History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 141

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

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566

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY MAINE.

conditioned that said vessels on the stocks should be delivered at Cas- tine before the first day of November then next. It being then stated to Capt. Barry that it was impossible to comply with the condition of said bond, he replied that it was indifferent to him whether the ships were delivered or not, because, if they were not, he should file the bond before the Commissioners who should treat for peace as a claim against the United States. Upon this the bond was executed.

The inhabitants of Bangor, for the supply of the forces aforesaid, at the demand of the Commanders, and by the plunder of the sailors afore- said, furnished in articles of provisions, shoes, boots, etc., $1,000, for which not a cent was paid. Nine horses, saddles, and bridles were also furnished by loan to said Commanders and their officers, with a promise that they should be returned, six of which were obtained from Hampden and Castine with much trouble, and three were never re- turned, though requested at Castine. One other horse Colonel John claimed as captured-that we do not include in the above.

Now, may it please your Excellencies, we have confided to Amos Patten, Esquire, one of the Magistrates of Bangor, this our petition, who will represent our distressed case and condition to your Excel- lericies. And we respectfully submit to the consideration of your Ex- cellencies, the question, whether according to the usages of war among civilized nations, the foregoing facts being taken fully into view, it would not be consistent and proper, as well as humane and honorable, that the bond aforesaid should be given up or cancelled. We would beg leave further to represent, that as soon as the Commanders afore- said returned from Bangor to Castine, a delegation of five of our magistrates waited on your Excellencies with an expectation of a full hearing on this subject at that time when all parties were present, but unfortunately your Excellencies were then on the eve of departure for Halifax, and in the hurry of that particular period, our case could not be fully taken up or understood. One of your Excellencies remarked that you would be at Castine again in two or three weeks; therefore we waited until the arrival of your proclamation of September 21, when we delegated two of our Magistrates to wait on Hon. Major-General Gosselin and your Agent, Captain Owen, both of whom expressed much feeling and regret at the hardship of our case, but could do no more for us than to say they thought the vessels aforesaid might be ransomed at the sum of five thousand nine hundred dollars, and the bond thereby cancelled, and submit the same to your Excellencies for consideration, advising us to petition your Excellencies for further clemency; our said Magistrates at the same time assuring the General and the Captain, that the ability of our village was incompetent to the payment of so great a sum; an assurance which we most conscientious- ly reiterate, and which sum we verily believe to be more than twice as much as their owners can obtain for said vessels, or make them worth under the present unpromising aspect of peace-a peace which we sincerely hope Divine Providence, in his infinite mercy, will speedily bestow upon the two nations.

Most cordially reciprocating the desire expressed by your Excellen- cies to the delegation from Bangor at Castine, that so long as his Majesty retains possession of the Eastern bank of the Penobscot, har- mony and good understanding may prevail on the banks of said river between his Majesty's troops and subjects and the citizens of the United States, we respectfully subscribe ourselves your Excellencies' humble servants."

Mr. Amos Patten, in behalf of Bangor, and Mr. John Crosby, in behalf of Hampden, were dispatched to Hali- fax to procure at least a commutation of the penalties that had been imposed by Barrie and John. After read- ing the petition from Bangor and a full statement of the case by Mr. Patten, Sir John Sherbrooke communicated to him that the people of Bangor could have their choice of four conditions, viz: To destroy the vessels, deliver them at Castine in the spring, dispose of them at public sale and distribute the proceeds among the captors, or pay the penalty of the bond. No other concession would he make to Bangor; and he would make no concession at all to Hampden. Messrs. Patten and Crosby were absent six weeks. They returned in December with the British Governor's ultimatum, and the people made up their minds to make the best of their calamities. But other agents were busy in making such comprehensive ar-

rangements of the difficulty between the American and British Governments, that no further care was necessary in regard to the bonds. The treaty of Ghent was con- cluded on the 24th of December, and reached America on the 11th of February. Castine was evacuated on the 25th of April, 1815, and the bonds by these events be- came of no effect. A part of the vessels at Hampden, for which the bond of that town was given, however, were taken by the British, but the peace came too late for the relief of the owners of them, although the relief it afforded to the people-was incalculable.

