USA > Pennsylvania > York County > York > York County and the World War: Being a war history of York and York County > Part 22
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RESIDENCE OF JAMES SMITH, THE SIGNER, SOUTH GEORGE STREET
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GENERAL WAYNE'S HEADQUARTERS AT MARKET AND BEAVER STREETS, IN YORK, 1781
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SAMUEL ADAMS' GREAT SPEECH
The affairs of the new-born nation for a time were controlled by a few men, who met regularly in a caucus at the home of General Roberdeau of Pennsylvania, who lived in a rented house nearly opposite Christ Lutheran Church on South George Street. Many of the leaders in Congress, including Henry Laurens, Benjamin Harrison, Dr. Witherspoon, Richard Henry Lee, Elbridge Gerry and John and Samuel Adams lodged in this house. It was here on one October night of 1777 that Samuel Adams called a caucus. After obtaining the views of the different members, some of whom were very despondent. Samuel Adams rose and delivered one of the most eloquent and impressive speeches in American history, as follows:
"Gentlemen: Your spirits seem oppressed with the weight of public calamities, and your sadness of countenance reveals your disquietude. A patriot may grieve at the disasters of his country, but he will never despair of the commonwealth. Our affairs are said to be desperate, but we are not without hope and not without courage. The eyes of the people of this country are upon us here, and the tone of their feeling is regulated by ours. If we as delegates in Congress give up in despair, and grow desperate, public confidence will be destroyed and American liberty will be no more.
"But we are not driven to such straits. Though fortune has been unpropitious, our conditions are not desperate: our burdens though grievous, can still be borne; our losses, though great, can be retrieved. Through the darkness that shrouds our prosperity, the ark of safety is visible. Despond- ency, gentlemen, becomes not the dignity of our canse, nor the character of the nation's representatives in Congress. Let us then be aroused and evince a spirit of patriotism that shall inspire the people with confidence in us, in themselves and in the cause of our country. Let us show a spirit that will induce us to persevere in this struggle, until our rights shall be established and our liberty secured.
"We have proclaimed to the world our determination to die free men, rather than live slaves: we have appealed to heaven for the justice of our cause and in the God of battles have we placed our trust. We have looked to Providence for help and protection in the past; we must appeal to the same source in the future, for the Almighty Powers from above will sustain us in this struggle for inde- pendence.
"There have been times since the opening of this war when we were reduced almost to distress, but the great arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely for assistance upon Him who is mighty to save. We shall not be abandoned by the powers above so long as we can act worthy of aid and protection. The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Good news may soon reach us from the army and from across the sea."
BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER
It was late in October, 1777, and not long after Samuel Adams delivered his great speech at York. that news was brought here of the surrender of Sir John Burgoyne, with an army of 6.000 English and Hessian soldiers at Saratoga. Gates, commanding the American forces, had out-generaled him and Burgoyne was compelled to throw down his arms. His entire force was marched to Boston and kept there as prisoners of war for one year. Burgoyne bought his freedom by paying $10,000 in gold, with the understanding that this money should be used to feed and clothe his troops. He then sailed to England, was elected to Parliament, and there made a strong speech opposing a continuation of the war against the United States.
News from Saratoga brought good cheer to Congress at York. Washington at Valley Forge and every section of the thirteen states. This battle was one of the most decisive in all history and was a turning point in the struggle of our forefathers for liberty.
Soon after this event, General Gates came to York and became president of the Board of War,
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succeeding John Adams, who had been sent to France to aid Benjamin Franklin in securing from the French government a recognition of the Republic of the United States.
The attempt of Burgoyne to march down the Hudson and join the British army, then occupying New York, proved to be a failure. His object had been to cut off the New England States from the South and prevent communications between the two sections. It was the failure of this attempt that added glory to the American Armies throughout all the great powers in Europe and gave great prestige to the Americans.
