USA > New York > Franklin County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 73
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 73
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This affair led the enemy to take measures for retaliation, and the governor arriving on his way to Upper Canada, Lt. Col. Pearson com- /manding at Prescott, proposed an attack upon Ogdensburgh, but the governor did not deem it expedient to order an attack; but as two men had deserted on the evening of his arrival and gone over to the Ameri- cans, who might, upon ascertaining the arrival of the governor, waylay him on his route, it was determined that Lieut. Col. Pearson should pro- ceed on the ensuing morning with his excellency to Kingston, while Lt. Col. McDonnell, second in command at Prescott, should make a demon- stration upon the ice in front of Ogdensburgh, as well with the view of engaging the attention of the troops, as by drawing out their forces to ascertain the strength of the garrison.
To afford the data from which to estimate the relative merit of the defence, the following account of the armament and force in garrison at Ogdensburgh is given, as derived from the memories of citizens then in town. It had been learned from spies that the British were preparing to attack the town, and Capt. Forsyth had written to General Dearborn, at Plattsburgh, soliciting assistance. To this Gen. D. sent word that he could afford him no help, and that he must do as well as he was able. If he could not defend the place he was at liberty to evacuate it, and it was left optional with him to do this before or after making an attempt to defend it. In his letter he said that the loss of the place might arouse the American spirit, intimating that the town was to be made a sacrifice for the good of the country.
Upon receiving this letter, Captain Forsyth assembled the officers around him, consisting of Captain Kellog, Lieutenant Smith of the rifle company, Lieutenant Baird, second lieutenant in the same, Lieutenants Lytle and Wells of the volunteers, then just raised, and Adjutant Church, who had at the request of General Brown joined Forsyth, to await the arrival of volunteers. A few others whose names are not remembered, were present. To these he read the letter of General Dearborn, and solicited their advice. The result of the deliberation that ensued was, that it was expedient to defend the place as long as practicable, and to abandon it only when compelled.
The defences of the place were as follows: Near the intersection of Ford and Euphamia (now State) streets, stood an iron twelve pounder, under the command of Captain Kellog, of the Albany volunteers. It was mounted on a wheel carriage, and was one of the trophies won in the revolutionary war from Burgoyne at Saratoga. In front of the arse-
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nal* in Ford street, was a brass six pounder, on a wheel carriage belong- ing to the state of New York. It was under the command of Joseph York, with a few men mostly citizens and volunteers. A short distance north of the northeast corner of Mr. Parish's store, was a rude wooden breastwork, defended by an iron twelve pounder, which was mounted on a sled carriage. It was also one of the trophies won from Burgoyne, and was under the command of Captain Joshua Conkey, of Canton, but it is said was not fired, although it was so placed that it might have done the enemy much injury, and perhaps have checked them altogether. This piece had been on the armed vessel Niagara. On the point where the light house now stands, was a brass nine pounder, which had also been brought down on the Niagara, near the close of navigation. It is said to have been mounted on a sled carriage, and was under the com- mand of a sergeant in the company of Captain Kellog. This piece was fired repeatedly with effect, and its commander was one of the last who retreated when the place was finally evacuated. Back of the old stone garrison were two old fashioned iron six pounders, which were mounted on sleds. They had formed a part of the armament of some gun boats that had dismantled the fall before. One of these pieces was under the orders of Daniel W. Church, and the other of Lieut. Baird, of Captain Forsyth's company. In front of the gateway between the two buildings which formed the stone garrison, was a six pound brass piece on a sled carriage. This piece had been in the village during the summer, and for some time previous had been used in their exercises by a company of flying artillery then being formed, but which was absent or scattered . at the time when the place was taken. About twenty feet to the left of this, was a six pound iron cannon, on a sled carriage, which had been taken from a gun boat. Besides these, there were several cannon which had been thrown from gun boats upon the beach in front of the stone garrison, which were frozen into the ice, and which together with all of those above enumerated, were taken by the enemy, and were never re- covered.
Below the town and not far from the present brewery, was an unfin- ished redoubt which had been commenced towards the close of the season previous, but which was at the time not occupied or defended. It had been commenced under the orders of General Brown, and was planned by M. Ramee, a French engineer, who had been in the service of Bonaparte, and was to have been quadrangular in form, and bore the name of Fort Oswegatchie.
