USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 1 > Part 47
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Early the next year rumors of impending trouble with France, coupled with the actual hostilities with Spain, urged the Colony to still further provide for its defense. This year marks a change in the custom of electing officers to command the militia of the Colony. For years all the military offieers had been chosen by the freemen and soldiers. The General Assembly, at its session held in Warwick, Jan- uary 27, 1741, repealed the law making this provision, and provided that in the future the General Assembly, at its annual session in May, should choose and elect its military officers.
The losses by disease and in the repulse at Carthagena had greatly reduced the English forees in Cuba, and in October Capt. William Hopkins, who had been with the troops in Cuba, arrived in Providence with a request to Governor Ward from General Wentworth for addi- tional reeruits from Rhode Island. He was immediately elothed with such authority. The anticipated operations, however, failed, and it is doubtful if the additional recruits sailed for the tropies.
At the session of the General Assembly held at South Kingstown, February 1, 1741-2, Jahleel Brenton, Godfrey Malbone, Samuel Wiek- ham, Henry Collins, John Gidley, James Honeyman, jr., John Brown, Nathaniel Coddington, jr., Peleg Brown, Charles Bardin, Simon Pease, David Chesebrough, Philip Wilkinson, John Freebody, jr., Thomas Wickham, Walter Cranston, Seuton Grant and William Vernon pre- sented a petition praying that they might associate themselves together as a military company and have a charter granted them. Their peti- tion was granted, and thus was organized the Artillery Company of
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the Town of Newport. This organization has been in continuous existence since that date and is the oldest military company in the State. In all the wars since its organization members of this command have served with distinction, even to the hostilities in the Philippine Islands following the war with Spain.
In the midst of the confusion and doubt attending the hostilities in which England and her colonies were then engaged, a letter was received by Governor Greene from the Duke of Newcastle, dated at Whitehall, March 31, 1744, containing the information that war had been declared by France against England, and notifying the Colony to prepare itself for any emergency.
The defenses about the Colony were strengthened and a closer watch was kept on the seaboard. Inorder to co-operate with Governor Shirley of Massachusetts in the expedition against Louisburg, Rhode Island ordered a force of one hundred and fifty men raised for land service. Godfrey Malbone was authorized to raise a regiment of three hundred and fifty men to be in the pay of the Massachusetts Colony. A portion only of the troops sent on this expedition arrived in time to take part in the fight. Sickness and the casualties at Louisburg so depleted the quota from Rhode Island that in March another levy was ordered of three companies.
Preparations were made for a general invasion of Canada, and addi- tional troops were called for to assist in garrisoning forts which the English had taken and for the more extensive operations throughout Canada. Three additional companies were ordered raised in June of one hundred men cach for this service, and they were sent forward as soon as recruited.
While these preparations were going on for the conquest of other important points in Canada, the news of an attempt to recapture the stronghold at Louisburg by a large French fleet caused the governor of Rhode Island to hold the troops raised for Canadian service within the Colony. Soon, however, the alarm abated and a detachment was sent forward to Annapolis, the troops experiencing most terrible hard- ships by reason of storms and bitter cold weather.
Hostilities ceased in the early part of April, 1748, and the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle followed a few months later.
What has been called the old French War began in May, 1754. Soon after hostilities had commenced the usual levying of taxes for carrying on the war began. In August, 1754, a tax of thirty thousand pounds was levied to meet these demands, five thousand pounds of which was appropriated for repairing the fort at Newport, previously called Fort Anne, but now called Fort George.
Late in the fall of this year New England was called upon to raise two thousand men to be under the command of Shirley and Pepperell. Of this number Rhode Island promptly furnished one hundred men.
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A commissary-general was appointed, additional taxes were imposed, and more rigorous laws regulating thic military affairs of the Colony were adopted. A troop of horse was organized in Newport. The offi- cers of this organization were: First Company-Capt. Benjamin Sherburne, who afterwards bore a conspicuous part in the Revolu- tionary struggle; Licut. Harry Sowle, Cornet Joseph Sowle, Quarter- master Newby Coggeshall. Second Company-Capt. William Briggs (son of Job), Licut. Israel Shaw, Cornet Thomas Church, Quarter- master William Woodman.
The calls for men and money to carry on the war now came one after another with never ceasing regularity; the already overtaxed and war-scarred colonists responded nobly and generously; the same spirit of enthusiasm and patriotism inspired them to aid, fight for and protect the mother country at this period as did twenty years later to resist the tyrannical measures that were imposed upon them by the same authority.
