Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 10

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 10

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8.4

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ginning at the most easterly corner of lot No. 710, and running southerly on the division line between lots No. 710 and 789, and the same course continued until it interseets the Black river, be ereeted into a new town by the name of Wilna; and that all the remaining part of the town of Le Ray, and all the remaining part of the town of Leyden, shall be and remain separate towns as heretofore, by the respective names of Le Ray and Leyden, and the next town meetings in the said towns of Le . Ray and Leyden shall be held where they now stand adjourned to in said towns.

Much, however, which might be said of the towns and their carly settlement properly belongs to their separate histories, to which the at- tention of the reader is directed. It so happened at the time when the legislature passed the act defining the boundaries of both county and towns, the whole country was involved in a serions war with Great Britain, and while the provisions of the act were carried out, questions of far more import were uppermost in the minds of the inhabitants. In fact at the time the entire frontier of this county was the scene of almost constant strife and turmoil, for at least three invasions of the territory had been made and still others were threatened. This was indeed a period of vast importance to the people of the region as well as of the country, and is therefore worthy of a place in these pages.

CHAPTER X.

Events Preceding the War of 1812-15 -- British Aggressions -- The Embargo and Non-intercourse Acts-British Claims of Right to Search -- Depressing Effect of the Embargo Aet on the Inhabitants of Jefferson County-Smuggling Operations and Measures to Suppress it-Arsenal Built in Watertown-The Beginning of Hostilities -General Brown's Militia on the Frontier-Sackets Harbor Becomes the Center of Operations-Brief Review of Events of 1813-Campaign for the Year 1813-British Take Ogdensburgh-Movements About the Harbor-Ships Built -- York Taken by the Americans-Death of General Pike-The Enemy Attack Sackets Harbor-A Privatecring Expedition-Operations on the Lake -- Council of War at Saekets Har- bor -- Its Results -- Expedition to the Champlain Country -- Chrysler's Field -Cam- paign of 1814-Sandy Creek-Operations in Western New York-Militia Again Called Out-The Return of Peacc.

During the five years immediately preecding the second war with Great Britain, the entire country was in a condition of nominal peace, yet every politieal event on this side of the Atlantic showed a feeling

CAUSES LEADING TO THE WAR OF 1812-15

of unrest and disquiet and the certain approach of another contest at arms with the mother country, The United States had honorably ob- served the provisions of the treaty made with Great Britain at the close of the revolution, and had maintained, too, a strict neutrality during the progress of the Napoleonie wars when gratitude should have prompt . ed an alliance with France. However, let us refer in a general way to some of the leading events of the period previous to the outbreak of the war, and then to their effect on the carly history of this county.

For several years the aggressive acts of the British had been a sub- ject of anxiety and regret to all Americans and had created a feeling of deep indignation throughout the country. The embargo laid by congress upon our shipping, as a means of safety, was found so injn- rious to commercial interests that it was repealed, and the non-inter- course act was passed in its stead. In April, 1809, the British ambas- sador in Washington opened negotiations for the adjustment of diffien]- ties, and consented to a withdrawal of the "orders in council," so far as they affected the United States, on condition that the non-intercourse aet be repealed. This was agreed to and the president issued a proc- lamation to the effeet that on the 10th of June trade with Great Britain might be resumed; but the British government refused to ratify the proceedings and recalled her minister, whereupon the president re- voked his proclamation and the non-intercourse act again went into operation.

The most odious of all British aggressions during the period was the claim of "right to search," in pursuance of which British cruisers stopped American vessels on the ocean and seized such of their crews as were suspected to be subjects of the king and forced them into their service. This claim led to outrages to which no American could sub- mit, and the only choice left to our nation was war or disgraceful hn- miliation. One of the most flagrant violation of rights committed un- der this claim was that perpetrated on hapless " Tom " Garnet, con- cededly an Englishman, but who soon after marriage was pressed into the British service and held for seven years before he was released ; and when permitted to depart was again seized and compelled to serve the king on the high seas several more years. In all this time he was not allowed to communicate with his family in any way. At last he escaped in South America, made his way across the Andes, enlisted on an American ship of war, and soon afterward came to the United States. Detailed for service on Lake Ontario, he was one of the crew of the

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Oneida, stationed at Sackets Habor, and accompanied Com. Chauncey's expedition against Kingston, were he was killed, as he had predicted to his mates he would meet his death.

