USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Historical fallacies regarding colonial New York : an address delivered before the Oneida Historical Society, Utica, N.Y., at its second annual meeting, January 14, 1879 > Part 11
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In person, Colonel Schuyler was tall and hardy, rather rough it may be at first view, yet, after a little acqaintance revealing deep and genuine sincerity. In conversation, he was above all artifice, or the traffic of forms; yet he enjoyed friendship with a true relish, and in all the relations, what he seemed to be, he was. A newspaper of the day concludes its reference to his character in these words: " Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them."
Such, friends and fellow-citizens, is a rapid outline of the man, and of his relation to our country, for whom this old Fort was called; nor could it have received a name more honorable, or one that could awaken throughout the entire country more real, genuine love and enthusiasm. It may have been, some officer gave it this name because Colonel Schuyler had ransomed him, and thus returned him to his home. Be this, however, as it may, it was the tribute of the province to a bold, brave, determined, kind and faithful soldier and citizen. I greatly rejoice that our loved city has blended with its origin a name so noble and so historic, and one so free from stain and reproach, that other generations, as well as our own, will delight to respect and invest it with that accumulating glory which at all periods is so fully its duc.
I have dwelt too long upon the events with which Colonel Schuyler was associated to think of commenting upon the sug- gestiveness of the exercises in which we are now engaged. There come to me thoughts upon which I should love to dwell, and that
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never can be too frequently alluded to, or too plainly expressed. My friends, we but too feebly estimate the struggle in which many of our honored sires were engaged, the price, the fearful price, that has been paid for our country's liberties, and the great courage, devotion and sacrifice they represent. A nation knows nothing of abiding peace till nerve, musele, heart, soul, all we hold most dear, have been taxed to their utmost, and its altars have been made crimson with blood. Under a benignant and overruling providence, the peace and prosperity we this day enjoy come from the zeal, faith, courage, consecration and suffering of those who have gone before. In this world, beautiful as it is, peaceful acres represent the price of blood. Would to God that we might remember this truth, not for vain glory, but to honor such as we this day recall, to thank, to reward, to perpetuate. I trust that the time has forever passed when the tread of marshalled men shall again shake this continent, and this beautiful valley shall again resound with the notes of war, either for aggression or defense. Our inheritance to-day is peace. Being therefore peace, our only ambition should be to keep it, guard it most jealously and sacredly ; to be known and remembered for the multitude of our virtues, and for the noble aspirations of sanctified and cultivated genius. And the more so, since to attain this no city need be sacked, no fields devasted, nor blood shed, not even a tear fall. Next to suffering and dying for freedom, is the noble duty to preserve it. The old Jewish rabbi was right when he said that, were the sea ink and the land parchment, the former could not be able to describe, nor the latter to comprise all the praise of liberty. Liberty is the mother of every virtne and the best nurse of genins. The immortal Burke, in one of his impassioned sentences, asks, what is liberty without wisdom and without virtue ? We answer it is nothing. It is a vessel without a rudder, a charter without a seal. Virtuous liberty should be our aim, as it has been the desire of all who have coveted its wealth, and who have sought its establishment. Every country that submits to be a land of slaves, deserves to be a land of ruin. An Italian poet once signalized his love of imperial Rome in these noble words : " Eternal gods! may that day be the last on which I forget the happiness of Rome." So should we think, and so should we say. Ile who is unwilling to imperil his life, if need be, at the summons of holy freedom, does not merit life. He who sincerely loves his country leaves the fragrance of a good name to many ages. But I can not say what I would. I close, then, by remarking that it
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is written of Cicero, when he arrived at Athens, he desired to be immediately led to the tomb of Archimedes, no doubt to abandon himself to the inspirations which such a classic spot would so naturally excite. Let me say, however, at this hour, to all such as desire to lend themselves to the higher inspirations of valor, courage, faithfulness, zeal, philanthropy and all that goes to make up ; the honored citizen, the noble patriot, the brave soldier, the modest and unassuming philanthropist, come and visit this triangular site ; and as you walk about its grassy sides, and gaze upon these warlike trophies that are to mark it, remember, it is thus that a grateful people would hallow the memory of their tried servants; and especially, that this city would forever embalm in her purest affections and patriotic memories the name of Colonel Peter Schuyler; he for whom its first structure was called, and which had it received his good old Dutch name would have stirred the proudest remembrances in every loyal heart, and such, in truth, as no African city, though rich in narrative and radiant with classic fame and glory, could possibly awaken.
