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. II > Part 12
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Capt. Porter and his crew were on waiting orders at the Brooklyn navy yard when the dinner was given.
The late Admiral D. G. Farragut was a midship- man taken prisoner in that conflict, and was present at the dinner .*
* The only wound that Admiral Farragut ever received during his service in the navy was at this battle in Valparaiso harbor in 1814. He was twelve years of age. He was knocked down the hatchway by a falling man, and was severely bruised. Capt. Porter made honorable mention of the lad in his official re - port to the Secretary of the Navy.
1:4
MEMORIAL TO COMMON COUNCIL.
A meeting of some citizens had been held about the middle of July on the subject of the defence of the city, and a memorial addressed to the Mayor and Common Council of the city was drawn up and circulated for the purpose of obtaining signatures thereto. The following is a copy of it :
"To the Honorable, the Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York :
" The citizens whose names are undersigned respectfully represent that, in their opinion, our beloved country, and probably the city of New York, the center of our affections and interests, is exposed to imminent danger of invasion by a pow- erful, vindictive and exasperated enemy, and that the period has therefore arrived when all good citi- zens ought to combine in defence of everything dear and valuable in this life. Your memorialists do not call in question the vigilance, zeal or fidelity of the public authorities ; they disavow any inten- tion of weakening or distracting their measures ; on the contrary, it is their sole object to animate and strengthen the public councils, and to maintain that inestimable privilege of our free institutions, which prescribes that, in whatever manner the en- ergies of freemen are displayed, the guardians of the laws should always remain the directors of the public force. Your memorialists are well satisfied that the great body of their fellow-citizens are dis- posed at this interesting crisis to bury in oblivion the causes of past dissensions, and that what has appeared to be an alarming apathy in respect to the great interests of our country ought, in truth, to be
175
RESOLUTIONS OFFERED.
ascribed to a respectful deference for the Govern- ment, and a reluctance to engage in public concerns without a regular authority for that purpose.
"Your memorialists are, however, convinced that inaction is no longer consistent with the pub- lic safety, and that the urgency of our situation requires that the Government should now be aided by the voluntary and patriotic efforts of good citi- zens, and they respectfully request that measures may be immediately devised for ascertaining their sentiments and combining their exertions.
"NEW YORK, July 20, 1814. (Signed) "OLIVER WOLCOTT," and by others.
The names of the persons who signed it cannot now be ascertained. They were not published nor recorded in the proceedings of the Common Coun- cil.
This memorial was presented to the Common Council on the 1st of August by Alderman Wend- over, with the following resolutions :
"Resolved, That the Common Council highly ap- prove of the sentiments expressed in the memorial presented by Oliver Wolcott and others in behalf of themselves and a number of the citizens of this city, on the important subject of taking immediate and effectual measures for its greater security and defence.
" Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the citizens generally of this city to meet in the park in front of the City Hall on Wednesday next, the 3d inst., at twelve o'clock at noon, for the purpose of appointing a committee to inquire if
176
RESOLUTIONS REJECTED.
any and what means ought and may be devised to put this city in a better posture of defence, and in conjunction with the committee of defence of this Board to provide all practical means in concert with the General and State Governments calculated to prepare for and stimulate our fellow-citizens in the protection and defence of everything we hold dear and valuable in life, and to repel any at- tack that may be made by the enemy against this city." ?:
The question being taken thereon, and a division being called, it was decided in the negative by a vote of ten to seven, as follows :
Negative-Mesier, Mapes, McCartie, Lawrence. Fish, Nitchie, Lawrence, King, Hardenbrook, Brown-ten.
Affirmative - Buckwater, Wendover, Munson, Tucker, Cannon, Mann, Burtis-seven.
It was claimed that, although the resolutions were not adopted, the aldermen did not discounte- nance the proposed meeting, but merely left the citizens to exercise their constitutional privilege in such manner as they thought proper.
The special committee of defence, pursuant to di- rection of the Common Council on the 26th of July, published a summary of their reports the next day. It only showed the urgent need of more fortifica- tions and need of more soldiers.
