USA > New York > New York County > Governor's Island; its military history under three flags, 1637-1913 > Part 12
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LT .- COL. A. C. W. FANNING. . . 4th Art'y .. . Apr. 30, 1839
COL. D. E. TWIGGS.
2d Dragoons.
. June
5, 1839
CAPT. JUSTIN DIMICK
Ist
Art'y.
Nov.,
1839
COL. JAMES BANKHEAD. 2d Art'y. Aug., 1841
CAPT. CHAS. S. MERCHANT 4th Art'y. Dec. 10, 1841
LT .- COL. A. C. W. FANNING. 4th Art'y Jan. 2, 1842
COL. JAMES BANKHEAD.
2d Art'y.
. July
2, 1842
CAPT. GABRIEL J. RAINS 7th Inft'y .Jan. 13, 1847
COL. I. B. CRANE. 4th Art'y Sept. 12, 1848
MAJOR JOHN L. GARDNER. 4th Art'y . Dec., 1850
MAJOR GABRIEL J. RAINS 7th Inft'y .July 26, 1852
LT .- COL. JOHN L. GARDNER- .4th Art'y Aug. 5, 1852
LT .- COL. M. M. PAYNE. .4th Art'y. Sept. 26, 1852
CAPT. JOHN T. SPRAGUE. 8th Inft'y Nov. 27, 1852 LT .- COL. J. J. ABERCROMBIE 2d Inft'y Aug. 2, 1854
MAJOR ELECTUS BACKUS. 3d Inft'y . July 2, 1855
162
COMMANDING GENERALS, POST COMMANDERS, ETC.
ASSUMED COMMAND
MAJOR ALBERMARLE CADY . . . .. 6th Inft'y . .. .. July 12, 1857
MAJOR THEOPHILUS II.
HOLMES
.8th Inft'y . .. .. July 2, 1859
MAJ. SAMUEL P. HEINTZLE-
MAN Ist Inft'y. Apr. 14, 1861
LT .- COL. CHARLES F. SMITH. . Ioth Inft'y. . . May 8, 1861
COL. GUSTAVUS LOOMIS
5th Inft'y
. .. Aug. 26, 1861
CAPT. JOIIN D. WILKINS 3d Inft'y. Aug. 6, 1864
COL. J. D. BOMFORD 16th Inft'y. . Sept. 6, 1864
MAJOR M. COGSWELL 8th Inft'y ... . Feb. 16, 1865
LT .- COL. JULIUS HAYDEN . Ioth Inft'y. ... May 27, 1865 LT .- COL. HENRY D. WALLEN . 14th Inft'y . . . Mch. 7,1867
LT .- COL. THOS. H. NEILL Inft'y . . .May 5, 1869
MAJOR M. M. BLUNT
14th Inft'y .... June 22, 1871
MAJOR JAMES P. ROY 6th Inft'y . . Feb. 26, 1873
MAJOR R. E. A. CROFTON
17th Inft'y .... Oct. 2, 1874
MAJOR ALEX. CHAMBERS 24th Inft'y .... Oct. 14, 1876
CAPT. E. G. BUSH 10th Inft'y .... June 30, 1877
CAPT. J. P. SANGER. Ist Art'y. July 3, 1878
CAPT. THOMAS WARD Ist Art'y . July 2, 1880
MAJOR JOHN MENDENHALL. Ist Art'y Nov. 9, 1880
CAPT. THOMAS WARD
Ist Art'y. Oct. 5, 188I
CAPT. F. L. GUENTHER 5th Art'y Nov. 4, 1881
CAPT. W. B. BECK. . 5th Art'y Nov. 1I, 1882
MAJOR R. A. JACKSON . 5th Art'y. Dec. 21, 1882
CAPT. W. F. RANDOLPH .5th Art'y Nov. 7, 1886
MAJOR M. P. MILLER .5th Art'y May 6, 1888
CAPT. W. B. BECK.
5th Art'y
Dec.
8, 1888
MAJOR TULLY MCCREA .5th Art'y. . May 16, 1889
CAPT. W. B. BECK. .5th Art'y June 18, 1889
MAJOR TULLY MCCREA 5th Art'y. . Oct. 9, 1889
163
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
ASSUMED COMMAND
MAJOR W. L. HASKIN Ist Art'y. . May 15, 1890
CAPT. P. H. ELLIS. 13th Inft'y .... Oct. 2, 1894
LT .- COL. W. S. WORTH 13th Inft'y .... Dec. 30, 1894
CAPT. LUIGI LOMIA. .5th Art'y. . . Apr. 20, 1898
COL. THOMAS H. BARBER Ist N. Y.
