USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume I > Part 24
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Colonel Van Rensselaer was taken to Landon's Hotel in Buffalo, after receiving his wound, where he remained four weeks before he was able to proceed to Albany. He was honored on his departure by a salute from the " Chapin's Independent Buffalo Matross," which must have been an artillery company organized by the zealous Dr. Cyrenius Chapin.
Disgusted by the conduct of the militia and the petty jealousies of some of the regular officers, General Van Rensselaer resigned his com- mand on the frontier to the noisy General Smyth, who soon began the issue of a most remarkable series of proclamations and military orders that were characteristic of the man. The first one appeared November 12, dated "Camp near Buffalo," wherein he said:
One army has been disgracefully surrendered and lost. In a few days the troops under my command will plant the American standard in Canada. They are men accustomed to obedience, silence and steadiness. They will conquer or they will die. Will you stand with your arms folded and look on this interesting struggle? Must I turn from you and ask men of the Six Nations to support the gov- ernment of the United States? Shall I imitate the officers of the British King, and suffer our ungathered laurels to be tarnished by ruthless deeds? Shame, where is thy blush? No. Where I command, the vanquished and the peaceful man, the child, the maid, and the matron, shall be secure from wrong. The present is the hour for renown.1
Smyth immediately began the concentration of troops at Buffalo for the invasion of Canada. Boats were collected for transporting infantry and scows built for the artillery .? Nearly 1,000 regulars assembled
1 In another proclamation he said : "Companions in arms! the time is at hand when you will cross the stream of Niagara to conquer Canada, and to secure the peace of the American fron- tier. You will enter a country that is to be one of the United States. . Whatever is booty by the usages of war shall be yours." He offered two hundred dollars apiece for horses for artillery that might be captured. He then boasted of the superiority of the American soldier and weapons, and unnecessarily offended the Federalists, many of whom were in the ranks, by saying to the volunteers, "Disloyal and traitorous men have endeavored to dissuade you from doing your duty." In his address to "The Army of the Centre," as he called the little force under his command, he said : "Soldiers of every corps, it is in your power to retrieve the honor of your country and to cover yourselves with glory. Every man who performs a gallant action shall have his name made known to the nation. Rewards and honors await the brave, infamy and contempt are reserved for cowards. Companions in arms, you come to vanquish a valiant foe. I know the choice you will make. Come on, my heroes, and when you attack the enemy's batteries, let your rallying word be, 'The cannon lost at Detroit, or death.'"-Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812, p. 411.
2 Seventy public boats, capable of carrying forty men each ; five large private boats, in which
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under Col. Moses Porter, Col. William H. Winder, Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler, and other officers. A little later a brigade of militia, nearly 2,000 strong, arrived from Pennsylvania, and 300 or 400 New York volunteers reported, including the "Silver Greys" before mentioned. The latter were placed under command of Peter B. Porter, who was about that time appointed quartermaster-general of the State militia; he was thereafter known as General Porter. Under him was Colonel Swift, of Ontario county.
While these preparations were in progress the British began a vigor- ous cannonade upon Fort Niagara on November 21, from breastworks in front of Newark. From those batteries 2, 000 red-hot shot and many bomb shells were poured upon the American works. Some of the fort buildings were set on fire and were saved with difficulty. The fort was gallantly defended by the garrison, supported by what was called the "Salt Battery," a little south of the fort and in range of the British Fort George. The cannonade ceased with nightfall.
As early as November 25 General Smyth issued orders for "the whole army to be ready to march at a moment's warning," and followed with minute details for the formation of the troops after they reached the Canada shore. Everything was in readiness for the invasion on the 27th, and on that evening the wordy general issued his final instruc- tions for the movement of the next day. There were then assembled at Black Rock more than 4,000 men, most of whom could be expected to join in the invasion.
The first detachment from Winder's regiment under Lieutenant- Colonel Boerstler, was to cross at 3 A. M. and destroy a bridge five miles below Fort Erie, capture the guard and return with them to the Amer- ican shore, or, in his discretion, follow up the Canadian side to aid Captain King; the latter was to cross and storm the British batteries which had been placed at vulnerable points opposite Black Rock, and was accompanied by Lieut. Samuel Angus, of the navy, and fifty or sixty seamen. Colonel Winder was held on the American side, " to give di- rections," as Smyth's order said.
