USA > Vermont > Addison County > History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 35
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TOWN OF MIDDLEBURY.
They complained that there had not been a fair draft; that they had been selected instead of being drafted; and consulted Mr. Seymour on the subject. He inquired whether they had any evidence of unfairness. When they replied that they had no available evidence, he advised them to shoulder their muskets and go to the war. Judge Howe was soon appointed secretary to Gen. Orms; Judge Phelps, after serving some time in the ranks, received from Mr. Madison the appointment of paymaster ; Walter Sheldon, before the troops were called into service, was appointed a lieutenant, and served as district paymaster in the regular service. But Kellogg declined any promotion, and preferred to carry his musket in the ranks, which he did during the term for which the brigade was ordered into service. About the 10th of April, 1814, it was reported and understood that a part of the British fleet was seen off Cumberland Head, and their design was supposed to be to attack and burn the American fleet in Ot- ter Creek, in and near Vergennes. On the request of Gen. Wilkinson of the United States army, Gov. Chittenden of Vermont immediately issued an order by a messenger to Colonel Sumner, of Middlebury, commander of a regiment in this county, to call out his regiment, and forthwith to march them en masse to Vergennes for the protection of the fleet. At the time there were few, if any, United States troops at that place. Three of the companies of the regi- ment belonged to Middlebury, viz., a company of light infantry, commanded by Capt. Samuel H. Holley; a company of cavalry, commanded by Capt. John Hacket, and the standing or flood wood company, under the command of Lieut. Justus Foot-the captain being for some reason absent. The order was received by them on Monday, the 12th of April, and promptly obeyed. The companies were ready to march as early as the middle of the afternoon of the day on which the order was received. Lieut. Foot's company was, about
that time, paraded on the common, and was dismissed under the order to meet at eight o'clock the next morning on the hill just south of Vergennes. A large part of the company, having left their ranks, were immediately on their way to to the place of rendezvous the next morning, each one looking out himself a place to lodge during the leisure hours he might have in reaching the place of meeting at 8 o'clock in the morning. Capt. Allen (who came into the town only a week before, a stranger to nearly all the company, and wholly without equipments or other preparations), and a few others, started too late to reach the place at the appointed time, and found the company quartered in a barn at Vergennes."
The report which occasioned this alarm proved to be without foundation ; no British fleet appeared. Governor Chittenden, who was at Vergennes in consultation with Commodore MacDonough, therefore issued an order on the 19th of April to Colonel Sumner to the effect that the .commodore " will be competent to protect the flotilla under his command, after he shall get the gal- leys now on the stocks afloat," and instructed the colonel, "in the event of the
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
galleys being launched to permit the militia under his command to return to their homes, except Captain William C. Munson's company from Panton, who will remain until further orders"; and that the troops shall be held "in com- plete readiness to march on the shortest notice, without further orders, to meet any invasion the enemy may attempt." This was evidence of the old Green Mountain spirit which had filled the State during the Revolution. On the 22d of April an order was issued to Colonel Sumner stating that the governor " has received intelligence that a regiment of the United States army at Platts- burgh had been ordered to proceed to Vergennes for the defense of the naval force "; adding, "Colonel Sumner will therefore, on the arrival of the troops, proceed to discharge the whole detachment under his command." Four days later the order for discharge was carried out. Ozias Seymour related the fol- lowing incident to Dr. Swift, relative to this particular period : "A few hours before the troops were relieved, Colonel Sumner called his officers to a council of war, to determine what should be done. Commodore MacDonough was invited to be present and express his opinion. The commodore, in reply to their inquiry, said, in substance : 'Gentlemen, I am willing to compromise this matter with you. If you will take your militia home, I will take care of the fleet. I am vastly more in danger from your men than from the enemy.' The occasion of this pleasantry, on the part of MacDonough, is said to have been that one of the militia men in a room occupied as a guard-house, directly under the commodore, accidentally discharged his musket, which sent its con- tents through MacDonough's floor, passing near his person, as he sat at his table."