Rear-Admiral Griffith left Castine on September 12, 1814, with Sir John Sherbrooke and half thetroops in seven or eight ships, and sailed for Machias, where there was a fort and a garrison of fifty United States soldiers under Captain Leonard. There were mounted at this fort ten twenty-four pounders. There were not sufficient troops to resist the British force with effect, therefore the fort was blown up and nearly all the guns were destroyed, and the garrison retreated westward, taking at Frankfort twelve Englishmen prisoners (of a party sent from Castine to capture a cargo of cocoa), whom they carried with them to Salem. They also retook fifty muskets and re- stored them to the citizens.

Half of the British troops were left at Castine, under General Gosselin. Rear-Admiral Milne was in command of the ships that remained. Half the county between the Penobscot and St. Croix was held as conquered ter- ritory, but by the proclamations of Lieutenant General Sherbrooke the people were permitted to enjoy their own law and to attend their customary avocations, provided they submitted peacefully to the British domination; and assurances were given that provisions and supplies for the troops would be paid for.

During the winter the officers in Castine devoted them- selves to pleasure as well as business. They extempo- rized amusements of various kinds, chief among which were theatrical representations. The place was much resorted to as a market, and the business of supplying the troops was quite profitable to the Americans.

A special session of the Legislature convened on Oc- tober 5, to make provision for the public need of the people who had been deprived of their American privi- leges. The November term of the Court of Common Pleas was adjourned from Castine to Bangor, in January ; all deeds were to be recorded at Bangor or Augusta, and all commitments were to be made at Augusta. James Campbell, a Senator from Washington County, and Mar- tin Kinsley, a senator from Hancock, had signed a sub- mission as prisoners of war, and it was made a question whether they could exercise the functions of Senators under such circumstances. General Burgoyne's course was referred to as a precedent. After he was captured he returned to England and took his seat in Parliament. The Senators were not disturbed. It was determined that the State make no effort to remove the British forces from Castine, as the benefit would not be commensurate with the sacrifice that would attend such an attempt ..... ...

Eye-witnesses have preserved accounts of what came under their observation during the visit of the British.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

One who was in the battle said that the line of Blake's militia was upon the pitch of the hill below the academy in Hampden, its left being nearly on the bank of the river and its right on the road; that the fog was so dense that a man could be seen only at a very short distance, and this, with the smoke from the British guns, which was blown by a southerly wind directly into the faces of our men, almost wholly concealed the advancing foe until they were nearly upon them; that he was made a prisoner and kept fourteen hours in the guard-house in Bangor, near Dr. Fiske's store.

Another said that he first saw the redcoats through a break in the fog on the opposite side of Pitcher's Brook, coming down from the Lower Corner; that after they crossed the Brook they deployed to the right and left in coming up the hill; that our cannon fired three rounds each, and he heard a great outcry among the British on the west side of the road, behind a board fence, as if men were killed or wounded, and that it was said that a British captain, who had been in forty pitched battles, was killed; that our force was only six hundred men, while the British force was eight hundred; that the ensign of his company was wounded; that one Oakes, who had been taken by the British, on attempting to escape when the action began, was shot down by them; that a Mr. Reed and others were standing by the Loud house in Orrington, looking upon the British war vessels as they were coming up the river, and being seen were shot at from the vessels; that Reed directed all to lie down on the east side of the house, which they did, and he with them, but his shoulder was raised above the underpin- ning, when a 32-pound shot passed through the house on a level with the floor and took off the exposed shoulder, killing Reed instantly; that the Adams men fired from their battery on the hill near Crosby's Wharf, and cut in two a British barge that was passing up near Ram Island, and destroyed the crew.

Another said that he was a fifer; that his position was about midway between the right and left of the militia; that he recollected Colonel Grant and Major Chamber- lain, and the latter was very brave; that after the flight he found himself at Mr. Lane's, where the women and chil- dren were, and Colonel Grant came there in great trepi- dation' and told him and the other soldiers who were with him that soldiers were not safe there, and they kept on with the Colonel five miles further, where there was no sign or sound of an Englishman.

