History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 57

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 57

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).

By warrant dated 16th Nov., 1787, he got 81 acres, situated in the forks of Mill and Loyalhanna Creeks and adjoining the octagon tract.

By warrant dated 19th July, 1793, he got 89414 acres, situated in Southampton township, Somerset County. They were patented June 22, 1870, to Jobn, Henry, and Matthias Bausman.

By warrant dated April 30, 1791, he got 256 acres, situated In Fairfield township, Westmoreland County, adjoining his other lands. They were patented 7th May, 1870, to Eliza Denny.

By donation dated Februsay, 1786, Maj .- Gen. Arthur St. Clair obtained from the State of Pennsylvania 2000 acres. There were 1000 acres of this in Crawford County, divided into two tracts ; there were 500 in Erie and 500 acres in Lawrence. St. Clair owned 10,881 acres in all, and of these 8270 acres were situated in Westmoreland County.

Chronological Table of Events, etc , in the Career of Gen. St. Clair. Born, 1734.

Ensign 60th Regt. (Royal Americans) of Foot, May 13, 1757. With Amherst at Louisburg, Canada, May 28, 1758. Lieutenant, April 17, 1759.

Capture of Quebec, Sept. 13, 1759. Married at Boston, May 14, 1760.

Resigned his commission, April 16, 1762.

On special service in a civil capacity in Western Pennsylvania, having charge of Fort Ligonier. 1767-69.

Appointed surveyor for the District of Cumberland by Penn, April 5, 1770.

Appointed county justice and member of the Proprietary Council for Cumberland County, 23d May, 1770.

Appointed justice of the Court (Ded. Pot.), prothonotary, register, and recorder for Bedford County, 11th-12th March, 1771.

Appointed to same offices for Westmoreland County, Feb. 27, 1773. Resolutions at Hannastown, 16th May, 1775.

Colonel under Council of Safety, 1775.

Colonel in the Continental service, 3d Jan., 1776. Before Quebec, 11th May, 1776. Brigadier-general, 9th August, 1776. Major-general, 19th Feb., 1777. Detailed as adjutant-general, March, 1777. Member of Council of Censors, 1783.

CHAPTER XL. WAR OF EIGHTEEN-TWELVE.

Osuers of the War-Congress declares War with Great Britain-Gov- ernor Snyder issues a Proclamation, sad directe the Organisation of the Pennsylvania Militie-Ofloors and Arrangement of the West- moreland Militia under this Piso-British and Indiane appear in force on opposite side of Lake Erie-Fears of an Invasion of North western Pennsylvania from Casede -Militis from Western parts of the State ordered to Assemble at Erie-Oliver Heard Perry-Capt. Bird and hte Ballad-Condition of Affairs on the North western Frontiers at the Breaking out of the War-Troubles with the Indiane-Gen. Hull, Governor of Michigan Territory, invedes Camade-Surrender of De- troit-The whole West in Arme-Army of the Northwest organised under Gen. Harrison-Jobs B. Alexander and the Ride Company of Westmoreland-Correspondence between Alezander and the Military Authorities-The Rifles offer their Serviors to the Government of the United States-They are accepted and Ordered to Marek-List of Of- cers and Mon-Capt. Joseph Markle's Company of Horse-Master- Roll of Capt. Markle's Company-These Volunteers attached to the Detachment sent to the Miesisdinewa Towne-Object of the Expedition -Its Entire Success, sad the Gallantry of the Westmorelandere-Capt. Alexander detailed on Special Duty-Promoted to raak of Major-Win- ter Campaign of 1813-Fort Meigs-Gallant Conduct of Maj. Alexander and the Pennsylvania Volunteers at Fort Meigs-Opposed to Tecumseh -Termination of the Blege-Conduct of the Westmorelandere men- tioned by Gen. Harrison in General Orders to the whole Army-Mal. Crogan at Upper Sandusky-Orders discharging the Rifles, and Com- mendatory thanks of the General.

ALONG with the assumption of many peculiar privileges not known to other nations, and to their exercise by the government of Great Britain towards the government of the United States, was particularly the unwarranted power which England assumed in the right to search American vessels for suspected deserters from the British navy. Under cover of the exercise of this privilege the grossest outrages were committed upon American commerce from British privateers and cruisers. These depredations contin- uing produced among the people the most intense excitement.

In the beginning of this unwarranted demand and its exercise the government of the United States had earnestly protested against the right of search, and as early as 1807 preparations were made by the gov- ernment for defense in the expectation of a rupture by reason of the illegal restrictions exacted on our commerce by Great Britain, as well as on this issue, and appropriations were made for war purposes.

