USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > Sketches of the history of the town of Camden, Maine; including incidental references to the neighboring places and adjacent waters > Part 4
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Neither was this the sequel to the memorable marauding transaction. About twenty-five years after the occurrence, Long was again in Camden, and meeting Leonard Metcalf in the street, recognized him and extended his arm to shake hands with him, when Metcalf rejoined, " Let every dog shake his own paw," and pointing to the burned timbers of the mill, he continued. " There, look at that mill, sir," and as Long turned his head, Metcalf' struck him a stunning blow in the face with his fist, which knocked him over, when he finished the payment of the old score by giving him a severe pommeling. Col. Eras- tus Foote hearing the fracas, run out of his office to see what it was, when Metcalf explained the matter. Foote knowing the antecedents of the case, laughed heartly, and declared the retaliation to be just, and handing Metcalf a dollar, bade him go and drink his health on the strength of it.
Near the same period, (about the year 1779.) Megunticook was again visited by the enemy. An American coaster being pursued by a British barge, containing about twelve men, was run ashore at Ogier's Cove, when the alarm was given to Met- calf, residing in that vicinity, who alarmed the neighboring settlers. They soon came to the rescue, and secreting them- selves in ambush with the vessel's crew, awaited the enemy's
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approach. When within shooting distance, a volley from three of the settler's guns held them in check. Metcalf then ran out from the thicket and fired at them, when he would return, load again, and repeat the act. The enemy being kept at bay by their lives thus being put in jeopardy, concluded to withdraw. The settlers the next day. thinking the enemy would return to take the prize when the tide should be favorable, mustered those in the vicinity of Goose River, and awaited their appearance, but the English did not think it proper to renew the attempt. On the next rising tide, the vessel sailed for her destination.
On this, or some similar occasion, the Scottish commander at Biguyduce, Gen. Campbell, dispatched his son in an armed vessel to burn the settlement, but finding nothing but scattered log-huts, the Colonel excused his non-compliance with his father's orders by declaring that he " would n't risk the life of a man for all the soo hooses [pig sties] there was in the place."
Eaton in his " Annals of Warren," inspeaking of the period under review, and referring to the history of this town, gives an account of the following transaction : " A kind of tavern, in a log-house, was kept at Clam Cove by Wm. Gregory, a jolly, light-minded man, much fonder of a merry story than a political discussion, and more eager to amass a fortune than maintain the rights of either country. He was reckoned a tory, and his house frequented by illicit traders ; though he was often plun- dered by both parties. On one occasion, about this time, a knocking was heard at night at his door. He, answering, was requested to open his door to a friend ; when as he did so, in rushed a file of men, all, excepting the commander, speaking a foreign tongue, probably the Scotch highland. They inquired if two deserters, whom they described, were in his house; and being satisfied they were not, compelled Gregory to go with them as a guide, to the ferry at Thomaston. On their arrival, the boats were all on the other side ; but, after a little talk not understood, one stripped off his clothes in an instant, notwith- standing the coldness of the weather, and plunging in, soon returned with a boat. Leaving him to dress and warm himself as he could, the rest went over to Watson's house, found the de- derters, returned to Clam Cove, and embarked before the dawn."
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Number VI.
The Majorbiguyduce expedition-Volunteers from Camden-Embar- kation-Arrive at Biguyduce-The skirmish-Saltonstall-The defeat- Americau deet destroyed-The retreat-A party pass through Camden- The fortideation on Pine HIN-Camden as an asylum-Oath of allegiance offered the Americans-Belfast evacuated-Settlers flee to Camden-The encampment at Clam Cove-Names of officers-A force stationed at the Harbor under Burton-A " shaving mill" visits Goose River-Incident- A battle among the bears-The ranger bear killed-A white faced bear killed.
A S the British took possession of Biguyduce (Castine) on the 12th of June, 1779, Massachusetts soon after formed the scheme of dislodging them. A force of 1200 men were to be raised severally in the counties of Cumberland and Linecin, in the latter of which, Camden was then embraced.