" The troops stationed here have been employed since last Thursday, in building a fort-it progresses pretty fast, considering the number of men employed. It is believed, however, that it will not be finished be- fore the winter sets in. The plan of the fort, we understand, was the production of Mr. Ramee, a French gentleman, who resides in this vil- lage." (Ogdensburgh Palladium, vol. ii, No. 46. November 10, 1812.)
The drafted militia had long since returned home, and Capt. Forsyth's company alone remained. Lieut. Lyttle had received orders for raising a company of volunteers, and Joshua Conkey, of Canton, had arrived a little before with thirteen men, towards a company. On the evening previous to the attack, an arrangement had been made, that in this case Adjutant Church was to have charge of the piece at the garrison, and Sheriff York the brass six pounder, near the arsenal. Early in the morn- ing of Feb. 22, the governor departed, and at the same time Lt. Col.
* A store on the west side of Ford, between State and Isabella streets.
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McDonnel marched out on the ice in two columns, with an intention, as stated by British authorities, of only making a demonstration, but which he turned into a real attack. One of these said to be five hundred strong, directed their march to a point where the breastwork had been thrown up below the village, but which at the time was without defense, and the other of about three hundred, approached from a point above the stone garrison. Besides the regulars, there were not more than fifty to show their faces to the enemy. Capt. Forsyth had drawn up his men in the rear of the garrison, and facing the column that was approaching from that quarter, and, when within half musket shot, he walked down in front of his men, and directed them to reserve their fire until the word of command was given. Near the right of the line, Lieutenant Baird was stationed with an iron six pounder, and Adjutant Church was about two-thirds the way down the line, with a brass six. No order was given to fire until the enemy had nearly reached the bank, where the snow had drifted about knee deep, and here they first fired, but without effect. Captain Forsyth then ordered his troops to fire, and a volley was at once discharged from the rifles and the two cannon. Upon hearing the order, the soldiers of the enemy fell prostrate, and immediately after the dis- charge, the company jumped up and ran off without ceremony, leaving eight of their number dead on the ice. This detachment consisted of provincial militia and volunteers, under British officers. The column of five hundred from below, under McDonnell, marched into the village without resistance. York and Kellog each fired upon them, but the gun of the latter was disabled, by the breaking of the elevating screw, at the first fire, which prevented it from being again used. York continued to fire till two of his men* were mortally wounded, and himself and party taken prisoners. Kellog and his men, after the accident which deprived them of further means of resistance, retired across the Oswegatchie, and joined Captain Forsyth. Meanwhile, the greatest confusion and alarm prevailed throughout the village, and numbers of citizens were hastening away, most of them in the direction of Heuvelton. The nine pounder, which was posted on the point under the charge of a sergeant, was fired with effect upon the first column, the moment they began to show disorder and commence retreat, but its position was such that it could not molest the other lower body. Captain Conkey surrendered himself without resistance. These three cannon being in their possess- ion, together with the village, the enemy next directed his efforts towards the position of Forsyth.
There were planted in front of the stone garrison, occupied by him, one iron and a brass cannon, both sixes. These were loaded by Church and Baird, but when about to be fired, a white flag borne by two men was seen approaching. One of the bearers was Duncan Frazer, and the other Jonas Jones, who has since filled a high judicial station in Canada. The object of their visit was to present the compliments of Colonel Mc Donnel, and the conditional alternative, of " if you surrender, it shall be well; if not, every man shall be put to the bayonet." Captain Forsyth promptly replied, " Tell Colonel McDonnel there must be more fighting done first." The bearers of the communication immediately returned, and had no sooner entered the ranks, which were drawn up in Ford street, near the Hasbrouck place, when the two cannon before the gate way were immediately discharged. The brass piece was loaded with case shot, and disabled eight men; but being a little too elevated, it had
* Joseph Kneeland and - Hyde, both citizens.