Vol. Inft'y. S
.June 11, 1898
CAPT. THOMAS R. ADAMS 5th Art'y. . .. July 8, 1898
LT. E. S. FULLERTON 5 Ist Mass. 1
( Heavy Art'y S . . Aug. 5, 1898
MAJOR P. H. ELLIS Infantry Sept. 14, 1898
LT .- COL. JOHN N. COE 13th Inft'y ... Sept. 19, 1898
CAPT. B. K. ROBERTS. 5th Art'y. . Apr. 20, 1899
MAJOR G. A. CORNISH . 15th Inft'y . ... Jan. 23, 1900
MAJOR E. R. HILLS .5th Art'y . .July 24, 1900
MAJOR A. L. MYER. IIth Inft'y . ... Aug. 11, 1900
LT .- COL. C. L. DAVIS IIth Inft'y .... Dec. 22, 1900
MAJOR E. R. HILLS Art'y Corps. . . April 7, 1901
CAPT. JOHN CONKLIN Art'y Corps. .. . Aug. 24, 1901
CAPT. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. . Art'y Corps .. . Sept. 9, 1901
MAJOR W. P. DUVALL . Art'y Corps. . . Dec. 4, 190I
COL. W. E. DOUGHERTY .8th Inft'y .. .. Oct. 12, 1902
CAPT. JOHN STAFFORD 8th Inft'y ..... Jan. 25, 1904
CAPT. W. Y. STAMPER .8th Inft'y . . Aug. 26, 1904
COL. F. A. SMITH 8th Inft'y Aug. 13, 1904
MAJ. FRANCIS P. FREMONT. 5th Inft'y . Feb. 20, 1906
COL. LEVEN C. ALLEN 12th Inft'y. . May 24, 1906
CAPT. MOOR N. FALLS. 12th Inft'y. .July 16, 1906
CAPT. WINFRED B. CARR C. A. C .. .Aug.
5, 1906 MAJ. J. S. MALLORY 12th Inft'y. . . Aug. 31, 1906
COL. LEVEN C. ALLEN 12th Inft'y .... Sept. 30, 1906
LT .- COL. ROBERT F. AMES. 12th Inft'y. . .. May 27, 1908
164
COMMANDING GENERALS, POST COMMANDERS, ETC.
ASSUMED COMMAND
CAPT. JAMES P. HARBESON . 12th Inft'y .... June 12, 1908
COL. WM. H. C. BOWEN 12th Inft'y. . .. July 15, 1908.
MAJ. CHAS. L. BECKURTS. 5th Inft'y ..... June 29, 1909
COL. H. K. BAILEY 29th Inft'y. ... Sept. 18, 1909
CAPT. J. F. MADDEN, Adjt. .. . 29th Inft'y. . . May 21, 1910
CAPT. CHAS. H. PAINE, Q. M. . . 29th
Inft'y. ... June 12, 1910
CAPT. J. F. MADDEN, Adjt. . 29th Inft'y. . .. July 31, 1910
COL. H. K. BAILEY. 29thı Inft'y. ... Aug. 27, 1910
CAPT. J. F. MADDEN, Adjt. .29th Inft'y .... Aug. 24, 19II
COL. G. R. CECIL. . 29th Inft'y .... Sept. 3, 19II
CAPT. A. C. DALTON, Q. M 29th Inft'y. . .. July 6, 1912
COL. G. R. CECIL. 29th Inft'y .... Aug. 8, 1912
COL. JOHN S. MALLORY 29th Inft'y .... Sept. 10, 1912
INFANTRY COMMANDS.
The Garrison remained an Artillery one till October, 1894. In June, 1894, the last Artillery command consisted of Bat- teries B, H, and M, Ist Artillery, Major Wm. L. Haskin commanding.
The command was relieved on October 2nd and 3rd, 1894, by the arrival of the following companies of the 13th In- fantry-Co. F, Capt. J. Forance; Co. B, Capt. II. Gilman ; Co. D, Capt. P. H. Ellis. Lt .- Colonel Daingerfield Parker was assigned to the command. He was relieved in 1895 by Lieut-Colonel W. S. Worth.
