FIRES    IN    SACKETS    HARBOR

At this time the United States possessed almost no means of defense on the frontier. Sackets Harbor was the most important point on Lake Ontario. It was the headquarters of the northern division of the American fleet, and here were fitted out the expeditions against Toronto (then York), Fort George, etc., and the unfortunate enterprise under General Wilkinson in the fall of 1813. It was twice attacked by the British, who were repulsed, the last time (known to history as the battle of Sackets Harbor) with a loss of 150 men. The first attack on this village, which was also the first battle of the war, was on a Sunday morning on the 19th of July, 1812. Captain Woolsey, who had command of the brig Oneida, which was stationed here, sighted from his mast-head a British fleet of five vessels (carrying an aggregate of 80 guns) bearing towards the Harbor. Col. Christopher P. Bellinger was stationed here with a body of drafted three-months’ militia to enforce the embargo. Captain Elisha Camp, the then principal personage here, foreseeing the danger of invasion from the British in Canada, had formed an artillery company and offered their services to General Brown. A thirty-two pounder gun, which had been intended for the armament of the Oneida, but which proved too large for that vessel, and which had long been lying in the mud near by and was named the Old Sow,*   had been placed in Fort Tompkins. Guns of less degree, taken from the brig, were planted here and there, and with the Oneida, stationed in the harbor with her broadside of nine guns to the approaching fleet, constituted all the organized force in readiness for the proper reception of the hostile Sunday morning callers. The British expected little or no resistance, and threatened to burn the town if a shot were fired. The first shot from the thirty-two pounder called forth shouts of derision from the British marines. William Vaughan, worked the gun on this occasion, and as the government failed to provide thirty-two-pound balls, he paid his compliments with twenty-four-pound balls wrapped in strips of carpet torn from the floors of their homes by the patriot women of the village.

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Lossings’ Empire State relates the following incident of this battle: ---

“The flag-ship of the attacking squadron was the Royal George (26-guns, 260 men). When the vessels were near enough for action, the battle was begun by a shot from the big iron cannon on shore. It was harmless, and drew peals of laughter from the crew of the flagship, followed by two shots. Firing was kept up for about two hours, the squadron standing off and on, out of range of the smaller guns. Most of the enemy’s shot had fallen against the rocks below the battery. At length a thirty-two-pound ball came over the bluff, struck the earth, and plowed a deep furrow. It was picked up by a sergeant, who ran with it to Captain Vaughan, who was in command of the Old Stow, exclaiming:

“ ‘I’ve been playing ball with the red-coats, and have caught them out. See if the British can catch back again!’

“The ball exactly fitted the old cannon, while those which had been sent did not. At that moment the Royal George was nearing to give a broadside, when the big gun sent back the captive ball with such force and precision that it struck the flag-ship’s stern, raked her completely, sent splinters high on her mizzen top-sail, killed fourteen men, and wounded eighteen.

“The flag-ship had already received a shot that went through her side, and another between wind and water. Two other vessels had been severely crippled, and a signal for retreat was speedily given. The squadron sailed out on the lake, while the band on the shore played ‘Yankee Doodle’ in the liveliest manner, and the soldiers and citizens cheered the retreating enemy in their departure.”

And thus ended the first regular battle of War of 1812, in which, it has been facetiously said, the British “broke nothing but the Sabbath.”

(Note: -- The commander of the defeated squadron was Sir James Lucas Yeo, who had the reputation of boasting and promising more than he could perform; and his actions on more than one occasion tended to the belief that he was not as brave as he should have been. He died in England in 1819. -- EDITOR.)

Soon after the successful descent upon York, described in the County Chapter of this work, in which the commander of the expedition, General Pike, was killed by the explosion of a magazine, the enemy, knowing that Sackets Harbor had been weakened by the withdrawal of a large portion of Chauncey’s squadron with the land troops to Niagara, resolved to attempt the capture of the post. May 27, 1813, the commander of the British squadron, Sir James Yeo, sailed from Kingston with six armed vessels and 40 batteaux, carrying more than a thousand land troops, the whole armament under the command of Sir George Prevost, the governor-general. At this time Fort Tompkins was manned by about 200 dismounted dragoons, under Col. Backus, a detachment of 40 or 50 artillerists, under Lieutenant Ketchum, and a few infantry invalids and recruits. Brigadier-General Brown, who was at his home in Brownville, had been ordered by General Dearborn to assume command of the post, but out of consideration for Col. Backus he had not yet done so.

On Friday, May 28, in the morning, the schooner Lady of the Lake, that had been cruising in the vicinity, came in and reported that the enemy was approaching with a formidable fleet. Col. Backus at once dispatched an express to General Brown, who immediately repaired to the place and assumed command. Signal guns were fired and messengers sent in all directions to rally the neighboring militia, and especially to hasten the arrival of Col. Tuttle, who was advancing with several hundred regulars. The militia on their arrival were sent to Horse Island, about a mile distant from the village, where it was supposed the invaders would first attempt to land. No landing was attempted on the 28th, Sir George, who was a timid man, being alarmed by the appearance of a fleet of barges from Oswego, bearing part of a regiment of infantry under Col. Aspinwall to reinforce the garrison at the Harbor. Seven of these barges got safely into port, and 12 were taken by the enemy after their crews had deserted them and fled to the woods, arriving at their destination about nine o’clock that evening.

After Sir George had slept and infused courage from the capture of the barges, on the morning of the 29th he landed a considerable force, with artillery, upon Horse Island. During the night about 40 Indians, under Lieut. Anderson, had landed on the main land in Henderson Bay, with a view of attacking the rear of the militia. The American militia were called from the island and placed behind a gravel-ridge on the main land. They were “about 600 in number, fresh from their homes, and without discipline, experience, or organization, and although not wanting in courage or patriotism, yet lacked that assurance which an acquaintance with military affairs alone can confer. These, with about 300 regulars and 100 of Aspinwall’s party, comprised the force by which the enemy were to be opposed.” *

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*Hough

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“The night was spent by General Brown in making disposition for the attack. Colonel Mills, with about 400 militia, was stationed with a six-pounder near the shore opposite the island, with orders to reserve their fire until the enemy should approach within pistol shot. Colonel Greshom Tuttle, with the remainder of the militia, was posted in the edge of the woods back of the clearing, and Colonel Backus, with his dismounted dragoons, was stationed in the skirt of the woods near the village, with orders to advance through the woods to Horse Island the moment it was known that the enemy had landed. Colonel Aspinwall, with his men, was posted to the left of Backus; and the artillerists, under Lieutenant Ketchum, were stationed in Fort Tompkins with no other armament than a thirty-two-pounder mounted on a pivot. The militia on the shore were directed that, in case of being driven from their position, they should fall back into the woods and annoy the right flank of the enemy as he advanced towards the village. Col. Tuttle was directed, in the same event, to attack their rear and destroy their boats.

“The morning of the 29th dawned beautifully clear and calm. Not a breath of air ruffled the placid surface of the lake. * * * The calm prevented the enemy from bringing their vessels to cooperate in the attack, and was one of the causes that influenced their subsequent retreat. As soon as it was light the enemy were seen approaching in 33 large boats, under cover of gun-boats, directing their course to the outside of the island, where they landed and formed without opposition; but in crossing the bar that connected it with the main land they encountered a galling fire, and lost several in killed and wounded, which they subsequently carried off. As the landing was being effected the heavy gun in Fort Tompkins was brought to bear with considerable effect upon the enemy’s column.

