USA > New Jersey > Camden County > The history of Camden county, New Jersey > Part 12
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71
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Gloucester company, which was formed under the call of December 29, 1781, for four hundred aud twenty-two men to serve until December 15, 1782. Calls were also made on June 7 and 14, 1780, for four hundred and twenty men to serve until January 1, 1782.
MILITIA. - The militia were the first troops organized in New Jersey in the Revo- lution, the Provincial Congress, on June 3, 1775, providing "a plan for regulating the militia of the colony," because of " the cruel and arbitrary measures adopted and pur- sued by the British Parliament and present ministry for the purpose of subjugating the American colonies to the most abject servi- tude." By the elaboration of this plan in August, Gloucester was required to raise three battalions. On June 3, 1776, the Continental Congress called for thirteen thousand eight hundred militia to reinforce the army at New York. The quota for New Jersey was three thousand three hun- dred, of which Gloucester furnished two companies. On July 16th Congress re- quested the convention of New Jersey to supply with militia the places of two thou- sand of Washington's troops that had been ordered into New Jersey to form the Flying Camp. Of the thirty companies of sixty-four men each sent under this call, Gloucester provided three, which, with one from Cum- berland and three from Burlington, were combined in a battalion under Colonel Charles Read, Lieutenant-Colonel Josiah Hillman, Major William Ellis and Surgeon Bodo Otto, Jr. August 11, 1776, the militia was divided into brigades, one to be detached for immediate service and relieved by the other at the expiration of thirty days. On this basis of monthly classes, in active service alternate months, these troops were held during the war. Ou January 8, 1781, the organization was eularged to three brigades. "The good service performed by the militia of New Jersey is fully recorded in history.
At the fights at Quinton's Bridge, Hancock's Bridge, Three Rivers, Connecticut Farms and Van Neste's Mills they bore an active part ; while at the battles of Long Island, Trenton, Assanpink, Princeton, Germantown, Springfield and Monmouth they performed efficient services in supporting the Continen- tal Line." 1
The subjoined list exhibits the field and staff officers of the militia of Old Gloucester County.
The following is a list of those from Gloucester County who served either in the Continental army, State troops or militia during the Revolutionary War : 2
Brigadier-General. Joseph Ellis. Colonels.
Bodo Otto. Israel Shreve. Richard Somers.
Lieutenant- Colonels.
Robert Brown.
Samuel Shreve.
Elijah Clark. Samuel Tonkin.
Majors.
William Ellis.
George Payue.
Samuel Flannigan.
Jeremiah Smith.
Rich'd Westcott.
Paymasters.
Thomas Carpenter.
John Little.
Surgeon. Thomas Hendry.
Captains.
John Baker. James Holmes.
Andrew Barnes.
John Inskip.
Jacob Browning.
Simon Lucas.
Richard Cheeseman. Archibald Maffit.
Joseph Covenover.
William Maffit.
John Patten.
John Cozens. John Davis. Douglas.
David Paul. George Pierce.
Joseph Elwell.
William Price.
Sawtel Elwell.
George Purvis.
Joseph Estell. Christopher Rape.
Felix Fisher. Henry Shute.
John Hampton. William Smith.
William Harrison.
Robert Snell.
Richard Higbee.
Samuel Snell.
1 " Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolu- tionary War," by General W. S. Stryker.
2 Compiled from Stryker's Official Register.
72
HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
James Somers.
James Tollman.
George Allen.
Joseph Allen.
William Allen.
Zephania Steelman.
William Watson.
John Stokes.
David Weatherby.
Richard Stonebanks. John Wood.
Jacob Allset.
Edward Bowen.
Lieutenants.
David Baker.
Joseph Mccullough. John Parsons.
Gibson Ashcroft.
John Bradford.
John Chatham.
Ward Pierce.
Enoch Leeds.
Benjamin Weatherly.
First Lieutenants.
Joseph Ingersoll.
Alexander Mitchell.
Edward Ireland.
Nehemiah Morse.
Moses Ayers.
Samuel Burton.
Jeremiah Leeds.
Samuel Springer.
John Baley.
William Busbing.
Samuel Matlack.
Arthur Westcott.
Second Lieutenants.
Aaron Chew.
Samuel McFarland.
Peter Covenhoven.