In 1811 Congress was convened a month earlier. That body seconded the measures which had been adopted by President Madison in declaring offensive measures and calling for troops.

Auctioneer of Philadelphia, 24th Feb., 1784. Member of Congress (elected), 11th Nov., 1785. Took his seat, 20th Feb., 1786. President of Congress, 2d Feb., 1787.

Governor of the North western Territory, chosen by Congress, 5th Oct., 1787.

Candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, 1790.

Commander-in-chief of the army, 1791.

Battle of the Wabash, Nov. 4, 1791. Resigns his generalship, 1792. Removed from government of Northwestern Territory by Jefferson, Nov. 22, 1802.

Died Aug. 31, 1818.

Digitized by Google

227

WAR OF EIGHTEEN-TWELVE.

On the 5th of June, 1812, President Madison laid before Congress the correspondence between Mr. Monroe, Secretary of State, and the British minister near our government. The correspondence seemed to preclude all hopes of adjusting the two principal points at issue, the orders of Council against our commerce and the impressment of our seamen. Pres- ident Madison sent a message to Congress, in which our complaints against Great Britain were enumerated with great vigor and force. The Committee on For- eign Relations concurred with the President in recom- mending war. On the 18th of June (1812), Congress, sitting with closed doors, declared war against Great Britain. On the same day the resolution received the sanction of the President, and on the next day war was publicly proclaimed. Congress authorized the increase of the regular army to thirty-five thou- sand men, and authorized the raising of a large vol- unteer force for one year.

Simon Snyder, the Governor of Pennsylvania, a patriotic man of the Revolutionary period, was fully in accord with the executive of the Union and the people. On the 12th of May, 1812, he issued a gen- eral order as commander-in-chief of the militia of Pennsylvania, directing their organization on a war basis. The quota of the State was fixed at 14,000 militia, officers and privates, to be formed into two divisions, four brigades, and twenty-two regiments.

The militia was purely the State military force, and they of course are not to be mistaken for the vol- unteers, who were sworn into the service of the gov- ernment of the United States, and who did service out- side the limits of the State under regular officers.

In this arrangement the militia of Westmoreland was included in the Thirteenth Division of the six- teen in all the State. Of this division David Mer- chant (Marchand), of Westmoreland, was major-gen- eral from 1812 to 1814; Thomas Mason, of Fayette, was brigadier-general; George Armstrong, of West- moreland, and Uriah Springer, of Fayette, were bri- gade inspectors in 1812; John Kirkpatrick, of West- moreland, and George Death, of Fayette, were brigade inspectors in 1814.

The quotas of these divisions were formed into two divisions for service. The quotas of the divisions up to the Eighth Division formed the First Division for active service; those from the Eighth inclusive to the Sixteenth formed the Second Division for service, under command of Gen. Adamson Tannehill, with a brigadier from the Second Division, and a brigadier- general from the Fourth Division of the State.

In July, 1813, the British with an Indian force ap- pearing on the opposite side of Lake Erie, created the greatest alarm in the town and vicinity of Erie Town, and the apprehension was general that there would be an invasion of Pennsylvania by the enemy fromn Canada. A military division was immediately organ- ized under Gen. John Kelso, and the militia of the western parts were ordered to speedily assemble there.

Hither many of the organized Westmorelanders were speedily sent; but the services there were confined to the brilliant naval exploits and the victory which has made famous the name of Oliver Hazard Perry.

When Perry came to Lake Erie he had first to build and launch a navy, but he and his gallant officers were prepared to make some resistance even before the vessels were built. But his main protec- tion was from the militia of Northwestern Pennsyl- vania, which was constantly held in readiness to repel any attack that might be made. Even when his ships were ready for sailing, his crew was made up in great part of drafts and volunteers from the militia. While this is a fact of history it appears to be sanctified in romance and in poetry, for one of the purest ballads per s in all American border minstrelsy is that of "James Bird," which, sung to the tune of "The Tempest," was a generation ago one of the most popular ballads in Western Pennsylvania. It has in it all the elements of those master-pieces of lyrical poetry which are yet the flower of the early English romance; it echoes love, paternal respect, maternal affection, devotion to country, and a noble type of manhood which confesses his wrong and his way- wardness, and who admits that the sentence that con- victs him is right and deserved :

" Hull, you know, his troops surrendered, . And defenseless left the West; Then our forces quick assembled, The invader to resist.

" Amongst the troops that marched to Erie Were the Kingston volunteers ; Captain Thomas then commanded, To protect our West frontiers."

