USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania in the olden time; being a collection of the memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 39
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For the same reasons that the new battery was called " the Asso- ciation Battery," the regiments of volunteers, formed in the winter
* This is said to be the place, afterwards Cuthbert's wharf, between Pine and South streets-so remembered by Colonel Morris, who, eighty-five years ago, recollects that he used to go with boys to swim thereabouts, at a place they then called "the Battery," though no signs of defence then existed. It had probably been erected as a water battery-below the supposed redoubt, above it, on the hill, where " the flag staff" is often mentioned as a preaching place for Whitfield, &c. The petition of the Common Coun- cil, of 1744, to the King, says, however, " the city is without batteries or any kind of fortifications."
t The same who re-cast the state house bell.
+ The City Corporation subscribed for two thousand tickets in the lottery.
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of 1747-8, were also called the " Association Regiments"-to forn thirteen companies in Philadelphia, and as many in the counties as one hundred companies in all; all being understood as done by the voluntary contrivance of the people, without the legislative sanction, which was still too much under the spirit and influence of the Friends' Meetings to come into such a measure by any public sanc- tion of the Legislature. Thus showing the majorities of Friends that still ruled there, and their firmer dependence on "the arm of the Lord," and the " Great Watcher of Israel."
The regiments of association, of the winter of 1748, had the colours given to them by the ladies, who procured their material by their subscription. Some of their mottos or devices were striking. I
name such as these, (told in the Gazette of the day) to wit: " A Deo Victoria,"-" Deus adjuvat Fortes,"-" In God we trust," *_ " Pro aris et focis," &c. The drums were also given by them.
An old gentleman, B. L., tells me he remembers to have seen several of the stockades still standing in his youth. They were of heavy pieces of timber twenty feet long. Every county also raised volunteers in companies, and it was concerted with them, that in case the city was menaced by a foe, they should all march to Phila- delphia and be there quartered gratis among the people.
The exciting cause of these military measures arose from frequent threats given out in the West Indies and at Havanna, that their privateers should come and sack Philadelphia; also from the fact of a French privateer coming into the bay in December, 1747, and there committing some depredations nearly as high up as New Castle. The citizens thereupon met at the "new Meeting house," then at the north-west corner of Third and Arch streets, and con- certed their resolves of defence-they projected a lottery to raise £3000. The Rev. Gilbert Tennent, the minister there, soon after- wards preached them a sermon on the lawfulness of war, and in favour of the association for defence. To this the Friends published a rejoinder. On the whole it was a moving and busy time of deep excitement.
Several publications appeared at the same time, says Kalm, pro and con, and when the danger appeared imminent, many withdrew their opposition. They feared that French and Spanish privateers had combined an expedition in the West Indies .- So was the town talk and alarm!
Familiar as the public became with military parade, and embued, as the rising youth felt, with " the pomp and circumstance of war" from seeing its operations for a few years, with much to allure the eye, and no experience of disaster, the mind grew better prepared in time to approbate any legal enactments which might be suggested for a permanent defence at the public expense. This period arrived in the year 1755, by the occasion of Braddock's defeat. The panic
* The very mottoes the Friends would have used without the arms!
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then became extreme in the country from the fear of savage inroads. Alarms were frequent at Tulpehocken-at the present Harrisburg- at Lancaster, &c. They had fearful rumours of French and Indian invaders! On this exciting occasion, Franklin dexterously intro- duced a militia law and procured it to be passed ; he became at the same time the colonel of a regiment of 1200 men in Philadelphia. How very few of the admirers of his character and renown have ever named him as Colonel Franklin!
This memorable first militia act was passed on the 25th of No- vember, 1755, and was of peculiar construction. It was so formed as to pass the sanction of the Legislature, even while a majority of the Assembly were Friends, and for whom therefore the act itself provided a salvo for conscience. It declares that to compel men to defence against the will, would be a violation of their constitutional rights ; and that as men formerly chose officers without law, the pre- sent is to sanction them with law. The militia, therefore, were to be volunteers, and to choose their own officers, &c. At the same time they vote £50,000 to raise additional troops by voluntary en- listment, and offer two hundred acres of land severally to such as bounty. These were all strange things for the pacific and reluctant Friends-but the world around them was fast growing beyond their control and management. Yet it was a part of the original grant to the pacific Penn himself-that he and his heirs should " muster and train, make war and vanquish, or put to death all enemies by sea and land !" Vide his patent.
