USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
Captain Moor's roll was as follows ;
John Moor, Captain ; Antony Emary, Lieut ; Alexander Todd Ens'g .; Matthew Read, Sergt .; Thomas Read Sergt .; James Moor, Sergt. ; William Spear, Sergt. ; Ezekiel Steel, Corp. ; Samu- el McDuffy, Corp. ; John Rickey, Corp. ; John Spear, Corp. ; Robt. Cochran, Theophalas Harvey, Barber Lesly, William Campble, James Onail, Robt. Tawddle, John McCordy, Thomas Gregg, Joshua Rowlings, Thomas Hutchings, Robt. Edwards, Edward Carns, Alex. McClary, Robt. Smith, David Vance, Robt. Kennade, Robt. McKeen, James Bean, John Cunning- ham, Samuel Boyde, John Crage, James Oughterson, Michael Johnson, John Logan, Robt. Morrel, John McNight, John Welch, James Ligget, John Mitchel, Daniel Toword, Esa Ste- vens, Mark Care, (or Kary,) Samuel Miller, Edward Bean, Will- iam Kenniston, James Baley, Nathaniel McKary.
The regiment had it srendezvous at Stevenstown, subsequent- ly Salisbury, and in that part of the town next the Merrimack, now constituting a part of Franklin. There was a fort at this place for the protection of the inhabitants against the Indians,
297
N. H. REGIMENT AT STEVENSTOWN.
it being the extreme outpost on our northern frontier. It was subsequently known and designated as "The old Salisbury Fort." Its location is thus minutely described by the Hon. Daniel Webster, in a letter to the writer, bearing date, Novem- ber 3, 1S51;
"The Salisbury Fort stood in my field, on an eminence or ridge of land, a little south of the burying ground; parts of its foundations are still occasionally ploughed up."
So little was known of the country between the Merrimack and Lake Champlain at that time, that it was supposed that the Coos Meadows were upon the direct route from the "Salis- bury Fort" to Crown Point, and Governor Wentworth had di- rected Col. Blanchard to build a fort on his march, upon the Connecticut at these Meadows. The regiment spent some weeks at the Salisbury Fort in building batteaux for the transportation of their stores along the navigable waters ; and Capt. Rogers with his company of Rangers and a detachment from the other companies was sent foward to Coos, to build the Fort. It was located on the east bank of the Connecticut, south of the mouth of the Upper Amonoosuck in what is now the town of Northumberland, and was called Fort Wentworth, in honor of the Governor. Meantime the Governor had dis- covered the error as to the course of the march, and messen- gers were sent to Blanchard, and Rogers, to march directly to Number Four, and thence to Albany. Accordingly leaving their employment, the troops repaired to Number Four, and thence by a fatiguing march through the wilderness to Albany. Soon after their arrival the army was sent forward under Gen. Lyman some six miles in advance, to the carrying place, where was a fortress, built the previous summer by Gen. Lyman, and called Fort Lyman, in honor of that officer. This was subse- quently called Fort Edward. On the 26th of August, Capt. Rogers with his company of Rangers was detailed to escort the provision wagons from Albany to Fort Edward, and about the same time Gen. Johnson joined his command at the same place, when the army was immediately set in motion, and marched to the south end of Lake George, a distance of about fifteen miles. Col. Blanchard with the regiment from New Hampshire, was left in charge of Fort Edward.
While Gen. Johnson was thus encamped in supposed securi- ty, making preparations to pass down the lake to Crown Point, his scouts brought in word of the approach of a French force against Fort Edward.
This force was under the command of Baron Dieskau, who
298
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
was on his way to reduce Oswego, on Lake Ontario ; but hav- ing heard of the expedition of Johnson against Crown Point, he had been diverted from his original intention, and had turn- ed his course up Lakes Champlain and George in search of the English, and had landed his army, consisting of 3000 Canadi- ans and Indians at the head of South Bay, in which is now the town of Whitehall, only some 25 miles north east from John- son's encampment. From hence he pushed on against Fort Edward, but upon approaching this fortress, his army became panic struck, and refused to attack it, his raw militia and the Indians having the greatest dread of cannon.
However they expressed their willingness to go against John- son's army on the Lake, as that as they had learned, was with- out cannon or fortifications. Dieskau had no alternative but to accede to their proposition, or retreat upon South Bay, and he forthwith commenced his march towards Johnson's posi- tion.
Meantime, on the night of the 7th of September, Gen. Johnson learned from a scout, that Dieskau had advanced four miles on the road from Fort Edward to Lake George, and the next morning he sent a force of 1200 men under Col. Wil- liams of Massachusetts to meet him.
