USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 10
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140
As soon as the British fleet were seen approaching Cum- berland Head, on the morning of the 11th, Sir George Provost ordered Gen. Power's brigade and a part of Gen. Robinson's brigade, consisting of four companies of light infantry and the 3d battalions of the 27th and 76th, to force the fords of the Saranac and to assault the American works. The advance was made, and the batteries were opened the moment the action on the lake commenced.
The British attempted to cross the river at. three points, -one at the village bridge, where they were repulsed by the artillery and guards under Captains Brooks, Richards, and Smith ; one at the upper bridge, where they were foiled by the pickets and riflemen under Capt. Grovenor and Licuts. Hamilton and Smith, supported by a detachment
of militia ; and the third at the ford near " Pike's canton- ment," where they were resisted by the New York militia, under Maj .- Gen. Moocrs and Brig .- Gen. Wright. At this latter point several companies succeeded in crossing, driving the militia before theni towards Salmon River. The Brit- ish advanced, firing by platoons, but with such carelessness of aim as to do but little injury.} At Salmon River the militia were joined by a large detachment of the Vermont volunteers, and were soon afterwards reinforced by Lieut. Sumpter with a party of artillery and a field-piece. Here they rallied and were drawn up to meet the attack of the British troops, who were rapidly approaching. Just at this moment an officer§ rode up to the ranks, proclaiming the welcome intelligence that the British fleet had surrendered. With three hearty cheers the militia immediately pressed forward against the enemy, who, having been at the same moment recalled, were now rapidly retiring toward the ford. In their retreat, a company of the 76th lost their way among the thick pines, where they were surrounded and attacked by several companies of militia and Vermont vol- unteers. Three lieutenants and twenty-seven men were made prisoners, and Capt. Purchase and the rest of the company killed.|| The rest of the British detachment regained the north bank of the Saranac without much loss.T
Although no further attempt was made to cross the river, the British batteries continued their fire upon the Ameri- can works until sundown. This fire was returned by the guns of Fort Brown, which were managed during the day with great skill by Capt. Alexander Brooks and the corps of veteran artillery under his command.
Sir George Provost had now under his command over thirteen thousand troops, more than half of whom had served with distinction under Wellington, while the Ameri- can force did not exceed fifteen hundred regulars, fit for duty, two thousand five hundred Vermont volunteers, under Maj .- Gen. Strong, six hundred of whom had just arrived, and Gen. Wright's brigade of Clinton and Essex militia, seven hundred strong, under command of Maj .- Gen. Moocrs. With his superior force Provost could have forced the pas- sage of the Saranac, and have crushed Macomb by the mere weight of numbers. But the victory would have been attended with great sacrifice of life, and would have led to no permanent advantage to the Britishi. Macdonough was in command of the lake; reinforcements of regulars were hastening to the support of Macomb; the militia were rising, en masse, in every quarter, and within two weeks Provost would have been surrounded, his supplies from
# Cooper's Naval History.
+ Letter to his brethor, published in Niles' Register, vol. viii. The result of the ongagement depended, from the first, upen the "Sara- tega" and " Confiance." When Macdonough anchored his vessel he not only attachod springs to the cables, but alse laid a kedge broad off on cach bow of the "Saratoga," and brought the hawsers in upon the two quarters. To this timely precaution ho was indebted for the victory, for without tho larboard hawser he could not have brought his fresh broadside into action.
# I havo conversed with several who boast of their activity during this retreat, and whe felt a personal interest in the subject at the time, and they all state that the balls, at cach volley, struck the pine-trees at least fifteen feet from the ground.
¿ Chancellor Walworth, aid-de-camp to Maj .- Gen. Mooers.
| It is said Capt. Purchaso was shot down while waving a white handkerchief over his head, as a notice that he had surrendered.
Sir George Provost, in his account of the battle, says : "Scarcely had his Majesty's troops foreed a passago across the Saranac and ascended the heights on which stand the American works," ete. This would imply that the British had gained ground near the forts, but such was not the case. They crossed nearly two miles above the forts, and followed the militia from, instead of towards, the American works.
40
HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
Canada cut off, and an only alternative left to force his way back with the loss of half his army or to have surrendered. In a dispatch to Earl Bathurst, after referring to the loss of the fleet, he says, " This' unlooked-for event depriving me of the co-operation of the fleet, without which the further prosecution of the service was become impracticable, I did not hesitate to arrest the course of the troops advancing to the attack, because the most complete success would have been unavailing; and the possession of the enemy's works offered no advantage to compensate for the loss we must have sustained in acquiring possession of them."
