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 22
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"The same night, after all was quiet and the · officers and men had retired to their tents and were wrapped in sleep, the moon had gone down and a heavy dew was falling, the same officers who had planned the first caused a false alarm to be given, by directing the sentinel on the outskirts of the camp to fire alarm guns, and such measures were taken as to give an impression that a real attack had been made by the enemy. It was at this time fully expected an expedition would be fitted out and an attack made in this direction through the Sound, so that it only wanted a little strength of imagina- tion to believe it was a reality. The whole regiment was speedily mustered, the officers all at their posts in a short time, and almost all under the full belief that it was an actual attack of the enemy. They marched off, but no enemy could be found. The officers made a good parade of it, and toward morn- ing, as daylight dawned, they returned to camp, giving evidence by the appearance of their clothes, which were wet by the heavy dew, marching through the fields, that it had not been a short one. This has always been a pleasant incident to remem- ber and speak of, when any of Colonel Dodge's. officers and men met in after time."
348
GARRISON GUARD DUTY.
The following guard report is a sample of garri- son guard duty at that time :
"Guard Report.
"NEW YORK CITY, NORTH BATTERY, " September 25, 1814.
"In compliance with garrison order of the 24th inst., Captain Rockwell's company, under my com- mand (Captain Rockwell being sick), relieved the detachment from Captain Forman's company, under command of Lieutenant Benedict, at 8 o'clock A. M., and detailed a guard of three sergeants, one corpo- ral and twenty-one privates.
"At 93 A.M. was visited by Major Mercein ; at 10 A.M. detailed a fatigue party of eight men to col- lect the straw which had been scattered throughout the garrison during the late storm, piled up the wads, etc., etc., which duty was performed with promptitude and cheerfulness. Major Hodson, Captains Bremner, Anderaise, Brown and several other officers of the regiment visited the garrison during the day. At 4 P.M. paraded the. guard and drilled one hour ; at 5} P.M. was visited by the officer of the day (Major Purdy) and suite, who were received on right of the guard with presented arms. Major Purdy (in direct contradiction of what is believed to be the uniform practice of this regiment) ordered the guard to be countermarched so that he might advance upon its left-which order being repeated, was obeyed. The roll was then called and the arms and accoutrements of the guards inspected. At 11} P.M. was visited by the Grand Rounds, who were received in due order, examined
349
DRILLS AND PARADES.
the several posts and were apparently pleased with their reception.
"Sept. 26th, at 8 A.M .. paraded the guard and drilled one hour ; at 9 A. M. the guard was relieved by a detachment from Captain Anderaise's company of the 11th Regiment.
"' CHRISTOPHER WOLFE,
" Lieut. 2d Co., 2d Battalion, 11th Reg., N. Y .. A ."
Company drills were at any convenient place. There were three places where brigade parades and drills took place-Stuyvesant's farm, east of the Bowery, between First and Fourth streets : Greenwich parade ground (ante, Vol. I .. p. 229) and ground near Belle- vue Hospital, at Second avenue and Twenty- eighth street. Regimental parades often took place at one or the other of these places, or near the forts in the city. The afternoon parades proved a great attraction and were usually attended by a large number of citizens and strangers to see the showy uniforms and hear the fine martial music that prevailed, particularly with the city regiments.
In Clark's history of the Second Company of the Seventh Regiment, written in 1864, when there were still many persons living in the city who well remem- bered that period and were then members of the Eleventh Regiment of Artillery, he stated that the martial corps or band of that regiment was then under the instruction and leadership of Fife Major Cochran, whose fame as a musician extended to every household in the city. The clear notes of his fife were always listened to with admiration and delight, and the music at the evening parades at
350
COURTS-MARTIAL.
the grounds off the North Battery, while the regi- ment was stationed there in the Fall of 1814, was always afterwards associated with the most pleas- ant recollections of the war.
Additional courts-martial were needed and were organized.
By general orders dated 6th of October a general court-martial, to consist of nine members of the New York detached militia, was ordered to convene at Tammany Hall on 10th October to hear such cases as might be brought before it.
President, Brigadier-General Curtenius; members, Lieutenant-Colonels Ward, Harsen and Sayre, Majors Thorn, Purdy and Hunter, Captains McClure and Bradhurst ; supernumerary, Captain Stanton ; Judge Advocate, Pierre C. Van Wyck.
