History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875, Part 40

Author: Williamson, Joseph, 1828-1902; Johnson, Alfred, b. 1871; Williamson, William Cross, 1831-1903
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Portland : Loring, Short and Harmon
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Maine > Waldo County > Belfast > History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875 > Part 40

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1 Crosby's Annais.

2 Letter from Houston to General Knox, June 26, 1801, in Library New England Historic Gen. Society.

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MILITARY HISTORY FROM 1784 TO 1815.

spatched to the place of attack. They returned the following day with seven suspected persons, "having surprised them in the night." "After refreshing the troops," wrote General Ulmer to General Knox, "the prisoners were placed under a strong guard, and the troops dismissed; and I am in hopes there will not be a call for them at present. I took charge of the guard last night, the officers being very much fatigued, and was relieved this morn- ing by Captain Knowlton, whom I directed about three o'clock to proceed to Castine with the prisoners, supposing that, if any at- tempt at rescue was made, it would be done to-night. They have sailed with a good wind, and this town again assumes the appear- ance of tranquillity."1

Upon learning of the outrage, Knox wrote Houston as fol- lows : -

(TO ROBERT HOUSTON.)

THOMASTON, 26th June, 1801. 1

DEAR SIR, - Captain Knowlton will show you his communica- tions, and my answer. The former affair will be taken up by the Supreme Court ; and, if you can get evidence of the last vile act, the perpetrators, if you have them, or can get them, will be tried the next week.

Let every thing be done legally and effectually, and be confident that all expenses will be paid by the government, or, in their fail- ure, by me.

I wish you would give me a particular account of the last affair by the post.

I am, dear sir, your humble servant, H. KNOX.2

The prompt measures taken proved effectual, and no further disturbance upon the lands of General Knox took place, although frequent trespasses are reported by Houston as late as 1804.8

1 Letter from General Ulmer to General Knox, dated Belfast, June 26, 1801. Ibid. A resolve of the General Court in 1802 allowed $241.91 to Captain Knowlton and his militia company, " for pursuing and taking up sundry persons concerned in riotously opposing and firing upon a surveyor and others."

2 Original letter, among Knox Papers, in Library N. E. Hist. Gen. Soc.

8 Wheeler's History Castine, p. 156, gives a letter from General Crosby, of Hamp- den, to Colonel J. Wardwell, of Penobscot, dated June 29, 1804, which states "that an insurrection has broken out in the settlement west of Belfast, and the insurgents threaten to burn the town of Belfast," and ordering him to " have fifty men equipped and ready to march." I can find no other reference to the matter, after careful search in the State Departments in Boston.

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HISTORY OF BELFAST.

But in the plantation of Greene, now Belmont and Morrill, which belonged to Benjamin Joy, of Boston, difficulties between settlers and agents constantly occurred. Some of these settlers, disguised as Indians, resisted officers attempting to serve legal process, and were known as the "Greene Indians." "The lawyers who brought suits of ejectment for proprietors against them," says Governor Crosby, " and the officers employed in their service, resided in this place, and it was not strange that they were re- garded by the squatters as in league with the proprietors, who were adopting measures which in their view were unjust and oppressive ; neither was it strange under the circumstances that there should exist to some extent a feeling of hostility against Belfast."1 This statement is necessary in explanation of a local excitement which pervaded the little community here for the greater part of a night, and which is still referred to occasionally as the "Greene Indian War: " it might, with much greater pro- priety, be styled the "Greene Indian Scare." There is some slight difference in the recollection of our oldest inhabitants as to the time when it occurred : the conclusion arrived at is that it was in 1807.

One of the most prominent of the settlers in the plantation had been arrested by an officer residing here for an alleged breach of the peace, or violation of the law, and brought here on his way to the jail at Castine. It was late in the day, and, the wind being un- favorable for the packet to cross the bay, he was placed in charge of keepers for the night. Such an event was not of frequent oc- currence, and of itself created some little excitement : that excite- ment was increased by a report which began to circulate about sunset, that men disguised as Indians had been seen skulking in the woods, and stealing across the road just beyond Wilson's Hill. Fuel was added to the fire by still another report, purporting to come from "out back," that the Greene Indians were coming in to rescue the prisoner and burn the village. A remark from the prisoner, to the effect that his keepers wouldn't keep him more than fifteen minutes after midnight, fanned the fire; and when soon after dark the report of a gun here and there in the woods,

1 Yet Houston writes General Knox, Feb. 20, 1804, that "notices concerning tres- passers, which were posted in some of the public stores in Belfast, did not stand hut one night. I asked the owners the reason : they plead in [nocence], and said they could not tell me ; but the fact is there are a number of traders in Belfast that are connected with these aggressors. I am suspicious of the counsel in Belfast, suspect some of them to be committed in some measure." Original letter in Library N. E. Hist. Gen. Soc.