On June 12, 1812, President Madison sent a confidential message to congress in which he recapitulated the long list of British aggressions and declared it the the duty of congress to consider whether the Ameri- can people should longer submit ; but at the same time cautioned the house to avoid entanglements with other powers which were then hos- tile with Great Britain. It was seen that war was unavoidable, but the measure was not without opposition in the middle and New England states. The opposing element was embraced in the federal party. whose argument was that the country was not prepared for war. The federalists then constituted a large and influential minority of the po- litical element of congress, and had a strong following in the states not active in politics. They asked for further negotiations and met the attacks of the ruling party (the democratic and republican, for it went by both names) with charges of favoring Napoleon. War was formally declared June 18, 1812, but not before the president, in pursuance of an act of congress, issued an order for the detachment of 100.000 militia to be prepared for any emergency.

The restrictive provisions of the embargo act of 1807 was the occa- sion of much suffering and considerable disturbance in Jefferson county, and in fact all along the Canadian border. It reduced the price of grain and pot and pearl ashes, which could only reach Eng- land by way of Canada. Indeed, it appeared as if the only means of living was taken away from many of the settlers who depended on the trade with Canada, and rather than suffer the hardships which con- fronted them, many continued to trade with and through Canada in open defiance of the law. The road leading from Black river, near Brownville, to French creek became known as the "embargo road," from the great amount of secret traffic carried on after the act was passed. From all over New York goods (chiefly pot ashes) were sent to this point for transportation across the border, and before long the authorities found it necessary to send troops to enforce the law. Hart Massey siezed a large quantity of pork and pot ashes near Cape Vincent, but the "smugglers " recaptured the goods and bore them off to Kingston. Another favorite point for operations of this kind was in the town of Antwerp, about a mile north of the village, where it soon be- came necessary to station a force of militia to stop the lawless work.

SMUGGLING.

Notwithstanding the rigid enforcement of the embargo and non- intercourse laws, trade with Canada was secretly carried on, for the people could not starve in silence when the means of living was offered with so little apparent transgression ; and regardless of the fact that in 1808 Captain Bennet's company of infantry, and Lieut. Cross's battery of artillery were stationed at Sackets Harbor. In 1809 two detachments of Col. Paul Stickney's regiment were placed on the St. Lawrence shore, opposite Kingston, but trade still continued, though less in ex- tent and far more covertly than before. In many cases the troops themselves were in full sympathy with the traders, and where the militia closely followed the local smugglers they were made to suffer in being refused supplies and conveniences necessary to their camp life. At one time this system of collusion between smugglers and troops became so widespread that the value of the service was much impaired and caused the commander to complain to the state authori- ties. Oswego, Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent, Antwerp and Ogdens- burgh were the chief points of these operations, previous to the beginning of hostilities, and after war was declared, they were con- tinued despite the vigilance of the officers; and when captured in the act of smuggling the penality inflicted seklom went beyond confisca- tion of the goods and the temporary detention of the offenders.

At Oswego in the summer of 1808 was planned an open and bold de- fiance of the law, prompted, it is said by the political influences which opposed both the non-intercourse act and the suggestion of another rupture with Great Britain. The event took place outside the limits of our county, hence its details are not pertinent to this chapter. The smuggling operations were not wholly confined to the American side of the line, and the authorities were kept busy watching importations from Canada. The British schooner, Lord Nelson, bound from Kings- ton to Niagara, in May, 1812, was captured in American waters by Capt. Woolsey's force, taken to Sackets Harbor, condemned and sold at auction. The vessel was renamed "Scourge," and was used in service until retaken by the British. On June 14, of the same year, the Ontario was seized at Cape Vincent, charged with violating the revenue laws and detained for a time. The Niagara was also captured about the same time, under a like charge, and was sold.