Among the number who were drafted from this place, we find on the Pay-roll in the See. office, Boston, the names of William Gregory, Peter Ott, Andrew Wells, and Leonard Metcalf. After being mustered at Townsend, they were drilled for two days under Generals Wadsworth and Lovell, previous to embarking in the flotilla, which consisted of 19 armed vessels and 24 transports, at the head of which, was the frigate Warren of 32 guns. The whole fleet was under the command of Commodore Saltonstall. They arrived at Biguyduce on the 25th of July, but on account of the surf occasioned by a brisk wind, they did not land for two days. On the morning of the 28th, as they affected a landing, a brisk fire was opened upon them by the eremy. The only accessible place of ascent was up a precipice 200 feet high, up which one company of our men ascended amidst a deadening volley from the enemy, while two other companies deployed to the right and lett. As they gained the heights, the enemy fied to their fort, leaving behind them 20 killed, wounded and taken prisoners, while our loas in the 20
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minutes' skirmish numbered 100. Instead of following up their success, our force threw up a breastwork about 700 yards from the fort where they made their stand, and thus enabled the enemy to strengthen their position-for they were on the point of surrendering. We will not here go into the details of our unfortunate expedition. but would briefly state that after fruit- lessly spending a fortnight in petty skirmishes, governed by the traitorous counsels of the detestable Com. Saltonstall, the ene- my's fleet from Halifax under Sir Geo. Collier, carrying 200 guns and 1,500 men, entered the Bay. * " A retreat was immediately ordered by Gen. Lovell, and so conducted during the night by Gen. Wadsworth, that the whole of the American troops were embarked undiscovered."t Saltonstall soon de- stroyed his fleet by running some aground and burning them, and others by blowing them up with powder, until the fate of them all was thus sealed. # With a scant supply of provisions, our marines and soldiers shaped their course for the Kennebec. A portion guided by a compass led the way for succeeding parties through the woods to Fort Halifax-opposite to Water- ville-by spotting the trees. It took one party of which we know particularly, six days to reach the Kennebec. They spent two days in crossing one cedar swamp as there were spotted trees on both sides of it made by the preceding party who divided there, one part going on the east and the other other on the west of it, thus causing the subsequent party to go round it -several times. The next division of the main force followed the shore and passed through Belfast and Camden.
* Fer an English description of the Majorbiguyduce expedition. see a book in Harvard College library, entitled " The Seige of Penobscot, containing s journal of the Proceedings of his Majesty's Forces against the Rebels in July, 1779." written by a British ofcer. In this book is John Calef's " Chart of Penobscot," which gives the plan of operations of the two contending forces, the positions of the batteries, armies, ships, &c. See also Whipple's " Mut. of Acadie, Fenotscot Bay and River," from p. 35 to as; and Botta's History, vol. ii., p. 102-109.
+ Will. Hist. of Maine.
# So reprehensible was the Commodore's conduct in the sight of the people, that he was cashiered by the Court of Enquiry in the following September. Voluminous details of the investigation will be found in the Masz. Stata House.
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When they reached this settlement they were much fatigued and hungry. Seeing a churn of buttermilk at the door of Mr. Richards' house they soon disposed of it, and ate raw green peas and whatever they could get that was at all eatable. This party only numbered about 40, and belonged principally in this section of the State. Just before the Majorbiguyduce expedi- tion, Gen. George Ulmer (of Ducktrap) threw up a slight timber breastwork on the summit of Pine Hill, at Clam Cove, * which mounted only one 18 pounder ; and after our deteat. Camden was looked to by the friends of freedom on the Penobscot for protection. as will soon appear. As soon as the British gained possession of the Peninsular, Capt. Brewer and others with their families, from along Penobscot river, procured a passage on board a vessel to Camden, t which Gen. Ulmer took command of. At the same time, rather than to take the British cath of allegiance, ; the inhabitants of Belfast to a man lett their homes and came to Camden. They arrived here on the morning of the 15th of August. Only about half a dozen families remained in Camden, while the remainder went to Warren, Saco; Bristol, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The principal part of those who halted in Camden, found quarters at Clam Cove at the house of Tollman, Gregory and others, and at the Harbor at the house of Richards, and at the River, at the house of the Thorndikes and others. The barracks at Clam Cove were
* A few months since we visited Pine Hill to see if there were any traces of the fortification, but not a vestige of it was to be seen; the logs of it remained until 1:37. Grare and chain shot, have been found near the site of the old fort, and some near the place of the barracka, lately. The prospect of the surrounding scenery was one of the most commanding that could be obtained for many miles distance, and consequently a better situation for a fortress was not obtainable in this vicinity.
