Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.arGhive.org/details/GentennialGelebr02newy 1 o 'j/ 7 3 7 - (^ > Y \\g^v,- '. '-rKl^'^''"^«-J '^e.c-rc^_^ri\ TllK gi^ IQ^ri lal CI& Le ny THK STATE OF NEW YORK. prepared pursuant to a Concurrent irresolution of the legislature of 1878, and Chapter 391 of the 'j_.am of 1879. BY te §.p§i@^ SECRETARY OF STATE. ALBANV: WEED, PARSONS & CO, PRINTERS 187!), It v.. V, Vj^,. Tap.le of Conten^ts. INTHODUCTORY, PAGE. 1-3 PKOCEEDINGS OF N. Y. HISTORICAL SOCIETY, - - - - 5-23 Address of Cuas. O'Conor on tue Adoption op the Constitution, 8 PROCEEDINGS AT KINGSTON, 23-53 Address of Judge T. R. Westbrook, - - - - - 28 " Chauncey M. Depew, 39 " Dr. C. D. F. Hoes, - - - - - 28 ' ' George H. Sharpe, . . - . . 40 Letter of Horatio Seymour, 50 " Judge Church, -..---• 53 PROCEEDINGS AT ORISKANY, - - - - - 55-149 Address of Horatio Seymour, 66 " William Dorsheimer, - • . - - 72 " William J. Bacon, - - . - - 74 '■ Ellis II. Roberts, 78 " DouGL.\s Campbell, 98 103 104 106 " Philo White, -------- Poem by Dr. Helmer, - Address of Clarkson N. Potter. " Dr. Haven, -------- 108 " Samuel Earl, - - ...--- 112 M. M. Jones, - - - 133 Poem by J. W. De Peyster, .--.--- 126 Appendix to Oriskany, - - 128 PROCEEDINGS AT BEMUS HEIGHTS, - - - l.JO-192 Address of George G. Scott, 155 " JIartin T. Tonvnsend, 157 " WiLLi-ot Dorsheimer, ----- 161 Poem by Robert Lowell, ...---- 163 Address of John A. Stevens, - - .... 168 iv Table of Contents. PAGE. PROCEEDINGS AT THE OLD FORT AT SCHOHARIE, - - 194-230 Address op Grenville Trbmain, - 197 Poem by Alfred B. Street, ..-.--- 207 Address OF Dr. D. Knower, - - - - - - .- 209 .'\rpENDix, --■ 218 PROCEEDINGS AT SCHUYLER VILLE IN HONOR OF BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER - - - - - - - - - 332-3.56 Address of Grakd Master Couch, . . - - - 249 " Charles S. Lester, ------- 250 " Horatio Seymour, 252 " Geo. William Curtis, ------ 264 Poem by Alfred B. Street, - - - - - - - 278 Address of Lafayette S. Foster, ------ 320 ' ' George W. Scetoyler, ------ 332 " William L. Stone, - 334 " B. W. Throckmorton, ----- 335 " H. L. Gladding, - 340 " A. A. Yates, - 344 Ode by J. Watts De Peyster, - 348 Letters, etc., -- 351 Appendix, -- 354 PROCEEDINGS AT CHERRY VALLEY, - - - - - 359-383 Memorial Ode, --- -- 360 Address op Hor.\tio Seymour, ------ 361 " Douglas Campbell, ------ 363 SKETCH OF THE OLD CAPITOL, ------ 387-401 SKETCH OF THE NEW CAPITOL, 405-418 PROCEEDINGS IN COMMEMORATION OF THE OCCUPATION OF THE NEW CAPITOL, 421-449 Address op William Dorsheimer, ------ 435 " Thomas G. Alvord, 429 ■ ' Ekastus Brooks, ....--- 433 List of Tllustratioj^ts. PAGE. ■^ George Clinton, .----.-- Frontispiece. V Old Senate House at Kingston, ------- 25 \/ Gen. Herkimer, ''^^ '^ Scene of Oriskany Battlefield at present day — East Ravine, 91 V Scene of Oriskany Battlefield at present day — West Havine, 127 \/ Old Fort at Schoharie, with Monument to D.wid Willia.ms, tM ^ Philip Schuyler, ----------- 332 4 The Scene of BrRooYNE's Surrender at present day, - - 301 4 The Old Capitol, - 387 ^ Old Senate Chamber, ---------- 391 VOld Assembly Chamber, 395 V Governor's Room, - - - - - 398 ''Old Court of Appe-u-s Room, 401 '' The New Capitol, - - - - - 403 ' Assembly Chamber, ----- 415 ^ Gr.^nd Corridor, ----- 430 ■y Grand Staircase, - - 438 INTKODUCJTORY. Oil tlic Stli (if May, 1878, a CDiicnrrcnt resi)lutinn, iiitntduced by 1 1 (111. James (r. (tkamjVM, of Orange, in tlio Iluuse, was passed by tlio Legislature, of wliicli the following is a copy: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Relative to the Publication of Certain Historical Records. On motion of Mr. GRAn.\M : WiiERE.vs, The "Centennial" of the adoption of tlie first Constitution of tlie State of New York, at Kingston, Ulster county, was appropriatelj' recognized by tlie New York Historical Society, and afterward duly celebrated at Kingston ; and, Whereas, The Centennial of the battles of Fort Stauwi.x and Oriskany, and Beniis Heights, the laying of the corner-stone of the monument at the old Fort at Schoharie, to David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre, as well as the battle of Saratoga, were all appropriately celebi'ated (on the grounds which have been made famous forever in our history) by military display, and the patri- otic addresses of distinguished orators and statesmen, and by the inspiring trib- utes of our poets; therefore, be it Besolved (if the Senate concur). That tlie Secretary of State cause to be pre- pared and published in appropriate manner and style, a full and correct record of the proceedings at all said " Centennial" celebrations, including therein the olK- cial action of the authorities by whom the same were conducted ; a statement of the military exercises and the organizations taking part therein, all historical sketches read, and all addresses and poems prepared and delivered at the sev- eral Centennial celebrations, and that five thousand copies of the same be pre- pared and publislied as aforesaid, ten copies thereof to be furnished to eacli mem- ber, and one copy to each offiitcr and reporter of the present Legislature, and one to each ofBcer of the State government; one thousand copies to be furnished to the State Library for exchange, and for distribution to other libraries in this State; and tlie remainder to bo used by the Secretary of State in supplying per- sons who made addresses at such celebrations, and the persons officially connected therewith, and to such other persons or institutions as he may deem proper; also to accompany this work with views of the Old and New Capitol of the State, outside and inside, as far as practicable, with appropriate historical sketches con- nected therewith; said work to be compiled and executed under the supervision of the Secretary of State, and to be let by him to the lowest responsible bidder; but tlie entire expense thereof shall not exceed the sum of six thousand doUare. 2 iNTKOUUC'l'Om. Oil tlu' Otli iif January, 1S71>, tlio Secretary of State made tlu' fol- lowing report to the Legislature relative to his action in the matter of tlic ]iul>lic'ation (Assembly Doe. 17, session of 1S79) : REPORT Oi'' THE Skohetaky of Statk Relative to the Publicathin of Certain HlSTOlUCAL ReCOKUS. Opfick of the Secretauy of State, Albany, January M, 1879. Hon. Thomas G. Ai.vonri, Speaker of tJie AssemUy : Siu: I liave the Imiuir to submit herewith to tlic Li'yislaturc the following- report relative to the work done by me, iu pursuance of the directions of the accompanying concurrent resolution, passed May 8, 1878. (Here followed the resolution quoted above.) In obedience to the instructions conveyed by these resolutions, I have had col- lected the material necessary for the publication of the book, and it is now in my possession, ready to be placed at once iu the hands of the editor. The collection of the material involved no expense, but any further steps toward the editing and printing of the volume will require an appropriation, which the Legislature of last year, while adoi)ting the resolution aljove quoted, inadvertently failed to make. Allliough several propositions were made bj' responsible publishing houses to proceed with the printing and completion of the book without an appropriation, depending upon your honorable body at its present session to provide for tlie pay- ment of the same, the intent of the coustitutional provision against binding the credit of the State where no appropriation is made, appeared to be so plainly against such action, that I have deemed it my duty to withliold the publication until an apjiropriatiou is actually made. I would, therefore, suggest to the honorable, the Legislature, that au appropri- ation is necessary to carry out the purposes of the resolution, and that if an ade- quate one is made at an early day, the volume can be issued with little further loss of time. I have tlie honor to be, Your obedient servant, ALLEN C. BEACH, St:crett(ri/ of State. On May 28^ 1870, the following Law was passed: CHAPTER 391. An Ait AIakino an ArpnonuATioN for the Publication of Certain HlSTOlUCAL Records. Passkd May 38, IST'J; tliree-llttlis being present. The People of the State of AVvr York, represented in Senate and Asuendib/, do enact a* foUotcs : Section 1. The sum of six thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby ajjpropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise Introductory. 3 uppropriatc'd, p;iy:ililc.' on llic wui-niiit of tlie C'oin])trollcr to tlie order of tlie Sec- retary of Sliite, for the use of the parties entitled to the same, for tlic prepara- tion and puhlication of eertaiu historical eenteunial records, pursuant to concur- rent resolution of the Senate and Assembly, passed May eight, cigliteen hundred and seventy-eight, and, also, for the publication, in the same volume, of the memorial addresses ordered by concurrent resolution of the Legislature, adopted January twenty-eight, eighteen hunipon (he Governor alone, and the power of appointment was mainly vested in that otHcer and the Senate. Various other alterations of like inferior grade were made in tliat year. The Supreme Court Judges were reduced in niunbcr, and local assistant judges were created subordinate to that court and to the Court of Chancery. Several new ])rovisions were then introduced as to the appointment and election of inferior officers. And henre we pass to an important ei)oeh. A new Constitution, adopted during the previous autumn, went into effect in 1847. With alterations scarcely more than formal it is still in force. It wrought very material changes in the structure of our State Government, and by conse- quence in its methods. It abolished the pre-e.xisting court of last resort as well as the Supreme Court of common-law jurisdiction and the Court of Chancery, substituting for the first a Court of Appeals with eight judges, since reduced to seven. The powers and jurisdiction of the other two high tribunals were vested in eight essentially local courts. Each Senator and Assemblyman was directed to be chosen in a separate, or, as it was called, a single district, the term of the former being reduced to two yeai-s, or one-half of the duration previously estab- lished. At first only the Governor, the Legislature, and a few local administrative offi- cers, were elected by the people. That principle had been gradually ami in a slight measure extended to other members of the latter class; but now the whole judiciary and nearly all officers of whatever grade were made elective. The period of these striking changes would seem a fit place to notice the various alter- ations whicli have been made in the qualifications of voters. Under the first Constitution the Governor and Senate were elected by those possessing freeholds of £100 in value over and above incumbrances. None could vote for members of Assembly except the freemen of cities or residents possessing a freehold in the comity of £20 in value, or renting a tenement of the annual value of 40 shil- lings, and who had been rated and paid a tax. The new Constitution of 1833 lowered the standard and required only that the elector should have borne some public burden; but the slightest sufficed. In 1826 even this pre-requisite was abolished. Having reached maturity, was thenceforth and now is the only quali- fication, except residence, demanded of those exercising the sovereign power. A residence of some permanency had always been required ; but now, in 184fi, when numerous new duties making grave demands upon intelligence were imposed upon the citizen, there being no other restraint that could be loosened by the spirit of change, the six mouths' residence jircscribed by existing law was reduced to four. Perhaps there was some compensation for this in the new requisites of a thirty days' resilience within the election district, and that the robe of acquired citizenship should be ten days old. The beneficial performance of the electoral duty might liave been better secured. Requiring a continual registered residence within the district for one full year next preceding the vote, would exclude all tramps and other unsettled persons. This would lessen the mercenary bands employed by faction. The secret ballot is an evil practice; it sliould have been long since abolished. All voting should be riva toee ; and besides announcing his choice, the voter should be required to write and sub- scribe his ticket with his own hand in the presence of the election judges, and to deposit it with them as authentic evidence of his act. Under such regulations public officers might be selected by the intelligent and witli intelligence; the 12 Centennial Celebeations. falsehood anretliren. ' But tlie apparent benignity of British parliament- ary rule prevented a perception of the fact, obvious as it was to abstract tliouglit, that tlie law-making department, if intrusted with authority to operate directly on specified persons and transactions by special act, would — as a necessary and inevitable consecjuence of lunnan weakness — become corrupt and oppressive. The frugality and simplicity of prevailing habits, and tlie absence of great individ- ual wealth or inordinate individual ambition, diverted attention from the manifest difierence in this respect between the British system and the American conception of government. The necessity of expressly defining and limiting the power of legis- lation was not perceived; and thus it has happened that that task is devolved upon us at this day when we are entering upon the era of contemplated reform. It should not be impracticable when graceful confessions of past misconduct are con- stantly falling from the lips of both political parties and the promise of amendment is the battle-cry of each. It is, therefore, our duty carefully to investigate jDast errors, and to demand and enforce such constitutional changes as may prevent tlieir recurrence. A proper preliminary step is to adjust the principles which should guide us. Our greatest error in the past was this investiture of the legislative body \vith discretionary power to govern by special act. As an instrument in the hands of organized faction it operates for personal ends ; it wrings from the multitude the fruits of their industry and the just acquisitions of lawful individual eilort by themselves or their sires. What has been said concerning the impropriety of per- mitting legislative bodies to exercise executive powers, or, in other words, to pass s])ecial acts, is by no means a novel conception. Quite the contrary ; a struggle on the part of the people to enforce it against the politicians who dominate over tliem has been long progressing. At an early period the business of banking was virtually converted into a franchise. It was confined to the favorites of the Legis- lature. In 1822, a constitutional provision was enacted to restrain in like man- ner the formation of corporate bodies for the transaction of any business what- ever. After a violent and protracted struggle the popular will triumphed over both of these devices. The general Banking Law originating in 1838 was the result. This curb upon special legislation was imposed by public sentiment at a period so near the framing of a new Constitution in 1846, that its recognition in that instrument was literally compelled. In express terms it forbade the Legisla- ture to grant any special charter for banking purposes, and thus that business was thrown open to free competition. The enactment of special charters for pri- vate or trading corporations of all kinds was subjected to a similar prohibition. Here, liowever, great weakness and vacillation marked the conduct of those who framed that Constitution. S])ecial corporate acts were tolerated in cases where the Legislature might consider that the object could not be attained by general laws. This hesitation in applying a benign reformatory principle left legislation subject to many of the pre-existing abuses. One striking instance will readily occur, that is to say, the celebrated and justly cen.sured Classification Act of 1809. The principle of forbidding s]>(fial acts was again approved by the people in 1874. A constitutional proliibitidn applicable to a large number of enumerated cases was adopted in that year. It was also enjoined upon the Legislatm-e to enact general laws providing for these and all other cases in which such a reform might be found practicable. 3 1 8 Centennial Celebrations. The sovereign will thus expressed in the amendment of 1874 attests the general desire to confine the Legislature to its proper province, to wit: making laws. But the language employed in that provision is imperfect, and the sphere of its oiH'ratiou is unduly limited. Though forced by startling and intolerable abuses to ai)ply the great principle now advocated, the framers of the amendment may not have intended to do so in an clfectual manner. Indeed, it is possible that they did not comprehend the principle itself. But the electoral body — the sovereign people — saw and approved it. Small and imperfect as was the install- ment of needful reform placed within their reach in each of these constitutional amendments, they acted wisely in adopting it. Their great need, however, can- not be suiiplied by a set of specified restraints in named cases. Still less is the relief effectual, when, as in the last-mentioned instance, it is confusedly expressed. The legislative power should be distinctly defined in the fvmdamental law so as to admit only the enactment of general rules for our officers and people. Only occasional and short legislative sessions would then be required. This single step would go far toward abolishing the pernicious trade of politics — that fruitful parent of all the evils that afflict our country. The masses are honestly devoted to the common weal ; but in no just sense can they be regarded as component elements of either political party. The will of the commanding general it is that guides the military force. He hurls it against the enemy ; in fact, he is himself the force ; the soldiers are mere machines. So it is also in the public conflicts of civil life. A few leaders in each political camp constitute the party; no others influence its movements or are in any just sense members of it. They arc merely its instruments. And when it is considered that, as before stated, the names borne by the two parties at this day import nothing distinctive, and that the principles professed by the leaders of each are absolutely identical, how can reason regard the so-called parties as other than factions engaged in a selfish rivalry for official power and patronage ? How, then, are our property and our liberties to be protected ? Most certainly not by these office-seeking f actionists ; nor by their respective bands of hirelings who perform the mechanical drudgery of manipulating ward or county meetings and nominating conventions. It can be effected only through the intelligent action of those ni the electoral body who do not pursue politics as a business, or seek cither maintenance or profit or titular advancement through the special action of Government in theu- favor. But how, it may be asked, aie these to be rescued from the grasp of the politicians, who now hold them as thralls ? In answering this inquiry, we are naturally led to consider what ought to be our plan of gov- ernment or our jiolitical system in the future. Great social c\ils arc felt, and it is vainly imagined that relief from them can be had through changes in party rnle and through the supervening action of Govern- ment. This is a mistake. Governments may create evil; they cannot suppress it. Society, by the individual action of its private members in the ordinary pur- suits of life, supplies the commonwealth with the vital current which creates and sustains national jirosperity. To be let alone by politicians and intermeddling officials is all that society needs. To secure that immunity through the constitu- tional law of the fxiture is the task devolved upon us. To effect this, we need no new-A\Titten Constitutions of expanded proportions, and filled wth minute and detailed provisions concerning the terms. com]>ensation, and jjowers of officials. These are matters of detail, which, in general, may be left to occasional adjust- ment. The New York Historical Society. 19 A ^vTitten Constitution, the distinctive featuru in American methods, is not distinguisliaMe in priiieiple from any other hiw. If there ever was a distinction, it is being rapidly oMitcrated by continual changes and extensive amplilication. That first Constitution under which we lived for so many years was framed and put in operation by a convention of delegates selected and assembled with less formality tlian usually attends the choice of an annual Legislature. The early Constitutions of our sister States were in general adopted in the same manner.^ It seems not to have been tliought at the beginning that a vote of the people was necessary to give validity to an organic plan of government. Other Constitutions in this and the sister States have provided a means for their own amendment or for the substitution of new Constitutions in theu- stead. But it is thoroughly established that the methods thus prescribed are not imperatively controlling. A learned writer has suggested that unless those methods be followed, a preparatory convention should be resorted to; but such a i)relimLnary step is not requisite. It would seem to be the unwritten paramount law, established by necessity, reason and public sentiment that a State Constitution newly framed, either wholly or in part, may be adopted without any otiier forms by a majority of the people at an election held in conformity with a i)rior law authorizing and regulating the vote. Our highest judicial tribunal is iniderstood to have decided in the ease of Dorr's Rhode Island insuiuection, that without some such act of formal consent by the exist- ing government, a new organic law cannot be adopted or put in force. If this be a correct view of our system, a new State Constitution can always be adopted within a very short time after a clear majority of the people have so determined — say six or eight weeks. At any time since the magnetic telegraph came into use, both Houses of Congress, acting by a two-thirds vote, might change the Federal Constitution in a single day, provided three-fourths of the States' Legislatures should concur. It may thus be seen that little if any thing toward insuring perpetuity or controlling the will of a jiopular majority was effected by the device of written Constitutions. The endurance, vigor, and virtue of those fundamental principles which, in fact, are our Constitution, depend wholly upon the intelligence and patriotism of our jieople. And these are amjjly sufficient for all purposes unless we allow scheming managers to control, for selfish objects, the machinery of elections. Popular elec- tion is the organ by wliich the sujireme power speaks. All will be well if it can be defended from luilawful force and exempted from the operations of fraud. It is, in the very nature of things, imiwssible that a majority of the people should ever become so degraded as willingly to destroy their own dearest interests. Our State Constitution of the future should declare the principles of civil and religious liberty as heretofore^; no new or more specific statement of them is needed. But it should perfectly separate the great departments of government 1>V strictly defining and limiting the powers of the legislative body. This may be ditHeult, but it is not inijiossible. It should forbid any public body or functionary to create, by taking up loans of money, any new public debt at any time or under any circumstances. It should reorganize the legislative department by abolishing the pernicious system of single districts and restoring to the communities .socially established, such as cities and villages, the right of representation. The futile duplicity of chambers should be dispensed with as a needless complexity. Once the pernicious privilege of pa.ssing private or special acts was taken away, all laws would become similar to what constitutional amendments now are, and it is well 20 Centennial Celebrations. known that the convention, which is the favorite agent for framing these, has, in every instance of its use, been composed of a single cliamber. AVitliholiliug executive power from tlie Legislature should not l^e allowed to produce a mischievous excess of authority in the Chief Magistrate. On the con- trary, there should be a corresponding reform in that quarter. That otHce should not be elective. It should be filled by lot every month from the representative body. This would impress upon our people the necessity of electing none as legislators but such as were competent to the higher ofSce. The brevity of the term would prevent serious mischiefs from incompetency where it happened to supervene, and no man would devote a life of effort to keeping on foot intermin- able election broils, for the purpose of securing himself a long term of semi-regal power over his countrymen. Refonns approximately similar should be instituted in the general government by altering the Federal Constitution. These changes are few and simple. They would abolish faction and the trade of politics. No mischief could result from them. God-like ambition, and even that emu- lation which incites to accumulating wealth, would find ample employment in the pursuits of private life. There is no benefit to society in the frivolous and factit- ious privileges that result to individuals from official dignity or official titles, and from the mischievous power of exercising governmental authority over others for self-aggrandizement. Very controlling arguments might be offered to prove that in thus substantially extinguishing the great office of President, no sound public policy would be vio- lated, nor any blight thrown upon the seemingly praiseworthy ambition of the demigods who from time to time arise among us, and, captivated by the far-off prize, spend their lives in prodigious displays of ability for the purpose of estab- lishing their claim to it. It is esteemed the most admirable feature in the British system of government that the chief magistracy is beyond the reach of any sub- ject. Indeed, the fact that it eliminates this high honor from the attainabilities of human effort or human desire, is the only practical service the crown can be said to perform in the working of the British Constitution as now established. That it cost a large sum of money is its only other eilect on English affairs. It is com- mon knowledge that the sovereign interferes not at all in the public administra- tion. That formal functionary no longer exercises or would be permitted to exercise the veto power. But for a certain supposed necessity of deluding the imagination by parade, a piece of brass known as the official seal of State could as well perform all the duties of the British chief magistracy. The 'favorite of Par- liament for the time Vicing now controls the crown as perfectly as in the case sup- posed he could control tlie regal stamp. Plaudits in approval of this English arrangement resound through all political literature. Tlieir justice will be assented to l)y every sagacious observer of our demoralizing conflicts for the Presidential succession. The evils produced are an unavoidable consequence of placing such a ■ prize in the arena of competition. Strifes for similar possessions cast a crimson shade over the pages of history. Their destructive consequences are well illus- trated by the bard of Avon. Macbeth is portrayed as originally valiant, loyal, and honorable. So pure and upriglit was his nature, that the fiendish arts of supernat- ural agents and the influence of woman's love were required to combine in his temptation : nor did a moment's peace attend his sensitive conscience after yield- ing to it. But the proffered prize was too great for human virtue. Once shown the path to such an eminence as the chieftainshii) of his country, no crime was so The Xkw York Historical Society. 21 appalling as to deter from the effort to attain it. Treachery toward his friend, treason against liis sovereign, and red-handed murder of guests were perpetrated in the pursuit, because they were necessary. If we may judge the future by much of the past, no man inspired by a lauda- ble ambition should regret the removal of this glittering bauble from his .sight. Save in the rarely recurring cases in which military renown has captivated the public mind, those to whom natural gifts and laborious effort attracted just admir- ation have not been permittc'd to attain this exalted office. Witness the fortune of our great popular idols, C'i.-VY and Websteu. The manipulators of the conven- tion or of the ballot-box invariably set them aside and awarded the seat to per- sons comparatively little distinguished. Mr. Webster's discourse before this Society on the dignity of historical com- po.sitions must be in the memory of many now present. It was his last great effort among us, and was addressed to the elite of our city almost at the very close of his illustrious life. He had already passed three-score and ten. Yet how mag- nificent, how like an immortal was that presence ! None who witnessed the dis- play can ever forget it : "With grave Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven Deliberation sat, and public care And princely counsel in his face . . . Majestic. . . . Sage he stood With Atlantean shoulders fit to bear Tlie weight of mightiest monarchies ; his look Drew audience and attention still as night Or summer's noontide air.'' Though an efficient bulwark of peace and union, the foremost champion of his party, and admired throughout the civilized world, Webster never could obtain even a nomination to the chair of state. His betrayers found their precedent in an ancient legend. It was in the beginning of time that the feathered tribe assembled to choo.se a ruler; and he was to receive the diadem who oould attain the greatest height. The majestic eagle when his wing had tired lieheld far beneath him, exhau.sted and descending to earth, the host of his vanquished rivals. He was about to pour forth his triumphant clarion, but lo ! the little wren, who, until that moment, had sat quietly and unfelt upon his bosom* now sprang aloft, and with a tiny cry announced himself the victor. Thus was elected the king of all birds. By some crafty device of this sort the politicians will ever .set aside the magnates. Those who, from their shining talents and their public services, might justly claim a preference, and who, if the people controlled, would receive it, will be apt to fail in future contests. If this regal eminence, the quadrennial presi- dency with its vast power and patronage, must remain elective, the paltry little wrens of faction, not the lordly eagles of the land, will almost invariably win and wear the purple. Let our coimtry be governed by general laws varied only as occasion may require, and then only by general enactments. As a happy result the thirty-nine mass- meetings who now spend each winter in contriving the methods of favoritism involved in paternal government may be employed more beneficially for them- selves and their country in the pursuits of industry. In such a career the sons of fame can find fairer and more desirable returns for the efforts of their Labor and tlieir skill than can possibly be reaped in the theaters of petty electioneering intrigue. 22 Centennial Celebrations. Relieved from the embarrassing influence of governmental interference, Ameri- can genius can win its way to a high place in the ranks of competitive effort. It lias contended successfully for the palm in high art, and for equality in literature and learned research. In such marvelous achievements as utilizing steam-power and magnetism it took the lead ; nor will history pass unnoticed the fact that its discoveries in the less attractive forms of manufactures, machinery and mechanic art, have conferred lasting benefits upon mankind. The introduction of india- rubber in its limitless variety of uses, the cotton-gin, the reajDer, the mower and the seis-ing-machine, are testimonies of its power. Long ago the American lock- maker took precedence of the ablest in the Old World. We have at last excelled the Swiss, immemorial horologers, and our textile fabrics are rivaling those of the mother country in her own markets. It is said, and doubtless with truth, that great cities have hitherto been destroyers of the human race. A single American contrivance promises to correct this mischief. The cheap and rapid transportation of passengers on the elevated rail, when its capacity shall have been fully developed, will give healthful and pleasant homes in rural territory to the toiling millions of our commercial and manufacturing centers. It will snatch their wives and children from tenement- house horrors, and by promoting domesticity, greatly diminish the habits of intemperance and vice so liable to be forced upon the humbler classes, or nurtured in them by the present concomitants of their city life. Not in the moral pest-houses of politics, but in fields like these, is true renown to be acquired. Permanent endowments for the promotion of literature have insured lasting honor to the names of Astor, Lenox and Giraed. They will live forever in grateful memory along with the enduring charities of Roosevelt and Muhlenberg. Upon the conclusion of the address Geoege H. Mooee, LL. D., moved on behalf of the Society the following resolution : Besohed, That the thanks of this Society be and hereby are presented to Mr. Charles O'Conor for the masterly, eloquent and instructive address with which he has favored us this evening, and that he be requested to furnish a copy for publication. • The resolution was seconded by Judge John K. Poktee, who expressed in happy terms the general feeling of admiration for the memorable address of Mr. O'Conoe, which he prophesied would, like the speaker and the occasion, prove historic. The resohition was unanimously adopted, and the meeting adjourned. ^xnQston. THE FIRST FOKMATION OF THE STATE. Peoceebings of ttte Celei]ratton at KlNGSTOl^. Tiie centeiiai-y of the .adoption of tlie Constitution of tlic State was celebrated at Kingston, wlicre the first State Government was foi'med, witli gi-cat and apj^ropriate displays, on Monda}', July 30, 1877. From the local press of that day, the following extracts are chosen to show tlic method of the celebration : " All day yesterday the weather tokens were eagerly watched and propliecies and ho]ics for the display to-day were equally l)lendi'd. Heavy rains fell during the night, and tlie day broke with weeping skies, l)ut it was ushered in by the booming of a hundred guns from the common down-town which was re-echoed by the guns up-town, and the ringing of the bells from the spires that point their taper fingers toward heaven proclaimed us a God-loving as well as a God-fearing people. Before the morning fairly dawned the city was festooned witli a forest of flags and garlanded with a parterre of flowers. Pul)lic buildings, places of Imsiness and private houses were gay with l)unting and evergreens, and the brave old flag floated from masthead and staff and balcony all along the city limits. The steam and sail craft in the stream had All their ensigiis diglit As if for a groat sea fight. ■ The Dkcorations of Historic Kingston. The decorations in tlie upper part of the city were very fine. Ilardly a Imilding could be found that did not make some display. Oil Wall street all the stores and other places were handsomely decorated, notal)ly tliose of Bernstkin, Merritt & Co., which store also displayed a pair of slijipers tliat were made in 1763, also a Bible 26 Centennial Celebrations. dated in 1741. On tlie front of Chas. B. Saffokd's there was suspended a large shield, that had been most tastefully gotten up by one of the young gentlemen. The court-house was decorated by bunting and flags which hung in graceful festoons from the windows, while in the door- way was a large inscription, as follows : " On this spot July thirtieth, 1777, George Clinton of Ulster, seven times Governor and twice Vice- President of the United States, was inaugurated first Governor of New York." The trees in front were wrapped with bunting. On Clinton avenue could be seen the old house of F. L. AVestbkook, which had once been occupied by the Senate. On this building is a large inscrip- tion, "Senate of the" State of New York, 1775." Hon. F. L. West- brook's house was also decorated in a very tasty manner and made a fine appearance standing at the head of John street. On Albany avenue the dis]"ilay was perfectly magniflcent. The res- idences of General Sharpe, William B. Fitch, H. D. Darkow, Peter DuMOKT, Mrs. John Smitu, Peter Masten, C. J. Townsenp, Captain Jacob II. Tkejiper, Colonel Tkempek, Alderman Hayes, and General J. S. Smith were decorated from top to bottom, and the most of the trees in these fronts were also ornamental with flags that floated from the branches. All the ministers in that part of the city showed their patriotism by displaying from their houses and grounds flags and streamers. A fine flag waved from the house of Judge T. E. Westbeook. Among the old houses is that occupied by the Van Steenbukgh family, at the lower end of "Wall street, well known to be the oidy house not burned by the British in October, 1777. The Aeeivals. Large numbers of people came to the upper part of the city on Saturday night and the streets presented a lively appearance until a late hour. On Sunday the churches were crowded, among the congre- gations being a sprinkling of regimentals that gave these places of M'orship an unusually interesting appearance so far as concerned tem- poral matters. During the church service at night the preachers made appropriate mention of the Centennial to be celebrated on the morrow, they gen- erally treating it in a mixed religious and secular vein, and the maimer in which they were listened to by the large congregation showed how interested they were in the coming event. Precisely at the hour of midnight, as the Centennial was ushered in, the bell of the First Heformed Church began to ring, Mliich was soon followed by the bells of the other churches, and those who were asleep sprang from their Kingston. 27 beds resent site of the Kingston Bank and 3Ir. Howard Chipp's, and the Vanderlyu man- sion, which occupied the space across Wall street between the present sites of the Ulster Comity and State of New York Banks, received so much injury from the intensity of the fire, on account of their size, that they were suffered to fall into ruin. .-Vud I have been told by those now living that they played as children within the walls and under the arches of these ruins, seeming to them of vast size, and constraining sentiments of awe and veneration. Others of the larger Kingston. 43 houses were only imrtially nhiiilt, llie new courses of stone being laid in the same position as tlie old ones. Of these, Christopher Tappen's mansion, hite on the corner of AVall and North Front; the large Tappen house, still occupying the tri- angle on Green street; tlie old Bruyn mansion, with its handsome hipped roof, on the corner of North Front and Crown; Bogardus' tavern, afterward called the Constitution House, standing where William F. Romek's residence now is, and Ihc old Ilnsbrouck liomestead, lately on East Front street at the easterly termina- tion of 3Iain, are fair specimens, and will readily be recalled by most of those who hear me. Bogardus' tavern, with the Elmendorf house diagonally opposite, now owned by General V.\>; Burex, were the two principal hotels, and in them the committees who prcjiared the Constitution undoubtedly met. The Convention, however, sat in the Court House, a substantial building of blue limestone, occu- pying about the same superficies of ground as the present noble building, and - overlooking the fine inclosure and old burying ground of the Dutch church. The Convention having organized on the 6th of March, we learn from its jour- nal that already on the l'2th the committee for preparing and reporting a form or plan of government brought in their report, which was read by !Mr. Duane, of New York, in his place. On the 18th of JIarch, Mr. Governeur Morris, of "Westchester, moved, and it was seconded, that the members be permitted to smoke in the Convention Cham- ber, to prevent bad effects from the disagreeable effluvia arising from the jail below. A debate arose thereon, and, the question being put, the House divided as follows: For the affirmative, Westchester, four votes; Albany, six votes ; Ulster, four votes — -total, fourteen. For the negative, Tryon, three votes; New York, eight votes — total, eleven. The counties of Dutchess and Orange were divided. This division was immediately followed by a motion of 3Ir. .Jay, which was passed, directing that Captain Piatt, Mr. Cuyler and Mr. Duane, be appointed a com- mittee to devise ways and means for clearing the jail below and moving the pris- oners. Tlie Convention proceeded from day to day, transacting its military business and discussing the several sections of the new Constitution; and on the 20th of April, the whole plan of government was read through, the last division being taken upon the two methods of voting at the popular elections — by ballot or viva voce. On the evening of the same day, irhkh mas Sunday , the Constitution or plan of government of this State, as amended, was read throughout, and, the general question being put thereon, it was agreed to by every member present, except Col. Peter R. Li\'ingston, who desired that his dissent thereto be entered on the minutes. The draft of this Constitution was in the handwriting of John Jay, and, con- taining a full recital of the Declaration of Independence, is equal, in the dignity of its language and in the scope of its provisions, to any similar instrument pre- pared by the hand of man. The proceedings of the day were closed by the appointment of Mr. Robert R. Livingston, Gen. Scott, Jlr. Morris, Mr. Abra- ham Yates, Mr. Jay and ilr. Hobart a committee to report a plan for establish- ing the government agreed to by this Convention; and it was ordered that one of the Secretaries should proceed to Fishkill, where Mr. John Holt, the editor of the New York Journal, and the Stat&))rinter, was then established. The Secre- tary was authorized to direct the printing of three thousand copies of the Consti- tution, and to give gratuities to the printer and his workmen, at his discretion, in order to obtain dispatch, and the printer was ordered to lay aside all other 44 Centennial Celebrations. business. Thu procuediugs of the commitU'C concliulcd witli tlic following ;iction bj' the Convention: HraoJi'oT, That tho Constitution of this State bo publislicd at tlie Court-house, at eleven of the dock, on next Tuesday nioininf;. Ordered, That tlie Cliairnian of tlie Committee oT Kingston be furnished witli a i^opy of the above resolution, and that he be requested to notify the inhabitants of Kingston thereof On the following Tuesday, at the hour named, the bells of the Dutch church, the Court-house and of Kingston Academy, called the inhabitants to the front of the latter building, where, surrounded by the members of the Convention, the Secretary of that body, standing upon a barrel, read the Constitution to the people. The little capital of the State began to increase in importance, and on the fol- lowing Saturday, April 3t)tli, the Convention ordered that the Treasurer of this State advance to John Dumont, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Kingston, tlie sum of one hundred pounds, to defray the expense of the night watch over the State prisoners and the public records. Meantime some vessels belonging to the Continental Congress, which had taken refuge up the Hudson River, and by reason of the enemy's strong naval force at New York were unable to put to sea, had been placed at the disposition of this Colony for the purpose of receiving State prisoners. These vessels lay at TwaaU'skill, now Wilbur, one of them being named the Lady Washington ; and on the 28th of April the Convention ordered that two hundred men be raised to protect the Continental ships and the public records and treasury of this State against the designs of disajtected people, as well as to guard the different passes and roads frequented by such persons for the purjiose of conveying intelligence and going over to the enemy. This force was organized into three companies of able-bodied men, well armed and accoutred each with a good musket or fusee, a sword or tomahawk, a powder horn and bullet pouch or cartouch pouch, and they were officered respectively by Captains Evart Bogardus, Isaac Belknap and Frederick Schoonmaker. Much time of the Convention was subsequently occupied by the trial of a num- ber of Tories, with which the northern part of our County abounded. The enemy sought to corrupt the fanners of the moiuitain towns from theu- allegiance to the State by an ofier of one hundred acres for heads of families, and fifty for children, to be partitioned out of such lands as should be confiscated from the patriots. A considerable number, whose trials are set forth at length upon the Journal of the Convention, were found guilty and ordered to be hanged ; but it would seem that the gates of mercy were easily opened, as from one cause and another all were reprieved, with the exception of two. Jacobus Roosa and Jacob Jliddngh ; where- ui)on it was ordered that Egbert Dumond, Esq., High Sheriff, have permission to go aboard all the vessels at the landing, at his pleasure, or to send any person on board who shall be the bearer of a copy of this order, to endeavor to obtain an executioner. It is, therefore, to be presumed that the two traitors who were hanged at this time perished at the hands of one of their royalist sympathizers. On the 0th of ]May it was voted that Levi Pawling be first Judge of Ulster, and that Dirck Wyncoop be one other Judge for the same County ; and it is interesting to state that Judge Wyncoop's residence is still standing, on Green street, presenting, in all probaliility, the same appearance that it did to our revo- lutionary fathers, and is the only house existing in this County, with the exception of the Lonnsbery mansion at Stone Ridge, where we can trace the footsteps of Washington. Kingston. 45 Georgo Clinton, having in the mcaiUinir' bfcn appointed a Brigadier-Genenil in the Continental Army, sent to the Convention his resignation of his commis- sion, of like rank, in the militia of Ulster and Orange, and on the 13th of May, having declined to accept the resignation, the Provincial Convention adjourned, turning over the business of the State to a Council of Safety, to hold power until the election and ipialiflcation of the Governor and Legislature. I am at a loss to know whether the Council of Safety continued its sitting in the Court-house or met in some smaller place ; but am inclined to believe, in the absence of evidence, that the Council remained in session in the former building. At the afternoon meeting of the Council the record tells us that Egbert Ben- son, Esq., Attorney-General of this State, attended the Committee of Safety, and in council took and subscribed on the roll the oath of allegiance to this State and an oath of office. The election having been held on the nth of .July, the Council, acting as a board of canvassers, declared the result as regards the offices of Governor, Lieu- tenant-Governor and Senators for the three Districts, George Clinton being found elected to both of the first mentioned offices. A letter was prepared, advising him of the result, and requesting him to make such arrangement of his affairs as to come with all convenient speed to Kingston to take the oath of the office which he should think proper to accept. On the 14th, his letter of the 11th, dated at Fort Montgomery, was received, accepting the office of Governor and resigning that of Lieutenant-Governor. On the IStli it was ordered that Lieutenant-Colonels Elmendorf and Iloorn- beck do by drafts out of the regiments of militia under their commands furnish a Captain and detail to guard the prisoners confined in Kingston jail and on board the fleet prison, and that said guards be relieved weekly by similar drafts from the same regiments until the companies of guards which this board is endeavor- ing to raise can be completed. On the 21st the Council, premising by a preamble that the late Convention had constituted the Council witli full powers until a meeting of the Legislature, and had ordained that the executive powers of the State should be vested in the Gov- ernor as soon as he should he chosen and admitted to office, and further, that the Council do not think themselves justified in holding and exercising any powers vested in them longer than is absolutely necessary, resolved, "that Brigadier-Gen- "eral George Clinton be, and he hereby is, most earnestly requested to appear "before this Council, to take the oath and enter upon the discharge of the impor- " taut duties of his said office of Governor of this State." On the 30th of July, which was Wednesday, the Council prepared a letter to his Excellency, General Washington, wherein they convey to him some military information, and conclude by saying: "Governor Clinton will be qualilied this ' ' date, so that your Excellency's future requisitions from this State will be "direU'ii, jMoiintfcl. Masonic Lodges, Mounted. I. O. G. T. Lodges, iu Carriages. Committee and Citizens, in Carriages. ROME DIVISION. Marshal Frank B. Beehs and StafE. Chief AViLDs and Police. Old Kouie Baud. Skillin Post, G. A. R., No. 4. Veterans of Army and Navy. First Ward ilinute :\Ien. Second Ward Minute Jlen. Third "Ward :Minute ilen. Fourth Ward Jlinute 3Ieu. Fifth Ward Jlinute Men. Oneida Indians. Rome Cornet Band. Chief Engineer Shanley and Assistants Rome Fire Department. General Ganesvoort Steamer Company. Stryker Hose Company. Fort Stanwix Steamer Company. ^tna Ilose Company. Washington Ilose Company. Mohawk Hose Company. Committee, Citizens, Clergy and Guests. UTICA DIVISION. Brigadier-General Sylvester Bering and StafiE. Old Utica Band. Utica Citizens' Corps escorting Governor Robinson's Staff, Mayor Gafpin and Common Council of Utica. Adjutant Bacon Cadets, escorting Veterans of 1813. Twenty-first Brigade. First Separate Troop Cavalry. Fort Stanwix Guards. Armstrong Guards. Battalion Band. Twenty-sixth Battalion. Lieut. -Col. P. F. Bui-ger and Staff. Hutchinson Light Guards. L'tica Coukling Corps. Utiea Veteran Zouaves. Utica Dcring Guards. Post Bacon, G. A. R., Commander Bright. Post Curran, G. A. R. Veterans of 1812. Vetenins of the Army and Navy. Clergy, Committee and Citizens, in Carriages. Okiskany. 