Dieskau having knowledge of the approach of this force placed his men in ambush by forming a half moon across a valley covered with dense wood, and through which Col. Williams was to pass. The place of ambush was only about four miles from Johnson's encampment, so wary had the French been in their march, and so remiss had the English been in keeping out scouts.
The English marched on without fear or watchfulness, un- til they were almost completely enclosed by the ambuscade, when the French and Indians rose from their covert, and threw a most murderous fire upon the centre and flanks of the aston- ished English. Col. Williams the commander of the force, and Hendrick the noted Mohawk Chief, who with 200 of his war- riors formed a part of the English force, were killed at the first fire, together with many of their soldiers. Lieut. Col. Whi- ting took command of the discomfited troops, and by tact and skill alone, in conducting an immediate retreat, saved them from almost sure extermination.
Dieskau had calculated upon driving the shattered force upon their main encampment, and amid the alarm and confusion, to carry Johnson's position. But in this he was frustrated. For hearing the firing, and judging that Williams' detachment was
299
BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE.
retreating, Johnson had the good judgment to send out another detachment to cover their retreat, and commenced forming some sort of a breast work for the protection of his troops, by felling trees and placing them with the provision wagons in front. This hasty structure formed a very good protection for the New England sharp shooters and kept from view a few pieces of cannon, which they had dragged in haste from the Lake side, and which proved the salvation of the army.
Soon the retreating troops came in sight and in tolerable order. They had somewhat recovered from their panic and took their place behind the breastworks to assist their comrades. Soon after eleven o'clock, A. M. Dieskau advanced with his force in admirable order. He had sent a body of Indians to attack the rear of the right flank of the English, and a part of the Cana- dians to attack the rear of the left at the same time that he should attack their front with his regular troops. When within some one hundred and forty yards of the breastworks, he halted some moments for the flanking parties to gain their positions. Dieskau had no knowledge that the English had any cannon, and a discharge of grape and shell upon the Indians who first came up in the rear, not only scattered them and filled the Canadians with panic, but convinced Dieskau and his regular troops, that they were to meet a severe resistance. The Baron however led his troops upon the centre with the utmost cool- ness, but with little effect, as they fired volley after volley at so great a distance as to do little or no execution. Soon however they advanced and the action became general.
Col. Johnson was wounded at the commencement of the action, and retired to his tent. The command devolved upon Gen. Lyman, who proved himself every way worthy the position and greatly contributed to the successful issue of the battle.
The French kept their ground in front for some time, but the fire from the artillery and well aimed musketry made sad havoc in their ranks, and they soon retired from that position and formed for an attack upon the right oi the English. But here again they failed, for after a severe fire for an hour, the English and Indians, leaped the breast works, and using their bayonets, or clubbing their guns, drove the enemy in the ut- most confusion. The pursuit was continued for a short time, and many of the French were slain, and a few taken prisoners. Among the latter was Baron Dieskau. He was found wound- ed, and leaning upon a stump, his officers and soldiers having left him to his fate. Seeing a soldier approach, he felt for his watch to give to him, but the soldier suspecting that he was
300
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
about to draw a pistol, immediately fired upon him, wounding him severely in the hips. He was carried into the camp and cared for, and soon after removed to Albany. Carried to Eng- land as a prisoner, he died of his wounds soon after his arrival. Col. Blanchard having learned from a scout, that wagons were seen burning in the direction of the Lake, detached Capt. Fol- som of his regiment with 80 men and Capt., McGennis of New York with 40 men, to look into the matter. Hearing the re- port of guns in the direction of the Lake, they pressed for- ward, and when within about two miles of it, fell in with the baggage of the French army protected by a guard, which they immediately attacked and dispersed. About four o'clock in the afternoon, some 300 of the French army appeared in sight. They had rallied, and were retreating in tolerable order. Capt. Folsom posted his men among the trees, and as the enemy approached, they poured in upon them a well directed and gall- ing fire. He continued the attack in this manner till prevented by darkness, killing many of the enemy, taking some of them prisoners, and finally driving them from the field. He then collected his own wounded, and securing them with many of the enemy's packs, he brought his prisoners and booty safe into camp. The next day the rest of the baggage was brought in, thus securing the entire baggage and ammunition of the French army. In this brilliant affair, Folsom lost only six men, but McGennis was mortally wounded, and died soon after. The loss of the French was very considerable.
