USA > Vermont > Early history of Vermont, Vol. III > Part 17
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Early in Angust of 1814, General Macomb and Bissell, under the command of Gen. Izard were, at Champlain with eleven regiments, watching the 17
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British, a considerable body of whom, under the personal observation of Prevost, had concentrated at Isle aux Noix. Gen. Izard was ordered to march four thousand of his men to the Niagara frontier. This left Gen. Macomb with only 3,400 men, 1,400 of which were invalids. Gen. Izard protested against this detachment being sent to Niagara and wrote to the Secretary of War on August 11th that, "I will make the movement [westward ] you direct, if possible; but I shall do it with the appre- hension of risking the force under my command, and with certainty that every thing in this vicinity but the lately erected works at Plattsburgh and Cumberland Head will, in less than three days after my departure, be in the possession of the enemy. He is in force superior to mine in front; he daily threatens an attack on my position at Champlain ; we are all in hourly expectation of a serious conflict."
On the 29th of August Gen. Izard left Cham- plain and Chazy with his army for the West. On August 30th the British under Gen. Brisbane oc- cupied Champlain, and Prevost with his splendidly equipped army occupied the same place and made preparation for an advance as soon as his flotilla could co-operate. Gen. Alexander Macomb was an excellent army officer; he entered the army in 1799, and had risen by promotion through the several grades to Brig. General in 1814, and after- wards in 1828, to Maj. General and commander of the U. S. Army. He was in the battle at Sackett's Harbor, Fort Niagara, Fort George, and at Platts- burgh, and took the field for a time in the Florida
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War. His first work, under the circumstances in which he was placed, with a formidable British army to contend with, was to call upon New York and Vermont for reinforcements and to strengthen the three forts and block-house lying on the right bank of Saranac River at Plattsburgh and com- manding the territory to the shore of the lake.
Of these, Fort Brown was garrisoned by detach- ments of Vermonters from the 30th and 31st in- fantry. Macomb sent out partis to retard the ad- vance of the enemy and to annoy them as much as possible, but the small force could not stay their progress. And the American skirmishers were driven across the Saranac, but they took up the bridge behind them. These detachments that had been sent out to annoy the enemy did good service during the day before they recrossed the river. The report of the affair given from the headquarters at Plattsburgh Sept. 7, 1814, stated, "In the afternoon, the militia met the British regulars in the woods near the Saranac river, and after disputing the passage of that stream for some time, the enemy retired with considerable loss. Here the militia did their duty, and it is by meeting the enemy in the woods, and flanking and annoying him on all occasions, that the most essen- tial service can be rendered by them. The killed and wounded on our part is trifling. That of the enemy is reported to be from two to three hundred. "Capt. Sheldon has been directed by Gen. Ma_ comb to call on all volunteers, and request that they report immediately to the scene of action."
In this brave work a detachment of Vermonters
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of the 30th and 31st U. S. regulars served under Gen. Wool.