Another said of John Wilkins, then a resident of Or- rington (who was for many years in offices of trust before and afterward), that when it was understood that the British were coming, he took his gun and went to a bluff on the river for three days successively, to pick off the men on board the vessels ; that he was a fine shot (he had seen him on horseback shoot a partridge), and a man of pluck. It happened, however, that it was foggy when the vessel passed the bluff, and he missed his prey; that afterward he mounted a white horse and rode up the road, and when near Brewer village he was seen and shot at. Upon this he dismounted and led his horse all the way to Bangor. Seeing that he was a lame man, the

British expended no more ammunition upon him, prob- ably deeming it hardly creditable to shoot a cripple. This observer said that a crowd of people were standing near the liberty pole in Orrington, and were seen by the British as they passed, and were fired upon by them, whereupon they cut down the liberty-pole.

Another said that he boarded with Edward Sargent, who occupied the house owned by Hon. Amos M. Roberts when he died, which he was building on State Street, in Bangor; that he carried his sword and equip- ments home and hid them in the rear of the house, and that one of the Selectmen came to him in a state of great excitement and inquired what he had done with his sword. When he told him, he replied: "What do you mean by that ? do you want the town burnt over our heads? Go at once and get it, that it may be surren- dered to the British." As he did not want to be the cause of such a catastrophe, he complied. That a great many personal and domestic articles were plundered from the houses, and, after the enemy left, the toll-house at Kenduskeag Bridge was made a depository for such as were recovered, and a great many men's, women's, and children's garments of all sorts were left there; that a vessel just launched by the Pattens was started for Cas- tine, and grounded. The officer in charge ordered it to be fired, and it was done. Several of the citizens pro- posed to cut a hole in her, that a portion of her timbers might be saved, but Mr. Moses Patten would not permit it, lest some might be shot by the enemy.

Another, who lived among the Holden hills, said the explosion of the "Adams" made a noise like thunder, and the earth there was felt to tremble as if shaken by an earthquake.

The remains of the ship lay upon the beach inside the "Long Wharf" at Hampden for several years, and the copper nails that were mixed with the gravel were a great temptation to the boys to make frequent visits to that locality.

BRITISH ACCOUNTS RELATING TO THE AFFAIR AT HAMPDEN.

The following extract from a private letter dated Cas- tine, September 9, 1814, was received at Halifax a few days after the return of the British from Bangor:

I shall not trouble you with an account of our voyage. Our Flank Companies have just returned from Hampden, a small town about 30 miles from this; at which place the enemy's ship, the Adams, and sev- eral valuable merchant vessels lay secure, as they thought. Hearing of our advance, they blew up the Adams, after taking out all her guns; with which they erected a very strong battery on a wharf commanding the river, and another battery on the hill directly above it; in both there were upwards of 30 pieces of cannon and more than 2,000 men, pouring grape and canister shot upon our brave fellows, who only waited to give them a few volleys, then charged -- and the Yankees ran in every direction. Our loss is but small-1 soldier and I sailor killed; I captain and 5 or 6 soldiers wounded.

The Battalion Companies of the 29 Regt. have gone, under col. Pilkington, to Machias.

Among the prisoners we took a general Blake, who commanded the fort on the hill at Hampden; but captain Morris, of the Adams, made his escape.

Sir John Sherbrook's report of his proceedings at Pe- nobscot is contained in the following dispatch to the Admiralty:

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

DOWNING ST., Oct. 9, 1814.

Major Anderson has arrived with the following despatch from Lieut. Gen. Sherbrook, dated

CASTINE, AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PENOBSCOT, September 18.

MY LORD-I have now the honor to inform your Lordship that after closing my despatch on the 26th ult., in which I mentioned my intention of proceeding to the Penobscot, Rear Admiral Griffith and myself lost no time in sailing from Halifax with such a naval force as he deemed necessary, and the troops as per margin,* to accomplish the object we had in view.

Very early in the morning of the 30th we fell in with the Rifleman sloop-of-war, when Captain Pearse informed us that the United States frigate Adams had got into the Penobscot; but from the apprehension of being attacked by your cruisers if she remained at the entrance of the river, she ran up as high as Hampden, where she had landed her guns and mounted them on shore for her protection.

