USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 14
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockport > History of Camden and Rockport, Maine > Part 14
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In the meantime the recalcitrant officers were planning to escape. While walking about the town they had met a Camden man who was an expert pilot, whom they had succeeded in bribing to agree to take them to Eastport in a boat. When all arrangements were made, the officers went aboard -just below Negro Island, and the pilot was about to shape his course for Eastport, when it was discovered that there was no liquor aboard. This was a sad oversight and must be remedied, and one of their number was sent ashore to procure a supply of the indispensable article. Lieut. Hanford had been gone with the other prisoners but a short time, and search was still being made for the fugitives and as soon as the returning officer made his appearance, Capt. Calvin Curtis was notified of his presence in the village. Eager to obtain his liquor and be gone, the officer entered a store, when Capt. Curtis came forward and arrested him. He tried in vain to
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plead off and was sent on in charge of keepers to the main guard, which was overtaken at Blackington's Corner. Ascertaining the whereabouts of the remaining officers, a fast sailing boat, owned by Richard Conway, was manned for the pursuit by the following well armed party : Capt. Asha Palmer, Richard Conway, Capt. Robbins, a young Camden man by the name of John Tarr, and one Brown, who came to town in the prize, Victory. The British officers, in the meantime, having awaited the return of their com- rade for a longer time than they thought necessary for him to do his errand, and suspecting that he had fallen into trouble, decided to depart without him. They had not made much progress when they were espied by Capt. Palmer, and then the race began in earnest. For some time the contest seemed to be an equal one, but the superior speed of Conway's boat began to close up the space between pursurer and pursued and in spite of the utmost endeavors of the Englishmen and their pilot, the Yankee crew gained upon them until, near the upper end of Deer Isle, in Eggemoggin Reach, the Conway boat came alongside, captured the prisoners who, with the pilot, were bound and disposed of as follows : Two of the officers were placed in Conway's boat under charge of Capt. Palmer, Robbins and Brown, while the other two and the pilot were left in the other boat in the custody of Conway and Tarr. They then started for Camden, the faster boat taking the lead and soon getting far ahead of the prize. Supposing the prisoners were securely bound, Conway placed his gun on the thwart and stepped forward for some purpose, when the pilot succeeded in freeing himself from his bonds, and seizing the gun, threatened to shoot Tarr unless he instantly surrendered his musket. Tarr, seeing no alternative, complied with the demand, when the pilot cut loose the two Englishmen, and handing a gun to one of them kept the other himself. Conway and Tarr, aston- ished at the sudden turn of affairs, deemed "discretion the better part of valor," and submitted with the best grace possible. The officers and their bribed pilot with their coerced prisoners
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then plied the oars with vigor to overtake the unsuspecting crew of the other boat and rescue their companions. Coming within hailing distance, one of the officers shouted, "Heave to or we'll shoot you." As there seemed nothing else to do, Capt. Palmer surrendered and the officers in his boat were released and sup- plied with guns. While our men were at their mercy, the British officers had but one object in view, viz .: to escape. They there- fore took all the guns and Conway's boat, it being the better and faster, surrendered their pilot for whom they had no further use, and giving the crestfallen Camden men three hearty cheers, waved their hats in adieu and sailed away towards Eastport, while our friends dejectedly headed for Camden, where they had to meet the curiosity, questions and comments of the large crowd that had gathered at the wharf to ascertain the result of the chase. The pilot was taken into custody by Lewis Ogier, Deputy Sheriff, and sent to Portland, where he was tried and found guilty of treason and sentenced to death, which sentence, however, was never executed. A petition, based upon extenuating circumstances and the fact that the pilot had a family dependent upon him for support, was circulated and quite generally signed by our citizens, which being presented to the proper authorities, resulted in a pardon being granted and the "decoyed pilot" returned to his family.