+ Although this town was not incorporated until 1791, yet it was known by the name of Camden several years before its incorporation, and particularly during the Revolution, of which we shall speak in the proper place. From this time we shall call it by the name it then went by, viz :- Camden.
¿ The British oath of allegiance tendered to the American people by Brig. Gen. McLean at this time. will be found in the " Seige of Penob- scot," p. 30: a counter proclamation by Gen. S. Lovell, issued the next month, whi also be found in the bock.
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half a mile from the fort, and were situated just back of where Mr. John Gregory's barn now stands. Besides the barracks, (which might more properly be called a shed, as it was merely a temporary structure.) Mr. Gregory's barn was appropriated for the use of the soldiers, and to many of those who fled here for safety. Half of Mr. Gregory's log house was occupied by the officers, and as he soon after built another cabin down towards the pond, he gave them possession of the whole house, and removed into his new one.
The force stationed at the Cove numbered 200 men, of which Gen. Ulmer was chief in command. Among the officers were Lient. Kelloch, (of Warren.) and Capt. Blunt. John Marsh of Orono was the Indian interpreter, as we had also a company of Penobscot Indians connected with our force there. Mr. John Gregory, now 89 years of age, well recollects having seen the Indians frequently play ball near the barracks, as it was one of their favorite diversions, The Indians under the juris- diction of Mr. Marsh, (he being a general interpreter to the Government,) were those embraced in the territory between Maine and Rhode Island. His family lodged in the barracks, and while there, his son Benjamin, who now resides in Orono, was born Oct. 29, 1780. Wm. Gregory, on whose land the barracks were, acted as commissary. At the same time the encampment was established at Clam Cove, Lieut. Benj. Benton was stationed at Camden Harbor with a small force. As the settlers of Belfast left their corn and other grain standing in their fields, Peletiah Corthell was dispatched in a boat to go up and gather a load. Filling the boat with corn, he returned without molestation.
On the 14th of August, 1779, a " shaving mill " containing a crew of 12 men came to Goose River, in quest of the settlers' live stock. At the time they landed, the men, Robt. and Paul Thorndike, were gone over to the mill at Westkeag. The marauders first indicated their appearance by shooting a calf in the back yard. Mrs. Thorndike, thinking one of her sons had been shot by them, seized her child, James, then three weeks old. and rousing another, a daughter, who was asleep, she rushed for the woods just back of the house, and there she remained
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secreted until morning, when, with trembling step she cautiously approached her house to find that its contents were left un- harmed. On such alarms the settlers and their families gener- ally fled to the woods for safety, as their resistance would be but feeble and useless against an armed foe of superior numbers.
About this time occurred the following bear incident : Late in the afternoon, one day. the wife of James Richards heard a terrible noise unon the mountain, and looking out of the door the cause was discernable,-it proved to be a battle between a large ranger bear and one of the common kind. As soon as ber busband returned home, she notified him of the occur- rence, when he replied, " Well, I'll have a merry time with them in the morning." He bowever concluded to go out with his gun, accompanied by his little dog ; and on coming up by the mountain, on the westerly side, he saw traces of blood, and approaching still nearer, a large piece of ledge was covered · with the purple gore. The ranger bear, it appears, had the conflict with two others, which he mastered and killed, and when Mr. R. arrived he had partly devoured one of them. Creeping up behind a large tree, unperceived by bruin, Mr. R. discharged his piece at him, and awaited the result. Writh- ing in an agony of pain, bruin tore up the earth, wrenched up and broke the roots of trees, and finally with a mouth full of foam, he stretched himself and expired. An old settler, in describing his great size, tells us that " one of his fore paws filled a peck measure."
An other bear, having a white face-the only such ever seen here-was shot near the same time by Mr. Richards and Leonard Metcalf, upon Mount Batty.
At the risk of being digressive, we have endeavored to pre- sent occurrences in the order of time in which they occurred, as we shall continue to do, that we may thus be enabled to present to the mind of the reader a correct continuous sketch of our history.
HISTORY OF CAMDEN. 48
Number VII.
Capture of an East Indiaman by Capt. Tucker-Chased by Capt. Mowett -Robt. Thorndike taken as pilot -- Runs into New Meadows-Blockaded- Escapes-Runs into Salem-Thorndike rewarded-Another chase-An English and an American Privateer at Goose River-John Harkness' exploit-Heroism of Miss Ott-The Dark Dar-Penobscot Bay frozen over-Long the Tory taken prisoner-Peace declared-Reception of the news-A jubilant time-Toasts given-A reflection.
