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974.7
SMITH, EDMUND BANKS .
GOVERNOR'S ISLAND; ITS MILITARY HISTORY ** 10.95 NNBR 720076416
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PAINTED BY CASTLE WILLIAMS IN 1823.
W. C. WALL.
1
Governor's Island
Its Military History under Three Flags
1637-1913
,
BY THE
REVEREND
EDMUND BANKS. SMITH, B.D.
,
CHAPLAIN, OF GOVERNOR'S, ISLAND
Rew Dork PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 1913
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COPYRIGHTED
1913 BY THE
REVEREND EDMUND BANKS SMITH
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DEDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF MAJOR-GENERAL FREDERICK DENT GRANT UNITED STATES ARMY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
I. Indian and Dutch Period
to 1674
Pages II-24.
Chapter II. English Colonial and Revolutionary Period . 1674-1783 Pages 25-58.
Chapter
III. Period of the War of 1812
. 1812-1815
Pages 59-77.
Chapter
IV. Mexican and Civil War Period . . 1846-1865
Pages 78-85.
Chapter
V. Garrison Notes
. 1865-1913
Pages 86-117.
Chapter
VI. Ferry Transportation in Four Cen-
turies
Pages 118-124.
1637-1913
Chapter VII. The New York Arsenal . 1831-1913
Pages 125-128.
Chapter VIII. Religious Work and Influence. Pages 129-152.
Chapter IX. Governor's Island Extension. Pages 153-156.
Chapter X. Commanding Generals, Post Com- manders, British and American Forces · 1755-1913
Pages 157-169.
Addenda-British Regiments on Governor's Is- land-H. M. 60th Foot-the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Pages 171-175. The Post Headquarters Building. Pages 174-175.
Epilogue.
Pages 177-179.
PREFACE
TT SEEMS to be a beneficent arrangement of Nature that all
great harbours are provided with small islands. These serve highly important purposes as breakwaters or stations for various official uses, and especially for Army and Navy pur- poses as ship yards and bases for defensive works and military supplies.
Thus the harbour of Rio de Janeiro has Lage with its forts- Cobras, Santa Barbara and others; Naples, its Ischia and Capri; San Francisco has Angel Island and Alcatraz; St. Petersburg, Basil and Petropski Islands ; Montreal, St. Helen's and Ile Ronde; Manila has Corregidor, our Eastern Gibraltar ; and Panama in the South, Naos, Perico and Flamenco. New York Harbour is well provided with these friendly aids to good National housekeeping, which, beginning with the lighthouse islands in the lower bay, and including the mighty Richmond with its quarantine attendants, sweep in graceful lines through the curving East River to where it debouches into the open Sound. Among these sentries which stand on guard wherever an open door invites attack is one, the fairest of them all, the "Smiling Garden of the Sovereigns of the Province," as the old Colonial Governors used to call it, which in its long career has done more smiling than frowning, the subject of this History, Governor's Island.
"Pagganck" in Indian days, "Nutten" in Colonial Dutch and "Governor's" in English and American occupation-by every name it has been fair and sweet, and it deserves as well of the future as it has served well the past.
5
PREFACE
May the day never come when it shall lose its beauty and its dignity and sink to the level of mere commercialism, swarming with restless crowds on outing bent or disfiguring the noble ap- proach to our Metropolitan city by ranks of cheerless chimneys and a dismal waste of warehouses!
Governor's Island has stood in four centuries for that which is best in our National life. It has represented authority and defense. The Dutch and English before us regarded it as a source of influence and power. Its nearness to the Metropolis gives it convenience ; its isolation bestows dignity and security. In addition to its value and importance in time of peace for the preservation of civic interests and in war for defense as a centre of administration, a depot for supplies and a receiving and training station, a value may be mentioned which as a principle ranks above the definite purposes already men- tioned. Historical continuity and veneration for persons and places of dignity are not valued as they should be by the American of today. It is needless to say how important these considerations are for the higher development of our National life. The writer does not know of any one place in America where opportunities for developing these charac- teristics of a high National life cluster as they do at Governor's Island.
