History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 139

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 139

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Two hay-scales were erected-one opposite where the Exchange now stands, on the west side of Poplar (now

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Exchange) street, the other on the easterly side of Main street, about two hundred feet from West Market Square.

One hundred dollars were directed to be paid to Philip Coombs for an acre of ground from the westerly third part of the Haynes lot, for a burial ground. This was easterly of Oak street, between Washington and Han- cock streets. Burying on the ground between the resi- dence of Caleb S. Billings and Penobscot River was dis- continued.

The votes for Governor this year were: For Caleb Strong, 78; for Samuel Dexter, 50. Strong was elected by a majority of about 1, 100.

For Register of Deeds, Charles Rice received 47 votes; Alexander Savage, 20; John Wilkins, 33.

The Representative to the General Court, Charles Hammond had 53 votes; Jacob McGaw and Samuel K. Whiting one vote each, and Mr. Hammond was declared elected.

John Wilson received 49 votes for Representative to Congress; James Carr, 28.

James Crosby was chosen Town Clerk pro tem., Au- gust 6, 1814; and fifty dollars were appropriated from the moneys to be raised in 1815, for building an engine house, and Benjamin Garland was appointed a commit- tee to expend the money.

In order to avoid paying taxes for the support of the Congregational minister in Bangor, some from inability or indisposition to pay more than one ministerial tax, and some to avoid paying any tax at all, obtained certifi- cates from two or more members of some other religious denomination that they were members thereof, like the following :

We certify that John Weeks, of the town of Bangor, is a member of the religious society in Bangor called Methodist.

Bangor, April 15, 1813.

Ashbel Harthorn, David, John, and Thomas Howard, Simon Harriman, Jeremiah Dudley, and others, in 1812; James Drummond, William Thompson, Zebulon Smith, James Carr, Francis Carr, Samuel Salmond, and others, in 1813. Nathaniel Burrill was certified to belong to the Baptist society the same year, and Allen Gilman was certified to be a member of a Congregational society in Brewer.

During the existence of the troubles betwixt America and England regular business was interrupted, but the majority of the citizens of Bangor were workers, and would be employed. Several mechanics-house-carpen- ters principally-engaged themselves in building a large vessel. Each supplied his own personal labor, and such of them as possessed the means provided materials.

Messrs. William & Charles Rice built a ship of about two hundred and sixty tons, which was launched just before the declaration of war in 1812. She was not rigged. Messrs. R. & P. Salmond were building a ship of more than four hundred tons. Messrs. Joseph & James Carr were building a ship of nearly four hundred tons burden. These ships, with the vessel built by mechanics, re- mained upon the stocks until 1815 before they were launched. The last was named "Mechanic." Mr.

Leavitt built and launched a small schooner of forty tons.

The British fleet, under Sir Thomas Hardy, took possession of Eastport. There was no opposition, and persons and property were protected.

With no regular business upon their hands, many per- sons took advantage of the disturbed condition of affairs to turn a penny by smuggling. Their conscience-such as had any-had become hardened, and they labored diligently to put governmental duties in their pockets by surreptitiously transporting goods from the British Prov- inces to Boston. Thousands of dollars' worth of English goods were brought from Fredericton in birch canoes over the lakes and streams, and on men's backs over the carrying-places in trunks and packages. From Bangor they were transported to Boston on teams at the rate of $7 per hundred weight. The Custom House officers were vigilant, and some importers preferred to do their business legitimately. They entered their goods and paid the duties on them. But a great many goods got through free of duty. A citizen describes the Govern- ment officers as "pimps and spies," and said that they made, now and then, what they called "a good grab." " The whole," he says, "I can compare to nothing better than a hungry set of wolves prowling after prey upon the defenseless lamb-thus we have here an exhibition of some of the fruits of a Democratic Administration." He was a Federalist, and would have his fling at his political opponents-still he would stand well on the moral plat- form, and adds: "However, I will remark that I do not approve of smuggling."

. On August 17, the United States corvette Adams, twenty-four guns and two hundred and fifty-eight men, was injured by being driven upon the rocks at Isle au Haut in severe weather. She had been successful in her captures, having taken in three months a ship, two brigs, and a schooner, and became herself an object of desire to British cruisers. Captain Morris, her commander, brought her up the Penobscot River for repairs, and anchored her off the mouth of the Sowadabscook Stream in Hampden. It was not long before the British were made acquainted with her situation, and made arrange- ments for her capture.

