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 13
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The author has ready for the press a work entitled "The Presidential Campaign for DeWitt Clinton in 1812," which will soon be published.
188
PROSPECTS OF THE WAR
hope of peace, or of the British yielding to the ultra demands of the dominant political party, and the hope of a final victory over the British arms without vigorous efforts was steadily waning. The campaign of Napoleon against Russia in 1812 (see, ante 82), had proved to be disastrous to him.
In the coming campaign of 1813, Napoleon found Russia, Austria, England, Prussia, Sweden, Spain and the greater part of Germany against him. His army did not exceed 300,000 effective meu, being less than one-fourth his army in 1812 (see ante, 82), to contend against these allied powers.
The enemy could now safely divert more of her war vessels and men from Europe in an active campaign against the United States. England had 1000 vessels equipped for war, manned by 146,000 seamen and marines. It was these that the in- habitants on the coasts of the United States had the most reason to fear.
In preparing for the campaign of 1813 on the ocean the British admiralty regulations in Novem- ber, 1812, required that the crews of forty-four gun frigates should have forty additional men and the thirty-two gun frigates thirty additional men and the war brigs the same proportionate increase of men. *
In the annual address before the New York His- torical Society, delivered by Hon. Gouverneur Morris, the first vice-president of that society in the Su- preme Court Room in the second story in the City Hall, on the evening of the 6th of December, 1812, among other things he said :
* For the number of men previously on each British war ves- sel see ante, p. 81.
189
IN EUROPE AND AMERICA.
"This, gentlemen, is neither the place nor the oc- casion to inquire into the policy much less the jus- tice of these measures by which we are distressed. Bowing with deference to the national government, I am willing to suppose that in so far as regards the United States the war may have been begun, and is now carried on justly, wisely, happily, but for us most unhappily. Every member of this so- ciety is undoubtedly disposed by every proper exer- tion, and every possible sacrifice, to support the honor and independence of our country. But he must be devoid of discernment who does not per- ceive that war with the greatest naval power is no happy condition for a commercial people. Whether America will eventually rejoice in trophies gained, territory acquired and privileges won from an en- emy subdued, or whether she shall weep for de- feats sustained, dominion lost and rights surren- dered, must depend, under God, on the manner in which this war shall be conducted, and the wisdom and integrity of the negotiations by which it shall be concluded.
"But, whatever may be the feelings of our sister States, whether they as events may indicate, shall clothe themselves in scarlet, or in sackcloth, our house will, in all probability, be a house of mourning."
The address was listened to with the most pro- found respect and attention by many of the most eminent and respected citizens of New York .*
* Mr. Morris was a Federalist and opposed to the war and to Mr. Madison's administration, and he continued so until the end.
The officers of the New York Historical Society, 1812 to 1815, were as follows :-
Hon. Egbert Benson, president ; Gouverneur Morris, first vice-president ; De Witt Clinton, second vice-president ; Rev.
190
MILITARY DISTRICTS.
More efficient measures were being taken on the part of the general government from time to time, for invasion as well as defence. The army was authorized to be largely increased and was reorgan- ized. The summer campaign for 1813 promised to be more eventful and encouraging than those of the previous summer, by which more had been lost by defeats than gained by our arms.
Pursuant to general orders by the War Depart- ment dated March 19th, 1813, the frontiers of the United States were divided into nine military dis- tricts, the third of which comprised New York State from the sea to the Highlands on the Hudson and the State of New Jersey. To each of the districts were assigned a commanding officer of the army of the United States and a competent staff.
By general orders dated April 10, 1813, that part of New Jersey which furnished the first division of the militia of that State (West Jersey) was there- after made part of the fourth military district of the United States. East Jersey remained a part of the third military district, which also included New York City. General George Izard was in command of the third military district, having been assigned to it on March 20th.
Samuel Miller, corresponding secretary to 1814, Dr. David Hosack ; John Pintard, recording secretary from 1814; Charles Wilkes, treasurer ; Dr. John W. Francis, librarian.
Standing committee-William Johnson, Dr. Samuel L. Mitch- ell, Dr. David Hosack, Rev. John M. Mason, Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins, John Mckesson, Anthony Bleecker, De Witt Clinton, Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, Peter A. Jay, from 1814.
