USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 21
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The militia was arranged into companies, battalions, regi- ments, brigades and divisions. In 1796 the militia was organized and twenty-seven regiments formed, and Benjamin Pierce of Hillsborough was made Lieutenant-Colonel and commandant of the twenty-sixth. This regiment, which became quite noted among the militia of the state included men from the towns of Henniker, Hillsborough, Antrim, Deering and Campbell's Gore (now Windsor), as First Battalion ; with Hancock, Lyneborough, Francestown, Greenfield, and Society Land (now Bennington), Second Battalion, the combined battalions making the regiment complete.
In the military organization of the State of 1812, Lieut .- Colonel David McClure of this town was made commandant. Not satisfied with the good name already won, in the summer of 1806 a movement was started to organize a company of cavalry to augment this regiment, and the following action taken :
Henniker, July 8, 1806
We the subscribers Voluntarily enlist in the Company of Cavalry annexed to the twenty-sixth regiment of the State of New Hampshire commanded by Sam1 Wilson of said Henniker promising to equip ourselves according to Law with Arms and Accoutourments, also to Uneform ourselves with a scarlet Red Coat faced with yellow buff, gilt Buttons, other trimmings and fustion the same as the former coats we have worn, also to have a white Feather about nine inches long with about two inches of red on top and a Red sash round our caps instead of Green-the other uniforms the same as we in the Company have lately worn, to have this new Uniform by the first day of September next.
And we Also promise to obey the orders of the above named commanding officer and all the Officers in subordination to him in said
244
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Company To have Bridles with ornaments, with Yellow Saddle Cloth Leather Valance Please to take notice the above mentioned uniform is appointed by the Governor himself.
Samuel Barnes
David McCalley
David Goodale, Jr. John Mead
Solomon Hopkinson
Zacheus Dustin
Joseph Chapman
William Booth
Stephen Chapman
Ebeneser Goodhul
Benjamin Farrar
Jonathan Car
Silas Marsshall
Eli Wheeler
Benjamin Alcock
Samuel Sargent
Jonathan Sargent
Luther Fuller
Abraham Andrews
Josiah Cunningham
Joseph Dickey
William Jones
Sutherick Weston
Justin Houston
John Caldwell
Thomas Wilson
Lieut. Joseph Curt Barnes-Hillsborough
The cavalry or "troop" of the 26th Regiment was usually mustered at Cork Plain, West Deering, and became known as one of the finest drilled body of men in the state. It was at its zenith during the command of Capt. John C. Proctor of Henniker, a superior drill officer.
Not only was Hillsborough interested in the infantry and cavalry of the 26th, but the town had also active supporters of the artillery as witness the following action taken by some of the leading citizens.
ROLL BOOK
Of the First Artillery Company in Hillsborough :
Sergeants :
John Goodale, 1st
B. F. Leanard, 2nd
C. A. Priest, 3rd B. P. Moor, 4th
Officers :
F. B. Dutton, Capt. S. C. Barnes, Lieut.
C. A. Priest
S. Murdough A. Sargent
G. Clement John Johnson F. Robbins
H. Bigelow
Harvey Jones
W. Cooledge
C. Eaton Eben Jones
H. Murdough
H. Hartwell
E. Baxter T. Murdough
M. Cooledge George Taylor J. Powers
A. Heath J. Murdough
F. Means
H. Killom
J. Breed
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MEN IN WAR OF 1812.
So the breaking out of the War of 1812 found the militia of the state in a flourishing condition. Men were at its head who had had experience in the Revolution.
The questions leading up to this war were a bone of conten- tion at home as well as abroad, and many in this country con- sidered its beginning unnecessary. At this late day-and long ago for that matter- it has been clearly shown that the war was inevitable. While England was fairly whipped upon land in the Revolution, she had not been conquered at sea, and it was still her boast that she was "mistress of the ocean," and the world. Believing she was now capable of subduing the poorly united colonies, she seemed to improve every opportunity to injure and insult the American government. Finally her manner had be- come so insolent that an extra session of Congress was called in November, 1811, by President Madison, who recommended in his message that preparations for war be commenced at once. It was six months later, June 18, 1812, however, when war against Great Britain was declared.
