USA > New York > Essex County > The military and civil history of the county of Essex, New York : and a general survey of its physical geography, its mines and minerals, and industrial pursuits, embracing an account of the northern wilderness > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
I have yielded my own convictions of the reality of this scheme, not alone upon the traditions on the subject, and the assurances of those who profess to have seen and pos- sessed documents which elucidated the whole subject, but upon other forcible considerations.1 Amherst, it was
1 Mr. Gilliland, the younger, who, at the commencement of the revolution, was a schoolboy of fourteen, and died in Plattsburgh, in the year 1847, as- sured Mr. Sheldon that this project was a frequent and familiar theme of conversation by his father. That he had often himself read the correspond- ence between his father and Skeene, on the subject. and that he had the letters of Skeene still in his possession. Mr. G., who was a gentleman of great intelligence, engaged to find and submit them to Mr. Sheldon, but he died before the time fixed for the purpose arrived. With the permission and aid of the Messrs. Gilliland, his sons, who reside at Salmon river, on a part of the original estate, I have carefully examined the family papers, but can discover no trace of this document.
.
131
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
asserted by Colden, contemplated the erection of a sepa- rate government at Crown point, immediately after its reduction.1
The aspect at that epoch of the controversy, relative to the New Hampshire grants, rendered such an occurrence exceedingly probable. Cotemporary annals . appear to recognize the existence of some project of an analogous character and purpose.2 Skeene, it is known, at this pe- riod, visited England on some important political mission, and was on his return to America on the verge of the revolution, bearing, as he alleged, the appointment of governor of Crown point and Ticonderoga.3 In this designation of the limits and title of his government, is it not probable that he merely referred to these fortresses as prominent points embraced within his jurisdiction ? Crown point, it is asserted, was the designed capital of the pro- jected province. This idea strengthensat once the opinion I have attempted to enforce, of the prominence and import- ance of Crown point at that period, and attaches form and coherence to the existence of this scheme. Skeene was then possessed of a large landed estate, not only at Skeenesboro', but elsewhere in the environs of Lake Cham- plain. He held a tract in Essex county, still designated Skeene's patent.
The theory, that the erection of a new province was contemplated at this period, seems to receive a degree of strength from the proceedings of a convention held at Westminster, Vermont, in April, 1775, which resolved to petition the royal government " that they might be taken out of so oppressive a jurisdiction [that of New York], and either annexed to some other government or erected and incorporated into a new one." The commissioners of Vermont, in their appeal to congress in 1779, refer to the same measure, and affirm their probable ability to prove the creation of this new province, and that Governor
1 Doc., VII, 558; Skeene to Pownall, Doc., VII, 515.
2 Williams's History of Vermont. Haskins's do.
3 Skeene's Letter to Hawley, March 16, 1775.
132
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
Skeene had been appointed to preside over the same. " By the accomplishment of this design might have involved the most momentous and sinister political results, at that peculiar epoch, when the vehement contest between New York and Vermont had acquired its deepest rancor and excitement. It is not probable, had that event occurred, whatever may have been the political consequences, that Northern New York would now exhibit a vast expanse of uncultivated and primeval wilderness.
An occurrence of deep import suddenly dissolved all these visions of political plans and speculations, and for years arrested the progress of this miniature republic, and dispersed widely its population. A blow was struck, within the present limits of Essex county, which vibrated not only through the wide colonies, but was felt within the palace walls of St. James.
CHAPTER IX.
THE REVOLUTION, 1775-1776.
Haldimand, the commandant of Crown point and Ti- conderoga, announced to the British government, in 1773, that the fort at Crown point was " entirely destroyed," and that at Ticonderoga, in a "ruinous condition," and " that both could not cover fifty men in winter." The appeal to arms, which had sounded from the plains of Lexington, in April, 1775, seems to have suggested simul- taneously to patriotic individuals in various sections of the colonies the idea of seizing these important fortresses, while in their dilapidated and exposed condition. Mem- bers of the provincial legislature of Connecticut, embrac- ing the names of David Wooster and Silas Deane, and. with its secret connivance, but without any public recog- nition by that body, raised a fund to effect this object, and appointed a private committee to proceed to the
133
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
scene, and to pursue measures calculated to secure the execution of the plan.
