History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 139

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862

USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 139

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Yonrs respectfully,

His EXCELLENCY D. D. TOMPKINS. JACOB BROWN.

BROWNVILLE, July 7, 1812.

DEAR SIR,-Since writing you yesterday, I have ascertained that the " Royal George," " Duke of Kent," " Prince Regent," and " Earl of Moira," were all in the bight of Kingston harbor on the 7th, in the morning, completely equipped and manned; and that the British were fitting up, as armed vessels, every bottom they could command on the lake. Your Excellency must not be surprised if they should attempt to destroy every vessel we have on the lake, and you will perceive that without ordnance it will be difficult to prevent them.

It is, I should suppose, very important to preserve the eight fine vessels we have now at Oswegatchie. With ordnance, I should hope to get these vessels up the river, or be able to defend them where they are.

Colonel Stone has not yet arrived, nor one single field-officer, or one single man south of Lewis county. The detachment from Lewis county are all with Col. Benedict. I intend to go to the county of St. Lawrence the moment I can get hold of Col. Stone aud get him settled dowu at his post at Cape Vincent. . . .

I will try and keep them alarmed at Kingston as much and as long as possible.

Yours respectfully,

JACOB BROWN, Brig .- Gen.

HIS EXCELLENCY D. D. TOMPKINS. BROWNVILLE, July 10, 1812.

DEAR SIR,- . . . I inclose Col. Benedict's letter of the 6th of July, from which you will see the temper of the people in that (St. Law- rence) county. I have ordered Col. Benedict to defend the eight ves- sels to the last extremity, unless he should hear that Woolsey had fallen. My object is to have the vessels armed, if the government will do it, and preserve Woolsey.

You inst suppose that I will pay no attention to county resolu- tions on the present question. I shall leave the good county of Jef- ferson in a few days for St. Lawrence. The people of that county are, I am told, abandoning it in a most shametul manner. They stand firm as yet in Jefferson. Will the goverment contend for the dominion of the lake, or is Woolsey to be sacrificed ? Have the good- ness to let me know your Excellency's opinion on this subject. If the " Oneida" is to be preserved the government must speedily furnish guns to arm and men to man our other vessels.

Yours respectfully, JACOB BROWN. ILIS EXCELLENCY D. D. TOMPKINS.

SACKET'S HARBOR, July 11, 1812.

DEAR SIR,-I was called very early this morning by an alarm to this place. It was rumored that Woolsey, with the " Oneida," had fallen into the hands of the enemy. I do not believe it, and as yet I have seen no enemy. Some may suppose it imprudent for Woolsey to remaiu ont. They are wrong ; it is his only chance. Here he cannot stay with any safety, as we have no battery to shield him from a superior force. He may probably dodge their fleet on the broad lake, and take a shot at them one at a time. He, so far, has my entire con- fidence and esteem, and I would to God it was in my power to give him the assistance he merits. I pray your Excellency to let me know specifically what aid is to be expected for Woolsey, for until I know that he is to be abandoned, I will protect our other vessels to the utmost of iny means.

We have the 9-pound cannon at this place, but not a single 9-pound shot. I know aud feel the effects of your Excellency's zeal for the honor and interest of the country, and I have written you so much on the subject of munitions of war that really I am almost ashamed to trouble you any more; bnt at the earnest solicitation of the inhabitants of this place I must again say, that, without the means of arming our vessels, the lake and river will most probably

soon be at the command of the enemy, and, in that case, Oswego, Ogdensburgb, Sacket's Harbor, and Cape Vincent will be at the mercy of the enemy's shipping, unless we are well supplied with ordnance for the defense of these places. And I pray your Excel- leney to believe me when I say that it will cost the nation twice as much to defend our frontier for twelve months as it would to conquer the Canadas to Quebec in six.

The officers of the regular army are attempting to enlist the drafted men. I have no objections if it is regular, and the pleasure of the commander-in-chief; but with my present impressions I sball not permit it unless my consent is asked, and that of my colonels, for I know of uo authority that any officer in the regular service has to command me, or those under my command, sbort of a general. On this subject I pray your excellency to instruct me specifically, for I wish to go straight, particularly on these subjects, and I shall expect your Excellency to point the road. It shall be traveled.

Yours sincerely, . JACOB BROWN, Brig .- Gen.

HIS EXCELLENCY D. D. TOMPKINS.

