History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 11

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

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CHAPTER XIII.

THE WAR OF 1812-DEFENSELESS CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY -- NAVAL ACTION AT THE MOUTH OF THE OENESEE-PANIC FROM THE BURNING OP BUFFALO-TIMELY ANO OFNEROUS AID-A BRITISH SQUADRON INTIMI- DATED BY MONROE MILITIA.

CONSCIOUS of their isolated and defenseless condition, the tidings of war were beard with apprehension by the settlers along the Genesce. The proclamation of Madison was borne by express riders through Geneva. Canandaigua, Rochester, on to Fort Niagara. These spread the news upon the main roads, whruce it was soon tlisseminated to the farthest clearing. The settler ceased his labor and coun- seled with his neighbors whether to hold their ground or seek safety in retreat. Anticipating immediate invasion, some came on and crossed the bridges over the Genesee and pushed on eastward, wbile emigrants moving the other way undaunt- edly ignored the dangers of the frontier. Rumor magnified trifling events. and the militia were mustered, drafted, and marched to the rendezvous at Batavia. Both in Canada and New York operations were wholly defensive, and real danger did not exist. The Seneca ladians, at first neutral, soon joined the settlers, as did the Tuscaroras, and interposed a defensive screen against the Mohuicks and other tribes resident of Canada. L'pon the lake the British assumed a superiority, and the poverty of the settlements insured their immunity from attack. Char- lotte. at the mouth of the Genesve. was not defended by any regular force, although a temporary encampment of American troops was several times made there while embarking or landing. The militia and volunteers of the county were mainly in charge.

The British commodore, Sir James Yeo, set sail in the spring of 1813 to make an attack upon Oswego. Balked in this by the weather, he continued on up the lake, and arriving at the mouth of the Genesee, cast anchor, and sent a force on shore. There was no opposition made to their lauding, which took place in the latter part of the day. The few inhabitants of the place were unrestrained of liberty other than they were not permitted to leave and warn the country of an enemy's presence. The fleet was seen, however, and a force assembling at Ilan- ford's Landing, set ont for Charlotte, which they reached in time next morning to find the enemy taking to their boats. A few distant, ineffective shots were ex- changed. The British found at the store-house of Frederick Bushnell a quantity of supplies, of which they took possession, giving to George Latta, the clerk, a receipt for the property.

The Americans built and fitted out a fleet during the summer. placed it under command of Commodore Chauncey, and that officer frequently threw down the gage of battle without response. Both deets were at the head of the lake about the first of October, but the British set sail down the lake, followed by their adversaries. When off the mouth of the Genesee, the former were becalmed, and lay motionless, as though anchored. Warned by a previous experience. the residents of Charlotte sent runners and horsemen to arouse the settlers. Men armed and unarmed gathered in rapidly, and if numbers were a criterion the enemy would have naturally expected a warm reception if intending to land, which they were not.

A breeze rippled the surface of the lake, and following shortly after came the American fleet. With exultant cheers the Monroc pioneers saw the interposition of Chauncey's squadron, which sailed along within a mile of shore, and when directly opposed to the enemy opened their lakeward guns with telling effect. The shore spectators saw first the white puffs of smoke rising to a cloud, and theu came the heavy detonations, reverberating far inland. The British returned the fire with slight execution. The breeze from shore carried the smoke from the American guns as a screen, which hid their antagonists from view. It freshened and impelled both fleets down the lake, fighting as they went, with the advantage upon the American side.

Misfortune and suffering befell the western settlements in the retaliatory inmads of the enemy consequent upon the useless and dastardly destruction of the village of Newark, in Canada, by the orders of General MeClure, who thereupon retired to Fort Niagara, and soon after established his headquarters at Buffalo. The British under Colonel Murray assumed the offensive, and began a relentless and cruel warfare. It was not that his force, some tive hundred in all, was formidable, but that the opposition were iucumpetently handled, that his movements were suc- cessful.

