USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. > Part 30
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You are, therefore, earnestly invited to be present on that occasion. Assemble withont uniforms in citizens' dress at the Bemus Heights Hotel, near the battle-ground, at 9 A.M., on the 19th, and report your name, company, regiment, brigade, division, and corps to Captain Frank Thomas, who will give the designation badge and assign you a place of honor in the procession, where the electric touch of the elbow will again inspire you as of yore it did the patriots of 1777. " By order of the committee.
" W. B. FRENCH, Marshal of the Day." Dated September 11, 1877.
The eentennial celebration of the battle of Bemus Heights could not have fallen on a lovelier day. It was one of those beautiful autumn days winch are so well known in northern New York. The occasion was improved by the people of the surrounding country, who flocked to the grounds in all sorts of eonveyanees, on foot, and on horseback, and even on canal-boats. The programme of the celebration was successfully carried out, the affair ending in a fierce sham battle between an imaginary British foe concealed in a clump of woods and General Alden's Brigade. Battery B was on both sides, and did some pretty sharp firing. The troops were manwuvred by Generals Carr and Alden, the former suggesting the movements on both sides, and General Alden carrying them out, handling the troops with ease and swiftness.
The people began to come in before daylight, and eon- tinued to arrive in crowds until the sun indicated high noon. Comparatively few came from the cities. It was the country people's holiday, and they observed it faithfully. The road from Mechanieville to the ground was sprinkled, and was in first-class condition early in the morning. Be- fore eight o'clock the dust was nearly a foot deep. This statement may give a faint idea of the numbers of vehicles which passed over it. Saratoga County turned out almost en masse. The greatest interest was taken in the sunrise salute to be fired by Battery B. After the salute the final preparations for the celebration were pushed with vigor.
One of the most interesting places in the vicinity of the celebration-grounds was the old Neilson house. This ven- erable structure was decorated with flags and turned into a refreshment saloon. The chief article on the bill of fare was pumpkin-pie, baked in the room where General Poor had his headquarters, and where the wounded British Gen- eral Ackland was joined by his wife the day after the seeoud battle. At this house was exhibited a large collection of battle-field relies. Twelve-pound cannon-balls, rifle-bullets covered with the rust of a century, were wonderingly iu- speeted by the crowd who entered the ancient building. There were also a number of ludian weapons and tools, such as stone hatchets, flint arrow-heads, and pestles.
The Troy companies reached the Bemus Heights Hotel at about ten o'clock. where they were joined by the Port Henry, Whitehall, and Glen's Falls companies. At length all the arrangements for the grand procession were com- pleted. At about eleven o'clock the order to march was giveu.
The following was the arrangement :
1
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
FIRST DIVISION.
Police. Grand marshal-W. B. French, of Saratoga. Aids to the grand marshal. Major-General J. B. Carr and staff. Brigadier-General Alden and staff. Doring's band. Chadwick Guards, of Cohoes, Captain P. II. Chadwick commanding. Troy Citizens' Corps, Captain J. W. Cusack com- manding. Troy Tibbits Corps, Captain J. Egolf commanding. Troy Tibbits Cadets, Captain J. H. Patten commanding. Sherman Guards, of Port Henry, Captain F. G. Atwell commanding. Hughes' Light Guard, of South Glen's Falls, Captain F. Gleesettle commanding. Burleigh Corps, of Whitehall, Captain G. T. Hall com- manding.
Battery B, of Troy, Captain A. H. Green commanding. Generals Hughes and Tracy, and Colonel Lodowick, of the governor's staff. Brigadier-General Diekerman, of Albany, and staff. Hon. George G. Scott, president of the day. Orators, poet, and clergy.
SECOND DIVISION.
Colonel D. J. Caw, assistant marshal, marshal's aids. Seventy-seventh Regiment band, of Saratoga. Saratoga veterans, carrying the old Bemus Heights regi- mental flag, commanded by Captain Frank Thomas. Saratoga Continentals, mounted. Citizens of Saratoga.
THIRD DIVISION.
Captain B. F. Judson, assistant marshal, commanding. Marshal's aids. Iluling's band, of Ballston. Eagle engine company, of Ballston. Hovey fire company, of Ballston. Ballston veterans. Citizens of Ballston. Schnylerville band. Sehnylerville fire-company. Mounted yeomanry. Schuylerville citizens.
The procession was very imposing. The Tenth Brigade was the centre of publie admiration and the theme of pub- lic praise. The Saratoga Continentals were hastily organ- ized, but made a fine appearance.
