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 15
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On the 20th twelve hundred Irishmen in the or- ganization known as "The Patriotic Sons of Erin" performed voluntary labor on Fort Green, in the sodding of the parapets.
On the 22d one thousand free colored men worked on the defences between Fort Green and Gowanus Creek.
The military spirit was by necessity (not for glory) fully aroused. The old volunteer corps were filled up and new ones formed; volunteering was the order of the day. A corps of two thousand exempts was formed in the city.
The following order was issued relating to the de- fence of the harbor :
" GENERAL ORDERS.
" ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, 3D MILITARY DIS-
TRICT. "NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 1814.
" Colonel Forbes, of the 42d N. Y., will proceed to-morrow with said regiment to Sandy Hook and assume the command of that post, including Fort Gates, and the militia of New Jersey encamped on the Highlands of Navesink. On his arrival there the 32d Regt. will embark on board the same vessels and take post at or near Fort Richmond, the commanding officer of said regiment reporting to Capt. James R. Hanham, of the artillery, who will assume the command of all the positions and troops on Staten Island. * Colonel Forbes will
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HARBOR DEFENCES.
cause the Sea Fencibles to be trained both as infan- try and artilleryists, and will confine them to land service until further orders. The barge they have in use he will cause to be delivered to Commodore Lewis on his receipt, and will apply to the Commodore for such service as he may be required to be performed on the water. * *
" By Order, " THOS. CHRISTIE, " Asst. Adj .- Gen."
At that time New York City was thought to be well prepared against an attack by water.
On the 20th of August some of the uniformed companies of militia from the Hudson River counties arrived and went into camp at Brooklyn. They were part of the quota called for by the Gover- nor and more were expected daily from that source.
Care was taken that all these preparations should be published so as to reach the enemy's vessels on the coast.
It was known that the enemy and the blockading squadron received the New York daily newspapers regularly in one way or another, and very little effort was made to prevent it.
Admiral Cockburn knew the preparations for his reception, and he abandoned his plan of an attack on New York, and suddenly disappeared from the vicinity of New York, and sailed south. It was then that increased fears were entertained about the safety of Washington. Although it was regarded worth little as a militia hold, the moral effect of the surrender of the capital of the nation to an enemy
223
WASHINGTON IN DANGER.
could not be over-estimated in the eyes of Euro- peans. To them a national capital meant London, Paris, Vienna, Brussels, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Lis- bon, Copenhagen, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, and all the great cities of Europe. Washington at that time contained less than 7,000 white inhabitants and about 2,500 blacks, and not much valuable property apart from public buildings and the navy yard. Alexandria had about the same in population. If one was captured the other must soon follow the game fate.
So little thought had been bestowed to their pro- tection by the military authorities that they were literally without any regular military force.
The Federal newspapers were decrying the lack of proper defence of the capital of the nation and stated the moral effect of its capture abroad. The administration newspapers contrarily maintained that there was no danger of it, and that it was not worth capture in a military point of view.
Captain Porter was in New York City and heard that Washington City was in danger of the enemy. The remainder of his gallant crew of the Essex were also there. He summoned them as follows:
"Free Trade and Sailors' Rights :" to the crew of the old Essex. Sailors ! The enemy is about at- tempting the destruction of our new ship at Wash- ington and I am ordered there to defend her. I shall proceed immediately and all disposed to ac- company me will meet me at five o'clock this after- noon at the Navy agent's office. D. PORTER.
"NEW YORK, August 22d, 1814."
224
CREW OF THE ESSEX.
It will be remembered that the officers and crew of the Essex were captured by Captain Hillier, as already stated (ante, p. 173), and had been paroled as prisoners of war. They were declared discharged of their paroles by reason of some action of the cap- tors. They were officially notified of this by the Secretary of the United States Navy on August 11th, only a few days previous to this call. They had been paid their prize money a few days pre- vious.
When at Philadelphia, on his way to Washington Captain Porter, on the 26th of August, caused the following notice to be published in some of the New York newspapers :
" FREE TRADE AND SAILORS' RIGHTS."
" The crew of the old Essex and as many vol- unteers as they can bring are required to repair to Washington without delay to defend their new ship."