The 13th Infantry remained till April 19, 1898, when it was ordered to Cuba. It returned from Montauk Point in Sep- tember, 1898, and left for service in the Far East April 28, 1899.
The 13th was temporarily relieved by Battery A, 5tlı Ar- tillery, Captain Benjamin K. Roberts commanding the Bat- tery.
A battalion of the IIth Infantry, Lieut .- Col. Charles S.
165
COMMANDING GENERALS, POST COMMANDERS, ETC.
Davis commanding the Post, was stationed here from August 12, 1900, to April 7th, 1901.
In April, 1901, Fort Columbus was Garrisoned by the 49th, 52nd and 83rd companies C. A. C. and the 8th Artillery band under command of Major E. R. Hills.
Headquarters, Band and the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, under command of Colonel W. E. Dougherty, arrived October 12, 1902, and left for Manila Feby. 19, 1906, under com- mand of Colonel Frederick A. Smith.
The Headquarters, Band and one Battalion of the 12th Infantry were stationed here from May 24, 1906, to June 29, 1909, commanded successively by Colonels Leven C. Allen and W. H. C. Bowen, and were relieved Sept. 18, 1909, by the ITeadquarters, Band and 3rd Battalion of the 29th Infantry, Colonel Hobart K. Bailey in command, the Ist and 2d Bat- talions being at Forts Porter and Niagara respectively.
Colonel Bailey was followed upon his retirement by Colonel G. R. Cecil Sept. 3, 1911, and Colonel Cecil by Colonel John S. Mallory, Sept. 10, 1912.
It seems fitting to give in full at this point in the history of Governor's Island the names of the officers on duty at this Station. It is obviously impossible to reproduce the roster in full for a period of one hundred years. The list, therefore, up to this time has been of commanding officers only. The following names are of those on duty (June, 1913) at Depart- ment Headquarters and at Fort Jay, taken from the published rosters of Department Headquarters and Fort Jay respectively :
HEADQUARTERS EASTERN DEPARTMENT.
GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY.
MAJ .- GEN. THOMAS H. BARRY commanding. CAPT. JOHN E. WOODWARD, 29th Infantry, Aide-de-Camp.
166
COMMANDING GENERALS, POST COMMANDERS, ETC.
STAFF.
LIEUT .- COL. WILLIAM G. HAAN, Gen. Staff, Chief of Staff.
COL. SAMUEL W. DUNNING, Officer in Charge of Militia Affairs.
COL. WILLIAM A. SIMPSON, Adjutant.
LIEUT .- COL. FRANK L. DODDS, Judge Advocate.
COL. STEPHEN C. MILLS, Inspector.
COL. JOHN B. BELLINGER, Quartermaster.
COL. L. MERVIN MAUS, Surgeon.
COL. WILLIAM M. BLACK, Engineer Officer.
COL. ORIN B. MITCHAM, Ordnance Officer, commanding New York Arsenal.
LIEUT .- COL. SAMUEL REBER, Signal Officer.
ADDITIONAL STAFF.
LIEUT .- COL. BENJAMIN ALVORD, Asst. to Adjutant.
LIEUT .- COL. ALFRED E. BRADLEY, Sanitary Inspector.
LIEUT .- COL. WILLIAM C. BROWN, Cav., Acting Inspector. LIEUT .- COL. ALFRED M. HUNTER, C. A. C., Inspector.
MAJ. WILLIAM B. ROCHESTER, Q. M. Corps, Asst. to Dept. Quartermaster.
MAJ. WILLIAM E. HORTON, Q. M. Corps, Asst. to Dept. Quartermaster.
MAJ. GORDON G. HEINER, C. A. C., Acting Inspector.
MAJ. FRANK H. LAWTON, Q. M. Corps, Asst. to Dept. Quartermaster.
MAJ. ALBERT E. TRUBY, M. C., Attending Surgeon.
CAPT. PAUL GIDDINGS, Q. M. Corps, Asst. to Dept. Quarter- master.
CAPT. GEORGE D. ARROWSMITH, Q. M. Corps, Asst. to Dept. Quartermaster.
167
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
CAPT. ELISHA G. ABBOTT, S. C., Asst. to Dept. Signal Officer.
CAPT. JAMES J. MAYES, Inf., Asst. to Dept. Judge Advocate.
