USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 1 > Part 49
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The news of the battle of Bunker Hill filled the inhabitants of Rhode Island with terror and alarm. A peaceful adjustment of the griev- ances of the Colonies was now impossible. The blow had been struck ; and if, before, diplomacy could have averted the impending storm, the time had passed for such a settlement.
The first act of precaution taken at Providence was the erection of a beacon to alarm the country about, in case of the approach of an enemy. The action was taken at a town meeting held on July 3, 1775.
[The Second Rhode Island Regiment in 1776 was known as the Eleventh Continental Infantry; its officers were :
Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, 1st January, 1776, to 31st December, 1776.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ezekiel Cornell, 1st January, 1776, to 31st December, 1776.
Major Israel Angell, 1st January, 1776, to 31st December, 1776.]
Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, 1st January, 1777, to 13th January, 1777.
Colonel Israel Angell, 13th January, 1777, to 1st January, 1781.
Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Angell, 1st January, 1777, to 13th January, 1777.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremiah Olney, 13th January, 1777, to 1st January, 1781. Major Simeon Thayer, 1st January, 1777, to 1st January, 1781.
THIRD RHODE ISLAND.
Colonel Thomas Church, 3d May, 1775, to December, 1775.
Lieutenant-Colonel William T. Miller, 3d May, 1775, to December, 1775 Major John Forrester, 3d May, 1775, to December, 1775.
· January 1, 1781, the First and Second Regiments were consolidated and this regiment was known both as the Rhode Island Regiment and Olney's Rhode Island Battalion. In addition to these regiments of the line, Rhode Island maintained a large body of State Troops, which were in service within the State during a greater portion of the period of the war. Nearly every male capable of bearing arms was called upon to do service in these organizations.
444 . STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
A week later a committee, consisting of Joseph Brown, Joseph Bucklin, and Benjamin Thurber, was appointed to "ercet a beacon on the hill to the castward of the town to alarm the country in case of an enemy's approach".
The hill selected for the location of this beacon was that now called Prospect or College Hill, and the spot was near what is now the corner of Prospect and Meeting streets. A beacon had been erected here more than a century before, in May, 1667, during the troublesome times with the Indians. This undertaking was commenced at once. The Providence Gazette, on July 29, 1775, informed its readers that "a beacon is now erecting on a very high hill in the town by order of the Honorable General Assembly. A watch is likewise kept on Tower Hill in case of any attempt by water from our savage enemies".
On the 20th of July, 1775, news of a startling nature was received from Newport. The British ships, under the command of Capt. James Wallace, lay in a line of battle, with the intention of bombarding the town. The greatest excitement prevailed throughout the Colony. Two days later the British commander, probably realizing the importance of Newport as a rendezvous, abandoned this intention and withdrew his fleet.
At Providence the news of the departure of Wallace was gladly wel- comed; for, had the British commander desired, nothing was in his way to prevent his vessels from sailing into the harbor and laying waste all within his reach, for the defenses of the town were entirely inadequate to cope with the British ships.
Newport had been left unharmed, but no one knew how soon the fleet would return. In consequence of this proposed attack, the in- habitants of Providence resolved to take immediate action toward the town's further defense. A town meeting was convened July 31, 1775, and the Hon. Nicholas Cooke chosen moderator; little business other than that appertaining to the defense of the town was transacted at this meeting. Fortifications were ordered built at Fox Hill, at Fox Point, and intrenchments and breastworks were ordered "to be hove up between Field's and Sassafras points of sufficient capacity to cover a body of men ordered there on any emergency". Capt. Nicholas Power was directed to superintend their construction, and was ordered to advise and consult with Capt. Esek Hopkins, Ambrose Page, Capt. John Updike, Samuel Nightingale, jr., Capt. William Earle and Capt. Simon Smith, who were made a committee on the manner of building these fortifications. A battery of six 18-pounders was ordered to be located at the Fox Hill fort, and four cannon to be mounted as field- pieces.
This committee was also ordered to draw up a set of rules for the conduct of the Fox Point Battery, and this they did, presenting it at the town meeting, August 29, 1775, for its approval. It is a most
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remarkable military paper, and shows the crude way in which such affairs were managed in the early days of the Revolution. It is as follows :
"Regulations of the Fox Point Battery Drawn by Committee Pre- sented to the Town in Town Meeting August 29 1775.