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but little of the effect that would have been witnessed, had it been por- perly pointed .*
Immediately after this discharge, the enemy retreated behind the stone store of Mr. Parish, for shelter. Up to this time there had been none of Forsyth's company killed, and as there remained no enemy in sight, the latter ordered his men within the gates, as the British began to fire at his company from behind various objects, by which several were wounded, among whom were men by the names of Squires and Clark. They were not so badly wounded but that they were able to retreat. Lieutenant Baird lingered behind after the order for retreat was given, and only retired when a messenger was sent with a second com- Inand for him to leave. Soon after, some of the party, among whom were Church and Baird, went out to load the cannon in the rear which had been first used, hoping that some chance might occur for discharg- ing them with effect, but on returning, both were wounded, the latter severely. Deeming further resistance useless, Captain Forsyth issued orders for his men to retreat, and to rendezvous at Thurber's tavern, on Black lake, and thence they proceeded to De Peyster Corners, where they arrived in the evening. The British took prisoners all the men in the hospital, eight in number, and Sergeant Carr, who had care of the arsenal. Lieutenant Baird was too badly wounded to retreat, and was conveyed to the house of Judge Ford, where he was taken prisoner. Adjutant Church, with the assistance of two of Forsyth's men, retreated. None of this company was killed, and with the above exceptions, none taken prisoners. There were on the side of the Americans five killed and eighteen wounded. As the enemy were marching down Ford street, some of the number on entering the store room used as an arse- nal, were met by a lad at the door, by the name of Jones, from Canton who discharged a musket, and severely wounded one of their number, and was in the act of reloading his piece, when the soldiers, enraged at this resistance, fired a volley upon the courageous boy, and finished their work with him by a thrust of a bayonet, which pinned him to the coun- ter. Further resistance not being offered, the enemy proceeded to ran- sack the town for public property and pillage, carrying off or wantonly destroying private property to a great amount. Fifty-two prisoners were taken over to Canada, where citizens were mostly paroled and allowed to return home, excepting those who had been found under arms. Con- key and his inen, Sergeant Rogers, Lieutenant Baird, and a few others, believed to be about twenty, were sent as prisoners of war to Montreal, and thence by water to Halifax, until exchanged, except fourteen, of whom Rogers was one, who escaped from jail at Montreal, and returned home.
These prisoners were confined in an upper story of the prison; their window was grated with a double row of iron bars; a line of sentinels patrolled the premises surrounding, and the yard was enclosed with a stone wall. The manner in which they effected their escape, is said to have been as follows: Besides those taken at Ogdensburgh, there were several others confined in the same apartment, among whom was one who resided just south of the boundary on lake Champlain, who was known to be an active partizan, and had been seized on British soil, and
* The anecdote is related, that as Mr. Church was about to fire this cannon, Captain For- syth stepped forward and ordered him to elevate it more. The former replied that it was high enough, but the commander, impatient of contradiction, peremptorily renewed his order, which was sullenly obeyed. It has been suggested that an additional turn of the screw was given to prove the soundness of his argument, and thus the lives of many of the enemy were saved.
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confined, as a prudential measure. To him, however, on account of friends residing in the city, considerable indulgence was shown, and they were allowed to send him, from time to time, certain dainties from their tables. Being of ample corporeal dimensions, and enjoying an appetite adequate to its maintenance, the dishes were sometimes of proportionate size; and especially some of the puddings, which might have sufficed for a small party, but which were found to conceal numbers of sharp files and saws. With these the prisoners worked, whenever they could do so, unobserved, and at the end of two weeks, had so nearly severed the bars, that they could be removed with little labor. To conceal their operations, the notches worked with the files were filled with a sort of paste mingled with the filings in such a manner as not to be readily detected without close observation. At length a propitious night arrived for their flight. An inclement storm drove the sentinels to their boxes, and the tempest howled around the premises, deadening what ever sound they might accidentally make. Their bedding was torn up and twisted into ropes, the bars removed, and one by one, with the exception of the corpulent gentleman, from whose dinners the tools had been derived, they glided down the rope unobserved, and succeeded in scaling the wall and getting away. One of their number strained his ancle, and was unable to accompany them; but finding friends in the city, he remained two or three weeks, and finally in the garb of an agent of the commissary depart- ment, he was conveyed away, and Conkey and Baird remained prisoners till the close of the war.