Abraham Parsons.
Jonathan Barton.
William Bates.
Ezekiel Camp.
Jacob Endicott.
Jeremiah Risley.
William Finch.
Henry Rowe.
John Lucas.
John Scull.
Elijah Townsend.
Ensigns.
John Adams.
Daniel Hooper.
Robert Bell. William Bell.
John Cann. George Caranna. Jacob Carpenter.
Joseph Avis.
Benjamin Inskeep.
Elijah Barret.
Cornelius McCollum.
Jonathan Benly.
George Carter.
Japhet Clark.
Joseph Morrell.
Alexander Bennet.
James Caruthers.
John Dilkes.
Nathaniel Sipple.
John Bennet.
Ebenezer Extell.
David Stillwell.
Daniel Frazer.
John Tilton.
John Berry.
Tobias Casperson. William Cattell.
William Campbell.
Richard Sayers.
Patrick McCollum. Jacob Spencer.
Matthew Brown.
John Chattan.
James Tomblin.
George Browne.
Thomas Cheesman. John Chester.
Corporal. Leonard Fisler.
Elijah Buck.
Robert Chew.
Adrial Clark.
Wagoner. Philip Dare.
Josiah Budd. John Budey. James Bulangey.
John Clark.
Privates.
Joshua Bulangey.
Joseph Clark.
Jeptha Abbot.
Jesse Adams.
Robin Bunton.
Parker Clark.
John Abel.
Jonas Adams.
Benjamin Bachon.
Richard Clemens.
Daniel Ackley.
Jonathan Adams.
Abel Bacon.
David Clement.
Hezekiah Ackley.
Richard Adams.
Frederick Baker.
William Clifton.
James Ackley.
Thomas Adams.
James Baley. Haned Bardin.
Jacob Clough. John Cobb. Thomas Cobb.
Silas Ackley. James Adair. Andrew Adams.
Abraham Albertson.
Benjamin Bispham.
William Cobb.
Albert Alberson.
Andrew Blackman.
Joseph Conklin.
David Adams.
Isaac Albertson.
Bryant Conelly.
Elijah Adams.
Jacob Albertson, Jr.
David Blackman. John Blackman.
David Conover.
Jeremiah Adams.
Jacob Albertson, Sr.
Nehemiah Blackman.
Jesse Conover.
James Bleakman. James Boggs. William Boice.
Josiah Bowen.
Henry Anderson.
Isaac Armstrong.
David Bowyer.
John Carter.
James Ashcroft. David Brower.
Jacob Assit.
John Bryant.
Conuter Atherton. Abijah Ayers.
Joseph Burch. Elijah Burk.
Moses Burnet.
Moses Butterworth.
Joseph Baley.
Aaron F. Cade.
John Cain. Samuel Cain.
Thomas Beavin.
James Camp.
Jonathan Beesley.
David Campbell.
James Belange.
William Campbell. .
Nicholas Belange.
Samuel Belange.
Jonathan Bennet.
John Casey. Benjamin Casker.
Sergeants.
Patrick Brady.
Abraham Bennet.
John Reed.
George Bright. Asa Brown.
George Cavener.
Thomas Chamberlain.
Thomas Bryant.
David Clark.
John Ackley.
William Adams.
Abram Aim.
Richard Barker.
John Somers.
Joseph Thorne.
Thomas Alleor.
Jonathan Borton.
James Ayers.
Jonathan Baley.
Benjamin Balken.
William Campen.
73
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Patterson Cook.
John Delfer. Samuel Denick.
Samuel Denick, Jr.
Gideon Denny.
Jonas Denny.
Thomas Denny. Andrew Derrickson.
John Dickinson.
Samuel Dilkes. Frampton Dill. John Dolbier.
Samuel Dollis.
George Fithian.
William Fithian.
William Fletcher. Uriah Forbes.
John Hamilton.
Levi Crandell.
Absalom Doughty. Jonathan Doughty.
William Fort.
Cornelius Cullom.
Josiah Doughty.
George Fowler.
Abel Harker.
John Camp. Joseph Camp, Sr. Joseph Camp, Jr. Archibald Campbell. Simeon Casker.
.
Samuel Dulaney.
John Franklin.
Daniel Frazier.
Reuben Harris.
Daniel Champion. John Champion.