It was known that a large number of cannon, with an immense amount of every military munition, had been accumulated at these posts. The seizure of these mate- rials would supply a deficiency severely felt in the Ameri- can army, already assembled before Boston. This motive, the obvious policy of occupying the stronghold which commanded the communications of Lake Champlain and the desire of achieving a decided success, which would tend to strengthen and animate the popular enthusiasm, stimulated this movement. Edward Mott and Noah Phelps, who were embraced in this committee, and were intrusted by the projectors of this daring scheme with the arrangements for its execution, proceeded with a small body of men, raised in Connecticut, to Berkshire county, Massachusetts. At Pittsfield, Colonel Easton and John Brown embarked with ardor in the enterprise. The expedition numbered about forty volunteers when it reached Bennington, and here the zealous spirit and powerful influence of Ethan Allen was enlisted.
On the 7th of May, 1775, an intrepid band of two hundred and seventy men, all of whom but forty-six were Green mountain boys, had collected at Castleton, and were devoted to this bold design. While they were organizing for the advance, Benedict Arnold, bearing a commission from the committee of safety in Massachusetts -but dated the 3d of May, the day on which the expedition reached Bennington - and clothed with plenary powers to accom- plish the same purpose, appeared upon the scene, and claiming precedence in the command of the expedition. The contest which ensued, and which threatened to prove fatal to the enterprise, was terminated by the troops refusing to march unless under the guidance of Allen, their tried and cherished leader. Arnold was constrained to yield, and joined the force as aid to the commander. Noah Phelps, a name that national gratitude should com- memorate, assuming the garb and deportment of a settler,
134
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
boldly entered the fort at Ticonderoga, and with the pre- tence of seeking a barber, wandered unsuspected about the works, and thus obtained complete knowledge of their condition and the strength of the garrison.
Captain Herrick had been ordered to proceed to Skeenes- boro', and having captured the younger Skeene, with the materials collected at that place to join Allen at Ticon- deroga ; Douglas was sent to Panton, to secure all the boats that could be discovered and return to Shoreham. Upon his success chiefly depended the means of transporting the troops. Instructions were communicated to Remember Baker, always the active and unfaltering coadjutor of Allen to cooperate from his position at Otter creek. Major Beach had been dispatched to Rutland and the adjacent towns in order to gather volunteers, and accomplished on foot, tradition asserts, a circuit of sixty miles in twenty-four hours.1 When the agents of Connecticut reached Sheffield, they communicated with the Albany committee on the subject of their expedition, by messengers; but that body refused to interfere, without instructions from the New York committee, which although applied to, appear to have given no response.2 The force under Allen advanced in profound secrecy and silence to the eastern shore of the lake, in the town of Shoreham.3
Sentinels and pickets were placed on every avenue by which intelligence of the movement might be communi- cated to Ticonderoga. The party lay in concealment nearly a whole day and night, in what is now known as Hand's cove, a short distance north of Larrabee's point. They were disappointed in crossing immediately as was
1 Goodhue's Shoreham. 2 Hall's Vermont.
$ A number of the inhabitants of Shoreham engaged in the enterprise, and from them and local tradition, the Rev. Josiah T. Goodhue, long the pastor of the Congregational church in that town, has collected and preserved many incidents connected with the capture of Ticonderoga of great interest and value. In the frequent discrepancies which obscure the history of this event, I have deferred to him as the most credible and authen- tic authority. I am indebted to Hon. A. C. Hand, a native of Shoreham, for a knowledge of Mr Goodhue's work, and for several important facts.
135
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
intended, by the delay in the arrival of the necessary boats. A large oared boat owned by Skeene, which was lying at anchor in the lake near Crown point, was seized by a stratagem; Douglass brought a scow from Orwell, and with these and a few small boats which they had secured in the vicinity, Allen determined to attempt the passage. Eighty-three men were embarked in the night of the 10th, at Hand's point, and landed beneath the pro- tection of a cluster of willows on Willow's point, about one mile north of the fort. The dawn began to appear, and as immediate action could alone command success, it was decided to advance to the assault without awaiting the return of the boats with the remainder of the party. A patriotic farmer of Shoreham had supplied Allen with a guide in the person of his son, an active and intelligent lad of fifteen, who had gained a perfect knowledge of the works, in his pastimes among the boys connected with the garrison.