This was a just and merited compliment to the skill and bravery of the American regulars and militia. The former were few in number, but resolute and unflinching. Among the latter the greatest enthusiasm now prevailed. They had become accustomed to the "smell of powder," and animated by the recollection of Macdonough's victory, were ready to oppose any force that might attempt the passage of the Saranac. It is due to the patriotism of the citizens of Vermont to mention the fact that as soon as Governor Chittenden received information from Gen. Macomb of the invasion by the enemy, he issued a spirited address calling on the Vermont militia to rally to the aid of their countrymen on the opposite side of the lake. This address was most nobly responded to, for when the requisition of the President for a reinforcement of two thousand militia to aid Gen. Macomb reached the Governor, he replied that the order had not only been anticipated, but far exceeded, by the voluntary enrollment of his fellow-citizens. The same enthusiasm pervaded the militia on the New York side. When Maj .- Gen. Mooers' orders were received for the militia of Warren and Washington Counties to as- semble, en masse, and march to the frontier, there appearcd, under arms, two hundred and fifty men more than had ever mustered at an inspection or review.
Acting upon the considerations stated in his dispatch to Earl Bathurst, Sir George Provost prepared for an instant and hasty retreat. As soon as the sun went down he dis- mantled his batteries, and at nine o'clock at night sent off his heavy baggage and artillery, which were quickly followed by the main army; the rear-guard, consisting of a light brigade, started a little before daybreak, leaving behind them vast quantities of provisions, tents, camp-equipage, ammunition, etc. The sick and wounded were also left behind, consigned to the generosity and humane care of Gen. Macomb. So silent and rapid was the retreat, that the main army had passed through Beekmantown before its absence was known in the American camp. The light troops, volunteers, and militia were immediately sent in pursuit. They followed the retiring column as far as Chazy, and took a few prisoners. The roads were muddy and very heavy at the time, which not only prevented fur- ther pursuit, but delayed Provost's retreat. The last of the British army did not leave Champlain until the 24th.
Gen. Macomb, in his returns, states the number of killed, wounded, and missing of the regular force under his command, during the skirmishes and bombardment, at one hundred and twenty three. The only commissioned officer killed was Lieut. George W. Runk, of the 6th Regiment, who was severely wounded on the 7th and died the next
day .* The loss among the volunteers and militia was small. The loss of the British has never been correctly ascertained. Their accounts fix the casualities of the expedition at under two hundred killed and wounded, and four hundred lost by desertion. This, however, is far below the true number. At the time, the American officers believed the total loss of the British, from the time they first crossed the lines until they again entered Canada, in killed, wounded, and prison- ers, and by desertion, was over two thousand men. Sev- enty-five prisoners were taken. t
On the 12th the Vermont volunteers returned home, and on the 13th the New York militia were disbanded by Gen. Macomb, and orders issued countermanding the march of thousands who were flocking to the frontier.
On the morning of the 13th of September the remains of the lamented Gamble, Stansbury, Carter, and Barron were placed in separate boats, which, manned by crews from their respective vessels, procceded to the "Confiance," where they were joined by the British officers, with the bodies of Downie, Anderson, Paul, Gunn, and Jackson. At the shore of the lake the procession was joined by a large con- course of the military and citizens of Plattsburgh, who ac- companied the bodies to the village burial-ground. Near the centre of the grave-yard, bencath the shade of two pines, now rest the ashes of those gallant officers. The sailors and marines who fell in the engagement were buried on Crab Island, side by side, in one common grave.
With the battle of Plattsburgh closed all active opera- tions upon the Champlain frontier. For several months, however, the inhabitants were kept in a state of alarm, as it was rumored that the British authorities contemplated another campaign. Maj .- Gen. Mooers, of New York, and Maj .- Gen. Strong, of Vermont, ordered their respective di- visions of militia to liold themselves in readiness for active service. Gen. Macomb remained at Plattsburgh with a small force, and caused two redoubts to be thrown up a short distance to the south of Fort Moreau, which he named Fort Tompkins and Fort Gaines.
The treaty of Ghent was signed on the 24th of December, 1814, and, on the 17th of February following, was ratified by the United States Senate. With the publication of this treaty all fears of further hostilities ceased.
