USA > New York > New York City > New York city and vicinity during the war of 1812-15, being a military, civic and financial local history of that period, Vol. I > Part 11
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By Major-Gen. Ebenezer Stevens-
"Commodore John Rodgers. May his courage and ability no longer want an opportunity to add to our infant navy another brilliant victory." Three cheers.
By John Slidell-
"The navy of the United States. Washington its founder ; dry dock projects its destroyer ; Hull, De- catur and Jones its restorers." Three cheers.
By Gurdon S. Mumford-
"Sailors' rights and free commerce." Three cheers.
By P. C. Van Wyck-
"The sons of our country rocked in the cradle of Neptune. May they become the lords and heirs of the ocean."
By Mr. J. O. Hoffman-
"Capt. Jones-absent in person, but always pres- ent in noble deeds."
By Mr. Ming --
" The Pilot, The United States and Macedonian frigates. May they be as safely moored in the har- bor of New York as their officers and crews are in the affections of its citizens."
By Mr. Brackett-
" Patriotism and National Honor. Assert more by the thunder of our cannon, and less by paper proclamations." Three cheers.
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NAVAL DINNER.
By the Vice-President-
"Lieut. Reed, of the Navy-who bravely aided in supporting the American flag, as well in the battle with the Guerriere as with the Macedonian."
By Capt. Jacob Lewis-
" The three naval architects-Hull, who with one stroke laid the keels of ten hulls ; Jones, who raised the frames ; Decatur, who gave the finishing stroke" (alluding to the Act of Congress for building ten war vessels).
By Lieut. - Col. McClure-
"The navy. It has maintained the honor of the nation ; may the nation be grateful and do justice to its gallantry."
By Mr. William McIntyre-
" The naval trio. May we soon be called upon to celebrate." Three times three.
By Mr. Mercier-
"The memory of Fisher Ames. May our country be fruitful of such men and faithful to their glory."
By Lieut .- Col. R. Swartwout-
"The Mistress of the Ocean-she has at length found a Master."
After the President had retired Mr. G. R. Champ- lin, of the privateer Armstrong gave --
" The Mayor of our city. The vigilant magistrate, the advocate of a navy, the faithful guardian of our laws and the peace of our city." Six cheers.
These toasts were interspersed by songs sung by individuals.
The company retired at eleven o'clock "in good order," observed one of the newspapers of the day.
Much complaint was made about the incapacity of the band, lack of time, and showing a neglect of
157
MUSIC OF THE DAY.
practice of the pieces rendered. The glee club and singers were amateur performers and gave good satisfaction and obtained much praise.
The bands of music for parades and outdoor oc- casions in those days were composed of negroes and mulattoes; most of them were from the West Indies, and were barbers in New York City. The instru- ments, when not fifes and drums exclusively, were reinforced by clarionets and French horns, and some- times a triangle. The bands for dancing were fiddles, bass viol, clarionets and French horns.
Many of the uniformed regiments of city militia had a band that attended them on parades, reviews, etc., but these did not go with the regiment when called into active service.
Martial music consisted of a fife and drum for each company of foot. These instruments were prescribed by the regulations, and the performers were often supplied by those who were required to perform military duty. Some companies had a bass drum and others a snare drum, so that a regi- mental band contained both bass and snare drums, the latter predominating in numbers. The drums were used in action as signals for muster, advance, attack, charge, retreat, etc., according to the mode of beating them. The music was for marching, reviews, drills, etc. The fife major was the leader of the music in the regiment, and prescribed the tunes, etc., to be played. He was considered at that time as having an enviable position. These military bands arrived at great proficiency during the war. Among the famous military bands during the first year of the war were Moffat's Second Regiment (artillery) and the Eleventh Regiment
158
NAVAL BALL.
(artillery) bands. There was no such thing here as a band composed of Germans at that time. The music was English, Irish, Scotch, and Swiss airs, tunes and melodies. There were no negro melodies or songs until many years after the war. There were few distinctive American tunes at that time.
The bugle (called also cornet), was used by rifle- men and light infantry and cavalry for making sig- nals to convey the orders of the commanding officers. They were of two kinds, one for the regulation of the common duties of the camp, and the other for exercises and movements.