Castine was occupied by the British Sept. 1. The invading expedition sailed from Halifax on Aug. 26, with between three and four thousand men under command of Lieut. Gen. Sir John Coape Sherwood, Governor of Nova Scotia, Major Gen. Gerard Gosselin and Col. Douglass. The fleet consisted of the Bulwark, Dragon and Spencer, 74 guns each, the Buchante, Tenedos, Sylph and Peruvian, 18 guns each; and the schooner, Pictou and 10 transports, under command of Rear Admiral Edward Griffith. The original intention was to take Machias on their way to the Penobscot, but learning that the Adams was at Hampden, they proceeded directly to Castine, leaving Machias in peace. This
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fleet came into the bay before daybreak, Sept. 1, and as they passed among the islands, took fishermen from their crafts and compelled them to pilot the fleet to Castine. Soon after sun- rise the British fleet entered the harbor of Castine, and sent Lieut Nichols in a small schooner to reconnoiter the fort and demand its surrender. Although the American officer in command, Lieut. Lewis, had a garrison of only about 40 men, he bravely refused to obey the summons and at once opened fire upon the vessels from four 24-pounders. Finding, however, that it would be impossible for him to hold the fort against the great force opposed to him, Lieut. Lewis blew up the fort, 1 and with his men, carrying two field pieces, made his escape in boats to Hampden. Col. Doug- lass then took possession of Castine and the following proclamation of the commander of the army and the admiral of the fleet, was issued :
Proclamation by Lieut. Gen. Sir John Coape Sherwood, K. B., commanding a body of his British Majesty's land forces, and Edward Griffith, Esq., Rear Admiral of the White, com- manding a squadron of his Majesty's ships, now arrived in the Penobscot.
WHEREAS, It is the intention of the British commanders to take possession of the country lying between the Penobscof River and Passamaquoddy Bay, the peaceable inhabitants to that district are hereby notified, that if they remain quietly at their respective homes, and carry on their useful occupations, every protection will be afforded them so long as they shall com- ply with such regulations as may be established for their conduct and guidance by the authority of the British commanders. All persons taken in arms, or employed in conveying intelligence to the enemy, or in assisting him, in any way, shall be treated accordingly. Such of the inhabitants as may wish to avail them- selves of the terms offered in the preceding part of this Proclama- tion, will be required to give up their arms and demean them- selves in a quiet and peaceable manner ; and those who may be willing to supply the British forces with provisions, etc., will be
1. The explosion was distinctly seen by several of our citizens who were on Mt. Battie watching the manœuvres of the British ships.
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regularly paid for the articles furnished, and will receive every encouragement and protection in so doing.
(Signed)
T. F. ADDISON, Military Secretary,
By Command CHAS. MARTYR, Naval Secretary.
Given at Castine, Sept. 1, 1814.
Thus our unfortunate neighbor for the second time in its history, was held by the forces of a foreign invader.
The same day an armed vessel was sent across to Belfast, with a flag informing the inhabitants that the British purposed to land a body of troops for four days' rest to recruit their strength, and if, during that time, a gun was fired, they would burn the town, but if left unmolested they would peaceably depart at the time stated. Six hundred troops were then landed under com- mand of Gen. Gosselin. A part of the fleet then proceeded with- out delay up the Penobscot, with the inglorious and disastrous result to the American cause and the severe loss to the town of Hampden, related in the preceding chapter. 1
In the meantime the people of Camden were observing the important events that were occuring in their neighborhood with curiosity and apprehension. While the British vessels were sail- ing up the bay, a party of our young men, among whom were Alden Bass, Robert Chase, Simon Hunt and Perley F. Pike, went out in a boat with Capt. Oliver Pendleton to observe the operations of the hostile fleet, and were seen by one of the vessels of the enemy, which took them for spies and demanded that they heave to, which order being obeyed, the boat and all on board were taken in charge and carried to Castine, where they remained for several days, until the town sent over Capt. Isaac Russ who obtained their release. The English desired Pike to remain and enlist with them as he was a stout, lusty fellow, but he could not be coaxed nor hired to do so and returned with his companions. The next day after the occupation of Castine, our people were
1. The losses sustained by the people of Hampden on account of this British raid amounted to $44,000.
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expecting a visit from the enemy, and quite a number of them sought safety by retiring to the neighboring inland towns.
The following Brigade Order was at once issued :
2D BRIGADE, 11TH DIVISION.
CAMDEN, Sept. 2, 1814.
The enemy have occupied Castine and Belfast. The com- manding officer of the Brigade considers the time as now arrived when it becomes the indispensable duty of the Militia to fly to arms.
Lieutenant Col. Foote of the 5th Regiment will order his whole Regiment immediately to assemble near Camden Harbor in Camden.
