History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 31

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 31

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Though the people had assented willingly to the numerous assessments made upon them for war pur- poses, the colleetors, in many instances, were unable to obtain the full amount of the tax levied by the town. The patriotic treasurer, Jonathan Glover, supplied the deficiency from time to time with pri- vate funds of his own, rather than the town should be delinquent, and interest was allowed him for the use of the money.

The financial embarrassment of the country, and the depreciated state of the currency, led the people, during the following year, to adopt measures for the prevention of extortion, and for the regulation of the prices to be charged by dealers and mechanics. "Any person guilty of buying or selling silver or gold for rent or otherwise " was to be deemed an enemy of the country, and treated accordingly. The price of wood was regulated at eighteen shillings per cord and candles at eighteen shillings a pound.

" Best made men's shoes were to be eight pounds a pair," and other shoes in proportion. Farriers, for shoeing horses all round, were to receive six pounds, and for shifting a single shoe, fifteen shillings. A committee of forty persons was chosen to detect any violation of these regulations, with instructious to deal summarily with every offender.

Though the condition of national affairs at the close of the winter of 1780 was far from encouraging, the patriotic citizens were determined that uothing should be left undone by which the war could be brought to a successful termination. On the 15th of June the sum of forty thousand pounds was appro- priated to hire twenty-four men to reinforce the Con- tinental army ; and a few days later one hundred bushels of corn and one hundred hard dollars, or the equivalent of either, were offered to every man who would enlist iu the army for six months. At the same time a committee was chosen to solicit subscrip- tions of cash (in speeie) or provisions to be used as a bounty in raising recruits.

During the entire trying period of the war the peo- ple of Marblehead had submitted with becoming fortitude and resignation to the inevitable depriva- tions and distress incident to the struggle. llouses, stores and fish-fences were necessarily demolished and used for fnel; and in November, 1780, a com- mittee was appointed " to estimate the value of those used since the beginning of the war. The whole number of men in town at this time was reported to be 831, of whom 477 were unemployed or out of busi- ness. There were 166 in captivity, and 121 were missing. The whole number of women was 1069, of whom 378 were widows, and of 2242 children, 672 were fatherless. Eight years before, the number of ratable polls was 1202, while at this time there were but 544. At the beginning of the war there were 12,313 tons of shipping owned, employed and manned by the citizens of Marblehead, while at its close the entire amount owned in the town was but 1509 tons.

The signal success of American arms during the year 1781, culminating in the surrender of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown on the 19th of October, excited the utmost joy and exultation in Marblehead. Nowhere in the country had such sacrifices been made as those to which this people had uncomplain- ingly submitted. Nowhere was the dawn of peace

more heartily welcomed. Their commerce was ruined; many who had been wealthy before the war were reduced to poverty, and the blood of their sons had been poured out like water. But there was no complaint. No sorrowing now, even for those who would not return. Only joy that the great struggle was ended, and that the independence for which they fought had been achieved.

Upon the publication of the preliminaries of peace, many of the refugees were glad to avail themselves of the opportunity to return to their former homes in America. During the month of April the town

68₺

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Was thrown into a state of the greatest excitement by the return of sephen Blaney, one of the most ohjee- ti nood et the Hyabsts who had left Marblehead. Remmers were prevalent that other refugees were ul about to return, and, on the 24th of April, a town- meeting was bed to consider the matter. Resolutions - Surely concerning the acts of the loyalists were a pied and a committee of twenty-one persons was el sen to take measures to prevent their return. All refugees who made their appearance in town were to be given six hours' notice to leave, and any who remained beyond that time were to be taken into cus- te ly an I shipped to the nearest port of Great Britain.

The restoration of peace to the United States was huile throughout the land with every demonstration of joy, and nowhere with more hearty enthusiasm toan ut Marelehead. On the 29th of April a grand ccebration took place in honor of the event. The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells, and a I ederal salute from the battery at the fort. At noon the bells were accompanied by salutes from artillery or Trauung Field Ild. At two o'clock P. M. a large number of the most prominent citizens, together with muvited guests from other towns, assembled "at the Coffee- House, and partook of a genteel entertain- ment." After dinner toasts were drank, with a dis- « Farge of thirteen cannon after each toast. Nor were the people in general forgotten. An ox, which had previously bech provided and cooked, was sent to the town-house, where a sumptuous dinner was served. A large vesel tilled with liquor-" rum punch," the tradition has it-was placed in front of the building, and the beverage was freely dispensed to all who ·h -e to, cobibe, the vessel being July replenished hroughout the day. In the evening many of the h uses were brilliantly illuminated, and a beacon lles w. - surroumled with combustibles and converted .oto a bonfire.