And so on for twenty-two stanzas in language and meter which Macaulay would not have attempted to criticise, and which any man who never saw a horn- book can understand without explanation.'

1 In recalling the circumstance of the execution of Bird and the popa- lar ballad which grew out of his execution we do not claim sympathy for the unfortunate man. Bird was a sergeant in Capt. Thomas' com . pany, raised in the valleys of the North Branch of the Susquehanna, called the Kingston Volunteers, and although he had command of a guard whose duty it was to protect and watch over a government ware- house, he and the guard deserted their post after having done duty, it is true, in the service under Perry. Bird and a private, the guard named Rankin, and also a seaman named Davis were arrested on the charge of desertion, handed over to the military authorities, kept on board the "Niagara," tried by a court-martial while at Detroit, found guilty of the charges, and recommended for mercy. But it was deemed necessary by the government authorities that the sentence should be carried out. The execution of the three men took place on board the " Niagara," in Erie Harbor, October, 1814. Bird and Rankin were shot, and at the same moment Davis was hung at the yard-arm. Their bodies were buried in the sand on the beach, and all traces of their graves have long since been washed away from the receding shore.

These men were undoubtedly punished to be made examples of. Many others were guilty of excesses in drunkenness, neglect of duty, and grave military offenses. It probably would not be just to say that they did not deserve the fate they met, but it is the general opinion that many more deserved a similar fate. They were regarded as martyre because they had to bear the punishment deserved by many others. They have always been the objects of pity, rather because they were the only ones who were punished than because they did not deserve their punishment. It seldom happens, however, that a person who has met such an igno- minious death has been the subject of such posthumous honors.

Digitized by Google

228

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

From time to time the regiments which had been raised in Western Pennsylvania were kept filled by drafts. Some of these drafts were made to reinforce the army about Baltimore and in Maryland, which was counted upon to resist the advance of that British army which under Gen. Ross sacked the capital of the United States, and at one time seriously threatened to invade Pennsylvania. These did not see much ser- vice. Most of the drafts, however, were for the army stationed at Erie, and some were for the army of the Northwest under Harrison.

Of these we give the lists, so far as we have been able to gather them, in the subjoined notes to this chapter, which, with the correspondence and other contemporaneous papers annexed, may be of use to those who are inclined to scrutinize more closely the progress of the war viewed from a local stand-point. In some instances, indeed, with fuller details the par- ticulars might not be so agreeable to contemplate, for it has been remarked that of all the wars in which the Americans have been engaged the War of Eigh- teen-Twelve has a lengthier list of deserters in re- spect to the number of soldiers enrolled than any other, and it must be owned that of these Westmore- land fell not very far behind in her quota.

But the organized soldiery from Westmoreland who garnered the glory of that war, and probably because they had more and better opportunities of doing so, were the detachments which were connected with Gen. Harrison's army of the Northwest.

At the breaking out of the war, and for some time previous thereto, there were several regularly organ- ized companies in Westmoreland. One of these com- panies was the Rifles of Greensburg, of which John B. Alexander was captain. This company was among the first to offer its services to the government of the United States. We can probably do no greater ser- vice to their memory than to literally transcribe the orders and the correspondence, taken from the origi- nals, which particularly refer to the active service of this company.

It may, however, be proper to first recall the fact that at the very time of the breaking out of this war the western portion of the United States was at war with the Indians, who were assisted and instigated not only by the money and the weapons of the British, but in many instances were under the direction and command of their regular officers. The battle of Tippecanoe had raised William Henry Harrison, Gov- ernor of the Northwestern Territory, to the highest point in the estimation of the people of that section as an active and efficient man of military ability and genius.

The disgraceful surrender of Gen. Hull, Governor of Michigan Territory, who, at the head of a large force of volunteers raised for service against the In- dians, upon hearing of the declaration of war, impru- dently, and with a zeal beyond his ability to perform, led them across the river into Canada, thus invading

