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 20
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There was no fear of the large war vessels ap- proaching because of the sand bars and shoals about there. They were frequently seen up near Rock- away, however. At that time there was a daily stage from Brooklyn to Rockaway.
A gentleman stated that at Rockaway, on the 15th of September, as he and another person were about going to bathe on the beach at that place, they dis- covered near the shore four barges, supposed to be- long to the frigate Statira, in pursuit of a schooner which was endeavoring to gain the shore. While the gentlemen were considering whether it would be
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ENEMY AT ROCKAWAY.
safe to bathe in that situation a cannon ball from one of the barges passed within four feet of one of them; they then thought it time to make off, and had not proceeded but a short distance before another ball struck and lodged in the ground within a foot of the other gentleman. This ball was brought to Rockaway and weighed over twelve pounds.
The enemy also had a large fleet in the Chesa- peake about that time. The whole force there was reported to be thirty-seven vessels, as follows : five 74's, eleven frigates, two transports, nine brigs and ten schooners. They stayed in that neighborhood until in November.
CHAPTER XVI.
The City in Mourning-Funeral of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow-Perry's Victory on Lake Erie and Gen. Harrison's Victory over the Indians-Great Rejoicing -- Public and Pri- vate Buildings Illuminated-Effect of these Victories-British Boasting.
P to this time the hopes and fears that alternately dwelt in the public mind in New York city caused by the course of events, had little or no visible causes of mourning. No public sor- row had been recognized as such by all. When the intelligence of the death of Capt. Lawrence was received a thrill of sorrow and grief pervaded the public mind. He had been publicly honored by the city authorities on the eve of his de- parture, in recognition of the victory of the Hornet over the Peacock, as already narrated in a previous chapter. Popular opinion demanded that something further should be done to honor his memory.
The plate that had been ordered to be presented to him in behalf of the city (ante, chapter XII.) had never been presented, because he had been or- dered away before it could be made ready for formal presentation. He left his family in New York and hastened to Boston, where he was ordered to the command of the Chesapeake, and sail against the enemy, who were then frequently seen on the east- ern coast.
On that bright June morning, when the Chesa-
305
DEATH OF CAPT. LAWRENCE.
peake and her brave commander sailed forth out of Boston harbor, to meet the haughty Briton who was defiantly flaunting the flag that claimed to rule the seas, with the American battle flag bearing the motto "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," and the stars and stripes of his country, it was not supposed that even his defeat might leave a legacy of courage to his countrymen that could never be forgotten.
It was under this banner and the stars and stripes, while his youthful life blood was rapidly flowing, that he said : "Tell the men to fire faster and not give up the ship. Fight her until she sinks." It was thus that the battle cry of "Don't give up the ship " had its origin .*
* To most of us who are past middle age the event of the battle of the Chesapeake and Shannon, and the motto "Don't give up the ship " seems ancient. But long ago and very recently and during the time when this chapter was going through the press the writer has conversed with a spectator of that event as viewed from the cupola of the old State House in Boston. The spectator, who resides in this city, is still sound in mind and body, Mr. John Davenport, who has been so long (since 1848) connected with the public school system in New York city, is well-known by many. He remembers distinctly the event, which he saw when a boy of nine years. When Capt. Lawrence marched down State Street in Boston on that day (June 1, 1813). to take the Chesapeake and give battle to the Shannon, which was then in plain sight off Boston harbor, all was excitement. All day the news of the expected battle had been spreading and the docks and house tops and church spires and all the eminences that could command a view in the direc- tion of the vessels, were swarming with people. Occasionally a gun could be heard, but the battle did not occur until near the close of the afternoon. Young Davenport, when on his way home from school about four o'clock, as he was about passing the old State House, thought he would go up in it. He climbed up to the cupola and found only two men there. They had a field glass and were kind enough to hold it for him, and he saw the smoke from the guns of each vessel puff out towards the other, but could hear no sound. The smoke of the battle could be seen by the multitude, and after a time the firing ceased and the two ships silently moved out to sea and finally disappeared in the evening shades. Then it was almost instinctively felt that the Chesapeake had been captured. It was merely a mat-
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ACTION OF THE
On the 12th of July a committee, consisting of the Recorder and Messrs. Lawrence and Smith, were appointed by the common council to consider and report what testimonials of respect would be proper for the common council to pay to the memory of the late Capt. James Lawrence.
