USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix > Part 36
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston : with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix. > Part 36
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Boston, in which the dock-yard was situated, and where ships were then building, as the commercial and financial metropolis of New England, had the highest claim upon the State aid. Its forts were empty, and the harbor and the town were entirely exposed to the enemy. From the tops of the houses, ships of war could be seen cruising along the coast ; these could be joined by the fleet under Sir John Sherbrook, then laying at Castine, or the squadron which lay at Bermuda, and not a gun was manned to prevent their entrance. There seemed to be nothing to prevent a repetition of the blockade of 1775 and 1776. Self-interest, state pride, indignation against the administration, as well as national honor, all called for prompt and vigorous action. Not that they favored the war; nor that by this state of feeling and their subsequent actions they were at all inclined to endorse the policy of the adminis- tration ; but they were compelled to defend their own cities, harbors, and property from an enemy brought upon them by the national government contrary to their wishes.
The town and the vicinity were in a high state of excitement. A public meeting of the citizens of Boston was held on the 30th of August, 1814, to take into consideration the perilous condi-
403
NODDLE'S ISLAND TO BE FORTIFIED.
1814.]
tion of the town and harbor, and to take those measures of de- fence which every day and every hour showed to be of the utmost necessity. At this meeting, Harrison Gray Otis, James Lloyd, T. H. Perkins, and others were appointed a committee to draft resolutions and to present an address to the governor, representing the defenceless state of the town and the alarming state of public affairs. No time was lost. The committee, at a town meeting on the 3d of September, reported an address to the governor, avowing a readiness on the part of the citizens to aid by contributions, labor, and in all other ways in their power, in the defence of the state. The address and resolutions were unanimously adopted. Resolutions expressing the same senti- ments were passed at town meetings in Roxbury, Salem, and other towns. The newspapers of that day speak in the highest terms of the patriotic spirit manifested by the military forces and the citizens generally, and of the universal and earnest desire to cooperate with the governor in any measures he might adopt to protect the state; their subsequent conduct nobly sus- tained these assertions. The zeal of the people was promptly met by the decisive action of the executive. Taking in at a glance the peculiar situation in which he was placed, he laid out his line of action, and put his plans into immediate execu- tion. Prompt measures were taken to defend the town, and the whole line of the sea-coast of Massachusetts and Maine.1 The governor and his officers put forth energetic plans for the de- fence of the capital and other seaport towns in Massachusetts.
The location of a fortification which should defend the town of Boston, and at the same time command its harbor, was a point of the highest importance, but it was one easily decided. From the days of the first settlers of the bay, Noddle's Island had been considered as peculiarly well situated to protect the town in the event of war, and to drive shipping from the upper harbor. Indeed, with a well-manned fortification on Noddle's Island, it would be utterly impossible for ships to remain long enough in front of the town to set it on fire, or do any serious damage. By general consent the high ground on the Island, called Camp hill, was selected as the most suitable spot for the
1 See Appendix F.
404
HISTORY.
[1814.
fort, having a covered way to the battery upon the water. A modestly expressed opinion of Commodore Bainbridge shows that he held the same views. In a letter to Adjutant-General Brooks, dated on the 5th of September, after making inquiries respecting the measures adopted by the state government for defence, he says: " Without the least disposition to dictate, I would respectfully suggest the immediate embodying of a respectable body of militia, batteries on Dorchester Heights and Noddle's Island." 1
As early as the 16th of June, the governor and council had appointed the Hon. David Cobb, John Brooks, and Timothy Pickering commissioners for the defence of the sea-coast. This board was, some time afterward, increased and organized as fol- lows : Hon. David Cobb, chairman ; Hon. John Brooks, Hon. Timothy Pickering, Hon. Israel Thorndike, Hon. Thomas H. Perkins ; Major Joseph H. Pierce was elected secretary.2
While these preparations were being made for the defence of Boston by erecting a fort upon Noddle's Island, and for the security of the whole sea-coast of Massachusetts, the accounts which the adjutant-general received from the district of Maine (the whole of which was in a state of alarm from the proximity of the position in which the powerful fleet of the enemy, with troops on board, lay at Castine) were so confused and contra- dictory that he could not deduce from them the true state of affairs, and could not advise the governor what means should be adopted, or what number of troops should be stationed in the exposed places. He therefore proposed that an executive agent should be sent to that district, who should report the true condition of things. To this office the commander-in-chief ap- pointed Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Sumner, his first aid- de-camp, as from his military relation to him, and from their frequent conversations, he believed him to be better acquainted than any one else with his own views. In addition to this, the commissioners for sea-coast defence united in him, so far as it regarded the district of Maine, all the authority given to them