As an indication of the state of affairs in New York City at that time, we observe that at a meet- ing of merchants in the evening on the 24th, for the purpose of requesting that the banks in the city should take some action to prevent specie being sent out of the country, a committee of seven was appointed to confer with the banks' officers upon the subject. A meeting of the officers of the banks was held next day to meet the committee of merchants, and it was declared that there was no reason for suspension of specie payments.
In the haste to get men in the military service,
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225
DONATIONS FOR DEFENDERS.
nearly all preparation for their equipment and the proper accommodation for them after their arrival here was overlooked. Much suffering was caused thereby, and the committee of defence was ap- pealed to for aid. The following notice was pub- lished in the National Advocate on August 24th:
"DONATIONS FOR DEFENDERS."
"Several thousands of our fellow-citizens from the interior of the State, having, in obedience to the call of the constituted authorities, relinquished the comforts of home, and repaired in arms to the vicinity of this city to aid in its defence, it is our anxious desire and ever-incumbent duty to render their condition as agreeable as possible, and to reconcile them to the sacrifices they are making. Placed in a new situation, and from the nature of a military life, exposed to privations and hardships, and particularly not furnished with the food to which they have been accustomed, it is greatly in our power to supply their wants and to increase their comforts without any material sacrifice. For this purpose, donations in money will be received by the treasurer of the Committee of Defence, Thomas R. Mercein, Comptroller's office, City Hall, and other contributions, particularly of vegetables, will be received by Major Ingraham, Brigade Quarter-Master at Brooklyn, and by Major McComb, Brigade Q .- M. at the Heights of Harlem.
"In making this appeal to the patriotism and benevolence of the public, the committee are per-
226
WORKERS ON DEFENCES.
suaded that they will not be unsuccessful ; next to the great duties we owe to our country, we must rank those due to the gallant men who are ready to offer up their lives in its defence.
" NICHOLAS FISH, "Chairman of Committee of Defence."
General Hermance's brigade was stationed at Harlem Heights. Little or no preparations had been made to provide for so large a body of men. The inhabitants were few, and they were willing to give all the aid within their power. This they had done from the first. A few days after this ap- peal for donations, General Hermance, in a pub- lished notice, expressed his acknowledgment to Messrs. Valentine Nutter, James Beekman, Abra- ham Brazier, Henry Post and Mr. E. McGowan, and the inhabitants of Harlem, for their friendly atten- tion to the officers and men, and the use of their dwellings and barns during the unsettled state of his camp, and also for contributions of vegetables for food.
On the 25th of August the master butchers turned out a force amounting to about two hun- dred and worked with zeal and ardor, and nearly completed the sodding of Fort Green. They carried the flag at their head which was displayed by the butchers at the celebration of the Federal Constitu- tion in New York City in 1788.
The next day a number of them were at work on the fortifications at Brooklyn Heights. They car. ried the same historic flag. Among other emblems
227
TAMMANY SOCIETY.
on a flag was a large ox prepared for the slaughter, with the motto :
" Skin me well, and dress me neat, And send me on board the Federal fleet."
The Hamilton Society and the Sons of Erin had, as a society, each performed a day's tour of labor on the fortifications. Many of these societies, as was the case with others, had members that belonged to several other organizations, and per- formed labor with them. Thus one person would do several days' labor.
Much ostentation was displayed by the workers in this way.
The Washington Benevolent Society had tendered their services to the Committee of Defence, but had not specified the time when they would perform the labor. They were ahead of Tammany Society in this offer.
Tammany Society took another method. A notice was published calling a meeting of the members to consider the time and place when their work should be performed. On the morning of August 25th the following call was issued:
" To the Tammany Society or Columbian Order.
"BROTHERS: The voice of patriotism calls you to the service of your country. Prepare yourselves with zeal and promptitude to obey that loud summons. Your committee have pledged themselves to the Committee of Defence that one thousand of our so- ciety shall, on Wednesday the 31st, appear on Brooklyn Heights to aid in erecting the fortifications
228
WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
intended to defend our city against the menaced assaults of a ferocious and brutal foe. Redeem that pledge as becomes freemen ! You are requested to meet on Wednesday next at five o'clock, at Tam- many Hall, for the purpose of proceeding to Brook- lyn.