"Voted one capt E. Hopkins be appointed to commd the Battery at Fox Hill
"Voted one left that Samuel Warner
"Voted one gunner Christopher Sheldon
" do 7 men to each gun Including officers that such be select'd from the town Inhabits, as are acq'd with the use of Cannon and doe not belong to Any of the Independt. Companys who Attending this Duty be excused from the Militia Duties.
"Voted that the Battery compy Appt a capt & gunner for Each Gun out of their compy.
"Voted that upon any person quiting the Battery compy the officers thereunto Belonging have power to sellect others as above said to keep their number complete
"Voted that two Persons be app'd to Guard said Battery on Day who shall attend there on morning to Relieve the Night watch and Tarry until the Evening watch is Sett.
"Voted that the Great Guns be No & Each persons name who belong to said Guns be Wrote on a Card & stuck on the Gun they may belong to that they may know where to repair in case of an Alarm. Vot'd that the Capt. Lieut & Gunner of said Battery have the Care of pre- paring & keeping the Stores Belonging Thereto in Good Order
"Voted that the Battery Compy Exercise their cannon once a month or oftener to Perfect themselves in the use of Great Guns.
"It is recommended that 2 more 18 pounders be mounted at the Battery at Fox Hill.
-
"William Earle "Simon Smith
"John Updike Committee."
"Esek Hopkins
" Ambrose Page
"Saml Nightingale Jr
The location of the Fox Hill fort is shown on an old map of the town of Providence, made by Daniel Anthony in 1803, but on account of the many changes that have from time to time been made in this vicinity, its exact location is somewhat uncertain; but the square now bounded by Brook, Thompson, and Tockwotten streets covers the ground on which this important work was erected.
The committee having in charge the erection of these defenses ap- pointed Capt. Samuel Warner to take charge of the Fox Hill fort upon its completion, with all its guns, stores, and material.
Meanwhile the beacon approached completion, and the committee
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
under whose direction it had been built was ordered "to fire the same on Thursday the 17th of August, at the setting of the sun, and that they procure one thousand handbills to be printed to advertise the country thereof, that proper observations may be made of thic bearings of the beacon from different parts of the country, and that they notify the country that the beacon will not be fired at any time after August 17th, unless the town or some part of the colony should be attacked by an enemy, in which case the beacon will be fired and three cannon dis- charged to alarm the country that they may immediately repair to the town, duly equipped with arms and accoutrements".
These handbills were at once printed, and widely scattered about the neighboring country. At the time appointed the beacon was put to a test, and it was clearly demonstrated that it would serve the purpose for which it had been built; for a letter, received by the publisher of the Gazette, stated that it was observed over a wide area of country, extending from Cambridge Hill to New London and Norwich, and from Newport to Pomfret. It is also stated that many of the inhabit- ants of the neighboring country, not understanding the nature of this signal fire, hurriedly left their homes and promptly repaired to Provi- dence, all armed and equipped, imagining that the town was about to be attacked by the enemy. The beacon itself was a simple affair, consisting of a spar or mast, some eighty odd feet in height, securely braced at the foundation ; wooden pegs for steps, at regular intervals, enabled those managing it to ascend to the "kettle", which hung from an iron crane or mast-arm. This kettle was filled with inflammable . stuff so as to produce a brilliant light.
Solomon Drowne, jr., writing to his brother in Mendon, Mass., August 12, 1775, said :
"I herewith send you a handbill, published to be sent into the coun- try for informing the inhabitants of our beacon, &c. The beacon-pole mast, or whatever you please, is raised on the hill, not very far above the powder house, nearly opposite the church; the top of it, I have heard said, is about eighty feet higher than the top of the new meeting- house steeple which, perhaps you have heard, is upwards of one hundred and eighty feet from the ground. Judge what an extreme view it commands. If this reaches you before the 17th inst., I wish you would go up on the hill near your habitation at the time appointed, and direct your eye towards Providence, to descry, if possible, that light, on which one time, perhaps, our safety may in a considerable measure depend."