One more period and I shall have finished. As a most fitting sequel to my remarks, and to commemorate also this happy occasion, there will now be flung to the breeze the first flag, bear- ing on a swan white field the original State arms, as reconstructed under the laws of 1882, and now the adopted insignia and banner of our noble commonwealth. As it rises up yonder staff, and unfolds itself to be caught and waved and kissed again and again by the passing wind, let it receive with its suggestive emblems, that joyful salutation from you and from me also, which its first appearance in our midst, and among the broad acres in our State, so properly merits.
Hail imperial Banner ! speed thy virgin way, Utica first doth greet thee-this thy bridal day.
The benediction was pronounced by Rev. J. J. Emmegahbowh, an Ojibway Indian missionary, in his native tongue.
ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
1884.
COLONEL JOHN BROWN,
HIS SERVICES IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAAR, BATTLE OF STONE ARABIA.
BY
REV. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D.
ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
COLONEL JOHN BROWN,
HIS SERVICES IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
BATTLE OF STONE ARABIA.
BY REV. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AT UTICA, N. Y., APRIL 28, 1884.
UTICA, N. 1. ELLIS H. ROBERTS & CO., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1884.
At the conclusion of the address of the Rev. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D., upon the civil and military services of JOHN BROWN during the revolutionary war, delivered by special request before the Oneida Ilistorical Society at Utica, on the evening of April 28th, 1884, it was unanimously resolved, on motion of JOHN F. SEY- MOUR, that the thanks of the Society be returned to Mr. ROOF for his able and interesting address, and that he be requested to furnish a copy to the Society for publication.
M. M. BAGG,
ยท Recording Secretary.
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COLONEL JOHN BROWN.
ITIS SERVICES IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-BATTLE OF STONE ARABIA.
The residents of the Mohawk valley will ever feel a deep interest in the career of Colonel John Brown, who in the fall of 1780, under the inspiration of a lofty patriotism, came with his Berkshire Levies to this valley, to protectits fields from pillage, its dwellings from conflagration, and its early settlers from the cruelty of a sav- age foe. This interest is doubtless enhanced by the consideration that when he first engaged actively in the business pursuits of life, he was a resident of this valley, and that he fell while fighting heroically on one of its battle-fields, near which his ashes now repose.
It may be proper here to remark that we are not to judge of the importance of the battles of the Revolution by the numbers en- gaged, but by the issues involved therein, which certainly were among the most momentous in this world's history.
We should then love to trace the glorious events in the lives of that little band of patriotic men who first raised the standard. of resistance to British oppression, and by the wisdom of their coun- sels and their valor in the battle-field, secured for us the blessings of constitutional liberty.
It may not prove an easy undertaking to present the principal events in the life of Colonel John Brown with clearness, and in chronological order, as in the presentation of them, we will have to rely much on tradition.
And to tradition we should not always attach the fullest cre- dence, even when supplemented by the written statements of per- sons whose lives were contemporaneous with the events they aimed to describe; for such statements, though honestly made, will some- times be found to conflict to a greater or less extent with each
ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
other. Hence are we often embarrassed by the scantiness of authentic materials for the faithful delineation of the characters of many of the heroic men of the war of our independence.
Among the patriots of the Revolution who, in the Mohawk valley, freely presented their lives as an offering on the altar of their country, was John Brown.
In the account I shall here give of this intrepid defender of the rights of the colonists, that this sketch may not be extended to too great a length, it will be my aim to present only what Iregard as the most important and best authenticated events in his civil and military career .*
John Brown, who was the youngest of five brothers, was born October 19th, 1744, at Haverhill, in the State of Massachusetts,
BROWN STUDIES LAW.