The trumpet was used principally for the signals of the line, the bugle for signals of detached parties. The cavalry officer that sounded the bugle was called the cornet, and the bugle was sometimes called by that name. It was nothing but a horn for sounding several different notes as a call or direction of the troops. A tune could not be played by one. A key bugle was unknown here for many years after the war.
A splendid naval ball was given to the officers of our frigates at New York, two days afterwards, on New Year's Eve, at City Hotel. More than three hundred ladies attended. The dancing hall and supper rooms were decorated with many superb transparencies in honor of our naval victories. The supper room was fitted up so as to represent the great cabin of a ship-of-the-line, and many trans- parencies and views remained as they were at the public dinner given to Commodore Decatur and Captains Jones and Hull, two days previous. Among the guests were the Commodore and Mrs. Decatur, Capt. Hull, Lieutenant Nicholson, and General and
159
1
NAVAL BALL.
Mrs. Armstrong. The expectation of a fair wind that evening prevented the officers of the frigate United States from being present, and the absence of Capt. Jones and his officers was much regretted.
One of the newspapers of the day said that on no occasion in this country had so large a number of beautiful and elegantly dressed ladies been seen. Nearly three hundred ladies sat down to the supper, that took place about midnight. Owing to the small- ness of the supper room, no gentlemen (excepting guests and the managers) were permitted to enter while the ladies were at supper. There were more than two hundred gentlemen that remained out of the supper room until after the ladies supped.
The cotillion began at nine o'clock-supper at eleven; after supper the dancing continued until between one and two o'clock in the morning.
No toasts were given because it was not the cus- tom to have them at a supper which was had in con- nection with a ball.
On New Year's day the captive British war vessel, the Macedonian, and her conqueror arrived in the harbor of New York, the captor and captive ves- sel having made their way through Long Island . Sound and anchored just above Hell Gate the day previous, for the purpose of arriving in the city on the first of January. On the morning of the 1st a light breeze fortunately sprung up and they were enabled to pass Hell Gate down the East River to the city. They were greeted with great joy as a "New Year's gift."
The national flag was displayed mast high on all the vessels in the harbor, and on the City Hall. A national salute of artillery was fired by a detach-
160
THE MACEDONIAN.
ment from Gen. Morton's brigade, and all the bells in the city were rung for an hour. The Macedonian was taken into the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs.
The Macedonian was the first captured British war vessel that was brought into the port of New York by the captors, hence the enthusiasm display- ed on that occasion. The first captured war vessel that entered the port of New York was the Alert, which arrived on September 16th, bringing from Halifax a load of exchanged prisoners. See ante, p. 133.
It was a season of holidays and joy. On the 7th of January a dinner was given to Capt. Hull's crew, of the frigate United States, at the City Hotel, at two o'clock P.M., by the city. There were about four hundred of them, neatly dressed in sailor's habit of blue jackets and trousers, and scarlet vests and black glazed hats. They marched in pairs from their landing at New Slip, preceded by their own band of music, and the committee of aldermen, and marched through Pearl Street to Wall Street, and up to Broadway to the City Hotel, which stood on the corner of Cedar Street, on west side of Broadway, on the ground now occupied by the Boreel Building The streets were lined with crowds of people, and waving of handkerchiefs and cheers greeted them on the way. The band at the door was that of Col. Harsen's 11th Regiment, who volunteered their ser- vices, with Gen. Washington's old trumpeter among them. The band continued playing patriotic airs until the entire number were seated, in the same elegant room where their officers had dined a few days before, and yet fitted up in the same fanciful and appropriate manner.
161'
DINNER TO SAILORS.
After the procession had entered the assembly room and were seated at the table the boatswain piped silence and Alderman Vanderbilt, who presided, arose and addressed them in behalf of the city. He began :: " Brave American Tars, the corporation of the city of New York have ordered you this entertainment. It is given as a tribute to your valor displayed in the capture of the British frigate Macedonian." At this juncture the main sails were unfurled which brought to view the transparencies representing the three naval victories. At this sight the joy of the sailors was extravagant, and their repeated huzzas. and the shrill whistle of the boatswain made an impression never to be forgotten. When silence was restored the speaker continued:
" Behold yonder miniature of your gallant achieve- ment. See yourselves entwined in wreaths of laurels with the brave Hull and Jones and their valiant crews; emblems of our gratitude-tokens of honor which alone belong to the brave," etc.
The address was in remarkably good taste for the. occasion.