On 22d October a general court-martial for the trial of such cases in the New York detached militia as may be brought before it was ordered to convene at Tammany Hall on the 25th October.
President, Lieut .- Col. E. W. Laight ; members, Majors D. D. Smith, Israel Purdy, William Thorn, Captains J. J. Drake, Edward Rockwelland blank ; supernumerary, Lieut. H. W. Nicoll.
CHAPTER XLIII.
Fulton's Steam Frigate-Lack of Money to Complete Her-Petition to Committee of Defence for Help-Money Loaned by the City-Report to the Common Council-Display at the Launch- ing-Description of Her and Her Armament-Other War Ves- sels Proposed.
HE building of "Fulton's Steam War Frigate," before mentioned (ante, pp. 42-89), was progressing. The national government had furnished $95,000 to- wards her construction. A large part of this sum was in Treasury notes and could not be used to pay the work men; money was needed for that pur- pose. The committee of defence loaned the construction committee $10,000 on the Treasury notes to pay off the workmen on September 24th. More money was still needed, and the national government could not immediately furnish it. The superintending committee therefore applied to the city for aid. On September 26th they laid the fol- lowing statement before the Common Council.
352
STATEMENT TO
" TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
"The undersigned having at the request of the Secretary of the Navy of the United States under- taken to superintend the building and the equip- ment of a vessel of war to be propelled by steam, beg leave to represent to the Corporation, that with- out their co-operation in procuring money for its completion, this engine of defence, which promises to be so serviceable in protecting the city in the event of an attack upon it, must remain unfinished.
The pecuniary means that have been furnished by Government to carry on this work amount to $95, 000 ; $15,000 of that sum having been remitted to us in cash, and $80,000 in Treasury notes. Hither- to we have been able to purchase materials and carry on the work with the latter description of paper, which we have been informed by the Navy Department, is the only species of remittance that can be made to us, and which, in the present em- barrassed state of society, is found to be inadequate to the purpose.
" Unwilling to stop the progress of a work which we deem to be so important to this country, and particularly to this city, and having latterly found it impracticable to carry it on without money, we applied to the banks for aid, proposing to de- posit with them Treasury notes for the amount they might advance. On our being informed by those institutions that they were precluded, by arrange- ments made among themselves, from affording us the requisite advances unless the same should be
353
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
considered as part of a sum which they had agreed to loan to the Corporation for the defence of the city, we applied to the Committee of Defence to sanction the advance to be thus made to us, but learned with regret from that Committee, that the sum of money borrowed by the Corporation and placed at their disposal would be absorbed by their own operations. We then renewed our application to the banks, and were informed by Mr. Wilkes, in behalf of all those institutions in this city, that they would increase their loan to the Corporation to the amount of our wants if they should be requested by the Corporation to do so. Considering that this offer of the banks fully obviated the objection of the Committee of Defence, we sent them a copy of Mr. Wilkes' letter, requesting that they would authorize the loan to be made to us, but were in- formed by them in answer to this last application that their powers were limited to the loan already made.
"Under these circumstances we are compelled to resort to your body for aid and assistance. In addition to the sum of $95,000 already expended on the steam vessel and her machinery, we shall require $80,000 more to finish her. For this last sum or such parts of it as we may be furnished with by the Corporation, they will be supplied by us with United States Treasury notes.
" When it is recollected that Mr. Fulton has de- vised a system of maritime defence which promises to be of such extensive use, and whose disinterested- ness has prompted him not only to make a gratui-
354
ASKING FOR MONEY.
tous tender of it to his country, but to undertake, also, without any pecuniary compensation, the labor of superintending its construction ; when also the ship carpenters, Adam and Noah Brown, have ex- pended their last shilling in the building of the vessel, and this under the most discouraging pecuniary difficulties, occasioned by advances which have enabled them to fit out with unexampled celerity the brig on Lake Champlain, with which the gallant McDonough defeated a superior British force, we cannot believe that the patriotic and en- lightened body to whom we address ourselves, will hesitate in furnishing the means to enable us to finish so important a work, and which, without their aid, must remain incomplete. There are now upward of 260 workmen employed on the hull and machinery of the steam vessel; these men require for the daily. subsistence of themselves and their families, their wages as fast as they are earned, and so completely are their employers exhausted of the means of paying them, that, had not the Com- mittee of Defence, at the solicitation of his Honor, the Mayor, loaned to us $10,000, the workmen must have been dismissed last Saturday.
