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 21
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More strict attendance of the men was required.
On 15th September, by division orders of that date, it appears that
"The commanding general has learned with regret that certain officers of the detached militia in
329
STATION OF BRIGADES.
the service of the United States are in the habit of granting furloughs and discharges which, in some instances, have extended to whole corps," and attention is called to the articles of war, which pro- vide that "no furlough shall be given during a campaign, nor any but by the general commanding the district or army and for a cause of disability, which disability shall be certified to by a regimental or hospital surgeon."
Major-General Stevens' headquarters were at 56 Beekman street.
From official reports made about September 25th, it appears that at that time the forces were stationed as follows :
One brigade of 1,500 men stationed at Ward's Island, under command of Brig .- Gen. Peter S. Van Orden.
One brigade of 1,600 men at Harlem Heights, Forts Fish and Clinton, commanded by Brig .- Gen. Martin Hermance.
One brigade of 1,750 men at Greenwich, near Christopher street and vicinity of State Prison grounds, under command of Brevet Brig .- Gen. Peter Curtenius.
One division of 5,700 men, under Maj .- Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, at Benson's Point and about Hell Gate.
One squadron of cavalry, 400 strong, commanded by Lieut .- Col. James Warner.
One brigade of 1,800 men stationed at Bath (now Fort Hamilton), under command of Brig .- Gen. Samuel S. Haight.
330
STATION OF BRIGADES.
One brigade of 1,750 men stationed at Brooklyn, near Fort Greene, under command of Brig. Gen. Jeremiah Johnson.
Force of 1,000 Sea Fencibles stationed in the Rockaway and Gravesend block houses and in Forts Gates, Diamond, Lewis and Stevens.
One brigade of 2,150 men stationed at Staten Island, under command of Brig .- Gen. Robert Swartwout.
A brigade of infantry of New Jersey militia, con- sisting of twenty-three companies. about 1,200 men, under command of Col. John W. Frelinghuysen, sta- tioned at Powles Hook (Jersey City).
A large force of New Jersey militia, consisting of about 1,500 men, infantry and artillery, stationed at the Highlands of Navesink, near Sandy Hook.
There were in the forts about New York city and harbor, 3,316 men, regulars in the United States Army and in General Boyd's brigade.
The naval force in New York harbor in August consisted of the President, forty four guns, Commo- dore Decatur ; the Alert, eighteen guns, and Com- modore Lewis's flotilla of thirty-eight gunboats, manned by about 1,300 men.
General Boyd's command was as follows :
"NEW YORK, September 23, 1814.
" The Thirty-second, Forty-first and Forty-second Regiments, United States Infantry, with the com- pany of Trojan Greens commanded by Captain Dole, will form one brigade under the immediate command of Brig .- Gen. J. P. Boyd, who will con- centrate the said corps at New Utrecht immediately.
331
VOLUNTEER LABORERS.
Captain Leonard's Sea Fencibles, assigned to the defence of Fort Diamond; Captain Fowler's, assigned to the defence of Fort Lewis and the block houses dependent thereon, and Captain Ingersoll, assigned to the defence of the block house at Rockaway, will all be considered subject to the orders of General Boyd, in their respective commands. By order
" THOS. CHRISTIE,
"Assistant Adjutant-General."
On 30th September Major Wooster took cont- mand of Fort Stevens with four companies of Sea Fencibles.
Volunteer laborers were from time to time at work on the defences.
On the 19th September the Free Masons again worked at Brooklyn and opened by a salute by Major Hunter.
On 20th September the Washington Benevolent Society proceeded to Brooklyn and worked upon Washington Bastion and nearly completed it.
The Master Butchers on the 20th, with 180 strong, worked on the Brooklyn fortifications. A commit- tee of them made arrangements with the Committee of Defence and a few days afterwards were assigned, one hundred strong, to work on the right of Mc- Gowan's Pass, at a location now in Central Park, near Fifth avenue. They started early in the morning, headed by a fine band of music, carrying a large banner on which was painted :
"Friends of Our Country."
" Free Trade and Butchers' Rights."
" From Brooklyn's Fields to Haarlem Heights."
332
REQUEST TO NEWSPAPERS.
They worked until sundown, throwing up a breastwork of about one hundred feet in length, twenty in breadth and four feet in height, neatly sodded.
The following notice explains itself :
" CIRCULAR.
" COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE CHAMBER. "September 21st, 1814.
"SIR :- While the Committee of Defence have been devoted to the adoption of measures for the defence and security of the city against the hostile attempts of the enemy with which it is threatened, it has afforded them infinite satisfaction to find so zealous and unanimous co-operation pervading all descriptions of citizens.