To return to the subject: the enemy continued through the day to seek and carry away whatever commodities their caprice or their wants indicated, among which was a large quantity of provisions from the stone store, of which they were said to be much in need, and for which they paid the value. The prisoners in the jail, upon their own asser- tion that they were confined for political reasons, were set free, but upon a true representation being made afterwards, several were pursued, re- captured and given up to the sheriff.
The wanton destruction of private property, which is said to have extended to every house in the village except three, was perpetrated by swarms of the abandoned of both sexes from Canada, and by numbers of the dissolute class who belonged to the American side, and who seized this opportunity to gratify a morbid passion for gain, and for wanton ruin. The barracks were burned, and an attempt was made to fire the bridge, but without effect, as it was covered with ice and snow. The citizen prisoners captured at this incursion, were exchanged for those taken at Brockville. It is but just to observe that the wanton plunder of the enemy was disclaimed by those in command, and some efforts were made to procure the restoration of a few of the articles stolen.
The following are the British official accounts of this affair, dated Kingston, February 23, 1813:
GENERAL ORDERS .- His excellency the commander of the forces, has the satisfaction of announcing to the army in British North America, the complete success of an attack made by Lieut. Col. McDonnel, of the Glengary light infantry, and the detachment stationed at Prescott, yes- terday morning, on the enemy's position at Ogdensburgh, which termi- nated in the capture of that place, and of eleven pieces of cannon, and all the ordnance and marine stores, provisions and camp equipage, and the destruction of two armed schooners and two gun boats. Such of the enemy's garrison as did not fly to the woods, were made prisoners. The conduct of every individual engaged, and which includes the whole
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of the troops, regular and militia, stationed at Prescott, appears to have been highly honorable to them. The following officers are particularly noticed by Col. McDonnel, as having distinguished themselves: Capt. Jenkins, of the Glengary light infantry, who, the commander of the forces laments to find, is severely wounded, as also Lieut. Empy, of the militia, who has lost a leg, and Lieut. Powell, of the King's regiment, slightly wounded, Staff Adjutant Ridge, of the King's regiment, who led the advance guard, and Lieut. McAuly, of the Glengary light infantry. Lieutenant McDonnel reports that he was well supported by Capt. Eustace, and the officers of the King's regiment; by Col. Fraser and Lieut. Col. Fraser, and all the officers of the militia, as well as by Capt. Le Lievre, of the Royal Newfoundland regiment, attached to the militia. The field artillery was well served by Ensigns Mckay of the Glengary light infantry, and Kerr, of the militia, and the good conduct of the Royal engineers is likewise particularly noticed.
The commander of the forces was induced to authorize this attack, not by any means as an act of wanton aggression, the troops under his command having been ordered at all times to abstain from all acts of that nature; but as one of a just and necessary retaliation on that which was recently made on the British settlement of Brockville, by a party from Ogdensburgh, and in consequence of frequent depredations from that garrison committed on the persons and property of his majesty's subjects within its reach ; and in announcing its results, his excellency feels much pleasure in publicly expressing his entire approbation of the gallantry and judgment with which it appears to have been conducted.
His excellency directs the officers and men taken prisoners on this occasion to be sent to Montreal, there to remain until further orders. A salute to be fired immediately.
JOHN HARVEY, Lieut. Col. and Dep. Adj. Gen.
OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, - Montreal, February 25, 1813.
GENERAL ORDERS .- The major general commanding, has much satis- faction in announcing to the troops in the lower province, that he has received a report from Lieutenant Colonel McDonnel, of the Glengary light infantry, stating that in consequence of the wanton attack lately made by the enemy on the village of Brockville, it had been determined to retaliate by an assault on his position at Ogdensburgh. This took place, in a gallant and spirited manner, under the command of that offi- cer, on the morning of the 22d inst., and was crowned with success after an action of an hour and a half, in which the enemy had about twenty killed, and a great number wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel McDonnel reports his having taken possession of all the enemy's artillery (with the exception of one piece), as well as . naval, military, and commissariat stores; and of his having destroyed the barracks and shipping. A detailed return of the stores, has not yet been received, but eleven pieces of artillery and several hundred stand of arms had arrived at Prescott.
