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CHAPTER XXVI.

INCIDENTS OF THE WAR OF 1812.

the time of the-declaration of war by our government against Great Britain, in June, 1812, party spirit had risen, between the Federalists and Republicans, to a state of greater asperity than has since been known, in consequence of the measures which had been adopted, in defence of the country, against the encroachments of the British and French, then at war. After the declaration of war, the friends of the administration felt bound to co-operate with and sustain them in every measure deemed necessary for its successful prosecution. The Federalists, who were opposed to the declaration of war, as being, as they alleged, unnecessary, impolitic and not tending to any hopeful result, felt no disposition to co-operate or aid in the prosecution, beyond the " letter of the law." The principal difference between the parties arose from their different construction of the power given by the constitution to the General Government over the militia of the several states. We have said so much in explanation of what may follow. But it is our business not to express any opinion as to their differences; but to confine ourselves to such occurrences as had some connection with incidents and proceedings in Middlebury. There being no records of those occurrences to which we can appeal, we are obliged to rely much on the recollection of the few survivors who remain; which, after nearly fifty years, are of course rather confused and contradictory. For many of the facts depending on recollection, we are indebted to Ozias Seymour, Esq.

Soon

after the declaration of war, in June, 1812, in pursuance of the act of Congress authorizing the President to call on the different states for detachments of militia, to the number of 100,000

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men, a brigade, consisting of four regiments, was called for from Vermont, under General Orms, of West Haven, and ordered into actual service, and was concentrated at Burlington. The men composing the brigade were designated by drafts, except when volunteers offered themselves. There were, at the time, five or six young gentlemen studying late in the office of Hon. Horatio Seymour, all of whom, as well as their instructor, were friends of the administration, and rather zealous supporters of the way; and, for that reason, the office was honored with the designation of the " War Office." Four or five of these were enrolled in the standing militia company, then under the command, we think, of Capt. Joseph D. Huntington. The company consisted of seventy or eighty non-commissioned officers and privates, and about thirteen were to be taken from the number. When the company was paraded for the draft, the officers called for volunteers, and suggested the expectation that the young gentlemen who were so zealous for the war,-referring particularly to the law students,-would have patriotism enough to volunteer. But none offered themselves. When the officers retired to make the draft, and returned to announce the result, it appeared that, among others, the following law students were drafted,-Hon. Zimri Howe, of Castleton ; the late Hon. Samuel S. Phelps, of Middlebury; Walter Sheldon, Esq., and the late John Kellogg, Esq., of Benson. 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, 7,81, it was reported and understood that a part of the British meet was seen off Cumberland Head, and their

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design was supposed to be to attack and burn the American fleet in Utter 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 Col. Summer, 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 regiment belonged to Middlebury; viz. a company of Light Infantry, commanded by Capt. Samuel H. Holley; a company of Cavalry, commanded by Capt. John Racket, and the standing or Flood Wood company, then under the command of Lieut. Justus Foot--the Captain being for some reason absent. The order was received by them on Monday, the 11th,or on Tuesday, 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 the place of rendezvous the next morning, each one looking out for 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 town only a week before, a stranger to nearly all the company, and wholly without equipments or other preparation,) and a few others, stared too late to reach the place at the appointed time, and found the company quartered in a barn at Vergennes.

Hon.

Joel Doolittle was then adjutant of the regiment, and Hon. Samuel S. Phelps had an appointment in the staff. Soon after the regiment reached Vergennes, Gen. Dunton, of Bristol, who commanded the brigade to which the regiment belonged, appeared and claimed the command. This claim was resisted by Col. Sumner, and an animated and somewhat amusing war of words ensued between the general and colonel, which was the most decidedly belligerent display the regiment was called on to witness.

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Lieut.

