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 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
" The common council have received with feel- ings of no ordinary interest intelligence of the recent achievement of Com. Perry on Lake Erie, an achievement which, while it confirms the charac- ter for valor hitherto sustained by our brave tars, evinces the nautical skill of our naval commanders. It would ill comport with the high sense which this brilliant deed has afforded to the common council of the city of New York were they to pass it over in silence.
319
ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
"In testimony, therefore, of the high sense which the common council entertain of the valor and skill displayed by Com. Perry in his late discomfiture and capture of the whole of the British fleet on the waters of Lake Erie,
" Resolved, That the freedom of the city be pre- sented to Com. Perry in a gold box, and that he be requested to sit for his portrait to be placed in the gallery of portraits of the common council.
" Resolved, also, That the thanks of the common council be presented to the gallant officers and crew of the fleet under his command who achieved this victory so honorable to the rising navy of our coun- try.
" Resolved, That his honor, the Mayor, be re- quested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to Com. Perry and that the recorder, Mr. Smith, and Mr. King be appointed a committee to carry the said resolutions into effect."
The public feeling was such that an opportunity for a popular demonstration of joy to be abundantly expressed was inevitable. The most popular and hearty mode of celebrating victories at that time was by the illumination of buildings in the evening. Many of the societies and places of amusements, large halls, hotels, and public buildings had designat- ed this to be done on the evening of the 23d of Octo- ber. The common council waited until the last to fall in with this mode of celebration, because they deemed it unsafe to the city, as it had a tendency to produce fires, and they had several times requested citizens to refrain from this mode of celebrating a victory. But now the popular demand was too powerful to withstand, so on the 22d the following resolutions,
320
GRAND ILLUMINATION,
presented to the common council by Mr. King, were unanimously adopted :
"Resolved, That in celebration of the brilliant victory achieved by Com. O. H. Perry, on Lake Erie, and the important successes of Gen. Harrison resulting in a great measure therefrom, the City Hall of this city be illuminated on Saturday evening next from the hours of seven until ten o'clock.
" Resolved, That Alderman Mesier, Mr. Smith and Mr. King be a committee to carry the above resolution into effect."
. This was the first time since the war commenced that there had been an illumination of the public buildings or a general illumination because of any victory by sea or land .*
On that evening the City Hall front was lighted at every window from basement to cupola. The illu- mination consisted of placing several rows of light- ed candles in regular order at each pane of glass in every window. + Tammany Hall, Washington Hall, and Mechanic's Hall, the Custom House, the differ- ent hotels, public houses and markets, the debtor's
* Illuminations of this kind were frequently given in Europe and America about those times to celebrate a great event. London was illuminated to celebrate the victory of the Shunnon over the Chesapeake. This was the first time the new City Hall, as it was then called, was illuminated. The last time it was il- luminated was in September, 1858, to celebrate the completion of the laying of the Atlantic ocean telegraph cable.
+ The panes of glass in the windows of the City Hall were of the same size as at the present time (1889). They were four panes broad and from four to eight panes high -- the second story having the tallest windows. In a similar illumination of the City Hall it consisted of a total of 1,542 wax candles and about 450 lamps, giving effect to the transparencies, and 310 variegated lamps. These latter were placed on the outside along the edge of the roof and about the cupola and over each window and door, and around the balcony and portico ; some were in arches and others in lines appropriately and effectively arranged.
321
OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
prison, and many private houses joined in the bril- liant display of like illumination.
The transparent naval paintings used in the former celebrations in the City Hotel were displayed at the City Hall front with the addition of others representing the two hostile fleets on Lake Erie and the motto : "Don't give up the Ship."
A full band of music was placed on the balcony of the portico of the City Hall, and performed many popular pieces during the illumination.
At Tammany Hall, over the front, was a trans- parency painted by Holland, representing the Indian chiefs surrendering to Gen. Harrison and soliciting peace ; also a view of Commodore Perry at the bat- tle of Lake Erie.
On the front of the Park Theater was a transpar- ent painting representing the American eagle spreading over a considerable portion of the globe, and pointing with his beak to the motto from Per- ry's famous despatch : "We have met the enemy and they are ours." The front was also ornamented by variegated lamps. The naval panorama building, next adjoining the theater, exhibited a mechanical transparency representing in continual and rapid motion a hornet striking a peacock on its breast, and other devices and descriptions.