" It is, however, with regret they observe occa- sional publications in some of the public papers rather calculated to disturb the tranquillity which so happily prevails. The crisis seems to demand that party questions should not be agitated at pres- ent. They, therefore, presume to recommend an entire suppression of party discussions in all future publications, at least so long as the combined exer- tions of all are necessary to the defence and security of the city.
"I am, with great respect, "Your most obedient servant, "NICH. FISH, Chairman."
On 27th September the following request was published :
" The Committee of Defence, while they applaud
333
FORT LAIGHT BUILT.
the spirit which has actuated the whole body of citizens in erecting defences against the common enemy, feel themselves under the necessity of again calling on their patriotism in that way. They request another tour of duty without delay in the forts, particularly on those at Harlem Heights, in order that they may be completely finished and in readiness to resist any attack the enemy may have the temerity to make."
On 28th September the Juvenile band, composed of two hundred pupils from Manhattan School, 148 Chambers street, under Mr. A. Picket, went to work at Brooklyn Heights.
On 12th October Tammany and Columbian So- cieties worked on the fortifications at Harlem Heights.
The work upon the fortifications, when by the local militia detachments or in bodies, was without pay.
The Eighty-fifth Regiment of city militia, com- manded by Lieut .- Col. E. W. Laight, were placed on a tour of fatigue duty near Manhattanville, and went into camp there on Monday, October 10th.
On Friday morning the regiment broke ground on the height above their encampment, and in true military style, under a salute of small arms, named the post, after their respected colonel, "Fort Laight." Some officers in the meantime, by stratagem, de- tained him in the encampment, unadvised of the compliment until completed.
The Columbian of October 18th contained the following :
331
FALSE ALARM.
"On Saturday evening last the regiment of city infantry commanded by Col. E. W. Laight marched into town from their encampment near Manhattanville, which they entered on the Monday previous, on a tour of fatigue duty. They each day cheerfully and actively labored on the fortifications and at night reposed on the field.
"About two o'clock on Saturday morning an alarm was made in camp to ascertain how expeditiously the regiment could be formed in case of emergency. Every company officer and the privates were asleep ; in four minutes after the drums beat to arms each company was dressed and formed in front of their tents, and in ten minutes from the alarm the regi- ment was formed in open column for the march.
"The regiment was relieved on Saturday afternoon by a detachment from Colonel Ward's regiment."*
* The remains of "Fort Laight " are yet (1894) plainly visible near south side West 135th street, one hundred and twenty yards east of Eleventh avenue. It was built of stone.
CHAPTER LXII.
Disorderly Militia-Courts-Martial-Military Duties-Military Life in the City-Drills and Parades.
OURTS-MARTIAL were found to be among the earliest necessities adjunct to the mustering in of the militia. These courts were of all kinds and vari- eties and of various jurisdictions and purposes. They were all issued in form out of the Adjutant-General's office of the Third Military District.
We have before seen (Vol. I., p. 199) that a court- martial for the trial of an accused militiaman must be composed of militia officers only. and they were subject to the rules and articles of war when called into actual service by the general government ; but the militia officers composing the court must be designated by the commander of the military district.
The militia officers as well as their men had to be called to order. On 22d September General Morton called attention to the "extreme remissness " of
336
DISORDERLY SOLDIERS.
Major Dibblee's command in cantonment (camp) at upper end of Broadway, near Clinton Place.
On 26th September General Lewis, in a general order from the Adjutant-General's office of the Third Military District, stated :
"It is painful to the commanding general to ob- serve the little attention paid to the orders of the 29th August last (see ante, p. 258).
" The officers of the militia, regardless of orders, permit their men to stray from their camp at all hours in companies, in some instances from fifteen to twenty, whose depredations on the inhabitants are frequently the consequence."
The order further provides that the officers will be held responsible for the conduct of their men and will be arrested and court-martialed.
The most famous was on 24th September, which was provided by general orders from the Adjutant- General's office of Third Military District, as follows :
" A general court-martial under the act of Con- gress of 28th February, 1795, for the trial of those of the militia of the State of New York ordered into service of the United States in the third military district who have failed to rendezvous pursuant to orders, will convene Monday 26th inst. at Harmony Hall and will consist of the following members :
"President, Brigadier-General Steddiford ; mem- bers, Brigadier-General Hermance, Lieutenant-Colo- nel Varian, Major Wigton, Maj. Daniel E. Duns- comb, Captain Acker (of Colonel Warner's caval- ry), Capt. Gulian C. Verplanck. Supernumeraries, Lieut .- Col. Jasper Ward, Major Charles Graham ;
337
COURTS-MARTIAL ORDERED.
