1 St. Lawrence County - Forsyth County Historical Association

St. Lawrence County - 200 Years Ago
1811 - 1813
Data Assembled from other sources by Connie Molnar Sterner
As New York City commemorates the War of 1812 this summer with tall ships to kick
off Fleet Week, it's time to reflect on skirmishes and battles along the St. Lawrence River
and northern New York 200 years ago. In many ways the War of 1812 was a carry over
of issues not quite resolved during the Revolutionary War and triggered in part by the
England's needs during the Napoleonic War. Over the past couple years I have watched a
couple specials on the War of 1812 on TV. They skip over the events of this war along
the St. Lawrence River as skirmishes not amounting to much. That doesn't settle well
with me. Sure the British burned the White House as Dolly Madison fled with George
Washington's portrait and Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner
after watching the bombardment of Ft. McHenry, but I grew up in northern New York.
Those skirmishes along the St. Lawrence River are much more interesting to me than
what went on in other parts of the country.
A military post in Ogdensburg was occupied by the British from 1776 until 1796 when it
was surrendered to Judge Nathan Ford as a result of the Jay's Treaty. Between 1805 and
1807 a regiment was formed in St. Lawrence County under Alex J. Turner and in 1807 an
Artillery company was formed. A battalion of four companies under Alric Man was
formed in Franklin County by 1808. In 1807 Thomas Jefferson and United States
Congress called for an embargo on all ships in US ports blocking trade with France and
England. This was a political disaster which backfired causing economic disaster at
home as well as abroad. Major sea ports as well as towns along the St. Lawrence and the
Great Lakes counted on shipping and trade. Britain had been at war with France for
many years and did not want the United State to trade with that country. France, of
course, had backed our country during the Revolution. Napoleon was not defeated at
Waterloo by Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, until June18, 1815. In the
years leading up to this victory Great Britain enforced a blockade along America's
Atlantic Coast. Britain resented our country's growth in merchant shipping. To further
enrage Americans, Britain's Royal Navy captured and forced American Merchant
Marines into service on the high seas. Troops were placed in Ogdensburg under Capt.
Samuel Cherry and Captain Thomas Anderson to enforce the Embargo Act. On the last
day of Thomas Jefferson's presidency, the embargo was revoked in 1909.
(Nathan Ford - Ogdensburg - he was also an agent for Samuel Ogden - Ford Vault:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stlawgen/CEMETERY/Ford%20Vau
lt/FordVault.HT)
Lewis and Clark's expeditions in 1804 led the way to westward expansion. In St.
Lawrence county there were very few towns established before 1800 - Ogdensburg was
one. However between 1800 and 1812 towns in northern New York were beginning to
be settled. People moved out of the New England states westward in great numbers
following the St. Lawrence River making their way through the center of the state and
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then north along the Black River. Britain tried to block US expansion westward by
making a pact with the Indians.
To top it off there remained border disputes which were unresolved since the
Revolutionary War between the United States and Canada. A failed objective of this
country was to capture Canada. The Anglo American Convention or Treaty of 1818
resulted in drawing the border at the 49th parallel.
The relationship between Americans and Canadians along the St. Lawrence River was
complicated by the War of 1812. Many people depended on trade along the river for
their livelihoods. People on both sides of the river had friends and family on the other
side of the river. Since there were very few roads in upstate NY at the time, the river was
used for transportation. So any disruptions caused by the war caused economic hardships
on both sides. During this period there was a fair amount of smuggling between the two
countries.
Below are events in northern New York arranged by date. Information I have collected
on is sketchy and sometimes conflicting and comes from various sources that I will
identify below. I am not writing this paper. I am simply assembling information
obtained from other people's work, putting it in chronological order and quoting my
sources. I can't list all the battles and skirmishes but have selected a few that might have
some meaning to people interested in north country history.
Before the War of 1812:
(from Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties as well as from History of
St. Lawrence County, NY - Gates Curtis)
A New York State Militia regiment was formed by Morgan Lewis, Governor of NY State
in April 1806 in St. Lawrence County naming Benjamin Stewart (Lisbon 1800 Census)
as Captain of the company and Alexander J. Turner (Lisbon 1800 Census - town
supervisor and land agent - moved to Lisbon from Salem, Washington County) became
Lt.- Colonel. Members signing an oath to the allegiance of New York state, and not to
any foreign King, Prince or Potentate. It was signed before Joseph Edsall , Esquire &
first Major (from Madrid). It was signed by Isaac Bartholomew - Capt. (Potsdam) ,
Nathan Stone (Massena) , Abner Wright (Massena), Solomon Linsley Capt. (Madrid),
Elisha Denison (Massena) , Seth Mathews/Mathers (d. 1811 Massena). On April 3rd,
1806 the following appointments were made in Turner's Regiment:
• Isaac Beach - adjutant
• John King - paymaster (Ogdensburg)
• Daniel W. Church - Quartermaster (Ogdensburg)
Daniel Whipple Church was born in Brattleboro, Vt. in 1772. His father
Jonathan had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Daniel was a prolific
builder, master carpenter, surveyor and millwright. He came to Canton, NY in
1801 to build a grist mill. Red Mills, a combined saw mill and grist mill was
completed in Lisbon in 1804. During 1806 he built a dam in Waddington for
David Ogden and Joshua Waddington. He completed a stone store which would
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ecome the US Customs House in 1809/10 for David Parish. He would work for
him to settle Rossie in 1810 building a saw mill, a bridge over Indian River and
constructing roads. Church built a three story tavern in Parishville in 1812 and
served as their Town Supervisor. One wonders how he did that with so much
action going on during the War. He also built a large house there for Parish
during 1813/14. In Ogdensburg Church built the Parish Mansion, now the
Remington Art Museum. Church moved to Morristown in 1818 where he died in
1858 and is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery.
• Joseph W. Smith - Surgeon (Ogdensburg)
• Powell Davis - Surgeon's mate (Morristown)
• Louis Hasbrouck - Capt. (Oswegatchie/Ogdensburg - attorney and politician - NY
State Assembly & NY State Senate)
• Timothy Pope - Capt. (Oswegatchie/Macomb - Pope's Mills/Morristown)
• Timothy Crosset - Capt. (there was a David Crosset in Lisbon at this time)
• Nathan Stone - Capt. (b. Ma., lived in Louisville/Massena more:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Stone&GSiman=1&GScty=102362&GRid=29597382
&)
• William Perry - Capt. (Canton)
• Thomas B. Benedict - Capt. (De Kalb) - born 10/23/1783 in Woodbury Ct. He
came to De Kalb, NY with Judge Cooper. In 1812 he was a Colonel and was in
charge of military operations in Ogdensburg. During the war he was promoted to
General. He died March 11. 1829 and is buried at the Old De Kalb Cemetery.
• Solomon Linsley Jr. - Capt. (Madrid)
• Isaac Bartholomew - Capt. (Rev War Soldier, b, Vt. lived in Waddington &
Potsdam)
• Richard Flack - Capt. (Lisbon)
• Elisha Denison - Capt. (Massena)
• Benjamin Stewart - Capt. (Potsdam)
• Jehiel Dimmock/Dimock - Lt. (De Kalb - Carpenter - Cavalry at Sackets Harbor
April 3, 1806 - appointments to Alexander Turner's Regiment - on Militia rolls -
Capt Jehiel Dimock, Co of Col Major Benjamin Forsyth, entered into service
Sacket's Harbor . Says he died Sept 20, 1813. (provided by Bryan Thompson, De
Kalb Historian)
• Kelsey Thurber - Lt. (Oswegatchie)
• Samuel Armstrong - Lt. (Lisbon)
• Martin Philips - Lt. Madrid? Reuben Phillips
• Medad Moody - Lt. (Canton; Father-in-Law of Silas Wright)
• Potter Goff - Lt. (De Kalb)
• Seth Gates - Lt.
• John Hawley - Lt. (Madrid)
• John W Lyttle/Lytle - Lt. - Lisbon
John Lytle's Obituary - New York Spectator, July 19, 1843:
"In Lisbon, St Lawrence C o on the 28th June, Captain JOHN LYTLE,
age 63 years.
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The subject of this notice was among the first settlers of Lisbon, having
emigrated from Washington County in 1800. He held the rank of Captain
in the militia and regular service during the last war, and took an active
part in most of the exciting events of that contest. He entered the service
here soon after the war commenced, and was engaged in most of those
petty contests and collisions which harassed this frontier during the first
year of hostilities. After the taking of Ogdensburg and its abandonment as
a military post he was ordered to Sackets Harbor and formed a part of the
expedition under Dearborn in the descent upon Canada in the spring of
1813. He was engaged in the capture of Fort George near Toronto, then
York (Toronto) and Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo, and in other contests on
that frontier. He had the reputation of being one of the best drill officers
in the service." According to Franklin Hough's " The History of St.
Lawrence and Franklin Counties" John Lytle held the office of Justice of
the Peace in Lisbon for more than twenty years. His father Robert had
been a soldier in the Revolutionary War and he also served in the War of
1812 along with John's brother William.
• Calvin Hubbard - Lt.
• Benjamin Bailey - Lt. (Potsdam)
• Jacob Arnold Jr. - Ensign
• Thomas Lee - Ensign (Oswegatchie)
• John A. Armstrong - Ensign (Lisbon)
• Abner Wright - Ensign (Lisbon)
• James Parkil Jr. - Ensign
• Joel Woodhouse - Ensign (William Woodhouse - De Kalb)
• Daniel Greene - Ensign (Madrid)
• Nicholas Reynolds - Ensign
• Robert Jackson - Ensign (De Kalb)
• Seth Matthews/Mather - Ensign (Seth Mather - d. in Massena NY 1811)
• David French - Ensign (Potsdam)
Artillery formed April 6, 1807:
• Alex Richards - Captain (Abie Richards - Madrid- related?)
• Amos Wells - 1st Lt. (Madrid)
• Joseph Freeman - 2nd Lt. (Madrid)
Over the past number of years I have compiled a list of names of north country men who
participated in the War of 1812. There are over 750 names on that list to date:
http://www.northcountryny.com/War%20of%201812%20List%20of%20Names.htm
In 1808 a battalion of four companies was formed in Franklin County with Alric Mann,
Major (from Constable) under General Benjamin Moore (Mooers - from Plattsburgh).
Also that year Lt. Melancthon Taylor Woolsey, born close to Plattsburg, NY was
stationed by the US Navy at Sacket's Harbor to supervise the construction of a large gun
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oat called the Oneida (built in Oswego). He was placed in command of this ship and the
shore station there where boats were built.
In 1809, to enforce the Embargo restricting trade established in 1807, two companies
were placed in Ogdensburg under Capt. Samuel Cherry (from Oswego, NY) and Capt.
Thomas Anderson. Their presence was greatly resented by the citizens of Ogdensburg.
Described in "The History of St. Lawrence County", "These two companies of troops are
represented as the worse set of men that ever lived, and were charged with being
needlessly officious in searching persons crossing the river, which led to jealousies that
almost ripened in the citizens." When these troops finally left their departure was met
with horn blowing, cowbell ringing and jeers from the crowd on onlookers.
War of 1812 events along the St. Lawrence River in chronological order:
April 10, 1812:
Congress Requires 100,000 men to be raised for preparation for war.
May 2, 1812:
General Jacob Brown (b. Pa. 1798 moved to upstate NY to Brownsville - outside
Watertown - claimed by some to be a potash smuggler. He was a land agent for
the LeRay family) wrote to Col. Benedict to raise 43 men to be stationed in
De Kalb. Colonel Stone of Herkimer (probably Old Madrid Cemetery - Col
Ithiel Stone ) also raised about 37 men. Totaling 80 in all a company was raised
with Darius Hawkins of Herkimer, Captain; John Polley of Massena and Elisha
Griffin of De Kalb as Lieutenants. They arrived in Ogdensburg at the end of
May.
Capt. John Polley's father, John Polley Sr. was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
They settled in Massena Springs in 1802. More on John Polly below.
June 18, 1812 - Declaration of war against Great Britain:
Major Darby Noon from the Albany Volunteers, arrived in Ogdensburg to erect
Barracks. Darby Noon would later become a Major of the 41st infantry and as
Aid-de-Camp for General Robert Swartwout and would be wounded at the Battle
of Crysler's Farm (across the river from Waddington and Massena).
June 23, 1812:
Abner Hubbard (Brownville, NY Census 1810, Lyme, NY 1820 Census), a
veteran of the Revolutionary War who lived at Millen's Bay and operated a
Tavern at Cape Vincent, set out from Cape Vincent with another man and a boy
and sailed to Carleton Island. When Hubbard landed, he found the fort occupied
only by a single sergeant, three invalid soldiers, and two women. Without fighting
Hubbard set fire to the buildings and departed with his prisoners taking them to
Sacket's Harbor.
June 29, 1812 - Ogdensburg:
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Eight schooners from Ogdensburg harbor attempted to make it to the Great Lakes.
D. Jones, a partisan, who lived in Maitland, Canada, took off after them and
stopped them above Brockville. The Sophia and the Island Packet were boarded
and the vessels were burned. The crew and emigrants who had been set on an
island, were taken back to Ogdensburg.
Early Summer 1812 - Massena:
"History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties: by Franklin Hough
"Early in the summer, 1812, an American Durham boat on its way up from
Montreal, was stopped at Mille Roche, a corporal's guard was put on board, and it
was ordered to Cornwall. The militia officer, Mr. Grant, being somewhat a
stranger to the river and its channels, gave up to the captain and crew of the boat
and its management, and the latter in running it down, steered across the foot of
Barnhart's island (named for George Barnhart who died in Cornwall 1811 & his
son William who settled on the island in 1804 - Barnhart's Island then part of
Canada and after the Treaty of Ghent, became part of USA), and before the guard
on board had time to realize their situation, they were moored to the shore, and
taken prisoners by the inhabitants, who seeing the boat approaching, and
comprehending the movement, had seized their arms and rushed to the water's
edge, to await them. The boat's crew had moreover carelessly spattered water
upon the guns of the guard, so as to render them entirely useless. A militia
training was then in progress at Massena village, and thither a messenger was
dispatched for help, but before they could arrive, the boat and the guard had been
secured, and the latter were on their march to the village as prisoners. Their
leader henceforth bore the title of Commodore Grant, and the thing was looked
upon as a good Yankee trick. The boat was never recovered by the British and
the guard having been handsomely treated, were dismissed on parole.
During the same summer, the inhabitants of Massena village, by voluntary labor,
undertook to enclose a portion of their premises with a stockade. This was built
of timber set into the ground, with two sides hewed to make the joints somewhat
perfect, and the tops cut off about twelve feet from the ground and sharpened. A
difference of opinion having arisen, in relation to where the line of pickets should
run, and what premises should be included, the work was abandoned, and of
course never afforded any protection, if indeed any was in reality required. Quite
an amount of labor was expended on this work. During the months of July and
August of the same year a barrack was erected near the center of the town, north
of the Grass river, at the expense of the government, under the direction of Lieut.
Emerson. It was a frame building, about one hundred feet in length , and
occupied by militia of the county, under the command of Col. Fancher, of Madrid
(first tavern in Madrid was kept by Gould Fancher....maybe same man or John
Fancher is on the 1810 Madrid Census, or this is John Gould Fancher), for about
three months. The numbers posted here were about 200 or 250. At the expiration
of this period a part of these returned home and a part repaired to Ogdensburgh."
(Ogdensburg originally had an "h" at the end of it which has since been dropped.)
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Summer 1812 - A story too good not to be remembered:
Gouverneur Press 1871 - from Seth Alexander's Obituary:
"Mr. Alexander was a soldier in the war of 1812, and created quite an excitement
in the military camp at Ogdensburg, on one occasion, when a new recruit, he was
placed on guard with the usual order to allow no one to pass without the
countersign, but the countersign was not given him. He obeyed the order so
faithfully that he at length had a dozen men disarmed and seated on the ground,
under guard of his loaded musket - his Captain and Sergeant being of that
number. At last his musket was discharged, without effect, in the dark, at one who
refused to obey his order, and his prisoners seized the opportunity to attempt to
disarm him. The Captain and Sergeant were wounded by his bayonet, and the
party fled, leaving their arms in his possession. A line of sentries was posted
around him, to prevent others from falling in with him, and he stood his ground
till morning, and till ordered off by the man who gave him his orders the evening
before. "
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg:
Capt. Hawkins was officer of the day. a squad of volunteers had come in from the
near towns, had come in on an alarm. I detailed one of the best of them, Seth
Alexander, on guard that day. Seth Alexander of DeKalb with whom I was well
acquainted. Ensign (Nathaniel) Holt (De Kalb - in Moses Burnnel/Thomas
Benedict list) was officer of the guard and sergeant Barheyte (possibly Jacob
Barhyte - Shodack, NY) was sergeant of the guard. I told the sergeant to look well
to the guard and see the new recruits instructed in their duty. The Adjutant of a
regiment never knows when his duty is done, he is liable to be called upon by
every one for something and my duty kept me busy until near midnight, and as I
was going to my quarters I met the officer of the day who wished me to turn and
go the grand rounds with him. When we came to the guard house we found no
sentinel at the door, we went in and found the guard all asleep on the floor.
Hawkins mustered them up and inquired for the officer of the guard, they said he
went with the sergeant, corporal and relief and had not returned. What said
Hawkins have they deserted No I said Holt or Barheyte would not desert they are
true men. something very strange has happened. We started on the grand rounds
and at the first post we came to were hailed who comes there, who comes there,
who comes there, without giving time for an answer between the hailing. Hawkins
answered the Grand Rounds. I'll grand rounds you d — n ye. (Darius) Hawkins
(from Herkimer) says, what does this mean. I expect it is some new recruit that
don't know his duty, he ordered one of us to come along, one of the escort went
up he ordered him to lay down his musket and sit down, then ordered another up.
the other escort started but Hawkins stopped him and said he would go and reason
the case with him. He went to him and began to speak but Alexander said damn
you not a word out of your head sit down there, he sat down, now another came
along. — the other soldier went up and was seated. I had reflected while all this
was doing that I would rather risk his fire than go there and sit down, besides it
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was very dark — now darn ye do you come along — I'll see ye darned first ye
darned fool. He fired and missed me and I went up and as I came up Hawkins had
closed with him and fell back saying he has wounded me do you take him off his
post. I took a pistol out of my belt to drop him but on reflection concluded I
would not sacrifice a man I well knew and let him stand and took Hawkins to the
guard house. I went to one of the companies and got volunteers in addition to the
guard and set a line of sentinels around Alexander's post leaving him to stand
there, in going to my quarters saw a light in a tavern. I went in some young
officers were gambling, when I told them what had happened one of them ensign
Emerson, pished at it and said he could get him off his post. I answered you may
try. H e started off and I went to my quarters — the next morning Emerson was
found there a prisoner. Alexander as soon as he came seated him and stood with
his piece at a charge before him the remainder of the night, if he lifted his hand to
brush off the moschetoes he would fly at him again darn ye sit still and would not
let him say one word, sometimes the wind would stir the plume of his hat and
Alexander would fly at him again — darn ye sit still — such is the way with new
recruits. History tells us that Seth Alexander of De Kalb did not leave his post at
daybreak until Capt. Hawkins had been carried near enough to order him off
duty."
A little bit about Seth Alexander:
"Seth Alexander was born in Winchester, N.H. in 1779, and was within a few
weeks of 95 years old at the time of his death. He came into this county in 1803,
after which time, until his death, he always resided in the town of De Kalb,
pursuing the avocation of farming. He was married in 1815, and had five
children....The wife of Mr. Alexander died in 1839. Later in life he was married a
second time, to Mrs. Barnes..... He was supervisor of his town for several years
and held other town offices. "He was a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal
Church in De Kalb and gave sermons there from 1827 until his death in 1874.
Seth is buried at the East De Kalb cemetery.
July 19, 1812 - First Battle at Sackets Harbor:
Sacket's Harbor was a very small community in 1812. After M.T. Woolsey
captured the British Schooner Lord Nelson on June 5th, a squadron of five British
boats, the Royal George, the Prince Regent, the Elmira, the Seneca(or Simcoe)
and the Earl of Moira, under the British command of Sir James Lucas Yeo were
sited by Lt. Melancthon Taylor Woolsey (Plattsburgh)on July 19th approaching
Sackets Harbor. Woolsey made an attempt to escape to Lake Ontario with his
gunboat, the Oneida, but was stopped and moored off Shiphouse Point. Lt.
Woolsey took part of his crew to shore, leaving the Oneida under command of
one of his lieutenants. There was a 32 pound gun on shore that had been too large
for the Oneida. She was referred to as the "Old Sow" and was manned by Captain
William Vaughn (Oneida?). Meanwhile another gun ashore was under a volunteer
company of artillery under the command of Captain Elisha Camp (Hounsfield),
part of a Regiment under Colonel Christopher Bellinger (Lewis County - German
Flats). Although the Americans had a 32 pound cannon at their disposal they only
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had 24 pound balls as ammunition. The women of Sackets Harbor wrapped the
smaller balls with strips of carpet from their homes to fit the larger cannon.
Shelling went on for about two hours when a 32 pound ball fired from the British
flagship, the Royal George, was retrieved by Thomas D. Spicer (Hounsfield) after
it plowed a deep furrow into the earth. It was then placed in the "Old Sow" and
shot back boat that first sent it hitting the stern. 14 British were killed and 18
wounded.(Different document report different casualty numbers.) Having
suffered other hits to various boats, the British retreated toward the lake, probably
to Kingston for repairs, while the Americans on shore sang "Yankee Doodle".
Many of these British boats would be met again later on in the war.
Plattsburgh Republican Aug 7, 1812:"A letter from H.L. Woolsey, dated Potsdam,
July 25th, to his father in this town, states that "some travelers have arrived at
Ogdensburgh from Kingston - they state that the British squadron on Monday
following their repulse at the Harbor, came into Kingston, Colors half mast, and
that the Commodore and fifteen others on board the Royal George were killed,
with the three shots that hulled her. I know that the ball which went through her
quarter must have come within a few feet of the Commodore's station. "I must
believe the above account exaggerated but that some are killed there can be but
very little doubt.""
July 29 - Aug 1, 1812 - Morristown:
Many US merchant vessels were converted to gun boats. The schooner Julia ,
which had been built in Oswego was dispatched by General Brown and
commanded by Lt. H. W. Wells accompanied by Captain Noadiah Hubbard (from
Champion) of a rifle company along side in a Durham boat. The first night they
made it to Cape Vincent. The next day they moved on toward Ogdensburg where
they met the British Earl of Moria by Morristown. There they anchored and both
sides commenced fighting. Injured badly, the Earl of Moria made it to Brockville
where her guns were moved ashore. The Julia, only slightly injured, made it to
Ogdensburg. There she was placed under the command of William Vaught,
Sailing Master, Samuel Dixon (from Hounsfield - employee of David Parish) and
Abram Shoemaker (Manlius & Oswego), volunteers. Lt. Wells returned to
Sackets Harbor.
Just a note here on David Parish. He was a German born land speculator, owning
over 200,000 acres of land in the St. Lawrence Valley. Parish lived in
Ogdensburg, built a blast furnace in Rossie and the town of Parishville was named
after him. Parish helped the US finance the War of 1812 by chartering the Second
Bank of the United States and brokering a $7.5 million loan. Interestingly, he
later drowned in the Danube River.
"Rise of the House of Rothschild" Egon Caesar Corti:
"Parish, David, Baron Von Senftenberg: Son of a Hamburg banker(John Parish).
Set up on his own, and later became a partner of the Vienna Banking firm Fries
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and Co., in whose fall he was involved. Committed suicide at Vienna in April
1826"
July 1812:
Historical Sketches of Franklin County and It's Several Towns" by Frederick Joel
Seaver:
"General Mooers reported to Governor Tompkins in July, 1812 that of the men
sent here from Essex County under Major Noble, a number had no blankets, some
not a second shirt, and some were without shoes."
September 5, 1812:
The Julia and her several charges were able to make their way from Ogdensburg
up the St. Lawrence to Sacket's Harbor where they were converted into ships of
war.
September 16, 1812 - Prescott ON - Toussaint's Island (across the St. Lawrence
River from Lisbon, NY):
Canadian Version of the Raid: http://www.warof1812.ca/ambush.htm From
"The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" by Franklin Hough:
"About the middle of September, it was learned, that a umber of bateaux were
coming up the river laden with stores, and a party under Capt. (Elisha) Griffin
(from De Kalb), in a Durham boat, accompanied with a gun boat, having eighteen
men and a brass six pounder, under (Daniel) D. W. Church, left Ogdensburgh in
the evening, and late at night landed on Toussaint Island opposite the town of
Lisbon, and near the place where the enemy lay. The only family on the island
was secured, but he man managed to escape by swimming and gave the alarm,
and the provincial militia were hastily rallied. The bateaux lay under the north
shore behind the island. The party under Capt. Griffin, took a position near its
head, while Church was directed to station his gun boat near its foot. A sharp
firing soon began and was continued for some time, when the boat was abandoned
with the loss of one man, (Macomb's) and one wounded. It drifted down the
channel, and was taken up by the enemy before it reached the foot of the island.
The gun boat about sunrise came to anchor and was immediately fired upon: at
the second discharge having five of the eighteen wounded, but before the third
shot, the cannon was brought to bear, and very shortly after the regulars, who
accompanied the enemy's boats, broke and ran. Failing in its object, the party
returned by land, and the gun boat was sent to (Waddington). Adjutant James
Fitzgibbons, (later was the officer who accepted the American surrender at
Beaver Dams in 1813) was said to have charge of the British party, two of which
at the time were reported killed and several wounded. We had but one man
killed."
Background on some of these people:
Daniel Whipple Church - see bio above
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Elisha Griffin -born in 1777 in Wyndham Ct. moved to De Kalb. He is buried at
East De Kalb Cemetery - d 1855. An issue of the Canton Commercial Advertiser
in 1937 indicates that Griffin established the first dairy in the vicinity of Canton in
the Town of De Kalb and had 31 cows by 1831.
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg:
Although the attempt, in September of that year, to capture a number of British
boats laden with supplies was unsuccessful, the bravery of the men ordered to the
undertaking was remarkable. The account, taken from one of Mr. (Daniel W.)
Church's letters, is most interesting.
" We got news of a number of boats coming up from Montreal and I was ordered
down with a gun boat and 18 men to capture them and their boat a detachment of
men was to accompany us, we landed about midnight on an island near the British
shore, opposite Madrid and a scouting party sent out to reconnoiter reported the
boats lying in the narrow run between the island and Canada. At daylight we
went around the island below while the other boat went around above in order to
have the boats surrounded, when we came round the lower point of the island, we
found the boats lying in a narrow run and a detachment of 150 redcoats of the 49
Regiment Paraded close by them we run up the narrow channel against the boats
and came to an anchor, they fired a volley upon us and before we had brot the gun
to bear upon them they fired another volley, the first did us no harm but the
second wounded five out of the 18 one Sergeant (John) Clitz (also at battle of
Crysler Farm:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7316310) badly and
others slightly. I fired the gun at their center, then to their right and then again to
their left when they broke and all run helter skelter back into the field a mile off,
we had no more trouble with the redcoats when I was leaning against the mast
with my shoulder a rifle ball nicked a little notch out of the mast close by my ear I
presume within an inch. After waiting four hours for the other boat (for I had only
10 men at the oars and six at the gun one of the best of them shot through the knee
and entirely disabled) news came that the men had abandoned the boat. If the
other boat had joined me nothing could have hindered the capture of the boats. I
had kept the enemy at a respectful distance the space of four hours and nothing to
do but shove off and go out but so it was. — We left them with regret. "
These brave men endured hardships and surmounted difficulties which would
seem beyond human endurance. In writing of a trip to Madrid to guard some boats
coming up the river, Mr. Church says:
" We left Ogdensburg after dark in a drizzling rain. We were accompanied by an
escort of infantry under Capt. Lytle we had no horses to draw the six pounder it
was extremely dark so much so that we could not see each other except one of the
men who had a white frock, he was a bright active fellow and we constituted him
leader. The roads were new and eight miles of woods between Lisbon and Madrid
11

and a number of deep gulfs to pass, we got on well until we all had to help the
horses at all the hills and deep mire, the drag ropes were rigged and the officers &
men were all in requisition at the bad places and a muddier set of fellows could
not be found after the light of the morning came. Capt. Lytle and myself lifted at
the wheels of the gun carriage until we were saturated with mud."
They stopped at Waddington at one the next morning and at daybreak afforded
protection to the boats passing, pushing on later to a point opposite Iroquois for
the same purpose.
Sept 21, 1812 - Raid of Gananoque, ON (near Clayton, NY and Kingston, ON):
Captain Benjamin Forsyth (from Stokes County, North Carolina) with his
company of riflemen and some New York militia attacked the village of
Gananoque, near Clayton, NY(then called French Creek) and Kingston, On. The
object of the raid, as Brown stated in a letter to Governor Tompkins, was to
"capture some of the enemy's ammunition". Americans advanced on local
Canadian Leeds militia who broke and fled. Gananoque’s military stores built by
Col. Joel Stone were seized or burnt. After this raid British military officials in
Quebec deployed trained professional soldiers to the upper St. Lawrence region.
Americans had one killed and one wounded. Canadians reported 4 wounded and
8 prisoners.
A little bit about Benjamin Forsyth:
Benjamin Forsyth was from Stokes County, North Carolina. Forsyth County was
annexed from Stokes County in 1849 and was named for him. He led a company of
Riflemen during the war. Forsyth was active in skirmishing along the St. Lawrence
River and engaged in major battles around Lake Ontario. Towards the end of the
war he was engaged in patrolling north of Lake Champlain and was killed in June
1814 in a clash at Odelltown. (near LaColle, Quebec - north of Rouses Point, NY
along Lake Champlain) Note from author: After the Battle of Ogdensburg, Forsyth’s sword
became a war trophy and today is on display at Fort Wellington National Historic Site in
Prescott. But that was not the only trophy. Ogdensburg was pillaged and all its military stores
were confiscated and transported back across the ice. Since the garrison were likely in their
fatigues, and the officers were “making their toilet” it is possible a number of militia and regular
uniforms and equipment fell into British hands.
Canton Free Library - Scrapbooks - Vol 1a - 1934:
"War of 1812, Captain Ben Forsyth, known as the Raider, was in command of the
American forces in Ogdensburg, a company of riflemen and a few Albany
volunteers. The British attacked from Prescott, crossing the river on the ice,
drove Forsyth into the woods and plundered the village. Forsyth, a jaunty figure
in riflemen's jacket of green and with feathered hat, had made quite a name for
himself along the border by his raids on Gananoque and Brockville. Called by
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Governor Tompkins "that intrepid officer" and by one who served under him a
"great big, good-looking damned fool." Forsyth had incensed the British by his
raids and they proposed to administer a lesson to him."
A Canadian Historian, J. M. Hitsman described Forsyth as a "big, dashing
daredevil from North Carolina".
Burlington Republican, October 30, 1812 - letter to Brig. Gen. Brown :
"Watertown, (Jefferson Co.) Sept 29, We are indebted to the politeness of Capt.
Forsyth for an official statement of the Battle of Gananoque in Upper Canada.
Pursuant tot he order of brig-general Jacob Brown, of the 5?th brigade of New
York Militia - I embarked on the 18th Sept. 1812, with two-thirds of my rifle
company, (say 80 exclusive of myself and 2nd Liet. Wm. C. Beard) for the
purpose of taking the garrison of Gananoque, in Upper Canada, supposed to be
about 100 strong, commanded by Capt Stone; which is about 40 miles distance
from this place by water.
The wind being ahead we were only able to sail abut five miles when we went on
shore and encamped. The 19th about sunrise proceeded on our voyage; the wind
still ahead, was only able to made Cape Vincent by midnight, (the distance about
20 miles) went on shore and encamped - where Capt. M'Neil, Lieut. G. Brown,
Ensigns Johnston and Hawkins of the New York Militia, and 19 privates
volunteered their services in the expedition. From thence on the 20th about dark,
sailed for our contemplated destination, wind still ahead - was only able to reach
the shore about two miles above Gananoque between the break of day and
sunrise, landed, took 1 prisoner and made a guide of him. In the interim we were
discovered from the garrison of the enemy, who directed two horsemen to meet
us, returned and reported, one of whom it is supposed we killed, as three riflemen
fired at him, and he was seen to fall in the woods; the other we took prisoner. We
proceeded to the garrison, formed in extended order with all possible expedition,
where we found the enemy, about 100 strong, formed in order of battle. Their
camp guard fired upon us at about 100 yards distance, and retreated into the
garrison - immediately after, (say about sunrise, on the morning of the 21st) the
enemy commenced a tremendous fire of musketry but much too high to do us any
injury, which was immediately returned by us with a very rapid movement
towards them, which caused them to retreat to the woods, and leave the garrison
in about 15 minutes.
Our gain was 12 prisoners, (number of killed not precisely ascertained) about 30
barrels of flour and a quantity of beef, 41 muskets, 25 bayonets, 21 cartouch
boxes, 9 bayonet belts and scabbards, 120 musket flints, 2047 ball-cartridges, one
boat & sails.
Our means of transportation being insufficient to bring off the flour and beef, I
ordered it to be burnt, together with the public store-house, which was
accordingly done - the balance of property brought safe into camp.
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Our loss was one killed, and one wounded - not dangerous.
Ten thousand dollars worth of private property was in our possession, which I
ordered to be left with the individual owners.
Col. Stone the commandant was a Tory in the time of the revolutionary war, fled
to Canada for refuge, where he has remained since a notorious enemy and opposer
tot he government of the United States.
I lament that my 2d lieutenant, Wm. C. Beard, and 4 privates of my best riflemen
lost their course, and did not get into action. I cannot close this report without
expressing my entire approbation of the courage and conduct of the officers and
soldiers under my command in this engagement. Benj. Forsyth, Captain US
Riflemen Comm'dt."
Rifle Regiments 1812:
http://civilwarthosesurnames.blogspot.com/2009/01/united-states-rifle-regimentof-war-of.html
"Sword of the Border - Major General Jacob Jennings Brown 1775 - 1828" by
John D Morris:
"....Brown fitted out an expedition against the Canadian river town of
Gananoque, twenty miles downstream from Kingston. Capt. Benjamin Forsyth
traveled to French Creek (Clayton) with 110 men, including ninety of his own
riflemen and twenty militiamen led by Capt. Samuel McNitt (b. 12 June 1789, d.
1882 - Buried in Dugway cemetery near Mexico, Oswego Co., NY
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=37878153), and
crossed the St. Lawrence to land two miles above Gananoque. An American
force drove off the local militia, took ten prisoners, and carried away about forty
muskets, three thousand cartridges, a barrel of powder, and other equipment.
Public stores that could not be carried away were burned. Forsyth lost only one
man killed and one wounded in his raid."
October 1, 1812:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"General Brown arrived at Ogdensburg on the 1st of October."
October 2-4, 1812: Battle of Ogdensburg:
From the Plattsburgh Republican, Friday Oct 9, 1812:
"On Sunday(Oct 4) last, the British made an attack upon the Village of
Ogdensburgh. The Friday and Saturday preceding, they cannonaded the town for
several hours each day, from the fort at Prescott and on Sunday, having prepared
40 boats with from ten to 15 armed men in each, and six pieces of artillery, they
advanced to storm the town. When they arrived within a short distance the
American troops under Gen. Brown (from Brownville, by Watertown),
14

