USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Wales > History of Monmouth and Wales, V. 1 > Part 6
USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Monmouth > History of Monmouth and Wales, V. 1 > Part 6
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In the battle of Monmouth, Dearborn's troops acquit- ted themselves in a manner that extorted from the lips of Washington, words of high commendation. After driving the wing of the enemy they were ordered to attack the main body of the army. Dearborn went to the commander-in-chief for further orders. "What troops are these?" inquired Washington, as he drew near. "Full-blooded Yankees from New Hamp- shire, sir," was his characteristic reply .* In 1779, Col. Dearborn accompanied Gen. Sullivan into the interior of New York, on his expedition against the Indians. He was an active participant in the battle at Newton. In 1780 he was with the main army in New Jersey. One year later, he received the appointment of deputy quarter-master-general, with the rank of colonel, serv- ing in that capacity with Washington's army in Virgin-
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ia. He was at the siege of Yorktown, where he was appointed, through the death of Gen. Scammel, to the command of the first New Hampshire regiment. In November of that year, he joined the main army at Newburg, and remained with it until peace was de- clared in 1783. One of his biographers, after dwelling at length on his army life, says in recapitulation, "We have seen Col. Dearborn in more than eight years of war, in sickness and in health, in imprisonment, in victory and defeat, from Bunker Hill to the surrender of Cornwallis, the same ardent patriot and determined soldier. In camp, vigilant, circumspect, and intelli- gent; in action, determined, and always pressing into close action with the bayonet, as at Saratoga" and at Monmouth. In camp or action, always receiving the approbation of his commanders, whether Sullivan. Gates, or Washington."
In the Boston Public Library is an old, yellow. weather-beaten mass of paper which is sacredly guard- ed from the touch of the curious multitude, and only brought forth at the request of the favored few. In it are recorded accounts of battles, marches, and sieges, interspersed with war-songs and bits of sentiment; and here and there a passage too sacred for the eyes of dull unsympathizing humanity is scratched again and again. until the words are forever lost. Could we but look down under these faithful guardians of a life's secrets. we might know more of one of the noblest hearts that ever beat in sympathy with American liberty. It is the diary of Henry Dearborn. Under the date. Dec.
* The Adjutant General in speaking of his conduct in this action, says, "A more vigilant and determined soldier uever wore a sword."
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18th, 1777, he says, "Thanksgiving Day through the whole continent of America, but God knows we have very little to keep it with, this being the 3d day we have been without flour or bread, and are living on a high uncultivated hill, in huts and tents, lying on the cold ground. Upon the whole I think all we have to be thankful for, is that we are alive and not in the grave with so many of our friends. We had for Thanksgiving breakfast some exceeding poor beef. which had been broiled, and now warmed in an old frying pan, in which we were obliged to eat, hav- ing no plates. I dined, or supped, at Gen. Sullivan's to-day, and so ended Thanksgiving." This was dated at Germantown. On the 17th of the following May, he says, "I dined to-day at Gen. Washington's." Under the date, March 1783, we find these falsely prophetic words, "Here ends my military life."
Two months later we find Dearborn again on the banks of the Kennebec; now seeking a home. The beauty of this fertile valley had impressed itself upon his mind, not to be effaced by the nine years that had elapsed since he sailed up the river with Arnold. Ac- companied by his body servant, Jeremiah Wakefield, the father of Henry Wakefield, of Gardiner, whom many of our citizens know, he, guided by a line of spotted trees, pushed back through the wilderness four- teen miles, to the settlement of Wales Plantation. where he held tracts of land, covering upwards of 5000 acres under deeds from the Kennebec Propric- tary. He found settlers on his land, among them Hugh Mulloy, to whom he gave a note for "fifty Spanish milled dollars" for the buildings and other
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improvements made on the property. The note was written on a piece of paper about the size of a man's hand, and read as follows:
Wales, JUNE 27th, 1783.
For value received I promise to pay Hugh Mulloy the sum of fifty Spanish milled dollars, by the fifteenth day of Oc- tober, 1784, with interest until paid.
HENRY DEARBORN."