MAJOR JAY E. HOFFER, Ord. Dept., Resident at New York Arsenal, Governor's Island, on duty at Sandy Hook Proving Ground.
REVD. EDMUND BANKS SMITH, Chaplain.
OFFICERS OF THE 29TH U. S. INFANTRY ON DUTY AT FORT JAY, GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, JUNE, 1913.
HEADQUARTERS AND 3RD BATTALION.
COLONEL JOHN S. MALLORY commanding.
MAJOR DOUGLAS SETTLE, commanding 3rd Battalion.
CAPTAIN ROBERT H. ALLEN, Adjutant.
CAPTAIN KIRWAN T. SMITH, Quartermaster. CAPTAIN HENRY C. CLEMENT, JR., Commissary.
LIEUT. JACOB H. RUDOLPH, Battalion Quartermaster and Commissary.
IST LIEUT. CARROLL R. BAKER, M. R. C.
CAPTAIN JOHN F. MADDEN, commanding Company K. CAPTAIN JAMES A. Moss, commanding Company M. CAPTAIN THOMAS W. DARRAHI, commanding Company I. CAPTAIN GEORGE H. SHELTON, commanding Company L.
I68
COMMANDING GENERALS, POST COMMANDERS, ETC.
Lieutenants.
FIRST LIEUTENANT CARROLL B. HODGES, on duty with Com- pany L.
FIRST LIEUTENANT CHARLES A. DRAVO, on duty with Com- pany I.
FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES G. MCILROY, on duty with Com- pany K.
SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN R. EMORY, JR., on duty with Company I.
SECOND LIEUTENANT WILLIAM E. LARNED, on duty with Company M.
SECOND LIEUTENANT WILLIAM J. MORRISSEY, on duty with Company L.
SECOND LIEUTENANT HENRY C. MCLEAN, on duty with Com- pany K.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC ITUARY
HUDSON PARK BRANCH 10 SEVENTH AVENUE SOUPI.
1800
ADDENDA
BRITISH REGIMENTS STATIONED ON GOVERNOR'S ISLAND.
Reference has been made in Chapter II to the Royal Troops stationed here in the Colonial days. A record of their service will be of interest on account of their association with Gover- nor's Island.
H. M. 22d Regiment of Foot, stationed here in 1767, now the Cheshire Regiment, served at the Battle of Louisburg, where Major-General Sir William Pepperell, whose Regiment was stationed here in 1755, won his title, also at Bunker Hill and at Quaker Hill.
H. M. 44th Regiment of Foot, now the Essex Regiment, stationed here in 1767, saw service at Ticonderoga, Fort du Quesne, Niagara, Brandywine, and the Battle of Long Island, and later at Bladensburg under Colonel Brooke and at Balti- more under Major Johnson.
The Regiment of most interest to Americans, however, is the Royal American Regiment, H. M. Goth Regiment of Foot, now the King's Royal Rifle Corps, of which H. M. the King is the Colonel in Chief.
This was raised in 1755, the recruits coming mainly from Virginia and Maryland, and was organized on Governor's Island and for many years was on duty here, as mentioned in Chapter II. Walter Richards in "Her Majesty's Army" points out that this Regiment and the Rifle Brigade are the only Infantry Regiments the Chief Officers of which are denominated Colonel in Chief and Colonel Commandant, and that a distinctive feature of the King's Rifle Corps is that no fewer than six Acts of Parliament have been passed concern- ing it.
"Their first active employment," he says, "was in 1757, two years after their organization on Governor's Island, when they were engaged at Charleston, on the Canadian frontier
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ADDENDA
and at the affair of Port William Henry. The following year (1758) gained for them their first distinction, which com- memorates the share they had in the 2nd Expedition against Louisburg. Nor was Louisburg the only scene of their prowes. Six companies were with the British force * * at Ticonderoga. They fought at Kingston and Prince Edward's Island. In 1759 they fought under General Prideaux at Fort Niagara : some of the Regiment were with Sir Jeffrey Amherst, while others again were with Wolfe when on the Heights of Abraham he gained Canada for the British Crown and died in the gaining.
Here they so distinguished themselves that according to tradition the gallant Wolfe himself bestowed on them their motto
CELER ET AUDAX
It does not seem that there exists any positive record of this fact, but the wording of the order in 1824 giving special permission for the resumption bears out the theory. The order was as follows:
SIR :
I have the honour to acquaint you by direction of the Commander in Chief that His Majesty has been pleased to permit the 60th Regiment to resume the motto Celer et Audax which was won by the Regiment in commemo- ration of its distinguished bravery whilst employed with the British Army in North America under Major General Wolfe in the year 1759.
