Local History: Chapter XV: The War of 1812 and the Mexican War : Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA
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BEAN'S HISTORY OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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180 (cont.)
CHAPTER XV.
THE WAR OF 1812 AND THE MEXICAN WAR.
THIRTY years after the colonies had achieved their independence and
twenty-three years after the constitutional Union was established
Congress declared war against Great Britain.' The population, as shown
by the census of 1810, was 7,239,881, and at the date of the declaration
of war the number of inhabitants of the United States was estimated to be
8,000,000. The event occurred in the third year of the first
administration of James Madison, and was supported by the Democratic
Party as an administration measure, and resisted with great unanimity by
the Federalists. Seventy-nine members in the House of Representatives
supported the bill. Forty-nine of the one hundred and twenty-eight
present entered their protest against, it, and the measure passed the
Senate by a light majority.
The provocation, which indeed the hostile act was the conduct of
England in insisting upon the right of search and impressment of,
naturalized American citizens into her naval service. This alleged
right was exercised in the most brutal and insolent manner against the
solemn protest of the government. And finally, to vindicate the right
of subjects or people to absolve their allegiance to the King by the
simple forms of American naturalization, while the United States
government was in lion or and interest bound to protect her foreign-born
citizens in the full and free exercise of their rights. At the date
referred to thousands of American citizens was serving out terms of
impressment in the British navy, many of them suffering imprisonment and
subjected to treatment of extreme cruelty.
One among many examples will serve to show the unwarrantable conduct
of the British government. In the month of June 1807, the English man of
war Leopard came in sight of the American frigate Chesapeake near Cape
Henry. At this point the Leopard was joined by the British frigates the
Bellorta and Melampus. The Chesapeake was hailed by Admiral Berkley, an
officer sent aboard with an order of search, alleging that five
deserters from the English service were aboard the American vessel.
Commodore Barron refused the officer, saying that he did not know of
any deserters on board. That the recruiting officers for the Chesapeake
had been particularly instructed not to receive any deserters from His
Britannic Majesty's service, and that he was directed never to permit
the crew of a ship under his command to be mustered by any officers but
his own. Upon receiving this answer the officer returned to the,
Leopard, when a heavy fire was opened upon the " Chesapeake, to the
surprise and discomfiture of Commodore Barron, who was unprepared to
resist the attack. After remaining under fire for thirty Minutes having
three men killed and eighteen men wounded, himself among the rest, the
ship surrendered. The British officer refused to accept the surrender,
but came aboard, made search, claimed four of the seamen as British
subjects and deserters, conveyed them to Halifax where they were tried
and one of them executed in order to establish the rightfulness of their
system of impressment.
Subsequently the other three were proved to be Americans who had
been previously impressed and made their escape from the British
service. The intelligence of this outrage upon the high seas was
received by the of country with profound indignation.
Montgomery County held a public meeting at the courthouse, July 22d,
1807, for the purpose of expressing their sense of the late unwarrantable
and dastardly outrage committed by one of the British Ships of war on the
American frigate Chesapeake. General Francis Swaine was appointed
president, and Samuel Patterson secretary. Levi Pawling, William
Henderson, Israel Bringhurst, George Weaver, Mathias Holstein, John
Markley, and James Winnard reported seven resolutions, wherein they
state, that the outrage committed by the British ships-of-war, Leopard,
on the American frigate, Chesapeake,"
181
and the murder of our seamen, whether it be considered as the act of the
British government, or of individuals who committed it, requires rigid
retribution or honorable reparation. That we will at the hazard of our
lives and properties, support the proclamation of the President of the
United States, and any other measures that may be adopted by the
constituted authorities to obtain redress from the British Government,
for the reparation of our national honor and insulted sovereignty.
At this, crisis, it is the duty of every citizen, who is not
conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms, to arm in defense of
his injured country, and to prepare for the event of a war." Public
meetings were called in all the principal cities of the Union, party
feelings were forgotten for the time, and all united in resolutions
supporting the government in measures deemed necessary to redress the
wrong.
The President issued a proclamation forbidding British ships-of-war
the ports and harbors of the United States, and instructed the American
minister at the court of St. James to demand satisfaction for the
insult. He also summoned Congress to meet and take the subject into
consideration.
The English government promptly disavowed the act of the British
naval officer. But they still did not persist in their right of search,
nor did they offer adequate reparation for the injury and indignity
suffered. The exasperated feelings If national hostility became
deep-seated; foreign complications arising out of contentions between
France and England still further embarrassed American shipping
interests. Napoleon, by his Berlin Decree of 1806, had forbidden the
introduction of any English merchandise to the continent of Europe, yet
in neutral vessels that should touch at an English port. Great Britain
retaliated by prohibiting the trade from port to port of neutrals
belonging to the enemy, and, declaring the whole coast, of Europe in a
state of blockade, rendering the vessels of all neutrals passing to
European ports liable to capture. Upon learning of this measure,
Napoleon issued his famous Milan Decree, confiscating not only the
vessels that should touch at a British port, but such as should subject
to be searched by the English. These measures were very injurious to
American shipping interests. And induced the American Congress, in
December 1807, to pass an Embargo Act, prohibiting American vessels to
leave their ports.
This was admittedly a preparatory step in the direction of war with
England, and a cautionary measure to call home all trading vessels and
seamen in order to put the country in the best possible condition for
the struggle that all sagacious, minds saw to be near at hand. In March
1809 the Embargo Act was repealed, and an act prohibiting all commercial
intercourse with both England and France was passed.
The non-intercourse act expired by its own limitation in 1810. In
anticipation of this event, the administration invoked France and
England to remove their restrictive measures from American shipping.
Napoleon promptly responded through his minister directing a suspension
of his decrees so far as they affected American interests. Encouraged
by this success, efforts were made to induce England to follow the
example of France. The British diplomats of the period sought delay in
skillfully devised dilatory proceeding questioning the formality of the
seemingly friendly act of France. Mr. Pinckney, the American envoy in
London, grew weary and impatient at "the shuffling behavior of the
British government, and demanded his audience of leave. Continuous
breaches of national amity on the high seas by British naval officers,
commented on by a free press, and made the subject of debate in and out
of Congress, kept the public mind inflamed and strengthened the
President and his Cabinet in their preparatory efforts for actual
hostility.
On the 20th of May, 1812, the Hornet arrived from London, conveying
the intelligence that England refused to repeal or suspend her
restrictions upon American shipping interests, and further insisting
upon her right of search and impressment. This information brought
public affairs to a crisis. And in the following June the President
transmitted to Congress a special message, disclosing to the nation the
unwarranted attitude of England. And the necessity of protecting the
rights of naturalized' citizens, enumerating the grievances suffered,
and submitting the question whether they should be longer endured or
immediate resource had to the ultimate resort of injured nations, a
declaration of war
Congress deliberated on the measure with closed doors, and on the
18th of June passed an act declaring war against Great Britain. The
lapse of time and the remarkable events that have intervened, including
the war with Mexico and the great Rebellion, have in some measure
obscured the importance attached to the war of 1812 and the principles
settled by it. But it is certain that the people of Pennsylvania warmly
sustained the national administration. And there is an honorable sense
of pride associated with the memory of the men who served the nation in
the struggle, as well as the public men who were in official position at
that time.[See NOTE 15-1.]
[NOTE 15-1.]
War of 1812, General Orders- "The President of the United States
having, in conformity to all act of Congress, required a draft of
fourteen thousand men as the quota of Pennsylvania towards the
detachment of one hundred thousand militia. The Governor is desirous
with promptitude to perform all the duties which the Constitution and
laws, principle and patriotism assign him. He feels his high
responsibility. He knows the ardent, heart-warm zeal of the
Pennsylvania militia, and his sensibilities are alive to the honor of
his country.
The Revolution of America that great and mighty struggle. Which
issued in giving to the United States that place among the powers of the
earth to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitled them. And
had scarcely been consummated when the King over whom we has been
triumphant began an invasion of over rights and property which has
almost on uninterruptedly been continued and yearly aggravated in kind
and it) degree. Remonstrance bits followed remonstrance, but they have
been only answered by repeated injury and new outrage. They're promised
they're written engagements, their plighted faiths have all been wantonly
violated.
These wrongs have been so long endured that or motives have been
mistaken, and our national character misrepresented. Our forbearance
has been called cowardice; our love of peace a slavish fears to
encounter the dangers of war. We know that those representation have no
foundation in truth; but it is time that our enemies that our friends
that the world should know we at not degenerated sons of gallant sire
"For nearly thirty years we have been at peace with all the nations
of the earth. The gales of prosperity and the full tide of happiness
have borne us along, while the storm of war has been desolating the
greater part of the civilized world, and inundated it with the bitter
water of affliction. All the means which wisdom and patriotism could
devise had been in vain resorted to in the hope of peace.
The cup of patience, of humiliation and long suffering, has been
filled to overflowing, and the indignant arm of an injured people must
be raised to dash it to the earth, and grasp the avenging sword. In the
cultivation of the earth, and in manufacturing and transporting products,
the people of the United States have been honestly usefully all
harmlessly employed. And for many years have been feeding the nation
whose navy hundred has plundered our seas ravaged our coast, and
destroyed the lives of our people our ability and disposition to serve
them has whetted their commercial jealousy and monopolizing
animosity. It is our property that has been plundered. It is our
rights that have been invaded. It is the persons of our friends,
relatives and countrymen that have been taken captive on the high seas
and constrained to bear arms against their country to become the
executioners of, their friends and brethren or fail themselves by their
hands.
It is our flag that has been bathes in our water made red with the
blood of our fellow citizens. Every gale from the ocean wafts to our
cars the sights the, groans impressed seamen demanded retribution. It
our homes and firesides that have been invaded by the merciless Indian
savages who have instigated to pollute our sacred soil with the hostile
feet, and tomahawk our citizen, reposing in peace in, the bosom of our
country. The seeds of discord have been sworn amongst people by an
accredited spy of the British government, at a too, when the relations
of peace and amity were sustained between our own and that government,
founded on reiterated assurance from them of national esteem and
friendship. If ever a nation had justifiable cause of war that nation
is the United State.
If ever people had motives to fight we are that people. Our
Government, the watchful guardians of our welfare have sounded the
alarm; they have called upon us to gird on our swords, and to be ready
to go forth and meet our enemies. Let us hasten to obey the Government
of our choice, and rally around the constituted authorities of the
Union. Let an honorable zeal glow in our bosom as we eagerly press
forward to render our services. It would give the Governor
inexpressible, satisfaction if Pennsylvania would volunteer her quota.
May each State animate the others and every citizen act as if the
public weal, the national honor and independence rested on his single
arm? The example of the heroes and statesmen of our Revolution, and the
rich inheritance their courage and wisdom achieved, cannot fail to urge
all who love their country to flock around her standard.
Upborne by the right hand of freemen planted in the sacred soil
their valor won and consecrated by it righteous cause. This nation may
well forth with a firm reliance on the protection of a Divine
Providence, and a conscious belief that the arm of the Lord of Hosts,
the strength of the mighty one of Israel, will be on our side.
The last appeal being now made by an tired and indignant nation, it
remains for the militia and the volunteers of Pennsylvania, it prompt
cooperation with her sister States, to render efficient the measures
which are or may hereafter be adopted by the United States Government.
The adjutant-general is charged with the necessity organization of the
quota of the State conformably to the following plan:
"1st. there shall forthwith be drafted, in the manner prescribed by
law, fourteen thousand militia officers and privates, to be formed into
two divisions, four brigades, and twenty-two regiments. The offer of
service to the Governor of any flank company or companies attached to
any regiment, of a number equal to the number of militia required to be
drafted from such regiment, may be accepted in substitution of such
draft from the regiment. The corps of artillery, cavalry, riflemen and
infantry shall be in the, following general proportions, as nearly it's
practicable: artillery, 700; cavalry, 700; riflemen, 1400; infantry,
11,200.