“The fire of the militia was at first well directed and deadly, and was answered by discharges of musketry, and by two small cannon loaded with grape shot; but Colonel Mills, who was stationed a short distance towards the village, with his cannon, fell early in the engagement, and his death, with the unaccustomed whistling of balls that cut down the branches of trees around them, struck with terror the inexperienced militia, and without waiting to return the fire or recover from the panic they turned and fled towards the town in the greatest confusion. This retreat was not entirely general. Capt. Samuel McNitt, who had been stationed with his company on the extreme left of the flanking party of the militia, not noticing the movements of his comrades, continued his firing after some moments longer, and before he was aware he found himself and his party alone, and in danger of being cut off by the enemy. General Brown, finding himself nearly alone, with no support but his company, retired toward the village, directing those that could be rallied to annoy the advancing column of the enemy as much as possible. The enemy, having gained the beach and dispersed the militia, formed in good order and marched toward the town.

“They were soon met by the troops of Colonel Backus, who had advanced to dispute their progress, and who gallantly encountered and returned their fire, retiring slowly before them through the half-cleared woods. General Brown had succeeded in rallying about a hundred militia, with the aid of Caleb Westcott, a citizen, and others, and had joined the detachment of Backus; but at his juncture, happening to look towards the ship yard, he was surprised to see huge volumes of smoke issuing from the storehouses that contained the spoils of York. Not knowing but that the enemy might have gained his rear, he hastened to the spot and ascertained that the disastrous panic of the militia had been communicated to those in charge, and a report had reached Lieutenant Chauncey, of the navy, that all was lost, and upon the faith of this rumor he had given orders to fire the buildings, an act which the most extreme and desperate issue of affairs alone could justify. Learning the cause of the conflagration, and somewhat relieved by the knowledge that the enemy were still on but one side, he returned, giving directions to Lieut. Ketcham, in Fort Tompkins, to maintain that post as long as the heat of the flames would permit. The regulars of Col. Backus felt their courage renewed upon learning the nature of the accident that had given a natural alarm, and continued steadily to oppose the advance of the enemy, who had now gained the clearing next the village. Very soon after, Col. Backus fell, mortally wounded, and was borne off the field; his troops taking possession of some log barracks, and continuing their resistance.

“The enemy had throughout evinced great courage and coolness, and were under the immediate command of Captain Gray, of the quartermaster-general’s department, who was advancing in front of the ranks, and walking backwards, waving his sword for his troops to follow, and shouting, ’Come on, boys; the day is ours! Remember York!’ when he suddenly fell, wounded, and immediately expired.

“At this moment the signal for retreat was given from the fleet, and the enemy hastily retreated to their boats. This retreat is said to have been in part caused by hearing a report of small arms on the right, from the rallied militia, but which the enemy mistook for a reinforcement of 450 regulars, which they had learned was advancing under Colonel Tuttle, and was then within a mile of the place. Their arrival would at once put an end to the contest by giving us the advantage of numbers. The enemy on their retreat removed a part of their wounded, and having reembarked, they, at about 10 o’clock, sent a flag demanding a surrender of the place which they had been unable to capture, and were of course refused. They, however, were promised that decent attention should be paid to the dead and humane treatment to the wounded. They shortly after sent another flag requesting to send surgeons to their wounded, which was denied, as they seemed not to have abandoned the attack, and were laying by in their barges; but shortly after they put off to the fleet, which lay about five miles from the town, and made sail for Kingston. Both Sir George Prevost and Sir James Yeo are said to have landed during the engagement.

“The loss of the British was 150 killed and wounded; 25 of their privates were found dead, two captains and 20 privates were wounded, and, including the wounded, two captains, one ensign, and 32 privates were taken prisoners. Our loss was 150 killed, wounded, and missing. The enemy took a few prisoners, and one man was found in the woods killed and scalped by the Indians.

“The flames of the burning stores were subdued as quickly as possible, but not till they had consumed half a million of dollars’ worth of property. The ship Pike, then on the stocks, was saved. The prize schooner, the Duke of Gloucester, was saved by Lieutenant Talman, of the army, who boarded it, extinguishing the fire, and brought her from under the flames of the storehouses. This heroic conduct will be appreciated when it is known that a large quantity of gunpowder was on board. The schooners Fair America and Pert cut their cables and retreated up the river, and several of the guns on Navy Point were spiked. Had it not been for this disastrous mistake our success would have been complete. Colonel Backus survived eight days, and hopes of his recovery were entertained, but mortification supervened.” -- Hough’s History of Jefferson County.

During the exciting times of the war about a dozen military executions took place here for repeated desertion, with the effect of increasing the evil and gaining for the malefactors the sympathy of their comrades and of civilians. Many of the cases were of young men from New England, who left sisters, mothers, and sweethearts, and enlisted in the heat of political excitement and found themselves, after the romance of war had faded, subjected to severe hardships and severer discipline, even cruelty, ill clad, ill fed, and sometimes without shelter. Perhaps some should have suffered the penalty; but the majority of them should have been forgiven and treated with consideration and charity. These executions generally took place in the rear of the village, where the graves were dug. “The brutality of officers was in some cases excessive; the most extreme cases of corporeal punishment being inflicted from the slightest causes, or from mere caprice; and such was sometimes the bitterness of men towards officers that in one case it is said a captain durst not lead his company in an action for fear of being shot by his own men.”

The shedding of blood was not all done in battle. Public opinion was not then so pronounced against dueling as now, and the several duels that were fought here attracted little attention. On June 13, 1818, one was fought with muskets, near Madison Barracks, by two corporals of the 2d Regt. U. S. Inf., which resulted in the instant death of one of the participants.

Soon after the battle of May, 1813, a breast-work of logs and earth was built along the water-front of the village, one end touching the bay about half way between the harbor and Horse Island, and the other at the site of Madison Barracks; but no opportunity was ever afforded for testing these defenses, as Sackets Harbor was never again attacked.

Madison Barracks. -- After “grim visag’d war had smooth’d his wrinkled front” the government, recognizing the importance of Sackets Harbor as a military post, in 1816-19 erected Madison Barracks at a cost of about $85,000*. Regarding the history of this interesting military reservation no better authority is desired than the Medical History of the Post, a finely executed document in the possession of the

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*The Medical History of the Post gives total cost of buildings, grading, etc., at $150,000.

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surgeon in charge (to whom the writer is indebted for favors), from which we quote: --

“Excepting a short distance in front of the parade, the land overlooks the water by a perpendicular bluff of limestone. Originally a deep valley filled with cedars occupied a portion of the parade. This was filled, and the rough place in front was sloped off, and the boundary of the parade towards the water was secured by a stone wall, brought up as high as the plane of the parade, the surface of which was allowed to slope gently from the officers, quarters towards the water. The reservation contains 39-1/4 acres, purchased in parcels at different dates as required, from July 1, 1813, to March 28, 1817. The reservation is in the form of an irregular four-sided figure, with gates for footmen and vehicles on the southern and southwestern sides. About a third of the water-front is occupied by Fort Pike, an ordinary earth breast-work and water-battery, erected in 1812.”