Governor Tompkins, mindful of the approaching outbreak of war, as early as February 12, 1808, directed 500 stand of arms, with a consider- able supply of ammunition, to be deposited at Champion, under the care

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

of pioneer Noadiah Hubbard; but before the munitions were taken to the place another order caused them to be deposited at Watertown, where the Arsenal was built during the year 1809, located on Columbia street, as then known, but Arsenal street of later years. It was after- ward maintained as a state depository until sold under the act of April 19, 1850.

In 1812 an act of congress authorized the president to raise a force of 100,000 minute men from the militia forces of the country, of which number the quota of this state was 13,500. In May following, Col. Chris. P. Bellinger was stationed at Sackets llarbor and Cape Vincent with a regiment, and remained on the frontier three months; but his service was more as protection against violation of the embargo laws than opposing the king's soldiers. However, war was soon declared, and on June 23, Brigadier-General Jacob Brown, one of this county's most influential men in its early history, and commander of the militia of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, was called upon to strengthen the force under Bellinger on the river front of the county. Col. Benedict, of St. Lawrence county, was also ordered to guard the frontier from Ogdensburgh to St. Regis. These orders were promptly carried out, but Gen. Brown acquainted the governor with the unfortu . nate condition of his militiamen, who were then busy with their crops, to leave which would entail great loss, and asked for such action on the part of the state as was necessary to place the frontier in condition for successful defense.

At the first announcement of war many of the settlers fled from their homes, abandoned their improvements and growing crops, and sought safety in the interior parts of the state. They had no special fear of the British soldiers, but it was rumored that the king's officers were again to let loose the Indians upon our settlements, and a repetition of Wyoming and Cherry Valley struck terror into the hearts of the more timid ycomen and their families. The fugitives from this county at first were few, but soon there came from the St. Lawrence region a large number and many from here were induced to join their flight. General Brown used every persuasion to check this hasty departure and succeeded in inducing many to return to their homes. Ile did more; with the force at his command he formed a guard line along the river front, constructed defenses at points most liable to attack, and gave his militia training service which proved of benefit later on.

In this region hostilities were begun in a small way by Abner Hub-

THE CAMPAIGN OF ISI

bard, an old revolutionary patriot, who with two comrades captured Fort Carlton, on that island, the garrison comprising three invalid men and two women. Hubbard's attack, however, was made without the knowledge or approval of the officers in command at the harbor. Whatever there was of value on the island was removed the next day and the buildings were burned. In retaliation the enemy at Kingston sought to detain a resident of Brownville, but having been warned by a friend, he made safe eseape to the American side. In the latter part of April a fleet of trading vessels bound for the lake were pursued by the provincial militia, and two of them, the Sophia and the Island Packet, conveying families and goods, were captured near the foot of the Thousand Islands, and burned. The other boats put back to Og. densburgh, where their arrival caused the greatest alarm. About this time a quantity of arms and ammunition were received and distributed in part among the Jefferson county militia and Col. Bellinger's com- mand, and the remainder was sent to the arsenal at Russell.

Thus equipped and being fairly well supplied with ammunition, Gen. Brown and his officers had not much fear of the results of a meeting with the enemy from across the river, but as the latter did not appear anxious to attack the Yankees the force at the harbor kept constantly moving to divert the attention of the British and keep them on the de - fensive, and thus prevent their descent upon any of the posts not strong enough to resist them. Kingston was then the stronghold of the Brit- ish in Canada, where was gathered both land and naval forces, and from which point might any time be expected an attack upon the Americans. Several trading and a few naval vessels were stationed at Ogdensburgh, but the place was otherwise poorly prepared for an at- tack. The Oneida, Lord Nelson and several other vessels were at the harbor, and from the masthead of the former on July 9, Capt. Woolsey saw five British war sloops beating up the bay. Preparations were at once made to receive the enemy, alarm guns were fired and couriers were dispatched to call in Gen. Brown's militia. The British captured a small sloop laden with flour but put her erew ashore with a message for the American commander that the Nelson and Oneida were de- manded by them; that they did not propose an attack, but if a shot should be fired at them they would burn the village of Sackets Harbor. The British, however, were not aware of the strength of the defenses here, nor did they know that a long thirty-two pound gun had been mounted in a commanding position, and was far better than any carried by their

