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 24
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The following letter gives some account of the celebration and of other matters of interest at that time :
COLONEL VAN RENSSELAER TO HIS WIFE. "NEW YORK, 30th November, 1814.
"Yesterday, my dear Harriet, Rensselaer left in the steamboat for Poughkeepsie ; he took leave of the Governor, etc., like a man, much satisfied with what he had seen, and left this determined to at- tend closely to his studies, and has already pro- gressed considerably in the French. The Governor and all in this house were much pleased with him ; he is a fine boy. Rensselaer arrived here on the 24th, and was delighted with the parade ; he staid with us at headquarters and on the 26th went down with the Governor and his son (who are very civil to him) to Staten Island to see the fortifications ; and I took him to see everything worth seeing on his return. On the 25th we had a splendid day ; ten thousand troops were under arms, marched through the city and were reviewed by the Governor, after which we dined in the City Hall by invitation from the corporation. I wrote you that in two or three weeks the militia would be discharged, all idea
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COL. VAN RENSSELAER'S LETTER.
of an attack from the enemy being given up ; after which Governor Tompkins would return to Albany, and should be made once more happy in the bosom of my Harriet and our little ones. You know I delight in a military life, but never can I be at ease without you-my wife and my sword must go hand in hand. Tompkins is friendly and sociable as ever, and although our separation is painful. much good will come out of it, I am sure. As the militia are now all discharged, I asked permission last night of the Governor to return home on Saturday, on the ground that there was not much to do. He told me if I had business of importance to attend to, he had no objections, but he preferred that I should stay until the following Saturday. He wished to consult as to future operations after his dinner par- ties (which are now three times a week) were over, and then we would go together. I, of course, ac- quiesced, as he is everything to me I could wish, and as the chain between him and Tyburn is broken, I am certain he will act a manly and independent part. Yesterday about twenty-two officers dined with us. Armstrong was one of the party. I designedly was the last in the room, and entered it after most of the company had taken their seats in military order to see if my place at the head of the table was kept vacant. The moment I entered the Governor asked me to take the head of the table. I had him and Armstrong on my right ; the latter old rascal and others stared, and all who knew how I had been treated by him were gratified.
"Our horses I fear will have a bad time of it in
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COL. VAN RENSSELAER'S LETTER.
this storm ; let me know when they reach you ; and I will thank you to let someone ride my horse morning and evening about the hill in view of the house, for I fear he will be stiff. Let them lead him out of the back stable door, as he may get injured in front, as it is high from the ground. Give direc- tions that my horse is not brought out of the stable to water until my return ; as he is fond of play he may get hurt ; let them carry water to him, and they must not give him too much grain.
"This day J. R. V. Rensselaer and myself dined at Mr. Coles', and I have invitations for every day in the week, when the Governor has no company. All this would be pleasant if you were only with me. If I return in the Spring you must break up housekeeping, then you and the two girls accompany me, and the rest go to school. Tell Mag I have her Doll and other pretty things for her ; how happy I am to find by your letter that her broken arm is mending : kiss the dear children for me. Adieu, for a few days longer.
" Truly yours, " SOL. VAN RENSSELAER.
" MRS. SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER, Mount Hope.
On the 29th November the flags were placed at half-mast, and half-hour guns fired during the day in respect to the memory of the late Vice-President Elbridge Gerry.
General Morton's brigade of artillery paraded for inspection by General Gray, of the United States Army, preparatory to their being discharged from United States service.
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GENERAL STEVENS'
They consisted of Second, Third and Eleventh Regiments, Major Smith's battalion of Ninth Regi ment, and Major Dunscomb's battalion of Gov- ernor's Guards (horse and foot), Major Forbes' bat- talion of City Guards, with the Veteran Corps and the Iron Greys. The Third Regiment comprised the horse or flying artillery, and Captain Crocker's and Lieutenant companies of cavalry.
Major-General Stevens issued his farewell ad- dress as follows :
" DIVISION ORDERS. "NEW YORK, Dec. 2d, 1814.
" The tour of three months' duty expires to-day. The troops are committed to the generals of their respective brigades, who will be governed by pre- vious orders for their discharge.
"The Major-General, upon this separation, ob- serves that the novel instance of five thousand citi- zens, called from the bosom of their families, trans- formed almost immediately into soldiers, who have entered the list of improvement with regular and veteran, and have lost no credit by the competition, is no less honorable to the skill of the officers and to the subordination of the men.