When it had been learned that the bodies of the dead heroes were in Salem and could be brought here, a committee was appointed on Aug. 28th "to make such arrangements and direct such funeral honors to be paid to the remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow as they shall deem proper." The committee consisted of Messrs. Lawrence, Smith and King.
Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, who fell at the side of Capt. Lawrence, was from Newburg, N. Y., and was scarcely twenty-two years of age .*
Mr. Edward N. Cox, who resided at 35 Cortlandt Street, New York, a brother-in-law to Capt. Law- rence, proceeded to Salem, Mass., and having received the bodies of the two heroes, conveyed them to the city of New York.
On the 13th of September, the mortal remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow arrived in New York from Salem by land, some delay having occurred in obtaining a permit from Capt. Oliver, in
ter of conjecture for several days, but the first tidings came from Halifax, where the Shannon had taken her captive. The burial of Capt Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow, who fell by his side, had then taken place with military honors in Halifax. In New York city it was reported for several days that the Shannon had been captured.
* Lieut. Ludlow was one of the much esteemed family of that name and one of the three sons of Robert C. Ludlow, of Orange County. They were all in the navy. See "Our Predecessors and Descendants," by Robert Ludlow Fowler, New York, 1888.
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307
COMMON COUNCIL.
command of the British squadron blockading New York, to bring them in by sea. They were placed on board the U. S. sloop-of-war Alert, near Gover- nor's Island, until preparations for a public funeral could be made.
On the next day the committee, to whom it was referred to report such public testimonials of respect as it would be proper to pay to the remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow, reported the follow- ing recitals and resolutions :
"The common council have received, with feelings of the deepest regret, intelligence of the death of Capt. James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Lud- low, who fell in the late engagement of the U. S. frigate Chesapeake with the British frigate Shannon. While they mingle their tears with those of their fellow citizens in lamenting their loss, they also add their tribute of esteem and admiration for the hero- ism and gallantry which they displayed in that ac- tion which terminated their honorable career.
"To reward by marks of public esteem deeds of individual heroism is just, as the recompense of merit ; and proper, as an incentive to future acts of patriotism.
"Therefore, to evince the high sense this corpo- ration entertains of acts of devotion to our country, and of the affectionate regard which they hold the memory of the late Capt. James Lawrence, it is
" Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be granted to each of the two children of Capt. Lawrence and be vested in the commissioners of the sinking fund of the corporation, the interest aris- ing therefrom to be added at least yearly to the. principal and to be paid by them to the said chil-
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FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
dren, to the daughter when she shall arrive at the age of eighteen years, and to the son when he shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years. In case of the death of either before his or her arrival at the age above mentioned the portion of the deceased to the survivor, and in case of the death of both, the sums to revert to the common council to be here- after applied to reward such naval merit as the common council shall determine.
" Resolved, That the common council will take charge of the interment of the remains, etc."
The resolution as to the donation to the children was carried by ten votes in the affirmative and eight in the negative. All the others were passed unanimously.
Another resolution declared that the common council take charge of the interment and pre- scribed regulations and the order of the procession, etc.
The committee having this in charge were Messrs. Lawrence, Smith and King. The resolutions and order of procession were published.
The next day the committee having the funeral in charge published the following :
"The committee, since the arrangement made by the common council, understand that several of the societies are anxious to join the funeral procession of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow, distinct from the general invitation to all the citizens, do hereby notify them that places in the procession will be as- signed to them, and that punctuality of attendance at the hour appointed is indispensable."
The following military order was at once is- sued :
309
MILITARY ORDER.
"ARTILLERY BRIGADE ORDERS.
"NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 1813.