commenced a warm fire upon them, which continued on both sides for about two
hours, at which time, the British, having two of their boats so knocked to pieces as
to render it necessary to abandon them, and one taken, on board of which was six
men, were compelled to relinquish the unprofitable contest, and fled precipitately
to Prescott. No damage was sustained on our side, except the injury of some
buildings, by their cannonading."
Ogdensburg Advance 1886 - reprint of the Ogdensburg Palladium Nov 3,1812:
"About 40 British boats, escorted by two gunboats, were proceeding up the river
towards Prescott, when a cannonade was commenced from the enemy's batteries
upon the village (Ogdensburg) to cover the boats, which was returned a short
time, until it was found that long shots had but very little effect. On the 3rd the
firing was renewed but not answered. On Sunday morning, the 4th, an attack was
made by 25 boats and two gunboats. They proceeded up the river about a mile
and then turned their course towards the village. The morning parade had just
been dismissed, but order to rally was instantly issued and a wooden battery near
the stone warehouse...was manned with the brass six-pounder, under Adjutant
Church (Daniel W. Church) and an iron twelve-pounder, under Joseph York,
(Ogdensburg's Sheriff) a volunteer citizen. A regiment of soldiers under the
orders of Gen. Brown, Forsyth's riflemen, and the militia, numbering in all 1200
men, were drawn up on the west side of the Oswegatchie. The British attempted
to land but were kept off by the Americans. The firing lasted but two hours and
resulted in a loss of two men killed and one boat disabled for the British, while
not a drop of blood was lost on the side of the Americans, but some little injury
was done to property by firing of the enemy."
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg:
" Gen. Brown came to the door and ordered me (Daniel W. Church) with
my piece down to the shore ready to receive the enemy and by this time the shot
came into the village merrily they had fourteen guns playing on us nine in the fort
and five gun boats, we had only two guns, one twelve and another a six- pounder
except an old four-pounder with but one ball to fit it — when they came near
enough we opened up on them the twelve pounder recoiled on descending ground
and being manned by villagers under Sheriff York they could not bring it back. I
sent some of my men to assist them. Gen. Brown was soon with us he asked me
where my men were. I told him at the 12 pounder. Where is Cook he said pointing
to him curled up under the net work. Why do you not assist at the 12 pounder. I
am no Artilleryman. You're a darned coward was what passed between them. We
hammered at them. I requested Capt. Dixon a sea Capt. to see where my shot
struck, he leaped up and stood on the battery, he said you have raked them
quartering. I have since heard that shot took off one man's head and another's legs
close to his body, poor fellows they had their work finished for this world. This is
war they came on within musket distance, the 12 pounder under York began to
use grape shot I had none and used only round shot but they were beaten back and
that sufficed, the battle was reported next morning in the newspapers and no
names mentioned of those that did the work but others who stood parade and
15

eady and undoubtedly would have done well, however they were celebrated for
what they would have if — this is the way puppies get Peoples food, by snatching
— they were behind the stone store in a safe place while we with two guns against
fourteen were in the field there was but one shot and two or three pieces of broken
iron fired from the four pounder — this has always operated in my mind when I
read accounts of battles, there is always some puppy to run away with the credit."
Writing of spying on the enemy, Mr. Church says : " Our method was to tie a
white handkerchief on our heads and a white blanket around us and walk as near
as would answer and then creep as far as that we could hear and understand their
conversation and lie still on the ice until morning or towards it so as to get away
undiscovered."
From the British Perspective:
A convoy of boats carrying supplies led by James Pentz of the Canadian
Fancibles was arriving near Prescott October 2nd when the Americans opened fire
on them from Ogdensburg. The gun emplacements of a shore battery at Prescott
answered the cannonade from Ogdensburg by hurling waves of shot at US
positions. Under the cover of Prescott’s guns, Pentz and Gilbert (Sibbley - from
Nova Scotia) with the Canadian Fencibles slipped past the barrage headed to
Kingston.
In response, Colonel (Robert) Lethbridge decided, without consulting his
superiors, to attack Ogdensburg on October 4 th . With the arrival of additional
regular troops, Lethbridge loaded his force of six hundred men into small boats
and headed across the river. Before reaching the other side the invaders were met
with a barrage of grape shot from the US artillery forcing them back to Prescott.
After this, Lethbridge was recalled to Montreal and replaced by Lt. Col. Thomas
Pearson.
Read more about engagement from the Canadian perspective at:
http://www.warof1812.ca/stlawrence1812.htm
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"....about forty British bateaux, escorted by a gun-boat, were seen approaching
Prescott from below, and as they neared the town a battery at that place opened
upon Ogdensburg to cover the flotilla. ...William E Guest, Esq....says" The
villagers came out in large numbers, and stood in Washington Street, near the
residence of Mr. Parish. Among them were a number of ladies, who felt safe, as
no balls had yet come into the village. While all were intently watching, with
great excitement, the movements of the contending parties, a 12-pound shot, with
it's clear, singing, humming sound, passed over out heads, in the line of State
Street, as near as we could judge, and fell in the rear of the village. A sudden
change came over the scene, it became an intimate matter to all, and the ladies
beat a rapid retreat."....The heavy guns at the latter place consisted of a brass sixpounder
under the charge of Adjutant Church, and an iron twelve-pounder
16

managed by Joseph York, Sheriff of the county and a volunteer, citizen, These
relied to the British battery for awhile. On the following day the firing from
Prescott was renewed, but was not answered; and on Sunday morning, the 4th two
gun-boats and twenty-five bateaux, filled with about seven hundred and fifty men,
under Colonels Lethbridge and Breckinridge, went up the river almost a mile and
then turned their prows towards Ogdensburg with the evident intention of
attacking it. Forsyth's riflemen were encamped at the time near the old fort on the
west side of the Oswegatchie, and General Brown, with regulars and militia, were
stationed in town....The subordinate commanders on this occasion were Colonel
(Thomas) Benedict, Major (Jehiel) Dimock, Adjutant Hoskin and Captains
(Benjamin) Forsyth, (Elisha?) Griffin, (Noahdiah?)Hubbard, Benedict and M'Nitt
(Samuel McNitt)..... The whole American force amounted to about twelve
hundred effective men. These were immediately drawn up in battle order to
receive the invaders. When the latter had approached to within a quarter of a mile
of town, nearly in mid-channel, the Americans opened such a severe fire from
their two cannon that the enemy retreated in confusion and precipitation, with the
loss of three men killed and four wounded.....one account says that one of their
gun-boats was disabled, and the another that two of their boats were so knocked
to pieces as to render it necessary to abandon them... About thirty rounds were
fired from each of the two cannon, and the action lasted two hours. Not one of the
Americans was injured in the action, but some damage was done to the town by
the cannon-shot of the British."
From the Ogdensburg Palladium of October 6.
Attack on Ogdensburg.
On Friday last about 40 British boats came up the river St. Lawrence. They
arrived at Johnston about sunset, escorted by two gun boats. On their leaving
Johnstown for Prescott (opposite this place) a heavy cannonade was opened from
the batteries at Prescott upon this village, which continued for two hours, in order
to cover the boats, in proceeding to Prescott from Johnstown. The fire was
returned in a very spirited manner from batteries, until it was perceived that long
shots made but little effect. On Saturday morning the boats were discovered to be
in the harbor at Prescott, and early in the morning the enemy commenced a heavy
fire on this place from 12, 9 and 6 pounders, which General Brown thought proper
to answer. The fire continued for about half an hour. The enemy were mostly
engaged all day in preparing their botas for something more serious and at about
10 o’clock on Sunday morning, 25 boats, aided by two gun boats, mounted with
nine pounders, moved up the river from Prescott about three fourths of a mile, and
then tacked and made for this place. As soon as they altered their course, all the
cannon on the batteries at Prescott opened a fire on this village, which was not
answered until the boats had advanced about the middle of the river, when our
batteries commenced a tremendous cannonade upon thm, which after about an
hour caused the enemy to return to Prescott in great confusion.
From the judicious arrangements made by Col. Benedict, Capt Forsyth, Capt.
Griffin, Major Bull, Major Demcock, Adjutant Horcakiss, Capt. Hubbard, Capt.
17

Benedict, Capt. McNit, and others, of the troops under their command, as directed
by general Brown, had the enemy attempted a landing, an immense slaughter
most inevitably have ensued. No person could have been more zealous and
attentive than General Brown, through the whole action. Praise is also due to his
field, staff and commissioned officers.
By this action the British are taught that 400 Yankees will not decline a combat
when attacked by 1000 of their troops. Colonels Lethbridge and Backenbridge led
the British in person. Although several hundred twelve, nine and six pound shot
were thrown into this village, we are happy to inform our readers that not a single
person was either killed or wounded, and very little damage to our village. From
several deserters we learn that a number were killed and several wounded on
board the bias – that one of their batteries gave way, by which circumstance a 12
pounder was dismounted and that one of their iron 9’s burst and mortally
wounded a number of those who were managing the piece. Messers, York,
Parsons(could be Silas Parsons on 1810 Oswegatchi Census) and Tattle (could be
Ichabod Tuttle on Oswegatchi 1810 census) of the artillery deserve praise for their
bravery and good conduct through the action.
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg 1749 - 1907"
" Mr. Parish narrowly escaped being hit, just passed over his head, as he was
walking from the red house to the store, it struck just beyond him and bounded
against Le Groi's garden fence. "
October 23, 1812 - French Mills (Ft. Covington):
Historical Dictionary of the War of 1812 by Robert Malcomson:
"A small company from the Corps of Canadian Voyageurs under Captain John
Macdonell guarded Akwesasne. On Oct. 23, 200 New York State Militia under
Major Guilford Dudley Young attacked and captured the post killing eight of the
British and capturing about 40. Some of the Americans remained to occupy it."
Ft. Covington Sun - Sept 12, 1985 - "History of Fort Covington" by Olga A.
Robinson written 1906-1907 - "Chapter 3, French Mills in War Time 1812 -
1815:
"When war was declared against England in June 1812, a blockade was begun at
French Mills, east of the river. This blockhouse was never completed. A
company of militia from Lieutenant Colonel Alric Mavis' (typo in the article -
should be Alric Man from Vermont, then Essex, NY and then 1820 Constable,
NY) regiment (66th Reg, 40th Brigade) were posted here commanded by Captain
Rufus Tilden (early settler of Moira, NY). In the fall, other companies of the 8th
regiment under Ransom Noble of Essex joined and afterwards others under Major
Guilford Dudley Young.
More on Ransom Noble, Guilford Dudley Young:
http://www.omdhs.syracusemasons.com/sites/default/files/history/War%20of%20
1812%20-%20Grand%20Lodge%20of%20NY%202.pdf
18

As soon as it became known in Northern New York that war was declared, the
people especially those in scattered settlements and on farms, thinking that the
Indians would side with the British as in the previous war, lived in continual
dread of Indian attacks and scalping parties. Many ridiculous panics occurred on
account of false alarms, which probably did not seem so ridiculous at the time
they occurred. In spite of many such delusions and awakenings there from,
everyone fled at the sight of an Indian until the poor people were in danger of
starvation as neither Americans or Canadians would sell them food. At last they
appealed to Albany and found redress for their wrongs and a commissioner was
sent to French Mills for sole purpose of selling rations to the Indians during the
war. It had been agreed between an American and Canadian commissioner that
the Indians at St. Regis remain neutral, but this agreement was broken by a British
officer, Captain Montigny, (Jean-Baptiste-Pierre Testard Louvigny de Montigny)
who posted a small company at St. Regis village.
When Major Young at French Mills heard this, he resolved to surprise the
company and take them prisoners. The first attack made bout the first of October
failed because he could not get his men across the St. Regis River; but after the
general alarm in the village had subsided, he tried again and on the 21st of
October with William Gray, the Indian Chief, for a guide, he crossed the St. Regis
at Gray Mills, now Hogansburg, and gave the British a surprise party at 5:00 in
the morning. The Americans were about as welcome as surprise parties usually
are, but no resistance was offered and the garrison numbered about forty-four men
were taken prisoners and sent to Plattsburgh." (note this can't be totally correct,
about "no resistance was offered" as Montigny later dies of wounds from this
surprise visit.)
Background on some of these people:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"Guildford Dudley Young was born at Lebanon, Ct. in June 1776 and in 1798
married Miss Betsey Huntington of Norwich. In 1805 he settled in Troy, NY
where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He raised a corps of volunteers in the
summer of 1812 and joined the service on the St. Lawrence Frontier under
Colonel Benedict. Because of his exploit at St. Regis he was promoted to major
in the 29th Regular Infantry in February 1813 and was raised to the rank of
lieutenant colonel two months afterward. He was disbanded in 1815 and soon
afterward joined Miranda's Mexican expedition. He left New York for that
purpose July 1816. In August, the following year, he was in Fort Sombrero, with
two hundred and sixty-nine men, when it was encircled by three thousand five
hundred Royalists. While standing exposed on the ramparts on the 18th of
August 1818, a cannon shot from the enemy took off his head."
Jean-Baptiste-Pierre Testard Louvigny de Montigny:
19

Montigny served as an agent for the Indian Department of Lower Canada and was
stationed at the Iroquois reserve of St Regis and was on the staff of the Lower
Canadian militia. Following an American raid at St Regis, Louvigny de Montigny
was captured on 23 Oct. 1812 and taken the next day to Plattsburgh, N.Y. He
returned to Lower Canada on December 8, having been exchanged for an
American colonel and died of his wounds on Feb. 24, 1813, at 62 years of age.
Read more about him here: http://www.biographi.ca/EN/009004-119.01e.php?id_nbr=2685
Malone Farmer 1933:
The "Man Homestead (was) located between Westville Center and Constable
village in the town of Westville. Occupied by Dr. Albon Man and Alric Man,
brothers from Vermont (in) 1802. Both (were) officers in the War of 1812"
Ft. Covington Sun - Sept 12, 1985 - "History of Fort Covington" by Olga A.
Robinson written 1906-1907 - "Chapter 2, The Beginning of French Mills:
"Fort Covington owes its beginning to William Gray, an Indian by adoption,
whose life was one of long romance and adventure. He was born in Cambridge,
NY of white parents. At the age of seventeen he joined the American Army in the
War for Independence and was captured by the British and imprisoned in Quebec.
When peace was declared, he was released but he lived at the Indian village of
Caughnawaga and afterward at St. Regis. He won the hearts of the Indians by
adopting their dress and manner of life so they took him into their tribe and he
was finally made a chief. After he had won a wife from their number, and had
lived of roaming the woods and rivers, he built a saw mill on the St. Regis River.
The place became known as Gray Mills, now Hogansburg. When he grew tired of
this he turned to new fields and this time hit the Salmon River. In 1793 he made a
contract with his tribesmen by which he bound himself to build a saw mill and to
give the Indians two hundred dollars; they in return were to give him the use of a
tract of land one mile square around the mill. Gray built the mill and in three
years assigned it to a Frenchman, Thomas Aroquente, and French Mills had begun
its history."
November 3, 1812:
"Historical Sketches of Franklin County and it's Several Towns" by Frederick Joel
Seaver:
"Under date of November 8th Lieutenant (Charles) McNeil (Jr.) tells of "a wild
goose chase" on the 3d inst., when Major young order our the battalion upon
representation that there was a party of Indians within eight or ten miles, stealing
and driving off cattle, hogs and sheep. A force of about one hundred and twenty
soldiers took up the march, expecting to find a hundred plunderers. After
proceeding four miles a swamp was struck and crossed, and then another longer
one, in crossing which the men could not see two rods from each other, and in
which many got mired. This second swamp was seven miles through. then,
having advanced another mile or two, and having learned from the inhabitants
that there were no plunderers in the vicinity, and also that the major had sent the
20

pack horses to the very place where he had represented that the Indians were
operating, the other officers became convinced that the major was in fact leading
them to Baker's near Montreal., with the purpose of taking a fort there, not
withstanding it was garrisoned by two hundred men, with five hundred more
within easy call, and Captain Rufus Tilden, Captain Pliny Miller and Lieutenant
McNeil, with ensigns, held a council, and determined to proceed no farther. being
militia, these troops could not be ordered to service beyond the frontiers of the
country. They accordingly went into camp for the night, without shelter of any
kind, except a very few blankets, and with no food save a little pork and bread.
"The next morning they started on their return to French Mills without appraising
the other companies. These later followed some six hours later, and Major Young
was furious at having been deserted. Lieutenant McNeil gives no further
explanation of the affair. Soon afterward his company was transferred to
Champlain where he died December 10, 1812."
More on Charles McNeil:
http://www.omdhs.syracusemasons.com/sites/default/files/history/War%20of%20
1812%20-%20Grand%20Lodge%20of%20NY%202.pdf
More on Plinny Miller (Saranac Lake, NY): http://hsl.wikispot.org/Pliny_Miller
and http://hsl.wikispot.org/Pliny_Miller's_Sawmill_and_Gristmill
November 9, 1812 - Battle of Kingston, ON Harbor:
Isaac Chauncey learned from spies in Kingston that Hugh Earl (Commodore
Hugh Earle) would be taking three ships- the Royal George, the Prince Regent
and the Duke of Gloucester - onto Lake Ontario to support Fort George. On Nov
6th Chauncey took his ship, the Oneida and six armed schooners including the
Hamilton and gave chase. After losing them that day they found the British Ships
again on November 7th where they captured two Schooners. On November 9th in
Chauncey followed the other ships into Kingston Harbor and engaged in firing on
the Royal George, killing one man and significantly damaging the ship.
November 23, 1812 - Raid of French Mills (Ft. Covington):
Historical Dictionary of the War of 1812 by Robert Malcomson:
British "Captain Andrew Gray was proceeding up the St. Lawrence River in a
convoy of bateaux with supplies during the third week of November when he was
ordered to recapture the Akwesasne post and then attack the American post at
French Mills, New York, on the Salmon River about nine miles east of
Akwesasne. Gray gathered a detachment of troops under Major Alexander Clerk,
49th Foot, which included men from the Glengarry Light Infantry (under Major
George MacDonell), the 1/49th Foot and the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and
250 of the Glengarry and Stormont Militias. Gray, though junior in rank, appears
to have held command. The British crossed to the Salmon River in the predawn
hours of 23 November. The Stormont Militia reoccupied Akwesasne without any
apparent opposition, while the rest, joined by 30 native warriors, proceeded across
21

country to attack French Mills. Here, they surprised and overwhelmed the NY
Militia garrison, which had three men killed and 42 captured. The British
withdrew after destroying arms, ammunition and bateaux.
Plattsburgh Republican Dec 4, 1812:
"Captain Tilden's company of militia, about fifty in number, have been taken
prisoners by the enemy at the French Mills without firing on either side, we
understand the enemy consists of two or three hundred, and that captain Tilden
had several hours notice of their coming. The enemy killed one man (Thomas
Fletcher - on 1800 Chateaugay census) who stood in his own door, and plundered
two houses in the village."
After the Major Young's attack on October 23rd on the Canadians at St. Regis
village, Young left French Mills in November.
Ft. Covington Sun - Sept 12, 1985 - "History of Fort Covington" by Olga A.
Robinson written 1906-1907 - "Chapter 3, French Mills in War Time 1812 -
1815:
"The English under Lt. Colonel (Alexander) MacMillan planned a retaliatory
attack. On the 22nd of November an alarm was brought to French Mills and the
company under Captain Tilden was marched to the blockhouse for as this
structure still lacked a roof the soldiers were quartered in a building on Water
Street. The British marched in on the old St. Regis Road, crossed the river and
paraded up and down Water Street. Captain Tilden surrendered his party
prisoners to the number of forty-four. These were taken to Montreal and after
three weeks, were exchanged for the prisoners taken at St. Regis."
November 24, 1812 - Ogdensburg:
Plattsburgh Republican, Dec. 1, 1812:
"Ogdensburg, Dec.1. Skirmishing. Last Tuesday two or three British gun-boats
attempted to intercept some boats that had been sent up the river by captain
Forsyth, of the U.S. regiment, for the purpose of obtaining fuel; on observing
which, Capt. Forsyth manned a boat with 12 men and went against the enemy,
and, notwithstanding the fire of the gun-boats, one of which mounted a twelve
pounder, he succeeded in getting within rifle shot of them, and forced them to
sheer of(f). One rife man was slightly injured by a musket ball. The gun-boats on
their return to Prescott Harbor were fired upon by our batteries. On Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, shots were fired from our batteries at the enemy's gunboats,
which have generally commenced a fire upon some of our small craft. The
batteries at Prescott have not fired upon this village since the attack of the 4th
October."
Winter of 1812/1813:
History of St. Lawrence County - LH Everts:
"The following additional items were furnished by Mr. James W. Lytle (note
William and James Lytle, from Lisbon, were part of Jehiel Dimick's group under
22

Benjamin Forsyth and John Lytle was with Forsyth), a citizen of Ogdensburg, still
living in his eighty-fourth year, who was a soldier and an actor in the events of
those days. During the winter of 1812-13 a company of horse under command of
Capt. Jehiel Dimick (from De Kalb) were stationed at Ogdensburg, and performed
patrol duty for some time on the river-roads and on the ice. On one occasion two
men J.W. Lytle and Joseph Brooks (Madrid 1820 census - in Dimick's group)
were sent out on the regular patrol for the night. They proceeded up the river to
Millis' tavern about four miles above Ogdensburg where they found two mounted
men, one named Hanson (could be Joshua Hanson from Sanford, Maine who
named one of his sons Benjamin Forsyth Hanson), an officer in Capt. Forsyth's
company of regulars an the other named Drummond, who became afterwards
quite distinguished (I could not find a Drummond on the rolls in Dimock's group
but I did find a Stephen Grummon, cornet, on the Sackets Harbor roll of names).
After a short time the four men mounted and crossed over to the Canada side, and
rode for some distance down the river, where they struck on the ice and moved
down towards Ogdensburg.
They had not proceeded far when they discovered a party of fifteen or twenty men
approaching upon the ice from the opposite direction. The larger party hailed,
"Who comes there?" "Friends!" replied one of the smaller party. "Friends to
whom?" Fearing they were British, and hoping to conciliate or escape them,
Hanson answered, "Friends to King George!" In an instant the whole party fired
upon them, killing the horses of Hanson and Brooks, and wounding the former by
a buck-shot to the leg. The horse of Lytle sprang into the air, as the old
gentleman expressed it, "about four feet, and made the best time he ever knew
away from the spot," while Drummond immediately rode forward towards the
firing party, and, by timely explanation, prevented any additional
damage...Hanson eventually recovered from his wound and did good service at
Sacket's Harbor and other places though he remained ever after somewhat
crippled by the shot.
Quite a number of veterans of the Revolution had assembled at Ogdensburg and
were doing duty as volunteers somewhat independent of military restraint, and
this party was composed of a portion of them.
Robert Lytle, the father of James W. Lytle, was a Revolutionary Soldier, and
resided at the breakout of that war in Washington County, NY. He was engaged
in the battle of Bennington, and served in the campaign which ended with the
surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga in October 1777. He was among those who
turned out to do duty at Ogdensburg, where he contracted a cold which terminated
in sickness that caused his death in January 1813 at the age of fifty-four years.
The family were originally from Ireland, having emigrated to this country about
the year 1768. At the time of the War of 1812 they resided in Lisbon."
January 1, 1813:
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg 1749 - 1907:
23

"....11 p.m. " Today I have been very busy with Mr. Parish organizing our
Ogdensburg Turnpike Company.
" General Brown has left us, as have most of the militia, their time of service
being expired and I expect we shall be left with a very small force, only Forsyth's
Riflemen, and a few three months volunteers.
" Colonel Benedict now commands again, until it is ascertained whether General
Dearborn will send any troops.
" We understand that only a small force of three hundred men are at Prescott.
" A number of Yankees have crossed over this week ; permission is given to every
person not willing to take the oath of allegiance to leave the province, and carry
their property with them, and if found after the first of February, without having
taken the oath, they are to be imprisoned."
January 24, 1813
Henry Letcher from Militia Roll of Capt Giles Kellog in service at Sacket's
Harbor "died at Ogdensburg Jan 24, 1813 (provided by Bryan Thompson - De
Kalb Historian)
February 7, 1813 - American Raid to free Prisoners at Brockville (Elizabethtown):
"History of St. Lawrence County" by Franklin Hough:
"On the 6th of February, 1813, about a fortnight before the attack upon
Ogdensburg, Captain Forsyth being told, by spies and friends in Elizabethtown
(Brockville), that a large number of Americans were confined there in jail, and
pressing news being repeatedly received that they were treated with severity, that
some were claimed as British deserters, although they had become citizens of the
United States, and that some of these would be executed by the authority of the
British court-martial, it was resolved to attempt their rescue. A party consisting of
Capt. Forsyth's company, and citizen volunteers to the number of about two
hundred, was organized and ready to start about nine o'clock in the evening, and
leaving the town in the care of Capt. Kellog, of the Albany volunteers, and a few
citizens, they proceeded on foot and in two or three sleighs (the latter in the rear)
to Morristown. The expedition took along one light gun, but were obliged to leave
it on account of great fissures in the ice. Having halted here a few moments and
procured a guide (Arnold Smith who kept a public house) they crossed in two
divisions, marching in open order on account of the weakness of the ice, Capt.
Forsyth leading one division and Col. Benedict the other. Flank guards were
dispatched to each side of the town, to arrest such as might: attempt to escape,
while the main body marched into the village and stationed themselves in the
square in front of the jail, which then occupied the same site as present. Adjutant
Church was ordered to detach platoons from the main body and station them at
the corners of the streets and those points best calculated to prevent resistance or a
combination of forces. Lieut. Wells commanded the right flank guard, and Lieut.
Johnson the left. Sergt. Foster, of the main guard who had been stationed with a
few men on one of the corners, on hearing the approach of a company of men,
hailed them with the challenge, "Who comes here?" He was answered by the
24

eply, "Not friends of King George." Not hearing the first word in the reply he
fired and wounded one man. The party proved to be the left flan of the
Americans and an understanding was soon regained. Meanwhile Capt. Forsyth,
with a few men, entered the jail and demanded the keys which were surrendered
without resistance and every prisoner, with the exception of one confined for
murder, was removed. He naturally begged hard to share the fortune of the
others, but was left. Some of the more prominent citizens were taken prisoners
and (with the exception of one physician, who was paroled at Morristown) taken
to Ogdensburg, at which place the party arrived before daylight. The rescued
prisoners and citizens brought back numbered about fifty-two, of whom six or
seven were officers. One man was wounded by a shot from a window (Major
Carley), with which exception no resistance was offered. The countersign of the
party on this affair was Americans. Among the prisoners was Maj. Carley, three
captains and two Lieutenants. Major Bartholomew Carley of the 1st Regiment,
Leeds Militia, and several of his officers, were taken to Ogdensburg.
Subsequently, Forsyth's prisoners were paroled, all except Carley, who had to
wait to be exchanged for an American officer of equivalent rank. The following is
a list of those taken except officers: Stephen Chipman (b. Ct. - Vt. - Brockville,
d. Palmyra, NY), David Wheeler (could be Sgt. in General Brown's troops- under
Elisha Allen, under Timothy Cornwell's Militia, Wheeler from Ellisburg,NY),
Charles French, Benjamin Gould, Wm. Graves, Winthrop Tufts, Zea Castle,
Ichabod Wing, George Allen, Henry Staats, Timothy Buel, Abram McCue,
Thomas Daehnham, Alex. Campbell, John Davis, Daniel McMullen, Richard
McBane, Joseph Trader, Isaac C____, Uri Stone, Archibald Ladd, David Wheeler,
John W. Easton, Peter Whitman, Joseph Howard, Levi Stone, Thomas Thornton,
Isaac Mather, Samuel Elliot, Joseph Woolley, James Smith, Horatio Bradshaw,
Gamaliel Tuttle, John Green, Joseph Ryon, Norris Loverin, David Stevenson,
Jehiel Smith, Thomas Rambley, Wm. Robinson, Richardson Cameron, Henry
Smith, Cleveland Stafford, John Joy, John Whitlesy. They also seized and
brought away one hundred and twenty muskets, twenty rifles, two casks of fixed
ammunition and some other public stores, but no private property was either taken
or destroyed...... Mr. James Lytle (Lisbon, NY) had been engaged in the affair at
Brockville, where he captured a Col. (Adiel - captain in the Leeds Militia)
Sherwood in a cellar, and notwithstanding his liberal offer of money, turned him
over as a prisoner to the commander of the expedition."
Some reports I read say that Adiel's brother, Reuben, brokered a trade to get his
brother out of prison by capturing American officers to trade for his brother.
More about Reuben later in this paper.
More on the Sherwood Family:
http://www.uelac.org/education/QuebecResource/Chapters/The_Sherwood_Famil
y.html and http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01e.php?&id_nbr=5262&&PHPSESSID=ychzfqkvzape
February 10, 1813
25