Foot was a Federalist, and being jealous of the rights of his company, became disaffected by the movements made in the organization of the troops, and refused to have his company mustered under the proposed arrangements. Their operations were therefore kept separate and independent of the other companies; and, on Saturday, the 16th, he gave a furlough to each of his men, under an order to be in readiness to return when called for.*

The

report, which occasioned the alarm, on the occasion referred to, turned out to be erroneous. No British fleet or signs of present danger appeared. Accordingly Governor Chittenden, who was at Vergennes, in consultation with Commodore Mac Donough,
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*Mr. Seymour's recollection of what he then and afterwards understood, is, that the ground of Foot's disaffection was, that he was unwilling to have his company mustered into service under United States officers. This at the time was a mooted question. Nahum Parker, Esq., who was a member of the company, agrees with Mr. Seymour in his recollection. Capt. Ira Allen, also a member of the company, states, as his recollection, that Foot objected only to the derangement of his company, by dividing it, and mixing it with others, to make it conform, In its organize. tion, to that of the United States army; that lie was willing the vacancy in the office of captain should be filled lay another person, but claimed the right to act as lieutenant of his own company, as it was ordered into the service. On the third clay, Capt. Allen and m few others, who had no guns and could get none, were dismissed, and returned home. On Saturday, as Allen learned from Foot, he received some official communication, in which he was recognized as commander of the company which lie brought there, and he took the liberty, as their commander, to give them a furlough until further orders. The same night, after his return home, Foot received an order from Col. Sumner, to return, and he went himself, the nest morning, without his men, and while there he and his men were discharged, as the other companies afterwards were, under an order to return when called for.

Mr.

Lorin Fillmore, also m member of the company, whose recollection is more minute and definite, states, in addition, that many of the companies were small, and when counted off into full companies, there were many supernumerary officer:, who were left out of the service, and among them Lieut. Foot; and a captain and lieutenant were appointed over his men from other towns, when this was reported to the company, and the new officers appeared to take the command, they unanimously decided not to submit to that organization: That on Thursday, Foot and his company marched out of the city, and were followed by the Colonel, Adjutant, and some other officers, who addressed them, and gave them encouragement that the organization should be altered; and thereupon the company returned to their quarters in the barn. But no alteration was made, and on Saturday furloughs were given to the company, as above stated. Ile also states that the militia mustered into the service were commanded and drilled by United States officers.

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on the 19th of April issued a general order to Col. Sumner, in which he states, that the Commodore " will be competent to protect the flotilla under his command, after he shall get the gallies now on the stocks afloat;" and directs the Colonel, "in the event of the gallies being launched to permit the militia under his command to return to their homes, except Capt. William C. Munson's company from Panton, who will remain until further orders ;" and that the troops were to be held " in complete readiness to march on the shortest notice, without further orders, to meet any invasion the enemy may attempt." On the 20th of April he issued another order, stating that he had agreed with the Commodore "on an alarm signal of three heavy guns, to be fired in rapid succession, in case of attack by the enemy," and giving the Colonel permission " to furlough the officers and soldiers, (Capt. Munson's company excepted) until further orders." On the 22d of the same month he issued a third general order to the Colonel, stating that he "has received intelligence, that a regiment of the United States army at Plattsburgh had been ordered to proceed to Vergennes, for the defence of the naval force;" and says- "Col. Summer will therefore on the arrival of these troops, proceed to discharge the whole detachment under his command." We learn from a man who belonged to that corps of United States troops, that on their arrival, which was about four days after the date of the order, the militia were dismissed. Mr. Seymour relates the following, as what he understood at the time. A few hours before the troops were relieved, Col. 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, accidently discharged his musket, which sent its contents through Mac Donough's floor, passing near his person, as he sat at his table. The

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result of the council was, that the regiment had leave to return to their homes, on an indefinite furlough, under orders to be in readiness to return at a moment's warning.

the month of May following, a British fleet, consisting of a brig, three sloops and thirteen gallies, came up the lake from St. Johns, passed Burlington on the 12th, and appeared before Fort Cassin, at the mouth of the Creek, and opened a spirited fire upon that fort, with a view of forcing their way up the Creek, and destroying the American shipping before it should be ready for service. After exchanging a few shots with the fort, they retreated and returned to Canada. On the proposed signal, or other notice, some of the militia on furlough, nearest to Fort Cassin especially in Addison, returned and aided in the defence.