He was graduated at Yale College in 1771. Soon after his graduation he became a law student in the office of his brother-in- law, the Hon. Oliver Arnold, at Providence, Rhode Island. After finishing his legal studies, he commenced the practice of the law at Caughnawaga (now Fonda) in this State, where he was appointed one of the attorneys for King George the Third. After a brief residence at this place, with a heart glowing with the enthusiasm of the times, he dismissed Coke and Littleton and the pursuits of civil and criminal jurisprudence, that he might be more active in the service of his country, and took up his residence at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Here he soon engaged in the patriot cause. At this time the dispute between the colonies and Great Britain had assumed a threatening aspect. Taxation without representation was regarded by the colonists as an invasion of chartered rights, and as a direct violation of the British constitution. In fact, so
* The principal authorities consulted in the preparation of this address are as follows : " Campbell's Annals of Tryon County," "Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution," " Thatcher's Military Journal," " The Frontiersmen of New York," " Hough's Northern Invasion," " History of Berkshire County," " Stone's Life of Brandt," "Manuscript of Hon. Jacob Snell," " Relations of Henry Brown (sou of Co !. Brown), at personal interviews," besides tradition- ary accounts from living witnesses.
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ADDRESS OF REV. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D.
determined at this time had become the spirit of hostility in this country to British aggressions, and so wide the breach between Great Britain and the colonies, as to lead John Adams to declare that " the trumpet of the Revolution had already been sounded."
During this excited state of the public mind, John Brown at once attracted attention by his commanding talents and by that love of country which was ever with him an inspiration, and which ro signally marked his subsequent career.
HIE BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY AND PRO- VINCIAL CONGRESSES.
In 1744 he was chosen a delegate to what was then termed "a county congress," which convened at Stockbridge on the 6th July of that year. In that body, which was composed of very able men, he was appointed, with four other members, a committee to make a report on the obnoxious acts of the British Parliament, and their report was unanimously adopted. On the 11th October of the same year, he was chosen a representative from Pittsfield to the Provincial congress, which assembled at Concord. In Decem- ber he was appointed by that body, with Dr. Joseph Warren, Samuel Adams, and others, a committee to open a correspondence with leading men in Canada friendly to the American cause, and to John Brown was committed "the difficult and dangerous task of sounding the disposition of the Canadians, instituting a Revo- lutionary party among them, and organizing a system of secret communication with its leaders."
BROWN'S FIRST CANADIAN EXPEDITION.
Upon the acceptance of his appointment as envoy to Canada, he resigned his seat in the Provincial congress and started without delay on his Canadian mission. After encountering many perils and enduring many severe hardships, he reached Montreal, where he met with a cordial reception from the committee of corres- pondence which had been organized in that city, and also from a delegation from Quebec. From them he learned, as he states, "that
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the military commanders in the service of the king were intriguing to array the Canadian savages against the colonists; that there was no prospect of Canada sending delegates to the Continental con- gress, and that without the presence of a colonial army there would be no probability of an uprising there for the colonists."
This information he communicated without delay by letter to Dr. Joseph Warren and Samuel Adams, of the committee of cor- respondence.
ENGAGED IN THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA.
He suggested to the committee in the same letter the importance (should hostilities be commenced) of seizing as soon as possible the Fortress of Ticonderoga. The suggestion of the importance of seizing that post (as says the author of the History of Pittsfield) "was highly creditable to the political and military sagacity of Mr. Brown."
I will not stop here to dwell upon all the measures projected for the capture of the celebrated Fortress of Lake Champlain, which for a long time, in the new England States, Lad been regarded as the Key of Canada. Mr. Brown was decidedty of the opinion that the Green Mountain Boys were the persons who should be employed in the projected attack upou Ticonderoga ; and that Ethan Allen was the most suitable person to command them in this important enterprise. Suffice it here to say, that Colonel Ethan Allen soon received directions from the General Assembly of Connecticut to surprise and take the Fortress of Ticonderoga; and that in obedience to these directions, this brilliant exploit was accomplished before sunrise on the morning of the 10th May, 1775, when the Fortress was surrendered to that intrepid commander in compliance with his famous demand made "IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT JEHOVAH AND OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS." John Brown, who was personally engaged in this bold enterprise, and whose name was honorably mentioned in Colonel Allen's official report, was immediately sent to announce the sur- render of the Fortress to the Continental Congress. We next
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ADDRESS OF REV. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D.
hear of him in the First Canadian campaign in which he rendered important service to the colonies.
HIS SECOND CANADIAN EXPEDITION.