On the early morning of December 19, 1813, Lewiston was surprised, captured, plundered, and burned. The Indians preceding the troops fill upon the village with sullen onslaught, closely followed by the British soldiers. A panic spread far and widle, and the birgita of men, women, and children swept eastward with- out order, and, at intervals of alarm, the distress of the latter was must painful. A band of Tuscarora Imalians fromn an atubush tired apou and aided to check the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Indiana pursuing. A log building near Howell's creek, denominated an arsenid, cectained arms and ammunition. flere a few of the braver halted, and presented a front which stopped pursuit, hut the crowd pushed on into the northern parts of Monroe, Wayne, and Ontario. A few days elapsed, and the enemy in posses sioo of Fort Niuyara detailed a scouting party, whose objective point was the destruction of Van Horn's mills and the floor there stored. It was ordered to bura every house, and instructions contemplated no mercy to the settlers. . The work way thoroughly donc, yet the offrer in command is known to have rolled out a few barrels of flour for the use of the destitute. removed esscotial articles of furniture before firing houses, and even spared a few dwellingy. It is anfur- tunate that the name of this humane executor of unworthy duties has not been preserved. The news of this foray continued the dismay partially subsided, and an attack upon Buffalo and advance upon Batavia were expected. tieneral Hall, of Bloomfield, Ontario county. called upon the troops of Wadsworth's hrigade to volunteer, and, being joined by the militia of tienesre county, proceeded to arm and organize at Batavia, and on December 25 set out for Buffalo. llere were found a motley, irregular body of troops, which. being augmented by three bun- dred men from Chautique, numbered over two thousand by December 30. No effectual organization was possible within the time allowed. A movement of the enemy was made known late at night. December 29, and a battery dear Black Rock taken. General Ilall ordered Coloneis Warren and Churchill to recapture the battery and drive the enemy to their boats. The resulting attack failed, and the force making it was completely broken up. A second assault, led by Colonel Chapin and Major Adams, terminated in manger like the first. Ao unmaoly cowardice, oo the part of many of the militia, shared in by a portion of the officers, partially redcetned by gallant conduct oo the part of others, and the ineficient organization, were a full offset to greater numbers opposed to a regular disciplined, smaller army. A dispatch to the governor from General Hall presents a con- densed account of the ineffectual defense and forced abandonment of Buffalo. It is as follows . " Ag the day dawned, I discovered a deiachiucui of the enemy's . boats crossing to our shore, and bending their course towards the reat of General Porter's house. I immediately ordered Colonel Blakeslee to attack the enemy's force at the water's edge. I became satisfied as to the disposition and object of . the enemy. Their left wing, composed of about one thousand regulars, militia, and .Indians, had been landed helow the creek. under cover of night. With their centre, consisting of four hundred Royal Seots. under Colooch Gordon. the action began. The right, porposely weak, landed as a diversion near the main battery. The whole force was in immediate command of L'euteoint-Colonel Drugimand. and led on by Major-General Riall. They were attacked by four field-pieces in the battery at the water's elge; at the same time the battery from the other side of the river opened a heavy fire apon as of shells. but shot, aod ball. The whole force Dow opposed to the enemy was, at most, not over six hundred meo, the remainder having fled, despite the exertions of their officers. These few but brave men disputed every inch of ground with veteran coolness, and at the ex- peose of many valnable lives. The defection of the militia exposed the forces engaged to a fire upon both front and flank. After standing a half-hour opposed by an overwhelming force, and nearly surrounded. retreat became necessary to safety, and was ordered. I then endeavored to rally the troops to attack their columns as they entered Buffalo, but in vain. Deserted by my principal force, I fell back that night to Eleven Mile creek, forced to leave the flourishing villages of Black Rock and Buffalo a prey to the enemy, by whom they were pillagel and laid in ashes." The villagers soon saw io the retirement of squads of militia the failure of defense, and such as had oxen or horsea hurriedly gathered their most . essential effects and left the place. In many cases women and children on foot set out to journey many miles in search of security. The British reached the village as the inhabitants were leaving it. The Indians were on the point of closing upon the defenseless with knife and hatchet. when Colonel Cyrenus Chapin, on horseback, with a white handkerchief upon the end of his cane, advanced to the enemy, and while terms were considered, gave time for all who chose to take their escape. A furce of forty American regulars, led by a Lieutenant Riddle. having made a hostile demonstration after the capitulation, afforded a pretext for disregarding its conditions, and the place was plunderel, and all, save a half-dozen buildings, were burned. By three P.M. the enemy had retired. first to Black Rock and then across the river. A day or two afterward a party returned, burned all but the dwelling of Mrs. St. John and Rere's blacksmith shop, and pas-ed down to Furt Niagara. All day of December 30, the flight of citizen and settler continued. Attempty to rally were frustrated hy rumors of the enemy, and the selfshores of the strung was contrasted with the suffering of the wrak. " Halt- clad children, the wontled, the aged sud infirm, were wading through the snow; bands of able-boxlied, around nia after passing them. pitches and unohserving." Batavia becanic the milying place. Deserted houston the Buffalo road, clear to the Generace river, were occupied by those who had fled from the frontier. The

