OLIN F 127 .C7£ C41 1873a . B. Hill, F. H. Atkinson, Ma.tor J. G. Copley, S. T. Arnot, Gen'l Wm. M. Gregg, 0. G. Fairman, H. TiDii, W. T. Post, Hon A. W. Randall. HORSEHEADS. Col. H. C. Hoffman, Thomas Taylor, Daniel Bennett, 1. McDonald, Hon. Ch vs. Hulett. CMAIPLA IN^. Rev, W. Atwood, Rev. C L. Bacon, Rev. T. W. Read.: SAMII.E]j MINIER, Chairman. PATRIOTIC DISPLAY AT BIG FLATS. Exercises at the tJnveiliiig' of a Moinument Erected in Honor of ■William. Mapes, a Soldier of the Revolution. ORATION BY iOHN L. SEXTON, Jr., Esq. Our prophecy has been fulfilled The people of Big Flats have performed a patriotic duty — and right royally did they per- form it. Saturday p. m., in the presence of a large concourse of people the monument erected to the memory of Capt. William Mapes, was unveiled with interesting and patriotic ceremonies, includ- ing an appropriate address by Jontf L. Sbxton, jr., of Fall Brook, Ea. The order of exercises commenced by forming in procession on Main street, headed by the Big Flats Martial Band. Next in line was the Corning company of N. Y. N. S. G., followed by a carriage, containing thirteen young ladies dressed in white, with appropriate badges, carrying bouquets of flowers, with which to decorate the grave of the deceased patriot. Following this was the orator and clergy, in carriages, and a long line of citizens on foot. Upon arriving at the cemetery the exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Atwood, to which succeeded singing by the united church choirs, followed by the oration and unveiling of the monument, to which succeeded the "Star Spangled Ban ner," sung in fine style by the choir. Firing a salute over the grave of the dead patriot by the company of N. G., the reading of a poem, and the benediction by Rev. C. L. Bacon, concluded the exercises. The oration gave good satisfaction and was admirably de- livered. The monument was designed and executed by Mr. A. W. Ayres, of this city. To Hon. J L. Sexton^ the thanks of the people are due for the entire success which, attended the enterprise throughout, from the incipient movement to procure the monument to the fulfilling of the programme of the day's exercises. Marshal A S. Fuller performed his part well, and was promptly and successfully assisted by J. E. Miniek and J. R. Seeley. Altogether the people of Big- Flats have reason to feel proud of the successful performance of an honorable and patriotic deed. At the close of the exercises appropriate remarks weremade by Dr. Reed. The monument consists of a beautiful square shaft of Italian marble, eight feet high, supported by a base and sub-base of Cayuga marble. On the west side of the shaft is this inscription : WILLIAM MAPES, 5 years a Drum Major in the Continental Army ; Was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, and received an Honorable Discharge, written by the hand of Washftigton. Died, April 1st, 1856, in the 103d year of his age. ADDRESS OF JOHN L. SEXTON, Jr., Esq. Citizens of Chemung and Stenben Cozmties : The deeds of the gallant and heroic in all ages of the world's history have been commemorated ; not alone has honor been conferred upon the sons of Mars, but the heroic in the cause of Right, Justice and Philanthrophy ; the learned, the wise and virtuous have won laurels in their several vocations, and trans- mitted their fame and names to succeeding generations. It is the boast of the civilized and enlightened, over the illiterate and savage, of Science and Art, that they preserve the records or their triumphs, and not risk the perpetuation of their achieve- ments to the vague and uncertain hand of Tradition. We are here today to read a brief page from the history of , one who done distinguished service in the war of the Revolution and spent the evening of life in our midst, to show that we are not unmindful of our duty to him, nor to ■ his- claims upon the present generation, who are now enjoying the fruits of his labor. On the .28th day of October, 1754, on the north branch of the Raritan, in the State of New Jersey, William Mnpes was born. Passing over the events of his childhood and school-boy days, we find him at the age of fifteen serving an apprenticeship with a tailor in his native town. Before the term of his api^ren- ticeship had expired, the storm of the Revolution burst upon the Colonies with all the malignant hatred and fury, and in two years from the battle of Lexington, Thomas Paine, the author hero of the Revolution, published these memorable lines: " These are the times that try men's snuls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of his country ; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." • It was at this critical juncture in the affairs of the colonies when everything was dark, gloomy and foreboding, when New York and New Jersey were overrun by a lawless and licentious British soldiery — when the Sun of Liberty was overclouded by reverses, misfortunes and defeats, that William Mapes entered the old Continental Army. His was no sunshine patriotism ; he no summer soldier ; but one whose whole heart, life and energy- was devoted to the cause of Liberty and Independence. 