Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 38

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 38

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During the late war, on or about the 20th of February, 1814, a draft was ordered by Simon Snyder, then governor of this State.

Col. James Fenton* appointed to com- mand the detachment, and Robert Bull, lieu- tenant colonel. My brother James, being of the first class in a company of militia, was drafted for six months. He was twenty-one years of age, and of a delicate constitution. It was thought by a council of the family and friends that it would not do for him to go. My father was at that time an advocate and partisan for the measures of government, and he then saw the evils of the war. I was about two years older, and more robust than my brother, and offered myself, to which my parents with some reluctance consented. There were two companies of drafts under command of Capts. Samuel Gordon and Jacob Stake, and our company of volunteers. under Capt. Samuel Dunn. These were all under command of Maj. James Wood. Wil- liam McClelland, brigade inspector, was to furnish the tents and rations for these com- panies, but from some cause they were de- tained, and we remained there for three days, amid a continual scene of dissipation. The tents arriving, we commenced our march for Lake Erie on Monday, the 4th. On the 16th we arrived at Pittsburg, and crossing the Allegheny river, encamped on the plains in view of that city. The Cumberland men, coming the next day, encamped on Grant's hill. Here we received six dollars, for three months' pay in advance, from the State. The Legislature had granted this in addition to the United States' pay, making together ten dollars a month. After a stay of three days we commenced our march for Erie, then a

* Colonel Fenton commanded for a time the drafted men from Westmoreland and Indiana counties. The incidents in this sketch apply also to the troops from the aforenamed counties.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

small town, where we arrived after traveling a short distance of the shore, then fired a through a deep snow and swampy roads, for volley and galloped off. We remained on the shore of the lake during the night without any disturbance. The next morning a scout- ing party crossed a creek which emptied into the lake at this place, and had not proceeded far before they were fired upon by a party of ten days, with no better beds than hemlocks branches and an Indian blanket for cover. We arrived in tolerable good health and fine spirits on the evening of the last day of March, and encamped on a hill east of the village, in view of Lake Erie. An old block- Canadians. The fire was returned, and we house stood between us and the lake, and a took up the line of march for Dover, a small new one nearly finished beside it, with four village about three miles from the lake. The pieces of brass cannon, belonging to the State,

situation of this village was pleasant, the making us safe from the enemy on that side. houses generally frame, near a beautiful The Cumberland volunteers and the drafts from York and Adams arrived, and the reg- iment was organized into ten companies of one hundred men each. In a few days dis- satisfaction began to appear in several com- panies, owing to the quality of the provis- ions. The flour was mouldy and the beef and pork unfit to be eaten. creek, with a fine log fulling-mill, gristmill and sawmill. The inhabitants had prin- cipally left town on our approach. We were then placed in line of battle; the artillery in the center, the regulars on the right, a re- serve in the rear, and a company, I suppose of observation, some distance off. An order from Campbell, to set fire to the houses, was Desertions began to be frequent, but being followed and brought back they were placed in the guardhouse, and generally punished by being marched in front of the regiment to the tune of Rogue's march. now executed, by men detailed from all the companies. A scene of destruction and plunder now ensued which beggars all de- scription. In a short time the houses, mills and barns were consumed, and a beautiful village, which the sun shone on in splendor that morning, was before two o'clock a heap of ruins. The women and children had re- mained in the village, and were permitted to carry out the valuable part of their movable property. A party of sailors, appointed to man the artillery, killed the hogs in the streets, and severing them in the middle car- ried off the hind parts, while the head and shoulders were left in the street.

About the 20th, Major Martin, with a bat- talion of regulars, took his station at the blockhouses. He was an officer of possessing appearance, but of intemperate habits. About this time he made a call on Genton's regi- ment for volunteers to go with him to Put- in-Bay, to bring the shattered vessels of Perry's fleet, and a battalion of regulars, commanded by Colonel Campbell. He was furnished with about three hundred men, and set sail for Put-in-Bay in the fleet that had been anchored at Erie during the winter pre- ceding. In about ten days they returned, in consequence of bad weather.

