History of Chautauqua County, New York : from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches, Part 23

Author: Young, Andrew W. (Andrew White), 1802-1877; Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. fmo; Huntington Free Library. fmo
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Buffalo, N.Y. : Printing House of Matthews & Warren
Number of Pages: 948

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York : from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 23

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did so, and did all he could to get the men back, and keep them there. He was, however, rather liberal in giving furloughs, and many of us took the ad- vantage of it, myself among the rest."

Gen. Hall, in his report of January 6, 1814, says : "The Chautauqua militia, a regiment under the command of Lt. Col. McMahan, which arrived at Buffalo on the 29th of December, about 300 men, swelled my force to 2,011 ; which was reduced by alarm and desertion, on the morning of the alarm, to less than 1,200 men, And so deficient were my supplies of ammu- nition, that a great part of the cartridges for Lt. Col. McMahan's regiment were made and distributed after they were paraded on the morning of the battle. * * Col. McMahan's regiment had been a reserve in battle ; * but when ordered into action, terror seized them-they flew in disgrace, though some stood by and behaved well, and endeavored to rally men."

To the defection of the reserve, he imputes, in great part, his defeat.

From the statements in preceding pages, it is not easy to determine what measure of blame attaches to the Chautauqua militia. It should be remem- bered that they were raw soldiers, without adequate drill, and without expe- rience, hurried into action, almost at the moment of their arrival, against the well-drilled and experienced British soldiers. There may have been other difficulties which could not have been overcome by the best-disciplined troops. It was well for themselves and their families, that their services were not needed for any considerable period after the unfortunate engage- ment we have described.

When the war was about to commence, many were more apprehensive of our inability to cope with the enemy on the seas than on the land. But it is now generally conceded that our greatest successes were achieved by our navy. Both the belligerents probably congratulated themselves on the re- turn of peace, though neither had occasion to rejoice at what had been gained in the contest. We doubtless convinced Great Britain of our strength as a nation, and our ability to defend ourselves against the encroachments and injuries of other powers ; but our government failed to secure the only object fought for-to redress the grievance of the impressment of seamen on American vessels. The repeal of the British orders in council, of which we justly complained, as will be remembered, was proclaimed before the war had really commenced, leaving only the impressment question at issue, which was left as it had been, without any concession on the part of Great Britain. Peace, even with this grievance unredressed, was a boon, for which our people had reason to be grateful. Especially have we occasion to rejoice at the prospect of perpetual peace between two nations having a common ori- gin, a common language, and a common religion.

The last battle was fought at New Orleans, in which our army under Gen. Jackson gained a brilliant victory, after the treaty of peace had been negoti- ated in Europe. Peace, however, was not proclaimed in this country until February following.

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CIVIL WAR.

ITS ORIGIN.

AN enumeration of all the events which led to the war of the rebellion, is incompatible with the design as well as the prescribed limits of this work. Yet, as it seems proper that some statement of the causes of a war should be transmitted with its history, we preface our brief sketch of the rebellion with the mention of a few of the antecedents of the war in which many of the citizens of Chautauqua county bore an honorable and a conspicuous part.

Our late civil war may be justly ascribed, in great part, to that grand politi- cal heresy named in the South state rights; by which is meant the right of a state to nullify an act of Congress which state authorities may declare uncon- stitutional-a doctrine expressly asserted in the original draft of the Ken- tucky Resolutions of 1798, and which, for a time, was accepted by a majority of the people of the North as well as the South-a doctrine which involves the right of a state to secede from the Union. In 1832, South Carolina, displeased with a protective tariff, passed an ordinance of secession ; but by concessions to her prejudices and demands, she was induced to repeal her ordinance, and consented to remain in the Union. The cause of the late war was the evident determination of the Northern states to prevent the further extension of slavery. The effort to introduce slavery into Kansas had proved unsuccessful. The election of Mr. Lincoln was regarded by the South as a death-blow to their favorite project, unless they could separate themselves from the Union.

The republican party had been formed in 1855, upon the issue of slavery extension. In 1856, threats of disunion, in case of the election of Fremont, were uttered by the leading statesmen of the South ; and the election of Mr. Lincoln in 1860 was made the occasion for carrying their meditated project into effect. South Carolina took the lead in the secession movement. A state convention was called to meet on the 17th of December. Before the end of November, similar calls were issued in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, Florida, and Louisiana; and their legislatures assembled in Decem- ber and January. Before the meeting of Congress in December, the move- ment for immediate secession was confined to the cotton and Gulf states. The secession of Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina was for a time delayed.