1 Twentieth Congress, 2d Session, House Doc. 3, p. 88.
2 This organization was announced in the Centinel on the 21st of September, 1814.
405
1814.]
LIEUT .- COL. SUMNER, EXECUTIVE AGENT.
by the legislature. He was accordingly invested by them with the powers of quartermaster-general and commissary-general. He was also authorized by the treasurer to borrow money from the banks on the credit of the State, and, if the means thus ob- tained should be insufficient, he was empowered to draw upon the treasury. His instructions from the governor were to repair forthwith to the district of Maine, and to provide every practi- cable means for the defence of that part of the State.
In a protracted interview with the executive agent in the evening previous to his departure, Gov. Strong communicated to him his views and wishes on the subjects to which his atten- tion was directed, and explained the principles upon which his own course had been based, and by which his future conduct was to be guided. It is unnecessary to encumber the narrative with the details of the conversation between Governor Strong and his aid-de-camp, or with the proceedings of the executive agent in the different places in Maine where his services were demanded. Of the latter, it is proper to say that they met with the unqualified approval of the commander-in-chief and the other authorities of the government. His good conduct in the trying circumstances in which he was placed may have led to his appointment to the post of adjutant-general soon after the accession of Governor Brooks to the chair of state. Yet, as the defence of Noddle's Island and other important places in old Massachusetts was based upon the same principles as were con- tained in the instructions given to the executive agent in the district of Maine, it is important, for a right understanding of the conduct of Governor Strong during the war, that they should be somewhere narrated. The proceedings of the execu- tive agent, together with the conversation between the gov- ernor and his aid-de-camp, are therefore summarily recited in a separate article, which is inserted in Appendix. F, and in which the reader will find facts, statements, and opinions that go far toward explaining the motives and conduct of Gov- ernor Strong during the war, which have often been miscon- strued.
It having been decided to locate a fort, for the defence of Boston, upon Noddle's Island, the next step was to select a suitable engineer. At that time there were but few persons
406
HISTORY.
[1814.
whose education was of such a character as to qualify them for the duties of civil engineering; and, in truth, mechanical genius was made to supply the deficiencies of an appropriate training. Loammi Baldwin was appointed, a graduate from Harvard College. While in college he had distinguished him- self among his fellow-students by his fertile ingenuity ; among other things, he made with his knife a wooden clock, which was the wonder of the collegians.
Entering immediately upon his duties, he issued his first official notice on the 10th of September. It was in these words : -
" September 10 (1814).
" All persons who intend offering their personal services as volunteers on the works under the direction of the subscriber, are desired to select persons as captains or committees to meet him at the Exchange Coffee House,1 No. 84, this evening and Monday evening at 7 o'clock, who may make arrangements with him in their behalf.
" As a sufficient number of tools cannot possibly be provided from the quartermaster-general's department on so short a notice, the subscriber requests those who can conveniently pro- cure them for themselves, to carry shovels, etc.
" All persons disposed to contract for the delivery of stones for a well and ferry ways, a few thousand bricks, timber, planks, and boards, are requested to make immediate application to
" LOAMMI BALDWIN."
There was a notice similar to this, dated on the 17th of Sep- tember, which stated that companies with tools were wanted to work on the fort.
An editorial in the Centinel of the same date as Mr. Bald- win's first notice (10th), says that "notice has been given that the executive military committee have appointed Loammi
1 The most imposing building of its time, having cost about $500,000. It was burnt the 3d of November, 1818, and rebuilt not long after. It was taken down in 1854, and an immense freestone structure erected upon the spot, which was finished in 1855, and called the City Exchange.