If William Drowne complied with his brother's request, he must have seen, from the green hills of Mendon, the glare of this watch-fire that August night. Mr. Joseph Brown was appointed to the office of "Master of thic Beacon", and James Marvin, James Berry, James Wheaton, and Abimelech Riggs were "appointed Wardens to rig the
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kettle, &c. when orders are Given to alarm the country". A house was constructed at the base of this beacon, wherein to store the com- bustible, so as to be ready at a moment's warning.
Beacons were established on the high lands in other parts of the Colony to further the spreading of news, in case of any unusual demonstration or attack by the enemy. Besides the Providence bea- con, there was a similar one erected on Tonomy Hill on the island of Rhode Island. A trial of this was made June 20, 1776, but no record is found regarding the arc of illumination. Another was in Cumber- land, on the hill now called Beacon Pole Hill ; and a hole drilled in a rock, which caps the summit of the hill, is shown as the location of this signal. Yet another was on Chopmist Hill in Scituate. Here Squire Williams was stationed as a guard and keeper of the beacon during most of the time when the British were located within the borders of the State. It does not appear these latter signals were ever lighted.
In June, 1775, a post was established on Tower Hill in South Kings- town, for the purpose of giving "intelligence to the northern counties in case any squadron of ships should be seen off". Job Watson was appointed to this important station, with orders, that in case he should discover an enemy's fleet, to give immediate warning, whereupon the alarm companies in the northern counties were directed to immediately repair to Providence.
During the latter part of August, 1775, the British ships cruising about the bay threatened an attack on Providence, and the batteries in the harbor were manned, and the militia assembled under arms ; the enemy, however, did not approach the town.
Before August 30, the fort at Fox Hill had been completed and was ready for service; on that day Thomas Gilman was stationed at the fort as a permanent guard. The works in the lower harbor, between Field's and Sassafras Points had also been completed by the hard work of the townsmen. Solomon Drowne, in the letter to his brother, al- ready referred to, says regarding these defenses :
"One day last week Mr. Compton, with one of the Light Infantry drummers and two of the Cadet fifers, went round to notify the sons of freedom who had the public good and safety at heart, to repair to Hacker's wharf, with such implements as are useful in intrenching, where a boat was ready to take them on board and transport them to the shore between Sassafras and Field's Point. About sixty of us went in a packet, many had gone before, some in J. Brown's boat, &c., so when all had got there the number was not much short of 200. I don't know that ever I worked harder a day in my life before. With what had been done by a number that went the day before, we threw up a breast-work that extended near one quarter of a mile.
"A large quantity of bread was carried down, and several were off catching quahaugs, which were cooked for dinner a la mode. de Indian.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
"The channel runs at not a great distance from this shore, so that when eousin Wallaee comes up to fire our town, his men who work the ships can easily be picked down by small arms, from our intrencliment, which is designed principally for musqueteers. However we have a little twentyfieation growing at Fox Point, where six pretty lusty bull- dogs are to be placed ; perhaps this ereature may grow into a fortifiea- tion in time."
The result of a portion of this labor by the inhabitants has been called Robin Hill Fort. It is still well preserved, and is located on the bluff overlooking the river, in the rear of the spot where the powder house onee stood; southward from it was the line of intrenehments
-3.07
ROBIN HILL o
FORT
N
18-0°
running along the edge of the bluff. Of these, however, there is little now remaining.
During the intervening time, until Oetober, 1775, the town was not in great danger from an attaek by the enemy, but the bombardment of Bristol, the 7th of this month, again aroused the townsmen to the dangers which might follow, if the British ships should continue up the river.
Following this affair at Bristol, the works at Kettle Point and Paw- tuxet were thrown up, batteries were located all along the seaboard, and permanent guards were established. Another fort was considered necessary for the safety of Providenee; and at a town meeting held October 26, 1775, a committee was appointed, authorized "to direet
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THE WARS AND THE MILITIA.
where, and in what manner, fortifications shall be made upon the hill to the southward of the house of William Field", at Field's Point. This committee evidently performed the duty required of them both promptly and faithfully ; for, on the same day, it was voted "that the part of the town below the Gaol Lane (Meeting street), on the east side of the river, be required by warrant from the town clerk, as usual, by beat of drum, to repair to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, to Field's Point, to make proper fortifications there; to provide themselves with tools and provisions for the day, that the inhabitants capable of bear- ing arms, who dwell on the west side of the river, be required in the same manner to repair thither, for the same purpose, on Saturday next; and that the inhabitants of that part of the town to the north- ward of the Gaol Lane, be required, in the same manner, to repair thither for the same purpose on Monday next". The fort built at this time was located on the high hill at Field's Point. This hill is a conspicuous point from the river and bay, and its flat top suggests the fort which even now crowns its height.