BRITISH ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
The following British account of the battle of Platts- burgh is taken from a work entitled, " Battles of the Brit- ish Navy," by Joseph Allen, Esq., R.N., of Greenwich Hospital :
# Lieut. Runk was buried on Crab, or Hospital, Island. His remains were removed to the burial-ground in the village of Plattsburgh on the 19th September, 1816.
The following list of British officers killed or wounded during the invasion was published in the London Gazette of the 19th and 26th November, 1814:
Killed .- Capt. (Brevet Lieut .- Col.) James Willington and Ens. John Chapman, of the 3d Buffs. Capt. John Purchase, 76th Regi- ment, foot.
Wounded .- Capt. T. Crosse, A. D. C. (slightly) ; Lieut. R. Kings- bury, severely (since dead) ; Lieut. John West (severely); Lieuts. Benson and Holmes (slightly) ; all of the 3d Buffs. Capt. L. West- ropp (severely ) ; Lieut. C. Brohier and Adj. Lewis (slightly) ; of the 58th Regiment, foot.
- .
41
THE PATRIOT WAR.
"In August the British naval force on Lake Champlain was as follows : sixteen-gun brig 'Linnet,' Command. Daniel Pring; ten- gun cutter ' Chubb,' Lieut. James McGbie; eight-gun cutter ' Finch,' Lieut. William Hicks; and ten gunboats, mounting in all thirteen guns, and manned with two hundred and ninety-four men and boys, of wbom only thirty were British seamen. The total force was forty- eight guns and four hundred and forty-four men and boys, of whom by far the greater part were soldiers and Canadian militia. To the above was added, on the 25th of August, a ship which had been hastily constructed at Isle aux Noix, to mount thirty-six guns, and on board this ship, which was named the 'Confiance,' Capt. George Downie hoisted his pendant on the 3d of September, in command of the flo- tilla. The American naval force at Plattsburgh consisted of the twenty-six-gun ship ' Saratoga,' Com. Thomas Macdonough, twenty- gun brig ' Eagle,' seventeen-gun schooner, 'Ticonderoga,' seven-gun sloop 'Preble,' and ten heavy gunboats. Tho force of the American squadron was eighty-six guns and nine hundred and eighty-one ser- viceable men, made up of seamen and marines belonging to the Amer- ican ships laid up at different ports. Com. Downie was ordered to act in conjunction with land forces under Sir George Provost, but the general suffered the brunt of the work to fall on the flotilla, which, unhappily, was barely in a condition to protect itself. Scarcely was the 'Confiance' in the water, and before time sufficient to get tbe rig- ging over her mast-heads had elapsed, when Sir George Provost com- menced his system. Letters and messages were continually arriving -while the shipwrights were yet at work performing essential works, such as fitting breeching-bolts-to the effect that the ship's and squad- ron's co-operation was urgently required. Finding his letters and messages to fail in making Com. Downie perform impossibilities, Sir George had the assurance to cast a slur upon his exertions. 'The commander-in-chief,' wrote Sir George, ‘ hoped Capt. Downie allowed himself to be delayed by nothing but the wind.' The insinuation was felt, and on the 8tb of September, just thirteen days from the date of her launching, and five from the time Com. Downie had taken the command, the 'Confiance' and squadron got under way from Isle aux Noix and anchored abreast the main body of the army, to await the arrival of the remainder of her crew from Quebec. At this time the ring-bolts for the guns of the ' Confiance' were not driven, nor the magazine ready to receive the powder. Tbe ' Confiance's' crew num- bered two hundred and seventy, but was of a motley description. The whole were strangers to each other and to the officers, and Capt. Downie was acquainted with no other officer than his first lieutenant, nor the first lieutenant with any other than the captain.
