USA > New York > New York County > Governor's Island; its military history under three flags, 1637-1913 > Part 5
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On a military map of the Island made in 1857 cowsheds are shown, but an order of this period dated 4th October, 1810, by Colonel Burbeck directs that "Swine being considered a nui- sance to a Garrison and improper animals to range or be harbored, after those which now belong here shall have been disposed of, none will be suffered to be landed or kept upon the Island.
The extracts from this Garrison order book will close with one upon a more serious subject.
* Garrison Orders.
FORT COLUMBUS, 23d Novr., 1810.
The sixteen gun Battery being now completed it will be appropriated to the particular use of firing salutes and the old Guard will hereafter be considered the party to per- form that duty * * under the immediate direction of Sergt Campbell. No one except the non-commissioned officers will go into the Magazine and those will be careful when they enter it to leave their shoes without the door.
Of the period of 1812 on Governor's Island we learn many interesting details through the courtesy of (the late) Brig. Genl. T. F. Rodenbough, who has allowed the author to quote from the original MSS. Garrison order book of 1814-15. This book, formerly the property of General Harvey Brown, was presented to the Military Service Institution by Miss Emily
* See also order issued the following day (plate, p. 65).
61
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
Brown. No better idea of the social manners and military usages of that day could be given than by a few of the quota- tions from this voluminous official record, which the author has the pleasure of doing. These orders are written in a clear, beautiful hand, with a quill pen, and show a careful style of literary composition sadly lacking in these days of typewriting haste.
It may be of interest in this connection to quote the Regula- tion concerning stationery for the Army issued (May 2, 1814) at this time :
* * * * * * *
To a Major General as much stationery as necessary for the discharge of his public duties. To other General officers 24 quires of paper per annum.
To a Major 6 quires of paper and I blank book per annum. For the use of every other commanding officer 2 quires per annum and a proportion of other stationery at the rate of 50 quills, as many wafers and a paper of ink powder to each 6 quires.
The orders include a large number of court martial cases with charges of desertion, absence without leave and disobedi- ence of orders. The sentences on the whole appear lenient, the various courts evidently being actuated by a desire to temper justice with mercy. Others are of necessity severe, as became a state of war.
A few examples are given, as throwing light on the prac- tices of the day :
FORT COLUMBUS, May 10, 1814.
Garrison Orders.
* *
* * *
At a Garrison Court Martial whereof Lieut. Bailey was President, convened on the 9th inst., was tried the fol- lowing offender, ., a private in Captn Swett's Company, charged with neglect of duty in leaving his post, stealing whiskey and getting two of his guard drunk while on post on the morning of the 2d May, 1814, to which charge the prisoner pleaded not guilty. The court found the prisoner guilty of the charge and sentenced him
62
PERIOD OF TIIE WAR OF 1812
to be confined four days in the Black Hole* and to be drummed off the Island.
The same court found a private in Captn Humphrey's Company guilty of suffering a patroling party to pass into the South Battery without demanding the countersign, being himself a sentry at the gate, and of making use of abusive language to the Sergeant of the Guard, and sentenced him to be confined three days in the Black Hole on bread and water and to have his whiskey stopped 30 days.
*
*
Apropos of the stoppage of whiskey imposed in this and other sentences, it may be mentioned that on Dec. 8, 1830, the issue of whiskey was by G. O. commutated for cash and on Nov. 5, 1832, this money allowance for whiskey was converted into a coffee or ration allowance.
* * * * * * *
The Black Hole referred to in the orders of 1814 is believed from indirect references in other parts of this order book to have been in the present Post Headquarters Building (1913). An order of Jan. 8, 1815, orders the officer of Police to have the window of the Black Hole stopped up and well secured that Private may begin his 10 days' solitary confinement therein.
A sentence which would be considered to day "unusual," if not "cruel," is seen in the following order :
Garrison Orders.
FORT COLUMBUS, Aug. 13, 1814.
* * *
*
A Garrison Court Martial will convene this morning at IO o'clock A. M. for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before it. Captn Bennete will preside. The court being duly sworn in the presence of the Prisoners proceeded to the trial of ., a private in Captn Swett's Company of Artillery. Charge, theft; spcfn., stealing a watch from Private Bernard. Plea, guilty. The court sentenced him to be drummed once up and down the Parade with the rogues' march, with his coat turned and the word THIEF written thereon in large
* V. Addendam, page 175.
63
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
letters : further, that he stand within view of the evening parade each day for one week with his coat in the same manner, except when on guard duty, and to have his whiskey stopped for one month.