As has been shown elsewhere New Hampshire, as far as her militia was concerned, was well prepared for action, and no town in the state better equipped than Hillsborough. So, while her record in the War for Independence is an exceedingly bright one, that for the Second War with Great Britain shines with equal brillancy, while on the field of mars glistens the stars of two distinguished officers .* Unfortunately the records of this war are not found complete, and beyond doubt the following roll for Hillsborough is lacking several names:
MEN IN WAR OF 1812.
Baldwin, Isaac, Jr., Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days. Bixby, Sergt. Ransom. Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 mos.
Bradford, Capt. Benjamin. Service at Portsmouth, Apr. 1, 1813, 60 days; also in the Northern Army.
While the records are not available this officer saw con- siderable service during the war, as witness an excerpt from a letter written to his wife then living at Hillsborough.
*See Chapter on Political History for a more comprehensive meaning .- Au- thor.
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Burlington, Vt.
Mrs. Mary Bradford,
Hillsborough, N. H.
I recd your letter as I came to Plattsburg I was very glad to get it you mentioned something respect hardships at the time I wrote you before I knew nothing about hardships but if I could see you now I could tell you something about them the latter part of our Campain has been very fautigueing we were so situated when twenty five miles advanced in the enemy's Country in the Low province of Canada we was obliged to go eight days on four days ration in the hardest fatigue no sleep to our eyes nor slumber to our eyelids was alowed us for seventy two hours continual alarms and some hand fiting the tommy hawk Company beating about our camps especially in the nite at the experation of this time there was a Council of war held with the general and field officers and was promulgated to us a retrograde movement into the U S in consequence of Gen Wilkinsons not coming down the river St. Lawrence as was expected since that we have returned to Chataugee from thence to Shasey from thence to Platts- burg to winter quarters for my part I have been at Burlington three weeks on account of being out of health I left the mane army at Plattsburg I have had a severe turn of the jaundice but am getting better. Gen Wilks army winters at the franch Mills sixty miles west of Hampton's at Plattsburg. Gen Harrison's at Sacket's Harbour. I think I rote you that I should not be at holme untill my time was expired you must not think strange if I dont for no furlow is alowed here nor leaves of absence dont think strange however if you see me in ten days for I some expect to be at holm on the recruiting service soon.
I will further state in respects to our hardships we only count ourselves eating the pleasant end of the cucumber that our fathers bit the bitter end off in the year seventy five thank God as we have not eat it all I dont know but I shall feast upon it another year tell my friends that have relations with me that I have not a man sick in the hospital neither have I lost a man since I left new hampshire my health was very good through the campain except a little tutch of the rumitism our loss at Armstown Battle was from seventy to eighty men something of a number of officers was wounded and men the British loss not asertained we have about one hundred British prisoners here which are the greatest society for the peace party but in consequence of the bad treatment towards our prisoners in Canada the former is this day ordered into Close Confinement Gen Hampton is very unpopular here Gen Wilkin verry much to the reverce. nothing more at present.
Dec 11, 1813.
Verry respectfully your Benj. Bradford U S Infantry at Burlington
247
MEN OF WAR OF 1812-CONTINUED.
Carter, James, Jr. Capt. William Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814, 60 days. Carter, Nathan. Capt. William Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814, 60 days at
Portsmouth. Soon after removed to Henniker.
Dascomb, George. Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 mos. Ellinwood, Daniel-Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 13, 1814, 60 days. Enlisted as Allenwood-was legal voter in 1814. Previously in Capt. Ben. Bradford's Co., Apr. 1, 1813-60 days.
Farrar, Isaac-Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 mon. Pre- viously in Capt. Ben. Bradford's Co., Apr. 1, 1813 for 60 days. Farrar, Noah-Capt. Ben. Bradford's Co., Apr. 1, 1813 for 60 days. Flint, Ebenezer-Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months. Green David, Name not on check list ; but he is credited with service. Hatch, Martin (?)-Lieut. V. R. Goodrich's Co., Feb. 18, 1813 for 3 years.
Heartley, Samuel (?)-Lieut. V. R. Goodrich's Co., Feb. 18, 1813- 5 years.
Huntley, Elisha-Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days. Hutchinson, Cyrus-Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days. Jones, Simeon ( ?) Lieut. V. R. Goodrich's Co. Feb. 18, 1813 for 5 years, McClintock, Moses,-Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months, died Nov. 4, 1814.
Merrill Samuel, Lieut .- Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days.
McNiel, Daniel, Sergt .- Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days.