63 The varuMis divisions not reporting at tlie village were in readiness at the jjlaces of rendezvous assigned to them, as follows : Whitesboro and New York Mills on tho farms of 5Iessrs. Roberts and Yoxel, just west of the Church. Kirkhind Division at the main street, Oriskanj'. Westmoreland Division at Cider street. Rome Division on the right side of the lane leading from Betsinger's bridge to the main road. Brigadier-General Deu- ING and 21st Brigade upon the Hill south of the Rome division. The Utica Division upon the south side of the main road on .T. Betsinger's farm, and many independent organizations at other points along the route. As the head Iohawk now enter upon our duty of making its history as familiar as household words. Let us see that the graves of dead patriots are marked by monuments. Let suitable structures tell the citizens ol other States and countries, when they pa.ss along our thoroughfares, where its great events were enacted. And let all this be done in a way that shall stir our hearts and educate our minds. Let it not be done by virtue of an act of Legis- lature, but by virtue of our own efforts and patriotism. Let us not look elsewhere 68 Centennial Celebrations. for aid w lien wi' would honor the memories of those wlio here served their country in the heart of our State. To my mind, this would be as unfit as for that family whose circle has been broken by death to let strangers come in and per- form the last sacred office to their departed kindred. Let our colleges teach their students the history of the jiu-isprudence of New York, and it will make them wiser citizens when they enter upon the duties of life. Let our more youthful scholars be taught the events and traditions which make our hills instinct with glowing interest. Let the family circle by the iireside learn the legends of our valley, and let the mother with glowing jiride tell to her offspring what those of their own blood and lineage did for their country's welfare, so that patriotism should be kindled at each hearthstone. Let the rich mau give of his abundance, and the poor what he can, with a willing heart, and then when monuments shall stand on this field or on other spots consecrated by the ashes of those who per- ished for their coimtry, such monuments will not only show that the memories of the dead have been honored, but that the living are intelligent, virtuous and patriotic. The Importance op New York. When Eiu'opeans first came to our shores they found the region stretching from the Atlantic to the Jlississippi, from the great lakes to tlie center of the present State of North Carolina, luider the control of the Iroquois. They gained their power by their possession of the strongholds in this State. From these they fol- lowed the diverging \alleys, which gave them pathways into the country of their enemies, who were divided by the chains of mountains which separated the rivers after they had taken their courses from the highlands of New York. For more than a century a contest in arms and diplomacy was carried on between Great Britain and France for the control of that system of mountains and rivers of this State, which made the Iroquois the masters of all adjacent tribes. Albany, at the confluence of the ilohawk and Hudson, became the colonial capital of the British settlements. It was the ]Hnnt from which, during the long years of the French war, most of the military expeditions were sent forth. It was the place at which were held the meetings of the agents of the several colonies, and at which they learned the value of co-operation and conceived the idea of a union of the colonies. Jlost of the revolutionary struggle was marked by the same continuous effort of the contending parties to gain control of the commanding positions of this State. The battles of Oriskany, Bennington and Saratoga, gave to our fathers the vic- tory in the contest. When our indeiiendcnco was achieved, the valleys, which had been the war-paths of the savage and civilized armies, became the great thorough- fares through which the still mightier armies of immigration from Europe and the East filled the interior of our continent. At our feet are railroads and water routes tliat have been for a series of years the thoroughfares for a vast current of com- merce, and the greatest movement of the human race recorded in its history. All other movements, in war or peace, are insignificant in com]iarison with the vast numbers that have passed along the borders of this battle-field to find homes in the great plains of the "West, to organize social systems and to build up great States. The histories of our country, w-hich fail to set forth clearly the events of this great central point, are as obscure and as defective, as would be an attempt to de- scribe the physical aspects of the country, and yet should omit a mention of the great streams of our land on the highlands of our State which flow from them into the cold waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, into the tepid currents of the Gulf of Mexico, or the great bays of New York, of the Delaware and Chesapeake. The Oriskany. ■ 69 currents of I'vents which distiiif^iiish mir history, like the currents of our rivers, have largely had their origin in our territory. To thr ccrenionies of this day in honor of those who battled for American liberty in the l>iist, anil in the faitli that this day's proceedings will promote virtue and patriotism in the fiitinv, we extend a welcome to all in attendance here. To the State officials who honor us by their presence; to citi/.ens and soldiers wlio mani- fest their gratitude to those who sacrified so much on the ground for the public welfare. It is with no ordinary feelings that we meet the descendants of those who fought at the battle of Oriskany, one of the most fierce and bloody contests of the Revolution. As we saw them coming along the course of the Mohawk the past seemed to be recalled. When we look at the array from the upper valley and those who sallied from Fort Stanwix to join us here, we feel reinforced by friends, as our fathers, from the same quarters. We welcome all to this celeljra- tion of patriotic service and sacrifice. When it is closed we .shall bid you God- speed to your several homes, with the prayer that in your different walks of life you will do your duty as manfully and serve your country as faithfully as the men who battled so bravely on this ground one hundred years ago. The audience listened with marked attention and appreciation, often interrupting tlie S2)eaker vith hearty applause. Untueling the Flag. Wlien the ajiplause had subsided, Gov. Skymoue said he had some- thing more to say, and spoke as follows : It is a just source of patriotic pride to those who live in this valley that the flag of our country (with the stars and stripes) was first displayed in the face of our enemies on the banks of the Mohawk. Here it was baptised in the blood of battle. Here it first waved in triumph over a retreating foe. When the heroic defenders of Fort Stanwix learned in that remote fortress the emblems adopted by the Continental Congress for the standards to be borne bj' its armies, they hastened to make one in accordance with the mandate and to hang it out from the walls of their fortress. It was rudely made of such materials cut from the clothing of the soldiers as were fitted to show its colors and its designs. But no other standard, however skillfully wrought upon silken folds, could equal in interest this flag of our country worked o\it by the unskilled hands of brave men, amid the strife of war and under the fire of beleaguering foes. It was to rescue it from its peril that the men of this valley left their homes and marched through the deep forest to this spot. It was to uphold the cause of which it was the emblem that they battled here. Time has destroyed that standard. But I hold in my hand another banner hardly less sacred in its associations with our history. It is the flag of our State which was borne by the regiment commanded by Colonel Gansevoort. not only here at the beginning of the revolutionary war, but also when it was ended by the surrender of the British army at Yorktown. The brave soldier who carried it through so many contests valued it beyond all other earthly possessions. He left it as a precious heirloom to his family. They have kept it with such faithful care that again, after a century has rolled away, its folds can be displayed in this valley to 70 Centennial Celebrations. another generation, who will look upon it with a devotion equal to that felt by those who followed it on the battle-fields of the Revolution. When it is now unfurled, let it receive the military honors accorded it a hundred years ago ; and let us reverently uncover our heads in memory of the dead who watched and guarded it through the bloodshed and perils of ancient war. Hon. John F. Seymour then lifted the flag which floated proudl}' in the breeze. At the sight of it the vast audience gave three rousing cheei's and lifted their hats. All the military presented arms, and the bauds played the " Star Spangled Banner." The Fultonville battery belched forth a salute which shook the hills, and cheer upon cheer went up. The effect was thrilling. , Three hearty cheers were given for General Peter Gansevoort and his descendants. History of the Flag. This flag was the standard of the Third New York regiment, commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort, who at the disbandment of the army retained it in his own possession and handed it do\\'n to his son, the late Peter Gansevoort, from whom it descended to his daughter, Mrs. Abraham Lansing, in whose hands it is now preserved with the greatest care. The flag consists of a piece of heavy blue silk, of very fine quality, and which has preserved its color remarkably. Its present dimensions arc those of a square, being nearly seven feet each way, but it is probable that it was originally somewhat longer and better proportioned. The outer edge is hemmed, but on the upper and lower margin the fringe, which no doubt was once very rich and extended all around, still remains. The design upon the flag represents the arms of the State of New York, but not as at present, nor yet like the seal adopted in 1778. It is probable that it was painted while the design of 1778 was under consideration, as it bears sonie resemblance to it. In the center there is an oval shield upon which is depicted the sun rising from behind a mountain jjeak, the foot of which reaches down to water; above the shield is the eagle standing upon a hemisphere. The shield is supported on either hand by female figures about twenty-five inches high, on the left Liberty, on the right Justice holding the even balance, beneath all a scroll bearing the word "Excelsior." Notwithstanding the care which has been bestowed upon it, this sacred relic shows the ravages of time, the painting being somewhat cracked, and the silk rent with many a gash. So much as remains, however, will be handed down to posterity, to be regarded by each generation with deeper reverence and affection. Thanks to Mes. Lansing. Gov. Seymour then spoke of the lady who had kindly consented to allow the flag to be e.xhibited. He said : We owe it to the kindness of a lady, the granddaughter of the heroic Ganse- voort, that the interest of this occasion has been heightened by the exhibition of the banner which was just displayed. As I have stated he left it as an lieirloom to his descendants. It now belongs to his granddaughter, Mrs. AnrtAnAM Lan- sing, of Albany. We could not ask her to surrender it even for a short time into OlilSKANY. 71 our li:iniis, for \\r fell tliiit no one of Uic liiR'iigc of Colouel Gansevoort would surrender a Hag. Tlie effort to get him to do that was unsuccessfully tried by St. Leger, although he had an army to enforce his demands. We therefore urged her to lionor us by her presence at this time and to bring with her as its guardian the banner which has just been exhibited. I know I express the feelings of this asseml)hige when I say that in complying with our request, she has conferred upon us a favor whicli will long be remembered in the valley of the Mohawk. In behalf of this assembly, I thank her for her kindness and for her presence on this occasion. Tlie amlicnee expressed its appreciation by three hearty cheers and contiiiuud applause for General Gansevoort and his descendants. An intermission of one hour was then announced, and the tliousands of people went in search of dinner. AT THE WEST STAND At 2:4.5, when the exercises at tlie West Stand were opened, a dense throng was congregated, packed around on all sides. Tlie platform was in a hollow, in the scanty shade of an apple tree, the people clos- ing around as in an amphitheater, only pressing closely upon the arena. The Old Utica Band, stationed mider a neighboring apple tree, opened the exercises. John F. Seymotje called the assemblage to order. He said : We have the pleasure of having with us Lieutenant-Governor Dorsueimer, Major Douglas Campbell, Judge Bacon and Ellis II. Egberts, who will address us on this occasion. Before the speaking, however, he read a number of letters received from gentlemen invited to be pres- ent, but who have been unable to attend. Among these were letters from RuTUEKFoRD B. Hayes, President, and William A. Wheeler, Vice-President of the United States, Secretary Evajkts, Ex-Secretary Fish, Gen. Geo. B. McClellan, William Cullen Bryant, Gov. Lucius Robinson, Benson J. Lossing, the historian, Bayard Taylor, and other prominent gentlemen. At the conclusion of the reading, Mr. Seymour introduced Hon. William Doksheimer, Lieutenant- Governor of the State. 72 Centennial Celebrations. ADDEESS OF LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOE DOESHEIMER. Mil. PiiEsiDENT AND Fellow CITIZENS I You have assembled liere not only to celebrate a noted historical event, but also to indulge the pride vv'hich all men feel in the honorable acts of their ancestors. The victory at Oriskany was the con- tribution which the German emigrants made to American independence. We are too apt to forget that all nations have a share in our country's history. An Ital- ian sailing under the Spanish tiag discovered the new world, and another Italian gave liis name to the continent. A Frenchman discovered the St. Lawrence, while a Frenchman and a Spaniard were the first to see, the one the southern and the' other the northern reaches of the Mississippi. A Portuguese, on his way around the world, disclosed the outlines of South America. Spanish eyes first beheld the Pacific, an Englishman first sailed along the dreary coast of Labrador, and an Englishman sailing under the Dutch flag first came into the Bay of New York, and gave his name to the picturesque river into which the waters which shine before our eyes will flow on their way to the sea. The enterprise of all the nations gave America to the world. The settlement of the continent was the work of all the great European nations. France, with characteristic energy, took possession of the Canadas and pushed her colonies so vigorously, as to make it probable she would control the conti- nent. Spain held Florida, the mouths of the Mississippi and most of the vast region which lies to the west of that river. England laid claim to Virginia, Massachusetts, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania, and Holland planted a colony in the valley of the Hudson. Those who came here were not greatly influenced by the causes of emigration at present. It was not poverty which forced the first settlers to come. Europe had been for generations given over to wars which had their origin in religious hate, and which were continued for various dynastic and political considerations. Puritans fled from the tyranny of Charles, and Huguenots from the tyranny of Louis. Dissenters came here to escape Episcopalian intolerance, and non-con- formists to escape Presbyterian persecution; Round Heads and Cavaliers, Quakers and Catholics; the representatives of all parties and sects. Among the most notable instances of cruelty in war during the seventeenth century was the desolation of the Palatinate by the armies of Louis XIV. The traveler who walks through the ruined castle at Heidelberg beholds, perhaps, the only witness now remaining of the rapacity with which the French king laid waste not only the palace of the monarch, but also the cottage of the peasant. Driven from their homes, some of the people of the Palatinate came to America, and settled in the valley of the Mohawk, to which they may have been led because of its resemblance to their own land of beautiful rivers and fertile valleys. But, I have been told that they were induced by the Dutch magnates to settle on the Mohawk, because it was in the Indian country, and they would protect the other colonies to the east, and that they were best suited to such a service because they were accustomed to have tlieir homes pillaged and burned. From whatever cause, they settled here on the outposts. They were well placed ; for here they dealt the first blow at the most formidable expedition which England organized fur the conquest of the colonies. Oriskany. 73 I will not weary you by jjoing into a detailed account of the battle. But, you will []aidoii ine, if I indulge a kinsnuin's pride, and dwell fur a uionient upon the eonlliit wliieli raged here a century ago. Herkimer anil his men were ambuscaded liy Ihi' Indians. That was a favorite device in Indian warfare. It was in such a conflict that J3raddock fell, and the young Wa.shingtoii won his first laurels. It had generally been successful. But it did not succeed with those sturdy Germans. True, that, then as alway.s, there were some who, irresolute and cowardly, took to flight. But most, although they were sim|)le farmers without military training, not only stood their ground, but (juickly adapted themselves to the occasion, adopted the Indian tactics, posted lhen;selves behind trees, and fought with such skill and endurance all tlirough the summer day, that the Indians, to use the language of one of their chiefs, had enough and did not want "to fight Dutch Yankee any more." You Germans who hear me, you have alnmdant reason for pride. No more important battle has ever been fought in this country. Nowhere, with an oppor- tunity for escape, have troops endured so severe a loss; never has a battle which began with disaster been turned into victory more complete. And this was a German fight. The words of warning and encoiu-agement, the exclamations of passion and of pain, the shouts of Ijattle and of victory, the commands which the womided Herkimer spoke, and the prayers of the dying, were in the German language. I say you may well be proud of it, for it is the contribution which men of your race liave made to the work of American independence. Perhaps, at some time, the deeds of American valor will be celebrated, as the military glories of France are celebrated in the stately galleries of Versailles, and certainly no more imjjressive scene will be offered to the artist's pencil than Her- kimer wounded to the death, seated upon his saddle which he had placed upon the ground, and smoking his pipe throughout all that dreadful fray. The course of liistory is often determined by the conduct of one man. Who can tell how much that simple hero, by his example of calmness in the midst of turbulence and disorder, contributed to the victory ? And, therefore, who can estimate the debt which the country owes to him? My fellow citizens, I have to-day traveled through the valley of the Mohawk, from near its mouth to this place where the river gathers the streamlets from the hills, and surely a fairer scene never rested under human eyes. The land stood in the mature beauty of the summer, and the harvest crowded the broad levels like a mighty host. These, the crops which rover your fields, are the creations of your own hands working in harmony with natural laws. But, do not forget that your other and more valuable posses.sions, the prizes which are held out to honorable ambition, freedom of thought and wor.ship, the peace which here covers the sleep of inno- cence and the helplessness of infancy and age — -all these, the priceless pos- sessions of a free and enlightened community, are also the creations of your own hands working in harmony with liberty and with law. To establish these for you Herkimer and his men strove here a hundred years ago. Be sure they will not !)(■ maintained for yourselves nor transmitted to your children without sacrifice and battle. In some way you will be compelled to nuike good your title to this great inheritance. We will liope thai when the peril shall come to you, and the sudden foe shall spring from his ambush, you may do your duty as well as they did theirs. 10 74 Centennial Celebrations. At the conclusion of Goveniur Doksheimee's speech three cheers were called for and heartily given. Mr. John F. Seymouk — I now have the honor of introducing one who might better introduce me, Judge Bacon. ADDRESS OF HON. W. J. BACON. • The thoughtful — and more especially the reverent student of history, cannot fail to have been often struck, if not indeed profoundly impressed, by the evi- dence presented of the power of an unseen, but most potent hand in human affairs. That interposition is sometimes exhibited on a scale of such wide and magnificent proportions, so manifestly controlling great events, as not only to arrest observation, but to compel belief. Sometimes it sets in operation a succes- sion of minute causes, none of them having in themselves apparently any poten- tial influence, but in theii' combination, succession and outcome, conducting to results that affect the destinies of men and nations for uncounted ages. It is, indeed, quite reasonable to look for and anticipate such results. If, as we are taught by the most infallible authority, " There's a Providence in the fall of a sparrow," we should most naturally expect that influences and forces, that are to affect the highest order of beings that inhabit our planet, would be under the same guiding hand that directed the flight, and witnessed the fall of the bird that but for a sliort season floated in the atmosphere above us. The antecedents of far- reaching results may, as has been suggested, be of the most humble and obscure character, and have apparently little relevancy to what followed in their train, or was affected by them ; for we are taught, and taught truly, by the great dramatist, that "There's economy, even in heaven." But we have only to put ourselves teachably in the attitude of disciples in the school of history, and reverently sit at the feet of our master, to be taught the wonderful lessons that reach to depths that man's mere hair-line wisdom never could have fathomed. It was, apparently, a small thing, most insignificant, indeed, when measured against the overwhelming scale of the opposing forces, that three hundred men should have planted themselves in the pass of Thermopylae, to dispute the passage of the vast army of the Persian invaders. But wliat an illustrious example it was, not to Greece only in her crucial horn-, but to "all nations and people that on earth do dwell," or ever will in the ages to come, of the power of self-sacrifice that an exalted patriotism inspires. How much it conduced to prove that strength is not always, and necessarily in battalions though they be in numbers like the sands of the sea, if they be poorly led, and have not the inspiration that possesses those who " Strike for theiraltars and their flres; Strike for the preen graves of 'their sires, God and their native land." This very resistance, hopeless though it vi^as to prevent the ultimate advance of the serried hosts that confronted them, gave Greece time to rally and combine her forces, gave heart and hope to those whose expectations of successful resistance had almost perished before the struggle had even begun, and was a perpetual Oriskanv. 75 rcmiiiiloi' tli:it no niiiii was to sliriiik from iiiiy peril, however great, to avoid no duty on liowevcr small a scale, and with whatever disparity in force it was to be Ijerfornied, and, above all, to be animated by the spirit that was ready to dare all things, to do all things, and then, if need be, cheerfully to die for the land it loved, and would to the last extremity defend. Poetry has canonized the mem- ory of the gallant " six hundred " that " rode into the mouth of hell," but history has immortalized on one of her best and brightest pages the " three hundred " that fell at tlie gateway of Greece; and what an invaluable lesson it was to the student of history of the great and unexpected results that stand connected with appar- ently trivial causes, and that what men chiefly have to do in this world is to per- form the duty right before them, and leave the result to be molded, fashioned and controlled by the hand that is ever on the helm through storm as well as sun- shine. The history of the world affords numberless instances of the truth I have been rather hinting at than elaborating, and it might be copiously illustrated in the whole narrative of the liistory of this continent from the time it first revealed itself to the straining eyes of the world-seeking Genoese to the days in which we live. But there was one incident occurring during the recent fratricidal struggle which we have, as we may trust, liappily and liopefully closed, which I may be pardoned for l_)riefly alluding to. I do it, you may well believe me, for no per- sonal or i)artisan jjurpuse, nor to awaken any sentiment, or revive any recollection that is not in j)erfect harmonj' with such a hallowed day as tliis, but simply to illustrate the ])rinciple of which I am speaking. The 8th of March, 1862, was a gloomy day in our national horizon. The sun in the heavens came forth, indeed, with brightness and beauty. But his beams fell u|)on the result of a work which silently and secretly had converted the beau- tiful Merrimac of our navy into the confederate ram Virginia, clad in iron armor which no ordinary artillery could penetrate, and a beak whose stroke no wooden ves- sel could resist. Steaming out of the harbor of Norfolk, she at once singled out lier victims, and ere the sun went down the Cumberland was beneath the waters of the James, the Congress had surrendered, and was in flames, the Minnesota was helplessly agroimd, and the rest of the fleet that flaunted the stars and stripes was put to ignominious flight, or sought safety under the protecting guns of fort- resses. Alarm filled the public mind. A new and unexpected source of danger was revealed. The Potomac would be ascended, and the Cajjitiil itself bombarded by hostile guns. Even the harbor of New York, it was conceived, might be sought by this new and destructive visitor whose coming nothing was prepared to resist. Swiftly the telegraph bore the news to all parts of the land, and all loyal faces gathered blackness. How shall this great peril be averted, and where shall we look for help, was the question on every lip. But with equal silence and secrecy another, and still more w'ondcrful, naval machine had been developed and constructed. She was completed at New York on the very day the Virginia received her armament, and while the latter was doing her work of destruction in the waters of the James, the Monitor was slowly steaming toward them, bent, however, upon an entirely different mission. Near the close of that day of terror lier commander heard the noise of distant artillery, and could faintly distinguish the .^houtsof victory Ixirne on the breeze. Instantly the cour.«e of the vessel was chanjjed, and in the night the gallant captain moored her luider the lee of the stranded Minnesota, rightly concluding that the morning would witness the return of the iron monster, to secure her remaining prey. Nor 76 Centennial Celebrations. dill lu' judgi' :imiss, for with the sun PLime ngaiii the Virginia, unrler licr equally gallant captain. But as she approaclios her apparentl}' helpless victim, what strange apparition is this tlnit emerges from the side, and almost from beneath the Minnesota. "It is a Yankee cheese bo.K on a raft, " e.xclaims a bewildered spectator. The cheese box revolves, and an iron turret is disclosed, holding the most deadly and powerful missiles, which it discharges with such effect that ultimately the hitlierto invincible Virginia retires from the conflict, and seeks the harltor from which she never again emerged. I need say no more in regard to this most wonderful interpo.sition, than that it lifted a mountain's weight from off the heart of the nation, and impressed more deeply the lesson that all history lias been teaching us, that deliverance often comes as well from most unexpected quarters as from apparently insignificant agencies, and that, when the hour has struck for their ajipearaiicc, they come forth, under the Divine hand, to execute their mission. The application of these somewhat desultory remarks and illustrations to the subject of this day's commemoration, is so obvious as not to require or permit any extended discussion. Doubtless the men who, on the 6th of August, 1777, stood upou these hillsides, or were struggling through this ravine, were as little aware of the extent of the peril they were encountering, as of the magnitude of the issue that was suspended on the doings of that and the immediate following days. Whatever of suspicion, or even of prevision, was cherished or possessed by those who were then defending these outposts, they could not well have known that upon their successful resistance to the advance of St. Leger the entire result of the campaign of Burgoyne depended. They could not appreciate, and yet it was substantiall}' true, that they stood at the pass of a modern Thcrmopyhi?, for the little fortress of Stanwix was the gateway of the Mohawk Valley, down which St. Leger, with his conquering hordes, would have carried both fire and sword, and gathering strength, as all such unopposed raids invariably do, would have brought to Burgoyne a contingent most acceptable, as it was most needed. Whatever ignorance of the general plan of the enemy then prevailed, we now know with reasonable certainty that that plan contemplated the movement of Sir Henry Clinton, with all his available forces, up the Hudson from New York, the union of all the strength that St. Leger could bring from the West, and the com- bination of all these forces with Burgoyne, which, had it been achieved, would have constituted a strength of military power that all that Gates commanded, or could have summoned to his aid, would have been unable to resist. What might have happened had this combination been effected, no man is competent to tell; but this may with certainty be said, there would have been for us, at this day, no 17th of October in which to celebrate the unconditional surrender of the strongest British army then in the field, and the first grand act of the Revolution would not have closed, as it did, in the triumph of the American army at Saratoga. Let us rejoice, then, that if it was not given to our fathers to see the far- reaching consequences of tlieir action, a heart was given them that beat truly and fervently for that infant liberty whose cradle they then were rocking, and a courage that survived the shock of apparent present defeat, ending in ultimate victory. In view, then, of these and other parallel incidents in our colonial, revolutionary and recent history, we may well take up the jubilant strain of Macaulay, when celebrating the triumph of Henry of Navarre, he sung, Oriskany. 77 '* Now glory to Ilis holy name, from whom all t;h)ries are ; For our God hath crushed the tyrant — our God hath raised the slave. And mocked the counsels of tlie wise, and tlie valor of the brave." Citizens of Contnil New York, as we stand here to-tlav, and gaze around on the fair land our fathers won for us, can we fail to ask ourselves how different all this might have been had they faltered in duty? Of us it can as truthfully be said as of any people, •• the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage." But how came it to be ours, and whence, under the blessing of Almighty God, was it derived? "Was it not from the toil and sweat and blood of a patriotic and self-sacrificing ancestry? And yet, no public and conspicuous memorial tells the passing traveler that here was fought one of the early battles of the Revolution ; a battle that, in its immediate effects, but much more in its remote influences and connections, had much to do with the question of independence then at stake, and with our pres- ent existence as a nation. Nothing has, as yet, been done to redeem the pledge given by the Continental Congress a hundi'ed years ago, tliat on this liistoric spot a monument should be erected, to perpetuate the memory of those who equally with them jierilled "life and fortune and sacred honor,"' in the cause of their country. Shall this sacred duty be still longer neglected? Let the Congress of the United States be reminded emphatically of that unperformed promise — the State of New York of its character as a trustee of the fund so sacredly and sol- emnly pledged, and adding its contribution, call upon the people who, to so large an extent, have been benefited and blessed by the result of those transactions we this day commemorate, to supplement the finid by a gift sufficient to erect upon this ground a column, which, if it shall not like that, which on Bunker Hill, meets the sun in his coming, whose head "the earliest beams of the morning shall gild, and parting day linger and play upon its summit," at least declare that on this day, one hundred years ago, something was done which the people of free, united and happy America, shall not willingly suffer to perish from the memory of those who now inhabit this pleasant land, or the generations th.at are to follow us. Mr. Seymour said lie thought it well at this point to give the people a Lint of the good things in store for them, and wonld hastily sketch the programme. First wo have Mr. Roberts. He will give you more facts about the liattle .mil its bearings than you have yet heard or thought of. Then we have some interesting remindei's of the day we celebrate — a snare drum taken from the enemj' near here, a musket which did duty ielf, leave me to my fate." * Such men could not be whipped. The Indians, finding they were losing many, became suspicious that their allies wished to destroy them, and fired on tliem, giving unoxi)ected aid to the patiiot band.t Tradition relates that an Oneida maid, only fifteen yeare old, daughter of a chief, fought on the side of the patriots, firing her rifle, and shouting her battle cry.| The Indians raised the cry of retreat, "Oonah! Oonah!" Johnson heard the firing of a sortie from the fort. The British fell back, after five hours of desperate fight.§ Herkimer and his gallant men held the ground. The Sortie. The sortie from Fort Stanwix, which Herkimer expected, was made as soon as his messengers arrived. They were delayed, and yet got through at a critical moment. Colonel AVillett made a sally at the head of two hundred and fifty men, totally routed two of the enemy's encampments, and captured tlieir contents, including five British flags. The exploit did not cost a single patriot life, while at least six of the enemy were killed and four made prisoners. It aided to force the British retreat from Oriskany. The captured flags were floated beneath the stars and stripes, fashioned in the fort from cloaks and shirts; and here for the first time the flag of the republic was i-aised in victory over British colors. |j The Losses. The slaughter at Oriskany was terrible. St. Leger claims that four hundred of Herkimer's men were killed and two hundred captured, leaving only two hundred to escape. No such number of prisoners was ever accounted for. The Americans admitted two hundred killed, one-fourth of the whole army. St. Leger places the number of Indians killed at thirty, and the like number wounded, including favorite chiefs and confidential warriors. It was doubtless greater, for the Sene- cas alone lost thirty-six killed, and in all the tribes twice as many must have been killed. St. Leger makes no account of any of his whites killed or vi'oundcd. Butler, IT however, mentions of New Yorkers (Johnson's Greens) killed. Captain McDonald; Captain Watts dangerously wounded and one subaltern. Of the tory Rangers Captains Wilson and Hare (their chiefs after Butler) were killed. •Simms' Schoharie, pp. 2G3, 3I>4. t President Dwiplit (Travels, vol. .3, p. 19.3), who, in 1799, heard the stories of persons living near the l>attIe-fif'M, relates this incident. t Newspaper report of a tradition in the family of George Wagner, a survivor. S Dr. Hoses Younglove, who was taken prisoner at the battle, fi.xes the time: '■ Then we with ei]nal fury joined the fight Kre Phcebus ganiefl his" full meridian height. "Nor ceased the horrors of the bloofly fray. Till he had journeyed half his eveniiig way. " Appendix to Campbell's Annals of Tryon county., p. 32. I LoBsing, Field-llook, vol 1. p. 342, says the blue was taken from a camlet cloak of Captain Swartwoiii. and llii' while from cotton shirts General .Schuyler Hamilton, in the Historical Magazine, ffir .lulv, ISTT, p. ViO, states, on the authority of hia grandmother, a daughter of General Philip Schujli^r, that the stripes were made from a scarlet cloak belonging to one of the women of the garrison. Willett says the blue cloak had been captured from the British at Peek.skill; Narrative, p 42 All that relates to this Hag, the first ever lifting the stars and stripes in battle and in victory, has lasting interest. H Claus agrees substantially, and speaks of two or three privates killed. Letter to Secretory Knox, in London; New York Colonial History, vol. 8, p. 721; see Appendix to this Address. 88 Centennial Celebeations. With such loss of officers, the deatli list of privates must have been considerable. The Greens alone lost thirty. In Britain it was believed as many of tlie British were killed by the Indians as by the militia.* The loss of British and Indians must have approached a hundred and fifty killed. Eye-witnesses were found who estimated it as great as that of the Americans.! The patriot dead included Colonel Co.x, and his Lientenaut-Colonel Hunt, Majors Eisenlord, Van Slyck, Klapsattle and Blevin; and Captains Diefendorf, Crouse, Bowman, Dillenback, Davis, Pettingill, Helmer, Graves and Fo.x ; with no less than four members of the Ti-yon county Committee of Safety, who were present as volunteers. They were Isaac Paris, Samuel Billington, John D3'gert and Jacob Snell. Spencer, the Oneida, who gave the warning to the patriots, was also among the killed. The heads of the patriot organization in the valley were swept off. Herkimer's glory is that out of such slaughter he snatched the substance of victory. In no other battle of the revolution did the ratio of deaths rise so high. At Waterloo, the French loss was not in so large a ratio to the number engaged, as was Herldmer's at Oriskany ; nor did the allies siiffer as much on that bloody field. Frightful barbarities were wreaked on the bodies of the dead, and on the prisoners who fell into the hands of the Indians. The patriots held the field at tlie close of the fight, and were able to carry off their woimded. Among those was the brave and sturdy Herkimer, who was taken on a litter of boughs to his home, and, after suffering the amputation of his leg, died on the sixteenth of August like a Christian hero. Of the dead some at least lay unburied until eighteen days later. Arnold's column rendered to them that last service. | After the battle, Colonel Samuel Campbell, § afterward conspicuous in Otsego county, became senior officer, and organized the shattered patriots, leading tliem in good order back to Port Dayton. The night of the fight they bivouacked at Utica. Terrible as their losses had been, only sixteen days later Governor Clinton positively ordered them to join General Arnold on his expedition with one-half of each regiment. •'' In his desperation. Sir John Johnson " proposed to march down the country with about two hundred men," and Claus would have added Indians ; || but St. Leger disapproved of the suggestion. Only a raid could have been possible." The fighting capacity of St. Leger's army was e.xhausted at Oris- kany, and he knew it. The Siege. IT St. Leger's advance was checked. His junction with Burgoyne was prevented. The rising of royalists in the valley did not occur. He claimed indeed the "com- pletest victory " at Oriskany. He notified the garrison that Burgoyne was victor- ious at Albany,, and demanded peremptorily the sulTender of the fort, threatening that prolonged resistance would result in general massacre at the hands of the enraged Indians. Johnson, Claus and Butler issued an address to the inhabitants of Tryon county, urging them to subniit, because " surrounded by victorious armies." Colonel Gansevoort treated the summons as an insult, and held his post * Gordon's History (London, 1787), vol. 3, p. 630. i A. D. Quackenboss who was in tlie fight so believed. Stone's-Brant, p. 401; Neilson's Burgoyne p.5B. t Jones' History of Oneida County, p. 361 ; Tracy's Lectures, p. 15. * Letter of his grandson. Hon. \V. \V. Campbell, in Utica Herald, July 27, 1877. II Claus' letter to Kno.x ; London Documents in Colonial History, vol. 8, p. "SI, and section seven- teenth of this Appendix. 1 For a sketch of the siege of Fort Stanwix presented to Colonel Gansevoort by L. Fleury, and with a map of the village of Rome overlaid upon it, see Hough's Memoir of M. Pouchot. Oriskany. 89 with stui'dy steadiness.* The people of the vallej" sided with Conjjress against the King. For sixteen days after Oriskany, St. Leger lay before Fort Stan\vi.\, and heard more and more ek-arly the rumblings of fresh resistance fi'om the valley. Tub Relief iindeu Arnold's Le.vd. Colonel Willett who led the gallent sortie, accompanied by Major Stockwell, risked no less danger on a mission through thickets and hidden foes, to inform General Schuyler at Albany of the situation. In a council of officers, bitter oppo- sition arose to Schuyler's proposal to send relief to Fort Stanwi.x, on the plea that it would weaken the array at Albany, the more important position. Schuyler wiis equal to the occasion, acting promptly,and with great energy. " Gentlemen," said he, " I take the responsibility upon myself. Where is the brigadier who will command the relief? I shall beat up for volunteers to-morro\v.''t Benedict Arnold, then unstained by treason, promptly offered to lead the aimy. On the next day, August ninth,| eight hundred volunteers were enrolled, chiefly of Gen- eral Larned's Massachusetts brigade. General Israel Putnam ordered the regiments of Colonels Cortlaiidt and Livingston from Peekskill to join the relief " against those worse than infornals." » Arnold was to take supplies wherever he could get them, and especially not to offend the already unfriendly Mohawks. Schuyler enjoined upon him also " as the inhabitants of Tryon county were chiefly Ger- mans, it might be well to praise their bravery at Oriskany, and ask their gallant aid in the enterprise." Arnold reached Fort Dayton, and on the twentieth of .Vugust issued as commander-in-chief of the arm_v of the United States of America on the Mohawk river, a characteristic proclamation, denouncing St. Leger as " a leader of a banditti of robbers, murderers and traitors, composed of savages of America and more savage Britons." The militia joined him in great numbers. On the twenty-second, Arnold pushed forward, and on the twenty- fourth he arrived at Fort Stanwix. St. Leger had raised the siege and precipi- tately fled. St. Leger had been frightened by rumors of the rapid advance of Arnold's army. Arnold had taken pains to fill the air with them. He had sent to St. Leger's camp a half-witted royalist, Hon. Yost Schuyler, to exaggerate his num- bers and his speed. The Indians in camp were restive and kept track of the army of relief. They badgered St. Leger to retreat, and threatened to abandon him. They raised the alarm, " Ihcy are coming!" and for the numbers of the patriots approaching, they pointed to the leaves of the forest. • St. Leger's Flight. On the twenty-second of August, while Arnold was yet at Utica, St. Leger fled. The Indians were weary ; they had lost goods by Willctt's sortie ; they saw no chance for spoils. Their chiefs killed at Oriskany beckoned them away. They began to abandon the ground, and to spoil the camp of their allies. St. Leger deemed his danger from them, if he refused to follow their counsels, greater than from the enemy. He hurried his wounded and prisoners forward; he left his tents, with most of his artillerj- and stores, spoils to the garrison.* His men threw *The British Impartial History saj-s "Colonel Gansevoort behaved with great firmness," p. 475. tLossing's Life of Schuyler. t Letter of Schuyler in .\nnals of Tryon County, p. 88. S Gordon's History, vol. 2. p. .'i')!, who cites Reverend Samuel Kirkland "who was part of the time at the fort," as his direct informant. 1-3 90 Centennial Celebkations. away their packs in their flight. He quarreled with Johnson, and the Indians had to make peace between them. St. Lcger indeed was helpless. The flight became a disgraceful rout. The Indians butcliered alike prisoners and British who could not keep up, or become separated from the column.''' St. Leger's expedition, as one of the latest became one of the most striking illustrations to the British of the risks and terrors of an Indian alliance.'" The siege of Fort Stanwix was raised. The logic of the Battle of Oriskany was consummated. The whole story has been much neglected, and the best authori- ties on the subject are British.* The battle is one of a series of events which constitute a chain of history as picturesque, as exciting, as heroic, as important, as ennoble any part of this or any other land. The Weight and Measure op the Battle. Oriskany it is om' duty to weigh and measure. "Wherein was the stand of Greeks at Thermopylas braver than this march of Herkimer into the ravine ? "Wherein have Norse vikings shown sturdier stuff in flght ? Tell me when pano- plied crusader ever made more light of death than those unmailed farmers of the Mohawk. Cite from verse of ancient or modern poet the elan of truer corn-age, the steadiness of sterner determination, the consecration of more glowing jiatriot- ism than held the pass at Oriskany. The Strategy Historic. The strategy of the British campaign of 1777 was comprehensive, and it was traditional. "With Canada hostile to the country south of it, the plan of Burgoyne was as natural as it is for a pugilist to strike with both fists. Fronting south- ward, indeed, the blow by Lake Champlain the Canadian forces deliver with their left fist ; the route by Lake Ontario through Oswego inland, invites the blow of the right hand. As early as 1087 the French government received from Canada a memorial which recommends : ' ' The Iroquois must be attacked in two direc- tions. The first, and principal attack must be on the Seneca nation, on the bor- ders of Lake Ontario ; the second by the river Richelieu and Lake Champlain, in the direction of the Mohawks, "t The French authorities never abandoned this purpose until they were driven from the continent. Prontenac wrote his name in fire and blood in the way Burgoyne sought to travel. The co-operation of the fleet at the mouth of the Hudson, was proposed by Mons. Callierrcs in 1089. | Montcalm § led tlic French by these paths in 1750, when DeLery penetrated to Fort Bull, at the carry near the Mohawk, and the English power yielded up Champlain and Lake George to the invaders. Holding the southern shores of Lake Ontario, it was from Lake Champlain, \\'ith co-operation by a force brought up the St. Lawrence, that the English dealt the return attack in 1759, when Wolfe fell before Quebec. At Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on the path to the Hudson, and at Niagara on Lake Ontario, the French power in America breathed its last. * For portions of the record, Stone's Life of Brant must be excepted, as a faithful and accurate chronicle. + Paris Documents, p. .S21 . X Paris Documents, p . 420 § See the Memoir of the French War of 1755-60, by M . Pouchot, translated by F B. Hough. JI. Pouchot, who was with Montcalm, could learn of no routes from Canada to the English posses- sions except, 1, by way of Lalce Champlain; 2, by the , St. Lawrence to Oswego and the Oswego river; 3, by Lake Ontario to the Genesee river; and 4, by way of Niagara to the Ohio river. Oriskany. 91 In October, 177G, Sir Guy Carleton had swept over Lake Champlain, and taken Crown Point, and only waited for another season to carry liis conquests south- ward. It was, ])erliaps, because in London Burgoyne criticised the neglect to send a corps by way of Oswego, through the Jlohuwk valley, to assist in the cam- paign, that he, instead of Carleton, led the invasion which ended so disastrously for Britain. But the British government had earlier precedents than these for choosing these routes for the campaign of 1777. Tlie Frenclr migration came by them into the wilderness which is now New York, and it was by them that, at intervals for a hundred years, the Iroquois and their allies carried terror to the walls of Montreal and Quebec. The campaigns of the war of 1813 renewed the traditions of the military importance of the line of Lake Ontario. What took place at Oswego and Plattsburgh, and McDonough's victory perpetuate the series of contests in this historic field. The key to the heart of the original union lies in the heights from which flow the Mohawk and the Hudson. St. Leger's Expedition a Vit^u> Part. In the original plan, St. Leger's expedition is stated as a "diversion," both by Burgoyne and in the official letter of Lord George Germaine, the secretary of state for war. The command was given to St. Leger from Whitehall, on Bur- goyne's nomination, so that it was an independent expedition. The troops were in like manner selected, because much depended on the movement. Upon his success, as it proved, the campaign hung. When Burgoyne explained his failure, he laid much stress on the defeat of St. Leger, and one of the chief points to account for his own slowness, is: " tlie time entitled me to expect Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger's corps would be arrived at Ticonderoga, and secret means had been long concerted to enable him to make an effort to join me, with probability of success." And because St. Leger "had been obliged to retreat," he assigns as removing " the first plausible motive in favor of hazardous battle," when he was near Saratoga. In the campaign of 1777, the expedition to the Jlohawk was one of the two wings without which success was impossible, which once clipped, crip- pled every thing. The battle of Bennington was brought on by a British move- ment, having two objects in view ; first, to obtain supplies, and second, to create a diversion to aid St. Leger.