Thus ended the battle of Lake George, one of much moment at the time, as it raised the flagging hopes of the country, and furnished the British nation one topic of rejoicing, connected with a campaign that had covered the British arms with any- thing but honor.
After the battle, Col. Johnson proceeded to erect a fort near Lake George, which was called Fort William Henry. In this occupation he whiled away the autumn. Reinforcements hav- ing been called for, a regiment marched to Fort Edward from New Hampshire, under the command of Col. Peter Gilman, of Exeter. Attached to this regiment, was a company from this neighborhood, under the command of Capt. James Todd of Londonderry. The roll of this company was as follows ;-
James Todd, Captain; Thomas Hazelton, Lieutenant ; William Read, Ensign ; Samuel Thompson, James Archibald, Jonas Clay, Alexa. Miller, Thomas Hillands, John Loggan, Joseph Farmer, John Moor, John Wilson, William Aken, Robert Weather- spoon, Wm. Wilson, David Wilson, Daniel Clyde, Hugh Dunlap,
301
BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE
Thomas Lewis, William Thompson, James Akin, Nathaniel Aken James Adison, Edward Logan, Timothy Ingalls, Benj. Bachel- der, John Gage, Jona. Worthing, James Hamilton, Rob't Morrell, Robert McCormick, Samuel Gilmore, Alexander Parker, Epha. Butterfield, James, Blotchet, Jer. Hill, John Foster, John Car- kin, Robert Cunnicum, Charles Butterfield, John Brown, Aaron Wiman, Alexa. Todd, James Wilson, David Blair, James Bro- dick, Jona. Malloon, Joseph Ordway, James Harwood, Samuel Perls, Thomas Gregg, Eben Richardson.
Upon the approach of winter, Johnson dismissed his army, retaining but six hundred men under Col. Jonathan Bagley, to garrison Forts Edward and William Henry. Connected with this force, was retained a company of Rangers, under the com- mand of the intrepid Rogers who rendered most essential ser- vice during the winter, in scouting and keeping up a commu- nication between the forts. This company was mostly from this neighborhood and consisted of the following men ;
Robert Rogers, Captain ; Richard Rogers, Lieutenant ; Noah Johnson, Ensign ; James Archibald, Sergt. ; John McCurdy, Sergt. ; James McNeal, Corp. ; Nathaniel Johnson Corp. ;
John Michel, Isaac Colton, James Henry, James Clark, Timothy Hodscase, John Wadleigh, Stephen Young, Joshua Titwood, James Adison, Jonathan Silaway, John Brown, Elisha Bennett, Rowling Foster, James Grise, James Morgan, James Welch, Matthew Christopher, James Simonds, Charles Dudley, John Kiser, John Hartman, John Frost, James Mars, Samuel Letch, David Nutt, William McKeen, Nathaniel Smith, Philip Wills, Wmn. Cunningham, Wm. Aker, John Leiton, William Wheeler, Simon Toby, Benj. Squanton, Pileh Simpson, Piller Mahanter.
These operations of the English at Lake George, while they failed of their object, incited the French to great exertions and exasperated their allies, the Indians. These made repeated in- roads upon our frontiers killed several persons and took a number of prisoners in the valleys of the Merrimack and Con- necticut rivers.
In 1756, another expedition was set on foot by Gen. Shirley against Crown Point. A regiment was raised for this expedi- tion in New Hampshire, under the command of Col. Meserve. Attached to this regiment was a company from this neighbor- hood, under the command of John Goffe, Esq., who was also Major of the regiment. The soldiers in the regiment were
Nathaniel Martin, Lieut. ; Thomas Merrel, 2d Lieut. ; John 24
.
302
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
Goffe Junior, Ensign. ; Samuel Martain, Sergt. ; Joseph East- man, Sergt. ; Ebenezer Martain, Sergt. ; Thomas Mclaughlin, Sergt. ; John Wortly, Corp. ; John Straw, Corp .; Jacob Jew- ell, Corp. ; Josiah Canfield, Corp .; Benjamin Kidder, Drum- mer. ; Joseph Ordway, Joseph George, Benjamin Hadly, Thomas George, William Keneston, Ebenezer Coaston, John McClellen, Jona. Fifield, James Blanchard, Paul Fowler, Plumer Hadley, John Fowler, Peter Moose, Joel Mannuel, George Sheppard, Samuel Sheppard, James McCaughlin, Ebenezer Ordway, Isaac Walker, James Peters, Jacob Sawyer, Daniel Flanders, Daniel Emerson, William Barron, Timothy Barron, Andrew Stone, Ca- leb Emary, Zebediah Farnum, Luther Morgan, Joseph Pudney, John Mclaughlin, John Kedder, Caleb Daulton.