On the crown of the hill south of the residence of Mr. Bickford, he erected a house. This was the first house built in the plantation. The New Meadows set- tlers were all contented to live in rude log cabins, and doubtless it was considered highly ostentatious in Dearborn to insist on having the timbers for his dwell- ing hewed square. Twenty years ago, this building was still standing-a low, black, solid structure-a fitting companion to the block houses built by the pioneers in the times of Indian warfare. When Mr. Leonard built the Bickford house, he removed the heavy timbers from the walls of this old relic, and used them in framing the ell; the sticks being as sound. apparently, as they were the day they were hewed.
The incidents of General Dearborn's life in Mon- mouth could not be related in a book, much less in a single chapter. A few of our oldest townsmen speak with pride of the occasion when they saw the old hero at some great political gathering, or, perhaps. when he rode through the street in his elegant coach. He was very fond of hunting and fishing, and many were the days he spent wandering around the shores of the Cochnewagan. In later years, when official duties bore heavily upon him, he could not forget the scenes
THE FIRST HOUSE IN MONMOUTH. BUILT BY GEN. HENRY DEARBORN.
MEMORY SKETCH. DICTATED BY L. S. METCALF AND HATHAWAY BROTHERS. SEE PAGE 72.
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that had delighted and refreshed him in earlier life. and as often as once in a year, he might be found, fish- ing-rod in hand. in his old haunts.
When in his prime. the man that could stand before his strength and agility in a wrestling match was not easily found. Long after middle life he was an expert at cricket and ball, and before the exposures to which he subjected himself in his army experience had under- mined his grand constitution, he never saw the athlete with whom he feared to contest. When the General raised his barn, a number of men came from Gardiner to assist; attracted in part, it may be, by the greatness of the personage to whom they rendered service, and still more, it is probable, by the anticipated treat of new rum and molasses. It was customary at raisings for all hands to join in a ring wrestle as soon as the last timber was laid and secured in its place. The moment a man was thrown he was counted out, and the residue of the gang would struggle on until but two remained. Then came a pause for breath, followed by the most exciting contest of the day-a struggle for the laurels: and those laurels, when won, could not have brought more pride to the brow of a Roman gladiator. The Gardiner crew brought with them this day a burly rowdy, who had, it was claimed, never been thrown in a wrestling match. The ring was formed, the General, of course, on account of his high social and official po- sition, being excluded. One after another found a resting place for his back and rolled out of the circle. until only the bully and a wiry little fellow much infe- rior in weight remained. The Gardiner rough made a dash at his opponent, and by an unfair movement threw
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him. The General at once forgot his station, and every thing else but his love of fair play, and, stepping up to the exulting bully, he exclaimed, "Now, sir, if you will take hold of me and I don't throw you in less than one minute, I will give you one hundred acres of the best land in Monmouth." No real estate changed hands that day.
Dearborn's physique was magificent, and his face "a perfect type of manly beauty." On features differing but little from those of his superior officer, he wore the same mild, firm.magnanimous expression that we always expect to find on representations of Washington. Among his intimate friends were grouped the greatest
of American statesmen. Lafayette, the devoted friend of Washington, was attached to Dearborn with the strongest ties of fellowship. Even Talleyrand and Louis Phillipe, who afterward became King of France, when on a visit to this country, left the metropolis where they were receiving ovation on ovation, and journeyed far down into the wilds of Maine to honor him with a visit. It was at this time that Talley- rand fell into the Cobbossee-contee and was saved by a little boy holding to him his fishing rod. Imagine the mighty Talleyrand on the end of a birch pole the eminent French statesman serving as fish bait!
General Dearborn was, in every'sense. a gentleman. With him a man was a man, whether found in the mansion of the rich or in the most poverty-smitten hut of the plebeian; and each of the two classes could ex- pect to be treated by him with equal courtesy. While he was clearing his farm, and later, while constructing the old road between Monmouth and Gardiner, he had
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in his employ many common laborers. At meal time it was his custom to remain standing beside his chair until all his men were seated, before taking a place at the table himself.
In religious preferences he was a Congregationalist; but true religion he never discountenanced if found in the hearts of those who favored a different creed.
