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 3
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At that dinner it was said there were about three hundred and fifty guests. Richard Varick was president. The vice-presidents were Gen. Morton, John T. Champlin, John Hone and David A. Ogden. The Mayor, the Recorder, and several naval officers were present.
Commodore Chauncey's toast was : "The Citi- zens of New York .- Celebrated for their hospitality. May they always possess the means to gratify their wishes."
The toast to the Commodore was by Mr. Varick : " Our Guest .- The gallant Commodore Chauncey."
The usual number of Federal toasts (thirteen) were given. The volunteer toasts were by Gen. Morton, John T. Champlin, John Hone, David A.
23
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.
Ogden, De Witt Clinton, Josiah Ogden Hoffman, Col. John Swartwout, Mr. Willink, the president of the Holland Society.
Commodore Chauncey left New York on the 15th of. February for Sackett's Harbor, with one hun- dred seamen for the fleet there.
The embargo laws and the blockade had the effect of making the port of New York very quiet. In the fore part of the year 1814 there were few occur- rences of interest along the coast.
On the evening of the 18th of February the Presi- dent, in command of Commodore Rodgers, on a re- turn cruise of seventy-five days, run the British blockade off Sandy Hook and entered New York harbor. The blockading squadron then consisted of three ships of war. The Plantagenet, seventy-four (Captain Lloyd), was the nearest, and Commodore Rodgers expected a brush with them and cleared his ship for action. He fired a gun to windward as a proof of his willingness to fight, but he was not molested. It caused much comment at the time- favorable to Commodore Rodgers.
The following extract from a letter, dated Febru- ary 22, 1814, from an officer of the President to his friend in Providence, details the affair :
"Situations in which we have been placed this cruise will, I think, add luster to the well-established character of Commodore Rodgers.
" After passing the light (Sandy Hook), saw sev- eral sail, one large sail to the windward, backed our maintop sail and cleared for action. The strange sail came down within gunshot, hauled her wind on the larboard tack. We continued with our main- topsail to the mast three hours, and seeing no prob-
24
COMMODORE RODGERS ARRIVES.
ability of the seventy-four gunship's bearing down to engage the President, gave her a shot to wind- ward and hoisted our colors, when she bore up for us reluctantly ; when within half a gunshot, backed his maintopsail. At this moment all hands were called to muster aft, and the Commodore said a few but impressive words, though it was unnecessary, for what other stimulant could true Americans want than fighting gloriously in sight of their na- tive shore, where hundreds were assembled to wit- ness the engagement ? Wore ship to engage, but at this moment the cutter being discovered off, backed again to take in the pilot, and the British seventy-four (strange as it must appear) making sail to the southward and eastward. Orders were given to haul aboard the fore and main tacks to run in, there being then in sight from our deck a frigate and a gun-brig.
"The commander of the seventy-four had it in his power for five hours to bring us at any moment to an engagement ; our maintopsail to the mast during that time."
The circumstances were not understood until some months after. On returning to England Capt. Lloyd called for a court of inquiry, and excused himself by alleging a mutiny in his ship, and on that charge several of the seamen were executed.
The President had to wait seven hours and a half for the tide to rise at Sandy Hook before she could sail over the sandbar, which she did about 5 P.M. The frigate 'Loire, of thirty-eight guns, and a schooner, besides the Plantagenet, composed the blockading squadron at that time.
The policy of the President then entering the
25
DINNER TO COMMODORE RODGERS.
harbor of New York, under the circumstances, might well be questioned. The Commodore might have continued his cruise or entered an American port that was not blockaded. When once in New York harbor he was effectually "bottled up," and must stay there, virtually out of the service, or at most, only a further means of guarding the entrance at Sandy Hook bar, and to get out must run the block- ade at favorable wind and high tide in the face of the enemy who kept watch of her. It will be re- membered that she was rated as a forty-four gun- ship, and her actual metal was fifty-four guns, and her force was about four hundred and twenty men. This was a great addition to the force at New York. It was usual at that time when our war vessels passed inside Sandy Hook to come to anchor near there. The President anchored near the lighthouse inside the Hook. From that point they were safe from molestation by the enemy, unless there was a concerted attack and siege of New York. A large part of her force could be made available in the harbor defences and in the land fortifications in case of an attack. She remained there until the next January, as will more fully appear, and her presence may have been of weight enough to have warded off the contemplated attack on New York in the summer of 1814, and to have diverted the enemy to Baltimore and Washington, because they were less protected.