At the March session of the General Assembly, 1755, the so-called secret expedition to Crown Point was the subject of most profound consideration. In order to resist the encroachments of the French at this point, it was proposed to erect a strong fort upon the rocky eminence near Crown Point, and in order to assist in these operations Rhode Island was called upon to furnish four companies of infantry of one hundred men each, and at this time provision was made for their enlistment and support in the field.
Christopher Harris was appointed colonel of the so-called regiment, and the following officers were appointed to enlist and command the four companies : First Company-Edward Cole, captain; Samuel Nichols, lieutenant; Joshua Birl, ensign. Second Company-Robert Sterry, captain; David Dexter, lieutenant; Thomas Benket, ensign. Third Company-Henry Babcock, captain; Edward Gray, lieutenant; Ichabod Babcock, jr., ensign. Fourth Company-Abraham Francis, captain; John Wardwell, lieutenant; Joseph Potter of Warwick, ensign.
During the latter part of the summer further demands were made upon the Colony for the Crown Point expedition, and three additional companies of fifty men cach were raised and hurried forward to join the troops under the command of Colonel Harris. The raising of this additional force was attended with some difficulty. A number of the legislators, as well as a large number of the citizens objected to this demand upon the Colony's resources. They felt that Rhode Island lad contributed her part already, and they united in the following protest : "We, the subscribers, dissent from the vote for raising one hundred and fifty men to be added to them already raised for the expedition to Crown Point for the following reason :
Because we are of opinion, that the four hundred men formerly
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voted, are the Colony's full quota ; and we are unwilling to load our constituents with a burden that we think exceeds their ability to bear
"Thomas Rogers Edward Scott
"Benj. Arnold
"William Spencer
Immanuel Northup Samuel ·Durfee
"Philip Greene of West Greenwich".
Notwithstanding this opposition, however, provision was made for their equipment and support.
The officers of these three companies were as follows: Fifth Com- pany-Capt. John Whiting, Lieut. Benjamin Hall (son of Nathanael), Ensign Benjamin Bosworth. Sixth Company-Capt. Amos Hammond, Lieut. Stephen Arnold (of Smithfield), Ensign Joseph Davis (of Cumberland). Seventh Company-Capt. William Bradford, Lieut. Robert Hopkins (of Exeter), Ensign Jonathan Andrew.
The losses sustained during the summer of 1745 and the extent which the operations had assumed called for still further reinforce- ments from all the Colonies. It also created another burden, which fell as heavily upon the colonists as these frequent demands for men, and that was money. The financial condition of the Colony was de- moralized and every new emission of bonds or certificates of indebted- ness only increased the financial derangement which had previously existed. Nevertheless the Colony met each demand with promptness and vigor, and in September the General Assembly ordered four more companies enlisted, of fifty men each, and this force was at once sent forward to join the main body. Rhode Island now had a regiment in the field, consisting of eleven companies and numbering seven hundred and fifty men. The officers of these four additional com- panies were as follows: Eighth Company-Capt. Daniel Bosworth, Lieut. Christopher Hargill, Ensign William Nichols. Ninth Company -Capt. John Patten, jr., Lieut. William Richmond, jr., Ensign James Tew, jr. Tenth Company-Capt. Robert Hopkins, Lieut. Ebenezer Cahoone, Ensign Giles Russell. Eleventh Company-Capt. Barzillai Richmond, Lieut. Ebenezer Jenckes, Ensign Nathanael Peck.
In January, 1756, the rigors of a New England winter bore so heavily that military operations were practically suspended and the greater part of the force in the field was disbanded and the men returned to their homes. Rhode Island, however, continued a portion of her force in service, retaining one hundred men for home defense, while a body of eighty-five men was left at Fort William Henry, near Lake George, forming a considerable portion of the garrison there maintained during the winter. The service of one of the Colony's offi- cers, Capt. John Whiting, was of such a character as to secure for him the appointment of "fort major and adjutant of the garrison".
The lack of success attending the colonial army and the abandon- ment of the reduction of Crown Point caused much dissatisfaction
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
among the Colonies. Rhode Island, however, continued to uphold the mueh berated Shirley and continued her preparations for a more vig- orous prosecution of the war when the returning springtime should make military operations less perilous.