This was read at the next meeting of the Com- mon Council, in the afternoon of August 1st.
The standing committee of defence then recom- mended to the Common Council that the following address be issued by the Mayor to the citizens of
ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
New York. This was unanimously approved and adopted by the Common Council, as follows :
Fellow-Citizens : The times are portentous, our country is involved in war with one of the most powerful nations in the world ! A nation possess- ing at all times, most efficient means of annoyance, and now, in consequence of late events in Europe, left with but one object against which to direct the whole attention of her enormous naval and military forces. This object is our beloved country ! Pow- erful fleets and armies have sailed from Europe ! Doubts whether, during pending negotiations, this force would be employed against us, have paralyzed the efforts of many, and under the expectations of a speedy peace we have all rested in too much se- curity. We ought not to be kept back from neces- sary preparations by doubts, not to be lulled asleep. by expectations. While we hope for a speedy and honorable peace, let us prepare ourselves for the worst. Let us place ourselves in a situation, should it be the policy of the enemy to attack us before the negotiations are terminated, to meet him with the most prompt and rigorous opposition.
Where the place of attack will be, it is impos- sible for any to divine ; it therefore becomes us to be prepared at every exposed point. The immense importance of New York to this country need not be mentioned. Its value to the enemy, if possessed by them, would be incalculable.
Fellow-citizens, this city is in danger! We are threatened with invasion. It is the duty of all good citizens to prepare for the crisis ! We must arm ourselves to aid the regular force of the government
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ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
in a vigorous defence. The questions are not now, whether the war was just or unjust in its com- mencement ; whether the declaration of war was politic or expedient ; whether the causes have long ago ceased or not ; whether our government might or might not have brought it to a speedy and honorable termination ; or whether they have done their duty toward us since they have involved us in this war ? These are solemn questions which will one day be agitated, and which must be answered hereafter. But now we must repulse the enemy from our city in case he attacks us! This is the first object of our attention, and the present in- quiries ought to be, will we defend our country, our city, our property, our families ? Will we go forth to meet and repel the invading enemy ? Shall we, at a time like this, when our all is in jeopardy, re- frain from calling into requisition all the physical force of our city for a manly resistance ; shall we refuse to sacrifice our time, our labor, our exertions, our property or even our lives, if necessary, to pro- tect our city, and place it in a state of security ?
As the immediate guardians of the city we have not been idle ; we have repeatedly called upon the State and General Governments for assistance. We have, in behalf or our fellow citizens, made to gov- ernment liberal offers of pecuniary aid. We have received from them promises of succor. And we feel desirous that, in addition to what they may do and what we as a corporation have done, our fellow- citizens may use all their efforts to co-operate with the government in the important object of our safety and defence.
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ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
We have observed, with much satisfaction, the efforts which have been already made by citizens exempt from militia duty, to organize themselves into effective corps. We cordially approve of all such patriotic efforts ; we recommend to all such citizens capable of bearing arms, to enrol themselves without delay, or to connect themselves with the uniform companies already established, to the end that by suitable preparations and discipline they may be able effectually to assist in repelling any hostile attack.
We recommend to the whole militia of our city to keep themselves in complete order for service, ready to march at a moment's warning, to turn out as frequently as possible for exercise and improve- ment ; and to the officers of the militia we would earnestly recommend the most prompt and thorough attention to the inspection of their men, that every one may be properly equipped with arms and ac- coutrements as required by law.
We recommend to all our citizens a cheerful prof- fer of their services to the officers of the United States, to aid by voluntary labor in the completion of the works of defence now erecting, and in the construction of such other as may be deemed im- portant by those to whom the safety of our city is immediately intrusted.
We recommend to such of our citizens as have not yet removed their vessels, to do it without delay. This measure is considered one of great importance. It will take away one of the inducements to a hos- tile attack. It may prevent the destruction of the city by conflagration, should our shipping be fired
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RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED.
by the enemy at our wharves ; and it would preserve for our defence multitudes of brave and vigorous men who might otherwise be engaged in removing them in the hour of alarm.