2d. The whole quota reported should be apportioned among the
several divisions of the State, agreeably to it detail to be furnished
by the adjutant general. The quotas of the eighth division of the State
shall be formed into two divisions for the present service. The quota
of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh divisions
of the State shall form the, first division for service, under the
command of Major-General Isaac Worrell, with a brigadier-general from
the first division and a brigadier the general from first third division
of the State. The quotas of the eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth fifteenth and sixteenth division of the State
shall form the second division for service, under the commander and of
Major-General Adamson Tannehill, with a brigadier-general from the
second division and brigadier-general from fourth division of the State.
3d. The men shall be mustered and inspected as soon as the drafts
are made and without delay returns, shall be made to the adjutant
general that shall thereupon, transmitted copies to the Secretary of War.
When the organization of the detachment shall be effected, then the
respective will be exercised under the officers set over them, drafted
militia by their proper officers; volunteers its prescribed by law, The
corps either of drafted militia or volunteers will not remain embodied
nor be considered as in actual service until by subsequent orders they
are directed take the field.
Simon SNYDER.
Governor of the Common Wealth
N B BOILEU
John GIBSON
Aides-de-camp
Harrisburg, May 12, 1812
[FINIS NOTE 15-1.]
182
The nation took a new growth in the emergency. The army which,
until the year 1808, numbered but three thousand troops, was increased
to six thousand. In January 1812, Congress further increased the regular
army to thirty-five thousand men. This force was organized in
twenty-five regiments of infantry, three regiments of artillery, two
regiments of dragoons, two regiments of light artillery, two regiments
of rifles and one of engineers. In addition to this the President was
authorized to accept the services of volunteers, who were to be armed
and equipped by the United States. And further authority was given the
executive to call upon the Governors of the several States for
detachments of militia, the whole force at any one time not to exceed
one hundred thousand men. Similar provision was made for the increase of
the navy. This branch of the public service at that date consisted of
ten frigates, ten sloops and smaller vessels and a number of small
gunboats used in the by defense of coast and harbors, The commerce and
extensive New England fisheries employed a large number of vessels and
seafaring men, all which were recalled by the government or driven from
the ocean by England's cruisers, most of which were quickly converted.
Into war-vessels, this being practicable when wooden vessels only were
known to naval architecture.
The subsequent achievements of this arm of the service have gone
into national history as among the most brilliant exploits known in
civilized warfare. Thirty years of peace, chiefly devoted to the
development of agriculture and manufacture, bad left the country without
military officers of experience and distinction, The organization of the
land forces was experimental, and, as results proved, extremely
unfortunate in the early campaigns of the war. A general plan of
operations was decided upon, aggressive in its character. It was
believed that England's fear
183
of Napoleon's hostile designs in Europe would detain her regular troops,
and with three thousand miles of ocean between the two countries, the
American troops could successfully invade Canada and capture the
province before all army could be organized or transferred there for its
protection. General William Hull, then Governor of Michigan Territory
and in command of an army of two thousand troops, was entrusted with
the initial movement. He failed, and was relieved from his command and
gravely censured by the government. General Harrison, Van Rensselear
and Smyth subsequently were charged with the execution of the general
plan, all being under the direction of Major General Dearborn.
The year 1812 closed without victory or advantage to the American
forces. On the ocean, Captain Hill, commanding the Constitution,
forty-four guns, attacked a British frigate, thirty-eight guns, August
19th, and in thirty minutes rendered the latter vessel a complete
wreck. Captain Jones, of the Wasp, eighteen guns, captured the British
sloop "Frolic," twenty-two guns; Captain Decatur, with the frigate
"United States," encountered the British frigate "Macedonia," and, after
a severe engagement, brought the captured prize to New York.
In addition to these thrilling adventures, a number of American
privateers were constantly cruising, and by the last of December had
captured over five hundred English merchant vessels. Interest in public
affairs, for a presidential canvas and the reelection of James Madison
further intensified the year.
Congress convened in November. The President's message stated with
frankness the defeats experienced on the Canadian frontier, condemned
the employment of the Indians by the British, complained of the conduct
of Massachusetts and Connecticut in withholding their quota of militia
and cited with pride and satisfaction the signal victories of the
navy. He also suggested the more efficient organization of the army,
with increase of numbers and pay. His recommendations were promptly
granted, and twenty additional regiments of regular infantry were
organized. The field of actual hostilities embraced a wide range of
territory.
The Indian tribes of the North and West, with the Creeks and
Seminoles of the South, were incited to hostilities, and necessarily
employed a large number of troops, while the Atlantic coast from Maine
to South Carolina was in danger from the powerful navy of the enemy. It
was these exposed point on the coast or situation or navigable river;
that invited attack, and for the defense of which the Government
relied upon the militia of the several States.
The campaigns of 1813 or the second year of the war were in some
measure a repetition of the first. The policy of invading Canada was
still pursued, Montreal being the objective point. General Dearborn,
ably supported by General Pike, led several expeditions over the border,
but all without definite results. General Harrison conducted operations
on the western frontier with great ability, recapturing all that was
lost by the unfortunate campaign of General Hull the preceding year.
[See NOTE 15-2.]
General Andrew Jackson conducted a vigorous campaign against the
Creeks and Seminoles in Georgia. The naval officers were successful on
lake [See NOTE 15-3.] and ocean, and but for the destructive incursions,
at many points oil the Atlantic coast, by the blockading squadrons of
the enemy's navy the country escaped tile blight and scourge inevitably
associated with marching armies, cantonments and great battle-fields.
The presence of large blockading fleets, the exposed situation of our
principal Seaport cities, the threatened attacks upon tile capital of
the nation and the untrained troops or militia relied upon for coast or
defensive service were at all times sources of apprehension, largely
Shared by the people of the most populous, States.
The year 1814 witnessed the downfall of Napoleon, and left Great
Britain in peace with all nations except the United States, and to this
country she transported her veteran troops in the hope of terminating a
war upon terms of her own dictation. The political party in power still
received the approbation of the country, and maintained its supporting
majority in Congress, while the Federalists were active in the employment
[NOTE 15-2.]
Some conception of the danger apprehended by the people in the
northwestern part of our own state from the defeat of General Hull will
be manifest from the petition addressed to, Governor Snyder, dated
September 1812.
"His Excellence the Governor of Pennsylvania: Your petitioners,
inhabitants, of the county of Tioga and its vicinity, viewing with
anxious, solitude, the alarming, situation it which the sound of war has
placed them, beg leave to suggest to your Excellency the propriety of
taking some effective measure to guard against and repel the inroads and
depredation of our enemy on the unprotected inhabitants of the counties
if Tioga, Potter and McKean. We have, no longer any confidence in such a
part of our red brethren as have lately left their homes to join our
enemy (as we suppose), and fear many acts of cruelty and barbarity may
be perpetrated by those above described and others who may lead them on.
The country west of this Lake Erie is thinly inhabited, which will
lead to favorable, to any desperate fellows to hold intercourse with
those among us execute their black designs and escape with impurity. We
therefore pray your Excellency to take our unprotected situation in
consideration, and cause such a part of the militia have lately been
drafted from Colonel SatterleeÕs and Colonel Kilburn regiments to be
stationed in the most convenient situation in Potter or McKean for the
protection of our defenseless frontier. We hope your Excellency will not
consider us as presuming or officious by renewing our solicitations that
our destitute situation may be immediately taken in consideration, as
we, your petitioners in duty bound, will ever pray.
"Signed by Major Benjamin Merkley and forty-nine privates of the
militia of the counties named."
[FINIS NOTE 15-2.]
[NOTE 15-3.]
To Colonel Ryes Hill:
Sir: By a resolution of the Legislature, the Governor is directed to
present to each of the citizens of Pennsylvania who volunteered on
board the American squadron on Lake Erie, at the time the British fleet
were captured a silver medal, with such emblematical devices as he may
think proper.
In order to comply, with the resolution it is necessary he should be
furnished with the names of those volunteers. I have, therefore, to
request that you will take the earliest opportunity of forwarding a
correct list of their names. If you are not in possession of their
names will you please to apply to Capt. Perry or to some other person
who may be in possession of the proper information, competent to certify
their such information?
Very respectfully, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
N B BOILEAU
[FINIS NOTE 15-3.]
184
of all honorable measures looking to peace and the amicable adjustment
of existing disagreement. Commissioners of peace were all times ready
to meet those of England, but in the mean time measures for the more
vigorous prosecution of hostilities on land and sea were inaugurated in
Congress and extended by the administration.
It was this last year of the struggle that most keenly affected the
people and drew most directly upon them for the supplies of men and
means, as the seaport towns were now in imminent danger. And men for
their defense must come from the militia of the States whose cities were
in danger. Early in the spring of 1814 the four great commercial cities,
New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore, displayed great activity in
extending an strengthening their fortifications, and the militia the
several States were mustered in large bodies an ordered to camp for
defensive duty. [See NOTE 15-4.] On the 10th of August a British fleet
of sixty vessels, commanded by Admiral Cochrane with a land force of six
thousand troops of all arms, under command of General Ross, was
discovered in Chesapeake bay, and moving towards the mouth of the Potomac River.
General alarm spread through the country, and a sense of insecurity was
quickly felt at the capital city of the country. The invading army was
apprised of the defenseless condition of the national capital and the
character of the raw troops hastily mustered to protect it. The tempting
prize was suggestive of certain victory before
[NOTE 15-4.]
Twenty-odd years of national government had inspired a just pride of
country, and all men upheld the cause in public assemblies as understood
it. But In society the old sympathies for France and England reappeared
in each side.
Unfortunately for the Federalists, while they were wholly right in
many of their criticisms on the manner which the war came about, they
put themselves in the wrong as to its main feature. We can now see that
in their just wrath against Napoleon they would have let the nation
remain, position of perpetual childhood and subordination before England.
No doubt there were various points at issue in the impeding contest,
but the most it important one, and the only one that remained in dispute
all through the war, was that of the right of search and impressment,
the English claiming the right, to visit American vessels and impress
into the naval service any sailors who appeared to be English.
The one great object of the war of 1812 was to get rid of this
insolent and degrading practice. It not is understood that this was not
a question, of reclaiming deserters from the British navy, for the seamen
in question had very rarely belonged to it. There existed in England at
that time an outrage on civilization now abandoned called Impressment.
By which any sailor and many who were not sailors, cold be seized and
compelled to serve in the navy. The horrors of the press-gang, as
exhibited in the seaside, towns of England, have formed the theme of
many novels. It was bad enough at home, but when, applied on board the
vessels of a nation with which England was at peace, it became one of
those outrages which only proceed from the strong to the weak, and are
never reciprocated.
Lord Collingwood said well, in one of his letters, that England
would not submit to such all aggression for an hour. Merely to yield to
visitation for such a purpose was a confession of national weakness hut
the actual case was far worse than this. Owing to the similarity of
language, it was always difficult to distinguish between English and
American seamen, and like temptation was Irresistible to the visiting
officer, anxious for the enlargement of his own crew, to give England
the benefit of the doubt. The result was that an English lieutenant, or
even midshipmen, once it board an American ship was, in the words of the
English writer Cobbett, at once a user, witness judge and captor, and we
have also Cobbett's statement of the consequences "Great numbers of
Americans have been impressed, he adds, and are now in the navy That
many of these men have died on board our ships, that many have been worn
out in the service, there is no doubt. Some obtain their clasp through
the application of the American consul, and of these the sufferings have
been in many instances very great. There have been instances where men
have thus gut free after having been flogged through the fleet for
desertion."
Between 1707 and 1801 more than two thousand applications for
impressed seamen were made through the American minister and of these
only one-twentieth were proved to be, English subjects though nearly
one-half were retained for forth proof When the Hornet captured the
British sloop Peacock the victor found on board three American seamen
who had been forced, by holding pistols at their heads to fight against
their own countrymen
Four American seamen on the British ship Actaea were ordered five
dozen lashes, then four dozen, then two dozen, then kept in irons three
months, for refusing to obey order under similar circumstances. There
was nothing new about grievance; it had been the subject of indignant
negotiation since 1789.
In 1796, Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State, a representative
Federalist, had denounced the practice of search and impressment as the
sacrifice of the rights of an independent nation, and lamented the long
and fruitless attempts to correct it. In 1806 the merchants of Boston
had called upon the general government to assert our rights and support
the dignity of the, United States; and the merchants of Salem had
offered to pledge their lives and properties in support of necessary
measures of redemption.