Congress met December 3, 1860. In his message, President Buchanan ascribes the occurrences at the South to " the long continued and intemperate interference of the northern people with the question of slavery." He says it would be "easy for the American people to settle the slavery question for- ever, and to restore peace and harmony. * * * All that is necessary, and all for which the slave states have ever contended, is to be let alone." He denies the right of secession as a constitutional right, and says : " Seces- sion is neither more nor less than revolution. It may, or it may not, be a

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justifiable revolution ; but still it is revolution." He discusses the question as to the power of Congress to coerce into submission a state which is attempting to withdraw, or has withdrawn from the confederacy ; and con- cludes, "that no such power has been delegated to Congress or to any other department of the federal government. * * * War would present the most effectual means of destroying the Union, and banish all hope of its peaceable reconstruction. *

* * Congress possess many means of pre- serving it by conciliation; but the sword was not placed in their hand to preserve it by force."

The argument of the president against the power to coerce a state, seems to have been based upon the official opinion of Attorney-General Black. The president may employ the land and naval forces to aid him in executing the laws. He can thus enforce the collection of the duties within the proper port of entry, but he is not confined to the custom-house nor any particular spot. He says :

" To send a military force into a state to act against the people, would be simply making war upon them. Existing laws put and keep the government strictly on the defensive. Force can be used only to repel an assault upon the public property, and aid the courts in the performance of their duty. * *

* If war can not be declared, nor hostilities carried on against a state, by the central government, then it seems to follow that an attempt to do so would be ipso facto an expulsion of such state from the Union. Being treated as an alien and an enemy, she would be compelled to act accordingly. And if Congress shall thus break up this Union, will not all the states be ab- solved from their federal obligations? Is any portion of the people bound to contribute their money or blood to carry on such a contest? * *

If this view of the subject be as correct as I think it is, then the Union must utterly perish at the moment when Congress shall arm one part of the people against another for any purpose but that of merely protecting the general government in the exercise of its proper constitutional functions."

On the 21st of December, 1860, South Carolina passed the secession ordi- nance; and on the 24th, Gov. Pickens, by proclamation, declared South Carolina to be " a separate, sovereign, free and independent state, having a right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate treaties," etc. It is worthy of note, that the secretary of war, John B. Floyd, of Va., had placed in the arsenal at Charleston about 70,000 stand of arms; and the arsenal was put in the care of the governor of the state, by which means the arms got into the hands of the conspirators ; thus showing the complicity of the secretary in the treason. The two South Carolina senators had resigned their seats. Cobb, secretary of the treasury, resigned December roth; and Senator Cass, of Michigan, on the 14th. The resignation of the latter was believed to have been caused by the president's unwillingness to resort to coercion, even to protect the public property.

Serious apprehensions for the safety of Major Anderson and his men in Fort Moultrie, were entertained. His garrison consisted of only sixty effec- tive men; and the fort was an indifferent and insecure one. Unsuspected by the South Carolina authorities, and without the knowledge of the president,

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and having, moreover, been denied reinforcements, on the night of the 26th of December, he left Fort Moultrie, and occupied Fort Sumter, which had been prepared for him. The evacuation of Fort Moultrie surprised the South Carolinians and the president : the former, because they consid- ered the president under a pledge to prevent such a movement ; the latter, because he had instructed Major Anderson to pursue a course which should guard against a collision of troops with the people of that state. He had enjoined him "not to take up, without necessity, any position which could be construed into the assumption of a hostile attitude ; but to hold posses- sion of the forts, and, if attacked, to defend himself."

From the feelings and expressions of the people in and about Charleston, and from the preparations for military movements, Anderson had reason to expect either an attack in an almost defenceless fort, or an early occupa- tion of Fort Sumter. Should the latter take place, he could not maintain his position a single day ; and having no expectation of reinforcements, he thought it his duty to change his position. This movement, however, was construed into a threat of coercion, and was immediately followed by prep- arations for resistance.