McNiel, John, Capt .- Among her military heroes Gen. John McNiel holds an honored and distinguished position. Entering the service as Captain in the Eleventh Regiment of infantry March 12, 1812, he was promoted to the rank of Major, August 15, 1813, breveted a Lieut. Colonel July 5, 1814 "for his intrepid behavior on the 5th day of July in the battle of Chippewa," receiving a second brevet as Colonel, July 25, 1814 "for his distinguished valor as com- mander of the Eleventh regiment of infantry on the 25th of July in the battle of Niagara," was rapid rising in the ranks. Retained in the Peace establishment as Major of the 5th infantry to rank 15th of August, 1813, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel 1st regiment of infantry February 24, 1818, he was pro- moted to the rank of Colonel April 28, 1824, and breveted Brigadier General July 25th, 1824, for ten years faithful service in the grade of bret Colonel. He was appointed Surveyor of the Port of Boston in April, 1830, and resigned and retired from service.
248
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Pierce, Benjamin K .- Major Benjamin Kendrick Pierce was the eldest son of Gov. Benjamin Pierce, and was born at H., Aug. 29, 1790. He pursued his preparatory studies at Philip's Exeter Academy, and entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1807, and continued in that institution for three years, when he commenced the study of the law with David Starrett, Esq., of H. He continued in Starrett's office until the commencement of the war with Great Britain, when he entered the regular army as lieutenant of ar- tillery. In August, 1813, he was appointed to a captaincy ; in June 1836, he was promoted to Major of the First Regiment of Artillery, and ordered to Florida. Oct. 15, 1836, he was made "Lieutenant- Colonel by brevet, for distinguished services in the affair of Fort Drane;" and, the same month, was appointed by Gov. Call, of Florida, Quartermaster-General, and Colonel of the regiment of Creeks attached to his army. In consequence of his arduous duties and the sickly climate, Col. Pierce's health became greatly impaired, and he was ordered North for duty. He was stationed at Plattsburg with his regiment, and subsequently at Houlton, and New York City. Subsequent to his return North in 1838, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eight Regiment of the In- fantry, and his appointment confirmed by the Senate; but he declined the appointment, preferring the arm of service in which he had served so long. Change of climate, however, did not im- prove his health; and he died of disease of the brain, at New York, in 1849, aged fifty-nine years .- Potter's Military History of New Hampshire.
Pierce, Merrill-Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months. Richardson, Stephen-Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27 1814 for 60 days. Robbins, Caleb-Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days. Robbins, Curtis-Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months. Robbins, John-Capt. Ben. Bradford's Co., April 1, 1813 for 60 days. Robbins, Lyman-Capt. Ben. Bradford, April 1, 1813 for 60 days. Also Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months.
Rumrill, Wm .- Capt. Ben. Bradford's Co., April 21, 1814 for 1 year or during the war.
Smith, David. Served under Capt. Benjamin Bradford until the close of the war.
Straw, James-Capt. Wm. Gregg's Co., Sept. 27, 1814 for 60 days.
Taggart, James (?)-Capt. Ben. Bradford's Co., April 1, 1813 for 60 days.
Templeton, David ( ?)
Templeton, Daniel, Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months. Templeton, Matthew (?)
Wheeler, Reuben, Corp .- Capt. Hugh Moore's Co., Sept. 13, 1814 for 3 months.
Wilkins, Ira. In Capt. Hugh Moore's Co. He also served on transport from Tampico to New Orleans during Mexican war.
From a painting by CHAPPEL.
MONIEL LEADING HIS MEN AT CHIPPEWA.
249
MAJOR M'NIEL IN COMMAND.
Owing to the lack of defense along the sea coast, Ports- mouth was early fortified and garrisoned by troops under Major Bassett and later by very large levies from the militia of the state. So anxious was the situation here that an alarm at one time of the landing of the enemy at Rye, threw the staid old town into consternation.
The campaign of 1814 opened with disastrous results to the American army, due to the repulse of General Wilkinson's division at the stone mill on the La Colle River, in Canada, this was the part of the national forces. So the campaign waned until into July. On the first of that month General Brown crossed the Niagara and took possession of Fort Erie without any deter- mined resistance from the British army which was entrenched only a few miles away at Chippewa, where they had resolved to make a stand. The site of this place, destined to be an important battlefield was upon a peninsular formed by the Chippewa and Niagara Rivers and a smaller stream called Sweet's Creek. General Scott in command of the brigade consisting of the Ninth, Eleventh, and Twenty-fifth Regiments was ordered by Brown to advance from Fort Erie to the Chippewa where he would join him later with further forces. After a considerable maneuvering on the part of the rival forces, the entire British forces finally formed a battle line on the south bank of the river.