Yet it shows the height of party feeling that when, in 1812, Mr.
Madison's government finally went to war for these very rights, the
measure met with the bitterest opposition from the whole Federalist
Party and from the commercial States generally. A good type of the
Federalist opposition on this particular point is to be found in the
pamphlets of John Lowell.
John Lowell was the son of the eminent Massachusetts judge of that
name; he was an well-educated lawyer, who was president of the
Massachusetts. Agricultural Society, and wrote under the name of A New
England Farmer. In spite of the protest offered half a dozen years
before by his own neighbors, he declared the whole outcry against the
impressment to be a device against Mr. Madison's party.
The nation, he add, was totally opposed to a war for the purpose of
protecting British seamen against their own sovereign. The whole matter
at issue, he declared, was the protection of renegades and deserters from
the British navy. He argued unflinchingly for the English right of,
called consecrated right, maintained that the allegiance of English
subjects was perpetual and that no residence in a foreign country could
absolve them. He held every sailor born in Great Britain, whether
naturalized in America or not, should be absolutely excluded from
American ships, and that until this was done the right to search
American vessels and take such sailors out was the only restrain on abuse
He, was a man of great ability and public spirit, and yet he held
views, which now seem to have ignored all national self-respect. While
such a man, with a large party behind him, took this position, It must
simply be said that the American republic had not yet asserted itself to
be a nation. Soon after the Revolution, when someone spoke of that
contest to Franklin as the war for independence, He said, Say rather the
war of the Revolution; the war for independence is yet to be fought.
The war of 1812 was just the contest he described, To this
excitement directed against the war the pulpit very largely contributed,
the chief lover applied by the Federalist clergy being found in the
atrocities of Napoleon. "The chieftain of Europe, drunk with blood,
casts a look upon us he raises his voice, more terrible than the
midnight yell of savages at the doors of our forefathers. Rev. Daniel
Parish, of Byfield, from a sermon, once famous, delivers those
melodramatic words Mass on Fast Day, 1810.
Elsewhere he says: "Would you establish those in the first offices
in the land who will poison the heart of your children with infidelity,
who will harness them in the team of Hollanders and German, and Swiss
and Italians to draw the triumphal car of Napoleon? Are you nursing your
sons to be dragged into his armies? The climax was reached when one
pulpit orator wound up his appeal by asking his audience, if they were
ready to wear wooden shoes, in allusion to the sabots of the French
peasants.
A curious aspect of all this vehemence was the firm conviction of
the Federalists that they, themselves, were utterly free from all
partisan feeling, and that they called the "Baleful Demon Party" existed
only on the other side. For the Democrats to form Jacobin societies was
an outrage but Washington Benevolent Societies of the Federalists were
claimed to be utterly nonpolitical, though the marched with banners,
held quarterly meetings and were all expected to vote one way.
At on, their gatherings in 1789 there was a company of, school
Federalist, to number 250 uniformed in blue and white and wearing
Washington's Farewell Address in red morocco around their necks. It was
a sight hardly to be parallel in the most excited election of these
days. Yet the Federalist stoutly maintained that there was nothing
partisan about it.
The other side was partisan. They admired themselves for the width
of view and their freedom from prejudice, and yet they were honestly
convinced that the mild cautious Madison who would not declare war with
the England unless forced into it by others, was plotting to enslave his
own nation for the benefit of France. The very names of their pamphlets
show this.
185
[NOTE 15-4 CONT]
One of John Lowell's bears on the title-page "Perpetual war the
Policy of Mr. Madison, . . . The important and interesting subject of a
conscript militia and an immense standing army of guards and spies under
the name, of a local volunteer corps." The Federalist leaders took
distinctively the ground that they should refuse to obey a conscription
law to raise troops for the conquest of Canada; and when that very
questionable measure failed by one vote in the Senate, the nation may
have escaped a serious outbreak.
Had the law passed and been enforce William Sullivan ominously
declared, No doubt the citizens would have armed and might have marched,
but not, it is believed to Canada. This as possibly overstated. But the
crisis thus arising might have been a formidable matter. It might,
indeed, have been far more dangerous than the Hartford Convention of
1814. Which was, after all, only a peaceable meeting of some two dozen
honest men with George Cabot at their head -men of whom very few had
even a covert purpose of dissolving the Union, but who were driven to
something very near desperation by the prostration of their commerce and
the defenselessness their coast.
They found themselves between the terror of a conscription in New
England and the outrage of an invasion of Canada. They found the
President calling, in his message of November 4, 1812, for new and
mysterious enactment against "corrupt and perfidious intercourse with
the enemy, not amounting to treason" and they did not feel quiet sure
that this might not be end in the guillotine or the lamp-post.
They saw what were called the "horrors of Baltimore" in a mob where
the blood of Revolutionary officers had been shed in that city under
pretense of suppressing a newspaper. No one could tell whither these
things were lending, and they could at least protest.
The protest will always be remarkable from the skill with which it
turned against Jefferson and Madison the dangerous States' rights
doctrine of their own injurious Virginia and Kentucky resolutions. The
Federalist and Democratic parties had completely shifted ground; and we
can now see that the Hartford Convention really strengthened the
tradition of the Union by showing that the implied threat of secession
was a game at which two could play. It must be remembered too, in
estimating the provocation, which led to this famous convention. That
during all this little the commercial States was most unreasonably
treated.
In the opinion of Judge Story, himself a moderate Republican and a
member of Congress, "New England was expected, so far as the Republicans
were concerned, to do everything and to have nothing. They were to obey,
but not to be trusted". Their commerce, which had furnished so largely
the supplies for the nation, was viewed by a great many not merely with
indifference, but with real dislike. Jefferson, whose views had more
influence than those of any ten other men still, held to his narrow
Virginia planter opinion that a national commerce must somehow be an
evil, and it was hard for those whose commerce his embargo had ruined to
be patient while he rubbed his hands and assured them that they would be
much better off without any ships.
When the war of 1812 was declared the merchants, of Boston and Salem
had as it was estimated by Mr. Isaac P. Davis, in the Memoirs of Mrs.
Quincy, twenty million dollars worth of property on the sea and in
British ports. The war sacrificed nearly all of it, and they were
expected to be grateful. In a letter to the Legislature of New
Hampshire, four years before, (August 1808), Jefferson had calmly
recommended to the people of that region to retire from the seas "and to
provide for themselves those comforts and conveniences of life for which
it would be unwise ever to recur in other countries." Moreover, it was
argued, the commercial States were almost extensively the sufferers by
the British intrusions upon American vessels, and if they did not think
it a case, for war why should it be taken up by the States which were
not hurt by it.
Again, the commercial States had yielded to the general government
the right of receiving customs, duties and of national defense, on the
express ground of receiving protection in return. Madison had pledged
himself, as he was once reminded in the once famous Rockingham County
New Hampshire Address, penned by young Daniel Webster, to give the
nations, a navy, and it had resulted in Mr. Jefferson's hundred and
fifty little gun-boats and some twenty larger vessels.
As for the army, it consisted at this time of about three thousand
men all told. The ablest men in the president's Cabinet, Gallatin and
Pickering were originally opposed to the war. The only member of that
body who had any personal knowledge of military matter was Colonel James
Monroe, Secretary of State, and it was subsequently thought that he knew
just enough to be in the way.
Nevertheless, the war was declared June 18, 1812, declared
reluctantly, hesitatingly, but at last courageously. Five days after
the declaration the British "Orders in Council", which had partly caused
it, were revoked, but the war went on. In the same autumn Madison was
reelected President, receiving one hundred and twenty-eight electoral
votes against eighty-nine for DeWitt Clinton, Elbridge Gerry, of
Massachusetts, being chosen Vice-President. A sufficient popular
verdict was thus given, and the war was continued. In its early period
much went wrong. British and Indians ravaged the northwestern frontier,
General Hull invaded Canada in vain, and finally surrendered Detroit,
August 15, 1812, in a way long considered pusillanimous, but now in some
degree pardoned by public sentiment.
He was condemned by court-martial, and sentenced to be shot, but was
pardoned because of his Revolutionary services; and much has since been
written in his vindication. To fine surprise of every one, it was upon
the sea, not the land, that the United States provided eminently
successful, and the victory of the "Constitution" over the "Guerriere"
was the first of a long line of triumphs.
The number of British war vessels captured during the three years of
the war was fifty-six, with eight hundred and eighty cannons; the number
of American war vessels, twenty-five with three hundred and fifty guns:
and there were besides these, thousands of merchant vessels taken on
both sides by privateers.
But these mere statistics tell nothing of the excitement of those
picturesque victories, which so long thrilled the heart of every
American schoolboy with the conviction that this nation was the peer of
the proudest upon the seas. Yet the worst predictions of the
Federalists did not exaggerate the injury done by the war to American
commerce, and the highest expectations of the other party did no more
than justice to the national prestige gained by the success of the
American navy.
It is fairly to be remembered to the credit of the Federalists,
however, that but for their urgent appeals there would have been no
navy, and that it was created by setting aside all Mr. Jefferson's pet
theories of sea defense. The Federalists could justly urge, also, that
the merchant service was the only nursery of seamen, and that with its
destruction the race of American sailors would die out -a Prediction
which the present day has almost seen fulfilled. But for the time being
the glory of the American navy was secure. And even the sea-fights
hardly equaled the fame of Perry's victory on Lake Erie, immortalized by
two phrases Lawrence's "Don't give up the ship," which Perry bore upon
his flag, and Perry's own brief dispatch, "We have met the enemy and
they are ours."
Side by side with this came Harrison's land victories over the
Indians and English in the Northwest. Tecumseh, who held the rank of
Brigadier-general in the British army, had, with the aid of his brother,
"The Prophet," united all the Indian tribes in a league. His power was
broken by Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe (November 7, 1811), and
finally destroyed in that of the Thames, in Canada (October 5, 1813,)
where Tecumseh fell.
But the war from the first yielded few glories to either side by
land. The Americans were still a nation of woodsmen and sharpshooters
but they had lost the art of war. And they had against them the
veterans of Wellington and men who boasted to Mrs. Peter of Washington
-that they had not slept under a roof for seven years. Even with such
men the raid on the city of Washington by General Ross was a bold thing
-to march with four thousand men sixty miles into an enemy's country,
burn its capitol and retreat. Had the Americans renewed the tactics of
Concord and Lexington, and fought from behind trees and under cover of
brick walls, the British commander's losses might have been frightful;
but to risk a pitched battle was to leave themselves helpless when
defeated.
The utter rout of the Americans at Bladensburg left Washington to
fall like a ripe apple into the hand, of General Ross. The accounts are,
still somewhat confused. But the British statement is that, before
entering the city General Ross sent in a flag of truce, meaning to levy
a contribution, as from a conquered town, and the flag of truce being
fired upon, the destruction of the town followed. Washington had then
less than a thousand houses. The British troops set fire to the
unfinished capitol with the library of Congress, to the treasury
buildings, the arsenal, and a few private dwellings. At the President's
house according to their own story, since doubted- they found dinner
ready, devoured it, and then set the house on fire.
186
[NOTE 15-4 CONT]
Mr. Madison sent a messenger to his wife, to bid her flee. She
wrote to her sister ere, going: "Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll, has come
to hasten my departure, and is in a very bad humor with me because I
insist on waiting till the large picture of General Washington is
secured and it requires to be unscrewed from the wall. She finally
secured it, and went off in her carriage with her sister, Mrs. Cutts,
bearing the original parchment of the Declaration of Independence, which
also owes its safety to her. The Federalist paper made plenty of fun of
her retreat and Mrs. Lossing has preserved a fragment of their ballads,
in which she says to the President, in the style of John Gilpin-
'Sister Cutt's, and Cutts and I
And Cutts children three
Shall in the coach and you shall ride
On horseback after we."
But, on the, whole, the lady of the Presidential "palace" carried
off more laurels from Washington than most men. The news of the burning
of Washington was variously received in England. The British Annual
Register called it "return to the times of barbarism" and the London
Times saw in it, on the contrary, the disappearance of the American
republic, which it called by the withering name of an "association."