Richard Davis. John Deal.
David Dennis.
Nicholas Frambis.
David Heind.
Matthew Dennis.
William Fry.
Leonard Helel.
William Dickinson.
Ebenezer Grinton.
Hance Helmes.
John Helmes.
Micajah Conover.
Edward Dougherty. Abel Doughty.
Elias Gandy. John Gandy.
George Henry.
John Cook.
Thomas Doughty.
James Gant. Robert Garret.
John Hessler.
John Corson. John Coshier.
John Dower. Benjamin Drummond.
Elijah Garrison.
Caleb Hewett.
John Covenhoven. Cain Dair. John Dair.
James Dunlap. Joseph Eastall. John Edwards.
Reuben Garrison. Samuel Garwood. Rossel Gee.
Moses Hewett. Samuel Hewett.
Samuel Dallas.
Joseph Edwards.
Thomas Hewett.
John Danelson. Kidd Daniels. Joel Daven.
Joseph English.
Joseph Ervin.
Daniel Giffen.
William Hewett. Isaac Hickman.' James Hickman. Edward Higbey.
Andrew Davis. Cain Davis. Curtis Davis. Charles Day.
John Evans. Abner Ewing.
James Gillingham. Reese Given, Sr.
Isaac Higbey. Richard Higbey.
Samuel Day. Thomas Day. Elias Deal. James Deal. Samuel Deal. James Deckley. Edward Deifel. 10
Daniel Falker. John Farrell.
Abraham Farrow.
John Farrow. Mark Farrow.
George Feathers. Peter Fell.
William Fell.
Abraham Fenimore.
Daniel Fenimore. Nathan Ferlew. James Ferril. Jacob Fetter.
Thomas Field.
Francis Gonnel.
James Gormley.
William Hackett. Joseph Haines.
John Doram.
Silas Dorcar.
Abner Doughty.
William Ford.
William Cranmore.
John Drummond.
Isaac Fowler.
David Harker.
Edward Duffel.
Andrew Frambis.
Nathaniel Harker. Moses Harris.
Thomas Champion. Benjamin Clark. Reuben Clark. Thomas Clark. George Clifton.
Jesse Dormant.
Calvin Gamble. Edward Gandy.
Robert Hemphill. Jacob Henns.
Peter Conover.
Peter B. Conover.
Abige Doughty.
Michael Hess.
Edward Dowan.
Cornelius Garrison.
William Hewes. Benjamin Hewett.
Isaac Covenhoven.
William Elbridge. Jeremiah Elway.
William Gentry. James Gibeson. Job Gibeson. John Gibeson.
Reese Given, Jr.
Uriah Hill. Daniel Hillman. Samuel Hillman.
Abraham Ewing. Mis. English. Thomas English.
William Given.
Samuel A. Hillman.
Michael Hiss.
John Hitman. Benjamin Hoffman. Jacob Hoffman,
Silas Cook. William Cordry. Abel Corson. Simon Coshier. Benjamin Cosier. Simon Cosier. James Coults. Isaac Course. William Course. Joseph Covenhoven. Andrew Cox. Jacob Cox. John Cozens.
Jeremiah Garratson.
Joseph Garratson. Lemuel Garratson.
Benjamin Gifford. James Gifford.
John Gifford. Timothy Gifford. John Goff.
William Hainey. James Hamilton.
Samuel Crager.
Thomas Dunaway. William Daniels.
Earl Davis.
Samuel French. Daniel Furman. William Furman.
William Harris.
George Hawkins.
David Hays. Peter Hedd.
John Fisler.
John Hancock. Abram Harcourt.
Jacob Fisher.
Jacob Fisler.
Richard Graham. William Graham. Joshua Greaves. James Gromley. Benjamin Guild. Jacob Garratson.
74
HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Thomas Hollingsworth. Lawrence Jones.
Richard Lown.
George Marical.
Andrew Homan.
Samuel Jones.
Israel Luck.
Joseph Marshall.
Daniel Homan.
Michael Johnson.
Daniel Lake.
William Marshall.
John Hukey.
William Johnston.
Mack Lamor.
Andrew Mart.
John Hulings.
Isaac Jones.
George Land.
John McClaisner.
Thomas Humphrey.
John Kaighn.