* Every historian who writes of Burgoyne's operations treats the expedition to the Mohawk as in a military sense a vital cle- ment in them." Effect of Orisk^vjjy on the Vallet and the Indians. But we get a faint view of the purpose of the expedition, and of the signifi- cance of Oriskany, if we look only at military considerations. Its moral influ- ence was great and far-reaching. Sir John Johnson boasted that the tories were as five to one in the Mohawk valley, and when he came at the head of a British army, they would rise for- the king. Through Johnson and Brant, the design was fostered of holding the Six Nations closely to the royal cau.se, and thus crushing out the whole patriot influence west of the Hudson. Both purposes were shrewd, and had fair grounds. The patiiots knew of these dangers. In the summons which had aroused Tryon county, they had been told : " one resolute blow would ♦ Stedman's History of the Revolution (one of the British records of the struggle) ; Bancroft, vol. 5, p. *T. 92 Centenniax Celebrations. secure the friendship of the Six Nations." The Committee of Safety knew the efforts it cost to maintain tlie authority of Congress. Herkimer fought at Oris- Icany against a tory rising at Johnstown, against the complete enhstmeut of the Iroquois with the British. His victory is measured only when we remember that no tory rising ever disgraced the Mohawk valley, and that from that hour the Indians were a som'ce of terror and of weakness to the forces of King George. - Effect ok the Country. The effect of Oriskany on the Americans was electric. Washington said " Herkimer first reversed the gloomy scene " of the campaign. General Gates •ftTOte of "the severe blow General Herkimer gave Johnson and the scalpers under his command." General Schuj'ler, in replying to General Herkimer's report, said: ' ' The gallantry of you and the few men that stood with you and repulsed such a superior number of savages, reflects gi'eat honor upon you." Governor George Clinton expressed "the highest sense of the loyalty, valor and bravery of the militia of Tryon county, manifested in the \'ictory gained by them under the command of their late worthy General Herkimer, for which, as the chief magistrate of the free and independent State of New York, they have my most hearty thanks."'^ The defense of Fort Stanwix led John Adams to declare that ' ' Ganesvoort has proved that it is possible to hold a post," and the Oneida Spencer had warned the Tryon patriots not to make a Ticonderoga of Fort Stan-n-ix. These wise leaders estimated the battle better than writers like Irving,* who intimates that " it does not appear that either party was entitled to the victory," or Dr. Thacher,t who can only claim that " St. Leger's ■sdctory over our militia was purchased at a dear price," or Lossing,J who bluntly speaks of "the defeat of Herkimer." The patriots held the ground, and carried off their wounded at leisure. Of the tory wounded JIajor Watts lay two days uncared for. By the battle St. Leger was bottled up in his camp; by it, the forces ordered with Arnold, and probably also, the Massachusetts troops Avho took part in Willctt's sortie, were able to join in the operations against Burgoyno, and were in the first battle of Stillwater. § The whole valley of the Mohawk cast itself into the scales for the victory of Saratoga." Herkimer started for Fort Stanwix, and his force, except a few scouts, did not reach it. His little anny was broken up. But its sacrifice, costly as it was, saved the valley. The frightful slaughter of their leaders at first paralyzed the settlers, but they rallied without delay and joined Arnold's relief army in large numbers. |{ The battle penned St. Leger and Johnson and Brant before Fort Stanvvox. It raised the spirits of the beleaguered garrison to a high pitch.' With Bennington which came afterward, the Americans felt it gave them "great and glorious vic- tories,"" and "nothing exceeded their exultation" over them; and the "northern militia began now to look high, and to forget all distinctions between themselves and regular troops." This confidence was worth armies. Congress voted a monu- ment to Herkimer, not yet erected save in the hearts ©f the people, and no one questioned that the gallant chief had earned the distinction. To Colonel Willett • Life of Washington, vol. 3, p. 178. tMilitaiT Journal, p. S9. t Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. I, p. 2.10. § Lossinp's Field-Book, vol. 1, p ^1, enumerates at Stillwater all the repiments which marched up the valley with Arnold, and Colonel Wesson's Massachusetts regimient, of which was the detachment whicli reached Kort Stanwi.'c on the second of .August. 1 Arnold's letter to Colonel Gansevoort, August '.!2, 1777. Oriskany. 93 a sword was preseuted by Congress for his noble exploit, anrl Colonel Gansevoort received the thanks of Congress, a colonel's commission, anil a special designation !js commandant of the fort which he had so bravelj- defended. Aims and Estimates on Both Sides. The Battle of Oriskany and the defense of Fort Stanwix arc Siamese twins. Separate events, they are so conjoined that they must be treated as inseparable in fact. The battle so paralyzed St. Leger and demoralized his army, that tlie siege became a failure. It is notable that British historians nearest to the event give to Oriskany a degree of prominence which our own writere have hardly equaled. The defeat of St. Leger's expedition British writers of that day recognize as one of the pivots on whicli Saratoga was lost and won, and British sentiment agrees that " Saratoga w.as indeed the turning point of the American struggle."* Tlie British Annual Register, notewortliy because established by Edmund Burke, and because its historical articles were still revised if not written by him, in the volume for 1777, piiblished the next year, clearly indicates that the valley of the Mohawk was the very eye of the campaign." This judgment is the more impor- tant because the identical text is embodied in the History of the War printed in Dublin, 1779, and has become standard in England. In the Impartial History, after Burgoyne's arrival at Ticonderoga, the author says: "It is not to be wondered at, if both othcers and private men (in B\u-goyne's army) were highly elated with tlieir fortune, and deemed that and their prowess to be irresistible ; if they regarded their enemy with the greatest contempt, and considered their own toils to be nearly at an end ; Albany to be already in their hands, and the reduction of the northern provinces to be rather a matter of some time, than an arduous task full of difficulty and danger."! Erroneously referring to Benning- ton, the same author uses words justly applicable to Oriskany: J; "This was the first instance in the present campaign, in which fortune seemed even wavering, much less that she for a moment quitted the royal standard. The exultation wsis accordingly great on the one side; nor could the other avoid feeling some damp to that eagerness of hope, and receiving some check to that assured confidence of success, which an unmixed series of fortunate events must naturally e.vcitc." The shield had been fully reversed, witliin a single month. St. Leger claimed that Johnson won " the completest victory," but this was on the assumption "that the militia would never rally."" He miscalculated the blow; it was not fatal to tlie patriots; its consequences were fatal to his plans. The check which he received at Oriskany, and its conseqiient delay, forced Bur- goyne to take the risk which brought on him the defeat at Bennington. Although second in importance as well as in order of time, Stcdman, " one of the best British authorities, names the Vermont fight first in order, as does the British Impartial History (London, 1780), fixing Bennington properly on August Kitli, Imt for the affair on tlie Mohawk, naming no date until St. Leger's flight on the twenty-second of August. The " History of the War," published in Dublin, 1770, places the Battle of Oriskany on the sixteenth of August, on the .same day as that of Bennington. § In spite of this reversal of the order of time, all these authorities concede to the affair at Oriskany a measure of importance • English Cyclopedia, article on Iliirgoyne. t Impartial ITistory of tliu War iu iVmeriea, London, 1780, p. 460. tTlie same, p. iTi. § Pages iail-a*}. 94 Centennial Celebrations. whicli the occup.ants of tl>c liistoric field onl}' begin to assert. As the first blow of the campaign, Oriskanj' lias, to the campaign of 1777, the primacy -which Lexington has to the whole war. The failure of St. Leger cut off the right arm of Burg03'ne. Burgoyne, still clinging to his hopes, believed if Sir Henry Clinton had reached the Highlands earlier, as ho did when too late, he "should have had his way."* But his own detailed statement pro\'es that he felt that the grave of his campaign was dug when a royalist rising was prevented in the Mohawk valley ; '' and that was the achievement of Herkimer and the heroes of Oriskany. The success of St. Leger at Oriskany and Fort Stanwix would have been fatal. The Mohawk valley would have been overrun by the tories. Albany would have fallen, and Gates been overpowered. Defeat, decided and prompt, would have turned St. Leger back to Oswego, and enabled him with the remnant of his corps, to open a retreat for Burgoyne, as the latter intimates had been con- tingently concerted.! For the emergencj' of a defeat which closed the Mohawk valley, and of a siege which held him for three weeks before Fort Stanw^ix, no calculation had been made. It was this combination which proved so fortunate for the republic. Divisions in the Valley: Dangers Averted. The dangers to the American cause in the valley were peculiar. To the Ger- man settlers King George had always been a foreign king. They owed him neither affection nor allegiance. It was easy for them to sustain Congress and to fight for independence. They had been jealous of the influence of the Johnsons over the Indians, and over the valley, and that pique was fully reciprocated. Besides the ties of family favor and apparent interest, the Johnsons clung all the more closely to the royal cause, because tlje Germans took the other part. Some- thing of religious feeling entered into the division, for the Johnsons stood for the Church of England, and Kirkland and other dissenting ministers had been press- ing for independence in faith and practice.]: Tlie interior of New York had felt little or nothing of the burden of taxes which had stirred the other colonies. No royal charter had ever been in force over the State. The settlers who came from Britain hither lacked the causes for separation which stirred New England and the South, and when the immigrants from other lands enlisted for Congress, the tory leaders confidently trusted that they could carry the British colonists for King George. Many causes prevented. The patriot leaders were shrewd and diligent, and they were on the soil, while the tory chiefs were absent. For no long time is it possible that New York shall be alien from New England and the States on our southern borders. But the fight at Oriskany came at the right time to kindle the patriot fires, to draw the lines between the belligerents, to merge old world antagonisms into American patriotism. In the blood shed in that his- toric field, New York was baptised as a State, and as a State in an enduring republic, in a united nation. SlONIFICANCE FROM L0C.\TI0N. The battle of Oriskany was the more significant because it was fought near the center of the Long House of the Iroquois. Indian phrase had so styled the val- » Defense, p. 17. + Burgoyne's Defense (London, 1780), p. 15. X See Lothrop's Life otRev. Samuel Kirkland, p. 233, for a notable illustration. Oriskany. * 95 ley, for wliicli they ])I:i(ecl the western door at tlie opening of the waters at Niag- ara, and the eastern door where the Mohawk seeks the Hudson.* It was held with its approaehes, wlun tlie white men came, by the Six Nations, the master tribes among tl\e Indians. They had discovered its iitness for the path of empire and tlie seat of dominion. Oadwallader Colden, in 17S.S, in an official report,! noted the peculiar feature that here ".some branches of the largest rivers of North America, and which run contrary courses, take their rise within two or three miles of each other;" the Slohawk flowing into the Hudson, the St. Lawrence finding allluents to carry northward, the Susquehanna to add to Chesapeake bay; and from the western walls of the Long House, waters seek the Mississippi and the Gulf. This configuration gave, naturally, political and military significance to what is now the center of New York.t The Iroquois from it became little less than lords of the continent. Into it the French missionaries early came to spy out the land, with that devotion wliieh led Father Jogues§ to "write the name of Jesus on the barks of trees in the Mohawk Valley," in 1642, and that foresight which for generations prompted the French Governors of Canada to aim to e.xpel the English by the instrumentality of the Iroquois. || In critical periods the British found the Iroquois, by their fidelity and prowess, a sufficient bulwark against French encroachments. IT From Manhattan the Dutch had reached out and planted Fort Orange at Albany, and had made friends and kept friends with the Iro(|uois. Over from the New England settlements the English crowded into lands whose advantages they cleai-ly saw, and the English Governors at ilanhattan were glad to frame treaties to grant to the Iroquois the same advantages which they had enjoyed from the Dutch.** Yet the first permanent settlers in a portion of the valley were Germans from the Palatinate, who came hither in 1712-13, after stopping on the Ilud.son. ft Sir William .Johnson, himself an Irishman, took great pains to gather British colonists about him, and was in large measure suc- cessful, and the Scotch colony was influential and self-asserting. As from the Long House of the Iroquois waters flow in all directions, so into it tended cur- rents of population from all directions. The Dutch proprietors could not stop this cosmopolitan drift. The German immigration prevented tendencies so dis- tinctively British as prevailed in other colonies. The large share of northern New York in the Anglo-French wars continued its traditional importance. J }: Here between Ontario and Champlain, it was decided that the nascent State should be cosmopolitan and not Dutch. §§ Here in large part it was decided, if not that the political relations of the State should be British and not French, that the language, the civilization, the social tendencies should be cast in the mold of Hampden and Jlilton .and Shakespeare, rather than in those of Paris and Ver- sailles. This whole region had indeed been included in New France. Louis ♦IVforgan's Leaeue of the Iroquois, p. -10. t Documentary Historj' of New York, vol. 4, p. lis. JDeWitt Clinton's Address on tlie Iroquois. Cimpbell's Life of Clinton, p. 210 Brodhead's History of New York, vol. 2, p. 8 SBnneroft, vol. 2, p. .310. I Paris Documents, Documentary Histoo', vol n, pp. 954, 958. , 1 Bancroft, vol. 3, p. 152. •♦ Brodhead's History of New York, vol l.p. 711. ++ Certain Gei'nians who had sought England for a refuge, it is said, became interested in the Mohawks who visited Queen .\nni'. and were by the chiefs induced to migrate to America. Jt Ex-Ciovernor Horatio Seymour, in his lecture on the History and Topograjihy of New York, has admirably presented the relations of the State growing out of its natural situation. 8§ August 1. isre. Rev .lohn Taylor, a missionary from New England, visitend in connnand of Colonel Co.x's reiriment, which bore the brunt of tlie fight. After the wouilding of Gen. Herkimer and the death c)f ColoiU'l Cox, Colonel Campbell was left in commany the way, was iniitati'd oight ycai'S afti-rwai'd by Massaohusotts, although hot- historians overlook tho fai't. In bold, uumistakablo Ituiguage, it assorted tliat the " svipreme legisla- ti\o jiower should forever be and reside in the Governor, council and people, met in general assembly," and then went on to eniuuevate the other rights to winch they were entitled ; among these were trial by .iury, freedom from taxation, except by their own consent, exemption from martial law, and the quartering of soldiers upon citizens, and perfect toleration to all persons professing faith in Christ. Of this noble document, issued in IGSo, it may be said that it is surpassed by nothing in An\erican history ; no, not by the Declaration of Independence itself, for the boldness and force of language with which it declares the jieople of ICew York entitled to all the rights of freemei\. But this act was only an enactment on the statute books ; it showed what the Colonists desired ; what they did is of more importance. They established the right, of petition, freedom of religious worship aud freedom of the press. These were established by the great State trials in the colonies, and the sister provinces shared the fruits. In establishing freedom of religious worship in the trial of McKemie, in l7t1T, they also settled another question, which, so far as I can learn, has been substantially overlooked. ilcKemie, a Presbyterian clergyman, was m-rested for preaching without ,i license from the Governor, the; Governor's instructions providing that no minister should preach in the province without his license. McKemie took the position, in which he was sustained by his three counsel, the ablest lawyers in New York, and all Episcopalians, that the royal instructions had no force as law. Heretofore the royal prerogative had been supreme in the colonies, but when the jury acquitted the jirisoner its death knell was sounded. Then the colonists refused to raise money by taxation, unless it could be dis- bursed by a treasurer of their own; then they refused to permit amendment to their money bills, and then to make any but atutual appropriations for the expen- ses of government. In all these struggles tl\e Xew Yorkers were successful, but they fought out the tight alone. At length the English Government saw- that nothing could be done with such a refmctory people, and resolved that Parliament itself should tax the colonics. This n-solution, proclaimed in respect to New York as early as 1711, was not practically enforced, however, till fifty years thereafter. Then the famous stamp act was passed, and the continent was all aflame — still, however, Xew York led the van of opposition. The first organized resistance by the non-importation agreement among the merchants was started in Xew York, next followed Phila- delphia and hvst came Boston. This effected the repeal of the detested act. Then came the tea bill and the revolution, and how well Xew York did its jiart therein seems to be known to few. If you would know what I mean turn to the common histories of the revolution, written by men who photograph the V>reakers on the shore, and call their work a map of the mighty ocean. There you will read that Xew York had a large tory element among her iHipulation, and you will find little else Ix^sides. Well, this is true, but it is only a fraction of the truth. We have seen already some of the peculiarities of Xew York's geographical position, but glance at them again, and you will wonder that she was not hopelessly- impotent before the enemy. The rebellious colonies had no navy, England was mistress of the seas. Her flet^t swept up our harbor without resistance, the city Orisk.vny. 101 was captured, it was surrouiidwl by no commuudiiig hciglUs from which the foe coiild be (^slodged, and, until the close of the war, it remained in possession of the enemy. The influence of this can readily be imagined; the venal were pur- chased, the timid were overawed. Nor was the Engli^ih occupation confined to the capital alone. They held tlic whole of Staten Lsland, and Long Lsland, and their fleets gave them control of the Sound, and the Hudson river, almost to AVest Point. New York had the most powerful aristocracy of any of the colonies — her vast estates, larger than counties, were owned by men, some of them, allied by birth and marriage to the nobility of England. When these men sided with the crown, they carried with them an army of retainers. But, now, carry your mind away from the capital, left in possession of the enemy, and glance here at the center of the State. Almost from Albany to Niagara stretched the wigwams of the relent- less Six Nations, the allies of Great Britain. They were the Romans of the Indian race — sage in council, wily in diplomacy and fearless in battle. In their midst, owning an estate as large as a principality, dwelt the great Sir William Johnson, one of the most remarkable men in American historj-. The dispenser of official patronage, the commander of the militia of his county, numbering fourteen hun- dred men, he was looked up to by the whites, but revered by the red men, as vicegerent to the king. Dying in 177-1, his sons and sons-in-law succeeded to his influence with the Indian tribes, and hated American independence with the bit- terest hatred. Brandt and his savage warriors, Butler and his still more savage tory rangers, swept the Mohawk Valley and its adjacent hillsides as with the besom of destruction ; farms were laid waste, whole towns were blotted out, and the wolf howled again where before had curled the smoke of happy homesteads. And now, would it appear strange if New York had failed to send her full quota of soldiers to the continental army? Look at the tories swarming in her midst, her capital ground under the heel of the invader, her populous districts cowering under the guns of a British fleet, and her borders, where the father, when he left his home, never hoped to see his wife or children more, would it be strange, I saj', if, upon the rolls of the regular army. New York had been found deficient? The fact is that out of the thirteen States onlj- three furnished their full quota of troops to the continental army; of these New York was one; out of the thirteen only two furnished their full quota of money and supplies, and of these New York was one. She was the only one of the thirteen that furnislied her full quota of men, money and supplies. In the light of these facts it seems to me that when the historians talk so much about New York's tories, they might add a word or two about her soldiers. It would be but justice, although we take no discredit from the one, and we claim no especial honor from the other. As Hamilton pointed out long ago, the preponderance of our soldiers was due simply to our geographical position. Some of the outlying Colonies which never felt the foot of the invader, took no interest in the war, save as a sentiment. But New York was the Flanders of America. To her the war was a bitter, stern rcalitj-. During the year 1777, whin the Colony became the State, there was not a county within her borders that did not re-echo to the tread of British troojjs, and yet this year ushered in by misfortune was the turning point of the Revolution. And here just at the turning j)oint stands the battle which wc commemorate to-day. The war thus far had brought a series of disasters to the armies of the rebellious colonists. The Engli.sh caliinet determined to make a grand elTort and terminate the struggle. New York was then iis always the key of the continent. It was 102 Centennial Celebrations. resolved to send out three expeditions for its capture ; one under the commander- in-chief, to start from New York and follow the Hudson, one under Bui-goyne, to march from the North by the way of Lake Champlain, and the third under St. Leger, to start from Oswego and go down the Mohawk Valley. The three armies were to unite at Albany when their work was done. None of them ever reached their destination. When the news was sounded through these valleys that St. Leger with a force of British troops, tories and Indian allies was on the march, the whole popula- tion were at once aroused. On the way from Oswego stood Fort Schuyler (the old Fort Stanwix of the French and Indian war). St. Leger saw that he must take this fort or nothing could be gained. When he encamped before it a sum- mons went out to the loyal men of New York to hasten to its aid. How they obeyed the summons you have already heard. Here along this valley lived the men whom the tories had counted on for allies. They were not loud talkers, but in 1775 early in the struggle they had said -ndth quiet detei-mination, " It is our fixed resolution to be free or die." Now the time had come for them to redeem the pledge, and nobly was it done. Each farmer seized his old trusty musket and hastened to the place of meeting. The need was urgent and the time was so brief that the Scotch-Irish of Cherry Valley, always foremost in patriotic work, almost lost the honor of sharing in the battle. Two of their number, how- ever. Colonel Samuel Campbell, and Major, afterward Colonel Samuel Clyde, were in attendance at a meeting of the Committee of Safety held at Palatine. Lieutenant Robert Campbell, a brother of the Colonel, lived half way up the Cherry Valley hills. At the first summons he hurried to the Mohawk and was just in time to join his brother and Major Clyde. Together they fought in the regi- ment, of Colonel Cox, which crossed the ravine before the attack and there bore the brunt of the battle. Lieutenant Campbell was left dead upon the field, the other two lived to render good service in the coming years when Brant and his tory allies so cruelly avenged the disaster of Oriskany. Of the events of the battle I need not speak ; you have heard them already. Officers and privates fought together, each handled the rifle, and from behind a friendly tree, x^icked oil the savage Indians or the still more savage tories. When the day closed, the expedition of St. Leger had received its death blow. His Indian allies faded into thin air, the Mohawk Valley was saved, its patriotic soldiers flocked to Saratoga, and the grip aromid the throat of Burgoyne was tightened, till his army dropped like a lifeless corpse. Then came assistance from France, in money, soldiers and supplies, and the fortunes of war were turned. Have we not the right to say that New York should be proud of its record in the revolutionary struggle? Have not the descendants of these men who fought at Oriskany a right to be proud as they tread the soil made sacred by the blood of their fathers? But gatherings like this serve a higher purpose than merely to foster local pride. A people, like an individual, may live so entirely in the past as to be useless in the present, as a man may expend all his energies in nursing Ills ancestral fame — but we have swung to the opposite extreme. " History," says Bacon, " makes men wise; " but it does much more, it makes them patriotic. The Greeks fought more bravely as they thought of Thermop}'l8e and Marathon. We sliall live more nobly as we think of our heroic ancestors, who, by a contest extending over nearly two centuries, laid broad and deep the founda- tions of our freedom. Okiskany. 103 At the close of Major Campbell's adckess, Mr. Seymour called upon Mr. Feederick Pfeiffek, drummer uf the Old Utica Band, to show what the captured snare drum aljovc alluded to was capable of. Mr. Pfeiffer came on the platform aud inade the old drum show to tlie best possible advantage. On the stand, among the veterans of the War of 1S12, was Philo WuiTE, a grandson of Hugh White, the founder of Whitestown, who made the following address : ADDEESS OF PIIILO WHITE. Mr. President : — It may seem presuming for an humble individual to obtrude his voicu upon tlu: attention of the nnmense a.ssemblage of our fellow-countrymen by whom we are now surrounded, especially in the presence of so manj' of the eminent men of om- Emphe State, illustrious alike for then- taleuts, their ■s'irtues, and their expansive patriotism. But, honored as a comrade of the conscript veter- ans of om* second War of Independence, and standing here as the sole representa- tive of my town and my lineage among them, I may crave the privilege of rever- ently offering my aspii-ations to heaven for having been mercifully spared with life and health to witness, and to participate in, this magnificent and impressive American jubilee, so appropriately inaugurated on this the one hundredth anniver- sary of the ever glorious battle of Oriskany. And I am sure I correctly interpret the sentiment of all my fellow-townsmen, in giving expression to their grateful emotions for the distinguished honor this day's impressively grand demonstration imparts to our good old town of Wliitestown, whose territorial expansion whilom stretched from the Gennan Flats to the Great Lakes, her first town meeting having been held at the Cayuga Ferrj'. She was the primeval town of all Western New York, and the nucleus of the earliest permanent civilized community within that broad region of our now Empire State. It was within the area of AVhitestowu's present circumscribed limits, that the memorable battle of Oriskany was fought, and her sons have been the nm'sing custodians of that ensanguined field. The soil of that battle ground was enriched by a suffusion of the blood of the patriot heroes who fell thereon ; and to their indomitable prowess the primal liberties of our common country are essentially indebted. The fame of their courageous achievements consequently fills a notable page in Wliites- town's historic annals. Animated by the recital of these inspiring reminiscences, re-exhilarated by inhal- ing the patriot atmosphere that pervades the vast concourse of a grateful people who have to-day come up to this consecrated battle-field, to honor the heroism, and to embalm a remembrance of the thrice glorious deeds of their ancestors, I may be pardoned a.s a journalist of " auld lang syne," for proposing tliat all the essential proceedings connected with this great Centennial Anniversary Jubilee, including the very masterly address of ex-Governor Seymoitr, tlic president of the d.iy, and the inspiringly eloquent speeches of the other distinguished gentle- men who have addressed this vast auditory, be printed in pamphlet or book form, 104 Centennial Celebrations. so as to impart to the battle of Oriskany, in au enduring shape, that prominence in the calendar of the ever-living achievements incident to our first War of Inde- pendence, to which its universal!}' conceded importance entitles it; and whereby the rectitude of history may be vindicated, and the name of Oriskany be ranged alongside of those of Saratoga and Yorktown, as theaters of the most momentous events in the great revolutionary struggle of our grandsires, that gave bii'th to ours, the empire republic of the American hemisphere. With these discursive remarks, Sir. President, I beg to submit my proposition to the consideration of this meeting, or the general Permanent Committee, defer- ring the manner and form of disposing of the matter to those who are younger and more expert in modern journalism than myself. The exercises were closed by the reading, by Mr. Seymouk, of tlie following poem, prepared for the occasiou by Eev. Dr. Chaules D. Helmek, D. D., of Chicago : PJilAN" TO OEISKAJSTT. POEM BY EEY. CHARLES DOWNES HELMER, D. D. Beleaguered men of Stanwix, brave as those Who faced a million of their foes At old Thermopylae ; Good cheer to you upon the wild frontier ! For citizens in arms draw near Across Oriskany. But hark ! amidst the forest shades the crash Of arms, the savage yell — with flash Of gory tomahawk ; For Johnson's Royal-Greens, and Leger's men, And Brant's Red Fiends, are in that glen Of dark Oriskany. From down the valley, where the Mohawk flows, Were hurrying on to meet their foes The patriot yeomanry; For Gansevoort within his fortress lay, In peril and besieged that day. Beyond Oriskany. As men who fight for home and child and wife, As men oblivious of lite In holy martyrdom. The Yeomen of the Valley fought that day, Throughout thy fierce and deadly fray — Blood-red Oriskany. Oriskany. 105 From rock mid tree and clump of twisted brush The hissing gusts of battlo rush — Hot breathed and liorriblc ! The roar, and smoke, like nust on stormy seas, Sweej) through thy sjjlintered trees — Ilard-fougbt Oriskany. Heroes are born in such a chosen hour; From common men tbej' rise and tower, Like thee, brave Herkimer I Who wounded, steedless, still beside the beech Cheered on thy men, with sword and speech, In grim Oriskany. Now burst the clouds above the battle roar. And from the ])itying skies down pom- Swift floods tumultuous ; Then fires of strife unquenched flame out again, Drenching with hot and bloody rain Thy soil, Oriskany. But ere the sun went toward the tardj' night. The Valley then beheld the light Of freedom's victory ; And wooded Tryon snatched from British arms The empire of a million farms — On bright Oriskany. The guns of Stanwix thundered to the skies: The rescued w^lderness replies ; Forth dash the garrison ! And routed Tories, witli their savage aids. Sink reddening through the sullied shades— From lost Oriskany. Behold, Burgoyne ! with hot and hating eyes, The New World's flag at last o'erflies Your ancient Heraldry ; For over Stanwix floats triumphantly The rising Banner of the Free — Beyond Oriskany. A hundred years have passed since then; And hosts now rally there again — To crown the century ; The proud posterity of noble men WTio conqneral in the bloody glen Of famed Oriskany. 14 106 Centennial Celebrations. AT THE EAST STAND. The ampliitlieatre in which tliis platform was situated rises from the ravine where the contest toolc place. The stand faces the east, the brook flowing immediately in front of it. On the other side of the brook a goodly number of seats were placed, and directly beyond them rises the steep side of the hill, curving around to the right. The sun shone brightly, and umbrellas were about as numerous as the ladies. The uniforms of the soldiery, and the red jackets of the fire laddies, served to add variety and brilliancy to the scene. At 2.30 p. M. the meeting at the east stand was called to order by lion. James Stevens, Mayor of Eome, chairman. A number of the veterans of the war of 1S12 occupied chairs directly in the rear of the speakers. Mr. Stevens first introduced to the audience Hon. Claekson IST. Potter, of New York. ADDEESS OF HON. CLAEKSON N. POTTEE. ' I was born in the Mohawk Valley, and feel therefore a natural interest in this celebration of an event upon which the peace and preservation of that valley depended; in which the men of the valley bore such noble part; and from which resulted so largely the success of the American revolution. And yet I confess that it was only within the last few years that I was at all aware of the importance of the battle of Oriskany. One day at dinner in "Washington some reference was made to the battle of Saratoga as one of the fifteen decisive battles of the world, when my friend, Judge Camiibell, called attention to the importance of the battle of Oriskany, and its effect upon the result at Saratoga. Then for the first time I properly understood how the third of the great move- ments which comprised the British plan.for separating and subjugating the colonies — a plan ably conceived, and so far triumphantly executed — liad been frustrated by the courage and tenacity and devotion of the men of the Mohawk valley. I subsequently sought — as Judge Campbell had sought some years before — to obtain from Congress a suitable appropriation to carry into efiect the resolution of the Continental Congress directing the erection of a monument to the memory of General Herkimer. I regret that my effort was not successful. I trust that your celebration of that important engagement will furnish the occasion fur another and more successful movement in that regard. When we recall the power and influence, the wealth and numbers of New York — when we remember that she has a population of over five millions of people, that she stanils far away the first of all the States in her capital, in her commerce. Oriskany 107 in lier exchanges, and is even first in tlie value of her manufactures, and in tlie value of her agricultural products as well, it is, indeed, difficult to realize that within a period but little more than tlie life-time of some now here, she was a poor colon}' of less tlian 200,000 people, inferior in luunbcrs and importance to Virginia, or Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts, or North Carolina. This prodigious growth she owes in part to her possession of the only gi-cat water way between the ocean and the lakes, and in part to her great seaport and to her central position between New England and the South, which have given her people a vast commerce and developed in them a great activity, and at the same time a large liberality of thought and opinion. But holding this great natural way within lier borders it was early foreseen what greatness was in store for her. She might have kept aloof from the revolu- tionary struggle to which many of her people were opposed, and seated upon this highway she might have levied tolls upon the rising traffic between the seaboard and the "West, until she had amassed riches beyond the tales of the Orient. But she preferred — wth a liberality which Sparks, the historian, has said was almost \vithout precedent in history — rather to cast in her lot \vith her sister colonies, and bear her share in the common struggle and the common risk. And although lier com- missioners had no authority to join in the Declaration of Independence, it was no sooner communicated to her provincial Legislature then assembled at AVhite Plains, than they at once adopted and proclaimed it. How large a share in the stniggles, the bui-dens, and the trials of this nation since then New York has had we all know. Is it too much to say that no one of the great crises to wluch the- republic has been exposed would have been success- fully and triumpjiantly passed had not New York been on the side that prevailed? To-day, while she is first of all the States in wealth, in prosperity, and in linaiicial power, if she is not first in her influence in the councils of the nation, it is, I think, because her representatives have failed to ajjpreciate the necessity and the advan- tage of combination and of tinion there. One of the most prominent statesmen of the time — himself from New England — said tome not long ago, that " if New York only sent her best men to the national councils and kept them there, and they were united, .she might dictate the policy of the United States ; that lying as she did between the extremities of the («untry, in territory and opinion, and with her all- reaching traffic and capital, she might, by proper concert among her people, con- trol ideas as well as trade, and give direction to the legislation of the country." For myself, then, I welcome every occasion which recalls the sufferings and sac- rifices, and the dignity and prosperity of this State. I have, perhaps, overmuch pride in her character and history. TluMe has always been, as it seems to me, a high purpose and a noble liberality in the conduct of New York. Hers were among the first declarations for individual liberty and for the right of the colonies to regulate their local affairs; hers has been always a most earnest devotion to national unity; hers the justest and most catholic com'sc, whether in her treatment of her own ])eoi)le, of strangers coming within her borders, or of her sister States; hers iiuhred always a large and generous spirit wliich, it seems to me, may \vell be emulated. We do well, then, to renew the memory of our fathers' days — days of want and trial, of courage and devotion, to recall, in these times of luxury and extrava- gance and speculation, their .steadiness, and thrift, and economy, and indu.stry; here upon the field of one of the bloodiest l)attles of the Revolution to remember their courage and sacrifices, as only a few days since at Kingston wc had occasion 108 Centennial Celebrations. to recall their wisdom and judgment and State craft. We do well also to realize how largely and wisely they builded, and how great and noble has become the State which they founded ; and, grateful for her past prosperity and worthy his- tory, to resolve to carry forward her greatness, to foster the well being of her peo- ple, and their pride in and devotion to the State ; so that she may always be found in the van of this great nation — first in nmnbers, in wealth, in power and in virtue. At the close of liis speecli three cheers were proposed for Mr. Pot- tee, and were given with a hearty good will. Hev. Dr. Haven, Chan- cellor of Syracuse University, was then introduced. ADDEESS OF EEV. DE. HAYEI^. One hundred years ago to-day on these grounds was fought a desperate contest. It requires some power of imagination to reproduce the scene. The population of the United States was not then much more than half as great as the present popu- lation of the State of New York. The population of New York then was not equal to a single county now. The region round about this spot was mostly a wilderness and a swamp. A few hardy adventurers had found their way to these regions. North of us, along Lake George and by the tributaries of the Hudson, was General Burgoyne, with a thoroughly disciplined army of about 8,000 men, accompanied with thousands of Indians and a few American tories. West of us, making their way from Oswego toward Fort Stanwix, were Colonel St. Leger and a company of infantry and some eight hundred Indians, and a num- ber of tories, and some regular British soldiery. General Herkimer and about eight hundred American militia hastily armed, were on their way to aid the Americans in Fort Stan-n-ix. All at once, without a moment's warning, they were attacked by the British and Indian foes and a desperate hand to hand conflict fol- lowed. Nearly half the Americans fell. General Herkimer himself was wounded, and leaning against a stump cheered on his men. They sold their lives dearly. In the meantime Colonel Willet sallied out of the Fort with two hundred men and destroyed the Indian camp. The darkness of night ended the conflict. It looked like a success to the British, but it was really a success to the Ameri- cans. The British and Indians were both disheartened. They stormed Fort Stan-\\'ix but failed, and within two weeks retreated from this part of the State, and in a short time the whole of Burgoyne's army, wearied by failures and beaten on the battle-field, surrendered their arms. The battle of Oriskany was really one, and a most important one, in the many stubborn conflicts which led to the surrender of Burgoyne, and the discomfiture of the British in the general plan to sweep down from the north, and meet their forces under Howe and Clinton, in New York city, and thus hold the entire country. The sun has -iNdtnessed on this planet many battles. This earth has drunk the blood, and this air has dissolved the corpses of more men and women and children slain Ijy the red hand of war, than now walk or breathe on its surface. Yes, enou<>-h, were they resurrected, to populate the earth far more densely than now, to fill every city and to break the silence of every desert with the hum of convcrsa- Oriskany. 109 tion and the noise of Inisy life. If men slioukl celebrate only the centennials of all the battles as great as Oriskany, all ninnkiiul woiikl have nothing else to do — except, perhaps, occasionally to break into a new fight to keep up the supply. Why, then, celebrate the centennial of Oriskany? The value of battles is not to be estimated by their magnitude. There have been contests of large ai-mies, ending in the carnage and death of uncounted thou- sands, when the object of neitlier party rose higher than plunder, and when to a wise and impartial observer in the heavens, it would have been a matter of perfect indifference which should gain the victor}'. All through the days of ancient history a great majorit_y of wars have been waged on the principle that might makes right, and that the physically strong need make no apology for enslaving the weak. The walls of Babylon were cemented with human blood. The Macedonian empire was a hasty conglomerate structure, thrown up by an invading army. Rome sent her standards to the ends of the earth that all provinces might furnish fields for plunder to the chief families of the city. The wars of modern Europe have been struggles to prevent despotism bj- maintaining a balance of power. War without just cause is wholesale murder. War that could well have been avoided is criminal manslaughter. But there have been times when men have been compelled to die — to become slaves — or to ami themselves, submit to discipline and smite down the opposers at the risk of their own lives — and then war becomes just and noble, and the men who show msdom and bravery and perseverance deserve the plaudits of their fellows, and the eulogy of posterity. Such was the war of the Israelites for the defense of their country against Rome ; such was the war of Great Britain when invaded by France and Spain, and such was the war of our fathers when an attemjit was made by the most powerful nation of the earth to rob them of their ancestral privileges and reduce them to vassalage and shame. The battle of Oriskany was not a great battle ; but a small sharp blow, well directed between the eyes of an unjust foe, well deserves to be remembered. For what did our fathers fight? For what did our mothers run the Indicts in their homely molds, take down the muskets and putting them into the hands of their husbands and sons, say with tears in their ej'es, but courage in their hearts — " Go and drive away the Invading foe? " Did our fathers fight for wages, for bounty, for plunder? Their wages would not meet their immediate wants. Their uniform was rags. There was nothing to plunder in their own hulf-wilderness home. They fought for principle. Thej' fought for self-defense. They fought for the freedom which their own ancestors had obtained by immigi-ation to the new world, and had transmitted to them. It has been asserted by some loose tliinkers that the American Revolution was a rebellion, and that Washington was only a successful rebel. This is a libel on his- tory. It is less than half a truth, and, therefore, in effect a total lie. In the beginning of the contest Great Britain rebelled. A solemn compact had been made with the thirteen colonics, one by one, when they were founded, that they should have the right of self-government. This contract was broken by Great Britain. She anniillcd the cliarters under which our fathers had been allured into the wilderness. Great Britain and France had waged a fierce contest in which France lost her American colonies, and then the English colonies in America were unjustly called upon to pay a part of tlie expense. They declined, unless their 110 Centennial Celebeations. own representatives could dpterminc what shoiiUl be paid and how it slioiild be collected. Their rights were sacrificed. An irrcpealable contract was annulled. They were treated as slaves, not as Englishmen. Foreign armies were liired to fight against them. The Indian savages were bribed and coaxed to attack them, and the feeble thirteen colonies found themselves alone in the world, unprotected, unaided. France had not yet come to their help. Then there was but one alternative — submission, wliii-h meant slavery; or resistance, which was called rebellion, but which was really a war for original rights. Let us not think harshly of the cousins of oiu' grandparents, who lived across the Atlantic ocean. There was a much wider gulf between the government and the people of Great Britain in ITT?, than now in 1S77. Then the government was a small aristocracy and the mass of the people were unrepresented. The great body of the intelligent people of Great Britain sympathized with the American Colonists. Since that time the English people have passed through a greater revolution at home than the American people did in the war of 1776. Why, even fifty years after the American Revolution the people were in a state of semi-servitude. As a proof of it, let me quote only one sentence from an interest- ing book just published : The Life and Letters of Lord Jtacaulay, by his nephew, G. Otto Trevelyan, JM. P., p. 150: "At that time (1830), the press was gagged in England and throttled in Scotland. Every speech or sermon or pampMct, from the substance of which a cro\vn lawyer could torture a semblance of sedition, sent its author to the jail, the hulks or the pillory." Fifty years before this time, that is in 1777, the French people, the German people, the Italian people, as well as the Russian people were serfs, and the Eng- lish people but little better. That series of little battles, of which Oriskany was one, was fought not merely for America, but for all mankind. It was to maintain the compact of England with the people, for the advantage of the people. Hitherto, sovereigns when in danger would make great promises to the people, but when in safety forget them. The American people were determined that the old compact should be kept. It is an oft quoted pro\erb : ** When the devU was sick, the devil a mouk "would be, But when the devil was well, the devil a monk was he!" So when the kings were sick, the kings very kind would be ; but when the kings got well — there was a new reckoning! War is usually founded on an awful mistake. So was it in tliis case. Great Britain did not know her own colonists. She undervalued them. She practically despised them. She thought them half-civilized or less. She expected with a small, compact, and a well trained army to walk through America from Ciuiada to South Carolina, like a housewife sweeping a kitchen. Burgoyne was a scholar, and a gentleman, and a brave soldier. He did splendid service for his country before he came to America and afterward. Americans can respect him. But his jnoclamation made while in command of the British army in America, which surrendered to Gates, was so inflated and bomliastic as to remind \is of the military bulletins of Turkey or Jlexico, or of the declaration nuide by the king of Dahomey with a trumpet after his dinner, that all the rest of the world may now eat, their master having dined ! Let me quote a few words to verify my criticism: Ohiskany. Ill "At the head of troops in the full powers of health, discipline and valor, determined to strike when necessary," etc. " Let not people be led to disregard it by considering their distance from the immediate situation of my camp. I have but to give stretch to tlie Indian forces under my direction, and they amount to thousands, to overtake the hardened enemies of Great Britain," etc. But again I say, friends, let us have no hard words for the Bintish people of that day. They and our fathers were of one bone and of one flesh. It was simply the lot of our fathers to tight the battle for the whole of their race, and for all mankind. Had they fallen, tl\e hands on the dial of human history would have stopped — nay, been thrust backward more than a century. Tliey succeeded, and all Europe lifted herself up from her abasement, and a many-tongued shout of exultation arose from her people. The star spangled banner took its place among the flags of the nations — representing not despotism, but freedom and a country, first in liberty, and first in progress among the nations of tlie eaith. It is the flag of hope and the flag of promise. It is the ensign of freedom and universal suffrage. Thank God it does not float over a slave, nor over a man not permitted to vote — except he be a violator of the law. Who were the people upon whom God had imposed this responsibility ? Bj' a sifting process the strongest and best specimens of European people were selected and brought to these sliores. The religious, the freedom-loving, the adventurous, the strong. Tliey were poor. They lived in log houses and ate from wooden dishes, and their food w-as primitive and coarsely cooked. They were clad in homespun and vdih little variety. Pianos were unkno^^'n. Spinning ■wheels were universal, blowing machines had never been heard of, but sickles were in common iise. Wooden ploughs and hand flaUs helped de\-elop the mus- cles of the men, and tlie only sewing machines were vitalized by good human souls, and the men particularly liked to call them their own. But beneath the rustic simplicity of those days might be seen tlie truest man- hood and womanhood on eartli. The men governed the State and the women presided in the family. A township is the mother of the State, and the family is the primordial element or nucleus of the township. In 1777, the j\jnerican people were undoubtedly the best educated and the most religious population on the face of the round earth. One who could not read and WTite was as rare as an idiot — and indeed, the two were regarded about as one. The school-house and the mceting-Iiouse were as universal as the fire-])lacc or the table or any other essential thing. It was a Bible-respecting people. It was a self-respecting people. Such a people cannot consent to jield the God- given privileges of their fathers. But, friends, the battles were fought ancl the victory won before we came on the stage of action. Some of us can remember the stories we lieard in our cliild- hood from the lips of the old veterans, who seemed to our eyes and ears to bcUmg to another race of men — among us, but not of us. Some of them were poorly clad; some of them, I am sorry to say, did not seem to be wholly ignorant of the nature and effects of hard cider and New England rum. But whether poor or rich, ])rivates or officers, how we used to venerate them, and love to gather around them to hear their tliousand time told tales ! They were regarded not merely as soldiers, but as saviors ; not merely as conquerors, but creatore of liberty and life. 112 Centennial Celebrations. It seems so reasonable that a people should choose their own rulers and make their own laws, that it may be fancied tliat it would have been brought about had Americans not declared and earned their indeisendeuce. But it surpasses human sagacity to see how it could have been done. After the American Revolution came the fierce and original French Revolution, which shattered the most terrible desjiotism of earth into fragments that can never be gathered ; the quiet English Revolution that has made the limited monarchy of Great Britain almost as free as a republic ; revolutions in Italy and Austria and in other lands — and to-day, everywhere the peoples are maintaining that all governments proceed from them and are established for their welfare. But have we not a work at home to do ? What mean these thunder murmur- ings of a contest, not between labor and capital, but between laborers and the employers of laborers ? Statesmen must not quietly assume that " Avhatever is, is right." The strongest government in the world is a republic, but no. government on earth can always repress disorder if the great majority believe tliat they are wronged. It is a time then for sober tliought. Every generation has its own work. We cannot live by eulogizing our fathers and mothers. Our eyes are not in the backs of our heads. Let us build the monu- ments of the dead, but let us be quick about it, and spend the most of the time and the most of our money in building houses for the living. "A living dog is better than a dead lion." But let us raise living lions. The intellect of om* states- men should be employed, not in defending the past, but in devising means wliereby the present can be improved. Let the American Republic be alive and progressive alike in every part, so that the Bunker Hills and Benningtons and Oriskanies and Saratogas of all time may tell the same story of devotion to prin- ciple, to freedom and to right. At tlio close of Dr. Haven's address, three rousing cheers were given for the speaker, and cries of " good, capital," were heard on every side. Hon. Samuel Earl, of Herkimer, was the next speaker introduced. He prefaced his speech by the remark that in order to he heard well and properly, he would need a voice equal to that of all the Indians and artillery here congregated one hundred years ago. ADDEESS OF HON. SAMUEL EAKL We have assembled here to-day, iipon this historic ground, to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Oriskany battle; and to do honor, also, to the memory of the patriots of the Mohawk Valley, by whose valor and indomitable courage the battle was won. And as a descendant of one of the prominent actors in that fierce and terrible struggle, I take especial pride in joining with you in doing honor to tlie memory and brave achievements of o>ir patriotic ancestors, who met upon tliese grounds tlie cruel and merciless invaders of their soil, and drove them back. To many of you it must be especially interesting, as I confess Oriskany. 