History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 14

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 14

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).

Our loss is one Major, one Captain and eight pri- vates killed ; one Captain and 15 privates wounded, and three taken prisoners. The enemy's loss, from the best information received, is Major McCormick and other officers (names unknown), and from 50 to 60 rank and file killed, and 75 wounded. I will further state, that we numbered just 150 on the morning of the engagement, officers included.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Yours,

E. D. BRADLEY, Colonel, In command Patriot Forces Point au Pellee Island, Upper Canada.

March 5th, 1838.

P. S. I have just received information from a Frenelman, who was the owner and driver of the teams that carried the enemy from Malden to Point an Pellee. Ile states that 58 of the enemy were killed and 75 wounded. E. D. B.

THE CANADIAN "PATRIOT" WAR.

Crowell, Geo. S. Hazard, James F. Shephard, Wheeler French, E. P. Parkman, J. Dwight, F. E. Kirtland, Guy C. Noble, Chas. Woodruff, D. S. Gregory, A. J. Hackley, John Morian, Wm. Copeland, G. B. Warner, Wm. E. Dunham and Stephen T. Hosmer. James Wilkinson was Chairman, and Henry Reed, Jr., Secretary of the meeting thus called. J. J. Bingham, Il. L. Hosmer and J. Dwight were appointed the committee on resolutions, whose report was in strong sympathy with the " Patriot " cause.

The people of Toledo were not united in sentiment, as to either the general question of the " Patriot " movement or the character of the Schlosser affair. A meeting of about 150 citizens was held January 20th, at the Mansion Honse, of which Dr. Jacob Clark was the Chairman, and Chas. W. Hill the Secretary. D. O. Morton, C. E. Brintnall, E. B. Dodd, Sam. Allen, and E. S. Dodd, constituted the committee on resolutions, and reported a series of such bitterly denouncing the destruction of the Caroline, as "an outrage npon a body of unoffending and unarmed citizens of the United States," and "an open violation of the laws of Nations," etc., such proceeding being further characterized as " an unprovoked invasion of our soil and wanton massacre of our citizens." With these declarations as to the actions and purpose of the " Patriots," was another by the same meeting, that its members would " use all their power to prevent the unlawful organiza- tion of armed forces within our territory, and to avoid any measures calculated to involve our country in trouble or difficulty "-at the same time pledging " sympathy with the people of Canada in their grievances," and whatever aid " a neutral people could consistently " render them. The meeting was addressed by Mr. McDermott, late of London District, Upper Canada, and by several citizens of Toledo.

The Toledo Blade did not sympathize with the " Patriot " movement, as conducted on the South side of the Lakes. On the contrary, it severely criticised all attempts here to raise troops or otherwise aid warlike operations in its support.

Under date of January 17, 1838, the Blade discussed, at some length, the merits of the ease, as relating to the duties of American citizens. It said : " Troops had been publicly enlisted at Buffalo-armed and equipped by her citizens, and in broad day, in daring defi-

ance of law and open derision of the eivil authorities, had marched out of the City and taken hostile possession of a British Island. Here they proceeded to fortify themselves, and under American leaders, receiving daily rein- forcements of American troops, supplied by bountiful donations of provisions, arms and munitions of War from American citizens ; and emboldened and urged on by the perverted sympathies of a giddy multitude, and the pre- vailing tone of a servile and dependent Press, they were meditating a descent upon the shore of Canada, to shed the blood of her unoffending inhabitants. Nor was this all; for this high- handed aggression could only have been con- summated at the almost certain risk of involy- ing the whole country in a war-a war, too, with a friendly Power, to whose generous mediation, but a short time ago, our own Nation had probably been indebted for an escape from the horrors of a sanguinary conflict with France.'

Referring to alleged disaffection among the people of Canada, the Blade said : " More- over, where was the force embodied in Upper Canada, to encourage these volunteers and beckon them on? Where were the gathered troops of the Provincial 'Patriots,' ready to welcome these partisans to the brotherhood of arms? They were not to be found. There was no sign or trace of internal revolt; much less of a matured and extended insurrection, to afford a shadow of excuse for the meditated invasion. The majority of that people, as we learn, are in favor of reform, but not of revolu- tion. The mass of the people dread nothing so much as the threatened invasion from us. Their shores are lined-not with open arms to receive us, but unbought bayonets to repel the unnatural encroachment, and defend their altars and hearths. And yet, our American volunteers, in the desecrated name of Freedom, are bent upon hostile violation of their terri- tory ; and we are required to applaud their disinterested heroism-to find a model for their leaders in the venerated LaFayette, and to libel the honest and sturdy yeomanry ofour own Revolution, who bled for their own firesides, by degrading them to a comparison with these bold crusaders against a foreign soil. * *