ALBANY, July 10, 1812.

DEAR SIR,-Mr. Thomas leaves tbis to-morrow morning, for the purpose of attending to the business of Mr. Goodsee and inquiring into the complaints. A copy of the contract he takes with him, which will show you what are the rights of the contractor and of the officers respectively. I perceive by your letter to Mather and Thorne you mention that, perhaps, 1000 troops will be at Ogdensburgh. If so, I am fearful that you are concentrating at that point a greater force than will be necessary for mere protection, and beyond its relative proportions of the detachments. The towns along the river, towards St. Regis, must be attended to. I bave this day forwarded 100 mus- kets, to be deposited at Martinsbnrgh, with cartridge-boxes, although I deen any fear there, as in the towns on the north part of that county, totally groundless. I have also sent 250 mnskets and ammu- nition, for defense of Rutland, Mexico, Scriba, etc., along the lake- shore between Sacket's Harbor and Oswego. I have also forwarded to Watertown, for the use of the St. Lawrence frontier and the troops in Jefferson, 100 tents, 50 camp-kettles, etc., to be at your disposal. There are now landing from sloops 70 pieces of artillery,-18's, 12's, and other calibre,-which I expect will be forwarded on when Gen. Dearborn comes to this place. Allow me to remark that a less num- ber of men, with healthy accommodations, good arms and ammuni- tion, and vigilant officers to discipline them, are a more efficient protection than a greater number unaccommodated, straightened for provisions, and huddled together in confusion. Maj .- Gen. Van Rensselaer leaves this on Monday morning, for the frontier; bnt whether he will visit Niagara or Black River first, I cannot How say.

I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, DANIEL D. TOMPKINS.

GENERAL BROWN.

P.S .- I confirm your acceptance of the services of Camp and his company. It appears to me that Bellinger's and Storr's regiments will be a surplus expense for the Jefferson frontier, and as they are all under your command, they are to be distributed as the whole frontier may require. I had rather Bellinger's corps should remain in Jefferson until their pay is sent on, which will be in a day or two.

SACKET'S IIARBOR, Aug. 4, 1812.

DEAR SIR,-Samuel C. Kanady, Esq., of this county, from the en- couragement which I have given him, has raised a company of rifle- men, and wishes to be employed by the government in any service that may be necessary. He has proceeded under act of 6th February, 1812. for raising 50,000 volunteers. Neither Mr. Kanady or either of the officers under him have any commissions, and he is solicitons to know from your Excellency whether it would be possible for them to get commissions and have their services accepted. From my ac- quaintance with Mr. Kanady, I have the fullest confidence in bis valor and patriotism, aud I think he would do honor to the service. The other officers are Rnfus Willard, lieutenant; J. Eddy Cole, en- sign. Your Excellency will be pleased, with all convenient speed, to iuform me of the course Mr. Kanady should pursue. He and his company have signed the articles of association, according to the re- quirement of the act. They expect to be armed and equipped by the government.

I remain yours, etc., JACOB BROWN, Brig .- Gen. HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

SACKET'S HARBOR, Ang. 5, 1812.

DEAR SIR,-I have the pleasure of inclosing your Excellency an account, by an eye-witness, of the action between the "Julia," an American gun-boat, and two British ships of war, an "Earl" and a "Duke," aided by a land battery. The " Julia" is ordered to remain at Ogdensburgh, the better to secure onr vessels in that harbor. Will the government of the United States furnish us with ordnance, so as to enable us to defend this place and the brig "Oneida" against any force the enemuy may bring against us, and to command the narrows of the St. Lawrence, nntil this government gets ready to make a de- scent upon Canada? The " Royal George" and " Prince Regent" are now cruising off this harbor. I expect to have difficulty with Col. Bellinger's regiment if it is not discharged at the expiration of the three months. Will your Excellency instruct me on this subject? I consider this the most important station on the lake, and it is very desirable that a colouel of some military accomplishment should be stationed here. Col. Myers, of Herkimer, is the sort of a man I should

* The late Dr. John Safford, of Watertown.

553

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

prefer. By the adviee of the maj .- general I have kept Capt. Camp in the service. His company is disbanded, and I havo given him a sup- ply of men from Bellinger's regiment to manage the eannon. This, I trust, will meet your Exeelleney's approbation. We want some companies of artillery very much. It is not proper that those that have been drafted should be ordered into the service along these lines. Yours, respectfully,

JACOB BROWN, Brig .- Gen.