The principal buildings on the reservation are the officers’ and men’s quarters, guard-house, hospital, the quartermaster’s and commissary’s storehouses, which are constructed of stone, and the administration building, ice-house, etc., which are of wood. The officers’ quarters consist of two rows of buildings (one part being now in course of construction), each 217 by 33 feet. The men’s quarters are also two rows of buildings, one on each side of the parade, running northwest, at right angles to the officers’ quarters. Each row is 452 feet long, 23 feet wide, and two stories high. The hospital is at the northwestern limit of the reservation, about 50 feet from the water. This building, which is nearly square, with wings on the north and south, has recently been subjected to a thorough renovation and extensive repairs. The cemetery, which comprises about three acres, will be mentioned later. Continuing to quote from the Medical History: --

“The plan of the buildings was drawn by William Smith. Great irregularity seems to have been practiced in the expenditure of public funds during the construction of this place, by the issue of due-bills for labor, which for a long time had but little value, and in consequence great fraud was put upon some of the contractors, (The masonry work was done under contract by Orrin Ives, and the carpenter work by Joseph Kimball, Philo Johnson, and Chauncey Calhoun. The grading of the site was done by the 2d U. S. Inf.) which was in some measure remedied by an act of Congress, passed in 1836, ‘for the relief of Jesse Smith and others.’ * * * In the fall of 1816 the men’s quarters were so far completed that five companies of the 2d Infantry moved into them for Navy Point, though as yet some of the floors and porticoes were unfinished. Near the top of the side of the officers’ quarters, facing the sally-port, on each side are tablets of stone, inscribed on the eastern side with ‘Commenced August 1, 1816; completed October, 1819’; on the western side, ‘Erected by the 2d Infantry.’

“The 2d U. S. Infantry,* whose history for 23 years after the close of the war with Great Britain is inseparable from that of Madison Barracks, was re-organized and filled up in 1815 at this place from volunteers, citizens, quartermaster’s employees, etc., that were mustered out of service at the cessation of hostilities. The addition of these new elements to the regiment required the utmost rigor of discipline on the part of the officers to prevent outbreaks of intemperance, violence, and the dissolute habits that had been learned in camps hereabout during the war. The moral tone of all classes along the northern frontier appears to have been much shaken by the war about this time, and among the officers difficulties often arose from slight causes, and quite a number of duels are reported as having been fought among them at this place, during the war and soon afterwards. The first one that comes within the scope of this narrative was fought between Dr. Burr, U. W. A., and a Lieutenant Smith, 2d Infantry. Both parties were slightly wounded, and Smith was afterwards hung in Philadelphia for killing Carson, captain of an East Indian vessel. While the malign effects of the war upon the habits and morals of both soldiers and citizens were seen in the prevalence of intemperance and other irregularities, a counter influence soon sprung into action among the officers of the 2d Infantry, for about this period they took the first steps toward reestablishing religious services and for restoring public order, then so much needed in this community. This regiment afterwards, in the western country, was familiarly known as the ‘praying regiment.’

“The first commanding officer of Madison Barracks was Colonel Hugh Brady, 2d U. W. Infantry, who, as mentioned above, moved into this place, with five companies of his regiment, in the fall of 1816. From this date to 1833 no records concerning the place can be found. There is a report, however, that from 1816 to 1821 an artillery company, of which Capt. Hilerman and Lieut. Leggett were officers, occupied Fort Pike.

“From 1816 to April, 1828, the garrison was occupied uninterruptedly by the Second Infantry, and the commanding officers were, as far as can be learned, as follows:

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“On the departure of the troops under Major Clark the belief was entertained that there was but a remote chance that the barracks would be needed again as a military post, whereupon Capt. Alden Partridge, a teacher of some note in a military school at Middletown, Connecticut, obtained the consent of Hon. Peter B. Porter, then Secretary of War, for the use of the place for a term of years as a military and scientific school, which was approve by the President and afterwards confirmed by a joint resolution of Congress., May 24, 1828; but nothing further was done towards carrying out the project beyond announcing the object to the citizens in the vicinity.

“November 21, 1828, the barracks were again occupied by two companies of the Second Infantry, under Capt. William Hoffman, who remained till April 1, 1829, when he was succeeded by

“Col. Hugh Brady, 2d Infty., April 1 to May 12, 1829.

Lieut-Col. A. Cummings, 2d Infty., May 12, 1829, to May 29, 1831.

Capt. O. Ransom, 2d Infty., May 29, 1831, to August 16, 1831.

Capt. William Hoffman, 2d Infty., August 16 to September 17, 1831.

Lieut. Col. A. Cummings, 2d Infty., September 27, 1831, to May 20, 1832.

“The troops in the barracks being required to take part in the Black Hawk war, the place was again left unoccupied, and under the charge of Ordnance-Sergeant Gaines, till May 19, 1834.

“On May 9, 1834, Lieut. Col. A. Cummings, with his adjutant, Gallagher, returned and established the headquarters of the Second Infantry at the barracks, where it remained undisturbed till June, 1837, when the troubles on the northern frontier, familiarly known at (sic) the Patriot War, caused the withdrawal of the troops, and the place again was left in charge of Ordnance-Sergeant Gaines till June, 1838, when it was reoccupied by a detachment of the Second Infantry, under the command of Lieut. Col. A. Cummings.

August 28, 1838, Col. W. J. Worth, Eighth U. S. Infantry, assumed command of the barracks, and commenced the organization of the Eighth Infantry, authorized by act of Congress, July 5, 1838, and the detachment under Lieut. Col. A. Cummings took its departure for the West. This closed the service of the Second Infantry at this place.”

During the occupancy of this post by Colonel Brady the remains of most of the officers who had fallen in the field, or died of sickness on the frontier, were collected and buried together, within the pickets of Madison Barracks. Over these sacred and honored ashes a temporary wooden monument of pine boards was erected, from the defaced and broken panels of which Historian Hough deciphered and preserved the following inscriptions: --

North Side. -- “Brigadier-General L. Covington, killed, Chrysler’s Field, U. C., November 11, 1813.” “Lieutenant-Colonel E. Backus, Dragoons, killed at Sackets Harbor, 29 May, 1813.”

East Side. -- “Colonel Tuttle,” “Lieutenant-Colonel Dix,” “Major Johnson,” “Lieutenant Vandeventer.”

South Side. -- “Lieutenant-Colonel Mills, Volunteer, killed at Sackets Harbor, 29 May, 1813.” “Captain A. Spencer, 29th Infantry, aid-de-camp to Major-General Brown, killed at Lundy’s Lane, July 25, 1814.”

West Side. -- “Brigadier-General Z. M. Pike, killed at York, U. C. 27 April 1813.” “Captain Joseph Nicholson, 14th Infantry, aide-de-camp to General Pike, killed at York, U. C., 27 April, 1813.”

In 1839 Colonel Mills’s remains were removed to Albany, being escorted to the steamer for Oswego by the 8th Regiment, Colonel Worth in command.

During the Patriot war the steamer Telegraph was fitted out at the barracks and manned with one company of the 8th Infantry, and was kept cruising about the Thousand Islands, in concert with a force of British, in search of Bill Johnston, who led the party which burned the Sir Robert Peel at Wells Island, on the night of May 29, 1838. In the fall the steamer Oneida joined the Telegraph with another company of the 8th Infantry on board, all under Colonel Worth, who laid off Wind-Mill Point, during the battle at that place, November 13, 1838. The same day Colonel Worth captured several boats, loaded with supplies for the patriots, which were taken to Sackets Harbor and, with their cargoes, sold by the United States marshal.

“About the time Col. Worth took command of the barracks there was some prospect of trouble with Great Britain, and in consequence of authority invested in him he added the buildings necessary to complete the garrison, and put all the others in good repair. The building put up at this time were the commissary and quartermaster’s store-house, and the hospital, guard-house, and ordnance buildings. The total outlay was about $150,000.” * (*From Medical History of Post.)

“The organization of the 8th Infantry was completed in 1840, and nine companies and the band occupied the barracks. Owing to excessive crowding much sickness resulted, and in the fall of 1839 there were reported by Dr. Thomas Henderson, U. S. A., 90 cases of death by remittent fever. Col. Worth was followed in command of the barracks by the following names officers of his (8th) regiment: --

“Capt. G. Wright, August 28, 1836, to April 14, 1839.

Captain F. Staniford, April 14 to June 26, 1839.