the country of the enemy. 'But the British, very adroitly and with sagacity, sent out detachments of effective men, and surprised and captured the very important fort of Michilimackinac, called the Gib- raltar of the Lakes, and Fort Chicago, which, by order of Hull directing the forces there to retreat to Fort Detroit, then in great danger, was abandoned. After some successful skirmishes between the de- tached bodies of the volunteers and the British and Indians of Canada, the Americans were compelled to withdraw from that line, and to fall back to the near vicinity of Detroit. The British soon took up a posi- tion opposite that fortification, and began to erect works for its investment. In the mean time a large proportion of the American forces were under orders to convey the provisions and material hither. Gen. Brock commanded the British ; Hull commanded the fort. On the 15th of August (1812) a demand was made for the surrender of the post, but the demand was refused. The British opened fire, and throughout the next night threw shells from their batteries. In the morning the British, under cover of their ships, landed on the American shore, and as soon as they were in position advanced towards the fort. But while the Americans were waiting with eagerness for orders to begin firing, and thus to open an offensive battle, a white flag was displayed from the advance posts of the Americans, and a British officer with an escort were seen to advance towards it. It was a flag of truce, under which the commandant and general of the forces, Hull, proposed to surrender. This he did without firing a shot. Seventeen hundred Amer- icans were handed over under the terms of the sur- render to a weak force of about seven hundred British and Canadian militia and six hundred Indians. The detachments yet out were also surrendered by these terms, and the enemy came into possession of great quantities of material and provisions which had been gathered there.

Nothing, however, could have so aroused the people of the West to a sense of honor and devotion as this dishonorable and un-American surrender did. All throughout our whole western region rang the cry of war. In many places civil pursuits were for the time abandoned. Western Pennsylvania, with Western Virginia and Ohio, were filled with the greatest enthusiasm. Many of the volunteers could not be accepted, as they appeared too late to be received after the quotas had been made up. Gen. Crooks commanded the troops from Pennsylvania, who were sent out to reinforce the army of Gen. Harrison.

The following documents will give some informa- tion respecting the organization of the "Rifles" and their progress in joining the army under Harrison :

On the 3d of August, 1807, a commission was issued to John B. Alexander by Thomas Mckean, Governor of Pennsylvania, as captain of the " Rifle Company attached to the First Battalion of the Nineteenth Regiment of the Militia" for the term of four years.

Digitized by

Google

229

WAR OF EIGHTEEN-TWELVE.

On the 3d of August, 1811, a similar commission issued to the same person as captain of the Rifle Company, by Simon Snyder, Governor of Pennsyl- vania.

When the war broke out the services of the com- pany were tendered and accepted, as appears by the following correspondence :

"To HONORABLE WILLIAM EUSTIS, Secretary of War, Washington Oily.

"GREENSBURG, 6th June, 1812.

" SIE,-In conformity with a resolution of the Company of Riflemen under my command, I have the honor to make the tender of their ner- vices to the President of the United States as volunteers, and to ask the acceptance of this offer under the late Act of Congress.

" By an Inspection Return of the company, made on the third of this month, it appears we muster 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenanta, 4 Sargenta, 2 Cor- porale, 2 Musicians, and 45 Bank and file, all uniformed and equipped for service.

"I would beg leave to observe to you, Sir, that altho' the Company under my command is well arthed with rifles, such as are ordinarily used by the inhabitants of the Western country, yet those rifles do not appear to be calculated for actual warfare; they are various in appearance, length, weight, and calibre.

" If the President of the United States would arm such Volunteer Corps of Riflemen as may be called into service with the arms of the United States, it would no doubt obviate the inconveniences necessarily. to arise from the objections made to the arms now in use.

"I am, Bir, with respect, " Your obedient Servant,

"J. B. ALEXANDER.

" Capt. Rifle Company, attached to 19th Regiment Penna. Militia." Indorsed-"Sent copy to Seoy., enclosed to Wm. Findley, Esq."

"INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE, "July 14, 1812.

"SIR,-The pleasing duty devolves on me of informing you that the patriotic tender of your services is accepted.

"Be pleased to organize your company, arm and fully equip yourselves for duty, and expect orders to march ; on receipt of which your pay and emoluments will commence.

" With perfect respect, "Your most Obedient, " ALEXANDER SMYTHE, " Brigadier- and Inspector-General.

"TO CAPTAIN J. B. ALEXANDER, Greensburg."

" PITTSBURGH, Sept. 5, 1812.

"SIR,-The situation of the frontier of the State of Ohio and the Ter- ritories adjoining since the capture of General Hull's army will make it necessary that your company should join Capt. Collins and Capt. Phil- ipa, also Capt. Markle and Capt. McClelland, two troops of horse, and be in readiness to march at the shortest notice in order to move toward those frontiers, if you should be so ordered by the Secretary at War, and which is expected by the next mail from Washington.

"I am, Bir, Your Ob't Servant, " JOSEPH WHEATON, Capt., A. D. Q. M. " CAPT. ALEXANDER."

"PITTSBURGH, 11th Sept., 1812.