P.S .- The good of the service requires that Capt. Camp's company should be paid off. Will your Exeelleney please order it to be done? I hope your Exeelleney will take some notice of Lieut. Wells and the gallant erew of the "Julia."

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL Z. M. PIKE.

The following notice of this worthy offieer, who fell in the attack upon York, now Toronto, is prepared from a more extended artiele that was published soon after his death. Through the munifieenee of our government, his memory has been honored by a monument at Saeket's Harbor,# that formerly bore his name, with those of Coving- ton, Backus, Mills, and many others :

Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born at Lamberton, N. J., Jan. 5, 1779, and at an early day received a commission, beeame familiar with military life, aud warmly attaelied to the service. Feeling the want of an education, he applied himself to the task of self-eulture, and, without the aid of teachers, acquired a fair elassieal and general education. He cherished from an early period a habit of mental dis- cipline, and tho tenor of his thoughts may be inferred from a mem- oraudum written by him on a blank page of a favorito volume :

"Should my country eall for the sacrifice of that life which has been devoted to her service from early youth, most willingly shall she receive it. The sod which covers the brave shall be moistened by the tears of love and friendship ; but if I fall far from my friends, and from you, my Clara, remember that 'the choieest tears which are ever shed are those that bedew the unburied head of a soldier,' and when these liues shall meet the oyes of our young - let the pages of this little book bo impressed on his mind, as the gift of a father who had nothing to bequeath but his honor, and let these luaxims be ever present to his mind as he rises from youth to man- hood :

" 1. Preserve your honor free from blemish.

" 2. Be always ready to die for your country."

In 1805, Pike was selected by government to explore the source of the Mississippi in the newly-aequired territory of Louisiana, and the following year was sent for a similar purpose into the interior of Louisiana. On the oeeurrenee of the war he was stationed on the northern frontier, and early in 1813 was promoted to a brigadier- general. Having spent a portion of the winter of 1812-13 at Platts- burgh, he was ordered to join Gen. Dearborn at Saeket's Harbor, to whieh place he marehed, by the inland route through St. Lawrence county, towards spring. The sentiment of a letter written to his father near Cincinnati, on the day before he sailed on the expedition, is expressive of the finest sentiments of patriotism and honor :

"I embark to-morrow in the fleet at Saeket's Harbor, at the head of a column of 1500 ehoiee troops, on a seeret expedition. If sueeess attends ury steps, honor and glory await my name; it defeat, still shall it be said : We died like brave men ; and conferred honor, even in death, on the AMERICAN NAME.

" Should I be the happy mortal destined to turn the seale of war, will you not rejoice, oh, my father ! May heaven be propitious, and smilo on the eauso of my country ! But if we are destined to fall, may my fall be like Wolfe's,-to sleep in the arms of vietory !"

A thirst for military adventure must be distinguished from patri- otism ; and in formning an estimate of the merits of eharaeter, and in examining the motives which actuated the conduet and guided the life of Gen. Pike, we cannot withhold from him the eredit of being influenced by the latter. It is a stain upon our national eharaeter that our government allows the graves of the officers who fell on our northern frontier during the war to remain unnoted by any monument, or other memorial of acknowledgment of their merit; not even by a tablet, which our humblest citizens afford as a token of affeetiou to the memory of their dead.

EDMUND KIRBY

was a son of Ephraim Kirby, an officer in the Revolution, a member of the Order of Cineinnati, and afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court of Conneetient. He was born at Litehfield, Conn., April 18,

1794, and entered the army in 1812 as lieutenant, and served during the war upon the northern and western frontiers. From 1815 to 1820 he was stationed at Detroit, and in the latter year he joined Maj .- Gen. Brown as an aid-de-eamp. From 1821 to 1823 he dis- charged the duties of adjutant-general at Washington, and in 1824 was appointed to the pay department, and again took post at Brownville. From 1832 to 1840 he was engaged in the Black Hawk, Creek, and Seminole Wars, in which he was actively employed, as well in the fulfillment of his duty as the exereise of humanity to tho siek and wounded, for whom he voluntarily encountered many dangers. During the Mexican War he was chief of the pay department, and disbursed many millions of dollars. A volunteer aid to Gen. Taylor, at the storming of Monterey, and in like capacity to Gen. Seott, at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chepultepee, and the Mexican eapital, he was ever distinguished for courage, bravery, and devotion to his country's eause.

