USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 12
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Enos Day, ensign,
Silas Matthews, serg't, David Town, serg't,
Matthew Moody, serg't,
Timothy Stockwell, serg't, E. Nash, drummer,
Reuben Smith, fifer.
Amasa Smith. corp'l, Samuel Hastings, corp'l,
John Cole, corp'l,
Nathaniel Butterfield,corp'l, Moses Alvord,
John Burchit, John Bush,
Joshua Burt, Jonathan Burnett, Israel Cole,
- Enos Cook.
Juda Clark,
Silvanus Chapin,
Benjamin Clough,
Adonijah Cole,
Samuel Deane,
Jonas Ellwell,
Daniel Gould.
Enos Goodman,
Eliph' Gaylord,
Joseph Goodale,
Oliver Hastings, Timothy Hilyard,
Elijah Hannum,
John Kibbee, Ebenezer Kentfield,
Silas Lee,
Amos Lamb, / Elisha Moody, .
William Montague,
Lewis Morgan,
V Simeon Peck. James Persifield,
Daniel Plumley,
Daniel Smith,
Caleb Smith,
· Daniel Reed. Paul Smith, Enoch Thayer,
Amasa Shumway.
Samuel Taylor,
William Towne,
William Towne, 2d, .
Jonathan Warner,
Enos Woodbrady,
William Waite.
Sewal Warner, David Worthington,
Joshua Whitney,
Jeremiah Pike, Aaron Smith,
Nathan'l Abbott.
In Capt. Aaron Haynes' company in the Canadian campaign were Selah Dickinson, who served from April I to December, 1776, and Ebene- zer Kellogg, who enlisted May 1, and died Nov. 22, of the same year.
In a list of those who served at least six months previous to March, 1777, at Dorchester, in Capt. Oliver Lyman's company, were the following from Amherst :
Henry Lee, serg't, Jonathan Warner, John Fox,
Isaac Gould, Azariah Dickinson, Levi Dickinson,
Nathaniel Edwards, Simeon Dickinson.
In a list of those who served two months from May 7 to July S, 1777, under Capt. John Thompson, called out to reinforce the Northern army, are found the following Amherst names :
Noah Dickinson, lieut., Luke Coffin. serg't, Ebenezer Eastman, corp'l,
Levi Smith, fifer, David Blodgett. Benjamin Buckman,
Simeon Dickinson, Levi Dickinson, Zimri Dickinson,
Elijah Dickinson, Timothy Dickinson, John Ingram,
Thomas Morton, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr.
In Capt. Jeremiah Ballard's company with the northern army from
Elisha Steele,
Stephen Shumway,
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AMHERST SOLDIERS.
May 10 to July 20, 1777, were Lieut. Jonathan Dickinson, David Lord and Aaron Smith.
In July, 1777, Capt. Reuben Dickinson marched with his company to Mosses' creek to reinforce the army and was attached to Col. Elisha Porter's regiment. The company served 38 days and included the following men from Amherst :
Joel Moody, serg't, Daniel Benjamin,
Medad Dickinson,
Medad Moody,
John Dickinson. Enos Cook,
Amos Ayres
Nathaniel Dickinson,
Samuel Ingram,
Henry Chandler, Reuben Smith.
Azariah Dickinson, Thomas Williams,
Timothy Green, Joseph Pettis,
Amherst was represented in the expedition that marched for the defense of Bennington, Aug. 17, 1777, by the following men, under com- mand of Capt. Oliver Smith :
Jonathan Ingram, John Kibbee, Moses Kellogg,
Elihu Dickinson, Ebenezer Pomeroy.
They supplied their own provisions, carried their own baggage, and were out seven days.