In February, 1756, a new regiment, known as the Rhode Island Regiment, was organized for the reduction of Crown Point. Provis- ion was made for a regiment of five hundred men, divided into ten companies.1 One of these companies was already in serviee, being sta- tioned at Fort William Henry. Joshua Brown was appointed second lieutenant of this company, the old Fifth Company. The officers of this new regiment were as follows: Col. Christopher Harris, Lieut .- Col. Christopher Champlin, jr., Major Samuel Angell. Colonel's Company-1st Lieut. Thomas Burkit, 2d Lieut. Elkanah Spear. Lieut .- Colonel's Company-1st Lieut. William Richmond, jr., 2d Lieut. Benjamin Bosworth. Major's Company-1st Lieut. Silas Cooke, 2d Lieut. Mark Noble. First Company-Capt. George Gardi- ner, jr., 1st Lieut. John Liseomb, 2d Lieut. James Tew, jr. Second Company-Capt. Henry Babcock, 1st Lieut. Giles Russell, 2d Lieut. Samuel Hearne. Third Company-Capt. Barzillai Richmond, 1st Lieut. Joseph Davis, 2d Lieut. Nathaniel Peek. Fourth Company- Capt. John Patten, jr., 1st Lieut. Grindall Reynolds, 2d Lieut. George Sherman. Fifth Company-Capt. Daniel Bosworth, 1st Lieut. Christopher Hargill, 2d Lieut. Edward Tably. Sixth Com- pany-Capt. Amos Hammond, 1st Lieut. Samuel Champlin, 2d Lieut. Samuel Rose. Commissary, Rufus Hopkins. Adjutant, Giles Russell. Chaplain, Ephraim Starkweather.
Several of the officers who had served in the former regiment were enrolled in the new regiment, some of whom were destined to see service in a more bitter war, when they would fight against the arms which they were now supporting with fidelity and heroism.
Meanwhile much energy was directed towards putting the militia of
1Among the manuscripts in the Rhode Island Historical Society in the volumes entitled "Rhode Island Manuscripts", vol. vi, are several of the pay rolls of the companies which formed a part of Rhode Island's contribution to the war. At page 64 will be found the pay roll of Col. Christopher Harris's Company, dated Dec. 21, 1756, containing 48 names; at page 65, that of Lieut .- Col. Angell's Company, marked paid off Dec. 20, 1756, containing 50 names; at page 66, that of Capt. John Potter's Company, marked paid off Dec. 21, 1756, containing 45 names. Roll of Capt. Ebenezer Jenckes's Company, which is marked paid off Dec. 22, 1756, at page 67, and containing 39 names. An- other roll of Capt. Ebenezer Jenckes's Company, dated Dec. 27, 1757, contain- ing 78 names, is at page 69. A roll of Capt. Daniel Wall's Company, dated Jan. 12, 1758, containing 89 names, is at page 70. A roll of Capt. Ebenezer Jenckes's Company, dated Jan. 10, 1759, at page 71. An account of cash paid officers and soldiers belonging to Capt. Burkitt's and Capt. Eddy's Companies, dated Dec. 26, 1759, containing 78 names, is at page 72. An account of cash paid officers and soldiers belonging to Col. Christopher Harris's Company, con- taining 155 names, is at page 73.
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the Colony on a substantial basis, and the guns at Fort George in Newport harbor were regularly exercised by men who had followed the sea as captains of vessels and who, from this service, had had much experience in the handling of great guns.
In March, 1756, Shirley was superseded as commander-in-chief in America by Lord Loudon, and a more vigorous campaign was ex- pected and begun. He brought with him to America a large force of regular troops. It was not until May following that an actual declara- tion of hostilities was proclaimed, although the war had been in operation for nearly two years. The enthusiasm which followed the arrival of Loudon was felt throughout the colonies. Rhode Island, however, had never for a moment hesitated in furnishing men or money to carry on the struggle; while the other colonies were com- plaining and neglecting to furnish their quota Rhode Island had pushed her slender resources to the utmost. Her people, already overloaded by the demands for men to supply her regiments and money to support them, sternly faced the situation and furnished all that was demanded or required, and it was credited at the time with furnishing nearer her quota than any of the other colonies. In June, 1756, two more companies of Rhode Islanders, of fifty men each, were put in the field against Crown Point,1 and in September another regi- ment of four hundred men was drafted into service, but this force was not destined to serve, for almost with the order for the regiment to go forward came an order to delay marching; small-pox had broken out among the troops at Albany, and the season was so far advanced that further operations were decided to be impracticable.