The troops must all be well equipped for actual service and with three days' provision.
(Signed)
DAVID PAYSON, Brigadier General, &c.
The commanding officer of the 5th Regiment directs the above Order to be forthwith carried into effect.
The field and staff officers of the Regiment will immediately repair to Camden.
By Order Lieut. Col. Commanding 5th Regiment, 2d Brigade, 11th Division.
(Signed) WM. CARLETON, Adjutant.
At the same time the forts were put into a better defensive condition and the selectmen were notified immediately to furnish the necessary supply of ammunition, etc.
One of the orders issued by Capt. Curtis reads as follows :
TO THE SELECTMEN OF CAMDEN :
Deliver to Sergeant Harkness 6 Cannon Cartridges ; 6 Can- non Ball; 6 do. Grape; 4 Cannister Shot; 2 Rammers and sponges ; 1 Spoon and Worm ; 2 Lint Stocks ; 2 part fine Stocks ; 2 Powder Horns and priming wires, for use of the Parapet at Jacobs' Point.
C. CURTIS,
Capt. commanding parapets at Camden Harbor, Camden, Sept. 2, 1814.
The same day another order was issued requesting the same ammunition, etc., to be furnished "for the use of the Parapet at Eaton's Point."
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CHAPTER XXIII.
SUNDRY WARLIKE ADVENTURES.
1814. Col. Foote's regiment reached Camden on Sept. 3, armed and equipped as the law directs," and the town was in a state of commotion, excitement and anxiety. Speaking of this occasion, Mr Locke says : 1 "Everyone felt and manifested a deep concern in the anticipated visit of the enemy. The martial display on the occasion by the different companies, the sound of the drum and fife as they sent forth solemn music to the tune of Roslin Castle or Boyne Water, begat in the minds of the old and young, feelings peculiar to the times of war. The Alarm List or Exempts, composed in part of veterans who had seen actual ser- vice, tended to inflame the military ardor of the younger troops, and infuse into the minds of the more timid, feelings of confi- dence and resolution. Matrons and maidens repressed their fears as they witnessed the firm steps and determined looks of their husbands, brothers and sons, as they marched along the streets, keeping pace to the sound of martial music. Boys and girls were running to and fro, recognizing familiar faces, suggest- ing many queries, and enlivening the scenes by their juvenile actions. The day was principally spent in military parade, and towards night the following order was promulgated by the Colonel of the Regiment :
'Sept. 3, 1814. Capt. Curtis will take command of the 1. See Locke's Sketches, Page 121.
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Parapets at Eaton's and Jacobs' Points, and will, for this purpose, take the whole of his Company and his officers, and will have a detachment from Capt. Palmer's Company, making the force equal to 50 men,- will station Guards and Pickets and Sentinels.
Lieut. Brooks will assemble the residue of Capt. Palmer's Company, near the meeting-house, and arrange quarters for the night, for his and other Troops.
The Companies from Thomaston and St. George will meet at the Camden meeting-house and take quarters for the night, also the Troops from Hope and Appleton.
By order E. FOOTE,
Lt. Col. Com. 5th Reg. 2d Brig. 11th Division.'"
From the foregoing it seems that the companies of Camden, Thomaston, St. George, Hope and Appleton, were all assembled on this day. On the next day Col. Thatcher of Warren, ordered out his regiment, and on the 5th, Maj. Reed of Waldoboro, with one battalion proceeded to Thomaston, where they took quarters, and the next day marched to Camden, followed in the afternoon by the rest of Thatcher's regiment under Major Howes of Union. That night an alarm was given that the enemy was preparing to land, the troops were called out, muskets were loaded and coun- cils held, but it appeared later that the fleet, instead of getting ready to make an attack, was getting under way, and sailing, as it afterward appeared, for Halifax. The Belfast company under Col. Thomas Cunningham, the Montville companies under Capt. James Wallace, and companies from other adjacent towns, also apprehensive from the manœuvring of the fleet, that an attack upon Camden was contemplated, turned out and marched as far as Dickey's Bluff in Northport, where they reconnoitered a few hours and then returned to Belfast. Capt. Curtis ordered the Selectmen "To deliver to Sergeant Harkness 20 twelve-pound cartridges, 20 ditto shot, for the use of the Parapets at Eaton's and Jacobs' Points," and having done all possible, the troops awaited the British attack. When it was found that the fleet had actually sailed out of the bay, the soldiers returned to their repose
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and the next day the out of town companies marched to their respective homes. The expenses incurred on this occasion, as well as the soldiers' wages, were afterwards paid by the state.