Aug. 9, 1777, there was a call for further reinforcements for the Northern army, and Capt. Moses Hawley and Capt. Samuel Cook went to the front and were attached to Col. Woodbridge's regiment in the army of Gen. Gates. In Capt. Hawley's company were Lieut. Jonathan Dickinson, Lieut. Elisha Baker and Serg't Lemuel Clark of Amherst ; in Capt. Cook's com- pany were the following Amherst men :
Ebenezer Mattoon. lieut., Luke Coffin, serg't, Adam Rice, serg't,
Levi Smith, fifer, David Blodgett, Zimri Dickinson,
Abner Nash,
Timothy Dickinson. Simeon Dickinson, Jacob Warner,
Isaac Marshall, Philip Ingram.
Capt. Hawley's company was out from Aug. 14 to Nov. 29 ; Capt. Cook's company from Aug. 17 to Dec. 7 ; the latter was in the battle of " Bemis Heights ", Oct. 7. These companies, as well as that under com- mand of Capt. Reuben Dickinson, took part in the battles of Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, and were present at the surrender of Burgoyne, Oct. 17.
Aug. 18, 1777, there was an alarm at New Providence, and of the company under Lieut. Noah Dickinson's command that responded, being out four days, were the following, mostly from Amherst :
Isaac Hubbard, serg't, Joseph Dickinson, serg't, Henry Franklin. serg't, Ebenezer Mattoon, Aaron Alvord. Abner Adams. Martin Kellogg, Amariah Dana, Justus Williams, Jeremiah Cody. Elisha Dickinson,
Josiah Warner. serg't, John Ingram, William May. Ebenezer Dickinson, Zachariah Hawley.
Daniel Church, John Eastman, Levi Dickinson.
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Giles Church,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
There was an alarm at Stillwater, Sept. 23, and Capt. Reuben Dick- inson responded with his company in which were the following Amherst men : .
Noah Dickinson, lieut., Henry Franklin, serg't, Josiah Warner, serg't,
Thomas Marshall, corp'l, Benjamin Buckman, corp'l, Stephen Smith,
John Ingram, Elihu Dickinson, David Blodgett,
David Cowls, Nathan Dickinson, Elihu Hubbard,
William May, Simeon Cowls,
Hezekiah Belding,
Ebenezer Dickinson,
Lemuel Moody,
Timothy Green.
Ebenezer Eastman, Henry Chandler,
Seth Dickinson,
Elijah Dickinson.
In January, 1777, a call was issued for men to serve three years; among those who enlisted were the following from Amherst :
Willis Coy, David Pettis, Joseph Young,
Reuben Dickinson, Samuel Gould. Samuel Brown.
Noadiah Lewis enlisted to serve during the war.
In the foregoing list of names, some that are credited to Amherst cannot be found on any list of inhabitants at that time. The muster- rolls and pay-rolls from which they were copied are far from accurate and complete in giving the towns to which the soldiers belonged, but it is thought best to give all the names that appear on these rolls as coming from Amherst, lest by omitting those that are unfamiliar an injustice should be done. If there is repetition of names, it must be borne in mind that the same men served in different commands, and that, especially as regards the Dickinsons, there were many individuals of the same name.
CHAPTER XII.
THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY .- TORIES IMPRISONED .- SIMEON STRONG'S BLANKET .- THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA .- HIRING AND DRAFTING SOLDIERS.
While the soldiers that Amherst sent out were engaged in active ser- vice. against the enemy, the patriots who remained at home were as busily engaged in suppressing toryism which flourished in Amherst to a notable degree. Jan. 21, 1777, the District appointed a committee to notify the Rev. David Parsons that his conduct was " not friendly with regard to the
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DISCIPLINE FOR TORIES.
