Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 13

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 13

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"A temporary wooden monument of pine boards, the form, without the substance, of a testimonial to their memory, and perhaps emblem. atical of the empty and perishable honors, which our people are too wont to bestow upon those who deserve well of their country, was placed over the spot where these remains were buried, but which, from neglect, and the natural action of the elements, had tumbled down."

This ingratitude of early years, if such indeed it really was, has been remedied in the erection, at the expense of the government, of a splen-

' During his stay at the harbor. President Monroe was a's entertained at the Mansion house. The old stone building still stands and is owned by the Masonic fraternity.

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MADISON BARRACKS.

did monument to the memory of Gen Zebulon M. Pike, and another, equally imposing in appearance, whereon appears this inscription:

"Erected to the memory of the Unknown United States Soldiers and Sailors killed in action or dying of wounds in the vicinity during the war of 1512."

These monuments were erected through the efforts of General O. B. Wilcox, commanding officer of the post, with the aid of patriotic citi- zens of Sackets Harbor and the county. The Pike monument was in- veiled and dedicated with formal ceremonies in November, 1885, by James K. Barnes post, G. A. R., assisted by the Twelfth U. S. Infantry and a vast concourse of citizens. The monument bears this inserip- tion :

BRIGG .- GEN. Z. M. PIKE, U.S.A., and his officers, Killed in Battle of York, Upper Canada, April 17, 1813.

A further description of this monument at this time is not necessary. as they are permanent and conspicuous landmarks in the cemetery connected with the post. On the return of the victorious army from the battlefield of York, the bodies of Gen. Pike and Capt. Nicholson were buried in Fort Tompkins, but were subsequently transferred to the cemetery tract. In this connection it is also proper to add the names of the officers whose memory is perpetuated in these monti . ments.

They were Brig.Gen. L. Covington, Brig. Gen. Z. M. Pike, Lieut. . Col. E. Backus, Capt. Benj. Nicholson. Lieut. - Col. Timothy Dix (father of John A. Dix and grandfather of Morgan Dix, D. D.), Col. John Tuttle, Col. John Mills, Maj. John Johnson, Lieut, and Asst. Or. Mas ter-Gen. Van Derventer, and Capt. A. Spencer. The remains of Col. Mills were removed to Albany in 1839. In 1826 or 1821 the bodies of the officers were removed from their former burial place at Navy Point, reinterred in the barracks cemetery, under the personal supervision of Col. Brady. The monument erected in memory of these brave offi- cers and the unknown dead was dedicated on Decoration day, Is88, and at the request of Col. Richard I. Dodge, commandant at the post. the address of the occasion was delivered by Col. Walter B. Camp of Sackets Harbor.

But, to return from this digression : Col. Brady was post commandant at Sackets Harbor and the barracks from the time it was established until 1824, and thereafter, except when on leave of absence, until 1828.

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when the regiment was ordered from that locality. With the depart- ure the opinion gained circulation that the barracks would not again be occupied, whereupon, says the medical history of the post, "Capt. Allen Partridge, a teacher of some note in a military school at Middle- town, Conn., obtained consent of Peter B. Porter, then secretary of war, for the use of the place for a term of years as a military and scien - tifie school, which was approved by the president and afterward con- firmed by a joint resolution of Congress, May 24, 1828."

Under this authorization, however, nothing was in fact accomplished, and on November 21, 1828, two companies of the Second infantry re- turned to the barracks under Capt. Wm. Hoffman. Again, in 1832, the troops were ordered to Florida to take part in the Black Hawk war, and the barracks were unoccupied until 1834, being for the time in charge of Ordnance Sergeant Gaines. In May of that year the regi- ment returned and re-established headquarters, being then under com- mand of Lieut. Col. Cummings. After three years of uneventful bar- raeks life the patriot war broke out in 1831. and again the northern frontier was thrown into a state of excitement, for the cause which then sought to gain power and permanency in Canada found many fol- lowers and still more sympathizers in this section of the state. The garrison at the barracks was at once ealled into active service, vacating the post temporarily, but returning in June, 1838. In August follow- ing Col. (afterward General) W. J. Worth arrived and began the organ- ization of the Eighth regiment of infantry, Col. Cummings and his command having in the mean time been ordered to the west, thus clos- ing a long period of service at Madison barraeks, although after his retirement from army life Col. Cummings made Brownville his place of residence.