It was replied to by the boatswain in a few remarks of thanks for the honor given them. Direct- ly after this, word was given to "fall to " and they all proceeded to a very active movement of the knife and fork.
After dinner, was over, while they were still seated at the table, the boatswain " piped all hands to silence," when the president, Alderman Vander- bilt, gave as a toast: " American ships all over the ocean. Three cheers." The cheers were given with a will.
After that the gunner arose and informed them
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DINNER TO SAILORS.
through his speaking-trumpet that the commodore was in the house and would shortly appear, when nine cheers would be expected. As Commodore Decatur entered the room, accompanied by his first lieutenant, Mr. Allen, and took his stand at the west end of the room under the transparencies, the cheers were given, every man standing on tiptoe and flourishing his glazed hat over his head in a man- ner peculiar to the sailor. After remaining a few minutes the Commodore gave as a toast: "Free trade and no impressment." Nine cheers.
Mr. Allen's toast was "Captains Jones and Hull and their brave crews." Nine cheers. After the Con modore and Mr. Allen retired the president gave: " Commodore Decatur and Mr. Allen." Nine cheers.
A variety of volunteer toasts were given by some of the seamen in true nautical style and as grog was plentiful it, too, had its effect upon the toasts.
The boatswain announced in the dining-room that the managers of the Park Theater had given them an invitation to attend the evening performance at six o'clock, the usual hour. At the proper time many of them "pushed off " for the theater in a body in good order.
Broadway, from the City Hotel to Park Row, and the latter, were almost literally blocked up so that admittance was scarcely practical. Everybody seemed desirous to see how such a body of sailors, coming directly from a jolly dinner, would behave. The front of the theater was illuminated and ex- hibited a large transparency of the engagement be- tween the frigates United States and Macedonian. As they entered they were greeted by the orchestra playing "Yankee Doodle," and three hearty cheers
163
SAILORS AT THE THEATER.
from them testified their appreciation of it. The pit (now called orchestra chairs) had been set apart for them and about two-thirds of them attended. The gunner, with his speaking-trumpet, took his stand in the center of the middle bench to command silence when necessary, and the faithful boatswain stood beside him with the silver call (whistle) to second his commands ; on each side and in front the American flag waved in proud triumph. The house was filled to overflowing in every part of it, not a nook or corner but what had its occupant. After some time, Commodore Decatur entered and took his seat in the third box from the stage, be- tween Gen. Armstrong and Lieut. Allen. On sight of him the crew arose and gave twelve hearty cheers with all their might. The entertainment commenced with a play entitled "Fraternal Dis- cord." They paid little or no attention to it. The boatswain once or twice roused their flagging spirits by an inspiring blast of his whistle, rather inoppor- tunely as respected the play, but not so as regarded his comrades, who answered by rising and giving three hearty cheers. Towards the end of this piece their attention was caught by Jack and the captain, and they applauded several scenes with judgment and great glee. After the play a spectacular sketch called " America, Commerce and Freedom" was presented. The transparencies shown at the naval dinner at City Hotel were used with additions. At the view of the real water which represented the sea, in the engagement between the frigates United States and Macedonian, and of the temple of naval glory rising out of the ocean, and the genius of America descending from heaven, they heartily ap-
.
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SAILORS AT THE THEATER.
plauded. During this scene, the letter dance by three children interested them and drew forth still louder applause. When the children again appear- ed bearing in their hands separate letters which being joined, produced in transparency, Hull, and in a second, Jones, and in a third, Decatur, their demon- strations of pleasure were unbounded, and their huzzas almost endless. The boatswain stunned the house with his call which he played as skilfully as loud.
After this Mr. McFarland, a popular comedian of that day, came forward in the character of a clown and sang a song called "Yankee Frolics," in which the names of the vessels and their victorious commanders frequently occurred. After much ap- plause the cries of encore were so incessant that he returned in sailor's dress and repeated the song amid the loudest applause. In the meantime a naval column rose from the stage, surmounted with the full length likeness of Commodore Decatur, and the names of Hull, Jones and Decatur engraved in capitals on its base, which enabled him to add to the effect of the song. Mr. Darley then sang " Poll of Plymouth," and Mr. McFarland concluded the whole with a sailor's hornpipe. The after-piece was "Sprigs of Laurel." The performance and everything connected with it was appropriately planned and happily carried out.