History, it is true, is wont to cover all defects in her subjects. and biographers are often guilty of apotheosis ; but waiving all such testimony, and relying wholly on the evidence of local tradition, we cannot but believe that General Dearborn was a man of unusual purity and magnanimity, as well as of great intellectual force and refinement. Who can say that his noble in- fluence, buried in the heart of the young community. is not felt in the lives of the latest generation? And those of our townsmen who, going out into broader fields of action and enterprise, have caused the very nation to proclaim above us the encomium that once rang against the walls of Bethlehem-Ephratah-"Thou art not least among the daughters of thy people" --- could they trace through the generations the cause of their success, would find the origin in Henry Dear- born's labors for the moral and intellectual up-building of his towns-people.
As a scholar, he was assiduous and thorough. All the spare moments of the latter part of his life were spent in reading the standard literature of his day. Charles Coffin, in company with one of the most schol- arly men and greatest physicians of Boston, once visited him at his home. They found him reading Scott's "Ivanhoe." Mr. Coffin, in speaking of this visit and
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the versatility of his host, says, "A variety of subjects were started in conversation, and the physician repeat- edly afterwards expressed his surprise at the correct- ness and ability with which he entered into every sub- ject started, declaring that previously he had consid- ered him merely a military character."
Hypocrisy and deceit had no place in his character. His opinions were never smoothed for the touch of those who desired to know them. After the close of the Revolution he met Benedict Arnold at St. Johns. His former commander was covered with confusion at the unexpected meeting. He attempted to explain the cause of his nefarious treachery, and seemed really distressed at Dearborn's refusal to listen to him. but was silenced when that gentleman informed him that he considered his conduct indefensible, and held his character in such estimation that no excuse or expla- nation could be made, and as his own opinion was not to be changed, he wished not to hear him on that sub- ject. His former affection for Arnold, and respect for him as an able and courageous officer, lend force to his unswerving plainness of speech at this time.
Before moving to Maine, Dearborn exchanged some wild land with the trustees of Phillips' Exeter Academy for cash. With this he purchased a building-spot in Gar- diner, near the river's bank, and on it erected a house .*
His time, during the four years following his release from military service, was alternated between this home and his farm at Monmouth; the greater part of the winter being spent in Gardiner.
*The building was taken down to make room for the Gardiner National Bank, which was built on the same site.
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HÀ :HẠI THỊ
THE OLD GRIST MILL. ERECTED PRIOR TO 1792, BY GEN. HENRY DEARBORN, JOHN WELCH AND CAPT. JAS. BLOSSOM.
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GEN. HENRY DEARBORN.
In 1787, he was elected by the field officers of sever- al regiments a brigadier-general of the militia, and soon after, was appointed to the higher position of ma- jor-general by the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Washington, in recognition of his valued services as an army officer, appointed him mar- shal of the District of Maine. He was next honored by being elected a member of Congress from the Ken- nebec district. At the expiration of his term of office, he was re-elected. During his second term, the fa- mous Jay Treaty question came up for consideration, and here, by taking sides with the minority, he lost much of his popularity. In this, we see his indepen- dence, for he well knew that he acted contrary to the opinion and wishes of Washington, who believed the treaty to be preferred at that time to war with Great Britain. Dearborn honestly believed the treaty to be derogatory to the honor of the American people and government, and preferred war to peace on such con- ditions. A very great majority of the American peo- ple were then opposed to the treaty, but Washington and the requisite majority of the Senate, twenty to ten, approved it. At this time, people look back with ap- probation on the course taken by Washington and the Senate in this affair; but many honest and able patri- ots thought and acted with General Dearborn. In con- sequence of his vote on this occasion, notwithstanding his services in the Revolution and his great popularity, he lost his election in the Kennebec district, and re- mained a few years in retirement.
The democratic party gained the ascendancy in 1801, and immediately on the election of Thomas Jefferson
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to the seat of the chief Executive, he appointed Gen- eral Dearborn to the position of Secretary of War. When Dearborn resigned his position in the Cabinet. his department was examined by Timothy Pickering and James Hillhouse, who were politically antagonis- tic to him, yet they reported absolute correctness in all the details of his management. Never seeking a drominent political position, such was his worth, that his resignation had scarcely been filed, before he was appointed to the collectorship of the port of Boston and Charlestown. This office he held until 1812. War with Great Britian was now imminent and the President began to cast about him for supporters in the inevitable conflict. The most important position in the American army-that of Commander-in-Chief- was now tendered Dearborn in the following letter.