Having learned all that was desirable of the American operations thus far, through Smyth's useless manifestos, the British had ample opportunity to strengthen their position. The Americans landed on
one hundred men each could be borne; and ten scows for artillery, with many small boats, were pressed into the service, so that three thousand troops, the whole number to be employed in the invasion, might cross at once .- Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812, p. 428.
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Canadian soil at 3 A. M., and Angus with his sailors and a few soldiers gallantly dispersed a body of the enemy at the "Red House," spiked two field pieces and threw them into the river. Nine of the twelve naval officers engaged and twenty-two men were killed or wounded in this operation. The sailors and a part of the soldiers, with the pris- oners, recrossed the river, but by some unfortunate mistake no boats were left for Captain King, who, with sixty men, remained on the other side. This little band now attacked and captured two batteries, spiked the guns and took thirty four prisoners. Two boats were then discovered, into which King placed his prisoners and thirty of his men and sent them across the river, bravely staying behind with the small remainder of his force. At about this juncture Colonel Winder, be- lieving that Boerstler was cut off, crossed the river with 250 men for his relief. Arriving at the Canadian shore he was immediately at- tacked by a superior force and compelled to return, after losing six killed and nineteen wounded. Boerstler's force returned later with- out loss.
Preparations for the general embarkation began in the morning and straggled slowly on during the forenoon. About 1 o'clock a force of nearly 2,000 regulars, twelve-months volunteers and some militia were waiting in the boats at the little navy yard at the mouth of the Scaj- aquada Creek. Smyth's reports of his operations were as astonishing as his proclamations. At this time he wrote: "The troops moved up the stream to Black Rock without loss." There he ordered them "to disembark and dine." The whole force, officers and troops, were by this time thoroughly disgusted. Smyth now held a council upon the situation, the decision of which was to postpone the invasion a day or two until more boats could be made ready. A part of his officers favored this course. In the mean time Captain King and his little band were left to their fate and were, of course, captured.
After a day spent in further preparations everything appeared to be in readiness for embarkation on the morning of the 31st. Meanwhile the vigilant enemy had replaced his batteries and stationed infantry and artillery below on the river bank, where the current is rapid. General Porter was averse to making an attempt to land there, and advised postponing the crossing until the succeeding night, when the movement could be made in the darkness just preceding daylight, the enemy passed without his knowledge, and a landing made five miles down the river, where the current and the banks were favorable.
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Colonel Winder favored this course and Smyth adopted it with the in- tention of attacking Chippewa, and if successful, marching on through Queenston to Fort George.
Again embarkation began at 3 A. M. of Tuesday, December 1, and 1,500 men entered the boats. General Porter was to lead and direct the landing and was accompanied in the foremost boat by Majors Chapin and McComb, Captain Mills, Adjutant Chase, Quartermaster Chaplin and about twenty-five Buffalo volunteers under Lieutenant Haynes. The embarkation progressed slowly and by the time the flotilla was ready to move daylight appeared. Now took place another astonishing military incident. Smyth called to his side four regular officers and after consultation it was decided to not make the in- vasion that season. The troops were ordered ashore, the militia and many of the volunteers went home and the regulars into their winter quarters.
A cry of indignation and disappointment went up on all sides. The volunteers begged of the commander that he would permit General Porter to lead them into Canada, promising the speedy capture of Fort Erie; but Smyth evaded the request. So great was the feeling against him that for some time his person was in danger, and he was more than once fired at when he left his tent. General Porter openly up. braided him with cowardice and a quarrel ensued, which resulted in a challenge from Smyth and Porter's acceptance. On the afternoon of the 14th of December the principals, their friends and surgeons met at Dayton's tavern, below Black Rock, and thence crossed to the head of Grand Island. There, on the ground selected, one shot was fired by each of the principals " in as intrepid and firm a manner as possi- ble," according to reports of the seconds, neither of the principals being injured. The two generals then withdrew their insulting charges and peace was restored between them. Major Cyrenius Chapin was even more bitter in his denunciations of Smyth than Porter. Smyth left the frontier soon afterward, resigning December 22, and was suc- ceeded by Col. Moses Porter, and subsequently published statements in vindication of his conduct. 1
After the dismal failure of Smyth's operations the Pennsylvania volunteers returned home. The United States twelve months volun- teers, with the exception of Swift's Regiment, were stationed in Buf-
1 The interested reader will find many documents of various kinds relating to the operations of November and December at Buffalo, in the Appendix to Vol. II of Ketcham's valuable work.