The Regiment has as a badge a bugle on the glengarry. On the helmet plate is a bugle and a maltese cross bearing the motto.
On the cross are the names of the great Regimental battles, viz .: Louisburg, Quebec, 1759, Roleia, Vimiera, Martinique, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, Albuera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, Punjaub, Mooltan, Goojerat, South Africa (1851-3), Delhi, Taku Forts, Pekin, South Africa (1879), Ahmad Khel, Kandahar (1880), Afghanistan (1878-
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80), Egypt (1882-4), Tel-El-Kebir, Chitral, S. Africa (1899- 1902), Defense of Ladysmith, Relief of Ladysmith."
It is a cause of deep satisfaction to realize that this dis- tinguished Regiment, celer et audar in practice as well as by motto, not only came from our soil in the persons of its first recruits, but that it gained its growth and training in this Island-Garrison, where it remained for a long tour of duty, and that by what we may now regard as a most happy occur- rence of military routine it was ordered away to the West Indies before the outbreak of hostilities in 1775-6. Thus the 6otlı Foot were never arrayed against those who were their brethren in blood as well as in sympathy, and the author ventures at the close of this story of the Past to present his compliments, with which he feels he can unofficially join those of the Command Stationed on Governor's Island today, to the 60th Foot of 1756, the King's Royal Rifle Corps of 1913.
It is not alone in arms that Governor's Island is bound by lasting ties of interest and sympathy to the mother country. The Church and the Army in every land have much in com- mon-the Army to protect and the Church to bless. This Garrison has been no exception to the rule. There is, how- ever, a deeper connection than would appear upon the surface as a part of our history. It is that the ministrations of religion here for nearly seventy years carried on at the request of the Army by the venerable Corporation of Trinity Church have been, and are today, possible because of the Royal endow- ments of the British Crown which constitute the wealth of the Parish of Trinity Church. The Parish regards it a privi- lege to minister to the spiritual needs of the Army. From the point of view of the historian there is an added interest in reflecting that when in the providence of God the existing close relations between the Army and the Old Parish began, they not only opened the way to mutual acquaintance and esteem, but gave the Parish an opportunity among its other works to pay from the Royal endowments a tribute of appre- ciation of this very distinguished Regiment of the British Army born on Governor's Island.
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Thus remembrance of the Past and loyalty to the Present go hand in hand. The Prince of Wales' Feathers still bend over the pulpit of old Saint Paul's Chapel, the Coronation of His Majesty King George V is solemnly observed in the Parish Church. Such things as this help to show that men do not even in this age altogether forget the deeds of their forefathers, a careful remembrance of which, with entire de- votion to the duties of the Present, will constitute a nation admired of men and blessed of God.
THE POST HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
Although, as stated in Chapter V, no date can be assigned for the erection of the building now used as Post Head- quarters, it seems clear to the author, as well as to others, that it is at least one of the oldest buildings on Governor's Island. · Reference to it will be found on page 107.
A careful examination of the building indicates that it was built for a dwelling-house and used for a guard house or headquarter building. The rose panel decorations over the doorways and windows and the expensive character of the base mouldings carry out this theory.
This was possibly the family house mentioned in the British orders, page 39, but it was undoubtedly the guard house and headquarters of the period of 1812 .* The lower part was at one time used for the main guard house, as the heavy iron bars of the ancient four-sided pattern clearly indicate, as well as their considerable corrosion at the lower ends due to the settling of moisture. One bar has been replaced by a modern round bar, revealing a probable escape, and one window is now entirely without bars, but the square sockets are plainly to be seen in the upper sill. The building itself is cross or T shape and additions of frame construction have been added at some unknown period. In one of these, at the N. W. angle, may be seen the sill of an exterior door. This shows signs
* Previous to 1840, when the present Comd'g Genl's Quarters were built, the Post Cmd'r lived with his family in this building. It was as late as that period called "The Governor's House."
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ADDENDA
of long use in the wearing away of the surface. In the lower part of the house the walls have been ceiled with wood and plaster and in one place part of the old foundation appears, disclosing a red sandstone similar to that used in Castle Williams, but for the most part the foundations, like the walls throughout, are of brick.
