USA > New York > Washington County > Gazetteer and business directory of Washington County, N.Y. for 1871 > Part 10
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har acknowledged unequaled Steck Plano Fortes, to be found at B. 11. lidley's, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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fenseless soldiers. Although Montcalm was entreated to fur- nish a guard as promised, the horrid massacre went on un- checked. A few survivors fled to Fort Edward. Writers differ as to the number slain and carried into captivity on this occa- sion, some placing it as high as 1,500. The next day Major Putnam was dispatched from Fort Edward and reached Lake George just as the rear of the enemy had left. The scene is described as beggaring all description. "The fort was entirely demolished, the barracks, outhouses and buildings were a heap of ruins, the cannon, stores, boats and vessels were all carried away. The fires were still burning, the smoke and stench offensive and suffocating. Innumerable fragments of human skulls and bones, and carcasses half consumed were still frying and broiling in the decaying fires. Dead bodies, mangled with scalping knives and tomahawks in all the wantonness of Indian fierceness and barbarity, were everywhere to be seen. More than 100 women butchered and shockingly mangled lay upon the ground still weltering in their gore. Devastation, barbarity and horror everywhere appeared and the spectacle presented was too diabolical and awful either to be endured or described." This act of perfidy is a foul stain upon the otherwise fair name of General Montcalm.
In the summer of 175S a large force of 7,000 regulars and about 10,000 provincials under Gen. Abercrombie made an at- tack upon Ticonderoga. The army embarked at the head of Lake George, on board 900 bateaux and 135 boats, on the 5th of July. General Abercrombie attempted to carry the Fort by assault but was repulsed with a loss of nearly 2,000 men. The army returned to the head of the lake and remained the rest of the season. In June 1759, General Amherst with an army of 12,000 men, advanced to Lake George, and while waiting to complete his arrangements to advance on Ticonderoga, com- menced the construction of Fort George, about half a mile east of Fort William Henry. As General Amherst advanced on Ticonderoga, the French withdrew to Crown Point and soon after to Canada. Quebec fell into the hands of the English, and with the conquest of Canada peace was once more enjoyed throughout this region, until the breaking out of the Revolu- tion, when it was destined to become the scene of some of the most important events of that memorable struggle.
The spring of 1777 opened with an army of more than 2,000 men at the foot of Lake Champlain, under the command of Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne, designed to pass up the lake, capture the posts occupied by the Americans and pass down the Hudson, taking possession of Albany and opening communication with Lord Howe who was in command at New York and endeavor-
Before purchasing a Piano, Organ or other Musical Instrument, call on B. IL. Hidley, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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ing to make his way up the river to Albany. To co-operate with Burgoyne a force was sent up the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario to Oswego, thence across the country to Fort Schuyler, the present site of Rome, with the design of capturing that post and sweeping down through the valley of the Mohawk, unite with Burgoyne at Albany. This expedition was commanded by General St. Leger. The plan was well laid, but its execution, as the sequel will show, was not carried out. Burgoyne passed up the lake, meeting with little resistance until he arrived at Ticonderoga on the 30th of June. This post was in command of Major General Arthur St. Clair. The main fort was upon a point of land occupying the north angle formed by Lake Champlain and the outlet of Lake George. On the east side of the Lake was another fort on Mount Independence. These two completely commanded the passage of the lake. A bridge had also been constructed across the lake, consisting of twenty-two sunken piers of large timber, at nearly equal distances. The spaces between were made of separate floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve feet wide, strongly fastened together by chains and rivets and also fastened to the sunken piers. Protecting this bridge was a boom made of very large pieces of timber fastened together by riveted bolts and chains of iron whose links were an inch and a half square. The British advanced upon both sides of the lake with land forces, those upon the west commanded by General Fraser and those upon the east by Col. Breyman, while the remainder of the army, under the immediate command of General Burgoyne, were on board of frigates and gunboats. The fleet anchored just beyond cannon shot from the American works. The garrison consisted of only about 2,400 men, and the stores were so reduced that this number could not be greatly increased until there was some means of replenishing the stock of provisions. This force was altogether too small to man effectually the extensive works at this place, and this was one cause of Burgoyne's advantage. St. Clair had neglected to take possession of Mount Defiance, s high point in the south angle of the lake and the outlet of Lake George, thinking that it could not be made available by the British, and besides not having sufficient force to man the works already erected. On the 2d of July the right wing of the British army advanced and the small detachments occupy- ing the American outposts towards Lake George made but a feeble resistance and set fire to their works and abandoned them, leaving the British in possession of Mount Hope, which completely commanded the road to Lake George, and thus cut off all communication in that direction. Their artillery and stores were brought up with all possible speed, and on the 4th