Cpl. James Brown (Sharon, NY) who died (epidemic)Wednesday, Ogdensburg,
February 10, 1813 at 10 P. M. - Giles Kellog's troops (provided by Bryan
Thompson - De Kalb Historian)
February 22, 1813 - Raid of Ogdensburg (George Washington's Birthday):
"The Field Book of the War of 1812"Benson J. Lossing and from "The History of
St. Lawrence County, New York" by Franklin Hough:
"This exploit led to early retaliation on part of the British. At about that time Sir
George Prevost, the Governor General of Canada, arrived at Prescott on his way
to the capital of the upper province. Lt. Col. Pierson (Pearson), commanding at
Prescott proposed an attack upon Ogdensburg. The governor was willing to have
the attempt made; but on learning that some deserters had crossed the St.
Lawrence, and would probably inform the Americans of the proximity of a prize
so precious as his Excellency, he became alarmed for his personal safety, and
ordered Pierson to accompany him on an immediate journey to Kingston with an
escort. Lt. Col M'Donell (George Richard John MacDonell - "Red George" -
wounded at Ogdensburg - would later face Wade Hampton I at Chateaugay - Oct
26, 1813), was charged with the business of assailing Ogdensburg, and was
directed by the governor to first make a demonstration on the ice in front of the
26

village, to engage the attention of the American troops....to draw out their forces,
to ascertain the strength of the garrison.
British spies informed Forsyth of the intended attack, and he immediately
dispatched a courier to Gen. Dearborn at Plattsburgh, on Lake Champlain, for reenforcements.
"I can afford you no help," replied Dearborn. "You must do as
well as you are able, and if you can not hold the place you are at liberty to
abandon it." He intimated that the sacrifice of Ogdensburg might be of public
benefit in arousing the flagging energies of the Americans. On the receipt of this
reply, Forsyth called a council of officers, when it was resolved to hold the place s
long as possible. Its defenses were few and feeble yet stout hearts were there.
Near the intersection of Ford and Euphemia (now State ) streets stood a trophy
cannon taken from Burgoyne at Saratoga - an iron six-pounder, on a wheel
carriage, commanded by Captain (Giles) Kellog, of the Albany Volunteers. On
the west side of Ford Street, between State and Isabella Streets, was a store used
as an arsenal, in front of which, likewise on a wheel carriage, was a brass sixpounder,
manned by some volunteers and citizens, under Joseph York, Esq. then
sheriff of the county and captain of a small company of volunteers. On the river
bank a short distance from Parish's huge stone store house ...near the International
Ferry was a rude wooden breastwork, on which was mounted, on a sled carriage,
an iron twelve-pounder, also taken from Burgoyne. This battery was commanded
by Capt. Joshua Conkey. On the point where the light house now stands, near the
site of old Fort Presentation, was a brass nine-pounder on a sled carriage in charge
of one of Capt. Kellog's Sergeants. Back of the old fort, mounted on sleds, were
two old fashioned iron six-pounders, one of them commanded by Adjutant Daniel
W. Church and the other by Lt. Baird, of Maj. Forsyth's company. In front of the
huge gateway between the two buildings then remaining of the old fort was
another brass six-pounder on a sled and about twenty feet tot he left of this was a
six-pounder iron cannon on a sled. Several others were lying on the edge of the
Oswegatchie fast bound in ice. Below the town, on the square bounded by
Washington and Water, Elizabeth and Franklin streets, was an unfinished redoubt
(fort)..quadrangular in form..., which was commenced the previous autumn by M.
Ramee, a French engineer (who had been in the service of Bonaparte), by order of
General Brown and named Ft. Oswegatchie. All the troops then available for the
defense of the place were Forsyth's riflemen, a few volunteers and about a dozen
raw recruits.
The drafted militia had long since returned home and Capt. Forsyth's company
alone remained. Lt. Lytle had received orders for raising a company of
volunteers, and Joshua Conkey, of Canton, had arrived a little bit before with
thirteen men towards a company. On the evening previous to the attack, an
arrangement had been made that, in this case, Adjutant Church was to have
charge of the piece at the garrison and Sheriff Your the brass six-pounder near the
arsenal.
27

On the morning of the 22nd of February, about eight hundred men, under Lt. Col.
M'Donell, appeared on the ice, and approached Ogdensburg in two columns. It
was a singular spectacle, for only once or twice before had the river been closed
between Prescott and Ogdensburg. The right column (their right), three hundred
strong, composed of a detachment from the Glengary Light Infantry Fencibles and
a body of Canadian militia was commanded by Capt. John Jenkins (who lost an
arm in the attack) . The left column (their left), five hundred strong, composed of
a detachments of the King's Regiment and the Royal Newfoundland Corps, a
body of Canadian local militia and some Indians, was commanded by Lt. Col
M'Donell. These troops moved steadily toward the village, while some of the
inhabitants were yet in bed and others were at breakfast. The right column
proceeded to attack Forsyth and his command at the old fort....Forsyth formed his
men behind the stone buildings and directed them to reserve their fire until he
should give the word of command. Baird, with the brass six-pounder was on the
right of his line and Church, with the iron six-pounder, was near the center. Just
as the enemy reached the flat, snow-drifted shore, they fired, but without effect.
Forsyth then gave the word and a full volley of musketry and a discharge of
artillery swept down eight of the foe, and threw their line into utter confusion.
They attempted to rally and charge upon the Americans, but the frightened militia
failing to support the infantry, the movement was not executed, and the assailing
party, after losing, besides the killed and wounded, a number of prisoners, fled out
upon the frozen river, seriously annoyed by the nine-pounder on the point where
the light house stands.
While these events were in progress on the upper side of the village beyond the
Oswegatchie, Lt. Col. M'Donell had marched up into the town from a point below
the battery, near the barracks, without Resistance. Capt. Conkey kept his twelve-
pounder silent when he might have swept the enemy's ranks fearfully, and perhaps
utterly checked their advance; and, without the least resistance, he surrendered
himself, his gun and his men to the invaders. When this was accomplished they
expected an easy conquest of the town, but they were soon confronted by the
cannon under Capt. (Giles) Kellog and Sheriff (Joseph)York. The gun of the
former was soon disabled by the breaking of its elevator screw, and he and his
men fled across the Oswegatchie and joined Forsyth, leaving the indomitable
York to maintain the fight alone. The sheriff continued to fire until two of his
men were mortally wounded (Joseph Kneeland from De Kalb and Mr. Hyde), and
himself and the remainder of his party were made prisoners.
The village was now in full possession of the enemy, and the citizens fled, mostly
in the directions of Remington's (Rev. Jarius Remington - on 1820 Census) ...in
Heuvelton. M'Donell proceeded at once to complete the conquest by dislodging
Forsyth and his party. He paraded his troops on the northern shore of the
Oswegatchie, and sent a flag to Forsyth summoning him to surrender instantly.
"If you surrender, it shall be well; if not, every man shall be put to the bayonet,"
was a message sent with the summons. "Tell Col M'Donell," replied Forsyth,
"there must be more fighting done first." The bearers of the flag (Duncan Frazer
28

and Jonas Jones) had just reached their line on Ford Street, near Hasbrouck's,
when Church and Baird fired the two six-pounders that stood before the gate of
the fort, both charged with grape and canister. The effect was severe (disabling 8
men), but less frightful than it might have been had not Forsyth peremptorily
ordered Church to elevate his piece a little higher. The discharge frightened the
enemy, and they took shelter behind Parish's store-house and other buildings, and
began picking off the Americans in detail(including two men by the names of
Squires and Clark) while another party, overwhelming in numbers, were
preparing to storm the old fort. Forsyth's quick eye and judgment comprehended
the impending peril. It was heightened by the wounding of Church and Baird
(Beard)(severely in the foot), and he gave orders for a retreat to Thurber's Tavern,
(John and Olliy on 1810 Oswegatchie Census, Kelsey, 1800 Oswegatchie census -
who is on the list of militia at the top of this paper & Joseph Thurber on 1800
census) on Black Lake eight or nine miles distance..... where they retreated to
Depeyster's Corners (with Kellog). The British took prisoners of all men in the
hospital, eight in number, and Sergt. Carr who had care of the arsenal. Lt. Baird
was too badly wounded to retreat and was conveyed to the house of Judge Ford.
Adjutant Church, with the assistance of two of Forsyth's men retreated. Five
Americans were killed and eighteen wounded. As the enemy were marching
down Ford Street some of the number, on entering the store room used as an
arsenal were met by a lad at the door by the name of Jones,(note: there is an Elihu
Jones on Oswegatchie 1810 census - could be related) from Canton, who
discharged a musket and severely wounded one of their number, and was in the
act of reloading his piece when the soldiers, enraged at this resistance fired a
volley upon the courageous boy and finished their work with him by a thrust of a
bayonet which pinned him to the counter. Further resistance not being offered, the
enemy proceeded to ransack the town for public property and pillage, carrying off
or wantonly destroying private property to a great amount. Fifty-two prisoners
were taken over to Canada where citizens were mostly paroled and allowed to
return home, excepting those who had been found under arms. Joshua Conkey
and his men, Sergt. Rogers, Lt. Baird and a few others believed to be about
twenty were sent prisoners of war to Montreal and then by water to Halifax until
exchanged, except fourteen of whom Rogers was one who escaped from jail at
Montreal and returned home. The citizen prisoners captured at this incursion
were exchanged for those taken at Brockville.
The British official account of this engagement gives the losses as follows: 1
sergeant, 6 rank and file killed; 1 Lt-Col, 2 Capts. 4 subalterns, 8 Sergeants and
38 rank and file wounded. Officers wounded - Lt. Col. McDonnell, Capt. (John)
Jenkins severely (lost an arm), Lt. McKay. Militia - Capt. J. Mc Donnell, Lt.
Empy (Philip Empey from Cornwall), severely, Lt. M'Lean and Lt. M'Dermott. "
Forsyth's sword is on display today at Ft. Wellington in Prescott.
Canton Free Library - Scrapbooks - Vol. 1a - 1934:
29

Capt. Forsyth after waiting in vain for reinforcements, marched his riflemen
through the woods to Sackets Harbor, arriving there just in time to join Pike's
expedition against York (Toronto). It was Forsyth who led the American advance
detachment in the assault."
The Capture of Ogdensburg from Canadian Reports - from
http://www.napoleonseries.org/military/Warof1812/2011/Issue16/c_WaronIce.ht
ml
"From the Literary Garland January 1849 - On the declaration of War, Major
Genl. Isaac Brock then administrator of the Government in Upper Canada
addressed the Colonels of Militia in the Eastern and other Districts calling upon
them to assemble their regiments, and take the necessary steps to repel invasion.
An Act was passed authorizing two companies of Each Battalion to be Embodied
and to be styled the Flank Companies of the Battalion. The Stormont regiment
furnished its two companies instantly; one was commanded by Captn. Philip
Empy [Empey] of Cornwall. The others by Captn. William Morgan of Osnabruck.
The strength of these companies was one hundred men each. When the regiment
was assembled the entire battalion volunteered for six months service. As soon as
it was known that two Companies only were to be formed, Every man manifested
the strongest desire to be one of the "two hundred." The Selection was made from
the young unmarried men and these companies were known as the "Stormont
Flankers."
In the Autumn of 1812 they received orders to move to Prescott. Arriving at their
post there was no barracks to Shelter them. Our cabins or Shanties were
constructed by them of rough [stones or sods], roofs of plank being furnished by
the Commissariat.
Lieutenant Col. Robert Lethbridge was commanding Field Officer at Prescott.
When they arrived on the evening of the 3rd October, he announced to the Militia
on Parade his intention to attack Ogdensburg next Morning at daylight -- and
accordingly on the morning of the 4th the whole force there Embarked in bateaux
at the wharf and proceeded about a mile up the river before pulling across It was
an ill managed business for the current carried them down in front of the Enemies
batteries, whilst yet some hundred yards from the Shore and there exposed to the
fire of grape and round shot, the bateaux chiefly pulled by the Militia got into
confusion and rowed back to Prescott. This was not a cheering commencement
but we lived on hopes of "better luck next time".
Shortly after this there seeming to be no immediate occasion for the services of
the "Stormont Flankers" they were permitted to return home. Scarcely had they
done so when Lieut. Col. Thomas Pearson inspecting field officer then on his way
to Prescott from Montreal, ordered them back. They found the stone shanties they
had erected in the possession of the Leeds Militia and put up with inferior quarters
in a large stone house above the village. Col. Pearson succeeded Col. Lethbridge
30

efore the winter set in bringing with him as Staff Adjutant Lieut. George Ridge
of the 8th [Foot] (or Kings Regt) a company of this regiment under Captain James
Eustace, shortly after joined the garrison, which then consisted of a few Artillery
men a detachment of the Royal Newfoundland Fencible Infantry Regt and Militia.
Subsequently two companies of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles reached
the post from Montreal, under the command of Major Macdonell (late of the
Kings) on their way up they had successfully attacked and captured Prisoners at
Salmon River from a block house of the enemy in retaliation for a coup they [the
Americans] had made at St. Regis, where fifty voyageurs had been surprised and
made prisoners.
The Ogdensburg Garrison had frequently made raids on the Canadian Shore,
annoying the inhabitants. This they had done at Brockville, Ganaoque
[Gananoque] and other places. Ogdensburg had been a centre of annoyance, and
our men were all anxious to give them a taste of "our quality." Our Militia too
were subjected to hard drilling. The Garrison was under Arms Every morning
before daylight and remained so until the pickets came in. Lieut Ridge the Staff
Adjutant already referred to was a very active office and a capital drill. He
selected fifty men from the "Stormont Flankers" and other militia from the
Eastern District -- these he joined to the detachment of the Newfoundland and had
them all out on the ice in front of Prescott every day until they were perfect as
light Infantry.
This Continued for some time, when on the 19th February Col. Pearson
dispatched Major Macdonell with a flag of truce to Ogdensburg remonstrating
with the Enemy's Commanding officer against sending merely predatory parties
across the river; This officer (a Major Forsythe) [Major Benjamin Forsyth of the
U.S. Rifle Regiment] in conversation expressed his desire to meet Col. Pearson
with his force on the ice, Major Macdonell gave him to understand that the
command at Prescott would shortly devolve upon him and he certainly would
have no objection to gratify his wish.
On the 21st of February 1814 the command did devolve upon him. On that
Evening Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost passed through Prescott on his
way to Kingston. Being made acquainted with the wanton local aggressions of the
Enemy instructed major Macdonell to "watch his opportunity" and retaliate. Sir
George passed on to Kingston but the Major evidently thinking when fighting is
the order of the day, no time like the present determined to gratify the
Ogdensburg Major without delay but not a syllable was tittered on the Subject. On
the night of the 22nd apropos the birthday of Washington everything was still in
Prescott, all save the Guards and pickets -- there warm under blankets, when
about one o'clock a.m. the slumber of several officers was disturbed by an orderly
to say they were wanted at the Commandants quarters - on repairing thither, a few
brief questions and instructions followed by the order to return to their quarters
and have their men out before daylight "without beat of drum" was the result of
the nocturnal visit. Accordingly about half past six, the garrison was under Arms.
31

The force disposable for attack was less than five hundred men. And was divided
into two columns, one of these under the command of Captain John Jenkins
consisted of his Company of Glengarry Light Infantry and two companies of
Militia, one from the County of Glengarry commanding by Captain Alexander
McMillan the other from the county of Dundas under Captain Michael Ault -- a
six pounder gun was attached to this column but there were only two Royal
Artillery men with it. The other column consisted of about one hundred men of
the 8th Regiment - fifty of the Royal Newfoundland and two hundred Militia, the
latter column at the at the hour named was formed in the main street of the
village, the former on the road a short distance above the village.
At peep of day the major came to the Parade in the street and by this time Every
man knew then intention was "a visit to Ogdensburg." But a short time elapsed
after the Major Macdonell's appearance before the word was given "Forward"
both Columns were in motion and soon on the ice, Jenkins had been directed to
push over to the heights, above the old French fort and having established himself
on the shore there to dispose his force to attack the enemy or cut off his retreat if
he fled before the left column (which was the main body) under Macdonell
himself, which moved towards the lower part of the village of Ogdensburg.
The story ran that the Enemies Sentries seeing so large a force on the ice, gave the
alarm that the British were coming over; but the Yankee Major [Forsyth] did not
believe the report, observing It is only that fellow Ridge drilling his men (as had
been Ridge's daily practice) however a few minutes undeceived him as the
columns advanced at a brisk pace, Jenkin's column got in motion first and had a
shorter distance to go so that when the Enemy's fire opened he had the full benefit
of the guns of the fort. Those on the Green Battery (on the point where the
Lighthouse now is), being directed on the main body.
Almost the first cannon shot upset the six pounder Jenkins had with him, killing
the only two royal Artillery men with it -- this happened when half way over the
river however on went the column and reached the shore, where an unforeseen
obstacle presented itself, the snow drift on the shore had accumulated, to flounder
through it -- up to their middle was no easy task and Jenkins gave the Word to
keep to the ice along the bank. Owing to this circumstance the men were much
more exposed and the plan of operations to some extent defeated for it had been
intended that the left column should get across at some distance from the Fort and
attack it from above or not attacking intercept the retreat of the Enemy as
circumstances might decide.
As it was Jenkins moved directly towards the fort. When within pistol shot of it he
was knocked over by a grape shot which shattered his left arm on his legs again in
a minute (seeing his men put out by his fall) he shouted never mind me, and ran
on a few steps farther when down he went again, the right arm now shattered like
its fellow. Rise again, he could not, what with this second mischance and long
exposure on so open a surface, as the ice, the men in confusion began to turn
32

ack. Lieut. Macauley endeavored to restore confidence but was unsuccessful and
the left column found its way back to the British shore all the time under fire of
the Enemy's cannon. They carried their gallant young leader with them however.
When they reached their own shore there stood the late Bishop [Alexander]
Macdonell whose courage was equal to his Loyalty -- reforming them as they
came in and sending them to join the main body by that time on the shore of the
other side Jenkins more rapid advance had had the effect of calling most of the
Enemy's attention to him, and Major Macdonell observing the left column had
more than its share of the flying missiles sent forward. Lieut. Alexander MacLean
(present M.P. for Stormont) of the militia to overtake Lieut. Ridge who was at the
head of the column with his Newfoundlanders and Selected Militia Men -- and
direct him to hasten on with all speed to divert some of the Enemy's fire from the
right column. The Newfoundlanders had no officer of their own corps with them
being under the command of Ridge of the 8th or Kings Regiment. The officers of
the half hundred Stormont and Dundas Militia attached to the Newfoundlanders
were Lieuts. Daniel Burritt and Peter Fraser.
McLean came up with Ridge just as the advance approached the deep snow bank
on the south side of the river And having delivered Major Macdonells orders the
men pushed on with all speed but such was the depth of snow that before the men
got to the road on shore they were all completely out of wind. It was necessary to
call halt for a few minutes the men were got together behind a slaughter house;
while in that position, two or three of the enemy's militia armed with rifles came
round the corner and were made prisoners.
After taking breath, the advance was resumed. Along the river bank two a breast a
fine young fellow of the Dundas Militia and McLean were the leading files. A
man issued from a house ahead and taking deliberate aim fired and young
Ondereack pitched forward dead, his slayer was soon rolled over in the snow well
perforated and the death avenged.
On reaching the street leading to Parish's house, a number of men were seen
collected at a corner and it was observed they had three pieces of artillery with
them, these had been placed at that point to command different approaches. These
they were endeavoring to wheel round upon the advancing British but the snow
was so deep and the guns so heavy (two twelve, and one six pounder) they were
slow in doing it.
Lieut. Ridge was now leading and perceiving their intentions shouted to increase
speed, on they rushed like the wind for had the guns been fired they would have
cleared the street -- and every muscle was strained to reach them. The Enemy
seemed daunted by the speed and ardor of the advance for only the six pounder
was discharged its contents was only one round shot and its only damage was
leaving its mark on McLean's left thigh, the guns were captured, and the one that
had not been fired were turned on the retreating Enemy with effect. After which
33

they were spiked by breaking the points of bayonets in the touch holes and
hammering them down with the butts of fire locks.
The main body was by this time seen coming up rapidly along the main road and
the advance having taken breath pursued the retreating Enemy towards the Black
River over a hill near where the Post Office then was under the fire of the Fort
and battery East of Parish's store. The Green Battery as one was styled directed its
fire on the main body. The advance rushed on with the intention of storming the
Battery East of Parish's Store when they observed a company of the Osnabruck
Militia from the main body commanded by Capt. [William] Morgan advancing to
storm it, which they did successfully. The enemy in the Green Battery, perceiving
it had fallen into the hands of the British turned their guns upon it and compelled
the Osnabruck people to abandon it. (Lieut. Philip P.) Empey (1st Stormont
Militia - right leg amputated) and a private named Servos [Thomas Servis] has
their legs carried away in the battery by round shot.
The main body by this time had come up with the field pieces, and a few shots
directed at the Green Battery compelled the enemy to abandon it. Major
Macdonell then dispatched an officer to summon the fort but ere he reached it, the
enemy was in full retreat, over a distant eminence.
Thus fell Ogdensburg. The total British loss was eight killed and fifty-two
wounded. A large quantity of munitions of war fell into our hands, and eleven
pieces of ordnance, among them two twelve pounders, inscribed, as having fallen
into the hands of the rebels, at the surrender of General Burgoyne, in 1777. Four
officers, and seventy men were made prisoners......
More than half our force engaged was militia and with the exception of about a
hundred of the 8th or King's Regt were provincials, -- the Glengarry Light
Infantry having been raised by Bishop Macdonell, in and around Glengarry Upper
Canada. As to the Royal Newfoundlanders, their name sufficiently denotes where
they were raised. The Militia lost three privates killed and one Captain, three
subalterns, and twenty frank and file wounded. The Officers wounded were
Captain McDonell, Lieuts. Empey. MacLean and McDermid, Col. Wm. Fraser of
Grenville commanded the Militia force, and the Captains, under him were -
McMillan, Duncan Macdonell (Greenfield), Morgan and Empey. Stormont: Jonas
Jones, and William Jones, of the County of Leeds; Burritt and William Fraser, of
the County of Grenville, George Merkle and John McDonell of the County of
Dundas. Major Macdonell's dispatch gives an account varying somewhat from the
preceding statement."
"Sketches illustrating the early settlement and history of Glengarry" By John
Alexander MacDonell
"The return of killed and wounded shows: Royal Artillery, two rank and file
killed; Eighth or King's Regiment, on sergeant killed, one subaltern, twelve rank
and file wounded; Glengarry Light Infantry, two rank and file killed, one captain,
34

one subalytern, three sergeants, nine rank and file wounded; Militia, nineteen
wounded. The officers wounded were: King's Regiment, Ensign Powell,
Glengarry Regiment Lt. Col Macdonell, Capt. Jenkins, Ensign McKay; Militia
Capt. Macdonell and Lieutenants Impey, McLean and Macdonell.....The
following men of the Glengarry Militia Regiments, who were wounded at the
taking of Ogdensburg, received a pension of twenty pounds each: first Regiment
Glengarry Militia - D McDermid, Donald Macdonell, John Macdonell, Thomas
Ross."
Canadians who died from: http://www.1812heroes.ca/1/archives/03-2012/1.html
-Thomas Gordon, 22 February 1813, Ogdensburg
-Nathan Belcher, 22 February 1813, Ogdensburg
From: http://remembrance1812.org/book-of-remembrance-1813
- Nathan Bundage
- Daniel Cain
- David Gillman
Americans who I have found in records who died at Ogdensburg were:
-Jones boy - from Canton? - ran through with a bayonet
-Arnold Pratt - from Militia Roll of Capt Giles Kellog in service at Sacket's
Harbor "killed in action at Ogdensburg Feb 22, 1813" (provided by Bryan
Thompson - De Kalb Historian) - drummer/fifer & shoemaker from Cobleskill -
musket ball through the head - was in Giles Kellog's troops.
-Mr. Hyde - see above - Militia (?no positive ID yet, there is an Ephraim Hyde
early settler in Massena, also an Ephraim Hyde on 1820 census - possibly Sr &
Jr? needs more research - also Hyde family in Lisbon, NY - possibly related...)
-Joseph Kneeland - from De Kalb/Richville- schoolmaster - see paragraph above -
also on military rolls for Capt. Jehiel Dimock's/ Benj Forsyth's company- March
1812 - Sacket's Harbor.
From http://www.kelloggscompany1812.org/history.html
"On the 22d of February, 1813, the enemy stationed at Prescott, opposite
Ogdensburg, made an attack, and during the engagement the company were
defeated with a loss of every thing, except the clothing they had on and the arms
they fought with. One drummer was killed, one fifer and one private were taken
prisoners, one private killed and two wounded. (note from his 1813 Sacket Harbor
rolls he has Arnold Pratt listed as killed at Ogdensburg Feb 23, 1813, Henry
Letcher died at Ogdensburg Jan 24, 1812 and John Campbell taken prisoner Feb
23,William Elmondorf, Lt, was an officer discharged April 15, 1813) I infer that
the Americans were forced to abandon the post and retreat to Sackett's Harbor,
and that an officer of this company was placed under arrest. His resignation was
35

tendered and accepted by Colonel Pike, April 15, 1813, through orders dated
Sackett's Harbor, May 3, 1813.... Dr. John C. Herrick for attendance," and an
itemized bill of $29.49 rendered by " Dr. W. Smith for Surgical attendance on...."
Private William Youngs of the town of Carlisle. William Youngs was twenty
years of age at the time of his enlistment on December 26th, 1812. The lad was
stationed in Ogdensburg when that place was attacked by the enemy from
Prescott. At his station during the engagement he "did perform his duty as a good
and courageous soldier" until he was wounded by a musket ball in the bone of his
left thigh. He was given first aid by his comrades and finally on March 3, 1813, a
Dr. J. W. Smith was summoned "for chirugical attendance" William Youngs who
lost his leg at Ogdensburg ". There is an itemized bill for daily visits and
dressings at 50 cents per visit from March 3rd to March 7th. Evidently the wound
became gangrenous for according to the bill rendered March 8th, 1813, the thigh
was amputated. There were subsequent bills until March 26th for visits, dressings
and medications among which were listed 1/2 quart of wine at $1.12. The total fee
for the doctor's services amounted to $29.49.
Finally after being transferred to Sackett's Harbor, the Company felt that the lad
was fully enough disabled to grant William Youngs a leave of absence for "the
remainder part of the term of service" on July 11, 1813. He returned to his home
in Carlisle, removed to Cobleskill and his last record comes from Cobleskill when
he applied for a pension on April 29th, 1815.
Shortly after this engagement, February 23, 1813, the enemy stationed at Prescott
across the river, made an attack. During the engagement the company was
defeated with a loss of everything but clothing and the arms with which they
fought. Of our men, one drummer was killed, one fifer and one private were taken
prisoner, one private was killed and two were wounded. The company drummer
who lost his life was young Arnold Pratt of Cobleskill. According to the inventory
of his effects of March 22, 1813, he was "stationed at Ogdensburg, New York,
....... who was killed in the action at Ogdensburg the 22d of February 1813 by a
musket ball through the head" ------ Among his effects are listed, 1 string Gold
Beads, 1 pair Old Portmanteaux, 1 Watch......From an old account of Elijah
Harlow, it appears that Ebenezer White, 1st Gunner of Sharon was one of the men
killed or fatally wounded. The above Mr. Harlow of Watertown rendered a bill to
Captain Kellogg for $3.50 for making a coffin and digging a grave for Ebenezer
White....died (epidemic) at Watertown, May 10, 1813."
At the Battle of Ogdensburg, 52 prisoners were taken to Canada. Of these men,
many were let go except for those found to be "under arms". 20 of them were
taken to Montreal where 14 of them escaped. (Rogers being one) The rest were
taken to Deadman's Island Prison at Halifax:
-Joshua Conkey - from Canton - went to Halifax prison, was released at the end of
the war and went to Boston via ship, then he walked home to Canton. He died in
1840 and is buried at the Bridge Cemetery in Canton.
-Serg Rogers - escaped at Montreal. (There is a William Rogers in Ogdensburg,
1820 Census, could be him or relative)
36

-Lieut Baird (Beard)- wounded at Ogdensburg - taken prisoner to Halifax. He
was wounded in the foot. See William C Beard, 2nd Lt from Md. who was
mentioned above in Benjamin Forsyth's letter about the raid at Granouoque.
William C. Beard, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st. Riflemen, Feb 22, 1813, Ogdensburg, NY
wounded; 1st Lieutenant 1st Riflemen, June 6, 1813 Stony Creek Canada,
prisoner. To be 1st. Lieutenant, 27th September, 1812 appointed Captain 1st
Rifle, May 1, 1817
A Bill - FEBRUARY 16, 1836 - Granting a pension to William C. Beard, late a
captain in the United States army. Be it enacted try the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, directed to place the name of William C.
Beard, late a captain in the United States army, on the invalid pension roll, at the
rate of seventeen dollars per month, to commence on the first of January, one
thousand eight hundred and thirty-five. from:
http://civilwarthosesurnames.blogspot.com/2009/12/men-who-fought-in-canada-
1812.html
-Serg. Carr -Carr was taken prisoner to Halifax (there is a James Carr on
Ogdensburg's 1820 census that could possibly be him.)
-Lewis Godard - Godard was from Lowville. His son was Harlow Godard who
settled in Richville and his grandson was Civil War Col 60th NY Infantry Col.,
Abel Godard. Lewis was captured at the Battle of Ogdensburg and ended up at
Deadman's Island Prison in Halifax. Note: there is also a Lewis Godard in the
Provincial Light Dragoons:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~onleedsg/research-military-
1812Payrolls.html
-Joseph York - Joseph settled with his father in Randolph Vt. At the age of 17
(1798 - he joined the Provisional Army under Lt. Nathaniel Leonard and served
until the army was disbanded in 1800. He emigrated to Ogdensburg in 1805 and
was deputy sheriff 3 years and sheriff 4 years. When made prisoner ....he was
taken to Prescott & thence to the Johnstown jail where, through the active
exertions of his wife, he was paroled. Mr. York's residence at that time was in the
Ogdensburg court house, a frame building that stood on the corner of Knox &
Euphemia (State) Sts."
-John Campbell - Information taken from Militia Roll of Capt. Giles Kellogg,
Military Service for War 1812, service Feb 6, 1812 into service at Sacket's Harbor
NY, John Campbell "Taken Prisoner at Ogdensburg Feb 22, 1813" (provided by
Bryan Thompson - De Kalb Historian) -fifer - from Cobleskill
-From The History of Madrid - Gates Curtis: "George B. Allen (son of Samuel
Allen), when a lad of eighteen years, enlisted in the war of 1812, under a call for
troops to protect the frontier. He was enrolled at Madrid by John Blanchard on
July 15, 1812, into a company under the command of Captain Castle, with
headquarters at Waddington. He was in the brush with the British at the Red
Mills, the details of which will be found in the history of Lisbon. The company
37

was known as the "Floodwood," that is, a company of men each dressed in his
own homespun suit or according to his own fancy, with no regular arms. He was
in the battle at Ogdensburg, and when the American troops retreated he, with
others, being in citizen's clothes, was ordered to remain and look after the
wounded and scattered arms. He was taken prisoner three times that day and taken
before the commanding officer, who, finding that he was not taken under arms,
and having no evidence that he was a United States soldier, was discharged. The
last time he was taken to the barracks he found them all drunk, when he managed
to escape to Lisbon, and on the way collected several guns, when he took them to
Heuvelton and turned them over to the quartermaster, who was there with a squad
of soldiers. The next day they broke camp and started for Sackett's Harbor, and
while there he enlisted in the cavalry service and was sent to Fort George. One
day while out on picket duty he saw a small dog cross in front of him. He knew
that meant Indians and Indians meant business, and that he or the Indian would
get a sudden call to visit the happy hunting-ground. That instant he caught sight of
a feather, then a head moving slowly out from behind a tree. A quick motion on
his part decided the question as to who should be called, when Mr. Allen
remained to tell the tale........ Mr. Allen was in the battle of Lundy's Lane, Fort
George, Queenstown Heights, Fort Erie, Oswego, and many skirmishes leading
up to these battles. On return of peace his company was sent down from Lewiston
to Fort Covington, where they were discharged in the fall of 1815."
Letter written by Florinda Nye Huntoon - wife of Bemsley Huntoon:
Ogdensburg
Dear Brother (who lived in Berlin Vt.)
You are undoubtedly anxious to hear the particulars of the attack upon our village
in addition to the four times I wrote you that day. I would inform you that I did
not leave the house until the British were close to it and not till after they and shot
a great number of balls into it. I took nothing with me but some money and some
table spoons and ran as fast as possible with a number of other women. Our
retreat was to the distance of about fifteen miles. The next day I returned and our
house was plundered of almost everything and my husband a prisoner on the other
side as you can easier imagine my feelings than I can describe them. They did not
leave an article of clothing for myself or husband, not even a handkerchief. They
took all my bedding but left the beds. They broke my looking glass and even my
knives. Thus situated I determined to go over to Canada and accordingly went to
a flag of truce that was in this village for permission which I obtained. I went to
one of my acquaintance on the other side (whence) I was favorably received. I
applied to the commanding officer for the purpose of ascertaining whether I could
procure any of my clothing. He answered me that I could have them if he could
find them but did not trouble himself to make any inquiry. My journey as not
lost, I procured the release of my husband who was paroled and returned with
me. Most of the houses in the village were plundered. There were but five men
killed on our side but four taken prisoners except the inhabitants. I wish you to
send me some cloth that will make a suit for my husband as well as a little calico
for a gown for myself. You need not be particular my pride is at a low ebb. This
38