"On the 10th, wbile part of the crew were ascending the ship's side, -the hammer of the shipwright still employed, the guns being fitted, and the powder in a boat alonside (the magazine not being ready),- a message from Sir George Prevost was brought to Capt. Downie, re- questing his immediate co-operation. Trusting to the assurance given by the commander-in-chief, that the army would storm tbe works of Plattsburgh while the squadron attacked the naval force in the bay, the commodore, notwithstanding the unprepared state of his ship, consented to go into action the next morning. The plan then decided upon was that when rounding Cumberland Head the 'Confi- ance' would scale her guns, and that this was to be the signal for the column of attack to advance upon the enemy's works. On the 11th, at daylight, the carpenters still necessarily employed, Com. Downie, true to his engagement, made the signal for the squadron to weigh, and in a sbort time the whole were under sail and standing over for Plattsburgh Bay. At seven A.M. the American squadron was discov- ered moored in line ahead, abreast the American encampment, and the commodore issued orders for the mode of attack to be pursued. But want of wind and an unforeseen circumstance defeated his plans. The whole success hinged upon the co-operation of the ariny ; but Sir George Provost, instead of ordering the attacking column to move forward when the signal agreed upon was made by the 'Confiance,' gave orders for the men to go to breakfast! Consequences the most fatal ensucd. A division of gunboats rowed out to the attack and galled the British squadron in its approach. Com. Downie, whose ship engaged tbe 'Saratoga' very gallantly, was killed in the early part of the action." The 'Finch' grounded on a reef of rocks, and
# "This gallant officer met his death in the following manner: a shot from the 'Saratoga' striking one of the twenty-four-pounder carron- ades on board the 'Confiance,' knocked it completely off the slide against the captain, who was standing close in the rear of it. He re- 6
was compelled to surrender. Eight of the gunboats deserted, and in the course of a short time the whole squadron was overpowered and eut to pieces. Had Sir George Provost moved forward, or suffered only a division of the force under his command to attack the enemy's works, the fire of the batteries might have been turned with equal ease upon the Americans, in which case a decisive victory must have been gained, and we should not have bad to lament tbe untimely death of the many brave men who fell. The loss sustained on this occasion will appear in the accompanying table :
British.
SHIPS' NAMES.
Crew.
Killed.
Wounded.
Confiance
270
41
60
Linnet
80
10
14
Chubb
40
6
16
Fincb
30
...
2
Gunboats
294
...
...
Total
714
57
92
American.
SHIPS' NAMES.
Crew.
Killed.
Wounded.
Saratoga
300
28
29
Eagle ..
160
13
20
Ticonderoga
130
6
6
Preble and gunboats
391
5
3
Total
981
52
58
"An inquiry would have been instituted into the facts of the unfor- tunate business had it not been for the death of the principal, if not only, blamable person. Charges were drawn out by Sir James Yeo, imputing the whole fault of the loss of the ships to the backwardness of Sir George Provost; and but for the cause above stated an investi- gation would have taken place. At the court-martial subsequently held upon the surviving officers and crews of the British vessels, the whole were acquitted, and the court particularly mentioned Capt. Pring and Lieut. John Robertson (who succeeded to the command of, and gallantly fought, the ' Confiance' after the death of Capt. Downie), Lieuts. Christopher James Bell and James Robertson, commanding the gunboats 'Murray' and 'Beresford,' and Lieut. William Hicks (acting), of the ' Finch,' as baving 'conducted themselves with great zeal, bravery, and ability during the action.'"
CHAPTER
THE PATRIOT WAR.
Events of 1837-Possession of Navy Island by Gen. Van Rensselaer -Burning of the Steamer " Caroline"-The Napierville Campaigu- Operations near Rouse's Point-The Battle at Webb Farm-Oliver, Asbman, Aucbman, and Mott-Death of Auchman-Cupture of Mott-Convicted of Treason-Banished to Van Diemen's Land- The Battle at Odletown-The McLeod Excitement-Canadian Loyalty.
THE Canadian rebellion, or attempt made by the people of Canada to throw off their connection with the mother- country, commencing in the fall of 1837, largely aroused the sympathy of the people this side of the line. Lodges
ecived tho blow on his right groin, and, although signs of life were exhibited for a few minutes, he nover spoke afterwards. No part of his skin was broken ; and a black mark of about the circumference of a small plate was the only visible hurt sustained. llis watch was perfectly flattened, and was found with the hands pointing to the hour, minute, and second at which the fatal hurt was received."
42
HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
were formed in many towns along the frontier to offer material aid to the cause.
When, in that year, Lower Canada, led on by Papanau, and Upper Canada by Mckenzie, drew the sword in de- fense of Canadian liberty, with an apparent large majority in favor of the same, and thousands of sympathizers this side the line waiting to furnish material aid, when there was hardly a British red-coat in either province, it then seemed that the opportunity had come for them to sever the connection.
