USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 8
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In the latter part of June (1780) the Legislature voted to raise 945 men for a term of three months to reinforce the army at West Point. These were to form two regiments. The men were apportioned to be drawn from the other regiments. Colonel Chase was to raise thirty-six privates and two officers. The men were enlisted early in July, and marched via Springfield, Mass., to West Point, where the vanguard arrived August 4. These were discharged the latter part of October, 1780. (Rev. Rolls, p. 104, Vol. 3.)
The burning of Royalton, Vt., October 16, 1780, was a lament- able affair. It was not done by an organized military body, but by Indian marauders accompanied by one lieutenant, one French-
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man and one Tory. They burned over twenty houses, and nearly as many barns, and slaughtered cattle, sheep and swine. They murdered two men and carried away about twenty-five captives. The attack was sudden and unexpected. The news of this event was quickly carried from town to town arousing the entire region and several companies of militia were soon marching to the relief of their brethren in Vermont. The companies were so hastily formed that the rolls, if there were any, have not been preserved. The records of several towns, including Cornish, testify to a re- markable and spontaneous muster of men about that time. But the enemy had escaped, and the soldiers soon returned to their homes. (Plymouth History, p. 130.)
A law was passed by the Legislature, November 8, 1780, that the state reimburse all military expenses incurred by officers of the army during any emergency campaign. The following bill was presented. (No date given):
To Sergeant & 8 men 6 months in Vermont. 152-18
To 4 men 1 month Scouting & ammunition. . 25-14
To Capt. Solomon Chase, Roll to Royalton, Vt ... 60-15-9
To Capt. Solomon Chase, Roll to Newbury, Vt. in 1781 16- 0-5
To Dudley Chase for supplies 3
To Moses Chase for supplies. 17-2
From the third item above, one might infer a good number of Cornish men went to Royalton at the time of the alarm, under command of Capt. Solomon Chase. (Rev. Rolls, p. 537, Vol. 3.)
April 5, 1781, the Legislature voted to raise two companies of sixty-five men each, by June 1st to rendezvous at Haverhill. They were to be raised from the military regiments of Colonels Ellis of Keene, Chase of Cornish, Morey of Orford, Webster of Plymouth, and the regiment of the late Colonel Bellows of Wal- pole, and were to serve six months. (Rev. Rolls, p. 249, Vol. 3.)
On February 1, 1786, Daniel Putnam of Cornish petitioned the Honorable General Court of New Hampshire, then convened at Portsmouth, as follows: The petition showeth that he (Putnam) was engaged as a soldier, in the year 1776, in Capt. Esterbrooks company in Col. Bedell's regiment; that he marched with the troops to Quebec, when he was taken sick, and had the misfortune
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to lose all his clothes to the amount of 14 pounds & two shillings, and being left by the troops with no care, incurred the expense of 16 pounds for doctoring, which sum your petitioner was obliged to pay. Wherefore he prays your Honors to take his case and grant him the said sum, with interest, if you in your wisdom shall think proper. (Rev. Rolls, pp. 431-32, Vol. 3.)
DANIEL PUTNAM.
During the Revolutionary War the people suffered much in- convenience from the depreciation of the currency. It continued to depreciate, and the price of the necessaries of life continued to advance until the people became greatly alarmed. Legisla- tion was sought to check the evil, but, whatever it may have done, proved of no avail. In 1780 it seemed to reach its climax. During this year Cornish voted to raise 800 pounds for schooling in town, also 2,000 pounds for mending highways, and the price of labor on highways in some towns was fifteen dollars per day; and wages and articles of commerce were correspondingly high.
Without special active cause, this state of things slowly sub- sided and normal conditions and prices again prevailed.
The cause of this inflation (as ever) was primarily due to the scarcity of gold and silver. Money must be had to equip soldiers for the service, and to pay them for their services. This led to the issuance of an undue amount of paper money whose value was uncertain. By resorting largely to a barter trade, or an ex- change of commodities, using them as mediums of circulation at prices agreed upon by the authorities, the trouble gradually disappeared.