In July Major Perley Putnam, of Salem, was in com- mand of the forts at Eastport and Robbinston, having under him two companies of militia, detached from Gen- eral Blake's brigade at Penobscot.

Relieved by the downfall of Napoleon from the war with France, Great Britain was enabled to give more at- tention to the war with the United States, and made dis- position of her troops to that end. Maine was weak, and, lying contiguous to the British provinces, could be easily occupied. On July 5 Captain Sir M. T. Hardy, with the Romilies, seventy-four; the Martin, sloop-of-war; the Borer, brig; the Breame, the bomb-ship Terror, and several transports with the One Hundred and Second Regiment, just from Bermuda, under Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Pilkinton, with a party from Halifax, appeared before Eastport and summoned it to surrender, giving five minutes for an answer. Putnam replied that he should fight, and prepared for defense. The people,

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

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however, remonstrated. They could not be destroyed with their town, when really no object was to be gained. Putnam yielded to their importunities, and surrendered, on condition that the persons and property of the inhab- itants should be respected. Thus Fort Sullivan fell into the hands of the enemy without resistance. British troops were sent to Canada to reinforce those on the frontier, and up the Chesapeake Bay, in the summer, and in September Sir John Sherbrook and Rear Admiral Griffith sailed from Halifax with the Dragon, seventy-four guns; Endymion, forty; Bacchante ; Sylph, eighteen ; and Peruvian, sloops; the Spenser, Bulwark, and Tene- dos, and a number of transports, with the Twenty-ninth, Sixty second, and Ninety-eighth Regiments, two rifle com- panies of the Sixtieth, and detachments of Royal Artil- lery and Engineers, to take possession of Penobscot. It was the intention of Sherbrook to take possession of Machias on his way, but falling in with the Rifleman sloop, and being informed by Captain Pearse that the Adams had run up the Penobscot to Hampden, he pro- ceeded directly to Castine, and a little after sunrise on September I summoned the fort to surrender. Lieuten- ant Lewis, who was in command of the fort with twenty- eight United States regulars, refused to surrender, and opened a fire from four twenty-four-pounders upon a small schooner which, under Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols, of the Royal Engineers, was reconnoitering the work.

Lieutenant Henry Little, of Bucksport, in command of a detachment of General Blake's militia of ninety-two men, was quartered in the Court House at Castine. When his attention was called to a fleet of sixteen British war-vessels coming up the harbor, he indicated his faith in the sentiment that discretion is the better part of valor by marching his men with due promptness from the pe- ninsula. Lieutenant Lewis, however, had a duty to per- form, and waited to witness the next movement of the enemy. Seeing that the force was disembarking, and that the number of the troops was immense, he blew up the magazine of the fort, and followed in the footsteps of Lieutenant Little. After the latter had proceeded about six miles in the direction of Bucksport, it was announced that the British were in pursuit ; whereupon he ordered his company to "right about," and prepare to receive the enemy. Presently he saw an officer waving a flag, and the anxiety of his command was allayed on learning that the supposed British were no other than Lieutenant Lewis and his men. They shortly came up with him, and with true military ardor pressed on. Lieutenant Little's command, being so much larger, stopped at Bucks- port over night and recruited themselves for the morning march; but Lieutenant Lewis made no delay. He reached Hampden on the 2d, and was with his men on the right of the American force in position during the next night. On the morning of the 2d Lieutenant Little recommenced his march.

The British, however, had not slept on their guns. Directly after the arrival of the fleet at Castine, Sir John Sherbrook directed Major General Gosselin to oc- cupy Belfast, in order to prevent the armed population below annoying the British in their operations on the

Adams, and to support his own forces, if necessary. He and Rear-Admiral Griffith then directed Captain Barrie, with the Dragon, Sylph, Peruvian, Harmony, and a transport and prize-tender, and Lieutenant-Colonel John, with a detachment of artillery, the flank companies of the Twenty-ninth, Sixty-second, and Ninety-eighth Regi- ments, and one rifle company of the Sixtieth, to pro- ceed to Hampden and co-operate in either obtaining possession of the Adams or destroying her.