Another order of this character is noted under date of Jan. 19, 1815, according to which Corporal is to be "reduced to the ranks at guard mounting when his knot will be taken from his shoulder on parade in front of the Battalion;" and Mary of Captain Watson's Company was con- victed of conveying whiskey to a Sentinel on post, whereupon the court sentenced her "to be drummed off the Island im- mediately after guard mounting and never to be suffered to return."
Another order of the same period orders that Corporal
shall have his knot cut from his shoulders by the smallest drummer in the Battalion.
An Execution Order follows :
Garrison Orders:
FT. COLUMBUS, July 7, 1814.
The Troops on Governor's Island will parade tomorrow morning at half past II o'clock on the Grand Parade for the purpose of witnessing the execution of the prisoner sentenced by a Gen'l order of the 2d inst. to be shot to death. The Troops will form three sides of a square, the Artillery will form the right : left flank the Infty ; the rear, the execution party consisting of a Sergeant and 12 pri- vates which will parade at half past II o'clock, and be placed under the command of Lieut. Farley, Provost Marshal.
The guards of the advanced posts will leave their entries at their respective posts and will repair to the Parade at half past II o'clock, those under charge of the Provost Marshal will join the execution party for the purpose of escorting the Prisoner to the place of execu- tion. The execution party in Divisions preceded by the music with the Provost Marshal at their head will march in front of the Prisoner, the music playing the Dead*
* The dirge played at the military executions of this period was "Roslyn Castle," with muffled drums.
64
Orders
24 Novembre 1810.
In future the stone Tower on the island (be the a1/2 notation of the Secretary of law) will bean the name of Castle Williams, in hover of the Commandant of the United states corps of Engineers, who designed and erectiesites / Bra wn mandar work at 12 aplace a national salute of Deventer 42 Sounders will be fined from the lower battery of Gastla Williams. in commectionof the 25 of November 1783. the day on which The British troops evacuated the City of New york 00
FROM ORIGINAL ORDER IN POSSESSION OF MR. CHANDLER SMITH, MEMBER V. C. ARTILLERY.
PERIOD OF THE WAR OF 1812
March : the guards formed in divisions will march in rear of the Prisoner. The procession will enter the Square from the rear, face ten paces from the coffin placed in the center upon which the Prisoner kneels. By a signal from the Provost Marshal the music ceases, the signal to fire is then given to the execution party.
By order of M. SWETT, Com'g.
A pleasing incident of pax inter bellum is discovered in an Artillery order of Jan. 1, 1815, when Mars unbends for the moment and in the presence of the ladies of the "Stocking, Hood and Mockason Society" removes his helmet and becomes amenable to the softening influence of woman's sympathy. The courtesies of the day are well illustrated in the charming reply of the gallant commanding officer.
Artillery orders. FORT COLUMBUS, Jan. 1, 1815. * * *
Lieut. Col. House has received the following communi- cation from the ladies of the "Stocking, Hood and Mockason Society of New York," accompanied with 46 Hoods and 46 prs. of mittens to be presented to the Sol- diers and Sentinels on duty at the several Artillery posts under his command :
NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 1814.
"SIR:
(After reciting the action of the Society)
The Society regrets that the present state of their funds does not enable them to do more for those whose claims are strengthened by every consideration of Patriotism and Gratitude.
By order of the Board of Managers.
N. D. S. BRADISH, Sec. COL. HOUSE.
"This Humane and pleasing attention to the wants and privations of the Soldier from a Body of the most respect- able Ladies of New York cannot fail to excite in the minds of every individual the most grateful sensation, and to animate in his bosom a peculiar ardour and zeal in the performance of his duty. I am honored, madam, with
65
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
your letter of the 30th ult. with 46 Hoods and 46 prs. of mittens. I beg leave, madam, to assure you that this flatering attention to the wants and privations of the Sol- dier from so respectable a Body of Ladies cannot fail to animate every bosom with a degree of Chivalrick ardour when it is recollected that the service in which they are engaged is the defence of the City of their amiable and virtuous patronesses. Accept, madam, for yourself and the Society the assurances of respect with which I have the honor to be,
Yr. most obt. Servt. JAS. HOUSE, Lieut. Col. Arty.
A few extracts typical of the rest follow from the Garrison Order Book:
Garrison Orders. FORT COLUMBUS, July 15th, 1815.
* * * *
Parole-Europe.
C. Sign-American.
Officer for the day-Capt. Howell. Officer for the guard-Lieut. Berier.
The Parole and Countersign will in future be com- municated to the officers of the Guard Mounting con- formable to an antient practice.