The condition of our troops on January 1, 1781, is thus described by Frederic Kidder in his History of the First Regiment:
"The new year opened with a deep gloom. The whole army, North as well as South, was suffering severely, both for clothing and provisions. The winter was unusually severe. The soldiers were often on the point of starvation, and for days without meat and nearly all the time on short allowance, while most of them had received no pay for almost a year. As for clothing, they were often so destitute that many of them could not do guard duty without borrowing from their comrades, while for shoes they were still more deficient, and parties who were on fatigue duty for
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firewood and forage, could often be tracked by the blood from their bruised feet. It was at this period that General Washington addressed a pressing letter to President Weare of New Hampshire, earnestly urging the state to make some further exertion to re- lieve the distresses of the army. He said: 'I give it decidedly as my opinion, that it is vain to think that an army can be kept together much longer under such a variety of sufferings as ours has experienced, and that, unless some immediate and spirited measures are adopted to furnish, at least three months pay to the troops in money that will be of some value to them, and at the same time provide means to clothe and feed them better than they have been, the worst that can befall us may be expected.'
" The Legislature of the state nobly responded, and voted a gra- tuity of twenty-four dollars in hard money to each of the non-com- missioned officers and soldiers belonging to the state who were engaged to serve for the war."
With the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his army at York- town, October 19, 1781, the war was practically ended. The re- maining part of the story of Cornish in the Revolution relates mainly to the defence of the frontiers, and in coping with the various financial problems touching the soldiers and their families.
The treaty of peace was concluded between the United States and Great Britain, September 3, 1783.
In reviewing the immense sacrifices of our forefathers, it is becoming us, their descendants, to render them the meed of praise that is rightfully theirs, and that to these we are indebted for the blessings of civil liberty we enjoy today.
CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY HISTORY, 1783-1861.
AFTER the war of the Revolution was ended and peace again restored, it was thought best that the military force of the country be maintained and that existing military laws be so amended and enforced that an effective army might be in con- stant readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. In 1792, the general government passed an act establishing a system of uniform militia laws throughout the United States. This required the enrollment of all free, able-bodied, white, male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five.
New Hampshire being then a state, yielded a willing obedience to the law and took active measures to carry out all its provisions. The military officers who had served during the war, retained their rank and honors, and resumed their official functions, enroll- ing and drilling their men in their own towns or districts.
In June, 1808, the State of New Hampshire was divided into thirty-eight military districts. Each district was required to enroll and equip all its eligible men, and these constituted a regiment. Each of these regiments was composed of one company of artillery and about ten other companies-chiefly of infantry. The fifteenth district embraced Cornish, Clare- mont, Plainfield and "the west company in Grantham." The troops of this district were called "the 15th Regiment of New Hampshire Militia."
This regiment with six others, namely the 6th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 28th and 31st constituted the 5th brigade and 3d divi- sion of New Hampshire troops.
Various acts relating to the militia were passed from time to time by the Legislature, while parades and drills were kept up throughout the state. On December 22, 1820, a full and satisfac- tory code of laws was adopted, that, in the main remained in force until the militia laws of New Hampshire were repealed in June, 1850.
Cornish furnished three companies of troops for the 15th
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Regiment; one of artillery and two of infantry. One of the latter bore the name of "Stubtoe" or "Floodwood," by way of derision. All of these companies with their officers were required, on parade day, to be "uniformed and armed as the law directs." The general features of their dress were:
The artillery were attired in red frocks trimmed with white, with dark caps and pants. The infantry were attired with dark blue or black coats, white pants. One of these companies wore high, bell-crowned eaps with tall red plumes, tipped with white.
The state furnished all the arms needed for these two com- panies of infantry, and also the field-piece or cannon for the artillery.
The days of parade and drill during the year were usually three: 1st. The second Tuesday in May, called the "May training."
2d. A certain day usually in September. This was a day for a special drill preparatory to a general muster and parade of the whole regiment which occurred a day or two later.
3d. The general muster day. This was not only for parade but for the review and inspection of the entire regiment by military and civic officers of higher rank.