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MILITARY HISTORY FROM 1784 TO 1815.

or among the stumps on the side-hill, was heard, the whole village was ablaze. The fighting men turned out fully armed and equipped, pickets were sent out, guards stationed, and every precautionary measure taken to guard against a surprise, and to repel any attack that might be made. One highly excited individual, intent on rallying to the front every available man, came upon another of more phlegmatic temperament, who was very deliberately mix- ing his glass of toddy. Seizing the glass, he poured forth a torrent . of abuse on the head of the offender, whom he denounced as reck- less of duty in the hour of peril, poured the contents of the glass down his own throat, and started on the search for other delin- quents. Another one, of equally nervous temperament, was ob- served to start whenever a report louder or nearer than ordinary reached his ears, and load his gun. On examination the following morning, it was found to contain seven charges: farther examina- tion disclosed that there was no flint in the lock !

As the night wore on, some of the cooler and clearer-headed, discovering that " the mirth and fun grew fast and furious " among the mirth-loving portion of their younger townsmen, began like Hndibras to " smell a rat," and stole quietly off to their homes. Others, however, of more ardent temperament, continued to main- tain their stations and stand to their arms; and it was not until day dawned that the suspicion began to dawn on their minds that somebody had been terribly hoaxed! Such was the fact; for during the whole of that eventful night every Greene Indian in the plantation had been sleeping quietly under his own roof, never dreaming of any invasion of Belfast save with a goadstick in his hand, and a horse or oxen drawing a load of cordwood or shingles, with no thought of plunder beyond the market value of his load in salt fish, pork, and " New England." 1

This ludicrous affair was commemorated in burlesque rhyme, by one Joseph Dolliff,2 of Belmont. The following stanzas are all that have been preserved :-

1 Crosby's Annals.

2 An old settler here, who claims to remember him, says that he was " a harmless, inoffensive man, who lived at or near the place called 'Belmont Lower Corner,' who sometimes had a few shingles to sell, which he brought to Belfast for market." An- other, who claims an equally early acquaintance with him, says that he "was a man of quick wit, rich humor, and wonderful facility in stringing together verses in which there was apt to be more reason than rhyme, and but little to spare of either; and that he usually found in this locality ampler field for the development of muse and muscle than he did at home." His poetical effusions, like those of Homer, were not reduced to writ- ing in their day, but have been transmitted orally from generation to generation. - Crosby's Annals.

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HISTORY OF BELFAST.

THE GREENE INDIAN WAR. Good people, all, both great and small, Give ear to what I write, I'll tell you where a dreadful war Took place the other night.

In Belfast town some guns did sound, Which struck like death's alarm; It was no jest, for sure the " Priest " Did call all hands to arms.

" Arise ! arise ! " Priest Johnson 1 cries, " And every man prepare! Down from the hill the Indians will Two hundred soon appear.

" They are so thick, our town will quick In ashes soon be laid; Give me a gun, for they have come Our city to invade."

Quite out of breath, he called, " Nesmith," As loud as he could bawl,

" Down from the hill, the Indians will Come soon and slay you all."

Soon as the Squire 2 did hear them fire, He bid his " boy " to rise ;

He says, " Be sure my trunk secure, There all my treasure lies.

"James, take this trunk, and skip and jump, And to McFarland's & run;

And don't you stop, nor give it up, If death and hell should come.

" Tell Mac to rise, and wipe his eyes, That he may see more clear, And call all hands to our big guns, And beat up volunteers."

Some murder cried, some groaned and cried, Some that the earth did quake ;. The girls and boys made such a noise, The elements seemed to shake.

1 Rev. Alfred Johnson. 2 James Nesmith, usually called " Squire Nesmith." 8 Captain Ephraim McFarland.

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MILITARY HISTORY FROM 1784 TO 1815.

The Squire limped round and called for Brown, " Come, fight the Indians, come." Says Brown, " I'd fight with all my might, If I only had some rum."

" Well," said the Squire, " 'tis my desire . That all should have some rum, And brandy, too, if that will do; So let the liquors run."

As quick as thought, the men all met; And though the night was cold, The moon did shine, they formed a line, And then they called the roll.