the fore part of September, 1814, Governor Provost, of Canada, invaded the territory of the United States at the head of 14,000 troops, marching towards Plattsburgh. On the 6th of that month, a small reconnoitering party of regular American troops and militia met the advance guard of the British army, and had a skirmish with them, in which several of the Americans were killed, and, it is said, some British. The bodies of the Americans were left, and remained above ground until after the retreat of the British army, and were buried by the American volunteers on the 12th. An alarm was spread through the surrounding country, and a general rally followed. As soon as the citizens heard that the soil of their country was defiled by the tread of an invading foe, all party distinctions and all constitutional scruples were laid aside, and all parties rallied to the rescue. Messengers were sent into all parts of this State and New York to give the alarm. A very inadequate force of regular troops,-a single brigade,-under General Macomb, was stationed at Plattsburgh,-the main army having moved westward.

the 4th of September, Gen. 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 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." Gov-

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ernor Chittenden, on the same day, replied,--"I shall take the most effectual measure 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 Gen. Macomb's letter to Gen. 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 necessity 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." Col. Fassett, of the United States army, on the 7th of September, wrote to Gov. Chittenden, 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 Gov. 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 the same as may be wanted."

every town in this section the standard was raised and the citizens gathered around it. The volunteers in the several towns were not generally organized, and did not meet together "until they met at Burlington, where they were detained for a passage across the lake, or on the battle-field. When a smaller or larger squad had collected, they started forward, leaving the more dilatory to follow. In this town, Gen. Warren made the first direct effort to raise volunteers. As early as Tuesday or Wednesday-the 6th or 7th of Sept.,-he came on to the village common, followed by martial music, and invited all who were so disposed, to join him as volunteers. After marching once or twice around the common; forty or fifty men had fallen into the ranks, and the number was afterwards increased. When a dozen or two were ready to start with him, they marched for the field of battle, and others, as fast as they were ready, followed.

The

patriotism on the occasion was not confined to the volunteers. The panic was universal. Those who were left behind exhibited their zeal by liberal contributions. The volunteers wanted ammunition, provisions and teams to transport them to Burlington, where vessels were engaged to convey them to the scene of conflict. A subscrip-

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tion was accordingly circulated, in the hand-writing of Hon. Horatio Seymour, in the following words, and subscribed by the persons whose names follow"

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 appropriated 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	Haskall &Brooks	$10,00
Eben W. Judd	20,00	Peter Starr	10,00	Thomas Hagar	10,00
Milo Cook	10,00	W. G. Hooker	10,00	Lavius Fillmore	10,00
Jonathan Hagar	30,00	Elisha Brewster	5,00	Luther Hagar	5,00
Ira Stewart	30,00	Samuel Mattocks	5,00	Moses Leonard	5,00
Daniel Chipman	30,00	David Page, Jr.	35,00	William Slade, Jr.	5,00
S. S. Phelps	5,00				------------
					$275,00

The

money thus provided was paid out for powder, bullets, bread and other provisions, and teams to convey the volunteers on their way. And one of the charges to this fund was-"One quarter cask of powder, which was used on Monday, 12th September, for rejoicing, $11." The whole sum expended, however, was only $203,50; and the payments on the subscriptions were reduced in proportion.

Other

men, and the boys had also an opportunity to exhibit their patriotism. While the volunteers were making their preparations to start for the field of battle,-including the night before the detachment commenced their march,-the men and boys were engaged, at the office of Mr. Seymour, in making the powder into cartridges for the volunteers. Fearing to have a light in the room during the night, the floor,where the powder was had became literally blackened by the powder which scattered over it in filling the cartridges. After there was sufficient morning light to discern the situation of the room, some one present said,-"We have certainly been in more danger here to-night than any of our volunteers will be in at Plattsburgh."

When

a sufficient number of volunteers had met together, they organized as they could, in a summary and unceremonious way, by

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putting forward such prominent men as were willing, to be officers. And when new recruits came on, they took their places as they could in the ranks. Gen. Warren and his men, and many others, did not reach the camp-ground until the evening of Saturday, the day before the battle, and some not until the next morning; and others wholly lost their chance in the battle by arriving after it was over.