" The committee respectfully solicit the members to sign the roll, without loss of time, which is left at the hall and in the hands of the committee, in order that the number of rations necessary for the subsistence on that day may be provided, and which will be provided on the ground free from any ex- pense to the members.
" The wards will, without any defalcation, on Monday evening next, return to the committee of arrangements the respective lists of subscribers.
" WILLIAM J. WALDRON, PETER EMBURY, GARRET SICKELS, STEPHEN ALLEN, ABRAM DALLY, "Committee. "
The Washington Benevolent Society was not to be left behind by Tammany Society. After the call by Tammany, the former hastened "to get there first."
On the 26th the Washington Benevolent Society, to the number of about eight hundred performed a " tour of labor" at Fort Green, in Brooklyn. At half-past five o'clock in the morning they assembled in front of the City Hall, and were arranged in order of pro- cession under Colonel Platt as grand marshal of the day. The banners of the society were distributed at
229
WORKERS BY MOONLIGHT.
equal distances through the lines, and Commodore Decatur's band of music from the frigate President placed in the center. The presiding officer of the day and grand marshal were on horseback. The procession moved through Beekman and Pearl streets to the steamboat at Beekman Slip, and then continued in the same order to Fort Green. Gen- eral Swift assigned to them the honor of breaking ground on a new line of defence. Dinner was
provided on the ground, as was usual. At the close of the day's labor the society returned to New York in the same order observed in the morning. They moved through the park in front of the City Hall, and, halting, gave three cheers, and then proceeded to the front of Washington Hall, on the corner of Broadway and Reade street, where the tune of Yankee Doodle was played by the band. Six cheers closed the performance of the day.
A large number of this society was also engaged on the same day with the Marine Society and the Society of Tallow Chandlers at Harlem Heights, and with the butchers at Fort Green.
The same day about two hundred citizens of Pater- son, N. J., were working at a redoubt near Fort Swift.
The weather was very hot at that time. It was proposed by some that night-work could be done to advantage. The moon was in its full and arose at a time most favorable for such an enterprise. A roll was circulated to obtain the names of persons who would work on such an occasion. On Friday the following notice was published :
230
A SONG OF THE DAY.
"The gentlemen who have signed the roll to per- form one night's work at the fortifications on Brooklyn Heights are hereby informed that Tues- day next, at moonrise, is the time appointed to ren- dezvous at the steamboat wharf."
It was announced that Friday evening, August 26th, would be the last night of performance at New York Circus. "Venice Preserved ; or, a Plot Discovered," was the play.
A pantomime called "Harlequin Patriot ; or, Brooklyn Heights," was the afterpiece.
It was announced that the band of music belong- ing to the United States frigate President would perform some patriotic tunes. Box tickets, $1 ; pit, fifty cents.
About this time appeared a poem written by Samuel Woodworth, afterwards famous for being the author of "The Old Oaken Bucket." Wood- worth was then publishing a weekly paper in New York, called The War. The poem was entitled, " The Patriotic Diggers," and was sung to the tune of "Great Way Off at Sea, or Bob and Joan." It was popular for many years after the war.
The refrain of this song was :
" Pickaxe, shovel, spade, Crowbar, hoe and barrow ;
Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow."
CHAPTER XXXV.
Capture of Washington-Effect in New York-To Arms! To Arms !- Committee of Defence Appeal to Citizens-Major- General Lewis's Letter to Common Council-More Men and More Money Wanted-Recommendations of Committee of Defence Adopted-Large Loans Obtained by the City for Defence.
HE inhabitants in the city of New York, up to this time, were far more inter- ested in the movements of the enemy on the northern and western frontier of the State than they were in those along the seaboard.
In the evening of the 26th the Evening Post published the following in the form of an extra :
"BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG.
" By the pilot stage which left Philadelphia this morning at one o'clock, we have received from our correspondent a proof-sheet giving the following particulars of a battle between the enemy and Gen- eral Winder, at Bladensburg, at which our troops suffered severely. General Stansbury is said to be either killed or badly wounded, Major Pinckney wounded and taken prisoner, Colonel Sterry badly wounded. Our troops retreated into Washington, followed by the enemy.