ROLL CALL. John Haraden, John Huse, John Angier, George Bruce, John Wilson, John Wales, John Moore and John Gales.

Bohan P. Field and Sargent Ben Eells, Brave Eben Colburn and valiant Sam Spring, Every Patterson and White went in for the fight, Browns, Durhams, and Millers were all mustered in.

And at this sudden blast of war, These gallant men came forth, All equipped from shoulder to hip, With shot-bags, horns, and so forth.

Except Thad. Hubbard, who hid in the cupboard, Old Edmunds who played the hypocrite, While Crosby and Ladd, because their limbs were bad, Got a surgeon's certificate.1

The roll being called, and answered all, They formed in hollow square; And all kneeled down upon the ground, While Priest Johnson went to prayer.

The prayer complete, they sprang to their feet, And swang their hats in air; By shonldering guns, they voted funds To prosecute the war.

1 Asa Edmunds, William Crosby, and Joseph P. Ladd.

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HISTORY OF BELFAST.

Squire Nesmith, with one knee stiff, Took part within the square, By speech and grog, set them agog, With a glow of martial fire.

Then they wheeled their martial ranks, Bold veterans, every man; The limping Squire bro't up in the rear, While the Priest led off the van.

In battalion strong, with fifty men, Besides a corps auxiliary ;

In rear four rods, there marched two squads, With McFarland's old artillery.

To risk their lives, protect their wives, They all marched off to war; And such a fight took place that night Was never known before.

John Russ now comes without a gun, An Indian " he would kill; "

He took a stake their heads to break, Priest Johnson cries, " Be still.

" Don't you go nigh, for you will die, If you the Indians meet; " He says to all, " I heard a ball, Let's make our best retreat."

The Priest turned round, His army'd fled;

Then falling down upon the ground, He pitched heels over head.

He did not stop, nor get him up, But crept upon all fours ; Although so dark, he was so smart, He gained Squire Whittier's door.1

Judge Read now comes, with sword and gun, And ammunition large; The prudent Squire not once did fire, Though seven times did charge.

1 The hotel of Thomas Whittier.

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MILITARY HISTORY FROM 1784 TO 1815.

The next morn, when light appeared, His gun was two-thirds full; Although 'twas cold, I have been told, The judge was " warm as wool."

Then all the host did brag and boast, And all as one did say, " The Indians failed, and we've prevailed, For we have gained the day."

Belfast shared the general gloom which pervaded all the mari- time towns upon proclamation by President Madison, in June, 1812, that war existed between Great Britain and the United States. Our interests were connected with commerce and naviga- tion ; and these, it was foreseen, would be injured, if not destroyed. A large and powerful party throughout the country was utterly opposed to hostilities, and the authorities of several States early withheld aid from the government. New bitterness entered into political contests : the Federalists openly expressed disapproba- tion of the war, while the Republicans denounced their acts as treasonable. Massachusetts with other States at first refused to comply with the demand made upon them for men. The spirit which prevailed here is indicated by the proceedings at a town meeting held July 27, 1812, when it was voted to pass over with- out action the following articles in the warrant :-

" To see if the town will vote any money for the purchase of fire-arms for the use of the town.

"To see if the town will vote any thing to be paid to those de- tached from the militia in this town by Government, in addition to their present pay as allowed by Government.

"To see if the town will authorize those who volunteer them- selves in defence of the town to draw their ammunition from the town stock."

When the war was fairly entered upon, this spirit became modi- fied, and Belfast responded to the requisitions made upon her. The first call of the government for men fixed the quota from Maine at twenty-five hundred, of which our share was thirty- three. Drafting took place in July. The roll of Captain Thomas Cunningham's company of militia, found among the town papers of that year, shows the names of Thomas Bartlett, Sam. Bird, Jr., Josiah Bean, Lemuel R. Gilbert, Stetson West, William Durrell,

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HISTORY OF BELFAST.

Jesse Basford, Charles Hall, Robert Patterson, 2d, Herman Abbot, and Samuel Gates as having been drafted, probably in contempla- tion of service in the event of actual invasion.

During the year 1813, the stern realities of war began to be sensibly felt. Commerce was nearly at an end, and hardly a coaster dared to venture out of the harbor. Our shipping was boarded by British cruisers which hovered along the coast, and in several instances was captured and destroyed. Among the ves- sels from here that shared the latter fate were the sloops " Mary " and " Washington." A brig, whose name is not remembered, laden with spars and beef, was carried to Halifax and condemned. Dur- ing the previous summer, the new brig "Illuminator," owned principally in this town, and commanded by Captain Robert Pat- terson, was captured. Her crew remained prisoners in Halifax about four months, until exchanged.