At the debtor's prison (now Hall of Records) ap- peared in letters of fire "We have met the enemy," etc., and "Go ye and do likewise."
From the Battery was seen two of Commodore Lewis' gunboats superbly decorated with lamps of various colors. His barge was ornamented with patriotic transparencies and in the course of the
322
EFFECT OF PERRY'S AND
evening a discharge of rockets from his boat enliv- ened the scene.
The bells throughout the city were rung and sa- lutes fired from all the forts, from the navy yard and the flotilla.
The demonstrations of joy were equally hearty all over the country. The reason for it will be apparent when we reflect that Perry's victory was the first victory of importance that the Americans had won in the war, and in connection with Har- rison's victory at the battle of the Thames, the two must ever be regarded as giving the best assurance to the people of the confidence they were to repose in the military achievements of their country- men.
It was remarked at the time "that victories like those, which gave security and repose to two hun- dred thousand families, who had a week before never went to sleep with the certainty of escaping conflagration or the tomahawk until morning, was a true occasion for rejoicing."
At the meeting of the British Parliament in No vember, 1813, the Prince Regent addressed them on affairs in America as well as in Europe. On the motion for addresses in answer to the Prince in the House of Lords, Lord Compton said : " He would now turn to the new world. * *
" She had already been roused from her dream of maritime superiority by the thunder of the Shan- non ; and when she saw the heroic and successful resistance of Canada, when she found her com- merce annihilated, her ports blockaded, her armies captured and destroyed, she must perceive the inu- tility of her efforts to injure our power ; and, with
323
GEN. HARRISON'S VICTORIES.
the declining fortunes of France, her blindness must dissipate, her eyes open to the light, and her mind to wisdom."
This speech was made before the news of Perry's victory on Lake Erie was published in England.
CHAPTER XVII.
1
Major-Gen. Dearborn Placed in Command at New York-Sketch of Gen. Dearborn-British War Vessels about the Narrows- Target Practice by Artillery-Gunboat Skirmish-Close of the Campaign of 1813 -- Last Military Parade of the Season -- Sketch of Gen. Morton-Evacuation Day Celebration-Troops in Service.
N the 20th of October, Major-Gen. Henry Dearborn arrived in the city to take command of the third mili- tary district, comprising New York city and vicinity, to supersede Gen. Izard. Col. James House, of the United States artillery, was in com- mand at Governor's Island, and he fired a salute from Castle William in honor of the arrival of Maj-Gen. Dearborn. This salute was fif- teen guns and was from twelve-pounders. A brig- adier-general commanding a district was entitled to a salute of thirteen guns. No person was to be saluted only on his arrival at a post.
Gen. Dearborn was then the senior Major-Gen- eral in the United States army, and by the regula- tions was the General-in-chief of all the armies of the United States .*
* HENRY DEARBORN was "a veteran of the Revolution. He was born in Hampton, N. H., in March, 1751 ; studied medicine and had been settled three years in Nottingham Square, when, on the 20th of April, 1775, an express announced the battle of Lexington on the previous day. The militia had already gath- ered, and armed and accoutred they proceeded the same day to Cambridge, with Dearborn, a distance of sixty-five miles in wenty hours. On the return he was appointed a captain in
325
DEATH OF GEN. DEARBORN.
The day of General Dearborn's arrival, the enemy again appeared in Long Island Sound near New York, and took and burnt a few small vessels. Com. Lewis, with his flotilla of gunboats, left his station at New York on the 25th of October to repel them. They had withdrawn and he returned to his station.