Here, for two hundred and seventy-five years, since Von Twiller and the Indians signed their Roman-Dutch agreement, authority has held the keys; here, for one hundred and fifty- six years, since the "Royal Americans" mounted guard in 1756, the tramp of sentries has never ceased; here, since 1783, our flag has welcomed and dismissed the sun each day at reveillé and retreat ; here, gallant officers and fair ladies have lived and served and by their simple devotion to God and country have taught to others that great silent lesson of patri-
6
PREFACE
otism which is the alphabet of the Army ; here, have been re- ceived with dignified respect the representatives of the Powers of every land, who have returned to their homes with a better opinion of America because in seeing our greatest Port they have seen also Governor's Island with all it represents. Truly, this Island has served well the State. As a picture of our Past, as a living reality in our Present, for the development of our Future, it must be preserved and endowed with greater power and activity.
The thought is not mere sentiment. It is practical patriotism. Our people need the object lesson which this military Station in New York can furnish. Washington has its Capitol, a pic- ture in stone and iron for the Nation. New York has its civic and mercantile buildings to inspire municipal pride and to encourage financial enterprise. Governor's Island is the one point in our vast City on which to centre a common patriotism. We have pride and enterprise strongly developed. Our pat- riotism which mounts to the sky in time of war lags sadly be- low in peace when it is most needed. If this book has any suggestion in its story of Governor's Island, it is of the im- portance of preserving inviolate this spot of National and Municipal interest, which through its long and honoured career has touched so many points in the history of the American Army and of the City of New York, and which today is a reminder to millions, as it watches o'er the Town, that the eternal vigilance of the Army is of fullest value to the State when every citizen is a patriot. Semper floreat.
It has been found impossible to give the data in full of every organization and individual stationed here. The records avail- able are incomplete, and if they were not so to transcribe them in full would encumber these pages with a mass of details and not carry out the idea of the writer, which is to present a sim-
7
PREFACE
ple picture of our Island in four centuries from a military point of view, with such touches of social life as can be gathered from various sources.
The author desires to express his thanks to a number of friends for aid in writing this History, especially to Brigadier- General George Andrews, The Adjutant-General of the Army, and to Colonel Herbert J. Slocum for valuable assistance, and to Captain Arthur F. Halpin for his kindness in preparing the illustrations.
GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, New York Harbour. 1913.
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED
(The spelling and capitalization in original papers, orders and reports are retained.)*
Reference is made in the following pages to the authorities mentioned, with the acknowledgments of the author :
Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York. Manual of the Common Council of the City of New York.
Memorial History of the City of New York by Gen'l James Grant Wilson.
History of Trinity Parish in the City of New York by the Rev'd Morgan Dix, D.D., Rector of Trinity Church.
The Story of the Chapel of St. Cornelius the Centurion, Gov- ernor's Island, by Dr. Dix.
Historic New York, Half Moon Series, by Blanche W. Bellamy.
Tompkins Military Papers, by Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor of New York 1807-1817.
Journal-Legislative Council of the Colony of New York. Colonial History of the State of New York. Brodhead.
Medical History of Governor's Island, by Charles Page, Sur- geon, U.S.A., F. W. Elbrey, Asst.
Original General and Special Garrison Order Book, 1814-15.
Colden Papers. Lt .- Governor Colden.
Clinton Papers. Governor Clinton.
Adjutant General's Department Compilation. Circular No. 8-Surgeon Genl's Office.
* The profuse use of capital letters in the time of Washington, as ex- hibited in some of the Revolutionary Orders quoted in this History, may be defended on the ground of good usage at the period. Benjamin Franklin, as late as 1789, laments the new use coming then into vogue of the non-capitalization of the initial letters of all nouns.
9
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED
MSS. Minutes of Common Council subsequent to 1786, in Library of City Hall, New York.
New York City in the War of 1812. Guernsey."
Memorial History of Staten Island. Colonel Ira K. Morris.
Historical and Statistical Record of the University of the State
of New York. F. B. Hough.
New York Historical Society Publications.
Lee Papers.
Kemble's Journal. Lt .- Col. Stephen Kemble, Royal American Regt.
New Amsterdam and its People. J. H. Innes.
Valentine's Manual.
Lamb's History of New York.
Historical Register U. S. Army. F. B. Heitman.
Army List-British Forces, 1756, &c. (Official.)
THE CRY : NEW YORK
CHAPTER I.