" On the envelope which covered our proof-sheet
232
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON.
was written : 'THE ENEMY HAVE ENTERED WASHING- TON AFTER A SEVERE BATTLE,' and the passengers in the stage, we are sorry to say, confirm it. They state the news was brought to Philadelphia, about half- past eleven o'clock, by express."
The inhabitants now indeed felt that a crisis was approaching, and they must join together to aid the military forces of the nation and State in every man- ner possible. The utmost earnestness and excitement prevailed. Probably at no subsequent period dur- ing that "Battle Summer" of 1814 were the fears and apprehensions of the inhabitants of New York city at a greater tension.
On the morning of the 27th the Columbian con- tained the following :
"TO ARMS! CITIZENS. TO ARMS !
"Your capital is taken ! 13,000 British troops. may have marched for Baltimore, and before this hour it may have fallen. Six days ago the people at Washington were in perfect security. In six days the same enemy may be at the Hook, and if they assail your city with a powerful force by land and by water, what will be your fate ? Arise from your slumbers ! Let every citizen arise and enroll himself instantly and prepare to defend our city to the last extremity ! This is no time to talk ! We must act, and act with vigor, or we are lost."
On that day the Committee of Defence made an appeal to the citizens, calling attention to the mili- tary disasters at Baltimore and Washington, and
233
TO ARMS! TO ARMS!
asking them to renew their exertions for the better defence of the city. It was as follows :
APPEAL OF COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE.
"NEW YORK, August 27, 1814.
"The disastrous intelligence from the South, ought, instead of producing despondence, to act with redoubled energy upon our patriotic exertions, and to produce the most animated efforts for defend- ing our firesides and our altars against the attacks of the enemy. Let not our public spirit evaporate in words and professions. Let it be shown in our con- duct. For this purpose let every man capable of bearing arms provide himself with a musket and the necessary accoutrements. Let all exempts be immediately enrolled and organized. Let the milita turn out daily for drill and discipline. Let the ar- tillery practice with the great guns.
" The efforts which are now making, and which have been made in the direction of works and de- fences, are honorable indications of patriotism. Let them be accompanied and followed up by those other acts which are indispensable to complete our system of defence, and then, whatever may be the result, we shall have the proud satisfaction of doing our duty, and shall stand acquitted in the sight of God and our country.
" NICHOLAS FISH, JOHN NITCHIE. THOMAS R. SMITH. GEORGE BUCKMASTER, PETER MESIER. GIDEON TUCKER, J. W. BRACKETT. " Committee."
234
MEASURES FOR DEFENCE.
Rufus King called on General Lewis in the morn- ing and urged to prompt and vigorous measures of defence. On the subject of money he said: "Let a loan be immediately opened. I will subscribe to the amount of my whole fortune." This was pub- lished in the afternoon papers on that day.
Major-General Lewis, the next day, Sunday, laid before the Committee of Defence the following letter addressed to the Common Council:
" THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT.
"HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, August 28th, 1814.
"GENTLEMEN: Believing that this district is threat- ened with invasion within the meaning of my in- structions of the 12th ult., I have determined to call on the Governor for the full amount of this State's quota of militia, consisting of 13,500 men, to be immediately placed at my disposal and brought to this city. I have also determined in like manner to call on New Jersey for its proportion, which is 5,000.
"To supply rations for such a force for sixty days will require the sum of $220,000, exclusive of camp equipage, quarters, fuel, etc. The public depart- ments here are at present penniless. and I must apply to the patriotism of the corporation to raise the neces- sary funds, in the first instance, not doubting the gov- ernment will, in due time, reimburse its advances.
"The preservation of this city will certainly justify the means, and the safest and surest means of se- curing it against invasion is complete preparation
235
MEASURES FOR DEFENCE.
for its defence. I hope the fall of Washington will be to us a useful lesson.
"I am, etc., " MORGAN LEWIS.
"To the Honorable Common Council, New York City."
At the meeting of the Common Council on Monday the Committee of Defence made a report to the Com- mon Council showing the progress of the works and the need of more men and of money to pay and provide for them, and asking the Governor of the State to call for twenty thousand additional militia for the defence of the city, saying, "The fate of Washington warns us not to remain unprepared."