Garrison Orders. FORT COLUMBUS, Aug. 8, 1815.
* * *
* *
Parole-Galatin. Csign-Bayard.
Officer for the day tomorrow-Lieut. Davis. General's Guard from Capt. Richard's Company.
Corporal Snarts, privates Mandaville, Plunkett and Bond of Major Hall's Company, and Texton, Holt and Spencer of Captain Howell's Company are detailed for Col. House's boat, and to report on daily duty until fur- ther orders.
By Order, CHAS. ANTHONY, Adjt.
66
PERIOD OF THE WAR OF 1812
Garrison Orders.
* * * *
FORT COLUMBUS, 9th Sept. 1815. *
For the preservation and better regulation of the boats belonging to the Island, those for use are appointed as follows: The boats formerly in the use of Lt. Col. House, Major Hall and Adjutant Anthony and the yellow oared barge are assigned to the use of the Corps or Artillery at this post, to be turned over to and distributed by Lieut. Col. House. For the use of the Infantry are assigned the Green six-oared barge, the whale boat and the seven- oared barges which are to be turned over to and distrib- uted by Lt. Col. Swetting. The 4-oared Green boat is reserved for the Gen. Hospital. No. 12-oared barge known by the name of Genls. Barge and the 6-oared Green boat are reserved for the use of the Commandant. No interference is to be made by either Corps with the boats assigned to the other. * *
Another Order relating to transportation is extracted as follows :
Garrison Orders.
FT. COLUMBUS,
* % *
*
*
May 6, 1815. * *
The licensed ferry Boats will be governed by the fol- lowing Regulations: Neither shore to be left destitute of a ferry Boat for more than twenty minutes between the rising and setting of the Sun. * * Where one Boat starts from one shore, leaving no Boat there, another Boat starts at the same moment from the opposite shore, whether with or without a passenger. * * *
JAS. HOUSE, Lt. Col. Artillery. Comdg.
Orders for Sept. 15, 1815, show the retention of the old English name for Mess call.
* * * *
Sept. 15, 1815. * Parole-Wolf.
Csign-Montgomery.
Troop will be beat at 8 A. M. Roast beef at half past 12.
67
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
The War of 1812 followed shortly upon the building of the Castle. Governor Daniel D. Tompkins reports as follows :
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 1810.
Fort Columbus on Governor's Island is finished and capable of mounting 104 guns, of which 50 are already on the parapets. This is a regular erected work of masonry with a ditch, counterscarp, covert way and glacis capable of resisting a long siege.
Two tiers and platforms in the Castle are finished, each capable of receiving 26 guns. Eleven French 36 pdrs. are already mounted. The whole armament of the Castle when completed may be stated as 100 guns, includ- ing the terrace on the top.
The following Report is valuable as referring to a fort on Buttermilk Channel. This was probably situated at or near the present South Battery. It is not known when it was demolished, but probably at the time of building South Bat- tery. It is indeed possible that South Battery is an enlarge- ment of the fort of 1812.
NEW YORK, March 15, 1813.
Fort Columbus, Castle Williams, and a fort to guard the pass at Buttermilk Channel, all upon Governor's Island, are completed and equipped with everything need- ful for action. * * There is an abundant supply of cannon balls on Governor's Island, 27,000 blank cannon cartridges, six travelling forges and a number of grates for heating shot.
At this time considerable alarm was felt by the inhabitants of the City at a report that the troops stationed on Governor's Island had been ordered to the Northern frontier.
The "National Advocate" in its issue of August 30th, 1812, allayed the natural fears of the people in saying: "We are authorized to state that no troops stationed on Governor's Island have proceeded or are ordered to proceed to the North. The rumour that such an order is to be given is false and groundless."