We are not, however, to presume that the preceding notices of military citizens formed the only array of war which our forefathers had witnessed. There had been occasional enlistments for the crown for foreign countries, and often very active exertions and armaments in the way of privateering, as will be briefly stated, to wit :
In 1740, eight companies of infantry go from Philadelphia county under captains appointed over them by the Governor. They go out to the West Indies to join Admiral Vernon in his expedition against the Spaniards. Similar companies, under voluntary enlistments, go also at the same time from Virginia and Carolina-all of them to rendezvous at Jamaica. It was probably on this occasion of excite- ment that our General Washington, then but eight years old, was once purposed to join Admiral Vernon as a midshipman.
In the French war of 1744, the Governor of Jamaica sends his lieutenants to Philadelphia to enlist for his regiments there. The men were to have six shillings sterling per week extra, and after the terms of their service to receive land there. Families were to go passage free. The recruiting officer gave his attendance for enlist- ments at the widow Roberts' coffee house in Front street .* At the same time recruits are solicited by the Gazette, for recruits to join Dalzel's regiment in Antigua.
· Then a little below Blackhorse alley.
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In June, 1744, proclamation is made at Philadelphia of war with France, and vessels are promptly fitted out as cruisers. Several ad- vertisements forthwith appear for "gentleman sailors." They soor compute one hundred and thirteen privateers sent out by the colo- nies! Soon after this, prizes appear named in almost every Gazette. During the years 1747-8, almost every column under the Philadel- phia and New York head, is filled with privateer news. It would seem as if this pursuit engrossed the attention of all. The peace occurs in October, 1748.
In 1745, the rejoicings were excessive all through the colonies for the American prowess displayed at the capture of Louisburgh-it is called " a perpetual honour to his Majesty's American arms." The New Englanders held themselves very high on this event-an expe- dition planned by a lawyer, and executed by a farmer, with a mer- chant to lead them on! Our self-gratulation was so high it rather alarmed Great Britain to see our rising military ability and ardour, and they, to mortify us as it was then believed by many, gave it up at the peace of 1748. It was then a heart-burning surrender to the Americans. Every child of that day was familiar with " the Walls of Breton," singing in the streets. "Here we go round-here we go round the walls of Breton, the walls of Breton," &c. Great fireworks were exhibited on floating machines on the Delaware to commemorate the important conquest !
In 1748, the governor recommends measures to be taken to sup- port a vessel of war at our capes. Then John Churchman, the public Friend, goes, by permission, " with a message" to the Assem- bly, to advise them against such measures of defence as is incompa- tible with true Friends' principles.
About the same time it appears that the Otter sloop of war is up at Philadelphia-a novel sight, I presume, there! and the city au- thorities, to animate gallantry in their behalf, (vide council proceed- ings,) present her captain with a pipe of wine and other stores.
Captain Ballat, however, notwithstanding his good cheering, soon gave great umbrage by his backwardness to help their cause; for a Spanish privateer (as represented in Secretary Peters' letter to the Penns, of 1748,) stole up as far as Elsenborough, " thirty-five miles from the city," near Salem, and intended to sack and burn New Castle. But an Englishman on board leaped overboard and swam ashore in the night, and so prepared the people by the morning. In this extremity, the authorities applied to Captain Ballat to be their champion, but no entreaties could avail with him till his careening should be accomplished. Thus tardy he was, although every assist- ance was offered him, and he was purposely sent for their protec- tion
As early as the year 1744, the citizens for themselves, and the Common Council in behalf of the city, (vide the minutes in this book) prepared and forwarded a petition to the king to send them a military force, saying, as a part of their argument, that the preva
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lence of the Quaker principle " denies them that security which is the main end of society." The citizens' petition is signed by several names well known as nominal Friends at least. Their names may be seen to the copy of the petition in my MS. Annals in the Phila- delphia Library, page 245.