"WASHINGTON JANUARY 11, 1812.
Dear Sir,-The Congress has just passed an act adding twenty odd thousand to the military establishment. It provides for two major-generals and five brigadiers. The importance of placing this, and the forces in view, under the best commander, speaks for itself. Our eyes could not but be turned. on such an occasion, to your qualifications and experience. and I wait for your permission. only, to name you to the senate for the sen.o . major-general.
I hope you will so far suspend all other considerations as not to withhold it, and that I shall not only be gratified with this informa- tion as quickly as possible, but with an authority to look for your arrival here as soon as you can make it practicable. You will be sensible of all the value of your co-operation on the spot, in making the arrangements necessary to repair the loss of time which has taken place. All the information we receive urges a vigororous preparation for events. Accept my best respects and most friendly wishes.
JAMES MADISON."
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GEN. HENRY DEARBORN.
The Senate confirmed this nomination by a vote of twenty-three to nine. In a letter informing Dearborn of the concurrence of the Senate, President Madison says, "In order to afford the public the benefits of your councils here, it is very important that you be here without a moment's delay. In the hope of seeing you very speedily, and with every wish for your happiness, I tender assurance of my esteem and friendship." The morning following the receipt of this communication, General Dearborn was on his way to Washington.
It is a cause for regret that General Dearborn's brilliant career-for, indeed, it was brilliant, although lack of investigation has led the general public to hold other opinions concerning it-should be so grossly stained by the misrepresentations of designing poli- ticians. In the light of thorough investigation, it is evident that machinations were on foot from the date of his appointment, to effect his removal. John Arm- strong, the newly appointed Secretary of War, aspired to the presidency. It by any means Dearborn could be proved incompetent and deposed from his command, Armstrong would, in virtue of his office, assume his duties as chief military officer. The leader of a suc- cessful campaign upon the lakes would stand before the people as a candidate for the presidency, and this honor Armstrong desired to be conferred upon himself. not Dearborn. The election of William Henry Harri- son, who succeeded from this command to presidential honors, proved the wonderful prescience of the crafty secretary. Armstrong had an able assistant in his brother-in-law, General Lewis, who was one of Dear- born's chief subordinate officers. The strange conduct
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of Lewis, in rankly disobeying the orders of his superior officer, challenges attention, and points to something in the form of design. On account of the attachment that had grown out of a long acquaintance, Dearborn hesi- tated to expose the negligence of Lewis, and suffered the blame of the unaccountable lack of achievement to fall upon his own head, little thinking that he was guarding the interest of a traitor. At length, however. in the face of outrages which even his magnanimous nature could not bear, he called the attention of the Secretary of War to the circumstances which had held him from action.
The following passage, bearing upon the events in question, is inserted not only on account of the light it throws upon the injured reputation of Dearborn, but because in it mention is frequently made of General Chandler, who was also a citizen of Monmouth.
"Upon the success of the first part of the expedition. General Dearborn sent an express to inform General Lewis what he had done, and to notify him of his in- tended arrival with the army at Fort Niagara, at which port the General arrived a few days after, where he learned that General Lewis was at Judge Potter's. opposite Niagara Falls, fourteen miles from his troops. Upon further inquiry, to the disappointment and morti- fication of General Dearborn, he discovered that the heavy mortars were not fixed on their beds in the fort. nor the battery cannon, nor the boats to make the de- scent provided, and General Winder with his brigade was at Black Rock, more than thirty miles distant from the mouth of the Niagara where the descent on the Canadian shore was to be made. * The
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General, thus circumstanced, knowing the enemy would be re-inforced before the boats to be built would be in readiness to pass over the army, desired Commo- dore Chauncey to return to Sackett's Harbor, and. in the interim, bring up General Chandler's brigade. During this period five batteries were erected above Fort Niagara, and the boats which had been com- menced were ordered to be finished with all expedition. and brought around to Four Mile Creek. The last was effected on the river, under fire of the enemy's batteries, without any loss. Immediately on the return of the fleet with General Chandler's brigade, the Gen- eral issued an order, which never has been published. `that on the next day the troops should breakfast at two o'clock. strike tents at three, and embark at four.