During the period above mentioned the regular quarters of the Historical Society was in the Government House opposite Bowling Green (ante, p. 32).
191
ARMY ORGANIZATION.
Under the new organization of the army two reg- iments formed a brigade under a brigadier-general, who had one aide-de-camp and one brigade major. Two brigades formed a division commanded by a major-general, who had two aide-de-camps, one ad- jutant-general with two assistants, one inspector- general, with two assistants, one quartermaster- general and one deputy and four assistants, one topographical engineer and one assistant.
Each company and regiment for service were made up as follows:
Each Company. Regiment.
First Artillery
Privates. 56
81
1631
Second and 3d Artillery .
72
95
1918
Light Artillery
70
95
963
First Dragoons.
64
86
703
Second Dragoons
64
86
1038
Each infantry regiment.
90
108
1094
Riflemen
68
84
853
The difference above the total number of pri- vates being made up by officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, artificers, etc.
A division of field artillery consisted of six pieces of ordnance, to wit : four cannon of the same cal- iber and two howitzers, or of six cannon of not more than two calibers.
To each pair of three-pounders there were allotted one ammunition wagon or caisson, and to each six- pounder the like allottment. To each howitzer two ammunition wagons or caissons. To each gun of larger caliber than a six-pounder, two or at most three ammunition wagons or caissons.
To each division of artillery were also allotted
192
MILITARY EQUIPMENTS.
three wagons provided with assorted and spare ar- ticles of equipment, ammunition, harness, in- trenching and artificers' tools, etc. Each half divi- sion had only one wagon and articles as above.
To every division of flying artillery and every two divisions of foot artillery were allotted one traveling forge.
The proportion of overplus small arms for the in- fantry was one-fourth the number of effective troops in the field.
The proportion of musket cartridges for the infan- try consisted of thirty rounds per man, accom- panying the troops in ammunition wagons. Addi- tional quantities were provided in reserve whenever the nature of the service required it.
Wagons were provided with mining and labora- tory tools and utensils and intrenching and artificers' tools whenever the nature of the service rendered it necessary.
A corps of artificers consisted of a superintendent and four assistants, two master masons, two mas- ter carpenters, two master blacksmiths, two master boat builders, sixteen overseers (gunsmiths); twelve saddle and harness makers and twenty-four laborers. They were attached to the quartermas- ter's department.
Each company or detachment of one hundred re- cruits were allowed one four-horse wagon for the conveyance of officers' baggage and all other bag- gage of the company. Every six men were allowed one common tent, one iron camp-kettle or pot (of four gallons), and two tin pans, and to each com- pany four axes and four spades.
The orders further provided:
193
MILITIA DETACHMENTS.
" All militia detachments in the service of the United States must be made under the requisition of some officer of the United States (regularly authorized to make such requisition) on the execu- tive authority of the state or territory from which the detachment shall be drawn. In the requisition shall be expressed the number of privates, non- commissioned and commissioned officers required, which shall be in the same proportions to each other as obtained in the regular army. The former method of requiring regiments or brigades will be discontinued. As soon as one hundred privates, eight non commissioned and five commissioned of- ficers shall have been organized as a company under any requisition as aforesaid they shall be inspected and received into the service of the United States and upon the rolls, and reports made in conse- quence thereof, they will be entitled to pay.
The clothing allowed to every non-commissioned officer, musician, and private of artillery and in- fantry annually in the United States army were : one hat, coat, vest, two pair of woolen and two pair of linen overalls, one coarse linen frock and trous- ers for fatigue clothing, four pair shoes, four shirts, two pair of socks, two pair short stockings, one blanket, one leather stock and clasp, and one pair of half gaiters. The secretary of war was authorized to furnish to the paymaster of each district a sur- plus of clothing which he might furnish to the sol- diers when necessary, at the contract prices, and de- duct the same out of their pay.
The price of annual outfit of clothing in April .. 1813, was as follows :
194
CLOTHING AND RATIONS.
Infantry :- Privates, $34.074; musicians, $34.651; sergeants $37.474.