Lieut. Colonel N. S. Clark, June 26 to October, 1839.

Col. W. J. Worth, October to December, 1839.

Lieut. Colonel N. S. Clark, December, 1839, to January 20, 1840.

Captain G. Wright, January 20 to February 2, 1840.

Lieut. Colonel N. S. Clark, February 2 to April 22, 1840.

Colonel W. J. Worth, April 22 to May 2, 1840.

Lieut. J. K. Smith, May 2 to September 22, 1840.

“The 8th Infantry soon after this last date was ordered to Florida, and Lieut. Smith was relieved by Major M. M. Payne, of the 2d Artillery, with two companies of his regiment. He remained in command at the barracks from September 22 to October 4, and was succeeded by

“Lieut. Colonel J. B. Crane, 2d Artillery, October 4 to November 12, 1840.

Major M. M. Payne, 2d Artillery, November 12, 1840, to August 13, 1841.

Major F. S. Belton, 4th Artillery, August 13, 1841, to June 24, 1842.

“The artillery was relieved by Major J. Plymton, 2d Infantry, with three companies of his regiment. Major Plymton assumed command June 24, 1842, and was relieved December 4, 1844, by Captain J. J. B. Kingsbury, of the same regiment. Major Plymton again took command January 30, 1845, and stayed till August 13, 1846, when the troops were sent to the Mexican border, and the barracks left in charge of Ordnance-Sergeant Gaines from that time until November 13, 1848. November 13, 1848, the barracks were occupied by Major T. Lee, of the 4th Infantry, with two companies of his infantry. He was followed September 7, 1849, by Lieut. Col. B. L. E. Boonville, of the same regiment. After him the post commander was the colonel of this regiment, Col. William Whistler, in charge from June 27, 1851, to June 18, 1852, at which latter date the post was left in charge of Ordnance-Sergeant Gaines, and was so occupied for nearly nine years, or until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861. The buildings and fences became badly dilapidated, and certain parties living in the neighborhood plundered more or less of value from the premises. While the 94th Regt. Vol. Inf. was quartered here, with Col. W. B. Camp in command of the barracks by virtue of his rank on the governor’s staff, First Lieut. George Ryan, 7th U. S. Infantry, with Co. B, of his regiment, paroled prisoners from the Indian country, joined the barracks December 22, 1861. Lieut. Ryan, on his arrival with his small company of paroled, dispirited men, found themselves quite swallowed up by the new regiment of young, eager, undisciplined, raw recruits under Colonel Camp, whose position as a nominal officer on the governor’s staff invited controversy and trouble, and it was not long before it came, in the shape of a dispute for the command of the post. Lieut. Ryan put the question to the test by attesting Colonel Camp’s guard, and by substituting his own instead. The difficulty was settled by the War Department confining Lieut. Ryan’s authority to the limits of the quartermaster’s and commissary’s storehouse till the 94th left.

“The 94th and Lieut. Ryan’s Co. (B) of the 7th were crowded into the men’s quarters, and as there were nearly a thousand of them, and the ventilation was either bad or totally wanting, these causes, combined with a wrong mode of living, produced many cases of fever among the men, attended with considerably mortality. Lieut. Ryan was relieved April 29, 1862, by Capt. R. M. Stevenson, of the 7th Infantry, also a paroled prisoner from the Indian country. Stevenson died while in command, October 8, 1862. In 1864, after the 186th N. Y. Vols. (which was organized at Sackets Harbor for the period of one year) had left, the barracks had become sadly out of repair by general misuse, and Capt. Elisha Camp. A. Q. M., U. S. A., was ordered on from Washington, with a force of skilled carpenters, to put it in a good state of repair. He expended some $13,000, and placed everything once more in good shape.

“From November 8, 1864, to February, 1865, 1st Lieut. Walter Clifford occupied the barracks with a detachment of the 16th U. S. Inf. From March 5, 1865, to May 10, 1865, Capt. Pliny Moore, with one company of frontier cavalry, occupied the place with the above detachment of the 16th Infantry, and Capt. H. F. Turner, with the same command, held the place from May 10 to June 25, 1865. This frontier was employed in protecting the northern frontier from such raiding parties as that which plundered St. Albans, Vt., in 1864, and for watching the suspicious sympathizers of the rebels going to and from Canada. The company of this organization stationed at this place guarded the line from Cape Vincent to Henderson Bay.

“From June 20, 1865, to March 29, 1866, Col. C. C. Sibley, of the 16th Infantry, commanded the barracks, then occupied by portions of the 1st and 2d battalions of his regiment and one company of the 4th Infantry. Lieut.-Col. A. J. Slemmer, of the latter regiment, and during the war in command of Fort Pickens, on Santa Rosa Island, near Pensacola, Florida, had charge of the post from March 29 to September 29, 1866, being relieved at the latter date by Capt. William H. Powell, also of the 4th Infantry, who remained in command till March 25, 1867. From June 20, 1865, to April 30, 1867, the headquarters of the 16th Infantry was established here. March 25, 1867, the detachments of the 4th and 16th Infantry were relieved by 2d Lieut. A. C. Bayne, 42d U. S. Infantry (Veteran Reserve Corps.). Brevet Major Tully McCrea, captain of Co. C. of this regiment, commanded the post from April 15 to April 29, 1867, and was succeeded by Brevet Major-General J. B. McIntosh, who transferred the headquarters of the regiment from Plattsburgh Barracks to this place, where it remained till April 13, 1869, when the regiment took its departure for Fort Gibson, C. T., to be consolidated with the 6th U. S. Infantry. While General McIntosh was in command about $25,000 worth of the repairs and painting was put upon the barracks.

 

The senior officers of the regiment are all veterans, some having passed through the entire campaign that was opened by the memorable shot at Sumter, and finished with the last conflict established the fact that they who had sown to the wind reaped the whirlwind in painful defeat and disaster. Col. R. I. Dodge made his acquaintance with the circumstances of war at Bull Run. His executive abilities were early recognized by our government, and made available by appointments to such important commands as provost marshal-general of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York city. As an author Col. Dodge has the distinguished reputation of having produced the most complete and popular works on life and habits of the Indians, and the country they inhabit. His last work has already reached 65,000 copies from the press. Lieut.-Col. Bush, Major Page, and the ten captains are all veterans. Their individual histories cannot be given here. Some would mark a page of heroic deeds, of intense interest, and excite our admiration and gratitude.

Naval Station. -- After the close of the War of 1812 a naval station was permanently established at Sackets Harbor, and Lieut. Thomas Brownell, who had sailed under Commodore Perry, was appointed to its command. Following Lieutenant Brownell in command came Capt. Charles T. Platt, Capt. George Sawyer, Capt. James McIntosh, Capt. Josiah Tatnall, afterwards a commodore in the Confederate navy during the Rebellioin, and Capt. George N. Hollins, also a rebel commodore afterwards. Previous to 1860 Capt. Tatnall had been to China, and on returning, having been promoted to commodore, relieved Captain Hollins. Captain Hollins went from Sackets Harbor to the Mediterranean, in command of the U. S. frigate Susquehanna, and on the breaking out of the Rebellion resigned his command and joined the southern navy. After Tatnall was here the second time the command was given to Commodore E. A. F. Lavelette, who stayed until 1862, in the fall of which year he was relieved by Commodore Theodorus Bailey, afterwards retried at the rank of rear-admiral. He stayed until sometime in 1863, and was succeeded by Henry Metcalf, of Sackets Harbor, who, in connection with his duties as ship-keeper, had charge of the station until July, 1866. Commodore J. B. Montgomery was stationed in charge succeeded Metcalf, and stayed three years, being succeeded by Rear-Admiral J. B. Montgomery. Commodore Francis B. Ellison was next here, and stayed two years, or until 1871, and was relieved by Commodore J. P. McKinistry. The latter stayed but about three weeks, and was in turn relieved by Capt. Alexander C. Rhind, who was here only two weeks, after which the station was placed in charge of Ship-Keeper Albert H. Metcalf.