Lieutenant Little was surprised the next forenoon, when just above Frankfort, by a report of cannon from the river. On examination he found that the British ships, with the troops on board, were keeping pace with him, and, further, that a force was landing to intercept him. This caused him to leave the main road and take a route around Sweats's Hill, in Orrington. He arrived by nightfall at Goodale's Corner, where he and his com- pany were provided with good quarters and entertain- ment for the night by Hon. Mr. Goodale, who resided there. Colonel John learned afterward that his direc- tion to Major Croisdale and Lieutenant Wallace to land with some regulars and riflemen and intercept this com- pany, had the effect to prevent them from joining the main body at Hampden. It was so; while Lieutenant Little in the morning of the 3d, with his men, was leaving the domains of his hospitable host, and his heart behind him with his host's daughter-whom he saw for the first time that night, and afterwards made his wife-the battle of Hampden was fought. In the glory of that affair affair Lieutenant Little had no part.

At noon on the first of September Captain Morris received intelligence at Hampden, by express from Cas- tine, that the British fleet were off the harbor. Knowing that the Adams was the object of their pursuit, he pro- ceeded to make arrangements for the ship's protection. He communicated the intelligence at once to Brigadier- General Blake, requesting him to collect such force as he could at Hampden. The guns had been taken out of his ship and preparations were in progress for her repair. By the "great and unremitted exertions" of his men and the assistance of the inhabitants during the Ist and 2d, nine guns were conveyed to the top of the hill overlooking the river below the long wharf ; one to the hill near the meeting house on the right of General Blake's line of battle; fourteen upon the wharf which commanded the river below, and one to a point covering the communication between the hill and wharf batteries. The arrangements were perfect for disputing the passage of the naval force, if Morris's batteries could be protected from being flanked, and it was for this purpose that General Blake's force was designed.

This officer had succeeded in collecting about five hun- dred militiamen of Colonel Andrew Grant's regiment, with Captain Charles Hammond's company of artillery from Bangor, which, with two brass four-pounders, was stationed on the right, with Lieutenant Lewis's men.

The line extended easterly from the meeting-house along the crest of the academy hill towards the river. The position was admirable and could easily have been defended against an infinitely large force, with men of

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

the least experience. A Northern officer, who had seen much service in the Rebellion, on examining the posi- tion in 1864, remarked that he had seen three hundred rebels in such a position resist the advance of two brigades, consisting of eight thousand men, five hours. They had intrenchments and rifle-pits, and it was that length of time before it was ascertained how they could be flanked. With intrenchments and rifle-pits here, if the officers knew how to manage their men, they could have repulsed the British with ease.

On the evening before the battle there was a consul- tation of leading citizens of Hampden and Bangor, at the academy in Hampden, with General Blake and some of his officers. The emergency was so unexpected that the people were unnerved, therefore there was no unanimity as to the course to be pursued. The citizens were not prepared to lose everything, and many counseled no re- sistance. Others, more patriotic, thought that everything should be done to save the Adams and to repel the in- vaders. Captain Morris was mortified to find so much indecision and disposition to submit, and when it was concluded to leave the whole matter to the judgment of General Blake, Morris proceeded to do all that was pos- sible on his part to make the resistance a success. He found that many of Blake's men were without arms, and most of them without any ammunition ; and as his own men were barely sufficient to man his batteries, he dis- tributed the ship's muskets to the militia and supplied them with ammunition.

General Blake's pickets were advantageously posted on the northerly side of Bald Hill Cove; the artillery, with the two four-pounders, under Lieutenant George W. Brown, Sergeant John Williams and Michael Sargent acting as gunners; and the United States regulars, with the eighteen-pounder, under Lieutenant Lewis, were stationed near the meeting-house (where the Town House now stands), and commanded the approach from the bridge over Pitcher's brook; the militia companies, form- ing the line on their left towards the river, were under Colonel Grant and Major Chamberlain.

The women and children were removed to Mr. Joshua Lane's, about a mile distant through the woods, on a road leading into the country on the right bank of the Sowa- dabscook Stream.