usical Goods of all kinds, Wholesale and Retail, at B. H. MID. LKY's, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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General Fraser's whole corps occupied Mount Hope. On the night of the 4th a road was constructed to the summit of Mount Independence, which commanded the whole American works, and preparations were being made with all possible dispatch to erect a battery there. The next morning St. Clair discovered the position of the enemy and immediately called a council of war which decided to evacuate the works im- mediately, as this appeared to be the only thing that could save the troops. As every movement of the Americans could be seen through the day by the enemy upon Mount Defiance, it was thought expedient to delay all preparations until dark- ness should conceal their movements. The baggage and such stores and ammunition as could be carried were placed on board 200 bateaux and conveyed by five armed galleys up the lake to Skeenesborough, now Whitehall. The cannon which could not be moved were spiked. To allay all suspicion a can- nonade was kept up from one of the batteries towards Mount Hope until the moment of departure. Thus far all had gone on well, the lights all having been extinguished that their movements might not be discovered by the enemy. The garri- son of Fort Ticonderoga crossed the bridge about three o'clock in the morning, where it was joined by the force at Mount Independence, thence to proceed via Castleton to Whitehall and Fort Edward. The commander at this point set fire to the house which he had occupied, and the light of the conflagra- tion disclosed to the British the whole movement. As soon as the movement of the Americans was perceived, General Fraser commenced the pursuit, and before sunrise, had crossed the bridge and was pressing eagerly after the retreating patriots. General Riedesel and Colonel Breyman soon followed to sustain Fraser, while General Burgoyne prepared for an immediate pursuit of the bateaux and convoy by water. The Americans had placed great dependence upon their boom and bridge, sup- posing that pursuit by water would be almost impossible. These obstructions were soon so far removed as to allow the passage of the fleet, and long before noon the whole flotilla was crowd- ing all sail in pursuit of the American bateaux. Unsuspicious of danger the little flotilla had scarcely anchored at Whitehall when the British galleys appeared and commenced an attack. Two of the galleys were taken and the other three were blown up; their bateaux were set on fire and abandoned, as were also the Fort, mills, blockhouses, &c. The Americans being too feeble to contend successfully with the army of Burgoyne fled towards the camp of General Schuyler at Fort Edward. A de- tachment of the British under Lieutenant-Colonel Hill pur- sued as far as Fort Ann, where a battle occurred between his
Id Instruments of all kinds taken in exchange for New . at B. H. Hid- ley's Music Store, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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forces and the Americans under Colonel Long. After a sharp contest the ammunition of the Americans gave out and they burned their works and retreated to Fort Edward. Burgoyne's headquarters remained at Whitehall about three weeks, many of his troops in the mean time being engaged in opening the road, building bridges, &c., which the Americans in their re- treat had destroyed. The army of General Schuyler was in a wretched condition and daily diminishing. Food, clothing, ammunition and artillery were all wanting. The pecuniary resources and credit of Congress were failing, and the future appeared dark and foreboding of evil. Many of the eastern troops were sick, disheartened and had returned home. Amid all these discouragements, the heart of the commander never failed. In a letter to the Albany Committee he said : "I mean to dispute every inch of ground with General Burgoyne, and retard his descent into the country as long as possible." As Burgoyne approached slowly from Whitehall, General Schuyler retreated, destroying bridges, felling trees across the road and throwing all possible obstructions in the way of Burgoyne's advance. The inhabitants fled in terror and dismay towards Albany, leaving their ripe harvest fields and pleasant homes
to be trodden down or burned by the enemy. Van
Schaick's and Haver Islands, at the mouth of the Mohawk, were fortified by General Schuyler, being regarded the most eligible point of defense against an attack from the north or west, though his headquarters remained at Stillwater. Weak
as the army was, a detachment of 800 men was sent out under General Arnold for the relief of Fort Schuyler which was be- siged by St. Leger. This expedition was successful and remov- od all cause of fear from that direction. While Burgoyne was at Fort Edward he sent out the expedition to Bennington which proved so disastrous. He had scarcely recovered from this when the news of the retreat of St. Leger and the defec- tions of the Indians reached him, casting a gloom over the sky which a short time before appeared so bright. The Americans were encouraged to a corresponding degree, volunteers were
coming in from all quarters and everything foreboded success.