On the maps of this locality the fort is named Fort Independence, but no mention of such a name is found on the records of this period. The name quite likely originated with some map-maker in later years. Fort Independence, so called, is one hundred and ten feet long in its greatest length, and varies in width from fifty-three to sixty feet inside of the embankment. The construction of this fort was superintended by Capt. Barnard Eddy.
A boom and chain was ordered stretched across the river at the Field's Point narrows to prevent any hostile vessel from entering the harbor.
In May, 1777, Captain Sumner laid before the town meeting, held on the 5th of that month, a "Plan of a Fort proper to be erected for the Common Defence upon the Hill Eastward from the compact part of the Town". This plan had the hearty approval of General Spencer, and he asked the assistance of the town in pushing it to completion. The townsmen promptly passed a vote, ordering the different military companies in the town to repair, on the 16th day of that month, to Beacon Hill-another name for College Hill-where the beacon had been already erected, to make fortifications.
On the high land on the west side of the river, southerly from what was then called the road to Pawtuxet (now Broad street), was a fort which bore the name of Fort Sullivan. While there is no recorded evidence to show when it was built, the name given to it suggests that it was thrown up during the time when Gen. John Sullivan was in com- mand of this department, and that was in 1778.
There was yet another fort in the harbor. It was not, however, in Rhode Island, but was built on territory so near that it has since, by a change in the State line, been brought within its borders. This is the
29-1
·
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LOOKING SOUTHERLY FROM THE CHIMNEY OF THE SEWERAGE PUMPING STATION.
FORT INDEPENDENCE, FIELD'S POINT, PROVIDENCE.
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work on Fort Hill in East Providence. In the days of the Revolution this land was in the town of Rehoboth, and the point of land jutting out into the river, at the base of the hill, was called Hog Pen Point. When the town of Rehoboth was considering the various questions which the times suggested, it was voted, among other measures, on the 6th day of November, 1775, that a committee be chosen "to wait on a committee of the town of Providence to consult on fortifying Hog Pen Point". A week later the town of Rehoboth "voted it expedient to fortify Hog Pen Point, and chose a com- mittee to oversee the business". It is yet in a good state of preservation.
Thus was the town of Providence and its neighboring territory protected dur- ing those eventful days. Had the enemy ventured into these waters, he would have met with a warm reception from the guns which bristled on either side of the entrance to the port.
0
FORT ON HOG PEN
NA
POINT
As early as 1700 a fort was located on Goat Island, in Newport Harbor. When this fort was built it was named Fort Anne; later it was changed to Fort George, then Fort Liberty, and after- wards called Fort Washington. It was the only fort in the Colony at the out- break of the Revolution; and while not permanently garrisoned, a guard was maintained here; for it was well equipped, mounting fifty guns, and its magazine held a large supply of powder. In 1774, owing to the aspect of affairs in the Colonies, it was considered advisable to remove its guns and ammunition to Providence. Later, however, in 1776, it was furnished with twenty-five guns, 18 and 24-pounders ; and a garrison of fifty men was established, commanded by Capt. Samuel Sweet, with Daniel Vaughan first lieutenant and Ebenezer Adams second lieu- tenant.
The town of Newport unanimously voted at a town meeting held April 29, 1776, "to enter at once into the defence of the town"; and three days later a large body of the inhabitants repaired to Brenton's Point, the present location of Fort Adams, and erected there a fort, commanding one of the entrances to the harbor.
Additional light is shed upon the doings of the people of Newport, by a memorial prepared in June, 1776, during the recess of the General Assembly, "by such of the Members as could conveniently be imme- diately convened", to be sent to the Continental Congress, wherein it
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
is stated that the inhabitants of Newport "assembled in a full town meeting and unanimously voted to work upon the necessary fortifica- tions, and to defend the Town, and immediately entered upon it with Vigour Three considerable works have been erected,
and the Town of Newport is now capable of being defended against all the Frigates in the British Navy. Fortifications are also making at Bristol Ferry and on the East side of Rhode Island, which when completed will effectually secure a communication with the Con- tinent, and enable us to defend that most valuable Island".