Muster day furnished the acme of interest to all. Early in the day each orderly sergeant marshalled his company, which soon after received its commissioned officers in martial form. About eight o'clock, the companies about ten in number, each headed by fife and drums, united in line upon the field, thus forming the regiment. After a period of united drill and march, the troops were placed in form to receive their superior officers.
The colonel, major, inspecting brigade general and other officers of note, with fiery, mettlesome steeds now rode upon the field with great pomp and the whole regiment was soon in obedience to the orders of the colonel for the day's parade.
The pen poorly depicts the grandeur of those scenes as they appeared to the eyes of the ordinary country boy seventy years ago; the immense gathering of the people of both sexes and all ages, with peddlers and fakirs in abundance at every street corner; the air filled with martial music; the uniformed com- panies of marching soldiery, were all matters of acute interest, especially to the young. Sometimes, too, the interest was inten- sified by occasional discharges of cannon by the artillery and later in the day by a sham fight.
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MILITARY HISTORY, 1783-1861.
All these scenes and experiences passed away upon the repeal of the law in 1850. The writer well remembers several occasions of this character, and the enthusiasm attending them.
Several fields in Cornish have been used for these muster parades. Three different fields at the Flat, two on "Cornish Plain," south of Trinity Church, have been used for this purpose, and perhaps several others. A level tract of dry ground of suitable area is all the condition needful for such a field. Some years the 15th regiment mustered in other towns of the district. The time and place for each annual muster was appointed by the colonel of the regiment with the advice of his subalterns.
The period of our national history following the Revolution was a constructive period and generally a peaceful one. The first note of war heard within our national realm was the war with Tripoli, 1803-05; when the American fleet under Commodore Decatur administered a chastisement upon that barbarous nation thereby conquering a peace instead of purchasing one.
It sent a thrill of satisfaction throughout our nation to know that a stop was put to their preying upon our commerce as here- tofore. This over, the country generally enjoyed a few years of peace and prosperity until the war with England occurred, 1812-15. A brief account of the causes, progress, and outcome of this war is here given:
In the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain at the close of the Revolutionary War, were several pro- visions. Some of these, Great Britain had failed to fulfill, notably that of the evacuation of posts along the northern frontiers. This was a perpetual annoyance to the inhabitants of those sections, who continued to be fearfully apprehensive of further trouble.
The unfriendly attitude of England towards France, too, was also unfortunate for the United States; for by an order in Council the British government had declared that all vessels trading with France were liable to seizure, and that all vessels clearing from hostile ports must touch at a British port and pay custom duties. Because of this order, British naval officers claimed and exercised in the most arrogant and offensive manner, the right to search American vessels, and oftentimes to impress their seaman into the British navy, despite all the strong pro- testation of American officers and men.
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
President Madison urgently requested the withdrawal of this order in Council, and the discontinuance of this oppressive and unjust practice, but his requests were insultingly denied.
In November, 1811, the President called an extra session of Congress and laid these grievances before it, and recommended preparation for war.
On April 10, 1812, Congress authorized the president to detach 100,000 militia to be organized and held in readiness to serve six months after entering service. Congress was becoming con- vinced there was no hope of a change of policy on the part of Great Britain, and that a resort to arms was the only alternative to protect the persons and property of American subjects and maintain the honor of the nation, and so war was declared June 18, 1812. A month previous, in May, 1812, New Hampshire was called upon for 3,500 men.
At the first, the declaration of war was not a popular measure in New Hampshire, or in New England. For this reason enlist- ments were a little tardy, and a draft was enforced. The records of the town show that on November 2, 1812, an attempt was made in Cornish to raise the wages of men drafted for the army, but the project was voted down.
During the continuance of this war which lasted nearly three years it is stated that finally every requisition of the government. was met with promptness on the part of New Hampshire, and that Cornish did her full duty and furnished her just proportion of men for the army.
It is a matter of regret that no rolls of enlistments or of drafted men have been preserved. Search has been made in the archives of the state, and none has been found.