Returning with health impaired, from the hardships of a war in a tropieal elimate, he was received by the citizens of Jefferson County with demonstrations of regard as sineere as they were deserved ; but the seeds of disease had been too deeply planted in his constitution, and he died at Avon Springs, N. Y., whither he had resorted for relief Aug. 20, 1849. His remains were brought back to Brownvillo and interred in the village cemetery with military honors, aud a plain but durable shaft of Quiney granite has been placed to his memory.

In the various relations of private life, Col. Kirby evineed thoso traits that elevate and adorn the human eharaeter, and the eitizens of Jefferson County will long remember with gratitude the aid and encouragement which they received from him in promoting an interest in agrieulture, manufactures, and internal improvements, to which he was zealously devoted during many years of residence among them. The Agricultural Society received his eordial support, and he was one of the founders aud an extensive owner of the manufacturing village of Dexter. He married a daughter of Maj .- Gen. Brown, and subsequently purchased his family estate in the village of Brownville, which is still owned by his heirs.

The executive committee of the Agricultural Society have recorded the following tribute to his memory :+

" It is with feelings of deep regret and sorrow that we drop auy names from our roll of brotherhood. One, however, has fallen from our midst the present season. Col. Edmuud Kirby is one of those honored uamies that should not be forgotten. In 1843 he was elected president of this society, and ever felt a deep interest in its advance- ment. His private virtues are written iu our hearts, his publie deeds will bear the scrutiny of all who shall peruse the pages of their country's history. We are justly proud of him as a member of this fraternity, as our countryman, aud as a member of our community. He was one of us, and no interest of ours was of small moment to his benevo- lent heart. As regards our present prosperity, like the patriarch of old, he desired to see our day ; he saw it and was glad. He has fallen full of houors, and lamented especially by those who shared the honor of his aequaintanee and friendship. And, fellow-eitizens, when we have labored long and faithfully for the advancement of the in- terests of our country,-our common country, -may we die as he died -at peace with God and all the world !"

COLONEL GOLDSMIDT.

John L. Goldsmidt was born near London, England, in Nov., 1789, of wealthy parents, and in youth entered the British army, with a commission as second lieutenant of cavalry, and was eventually pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel. He served in the wars of the Spanish peninsula, under Sir John Moore, and acted as aid to Sir Arthur Wel- losley (afterwards Duke of Wellington). He had his arm broken at the battle of Vittoria, and was prescut at the battle of Salamanca, and was several times wounded in other engagements. He was knighted by John VI., then regent of Portugal, and served in the campaign of Waterloo, though at the time of the great battle he was on detached service.

Alter the peace of 1815 he went to the East Indies. He was taken siek, and sold his commission, aud returned to England in 1821, when he was troubled with fever for eight years. He subsequently traveled for ten years in various parts of the world. At his father's death he received $300,000, of which he lost half in French stocks, aud, fiually, in 1829, found himself in New York with barely $3000. He removed thenee to Champion in Jefferson County, where he subsequently mar- ried, and a few years later removed to Watertown, where he resided until his death, Dee. 8, 1853, aged 64 years.

+ Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, 1849, p. 507.

* Of pine boards.

551

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

THE EVENTS OF 1837-40.

The following chapter upon the Canadian Rebellion, or " Patriot War," as it is sometimes called, is from Dr. Hough's " History." So far as we have been able to learn, it gives the principal facts eon- nected with that emente, and is thorough in its details of matters which involved the county of Jefferson :

" The abortive attempt to revolutionize the Canadas has claims to our notice, from the fact that Jefferson County was the theatre of ex- citement, and the scene of follies and excesses that for some time be- came the absorbing theme of discussion throughout the country, and called into exercise the military force of the country to suppress these indications of sympathy with measures that threatened to disturb our amicable relations with a neighboring governinent.

" Without attempting a discussion of the origin or merits of this movement, we shall limit ourselves to a recital of the events that transpired in the county, or with which our citizens were direetly interested.

"The burning of tho steamer 'Caroline,' near Niagara Falls, on Dec. 29, 1837, by a band of men from Canada, aroused a general in- dignation throughout the country, and our citizens everywhere, irre- spective of party, held meetings to denounce the act, and to call upon the exccutive to provide for the protection of our shores against iuva- sion by subjects of a foreign power.