Common Cause." Mr. Parsons' reply is not on record. July 7 of the same year the selectmen brought in a list of four persons who were " supposed to be Inimical .to the Interest of the United States." It is interesting to note that at a meeting held Aug. 12, each of these names was ordered to be stricken from the list. The action of the town in striking these names from the list was not in accordance with the sentiments of the local committee of safety, which at the time was impowered with, or arro- gated to itself, police powers of extraordinary latitude. Committees from other towns were called in consultation, the accused were summoned before them, with the following result as shown in a memorandum, not dated, contained in the state archives :
"At a meeting from the several Towns (viz.) Sunderland, Shutesbury and Leverett, by request of the Committee of Safety together with the Militia Officers of the Town of Amherst, to advise with and take into Consideration the Dangerous Situation of that town together with the State of America from a number of per- sons, in the aforesaid Town who are suspected to be Enemies to the American States after examining and questioning the following Persons before this Body namely Ebenezer Boltwood, John Field, John Nash, Simeon Strong, Esq., John Field Jun, Samuel Boltwood. Moses Cooke, Ephraim Kellogg, John Boltwood, It is our Opinion that all the above mentioned persons are all unfriendly to their country & ought to be esteemed as such-It is therefore the Steadfast Resolve of this Body that the above named persons together with Dea" Edwards, Daniel Kellogg. Joseph Church and Esqr Chauncey be confined Namely Eben" Boltwood John Field John Nash Simeon Strong Esq" John Field Jun Sam1 Boltwood Moses . Cooke John Boltwood Esq Chauncey be confined all together at the house M' John Field now Dwells in with a Sufficient Guard to attend them on their own cost may have license if they please to attend publick worship under sd Guard also Dea" Edward Daniel Kellogg Joseph Church and Ephraim Kellogg be confined to their farms with this penalty that if they break over said limits that they be closely con- fined upon their own cost these have also liberty to attend publick worship & funerals within the limits of their own town and retire immediately home- It is also resolved that all and every of the above named Persons make an immediate Surrender of their fire Arms powder Ball Sword, Bayonet Cutlass and every warlike implement that may be of quick & Dangerous use into the hands of this body or their committee chosen for that purpose to be kept & justly appraised with the owners name and an exact account of every utensel Delivered to said Committee to be kept till further orders; we are also of opinion that not any of the above named Persons or any belonging to their families be allowed to keep a house of entertainment If they Do they will incur the Despleasure of this Body."
The committee of safety having taken this action, application was made by them to the General Court to learn what should be done with these prisoners, for such, in a restricted sense, they were. The following minute shows how this application was received at Boston :
" The Committee to whom was referred the inimical of John Billing in behalf of the Committee of Amherst, and also the Petition of sundry Inhabitants of said Town, have considered the same and are of opinion that the Laws of the State have made ample provsion for the punishing of offenders.
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88
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
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That the Persons apprehended & under Guard ought forthwith to be carried before the next Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampshire. And the Charges against them be exhibited in writing. That such Justice may, if the matter alledged shall appear to him a Violation of the Law of the State order them to Recognize in reasonable Sums with Surety, to appear before the next Superior Court of Judi- cature &c for Said County to answer thereto, and in the mean Time to keep the Peace and be of good behavior or Commit them to Goal if the Nature of the crime shall appear to him to require it-and in case the charges exhibited against them shall not appear sufficient to induce the Justice to commit them to Prison for Trial, or to oblige them to find sureties to answer the cause before the Sup Court The said Persons now under Guard be released from their confinement.
D. SEWELL.
Sep roth 1777 Read & approved JNº AVERY Dep Sec'y."