The line of march was now taken up the lake. The army halted about a mile from the lake, at the house of a respectable looking German, and as it had been ascertained that the British had no force of any consequence in that neighborhood, the men were per- mitted to stroll from the ranks. A short dis- tance from this house was a pasture lot, in which grazed a fine English cow. Some of us who were farmers had a curiosity to ex- amine this fine animal more closely. This drew a small group together, when a private of Gordon's company fired his musket and broke both her fore legs. The farmer and his family said nothing, afraid, I suppose, their own turn would come next, and the officers, taken up in examining some Canadian pris- oners, paid but little attention to it.

Our men, who had not been accustomed to nautical life, were glad to get their feet on solid ground once more. Campbell now took the command of the regulars, who were con- siderably reinforced, and in the course of a few days planned an expedition to Long Point, in Canada. He wanted as many vol- unteers from Fenton's regiment as he could get. Fenton agreed to go himself, and more than one half of his men. We embarked in the fleet in the evening, and set sail at dark. The weather was hazy, with very little wind, and the next morning we were still in sight, and not very far from the American shore. About eight o'clock the wind favored us, and The sun was setting as the troops were re- expecting to awake in the harbor of Erie; towards sunset our fleet cast anchor at Long embarked, and shortly after dark we set sail, Point. The landing of the troops now com- menced. A party of British light horsemen but judge of our surprise in the morning to . waited on the bank till the men came within find that we were not more than a mile from

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the Canadian shore, and four miles from to die on the spot now shrunk like children where we started the evening before. The before one man. The rest followed their ex- sails were lowered, the fleet stopped, and ample, and in less than an hour the leaders of the mutiny were placed in the blockhouse in irons, and the regiment was on its way to Buffalo. boats manned for the shore. A troop of horse formed on the shore appeared determined to oppose our landing, but the turning of a long thirty-two pounder on board the "Porcupine" This march was a very pleasant one-the vegetation was coming on with great vigor, and the country was fast being settled by respectable and intelligent looking men from the Eastern States. After a march of eight days we arrived on the banks of the Buffalo creek, where we were met by a fine looking band of musicians, who escorted us to the village. This village had been burnt the winter before by the British and Indians. The inhabitants were generally living in sheds of frame and lined with rough boards, a tem- porary protection from the inclemency of the weather. West of town, and between it and the lake, was the encampment of the grand army, said to be 2,500 strong. These were commanded by Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown. A regiment of artillery on the northeast. We encamped on the left of the regulars, in a piece of bushy ground which was soon cleared off, making it a beautiful spot, with a fine spring, close to the encampment. gunboat, to bear on them, made them gallop off, without firing a gun. There was a grist- mill and sawmill, to which our troops set fire. Orders were then given to re-embark, and the fleet set sail for Erie, where we arrived the next evening at dark, generally disgusted at the conduct of Campbell. When we came back to the camp we found that a number of men belonging to several companies had de- serted, taking advantage of the absence of the officers. A short time after this a mutiny was set on foot by some designing men, who made the soldiers believe that the field officers and contractors were swindling them by huy- ing up bad provisions at a low price, and that good could be bought if the officers wanted it. Another reason was, they had now been in the service nearly three months, and had re- ceived but six dollars from the State, and as we expected in a few days to march to Buf- falo, and be under the United States officers, they were told that unless they stood out for their rights then, there would be no use of doing it at Buffalo.