The first foreign military, however, that ever reached our peaceful city of brotherly love, was those arriving and preparing for Brad- dock's expedition to the west. All the Highlanders encamped in the Northern Liberties-whence the popular name of " Camping- town,"-and all the British were arrayed in Southwark. After the defeat, in 1755, such troops as returned, occupied for a time the same positions. Those in Southwark, under Colonel Dunbar, were located several months on the ground west of Fourth street, and be- tween Pine and South streets. It was soon after this that the long ranges of barracks in the Northern Liberties were constructed. The history of which, and the occurrences there, before their demolition, will be found under its appropriate head.
I should have mentioned also that after the peace, in 1750, the proprietaries' present of fourteen new pieces of cannon (eighteen pounders) arrived at Philadelphia for the use of the Association Battery-thus making them upwards of fifty pieces of cannon in all. There was among them a thirty-two pounder, presented by the Schuylkill Company, which, in after years, was called the Old Schuylkill. This got its trunnions broken off by us when abandon- ing the city to the British, and it has since had its rest at Fort Mifflin.
In April, 1765, there was much surprise and uneasiness excited at Philadelphia, by finding that all the great guns at the fort, (at Wiccacoa) and all those at the barracks, in the Northern Liberties, were spiked up !- Many conjectures were abroad-finally it was deemed the act of mere wantonness, and a person was arrested as the perpetrator.
As a conclusion to the whole, I give the following facts of more modern times, as reminiscences of my friend Lang Syne, to wit :
City Volunteers .- From the peace of 1783, until the famous western expedition of 1794, the pride, pomp, and circumstance of the glorious war of independence, continued to be shadowed out in this city on muster days, and on the glorious fourth of July, by two regiments of militia, flanked on the parade ground, by the only two volunteer companies ( 1791 ) then in the city .- During this " piping time of peace" the only command obtainable was in the militia; and such command, it seems, was sought after, and held by gentle- men of the first respectability at the time, either for wealth, or ser- vices rendered by them during the war. Every thing relative to uni- form or tactics still partook, largely, of the old school, colonial, or revolutionary models, framed by that oracle in the art of war, in this country, Baron Steuben. Tradition says, the regiment "down town" was commanded by Colonel Daniel Smith, Majors Joseph VOL. I .- 2 R 28*
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Sims and Philip Pancake. The one " up town" by Colonel William Will, (Sheriff at the time,) Majors Andrew Geyer and Alexander Boyd. The two regiments forming the one, and the only brigade in the city, under the command of Brigadier-General Francis Gurney.
After the peace, the first infantry company was commanded by Sempler, next by Claypole. The second was formed under Colonel Oswald, printer, &c .- Sproat another, also Gravenstine. Two artillery companies by Fisher and Rice. There were two troops of horse besides the old city troop. There was a county troop by Captain Hopkins, afterwards by Colonel M'Pherson- Colonel Gurney told me he had once served as a Sergeant at the defeat of Ticonderoga, in 1758, under Abercrombie, who was killed in Egypt. Many men disapproved of the volunteer companies, as tending to bring the regular militia into disrepute-for this cause Levi Hollingsworth always mustered with the militia. About the year 1785-6, an attempt was made by many respectable men, to make the roll strong enough by their presence and example, and to get in better officers-it fell through.
In this article it is intended merely to revive in the memory of some, and to place before the mind's eye of others, but now in their majority, who are "natives here, and to the manner born," who, consequently, may have a sympathetic feeling, and relish for the recollections of Lang Syne, in our beloved city ; as articles snatched, like drift wood, floating on the stream of time, which otherwise would naturally seek the ocean of oblivion for ever, and be to them as the unrecorded years before the flood.