The boldness of privateers created an alarm for the safety of the town, which induced the selectmen to prepare the following memorial : --

To His Excellency the Governor, and the Honorable Council of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts : -

The Subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Belfast, in the County of Hancock, respectfully represent, in behalf of the In- habitants of said Town, that they are peculiarly exposed to the sudden Depredations of the Enemy, with no other Means of De- fence than two Companies of Militia, and one Company of Artil- lery, with two light Field-Pieces, which are inadequate to resist effectually the Approach of armed Vessels of War of the smallest Class.

The Entrance to our inner Harbor, being but about one-third of a mile in width, is capable of being well defended from the Attacks of Sloops of War, by such a Number of heavy Pieces of Ordnance, as in the Opinion of Military Gentlemen of Informa- tion would be necessary.

They further represent that many Persons in this Town and Vicinity, who are exempt from Military Duty, are ready to volun- teer their Services in Defence of the Town and neighboring Coast, but are unprovided with Arms. They therefore respect- fully request that His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council will take into their Consideration the unprotected State of the said Inhabitants, and grant them such relief in Supplies of

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MILITARY HISTORY FROM 1784 TO 1815.

Ordnance, Arms, and Munitions of War as may be judged ex- pedient. And as in Duty bound, would ever pray.

GEO. WATSON, ) Selectmen of Belfast, in behalf of JON. WHITE, the Inhabitants of said Toun.

BELFAST, April 14, 1818:

This request was not responded to practically, but a company of regular troops was soon after stationed at Castine, which checked incursions of the enemy in this vicinity.

Great hardships were endured by laborers and mariners out of employ, in consequence of the high cost of living, and many were forced to enter the military or naval service.1 The necessaries of life brought almost fabulous prices. Flour, which before the war was sold at eleven dollars per barrel, rose to twenty dollars in 1813; coffee advanced from eighteen cents per pound to thirty- eight; tea from one dollar and eighty cents per pound to three · dollars and ten cents; and molasses from sixty cents to one dollar and a half per gallon. A national tax upon land, imposed by Congress, proved a severe burden, and the year closed for our people in much despondency.

Although by the treaty of 1783, the river St. Croix was desig- nated as the eastern boundary of the United States, yet doubts always arose as to what river was intended. "It might be clearly shown," argued the British agents before the Commissioners, in 1796, " that the river Penobscot, once indiscriminately with other rivers upon this coast called the St. Croix, was the true boundary by which Nova Scotia, or Acadie, was ceded to his Majesty by the treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and ought by the principles of the law of nations to be established as such boundary." The report of the commissioners adverse to this position was reluctantly acquiesced in by Great Britain. Hostilities with the United States afforded an opportunity to renew the question, and to claim that New Brunswick extended to the Penobscot. This question of boun- dary entered largely into the peace negotiations at Ghent, in 1814, between the English and American plenipotentiaries. Pending the negotiations, the enemy determined to take formal possession of the disputed territory ; and on the first day of September, 1814, a fleet of eight vessels of war, with eleven transports, conveying

1 Recruiting offices were established here frequently during the war. Lieutenant Royal D. Simmons, of the 34th Infantry, enlisted sixteen men early in 1814. - N. E. Farmer.

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HISTORY OF BELFAST.

three thousand five hundred troops, arrived at Castine from Hali- fax. At that time, a small American force, under the command of Lieutenant Lewis, was garrisoned at Castine. On the approach of the British, they fired a single round, blew up the fort, and retreated in good order from the peninsula, taking their field- pieces. The town was then invested, and submitted without oppo- sition.

From the heights of Belfast, the arrival of the fleet and the de- struction of the fort were witnessed ; and it was not without agita- tion that three of the vessels were soon seen heading towards our harbor.1 A portion of the fleet proceeded up the Penobscot, in pursuit of the United States corvette "Adams," which was then at Hampden for repairs ; but she was burnt by order of her com- mander, Captain Morris, to prevent capture. As the militia was then assembling at various points, it appeared to be a necessary measure of precaution to occupy a post on the western side of the Bay, which might afford support, if necessary, to the force going up the river, and cut off communication with the southern and western sections of the country. Upon inquiry, the British com- mander found that Belfast, being "upon the high road leading from Hampden to Boston, and which perfectly commands the bridge," was likely to answer both these purposes, and accordingly directed Major-general Gosselin to take post here, with the Twenty- ninth Regiment of foot.2