A dinner and entertainment was given to Com- modore Rodgers at Tammany Hall by citizens (members of Tammany Society and their friends) on the afternoon of March 7th. Tickets for the dinner could be had at the bar of Tammany Hall, and of
26
COMMODORE RODGERS' TOAST.
either of the following gentlemen : John L. Broome, Edward H. Nicoll, John B. Tredwell, John Rodman, Henry W. Bool, John Ferguson, Benjamin Bailey.
About three hundred and fifty guests were present, among them Captains Evans and Trenchard, of the Navy ; Commodore Jacob Lewis and the lieuten- ants, surgeon, chaplain and purser of the frigate President. Many shipmasters were present. They sat down at five o'clcok. Walter Bowne was presi- dent. Fred Jenkins, Win. H. Ireland, W. Fish, Augustus Wright and Alderman Buchmaster were vice-presidents. The usual number of Democratic toasts were given. Commodore Rodgers' toast was : " Peace, if it can be obtained without the sacrifice of national honor, or the abandonment of maritime rights ; otherwise, war until peace shall be secured without the sacrifice of either." Eighteen cheers. The volunteer toasts were by F. Jenkins, W. H. Ireland, W. Fish, Dr. Bullus, Captain H. W. Bool, John Rodman, Mr. McDonald, Dr. Walker, Robert White, Rev. Mr. Cook.
After Commodore Rodgers had retired the presi- dent gave as a toast : " Commodore Rodgers .- The zealous patriot and the brave commander, who has three times traversed the ocean, and thus proved that the flag of his country is its own protection." Eighteen cheers. The toasts were accompanied by appropriate music and a variety of songs. One of the company sang a song called "The Warrior's Return," to the air of " American Star."
After the dinner the naval officers, by invitation, attended the Park Theater, which honored the oc- casion by a general illumination and the exhibition of a large transparency of the Commodore, with em-
PRIVATEER " MARS."
blematic devices. On the arrival of the naval officers in the house the play was suspended, while the visitors were greeted with the cheers of the audience and a patriotic air from the orchestra. The plays were " Wild Oats" and a farce called "Eight to One."
On the 7th of March the privateer Mars, of fifteen guns, Captain Ingersoll, of New York City, on her return home, was chased ashore at Hempstead by a British seventy-four and a frigate. Captain Inger. soll, most of the officers and about thirty of his crew got safely to shore. Thirty of the crew and about forty prisoners, and the privateer were taken possession of, and after the men were taken out, set fire to and burnt. The Mars had made six cap- tures during her cruise, four of which were manned and ordered for the United States, one sunk and the other was ransomed.
A few days afterwards the Americans captured on board the privateer Mars and made prisoners were delivered to one of our vessels near Sandy Hook.
In December, 1813, a law was passed by the British Parliament prohibiting the receiving of a ran- som for captured vessels. This was in aid of a more rigorous blockade of American ports. It was several months afterwards before it became fully known so as to be put in force along the American coast.
The flotilla stationed near Sandy Hook kept a watchful eye for the protection of coasters that the enemy might attempt to capture. The following is an official report of an incident of that kind :
"NEW YORK, March 8, 1814.
"SIR :- I have the honor to inform you that on Sat-
28
RUNNING THIE BLOCKADE.
urday last (5th) the enemy drove a schooner on shore loaded with coals and dispatched his barges to take possession of her. A detachment of men from the flotilla, with a small field piece, drove them off. I took possession and launched the vessel, and brought her safe into port. I have the honor, etc.,
"J. LEWIS. " To WM. JONES, Secretary of the Navy."
The Peacock, which had been launched from Adam & Noah Brown's shipyard in September (ante Vol. I., p. 317), in command of Lewis Warrington, had been under sailing orders for some time, await- ing a favorable opportunity to get out of New York harbor by running the blockade. She could cross Sandy Hook bar at low tide. On the evening of the 12th of March she successfully made her escape unobserved by the enemy and proceeded on a cruise along the southern coast for British trading vessels. from the West Indies.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Military Preparations by the State-Volunteers Wanted-Bounties Offered-Gunboat Service in New York Harbor-Commodore Lewis-Fulton's Steam War Vessel-Fortifications Needed at the Narrows-Blockhouses-Delay in Building Forts-Proposition to Make New York City the Seat of State Government-Action of the Common Council-" The Governor's Room " iu City Hall.
