Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 11

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 11

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This strong marine force had been transferred to the lake from the Atlantic seaboard, many of the American ships having temporarily quit the sea on account of the war. It therefore became necessary to build more vessels at the harbor, and on April " the Jefferson, and on the 10th, the Jones was launched. About the same time the keel of the Gen. Pike was laid.

About the middle of April the ice in the lake disappeared, and on the 19th the Growler sailed out to reconnoitre. At this time Gen. John Chandler was at the harbor and considered the force sufficiently strong to attack the enemy, but a letter from the secretary of war to General Dearborn discouraged any determined or hazardous movement, where- upon the plans were again changed. However, Gen. Pike embarked 1,100 men on Chauncey's vessels and on the 25th sailed away on a

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

seeret expedition. As was soon learned, York was the objective point, and its capture was the purpose of the movement. On the 24th of April the battle was fought and won, and the capital of Upper Canada fell into American hands. The details of the engagement are not necessary to this chapter, but the result was entirely satisfactory to our arms. The splendid war sloop, Duke of Gloucester, and a large quantity of army stores and supplies were also taken. The victory cost the Americans 14 men killed and 32 wounded in the battle, and 38 killed and 222 wounded in the fearful explosion of the magazine inside the fort. Of the enemy 225 were killed and wounded, and +00 militia. men and 50 regulars were made prisoners of war. But the most serious disaster to the Americans in the battle was the death of brave Gen. Pike, who was mortally wounded in the fearful mine explosion at the close of the fight. He was taken on board the Pert, where he lived long enough to hear of the success of his command and died with the cap- tured British standard under his head. His body was brought to Sackets Harbor and buried in the magazine of Fort Tompkins, in the same grave with Capt. Nicholson, who was killed at his side.1 The American troops, with the captured stores, were taken to Niagara, after which Com. Chauncey returned to the harbor, embarked 350 more men and on May 22 sailed again for Niagara.

Smarting under the humiliation of the defeat at York, the British determined to retaliate in a manner that would most annoy the Ameri- cans, by the capture of Sackets Harbor and the destruction of the shipping and valuable stores known to be there. It was well under- stood by the enemy that the defenses here had been weakened by at least two withdrawals of troops, and that at best only a feeble resist - ance could be made by Col. Backus and his 200 dismounted dragoons and Capt. Ketchum's half hundred artillerymen, while the force of army invalids and recruits were considered of no moment in esti- mating the garrisons at Forts Tompkins and Volunteer (this latter fort being just east of the village, built by a force of exempts).

The Americans learned that the enemy were making preparations to attack the place, upon which Gen. Dearborn wrote Gen. Brown, who was then living on his farm at Brownville, to assume command at the harbor and put the place in a condition for defense ; but Brown had too much respect for Col. Backus's feelings to thus wound him, so he said

' The bodies of these brave officers were afterward removed to Madison Barracks cemetery. where a handsome monument was erected over their graves

THE ATTACK ON SACKETS HARBOR.

nothing of the order but at once repaired the defenses and sent warn- ing to his militia to be ready for an immediate call to arms. Messen- gers were also sent to other posts asking for troops, but this was all that could be done until it was known what the enemy really intended.