They recommended to the corporation to borrow one million dollars for the purpose of defence.
The following is a copy of the report:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE MADE AND AGREED TO IN COMMON COUNCIL, AUGUST 29, 1814
" The Committee of Defence are happy to report to the Corporation that the ardor of the citizens in bestowing voluntary labor on works of defence for our protection continues unabated, and that the works have progressed and are progressing with astonishing rapidity.
" The Committee on the other hand regret that they are under the necessity of informing the Board, that from all the information they can obtain, it is reduced to a certainty, that the expenses of what- ever additional defences may be necessary for the city, both as to the erection of the works, and the
236
MEASURES FOR DEFENCE.
paying, provisioning, and accommodating men for our defence, must be derived from our own resources or not obtained at all. If this city is to be defended from hostile attacks, the Corporation must provide the funds in the first place, and look to the general Government for an indemnification.
" The Committee have therefore requested of his Excellency, the Governor, on the recommendation of the military commanders of the United States, forthwith to call out twenty thousand additional militia, for the defence of this city. They have taken this step under a conviction of its necessity, and from a further conviction that the Board would sanction the measure, feeling also its necessity, and being sensible that the present crisis admits of no delay.
" With a view of meeting the expenses into which the calamitous state of our country and the duty of self-defence have driven us, it will be necessary for the Board to provide necessary funds. The Committee are of opinion that to draw the neces- sary funds from the banks of our city would be straightening them too much in their operation, and have a tendency to increase the present distress in the pecuniary transactions of our fellow-citizens. They therefore respectfully suggest to the Board the propriety of authorizing a loan to be opened for a sum not exceeding one million of dollars, at seven per cent, payable in one year, with interest half yearly, for which the bonds of the Corporation shall be given to the lenders.
"It will be necessary for the comfortable accom-
237
MEASURES FOR DEFENCE.
modation of the militia to be called out, that proper barracks be erected for the purpose, and that meas- ures be immediately adopted for their erection. It will be necessary that arrangements should be made for supplying the troops with good and whole- some provisions, and in case it should not be in the power of the general Government to supply them, the supply must be made by us.
"We commend to the Board, that some proper person or persons be authorized immediately to raise the buoys stationed in our harbor, as owing to the smallness of our commerce, they may easily be dis- pensed with, and because their continuance may be of great importance to the enemy, and their removal put a great obstacle in the way of his approach.
"We recommend to the Board, that the Commit- tee be authorized to make some arrangements, if necessary, for employing the steam and horse boats in the harbor for the transportation of troops ; and, as at such a crisis as this, many necessary things may suggest themselves or be suggested to the Committee which may require expedition in the ac- complishment, the Committee respectfully recom- mend to the Board that they be authorized to execute them without express delegation of power for that purpose. The Committee are sensible that they are making large demands upon the confidence of the Board; they covet not such extension of power and confidence, but they think them all im- portant to the safety of our threatened city. The fate of Washington warns us not to remain unpre- pared. A small expenditure of money might have
238
LOAN ASKED.
saved our capital and prevented this disgrace upon the nation. And shall the city of New York, the first in the Union, in point of importance, also fall the sacrifice to a spirit of penuriousness which will count the expense of self-protection when all is in jeopardy ? The Committee are as sensible as the Board can be that the duty of protecting us belongs to the general Government, but when a government is unable to protect, the crisis demands that the citi- zens should strain every nerve to protect them- selves."
The recommendations in the report were unani- mously agreed to. A loan was at once authorized and placed under the direction of the Finance Com- mittee. It was placed before the public in the fol- lowing manner :
" The Corporation of New York to their Fellow- Citizens :
"The crisis of our national affairs has rendered it indispensable for the corporation of the city to advance the funds necessary for the protection of this part of the State. In order to be safe we must rely upon our means-upon ourselves'! Any other reliance in the present state of the country would be delusive and might be ruinous.
"The corporation have, therefore, for the sole and exclusive purpose of defence, unanimously authorized the Committee of Finance to open a loan for a million of dollars at an interest of seven per cent, the principal payable in a year and the in- terest semi-annually. The bond of the corporation
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