A
S New York City began to assume the aspects of a besieged city, and the inhabitants to feel that war was upon them, they began to think of their means of repelling an invasion.
The third year of the war was at hand, with less favorable prospects of victory and of peace than at any time previous. The naval forces of the enemy on the Atlantic coast the previous years had been so small that there had been no fear of an attack upon any place of import- ance. The enemy were victorious on the northern frontier, and there was no prospect of another at- tempt to invade Upper Canada. Lower Canada, which included Quebec, was not taken into consid- eration as a good field for invasion.
New York State had been so far the principal theater of the war, and prospects were that still greater military activity, for better or for worse, would take place within her borders, probably New York City would be attacked. No wonder, then, that the campaign of 1814 was anxiously and fear-
30
PROTECTION OF NEW YORK.
fully looked forward to by many, as about to bring the crisis of the war, and, perhaps, of the Union of the States.
The northern and western parts of the State of New York were in great danger of an invasion, which would materially weaken the defence of New York City, by drawing the militia from her.
The National Government seemed to leave New York City to take care of itself. The most active military operations had been undertaken on the northern and western frontier.
This line of action began to show itself early in the year. On the 15th of February a cavalcade of twelve long iron thirty-two-pounders, each weighing upwards of three tons, each mounted on a wagon made for the purpose, drawn by six horses, left New York City for Sackett's Harbor, all the way by land, for the navy on Lake Ontario, the vessels of which were being built for the Government by Henry Eckford, the shipbuilder of New York City .*
New York City was deemed by the Governor more important to protect, being the commercial metropolis of the nation and a great and populous city. At that time the capture of a city meant pil- lage and destruction, as was then the practice in all the European wars, and as had been already exhib- ited in this war.
The more modern and civilized practice of treat- ing a captured city is to accept a ransom to prevent. its destruction. . In such a case the amount of the
* It appeared afterwards that it cost the Government $400 to convey each of the said cannon from New York City to Sackett's Harbor. The same sized guns conld then be conveyed from Liverpool to- Kingston, opposite Sackett's Harbor, for less cost than that.
31
STATE MEANS OF DEFENCE.
ransom money becomes a national burden, to be paid off by general taxation of all parts of the nation. *
The executive officers of the State of New York were fully alive to the great danger of invasion. The quota of commissioned officers for the militia regiments were speedily filled up early in the spring. Many who had held commissions therein by brevet. were appointed to full commands. Non-commis- sioned officers were also appointed, and the enroll- ment of all liable to serve in the militia was attempted as the law directed, and officer's and pri- vates were assigned by Governor Tompkins to the respective divisions, brigades, regiments and com- panies in which they were to serve in case of emer- gency, when called upon by the authorities.
The Adjutant-General's report of New York State militia in the early part of 1814, showed that. there were 86,597 infantry, 4, 717 artillery, and 4, 462 cavalry, a total of 95,776 on the muster rolls. There were two brigades of artillery, and one of infantry not reported, which would make about twelve hun- dred more men, a total of about ninety seven thou- sand men ; besides those in the volunteer service.
The militia organizations throughout the State had not increased in effectiveness or numbers since war had been declared, two years previous (see note, Vol. II., p. 90), excepting in New York City and the seaboard counties. But even there it was not so much improved as would reasonably be expected
* Under this rule of the law of nations, if New York City should be now captured in a war and a ransom paid to prevent its destruc- tion, the burden of the ransom would reach every part of the nation, however remote from the seaboard. The general Government is bound to protect every part of its territory from invasion.
32
IMPORTANCE OF NEW YORK CITY.
by the enthusiasm displayed by the young men on the declaration of war.
The infantry were classified into eight divisions, with forty-two brigades, with one hundred and fifty- six regiments. The cavalry consisted of one divi- sion, with four brigades, with eleven regiments. The artillery consisted of four brigades, with thirteen regiments.
The equipments of the militia, by the same report, showed that there were only 28,237 serviceable muskets, 636 serviceable artillery, 63 field pieces, 2,699 swords, and 3,679 pairs of pistols.
The militia, which had been called out for only a short term of service in the previous years, were dismissed, and were subject to call by the Governor of the State or by the Commander of the Eighth Military District for the northern and western part of the State, and for the Third District, which com- prised New York City, etc.