The procession moved over historie ground and by noted landmarks. Flags and bunting were displayed from every building in the ham'et of Bemus Heights. North of the hotel the site of General Gates' headquarters was visible. The soldier boys could see, over the river, Willard's moun- tain, from the summit of which, in carly September, 1777, Willard, the scout, watched the movements within the British camp, communicating his discoveries by signal or messenger to General Gates. Near the celebration ground
a placard indicated that there stood on the spot, one hun- dred years ago, a barn which was used for hospital pur- poses. Passing up a not too steep aeclivity, the procession entered the twenty-two acre field in which the exercises were held. The various bodies marched around the grand stand, and also passed over that portion of the ground in which the American and British dead of the battle were interred. This ground was indicated by a small sign-board ; there is not, and has not been for many years, a trace of the graves ; the soldiers killed in the battle of one hundred years ago have no memorial or monument to this day. After the procession had been dispersed the people gathered about the grand stand. The field was a fine place for a crowd. Although thirty thousand people stood there, there was no crowding. Among the conspicnous persons there were Lieutenant-Governor Dorsheimer, General Hughes, Colonel Lodowick, of the governor's staff, Hons. G. G. Scott, George West, John M. Francis, Martin I. Town- send, G. Robertson, James S. Smart, Henry G. Burleigh, Charity Commissioner Brennan, of New York, T. B. Car- roll, C. S. Lester, George W. Chapman, George W. Neil- son, Edward Edwards, and Judges Ingalls, Yates, and Crane. Besides these gentlemen, Generale Carr, Alden, and Dickerman, with their staffs, and the general commit- tee occupied seats on the stand. Shortly after noon the vast multitude was called to order, and Doring's band opened the exercises with music. Rev. Dr. Peter Stryker, D.D., of Saratoga, offered prayer.
Hon. George G. Scott, president of the day, delivered a brief address. Afterwards he introduced Hon. Martin I. Townsend, who delivered the oration. Mr. Townsend very properly rendered honor to whom honor is due, and gave the credit of the victories of Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, 1777, to Benedict Arnold. Speaking of the cause of Arnold's traitorism, he ascribed it to that soldier's infatuation for a Tory lady of Philadelphia.
The poem, by Robert Lowell, of Union College, was read by Judge Yates in an impressive manner.
The historical narrative, by John Austin Stevens, of New York, was a production of great merit. Mr. Stevens gave a history in detail of the campaign, and, departing from the general custom, instead of depreciating Gates' gen- eralship and personal bravery, eulogized that officer. It will be treasured in after-years as one of the most valuable of all the accounts of this decisive campaign. When Mr. Stevens finished, the invited guests proceeded to the spot where, on the 19th of September, 1777, Gates ate his break- fast, and enjoyed a collation.
At four o'clock the troops were formed in line. The ground was not as even as it might be desired, but the movements were all executed in a most praiseworthy manner. After the parade the soldiers passed in review before Licu- tenant-Governor Dorsheimer and General Carr and staff.
The sham battle took place immediately afterward. This was in the eyes of a great number of people the chief at- traction of the day. In the woods to the north of the grand stand a gun was placed, under Lieutenant Myer, of the Eleventh Infantry, United States army. A detachment of the Tibbits Corps was also lodged in the woods.
The Continental cavalry, of Saratoga, under the command
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
of General Goldwin, together with Lieutenant Myer and the Tibbits veterans, represented the British force. It was a small representation, but as the British were supposed to be concealed in the woods it answered all purposes. The Americans were on open ground. The other troops of the Tenth Brigade were constituted the colonial forces. The Chadwick Guards, of Cohoes, were held as reserve. Gen- eral Carr was supposed to personate General Gates, and Colonel Chamberlain represented Benedict Arnold. Lieu- tenant Goldman, of the Fifth United States Cavalry, was one of the aids of General Alden, who directed the move- ments. The British cannon first opened fire, which was returned on the right and left of the American lines. The British cannon from its ambuseade kept up the dialogue. Part of the American corps advanced, and dropping on the ground fired a volley into the woods. Charges, retreats, and advances were repeatedly made. The Americans at times rushed into the woods with wild cheers and retreated in disorder. The line being reformed, another charge was made, supported by movements in every direction. All the while the artillery duel continued. One thing notice- able was the precision with which the volleys of musketry were fired. Finally, the whole American force made a grand charge, the enemy's cannon was silenced and cap- tured, the cavalry retreated in disorder, and victory belonged to the Americans.