In the month of May following, a British fleet, comprising a brig, three sloops and thirteen galleys, came up the lake from St. Johns, passed Burlington on the 12th and came to off Fort Cassin, at the mouth of the creek; a brisk fire was opened on the fort, with the purpose of opening a passage up the creek and destroying the American vessels before they were ready for active service. The fire on the fort was not, however, long continued, and was re- turned vigorously from the works; the fleet was thereby driven off and re- turned to Canada.
In the early part of September, 1814, the advance of the British under Governor Provost, of Canada, with 14,000 troops, led to the decisive battle of Plattsburgh. On the 6th of that month the advance of the British was met by a reconnoitering party of Americans, and a skirmish ensued, in which several Americans were killed. Great alarm and a general rally throughout the sur- rounding country followed. Messengers were sent to all parts of this State, and the spirit of patriotism was abroad.
" On the 4th of September," quoting from Judge Swift, " General Macomb wrote to Hon. Martin Chittenden, governor of Vermont, giving notice of the near approach of the enemy, and said: 'Much is at stake at this place, and aid
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is actually wanted, as the garrison is small, and the enemy in considerable force. Under these circumstances, your excellency, I am sure, will not hesitate to afford us all the assistance in your power.' Governor Chittenden, on the same day, replied : ' I shall take the most effectual measures to furnish such number of volunteers as may be induced to turn out for your assistance.' On the same day, also, he enclosed a copy of General Macomb's letter to General Newell, of Charlotte, commander of the brigade in that neighborhood, 'which,' he says, ' will show you the situation of our army at Plattsburgh, and the neces- sity of such assistance as can be afforded. I would recommend it to you to take the most effectual method to procure such number of volunteers as may be had for his immediate assistance from your brigade.' Colonel Fassett, of the United States army, on the 7th of September, wrote to Governor Chitten- den, saying : ' I learn by Mr. Wadsworth that there is a considerable quantity of fixed ammunition at Vergennes, subject to your order. Can I have a part of it for the volunteers ? Please inform me by my son.' To which Governor Chittenden replied the same day : ' If there is any [fixed ammunition] subject to my order, this letter may be considered a sufficient order for such part of same as may be wanted.'"
In every town of this region volunteers sprang to arms, and general mili- tary enthusiasm prevailed. The troops were not generally organized until they reached Burlington, where they met together and were detailed for passage across the lake. In Middlebury General Hastings Warren, whose name has already been mentioned, made the first direct effort to raise troops. As early as the 6th or 7th of September he appeared on the village common, with mar- tial music, and solicited volunteers. In marching around the common forty or fifty men fell into the ranks, to whom others were added later. Those who for any reason could not volunteer, aided the good cause with liberal contributions of money. The following subscription paper is existent, upon which money was raised for the purchase of ammunition and supplies :
" MIDDLEBURY, September, 1814.
" We, the subscribers, promise to pay Daniel Chipman, Ira Stewart and Jonathan Hagar the sums annexed to our names respectively, to be appropri- ated by the said Daniel, Ira and Jonathan, as a committee, in providing those who shall turn out to defend the country against the invasion, at the present alarm, with ammunition, arms, and other necessaries, and in their discretion to give pecuniary aid to such as shall turn out who are needy, or their families.
Horatio Seymour. $30.00
Joel Doolittle $10.00
Peter Starr 10.00
Lavius Fillmore 10.00
Milo Cook 10.00
W. G. Hooker 10.00
Luther Hagar 5.00
Jonathan Haga 30.00
Elisha Brewster. 5.00
Moses Leonard. 5.00
Ira Stewart. 30.00
Samuel Mattocks 5.00
William Slade, Jr 5.00
Daniel Chipman 30.00
David Page, Jr. 35.00
S. S. Phelps 5.00
Haskall & Brooks
10.00
Thomas Hagar 10.00
Eben W. Judd 20.00
$275.00"
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
General Warren and his volunteers, with many others, did not reach the camp ground until the evening of Saturday, the day preceding the battle, and some not until next morning ; others did not arrive until after the battle was fought. General Samuel Strong, of Vergennes, father of Samuel P. Strong, was placed in command of the Vermont volunteers. Major Lyman, of the same place, was appointed colonel. General Warren was first chosen captain of the Middlebury troops, but afterwards advanced to the rank of major, and performed the part of a brave and efficient officer. Captain Silas Wright, of Weybridge, as captain commanded the volunteers of that town and Cornwall, and after the promotion of General Warren the Middlebury men were placed in his or other companies. Jehiel Saxton, of Bristol, was captain, and Daniel Collins, of Monkton, lieutenant, of the troops of those towns ; and John Mor- ton, of Salisbury, was captain of the troops of that town. Dr. Zacheus Bass, of Middlebury, went on with General Warren as surgeon, and was employed in the Crab Island hospital in caring for the wounded after the battle.