113 it is to me, to view the grounds where, amid the lionifl din of savage warfare and savage butchery, your ancestors and mine fought undismayed one of the most important battles in the War of the Revolution. It was here, upon this spot, that the first gi-eat blow was struck, and cheek given to the grand scheme, inaugurated by the tory ministry of Great Britain for the campaign of 1777, which was intended and expected to accomplish the com- plete and final subjugation of the American colonies. The scheme was a grand one, and well planned, and it appeared to those planning it and to those intrusted to carry it out, that it would certainly succeed. It was confidently expected that the means set in motion for the campaign of that year would be fully adequate to the task of successfully crushing out the rebellion of the colonies. The plan, in short, was to put in motion a large and overpowering force, well equipped and supplied with materials of war, from different points, under different leaders, and all destined to meet at the same point, which was Albany. St. Leger and his forces were to proceed by way of Oswego to the Jlohawk Valley, and thence to Albany, while at the same time General Burgoyne and his arinj' were to proceed by way of Lake Champlain, and join St. Leger at jUbany, and to meet there also Sir Henry Clinton, who was to arrive with his forces from New York, by way of the Hudson river. The plan was, bj' this cam- paign, to di\ide the colonies — to cut off New York and New England from the colonics south, and by that means to crush out the spirit of liberty at the north, and finally oveipower the colonies south. The success of the campaign would most likely have changed the tide of our affairs. But the expeditions all failed, and the first great blow to that well planned campaign was given upon the sjjot where we are assembled to-day. That blow was struck by the patriotic militia of Tryon coimty, under their brave General, Nicholas Herkimer. It will be remembered that the year 1777 found the inhabitants of the ^lohawk Valley desponding and despairing of success. Many of the hitherto ardent sup- porters of the patriot cause favored giving up the contest. They had endured the struggle for two years, and their first ardor for the cause of liberty had, in a measure, died out; and in all parts of the valley there were disaffected persons. Many had laid down their arms and renewed their allegiance to the crown, and become loyalists. While many others had taken their arms and gone over to the enemy, and become the cruel tones of the Revolution. This defection to the cause of liberty was confined to no particular locality; it divided neighborhoods and even families ^- brothers and parents often took different sides, and through- out Tryon county there wei'e more or less of tory adherents — of tory sympathy, and of tory hopes and expectations. All tliis led to frequent outbursts of passion and exasperated feelings between the inhabitants, entertaining different jioliticaJ views and opposing sympathies — and as well may be supposed, an intense feeling of hatred and animosity soon gi'cw up between the inhabitants thus situated, and ties of former friendships, and of consanguinity even, were obliterated and lost amid the savage feeling, suspicions and want of charity engendered between the parties. Just at this time, and when the feeling to which I have referred was at its height, and when many of the bravest men in the valley of the Mohawk began to feel that it was useless to jjrolong the struggle, St. Leger made his appearance at Oswego, with the motley forces under his command, amounting to about two thousand. The appearance of tliis formidable force at Oswego, and its destina- tion were no sooner made known to General Herkimer, and to the Conimittee of 15 114 Centennial Celebrations. Safety of Tryon comity, than he issued a stirring proclamation to tlic people of the county, well calculated to arouse their faltering patriotism, and to dismay the dis- affected. It concluded in these well chosen words: "Not doubting that the Almighty power, upon our humble prayers and sincere trust in Him, ■nT.ll then generously succor our arms in battle for our just cause; and victory cannot fail on our side." It had its intended effect and was responded to by the militia of Tryon county in the same patriotic spirit in which it was issued by their brave and patriotic general. But it must not be understood that all to whom it was addressed obeyed its call or flew to his standard — far from it. Many, and some even of the brave general's own family relatives sought the stand- ard of St. Leger. It is certain that one brother at least had gone over to the enemy, and that an influential brother-in-law was then ^vith St. Leger, and that other near and influential relatives were then open enemies of the patriot cause. But by his exertions, and at his command there assembled at Fort Dayton, now Herkimer village, by the fourth of August, 1777, about eight hundred militia, with their officers, taken from the whole body of the county, from Schenectady westward ; and there also the Committee of Safety for Tryon county met and joined the militia. That was their appointed place of rendezvous, and there they met for the well-understood purpose of marching at once to the relief of Fort Stanwix — which, as they were informed, was then invested by St. Leger, with a superior force. They inidorstood that unless relief came, and came quickly, the beleaguered garrison would surrender, and that with its surrender their homes would be sacked by a ruthless and savage enemy, in a victorious march down the Mohawk Valley. This the brave mUitia and their officers, and the members of the Committee of Safety, who volunteered to accompany them, well understood. And they felt and imderstood also the supreme urgency of immediately marching to the relief of the fort. The stirring proclamation which had been issued to them, and the appeals of the Committee of Safety, all meant haste to go to the relief of the fort — haste to strike a blow which would turn back the invaders of their soU — and in haste they marched from their place of rendezvous on the fourth of Atigust. They marched ■with alacritj^ and with resolute hearts, j-earning to drive back the enemy and save theii- homes from pillage and fire. Their route laj' on the north side of the river as far as Utica, where they crossed, and on the night of the fifth they encamped at or near the present site of Whitestown — and there, on the morning of the sixth, occurred the scene between the brave General and some of his officers and members of the Committfee of Safety, which is so well known to history. And we do well to-day, as we look back to that period when so many and so great dangers threatened the lives and the homes of our patriotic ancestors, to consider, as well as we can, the situation just as it was, and as it appeared to them, and then to say in our hearts whether they were not right, as they saw the situation, in demanding that they should be led on to meet the enemy. Their general, who had up to this time been urging haste, now proposed to wait for reinforcements ; and a counsel of officers and of the members of the Commit- tee of Safety was held, at which the question of delay was vehemently discussed. None can say that the advice of General Herkimer was not, to say the least, pru- dent; and none ought to say that it was prompted bj' any thing less than a proper regard for the safety of his neighbors and friends who so promptly answered to his call ; and none can say that it was through cowardice or treachery that he preferred to wait for reinforcements. It was seemingly well to do so, as Arnold was at that moment on his way with ample force to join him. But the brave men who dis- Oriskany. 115 agreed with him, and insisted in such strong language that the on'nard movement should be made at once, acted in good faith, and from what appeared to them a necessity. Thej- started out to relieve a fort greatly imperilled, and to tliem it seemed that they should not halt until they had accomplished their purpose. They could not understand why they should wait for reinforcements. They felt and believed they were fully able to successfully cope with the enemy, and were ready to do it. It was unjust, however, to assail the motives of their General because he felt it prudent to wait to be reinforced ; and yet when we consider that there were assembled the very best men of the valley, the safest and most intelligent advisers, fatlicrs, sons and brothers who had left theu- homes and their families unprotected in the rear, we can well see, that as they looked upon them- selves, they saw no need of reinforcements. They felt strong enough, and they were strong enough to drive back the enemy, and they were ready to do it, and to do it at once. The subject of delaying was a surprise to them, and they could not understand it in their impatience to save the fort, so important in the defense of their homes. The intelligent members of the Committee of Safety, and the officers there assembled, doubtless knew of the defection of many of the brave General's near relatives, and the fact that some of them were then vnth St. Leger. To them, in view of all the circumstances, the proposed delay seemed unwise and cowardly. Their impatience could not be restrained by the General, and he gave the command to march, which was instantly obeyed, not by cowards, but by brave, determined and earnest men. In my judgment there was no mistake made in giving the command. It was proper to do so. The mistake made was that the line of march was not formed with such precautions against surprises of the enemy as should have been takcu. Who was to blame for this, it is now impos- sible to tell. "We cannot and dare not charge the blame upon the brave General, for we do not know what his orders were upon this subject. But this is certain, that the necessary military precautions against a suqirise were for some cause omit- ted, and to this must we attribute the fearful havoc and loss of life, which that eventful day witnessed upon these historic grounds. Tliat nothing was lost or omitted through cowardice or treacherj- on the part of the brave General or the officers under him, is equally certain. They were all brave. The misfortune to the rear guard under Colonel Visscher could not have been prevented by any exertions within his power. They coiild not, from their posi- tion, be looking for surprises, except from the rear. They were the rear guard behind the baggage and ammunition wagons — upon the first assault he and his brave men were cut off from the main body, and between him and the rest of the little army the road, a narrow causeway, was completely blocked up and made impassable, in consequence of the teams and wagons being thrown into inextrica- ble confusion. Thus situated the rear guard was assailed with a superior force upon disadvantageous ground, and routed. No bravery could have prevented the misfortune. The trap set for General Herkimer's forces was sprung, and it struck with terrific force the rear, which was soon thrown into confusion and driven back in disorder. This, under the circumstances, it would seem was inevitable. I do not believe, and I cannot believe, as has been asserted, that General Herki- mer was apprised in advance of the ambuscade which awaited him, and that he expected it here uj>on this spot on his way to the fort. This is incredible, as it can- not be supposed that the general would have neglected to make ample provision forit« It would have been discreditable in him not to have provided for any emergency of that kind of which he had notice, even though he were forced by 116 Centennial Celebrations. his turbulent officers to give the order to march on against his better judgment. But lie had no notice. It was a surprise, planned by St. Leger, and the execution of it placed mainly in the hands of Sir John Johnson, and of that cunning and savage Indian warrior, Joseph Brant. But the question liere occurs, how did St. Leger know (for he did know) of the march of the force under General Herkimer for the relief of Fort Stanwix ? He knew just when the relieving force left Fort Bayton, and what its strength was. Molly Brant, who had been the faithful Indian wife of Sir William Johnson, was the person who sent the intelligence to St. Leger's camp of General Herkimer's approach. She was the sister of Joseph Brant, the celebrated Indian chief who had command of the Indians. She was a remarkable woman, Indian though she was. It was through her sagacity and influence that Sir William Johnson, with whom she had lived, as his wife, for iipwarcl of twenty years, acquired and maintained, to the time of his death, such a controlling influence over the Six Nations. Upon his death she was obliged to leave Johnson Hall, where she had been so long mistress, and returned to live with her own tribe, at the Indian castle on the south side of the Mohawk, about two miles below the residence of General Herkimer. Her keen eye saw every thing that was going on, and she secretly sent an Indian in advance to apprise St. Leger of General Herkimer and his forces going to the relief of Fort Stanwix. By this timely information Sir John Johnson and the Indians had leisure to prepare the ambuscade which here took place. But she paid dearly, as subsequent events proved, for giving the information which cost so many lives of the best men in the upper valley of the Mohawk. General Herkimer could not have known — and did not know that his march was to be intercepted at this place, otherwise he would have prevented the sur- prise which led to so great a slaughter of his neighbors and cost him his own life. Colonel Claus, the son-in-law of Sir William Johnson, and who was with St. Leger's forces, wrote to the British Secretary of War under date of October 16, 1777, as follows: " The 5th of August, in the afternoon, accounts were brought by Indians sent by Joseph's sister (Molly) from Cauajoharie, that a body of rebels were on their way and would be within ten or twelve miles of our camp that night. A detachment of about 400 Indians was ordered to recon- noiter the enemy. Sir John Johnson asked leave to join bis company of light infantiy and head the whole, which was granted. Colonel Butler and other Indian officers were ordered with the Indians." On November 6, 1777, Colonel Claus wrote to the Secretary as follows: " The Indian action near Fort Stanwix, happening near a settlement of Oneida Indians in the rebel's interest, who were at the same time in arms against our party, the Six Nations Indians, after the action, bui-nt their houses, destroyed their field-crops and killed and carried away tlieir cattle. This the rebel Oneidas, after our retreat, revenged upon Joseph's sister and her family (living in the upper Mohawk town) on Joseph's account, robbing them of cash, clothes, cattle, &c., and driving them from their home ; then proceeded to the Mohawk's town and dealt in the same manner with the poor women and children whose husbands were in the king's service. Joseph's sister and family fled to Onondaga, the council place of the Six Nations, laying her griev- ances before that body. The Six Nations, with whom she had always had a great sway during the late Sh- Will'am Johnson's life-time, and even now — and I understand the Six Nations to ren- der her satisfaction by committing hostilities upon that tribe of Oneida rebels that committed the outrages." It will be seen by the testimony here furnished just how the intelligence of Her- kimer's advance reached St. Leger's camp before Fort Stanwix, and that the result of that intelligence was the ambuscade by the Indians under Brant, and by the British regulars and tories under Sir John Johnson. Here the blow was Okiska.w. 117 struck, wliioli, while it was at the siicritice of many lives of the \visest and best men in the valley of the Mohawk, staid the enemy in their progress, and finally resulted in their hasty flight to Canada. It was a terrible blow to the enemy, and while the cheek here given to them was cause of great thankfulness on the part of the liberty loving people of the valley, yet it brought sadness to many a heart by the loss of parents, sons and brothers. The noble and brave-hearted General Herki- mer was among those who made upon these fields at that time the sacrifice of their lives. His life went out nobly and bravely for his country's cause. General Nicholas Herkimer was the oldest son of John Jost Herkimer, who was among the first to settle upon the German Flats. He was a German, as were all the first settlers. They emigrated from a district of country in Germany, called the Lower Palatinate, on the Rhine, and were called Palatines. The story of their coming to America, and of their wanderings until they settled down on the patent which was granted to them in 1725, is an interesting one, but not important to be given here. They styled themselves high Germans, and were Lutherans. The patent of land granted to them extended on both sides of the river from the Little Falls, westward as far as Frankfort, and was divided into narrow lots facing the river. John Jost Herkimer drew and first lived upon lot No. 30, on the south side of the river. This lot is now owned by James H. Steele, Esq., and George H. Orendorf, and is distant about one-half a mile below the old stone church. Here General Herkimer was doubtless born soon after his father had established his home upon the lot. And upon that lot, and in that vicinity, he spent the days of his childhood and of his youth, following the vocation of a farmer's boy. The house in which he was reared survived the Revo- lution, and was the only house to which the torch was not applied when the de- struction of the settlement in that vicinity took place in the War of the Revolution. This house stood on the easterly side of a knoll projecting beyond the foot of the hill, and near a small rivulet of pure water. The old house, built in primitive style, remained standing until about twenty-five years ago, and there is nothing now to indicate where it stood, save the cavity of the cellar, and that is nearly obliterated. The time will soon come when there will be nothing left to indicate the spot where the brave hero sported when a child and grew to manhood. As early at least as 1730 there was a school-house in which there was a school kept upon or near the site of the old church, which is distant about half a mile from where this house stood. And it is a notable fact that upon the same spot there has been a school-house and a public school kept from that time down to the pres- ent. It is altogether probable that at the school kept at this place the young patriot received all the education he ever got in school — which is known to have been limited, and was in German. The only language spoken at the German Flats at that time, or heard from the pulpit, was the Gorman, and in this he was instructed, as I have seen his writing in the German language. At the church, near by his father's residence, he was instructed in the catechism, and there he was taught in the Holy Scriptures, with which he showed himself so familiar in his dying hour. His father was a prominent and influential man among the German settlers. In the church, which was erected upon the site of the present oldstone cluuch, he was a leading spirit, as appears from records still in existence. In 17.il, when it was proposed to erect a new edifice in the place of the old one, we find him ad- dressing, as sole petitioner, the Colonial Governor, the following petition for a license to circulate a subscription in aid of the church : 118 Centennial Celebrations. To his Excellency, the Honorable George Clinton, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chie£ of the province of New York and Territories thereon depending in America, Vice-Adniiral of the same, and Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet : The humble petition of Johan Joost Hercheimer, of Burnet's Field, in the County of Albany, yeoman, in behalf of himself and the rest of the inhabitants, High Germans living there, humbly sheweth: That your petitioner and sundry other High Germans, to the number of one hundred famiUes and upwards, at present resident at Burnet's Field, in this province, propose, with your Excel- lency's permission, to erect a Stone Church on the South side of the River, upon a convenient spot of ground already purchased by the Inhabitants, for the Worship of Almighty God, accord- ing to the discipline of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. But finding themselves unable alone to finish and complete the same, your petitioner, therefore, in behalf of the said Inhabit- ants, humbly prays your Excellency will be favourably pleased to grant a Brief or Lycense to crave the voluntary assistance and contribution of all well disposed persons within this province, foi' completing the said sti-ucture. altogether intended for Divine Worship, And your petitioner, as iu duty bound, shall ever pray, &c. JOHAN JOOST HEECHEIMEK, Fort George, in New York . October 6, 1751. Be it so. G. Clinton. Aud at a later day, tlie building of the church liaving been interrupted by the French and Indian war, we find him chosen as one of the committee to circulate the subscription, but in consequence of infirmities of age he declined and deputed another iu his place. The original appeal is in the following language : To All Christian People to whom this shall come, Whereas, the inhabitants on the south side of the Elver of Burnet's Field, on the German Flatts, whereas, we are about to erect a Church wherein the High Dutch Language in the Protestant way should be preached. Before the late war, and when the war begun, we was obliged to leave off building, and in the war everj'thing was discharged, as we were desirous to have a place of worship, we have begun to buUd a Church, but we found ourselfs not able to finish the same, occasioned by the troubles we had in the war, that is to say, all our Houses and Barns, with all we had in them, were burnt, and our Horses and Catties were killed and taken away, and a great many of our People taken Prisoners by the Enemy, which has unabled us to finish the Church. For them Reasons we have desired two of our members, that is to say, Johan Jost Herkemer and Hendrick Bell to try to collect some money of all good people to enable us to have our Church finished , and we hope all good people will take our cause in consideration, as we have no place of Worship now but a small Log House. We are, in behalf of the Congregation and ourselfs. Gentlemen, Your Most Humble Servants, AUGUSTENIS HESS, RODOLF SCHOMAKEE, PETER VOLS. N. B. —- 1, being old and unable, T therefore send Peter Vols to do the business of collecting for me. JOHANN JOST HERCHHEIMER, Just. John Jost Herkimer, the father of oui hero, was then old. He iKid become wealtliy, and was possessed of various large tracts of land, and had numerous chattels, including negro slaves. He had a large family of children, five sous and eiglit daughters. At an early day, and before tlie French and Indian war, and while his children were yet young, he built a stone mansion about three-fourths of a mile west of his first location. This was built a little distance above the old stone church, and it was afterward, and before the year 175G, included Mdthin the fort called "Fort Herkimer." It was finely and eligibly located upon the bank of the river, overlooking it and the beautiful valley for some distance both above and below. At that time, and until long after the revolution, the river was Okiskany. 119 the great thoroughfare for trade and commerce, aud often presented a gaj' and lively appearance, with its batteaux floating upon its surface, laden with merchan- dise. To the west of tlie mansion stood "Fort Dajton," about a mile and a half distant, on tlie opposite side of the river. Between these forts, and diagonally across tlie flats, ran a road then and still called the "King's road," and almost in a straight linci This road w;xs the only direct line of communication between the forts, and it was then and for a long time afterward used as a public higliway. A plan of the fort surrounding the Herkimer Mansion, as made in 175G, may be seen in 3d. vol. of Doc. Hist, of New York, at page 732, and in Benton's History, at page 53. The house referred to in this plan was the Plerkimer JIausion. A description of the house and fort may be found in 1st vol. Doc. Hist, of Xew York, at page 537. Here it is altogether probable the General lived until his father conveyed to him the five hundred acres whereon he built his tine residence on the south bank of the river, below the Little Falls. This conveyance was made in 1760. The Herkimer JIansion was originally buUt for a store, and was used as a depot for supplies to Oswego. We may infer from this fact that the General was engaged in traffic at Fort Herkimer, prior to the French war, with his father, and that the wealth and early prosperity of the family may be thus accounted for. And to this, also, may be attributed the fact that he became so generally and favorably known throughout the colony. This fort was garrisoned, and served as a protection to the inhabitants on the south side of the river, at the time of the French and Indian invasion, and also during tlie "War of the Revolution. It is supposed that the General was in com- mand of tlie fort in 1758, as senior officer, under his commission as lieutenant in Captain Wormwood's company. The house continued to be occupied by the Herkimer family until some time after tlie Revolution, when it, and so far as I can ascertain, all the Herkimer prop- erty at the German Flats fell into other hands. The house began soon to show signs of neglect and decay; and, as I remember it, it was an old, neglected and dilapidated stone house, which looked as if it had gone through several wars. It was taken down to make way for the enlarged Eric canal about 1841, and not a vestige of it is left to indicate its sight or its former splendor. John Jost Herkimer, as I have said, was a prominent and prosperous man. He liad great influence over the German population in the upper valley of the Jlohawk, and his sons, and particularly the General, shared his influence over his German neighbors. And I hazard nothing in saying that tliere was not a Palatine de- scendant in the valley who possessed the confidence and respect of the German inhabitants equal to that possessed by General Herkimer. It is quite certain, also, that ne.xt to the family of Sir William .lohnson, the Herkimer family was the most prosperous and influential in the valley. The eight daughters of the old patriot were all in.arried, and their husbands were all leading and influential men. Among them I may mention Rev. Abraham Eosecrants, Hendrick Frey, Colonel Peter Bellinger and George Henry Bell, names for a long time potent in the valley. The father of this large family, and of our brave hero, died at his resi- dence August, \~~~>, and was doubtless buried in the churchyard near by. He made his will April 5, 1771, which I find to have been witnessed by my grand- father, Doctor William Petry, who was his family physician. His will shows that he wiis possessed of a large estate, and the first bequest in it is to the GencrjJ, in the following language: "I give unto my eldest son, Nicholas Herkimer, the sum of ten shillings in right of primogeniture." 120 Centennial Celebrations. In the next clause of his Avill he makes ample provision for his wife, and he declares it is his pleasure that his beloved wife, Catharine, shall remain sole and absolute mistress of whatever estate he may die possessed of, real autl personal, during her natural life. He then makes a liberal provision for his son John, who is supposed to have been feeble in body and mind, giving him the farm upon which was the family residence, and one hundred acres of land adjoining in addi- tion there'to — two of his best negroes and a good outfit of stock and utensils for tlie fann — to take possession on the death of his wife. And he provided that in case this son should die unmarried or without issue, the estate given him should go to his next heir by the name of Herkimer ; and he provided that John also should not sell any part of the estate given him without the consent of his execu- tors. The only other provision of the will which I deem it important to notice is contained in the following clause: "I give and devise unto my loving son, George, and his heirs forever, that lot whereon he now lives, commonly known and distinguished by the name Lot No. 36." And here I will recall the fact that Lot No. 36 is the same upon which the old patriarch first settled, and where he resided until he built tlie stone house, and where, in all probability, all his chil- dren were born. He, doubtless, left this son to enjoy his old farm when he removed to his stone mansion in the fort. This son was a true patriot, and ne.xt to his brother, the General, was the most conspicuous of the family in the revolutionary contest. He was a leading member of the Tryon County Committee of Safety, and was present with his heroic brother in the battle at this place. He died in 1786, leaving seven children, among whom was the Hon. John Herkimer, who became an active politician and was a member of Congress, elected in 1822. The second son of John Jost Herkimer was Henry, or Heudrick, as he was called. He resided with his father until a few years before the Revolution, when he removed with his family to lands given him by his father at the foot of Schuyler Lake, in Croghan's patent. He came back at the outbreak of the war, and at first went to Stone Arabia and remained with his brother-in-law. Rev. Abraham Rosecrants, a short time and then came to the Herkimer Mansion, where he died before the close of the Revolution. One of his sons, the eldest, it is said, went over to the enemy. He too was possessed of a large estate. He was a joint pro- prietor with his father, of the Fall Hill patent of 2,324 acres, granted in 1752. I have seen a copy of this son's will, made August 17, 1778, and I deem it import- ant, for my present pm'pose, to call attention to the following extract only : '• I give and bequeath uuto my eldest son, Hon Yost Herkimer, the sum of twenty shilUngs. New York currenej', in right of primogeniture, and in ease it should so happen that he becomes the heir to the estate of my father, Han Jost Herkimer, which is now in the possession of my brother, John Herkimer, in that case only he is to have one hundred acres of bush land left me by my father's will along with the said estate, but of his not becoming heir to the said estate then he is to have an equal thii'd part of one thousand acres of land at the Lake Cananderago ; part of a patent granted to George Crogiian along with his two brothers, George and Abraham, to liim and his heirs forever." It will be seen by this extract of the will of Henry, that he supposed that a con- tingency might happen, whereby his eldest son should become the next heir by the name Herkimer, and take the estate under his father's will, which was given to his brother John. Descendants of Henry still reside on the ancestral lands at the foot of Schuyler Lake, and one of them, the venerable Timothy Herkimer, is here to-day to help celebrate the event which has made the name of Herkimer renowned in the annals of our local history. John, the brother of the General, Okiskany. 121 who enjoyed the Herkimer Mimsion and lands eonnected with it, under the will of his father, died in 1817 without issue; and then the question arose who was entitled to the property under the will as the next heir of tfie testator hy the name of Herkimer. This question went to the courts, and was determined in the case of Jackson v. Dellititjer, reported in 18 Jolinsoirs Report, at page 369. It was decided that the property, on the death of John, descended to his heirs-at-law according to the statute regulating descents. Upon this decision being rendered, all con- troversy as to the title was ended, and the property passed out of the name of Herkimer. The remaining brother of the General, .John Jost Herkimer, gave up the con- test, went to Canada and took up arms against the colonics. lie was attainted under the act of October 22, 1779, together with Sir .John .Johnson, and other lead- ing tories of Tryon county, and lost his estate. As to the eight daughters of the old patriarch it is sufficient to say that they were all respectably married, though the husbands of several of them became ardent tories in the Revolution, and by their influence and e.\ample did much to bring distress upon the patriotic inhabitants of the valley. I will not name them here. I will say, however, that among the descendants of the tory branches of the family are very many respected and highly honored citizens in our State. But as to General Herkimer he had no descendants. He never had any children to inherit his virtues, or his good name and fame. Here upon these grounds he exhibited his true character and such virtues, that if he had left descendants worthy of his name, they would be proud to be here to-day, and witness the honor paid to his memory, and to the memory and achievements of the brave men who fought and died by his side. The General was a kind-hearted and benevolent man and a good Christian neighbor. He was just such a character as would make him beloved by those who knew him. He w;xs without guile or deceit, generous, brave and honest. Among his neighbors and where he was familiarly known he was called " Hannicol "' Herkimer. He is called by that name in several places in the "will of Sir William Johnson. The name " Hannicol," as is well knowm, is a nick-name for Nicholas among the Germans in the Mohawk Valley, and was at one time quite common. The General was popular among the German people. The mothers delighted in naming their sons after him, and he stood godfather at many a baptism of chil- dren, and in his will he does not overlook the little ones to whom he stood in that responsible and Christian relation. It must be admitted that he was neither a great nor a skillful General. He had no education or experience for that accomplishment. He had, however, courage and calmness in the midst of the greatest danger. Such was his nature, that amidst the deafening yells of the savages, and whOe his friends and neighbors were falling around him like autumn leaves, he could remain cool and self-pos- sessed. He w.as well known throughout the valley and was highly esteemed for the purity and un.selfishncss of his character. And he was prosperous and rich. His landed estate was large. He had a tenantry and slaves and money. His resi- dence was the most costly and imposing in the upper Mohawk Valley, and is still standing. I should, perhaps, have stated before, that after the battle was ended, here on that ever memorable day one hundred years ago. Dr. Petry, one of the few survivors of the Committee of Safety, who were in that battle, although severely wounded himself, dressed the General's shattered leg on the field and saw IG 122 Centennial Celebrations. him placed on a litter and leave on his way home. This was the last time Dr. Petry saw him. He did not consider his wound necessarily dangerous, and had no thought of his dying. He often declared to his family and friends that the General's life was sacrificed by an unnecessary and unskillful amputation. Doctor Petry was one of the Committee of Safety, who at the consultation, on the fifth of August, strongly urged the onward movement ; and I have no doubt, from what I have heard said of him, he did it in strong language. But I have no reason to doubt that the relations between him and the General remained friendly, and he doubtless would have gone home with the wounded General, had he not been himself disabled by a painful wound. The General was attended by a young surgeon who followed General Arnold up the valley, and who amputated his leg so unskillfuUy that he bled to death. I cannot better prove this, than by the fol- lowing account, given by the surgeon who performed the operation: Dear Doctor — Yesterday morning I amputated General Harcomer's leg, there not being left the prospect of recovery without it. But alas, the patriotic hero died in tlie evening — the cause of his death God only knows. About three hours before his departure he complained of pain. I gave him thirty drops of laudanum liquid and went to dress Mr. Pettery. I left him in as good a way as I could wish with Dr. Hastings to take care of him. When I returned I found him taking his last gasp, free from spasm and sensible. Nothing more surprised me. but we catmot always parry death, so there is an end of it. General Arnold left yesterday morning with positive orders to follow him this evening or to-morrow morning , I sent for Scull to take care of the General and Pettery. He is Just now arrived. I propose to have Pettery removed to Palatine, where Scull and two regimental mates will take care of him and the other wounded. This evening I will pursue General Arnold, and I suppose will overtake him at Fort Dayton, ***** The place and hour of glory draws nigh. No news from Fort Schuyler, I am, dear doctor, your most obedient and humble servant, ROBERT JOHNSTON. This letter was addressed to Dr. Jonathan Potts, director of the general hos- pital for the northern department.* In his last moments the dying General showed himself to be, as he was, a Christian hero. Not a murmur or a word of complaint seems 1 3 have escaped his lips. He turned to his Bible, a familiar book to him, and sought therein conso- lation to a djdng Christian. He gave up his noble life to his country when he was yet m full vigor of health and strength. He was about fifty-five years of age, not older, at the time of his death. His will, which is dated February 7, 1777, is on file in the ofiice of the clerk of the Court of Appeals. The provisions in it are numerous, and some of them quite interesting as well as characteristic of the brave and kind-hearted man. I will here give only that portion of it relating to his widow, which is in the following language : Item. I give unto my said beloved wife for her sole property and disposal one of the young negro wenches, named Mya, about one and a half years old. And also I bequeath unto her, her heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract of land in George Clock's patent, containing one hundred acres of woodland, formerly conveyed by release by Severinus Tygert of Stonearaby dec'd unto my first married wife dec'd her heirs and assigns, (Item. I give unto my said beloved wife Maria, upon this express condition and proviso, that sheshalland will during her widowhood of me behave and conduct herself in chastity and other Christian manners, becoming to a decent and religious widow, further, the following devices in the following manner: That is to s.ay, during the natural life of my said beloved wife, she shall have, posses, and enjoy, upon the performance of the heretofore reserved condition and proviso, the room in the north east corner of my present dwelling house, with all the furniture therein being at my disease, and one quarter of one acre in one of the gardens near the house to her choice, and also four apple trees to her choice, free pass and repassing unmolested to the said room, garden * See New England Historical and General Register (1864), vol. 18, p. 31. OUISKANY. 123 and apple trees, and free wood and water upon my said tenements to lier use, one of the negro wenches to her choice, besides the above mentioned already devised unto her, her heire and assigns. Also to her clioice, one horse and ono mare, two cows, six sheep, six hugs, tliree silver spoons, and four silver tea spoons, one half dozen China teacups and saucers, two pots, one copper kettle, two dishes, six pewter plates, four pewter spoons, two bowles, two pewter teapots, one trammel, one pair of andirons, one doien knives and forks, one half dozen chairs, one table. The moiety of my linen and homespun store, and the other half to be divided by her among my black servants for their clothing, and all the women clothes left at my decease having been her wearing as well as ot my first wife deceased ; all these to be and to hold for the use of her, her heirs and assigns upon the performance of the above express proviso and condition.) But upon the true proof of her conduct against it, all these devises included in the circumflex, shall be void, and then appertain unto the hereafter named possessor of my present dwelling tene- ment, and to his heirs and assigns. But during the widowhood of her, my said wife, on the same condition and proviso as aforesaid, she shall have, occupy and enjoy the half of my present dwelling house, and of all the issues and profits of the tenement of five hundred acres of land, whereon I now live, and also of all the issues of my wenclies, hoi-ses and other cattle, but she shall equally pay the half of all the expenses in behalf of the said issues, which must be extra paid besides the work of my servants and cattle ; but upon non performance of the said proviso, this device shall also be void. Further, it is my express will and order, that if bj' the providence of God my present beloved wife, and future widow after my decease, should lawfully marry one of ni)' brother's sons, that then they shall have and enjoy the interests and rents of all my lands lying in the patent granted to Edward Holland, now leased to the respective tenants thereof and also one lot of woodland in the same patent not leased, which is adjacent to the Fallbergh patent, to them, their heirs and assigns forever. But it in case she my said wife should after my decease marry with one of my sisters' sons, then the said interests and rents of the said leased lands together with the said one hundred acres of woodland shall be and appertain to them, their heirs and assigns, during both their lives. Without attempting any explanation of the reasons of tlie General for contem- plating, as he seems to have done, the possibility of the marriage of his widow to one of his nephews, I will say that this event never took place. She did not re- main at the homestead of the General long after hisde.ath; and it is altogether probable she gave uji most, if not all, of the provisions made for her in tlie will. She soon married and went to Canada, and but little is known of her subsequent history. This is known, however, that the man she married was poor, and far beneath her in social jjosition. She gave up the comforts of a good home for a hard life, and the remainder of her days, which were probably few, it is said, were spent in poverty and want. During the speech of Mr. Eael an oil portrait of General Herkimer was exhibited to the audience. Also the sword of Major House, which was used upon this battle-field. At the close of Mr. Eakl's address three more cheers were given in compliment to the speaker. M. M. Jones, Esq., of Utica, having been requested to read the com- mission of General Herkimer, prefaced it with the following sketch : ADDRESS OF M. M. JONES, ESQ. You will notice that the commission I am about to read to you is in the name of, and issued by the " Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York," a body of patriots, anomalous in its election and organization, and seldom heard of except by those who have searched its records, or read slight memorials of it upon the pages of our State history. At the commencement of the Revolu- 124 Centennial Celebrations. tion, all branches nf government in the Colony of New York, the Govei'nor, Council and General Assembly were loyal to George III and his crown. In the assembly were a few patriotic men like George Clinton, Philip Schuyler, Simon Boerum, Robert R. Livingston, Jr., Abraham Ten Broeck, Nathaniel Woodhull, but they were too few to accomplish more than keeping the people advised of the designs of the British Government. The incipient machinery for beginning a government in this State was, from the necessity of the case, an emanation from the people. It had no law for its basis, except that natural law which gives man the right of self-government. The first and subsequent Colonial Congresses of New York were elected as we at this day elect our political conventions. They made laws and passed resolu- tions, and enforced them. They assumed all the powers and duties of a State government. The men who composed them were patriots, and many of them were statesmen. Several of them became members of the Continental Congress and others became officers and soldiers in the field. The second Continental Congress was to meet at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. As the General Assembly of New York had refused to appoint delegates to that body, the Committee of the Sons of Liberty for the city and county of New York, in March, 1775, issued a call to the several counties of the colony, asking tliem to send delegates to meet in New York City, April 20, to elect such dele- gates. This body, designated a Provincial Convention, was composed of fifty of the leading men of New York, among wliom were Governors George Clinton and John Jay, Messrs. Floyd, Lewis, Livingston and Morris, signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, Generals Schuyler and McDougal. It met April 20, 1775, and its powers being exhausted by the election of delegates to Congress, dissolved itself, April 22. The next day, Sunday, the news of the battle of Lexington arrived at New York. Electrified by the intelligence the people began the work of revolution with a high hand. The general committee, increased in numbers and powers, called upon the counties to send delegates to a " Provincial Con- gress," to be held in New York on the 22d of Jlay, 1775. This first Provincial Congress elected Peter Van Brugh Livingston its first president, and James McKesson, secretary. It held three sessions, May 22, Jxily 36, October 4, and dissolved November 4, 1775. The second Provincial Congress was elected May 7, 1775, and held three ses- sions, commencing December 6, 1775, Februar}' 12 and May 8, 177G. The Ihiixl Provincial Congress was elected in April, 1776, convened in New York May 18, and remained in session luitil June 30, when it dissolved, as the British troops were about taking possession of the city. The fourth Provincial Congress assembled at AVlrite Plains, July 9, 1770. The Declaration of Independence was read and unanimously adopted. As the colonies had now become States, the style of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New York, was changed to " the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York." This was the body, under its new name, and with new powers and aspirations, which granted the commission of brigadier-general to the patriot hero of Oriskany. This convention removed to Harlem, July 20, to FishkUl, August 29, where it held various short sessions until February 11, 1777, when it adjourned to Kings- ton. It met at the latter place, March 0, and having formed a State Constitution, the convention was finally dissolved May 13, 1777. The convention had estab- lished a temporary government by electing a Council of Safety, with power to act Oeiskany. 