" To CAPT. JOHN B. ALEXANDER :

" You will please to assemble and march your company of volunteers, with all convenient dispatch, to Cleveland, in the State of Ohio, or wherever else the North Western Army shall have rendezvoused, and on your arrival to report yourself to the commanding officer.

" AMOS STODDARD, Maj. Ist Regt. U. S. Artillery."1

" MUSTER-BOLL OF COMPANY MUSTERED ON THE 16TH SEPTEMBER, 1812:

No. Names.

1. John B. Alexander, captain.

2. Christian Drum, lieutenant.

7. Henry Hawkin, 4th sergeant.

3. Peter Drum, onsign.

8. Adam Kettering, corporal.

9. William Richards, corporal.

10. Jacob Gomert, drummer.

1 For route of the Rifle Company and the Pittsburgh Blues see " Pent- land's Journal," Appendix "Q."

Privates.

11. Samuel Binger.

28. William Cassiday.

12. Leonard Miller.

29. James Thompson.

13. Henry Miller.

30. John Rios.

14. Daniel Miller.

81. Edward Shelletto.

16. Jacob Bickafoos.

32. John Collins.

16. George Bickafoos.

38. Jonas Kneemier.

17. George Myers.

84. James Taylor.

35. Jacob Wingart.

36. Solomen Dehaven.

20. Robert Thompson.

21. Imac Keck.

38. Benj. Jameson.

22. John Wingart.

39. William Kernes.

23. Jacob Rupert.

40. William Singer.

24. Frederick Stewart.

41. John Mitchel.

25. Jonas Keel.

42. Daniel Bugh.

26. Abraham Weaver.

48. John Bhuey.

27. Samuel McLean.

44. Peter Walter.

45. William Vandyke.""

The first steps taken by Harrison were to relieve the frontier posts. Several expeditions organized under competent officers were sent out with this ob- ject, and their actions have given the greatest interest to the military movements of that campaign. In these they were uniformly successful, although their success was at the expense of brave men and much suffering.

Just prior to one of the most noted of these expe- ditions the following order was issued to Capt. Alex- ander :

" CAMP AT FRANKLINTON, "24 November, 1819.

"SIR,-You will please to be prepared to march to-morrow morning with your Company at nine o'clock, at which time the whole detach- ment under my command will move.

" Respectfully, "JOHN B. CAMPBELL, " LA-Og. 19ch U. 8. Regt.

"CAPT. ALEXANDER."

This was the official order which directed Capt. Alexander to accompany the detachment of six hun- dred men which Harrison, on the 25th of November, 1812, ordered from his headquarters at Franklinton to march into the Indian country and destroy their towns on the Mississinewa River. This river is one of the tributaries of the Wabash.

" See Appendix "Q" for official roll of the " Rifles" from War Depart- mont.

The Gremneburgh and Indiana Register for Thursday, September 17, 1812, bas the following:

" MILITARY MOVEMENTS.

" The Greensburg Riflemen, commanded by Oapt. John B. Alszonder, marched from this place on Wednesday last to join the North western Army under the command of Governor Harrison. They were as fine a set of men as ever handled a rifle, and we are satisfied will do their duty. The best wishes of their fellow-townsmen and country accompany them."

" HEADQUARTERS, FRANKLINTON, " Oct. 22, 1812.

" GENTLEMEN,-You will proceed with your companies to this place immediately, and remain here until you receive further orders. " Very respectfully,

" Yr. H'bl Servant, "WM. HENRY HARRISON.

"P.S .- Your proper route will be through Lebanon, Zenia, and Springfield.

"W. H. H. "CAPTS. ALEXANDER AND BUTLER, Pittsburgh."

Digitized by

Google

No. Names.

6. Peter Fleeger, 3d sergeant.

4. Richard Hardin, Ist sergeant.

5. Juhn Jameson, 2d sergeant.

18. Adam Williams.

19. Henry Barton.

87. George Bbemier.

230

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The company of cavalry which served in the same army under Capt. Joseph Markle, and which was raised for the most part in the southwestern part of the county, and particularly about the Sewickley and the Youghiogheny, was early in the field. We have not the original orders as they were issued to this company, nor can we enter into details regarding its history such as we can in the company of the Rifles.

The following list, obtained from the War Depart- ment, is the earliest roll of Capt. Markle's company which we have been able to get.1

Muster-roll of a Tromp of United States Volunteer Country, under the Com- mand of Capl. Joseph Markle, in the Squadron Commanded bij Maj. James V. Ball, and now in the Service of the United States, from the Com- mencement of their Service to the Thirty-fret Day of October, 1812, inclusive :

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 County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 57

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: