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 13
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All those from Bergen and Essex were in one regiment, and those from Morris and Sussex in an- other, and those from Somerset, Middlesex and Mon- mouth another. These three regiments composed one brigade, placed under command of Brig .- Gen. William Colfax. Those of Hunterdon and Burlington to form a regiment and those of Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May another. These two formed a brigade under command of Brig .- Gen. Ebe- nezer Elmer, and known as the Cumberland Brigade. The whole of the quota was placed under the com- mand of Maj .- Gen. William N. Shinn of Mount Holly.
The brigadier-generals were to attend to the for- mation of the regiments, and to dispose of them in the best manner to make them serviceable.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Fortifications on Long Island-First Volunteers for Work on Defences in Brooklyn-Committee of Defence Appeal- Ground Broken at Fort Greene-Lines of Defence and Lo- cation of Forts in Brooklyn-Citizens' Meeting-Address by Col. Marinus Willett-Sketch of Col. Willett-Resolutions ยท Adopted-Enthusiastic Proceedings-Committee of Citizens.
A FEW days after the Mayor's address, Gen. Swift completed his plans for the defences on the Brooklyn end of Long Island, and sent them to the Common Council.
Gen. Swift's complete plans for the defence of New York City were by a continuance of the line of de- fences on Manhattan Island by a block house on Mill Rock, in East River, and thence to Fort Stevens, on Hallett's Point, and a castle on the high ground to protect Fort Stevens. These were for water approaches.
The lines of intrenchments to protect the Navy Yard were from the south end of Wallabout Bav to the solid ground near the present corner of Hud- son avenue and Park streets ; thence south across Myrtle avenue to about the line of Willoughby street ; thence turning east to Fort Greene place. The northern parapet of Fort Greene extended east to the line of Cumberland street, midway between Myrtle avenue and Willoughby street. The south- ern parapet of Fort Greene made many detours with bastions until it reached the western parapet
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FORTS IN BROOKLYN,
on the line of Fort Greene Place ; thence westward to DeKalb avenue, west of Hudson avenue, where was located a redoubt (afterwards called Redoubt Cummings) ; thence southerly to the south side of Fulton avenue, midway between Bond and Nevins streets, to a bastion (afterwards called Washington Bastion) ; thence southerly on the same line to State street, to a redoubt (afterwards called Redoubt Masonic) ; thence on the same line to Pacific street, a bastion (afterwards called Fort Fireman) ; thence southwesterly, by detours and bastions, to the junc- tion of Wycoff and Bond streets, at the marsh of Gowanus Creek. Fort Swift was in the middle of Atlantic avenue, at the junction of Court street, and there was a battery on the west side of Gow- anus Creek, at the junction of Degraw and Bond streets, (afterwards called Fort Lawrence).
These fortifications in Brooklyn were to prevent a land attack from the east and south. Fort Swift was mainly for the protection of Governor's Island.
The main roads from Brooklyn east were one to Jamaica and Rockaway, by the way of Bedford and the half-way house, and another called the new road over the Wallabout bridge, through Bushwick and Newtown, to Jamaica. They branched off the old Ferry road, near the present junction of Nevins street and Flatbush avenue, on Fulton avenue.
The first body of citizens that followed the Mayor's suggestion to volunteer labor and contrib- ute services towards the erection of fortifications for the defence of the city was Capt. Bremner's company of artillery, of Col. Harsen's Eleventh Regi-
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BUILDING FORTIFICATIONS.
ment. They offered their services to the Committee of Defence the next day.
The Common Council Committee of Defence made the following announcement in the National Advocate on the morning of Monday, August 8th : "Gen. Swift having furnished the Committee of Defence of the corporation with a plan for the con- struction of additional works of defence, near Brooklyn, the work will be commenced this morn- ing by the artillery company, under the command of Capt. Andrew Bremner, who have volunteered their services for the day. The committee invite their fellow-citizens to follow their laudable ex- ample.
" To facilitate the business, the Committee of De- fence announced that they will meet daily at the Mayor's office in the City Hall between the hours of eleven aud twelve o'clock, to receive the tenders of similar services, and to arrange working parties."
Gen. Morton was appointed secretary of the committee.
The day proved to be very rainy from early morn- ing until late in the afternoon, so that Capt. Bremner's company did not proceed to Brooklyn to break ground for the fortifications as intended.