" After the various eloquent and well-deserved eulogiums upon the officers and troops of this di- vision from higher sources, it were needless to ex- press more than a concurrence in the applause which has been bestowed, yet so dear to the gen- eral is the reputation of his troops that he wishes not to conceal that tributes of admiration to them have been sources of honor and felicity to him.
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FAREWELL ADDRESS.
Duly impressed with a sense of their past services, the Major-General tenders to each, individually, an affectionate farewell, in the full assurance that they will preserve and improve the military attainment so necessary to the safety and honor of their coun- try.
" The officers of the division staff, from their con- fidential intercourse with the general, cannot have mistaken the high estimation in which he holds them, and for their services they are requested to accept the public acknowledgment of his thanks.
" By order,
" MAJOR-GENERAL STEVENS .* " JAMES G. KING, "Assnt. Adj .- Gen."
General Colfax's brigade of New Jersey militia were paid by the Corporation of New York city and were discharged about the same time. The following letter from Colonel Frelinghuysen to Governor Tompkins shows the kind feeling that prevailed at that time :
" CAMP JERSEY CITY, Dec. 9th, 1814.
"HIS EXCELLENCY, GOV. TOMPKINS :
" About leaving the post which has been assigned me by my country, I cannot avoid, in behalf of the regiment under my command, testifying to your excellency the great satisfaction that has been ex- pressed by all, at the conduct of the State of New York, through the individual exertions of her com- mander-in-chief in her behalf, and through me as
* See ante, p. 162, orders of July 20th, forming this division, and September 14th, p. 322.
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NEW JERSEY MILITIA.
their commander to return to your Excellency, for them and myself, our grateful acknowledgments for the favors conferred in visiting and comforting us, and in paying us our due ; and I do not hesitate to declare, in behalf of all, that under every calami- tous and dangerous situation in which your city may be placed, we shall feel a readiness to be among the number who shall act in her defence, and in the defence of our common country.
"I am, Sir, yours with esteem, "J. W. FRELINGHUYSEN,
" Late under your command."
Although the militia were discharged from ser- vice for the defence of New York city, they were not regarded out of the service until they returned to their place of rendezvous when first called into the service ; they were there "mustered out " of the service and were discharged.
On the 6th of December, 1814, the Common ยท Council passed a resolution of thanks to the citizens and soldiers for their faithful services in and about the safety and defence of the city of New York.
CHAPTER XLVI.
Description of the Fortifications Around the City in 1814- Jamaica Bay-Brooklyn-Sandy Hook-Staten Island-Jer- sey City-Gen. Swift Reports-Safety of the City.
ARLY in November, about the time that Governor Tompkins made the inspections and reviews mentioned in a former chapter, the temporary fortifications were regarded as com- plete, although some work was from time to time being performed in alterations and repairs.
. The last volunteer working party on the defences at Harlem was on the 12th day of November.
Some portions of the militia were detailed to work upon the defences from the time they first arrived in New York.
On every working day from September 10th two companies of General Hermance's brigade were detailed to work on the fortifications at Brooklyn, and continued to do so until about the middle of
390
FORTIFICATIONS IN BROOKLYN.
November. They were allowed the extra pay pro- vided for by the regulations before mentioned.
The line of entrenchments at Brooklyn was from Gowanus Creek to Wallabout Bay, extending east- ward as far as Nevins street and De Kalb avenue, and completely enclosing the peninsula on which the village of Brooklyn was situated. This line was for defence from land forces in the rear, from Jamaica and Flatbush roads.
Fort Greene mounted twenty-three heavy can- non, and commanded the Navy Yard and the Wallabout.
From Fort Greene to Gowanus Creek were re- doubts Cummings, Masonic, Washington Battery and Fort Fireman, upon which twelve-pounders were placed at intervals not exceeding half grape- shot distance, and also at the salient angles. On the right flank of these lines was a little redoubt open in the rear, calculated for three heavy guns to defend the mill dam and bridge at Wallabout Bay.
The parapet of Fort Greene was more than half a mile in length.
On a hill near the Wallabout was Fort Putnam of the revolution. Fort Swift was on a high conical hill called Ponkiesburg, and Cobble Hill occupied the space now bounded by Atlantic, Pacific, Court and Clinton streets, and was the site of Cork Screw Fort of the revolution.