Col. Worth was an energetie military officer, and in later years gained the distinction he so clearly deserved. In 1838, on account of the in- surrection then in progress, he was invested with considerable authority in order to prevent an open rupture with Great Britain. As a matter of precuation he repaired the buildings and defenses about Sackets Harbor and the barracks, and erected the commissary' and quartermas. ter's storehouse, the hospital, guard house and ordnance buildings, at a total outlay of about $150,000.

At the same time the Oneida and Telegraph were put in commission,

1 The old commissary storehouse stood on the bay front, near the present flag staff. It was subsequently burned.

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and in connection with British armed vessels patrolled the lake and river to prevent the operations of the patriot ships. During the unfor- tunate battle of Windmill Point, Worth lay off the place, but of course could not interfere on foreign soil. He captured several patriot boats laden with arms and supplies, which were taken to the harbor and sokl by the United States marshal. At Campbell's Point may be seen one of the captured cannon, the same having been bought by the village and afterward sold to its present owner.

During the year 1838, Sackets Harbor and Madison barracks were visited by many distinguished civil and military personages, among whom were Gen. Macomb, commander-in chief of the U. S. army; Gen. Winfield Scott, of honored memory; Gov. Marcy, Gov. William 11. Seward, Secretary of War Poinsett, and President Van Buren and his son Martin, all of whom were received at the barracks with military honors and sumptuously entertained during their stay. Col. Worth's com - mand was noted for proficiency in drill, and the evolutions of the troops were the source of pleasure to the notables present. On one occasion a serious accident was narrowly averted. The reviewing party "stood near the sallyport, on a line with the flank of the command, and, at the discharge, a ramrod from one of the muskets flew like an arrow and struck into the ground between the president and Col. Worth, who were conversing together."

In the latter part of 1840 the Eighth infantry was ordered to Florida, and while there brought to an end the Seminole war. The next com- mand to occupy the barracks was a detachment of two companies of the Second artillery, under Maj. M. M. Payne. In August, 1841, there arrived a portion of the Fourth artillery, under Maj. F. S. Belton, but in 1842 the artillery was relieved, and Maj. J. Plympton, with three companies of the Second infantry, replaced them. After this time no events of importance occurred until the outbreak of the Mexican war, when in August, 1816, the troops were sent to the border, and the bar- racks remained in charge of Ordance Sergeant Gaines until November, 1848 Then the post was occupied by Maj. T. Lee with two companies of the Fourth infantry. Col. Camp is of the belief that Maj. Lee was the officer who, ten years before the date last mentioned, wrote the poem, "Watertown's a little place just back of Sackets Harbor," an effusion that created much amusement at the time.

About this time, during Lee's command, Second Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant came to Madison barracks, remained one year, and was then

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sent to Detroit. At that time Grant was an unassuming young officer, full of life and vigor, and recollections of his stay at Sackets Harbor are very clear, being frequently referred to in later years when the hero of Appomattox was at the zenith of his glorious career. It is remembered that he was exceedingly fond of horses, and frequently raced all the way to Watertown to indulge in his favorite pastime of checker play- ing with one of the most skillful players of the county seat. At the conclusion of one of these regular sittings Grant ran a foot race the length of the public square, winning the race and also the wager which depended on it. The young lieutenant is also recalled as having been an exceedingly abstemious and temperate man, and established a society of Sons of Temperance in the barracks. Among his acquaint- ances at the harbor was Col. Walter B. Camp, from whom these remin- iscences are chiefly obtained.