Judge-Advocate, Pierre C. Van Wyck." Hugh Maxwell was soon afterwards substituted as judge- advocate.
This is the court that afterwards tried one. Jacob E. Mott for failure to appear and be mustered into the militia service under the orders of August 4th and 29th. 1814, for the defence of New York city. The court continued, though some of its members changed from time to time, until 13th May, 1818, when Mott was tried and fined $96, for which he was liable to be imprisoned for twelve months un- less the fine was paid. The important legal ques- tions that arose in the case came before the United States Supreme Court in 1827 as Martin vs. Mott (12 Wheaton's Reports, p. 19), where it was held that the judgment of the court-martial for the offence. was valid. The State court had previously held that it was void.
As late as September 30th it was reported that several companies of the Second Regiment of artil- lery and the battalion of " Governor's Guards " were without small arms.
On the 30th September it was announced in general orders that General Stevens' division be mustered and inspected for payment. This event was particularly welcome to those who were called into the service from outside the city of New York under the Governor's order of August 4th and 29th (see ante, p. 185).
The amount to be paid, however small, would greatly relieve those men that had already incurred so much expense at the sudden call. This was the
338
EXPENSES OF MILITIA.
first payment that was made for their services. In most cases it was less than the amount necessarily expended to go into the service at New York city.
We have before seen (Vol. I., p. 199) that a militia- man when called into active service must provide his own clothing and personal equipments (see- ante, pp. 185, 251).
The expenses of a militiaman at that time were hard to be borne. Under the laws of 1857, before referred to (ante, p. 187), for the payment by the State of the expenses by men who were called into. military service in the war of 1812, the claims now on file in the State Adjutant-General's office at Al- bany are ample evidence.
The details of one are sufficient as an example of all. The claim of Elias Conklin, who was a sergeant in Capt. John Wood's Rifle Company, under com- mand of Lieut .- Col. Jonathan Varian, is as fol- lows : Conklin was from Dutchess County, and served at New York city for ninety days from August 25, 1814. He had to pay for his own trans- portation to and from New York city, which was $6 each way. The cost of the uniform and equipments. provided by himself was as follows: Uniform coat, $20 ; cap, $3; plume, $1 ; pair pantaloons, $4 ; vest, $2.20 ; ordinary coat, $15 ; blanket, $3; knap- sack, $5 ; canteen, 75 cents; cartouch box, 75 cents ; belt, $1 ; tomahawk, $1.50; rifle, $37 ; pair stockings, $1.50 ; two shirts, $4; pair shoes, $3; pair Surrow boots, $5; neckerchief, $1.25.
How this and similar claims have been disposed. of, see ante, p. 188, note.
339
DRILLS AND DUTIES.
Duane's Handbook of Infantry Tactics was pre- scribed for use by division orders.
The artillery drilled with small arms also as well as with field pieces.
The supply of small arms was short, as we have already seen (ante, p. 263). Many of them were not supplied until the early part of October.
In many instances the State provided small arms and accoutrements. For the number of muskets furnished to those in service at New York between August 30th and October 6, 1814, see ante, p. 263.
The necessary guard and other duties at head- quarters were performed by the infantry companies, with their respective officers, in weekly rotation.
The infantry of the Third and Tenth Brigades that were quartered at home were drilled every morning from six to eight o'clock and afternoon from four to six o'clock, by companies, at some parade ground selected by the regimental field officers.
The battalions formed twice in each week, the regiments once in each week, the brigades once in two or three weeks. The whole division, under Major-General Stevens, had several fine parades during the term of service.
The different regiments performed their tour of duty at Harlem and were each encamped in the field until relieved by a new corps from the city.
Guard duty was important and responsible. The report was required to be in writing. The report of Captain McKenna as officer of the guard for 26th and 27th September, 1814, is as follows :
340
GUARD REPORT.
"WEST BATTERY, 27th Sept., 1814.