"The situation and position of the country had been previously obtained by spies, the plan of landing digest- ed, and the plan of attack determined. which was sub- mitted to Generals Lewis, Chandler, Winder and Boyd. and met their full approbation. Excessive fatigue and exposure to storms had produced a violent fever, which, ten days previous to the attack on Fort George, had confined General Dearborn to his bed.
"The morning after the general order was announced for the attack, General Lewis called on him, and said it would be impossible for the army to embark. General Dearborn, then having some suspicions of the military character and energy of General Lewis, replied. the attack should be made as ordered. that he was prepared. and further delay would not be allowed. On the morning of the attack, General Dearborn was mounted upon his horse, by assistance, before four
:
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o'clock, in opposition to the opinion of his physicians, and against the remonstrance of the officers of his staff. He rode to the place of embarkation-saw the troops on board the fleet and boats. General Lewis, who had the immediate command, now first made his appear- unce, and expressed his great astonishment at the unex- pected rapidity with which this movement had been made. This effort had so exhausted General Dearborn, that he was taken from his horse, led to a boat. and conveyed on board the Madison. On his way to Four Mile Creek, Dr. Mann, a hospital surgeon of the army, meeting General Dearborn, said to him, 'I apprehend you do not intend to embark with the army.' The general replied, `apprehend nothing, sir-I go into battle or perish in the attempt.' From the first dawn of day, and while the army was embarking, a most tremendous fire of hot shot and shells from Fort Niagara and the newly erected batteries, was opened on Fort George, and continued until the block houses, barracks and stores were inwrapped in flames, and the guns silenced.
"The gallant Colonel Scott," with a company of eight hundred light troops, composed the advance of the army, followed by Generals Boyd and Winder, and the reserve under General Chandler. General Scott immediately made good his landing, under a sheet of fire, while the several regiments in succession formed the order of battle from right to left, in a most soldier- like manner. This landing of the army and escalade of a bank twenty feet high, similar to a parapet, has been considered the handsomest military display on the
*General Winfield Scott.
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northern frontier during the war.
"General Dearborn, from his great exertions, added to his state of health, was unable to support himself more than fifteen or twenty minutes on his feet at once; but he was frequently up, watching their movements. The troops had all landed, (except the 'reserve) when General Lewis still remained on board. General Dearborn, exercising his usual delicacy with him. merely suggested to him, whether he ought not to land. and then retired.
"Within twenty minutes, General Dearborn again came on deck, and finding General Lewis still on board, repeated his suggestion for him to land, notwith- standing which, General Lewis was not on shore until after the battle. The enemy had now falllen back be- tween the village of Newark and Fort George. After General Lewis had landed, an hour and a half passed away, and four thousand men formed in order of battle. with a fine train of artillery, were seen standing still. while the enemy, not more than twelve hundred, were manœvering for a retreat. At this moment, General Dearborn, in agony at the delay, sent his D. A., Gen- eral Beebe, to General Lewis, with orders to move instantly, surround the enemy, and cut them up. Even after this order, it was an hour before Generals Boyd. Chandler and Scott, with all their arguments, could induce General Lewis to advance-and then only to the south side of Newark, three-fourths of a mile from his first position. when the line was again formed, and continued until the enemy had retreated in the rear of Fort George, and took the route to Queenstown Heights. Colonel Scott, however, pursued the retreat-
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ing, broken army, without orders, three miles, and would not desist in his pursuit until four aids-de-camp of General Lewis had been dispatched to order his return. Later in the day, the ship Madison moved up the river in front of Fort George, where General Dear- born was taken on shore and carried to his quarters, much exhausted. Meeting with General Lewis, he expressed his disapprobation of his conduct, and ordered him to put the army in pursuit of the enemy at five o'clock the next morning. Instead of this he did not move until five o'clock in the afternoon. Upon his arrival at Queenstown Heights, he learned that the enemy had made a rapid movement towards the head of Lake Ontario, by the Beaver Dam, and sent back a report to that effect.
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