About this time General Schuyler was removed and General Gates appointed in his place. This was accomplished through the intrigue of his enemies, and though he felt most keenly the injustice of being removed when victory appeared almost with- in his grasp, be rendered his successor all the aid in his power.
burgoyne had supposed that his greatest difficulties would be
overcome on his arrival at the Hudson ; but to his disappoint- thent he found they had only commenced. His supplies were growing short and, unable to obtain sufficient from the sur-
hr acknowledged unequaled Stocks Piano Fortes, to be found at E. 1. Hidley's, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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rounding country, he resolved to remain at Fort Edward until supplies could be brought from the lake. He was also expect- ing advices from Lord Howe or Sir Henry Clinton announcing a movement up the Hudson from New York for the purpose of drawing away a portion of the American force. Perceiving the disposition of Burgoyne to remain at Fort Edward, Gen. Gates advanced his headquarters up the Hudson to Stillwater and prepared to act offensively or defensively as circumstances might dictate. He erected fortifications upon Bemis's Hights and vicinity, which occupied the time until the 15th of Septem- ber. An expedition had been sent out under General Lincoln to operate in the rear of Burgoyne. One detachment under Colonel Brown surprised the British posts on Lake George and captured a vessel containing provisions for the enemy, took possession of Mount Hope and Mount Defiance and demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga, but after a cannonade of four days they abandoned the siege and prepared to attack the enemy in the rear. The threatening aspect of affairs and the proba- bility of having his supplies cut off from the lake, induced Bur- goyne to advance. Having brought forward provisions for thirty days, he advanced down the left bank of the Hudson to the mouth of the Batten Kil, where constructing a bridge of boats, he crossed with his whole army on the 13th and 14th of September, and encamped on the hights and plains of Sarato- ga, where the village of Schuylerville now stands, and within five miles of the American works. His artillery, baggage and stores were brought over on the 15th and he advanced as far as Coveville, where he halted until the 17th for the purpose of re- repairing roads and bridges. On the 18th he advanced to Wil- bur's Basin, within two miles of the American camp, and made preparations for battle. On the 19th a hotly contested battle was fought, commenced by the advance of the British and end- ed only at the approach of darkness, when the British held the battlefield and the Americans retired to their camp. The loss of the Americans in killed, wounded and missing, was 319, and that of the British about 500. The number of Americans en- gaged in the battle was about 2,500, and that of the British 3,000. The whole number of the British in camp and on the field was about 5,000, and that of the Americans 6,000. Neither party being disposed to renew the conflict, the next morning the British retired to their camp near Wil- bur's Basin. Burgoyne was surprised at the bold and . success- ful resistance of the Americans and saw clearly that it would be useless to attempt to push forward towards Albany. He resolved to strengthen his position and await the co-operation of Howe and Clinton at New York. The Americans also strengthened
Before purchasing a Piano, Organ or other Musical Instrument, call on is. 5. illdler, 12 Manislou Blouse Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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their position and the two armies occupied nearly the same po- sition until the 7th of October. There was skirmishing almost every day between small detachments, and scarcely a night pass- ed without some daring exploit for the sake of adventure or to annoy each other. On the 7th of October another battle was fought which resulted disastrously to the British and caus- ed a retreat to the present site of Schuylerville, where, on the 17th, General Burgoyne surrendered with his whole army, as prisoners of war, to the Americans under General Gates.