" We shall add nothing to what has been already said about the efficiency of this mode of harbor defence, but content ourselves with referring the Board to Commodore Decatur and other naval officers, whose opinions on that subject will un- doubtedly have the weight which their professional skill entitles them to. "OLIVER WOLCOTT,
" THOMAS MORRIS."
355
LAUNCHING OF THE BOAT.
Col. Henry Rutgers, the chairman, was absent - from the city and did not sign the communication, but he approved of it.
The city took about $46,000 of the United States Treasury notes and gave currency for them.
Early in September the following appeared in the National Advocate :
" The Fulton steam battery will be launched in a few weeks. As she approaches to a finish the public confidence in her success increases, although our enemies, the British, say we have nothing worthy of notice or to honor human nature. This work and torpedoes prove we have, and I hope will make them fear and respect us.
"Her oak, her iron, her copper are American, the workmanship, the engines, the invention are also American, and when afloat Americans will man her and fight her like Americans."
Work upon the frigate was continued as rapidly as convenient. Many of the workmen were detailed from the militia in service and were allowed full workmen's wages, but were not allowed to draw pay and rations as if in actual service in the militia.
When the vessel was ready to launch the follow- ing military order was issued :
" ARTILLERY BRIGADE ORDER. "NEW YORK, October 27, 1814.
" The steam frigate now building for the defence of this city will be launched on Saturday next at the dock yard of Messrs. A. & N. Brown at Manhattan Island.
" In compliment to this means of defence so hon-
356
DESCRIPTION OF
orable to the genius of our country and so interest- ing to this metropolis a detachment of two hundred men from the Second Regiment with muskets, the musketry of Major Smith's battalion under a major, and six pieces of artillery from the Third Regiment under a major, with the troop of horse artillery will parade so as to form at the dock yard at eight o'clock precisely; the whole will be under command of Lieut .- Col. H. G. Stevens .* The quartermaster will furnish ammunition for the salute which will be fired at the launching of the frigate.
"By order, "J. VANDERBILT, " Brig Major."
The launching took place at the time designated, in the presence of a large concourse of people and amid great enthusiasm. She was named "Fulton the First," but was not completed until the follow- ing May, a few months after the death of Robert Fulton.
* He was appointed first lieutenant of a company in the regiment of artillery in the cty and county of New York, on the 3d day of April, 1804. i
Captain of a company in the First Regiment of the First Brigade of the artillery of New York, on the 28th day of March, 1806.
First major on the 21st day of February, 1812. First major of the Second Regiment of artillery, in the militia of New York, on the 29th day of July, 1813.
Brevet lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment of the First Bri- gade of artillery, in the militia of the State, by order dated Septem- ber 21, 1814.
Lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment of artillery, in New York, on the 8th day of May, 1815.
Brigadier-general of the First Brigade of artillery of the State of New York, on the 24th day of April, 1817.
His resignation as brigadier-general was accepted on the 24th day of May, 1823, and he was honorably discharged at his own request.
357
THE VESSEL.
The vessel measured 145 feet on deck, 55 feet breadth of beam, drew S feet of water, mounted thirty 32-pound carronades and two 100-pound columbiads.
It was a structure resting upon two boats and and keels separated from end to end by a channel fif- teen feet wide and sixty six feet long. One boat con- tained the copper boiler for generating steam, which was the motive power. The machinery occupied the other boat. The paddle wheel revolved in the space between them, similar to the horse boats of that day. The main or gun deck supported the armament and was protected by a parapet four feet ten inches thick of solid timber, pierced by embra- sures. Through twenty-five port holes were as many thirty-two pounders intended to fire red-hot shot, which could be heated with great safety and con- venience. Her upper or spar deck, upon which many hundred men might parade, was encompassed with a bulwark for safety. She was rigged with two stout masts, each of which supported a large lateen yard and sails. She had two bowsprits and jibs, and four rudders, one at each extremity of each boat, so that she might be steered with either end foremost. Her machinery was calculated for an ad- ditional engine, which might discharge an immense column of hot water, which it was intended to throw upon the decks and through the port holes of an enemy and thereby deluge her armament and am- munition.