log taverns were soon exhausted of supplies, and the settlers generously shared their scanty stores with the half-futuished fugitives.

Timely and generous aid was called for and given. The following circular, addressed to Messrs. Philip S. Van Rrusseluer, James Kent, Ambrose Spencer. and others, succinctly explains itself, and illustrates the dominant feelings of the citizens of Ontario, as those of Gencsee had been shown in throwing open house, barn, aod shed for the houseless and homeless. The circular was dated Canan- daigua, Jaonary 8, 1814, and reads as follows :

"GENTLEMEN,-Ningara county and that furt of Genesce which lies west of Batavia are completely depopulated. All the settlements in a section of country forty miles square, and which contained more than twelve thousand souls, are effect- ually broken up. These facts you are undoubtedly acquainted with ; but the dis- tresses they have proherd none but an eye-witness cao thoroughly appreciate. Our roads are filled with people, many of whom have been reduced from a state of competency and good prospects to the last degree of want and sorrow. So sudden was the blow by which they have been crushed that no provision could be merle either to elude or meet it. The fugitives from Niagara county especially were dispersed under circumstances uf so much terror that in some cases mothers find themselves wandering with strange children, and children are scen accompanied by such as have no other sympathies with them than those of common sufferings. Of the families thus separated all the members can never again meet in this life ; for the same violence which bas made them beggars bas forever deprived them of their heads, and others of their branches. Afflictions of the mind so deep as bave been allotted to these unhappy people we cannot cure. They can probably . be subdued only by llis power who can wipe away all tears. But shall we not endeavor to assuage them? To their bodily wants we can certainly administer. The inhabitants of this village have made large contributions for their relief in provisions, clothing, and money, and we have been appointed. among other things, to solicit further relief for them from our wealthy and liberal-minded fellow-citizens. In porsuance of this appointment, may we ask you, gentlemen, to interest your- selves particularly in their behalf? We believe that no occasion has ever occurred in our country which presented stronger claims upno individual benevolence. and we humhly trust that whoever is willing to answer these claims will always entitle himself to the precious reward of active charity."

This appeal is signed hy War. Shepard, Thaddeus Chapin, Moses Atwater. N. Gorbam, Myroo Holley, Thomas Beals, and Phineas P. Bates, the committee of safety and relief at Canandaigua. In response a legislative appropriation nf fifty thousand dollars was made, and early in March the receipts from all sources reached sixty-three thousand dollars.

Once more the British fleet came to anchor of the mouth of the Genesee. Here was stationed Isaac W. Stone, with a company of fifty men. Two cannon had been sent down from Canandaigua by order of General P. B. Popter, and the heavier piece was planted in battery at Charlotte. The male population of Rochester, led by Mesers. Brown and Ely, made a midnight march to the ex- pected hattle-ground. nod the militia of the northern towns were soon assembled ready for duty. The breastwork was located upon the bluff. and was principally composed of tiers of ship-timber. The unacenuntably strange actions of the militia aroused a suspicion among the British that it was feigned, and the upper- tune passage of an American officer and staff through an opening of the woods at a distance confirmed the impression that the Americans were in heavy force, and desired them to land. Meantime, the nulitia were gathering in until about eight hundred had assembled. They came in pairs and in squads; sowie well armed, some with no arms. Many were serious and silent ; others were loudly hostfull. Some carried bundles. while a large ounther wore packs,-those old-time square. bags of canvas or leather. There was little subordination, and an altercation be- tween an officer and one of his men was followed by an encounter, in which the former succeeded in asserting his superiority. During the forenoon a flag of truce was received, and its bearer was not permitted to land. The proposal that public atures be surrendered, while private property should be respectivl. was per- emptorily rejected. A gunhoat exchanged shots with the American battery. aml some fifteen or twenty sixty-eight-ponnd shots plowed up the sands without injury to life ne property. General Porter arrived and tok command. A second Hig of truce, sent in during the afternoon, demanded. on the part of the Americans, a delivery up of all public stores, under a threat of landing with troups and a large force of Indians. It was answered that the forecs landed would he attendedl to, and that no more communications would be received. The spectacle seems ludli- crous of a fleet armed with heavy guns, and having on board a disciplined and numerous force, standing in dread of a few hundred militi, many of whom were anarmed, and would have taken flight at a single volley, while the remainder would have fought in vain. However, the landing was ant made, and the fleet mailed away.