Surely the city of New York and the adjoining counties possess men enough who will be willing to hazard their lives for their families and friends, and strength enough, if properly organized and directed, to repulse any power of the enemy which may pre sume to attack us. Let there then be but one voice among us. Let every arm be raised to defend our country, and with an humble reliance on the God of our fathers. Our country demands our aid. She ex- pects that every man will be found at his post in the hour of danger, and that every free citizen of New York will do his duty.
DE WITT CLINTON, Mayor.
The address was signed and published by . the Mayor on August 3d. It was said to have been written by him. 'The tone of it and his literary abilities will lead no one to doubt that the Mayor was the writer of it.
Some citizens held a meeting at the City Hall next day (August 4th), at which Col. Henry Rutgers was chosen chairman and Oliver Wolcott secretary. The following resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved unanimously : That this meeting highly approve the measures proposed for the defence of this city, and recommended to the citizens in an ad- dress published by his honor, the Mayor, on the 3d inst.
" Resolved unanimously : That for the purpose of
181
PUBLIC MEETING CALLED.
carrying the said measures into systematical opera- tion, in concert with and under the direction of the public authorities, the citizens of New York be invited to attend a public meeting at the park, in front of the City Hall, on Monday the Sth inst., at twelve o'clock."
The call for a meeting was widely published and was generally approved. Some of the newspapers objected to such a meeting.
A line of torpedoes, designed by Robert Fulton, had already been placed at the Narrows, and at Throgg's Neck, and at several places in Long Island Sound.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Active Military Movements-State Militia Ordered to Serve at New York City and Vicinity-Where They Came From- Cadets from West Point-Volunteers from New Jersey.
THE local military authorities in every part of the State were on the alert, actively engaged in complying with the order of the Governor of July 20th. Officers of corps were ordering parades and inspections as to sufficiency of equipments and of uniforms. Brigade and division inspectors were careful in their duties, but yet were lenient to the delinquents in many cases where it was shown that a good reason existed for the deficiencies of equipments or of complete uni- form. Reinspections were ordered in many cases after sufficient time had elapsed for delinquents to comply.
On the 30th July Gen. Morton ordered a parade of the First Brigade of artillery for inspection at the Battery parade. It was ascertained that his brigade consisted of about one thousand men. It was composed of the Second, Ninth and Eleventh Regiments of New York City and Third Regiment of Kings County. The Eleventh Regiment at that time contained 449 men.
¿ Some of the companies drilled at the guns daily and others with small arms at the Battery Park.
183
CALL FOR MILITIA.
The brigade of artillery paraded by battalions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.
Up to this time none of the militia had been ordered to rendezvous for actual service, but some volunteers had arrived in New York under the order of July 20th. An order was issued, dated July 30th, signed by Thomas Christie, Assistant Adjutant-Gen- éral of the Third Military District, which prescribed that, "In all cases where troops are encamped within this district the officers attached to them are to encamp and remain with them."
On the 2d August Gov. Tompkins, at the request of Major-General Morgan Lewis, ordered Gen. Rose, of the Thirty-third Brigade (Suffolk County), to de- tach a company of militia from his brigade, to con- sist of one captain, two lieutenants, two ensigns. five sergeants, six corporals, two musicians (fife and drum), and ninety privates, and station them at Sagg Harbor. In the same order Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, of the Twenty-second Brigade, was re- quired to furnish a company from that portion of his brigade in Queens County, organized same as above, to be stationed at Sagg Harbor, Gen. Rose to officer this company from his brigade.
About the time this order (of July 20th) had be- come fully known throughout the State, the Gov- ernor issued another order calling into military service four thousand men, for the defence of the city of New York and vicinity. This order was dated August 4, 1814, and required a rendezvous by battalions or in corps of not less than one full com- pany, on the 18th of August, as designated in the order, for the purpose of proceeding to New York.
184
MILITIA ORDERED FROM
All of the men called for were from the Hudson River counties, as follows :
INFANTRY.
Orange County, 540 men, of Nineteenth Brigade.
Orange County, 432 men, of Thirty-fourth Brig- ade.
Sullivan and Ulster Counties, 432 men, of Twenty- third Brigade.