A light breeze delayed the vessels, and it was late in the after- noon when they arrived.8 They were three in number, the frigate "Burhante " and two transports. The former anchored off Steele's Ledge, the transports came nearer the shore. At about five o'clock, a barge, conveying several officers and a flag of truce, landed on the beach just below where the Foundery Wharf now stands. A large crowd had assembled to witness their arrival. Presenting the flag, the officer in command asked an interview with the chief magistrate of the place, and was conducted by William Moody to Huse's tavern (now the store of S. A. Howes & Co.), where Asa Edmunds, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, was formally presented. The officer then stated that his Majesty's troops were

1 From fear of an engagement, or that the town would be burnt, many persons removed their families and most valuable household goods a few miles out of the vil- lage, some of them as far as Searsmont.

2 Despatch of Lieutenant-general Sherbrook to the English Government.

3 Wiggins Merrill, of Belfast, acted as pilot, by compulsion. After the war, he did not return here until 1839.

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MILITARY HISTORY FROM 1784 TO 1815.

ordered to hold possession of the town for a few days; that, if no molestation took place, the persons and property of the inhabitants would be respected, and that a certain quantity of beef and other provisions were required the next morning, and would be ade- quately paid for. Edmunds replied that he knew of no objection to landing the troops, but that he doubted if the supplies could be furnished in so short a time, adding, "If we had known you were coming, - if you had given us notice, -- we should have been better prepared for you." This reply was supposed at the time to imply that resistance would have been offered, but all that the "chief magistrate " intended was that the want of notice might prevent a seasonable response to the demand for provisions.1 It was said that the somewhat equivocal remark occasioned no slight merriment when reported on board the frigate.

Soon after dusk, the troops disembarked on the same spot where the barge landed. They wore gray fatigue coats, in the place of their red uniforms, which were used on parade. On their caps was the number of their regiment, the Twenty-ninth, called the " Boston Regiment," it being the same that perpetrated the niemorable Boston massacre.2 Preceded by a band of colored musicians, they marched up Main Street to the tune of " The Brit- ish Grenadier."8 General Gosselin was mounted on a chestnut- colored pony. The whole rank and file numbered about seven hundred picked men, of almost equal height. They were just from the Mediterranean, and had served under Wellington. Guards were at once stationed at the westerly end of the bridge, and on the roads leading to Belmont, Northport, and the Narrows. The academy, the west meeting-house, the gun-house, and the barn of Apollos Alden were used as barracks; the old town pound, at the corner of what is now Allyn Street and Northport Avenue, was converted into a fort or battery. Some of the troops en- camped opposite the shipping. General Gosselin occupied the McFarland house,4 then. one of the most prominent residences here. Other officers were quartered at John Wilson's and in the

1 Hon. R. C. Johnson, who was present at the interview.

2 It is said that one man who was at that time a private in that regiment still belonged to it. - Niles's Weekly Register, VII. 281.

3 Locke's Note-Book.

4 A tradition exists that he stabled his pony in the front hall, and that the prints of the hoofs remained for many years. But it ie without foundation. General Gosselin would not have permitted such an act of impropriety. During his military government at Castine, he was respected by all with whom he had intercourse.

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HISTORY OF BELFAST.

Durham house opposite. No inhabitant was interfered with, and no requisitions for provisions made ; 1 but every thing furnished was liberally paid for. A request that liquor should not be sold to the privates was generally complied with. The strictest mili- tary discipline was observed, and every violation of orders pun- ished. For entering a garden without license, a soldier was severely flogged. The British were unacquainted with the topo- graphy of the place, and supposed the lower bridge was the key of Penobscot River. To prevent desertions, the officers repre- sented Belfast as an island, some distance from the main land. One of the picket guards, stationed on Wilson's hill, conceived the idea of visiting the western shore of the island, and started on an exploring expedition in the direction of the setting sun. When the troops departed, he was in Davistown, now Montville, where, as a respectable citizen, he resided until his death.2 A Northport man was detected in aiding one of the sentinels to desert : he was carried to Halifax as a prisoner, and detained until after peace was declared.

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History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875, Part 40

Author: Williamson, Joseph, 1828-1902; Johnson, Alfred, b. 1871; Williamson, William Cross, 1831-1903 Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Portland : Loring, Short and Harmon Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Williamson, Joseph, 1828-1902; Johnson, Alfred, b. 1871; Williamson, William Cross, 1831-1903
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Portland : Loring, Short and Harmon
Number of Pages: 1018