125 in nil rnscs under the new constitution until the new government should be elected. During the recesses of the Colonial Congress, its powers, or those assumed by it, were exercised by Committees of Safety. These bodies took upon themselves all the powers and duties inherent in the people. They raised troops and issued commissions to their officers, they collected and disbursed the taxes, they defined and punished offenses against the government, including treason ; they, by resolu- tions, defined offenses against society and their punishment. The members of these Colonial Congresses were in the main great and good men, and they consci- entiously executed the trusts conferred upon them by the people. In the summer of 1TT~, the people elected their Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Senate. and Assembly, and then the government of the Empire State was set in motion. That good man, George Clinton, who was then in the field at the head of the New York militia, found himself elected both Governor and Lieutenant- Governor. After diie consideration he chose the former, and was in office from 1777 to 1795, and 1801 to 1804, and died while vice-president of the United States. Abraham Yates, Jr., who signed General Herkimer's commission, was a delegate from Albany in the four Colonial Congresses. At several times in 1775 and 1776 he was president, pro tern., and was president of the convention from August 28, to September 2G, 1776. John McKesson was secretary until after the adoption of the Constitution of 1777. Jlore than forty years afterward the son of Mr. j\IcKesson was enabled, from his father's memoranda and minutes, to furnish to our State its only authen- ticated official copy of our Constitution of 1777, and two pages of that copy were supplied from a printed edition. GENERAL HERKBLER'S COMMISSON. In Cona'ention of the Representatives of the State op New York. To Nicholas Herkermkr, Esquire, Greeting; ■We resposing Especial trust and Confidence in yonr Patriotism, Valor, Conduct and Fidelity Do by tlicse presents Constitute and appoint }-ou tlie said Nicholas Herkermer Brigadier General o£ the Brigade of Militia of the County of Trj-on Embodied for the defence of American Liberty and for reiielling everj- ITostile Invasion thereof, j'ou are therefore carefully and diligently to dis- charge tlie duty of Brigadier General by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging, and we do strictly charge and Require all officers and Privates under your Command to be Obedient to your orders as Brigadier General. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from the present or any future Congress of the United States of America, or from this or any future Convention of the Eepresentatives, or future Executive .\uthority of this State, or from the Commander-in-Chief for the time being of tho Army of the United States, or any other your superior officer, according to the linles and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust Reposed in you, Prnrided such orders and directions of the said Commander-in-Chief, or of such superior officer be grounded on the Authority of the present or any future Congress of the United American States, or the present or any future Convention of the Representatives, or other executive Authority of this State, or their R<_'spective Committees of Safety. This Commis- sion to Continue of force until Revoked by this or a future Convention of thisSTATE. Given at Fish Kills tho Fifth day of September iu the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hun- dred and Seventy-six. By Order, ABM. YATES, JrxR., President, Attest. .ToHN McKesson, Secretary. 126 Centennial Celebrations. The exercises of this stand were closed by the reading of the poem, written for the occasion by General DePeyster of New York : POEM BY GENERAL J. WATTS DE PEYSTEE. Old Seventeen hundred and Seventy-seven, Of Liberty's throes, was the crown and the leaven. Just a century since, August Sixth, was the day When Great Britain's control was first stricken away. Let us sing then the field where the Yeomen of York Met the Lion and Wolf on their slaughterous stalk ; When Oriskany's ripples were crimson'd with blood ; And when strife fratricidal polluted its flood. Oh, glorious collision, forever renowned ! While America lives should its praises resound. And stout Harkeimer's name be the theme of the song, Who with Mohawk's brave sons broke the strength of the strong. To relief of Fort Stanwix New Yorkers drew nigh. To succor stout Gansevoort, conquer or die ; And if unwise the counsels that brought on the fight, In the battle was shown that their hearts were all right. If their Chief seemed so prudent that " subs " looked askance, Stni one shout proved their feeling, their courage — " Advance ! " Most unfortunate counsel ! The ambush was set, Leaving one passage in, but none out of the net, — Of outlets, not one, unless 'twas made by the sword Through encompassing ranks of the pitiless horde. Sure never was column so terribly caught. Nor ever has column more fearlessly fought : — Thus Harkeimer's Mohawkers made victory theirs, For St. Leger was foiled in spite of his snares. The loud braggarts who had taunted Harkeimer so free. Ere the fight had begun, were from fight first to flee ; WhUe the stalwart old Chief, who a father had proved. And his life offered up for the cause that he loved, 'Mid the war-whirl of Death still directed each move, 'Mid the rain from the clouds and from more fatal groove Of the deadlier rifle, — and object assured, To him Palm, both as victor and martyr, inured. Search the annals of War and examine with care If a parallel fight can discovered be, there. When eight hundred green soldiers beset in a wood Their assailants, as numerous, boldly -n-ithstood ; And while Death sleeted in from environing screens ] 28 Centennial Celebrations. APPEI^DIX HON. ELLIS n. ROBERTS' HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 1. The Name Oriskant. (Page 78.) The orthography of Oriskauy has been settled by custom contrary to Indian euphony. St. Leger writes it Oriska ; Colonel Willett changes the initial to Eriska ; Captain Deygart (Clinton manuscripts) writes Orisco. In Loudon documents (Colo- nial History, vol. 8, p. 690), we find Oriske. In a " Chorographical map of the Province of New York," London. 1779, is Ochris- cany Patent granted to T. Wenham & Co. In a map of 1790, this becomes Ochriskeney) Documentary History of New York, vol. 1.) In his League of the Iroquois. L. H. Morgan gives the Indian derivation, showing that the name comes from the Mohawk dialect. In the several dialects the form is as follows: Seneca dialect, Ohis-heh; Cayuga, 0-his-ha; Onondaga, 0-liis-ka ; Tuscarora^ Ose-hase-keh ; Oneida, Ole-hisk ; Mohawk Ole-his-ka ; the significance in each case being the Place of Nettles. The last syllable of Oriskany is a termination signifying a stream, the same as ana or anna. " 2. Building of Fort Stanwix. (Page 80.) The building of Fort Stauwi^c, in 1758, is recorded in Documentary History of New York, vol. 4, p. 323, and a topographical map is given of tlie country between the Mohawk and Wood Creek, from an actual survey in November, 1738. General Abercrombie's order to General Stauwix to erect the fort is there preserved. Fort Williams had at an earlier day stood iu the neighborhood. Fort Stanwix was not finished in 1760, when M. Pouchot passed it. (Hough's Translation of his Memoir, p. 138.) Out of compliment to General Philip Schuyler the attempt was made to change the name of tliis Fort, but old Peter Schuyler had given the title to the old Fort at Utica, and Stanwix has clung to the historic work at Rome. 3. Peace Councils at Fort Stanwix. (Page 80.) In 17G8 it had been the scene of an important council, when thirty-two hundred Indians of the Six Nations assembled to treat %vith representatives of Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Sir William JoLinson then closed the "Treaty of Fort Stanwix." The original record will be found in the Documents relating to the Colonial Hi.itory of New York, vol, 8, p. Ill, and following. In 178-t a orand council was lield here between the chiefs of the Six Nations and commissioners on the part of the United States, and a treaty of peace was negotiated. Appendix to Hon. Ellis II. Hobekts' Address. 129 4. St. Legek's Troops Designated in London. (Page 83.) Thi.s extract from an official letter from Lord George Geriuaiue to General Carle- tou, dated Whitehall, tweuty-sixth March, 1777, is talceu from the "State of the Expedition from Canada," published in Loudon, 1780. by General Burgoyne in his own defense: " With a view of quelling the rebellion as quickly a.s possible, it is become highly necessary that the most speedy junction of the two armies should be effected, and therefore, as the security and good government of Canada absolutely require your presence there, it ia the King's determination to leave about 3,000 men under your command, and to employ the remainder of your army upon two expedi- tions, the one under the command of Lieuteuant-General Burgoyne, who is to force his way to Albany, and the other under command of Lieuteuaut-Colouel St. Leger, who is to make a diversion on the Mohawk river. "As this plan cannot be advantageously executed without the assistance of Cana- dians and Indians, His Majesty strongly recommends it to your care to furnish both expeditions with good and sufficient bodies of those men ; aud I am happy in know- ing that your influence among them is so great that there can be no room to appre- hend that you will find it difficult to fulfill His Majesty's expectations. * * * * It is the King's further pleasure that )-ou put under command of Colonel St. Leger: Detachment from the 8th Regiment 100 Detachment from the 34tli Regiment 100 Sir John Johnson's regiment of New York 133 Ilanau Chasseurs 342 675 together with a sufficient number of Indians and Canadians, and after having furnished him with proper artillery, stores, provision.^ and every other necessary article for his expedition, and secured to him every assistance in your power to afTord and procure, you are to give hiui orders to proceed forthwith to and down to the .Mohawk river to Albany and put himself under the command of Sir William Howe. " I shall write to Sir William Howe from hence by the first packet ; but you will nevertheless endeavor to give him the earliest intelligence of this measure, and also direct Lieutenant-Oeneral Burgoyne and Lieutenant-Colonel St. Leger to neglect no opportunity of doing the same, that they may receive instructions from Sir William Howe. You will at the same time inform them that until they shall have received orders from Sir William Howe, it is His Majesty's pleasure that they act as exigen- cies may require, and in such manner as they shall judge most proper for making an impression on the rebels and bringing them to obedience ; but that in so doing they must never lose view of their intended junctions with Sir William Howe as their principal objects. " In case LieutenantGeneral Burgoyne or Lieutenant-Colonel St. Legei should happen to die or bo rendered, through illness, incapable of executing these great trusts, you are to nominate to their respective commands such officer or officers as you shall think best qualified to supply tlio place of those whom His Majesty has, in his wisdom, at present appointed to conduct these expeditious." 5. KlttKL.\ND AND THE INDIANS. (Page 82.) Reverend Samuel Kirkland wrote to the committee at Albany, June 9, 177.'5 ; " Colonel Johnson has orders from government (of course the British government) 17 130 Centennial Celebrations. to remove the dissenting minister from tlie SiK Nations, till the difficulties between Great Britain and th colouies are settled. * * All he has against me I sup- pose to be this: A suspicion that I have interpreted to the Indians the doings of the Continental Congress, which has undeceived and too much opened the eyes of the Indians for Colonel Johnson's purposes. I confess to you, gentlemen, that I have been guilty of this, if it be any transgression. * * j apprehend my inter- preting the doings of the Congress to their sachems has done more real service to the cause of the country, or the cause of trutli and justice, than £500 in presents would have effected." Jones' Aunals of Oneida County, p. 853. 6. General ScnuYiER's Fe.\r. (Page 82.) In a letter to the Committee of Safety, dated July 34, 1777, General Schuyler says : "If Burgoyne can penetrate to Albany, the force which is certainly coming by way of Oswego, will find no dilficulty in reaching the Mohawk river, and being arrived there, will be joined by tories not only, but by every person that finds himself capa- ble of removing, and wishes to make his peace with the enemy, and by the whole body of the Six Nations. " 7. Sir John Jotinson the Britisii Leader at Oriskany. (Page 83.) William L. Stone, to whom so much is due for a fair statement of the Battle of Oriskany, insists that Sir John Johnson was not in the battle at all, naming Watts, But- ler and Brant, in. this order as leaders. And W. W. Campbell, in his Aunals of Tryon county, places the " Indians and tories under Brant and Butler." Irving in his Life of Washington follows these authorities. Stone justifies his denial of Johnson's presence in the battle by Colonel Willett's assertion in his narrative, that Singleton, one of the prisoners taken in the sortie, told him that " Sir John Johnson was with him (Singleton) when the camp was attacked." Tliese words of Willett are in the paraphrase by Willett's son (Narrative, page .53), transformed into a statement that Johnson was "in his tent with his coat off, and had not time to put it on before his camp was forced." In view of the importance of the operations then iu progress this statement is in- trinsically improbable. It is contradicted by the positive language of St. Leger, who, in Ills Narrative (Burgoyne's Defense) clearly says : "Sir John Johnson put liimflelf at the head of the party," which went to Oriskany, "and began his march that eve- ning at five o'clock, and met the rebel corps at the same hour next morning." St. Leger attempted a movement against the sortie, but he used Lieutenants only, as he could not have done if Johnson had been in camp. See the tenth section of this Appendix. In an official letter from Colonel Daniel Clans (St. Leger's superintendent of Indi- ans), he distinctly avers: "Sir John Johnson asked leave to join his company of light infantry and head the whole, which was granted; Colonel Butler and other Indian officers were ordered with the Indians." Colonial History, vol. 8, p. 721 . President Dwight (Travels, vol. 3, p. 194), who made the battle a study in 1799, at Whitestown and Rome, says: " Sir John had scarcely left the ground to attack General Herkimer." And again after the battle : " At the return of Sir John." (p. 195.) Tliis was the clear understanding of the generation to whom about the battle- field and the Fort, the fight was as the alphabet ; and it has the weight of authority in its favor. Indeed, taking the language of St. Leger and Clans together, it is absolutely incontrovertible. Appendix tu Hon. Ellis H. Roberts' Address. 131 S. fiF.NEUAL Putnam Aids in the Relief. (Page 89.) In tlie Clinton Papers at Albauy is the original of tlie following letter : , Peck's Kill, August U, 1777. "Dear Sir: — Received yours of the fourteenth in.st. In consequence of it and former orders received from Heneral Washington, have ordered Colonel Cortlandt's and Colonel Livingston's regiments to march immediately to the northward to the relief of Fort Schuyler, or as you shall see fit to direct them. " I wish them a speedy and safe arrival and you most successful enterprise against those worse than infernals. " With great respect, I am your obedient humhle servant, ■■ ISRAEL PUTNAM." " To his Excellency, Governor Clinton." 9. QovEKNOB Clinton TO THE Committee OP Safety. (Page 92.) The following is the text of a letter from Covernor George Clinton, copied from the original in the State Library at Albanj': Albany, August 33, 1777. "General Harchheimer is dead of his wounds. His leg was taken off and he sur- vived it but a few hours. General Arnold with his party is at Fort Dayton. About 100 of the militia of Tryon county only are with him. I have issued my positive orders to the otticers commanding the respective regiments there to detach one-half to join General Arnold's army. Colonels Cortland's and Livingston's regiments marched this evening for his further reinforcement. " Tlie enemy in that quarter having acquired a considerable accession of numbers from Indians and tories, the above measures were rendered necessary. The garrison however, by very late accounts, are high in spirits and well provided, and I have no doubt we shall in a few days receive the most agreeable intelligence from that quar- ter. From the Oneidas and Tuscororas, whose chieftains are now with General Arnold, we have the fullest assurance of assistance but have nothing to expect from any other tribes of the Six Nations until our successes intimidate them into friend- ship. Since the affair at Bennington the scalping business seems to have ceased." 10. St. Leoeu's Own Nakk.vtive. (Page 81.) General Burgoyne published in Loudon, in 17S0, a defense of his campaign in .\nierira, under the title: " A State of the expedition from Canada, as laid before the House of Commons." lu the Appendix is tlie followingiuteresting decument: " CoT.oNEi, St. Lec.eu's Account op Occurrences at Fort Stanwix." "A minute detail of every operation since my leaving La Chine, with the detach- ment entrusted to my care, your excellency will permit me to reserve to a time of less hurry and mortification than the present, while I enter into the interesting scene before Fort Stanwix, which I invested the third of August, having previously pu.shed forward Lieutenant Bird of the King's regiment, with thirty of the King's troops and two hunassiug the Hudson River, endeavor to secure a retreat higher up to the New England i)rovincc,s. If, on the other Land, he abandoned Fort Stanwix to its fate, and fell back to Albany, the Mohawk country would of course be entirely laid open, the juncture with St. Leger established, and the entire army at liberty and leisure to prescribe and choose its future line of o))eratious." General Burgoyne in his Defense (p. 102), nses these words : " It will likewise be remembered that Lieutenant-Colouel St. Leger was at this time before Fort Stan- wix ; every hour was i)regnant with critical events." The History of the Civil War, by an officer of the (British) Army, London, 1780, p. 384, says : " Fortune, which had been hitherto favorable tf> General Burgoyne, now began to withdraw her caresses, and, like a flirting female, broke from him in the moment of possession." Consult also section thirteenth of this Appendix. 12. GovEiiNoii Clinton i>n the B.\ttle op OnisKANr and thfo Tkyon County Militia. (Pages 88-92.) The following important letter i.s found in the original manuscript in the State Library at Albany. It was addressed to the several colonels in Tryon county. " Headquarters, Half Moon, 22d August, 1777. "Sir: While I have the highest sense of the loyalty, valor and bravery of the militia of Tryon county, manifested in the victory gained by them under the com- mand of their late worthy General Herkimer, for which, as the chief magistrate of the free and independent State of New York, they have my most hearty thanks, it gives me the greatest pain to be informed that any difficulty should arise in their joining the army under General Arnold, aud thereby enabling him to finish the war in that quarter, by raising the siege of Fort Schuyler, and destroying the enemy's army in that quarter, and restoring peace and safely to the inhabitants of Tryon county. Their noble exertions against the common enemy have already gained them the greatest honor, their perseverance will secure them peace and safety. lu both I am greatly interested, and it is iny duty and I hereby most positively order that you immediately join General Arnold with one-half of your regiment completely armed, equipped and accoutred, and march under his command to the relief of Fort Schuyler. As soon as the service will admit General Arnold will dismiss you. If any are hardy enough to refuse to obey your orders, given in consequence of this, you are immediately to report the names of the same to General Arnold, who will transmit the same to me, that they may be dealt with, with the utmost rigor of the law. " I am your obedient servant, "GEORGE CLINTON." 136 Centennial Celebrations. Frederick Saiamons iu liis maiuiscript narrativo, states that Arnold, aftor he had relieved the Fort, " directly marched his troops to Stillwater." Saiumoiis was iu this army. He had been off ou duty as a scout Iu the early days of August. 13. The Mohawk Valley at Saratoga. (Page 92 ) The " History of the Civil War iu America, by an Officer in the British Army," Captain Hall, Loudon, 1780, says, p. 397 : " The retreat of Colonel St. Leger inspired the enemy with fresh ardor, and as they had now no longer any thing to fear on the Mohawk river, a numerous and hardy militia from that couutry immediately joined their army in the neighborhood of Albany, wliicli now advanced and took post near Stillwater, where they were also joined lay a body of troops under Arnold, who had, in fact, been detached to the relief of Fort Stauwix, tliough he was at a great dis- tance when the finesse of the garrison succeeded iu saving the place." " Botta's History of the United States " declares specifically : The successes of the Americans under the walls of Fort Schuyler (Stauwix), besides having inspired the militia, produced also the other happy effect of enabling them, relieved from the fear of invasion in the country upon the Mohawk, to unite all their forces against the army of Burgoyne." (Vol. 1, p. 465.) In the " History of the war with America, France and Spain, by John Andrews, LL. D." (Loudon, 1786), vol. 2, p. 403, the case is thus stated : " The failure of the expedition against Fort Stanwix, together with the defeat of Bennington, were very severe blows to the British interest in those parts. They animated the Americans to a surprising degree. They began now confidently to promise themselves that General Burgojuie himself would share the same fate as his officers." General Burgoyne, iu a letter to Lord Germaine, dated Camp, near Saratoga, August 20, 1777, says : " I am afraid the expectations of Sir J. Johnson greatly fail in the rising of the couutry. Ou this side I find daily reason to doubt the sincerity of the resolution of the professing loyalists. I have about four hundred, but not half of them armed, who may be depended upon ; the rest are trimmers, merely actuated by interest. The great bulk of the couutry is undoubtedly with the Con- gress, iu piuciple and zeal ; and their measures are executed with a secrecy and dis- patch that are not to be equaled." General Burgoyne, in his Defense (p. 114), presents this as a conclusive argument in his own behalf : " The circumstances of the action at Bennington established a yet more melan- choly conviction of the fallacy of any dependence upon supposed friends. The noble lord has said, that ' I never despaired of the campaign before the affair at Bennington ; that I had no doubt of gaining .Vlbauy in as short a time as the army (in duo condition of supply) could accomplish tlie march.' I acknowledge the truth of the assertions iu their fullest extent ; all my letters at the time show it. I will go further and iu one sense apply with the noble lord the epithet ' fatal ' to the affair of Bennington. The knowledge I acquired of the professors of loyalty was ' fatal,' and put au end to every expectation from enterprise, unsustained by dint of force. It would have been excess of frenzy to have trusted for sustenance to the plentiful region of Albany. Had the march thither been unopposed, the enemy, finding the British army unsupplied, would only have had to compel the tories to drive the cattle and destroy the corn, and the capitulation of Albany instead of Saratoga must have followed. "Would the tories have risen ? Why did they not rise around Albany and below when they found Mr. Gates' army increasing by separate and distinct parties from remote distances? They were better qualified by their situation to catch the favorable moment, thau I was to advise it. Why did they not rise iu that populous, and, as supposed, well affected district, the German Flats, at the time St. Leger was Aj'PENDIX to Hon. Ellis II. Rohkuts' Adduess. 137 before Fort Stanwix ? A critical insurrection from any one point to create diversion woulil probably have secured the success of tlie campaign. But to revert to the reasons against a rapid marcli after the affair of Bennington. It was then also known that by the false intelligence respecting the streugtli of Fort Stanwix, the infamous behavio;' of the Indians and the want of the promised co-operation of the loyal inhabitants, St. Leger had been obliged to retreat. The first plausible motive in favor of hazardous liaste, the facilitating his descent of tlie Mohawli, was at an end." It is pleasant to add to this testimony the following Council of Safety to John Hancock, President op CoNGnEss. Kingston, August 36, 1777. " Sir: I have the honor of transmitting to you the letters of General Schuyler and Governor Clinton, giving us the agreeable intelligence of the raising of the siege of Fort Schuyler. The gallantry of the commander of the garrison of that Fort and the distinguished bravery of General Herkimer and his militia, have already been productive of the most desirable consequences. The brave and more fortunate General Stark with his spiritefl countrymen hath, as you know, given the enemy a signal coup at Bennington. Tlie joini result of these providential instances of success hath revived the drooping hopes of the desponding, and given new vigor to the firm and determined. We have therefore the pleasing expectation of compelling General Burgoyne in his turn to retire. I have the honor to be, &c., PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT. 14. The British Account of the Affair. (Pages 82, 90, 92, 93.) The British Annual Register for 1777, makes the following statement of the affair, which has become the standard British history : " St. Leger's attempt upon Fort Stanwix (now named by the Americans Fort Schuyler), was soon after its commencement favored by a success so signal as would, in other cases and a more fortunate season, have been decisive, as to the fate of a stronger and more important fortress. General Herkimer, a leading man of that country, was marching at the head of eight or nine hundred of the Tryon county militia, with a convoy of provisions, to the relief of the fort. St. Leger, well aware of the danger of being attacked in his trenches, and of withstanding the whole weight of the garrison in some particular and probably weak point at the same instant, judiciously detached'Sir John Johnson with some regulars, the whole or part of his own regiment and the savages, to lie in ambush in the wood and interrupt the enemy upon their march. " It should seem by the conduct of the militia and their leader that they were not only totally ignorant of all military duties, but that they had even never heard by report of tlie nature of an Indian war, or of that peculiar service in the woods, to which from its nature and situation this country was at all times liable. Without examination of their ground, witliout a reconnoitering or flanking party, they plunged blindly into the trap that was laid for their destruction. Being thrown into a sudden and inevitable disorder, by a near and heavy fire on almost all sides, it was completed by the Indians who, instantly pursuing their fire, rushed in upon their broken ranks and made a most dreadful slaughter amongs't them with their epears and hatchets. Xotwilhstanding their want of conduct the militia showed no want of courage in tlicir deiilorable situation. In the midst of such extreme danger, and so bloody an execution, rendered still more terrible by the horrid appearance and demeanor of the principal actors, they recollected themselves bo far as to recover an advantageous 18 •138 Cejsitennial Celebuations. ground, which enabled them after to maintaiu a sort of runninfj figlit, by which about one third of their number was preserved. " The loss was supposed to be on their side about four hundred killed, and half that number prisoners. It was thought of the greater consequence, as almost all those who were considered as the principal leaders and instigators of reljellion in that country were now destroyed. The triumph and exultation were accordingly great, and all opposition from the militia in that country was supposed to be at an end. Tlie circumstances of old neighljorhood and personal knowledge between many of the parties, in the present rage and animosity of faction, could by no means be favorable to the extension of mercy ; even supposing that it might have been otherwise practiced with prudence and safety, at a time when the power of the Indians was rather prevalent, and that their rage was implacable. For according to their computation and ideas of loss the savages had purchased this victory exceeding dearly, thirty-three of their number having been slain and twenty-nine wounded, among whom were several of their principal leaders and of their most distinguished and favorite warriors. The loss accordingly rendered them so discontented, intract- able and ferocious that the service was greatly aflected by their ill disposition. The unhappy prisoners were, however, its first objects, most of whom they inhumanly butchered in cold blood. The New Yorkers, rangers and other troops were not without loss in this action. "On the day, and probably during the time of this engagement, the garrison having received intelligence of the approach of their friends, endeavored to make a diversion in their favor by a vigorous and well-conducted sally, under the direction of Colonel Willet, their second in command. AVillet conducted his business with ability and spirit. He did considerable mischief in the camp, brought oif some trophies, no inconsiderable spoil, some of which consisted in articles that were greatly wanted, a few prisoners, and retired with little or no loss. He afterward undertook, in company witli another officer, a much more perilous expedition. They passed by night through the besiegers' works, and in contempt of the danger and cruelty of the savages, made their way for fifty miles through pathless woods and unexplored morasses, in order to raise the country and bring relief to the fort. Such an action demands the praise even of an enemy. " Colonel St. Leger left no means untried to profit of his victory by intimidating the garrison. He sent verbal and written messages stating their hopeless situation, tho utter destruction of their friends, tho impossibility of their obtaining relief, as General Burgoyne, after destroying every tiling in his power, was now at Albany re- ceiving the suljmission of all the adjoining counties, and by prodigiously magnifying his.own force. He represented that in this state of things, if through an incorrigible obstinacy they should continue hopeless and fruitless defense, they would, accord- ing to the practice of most civilized nations, be cut off from all conditions and every hope of mercy. But lie was particularly direct upon the pains he had taken in softening the rage of the Indians from their late loss and obtaining from them security that in case of an immediate surrender of the fort every man of the garri- son should be spared, while on the otlier hand they declared, with utmost bitter execrations that if they met with any further resistance they would not only massa- cre the garrison, but that every man, woman and child in the Mohawk country would necessarily, and however against his will, fall sacrifices to the fury of the savages. Tliis point, lie said, he pressed entirely on the score of humanity. He promised on his part, in case of an immediate surrender, every attention which a humane and generous enemy could give. The Governor. Colonel Qansevoort, behaved with great firmness. He replied that he had been intrusted with the charge of that garrison by the United States of America; that he would defend the trust committed to his care ateverv hazard and to tlie utmost extremitv, and that he should not at all con- Ai'i'KXDix TO Hox. Ellis 11. Robeuts' Address. 139 ceru liiniself about any consequences that attended the discharge of his duty It was slirewdly remarlied in tlio fort tliat half the pains would not have been taken to display the force immediately without, or the success at a distance, if they bore any proportion at all to the magnitude in which they were represented. " The British commander was much disappointed in the stale of tiie fort. It was stronger, in belter condition, and much better defended than he expected. After great labor in his approach he found his artillery deficient, being insufficient in weight to make any considerable impression. The only remedy was to bring his approaches so near that they must take effect, which he set about with the greatest diligence. " In the mean time the Indums continued sullen and untractable. Their late losses might have been cured by certain advantages, but the misfortune was they had yet got no plunder, and their prospect of getting any seemed to grow every day fainter. It is the peculiar characteristic of that people to exhibit in certain instances degrees of courage and jjerseveranee which shock reason and credibility, and to portray in others the greatest irresolution and timidity, with a total want of that constancy which might enable them for any length of time to struggle with difficulty. "Whilst the commander was carrying on his operations with the utmost industry the Indians received a flying report that Arnold was coming with 1,000 men to relieve the fort. The commander endeavored to hasten them, by promising to lead them him- self, to bring all his best troops into action, and by carrying their leaders out to mark a field of battle, and the flattery of consulting them upon the intended plans of ope- ration. Whilst ho was thus endeavoring to soothe the temper and to revive their flagging spirits, other scouts arrived with intelligence, probably contrived in part by themselves, wliicli first doubled and afterward trebled the number of the enemy, with the comfortable addition that Burgoyne's army was entirely cut to pieces. " The Colonel returned to camp, and called a council of their chiefs, hoping that by the influence which Sir John .lohnson and Superintendents Clans and Butler, had over them, they might still be induced to make a stand. He was disappointed. A part of the Indians decamped whilst the council was sittijigand the remainder threat- ened peremptorily to abandon him if he did not immediately retreat. "The retreat was of course precipitate, or it was rather, in plain terms, flight, attended with disagreeable circumstances. The tents, with most of the artillery, fell into the hands of the garrison. It appears by the Colonel's own account that he was as apprehensive of danger from the fury of his savage allies, as he could be from the resentment of his American enemies. It also appears from the same au- thority that the Messasagoes, a nation of savages to the West, plundered several of the boats belonging to the army. By the American accounts, which are in part confirmed by others, it is said that they robbed the officers of their baggage and of every other article to which they took any liking, and the army in general of their provisions. They also say that a few miles distance from the camp they first 6tri]>ped of their armsand afterward murdered with their own bayonets, all those British, German and American soldiers, who from any inability to keep up, fear or any other cause, were separated from the main body. "The state of the fact with respect to the intended relief of the foi^ is, that Arnold had advanced by the way of Half Moon up the Mohawk river with 2,000 men for that purpose ; and that for the greater expedition he had quitted the main body and arrived by forced marches through the woods, with a detachment of 900 at the fort, on the twenty-fourth in the evening, two days after the siege had been raised. So that upon the whole the inlractablenessof the Indians, with their watch- ful apprehension of danger, probably saved them from a chastisement which would not have been tenderly administered. " Nothing could have been more untoward in the present situation of affairs than 140 Centennial Celebrations. the unfortunate issue of this expedition. The Americans represented this and the affair at Bennington as great and glorious victories. Nothing could excel their exultation and confidence. Gansevoort and Willet, with General Starlv and Colonel Warner, who had commanded at Bennington, were ranlied among those who were considered as the saviors of their country. The northern militia began now to look high and to forget all distinction between themselves and regular troops. As this confidence, opinion and pride increased, the apprehension of General Burgoyne's army of course declined, until it soon came to be talked of with indifference and contempt, and even its fortune to be publicly prognosticated." The account in Andrew's History of the War in America (London, 1786), is a simple condensation from the Register. The Dublin History borrows the identical words. The History of an " Officer of the Army " (London, 1780), has no new authorities, and sheds no different light. The " Impartial History of the Civil War " (London, 1780), treats the affair in the same spirit. William Gordon, D. D., in his "History of the Rise, Progress and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America," (London, 1788,) claims to have had access to the papers of Washington and other American generals, and writes with the freshness of gossip. His story of Oriskany and Fort Stanwix has this character, and he states that he had some of his facts from Reverend Samuel Kirk- land. Besides the references elsewhere made, he adds only a few touches of color to this local chronicle. 15. St. Leger's Boast and Confidence. (Page 93.) The following extract of a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel St. Leger to Lieutenant- General Burgoyne, brought through the woods by an Indian, dated before Fort Stanwix, August 11, 1777, is copied from Almon's "American Remembrancer for 1777," p. 393 : " After combating the natural difficulties of the river St. Lawrence and the arti- ficial ones the enemy threw in my way at Wood Creek, I invested Fort Stanwix the third instant. On the fiftli I learned from discovering parties on the Mohawk river that a bod)' of one thousand militia were on their rnarch to raise the siege. On the confirmation of this news I moved a large body of Indians, with some troops the same night, to lay in ambuscade for them on their march. They fell into it. The completest victory was obtained ; above four hundred lay dead on the field, amongst the number of whom were almost all the principal movers of rebellion in that country. There are six or seven hundred men in the fort. The militia will never rally ; all that I am to apprehend, therefore, that will retard my progress in joining you, is a reinforcement of what they call their regular troops, by the way of Half Moon, up the Mohawk river. A diversion, therefore, from your army by that quarter will greatly expedite my j unction with either of the grand armies." Tlie Remembrancer for that year gives as a letter from Sir Guy Carleton a state- ment " That Colonel St. Leger, finding Fort Stanwix too strongly fortified and the garrison too numerous to be taken by assault, and the Indians being alarmed by a false repo'rt of the approach of a large body of the rebel continental troops, he had given over the attempt of forcing a passage down tlie Mohawk river, and returned to Montreal, from whence he had proceeded to Ticonderoga, intending to join Lieu- tenant-General Burgoyne by that route." 16. Bennington Counted Befoue Oriskany in Time. (Page 93.) Stedman's (British) History of the Revolution, p. 353, says ; " The defeat of Colonels Baum, Breyman and St. Leger enervated the British cause Appendix to Hoivr. Ellis H. Roberts' Address. 141 in no ordinary degree. There were many of the inhabitants not attached to eitlier party by principle, and who had resolved to join themselves to that which should be successful. These men, after the disasters at Bennington and Stauwix, added a sud- den and powerful increase of strength to the Americans." 17. COLONEi., Claus' Letter to Secuetaut Knox at London. (Pages 83, 87, 88.) In the eighth volume of the Documents relating to the Colonial History of New York (p. 718 and following) is an ollicial letter from Colonel Daniel Claus, written from Montreal, October 16, 1777, which was brought to light after all the histories of the Battle of Oriskany, which are generally familiar, were written. It is neces- sary to complete the record. Colonel Claus writes: " Sir — I take the liberty to give you such an account of the expedition I was appointed to this campaign, as my capacity will permit me, and which, though tedious, I used all the conciseness in my power. " On my arrival at Quebec the first of June, Sir Guy Carleton being at Montreal, my letter from Lord George Germaine was forwarded to him by Lieutenant-Gover nor Cramahe that day, and myself arrived there a few days after. I waited upon Sir Guy, who acknowledged the receipt of the letter, but said nothing further upon it, than addressing himself to Captain Tice, who was in England with Joseph (Brant) and there at Levy, that I had now the command of him and those Indian officers and Indians that were destined for Brigadier St. Leger's expedition. A day or two after I waited on him again for hi.s orders and instructions, and asked what rank I was to have on the expedition. He replied on the latter, that it could not be settled here. * * * " Some time before our march I informed myself of Sir Guy Carleton, of the state Fort Stanwix was in ; he told me that by the latest accounts from Colonel Butler, there were sixty men in a picketed place. Determined to be sure, I dispatched one John Hare, an active Indian officer, with the Mohawk chief John Odiseruuey, to col- lect a small party of Indians at Swegachy and reconnoitre Fort Stanwix, as well as possible and bring off some prisoners if they could. " On the twenty-third of June, I set out from LaChine near Montreal. The Brig- adier who was getting the artillery boats ready to take in two sixes, two threes, and four Cohorns (being our artillery for the expedition), was to follow the day after ; and proceeded for an island destined for our rendezvous, in the entrance of Lake Ontario, called Buck island, in company with Sir John Johnson and his regiment. In my way thither I collected a body of a hundred and fifty Misisagey and Six Nation Indians. All the Indians of the inhabited part of Canada whom I had under my care for fifteen years, and was best acquainted with, were destined for General Burgoyne's army. The Misisagey and Six Nations, the Brigadier intended should accompany him in an alert to Fort Stanwix, by a short cut through the woods, from a place called Salmon Creek on Lake Ontario, about twenty miles from Oswego, in order to surprise the garrison and take it with small arms. "Between sixty and seventy leagues from Montreal my reconnoltering party returned and met me, with five prisoners (one lieutenant) and four scalps, having defeated a working party of sixteen rebels as they were cutting sods toward repair, ing and finishing the old fort, which is a regular square, and garrisoned by upwards of six hundred men, the repairs far advanced and the rebels expecting us, and were acquainted with our strength and route. I immediately forwarded the prisoners to the Brigadier who was about fifteen leagues in our rear. On his arrival within a few leagues of Buck Island he sent for me, and, talking over the intelligence the rebel prisoners gave, he owned that if they intended to defend themselves in that fort our artillery was not sufficient to take it. However, he said, he has determined 142 Centennial Celebrations. to get tlie truth of tliese fellows. I told him that having examined them separately they agreed in their story. And here the Brigadier had still an opportunity and time of sending for a better train of artillery and wait for tlie junction of the Chas- seurs, which must have secured us success, as every one will allow. However, he was still full of his alert, making little of the prisoner's intelligence. " On his arrival at Buck Island the eighth of July, he put me in orders as super- intendent of the expedition and empowered me to act for the best of my judgment for His Majesty's service, in the management of the Indians on the expedition, as well as what regarded their equipment, presents, etc., he being an entire stranger thereto. There was tlien a vessel at the Island which had some Indian goods on board, which Colonel Butler had procured for the expedition, but upon examination I found that almost every one of the above articles I demanded at Montreal were deficient and a mere impossibility to procure them at Buck Island, had I not luckily provided some of those articles before I left Montreal at my own risk, and witli difficulty Brigadier St. Leger found out thirty stand of arms iu the artillery stores at Swegachy, and I added all my eloquence to satisfy the Indians about the rest. "The Brigadier set out from the Island upon his alert the nineteenth of July, I having been ordered to proceed to Oswego with Sir John Johnson's regiment and a company of Chasseurs lately arrived, there to convene and prepare the Indians to join the Brigadier at Fort Stanwix. On my arrival at Oswego, twenty-third July, I found Joseph Brant there, who acquainted me that his party, consisting of about three hundred Indians, would be in that daj', and having been more than two months upon service, were destitute of necessaries, ammunition and some arms. Joseph at the same time complaining of having been very scantily supplied by Colonel Butler with ammunition when at Niagara in the spring,\although he acquainted Colonel Butler of his being threatened with a visit from the rebel. General Herkimer, of Tryou county, and actually was afterward visited by him with three hundred men with him, and five hundred at some distance ; when Joseph had not two hundred Indians together, but, resolutely declaring to the rebel General that he was deter- mined to act against them for the King, he obliged them to retreat with mere men- aces, not having twenty pounds of powder among his party. "The twenty-fourth of July I received an express from Brigadier St. Leger, at Salmon Creek, about twenty miles from Oswego, to repair thither with what arms and Vermillion I had, and that he wished I would come prepared for a march through tlie woods As to arms and vermilion I had none, but prepared myself to go upon the march, and was ready to set off when Joseph came into my tent and told me that as no person was on the spot to take care of the number of Indians witli him, he appre- hended in case I should leave them they would become disgusted, and disperse, which might prevent the rest of the Six Nations to assemble, and be hurtful to the expedition, and begged, I would first represent these circumstances to the Brigadier by letter. Brigadier St. Leger mentioned indeed, my going was chiefly intended to quiet the Indians with him, who were very drunk and riotous, and Captain Tice, who was the messenger, informed me that the Brigadier ordered the Indians a quart of rum apiece, which made them all lieastly drunk, and in which case it is not in the power of man to quiet them. Accordingly, I mentioned to the Brigadier Ijy letter the con- sequences that might affect his Majesty's Indian interest in case I was to leave so large a numl^er of Indians that were come already and still expected. Upon which representation, and finding tlie Indians disapproved of the plan, and were unwilling to proceed, the Brigadier came away from Salmon Creek and arrived the next day at Oswego, with the companies of t'ae eightli and thirty-fourth regiments and about two hundred and fifty Indians. "Having equipped Joseph's party with what necessaries and ammunition I had, I appointed the rest of the Six Nations to assemble at the Three Rivers, a convenient Appendix to Hon. Ellis H. Roberts' Address. 