A paper was drawn up and signed by a number, who were resolved not to start with- out two months' pay. The officers, for some reason, appeared very little concerned about it. The morning came to start for Buffalo. Preparations were made by those who were not in the conspiracy, to start and leave the mutineers, if they were too strong to be forced off. The mutineers had loaded their mus- kets, and had supplied themselves with cart- ridges, apparently determined not to strike a tent without money. The regiment had been formed, roll called, and wagons all ready to load. Orders were given to strike the tents. About one half were struck. The remainder stood, the owners beside them with loaded muskets. Colonel Fenton began to remon- strate, but they treated all he said with in- difference. The adjutant, Thomas Doe, stand- ing beside him, indignant at such conduct, wanted the Colonel to use force, but he de- clined, and at Doe's request gave him leave to quell the disturbance. The first company, a finely uniformed company of infantry from Carlisle, had been active in the mutiny, but their tents fell before the drawn sword of the adjutant, and men who appeared determined

Regulations new to us, and very strict, were now adopted. We arose at four o'clock (re- veille beat), and answered to our names. We had fifteen minutes to prepare for drill, which generally lasted one hour. Breakfast being over, the regiment was formed, roll again called, guards detailed, and the regiment dis- missed for a short time. The sergeants' drill came next, which generally lasted till eleven o'clock. At two, the Adjutant General drilled the regiment, which were then dis- missed till nine, when the roll was again called and we retired to rest. The time passed away in this manner ; constant exercise, wholesome provisions and strict discipline soon made our regiment have another ap- pearance.

On the evening of the third day of July, the regulars left their camp, and marched down to the Niagara river, crossed during the night. and surrounded Fort Erie, which surren- dered the next day. There was but one bat- talion in the fort, and two companies of ar- tillery. These were brought to Buffalo, and from thence to Greenbush, in the State of New York, escorted by Captain Alexander's company of infantry. We crossed on the 5th ; some out of each company refused to go; and some of their comrades were detailed to bring them by force, which we found to be no easy

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

matter, as they had taken possession of an number of killed and wounded lay on the old battery, and stood in their own defense. plains where the armies had fought. We They were about eighty strong. A treaty was marched past them towards the bridge, now commenced, and about twenty of them, saluted every few minutes by the cannon balls with their leader, agreed to come over; the from the British works at Chippewa, which to us militia was a new but not a very pleas- ant sight. rest we left, our commander wisely consider- ing them of little consequence.

In the morning we marched for Chippewa. The regulars had started the day before. About two o'clock we halted about two miles from the creek, where a large body of Indians of different tribes were preparing to go out on a scouting expedition. One of their chiefs, in a speech which for gesture and strength of lungs I had never heard equalled, was pre- paring them for bloody deeds. Volunteers were now called for from Porter's brigade. The Indians had started towards a pine wood, back of the fields, where we then halted. Having lost my sleep the night before, I had, like a simpleton, lent my musket to Lieuten- ant Dick, and laying down in a fence corner fell fast asleep. In a few minutes the sharp crack of the Indians' rifles waked me, the noise increased by the quick discharges of cannon and musketry. I was so much con- fused that I scarce knew what I was doing. I ran to Major Wood, who was forming, and asked them what they were doing.

"Fighting!" was the enswer. "Fall into ranks!"

I now felt my situation-without gun or cartridge box. I ran to the bank of the river, where a boat was lying, which had brought the baggage down the river, and solicited a gun, which after some difficulty I obtained, and soon joined our company. Just at this time I saw the Indians and some of the vol- unteers flying across the fields towards us. They had received a warmer reception than they had expected.

After keeping us a considerable time formed in front, and exposed to the cannon of the British works, we were marched back to our camp. That evening we were joined by a company of Canadian volunteers, who had entered the service of the United States.

The next morning the dead of both armies were buried. The killed and wounded amounted to six or seven hundred, of which the greater part belonged to the British. Col. Robert Ball, second in command, Major Gal- loway and Captain White were taken pris- oners, besides a number of privates.

About twelve o'clock, a number of men of different companies were detailed to take the prisoners, who were all wounded, up the Niagara, in boats to Buffalo. I was one of this party. The navigation of this stream, up the river, is very difficult and laborious. It was dark by the time we had got eight miles, and as we were very tired we landed opposite a house on the shore to rest till morn- ing. The owner had left this when the army came down the river.