In the battle the Vermont volunteers did not suffer severely. Dr. Swift quotes the wounding of James Riley, of Weybridge, from the effects of which he afterward died. Bethuel Goodrich was slightly wounded in the foot, and Dr. Bullard, of Weybridge, extracted the ball on the field. Major Lyman died from the effects of a fever contracted in the service, and was greatly lamented.
The number of troops who went from Middlebury is not known exactly, but is supposed to have been between one hundred and fifty and two hundred ; among them was Dr. Swift, from whose work we have so often quoted, who then held the office of secretary to the Governor and Council, and acted in that capacity, which gave him exceptional opportunities for observation. Of the gallant MacDonough, with whom he was well acquainted, he speaks in the highest terms.
The following extracts from General Strong's communications to Governor Chittenden show the condition of the Vermont troops before and after the battle ; on the 10th (the day before the engagement) he wrote as follows: "I have been up the river this morning five or six miles, which was lined with the enemy on the north side. They have made several attempts to cross, but with- out success. This is the line that is to be defended. I have ascertained, to a certainty, the number of militia from Vermont, now on the ground well armed, is 1,812; from New York, 700; regular troops under General Macomb, he says, 2,000. He treated me very kindly." "We have very strong expecta- tions of 2,000 detached militia, ordered out by General Mooers, arriving soon." "I hope you and our friends will send four or five thousand to our assistance as soon as possible." September II, Sunday, 7 o'clock, P. M., he wrote again : " We are now encamped, with 2,500 Vermont volunteers, on the south side of the Saranac, 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
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TOWN OF MIDDLEBURY.
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 encamp- ment, where we now are. The New York militia were posted at the place, un- der Generals Mooers and Wright. They were forced to give way a few miles until they were reinforced by their artillery. The general informed me of his situation, and wished for 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 banks of 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 I am willing to risk the consequences attending it, being convinced of the bravery and skill of my officers and men."
Nothing serious happened " on the morrow," for the defeat of the British fleet was the signal for the retreat of the entire British army for Canada. A recruiting station was kept up at Middlebury during the whole of the war, and it is believed that about two hundred and fifty men from the towns of Addison county enlisted in the regular army.
Later General History .- The renewed reign of peace and the escapes from the ravages of the epidemic were soon followed by the advent of what is known as " the cold summer "-the season of 1816, and extending in its consequences into that of 1817. This was one of the most remarkable summers ever known in this country ; severe frosts occurred in every month and snow fell almost in midsummer ; crops were destroyed, and a scarcity ensued in some sections that amounted almost to a famine. But this locality was more fortunate than many others, being less affected by the extreme cold. A more detailed ac- count of this remarkable period has been given in an earlier chapter.
But the inhabitants of Addison county were not of the kind to despair at ordinary or extraordinary adversities ; their labors for the upbuilding of so- ciety, the improvement of farms, the establishment of manufactures, schools and churches progressed unceasingly ; and this town was one of the foremost in advancement. The little hamlet of Middlebury, which in 1793 contained, according to the description of Jabez Rogers, only sixty-two buildings of all kinds, had increased in 1813 to three hundred and sixteen, among which were " fourteen warestores." Middlebury College was becoming a well-known and successful institution of learning, with a spreading reputation extending far be- yond the county. The period from 1810 to 1820 was one of particularly rapid growth in the village in all of its material interests, while at the same time the farmers of the town were transforming their homes into clear and tillable fields. The lumber industry was in early years one of considerable importance in this town. Before the opening of the northern canal to White-
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
hall, in 1823, lumber was drawn by teams the entire distance to Troy. Deacon David Boyce tells us that his father took three loads there in one season. With the opening of the canal and the great development of the lake com- merce, markets were brought nearer at the various docks on the lake shore-a state of affairs that continued until the building of the railroad.