But the attempt of that year was found, in both prov- inces, to lack that earnestness that distinguished the thirteen colonies when they struck for their liberties. Consequently the effort of that fall resulted in defeat and disaster, and driving into exile all the principal leaders, with hundreds of their followers, and the execution and banishment of others, filling the prisons of both provinces with those who had taken up arms against the Crown, and many of their sympathizers. Among the most important events of that year was the taking possession of Navy Island, on the Canadian side, just above the falls, by about eight hundred volunteers from this side, commanded by Gen. Van Rens- selaer, and the burning of the steamer " Caroline," which was employed to run from Schlosser and the island, to convey these troops and their supplies. This expedition with its entire failure, caused by the interference of our government sending Gen. Scott with a strong force to the upper, and Gen. Wool to the lower, province frontier, to enforce, if necessary, our neutrality relations with the provinces, pre- cluded all hopes that year for aid from this side. With a few feeble efforts on the Upper Canada frontier, during the summer of 1838, all seemed quiet through the provinces, until the second rising in Napierville, Lower Canada, and on the St. Lawrence River, at Ogdensburgh.
The excitement caused at that time, nearly forty-two years ago, is yet fresh in the memory of those living on the frontier, each side the line. With an imperfect organiza- tion, both of men and arms, the patriots of Lower Canada commenced rendezvousing at Napierville late in the fall of that year, their first effort being directed towards opening communication with the United States via Rouse's Point, N. Y., with assurances when this was done, men and arms would be supplied in sufficient quantity to garrison the most important points along the lower province frontier, and thus by keeping open a communication with this side, during the winter, a vigorous prosecution of the war in early spring would cause a general rising in both provinces.
After commencing to organize this military force at Na- pierville, no time was to be lost in marching to the Canada line, and opening up communication with this side, enabling recruits, awaiting with arms and ammunition and other army stores, to join them from Rouse's Point, both by water and land.
On the 4th of November the first division of this force at Napierville marched through deep mud, some 400 strong, to Canada line, about one mile nortli of Rouse's Point. This march was accomplished with but little resistance on the part of her Majesty's volunteers, stationed at Odle- town. With the exception of a few shots fired at LaColle bridge, this march to the lines was successfully accom-
plished, and this division of the patriot force bivouacked close to the lines for the night, expecting to be joined by a still larger force from this side, which expectation was doomed to an early disappointment and disaster, destroy- ing all their previous plans and hopes for Canadian inde- pendence.
Immediately after learning of the rising at Napierville, the Canadian volunteers of Odletown, LaColle, and Hem- mingsford, under command of Col. Odell, were organized at once for effective service. On Wednesday morning, the 5th of November, about one hundred and fifty men were sent forward to attack their force encamped on the Webb farm. This attack was made about noon, while dinner was being prepared for the encampment, consisting of pea-soup and pork, which was furnished by the farm where they had encamped. With such inexperienced leaders as Coats and Gonya, men without military skill or knowledge, encamped without a breastwork of any kind for their protection, with the surrounding country like most of Lower Canada, a dead level, this small garrison imperfectly armed, and more imperfectly officered, notwithstanding their superiority of numbers, were enabled to make but a feeble resistance against a force every way better armed and disciplined. With only one piece of light artillery and such old mus- kets as the patriots had hastily gathered, half of them worthless, they were soon compelled, by the well-directed fire from the British volunteers, to retreat across the lines, with ten or twelve of their number left dead on the field, and as many more brought over this side wounded.
There being a garrison of United States troops stationed at Rouse's Point, under command of Capt. Demick, these troops being in quarters one and three-fourths miles from the scene, took up their march under his command for the lines as soon as the firing commenced, meeting and dis- arming the patriots as fast as driven over by the British volunteers.
This engagement, which displayed skill and courage on the part of the British troops, also exhibited numerous instances of courage and recklessness on the part of the patriot troops. Several citizens from this side the line being among them when the attack was made, were com- pelled to remain on the ground and help fight it out, or at once make good their escape over the lincs. Among the number were Oliver, Ashman, Aunchman, and Ben. Mott. Ashman and Aunchman being there on horseback, only as spectators, put spurs to their horses, and started for the lines as soon as the firing commenced. A whole volley was fired at them from the volunteers, killing Aunchman and his horse, while Ashman escaped with ball-holes through his hat and other parts of his clothes, and Oliver also being hit in the heel of his boot with a musket-ball. Mott, hear- ing the musket-balls whistling about his ears, turned back and attempted to hide himself under a barn, where he was found by the volunteers as they came up, taken prisoner, and confined in the Odletown church, occupied as quarters for the troops, where he was compelled to assist the volun- teers in the attack on the church the following Friday, by biting cartridges for them.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.