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

fleet. This they soon discovered after their demand was refused and they had made an attack, tor under command of William Vanghn the old long gun created such havoc with the British shipping that they hauled off and put back to Kingston, with their staunchest vessel, the Royal George, seriously disabled by a shot which raked her deck, cut her mast, stove a medicine chest and killed eight men. Gen. Brown was greatly elated by this victory, and in a letter to the governor spe- cially commended the services of officers Woolsey, Bellinger and Camp.

In July the British also made a demonstration against Og lensburgh, intending to capture the trading vessels anchored there. In this at- tempt they were beaten, as the Julia was manned with heavy guns, and sailed out into the river where she met the Earl of Moira and the Duke of Gloucester off Prescott, engaged them in a sharp battle, and then went to the relief of Ogdensburgh. Here she lay until early September and then returned with the other vessels to the lake.

On August 20, Col. Bellinger's regiment was disbanded, the men re- turning to their homes but the officers remained at the harbor. The troops had not been paid, which fact prompted Gen. Brown to write the governor on the subject, and also to suggest that 600 men were not sufficient to make a proper defense of the frontier from Oswego to St. Regis. Ten days later Capt. Benj. Forsyth and a company of riflemen were sent to strengthen the line. They were stationed at the harbor, but still Gen. Brown felt insecure in case a general attack should be made. In a letter to the governor, Sept. 1 ?. he mentioned the strength of the Americans on the lake as comprising ten vessels beside the Oneida, six of which were at Sackets Harbor viz: Genesee Packet (after- ward the Conquest); Experiment (afterward Growler); Collector (after- ward Pert); Lord Nelson (afterward Scourge), and the Niagara and Julia. At Oswego were the Charles and Ann (afterward Gov, Tomp- kins), Diana (afterward Hamilton), the Fair American and Ontario. The worthy general also represented to the governor that these vessels averaged from :0 to 100 tons burthen, and if armed with guns equal to the effective 3? pounder and manned with " such men as the nation could furnish," the lake could be easily controlled from the St. Lawrence to the rapids. In addition, the Americans had several small vessels of ten or twelve tons burthen and still others of less size. The earnest American general appealed to the governor for a respectable army, and closed his letter with the expressed hope that he would not be ordered from his command at the harbor, but that whatever called upon to do he would not be found " hindmost."

THE CAMPAIGN OF ISI.

Learning that Gananoque, a British post about 20 miles below Kings- ton, held a quantity of arms and military stores, of which our men were in great need, Gen. Brown sent Captains Forsyth and MeNitt and Lieut. Brown to take them, all of which was done after a short skirmish. The result was 41 muskets, 3,000 cartridges and other supplies for the Americans, while about 150 barrels of provisions which could not be removed were burned.

Notwithstanding these successes and the unquestioned ability of General Brown as a commander, he was superseded by Brigadier-Gen- eral Richard Dodge, who arrived at Sackets Harbor on September 21. At this time Gen. Brown was ordered with his militia to proceed to Ogdensburgh and assume command at that post. This was the first real intelligence ,received by our brave county general that he was to be relieved of his old command, although he must have had an intimation to that effect when he wrote the governor that he hoped not to be re- moved. But it appears that the higher authorities had decided to be- gin active operations on the lake and the Canadian frontier, and they preferred to have an experienced officer in command at a post so im - portant as Sackets Harbor was at that stage of the war. In accordance with his orders, Gen. Brown and his Jefferson county militia proceeded to Ogdensburgh, arriving on the 1st of October, and on the very next day engaged and repulsed the British in a sharp engagement at that place.