INDIAN AND DUTCH PERIOD
Of the occupation of Governor's Island by the Indians little is known except that they were here when the Dutch arrived and that they undoubtedly enjoyed its quiet retreats, as suc- ceeding generations of Dutch, English and American residents have done. That they were ready to part with it for what they deemed a fair consideration is evident from the deed of sale, as recorded, to Governor , Wouter Van. Twiller in 1637, and when we reflect that the Indians of Manahatas parted with their Island to Minuit, Governor and Director-General of New Netherland, for sixty guilders (twenty-four, dollars), we must conclude that they made a shrewd bargain with Van Twiller for Governor's Island. , The Indian name for the Island was "Pagganck," referring' to the groves of hickory, oak and chestnut trees with which it was well covered.,
The Dutch rendered, this name by "Nutten," and it was so called till the late Dutch, and even the. cafly English Colonial period, the term "Nutter.," lingering in some cases into the Revolutionary times, althoughi the nut trees that gave it that name had doubtless disappeared under the influence of the famous saw mill of which mention is frequently made in early times. The name of the Island was officially changed from "Nutten" to "Governor's" by Act of Legislature, March 29, 1784
That the Dutch had really a right to hold New York is denied by Dr. Dix in his History of Trinity Church (Vol. I, p. 21), in which he points out that "the Dutch had no right by virtue of discovery, for the River and the Bay had been well known since Verrazano's voyage in 1524. They had no rights by virtue of Charter : three years before the voyage of Hud- son the region had been doubly covered by patents
II
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
issued by King James to the North and South Virginia Com- panies, a royal donation based on the claim of England to the North American Mainland acquired by John Cabot in 1497.
The whole country was "preempted," as the Dutch very well knew, both by priority of discovery and formal occupation. Even if the Dutch had possessed a good title, a glance at the map will show that the position could not have been perma- nently maintained between the English settlements on the North and Virginia on the South: it was merely a question of time before inexorable laws must take their course."
Woodrow Wilson in his "History of the American People" scems to hold an opposite view, regarding the claim of right as a pretext, but he acknowledges that under Colonel Nicolls, "no less a statesman than a soldier, New Netherland was within a year transformed into New York under laws which promised toleration and good government and which all sensible men accepted with satisfaction."
The Dutch occupation of what is now New York, neverthe- less, conferred á lasting benefit upon the community in the importation 'of sturdy traits of character which are appreciable in some of it's most distinguished families today. Architec- tural remains 'are naturally non-existent, except in the style of some modern adaptations, 'but the names of streets and locali- ties, such as Spuyten Duyvil, Corlaers Hook, Coenties Slip, Dutch and Van Dam Streets, Stuyvesant Square and St. Mark's-in-the-Bouewrie, where Petrus Stuyvesant lies buried, and many other names of like character, remind us of those days when the foundations of our present greatness were laid.
The foundation of the settlement may be dated from 1621, when the States-General of Holland gave the West .India Com- pany its Charter. In 1623 the "New Netherlands," a stout Dutch sailing vessel, Cornelius Jacobs of Hoorn, Skipper, with thirty families came to this western Land of Promise. So sea- worthy was this good ship that she continued in active service for more than thirty years after this and brought doubtless a large proportion of the carly Dutch settlers to this land. In 1625 two more ships sailed from Holland laden with agricul-
I2
INDIAN AND DUTCH PERIOD
tural implements, seeds for planting, 103 head of cattle, house- hold furniture and 200 settlers. Upon arrival in the harbour the cattle were landed on what is now Governor's Island.
The West India Company was incorporated June 3, 1621, through the efforts of William Usselinx to colonize the lands discovered by Hudson. In addition to the expectation of revenue to be derived from the Colony was the idea of estab- lishing a naval base for Dutch vessels in the war with Spain. "In 1621, the year of its establishment, the Company obtained a grant or patent from the States Generall for the setting and Planting a Colony here and was called the New Netherlands and made one of its first settlements near the mouth of Hud- son's River upon an Island called Nutten Island."
From Colonial Documents-London.
The first permanent Colony upon Manhattan Island was made by Peter Minuit in 1626 and the first act of settlement was to acquire land from the owners. Governor Peter Minuit made a bargain with the Indians as already mentioned, estab- lishing thus early in what was to be the financial centre of the world a basis of real estate valuation.
The prudent Van Twiller followed the precedent set by Minuit with careful attention to comparative values and so in 1637 our Island passed forever from the control of the original Race, the hut was abandoned, the tent was folded and stowed in the canoe, the stealthy tread of the moccasin gave place to the heavy tramp of the wooden shoe, "Pagganck" be- came "Nutten" and a momentous page was opened in the history of the subject of this memorial as tribal existence yielded to National life. The flag of Holland is the first to proclaim a National occupation, to be succeeded as time goes on by that of England and then by that of England's daughter, grown too big and free for Georgian leading strings.
It is not the purpose of the author to point a moral to adorn this tale. The great fact stands out in considering the story of this spot, as in larger issues, that National life depends upon its standard of just dealings for continued existence. This is
13
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
why the great Roman Empire fell and why little Switzerland endures. We may add many stars to the canton of our flag, but they must be kept undimmed, for even a just cause needs strong battalions.
The author trusts this simple tale of our Island will be of interest to many and that the record of the illustrious Past will inspire to even greater successes in the future. Before going on to review events under the flags of Holland, England and our own country, let us give a thought to those early in- habitants who had no flag save the waving branch on the trees which gave the name of Pagganck in the days before American history began.
The Indians who inhabited Pagganck Island and the Island of Manhattan (named from them) were of the Manhattan tribe, belonging to the Wappinger Confederacy. Geographi- cally and linguistically they were intermediate between the Delawares to the south and the Mohegans who lived in other. parts of New York State.
Their principal village was Nappeckamack (now Yonkers). Their fort was Nipinicksen on Spuyten Duyvil Creek. From this point they sailed out to attack Hudson on his return voy- age down the River that now bears his name-a quarter of a century before their sale of Pagganck (Nutten, Governor's) Island to Wouter Van Twiller.
The illustration (p. 16) is from a rare engraving, an "ancient engraving, executed in Holland," as its title sets forth. It shows Fort Amsterdam erected in 1623 but finished as de- picted in the engraving in 1635 by Governor Wouter Van Twiller, first Lord of Governor's Island. This engraving is believed to be the only portrayal of the Island under the Indian occupation as indicated by the tents and huts upon its shores and the fleet of canoes plying between their Pagganck Island and the mainland .*
* This engraving has been the subject of considerable discussion. As it appears (p. 16) Fort Amsterdam is on the East side of Manhattan Island, whereas it should be upon the West. J. H. Innes holds that the reversal is due to the fact that the original view was taken from the
14
INDIAN AND DUTCII PERIOD
The deed of sale to Van Twiller extracted from the ancient records of the Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York is given in full, 'as befits its importance in an historical account of this Island and also for its interest as a document of the period.
We can imagine the effect upon Cakapeteyno and Pehiwas, the agents of their tribe in the sale to the Governor, of the sonorous phrases of the Roman-Dutch law and of the impres- sive circumstances with which the ceremony was doubtless invested. Whether the pipe of peace was passed around or not we are not informed, but doubtless these original pro- prietors were well content with the "certain parcels of goods" which they acknowledged "to their full and grateful satis- faction to have received into their hands and power," and in such simple form of transportation as the ancient engraving portrays they doubtless glided away to fish in other waters and enjoy their parcels of goods on other shores.
Colonel Ira K. Morris in his "Memorial History of Staten Island" says that wampum at this period was estimated as fol- lows: "With the Dutch Governors six beads of the white or four of the purple were equal in value to one penny. This currency was used by Europeans for many years after their settlement here. Both the Dutch and English recognized it as currency for a long time. In 1683 the schoolmaster at Flat- bush was paid his salary in wheat "at wampum value." In 1693 the ferriage for passage from New York to Brooklyn was "eight stuyvers each in wampum."
Colonel Morris points out the advantage the Governor's Island Indians had over those of Staten Island in making a sale of their land to the Dutch in that "on the adjoining Island (Staaten Eylandt) the Indians lived a most miserable life from the time of the arrival of the Dutch. War and blood-
Long Island shore by means of a plain camera obscura and that the proper orientation was not restored when the engraving was made in Holland. The reader who desires to correct the error has only to hold the picture before a mirror, when he will, upon reflection, perceive that he has the proper view.