Oo June 25, 1814, a force was enlisted fur ais months' service on the " lines,"

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

and were known as the New York Volunteer. They marched to Black Block, where they were joined by a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers and a body of Seneca warriors. The force was constituted a brigade, and placed under command of General Peter B. Purter. The battle of Chippewa was fought shortly after their arrival, and, all unused to the deadly trade of war, they did little service. Scott's brigade of regulars crusted Ningara river on July 3, and captured Furt Erie; they then advanced open the British, who were encamp-ei behind the Chip- pewa, a deep, sluggish stream, whose course dowa at right angles to the Magara. Ripley's brigade made the passage of the Niagara about midnight of the 4th. und Porter's on the morning of the 5th. The two opposing forces were drawn up about three-fourths of a mile apart. At four PM .. Porter's brigade, having made a detour upon the American left, approached the Chippewa, behind which, withio an extended trench, the enemy observed their movemente. Recognizing their opponents by their dress as militia, and bulding this branch of the force in contempt, the British boldly left their trenches, crossed the stream, and with con- fidence advancing, the lines of battle soon became warmly engaged. Unable to withstand the onslaught, Futur's comawad bruke in confusion, and. despite stren- nous effort, could not be brought to take further part in the action. The clouds of dust and heavy firing dennted the result, and Scott's veterans were advanced rapidly to meet and check pursuit. The enemy, elated by succesa, and seeing in the regulars their only obstacle to victory, met them with a furious fire. and the fighting became desperate. The Twenty-fifth regulars, under Major Jessup, was sent to turn the British right wing, and was received with a galliug fire, both upon his front and flank. At this crisis the regiment, promptly responding to orders, came to a "support," and advanced to a secure and favorable position, whence they opened so effectually that the enemy were compelled tu fall back. Towson, of the artillery, silenced the enemy's best battery, blew up an ordnance wagon, and opened with heavy discharge of canister upon the British infantry advancing to the charge. The enemy were beaten, and driven over the Chippewa into their works, with heavy loss. The battle of Bridgewater, or the Cataract, soon followed. A number of days were occupied in manruvring, while the British, gathering vessels, began to land troops at Lewiston, thereby threatening the capture and destruction of the baggage and supplies of the Americans at Schlosser. To prevent this, General Scott, with his brigade, was sent to menace an attack upon Queenstown. About sundown of July 25, the reconnaissance was changed to an attack, and the " regulars" soon found themselves hotly engaged with the entire British army. Porter's volunteers now advanced to Scott's sup- port with ardor, took position upon the extreme left, and in good order and with intrepidity held their ground, repeiled a determined and conddeot charge. and, stimulated by the voices and example of Colonel Dobbin, Major Wood, and other oficers, precipitated themselves upon the British line, and captured many pris- oners. The engagement lasted till far into the night, and was an American vie- tory. Amoog various words of commendation to officers were those of General Jacob Brown, in his official report to the Secretary of War. He says, "The militia volunteers of New York and Pennsylvania stood nodistayed amidst the hottest fre, and repulsed the veterans opposed to them "