We are with the cause of free principles and Republican institutions. We believe in the right of the majority to determine their own

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

form of government; and if the majority of the inhabitants of the two Provinces are not satisfied with their connection with Great Britain, and are bent, at whatever hazard, to renounce their allegiance and establish an in- dependent Government, we bid them 'God speed.' Our sympathies are with them. We do not, however, believe in that romantie Quixotism, which would compel them to the horrors of revolution against their will. * Now, we put it to the candid sense of every reflecting and considerate member of this com- munity, who believes in the obligations of good citizenship and obedience to laws, what was our duty in such a crisis ? Was it, to court the giddy breath of popular favor, by fanning a flame which threatened to subvert all delibera- tion and self-control, and to lead to utter an- archy? Or was it, to be silent, and through fear of giving offense to a generous, but over- heated ardor, stiffe our convictions of the wrong committed upon our social obligations, and the shame and dishonor which impended over the National character? Our course was plain. Impelled alike by the strength of our feelings, an ardent love for our country's honor, and an imperative sense of duty, we raised a voice of resolute condemnation against the high-handed enrollment of American Volunteers to invade the coast of Canada. And what was the con- sequence? A great ferment was raised in Town, among some well-meaning, but impas- sioned champions of revolution, who seemed to think we had been guilty of some monstrous treason to the cause of Republican institutions, because we could not approve of the dishonor- able divorce of Liberty and Law. We took our position under the laws of the United States, and condemned, as no attempt at intimidation or proscription shall prevent us from still con- demning, earnestly and indignantly, the illegal enrollment of American Volunteers." The arti- cle closed with the quotation of a sentiment uttered by Henry Clay in the Senate in regard to the demonstrations at Buffalo, to wit : " There is no spectacle more unworthy a free people, than that presented by our country at present ; where, while the Nation is at peace, the People are at war." The Blade at that time, is understood to have been under the ed- itorial management of George B. Way. The free quotation from his article is made here, as much in consideration of the able and dignified

assertion of the true character and office of the Press, as of the just and conservative course adopted for the paper upon an exciting and highly delicate public question ; whereby was furnished a precedent, as well as reasons, which can never be less valuable than they were under the particular circumstances which called them forth.

The end of the so-called " Patriot " move- ment, as might have been expected, was ntter and complete failure-both in its practical re- sults, and in its claims to consideration on the score of merit. The more it was examined as to the grounds upon which it was undertaken, the more causeless and unwarranted it ap- peared. At the outset, and for a time there- after, the natural sympathy of the people of the border States of the Union with any subjects of monarchical power, led them to accept the stories of " British tyranny and wrong," and to wish the victims of such oppression success in their supposed attempt at freedom. This sentiment, more or less general, at first mate- rially stimulated the "Patriot" canse, and aided in securing for it both financial support and security for active operations. It was greatly strengthened by the sympathy of the Press, which very generally encouraged the move- ment. It was only necessary for a few active and persistent men in almost any City or Town along the Lakes, to make the proper appeal, to secure more or less of popular support. It was soon found, however, that the response was more liberal in volunteers for the " Patriot " Army, than in funds for its support. The financial condition of the country was specially favorable for active recruiting of men. The panic and attendant general prostration of trade commencing early in 1837, had deprived large numbers of persons of employment, while throwing many others out of business, many ot whom were thus well prepared to accept the plausible promises of the " Patriot " leaders that the property of the hated British, should soon be placed at their disposal. This eonsid- eration operated powerfully toward raising so- called " troops." But the essential supplies of the Commissary Department were lamentably wanting, whereby the movement was seriously crippled. The result was, that recruits drawn to the enterprise by hope of plunder or other gain, often without arms, clothing and food, were but a charge upon an illy-supplied ex-

THE CANADIAN "PATRIOT" WAR.

chequer. As a rule, they were anything but a hopeful material out of which to make soldiers. As in the case of some of the officers of the force, many of the rank and file no doubt were sincere in their desire to sustain what they supposed to be a good cause ; but the body of them knew nor cared for much beyond the hope for plunder and a love of venture - the more desperate the better .*