4 Soon after his enlistment we find him at the memorable battle of Monmouth, on the 28th day of June, 1778, borne from the field in a fainting condition, from the loss of blood f his right arm piei'ced with a bayonet, his left knee shattered with buck- shot and bullet. Again recovered we find him with Gen. Sulli- van, boldly ascending the Susquehanna, contending against the wily Indian in his favorite mode of warfare, evading and eluding the ambuscade, resisting and repelling the midnight and sudden attack, ever on the alert, ever at his post, ever on duty. "Wen- ding his way up the river, we see him engaged with the terrible foe at Chemung, upon the ground since owned by Jesse Carpen- ter, Esq., where the war whoop was uttered in its shrillest and most defiant tone — where from behind rocks, trees and fallen timber, the Red Man with his British and Tory allies threatened to overpower the gallant band of Sullivan. In this terrible con- flict he fights undaunted, unterrified, unshaken. Emerging from the conflict victorious we find him at K-ANA-WE-o-LA (head on a pole) where the beautiful city of Elmira now stands, with those other compatriots, who subse- quently became illustrious pioneers and Settlers of Chemung County — Thomas Baldwin, Waterman Baldwin, John Fitzsim- mons, and John McHeniy. Assisting in destroying the corn- fields and supplies of the enemy in that vicinity, andin their line of march passing around that mountain (pointing to the knob in front of him) alon;: that river within view of the very spot where we are now convened ; thence by the chimney narrows, on the opposite side of the Chemung from where the enterprising vil- lage of Corning now stands, thence to the mouth of the Cohocton, near where the thriving town of Painted Post is located, discov- ering the origin.",! "Painted Post," thence to the waters of the Genesee, witnessing the horrible spectacle of Boyd's remains thence in return by the Seneca Lake, taking prisoner the cele- brated Indian Queen, Catharine Montour. Halting yonder where nestles that charming village of Horseheads, near the banks of Newtown Creek, assisting in killing the worn out artillery and baggage horses of Sullivan, which event has given that place a name in the annals of Revolutionary fame. * « . «- * » » * * After the surrender ot Burgoyne, at Saratoga, and the subse- quent successful expedition of Sullivan, all eyes were then di- rected to the military operations in the South. As darkness de- spair and gloom had settled over New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the earl}' struggle for. Independence, so now the fields of the fair South were drenched in . blood or polluted by the presence of our arrogant and heartless enemies The Caro- linas were almost entirely in the hands of the British, and the royal standard of King George floated over Savannah and the piincipal fortifications of Virginia. The battle of Camden had been fought and lost, the brave old Baron De Kalb had been slain, the laurels won by Gates in the North were lost in the South, and everywhere throughout the sunny land the cause of the colonies seemed crushed to earth. It is true a gallant few still nobly clung to the cause of Independence. The Rutledges, the Pinckneys, the Sumters, and Marions were disputing every inch of Southern soil. We sea a division to which our hero belonged, cautiously and silently withdrawing from the battle grounds of the North and turning their eyes and footsteps towards tlie Old Dominion The advance of this division towards the South was in the highest ' degree exciting. From the division, fleet couriers were hourly departing and arriving, informing it of the operations of Corn- wallis and his Generals. What a shout rent the air when the news of Tarleton's defeat by Morgan was received. What a frenzy and excitement it created. Again they received the in- telligence that Cornwallis was in close pursuit of Morgan