Lieut. Colonel McDonnel speaks in high terms of the conduct of the force under his command, particularly of the gallantry of Capt. Jenkins, of the Glengary light infantry, who was severely wounded. The lieut. colonel also mentions the assistance which he received from Colonel Frazer, Lieut. Col, Frazer, and all the officers of the militia, from Capt. Eustace and officers of the King's regiment, Capt. Le Lievre of the New-
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foundland regiment, Lieutenant McAuley and the officers of the Glen- gary light infantry, and from Lieut. Gangrelen, of the Royal engineers; Ensigns M'Kay of the Glengary, and Kerr of the militia, who directed the service of the field pieces, as well as of the spirited manner in which the advance was led on by Staff Adjutant Ridge.
List of killed and wounded in the attack upon Ogdensburgh, 22d Feb., 1813.
Royal artillery-One rank and file killed. King's regiment-One ser- geant killed; 12 rank and file wounded. Newfoundland regiment-One rank and file killed, and four rank and file wounded. Glengary light in- fantry-Two rank and file killed; one lieutenant colonel, one captain, one lieutenant, two sergeants, seven rank and file, wounded. Militia- Two rank and file killed; one captain, eight subalterns, one sergeant, fifteen rank and file, wounded. Total-One sergeant, six rank and file, killed; one lieutenant colonel, two captains, four subalterns, three ser- geants, and thirty-eight rank and file, wounded. Names of officers wounded -- Glengary light infantry, Lieut. Col. McDonnel, Capt. Jenkins, severely ; Lieut. M'Kay. Militia-Capt. J. McDonnel, Lieut. Empy, severely; Lieut. M'Lean, and Lieut. M'Dermott.
J. ROWEN, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. Forsyth announced to the secretary of war the event at Ogdens- burgh, in the following letter, dated Feb. 22, 1813.
" SIR :- I have only time to inform you that the enemy, with a very superior force, succeeded in taking Ogdensburgh this morning, about 9 o'clock. They had about two men to our one, exclusive of Indians. Numbers of the enemy are dead on the field. Not more than twenty of our men killed and wounded; Lt. Beard is among the latter.
I have made a saving retreat of about eight or nine miles. I could not get all the wounded off.
We have killed two of the enemy to one of ours killed by them. We want ammunition and some provisions sent to us, also sleighs for the wounded. If you can send me three hundred men, all shall be retaken, and Prescott too, or I will lose my life in the attempt.
I shall write more particular to-day.
Yours, with due respect, BENJAMIN FORSYTH, Cap. Rifle reg. com'g.
The following extracts convey additional facts in relation to this affair, and from having been written soon after the occurrence of the events, possess additional interest. The first is from Mr. Rosseel, and the second is understood to have been written by Mrs. York, to a brother in New York, and was published in Niles's Weekly Register.
" By the middle of the afternoon, having rigged out an apology for a one horse sleigh, I left Ogdensburgh with the land office papers, to re- join my family, who left it the moment the place was being taken and came within an ace of receiving the contents of a 32 pounder, loaded with grape and canister, which stood at the four corners (near St. Law- rence tavern), in front of which the sleigh in which my family were, was driving furiously along, undistinguished from the enemy, and the dread effect of which discharge I witnessed from my window. Several of the British fell at the corner of Mr. Parish's premises [in the fence of which, what remains, may yet be seen to this day, the marks made by
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the grape shot.] I had received from General Arnold, of the militia, who was here prisoner on parole, a commission for Capt. Forsyth. that he prepare for an attack that night. Forsyth and his rifle corps were at Kellog's [about a mile s. w. of Depeyster corners-on state road], and I found the militia at Remington's [Heuvelton]. They would not allow me to go further till I told them my errand. The teamster who drove me was very drunk, and never minded the challenge from the pickets placed here and there along the road, which was narrow, I sometimes feeling their rifles touching our bodies. At Kellog's I found almost all Ogdensburgh, soldier and civilian, all pell-mell. But after I communicated to Capt. Forsyth my message from Gen. Arnold, the sound of the bugle cleared the room of riflemen, and the people breathed more freely. After placing my family in safety, I returned to Ogdensburgh, between which place and Rossie Iron Works my attention was divided."
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