Washington Battery was across Fulton street, near Court street.
Fort Fireman, on the site of Fort Box of the rev- olution, was on the slope of Boerum's Hill, west
391
FORTIFICATIONS OF THE HARBOR.
of Smith street, not far from the termination of Hoyt and Carroll streets.
Fort Masonic, on the site of Fort Greene of the revolution, was near the intersection of Nevins and Dean streets, and was near the Jamaica road. Fort Cummings, an oblong redoubt, extended from Fort Masonic to Fort Greene, with a bastion on north- west corner of De Kalb avenue and Hudson street.
Within the lines, on a commmanding conical hill forming a part of Brooklyn Heights and nearly on the site of Fort Stirling of the revolution, was a strong redoubt called Fort Swift, commanding the whole extent of lines. Another, called Fort Law- rence, was constructed at the southwest extremity of the heights and commanding Gowanus Bay and Governor's Island.
Lieutenant Gadsden, of the United States Engi- neers, aid of General Swift, assisted by Messrs. Nich- olls and Mercein, superintended the construction of these works.
But before the enemy could advance to make an attack upon these works there were many others to be encountered. There were blockhouses and some strong forts to be met with in any attempt to land.
Blockhouses and earthworks were scattered at many salient points far away, as we have seen in a former chapter.
In the Summer of 1814 there was a blockhouse at the Highlands of Navesink, at Sandy Hook, and at Spermaceti Cove, at Rockaway and on Jamaica Bay, and two at the Narrows, on the east side, and one on Denyse's Heights. There were several others
392
DEFENCES OF HELL GATE.
about these places and on Long Island Sound, but we now have no record of their location.
Two blockhouses and an earthwork called Fort Lewis were at Bath Beach, on the site where Fort Hamilton now stands, that mounted thirty pieces of cannon and commanded the site of Fort Diamond (now known as Fort Lafayette).
Fort Diamond was completed far enough in the Fall of 1814 to mount seventy-three guns in three tiers. It is built on Hendrix reef, five hundred feet from the Long Island shore, in the channel of the Narrows. It is completely surrounded by water.
There were a blockhouse and earthworks at Prin- cess' Bay to prevent a landing in the rear of the works on Staten Island.
On the 17th October, 1814, the Legislature made an appropriation of $50,000 for the completion of the fortifications on Staten Island.
In 1815 official reports show that in the fortifi- cations on Staten Island there were twenty-five thirty-two-pounders, forty-four twenty-fours, four eighteens, seven nine-pounders. Total, eighty pieces, belonging to New York State.
To continue the line of defence from the Walla- bout to Hell Gate, the works were not so formi- dable.
Newtown Creek was bordered by a morass, run- ning eastward. On the south side of this, on the brink of East River, was a blockhouse with several cannon on top and loopholes for musketry in the lower portion to protect against an assault.
Fort Stevens, erected in 1814, was on east side of
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DEFENCES OF HELL GATE.
East River, at Hallet's Point, and was mounted with twelve heavy guns.
On Lawrence Hill, to the southeast of Fort Ste- vens, and commanding it, was a strong stone tower, built with six sides and two stories of loopholes, and on the top were placed en barbette several heavy cannon. This was called Castle Bogardus, in honor of Gen. Robert Bogardus. General Swift called it a "devil tower" in his report.
On Ward's Island were extensive earthworks mounted with cannon.
On Mill Rock, in the middle of the East River, was a strong blockhouse, well mounted with can- non, and on the New York side, near Ninetieth street, was a redoubt to cover Hell Gate.
These works, in the aggregate, were of sufficient capacity to mount thirty large cannon, besides mortars so arranged that half of them might be concentrated at one time upon any object in the river.
Gracie's Point had been fortified since the Spring of 1813 (ante, Vol. I., p. 217), and with the works on the east side and on Mill Rock was deemed suf- ficient to render the river impassable by the enemy.
Rhinelander's Dock was at foot of Ninety-first street, and the point of land was known as Rhine- lander's Point, and also as Gracie's Point.
In the revolutionary war, the works at foot of East Eighty-ninth street, then known as Horn's Hook, was called Thompson's Battery and mounted nine guns.