All the officers in Gen. Mapes' brigade of infantry, consisting of two hundred men, were the next vol- unteers for building defences. There was also a body of citizens from the Seventh Ward that vol- unteered for service.
On the morning of the 9th, at an early hour, Gen. Mapes crossed the ferry to Brooklyn, but they waited for Capt. Bremner's company to break
-
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THE ENEMY NEAR.
ground, as they were the first that offered their services.
At eight o'clock Capt. Bremner and his company arrived on the spot, Fort Greene, and joined Gen. Mapes, and the former broke ground under a salute from several six-pounders. All the men proceeded with the building of earthworks under direction of Gen. Swift and his assistants, Lieut. Gadsden, and Messrs. Nicholls and Mercein.
On the 10th, the Master Butchers of New York City attended. Many offers were received by the committee.
The citizens' meeting called for the Sth in City Hall Park was not held because the weather was unpropitious.
Notice was published in some of the newspapers for a public meeting to be held in the park in front of the City Hall on Wednesday, the 10th day of August, at twelve o'clock, for the purpose of con- sidering proper measures to be taken for the defence of the city. The call was signed by Col. Henry Rutgers as chairman, and Oliver Wolcott, secretary.
On the 10th of August, 1814, the Columbian issued an extra containing the following statement :
"NEW YORK, August 10th .- Reinforcements have arrived in the mouth of Long Island Sound. Our informant counted on Sunday (7th) in Gardiner's Bay three ninety-gun ships, four seventy-fours, four frigates, and one brig. Other accounts in- crease the number of smaller vessels to fifteen sail in that neighborhood and off New London. There was no transports or troops on board the shipping, the crews of which were sickly and were to be
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RECOMMENDATIONS BY
landed on Montauk Point to recover and recruit. Whether the ships were direct from Europe, or gathered from other parts of our coast, was not known.
" Montauk is common pasture for about 1,500 cattle, 1,400 sheep and 200 horses, belonging to the citizens of East Hampton, and would furnish re- freshment for the well as well as for the sick, if not removed by the owner."
A letter from Sagg Harbor about that time said of the enemy :
"They are permitted to come on shore and get whatever they choose within ten or twelve miles of us. The officers and crews of their war vessels are daily feasting on the rich produce of the American soil at a liberal price.
At a meeting of the Committee of Defence, on August 9th, it was
" Resolved, That it be recommended to our fellow- citizens to enroll themselves in their respective wards for the purpose of offering their services in the construction of works for the defence of this city. That this enrollment be made under the di- rection of a committee to be appointed in each ward. That persons who from bodily indisposition or other cause may prefer a pecuniary contribution to that of personal service be permitted to do so, and that the sum of $1.25 be deemed the equivalent of a day's tour of personal service, to be applied in procuring persons to perform such parts of the duty as may require instruction and practice.
" That the committee of each ward report forth- with to the Committee of Defence the number of
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COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE.
persons enrolled for personal service, and of those for pecuniary contribution, to the end that the de- tachments which from time to time may be requis- ite may be duly apportioned among the wards. That the said committee appoint a person in each ward to summon the required detachments, and to assemble and conduct them to the place of rendez- vous.
"Resolved, That the citizens of the respective wards be invited to meet at the following places on Thursday evening next (11th), at eight o'clock, for the purpose of appointing such committees :
1st Ward, Washington Hotel, 42 Broad street.
2d Ward, Battin's, corner Water street and Bur- ling slip.
3d Ward, Coleman's, Fair street.
4th Ward, Harmony Hall.
5th Ward, Liberty Hall.
6th Ward, Dooley's, corner Cross and Duane streets.
7th Ward, John Morris's, 165 Bancker street.
8th Ward, Stratten's, upper end Broadway.
9th Ward, Anthony Smith's Tavern.
10th Ward, Jonathan Haviland's, No 21 Bowery Lane.
These resolutions were published the next morn- ing.
On the 10th, pursuant to public notice, there as- sembled in the Park, in front of the City Hall, an immense concourse of citizens. COL. HENRY RUT- GERS was unanimously called to the chair, and OLI- VER WOLCOTT, EsQ., appointed secretary. They took their station in the center balcony. COL. WIL-
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PUBLIC MEETING.
LETT, standing near the chairman, and the flag of the nation waving over his head, delivered an ad- dress to his fellow-citizens, well calculated to inspire animation and courage.
He began by asking the indulgence of his fellow- citizens for the talk of an old man. He then pro- ceeded :
Three score and fourteen years have brought with them some bodily infirmities : had it been otherwise and that my strength of body had remained as un- impaired as my love for my country, and the spirit that still animates me, you would not, my friends, have seen me here this day. I should have been amongst that glorious band, that, on the waters of Erie and Ontario, have achieved so much fame and lasting glory for their country !
A life of 74 years has afforded me opportunities of seeing many great and surprising changes.
Fifty-eight years are now passed since I was a witness of press gangs traversing these streets, and dragging men from their houses on board of ships of war! What a contrast between that time and this ! Let those now reflect upon it, who, instead of thank- ing that kind Providence which delivered us from such oppressive domination, employ their whole power to weaken and subvert a government made by ourselves and for ourselves-the fruit of our blood and toil ! What spirit is this, that, in the pres- ent crisis of our country, can lead to measures so disgraceful ? Shall we abuse and villify those men we have placed at the head of our affairs, because they do not act just as we are pleased to say they should ? Are we, for that reason, to refuse com-
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ADDRESS OF COL. WILLETT.
pliance with the laws of our country ? No, my fel- low-citizens ! for it is justly stated in the address of the common council, that we are not, in the present situation of our country, to inquire into the wisdom of the measures which resulted in the declaration of this war. It is a fact, that we are at war ; and that that war has been undertaken agreeably to the con- stitution of our country. Every man bound to sup- port the constitution of the United States, is, there- fore, bound to support the war-because it is a con- stitutional act, and such is the law of the land. But, had I power to detail, and you patience to hear, what I have known and observed of the haughty, cruel and gasconading nation that makes war against us, your feelings would outstrip my words, and anticipate the voice and commands of author- ity. The terms I use towards our enemy are not mine alone, nor proceeding from the personal warmth of my individual character. Such were the sentiments of men as great as this or any nation can boast of-Washington and Franklin. Dr. Frank- lin delivered his opinions in his correspondence with Lord Howe; and those of General Washington I have had from his own lips.
Forty years ago I was at a meeting of citizens as- sembled on this green. The acclamation then was " join or die." The unanimity of that day procured the repeal of some obnoxious laws ; but the design of enslaving us was not relinquished. Troops were stationed throughout the colonies to carry the nefa- rious intention into execution. Many were the broils between the citizen and the soldier : for the spirit of. the citizens was aroused, and they viewed, with
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ADDRESS OF COL. WILLETT.
just indignation, the mercenary troops that were to overthrow their liberties. They were stung by the ingratitude of the nation to which they had yielded loyal obedience, and assisted in its wars with ardor and alacrity. But had the enemy then conquered us as we did them, how different would have been our situation at this day. Reflecting on this, it seems to me almost incredible that there should be Americans that could espouse the cause of such an enemy. Of what stuff are such hearts made ? Is it possible that any such should be amongst the sons of those who fought your battles, my fellow-citizens, and won your freedom ?
It was in the war of the revolution, a favorite toast-
"May every citizen be a soldier, and every soldier a citizen.""
Our citizens must now again become soldiers, and those soldiers be good citizens-not parading sol- diers, fellow-citizens, but fighting soldiers-soldiers willing and ready to encounter hardships and fa- tigues of war. I am not what I have been ; but such as I am, wherever the enemy seek to deal most destruction, there you may look for me. And as to this mistaken idea, that American militia are un- equal to the contest with British regulars, I am a living witness to the contrary. With militia I have encountered them. I have met them when their numbers were double mine ; and I have routed and pursued them. You, my fellow-citizens, if you will, can do the same. There is no terror in them for brave men, who dare look them in the face, and lock the bayonet with them. Let those who would
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SKETCHI OF COL. WILLETT.
dismay you by the terrors of war, rather reflect upon the part they have had in encouraging your enemy ; and though war, like pestilence, may have been visited upon nations for their crimes. yet against this enemy we have committed no offence. We bore with the cruelty, injustice and oppression of that insolent nation till it became insupport- able.
Instead, therefore, of cavilling at the measures or operations of the war, let us rather unite to banish envy, hatred and discord, from among us ; and re- solve, with all our might, to resist that implacable enemy, who will never respect us till we again con- pel him so to do.
Permit me, then, my dear fellow-citizens, to con- . clude with a chorus we were used to sing in the camp in days of much more danger :
Let Europe employ all her force,
We'll meet them in array,
And shout-Huzza-Huzza-Huzza, For Life and Liberty.
This pithy discourse, from a tried and trusty statesman of the revolution, whose acts were vouch- ers for his words, had its full effect, and was cheered with unbounded applause .*
Mr. Riker, from a committee appointed for the purpose, consisting of Drs. Mitchill and M'Neven,
* Marinus Willett was born at Jamaica, L. I., in 1740 He was grandson of Thomas Willett, the second Mayor of New York City. He commenced his military career in the old Colonial wars against the French and Indians. Was a lientenant in Colonel Delancey's regiment under General Abercrombie. Wasat the disastrous attack upon Fort Ticonderoga in 1758, and was with Bradstreet's expedition when it captured Fort Fron-
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RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
Messrs. Wolcott, Riker, Anthony Bleecker and Sampson, reported the following address and resolu- tions, which were received with applause, and unani- mously adopted :
tenac, now Kingston, Canada. Was one of the "Sons of Lib- erty " in New York in 1770, opposed to the Stamp Act. After the skirmish at Lexington, in 1775. the British troops in garri- son at New York were ordered to Boston, and in addition to their own, attempted to carry off a large quantity of spare arms. Willett resolved to prevent it, and thongh opposed by Mayor Hicks and others, he, with a few "Sons of Liberty," captured the baggage wagons containing them, and took them back to the city. In 1775 he was appointed second captain in Colonel McDougal's regiment and accompanied General Montgomery in his expedition against Canada. Was placed in command of St. Johns on the Sorel, and held that post until January, 1776. After the Declaration of Independence in 1776 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and at the opening of the campaign in 1777 was placed in command of Fort Constitution on the Hudson.
In May of that year he was ordered to Fort Stanwix (Schuyler) on the Mohawk (now Rome. N. Y.). He arrived there in July. The fort was still unfinished. On August 2d the British forces and their Indian allies, amounting to 1,700 men, under St. Leger besieged the fort, which then had only 750 men under Colone. Gansevoort. During the siege, St. Leger sent a strong detach- ment of British and Indians to intercept General Herkimer and prevent an attack upon his intrenchments from the rear. This led to the battle of Oriskany. With St. Leger's forces thus weak- ened, it was resolved that a sortie should be made on the enemy's encampment. Two hundred men were placed under Colonel Willett. The sortie was daringly and successfully made without the loss of a man. The British forces were scattered and driven back. Twenty-one wagon loads of clothing, blankets, stores, camp equipige, five British standards, the baggage of Sir John Johnson, with all his papers and those of other officers, contain- ing every kind of information necessary to the garrison. This great exploit was duly noticed by Congress by a vote of thanks, and an elegant sword was presented to him in the name of the United States. While the bloody battle of Oriskany was in pro- gress the enemy heard the firing of Colonel Willett's guns in his attack upon their camp. It cannot be doubted that this greatly contributed to the result of that battle in the retreat of the enemy. The garrison in Fort Stanwix was enabled to hold out until General Arnold came to their assistance, and St. Leger retreated on August 23, 1777. Colonel Willett was left in com- mand of the fort, while all the forces that could be spared were sent to General Gates at Stillwater to meet the enemy under General Burgoyne. A full account of the enemy's campaign in
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AND ADDRESS TO CITIZENS.
FELLOW-CITIZENS-Once more we are engaged in war with a powerful nation.
The ocean is denied to us-our commerce is pros- trated-our waters are violated-our land is invaded
the Mohawk Valley can be found in Lossing's " Field Book of the Revolution." He remained at Fort Stanwix until the sum- mer of 1778, when he joined the army under General Washing- ton and was at the battle of Monmouth. Was in Sullivan's campaign against the Indians in the summer of 1779, and was actively engaged in the Mohawk Valley in 1780.
In 1781, Gov. George Clinton placed him as colonel in com- mand of all the militia levies and State troops that might be raised for the protection of the Mohawk country. He arrived at Fort Rensselaer (Canajoharie, N. Y.) near the end of June. He learned of an Indian and Tory encampment of about three hundred men in a thick cedar swamp about six miles northeast of Cherry Valley, N. Y. All the men he could muster for an attack was about one hundred and fifty. By an ambush and a bayonet charge he routed the enemy and drove them from the valley with heavy loss.