"At 8 O'clock yesterday relieved Captn. Shaw and mounted Guard ; received the garrison (except the entry to the Sally port) in good order, also in charge twelve prisoners, one of whom, John Franscisco, was delivered to Lieut. J. H. Gallaghan, of Captn. Perry's Company Sea Fencibles as per commitment. At ¿ past 2 P.M. visited by Major Hunter, officer of the day ; at 3 P.M. delivered David Lowery, Samuel Lowery and John Smith to Lieut. March, the officer who committed them ; at 5 P. M. they were returned to the Garrison and a verbal order from the said officer to recommit them into close confinement, stating that the prison at Gov- ernor's Island was full and that they could not be received at that post as the prison of this Garrison was also full ; I could not receive them, to report which I repaired without delay to Headquarters, but. was unable to see the General or any of his aids. I also made a second call to the same effect, and in.
consequence thereof I made report of the same to Lieut .- Col. Stevens, who ordered me to refuse receiving them under the then existing circum- stances. In the interim the officers who returned with them had left the Garrison. I was consequently under the necessity of placing them under close con- finement, altho' humanity forbade increasing the, number to eleven in a prison not large enough for six. At { past 12 A.M. was visited by the Grand
rounds, who strictly examined the Guard and Garri- son : at 8 A.M. gave an order to the Contractor for, one day's provisions for the prisoners, delivered the
341
REPORT OF OFFICER OF THE DAY.
prisoner Van Horne to Lieut. Gilbert of the regu- lars as per receipt-Delivered the garrison to Lieut.
Brett, 2d Officer of 1st Company Governor's Guards.
" Parole, Countersign,
" Raul. Princeton.
"(Signed) CHARLES MCKENNA,
"Capt. 1st Comp'y Governor's Gds."
The report of the officer of the day for Friday, October 7, 1814, is as follows :
"Officer of the day, Major Daniel E. Dunscombe, of the Independent Battalion of Governor's Guards.
"Parole-Cromwell.
" Countersign-Britain.
"Commenced the visit at three o'clock P.M. at the West Battery : on duty 1 officer, Lieut. Luff, of Major Smith's Battr.
"2 Non-commissioned Officers.
"16 privates, of whom only fourteen were equipped.
" Examined the guard and found but two mus- kets fit for service.
"Examined the Battery and found nine pieces in a state of repair, the rest in good order ; of imple- ments there were missing 3 Aprons, 7 Iron Crow- bars, 2 Handspikes.
" 10 prisoners in confinement (list herewith), 2 sentinels out.
"Gen. Steddiford's Headquarters, 36 Beekman St.
"On duty 1 officer, Lieut. Hoffman, 10th Brigade.
"2 Non-commissioned Officers.
"' 22 Privates.
" 2 do. Absent.
342
INSPECTION OF GUARDS.
"Examined the guard and condemned two unfit for service; many of the men were destitute of Cartridge Boxes.
" 5 Sentinels posted, six prisoners in confinement.
"Gen. Mapes' Headquarters.
" On duty 1 Officer, Ensign Watts, 3d Brigade.
" 3 Non-commissioned Officers.
"' 23 Privates.
-
"Examined the guard and found the muskets all in good order, but as before many were unprovided with Cartridge Boxes.
" 1 prisoner, 5 Sentinels out.
"Encampment on Stuyvesant's Ground, 3d Brigade.
"On duty 1 Officer, Lieut. Peabody, Col. Van Rensselaer's Regt.
" 4 Non-commissioned Officers. .
"60 Privates, many of whom were employed in the police service of the Camp. Of the Guards most were without either belts or Cartridge Boxes, and with wooden snappers instead of flints.
"7 prisoners in confinement, 20 Sentinels out.
"The Officer of the day recommends to the special notice of the General the fact that this encampment is totally unprovided with any kind of shelter for the men while on sentry.
"Park of Artillery at Dydes',-Upper Broadway.
"On duty 1 Officer, Lieut. Fowler.
" 3 Non-commissioned Officers.
" 37 Privates.
" Absent 1 Non-commissioned Officer } on extra " 6 Privates S duty.
343
INSPECTION OF GUARDS
"Examined the travelling pieces : all in good "order.
" 12 Sentinels posted-No prisoners.
"Fort Gansevoort.
"Found this post in charge of Capt. Swaim, of Col. Bogert's Regiment, and learned from him, that the Officer who preceded him in the command had left the Garrison with one prisoner, in charge of a non-commissioned Officer and one private, in conse- quence of which Col. Bogert had desired him to take charge of it as Officer of the Guard.
"On duty 1 Officer.
" 4 Non-commissioned Officers.
"20 Privates-of these several were absent pro- curing necessaries for the tour of duty on which they had been unexpectedly called.
"Examined the Garrison and found it in good order. 4 Sentinels out ; 1 prisoner, I. Hamilton.
" North Battery.
" On duty 1 Officer, Lieut. Coles, Eleventh Regi- ment N. Y. S. Artillery.
" 3 Non-commissioned Officer.
" 18 Privates.