Nehemiah Leeds.
Adam McConnell.
David Hund.
Reuben Keen.
Thomas Leeds.
Joshua Mørse.
Lewis Hund.
Thomas Kehela.
John Lock.
John Mullaky.
John Hurley.
David Keilson.
Jonathan Lock.
Thomas Neaves.
Abraham Hutchinson.
Patrick Kelly.
Abram Loper.
Davis Nelson.
Ezekiel Hutchinson.
Uriah Kelly.
Abram Manary.
Gabriel Nelson. James Nelson.
Thomas Hickman.
James Kendle.
Benjamin Manley.
Joseph Nelson.
Absalom Higbey.
John Kerrey.
Edmund Mapes.
Nehemiah Nelson.
John Hillman.
John Kesler.
Andrew Mason.
Richard Newgen.
Seth Hillman.
Daniel Kidd.
David Mason.
John Newman. Reuben Newman. Silas Newton.
Andrew Hurst.
Joseph Kindle.
David Mattacks.
Cornelius Nichols.
Jacob Idle.
Andrew King.
Jesse Mattacks.
Thomas Nichols.
George Ihnetler.
Cornelius Lacy.
Michael McCleary.
Wilson Nickles.
Daniel Ingalson.
John Lafferty.
John McCollum.
John Nickleson.
Isaac Ingalson.
Andrew Lake.
Abraham McCullock.
David Nielson. Davis Nielson.
Benjamin Ingersoll.
Joseph Lake.
James McFadden. John McFadden. Samuel McFarland. Daniel McGee.
Benjamin Nile.
Joseph Ingersoll, Jr. Amos Irelan.
Nathan Leah.
George McGonigal.
James Norcross.
Thomas Irelan.
Nathaniel Leake.
Charles McHenry.
Thomas Ireland.
William Leake.
William McKay.
John Ireland.
Godfrey Leaman.
William McKimmy.
Jonathan Norton.
Thomas Ireland.
David Lee.
Hector McNeil.
David Irelan.
Joseph Lee.
George Meare.
Thomas Nukler. Wilson Nuckless.
Edmond Irelan.
Walter Lee.
Charles Meyers.
Jacob Nichols.
George Irelan. Japhet Irelan,
Felix Leeds.
Samuel Miller.
John Orr (or Ord).
Jonathan Irelan.
James Leeds.
Stephen Miller.
Daniel Osborn.
Joseph Irelan.
William Leeds.
Samnel Mintear.
David Padgett.
Renben Irelan.
Azariah Leonard.
George Mires.
Thomas Padgett.
James Jeffries.
Francis Lewis.
John Mitchell.
Joseph Parker, Sr.
John Jeffries.
Jeremiah Lewis.
Andrew Moore.
Samuel Parker, Sr.
Jonathan Jerry.
John Linwood.
Daniel Moore.
Daniel Parkes.
Samuel Jess.
Daniel Lippencott.
Thomas Morris.
Joseph Parkes.
Isaac Johnson.
John Lippencott. John Little.
Jonas Morse. Nicholas Morse.
Paul Parkes.
Lawrence Johnson.
John Little, Sr.
George Moses.
John Patterson (1st).
Lewis Johnson.
John Little, Jr.
Sharon Moslander.
John Patterson (2d).
Nathaniel Johnson.
Cornelius Locy.
Ezekiel Mulford.
Joseph Paul.
Richard Johnson.
John Lodge.
Furman Mulford.
Robert Pawpe.
Isaac Johnston. Abraham Jones.
Ansey Long.
Jonathan Mulford. Samuel Mulford.
Stephen Peirson.
Abram Jones.
Silas Long.
Dave Muney (Murrey).
James Penton.
Daniel Jones.
Asa Lord.
John Munnion.
Joseph Penyard.
Hugh Jones.
John Lord.
Jonas Jones.
Jonathan Lord.
William Murphy. John Musbrook.
Samuel Penyard. Samuel Perkins.
David Homan.
Peter Kidd.
Benjamin Massey.
John Hugg.
John Killey.
Joseph Masters.
Ebenezer Ingersoll.
Nathan Lake.
Gabriel Nielson.
John Ingersoll.
William Lake.
James Land.
Benjamin Norcross.
Joseph Norcross. Caleb Norton.