0 NE of our first settlers having been an actor in the fol- lowing interesting episode of the Revolution, we will here incorporate it with the sketches of the period under review.
Capt. Samuel Tucker of Marblehead, while cruising in the vicinity of Bluehill, in an American privateer, fell in with a Danish built English merchantman, or as she was called, an . East Indiaman, which was bound from Halifax to Biguyduce with a rich cargo of East India goods. With but little resistance Tucker captured her as a prize, and immediately shaped bis course for Penobscot Bay. In the meantime, Capt. Mowett,- of infamous celebrity,-being apprised of the capture, forthwith started in an armed vessel from Biguyduce, in pursuit of the privateer and prize. Tucker, while sailing among the islands abreast of Camden, came across a fishing craft, on board of which was Robt. Thorndike of Camden. Against his remnon- strances, Thorndike was taken by Tucker to act as his pilot. Being closely pursued and fired at by Mowett, the privateer was piloted up to New Meadows, (near Harpswell) and passing in by the ledges was embayed in a place where Mowett could not approach. Fearful of the Indians on one side and the shoal water on the other, Mowett dared not risk the chances of man- ning a barge, for the odds would be against him, and so he concluded to blockade the entrance until assistance could arrive. Tucker verily thought it was a gone case with him, and feared
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after all, be should be captured and the prize retaken. But Thorndike, who knew perfectly well the coast, assured him that if he remained until the next dark night, he (Thorndike.) would guide him safely out. After being blockaded for three days. it began towards night to rain and thicken up dark. A good north-east wind springing up, they sailed out nobly, and steered their course for Portlanil. Mowett the next day began to senich for our Yankee captain by sailing towards Portland, (then called Falmouth, which he burned during the Revoluiton,) and caught sight of him when at Cape Elizabeth, soon after which Tucker with bis prize run into Salem.
Thorndike. invested with the authority of prize master, was lett on board alone with an empty iron-bound chest, with the implied understanding that he might fill it with whatever he pleased as a remuneration for his services. But, regarding the whole transaction in the light of piracy, he declined accept- ing the liberal offer thus made him. The vacant chest was soon after lowered into a boat and carried ashore. The goods were then transported by land to Boston, and there disposed of. However. before Thorndike left, he was so liberally com- pensated as to fuel perfectly satisfied.
A short time afterwards, Capt. Tucker went as commander of a soon-of-war, carrying thirty-six guns, called the " Boston." Being dispatched to search for and capture Mowett, he came to Goose River, where he took Thorndike on board as pilot. On reaching Cranberry Islands he found some tories, or spies, had disclosed his plan to Mowett, which information enabled the British commander to escape, and caused the abandonment of the desin.
At about this time, an American privateer of about forty tuns captured an English privateer of about the same size, and brought the prize and prisoners into Goose River. Indicative of the hard and sanguinary conflict they had been engaged in, were their decks, which were covered with blood, and their spars ri billed with shot, and their bulls perforated with balls, many of' which were so embedded ay would almost seems to constitute their sides impenetrable to further broadside charges.
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After undergoing necessary repairs, the prize and prisoners were carried to Portland.
During this period occurred a daring exploit of John Hark- News. NAO se. Val Sp a Heutenaar at the battle of Lexington and Butter Him, and by being disabled, came and settled of Gross River. At this time he was anmarried, and dwelt in a log cabin alone. A clan of British marauders coming ashore in quest of plunder, found their way to his cabin. Harkness being absent, they rifled his cabin of its most valuable contents, in- cluding his gun, and carried them down to the barge. Leaving three men to guard the boat. the rest of the clan went in search of other booty. While thus guarding their ill-gotten gain, Harkness discvoered them from the opposite side of the river, and crossing the stream, he uncuservedly approached them, and coming out of the thicket by the river's site unarmed, they were not at all apprehensive o. any danger from a single man in his situation. Jumping into the barge, Le seized his gun, when they attempted to approach to wrest it from him, but instantly cocking .it, he levelled it at the head of one of the marauders, and threatened them if they moved their guns, a life would pay the forfeit. With his gun thus aimed at one of their number, he began to pace backwards on the shore, until he disappeared among the woods, leaving his astonished ravagers to attempt a hazardons pursuit, or content themselves with escaping the merited charge of his musket.