On recent application to the War Department at Washington for the needful information, the following reply was received :
"ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, "Washington, D. C., May 11, 1908.
"The War Department has no list of the soldiers from the town of Cornish who served in the War of 1812, and has no records from which such a list can be compiled.
"F. C. AINSWORTH,
"The Adjutant General."
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MILITARY HISTORY, 1783-1861.
During the summer of 1814, British war vessels lay off the coast of New Hampshire, and captured and burned several of our coasting vessels. A considerable force of New Hampshire men were therefore stationed at Portsmouth to be in readiness to repel any attack from the British. But fortunately no engage- ment took place. It is stated on good authority that several men from Cornish were among those stationed in Portsmouth. In August of this same year a British squadron sailed up the Ches- apeake Bay and landed a force of 5,000 troops, which advanced on Washington, burned the public buildings, including many of the government archives, and without meeting any resistance they retired as they came. This dastardly aet roused the people, stimulated enlistments and unified public sentiment.
It is possible and even probable that the paucity of war rolls may in part be due to the destruction of the publie buildings with their contents at the time the British invaded Washington.
On the 24th of December, 1814, a treaty of peace was concluded at Ghent, and the War of 1812-14, was supposed to be at an end.
It is a remarkable fact, however, that the greatest engagement of the war took place at New Orleans after the treaty of peace was concluded. The British had evidently planned the capture of New Orleans and were so intent on accomplishing it, that the news of the treaty, if received at all, did not deter them from their purpose. The matter came to a final crisis on January 8, 1815, when General Jackson gained a decisive victory over the British army, which ended all strife of arms between the two nations.
The names and numbers of men who served in this war from Cornish cannot all be given. This is a matter of deep regret but all other towns have suffered a like experience. A few names can be gleaned from the traditional records of their families. These we append:
Benjamin Edminster, Clark Kendrick, Capt. Andrew Dodge, Capt. Eben Comings, Daniel Jackson, Walter Weld (died in service), Eben Weld (killed at Williamsburg, Can.), Samuel Bernum, Ebenezer Deming, Jr., Everett Robinson, Andrew Comings (son of Benj.), Capt. Eben Comings, Edward Kimball, Daniel F. Spaulding, and Jacob Newell.
After the war with England was over, thirty years of
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
peace and prosperity followed. The state made her appropri- ations and active military drill was maintained throughout the country. The Southern States increased in population and power. The slavery system also increased and sought fresh avenues for increasing and strengthening its power.
In 1846, the war with Mexico was ushered in. This lasted from April, 1846, until September, 1847. It was plainly a war of unjust aggression on a weaker power with the object of acquiring more territory for new slave states. As a matter of course the citizens of Cornish, with divided opinions, watched with great interest the opening, progress and termination of this war; but it is not known that they furnished any men for the service.
After the war with Mexico was ended, all appearances of war with any foreign power, entirely disappeared,
Another season of apparent peace and prosperity now followed. The warlike propensities, especially of the North seemed fading away. A generation had arisen which tried to believe that war was a relic of barbarism and that it never would again be employed for the settlement of disputes between enlightened parties or nations; that our people were too highly civilized to engage ever again in the destruction of their fellowmen on the battlefield. Military drill, especially in the North, had become unpopular. The glamour of military display presented fewer attractions than formerly. As a result of these causes, the existing militia laws of New Hampshire were repealed in 1850.
From about that time military drill ceased in most if not all of the New England states, and no military organizations existed there except an occasional company in cities, whose duties chiefly were in aiding the authorities in preserving order and performing escort duty. While the military power was suffering this decline in the North, it seems strange that political party strife was increasing in intensity, especially during the years just preceding the rebellion, and among the states of the South. The legions of pro-slavery advocates were aggressive and determined, while the anti-slavery element of the country stood firm, unmoved and unsupported by any military power. But after the Civil War began, when they saw the nation's life imperilled, and heard the call for troops, thousands sprang to arms in her defence. The raw recruits of the North, who had scarcely dreamed of war, were soon transmuted into disciplined soldiers.
CHAPTER VII.
CORNISH IN THE CIVIL WAR.