The petition of the imprisoned men, alluded to above, was addressed to the Council and read as follows :
"To the Honble Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay Humbly shows the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Amherst, in the County of Hampshire and now Prisoners in close confinement in Said Amherst by order of a Body of People from several Towns lately assembled there, that on the twenty six Day of June last past a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of said Town was holden there persuant to the late act of the General Court of this State in order to examine and determine whether any of the Inhabitants were inimical to the Cause of America So as to be dangerous to the Safety of the States, which Meeting being thence continued by several adjournments to the 12th day of August current it was voted by a full and clear Majority of said Inhabitants that the Names of all such Persons as had been Exhibited on the List by the Selectmen as Suspected Persons (being only four in Number) should be struck off from the List, and there having been no other Names voted by the Town to be added to said List, the Meeting was dis- solved. Afterwards to wit on the 25th Day of August Current we were required in the Name of a body of People assembled at the Meeting House in said Town to appear there, and having accordingly appeared we were soon ordered under Guard, and after sometime of confinement brought separately before the same People and demanded of in the Name of the Body by one who officiated as Chairman to make direct answer to this Question (viz) Are you desirous to be independent of the Crown of Great Britain according to the Declaration of the Congress passed in the Year 1776? to which some of us answered expressly in the Negative, others answered that having been Present at the Meeting that was called by order of the General Court for collecting the sentiments of the People, they did not vote for Independence because they were not of opinion it would be for the Interest of the Country. Another question was then commonly put (viz.) have you ever altered your opinion Since? Which was answered in the negative-whereupon Each one was remanded into Confinement, untill the Number of the Examined and confined amounted to thirteen, who being ordered back to the Same Body of People a certain Paper was ordered by the Chairman to be read to us by the Clerks as the Resolves of the whole Body; a true copy of which (as we believe) and of the Question put to us we shall herewith exhibit, in the Hand writing of him who officiated as Clerk tho we are not able to procure an attestation of it as by the Authority of which, and according to the Tenor of it we are now imprisoned and although no mention is therein made what Shall be the Duration
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PETITION FOR RELEASE.
of our Confinement, yet we were told before the same Body of People that it was their Intent that we should be thus confined untill Application Should be made to the General Court to know how we should be disposed of: and we are informed that it was by them left with the Comtee of Amherst to make such Application. But whereas we think it probable that the Cognisance of such a matter will belong to the Honble Council rather than to the General Court, we beg yr Honors Candid Attention to the Matters herein set forth, and that this our Representation may be admitted and attended to by the Honble General Court or Council according as one or the other Shall receive the Application from the Comtee-and accordingly we hereby inform your Honors that we know of no Matter proved or alledged against us as the Cause of our Confinement but what is above Expressed ; that we were not called upon by the People assembled to answer to any Matter of Charge nor accused of having done or attempted anything against the Interest of the States : and whenever any of us alleged that whatever were our private Sentiments respect- ing the War, we had done our full Proportion in the Expence of the War, no one appeared to contradict or deny it. Having made this our humble Representation to your Honors. we beg your kind Attention to our Situation and Circumstances, and that your Honors in yr Wisdom & Justice would be pleased to grant us all that Relief and Liberty which our past Conduct which we trust has been innocent & inoffencive affords us Grounds to hope for & Expect and as in Duty bound shall pray.
Amherst, Augt 29th 1777
JOSIAH CHAUNCY,
SIMEON STRONG, JOHN FIELD, SAMUEL BOLTWOOD,
EBENEZER BOLTWOOD, . MOSES COOK,
JOHN FIELD, JUN'R JOHN BOLTWOOD,
JOHN NASH.
The troops in the field were sadly in need of supplies and frequent calls were made upon the towns for provisions and clothing. In January, 1776, Hampshire county was called upon to furnish 300 blankets, of which Amherst was to supply eight. The selectmen, finding it difficult to secure the blankets and fire arms necessary to equip their soldiers, "impressed " a blanket from Simeon Strong. Esq. a leading Tory. 'Squire Strong brought suit against David Blodgett, the town constable, and the case was carried before the General Court, which, after protracted discussion, rendered the following judgment :
"On the Petition of Moses Dickinson and others, Selectmen of the Town of Amherst, respecting an Action brought against David Blodgett, Constable of that Town, by Simion Strong, Esq., for forcibly taking from him the said Strong a Blanket :
Resolved, that the Selectmen pay the said Strong for his Blanket at the apprized Value thereof and that the Action commenced by the said Strong against the said Blodget be stayed: and that the Parties suffer the Costs which have arisen to them respectively. "
In August of the same year the Commissary General was ordered to deliver to Mr. Simeon Smith 125 pounds weight of gunpowder for the town of Amherst. In 1777, Amherst received £21, 0, 9. in payment for mileage and canteens. Feb. 5, 1776, a convention of the " Committees of Safety "
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
in the several towns in Hampshire county was held at Northampton ; at this gathering Amherst was represented. The convention considered the suffering condition of the Northern army and advised the committee of supplies to forward at once such supplies as were necessary for the comfort of the army, " not doubting that the General Court will approve thereof."