equest I should not make but there are no goods in the village nor even in the
country. You will be astonished when I tell you that they were not content with
what the Indians and soldiers could plunder during the battle, but after it was over
the women on the other side cam on over and took what was left.
Note: This letter was sent to me 2/8/2011 by Michael B Fiske - Florinda and
Bemsley were his 3rd great grand parents. He said:
"Florinda Nye Huntoon wrote this letter to an unnamed brother during the winter
of 1812-1813, when the British troops over ran the village of Ogdensburgh, New
York on the St. Lawrence River. Florinda was born 20 November 1793 in
Berlin Vt., the daughter of Elkjah Nye (1768-1852) and Mary B Hubbard (1770 -
?). Beemsley was born 28 December 1787 in Unity, New Hampshire, the son of
Josiah Huntoon (1758-1848) and Hannah Glidden (1763 - 1846). Florinda and
Bemsley were married 5 May 1812 in Berlin, Vermont. They were married a
little more than eight months when this letter was written. By 1832 Florinda and
Bemsley had moved to Illinois where Bemsley established one of the first saw
mills on the Chicago River, new what is now Division Street. In Chicago, he was
known as Captain Bemsley, a rank he may have achieved in the NY Militia.
Bemsley died Aug 22, 1864 in Green Bay Wisconsin."
Note: Bemsley Huntoon is on the 1820 Oswegatchie, NY census. His name is
right next to Joseph York's on this census.
Letter written by Joseph York's wife (Lavania Foote York):
"Extract of letter, February 26, 1813:
" I did not leave the house until the British were close to it, and not till they had
shot a great number of balls into it. I took nothing with me but some money, and
my table spoons, and ran as fast as possible, with a number of other women; our
retreat was to the distance of about 15 miles. The next day I returned; our house
was plundered of almost everything, and my husband a prisoner on the other side.
You can easier imagine my feelings than I can describe them. They did not leave
any article of clothing, not even a handkerchief - they took all my bedding but left
the beds; they broke my looking glasses and even my knives. Thus situated I
determined to go over to Canada, and accordingly went to a flag of truce, which
was then in this village, for permission, which I obtained. I went to one of my
acquaintances on the other side (Mrs. Yates), where I was favorably received. I
applied to the commanding officer for the purpose of ascertaining whether I could
procure any of my clothes; he assured me that I should have them if I could find
them, but did not trouble himself to make any inquiry. My journey was not lost; I
procured the release of my husband, who was paroled and returned with me.
Most of the houses in the village were plundered. You will be astonished when I
tell you that they were not content with what the Indians and soldiers could
plunder during the battle. but after it was over, the women on the other side came
across and took what was left." The partisan spirit of Mr. York, which was well
39

known to the enemy, may have rendered his house an object on which to extend
their antipathies. It was reported that a company of women, under the protection
of a guard, was sent over to plunder, but this rumor is scarcely credible. The
following anecdote, however, is doubtless reliable. One of the provincial militia
in crossing during the day, was met by a woman returning with a large mirror,
which she said she had stolen from the Yankees. She had scarcely spoken, when
her feet slipped on the ice, which threw her prostrate, and her ill gotten booty was
lost, while boasting of her success in obtaining it."
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg 1749 - 1907: (Written March 26th about
Ogdensburg Feb 22 attack)
"I arrived home today and proceeded to view the wreck of our village. I had heard
on the road of the dreadful havoc, and which I found much exaggerated. It is true
the village looks desolate and deserted, but does not bear marks of that violent
outrage that I was led to anticipate.
" The windows of Mr. Parish's house, McCullom's, (Stephen - 1810 & 1820
Oswegatchie Census) Slosson's Tavern, and my house are the greatest sufferers.
" The lower force of the British entered the village near the Slaughter house,
proceeded up the street to the rear of Mr.(Joseph 1820 Census) Rosseel's (attorney
of George Parish) and then divided; part going up by the side of Mr. Parish's
house, and the others going past Mr. Mayo's: the two met our forces (Lytle's) at
Mac's corner, where the principal part of the engagement took place. When
Lytle's men retreated, the enemy took our cannon, and placing it in the street, near
our house, fired from there at Forsyth, breaking nearly all our windows.
" The party that attacked above the village did not exceed one hundred and fifty
men and they were driven back by Forsyth: but when the village party retreated,
they again rushed on them.
" Forsyth retreated up the St. Lawrence to Milye's(Millis?), and from there
crossed to the Lake, and to Kelloggs, and next day proceeded to Sacketts Harbour,
where he now is; and where Lytle's company are, who joined Forsyth just before
his retreat.
" The loss on either side was small : we had three killed ; and they about twenty,
with a good many wounded on their side, some of whom have since died: none of
our citizens were killed or wounded: a soldier's child was killed in (Samuel)
Tuthill's (or Tuttle?) house, by a ball which passed through. "
" Indeed so completely were our people taken by surprise that many of them were
scarcely out of their beds; and the soldiers scarcely mustered before the British
had possession of the place; their force did not exceed five hundred men,
from all I hear ; and ours was about the same. Mrs. Rosseel and her sister jumped
out of bed, and half dressed, started in their sleigh, just as the British, who were
coming up from the Slaughter house fired a charge of grape and canister shot,
which passed just over their heads : they thought they were dead enough, but
proceeding, found themselves unhurt; they went as far as Kellogg' s and the
second day returned home.
" Mrs. Scott remained in her house and saved her property.
40

Mrs. York fled and lost all. "
February 25, 1813:
"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier" by
Lundy's Lane Historical Society - Ernest Alexander Cruikshank
"General Dearborn to the Secretary of War - Headquarters, Albany, February 25,
1813 - Sir, - I this day received by express from Colonel Macomb the enclosed
account from Major Forsyth. His known zeal for a small partisan warfare has
induced me to give him repeated cautions against such measures as would
probably produce such retaliating strokes as he would be unable to resist; but I
fear my advice has not been fully attended to as could have been wished. He is an
excellent officer, and under suitable circumstances would be of important service.
I have requested the Governor to order General Brown out, with three or four
hundred of such militia as he can soonest assemble, to join Forsyth, and I have
ordered General Pike, with four hundred of his command, to proceed in sleighs by
what is considered the shortest and best route to the neighborhood of Ogdensburg
or Sacket's Harbor. On his arrival at Potsdam or Canton or Russia (Russia is by
Herkimer. Could he have meant Russell?) he will be able to communicate with
Brown or Forsyth or both, and act with them as circumstances may require.
The affair at Ogdensburg will be a fair excuse for moving troops in that direction,
and by this movement it will be ascertained whether the same route will be best in
future; the distance by that route from Plattsburg to Sacket's harbor is but little
more than one-half of what it would be by the route proposed, and I am assured
by gentlemen I can confide in that there will be no difficulty by that route.
Chauncy has not yet returned from New York. I am satisfied that if he had
arrived as soon as I had expected him we might have made a stroke at Kingston,
on the ice, but his presence was necessary for having the aid of seamen and
marines.
From a letter received this day from Colonel Porter at Niagara, it appears that the
enemy were preparing to strike at Black Rock. I can give him no assistance.
American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. I."
March 1, 1813:
NY Spectator:
"Extract of a letter dated Booneville, 36 miles north of Utica, March 1, 1813.
A person has just arrived from Sacket's Harbor which he left yesterday, stating
that Sir George Provost with 7000 troops were in sight, on their march for that
place. The whole of the militia of Jefferson and Lewis have been ordered out and
we are all in confusion"
April 13, 1813:
Reminiscences of Ogdensburg 1749 - 1907:
41

"April 13th, 1 81 3. "We are all quiet and peaceable at present, with the exception
of an occurrence which has excited the interest of all our citizens: a few days
since a detachment of fifty Dragoons and Riflemen passed through
the rear part of the county, and yesterday returned with eight of the inhabitants of
Massena, as prisoners, on their way to the Harbour. Denison, Stedman, Seaton &
Philips are among the number. It appears that Colonel Pike commanding at the
Harbour, issued a military warrant in blank, as to names, and sent it (by his
detachment) to Richards, who was to insert the names of those to be arrested; this
Richards did, and the persons were accordingly arrested.
" Their crime is stated to be ' unauthorized intercourse with the enemy/ or in other
words, smuggling.
" This order of Colonel Pike is considered a high-handed outrage against the
Liberty of the citizen, and a gross attempt at military despotism. They may as well
proclaim martial law at once, and do away with all civic rights; no man is safe
who will not do homage to the noble Colonel and his worthy coadjutor Richards.
" If these men had violated the laws, an appeal to them, would have punished
them, and is the only tribunal to which they are subject; but it appears that the
Colonel is determined to hang them by court martial. "
April 15, 1813:
The village of Ogdensburg, named for Mr. Ogden, was incorporated April 15th,
1813.
April 27, 1813: June 1813 - Battles of York (Toronto), Ft. George & Ft. Erie:
John Lytle's obituary said they were also at the Battle of York (Toronto - April
1813) and the battle of Ft. George (May 1813) and first battle of Ft. Erie (June
1813). They would be back for the Siege of Ft. Erie in 1814.
On April 27, 1813 Zebulon Pike was killed at the Battle of York.
April 22, 1813:
Plattsburgh Republican May 7, 1813 - Albany Argus:
"From Sacket's Harbor - On the 22nd, or squadron sailed from Sacket's Harbor,
under Com. Chauncey, about two thousand troops, consisting of the 15th and 16th
Regiments infantry, the Albany and Baltimore Volunteers & some other
companies of M'Clures Regt. and Forsyth's Riflemen. General Dearborn, Gen.
Pike, Col. Pierce & c. embarked with the troops. Owing to the ice driving into the
mouth of the harbor, the squadron put back on Friday and sailed again on
Saturday. The destination of this force is unknown, but generally believed to be
Little York, near the head of Lake Ontario, with a view to cooperate with Gen.
42

May 5, 1813:
(Morgan) Lewis on the Niagara river to destroy the enemy's marine force at York
(Toronto)."
More on George McClures: http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28730506
More on Morgan Lewis: http://www.nndb.com/people/973/000051820/
The New York and Vermont militias were called out to provide border protection
north of Champlain, NY while Dearborn's army was at Sackets Harbor on Lake
Ontario. Captain Oliver Herrick arrived in Champlain on May 5 with a company
of Vermont and New Hampshire volunteers. Herrick's men were in Champlain for
less than one month.
A little more about Oliver Herrick (1782 - 1852) :
Capt. Oliver Herrick's Company from Lewiston, Maine. He and his men served
on Lake Champlain during the war. After he was a Representative and Senator in
the state legislature.
May 29, 1813 - 2nd Battle of Sackets Harbor:
The Columbian - War 1812 Sacket's Harbor - Horse Island:
"Extract of a letter from Brigadier-General Jacob Brown to his Excellency Gov.
Thompkins dated Sackets Harbor, May 29 (Daniel D. Thompkins was governor of
New York from 1807-1817 and the vice president of the United States during the
two terms of James Monroe from 1817-1825) -We were attacked at the dawn of
this cay, by a British regular force, of at least nine hundred men, most probably
1200. They made good their landing at Horse Island. The enemy's fleet consisted
of two ships and four schooners, and thirty large open boats. We are completely
victorious. The enemy lost a considerable number of killed and wounded on the
field, among the number, sever officers of distinction. After having re-embarked,
they sent me a flag, desiring to have their killed and wounded attended to. I made
them satisfied on that subject. Americans will be distinguished for humanity and
bravery. Our loss is not numerous, but serious, from the great worth of those who
have fallen. Colonel Mills was shot dead at the commencement of the action; Col
Backus of the 1st Reg. light dragoons, notably fell at the head of his regiment as
victory was declaring for us. I will not presume to praise this regiment; their
gallant conduct on this day merits much more than praise. The hew ship and
commodore Chauncey's prize, the Duke of Gloucester is yet safe in Sacket's
Harbor. Sir George Prevost landed and commanded in Person. Sir Jame Yeo
commanded the enemy's fleet. In haste Yours, Jacob Brown"
43

June 2- 3, 1813:
On June 2, the Growler and the Eagle led by Lt. Sidney Smith anchored near
Rouse's Point. the following morning they pursued British gunboats into the
Richelieu River (in Quebec at the north end of the Lake) were forced to surrender
after the wind dropped and they were trapped. A fight kept up for four hours. the
Eagle was hit below waterline and she went down. Then the Growler ran ashore.
People on both vessels were made prisoners. Americans had one killed and 19
wounded. The British captured the sloops, refitted them and named them the
Finch and the Chubb. Mcdonough then recaptured them at Plattsburgh the
following year. The British captured the sloops and used them to raid settlements
around Lake Champlain. All 41 soldiers of Herrick’s company became prisoners
of war. (probably Smith and Herrick as well)
A little bit more about Sidney Smith:
Sidney Smith was ordered to Lake Champlain in 1810 where he commanded until
the arrival of Macdonough who outranked him. He died in 1827.
July 1, 1813:
"American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive - Part 5, Volume
1" - US Congress:
"US Ship Madison, Sacket's Harbor, July 4, 1813 - To The Honorable William
Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington - Sir: On the 1st instance I caused Mr.
Samuel Stacey to be apprehended as a spy. Mr. Stacey lives upon the St.
Lawrence, a few miles below Ogdensburg, and I have the most positive
information that he has been in the habit of conveying information to the enemy
for many months. He visited this place a few days before the British made the
attack on the 29th of May, and I have o doubt but that he is the person that gave
the information that most of the troops had been sent to Niagara. I had
information from the person that I employ on the other side that this man would
visit the Harbor about the last of June. He was accordingly watched. When he
left Ogdensburg, he said he was going to Utica upon important business. He told
others that he was going into the Western country to collect money, instead of
which, he came to the Harbor, without any ostensible business, and made a great
many inquiries respecting the fleet; when they should sail? and the force of the
new ship? & .c &c. I therefore thought it my duty to detain this man for trial. I
can prove his frequent intercourse with the enemy. At any rate I shall deprive the
enemy of the information which he could have conveyed to him, which is all
important at this time.
It would be very desirable to hang this traitor to his country, as he is considered
respectable in the country in which he lives; and I think that it is full time to make
an example of some of our countrymen, who are so base and degenerate as to
betray their country by becoming spies and informers of our enemy. I hope the
steps which I have taken, with respect to Mr. Stacey, will meet with your
44

approbation. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
Isaac Chauncey."
More on Samuel Stacey (Stacy) - 1810 Madrid Census, once owned Croil's
Island in Louisville NY 1826-29
more on this case - use of "Writ of Habeas Corpus"...military did not have the
right to try a civilian:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Fos4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA267&lpg=PA267&d
q=Samuel+Stacy+Madrid+ny&source=bl&ots=2ieJB5a0R&sig=hzc88Fs6tYb3nfwQQBMZRoNJdFM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1gXrT6
S1IImA6QHn_9HiBQ&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false
July 4, 1813:
Major General Wade Hampton took command of the American troops around
Lake Champlain in July days before General Dearborn was relieved of command
of the northern troops. Secretary of War, Armstrong was devising a new plan to
invade Canada which you will read about below in which Hampton had
misgivings. His troops were encamped at Burlington Vermont at the time and
were ill prepared. Plattsburgh, NY was then a forward base.
A little bit about General Wade Hampton II (1791 - 1858):
Son of General Wade Hampton I, Father of Wade Hampton II who was with
Jackson in New Orleans and Grand of Confederate Cavalry General Wade
Hampton III, he was born wealthy southern plantation owner from Columbia, SC.
Hampton despised Major General James Wilkinson who commanded the division
from Sacket's Harbor and who had a reputation for corruption and treacherous
dealings. The two men, where senior generals after the effective retirement of
Dearborn, had been feuding with each other for years.
July 8, 1813:
Maj. General Henry Dearborn was withdrawn from command of the northern
army.
July 29 - Aug 4, 1813:
On July 29 British forces based at Isle aux Noix with a force of 1400 men under
Lt. Col. John Murry set out on a raid. They arrived at Chazy Landing on July
30th where stores were burned. On the 31st they reached Plattsburgh where they
destroyed an arsenal, armory, bock house, hospital and private residences were
looted. Word for help was sent to General Wade Hampton who was in Burlington
at the time but he failed to help. Then the British turned their efforts to attacks on
Vermont. Several vessels and one American ship was destroyed before the
British turned back to the Isle aux Noix. American naval commander, Lieutenant
Thomas Macdonough, was unable to construct a flotilla of gunboats to counter the
British vessels until late August. At a shipyard in Otter Creek at Vergennes, Vt,
45

Mcdonough had a corvette called the Saratoga and a new sloop also called the
Eagle and sever gunboats constructed.
A little bit about Thomas Macdonough (1783-1825):
Thomas Macdonough's father was also named Thomas, a Revolutionary War
soldier. Thomas Jr. was born in Middletown Delaware . He joined the US Navy
at the age of 16 and served in the Barbary Wars as well as the War of 1812. On
July 24th he was promoted to Master Commandant. He is best known for his
victory at Plattsburgh.
August 5, 1813
"The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
A plan was put into place to bring two American forces to bare upon Canada.
One to be led by General James Wilkinson who arrived at Sacket's Harbor during
the end of August. The other by General Wade Hampton by way of Lake
Champlain. This would be the beginning of a failed attempt by the United States
to conquer Canada. The secretary of war, Armstrong, with Generals Wilkinson,
Lewis and Brown decided not to make Kingston the first point of attack. They
devised a plan to capture Montreal. Two divisions were involved. One would
descend the St. Lawrence river from Sacket's Harbor. The other would advance
north from Plattsburgh to Montreal along Lake Champlain with the two forces
uniting for the final push on Montreal.
Fall of 1813 - Lisbon:
"The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties " by Franklin Hough:
"A company of some sixty dragoons had been stationed for some time in the fall
of 1813, at the house of Peter Wells (on 1810 - 1840 Lisbon Census, buried at
Red Mills Cemetery), four or five miles back from the river on the road to
Canton. About thirteen of these had come to "the mills" and were stopping at an
inn kept by one Scott. (Joseph Scott on Lisbon census 1810 - 1830, buried at
Campbell Cemetery) A sufficient guard of sentries was stationed around the
house, but during the night a party of two hundred men from Canada, having
landed at Tibbets' (John and John Tibbets Jr. on Lisbon 1800 - 1810 Census)
Point about midnight, surprised the sentinels and surrounded the house, where the
dragoons were supposed to be, but not until several of them had escaped. One
named Smith was shot, and another one, Mercer, was wounded. The latter was
brutally stabbed several times after resistance ceased, and he was left for dead, but
subsequently recovered. Two dragoons, Scott and his son, and all of the horses
that could be found, were taken to Canada. It is said that these dragoons made a
very gallant resistance, and that it was found impossible to take Smith and Mercer
alive."
September 6, 1813:
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift" (Sackets Harbor)
46

"On 6th September my assistants, Lieutenant James Gadsden and Lieutenant R. E.
De Russy arrived, and commenced a reconnoitre of the waters of the bays and the
approach to the St. Lawrence.
General Wilkinson's headquarters was the daily point of assembling the staff, and
of conference on the duties that were opening the campaign at this time. On 5th
September General Armstrong was escorted, as Secretary of War, into the
cantonment, the interview at headquarters being too formal for that ease which is
desirable for the interchange of opinion among chieftains. I was invited by the
Secretary of War to accompany himself and General Brown, mounted, to the
battle ground where Colonel Backus fell in the moment of victory, and where
General Brown won the commission he now wears by his timely arrival in the
action at the head of a band of militia. A line of our troops extending from the
block-house at the harbor toward the lake shore, south-east of Horse Island, the
point where the British troops landed and made the assault, General Brown's
militia arriving through the woods in the rear of Colonel (Electus) Backus' left
flank and thus assailing the enemy on his right flank, which caused the halt and
precipitate retreat of the enemy, and thus the winning of the day by Brown.
I was now joined by Brevet-Major (Joseph Gilbert) Totten as my first assistant
engineer, and, with General R. (Robert) Swartwout, examined the stores of the
quartermaster- general's department. At headquarters I observed an inactivity that,
as it seemed to me, arose from some doubts as to who was in command. General
Armstrong or General Wilkinson. In my occasional excursions with these
gentlemen I observed that they did not ride at the same time. In my interviews
with General Wilkinson his expressions implied a strong dislike of the
interference of the War Department, and in fact the presence of the Secretary did
lessen the influence of General Wilkinson. The contemplated junction with
Hampton was a subject of discourse, and General Wilkinson indulged in a too
public expression of his dislike to General Hampton, which, on one occasion gave
me a fair opportunity of saying to General Wilkinson that his remarks tended to
revive the feuds and party feelings of the army that had been described before the
court martial at Fredericktown in 1811."
More on Electus Backus - http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=15485124
More on Joseph Gilbert Trotten: http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5840482
September 19, 1813:
Wade Hampton moved by river from Burlington to Plattsburgh, escorted by
Macdonough's gunboats. He also made a reconnaissance in force towards
Odelltown, Quebec on the direct route north from Lake Champlain. He found that
the British forces were too strong. The garrison of sloops and gunboats at Ile aux
47

Noix numbered about 900 and there were other outposts and light troops in the
area so Hampton's force marched west instead to Four Corners, (Chateaugay, NY)
on the Chateauguay River.
"Historical Sketches of Franklin County and Several Towns" - Frederick Seavers:
"This block house was situate on the west side of the road, about three-quarters of
a mile north of the Four Corners, and not far from Marble river. Captain David
Erwin's company was stationed at it for a time. Afterward another block house,
called Fort Hickory, was built in the northeastern part of the town, and in it
Samuel Hollenbeek alone stood off a party of Canadians who attempted its
capture. In the late summer of 1813 General Hampton arrived with an army of
several thousand men, who camped on the ground now bounded by the railroad
on the south and by Depot Street on the east; at a point on the Johnston farm,
about forty rods north of the Catholic church; and in the vicinities of the two
block houses. During this period there was a skirmish with British invaders or
raiders on the Coonley farm, now almost in the heart of the village, in which the
enemy was driven off. Six Americans are said to have been killed, while the
British loss is unknown. Local tradition attributes the attack to a purpose to draw
the Americans into an ambush in Canada. It was from Chateaugay that General
Hampton invaded Canada, only to be humiliatingly defeated by a greatly inferior
force, and shamefully driven back to his encampments. After his criminal
withdrawal of his army from Chateaugay to Plattsburgh in the autumn of 1813, in
practical desertion of General Wilkinson, with whom it had been planned that he
should operate against Montreal, other smaller bodies of troops occupied
Chateaugay from time to time (a detachment from General Wilkinson's army
under Colonel Bissell comprising one of them) until evacuation in February,
1814, when the British poured in for a day or two - proceeding east as far as
Marble river, and seizing a good deal of private property as well as military stores
that had been abandoned by the Americans. Not a little of the private belongings
so taken was rum. Sickness had prevailed to an alarming degree in General
Hampton's army, something like fifty soldiers were buried near the lot on which
Thomas Eaton now lives on Depot Street, and perhaps an equal or a larger
number on the Johnston farm. The gruesome work of burial was performed by
John Day. The block house near Marble river was burned at about the close of the
war, supposedly set on fire by a Canadian."
September 30/October 1, 1813:
First Skirmish at Odelltown, Quebec (north of Rouses Point, NY) - A small
party of American militia attacked Odelltown and surprised a picket guard.
Although a minor skirmish, Major General Wade Hampton abandoned his plan to
invade Lower Canada along the Richelieu River and retreated to the village of
Four Corners (Chateaugay, NY) on the Upper Chateaguay River in New York.
October 1813:
48

The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough and :
"In October, 1813 some six or eight bateau laden with merchandise, and owned in
Kingston and Toronto, were passing along up the river, under the Canadian shore,
and were moored for the night, not far from opposite the head of Ogden's Island,
when they were surprised, while most of the crews were sleeping, and captured
without resistance. This expedition was planned and executed mostly under the
direction of Benjamin Richards, of Hamilton (Waddington) acting under a letter
of marque and assisted by a volunteer party of citizens. A part of the captured
goods were stored in a warehouse in the village, and the cloths and lighter articles
were taken to Madrid (Columbia village) and in other parts of the town for greater
security. Soon after Gen. Wilkinson with his army had passed, Col.(Joseph
Wanton - led the British at Crysler's Farm) Morrison of the army which hung
upon the rear of the Americans, stopped at the village, landed a part of his force
and demanded surrender of the merchandise. No resistance could of course be
offered or attempted, and he was proceeding to take what might be found of the
property. While engaged in this, he heard a cannonade below, which made him
impatient of delay, and he hastily spiked a 6 pound cannon which he found in the
village, and ordered the goods and building in which they were to be set on fire.
The day was beautifully dry and sunny, and the building, if burned, must have
consumed a considerable part of the village. The principal citizens begged of the
commanding officer of the enemy to consider this, and succeeded in getting the
order countermanded under the stipulation that all the goods in the village which
had been captured should be the next day landed on the Canada shore.
This agreement was fulfilled, but the portions which had been sent back to the
Grass River were still in the hands of the captors. Some barracks belonging to the
village of Hamilton, and which have been used by detachments of troops, were
burned."
Note: I found an Alexander Richards in Waddington, NY buried at Brookside
Cemetery
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stlawgen/CEMETERY/Brook
side/Brookside.HTM
"History of Waddington: Gates Curtis:
"In the latter part of 1803 Alexander Richards became agent for the proprietors in
place of Judge Edsall, and in 1803-4 a small grist mill and saw mill were built on
the village site, the water being turned into a race by a wing dam."
October 5, 1813:
Tecumseh, the Shawnee leader, was killed in the Battle of the Thames, also
known as the Battle of Moraviantown, Chatham, Ontario. This battle was led by
William Henry Harrison. Tecumseh was killed by the troops of Richard Mentor
Johnson (also wounded), and perhaps at the hand of William Whitley.
October 8, 1813:
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
49

"Whatever may have been the influence of General Armstrong's presence
there was no increase in the activity of preparation to move the army,
which condition of things continued until the 8th October, when a sudden
council of war was called and I was questioned as to my opinion of
attacking Kingston. My reply was that I would not attack that place at all
if the army was ready to move down the St. Lawrence, but if not ready,
that Kingston might be surprised and the public stores burned in a couple
of days by one thousand men, if my intelligence was to be relied on, as I
believed it was.
On the same day I presented Mr. D. B. Douglass with letters from the
War Department, informing him that the Secretary of War had acceded to
my request to appoint him second lieutenant of engineers, and that he
would repair to West Point for duty at the Military Academy, and by him I
sent supplies to my family at Brooklyn."
October 11, 1813:
"The History of St. Lawrence County" L. H. Everts:
"In the fall of 1813, Col. Luckett, with regiment of dragoons, forming a part of
the regular services was sent in advance of the army of General Wilkinson, to
examine the country and report. He is believed to have been instructed to make a
demonstration that would create alarm to the enemy or lead to an attack. On the
day of his arrival, Oct. 11, 1813, the town (Ogdensburg) was filled with people,
who had come to attend court, which was to commence its session on the
following day. It was secretly reported the same evening.....that there would be a
flurry next day, the meaning of which in due time became apparent. The court
met and had begun business, Benjamin Raymond (Potsdam's founder) presiding
as judge, assisted by Daniel W. Church (Morristown) and John Tibbits (Lisbon),
assistant justices. The grand jury had received their charge and retired, and a case
was being tried when a cannonade was heard from the fort at Prescott, which led
to much uneasiness, and after a little discussion, the session of the court was
interrupted for the day by the withdrawing of a juror, and the room was hastily
evacuated. The grand jury also hearing the cannonade, adjourned for the day and
left the house. Their room was above the court-room, in what ...(became) the
Masonic Hall. In passing out the room was hardly cleared, and the last person of
the number in the door, when a 24 pound shot entered the room, shattering an end
beam and lodging in the partition beyond. Fortunately no one was injured by the
cannonade, but some damage was done to houses. "
A little bit about General James Wilkinson:
He was born in Benedict, Md. in 1757 and died in 1825 in Mexico City. James
Wilkinson served in the Revolutionary War. Later in the late 1700s he served in
Indian Wars. During the War of 1812 Wilkinson engaged in two failed campaigns
including the Battle of Crysler's Farm and the Battle of LaColle Mills, ON.
Known to have a drinking problem, he faced a court marshal cleared by a military
inquiry. Years after his death he was found to be a spy for the Spanish
50

government. One wonders what his relationship might have been with the
Bonapartes. Napoleon's elder brother Joseph was king of Naples and Sicily from
1806-1808 and King of Spain between 1808 and 1813. He lived in the United
States from 1817 - 1832 in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Natural Bridge, NY.
This could be another research project for another time.
From http://www.warof1812.ca/stlawrence1812.htm:
"This belief was further encouraged by the arrival of 180 troopers of the 1 st US
Dragoons in Ogdensburg on October 11 th . Pearson’s response to the presence of
dragoons across the river was a sharp cannonade of Ogdensburg. To avoid further
alarming the enemy, Colonel Luckett and his dragoons retired from the town to
the back country. The dragoons were then distributed in small parties along the
river for the purpose of examining the country and preventing the British from
obtaining information and supplies from that side of the river."
Note: Maybe Nelson Luckett with the 1st Light Dragoons.
October 16, 1812:
From http://www.warof1812.ca/stlawrence1812.htm:
"Learning that one of these parties was stationed eight miles downriver at Red
Mills, NY, Pearson ordered Major Cockburn and a detachment of Canadian
Regiment to capture it. In a letter dated October 17 th , Cockburn described the
enterprise in detail:
I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with your instructions I left this
place about ten o’clock last night and proceeded with a detachment of the
Canadian Regiment to the Red Mills (Lisbon - across from Galop Island formerly
called Isle au Gallaup ) where I succeeded in capturing a piquet of the enemy’s
dragoons consisting of one lieutenant and seven privates. I also brought away
with me nine horses with their bridles and saddles, &c. Owing to the folly of the
enemy in firing upon us from the house in which he was posted one of his
sergeants and one private was killed and one private was badly wounded."
The History of Madrid - Gates Curtis:
"George B. Allen (son of Samuel Allen), when a lad of eighteen years, enlisted in
the war of 1812, under a call for troops to protect the frontier. He was enrolled at
Madrid by John Blanchard on July 15, 1812, into a company under the command
of Captain Castle, with headquarters at Waddington (Wm. Castle Madrid 1810
census). He was in the brush with the British at the Red Mills, the details of which
will be found in the history of Lisbon..... ( During the fall of 1813 a company of
about sixty dragoons were established at the house of Peter Wells, four or five
miles back from the river on the Canton road. About a dozen of these rode out to
Galloupville (Red Mills), stopped at Scott's hotel and placed several sentries
around the house. During the night a party of 200 men from Canada landed on
Tibbets's Point, came down and surprised the sentinels and surrounded the house.
51

It is said that the dragoons made a very gallant resistance, but were over- powered
by the unequal numbers. During the melee several escaped to the woods. One
named Smith was shot and another named Mercer was wounded and brutally
stabbed with bayonets several times after resistance ceased, and he was left for
dead, but subsequently recovered; it was found impossible for the British to take
Smith and Mercer alive. Two dragoons, Scott, the landlord, and his son, and all
the horses that that could be found were taken to Canada......) The company was
known as the "Floodwood," that is, a company of men each dressed in his own
homespun suit or according to his own fancy, with no regular arms. He was in the
battle at Ogdensburg, and when the American troops retreated he, with others,
being in citizen's clothes, was ordered to remain and look after the wounded and
scattered arms. He was taken prisoner three times that day and taken before the
commanding officer, who, finding that he was not taken under arms, and having
no evidence that he was a United States soldier, was discharged. The last time he
was taken to the barracks he found them all drunk, when he managed to escape to
Lisbon, and on the way collected several guns, when he took them to Heuvelton
and turned them over to the quartermaster, who was there with a squad of
soldiers. The next day they broke camp and started for Sacket's Harbor, and while
there he enlisted in the cavalry service and was sent to Fort George. One day
while out on picket duty he saw a small dog cross in front of him. He knew that
meant Indians and Indians meant business, and that he or the Indian would get a
sudden call to visit the happy hunting-ground. That instant he caught sight of a
feather, then a head moving slowly out from behind a tree. A quick motion on his
part decided the question as to who should be called, when Mr. Allen remained to
tell the tale.......... Mr. Allen was in the battle of Lundy's Lane, Fort George,
Queenstown Heights, Fort Erie, Oswego, and many skirmishes leading up to these
battles. On return of peace his company was sent down from Lewiston to Fort
Covington, where they were discharged in the fall of 1815."
Wikipedia:
"Hampton had already submitted his resignation the day before the battle of
Chateauguay, in his reply to Armstrong's letter of 16 October. He was not
employed again in the field."
If he resigned before the skirmishes at Chateaugay, that says much about the man.
I don't know if this is a correct date or not as I have not been able to confirm
October 16th.
Interesting in other web sites I see that he Resigned April 6, 1814. Here is a web
site about his family:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msissaq2/hampton.html
October 18, 1813:
Wikipedia:
"Hampton's force waited at Four Corners (Chateaugay, NY) until 18 October.
Hampton was concerned that the delay was depleting his supplies and giving the
52

