USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; early history, with biographical sketches of some of its citizens > Part 6
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Interesting accounts and descriptions of the fort, from personal recollections, were given by Willard to Mr. Brooks. The size of the buildings and inclosure were given, and the exact location designated by stakes.
As here was the dawning-light, the first foot-print of civilization in this town, if not the first in the State, all interesting . details of facts respecting it must ever be precious to the inhabitants of Brattleboro
to all future time. For this reason, we present some particulars from 1
" HALL'S HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT."
" Col. John Stoddard, of Northampton, was ordered to superintend the building of the block-house. The immediate over- sight of the work was committed to Lieut. Timothy Dwight, who, with a competent force, consisting of four carpenters, twelve soldiers, with narrow axes, and two teams, commenced operations on the 3d of Feb'y, 1724. Before the summer had begun, the fort was in suclı a condition as to be liab- itable. It was built of yellow pine, and was nearly 180 feet square. Within were four province houses, as they were called, two stories in height, comfortable, and, for those days, even convenient; besides which there were smaller houses, contain- ing a room each, which could be occupied when the garrison numbered more than its usual complement of men.
Without, the fort was picketed. Posts, 25 feet in lieight, placed perpendicularly in the ground, side by side, and sharpened at the upper end, surrounded it on every side. Openings were left in the pickets through whichi to fire on the eneniy. and at opposite angles of the fort, 25 feet from the ground and five feet above the tops of the pickets, square boxes were placed in which sentinels kept guard.
To the patereros, with which the gar. rison was originally furnished, several swivels were added in 1740, which enabled the inmates of the fort to receive the enemy with an enfilading fire, rendering the place comparatively secure.
There was in the fort a great gun whose report could be heard for many miles. This gun was never fired except as a signal for assistance, or on the reception of some news.
The force of Capt. Dwight, the first commander, numbered in all 55 effective men, of whom 12 were Indians of the Maquas tribe. October 11th the fort was attacked by the enemy, and four or five of its occupants either killed or wounded.
A trading or truck-house was built in 1731, for receiving articles of traffic from the Indians, and they came hither in large numbers to trade, bringing, to exchange for the products of the white man, deer, beaver and moose skins, and tallow. This
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traffic was carried on many years under the charge of Joseph Kellogg, who was captain and truck-master.
The Rev. Ebenezer Hinsdill was chap- lain 12 or 14 years from 1730.
Capt. Josiah Willard assumed the com- mand in 1740, and its former commander, Joseph Kellogg, was Indian interpreter until 1794.
In 1746, some of the block-houses on the river were burned, and during several months Fort Dummer was the most north- ern post provided with a garrison.
In 1747, Brig .- Gen. Joseph Wright, by order of the governor, directed Lieut. Dudley Bradstreet to take command of 40 men, and with them garrison Fort Dum- mer in place of the guard then stationed there. April 5th, Col. Josiah Willard was superseded by Bradstreet, but after five months the fort was again placed in care of its former commander, Col. Josiah Willard.
In the year 1748, the Rev. Andrew Gardner was appointed chaplain, and Col. Willard added two more swivels to the munitions. He also at this time made needed repairs to the fort. Dec. 8, 1750, Col. Josiah Willard died, and ten days thereafter was succeeded by his son, Maj. Josiah Willard, who formerly had charge of a garrison at Ashuelot.
In 1751, there was much alarm for the safety of the fort, but in consequence of vigilant activity in measures of defense, no incursions were made during the summer. In February, 1752, the garrison was re- duced to five men. In this condition it remained, under the command of Major Josiah Willard, until January, 1754, when the General Court of Massachusetts voted, ' that from and after February next, no further provision be made for the pay and subsistence of the five men now posted at Fort Dummer, and that the Captain-Gen- eral be desired to direct Major Josiah Wil- lard to take care that the artillery and other warlike stores be secured for the government.'
In consequence of renewed hostilities on the part of the Indians, late in the summer of 1754, the garrison was increased and continued until 1757, under the command of Nathan Willard.
Records at Concord, N. H., show peti- tions, about this time, from the grantees
of Brattleboro, asking, in consequence of trouble with Indians, for further time in which to comply with the terms of the charter of 1753.