The excitement having subsided, and the outside troops departed, matters went along more quietly for a time, although many warlike incidents were continually happening. On Sept. 21, Asa Richards and Peter Oat 1 went in a whale boat to the Mussel Ridges to get a supply of fish for our soldiers at the forts. They had loaded their boat with cod, hake and haddock and turned its prow towards Camden, and were passing Fisherman's Island, when they saw an English cutter carrying a one-pound swivel mounted on its bow, and accompanying six English barges. Discovering Richards and Oat they gave chase and soon over- hauled them, although they pulled hard in an effort to escape. As they came alongside, the Englishmen inquired, "Where do you hail from ?" "From Camden," answered Richards. " Why,
that place is taken," continued the English spokesman. " No, it ain't," replied Richards. Without further remark the English barge took the whale boat in tow and taking it to Fisherman's Islands, unloaded the fish, and preparing a meal, the 100 men, which the barges and cutter contained, sat upon the ground and partook of the same. After finishing their meal, the marauders started off in pursuit of an American schooner which was approach- ing, and having taken her, beached her on the island. She proved to be an East Thomaston vessel commanded by Capt. Thomas Crockett of that place. Shortly afterwards they captured a "pinky" stern fishing craft from the same place. When dusk of evening came an English officer, Lieut. Robbins, with four marines, stepped into the whale boat and ordered Richards to assist in rowing. Richards replied that being a prisoner he should not row. The others rowed and Oat steered for Owl's Head, being ordered to do so. They then stood in for Lermond's Cove,
1. His father spelled his name after the German mode, viz .: Ott. By some of the family it has also been spelled Ote.
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(Rockland ) but on being told by Richards that they were liable to run into danger there from the artillery on guard, they waited for the other boats to come up and headed for Clam Cove. Ira Brewster and Crowell Jones were on guard as minute men, on Jameson's Point, and hearing the splashing of oars, but being unable to see the boat in the darkness, they fired at random, one of the shot striking an oar. One of the barges coming up, the inquiry was made as to what the trouble might be, when Lieut. Robbins exclaimed, "Why, the d-d Yankees are bush fight- ing us! Pull to your oars, boys, and get out of the reach of them." The surgeon's boat next coming up declared that they were near being taken. Oat's vision being poor he declared that he could not steer any longer with safety, so Richards took the helm and steered for Beauchamp Neck, hoping that they
might be overhauled by our minute men. None, however, appeared and he was next ordered to steer for Mark Island ; thence for Laisdell's Island, the lieutenant continually flashing his pistol as a guide for the barges. They then landed, and Richards, with four of his men, went to the house on the island, occupied by one Whaling, while the rest remained in the boat. Arousing the inmates of the house, with whom Richards was acquainted, they were admitted and beds prepared on the floor, where Rich- ards and the officers lay down to sleep, while the rest returned to the barges. In the morning the officers sent the boy of the house to the potato patch to dig potatoes for their breakfast, for which they paid a liberal price. They also purchased all the butter they could get for the force at Castine, the woman of the house churning an additional quantity, making the whole amount to $45. The reason for the care taken by the officers to pay liberally for all they got, was, that the islands were considered neutral territory. A month later, as shown by a proclamation of Gen. Gosselin dated at Castine, Oct. 31, the islands were consid- ered British territory. When the company was ready to leave the island, the officers wished to retain Richards as a pilot and offered
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him five guineas for his services for a four days' cruise on a forag- ing expedition, but he told them that they did not have money enough to bribe him to thus prove a traitor to his country. Find- ing that his loyalty to his native land could not be purchased, they gave him a guinea for piloting them the day before, paid for the fish they had taken, put a dozen oars, taken from some of their prizes, into the boat and allowed Richards and Oat to return home. Arriving safely in Camden, they at once notified the military authorities of the intention of the marauders to land at Northport the following morning.