On the 31st of October the third regiment United States volunteers under Lieut .- Col. Denniston, sta- tioned at Fort Gates at Sandy Hook, and the ma- rines of the gunboat flotilla were reviewed and in- spected by Major-Gen. Dearborn, and Inspector-Gen. Gray, with a number of other officers of the district. Gen. Dearborn was much gratified with their gen- eral discipline and expertness, and the flotilla corps,
Col. Stark's regiment. He was with his company at the battle of Bunker Hill. In September he accompanied Arnold in the expedition to Quebec. More than a month was consumed in the wilderness before they reached the first house in Canada, on Nov. 4th. The suffering and hardships endured on this expedi- tion seem almost incredible. Capt. Dearborn was seized with a fever and left behind, but joined his company in December at Point Levi. In the assault on the city of Quebec on December 31st, he and his company were taken prisoners by Capt. Law. In May, 1776, was paroled and in March, 1777, was exchanged. He was appointed a major in Col. Samuels' New Hampshire reg- iment, and in May proceeded to Ticonderoga, and participated in the battles around Saratoga in 1777. He did great service at that time and was appointed lieutenant-colonel of a picked corps of three hundred men and placed in front, in concert with Mor- gan's riflemen, at the battle of Stillwater. He was then in Gen. Arnold's division ; was present at the surrender of Bourgoyne in October. The next winter he passed at Valley Forge with the maiu army under Gen. Washington in person ; was at the battle of Monmouth in June, 1778. He accompanied Gen. Sullivan in his expedition against the six nations of Indians in the State of New York in 1779, and in the battle at Newtown (now Elmira) was attached to Gen. Poor's brigade. When the treason of Arnold transpired, he was stationed at West Point, and was officer of the day at the execution of Major Andre. He was at the seige and surrender of Yorktown in 1781. During 1782 was on garrison duty at the frontier posts on Lake Champlain. After the peace, emigrated in 1784 to the banks of the Kennebec
.
326
REVIEW AT SANDY HOOK.
consisting of about 500 men, received his warm and hearty approbation. At his landing a salute was fired from the fort and another at his departure.
The forty-second United States infantry was rap- idly being recruited in the city, in charge of Lieut .- Col. Forbes. This was under the law of Congress of July last, by which five regiments could be formed and limited as to service, to the defence of such ports of the seaboard as the president should elect. This regiment was one located for the defence of New York during the war.
It will be remembered that when the enemy's vessels came down Long Island Sound on the 8th of September a' battalion of Westchester County militia was ordered out by Gen. Stevens. After
and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Was appointed marshal of Maine in 1789, and was twice elected to Congress. Was appointed secretary of war by President Jefferson in 180:, which he held for eight years; was then, 1809, appointed collector of the port of Boston by Mr. Madison, which office he held until he was appointed, in January, 1812, major-general in the army of the United States. This appointment placed him at the head of the army and its general-in-chief. He soon proceeded to Wash- ington and assumed the command in Febuary following.
In May he was placed in command of the northern division of the army and proceeded to Albany and elsewhere north, and was on the Niagara frontier during the early part of the campaign there in 1813. He captured York (now Toronto) and Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara river. In consequence of some dis- agreement with Gen. Morgan Lewis (which was attributed in part to the illness of Gen. Dearborn), in July he received orders from the secretary of war to retire from the command of that district and the troops there "until his health shall be estab- lished and until further orders," with which he complied about the middle of July. Was, in October, ordered to assume com- mand of the military district of New York city and arrived here, as before stated, and took command and continued here until the spring of 1814, when he was superseded. He contin- ued nominally the general-in-chief of the United States army until he was among the disbanded, and retired on June 15, 1815. He was afterwards minister to Portugal in 1822. Died at Rox- bury, Mass., June 6, 1829.
327
COMPLIMENTS TO COL. WILLIAMS.
they were discharged and applied for their pay Gen. Fenwick, the adjutant-general in United States army, stated to Gen. Stevens that there was no authority for the payment of them by the general government. Gen. Stevens communicated this to the common council of the city and it was by them referred to their committee of defence.
We have before seen that Col. Jonathan Wil- liams resigned from the army in July, 1812 (ante, p. 108). After this his advice was sought by the common council committee of defence. The value of his service in the construction of the forti- fications for this port before the war were always before the people, and it was deemed proper that some public recognition should be made.
On the first of November Alderman Mesier offered the following resolution, which was unanimously agreed to :
"The common council in consideration of the high sense they entertain of the important services rendered to this city by Col. Jonathan Williams in preparing and executing plans of defence for this port, and as an evidence of the distinguished es- teem they entertain for his character and profes- sional talents,
" Resolved, that he be requested to sit for his likeness to be preserved in the gallery of portraits belonging to the city, and that the clerk of the common council be authorized to see this resolution carried into effect."