British time to muster forces against him. Hearing from Armstrong that
Wilkinson's force was "almost" ready to set out, he began advancing down the
Chateauguay River. A brigade of 1,400 New York militia refused to cross the
frontier into Canada, leaving Hampton with two brigades of regulars numbering
about 2,600 in total, 200 mounted troops and 10 field guns. Large numbers of
loaded wagons accompanied the force. Hampton's advance was slowed because
the bridges across every stream had been destroyed and trees had been felled
across the roads (which themselves were little more than tracks)."
October 19, 1813:
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"Up to 19th October heard no more of an assault upon Kingston, on
which day General Wilkinson directed me, with Brevet-Major Totten, to
reconnoitre the St. Lawrence river in the vicinity of Prescott, and plan an
attack upon that post, and to sound the river with a view to a rapid passage
down the river."
October 20, 1813:
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"On 20th Major Totten and myself were on our way as far
as Brownsville, leaving my military cloak in the care of Lieutenant Beverly
Randolph, aid-de-camp to General Lewis, and also some books."
After deciding in earlier October at Sackets Harbor with Generals Armstrong,
Wilkinson, Lewis and Brown not to invade Kingston as the first point of attack
for the Canadian invasion, General Brown's brigade set out down the St.
Lawrence River to begin the attempt to capture Montreal.
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
" The following account of the progress of the expedition down the St. Lawrence
is derived from the journal of Dr. Amasa Towbridge, of Watertown (who attended
in a professional capacity), and occasionally from the published diary of Gen.
Wilkinson:
"On the 20th Gen. Brown's brigade, with the light and heavy artillery, embarked
and proceeded down the St. Lawrence, the entrance of which was about six miles
from Bason Harbor and arrived at French Creek (Clayton) the same evening." see
Oct 31..."
October 21, 1813:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"In the mean time Hampton, pursuant to Wilkinson’s orders, moved down the
Chateaugay toward the St. Lawrence for the purpose of forming a junction with
Wilkinson from above. He found a forest ten or twelve miles in extent along the
river in the line of his march, in which the vigilant and active De Salaberry had
felled trees across the obscure road, and placed Indians and light troops to dispute
the passage of the Americans. General George Izard (Hampton's second in
command) was at once sent out with light troops to gain the rear of these woods,
53

and seize the Canadian settlements on the Chateaugay in the open country
beyond, while the remainder of the army made a circuit in an opposite direction,
and avoided the obstructed forest altogether. The movement was successful, and
on the following day..."
October 22, 1813:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
.... a greater portion of the army encamped at Spear’s, near the confluence of the
Outard Creek and the Chateaugay River. It was an eligible position, and there
Hampton remained until the stores and artillery came up on the 24th."
Chateaugay Record 1938:
"....To the east of Chateaugay was assembled another American army under
General Wade Hampton but Hampton promptly said that he would not serve
under Wilkinson and there were further delays. Finally late in October a plan was
devised satisfactory to all. General Wilkinson was to lead his 3,800 men
Eastward from Sackets Harbor and General Hampton, satisfied that he had a
separate command, was to come Westward along the St. Lawrence and meet
Wilkinson at Isle Perrot. The two armies would move upon Montreal.
The plan itself was carefully enough devised and the Americans had a formidable
force of men and arms. But General Wilkinson and General Hampton were
overly cautious, far from alert and not too well schooled in campaigning in such
forbidding land as the St. Lawrence and Franklin counties offered at that time.
Hampton particularly handled his part of the campaign incompetently. Only a
few miles from Chateaugay Four Corners he came face to face with a small band
of French Canadian soldiers under the leadership of Colonel De La Salaberry.
This was on October 22, 1813. From 10 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon
they fought , and so savagely did De La Salaberry's 380 Canadians attack that
they routed Hampton 4,000 American troops. The Americans fled disorderly
back to Chateaugay and a week later retired to Plattsburgh.
In the meantime Wilkinson and his troops were slowly pushing down the St.
Lawrence. They were blissfully ignorant of the misfortune that had befallen
General Hampton and his men...."
October 23, 1813:
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"On 23d, near Oswagatchie, met Colonel Sackett of the United States dragoons at
the Bend, and with him arranged to be furnished with escort, and thence
we proceeded to Ogdensburg and Morristown, opposite Brockville, in
Canada. We here met Arnold Smith, who, with Mr. York of Ogdensburg,
gave us much assistance."
"Genealogical and Family History of Northern New York - Vol 2" by William
Richard Cutter:
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"Arnold Smith was born in Providence RI and died in 1850 in Hammond, New
York.......came to New York state when a young man and became a hotelkeeper,
having establishments at different times in Morristown, Rossie and Hammond..."
October 25, 1813:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
'Immediately in front of the army at Spear’s was an open country, seven miles
along the river, to Johnson’s, where another extensive forest lay in the way. These
woods had been formed into abatis, covering log breastworks and a log blockhouse.
On the latter were some pieces of ordnance. In front of these defenses were
Indians and a light corps of Beauharnais militia, and behind them, under the
immediate command of Lieutenant Colonel De Salaberry, was the remainder of
the disposable force of the enemy, charged with the duty of guarding a ford at a
small rapid in the river, and keeping open communication with the St. Lawrence.
De Salaberry’s force was almost a thousand strong, and Sir George Prevost and
General De Wattville were within bugle call with more troops.
Hampton determined to dislodge De Salaberry, take possession of his really
stronghold, and keep it until he should hear from Wilkinson, from whom no
tidings had been received for several days. He was informed of the ford opposite
the lower flank of the enemy, and on the evening of the 25th he detached Colonel
(Robert James) Purdy, of the Fourth Infantry, and the light troops of Boyd’s
brigade, to force the ford, (to cross to the south bank of the Chateauguay, circle
round the British position and outflank it) by capturing the ford at dawn and fall
upon the British rear at dawn. The crack of Purdy’s musketry was to be the signal
for the main body of the Americans to attack the enemy’s front. But the whole
movement was foiled by the ignorance of the guides and the darkness of the night.
Purdy crossed the river near the camp, lost his way in a hemlock swamp, and
could neither find the ford nor the place from which he started. His troops
wandered about all night, and different corps would sometimes meet, and excite
mutual alarm by the supposition that they had encountered an enemy. In the
morning Purdy extricated his command from the swamp labyrinth, and, within
half a mile of the ford, halted and gave them permission to rest, for they were
excessively fatigued. In the mean time Hampton put three thousand five hundred
of his army in motion, under General (George) Izard (his second brigade under
Brigadier General George Izard attacked from the front) expecting every moment
to hear Purdy’s guns; but they were silent. The forenoon wore away; meridian
was past; and at two o’clock Izard was ordered to move forward to the attack.
Firing immediately commenced, and the enemy’s pickets were driven in. The
gallant De Salaberry came out with about three hundred Canadian fencibles and
voltigeurs, and a few Abenake Indians, but Izard’s overwhelming numbers
pressed him back to his entrenchments.
Firing was now heard on the other side of the river. Purdy, who seems to have
neglected to post pickets or sentinels, had been surprised by a small detachment of
chasseurs and Canadian militia, who gained his rear. His troops, utterly
disconcerted, fled to the river. Several officers and men swam across, bearing to
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General Hampton alarming accounts of the great number of the enemy on the
other side of the stream. That enemy, instead of being formidable, had fled after
his first fire, and the ludicrous scene was presented of frightened belligerents
running away from each other. All was confusion; and detachments of Purdy’s
scattered men, mistaking each other for enemies in the dark swamp, had a spirited
engagement. The only sad fruit of the blunder was the death of one man.
De Salaberry had perceived that superior numbers might easily outflank him, and
he resorted to stratagem. He posted buglers at some distance from each other, and
when some concealed provincial militia opened fire almost upon Hampton’s
flank, these buglers simultaneously sounded a charge. Hampton was alarmed.
From the seeming extent of the British line as indicated by the buglers, he
supposed a heavy force was about to fall upon his front and flank. He
immediately sounded a retreat, and withdrew from the field. The enemy in a body
did not venture to follow, but the Canadian militia harassed the army as it fell
slowly back to its old quarters at Chateaugay Four Corners, where its inglorious
campaign ended...Americans lost about fifteen killed and twenty-three wounded.
The British lost five killed, sixteen wounded, and four missing."
Wikipedia - Battle of Chateaugay:
" After Purdy set off, Hampton received a letter from Armstrong, dated 16
October, informing him that Armstrong himself was relinquishing overall
command of the combined American forces, leaving Wilkinson in charge.
Hampton was also ordered to construct winter quarters for 10,000 men on the
Saint Lawrence. Hampton interpreted this instruction to mean that there would be
no attack on Montreal that year and the entire campaign was pointless. He would
probably have retreated immediately, except that Purdy would then have been left
isolated." British marine scouts were out among the Thousand Islands; and when,
on the afternoon of the 1st of November, they discovered Brown at French Creek,
two brigs, two schooners, and eight gun-boats, filled with infantry, were out and
ready to bear down upon him. They did so at about sunset of the same day.
Fortunately Brown had planted a battery of three 18-pounders on Bartlett’s Point,
a high wooded bluff on the western shore of French Creek, at its mouth, under the
command of Captain M‘Pherson, of the light artillery. This battery, from its
elevation, was very effective, and it was served so skillfully that the enemy were
driven away after some cannonading. "
More about Charles-Michael D'Irumberry de Salaberry:
http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01e.php?id_nbr=2930&PHPSESSID=bsirvkpa2o0gbr2ff2p414dpt1
October 29, 1813:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"The troops remained encamped on Grenadier Island until the 1st of November,
except General Brown’s brigade, some light troops, and heavy artillery, which
went down the St. Lawrence on the 29th, and took post at French Creek
(Clayton). ...Storm followed storm on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. Snow
56

fell to the depth of ten inches, and the troops collected by Wilkinson on Grenadier
Island suffered much. The season was too far advanced – a Canadian winter was
too near – to allow delays on account of weather, and General Brown and his
division moved forward, in the face of the tempest and of great peril, on the 29th
of October. They landed at French Creek, and took post in a thick wood about
half a mile up from the present village of Clayton. Chauncey in the mean time
attempted to blockade the enemy in Kingston Harbor, or at least to prevent his
going down the river either to pursue the Americans or to take possession of and
fortify the important old military post at the head of Carleton Island, just below
Cape Vincent. But Chauncey’s blockade was ineffectual.”
October 31, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts
...continued.... "On October 31st orders were issued directing the remainder of the
army to follow, but a severe storm prevented the embarkations...."
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
By 31st October I had procured a plan of Fort
Prescott and sounded the channel of the river, and sent my plan of attack
to General Wilkinson by express, whose reply was that he should enter the river
with his force by 3d November.
November 1, 1813:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
British marine scouts were out among the Thousand Islands; and when, on the
afternoon of the 1st of November, they discovered Brown at French Creek, two
brigs, two schooners, and eight gun-boats, filled with infantry, were out and ready
to bear down upon him. They did so at about sunset of the same day. Fortunately
Brown had planted a battery of three 18-pounders on Bartlett’s Point, a high
wooded bluff on the western shore of French Creek, at its mouth, under the
command of Captain M‘Pherson, of the light artillery. This battery, from its
elevation, was very effective, and it was served so skillfully that the enemy were
driven away after some cannonading.
November 2, 1813
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts
"The winds continued unfavorable until November 2, when the whole embarked
and arrived at Cape Vincent, nine miles the same day and encamped. Gen. Brown
with the van of the expedition had been attacked by the enemy's armed schooner
and gun-boats, but were repulsed with loss, and were compelled to move up the
river, and take a position eight miles below Cape Vincent. In the evening, about
ten o'clock, Com. Chauncey came into the river from the lake, and anchored near
the encampment. The army appeared much gratified at the appearance of the
fleet.
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
57

"At dawn the next morning (Nov 2) the conflict was renewed, with the same
result, the enemy in the two engagements having suffered much loss. That of the
Americans was two killed and four wounded. It was with much difficulty that the
British saved one of their brigs from capture."
November 3, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
"On the 3rd the fleet weighed anchor and stood down the river. At seven the
troops embarked and followed with a favorable wind, and at nine passed or fleet
at anchor at the junction of the British channel with that on the south, in such a
position as to oppose the enemy should they attempt to annoy the army in
descending. At three PM (Dr. Amasa Trowbridge) joined Gen. Brown at French
Creek (Clayton)."
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"Troops were coming down from Grenadier Island in the mean time, and landing
upon the point on which Clayton now stands, and along the shore of French
Creek as far as the lumber and rafting yard on what is still known as Wilkinson’s
Point. Wilkinson arrived there on the 3rd."
November 4, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
"The 4th was spent in waiting for boats with provisions and troops from Sacket's
Harbor, and making necessary arrangements for the expedition.
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"....on the 4th he (Wilkinson) issued a general order preparatory to final
embarkation, in which he exhorted his troops to sustain well the character of
American citizens, and abstain from rapine and plunder. "The general is
determined," he said, "to have the first person who shall be detected in plundering
an inhabitant of Canada of the smallest amount of property made an example of."
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"On 4th instructed Colonel Sackett and Major Woodford to collect the boats that
were near Hamilton (Waddington) for the use of the army.
Our reconnoitering was much annoyed by a party of Glengary Fencibles
under Reuben Sherwood, a very active and shrewd refugee from Connecticut,
so that our movements had to be made at early dawn, and our passage from
place to place effected by night. At the close of this day (4th) Major Charles
(Josephus) Nourse met me at Ogdensburg with advices from General Wilkinson,
then at Grenadier Island, the army on the river."
More on the Sherwood Family:
http://www.uelac.org/education/QuebecResource/Chapters/The_Sherwood_Famil
y.html
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Note: Reuben Sherwood was one of the three men who surveyed Canton in 1799:
Gates Curtis - " History of Canton" - "The town was surveyed by Amos Lay (NY
State map maker Cenus - 1790 Rutland, Vt;1810 Massena, NY; 1820 Albany,
NY), assisted by Reuben Sherwood (surveyor - Canada) and Joseph Edsall
(Madrid/Waddington - surveyor & land agent), in the summer of 1799."
November 5, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
"The 5th was a charming day, and in the morning orders were issued for sailing,
and at six the whole army was underway, in about 300 small crafts and boats, and
arrived the same evening at Morristown, a distance of forty miles; a favorable
landing was selected, and the boats put in good order.
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
On the morning of the 5th, a clear, bright, crisp morning, just at dawn, the whole
flotilla, comprising almost three hundred boats, moved down the river from
French Creek with banners furled and music silent, for they wished to elude
discovery by the British, who, until now, were uncertain whether the expedition
was intended for Kingston, Prescott, or Montreal. The vigilant foe had
immediately discovered their course, and, with a heavy armed galley and gunboats
filled with troops, started in pursuit. The flotilla arrived at Morristown early
in the evening. It had been annoyed by the enemy all the way. Several times
Wilkinson was disposed to turn upon them; and at one time, near Bald Island,
about two miles below Alexandria Bay, he was compelled to engage, for the
enemy’s gun-boats shot out of the British channel on the north, and attacked his
rear. They were beaten off and Wilkinson determined to run by the formidable
batteries at Prescott during the night. It was found to be impracticable, and his
boats lay moored at Morristown until morning. A corps of land troops from
Kingston had also followed Wilkinson along the northern shore of the river, and
arrived at Prescott before the American flotilla reached Ogdensburg."
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"On 5th I met General Wilkinson in his boat on the river near Morristown, and he
determined to pass Prescott at night. We were here joined by Colonel W.
(Winfield) Scott and Colonel E. P. (Edmund Pendleton) Gaines as volunteers."
"Tarnished Warrior" by James Ripley Jacobs
"....it was not until the 5th that their boats resumed floating down the St.
Lawrence. About midnight they came straggling into Hoag's,(note there is a
Mason Hoag on Jehiel Dimock's Militia role - might be related) forty miles from
their starting point of the morning. The movement had been long and hard, the
men were cold, and organizations were in confusion."
More about Winfield Scott:
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Scott served in the War of 1812 where he was captured at Queenston Heights (Oct
13, 1812)and held for a year before being released in a prisoner exchange. When
he resumed his duties he was promoted to brigadier general in March 1814, and
played a major role at Lundy’s Lane - Niagara Falls July 25, 1814, where he was
seriously wounded by a ball that shattered his shoulder. Commander-In- Chief of
the United States Army, Scott resigned to Abraham Lincoln in November 1861.
It was said that Wilkinson was traveling with the main body in a boat piloted by a
renegade Canadian, William "Bill" Johnston who was later to acquire the title of
the "pirate of the St. Lawrence" or "Pirate of the Thousand Islands".
More : http://www.aandc.org/research/william_johnson.html and
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCC1A_Pirate_Bill_Johnson and
http://www.thousandislandslife.com/BackIssues/Archive/tabid/393/articleType/Ar
ticleView/articleId/499/Pirate-Bill.aspx
More About Edmund P. Gaines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_P._Gaines
November 6, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
"On the 6th the expedition proceeded on to within three miles of Ogdensburg, and
preparations were made for passing the fort at Prescott."
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
For the purpose of avoiding Fort Wellington and the other fortifications at
Prescott, Wilkinson halted three miles above Ogdensburg, where he debarked his
ammunition and all of his troops, except a sufficient number to man the boats.
These were to be conveyed by land to the "Red Mill," four miles below
Ogdensburg, on the American shore, and the boats were to run by the batteries
that night. At the place of debarkation he issued a proclamation to the Canadians,
intended to make them passive; and there, at noon, he was visited by Colonel
King, Hampton’s adjutant general. By him he sent orders to Hampton to press
forward to the St. Lawrence, to form a junction with the descending army at St.
Regis.
By the skillful management of General Brown, the whole flotilla passed Prescott
safely on the night of the 6th, with the exception of two large boats heavily laden
with provisions, artillery, and ordnance stores, which ran aground at Ogdensburg.
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"On 6th the main body of the army landed to march through Ogdensburg, and at
night General Wilkinson directed me to conduct him in his boat past Prescott,
which was done, the baggage following, the cannonade from the fort commencing
as soon as our boat was under way. Little damage was sustained by the boats
owing to the random fire from the fort, and, as I presume, from neglect of ranging
their guns by daylight. Many of our officers and men, particularly the aged, were
suffering from disordered bowels from the use of bad bread, especially General
Wilkinson and General Lewis. The former sought relief in the use of opium, and
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soon after passing Prescott it was necessary to land, which was done at Sharp's
farm, in whose house under the influence of laudanum the general became
very merry, and sung and repeated stories, the only evil of which was that it was
not of the dignified deportment to be expected from the commander-in-chief."
"Tarnished Warrior by James Ripley Jacobs "
"In this neighborhood the army remained for the 6th. During the day Colonel
William King arrived, bringing news of Hampton and his defeat near Spears,
fifteen miles from the St. Lawrence and fifty from Montreal. Wilkinson could not
resist damning the Carolinian's division and swearing that his own would do
better. In a return letter by Colonel King, he expressed hope of taking Montreal
and a desire that Hampton and his forces join him near St. Regis."
"John Armstrong - Notice of the War of 1812, Vol. 2":
On or about the 6th of November, 1813, (the night the American troops passed
Ogdensburgh and Prescott) having received orders to muffle the oars, and leave
men enough barely sufficient to man the boats, we marched the remainder
by land below Ogdensburgh. When we arrived, as we thought, near the place
where we were to meet the boats, (say a mile below Ogdensburgh,) we halted at a
small house near the river (D. Thorp's) ; and while there, discovered a boat
approaching the shore. Major Forsyth hailed the crew, and on explanation was
informed it was Gen. Wilkinson's boat. The major, myself, and others, met the
General at the water's edge, and asked if he wished to come on shore. Indicating
that he did, Forsyth and myself took him by the arms to assist him out of the boat,
and up the bank. We found him most abominably intoxicated, and hurried him
into the house; during which time, he was muttering the most desperate
imprecations against the enemy — saying, that if they did not cease firing, he
would blow to dust the whole British garrison, and lay waste their country. After
seating him on a chair near the fire, the major and myself retired to consult what
was best to be done, under the present situation of the commander-in-chief; when
we concluded to detail and post a guard near the door of the house, to keep out
both citizens and soldiers. I made the detail and posted the sentinel, and soon
afterward perceiving the General to nod, and apprehending that he would fall into
the fire, I proposed laying him on something like a bedstead that was in the room,
and having done so, he was, in a very short lime, in a sound sleep. The time to the
best of my recollection, at which we received the General, was about two o'clock
in the morning. For some time after this occurrence, he was not very accessible; it
was said that he was in bad health." — Major (Benjamin) Birdsal's statement.
Owin Chatfield deposeth and saith, that, on the night the American army passed
Prescott, this deponent went to the house of Daniel Thorp. This deponent farther
saith, that Gen. James Wilkinson was there, and in a state of intoxication; and that
his deportment, and obscene and vulgar conversation, but too plainly manifested
his being in that situation. This deponent farther saith, that the General sung
several obscene and vulgar songs; and farther saith not.
(Signed) OWIN CHATFIELD.
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Sworn before me at the village of Ogdensburgh, this 17th
of July, 1835. JOHN SCOTT, Justice of the Peace,.
Daniel Thorp (1820 Oswegatchie Census) deposeth and saith, that he lives about a
mile below the village of Ogdensburgh, and that, in the night the American army
passed Prescott, Gen. James Wilkinson came to the house of deponent in a state of
intoxication, as deponent verily believed at the time, and which he still believes ;
and that soon after his arrival at deponent's house, the General was put to bed.
This deponent farther saith, that the General remained at his house several hours,
and that, during his stay there, his behavior was very unlike a gentleman, and his
conversation very vulgar and obscene.
(Signed) DANIEL THORP.
Sworn before me, this 18th of July, 1819.
JOHN SCOTT, Justice of the Peace"
More on Major Benjamin Birdsall (4th Riflemen):
Trials (Murder) -- New York (State) -- Albany. According brief entry descriptions
for an August 1818 story in the Detroit Gazette and for October and November
1818 stories in the Cherry Valley Gazette (Otsego County), Major Benjamin
Birdsall died Sunday, July 14, 1818, having been shot by James Hamilton, "an
Irishman." The major had been with the U.S. Rifle Corps and was survived by a
wife and four children. Hamilton was convicted at a trial in Albany County Court
of Oyer and Terminer in October and executed the next month....more
http://www.napoleonseries.org/military/Warof1812/2006/Issue5/c_Hamilton.html
More on Daniel Thorp:
Ogdensburg Journal Jan 2, 1977 - by Persis Boyesen - Oswegatchie and
Heuvelton Historian:
"The second daughter and sixth child of John and Mary (Simons) Chapin was
born in 1787 in Hartford, Washington County, Ny. the exact date of her marriage
to Daniel Thorpe is unknown but it was before March 18, 1815 as deduced from
the following evidence. David Ogden through Nathan Ford, as attorney, on Nov.
1, 1809 sold a lot to Levi Chapin who in turn conveyed it on Aug 29, 1812 to
Daniel and Miriam Thorp. On March 18, 1815 Daniel and Miriam Thorp
conveyed to Bela and Roswell Chapin. Daniel and Miriam Chapin Throp
(Thorpe) were parents of three known children...... Daniel Thorp died Jan. 10,
1839 in his 61st year."
Note: These land records/deeds would tell us where this house stood in November
6, 1812
November 7, 1813:
"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier" by
Lundy's Lane Historical Society - Ernest Alexander Cruikshank
"Headquarters, St. Lawrence River, 7th November, 1813: Sir, I have received
advice that the enemy occupies a strong post with several pieces of artillery at the
Narrows, a few miles above Hamilton (Waddington), for the purpose of annoying
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the flotilla in its descent. You will proceed immediately with the reserve under
your command, Forsyth's riflemen, Colonel Randolph's (Thomas Mann Randolph
from Va. - son in law of Thomas Jefferson, buried at Monticello
http://carolshouse.com/cemeteryrecords/monticello/) command and Major (John)
Herkimer's (lawyer, politician) volunteers and drive him from his position. I
think it would be most prudent for you to make the shore above him, and march to
the attack by land, leaving a sufficient number of men to secure your boats in case
you should find it necessary to retreat. If the enemy is in considerable force, you
will not risk an action, but inform me of it immediately. If you succeed in
executing this order, you will drop down to Hamilton and wait there until I join
you. Wishing you a successful enterprise. From Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol."
"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier" by
Lundy's Lane Historical Society - Ernest Alexander Cruikshank
"From Wilkinson's Journal - November 7th - The General having been exposed to
the open air all last night, in consequence found himself ill. In passing Prescott
two of our largest vessels, loaded with provisions, artillery, and ordnance stores,
either through cowardice or treachery, had been run into the river near
Ogdensburg and opposite Prescott. The enemy kept up so constant a cannonade
on them that we found it difficult and lost half a day to get them out. We
perceived the militia in arms at Johnstown, directly opposite us and several pieces
of field artillery in motion. Understanding that the coast below was lined with
posts of musketry and artillery at every narrow pass of the river, Colonel Macomb
was detached, about one o'clock, with the Elite Corps of about 1200 men, to
remove these obstructions, and the General got under way about half-past three
o'clock. Four or five miles below we entered the first rapids of the river, and soon
after passing them two pieces of light artillery, which had not been observed by
Colonel Macomb, opened a sharp fire upon the General's passage boat, but
without any further effect than cutting away some of the rigging. Lieutenant-
Colonel Eustis with a part of our light gun barges came within shot of the pieces
of the enemy and a cannonade ensued without injury on either side. In the
meantime Major Forsyth, who was in the rear of the Elite of Colonel Macomb,
landed his riflemen, advanced upon the enemy's guns and had his fire drawn by a
couple of videttes posted in his route, upon which his pieces were precipitately
carried off. The General came to at dusk about six miles below the town of
Hamilton, where he received a report from Colonel Macomb, who had routed a
party at a blockhouse about two miles below and captured an officer."
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" L.H. Everts:
"On the morning of the 7th information had been received that the enemy had
taken a position of the river above Hamilton, at a narrow pass, and had fortified it
to annoy the flotilla in passing. These were dislodged by Maj. Forsyth....(who
drove) a body of 300 provincial militia...from a block house, with two 6-pound
cannon which he burned......about noon, advice was received that two armed
Schooners, and a body of the enemy in bateau, estimated at 1000 or 1500 men,
had descended to the river from Kingston and landed at Prescott; that they had
63