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

The South Carolina convention which had been called to meet on the 17th of December, 1860, elected three commissioners "to treat with the United States " for a peaceful settlement. They arrived at Washington the 26th, and, in obedience to their instructions, demanded of the president the un- conditional evacuation of the forts in the harbor, in case of his refusal to order Anderson back to Fort Moultrie. The post-office and the telegraph offices were taken under control of the state authorities ; and possession was taken of the custom-house and of Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney by the state troops, who were readily supplied by the arms and munitions which Sec- retary Floyd had placed in the arsenal there. Of the interview between the commissioners and the president, it needs only to be said that it was fruitless.

Early in January, 1861, the steamer, Star of the West, left New York, by order of the war department, then conducted by Joseph Holt, of Ky., with provisions and munitions and 200 troops for Fort Sumter. The Charleston authorities having become apprised of this, they made preparations to resist the passage of the steamer to her destination. When within about two miles of Fort Sumter, a masked battery from Morris' Island opened fire upon her. She was struck several times, and was compelled to return without accom- plishing her mission.

Early in February, the secretaries of departments from the seceding states, and their senators and many of their representatives, had resigned their seats. In January, the seven states which united in forming the Southern Confed- eracy, had adopted their ordinances of secession ; [South Carolina, Dec. 20, 1860; Texas, Feb. 1, 1861.]

On the 4th of February, the members of the southern convention met at

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Montgomery, Ala., for the purpose of forming a government. The delegates had been chosen by the several state conventions. The constitution of the United States, with some alterations and additions relating to slaves and slavery, was adopted as the constitution of the confederacy. On the 9th, the convention chose Jefferson Davis to be provisional president, and Alexander H. Stephens, vice-president.

Sundry peace measures were proposed in Congress, but without effect. Also a "peace convention," proposed by the state of Virginia, in which twenty-one states were represented, met at Washington on the 4th of Feb- ruary, and continued its session until the 27th. The seceding states took no part in it. It was without any practical result.

The war was commenced by the bombardment of Fort Sumter, April 12, r86r. The batteries of Sullivan's Island, Morris' Island, and other points, were opened on the fort at 4 o'clock in the morning. Fort Sumter returned the fire, and a brisk cannonading was kept up for some time. In answer to the Confederate General Beauregard's demand to surrender the fort, Major Anderson replied, that he would surrender when his supplies were exhausted ; that is, if he were not reenforced. On the next day he surrendered the fort. After the surrender, bells were rung and cannons fired in Charleston. No lives, it was said, were lost in the bombardment, though several of Ander- son's men were wounded. The rebels also pretended that they had suffered no loss. This was at first believed. It was afterward stated on what was considered reliable authority, that about 300 were killed in Fort Moultrie alone. This statement was corroborated by a northern man who had been forced into the confederate service, and who was in Fort Moultrie during the bombardment. Major Anderson and his men left on the 14th for New York, on the steamer Isabel. The necessity of the surrender appears from Major Anderson's dispatch to the secretary of war :

"SIR: Having defended Fort Sumter 34 hours, until quarters were en- tirely burned, main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge wall seriously injured, magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, I accepted terms of evacuation offered by Gen. Beauregard, being the same offered by him on the rrth instant, prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, 14th instant, with colors flying, drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting my flag with fifty guns."

It was believed that the confederates intended to march on Washington with a large army; and detachments of cavalry were stationed on roads outside of the city, and volunteer companies were in the capital. Action was immediately taken in many of the states for raising troops. The services of many thousand volunteers were promptly offered.

On the 15th of April, 1861, President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 men, whose first services would "probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which had been seized from the Union." He stated that the utmo care would be observed, to avoid injury to the

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property or persons of peaceful citizens of any part of the country. And he commanded the persons composing the combinations against the government to disperse, and to return to their homes within 20 days from date. He also called a special session of Congress, to meet on the 4th of July next, to deter- mine such measures as the public safety and interest might seem to demand. This proclamation was, within a few days, followed by another, declaring a blockade of the ports of all the seceded states.

Two days after orders for troops had been issued by Gov. Andrew, of Massachusetts, two regiments, collected from different parts of the state, appeared at the capitol, and reached New York city, en route for Washington, before a regiment of this state was ready to march. Many banks and wealthy individuals offered large loans of money to the government. Public meetings were held in almost every village to raise money and other means of support for the families of the volunteers.