and Greene, with a force greatly superior in numbers. The Catawba is crossed— a sudden rain swells the river and Morgan escapes. On pushes the column of Cornwallis Hud overtakes him just on the banks of the Yadiiin, the hand of Providence is stretched forth, a sudden flood makes the river impassible. After the waters subside, Cornwallis makes renewed etforts to capture the heroic band. But the Americans gain strength in their retreat. The battle at Guildford Court House is fought and the proud Cornwallis loses one-third of his army. News reaches the ad- vancing division from the North of this success of the Conti- nentals and inspires them with high and renewed hopes. Corn- wallis is now on the retreat, from the Carolinas. The prospects of the Americans are brightening. Washington himself is now hastening" to the scene to take command in person But I will not dwell upon the incidents connected with the "Siege" at Yorktown, its history is familiar to you all. Yet we must not lose sight of that gallant old hero, who now sleeps here in his silent tomb. He was there and saw the host of Cornwallis, on the 19th day of October, 1781, surrender to his beloved Com- ■ 6 mander in chief. Proud day for the American and French soldiers. Grand day for the American people. Happy era in the history of civil and religious liberty. Imagine, fellow citizens, the thrill of joy and delight that pervaded the United Colonies I Behold that silent tear as it trickled down the manly cheek of the old Veteran ! How his heart must have leaped for joy as he witnessed the surrender of his once proud but now humiliated invader I Oh ! who does not almost wish that he might have liveil in that day and generation, to have participated in the perils braved the dangers, shared in the vicissitudes, and finally to have had the glorious satisfaction of achieving the signal victory, and aiding in the establishment of a Republican government and lay- ing the foundation of this great temple of Freedom upon the Western Hemisphere. Desisting from the contemplation of those victorious mo- ments, let us pass over this history of the remaining events of the revolution, until the time when "Washington had assembled his army of veterans upon the banks of the Hudson, to take a formal farewell of those who had so gallantly and nobly defended their invaded country. Let us look into that spacious, but rudely con- structed tent, where sat the Father of his Country, attaching his signature to the discharges of those solddiers who had remained with him until the last enemy of the country had either surren- dered or evacuated the land. Among the heoroic remnant of the old continental army, was William Mapes He received his formal discharge from Washington's own hand. He was there to receive not only his discharge, bul the thanks and benisons of his loved commander-in-chief, and to witness the final separation of that noble band of patriots. His discharge he carefully pre- served for three-quarters of a century, as a memorial and certifi- cate of his service in the defense of his country. Many of the old citizens of this place hath seen that testimonial and know how dearly he prized and cherished it. On his waj home to New Jersey he witne.ssed the parting scene between Washington and his Generals at New York, and often described in a very afiecting manner, the incidents con- nected with that eloquent and patriotic farewell. Fifty years— a half century rolls by. The Constitution of the United States had been made. Washington had been called from his home at Mount Vernon, by the unanimous suffrage of the people, to act as chief Executive of the Infant Republic, serving.his country with equal fidelity and zeal, in the high capacity of Chief Magistrate, as he had when in command of the Continental Ai-my, he had again retired to the peaceful shades and walks of liis loved Mount Vernon, to enjoy domestic peace and tranquility, and had been succeeded by Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams and the hero of New Orleans. A seoqnd war with Great Britain ensued in which the rights of adopted citizens were more fully understood and de- fined, developing new powers and bringing into public notice new men and new measures- -the population of the country had increased from three to ten millions — the arts and science — agri- culture and manufactures were in a flourishing and prosperous condition. Steam had been used as a motive power, internal commerce had been fostered, the Erie canal uniting the great, chtin of inland seas with