USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > A history of Anne Arundel County in Maryland : adapted for use in the schools of the county > Part 11
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15. The year 1780 was one of interest in the city and county. The Chesa- peake froze from shore to shore ; persons crossed on the ice every day from Kent Island to Annapolis. The Gazette, that was now printing only a half-sheet a week, was burned out on the 4th of February. It was able to issue its paper shortly after the fire, and entered largely, in its correspondence, into the discussion of the question of confiscating the property of British subjects. On November 7th, Major General Nathaniel Greene and Major General Baron De Steuben, with their suites, arrived in Annapolis, on their way southward, the former to relieve General Gates of the command of the Southern troops. On September 8th, the news of the death of Baron De Kalb who fell at Camden, leading the Maryland Line in a charge, was received at Annapolis, where it created profound sorrow, for here he was personally known, and loved for his many virtues and patriotic services to America. Congress resolved, in October, that a monument should be erected at Annapolis in memory of this gallant ally of America. The debt was due one hundred years before it was paid by the unveiling, on August 16th, 1886, of the beautiful statue of De Kalb, chiseled and cast by Ephraim Keyser, of Baltimore.
16. In March, 1781, Annapolis was blockaded by the British sloops of war Hope and Monk. These prevented the French troops, then at Annapolis, from reaching the head of the Elk. The people of Annapolis were greatly alarmed, and were desirous of retaining the French at Annapolis ; but General Lafayette's desti- nation was the head of the bay. Securing a small sloop, Lafayette placed two eighteen pounders on it, and sent it forth under the command of Commodore Nich- olson. The British, it is supposed, thinking that such courage came from having a larger force available, dropped down the bay, when Lafayette proceeded to the Elk, making a transportation of his troops in one day that, by land, would have taken ten.
17. On July 18th, 1781, a meeting of the citizens of Annapolis was held in reference to the new issue of 200,000 pounds paper money that the General Assem- bly had just made in aid of war expenses. The citizens resolved that the issne was
PARAGRAPH 15. (a) What incidents of interest occurred in Annapolis in the year 1780? (b) What news created profound sorrow in Annapolis? (e) What resolution did Congress pass? (d) When was this monument finally unveiled? (e) Who was the sculptor?
PARAGRAPH 16. (a) What vessels blockaded Annapolis in March, 1781? (b) What ruse did General Lafayette employ to make the enemy's ships drop down the bay?
PARAGRAPH 17. (a) For what purpose was a meeting of the citizens of Annapolis held on July 18, 1781? (b) What resolution was passed?
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necessary and to the real interest of every citizen of the State, who was determined to prosecute the war in defence of his property and liberty, and to exert every effort to support the currency. A committee, consisting of James Brice, Jeremiah T. Chase, Allen Quynn, Frederick Green, Nicholas Maceubin, Jr., Samuel H. Howard and Thomas Harwood, were appointed to attend to the conduct of the associators, and to see that none broke faith with the other. A man who did, was deemed to be infamous, and dealing with such a one after he had done it, was to be con- sidered dishonorable.
18. The scenes at Annapolis at this period was most animating. At one day's notice, 2,300 militia assembled here from Baltimore, to meet an expected attack of the British fleet. Washington was now on his march from New York to Yorktown. Regiment after regiment of that magnificent Maryland Line of the Revolution was recruited and organized at Annapolis, and sent to the front. French frigates sen- tinelled the mouth of the Severn ; and thousands of troops, French and American, passed through the city on their way to Yorktown. The recruiting was under the direction of that intrepid soldier, Major-General William Smallwood. On August 28th, the Third Maryland, under Col. Peter Adams, left the city for Yorktown, and, on September 7th, the Fourth Maryland, under Major Alexander Roxburg, marched from Annapolis to join Lafayette at Yorktown. All was zeal and ardor in Mary- land-a State that never flinched from its duty from the beginning to the end of the Revolution. Annapolis was the focal point in its patriotism and preparation. On the 12th of September, transports with the artillery, the grenadiers, and the Light Artillery of the Allied Armies, arrived from the Head of the Elk, en ronte for James River. On the 18th, 4,000 French troops, with a train or artillery, marched into Annapolis, from the North, on their way to join Washington in Virginia. At the mouth of the Severn rode the Romulus, the Gentile and several other French frigates. The very air was martial and the inspiring scenes in the busy and throb- bing little city prophetically forshadowed the final victory of the Revolution.