15
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
shed followed almost constantly. At times the whites were murdered or driven away. At others, the Indians perished. The Indians gradually decreased in number and power, and their dust to the very last mingled with the earth where their feet had trod. The last of the Raritans (or Aquehongas) on Staten Island passed away about 1826."
It is a cause for gratification that our Island began its offi- cial career in 1637 by honourable purchase from its owners. During its documentary history of two hundred and seventy- six years not a single transaction can be found of a question- able character .* Under the three flags of: Holland, England and America, as well as under the curling smoke of the wig- wam, honour and justice have been the keynote of its existence and the glory of its history.
* The alleged diversion of funds by Lord Cornbury in 1702 must be mentioned as an unfortunate exception to this statement:
NIETY NEDERLANDT.
---
-
-
This view of East amsterdam on the Manhattan is copied from an ancient Engraving created in Holland The First was posted in 1623 but, finished upon the above medel by Governor Van Triller in 1635
FROM JOOST HARTGERS' BESCHRIJVINGHE VAN VIRGINIA, &C. AMSTERDAM, 1651.
ORIGINAL DEED OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
BETWEEN THE
DIRECTOR AND COUNCIL OF NEW NETHERLANDS AND
CAKAPETEYNO AND PEHIWAS
JUNE 16, 1637
WOUTER VAN TWILLER DIRECTOR-GENERAL
[FROM THE MANUAL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK]
ORIGINAL DEED
"The Director and Council of New Netherlands residing on the Island of Manahatas in the Fort Amsterdam under the Government of their High and Mighty Lords, the States Gen- eral of the United Netherlands and the privileged West India Company, at their Chambers at Amsterdam, by these presents do publish and declare that on this day, the date underwritten before us, in their own person appeared and presented them- selves, Cakapeteyno and Pehiwas as owners and declared that voluntarily and deliberately at the special charge of the Rulers and with the approbation of the Community for, and in con- sideration of, certain parcels of goods which they, the said appearers, before the passing of these presents, acknowledged to their full and grateful satisfaction to have received into their hands and power, they in their rightful ownership have transported, ceded, given over and conveyed and by these presents they do transport, cede, give over and convey to the behoof of Wouter Van Twiller, Director General of New Netherlands, the Nooten Island (Nut Island), in the Indian tongue called Pagganck, situate over against the Island Mana- hatas between the North and East Rivers of New Netherlands, and that with all the action right (and) equity which to them the said appearers in their said quality appertained, constitut- ing and substituting the aforesaid Wouter Van Twiller in their place and stead in the real and actual possession thereof, and at the same time giving to the said Wouter Van Twiller or to his successors full and irrevocable power, authority and special license, tanquam actor et procurator in rem suam ac propriam the aforesaid land peaceably to possess, inhabit, cultivate and occupy, and also therewith and thereof to do, trade, and dispose in the same manner in which he might do with his own lands honestly and lawfully without their the granters any longer any part, right, action or authority what- ever, whether of ownership charge or jurisdiction, having, reserving or saving but to the behoof as aforesaid, now and forever from the same resisting and denouncing, abstaining
19
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
and withdrawing, promising moreover not only by this their transport and whatever may have been done by virtue thereof forever by these presents, firmly, inviolably and irrevocably to maintain faithful and execute, but also the said Island, against all and everyone to deliver and maintain, free from all de- mands, prosecutions and incumbrances that thereto may be instituted by anyone-all in good faith, without fraud and deceit.
These presents are confirmed with our usual signatures and our seal thereto suspended.
Done on the aforesaid Island of Manahatas the sixteenth day of June, 1637.
WAS UNDERSIGNED
JACOBUS CORLER ANDRIUS HUDDE JACOBUS BONTYN CLAUS VAN ELSLANT."
The "certain parcels of goods" mentioned in this document are believed to have been an axe head or two, a string of beads and a few nails.
General James Grant Wilson in the year 1875 in conver- sation with her Majesty the Queen of Holland asked her whether she did not think sixty guilders a very small consider- ation for Manahatas Island, to which her Majesty promptly replied: "If the savages had received more for their land they would simply have drunk more fire water," which reflec- tion will reconcile us to the very small amount involved in the "parcels of goods," for which our fair Island was signed away. However, if the Dutch made a good bargain in 1637, they did not do so well in 1667 when by the treaty of Breda they re- ceived Surinam as an equivalent for what is now New York !*
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