Lieut. - Col. Bonneville succeeded Major Lee in command at the bar- racks. He was the author of Bonneville's manuscripts of life in Ore- gon, which was the foundation of one of Washington Irving's most in- teresting works. Soon after 1850 Detroit, as a military post, was abandoned, upon which the Fourth infantry, under Col. William Whist- ler, was transferred to Madison barracks. In 1852 the command was ordered to the far west, and for the next nine years, until 1861, the post was vacant, and was left in charge of Ordance Sergeant Gaines. During this time the buildings and fenees became seriously dilapi- dated, and the barracks in general suffered seriously from depredatory attacks of wanton persons.

In October, 1861, the post was opened by Gov. Morgan, by permission of Mr. Cameron, secretary of war, as a depot for the organization of the Ninety fourth regiment of New York volunteer infantry, with Col. Camp in command. This position was not sought by Col. Camp, and was only an expression of confidence and regard on the part of the ex- ecutive. That the trust was worthily bestowed was shown in the fact that within the brief space of a day one company was enrolled, and in eighteen days the regimental organization was perfected. The gover- nor publicly commended Col. Camp for his zeal, and expressed himself as very "proud of the Ninety-fourth." The regiment broke camp March 14, 1862, but in December of the preceding year, Lieut. Ryan with Co. B, Seventh U. S infantry, arrived at the barracks and assumed command.

During the remaining years of the war, the barracks were frequently

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used as a state military depot and the rendezvous for state troops, and while they were also occupied by detachments of the Sixteenth U. S. infantry and Capt. Moore's company of frontier cavalry, soklier life here was comparatively uneventful, except as the latter command main- tained constant guard between Henderson bay and Cape Vincent dur- ing the threatened invasion from the Canadian border. However, during this period, Capt. Elisha Camp. A. Q. M., U. S. A , under orders from Washington, put the barracks in a good condition by extensive repairs. The work cost about $13, 000.

The next occupants were the Ist and d battalions of the Sixteenth infantry and one company of the Fourth infantry, under Col. Sibley, of the Sixteenth. The headquarters of the latter regiment were estab lished here June 20, 1865, continuing to April 30, 1866. On March 25, 1864, the detachments of the Fourth and Sixteenth infantry were re- lieved by Second Lieutenant Bayne, Forty-second U. S. Inf. (V. R. C.), and in April, 1862, the headquarters of the regiment were transferred to this post from Plattsburgh barracks, and so continued until April 13, 1869, when the command was ordered to Fort Gibson. Gen. J. B. MeIntosh was in charge of the post, and during his term about $25,000 were expended in repairs.

In April, 1869, Lient. Miltmore, First U. S. Art., with a small de- tachment of Battery F arrived at the barracks, and was followed on the 11th by the remainder of the regiment, under Lieut .- Col. Duryea, who assumed and held command until May 26, 1810, when the troops were ordered to Ogdensburgh. The troops in the garrison during October, 1820, were Battery F, First artillery, and Co. B, First U. S Inf., under command of Major C. L. Best. He left November 1, 1822, and was succeeded by Lieut. J. L Worden, jr. (son of Admiral Worden, of Monitor fame), of Co. B, First Inf. On December 2, Battery D), Third artillery arrived, under Capt. Trumbull, whose rank gave him com- mand of the post, but on the 10th Lieut .- Col. and brevet Brig. Gen. R. B. Ayers succeeded him. Gen. Ayers was one of the gallant com- manding officers in the old army of the Potomac, and was frequently commended for bravery and meritorious service.

On November 6, 1876, "eight sets of officers' quarters were de- stroyed by fire, leaving only the colonel's quarters to the east of the sally-port." This unfortunate disaster, together with certain other

The 1 6th Inf., 20th Cav., and also the 10th Heavy Artillery were organized at Madison Bar- racks.