The campaign against Burgoyne by the Northern army was ably con- ceived and skilfully executed. The surrender of Burgoyne's army was the first great victory for the Continental cause, the better appreciated because won against great odds and at a time when the fortunes of the revolutionists were at a low ebb. The army under Gen. Gates was largely composed of Massachusetts men, among whom none did better service than the troops from Hampshire county and from Amherst. They were represented at every important battle and skirmish in the campaign and were present at the final surrender. Of the Amherst men who were engaged in the conflict, none bore a more honorable part or in after life achieved greater distinction than Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr. He served first as lieu- tenant in the company of Capt. Samuel Cook and afterwards was lieutenant in Capt. Furrival's company of artillery. During the campaign, while at his home in Amherst, he was ordered by Gen. Gates to proceed to Spring- field and convey a number of cannon from that place to the field of oper- ations in New York. He rode from Amherst to Springfield on Sunday and with a small body of men accomplished the task; as he afterwards took pleasure in saying, " those cannon told at Saratoga." Lieut. Mattoon took an active part in the battle of Saratoga, and the Hartford (Conn.) Courant under date of Jan. 11, 1836, published a most interesting report of the battle written by him, in a letter addressed to Philip Schuyler, Esq. From this letter a few brief paragraphs are quoted :
"Gen. Gates, indeed, obtained the honor of capturing Burgoyne and his army : but let me tell you, sir, that it was more through the wise and prudent counsels of your brave and distinguished ancestor, and the energy and intrepidity of Generals Lincoln and Arnold, than through the ability and foresight of Gates."
" The action of the 19th of September (Bemis Heights) commenced about ten o'clock A. M. and continued during the day, each army alternately advancing and retiring."
" On the 7th of October the American army was posted, their right wing rest- ing on the North River and their left extending on to Bemis' heights, Generals Nixon and Glover commanding on the right, Lincoln the centre, and Morgan and Larned the left. The British army, with their left resting on the river, commanded by Phillips; their center by Gen. Redheisel ; and the .extreme right extending to the heights, was commanded by Lord Balcarras, where he was strongly fortified. Their light troops were under the command of Gen. Frazier and Ld. Auckland."
"In a few minutes. Capt. Furrival's company of artillery, in which I was lieutenant, was ordered to march towards the fire, which had now opened upon our piquet in front, the piquet consisting of about 300 men. While we were marching,
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BATTLE OF SARATOGA.
the whole line, from the river up to our piquet or front, was engaged. We advanced to a height of ground which brought the enemy in view, when we opened our fire. But the enemy's guns, eight in number, and much heavier than ours, rendered our · position untenable."
" We then advanced into the line of infantry. Here Lieut. M'Lane joined me. In our front there was a field of corn, in which the Hessians were secreted. On our advancing towards the corn field, a number of men rose up and fired upon us .. M'Lane was severely wounded. While I was removing him from the field, the firing still continued without abatement."
" During this time a tremendous firing was heard on our left. We poured in upon them our canister shot, as fast as possible. and the whole line, from left to right, became warmly engaged. The smoke was very dense, and no movements could be seen : but as it soon arose, our infantry appeared to be slowly retreating, and the Hessians slowly advancing, their officers urging them on with their hangers."
" The troops continuing warmly engaged. Col. Johnson's regiment coming up, threw in a heavy fire, and compelled the Hessians to retreat. Upon this we advanced with a shout of victory. At the same time Auckland's corps gave way."