19 The news of Cornwallis's surrender reached Annapolis on Saturday evening, October 20th, the day after his capitulation. It was communicated by Count de Grasse in a letter sent by express to the Governor. The citizens hailed the news with acelamations of joy and volleys of artillery. On Monday afternoon, en fue de joie was fired by the " red artillery," and " selected militia," and, in the evening, the ancient city was brilliantly illuminated.
PARAGRAPH 18. (@) How were the scenes at Annapolis at this period? (b) Deseribe some of these scenes? (c) How did the State of Maryland act in the Revolution? (d) What place was the focal point of its patriotism and preparation? (e) What arrived in the city on September 12th, 1781? (f ) What rode at the mouth of the Severn?
PARAGRAPH 19. (a) What news reached Annapolis on October 20th, 1781? (b) Who brought the news? (c) How was this news received by the citizens?
The old Poplar on St. John's Campus.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LENAX' AND TALDER FOUNDATIONS
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIFTH.
A REVOLUTIONARY FIGHT IN ANNE ARUNDEL.
I. One action alone, in the Revolutionary War, took place in Anne Arundel County. This was at Chalk Point, on West River, on the 31st of March, 1781. A party of the enemy from the British ships, Monk and Hope, lying off Annapolis, proceeded up West River, with the intention of destroying the property of Mr. Stephen Steward. When they arrived at Chalk Point, about a mile from Mr. Steward's, led by a runaway negro slave, they found a six-pounder, with six men to man it. These, supposing that the approach of an enemy, must come, necessarily, from the front of the Point, had not noticed the British boat until it had rounded the Point, and were too close to the American party for it to make use of their cannon, the enemy being, at their discovery, within a few yards of the shore, and a considerable distance in the rear of the guards. The Americans challenged the British, who answered that they were : " Friends to Congress from Annapolis."
2. Notwithstanding this patriotic reply, the guards had their suspicions suffici- ently aroused as to the truth of the reply as to fire on the boat with their small arms. Some of the pieces of the guards missing fire, a part of them, frightened at the numbers of the British, immediately ran away. The British returned this fire of the Americans with a furious volley from swivels and small arms. Unfortunately for that portion of the American party who remained at their post of duty, those who had fled, carried with them all the ammunition. In this situation, with the enemy's force consisting of three large barges, full of troops, the Americans, now but six or seven in number, retreated to Mr. Harrison's place, where they expected to make a stand.
3. The British proceeded to Mr. Steward's, where they burned a ship of twenty tons, which would have been ready to launch in three or four days. They, also, burnt the dwelling house of Mr. Steward, with several store-houses and most of the furniture of his residence. With the store-houses were destroyed many articles used for building ships and for other business purposes. Tools, timber and private
PARAGRAPH 1. (a) How many engagements took place in the Revolutionary War in Anne Arundel County? (b) Where did this occur? (c) What was the occasion of this encounter? (d) What was placed on Chalk Point? (e) What mistake did the party on Chalk Point make? (f) When the Americans discovered the British why could not the Americans use their cannon? (g)
When the Americans challenged them what answer did the British make?
PARAGRAPH 2. (a) At this reply what did the guards do? (b) How did some of the guards act? (c) What did the British return to the fire of the Americans? (d) What was unfortunate for the American guards that remained at their posts? (e) What was the enemy's force? (f) What was now the number of the Americans? (g) To what place did the Americans retreat?
PARAGRAPH 3. (a) To whose house did the British proceed? (b) What did they burn? (c) 6
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papers were likewise consumed by the flames. The expected stand was not made by the Americans at Mr. Harrison's, for the British passed through his place unmolested and unmolesting. The destruction of the ship was, probably, the main object of the expedition. At the shipyard near Mr. Steward's, a number of cannon had been mounted, but the British avoided the place where the cannon were located, apparently being well informed as to the situation of the country.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXTH.
LEADING EVENTS IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY FROM THE REVO- LUTIONARY WAR TO THE WAR OF 1812.
1. Two charges against the King, George the Third, in the Declaration of Independence, arose at Annapolis-one protecting, by a Court of Admiralty some marines who had killed two citizens, and for quartering five companies of soldiers on the town to support in 1757.
The citizens of Annapolis were enthusiastically patriotic during the Revolu- tionary War.
Large bodies of troops were quartered in the town during that period, and often the city was stirred by the presence of distinguished generals en ronte to the war.
After the victory of Yorktown, General Washington, passing on his way north, turned aside to accept a reception tendered him at Annapolis.