407
ENTHUSIASM IN DEFENCE.
1814.]
Baldwin, Esq., superintending engineer for the construction of fortifications to be raised on Noddle's Island in this harbor; and that they will accept the voluntary services of the citizens in their construction." The editor then proceeds to give some instructions, by which the citizens might be guided. Volun- teers were to arrange themselves in companies, and to appoint their own captains, and to make returns of their numbers to the superintendent ; boats would be provided to transport the workmen to the Island; persons willing to furnish wheelbar- rows, spades, shovels, pickaxes, iron bars, and other utensils, were requested to offer them immediately; and pecuniary aid would be accepted from those who were indisposed to labor.
In consequence of these notices, and actuated by the noblest feelings of patriotism, the inhabitants sent in their offers of ser- vices to the superintendent, who entered them on his books. The enthusiasm for labor was very great; and the request was so promptly responded to by hundreds of laborers, that there was not at first sufficient work for them to do, and the engineer was obliged to state that further time was required to fix the sites of the works, and mark out the lines, before voluntary laborers in great numbers could be advantageously employed. This fact shows most conclusively the spirit of the people, and the earnestness with which they rallied for the defence of their country. The same forgetfulness of self-interest which was manifested in 1776 was as clearly shown now. Citizens of all classes and all denominations vied with each other in their patriotic offerings and labors, and the public journals from day to day speak of the promptness with which the community answered to the call for labor. So great was the press of volun- teers, that a systematic arrangement was adopted, by which the laborers were classified, and particular days assigned for par- ticular classes. This plan succeeded admirably ; confusion was thus avoided, and the work advanced rapidly. It is appar- ent, from a clause in the Centinel, that the labor on the Island was commenced on the tenth of September. The paper of that date says : " We understand that one hundred and fifty of the Mechanic's Charitable Association, and others who have united with them, will begin to work on the fort on Noddle's Island this morning (Sept. 10th, 1814), to embark at the ferry
408
HISTORY.
[1814.
way at six o'clock. We learn that five hundred will be wanted on Monday, and an equal number every day until the works are completed. All volunteers are expected to find their own rations." To illustrate the system adopted, it may be stated, that from time to time the papers announced the days on which particular detachments were to work; for instance: "Twenty- five mechanics from each ward in this town will labor on the fortifications on Noddle's Island. This day (Sept. 14) to embark from the ferry ways at half past six o'clock."1 "Deal- ers in dry goods to work on the fortifications on the succeeding Friday" (Sept. 16).2 In this same paper is also a notice for meetings in the different wards to choose committees to collect contributions to defray the expenses for the defence of the town and the country. The Centinel of the 17th notifies "dealers in dry goods and in hardware to meet the next Thursday (20th) to do a day's work on Fort Strong." The fortification was already called Fort Strong, in compliment to the governor, although it was not officially so named till about the time of its completion. This paper also says: " Since our last, detach- ments of the mechanics and manufacturers, the victuallers, the Boston Light Infantry, the students of the university, the sons of Erin, and other patriotic volunteers, have labored with effect on the construction of the fort on Noddle's Island." The West India goods dealers were notified to meet and work on Wednes- day afternoon, the 21st. On the 24th, the stone and bricklayers who had volunteered were notified to meet and perfect arrange- ments. Indeed, there is scarcely a newspaper of that time which has not numerous notices to all classes and conditions of people, either calling meetings for the purpose of making arrangements, or specifying the days on which particular divis- ions should work.
The lines were marked out, and the plans so far perfected, that, on the 21st, a "notice to the patriotic" was published, stating that the " superintendent of fortifications can find as much employment as any number of men can perform." Hun- dreds of men now flocked to the Island, and worked with a zeal worthy of their cause. The instance can scarcely be found
1 Centinel of Sept. 14th. 2 Ibid.
1814.]