Judging from the best information at hand, Washington County was not behind the other counties of the State in fur- nishing men and means to support the Government during the Rebellion. Soon after the first call of the President was issued, four companies were recruited in Whitehall, Fort Ed- ward, Sandy Hill and Cambridge, recruits from other towns helping to swell the number. Many also enlisted in other counties and in the neigboring State of Vermont. These four companies were incorporated into the Twenty-second Regiment N. Y. V., which was organized in June 1861, and left the State for Washington on the 28th of the same month. In Baltimore the Regiment was assaulted by a crowd at the depot, and one man was killed. The fire was returned and several of the crowd were wounded. The Police then interfered and the Regiment was soon on board the cars for Washington, where it arrived July 1st. During the two years of its service, it was engaged in the various campaigns and battles in Virginia and Maryland, taking part at the second Bull Run battle and at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville, &c. It was mustered out of service at Albany, June 19th, 1863. We have not the data to give the particulars of other regiments, the Census Report of 1865 being too incomplete to afford any fair representation of the number who served in the army during the war. It must be left to the future historian to do full justice to the patriots who risked their lives for their country.
We are enabled, through the courtesy of Gen. Isaac Bininger, of Salem, to give the following incidents, which we believe will prove interesting, not only by reason of their being connected with the early history of this County, but as serving in some degree to show the ardent devotion to principle of that per- Secuted band of religious zealots-the Huguenots-one of whom is the principal subject of this sketch. During the persecution of the Huguenots in Germany and Switzerland, about the year 1428, Abraham Bininger, Sen., fled with his parents and one brother from Zurich, in the latter State, to England. Their estate in Switzerland was confiscated. In
untral Goods of all kinds, Wholesale and Retail, at B. H. HID- LEY'S, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. K.
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1732 they, with other emigrants, came to America under the patronage of Queen Anne, who gave them a free passage. But his parents did not live to see the land for which they set out to seek a home and shelter from the thralldom of the Catholics of the eastern continent; they died before the completion of the voyage. On the same vessel was Rev. John Wesley, then on his first mission to this country. On the arrival of the vessel on the coast of Georgia the young Huguenot made his way to the school established by George Whitfield, at or near Savannah. After a short time he joined a society of Morav- ians formed in Georgia and emigrated with them to Bethlehem, Pa., where he finished his education and became a minister to the Moravians. His duties in the capacity of missionary called him to various places, among them St. Thomas, Barbadoes and other of the West India Islands, some of which belonged to the King of Denmark, who had forbidden any one to preach the Gospel to the slaves of his subjects except those who were themselves slaves. Being animated with the spirit of a true missionary he was nothing daunted by this apparent obstacle to the fulfillment of his mission, for with an unexampled de- votion to the cause in which he labored, he at once manifested his desire to execute bonds which should subject him to the rigors of the servitude in which these semi-barbarians were held, for the privilege of preaching the Gospel to them, and thought it not too dear a price. The King on hearing of the zeal and devotion of this young disciple was moved to relax the stringency of his decree and sent him an autograph letter giving him permission to preach in any part of his domain without subjecting himself to the humiliation he braved rather than relinquish his cherished desire. Such examples, though they do not always meet with such ready and merited appre- ciation, never fail in their mission; they perpetuate themselves in the lives of men who live after them and tend to inspire us all to similar noble achievements by like generous sacrifices. They are the golden cords by which we draw ourselves nearer to the great central source of wisdom and goodness. The letter above referred to is now in possession of the family of this true hero, and may well be prized by them, for it speaks of more than a kingly recognition of the sublimity of sentiment which actuated the one to merit and the other to grant the concession it made known. After his return to this country he was sent to preach to the tribes of Indians in the Eastern States, and, in company with George Whitfield, preached the Gospel to the Whites as well as Indians throughout that vast wilderness. He subsequently went to the Mohawk Valley on a like mission. About 1768 he,