148 place of rendezvous, and in the way to Fort Stanwix, and desired Colonel Butler to follow me with the Indians he brought with him from Niagara, and equip them all at Three Rivers. " The twenty-sixth of July left Oswego, and second of August arrived with the Brigadier and the greatest part of the troops before Fort Stanwix, which was invested the same evening. The enemy having stopped up a narrow river, called Wood Creek, by cutting of trees across it for about twenty miles, along which our artillery, provisions and baggage were to pass, which passage to cut open required a number of men, as well as cutting a road through the woods for twenty-live miles, to bring up the artillery, stores, etc., that were immediately wanted, which weakened our small army greatly. " The third, fourth and fifth the Indians surrounded the fort and fired from behind logs and rising grounds, at the garrison, wherever they had an object, which pre- vented them from working at the fortifications in the day. The fifth, in the after- noon, accounts were brought by Indians, sent by Joseph's sister from Canajoharie, that a body of rebels were on their march and would be within ten or twelve miles of our camp by night. .\ detachment of about four hundred Indians was ordered to reconnoitre the enemy. Sir John Johnson asked leave to join his company of light infantry and head the whole, which was granted. Colonel Butler and other Indian officers were ordered with the Indians. " The rebels having an imperfect account of the number of Indians that joined us (being upward of eight hundred), not thinking them by one-fourth as many, and being sure as to our strength and artillery (which we learned by prisoners), that they knew it from their emissaries before we left Canada. They, therefore, on the sixth, marched on, to the number of upwards of eight hundred, with security and care- lessness. "When within six miles of the Fort they were waylaid by our party, surprised, briskly attacked, and after a little resistance, repulsed and defeated ; leaving upwards of five hundred killed on the spot, among which were their principal offi- cers and ringleaders ; their general was shot through the knee, and a few days afterward died of an amputation. " We lost Captains Hare and Wilson of the Indians, Lieutenant McDonald of Sir John's regiment, two or three privates and thirty-two Indians, among which were several Seneka chiefs killed. Captain Watts, Lieutenant Singleton of Sir John's regiment, and thirty-three Indians wounded. " During the action when the garrison found the Indians' camp (who went out against their reinforcement) empty, they boldly sallied out with three hundred men, and two field pieces, and took away the Indians' packs, with their clothes, wampum and silver work, " they having gone in their shirts, as naked to action ; " and when they found a party advancing from our civmp, they returned with their spoil, taking with them Lieutenant Singleton and a private of Sir John's regiment, who lay wounded in the Indian camp. " The disappointment was rather greater to the Indians than their loss, for they had nothing to cover themselves at night, or against the weather, and nothing in our camp to sup]>ly them till I got to Oswego. " .\fter this defeat and having got part of our artillery up, some cohoru shells were thrown into tlii! Fort, and a few shots fired. A flag then was sent with an account of the disaster of their intended relief, and the garrison was summoned to surrender prisoners of war, to be marched down the country, leaving baggage, &c., behind, to satisfy the Indians for their losses. " The rebels knowing their strength in garrison, as well as fortification, and the insufficiency of our field pieces to hurt tliera, and apprehensive of being massacred 144 Centennial Celebrations. by the Indians, for the losses sustained in the action ; they rejected the summons and said they were determined to hold out to the extremity. " The siege then was carried on with as much vigor as possible for nineteen days, but to no purpose. Sir John Johnson proposed to follow the blow given to the rein- forcements (who were chiefly Mohawk river people), to march down the country with about two hundred men, and I intended joining him with a sufficient body of Indians but the Brigadier said he could not spare the men, and disapproved of it. The inhab- itants in general were ready ^as we afterward learned) to sabmit and come in. A. flag then was sent to invite the inhabitants to submit and be forgiven, and assurance given to prevent the Indians from being outrageous ; but the commanding officer of the German Flats, hearing of it, seized the flag, consisting of Ensign Butler of the Eighth Regiment, ten soldiers and three Indians, and took them up as spies. A few days after. General Arnold, coming with some cannon and a reinforcement, made the inhabitants return to their obedience. The Indians, finding that our besieging the fort was of no effect, our troops but few, a reinforcement, as was reported, of fifteen hundred or two thousand men with field pieces by the way, began to be dispirited and fell off' by degrees. The chiefs advised the Brigadier to retreat to Oswego and get better artillery from Niagara, and more men, and so return and renew the siege ; to which the Brigadier agreed, and accordingly retreated on the twenty-second of August. On our arrival at Oswego the twenty-sixth and examining into the state of the troops' necessaries, the men were without shoes and other things which only could be got at Montreal, the Brigadier at the same time having received a letter from General Burgoyne to join him, either by a march tlirough the woods back of Tryon county (which was impracticable), or the way he came. He adopted the lat- ter on account of procuring necessaries for the men. The Indians were as much as possible reconciled to this resolution, with a promise that they should be convened as soon as Colonel Butler could return from Montreal with some necessaries for them. There being Indian traders at Oswego, I saw myself under a necessity to clothe those Indians that lost their packs by the rebels at Fort Stanwix, which made them return home contented. " Thus has an expedition miscarried merely for want of timely and good intel- ligence. For it is impossible to believe that had the Brigadier St. Leger known the real state of the fort and garrison of Fort Stanwix, he could possibly have pro- ceeded from Montreal without a suflttcient train of artillery and his full complement of troops. And yet by what I find, very large sums have been expended on account of Government at Niagara upon the Indians these two years past, and they at the same time kept inactive ; whereas, had these presents been properly applied, the Six Nations might not only prevent Fort Stanwix from being re-established, but even let not a rebel come near it or keep it up ; it being almost in the heart of their country, and they with reluctance saw the Crown erect a fort there last war. All the good done by the expedition was, the ringleaders and principal men of the rebels of Tryon county were put out of the way ; but had we succeeded, it must be of vast good effect to the Northern operations, and its miscarrying, I apprehend, to my deep concern, to be the reverse." 18. Roster op Oriskany. (Page 84.) For several weeks in June and July, 1877, the Utica Herald appealed to the descendants of those engaged in the battle, and to all others, for names to make up a Roster of Oriskany, to preserve the names of all persons who took part in that important action. As the sum of its eflbrts, from all sources, that journal gathered tlie following list : iVppENDix TO IIox. Ellis H. Egberts' Audkess. 145 •Brigadier-General Nicholas Herkimer ; Captain George Herkimer (Descendants, Warren Herkimer, Janosville, Wis.; Anne Herkimer Greene, Herkimer; Adilda Herkimer Eaton, Herkimer ; Emily Herkimer Greene, Little Falls); Colonel Freder- ick Vissclier, Mohawk (Descendant, S. G. Visscher, liome); * Colonel Ebenezer Cox, Canajoharie ; Colonel Jacob G. Klock, Palatine (Descendant, Josiah Shall, ■ Hion) ; Colonel Peter Bellinger, German Flats: * Frederick Aver (Oyer) Schuyler; I Major Blauvelt, Mohawk; f Captain George Henry Bell, Fall Hill; * Joseph Bell, Fall Hill; Nicholas Bell, Fall Hill ; f Captain John Breadbeg, Palatine; John Henry Adam Becher, Little Falls ; Adam Bellinger ; Colonel John Bellinger, Utica ; Wm. P. Bellinger, Utica (Descendant, Henry B. Ostrom, Utica); | Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Bellinger, German Flats; * Samuel Billington, Palatine, Committee of Safety; —Billington; * Major John Blevin ; f Captain Jacob Bowman, Cana- joharie; John Boyer ; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Campbell, Cherry Valley (Descendant, Judge W. W.Campbell, Cherry Valley) ; * Lieutenant Robert Camp- hell, Cherry Valley; Major Samuel Clyde, Cherry Valley (Descendants, Jefferson N.Clyde, Alfred G.Clyde, Cherry Valley ; DeWitt C. Clyde, Middlefield) ; Jacob Castler ; John Castler ; Adam Gassier (Father of John A. Cassler, Minden) ; Jacob Clemens, Schuyler ; (Descendant, Michael Clemens, Schuyler) ; Captain A. Copeman, Minden; Richard Coppernoll ; "^Robert Crouse, Canajoharie; * Benjamin Davis; * Captain John Davis, Mohawk; Martinus Davis, Mohawk (a brother of Captain John Davis) ; Nicholas DeGratf, Amsterdam; Captain John Marx Demuth, Deerfield ; * Captain Andrew Dillenback, Palatine; John Doxtader, German Flats; Captain Henry Diefendorf, Canajoharie ; Hon. (John) Peter Dunckel, Freysbush ; Hon. Garrett Dunckel, Freysbush ; Hon. Nicholas Dunckel, Freysbush ; Francis Dunckel, Freys- bush ; * John Dygert, Committee of Safety ; Captain William Dygert, German Flats (Descendant, James M. Dygert, Hion) ; * Major John Eisenlord, Stone Arabia ; Peter Ehle, Palatine; Jacob Empie, Palatine ; William Cox, St. Johusville ; Henry Failing, Canajoharie , Jelles Fonda ; Captain Adam Fonda ; Valentine Fralick, Palatine ; }f Major John Frey, Palatine; * Captain Christopher P. Fox, Palatine; Christo- pher W. Fox, Palatine; Charles Fox, Palatine; Peter Fox, Palatine ; Christopher Fox, Palatine (Nephews of Christopher W. Fox) ; Peter Folts, Fort Herkimer (Grandson, Jacob P. Folts, Oneida.) George Geortner, Canajoharie ; Captain Law- rence Gros, Minden ; * Nicholas Gray, Palatine ; Lieutenant Samuel Gray, Herkimer (Descendant, Colonel I.J. Gray, Utica); Captain Graves; Captain Jacob Gardinier, Mohawk ; Lieutenant Samuel Gardinier, Mohawk; * Lieutenant Petrus Groot, Amsterdam ; Henry Harter, German Flats ; John Adam Helmer, German Flats ; * Captain Frederick Helmer, German Flats; John Heyck, Palatine ; Nicholas Hill ; Lieutenant Yost Hou.se, Minden ; John Hoover, Little Falls ; * Lieutenant- Colonel Abel Hunt, Canajoharie ; Andrew Keller, Palatine ; Christian Huffnail, Minden ; Jacob Keller, Palatine ; Solomon Keller, Palatine ; * Major Dennis Klap- sattle, German Flats; Jacob Klapsattle, German Flats ; Peter Kilts, Palatine ; George Lintner, Minden ; George Ligh thai 1, Minden ; Henry Louus, Minden ; Solomon Long- shore, Canajoharie; Lieutenant Peter Loucks, Little Falls; Peter Loucks, Little Falls; * Jacob Markell, Springfield (Descendant, Oliver Markoll, Springfield Center) ; * William Merckley. Palatine ; John P. Miller, Minden ; Jacob Moyer, (now Myers) Gernuxn Flats; Lieutenant David McMaster, Florida; Adan» Miller, Minden; Henry Miller, Minden; David Murray, Fonda; Christian Nelles; John D. Nellis, Palatine (Descendant, Mrs. A. 0. Jonnson, Marcy) ; Peter Nestle, Palatine ; *Honorable Isaac Paris, Palatine, and his son who was also killed ; John Marx Petri, Little Falls; *Ijieutenant Dederiah Marx Petrie, Herkimer; Dr. • Killed t Wounded. t Taken prisoner. 10 146 Centennial Celebkations. William Petry, Herkimer, Committee of Safety (Grandsons, Robert and Samuel Earl); fJoseph Petry, Dayton; *Captain Samuel Pettingill, Moliawk ; fAdam Price, Minden ; Nicholas Pickard, Minden ; RicLard Putnam, Mohawk ; Abraham D. Quackenboss ; f Jacob Rachiour, Minden ; George Raynor, Minden ; Captain Nicholas Rector, Garoga ; John Rother (Roth) Minden ; John Adam Hartman, Herkimer ; Colonel John Roof, Fort Stanwix (Descendant, Dr. F. A. Roof, Rhinebeck) ; Mars Raspach, Kingsland ; (Descendant, John A. Rasbach, Ilion) ; Henry Sanders, Min- den ; Samson Sammons, Fonda, Committee of Safety ; Jacob Sammons, Fonda (Descendant, Colonel Simeon Sammons) ; *Wi]liam Schaver ; Ensign John Jacob School, Palatine ; *Colonel Saffreness Seeber, Canajoliarie (Descendants, Wil- liam Seeber, Saflreness Seeber, Milford) ; *Private James Seeber, Cauajoharie ; fCaptain Jacob Seeber, Canajoharie ; fLieutenaut William Seeber, Canajoharie (Descendants, Luther Seeber, Saflfreness Seeber, James W. Seeber, Nicholas See- ber, William Seeber, Adam Seeber); *Private Henry Seeber, Canajoharie ; Lieu- tenant John Seeber, Minden ; *Rudolph Seeber. Minden ; Peter Sitz, Palatine ; Rudolph Siebert ; Thomas Spencer, Indian Interpreter ; Christian Schell, Little Falls ; George Smith, Palatine (Descendant, C. M. Smith, Steuben, N- Y) ; Naomi Brooks, Boonville ; Nicholas Smith (Father of Colonel Nicholas Smith, Utica) ; Colonel Henry Starin, Schuyler (Descendant J. H. Starin, New York) ; Captain Rudolph Shoemaker, Canajoharie ; Thomas Shoemaker, German Flats ; *Joseph Snell, Snellbush, now Manheim ; *Jacob Snell, Snellbush, now Manheim ; Peter Snell, Snellbush, now Jlanheim ; George Snell, Snellbush, now Manheim ;* John Snell, Stone Arabia ; (the above were brothers) ; *John Snell, Jr., Stone Arabia (a son of George and a fifer) ; "-Frederick Snell, Snellbush. (Of the Snells Mr. Simms writes : It has been said for many years that nine Snells went into the battle and that seven of the number remained there. We have made an effort to trace them out and here is the result thus far ; Five brothers and a relation, perhaps a cousin, and a son of one of the brothers.) Lieutenant Jeremiah Swafts, Mohawk ; John G. Sillenbeck ; John Sliults, Palatine ; George Shults, Stone Arabia ; *Frederick Stevens, German Flats (Descendant, Henry Stevens, Columbia) ; Peter Summer ; Adam Thumb, Pala- tine (Descendant, Absolom Thumb, St. Johnsville) ; Jacob Timmermau, St. Johnsville ; Lieutenant Henry Timmerman, St. Johnsville ; Henry Thompson, Fultonville ; Lieu- tenant Martin C.Van Alstine, Canajoharie ; *John Van Antwerp; George Van Deu- sen, Canajoharie; Peter Van Alstine, Root; Evert Van Epps, Fultonville; Thomas Van Horn, Vanhornsville ; Henry Vedder; fConrad Vols (now Foltz), German Flats; Lieutenant Jacob Vols, German Flats; *Major Ilarmanus Van Slyck, Palatine; *Major Nicholas Van Slyck ; Captain John Visscher, Mohawk ; ifLieutenant-Colonel Henry Walradt, German Flats ; George Walter, Palatine ; Major George E. Watts ; Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Waggoner, Palatine ; Lieutenant Peter Waggoner, Jr., Palatine ; George Waggoner, Palatine ; John Waggoner, Palatine (Descendants, the Wagner family of Palatine Bridge) ; Jacob Wagner, Cauajoharie ; John Wagner Canajoharie ; Garrett Walrath ; Lieutenant Henry Walrath ; Peter Westerman, Cauajoharie ; *John Wollover, Fort Herkimer ; Abraham Woolover, Fort Herkimer ; f Peter Wollover, Fort Herkimer ; -^Richard AVollover, Fort Herkimer ; Jacob Wever, German Flats; Peter Jams Weaver, German Flats ; Michael Widrick, Schuyler ; *Lawrence Wrenkle, Fort Herkimer (Descendant, Jacob Wrinkle, Forestport, Oneida county) ; f Dr. Moses Younglove, Surgeon ; Captain Robert Yates ; fNicholas Yerdon, Minden. Officers at Port Stanwix. Peter Gansevoort, Colonel ; Marinus Willett, Lieutenant-Colonel (Descendant, Rev. Wm. M. Willett, Bergen, N. J) ; Robert Cochran, Major; George Symes, Adju- tant; Thomas Williams, Quartermaster. ♦Killed. + Wounded. t Taken prisoner. Appendix — The Heukuieu Monument. 147 Mrst Company. — E. Van Bunscliooten, Captain ; Jon. Pearcy, First Lieutenant ; Thomas Oostrander, Second Lieutenant. Second Company. — Thomas Dewitt, Captain ; Benjamin Bogardu.s, Second Lieu- tenant. Third Company. — Cornelius T. Jausen, Captain ; N. Vander Ilejden, First Lieu- tenant; James Dubois, Second Lieutenant ; Samuel Englisli, Ensign. Fourth Company. — Abraham Swart woudt, Captain; Philip Conine, First Lieuten- ant; Q. R. Q. Livingston, Second Lieutenant; Samuel Lewis, Ensign. Fifth Company. — Aaron Austin, Captain ; John Ball, First Lieutenant ; Gerrit Staats, Second Lieutenant. Sixth Company. — James Gregg, Captain ; Levi Stockwell, First Lieutenant ; James Blake, Second Lieutenant ; George Dennison, Ensign. Seecnth Company. — Henry N. Piebout, Captain ; Isaac Bogert, First Lieutenant ; Wm. Mead, Second Lieutenant ; Christopher Hutten, Ensign. Eighth Company. — John Houston, Captain ; John Welch, First Lieutenant ; Pren- tice Bowen, Second Lieutenant. Colonel Mellen ; Colonel Allen; Colonel Bleecker ; Colonel John James Davis; Colonel Johnson ; Lieutenant Diefendorf ; Lieutenant M'Clenner ; Major Ballam ; En.sign Chase ; Ensign Bailey ; Ensign Lewis ; Ensign Magee; Ensign Arnent ; Ger- shorn Gilbert (Descendant, Geo. Gilbert, Carthage) ; Jabez Spicer ; Isaac Coven- boven ; Ensign Jonathan Dean, Westmoreland ; John Schuyler, Westmoreland ; Captain Johauuis Roof; (Father of Colonel John Roof, at Oriskany). The regiments as stated in the text were raised by districts. Tryon county had four. The Mohawk district lay lowest down the river. Next west, and to the south of the river, was the Caiiajoharie district, reaching to Little Falls and to Cherry Valley. Palatine district lay north of the river, and extended west from the Mohawk district to Little Falls. The district of German Flats and Kingsland included all the territory west of Little Falls on both sides of the river. Colonel Cox's regiment had been ordered to Ticonderoga in the preceding winter, as the manuscript narrative of Frederick Sammous states. This narrative is now in the possession of Colonel Simeon Sammons, of Fonda, who has kindly permitted the writer to peruse it. THE HERKBIER MO^^UMEISTT. Letter of Dit. Henry A. Holes, State Lnsn^utiAN, on tue Subject. State Library, Albany, June 18, 1879. Hon. Horatio Setmocti : Dear Sir : In perusing the accounts of the proceedings of the Oriskany centen- nial celebration of 1877, 1 have found no allusion to the action of the State just half a century before, in regard to erecting a monument to General Herkimer. Recalling the fervor with which you have appealed in behalf of such a monument, I felt sure that you would be gratified to be reminded that your enthusiasm had been sustained by no less an example than that of so eminent a predecessor in ofEce as Governor DeWitt Clinton. Governor Clinton, in his annual message in 1827 to the Legislature, the semi-cen- tennial year of the battle of Oriskany, recalls to the minds of the members that the year was " the 50th anniversary of our national existence," and after speaking of "our debt to the surviving worthies of the revolution," he adds: " It is suitable to the occasion to solicit your attention to the following resolve of Congress, passed on the 4th of October, 1777 : 1 48 Centennial Celebrations. ' Resolved, That the governor and council of New York be desired to erect a mon- ument, at continental expense, of the value of five hundred dollars, to the memory of the late Brigadier Herkimer, who commanded the militia of Tryon county in the State of New York, and was killed fighting gallantly in defense of the liberty of these States.' " At the most critical period of the Revolutionary war, when the State was nearly surrounded with hostile forces, and when destroying armies were penetrating it in various directions, the gallant Herkimer fell on the field of battle, at the head of his patriotic neighbors. This exhibition of heroic virtue attracted the distinguished notice of Congress, but the situation of the times presented obstacles to an immediate compliance with their resolve. As there can be no reason for further delay, I hope that this subject will occupy your early attention." This recommendation was speedily referred to a select committee of five. A bill was reported, discussed in committee of the whole, and there the title of the bill was changed from " An act of honor to the memory of General Herkimer," to that of " An act to provide for the erection of a monument in honor of General Nicholas Herkimer." It was finally engrossed, read a third time, and passed the same day, April 16, and sent to the Senate for concurrence. On the same day it was read in the Senate and ordered to a second reading. Both bodies adjourned the next day, April 17, and the bill failed to become a law.* Governor Clinton, faithful to his purpose, in his next and last annual message, in 1838, repeats his recommendation regarding the monument in the following lan- guage : " At the last meeting of the Legislature, I recommended a monumental erection in honor of General Herkimer, and to which I beg leave to refer you. If you con- cur with me in the propriety and policy of attending to this notice of an eminent patriot of the Revolution, permit me to advocate with it. General Woodhull, another distinguished hero who fell, one of the first victims of the Revolutionary war, in defense of his country, on Long Island, in August, 1776." On the next day this portion of the messsage was referred to a select committee. This committee, by its chairman, Abijah Mann, jr., reported at length, on March 38. This report, after narrating the death of Woodhull on Long Island, recounts the bravery of General Herkimer and his success in defeating the designs of the enemy at Oriskany, and concludes thus : '' In consideration of the distinguished services ren- dered to this State by Generals Herkimer and Woodhull during the American Revo- lution, the committee, in pursuance of the recommendation of his excellency the late governor, respectfully ask leave to introduce a bill to provide for the erection of suitable monuments to their memories, as a perpetual testimony of the estimation of those services by the people of this State. Ordered, that leave be given to bring in such a bill." It was ordered, and immediately brought in, read for the first time, read by unanimous consent immediately for the second time, and committpd to a committee of the whole house. On the 5th of April, this bill with a dozen others was reported by a committee as one of " such public character as ought to be acted upon at the present session." The Assembly adjourned nearly a month later, but no farther action on the subject is recorded in its journal, or in that of the Senate for the same year.f In the six sections of the bill it was provided as follows : 1. Erection of monu- ments at or near the places of interment. 3. Names the three commissioners to erect the monument in the town of Danube. 3. Empowers them to determine the form, size and inscription of the monuments. 4. A sum (left blank) declared to be appro- «N. T. Assam. Journal, 1827, pp. 42, 45, 1036, 1043, 1141, 1142. Senate Journal, 1827, p. 620. t Assembly Journal, 1828, pp. 20, 23,908, 910. Appendix — The Herkimer Monument. 149 priated for the monument. 5. Names commissioners of Suffolk county to erect mon- ument tliere. G. Commissioners for both monuments may procure the marble from Sing Sing.* The subject of an appropriation for either of these monuments was not resumed in the following year, 1829. It will be remarked that Governor Clinton's recom- mendation of these monuments was one of his latest official acts, and that before the presentation of the report of the committee he was in his grave. I am, dear sir, respectfully your most obedient .servant, HENRY A. HOMES, Ulate Librarian. LETTER FROM JOHN HANCOCK. York Town, Penn., Oct. 5, 1777. Gextlejien : I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed resolves of Con- gress, from which you will perceive it is their desire that a monument should be erected to the memory of the late Brigadier General Harkemer, and that they request you will take proper measures for carrying the resolve into execution. They have for this purpose voted five hundred dollars. Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of such illustrious men as offer up their lives for the liberty and happiness of the country, reflects real honor on those who pay the grateful tribute ; and by holding up to others the prospects of fame and immortality, will animate them to tread in the same path. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient and verj' humble servant, JOHN HANCOCK, President. Address : " His Excellency G. Clinton, Esq., Governor and the Honorable Council of the State of New York." » Legislative Documents, folio of M^. gcnxtxs ^exQlxts. BEMUS HEIGHTS. Proceedings of the Celebration of September 19th. At Bemns* Heights on the 19th of September, 1877, the centennial celebration of the anniversary of the battle at that point took place. For this celebration extensive preparations were made, and the result was a sjDlendid commemoration of the • great event. Neighboring towns and counties joined in the patriotic effort. Hon. George W. Neilson, of Stillwater, was Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements. Gen. W. B. French, of Saratoga Springs, Chief Marshal, had issued the following order of the day : One hundred guns will be fired at sunrise, on the old battle-field, by Battery B, Tenth Brigade, Captain A. II. Gueen. The procession will be formed on the square at Bemus Heights Hotel, near the river, at 9 a. m., and march to the battle-field, about half a mile distant, iu the following order : Platoon op Police. General W. B. French, Chief Marshal; assistants to Chief Marshal, Colonel Hiram Rodgeks, Saratoga Springs; Ca,ptain I. S. Scott, Troy; Captain B. P. JtlDSON, Saratoga Springs ; Lieutenant Vandemark, Stillwater ; Colonel George T. STEENBtmoH, Troy; J. Willard Lester, Saratoga Springs; Cuarles L. Pond, Saratoga Springs. Major-General .1. B. Carr and staff. Brigadier-General Alonzo Alden and staff. First Division. Doring's band, of Troy. Tenth Brigade, Third Division, N. Y. S. N. G., in the following order: Line. Separate Conij)any. Captain. 1st Third. - - - - P. R. Cuadwick 2d .... Sixth. - - - - J. W. Cusack 3d Fourth. - - - - J. Eoolp * For authority for the spellliiB of Bemus, seo Note 1 of appendix, at end of Bemus Heights pro- ceedings. 154 Centennial Celebrations. Line. Separate Company. Captain. 4th - - . . Seventh. - - - - J. H. Patten 5tli First. - - - - F. S. Att^tsli, 6th ... - Fifth. - - - - F. Gleesettle 7th ----- Second. - - - - G. T. Hall Battery B, Tenth Brigade, Captain A. H. Gbebn, Troy, IT. Y. His Excellency, Lucius Robinson, Governor and Commander in Chief and staff. Brigadier-General J. S. Dickerman, Ninth Brigade, and staff. President of the day, Hon. George G. Scott, of Ballston Spa, N. Y. Orator of the day, Hon . Martin I . Townsend, of Troy, N. Y. Poet of the day. Prof. Robert Lowell, Union College, K. Y. Address by Lieutenant-Governor "William Dorsheimek. Collation. Review of the Tenth Brigade by His Excellency, Governor Lucius Robinson. Manceuvering of Gen. Alden's Brigade in evolution of the line, illustrating the engagement on the same ground between the armies of Generals Gates and Bur- goyne one hundred years ago, in which evolution the artillery, cavalry and in- fantry present at the celebration will be engaged, thus affording the people assem- bled an ojiportunity to form some idea of the battle that won for them their inde- pendence, and at the same time giving them " a smell of gunpowder." By order of the Committee of Arrangements. W. B. FRENCH, Marshal The following liad also been issued : To the Soldwrs and Sailm's of the war of 1861 : Veterans :— The one hundredth anniversary of the battle ot Bemus Heights will be celebrated on the 19th day of September, on tlie old battle field in Stillwater. You should not fail to take part in the interesting exercises there to take place. That batle was decisive of the American Revolution, and may be said to have achieved the inde- pendence which your valor and patriotism have maintained, and secured to yourselves and your posterity. You are therefore earnestly invited to be present on that occasion. Assemble without uniforms in citizens dress at the Bemus Heights Hotel near the battle ground, at 9 A. M., on the 19th, and report your name, company, regiment, brigade, division and corps, to Captain Frank Thomas, who will give the designation badge and assign you a place of honor in the procession, where the electric touch of the elbow will again inspire you as of yore it did the patri- ots of 1777. By order of the Committee. W. B. FRENCH, Dated Sept. 11, 1877. • Marshal of the Day. The centennial celebration of the battle of Beinns Heights could not have fallen on a lovelier day. It Avas one of those beautiful autumn days which are so well known in northern New York. The occasion was improved by the people of the surrounding country, who ilocked to the grounds in all sorts of conveyances, on foot and on horseback, and even on canal boats. Tlie programme of the celebration was suc- cessfully carried out, the affair ending iu a fierce sham battle between an imaginary British foe concealed in a clump of woods, and General Alden's Brigade. Battery B was on both sides and did some pretty sharp firing. The troops were manoeuvered by Generals Carr and Bkmus Heights. 155 Alden, the former suggesting the movements on both sides, and Gen- eral Alden carrying them ont, handling the troops with ease and swiftness. The people began to come in before daylight, and eontinned to ari-ive in crowds nntil the sun indicated high noon. Comparatively few came from the cities. It was the country people's holiday, and they observed it faitht'nlly. The road from Mechanicville * to the ground was sprinkled, and was in first class condition early in the morning. Before eight o'clock the dust was nearly a foot deep. This statement may give a faint idea of the number of vehicles which passed on it. Saratoga county turned out almost en masse. The great- est interest was taken in the sunrise salute to be fired by Battery B. After the sahite the final preparations for the celebration were pushed with vigor. One of the most interesting places in the vicinity of the celebration grounds was the old Neilson House. This venerable structm-e was decorated with flags, and turned into a refreshment saloon. The chief article on the bill of fare was pumpkin pie, baked in the room where General Poor had his head-quarters, and where the wounded British General Ackland was joined by his wife the day after the second bat- tle. At this house was exhibited a large collection of battle-field relics. Twelve pound cannon balls, rifle bullets covered with the rust of a century, were wonderingly inspected by the ci'owd who entered the ancient building. There were also a number of Indian weapons and tools, such as stone hatchets, flint arrow heads and pestles. The Troy companies reached the Bemus Heights Hotel at about ten o'clock, where they were joined by the Port Henry, Whitehall and Glens Falls companies. At length all the arrangements for the grand proces- sion were completed. At about eleven the order to march was given. The following was the arrangement : First Division. Polico. Grand ]\I;ir.shal W. B. FiucNcn, of Saratoga. Aids to the Grand llnrslial. Major-General J. B. C.4ur and Staff. * For authority for this spellinpr of tlie name, see Note 2 of appendix at eud of Dcmus Heiglits proceedings. 20 156 Centennial Celebrations. Brigadier Alden and Staff. Doring's Band. Chadwick Guards of Cohoes, Capt. P. H. Ch.\dwick commanding. Troy Citizens' Corps, Captain J. W. Cusack commanding. Troy Tibbits' Corps, Captain J. Egolf commanding. Troy Tibbits' Cadets, Captain J. H. Patten commanding. Sherman Guards of Port Henry, Captain F. G. Atwell commanding. Hughes' Light Guard of Soutli Glens Falls, Captain F. Gleesettle commanding. Burleigh Corps of "Whitehall, Captain G. T. Hall commanding. Battery B of Troy, Captain A. H. Geeen commanding. Generals Hughes and Tract, and Colonel Lodewick of the Governor's Staff. Bi'igadier-General Dickerman of Albany and Staff. Hon. George G. Scott, President of the Day. Orators, Poet and Clergy. Second Division. Colonel D. J. Caw, Assistant MarshaL Marshal's Aids. Seventj'-seventh Regiment of Saratoga. Saratoga Veterans carrying the old Bemus Heights regimental flag, commanded by Frank H. Thomas. Saratoga Continentals, Mounted. Citizens of Saratoga. Third Division. Captain B. F. Judson, Assistant Marshal, commanding. Marshal's Aids. Holding's Band of Ballston. Eagle Engine Company of Ballston. Hovey Fire Company of Ballston. Ballston Veterans. Citizens of Ballston. Schuylerville Band. Schuylerville Fire Company. Mounted Yeomanry. Schuylerville Citizens. The procession was very imposing. The Tenth Brigade was the center of public admiration and the theme of public praise. The Saratoga Continentals were hastily organized, but made a iine appear- ance. The procession moved over historic ground and by noted land marks. Flags and bunting were displayed from every building in the hamlet of Bemus Heights. North of the hotel the site of General Gates' head-quarters was visible. The soldier boys could see, over the river, Willard's Mountain from the summit of which in early September, 1777, "Willard, the scout, -watched the movements within the British Bejius HeictUts. 157 camp, coininunieating his discoveries by signal or messenger to Gen- eral Gates. Near the celebration groniid a placard indicated that there stood on the spot one hundred years ago a barn which was used fur hospital purposes. Passing up a not too steep acclivity, the procession entered the twenty-two acre field in which tlie exercises were held. The various bodies marched around the grand stand, which was erected upon the site of one of the redoubts, and also passed over that portion of the groiand in which the Ameiican and Bi'itish dead of the battle were interred. The ground was indicated by a small sign board. There is not and has not been for many years a trace of the graves. The soldiers killed in the battle of one hundred years ago have no memorial or monument to this day. After the procession had been dispersed, the people gathered about the grand stand. The field was a fine place for a crowd. Although thirty thousand people stood there, there was no crowding. Among the conspicuous persons there were Lieutenant-Governor Doesueimer, General Hughes, of the Governor's staff, lions. Geo. G. Scott, Geokge West, John M. Feancis, M^uitin I. ToAVNSEND, G. EoBEKTsox, James S. Smaet, Henby G. Bueleigh, Charity Commissioner Beennan of New York, T. B. Caeeoll, C. S. Lestee, Geoege W. Chapman, Geoege "W. Neilson, Edwaed Edw.vkds, and Judges Ingalls, Yates and Cbane. Besides these gentlemen, Generals Caee, Alden and Dickeeman with their staffs, and the General Committee occupied seats on the stand. Shortly after noon the vast multitude was called to order and Doring's band opened the exercises with music. Kev. Dr. Petee Steykee, of Saratoga, offered prayer. OPENING ADDEESS BY HON. GEOEGE D. SCOTT, PEESroENT. Fellow Citizens: — Tho important military event which occurred here a century ago has been indilTerently designated as the battle of Bemus Heights, the battle of Stillwater, and the battle of Saratoga ; and some confusion and misunderstand- ing have arisen in consequence. The higli ground rising from the west shore of the Hudson, just below us, derived its name from .Tohn Bemus, who kept a tavern at the narrow pass, where the cluiin of hills approached nearest to the river. The nearest cluster of dwellings was the hamlet called Stillwater, now Stillwater vil- lage, noted for a time as the head-quarters of General Schuyler. Twelve miles up 158 Centennial Celebuations. the river from Stillwater was the old settlement of Saratoga, distiuguishcd as the summer residence of Schiiyler, and the place where Burgoyne surrendered. The ground, upon which both the lighting and the surrender took place, was within the district of Saratoga, then one of the political divisions of Albany county. It embraced about one-third of what has since become Sai'atoga county, extending from the Borough (now Mechanicville) on the south, to Wing's (now Glen's) Falls on the north, and far enough to the west, to include the northern-most mineral springs, to which it furnished a name. It also comprehended that portion of the Saratoga patent which lies on the east side of the river. The battle-ground was included in Stillwater, when it was subsequently incorporated as a town. Each of the names, to which I have referred, was, therefore, appropriate to this renowned battle-field of the Revolution. A celebi'ated modern English liistorian, speaking of the annual commemor- ation, down to this day, of an event which occurred nearly two centuries ago, observes that a people which take no jiride in the noble achievements of theu' ancestors, will never achieve any thing worthy to be remembered with pride by their descendants. The centennial celebrations that have been observed in this country within the last three years indicate that this remark can have no applica- tion to us. Commencing -^^■ith Lexington and Concord, followed by Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, Trenton and Princeton, we are now passing through the centennials of 1777, distinguished as the successive acts in the great drama of Burgoyne's campaign. The rebellious colonies had become a source of great annoyance to the mother coimtry. Her patience was at last exhausted, and early in 1777, preparations were made for a campaign upon a scale sufficiently grand and extensive, it was be- lieved, to coerce them into submission and silence. I shall not occupy your time in attempting to mark out its plan or to trace its progress to its inglorious termi- nation, nor shall I attempt a sketch of the closely contested and sanguinary conflict which took place upon this ground on the 19th of September, or the ^dctory won here by the American forces on the 7th of October, both of which may be regarded substantially as one battle — the battle which we are now assembled to commemorate. It is sufficient for my purpose to say that upon this amphitheater, where this scene of rural beauty and quietude is spread before us, then mostly covered with the primeval forest, the great and decisive contest of the Revolution took place. It was followed by the capitulation of the British forces at Saratoga on the 17th of October, which, owing to the punctiliousness of Burgoyne and the com-tesy of Gates, was termed " the convention of Saratoga." It is difficult to realize the far reaching consequences of this world-renowned battle. It has been said with much force, that without it, Bunker Hill would have been insignificant and Yorktown impossible. It secured tons the alliance and aid of France ; it inspired us with confidence in ourselves ; and foreshadowed the ultunate, if not early, accomplishment of American independence, which, fifteen months previous, had T)ecu boldly, but in the apprehensions of many, pre- maturely and rashly, promulgated. It is ranked by historians among the few battles in the history of the world, that have changed the course of empires and shaped the destinies of our race. It has resulted in this great confederated repub- lic, which in spite of the defects inherent in that form of government and of the severe trials, through which, during its marvellous growth and territorial expan- sion, it has passed, is, for the highest purposes for which governments are institu- ted, superior to any other, ancient or modern. BiSMus IIkiguts. 159 This is classic ground. It will bo to our country what the plain of ilarathon was to Greece. Unlike that memorable battle-field, however, upon which at different points, monuments of victory were raised, no cohuun rises from tliis, to perpetuate the memory of this great event, to honor the valor that achieved it, and to distin- guish the place of its occurrence. But the scene whicli surrounds us — these fields, marked by the redoubts and intrenchments of the confronting armies — the his- toric river below — and yonder mountain overlooking the whole, from whoso summit, Willard the American scout, with spy-glass in hand, watched the move- ments of Burgoyne and reported by signals to Gates — all these will' constitute one vast and imperishable monument, sacred to the memory of those heroes and patriots who fought and conquered here one hundred years ago. ADDEESS OF HON. MxiETIN I. TOWNSEND. Fellow Citizens — We stand to-day upon one of the most illustrious battle- fields of the American Revolution. A hundred years ago there beat upon these fields thousands of hearts as warm and generous as ever tlirobbed in patriot bosoms. They were here to suffer and die, if need should be, in the cause of liberty and in the cause of their infant country. They were little inured to the work of iron war. They were farmers, fresh from their harvest fields ; merchants, mechanics and professional men from their offices and worksliops. Arrayed against them were the experienced veterans of Great Britain, led by British noble- men whose whole lives had been devoted to all the arts of modern warfare. Against them also stood the veteran oiBcers and soldiers of two German king- doms — those of Brunswick and those of Hesse. But this was not all. Our officers and soldiers knew that they were contending with the first military power in the world. From 1700 to 1777 the course of British wars had been but a series of triumphs for the British nation. No people had successfully withstood them, and no people understood this better than the New England, New York and New- Jersey boys gathered here on that day. For they had fought side by side with the British in the great struggle which had ended in 17.59 by consecrating the North American continent to the occupation for all time of English speaking people. They well knew, too, that England was the richest as "vvell as the most powerful nation on earth. They knew that she had been enriched by the system of commerce and manufactures which .she had cherished from the days of Crom- well as the apple of her eye. They knew that England was enriched with the spoils of India and the gems and spices of the isles of every sea. Above all, they knew that England's hosts were furnished with the full panoply of war, while the patriot ranks were destitute of all needful supplies except strong and willing hands and patriotic hearts. Yet their purposes never for a moment wavered, and, had il been required, every drop of their blood would have flowed as free as water for the sacred cause in which they were engaged. In the winter of 177<"i-7 the British Government had concocted a grand scheme for their subjugation. It is a curious coincidence that the enemies of human liberty from 1855 to 18C5 replanned and threatened again and again to execute this same scheme. It was to separate by a strong hand the Hudson Valley and the New England States from the rest of the Union. Neither the English Government then or any other enemy of liberty since that day has liked the material sought to be severed from the 160 Centennial Celebkations. Union. In the New England States were founfl the descendants of the God-fear- ing Puritans and the associates of Cromwell's iron side regiments. In the Hudson Valley were fouud the descendants of the Covenanters of Scotland and the descendants of those brave Hollanders who so long withstood the whole power of Philip II of Spain and won from the tyrants and for freedom, as their fathers had won from the sea, the garden land of the low countries. Those were trouble- some men for tyrants to deal with, and if they could be separated from the rest of the revolted States the happiest results for the English power were anticipated. Sir Henry Clinton, in possession of the commercial capital of the State of New York, was to advance northward — by the valley of the Hudson, while Sir John Burgoyne, with an army more powerful than had ever been seen in the North, furnished with every implement of war then known, was to proceed by Lake Champlain and the Hudson and join Sir Henry Clinton at Albany. To distract the American forces. Col. St. Leger was to advance by the way of Oswego to Port Stanwix, where Rome now stands, and after reducing that fort proceed by the valley of the Mohawk to the same point of union. The spring of 1777 opened. Sir .John Burgoyne at the head of the northern army proposed to himself a sort of dress-parade march along the Champlain and the Hudson, to enter Albany with the same sort of triumph in which the victori- ous Roman consul, returning from his province, entered the eternal city. In the spring and early summer his fondest hopes seemed likely to be realized. The brave and tireless Schuyler, to save his shred of an army from annihilation, wisely retreated to Van Schaick's island below Waterford, and threw up intrenchments there, to prevent, if possible, the advance on Albany, and a jiossible advance of St. Leger along the valley of the Mohawk. But before September the sons of New York, New England and New .Jersey had rallied to the aid of Schuyler, and Stark had won over Baum the glorious victory of Bennington. The generalship of Schuyler had forced the retreat of St. Leger from Fort Stanwix, and the Mohawk was freed from the presence of an enemy. The Ameri- can Government had placed Horatio Gates in command of the northern armj', to reap the fields which Schuyler had sown and cultivated, and it is fortunate that, whatever criticisms may have been made upon his appointment and his general- ship, he did the work set for him most successfully. The purpose of Burgoyne on the 19th of September was to advance to Albany. The purpose of Gates and the American army was to block his way. Upon the morning of the 19th of Sep- tember the two armies stood face to face behind their intrenchments, upon the hills sloping down to the west bank of the Hudson, the British left wing and the American right wing substantially resting upon the river. The British left, hav- ing their more efCective cannon and the immense army supplies in charge, was under the command of Gens. Philips and liicdesel, while the British right was com- manded by Gen. Fraser and Col. Breymann, under the eye of Gen. Burgoyne, the commander-in-chief. The right of the American army was commanded by Gen. Gates in person, while the left was in charge of the hitherto unequaled American General, Benedict Arnold. So near together were the two armies, that many a word of command given in the British lines was distinctly heard by the American pickets. In the bright rays of that beautiful morning sun the gleam of bayonets and sabres told to the watchful American army that the enemy w:is massing troops upon his right with a view to swoop down upon and ovenvhelm the American left. As might well be supposed, Arnold became furious, and again and again he sought ])erinission from the commander-in-chief to lead forward his troops and Bkmus Heights. 161 attack the British right, and jiractice upon them the same manoeuvre by which Burgoyne sought to overwhchn liini. In justice to Gates it should be remem- bered tluit he liud actually in hand upon the tield but about twenty-live hundred men, mostly of raw and untrained militia. As they stood they were guarded by intrenclunents. On tlie British side more than 3,000 men were on the tield, and every man a trained veteran. Gates could bide his time without injury to the cause he served, whereas Burgoyne must advance his left wing without delay or be undone. Yielding, however, to Arnold's persuasions, Gates at about 12 o'clock gave his consent that Arnold should move through the thick forests and attack the enemy's right. As early as 10 o'clock Philips and Riedesel had marched out of their intrenchments and had commenced a slow and methodical advance upon the patriot left. But when Arnold and the gallant Gen. Morgan and Major Dear- born, soon after 13 o'clock, threw themselves, as if in madness, upon the British, tliey not only repulsed the British right wing but checked the British advance idong the whole line, and Philips and Riedisel never reached the neigld)Orhood of the American intrenchments. During the whole afternoon and until long after the shades of night liad set in, Arnold's forces renewed their attacks upon the British riglit. Again and again the British and German veterans yielded before the impetuosity of American yeomen, and never during that most eventful day were the British hosts under the leadership of Burgoyne and Breyman and Fraser allowed to advance one-third of the di.stance intervening between the American and British lines. Time will not allow me to enact the historian of this glorious battle. I cannot be allowed even to name hundreds of brave men whose deeds on that day are known to history. Sufficient to say, that no act was done ou that field which would not, if detailed, redound to the glory of the American name. Burgoyne proposed in the morning to march to Albany. He had fought the bloody battle and found himself at night within his morning intrenchment.s, mourning over the fact that every si.xth man who had gone into battle that day under his command was dead or wounded, or a prisoner within tlie American lines. From the close of September Ifl, Burgoyne's fate was inevitable. The loyal American hearts had been cheered by the defeat and capture of Bauni at Benning- ton and by the retreat of St. Leger from Fort Stanwix, and the defeat of Burgoyne at Benius Heights satisfied even the doubting tliat final success in thfe war with Bri- tain was not only possible but probable ; and the loyal hosts who finally gathered upon the north and south and east and west of Burgoyne, before his final surrender on the l.'itli of October, might successfully have encountered an army five times larger than that which he commanded. I am not unmindful of the glorious achievements of the American troops between September li) and October 1.5, but it will be the duty of others on a day already set, in the near future, to descant upon these topics. I content myself with remarking that the battle of Bemus Heights said to the British power what Omnipotence said to the Ocean : "Hither shalt thou come and no farther, and here shall thj' proud waves be stayed." The hero of Bemus Heiglits, if one may venture to confer that name on any one man, where all did their duty so nobly, was Benedict Arnold. The hero of the battle of October 17, still more distinctly, was Benedict Arnold. Had he died on the day of Burgoyne's surrender, his would have been like that of the Greek hero, Marco Bozzaris, " one of the few, immortal names that were not born to die." His tomb would have been on ■ of tlie shrines almut which patriots would have loved to cluster for all time. But, oh, what a change came! What a sliadow now sur- rounds that once honored name. The civilized world has branded him as a traitor. 