Hle now held the rank of major, and on the 24th July, 1775, duly commissioned, he set out on his second expedition to Canada, "to obtain," as he said, in his letter to Governor Trumbull, " the fullest intelligence of the military operations making by the King's troops, the Canadians and the Indians; to learn the situation of St. Johns, Chamblee, Montreal and Quebec; and the number of troops with which each was garrisoned; whether the Canadians designed taking up arms against the colonies ; and whatever else it was of consequence, that an invading army should know." In this expedition Major Brown took with him a Canadian and three other men as guides; and had a long, tedious and an exceedingly perilous journey down the west side of Lake Champlain, through fields flooded by the lake, and also through extensive marshes, in which he was often compelled to camp at night. He had not traveled many days before it was suspected that he was a colonial emissary; and, to clear himself so far as possible, from all harm- ful suspicions, he professed to be a dealer in horses, and while en- gaged in this new vocation (in which it is not recorded that he had much success, as he seemed to have less dexterity as a horse dealer than skill as a diplomatist,) he went through the country, and learned much by secret conferences with French Canadians, and in various other ways, of the true state of Canadian affairs.
Not a few French Canadians, however, who were friendly to the American cause were sagacious enough to discover (as says one account,) and they so declared, that our American envoy was "an odd sort of a jockey, as he never got a nag to his liking." This account further states that "he was sometimes hotly pursued by a military force, and that on one occasion, a large squad of red-coats surrounded the house in which he lodged, from which he contrived to escape by a back window, and make good his flight." After many perilous adventures, "hair-breadth 'scapes," and sleepless
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ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
nights, Major Brown arrived at Crown Point on the 10th day of August, having obtained much valuable and important informa- tion for the American army. A full account of his adventures in this Canadian expedition would read somewhat like a legendary tale.
BROWN CAPTURES FORT CHAMBLEE.
Passing by matters of less interest in the carcer of Major Brown, (not to speak of the unsuccessful attempt to capture Montreal, the plan for the capture of which was proposed by Major Brown; but was not carried into successful execution by Colonel Allen,) we next hear of his brilliant operations at Fort Chamblee on the River Sorel. He had been intrusted by General Montgomery, (who was then engaged in the seige of St. Johns,) with the important under" taking of capturing that strongly constructed Fortress. Accord- ingly, ou the 18th October, 1775, on a very dark night, under the directions of Brown, cannon were placed on bateaux and taken silently past the fortifications to the head of the Chamblee Rapids, and were soon put in position for attack. In fact the Fortress was now closely invested and at the mercy of Brown. Fifty Ameri- cans and four hundred Canadians were engaged in this expedition. The commander of the Fortress, Major Stopford, was suddenly aroused from his slumbers near midnight by a demand from Major Brown to surrender. The British Major had doubtless retired to his lodgings that night regarding his Fortress as a second Gibral- ter. He believed that its massive walls could successfully resist any assault that might be made upon them ; and that the Ameri- cans could not approach them with artillery, as the guns of the Fortress of St. Johns commanded the River Sorel on both sides for the distance of ten or twelve miles. Inexpressibly great, then, must have been his surprise (when awakened by the summons of Major Brown to surrender) to find the Fortress so closely invested and himself and his garrison fixed in such a state of "unpleasant- ness." Yet unpleasantly situated as Major Stopford was, he submitted the following modest proposals to the demands of Major Brown:
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ADDRESS OF REV. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D.
"The garrison should not be madle prisoners, but should be permitted to march out with drums beating and colors flying ; . with their arms and accoutrements; and twenty-four rounds of ammunition each ; and carts and provisions sufficient to pass by the shortest route to Montreal or any other place in the province at the option of Major Stopford."
This document is certainly a model of its kind; and it may be difficult to find its like among the memorabilia of military events.
Burgoyne once boastfully declared that " Britons never retreat." When effectually hemmed in near Bemus Heights, confronted by the troops of Gates, to meet whom again in battle in the condition he then was, would have resulted in the destruction .of his own army ; with large detachments in his rear, cutting off his supplies, and with still other obstacles multiplying in that direction, Bur- goyne could neither get back to Canada, as he desired to do by a hasty retreat, nor could he advance by a forced march to Albany, and there according to his declared purpose, "eat his Christmas dinner."