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falo, to accommodate whom several families gave up their dwellings. Provisions and forage were reported very high in price. On the 29th of December the following letter appeared in the Gazette:
Messrs. Salisbury-I was desired yesterday evening to request you to insert in your paper an invitation to the good people of Niagara County, to meet on Friday next, at the house of R. Cook, in this village at 10 o'clock, A. M., to consult on measures of public safety, and if possible concert some means to avert the impending dangers which are so visibly threatening our once peaceful and happy dwellings.
Buffalo, December 25, 1812.
Yours, &c., RICHARD SMITH.
This letter is a clear indication of the sentiments of the inhabitants of Buffalo at that time; those sentiments were shared along the whole frontier. The calm consideration and foresight of the more intelli- gent citizens gave them assurance of coming disaster and suffering.
Soon after the ignominious failure of the invasion of Canada an event took place in Buffalo which for a time promised to result in riot and bloodshed. It grew out of ill-feeling between volunteers and militia, and the citizens, which was not confined to that village, but was prev- alent to some extent at all important points on the frontier. Many prominent citizens were Federals and strongly opposed to the war. Their opponents claimed that this was disloyalty and the soldiers claimed that they were ill-treated by those whom they were ordered to defend. Among the troops that had been commanded by Smyth were two com- panies of so-called "Federal Volunteers," under Lieut. - Col. F. Mc- Clure, including two or three companies of "Irish Greens" from Al- bany and New York, and one company of "Baltimore Blues " from Baltimore.
Ralph M. Pomeroy, it will be remembered, was keeping a hotel on the corner of Main and Seneca streets and on this occasion became in- volved in a dispute with the captain of an Albany company, which was said to have originated in a demand made by the officer for entertain- ment for his men. The argument became exciting and the officer drew his sword and drove Pomeroy down stairs, at which Pomeroy, who was forcible in delivering the King's English, swore that he wished that the British would come over and kill the whole crowd. Report of the dif- ficulty was carried to camp and soon an armed mass of the Baltimore and Irish soldiers marched down Main street. Dinner was in progress in the hotel and among the guests were several army officers. The mob began operations by hurling an axe through a window and directly .
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upon the dining table. This was immediately followed by a rush into the hotel; the guests were driven out, and the mob proceeded to de- molish the furniture and devour the food and drink. One of the hotel guests was Colonel McClure, commander of the very men who were engaged in the attack; but they were beyond his control, even while he rode his horse directly through the house and repeatedly ordered them to leave the premises. He then ordered two companies up in front of the hotel, but they refused to aid in quelling the disturbance. Pomeroy hid himself in the barn.
The mad passion of the mob increased, and piling bedding in the second story of the hotel, they set fire to it. The destruction of the house was averted by Hank Johnson, a white man who lived with the Cattaraugus Indians, who clambered up into a chamber window and threw the burning bedding into the street. A minor incident in the event was an attack made in the street upon Abel M. Grosvenor, as he was passing, the mob believing he was Pomeroy, whom he somewhat resembled. He was chased down the street till he fell, the mob shout- ing "kill the d-d tory." His identity was discovered in time to prevent the execution of the threat. Others threatened to destroy the Federal printing office, as they termed the Gazette. Finally Col. Moses Porter, the veteran soldier, and an artillery officer, took part in the affair. He ordered up a detachment of his men with a six-pounder gun from their camp (probably at Flint Hill, north of Scajaquada Creek). The can- non was hurriedly dragged down Main street, drawn up to bear on the hotel, and a lieutenant and a squad of men with swords drawn were ordered to clear the house. For a few moments there was a fierce struggle and several of the mob were killed or wounded, but the house was soon empty, many jumping from the upper windows in their haste to escape the sword cuts of the artillerymen. They left the village for their camp, threatening immediate vengeance on Colonel Porter. The veteran officer placed his cannon at the junction of Main and Ni- agara streets and awaited their coming; but better counsels prevailed, and what seemed to betoken a battle in the streets of Buffalo was averted. The rioters were never punished, except as they were roughly handled by Porter's men.