CHAPTER LXXXIIL

1 W . IR 1 -R. .. edit the Fourteenth Con-

1 I at the ter tilland Behavior of 11 , 194 is- 11 inger's Army heid hen eat a the Ideane, -The

Hier IMIn The Ittare : at 1YR Fre Millh -Thanks -

1 7 Th le Ist

im only the elite of the men of Mar- wo woi ind e during the War of the ;

Revolution must of necessity be very much abridged for this work. While the events related in the last chapter were transpiring in Marblehead and else- where, the brave men of the Marblehead regiment were winning unfading laurels by their valorous achievements in the service of their country.

The regiment left town on the 22d of June, 1775, and at once reported to General Ward, then in com- mand of the army at Cambridge.

Early in October, Colonel Glover was appointed by General Washington to superintend the equipment and manning of armed vessels for the service of the colonies. Through his agency the expedition to the St. Lawrence River, under Captains Broughton and Selman, and the privateer "Lee," under command of Captain Manly, had been fitted out.

On the 27th of November a long, Inmbering train of wagons, laden with ordnance and military stores, and decorated with flags, came wheeling into the eamp "at Cambridge," escorted by Continental troops and country militia. They were part of the cargo of a large brigantine laden with munitions of war eap- tured and sent into Cape Ann by the schooner "Lee," Captain Manly, one of the cruisers seut out by Wash- ington.

" Sueh universal joy ran through the whole camp," writes an officer, " as if each one grasped a victory in his own hands." "Surely, nothing," writes Washing- ton, " ever came more apropos."

Shortly after this event an affair occurred in the camp, in which the Marblehead regiment figured rather prominently. It seems that "a large party of Virginia riflemen, who had recently arrived in camp, were strolling about Cambridge and visiting the collegi- ate building-, now turned into barraeks. Their half-In- dian equipments, and fringed and ruffled hunting Marblehead, chiefly fisherinen and sailors, who thought nothing equal to the round jacket and trous- ers. A bantering ensued between them. There was snow upon the ground, and snow-balls began to fly when jokes were wanting. The parties waxed warm in the contest. They closed and came to blows; both sides were reinforced, and in a little while at least a thousand were at fisticuffs, and there was a tumult in the camp worthy of the days of llomer. At this juncture (writes our informant) Washington made his appearance, whether by acei- dent or design I never knew. I saw none of his aids with him ; his black servant just behind him, mount- ed. He threw the bridle of his own horse into his servant's hands, sprang from his seat, rushed into the thickest of the melee, seized two tall, brawny rifle- men by the throat, keeping them at arms-length, talking to and shaking them." 1

Thus prompt and energetic action on the part of the general quickly put an end to the tumult, and in

1 Menn ir of an eye. witness, living's Washington, Vol. II.

which had been erected at the beginning of hostili- , garbs, provoked the merriment of the troops from

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MARBLEHEAD.

a few moments order was restored throughout the camp.

On the 19th of December an express arrived at General Washington's headquarters from Marblehead, with information that three British ships-of-war were standing in the harbor. Colonel Glover's regiment, with Captain Foster's company of artillery and a corps of riflemen, were ordered to march with all expe- dition for the defense of the town. As no attempt was made by the enemy to land troops, and the squad- ron having left the coast soon after, the artillery and rifle companies returned to camp and the regiment was sent to Beverly for the defense of that town, which was considered in imminent danger of attack.

On the 1st of January, 1776, the regiment was re- organized as the Fourteenth Continental Regiment, and the term of enlistment having expired, nearly every soldier enlisted for the war.

In July, Glover and his regiment were ordered to proceed at once to New York. They marched from Beverly on the 20th, and having arrived at New York on the 9th of August, were ordered to join General Sullivan's brigade.