immediately sent a flag of truce across the river to Ogdensburg, and demanded the
surrender of all pubic property there, under the penalty of burning the town. Not
long after, information was received that the enemy had re-embarked at Prescott,
in their bateaux, and were following with seven gun boats."
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"(The) two large boats heavily laden with provisions, artillery, and ordnance
stores, which ran aground at Ogdensburg... soon joined the others at the "Red
Mill." Wilkinson was now informed that the Canada shore of the river was lined
with posts of musketry and artillery at every eligible point, to dispute the passage
of the flotilla. To meet and remove these impediments, Colonel Alexander
Macomb was detached, with twelve hundred of the élite of the army, and on
Sunday, the 7th, landed on the Canada shore. He was soon followed by Lieutenant
Colonel Forsyth and his riflemen, who did excellent service in the rear of
Macomb."
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"At early dawn on 7th we reached the Indian village on the American shore,
followed on the opposite bank of the river by light artillery from Prescott that
annoyed our march somewhat. Our force, seven thousand rank and file. General
Wilkinson here informed me that he expected soon to meet General Hampton and
his four thousand troops. In the evening of 7th we arrived at the ......(see Nov
9th)"
Little bit more about Alexander Macomb (b. Detroit):
In the summer of 1813, General Wilkinson relieved General Dearborn in the
command of the Northern army. Colonel Macomb accompanied him in the
fruitless and unfortunate movement down the St. Lawrence, in the autumn of that
year. He was placed at the head of the corps d' élite, which consisted of his own
regiment, the 20th infantry, Forsyth's rifles, and Major Herkimer's New York
volunteers, numbering, in all, about twelve hundred men. On the march over land,
to avoid the fire of the British batteries at Prescott, he led the advance; and when
the army resumed its progress down the river, he was detached with his corps, to
remove obstructions from the stream, and drive the enemy's skirmishers and light
troops from the line of the route. While on this service, several slight affairs
occurred with the enemy, in which he and the officers and men of his command,
displayed commendable zeal and gallantry. Being in the advance, Colonel
Macomb had no Part in the action fought on the eleventh of November, near
Williamsburg. After the death of General Covington, who fell on that occasion,
Macomb succeeded to the command of his brigade, and conducted it to the winter
quarters of the army, at French Mills, where he was placed in command of the
artillery. Macomb would find his fame at the Battle of Plattsburgh.
November 8, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" H.L. Everts:
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"A body of dragoons had assembled here for crossing, and the whole of 8th and
following night were devoted to transporting these. About noon, advice was
received that two armed schooners, and a body of the enemy in bateau, estimated
at 1000 or 1500 men, had descended the river from Kingston, and landed at
Prescott; that they had immediately sent a flag of truce across the river to
Ogdensburg and demanded the surrender of all public property there, under the
penalty of burning the town. Not long after, information was received that the
enemy had re-embarked at Prescott, in their bateaux and were following with
seven gun boats. While the expedition lay at the narrows near Hamilton
(Waddington) , on the 8th, a council of war was held - Gens. Wilkinson, Lewis,
Boyd, Covington, Porter and Swartwout being present - in which the commanderin-chief
stated that his force consisted of 7000 men, and that he expected to meet
4000 more, under Gen. Hampton at St Regis; that his provisions amounted to ten
days' bread and twenty days' meat; that from the best of his information the
enemy's force was 600 under Col. Murray troops of the line at Coteau de Lac,
strongly fortified with artillery; 200 on the island opposite, with two pieces of
artillery, and about the same number on the south shore with two pieces of
artillery, 200 - 300 men of the British line of artillery, but without ammunition at
the Cedars; at Montreal 200 sailors and 400 marines, with the militia, numbers
unknown; no fortifications at that city or in advance of it; 2500 regular troops
expected daily from Quebec, the militia on the line reported 20,000 Canadians
chiefly. This information was procured by Col. Swift who employed a secret
agent for the purpose. Under these circumstances Maj. Wilkinson submitted to
the council the following proposition - Shall the army proceed with all possible
rapidity to the attack of Montreal? The above information was given by a
confidential agent of reputed integrity, who left Montreal on the 3rd instant; it was
added that two British armed vessels, with sixty bateaux with troops had arrived
at Prescott this morning and that 400 were the last evening at Cornwall, about
thirty-three miles below this point. With these facts before them, the question
was asked "Shall we proceed to attack Montreal?" to which, Lewis (Governor of
New York - 1804, Chief Justice of New York Supreme Court
U.S. Quartermaster General - War of 1812), (John Parker)Boyd (from
Massachusetts and Maine), Brown, and (Robert) Swartwout (b. Poughkeepsie,
NY) decided in the affirmative, and (Leonard Wailes) Covington (b. Aquasco,
Md.) and (Peter Buell) Porter (b. Ct, Quartermaster NY Militia), fought a
bloodless duel with Gen Alexander Smyth) expressed strong apprehension from
want of proper pilots, etc, but saw no other alternative....(This night) the passage
of the cavalry to the north shore was accomplished. "
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"The flotilla arrived at the "White House," (home of John Sharp? - 1800 & 1810
Madrid Census) opposite Matilda, about eighteen miles below Ogdensburg, on the
8th, and there Wilkinson called a council of his officers, consisting of Generals
Lewis, Boyd, Brown, Porter, Covington, and Swartwout. After hearing a report
from the active chief engineer, Colonel Swift, concerning the reported strength of
the enemy, he questioned, "Shall the army proceed with all possible rapidity to the
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attack of Montreal?" was considered, and answered in the affirmative. General
Brown was at once ordered to cross the river with his brigade and the dragoons,
for the purpose of marching down the Canada side of the river in connection with
Colonel (Alexander) Macomb, and the remainder of the day and night was
consumed in the transportation. Meanwhile Wilkinson was informed that a British
re-enforcement, full one thousand strong, had been sent down from Kingston to
Prescott, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Morrison. They had come in
the armed schooners Beresford and Sidney Smith, and several gun-boats and
bateaux under Captain Mulcaster, which had eluded Chauncey’s inefficient
blockading squadron...."
"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier" by
Lundy's Lane Historical Society - Ernest Alexander Cruikshank
"November 8th - This morning the flotilla fell down to a contraction of the river at
a point called the "White House," where dragoons were assembled to be crossed.
Brigadier-General Brown was ordered this morning to reinforce Colonel Macomb
with his brigade and to take the command and the whole day and following night
were devoted to transporting the dragoons. About noon this day we received
advice that two armed schooners and a body of enemy bateaux, estimated at one
thousand or fifteen hundred men, had descended the river from Kingston and
landed at Prescott, that they immediately sent a flag across the river to
Ogdensburg and demanded the delivery of all public property there under penalty
of burning the town. Not long after information was received that the enemy had
re-embarked at Prescott in their bateaux and were following us with seven
gunboats."
November 9, 1813:
"History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
"On the 9th at six am, the 2nd brigade, with two companies of the 2nd artillery,
the rifle corps and cavalry, commenced their march by land to Williamsburgh,
(just north of Morrisburg, ON) and in the afternoon the flotilla moved down the
river. Very early in the morning, the enemy in the rear had a slight skirmish with
the riflemen, in which we had one man killed, and the enemy retired. The object
of Gen Brown's being sent forward with a part of the army was to clear the shore
of any annoyances which the enemy might have erected opposite the rapids and
narrow defiles of the river. The flotilla passed down eleven miles, and anchored
in the river, and the army encamped on ground selected by Gen. Boyd, guards
were posted, and all remained quiet for the night. The enemy continued to follow
up the rear, and on arriving at Hamilton (Waddington) sent to that village a
preemptory demand for the restoration of some of the merchandise that had been
captured (in October).
Redcoat Ploughboys: Battalion of Upper Incorporated Militia of the Volunteer
Canada, 1813 - 1815" by Richard Feltoe:
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...arrived in Prescott....."However, plans changed the next day, November 8, when
Lieutenant Colonel Morrison's flotilla of boats from Kinston arrived with its
complement of around eight hundred regular troops. Determined to participate in
the upcoming action, Pearson made a proposal Morrison could not refuse, by
offering to provide a substantial part of his garrison's force, as well as bateaux and
crews for the pursuit. The two separate forces were merged under the overall
command of Morrison and left Prescott early on the morning of November 9,
taking with them Lieutenant Colonel Pearson and more than four hundred of the
Prescott garrison. Left behind, ostensibly to protect the fort at Prescott, was the
main body of the companies from the Incorporated Militia.
That is not to say, however, that no one from the Prescott Division of the
Incorporated Militia had any part to play in the unfolding events on the St.
Lawrence River. In addition to the aforementioned Captain Davy and his crew of
militiamen, Private Thompson from the Kingston garrison and Captain Kerr and
his gunboat detachment were ordered to re-man their boat. A number of other
experienced boatmen and those from the regiment who had crewed boats between
Prescott and Montreal (and thus familiar with the treacherous currents and rapids
of this stretch of the river) were also included to assist in piloting the floatilla
downriver after the Americans.
Over the next few days, this group of volunteers, as in the case of Captain Davy's
unit, were involved in the raid on Hamilton (Waddington), New York and were
engaged in firing on American forces on the banks of the St. Lawrence during the
battle of Crysler's Farm. Following the end of the battle and the American retreat,
Kerr's detachment was part of the force that shot the rapids and made harassing
probes against the retiring rearguard at Grasse Creek. Here, they succeeded in
attacking and capturing one of the American gunboats, which they towed back to
Coteau-du-Lac as a prize, later assessed at being worth seventy-five pounds.
After being ordered to leave their boat at the post, Kerr and his men marched the
eighty miles back to Prescott.
"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier" by
Lundy's Lane Historical Society - Ernest Alexander Cruikshank
"New York Evening Post, 29th November, 1813 - Extract of a letter from a
gentleman in Hamilton village, St. Lawrence County, to his friend in Canandaigua
- November 14, 1813, About 2 o'clock pm, November 9, we had certain
intelligence that a large detachment of the enemy at Kingston had arrived at
Prescott, and soon after we heard that they had sent a flag to Ogdensburg
demanding an instant surrender of all public property, threatening in case of
refusal to send an armed force to take both public and private property. As no
officer of the United States was there, the magistrates negotiated the business.
They left a captain to receive the property, which was trifling, consisting only of
two mortars, 30 barrels of pork, 20 barrels of whiskey and a few other
inconsiderable articles. On the 10th a flag arrived in this village. The officer
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accompanying it demanded on behalf of His Majesty the surrender of all public
property and prize goods. Of the former there was but little in the village but
there was a considerable amount of prize goods which had been taken from boats
as they were going up the river, mostly belonging to merchants in Kingston.
They were deposited in a store in the central part of the village. The officer at
first insisted on burning the store, but being told that in burning it most of the
village would be consumed, he desisted on condition that the property would be
sent to the other side of the river and delivered up, which was done. A
detachment from the enemy's boats landed and fired the barracks here, which
were consumed."
..... letter from George Provost to Earl Bathurst....
"I have also the honor of transmitting to Your Lordship a copy of a letter with the
enclosure therein referred to, addressed to Major General De Rottenburg by
Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, in which you will see fresh proof of the vigilance
and activity of that officer in executing the duty with which he had been
entrusted, and I hae the further pleasure to report to Your Lordship that a 13-inch
iron and a 10-inch brass mortar, with their stores and a large supply of provisions,
deposited at Ogdensburg, have been brought away from thence by Captain
Mulcaster of the Royal Navy and lande3d at Prescott."
Wilkinson's diary...
"November 9th - This morning very early the enemy menaced our rear, and a
slight skirmish took place between our riflemen and a party of their militia and
Indians, in which we had one man killed and the enemy were driven back. The
cavalry, with four pieces of light artillery under the command of Captain
McPherson, were attached to the command of Brigadier General Brown and he
was ordered to clear the coat below us as far as a point near the head of the
Longue Saut. The rapidity of the current obliged us to halt the flotilla several
hours to enable General Brown to make good his march in time to cover our
movement. During this period the enemy frequently threatened our rear but never
indicated any intention to make a serious attack. About three o'clock pm the
flotilla got under way and we cam to about five o'clock at the Yellow House,
having floated nearly eleven miles in two hours, where we camped for the night."
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"They were joined at Prescott by provincial infantry and dragoons under
Lieutenant Colonel Pearson, and on the morning of the 9th they were close upon
Wilkinson with the vessels in which they came down the river, and a large portion
of the land troops were debarked near Matilda for the purpose of pursuing the
Americans. General Boyd and his brigade were now detached to re-enforce
Brown, with orders to cover his march, to attack the pursuing enemy if necessary,
and to co-operate with the other commanders.
Wilkinson now found himself in a perilous position. The British armed vessels
were following his flotilla, and a heavy British force was hanging upon the rear of
his land troops, ready to co-operate with the water craft in an attack upon the
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Americans. They constantly harassed Brown and Boyd, and occasionally attacked
the rear of the flotilla. The forces on the shore also encountered detachments
coming up from below, and were compelled to make some long and tedious
circuits in their march because of the destruction of bridges in the front."
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"........Narrows and remained till 9th, sending Colonel Alexander Macomb in
advance, and crossing the dragoons from the American shore, our videts
informing us that twenty- three boats loaded with troops, protected by two gun
boats, commanded by Captain Mulcaster, were following us at a distance of four
miles. The evening of 9th we passed the Rapid Platte opposite Hamilton
(Waddington), and put to at Williamsburgh near Chrysler's farm."
November 10, 1813 - Cornwall, ON (across from Massena):
Jacob Brown fought and won at Hoople's Creek (South Stormont, ON). The
Canadian position on this precursor to Crysler's Farm was they delayed the
Americans from obtaining supplies held at Cornwall where they had time to
evacuate the stores. The next day, Nov 10th, while the remainder of the army was
being beaten at Crysler's Farm, Brown took Cornwall.
New England Palladium Nov 15, 1813 - written from Watertown NY, Nov 15:
"By a gentleman who left the army on Thursday the 11th inst. I have received the
following particulars - The whole of our force crossed on the Canada shore, and
were proceeding down the river, and a British force in the rear following - this
was on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they continued their march, and were all day
much annoyed by the enemy. At night, it was concluded by our troops to divide,
and Gen. Brown with a large detachment was sent forward to destroy some block
houses, and disperse some small parties of the enemy collected at a place called
Cornwall. Gen. Covington with the rest of the party was to follow, partly in boats
and partly by land."
"The History of St. Lawrence County, New York" Everts:
"On the morning of Nov 10 Information was received that the enemy had
collected at or near the foot of the Long Sault, determined to oppose the passage
of the flotilla.(that was moving along the river in October). To dislodge these,
Gen. Brown was sent forward, and about noon was engaged by a party of the
enemy near a block house on the Sault, erected to harass the flotilla in it's descent.
At the same time the enemy were observed in the rear, who commenced a
cannonade, which obliged the general to order two 18-pounders to be run on shore
and formed a battery, which soon compelled them to retire up the river. These
operations had so far wasted the day that the pilots were afraid to enter the Sault
and they came to anchor opposite the premises of John Crystler, about nine miles
above the head of the Long Sault rapids. At four PM a party of 50 men under
Capt. Burbank (probably Clayton Sullivan Burbank) fell in with a party of the
enemy in a grove about a mile in the rear of the camp who were dispersed by a
few volleys losing one man and killing two. A few minutes after this, a small
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ody of mounted men appeared in the road near the river, who were fired upon by
our rear guard of gun boats and dispersed. At five o'clock a body of men
appeared at the same place with two 6-pounders, and opened a fire o our gun
boats which was returned and kept up for some minutes. Gen Boyd advanced
against these who retired. As it was considered important to hear from Gen.
Brown whether the passage was clear before committing himself to the Sault,
from which there was no retreat, the American flotilla fell down a short distance
and came to Cook's point about a mile below Crysler's.
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
On the morning of the 10th when Wilkinson was approaching the "Longue Saut,"
a perilous rapid in the St. Lawrence, eight miles in extent, he was informed that a
considerable body of the enemy had collected near its foot, constructed a blockhouse,
and were prepared to attack him when he should come down. General
Brown was ordered to advance at once and dislodge them, and at noon
cannonading was heard in that direction for some time. At the same hour the
enemy came pressing upon Wilkinson’s rear, and commenced cannonading from
his gun-boats. The American gun-barges were so slender that the eighteenpounders
could not be worked effectively, so they were landed, placed in battery,
and brought to bear upon the enemy so skillfully that his vessels fled in haste up
the river. In these operations the day was mostly consumed. The pilots were
unwilling to enter the rapids at night. It was necessary to hear from Brown, for
when the flotilla should once be committed to the swift current of the rapids there
could be no retreat. These considerations caused Wilkinson to halt for the night,
and his vessels were moored a little below Chrysler’s Island, nearly in front of the
farm of John Chrysler (a British militia captain then in the service), a few miles
below Williamsburg, while Boyd, with the rear of the land force, encamped near."
Wikipedia:
"Late on 10 November, after a day spent marching under intermittent fire from
British gunboats and field guns, Wilkinson set up his headquarters in Cook's
Tavern (Morrisburg, Ontario - Michael Cook, a loyalist of German descent from
the Mohawk Valley, obtained his first license in 1804), with Boyd's troops
bivouacked in the woods around."
"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier" by
Lundy's Lane Historical Society - Ernest Alexander Cruikshank
"Capitulation: We do herby promise on our respective words of honor to deliver
on the opposite side of the river at the house of Jacob Wager,(Jacob Waggoner -
Cornwall Loyalist) if a flag of truce is permitted to land, all the public property
belonging to the United States if any should be found here, also all property
belonging to His Britannic majesty's Government and to the individuals thereof
now deposited in the store Charles Richards. It being expressly understood that
the property and persons of the inhabitants of the village have been spared in
consideration of the preceding arrangement and we do hereby further pledge our
honor that two boats shall also be delivered, which belong either to the
70

Government of the United States or His Britannic Majesty's Government, and we
do further admit that the non-compliance with these conditions the village shall be
subject to be destroyed. David Ogden, Alex. Richards - dated Hamilton
(Waddington) November 10, 1813"
More on David Ogden From 1873/4 Child's Gazetteer:
"David A. Ogden was born at Morristown, N. J. He, with his father, Abraham
Ogden (At the evacuation of New York, and after his brother Isaac had lost his
land in New Jersey and moved to Canada, Abraham remained in the United
States, and was friendly with George Washington. Was Attorney General for the
state of New Jersey. Abraham - Indian Commissioner - and his other brother
Samuel purchased land in what became Ogdensburg), and brother, Thomas L.
Ogden, all of whom then resided in Newark, N.J., purchased the town of Madrid
from Wm. Constable in 1796. In 1803, after the death of the father, the two
brothers, having become sole owners, sold one-third to Joshua Waddington of
New York. David A.(Abraham) Ogden studied law in the office of his father, who
was also otherwise interested in lands in this county, in connection with Josiah
Ogden Hoffman, his brother-in-law. About the time of his father's death he
removed to New York, where in company with his brother, (Thomas Ludlow) T.
L. Ogden, he practiced his profession, and formed a business connection with
Alex. Hamilton which was terminated by the memorable duel between that
gentleman and Aaron Burr. He continued the practice of law in the metropolis
until his attention was directed to the establishment of a homestead upon the
island which bears his family name. The ready sympathy and assistance he
extended toward the early settlers in the town is still remembered with the
warmest gratitude. He was elected to the Assembly in 1814 and 1815, and was a
Representative in Congress from this state from 1817 to 1819. He held the office
of county judge eight years and resigned in consequence of declining health. He
died at Montreal, at the age of sixty, June 9, 1829, and his remains were brought
to Waddington (Brookside Cemetery - link to Anne Cady's site David Ogden,
died 1829; Inscription over door ) and interred there." David Ogden had a large
house on Ogden's Island.
More on Charles and Alexander Richards:
Became a land agent for David Ogden in 1803 after Joseph Edsall. Alexander (d.
1834 - link to Anne Cady's site Alexander Richards, died Oct 16, 1834 AE 69 yrs;
Close-up ) and his wife, Sophia are buried at Brookside Cemetery, Waddington.
More on Jacob Waggoner - http://ancestrylibrary.custhelp.com/cgibin/ancestrylibrary.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5018&p_created=1252
702321
November 11, 1813:
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Battle of Crysler's Farm (Williamsburgh/Morrisburg Ontario - Upper Canada
Village across the St. Lawrence River between Waddington and Massena) more:
http://www.warof1812.ca/graves3.htm
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"At ten o'clock in the morning on the 11th Wilkinson received a dispatch from
Brown, addressed from "five miles above Cornwall," announcing his success in
his attack upon the British post at the foot of the rapids, informing him of the
wounding of Lieutenant Colonel Forsyth and one of his men, and urging him to
come forward with the boats and supplies as quickly as possible, because his
wearied troops were "without covering in the rain." This dispatch found
Wilkinson extremely ill, and his reply, in which he told Brown of the presence of
the enemy upon his rear, and his apprehensions that he intended to pass him with
his gun-boats and strengthen the British force below, was addressed "from my
bed." "It is now, he said, "that I feel the heavy hand of disease - enfeebled and
confined to my bed while the safety of the army entrusted to my command, the
honor of our armies, and the greatest interests of our country are at hazard."
Wilkinson now ordered the flotilla to proceed, and Boyd and his command to
resume their march. At that moment information reached the commanding
general that the enemy were advancing in column, and that firing from their gunboats
was heard. He immediately sent Colonel Swift with an order for (John
Parker)Boyd (from Massachusetts and Maine) to form his detachment into three
columns, advance upon the enemy, and endeavor to outflank him and capture his
cannon. At the same time the flotilla was ordered to lie moored on the Canada
shore, just below Weaver's Point, while his gun-boats lay off Cook Point.
The brave Boyd, anxious for battle, instantly obeyed. (Robert) Swartwout was
detached with the fourth brigade to assail the vanguard of the enemy which was
composed of light troops, and Covington was directed to take position at support
distance from him with the third brigade.
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Swartwout, on a large brown horse, dashed gallantly into woods of second
growth, followed by the twenty-first Regiment, commanded by Colonel E. W.
(Eleazar Wheelock) Ripley (b. NH, wounded at Sacket's Harbor, d. Louisiana),
and with them drove the light troops of the enemy back upon their main line in
open fields on Crysler's farm, below his house. That line was well posted, its
right resting on the St. Lawrence, and covered by (British Capt. William Howe)
Mulcaster's gun-boats, and the left on a black-oak swamp (top of the map),
supported by Indians and gathering militia under Colonel Thomas Fraser. They
were advantageously formed back of ravines that intersected the extensive plain
and rendered the advance of the American artillery almost impossible, and a
heavy rail-fence.
Swartwout's sudden and successful dash was quickly followed by an attack on the
enemy's left by the whole of the fourth brigade, and a part of the first under
Colonel Coles (Isaac A. Coles b Richmond Va., Personal Secretary for Thomas
Jefferson 1805 - 1809 - Coles assumed command of Boyd's brigade when he
replaced Wilkinson) who advanced across plowed fields, knee-deep in mud, in the
face of a heavy shower of bullets and shrapnel-shells. At the same time General
Covington, mounted on a fine white horse, gallantly led the third brigade against
the enemy's left, near the river, and the battle became general. By charge after
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charge, in the midst of difficulties, the British were pushed back almost a mile,
and the American cannon, placed in fair position by General Boyd, under the
direction of Colonel Swift, did excellent execution for a few minutes. The
squadron of the Second Regiment of Dragoons was early on the field, and much
exposed to the enemy's fire, but, owing to the nature of the ground, was unable to
accomplish much. (Under heavy fire from Pearson's group) At length Covington
fell, severely wounded and the ammunition of the Americans began to fail. It was
soon exhausted, and the fourth brigade, hard pushed, fell back, Followed by
Colonel J.A. (typo in book, should be I. A.) Coles. This retrograde movement
affected the third brigade, and it too fell back, in considerable disorder.
The British perceived this, and followed up the advantage gained with great vigor,
and were endeavoring by a flank movement to capture Boyd's cannon, when a
gallant charge of cavalry led by Adjutant General (John) Walbach (John Baptiste
de Barth Walbach, Baron de Walbach - b. Germany, once aide-de-camp for
Alexander Hamilton), who had obtained Armstrong's permission to accompany
the expedition, drove them back and saved the pieces. The effort was renewed.
Lieutenant (William W.) Smith(US Military Academy 1809), who commanded
one of the cannon, was mortally wounded, and it fell into the enemy's hands.
The conflict had lasted about five hours, in the midst of cold, and snow, and sleet,
when the Americans were compelled to fall back. During that time victory had
swayed, like a pendulum, between the combatants, and would doubtless have
rested with the Americans had their ammunition held out. Their retreat was
promising to be a rout, when the flying troops were met by six hundred men under
Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Upham (from New Hampshire)of the Twenty-First
Regiment of Infantry, and Major (Alexander) Malcolm, whom Wilkinson had sent
up to the support of Boyd. (Wikipedia - also supported by the 25th US Infantry
under Colonel Edmund P. Gaines b. Culpepper, Virginia) These checked the
disorderly flight, and, taking position on the ground from which Boyd's force had
been driven, they gallantly attacked the enemy, seized the principle ravine, and,
with a severe fire at short musket range, drove the British back and saved the day.
Meanwhile Boyd had reformed his line in battle order on the edge of the wood
from which Swartwout drove the foe at the beginning, and there awaited another
attack. It was not made. Both parties seemed willing to make the excuse of
oncoming darkness a warrant for suspending farther fighting. The Americans,
under cover of night, retired unmolested to their boats, and the British remained
upon the field."
"The Memoires of Joseph Gardner Swift"
"On the morning of the nth November detachments were debarked from Boyd's,
Swartwout's and Covington's brigades to lighten the boats, and to pass the dangers
of the Long Sault. As these detachments were about to move down the margin
of the river the enemy was seen advancing in column, their advance guard
opening a light fire on us. Orders were given to face about and advance on
the enemy in three columns, outflank them, and capture their artillery, each
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of our columns five hundred men. The enemy retired and formed behind
a ravine at Chrysler's farm with their right wing forward, as our movement
was to turn the left flank, their force about one thousand six hundred, their
right supported by four pieces of artillery aided by eight gun boats in the
river, that maintained a constant fire, though ill-directed. Our columns
drove the enemy back across a ravine west of the first, and formed line on
the brink of the ravine opposite the enemy, our left supported by four pieces
of artillery and a reserve of one hundred and fifty dragoons. Both lines
opened a fire on each other, and no attempt was made by our generals to
charge until Colonel Walbach put the dragoons in motion. They were
arrested by the fire of grape from the gun boats, killing some eight men
and wounding many at the head of this charge. Both sides ceased firing
at the same moment for no apparent cause, as neither side made any
forward movement to charge further. Our columns, after having every fifth
man killed or wounded, (one hundred and two of the former and two
hundred and thirty-eight of the latter), leaving our dead on the field,
marched deliberately to our boats, pushed off and descended the river and the
Long Sault."
American Forces:
Commander-in-Chief : Brig. Gen. John Boyd
1st Brigade: Commanded by Col. Issac Coles
(12th and 13th US Infantry)
Brig General Robert Swartwout (11th, 14th and 21st Infantry)
21st US Infantry - Colonel Eleazer Wheelock Ripley
Brig General Leonard Covington (9th, 16th, 25th Infantry)
Twenty-Fifth Infantry - Colonel Edmund P. Gaines
Adjutant General, Colonel John Walbach - United States Dragoons
Craig's Command (Maybe Henry Knox Craig?), U.S. Light Artillery
Corps
Maj. William Cumins - Wounded
Lt. Col. Timothy Upham - Boat Guards
Lt. William Smith - killed
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Joseph Gardner Swift (b. Nantucket Island, d Geneva NY - first graduate
of US Military Academy at West Point, Chief Engineer and aid to
Wilkinson, got a Citation for Gallantry at Crystler's Farm)
Check this web site for partial list of killed and wounded:
http://civilwarthosesurnames.blogspot.com/2009/12/battle-atwilliamsbugh.html
List of Officers Killed: Lieut. Wm W Smith, light artillery; Lieut. David
Hunter 12th Regiment of Infantry; Lieut. Edward Olmstead 15th
List of Officers Wounded: Brigadier-General Leonard Covington
(mortally). Major Talbot Chambers, assistant Adjutant-General slightly,
Major Darby Noon, aid-de-camp to Brigadier-General Swartwout,
slightly; Colonel James P Preston, 23rd Regiment of Infantry, severely, his
right thigh fractured; Major W. Cummings, 8th Regiment severely;
Captain Edmund Foster, 9th slightly; Captain David S Townsend* do do
severely, Captain Mordecai Myers 15th do severely; Captain John
Campbell do slightly; Captain John B. Murdock, 25th do slightly; Lieut.
Wm. S. Heaton, 11th do severely; Lieut. John Williams, 13th do slightly;
Lt. John Lynch* 14th do severely; Lieut. Peter Pelham*, 21st do severely;
Lieut. James D Brown; 25th slightly; Lieut. Archibald C. Crary, do.do,
severely, in skirmishes the day before the action - written by J. B.
Walbach, Adj. Gen
*Taken Prisoner
British, Canadian, and Indian forces:
Commander-in-Chief : Lt. Col. Joseph Wanton Morrison
L t. Col. John Harvey - 49th
Commanded by Lt. Col. Charles Plenderleath
Commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas Pearson
Maj. Frederick G. Heriot - Canadian Voltigeurs
Mohawk Indians - Lt. Charles Anderson
H. G. Jackson Royal Artillery
Kersteman, Royal Artillery
G. W. Barnes - 2/89th
76

William Howe Mulcaster - British Gun (lost a leg in 1814 at the Raid of
Ft. Oswego)
From: http://www.warof1812.ca/stlawrence1812.htm British Officers
who died: Lieutenant Guillaume De Lorimier and Ensign Henry
Armstrong
Killed and Wounded (Officers): Captain Nairn, 49th Regiment, killed; Lt.
Col Plenderleath, severe contusion, Lt. Jones dangerously, Lt. Bartley,
severely but not dangerously, Lt. Claus left leg amputated, Lt Morton,
severely but not dangerously, Lt Richmond, slightly. 89th Regiment Capt
Brown severely but not dangerously, Ensign Leadam slightly; 49th Flank
Compnies Lt Holland severely; Canadian Regiment Lt. de Lorimier, since
dead; Ensign Armstrong, severely. - written by J Harvey, Lt. Col DAG"
"Franklin County in the War of 1812 - Malone Paper Recalls Some of the Chief
Events" Courier Freeman, Sept 8, 1926:
"...It was in 1813 that Wilkinson came with his forces and Gen. Wade Hampton to
Chateaugay, and then began the disastrous campaign for the capture of Montreal,
which if carried forward would have been successful and might have changed the
whole course of the war, but which proved a miserable failure. No advance was
ever made, Wilkinson's forces, numbering nearly 8,000 came from Sackets
Harbor and Hampton's from Plattsburgh. The forces were to unite near Lake St.
Francis and proceed thence to the Canadian metropolis. Hampton had from 6,000
to 7,500 men and the encampment was on the Chateaugay river northwest of the
village. He advanced down the river for something over 20 miles and came in
touch with about 900 of the enemy entrenched behind log breastworks at the
junction of the Chateaugay with the Outard. The Canadians fled at the sight of
the Americans but de Salaberry in command sent buglers through the forest
sounding the charge and giving the impression of many troops; one company of
Americans lost its way and in the confusion two bodies of American troops are
said to have fired on each other. They retreated to Chateaugay and to this fiasco
and the battle at Chrysler's farm a fortnight later Canadian historians attribute the
saving of Montreal and all Canada from conquest. Hampton instead of obeying
orders started back for Plattsburgh the very day that his troops were needed at
Crysler's farm to turn a draw at nightfall or a decisive defeat as British writers
claim into a victory. It was in this fight that General Covington was mortally
wounded. He was buried just outside the block house that Tilden's men started
and the structure was thereafter known as Ft. Covington. In 1820 his remains
were removed to Sacket's Harbor but the town has ever since retained the name.
It was after this battle that Wilkinson's force went into winter quarters at Ft.
Covington, instead of moving on to Montreal, and was decimated by sickness,
many of the soldiers being hospitalized at Malone. On orders from Washington
the troops were finally withdrawn to Sackets Harbor and Plattsburgh and the
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British took advantage of the evacuation to invade Malone and raid Chateaugay
stores......"
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
On the 11th of November, Hampton wrote to Wilkinson that he would be unable
to meet him at St. Regis, but would return to Lake Champlain, and cooperate by a
descent from that place. "This reached Wilkinson at Barnhart's island. A council
was convened and it was resolved to cross to the American shore, and take up
winter quarters at French Mills, and accordingly the flotilla entered Salmon river
and took possession. There a frightful mortality occurred, which is described by
Dr. Lovell, a surgeon, as follows: The weather soon became intensely cold, and
remained so all winter. In addition to the great fatigue to which the soldiers had
been exposed, especially the division from Fort George, most of them had lost
their blankets and extra clothing on their march, or in the action of the 11th. Even
the sick had no covering except tents, from the period they debarked at the Mills,
until the 1st of January, in the severe latitude of 45 degrees. Provisions were
scarce and of a bad quality. Medicine and hospital stores were not to be found,
having been lost or destroyed in the passage down the St. Lawrence. Under these
circumstances sickness and mortality were very great."
November 12, 1813:
Ft. Covington Sun 1968:
The engagement at Crysler's had taken place as we have seen on Nov 11, and on
the following day Wilkinson's.....at Barnhart's Island a council of war was held.
At this council it was decided to postpone the attack on Montreal and to go into
winter quarters at French Mills . During the halt at Barnhart's Island General
Leonard Covington died of wounds received the previous day.
Colonel H. Atkinson, General Hampton's inspector-general, arrived at Barnhard's
Bay with a letter from his Hampton saying he would not meet Wilkinson for this
battle.
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"On the morning after the battle the flotilla and gun-boats passed safely down the
Long Rapids without discovering any signs of an enemy, and the same time the
land troops marched in the same direction unmolested. At Barnhart's three miles
above Cornwall, they formed a junction with the forces under General Brown, and
Wilkinson expected to hear of the arrival of Hampton at St. Regis, on the opposite
shore of the St. Lawrence. But he was disappointed. General Brown had written
to Hampton the day before informing him of rumors of a battle above and saying,
"My own opinion is you can not be with us soon," and begging him to inform the
writer by the bearer when he might be expected at St. Regis. Soon after
Wilkinson's arrival, Colonel Atkinson, Hampton's inspector general, appeared as
the bearer of a letter from his chief, dated the 11th, in which the commander of
the left of the grand army of the North, who had fallen back to Chateaugay Four
Corners, declared his intention not to join Wilkinson at all, but to co-operate in
the attack on Montreal by returning to Champlain and making a descent from that
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place. Wilkinson was enraged, and declared that he would "arrest Hampton, and
direct Izard to bring forward the division." He was too feeble in mind and body to
execute his threat, or to do anything that requuired energy; and after uttering a
few curses, he called a council of war, and left Hampton to do as he pleased. That
council decided that the "conduct of Major General Hampton, in refusing to join
his division to the troops descending the St. Lawrence, rendered it expedient to
remove the army to French Mills, on the Salmon River. "The opinion of the
younger members of the council was, "says General Swift, "that, with Brown as
leader, no character would be lost in going to Montreal; but the majority said
no...."
November 13, 1813:
Our army left Barnhard's Bay crossed the St. Lawrence and ascended the Salmon
River six miles, to French Mills (Ft. Covington).
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"....at noon, when information came that there was a considerable British force at
Coteau du Lac, the foot soldiers and artillerymen were all embarked on the
transports, under the direction of General Brown, and departed for the Salmon.
The horses of the dragoons, excepting about forty, were made to swim across the
cold and rapidly flowing river, there a thousand yards wide, and the squadron
proceeded to Utica.
The Flotilla passed up the Big Salmon River about six miles to its confluence with
the Little Salmon, near the French Mills, when it was announced that the boats
were scuttled, and the army was to go into winter quarters in huts......On arriving
at Salmon River the army was immediately debarked on the frozen shores, and set
to work on the construction of huts for winter quarters. The first labor was the
sad task of digging a grave for the remains of General Covington. He was shot
through the body on the 11th, and died at Barnhart's on the morning of the 13th,
just before the flotilla departed for French Mills.....Lewis and Boyd obtained leave
of absence, and the command of the army devolved upon Brigadier General
Brown who made his headquarters on the right bank of the river, in a house built
by Spafford in 1811 (store of P.A. Mathews in 1860 corner of Water and
Chateaugay Streets).
Hampton, in the mean time, had retired to Plattsburg with his four thousand men.
by special orders, sent from Malone by the hand of Colonel Swift, (when on his
way to Washington with dispatches), Wilkinson directed Hampton to join the
army at French Mills. This like other orders, were utterly disregarded by
Hampton. He had accomplished the defeat of efforts to take Canada, and leaving
General Izard, of South Carolina, in command, he abandoned the service and
returned to his immense sugar plantations in Louisiana.....
General Brown at once adopted measures for making the troops as comfortable as
possible. Huts were constructed, but this was a work of much labor, and
consumed several weeks. Meanwhile sever winter weather came. They were on
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the forty fifth parallel, and at the beginning of December the cold became intense.
Most of the soldiers had lost their blankets and extra clothing i the disaster near
Grenadier Island, or in the battle on Crystler's field. Even the sick had no shelter
bt tents. The country in the vicinity was a wilderness, and provisions were not
only scarce, but of inferior quality. A great quantity of medicines and hospital
stors had been lost through mismanagmenet, and these could not be procured sort
of Albany, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles. The mortality among the
sick became frightful, and disease prostrated nearly one half of the little army
before they were fairly housed in well-regulated contonments. Taking advantage
of this distress, British emissaries tried, by the circulation of written and printed
placards, to seduce the suffering soldiers from their allegiance."
US Army Medical Department - From:
http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/rev/gillett1/ch8.html
"....the patients here had to endure shortages of hospital stores and medicines and
a poor diet, as well as the rigors of the weather, since they were for a short time
sheltered in tents, the two houses taken over for their use being too small to
shelter all the sick and wounded. The shortage of bedding required that some
patients lie upon straw on the floor. The available blankets were of an inferior
quality, and by early December, shirts for the patients had not yet been received.
The port wine was reportedly not pure, the chocolate was so poor as to be
inedible, 60 and the flour was "so sour and damaged, as to prove unhealthy." The
bread his men ate, according to General Wilkinson, contained lime, soap, "and
other extraneous and even feculent ingredients." The water used in making the
bread seems to have been at the root of the problem, since it was "impregnated
with, and contains a diffusion of excrementitious matter." 61 Sick and death rates
were high in one instance; 75 men of a 160-man unit were ill, 39 with diarrhea
and dysentery, 18 with pneumonia, 6 with typhus, and 12 with "paralysis of all the
extremities."
Ft. Covington Sun 1968:
"Late at night on Nov 13, the first bateau carrying the sick and wounded rowed up
the Salmon. One boat bore the body of General Covington."
General Leonard Covington's body was carried to Ware's tavern and was buried.
(also said to have been buried by the block house that (Rufus)Tilden's men had
started. In 1820 his remains were moved to Sacket's Harbor.)
"The History of Fort Covington, New York" by Frederick J Seaver:
"His funeral was held from the house, then a hotel, that is now occupied by Frank
J. Bucklin, at the west end of the lower bridge, and interment was near the
residence of the late T. T. Kimball, on what has since been known as Covington
Hill, not far from the block-house. The remains were removed to Sacketfs Harbor
in 1821."
"The Memoirs of Joseph Gardner Swift":
80