General Samuel Strong, of Vergennes, father of the present Samuel P. Strong, was assigned the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Vermont Volunteers. Major Lyman, of Vergennes, was his right hand man, and was appointed Colonel. He had had some experience in the Revolutionary War. Gen. Warren was first chosen Captain of the Middlebury volunteers, but was afterwards advanced to the rank of Major*. Capt. Silas Wright, of Weybridge, as captain, commanded the volunteers of that town and Cornwall ; and after the promotion of Gen. Warren, the Middlebury men fell into his and other companies, as they were most needed. Jehial Saxton, of Bristol, was Captain, and Daniel Collins, of Monkton, Lieutenant of the troops from those towns; and John Morton, of Salisbury, was Captain of the troops of that town. Dr. Zacchaeus Bass, of Middlebury, went on with Gen. Warren as surgeon of the volunteers of Middlebury and neighboring towns; and was employed in the hospital on Crab Island, in the care of the wounded, after the battle.

this extemporaneous gathering and organization, it is difficult, at this late day, to ascertain who were present,or how a great majority of them were employed. Mr. Daniel Wright, of Weybridge, who was serving in the battle as orderly sergeant, states that James Riley, of that town, in the rear of his right hand man, was wounded in the neck by a musket ball, and died of the wound after he returned
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*We have spoken, in its proper place, of General Hastings Warren only as an early settler and man of business, and having an important connection with our history. We take occasion of the mention of the patriotic part he bore, as a volunteer, in the defence of his country, to add that he was, in addition to his distinguished military position, a respectable, useful and influential citizen for many years. Of a very interesting family of children, only two survive,-Mrs. Jane Ripley, wife of William Y. Ripley, Esq., of Rutland, and Edward S. Warren. Esq., of Buffalo, who was graduated at Middlebury College in 1833. Gen. Warren (lied sit the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Ripley, in May, 1845.

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home. He was also near Bethuel Goodrich, of Middlebury, who was wounded in his foot, and saw Dr. Bullard, of Weybridge,-who was in the battle, surgeon as well as soldier, and equipped for either service,-extract the ball. The wound was not serious. We are not aware that any others of the Vermont volunteers suffered seriously in the battle. Major Lyman, after his return, was seized with a violent fever, contracted in the service, and died greatly lamented. And we believe there were others attacked with similar fevers.

The

volunteers were more accustomed to hunting wild animals than fighting men; and while they secured themselves as they could behind trees and other protecting objects, they were careful to take aim at individuals of the enemy, and killed and wounded many of them. After the battle, a number of British prisoners taken by the volunteers were collected together, and the man, who appeared to be most prominent among them, was inquired of as to his experience in war. He mentioned, in reply, several battles in which he had been engaged, and said that he had never been in one half equal to this; that these green-sprig men,-the Vermont Volunteers, who wore green sprigs in their hats,-would hide themselves behind the trees, aim at individuals, and hit every man aimed at; and that their army called it murder.

are not able to state the number of Volunteers from the several towns. The number from Middlebury, we judge, from the estimate of different persons, to be from 150 to 200.

the midst of the excitement, we were compelled to follow the example of other patriotic citizens,--not to fight, for we had no talent for that. We reached Burlington on the afternoon of Thursday the 8th of June. There we found Hon. Martin Chittenden, Governor of Vermont, and General Samuel Strong, Commander in Chief of the Vermont volunteers, in consultation on the approaching cirisis. The writer then held the position of Secretary to the Governor and Council. In that capacity, we were admitted to a familiar intercourse with both these important personages. The volunteers were flocking in and filling up the town; but there were no means of conveying them, that night, to the field of their anticipated exploits. But a vessel was to be ready the next morning,

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the 9th, to convey over the General and such of the troops as the vessel could carry. We, of course, were to accompany the General in the same vessel, with the Governor's military aid. To bring us into more immediate communication with the Commander of the army at Plattsburgh and the better to ascertain the condition, perils and necessities of the small body of the American troops there, the General sent by us the following letter addressed to Gen. Macomb.