IMPORTANT TRANSACTIONS OF CONGRESS
Congress had passed while in session at York the Articles of Confederation which, when adopted by the sufficient number of states, made the Declaration of Independence a reality; received the news of the great and decisive battle of Saratoga; commissioned Lafayette a major-general in the army : received Baron Steuben, the military chieftain from the Court of Frederick the Great, made him a major-general and sent him to the headquarters of the army to drill the American troops in the im- proved tactics of that day: received the news from Benjamin Franklin at Paris that the King of France and his country had agreed to help us in our struggle for Independence; received the first of several contributions of money from the French Government to carry on the war and received the news of the arrival of the first French troops and fleet that came to our assistance. These are a few, but not all, of the important transactions of Congress while in session at York.
At no other place during the Revolution, except Philadelphia, was there any legislation by Con- tinental Congress in any way comparable to that transacted while in session at York. It is a fact, however, that sessions of this body were held for one day in Lancaster, Pa .; a short time at Princeton, N. J .; about two months in Baltimore and a brief period at Annapolis, Md. At none of these places do the journals of Congress record the passage of any legislation or the transaction of any business for the prosecution of the war in any degree commensurate with that done at York during nine months of the years 1777 and 1778.
BATTLE OF FORT WASHINGTON
The most serious loss of York County troops during the Revolution was at the battle of Fort Washington, which took place in the northern part of what is now New York City. Colonel Robert Magaw of Carlisle, with about 3,500 troops from Pennsylvania, was assigned the important duty of defending this fort. It was attacked in the fall of 1776 by a large force of English and Hessian troops.
Colonel Michael Swope of York, then in command of the First Regiment of the Flying Camp, was ordered by Magaw to defend the approaches to the fort. Terms of surrender were offered by the enemy, but Swope refused. A furious contest ensued when the gallant colonel and 400 of his York County soldiers were killed, wounded or hecame prisoners of war.
A part of the Second Regiment of the Flying Camp commanded by Colonel MeAllister of Hanover, took part in this engagement, and the remainder of his regiment under Major Clark, engaged the British on Staten Island where the first Hessian prisoners of war were captured.
At Fort Washington the British outnumbered the Americans three to one, and the captured men were held in New York prisons for nearly two years. Among them was Colonel Swope, whose wife kept the Swope Inn on West Market Street, York, where John Hancock, president of Congress, was entertained while in York.
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BRITISH LEAVE PHILADELPHIA
Congress remained in session in York for nine months, and then returned to Philadelphia. In the meantime, General Howe resigned his command of Philadelphia and returned to England. Sir Henry Clinton succeeded him, and on June 18, 1778. he evacuated the city and began the march toward New York.
Washington remained at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78 while Congress was at York. There is no record that he ever came here during that winter. Unfortunately, many members of Congress, then composed of forty delegates, were opposed to Washington because he was defeated at Brandywine and Germantown. The strong men of Congress, however, stood by him.
What is known as the Conway Cabal. a conspiracy to remove him from command of the army and place Gates in his stead, collapsed at a banquet given to Lafayette at the home of Gates in York in February, 1778. At this banquet, Lafayette rose from his chair and offered a toast in support of the commander-in-chief, and that ended the controversy.
WASHINGTON LEAVES VALLEY FORGE
When Washington heard the British had left Philadelphia, after receiving recruits to his army, he broke camp at Valley Forge, crossed the Delaware at Trenton, and began pursuit of the British army on June 21st, intending to strike them whenever a good opportunity was afforded. His own troops were then in splendid trim, having received careful drill and discipline during the winter encampment at Valley Forge.
BATTLE OF MONMOUTH
The two armies met at Monmouth, N. J., in August, 1778, where a terrible battle took place. General Washington displayed remarkable courage and skill in this engagement, and his success gained for him prestige throughout Europe as a great military commander. General Greene, next to Washing- ton the ablest soldier of the Revolution. was present. Knox commanded the artillery. and the famous Wayne, who distinguished himself with his Pennsylvania troops at Brandywine, Germantown and Paoli, fought with great gallantry in this battle.
At a time when General Charles Lee disappointed the commander-in-chief, Washington rode forward into the thickest of the fight, and for more than an hour the bullets whizzed around him. He turned the tide of the contest. won the battle and added laurels to American arms. This battle in- creased the power and influence of the commander-in-chief. From that time forth he was recognized as one of the greatest soldiers of any age.