the ocean, had been completed, new States had been admitted into the Union, coequal sovereigns with the original thirteen. The new Republic of Texas had, by the inspirations and influence of our free institutions, been warmed into life, and was contending with Mexico for her inde- pendence. The corner stone of Bunlier Hill Monument had been laid,, and Webster had immortalized the fame of his coun- trymen. The star spangled banner was known upon every sea and respected in every country. Gen. Williamson with his party of English and (German emigrants, had been conducted into the wilds of Southern and Western New York, by Benjamin and Robert Patterson, two soldiers of the Revolution. Col. John Hendy had settled upon the banks of the Chemung, neas Ka-na- we-o-la. — James Clinton, John Hathorn and John Cantine, assist- ed by Moses DeWitt, hadsurveyed this section of tlie State and had opened up the former abode of the red man, and the axe of the daring and hardy pioneer, had converted this region, the vast wilderness of 1779, into a country rich in agricultural produc- tions Thirty-five new counties had been organized west of Montgomery, the mother of counties. Hamlets, villages, towns and cities, had sprang into being as if by magic, over this entire region. Fifty years, I say had passed away, since the farewell of Washington to his army on the banks of the Hudson, when an old man, a veteran of the Revolution, his head silvered with the frost of more than eighty winters, made his appearance in our midst. Fifty years before he had passed over this region in pur- suit of the enemies of his country. He wished to visit the scenes 8 ^ of his earh' exploits before he journeyed to that undiscovered coantiy, before departing to sleep with his fathers. Behold, how altered ! Ashe oast his eyes about in this lovely valley and beheld the earth teeming with its rich productions, and marked the evidences of cultivation and refinement, wit- nessed tha busy and happy population, he mentally exclaimed, "Surely this is not the wild valley of the Chemung which I passed through in 1779. The forests have disappeared, though there are those deep and rugged gorges in the mountain side ; there are these chimney shaped rocks overhanging the river and lifting their craggy heads high in the air — there to the north is the Seneca Lake where we took captive the aged Indian Queen, Catherine Montour, and yonder upon that plain at the foot of those mountains is where we buried a field piece and killed our horses, and there is that beautiful river overhung with verdant foliage. This must be the spot I seek. Those mute but unal- terable landmarks of Nature have not changed. There will I abide, here spend the remaining portion of my life." Need I tell you fellow citizens that he that was thus soliloquizing, was William Mapes, the old hero who now sleeiDS at our feet. More than twenty years he was permitted by Providence to live among us. Very many who are now present recollect him well. In many families he was a sjDecial and invited guest. Al- though his home was with his son Elisha, then with his grand- son, Phillip, at Samuel Minier'j, John Minier's, Capt. George Gardiner's, William T. Eeeder's, William A. Tuttle, William T. Hooker's and my father's he was at home, and was treated with respect and kindness. From his own lips I learned the history of his life and made a record of it at the time Nothing suited me better than listening to his plain unvarnished tales of the Revolution. It surprised me to see how accurate and precise he was in his recollection of persons and events. When he was a hundred years old his mind seemed fresh and strong. In 1840 he was introduced to Colonel Richard M. Johnson, one of Kentucky's noblest sons, by our late lamented and distin- guished friend. Colonel Samuel G. Hathaway, of Elmira. I was a boy then of ten ; but well recollect this meeting. Soon after the introduction Col. lohnson commenced speaking and in the course of his remarks alluded to the battle of the Moravian town and the death of Tecumseh. Capt. Mapes was sitting in a chair to the left and a few feet behind the speaker, and as Col. Johnson proceeded in the description of the battle and was re- lating the personal encounter with Tecumseh, Capt. Mapes be- gan to l^an forward, catching every syllable as it fell from the lips of the gallant Kentuckian Becoming more interested and . excited, he raised to his feet and commenced walking forward, his. eyes bright and dilated, his form erect, every muscle strained to its utmost