As some of the men were slightly hurt, and we in an enemy's country, a sentinel was sent to watch the boat. About midnight, my turn came. The moon gave but little light, and the prisoners and our men all laying quiet, when the sound of footsteps within a lew paces startled me. I turned hastily around, and saw a large Indian, who, when he saw my musket presented, called out, "don't shoot." He proved to be one of our own side, on his road to join the army.

Shortly after they crossed into the woods they came on a party of Canadians (Indians) The next day we arrived at Buffalo, where and militia, who fired on them. The fire was we were detained for eight days, when we returned, and the Canadians fled towards the returned to join the army, who were en- bridge, our volunteers in full pursuit. A camped at Queenstown, below the falls of Niagara. number of the Canadian Indians and their militia lost their lives in this running fight. Approaching the bridge they met the British army. A retreat now commenced, with the Canadians and some British regulars in full pursuit. In this retreat, Robert McClelland, a very respectable man of our company, lost his life. Almost all the companies of our regiment lost some men.

The river at this town is narrow, and very deep, and an eddy of backwater renders it an easy place to land boats. The houses were large and handsome. Above the town was a steep hill called Queenstown mountain, on the top of which was a fort, where the vol- nnteers and Indians were encamped. The New York volunteers having joined us we were formed into a brigade, commanded by

By the time the regiment came in view of the Chippewa creek, the battle was over and Gen. Peter B. Porter. After a march to the the British retreating across the bridge. A neighborhood of Fort George, where we re-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

mained two days, we returned to our former siderably, and when through it, we found our- camp at Queenstown. selves within a few rods of the British, who

On our march up the river, when we came were strongly reinforced and turning to meet us. A deathlike silence for a few moments prevailed, and both armies stood still. One of the British officers asked, in a hoarse voice,

in view of Queenstown Heights, we discovered a number of the Canadian militia, who had taken possession of our former encampment. On our approach they began to move off. We if we had surrendered. There was no answer pursued them for some miles. Being on a flanking party with others, our route was ant Dick told him that we never would sur-

principally through the woods. We returned in the evening with eight prisoners, most of them being officers.

Next day we marched to Chippewa and encamped. There was preparation making to march to Burlington Heights, but on the evening of the 25th of July intelligence was brought that the enemy were in pursuit of us, and coming up the river below the falls. Gen. Scott Moorhead, with his brigade, went to meet them, and gave them battle about three miles from the camp. The second bri- gade of regulars, under General Ripley, has- warm and bloody. The enemy's artillery be- ing taken about the time we of Porter's bri- gade arrived on the battleground, the enemy, reinforced, came down the hill directly in front of us. The brigade was just formed into line, when I heard the voice of Porter saying to us, "show yourselves men, and as- sist your brethren," when showers of musket balls came over our heads like a sweeping hailstorm. We returned the fire from the whole line of the brigade. The firing was now kept up from both sides with great spirit, but it was soon evident that there was a great advantage on our side. The ground the Brit- ish occupied was considerably elevated, which exposed them to the elevation that a musket will take in going any considerable distance, while their balls were passing high in the air over our heads. At length the call from the officers to cease firing and march forward was obeyed. I had twenty rounds of cartridges in my box when I went to the battleground. and when the firing ceased, on examining my box, I found that the last was in my musket. Cartridges and flints were now hastily distrib- uted along the line, and our brave brigade, blackened with powder, marched forward to- ward the top of the hill to drive the enemy from his position there. In our march we passed over the dead and dying, who were literally in heaps. especially where the Brit- ish had stood during the battle.

to this question. He asked again. Lieuten- render. The Canadian company on our right began to falter, and firing irregularly, the whole body fled hack over the British fence, they complimenting us with a shower of musket balls.

A number were killed, and others were wounded in this tumultuous retreat. Run- ning about fifteen or twenty rods we thought ourselves out of danger, and several of us, at the request of the officers. stopped and were formed into line.