IT is not necessary to recount the causes which led to the fearful fratricidal strife which deluged our nation in blood, neither the immense sacrifice of lives and treasures required to preserve our national honor and unity. These are all recorded in the archives of the nation's history as a heritage for us, and for millions yet unborn. But the part that the citizens of Cornish took in that eventful period is the work now in hand.
It has never been said that Cornish did not bear her just pro- portion of the sacrifices and burdens of that crisis, or that she was lacking in true patriotism. Of the eighteen regiments sent from New Hampshire, fourteen of them contained more or less Cornish men, aggregating, including those serving in other organ- izations connected with the war, men, most of whom served with honor. Thus it will be observed that Cornish sent a very large percentage of her citizen soldiery into the field, beside enlisting many of foreign birth and others to serve in her regiments when they became depleted and reduced by the casualties of war.
The first call of President Lincoln was for 75,000 three months' men, and New Hampshire was required to furnish one regiment of these. This regiment was filled so quickly, that those first enlisting in town, could not find admission to its ranks, therefore, this regiment contained none from Cornish, but those who had enlisted for three months soon had the opportunity of reënlisting for three years in the second regiment soon to follow. The first regiment under command of Col. Mason W. Tappan left the state May 27, 1861, for the seat of war. This regiment had no serious engagement but did guard duty in and around Washington until the expiration of the time of its enlistment, and it was mustered out August 2, 1861.
Second Regiment.
This was the first regiment of three years' men. It was organ- ized at Portsmouth, N. H., in May, 1861, with Gilman Marston
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
as colonel. It was mustered into service early in June, and on the 20th of the same month, with 1,022 officers and men, left Portsmouth for Washington, via Boston and New York. Gov- ernor Berry and staff, Ex-Governor Goodwin and many leading men of the state accompanied them to Boston, where they were received with enthusiastic demonstrations. An organization of 1,400 "Sons of New Hampshire" with Governor Andrew and staff, with prominent citizens and military bands escorted the regiment to a banquet prepared for them in Music Hall, where a patriotic address was given by Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. After being reviewed by Governor Andrew on the Common, they left for New York, where they were received by a similar ovation. They reached Washington on the 23d of June. On the 21st of July following, this regiment received its first baptism of blood at Bull Run, Va., the first great battle of the war. Here the regiment had nine killed, thirty-five wounded, four mortally, and sixty-three taken prisoners. Among the latter were two men from Cornish, John L. Rice and Albert L. Hall (See Rolls). Rice was also seriously wounded, left on the field and reported dead, and his funeral obsequies were accordingly held at home. But afterwards he was found to be alive, much to the rejoicing of his many friends.
This regiment saw much hard service and sustained many heavy losses, especially at Williamsburg, Va., and later at Gettysburg, Pa., besides being engaged in many other battles of note, where in every case it reflected honor upon itself and the state.
The rigor of its service and other causes, finally reduced it to about one fourth of its original numbers, and it was mustered out of service early in December, 1865, at City Point, Va., and discharged in Concord, N. H., December 26, 1865. Here they again met a hearty and generous reception.
In the rolls of this, and all regiments hereafter given, it is to be understood that the men were privates and were residents of, or were born in Cornish, unless otherwise mentioned. All trans- fers and promotions will be noted in connection with the first mention of their names.
Below are given, directly as recorded upon the military rolls of the state, the names and brief records of the men of Cornish in the 2d regiment, in all, 25 names:
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CORNISH IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Asa M. Benway. Age 26, enl. Apr. 24, 61, disch. disab. June 8, 61, enl. 2d, Sept. 1, 64, in Vt. Cav., killed. Mar. 2, 65, at Waynesboro, Va. Before the engagement he remarked that he should be killed in the first fight in which he engaged. It proved true. He was the only one killed.
John H. Barry, Co. I, b. Plattsburg, N. Y. Age 26, enl. Apr. 28, 61, not must., re-enl. May 21, 61. Captd. July 21, 61, at Bull Run, Va., paroled June 2, 62, disch. July 2, 62.
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