During the war the ship building department was directed by Henry Eckford, who accumulated a fortune, which he afterwards lost in unfortunate speculation, and gained a world-wide fame by the rapidity with which he constructed large vessels. The Mohawk, a frigate of 44 guns, launched at Sackets Harbor, occupied him but 34 days in building. The line-of-battleship New Orleans, which was built in 1815, as a countermatch to the St. Lawrence, a three-deck man-of-war set afloat by the British, was carried to the point of completion in even less time. The New Orleans had a keel of 187 feet, breadth of beam 56 feet, and 30 feet depth of hold, with a measurement of 3,200 tons. She was pierced for 110 guns, but could have carried 120. The vessel was never launched, owing to the peace measures adopted by the two countries; and to preserve her the government erected a house over her at considerable expense. For many years the New Orleans was the greatest object of interest to tourists on the American shore of Lake Ontario. She was bought by Alfred Wilkinson, of Syracuse, for $400 and torn down and carried away. While tearing it down in February 9, 1884, the old ship fell, killing two men and severely injuring several others.

The Chippewa, a vessel of the same class, was being built at Starr’s Harbor, farther up the bay, but the news of peace put a stop to the work upon her also, which had not advanced as far as on the New Orleans. A house was built over her and preserved for a number of years, but the vessel was finally taken down for the iron it contained and the house removed.

The Old Battle-Ground. --On July 6, 1886, on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of American Independence, there was assembled at Sackets Harbor a notable gathering of military and civic personages to assist in and witness the presentation of the old battle-ground of the War of 1812-15 jointly to the village of Sackets Harbor and the Jefferson County Historical Society. The day was as beautiful as so worthy an undertaking deserved. The military organizations present were the 39th Separate Company of Watertown, under command of Captain James S. Miller; the 12th Infantry band and five companies of regulars from Madison Barracks, under command of General O. B. Willcox; and the Q. M. Camp and J. K. Barnes Posts, G. A. R., with bands and drum corps. A platform was erected on the old battle-ground overlooking the harbor and lake. The stand was occupied by members of the historical society, among whom were H. M. Allen, mayor of Watertown, Rev. Dr. Randolph, T. H. Camp, Jason M. Fairbanks, W. B. Camp, Lewis J. Hooker, Lotus Ingalls, B. Brockway, Albert D. Shaw, Sidney Cooper, L. J. Dorwin, Moses Eames, D. S. Marvin, Justus Eddy, R. A. Oakes, Judge A. H. Sawyer, Rev. Dr. R. Fisk, E. M. Gates, Hiram Converse, C. M. Clark, Rev. J. Winslow, E. Q. Sewall, Richard M. Earl, Jr., president of the village of Sackets Harbor, and the trustees of Sackets Harbor, and many other prominent citizens of Jefferson County; also Judge Turner and William McCulloch, of Lowville, the latter a veteran of the War of 1812; the Hon. John F. Seymour, Dr. M. M. Bagg, and R. D. Williams, of the Oneida Historical Society of Utica. C. M. Clark, Esq., was president of the day. Speeches were made by Rev. Richmond Fisk, D. D., General O. B. Willcox, Hon. J. F. Seymour, and Col. Albert D. Shaw. Letters and telegrams of regret were received from Generals Sheridan, Schofield, and Robenbough, Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, of Utica, Hon. Charles K. Skinner, and others. At the conclusion of Col. Shaw’s address Col. Walter B. Camp, sole surviving executor of Col. Elisha Camp, in behalf of the heirs of the estate presented to Mr. B. Brockway, president of the Historical Society, and to Richard M. Earl, the president, and trustees of the village of Sackets Harbor, the papers, duly executed, conveying to said society and village the old battle-ground. In presenting the papers Col. Camp said: --

“It is easy to picture to our imagination, gathered round about us, the veteran host who once bivouacked upon these grounds. Could our eyes be opened as were the prophets of old, chariots and horsemen might be seen attending the fair Goddess of Liberty, and viewing with approving smile the offerings of their loyal children to-day. How cheering the thought that the same infinite source that endows mortals with the faculty of retaining past events can extend that god-like quality to those who pass into the bourne of his infinity! How natural to suppose the invisible army are marshaled here: shades of Scott, Harrison, Brown, Pike, Dearborn, Backus, Mills, and Wilkinson, with thousands of associates once in arms. The navy meet Woolsey, Chauncey, Montgomery, Ford, Vaughan, Mallory, and their equals, with their gallant crews manning their phantom ships on the waters of our beautiful bay. We will suppose them all here, charged with a benediction for the same spirit to abide with us that actuated them in establishing a country, a nation, and a home. Here is the sacred camping of the immortals, and for those living who are not lost to a sense of obligation and veneration for the labors and sufferings of their patriot fathers. Our efforts to preserve this historic locality have awakened a lively interest throughout our county. Those afar send congratulations by telegraph. The press have but one voice of encouragement and approval for our timely action. With these gifts of benediction and encouragement, with this outpouring of loyal citizens and soldiers of the professions with honorable representation, we assemble to commemorate the deeds of our ancestors, and dedicate these memorable acres.

“Mr. President and Gentlemen, Members of the Historical Society of Jefferson; Mr. President and Trustees of the Village of Sackets Harbor: A sole surviving executor of the estate of the late Col. Elisha Camp, with the hearty approval and consent of his heirs, I hereby convey to your corporate bodies, by papers duly signed and delivered this day: All that certain piece or parcel of land designated as the battle and camping-ground of 1812, lying in the village of Sackets, to have and hold by deed and trust according to the provisions of said papers, and to be known as Fort Tompkins Park.”

President Brockway, for the historical society, acknowledged the gift as follows: --

“Col. Camp and Fellow-Citizens:

On behalf of the Jefferson County Historical Society I gratefully accept the historic trust which you have so eloquently presented, jointly, to our society, and to the trustees of this village. It is a gift of great value, and one that should be---and will be---highly prized by all our people. Such generous solicitude for the preservation of historic battle-fields is worthy of all praise, and the ceremonies of this day will long be remembered as among the most interesting in the annals of our county. I trust that these grounds may be made beautiful in years to come---and that some suitable monument may be erected here to mark the deeds of heroes who gave their lives to the cause of their country.”

President Earl, for the village of Sackets Harbor, acknowledged the gift as follows: --

“Col. Camp, Ladies, and Gentlemen:

“I accept, on behalf of the trustees of the village of Sackets Harbor, the valuable gift, jointly, conveyed this day to the Jefferson County Historical Society, and to our village. We shall take pride in doing what we can to carry out the wishes of the donors, and will heartily join in such improvements as may be possible within our means to make this battle-field attractive as a historic park.”

The Rev. J. Winslow, then amidst the firing of guns, read the following sentences: --

“In the name and by the authority of the Historical Society of Jefferson County and the corporation of the village of Sackets Harbor, and in the presence of the military of the United States of America and the posts of the G. A. R., and in the presence of the citizens of this and adjoining counties, we now dedicate this battle-field to the memory of those who in the navy guarded our inland seas and lakes and ocean coasts. We dedicate it to the memory of those who in the army fought for our hillsides, villages, and plains. We dedicate it to the memory of those who on land and sea fought for the defense of the Union and the American flag.”