Early in October Governor Tompkins arrived at Sackets Harbor, carefully looked over the situation along the frontier, and at onee set about organizing a strong lake fleet and an equally formidable land force to act on the offensive in this part of the country. On October 6 Com. Isaac Chauncey came to command of the naval force, purchased several vessels and began the construction of others at the harbor, the work being under charge of Henry Eckford. The work was pushed with such vigor that early in November found Chauncey on the lake with the flag ship Oneida ( Lieut. Woolsey), the Conquest (Lieut. Elliot). the Hamilton (Lieut. MePherson), the Governor Thompson (Lieut. Brown), the Pert (Mr. Arundel), the Julia (Mr. Trant), and the Growl- er (Mr. Mix), all reasonably well armed, with a total of 40 guns, and manned with a force of 430 determined Americans.

At this time the British had a much stronger naval force on the lake, comprising the vessels: Royal George, 26 guns, 260 men; Earl of Moira, 18 guns, 200 men ; Prince Regent, 18 guns, 150 men ; Duke ot

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Gloucester, 14 guns, 80 men : Simcoe, 12 guns, 26 men; and the Seneca, 4 guns, 40 men.

Regardless of the fact that he was outnumbered in every way, Chauncey sailed out on the lake and in every manner tried to draw the enemy into action. On October 10 he captured two schooners, burned one and sent the other under convoy of the Growler to Saekets Harbor, passing in front of Kingston in the hope that the British would follow while he lay in wait at the "False Dueks." Getting sight of the Royal George, he chased her into Kingston harbor, and opposed that vessel and the shore batteries for nearly an hour before he hauled off. The next morning the daring Yankee pursued the Simene and so riddled her with shot that she went to the bottom in Kingston harbor. Soon afterward the Growler captured the sloop Elizabeth, but adverse weather coming on, operations ceased for the next few days.

In the mean time Com. Chauncey blockaded the enemy's vessels in Kingston harbor. This brave officer was confident that had not the sea- son been so far advanced he could during the year take every British town on the lake. On November 26 the Madison was completed and launched at the harbor, having been built in forty-five days. During the same season Fort Tompkins was built, and stood on a rise of ground fronting the bay, about 100 rods west of the site of the ship house of later years. Late in November an attempt was made to enter the lake with the fleet, but a fierce gale and heavy sea caused much damage and compelled the vessels to return to their former stations. In the early part of December navigation was closed and hostilities in this region were ended for the year.

Meanwhile, the war in other localities progressed with varying fortunes, generally in favor of the British whose forces were larger and better equipped both on land and water. However, for our purposes, it is sufficient to mention only the surrender of General Hull at Detroit,- the attack on Queenston which resulted unfavorably to the Americans, and the surrender of our forees after a sanguinary engagement on the river Raisin.

The plans of the campaign for 1813 contemplated several general movements against the British, prominent among which was the pro- posed capture of Kingston and York (Toronto), the control of Lake On- tario, and the consequent reduction of Canada. All of these operations were to be inaugurated and carried into execution from Sackets Harbor as headquarters. It was provided that 4,000 troops should assemble

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1813.

there, among them being Gen. Brown's Jefferson county militia to the number of several hundred men. Col. Pike's force on Lake Champlain was also ordered to proceed with haste to this place, and preparations were made for an early and vigorous campaign against the enemy ; but while these things were going on smoothly the British slipped across the river and made a successful attack on Ogdensburgh, compelling Capt. Forsyth and his men to retreat to the harbor. This was on Feb. 22, and about a week previous to the arrival of Gen. Dearborn at Sackets Harbor.

Early in March all was ready for an ice expedition against Kingston, but Com. Chauncey, of the naval force, had not arrived from New York, and although no sailing craft could co-operate with the troops it was deemed imprudent to make the march in his absence. Whether the British were informed of the intentions of the Americans is not certain, but during the winter they had assembled a heavy land and naval force at Kingston, and were well prepared for any movement that might be made against the place. They, too, were active carly in the spring, and when the Americans were making ready to attack their stronghold, a messenger came to the harbor with a report that the enemy were about to assail the place with a considerable forec. The rumor proved unfounded but its effect was to put our officers more on the defensive than the aggressive, and the project of an attack upon Kingston was for the time abandoned, notwithstanding the fact that the American force at that time numbered 5,000 regulars and twelve months men, 1,300 sailors ready to man the vessels, and 2, 000 available militia.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 10

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1368

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368