"Examined the Battery, found the guns and im- plements in good order. The Magazine ventilators are rusted and one out of repair, one of them broken. The Travelling pieces likewise in good order, with the exception that three wanted aprons. " + Sentinels out, 2 prisoners.
" State Arsenal (Bridge street).
" On duty 1 Officer, Lieut. Nixon, Veteran Corps.
" 1 Non Commissioned Officer.
444
GRAND ROUNDS.
" 8 Privates.
"Examined the Field Artillery and found two pieces wadded, which could not be remedied for want of a worm.
" 2 Sentinels out. No prisoners.
" This post is in want of a Guard House.
" GRAND ROUNDS.
"Commenced the Grand rounds at 10 P.M. and visited the Several Posts before mentioned.
" The parole was not demanded either at the State Arsenal, General Mapes' Headquarters, Encamp- ment at Stuyvesant's or the Park at Dydes'.
" At the State Arsenal, there were only six rounds, of cartridges among the whole guard.
" At Fort Gansevoort the number of prisoners had. been since the former visit increased to seven, as ap- pears by the accompanying report.
"At & past 2 A.M. of the 8th October reached the West Battery, where having passed the outer Senti- nels, who hailed properly, went up to the inner sentinel and took away his musket, he not receiving me correctly, nor taking any precaution to prevent. his being disarmed. One of the escort who received the musket from the Sentinel proceeded through the Wicker Gate (where he met several of the guard who did not attempt to hinder him) to the- Officer's Quarters, where he made a prisoner of Lieut. Luff, Officer of the Guard.
" Ordered the escort, consisting of Captns. Mc- Kenna, Murray and Crocker, Lieut. Brett and Sergeant Major Clare, to take charge of the garrison, which they accordingly did, disarmed the Sentinels.
345*
ENEMY IN THE SOUND.
and took the Officer and all his command into custody. The escort mounted guard until sunrise, when, having communicated with and received orders from Brig. Genl. Morton, left the Garrison in charge of Captn. McKenna and a detachment from my battalion, who had been summoned by the Sergeant Major."
About 1st October the enemy's war vessels ap- peared in Long Island Sound near Pelham Bay. On 3d October Commodore Lewis took nineteen gunboats and two bomb ketches from the lower bay and proceeded up through Hell Gate to the Sound, but was not able to get a shot at them.
There were frequent rumors of the appearance of the enemy near Harlem.
In this connection it is interesting to read the account of the late Israel Russel, which he gave in October, 1856, and which appeared in "Valentine's Manual" for 1857 (p. 489), of the guard duty, inci- dents, etc., at that time :
"Being in the United States service, receiving, pay and rations (those who did not quarter at home), we were strictly under the army regulations, and governed in all things by the rules and articles of war. The officer of the day at headquarters. made his Grand Rounds at night, and generally, as there was more amusement in it than otherwise, would have a goodly number of brother officers to accompany him. I recollect going the rounds one night with Major James Strong, officer of the day, and others from our headquarters in Cherry street. The first post visited was Colonel Van Rensselaer's,.
346
GRAND ROUNDS.
on the Bowery farm. Fort Gansevoort was the furthest post on the North River. The fort at Hubert street, called the North Battery, the fort (now Castle Garden) at the Battery, and the head- quarters of the other different corps on duty in the city, made up a ride of three or four hours, was good exercise and with the little plans of surprise, the evenings passed off very pleasantly.
" While on our tour at Harlem, in the month of October, we had a merry time. Capt. William H. Maxwell was the life of our camp, but there were several others quite equal to him. One evening it was planned by some of the senior officers that the countersign should be changed at twelve o'clock, and as some of the officers were disposed to go out and have a gay time of it, the plan was to bring them in prisoners to the guardhouse on their return. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and in the still air the voices of these military gentlemen could be heard at a great distance, and they appeared to be enjoying a most luxuriant treat of frolic and fun. It was after twelve o'clock before they began to return, and when they did, one after the other was brought to the guardhouse as prisoner. We had one lieutenant-colonel, three captains, six or eight lieutenants and ensigns. But the joke was not taken in as good part as it was given ; they were very angry, raged and stormed, and conceived it a great indignity offered them. They preferred ·charges against the officer of the guard, who was a lieutenant, and threatened to have him cashiered. He was the only responsible one they could charge
347
FALSE ALARM.
with it. He felt secure, for there were those, his superiors who planned it, who shielded him. When we returned to the city they endeavored to carry out their threat, and it was agitated a good deal for a week or two. Finally, General Mapes, in his good- natured, pleasant manner, laughed them out of their anger, and it was all forgotten.
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