejoice and give thanks for the nation's salvation from the prolonged and awful danger of the great Rebellion ; for the emanci- pation of 4,000,000 slaves; for their elevation to full citizenship; for that crowning amendment to the national charter, whereby the Declara- tion of Independence is made a living, universal reality; and for the growing spirit of harmony and fraternity throughout this land.
" Fourth. We heartily thank the President of the United States for coming to meet us here, and we hasten to assure him of our enthusiastic appreciation of his great services, as the glorious, successful leader of a million of the soldiers of liberty in the most momentous war in history. Ready to " fight it ont on that line, " when war is needed ; and we doubly honor the great warrior who gives the nation the watch-word, "Let us have peace." Observing with cordial satisfaction the fidelity, economy, energy, pure patriotism, and statesmanship of his administration, we express full confidence in his continued and triumphant success.
" Fifth. The native county of Putnam and Lyon has had the great honor to lay its ready tribute of life and treasure upon the altars of liberty from Bunker Hill to the Appomatox. It has never measured its share, nor counted the cost when the country's honor was in question. Remembering the sons who gave their lives that the nation might live, we here anew dedicate ourselves to the work they so nobly carried on. That from those honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause which they gave the last full measure of love of country; and we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, and that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
" Sixth. That our sincere and heartfelt thanks are hereby tendered to Honorable Henry C. Bowen for his indefatigable labors and great liberality in preparing this magnificent demonstration, and for a long series of most thoughtful and public-spirited efforts to promote the social, educational, and religious interests of this town and county."
The reading of these resolutions being conchided, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was introduced and made a character- istic speech, overflowing with both wisdom and humorous remarks, which caused a great outburst of cheers and good feeling. Then followed General Benjamin F. Butler, full of pith in most things spoken of. He touched upon the subject of foreign emigration, and spoke in favor of all classes, except the Chinese, which he deprecated, and thought some measures should be secured to protect the country and its labor from this class of immigrants, which he feared would be an evil.
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After General Butler sat down Senator Buckingham intro- duced Governor Hawley, who alluded to the remarks of Gen- eral Butler, disagreeing with him upon the idea of restricting any class of immigration. He said :
"I don't know how to go to work to lock the doors of the United States. We have done what we could, and stopped American slavery. I wish the Chinese had a better education in regard to American insti- tutions. I wish they could bring with them a better religion; but I believe they all can read. With our flag over me, and the New Testa- ment in my hand, I say, ' Let them come.'" He wished they were in better condition ; but he did not see how he could shut the gates against any down-trodden people who wished to flee to the protection of American institutions. He said he would occupy the few remaining moments in urging on his fellow-citizens the great importance of keeping open the gateway of the United States to the free access of all emigrating people.
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