During the memorable battle of Long Island, on the 27th of August, Glover's regiment was stationed on New York Island. It was not until the battle was over that the brave men of that distinguished corps performed the difficult feat, which saved the Ameri- can Army from total destruction. Early in the morn- ing of the 28th of August the regiment crossed over to Long Island and was stationed at an important post .on the left of the American Army.

"Every eye brightened as they marched briskly along the line with alert step and cheery aspect." On the morning of the 29th, being convinced that the only safety of his army lay in a successful retreat, General Washington called a council of war. The council decided upon a speedy withdrawal of the troops. The embarkation was to take place in the night, and preparations were made with the utmost secrecy, Colonel Glover being called upon with his entire regiment to take command of the vessels and flat-bottomed boats.

The colonel went over to Brooklyn with his officers to superintend the embarkation. and at abont seven o'clock in the evening the officers and men went to work with a spirit and resolution peculiar to that brave corps. The retreat was conducted in silence and with the utmost precaution against discovery. With muffled oars and steady strokes, the hardy sea- men of the Marblehead regiment rowed with such precision and regularity, that not a sound broke upon the stillness of the night. When the morning broke the whole embarkation had been happily effected.

" This extraordinary retreat," writes Washington Irving, "which in its silence and celerity equaled the midnight fortifying of Bunker's Hill, was one of the most signal achievements of the war, and redounded greatly to the reputation of Washington." But with-

out the aid of Glover and his heroic fishermen from Marblehead, by whose skill and activity the orders of the commander-in chief were successfully executed, the retreat would have been impossible. By their ef- forts alone the American Army was saved from de- struction.

It is impossible in the limited space at our com- mand to recount the valorous deeds of the Marble- head regiment during the memorable campaign of the summer and autumn of 1776.

On the night of December 25th, when General Washington and his army erossed the Delaware River to attack the British army at Trenton, "Colonel Glover, with his amphibious regiment of Marble- head " to again quote Washington Irving-" was in the advance,-the same who had navigated the army across the Sound in its retreat from Brooklyn, on Long Island, to New York. They were men accus- tomed to battle with the elements ; yet, with all their skill and experience, the crossing was difficult and perilous. Washington, who had crossed with the troops, stood anxiously, yet patiently, on the eastern bank, while one precious hour after another elapsed until the transportation of the artillery should be ef- fected. The night was dark and tempestuous; the drifting ice drove the boats out of their course and threatened them with destruction." Before daybreak the transportation had been effected.

The story of the successful attack upon Trenton, which resulted in the capture of nearly one thousand prisoners, with their arms and ammunition, and com- pelled the British army to abandon New Jersey and retreat to New York, needs no repetition here. Years afterwards, in a speech before the Massachusetts Legislature, General Knox, who was chief of artillery at Trenton, paid the following tribute to the brave men of the Marblehead regiment : " I wish the mem- bers of this body knew the people of Marblehead as well as I do. I wish that they had stood on the banks of the Delaware River in 1776, in that bitter night when the commander-in-chief had drawn up his lit- tle army to cross it, and seen the powerful current bearing onward the floating masses of ice, which threatened destruction to whosoever should venture upon its bosom. I wish that when this occurrence threatened to defeat the enterprise, they could have heard that distinguished warrior demand, ' Who will lead us on ?' and seen the men of Marblehead, and Marblehead alone, stand forward to lead the army along the perilous path to unfading glories and honors in the achievements of Trenton. There, sir, went the fishermen of Marblehead, alike at home upon land or water, alike ardent, patriotic and unflinching wher- ever they unfurled the flag of the country."

Shortly before the engagement at Trenton, Congress had clothed General Washington with additional powers, and as soon as practicable, measures were adopted for recruiting new regiments of cavalry and artillery. The gallantry and meritorious conduct of

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.

thend' its did men of the Marblehead regiment had not - apel the notice of the commander-in-chief, and the last of January, 1777, William R. Lee, major of the rigevent, who for some time had been acting as orinal mayer, was promoted t the rank of colonel. lafel atoy upon receiving his commission, Colonel la returned to Massachusetts to recruit and organ- ist his regiment. Many of the officers and men of the new regiment were from Marblehead. Joseph Swasty was major, Joseph Stacey quartermaster, and Joshua Orne was captain of one of the companies. AAmong the lieutenants were William Hawkes, Sam- uel Gatchell, Jeremiah Reed, John Clark and John Barker.