Daniel Leeds.
Benjamin Miller.
James Norton.
Noah Parkes.
Joseph Johnson.
Samuel Peckin.
Moses Long.
Peter Hutsinger.
William Kelly.
David Mancy.
75
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Daniel Perry. John Perry. Joseph Perry. Moses Perry. Philip Peters. Abram Peterson. David Peterson.
Jeremiah Robeson.
Joseph Robeson.
John Smallwood.
Elias Smith.
Jeremiah Robinson.
William Rockhill.
Andrew Ross. Stephen Ross.
Henry Smith. Isaac Smith. James Smith.
Jacob Peterson.
Enoch Rudnown.
Enoch Rudrow.
Obadiah Reed.
Morris Risley.
Joseph Smith.
Joshua Smith.
Samnel Risley.
Micha Smith.
Nathan Smith.
Isaac Robertson.
John Rossell.
Thomas Smith.
John Salmon.
William Smith (1st).
William Smith (2d). Zenos Smith.
Thompson Price.
William Pridmore. William Prigmore.
David Scull.
Joseph Scull.
Peter Scull.
David Sealey.
Jacob Seddons.
Samnel Soey.
Isaac Taylor. Robert Taylor. William Tennent.
Israel Parshall. David Pierson. Ward Pierce.
Benjamin Seeds. John Seeley.
Enoch Sommers.
Isaac Terrepin.
Richard Price.
David Seers.
William Seiler.
John Selvy. William Senker.
Thomas Sommers.
Joseph Sparks. Robert Sparks.
Richard Thomas. William Thomson.
. Oliver Thorp. John Tice.
Thomas Rennard.
Lawrence Shepherd.
Nathaniel Shepherd. Owen Shepherd.
Frederick Shinfelt.
Edward Shroppear. John Shuley.
Samuel Shute.
Henry Sight. John Sill. John Silvey.
Ebenezer Steelman. Frederick Steelman. George Steelman. James Steelman, Sr.
William Tomlin. Lewis Tonson.
Redack Tourain. John Towne. James Townsend. Daniel Townsend.
George Simpkins. James Simpkins. Jesse Siner. William Sinker.
James Steelman. John Steelman. Jonas Steelman. Jonathan Steelman, Jr. John Townsend.
Jonathan Steelman, Sr. Reddick Townsend. Richard Steelman.
David Stephens.
Ezekiel Steward. Joseph Steward. Alexander Stewart. Joel Stewart. John Stewart, Sr. John Stewart, Jr. Stephen Stewart.
Ebenezer Stebbins. David Stilwell. Samuel Stoddard.
Joseph Pett.
George Pierce. Joseph Platt. Samuel Platt.
Thomas Poarch. Lawrence Ponleson. John Powell. Richard Powell. Jacob Price. Levi Price.
John Salsbury.
Joseph Sawings.
David Sayers. Thomas Scott. Abel Scull.
Philip Snellbaker.
George Snelbacker. David Snell.
Robert Snelly.
Joseph Soey.
Nicholas Soey.
David Sommers.
Isaac Sommers. John Somers.
Uriah Terrepin. Jonathan Terry. James Thomas. John Thackry. John Thomas.
Jonathan Reed. William Reed. John Reeves. Joshua Reeves. Thomas Reeves,
John Shane.
Henry Sharp.
Renben Shaw.
Richard Shaw.
David Sheeff.
Thomas Springer. Jeremiah Springer. John Sprong. John Starkey. John Spire.
Daniel Tilton. Peter Till. Joseph Tilton.
Samuel Reynolds. Michael Rice. Joseph Rich.
Jacob Timberman.
Richard Richerson. Richard Richman.
Elijah Tomlin. Jacob Tomlin. Jonathan Tomlin.
Daniel Richmond. Jacob Riley. Patrick Riley. Aun Risley.
David Risley. Joseph Risley. John Robbins. James Roberts. Joseph Roberts. George Robertson. Caleb Robeson.
David Skeoff. John Slawter. Philip Slide.
James Smallwood.
Elijah Smith, Jr. Felix Smith.
Samuel Peterson.
Thomas Peterson.
Nathaniel Risley.
Thomas Risley.
Noah Smith.