The most important event connected with this mad movement, was the burning of the Caroline at Schlosser. But for that, the " Pa- triot War" would not have attained even to its actual significance, and would have much sooner been lost to popular view. The arrest and trial of General McLeod, by the authori- ties of the United States, for the part taken by him in that event, led to complications and discussion with the British Government, which for a long time excited more or less alarm and apprehension of serious trouble. The prudence of the two Governments, however, prevailed in an amicable adjustment of the delicate ques- tions involved. Such result was no doubt largely promoted by the action of the United States in protesting against participation by its citizens in the " Patriot" movement, and in the steps taken toward the maintenance of order and peaceful relations with the Canadian Government by citizens of the border States. In securing such end, President Van Buren sent Major-General Winfield Scott to the fron- tier for purposes of inspection and the repres- sion of participation by American citizens in the aets of hostility to British authority. On such mission, General Scott spent some time along the border, with evident beneficial results.

Prominent in the " Patriot " movement dur- ing the Winter of 1838-9, was a Pole, Sholtew- sky von Schoultz, who had fled from Poland, to escape the vengeance of the Russian Gov- ernment, for his participation in the insurrec- tion against that power. He was considered a man of exceptional intelligence and energy, with an earnest, burning zeal for any cause that promised relief of a people suffering op-

pression such as had been forced upon his na- tive land. Volunteering for the " Patriot " service, he was appointed Colonel, with anthor- ity to organize a Regiment to be constituted chiefly of Poles. In prompt response to such appointment, Colonel von Schoultz transmitted to Major-General Lucins V. Bierce, of Akron, Ohio, a detailed plan for the operations of the " Patriot " Army, in its advance into Canada. The document has historical interest, as better showing the real character of that movement, and the sort of men who led it, than could otherwise be done. It was as follows :

SALINA, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1838. To Major-General Bierce, Commander-in-Chief :

DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 17th of September, which this moment was handed to me, in relation to the organization of my forces and their movements. It is with feelings of gratification and pride I accept the honorable part you have entrusted to me, and I hasten with the utmost dispatch to fulfill my prom- ises.

As the nature of the troops I organize requires offi- cers of a particular description, I confidently trust you will have the goodness to permit me to appoint my officers and staff and report them to you for com- missions.

The headquarters of my countrymen being at Phil- adelphia, I hasten to them through night and day, and will immediately report to you from that place. Your orders regarding the movement of my compa- nies will be punctually obeyed. I hope you will rely with confidence upon my discretion in ail that regards the secrecy and security of our noble enterprise.

Permit me, General, to lay before you a plan of at- tack for the opening of the campaign, and be assured at the same time that the reason why I do it does not originate in a supercilious pride, but that I consider it an imperious duty on my part, thereby to show myself worthy the command wherewith I have been entrusted, and add the experience which during twelve years' active service, I may have acquired in the art of war and military combinations to the talents with which you have surrounded yourself; and fur- ther, that if the service of the detached regiment is a difficult and bloody one, I will regard it as a particu- lar favor to have my regiment ordered to execute it. The plan is the following:

Twenty-four hours before you open hostilities with the main army from Detroit or its neighborhood, a regiment will be detached and sent around by water to Waterloo. There it lands and proceeds imme- diately to Fort Erie, which is stormed and carried ; a small garrison and the wounded are left there. The regiment will proceed the same night, without repose, toward Queenston (twenty-four miles), where it arrives the following day; attacks, storms, and carries the fortifications and the town. Leaves a garrison and

* A biographical sketch of General Bierce, who died at Akron in 1876, aged 75 years, says: "The whole movement (against Canada by Americans), was an unadvised one, and plainly a violation of in- ternational law, that, in his more mature life, he did not take much pride in." The same view is believed to have been general among the more intelligent American participants in that movement.

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

proceeds to Fort George; storms and carries it; leaves a garrison, wheels to the left and occupies Port Dal- housie: organizes that Town for defense by throwing up two strong redouts, and abides there the move- ments of your main army, which will have proceeded in the following manner :

Twenty-four hours after the departure of the de- tachment, the army is put in motion, storms and car- ries Fort Malden ; leaves a garrison and proceeds in ordinary marches on the London road leading toward Toronto. Arrived at Ancaster, an express is dis- patched to the commander of the detachment at Dal- housie ( who will send seouts and reconnoitering par- ties so far), informing him of the very hour you intend to make the attack on Toronto. The commander of the detachment will in the meantime have arranged means for crossing the lake, and shall at the fixed hour, land his forees at Toronto, thereby operating on the flank of the enemy, and force him to divide his troops. I have no doubt the place will thus be carried. The benefits resulting from this plan are the follow- ing: Fort Erie, sitnated opposite and near Buffalo, enables the patriots there to send their supplies of arms, ete., to a fortified place, and volontaires can there be taken up, drilled and forwarded ; the same it is with other fortified places. In the meantime, the enemy at Toronto dares not venture to advance against the main army, because he would be taken in the rear by the detachment. Consequently, you can advance undisturbed with your whole force, incor- porating all the Patriot forces on your way onward.

Your troops will be enlivened and confident of suc- cess by the information of the victories of the detach- ment, thus raising a moral impulse among the soldiers. The Patriots will more readily hasten round your standard, knowing that you have places where, in a movement, they can be in security and near the fron- tiers ; finally, in case of any reverse, the army can rally round the fortresses, which thus constitute a sure basis of operation and contain excellent depots. Free communications East and West with the United States are also opened.

It is with great anxiety I await your answer, which I beg you to send on to Philadelphia, Penna.

I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SHOLTEWSKY VON SCHOULTZ, Colonel.

During the following Winter, von Schoultz and his command made the famous attack on Prescott, Upper Canada, in which he at first succeeded so far as to entrench himself at Windmill Point, but was overcome, captured, and executed by hanging. Many other pris- oners were taken by the British authorities, some of whom were discharged, and others banished to the penal Colonies of Great Britain. Most of the latter died there, while a very few were permitted, after long years of confine- ment, to return.

CHAPTER IV.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

0 NE Company was raised in Lucas County for service in the War with Mexico. Of that, Daniel Chase, then of Manhattan, was the Captain. It left Toledo for the field May 18, 1847. The Toledo Guards, Captain Willey, turned out on the occasion to escort the Com- pany to the Steamboat; and the citizens, through Judge Myron H. Tilden, presented Captain Chase with a sword.

Little can be learned of the service of this Company ; but what is known, is creditable to inen and officers. It was Company B, 15th United States Infantry.

In a letter dated at Chapultepec, near the City of Mexico, December 19, 1847, Captain Chase furnished the following list of deaths in his command, to wit :

Chester G. Andrews and John Sleath, killed in battle near City of Mexico, August 20, 1847.

Joseph F. Clark, died of wounds received in same battle.

Jonas G. Anglemyer, died of wounds received at storming of Chapultepec.

lohn Ball, died in hospital, at New Orleans, August 20, 1847.

Solomon Blenbaugh, died in hospital at City of Mexico, October 6, 1847.

Chauncey Crego, died at San Borgia, Septem- ber 3, 1847.

Robert Graves, killed at City of Mexico, September 14, 1847.

Isaac H. Huyck, died in hospital, at Chapul- tepec, November 19, 1847.

Joseph Hickory, died in hospital, at Vera Cruz, June 22, 1847.

Sam. Jennings, died near Jalapa, June 26, 1847.

Thomas L. Kolloch, died in hospital, at Cha- pnltepee, December 15, 1847.

Thos. Marks, died near Santa Fe, June 19, 1847. Jacob Reid, died in Perote, July, 1847.

David Robinson, died in Chapultepec, November 19, 1847.

Noble Robinson, died in hospital, at Perote, July 3, 1847.

George W. Hough, died in same, July 15,1847.

James W. Skoen, died in hospital, at Mexico, September 27, 1847.

Died in hospital, at Puebla-Calvin Waggins, Charles Carroll, Edward Bennett, Joseph Cum- mings, Wm. Davis, Samuel Garrison, Wm. Gee, - - Hann, George Holder, Robert Kinkley,

Wm. Reigert, Ephraim Smith, Aaron Strevor, Leander P. Stoddard, Charles Tupel, Charles Smith.

[81]

CHAPTER V.

LOCAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

FACTS and dates as to early Military organ- izations, are difficult to be obtained. No record beyond what is supplied by the public press can be found. But it is learned, that this department of well-regulated government was by no means overlooked.

The first Military Company in Toledo, was the Lucas Gnards, which had its birth in 1835, amid, as probably it was born of, the stirring scenes and excited feelings of the Toledo War. Captain Granville Jones was in command. How long the Guards maintained their organ- ization, is not definitely known; probably, not long after the boundary question ceased to suggest such means for defense from " Wolver- ine" aggression.