A portion of the specifications is as follows :
" The boat is framed on an angle of about eighteen
358
TIIE STEAM POWER.
degrees all around the vessel, when the top timbers elevate the balls and the lower timbers direct them under her. The top deck, which glances the ball, may be hung on a mass of hinges near the ports which are in the upper slant. Said deck is supported by knees and cross timbers on the lower sides, so that it may be sprung with powder, if required, when boarded by the enemy, to a perpendicular, when the said deck will be checked by stays, while the power of the powder will be exhausted in the open air, and then fall or spring to the centre of the deck again. The aforesaid deck will run up and down with the angle, which may be coppered or laid with iron. The gun deck may be bored at pleasure to give room, if required, as the men and guns are under said deck. The motive power is applied be- tween her knees, where there is a concave formed to receive them from the bow to the stern, except a small distance to each end forming an eddy. The power may be reversed to propel her either way. Said power is connected to upright levers to make horizontal strokes alternately. The elevation of her timbers and gearing will be proportioned by her keel and tonnage."
The boiler was not put in until late in November. Talman & Ward, of Corlear's Hook, built the cylinder of the engine for her. It was four feet in diameter and weighed three tons. The power was one hundred and twenty horse.
It was said that Commodore Porter was to take command of this vessel when ready for service.
About that time there were many plans for sim-
359
OTHER VESSELS PROPOSED.
ilar war vessels proposed. In December, 1814, Uriah Brown laid before Congress his plan for a system of defence by land or water by the use of an inflammable fluid, and it was favorably reported upon.
The vessel was to be iron clad, of long surface and propelled by steam at rate of five miles per hour, and the fluid was to be ejected upon the object by steam.
CHAPTER XLIV.
Militia Dissatisfied-Another Commander Wanted-Appeal for Workers on Fortifications-Removal of Major-General Lewis- His Farewell Address to his Soldiers-Governor Tompkins Placed in Command-Objection of Governor Pennington- Reply of Secretary of War.
T HERE was much dissatisfaction among the soldiers at this time. They had been kept away from home during harvest time, and their crops had suffered waste, and more than all, they had not re- ceived pay, and their supplies were insufficient, because the govern- ment had not the means at hand to furnish them. Discontent and murmurs pervaded the camp.
The action of the Rockland County militia was most notable and ultra. Appeal after appeal was made to General Van Orden by his men for fur- loughs to go home and harvest their crops, but in vain. So one night two or three companies marched out of camp and went home. After getting in their crops and arranging as best they could for the
361
MILITIA DISSATISFIED.
future, they quietly met, re-formed and marched back to camp. For such a breach of discipline what punishment could be devised ? It would hardly do to march two companies of men out and shoot them for desertion. Nor could any leader be found among them. The action had been spontaneous on the part of all, and each and all were guilty alike. It was finally concluded to give them extra duty. So they were marched up and down the roads around Harlem for four hours at a time, then given a rest and then marched again. The news of this mammoth desertion coming to the ear of General Lewis, an investigation was ordered, and when the cause of the desertion was understood all the Rock- land County militia were given a leave of absence, on condition that if called on they would immedi- ately hasten to the front. They were never recalled.
It was thought that a change would make the men more hopeful and patient. Governor Tomp- kins, by his untiring industry and watchful care, and his frequent appearance among the soldiers, had become a great favorite with them. He was a much younger man than General Lewis, and this also had its effect. He was also very popular with the national administration, and was offered the position of Secretary of State. He declined this, undoubtedly more from patriotic motives than from personal ease and comfort. His choice was to be placed in command of the entire military forces for the defence of New York city, where his services and influence would be of the most avail.
About the middle of October it was authentically
362
GOVERNOR TOMPKINS
reported that when the extraordinary session of the Legislature closed Governor Tompkins would im- mediately leave Albany for New York city to take ·command of the military district in place of Maj .- Gen. Morgan Lewis.