In the battle of Monmouth the Seventh Pennsylvania Line, formerly commanded by Colonel Grier of York, distinguished itself for valor. It was largely composed of York County troops. Colonel Grier had been wounded in the battle of Paoli the year before. and his regiment at Monmouth was commanded by Colonel Irvine. Henry Miller who left York as a lieutenant for Boston in 1775, was major of the First Pennsylvania Regiment at Monmouth. His command occupied the extreme left. At a certain time in the battle, Washington ordered this regiment forward. It was led by Miller who, for his gallantry in action, was promoted to the rank of colonel by Washington in the field. In this regiment also were three companies of York County troops.
Major John Clark of York, who also marched to Boston in 1775, acted as chief of scouts to Washing- ton's army while at Valley Forge. For his courage and ability, Clark was made chief of staff for General Greene at Monmouth. For his gallantry there, Washington recommended him to Congress for pro- motion. His home at. York was at the Southwest corner of Market and Beaver Streets, where he lived until the time of his death in 1817.
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THE END OF THE WAR
After the defeat of the British in the Battle of Monmouth, the seat of war was transferred to the South. An army under Lord Cornwallis engaged in several battles in South Carolina. He then be- gan a march northward in pursuit of General Greene. The two armies met at the present site of Greensboro, N. C., where a drawn battle took place. Meantime, Washington began to move his army southward.
Lafayette, with 3,000 men, crossed the lower end of York County and halted at Fredericksburg, Va. Meantime, General Anthony Wayne with a brigade of Pennsylvania troops had encamped at York for two months with his headquarters in a building now standing at the northwest corner of Market and Beaver Streets. He recruited his brigade and started from York on his march southward and joined Lafayette at Fredericksburg. These two commands moved southward and joined Washington at Yorktown, Va.
A severe battle followed with Lord Cornwallis. Washington then laid siege to Yorktown, and in the meantime a French fleet and an army of 4,000 men landed at the month of the James River. The arrival of these French troops and fleet prevented Cornwallis from escaping, and in October, 1781, he surrendered his army to Washington. The British commander feigned sickness and sent a sub- ordinate with his sword. Washington delegated Lafayette to receive the sword. This was the last engagement of the war of the Revolution. The treaty of peace, however, was not signed until 1783.
During the Revolution on two occasions five battalions of York County militia joined the army. There were nearly 2,000 men from this county in the Continental Line which afterwards corresponded to the regular army of the United States. In all out of a population of 25,000, York County, including Adams, furnished at least 5.000 men who served during a part of the war in the American army.
Colonel Thomas Hartley who commanded a brigade at the battles of Brandywine, Paoli and Ger- mantown and afterwards a regiment against the Indians of our northern frontier, later served twelve years as the first representative from York County in Congress. In a public speech before the House of Representatives, Colonel Hartley asserted that York County furnished more soldiers to the army in our struggle for liberty than any other section with an equal population in the thirteen states.
PART III .- WAR OF 1812 AND 1815
T HE second war of the United States with Great Britain began in 1812. England was never quite satisfied with the result of the Revolution which created on this continent a new nation of thirteen states out of the thirteen original British colonies. This war grew out of a series of wrongs inflicted by the English government upon the American people. The chief difficulty between the two countries was the fact that Great Britian claimed the right to search American vessels for supposed British deserters and their impressment into the British service. England also wanted to prohibit American commerce with France with which she was then at war.
During the twenty years before 1812 nearly all of Europe had been engaged in war brought about by Napoleon Bonaparte, and this contention finally involved the United States. The American people demanded free trade with foreign countries, and the rights of our sailors on the high seas. This was denied by the mother country, who really captured on our vessels some American sailors claiming they were British subjects. These outrages were so great that Congress insisted upon their surrender of the British claim of search. The government of the United States refused to negotiate on the subject. An embargo was laid upon all ships in American ports, and war was declared by Congress against Great Britain. This war lasted two and one-half years and involved every section including our prosperous County of York.