In 1838 a second Military Company was in existence, viz .: The Toledo Guards; but noth- ing can be learned of its organization at that time. In 1840, Charles W. Hill was its Captain ; Coleman I. Keeler, Jr,, and Henry Allen, as Fifers; and Mavor Brigham, as Drummer. Charles B. Phillips was the Secretary of the Company, who gave notice for a drill to take place March 5, 1840. The Company was con- nected with the First Regiment, First Brigade, of the Eighteenth Division of the Ohio Militia. While probably not a partisan organization, the Guards became prominent in connection with the political campaign of 1840, and espe- cially in its attendance at the great Whig gathering at Fort Meigs, in June of that year.

The Toledo Guards gave their " First Annual Military Ball " at the American Hotel, on Jan- mary 8, 1841, "at 5 o'clock p. M." Managers : General E. S. Dodd, General J. W. Brown, Colonel B. P. Peckham, Colonel S. B. Campbell, Major Ed. Bissell, Major H. S. Wood, Captain C. W. Hill, Captain A. A. Rabinean, Captain P. Palmer, Captain W. A. Chamberlin, Captain J. A. Titus, Lieutenant C. 1. Keeler, Jr., Sur- geon C. McLean, Sergeant H. G. Cozzens, Lieutenant E. A. Brown, Corporal Levi Snell, Sergeant C. M. Dorr, Private H. W. Goettell, Corporal C. B. Phillips, Private D. B. Smith, Private Dan Segur, Private Pliny Hoagland.

March 5, 1841, the Guards elected the fol- lowing officers: Captain, C. W. Hill; First Lieutenant, Horatio G. Cozzens; Second Lieutenant, Charles Bellows; Orderly Sergeant, Daniel Schraffenberger; Second Sergeant, Thomas D. Thomas.

Under the head, " Military Election," the Blade of May 22, 1839, says: "On Thursday last, John R. Osborn, Esq., of this City, was elected Colonel of the Regiment of Ohio Militia in this County." Colonel Osborn not accepting the command of the First Regiment, First Brigade, Eighteenth Division, Ohio Militia, he was succeeded by Colonel B. P. Peckham, with L. S. Lownsbury as Adjutant.

The following officers of Toledo Guards were chosen by that Company, in April, 1841 : Cap- tain, Chas. W. Hill; First Lieutenant, Horatio G. Cozzens ; Second Lieutenant, Chas. Bellows; Orderly Sergeant, Daniel Schraffenberger ; Second Sergeant, Thomas D. Thomas.

Edson Allen, Paymaster of the First Regi- ment, First Brigade, Eighteenth Division, Ohio Militia, December 26, 1842, reported that the amount of fines collected for non-performance of Military duty during the year 1842, was $36.50.

Captain C. W. Hill, of Toledo Guards, was elected Brigadier-General, in June, 1842.

A new Military Company, taking the name of the old Toledo Guards, was organized in August, 1855, with the following officers : Captain, Chas. B. Phillips; First Lieutenant, John R. Bond; Second Lieutenant, H. D. Kingsbury ; Third Lieutenant, Kin. S. Dygert; Fourth Lieutenant, Wm. S. Sizer; First Ser- geant, Chas. Ballard ; Second Sergeant, Geo. W. Merrill; Third Sergeant, Fred. H. Brown ; Fourth Sergeant, Alonzo Kingsbury; First Corporal, C. M. MeCarty ; Second Corporal, Chas. E. Bliven ; Ensign, John Gavin.

At a convention of the several Military Com- panies, held in Toledo, June 6, 1857, Mr. G. Dunn was made Chairman, and C. E. Bliven, Secretary. The object was the selection of some suitable person as Major-General of the

[82]

LOCAL, MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

Division. The names of Generals Hill, Phillips, and Gilson, Colonel Steedman, Major Dunn, and Lieutenants Bond and Finlay, were an- nounced; all of whom, except that of Colonel Steedman, were withdrawn, when that gentle- man was unanimously chosen, and he accepted the position.

A Military Election was held at Toledo, September 29, 1857, when Charles B. Phillips, of Toledo, was elected Brigadier-General, Ohio Militia, by 50 votes, to 46 for Garret Dunn.

An election of officers for the Toledo Guards, was held December 5, 1857; the following were elected : Captain, Chas. B. Phillips; First Lieutenant, H. D. Kingsbury ; Second Lieu- tenant, Geo. W. Merrill; Third Lieutenant, Albert Moore; Ensign, Chas. E. Bliven.

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.

History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 14

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408