Equally embarrassing on the dark night of the 18th of October was the situation of that son of Mars, the redoubtable Major Stopford. To abandon Fort Chamblee and attempt to retreat with his garrison under the cover of the night, would have been with him a futile undertaking. Equally futile would have been any attempt on his part to advance on the beleaguering force of Brown.
But the American Major was not to be influenced by " the option " or modest proposals of Major Stopford, and like a cele- brated commander of later days, refused to consent to any terms but an unconditional surrender; and accordingly on the morning of the 19th the Fortress with its garrison was surrendered uncon- ditionally.
The fruits of this bold and successful exploit (besides the sur- render of the Fortress) were one Major, three Captains, three Lientenants, a Commissary and a Surgeon, eighty-three non-com- missioned officers and privates of the Royal Fusilleers, besides a large quantity of stores, including one hundred and thirty-four
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ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
barrels of gunpowder, which were of almost incalculable value to our needy and ill-disciplined army. At this time General Philip Schuyler addressed a letter to the Continental Congress, in which he stated, that Major Brown " during the past year had rendered extraordinary service."
ENGAGED IN THE SECOND CANADIAN CAMPAIGN.
Major Brown was also engaged in the second Canadian cam- paign. On the 31st December, 1775, he participated in the memorable attack on Quebec, in which General Richard Montgom- ery fell, and although he fell not like Wolfe or Epaminondas, in " the arms of victory," yet he exhibited in his brief career that sublime heroism and true nobility of character which have rendered his name immortal.
Major Brown was directed to co-operate by making a false attack upon the walls to the south of St. John's gate, and to set fire to the gate with combustibles prepared for that purpose, which duty he successfully performed. And during the subsequent siege of the city he occupied an advanced post with the soldiers under his command.
On the 1st August, 1776, Congress voted him the commission of Lieutenant Colonel, with rank and pay in the Continental army from November, 1775.
EXTRAORDINARY INTERVIEW BETWEEN BROWN AND ARNOLD.
It became well known about this time that an unfriendly feeling existed between Brown and Arnold. Brown had learned much of Arnold's base character and low intrigues.
An account of an extraordinary interview between these two military men, though doubtless familiar to most readers of Ameri- can history, should not be omitted here. I summarize it from a more detailed account given by Colonel Stone, in his Life of Brandt.
When Arnold was quartered at Albany, during the winter of 1776-1777, a difficulty arose between him and Brown, which re-
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ADDRESS OF REV. GARRET L. ROOF, D. D.
sulted in the publication by the latter of a handbill attacking Arnold. The handbill contained these severe and scathing words : " MONEY IS THIS MAN'S GOD, AND TO GET ENOUGH OF IT HE WOULD SACRIFICE HIS COUNTRY." The handbill was read aloud at Arnold's quarters, and in his presence. Arnold at once pronounced Brown a scoundrel, and declared further that he would kick him when- soever and wheresoever he should meet him. Brown saw Major Lewis, one of his most intimate friends, in the evening of the day when the handbill was issued, and then obtained from him.an invi- tation to dine with his mess on the morrow, hoping at that time to meet Arnold. On the next day, shortly before dinner would be served, Brown arrived and was ushered at once into the room where Arnold was standing with his back to the fire. Brown then deliberately approached Arnold, and, looking him directly in the eye, observed: " I understand that you have said you would kick me. I now present myself to give you an opportunity to put your threat into execution." Arnold was silent. Brown then added: " You are a dirty scoundrel." Arnold still remained silent, whereupon, after a short pause, Brown apologized to the gentlemen present for his intrusion, and left the room.
I will not attempt to explain this continued silence on the part of Arnold, who was personally brave and had a very resentful dis- position. The language employed by Brown on this occasion and in the presence of several gentlemen, had doubtless the possible merit of being sufficiently direct and explicit, but it was not such language as might have been expected from a gentleman of his refined manners and his well-known amiability of disposition. But it should be borne in mind that he had already endured much from the persecution of Arnold, and it may less surprise us then, that under a keen sense of the injustice done him by that bold, bad man, he should, in the employment of terms on this occasion, have transcended somewhat the limits of a gentlemanly propriety. With a mens conscia recti, he feared not to express publicly his opinion of the man who, he believed, would prove a traitor to the American cause ; for it was as true of Colonel Brown as it was of Chevalier Bayard, that "he was without fear and without re- proach."
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