The lower room now used as a furnace room contains within it an interior apartment with remains indicating a door in the thickness of the wall. This is lighted by a very small, deep-set window with double iron bars of the old pattern. It is more than reasonable to believe this was the Black Hole referred to on page 63.
In addition to the fine rose mouldings on the first floor, a fire place and mantel of elaborate construction and the original arrangement of doors, both exterior and interior, lead to the theory held by some that although undoubtedly the guard house of 1812, it was perhaps used as a dwelling house at an earlier period as its common name of "Governor's House" in 1830 would seem to imply. An interior stair case was re- moved a few years ago and an outside stairway was erected, connecting the Sergeant-Major's office below with the Com- manding Officer's above. The author inclines to a belief that it is at least of the post-Revolutionary carly American reoccu- pation (1783), built for the Commanding Officer of the Gar- rison.
LETTER FROM GENERAL GRANT REGARDING THE NEW CHAPEL. "GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, NEW YORK, October 7th, 1908.
TO THE RECTOR, CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF TRINITY CHURCH.
MY DEAR SIRS :-
As Commanding General of the Department of the East, residing here on Governor's Island, I beg to express on my own behalf and for the officers of the United States Army in general, and more especially for those stationed here, with their families, as well as on behalf of the enlisted men and all others residing here within my
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command, the very deep appreciation felt by myself, and by those mentioned, of the work so generously and liber- ally carried out by Trinity Church here, for years past. It appears from the records that the first Chapel building in 1846-7 was due largely to the contributions of Trinity Church Corporation, and for many years after the date mentioned, annual appropriations were made by the Church regularly, for its support and to assist the Chap- lain here in his work on Governor's Island. From 1868 to the present time, by authority of the Secretary of War, Trinity Church has maintained the Chaplain, and in 1906, completed the beautiful stone chapel, which was dedi- cated that year, October 19th, with ceremonies of a Mili- tary and Ecclesiastical character.
St. Cornelius Chapel is the most beautiful and in- spiring place of worship of the United States Army, now in existence, and decorated with its historic flags and cannons is deeply appreciated by all who enter within its sacred walls, and has been the cause of several requests from other Military Garrisons that similar Chapels might be built in those Garrisons as inspirations for Christian work, and benefit. I, myself, gratefully realize the happy relations existing between the Church and the Army brought about by the munificent donation of Trinity Church in placing this Chapel on Governor's Island. The Reverend Morgan Dix, late Rector of Trinity Church, was in his lovable, noble example and his Christian char- acter, a wonderful aid and inspiration in establishing the happy relations between the Church and the Army, and he exerted a most elevating influence over those coming within the sphere of his labors and gentle sympathy.
I deeply appreciate the opportunity I have had, as De- partment Commander here, to witness the work so nobly accomplished by Trinity Church for the good of the United States Army, and I beg to express my own grate- ful thanks, to you, the Rector, Churchwardens and Vestry- men of Trinity Church, for your Christian help extend- ing in results from Governor's Island throughout the De- partment of the East and to the Army of the United States.
Believe me, Sirs,- Your faithful servant, FREDERICK D. GRANT, Major General, U. S. A."
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422 442 044LA
THIRD BATTALION 29TH INFANTRY-1012.
EPILOGUE
History is more than a mere statement of facts. It is, or should be, all of this for accuracy, for truth, but many are satisfied with statement as the end, whereas it should be but the beginning.
Herein lies the explanation of the frequent failure of the nation or the individual to learn by experience, which is an- other name for applied History, in that many mistake experi- ences for experience and fail to recognize in the rapid onward march of individual events the slower, grander movement of History, which is the sum total of the fleeting figures which compose it. These figures come and go; they are added up by the infallible hand of time and are erased to make room for others. All that shall finally remain is Result. We may not on that account despise the fact nor the figure because it is small, but rather pay our respect because it, so small, is a controlling factor in the great Result, in some way contributing to that "one far-off divine event to which the whole creation moves."
Emerson tells us that History is the "record of the works of the one mind common to all individual men; that a man is the whole encyclopedia of facts: that the creation of a thou- sand forests is in one acorn, and that Egypt, Greece, Rome, Gaul, Britain, America lie folded already in the first man."