In October, 1781 another invasion of the Mohawk Valley was made by about 1,000 men. Colonel Willett had but about 416 men to meet them. He did this in such a manner that at the battle of Johnstown, N. Y., on October 25, 1781, after a severe struggle, the enemy retreated to a mountain top six miles distant, and Colonel Willett harassed them so that they at last retreated towards Canada, he following them until they were well out of the Mohawk Valley.
In 1782, after the signing of the preliminary treaty of peace, General Washington conceived the design of securing Fort Ontario, where Oswego now is. The expedition was placed under Colonel Willett, who set out for the fort in February. The weather was intensely cold, and Willett's attempt became known in the fort after he arrived in sight of it, he returned and noth- ing came of it.
In 1790, General Washington appointed Colonel Willett to negotiate with the Creek Indians for a treaty of friendship and alliance. Colonel Willett visited that nation, but could do little. He then induced Alexander McGilvany, a half breed. and about thirty of the principal chiefs to come to New York City, which was then the national capital. When they arrived they were received by the members of Tammany with great ceremony, and were in Indian costume, and wore feathers, moccasins, leg gins, painted their faces, and sported huge war clubs and burn- ished tomahawks. When the Creeks entered the " wigwam " they were so surprised to see such a number of their own race, that they set up a whoop of joy which almost terrified the people present. Gov. George Clinton, Chief Justice Jay, Mr.
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ADDRESS TO CITIZENS
-hostile fleets and armies threaten to convert our habitations to heaps of ruins.
We are called upon to save our possessions from spoil and destruction ; to secure our persons from slavery and death ; to protect our families against outrage and violence ; to guard our institutions from assault and overthrow ; to defend by free-born valor our dear bought independence.
The lawful authorities, aware of this condition of things, have made provision to meet it. The national
Duane, then Mayor, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of States and many other distinguished men were present. The Creek. were overjoyed with their reception. They drank " fire, water," performed a dance, and sang the E-tho song. Mr. Smith, the grand sachem of the society, made a speech to the Indians through their interpreter, in which he told them that although the hand of death was cold upon those two great chiefs, Tam- many and Columbus, their spirits were walking backward and forward in the wigwam. The Sagamore presented the chiefs with the calumet, the pipe of peace, and it was accepted. In the evening they were taken to the theater by the sachems and members in costume. Before they left the city they entered into a treaty of friendship with " Washington, the beloved Sachem of Thirteen Fires," as they were pleased to call him.
General Washington soon after made Colonel Willett a briga- dier-general by brevet.
He was sheriff of New York County from 1784 to 1787, and from 1791 to 1795, and was Mayor of the city in 1807.
He was presidential elector in 1824 and was president of the electoral college.
On September 25, 1812. Colonel Willett, in a letter to Maj .- Gen. Van Rensselaer, of the New York militia, offered his services and also some advice as a veteran. In reply Gen. Van Rensselaer said, " I shall remember your counsel with gratitude and pleas- ure as a precious legacy from a soldier of great experience." He died August 22, 1830, aged ninety years. The'corpse, in com- pliance with a written request of the deceased, was habited in a complete suit of citizen's apparel of small clothes, including an old-fashioned three-cornered hat. The coffin in which he was buried was made of pieces of wood collected by himself many years before from many Revolutionary battle-grounds. His remains were placed in the family vault in Trinity churchyard.
"A Narrative of the Military Affairs of the late Col. Marinus Willett" was published in 1831, and was said to have been made up chiefly from his own manuscripts. It contains a portrait of the old hero of many wars, of varied causes and objects.
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ADDRESS- TO CITIZENS.
government has augmented our security, by fortifi- cations, troops and floating force. The State has ex- tended its care, and caused other works of defence to be erected. The common council of the city. has labored to insure our safety. It only remains that the sons of liberty come forth in their might : and demonstrate that in a contest for all that is near and dear to them, they are invincible.
Our regular regiments are already at their sta- tions. The organized militia will join them on the shortest summons. The several corps of volunteers are inflamed with patriotic ardor. To these bands, other military associations will be added, composed of those who enjoy honorable exemptions from or- dinary service, but who will come forward on this trying occasion.
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