In the midst of a furious fire from the enemy, Scott was ordered to advance with his brigade and Towson artillery to meet the foe. Colonel Potter in his description of the fight says:
"Major Leavenworth, at the head of the Ninth and Twenty- second, led the column; Colonel Campbell, in command of the Eleventh, occupied the centre; and the Twenty-fifth, under com- mand of Major Jessup, brought up the rear of the column. Upon crossing, Major Leavenworth took position in front of the enemy's left by an advance down the river; Colonel Campbell, with the Eleventh, advanced to form at his left and nearly op- posite the enemy's centre; and Major Jessup, with the Twenty- fifth, advanced by an oblique movement through the wood, to form upon the left of the line and attack the enemy's right.
"Soon after crossing the bridge, Colonel Campbell, in com- mand of the Eleventh, fell, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Major McNiel, who took the head of his regiment
250
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
with alacrity. The Ninth formed with precision, and, advancing, received and returned the fire of the enemy with spirit. The Eleventh formed on their left under the command of Major McNiel, and advanced at Shoulder arms and with quick step, leaving the Ninth to the right and in the rear, until it was within fifteen rods of the enemy's line, receiving a heavy fire from the foe, during the entire advance, without wavering or breaking. The Eleventh then opened a most destructive fire upon the British line, and at the same time were supported by a deadly fire from the Twenty-fifth, under Major Jessup, who had obtained an advanced position.
"The enemy stood this fire for a moment, when they rushed on to charge the Ninth, which was in their front, and not yet up to the line with the Eleventh Regiment. This movement of the enemy would have carried them directly past the Eleventh, but, as they were executing it, Major McNiel, seizing his advantage, gave the command :
"'Eleventh form line to the front on the right platoon.'
"The order was executed immediately, and the regiment poured a deadly flank fire into the ranks of the charging enemy. Thus hotly pressed in flank and front, the British column wavered, broke, and fled, and the utmost efforts of their officers could not rally them. The rout became general; and the enemy did not stop in their precipitous flight until they had gained the protection of their fortifications, and their batteries had checked the ardent pursuit of the American troops.
"In this important battle there cannot be a doubt of the fact that the flank movement of the Eleventh Regiment, under the command of the gallant McNiel, turned the fortune of the day, and gave the victory to the Americans. This decisive victory greatly revived the spirits of the American people; and another that soon followed convinced them that all our soldiers wanted was leaders, to make us as successful upon land as upon ocean."
While victorious at Chippewa, the situation of the American troops was anything but favorable. The American fleet upon the lake was expected to lend assistance, but the Commodore was ill with fever, and the promised re-inforcement failed to materialize. In this dilemma General Brown, the American commander, fell
251
MAJOR M'NIEL'S HEROISM.
back upon the Chippewa River. At this critical period the enemy appeared in considerable numbers at Queenstown, while the British fleet of four vessels had come to anchor near Fort Niagara: General Scott was immediately ordered to hasten with the First Brigade, Towson's Artillery and all the dragoons and mounted men to the relief of Queenstown. Upon reaching the Falls the Americans found the enemy under General Riall drawn up in line of battle upon a ridge of land about a mile below known as Lundy's Lane. General Scott decided upon an immediate and furious attack.
Major McNiel, at the head of the gallant Eleventh, had the honor of leading the brigade into action. The British outnumbered the Americans, and were thus enabled to extend their lines farther and to make flank attacks. To meet this advantage our troops fought in detachments and charged in column. For a consider- able time, until General Brown was able to come up with the remainder of the forces, the commanding officers each fought upon his own responsibility, striking wherever he could and with all the force at his command. Throughout the battle the strife was bitter and dearly paid for with the loss of life. The British were driven at every point by the impetuous Americans, and yet their batteries were working with deadly effects. In the midst of the fighting, while covered with smoke and wild with excitement of the awful scene, the Americans were greeted with a tremendous cheer, which was answered and reiterated with glad acclaim. Ripley's Brigade had formed for evening parade beyond the Niagara, three miles away, when the booming of cannon warned them that Scott had found the enemy. General Brown at once ordered the brigade to hasten to the front, and followed himself with Porter's Brigade. Ripley's Brigade started at quick step, but the ardor and enthusiasm of the troops was such that the quick step quickened into a rush and they actually ran the three miles between the camp and the battlefield. It was this brigade that answered cheer for cheer and raised the drooping spirits of the men in the death grapple. Thus re-inforced the Americans renewed the battle, but the battery upon the hill made tremendous havoc among them.