After a prayer by Rev. Mr. Winslow a salute of 38 guns was fired by the U. S. Battery, commanded by Lieut. Abbott. The military then re-formed and marched back to the barracks, where the members of the 39th Separate Company from Watertown were entertained at lunch by the officers of the garrison.

The gentlemen of the historical society, with guests and orators of the day, by invitation of Col. W. B. Camp, proceeded to his spacious residence, once that of General Woolsey. Here, under the trees, at three p.m., 35 guests sat down to a most bountiful dinner. After dinner several inpromptu (sic) speeches were made and many pleasing reminiscences indulged in. Col. Camp related how it came about that the old battle-ground was given away. It was to carry out the wishes of Col. Elisha Camp, that the battle-ground be kept as a park. He had often long before his death expressed the wish that the village would buy the ground and beautify it. Mr. Camp closed by expressing the hope that the historical society and the village would be able to beautify the place and render it an attractive park. Its situation on a bluff, overlooking the large harbor and the lake, is unsurpassed for beauty of view.

It is to be regretted that no appropriate monument has been erected by the national government to mark this historic spot, where was fought the first battle of the important war, the success of which the American forces firmly established our independence. Not long since an effort was inaugurated by an enterprising and patriotic citizen of the village, assisted by friends in Washington, to interest our legislators in securing for this ancient battle-ground proper recognition in the form of an appropriation to be expended in the erection of a suitable memorial. This laudable project was probably defeated because there was not enough of political jobbery in it to inspire our patriotic (before election) senators and representatives.

The following copy of an ancient document, the original of which is in the possession of Col. W. B. Camp, will show the expense attending, and manner of celebrating, the anniversary of our national independence in the early days: --

J. Landon’s charge for 2 half dinner for musicians, $1.

To defray which there have been the following subscriptions:

Messrs. Sacket, Buss, Camp, Seamens, Merrit & Co., each $2

Messrs. Landon, Luff, Pease, Green, Evans, Waring, Worden, Brant, Baker, and Cooke, each $1.

Paid Bendy, which Messrs. Sloman & Luff subscribed, $2, which was worked out in rockets.

Capt. Gardner pd on his own account $4.10

A further amount of $4, subscribed by four persons, was indorsed on the back of the statement, and as one man (Mr. Brant) failed to pay his subscription of $1 a balance of $3.19 was left unpaid. Elisha Camp drew up the statement of account, and had charge of the collecting of the several amounts.

CHURCHES

Sackets Harbor Presbyterian Church was organized February 12, 1816, and Melanchthon T. Woolsey, Samuel Bosworth, Samuel F. Hooker, Elisha Camp, and Enoch Ely were the first trustees. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse until their first church edifice was erected in 1820, at which time the trustees were Josiah Bacon, Amos Catlin, George Camp, L. Dennison, J. V. Bacon, J. G. Parker, and S. Johnson. In the great fire of August 23, 1843, their church building was destroyed, and in 1843 the present brick structure was erected by the following trustees: W. R. Stow, R. S. Robbins, Jason Phelps, H. Cook, S. A. Hudson, Walter Kimball, and George Camp. The original cost of this structure was $6,000. It will comfortably seat 400 persons, and is valued, including grounds and other church property, at about $8,000. The chapel adjoining the church was erected in 1879 by Walter B. Camp, and dedicated on Christmas, at which time it was presented as a clear gift to the church society by the generous builder. Since its organization the pastors of the church have been as follows, with their terms of service: Samuel Snowden, March, 1817, to March 1826; Jedediah Burchard, December, 1826 to September, 1827; James R. Boyd, November, 1827, to September, 1830; E. Spencer, September, 1830 to September, 1831; James W. Irwin, November, 1831, to November, 1835; James R. Boyd (supplied), April, 1835, to April, 1836; George Wilson, July, 1836, to July, 1839; S. Sturges, November, 1839, to July, 1841; F. G. Townsend, October, 1841, to September, 1849; L. A. Sawyer, January, 1849, to October, 1854; G. S. Brownson, January, 1855, to October 1857; W. W. Warner, January, 1857, to January, 1859; A. T. Young, July, 1860, to July, 1864; Henry Hickock, January, 1866, to May 28, 1882. A. B. Allen and L. R. Webber succeeded Mr. Hickock, and the latter is the present pastor. The present membership of the society is about 85. Since the organization of the Sunday-school, in 1817, it has had but three superintendents--George Camp, Jason Phelps, and Walter B. Camp. The latter has held the position for the past 30 years.

Christ’s Episcopal Church at Sackets Harbor was organized August 6, 1821, and the first vestry consisted of Zeno Allen and Elisha Camp, wardens; Robert M. Harrison, Samuel O. Auchmutty, William Kendall, John McCarty, Hiram Steele, Thomas J. Angle, Hiram Merrill, and Thomas Y. Howe, vestrymen. The first who officiated and preached here was Bishop Hobart, who, in his reports records having visited Sackets Harbor, Thursday afternoon, September 14, 1821. At a meeting of the vestry, September 29, 1821, it was voted to give Henry Moore Shaw $600 per year, which he accepted, and served as first rector of the church. The church edifice of this society was commenced in 1823, but was not completed until 1832. It is of stone, cost $500, about its present value, and will comfortably seat 300 persons. The present rector is Rev. J. Winslow, of Watertown.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Sackets Harbor was organized May 9, 1831, with Ashel Smith, Alvah Kinney, Hiram Steele, John H. McKee, William Francis, Elijah Field, Daniel Griffin, Samuel Whitty, and Samuel C. DeCamp, trustees, with 15 members. In 1835 it was reorganized, and in 1841 they erected a church at a cost of $3,000. This building, which is located on Main street, was repaired in 1881, and is now valued, including grounds and other church property, at $4,100. It will comfortably seat 400 persons. The present membership of the church is 115, and the Sunday-school has 180 scholars and 25 teachers. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. L. Hunt, and the present one is Rev. Harvey L. Holmes.

The Roman Catholic Church at Sackets Harbor was organized in 1886 by Rev. Eugene I. V. Huiginn, the first pastor, with 40 members, and the same year a house of worship was erected at a cost of $500.

The Christian Church at East Hounsfield was organized in 1844 by Rev. Libbius Field, the first pastor. Their house of worship, a wooden structure, was built in 1844 and cost $1,000. It will seat 150 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at about $1,000. It will seat 150 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at about $2,000. The present membership is 40, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Berrass Fanton.

The Catholic Church, located in the northeastern part of Hounsfield, was organized by Father Mahoy,, in 1870, with 100 members. Their house of worship, which will comfortably seat 200 persons, was built in 1870 at a cost of $500, about its present value. The parish is under the supervision of a priest who resides in Watertown

The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Sulphur Springs, in Hounsfield, was organized in 1877, with a small number of members, and Rev. S. M. Fisk was the first pastor. Their house of worship was built by the Seventh-Day Baptist Society, at a cost of about $500. It will seat 150 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $1,200. The present membership is 30, and Rev. Harvey L. Holmes is pastor. The Sunday school has seven teachers and 60 scholars.

AUGUSTUS SACKET.

“Augustus Sacket, * (from Hough) the pioneer of Sackets Harbor, was born in the city of New York, November 10, 1769, where he received his education and acquired the profession of law. In 1801, having purchased a tract in Hounsfield, he came on and began the first settlement at that place, and commenced its improvement with much energy.. Upon the formation of a collection district he was appointed the first collector, and at the organization of the County Court was made its first judge. In 1809, having sold his property in this county, he removed to Jamaica, L. I., from whence, in 1812, he went to Meadville, Pa., having there purchased 300,000 acres of land. He soon returned to New York city, and in 1820 he went to Rutherford County, N. C., having become interested in a large tract of land in that state. By a subsequent transaction he became interested in the islands of the St. Lawrence, and returned to Sackets Harbor, and in 1827 removed to Newburg. In these varied changes and transactions in land speculations he was ultimately very unfortunate. He died at Albany, April 29, 1827, of a sudden sickness, while on his way to this county.”