Pomeroy went out to the Seneca village and a little later closed his hotel for the winter. His announcement in the Gazette read that he would close his house "in consequence of transactions too well known ยท to need mentioning." Aside from this announcement this event re-
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ceived no notice whatever in the Gazette, which shows that the pro- prietors appreciated their own situation in relation to the matter.
While these local events were taking place the inefficient navy of the United States was somewhat strengthened, and on June 23 the first hostile gun of the war fired on the water sent a ball crashing through the stem of the British frigate Belvidera, from a forecastle piece in the American flag ship President, pointed by the hand of Commodore Rodgers. A long series of brilliant naval operations began, in which the Americans were almost without exception successful, among which were the capture of the Frolic by the Wasp in October; of the Mace- donian by the United States in the same month; of the Guerriere by the Constitution in December, and of the Java by the Constitution in the same month.
In the Congressional election held about the middle of December the Federalists were successful in this district. In Buffalo their candidate received 61 votes, against 34 for the opposing candidate; in Hamburg the vote was respectively 36 and 81; in Clarence 41 and 92; in Eden, 37 and 14. This result shows that Buffalo and Eden were strongly Federal, while Hamburg and Clarence were Republican. Tompkins was elected governor by the Republicans, but the Federal party had gained so much strength through the effects of the summer's disasters, that nineteen out of twenty-seven congressmen from this State and a ma- jority of the assemblymen were elected by that party. Madison was re- elected president, over De Witt Clinton. Had the presidential result been different, the energetic governor of New York, it may be assumed, would have carried on the war by vastly more vigorous methods and peace would have been restored long before the date of the battle of New Orleans.
In the closing months of the year an epidemic of disease, the character of which was then unknown, prevailed along the frontier and many died. A meeting of physicians was held in Buffalo to consider measures for arresting of the spread of the sickness. Major Phineas Stephens, commanding the Willink "Silver Greys," was one of the prominent victims; he died at Black Rock and was buried with military honors in Willink.
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CHAPTER XV.
CAMPAIGN OF 1813.
Preparations for Building a Fleet for Lake Erie-Arrival of Commodore Perry -- Troops in Buffalo -- Capture of Toronto-American Victory at Fort George-Fort Erie Abandoned -- The Niagara River in Possession of Americans-Building of Stockades in Erie County -- Chapin's Riflemen -- Battle at Beaver Dams -- Chapin's Bold Escape -Dearborn Superseded -- Enlistment of Senecas-Battle of Black Rock-Flight of the Militia -- General Porter s Efficient Action-Defeat of the British -- Death of Bishopp-Porter and Chapin at Burlington Heights-Toronto again Attacked- Perry's Operations-The Battle of Lake Erie -- Effects of the Victory-American Mismanagement-Forts George and Niagara Left Defenseless.
The campaign of 1813 was destined to be one of supreme importance to the inhabitants of Erie county. Measures were adopted for strength- ening both the army and the navy and for a vigorous prosecution of the war. News from Europe was discouraging to the war party, through fears of a coalition of the great powers against France, which would leave England in far better circumstances for an active campaign on this side of the ocean.
The campaign of 1813 opened almost simultaneously on the shores of Lake Ontario, in the Maumee Valley and on the Virginia coast. In the west General Harrison's operations were successful and he was able to afford general protection to the inhabitants on the borders of Lake Erie. To secure permanent control of this important body of water, a number of merchant vessels had been purchased during the winter of 1812-13, to be converted into war craft, and the building of several new ones begun. The control of Lakes Erie and Ontario in this con- flict was no less important than it was in the earlier wars which have been described in preceding chapters. Situated upon the immediate boundaries of the territory of both nations, it was inevitable that their waters should be the scene of stirring events. Naval headquarters were established at Erie where there was a good harbor. Early in the year a young naval officer who was soon to gain distinction, and who had been in command of gunboats at the Newport station, was called
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North, served a short time under Commodore Chauncey, and on March 24 arrived in Buffalo. This was Oliver Hazard Perry.1 Besides the vessels above mentioned five others had been fitted out at the mouth of Scajaquada Creek, and for a while Perry passed his time at that point and at Erie alternately. After supervising the launching of his fleet during the succeeding two months, Perry left Erie on May 24 to join Chauncey in an attack on Fort George, at the mouth of the Niag- ara River.