"The remains of our countrymen, Captain James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, having been brought to this city for interment and the com- mon council of the city having requested that military honors should be paid on the occasion, the several corps of the brigade in this city and its vicinity will therefore parade on the battery on Thursday next, the 16th, in time to form the line at 9 o'clock A. M. precisely ; those doing duty with muskets with their arms, and those attached to pieces and not de- tailed for other purposes, with side arms, the light artillery dismounted. The officers will wear crape on their left arm, and mourning sword knots. The instruments of music will be dressed with the usual badge of mourning. The firing at the grave will be performed by a detachment from the second regi- ment. Minute guns are to be fired from the bat- tery during the procession. This duty will be per- formed by a detachment from the third regiment.
" Ammunition will be furnished by the brigade quartermaster at the arsenal at 5 o'clock on Wed- nesday next.
"By order of BRIG .- GEN. MORTON.
" THOS. R. MERCEIN,
" Brigade Major and Inspector."
The city felt and recognized the solemn presence of death for three days until the last sad funeral rites on the 16th, by which the brave dead heroes were committed to the earth. The weather was fine. On that day, at ten o'clock, each of the bodies were re- moved from the war sloop Alert to a 12-oared launch
310
FUNERAL PROCESSION OF
rowed by seamen dressed in white, supported each by a barge with navy officers on each side, preceded by launches, two 16-oared and one 12-oared, with marines, officers and a band of music as an escort. Following the bodies were twelve barges belonging to the navy, with seamen and officers.
Capt. Evans, of the navy, who had succeeded Capt. Lawrence when he was ordered away from New York, was still in command of this naval sta- tion.
Each coffin was covered with the American flag, and the hats, swords and pistols of the deceased ; the colors half mast, the band playing a solemn funeral dirge, and the rowers dressed in navy uni- form. Minute guns were fired alternately from the Alert and the Navy Yard. The bodies were landed on the west side of the Battery, and taken from the boats and placed on hearses, when they were car- ried upon the battery park where the artillery under Gen. Morton, and cavalry under Major James War- ner, were paraded, with a number of civic societies to receive them. Minute guns from a detachment of artillery near the flag-staff, were commenced- all flags were half mast, and a general tolling of bells begun.
The procession moving with funeral tread* to the solemn music of " Roslyn Castle," took its way from the Battery through Greenwich to Chambers Street, to Chatham Street (now Park Row), to Broadway down to Trinity Church.
The procession moved in the following order :
*The military funeral tread was 70 steps to a minute. The right hand beat of the bass drum was the guide to the time of planting the right foot.
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MILITARY AND CIVIC SOCIETIES.
The cavalry, dismounted.
The brigade of artillery, flying artillery included, standards and side arms, and music in mourn- ing crape-the Dead March playing -muffled drums. Society of Cincinnati. United States marines. Clergy of different denominations. The body of Capt. Lawrence carried by pall bearers on foot, followed by sixteen sailors with a bier. The body of Lieut. Ludlow carried and attended in the same manner. Relatives in mourning. Mayor, Recorder, and Common Council escorted by the city peace officers. United States naval officers. Seamen of the Navy and Flotilla. United States Marines. Navy Agent, Collector, United States District Attorney, Marshal, etc. City Marine Society .* United States military officers. New York State militia officers not on other duty. The thirty-one City Masonic Lodges. Tammany Society. Columbian Society.
*The Marine Society of the city was a corporation the objects of which was to improve maritime knowledge, and to relieve in- digent and distressed masters of vessels and their wives and orphans. It was of high standing at that time. Capt. Law- rence was a member.
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CEREMONIES AT TRINITY
Hamilton Society. Washington Benevolent Society. (The banners and insignia of the societies were shrouded in crape. Mourning badges were worn by the members of each society, etc.) Citizens.
The procession was three hours in passing a given point. It was more compact than those usual at the present day.
The concourse of spectators who witnessed this interesting and impressive exhibition was estimated to be about thirty thousand persons. The streets were crowded and the windows full and many roofs covered with citizens viewing the grand and solemn spectacle.