That ill-organized association is on the eve of dissolution, and the
world is speedily to be delivered of the mischievous example of the
existence of a government founded on democratic rebellion.
But the burning had, on the contrary, just the opposite effect from
this. After Washington had fallen Baltimore seemed as easy prey. But
there was a great rising of the people; the British army was beaten off,
the affair turning largely on the gallant defense of Fort McHenry by
Colonel George Armistead, and General Ross was killed.
It was at this time that Key's lyric "The Star-Spangled Banner", was
written, the author being detained on board the British ship "Minden",
during the bombardment. Before this there had been various depredations
and skirmishes along the coast of Maine, and a courageous repulse of the
British at Stonington, Conn. Afterward came the well-fought battle of
Lundy's Lane and the closing victory of New Orleans, fought after the
treaty of peace had been actually signed, and unexpectedly leaving the
final laurels of the war in the hands of the Americans.
After this battle an English officer visiting the field saw within a
few hundred yards "nearly a thousand bodies, all arrayed in British
uniforms," and heard from the American officer in command the statement
that the American lose had consisted only of eight men killed and
fourteen wounded. The loss of the English was nearly twenty-one hundred
in killed and wounded, including two generals officers. A triumph so
overwhelming some feeling of military self-respect sorely needed after
the disaster at Washington.
"There were" says the Federalist William Sullivan, "splendid
processions, bonfires and illuminations, as though the independence of
the country had been a second time achieved. Such indeed, was the
feeling, and with due reason."
Franklin's war for independence was at an end. The battle took place
January 8, 1815, but the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent on the
day before Christmas. The term agreed upon said not one word about the
impressment of British seamen, but the question had been practically
settled by the naval successes, by the naval successes of the United
States; and so great were the rejoicings on the return of peace, that
even this astounding omission seemed of secondary importance.
The verdict of posterity of the year of 1812 may be said to be this:
that there were ample grounds for it, and that it completed the work
of the Revolution, and yet that it was the immediate product of a few
ambitions men whose aims and principles were not really so high as were
those of many who opposed the war.
The outrageous impressment of American seamen touched a point
national pride, and justly; while the United States submitted to this,
it certainly could not be called all independent nation and the abuse
was practically ended by the war, even though the treaty of peace was
silent.
On the other side the dread entertained of Napoleon by the
Federalist was perfectly legitimate and this too, time has confirmed.
But this peril was really far less pressing than the other; the United
States needed more to be liberated from the domineering attitude of
England than from the remoter tyranny of Napoleon and it was therefore
necessary to reckon with England first.
[FINIS NOTE 15-4.]
the advance of the veteran force of General Ross, and the fleet was
therefore hastened tip the Potomac River to within easy marching
distance of Washington City, where five thousand troops were disembarked
and rapidly marched to the attack. Commodore Barney was in command of
the American flotilla designed for the defense of the capital, and
occupied the Potomac River. This means of defense proved wholly
inadequate to cope with the powerful armed fleet of the, enemy, and was
timely destroyed by the officer in command, who gallantly transferred
his force to land, subsequently using several of his cannons with deadly
effect against the foe.
On the 24th of August the force under General Ross advanced,
driving the American troops before them. Between seven and eight
thousand militia, under command of General Winder, were in position on
the heights of Bladensburg. Commodore Barney had placed his battery on
in eminence, from which he opened a deadly fire of shot and shell upon
the advance of the British confidently relying upon the support of the
troops under General Winder. The untrained militia fled on both flanks
before the steady march and effective volleys of General Ross troops.
The brave seamen and mariners stood by their guns until surrounded,
losing heavily in killed and wounded, among the latter being the heroic
Barney, who, with his men and guns, was finally compelled to
surrender. Their soldierly conduct won for them the admiration of their
captors; the private soldiers of the battery were treated with great
consideration, and the commodore was paroled on the field of battle by
General Ross as a mark of honor for his manly courage. The hasty and
ill-advised retreat of General Winder's troops left the Capital city an
easy prey to the British.
The advance of the enemy reached Capitol Hill in the afternoon, and
demanded a ransom for the immunity of the government buildings equal to
their money value; upon this sum being paid the troop; would retire, and
no property should be destroyed. Compliance with this demand was
impossible,
The civil authorities had hastily fled with the retreating troops.
And there was no one present or available who was competent to enter
into engagements satisfactory to the officer in command; the torch was
applied to the costly edifices of the republic, together with the
president's mansion and a considerable number of private dwellings. The
Navy yard with its equipment, a large war-frigate in course of
construction, and several small vessels were also destroyed. The public
archives, library and all the works of art contained in the public
buildings were lost in the midnight conflagration.
The conduct of the American officers and troops on this occasion has
always been declared discreditable, and in some measure invited the
unparalleled act of vandalism of the British commander. Had the command
of General Winder exhibited but a the of the pluck of Barney and his
marines, General Ross would have met reverse at Bladensburg as he did at
a later day near Baltimore. The naval force co-operating with General
Ross, under Commodore Gordon, took possession of Alexandria on the
29th, and in order to save the city from fire, and indiscriminating
plunder, the
187
civil authorities induced the people to give up all supplies demanded by
the invaders. A number of vessels lying at anchor at the wharves were
seized and loaded with flour, tobacco, cotton, wines and sugars, of
which at the time Alexandria was a grand depot, and the whole was
carried down the river with the victorious squadron. The success of the
invaders on the Potomac hastened further operations of the combined land
and naval forces, then in undisputed occupancy of the Chesapeake Bay.
The city of Baltimore was the next objective point, having a fine harbor
to anchor their fleet, and a rich country west and north of it, from
which supplies could be drawn in the event of a permanent occupation,
contemplated during the ensuing winter.
PICTURE OF UNIFORMED SOLDIERS, 1812, APPEARS HERE.
The loss of the capital had thoroughly aroused the country to a
sense of danger, and in anticipation of an attack on Baltimore, every
possible preparation, with the means at hand, was promptly made for its
defense. What was of equal importance, the officers and troops assembled
among them some of those who were present at the assault on Washington.
Smarting under the severe criticism of the press, the country and
indignation of the people, having resolved that there should be no
"bloodless retreat" from the city of Baltimore. The American forces
amounted to nearly fifteen thousand men, with a full complement of
artillery. The command was given to General Smith, of Maryland.
On the 11th of September the enemy, with a squadron of fifty-six
vessels and six thousand men, entered the mouth of the Patapsco River,
and on the following day landed the attacking force at North Point,
fourteen miles below the city. General Stricker, with three thousand
five hundred militia troops, was directed to oppose their advance. This
was most effectively done, and it was while General Ross was making a
personal reconnaissance, rendered necessary by the stubborn resistance
of the Americans, that he was shot through the breast by a rifleman. He
fell into the arms of his aide-de-camp, and died in a few minutes. He
was succeeded by Colonel Brook, who brought up his reserve, and in turn
forced the troops of General Stricker to retire to Washington Mills, a
half-mile in advance of the main army.
Both armies slept on their arms, and on the 13th the advance on the
city began. While engaging the American troops, the enemy waited the
attack of the naval force on Fort McHenry, commanded by Major Armistead,
with a garrison of one thousand men. A storming-party of twelve hundred
men were landed on the night of the l3th, and led to the assault of Fort
McHenry. The attack was repulsed with great loss to the enemy, and the
land forces were recalled, being pressed to the cover of the fleet by
the troops of General Smith.
The officers in command admirably managed the whole affair, and the
troops, not excepting the militia, exhibited the courage and endurance
of veteran soldiers. The whole fleet soon after sailed from the
Chesapeake southward, and Baltimore escaped the ruin and desolation
suffered by the neighboring city of Washington. Their countrymen have
always honored the defenders of Baltimore, and their memories are held
in grateful remembrance to this day. The New England coast was the
constant scene of depredations, being more defenseless than that of the
Middle States; and, at the same time, operations could be carried on
against it with facility, because of its proximity to the Canadian base
of supplies. The extreme South was selected as the next point of
attack, and to this point all efforts were directed. The Spanish
authorities at Pensacola, who had encouraged the Indians in their
hostilities since the commencement of the war, now afforded the same
encouragement to the English. The ships-of-war were invited to anchor
under their forts, storage was furnished for their munitions of war, and
English troops encamped in and occupied their fortifications. A
profitable trade was opened with New Orleans, and Colonel Nicholls,
invited the people in a published address, to unite with the English in
expelling the Americans from the South. To this new field of peril
General Andrew Jackson was assigned to duty. This officer promptly
concentrated all his available troops, having been duly apprised of the
intended attack upon New Orleans by the British, who were largely
reinforced by General Packenham, then concentrating his forces at
Bermuda and Jamaica preparatory to the occupation of the mouth of the
Mississippi River.
The enemy were confident in their ability to establish themselves
in Louisiana. In their preparations
188
they provided themselves with printing-presses, and brought with them
experienced merchants and traders, who were furnished with capital to
establish houses for the purchase and shipment of cotton and supplies
produced in the great Mississippi Valley. While this great campaign was
in progress in the South, opposition to the measures of the
administration were growing more intense upon the part of the leading
Federalists throughout the Middle and New England States. The
opposition focalized in the Hartford Convention, which assembled
December 15, 1814, [See NOTE 15-5.] and continued in session for three
weeks. Its members sat with closed doors. The administration was at
all times anxious to conclude an honorable peace, and commissioners were
kept in Europe duly authorized to negotiate a treaty consistent with the
preservation of the rights of American citizens. The pacification of
Europe, resulting from the overthrow of Napoleon in 1814, and the joy
that pervaded all classes of the people, were shared by the rulers, and
had a happy influence upon England in inducing that country to
relinquish the right of impressment of America citizens.
This point gained, the object of the war was practically
accomplished, and the commissioners concluded a treaty of peace at Ghent
on the 24th day of December 1814, the same being ratified by the Prince
Regent of England on December 27th. The news of this event did not
reach this country until the following 11th of February (1815), the
treaty being ratified on the 27th of the same month by the President and
Senate. It will thus be seen that the great battle of New Orleans, that
made General Jackson the hero of the war was fought and won after the
treaty of peace had been concluded with England. Truly, an Atlantic
cable and telegraphic Communication with the British army and navy in
the Gulf at this time would have saved that nation from the humiliation
of the most disastrous battle of the war, and thousands of lives would
have been preserved for the better service of peace.
The population of Montgomery County at this period of the war was
about thirty thousand. The constant apprehension of the enemy's attack
upon Philadelphia [See NOTE 15-6.] and possible incursions into this and
the adjoining counties of Delaware and Bucks kept the people in a state
of anxiety. Discussions in political and social circles upon the
principles, involved in the struggle were animated. Democrats warmly
espoused the cause as maintained by the administration of James Madison,
while the Federalists boldly criticized many of the leading measures of
those in authority, and the manner of conducting the war. The Democrats
evinced considerable sympathy towards Napoleon, and looked upon his
operations against England at that time with favor. On the other hand,
the Federalists proclaimed the French Emperor, an adventurer, tyrant and
a leader dangerous to all forms of government and the peace and stability
of society.
The stage was the only means of public travel in those days. Only
two weekly papers were published in the county, mail facilities were
limited, and news from the capital and the remote points of active
hostilities found its way to the country post-office with its weekly
newspaper once, and, in some favored localities, twice a week.
Volunteer and militia troops, organized in the interior and northern
counties of the State, and ordered to report at Marcus Hook, passed down
our main highways to Philadelphia, followed by long trains of supplies
and ammunition of war. The same iron-works on the Manatawny and
Schuylkill that supplied the American army during the Revolution were
busily employed from 1812 to 1815 in furnishing supplies of common shot
and shell, while powder mills and establishments for the manufacture and
repair of small arms were operated at many places in the county.
Some few persons are still living who were eye witnesses to the
movements of troops going to and returning from camp at Marcus Hook.