In February following, however, another regiment of four hundred and fifty men was enlisted for one year, to serve under the command of the Earl of Loudon.
The officers of this regiment were as follows :2 Colonel Samuel Angell. First Company-Capt. George Gardiner, jr., 1st Lieut. Chris- topher Hargill, 2d Lieut. Isaac Wilbur, jr., Ensign Israel Peck.
1A return of the Provincial forces of the several Provinces and Colonies raised for the reduction of Crown Point, dated June 12, 1756, and contained in a volume of manuscript relating to the "French and Indian War, 1755-1761", in the office of the secretary of state, Providence, shows the strength of the Rhode Island forces to be as follows: At Fort William Henry, 2 officers, 43 men; at Fort Edward, 3 men; at Stillwater, 1 officer, 24 men; fit for duty at Half Moon and Albany, 20 officers, 288 men; on command 1 officer, 24 men; sick and invalids, 1 officer, 11 men; on boat and other service, 1 officer, 33 men; total, 25 officers, 449 men. This volume contains a great number of letters and other official papers relating to the war, and is a most valuable collection of material relating to this period in the State's history.
2Rolls of Capts. Daniel Wall's Co., John Whiting's Co., Jeremiah Greene's Co., Ebenezer Whiting's Co., and Ebenezer Jenckes's Co., for the months of February, March, April and May, are contained in the volume entitled "French and Indian War. 1755-1761", in the office of the secretary of state, Providence.
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Second Company-Capt. John Potter, jr., 1st. Lient. Elkanah Spear, 2d Lieut. Mark Noble, Ensign Samuel Sanders. Third Company- Capt. John Whiting, 1st Lieut. James Tew, jr., 2d Licut. George Sher- man, Ensign Amos Whiting. Fourth Company-Capt. James Greene, 1st Lieut. Giles Russell, 2d Lieut. Samuel Hearne, Ensign Jeffrey Wil- cox, jr. Fifth Company-Capt. Daniel Wall, 1st Lieut. Nathanael Peck, 2d Lieut. Edward Tablee, Ensign Abel Gibbs. William Hunter, surgeon; Christopher Nichols, surgeon's mate.
The disaster at Fort William Henry, in August, 1757, caused the most intense excitement in the Colonies. On the 14th of August, 1757, four days after the attack and massacre, Col. Samuel Angell, commanding the Rhode Island Regiment, sent a letter to Governor Greene of Rhode Island, giving the details of the fight; in this letter he says :
"The 2d inst., Col. Young, of the third battalion of the royal Ameri- cans, and Col. Frye, of the Massachusetts, marched to the lake with about thirteen hundred men, which made up the number in camp and garrison, to twenty-four hundred, including carpenters and sailors.
"On the 3d inst., at five o'clock, in the morning, the fort and camp were invested by Canadians and Indians; and at the same time, a large body of boats and canoes appeared on the lake near, while our camp was attacked by a superior number of the enemy. They landed their artillery the same day. Our rangers brought in one of their lieuten- ants prisoner who gave account of their strength consisted of three thousand regulars, five thousand Canadians, and three thousand five hundred savages, thirty-six cannon, and four mortars.
"The siege continued obstinate till the 9th day at six o'clock, in the morning, when all the cannon, bigger than twelve pounders, were broken; the men in camp and garrison, spent with fatigue. They capitulated on honorable terms, viz. : that they should march to this place with a brass twelve pounder in the front, and their fire-locks clubbed, and colors flying, with all their baggage. This was agreed to, and articles signed. General Montcalm and other principal officers of his army, expressed and acknowledged that they had made a defence beyond expectation, and for those reasons, he allowed them as good terms as General Blakeney had. The articles obliged our men not to bear arms till eighteen months were expired.
"The morning following, our men were to march with a strong guard of regulars, to keep the savages from insulting them. When our people began to draw up for a march, the horrible scene of mas- sacre then began, by the savages scalping our sick and wounded men ; next, by their drawing out all the black men, scalping the Indians and keeping the negroes for slaves. All this did not satisfy them ; but they went to stripping and scalping without distinction ; which put our men to the flight, each man for himself-having no protection, agreeably to the articles. They all scattered in the woods; the Indians following them several miles. Our men have been coming in since cleven o'clock,
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that day, till this morning, by single persons and small parties ; not a man but is stripped; some, quite nakcd.