In the year 1826, when the population of the town was about three thou- sand, and again in the fall of 1841, the town suffered severely from a species of disease which induced puerperal fever. In the first-named year there were thirty-five deaths between January I and April I, nine of them being caused by the disease mentioned, and removing many prominent women. In the other instance the mortality was scarcely less heavy.
Between the "Papineau War," a predicted war with France, the "bank mania," as it was termed, the approaching financial crisis, and the general activity in the political field, it was a stirring period from 1835 to 1838. The Vermont anti-slavery society had become of some importance in politics and held its second annual meeting in 1836 at Middlebury, with Samuel Cotting, a former manufacturer of wire screens, etc., here, as secretary. The local newspapers were over-burdened with political discussions, and the columns of the Middlebury Free Press and the Rutland Herald in particular bristled with invective. The Middlebury editor was characterized as " the restless, rattle- headed young man of the Free Press, late of the anti-Masonic party, but now hanging on the skirts of the Van Buren ranks," while he in return speaks of the editor of the Herald as " Grandfather Fay." Although Addison county,. as stated in an earlier chapter, escaped the disastrous results of that era to a greater extent than many other localities, still new enterprises of a mercantile or manufacturing character were abandoned for the time. General Jackson finally signed the distribution bill by which a large sum of surplus revenue was distributed among the various States, giving Vermont nearly half a million dollars, a measure that for a short time caused a feeling of encouragement ; but this was soon dispelled, and the remarkable financial "reign of terror" fol- lowed, the details of which have passed into general history.
The first locomotive engine ran into Middlebury on Saturday, September I, 1849, from Burlington, and was welcomed by the ringing of bells, firing of cannon, and the prolonged cheers of a large crowd of spectators. The first train of passenger cars came in on the 19th of the same month. The first through train from Burlington to Boston ran on December 18, 1849.
The first telegraph office, the "Troy and Montreal line," was opened in Middlebury February 1, 1848. The office was in the room over the present post-office and John W. Stewart was the first operator.
The railroad era in Vermont (if we may use the expression), occurring between the years 1840 and 1850, was one of importance in all sections. The inhabitants of the various towns had long felt the disadvantages arising from
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TOWN OF MIDDLEBURY.
their lack of rapid and cheap transportation to distant and more important business centers, and the opening of the first railroad directly affecting this county in December, 1849, was a welcome event to all classes; the days of long journeys with heavily loaded wagons or sleighs proceeding slowly west- ward were ended forever ; the lake transportation rapidly declined; wharves rotted away and warehouses were empty. Meanwhile the character of the agricultural interest underwent changes, and the present occupation of sheep- breeding and wool-producing gained a prominence that gives Addison county a name throughout the world.
Sheep Raising .- The reader has already learned of the general character of this very important industry throughout the county, in an earlier chapter ; to such proportions has it grown, and such skill and knowledge of their busi- ness have the Addison county breeders shown, that no other locality in the United States can now boast so exalted a reputation as this for the raising of blooded Merino sheep. The first breeders of importance in this town were William S. and Edwin Hammond, who began in 1844, and the business is now in the hands of their sons, George and Henry. In Judge Swift's work he says that " at this time (1855) the Messrs. Hammonds' flock numbers four hundred, including lambs." From that date on the Hammonds were indefatigable in intelligent efforts to improve their stock, and were very successful. In 1844 Edwin Hammond took up the breeding of what have been distinguished as the Atwood blood and did more, perhaps, than any other man in the county to improve that breed. It was Mr. Hammond's opinion before his death (which occurred in 1870) that there were better sheep in Addison county than in any other part of the world. W. R. Remele was also an early breeder in Middlebury and contemporaneous with the Hammonds, and he and his son Charles are still prominently engaged in the work in the west part of the town. Albert Chapman has a flock of thirty or forty of the Atwood sheep, and his son, C. A. Chapman, has also a small flock which are noted for their excellence. S. W. Remele has a flock north of the village, and O. P. Lee and U. D. Twitchell have also been conspicuous in this industry. Among others who are engaged in breeding in the town may be mentioned J. E. Buttolph, J. L. Buttolph, J. Wilcox, J. A. Wright, F. M. Foot, F. A. Foot and E. G. Piper. None of these latter is breeding the Atwood sheep.