On Friday, May 28, the British vessels Wolfe, Royal George, Earl of Moira, Prince Regent, Simcoe and Seneca, carrying a total of about 80 guns, and with 40 barges having on board 1, 200 well trained troops, all commanded by Sir George Prevost, appeared in the offing of the har- bor. The Americans, however, were not surprised, as the little Lady of the Lake had been cruising out in the channel watching the move- ments of the British. Signal guns were fired to call in the militia and messengers were sent to distant posts in quest of aid. Col. Tuttle, of the regular army, was hourly expected with a strong force, while Col. Aspinwall with 300 men was ready to come from Oswego if needed. Hle embarked his force on barges and started for the harbor, but not knowing the whereabouts of the British ran foul of them when round- ing Six Mile Point. Twelve of his boats were captured, but the men escaped safely on shore. Seven barges outsailed their pursuers and landed their men at the harbor. This diversion delayed the operations of the British and gave the Americans an opportunity to complete their defensive measures. Horse Island lay a mile distant, was well wooded, and here it was supposed the enemy would make a landing. The island connected with the mainland by a bar, and the situation was deemed an important one to control, therefore as fast as the militia came in they were armed and sent to that point, with orders to hold out as long as possible and then fall back into the woods, fighting all the way. About 400 other militia, with Col. Mills's Albany volunteers and a six pound eannon, were stationed on the shore opposite the island, and were ordered not to fire until the enemy were within pistol shot. Col. Gershom Tuttle, another prominent citizen of this county, commanded the remainder of the militia and was stationed in the edge of the woods, back of the clearing along the shore, while Colonel Backus and his dragoons, of whom much was expected and much was received, took a position in the woods near the village, with intention to at once advance to Horse Island in case the enemy landed there. Col. Aspinwall's force held a position on Backus's left. The artillerists ocenpied Fort Tompkins, their only gun being the mounted thirty-two pounder. All these preparations were made by Gen. B own during the night previous to the battle.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The morning of the battle, May 29, was clear and bright, and almost a dead calm, an unfortunate condition for the British who could not bring their vessels into position to co-operate with or even cover the landing of the infantry. However, at daybreak the enemy approached the outside of the island, coming in thirty three large boats. They made a landing and formed without opposition, but in attempting to cross the bar connecting with the mainland they met the heavy and serious fire of the militia and the cannon on Fort Tompkins. This con- tinned for several minutes, but when Col. Mills fell mortally wounded the militia suddenly became alarmed and broke in confusion. Capt. Samuel MeNitt and his company, with whom also was Gen. Brown, held their position nobly, but were ent off by the route of the others. Ile therefore retired toward the village, endeavoring to rally the militia on his way.

In the mean time the British had advanced to the beach and formed in good order, but were soon opposed by Col. Backus, who cheeked their advance for a time, but far outnumbered, he fell baek, disputing every inch of ground. This gave Gen. Brown and Caleb Westcott time to rally the militia, and with 100 of them went to the support of Baekus, but as he happened to glance in the direction of the ship yard the gen- eral saw a dense volume of smoke arising from the military store house on the dock. He at once went to the place and found that a rumor had been circulated that the Americans had lost the battle, and rather than see the stores captured at York fall again into the enemy's hands, Chauncey had ordered the buildings burned and several guns spiked. Gen. Brown ordered Lieut. Ketchum to hold Fort Tompkins as long as the flames would permit, then took his militia and went to Backus's as- sistance. The fighting was fieree for a time, with the advantage, if any, in favor of the British, for they were under the gallant Captain Gray, who marched backward, sword in hand, leading and encouraging his men. However, he was struck with a ball and fell in front of his column, seeing which, the men turned and fled from the field, took to their boats and rowed back to their ships. Almost at the same time brave Col. Backus fell mortally wounded, and was carried from the field, but his men never wavered or ceased firing. One of the causes of the sudden British retreat was the sound of firearms from an unex- pected quarter, which gave the impression that Col. Tuttle ' had arrived

I It is evident that among the officers in service during the war were two who were called Col. Tutlle, one in command of a force of regulars, and the other, Col. Gershom Tuttle, of Rut-

THE ATTACK ON SACKETS HARBOR.

with a strong force of regulars, but which, in fact, was the earnest work of the rallied militia.

Thus it happened that the Jefferson county militia commanded by Gen. Brown, Col. Tuttle, Capt. MeNitt and other brave officers, first opposed the British on this memorable day, then retreated, but finally rallied and turned possible defeat into splendid victory. The results of the battle would have been entirely satisfactory to the American arms except for Chauncey's unfortunate blunder in setting fire to the store- house. However, the flames were quenched with as little damage as possible, but not until half a million dollars in property had been de . stroyed. All the shipping was saved, the vessels having been eut loose and sailed out of danger. In the battle the British lost 150 men in killed and wounded, and the Americans a like number in killed, wounded and missing.

The British, when safely returned to their ships, sent a peremptory demand for surrender, but this being refused, they sent a flag with a request for surgeons to attend to their wounded, which of course could not be granted. Their vessels lay in the harbor for a time, then made sail for Kingston.