2. The leading events in Anne Arundel County from the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812, were :
1783. December 23rd, Washington resigned his military Commission to Con- gress, then in Session in the Senate Chamber.
1784. February 14th, the treaty of peace was ratified by Congress sitting at Annapolis, with Great Britain.
1785. The Convention of Five States met at Annapolis to form a more perfect Union. From this came the Convention of 1786, that perfected the Union of States.
1785. St. John's College was established.
Did the Americans make their expected stand at Mr. Harrison's? (d) What did the British avoid? PARAGRAPH 1. (a) What two charges in the Declaration of Independence against the King arose in Annapolis? (b) Who were enthusiastically patriotic? (c) What often stirred the city? (d) Who had a reception in Annapolis after the Revolutionary War?
PARAGRAPH 2. (a) Name some of the leading events in the history of Annapolis from the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812?
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1791. March 25th, President Washington visited Annapolis.
1787. A stage ronte was established between Baltimore and Annapolis. The · coach ran three times a week to Baltimore and three times to Annapolis.
1788. Annapolis had a large foreign trade at this period. The Gazette, in one issue, mentions the arrival of seventeen vessels, one vessel from each of the follow- ing places : Barbadoes, Limington, Demarara, Aux-Cavs, Amsterdam, Dublin, St. Croix, Salem, Belfast, Port-au-Prince, Charleston, St. Bartholomews, Rhode Island and Norfolk, and three from New York.
1789. Annapolis was in the hey-day of horse racing at this period. The Jockey Club of Annapolis was the then patron of the track.
1790. This year the citizens of Annapolis celebrated Washington's birthday. Washington loved Annapolis, and its people venerated him.
1793. In January, the Lodge of Ancient York Masons, installed at their lodge room in Annapolis, and all who had entitled themselves to the Amanda Lodge, assembled to celebrate St. John, the Evangelist.
1800. On Sunday, January 28th, the Almshouse, a large colonial building, in Annapolis was burned. Saturday, February 22nd, was made by the Governor's proclamation a day of mourning, humiliation and praver on account of the death of General Washington.
1803. On Saturday, September 15th, there was given a dinner at Mrs. Urquhart's Spring, Ammapolis, where a discussion of politics followed by candidates for the Legislature. This is the first notice found of the present political barbecue.
1804. On October 31st, the Frigate Philadelphia was captured in the harbor of Tripoli. John Ridgely, of Annapolis, was surgeon on this vessel. Dr. Ridgely was taken to Tripoli with other prisoners. He was commanded, under pain of death, to come out and cure the Bey's daughter. He ministered to the sick woman, and she recovered. The Bey then offered his daughter to the young American surgeon. He declined this honor. He then tendered the freedom of the city to Dr. Ridgely. The Doctor declined the liberty thus offered, unless his brother officers had the same privilege. This the Bey granted. When Dr. Ridgely returned home, the Bey gave him many presents, and when he had resigned from the Navy, and had accepted the post of minister to Tripoli, the Bey gave him a summer house to live in. Dr. Ridgely returned home and married his Annapolis affianced.
1805. The Farmers' Bank of Annapolis was incorporated in this year.
1807. The citizens, in public meeting, denounced the attack of the British Frigate Leopard on the U. S. Ship Chesapeake.
1808. Fort Severn was begun in this year. Horn Point was also fortified. This fort was named after Congressman Van Horn who presented to Congress the memorial of the city authorities to have the town fortified.
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3. The period of the war of 1812 was one of alarm, dissension and excitement in Anne Arundel. Two parties were arrayed against each other with all the bitter- ness born of political strife, intensified by the clash of arms before their very doors, and for which one side bitterly accused the other of being the needless author. The Federalists of Maryland were sympathizers with England in the war and bitter opponents of the policy of the Republican, or Democratie, administration. The democrats were intense haters of everything British, and were the firm and loyal supporters of Congress and the President in the prosecution of the war. Peace meetings were held in the county. Peace tickets were voted for at the elections, and the Gazette, the organ of the Federalists, rang with violent denunciations of the President, the results of the war, and the republican party generally. The Mary- land Republican, a democratie paper, was equally furious in the defence of the war. Jehu Chandler, its editor, was rewarded for his zeal by an office. During these bitter debates Mr. Chandler was attacked and knocked down in the streets of Annapolis.
4. While these denunciations of the war and the administration were in pro- gress, Annapolis was turned into a military camp, and its citizens were constantly excited by expectations of attack and by calls to arms, as the enemy frequently appeared before its harbor. On April 19th, 1813, the citizens of Annapolis heard, at an early hour, a discharge of cannon from Fort Madison and the drum beating the call to arms. Several privateers had arrived in port announcing that they had been pursued by the British Blockading Squadron. The people reported to their mili- tary stations with a promptness that did credit to their courage and patriotism. The public records were removed from Annapolis, boats were pressed into the service of the State, and Major Charles S. Ridgely hastened to the city with his command. Several companies of militia were called out, but their services were not required. During these trying times William Ross, of Anapolis, was charged with making, with treasonable design, bad cartridges for the soldiers.