tension, so that when the speaker had finished his narrative, the brave old man, with the fire of patriotism stiU burning in his bosom, was standing at the front of the platform beside the speaker with his cane ''presented" ready for charge. Glorious spectacle, those veterans standing uncovered, their gray hairs encircling their brows like a sheen of silver, receiving the shouts and applause of their fellow citizens — * * * He has gone to his reward. His ' character needs no eulogy from me. His deeds are cemented in the foundation of our gov- ernment. Born in 1754, he lived more than a hundred years be- fore he was gathered to his fathers in April 1856. A long lease of life Momentous and startling events in the history of our coantry and the world transpired within that time. We can adequately conceive the events of the century past. Who can comprehend the events that will transpire and crowd into the century to come ? But fellow citizens we will not indulge in speculations of the future. We are here to-day to commemorate the events of the past. In ei-ecting this monument to the memory of this departed hero, we simply do an act of justice to him, and reflect honor upon our- selves, and impart a valuable lesson to our posterity. This, fellow citizens, is one of the most gratifying scenes of my life — to meet after an absence of ten years my old friends '"and acquaintances — to witness the floral decoration of the grave by these patriotic young ladies, symbolizing and reminding us of the thirteen sister colonies— to meet with the representatives of the press, and of the learned professions — to view those veterans of the War of 1812 and of the late rebellion standing side by side, vieing with each other in doing honor upon this occasion — to be surrounded by the N. Y. S.N. Guards, assisting in performing these patriotic ceremonies — to see this vast concourse of people, here at the grave of an honored soldier of the Revolution to un- veil this monument [at this point the monument was unveiled], this lasting testimonial of our respect for the honored dead, fills my heart with delight. Standing here near the graves of our fathers, friends and neighbors, in this silent city of the dead, to perpetuate the mem- 10 ory of one wlio, for five long years, was heroicly engaged in the Service of liis country when she was contending against the strong arm of Britain in a struggle for liberty and independence. Ap- propriate tribute of respect ! ' His services should be acknowl- ■ edged ; his heroic deeds should be commemorated ; his memory deserves this recognition at the hands of the present tion. Fellow citizens, you have quarried the granite from the historic county of Cayuga, have sought the sunny land of Italy and brought hither a fine specimen of Italian marble, have divested them of their rough and unseemly proportions, and erected a monument symmetrical in proportion to the memory ot a gallant old hero. You have set up a landmark for present and future generations. You have indented and inscribed in a plain and unostentatious manner the virtues of the deceased. Long may this offering of a grateful people stand — not a MUTE, but ever-speaking witness of our deceased fellow citizen and soldier. May he in future who shall look upon it and read the inscription be inspired thereby to renew his fealty to this free and independent republic — remembering the trials and hardships of those who devoted "''their lives, their fortunes and sacred honor" to its establishment. May the youth and middle-aged, the old and the young, draw lessons of patriotism from the occasion. And to you, citizens of Chemung and Steuben, may all honor and thanks be awarded for this offering placed upon the altar of j'our country. You have done your duty. You could have done no more. t It will be rocollected that after the Battle of Chemnng and the aestruction of tlie' cornfields at Elmira, General Sullivan divided his expedition into several commands. He proceeded Uy the way of the Seneca Lake, while a division ascended by the way of Big Flats, and had a severe skirmish at Bloody Run, on the farm lately owned by Jonathan Brown, Rsq., a mile south-east of Gibson. To this posi- tion of the comraaud William Mapes belonged. Aiid In their return from Genesee they struck the road which Sullivan had cut throngh the Catharine ^wanlp, and proceeded by the way of Horseheads, Elmira and Chemung, meeting Oeneral Sul- ivan with the main division at or near Waverly, General Sullivan having descend- ed the Susquehanna from Otsego.