The battle was one of the best of the sort ever seen ; the movements and the general plan on which it was fought brought to the minds of many the real battles of which more than a decade ago they were component parts.
The addresses were appropriate. Judge Scott's brief opening remarks closed with the following beautiful pas- sage: " This is classic ground. It will be to our country what the plain of Marathon was to Greece. Unlike that memorable battle-field, however, upon which at different points monuments of victory were raised, no column rises from this to perpetuate the memory of this great event, to honor the valor that achieved it, and to distinguish the place of its occurrence. But the scene which surrounds us, these fields marked by the redonbts and intrenchments of the confronting armies, the historie river below, and yonder mountain overlooking the whole, from whose sum- mit Willard, the American scout, with spy-glass in hand, watched the movements of Burgoyne and reported by sig- nals to Gates, all these will constitute one vast and imper- ishable monument sacred to the memory of those heroes and patriots who fought and conquered here one hundred years ago."
The lengthy and exceedingly valuable historieal address of John Austin Stevens elosed with the following words : " The last days of a century are closing upon these memor- able seenes. How long will it be ere the government of the Empire State shall erect a monument to the gallant men who fought and fell upon their fields, and here secured her liberty and renown ?"
ITon. Martin T. Townsend said, in the opening of his address, " We stand to-day upon one of the most illustri- ous battle-fields of the American revolution. A hundred years ago upon these fields thousands of hearts throbbed in patriot bosoms. They were here to suffer and, if need be,
to die in the cause of liberty and in the cause of their infant country."
IV .- THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER.
The celebration of the surrender of Burgoyne at Schuyler- ville called forth equal enthusiasm with that of Bemus Heights. As the two great historic events were counterparts to each other, so were the centennial anniversaries of those events.
The Schuylerville people entered with all their might into the project for celebrating the one hundredth anniver- sary of the surrender of Burgoyne and his army. Every house in the village was decorated, and arches were raised across the principal streets. The most conspicuous decora- tion was an excellent representation of the surrender stretched across the main street.
The old Burgoyne cannon, which General De Peyster has presented to the monmuent association, arrived on Monday. That night it spoke within a short distance of the field where, a century ago, it carried death to the pa- triots. At noon it was fired again, and was used for that duty at intervals during the day. Battery B's four guns were brought up by the members of the battery, and fired the sunrise salute.
The decorations were all tasteful, while some were elabo- rate. The arches which were erected at many street cross- ings were all beautiful. The decorative spirit extended to Victory Mills, Galesville, and even to Greenwich. In fact, the national colors were in sight for miles.
The 18th was devoted to preparation. The road leading to the square, upon which the monument will stand, was being worked all day, and was put in excellent condition.
An old tree on the main street of the village had this inscription : " Near this spot, Oct. 16, 1777, American and British officers met and consummated the articles of capitu- lation of General Burgoyne to General Gates; and on this ground the British army laid down their arms, thus securing American independence."
It is evident that the citizens did not underrate the im- portance of the event which they celebrate. The enthu- siasm of the people was boundless.
The sky was overcast, but there was no rain, The or- ganizations which participated in the procession began to arrive at early morning. Apollo Commandery, of Troy, reached here at ten o'clock. Everybody from the surrounding country flocked in. They came in stylish barouches, hack- loads, stages, and on foot. At noon, fully fifteen thousand strangers were in the village and vicinity. Governor Sey- mour and George William Curtis came over from Saratoga early in the morning, and waited patiently, as did the great multitude, for the moving of the procession. It was half- past twelve before everything was in readiness. Finally the procession formed in the following order :
FIRST DIVISION. Platoon of police. General W. B. French, chief marshal. Chief marshal's staff. Veteran color-guard. Doring's band of Troy.
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Co. F, Tenth Regiment, Captain George Weidman com- manding, of Albany.
Co. I. Twenty-fifth Regiment, Captain Walker commmand- -
ing, of Albany.
First Company Governor's Foot Guards, of Hartford, Conn., in old English uniform worn in George III.'s reign. W. A. Talcott, Major, commanding battalion.
Colt's band, Hartford, Conn., Thomas G. Adkins, leader. Captain A. Il. Wiley, commander first company. Lieutenant R. D. Burdick, commander sceund company.
Lieutenant S. E. Hascall, commander third company.
Lieutenant W. E. Eaton, commander fourth company. Park Guards of Bennington, Vt., Captain O. N. Wilcox, commander, with band.
Hughes Light Guards, of Glen's Falls, Captain Gleesettle commanding.