Allen, when the little band were formed, addressed them in a low and earnest voice, but in the rude and forci- ble eloquence by which he was wont at all times to control his associates. He spoke of their antecedents; of their widely extended reputation for valor which had led to their selection to accomplish an important undertaking : he represented the desperate attempt as only adapted to the bravest of men; that he purposed to conduct them through the gate; that they must that morning quit their pretensions to heroism or in a few minutes capture the fortress ; he would urge no one to follow him contrary to his own will, but, he exclaimed, " you that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelock." Instantly every musket was elevated. Again, the harmony of the expedition was imperiled in the renewed assertion by Arnold, of a claim to precedence in leading the assault. It was, at length, arranged that the two leaders should advance together, Allen on the right, guided by young Nathan Beaman, the Shoreham boy; with Allen and Arnold at the head, the column marched rapidly and in silence to the sallyport.
136
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
The sentinel stationed there snapped his gun against the breast of Allen, and retreated through the covered way, closely followed by the Americans, who, uttering a terrific shout, formed upon the parade in two lines, each facing the barracks. The garrison were awakened from their sleep by the wild clamor, and Captain De La Place, sud- denly aroused, burst from his quarters in his night apparel, to be confronted on the corridor by Allen ; and in reply to the summons to surrender, asked by what authority it was demanded. Allen thundered forth the immortal response, in words then strange and ominous, but now engraven in our national annals : "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental congress." The fortress, the garrison, and the vast munitions were won without the effusion of a single drop of blood. A part of these trophies was forty- eight prisoners, one hundred and twenty-four pieces of cannon, a number of mortars and howitzers, a large amount of ammunition of every kind, and extensive and invaluable materials for ship building.
Warner, who had succeeded in crossing with the rear detachment, arrived at the fort soon after the surrender. He was, without delay, dispatched with a hundred men to seize Crown point. A heavy wind prevented the immedi- ate movement, but the next day he was able to advance ; captured without resistance the fort and its small garrison of twelve men with its entire armament. Herrick had been equally successful, and soon after joined Allen, hav- ing captured the works at the head of the lake, and Skeene with all his forces, and made the yet more important acqui- sition of several boats and a schooner, which had been used as a regular trader between Skeenesboro' and St. Johns. The triumphant success of this most skillfully concerted measure was completed, when Baker arrived with two dis- patch boats sent from Crown point with intelligence of the capture of Ticonderoga, which he had intercepted and taken on his passage from Otter creek. The military material secured at Crown point largely enhanced the spoils of Ticonderoga. Amos Callander was immediately
137
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
detached with a small party to the fort at the head of Lake George. This design was effected by him without diffi- culty, and he soon after conducted all the prisoners, amounting to fifty-two, to Hartford, Connecticut.1
The intelligence of this great and extraordinary event was received by the people in astonishment, and with trans- ports of enthusiastic joy. The day after the capture of Ticonderoga, John Brown bore to Albany a letter from Allen, communicating the fact of its surrender and express- ing an apprehension, that an attempt might be made for its recovery, and asking for assistance by reenforcements and supplies. Again the committee faltered and hesitated, and wrote to New York. That committee then also re- fused to act, and forwarded the dispatches to the congress in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Brown, untiring in his zeal, had also reached that city, and was called before Congress to give an account of the exciting transactions at Ticon- deroga. That body received his intelligence with the highest secret exultation, but in the reserve due to a deli- berative assembly, and in the undefined posture of affairs, hesitated to assume a distinct responsibility for the act, and adopted a formal resolution, recommending the committees of New York and Albany to "immediately cause the cannon and stores to be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end of Lake George," and indirectly advised a " strong post to be established at that place." It also re- commended " that an exact inventory of them should be taken, in order that they might be safely returned when the restoration of the former harmony between Great Bri- tain and the colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, should render it prudent and consistent with the overrul- ing law of self-preservation." In tumultuary times, men responsible for the exercise of power are seldom abreast of popular sentiment. The post proposed to be strength- ened on Lake George might afford partial protection to Albany, but would leave the people on the grants, who
' Goodhue's Shoreham.