5. In May, 1813, a British sloop went aground on Thomas' Point. The patriots of Annapolis were anxious to burn the ship, but the Governor prudently prevented the design, as five British frigates lay near to avenge the deed. The Governor was charged in print with having said he was glad when the sloop finally floated off. This led to a great war of words, but the evidence failed to support the charge.
6. On the evening of August 3d, 1813, three of the enemy's ships came up the bay and anchored within three miles of Annapolis. Nineteen other vessels stood a
PARAGRAPH 3. (a) What was the peril of the War of 1812 in Annapolis? (b) Who were arrayed against each other? (c) Who favored the war? (d) Who opposed it? (e) What was held in the county, and what tickets were voted for?
PARAGRAPH 4. (a) Into what was Annapolis turned? (b) What did the citizens of Annapolis hear on April 19th, 1813? (e) What information had several privateers brought? (d) To what places did the people report? (e) What military preparations were made?
PARAGRAPH 5. («) What went aground on Thomas' Point in May, 1813? (b) What did the patriots of Annapolis desire to do? (c) Who prevented it, and why?
PARAGRAPH 6. (a) What came up the bay on August 3d, 1813? (b) What preparations were
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A St. John's Cadet.
THENEW YO FF Py -FAC LIBRARY
Asjon, LEANX AND 1.LULA CULADATIONS.
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short distance below, and were distinctly visible from the State House. Every preparation was made to meet the expected attack. A large body of the drafted militia was in town, with detachments of regulars and volunteers, all under the command of Col. Carbury. Most of the families of the city fled to the country, taking with them the principal part of their goods, and the town assumed the air of a military post awaiting the immediate onset of the enemy. The scenes in a few days became more martial. Two 74's and one 64, seven other ships, frigates and sloops of war, and three tugs of the enemy passed up and lay between Hackett's and Sandy Points. One large frigate anchored immediately opposite Annapolis, and another two miles farther down. Below Tolley's lay two 74's, two other frigates, and a number of smaller vessels, tugs, schooners, and tenders. There were con- stant calls to arms in Annapolis, and the town was in a vigilant state of feverish excitement awaiting attack. The forces of the city were augmented by the arrival of Captain Morris, of the frigate Adams, who was given command of both forts. He brought with him a large body of prime sailors. Capt. Miller came from Wash- ington with a detachment of marines, and Capt. Getzendanner, from Frederick, with a company of riflemen. In the midst of this martial and patriotic array, the Gazette continued to make vindictive attacks upon the war policy, and peace meetings were held all over Anne Arundel. In the latter part of August, the British squadron sailed down the bay, and the excitement subsided.
7. Internal dissensions continued after the departure of the enemy. From their chord of sympathy with the British, the Federalists despised Napoleon. When he fell, they rejoiced, and, at Annapolis, they celebrated his downfall by a banquet in the city on the 15th of January, 1814. A large concourse of gentlemen from different parts of the State and from the District of Columbia, having assembled for the celebration, they formed, at noon, at the City Tavern, and marched to St. Anne's Church, headed by a band of music, "where," says the sympathizing chronicler of the event, " the throne of grace was addressed in an appropriate manner by Rev. Mason L. Weems, and an oration pronounced by the Hon. Robert Goodloe Harper, replete with political knowledge and the eloquence of truth."
8. The distaste which the democratic and republican portion of the community felt for these proceedings, was shown by the boys disturbing the ceremonies in the church by throwing stones at the windows and making other violent demonstrations, whilst men in the gallery expressed their opposition to the services by behaviour that added to the general confusion. Major Alexander Stuart, commanding a detachment of United States troops, stationed in the city, ordered the national flag to be lowered to half-mast, and minute guns to be fired, to show his regret at the discomfiture of Napoleon.
made? (c) Describe the preparations, and how did the scenes become? (d) What other vessels appeared? (e) What American forces arrived in Annapolis? (f) In the midst of this martial and patriotic array what did the Gazette continue to do?
PARAGRAPH 7. (a) What continued after the departure of the enemy? (b) Who celebrated, in Annapolis, the fall of Napoleon?
PARAGRAPH 8. (a) How did the democratic portion of the city and Major Stuart of the U. S. Army show their distaste to the proceedings of the banquetters?