Burleigh Corps. Captain Thomas Hall. Whitehall band.
SECOND DIVISION.
Sir Townsend Fondey, R. E. Grand Commander. Sir Chas. II. Holden, V. D. Grand Com- mander, Sir Knight B. F. Judson. Ballston Spa cornet-band.
Washington Commandery, Saratoga Springs. Apollo Commandery, Troy. Temple No. 2 Commandery, Albany.
St. George's Commandery, No. 37, Schenectady, N. Y. Holy Cross Commandery, Gloversville. Lafayette Commandery, Hudson, N. Y. Little Falls Commandery, Little Falls, N. Y. De Soto, No. 49, Commandery, Plattsburgh, N. Y. Kellington Commandery, Rutland, Vt. Tefft Commandery, Bennington, Vt.
Grand Master of Master Masons, J. J. Couch.
Deputy Grand Master, Jesse B. Anthony. Master Masons.
THIRD DIVISION.
Captain W. W. Worden, assistant marshal, commanding New York State officials.
President of the day, Hon. C. S. Lester, of Saratoga, ora- tors, poets, speakers, clergy, and chaplain in carriages. Bemus Heights Centennial Committee.
Saratoga Monument Association and invited guests in ear-
riages. Schuylerville cornet-band. Veterans of the late war.
Grand Army of the Republic associations. Veterans of the War of Mexico. Veterans of the War of 1812. Descendants of Revolutionary soldiers.
Seventy-seventh Regiment band, Saratoga Springs.
Cavalry iu Continental uniform, Major Fassett, Comman- der. Saratoga Springs. Fort Ann Martial band. Civic associations.
Municipal authorities of Schuylerville.
ROUTE OF MARCII. Gates avenue to Grove street ; Grove to Pearl; Pearl to
Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Broad ; Broad to Spring; Spring to Church ; Church to Burgoyne; Burgoyne to Pearl ; Pearl to Saratoga ; Saratoga to Green ; Green to Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Monument grounds, where a hollow square was formed by the military outside the Knights Templar, and the corner-stone of the monument laid by M. W., J. J. Couch, Grand Master, and R. W., Edmund L. Judson, Deputy Grand Master Masons of the State of New York. After which ceremony the procession marched down Bur- goyne to Pearl; Pearl to Grove; thence to Schuyler's square.
The monument, when completed, will be.a most imposing affair. It will be constructed entirely of granite. One- quarter of the base has been constructed, and the corner- stone is a finely-cut piece of granite about three feet square.
The ceremony of laying the stone was performed by J. J. Couch, Grand Master of Masons of the State, assisted by several of the officers of the Grand Lodge. The ceremony was as follows :
The Grand Master called up the lodge, saying, "The first duty of Masons in any undertaking is to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect upon their work. Let us pray."
INVOCATION BY THIE GRAND CHAPLAIN.
" Thou Supreme Architect. Thou master builder of the universe. Thou who hast made all things by the word of Thy power, Thou who hast formed the earth and the world from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God, Thou art He whom we worship and adore, and in whom we are taught to put our trust, and whose blessing we seek in every un- dertaking in life and in all the work of our hands. Thou, ( God, hast blessed the fraternity before thee, and pros- pered them in numbers, in strength, and in influence, so that we are here assembled as Thy servants and as mem- bers of the ancient and honorable craft to begin the erec- tion of a monument, which we devoutly trust shall stand as a monument for future generations to the praise and glory of Thy name. Grant Thy blessing, O Lord God, upon this enterprise, that it may be carried to successful completion, and may answer the end for which it was de- signed. Grant that each of us may so adorn our minds and hearts with grace that we may be fitted as living stones for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and unto Thy holy and ever-blessed name will we ascribe honor and praise, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen
The Grand Master then said, "The Grand Treasurer will place in the corner-stone articles prepared for the pur- pose." Which was done.
The Grand Master then said, "The Grand Secretary will read a list of the articles so deposited."
The list of articles deposited in the corner-stone was then read as follows :
1. " History of the Saratoga Monument Association," by the society.
2. " The Campaign of General Burgoyne," by Wm. L. Stone.
3. " The Saratoga Battle-Gun," by Ellen Hardin Wal- worth.
4. The centennial addresses of George G. Scott, J.
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IIISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
S. L'Amoreaux, General E. F. Bullard, and N. B. Syl- vester.
5. "Major-General Philip Schuyler," by General T. W. De Peyster.