" He requested me to send his sword to his son, and to give his horses to his
servant, both of which were done."
November 16, 1813:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
.... Wilkinson at once left for Malone (HQ at Richard Harison's mansion who was
a law partner of Alexander Hamilton & US District Attorney of NY), after
transferring the command of the army to General Lewis Nov 16 who, with
General Boyd, made his head-quarters at a long low building, yet standing in
1860, a dingy red in color, on the left bank of the Salmon, near the present lower
bridge over the river at French Mills or Fort Covington."
November 17, 1813:
The Memoirs of Joseph Gardner Swift":
"French Mills, 17th November, 1813.
"Col. Swift: Sir, — You will please to proceed to General Hampton
with the general order now delivered to you under seal, and having
delivered it will communicate to me the result, to which you will be pleased
to add freely and confidentially every observation material to the service
which you may have made. You will employ an express to bear this
communication to this place. You will then proceed to Washington, having
leave to call on your family, and deliver to the Secretary of War the letter
you have; and should he encourage it give him a detail of the affair of the
11th, and also of all our measures and movements. At Washington you
will be able to learn what may be my destiny. Any communication you
may make to me on this subject will be gratefully received. I shall also be
glad to hear from you on your route through the great towns.
With unfeigned friendship,
Your obliged and faithful
James Wilkinson."
November 20, 1813:
The Memoirs of Joseph Gardner Swift":
"Plattsburgh, 20th November, 1813. Dear Sir: I enclose an official report of my
progress. I found General Hampton in bed, who said he was ready to obey your
orders, with an army out of spirits, not more than one thousand six hundred
effectives. I learn from the general that it was not his intention to disobey any
order of yours, and that his non-junction was in consequence of the opinion that
he was required to act upon your letter of 6th; and from General Armstrong's
letter to him, which he showed me, there was no intimation of joining you above
Chataugay. General Hampton pledges his sacred honor to me that it was his desire
to have formed a junction with you. The last letter of General Armstrong to
General Hampton has this expression in it: The enemy have been able to overtake
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General Wilkinson and detain him as high up the river as Cornwall; it is evident
that the movement below cannot safely be more than a feint.'
" On passing through Chateaugay Four Corners I find all consumed by fire. From
General Hampton I learn that all below has been burned by the English. All your
supplies, then, must come from this point, Plattsburgh, and unless a force be left
here to guard this pass and depot the enemy can come upon General Hampton's
rear and cut off future supply. I therefore think that General Hampton had better
remain here. General Hampton is of opinion that the enemy cannot get up to you.
He gives me a copy of his order for the march, (enclosed,) and entreats of you to
allow a few days' delay. He furnishes relays of express horses to get my letter to
you, in order that you may be acquainted with the nature of the country through
which the enemy must march to make an attack on you. The roads are so bad on
the Chataugay that the English cannot transport their artillery and necessary
provisions. Captain McDonough Is superior to the enemy on this lake in broad
water with a working wind, and Inferior under all other circumstances. The enemy
could be In this place In twelve hours after General Hampton moves for
Chateaugay Four Corners. I am fully of the opinion that the government will
make the best of our affairs, and I have been thinking of the plan, to wit: Sink all
the boats In Salmon River, take sleds and move your army and stores to this
place, ordering General Hampton to build huts for your troops. Make from this an
attack over the ice upon Isle au Noix, carry it and St. Johns, and determine in the
spring to transport boats overland fourteen miles and make a descent on Montreal,
or wait, with the command of these passes till our army be renovated for an
efficient assault. This plan may be varied. The main reasons that influence my
mind in this are: the necessity of doing something before spring, and of being in
the best possible position for action then. General Hampton has sent his sick and
convalescent into quarters at Burlington, Vermont."
November 23, 1813:
From: http://www.warof1812.ca/stlawrence1812.htm
"On November 23 rd , Cockburn’s detachment of Canadian Regiment was ordered
to Cornwall, replaced by Morrison’s 89 th Regiment. With the 2 nd Battalion of
Royal Marines, 103 rd Regiment, and detachments of the 89 th and Canadian
Regiments at Cornwall, Wilkinson’s bottled-up force remained inactive for the
rest of the year. Upon hearing of Wilkinson’s withdrawal in early 1814,
Cockburn’s Canadian Fencibles and parts of the 89 th and 103 rd Regiments crossed
the river and up Salmon River just in time to capture one hundred sleighs of
supplies and harass the rear guard of Wilkinson’s army as it retired overland to
Plattsburg. Soon after this, Cockburn’s detachment was withdrawn to Lower
Canada, thus ending their very active service along the St. Lawrence."
November 25, 1813:
"The Memoirs of Joseph Gardner Swift":
"At the same time I wrote Sheriff T. J.(Thomas J) Davies(Oswegatchie 1820
census) on Black Lake that the Secretary of War had acceded to my request to
send his son Charles (http://www.virtualology.com/charlesdavies/ ) to West Point
82

as a cadet. I had given the Secretary an account of the /cal that this youth had
exhibited in the campaign on the St. Lawrence, and also of the service that the
father had rendered to the march of the army between Ogdensburgh and the rapids
below, in foraging, etc. The same evening I wrote Mr. Arnold Smith, who had
been a very able guide on the St. Lawrence, that the Secretary of War offered him
the post of assistant deputy quartermaster-general."
A little bit more about the Davis Family:
Thomas John Davies was born in 1767 married Ruth Foote, 1792, daughter of
Captain John Foote of Watertown, Connecticut. He moved from Ct. to the
wilderness on the shores of Black Lake, nine miles from Ogdensburg, in 1800.
Their four sons: John Foote; Charles (who went to West Point), a professor of
mathematics and the first American author of a complete series of mathematical
textbooks; Henry, a Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of New York; and
Thomas A., who (also)graduated from West Point in 1829 - served in the Civil
War."
December 21, 1813:
Redcoat Ploughboys: The Volunteer Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper
Canada, 1813 - 1815" by Richard Feltoe:
"This episode began on December 21, when a combined detachment of twelve
men from the Incorporated Militia and eighteen from the 89th Regiment were
assigned the task of escorting a number of prisoners of war from Prescott to
Cornwall in a convoy of sleighs. The Incorporated Militia's part of the detail,
commanded by Captain Kerr, arrived with their prisoners, and like their regular
counterparts, expected to return to Prescott forthwith. Instead, they were ordered
by Lieutenant Colonel Pearson to remain at Cornwall to undertake duties in the
quartermaster Warehouses related to the ship's rigging and other sailing gear
stored from the gunboats beached there the previous November.
While working on this duty, it would appear that a complaint about the lack of
sufficient winter clothing came up in the conversation between Kerr and an old
associate of his, Captain Reuben Sherwood. Coincidently, Sherwood was the son
of Kerr's commanding officer at Prescott, Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood, one of
the few militia officers given Lieutenant Colonel Pearson's full approval. In a
letter to Prevost, Pearson rated the young Sherwood as "of all the men I have met
within this country the best qualified for an appointment....for superintending and
organizing the procuring of secret intelligence."
Sherwood had indeed done some exceptional secret intelligence work on the
American side of the St. Lawrence River, including reconnaissance of their
storehouses and positions along the Grasse Creek all the way to the American
main camp at French Mills. With this knowledge in hand, Sherwood informed
Kerr about the existence of a large stash of clothing, blankets , accoutrements,
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food and drink that had been captured from a British bateau convoy during the
previous summer. It was lying relatively unguarded at the village of Hamilton
(Waddington), New York.
The two officers quickly created a plan and approached Pearson with a proposal
that would see Captain Sherwood lead Kerr's men in a raiding party across the
river to "reclaim" the captured supplies. This was just he sort of dynamic military
initiative Pearson had been trying to instill in the Canadian Militia. Not only did
he approve the mission, but he added a detachment of one subaltern, two
sergeants, and twenty privates from the Royal Marines detachments wintering at
the post to Sherwood's party.
Although the St. Lawrence River was frozen over, there would be thin spots to
avoid, and if the raid worked, the recaptured goods would need to be carried
away. It took time to prepare a number of beached bateaux for the cross-river
journey and haul them to Point Iroquois, opposite Hamilton. But as soon as the
sun had set and the darkness provided cover, they were ready.
The raiding party reached the American shore undetected and succeeded in
surrounding the small village. After setting sentries to prevent anyone escaping to
raise the alarm, they entered the main warehouse, only to find it empty of the
desired goods. They questioned the community leaders and learned that the
captured stores had only shortly before been transferred nearly fourteen miles
farther inland to another storehouse in Madrid....Some rapid discussion among the
leaders led to the decision, in the words of the old Maxim, "In for a penny, in for a
pound."
The raiders rounded up the frightened residents of Hamilton, put them under tight
guard, then harnessed up every sleigh they could find and drove through the night,
guided by Reuben Sherwood, who knew the route intimately. Reaching Madrid,
they stripped the warehouse of much of the desired goods without any opposition
from the alarmed residents of that village.
According to Captain Sherwood's later report, the sleighs were loaded by around
4:30 am. However, they found so much materiel that even when all the sleighs
were fully loaded, enough to fill twenty more had to be left behind. The convoy
of sleighs returned to Hamilton in full daylight but the goods were loaded into
waiting boats unmolested. Sherwood, however, referred to some of the local
American militia at Madrid pursuing the raiders until they were dissuaded from
continuing by being fired upon by the convoy's rearguard."
January 1814 - Waddington:
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"In January (following events of October 1813 in Waddington), Capt. Reuben
Sherwood, an active loyalist, of daring courage, who was well acquainted with the
country, having acted as a surveyor, and who often appeared without disguise or
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concealment on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, crossed the river near Point
Iroquois, with the design of recovering the remainder of the merchandise. He
arrived late in the evening with a company of provincial militia, posted guards in
the village to prevent resistance, pressed a number of teams with their drivers, and
proceeded to Columbia village, where he succeeded in recovering, without
difficulty. the greater part of what had been deposited in that place, which had not
been purloined. The party engaged in this incursion returned about day light,
decked out with ribbons and streamers of brilliant colors, which formed a part of
their capture, and re-crossed the St. Lawrence, without the loss of a man. Scandal
relates that a party was hastily rallied to pursue and recover the goods, but that a
quantity of shrub, a very agreeable mixed liquor, was left in a conspicuous place,
which had its designed effect, and that the pursuing party were thus disarmed.
This incursion, from the boldness with which it was conceived and executed,
created a general feeling of insecurity among the inhabitants, and convinced them
that the state of war was a reality; that they were at any moment liable to an
unexpected and unwelcome visit from the enemy, and that their lives and property
were alike at the mercy of the British."
January 24, 1814:
"The History of Jefferson County" Franklin Hough:
"General Brown was promoted to the rank of Major General"
Colonel Macomb was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and was assigned
to the command of Covington's brigade.
February 1, 1814 - Leaving French Mills:
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"At Malone Hospital on the 1st of February, 1814, the number of sick had
increased to 450. For an additional number of 200, sent from French mills, rooms
were wanted, which were promptly provided by Capt. Dwight A.Q.M.G., who
continued to give me assistance.
For supplying the army of Gen. Wilkinson, an immense quantity of stores had
been forwarded from Plattsburgh and Sacket's Harbor at great expense. A portion
of the latter was deposited at Hopkinton, and Malone, and these were constantly
arriving when the order to evacuate the place was received. On the week before
leaving, about 1400 barrels of pork and beef, a 100 casks of whiskey, and other
parts of rations were sent by James Campbell, assistant store keeper at the ills.
About 60 tons of hard biscuit, being considered not worth removing under the
circumstances was sank in Salmon River in a hole cut in the ice, besides which
about ten tons were distributed among the inhabitants, to keep from the enemy,
but much of this was soon seized by the British. The troops on evacuating,
burned their boats (328 in number), down to the level of the ice, together with
their barracks. The expense to government during the time that the army tarried
at French Mills, is said to have been $800,000."
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February 9, 1814:
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"On the 9th of February, 1814, orders were issued to leave the cantonment. One
division under Maj. Gen. Brown, moved up the St. Lawrence to Sacket's Harbor,
the other under the immediate command of the commander-in-chief, directed its
march to Plattsburgh. In consequence of the retrograde movement of the army
from French Mills, the hospital at Malone, at this time under good regulations was
broken up and the sick were ordered to proceed on routes destined for their
respective regiments. The few accommodations on the routes were wretched.
The inhabitants although kind, were not under circumstances to furnish means to
render the situation of the sick men even comfortable. Nothing was omitted
within their abilities to meliorate their miserable conditions. Knowing that so
large a detachment of sick and invalids could not be covered at night, if they
moved in a body; the sleighs that transported them were successively put in
motion in small divisions. Their line of movement, three days forming, extended
the whole distance from Malone. The first division arrived at Plattsburgh the
place of their destination, about the time the last commenced its progress. About
20 very sick where were left in the hospitals, under the care of a citizen physician,
were made prisoners of war, by the British, who immediately followed the
retrograde march of the army, as far as Malone. Those left in the hospitals were
not molested in their persons, but were only obliged to sign their paroles, the
greater part of whom, after five or six weeks, joined the hospital at Burlington.
The last of the American army had scarcely left French Mills, and a few teamsters
were employed in removing what they might be able of the stores, when a
detachment of British troops, marching in columns, and preceded by a hoard of
savages, entered the village to plunder whatever of public property might be left.
An unlucky teamster, having lingered behind, and as the enemy approached, was
attempting to escape, was shot by the officer who commanded the Indians. The
ball lodged in the muscles of the neck, and still, it is said, remains' the man,
contrary to all expectations, having survived....."
February 11, 1814:
"The Pictoral Field Book of the War of 1812" by Benson John Lossing:
"Brown received his commission of Major General of the United States Army...."
February 19 & 20, 1814:
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"...An account of this incursion was published soon after, in the paper, from
which we quote the following: - On Saturday, the 19th, the enemy hearing that
our troops had marched, ventured to cross the St. Lawrence, with a motley tribe of
regulars, provincials, and a detachment of the devil's own, - sedentary militia, and
their brethren, a band of savages. This martial body amused themselves at French
Mills until one o'clock, PM and then marched with eight pieces of artillery and
86