The troops spoken of appear to have been militia, dressed in homespun
clothing, and officered by men who seemed to exercise but a limited
control while in the line of march. An aged friend who, then a girl
twelve years old, lived near the Perkiomen Bridge vividly recalls the
"stragglers," or "that class of men" who habitually fall out by the
way. She says her father, a miller, fed scores while passing, and that
sick barefooted and weary soldiers were slowly passing the point for
several days after the officers and main body of men had gone by.
[NOTE 15-5.]
This convention was composed of member appointed by the legislature
of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Two members from -New Hampshire and one from Vermont received their
appointment from county conventions.
[FINIS NOTE 15-5.]
[NOTE 15-6.]
"Gov. Simon Snyder TO N. B. Boileau
General orders.
Harrisburg August 27, 1814.
"To N. B. Boileau, Aid-de-camp: The recent destruction of the capital of the
United States, the threatened and probable conflagration of the
metropolis of sister States. And the general threatening aspect of
affairs warranting the opinion that an attack is mediated by the enemy
shores of the Delaware the Governor, to guard against surprise, and to
have efficient force of freemen to repel the enemy in case such an
event, orders and directs that the militia generally within the
counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester,
Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh, Northampton
and Pike. (In addition to those drafted and designated for the service
of the United States, under orders of the 22d of July who are already
subject to the orders of General Bloomfield) be held in readiness to
march, at a moment's warning, to such place as may be named in
subsequent orders that will issue, if the exigencies of our country
shall require. The several Brigade Inspectors, within their respective
bounds, are commanded to execute promptly this order.
The Generals and other officers are urged to assist in the providing
of equipment for the men. Those for whom arms cannot be found within
the respective brigade bounds will, it is presumed, be furnished by the
United States at the place, of rendezvous. It is confidently expected
that the ardor and love of country which pervade the hearts of
Pennsylvanians at the present alarming crisis, will induce many to form
themselves into volunteer corps, and immediately to march for
Philadelphia. It is thus a proper spirit to resist an intolerant foe,
will be evinced and many difficulties obviated. The Governor promises
himself the satisfaction of meeting there an host with resolution to
live free or die in defense of their liberties and their country. He
will act with them in any capacity for which his talents shall fit him.
Simon Snyder
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Archives, vol. xii
[FINIS NOTE 15-6.]
189
GENERAL ORDERS.
Fourth Military District Headquarters,
Philadelphia, September 13, 1814.
"The Militia of the counties of Northampton, Pike, Lehigh, Northumberland,
Union, Columbia, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and
Delaware who have volunteered their services, and the militias who have been
drafted, detailed, and organized under the requisition of the President of the
United States on the 4th of July last and general orders of the
Commander-in-Chief of Pennsylvania of the 22d of the same month, will march with
all possible expedition to Marcus Hook, equipped completely for the field. His
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of the militia of Pennsylvania will be
pleased to designate the senior officers in the respective counties, and cause
their names to be returned to the Adjutant General of this district.
Joseph Bloomfield
Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Military District.
Entered in the Adjutant-General's office.
William Duane, Adjutant General."
General and Staff Officers Montgomery County Volunteer Companies, 1812.
Henry Scheetz, major-general, commanding Second Division Pennsylvania Militia;
Isaiah Wells, brigadier-general, commanding First Brigade, Second Division
Pennsylvania Militia; Christian Snyder, Brigade Inspector, First Brigade, Second
Division Pennsylvania Militia; Nathaniel B. Boileau, aide-de-camp to
commander-in-chief.
Muster roll of Captain Jacob Fryer's Company of Montgomery County.
Jacob Fryer, captain; Henry Houck, first lieutenant; Jacob Yost,
second lieutenant; John Smith, ensign.
Sergeants. Jonah Markley, Jacob Bortman, Jacob Wannemaker, Jacob Fryer.
Corporals. Peter Burger, Peter Yost, John Yost, George Houck.
Trumpeter. Henry Yost.
Privates.
George Kulp
Samuel Detwhiler
Lewis Jones
Abraham Ness [Neas]
Samuel Esterline
Anthony Bitting
George Fryer
Henry Specht
Frederick Shafer
John Sweesholtz
Abraham Zern
John Smith (tailor)
William Burger
Samuel Witman
Jonas Fetser
Henry Beikel
Daniel Houck
Daniel Yost
Leonard Shuler
William Brecht
Jacob Smith,
Richard Bitting
Benjamin Smith
Henry Royer,
George Mowrer,
Henry Seehler,
Daniel Ale
Peter Horlocher
David Hart
Peter Foust
Jonas Slouneiker (on receipt roll),
Frederick Fox
George Burger
Adam Zarn
Jacob Fox,
Jacob Huntzberger
John Dutterer
Michael Helbert
Barny Fox
John Small,
Conrad Dutterer
Peter Art,
Daniel Sheifly
Jacob Weidender
John Hoofman,
Peter Truce,
George Reider,
Jacob Wensel,
Jacob Zepp,
John Gouckler,
Daniel Hoff,
Henry Long,
John Royer.
"A true muster roll of Captain Jacob Fryer's Company of Montgomery County,
October 14, 1814. Johan Marley,
Sergeant"
A true list of Captain Grosscup's company [See NOTE 15-7.] of the Eighteenth Section of
riflemen, commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphreys:
Sergeants. -Edward Thompson, Simon Campbell, William Grosscup,
Benjamin Fries.
Corporals. -Jacob Kerper, Joseph McCally, Robert Bayl, John White.
Bugler. -John Gillinger.
PRIVATES
George Grafly,
George Kupp,
Jacob Wuck,
John Rickler,
Isaac Bilger,
John Katz,
Adam Mink,
William Francis,
George Heydrick,
Joseph Wigley,
Joseph Serber,
John Townsmen,
Thomas Shepherd,
Joseph Shepherd,
Anthony Shull,
Henry Shermer,
Peter Dager,
John Yost,
James H. Welch,
John Weant,
William Grafly,
Henry Bisb[h]ing,
Isaac Artman,
Abram Shafer,
George Shafter, Jr.,
Elijah Gold (from October 1st),
Thomas Rhodeibagh,
Nathan Keyser (from October 7),
John Dager,
George Shafer,
John Dull,
Raber VanHorn,
Jacob Dager,
Daniel Nail,
Charles Francis,
John Harris,
Amos Thomas,
Jacob Hentz,
Peter Welch,
John Tarrans,
Henry Hoffman discharged from camp October 26, 1814.
"I do certify, on honor, that the company commanded by Captain John
Grosscup is in the service of he United States, under the command of the
general commanding he Fourth military district.
"THOMAS CADWALLADER,
"Brigadier-General Commanding Advance L. B.
Camp Dupont, November 26, 1814."
Muster-roll of Capt. Holagate's [sic] company, in the Second Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers, infantry, in the service of the State of Pennsylvania for three
months. From the 12th day of August last; attached to the First Brigade,
second Division Pennsylvania Militia, at camp, Marcus Hook, commanded by
Brigadier-General Samuel Smith, November 29, 1814
William Holdgate, captain; Levi Evans, lieutenant; John Suplee, ensign
Sergeants. David Wilson, Thomas Davis, Jacob Ulrich, Henry Ollinger.
Corporals. Enos Holdgate, Andrew Louden, George Tippen, William Sloan.
Musicians. Matthias Haus, William Miller.
PRIVATES.
Andrew Reed,
John Cain,
Robert Roberts,
George Willson,
William Kirk,
Robert Matson,
Henry Megee,
Robert Elliott,
Jesse Carver,
William Harrison,
William Thompson,
Benjamin Yates,
Samuel Forder,
John Mealy,
Benjamin Smith,
Jacob Linenbough,
Henry Earnest,
Samuel McCool,
Jacob Ramey,
Benjamin Ramey,
Henry Hallman,
Job B Jones,
Charles Brooke,
John Evans,
Wickard Lovering,
Alexander Enoshe,
Benjamin Levering,
Jonathan Matson,
William McAnal,
Jacob Paterman,
Jess Child,
Joshua Mcmin,
William Fryer,
John Carr,
Peter Davis,
William Davy,
John Harrison,
Jonathan Clemmans,
Jess Cleaver,
Thomas Graham,
James Whitby,
Jacob Lentz,
William Lewellyn,
George Streper,
Joseph Martin,
Jonathan Engler,
Jacob Shade,
John Woolf,
John Roberts,
Lloyd Barr.
CAMP MARCUS HOOK, November 29, 1814.
I do hereby certify, upon honor, that the above is a just and true muster-roll of
Capt. Holdgate's.
LOUIS BACHE,
Colonel Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers"
[NOTE 15-7.]
Governor Simon Snyder To, N. B. BOILEAU.
General Order
PHILADELPHIA September 17, 1814.
To N. B. Boileau, Aid-de-Camp: The Pennsylvania volunteers who are now assembled
in and near the city of Philadelphia, in pursuance of general orders issued on
the 27th of August last, will be organized into battalions and regiments, as
follows, to wit: The companies of volunteer riflemen commanded by Captains Robinson,
Speer, Grosscup, McClean and Wigton shall form one battalion and elect one
Major. The companies commanded by Captains Purdy, Horn, Denkey, Rinker and Ott
shall form one battalion, and elect one Major; which battalions shall form a
regiment, and elect one colonel and one lieutenant-colonel.
The companies of volunteer light infantry commanded by Captains Holgate,
McGlathery, Swenk, Mungesser and Reehle shall form a battalion and elect a
major. The companies of volunteer light infantry commanded by Captains Wersler,
Vanarsdalen, Taylor and Grosh shall form a battalion, and elect one major; which
battalions shall form a regiment, and elect a colonel and lieutenant colonel.
The captains composing battalions, respectively, shall meet at the City
Hospital, between the hours of eleven and one this day. And then and there
elect by ballot, a major, and the regiments of riflemen and light, infantry
shall, respectively, on the afternoon of this day, between the hours of two and
five, meet at the same place and elect, by ballot, one colonel and one
lieutenant-colonel for each regiment. The elections, respectively, shall be
conducted and certified by two judges who shall be designated to preside at the
election of majors by the captains belonging to the proper battalion. And for
conducting and certifying the regimental elections. The captains of each
battalion shall appoint one judge for their proper regiment, who shall, for
their respective battalion and regiment, as the case may be, so soon as
practicable after the elections are closed, make out returns and transmit them
to the Governor, that commissions may issue. Captain Holbert and Captain
Creigh's companies of infantry shall, until further orders, be attached to the
regiment of infantry.
"SIMON SNYDER,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
[FINIS NOTE 15-7.]
190
A correct muster-roll of Captain John Hurst's Company of Montgomery
Rifle Greens, stationed at Camp Boileau:
John Hurst, captain; M. Zilling, first lieutenant; P. Hoover, second lieutenant;
Peter Beam, ensign; Jacob Weber, quartermaster
Sergeants. H.R. Brown, H. Smith, William Wanner, Enos Beam.
Corporals. Thomas Deweese, Jacob Deweese, John Spare, Jacob Homsher
Bugler. David Thomas.
PRIVATES.
James Glen,
Daniel Heller,
Samuel Deets,
John Wanner,
Jacob Deerzy,
James Thompson,
John Triple,
John Seylbolt,
John Owen,
Enoch Miller,
James Stilwell,
Michael Arney,
Mark Boure,
John Snyder,
William Hurst,
Benjamin Wentz,
Robert Benjamin,
John Davis,
Jesse Weber,
James McKiney,
Jacob Weber (Worcester),
Benjamin Johnson,
Abram Stong.
"We do certify, on honor, that the within roll exhibits a true state of company
commanded by Capt. John Hurst, and that the remarks set opposite the men's names
are accurate and just.
"JOHN HURST Captain.
"THOMAS HUMPHREY Colonel First R. P. V. R
Camp Dupont, Nov. 24, 1814."
A complete muster-roll for the Second (Captain McGlatherie's) company of the
Second Regiment, volunteer light infantry, under the command of Colonel Louis
Bache, under the order of the commander-in-chief of the commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, of August 27, 1814, and attached to the First Brigade, Second
Division, Pennsylvania Militia.
William McGlatherie, captain;
John Bisson, first lieutenant;
John Wanner, second lieutenant;
George Bisbing, ensign.
Sergeants. John Jamison, John Hauss, Richard Osborne, Nathan Lewis.