The bodies of the heroes were met at the entrance of the church portal on Broadway by Rev. Dr. Thomas Y. How, assistant rector of Trinity parish, who preceded the cortege, on entering the church, repeating in a loud voice the words, " I am the resur- rection and the life" -- the beginning of the order of burial service of the Protestant Episcopal Church. After the entrance the anthem was sung, followed by the reading of the usual lesson by Dr. How. After this elegiac verses composed for the occasion by Francis Arden, Esq., were sung by the choir. Then the bodies were removed to the grave prepared for them on the west side of the churchyard, directly west of the portico on the south side of the church. While at the grave, when the corpses were being made ready to be laid in the grave, and the removal of the hats, swords and pistols of the deceased from
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AND AT THE GRAVE ..
the coffins (the American flags that were wrapped around them were allowed to remain), Dr. How proceeded with that part of the burial service pre- scribed to be said at the grave. After the grave was filled and the church ceremony completed, the long roll of the drums was sounded, and a volley of musketry was fired over it by the detachment se- lected from the second regiment for that purpose, and the "taps" of the drums were sounded, and the crowd slowly dispersed, as the tolling of the bells ceased. *
The colors of the public and private shipping in the harbor and on the public buildings and at the different fortifications were set at half mast from sunrise to sunset. No accident or mishap occurred among the multitudes on the land and water, who were out on the occasion.
Among the marines in the procession were some of the crew of the Hornet that were with Capt. Lawrence when he captured the Peacock. The Hor- net was still held in New London harbor by the
* In 1816 the city corporation erected a monument in Trinity Churchyard over the remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Lud- low. It was a broken column of white marble of the Ionic order, the capital broken off and lying on the base. The slabs at the base of the column bore elaborate and appropriate inscriptions to their deeds and memory. In 1847 the remains of Capt. Law- rence and Lieut. Ludlow were removed to near the southeast corner of the church, near the front entrance of the yard on Broadway, on the left, and the monolith now standing over the graves was then erected there by the city. The marble slab placed by the city over the grave in 1816 may be seen at the rooms of the New York Historical Society, where it was taken for preservation at the suggestion and instance of Benson J. Lossing, Esq., the popular historian, and author of "Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812," and many other works.
Capt. Lawrence's wife survived him for many years. She died on Sept. 15, 1865, and her remains were placed beside those of her husband, a few days afterwards, where they now repose.
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ARRANGEMENT OF TIIE
British blockading squadron, but the crew could go elsewhere.
The presence of the enemy's vessels about Sandy Hook prevented the military forces stationed about the ports in the bay and at the Narrows from tak- ing only a little part in the procession.
From the best information that can be obtained, and from calculations, the writer estimates that the procession contained about six thousand persons walking four abreast.
The Masons were the largest body in the proces- sion. There were probably about fifteen hundred in number from thirty-one lodges and chapters.
Any person viewing the funeral procession or the evidences of grief and sorrow displayed on that occasion by the various societies and classes it con- tained, must be struck by the apparent harmony that prevailed on that occasion.
There was the Tammany Society and the Wash- ington Benevolent Society, the Columbian and the Hamilton, and other discordant bodies all marching in line and keeping step together to the music of a funeral dirge.
The exhibition is still more wonderful when we remember the discords and diversities that pre- vailed among them only a few weeks before in the celebration of the 4th of July.
As soon as the announcement was made by the committee, of the order of the procession and the general invitation of citizens to join in the proces- sion, several societies hastened to the committee at once to have a place assigned them. One of the first that did this was the Tammany Society. They foresaw the troubles that might arise and the pub-
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315
. CIVIC SOCIETIES.
lic disgrace that might follow on the occasion if some declined to appear because others were there.
On the 15th the Tammany Society issued the fol- lowing :
"BROTHERS : You are once more called upon to exhibit the public testimonials of respect to the he- roic dead. Local or party distinctions find no place in the bosom of a single son of the heroic Tammany on this occasion.
"The society are specially requested to attend at Tammany Hall to-morrow morning precisely at nine o'clock, with their usual badge of mourning for departed heroes slain in battle, viz., a red ribbon edged with black worn on the left arm. The design is to join the other societies in solemnizing the tribute of funeral respect to those heroes, Capt. James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, who fell gloriously in defending their country's right and the national honor.