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events of a political character, nearly lost Sackets Harbor this desirable military post. Indeed, about that time there was shown considerable feeling favoring the abandonment of the station, and other cities on the lake border strongly and almost effectually succeeded in accom- plishing the removal. However, through the timely and energetic in- terference of Col. Camp, Congressman George A. Bagley and other prominent persons having influence with the head of the department at Washington, the current of inclination was checked, and after much argument and persuasion the barracks were retained at the harbor. At one time Gen. Sherman urged the removal, and strongly opposed fur- ther improvements to the buildings and grounds, but when in 1882 the Twelfth U. S. Inf. had arrived, the old hero of the "march to the sea " visited the post and became so thoroughly convinced of the strate- gic location that his former views were entirely changed. Congress- man Bagley secured an appropriation of $25,000 to restore the burned quarters and make other needed improvements, especially those re lating to the sanitary condition of the reservation. Previous to this Surgeons Edwards and Turrill had urged an entire change in the sani- tary regulations. Surgeon Turrill had found, after careful examina- tion, twenty per cent. of organic matter in the earth around the quarters; and three months after partial sewage only three per cent. of such matter remained.

In 1876 Gen. Ayers left the post, and was temporarily succeeded by Lieut. Abbott. The latter was soon relieved by Brig. Gen. James Robertson, Third artillery, who retired from service in 1879. Next came Major James R. Kelly, under whom the officers' quarters were rebuilt in 18:9-80. Major Kelly was in turn succeeded by Major and brevet Brig. Gen. W. M. Graham, who occupied the post until Sep- tember 12, 1882, when Maj. Gen. Orlando B. Wilcox arrived with six companies of the Twelfth U. S. infantry. Under this popular officer and thorough soldier the greatest improvements in the sanitary regula- tions of the post were made. He caused a Holly water supply to be established, provided furnace heating apparatus for the barracks, and in many other ways added to the health and comfort of the garrison. Gen. Wilcox was one of the chief factors in securing improvements to the barracks cemetery lot, and also in the erection of the monuments to the unknown dead and Gen. Pike. At the ever memorable Inde- pendence day celebration, July 6, 1886, he was present and delivered an interesting address on "Sackets Harbor and the war of 181." On

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October 14, 1886, Gen. Wilcox left the post, and was followed in com mand by Capt. Egbert and Col. Townsend, both of the Twelfth in- fantry, but on July 25, 1882, the headquarters of the regiment were transferred, causing its removal from Madison barracks at that time.

On August 10, 18SC, Col. Richard Irvin Dodge arrived at the post with companies A, D, G, H and 1, and also the band, of the Eleventh infantry, and was stationed here until the early part of October, 1891. The regiment was then ordered to another department, and on the 9th of the same month, Col. Charles G. Bartlett arrived with the regi- mental band and Cos. B, D, G and F of the Ninth infantry. This command is now stationed at the barracks, and comprises all the com- panies, with a total of about 550 officers and men. The subsequent commanding officers are mentioned in the appended table.

During the period of Col. Dodge's command at the post, the im - provements and additions to the barraeks property were continued. Under orders of Gen. Sheridan the soldiers' quarters were raised an- other story, and the administration building, 140 x 12 feet in size, was erected. The quartermaster's and the commissary's storehouses, both of stone, were also built, and a system of steam heating was extended throughout the barracks. The hospital was thoroughly remodeled, and an annex for the hospital steward was added to it. The most marked change of the period was the erection of officeis' quarters at the right of the entrance to the grounds, replacing the old buildings erected in 1816-19. The cemetery, so long neglected, remained a reproach until Gen. Wilcox gave it special attention, and following him, Col. Dodge made it one of the most attractive spots on the reservation. The iron fence which formerly enclosed La Fayette park, Washington, was se- cured by him and re-erected around the grounds. In making these and other minor improvements Col. Dodge expended more than $60,000.