 

COLONEL ELISHA CAMP.

One of the prominent and deservedly recognized leaders among the early settlers in Jefferson County was Elisha Camp, born in Catskill, N. Y., in 1786, and in what he playfully claimed a Stone Jug. A spendthrift, renegade Englishman squandered a fortune there during the war of 1776. His stone mansion (in which Mr. Camp was born) and elegant grounds went into history as the Stone Jug and dies folly.

The mother of Elisha appears to have been one of that resolute and superior class who could make any sacrifice to advance the welfare of a dependent family. Especially marked was her desire to favor the ambition of this son, who, at the early age of 14, entered Columbia College, graduating one year in advance of his class.

The distinguishing traits of character there exhibited fathered the man, possessing as he did a masterly determination to meet any responsibility, trust, or condition of circumstances. About 1802 he entered the law office of Judge Storrs, Whitestown, N. Y., where he attracted the attention of Bishop Hobart, who pressed upon the young aspirant to the law the importance of giving his talents to the church, and to enter the ministry. Mr. Camp did not discover in himself qualifications to assume the responsibilities of so sacred a calling, for the office of which he held profound respect.

Judge Augustus Sacket, of New York, and brother-in-law of Elisha Camp, made extensive purchases of land in the “Black River country” in 1801, comprising the present village of Sackets Harbor and part of township. We find Mr. Camp here in 1804, at 18 years of age, as attorney, actively entering upon his profession. In 1807 he was appointed surveyor of the town. Mr. Sacket sold his interest inlands in this locality in 1809 to a syndicate in New York city, who appointed Mr. Camp their resident agent. This brought him in contact with that influential class of distinguished names who figured so prominently in the affairs of our state and country. In every enterprise that engaged their attention he was more or less associated. Their enlarged views and the times stimulated the young, ardent, and patriotic agent to untiring devotion to the wants of the new comers to this region, who were seeking homes and citizenship. Whatever demands were made upon his splendid physical endowments, matched by his mental vigor and powers, were met without stint or tire. Mr. Camp was supervisor in 1809-19. In 1811 he organized an artillery company, and as captain offered their services to Gov. Tompkins on the declaration of war in 1812, to have a taste of battle in July following. As a speaker and leader among men he commanded an acknowledged position. He delighted in holding up the Roman as one proud of his citizenship, the Spartan for exalted patriotism, and Washington and associates as examples possessing like, and all the added, qualities desirable for emulation. On civic and national celebrations he exalted these deeds and virtues. As a result, some one facetiously remarked upon a grand fete day, “Make way for Greece, Rome and 1776 -- three guns!”

The establishment of schools in our own and neighboring counties gave him great satisfaction. Lowville Academy, Belleville Union Academy, and Watertown Institute received their stimulus from his encouraging patronage and princely gifts for those days.

Commercially Mr. Camp engaged with associates in building the steamer Ontario in 1816, which was the first built upon any lake, to “test the possibility of a boat being propelled against waves.” Success led to the building of steam and other craft, which secured an active commerce, that made Sackets Harbor for many years a place of note.

The want of water-power for manufacturing purposes was taken into serious consideration by the citizens of Sackets Harbor in 1828. Mr. Camp undertook the direction of constructing a canal from Black River, above Watertown, which was completed in 1832. He gave his untiring energies to this work, proving his faith in the enterprise by creating saw-mills, a paper, plaster, and flouring-mill, and also a furnace and machine shop. About this time the surplus waters of Black River were diverted at Boonville as a feeder to the Erie Canal, causing all the outlay, individually and collectively, a failure. His extensive purchases of land here and abroad were sacrificed with their largely increased value, to a considerable degree, in his endeavors to advance the importance of this and neighboring localities.

The Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were built in the early stirring times, in which Mr. Camp took a decided interest, accompanying hi material aid with official membership in each. His family were among the first and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. Camp later on. Nelson’s work on infidelity established his belief in Christianity: to promulgate its views he purchased a complete edition and sent them out by the hands of young men studying for the ministry, supplying horses and conveyance to expedite the work.

His marriage to Sophia Hale, of Catskill, was a most happy event. She was as lovely in character as in person. A large family blessed the union--six sons, and four daughters, two sons dying in infancy. Elizabeth, lately deceased, married Rev. Dr. J. R. Boyd, Geneva; Sophia, Edgar Day, Catskill, N. Y.; Mary, Hamilton Spencer, Utica; Harriette, F. F. Folger, Esq., Hudson, N. Y.; George, Elisha, Edgar, and Erskine married most estimable ladies, who, with their families, survive them. Mr. Camp’s military spirit was infused into his sons as a ruling force. George was educated to the law, taking part in the war of the Rebellion. Elisha E. and Erskine M. reached to captaincies in the U. S. A. Edgar entered into commercial and banking enterprises before finding a home in the West.

Politically Mr. Camp sympathized with the early founders of the government, of the Washington and Hamilton school. As a Whig he was foremost in pressing the claims of his party, once running for Congress when the state was too strongly Democratic to secure a seat. When the border war of 1838 disturbed our relations with Canada his influence was felt in quelling the excitement on the frontier. Age and infirmities had stolen upon him when the South began the war to dissolve the Union to which he had been so devotedly attached. This aroused his indignation and old-time patriotism. but the “old set,” with whom he had celebrated our victories and national achievements in the past, were all gone. He felt keenly the want of their sympathizing presence, to fight their battles over again in words if not in deeds.

At the time Vicksburg was besieged the writer, unseen, recognized his stalwart figure as it was disclosed at momentary intervals by flashes of lightening, as he stood partially hidden by the foliage about his mansion. His manner was as impressive and dignified as if standing to review the armies of heaven. The storm beat upon us with glaze and report of fearful intensity, to which a saddened yet commanding voice replied, “Yes, God’s artillery is warring grandly with the elements, grandeur and sublimity attest His power, but just now give me Grant’s artillery to sweep this cursed rebellion and its flag to perdition.”

Colonel Elisha Camp, by which title he was familiarly known, survived Mrs. Camp only 12 days: September 13, 1866, aged 77 years; September 25, 1866, aged 80 years.

COLONEL WALTER B. CAMP.

George Camp, father of the subject of this sketch, came to Sackets Harbor in the winter of 1816-17, and established the first printing office in Sackets Harbor, issuing the first number of the Sackets Harbor Gazette in March, 1817. At this time his family consisted of Talcott Hale Camp, now president of the Jefferson County National Bank, and George Hull Camp, and extensive manufacturer, now a resident of Marietta, Ga. George Camp married Elizabeth Hitchcock, a native of New Haven, Conn., who at the time of their union was a resident of Utica.

Walter Bicker Camp, the subject of this biography, was born in Sackets Harbor, October 1, 1822, and has remained a resident, through its changes and vicissitudes, to the present time. Mr. Camp has always been loyal to the “manor born,” and it has been his ruling passion that the place of his nativity might advance into importance, as its natural location and surroundings seemed to justify, and in accordance with the spirit that inspired the founders of the place. The commercial and military spirit in this locality was so happily combined, and each of foremost importance, that Mr. Camp imbibed its influence with the younger generation that stamped the earlier history of the village, and he has not ceased in his endeavors to save, as far as possible, the prestige of this historic locality. To that end all the enterprises that were calculated to retain this place in its commercial and military consequence obtained a large share of his time, means, and services. The building of the first railroad here, which extended from Sackets Harbor to Pierrepont Manor, enlisted his earnest endeavors, hoping for the successful accomplishment of an enterprise that would retain the commercial importance hitherto enjoyed at the port of Sackets Harbor. About $400,000 was spent in the construction of this road by the enterprising citizens of this town, Henderson, and Ellisburgh, to which Mr. Camp was no mean contributor, and acted as custodian and local director for two years, before the abolishment of the road, effected largely by the unfriendly influences of the road with which it made connection. That portion of his available means realized from the sale of the road was donated by Mr. Camp to the Presbyterian Church Society, as a perpetual fund for the purchase of books for the Sunday-school, and for repairs of the church.