Thomas Stothem. Samuel Strickland. John Strumble. Gideon Stall. James Summers. John Stutınan. Abraham Swaim. Judeth Swain. Jesse Swall. Isaac Swandler. Valentine Sweeny.
Joseph Parker, Jr. Samuel Parker, Jr. John Parry.
Timothy Swiney. Valentine Swing.
Thomas Price.
William Quicksel. John Rain.
Richard Sommers.
Richard Stedman.
Andrew Steelman. Daniel Steelman. David Steelman.
Daniel Trumey. John Vannemon.
Daniel Snellbaker.
Jesse Smith. John Smith.
Thomas Stonebank. Joel Stord.
Thomas Robeson.
76
HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
David Vernon.
Jennings White.
George Waggoner.
John White.
John Walker.
John Whitlock.
George Wall.
John Wild.
John Wallace.
Daniel Wiles.
John Wallis.
James Wiley.
Benjamin Weatherby.
David Williams.
David Weatherby.
Edward Williams.
George Weatherby.
George Williams.
John Weeks.
William Williams.
Zephaniah Weeks. Seth Weldon.
John Williams.
Thomas Weldron.
David Williamson. John Wilsey.
Jacob Wence.
Elijah Wilson.
Peter Wells.
William Wilson.
Israel West.
Samuel Woodruff.
Uriah West.
John Woolson,
Porter Wheaton.
Samuel Worrick.
Robert Wheaton.
John Wright.
Silas Wheaton.
Hance Young.
Uriah Wheaton.
Uriah Young.
Samuel Whitacre.
Jacob Zimmerman.
LIEUTENANT RICHARD SOMERS AT TRIP- OLI .- In the war ju which the United States engaged next after achieving their independence, that against the Barbary States on the African coast of the Mediterranean Sea, to punish and suppress their piracy, Lieutenant Richard Somers won a fame which will last as long as the memory of gallant deeds endures. He was the son of Colonel Richard Somers, of the army of the Revolution, was born in Egg Harbor, and became an officer in the American army iu 1796. In the squadron which Commodore Preble took to fight the Moors in 1803 he commanded the schooner " Nautilus." When the enemy captured the " Philadelphia," in 1804, Somers conceived the project of send- ing into the inner harbor of Tripoli the little gunboat or ketch "Intrepid " as a fire-ship and infernal machine. She was loaded and her decks covered with powder, bombs, grape-shot, rockets and various missiles, the expectation being to so explode her amidst the Moorish fleet and close to the fortifica- tions that she might inflict the greatest damage on both, possibly destroy the " Phila- delphia," and cause the release of her crew
and other Americans slowly perishing in the prisons of Tripoli. Somers volunteered for the command of this desperate expedi- tion, and had with him four other volunteers from the crew of the " Nautilus."
Fenimore Cooper has tersely told the uarra- tive of that fateful night of September 4, 1804,-
"Once assured of the temper of his companions, Somers took leave of his officers, the boat's crew doing the same, shaking hands and expressing their feelings as if they felt assured of their fate in advance. Each of the four men made his will verbally, disposing of his effects among his ship- mates like those about to die. Several of Somers' friends visited him on board the Intrepid be- fore she got under way. Somers was grave and entirely without any affectation of levity or indiffer- ence, but he maintained his usual quiet and tran- quil manner. After some conversation he took a ring from his finger, and breaking it into three pieces, gave each of his companions 1 one, while he retained the third himself.
"Two boats accompanied the Intrepid to bring off the party just after setting fire to the train. About nine o'clock in the evening Lieu- tenant Reed was the last to leave the Intrepid for his own vessel. When he went over her side all communication between the gallant spirits she contained and the rest of the world ceased. The ketch was seen to proceed cautiously into the bay, but was soon obscured by the haze on the water. At ten o'clock the enemy's batteries were slowly firing upon her. At this moment Captain Stewart and Lieutenant Carroll were standing in the gangway of the Siren, one of the American fleet, looking intently toward the place where the ketch was known to be, when the latter exclaimed, 'Look ! see the light !' At that instant a light was seen passing and waving, as if a lantern were carried by some person along a vessel's deck. Then it sunk from view. Half a minute may have elapsed, when the whole firmament was lighted by a fiery glow, a burning mast with its sails was seen in the air, the whole harbor was momentarily illuminated, the awful explosion came and a darkness like that of doom succeeded. The whole was over in less than a minute, the flame, the quaking of towers, the reeling of ships, and even the bursting of shells, of which most fell in the water, though some lodged on the rocks.