"In accordance with this feeling, Congress, Jan. 30, 1838, appro- priated $625,000 for the protection of the northern frontier, aud call- ing out militia or volunteers, or adopting such other measures as might be deemed necessary by the secretary of war, under the direc- tion of the President. On the same day a circular was issued at Water- town, signed by six well-known citizens,# asking contributions in money, provisions, and clothing, in aid of the political refugees from Canada who had taken shelter among us. They disclaimed any in- tention of aiding the revolutionary movements, and professed to be law-abiding and order-loving citizens.

" Meanwhile, secret clubs, known as ' Hunter Lodges,' had been in- stituted in most of the villages, at which plans for invading Canada were discussed, moneys raised for procuring arius and ammunition, companies enlisted, intelligence communicated in circulars and by cipher, and an arbitrary system of names for the several officers in the proposed service was agreed upon, to prevent detection. Prep- arations were made for an attack upon Canada while the St. Lawrence was still bridged with ice, and Kingston was selected as a point upon which an enterprise was to be undertaken.

" On the night of February 19, the State arsenal at Watertown was entered, and 400 stand of arms were stolen by persons who wero sup- posed to be concerned in these movements. A reward of $250 was offered for the apprehension of the authors of this outrage, but failed to procure the intelligenco sufficient to warrant their arrest. A por- tion of the stolen property was afterwards recovered. The arsenals at Batavia and Elizabethtown were also plundered, and a supply of arms and ammunition sufficient for extensive military operations were collected and concealed. On Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the afternoon and evening, forces began to arrive at Clayton, with a supply of arms and munitions, consisting of 4000 stand of arms, 20 barrels of car- tridges, 500 long pikes, and some provisions. Several hundred men, under Gen. Van Rensselaer, arrived in sleighs, from various places in this and adjoining counties, with the avowed design of making a lodg- ment at Gananoqui, from whence an attack was to be attempted upon Kingston. The day following was intensely cold, and the men suffered much from exposure. There was little discipline and less organiza- tion among this promiscuous assemblage ; and even among those who affected to command there was a mutual jealousy, and a want of that energy and decision which a conscious sense of rectitude and high conviction of duty can alone inspire. A portion of these repaired on foot and in sleighs to Hiekory Island, on the British side of the channel, about seven miles from Clayton. It is said that Mckenzie was here dissatisfied that Van Rensselaer was to command, which threw a damper on the whole affair. On calling for volunteers to procced, 83 appeared at the first, 71 at the second, and 35 at the third call ; then, acting upon the maxim of 'every man for himself,' this motley band dispersed ; the officers, with the utmost difficulty, re- taining a sufficient number to remove the armns they had taken over.

It would seem that very little was to be apprehended from such inva- sions; yet the rumor of this movement, reaching Kingston, occasioned some uncasiness, and preparations were made to resist any attack that might be made, or act on the offensive should the occasion re- quire it.

"From the Kingston papers we learn that Col. Cubitt, R. A., commandant, and Lieut .- Col. Bonnycastle, commanding the militia of that post, aided by the magistrates, organized a force of 1600, a part of whom took a strong position on Wolf Island. Arrangements were made to attack the invaders at their rendezvous, but before the morning of the 23d dawned the patriot chieftain had fled, like Ben- hadad the Syrian,t with no one in pursuit, and leaving in his haste a part of the weapons and supplies he had carried into the territory of his encmy.

"This panic is said to have been enhanced by the declaration of a militia eaptain of the War of 1812, Capt. Lyttle, who passed up and down the erowd, and proclaimed, with a loud voice, that before morning they would be all massaered ! The thought of this awful fate gave wings to their flight, and, in an incredibly short space of time, the new recruits were dispersed to their homes, and the village was re- lieved of their presence. The next day a British party visited the island, and found among other things a quantity of broken iron, in- tended to have been used as slugs, instead of grape- shot.

"Two citizens of Clayton (John Packard and George Hulsenberg) were captured and lodged in Kingston jail.

"Soon after this affair, two companies of militia were called out and stationed at Cape Vincent, and about half a dozen at Clayton, where they remained several weeks, to intercept any other expedition that might be fitted out against Canada.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 139

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 862

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862