Col. Meserve joined the army with his regiment and was put in charge of Fort Edward. Soon Shirley was superseded by the Earl of Loudon, and the army was suffered to remain in inactivity, being employed in erecting fortifications, and build- ing batteaux.
Capt. Rogers and his Rangers, who had remained at Fort Edward during the winter, had been actively employed. In April, by authority of Gen. Shirley, he had recruited an inde- pendent corps of Rangers, and passed the summer and fall in prosecuting various and important expeditions. This new com- pany was officered principally from Amoskeag, anu being en- listed from the New Hampshire regiment, most of the men were from this neighborhood.
The Earl of Loudon, not being able to leave England imme- diately, Maj. General Abercrombie was ordered to precede him and to take command of the English forces until his arrival. Gen. Abercrombie reached Albany the 25th of June, with two regiments of regular troops, and considering the force inade- quate to carry out the plans of the campaign, he sent the Pro- vincial troops, under General Winslow to Fort William Hen- ry and determined to await the arrival of the Comander-in- Chief. However he wisely sent a detachment with provisions to strengthen Fort Oswego. The detachment consisted of 300 boatmen under the gallant Colonel Bradstreet, who accomplish- ed his object. On the return of the expedition up the Onondaga, it was ambushed by the French and Indians and a severe engage- ment ensued. The enemy were repulsed again, and again.
A third time they rallied with desperation, and fighting from tree to tree, seemed determined upon victory ; but the gallant Bradstreet and his stout boatmen met them with equal deter- mination and after a severe and bloody fight, put them to
303
SCOUT OF THE RANGERS.
flight. Many were killed in the woods and still more were driven into the river, and perished by the unerring bullet, or were drowned in the turmoil of crossing.
While at Albany, at the recommendation of Capt. Robert Rogers, Gen. Abercrombie had the good sense to order the or- ganization of another company of Rangers. It was raised in 2S days and ready for duty. The officers were all from this neighborhood, Richard Rogers, of Starkstown, being Captain, Noah Johnson, of Dunstable, 1st. Lieutenant ; Nathaniel Abbott of Pennacook, 2d. Lieutenant ; and Caleb Paige, of Starkstown, Ensign. The privates were mainly from the Valley of the Merrimack. To show the nature of the service performed by the Rangers, the following extracts are given from "Rogers' Journal."
"Oct. 22. The greater part of the army now lay at Fort Ed- ward under General Abercrombie, and Lord Loudon arriving at this time, it was supposed that notwithstanding the season was so far advanced, an attempt would be made upon the French Fortresses. But his Lordship supposing that the Lakes would freeze, (as they generally do in December,) and that no com- munication could be kept up with William Henry, contented himself with keeping the field until Mons. Montcalm retired to winter quarters.
This morning we embarked in two whale boats, with a party of 20 men, being ordered to bring a prisoner from Ticonderoga. We passed the narrows twenty miles from our embarkation, when Capt. Shepherd, (who had been taken August last) hail- ed our boat. I knew his voice, and took him on board with three men, one of whom was taken with him. He left Canada fifteen days before. We continued on our course, landed on the night of the 27 on on the west shore, concealed our boats, and travelled by land, within a mile of the Fort. The next day we discovered two videttes to the piquet guard of the French Army, one of whom, was posted on the road leading into the woods. I marched directly down the road in the mid- dle of the day, with five of my party, until we were challenged by the sentry. I answered in French signifying friends ; he was thereby deceived, till we came close to him, when perceiv- ing his mistake, in great surprise he called out "Qui etes vous ?" I answered "Rogers," led him from his post in great haste and with our party reached William Henry, Oct., 31st.
From this time we were constantly patrolling the woods about Fort Edward, until November, 19, 1756, when we made an excursion down the Lake, Capt. Abercrombie, aid-de-camp and
304
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
nephew to the General, had the curiosity to accompany the expedition ; and although nothing was effected excepting to obtain a view of the French garrison, he was delighted with the novelties of a scout; and with the romantic and noble scenery through which we conducted him. He treated us handsomely on our return to quarters at Foit Edward, on the evening of the 25th.
About this time, his Lordship drew off the main body of his troops from Fort Edward, to be quartered at Albany and New York. Both armies now retired to winter quarters. The Ran- gers were stationed at Forts William Henry and Edward ; and were augmented by two new companies under Captains Hobbs and Spikeman. These two companies were posted at Fort William Henry-and our two at Fort Edward.