On leaving Halifax it was my original intention to have taken posses- sion of Machias on my way hither; but on receiving this intelligence, the Admiral and myself were of opinion that no time should be lost in proceeding to our destination, and we arrived here very early on the morning of the Ist instant.

The fort of Castine, which is situated upon a peninsula of the eastern side of the Penobscot, near the entrance of that river, was summoned a little after sunrise; but the American officer refused to surrender it, and immediately opened a fire from four twenty-four-pounders upon a small schooner that had been sent with Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholls (com- manding the Royal Engineers) to reconnoitre the work.

Arrangements were immediately made for disembarking the troops; and before a landing could be effected, the enemy blew up his magazine, and escaped up the Majetaguadous River, carrying off in the boats with them two field-pieces.

As we had no means of ascertaining what force the Americans had on this peninsula, I landed a detachment of Royal Artillery, with two rifle companies of the Sixtieth and Ninety-eighth Regiments, under Colonel Douglass, in the rear of it, with orders to secure the isthmus, and to take possession of the heights which command the town; but I soon learned that there were no regulars at Castine, except the party which had blown up the magazine and escaped, and that the militia which were assembled there had dispersed immediately on our landing.

Rear-Admiral Griffith and myself next turned our attention to obtain- ing possession of the Adams, or, if that could not be done, to destroy- ing her. The arrangements for this service having been made, the Rear- Admiral entrusted the execution of it to Captain Barrie, Royal Navy, and as the co-operation of a land force was necessary, I directed Lieu- tenant-Colonel John, with a detachment of artillery, the flank com- panies of the Twenty-ninth, Sixty-second, and Ninety-eighth Regi- ments, and one rifle company of the Sixtieth, to accompany and co- operate with Captain Barrie on this occasion; but as Hampden is twenty- seven miles above Castine, it appears to me a necessary measure of pre- caution, first, to occupy a post on the western bank, which might afford support, if necessary, to the force going up the river, and at the same time prevent the armed population, which is very numerous to the southward and westward, from annoying the British in their operations on the Adams.

Upon inquiry I found that Belfast, which is upon the highroad lead- ing from Hampden to Boston, and which perfectly commands the bridge, was likely to answer both these purposes, and I consequently directed Major-General Gosselin to occupy that place with the Twenty- ninth regiment, and to maintain it till further orders.

As soon as this was accomplished, and the tide served, Rear-Admiral Griffith directed Captain Barrie to proceed to his destination, and the remainder of the troops were landed that evening at Castine.

Understanding that a strong party of militia from the · neighboring township had assembled at about four miles from Castine, or the road leading to Bluehill, I sent out a strong patrole on the morning of the 2d, before daybreak. On arriving at the place I was informed that the militia of the county had assembled there on the alarm-guns being fired at the fort at Castine upon our first appearance, but that the main body had since dispersed and returned to their respective homes. Some stragglers were, however, left, who fired upon our advanced guard, and then took to the woods; a few of whom were made prisoners.

No intelligence having reached us from Captain Barrie on Saturday night, I marched with about seven hundred men and two light field-

pieces on Buckstown,* at 3 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 4th instant, for the purpose of learning what progress he had made, and of afford- ing him assistance if required. This place is about fifteen miles higher up the Penobscot than Castine, and on the eastern bank of the river. Rear-Admiral Griffith accompanied me on this occasion, and as we had reason to believe that the light guns which had been taken from Castine were secreted in the neighborhood of Buckstown, we threat- ened to destroy the town unless they were delivered up, and the two brass three-pounders on travelling carriages were in consequence brought to us in the course of the day, and are now in our possession.

At Buckstown we received very satisfactory accounts of the success which had attended the force employed up the river. We learned that Captain Barrie proceeded from Hampden to Bangor ; and the Admiral sent an officer in a boat from Buckstown to communicate with him, when finding there was no necessity for the troops remaining longer at Buckstown, they marched back to Castine the next day.

Having ascertained that the object of the expedition up the Penobscot had been attained, it was no longer necessary for me to occupy Bel- fast; I, therefore, on the evening of the 6th, directed Major-General Gosselin to embark the troops and join me here.