At the next meeting the following letter from Col. Williams was read :
328
COL. WILLIAMS' REPLY.
"NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 1813.
"Sir :- I have had the honor of receiving an ex- tract from the minutes of the common council of the city of New York, dated the 1st inst., by which it appears they have not only favored me with the most flattering approbation of the works of defence which it has been my fortunate lot to erect on the borders of this harbor, but have also requested me to sit for my likeness to be preserved in the gallery of portraits in this city.
"The usual expressions of thanks for marks of distinction and acquiescence in honorable intentions would fall far short of a description of my feelings on this occasion ; for my attachment to this city in everything that can relate to its safety, honor and prosperity, is so interwoven with the most respect- ful and affectionate regard for your honorable and patriotic corporation and citizens individually, as well as collectively, that I can only say that my gratitude will have no other bounds than my exis- tence.
" As you have been the official organ of the com- munication permit me to ask you to be the means of conveying my answer to it.
"I am, etc., " JONA. WILLIAMS.
".J. MORTON,
" Clerk Common Council."
A portrait of Col. Jonathan Williams, painted by Sully, was subsequently placed in the governor's room in the City Hall.
Gen. Dearborn was well received in New York, and the militia vied with the regular army in ex-
ARTILLERY TARGET PRACTICE. 329
hibiting their discipline and skill as well as ardor for the defence of their country.
Gen. Morton issued the following order for artil- lery review and target practice :
"FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. S. ARTILLERY. " BRIGADE ORDERS.
"NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 1813.
"The several regiments of this brigade in this city and its vicinity, will parade at the Battery on the 3d inst., the line to be formed at 10 o'clock A.M., and reviewed by the Major-General at half past ten.
" The hulk which has been prepared as a target for practice, will be anchored in the stream at the distance of one thousand yards from the Battery, and the firing will commence at 12 o'clock. Four batteries, one of which will consist of eleven 12- pounders and the other three of four 13-pounders each, will be established and assigned, one to each of the regiments. The major of brigade will attend at the flagstaff on Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock, and will assign to the commandants the battery they are to direct. They will see that the cannon and their necessary implements are at the respective batteries in due season. The brigade quartermas- ter will attend at the arsenal this afternoon at three o'clock to deliver the requisite ammunition.
"As the troops are on this occasion to exhibit their skill in gunnery, they will fire with delibera- tion and in succession from right to left, the left gun always to wait until the right has fired.
" As it may be necessary from circumstances to direct the firing to cease, an orderly drum is to be stationed at each battery and will repeat any signal
-
330
MILITARY REVIEW AND
which may be given from the right. Some shells will be thrown from a mortar and howitzer under the direction of the General, aided by some files de- tached for that purpose by the brigade major on the ground.
" By order of GEN. MORTON.
" THOS. R. MERCEIN, Brigade Major."
The following account of it was written at the time :
"In pursuance of brigade orders, that part of Gen. Morton's brigade of State artillery stationed in this city yesterday paraded on the Battery to fire at the hulk of a small vessel prepared as a target for that purpose. The line was formed at eleven o'clock, and was reviewed by Maj .- Gen. Dearborn. The troops sustained their former high reputation for orderly conduct and soldier-like appearance. At twelve o'clock the target was anchored opposite the Battery, in a range with the quarantine ground, about 1,000 yards distant. The firing commenced on the right, and was continued in regular succes- sion from right to left for an hour and a half, during which time both masts were carried away, the sides of the vessel were much splintered, and the hulk bored through in several places. At the eighty- eighth shot she sunk. Of the number of shot (about ninety) which were fired, it is computed that fifty struck the vessel ; and it was universally be- lieved that had a ship of war been the object, instead of a vessel of 60 tons, nearly every shot would have done execution.
"The experiment did great honor to the brigade, and afforded to our citizens (thousands of whom
331
ARTILLERY TARGET PRACTICE.
were assembled to witness it) proof of the utility and efficiency of a well regulated militia corps.