At Fredonia, a public meeting was held on the evening of the 20th of April, and was effectively addressed by Oscar W. Johnson, Frederick A. Redington, George Barker, Lorenzo Morris, Ezra S. Ely, and Orson Stiles, all of Fredonia, and Geo. C. Cranston, of Sheridan. A series of patriotic resolutions were adopted, and a finance committee was appointed to take charge of and to disburse the fund to be raised for the relief of the families of the volunteer soldiers. The names of those who subscribed to this fund at this meeting, and the sums they respectively pledged, were as follows :

George Barker, Orson Stiles, Stephen M. Clement, John B. & Heman D. M. Miner, [firm,] Scott Aldrich, Geo. H. White, Lewis B. Grant, Geo. W. Lewis, Calvin Hutchinson, $100 each ; Joel R. Parker, $125 ; Censor office, James P. Mullett, Taylor & Jennings, Geo. N. Frazine, Alva Colburn, Henry C. Frisbee, John B. Forbes, A. N. Clark & Co., Luther Crocker, J. N. Greene, James O. Putnam, Frederick A. Redington, R. U. Wheelock, Leveret B. Greene, Duane L. Gurnsey, David Barrell, Geo. D. Hinkley, each $50 ; W. W. Lewis, $35 ; Erastus Holt, Charles E. Washburn, John M. Van Kleek, Thomas W. Bristol, Aaron L. Putnam, Salmon Hart, Nathan A. Put- nam, Caleb Stanley, Geo. W. Briggs, Isaac A. Saxton, Delos Beebe, Charles J. Orton, W. W. Scott, Preston Barmore, John Hamilton, Jr., E. M. Spink, Ezra S. Ely, L. A. Barmore, Emory F. Warren, Oscar W. Johnson, J. B. Putnam, Aaron O. Putnam, Charles F. Matteson, C. W. Burton, Simeon Savage, Spencer Allen, Stephen Snow, Daniel J. Pratt, each $25; Stephen O. Day, Allen Hinkley, Obed Bissell, Wm. B. Archibald, Ralph H. Hall, Abner N. Clark, Jesse E. Baldwin, Julius J. Parker, John C. Mullett, R. E. Post, D. O. Sherman, Lorenzo Morris, H. Bouton, each $20. Total, $2,870.

MOVEMENTS IN THE NORTH.

At Jamestown, a mass-meeting was held on the 29th of April, which was stated to be the first large movement of the people in that section of the county. The occasion was honored by the closing of stores and business places, and a grand display of colors. A magnificent flag tha ad seen service in the

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navy, was run up on a staff at the stand, corner of Pine and Third streets. Hon. Samuel A. Brown was chosen president of the meeting ; and Horace Allen, Jehiel Tiffany, Levi Barrows, Sardius Steward, D. G. Powers, Daniel Williams, John A. Hall, Emri Davis, David Wilbur, H. N. Thornton, John Markham, S. E. Palmer, vice-presidents. The meeting was addressed by the president on the nature of the nation's crisis and the duty of her citizens. He introduced, successively, as speakers, Hon. R. P. Marvin, Rev. Messrs. S. W. Roe, H. H. Stockton, of Panama, T. H. Rouse, L. W. Norton, Henry Benson, and J. Leslie. They were followed by Capt. James M. Brown, of company B., and Hon. Madison Burnell. A subscription for the volunteers was then opened and a generous fund raised. After which, short speeches were made by Rev. Isaac George, and Messrs. Wm. H. Lowry and Theodore Brown. Also a committee of ladies was appointed to provide for the ward- robe and other wants of the volunteers : Mrs. A. F. Allen, Mrs. D. H. Grandin, Mrs. R. P. Marvin, Mrs. Lewis Hall, Mrs. O. E. Jones, Mrs. J. H. Clark, Mrs. C. L. Harris, Mrs. Orsell Cook, Mrs. C. L. Jeffords, Mrs. Wm. Post, Mrs. W. Barker, Mrs. S. Seymour.