Machias being the only place now remaining where the enemy had a post between Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Bay, I ordered Lieu- tenant-Colonel Pilkington to proceed with a detachment of Royal Ar- tillery and the Twenty-seventh Regiment to occupy it; and as naval as- sistance was required, Rear-Admiral Griffith directed Captain Parker, of the Tenedos, to co-operate with Lieutenant-Colonel Pilkington on this occasion. .

On the morning of the 9th, Captain Barrie, with Lieutenant-Colonel John and the troops which had been employed with him up the Penob- scot, returned to Castine. It seems the enemy blew up the Adams, on his strong position at Hampden being attacked ; but all his artillery, two stand of colors, and a standard, with several merchant vessels, fell into our hands. This, I am happy to say, was accomplished with very little loss on our part; and your Lordship will preceive, by the return sent herewith, that the only officer wounded in this affair is Captain Gell, of the Twenty-ninth Grenadiers.

Signed,

J. C. SHERBROOK.

The following papers are of interest as part of the his- tory of the British occupation :

Proclamation by Lieutenant-General Sir John C. Sherbrook, K. B., commanding a body of His Brittanic Majesty's land forces, and Edward Griffith, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White, commanding a squadron of His Majesty's ships, now arrived in the Penobscot.

This is to notify unto all whom it may concern, that the municipal laws, as established by the American Government for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in that part of the District of Maine lying be- tween the Penobscot River and Passamaquoddy Bay, will continue in force until further orders; and the civil magistrates are permitted to execute the laws as heretofore, and shall be supported in so doing.

By command, T. F. ADDISON, Military Secretary.

CHARLES MARTYR, Naval Secretary.

5th September, 1814.

GENERAL POST-OFFICE, September 26, 1814.

Sundry Post-offices in the District of Maine being possessed or under the control of the public enemy, and it being possible that others may be in the same situation, it is hereby ordered that the Postmaster (at the nearest safe post-office to those offices so possessed or con- trolled by the enemy) detain, open, and account for the mails address to them in the same manner as if addressed to his own office. When- ever it shall become safe to forward mails to such Post-offices, the let- ters and papers remaining undelivered are to be remailed and forwarded immediately to their place of destination, either by special express at the expense of this office, or by the regular carrier.

R. J. MEIGS, JR., Postmaster-General.

Proclamation by Major-General Gosselin, commanding his Britannic Majesty's forces between the River Penobscot and the former boun- dary at New Brunswick, etc.

To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting :

Whereas, his Brittanic Majesty's forces have taken possession in full the territory lying between the same river and the boundary line of the Province of New Brunswick, including Long Island and the other islands near, and contiguous to the shores thereof ; and, whereas, it has been deemed expedient to require from the male inhabitants above

*First Company Royal Artillery, two rifle companies of the Seventh Battalion, Sixtieth Regiment, Twenty-ninth, Sixty-second, and Ninety- eighth Regiments,

7 Now Bucksport.

HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

569

sixteen years of age, residing within the said district, to take an oath of allegiance to his said Majesty, or an oath that they will peaceably and quietly demean and conduct themselves while inhabiting and resid- ing in the territory lying on the eastern side of the River Penobscot, or any part thereof ; and they will not carry arms, harbor British deserters, nor carry intelligence to the King's enemies, or in any respect act in any hostile manner to his Brittanic Majesty, or any of his subjects, dur- ing the present war between Great Britain and the United States of America :

Know ye, therefore, that I have constituted, deputed, and by these presents do constitute, depute, and appoint the Selectmen of Sullivan, commissioners to administer the oaths of allegiance, or the oath of neutrality herein before mentioned, to all such male persons inhabiting within the said district, above the age of sixteen years aforesaid, and the said commissioners are hereby enjoined and required to keep regu- lar rolls or records of all the names of such persons as shall take either of the said oaths aforesaid, to which rolls the persons taking the said oaths are to be required to subscribe their names; giving and hereby granting to the said commissioners full power and authority to perform the matters and things herein before mentioned, ratifying and confirm- ing all and whatsoever the said commissioners shall lawfully do by vir- tue hereof.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 141

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