The force in actual service about New York in March was about the same as it was in November previous, which has been already stated (ante Vol. II., p. 342), being not more than were in service in the previous March (1813), about three thousand five hundred men, when the Governor stated that twelve thousand five hundred, at least, would be necessary to protect New York City and harbor (ante Vol. II., p. 172).
New York City was deemed by the Governor more important to protect against invasion than any other part of the State. It was here that the inhabitants were to defend their households and their homes, as well as to protect their country and obey her call for assistance.
33
GOV. TOMPKINS' ORDERS.
Governor Tompkins paid particular attention to the defence of the seaboard. Some of the militia. regiments in New York City and vicinity were con- solidated and others created by his orders as Com- mander-in-Chief.
On 7th of December (1813) the Third Regiment (Col. Sitcher) was divided into two regiments. The . companies and corps in it belonging to the city of New York were retained in it and designated as the Third Regiment of Artillery. The residue of the old regiment, with some other companies, was or- ganized as the Thirteenth Regiment of Artillery and placed under command of Lieut .- Col. Martin Boerum, of Brooklyn, who was major in the old Third Regiment. The First Battalion of the Thir- teenth composed the artillery corps in Westchester County and was placed in command of Major - - Lyon. The Second Battalion consisted of the artillery corps in Kings, Queens and Suffolk Counties, and was placed in command of Major Barbarien.
The staff officers belonging to each of said regi- ments before the division were to be retained and continue to act in the same grades in the new regi- ments which they held in the old Third Regiment, and the new Third Regiment was organized with Lieut .- Col. Andrew Sitcher as commander," and
* This regiment, it is well to observe, is now (1891) the Eighth New York National Guard (infantry), under command of Col- George D. Scott. Its popular name is " Washington Grays." Its magnificent new armory is situated corner of Park Avenue and Ninety-fourth and Ninety-fifth Streets. On the 27th of July, 1847, . by general orders, the Governor changed the name of the Third Regi- ment to the Eighth Regiment, N. Y. S. A. It is the oldest militia- regiment in New York State. It was organized in 1786.
34
ARTILLERY AND CAVALRY
several promotions of company officers were made by brevet the next day.
On March 2d, 1814, Joseph O. Bogart was placed in command and W. T. Hunter was made first Major.
The following are important military orders relat- 'ing to the defence of the seaboard:
" HEAD QUARTERS, N. YORK, Dec. 16, 1813.
" The Commander-in chief is pleased to organize all the Troops of Cavalry in the city of New York and Richmond, now under the command of Major James Warner, with Captain Wilson's Company of Horse Artillery of Kings County, and Captain Sibbalds of New York, into a Battalion of Horse Artillery, and will take the requisite measures to supply them with Field pieces and Caissons accordingly. The Second Regiment of Cavalry will hereafter consist of two Squadrons, that of Long Island to be called the First Squadron, and that of Westchester County to be called the Second Squadron of said Regiment. Major James Warner, the Adjutant, and other staff officers of the Second Regt. of Cavalry resident in the City of New York are transferred to this Bat- talion of Horse Artillery without prejudice to their present grade or rank. Should Major-General Stevens find that it will be a satisfaction to the Corps hereafter mentioned to be incorporated with the Battalion of Horse Artillery hereby organized, and that it will promote the safety of the City and Harbor of New York, he is authorized to organize this Battalion, and the troops of Captain Mercein, Captain Shaw and the Troop of Cavalry in Kings County into a Regiment, and to brevet the Field
35
TO DEFEND THE SEABOARD.
Officers according to seniority of Rank. Major James Warner will be the First Major Commandant of the Battalion of Horse Artillery organized by this order, and Captain James Guion, Jun., will be the Second Major of said Battalion. Major-General Stevens will cause this order to be promptly exe- cuted, and will notify Brigadier-General Giles and Lieut .- Col. Jacob Odell, of the Cavalry thereof.
" He is empowered also to direct the number and place of parades of said Battalion according to the provisions of the 27th section of the Militia Law of this State.
"By Order of the Commander-in-Chief,
" ROBERT MACOMB, " Aid-de-Camp."
"HEAD QUARTERS, ALBANY, Sth Jan'y, 1814.