1 Stewart and Decatur, who were bidding him farewell.
77
THE WAR OF 1812-14.
The firing ceased, and from that instant Tripoli passed the night in a stillness as profound as that in which the victims of this explosion have lain from that fatal hour to this."
, Whether Somers purposely blew up the "Intrepid " to prevent capture, whether the explosion was accidental, or whether it was a hot shot from a Moorish gun is a question that will never be answered, for he and his four devoted shipmates perished in the disaster.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE WAR OF 1812-14.
THE prosperity of the United States after the achievement of their independence was interrupted by the war between England and France, during the career of Napoleon Bonaparte. Those nations declared each other's ports to be in a state of blockade, which closed them against American com- merce. The British government demanded the " right of search," to take from American vessels, sailors, claimed to be of English birth, and impress them into the English service. The American people demanded " free trade aud sailors' rights," and the outrages perpe- trated were so great that America insisted upon a surrender of the British claim of search. The government of the United States refused to negotiate on the subject, and an embargo was laid npon all ships in Amer- ican ports.
In all, three thousand American sailors, who were, or were claimed to be, of British birth, were impressed into the British navy ; and many hundreds of Irish emigrants on their way to the United States were taken from their ships, upon which they were sail- ing on the high seas, and compelled to serve on British decks as marines.
The crowning act was committed on June 22, 1807, when the British frigate " Leopard,", without warning, fired into the American
man-of-war " Chesapeake," disabled her and took from among her crew four men, on the charge that they were deserters from a Brit- ish ship. Congress passed the Embargo and Non-Intercourse Acts, which were retaliatory measures designed to stop commerce between the United States and Great Britain. The Democrats, who favored a declaration of war, elected Madison President, for whom New Jersey gave her electoral vote. The conspir- acy of Governor Craig, of Canada, and the British ministry to induce the New England States to secede from the Union, by aggra- vating the discontent which they, the great ship-owning and commercial section of the nation, felt because of the prostration of that interest, was revealed by John Henry, and on June 4, 1812, war was declared by Con- gress.
The prevailing sentiment in New Jersey favored peace if it could be had with honor, but it did not flinch from the crisis that Eng- land precipitated. On Jannary 9th, five months before the declaration of war, Sam- uel Pennington, of Essex County, introduced in the House of Assembly a preamble and resolutions, reciting the grievances of the country, and adding,-
" That in case the government of the United States shall eventually determine to resist by force the lawless aggressions committed by the British nation on the persons and property of our citizens, this Legislature, in behalf of themselves and the citizens of New Jersey, whose representa- tives they are, pledge themselves to the nation to render to the general government all the aid, as- sistance and support in their power, and will, with all readiness, perform all the duties required of them in the prosecution of a war undertaken for the common defence and general welfare."
On November 16th an order calling out the militia was issued, and among those who tendered the services of their companies was Captain Pissant, of Woodbury. No other organization is reported at that time as com- ing from Gloucester County, but it seems that many Gloucester men were enrolled in
78
HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
companies formed at Salem, and that they were commanded by Captains Tuft, William Ray, Freas and Garrison.
Altogether New Jersey had abont four thousand men under arms during this war. They were in service generally three months; five hundred at Fort Richmond, on Staten Island ; other detachments at Panlus Hook and Marcus Hook, and still others along the Delaware River. The State was not the theatre of any military operations, but pre- cautionary measures were taken in case the British should attempt an invasion by way of the Delaware, which was frequently threatened by the presence of her fleets along the coast. In 1814 a brigade of militia, under command of General Eben- ezer Elmer, was stationed at Billingsport, from whence it observed the movements of a small British schooner, which occasionally came into the river. Forty or fifty of these landsmen chartered another schooner, and, putting themselves under the direction of a dragoon officer, who had been a sailor, they put off to attack the foe. Unluckily, the water was so rough that all hands, except the captain and a few others, were driven below by sea-sickness ; but even thus disabled, he gave chase to the British vessel, which crowded on canvas and put out to sea, . For two years he read law with his brother though she could easily have captured her pursuer.
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