VOLUNTARY LABOR UPON THE FORT. 409
where the population so universally engaged in the labor of a common defence, or where all classes and conditions of society united so cordially in a public undertaking. Not only did Bos- tonians volunteer their services, but the adjoining towns sent in large delegations to the assistance of the city. On Sunday the 18th, six hundred men, principally from Medford, Malden, West Cambridge, and other towns, worked on the fort; while " many from Boston volunteer every day." On the following Monday (19th), two hundred men from the navy-yard contrib- uted their labors; Tuesday, the members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery not on duty, the Winslow Blues, dry goods dealers, and others worked; and, a few days, later we find the board of health, the printers, booksellers, and binders, the Spar- tan band, and detachments from the wards, laboring at the fort. It is difficult to conceive of greater promptness, activity, and determination, than was manifested at this time; the impending danger admitted of no delay, and the value of time in a great emergency was fully appreciated.
In a letter or report made by Major Joseph H. Pierce, the secretary of the commissioners for sea-coast defence, dated on the 18th of September, he says : -
" Col. Thorndike and Col. Perkins, accompanied by Major- General Dearborn and suit, visited Fort Warren, Fort Inde- pendence, and Noddle's Island. ..... On the new fort now erecting on Noddle's Island, about six hundred workmen were actually under employ, and the works are progressing with a spirit suited to the exigency of the moment. The engineer, Loammi Baldwin, Esq., and the gentlemen who assist him, appear to take great interest in the success of their object, the evidence of which is very perceptible in the rapidity and per- fection with which the plans have hitherto been executed. A highly commendable zeal and spirit of patriotism pervade all classes of our fellow-citizens, in their volunteering their services to work on this, and the different fortifications about to be. erected in the vicinity of Boston." 1
On the 21st of September, Mr. Baldwin addressed a letter to the adjutant-general, saying that the works on Noddle's Island.
1 20th Congress, 2d Session, House Doc. 3, p. 151.
35
410
HISTORY.
[1814.
had been so far prosecuted that a guard stationed there would be of the first importance; and that many inconveniences as to tools would be avoided by such a measure, as some were al- ready lost. He therefore requested that a guard might be placed at the fort, as soon as the arrangements could be made. This request was complied with ; and on the same day, Adjutant-Gen- eral Brooks sent an order to Major-General Crane to detach a company of light-infantry to guard the fort. Brigadier-General Welles the same day caused a company of light-infantry to be detached from his brigade, to perform guard duty on the Island for one week, unless sooner discharged.1 By the same general order from the adjutant-general, the quartermaster- general was directed to furnish the company with " tools, cook- ing utensils, fuel, straw, &c.," and the commanding officer to con- sult the engineer respecting the places for posting sentries, and " securing the entrenching tools." The fortifications were now well advanced, and a regular guard was stationed there, both to observe the movements of the enemy and to protect the works and the great amount of implements necessarily used in their construction. The labor was prosecuted unremittingly. On the 24th of September it was announced that the forti- fications rapidly approached completion. The Gazette of the 3d of October says : "Fort Strong progresses rapidly. On Saturday, the citizens of Concord and Lincoln, to the number of two hundred, performed labor on it; the punctuality of the patriotic husbandmen deserved the highest praise of their fellow- citizens of the metropolis. The volunteers from Wards 1, 3, and 4, together with others, amounted yesterday (Oct. 2d) to 500. A few more days' works, by the same number of men, will complete this important fortification." Different companies were stationed as a guard on the Island, at different times. Among the militia who performed duty there were the " Boston Fusileers," the "Rangers," and the " Boston Light-Infantry." In the Centinel of the 24th, the absent members of the Fusi- leers are ordered to report themselves to the commanding offi- cer at Fort Strong on that day. The Rangers were ordered to meet at the fort to do guard duty on the 28th; and on the 12th
1 Letter Book, p. 193; Order Book, p. 198.
1814.]
THE FORTIFICATIONS PROGRESSING.