Gov. Shirley, of Massachusetts, repeat- edly requested New Hampshire to assist in the defense of Fort Dummer. Gov. Wentworth, of New Hampshire, was will- ing and anxious to render requisite aid to Fort Dummer and other forts in the west- ern part of the State, but the Assembly of New Hampshire doggedly and obstinately refused to grant any appropriation for this purpose, or in any manner to second the proper and reasonable request of the gov- ernor.
Application was then made to the Massa- chusetts Legislature by Nathan Willard, and in a memorial by him, presented in August, it was stated that the enemy were continually lurking in the woods near the fort, and that during the past summer, 19 persons, within 2 miles of it, had been - either 'killed or captivated.'"
Thus, in the dark wilderness, surrounded by dangers, the infant Brattleboro sent forth its imploring cry for help. Her mother heard it, but she heeded not; but Massachusetts, that magnanimous, ever- faithful old nurse, heeded that cry from among the tall pines, and in her powerful arms she folded and guarded the wailing child.
During five or six years, after the last petition of the grantees for farther time in which to fulfill the conditions of the char- ter, there must have been a rapid increase in the population of Brattleboro, for in 1766, there was in this vicinity an organ- ized regiment under the command of Col. Thomas Chandler.
Major John Arms, grandfather of the late Dr. Willard Arms, who died in 1863, aged, 83 years, received his commission as major of the afore-mentioned regiment in 1766. At the time John Arms received. this commission, he kept a tavern, which stood at the foot of the first descent in the road a few rods north of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane. He owned the extensive meadows now in the possession of the Asylum. The occupants of this. house, since the death of John Arms, in 1770, we name: Widow Susannah Arms, Josiah Arms, Peleg Kingsley, Joseph
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Goodhue, Nelson Crosby, Newman Hall. Mr. Allen sold the house and farm to the Vermont Asylum, and the venerable old house, which was standing at a recent date, was torn away by the present owners of the estate, and a new building erected upon the same ground.
Col. Ethan Allen, it has been said, made this old tavern-house his headquarters when he came here with a detachment of "Green Mountain Boys," to enforce obe- dience to the authority of Vermont, and we can furnish evidence that military com- panies in this town were warned to appear at this house "armed and equipped as the law directs."
The following is a copy of the commis- sion received by Major John Arms from Gov. Sir Henry Moore. It was written upon parchment, and we received it from Willard Arms, Esq., who is great grand- son of the old major :
COPY OF THE COMMISSION OF MAJ. JOHN ARMES, 1766.
"By his Excellency, Sir Henry Moore, Baronet, Captain-General and General-in- Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending there- on in America, Chancellor and Vice Ad- miral of the same.
To John Armes, Esquire, Greeting :
Reposing special Trust and Confidence as well in the Care, Diligence and Circum- spection, as in the Loyalty, Courage and Braveness of you to do his Majesty good and faithful Service, I have nominated, constituted and appointed you, the said John Armes, to be Major of the Regiment Foot in the said Province, Whereof Thos. Chandler, Esquire, is Colonel. You are, therefore, to take the said Regiment into your Charge and Care as Major thereof, and duly to Exercise both the Officers and Soldiers of that Regiment in Arms. And as they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Major, so are you likewise to observe and follow such Orders and Direc- tions from Time to Time as you shall receive from me or any other your Supe- rior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and for so Doing this shall be your Commission.
Given under my Hand and Seal at arms
in New York, the Twentieth day of Janna'y in the Sixth year of his Majes- tys Reign, Annoque Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Six." H. MOORE. By his Excellencys Command.
JOHN FRENCH.
From this commission we learn it was well understood that the place now known as Brattleboro was, in 1766, a province of New York, and also so considered 14 years later, when the town was first represented by Col. Samuel Wells to the New York Assembly.
AN ANCIENT DOCUMENT.
Mr. Zenas Frost, of this town, while looking over some old papers left by his grandfather, came upon a warrant of which the following is a literal copy :
" To Corporal Jesse Frost
[L. S.] In his Majestys Name you are hearby commanded to Warn all the Sold- iers hearin Named to appear on tuesday ye thurteenth day of November next at Nine of ye Clock Before Noon at the house of the widdow Susanna Arms, Compleat with Arms and Aminition as ye Law Directs in Order for Vewing hearof fail not at ye pearel of ye Law and make Due Return of your Doings to me.
"Given Under my hand and Seale at Arms in Brattleborough this Eighth Day of October 1770 in ye tenth year of his Majestys Reign.
Benja. Butterfield, Capt.
"Notify ye Sargants
" John Ellis, Nath'el french Jr, Benja. Butterfield Jur, Phillip Paddleford, Oliver Wells, Thomas Sergants, Josiah Armes, Jon't. Wells, Wm. Rile."
The foregoing rare gem of our military history was published in the Vermont Phoenix in 1871.
Six years before the War of American Independence commenced, Brattleboro troops, in short breeches and long stock- ings, were training under the command of Capt. Benjamin Butterfield, who was after- wards one of the first representatives of the town after the establishment of the authority of Vermont.
From a headstone in the cemetery in West River district, we learn that Benja- min Butterfield died Dec. 7, 1804, aged 79 years. According to this account, the
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first military captain, whom we can learn of in this place, after the town organiza- tion, was born 147 years ago.
In more modern times, as from 1845 to 1847, there was a company here, under the command of Capt. T. C. Lord, known as the "LaFayette Light Infantry." This company had a brief existence, but it was well sustained until the failing health of its popular commander caused his resigna- tion.
The first company organized here was the old "Flood-wood Company." This name was probably given them, after the formation of the "independent " or uni- formed companies, in derision for their plain dress and lack of military show. The name of the first captain known, has already been mentioned. Of later times the commanders have been: Capts. War- riner, Jerry Frost, D. Mixer, Henry Clark, Benajah Dudley, Natlıaniel Bliss, La Fayette Clark, Chas. C. Frost, in 1825; John Leavitt in 1829; Frederick Holbrook, afterwards governor of this State, in 1862; Perrin Smith in 1837; George Salisbury in 1840.
Not only was this company the first one in existence, but it existed the longest, and was, at one period, the largest in town. If they did not burn so much gunpowder at the annual June trainings as did other companies, and their general practice was more in accordance with the dictates of prudence and economy, there was un- doubtedly as good, serviceable fighting material in it as in the ranks of birds of brighter plumage. They did, however, occasionally have a little brush with the Light Infantry.
In 1834, their lieutenant, B. A. Warren, was wounded and disabled in a contest with a company, which had a short time before been organized by Captain George Wood, soon after the dissolution of the old "Brattleboro Light Infantry."
As company records have rarely been preserved, we are under the necessity of jumping over long intervals of time, en- livened, no doubt, by interesting military events which would, if recorded, render this department of our subject of far greater value. There has been in existence here three companies of foot soldiers, and part of a cavalry company. The three
first companies were known under the fol- lowing names: "Brattleboro Light In- fantry," "Brattleboro Artillery," and State Militia, without uniform, and often spoken of as "The Old Flood-wood Com- pany."
THE BRATTLEBORO LIGHT INFANTRY Was organized before the present century. The date of organization is not ascertained, but we have learned that the gentlemen whose names we give, have, at different periods, commanded the company :
Capt. Benjamin Smead, in 1797, when he was publishing "The Federal Galaxy," which was the first newspaper published in this town; Capt. Ebenezer Wells, in 1804, (Capt. Wells came from England with his father, Rev. Wm. Wells, D. D.); Capt. Howard Wells, in 1810, who was also a son of Rev. William Wells; Capt. Ebenezer Sabin, Capt. Daniel Bliss; Capt. Samuel Whitney, 1816 to '21, son of Hon. Lemuel Whitney; Capt. Nathaniel Chan- dler, 1822: Capt. Eli Sargent, 1823 '24, grandson of Col. John Sargent, who was born at Fort Dummer; Adolphus Steb- bins, elected captain in 1824; Capt. Wil- lard Frost, 1825 and '26; Capt. Chester Sargent, 1827, '29; William Brooks, cap- tain in 1830; Capt. John King, in 1831, '32.
From 1816 to 1830, this company main- tained full numbers, excellent discipline, and elegant uniforms; but their bright array, on a June morning, ofttimes be- came dim before night from dust, heat, and powder smoke. When making a bayonet charge upon the artillery, in 1820, a brass field-piece was discharged upon the advancing ranks of the infantry, by which two members of said company were laid prostrate on the ground, and for a time rendered insensible. Their faces were blackened and disfigured, and one of them carried the marks of that day's work to his grave.
The inevitable tubs and pails of whiskey- punch, immoderately used at these annual sham-fights, may have had something to do in making these exercises appear some- times like real fights. It was needful, as our elders informed us, that Geo. Sargent, Hollan Pettis and Martin Sartwell should keep up an unceasing din with their drum sticks, on these occasions, to drown the groans of the wounded soldiers.
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Among the causes which contributed to give a consequence to our citizen-soldiery of 1820 and '26, was a sprinkling in their ranks of veterans, who had seen service in the last war with Britain.
SOLDIERS OF 1812.
There was J. Wilson Landers and J. Freeman, who had stood on the deck with Com. Decatur when he captured the proud Macedonian. In the Brattleboro infantry were John Burnham, from Connecticut, and John Fowler, both soldiers in the war of 1812, and also Ebenezer Howe, grand- son of Caleb Howe of Fort Bridgeman ; in the artillery was Capt. Lewis Henry, who, in the same war, had served in a company commanded by Capt. James Elliot, and there were probably others, in the several companies, deserving of hon- orable mention, but their names have passed from our memory. But we can never forget the name, nor the dying words, of Col. Charles Cummings, who, during the late war, went out from among us to his death in the wilderness. With a defiant wave of his sword, came forth his last words, "Boys, save the flag!" By this closing scene of his brief career, we are reminded of Scott's poetic heroes, of whom it has been said, "How grandly they die, when die they must."
" A light on Marmion's visage spread, And fired his glazing eye; With dying hand above his head, He shook the fragments of his blade, And shouted, 'Victory!'"
THE BRATTLEBORO ARTILLERY
came into existence shortly after the organization of the Infantry, and their first commander was Capt. Jacob Stod- dard. Capt. Jonathan Hunt in 1811. He was afterward appointed Brig. Gen'l, and died while a member of Congress in 1832. Capt. Atherton, from 1812 to '15, Capt. Samuel Root, afterward last president of the old Brattleboro Bank, Capt. Simpson Goodenough, Capt. Osearl Stoddard, Capt. Lewis Henry, in 1827, Capt. Willard Cob- leigh, Capt. Roswell Goodenough, Capt. Albert Bennett, Capt. Argillas Streeter, Capt. Arnold J. Hines, afterward colonel of the regiment, Capt. Franklin Cobleigh, Capt. Jonathan Davis, in 1836 and '37.
Gen. Jonathan Hunt, when captain of this company in 1811, gave several hun- dred dollars for the purchase of arms and C
equipments. His promotion was followed by the election of J. Atherton as captain. During his command the National Capitol buildings were laid in ashes, and the air was filled with startling rumors of the defeat of our arms by British troops. Capt. Atherton made the following ap- peal to his company : "Every man who will do his duty and act as government may require him to act in this war, please to step forward three paces." The whole company moved the required distance, and that was as far as they ever did move in this war; but how much may have been the moral effect of this manifesta- tion upon the common enemy, or how much credit is due the Brattleboro Artil- lery for taking those three brave steps toward the British lion, we may never know.
This much is certain: rumors of a directly opposite character followed this event. The joyful news from Plattsburg, followed by a blaze of glory from New Orleans, made every Yankee believe he could whip his weight in wildcats, and unitedly clean out the rest of creation. New uniforms were procured. regardless of expense, and " Yankee Doodle" and Fourth of July
"Ruled the camp, the court, the grove."
One of the captains on our list, now past 90 years of age, lately informed us he paid $57 for his coat and $9 for 3 dozen buttons, at the time oats would bring but 17 cents per bushel, and all agricultural products were proportionately low.
During some months, or years, after their organization, the artillery company used, in their military exercises, simply indifferent swords. This was too much like playing Hamlet, with the part of Hamlet left out. After they came in possession of two field-pieces, one of them, it has been said, was taken from Burgoyne at Bennington, there was a noisy demon- stration, accompanied by the breaking of window-glass in the East village, quite extensively; much powder was burned, and a lively market created for old West India rum and "black strap." If the actors in this scene were not drunk or sick before the close of the exercises, some of them, at least, appeared as if very much discouraged.
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With other juveniles of that day, now past life's meridian, we shared in the fear, awe and reverence inspired by the black artillery. Dressed in long, black, swallow- tail coats-profusely covered with brass buttons of the size and shape of a large musket-ball-tall, bell-shaped, black leath- er caps, mounted by long, waving, black plumes, gave this company such a solemn, funeral air when on parade, they might be taken as undertakers of the regiment.
Not even the lively rattle of Sartwell's drum, the piercing notes of Greenleaf's fife, nor the cheering strains of Joy's bugle, could divert our melancholy, gloomy forebodings, when the Artillery company seized their drag-ropes to move their mighty, loud-sounding instruments of death to bear upon the gaily-dressed Light Infantry.