The arrangements were not completed until late in the evening of the 2d. The night was dark and rainy. Morris's men were compelled to remain at their batte- ries to prevent a surprise, as the wind was fair for the ene- my's approach, and General Blake's force was kept in position. It was a terrible night for those men, scarcely one of whom had had any experience in war, and very few, aside from those of the independent companies, un. derstood the management of fire-arms. There were no redoubts or entrenchments, and there was constant ex- pectation of an attack from experienced troops in un- known numbers. Some of the officers were brave and plucky, although none had had experience. Some of the men were arrant cowards, while others made sport of their pusillanimity. " There were three brothers who threw themselves upon the ground and feigned sickness.

A man of weaker mind, but of more courage, seeing this, fell to pulling their hair and whiskers with great persist- ence. When inquired of what he meant, he replied: "I want to get these men mad. If I can do this, they will fight like the -! " It was a fearful night to many, and an uncomfortable one for all.

The British vessels arrived at Bald Hill Cove about five o'clock in the evening of the 2d of September. By direction of Colonel John, Major Riddle, with grena- diers, and Captain Ward, with rifles, dislodged General Blake's pickets. This was accomplished by seven o'clock, and the troops were all landed by ten. They then bivouacked for the night. In the morning, at five o'clock, they were formed, the rifle company (under Captain Ward) being in advance, and the light company (under Major Keith, of the Sixty-second) in the rear, and a detachment of eighty marines (under Captain Carter) moving on their flanks. There were also a light compa- ny of the Twenty-ninth (under Captain Cooker), a detach- ment of Royal Artillery (under Lieutenant Carston), with a six-pounder, a six-and-a-half-inch howitzer, and a rocket apparatus, and a detachment of sailors (under Lieutenants Symonds, Botely, and Slade, and Mr. Sparkling, Master of the Bulwark). The wind being favorable, Captain Barrie, with the ships, advanced at the same time with the troops, and on their right.

It was supposed by the British that the force against which they were moving consisted of 1,400 men; and the fog being so thick that they could neither form a correct idea of the features of the country or of the army op- posed to them, they moved with the utmost caution. Between 7 and 8 o'clock Colonel John's skirmishers were sharply engaged, and he sent forward Captain Cooker with half of his light company for their support. The British pressed into their service an American named Oakman residing at Bald Hill Cove, to guide them, and he was unwittingly shot by his own countrymen.

The British were first seen through a break in the fog advancing towards the bridge over Pitcher's Brook. As soon as they came in sight a heavy fire was opened upon them by Lieutenant Lewis with the eighteen-pounder, and Lieutenant Brown, Adjutan Bent, and others with the four-pounders of the Bangor Artillery (which were at the right of the eighteen-pounder), that completely raked the road.

After passing the bridge, the British troops deployed and charged up the hill to get possession of the guns. General Blake had ordered the militia to reserve their fire until the enemy had approached so near that it might be effectual; but he did not consider that his men were not veterans, and were in a frame of mind which made them totally incapable of appreciating such an order. The consequence was that when they saw those veteran troops in their scarlet uniforms pressing up the hill right upon them so like an avalanche that it seemed as if re- sistance would be madness, they were seized with a panic and fled.

The fog was so dense that Captain Morris could not see the operations of the troops, but he discovered the enemy's guard and rocket boats at about 7 o'clock ad-

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vancing; and his batteries opened a brisk fire upon them. From their movements he concluded that a simultaneous attack by land and water was intended, and he placed the hill battery under the direction of his First Lieuten- ant, Wadsworth, assisted by Lieutenant Madison and Mr. Rogers, the Purser, and directed Lieutenant Watson to place his small detachment of twenty marines in a position to watch the movements of the enemy's main body, assist in covering the Adams's men's flank, and their retreat if it became necessary. The wharf battery was under the direction of Lieutenants Parker and Beatty, and Sailing Master McCulloch. Captain Morris had just joined it. The enemy's boats were stationary, beyond the reach of fire, and his infantry had com- menced their attack upon the militia. In a few minutes Lieutenant Wadsworth informed Captain Morris that our troops were retreating. Immediately the retreat be- came a confused flight, and there was now no alterna- tion for Morris but to retreat also. Against the enemy's troops he had no other means of defense than pikes and cutlasses. The tide was rising, and the bridge over the Sowadabscook was the only thoroughfare across that