Major Jonathan Wilson and Lieutenant Brooks, acting upon the advice given, prepared to march to Saturday Cove.1 at dawn, about 100 men volunteering for the occa- sion. Messengers were sent out to alarm the country, and the Belmont and Searsmont companies under Capt. Timothy Dunton of Searsmont, started for the place designated. The 1st Lincoln- ville Company under Capt. Josiah Stetson, Lieut. Paul H. Stevens and Ensign Josiah Palmer, numbering about 37 men, and the 2d or Ducktrap Company, commanded by Capt. James Mahoney, were mustered, ready to march at the appointed time. The next morning, Sept. 23, one, Zachariah Lawrence of Northport, saw two of the barges approaching Saturday Cove, and taking his gun, he went to the shore to watch their manœuvres. As they came nearer he saw that they were armed and dressed in uniforms. When they got within hearing distance, he began to give off military orders from the bushes where he lay, as if command- ing a large force. He then fired from the bushes, and quickly dodging to another position, repeated it, and thus convinced the men in the barges that they would have to land in the face of a
1. Saturday Cove is said to have derived its name from the fact that while James Miller, the first settler of Belfast, was moving his family from New Hampshire to Belfast in 1769, the vessel put in there supposing it had arrived at its destination, but when the fog cleared away the mistake was discovered, and the day of its arrival being Saturday, the place was called Saturday Cove, which name it still retains.
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numerous company. The barges then withdrew to wait for the others to come up, when Lawrence waded into the water and shot at them until they were out of range. He then ran back from the shore and informed Alban Elwell, West Drinkwater, Solomon Frohock and David Alden of what was going on and urged them to get their guns and be ready to meet the enemy, should they try again to land. Shortly after, the third barge being added to the number, the crews consisting of about 30 men, headed by Lieut. Robbins, effected a landing. Lawrence and Elwell tried to annoy them by firing a few shot, but were com- pelled to retire before the fire of the swivel and muskets. A one-pound shot from the swivel lodged in the house of Capt. Amos Pendleton and another in the house of Jones Shaw, Esq. No further resistance was made and the enemy went to Mr. Shaw's armed with swords, guns and pistols, frightening the women of the house, who fled to the woods a short distance away. They accused Mr. Shaw of being concerned with Lawrence at the shore, and although he denied it, they cuffed, shook and otherwise mistreated him. They then demanded entrance to Mr. Shaw's store in the basement of his house, and before he could unlock the door, they broke through the windows, provided themselves with trousers, shirts, hats, stockings and other clothing, and taking Mr. Shaw into custody, marched him around the neighbor- hood as a prisoner. While these things were taking place, the British remaining in the barges, amused themselves by firing shots from the swivel at the various houses in the vicinity. They then visited the house of Capt. Amos Pendleton. As they entered the front door, the captain fled out of the back door, and while fleeing they fired several shots at him, one ball passing through the leg of his trousers. The breakfast table being ready, the uninvited guests sat down and finished a meal, and then ran- sacked the house, taking away with them a valuable watch, 1 a
1. It is said that Capt. Pendleton afterwards went to Castine and re- gained his property.
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pocketbook containing papers of value, a hat, boots, provision and bedding. They next visited the house of Capt. Aaron Crowell, who was at that time in Dartmoor prison, and used in- sulting language to Mrs. Crowell, who fearlessly resented it. After taking some clothing worn by Mrs. Crowell at a wedding the day before, and some other things, they went to another house and ripped open the feather-beds and scattered the feathers to the wind. They continued to go from house to house com- mitting similar depredations, until one of their number, who was on guard, gave the alarm that our military companies were approaching, at which they fled to their barges and succeeded in getting aboard just as the Lincolnville companies appeared and began firing at them. While these companies were exchanging shots with the marauders, the Camden company also arrived and began to fire in a lively manner. The barges made haste to get out of range, keeping up a fire from the swivel and guns all of the time. The barges then crossed over to Long Island and landing there, washed the blood out of their boats, after which they headed for Castine. 1 Other troops now arrived until there were between three and four hundred present at the scene of the skirmish. None of the Camden soldiers were wounded by the British shots, and they returned home, well pleased that their timely arrival prevented further depredations. The British when landing at Northport pretended that they were looking for smug- glers whom they thought they saw enter Saturday Cove. The citizens of Northport lost between $300 and $400 on account of the British barges. 2
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