two cart loads of Congreve rockets. At the fork at the roads, eleven miles from
the mills, a detachment was sent off to Malone, and the main body passed on to
Chateaugay, where it arrived about 4 o'clock in the morning of the 20th. There it
is reported a scene of plunder began, which greatly distressed several of the
inhabitants, and every particle of beef, pork or flour, with every drop of whiskey
which could be found, was seized on as public property, and carried away. By
this gleaning, without discrimination between the individual and the public, it is
believed the enemy carried off between 150 and 200 barrels of provisions of all
sorts, good and bad - public and private. During the winter some ten or fifteen
teamsters had been hired in Lewis county, and many more from Jefferson, to
convey flour from Sacket's Harbor to French Mills. They received each seven
barrels and were allowed nine days to perform the trip at $4 per day and rations.
They arrived at Hopkington towards the last of January, where their loads were
left (some 300 barrels, under the care of a few soldiers), and thence they
proceeded to French Mills, to aid in removing the supplies from that place to
Plattsburgh. They performed one trip, and were returning, when they were
pressed at Chateaugay, and again compelled to return to Plattsburgh, with loads of
provisions and stores."
February 28, 1814:
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"On the last of February 1814, after the British party had returned from their
incursion to Malone, and had arrived at French Mills, they earned from a citizen
spy, who acted as their guide that a large amount of flour belonging to the United
States army, was stored in a bar in the village of Hopkinton, and that there was no
guard at that place to protect it. Upon this they dispatched Major De Heirne, of
the British regular service, with Lieut. Charlton, the second in command, and
about thirty soldiers, who proceeded in sleighs, by way of Moira corners, to
Hopkinton, twenty seven miles from French Mills, and arrived at that place early
in the morning, before the inhabitants were up. They first posted sentinels at the
door of every house, and proceeded to search for arms in every place where they
might be suspected to be found, and succeeded in obtaining about twenty stand,
which had been distributed among the inhabitants. It is said that several muskets
were saved, but being hastily laid in a bed, which had been occupied but a few
moments previous, and thus eluded the search that was made for them Their case
has been described by the poet - 'Tis odd, not one of all these seekers, thought,
And seems to me almost a sort of blunder, of looking in the bed as well as under -
They found some three hundred barrels of flour stored in a barn owned by Judge
Hopkins, and occupied by Dr. Sprague, but having no teams for conveying away
more than half of that quantity, they began to destroy the remainder, but being
dissuaded by the inhabitants, they desisted, and distributed the remainder among
the citizens. During the brief sojourn of this party, they conducted themselves
with strict propriety, and sacredly respected private property of every kind using
or receiving nothing for which they did not offer compensation. No parole was
required of the inhabitants. Upon the passage of the detachment of the American
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army through Hopkinton, on their way from French Mills to Sacket's Harbor, but
a very short time previously, the officers in command were importuned by Judge
Hopkins and others, for the privilege of carrying the military supplies in their
village further west, to a place of greater safety, dreading the very event which
soon happened. They offered to take their pay from the flour, at such prices as
would be just and equitable, but no one appeared to feel themselves authorized to
order the removal, and it was not effectual. The surrounding country would have
readily furnished volunteers sufficient for this duty, and gladly undertaken it, had
then been allowed the privilege."
March of 1814:
Major Benjamin Forsyth, under the command of General Wilkinson, along with
300 Riflemen and Dragoons, arrived in Champlain, NY to protect the border.
March 8 - 10, 1814:
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vol 6" EP
Walton:
"Plattsburgh, March 12, 1814 - It is a pleasure we inform our readers that General
Wilkinson seems determined to destroy the traitorous intercourse kept up by men
who call themselves Americans, with our enemies in Canada. Small detachments
have been tried without effect, and now strong ones are put in motion. Colonel
Clark marched the 8th inst with Major Bailey, and a detachment of one thousand
infantry and one hundred mounted riflemen, all Green Mountain Boys, to take
possession of the frontier, from the lake east to Connecticut river; and on the 10th
inst. another detachment of 300 prime riflemen and sixty dragoons marched under
Major Forsyth, whose name carries terror to the enemy, to guard the lines west of
the Lake.
We understand the orders of those officers are to make prisoners of every British
subject detected within the limits of the United States, and to apprehend and
deliver to the civil authority, for trial and punishment, every American citizen
found in Canada."
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vol 6" EP
Walton:
March 17, 1814:
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vol 6" EP
Walton:
"Burlington, March 25, 1814 - American Standard Planted at Missiquoi Bay - on
Thursday of last week (March 17) Colonel Clark advanced with his detachment
into the enemies' country as far as South River (with sixty (six?) miles of Isle-aux
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Noix) captured the enemies' picket or advance guard, took sixty stands of arms,
four oxen and six horses, after which he returned to Missisquoi Bay, planted the
American Standard and has there taken up his quarters. The Colonel has been
joined by General Macomb with most of the Infantry from this post, and several
detachments of artillery from Plattsburgh.
Previous to Col. Clark's invasion of the enemies' country, he gave positive orders
to his detachment in all instances to respect private property, under the pains and
penalties of the rules and articles of War.
Major Forsyth has advanced on the other side of the lake, within three miles of the
Island, and has now made his quarters at Chazy or Champlain. We understand
that a large reinforcement is to join him today from Plattsburgh."
March 25, 1814:
"History of St. Lawrence County" L.H. Everts:
"The citizens of Franklin County held a public meeting at Malone, to unite in a
petition to the legislature for protection against the insults and ravages of the
enemy."
March 29, 1814:
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vol 6" EP
Walton:
"Burlington, April 1, 1814 - We understand that the lake north of the lines is
broken up, and that the enemy's fleet has been out south of Ash Island. Colonel
(Isaac) Clark and his infantry, lately stationed at Missisquoi Bay, have crossed the
lake and formed a junction with the forces on the western side, under the
command of Major General Wilkinson. On Wednesday last (March 29) we
learned that our army had advance within six miles of the enemy, who were
posted and fortifying at the River La Cole. Colonel Clark and Major Forsyth
were in the advance.
March 30, 1814:
Burlington Republican April 2, 1814:
"We have been favored with the following Order, by an Officer from the frontier
yesterday morning. Headquarters, Odle -Town (Odeltown, Quebec - just north of
Rouses Point, NY), Province of Lower Canada, March 31st, 1814: General Order:
The affair of yesterday is honorable to the Troops, and gives them a title to the
thanks of the General and their Country. The constancy and courage exhibited
under a tedious and galling fire of the enemy, was exemplary, and would have
done credit to the oldest troops in the world. Where every officer and every man
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evinces the same firmness and intrepidity, the General feels, that it would be
invidious to particularize. The advance, under Colonel Clark and Maj. Forsyth,
the corps under Brigadier Generals (Thomas Adam) Smith and (Daniel) Bissel,
beat the enemy at every point of attack, and repulsed several desperate charges on
our Artillery. And the select corps under Brigadier General Macomb, who were
panting for the combat, if there had been occasion for their services, would have
displayed equal valor. Every man and officer, every member of the General Staff,
manifested the utmost promptitude and decision. The conduct of Captain
McPherson and his seconds, Lieutenants Larrabee (Laribee) and Sheldon, who
commanded the battery was so conspicuously gallant, and the army will excuse
the General for designating them. The first kept his post until brought to the
ground by a second shot. The second until grievously wounded, and the third
behaved with the utmost intrepidity and maintained his ground until ordered to
bring off the pieces.
Let the meritorious dead be collected & buried with the honors of war in the same
grave. Let the wounded be cherished with the utmost tenderness and removed to
the Hospitals in the rear. And let the troops be immediately completed to sixty
round of ammunition and held perfectly ready to meet the enemy, should he
venture to advance."
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vo.l 6" EP
Walton: Battle at La Colle Mille, Burlington, April 4, 1814 - The following
account of movements of our Army is received from a source which may be relied
on. The army has been in motion on various parts of our frontier. Some time
since, a detachment was moved towards Missisquoi Bay, under command of
Colonel (Isaac) Clark of the 11th Regiment, with a view to cut up the roots and
smuggling intercourse which had been carried on to a great extent; besides it was
necessary to prevent the constant supply of provisions which were daily passing
to the enemy from this state. This business was executed by Col. Clark with great
zeal and promptness, and it is believed that the smuggling for the present is
completely put down. The enemy having threatened Col. Clark's detachment,
General Macomb was ordered by Major General Wilkinson to support him, and
cut up any detachments of the enemy that might appear in our vicinity. The
whole force of the American army on this side of the lake took post at St.
Armands and remained there until it was ordered across the lake to join the main
body under General Wilkinson at Champlain, where the Gen. had collected about
3000 men with a view of making a diversion in favor of the corps under Major
Gen. Brown, who had marched for the Niagara Frontier. To give a more serious
aspect to the movements of the army and to produce the contemplated diversion,
an attack on the enemy's force at La Cole was contemplated, and on the 29th of
last month the whole army moved on Odletown road, with a view of attacking at
LaCole Mills/ The army unfortunately missed the road and proceeded about two
miles beyond the small passage that led to the Mills, and after some trifling
skirmishes with the enemy beyond Odletown, the army entered the proper route
and drove the enemy's light troops before them and reached the Mills about half
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past three in the afternoon. General Wilkinson so disposed the troops as nearly to
encircle the mill and brought up a howitzer and one 12 pounder to batter the
walls, but after considerable time it was found little effect was produced. The
enemy kept up a galling fire during the whole time our troops lay before the place
from the loop holes cut in the Mill, and directed a great portion of his fire on the
two pieces of artillery; our troops returned the fire with great coolness and with
deliberate aim. The enemy made two sallies and charged Brig. General Smith's
left in the first, but were repulsed with considerable loss. Towards the evening a
British regiment arrived and made a charge on part of Brig. Gen. Bissell's brigade,
but was so warmly received that they instantly fell back, leaving twelve men
dead on the field, and suffered severely in wounded. The American troops
behaved with the utmost coolness and suffered less than the enemy,
notwithstanding the advantage he had in point of position. Our loss was six
officers wounded, 8 men killed and 60 wounded. The officers wounded are
Captain (Robert H.) McPherson and Lt. (Adam) Larabee of the Lt. Artillery, Lt
(John B.) Carr (Kerr) of the Riflemen, Lt. Green of the 24th, Lt. (Philip Wagner
2nd lt. 12th Inf.*) & (Joshua B. Hartford 3 Lt. 33 Inf.*) of the 12th, and Ensign
Parker of the 14th since dead. The enemy's force was not ascertained, but
computed at 1500; our force was double that number, but not more than one half
was brought into action. The whole of Brigadier Gen. Macomb's command was
in the reserve and not at all engaged. Maj. Forsyth's Riflemen and Clark's
detachments formed the line around the Mill. The American army returned to
their camp late in the evening, without leaving a single man behind, or even a
single article for the enemy to claim as a trophy."
* From Historical Register & Dictionary of the US Army:
http://books.google.com/books?id=EtcgKhDJcZkC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=
Captain+McPherson+lacole+mill&source=bl&ots=iyeg7WfhTb&sig=BfTnj2GD
KllMkVTI-t913-c88p4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=njuT6_SBOj86gHBwvGxBg&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=lacole%20M
ill&f=false
March 31, 1814:
"Extract of a letter from an officer of the army at Odle-Town, to his friend in this
place, dated March 31, 1814:
"Dear Friend, The enemy met us yesterday near Smith's with great spirit, but not
in the force we expected. He amused us with Congreve Rockets, but was easily
beaten at several points of attack from thence to La Cole Mill, into which he
threw a strong detachment & which we found impenetrable to our cannon after
three hours fair experiment, at the distance of 300 yards. The troops, under a
galling fire during this period, stood as firm as rockets and repulsed with great
coolness, several desperate charges against our battery; in the last the enemy
suffered severely, after which they dared not shew their noses, and having waited
on them until six o'clock, we marched off with our killed and wounded, before
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their eyes, and returned to this place. Captain M'Pherson is dangerously
wounded, and his surtout(?) riddled by nine other different shot."
Written by General Wilkinson - Head Quarters, Odle Town, Province of Lower
Canada, March 31st, 1814 - General Order: The affair of yesterday is honorable to
the Troops, and gives them a title to the thanks of the General and their Country.
The constancy and courage exhibited under a tedious and galling fire of the
enemy was exemplary, and would have done credit to the oldest troops in the
world. Where every officer and every man evinces the same firmness and
intrepidity, the General feels that it would be invidious to particularize. The
advance under Colonel Clark and Major Forsyth, the corps under Brig. Generals
Smith and Bissell, beat the enemy at every point of the attack, and repulsed
several desperate charges on our artillery. And the select corps under Brig.
General Macomb, who were panting for the combat, if there had been occasion
for their services, would have displayed equal valor. Every man and officer, every
member of General's staff, manifested the utmost promptitude and decision. The
conduct of Captain McPherson and his seconds, Lieuts. Laribee and (George B.)
Sheldon, who commanded the battery, was so conspicuously gallant that the army
will excuse the General for designating them. The first kept his post until brought
to the ground by a second shot; the second until grievously wounded, and the
third behaved with the utmost intrepidity and maintained his ground until ordered
to bring off the pieces."
May 5-6, 1814 Attack on Fort Ontario/Oswego:
May 30, 1814 - Oswego Falls - Battle of Sandy Creek:
June 24 & 28, 1814:
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vol 6" E.P.
Walton - Death of Lieut. Col. Benjamin Fosyth:
The affair at La Colle Mill closed Wilkinson's career in the Lake Champlain
valley, he having been recalled and subjected to a court of inquiry, by which he
was honorably discharged. Major General Jacob Brown succeeded to the
command of the ninth military district, and Maj. Gen. George Izard, (Who had
been Wade Hampton's Second in Command - from South Carolina), was left in
command of the right wing of the northern army. Both armies in the Champlain
valley had been largely increased, the British concentrating at La Colle and other
points near the line, and having their fleet at hand. From the 11th to the 31st June,
our army in strong force advanced from Plattsburgh to Champlain and Chazy, the
30th and 31st US regiments with this army, in Brig. Gen. Daniel Bissell's brigade.
Macdonough cooperated by anchoring his fleet in King's Bay, north of the mouth
of the Big Chazy river. June 24th, Major Forsyth, then promoted to a Lieutenant
Colonelcy, advanced to Odeltown with 70 riflemen, where he was attacked by a
detachment of 200 light armed British troops. Forsyth repulsed them and returned
to Champlain with a loss of one killed and five wounded, the British losing three
killed and five wounded. On the 28th he was ordered to enter Canada again, for
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the purpose of drawing the British across the line into an ambuscade. This he
accomplished, drawing out Capt. Mayhew with about one hundred and fifty
Indians. As the enemy approached the ambuscade, Forsyth stepped upon a log to
watch their movements, when he was shot through the breast by an Indian. The
rifles immediately uncovered and fired upon the enemy, who retreated in great
haste, leaving seventeen of their number dead upon the field.
Benjamin Forsyth was appointed to the army from North Carolina in 1808, and
distinguished himself on various occasions in 1812, '13, and '14. Mr. Palmer says
he was the best partisan officer in the army, and that his men declared they would
avenge his death, and did so by killing Capt. Mayhew, who, with Forsyth, was
buried at Champlain..... Col. (Isaac) Clark, having received intelligence of the
death of ... Benjamin Forsyth, of the 26th Infantry, who bravely fell at Odletown
on the 28th instant, fighting in defense of the rights and liberties of his country:
The officers of the regiment will wear crape on the left arm thirty days, in
testimony of their regret for the loss of that valuable and distinguished
officer....Rendezvous 26th Infantry, Burlington, June 30, 1814."
Summer of 1814:
"History of St. Lawrence County" L.H. Everts:
"...Capt. Thomas Frazer crossed the St. Lawrence at Hammond with sixty men and
proceeded to Rossie to apprehend some horse-thieves who were said to be lurking
in the vicinity. Mr. James Howard (brother-in-law of Daniel W. Church - m.
Eleanor Church - in charge of building Rossie's furnace for Parish) was at the
time holding a justice's court, which was hastily dissolved, and the parties sought
were not secured. They made inquiries into the operations of the furnace then
building, and are said to have exacted a pledge that munitions of war should not
be cast there. In returning, several persons volunteered to row them down the
lake to the narrows, from whence they crossed to Canada. A plan was formed to
attack them as they passed down the river, but this was discountenanced as only
calculated to excite retaliation."
More about Capt. Thomas Frazer from Wikipedia:
"He was born in Stratherrick, Inverness, Scotland in 1749. His family came to
North America in 1767 and settled on the estate of Sir William Johnson in Tryon
County, New York. In 1777, he and his brother were captured while trying to
escape to Quebec. They escaped and joined Major-General John Burgoyne at Fort
Edward. After the fall of Saratoga, they escaped north to Quebec. In 1779, they
served as border guards at the Yamaska River and later became part of Edward
Jessup's Loyal Rangers.
In 1784, he settled in Edwardsburg Township, where he built a sawmill. In 1786,
he became a justice of the peace and, in 1792, was appointed to the land board for
Leeds and Grenville counties. He was also the first sheriff in the Johnstown
District. He represented Dundas in the 2nd Parliament of Upper Canada and
Glengarry in the 5th Parliament.
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During the War of 1812, he commanded companies in the militia. After the war,
he moved to Matilda Township in Dundas County. He was appointed to the
Legislative Council for the province in 1815. He died in Matilda Township in
1821. "
July and August of 1814:
In July of 1814, General George Izard was placed in command of about 4,500
troops in Champlain. His encampment was in the fields of Noadiah Moore on the
hill overlooking St. Mary’s Church (today the site of Pine Street). That same
month, Sir George Prevost, the Governor General of Canada, received secret
instructions from Lord (Henry) Bathurst, Britain's Secretary of War of the
Colonies to invade the United States including Sacket's Harbor and Plattsburgh
and to destroy the US' naval forces on Lakes Champlain and Erie. Prevost started
to mass his army at Isle-aux-Noix.
August 19, 1814:
British troops landed at Benedict, Maryland, on the shores of the Patuxent River
on August 19, 1814.
August 24, 1814:
British burn the White House, the Capitol, which then housed the Library of
Congress, the navy yard, and several American warships. in Washington
August of 1814 – The British Occupation of Champlain
On August 27, Izard left his encampment in the village of Champlain. Several
days would pass while Champlain was visited by the Indians and British. The
main invasion of the British started on Monday, August 31, when the right wing
under General Brisbane entered the village, marched down the Prospect Hill Road
and camped in the orchards of Pliny Moore. That next day, on September 1, the
left wing marched down the Odelltown, Quebec Road (Route 276) and camped in
the field south of Dewey's Tavern. Sir George Prevost commanded this wing.
Because the British army was so large, the force was divided into two wings and
three brigades. It consisted of 3,700 soldiers in the 1st Brigade, 5,600 in the 2nd
Brigade, 3,100 in the 3rd Brigade, 2,800 in the Light Brigade, 300 in the Light
Dragoons, 400 of the Royal Artillery, and 100 Rocketeers, Sappers and Miners. A
total of 10,000 to 14,000 soldiers were now camped in the village.
The British army’s occupation of Champlain in August and September was
mostly peaceful in nature. Their goal was not to plunder the village but to march
to Plattsburgh and engage the Americans. However, Generals Prevost and
Brisbane issued orders urging the Champlain townspeople to abandon their
allegiance to the government and invited them to provide provisions to his army.
When few villagers came forward, Prevost commandeered wagons and teams and
loaded them with baggage and stores. Brigadier-General Alexander Macomb later
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wrote a letter to the Secretary of War about the Battle of Plattsburgh and noted
Prevost’s occupation of Champlain. The letter was written on September 15,
1814.
"History of Jefferson County" - Franklin Hough:
"This inglorious issue of events on the northern frontier excited the murmurs of
the nation, and Generals Hampton and Wilkinson were arraigned before courts
martial, the latter being removed from command and succeeded by General
Izard."
Wilkinson was cleared by a military inquiry. Wade Hampton I resigned.
Historian Robert Leckie characterized Wilkinson as "a general who never won a
battle or lost a court-martial."
Re: Wilkinson being a spy - from Wikipedia: "Wilkinson's involvement with the
Spanish (Agent 13), although widely suspected in his own day, was not proven
until 1854, with Louisiana historian Charles Gayarré's publication of the
American general's correspondence with Rodríguez Miró, the Spanish governor
of Louisiana. Other historians would subsequently add to the catalog of
Wilkinson's treasonous activities. According to recent Burr biography by David
O. Stewart, Wilkinson was severely condemned in print by then-New York
Governor Theodore Roosevelt, some 65 years after the general's misdeeds, with
this judgment: "In all our history, there is no more despicable character."
Sept 6-11, 1814 - Battle of Plattsburgh:
Details of the Battle of Plattsburgh:
http://www.kentdelordhouse.org/battle_of_plattsburgh_chrono.htm
and
http://www.historiclakes.org/Plattsburg/Plattsburg.html
"Franklin County in the War of 1812 - Malone Paper Recalls Some of the Chief
Events" Courier Freeman, Sept 8, 1926:
"In the early fall of that year (1814) four companies of Franklin militia marched
for Plattsburgh to reinforce the troops there against Gen. Prevost's army. They set
out on the day of McDonough's victory on the lake which compelled Prevost's
retirement after he had also been worsted on land, so the local men had no part in
the fighting. It is said that the reports of the cannon could be heard in Malone.
There were, however, 19 men of the regular army from Franklin county under
Capt. Spencer of Ft. Covington who participated in the battle of Plattsburgh.
They were Samuel Beman, James Baker, Zebulon Baxer, Zodack Martin and
Nathaniel Ayers - Chateaugay; Thomas Burgess, Jeremiah Hubbard, Joseph
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Sweetzer, Francis Lamore, Ebenezer Moore, William Petteson, Robert Hamilton,
Joseph Badrow, Samuel Wheaton, John H. Spring, Batese Baro, Samuel Drew
and Samuel Moor of Constable and Jacob Gilman of Malone."
"Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont - Vol 6" EP
Walton:
September 10, 1814- Siege of Ft. Erie
I found an old newspaper account from the Massena Observer dated June 21,
1938 that Capt. John Polley Jr.(from Massena), who was in John Lytle's 4th US
Rifle Regiment, was wounded by a shell explosion on Sept 10, 1814 at the Siege
of Ft. Erie. Although this battle was not along the St. Lawrence River it is of
interest that north country men were involved in that battle. John Polley Jr. was
born in 1785. His father was one of the first settlers in Massena. John Jr. and I
believe his father, built the first accommodations in Massena on the corner of S.
Main and E. Hatfield for E.M. Smith known as the Smith House.
More on John Polley from Lossing:
"We left St. Regis toward the evening of a delightful day, and reached Massena
just as the guests of the hotel were assembling at the supper table. At twilight I
walked leisurely down to the springs on the margin of the swift flowing
Racquette, and under the pavilion that covers the principal fountain of health I
met a venerable man, who informed me that he was one of the first settlers i that
region. He was in the War of 1812 as a soldier, and fought in some of the battles
on the Niagara frontier. He was badly wounded at Black Rock by the explosion
of a bomb-shell that came from a battery on the Canada side. "I was knocked
down,: he said, "had my breastbone stove in, and three ribs broken." He was at
Fort Erie at the time of the sanguinary sortie, but was unable to walk on account
of his wounds. That veteran was Captain John Polley, already mentioned. He
was then seventy-two years of age. He had seen all the country around him
bloom out of the wilderness, and had outlived most of the companions of his
youth."
September 13, 1814:
The British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write
the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" on September 13, 1814.
January 8, 1815:
Battle of New Orleans
What else was happening in north country towns in
1812 - 1814?
Canton
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"History of the Village of Canton" by Gates Curtis:
" Dr. (Daniel) Campbell built his house where R. B. Ellsworth now lives, next to
the town hall. These two were about all of the dwellings of any pretensions in the
place before the War of 1812. Dr. Campbell brought the first stock of goods to the
place in 1807, and sold them from a room in his dwelling. During the war he
closed out his stock and opened a tavern in the same house, using the room where
he kept his store as a bar room. This was prompted by the considerable travel
through the place of troops and others going through to Ogdensburg. On one
occasion a sloop load of confiscated goods was sent to Dr. Campbell's house,
where they were secreted. A force of the British started out in search of the
property, but were delayed long enough by a snow storm to permit of the goods
being sold at auction. The sale was long known as the Great Vendue (vendre -
french - verb 'to sell')."
Edwards
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"In January, 1812, Asa Brayton and family, made the first location in this town on
the line of the St. Lawrence turnpike. This road had been commenced in 1810,
and was built in this and the two following years, and from this improvement, the
first settlement of several of the towns in the county date. The portion through
Edwards, was built by Enos Chapin, contractor, Joseph M Bonner, John Britton,
Samuel and Elijah Jones and several families by the name of Johnson, settled in
1812-13. In 1814 Orra Shed, from Russell built a grist mill.
Fowler
The first death in town was that of _____ Partridge, who was killed by an accident
at a raising in 1813. The first birth in town was that of John B. Brayton, a son of
Asa Brayton in the fall of 1812.
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"Mr. Elijah Sackett, from Hartford, NY came into town in 1808 and was
employed as a miller, until his death in the spring of 1812.
( See Anne Cady's web site on Soldier's Graves War 1812 in Pierrepont:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stlawgen/CEMETERY/1812/
1812.htm There is also a marker for Elijah Sackett at Riverside Cemetery in
Gouverneur:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stlawgen/CEMETERY/GRive
rside/GRiversideN.HTM)
He was the first white person who is known to have died in town.
The first marriage in the town of Fowler, was Mr. John Parker, to Miss Elizabeth
S. Sackett, in 1812.
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The earliest settlement in this vicinity was made by John Parker, about three
quarters of a mile below that place where the St. Lawrence turnpike originally
crossed the Oswegatchie in the year 1812. In 1813 he erected a saw mill at the
falls in the present village of Fullerville, which being burned, was rebuilt in 1823-
1824."
Hammond
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"The first actual resident in town is said to have been one Wm. McNeill, from
Vermont, who had been in town several years previous to 1812. He attempted no
clering, lived a hermit's life, subsisted by hunting and fishing, and dwelt in a niche
in the rocks at Chippewa Bay. The first clearing was commenced in the summer
of 1812 by William Wiley, from Vermont, at the present village of Hammond
Corners. In 1813 ___ Barker, from Rossie, settled a mile south of the Corners and
opened a tavern. At this time the Ogdensburgh turnpike was laid through town
and worked in this and the next year."
Hermon
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"George Davis, James Farr, Philemon Stewart, Ariel Inman and Rufus Hopkins
had settled in town previous to 1812....David McCollom, from Rutland Vt but
then Canada came in 1812, Roger Story in 1813...."
Lisbon
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"In 1813, great numbers died of the epidemic which pervaded the country at that
time, and Lisbon is said to have suffered more severely than other towns in the
county."
Louisville
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"Early in the summer of 1812, the inhabitants of Louisville, for their own
protection, organized a volunteer company of about forty men, who constituted
the male population of the town, capable of bearing arms. They elected Benjamin
Daniels, on of their number, "high sergeant", whom they agreed to obey, in all
matters touching the common interest. Soon after their organization, they received
orders from General Brown, at Ogdensburgh, to bring to all crafts passing the
river. In pursuance of these instructions, they, on one occasion, hailed and
brought in a raft, and found in the cabin a large amount of valuable groceries,
&c., the greater part of which was forwarded to the collector of the district.
During the summer a regular company of militia was formed with Benjamin
Willard, Capt, which drew arms from the arsenal at Russell, and was kept in
service from August till November. They were ordered to allow Indians to pass,
but to stop all other crafts, and learn their business. At times, they had rumors of
hostile visits from the north shore; but they were not executed."
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Madrid
History of St. Lawrence County - Everts:
"Throughout the War of 1812 Madrid, with the other towns of St. Lawrence
County, was in continual fear and excitement, for, while it was close to the
enemy's frontier, it was during most of the war unprotected by the American
armies, which were stationed in the vicinity of Sacket's Harbor and still further
westward. The South Madrid Militia was frequently called out, and took part in
several skirmishes along the St. Lawrence. It was also employed in guarding
public stores kept in the mill at Columbia Village. Its officers were Captain Jesse
Goss, Lt. Richard Blood and Ensign Daniel Richards."
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"Mr. Spafford, in his Gazetteer of 1813, states that Hamilton then contained 135
houses, 2 saw mills, 1 grist mill, a fulling mill, trip hammer, %c.; and the site of
an academy then building. The site is still probably there, but no building was
ever erected or begun. At that period the want of an academy began to be felt;
and this place, Ogdensburg and Potsdam, each wished to secure it...."
"History of Madrid" Gates Curtis:
The inhabitants of this town suffered much anxiety on account of their
unprotected frontier. A company called the South Madrid Militia was frequently
summoned, and took part in several skirmishes along the St. Lawrence, and also
guarded public stores kept in the mill at the village. The officers were: captain.,
Jesse Goss; lieutenant, Richard Blood; ensign, Daniel Richards. In the summer of
1813 a lot of goods, public and private, were captured on a British ship and stored
at the village. In the following winter a squad of British soldiers came out and
retook a part of the goods and carried them away.
In the summer of 1814 a lot of cattle which had been purchased in the town by
secret agents of the British, were captured by the Americans as they were about to
cross at Massena Point. The cattle were scattered among the farmers to be kept
until needed. Later in the season a detachment of British soldiers, accompanied by
one of the spies, made a raid through one of the river towns, gathering up these
government cattle. There is, however, evidence in existence that feelings of
friendliness were maintained between the British soldiers and the private citizens
of the town, whose property was generally respected.
A Mr. Thomas came into Madrid and settled in the southerly part of the town, in
the spring of 1813, with his wife and young son, John. He remained there a few
years, then engaged to Mr. Isaac Ogden to go to his island as gardener. While
there a daughter was born, the first white child born on the island. She eventually
became the wife of Alfred Goss, of Madrid woolen mill fame, who afterwards
went West and became a millionaire. The son, John Thomas, was in the Windmill
battle in 1838; sent to Van Dieman's Land, and after nine years of menial service
was pardoned, and returned to Madrid. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixth
New York Volunteer Infantry; went through the campaign safely, and was
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Massena
honorably discharged at the close of his enlistment. He applied for a pension after
he became too feeble to labor, and received one year's pension in arrears, $72.00,
which, he said, was the largest sum of money he ever had at one time. He died
May 12, 1892, at the age of eighty years.
The early mills that have been mentioned as established at the village site were
destroyed by fire in 1814, when they were owned by Jarah Meach, to whom the
property had been sold by the firm of Lord & Price, who purchased of the builder.
After the fire the site and water-power were purchased by Timothy Reed, who
erected a grist and saw mill under one roof. An old resident a few years ago gave
her memory of the village at that time as comprising a tavern kept by a Mr.
Bigelow, four or five frame houses and eight or ten log ones. Captain Goss
probably had a store at the time.
St. Lawrence Plaindealer Aug 25, 1936:
It was during the War of 1812 that the inhabitants of Massena volunteered to erect
a stockade around their little village to keep out Indians and other marauders but
after doing a great deal of work dissension arose and the work ceased. It was this
same year that the government erected a barracks there and placed in it militia of
the county, some 200 or 250 of them.
Morristown
St. Lawrence Plaindealer 1942:
"Early History of the Beach Family - War of 1812 saw them flee from Canada -
Crossed St. Lawrence at Night in treacherous Storm - Sketch by sister of Alvah
Beach - Mrs. Alvira Robinson Bell - In the early part of the last century when the
flood of emigration was in its height my grandfather took his family and like
many of the Vermonters started on the trail west: he left the Paradise road, going
further west until he reached the St. Lawrence River which he crossed over into
Canada, landing near Brockville.
Here he bought a small lot, felled the trees, built a house and a shop among the
stumps. He was a man of good taste and back of the house he started a few fruit
trees and surrounded the house with native shrubbery and made many little
improvements to beautify his home. My grandfather remained here without much
happening of note until the spring of 1812 when the great preparations were being
made for war between Canada and the United States.
My grandfather's name was Elihu Beach Jr. and he was born May 26, 1765 in
Windsor, Vt. He married Sally Cooper Sept 29th 1788. Sally Cooper Beach died
March 11, 1799. He married a second time Hephelbak Smead, April 22, 1800.
She was born Sept 1, 1777.
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My story opens on a cold but pleasant evening in the early springtime; the blue
sky is clear of clouds and as it began to grow dark the stars wich are set like so
many diamonds in the heavens look down upon the earth with their brilliant light.
The supper table is set in the little home and the family are preparing to gather
around it. Grandmother says to the children, "It's strange your father doesn't
come in. Buyinton, you run down to the shop and tell your father that tea is
ready." "Yes, Mother, I'll go" She waited some time and at last he came. They
seated themselves around the table with their six children who were at home.
Grandmother said, "What made you stay so long before you came to supper?"
"Hepsy there was a British officer there trying to get me to enlist."
"Well Elihu, I hope you are not going to."
"No indeed! Not on this side of the river. You know I have been talking of going
across to the other side and I am going and that pretty soon."
"What is the cause of this war anyway, Elihu? I have had so much to do I have not
even read our paper, and am ashamed to be so ignorant."
"Well, Hepsey, you know the Britians are straining all their facilities to impress
the Yankee sailors into her service from the American ships to strengthen her
already powerful navy. A great many English sailors are deserting their naval
vessels to the easier service and the better treatment of the American ships."
"When impressed on a British ship the American sailor is over worked, his rations
are not good, and he frequently feels the galling sting of the lash."
"The British soldiers find a greater temptation in the prosperity of American
people and the tempting chance for work causes them to dessert, and go to the
other side. This probably is the great cause but there are many others. But I shall
get out of this as soon as possible."
The tramp of horses was heard out side. All is confusion in no time, "Elihu, get to
the attic quicker than scat!"
A knock came at the door. The children sprang from their half finished meal and
hustled about to get quickly seated and their mother went tot he door. A man
dressed in Citizen's clothes stood at the door. He had tried to disguise himself so
his calling would not be recognized but he had peculiar eyes which she often
noticed and she knew he was a British officer. "Is your husband in good lady?"
"No sir. He ate his supper hurriedly and went back to the shop."
"I think he is in the house and I will know before I leave." He attempted to step
inside. She put up her powerful hand and said, "No, you can't enter here and if
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you make another attempt I'll fell you to the ground." He knew she meant what
she said but as he stepped onto the threshold she gave him one push with her hand
and sent him keeling over heels down the little path that led to the river bank. He
tried to save himself from going over the top of the steep bank but he gained
speed the farther he went and bounding over went splashing into the water. The
men who accompanied him hitched their horses and went to his assistance. They
threw a rope for him to take hold of so they could pull him ashore. He said some
pretty hard words about the powerful woman and said, "I really believe she could
go through a whole regiment herself. If we only had a few women like her we
would own the whole United States." His men laughed at him for the pretty
plight he was in, then jumped on their horses and away they rode.
The children watched until they were out of sight then returned to the table Enos
said, "Come down now father, they are all gone. We'll have our supper before
they come for us again."
"Well I declare Hepsy we must pick up and be off now. They'll have you in the
lock-up fast you know. You have committed a great misdemeanor against one of
the King's officers."
"Let them come again with a whole posse of them if they want to. I'll serve them
all in the same way."
"Well" grandfather said, "We will go tomorrow night. We'll have to pack what
we can in the round top trunk and the box you have up stairs."
Before the next night came grandfather was drafted and locked up because he
would not fight against his own country, the United States. For four days and
nights he was not given food or water. In some way he got away, coming home
when it was dark and said to grandmother, "I think you better send Enos over to
Mr. Breeman's and see if he will come over. It will be a bad night to cross the
river, the wind is up and it's dark and cold."
"Yes, I know it," grandmother said, "but we will have to do this or make up our
minds to stay and take our chances."
"I shant stay. I would rather drown in the old St. Lawrence than take arms against
my country."
They made hasty preparations, packing the trunk and box, taking many of the
most necessary things, their clothing, a few dishes, some bedding and a few tools
from the shop, leaving what they could not take in Mr. Breeman's care, hoping
later they would be able to get them.
Mr Breeman came over and said "We must make haste now and get off as soon as
possible. There are soldiers camped less than a mile away. There is not a boat
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nearby but mine and once on the river they won't take after us. Here, take one end
of this box and I'll take the other and we will get it to the boat."
When the men went back after the trunk they were all ready and went out of their
little home together. They put a padlock on the door and gave the key to Mr.
Breeman. Grandmother said, "It looks rather a bad job crossing this river tonight;
there's a terrible gale. The darkness has helped us to get here but it won't be good
crossing."
They all got comfortably seated in the boat and started from shore. Mr. Breeman
said, "Now Hepsey keep the children still and don't stir much yourself for you
know with your monstrous weight it would take but little to capsize this craft; it is
so loaded it's a big weight on me to row this boat." And as he spoke he plied his
full strength to the oars.
Grandmother wanted to know that the children were all right and while reaching
her arms around to find out she heard a splash in the water. She made as quick a
move as she ever did and reached down and caught Willard by one foot. He
strangled and choked but was soon able to set up a lusty howl. The boat tipped
and swayed around but was soon righted by the powerful Mr. Breeman.
His father said "Pretty cold bath for you young man." The child was not yet three
years old.
They saw a reflection of light on the water and looking back saw the red coats
with torches moving around their house and heard a great murmur of voices.
They succeeded in getting across the river, landing three miles above Morristown.
Grandmother and the small children were drawn to Morristown in a cutter by
men. They lived here until 1814 when they moved to Canton. Grandfather died
May 4, 1819."
Norfolk
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"The second mills were built by Jonathan Culver at a point then called Hutchen's
Falls in 1812, and were at the lowest place on Raquette River ever occupied by
mills. It is about three miles below Raymondville. Afterwards burned. The
settlement was increased by several families. The first death was that of Mr.
Judson, June 29, 1813. A village plat east of the river, was surveyed, and named
Racketon, of which Spafford, in his Gazetter of 1813 says," The village of
Racketon is a new and flourishing settlement, forming in the southeast part of the
town......A clearing of ten acres had been made for (James D.) LeRay in the
summer of 1811, in the lower part of what is now the village of Norfolk, on which
in 1812 a crop of wheat was raised."
Parishville -
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The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"During the year 1811, the turnpike from Black River settlements was cut through
the town; a grist mill was built by Daniel W. Church, for Mr. Parish and a
distillery was erected and enclosed by Mr. Hoard, the same season. The latter
was the property of the agent, and remained such as long as he resided in town. It
has been worked, with a few interruptions, nearly every year since. It was not got
in operation till the spring of 1812. During the summer of 1812, a large tavern
stand was erected by Mr. Church, for the proprietor of the town, costing $12,000
and during this season the place received large accessions of inhabitants, many of
whom fled from Ogdensburg, and other places on the St. Lawrence, from the
danger they apprehended from the war. This morbid growth gave business and
life to the settlement, which has never since been equaled; and for a time the
village and surrounding country increased in population and improvements, as if
by magic. A forge was built and run at an early day at this place. In 1813, this
prosperity continued and extensive buildings and improvements were undertaken.
During this season a building was erected at the expense of Mr. Parish for public
purposes, and which has since been usually known as the academy, for which
used it was originally designed. It has since been used as a town hall, school
house, and place for public and religious meetings. It is a one story wooden
building with single room. The first birth in the town of Parishville was in the
family of Luke Brown in the spring of 1812. The first school was taught by Miss
Harriet Bronson in the summer of 1813, in the barn of Daniel Hoard. A school
house was erected very soon after. Religious meetings were occasionally held in
1812-13, and subsequently by traveling preachers...
An affair occurred in this town, in the fall of 1812, which created much
excitement at the time. A desperate character by the name of B_____-, living on
the edge of Stockholm, had been charged with a crime which carried him to jail in
Ogdensburgh, in the month of June of that year. While undergoing his trial, and
afterwards, he threatened vengeance against the neighborhood where the crime
was committed, and against a Mrs. Miller in particular, who had been the
principal witness against him. Shortly after his imprisonment, he succeeded in
breaking jail, and was not seen for some time, till early in the morning on
Monday, October 23rd , he was seen to cross the bridge over Racquette River,
near the line of Pierrepont. ON Wednesday morning, following, Mrs. Miller was
left by her husband in the act of rising from bed, while he went some distance
from home to get fire at a neighbor's. On his return she was not in the house, and
her shoes and parts of her clothing being left he supposed that she was not far
distant. Nothing more was seen of her, and her absence dur4ing the day, became
a subject of anxiety, which increased till the whole country, far and near was
rallied, and a general search began, which continued several days, and at length
given up in despair of finding any trace of the absent one. On Friday night
several houses and barns in the vicinity, were burned, evidently by an incendiary,
and on Saturday morning following, the jail bird was seen to re-crossed the
bridge of the Racquette River. Suspicion rested on B____ who was followed up
and arrested at Carthage, having in his possession a stolen rifle. Nothing but
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suspicion resting upon him in retaliation to the abduction and arson, he was tried
for theft, and sent to stat prison where he died. On the following spring, a
woman's head was found some distance from a headless body, in the woods about
three miles above the village of Parishville, which were identified as those of Mrs.
Miller, who in all probability had been brutally murdered from a fiendish revenge,
by the ruffian who had afterwards set fire to his own house, and another which
sheltered his wife and children."
Pierrepont
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"The first settler in the town of Pierrepont was Flavius J. Curtis, who located near
the line of Canton about 1807-7. The town however, did not begin to settle rapidly
until the opening of the St. Lawrence turnpike through it in 1811-12. Davis
Dunton, Peter R Leonard, Joseph Mathers, Ebenezer Tupper, Clark Hutchins,
Zuriel Waterman. Foster Shaw, Henry Axtell, Alanson Woodruff and others
settled about 1812."
Potsdam
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"At a special town meeting, convened at the academy, Sept 1, 1813, in pursuance
of an act entitled "an act for the establishment of common schools," passed June
19, 1812, the following named persons were elected school commissioners, viz:
Benjamin Raymond, Burdon Smith and Howard J. Pierce. Four school inspectors
were chosen, Viz: James Johnson, Liberty Knowles, Thomas Swift and Sylvester
Bacon. These were the first persons who held that office in town....The St.
Lawrence Academy owes its origin to the spirited efforts of Benjamin Raymond,
who in 1810 erected, at his own expense, a building for public purposes, and in
the spring of 1812, employed Rev. James Johnson, of Lynn Mass, a graduate of
Harvard college, as a teacher and clergyman, entirely at his own cost. In
December, 1812, a subscription was started to raise $5,000 in shares of $10 each,
and Mr. Raymond headed the list by signing 100 shares, including the lot and
building he had erected. Liberty Knowles, Azel Lyman, Samuel Pease, Robert
McChesney, Benj. Burton, Anthony Y. Elderkin, Joseph P Reynolds, Wm. Smith,
James Johnson, Reuel Taylor, Pierce Shepard, Lemuel Pinney, John Burroughs,
Sewall Raymond, David Parish and Jacob Redington, each too ten shares.
Eighteen others took shares of less number, making the aggregate of 312 shares"
Rossie/Somerville
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"Rossie was erected from Russell, Jan 21, 1813......On receiving news of the war,
the inhabitants of the southern part of Rossie, erected a block house on the road
between Somerville and Wegatchie, about half a mile from the latter place, for
mutual protection. Thither the inhabitants were accustomed to repair to spend
their nights, on occasion of public alarm, which were very frequent, and as often
entirely groundless. The sight of an Indian, however innocent his intentions, was
sufficient to originate an alarm which lost nothing by passing from mouth to
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Russell
mouth, and stories are related which reflect little credit upon the courage of
certain ones of the settlers. This block house was well built of hewn timber, 24 by
30 feet and stood till about 1840. It was used only in 1812. A similar one was
built of round logs, near a small stream a few rods northeast of the present village
of Somerville. It was only occupied a few nights.
In the summer of 1812, the mills built by Mr. Streeter were burned in the night
time, as it was reported, by the Indians. This is believed to have been done by a
man who lived at the edge of Gouverneur near the Kearney bridge and who
wanted a pretext for quitting the country. He fled to New York and was not
pursued or apprehended.
The iron mines in this town, situated a mile and a quarter east of the village of
Somerville, began to be wrought in the fall of 1812..."
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"Our County and It's People - History of Russell" Gates Curtis
"Dr. Hough gives the following account of the arsenal:
An act was passed February 24, 1809, which directed the governor to cause to be
deposited, if he should deem necessary, an amount not exceeding 500 stand of
arms, in such place in St. Lawrence county as he should select, with such
quantities of ammunition and military stores as in his opinion would be necessary
in case of invasion. The village of Russell, from its being interior and on the St.
Lawrence turnpike, was selected, and a building erected. It stands on a
commanding elevation, a little north of the village, on a lot given to the State by
Mr. Atwater for the purpose of an arsenal, and is a massive stone building, three
stories high, 30 by 50 feet on the ground. and originally surrounded by a high
107

stone wall, bristling with iron spikes. The lower story was designed for artillery,
the second for small arms, and the third for ammunition. During the war a guard
was posted around the premises for its protection, but since that period no further
supervision has been maintained than the care of a keeper, who was a citizen
residing in the vicinity. In the summer of 1850 the arsenal building was sold at
auction, in pursuance of a general law, for the sum of $525. The arms, amounting
to four hundred stand, and some twenty thousand cartridges were sold in small
lots at the same time.....
The first tavern was built in 1812 by Moses A. Bunnell, and kept by him a
number of years. " (Capt. War 1812)
St Lawrence Plaindealer 1883:
"Uncle Benjamin Hutchinson, a veteran soldier of 1812 wishes to tender his
thanks to the many friends who presented him with a nicely framed picture
representing him as standing on guard, guarding the old arsenal (now used for a
school house) where he did duty in 1812. His picture and that of the building are
perfect."
St. Lawrence Plaindealer, May 25, 1898:
"...The building faces west and was designed for artillery on the first floor, small
arms on the second and the third was the magazine, where ammunition was kept.
On the front of the building opening into each floor is a door, and through it by
means of a block and tackle the munitions and stores were hoisted in. Originally
a high stone wall bristling with spikes, surrounded the building, while a small
barrack or guard house stood within the enclosure for the use of the garrison.
There were also small wooden sentry boxes at the angles of the wall, depressions
showing still where these buildings stood. During these troubled days from 1812
to 1814 a guard of twelve "line troops" under Corporal Henry Dickinson were
posted here. Among them were Abram Pratt, Horace Hill, C. Phelps, Benjamin
Hutchinson, Jared Hutchinson and Nelson Doolittle.
Although the garrison of the old arsenal was never called upon to defend it against
the British, they were called to arms, and the whole settlement aroused by the
rolling of Doolittle's drum one night in the summer of 1813, the picket having
seen a procession with bayonets glistening in the moonlight winding along the
river road and having fired his musket to arouse the town, men, women and
children flocked to the arsenal and waited in shivering dread for the outcome, but
it was found that the supposed enemy were a party of militia from Wilkinson's
army bringing wounded men from Chateaugay after the battle of Crysler's field.
Lying on a blanket at the door of the old arsenal, one poor fellow, Edgar Stiles,
breathed his last, just at daylight the next morning, and within a few miles of his
home.
This is recorded in an old journal kept by Elihu Phelps, as well as the following
anecdote, Just before the withdrawal of the garrison at the close of the war, the
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militiamen who had posted no guards, were almost shaken out of their bunks in
the barracks one night by a crash from one of the old 12 pounders kept on their
platform on the first floor of the fort. The citizens with visions of a British
invasion before them, fled to the forest in terror thinking the fort had been
attacked. But it was learned long afterward that a practical joker form the
adjoining town of Edwards, named Horatio Earl, had crept into the old fort
through one of the cannon embrasures, under cover of night, with pounds of
powder sewed up in the leg of a discarded pair of breeches. With a long piece of
fuse he had discharged the old gun, having reached the southern border of the
village before the crash came. It smashed every window in town beside
frightening the garrison half to death.
After the war closed the garrison was withdrawn, the old arsenal being looked
after by a corporal of the state militia. The first custodian was Nathan Knox, being
succeeded by Elihu Phelps who had charge of the building for fifteen years."
Loton Hosford: b. 1782 Thetford, Vt., d Feb 7, 1813 before being named as a
Captain for the War of 1812.
Stockholm
The History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties" Franklin Hough:
"In 1812 or 1813, a carding machine was got in operation at this place, and having
a natural advantage in the possession of a good water..."
Waddington
"History of St. Lawrence County" Everts:
"As a matter of fact, little injury was inflicted on the residents of Waddington or
Madrid throughout the whole contest. Some small raids were made through the
country for the purpose of picking up government property, and occasionally
private property was taken at the same time; but these were not frequent, and the
commanders on both sides seem to have generally discouraged the making of
purposeless excursions into peaceable localities.
A company of militia was stationed at Hamilton (Waddington) for several
months, at first under Capt. Bester Pierce, of Potsdam, father of Dr. Pierce, of
Madrid, and afterwards Capt. George R. Wells, and at one time a sharp skirmish
took place on Ogden Island with a detachment of invading Britons. The accounts
are somewhat vague, but as there is no evidence of the enemy's holding
possession of the island, it may be presumed they were driven off. In one of these
little conflicts on the lines, Mr. Jacob Redington, and old Revolutionary soldier
(father of James Redington, Esq.) was wounded."
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