Gracie's Point was on the East River, on the line
394
DEFENCES AT HARLEM.
of Eighty-ninth street, east of Avenue B. The family residence of Archibald Gracie was on the east line of Avenue B, between Eighty-seventh and Eighty-eighth streets. Henry Cruger's residence was nearer the river and was on middle of Eighty- fifth street. John Jacob Astor's residence was on Eighty-eighth street, between Avenues A and B. Robert Blackwell's was on north side of Eighty- ninth street, near the river and looking directly north up the river.
Rhinelander's house was on line of Avenue A, north of Ninety-first street.
Nathaniel Prince's house was between Eighty- ninth and Ninetieth streets, between First avenue and Avenue A.
The line of the river bank was then about the same as at the present writing.
Schermerhorn's residence was between Eighty- second and Eighty-third streets, east of Avenue B.
Other residences on the bank of the river, near Seventy-sixth street, were - Asten, Marston and General Van Zandt.
The line of defence at Harlem to Manhattanville and Hudson River was extensive. It commenced at Benson's Point and followed Harlen Heights westward.
At Benson's Point, nearly on a line with Second avenue and 106th street, at the mouth of Harlem Creek, was a redoubt to guard a mill dam and fording place on the Harlem Creek, which emptied into the river nearby, and was a wide marsh from Harlem Mere, in Central Park, to its outlet.
395
DEFENCES AT HARLEM.
The battery at Benson's Point, south of Harlem Creek and Benson's tide mill dam, near the foot of East 105th street, on the line of Second avenue, was on the grounds afterwards known as the Red House Race Course.
At the head of Harlem Creek commenced a parapet and ditch, running to Fort Clinton on a high rock between 106th and 107th streets, in Central Park, about 410 feet west of the line of Fifth avenue.
Connected with Fort Clinton and extending west- ward like a bridge over McGowan's Pass was a blockhouse, with cannon on top, and called Nut- ter's Battery. It was at 1:7th street, 572 feet west of Fifth avenue, on a branch of the Eastern post road, leading to Kingsbridge road. These two forts were joined to and commanded by Fort Fish, which was between 105th and 106th streets, three hundred feet west of Fifth avenue.
Then a line of intrenchments, upon which were four blockhouses with first story of stone, with loopholes for musketry, and mounted on top were heavy cannon protected by timber breast- works. These towers were within supporting distance of each other. They were located as follows :
No. 1, about fourteen yards south of 109th street and seven yards east of Seventh avenue; the first story of which is still standing in Central Park in a good state of preservation.
No. 2. between 113th and 114th streets, between Ninth and Tenth avenues.
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DEFENCES AT MANHATTANVILLE
No. 3, on the south side of 121st street, about 330 feet east of Tenth avenue.
No. 4, on the south side of 123d street, about 162 feet east of Tenth avenue.
The Manhattanville pass in the Bloomingdale Road at 123d street, about one hundred feet west of Eleventh avenne, had a barrier gate similar to the one at McGowan's Pass. It was commanded by Fort Laight, which was of stone and twenty yards north of 124th street and 120 yards east of Eleventh avenue, and commanded Manhattanville and over- looked Harlem Plains.
From Fort Laight ran a line of intrenchments westwardly across Riverside Park, near the present tomb of General Grant, to the high, precipitous bank of the Hudson River. In this line on the westerly side of Manhattan Pass was a bastion which com- manded it, called Fort Horn.
The line of redoubts and forts from Bussing's Point road, commencing near Eighth avenue and 145th street, extending to Kingsbridge, were built during the revolutionary war and consisted of em- bankments of earth. Some of them remained from six to eight feet in height, and could be used as a means of defence.
Major Horn superintended those constructed in the vicinity of Harlem.
The fortifications at Greenwich were in the vicin- ity of the yard and grounds of the then State Prison. The prison buildings and courts occupied about four acres of ground, having a front on west side of Washington street of two hundred and four feet,
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FORTIFICATIONS AT GREENWICH.
with wings extending back towards the river. Besides the cells there was a chapel, dining hall, workshops and apartments for the officers of the prison. One of the workshops was two hundred feet long, twenty feet wide and two stories high. Another was one hundred and six feet in length, twenty feet in breadth and one hundred feet in the middle ; part of it was three stories high.
The grounds and buildings were surrounded by a stone wall twenty-three feet high on the river side, fourteen feet high in front, on one side extending five hundred feet and on the other extending two hundred and seventy-nine feet. There were then about eight hundred prisoners confined in it.