However, the most remarkable improvements and additions to the government reservation at this place have been made during the years the Ninth infantry has been quartered at the post. On May 12, 1892, the legislature passed an act to cede jurisdiction to the United States of such lands as were necessary for the purpose of the government ; and under this cession the United States purchased from individual owners additional lands to the extent of about fifty three acres, Plans for properly laying out and improving the enlarged reservation tract, and the construction of necessary buildings thereon, were prepared by Capt. George E. Pond, A. Q. M., U. S. A., and Capt. Charles B. Thomp-

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son, A. Q. M., U. S. A., and in accordance therewith the work was be- gun and carried to substantial completion, though not to the full extent originally contemplated. In the latter part of November, 1893, Quar- termaster Thomson reported on the status of the construction work as follows:

"1. One common mess building of capacity to cook for, seat and feed 500 men; also containing dormitory and practice room for the regimental band. In the base- ment is the central steam plant, the gas apparatus to light the barracks with gaso- line; and also the post bakery."

"2. Two double barracks to house four companies of infantry."

"3. Four double sets of officers' quarters, dwellings for eight officers."

"4. Two double sets non-commissioned staff quarters, dwellings for the regi- mental and post staff."

"5. One garbage cremator."

"6. A complete system for the supply of pure water, with steel tank in stone water-tower. The pump station for this system is erected on the shore of Hender- son bay, two miles distant. I have laid 2,000 feet of 10-inch pipe, 9.000 feet of S-inch pipe, and 7,500 feet of 6-inch pipe for this water supply."

"7. A complete system of sewerage consisting of over two miles of pipe discharg- ing the sewage at the mouth of Mill creek."

"8. The introduction of a complete system for twenty-six officers' quarters of in- dividual steam and hot water heating aparatus."

"9. A mile and one-half of macadam roads and sidewalks have been built."

"The post will then accommodate (these improvements having been made) in these modern buildings, four companies of infantry and their complement of officers, the band, and the field and staff of a regiment. The cost of this work. approximately, is $309,000, about $58.000 of which has been expended upon the renewing of the sewerage, house plumbing, heating and water supply of the old post.

In his report the quartermaster further says that " to provide for the whole regiment of eight companies will require the construction of two more double barracks, and four single sets of officers' quarters, dwellings for the three field officers of the regiment and for the med- ical officer of the post; and these dwellings completed will cost approx- imately 8145,000."

While contemplated in the original plans, these structures have not yet been fully built. Instead of the "two more double barracks, " the old stone barracks were remodeled for the purpose and provided accom- modations for four companies ; and instead of " four single sets of officers' quarters," one double set was built, the work being done in 1-97, under the supervision of Lieut. John P. Finley. Another important building erected in 1897 was the guard house, opposite the administration build- ing. It cost about $5.000. The construction work for 1898 contem- plates a new 24-bed hospital, for which provision has been made.

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MADISON BARRACKS.

With these splendid improvements Madison barracks has become a regimental post, and one of the most desirable military stations in the United States. Its command is still much sought by army officers, and fortunate indeed is the commander who secures the coveted assign - ment. The Ninth U. S. infantry is one of the most popular regiments which has been stationed at the post, and is indeed a desirable acquisi- tion to the vicinity of Sackets Harbor.

The roster of commissioned officers is as follows Colonel, William 11. Powell; heutenant colonel, Ezra P. Ewers; major, George W. Davis; adjutant, Wendell L. Simpson ; quartermaster, John P. Finley; surgeon, Henry S. Kilbourne; assistant surgeon, Paul Shillock.