21 162 Centennial Celebkations. He sold his heart — his country — aye, his sacred honor, for British gold. It has been said that Arnold became mad with a desire to lead in tlie social world at Philadelphia, and thus contracted debts which oppressed him. It was doubtless true that Arnold's debts oppressed him. But no man ever sold his country to pay his debts. Arnold fell because he became infatuated at Philadelphia with a tory woman — a member of a fashionable tory family. His leisure hours were among the tories, and Arnold fell as thousands of others have fallen through all ages from Adam's day until now. Observation through life somewhat protracted has taught me that I can never be sure of any man's political opinions until I know something of the opinions and sympathies of his wife. I know it is said that Miss Shippen was a most lovely and excellent lady, and that she suffered great grief when Arnold's treason was exposed. This was doubtless true. So it was doubtless true that our mother Eve was a lovely and excellent lady, and doubtless suffered much when she found out what mischief she had done b}' tempting her infatuated hus- band. But it is none the less true that Adam's yielding to her suggestions has done a vast amount of mischief in this lower world. I can but admire the plan of the monument of Schuylerville. It is proposed to prepare four niches in the monu- ment suitable to contain four statues of the four heroes of this glorious campaign, and place in the niches the statues of Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, and leave the fourth empty, engraving upon the lower side of the niche the name of that man who, but for his crime, would have led them all in the admiration of mankind. And here let me say that I never fail to rejoice when I see my fellow-citizens building monuments and showering honors upon the brave who have nobly suffered for their country. The story of the honors which our country bestowed upon the heroes of the Revolution is eagerly read by our boys long before they arrive at manhood. The hope to earn the gratitude of his country nerved the arm and cheered the heart of many a noble boy while suffering the hardships of the camp and prison in om' late unholy rebellion ; and if you would make your country safe against the outbreak of future rebellions, never fail, by monuments and the bestowal of rewards upon our brave and faithful sons, to show our regard for loyal meu over those who sought to destroy their country. The valleys of the Hudson and Champlain were for centuries the scene of war and bloodshed before the white man settled within this realm. The fierce Algon- quins and Iroquois pursued each other along this route, from the valley of the Mohawk to the St. Lawrence, and inflicted upon each other all the barbarities which fiends could invent. By and by came Samuel de Champlain and his asso- ciates, and from that day French civilization joined with savage barbarities for years and years in deluging these fair valleys in blood ; and when in 1759 the French power was obliterated upon this continent. Great Britain led the untamed savage to do his work of cruelty and blood along these same beautiful slopes and hilltops. But for the last hundred years the sound of the war-whoop has ceased, and the arts of peace have been most successfully cultivated among us. Could good Isaiah be allowed to look in upon the scene that greets the traveler on the fields of Bemus Heights, he would believe that the thousand years of peace and joy which he so beautifully foretold have at last dawned among men. We have had still a second war with England. In our late struggle for national existence England most cruelly gave aid and comfort to our enemies. But the treaty of Washington and the payment by England of the award under it, have removed all causes of contention between the British nation and ours. If we are Bkmus Heights. 1G3 to be still rivals, may we not liope that it shall be in arts of agriculture, commerce and manufactures, and that the day shall come when these vallc3's so deluged in blood by the Algonquin, Ihe Iniijuois, the French and the English shall become vastly more than now the great thoroughfare between people who shall be fast friends at least, and perhaps gathered under the j)rotccting folds of the same glo- rious national flag ? SPEECH OF LIE UTEN ANT-GO VERNOE DORSTIEIMER. My Fellow Citizens — You have assembled to celebrate one of the victories which brought about the surrender of Burgoyne, the negotiation of the French Alliance, and the establishment of American Independence. At Oriskany, a few weeks ago, the first of those victories was commemorated by a vast multitude, and with imposing ceremonies. Soon after, with like enthusiasm, the battle of Ben- nington was celebrated. And now you have gathered on the field where the decisive action of the campaign was fought. Oriskany had been a severe blow to the plans of the British conunander ; Bennington was the first defeat suffered by his own troops ; but those events did not decide the fate of his expedition. Here, on these slopes, the decision was made — here it was determined that the Ameri- can colonies should be free and independent States. We are at a turning point of our history, and from here, like one who stands at the bend of a river, we gaze through long ^'istas, on the one hand, upon the annals of the colonies — on the other, \ipon the eventful career and dazzling ])rogress of the United States. We here recall the events which tended to the formation of American character and nationality ; the settlements at Albany and New York, and the introduction of the liberal polity of the Dutch; the landing at Jamestown and Plymouth; the Huguenot fljing from the broken oath of Louis, and the Quaker escaping from the profligacy of Charles ; the long struggle with savage nature and more savage men ; and that finally the British army triumiihant over Holland and then over France, spread the English speech through all the colonies, and wove the first and firmest bond of Union. Then came the Revolution. The fires of foreign oppres- sion burn away all diflferenccs of tradition, race and creed. Moved by one pur- pose, the children of many races arise, and stand before the world one iieo]ile. We recall the plans that Franklin laid, and the agitations that Samuel Adams set afoot. We hear the eloquence of Henry and Otis. AVc see Paul Revere riding through the night; the farmers gather in the graveyard at Lexington, and " there among the graves of their kindred they kneelloyal subjects of the British king; the baptism of fire is laid upon their brows and they arise American freemen." The low brea.stwork rises uptm Bunker Hill and once and again holds back the tide of war. Washington takes command, Boston is liberated, but his defense of New York is unavailing. Then follows the crossing of the Delaware amid the ice; and the stealthy march upon Trenton. Standing here, we see that all this was but the prelude to what was accomplished here. Without that all would have been in vain. On the other hand, from this point we look through the whole course of our country's subsequent career. We see the framing of the Constitution ; we .sec the men who have counseled, led and inspired the people, those who have multiplied 164 Centennial Celebrations. its industries, directed its commerce, founded its schools, built its cities, and by inventions more strange than Arabian poet ever dreamt of, made the lightning our messenger, and the elements our servants. We behold the throng of immigration lured hither by the beacon of liberty your fathers lighted — the German bringing gifts, the homely virtues of industry and thrift; the Irishman weaving into the woof of our national character the warm and glowing colors of Irish wit, enthusiasm and valor. Then came the struggle between freedom and slavery, the long and dreary war, and at last peace and re- union. As we stand here and look upon this eventful scene, we realize that were it not for what was done here a hundred years ago — whatever might have hap- pened during the century that has passed, whatever institutions might have grown among us, whatever characteristics of race and custom might have been produced — they must have differed greatly from those which now exist. America and Americans would have been here, but neither the America nor the Americans which we know. It does not come within the scope of my address to discuss the far-reaching consequences of this memorable victory. Neither will I dwell upon the details of Burgoyne's campaign ; they have been vividly recited by the distinguished gen- tleman who has preceded me. I will, however, detain you a few moments to speak of the personal fortunes of some of the actors in these events. You will remember that to General Philip Schuyler had been given command of the forces which were to oppose Burgoyne's march. This gentleman was a native of New York, distinguished for wealth and social consequence, and had long been a commanding figure in the colony. Destitute of equipment, and with forces infe- rior in number and discipline to the enemy, he had been compelled to act on the defensive, and had slowly retreated, delaying, so far as he could, the British advance, in the hope of receiving greatly needed re-enforcements, and of drawing his foe into a position where victory would be certain and complete. Just when events began to justify his strategy, against the wish of Washing- ton, Schuyler was removed, and the chief command given to General Gates. That officer gathered the fruits of Schuyler's wisdom, zeal, and caution. How little he deserved them may be known by the fact that during the doubtful battle of the 17th of October, he remained in his tent, at a distance from the fray, not having the influence over it of the humblest drummer bo3^ At this time Wash- ington was in a position of doubt and difficulty. After the occupation of Boston the fortune of war had been against him, and his army had been so often defeated that a distrust was excited which the success at Trenton did not remove. He had sent some of his best troops to re-enforce Gates, and on the 11th of September, at Brandywine, he had been again defeated. Saratoga gave to General Gates so great a fame, that he became the center of an intrigue, which was strongly supported in the army and in Congress, the object of which was to displace Washington and put Gates at the head of the army. This plan was partly defeated, but was so far successful as to obtain for Gates the command of the troops which had been gathered to resist Cornwallis in the south. The laurels of Saratoga were withered and scattered by the first blast of southern war; and Gates, riding in hot haste, leading the flight from the disastrous field of Camden, disappeared from American history. Washington's influence and power had never been disturbi'd. The confidence of the people in him had not been .shaken, by the intrigues of Conway, nor by Gates' short lived renown. So too with Schu_Yl(T. It has bi'cn left for a historian Bemus Hp:ights. 165 of our time and Staff, to fiillj- viudicatc' his military reputation; but the confi- dence of the people of New York was never withdrawn from him. He continued to be a citizen of influence and distinction long after the man who supplanted him had passed out of sight. The Revolution, like Stillwater, was a soldier's battlu. The strong common sense of the people did justice to Schuyler and Washington. Let us not forget that this victory was won by the united efforts of all the colo- nies. Regiments were here from Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jer- sey, and New Hampshire. Morgan and his Southern riflemen were here. The Polander, Kosciusko, traced the fortifications along the crests of these hills, and on the day of battle, not knowing the language which the soldiers spoke, he spoke to them by deeds of valor which all could understand. The victory which made the United States po.ssible does not belong to us or to New York alone. We who celebrate it, who have seen the country divided and the States at war, ^vill have our patriotic impulses widened and om- purpose strengthened to preserve the lib- erties which were here cstabli.shed, by remembering that all the States fought here for freedom and the Union. The civil war is over and a happier day fills our skies. The laws are everywhere supreme. Every man in the land is now a freeman ; and the tender chords of feeling which, more than laws, bind a people together, and wliich but lately were silent, again respond to the appeals of kinship and country. And so, too, the hard times are passing away. The harvests are crowding your granaries almost to bursting. The channels of commerce again are thronged. Industry revives, and labor rises from its paralysis. In this hour of patriotic hope, let us dedicate this field anew to freedom and to Union. POEM BY ROBERT LOWELL. Pkelude. As while about some restful, wide-.shored bay, All hid in fog, landward and seaward lay, Came far-heard voices forth, from men imseen, Or low of herd, or roll of slow worked oar. Heard here and there, throughout that floating screen, Made us no longer lonely, as before; Nay, as might chance, the eyes, long-straining, wist Where .shapes walked, great and dim, \\'ithin the mist. So, we may think, with former men, that by This life's still shore are to our minds yet nigh. But hidden deep in folding mists of Past ; Still may the stronger eye, the finer ear. Find, through tlie floating clouds about them cast. The meri that did their work and left it here. The ])ast that lived is but a little far Within this self-same life wherein we are. 166 Centennial Celebeations. BtrEGOYiTE's Mauch. To the drums' echoing beat, And thrilling clarion's cry — England's red banner as. a sheet Of flame against the sky — With the strong tread of soldiers' feet, Burgoyne's good host went by, The gleaming bayonets flashed pride in every eye. A hundred golden summer suns Have filled our fields with June, Whose morn and noon and twilight runs Each to its end too soon. Since basking in the wealth of day, Saint John's broad fort and village lay. While through the streets, and from the fort, Company, regiment, brigade. Were marched as for a last parade, Crowding the sunny port. The town all thronged the beach ; No work was then, for far or near : No work, unless to see and hear; And little speech, but cheer on cheer; Or, here and there, beyond the common reach, Some prayer, some sobbing speech ; But shout and martial strain Made the banks ring again. As the men took ship to sail up Lake Champlain. The general had stood awhile Within the maple's shade. With quickening eye and lofty smile ; Since the dread game of war was played Were never better soldiers made To conquer for the world-conquering Isle ; To vrin back, for tlie English Crown, Before which, late, the might of France went dowu, Fortress and farm and town. Along the lakes and the rich Mohawk Vale, To the old solid town that stands Embosomed in fair lands, And rich with many a peaceful sail. Fort William — Beaverwyck — the good town Albany; While Howe, or Clinton, from the Sea, Should set the River coimtry free From a base rule by countryman and clown. Then would a loyal wall keep wide Bejius Heights. 167 The robcl Irinrls tliat lay on either side, Till more ciilin time and wiser thought Should bring all mad revolt to naught; And the great realm that rounds the world and ever fronts the sun, Onee more, from shore to answering shore, By land, by sea, one realm should be ; Unbroken, as it was of yore, Throughout all earth but one. Strange, one might thinly, breathing .Tune's happy breath. Hearing glad melodies in all the air. Seeing the red and gold that brightened everywhere ; Strange that all this, so merry and so fair, Should deck the trade of death ! As well the clouds at sunset heaped. All tinged with red and gold. The while the nightfall criekc^t cheeped, Jlight into sudden storm have leaped. And wreck and ruin manifold, Witli thunderbolt of fabled Thor, As this become death-dealing war ! It would b\it be a month's parade ; The rebel fort would yield, at call. To earth the rebel flag would fall; The king would be obeyed. To sweep, with summer breeze, the lake, In the night wind a bivouac make. Beneath the starry arch; To scout in underwood and brake. Would be a pleasure-march ! So to an English eye, our country's cause would fail, (The hurried ending of a tale Told overnight,) When brave Burgoyne set saO. Our countrymen that season lay As men that wake in night, but fear the day. The leaguer-fires of Bimker Hill Were yet scarce trodden out; and still There were true men, whose steadfast will Set all it had at stake; Would never bow to might of ill : Rather their country's soil would fill With clay of heroes' make. St. Clair and Schuyler had trod back The long road of retreat; The foe was hard upon their track. 168 Centennial Celebrations. And, foot by foot — as waters roll — So following foot by foot, he stole Theii- country from beneath theii feet. C^o^v^l Point, Ticonderoga, fell ; Fort George, Fort Edward — need we tell Stout Warner's gloomy overthrow ? Or the great loss at Skencsborough ? Let our hearts honor, as they can, Schuyler, the generous gentleman. His countrymen called back their trust; He waited not till they were just ; Took lower place, and felt no shame, Still gave a heart and hand, the same That chose this cause when it began ; And, in his honor, give its share To the strong patience of St. Clair. Our tide of strength was running low ; On its swift ebb was borne the foe, And, as men speak, God willed it so. Not always will the tide run out : Not always the strong wind of fate Shall drive from off the harbcJr's gate Those who, fast anchored, wait and wait, TUl their own time shall come about ; Yield never to the crime of doubt. So everywhere great hearts were true. The world looked dark ; here — ■ only here — A hand-breadth of the sky was clear ; But the world's work was here to do ! Manhood in France was in the dust, The prey of rank, and greed, and hist; And little despots, otherwheres. Laid out the trembling world in shares; And England — England of the free — Set safe by God amidst the sea ; To keep the light of liberty — Under a foreign rule Had learned in that bad school ; Forgotten that, ichere law had sway, They imist make law who law obey. England was reading all her story back ; To our true-hearted sires all the world's sky looked black Save one clear hand-breadth in the west Darkness and clouds held all the rest. The time soon comes: men fill our camps; On fortress-wall the sentry tramps With The New Ping on Hi(ih. Bemus Heights. 1C9 Tli:iL ill the agi's down (liroiigli tiim: tjliouUl slielter all weak things but crime: And all strong wrongs defy. Now gain comes in where came in loss; Great names are made, or take new gloss; As fearless Herkimer — so wise To see beyond the young, rash eyes, Where needless, useless danger lies; But fatherly and true, To bear their rashness through ; So Willett won at Schuyler Port, And the brave leader Gansevoort; Then, with Stark's day at Bennington, The first great prize of war was won, The conquering of Burgoyne begun. There was no choosing in the dark; God made the General, John Stark, — Our tide swelled toward high-water mark! Three months of summer time were past Since, with a gallant host. Mid beat of drum and trumpet-blast, And with more lofty boast, Burgoyne his march had fcyward cast; Tlu'ough fort and field his easy play Would be a conqueror's holiday. — To that proud time his thoughts might stray Wlien Gates's army barred his further way. On Bemus Heights our fathers stood. While all the land looked on : Could they not make their footing good? Then Albany was gone ! Then all the hearts that beat for right. Would draw sad presage from the fight; Then a most heavy blow would smite The heart of Washington ! When the day opened, fair and still, And clarions, with alarum shrill. Drew echoes from each other's liill, How many a prayer was said ; " If man his brother's blood must spill. Let not God's word, ' Tlmn xhalt imt kill,^ Bring judgment on our head ! And let the right stand, come what will. Though we go to the dead ! " They met the foe — We will not say All that was done, of deadly fray ; How forward, now, now back they sway, 22 170 Centennial Celebkations. Till the night settled late. But by the first strong stand here made Burgoj'ue's long summer march was stayed, And many an anxious one took breath, Who watched the turn for life or death, In the young country's fate. Here, once for all, his march was crossed; He tried again ; again he lost ; And ere the season, growing old, Knew summer out of date, And hung the woods with red and gold, Burgoyne's short story had been told ; A brave heart, but his cause was cold : God willed our free-born state. And so Burgoyne's last march was made : Between our lines he led his last parade. Apter-Bkeath. Now, with still years between, where tlirough we gaze, On those dim dead — the strong of earlier days — • Now that all strife is still — the great meed gained For them that lived, or died, with loyal heart. In alien faith, but to great manhood strained Unyielding sinews, honor, now ! Our part To lay ourselves, as very sod or stone Of trench, when called, to keep our land her own. ADDEESS OF JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS. Mr. Chairman, Citizens op Saratoga Countt, Ladies a]^v> Gentlemen: To appear before you on this interesting occasion, commemorative of an import- ant event in the annals of the State and country, is to me not only a signal honor and a grateful task but a filial duty. Proud to be chosen to recite the incidents of the campaign which culminated in the surrender of tlie first British army to the infant republic, it is a source of still greater pride to me that I am thus per- mitted to link my own name in the chain of history witli that of my grandfather. Col. Ebenezer Stevens, of the Continental army, who, on this field, a century ago, directed, as Major Commandant of the Artillery of the Northern Department, the operations of that arm of the service which in great measure contributed to and secured the final success of the American troops. The ground on which we stand is memorable. Before the discover}' of the con- tinent, this territory, at whose southern angle we are now gatliered, was the bat- tle-field of the Indian tribes, whose war trails lay upon its boundaries, and from the days of European settlement it has been the debatable ground of the French and Dutch, the French and English, and the colonists and English, by turns. Here Bemus Heights. 171 tlic fate of American empire has been repeatedlj' sealed. Not because of its matcliless beauty of hill and dale, its mirrored lakes and crj'stal streams, its invig- oratiiijj atmosphere and perfect skies, nor yet because of its unmeasured forests and fertile fields, was this old territory of Saratoga and Kayaderosseras tlie object of rivalry and contention. Its possession was of supreme military importance. The Moliawk pours into the Hudson at its southernmost limit ; its borders are protected by their waters, while a series of declivities, descending from the moun- tain ranges of Luzerne and Kayaderosseras and terminating in groups of isolated hills, present an admirable strategic point. The discovery of Lake Champlain in 1009, by the brave Frenchman whose name it bears, and the sailing up the Hud- son by Henry Hudson, the same year, gave rise to a contest for its possession between the Canadian and New York colonists which lasted for more than a cen- tury and a half. The French settlements spread rapidly up the St. Lawrence and far into the western country, while the Dutch and English slowly and methodically pushed their way along the Hudson, and thence by the Mohawk to the great interior lakes. From tlie mouth of the Jlohawk, northward, skirting the shores of the Hudson and the lakes, lay the highway between the rival settlements and posts. In its route it passed the carrj-ing-places of the Indians. Over this road, then but an Indian trail, the troops of Frontenac passed in 1693, on their way to strike the fortified villages of the Mohawk. Upon it Colonel Schuyler built the forts from Stillwater to Fort jVnn, in the war of 1709. In the campaigns of 1744 and 1755, the French and their Indian aUies, with war-whoop, scalping-knife and tomahawk, swept down through the forests to the settlements of this region ; and in the seven years' war that followed, from 1755 to 1703, it was by this road that Abercrombie led his troops to defeat and Amherst to the final triumph of the English arms; and here again swept back and forth the tide of war in alternate ebb and flow diu-ing the earlier period of the American Revolution. In the beginning of the contest the spirit of the colonies was little understood in England. Notwithstanding the warning of the American agents, it was believed that the war would be localized in Massachusetts, and that General Gage and a few regiments would easily reduce the rebellious colony. The uprising of the continent in reply to the guns at Lexington dispelled this illusion, and the British Ministry awakening to the magnitude of their undertaking, plans were laid for a continental campaign. Here a protest may be pardoned against the assumption of those who have doubted the ability of the colonies to maintain the liberty they had asserted with- out the French intervention, which the victory of Saratoga secured to the Ameri- can cause. A careful examination of the letters and newspapers of the day, which in the words of Webster, are the only true sources of historic information, will show that the colonists never doubted of their cause, and that they knew the reason of the faitli that was in them. They were fully aware of the numbers they had conlributt'd to the British forces in the Canadian conquest, and of the prowess they had displayed side by side with the best of the British regiments. Tliey were also informed of the extreme diflSculty with which the home govern- ment obtained its recruits. Already in the midille of the last century, under the atrocious land system of England and the devilnpment of manufactures, the agri- cultural population, tlie yeomanry, hardy sons of the .soil, which is the base of every great niililary state, had been fast disappearing. It was in 1770, before the Rev- 173 Centennial Celebrations. olution, that Goldsmith, the poet of the people, breathed his himeut over the happy days long past — "Ere England's grief began, When every rood of land maintained its man." The words of the poet were as familiar to Americans as to their English parents, and they had received a striking confirmation in the enlistment by the Ministry of Hessian mercenaries, whose appearance in the colonies, while exciting the indigna- tion of the patriots, was positive pi'oof of the unpopularity of the war in England and the weakness of the mother country. The earlier movements of the colonial leaders show that they were tliorouglily acquainted with the art of war in its larger sense. They recognized the value of the great lines of water communication — the St. Lawrence and the Hudson — and foresaw that the first efforts of the British Ministry would be to control their mouths, from which, by their superior naval power, they could force the passages of the rivers and divide the territory. The Northern and Eastern people recog- nized this intuitively, and gave point and direction to the movement toward Canada by the seizure of Ticonderoga and Crown Point at the outset of hostili- ties. These important posts were surprised by the Eastern militia. Their artil- lery and stores were of priceless value to the Continental cause. The road to the St. Lawrence thus opened, and the temper of the Canadians and Indians of the lower provinces favoring the undertaking, it was resolved by Congress, in June, 1775, to take possession of St. John and Montreal, and General Schuyler was intrusted with the command of the forces destined for that purpose. No appointment could have been more appropriate than this. A gentleman of large landed estate in the northern section, thoroughly conversant with its resour- ces and topography, and familiar not only with tlic habits and customs of the frontier population, but also wielding a great personal influence with the Indian tribes, he was the only man who could effectually neutralize the efforts of the British agents to influence the savages, who had always taken an active part in the border warfare. Moreover, his great wealth and family alliances, gave strength to the cause. Selecting Ticonderoga as his natural base of operations, Schuyler built boats for a movement to surprise St. John, a position so important that it was called by the British officers the key of Canada. It is not possible here to recount the various incidents of the campaign. On the 3d of November, 1775, after a siege of fifty days, the garrison at St. Jolin capitulated to Montgomery, whom Schuyler, forced by illness, contracted in the wet, unhealthy country, to return to Ticonderoga, had left in command. On the 13th Montgomery was at Montreal. Meanwhile Washington, to create a diversion in favor of the main movement, liad sent Arnold by the way of the Kennebec and the Chaudiere to a direct attack on Quebec. After incredible hardships, in tlie midst of a winter remarkable for its inclemency, Arnold reached Point Levi, opposite Quebec, on the 10th of November. The junction of Montgomery and Arnold was made on the 3d of December. On the morning of the last day of the year the assault was made; the Americans were repulsed and Montgomery fell. Thus ended the ofl'eusive movement upon Canada. Its result was the permanent holding by the British of the post of Quebec — which became impregnable with the re-enforcements received from Eng- land — and the mouth of the St. Lawrence, for a naval movement, toward the lakes. In the beginning of 177G efforts were made to strengthen the American Bemiis Heights. 173 force in Canada; and the old road by the riverside, from Albanj' tlirough Still- water and Saratoga, was again trodden by thousands of recruits, marching to almost certain death by battle or disease. Upon the death of Montgomery the command of the army before Quebec devolved on Woyster. He was superseded by Thomas in May. The small-po.\ was raging. To convey an idea of the extent to which it had ravaged the army, it is only necessary to state that, on taking command, Thomas found that of 1,900 men and officers 900 were sick, chiefly with this disease. A retreat was ordered, but the re-cnforecd garrison sallying suddenly forth, the artillery was abandoned, and the Americans fled in precipita- tion. In June Thomas died of the small-pox at Chamblee, leaving Sullivan in command. An attempt by tlie new chief to arrest the retreat was the cause of fm-ther disaster. Tliompson, who led an expedition against Three Rivers, fell into an ambuscade, and was defeated by General Fraser. Among the British troojjs engaged were some who, arrived from England with the re-enforcements under Burgoync, had been piloted past Quebec by the orders of the sagacious Carletou in the very transports that had conveyed them across the ocean, and pushed up the river to the scene of action. Already the vast importance of the river as a means of military communication was apparent. The remainder of the fleet with the British rc-enforccnients coming up, the post of Sorel was abandoned by the Americans and the retreat again began. So close was the pursuit that the British advance entered Chamblee as the American rear left the town. At St. John they were joined by Arnold from Montreal. Firing the city, they again fell back to Isle aux Noix, and thence, slowly pursued by Bm-goyne, to Crown Point, which they reached in the last days of June. [1776.] So ended the invasion of Canada, an expedition remarkable for its display of human siiUering, human energy, and human endurance. History may be searched in vain for examples of greater pertinacity tmder disaster, greater vigor under the severest trials. The fragments of the gallant bands which had united before Quebec and were now huddled together at Crown Point presented a picture which wnuig tlie stoutest liearts. Pestilence was in their countenances. Pestilence infested the very air; not a tent in which there was not a dead or dying man. The bones of the heroic Jlontgomery and his aid-de-camp, McPher.son, lay within the walls of Quebec; Burr and Lamb were prisoners; iVrnold still chafed under a painful wound, and the array itself had dwindled to a liandful of emaciated skeletons. The troops at Crown Point now fell under the authority of General Schuyler. From the beginning the ill-health of Schuyler had rendered it impos- sible for him to take the field at the head of the army; moreover, his great organ- izing spirit, his tireless energy, were of more service to the cause at the Albany head-quarters, where his encouraging presence was indispensable. Arnold arrived at Albany with news of the retreat from Canada on the 24th of June. The next day Schuyler received information of the appointment of Major-Ctcneral Gates to the command of the forces in Canada. The in.structions to Gates gavirch canoes, containing twenty or thirty in eacli ; then the advanced corps in a rcgnUir line with the gun-boats; then followed the Uoyal George and luHe.xible, towing large booms, which are to bo thrown across two points of land, with the other brigs and sloops following; after them the brigades in their order." On the 30tli Burgoyne issued his famous order: "This army embarks to-morrow to approacli the enemy. The services recpiired of this particular expedition are crit- ical and conspicuous. During our progress occasions may occur in which nor dif- ficulty nor labor nor life are to be regarded. This army must not retreat. " An advanced corps, under command of General Fraser, was ordered up the west sliore of the lake to a point four miles from Ticonderoga, and the German reserve, under Lieutenant-Colonel Breyman, moved up the eastern shore. On the 1st July the whole army made a movement forward, encamping in two lines, the right wing at the four mile point, the left nearly opposite, on the east shore. Two frigates witli gun-boats lay at anchor, covering the lake from the east to the west shores. Just beyond cannon-shot lay the American batteries. Tlie effective strength of the army of invasion at this period is precisely known. Burgoyne himself stated it to have been on the 1st July, the day before he encamped before Ticonderoga, at 7, 3fl0 men, exclusive of artillery. These were composed of British rank and file, 3,724; German rank and file 3,01C,; in all 6,740 regulars; Canadians and provincials, about 250; Indians about 400; the artillerymen numbered 473. The total force was therefore 7,803 men. The field train consisted of forty-two pieces, and was unusually complete in all its details. Burgoyne in his narrative complained that the force of Canadians, which was estimated in the plan at 2,000, did not exceed 1.50; a significant cir- cumstance, as showing the correctness of the American estimate of the temper of the province. Of the discipline of the British and German troops nothing- need be said; they were all drilled and experienced soldiers. Among their officers were many who tlioroughly understood the service in which they were engaged, and the topograpliy of the country in which they were to act. Burgoyne had served with credit, and had di.stingui.shcd himself by his dash and gallantry iu Portugal, and had also the knowledge acquired in Canada the year previous. Major-Gcneral Phillips, who commanded the artillery, had won high praise at Minden. Brigadier-General Fraser, who led the picked corps of liyht troops, had taken part in the expedition against Louisburg and was with Wolfe at Quebec. He also had served iu the Canada campaign of 1776. Riedesel was an accom- plished officer, carefully trained in tlie service of the Duke of Brunswick, and liad been selected by him to command the German contingents, with the rank of major- general . Tlie territory threatened by this formidalile invasion was again at this iicriixl under the solo control of Jlajor-General Scliuyler, Congress, on (he 22d INIay, on the recommendation of the Board of War, having resolved that Albanj', Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix, and their dependencies, should form the Northern Department, with General Schuyler in command. Vague reports of the movements of Burgoyne reached Schuyler toward the middle of .Tune and he at once visited Ticonderoga to look to its defenses. No accurate information of the force or design of the enemy could be oVjtained, their advance being Ihoroiighly covered by Indian scouts, who 178 Centennial Celebrations. either captured or drove in all the reconnoitering parties of the Americans. Never- tlieless, it was decided in a council of general officers, held on the 20th June, to defend the post. On the 33d Schuyler returned to Albany to hurry on re-enforce- ments and provisions, leaving the garrison, which consisted of less than twenty-five hundred men, in command of Major-General St. Clair. This was increased by the arrival of nine hundred militia in the course of a few days. The post of Ticonderoga, notwithstanding its high reputation, was not really tenable. It was overlooked by an eminence known by the name of Sugar Hill, or Mount Defiance, the occupation of which had been neglected, either because of the supposed impracticability of carrying guns to its summit, or of the weakness of tlie garrison, already spread over an extensive area. St. Clair had expected an attack from the lake side, and had fortified to meet it, but recognized the danger of his situation when on the morning of the 5th the British were seen in possession of Sugar Hill. With his accustomed vigor, General Phillips had ordered a battery of artillery to the top of this eminence, to which the cannon were hoisted from tree to tree. The occupation of Mount Hope by Fraser on the 3d had already cut off the line of retreat by Lake George. There was but one course to pursue — an immediate evacuation of the post and a withdrawal by the only remaining line, that of the lake to Skenesborough. That night part of the cannon were safely embarked on batteaux, those left behind were spiked, and a hasty retreat began ; the sick and the baggage, ordinance and stores, were sent up the lake under charge of Colonel Long, and the main body crossing the lake by the bridge to Jlount Independence moved towards Skenesborough by the new road lately cut by the garrison, to which allusion has already been made. The retreat was discovered at daylight on the 6th, and pursuit instantly began. Fraser, taking the route pur- sued by the garrison with the picket guard, hastened on, closely followed by Ried- esel in support, while Burgoyne opened a passage through the bridge and led the galleys in chase of the battery up the lake. The wind being favorable, he over- took the retreating flotilla at Skenesborough, captured two of the covering galleys, and compelled the destruction of the batteaux, which were fired by the Americans, who also destroyed the fort and mills at Skenesborough and retired up Wood Creek, to Fort Ann. General Burgoyne took post at Skenesborough. Meanwhile the main body of the Americans under St. Clair, hurrying along the unfinished road through the wilderness, reached Hubbardton, twenty-five miles distant, at one o'clock on the 6th, when a halt was made. At five o'clock, hearing tliat the rear gu.ard under Colonel Francis, for which he had waited, was coming up, St. Clair, leaving Colonel AVarner with one hundred and fifty men at Hubbard- ton, with orders to follow Avhen they arrived, moved on to Castleton, six miles distant^ which he reached at dusk. When Francis joined Warner, they concluded to spend the niglit at Hubbardton, where they were overtaken the next morning, when on the point of resuming their march, by Fraser's advance. The Americans, about twelve hundred in number, formed a strong position and maintained their ground with spirit until the bugle of the Hessians announced the approach of Riedcsel's corps. Their arrival decided the fortune of the day. The Americans behaved with great bravery until overpowered by numbers, when they broke and scattered. The losses in killed and wounded were about equal on the two sides. Fraser led his men in person. Major Grant, an officer of high rejiutation, was killed. The Earl of Balcarras, who led the light infantry, and was now for the first time in action, was slightly, and Major Ackland severely wounded. Of the Americans, Colonel Francis fell while bravely rallying his men. St. Clair, hear- Bemus Heights. 1 79 ing of the capture of Skenesborough, struck into tho woorls on liis left. At Hut- land lu' found aomc. of Warner's fugitives. Taking a circuitous route, he rcachcil tlio Hudson River at Batten Kill, and joined General Schuyler at Fort Edward on the 12th. Schuyler heard on the morning of the 7th, in Albany, rumor of disaster, and immediately started for Fort Edward, to take command of the troops tliere, and await the arrival of Ni.xon's brigade from Peekskill, which had been detached from Putnam's command at the Highlands by Washington's orders. At Fort Edward he learned that the party under Colonel Long had turned at Fort Ann and checked the pursuit. Setting fire to the work, they pushed on to Fort Edward, which they reached on the 9th. St. Clair, as has been stated, did not come in till the 12th. The whole force imdcr Schuyler consisted of seven hun- dred Continental troops and a smaller number of militia, without a single piece of artillery. St. Clair brought in about fifteen hundred men. On the 13th Nixon arrived with his brigade of six himdred from Albany, and on the 30th the whole force fit for duty was returned at 4,467 men, half-equipped and deficient in ammu- nition and every kind of supplies. Before them at Skenesborough, within a day's forced march, lay Burgoyne with his superior force of veteran troops, flushed with victory. The first period of the campaign, as Burgoyne termed it in his narrative of his operations, ended at Skenesborough. So far his march had been successful ; tri- umphant even. With proud exultation his general orders of the 10th, issued at Skenesborough House, directed that divine ser\dce should be performed on the next Sunday at the head of the line and of the advance corps, and a feu de joic to be fired at sunset on the same day witli cannon and small arms at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, the camp at Skenesborough, the camp at Castleton, and the post of Breyman's coqis. In the hour of pride commenced the second period of Burgoyne's campaign, which may be termed the period of his errors and his misfortunes. In the plan laid before the King, Burgoyne, as has already been stated, had him- self expressed his belief that the possession of Lake George was of great conse- quence as the most expeditious and most commodious route to Albany, and that by South Bay and Skenesborougli should not be attempted; and the King him- self expressed a similar opinion, adding that nothing but an ab.solute impossi- bility of succeeding by Lake George should be an excuse for proceeding by the other route. A glance at the map, even to one not familiar with the topography of the country, will make this apparent. The distance from Ticonderoga to Lake George is little over two miles. Lake George itself is about thirty-five miles long. The petty naval force on the lake, consisting of two small schooners, could not have resisted a brigade of g\inbo,ats. Fort George could have opposed no serious obstacle to the conqueror of "Ty." Gordon says, on military authority, and adds that Gates, who was familiar with every inch of ground, had rejieatcdly expressed the same opinion, that by a rapid movement with light pieces Burgoyne coiild have reached Albany by the time he got to the riudson. This view was corroborated by Captain Bloomfield, of the Koyal Artillery. In evidence before the committee of the House of Commons on the conduct of the campaign, he said that the artillery could have been easily moved by land from Fort George to the Hudson river in two days. Even when at Skenesborough the true policy of Burgoyne was an immediate return to Ticon- deroga to avail of the water line. Ilis orders were to move by the most exjie- 180 Centennial Celebrations. ditious route. But General Burgoyne had proclaimed, "This army must not retreat," aud Phillips, his chief adviser, is known to have held the Americans in great contempt. Jefferson said of him, of personal knowledge, "that he was the proudest man of the proudest nation on earth." It has been said further tliat Burgoyne was misled by Mr. Skene, who had persuaded him of a lising of the loyalists in the region ; and of Skene, that his main object was to secure the building of a military road through the extensive property of which he was pro- prietor, and which bore his name. Skenesborough is the present Whitehall. Burgoyne, in excuse for his delay, saj's that, from the natm'e of the country and the necessity of waiting a fresh supply of provisions, it was impossible to follow the quick retreat of the Americans, and considered the short cut from Fort Ann to Fort Edward, though attended witli great labor, as the most available route. Here was the first great error, of which the alert Schuyler, to whom every inch of the ground was familiar, was quick to take advantage. Immediately upon the arrival of Nixon's Brigade at Fort Edward, it was advanced to Fort Ann to fell trees into Wood Creek, and upon the road from Port Ann south. So thoroughly was this effected that the invading army was compelled to remove at every ten or twelve yards great trees which lay across the road, and exclusive of the natural difficulties of the country, the watery ground and marshes were so numerous that they were compelled to construct no less than forty bridges (one of which was nearly two miles in length) on the march from Skenesborough to Fort Edward. Lake George was partially used for the transport of stores, Fort George, at the head of the lake, having been abandoned by the Americans, who, after saving forty pieces of cannon and fifteen tons of gunpowder, barely escaped being cut off by the movement of the enemy to Fort Edward. Such were the obstructions thrown in his way that Burgoyne only made his head -quarters at Fort Edward on the 30th of July, having consumed twenty-four days after his arrival at Skenes- boi'ough in a movement of twenty-six miles. Here his eyes were cheered with a first view of the Hudson, a vision delusive as a mir.agc. Schuyler, having secured his artillery, began to fall back and, on the 27th, abandoned Fort Edward to the British, taking post at Moses' Creek, four miles below, which Kosciusko had settled upon as a more defensible place than Fort Edward, which was almost in ruins. So elated was Schuyler by the bringing off of the artillery, that he wrote that " he believed the enemy would not see Alban}' this campaign." A week later, by advice of all the general officers, he moved his army, first to Fort Miller, six miles below, then to Saratoga, and finally to Still- water, about thirty miles north of Albany, where he proposed to await re-enforce- ments and fortify a camp. Stillwater was reached on the 3d of August, and an intronchment was begun the next day. The fall of Ticonderoga had excited intense alarm throughout the countrj'; the popular imagination had invested it with the impregnabitity of an enchanted castle. Its capture had been the first conquest of the patriots, and it was supposed to be the natural key to the northern region. Yet in spite of the popular discourage- ment, the leaders were still hopeful of a happy result of the campaign. So con- fident was Schuyler in ultimate success that he expressed the presentiment on the 14th of July that "we shall still have a Merry Christmas," and on the 3.5th he wrote to the Committee of Albany that the progress of Burgoyne need give no alarm — to use his own words, that should he ever get as far down as Half Moon he would run himself into the greatest danger, and that in all probability his whole army would be destroyed. This ho])efulness was not confined to Schuyler. W.asli- 15e.mu.s IIkiuuts. 