" The firing had now principally ceased on our left, but was brisk in front and on the right. At this moment, Arnold says to Col. Brooks, (late Governor of Massachusetts.) . Let us attack Balcarras' works.' Brooks replied . No. Lord Auckland's detachment has retired there; we can't carry them.' 'Well, then, let us. attack the Hessian lines.' Brooks replies, ' With all my heart.' We all wheeled to the right, and advanced. No fire was received, except from the cannon, until we got within eight rods, when we received a tremendous fire from the whole line. But few of our men, however, fell. Still advancing, we received a second fire, in which a few men fell, and Gen. Arnold's horse fell under him, and he himself was wounded. He cried out, ' Rush on, my brave boys.' After receiving the third fire, Brooks mounted their works, swung his sword. and the men rushed into their works. When we entered the works, we found Col. Bremen dead, surrounded with a num- ber of his companions, dead or wounded. We still pursued slowly; the fire, in the mean time, decreased. Night-fall now put an end to this day's bloody contest. During the day we had taken eight cannon and broken the center of the enemy's lines."
Gen. Mattoon concludes his description of the battle with the follow- ing account of the surrender of Burgoyne, as witnessed by himself :
"Just below the island we passed the river and came to Gen. Gates' markee, situated on a level piece of ground, from 130 to 150 rods south of Schuyler's creek. A little south and west of this, there is a rising ground, on which our army was posted, in order to appear to the best advantage. A part of it was also advanta- geously drawn up on the east side of the river. About noon on the 17th, Gen. Bur- goyne, with a number of his officers rode up near to the markee in front of which Gen. Gates was sitting, attended with many of his officers. The sides of the markee were rolled up. so that all that was transacted might be seen. Gen. Burgoyne dismounted and approached Gen. Gates, who rose and stepped forward to meet him. General Burgoyne then delivered up his sword to Gen. Gates, who received it in his left hand. at the same time extending his right hand to take the right hand of Gen. Burgoyne."
" After a few minutes' conversation. Gen. Gates returned the sword to Gen. Burgoyne, who received it in the most graceful andgentlemanly manner. The rest
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
of Burgoyne's officers then delivered up their swords, and had them restored to them likewise. They then all repaired to the table and were seated; and whi !! dining, the prisoners were passing by."
The surrender of Burgoyne was followed by the release from service. .of large bodies of Massachusetts troops, who had been called out to reinforce the Northern army and whose term of enlistment lasted for only a few months. But with the cessation of hostilities along the northern frontier came attacks in other quarters, demanding new levies to fill the: Continental armies. In the closing months of the year 1777 .Gen. Wash- ington and his army were in camp near Philadelphia ; the battles of Bran- dywine and Germantown had been fought and the British had taken pos- session of Philadelphia. But early in 1778 the United States had concluded a treaty with France, and a French fleet was making ready to take an active part in the contest. The British troops evacuated Philadelphia in June. retreating to New York. In July the French fleet came to anchor off New York harbor. It was decided to make a combined attack by land and sea upon Newport, R. I., then held by a British army of 6000 men under Gen. Pigot. Gen. Sullivan, in command of the American army in the east, had been directed by Gen. Washington to call upon Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island for 5000 militia, a call which was promptly answered. April 20, 1778, the Massachusetts General Court ordered that 2000 men .should be raised to fill up the fifteen battalions which the state was required to furnish; of these, 242 were to come fromn Hampshire county. The fine for refusing to go was £20. The term of service was nine months, and each man was to have sixpence a mile for travel. On the same day an order was passed for raising 1300 men for North River and 200 for Rhode Island, of which Hampshire county was required to furnish 182. During the same year another order was passed to raise 1800 men for Rhode Island, of whom 199 were to come from Hampshire. June 23 an order was passed to raise 1000 men to guard the prisoners sur- rendered by Burgoyne. Of the men who enlisted for one year and did .service in the state of Rhode Island, were Lieut. Ebenezer Mattoon, Elijah Dickinson and Philip Ingram of Amherst.
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