"The Commandant of the First Division of the Infantry of the State of New York, by the author. ity of the President of the United States, made for that purpose, is required to detach and organize forthwith, from that part of his Division which is in the Counties of Queens and Suffolk (having refer- ence to the burden of actual service already endured by the militia of those Counties respectively, and to the duty to be performed) two Companies, each to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants and two Ensigns (to be assigned by the Major-General of the said Division or by the Commandants of Brigades with his approbation), six Sergeants, five corporals, two musicians and ninety privates, which two com- panies are to repair forthwith to Sagg Harbor or to such other frontier points of Long Island as the Commanding officer of the Third Military District of
36
PROTECTION OF LONG ISLAND.
the United States may designate. These Companies are called for under and pursuant to the Act of Congress passed 28 February, 1795, in consequence of the imminent danger of the Invasion of Sagg Harbor and the adjoining Coast upon the discharge of the Militia now in service there, and will be liable to serve three months from the time of arrival at the place of rendezvous, and will be entitled to the same camp equipage, pay and rations as the regular troops of the United States.
" The Major-General of the Artillery of the State of New York, upon the requisition aforesaid, is directed to detach and organize from the Artillery of Suffolk and Queens, or to accept and organize a Volunteer Corps of Artillery, to consist of a Captain, one Lieutenant, three Sergeants, two Corporals, two musicians and thirty-six privates, and to order them to repair forthwith to Sagg Harbor for the purpose and according to the law before specified. They are to obey the Senior officer in service there.
" The Commander-in-Chief holds the Command- ant of the Division of Artillery and of the First Division of Infantry responsible for a prompt com- pliance with his order, without which immense in- jury may happen to Sagg Harbor, and to that part of Long Island which is near to Gardner's Bay. " They are also vested with discretion to accept and organize volunteers from any part of the State for the service above mentioned, and to give all the needful directions respecting details of the detach- ment which the Commander-in-Chief could legally were he present.
"By Order the Commander-in-Chief, "SOL. VAN RENSSELAER, " Adjt. - General "
37
FLYING ARTILLERY ORGANIZED.
"HEAD QUARTERS, ALBANY, Feb. 28, 1814.
"The Commander-in-Chief believing that a Regi- ment of Horse Artillery will be a very valuable Corps for the defence of the southern frontier, and it being represented to him that the Corps organ- ized into a Battalion by a General Order of the six- teenth day of December last, under Major James Warner, is sufficiently numerous for a regiment, is pleased to organize the said Battalion into a Regi- ment of Horse Artillery. Major James Warner will be the Lt .- Col. commandant thereof, Major James Guion, Junior, of Richmond County, the first Major, and Capt. Lewis K. Storms of New York the Second Major, with staff and other officers as are now in commission in said Corps, and as may be appointed by the Council of Appointment. The said Regiment is annexed to the division of Artillery and be sub- ject to the orders of the Major-General of said Di- vision.
" By Order of the Commander-in-Chief, " ANTHONY LAMB, " Aid-de-Camp."
" HEAD QUARTERS, ALBANY, Feb. 28, 1814.
"It appearing to the Commander-in-Chief that Horse Artillery will be more efficient Corps than Cavalry for the defense of the Sea Board and shores of the Sound or East River if furnished with pieces, Caissons and other equipments by the public, and he having by orders of this day organized one regi- ment of Horse Artillery in the Southern District, is pleased to organize and transfer the Cavalry of Westchester, Queens and Suffolk Counties into a separate Regiment of Horse Artillery, to be called
38
CAVALRY ORGANIZED.
the Second Regiment of Horse Artillery. These Regiments are formed into a Brigade to be called the first Brigade of Horse Artillery. Brigadier-Gen- eral Jaco's Odell of Westchester County will com- mand the said Brigade. Lt .- Col. William Jones will be Commandant of the Second Regiment of Horse Artillery and Major William Oakley will be the first Major thereof.
" Brigadier-General Giles of the Cavalry, having been made a Major-General by the Council of Ap- pointment, that part of the Third Brigade of Cav- alry heretofore commanded by him (not organized into Horse Artillery), consisting at present of the Cavalry in Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, will be commanded by Briga- dier-Genl. George D. Wickham, of Goshen, Orange County.
" The Horse Artillery of the First and Second Regiments will parade twice at least in each year by Squadrons, three times at least by Companies, and once by Brigades, and will as soon as conveni- ent, if it be requested, be furnished with field pieces and implements, Caissons, and ammunition for ex- ercise and improvement. The Brigade of Horse Artillery hereby organized is annexed to the Artil- lery until further orders.
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