Elizabeth Ott, who subsequently became Harkness' wife, was not less valiant than be. At near the same time of the above exploit, a " shaving mill " visited the same settlement, and the plunderers went to the inn of Peter Ott, + which was situated between Goose River and Clam Cove, on the spot now occupied by Jefferson Smith's house. The marauders went into the cellar, and were drawing off some liquor, when Miss Ott came flown and indignantly exclaimed : " Stop, yon villains ! let that alone "" As they took no heed of her words, she rushel for-
* Mr. Oit came over from Germany with the setthuis of Bro,el Bay, ( Waldoboro.) but finding the flattering inducements Waldo offered the settlers to be greatly exaggerated, he came to Camden at the time before stated, in Number Iv,
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ward and stayed the flow of the liquor, by placing her hand upon the aperture. One of the men presented a pistol at her head, when she knocked it aside with the other hand, and persisted in protecting her father's property. Her fearless per- sistency had the effect of saving what timidity would have lost.
1780, May 19th, occurred the " Dark Day," so celebrated throughout New England, which is well remembered by a number of our most aged citizens. One informs us, that his father was plowing in the field at the time, and the darkness was so great that he unyoked his oxen and drove them into the barn. In the house, his mother had to light a candle. The hens retired to roost, and different kinds of animals laid down to rest, as at the usual approach of night. Some, thinking the final day of doom was at hand, were seized with trepidation and alarm, which was only dispelled by the appearance of returning day. *
The winter of 1780 being very severe, Lieut. Benj. Burton, then stationed at Camden Harbor, went over to Castine on the ice with a flag of truce, to obtain the release of a young man by the name of Libby of Warren, who had been taken from an American schooner as a prisoner the preceding fall. Succeed- ing in his mission, Burton returned with Libby in the same manner.
During the year 1781 Capt. John Long, the notorious tory before mentioned, was captured in this town, (at the Harbor.) and carried as a prisoner to Boston, under charge of Philip Robbins of Union. Sibley, in his History of Union, in speaking of the event, says, " His (Robbins') bill bearing date of May 1, to May 5, 1781, so great was the depreciation of the conti- nental currency paper, amounted to £128 2s., including she charge to meet the expenses on his return. Long afterwards escaped. Robbins took him again and carried him back."
Anticipations of the termination of the war greatly relieved the minds of our people when the provisional articles of peace were agreed upon with ( Freat Britain, on the Deth of Nov , 1782, by which that power acknowledged our national independence.
* Opinions on the cause of the Dark Day will be found in a letter from Judge Sam'l Tenney in the Diass. Hist. Coll., vol. 1, pags @%.
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But, when the news of the definite treaty of peace was received, which was signed at Paris the ed of Sept., 1783, anticipation was turned into realization, and acclamations of general joy succeeded the announcement of the glad intelli- gence. On the reception of the glad tidings in Camden, the lone 18 pounder on the summit of Pine Hill belched forth the report in tones like thunder, when the British at Biguyduce caught the sound and echoed it back again. At this signal, most of the male inhabitants of Camden, together with a dozen officers and privates from C'am Cove, expressive of their gladsome feelings, assembled at the loss house of Robi. Thora- dike at Goose River, (Rockport.) where preparations were made for celebrating the occasion. It was then customary at inost all civil gatherings to enkindle the feelings by potations from " the flowing bowl," and consequently it is not at all strange that our early settlers on the present occasion if ever, should indulge in the common custom." The actions of men are to be judged by the light of the influence with which they are surrounded, and hence no further apologies are here required for the way our patriot settles gave vent to the ebullition of their feelings at the success of their country's cause. A hogs- bert way tapped, on the head of which was branded the name of " Rum." After partaking of a feast of bread, cheese and il h, the company then passed around the " occaba," and drank to the health of the prominent actors in the struggle that had just achieved our national independence. As they marched around the hogshead, drinking of its contents and growing more merry under its influence, the toasts were multiplied to such an extent as would make our country verily a paradise in case the sentiments expressed were realized. Among the toasts given, we will give the following sample, which, withal, seems to smack somewhat of the maudlin condition of the one who gave it :-
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