The "Buck Tail Company" was commanded originally by Captain Sproat, who was viewed at the time by the ladies, and others who spoke of him, as a model, in his day, of smartness and military elegance on parade. The uniform consisted of a short dark blue cloth coatee, lapelled with red, and turned up with red at the skirts ; white dimity vest, and breeches, (tights,) white cotton stock- ings, black knee-bands, short gaiters, sharp-pointed, long-quartered shoes, and buckles. The Captain, and every member of the com- pany, wore a long cue, or club of powdered hair, pendent behind. The head was surmounted by a felt hat or cap, the front presenting a flat surface, being turned up smartly, in an oval shape, above the crown, and ornamented by way of plume or pompon, with a tail (Buck Tail) separated from the dried undressed hide of the forest buck or deer. The other flank company was of artillery, com- manded by Captain Jeremiah Fisher. He, and some of his com- pany, had served during the war, having fought in famous battles, under the gallant Colonel Proctor. The artillery uniform consisted of a long dark blue coat, lapelled, with gilt buttons down the front, and turned up with red at the skirts, and reaching almost to the heels ; yellow vest and breeches; stiffened wide ruffles; white cotton stockings, and black leggings, buttoned down the side; sharp toed shoes, and large buckles, almost covering the toes. In con
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Formity with the universal fashion at the time, they all wore long hair, powdered, clubbed or cued, and dangling below the shoulder blade. They also wore the large " artillery cocked hat," square to the front, in marching, with a long black feather waving aloft at every step.
Martial music in those days was wholly confined to drum and fife; a band, so called, was then wholly unknown. The whole war of the Revolution was led on by
" The spirit stirring fife, And soul inspiring drum."
The cavalry, only, had the use of the horn or bugle. Such a bugle, used by Gideon of Philadelphia, as trumpeter to Washington's life-guard, is still preserved in Philadelphia.
" Macpherson's Blues."-For several years after the Revolutionary war, it was much the practice of the times, to bring out in the military displays, those individuals who had seen service, and mani- fested their patriotism, in that struggle for national independence. They were seen mostly in the grade of officers-the common sol- diers being generally exempt from age, or by their impaired bodily strength. The last remembered exhibition in which the mass of them were so gathered, was the occasion of the La Fayette national visit. It was melancholy, even then, to observe how few could then be thus mustered ! [Only one hundred and seven could be got pre- sent, at the Bunker Hill Monument.]
A view of these facts, causes the present writer sometimes to say facetiously to his friends and former companions in arms, that the next best substitute for Revolutionary men, will be the men of the once celebrated "Macpherson's Blues." These, at the time of their first embodying, in 1794, surpassed all former volunteer array in our city, both for numerical force, and the respectability of the young men enrolled. They were originally formed for the Western or Whisky Insurrection, to serve under General Macpherson, (of the Revolutionary army,) and to be attached to General Washing- ton's command. As such, they went forward over the mountains to their place of rendezvous. After their return, they continued to muster and display, and to grow in numbers; when at length came out "the affair of the Chesapeake," which gave a new impulse, and a new accession of strength. They did not believe that Com- modore Barron was bound to encounter such unequal odds, with his unprepared armament, and were willing to avenge the national affront themselves. They forthwith offered " their lives and sacred honours" to their country. The consequence was, that the corps soon formed an entire regiment of Infantry, one or two companies of Grenadiers, one of Artillery, and a corps of Cavalry. For array, discipline and exercise, they were the Lions of that day, and " won golden opinions" readily, from all. The writer, himself, then a minor, and brim full of patriotism, joined them about the time of the " Northampton Insurrection," [for Insurrections were then rife, with
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some !] and although not draughted to that expedition, felt as mar tial as those who " marched up, and then came down again !"
These now, in their turn, though once numbering over their thousand men, are also " receding from the things that be ;" and if they were now called to some public fete, to exhibit the remains of their former selves, would be not unlike the few Revolutionary men which preceded them.
Those who remain should, some of these days, make a gathering around some festive board, if not " to note and book their dead," at least to generate brotherhood and fellowship with the few that re- main. What vicissitudes have since gone through their ranks, or changed their relative lives! We begin now to see sundry of them falling into " the sear and yellow leaf" of decay. Some of them, indeed, by sickness, or by the wear and tear of life, expose " sad remnants of themselves." At the same time, others of easier life, still show vigour and strength, even for another war. Of our officers, it is believed that scarcely any remain-such were M'Ewen, Hale, Baynton, Willing, Heysham. Our uniform then was blue cloth jackets and pantaloons, the last tight as the skin, the same both for summer and winter; with fur hats covered with bear skins, and adorned with a black cockade and a buck's tail. Our pantaloons, as I re- member, were a sad affair for self-discomfiture on a hot summer day! Strange that none should have been wise enough to suggest their attire in white summer pants! But so is all knowledge, by degrees! And even now, the military are not wiser, which admit no cover for the face, in their present form of caps!