411
of October the Boston Light-Infantry received a similar notice. It is apparent from these facts, that a regular military guard was first stationed on the Island at Fort Strong on the 21st of Sep- tember, just eleven days after the works were commenced, and that it was regularly kept up from that time. But volunteer service was still needed, and Mr. Baldwin issued a notice in the Centinel of the 1st of October calling for laborers; and in this paper it was stated that " Major Nehemiah Freeman, and Geo. Sullivan, Esq., have the superintendence of the Fort at Noddle's Island." Volunteers from different wards were called for, and the same earnestness appears as at the outset. In ad- dition to the volunteer service, the soldiers were ordered to the works. Adjutant-General Brooks, on the 4th of October, under the governor's authority, gave orders to Brigadier-General Welles, for each regiment of his ( Welles's) brigade to devote one of the two days required for their discipline to the prose- cution of the works on the Island, or on the other fortifications for the protection of Boston.1 On the 18th of October, the order of the 21st of the preceding month was so modified as to reduce the guard to one subaltern, two sergeants, two corporals, and twenty privates, to be relieved weekly.2
A notice from the selectmen of the town, dated on the 13th of October, says : " The selectmen of Boston take this public opportunity of expressing their grateful acknowledgments to all those persons who have given their voluntary assistance in labor on the several works now erecting for the defence of the town and harbor. The positions for these works have been selected, and the plans of them adopted, by the-ablest engineers. By the spir- ited exertions of the people, the fortifications are in a state of great forwardness, and a continuance of the same patriotic efforts would complete them in a short time. The numerous and hardy yeomanry from the country are desired to continue their services at South Boston, and on the Dorchester shore ; and the inhabitants of Boston are again invited to take one more tour of duty to put the finishing hand to Fort Strong. It was expected that this fortress would have been completed in the past week, but the great extent of the fort and batteries
Letter Book, p. 205.
2 Order Book, p. 207.
412
HISTORY.
[1814.
rendered it impossible." A day's work more was requested from each of the wards, and the request was promptly responded to, as is seen by the newspapers.
An extra session of the legislature was convened on the 5th of October, to take into consideration the condition of the State, and provide for its defence. Governor Strong, in a short and comprehensive message, gave a brief resumé of his actions, and concluded with a clause which it is well to copy. He said : -
" The situation of this State is peculiarly dangerous and per- plexing. We have been led by the terms of the constitution to rely on the government of the Union to provide for our de- fence. We have resigned to that government the resources of the State with the expectation that this object would not be neglected. But the government has declared war against the most powerful maritime nation, whose fleets can approach every section of our extended sea-coast, and we are disappointed in our expectations of national defence. But though we may be convinced that the war, in its commencement, was unnecessary and unjust, and has been prosecuted without any useful or practicable object against the inhabitants of Canada, while our sea-coast has been left almost defenceless ; and though in a war thus commenced we may have declined to afford our voluntary aid to offensive measures, yet, I presume there will be no doubts of our rights to defend our dwellings and possessions against any hostile attack, by which their destruction is menaced. Let us, then, relying on the support and direction of Providence, unite in such measures for our safety, as the times demand, and the principles of justice and the law of self-preservation will justify. To your wisdom and patriotism the interests of the State are confided, and the more valuable those interests are, the more solicitous you will be to guard and preserve them."
These were the mildest terms in which the defenceless con- dition of the state could be described. The national adminis- tration was utterly opposed to a navy, and the soldiers had been taken from the forts on the coast, so that it was wholly defence- less. But contrary to the expectation of the government, and contrary to its hopes and intentions, the navy, small as it was,
413
THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE.
1814.]
fought itself into favor, achieved the most brilliant victories, and fully vindicated the success of our arms upon the waters, while the fact was notoriously apparent, that nearly every one of the land expeditions, which were the pets of the administration, was a signal failure. The government had turned its whole attention to land-service, and totally neglected the naval force ; the land-service failed of success, and the ships gained the nation a brilliant series of victories and an honorable peace. The spirit of the democratic party towards a naval establish- ment is well shown in a toast given a short time before the war, " An American Navy : Its canvass in the fields, its cannon in the ore beds, its timber on the hills ; there let them remain ; " - while the spirit of the opposition is manifest in a toast, to the following effect : " The American Navy ; ' A light shining in a dark place.' "
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