In March, the office of adjutant general having be- comme vacant, Colonel Lee was recommended by Con- gross for that office. General Washington conferred the appointment, however, upon Colonel Pickering, of stlem, and upon his refusal to serve, Colonel Lee wny immediately summoned to headquarters. Upon his arrival Lee, with becoming modesty, de- elmed the honor, and recommended Colonel Picker- ing, " whom he considered, from a very friendly and intimate acquaintance, as a first-rate military charac- ter, and that he knew of no gentleman so well quali- lied for the post. '

Washington afterward declared, in a letter to Con- gress, that nothing derogatory to the merits of Col- onel Lee, who held a high place in his esteem, and who had "deservedly acquired the reputation of a grdl otheer," influenced him in giving the preference t, Colonel Pickering.

On the 23d of February, Colonel Glover, who had 'emporarily bot the army to attend to his private af- fairs, was appointed a brigadier-general by Congress, Receiving orders from General Washington to join the army at l'eek-kill, he immediately set out from home, and took command of his brigade on the 14th T June. From this time until the 27th of July the men under his command rendered efficient service in re-Aline the en roachments of the enemy at New York

tremendous fire of grape-shot and small arms. "Even the stolid Hessians," says a writer of the affair, "ex- pressed their amazement when they saw these brave Marbleheaders dash through the fire of grape and canister, and over the dead bodies of their comrades, through the embrasures, over the cannon, with the same agihty with which they had formerly climbed to the main-top or traversed the backstays, bayonet- ing the cannoneers at their posts." During the en- gagement Gen. Glover had three horses shot under him.

On the following evening the British army retreated to Saratoga, and on the 13th of October Gen. Bur- goyne surrendered to Gen. Gates. The duty of guard- ing and conducting the prisoners to Massachusetts were assigned to Gen. Glover and the men under his command, whose brilliant achievements during the campaign had made them famous throughout the country. The prisoners arrived at Cambridge on the 7th of November, and were received by Col. William R. Lee, as the commanding officer of the cantonment. Gen. Glover was detained in Massachusetts a much longer time than was expected would be necessary to finish the business with which he had been intrusted by Gen. Gates, and did not again join the army until the following summer. During that ever-mem- orable winter of 1778 his brigade formed a part of the army of Washington, and experienced all the suffer- ing which must forever make the camp at Valley Forge famous in American history. But through it all they behaved like meu. Neither want, nor hun- ger, nor nakedness, nor all combined conld indnee them to forsake the service of their country. To the patient forbearance and fidelity of men like these we owe the foundation of the American Republic.

We must pass, though regretfully, over the events of the intervening time to the summer of 1780, when, with the exception of a few weeks spent in Massa- chusetts, Gen. Glover was with his brigade at West Point. At the time of the capture of the unfortunate Major Andre, Glover had rejoined his brigade, and on the 20th of September was a member of the court which sentenced the spy to death. On the 2d of October, when the execution took place, General Glover was officer of the day, and was deeply affected by the scene. Even old soldiers, who had many times braved death on the battle-field, shed tears on the occasion. But though the necessity of the exe- cution was sincerely regretted, no one questioned the equity of the sentence.

On the 7th of October, during the battle which re- -ut Forthe de astrous rout of the British, Glover's Irkle, beine a part of the right wing of the army, under con mand of Gen. Lincoln, was held in reserve. A part of the brigade, however, including the Mar- Mchedl renunt, were engaged under General Ar- med durante los impetuous assault upon the British ( during the Sitter part of the day. The British having a andreed their artillery, and knowing that The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in Oeto- ber, 1781, decided the great contest in favor of the Americans, and though the army was not disbanded, nor the treaty of peace signed till two years later, the war was virtually at an end. Enlistments for the army went on, however, for some time, and in the spring of 1782 General Glover was ordered to Massa- chusetts "to take charge of the mustering and for- bob. 1w . det, retreatel to their camp, which they were k. citbloed to preserve at all hazards. Scarcely Hb Đội thế Thế when they were attacked Ni Sh lomo& oper Funder Arnold. The attack * r ni tros lộ Đức et thọ nost desperate hand-to hand r kn w. The camp was defended with pe Ersare, to Phereis Lung greeted with a ' warding recruits." This was the last service rendered

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MARBLEHEAD.

by Glover as a general in the American army, and with it must end our account of the part taken by the men of Marblehead in the various movements up- on the land. Throughout the war they were distin- guished for their bravery and the faithful perform- ance of duty. Whether in camp, or on the march ; leading the advance in an attack, or covering a retreat ; everywhere, and under all circumstances, the same steady resolution characterized their actions.