" The bodies will arrive at the Battery precisely at 10 o'clock under the direction of the honorable cor- poration of the city.
"By order of the president,
" JAMES W. LENT, " BENJ. ROMAINE, " ABRAHAM STAGG,
" Committee of Arrangements."
Representatives of several societies gave notice that they would meet on the evening of the 15th and assign places in the procession to such societies as desired to take part as distinct organizations. This was more difficult because Capt. Lawrence was a member of the Cincinnati Society, the City Marine
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EMBLEMS OF MOURNING.
Society, the Masonic fraternity, and some of the other societies, and those claimed preferences ahead of other organizations of citizens. On that evening the representatives assigned those that had applied in the following order among citizens : Ma- sons, City Marine, Tammany, Hatters, Washington, Columbian. But this was not satisfactory, and by. looking at the order of the procession as it occurred at the funeral, it can be seen that subsequent changes were made and one society at least, the Hatters, did not appear in the procession.
The two brigades of infantry militia did not appear in the procession, probably because so many of their ranks belonged to the Masons and other societies. The officers of the tenth brigade appeared together in the procession.
Nearly all of the members of societies wore badges of mourning. Those of which the deceased had been a member wore the mourning badge usual on the loss of a member.
The Washington Benevolent Society carried its banner shrouded in black at the head of the society. The members of that society wore their badges with a small black rosette near the top.
The Hamilton Society members wore a black ro- sette near the top of their badge.
Tammany Society did not carry any banner, but appeared in the plain manner specified in the order before given.
The committee of arrangements, the mayor, re- corder, common council and clergy, met in the rooms of the Historical Society in the Government House, opposite Bowling Green, and started from there in the funeral procession.
317
"DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP."
The military and societies formed in the side streets near the Battery and on Broadway, and marched so as to fall in the procession as it left the Battery, and proceeded up Greenwich Street.
On the 19th day of September the new sloop-of- war Peacock was launched from the yard of Adam and Noah Brown. She was built in seventy-two working days, and made to carry twenty-four guns- twenty-two 32-pound carronades and two long 18s. She was then placed in command of Capt. Warring- ton. The greater part of her crew were the brave fellows who, while under Capt. Lawrence, sunk her namesake-they were the former crew of the Hor- net, which was still held in New London harbor by the British blockading squadron, but nearly all her crew could be assigned for service elsewhere.
Although the bodies were dead the souls of those heroes were marching on to victory. "Don't give up to the ship" had been wafted over the land and broad ocean wave, wherever the American flag was known. While the remains were being brought to New York, four days before their arrival here, Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, had named his flag ship Lawrence, and had inscribed on his battle flag the motto "Don't give up the ship."
The battle of Lake Erie had been fought and won on the 10th of September, while the funeral cortege bearing Lawrence's body was wending its way through the land to its final resting-place. His brave soul seemed to actuate his countrymen to deeds of patriotism and victory. "Don't give up the ship " was their motto in every battle by sea or land.
It was a few days after the funeral of Lawrence
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COM. PERRY'S VICTORY.
and Ludlow, on the 22d of September, that the joy- ful news of Perry's victory was known in New York. It came by the way of Pittsburgh ; then the tears and sorrow were turned into joy and glad- ness.
On the 24th, as a demonstration of joy on the in- telligence of the victory on Lake Erie, at noon a national salute was fired from the navy yard, from the Alert, from the gunboats off the Battery, from the revenue cutter and from Castle William. Com. Lewis dressed his schooner handsomely in the col- ors, and the chimes of Trinity church rang a merry peal and flags were displayed on the different public edifices.
The various places of public amusement attested and proved the public feeling in the evening on the news of Perry's victory.
The State Society of Cincinnati voted that he be admitted an honorary member thereof on the 4th of July, 1814 (see ante p. 208, note).
On the 4th of October, the recorder, Mr. Hoff- man, presented the following resolutions to the common council which were unanimously agreed . to :
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