Company officers .- Co. A, captain, Alpheus II. Bowman; Ist lieutenant, John M. Sigworth ; 2d lieutenant, Thomas W. Darrah. Co. B, captain, William L. Carpenter ; 1st lieutenant, Andre W. Brewster; 2d lieutenant, Louis B. Lawton. Co. C, captain. Jesse M. Lee; Ist lieutenant, Charles R. Noyes; 2d heutenant, Thomas W. Connell. Co. D, captain, John A. Baldwin; Ist hentenant George Palmer; 24 lieutenant. Arthur W. Yates, Co. E, captain, Edgar B. Robertson ; Ist lieutenant. Carl Reich- mann: 2d lieutenant, flugh D. Wise. Co. F. captain, Thomas S. McCaleb; 1st lieutenant, John Baxter ; 2d lieutenant, Thomas F. Dwyer ; additional 2d lieutenant, Warren S. Barlow. Co. G, captain, James Regan ; 1st lieutenant, E. V. Bookmiller ; 2d lieutenant. Louis H. Lewis. Co. HI, captain, Morris C. Foote; 1st lieutenant. Robert HJ. Anderson ; 2d lieutenant, Harry F. Rethers. Co. 1, captain, Charles M. Rockefeller: 1st lieutenant, Frank L. Dodds; 2d lieutenant, Fred L. Munson. Co. K, captain, Alfred Morton; 1st lieutenant Frand De W. Ramsey; 2d lieutenant, Edgar F. Koehler.

In the following list will be found the names of commanding officers at Madison barracks from 1816 to 1898:

Col. Hugh Brady, 2d Inf. ; from fall of 1816-Jan., 182.1.

Lieut. - Col. Wm. Lawrence, 2d Inf. : Jan. -Dec. 1824

Col. Ilugh Brady, 2d Inf. ; Dec., 1824- Feb. 1826.

Capt. F. Staniford, 2d Inf. ; Feb .- March, 1826.

Col. Ilugh Brady, 2d Inf. ; March-May, 1826.

Brevet Capt. James Young, 2d Inf. ; May -June, 1826.

Capt. J. D. Wilkins, 2d Inf. ; June-An- gust, 1826.

Brevet Major N. S. Clark, 2d Inf. ; Ang., 1826-April, 1828. 16

Capt. Wm. Hoffman, 2d Inf. ; Nov. 21. 1828 - April 1, 1829.

Col. Ilugh Brady, 2d Inf. ; April 1-May 12, 1829.

Lieut .- Col. A. Cummings, 2d Inf. ; May 12, 1829 -May 29, 1831.

Capt. O. Ransom, 2d Inf. ; May 29, 1831 -Aug. 16, 1831.

Capt. William Hoffman, 2d Inf. ; Aug. 16-Sept. 17, 1831.

Lieut. - Col. A. Cummings, 2d Inf. ; Sept. 17, 1831 May 20, 1832; May 9, 1834 June, 1837, and June-Aug. 28, 1838.

Col. W. J. Worth, 8th Inf. ; Aug. 28, 1538. Capt. G. Wright, Stb Inf .; fall of 1838- Apr. 1839.

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Capt. F. Stanford, Sth Inf .; April 14- Capt. II. E. Turner, Frontier Cavalry ; June 26, 1839.

Lieut .- Col. N. S. Clark, 8th Inf. ; June 26-Oct. 1839.

Col. W. J. Worth, Sth Inf. ; Oct. - Dec. 1×39.

Lient .- Col. N. S. Clark, Sth Inf. ; Dec. 1839-Jan. 20, 1840.

Capt. G. Wright, 8th Inf. ; Jan. 20-Feb. 2. 1840.

Lieut .- Col. N. S. Clark, Nth Inf. ; Feb. 2 -April 22, 1840.

Col. W. J. Worth, 8th Inf. ; April 22- May 2, 1840.

Lieut. J. K. Smith, 8th Inf. ; May 2-Sept. 22, 1840.

Major M. M. Payne, 2d Art. ; Sept. 22- Oct. 4, 1840.

Lieut .- Col. J. B. Crane, 2d Art. ; Oct. 4- Nov. 12, 1840.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 13

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