Field artillery :- Privates, $34.41; musicians, $36.44 ; sergeants $37.85.
Light artillery about the same.
Dragoons (cavalry) :- Privates, $53.22 ; musicians, $55.093 ; sergeants $57.16 ; riflemen-privates, $37 .- 983 ; musicians, $39.85; sergeants, $41.77.
When called into service the non-commissioned officers, the musicians and privates in the volunteer and militia corps were entitled to the same monthly pay, rations and forage and the same camp equi- page as if in the United States army. In lieu of cloth- ing each man received in money a sum equal to the cost of a year's clothing furnished to those in the regular army at the contract price.
At the commencement of the war everything con- nected with the regular army was more as it had been in the revolutionary war than it is now easy to conceive of, when we consider the other changes made in the manners, habits and occupations of the people and the period that had elapsed.
This is not so strange when we reflect that all the leading officers and those who were in authority were veterans of the revolutionary war and of that period, and still clung to their own ideas. The side arms were still of the old revolutionary pattern.
There was literally no change in the small arms from those used in the revolutionary war. The muskets were flint-locks or fire-locks as they were called; they were heavy, but some of the newer make were a little less weighty but were still heavy
* For the pay, rations and allowances to the militia and volun- teers and regular army, see ante pp. 169, 170.
195
UNIFORM OF OFFICERS.
and bungling. Rifles (that is bored guns) were very little in use and were of heavier barrel than the muskets.
Almost the only progress made since the revolu- tion was in the artillery service and in the size and manner of using field pieces, and the heavier ord- nance for all branches of that service, as well as being more numerous in proportion to the men un- der arms. This progress was undoubtedly owing mostly to the French mode of attack and defence.
The uniform of the officers in the United States army had changed since the revolutionary war. The tendency had been toward show and extrava- gance, and elaborate embroidery in gold and gold lace trimmings, buttons, etc., and gaudy feathers. The black chapeau or cocked hat was still in use in form, but the extent and colors of the trimming upon it had generally followed that in use in the French army. Gold lace trimming and the epau- lettes and tall feathers were also of French fashion and were costly and showy.
The new army regulations changed some of this in many particulars. prescribing more neat and economical modes of form and make of officers' uniforms.
We will notice some of the most striking and ma- terial changes.
No lace was allowed to be worn by any grade excepting in epaulettes and sword knots. The epau- lettes of the general staff were of gold, and on the strap of each was two silver stars for a major-gen- eral, and one silver star for a brigadier-general.
The epaulettes were made of gold or silver lace with rich fringe and bullion. Field officers and all
196
UNIFORM OF OFFICERS.
grades above wore one on each shoulder. Captains wore only one, on the right shoulder; all subalterns wore one on the left shoulder only.
Straight swords were worn by all officers of the general staff excepting the officers of the adjutant, ir spector and quartermaster-general's department, who wore sabres. All were yellow, mounted with black or yellow grips.
The black chapeau was retained for general officers, but feathers were not allowed to be worn by the general officers or their staff. The fan of the cha- peau was to be not less than six and a half and not more than nine inches high in the rear, nor less than fifteen nor more than seventeen and a half inches from point to point. It was bound around the edge with black binding, half inch wide, and but- ton and loop black. The cockade of black, four and a half inches diameter, with a gold eagle in the cen- ter.
General officers and all others of the general staff not otherwise directed were to wear cocked hats without feathers.
The general staff wore black leather waist belts, no sashes were allowed.
Their coats were blue and were single-breasted. They were permitted to embroider the coat blind buttonholes with gold. There were ten in front, each five inches long at the top of the breast and three inches long at the bottom on each side, in "herring bone' form, with gilt bullet button at each end. There was one five inches long on each side of the standing collar of the coat and a button on each side.
There were four blind buttonholes in like form,
197
ARTILLERY UNIFORM.
proceeding from four buttons, running lengthwise on each skirt and a gilt star on the center of the bottom about two inches from the edge. The skirts were faced with blue, the bottom of each were not allowed to be more than seven inches nor less than three and a half inches wide, reaching to the bend of the knee. The cuffs were four inches wide, with four buttons in a row lengthwise on each sleeve.