In his official report to the secretary of war, Gen. Brown, in men- tioning the conduct of his subordinate officers, said: " Of the officers who distinguished themselves, I cannot but repeat the name of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Backus, who, praised be God! yet lives (Col. Backus lived about eight hours after being wounded). Captain MeNitt's con- duct was noble; he well deserves to be placed in the regular army. Major Swan, of the army, served as my adjutant, and was highly use- ful. Lieut. Chauncey is a brave and honorable man. To him no blame can attach for what happened at the Navy Point, He was deceived. Lieut. Col. Tuttle was in march for this post, but with every exertion was unable to reach it in time to take part in the action. At the moment 1 am closing this communication, Com. Chauncey has arrived with his squadron This renders my longer stay here unnecessary. I shall therefore return to my home."

So far as this immediate locality was concerned, the battle at Sackets Harbor on May 29, 1813, was perhaps the most notable event of the war. Still, hostilities in the vicinity were by no means ended, nor did military operations eease. Two days before the battle, Fort George

land, commanding a detachment of Gen. Brown's militia, The Col. Tuttle, who rendered such gallant service in the battle of Sackets Harbor, was one of the pioneers of Rutland.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

was captured, and in June Com. Chauncey returned to the harbor to repair his ships and await the fitting out of the Pike, for he was not yet sufficiently strong to cope with the British on the lake with his fleet. In the mean time, on the 14th, he sent the Lady of the Lake to cruise on Lake Ontario, and when near Presque Isle she fell in with the British schooner Lady Murray, and took her, heavily laden with provisions, ammunition and military stores, to Sackets llarbor.

Early in July the British made another attempt at the reduction of Sackets Harbor, sending a secret expedition in the night to burn the village and its defenses; but a British soldier deserted and brought the news to the Americans, learning which the enemy abandoned their scheme and returned to Kingston. On the day this attempt was made (July 2) Major-General Morgan Lewis arrived and assumed command of the troops at the harbor. General Dearborn was compelled by ill health to retire and on July & he was superseded by Major General James Wilkinson as commander of the American army.

About the middle of July, M. W. Gilbert, a patriotic American, fitted out a privateering expedition, designed for a cruise of the St. Lawrence, and particularly for the capture of a fleet of British transports which was expected up the river laden with provisions, ammunition and sup- plies for Kingston. The boats fitted out for this undertaking were the Neptune, armed with a six pounder, a swivel gun, and twenty-four vol- unteers; Captain Samuel Dixon, master. The other boat was the Fox, under Captain Dimock, armed, and manned with twenty-one men de. tached for the cruise from the 21st infantry. Of course this expedition had the sanction of the general in command at the harbor.

On July 14 the little fleet sailed out into the river, and after touching at Cape Vincent and French creek lay to on the 14th in the month of a small creek among the Thousand Islands, awaiting developments. Two small boats were sent out to watch for the enemy, while Lieuten- ant Ilawkins went to Ogdensburgh on the same errand. That night they put in to the mouth of Cranberry creek and in the afternoon of the following day scouts Baldwin and Campbell came in with news that the provision fleet, under convoy of the Spitfire, was coming up the river. The next morning the enemy was seen at Simonds' Landing, upon which the daring Yankees at once pushed for shore and complete- ly surprised the British, seized the gunboat and all the bateaux without firing a single shot. A company of twenty seven had previously been landed to cut off retreat, resulting in the capture of the whole British

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1813.

foree, all of whom were taken to Cranberry creek and thence sent to Sackets Harbor under guard of fifteen men. So great was the quantity of stores taken in this attack that the captors were required to call for help in disposing of it. At daybreak on the 21st a force of 350 British were discovered in the creek, but they were bravely met by thirty men and attacked while landing; and were so furiously assailed that they with difficulty escaped to the river. In returning to the harbor the adventurous privateersmen were encountered by the Earl of Moira, and were struck with shot several times before they escaped. The cap. tured gunboat and several bateaux were sunk in the harbor without the consent of the captains, therefore the owners suffered eventual loss in their undertaking.

While these minor events were taking place the commanding officers at the harbor were making active preparations for a vigorous lake movement. The Pike was made ready for service, the other vessels overhauled, and on July 2: Chauncey sailed for Niagara with a fleet equal to that of the British; but only misfortune followed, for on August : the Scourge and one other schooner were captured and sunk, and all on board, save sixteen, were lost. On the 9th the enemy cut out and captured the Julia and the Growler, upon which Chauncey left the Asp and Fair American at Niagara and returned to the harbor to repair damage and make ready for another trial. About the middle of August the Sylph was completed and added to the fleet, and on August 21 Chauncey sailed again, and after cruising about for several days, met the British on September ? and 9 with about even results.