Another meeting was held at Jamestown, Friday evening, July 25th, fol- lowed by two others on Saturday and Monday evenings. In the Journal, from which the following account is taken, the proceedings were thus introduced :

Three Huge Meetings in Jamestown-Prodigal Outpouring of Money and Men for the Good Cause-Grand Speeches from Orators and the People --- Poland, Carroll, Kiantone, Ellington, Busti, Harmony, and the county respond.

The editor says : We hardly know where to commence the narration of the exciting events of the past week. Our people have been wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm and patriotic ardor, that, in some respects, can find no parallel in previous experiences. * * * Three meetings, such as this place has never seen before, have been held. The meeting of Friday even- ing, July 25th, exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. Every seat in Jones' Hall was filled before dark, and all the standing room was packed full before the meeting commenced. Probably hundreds were turned away from the stairs, which also were crowded.

Hon. Samuel A. Brown was chosen to preside, and J. E. Mayhew made secretary. The meeting was addressed by Rev. L. W. Norton, Capt. Tuck- erman, Capt. A. J. Marsh, of company K., 49th regiment, Hon. Madison Burnell, and John F. Smith, Esq. Subscriptions for money were again taken for the families of volunteers. Upwards of $500 was subscribed: In the meantime lists were open for volunteers to subscribe. Then came one of the most remarkable and exciting scenes ever witnessed in this county. Capt. Marsh, Capt. John F. Smith, Rev. Henry Benson, Madison Burnell and others, gathered in front of the platform receiving the names of subscrib- ers, their amounts, and names of recruits, exhorting in the most thrilling and patriotic tone. T ep the ball rolling, as each noble fellow walked to

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the stand, and laid himself a live offering on his country's altar, three cheers were given to each by the excited audience.

Col. Henry Baker was called to the stand, and made most touching and patriotic remarks. The old man, trembling and weak, told how he "went to the defense of his country when but 16 years old ;" that he had three boys in the army now ; that he hated to let them go ; but he "could not blame them, for their 'dad' went when he was only sixteen." He did not know that he should ever see the boys again. One of them was badly wounded and a prisoner-if he was alive-the second was sick in the hospital. Then the old man broke clear down, and sobbingly declared that his only regret was, that he had not six boys more to send ; and closed with the most touching benediction on the old flag and on the country. Many wept with him, sharing alike his emotion and his devotion to his country.

Wm. H. Tew, from the back side of the room, said he wanted the thing to move a little faster ; and he offered $2 to every man who would enlist, in ad- dition to the gross amount subscribed by him before. O. E. Jones offered $5 to every man. Col. Allen pledged $10 to every man ; Solomon Jones, $5 ; and others enough to make $25 to every man-making $50 bounty to every one. Midnight arrived ; and the enthusiasm of the audience was un- abated. Nine volunteers had been enrolled ; and it was moved to suspend operations until the next evening. The offers mentioned above were extended until the next night.

The meeting on Saturday evening was, if possible, more enthusiastic than the former one, and was more fertile in practical accomplishments of the end in view-enlistments. The speakers were Rev. Messrs. S. W. Roe, P. Byrnes, and H. Benson, and Mr. Burnell and Capt. Smith. When the roll was opened, volunteers came in squads and platoons. Thirty names were re- ceived in addition to those previously obtained. The meeting adjourned while the excitement was high, to Broadhead Hall, Monday evening.

The meeting on Monday evening was as well attended as the others. It was addressed by Rev. T. H. Rouse, Major Wm. O. Stevens, Theodore . Brown, Qr. Master Knapp, Col. A. F. Allen, Capt. Tuckerman, Rev. H. Benson, and others. Seven more volunteered. At a late hour the meeting adjourned, sine die. At this series of meetings, the names of forty-six patriots were enrolled, and $2,600 were pledged to be raised for them.

In Westfield, on Saturday evening, April 20th, a meeting of the citizens was held in Hinkley Hall to consider measures for raising volunteers, and for the support of their families. The hall was densely packed with persons, from the supple youth to the tottering, gray old man, each eager to contribute, in some way, to the- defense of his country. Hon. George W. Patterson was called to the chair, and addressed the meeting in a stirring and patriotic manner. E. W. Dennison was chosen secretary. Messrs. Austin Smith, Joshua R. Babcock, and Alpheus U. Baldwin, were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. Hon. Henry A. Prendergast, of Ripley, being present, being ed for, addressed the

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