Corporals. John Bachman, Job Lowry, Jesse Colson, Abraham Lutz.
John Kline, drummer; Jacob Weaver, fifer.
PRIVATES.
Samuel McGlatherie,
Paul Custard,
William Buck,
Adam Deem,
John Dyer,
Philip Spear,
John Roberts,
Henry Deem,
David Roberts,
John Pluck,
John Bacher (or Baker),
Jacob Baker,
Henry Garney (or Carney),
William R. Bisson,
William Barton,
Samuel Morris,
Benjamin Boyer,
Jacob Levering,
Jacob Zerpass,
Owen Thomas,
Isaac Painter,
George Pluck,
Henry Dyer,
Jacob Shearer,
Nicholas Gerhard,
John Berritt (or Barret),
Joseph Hendricks,
John Martin.
"I do hereby certify, upon honor, that the above is a correct muster roll of
Capt. McGlatherie's company, this 27th day of November, 1814.
"JOHN WANNER, Second Lieutenant
LOUIS BACHE, Col. Second Regiment Penna. Vol. Light Infantry
Muster-roll of Capt. Joseph Sands' company of the riflemen of
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania:
Joseph Sands, captain; James Sands, first lieutenant; Samuel Rodearmel,
second lieutenant: John Pilger, ensign; Jacob Rhoads, quartermaster
Sergeants. Richard Perry John Lessig, William Rafesneider, Michael Niman.
Musician. William Sands.
PRIVATES.
Abraham Zimmerman,
John Wardman,
John Albright,
Jacob Stroman,
John Leavengood,
George Grove,
Joseph Rafesnider,
John Weasner,
John Grove,
David Yocom,
John Beachtel,
Andrew Kean,
Solomon Missimer,
Charles Geiger,
Samuel Ruth,
Samuel Yeager,
Joseph Leavengood,
Jacob Fritz,
Bartholomew Wamback,
William Niman,
Martin Manger,
Joseph Shaner,
Thomas Conrad,
Henry Keyser,
Henry Weasnor,
George Ritemire,
George Bowman,
Abraham Geyer,
Jacob Specht,
Henry Smith,
Richard Davis.
"We do certify, on honor, that this roll exhibits a true state of the company
commanded by Capt. Joseph Sands, and that the remarks set opposite their names
are accurate and just.
JAMES SANDS, Lieutenant Commanding.
THOMAS HUMPHREY Colonel First Regiment P. V. R."
A true list of Capt. Magill's company of the Sixteenth Section of riflemen,
commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey:
Sergeants. James Robinson, Isaac Stelle, Arcturus Todd, Joseph Matthew.
Corporals. David Evans, Benjamin Robison, William Harrah, John Heath.
Privates.
Jonathan Wood,
Gooden G. Hall,
William Marshal,
Jesse Lacy,
Morgan N. Thomas,
William Thomas,
Job Simpson,
Joseph Anderson,
Christian Fritsinger,
Benjamin Hare,
Christian Ruth,
Mark Tanner,
Jacob Friece,
Benjamin James,
Joseph Friece,
Daniel McIntosh,
Nicholas Cisler,
William McGooken,
John Dennison,
John Doyle,
Joseph Higgins,
Anthony Rich,
John Everitt,
John Williams,
Samuel Hubbert,
Robert Barclay,
William Ditterline,
David Evans, Jr.,
Andrew Kirkpatrick,
Sems. Moyres,
Paul Bruner,
Isaac Dunlap,
Conrad Shearer,
Nathan Mekinstry,
Septimus Harrah,
Alexander Watt,
Joseph Engles,
Philip Trupsbour,
Samuel Hughes,
John Whitingham,
Ephraim Lewis,
Benjamin S. Mann,
Isaac B. Medara,
William E. Patterson,
John Morris,
Samuel Smith,
John McKinney,
John W. Stover,
William Dennison,
Daniel Markley,
David Fell,
James Picker,
John Lowdislager,
John Toy,
Robert Roberts,
Samuel Horn,
William Horn,
John P. Daniels,
Joseph Hunter,
Robert Patterson.
"I do certify that the above list is a true Statement, on honor,
this l3th day of November 1814.
"WILLIAM McGILL, Captain.
"THOMAS HUMPHREY, Colonel First Regiment Pa. Vol."
A true list of Captain McLean's company of the Eighteenth Section of riflemen,
commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey:
Sergeants. David Marple, John C. Stackhouse, John F. Shreeder.
Corporals. Joseph Cadwalader, Cyrus Lukens, Benjamin Barnes, William Search.
Privates.
John Laird,
Abraham Haselet,
Jesse Barnes,
John Leech,
Jacob Barnes,
Abel Fitzwater,
James Rice,
John Grub,
John Warner,
Clement Barnes,
William Sutch,
Daniel Shelmire,
Haselet Dunlap,
Robert Barnes,
Thomas Roberts,
James Virtue,
William Grace,
Henry Sandman,
John Banes (or Beans),
Thomas Hughes,
George Hobensack,
David Terry,
Philip Yerkes,
Aner (or Abner) Milnor,
Judah Columns,
Jesse Banes (or Beans),
David Yerkes,
Thornas Fisher,
Simon Snyder,
David Willard,
David Yerkis,
William Sandman,
Jonathan Guy,
David Lloyd,
Joseph Leech,
Benner Butcher,
William Beale,
Amos Dungan,
Elias Y. Marple,
Isaac Cadwallader,
John P. Roberts.
Isaac Cadwallader, second sergeant, promoted to a
quartermaster-sergeant on the 4th inst.
"I do certify that the above is a true statement, on honor, the thirteenth day of
November, 1814.
"J. T. Davis. Lieutenant,
THOMAS HUMPHREY, Colonel First Regiment P. V. R."
A true list of Captain James Robinson's company of the Eighteenth
Section of riflemen, commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey:
Sergeants. Samuel Ladds, John Boggs, Samuel Maires, George McClelland.
Corporals. Andrew Kettler, Philip Koplin, John Harner, Abraham Gregory.
Bugler. Jesse Zaine.
PRIVATES.
Charles Vandike,
Francis Mather,
Robert Carr,
John Brough,
John Hesson,
Henry Deweese,
Peter Raizor,
Nathan Sturges,
John Keesey,
David Keesey,
William Teaney,
Abraham Jones,
Levi Williams,
David Daniels,
William Kid,
Samuel Keyser,
Frederick Nuss,
Joseph Tyson,
William Keesey,
Peter Betson,
Philip Peters,
Joseph Beard,
John Beard,
Joseph McClelland,
John Hiltner,
John Porter,
William Crawford,
Samuel Gilkey,
William Griffith,
William Hiltner,
Nathan McCalla,
Michael Byrne,
Henry Kattz,
Jeremiah Fogerty,
Thomas Cleaver,
John Neill,
John Llewellyn,
John Reed,
Jacob Keesey,
Peter Streeper,
George Painter,
Zachariah Davis,
Frederick Clayer,
John Stroud,
John Fisher,
William Mathers,
John Gouldey,
David Schrack,
William Bean,
John Saylor,
John Walker,
Edward McNabb,
John Neill,
David Rees,
Ralph Walker,
Thomas Whiteman,
Isaac Tyson,
Israel Jones,
John Kinsey,
Hezekiah Newcomb,
Aaron Raizor,
Jonathan Moore,
Abraham Tyson,
Isaac Melnor,
Arthur Currin,
Francis Hughes,
Jesse Keesey,
Mathew Neiley,
John Miller,
George Foster,
Levi Roberts,
Jacob Zieber,
Conrad Lyde (or Leidy),
Philip Lyde (or Leidy),
John Conrad,
Jacob Walker,
John Royer,
William Kittler,
John Hippie,
John Boggs,
John Vanforsen,
Benjamin Thompson,
John Mitchell,
Zopher Smith,
Nathan F. Zaine,
John Boyer,
Jacob Deweese,
Robert Patterson.
"I do certify that the above list is a true statement, on honor,
the l3th day of November 1814.
JAMES ROBINSON, Captain.
THOS. HUMPHREYS, Colonel First Regiment P. V. R."
A correct muster-roll of Captain George Senenderfer's [See NOTE 15-8.]
company of Montgomery Rifle Greens, stationed at Camp Boileau:
George Sensenderfer, captain; Henry Schneider, first lieutenant.
George Borkert, second lieutenant; Michael Stoffit, ensign.
[NOTE 15-8.]
"GENERAL ORDERS.
PHILADELPHIA, September 28, 1814.
"To JOHN M. Hyneman, Esq., Adjutant-General: You will immediately make known to
Captains Jacob Tryer, John Sands, Jesse Weber and George Sensenderfer,
commanding volunteer companies of riflemen from Montgomery County, and to
Captain George Hess, commanding a company from Northampton County, that
their several companies are to form a battalion, to be attached until further
orders to the regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey, and that this
afternoon, between the hours of four and six o'clock, the officers and privates
composing said battalion are to meet at the new prison, and elect one major to
command the same. The commanding officers of the said companies to select two
competent judges to preside at the election, and make return thereof to the
governor, that a commission may issue accordingly.
"SIM0N SNYDER.
"N. B. BOILEAU.
[FINIS NOTE 15-8.]
191
Sergeants. Jacob Smith, Dieter Bucher, Daniel Smith, George Smith.
Corporal Daniel Stitzer, Jacob Sasaman, Julie Gilbert, Mathies Gilbert.
PRIVATES.
George Smith,
John Yorgy,
Jacob Gilbert,
Peter Herpst,
John Wiehn,
Henry Linsenbigler,
Jacob Reifsnider,
Conrad Drease,
George Dengler,
Anthony Gilbert,
John Yerger,
John Decker,
John Drase,
John Herpst,
Mareks Yerger,
Peter Decker,
Isaac Yerger,
John Kepner,
Lewis Linsenbigler,
Daniel Swinehard,
David Swinehard,
Mathies Yorgy,
Conrad Reigner,
John Wise,
Peter Hauberger,
Samuel Beydenman,
John Frederick,
Michael Kortz,
John Erb.
"We do certify, on honor, that the within roll exhibits a true state of the
company commanded by Captain George Sensenderfer, and that the remarks set
opposite the men's names are accurate and just.
"GEORGE SENSENDERFER, Captain"
THOS. HUMPHREY, Colonel First Regt. P. V. R."
List of noncommissioned officers and privates in the Third Company, commanded by
Captain Jacob Wentz, of the fifty-second Regiment, First Brigade,
Second Division Pennsylvania Militia, now encamped at Marcus Hook, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Conrad Krickbaum.
Sergeants. William Choyce, George Ellicott, Isaac B. Kimble,
Jacob Snyder, Abel Morris.
Corporals. Abraham Gunsinhouser, David Williams, Jacob Slack, Joseph Ashton.
Privates.
Henry Wilson,
Charles Hammer,
William Burney,
Jacob Deddler,
James Dyer,
Joseph Rynear,
Jacob Brand,
Jacob Engle,
John Bisbing,
Samuel Yerkes,
Jesse Ramsey,
Edward McCoun,
Jesse Donley,
John Barnes,
Andrew Kreer,
Israel Gilbert,
Gilbert Walton,
George S. Yerkes,
John Cooker,
Jacob Cammel,
John Henry,
Henry Foust,
Michael Hurlougher,
George Shade,
George Reed,
Philip Daywalt,
George Jacob,
Jacob Crouse,
Daniel Dry,
Israel Thomas,
Elon Carmon,
William Linn,
John Henry,
Henry Miller,
Jesse Johnston,
Richard Drake,
William Johnston,
John Harr,
John Trexler,
Elias Gilkeson,
John Washborn,
Jacob Redheifer,
John Getman,
Samuel Wright,
Abner Cope,
Philip Smith,
John Kreer,
James Wentz,
Jacob Daring,
John Stetler,
Isaac Root,
John Sherer,
Samuel Thatcher,
Francis Tomlinson,
John Reed,
Samuel Lessig,
Joseph Ettinger,
John Bigboard,
George Sholler,
David Wambold,
Edward Sweeny,
Tobias Shull,
Jesse Gilbert,
Thomas West,
Jacob Smith,
Christian Burns,
John Forker,
John Weeks,
William Roberts,
Benjamin Yerkes,
Henry Kreer,
William Mann,
Samuel Davis,
Andrew Roberts,
Charles Search,
Benjamin Yerkes, Jr.,
Jacob Larkins,
Elias Harsh,
John Whitman,
John Haring,
Peter Kolb,
Matthias Showeck,
John Morty,
Henry Zeiber,
Conrad Bender,
Christian Long,
James Kelly,
Benjamin Valentine,
Henry Grub (entered into service October 8th),
Edward Carson,
Jacob Land.