In the mean time there were assembled at Sackets Harbor several military and naval commanders to determine upon some aggressive line of action for the remainder of the season. General Wilkinson ar- rived on August 20, and on the 26th he, with Generals Lewis, Brown and Swartwout, and also Commodore Chauncey, held a council of war, and estimated carefully the strength of the enemy, and of their own force (each about 9,000 available men). The British posts were at the head of Lake Ontario, Kingston and Prescott, while the strongholds of the Americans were Forts George and Niagara, Oswego, Sackets Har- bor and the Champlain valley. The council also estimated the naval strength of the contending nations, and found the British had at least ten war vessels on the lake, with a total of 126 guns, while the Ameri- cans had thirteen large and small vessels with a total of 126 guns.

But it appears that all the propositions discussed at the council were

475856 A

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rejected and nothing substantial was agreed upon. Wilkinson went to Fort George, and on the same day (Sept. 5), the secretary of war arrived at Saekets Harbor. Chauncey cruised over the lake between the harbor and Niagara and met the enemy only onee as above stated. In the latter part of September all became activity at the harbor, and it appeared as if Wilkinson was really about to make some important move. Supplies and troops eame pouring in, and even the little hamlet of Brownville was filled with the Jefferson county militia. Eight hundred men were left at Fort George and all others came to this lo- eality. Central and western New York contributed 1,200 men for a special expedition and all were mobilized at the harbor. But the garri- son left at Fort George indisereetly abandoned that post, burned New- ark, and then crossed to the American side. This angered the British, who afterward invaded the Niagara region, captured the fort and murdered many of its garrison, and later on committed the revengful and unwarranted outrages at Buffalo and Black Rock. However, the ever active Chauncey retrieved these misfortunes by his splendid victory on the river, when he fell in with the British near the False Ducks, re- captured the Growler and the Julia, also the Mary Ann, Drummond, Lady Gore and one gunboat, and compelled the enemy to burn still another. With this prize there also fell into the American hands 300 German troops, allies of the British. All were taken to the harbor.

Late in the season a plan was matured for a descent of the St. Law- renee and the reduction of the British posts in the Champlain region. For this purpose many troops were collected at the harbor. Grenadier Island was fixed upon as the general rendezvous, but through some neglect the important details were shamefully bungled by the com- mander, and the result was that the men became scattered all about the islands, while a few fell into the hands of the enemy. However, after a considerable loss of time order was restored and General Brown was directed to lead the advance movement down the river. Suspeet- ing an attack, the general took a position on French creek, established a guard line, and when the British thought to surprise him they were seriously repulsed through the effective work of Capt. McPherson's battery of light artillery.

In the course of a short time the order came to make the general advance down the St. Lawrence. The secretary of war followed as far as Antwerp, where he remained a short time and then returned to the harbor. Of the experiences and sufferings of the Americans in this

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disastrous and ill timed expedition this work need not treat at length, but it may be said that on Nov. 11 was fought the battle at Chrysler's Field, after which the army went into winter quarters at French Mills. In February Gen. Brown returned to Sackets Harbor with his militia, while Gen. Wilkinson took the remainder of the army to Plattsburgh. This poorly planned and still worse managed campaign cost Wilkinson his rank ; he was court martialed for drunkenness and incompetency, removed from command, and was succeeded by General Izard.

While these events were taking place, Com. Chauncey, by Wilkin- son's order, sailed for the head of the lake to convey to Sackets Harbor Gen. W. H. Harrison's army ; but a severe storm scattered the vessels, wrecked some of them, and greatly delayed the voyage. However, all, save one, eventually returned to the harbor, having accomplished their mission, but Gen. Harrison resigned soon afterward.

Thus ended the campaign for 1813 While the year witnessed dis- asters to the American arms in certain localities the general results were nevertheless favorable both on land and lake. The winter months were spent in building and strengthening fortifications, particularly on the part of the British, who also employed spies to visit the American camps, note their operations and if possible ascertain their plan of cam- paign for the next year. At Sackets Harbor the commanding officers were active, and the month of March, 1811, found eighteen war vessels of all grades ready for service. Their armament aggregated 108 guus.