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In May 1812, President Madison issued a call for 100,000 troops. On this call the quota from Pennsylvania was 14,000. Simon Snyder who in his hoyhood had lived in York was then the Governor of Pennsylvania. He issued an order for the organization of the militia. The sentiment in York County and throughout the country was almost unanimous for war.
The volunteer soldiery from York as well as the militia quickly responded to the call for troops. Such was the enthusiasm of the hour that in response to the governor's call, three times as many troops tendered their services as were required. At this time there resided in York County nearly 400 soldiers who had fought in the Revolution, and many of them volunteered their services to defend their country.
The early part of this war took place along the Canada frontier, extending from New York west to Detroit. The British menaced this region with a strong land force.
Meanwhile in 1813 every naval battle on the ocean was a victory for the Americans. Within six months the British had lost six large war vessels on the Atlantic and had taken none of ours.
Our ships were well built and the American sailors were more accurate in their fire than the British. and their victories gave prestige to our navies. During the previous ten years England had declared herself mistress of the seas.
The British land forces were defeated in Northern New York and their fleet on Lake Champlain.
General Scott crossed into Canada with a brave army and won the famous battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane. This was encouraging news and heralded as glad tidings all over the country. About sixty York County soldiers served under Scott at these battles. After the defeat of their land forces along the northern frontier, the British army transferred the seat of war to the South.
BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE
On September 10, 1813, Commodore Barclay of the English navy. with a fleet of six vessels and sixty-three guns attacked Commodore Oliver H. Perry with the same number of vessels and guns. The American fleet was built at the present site of Erie, and Perry never had fought a naval battle before. His success was remarkable and his victory won additional honors for American seamen.
Perry's flagship, named The Lawrence, had a blue pennon at her masthead containing the words "Don't give up the ship." He fought gallantly on the Lawrence until only eight of the crew and himself were alive.
The vessels contested with one and another at close quarters side by side, firing with terrific force. Perry with his flag in hand passed in an open boat to the Niagara in the midst of the firing, just before the flagship was sunk. He then hoisted his flag on the Niagara and in a splendid charge broke the British line, capturing their whole fleet. This event took place on Lake Erie a short distance west of Cleveland, Ohio.
Perry's dispatch to General Harrison announcing his victory was brief and telling; "We have met the enemy and they are ours!" It was Perry who turned the scales of the war. His victory on the Lake enabled Harrison with his land force to enter Canada where he utterly defeated General Proctor with the British force and Tecumseh the brave Indian chief who with many warriors had allied himself with the enemy.
Captain Elliott, who commanded the Niagara at the battle of Lake Erie, was born at Frederick, Md. He was married to a daughter of General Jacob Spangler of York. His wife left York soon after Perry won his victory, and met her husband at Erie, Pa. Elliott, for his achievement. was promoted to the rank of Commodore in the U. S. Navy. He died at Boston in 1845 while in command of that port. Mrs. Elliott spent the last thirty years of her life at York. the home of her young womanhood. She died here at an advanced age in 1879.
Midshipman Laub of York, enlisted in the navy in 1810, and took part in several battles on the
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ocean during the early part of this war. He was killed on the Niagara by a British cannon ball a few minutes before Perry left the Lawrence for the Niagara, and was buried with naval honors near Toledo, Ohio. In recognition of his valor, Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy during the World War, ordered a Destroyer, one of the largest vessels of that type of the American Navy, to be named "The Laub." in honor of the gallant sailor of York who bravely died in defense of his country. The vessel was built and launched at the Boston shipyards in 1918.
ATTACK WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE
In March, 1814, Napoleon was dethroned, and England was able to send more troops to America. In August of the same year General Ross with an army of 4,500 men and a fleet of forty vessels commanded by Admiral Cockburn, landed near Washington, defeated a small body of Americans defending the city, and burned the White House, National Capitol and all other public buildings except the Patent Office. This caused great excitement in southern Pennsylvania. The light in the sky caused by the burning buildings in Washington was seen during the night at York.
Ross and the fleet then sailed down the Potomac and up the Chesapeake, landing at North Point, fourteen miles south of Baltimore.