The American sailor was then the idol of the American people. In the House of Representatives, Henry Clay left the speaker's chair to make his famous speech, on the 8th of January, 1813, in favor of the war. In concluding he said :
" We are told that England is a proud and lofty
165
SAILORS' RIGHTS.
nation that, disdaining to wait for danger, meets it half way. Haughty as she is, we once triumphed over her, and, if we do not listen to the counsels of timidity and despair, we shall again prevail. In such a cause, with the aid of Providence, we must come out covered with success ; but if we fail, let us fail like men, lash ourselves to our gallant tars and expire together in one common struggle fight- ing for 'Free Trade and Seamen's Rights.'"
CHAPTER X.
British War Vessels off Sandy Hook-The Enemy Approaching- Alarm Signals-Volunteering in New York City -- Forces Neces- sary for Defence-New Jersey Helping New York -- False Alarm- Gunboats to Defend the Harbor-Common Council Makes Ap- propriation for Further Defence-Fortifications Erected During the Year 1812-Defences at Sandy Hook-Condition of Fortifica. tions-General George Izard Placed in Command at New York- Sketch of General Izard-Breastworks erected around the Battery.
HILE the militia were under arms in 1812, very few of the enemy's war vessels were seen about our coast, and our coasting trade had not yet been much disturbed-only a little from fear more than from threatened danger of being cap- tured by the enemy.
Early in January, 1813, it was reported by trad- ing vessels that the blockade of New York still con- tinued by British war vessels, which appeared off Sandy Hook. An English account said that it was Admiral Warren's squadron, consisting of the St. Domingo and Dragon, of seventy-four guns each, and the Statira, of thirty-eight, and the Sophie and Colibri, brigs of eighteen guns each. The United States flotilla of gunboats in the harbor, under com- mand of Com. Lewis, attempted to proceed to Sandy Hook to look after the enemy, but were prevented by the ice and considerably damaged, and obliged
167
THE ENEMY AT SANDY HOOK.
to return to New York, and again take their station in the East River.
Several British war vessels appeared off the light- house at Sandy Hook in the afternoon of January 22d. The new fort there was not yet ready, and the. only forts to prevent their entrance to the harbor were those on Staten Island. At Fort Richmond, the advance fort, every man was at his post. The furnaces for heating balls were made ready, and everything prepared to give the Admiral a warm reception, but he declined it.
The city was frequently alarmed by signal guns, showing that the enemy was off Sandy Hook and an attempt to proceed up the harbor might be looked for.
General Armstrong, who had command of New York since August, was appointed secretary of war on January 13th. 1813. The command of the city then devolved on Colonel Henry Burbeck, of the United States artillery, he being the senior United States officer in the district. He was a vet- eran of the Revolutionary war, and had been an officer in the army under the confederation.
On the 12th February, 1813, Colonel Jonas Simonds, of the sixth infantry United States army, was ap- pointed superintendent of the recruiting district of New York city in place of Colonel Alex. Macomb, Jr., who was about to be transferred to the Niagara frontier. Colonel Simonds had been a captain in the Revolutionary war.
The recruiting district, with the principal rendez- vous at New York city, was limited to that part of New York State south of Poughkeepsie. New Jer- sey was made a district by itself.
16S
VOLUNTEERS FOR
The recruiting district of which New York city was the headquarters, had embraced that part of the State from the sea to the Highlands of the Hudson river and the eastern half of New Jersey. Those that enlisted in the United States army within that section, in 1812-13, were placed in the light artillery or the second light dragoons, or the third artillery or the sixth or fifteenth infantry.
Many officers in Col. Alex. Macomb's regiment (third United States artillery) in 1812-13 were from New York city and vicinity. The same was true of Col. Simonds' sixth United States infantry.
Volunteering was rapidly progressing. Nearly five thousand militia were fully armed and equip- ped to defend New York city. They were watching and waiting for an attack.
As soon as the war was announced all those liable to military duty, if they had not already joined some military company, hastened to decide and announce their choice or service, as far as was permitted, by obtaining commissions or volunteering in some par- ticular capacity or for local service or in reserve corps.
During the month of January, 1813, the volunteer corps which had been recruiting for defence of New York City, were as follows :
Lieut .- Col. A. Sitcher, artillery . 1,200 men. Lieut .- Col. Robert Swartwout, artillery 1,000
Col. Samuel Hawkins, artillery 800 66
Lieut .- Col. Jasper Ward, infantry 500
Lieut .- Col. Alex. Denniston, riflemen 500
Col. Harsen's artillery regiment, the eleventh, was the first volunteer regiment for service, and was
169
DEFENCE OF THE CITY.
accepted as part of the quota of militia called for in April, 1812, but were never mustered into the United States army. (See ante, page 170.)
The second regiment United States volunteers from New York was in command of Col. Samuel Hawkins, and was an artillery regiment. The earliest commissions from the United States to any of the officers in this regiment were dated November 6th, 1812. Col. Hawkins' commission is dated on February 15th, 1813, and they were then mustered into United States service for one year unless sooner discharged.
Col. Samuel Hawkins was from Ulster county, and had been in the militia volunteer service in 1812, in the defence of New York city. Many men in his regiment were also from Ulster and Orange coun- ties. Six companies were from Ulster.
The third regiment United States volunteers from New York was in command of Lieut .- Col. Alex. Denniston, and was of riflemen. The earliest commissions from United States to any of the officers was August 20th, 1812. Lieut. - Col. Denniston's com- mission is dated February 1st, 1813, and the regiment was soon after mustered into United States service for one year unless sooner discharged.
These volunteers were organized under the acts of Congress of February 6th and July 6th, 1812, and were entitled to the same pay, rations, etc., as those in the regular army, but were not en- titled to bounty or clothing ; but the non-com- missioned officers and privates were entitled, when called into service, to receive a sum of money equal to the cost of one set of clothing for each person, and at the expiration of their term of
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VOLUNTEERS FOR
service, if they should deliver their stand of arms and accoutrements in good order to the proper offi- cer, they would be entitled to ten dollars for every stand of arms so delivered.
By act of Congress on December 12th, 1812, the pay of the regular army was increased, and by act of February 2d, 1813, non-commissioned officers, musi- cians, privates of volunteers and militia called into United States service, were allowed same monthly pay, rations, forage and camp equipage as those in the regular army. This was prescribed as follows :
Sergeant Major . $12 00
Second Sergeant Major 12 00
Leader of Music 11 00
Sergeant 11 00
Corporal
10 00
Musician 9 00
Private 8 00
Under this they were to supply their own cloth- ing, knapsacks, blanket, etc. This pay table is the one on which pensions for service in the war were regulated. The pay of commissioned officers was regulated by other statutes .*
Col. Alex. Denniston was from Newburgh, and had been in the militia volunteer service in 1812, and was major in Col. Robert Swartwout's com- mand on Staten Island. Some of the privates in his regiment came with him from Orange county.
The citizens of Ulster county, in November, 1812, appointed committees of all political parties in the
NOTE .- See page 88 ante, as to rate of pay and rations of militia and volunteers prior to December 31st, 1812.
* As to amount and kind of clothing allowed each man per annum see post Chapter XI.
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DEFENCE OF THE CITY.
several towns to obtain subscriptions for promoting the comfort of the citizens of that vicinity belong- ing to Col. Hawkins' regiment of volunteer artiller- ists, raised in that section for the defence of the city and harbor of New York. Something of the same nature was also begun in Orange county.
The volunteer regiments that were accepted by the government for the defence of New York city and its harbor for one year, were enlisted on the under- standing that they were not to be placed in service anywhere else. This, of course, caused many who were liable for general service in the militia to volun- teer for service in the defence of New York city. Many came from the Hudson River counties. There were a number from Orange and Ulster counties in Col. Hawkins' regiment of artillery, and many were from Westchester, Dutchess and Columbia in Col. Denniston's regiment. Those in the other local regiments were almost entirely from the city.
An independent company of infantry, called the "Iron Greys," because of their uniform, was organ- ized in 1812, composed of about seventy volunteers, and was under Capt. Samuel Swartwout and were afterward attached to the third brigade.
A troop of cavalry was organized in the city, called the New York Hussars. William Craig was cap- tain. Both of the above companies contained many men who have since become prominent among us. They were then among the best and most respected families in the city.
A veteran corps of artillery was organized in. March, 1813, under Capt. John McLean. It com- prised the veterans in the counties of New York, Westchester, Kings and Richmond.
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