G. J. Austin Stevens' historical address at the celebra- tion of Bemus Heights.
7. Copies of the Troy Daily Press, Troy Daily Times, Troy Daily Whig, Troy Northern Budget, Troy Observer, Sunday Trojan, Schuylerville Standard (daily), Daily Suru- togian, Saratoga Sun, Albany Argus, Press. Express, Jour- nal, Times, and Post, New York Herald, Times, Tribune, Sun, World, and Express.
8. Relics of Burgoyne's campaign.
The Grand Master then spread the cement upon the stone.
Music by the band, and the stone was lowered to its place.
The Grand Master then seating the lodge, proceeded as follows :
ft. M .- " Brother D. G. M., what is the jewel of your office ?"
D. G. M .- " The square."
G. M .- "' What does it teach ?"
D. G. M. - " To square our action by the square of virtue, and by it we prove our work."
G. M .- " Apply your jewel to this corner-stone and make report."
(Done.)
D. G. M .- " The stone is square, the craftsmen have done their duty."
G. M .- " Brother S. G. W., what is the jewel of your office ?"
S. G. W .- " The level."
G. M .- " What does it teach ?"
S. G. W .- " The equality of all men, and by it we prove our work."
G. M .- " Apply your jewel to this corner-stone and make report."
(Done.)
S. G. W .- " The stone is level, the craftsmen have done their duty."
G. M .- " Brother J. G. W., what is the jewel of your office ?"
J. G. W .- " The plumb."
G. M .- " What does it teach ?"
J. G. W .- " To walk upright before God and man, and by it we prove our work."
G. M .- " Apply your jewel to this corner-stone and make report."
( Done. )
J. G. W .- " The stone is plumb, the craftsmen have done their duty."
The Senior and Junior Grand Deacons advanced to the stone, bearing trowel and gavel. The Grand Master, pre- ceded by the Grand Marshal, advanced to the stone, took the trowel, and spread cement, then took the gavel and struck three blows on the stone, retired to his station and said, " I, John P. Couch, Grand Master of the Masons of the State of New York, declare this stone to be plumb, level, and square, to be well formed, truc and trusty, and duly laid."
The Grand Stewards proceeded to the stone, followed by D. G. M., S. G. W., and J. G. W., bearing the corn, wine, and oil.
The D. G. M., scattering the corn, said, " May the blessing of the Great Architect of the universe rest upon the people of this State and the corn of nourishment abound in our land."
The S. G. W., pouring the wine, said, " May the Great Architect of the universe watch over and protect the work- men upon this monument, and bless them and our land with the heavenly wine of refreshment and peace."
The J. G. W., pouring the oil, said, " May the Great Architect of the universe bless our land with union, har- mony, and love, the oil which maketh man be of joyful countenance."
The Grand Marshal presented the architect, saying, " I present the architect of this monument. He is ready with craftsmen for the work, and asks the tools for his task."
The Grand Master handed him the plumb, level, and square, and directed him to proceed with his work.
The Grand Master then said, " Men and brethren, we have assembled here to-day as regular Masons, bound by solemn engagements to be good citizens, faithful to the brethren, and to fear God. We have commeneed the erec- tion of a monument which, we pray, may be a memorial for ages to come. May wisdom, strength, and beauty abound, and the fame and usefulness of our ancient and honorable institution be greatly promoted."
Benediction.
The Grand Marshal then made the following proclama- tion : " In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, I proclaim that the corner-stone of this monument has this day been found square, level and plumb, true and trusty, and laid according to the old custom by the Grand Master of Masons."
After the laying of the corner-stone the procession marched to Schuyler square, the field in which the exer- cises had been held.
Sunrise salutes were fired by the battery from different points in the village, while away on historic Mount Willard the people of Easton sent back answering thunder. The road leading from Saratoga was black with vehicles. The Greenwich road was in the same condition.
The various organizations began to arrive at ten o'clock, but it was twelve before the last one arrived. The Al- bany soldiers left their homes before breakfast, and were served in the large dining-tent at eleven o'clock. At half- past twelve o'clock everything was in readiness and the pageant moved.
The line of march was gone over in an hour, and then the corner-stone of the monument was laid. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Mr. Webster, R. W. Grand Chap- lain of the Grand Lodge of Masons. One very remarkable circumstance was the presence of Edwin Gates, of Brooklyn, who is a descendant of General Gates (who was the " grand sword-bearer" of the American army in the North in 1777) and who is the grand sword-bearer of the Masonic grand lodge. Grand Master Couch used a gavel made from a
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