It covered the grounds now lying between Chris- topher street on the south, and Henry street on the north, and Washington street on the east, extend- ing to West street.
The fortifications and soldiers were back of the prison on the river side, where the wall, twenty- three feet high, was a very good protection, and could be quickly strengthened if need be against the attack of any war vessels in the river.
In September, 1814, Brig .- Gen. Peter Curtenius was stationed there with a force of 1,750 men.
In December, 1814, General Swift made a report for the inspection of the Committee of Defence, ac- companied with views and plans of such fortifica- tions as had been constructed for the defence of the city of New York.
This did not include the fortified camp at Jer- sey City Heights that had lately been occupied by
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GENERAL SWIFT REPORTS.
twenty-three companies of New Jersey militia un- der Colonel Frelinghuysen.
The surveys, maps and small views presented with the report of General Swift were furnished by Cap- tain Renwick, of General Mapes' brigade, aided by Lieutenants Gadsden, Craig, Turner, DeRussy, Kemble and Oothout. The large views were drawn by Mr. Holland.
General Swift remarked that in the Spring it would be necessary to complete such of the exterior faces of the works as were left in a rough state.
General Swift's report, and the maps, plans and views accompanying it, are now in the library of the New York Historical Society in an excellent condition. (See Appendix.)
At many of the places mentioned were what were then called guns of heavy calibre-they were thirty- two-pounders, made of common iron, and weighed one and a half tons each. The round shot were of uneven surface, as was the bore of the gun, so that the ball would sometimes stick and the gun would burst. It took double the amount of powder for a gun of any calibre that is now required to give the same force to the ball.
The Columbian of November 15, 1814, contained the following :
"The number of garrison and battering cannon and mortars now mounted for the military defence of this post and city amounts to 570 pieces. The largest. we have seen is the Columbiad of one hun- dred pounds. A number of the same pieces of fifty pounds calibre are mounted in Fort Greene. In
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GREAT NUMBER OF CANNON.
addition to these thirty more heavy carriages are nearly finished. And the handsome and formidable park of field artillery and battalion guns belonging to the brigades of militia are not included in the enumeration. We may count besides upon one or two hundred active and useful pieces on board the President, gun boats, and vessels of war in port, without including the steam battery Fulton."
At that time the Peacock and Tom Bowline and some privateers were in port. A careful estimate shows that there were then about nine hundred pieces of cannon to defend New York city and harbor.
There was only one gun in New York at any time during the war that carried a 110-pound round shot, and there is no record of its ever being mounted during the war.
The final report of the Committee of Defence of the city of New York was not made to the Com- mon Council until after the peace. On November 6, 1815, it was approved by the Common Council and ordered to be published. (See Appendix.)
The enemy, we have every reason to believe, knew the military strength and determination of the inhabitants of New York city, and they proceeded to other places on the coast less guarded. Hence, a blow like that which fell on Baltimore, Washing- ton and Alexandria was undoubtedly intended for us, but the promptness and efficient action of our citizens and officials saved the spilling of much blood on each side in any attempt to capture the city.
In the diary and letters of Gouverneur Morris, lately published, he said, in October, 1814, in a letter
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SAFETY OF THE CITY.
to Rufus King : "I have never believed that the enemy intended to attack New York. If he should, he will, I think, carry it, and covering his flanks with his ships, the fortifications you have raised, and which he may avoid, will serve him much bet- ter than they can serve you. But cui bono ? What will they gain by it ? Or cui damno ? What will we lose by it ? The expedition, unless con- nected with a strong party in the Eastern States, would be, if successful, useless ; if unsuccessful, pernicious to them ; in all events, of little conse- quence to us, and therefore a piece of folly on their part. I have always supposed that their main ef- fort would be in the Chesapeake, and not seriously commenced until the sickly season is over.
" The conquest of Louisiana, which will doubtless form a part of their plan, cannot require so great a force as that under Lord Hill. Moreover, an in- vasion of Virginia will operate effectually on the fate of Louisiana. An army of twenty thousand men landed at Annapolis will march without seri- ous impediment to the Point of Florida, and oblige the country to maintain them."
The safety of New York city was assured-the battles of Lake Champlain and Plattsburgh had been fought and won in September. The enemy had retired to Canada and given up all hopes of capturing New York city and withdrew to other less fortified places. The State of New York was not severed by the invading army, as intended. No Eastern Confederacy was possible ! The Union of States was preserved.
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