Early in September the militia in all the counties west of the Genesee were called ont en masse and ordered to Buffalo. There volunteers were solicited to cross the river and make an attempt to raise the siege of Fort Erie. garrisoned by abont one thousand effectives, and besieged by about font thousand British vet- erans and a force of Canadian militia. Fort Erie was located at the outlet of Lake Erie, on the Canada side. It consisted of " two large atnne mess-houses and one bastion, mounted with canon," and an artificial mound, created by breast- works, and known ay Towson's battery. A parapet, connected with the "old fort" and traverses, extended inward. The British had invested this work the last of July, and gradually advanced their batteries till August 15, when an assault was repulsed, and the siege was then resumel. The volunteers were ferriel by night, to the number of fifteen hundred, across the river, and encamped. under General Porter, near Towson's battery, on the lake shore. Genend Brown, in chief command, had learned of the British details. and knew that a German bri- gade would be on duty at the batteries on September 17. The besieging force had unmasked two batteries, and were on the point of completing a third, which was nearer the intrenchment and advantageously posted. On the 16th, two hun- dred mea, half with axes, the others armed, set out under Majors Frazer and Riddle, and, by a circuit, reached the vicinity of the new battery. There each officer, with a hundred men, underbrushed a chosen track back, undi-covered. Next morning the volunteers were paraded, and the intended sortie announced. A bandhill, with news of the victory at Plattshire on September 11. was read, and unanimous and enthusiastic desire w is manifested to take part in the sally. Each volunteer, in place of hat or cap, ware a strip of red glazed cloth. By noon the volunteers were formed in two columns each preceded by parties of regular riflemen and dismounted dragoons. tieneral Porter was in command. The paths

were traversed in silence. A rain set in. Two hours passed away. The heads of columns had arrived within pistol-shot, when the sentry discovered them endl discharged his musket. A mingled shout and whoop by the entire aswaling forry followed, as they rushed upon aud captured the battery and its German guard. The volunteers carried the second buttery at the point of the bayonet, and, being juined by a body of regulars which had been posted in a ravine, muved ou and drove the enemy from the third battery. Reinforerments from the British camp wer repelled ; the cannon were spiked, the magazines blown up. and a safe retreat to the furt effected by sunset. The total British loss was full one-fourth their number, and caused the siege to be raised, whereupon the volunteer troops re- turned home. The six months' regiment was mustered out of service at Batavia, on November 8, 1814, and not long thereafter the war elosed. Thes beginning in disaster and presenting scenes of cowardice and selfishness, we have seen the pioneers of western New York repel the charge of British veterans, battle hand to hand, and capture siege batteries, and return with discharges entitled " Huner to the brave," to resume their homes and their work of improvement.

CHAPTER XIV.

ORGANIZATION OF MONROE-A SKETCH OF THE COUNTY SEAT-FIRST COUNTY OFFICIALS-CRIME AND ITS PUNISHMENT-COURT-HOUSES ANO JALLS.

THE early history of Monroe has been traced as the common lot of an integral part of the State. The tide of popniution moved westward, and the extreme frontiers gradually organized into town3, then counties, and, as uew conditions arose, adjacent counties gave of their territory to the furination of yet others.

Albany county was one of the nine original divisions of the colony, and at the first legislative assembly, held in 1621, had two delegates. It included all north of Ulster and Dutchess, and its farthest limits were "terra incognita." occupied by tierce and martial nations. Tryon county was formed from Albany in 1772, and embraced all the province west of the centre of Sehoharie. It was named Mont- gomery, in honor of General Montgomery, one of the bravest of American soldiers, in 1784, and was one of the fourteen counties formed by the general organization act. In 1739, Ontario county was erected from Montgomery, and extended from the new pre-emption line westward of the lake, including the entire pre-emption tract of Massachusetts. Genesee county way organized from Ontario, March 3, 1802, and comprised at that time the entire territory west of the Genesee river. The county of Monroe way taken from" Ontario and Genesee, and ereeted as an organization, in accordance with a law passed February 23, 1821. It was named in honor of James Monroe, President of the United States at that time, and the first term of the county court was hell on May 8, 1821, at the Eagle tavern, in the village of Rochester. As early as IS17, Colonel Rochester attended the legis- lature at Albany, as the agent, to petition for the formation of the nev eonuty. which step was delayed by the strong opposition encountered till the date given.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 11

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976