68
1
PERIOD OF THE WAR OF 1812
Apropos of the importance of troops in the Harbour of New York, not only in popular feeling but also in the judgment of the War Department, a brief extract may be quoted from the autobiography of Major Joseph Delafield, 46th U. S. Infantry (Lieut .- Colonel Wm. S. Tallmadge commanding), who was commissioned April 15, 1814: "The term of service being about to expire and Majr Tallmadge & myself being desirous to remain in the Army and to seek some more active service concerted a plan to form a new regiment, to select our officers from the Volunteer regiment and upon the strength of our recruits and the experience of our officers to ask for their com- missions. These arrangements being made Majr Tallmadge and myself proceeded to Washington and presented our scheme to the Secretary of War (Genl. Armstrong). At this time an Act of Congress authorized the addition of five regiments to the line of the Army. We were given one of the new regiments, Major Tallmadge to be Lieut. Col: Captains Par Lee and my- self Majors and the Company officers all in compliance with our scheme of selection and commissions were given accord- ingly. We began to recruit with activity and soon had be- tween two & three hundred men; and as the most of us had been confined to the harbor defense and were desirous of more active service we established our headquarters at Pokeepsic, which district was beyond the command of the officer com- manding in N. York. Being in charge of the recruiting ser- vice my orders were to prepare the men as rapidly as possible to march North to join the Army on the Canada frontier. Our recruiting district embraced the State of New York. The enemy however continued to threaten attacks along the coast, and the alarm for the safety of the city was so great that all the available forces were collected in the harbor and orders were obtained from Washington to bring our detachment to the harbor. We joined the garrison on Governor's Island and there remained until the close of the War."
In the Summer of 1814 there were over 1000 officers and men in the Garrison and great activity was displayed in pre- paration for actual war, as the following order indicates :
69
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
Garrison Orders.
FORT COLUMBUS, Aug. 28, 1814.
* * *
*
The Artillery and Infantry will be drilled at the Battery on Governors' Island every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 6:30 A. M. commencing at Fort Colum- bus, taking the guns in course through all the batteries. The commanding officers of companies will cause their companies to be drilled with muskets every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the same hours. All officers are punctually to attend drills.
Sgt. Dillahunty will drill the non-commissioned officers of Artillery from 9:30 to II until further orders.
At the sound of the alarm by the bugle the troops will turn out on their company parade. The Infantry will be conducted by their Senior officers to the covert way of the ditch of Fort Columbus as its proper alarm post, and the Artillery will be conducted by companies to their bat- teries. The conductor of Artillery aided by the Q. M. Sergeant and Powder Monkeys will furnish implements and ammunition and arrange them at the batteries.
By order, CHAS. ANTHONY, Adjutant Corps Artillery.
The Island served a valuable purpose during this war as a basis for recruits and school of instruction. Colonel Burbeck according to orders issued in June instructed in Artillery exer- cises the Pennsylvania Detachment under command of Cap- tain Connely, the New York Detachment under Captain Sproul, and Captain Ogden's Company of Artillery of the Jersey Line, while Lieut. Colonel David Brearly forwarded to Fort Colum- bus all the recruits of the Pennsylvania and Jersey Lines from the Trenton Depot.
Some details of pay and equipment prevailing at this period are quoted as a basis of comparison with the conditions a cen- tury later. The extracts are from Regulations in force May 2d, 1814:
70
PERIOD OF THE WAR OF 1812
PAY IN 1814.
PAY PER MONTH
FORAGE NO. OF HORSES
RATIONS PER DAY
Major-General
$200
7
15
Brigadier-General
104
5
12
Brigade Chaplain
50
2
4
Professor of Math. Eng. Corps
50
3
4
Apothecary General
1,800 per annum.
Commissary General
3,000 per annum.
Cadet
I6
Colonel (ex. of Cavalry) . .
75 4
6
Ist Lieut. (ex. of Cavalry) .. 30 O
3
(Forage supplied for Lieut. Artillery and Light Dragoons.)
Corporal
$10
Private, bombardier, sapper and miner 8
(Women in proportion of I to every 17 men a ration in kind.)
Private waiters-Major-General. 4
Colonel
2 and others in proportion.
CLOTHING 100 YEARS AGO FOR INFANTRY.
REGULATIONS OF 1814.
Coat
$6.07
Cap
2.18
Frock
1.571/2
Shirts (4 at $1.30)
5.20
Stockings
54
Socks
IO
Shoes
1.05
Stock
12
Cockade and eagle.
81/2
Pompon
25
While the pay and clothing of 1814 were more satisfactory to the troops than during the Revolutionary Period, the thou-
71
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
sand officers and men stationed on Governor's Island in the summer of 1814 undoubtedly suffered many discomforts. The Castle had been completed, however, just before the outbreak of the War.
Inasmuch as this is an important building, always in evi- dence but really little known, the author quotes at some length from Guernsey's technical description of Castle Williams in his "New York in the War of 1812," which states that the lower tier had 27 French 35 pdrs. and the second tier, 39-20 pdrs. The terrace over the bomb proof, he tells us, formed a barbette battery upon which 45 columbiads carrying 50 pd. balls could be placed.
The walls are about 40 feet high, of Newark red sandstone, hammered, and consist of 13 arches of 30 ft. span, 2 ft. thick and 24 long. The cross walls are 7 ft. thick between the arches and 12 ft. at the termination of the segment.