id lustruments of all kinds taken-in exchange for New, at B. H. Hid- ley's Muste Store, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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with several others of like faith, among whom was Philip Embury of New York, the well known pioneer of Methodism, to whom Bininger became strongly attached, so much so that they promised that the one who survived the other should preach his funeral sermon, which sad duty devolved upon Bin- inger, came to this County and took up a large tract of land. Bininger set apart a portion of his land as a burying ground for the little colony, and in this was his friend Embury inter- red. In 1832 the remains of Embury were removed to Ash Grove, and a few years later were removed to Cambridge Ceme- tery, where they now repose. Abraham Bininger died in 1811 and was buried in his own grave yard, beside his beloved friend Embury. Abraham Bininger suffered much during the Revolu- tionary War from the incursions of the Indians and Tories, who stole his valuables, drove off his cattle and smashed his furni- ture, the remains of some of which the family now have in the same condition in which the marauders left them. His young- est son, Isaac, was drafted when only eighteen years old, to as- sist in repelling the Indians and British. He was taken pris- oner by the Indians at Fort Ann and marched, in the month of December, suffering untold hardships, to Montreal, where he remained three years and nine months until the end of the war. After many years the descendants of Abraham Bininger, Sen., were inspired to establish a Moravian Church, which they did at Camden Valley. Abraham Bininger 2d, of New York, his son Jacob, with the sons of Isaac Bininger, Sen., viz: Isaac Binin- ger, who resides at present near Shushan, and the late Abra- ham M. Bininger, of New York, giving largely of their means to realize the earnest prayer of their revered ancestor that such a work might be accomplished. For many years the Gospel was preached here by Moravian ministers.
I've acknowledged unequaled Steck Piano Fortes, to be found at B. 11. ltdley's, 12 Mansion Blouse Block, Broadway, Troy, N. I.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
ARGYLE, named in honor of the Scottish Duke of Ar- gyle, was granted by patent May 21, 1764, and formed as a town March 23, 1786. Greenwich was taken off in 1803 and Fort Edward in 1818. It lies near the center of the County. The surface is rolling in the north and west and broken and hilly in the south and east. The highlands are divided into broad ridges with abrupt declivities. Tamerack Swamp covers several hundred acres in the north part. The principal stream is the Moses Kil, which flows in a south-west direction through near the center of the town. This stream was formerly called " Moss Kil," probably from Capt. Moss who settled opposite its mouth. The other streams are small brooks which flow into the Hudson, Batten Kil and Wood Creek. Cossayuna Lake is a beautiful sheet of water about three miles long, situated in a narrow valley in the south-east part of the town. It is sur- rounded by steep hill slopes and contains several beautiful green islands. The name is said to signify "The Lake at our Pines," and is highly expressive of the original scenery. The lake has been called by various names at different times, as "Long," "Legbrants," " McEachrons," " Cowans " and " Big Lake." To the west of this lake is Argyle Lake, a small sheet of water half a mile in circumference and high up among the hills. The soil is generally a productive, slaty or gravelly loam. A mineral spring, one mile north-west of South Argyle, is said to resemble those at Saratoga. Summit Lake is a picturesque sheet of water upon the summit of the central range of hills. Several mills are supplied by its outlet.
Argyle, (p. v.) situated a little west of the center of the town, was incorporated March 27, 1838, and contains several stores, one hotel, three wagon shops, four or five blacksmith shops, two flouring mills, one harness shop, one M. E. church and one United Presbyterian church. It is the seat of the Ar- gyle Academy, which institution was incorporated in 1841. The building is a handsome brick structure. This village was
Before purchasing a Piano, Organ or other Musical Instrument. call on B. H. Hitley, 12 Mansion House Block, Broadway, Troy, N. Y.
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first settled by George Kilmer, who was the owner of the village site, and also a large tract adjoining. Mr. Kilmer, prior to the Revolution, erected a grist mill near this place, which was resorted to by settlers from a surrounding district of fifty miles. The County Clerk's Office is located here.
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