I certify upon honor that the foregoing is a correct list of noncommissioned
officers and privates under my command.
"JACOB WENTZ, Captain."
"I certify, upon honor, that this muster roll exhibits a true statement of a
company of the Montgomery County militia, of the State of Pennsylvania, now in
the service of the United States. The remarks set opposite the names of the men
are accurate arid just. I believe the annexed to be a correct muster and pay
roll.
"EDWARD JOHNSON, First Lieutenant
"CONRAD KRICKBAUM, Lieutenant-Colonel."
I certify that the company commanded by Captain Jacob Wentz is in the service of
the United States, under orders of the general commanding the Fourth Military
District.
"Samuel Smith, Brigadier-General,"
"Camp Marcus Hook"
"PHILADELPHIA, October 1, 1814.
"Sir: Your letter of the twenty-sixth ult. was this day received. There are in
and near this city, in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester, a considerable
number of companies of cavalry, completely equipped, and extremely anxious to be
called into service. They all (like your company) have orders to hold themselves
in readiness to march at a moments warning. Your patriotism is much applauded,
and deservedly so; but under existing circumstances, it is still thought most
advisable that you shall not march for this place before you receive special
orders. Tents and other equipment, for the field cannot be procured suddenly. It
would give the Governor much pleasure to see your company march as infantry for
the defense of this important section of the State.
In that capacity you could render much more important service. Impelled, as
was your company, from pure patriotism to offer their services, the Governor
entertains no doubt they will be willing to render it in any way likely to prove
most efficient. You will find all answer to your enquiries relative to the right
of admission from one corps to another in the fifteenth section of the militia
law of this Commonwealth, passed the twenty-eighth day of March 1814.
N. B. BOILEAU, Secretary"
[This letter is supposed to leave been written to the commanding officer of the
First Troop of Montgomery County.]
MONTGOMERY COUNTY TROOPS SERVING IN THE PHILADELPHIA RIOTS OF 1844.
The following is the official roster of field, Staff; line officers
and enlisted men called into the service of the State from Montgomery
County and who served during the riots in Philadelphia, or were on their
way to "headquarters," under the proclamation of the Governor of the
commonwealth and commander-in-chief, in the year 1844.
The citizen soldiers of Montgomery County responded promptly to the
call of the Governor when the strong arm of the commonwealth was
required to repress the lawless spirit that rendered the civil
authorities and the city of Philadelphia powerless in the summer of
1844. The fire and smoke of burning churches and adjoining buildings in
the alarmed city could be plainly seen from the hills in our county, and
many of the living still remember the sense of fear that was felt in all
the towns in the Schuylkill Valley. The military moved promptly to the
scene of danger, and by their presence, discipline, courage and good
conduct soon restored order and confidence in the city and surrounding
country. The record of their public service is a part of the history of
Montgomery County.
FIRST TROOP OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY CALVARY.
The precise date when this volunteer company was organized cannot now
be definitely determined, as there are no books or papers now in
existence (as far as the writer knows) which would fix its
organization. We, therefore, have to resort to the oldest inhabitants
now living to get what we can from them with regard to its early
history. And from information received we conclude that it was
organized shortly after the war of 1812, [See NOTE 15-9.] and may have
been in existence even prior to that time.
There is yet living a citizen who became a member in the year 1835,
whose father had been a member many years before that, so that we may
safely conclude that the time before mentioned is about correct. The
troop was then under
[NOTE 15-9.] The Montgomery Troop of Light Horse, commanded by Captain
James Morris, Esq., paraded in the General Federal Procession,
Philadelphia, July 4, 1788. (Scharf and Westcott Philadelphia History
vol. i. p. 448.) This is believed by many to be the organization
subsequently known as the First Troop of Montgomery County."--ED.
[FINIS NOTE 15-9.]
192
the command of Captain John Mattheys of Norriton township, who was
afterwards elected to the State Senate. It was known by the name of the
First Democratic Troop of Montgomery County, and numbered about one
hundred members. The uniform then was as follows: Black leather cap
covered with bearskin with a buck-tail on the right side. Navy blue
coats, with scarlet breast facing, three rows of round silver-plated
buttons about the size of a musket ball, one row in the centre and the
other two on the outer edge of the scarlet facing, which was circular in
form, silver braid around the collar; navy blue pantaloons with scarlet
stripe one and one-fourth inches wide down the outer seam, black cravat,
long boots, silver-plated spurs, white buckskin sword-belt, which passed
over the right shoulder, extending down to the left side, with
silver-plated hooks by which the sword was attached, silver-plated medal
in front, bearing upon its face the device of a mounted trooper, and
buckskin gauntlets.
The horse equipment consisted of a double bridle, with silver-plated
curb and snaffle-bits, breast-strap with silver-plated breast-plate the
shape of a heart; saddle, plated stirrups, blue saddle-cover, covering
the saddle and extending as far back as the hips of the horse. With a
stripe of red cloth one and a half inches wide around the outer edge.
The cost of this uniform and horse equipment at the time the writer
became a member (1841) was about one hundred dollars; the sword and
pistol holsters and other accoutrements were furnished by the State.
This troop outranked all other military organizations of the
county. It may be proper to state in this connection that there was
another military organization, known as the Second Troop of Montgomery
County, having about the same number of members, but differing from the
First Troop in politics. Notwithstanding this difference, a general
good feeling existed between them. They formed themselves into a
battalion and each company endeavored to excel the other in drill and
military deportment.
After the resignation of Captain John Mattheys, Jacob Scheetz, son
of General Henry Scheetz, of Whitemarsh township, was elected captain.
How many years he continued in command is not known. Next in command
was William Z. Mattheys, son of the former Captain John Mattheys, who
was a brilliant officer, and the troop was in a high state of drill
while under his command, which continued until about 1839. Then Robert
Pollard was elected captain, but only served one year, when Dr. John A.
Martin (who had been surgeon of the troop) was elected captain; Adam
Hurst, first lieutenant; Henry G. Hart, second lieutenant; David Z.
Mattheys, first orderly sergeant. The troop then numbered about
seventy-five members, and there was a general attendance at every
meeting for drill. They had a high regard for their captain, and he in
turn took pride in teaching them the tactics and discipline of a soldier.
There were some changes made in the membership: old members who had
served as volunteers the required time according to the militia laws of
the State would retire from the service and young men would fill their
places, thus keeping the company up to the standard it had held for so
many years. In the month of July 1844, a serious riot broke out in the
city of Philadelphia, which was beyond the control of the police force
of the city, and the mayor called upon the Governor of the State for
troops to quell the riot.
The first to reach the scene was a company from Germantown, who were
badly handled by the rioters on Sunday night, some being killed and many
wounded. On Monday, about noon, Captain Martin received orders from the
Governor to proceed with the troop to the city, and, although the members
lived scattered over the middle and lower section of the county, by eight
o'clock of the same evening nearly every member reported for duty (many
of them, being farmers, had to leave their crops unharvested). At one
o'clock the next morning they commenced their march for the city,
arriving at the outskirts about daybreak. Many of the rougher classes
shouted at them as they passed on to the headquarters of General
Patterson, who was in command of all the military, his headquarters
being in the Girard Bank, on Third Street, near Dock. The troop was
ordered to quarters at Douglas Hotel, on Sixth Street, and was ordered
to report at headquarters three times each day at nine in the morning,
two in the afternoon and seven in the evening. They stood in line in
front of the bank in the scorching sun of July, with the privilege of
dismounting and standing by their horses, as it was expected every hour
that an attack would be made at some point by the rioters. This routine
of duty continued from Tuesday until Saturday night, when it was thought
there would be no further disturbance of the peace. The troop was,
therefore, at five o'clock dismissed to await further orders, but was
not required to report at seven, as had been the custom. Consequently
the members availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing something of
the city, and were scattered about at different places. But about eight
o'clock an officer from headquarters rode with orders to- mount
immediately and report to General Patterson, as there was an attack made
at the Moyamensing Prison to release some of the prisoners. The alarm
spread all over the city, and there was a rally for boots and saddles
and mount, and in a very short time every member was in his place ready
for service. As the troop reached Third Street they found the street
packed with people in front of General Patterson's headquarters and
extending up and down several squares. The sentinels in front of the
bank were unable to keep the crowd back, but as the column pressed on,
the people gave way, and a passage was cleared in front of the bank and
the crowd began to diminish.
193
The next order was that the First Troop, together with Captain
Archambault's troop from Bucks County, should proceed to the prison to
ascertain the state of affairs there. When the prison was reached, some
of the officers rode forward and found that it was a false alarm. The
troops returned to headquarters and reported all quiet. They were then
dismissed for the night, and, as there was no further outbreak, all were
discharged on the following Tuesday and returned to their homes. At the
commencement of the Mexican war Captain Martin proposed to offer the
services of the troop to the government, but a number of members refused
to accede to the proposition. Many withdrew, and shortly after Dr.
Martin resigned and went to California. Lieutenant Hurst was elected
captain, but the membership declined very much and was on the eve of
disbanding when Dr. Martin returned from California. There was a
proposition to reelect him, when Captain Hurst withdrew altogether from
the troop, which was then reorganized by the election of Dr. J. A.
Martin, captain; H. C. Hoover, first lieutenant; and Jacob Hoover,
second lieutenant.
The uniform was also changed to the following: Beaver cap ornamented
with horsehair plume and eagle in front, buff cord and tassels; blue
coat, with buff collar, cuffs; and skirt facings, oval buttons (yellow);
sky-blue pantaloons, with a buff stripe down the outer seam one and
one-fourth inches wide, black cravat, long boots, yellow spurs and white
sword-belt with plate in front. The horse equipment was similar to the
former, except yellow mounting was used instead of silver-plated. Many
of the old members refused to equip themselves in the new uniform. But
new members without regard to politics soon filled the ranks. As the
Second Troop had disbanded, and, according to the fourth article of the
constitution adopted, any white male person of good moral character
between the ages of eighteen and forty-five would be eligible to
membership, but must receive the vote of two-thirds of the members
present at the meeting when proposed, provided a majority of the members
be present at such meeting. The members were nearly equally divided
politically, and the same military deportment characterized the
membership which had always heretofore made it respected wherever it
paraded.
Charles Thomson Jones, captain of the Roxborough troop, extended an
invitation to the First Troop of Montgomery County to participate in the
unveiling of the monument erected in the Leverington Cemetery, in memory
of Virginia soldiers of the Revolutionary war who were surprised and
bayoneted while asleep by a squad of British soldiers sent by a Tory.
The troop accepted the invitation and participated in the ceremonies.
General Patterson and several other prominent military men were
present.
At the opening of hostilities of he civil war a meeting was ordered
by the captain, and the question of offering the Services of the troop
were discussed. Several of the members concluded that it was impossible
for them to leave their families and firms and it was composed largely of
farmers, and when the vote was taken it was a tie. It is but proper to
state in this connection that this was not a party vote, but each member
voted as he viewed his own private circumstances, and although the troop
did not go as then organized, many of the single men volunteered in
other companies and several lost their lives on battlefields. Owing to
the continuation of the war and the members enlisting in other military
organizations, the troop disbanded after an existence of about fifty
years.
FIRST TROOP MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAVALRY.
John A. Martin, captain; Adam Hurst, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned officers, Musicians and Privates.