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9. "After the performances at the church were over," the company, joined by a number of sympathizing members of Congress from Washington, who had just arrived, formed in a procession and marched back to the City Tavern, and then to the Assembly Rooms, where a sumptuous repast was enjoyed. J. C. Herbert, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, presided at the banquet. The toasts were to the Union of States, to Blucher, and to the coalesed powers of Europe. The last was : " May Bonaparte never receive more agreeable despatches from this country than the toasts of this day." After dinner, when nearly half the company had retired, the remainder formed themselves into a procession, and, headed by a band of music, marched through several of the principal streets. While thus marching, the procession was met by a mob, and assailed with clubs, brick-bats and other miscellaneous weapons. They, however, said the triumphant Gazette, "turned tables on the ringleaders and inflicted upon them summary punishment."
10. During these martial times Fort Severn was partially manned by a volun- teer company from Annapolis, composed of its best citizens. Amongst these were Dr. John Ridgely, formerly surgeon in the United States Navy and Minister to Tripoli, and his brother Richard Ridgely. Nicholas Brewer, served as Paymaster in the Federal Army, and was stationed at Annapolis, and his son, later Judge Nicholas Brewer, was a lientenant, and took part in the disastrous battle of Bladensburg.
11. The city of Annapolis was once more menaced, and on June 29th, 1814, several captures of American vessels were made by the British lying off Plumb Point, about thirty miles below Annapolis. On July 9th, the British Frigate Narcissus, accompanied by a schooner and two smaller vessels, passed Annapolis going up the Bay, and four days later returned with twelve bay craft as prizes. Again the proximity of the British turned Annapolis into a military post. In Angust the British ships appeared off Annapolis, and on Sunday, September 18th, between sixty and seventy sail passed in sight of Annapolis, while moving down the bay. The battle of North Point had been fought and Fort McHenry unsuccess- fully assailed. On February 15th, 1815, the news of peace arrived at Annapolis, and, on the 22nd, the city celebrated the welcome intelligence. The town was brilliantly illuminated, the joy of the people was unbounded, all former political differences were buried, all past dissensions forgotten, and all was " peace and good will towards men." In the midst of this brilliant spectacle, stood the State House, conspicuous for its elevation and fiery splendor. The great rotunda was decorated with a full length portrait of Washington, suspended from the centre of the inner dome, which, ornamented with numerous tasteful devices, made an illumination both brilliant and magnificent.
PARAGRAPH 9. (@) After the performances at the Church were over what events occurred? (b) What was the last toast of the banquet? (c) What happened as the banquetters marehed through the streets?
PARAGRAPH 10. (@) How was Fort Severn partially manned during these martial times?
PARAGRAPH 11. (a) When was the city of Annapolis once more menaeed? (b) Into what was Annapolis again turned? (e) When did sixty or seventy of the enemy's ships pass down the bay? (d) What had been fought and what unsuccessfully assailed? (e) What arrived at Annapolis on Feb- ruary 15th, 1815? (f) How did the city celebrate the welcome intelligence?
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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENTH.
ANNAPOLIS A CENTRE OF NATIONAL INTEREST.
1. The city of Annapolis, from the French and Indian War to the present time, has been a place of colonial and national interest. The bold stand that the people of Maryland took in meeting the aggressions of Lord Baltimore in the French and Indian War, and the intrepid conduet of the Maryland Legislature in resisting the attempt to filch taxes illegally from them attracted the attention of both the colonies and of England to the courageous character of the people of Maryland. The treatment of Hood, the stamp officer, must have introduced the people of Annapolis most favorably to the people of all the colonies. The Revolutionary record of the State won the laudations of the chiefest of Americans, on whose shoulders fell the heaviest burdens of the struggle, and who deeply felt the aid he always so timely and generously received from the citizens of Maryland. Annapolis and Anne Arundel were foremost in these practical patriotic demonstrations. After the Revo- lution, always held in affectionate remembrance by Washington, Annapolis became an object of national interest by the necessity of having it strongly fortified, as it was the rear door to the capture of Washington by an opposing force. Presidents often visited Annapolis, and thus, close to the national capital, the city soon fastened its hopes, after unsuccessfully seeking to be the national capital itself, upon the coveted prize of the proposed Naval Academy being located in its midst ; and, as early as 1826, the Maryland Legislature passed a resolution asking that the institution be established here. Many have been the interesting national and local events that have occurred in the little city on the Severn. A summary of the leading ones from the peace of 1815 to the establishment of the Naval Academy in the city in 1845, are :
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