"There are yet behind several hundred; many of whom, it is known, are sick, and many, it is thought, will perish in the woods. This min- ute, a deserter from the French says that above two hundred of our men went back to the French for protection.
"By our parties just came in, we have certain accounts that the fort is destroyed; and that the enemy are drawing off. We have about four thousand militia here, and two thousand troops".
Rumors of the defeat had reached Rhode Island some time before this letter was received, and the General Assembly was already en- gaged in making preparations to meet any emergency that might occur.
One-sixth part of all the militia was ordered dispatched to Albany "with all possible dispatch".1 All the companies of horse and foot in the Colony were ordered to rendezvous in each town on or before Mon- day, the 15th day of August, at 12 o'clock.
The method by which the men were to be selected for this body of reinforcements is set forth with much detail in the act passed for raising the troops, and as it describes with minuteness the methods by which soldiers were drafted in days of the colonial government, a portion of it is quoted : "All the following officers shall be included in the lists out of which said sixth part is to be drawn, that is to say : all fence viewers, supervisors of highways, field drivers, pound keepers, constables, wood-corders, sealers of weights and measures, inspectors of wood-corders, sealers of leather, viewers of hoops, staves and head- ing, and gaugers, not otherwise excused by law". "That the names of all persons in the list of each company, shall be written on a scroll of paper, and rolled up, and then put into a hat or box; and one sixtil part thereof, shall be drawn (unless the company agree that the com- missioned officers shall press said sixth part), and the persons whose names shall be so drawn or pressed, shall go on this service". "Any person drawn, who declines going, and shall immediately procure an able bodied, effective man to go in his room, shall be excused; but no person shall be excused without". "No person's name be put into the hat or box, who, through sickness or lameness, cannot go, or who was out of the government before the meeting of this Assembly". "The commissioned officers of each and every company in this Colony, both horse and foot, if they cannot agrec among themselves, who shall go, shall determine the same by lot, at the time of drawing the men;
'There is a list of the names of the men comprising "that part of the regi- ment raised in Rhode Island which marched out of the County of Newport", and dated August 18, 1757, in the volume entitled "French and Indian War, 1755-1761", in the office of the secretary of state, Providence. , It shows 113 men from the town of Newport, 6 from Middletown, 14 from Portsmouth, 21 from Little Compton; "no return is made from Bristol and Tiverton."
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and thic officer or officers so drawn, shall be obliged to go in the said regiment". "Any person being duly warned by beat of drum, or leaving notice at his place of abode, six hours before the time of meet- ing, which shall be deemed sufficient warning, who shall not appear at the time and place to which he is warned, shall forfeit and pay as a fine, £100; to be recovered in manner as abovesaid, by the commis- sioned officers, and paid into the town treasury, to and for the use of the town".
The officers selected for this regiment were John Andrews, colonel; Joseph Wanton, jr., lieutenant-colonel; Henry Babcock, second lieu- tenant-colonel ; Stephen Potter, major.
The situation now was most disheartening and fears were enter- tained that thic scenes of carnage would be brought nearer to the New England settlements than they had been up to this time. Long before this letter was received, in fact the day after it was written, a large number of the principal men of Providence drew up and signed the following paper :
"Whercas, the British Colonies in America are invaded by a large Army of French and Indian enemics, who have already possessed themselves of Fort William Henry, and are now on their march to penetrate further into the country; and from whom we have nothing to expect, should they succeed in their enterprise, but Death and Devastation. And as his Majestys principal Officers in the parts in- vaded, have in the most pressing and moving manner, called on all his Majesties faithful subjects for assistance to defend the Country.
"Therefore, we whose names are underwritten, thinking it our duty to do everything in our power for the defence of our Libertys, Families and Propertys are willing and agree to enter Voluntarily into the service of our Country, and go in a warlike manner against the Com- mon enemy and hereby call upon and invite all our Neighbours who have familys and Propertys to Defend to Join with us in this under- taking, Promiseing to March as soon as we are Two Hundred and Fifty in Number, recommending our selves and our Cause to the Favourable Protection of Almighty God.
"Stephen Hopkins
"Providence August 15 1757 Nicholas Brown
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