But the confidence which the people of Newport had in the strength and value of these works to withstand "all the Frigates in the British Navy", was destined to be shattered; for a few months later every one of them was occupied by the enemy, without a shot being fired to resist their capture. Besides this fort at Brenton's Point, another work, which was called the North Battery, was built on the site of the present Fort Greene, at the end of Washington street. Across on the island of Conanicut, a battery was established at the Dumplings, of eight 18-pound guns.
Early in the month of January, 1776, the General Assembly ordered "that a number of men not exceeding fifty, be stationed at Warwick Neck, including the Artillery Company in Warwick; the remainder to. be minutemen ; that Col. John Waterman have the command, and ap- point proper officers to act under him; that they continue there and be kept upon pay, until the enemy's fleet shall go down the river, and then be discharged, if his honor the Governor shall think proper".
A watch-house was ordered to be built on Cranston Neck or Long Neck, now called Pawtuxet Neck, twelve feet long and eight feet wide, for the accommodation of the guard stationed at the fort. Here was located a battery of two 18-pound guns. The works at Pawtuxet and at Warwick Neck have entirely disappeared.
Upon the arrival of the enemy's fleet in Newport harbor, William Ellery wrote to Governor Cooke: "There ought to be a good redoubt at Warwick Point. If they attack Providence it will be by land. They will pass up the bay to Warwick Neck perhaps, then land and march to the town". A substantial work was therefore erected, and from time to time detachments of the minutemen or alarm companies in the county were ordered to report there for duty.
In addition to the fort at Warwick Neck, a system of intrenchments was laid out along the northerly side of the old road leading from Apponaug to Old Warwick, near the head of Brush Neck Cove and Horse Neck. Portions of this line of works may still be seen, fringed with a growth of cedars, which may serve to identify their location. These were thrown up by the troops at this station in the latter part of 1776.
In December of that year Gen. Francois Lellorquis de Malmedy, a
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French officer, who had been recommended to the State authorities by General Lee, and had been appointed "Chief Engineer and Director of the works of defence in this State", made an examination of the several points along the Narragansett shore, and in a letter to General Lee, dated the 20th of this month, referring to the position of Warwick and its defenses, says : "I there found some works begun. I thought it my duty not to oppose the desire of the commandant. We have, therefore, continued to prolong them, with some regularity, adapted to the ground".
General Malmedy was not impressed with the value of this line of works at Warwick. In fact, he did not lay much importance in de- fending this point at all. "It is mere folly to attempt to defend it", he says; for "in case the enemy make a descent in its neighborhood, they can land at Warwick Neck and arrive in Providence in four hours". It was his belief, although he did not claim to be a military engineer, that Pawtuxet, not Warwick Neck, was the place at which FORT ON [BEACON HILL] TONOMY defenses should be raised, for here he believed the enemy HILL would land, if an attack was to be made against Providence ; he, therefore, recommended that a body of troops be assembled at Pawtuxet, and that a quantity of fascines be procured to use in building works.
In February, 1776, Deputy- Governor Bradford, William Ellery, John Mathewson, Henry Marchant, and Gideon Marchant were appointed a committee "to cause fortifications to be erected, as soon as possible, upon Rhode Island and at Bristol, sufficient to command and keep a communication at Bristol Ferry". The troops stationed at Bristol and on Rhode Island were employed in this work. These fortifications were at each end of Bristol Ferry, and the one on the island can, even now, be easily distinguished. A fort was erected, commanding this ferry, on the high land at Tiverton, which has since borne the name of Fort Barton. Its outlines are even now well defined.
This committee also recommended that a fort be erected on Tonomy Hill by Colonel Putnam, "according to his best skill and judgment," and another on the Bristol side of Bristol Ferry "at the place selected by Col. Putnam". The high land at the northern part of Newport is called Tonomy Hill, and consists of two spurs or hills, one of which- the highest-is now called Tonomy Hill, while the other is known as Beacon Hill. Fortifications are still remaining on each. It was on
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