At a sham fight in 1821, Lieut. Emerson Goodenough, of the Artillery, was so severely wounded he was compelled to suffer the amputation of his arm at the shoulder. The accident was caused by some neglect of the usual custom in man- aging the field-piece. This sad event occasioned a sudden stop to the exercises of that day; but on the next appointed time for the display of Brattleboro chiv- alry, all thoughts of danger seemed for- gotten, and the inspiring sounds from Greenleaf, Sartwell, Joy, Pettes, &c., aroused a martial spirit that could be satiated alone by the explosion of gun- powder in the faces of ideal enemies.
In the excitement and hurry of action there has been, we learn, a neglect to withdraw the ramrod from the gun before the charge was fired. This, with many other liabilities of accident, makes it sur- prising that there were so few casualties, so few really sad occasions to record.
The artillery has ever been considered an indispensable element in celebrations of the Fourth of July. With memories of our youth and joyful anticipations, there come, like remembered music, recol- lections of the heavy echoes of the guns of this company-mellowed and softened by distance-when fired in the early morn- ing of our national anniversary. These venerable brass pieces, when not in use,
were stored under the old church, on the Common. Under the same building, waiting for sad, needful occasions, was
"The solemn hearse. and waving plume,"
keeping company with these instruments of death, under the house of God. These objects separately had each a deep signifi- cance, but in their association they gave additional importance to each other, and brave was that boy who would venture alone into their awful presence.
In 1837, Capt. Jonathan Davis revived. the expiring embers of military enthu- siasm in this company. A new uniform was procured, and the wood-work of the guns was repaired and newly painted. This proved to be the last revival, before the final dissolution, of the organization. The wheels and other wood-work of the guns rotted away or disappeared, and for- years nothing was seen to remind us of the old glory but two heavy, lonesome old brass cannon, lying under Capt. Lord's horse-shed. Unreverenced and unappre- ciated as they were, they could not die or decay, as had all else with whom they had been associated in the early days of their advent here.
A demagogue or politician would some- times drag them from obscurity to an- nounce party success; but rarely were they called upon, as in days gone by, to proclaim the glory of the nation, in the dim, misty light of early morning. The sensitive temperament of one of this long- united couple could bear this indignity no longer, and has left us, we have reason to believe, forever. When last heard from, it was nearly 100 miles away, "marching to the sea."
The military gatherings in this town, called musters, in which appeared com- panies from other towns, and sometimes attended by invited companies from out of the State, excited the universal atten- tion of the public, and crowds of both sexes attended these meetings or reviews. A resident of Augusta, Ga., but a native. of Connecticut, gave us the following in- formation :-
"From 1815 to '23, I lived in Brattle- boro, and during this period I attended a military muster in that town. Col. Henry Jones Blake was in command, and he well understood his duty. When marching
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through Main street, the military bands of the several companies united. I know not how many wind instruments were in operation, but I counted 50 drums, and ten of them were large bass drums. The noise made by this band exceeded any- thing of the kind I have ever heard since; but the most pleasing impression left upon my mind was the address, action and elegant appearance of Col. Blake." [Son of J. W. Blake, Esq., first postmaster, 1790.]
Col. Blake was, if we are rightly in- formed, in the war of 1812, and had a military education.
Of other regimental commanders who have made this their place of residence, were : Gen. Mann; Gen. Jonathan Hunt ; Col. Paul Chase; Col. Joseph Goodhue; Gen. Jonathan Smith; Col. Lewis Henry; Gen. F. H. Fessenden; Col. Nathan Mil- ler; Col. Albert Bennett; Col. Arnold J. Hines, and there were probably others whose names do not occur to us. They have mostly or all disappeared, and now it is more difficult to find the holiday soldier of the halcyon days of 1825, than it then was to find a living relic of the Revolu- tionary war.
Before daylight, one muster-day morn- ing, in 1826, the "Guilford Light Infant- ry," with loud music, awakened the slumbering citizens of this place. Capt. Phillip Martin-the oldest captain in the regiment-then commanded this company, and only about a dozen years had passed since he had marched through this place with 16 Guilford soldiers, on their way to Plattsburgh. These facts, with the com- mendable virtue of early rising, and being the first company on duty, seemed to entitle this company to such considera- tion as to offer them position upon the right wing of the regiment.
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