Greene and Albany Counties, 540 men, of Thirty- seventh Brigade.
Columbia County, 540 men, of Twelfth Brigade.
Dutchess County, 648 men, of Twentieth Brigade. Dutchess County, 540 men, of Thirtieth Brigade.
ARTILLERY.
The artillery companies of Rockland and Orange Counties, under Lieut .- Col. Selah Strong. Those from Putnam and Dutchess, under Lieut .- Col. Na- than Myers.
LIGHT INFANTRY AND RIFLEMEN.
"One full company of the Second Regiment of riflemen (Albany County), and if more shall volun- teer, they are to be accepted and serve under Lieut. - Col. S. M. Lockwood, if three companies shall vol- unteer."
The order included the light infantry and rifle companies of Rockland, Orange, Dutchess and Put- nam Counties, as organized under the order of July 20th.
VOLUNTEERS.
In addition, the order provided that such of the uniform corps in the counties of Delaware, Greene,
185
HUDSON RIVER COUNTIES.
Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady and Ulster as would volunteer their services for the defence of the city of New York and vicinity should report to the Governor immediately.
All the artillery, light infantry and riflemen were required to appear at rendezvous with complete uni- form. The artillery were required to take with them their field pieces and equipments. The light infantry, riflemen and infantry were required to be equipped with a musket, bayonet or rifle, with a cartridge-box or rifle pouch, and with knapsack, blanket and canteen, and they were advised in the order "to provide themselves with a frock and trousers for fatigue dress, to preserve their uni- form." Substitutes were taken, but they must comply with the above requirements.
This order was particularly hard on the infantry mentioned in it, as the call was to be made up of men exclusive of the uniform companies of said brigades ; therefore they must provide their own uniform and equipments immediately at their own expense.
All of those called must provide their own trans- portation to the places of rendezvous, which were at some points on the Hudson River convenient for them to take sloops for New York City. No provi- sion was made for rations while on the way to the rendezvous .*
Three thousand of these troops were called out
* It was this order and others like it applying to other por- tions of New York State in the summer of 1814, that caused so much hardship at the time, and which has been the subject of much State legislation and expense, and yet deprived the soldier of that day of his earnings and held out false hopes of repay-
186
STRINGENT ORDERS.
under the act of Congress of 1795, to serve for three months from the date of the rendezvous, or for six months if the public interest required it, but could not be compelled to serve for a longer period. The residue of one thousand under the order, called out under New York State authority, were not liable to serve longer than three months.
A few days after this order, one hundred and twenty of the cadets from West Point arrived in the city and were stationed on Governor's Island for ten days' tour of duty.
The following order was issued :
" ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, " ALBANY, August 14th, 1814.
"On the arrival of the several detachments of militia ordered into service on the 4th inst., at their respective places of rendezvous, the commanding
ment to him and to those depending upon him for support, in such a manner as to be a shameful disgrace to any country, State or nation.
When we reflect that the Governor of New York, in his posi- tion as Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the State, was compelled to resort to such measures, and that they were actu- ally applied to more than one-half of the men in the State that were subject to military duty, it is worthy of notice by historical writers.
The men of New York State of that day did not leave their plows in the furrows, as was said to have been done at the out- break of the Revolutionary War, but they left their crops in the field waiting and wasting, to be harvested by the owners, or to be fired by a ruthless and maddened foe.
For more than three-quarters of a century has the matter been unnoticed in history, and as there is a strong probability that it will ever remain so unless recorded in this work, I will proceed to give an outline of it, which can easily be filled up from official records.
The hardship to the soldiers of New York State which these orders engendered were often spoken of, and after many years meetings were held by the survivors to form some plan by which they could be reimbursed in part for the loss that they had
187
HARD FOR THE INFANTRY.
officer will report themselves and their corps to the commandant of the Third Military District of the United States, or at the headquarters of the Com- mander-in-chief of this State in the City Hall in New York.
"No officer will be suffered to continue in the detachment unless he be completely uniformed and equipped according to law.