Capt. Richard Rogers was sent to New England for recruits. He waited upon the Boston Government to obtain pay for our services in the winter of 1755, but could obtain none, though Lord Loudon generously supported the justice of the claim.
January 15, 1757. Marched with Mr. Stark my Lieutenant, Ensign Paige, of Richard Roger'scompany and fifty privates to Fort Wm. Henry, where we were employed in providing provi- sions, snow shoes, &c. until the 17th, when being joined by Capt. Spikeman with Lieut. Kennedy, Ensign Brewer and 14 men of his corps, together with Ensign James Rogers with 20 men of Hobb's company, and Mr. Baker a volunteer of 44th Regi- ment of the line, we proceeded down Lake George on the ice, and at night, encamped on the east side of the first narrows. Next morning some of our party who had become lame in con- sequence of the exertions of yesterday, were sent back. This reduced our numbers to seventy four men officers inclu- ded.
The 18th encamped 12 miles down the Lake on the west side. 19th marched 3 miles down the lake, then took to the land with our snow shoes, travelled eight milles N. W. and encamp- ped three mile from the Lake. 20th marched N. E. all day and encamped on the west side three miles from Lake Cham- plain.
January 21. We marched east until we came to the Lake half way between Crown Point and Ticonderoga, where we discovered a sled passing from the latter to the former. Lieut. Stark with twenty men was directed to head the sled, while I with my party, cut off its retreat, leaving Spikeman with the centre. Ten other sleds were discovered following down
305
SCOUT OF THE RANGERS.
the Lake ; and I endeavored to give Mr. Stark notice of it be- fore he shew himself upon the Lake, but could not. He sallied out, and they hastily turned towards Ticonderoga. We pur- sued them, took seven prisoners, three sledges and six horses ; the remainder escaped. The captives were examined seperate- ly, who reported : "that 200 Canadians and 45 Indians had just arrived at Ticonderoga and were to be reinforced that evening by 50 Indians from Crown Point ; that there were 600 regular troops at the Fortress, and 350 at Ticonderoga, where they expected a large army who in the spring were to beseige our Forts ; that they had large magazines of provisions that the troops were well equiped and in condition to march at a moments warning, and intended to waylay and distress the convoys between our Forts." From this account of things, and knowing that those who escaped would give immediate notice of us, I gave orders to march with all expedition to the fires we had kindled the night before and to prepare for battle if offered, by drying our guns, it being a rainy day. This was according- ly effected. We then marched single file, myself and Lieut. Kennedy in front, Lieut. Stark in the rear and Captain Spike- man in the centre ; and Mr. Brewer between the centre and the rear, Sergeant Walker having command of the rear.
In this manner, we advanced half a mile over broken ground, passed a valley of fifteen yards breadth, when the front having gained the summit of the opposite hill on the west side, fell in with the enemy drawn up in the form of a crescent to surround us, and were immediately saluted with a volley of 200 shot at a distance of five yards from the nearest, and thirty yards from the rear of the party. This fire took place about 2 o'clock P. M. and proved fatal to Lieut. Kennedy, Mr. Gardiner, a volunteer besides wounding several, and myself in the head. I ordered my men to retire to the opposite hill, where Lieut Stark and Mr. Brewer had made a stand with forty men to cover our retreat. We were closely pursued,-Capt. Spikeman and others were killed and several made prisoners. Lieut. Stark repulsed them by a brisk fire from the hill, killing a number, and affording us an opportunity to post ourselves to advantage. Mr. Stark then took a position in the centre, with Ensign Rogers ; sergeants Walker and Phillips* acting as reserves, to protect our flanks, and watch the enemy's motions. Soon after we had thus for-
*Phillips was a half Indian, he was afterwards thought by Rogers to have been killed in the battle of March, 13, 1758, but he escaped, went with Rogers in his expedition against the St. Francis and led his party home in safety from that expedition. He lived in Concord after the war, and married Eleanor East-
306
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
med for battle, the enemy attempted to flank us, but the reserve bravely attacked them, giving the first fire, which stopped sev- eral from retreating to the main body. We were then pushed closely in front, but having the advantage of the ground, and being sheltered by large trees, we maintained a continual fire upon them, which killed a number of them, and compelled a number of to them retire upon their main body. They attempted to flank us once more, but were again gallantly repulsed by our reserve. In this affair Mr. Baker was killed.
We kept up a constant fire until sunset, when I received a shot through my wrist which disabled me from loading my gun. The action however, continued until darkness prevented our seeing each other. Our men gallantly kept their position till the fire of the enemy ceased and he retired.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.