These vessels were the General Pike, commanded by Com. Chauncey ; Madison, William M. Crane, master; Oneida, Lient. Thomas Brown; Sylph, Melancthon T. Woolsey; Gov. Tompkins, St. Clair Elliott ; Pert, Lieut. Samuel W. Adams; Conquest, Lieut. Henry Wells; Fair American, Lient. Wolcott Chauncey; Ontario, John Stevens; Asp, Lieut. P. A. Jones; Lady of the Lake, Mervin P. Mix; and also the schooners Commandant, Hamilton, Growler, Julia, Elizabeth and the bomb vessel Mary.

The British navy on the lake at the same time comprised the princi- pal ships Prince Regent, 58 guns, 500 men ; Princess Charlotte, 42 guns, 300 to 400 men; Montreal, 24 guns; Niagara, 21 guns; Star, 16 guns; Charwell (formerly Earl of Moira), 15 guns; Magnet, 12 guns; Nettie, 10 guns; also 10 gunboats with a single gun each. The Saint Law- rence, a large frigate of 102 guns, appeared on the lake soon afterward.

As soon as the condition of the lake and river would permit the Lady of the Lake sailed out to note the condition of the enemy's works at

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and abont Kingston, and if possible to learn something of their proba- ble intentions. On April 24 it was noticed that the British fleet was about to sail, and on the next day Lieut. Dudley encountered three of their gunboats in the bay, where they had come with the evident pur- pose to set fire to the American shipping at Sackets Harbor. They were specially anxious to destroy the Superior, a war frigate of 66 guns which was then nearly finished. Of course the British were easily driven from the bay. When the Superior was launched, May 1, a seri- ous collision took place between the ship carpenters and sailors, and the soldiers, for between land and water Americans there was little friendship except as they united against the common enemy. But this disturbance, which at one time threatened to become a riot, was checked through the prompt action of Gen. Brown and officers Chauncey and Eckford.

Early in May a strong force of British appeared in the harbor at Oswego for the double purpose of occupying that post and cutting off the armament designed for the warships Mohawk and Jones, then on the stocks at Sackets Harbor, but as the Americans made a vigorous de- fense the enemy drew off until the 6th and then reappeared and made a landing in the village. The supply convoy was then at Oswego Falls, in which direction the Americans retired, obstructing the way as they marched along. The British took a position near the Galloup islands to intercept the Americans when they should pass that point on the way to the harbor. In due time the stores reached Oswego, coming down the river under charge of Lieut. Woolsey and accompanied with Major Appling (a young Georgian who distinguished himself during the war and earned a lieutenant- colonel's commission) and 150 expert riflemen.

On May 28, under cover of darkness, the boats left Oswego, intend- ing to run into Sandy creek, carry the stores overland to Henderson Harbor and thence proceed to Sackets Harbor, about 20 miles distant. They gained the mouth of the creek on the 29th, passed two miles up the stream and there, through treachery or accident, were discovered by the enemy who at once prepared for an attack ; but in the meantime Woolsey, fearful of an attack, had sent couriers to Sackets HIarbor for assistance, and also aroused the militia in the vicinity. A party of Oneidas under Lieut. Hill had come to his aid and the prudent Amer- ican officer was thus prepared for the enemy. Capt. Harris's company of dragoons and Capt. Melvin's light artillery were on hand and held

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commanding positions. The British were evidently not aware of the force opposed to them, nor of Major Appling's effective ambush, and when the attack was made it was so fiercely resisted that the surprise was complete and the astonished Britons surrendered almost at once. They lost 19 killed, 50 wounded, 130 prisoners and several cannon,

This short battle was a notable event in the early history of the county. The officers especially commended for gallant conduct, as shown by Major Appling's report, were Lients, McIntosh, Calhoun, McFarland, Armstrong and Smith, and Ensign Austin. Lient. Wool- sey's report gave credit to Lieut. Pierce, sailingmaster Vaughn, and midshipmen Hart, Mackey and Canton, In the battle the Americans lost a cable and two guns, but captured one 24 pounder, one 68 pound carronade, several small cannon and a quantity of arms and ammuni tian, besides the prisoners, of whom several were officers. Sir James Yeo, commander of the British fleet, continued his blockade for a few days, then left for Kingston, upon which the boats and prizes were taken to Saekets Harbor without further interruption.1

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 11

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