When the war of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Camp was chosen by Gov. Morgan as the only one to whom he would intrust the management, direction, and occupancy of the military depot, to be opened at Madison Barracks, Sackets Harbor, and accordingly appointed him to that command, with the rank of colonel, October 17, 1861. Mr. Camp considered the appointment, though unsolicited, not only complimentary, but almost obligatory, and entered upon his duties immediately, and in 24 hours one company had been enrolled into the service, and in 18 days the 94th Regiment had perfected its organization. Gov. Morgan was very reluctant to open any more depots, saying that it was a state of chaos as far as other organizations were concerned, and feared serious results from the want of proper direction and control of the improvised depots about the state. When the 94th moved from camp, March 14, 1862, and reached Albany the following day, Gov. Morgan called upon Col. Camp, who had accompanied the regiment thus far, and complimented him by sayng “he was proud of the 94th; that it had given them little or no trouble during its organization; was composed of splendid material; was in magnificent form and discipline; had been recruited and maintained at $20,000 less expense than any like regiment in the state; and instead of losing 20 or 30 men, it had gained two on leaving camp.” The depot now being established, it became the active center for enlistments and organization of regiments during the war. The 10th N. Y. H. A. was immediately organized, and Col. Camp was appointed the town war committee, and with Senator Bell, of Brownville, took the quotas of that town and Hounsfield, and formed the company commanded by Capt. O. H. Gilmore and Lieut. Flowers.

After the war General Sherman was disposed to break up the military post here, there being no railroad for the effective transportation of troops. To meet this objection measures were immediately taken to extend the Utica & Black River Railroad to Sackets Harbor. Col. Camp was untiring in his efforts to prevent the removal of the post, and to secure the completion of the road to this village. Meetings were held on the line of the contemplated road, and the towns along the route, with the hearty cooperation of their enterprising citizens, secured the campletion (sic) of the road in 1873.

During the occupancy of the barracks by Gen. Ayres the officers’ quarters, to the east of the commander’s dwelling, were burned. General Sherman was opposed to any outlay; but with the hearty cooperation of Congressman Bagley Mr. Camp succeeded in getting an appropriation of $25,000 to rebuild. Unfavorable influences continued for years, until Gen. Grant was seen by Col. Camp, with whom for a long time he had retained a most friendly and intimate acquaintance. With his proffered and valuable services in presenting to Gen. Sherman the desirability of retaining the military post there came a marked change, and from that time Madison Barracks have received the attention from the government the importance that its position demands. On General Sherman arriving here with the 12th Regiment, under General Willcox, he expressed himself captivated with the location. Since then Madison Barracks have been progressing under command of General Willcox, of the 12th U. S. Infantry, and more particularly since 1887, under the accomplished and gallant Col. Richard I. Dodge, 11th U. S. Inf., to be one of the finest and most complete military reservations in the service. In this matter Col. Camp has been an interested mover and actor, and considers himself fortunate in having an acquaintance in the army and the navy, among many of its most illustrious characters that have figured in the former and more recent history of our wars, being related to Admiral Foote and Commodore Hitchcock on his mother’s side, and upon the paternal side looks back to the first and most conspicuous member of the Hale family, the descendants of whom have marked the way by deeds of patriotism and valor, at which he has reason to look upon with a degree of satisfaction. In May, 1885, he was unanimously elected, with title, associate member of the Military Service Institute on Governor’s Island, of which Gen. Hancock was president.

Col. Camp followed the business established by his father after the latter had disposed of his printing establishment in 1821, continuing it after the demise of his father, Mr. George Camp, in 1850, to 1884. In the mean time Col. Camp traveled extensively upon the continent of Europe, and far and wide over our territory bounded by the different oceans.

In 1844 the family came into possession of the mansion and grounds formerly owned and occupied by Commodore Melancton Woolsey; and although never married Col. Camp has, for the last 30 years, entertained with a refined and generous hospitality. In 1879 he completed the erection of a chapel, which was presented as a Christmas gift to the Presbyterian Society of Sackets Harbor, with which he has been connected since his infancy, and for which he had retained a most affectionate attachment.

He also was deeply interested in the organization of the Jefferson County Historical Society, of which he is the first vice-president. In 1885 he succeeded in securing the old battle-ground, as executor of the estate of Elisha Camp, from the heirs, as a gift to the Jefferson County Historical Society and the village of Sackets Harbor, which was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, under the auspices of the 12th Regiment U. S. Infantry, G. A. R. organizations, village authorities, and representatives of the historical societies of Jefferson and Oneida counties, and distinguished gentlemen of this and neighboring counties of the state and Canada.

Col. Camp has given much time and attention to the study of the aboriginal history of the county of Jefferson, upon which subject he has written some valuable papers, and has secured a choice collection of relics that characterize the race that so fully occupied this locality and were extinct at the time of the advent of the white race to these shores; and which, too, has brought him in correspondence and friendly relationship with the Smithsonian Institute, and as correspondent of Oneida County Historical Society is brought in contact with many distinguished men of like taste. Col. Camp has an inherent and decided talent for music. In visiting his delightful home we find it supplied with accessories to give it expression. With one favorite instrument, however, he is better known in the refined circles, where he finds enjoyment with them in the “concord of sweet sounds.” He is a lover of fine animals, and has his farm stocked with cattle of good pedigree. He has been an ardent devotee of Nimrod and Isaak Walton, and finds pleasant companionship in good horses, and with his friends he is happy to say: “Whatever we possess is doubly valuable when we are so happy to share it with others.”

THEODORE CANFIELD.

John M. Canfield, * son of John, was born in Sharon, Conn., December 22, 1775, and came to Jefferson County in 1810. He wedded with Fanny Harvey, of Stamford, Conn., and they had 11 children, namely: Jane H., John, William F., Richard M., Laura, Fanny C., Frederick W., and Annis A., Harriet, Sarah D., and Theodore.

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*A further sketch of John M. Canfield will be found in the Bench and Bar chapter.

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Theodore Canfield was born in the historic village of Sackets Harbor, March 6, 1823, and here commenced a business career in the hardware trade, which was continued with enviable success until his retirement in 1868. Mr. Canfield was also prominent in municipal affairs, and for his known integrity and fitness for the position was chosen the town’s representative in the board of supervisors in 1859, and again in 1869, ‘70, ‘71, and ‘72, holding the honorable position of chairman of that board for two years. In 1866 he was the successful candidate of his party for member of Assembly. For 18 years he was an influential director of the Carthage, Watertown & Sackets Harbor Railroad, and for eight years served as vice-president of that corporation. On the 12th of September, 1848, Mr. Canfield wedded with Annie, daughter of John Little, a lady of refined and domestic tastes. Mr. Canfield is a man of decided character, but not vain, and still retains, in a marked degree, his strong intellectuality.

 

END OF TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD HISTORY.

The Family Sketches which followed, may be seen on Nan Dixon's Jefferson County NY GenWeb Site

Other resources available on Mark Wentling's ALHN site

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