These profound words may be applied to the subject of this history. If the fate of a nation lies folded in one man, it is certainly true that three hundred years of the activity of many men concentrated in one spot must have an enormous influence upon the community in which that spot is enshrined. And Governor's Island, the "Jewel of New York," as the author's friend Baron Nicholas de Lodygensky calls it, lying a pendant of her larger sister of Manhattan, both by geographical posi- tion and in history carries out the idea of concentration and importance as well as of beauty.
GOVERNOR'S ISLAND is a name to conjure by in our City and State and Nation, both military and civilian, for the reason
177
EPILOGUE
that it has without exception in all its history represented im- portant circumstance and high ideal. Purchased honourably by treaty from its aboriginal owners, it passed at once into the official life of the Dutch Colonial Government. Consequent upon the final English conquest of 1674 it increased in im- portance as in value. The "Smiling Garden of the Sovereigns of the Province" in the piping times of peace, it took on the frown of war when danger beset its borders. Governors, Statesmen, the Military, all agreed in its value for defence. Washington issued orders for the breastworks of '76 and Put- nam made haste at candle-lighting. The literates of Columbia College toiled in the post-Revolutionary trenches, and from that day to this it has been a citadel of defence; artillery and infantry in turn have garrisoned its forts and mounted the guard upon its grassy slopes. Of later years it has become in addition the Headquarters of Administration, and thus in its whole career it has exemplified the two cardinal principles of continuity and progress. In our haste for results rather than for the Result we forget that progress can be best secured by conservative continuity. This would seem to be the lesson Governor's Island teaches.
It is a silent lesson and it is to be read in the mirror of experience into which he gazes who studies History, or even so small a part of it as this brief book contains.
Continuity of official life in one spot for three hundred years means much in the history of any land. When it is recalled that official status on this Island has prevailed under the flags of three distinct Powers, each one at war with the one follow- ing or preceding, and one with both, it will be granted that the subject of this history has inherited sufficient conservatism to explain some things that harass the would-be progressive to- day. Our Island in its story recalls to the thoughtful mind visions of the shadowy red man lurking in its virgin forest, traditions of the sturdy Dutch with their windmill and planta- tion, of the elegant English Colonial of the Charles and the Georges, and coming finally to our own more recent history and to the present day, we confess to conscious pride when
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EPILOGUE
we view our splendid soldiery, which in its personnel of officers and men unconsciously inherits and exemplifies the virtues of those who under other flags but with much the same ideals have trod this land before us.
The three Flags of Holland, England and America have known the winds of our Island since 1637. This spot has had its part in the forging of the nation, the welding together of materials differing in their character but not in their sub- stance. The work is going on here today of perfecting the work so well begun but never to be so completed that labour may ceasc.
This is continuity, and because it is on right lines, actuated by high motives, it will receive the reward that a distinct law of nature prescribes.
The purpose of the author in writing this history has been attained if he has correctly stated facts as they occurred and if he has so entwined the Three Flags which have floated here that while each preserves its identity, it still lends colour to the rest and deepens the strength of that Flag we must love best because it is ours.
In the great destiny of Nations we know not yet what part we shall play. Continuity on the lines of that wisdom which belongs to the ages and progress in every application to the changing conditions of the century or of the hour are elements of lasting power and prepare a people for that struggle which is sure to come soon to the weak and some time to the strong.
It is not too much to say that Governor's Island has played well and consistently its part for God and Country in the past, and not too much to hope it will ever do so in the un- known years that are to come.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LABRARY CIRJUL.AMIO HUDSON PARK BRANCH ASTHE SOUTH
WAR Of PARTME
CORPS OF ENGINEERS US ARMY
C
1 7.
L
1
0
ENLARGEMENT
OF
GOVERNORS ISLAND NEW YORK
--------------
COMPLETED, ENLARGEMENT OUTLINESTAND ELEVATIONS . * OCTOBER,1912. SCALE 1/2400.
ORIGINAL AREA +
.. . ACK ..
SPAL ABLA , OCT OSE ., 1918
ORIGINAL ISLAND SURVEYED BY: PARTY IN CHARGE OF HL'POTTER. JUN ENGE , OUF EMBER. 1901.
Catena, Carp
:. ENLARGED AREA SURVEYLO BY. PARTY IN CHARGE OF GLEN & BALCH . ABST. ENGR. AUGUST , 1812. COLONEL SWROESSLER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, USA N BABCOCK : ABSTHENGO
ENGINEERS' PLAN-GOVERNOR'S ISLAND-1912.
CENTRAL AS
9171 1
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