On Aug. 31, 1814, Gen. Macomb, then at Platts- burgh, addressed a letter to Governor Chittenden in which he stated, that the enemy were advancing in full force and had crossed the Chazy at Cham- plain Village, and suggesting that he throw a detachment over the lake so as to advance to his assistance on the road leading from Essex, and on September 4th he wrote the Governor again that he had learned that the enemy " will march for this place with his whole force this morning and that the enemy must beseige us, as our works are now in a tolerable state of defence." He also said much is at stake and aid is actually wanted, and am sure you will not hesitate to afford us all the assistance in your power. The Governor replied from Jericho September 4th that I "shall take the most effectual measures to furnish such number of volunteers as may be induced to turn out to your assistance; " and on the same date the Governor wrote Gen. John Newell, and recommended that he take the most effectual method to procure such number of volunteers as may be had for his imme- diate assistance from his brigade, and advised that the troops cross the lake at McNeil's Ferry. General Newell answered the letter September 5th from Charlotte, and wrote, "If I rightly under- stand your letter, I can perceive no request, or order, from your excellency, directing me to have the militia under my command, or any portion of them, march to Plattsburgh, or any other place, for the assistance of Gen. Macomb, or for any
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other purposes. From your letter, therefore, I consider myself unauthorized to order out any portion of the militia under my command, or to do more than your excellency has recommended, namely, to offer my advice, which may be followed or not. As I consider myself, with the brigade I command, fully under your direction and control, and as our assistance is requested, and seems very much needed at Plattsburgh, I regret that your excellency has not ordered either the whole or a portion of this brigade to their assistance, as I shall cheerfully obey any request, direction or order you may give, to repair to Plattsburgh, or any other place, to assist in opposing the enemy, pro- tecting our territory and citizens, and in defending our country from invasion ; " and on the same day the Governor wrote Gen. Newell "I do not consider myself authorized, either by the Constitution or laws under which we act and from which all our powers are derived, to order the militia out of the State, but considering the peculiar situation of the army at Plattsburgh, it was my desire that every aid, constitutionally in our power, should be afforded." On September 7th Col. Elias Fassett made a request to the Governor for a quantity of ammunition that was at Vergennes, and the Gov- ernor gave him an order for the same, also strongly recommended to him to use every exertion to pro- cure such number of volunteers, from his brigade, as could immediately be induced to cross the lake to the assistance of the army at Plattsburgh.
Gen. Samuel Strong, who was with the troops at Plattsburgh, wrote Governor Chittenden on
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September 10th, the day before the battle, that "from the best information I can obtain, the enemy are 8,000 or 9,000 strong, all regular troops, except a few. * *
I have been up the * river (Saranac) this morning, five or six miles, which was lined with the enemy on the north side. They have made several attempts to cross, but without success. This is the line to be defended. I have ascertained to a certainty, the number of militia from Vermont now on the ground, well armed, is 1812 men; from New York 700; regular troops under Gen. Macomb are 2000. We have strong expectations of 2000 detached militia, or-
dered out by Gen. Moore, arriving soon. * * I hope you and your friends will send four or fire thousand to our assistance as soon as possible, if you should think best. If not, we shall, if our courage holds out, keep close to them. Do not, sir, let my wish turn you, from correct principles, you have heretofore persued, as Governor of Ver- mont."
On Sept. 11, 1814, at 7 o'clock P. M. Gen. Strong wrote the Governor as follows :
"DEAR SIR, -- We are now encamped, with 2500 Vermont volunteers, on the south bank of the Sar- anac River, opposite the enemy's right wing, which is commanded by General Brisbane. We have had the satisfaction to see the British fleet strike to our brave Commodore Macdonough. The fort was attacked at the same time, the enemy attempting to cross the river at every place fordable for four miles up the river. But they were foiled at every attempt, except at Pike's encampment, where we
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now are. The New York militia are posted at this place, under Gens. Moore and Wright. They were forced to give back a few miles, until they were reinforced by their artillery. The General informed me of his situation, and wished our assistance, which was readily afforded. We met the enemy, and drove him across the river, under cover of his artillery. Our loss is trifling. We took twenty or thirty prisoners. Their number of killed is not known. We have been skirmishing all day on the river. This is the only place he crossed, and he has paid dear for that. I presume the enemy's force exceeds the number I wrote you. What will be our fate to-morrow, I know not, but am will- ing to risk the consequences attending it, being convinced of the bravery and skill of my officers and men. We are abundantly supplied with am- munition and provisions, from Gen. Macomb. I am, dear Sir, yours, with esteem, SAMUEL STRONG. "His Excellency, Martin Chittenden.
"If God permits, you shall hear from me again, soon."
As cautious and careful as Governor Chittenden was, respecting what he regarded his right and duty not to order the militia out of the State to be commanded by United States officers, he called for volunteers, and his call was responded to, not only in the western counties, nearest the scene of con- flict, by men who arrived in time to take part, but from central and eastern Vermont as well. Irre- spective of party, opinion or age, the people turned out-father and son, veterans of the Revolution and lads too young for military service-all pressed
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towards the lake. Had Prevost carried Platts- burgh and undertaken to winter at Ticonderoga, the Vermonters alone would have forced his army to surrender. Doubtless it was this apprehension of danger from the Green Mountain Boys, which filled the mind of Burgoyne in 1777, and the same apprehension induced Prevost to invade New York rather than Vermont.
General Prevost on the 11th arranged his land forces in two columns preparatory to the com- mencement of the action. One of the columns was stationed over the Saranac and the other in the vil- lage, ready to move whenever circumstances should demand. Such was the situation when the British fleet sailed into Plattsburgh Bay under Captain Downie where they found the United States squad- ron ready to meet them. The British opened their batteries by land as soon as the engagement be- tween the fleets commenced. The main body of the British for ceattempted to cross the river in the rear of the fort near Pike's cantonment, which at- tempt, after a brave resistance from three hundred and fifty of the New York and Vermont volunteers, was effected, but on the arrival of Lieut. Sump- ter's artillery, the enemy made a precipitate re- treat. The rear of the retreating party were at- tacked by the Vermont volunteers who succeeded in capturing three officers and several privates. Five of the Americans were killed and and eight wounded. When the shouts of victory at half past eleven resounded through the American lines an- nouncing the result of the battle on the lake, the efforts of the enemy were perceptably weaker. In
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the afternoon their entrenchments were deserted, and in the night succeeding, the enemy's whole force commenced a retreat to Canada.
Commodore Macdonough commanding the American Squadron made to the Secretary of the Navy the following report Sept. 13, 1814, of his battle with the British fleet, viz :
"I have the honor to give you the particulars of the action which took place on the 11th instant on this lake. For several days the enemy were on their way to Plattsburgh by land and water, and it being understood that an attack would be made at the same time by their land and naval forces, I determined to wait at anchor the approach of the latter.
"At S A. M. the lookout boat announced the approach of the enemy. At 9 he anchored in a line ahead, at about three hundred yards distance from my line; his ship opposed to the Saratoga, his brig to the Eagle, Capt. Robert Henley, his galleys, thirteen in number, to the schooner, sloop, and a division of our galleys; one of his sloops assisting their ship and brig, the other assisting their galleys; our remaining galleys with the Sara- toga and Eagle. In this situation, the whole force on both sides, became engaged, the Saratoga suffering much from the heavy fire of the Confiance. I could perceive, at the same time, however, that our fire was very destructive to her. The Ticon- deroga, Lieutenant Commandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of the action. At half past ten o'clock, the Eagle, not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable, and anchored in a
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more eligible position, between my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately leaving me exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's brig. Our guns on the starboard side being nearly all dismounted or not manageable, a stern anchor was let go, the bower cable cut, and the ship winded, with a fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which soon after surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which surrendered in about fifteen minutes after.
"The sloop that was opposed to the Eagle had struck some time before, and drifted down the line; the sloop which was with their galleys having struck also; three of their galleys are said to be sunk, the others pulled off. Our galleys were about obeying, with alacrity, the signal to follow them, when all the vessels were reported to me to be in a sinking state; it then became necessary to annul the signal to the galleys, and order their men to the pumps. I could only look at the enemy's galleys going off in a shattered condition, for there was not a mast in either squadron that would stand to make sail on; the lower rigging, being nearly all shot away, hung down as though it had been just placed over the mast-heads.
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"The Saratoga had fifty-five round shot in her hull; the Confiance one hundred and five. The enemy's shot passed principally just over our heads, as there were not twenty whole hammocks in the nettings at the close of the action, which lasted, without intermission, two hours and twenty minutes.
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" The absence and sickness of Lieutenant Ray- mond Perry left me without the services of that excellent officer. Much fairly ought to be at- tributed to him for his great care and attention in disciplining the ship's crew, as her first lieutenant. His place was filled by a gallant young officer, Litutenant Peter Gamble, who, I regret to inform. you, was killed early in the action. Acting Lieu- tenant Vallette worked the first and second divi- sions of guns, with able effect. Sailing Master Brum's attention to the springs, and in the execu- tion of the order to wind the ship, and occasionally at the guns, meets with my entire approbation ; also Captain Young's, commanding the acting marines, who took his men to the guns. Mr. Beale, purser, was of great service at the guns, and in carrying my orders throughout the ship, with Midshipman Montgomery. Master's Mate Joshua Justin had command of the third division; his conduct during the action was that of a brave and correct officer. Midshipmen Monteath, Gra- ham, Williamson, Platt, Thwing, and Acting Mid- shipman Baldwin, all behaved well, and gave evi- dence of their making valuable officers.
"The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot from the enemy's ship.
"I close, sir, this communication with feelings of gratitude for the able support I received from every officer and man attached to the squadron which I have the honor to command."
The Purser on board of the United States ship Saratoga September 13th, wrote to Thomas Mac- donough commanding the United States Squadron
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that, "From the best information received from the British officers, from my own observations, and from various lists found on board the Confi- ance, I calculate the number of men on board of that ship, at the commencement of the action at 270, of whom 180 at least were killed and wounded, and on board the other captured vessels, at least eighty more, making in the whole, killed and wounded, 260. This doubtless is short of the real number, as many were thrown overboard from the Confiance during the engagement." The prisoners captured from the British were 27 officers, 340 seamen and 47 wounded men paroled. The forces engaged was 86 guns and 820 men in the United States Squadron, and 95 guns and 1050 men in the British Squadron. Measuring by the size of the guns in pound balls the U. S. Squadron carried 2140 and the British 1880. This shows the British were superior in the number of guns and men, and the United States superior in the cal- ibre of the guns.
Robert Henley commanding the United States Brig Eagle reported on September 14th, "I am happy to inform you that all my officers and men acted bravely and did their duty in the battle of yesterday with the enemy. We have thirty-nine round shot in our hull, (mostly twenty-four pounders,) four in our lower mastes, and were all peppered with grape."
Stephen Cassin, Lieutenant Commandent of the U. S. Schooner Ticonderoga, reported to Macdon- ough Sept. 12th, " It is with pleasure I state that every officer and man under my command
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did their duty yesterday." The Americans in this naval engagement lost in killed 52 and wounded 58 men. The prize money, distributed to the officers and men of the U. S. Squadron for the capture of the British vessels on Lake Cham- plain Sept. 11, 1814, amounted to $290,438.19; Macdonough received $22,807, and in addition to that Vermont and New York gave him farms ; so he said he became a wealthy man from a poor officer.
The Vermont volunteers poured in rapidly to Plattsburgh down to and including the 11 Sept. and reported to Gen. Strong and not to Gen. Maconmb.
Gen. Prevost after the battle did not remain to conduct the retreat of his army. As soon as the battle was over and before noon Prevost started for Canada with a small escort; he dated his report at Plattsburgh on the 11th but it was not written until he was safe in Montreal.
Gen. Alexander Macomb's general order and report of the battle dated at Plattsburgh Sept. 14, 1814, is as follows :
"The Governor General of the Canadas, and Commander in Chief of the British forces in North America, having invaded the territories of the United States, with the avowed purpose of con- quering the country as far as Crown Point and Ticonderoga, there to winter his forces with a view to further conquest, brought with him a powerful army and flotilla. An army amounting to fourteen thousand men completely equipped and accompanied by a numerous train of artillery, and
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all the engines of war-men who had conquered in · France, Spain, Portugal, the Indies, and in various other parts of the globe-and led by the most dis- tinguished General of the British army; a flotilla also, superior to ours in vessels, men, and guns, had determined at once to crush us both by land and water.
"The Governor General, after boasting of what he would do, and endeavoring to dissuade the loyal inhabitants of the United States from their allegiance by threats and promises, as set forth in his proclamation and orders, fixed his headquarters at the village of Champlain, to organize his army and to settle the government of his intended con- quests. On the second day of the month he marched from Champlain, and on the 6th ap- peared before the village of Plattsburgh with his whole army, and the 11th, the day fixed for the general attack, the flotilla arrived.
"The enemy's flotilla at 8 A. M. passed Cum- berland Head, and at 9 A. M. engaged our flotilla, at anchor in the bay of the town, fully confident of crushing in an instant the whole of our naval force; but the gallant Commodore Macdonough, in the short space of two hours, obliged the large vessels to strike their colors, whilst the galleys saved themselves by flight. This glorious achieve- ment was in full view of the several forts, and the American forces had the satisfaction of witnessing the victory. The British army was also posted on the surrounding heights, so that it could not but behold the interesting struggle for dominion on the lake.
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"At the same time the fleets engaged, the enemy opened his batteries on our forts, throwing hun- dreds of shells, balls, and rockets, and attempted at the same time to cross the Saranac, at three different points, to assault the works. At the upper ford he was met by the militia and volun- teers, and after repeated attempts, was driven back with considerable loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. At the bridge, near the village, he was repulsed by the pickets and the brave riflemen under Captain Grosvenor and Lieutenants Hamil- ton and Riley, and at the bridge in the town he was foiled by the guards, block-houses, and the artillery of the forts, served by Capt. Alexander S. Brooks, Captains Richards and Smith, and Lieuts. Mountford, Smyth and Cromwell. The enemy's fire was returned with effect from our bat- teries, and by sunset we had the satisfaction to silence seven batteries which he had erected, and see his column returning to their camp, beyond the reach of our guns ..
"Thus beaten, by land and by water, the Gov- ernor General withdrew his artillery and raised the siege at 10 o'clock at night, sent off his heavy baggage, and under cover of the darkness, returned with his whole army towards Canada ; leaving his wounded on the field, and a great quantity of bread, flonr, and beef, which he had not time to destroy, besides a quantity of bomb-shells, flints, and ammunition of all kinds, which remain at the batteries, and concealed in ponds and rivers. As soon as his retreat was discovered, the light troops, volunteers, and militia were in pursuit and followed
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as far Chazy, capturing several dragoons and soldiers, besides covering the escapes of hundreds of deserters, who continue still to be coming in. A violent storm and continual fall of rain prevented the brave volunteers and militia from further pur- suit.
"Thus have the attempts of the invader been frustrated by a regular force of only 1500 men, a brave and active body of militia of the State of New York under Gen. Moore, and volunteers of the respectable and patriotic citizens of Vermont, led by General Strong and other gentlemen of dis- tinction. The whole not exceeding 2500 men.
"The British force being either expelled or cap- tured, the services of the volunteers and militia may be dispensed with. General Macomb cannot, however, permit the militia of New York and the volunteers of Vermont to depart without car- rying with them the highest sense he entertains for their merit. The zeal with which they came forward in defence of the country when the signal of danger was given by their Generals, reflects the highest lustre on their patriotism and spirit. Their conduct in the field has corresponded with the laudable motives which led them into it. They have deserved the esteem of their fellow citizens and the warm commendation of their commander. They have exemplified how speedly American citi- zens can be prepared to meet the enemies of their country. In testifying his sense of the merits of the troops, the General cannot but express his sor- row and regret for the loss of some brave and vir- tuous citizens, and for those who have been
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wounded; the loss will no doubt be keenly felt by their friends and countrymen, but, at the same time, will be borne with that fortitude and resig- nation which become good citizens and good Christians.
"The affection of the General will accompany his brave associates in arms wheresoever they may go, nor will anything give him more pleasure than opportunities of testifying to them individually, by actions as well as words, the high regard he cherishes for them.
"The General, in the name of the United States, thanks the volunteers and militia for their distin- guished services, and wishes them a happy return to their families and friends."
The American loss upon land from September, 6th, to and including the 11th was 37 killed, 62 wounded, and 20 missing : the British loss includ- ing deserters was not less than twenty-five hun- dred. The British vessels bore as ballast, cannon and other munitions of war, and winter clothing for the army, and if their squadron had been vic- torious, they doubtless would have attempted to winter at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, but if the attempt had been made, there are reasonable grounds to believe, a greater disaster would have befallen them.
"Among the many acts of valour performed by the Vermont volunteers, we notice the following brave exploit: The inhabitants of Orwell, to the amount of two hundred and forty, had marched, on the first report of approaching danger, to Plattsburgh, and tendered their services to the 13
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