The guns are mounted in such manner that the centre of motion is immediately under the muzzle of the gun, so that, although the angle of fire is 54°, the mouth of the gun occu- pies always the same place, which permits the throat of the embrasure to be so small that a shot could not pass between the gun and its side and the line of fire cross at 20 feet distance.
The interior of the Castle is open to the sky and the aper- tures for smoke to escape amounts to 144 square feet in the rear. The walls are 8 feet thick on the ground tier and 7 feet on the next tier and in the mass of the wall arches are turned over each pair of embrasures, so that if it were possible to batter or break into the lower tier, the upper one would rest upon these arches and exhibit the appearance of a bridge com- posed of very solid tiers. The outside cut of the wall was laid in Flemish bond and each stone dovetailed in such a man- ner that no one could be dislocated without first being broken to pieces. Over each embrasure is a flat arch of remarkable strength. It also contains 2 stone magazines for 200 barrels of powder and within the walls is an inexhaustible well of finest water from which all the shipping might be watered with ease.
72
PERIOD OF THE WAR OF 1812
Colonel Williams resigned his commission July 31, 1812, on account of dissatisfaction felt and expressed by the Artillery at an Engineer officer's being assigned to command the Castle. Major Joseph A. Swift relieved Colonel Williams as Colonel and Chief Engineer, with headquarters in New York.
The Hon. Saml. Mitchell pays a deserved tribute to Colonel Williams in his letter of October 9th, 1808, written during the construction of the Castle, as follows: "The Chief Engineer who planned the general fortifications of New York and who actually superintended their construction is Colonel J. Wil- liams, the learned and ingenious director of the American Military Academy at West Point and President of the Ameri- can Philosophical Society. The high professional talents dis- played by this gentleman in projecting the works have been very ably seconded in carrying them into operation.
At Governor's Island Fort Columbus is now finished. It consists of 4 bastions, 3 curtains and an attached casemated ravelin with two retired flanks, the whole capable of mounting 96 guns and might without inconvenience bring one-half its face at one instant against any passing ship, while it com- pletely commands the East River.
It is a work composed of a walled rampart 8 feet thick at its base, diminishing by its slope to 6 feet at the line of the cordon with counter forts of five feet in depth at the distance of 13 feet from each other, surmounted by a solid brick parapet of 10 feet in thickness. The ditch is about 40 feet wide, with a walled counterscarp, a walled covert way and a sodded glacis extending to the water edge.
At Bedlow's Island a mortar battery commands all the chan- nel. This battery is on the level of the ditch of a Star fort in its rear which not only commands it but commands and pro- tects Ellis Island.
The old wooden parapet is taken down at Ellis Island and a platform for a gun battery is completed. Under charge of Colonel Williams a Castle at the Battery is being built similar to that on Governor's Island. The North Battery, foot of
73
HISTORY OF GOVERNOR'S ISLAND
Hubert Street, is a circular battery of 20 guns in one tier which will cross fire with the S. W. Battery.
In Fort Columbus there are actually in place 60 cannon, in Castle Williams 52, in S. W. Battery (Castle Clinton) 28, at Bedlow's Island 24, at North Battery 16, Ellis Island 14, Arsenal near Custom House 34.
Adding for the uncompleted third tier of Castle Williams, Governor's Island, 26, and for the bomb battery at Ellis Island 4 mortars, we have a total of 258 pieces.
The estimated complement to man these guns is as fol- lows :
On Governor's Island: Fort Columbus 780 men, Castle Williams 1014; Bedlow's Island 312, Ellis Island 182, S. W. Battery 364, North Battery 208, Arsenal 442, making a total requirement of 2,302 men."
The larger estimate for Castle Williams is based upon the additional 26 guns in the third tier.
The above quoted letter of the Hon. Saml. Mitchell was written in 1808. During the continuance of the War of 1812- 15, references to which are to be found in this Chapter, oc- curred a practical test of the efficiency of the guns of Castle Williams in a target practice for the benefit of the Artillery Militia.
The one of which we have an account took place on the 14th August, 1812. The target was an old hulk anchored in the stream about 1,000 yards from shore, equidistant from Castle Williams and the Fort at the Battery. General Mor- ton's Brigade at the Battery Parade opened fire with 6, 9, 12 and 18 pdrs.
The Veteran Corps of Artillery commanded by Captain Delamater fired from a long nine, which repeatedly raked the hull of the target .*
Several heavy shot from the guns in Castle Williams also hulled the target. After the firing had continued two hours
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