The spring was far advanced before there was much activity on the frontier within the limits of Erie county. Early in April Lieutenant Dudley, of the navy, three seamen, Dr. Trowbridge and Frederick Merrill were hunting on Strawberry Island, when they were discovered from the Canada shore. A squad of men was sent across who captured the party. The two civilians were soon released.
In that month soldiers and officers began to arrive in Buffalo. On the 17th Major. Gen. Morgan Lewis and Brigadier-General Boyd ar- rived to assume their respective commands.2 General Dearborn was in command of the whole northern frontier. On the 25th of April Dearborn sailed from Sackett's Harbor in Chauncey's fleet, with 1,700 troops under immediate command of Gen. Zebulon Pike. The plans of Chauncey and Dearborn contemplated an attack on Toronto (York), an assault upon Fort George, while at the same time troops were to cross the Niagara River, capture Fort Erie and Chippewa, join the victors at Fort George, and all then proceed to the capture of Kingston. The fleet appeared before Toronto on the 27th and a vigorous attack was made, during which the wooden magazine of a British battery ex- ploded under a hot fire, killing some of the garrison. A little later and just when the victorious Americans were expecting to see the white flag hoisted over the blockhouse, the British in despair blew up their powder magazine on the lake shore, killing fifty-two Americans and wounding 180; among the mortally wounded were General Pike and ten of his aids. Forty of the British were also slain. The place was soon after surrendered, but was abandoned by the Americans as of little permanent military value.
1 " You are the very person that I want for a particular service, in which you may gain reputa- tion for yourself and honor for your country."-Letter from Commodore Chauncey to Perry.
9 On Saturday last, arrived in this village, Major Gen. Lewis, accompanied by Brigadier Gen. Boyd; Capt. Gibson is one of Gen. Lewis's aids. On their arrival, they were handsomely saluted by the troops stationed in this village-the flying artillery, under Capt. Leonard, the infantry under Colonel Milton .- Buffalo Gazette, April 20, 1813.
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The victorious fleet soon prepared for the voyage to the mouth of the Niagara, but were delayed a week by stormy weather. Chauncey, Dearborn and other officers left Toronto in advance of the main body and selected a landing place four miles east of Fort Niagara. The British force then in and near Fort George numbered about 1,800 under command of General Vincent.
The American troops made their landing May 8 and Chauncey sailed for Sackett's Harbor for supplies and reinforcements. He returned to the camp on the 22d and Perry arrived the same evening. On the 27th the troops were conveyed to a point a little west of the mouth of the river, where they landed under cover of the fleet guns. The advance was led by Col. Winfield Scott, accompanied by Perry, who had charge of the boats. In the face of a galling fire the Americans ascended the bank and after a vigorous engagement the British fell back. General Vincent then ordered the garrison to spike the guns, destroy the ammunition and abandon the fort. The works were occupied by a force of Americans under Gen. Morgan Lewis, General Porter then acting as his aid. The Buffalo Gazette stated that "Dr. C. Chapin, was in the vanguard "-which is just where we should expect he would have been found. The British retreated to a point known as the Beaver Dams, where they had a store of supplies.
On the same day a fierce cannonade was opened on Black Rock from Fort Erie, which continued until the following morning, when the British bursted their guns, exploded the magazine, destroyed the stores, and dismissed the garrison. Lieutenant-Colonel Preston, com- manding at Black Rock, crossed the river and took possession of the abandoned works. All other barracks, magazines and stores from Chippewa to Point Abino were also destroyed by the British, and the Canadian shore of Niagara River was left in full possession of the Americans. It was at this period, or particularly a little later, after full control of Lakes Erie and Ontario was secured by the Americans, that the deplorable lack of well-disciplined troops, inefficiency on the part of many officers, absence of thorough military organization, and a vacillating president, apparently prevented the Americans from hold- ing what they had gained and undoubtedly prolonged the conflict.
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