The Vermont Atwood Merino Sheep Club has its headquarters in Middle- bury village, George Hammond being the present secretary ; a fact which gives that breed of sheep a degree of prominence in this vicinity that it might not otherwise have gained. On the other hand Middlebury is also the head- quarters of the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Association, with Albert Chapman as secretary; this is a powerful association and wields great influence in the industry. Middlebury consequently enjoys a reputation in this direction that places it among the foremost towns of the county. (For extended details the reader is referred to Chapter XIV.)
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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.
The breeding and sale of blooded horses in this town has also received much attention, as it has in other towns of the county. In past years the Morgan and Black Hawk breeds of horses were raised largely hereabouts, as explained in an earlier chapter. Joseph Battell, of Middlebury, is the leading horse-breeder of the town and gives much of his attention to his fine stock farm. He is at the present time mainly interested in the Lambert blood, of which he is the owner of several noted examples.
The Town in the War of the Rebellion .- A general account of the part taken by Addison county in the last great civil war has been given in an earlier chapter. Among the various towns of the county, none came forward with men and money to support the government in that struggle with greater alac- rity and liberality than Middlebury. The quotas under the various calls for volunteers were promptly filled, and the welfare of the soldiers were watched with jealous care. In the first Vermont regiment of three months men, Com- pany I was largely raised in this town and made up almost entirely of the old Middlebury Light Guards, formerly commanded by Captain Charles L. Rose. He went out with the company as first lieutenant and was mustered out with the regiment. The company was commanded by Eben S. Hayward; Oliver W. Heath, second lieutenant. The other officers of the company were as fol- lows : Sergeants, William V. Meeker, Middlebury ; James F. Bolton, Otis Abbey and Henry W. Bennett, of Middlebury; corporals, Oscar O. Boorsh, Wilson D. Wright, Middlebury ; John Q. Adams, Addison, and Isaac N. Collins, Middlebury ; musicians, John W. Taylor and Alanson L. Abbey, Middlebury.
The next company which was largely raised in Middlebury was Company B, of the Fifth Regiment, which went out under command of Charles W. Rose, of Middlebury ; he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Fourteenth Ver- ment Regiment on the 25th of September, 1862. The other officers of the company were Wilson D. Wright, of Middlebury, first lieutenant ; he was wounded at Savage's Station, June 29, 1862, and honorably discharged there- for August 23, 1862 ; Olney A. Comstock, second lieutenant, killed at Sav- age's Station; Charles H. Williamson, of Middlebury, who went out as a pri- vate in Company B, was promoted to sergeant, then to first sergeant, second lieutenant of Company K, and transferred to Company B, March 25, 1863; promoted first lieutenant November 1, 1863. Company F, of this regiment, also received many recruits from Middlebury, but was mainly raised in Corn- wall and Salisbury (see histories of those towns), and numerous other organi- zations were strengthened by volunteers from this town.
Company C, of the Seventh Regiment, contained a large number of Mid- dlebury men, as shown in the subsequent list, and was commanded by Captain Henry M. Porter, of this town. He was a gallant and efficient officer and won rapid advancement ; was promoted to major August 28, 1862; to lieutenant-
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colonel June 29, 1865, and commissioned colonel September 2, 1865. Charles McCormic, who enlisted as a private in this company, rose through the inter- mediate offices and received a commission as first lieutenant October 28, 1864. Isaac N. Collins, of Middlebury, enlisted as private in this company and was commissioned second lieutenant January 28, 1863 ; he resigned in October of that year.
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