.
138
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
had achieved the aggression, exposed, unshielded to the royal vengeance. Allen, with earnest indignation, remon- stated against the project. Connecticut and Massachusetts gave utterance to equally emphatic protests, and the exe- cution of the purpose was happily abandoned.1
The character of the men who led in the achievement of an exploit, that exhibits more the similitude of romance than the cooler form of reality, proves that the scheme was wisely and carefully concerted, and that any design de- liberately adopted by them, would have been accomplished, if within the scope of human power or courage. Each, in his own station, became eminent in the progress of the revolution. Seth Warner, in the affections and confidence of their fearless associates, was scarcely second to Allen, and conspicuous in every field on which he moved, his military science and capacity was superior. Herrick was the efficient coadjutor of Stark at Bennington; Easton was gallantly distinguished in the army of Montgomery ; Baker died before St. Johns in the same service; and Brown, after a glorious career of high distinction, fell at Stone Arabia.
A few months later an extreme public necessity was disclosed, that could only be relieved by the fruits of this conquest, and destined to prove its infinite import- ance. Washington had closely beleaguered Boston, but the progress of the siege was retarded by the want of appropriate cannon. Henry Knox, the youthful bookseller of Boston, the future chief of artillery in the American army, whose science was to excite the surprise and admi- ration of engineers trained in the schools of Europe, had chiefly constructed these works before Boston, by an almost intuitive genius. With equal energy and skill, in the depth of the winter of 1776, he traversed a wilderness of two hundred miles ; collected numerous teams of oxen, and with a long train of sleds, transported fifty heavy guns from Ticonderoga to the camp of Washington.
Hall's Vermont.
139
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
This unwonted procession was welcomed by an enthu- siastic ovation, amid the joy and shouts of the patriot army.1
Arnold renewed his pretension to the supreme command after the reduction of the fortresses, with his accustomed arrogance and dictatorial spirit. The troops rejected these assumptions, and the Connecticut committee interposing, conferred upon Allen, by a formal instrument, temporary powers as commandant of the army and forts. Arnold yielded to necessity, and acquiesced in a measure which was ultimately approved by Massachusetts.
A small armed vessel was lying at this time in the Sorel river, near St. Johns. Her possession would secure to the Americans the entire naval force upon the lake, and they determined to effect her seizure before an alarm should be excited. Fifty men engaged by Arnold in Massachusetts, and over whom he exercised undoubted authority, arrived oppportunely at Ticonderoga. With these men, he manned the schooner captured at Skeens- boro', and on the fifth day after the surrender of the fort, sailed for St. Johns. Allen, with another party of one hundred and fifty men, accompanied him in bateaux. The wind was propitious to the zeal and ambition of Arnold, and outsailing the flotilla of boats, he arrived within thirty miles of his destination, when a calm prevented further progress, but promptly embarking thirty-five men in two boats, he pursued his design, surprised and captured the fort at St. Johns, with a sergeant's guard of twelve men, and seized the schooner, her crew, and two small brass guns. Apprized of the near approach of a large detach- ment of troops, he deemed it prudent to retreat, bearing with him his prize and provisions, and four boats loaded with stores. Five other bateaux he destroyed. On his return he met Allen hastening onward to participate in the perils and glory of the enterprise. Although Arnold represented to him the cause of his own retreat, Allen
1John Adams's Diary.
140
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
persisted in advancing, but the presence of a superior British force with artillery, which had anticipated his. arrival, compelled him to reembark.
History, in forming its judgment of the character and the services of the men who achieved these perilous and daring exploits, should regard the fact, that they acted under the authority of no legitimate and recognized go- vernment, but from the impulses of individual enterprise and patriotism ; that their acts constituted rebellion, and that a failure would have entailed upon them the retribu- tions visited upon treason and outlawry. By a singular coincidence, the congress that determined to raise an army to assert the civil immunities of the colonies, assembled on the very day that beamed upon the capture of these fort- resses. The reduction of Ticonderoga and Crown point, opened to the colonies the gates of Canada.