* * * ×
"It gives us great satisfaction further to add, that every facility towards completing the experi- ment was afforded by Gen. Dearborn, commanding this station, and by Col. Platt, State commissioner of military stores.
"Com. Lewis and Capt. Jones, of the United States flotilla, rendered essential service by having the target moored in a proper position.
"Justice requires us to notice the excellent firing of the Veteran corps commanded by Capt. Chap- man, and which did much execution."
The following recognition of this review and prac- tice was officially announced :
" General Dearborn has the pleasure to announce to Brig .- Gen. Morton, of the first brigade of New York State artillery, the high satisfaction he ex- perienced in the review of his brigade. Their ap- pearance was every way military, and their firing at the target would do honor to the oldest artiller- ists.
"He observed with peculiar pleasure the corps of veterans who, at an advanced period of life, evince a determination to be first in, the defence of their country and its rights.
"HEADQUARTERS, Nov. 3, 1813."
The veteran corps of artillery also published a notice of their great satisfaction and approval of the action and skill displayed by the militia under Gen. Morton on that occasion.
-
332
MILITARY PARADE.
On Nov. 3, the enemy's ship Plantagenet chased the American schooner Sparrow, bound from New Orleans to New York laden with sugar and lead, on shore near Long Branch, six miles distant from where Com. Lewis' flotilla was stationed near Sandy Hook, and took possession of her with about one hundred men. A detachment from the flotilla marched against them, attacked them, drove them from on board the vessel, and took possession un- der a fire from the enemy's ship and barges. In the affair, we lost one man, the enemy lost several. The whole cargo, sails, rigging, etc., were saved.
The last military parade of the year took place by the celebration on the 25th of November of the evac- uation of New York city by the British in 1783. The anniversary of this event was always regarded by the inhabitants as one that deserved great attention and was only second, if not quite equal, to the 4th of July in the esteem of the community. This year was the thirtieth anniversary of it and many of the inhabitants were still living who remembered that occasion.
The committee appointed by the common council to celebrate it in 1813 consisted of Messrs. Hedden, Waldron, and Gen. Jacob Morton.
A particular event of the original day was the pulling down the British flag that was left flying from the flagstaff on the battery when they sailed away. The American flag that was hoisted on the Battery by order of Gen. Washington the same day the British troops evacuted this city, was then (1813) in possession of the Common Council .*
* This flag was presented to Peale's American Museum by the common council in 1819. It was raised on the battery for the
333
EVACUATION DAY.
The day was always observed by the veterans with great eclat. When the troops paraded on that day they "went through the forms practiced on taking possession of the city, manœveuring and firing feu de joie, etc., as occurred on the evacuation." The veteran corps of artillery would gather around the flagstaff at the battery and John Van Arsdale, one of their number who claimed that he pulled down the British flag and raised the American flag, would hoist the stars and stripes to the top of the flagstaff, amid the cheers of the multitude and the roar of cannon. John Van Arsdale was a resident of the city in 1813, and was a member of the veteran corps of artillery.
That this old custom was performed on the thir- tieth anniversary we have no reason to doubt, but on the contrary, the following account, published at that time will confirm our belief :
"The Independent Veteran Corps of Artillery, as- sembled at the Arsenal in Elm Street in the morn- ing, and after performing the duties of the day ad- journed to their headquarters (Fraunces' Tavern, then called Kent's Hotel), and partook of a dinner. Volunteer toasts were given by Capt. Chapman,
last time on the anniversary in 1846, and when the museum was burnt the old flag perished !
The tradition that this old flag was the first one that was raised on the flagstaff after the British left was never disputed. But that the British left their national flag flying and had cut the halyards and greased the flag pole so it could not be climbed to replace the flag, has been questioned; but I believe it is true.
The other statements that Van Arsdale, then a sailor, climbed the pole and cut away the British flag and then affixed the hal- yards and the American flag, has been so fully presented by Mr. James Riker in his history of "Evacuation Day," that it is unnecessary for me to discuss it.
·
334
VETERAN CORPS' PARADE.
Capt. (Lieut.) John Nixon, Lieut. Keeler, and Orderly Sergeant Hall." *
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.