CHAPTER LXXXIV. MARBLEHEAD-(Continued).

Naval History of Marblehead in the Revolution-Exploits of Heroic Mar- bleheaders-Commodores John Manly and Samuel Tucker - Captain John Lee in the Privateer " Nancy "-Prizes Tuken-Murder of Capt- John Harris-The Letter of Marque "Freemason"-Exploit of Robert Wormsted-Capt. Cowell's Victory-The Last Naval Battle of the Revolution.

HAVING followed the men of Marblehead as far as possible through the various campaigns of the Revolution, let us now turn our attention to their ex- ploits upon the water. The naval history of the war for Independence can never be fully written. Many of the most daring exploits of men in private armed vessels must forever remain unknown. The infor- mation to be obtained from the records of the period is very meagre, and reliance must be placed princi- pally upon newspaper reports of engagements, and the log-books and private journals of seamen. The rest is traditionary.

In another chapter an account has already been given of the early captures by Captains Broughton, Selman and Manly, in privateers fitted out by order of General Washington, and of Captain Mugford's heroic capture of the transport "Hope," and his sub- sequent death while defending his vessel against the boats of the British fleet.

On the Ist of January, 1776, Captain Manly was given the command of the armed schooner " IIan- cock," and became commodore of a fleet of six vessels fitted out by order of General Washington. The other schooners were the "Lee," Captain Waters; the "Franklin," Captain Samuel Tucker; the " Harri- son," Captain Dyer ; the "Lynch," Captain Ayres ; and the " Warren," Captain Burke. Captains Wat- ers, Tucker and Dyer were commissioned on the 20th of January, 1776, while the last three comman- ders did not obtain their commissions until the 1st of February.

It is related of Captain Tucker, that when the ex- press with his commission rode up to his door, the gallant captain, with his sleeves rolled up, and with a tarpaulin hat slouching over his face, was engaged in chopping wood in the yard. The officer thought that he must have mistaken the direction, and ex- claimed, somewhat roughly-

"I say, fellow, I wish you would tell me if the Honorable Samuel Tucker lives hereabouts !"

" Honorable! honorable!" said Tucker, with a shrewd look at the stranger ; " there is not any man of that name in Marblehead. He must be one of the family of Tuckers in Salem. I am the only Samuel Tucker there is here."

The gallant look and deportment of the young man convinced the officer that he could not be mistaken, and, after landing him his commission and partaking of refreshments, he returned to the camp at Cam- bridge.1

On the following day Captain Tucker was at Bev- erly, superintending the fitting out of the " Franklin," and in a short time sailed on his first cruise. The small arms necessary for the proper armament of his vessel were purchased with his own private funds, and the banner under which he sailed was the handi- work of his wife. In a short time he fell in with the British ship "George" and the brig " Annabel." The two vessels were transports, and had on board about two hundred and eighty Highland troops under command of Colonel Archibald Campbell. It was about ten o'clock in the evening, and a conflict en- sued which lasted nearly two hours and a half. At length the British, having lost a large number of men, including the commander of one of the trans- ports, struck their colors and surrendered. The prizes had on board a large amount of ammunition and military stores. Tucker sustained no damage in the loss of men, but the sails of his schooner were completely riddled.

During the month of April, Commodore Manly was transferred to the command of the frigate " Han- cock," of thirty-two guns, and, on his promotion, the command of the schooner " Hancock ' was given to Captain Tucker. Shortly after taking command of this schooner Tucker captured two brigs within sight of a British man-of-war, and carried them into Lynn. One of the brigs was from Cork, ninety-two tons bur- den, laden with beef, pork, butter and coal; the other, of about one hundred tons burden, was from the Western Islands, and laden with wine and fruit.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 31

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672