In the midst of this terrific scene the horse of Major McNiel was killed under him by a cannon ball, while he was wounded in
252
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
the leg by a cannister shot, a six-ounce ball passing through his right knee, shattering the bone and nearly carrying away the entire limb. But even this wound, causing him intense pain, could not drive the hero of Chippewa from the field, and he led his men on to "distinguished valor,"" until weak from loss of blood his condition was discovered by others and he was borne from the field, having added fresh honor to his name.
In the meantime General Brown had taken command in person, and he saw that the British battery must be carried in order to secure success. Wheeling about, he shouted to Colonel Miller :
"Colonel Miller, take your regiment and storm that work and take it !"
Probably the general was unaware of the fact that the doughty officer had under him at that moment less than three hundred, but the reply was to his liking, brief and laconic :
"I will try, sir."
Colonel James Miller was born in Temple, and he owed his advancement in the army to Gen. Benjamin Pierce of Hillsbor- ough, who had foreseen in the courtly Captain Miller the making of an officer of high rank and did not rest until he had seen the gallant young officer started on his way to future glory. On this day, at Lundy's Lane, Colonel Miller was to prove the adeptness of his superior's judgment.
At the head of his handful of men Miller advanced against the open mouths of those deadly pieces of cannon, to what seemed certain death. Good fortune seemed to abide with this small body of New Hampshire troops, and as a rail fence had done good service for Stark and his men at Bunker Hill, so Miller and his men approached the enemy under cover of the shrubbery over- growing an old fence, undiscovered by the British gunners until they had got within two rods of the cannon's mouth. Halting his men, and ordering them to rest their firearms upon the fence, and take certain aim, he gave the signal to fire. Not a man was left at the British guns, and before others could rally to turn the cannon upon them Miller led his little band over the fence into the centre of their park. Reaching this position a line of British
253
CRISIS OF THE WAR OF 1812.
soldiery opened a furious flank fire, but despite the fact that many of the Americans, in proportion to their number, were killed the works were finally carried, and the battle won.
These battles, with some sharp fighting that followed, in which New Hampshire men played so prominent a part, crushed the hopes of the British in this vicinity. It is to be regretted the names of Hillsborough men who figured in this campaign, with two leaders from this section, cannot be given.
THE DARK DAYS OF '14.
There follows in the wake of every war its dark days, and these came in the War of 1812 during the year 1814. The cul- minating crisis centered about the latter half of this period, send- ing desperation bordering upon despair to the stout heart of Jefferson, more than any other man the hope and guide of the dominant party responsible to a considerable extent for the struggle then rending the country and threatening the very exist- ence of our national liberties! In every direction lay darkness and apparent futility of hope. The towns along the New Eng- land coast had been ravaged and despoiled, exposed to hostile invasions by the British naval forces. From the south came news of British victories, and the west trembled beneath the iron heel of the invader. The national capital lay in ashes. Everywhere the country was groaning under the burden of excessive taxation, and the depreciation of values to a vanishing point.
In its dilemma the national government had been forced to withdraw all support to the protection of individual states, so each was obliged to raise bodies of troops to protect itself, guard the imperilled towns and prepare for the defense when the great crisis should come. Besides obliging the states to support their own militia, they were forced to support their own men in the national service. All this was done at a sacrifice never paralleled in the darkest days of the Revolution. Small wonder if even those towns where the liberties for which one war had been waged to preserve, should begin to hesitate and to talk openly of state's rights. During that period were laid the seeds of secession which sprang into life and fomented the great civil war half a century later.
254
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
To add to the uncertainties and gloom of the situation, Great Britain, with the same arrogance that had thrust the war upon the country, believing that she held her young rival by the neck, would not give satisfactory terms in the peace negotiations then being promulgated. And it truly seemed that the war, which in the course of two years and a half had cost the United States nearly fifty thousand lives and more than a hundred million dollars-large sums for those days-had been fought in vain.
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