William Bickins,
Henry Baker,
James Burnsides,
Samuel Beyer,
Richard Bickins,
George Burkheimer,
Samuel Beideman,
Joseph Bruner,
Jesse Bean,
Joseph Cleaver,
Henry Culp,
Levi Cope,
Philip Custer,
George Cowden,
Lemuel Eastburn,
Amos Erb,
Bennet Fulmer,
Allen Fleck,
Philip S. Gerbeard,
Peter Gilbert,
Franklin Gouldy,
Joseph Hague,
Daniel S. Heist,
Jacob Highly,
James Highly,
Jacob Hallman,
Hiram C. Hoover,
Jacob Hoover,
Andrew Hart,
George Hoof,
Jacob Hurst,
David Lukens,
William Logan,
Samuel Lightcap,
David Z. Matheys,
William Martin,
Charles Newman,
Elwood Norney,
Isaiah Richards,
George Sensenderfer,
Conrad Shive,
William Teany,
John Walker,
George H. Wentz.
SECOND TROOP MONTGOMERY C0UNTY CAVALRY.
Richard A. Edey, captain;
Henry S. Hitner first lieutenant;
John Wentz, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and privates.
John Foulke, surgeon;
Charles T. Rogers, cornet;
Abram Weaver, first sergeant;
John I. Kersey, quartermaster,
William H. Cress, trumpeter.
Isaac Bell,
George W. Bisbing,
Lephemia Bolton,
Moulton C.R. Dager,
Mark Dehaven,
Allen Dunehower,
William H. Eder,
Henry Edey,
Andrew Famous,
George Famous,
Charles Fisher,
George W. Fisher,
Jeremiah Freas,
Walton Freas,
William Fratt,
Alexander Fulton,
William Gilmore,
Charles Hallowell,
George W Hampton,
Stacy Haines,
George W. Henderson,
William Hiltner,
Jacob Hinkle,
Septimus W. Jones,
John P. Knapp,
David Livergood,
William M. Lukens,
Isaac Markley,
William Michener,
Edward Preston,
Ross Rambo,
Reuben Y. Ramsey,
Edward Rhine,
Anderson Stewart,
Charles Stewart,
Mark Supplee,
George W. Supplee,
Thomas Tomlinson,
Washington Ulrich,
Charles Weak,
Abram Wentz,
Thomas H Wentz,
Mordecai Dehaven.
UNION GREY ARTILLERISTS.
Nicholas K. Shoemaker, (commanding), first lieutenant;
George Lower, Solomon Katz, second lieutenants.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musician and Privates.
Samuel H. Aiman,
Charles Aiman,
Samuel Armstrong,
Robert Arthur,
John Bickel,
Jacob Bisbing,
Joshua Copelberger,
Charles Donat,
Christian Donat,
Robert Francis,
Charles Gerhart,
Eli Hoover,
Adam Hoffman,
Stephen Haley,
William Knipe,
Joseph Kline,
Christopher Keyser,
Daniel Keyser,
Edward Lower,
Christopher Lower,
Henry Lower,
Joseph Mengesser,
John Peterman,
Edmund Stout,
Peter Stout,
Joseph Simmons,
Charles Shaffer,
Jonathan Shaffer,
John Shaffer,
Christopher Smith,
Samuel Van Winkle.
THE FIRST NATIONAL DRAGOONS.
Daniel Fry, captain;
Theodore Garber, first lieutenant;
Dr. William B. Hahn, surgeon.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musician and Privates.
Abraham W. Beard first sergeant;
Frederick M. Graff quartermaster-sergeant
Uriah Grubb cornet;
Henry Kline musician;
John H. Ashenfelter,
Frederick Emery,
Peter Fry,
William S. Gilbert,
John Razor,
Ephraim A. Schwenk,
Jacob Wait,
Frederick Weideroder,
Adam Yerger,
William Evans,
William Fisher,
Rudolph Mauck,
George Swell,
Charles D. Smith,
Charles Williams,
John Wismer.
194
NEW HANOVER ARTILLERISTS.
Frederick Brendlinger, captain;
Solomon Stetler, first lieutenant;
Solomon Brendlinger, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Peter Y. Brendlinger,
James Harbst,
Benjamin Bushong,
Jacob Feather,
Samuel Mowrer,
Daniel Polsgrove,
Jacob Binder,
George Dengler,
Henry Decker,
Dener Bushong,
Henry Newman,
George Miller,
Solomon Kurtz,
Isaac Saylor,
Aaron Polsgrove,
John Stichler,
Philip Koons,
Francis Garber,
Thomas Stichler,
Joseph Christman,
William Egolf.
GOSCHENHOPPEN GRAYS.
Henry H. Dotts captain;
Martin Mager, first lieutenant;
Samuel Welker, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Daniel Urffer,
Jonathan Gerg,
Henry Mock,
William Graber,
John Hersch,
Jonathan Roeder,
Reuben Gerg,
John Mock,
Charles Nuss,
Matthias Rummel,
John P. Reifsnyder,
John Dotts,
Ezra Brey,
Jess Gerg,
Jess Pannebecker,
William Hersch,
Joseph Hersch,
Jacob Hoffman,
Edward Styer,
George Seasholtz,
William Sell,
George Erb.
[In this return the name of Jonathan Roeder is returned as having served
as a private. The services were performed by Stahler, as will appear by
the muster-roll made at the time of service. The reason for returning
the name of Roeder is that he is a member of the company, and employed
Stahler, who is not a member, as a substitute to serve for him, and the
transaction being between themselves, the company recognized only
Roeder; his name is returned for the compensation.]
WASHINGTON GRAY ARTILLERISTS.
Jesse B. Davis, captain;
David Trucksess, first lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Andrew Allebough,
Adam Ashenfelter,
John M. Bean,
Jacob Burkimer,
John Coulston,
Cephas Davis,
Albert Dehaven,
Theophilus Deweese,
Peter Fry,
Abraham Foust,
Henry W. Foust,
Jacob Gotwals,
William Gillis,
Daniel Green,
David Gouldy,
Joseph Keel,
James McBride,
John Nungesser,
George Niblo,
Philip Peters,
John Richardson,
William Roberts,
William Royer,
Joseph Reese,
William B. Shupe,
Thomas Snyder,
Francis A. Sperry,
Bernard Streeper,
William Smith,
Henry Somers,
William Wise,
Peter Wagoner,
Ezekiel Williams,
Lewis Ulman.
MONTGOMERY GUARDS.
Henry Freedley, captain;
Thomas W. Potts, first lieutenant;
William B. Hahn, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Ellis Aker,
John Carl,
Frederick Conrad,
Isaiah W. Davis,
John Erby,
Joseph Fulforth,
Samuel Groff,
Frederick Hass,
Thomas Hastin,
Spencer Hutnot,
Luther Kennedy,
John Keeler,
George Keen,
Philip S. Kirk,
John K. Major,
James Moyer,
Edward Magee,
James Mendenhall,
Jacob Murry,
Jonathan Poutzler,
Benedict D. Potts,
William Rapine,
James W. Schrack,
John Shanor,
Lewis Sickel,
Florence Sullivan,
I. Lewis Worrell.
SUMNEYTOWN ARTILLERISTS.
John D. Apple, captain;
Jesse Fenstermacher, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Jacob Gilbert,
George Gaugler,
William Gilbert,
Daniel Hefner,
Charles Hersh,
Henry Hersh,
John Hummel,
John Kepp,
Henry Nace,
John Royer,
Christian Royer,
Tobias Schuyler,
John Schuyler,
William Sheffer.
LAFAYETTE BLUES.
George I. Williams, captain;
Charles Gerheart, first lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Daniel McClelland, first sergeant;
George Noss, second sergeant;
Lewis Hollman, third sergeant;
Joseph Stackhouse, fourth sergeant;
Francis Kehr, Jesse B. Fisher, musicians;
Joseph Booze,
Gideon Beck,
George Bowers,
Thomas Betting,
Nathan Barnes,
George Brownholtz,
Isaac Brant,
Charles Brittain,
George Cramar,
Isaac Daves,
William Frantz,
John Foster,
Joseph Hannabury,
Daniel Heller,
Richard Jackson,
William Kessel,
Azor Kerbaugh,
John Matthias,
Peter Miller,
John Nuss,
Frederick Nash,
George W. Nanneth,
Francis Ott,
Lewis Ott,
Patrick Rodgers,
Samuel Seddinger,
Samuel Snyder,
Charles Smith,
William Trexler,
Jeremiah Trexler,
Josiah Widener,
William Winkler,
privates.
[Joraim Engleman, second lieutenant of the company, marched with the company as
far as Eighth and Market Streets, and then returned to his home. He was not
reported at headquarters.
Isaac Davis had a severe attack of camp-fever after he returned home, and lay
for many weeks in a very dangerous condition. John Foster was never well after
his return. He died in the month of February.]
PENNSYLVANIA DEFENDERS.
Samuel Bradford, captain;
Henry O'Neal, first lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.
Matthias Y. Sheffey, first sergeant;
Isaac Arb, second sergeant;
Josiah Christman, Jonas Yost, James Christman, musicians;
John Rees,
George Sheetz,
Joseph Moyer,
Joseph T. Miller,
William Benter,
George Benter,
Isaac Linderman,
Joshua Smith,
Eli Shallkap,
Oliver Kugler,
John Smith,
Jacob Hefflefinger,
Benjamin F. Yost,
Daniel Shallkap,
William Boyer,
Samuel Keeley,
James Barlow,
James Linderman,
Reuben Moyer,
Edward Kucher,
Jerome Ruth,
privates.
UNION RIFLE COMPANY, UPPER DUBLIN.
Robert Pollard, captain;
Vincent P. Montanua, first lieutenant;
Silas A. Cope, second lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers, Musician and Privates.
Jacob Hess,
Thomas P. Bright,
George Rushon,
Frederick Green,
Josiah A. Bright,
Michael Dougherty,
William George,
Allen Thomas,
George Shuster,
William Acuff,
Joseph Stillwell,
Henry Shaffer,
Jacob Shaffer,
Abraham Lightcap,
Martin Jones,
William Neeman,
James McAdams,
Lewis Langdale,
Daniel Gilbert,
George A. Henk,
Jacob Hoffman,
Charles Stillwell,
Samuel Evans,
John Weeks.
RECAPITULATION
NON-COM.
COM. OFFICERS
UNIT OFFICERS AND MEN.
First Troop Calavary 2 44
Second Troop Calavary 3 48
Union Grey Artillerists 3 31
First National Draggons 3 20
New Hanover Artillerists 3 21
Goschenhoppen Grays 3 22
Washington Gray Artillerists 2 34
Montgomery Guards 3 27
Summeytown Artillerists 2 14
Lafayette Blues 2 38
Pennsylvania Defenders 2 26
Union Rifle Company 3 24
__ ___
Total . . . . . . . . . . 31 349
THE MEXICAN WAR.
There was no company or regimental organization from Montgomery
County that took part in the Mexican war; no publication of the names of
those volunteering from the county has been preserved. Among those who
entered the service of the United States at the time from Montgomery
County was Andrew H. Tippen. He was appointed and commissioned first
lieutenant in the Eleventh Regiment of United States Infantry, and
served with distinction. He survived the conflict, and served as
colonel in the Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the great
Rebellion. George Lower and his brother, Henry Lower, of Springfield
Township, served as volunteers.
Henry died the first day of the battle of Cerro Gordo of brain
fever, and was buried at "Plan Del Rio," or the River of the Plains.
His remains were subsequently brought home by his brother George, and
interred in the graveyard at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh.
Joseph Cleaver and Michael Dougherty were enlisted in the Mountain
Howitzer Battery. Cleaver is dead, and the present residence of
Dougherty is unknown. Benjamin Ehler, of Montgomery County, enlisted in
the Eleventh Regular Infantry, and still survives, a resident of
Springfield Township.
Louis Monsert enlisted in the Second Pennsylvania
195
Regiment, and survives. He is at this time a resident of Norristown,
Pa. Mr. Monsert enlisted from Reading, Berks County, Pa. Albert Arthur
enlisted and served in the same command with George and Henry Lower. He
also survives, and is at this date a resident of Montgomery township.
There are doubtless a number of others who served their country in this
war, from Montgomery County, but no record of them or their services is
obtainable.
END CHAPTER XV.