On October 24th the Recorder laid before the Com- mon Council a letter from the Secretary of War relating to the removal of Maj .- Gen. Morgan Lewis.
What this communication was we have no means of ascertaining ; it was not set forth in the minutes, as it was secret and of a confidential nature. It was probably only the announcement of Governor Tompkins being selected as the commander in place of Major-General Lewis.
It has been repeatedly stated that Governor Tompkins was appointed a major-general in the United States army and as such took conunand at New York city in 1814.
This is not so. He never had any regular military appointment in the United States army nor in the New York State militia. Any military authority or power that he had was ex-officio as governor of the State of New York.
In Colonial times and during the war of the revolution and that of 1812-15 the governor of a · colony or a State was ex-officio a major-general of militia -- a commander of the division which · comprised the colony or State over which he pre sided.
We have before seen (ante, Vol. I., pp. 91-94) the authority that Governor Tompkins exercised in as- : signing commands and in creating brevets, etc.
363
APPOINTED COMMANDER.
The records of the United States and the Tomp- kins papers, which are now in the New York State. Library, show that the authority that Governor Tompkins had from the United States authorities. for taking command at New York city was as fol- lows :
" WAR DEPARTMENT, October 14, 1814.
"SIR-The President commits the command of the Military District No. 3 to you, and requests that you will repair to the city of New York without a moment's delay to enter on its duty.
"I have the honor to be, sir,
"Your Excellency's Ob't Serv't, " JAS. MONROE.
" His Excellency,
"Gov. D. D. TOMPKINS."
The successful repulse of the invaders at the north, west and in the south had a tendency to make the inhabitants in New York city feel less fear of an attack, hence their voluntary labors upon the fortifications greatly diminished.
The Committee of Defence issued the following appeal to the people :
"The Committee of Defence, having reason to believe that this city is in great danger of an attack from the enemy, and that it may reasonably be expected to take place within a few weeks, deem it proper thus publicly to make it known to their fellow-citizens, at the same time they call on them for a renewal of their patriotic labors without delay for a completion of the defences at Harlem, being well convinced that the zeal and activity of their
364
GENERAL LEWIS' FAREWELL ADDRESS.
fellow-citizens will, in a few days, "place those works in such a formidable situation as to afford an effectual resistance to any force which may be brought against the city. It is therefore earnestly recommended that the citizens immediately form themselves into associations as heretofore, to carry this very essential object into effect.
"NICH. FISH, Chairman. " October 20th, 1814."
The State Legislature at Albany adjourned on 24th, and Governor Tompkins started at once for New York city and arrived on the 26th, and immedi- ately acquainted Major-General Lewis of the request of the President of the United States.
General Lewis issued the following address and order on retiring :
" THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT. "NEW YORK, 27th Oct., 1814.
" The commanding general by order of the Presi- dent of the United States this day transfers the com- mand of the Third Military District to his Excellency the Governor of the State of New York, who will to-morrow enter on his duties. In taking leave of the troops he has the honor to command he begs leave to assure them that the general tenor of their conduct has met his approbation; that their improve- ment in discipline, particularly some of the corps, affords an earnest of their future achievements when called on to defend their country's rights on the field of battle. He had hoped to have the honor of partaking with them in the glories of that day, and of leading them to victory, but those in
365
NEW JERSEY COMPLAINS.
whose hands are placed the destinies of the country have determined otherwise. To the well-directed gallantry of his countrymen under the guidance of heaven, he fears not to commit the protection of his native city.
" By order of
"MAJ .- GENERAL LEWIS, Commanding. " THOS. CHRISTIE, " Asst. Adj .- Gen."
It is apparent that Major-General Lewis was much disappointed at being relieved at that time, although it was believed that the great crisis of the threatened attack of the city by the enemy dur- ing that campaign was over, and the citizens were relieved of much fear of immediate danger .*
The removal of Maj .- Gen. Morgan Lewis and the designation of Governor Tompkins to take com- mand in his place caused much discussion at the time, particularly among the governors of other States. Governor Pennington, of New Jersey, was particularly interested in this discussion and was constrained by popular feeling to address the Secre- tary of War on the subject at an early moment and to request a reply. The following letter was sent by him :
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