stream. He immediately ordered the guns to be spiked and the ship to be fired. These things were hardly ac- complished before the British appeared upon the hill, and, seeing that the object of their expedition was de- stroyed, opened fire upon Captain Morris and those of his men who had fired the ship, they being the last to retire, Lieutenant Wadsworth with his detachment having previously, by order of Captain Morris, crossed the bridge. The Captain's party had not time to reach the bridge, and, therefore, attempted to ford the stream. In this they succeeded, and, ascending the bank, joined their comrades without having received the slightest injury from the well-intended but ill-directed fire of the pur- suers.

Some plucky American officers were exceedingly en- raged at this ignominious flight of the militia, and made an effort to save the troops from utter disgrace. Major Chamberlain and a minor officer, Timothy George, find- ing themselves at the bridge, thought it might be possible to detain brave men enough, and ordered all as they came to fall in. One of the first was a ponderous seven- foot giant, who apparently had physique enough to with- stand a section. On being ordered to halt he drew him- self up, and with a look of terror exclaimed: "Why, Major Chamberlain, you- you'll have us all killed ! This is dangerous !! " He then rushed to the stream, which he forded, and was well on his way to Bangor be- fore the British left the hill.

There was much swift moving on that day, both on horseback and on foot. Colonel , with others, proceeded rapidly to Mr. Lane's, where the women and children were. The Colonel had had enough of war for the present, and changed his regimentals for Colonel Lane's wedding apparel, in which he was afterwards dis- covered by the British and taken to Castine, where he was imprisoned until the fresh ten-dollar broadcloth suit was so defaced that its owner never afterwards recognized it.

One well-known Major declared that he never marched with such courage as that with which he marched from Hampden to Bangor on that day.

A citizen on horseback, riding up from the bridge towards Bangor, caught sight of a rocket which seemed to be coming directly towards him. He turned his horse and was riding rapidly in another direction, when lo! the erratic projectile had also changed its course and was close in pursuit. He thought verily it was a messenger from the pit and he an object of demoniacal vengeance, until it suddenly made another detour and permitted him to escape. Having reached his home, about two miles from the scene of action, this citizen seized his best feather-bed and was making his way in the direction of the woods, when he heard a volley from the invaders. He threw himself instantly upon the ground, and draw- ing the bed over himself peeped out and saw the bullets passing over him looking like a flock of swallows. Mr. Zadock Davis thought it not best to leave the artillery guns to be taken by the foe and used against his country- men, and, with others, removed them in hot haste in the direction of Bangor, and hid them under a bridge on some by-road in the woods. But guns were what the British wanted, and when they learned that Mr. Davis had some knowledge of them, they constrained him to reveal it, and the guns became British property.

General Blake was among the last to leave the field. He did not hesitate to expose himself when necessary, and even when unnecessary. Sergeant Williams, who afterwards became Brigadier-General, served as gunner to the artillery, which stood its ground until after the flight of the militia, and said that when he and his company retreated, they ran as fast as the rest, and passed General Blake, who was on foot, walking towards the village much excited and swearing to himself. Michael Sargent, who was also a gunner, said that Blake did not prohibit the firing of the eighteen-pounder or the guns of the artillery; that he rode up near to the guns and took a survey of the British forces as they came in view; that afterward, in his interview with Colonel John at the Hatch tavern, the Colonel inquired of him what officer it was who ex- posed himself thus on the hill. He replied that it was himself. The Colonel then told him that he was in great danger; that his men were firing at him and he ordered them to desist, for he would not permit them to shoot down so brave a man. .

"But what were you there for ?" continued John.

"To calculate your numbers."

"How many did you take them to be ?"

"About seven hundred."

"A pretty good calculation ; there were seven hundred and fifty."

It was probably at this interview that a conversation took place, which was published not long afterwards. The British officers were dining together, the General being their guest and wearing his epaulettes and other military accoutrements that he had worn in the battle, and the Colonel remarked that he must indeed be in- sensible to danger to wear those ornaments on the field; that the British officers wore a dress of common mixed

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 139

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100