This great corps having been formed for service, rather than for city display, was allowed to go down, after they had come to the conclusion that no service remained to be performed. They were therefore non est, when the subsequent call for the second British war came up, under President Madison, in 1812.
One ought not to close so military a chapter, without saying a few words for the uniform, so peculiarly American, as is the Hunt- ing Frock or Shirt. That is the thing, in which to deck our whole American Militia! It is a thing to be adopted, as at the head and front of all other expedients to please the militia, by its great economy, and at the same time, to produce such uniformity of appearance, as to make the wearers respect themselves ; and by con sequence, to give such attention to their array and exercise, as to become efficient soldiers ; not inferior to more costly parades of " Volunteers," themselves.
Hunting frocks, of blue, or other coloured, strong muslin, with red or white fringe, could be made in quantities, at $1.50 each, to be worn over the common under dress of citizens; and caps of varnished cotton cloth could be had at half a dollar. Both of these could be readily procured, by every man above the condition of a pauper. Will any consider, will any try it ?
In honour of this American Frock, we are to say, that such was
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the uniform of the Maryland line under General Smallwood, during the Revolutionary war. His command was formed of the sons of good farmers, from around and about Baltimore. With such dress, they once quartered in Philadelphia, and afterwards fought and won many a battle. Such was, in effect, the Riflemen's garb, under the celebrated General Morgan, during all of that war. Such, too, was the common scouting dress of all those Kentuckians, Wood Rangers, and Western Pioneers, who won all our Western country from the Indian tribes. Has no one a Hunting song for the Hunt- ing frock ? It has incident enough, in itself and associations, for poetry and romance !
DUELS.
" The world accounts an honourable man, Because, forsooth, his courage has been tried And stood the test,-perhaps on the wrong side."
HARD is the force of tyrant custom, which constrains men to seek its sanctions, even when opposed to their better reason and against the common feelings of nature and humanity. The " world's dread laugh which scarce the firm philosopher can scorn" has its frequent victims, in those chiefly who make its applauses their all. The combatant, seeking " the bubble reputation," feels sensibly that he is flinging away his life in the midst of his years, even while the allurements and blandishments of the world he is about leaving, or, perchance, the fond family he is about bereaving, may be still clinging to his heart. Yet he must wrap himself up in his solitary and secret misery-making himself of sterner stuff than his common nature, and freezing with the necessary dread that in a few hours he may be a cold and bloody corse. This is appalling enough, and all further fate he smothers, as needs he must, in " heroic want of thought." Cheerless they go to their appointment with counte- nances pale and scowling, or reddened with internal emotions- wrapped in moody silence, and inwardly cursing the silly custom to which they thus sacrifice present and future peace. The heart- less apathy of some, whose indifference proceeds from atheism- who believe in no offended God, and rest their hope "in an eternal sleep,"-these may scout "the anguish of a wound," and brave death on terms too unequal for a better informed mind. On what- ever terms they occur, they are always an evil deeply to be deplored Many aged persons have deemed them of such rare occurrence among our citizens as not to have been known before the Revolu-
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tion, but as I have found here and there a trace of them in all former times, I have been induced to note them, not for commemoration or perpetuity, but as marking the state of society at every time, and in all its relations, to wit:
It may sound "passing strange" that a gentleman of the holy office, should possess the scandalous pre-eminence of being the first on the list in the peaceful city of Penn. He did not indeed fight, but his demeanour was so far secularized as to provoke and receive a challenge. The case was this, to wit:
In the year 1715, the court enter proceedings against Peter Evans, gentleman, for sending a challenge to Francis Phillips, clergyman. The original challenge in the clerk's office has been in my possession, and, as a curiosity, reads as follows, to wit:
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