The prescience of Allen's mind, and his practical sagacity, comprehended at a glance the magnitude of the conse- quences which might result from the measure, and which he saw within the grasp of congress. In urging with the warmest importunity and with irresistible reasoning, an immediate attack on Canada, he foreshadowed a policy, which then rejected, was afterwards adopted, when the auspicious moment had passed. In a communication to congress on June 7th, he utters this vigorous and emphatic language : " I would lay my life on it, that with fifteen hun- dred men I could take Montreal."
Ethan Allen stands out in bold prominence and origin- ality among the extraordinary men, whose high attributes of mind and character were evolved from the crucible of the times. His own age, under the prejudices, of con- troversy, was too prone to regard him as a rude and ferocious adventurer, inflamed by the mere animal im- pulse of courage, but without the intellectual qualities to guide and elevate their purposes. The intellect that could attain and preserve a mastery over the minds and hearts of such a race as the " men of the Green moun- tains," and wield that " fierce democracie " to his purpose,
141
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
possessed no ordinary powers. At Castleton, when Arnold :asserted the command, every man shouldered his musket, and prepared to return to his home; but with Allen, their leader, they knew no doubt; they had no fear. It was. no common mind that enabled him, with kindred spirits ·on one hand, to repress what they considered the aggres- sions of New York; and, on the other, by his keen diplo- macy to arrest the progress of the British arms. What- ever judgment posterity may form of the ambiguous. events in his subsequent career, no one will doubt the. energy of his character, or distrust his love of liberty and loyalty to his own peculiar people. Why should not the magnanimity and patriotism of New York erect a monu- ment on the cliffs of Ticonderoga, that would consecrate. his name, and be a perpetual memorial of his great ·exploits ?
In June, Allen relinquished the command of the posts. on Champlain, to Colonel Benjamin Hinman, who occu- pied them with a thousand levies from Connecticut. Arnold, still persisting in his assumptions, claimed the command, but the controversy was terminated by Massa- chusetts discharging him summarily from her service.1
Congress long deliberated on the policy of invading Canada, hesitating between the adoption of a measure, the- immediate expediency of which was obvious, and an apprehension of its effect upon the mind of the American people; and the influence an act, so marked and aggressive- in its character, might exert upon the sentiments of their advocates in England. Circumstances were auspicious. A large part of the royal troops had been withdrawn from the province to strengthen the army in Boston; a few feeble garrisons alone occupied the forts and prominent. towns. Although the yoke that England had imposed upon the Canadian people had been gentle in its pressure, it was that of an hereditary enemy, and the friends of the contemplated measures urged, that if sustained by an
1 Hall's Vermont.
142
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
adequate force the masses would throw off the hated domination. In addition to this view, it was believed that England was in no condition to supply immediate reen- forcements in that direction, while the brevity of the sea- son in these northern seas would early suspend navigation.
When at length the purpose had been decided upon, an army of three thousand men was concentrating with all possible celerity at Ticonderoga from the provinces of New England and New York. General Schuyler held the chief command, with Richard Montgomery and David Wooster as subordinates, who were appointed brigadier- generals. Sir Guy Carleton, the governor-general of Canada, soon became apprised of these preparations, and with cha- racteristic energy determined to arrest the advance of the patriot army, by creating a naval force competent to main- tain the control of the lake. Montgomery resolved to advance with the small body of troops which had already assembled, and by the vigor and activity of his measures to defeat the designs of Carleton. With this purpose, he rapidly descended the lake and seized the position at the Isle aux Noix, which commanded the entrance of the Sorel river. He was soon after joined by Schuyler, and united with him in issuing an earnest and conciliatory appeal to the Canadians, assuring them of the fraternal sympathies of the American people, and exhorting them to aid in the emancipation of Canada from British power. The direct effect of this proclamation was favorable to the American interest, as it confirmed the provincial popula- tion in their neutral attitude. Carleton had been defeated in his efforts to enlist the masses in any aggressive move- ments. He had appealed to the bishop of Quebec, to issue a fiat, to be read in the churches, exhorting the people to take arms in support of the government. This dignitary revolted from the service, as unworthy his pastoral character, and contrary to the canons of his church. A few subor- dinate ecclesiastics, with consciences more ductile, and the noblesse, whose interests had been essentially protected by the Quebec act, exerted themselves with great zeal to over-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.