"Burlington,

September 11, (a misprint for 9,) 1814.
Sir :-The bearers, Amos W. Barnum Esq., my military Aid, and Samuel Swift Esq., Secretary to the Governor and Council of this State, will go to Plattsburgh, for the purpose, if practicable, of communicating with you, and of receiving any information you may please to communicate, that we may know how to govern ourselves, in endeavoring to furnish assistance. They will communicate to me any necessary information you may give them for this purpose. I am with high consideration your humble servant,
General Macomb. MARTIN CHITTENDEN."

The

next morning all hands were early awake, and soon we were making our way to the wharf, where the vessel lay. The Governor accompanied us, with as much apparent enthusiasm, as the most patriotic Green Mountain Boy, and said to us, as we were leaving, with emphasis,-"I wish my position would allow me to go with you."

reached Plattsburgh the same afternoon, and accompanied Gen. Strong to the fort; and were introduced to Gen. Macomb, who received us courteously, and we remained some time, in examining the fortifications, and looking, for the first time, upon the array of a hostile army, in full view, and within cannon shot. But as the evening approached, Gen. Macomb advised us to retreat and get a shelter elsewhere, as he thought they might be attacked before morning. We understood the British, during the darkness of the nights, were arranging their batteries nearer the fort.

were not present, nor very near the battle of the 11th of September; but were not out of hearing of the great guns. On Friday night, after we left the fort, we crawled into the large tent of Gen. Thomas, on Crab Island, which was already well filled, and laid ourselves down on a wet board, with hemlock boughs for a pil-

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low, and remained until the dawning light of the next morning. The night of Saturday we lodged in a log cabin, inhabited by a kind old man and woman, high up on one of the New York hills; which shuts down to the west bank of the lake, where our hunger was appeased, and our fatigue relieved, with the best the house afforded. In the afternoon of the next day,--the day of the battle,--we reached, in such way as we could,--the west side of the Island of North Hero, in full view of the shattered fleets, and the battle field on the land. Not being able to find a passage that night, we occupied the neighboring haymows for our lodging. The next morning we found boats to take us to the fleet, and were very courteously received by Commodore McDonough, with whom we were well acquainted. He, had married a Miss Shaler of Middletown, Connecticut. While he was in the neighborhood of the lake, building and preparing his fleet at Vergennes for the conflict, and superintending its operations, his wife, a most interesting women, spent her time in Middlebury, in the family of Mrs. Latimer, with whom she had been acquainted while Middletown was the residence of both. And of course the Commodore spent his leisure time here, and became intimate in the society of Middlebury. It is not too much to say that every body admired him as a gentleman, and singularly qualified for his responsible position. We also visited the vessel, in which Commodore Downey was killed, and in which we saw his corpse, and the fort, where we saw several acquaintances, belonging to the regular army.

the state of the troops, before and after the battle, and of the success, which attended the contest, in the battle, Gen. Strong made regular communications to Gov. Chittenden. On the 10th, the day before the battle, he wrote- "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 without 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 1812; from New York, 700; Regular troops under General Macomb, he says, 2000. He treated me very friendly." "We have strong expectations of 2000 detached militia, ordered out by Gen.

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Mooers, arriving soon." "I hope you and our friends will send four or five thousand to our assistance as soon as possible." September 11, Sunday, 7 o'clock, P.M., he wrote again,-"We are now encamped, with 2500 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 brave Commodore, McDonough. 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 now are. The New York militia were posted at the place, under Gens. Mooers 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 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 20 or 30 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 consequence attending it, being convinced of the bravery and skill of my officers and men."

Gen.

Strong had no occasion for alarm for what was to take place " to-morrow." As soon as the British fleet had acknowledged their defeat by the bravery of McDonough and his men, Gov. Provost ordered a retreat, and the whole British army were on their way to Canada the same night.
There was a recruiting station continued here during the whole war; and it is said that as many as two hundred and fifty, from this and the neighboring towns, were enlisted for the regular army.