Colonel Nichols had joined us that eve- ning with a regiment of regulars from Mis-

tened to his support, and the contest became souri, who had been kept as a reserve, who. by skillful maneuvers, placed themselves be- tween us and the British, and kept up a de- structive fire on the British, who soon fell back and the firing ceased. A murmur ran through the ranks of the volunteer com- panies, who were contending for places in the rear, and the groans of dying was all that was heard for some minutes.

The shattered remains of the brigade be- ing formed, we were marched to the right of the line, and near the edge of the precipice of the Niagara falls. The cannon that had been taken from the British was at this place. We were formed in order of battle.

This time to me was one of the most trying moments of my life. Being warm during the engagement, I had opened my vest and shirt collar, and now the night air chilled me-Death, the common lot of all mankind, is generally feared the nearer he approaches us. I felt my situation to be an awful one, and I did sincerely wish that the British army, who were on the hill in view of us. might not come down to commence the en- gagement again. The British army retiring, our company with others, were ordered to haul the cannon taken from the British, and tumble it over the precipice. We hauled one and sent it over the precipice into the river.

We then went back and were ordered to haul another, but tired out, and half dead for want of water, the most of our faces scorched

When we arrived at the top of the hill, we with powder, we refused to do any more, and came to a thicket where an old fence had our officers led us back to places in the line. heen. Crossing this disordered the line con-

A retrograde march back to the camp now

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

commenced, the volunteers in front and the watched the shattered remains of only twenty- regulars in the rear to cover the retreat. five out of the hundred that had left Frank- When we arrived at the camp, a number of men who had run off from us during the en- gagement came back, and wished to fall into ranks, but were ordered off by Lieutenant Patton, who now had command of the com- pany. The next thing was to make a speech to us.

He began by saying that he was surprised at us for not standing our ground at the brush fence. If the whole brigade had fled (as they actually did) Gordon's company should have remained firmn.

This was too much; we believing that we had done all that men could do, and this our thanks! We broke loose on him with a volley of insulting language. He standing in front of us, with a smile, told us that we were dis- missed, and might go to the river and get drunk on water.

I now learned that ten of our company were wounded. There was a number of men killed in every company except ours. Thomas Poe, adjutant of the regiment, was mortally wounded. He was my full cousin, a man of fine talents, a brave and meritorious officer, and treated us like brothers.

The next morning a scene of distress pre- sented itself to my view, which I hope I may never witness again. I started early to see Thomas Poe, hearing that he was dying in a house at Chippewa, a short distance from our camp. Calling at several of the tents, as I passed along, nearly all of them contained one or more wounded men, their clothes cov- ered with blood, and they suffering se- verely. John McClay, the quartermaster, was wounded by a musket ball, which cut him across the fore part of the head, and cracked his skull. He was lying on his back, his face in a gore of blood. The strange wild look, and deep groan he gave, just as I entered, drew a smile from me, so accustomed men become to blood, that they feel but little sympathy for their fellows.

The army was at this time on its march, and passed the house, going to attack the British. I had no wish to go with them, as I had become fully satisfied the previous day, He gave me my blanket, and I was compelled and the officers telling me to stay and attend Poe. I stood in the door and with sorrow

lin county, as with slow and melancholy steps they were returning to the scene of action. In a short time the whole body returned, as it was found that the British were strongly reinforced, and were preparing to attack us. Our troops had suffered severely the night before, especially one regiment that the eve- ning before had paraded four hundred men, now had but eighty-eight. Added to this, Major General Brown, the commander, and Brigadier General Scott, who commanded the first brigade, were both wounded, and the provisions were also destroyed. Lieutenant Campbell, a number of the regulars and my- self carried the wounded Thomas Poe to the crossing place. Boats were waiting here to take the wounded across the river. Carrying him nearly a mile across a plain, in the mid- dle of the 25th of July, appeared to exhaust what little strength he had left. I put him in a boat, in care of Lieutenant Dick and his waiter. He shook hands with me for the last time. He said to me in a weak voice, "Alex- ander, you will never see me again in this world." He expired in a few minutes. Thus fell one who had but few equals.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 38

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930