Vests were white or buff, single-breasted, without pocket flaps.
Pantaloons or breeches were white or buff ; blue was allowed in winter and nankeen in the summer. When buff breeches were worn they were usually buckskin and had four buttons on the knees and gilt knee buckles. All buttons were of the bullet form. High military boots and gilt spurs were required, and a black stock of leather or silk for the neck.
The trimming of the coats of the artillery and infantry, field and staff officers, was different from that of the general staff. The buttonholes were not in "herring bone " in front. The vests and pan- taloons were of blue. The button and loop of the chapeau were yellow ; a white feather eight inches high ; the adjutant wore one white or red. *
The artillery, field and staff officers wore belts of white leather around the waist when on a tour of duty.
* The feathers then in vogue were vulture feathers fastened on a stem. and when completed were some six or eight inches in diameter at the top, and sixteen to eighteen inches tall, slightly waving at the top, and were of white and all colors, some with two or three colors on each, and others of only one color.
198
UNIFORM OF FIELD
The infantry, field and staff officers' dress was same as the artillery. The epaulettes, buttons, spurs, buckles and trimmings were silver or silver- plated. Their swords were of the sabre form.
The corps of United States engineers and that of sappers and miners, wore a blue coat with buff fac- ings, red linings, buff underclothes, and the epaul- ettes of their respective ranks. Such of them as were in military rank must wear the uniform of their rank and of the corps to which they belong in the line.
All officers were required to wear coats the length of those worn by the field officers. All the rank and file were required to wear coatees, the buttonholes of which were trimmed with tape only.
The infantry had cockade and brass eagle on their caps. The artillery had a plume. The light artillery and riflemen had a hat and feather. The dragoons had a cap and feather or plume. This was for privates. The plume was a single or slim feather and cost a private ten cents, while a feather was much more elaborate and cost a private thirty- five cents at that time. The cockade and brass eagle was retained. Leather caps were to be worn instead of worsted, and cotton or worsted pompons instead of feathers.
The uniform of non-commissioned officers and privates had changed many times since the first organization of the army. That of the infantry and artillery in use when the war commenced was blue, with red facings, and red collars and cuffs. The red collars and cuffs were not allowed by the new regu- lations of 1813.
199
OFFICERS AND PRIVATES.
The cavalry coat was green with black facings, white vest, breeches, top boots, and helmet of leather, crowned with black horse-hair trailing, and having a brass front representing a mounted dragoon in the act of charging. Officers, helmets bearing a ,green plume.
Musicians wore red coats, blue facings, blue waistcoats and breeches, and yellow silk epaulettes.
These rules and regulations as to uniform and dress of officers and privates applied to volunteers the same as to those in the regular United States army, but they did not apply to the militia, even when called into active service and mustered under the officers of the United States army.
When the militia were called into active service and under pay of the general government they were subject to the rules and articles of war like the reg- ular army. But a court martial for the trial of an accused militiaman was composed of militia officers only.
The militiaman when called into active service by the general government must provide his own clothing and personal equipments (see ante, p. 96). The clothing was to be uniform for privates in each regiment, battalion, or independent company, and was left to be regulated by the laws of the state in which the militiaman resided. The uniformed com- panies were always called upon when necessary, and those not uniformed were mustered with them in cases of greater emergency.
According to the laws of New York State the militia uniform was for-
General officers: dark blue coats with buff facings, linings, collars and cuffs, and buff vest and pants.
-200
UNIFORM OF MILITIA
Regimental and staff officers : dark blue coats with white linings, scarlet facings, collars and cuffs, and white vest and pants.
Non-commissioned officers and privates of the grenadier and light infantry : dark blue coats with white lining, scarlet facings, collars and cuffs, and white vest and pants.
The buttons were either white or yellow metal in the discretion of the brigadier-general of each brigade.
The cocked hat with the cockade of the army of the United States was worn by all the officers of the militia.
The uniforms of the cavalry and artillery were left in the discretion of the commander-in-chief, but were not to be changed only when a new com- pany or regiment was organized, or when it was convenient to change the uniforms already in use.
The militia cavalry uniform worn when the war commenced was for :-
Regimental field and staff and troop officers, a cap or helmet and a short scarlet coat faced with black silk velvet, the collars, cuffs and wings on the shoulders also of black silk velvet. There were eight buttons on the lappels, two on each side of the collar, three on each sleeve, three on each skirt; the buttonholes and the edges of the coat (the bot- tom excepted) were trimmed with gold lace or yel- low silk binding, the buttons and epaulettes of the like color, with buff vest, buckskin breeches and long black-topped boots. Plain saddle, bearskin holsters.
The chapeau and cocked hat, with tall, erect feather in front of only one color, was in universal
201
OF NEW YORK STATE.
use among the field officers of the state militia .* When the style or form of trimming was not pre- scribed by law it was usually the most showy and brilliant kind. In fact all the dress of the militia of that day was chiefly for dress parade and not with any idea of actual service. There was scarcely a regiment in which every company dressed alike. It was usually composed of several "independent com- panies " or had some of them attached to it, in which each company had a different uniform.
Some of the feathers worn by an officer would cost from four to seven dollars each. The militia cavalry and grenadiers were particularly showy in their gaudy uniform, bright colors, big caps and tall feathers of one color tipped with another, even for thé privates, while the officers were resplendent in gold lace epaulettes, red sash, chapeau or cocked hat and
* The distinction between a chapeau and a chapeau de bras is, that the latter was originally a broad brimmed hat, looped up at each side, made of pliable material so as to be folded or carried under the arm. The chapeau is a variation of it, and is made more formal and ornamental, and often of stiff material that would injure it, if folded up or crushed. In the 17th and 18th centuries, cardinals and other church dignitaries wore the chapeau de bras, and some wore red and others black, and soon
it was worn by the military officers. The use of the chapeau de bras was discontinued by the regimental officers in the armies of Europe in 1812, but with slight variations was continued in use by field officers in the armies of Europe and America and called chapeau. The cocked hat was made by looping up the broad brim at the back, and then at each side, thus presenting three points. This kind of hat was worn by the gentlemen in Europe and American throughont the 18th century. The cocked hat was also used by the common soldiers in European armies during that period. At the reform of military costume in Europe in 1812, caused by the large number in service, the common soldier ceased to use it there, but some of the officers continued its use.
When an American militia man, without rank, wore a chapeau, it was with a point over each shoulder and feather in the crown.
202
FIFE MUSIC
waving feathers, and gilded trappings of silver and gold.
The dress of the " Old Butcher Troop " * of cavalry, of New York City, as given by Col. Thomas F. De Voe, was a blue short tail coat trimmed with silver lace, which cost $60 ; buckskin breeches, cost $15 ; long boot, cost $15 to $20 ; a leather cone cap with falling or hanging red horse-hair from the top, $20.
The New Jersey militia wore dark blue clothes with light blue facings, collars and cuffs. They were called "Jersey Blues."
The uniform of some of the other militia com- panies have already been briefly described and sev- eral more of them will be noticed further on in this work. After these new regulations of dress for the regular army came in use, the general tendency of all new military uniforms was characterized by the forms these required.
A work on " War Tactics," by Gen. Wm. Duane, was adopted for use by the war department. The " Handbook for Infantry " by the same author, was the guide for drilling the new troops raised. He was adjutant-general in the United States army.
The music for fife and drum was arranged in a book by Charles S. Ashworth, and contained every kind of drum beat for signals, camp duty, marching, etc., and also every tune in it on the fife key that should accompany the drum. It was approved by the war department for use in the army and navy and soon was in general use by the militia.
* The " Old Butcher Troop " of New York city. was com- posed wholly of butchers. excepting one man, a cartman (named Brombush). John Perrin, Jr., was the captain, and it was at first attached to Major James Warner's squadron of cavalry, but in 1814 it was attached to and served in Gen. Jacob Odell's brigade.
203
AND DRUM BEATING.
It was found that when several companies of militia were brought together from different neigh- borhoods that there was no uniformity in their sys. tem or style of beating the drum to accompany tunes, and as for drum signals, etc., very little was known of them by any militia drummer or the men in the ranks.
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