PENNSYLVANIA TO THE RESCUE
Meantime Governor Snyder ordered the militia to rendezvous at Marcus Hook on the Delaware Bay and at York for the purpose of making preparations to meet and drive back the invading foe. About 6,000 men from the southern counties of the state came to York and encamped on the Public Common for drill and discipline. These troops were mustered into service for six months or during the war. The York troops were formed into one division under command of General Watson. This body was composed of two brigades, commanded respectively by General Forster and Adams. They arrived here September 5. At the same time 1.000 militia eneamped at Hanover.
When it was known that the public buildings at Washington were burned and the British were about to attack Baltimore, the York volunteers, a company of 60 men under Captain M. H. Spangler; two companies commanded respectively by Captains Metzgor and Bair of Hanover; a company from Warrington under Captain MeClellan; a Lower Chanceford company under Captain Colvin, and one from Peach Bottom under Captain Amos marched toward Baltimore. The York and the Hanover companies arrived in that city in time to take part in the battle of North Point.
A large force of volunteers and militia from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania were ready to defend the city. In a few hours the British were defeated and General Ross killed in the battle at North Point. On September 16th, the entire fleet and infantry boarded the British vessels in the harbor of Baltimore and disappeared down the bay, never again to cause any disturbance to the country. They sailed to England.
Meantime Forster's brigade, which encamped at York, reached Baltimore, September 19th. Their services being no longer needed, they returned to York. The entire force which encamped here was discharged from the service.
The success of the battle of North Point was triumphant, and it was the last engagement of im- portance except the battle of New Orleans.
During the bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Francis Scott Key, born near Taney- town, a young poet and lawyer of Washington, became a prisoner of war on a British vessel. He was finally released by authority of Admiral Cockburn, and returned to his own vessel.
It was during the awe-inspiring scenes of the bombardment of the midnight hour that Key began
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to write the "Star Spangled Banner", now the national air of America. When he arrived in Baltimore he completed the poem and gave it to Captain Benjamin Eades of the 27th Maryland Regiment. Two days later, with a copy just printed, Captain Eades hastened to the old tavern next to the Holliday Street Theatre where actors were aeeustomed to assemble. The verses were first read aloud by the printer, and then in answer to a call from the audience, Ferdinand Durang sang the words for the first time. They had just been put to music.
One year later Durang and his troupe played in a hall on East Market Street near Queen, and there for the first time this national air was sung in York.
TREATY OF PEACE
The American victories on land and sea had again proven that American soldiers and sailors could compete for mastery with British veterans. The final victory of Andrew Jackson at New Orleans, January 8, 1815, ended the war. With an army of 5000 volunteers and militia, Jackson defeated Lord Pakenham with 12,000 British veterans attempting to capture the eity. In this battle Pakenham was killed, and the entire British loss was 2,600 men. Jaekson's loss was only eight killed and thirteen wounded. This event made him the greatest hero then living in America.
This occurred fifteen days after the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, Belgium, by the English and American commissioners appointed to sign the treaty. The American commissioners were Henry Clay of Kentucky, James A. Bayard of Delaware, and Robert R. Livingston of New York. The telegraph was not then in use, and Jackson did not know of the treaty.
WESTERN ENTRANCE. TO YORK.
The wings over the Colors, and the Baltimore Railroad, were seen in the center. The Market House is in Use Croire riquet, warto wire cards the oid C'ourt Hlouso occupied by Congress, in 1767-78.
WESTERN ENTRANCE TO YORK
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PART IV .- THE MEXICAN WAR
W HAT is now the state of Texas orginally belonged to Mexico, but owing to dissension, Texas declared herself independent and organized a republic of her own. Her flag had one star, and Texas became known as the "Lone Star State."
The annexation of Texas in 1845, resulted in a war between the United States and Mexico. After her annexation a dispute arose between Mexico and Texas about the boundary line. Texas claimed that her territory extended to the Rio Grande River, while Mexico insisted that the Nueces River was the true division line. President Polk sent an envoy to Mexico, but that government refused him a hearing.
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