" The commanding officer at each rendezvous will procure water conveyance to New York for his troops, upon the most reasonable and economical terms ; and should the contractor fail to supply rations in season at the proper place, the command- ing officer of the rendezvous will procure them at the contract price. Duplicate receipts must be taken for all expenditures, and no expenses are to be incurred in expectation of reimbursement, ex-
thus sustained. It was not until forty years afterwards that there was any encouragement to claimants. The United States bounty land laws had much influence on the movement.
Under the acts of Congress of 1850 and 1855, the survivor or his widow or minor children of a deceased soldier could obtain the bounty land warrant, and the service must have been not less than fourteen days, except where the person was engaged in any battle.
In 1857 the laws of New York provide for the payment of claims for services rendered and supplies furnished by the militia and volunteers " in the late war with Great Britain." " The proof to authenticate such services and expenses shall be the state- ment on oath of the services rendered and the expenses incurred by the person claiming compensation, stating the time of such service, the place or places, and the names of the officers com- manding, and that the claimant has received or is entitled to bounty lands by virtue of the laws of the United States, passed in 1850 and 1855," and be verified on oath. The commissioners were directed to report to the comptroller the names and amounts proved due the claimants and a certificate to the claim- ants or their legal representatives, and the comptroller was authorized to indorse on such certificate when presented that the amount thereof would be paid to the claimant, with interest at six per cent from August, 1858, as soon as the money shall have
188
NEW JERSEY MILITIA.
cept such as are provided for by existing laws. By order the Commander-in-chief.
"SOL. VAN RENSSELAER, Adjt .- General."
Major-Gen. Lewis also made a requisition on Governor Pennington, of New Jersey, for two hundred men to encamp on the Heights of Navesink, near the telegraph station. Gov. Pennington, on the 11th, ordered the following volunteer companies into that service, to march on the 15th for the encampment for thirty days or until relieved. His detachment consisted of Captain James J. Wilson's company of infantry, of Trenton (Jersey Blues); Captain Stephen D. Day's company of infantry, of Orange ; Captain John T. Plume's company of
been received from the government of the United States. It will be observed that these claims were not for services, but for " contingent expenses," the soldiers in some instances having furnished their own transportation as well as their food and clothing.
The long period that had elapsed (forty-four years) and the lack of knowledge and insufficient evidence and other causes had thinned the number to at least one-third of those to whom the law could be applied. The number of the certificates made out under the law was 17,228; of these more than one thousand had not been called for up to 1884.
In the meantime old soldiers had been forgotten and new ones brought to mind, and there seemed to be no chance of get- ting any money from the United States Government to pay these claims, so in 1869 the State of New York made an appro- priation of $50,000 to be paid upon such of those certificates as were held by the soldier only, and was to be paid pro rata among the survivors who resided within the State of New York. In 1870 an appropriation of $100,000 was made for like purpose, and again in 1874 a like sum was appropriated.
In 1884 the report showed that there was then outstanding on those certificates, principal and interest, the sum of $1,889,784.
In 1885 the United States Senate Committee on Claims reported a bill for the payment of the said certificates without interest, but it failed to pass. The amount of said certificates upon which no principal or interest had been paid was $704,213.47, and so the matter now (1892) stands-in a very unfavorable light for claimants.
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NEW JERSEY MILITIA.
artillery, of Newark ; Captain Moses F. Davis's rifle company, of Bloomfield ; Captain Wm. Ten Eycke's rifle company, of Freehold, and Lieut. James Ten Eycke's volunteers, of Middletown Point. The quarter master was Gen. Abraham Reynolds.
Governor Tompkins and Major-Gen. Lewis were anxiously waiting for the quota which New Jersey was to supply under the requisition of the War De- partment of July 4th. The Governor of New Jersey announced on the 12th of August that thirty-two uniformed companies had volunteered their services, and were ready to take the field. Twelve of these had volunteered for the defence of New York harbor.
The volunteers amounted to 179 artillery and 704 infantry, etc. The deficiency of the quota of 5.000 officers and men were ordered to be made up by draft, which the Governor ordered, specifying the number of officers and men that each county must furnish.
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