181 ini^ton liiinsolf at this pcrioil rxprcsspd liis opinion that the success Burgoync had met with '• would precipitate his ruin," and that liLs "acting in detachments was the course of all otiiersmost favorable to the American cause." He adds: " Could wc be so happy as to cut one of them oS, supposing it should not exceed four, five or six hundred men, it would inspirit the people and do away with much of their present anxiety. In such an event they would lose siglit of past misfortune, anil, lu'ged at the same time by a regarii for their own security, they would fly to arms and afford every aid in their power." In view of the events about to trans- pire, the words of the great chief seem almost prophetic. To us in these days, looking over the field without passion, prejudice or fear, it seems that even a junction between Burgoync and Howe would not have been by any means fatal to the patriot cause. The British had not the force adequate to niaiutaiii the line of the Hudson. At no time did their army at the north hold more than the ground on which they stood. Howe, like Burgoync, derived his provisions and supplies from England. Wliile Burgoync was slowly plodding his way against almost insuperable diiii- culties in the path lie had chosen, checking desertion only b}' constant executions, and even bj' authority to the savages to scalp every soldier found outside the lines, St. Leger, with his command re-enforced by Sir John Johnson and the loyalists of Tryon county, appeared before Fort Stanwix on the 2d of August. Tlie story of the siege and the bloody struggle on the field of Oriskany need not be recited here. The brave resistance of the garrison under Ganscvoort and Willet, and the heroic Ijchavior of Herkimer and the yeomanry of Tryon against desperate odds, have lately been occasion of centennial celebration. This expedition was a prin- cipal feature of tlie original plan of the campaign, and, although St. Leger held an independent command, his failure was a complete paralysis of the right wing of the army of invasion. Stunned by the resistance he encountered, and learning of the re-enforcement of the Americans by troojjs from Schuyler's command, he retraced his steps to Oswego, and thence with the remnant of his force to Jlon- treal, where he aiTived too late to take any further part in the campaign. From the 30th of July to the loth of August, Burgoyne was busy at Fort Edward, getting down batteaux, provisions and ammunition from Fort George to the Hudson, a distance of about sixteen miles. The roads were out of repair in some parts, steep and mtich broken by exceeding heavy rains ; with all his exer- tions he was not able in fifteen days to accumulate more than four daj's' provis- ions for a forward movement. This delay, however, enabled him to carry out another cherished plan, that of detaching a corps from his left, in order, to use his own words, "to give jealousy" to Connecticut, and hold in check the country known as the Hampshire Grants. To this he had been further incited by Major-Gencral Riedesel, who had comnuuided the Black Hussars in Germany, and was now anxious to mount his dragoons. Besides this indticement, Burgoyne had learned that Bennington was the great deposit of corn, flour and cattle, that it was guarded by militia ouly, and that the country about was much disaffected to the Americans. Under these impressions, with this purpose, and being now ready for his own advance, he despatched an expedition under lyieutenant-Colonel Baum. At daybreak on the 14lh, Burgoyne broke camp at Fort Edward and fjegan his advance. His objective point was Albany, where he expected to be joined by St. Leger coming down the Mohawk, and Baum from his raid upon Bennington. On the Mtli, he established his head-i|ii;n'ters at Duer's house (at Fort Miller), 182 Centenmial Celebrations. about six miles below. A bridge of rafts was constructed, over which the advance corps passed the Hudson and encamped on the heights of Saratoga. On the 17th, before the main body could be gotten over, the river being swollen by heavy rains, and the current runnijig rajsidly, the bridge was carried away. The advance being thus isolated, was recalled, and recrossed the river in scows and took up their old encampment on the IJatten Kill. Here, at a shoal part of the river, a pontoon was constructed across the Hudson, directly opposite Saratoga, which was completed about the 30th. But obstacles of another nature presented themselves. On the 17th, Burgoyne receiving information of disaster to Baiun, and suddenly convinced of the impossibility of obtaining provisions and supplies from the country, in his general orders informed the troops of the necessity of a halt. For the iirst time his eyes were opened to the difficulties of his situation. He found himself vi'ith an extended line of communication, no hope of obtaining provisions in the neighborhood, deceived as to the sentiment of the country and in the midst of a hardy population exulting in success. The surprise and defeat of Baum by Stark and Warner, with the New England militia, on the loth of August, was not to liim the most discouraging feature of the battle of Benning- ton. It was the rally of the farmers from every quarter, all accustomed to the use of firearms from childhood, in a section of country abounding in game. Not Braddock himself in the toils of Indian stratagem was more helpless than the Hessians of Baum and Brej'man, with clumsy accoutrements, their heavy boots sinking at every step deep in the wet soil, and moving with military discipline, exposed to the fire of a thousand marksmen concealed by bushes and trees. To relate the incidents of the glorious victory at this time, and before this audience, would be to tell a " twice-told tale." But it is not to be forgotten that this battle also was fought on the soil of the Empire State. Its result justified Washington's military judgment in his opinion of the danger to Burgoyne of detached operations, and the enthusiasm it aroused realized his prediction and showed his thorough knowledge of the temper of the people. To the army of Burgoj'ne the consequences were serious. The return of the scattered remnant of the force, which went out from camp in such high hopes and spirits, damped the ardor of both officers and men. A few days later a courier from St. Leger, guided by a friendly Indian by Saratoga Lake and Glen's Falls, brought intelli- gence of failure in that quarter. The shadow which had fallen on the army now deepened into gloom. In spite of all these discouragements, the proud spirit of Burgoyne could not brook the thought of abandoning the expedition. Choosing to adopt a strict construction of the King's orders, " to go to Albany," he assumed the entire responsibility of further advance without consultation of his officers. It was not until the 12th September that Burgoyne, compelled to depend wholly upon Canada for supplies, had accumulated the thirty days' provisions which he thought necessary to his further advance. On that day he issued his orders to move. His army crossed the Hudson on the 13th, and on the 14tli encamped on the heights and plains of Saratoga. Here was the country seat of General Schuy- ler, with his commodious dwelling, his mill, a church and several houses. Not a living creature was to be seen, but broad fields, rich with waving grain ready for the reaper. Before night the wheat was cut and threshed and in the mill for grinding. The Indian corn was apportioned as forage for the horses, and the beautiful plantation, which in the morning was a scene of peace and plenty, stripped to the last blade. The jjassage of the river was the close of what Bur- goyne terms the second period of his campaign. Beaiu.s IIkights. 183 Before entering on the third period, which may be termed the battle period, we must return to tlie American army, which we left under Schuyler at Stillwater, intrenching their camp on the 4th August. On the same day he received advice of the investment of Fort Stanwix; on the 7th reports of the battle of Oriskany, with exaggerated account of the American loss. On tlie 11th he detached Gen- eral Learned to the assistance of the garrison, and on the loth Arnold, whom Washington liad ordered to the Northern Department, because of his encouraging presence to the dispirited militia, was sent up with full powers to cover the Mohawk settlements. Alarmed by the prospect of St. Leger's descent by the Mohawk River, Schuyler, who on every occasion displaycil strategic skill of tlie first order, fill back from .'Stillwater to the confluence of the Hudson and the Jlohawk where, on the 14th, he took post on Van Schaick's Island, nine miles from Albany. This had been selected as a secure position for the main body, which had been greatly weakened by the detachments sent up the valley of the Mohawk and to the Hampshire Grants, where General Lincoln had gone, by order of Washington, to organize a movement to cut off Burgoyne's communication with Canada. Correct as all these movements of General Schuyler appear to us now, as seen in the light of history, they were the cause of intense dissatisfaction to the people, whom each successive movement of Burgoyne had filled with alarm. Rumors derogatory to the personal courage and integrity, as well as the patriotism, of Schuyler were rife in all sections, particularly in New England, where the old preju- dice against their Dutch neighbors still prevailed. In all the difficulties with regard to boundary Schuyler had been prominent iu defense of the rights of the New York colony, and the antagonism between the two sides of the river was now intensified by the revolt of the Hampshire Grants against tlie authority of Xew York, and their declared purpose to set up a State for themselves. Schuy- ler, whose spirit was high and whose nature was sensitive to excess, chafed sorely under the acensalion against him, but, sustained by his own sense of tlie value of his services, the sympathy of the New York government and the confidence of Washington, he had maintained his command. The year before he had demanded an investigation into his conduct iu evacuating Crown Point, which was looked upon !is the beginning of disaster, and had tendered his resignation to Congress, who, however, refused to accept of it, and promised an investigation of his con- duct. In November he had ai)plied again to Congress for permission to repair to Philadelphia on that business, to which Congress consented. Appointed delegate to Congress by the New York Convention, he had taken his seat in April, and secured the p;us.sage of a resolution of inquiry. The committee made a report in May, which thoroughly vindicated him and ]ilaccd him iu full command of the Northern Department. The advance of Burgoyne, penetrating into the heart of the country, and the fact that Schuyler himself had perstmally participated in no engagement, revived the distrust with which he wa*; viewed by the Eastern troops; a distrust which paralyzed his influence and made a change in the command of the Northern Department an absolute necessity. No stronger ])roof of the existence and strength of this feeling is needed than his own words. Writing to Washington from Saratoga, on the 28th July, he said: " So far from the militia that are with me increasing, they are daily diminishing, and I am very confident that in ten days, if the enemy should not disturb us, we shall not have five hundred left; and although I have entreated this and tlic Eastern States to send up a re-enforcement 184 Centhnjmial Celebratiojsts. of them, yet I doubt miicli if any will come up wlien the spirit of malevolence knows no bounds, and I am considered as a traitor." On the 1st of August Congress passed resolutions ordering General Schuyler to repair to head-quarters, and directed Washington to order such general officer as he deemed proper to relieve him in his command. On the 4tli a letter from Washington was laid before Congress, asking to be excused from making an appointment of an officer to command the Northern army. An election was tlien held by Congress, and Major-General Gates was chosen by the vote of eleven States. AVashington was informed of the result, and was directed to order Gene- ral Gates at once to his post. Washington . was then at Philadelpliia, and the same day informed Gates of his appointment. Schuyler was at Albany when the resolution reached him on the 10th. His magnanimity on this occasion is matter of record. Solomon tells us that, "Better is he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." To no man, of whom liistorj', ancient or modern, makes mention can tliis phrase be more justly applied than to Schuyler. The judgment of Con- gress as to the propriety of a change is sufficiently shown by Schujder's own letters to that body on the 15th August, in which he said that he had not been joined by any of the New England militia, and that there were only sixty or seventy on the ground from the State of New York. Whether Schuyler had great military capacity or not is a question which cannot be answered. That he had no opportu- nity of displaying it on the field is certain; that he was possessed of tlie strongest common sense and of that rarest quality in the human mind, tlie organizing faculty, is beyond doubt. No other man in America could have performed the services whicli he rendered, and it may certainly be said that they were second only to those of Washington in importance and extent. He continued in com- mand of the troops until the arrival of Gates on the 19th August, to whom he gave the cordial reception of a soldier and a gentleman. Gates was by no means overjoyed at the responsibility with which he was intrusted. He found the army dejected, although somewhat encouraged by the victory at Bennington. His arrival revived the spirits of the troops, and the precision which he at once introduced into the camp increased their resolution. Words of congratulation and encouragement pressed in upon him from the east- ward, and the announcement of the approacli of militia from all sections added to the courage of the men. During the retreat the army had been greatly distressed by the savages in Bur- goyne's command, who hung upon the flanks and outposts, and by their merciless cruelty excited an alarm which their real importance by no means justified. AVashington, aware of tlie disadvantages under which the militia lay in their apprehension from this cause, on the 30th dispatched Colonel Morgan to his assist- ance with his corps of riflemen. This corps of five hundred men was a coi'ps d' elite, which had been selected from the entire army for their proficiency in the use of the rifle and the Indian mode of warfare. Gates thanked Washington warmly for this valuable assistance and for his advice concerning the use to be made of them. They arrived on the 33d. To them Gates added two hundred and fifty bayonets, also carefully picked from the line, whom he placed under the command of Major Dearborn, a determined officer. On the 8th September, the army havmg been recruited to about 6,000 men, Gates felt strong enough to make a forward movement, and marched to Stillwater, where a line of intrenchments was begun the next day. It was soon found, how- ever, that the extent of low ground was too great to admit of proper defense of Bkmus IIkigiits. 185 flit' center iiiul left. A more favorable point was selected, two miles and a lialf to the northward, where a range of hills, covered by a narrow defile in front and jutting close upon the river, offered an admirable defensive position. The forti- iicatiua was at once begun, under the direction of Kosciusko, the Engineer-in- C'liief, and the army took possession on the 12th. The ground is that which was then and is now known as Bemus Heights, and upon it were contested the hard- fought actions which determined the campaign. Here Gates resolved to await the attack of Burgoyne, without precipitating movements with his mostly raw troops until they had acquired some discipline ; certainly not until he should hear of the .success of the attempt making to reach Burgoyne's rear and distress his army. General Lincoln, who was ch.arged with this expedition, moved from JlanclieB- ter to Pawlet with his militia force, consisting of about two thousand men. On bis advance, the British guard at Skenesborough fell back, destroying a number of boats. On the 13th he despatched Colonel Brown with five hundred men to the landing at Lake George, to release the American prisoners and destroy the British stores, and the same number of men under Colonel Johnson to Mount Independence, to create a diversion in favor of the operations of Colonel Brown, who was directed to push to Ticonderoga, if opportunity offered. A like number of men was also sent, under Colonel Woodbridge, to Skenesborough, thence to Fort Ann, and on to Fort Edward. Lincoln at once advised Gates of this move- ment. Colonel Brown managed his operations with great skill and secrecy. After a night march he reached the north end of Lake George at daybreak on the morn- ing of the 17th, surprisingjn detail all the outposts between the landing and the fortress of Ticonderoga, Mount Deiiancc, Jlount Hope, the French lines, a block- house, two hundred batteaux and several gunboats, taking prisoners two hundred and ninety-three British and Canadians, and releasing one hundred Americans. Among his trophies was the Continental standard left at " Ty " when the Fort was evacuated. The gims at Fort Defiance were turned upon the fortress of Ticonde- roga, but no impression could bo made on its walls. Taking the gunboats, Brown sailed up tlie lake, and on the 24th made an attack on Diamond Island, about four miles north of Fort George, but was warmly received and repulsed. JIaking for the eastern shore, he reached the camp of General Warner at Skenesborough on the 2Gth, by the way of Fort Ann. A curious testimony to the effect of these raids on the rear of the British army exists in the Gates papers, in an intercepted letter from St. Leger, WTitten at Ticonderoga the 29th of September, informing Burgoyne of his arrival there, and asking for guides to lead him down. To return to Burgoyne, whom we left encamped at Saratoga on the 14tn. The next day he moved forward at noon, forming his troops into three columns, after passing Schuyler's house, and encamped at Dovogat (the present Coevillcj, where they lay accoutred that night. On the IGth there was a fog so heavy that even foragers were forbidden to leave camp. Later in the day detached parties were em|)loyed in repairing the bridges and reconnoitering the countr}-. On the 17th the army resumed their march, repaired bridges and encamped at Sword's Farm, four miles from Gates' position. The general orders directed the army to be imder arms at an hour before daybreak. Ilis approach was known to Gates by report of his adjutant, Wilkinson, who led a scouting party and saw the passage of the river. On the 18th ])reparations were made to harass him, and General Arnold was sent out with fifteen hundred men to endeavor to stop the repair of the bridges. After some light skirmi.shiug Arnold fell back, and Bur- 24 186 Centennial Celebrations. CToyne moved forward as far as Wilbur's Basin, about two miles from the Ameri- can position. He there established his camp, which he fortified with iutrench- ments and redoubts, his left on the river, his right extending at right angles to it across the low ground about six hundred yards, to a range of steep and lofty heights ; a creek or gully in his front, made by a rivulet which issued from a great ravine formed by the hills, known as the North Kavine. On the morning of the 19th, Burgoyne, after a careful reconnoitering of the passages of the great ravine and the road around its head, leading to the extreme left of the American camp, advanced to the attack in three di\'isions. Fraser on tlie right, with the light infantry, sustained by Breyman's German rUlemen, and covered on the flanks by Canadians, Provincials and Indians, made a wide circuit to the west in order to pass the ravine -ndthout quitting the heights, and afterward to cover the march of the line to the right. The center, commanded by Burgoyne in person, passed the ravine in a direct line south, and formed in order of battle as fast as they gained the summit, where they waited to give time for Fraser to make the circuit. The left wing, led by Eiedescl and Phillips, and composed of the Hessian troops and the artillery, moved along the river road and meadows in two columns. Their advance was delayed by the repair of the bridges. The Forty-seventh Regiment were charged -with the guard of the batteaux containing the stores of the army. Burgoyne's purpose was himself to attack the left of the American lines in front and engage their attention until Fraser, moving over the table land, should turn the extreme left of the American position and reach their rear. Riedesel and Phillips were to change direction at the southern end of the ravine and march west to connect -with the British center. When, between one and two o'clock, the columns had reached their positions they moved at signal guns. From the conformation of the ground this was the only practicable man- ner by which Burgoyne could possibly advance, the river road being covered by the American artillery. Beyond the great North Ravine in front of the British position, and half way between it and the ground fortified by the Americans, there was another deep ravine called the Middle Ravine, through which Mill creek stUl runs, and directly in front of the American camp and covered by its guns was another ravine of lesser extent, but still a formidable obstruction to the advance of an enemy. The wliole country, with the exception of a few cleared patches, was heavily wooded, the ravines as well as the upper table lands. On the high ground (Bemus Heiglits) south was the American intrenched line, extending eastwardly to the river bank and westwardly to the extremity of the hill where a redoubt was begun. Beyond it felled trees obstructed the passage of the gullies between the flank defenses on the left and the neighboring hills. The lines, which were about a mile in extent, inclosed what is still known as Neilson's Farm. The hills on the east of the Hudson commanded a general view of Burgoyne's camp. On the morning of tlie 19th, Gates was informed by Lieutenant-Colonel Col- burn, of the New Hampshire line, who had been sent out the day before, to observe the movements of the enemy, that the British had struck their tents and crossed the gully at the gorge of the great ravine, and were ascending the heights toward the American left. Arnold, who commanded the left wing, and was at this time at head-quarters, suggested a movement to attack. Colonel Morgan, with his rifle corps, supported by Major Dearborn's light infantry, was immediately ordered out to observe their direction and harass their advance. About half-past twelve a report of small arms announced that Jlorgan's men had struck the Bkmus Hkigh'i's. 187 encmj'. Tlicy hail fallen in with Burgoyne's pickets, who made tlie advance guard of tlie British line, and l\ad posted themselves in a cabin on Freeman's farm, which was one of the few cleared spots in tliat thickly wooded country. They were quickly dislodged by >[orgun, wlio, pursuing hotly, fell on the main body, whicli Burgoync had formed into line in the tirst opening in the woods, by whom they were instantly routed, witli loss of several officers and men. Wilkinson, wlio witnessed the rally of the riflemen, hurried to Gates, who at once gave directions for their support. Cilloy'a and Scammers legiments of New Hampshire (part of General Poor's brigade of Continental regulars) were ordered to advance through the woods and take ground on the left of Morgan, and the action was renewed about one o'clock. This movement would have turned the British right but for the disposition of General Fraser, wlio had promptly arrived at his appointed post and taken an advantageous position on a height, whicli covered the British right. !Meet- ing this obstacle the Americans counter-marched, and pushed through the woods toward the left of Burgoyne's column. To their support the five remaining regiments of Poor's brigade, consisting of Hale's, of New Hampshire, Van Cortlandt's and Henry Livingston's, of New York, and Cook's and Latimor's, of the Connecticut Militia, were successively led to the field at the points of the action where greatest pressure was perceived. About three o'clock the action became general. Burgoyne's division was vigorously attacked and .suffered severely. One regiment of grenadiers and part of the light infantry under Lord Balcarras from Fraser's division participated at times in the action, but it was not thought advisable to weaken Fraser's force on the heights, except par- tially and occasionally. Major-General Phillips, hearing the firing, made his way at once through the woods to Burgoyne's support, bringing with him four pieces of artillery, a difficult task, considering the nature of the ground, and entered the action at a critical time. Riedesel also got up with part of the left wing before the close of the battle. The Americans, feeling the pressiu-e of this re-enforcement, Gates ordered out the whole of Learned's brigade, consisting of Bailey's, "Wes- son's, and Jackson's regiments, of the Massachusetts line, and James Livingston's, of New York, and also Marshall's regiment, of the Massachusetts line. They were but slightly engaged. Darkness ended the contest, the Americans only withdraw- ing when objects became undistinguishable. The number engaged on each side was not far from equal. The American force was about 3,000, and Burgoj'ne stated his to be about 3,500. The mode of fighting of tlie Americans more tlian equaled this discrepancy. The field of action was such that, although the com- batants clianged ground a dozen times in the course of the day, the contest termi- nated with each body in its original position. The British were formed on an emi- nence in a thin pine wood, having before it Freeman's farm, an oblong field, stretch- ing from its center toward its right, tlie ground in front sloping gently down to the verge of the field, which was l>ordered on the opposite side by a close wood, held by the Americans. The sanguinary scene lay in the cleared ground between the eminence occupied by the enemy and the wood just mentioned. The fire of the American marksmen from the wood was too deadly to be withstood by the British in line, and when they gave way and broke, the Americans, making for their center, pursued them to the eminence, where, having their flanks protected, they rallied, and charging in turn drove tlie .Vmericans back into the wood, whence adreadful fire would again force them to fall back, and in this manner did the bat- 188 ' Centennial Celebrations. tie fluctuate, like the waves of a stormy sea, with alternate advantage, for foul hours without one moment's intermission ; the British artillery fell into the hands of the Americans at every charge, but they could neither turn the pieces on the enemy nor bring them o3; the wood prevented the last, and the wan|; of a match the first, as the linstock was invariably carried oH, and the rapidity of the transi- tions would not allow time to provide one. The slaughter of the artillery was remarkable, the captain and twenty-six men out of forty-eight being killed or wounded. Such is Wilkinson's concise and picturesque account of -this action, which he considered one of the longest, warmest, and most obstinate battles fought in America. Here was seen the superiority of the American rifle over the British bayonet, on which Burgoyne so confidently relied. In his report to Congress, Gates accorded the glory of the action entirely to the valor of the rifle regiment and corps of light infantry under the command of Colonel Morgan. The British were surprised at the courage and obstinacy with which the Americans fought, and, as one who was present has recorded, found to their dismay that they were not that contemptible enemy they had been hitherto imagined, incapable of standing a regular engagement, and willing only to fight behind strong and powerful works. The battle on the part of the Americans was essentially a soldiers' battle. While Burgoyne led his men in person, exjjosing himself with great bravery, directing the movements of the British line, the Americans had no general officer in the field until the evening, wlien General Learned was ordered out. The battle was fought by the general concert and zealous co-operation of the corps engaged, and sus- tained more by individual courage than military discipline, as is shown by the loss of the militia in comparison with that of the regular troops. During the action Gates and Arnold remained in front of tlie center of the camp. This is no matter for comment or surprise, as it was neither the policy nor the purpose of Gates to bring on a general engagement, which might have involved his forces to such an extent as to leave his riglit exposed and uncover the river road. Tlie intrenclimeuts were not half completed, those on the left hardly begun. Moreover, the militia were every day arriving. Eacli day's delay increased his own chances of success while diminishing those of the enemy. The loss of the Americans, killed, wounded and missing, was three hundred and twenty-one ; that of the British, six hundred — a disparity more remark-able, as the ground did not admit of the use of artillery by the Americans. Both sides claimed the victory ; in reality it was a drawn battle. The British held the strong position Fraser had occupied in the morning, which, however. Gates had no desire of disputing, as his army was acting on the defensive. The Americans, on the other hand, had marched out from their camp, mot the enemy more than half way, and after inflicting upon them a stunning blow, returned to their intrench- ments. Far more imjiortant than any physical advantage was the effect on the morale of the two armies. The patriots had met the main body of the invading army on equal terms, while the invaders had learned to their bitter cost the terrors of a warfare in which their discipline was of little avail. The British lay on their arms the night of the battle, and the next day, the SOtli, took a position just out of reach of the cannon of the American camp, where they fortified, and at the same time extended their left to the brow of the heights, so as to cover the meadows on tlie river. A bridge of boats was thrown over the Hudson, and a work erected on the east side of the river. The Ameri- cans on tlieir side worked diligently in completing the defenses of their extremely strong position. The mirning was foggy, and there was considerable alarm in the Bemus Heights. 189 American camp, causpcl by the storj' of a descrtLT, tliat an attack was intended. It has been since stated that Uiirgoync really directed a movement, but was dis- suaded by General Eraser, who, because of the fatigue of his men, begged for a day's delay. Meanwhile a spy from Clinton brought a letter to Burgoyne, with advice of his intended expedition against the Highlands, which determined him to postpone the attack and await events. If such were the case, this was another and fatal error of Burgoyne. His general orders, however, of the 20th, ordering the advance of the army at three o'clock, seem inconsistent with the story, and there is no confirmation of it in his own narrative ; but, on the contrary, he admits that he was persuaded that the American camp was strongly fortified. On the 22d, Gates learned from General Lincoln of Colonel Brown's success at Ticon- deroga. His reply to Lincoln shows that at this time he did not feel him.self strong enough to prevent Burgoyne's retreat. He therefore urged the destruction of all buildings, batteau.x, etc., on the line which should afford him shelter, that, to use l\is own words, " he may have no resting place until he reaches Canada." The next morning he adds a postscript, to the effect that, by his scouts, it was "past a doubt that the enemy's army remain in their camp, that their advance was within one mile of his own, and urged the immediate forwarding of the militia." He is satisfied, he adds, "that New York, and not Ticonderoga, is General Burgoyne's object." On the 23d, in consequence of a direction in general orders thut Morgan's inde- pendent corps was responsible to head-quarters only, a difference which had been long brewing between Gates and Arnold ended in a public dispute. High words passed between them. Arnold was excluded from head-quarters, and demanded permission to go to Philadelphia to report to Congress, a request of which Gates took instant advantage. Suspended from command at his own desire, Arnold found too late the unfortunate jjosition in which he would place his reputation by leaving the army at this critical jimcture. He changed his mind and remained in camp, murnniring discontent and spreading sedition by the intemperance of his conduct and language. Gales took Arnold's division under his own command, and assigned Lincoln, who came in the same day, to the command of the right wing. With the militia wlio flocked to Gates' camp came a band of Oneida and Tus- carora Indians, who had been jicrsuaded by the influence of Schuyler, then active as Indian commissioner, to join the army. They were objects of such curiosity that it became necessary to forbid the soldiers from flocking to their encampment. These Indians were, however, a terror to the enemy. Gates' orders distinguished them from Burgoyne's savages by a red woolen cap. On the '?<1 October, Burgoyne was compelled to diminish the soldiers' nations, the foraging parties meeting but litth^ success, and requiring heavy covering parties. The Americans were constantly in the field, harassing the advanced pickets, and night alarms prevented the British from quitting their clothes and deprived them of rest. The main bodies of both armies lay in quiet, while the woods resounded to the stroke of the axe, felling trees for the fortifications. Burgoyne sent word to Clinton on the 2;5d September, that he would await news from him until the 12th October. Iliedcsel, in his memoirs of the camp.aign, says that the situation becoming daily more critical and the iiicniy too strong, both in numbers and position, to be attacked, Burgoyne on the 4th called Generals Phillips, Riedesel and Fniser, to consult with them as to what measures to adopt. He proposed to leave the boata 190 Centennial Celebrations. and stores under strong guard, and turning the left wing of Gates, to attempt an attack ; uo decision was arrived at. A second conference was held on the even- in'T of tlie Otli, when Riedesel recommended an immediate attack or a return to Batten-Kill. Fraser approved of this plan. Phillips declined to express an opinion. Burgoyne terminated the discussion by declaring that he would make a reconnaissance of the left wing of the Americans on the 7th, and if there were any prospect of success he would attack on tlie 8th or return to a position at Free- man's Farm, and on the 11th begin a retreat to the rear of Batten-Kill. Just before noon on the Ttli Burgoyne marched out of camp with fifteen hun- dred men and ten pieces of artillery, destined for the reccmnaissance, and also to cover a foraging party to relieve their immediate distress. The troops were formed into three columns, under Phillips, Riedesel and Fraser, within three- quarters of a mile of the American left. The rangers, Indians and provincials, were ordered to pass through the woods and gain the rear of the camp. The for- ao-ino- party entered a field and began to cut the wheat in sight of the American outposts, wlien the alarm was given and the Americans beat to arms. Wilkinson went to the front to see the cause, and observed the foragers at work, the cover- ino' party, and the officers with their glasses endeavoring to reconnoitre the American left. He reported their positicm to Gates, and gave as his opinion that they were incUned to offer battle. "I would indulge them," he added, where- upon Gates replied: "Well, then, order on Morgan to begin the game." A plan was concerted, with the approx-al of Gates, for Morgan to make a detour and gain a height on the right of the enemy, time enough for wliich was allowed him before Poor's brigade were sent to attack the left. The British generals were still consulting as to the best mode of pursuing the reconnaissance when the New Hampshire and New York troops of Poor's brigade fell upon the British left, where the grenadiers under Major Ackland were posted, with impetuous fury and extended the attack to the front of the Germans. At this time Morgan descended the hill, and striking the Ught infantry on the right endeavored to turn their flank. Seeing his danger of being enveloped, Burgoyne ordered a second position to be taken by the light infantry, to secure t!ie return of his troops to camp. Mean- while Poor's brigade pressed the left with ardor and compelled them to give way. Fraser, with part of his light infantry, moved rapidly to prevent an entire rout, and fell mortally wounded. Phillips and Riedesel were then ordered to cover a general retreat, which was effected in good order, though hard pressed, the enemy leaving eight pieces of cannon in the hands of the Americans, most of their artillerymen being killed or wounded. Hardly had the British entered their camp wlien it was stormed with great fury in the face of a severe fire of grape and musketry. The British intrench- ments were stoutly defended by Balcarras and no impression was made. The German intrenched camp of Brcyman, with the provincials, was carried by Learned, who appeared on the ground with his fresh brigade at sunset, and an opening was thus made in the right and roar whicli exposed the whole British camp, but the darkness of the night, and the fatigue and disorder of the men, prevented advantage being taken of this situation. In the night Burgoyne broke up his camp and retired to his original position, which he had fortified behind the Groat Ravine. Thus closed the second battle of Saratoga, known as the Battle of Bemus Heights. The loss of the British was estimated at six Inmdred killed, wounded and taken prisoners, that of the Ameri- cans did not exceed one hundred and fift}' killed and wounded. Burgoyne lo.st Bemus Heights. 191 the flower of liis officers. Besides General Fraser and Sir Francis Clark, his principal aide, who were mortally wounded, and Brej'man who was killed, Majors Ackland and Williams wore taken prisoners, the former wounded. On th(! American side Arnold, who behaved with the most desperate valor, exposing him- self in a frantic manner and leading the troops without authority, just as the vic- tory w:us won received a ball which fractured his leg and killed his horse; and General Lincoln, while on his way to order a cannonade on the enemy's eamp, received a niusket-ball in the leg which shattered the bone. "With regard to the conduct of this battle, much has been said. Gates has been blamed for not leav- ing his camp, and Arnold has been lauded as the hero of the day. These criti- cisms are equally unjust. Up to sunset when Learned's corps was sent forward to finish the action, there was only one brigade in the field. Gates' place was with the center and right, where the militia were posted, and the security of his camp and the jjrotection of the road to Albany his one true concern. Arnold's reckless daring no doubt encouraged and inspired the troops, but there is no evidence of any generalship on his part. Ilad the day resulted differently, he would have been deservedly cashiered. Gates, in his report to Congress of the 12th, wnth great magnanimity, mentioned his gallantry and woimd while forcing the enemy's breastworks. AVliile commending all the troops engaged for their spirit, he gave especial praise to Jlorgan's riflemen and Dearborn's light infantry. When Burgoyno fell back to his original position, he was in hopes that this change of front would induce Gates to form a new disposition, and perhaps attack him in his lines, where his s\iperior artillery would have given him the advantage. During the 8th, he repeatedly offered battle to the American right, but Gates was too thorough a soldier to be tempted in this manner. His plans were more com- prehensive. On the evening of the 7th he ordered General Fellows, who was at Tift's Mill with thirteen hundred men, to move to a position to prevent the recrossing of the Hudson at the Saratoga Ford. On the morning of the 8th Fel- lows took possession of the Saratoga barracks and began to throw up intreneh- ments, and sent an express to Bennington to hurry up troops to his assistance. Gates at once took possession of the abandoned camp at Freeman's Farm. Burgoyne receiving intelligence of this movement in his rear, began his retreat at nine o'clock at night, leaving his sick and woiuided. A heavy rain causing him to delay at Dovogat, he only reached Saratoga on the night of the Oth, and his artillery could not pass the ford of the Fishkill till the morning of the 10th. On the approach of the advance guard. Fellows, who had received notice of the retreat, crossed to the east side of the Hudson, where he was joined by the militia from Bennington, the rear of which arrived as Bm-goyne's front reached Saratoga. General Bayley, who cnninianded the militia column, had posted a force of one thousand men to guanl an intermediate ford, and also detached one thousand men to Fort Edward, to the command of which, at the request of Bayley, Stark was assigned on the 14th. The main body of Gates' army, having l)repared their provisions and equipped themselves, started in pursuit about noon. In the aft(Tnoon of tlu' 10th at four o'clock the advance reached Saratoga, and found Burgoyne encamped on the height beyond the Fishkill. Gates' forces look a position in the wood, on the Saratoga heights, their right resting on the brow of th(^ hill, about a mile in the rear of the Fishkill. On the 11th, Morgan was ordered to cross the Fishkill and fall upon the enemy's rear; there was a heavy fog. Morgan str\ick their pickets and concluded that Burgoyne had not retired as was supposed. Patterson's and Learned's brigades 1 92 Centennial Celebrations. were ordered to his support, and a vigorous cannonade Tvas opened on the front and rear. Twelve hundred men of Patterson's corps had hardly crossed the creek when the fog lifted and the whole British army was discovered in line of battle. The Americans feU back over the creek in disorder. Learnedjs corps was halted and the two brigades retired to a point a half mile distant, where they threw up intrenchments, which they held. The Americans succeeded in destroying a large number of batteaux and stores. The American artillery, which had taken no active part in the earlier battles, now came into play ; the passages of the river were covered by an incessant fire, every attempt to move the batteaux was instantly arrested, and as Bur- goyne himself stated, no part of his position was secure from the guns. On the 13th a council of war was called by Burgoyne, and a retreat, leaving stores and baggage, was agreed upon, but the scouts reporting that no movement could be made without immmediate discovery, the project was abandoned. On the 13th, only three days' stores remaining, a second council was held to which all field ofiicers and captains commanding corps were invited. They decided that the situation justified capitulation upon honorable terms. Negotiations were opened on the 14th with General Gates, and on the 16th the convention was signed. On the 17th October, the British army laid down its arms on the green in front of old Fort Hardy, on the north bank of the Fishkill, in the presence of Wilkinson, Gates' adjutant, and Burgoyne, accompanied by Riedesel and Phillips, rode to the American head-quarters. They were met by General Gates, followed by his suite, and accompanied by General Schuyler, who had come up from Albany for the occasion. Tlie British troops were then marched past in view of the American army, whose moderation in the hour of triumph is one of the most pleasing incidents of this historic scene. Burgoyne completed the formality of surrender by the tender of his sword. The total force surrendered, as appears by the official return, signed by General Burgoyne, and preserved among the Gates papers in the New York Historical Society, was 5,791, of which 3,379 were English and provincials and 3,413 Ger- man auxiliaries, together with a train of artillery of twenty-seven pieces. The strength of the American army, rank and file, at Saratoga on the day of surrender, appears from the same documents to have been 11,098, of which 7,716 of the Continental line [regulars], and 3,382 militia. In reviewing the whole campaign it will be observed how little real reliance could be placed on the mili- tia, whose short terms of service were a source of perpetual anxiety to the Gen- eral in command. No better or more appropriate illustration of this can be given than tlie action of the militia of the Hampshire Grants, whom General Gates had ordered to his support. The arrival in camp, on the 18th September, of these victors of Bennington, under General Stark, the hero of that battle, animated the whole army, who were aware that they were on the eve of an engagement, but to the mortification and disgust of Gates, their term of service expiring the same day, they marched home from the camp without unpacking their baggage, and as Wilkinson asserts, without any effort to induce them to remain on the part of their officers. It is not to be denied that the militia did occasional noteworthy service, but the brunt of the engagements fell upon the regular Continental troops, who before the close of the war became in every way the equal of their British foes The series of engagements known as the battle of Saratoga has been styled one of the fifteen decisive battles of the world. Its consequences were of such vast Bemus Heights. 193 importance as to entitle it to this distinction. The long cherished plan of the British Ministry, pursued tlirougli two campaigns with persevering obstinacy, was finally defeated. The open alliance of France was secured; the United States of America were recognized by the continental powers. The news of the victory spread rapi ily over the land, carrying joy to the hearts of the patriots. Wash- ington viewed it as a signal stroke of Pro\ddcnce. Congress voted the thanks of the nation to General Gates and his army, and a gold medal was struck and pre- sented to him in commemoration of the event. The last days of a century are closing upon these memorable scenes. How long will it be ere the government of this Empire State shall erect a monument to the gallant men who fought and fell upon these fields and here secured her liberty and renown? "Wlien Mr. Stevens had finished,, the invited guests proceeded to the spot where, on the 19th of September, 1777, Gates ate his breakfast, and enjoyed a collation. At four o'clock the troops were formed in line. The ground was not as even as it might be desired, but the movements were all executed in a most praiseworthy manner. After the parade the soldiers passed in review before Lieutenant-Governor Doesheimek and General Cabe and stail. The sham battle took place immediately afterward. This was, in the eyes of a great number of people, the chief attraction of the day. In the woods to the north of the grand stand a gun was placed under Lieutenant Mykr, of the Eleventh Infantry, United States army. A detachntent of the Tibbits Corps was also lodged in the woods. The Continental cavalry of Saratoga, under the command of General GoLDWiN, together with Lieutenant Myee and the Tibbits veterans, represented the British force. It was a small representation, but as the British were supposed to be concealed in the woods, it answered all purpcses. Tbe Americans M^ere on open ground. The other troops of the Tentli Brigade were constituted the colonial forces. The Chad- wick Guards of Cohoes were held as reserve. General Care was sup- posed ti) personate General Gates and Colonel Chamberlain repre- sented Benedict Arnold. Lieutenant Goldman, of the Fiftli United States Cavalry, was one of the aids of General Alden, who directed the movements. The British cannon first opened fire, M'hich was returned on the right and left of the American lines. The British cannon from its ambuscade kept up the dialogue. Part of the American corps advanced, and dropping on the ground fired a volley 194 Centennial Celebrations. into the woods. Charges, i-etreats and adxances were repeatedly made. Tlie Amei-icans at times rushed into the woods with wild cheers and retreated in disorder. The line being reformed, another charge was made, supported by movements in every direction. All the while the artillery duel continued. One thing noticeable was the precision with which the volleys of musketry were fired. Finally the whole American force made a grand charge, the enemy's cannon was silenced and cap- tured, the cavalry retreated in disorder, and victory belonged to the Americans. The battle was one of the best of the sort ever seen ; the move- ments and the general plan on which it was fought, brought to tlie minds of many the real battles of whicli more than a decade ago they were component parts. APPENDIX. Note 1. — The orthography used by Lasting and Stone in their histories is Benii's and most of the orators of the various centennial celebrations have spelled the name that way. Judge GEORGE G. Scott, of Ballston Spa, however, has made research into the orthography of the name, and is an authority upon the subject. He writes "'John Bem!is' appears upon the assessment roll of Stillwater in 1789, also in our early coimty records. Sylvester, in his history of Saratoga County, whenever the name occurs, adopts the same orthography." Note 3. — The name Mechanicville is here spelled without the " s," also upon the suggestion of Judge ScoiT who cites the act of incorporation as a village (chap. 786, Laws of 1870), and recent Red Books, in the list of incorporated villages, as authority therefor. This orthography is followed, although laws relative to the same previous to and since the act of incorporation spell the name with the "s." Sauiil ^iXIiams* OLD STONE FOET AT SCHOHARIE. Mom-jrrusrj. to David VviUiaiT-uS DAVID WILLIAMS. Ceremonies at the Old Fort in Schoiiaeie. Tlie ceremony of laying the comer stone of the monument to David Williains, one of the captors of Andre, the British spy, took place at the Old Fort in Schoharie, on September 23, 1876. Tlie follomng description of the Old Fort, with a short account of its history, is from the pen of Dr. Daniel Knower : " On the 1st of June, 1774, the port of Boston was blockaded. The people of this valley contributed 525 bushels of wheat for their relief. In October, 1780, a strong force of Indians, Tories and soldiers, under the command of Sir John JohnSon, the celebrated Indian chief Brant and the Seneca chief Corn Planter, attacked this place. The inhabit- ants fled to the Fort. The Fort was attacked, biit the enemy were repulsed by a shower of grape-shot and musket balls from the garrison, and retreated. Only two persons in the Fort were killed, but one hun- dred of the defenseless inhabitants outside the Fort were murdered by the hostiles on that day. Not a house, bam or gi-ain-stack known to belong to a Whig wiis left standing; and it was estimated that 100,000 bushels of grain were destroyed. The houses and other property of the Tories were spared, but the exasperated Whigs set them on fire as soon as the enemy had gone, and all shared a common fate. The Fort is now in a perfect state of preservation, with the marks of the cannon balls of that day's attack on it. The Legislature of this State donated it to the supervisors of the county on condition that they keej) it in repair." THE PROCEEDINCIS. The proceedings in Schoharie on the occasion of laying the corner stone are well described in the following extracts from the local press : 198 Centennial Celebrations. " Saturday dawned cloudy and cool, but not threatening. The streets were dry but not dusty, and the committee-men wearing purple and white ribbons were busily performing the various duties assigned to them before eight o'clock in the morning. People were coming in from every quarter at that early hour, and no one seemed to think that Old Probabil- ities, who announced rain, knew any thing about the weather. The cars from either direction were crowded inside, and even on their roofs. " At 10 A. M. the steady stream of incoming people was augmented by the arrival of the excursion trains from Albany and Troy, and the day was fairly begun. Tlie Committee of Reception was on hand at the depot with carriages for the orator and notables, and mounted marshals were also in attendance. As soon as the ti-ain stopped, our visitors from Albany and Troy disembarked. First came the Albany Zouave Cadets, Co. A, 10th Regiment, in command of Captain John H. Reynolds, and headed by Austin's Band ; then came the carriages with Hon. Chaeles Holmes, president of the day ; the orator of the day, Geen- viLLE Teemain, Esq., of Albany ; the poet of the day, Alfeed B. Stkeet, of Albany ; Daniel Knowee, Ralph Beewstee, commission- ers ; Several descendants of David Williams ; Senator "W. C. L/Vmont ; J. R. SraiMS, historian of Schoharie county ; Hon. S. L. Mayham, N. La F. Bachman, Esq., Hon. S. H. Sweet, of Albany, Col. C. C. Kbo- MEE, Prof. S. SiAs, Chaeles Couetee, Esq., A.. A. Hunt, Esq., Hon. John Westovee, Dr. W. T. Lamont and many others. The carriages were followed by " I^iagara " Engine and "Eagle" Hose Compan- ies of Schoharie, headed by the Cobleskill Cornet Band, all of them making a fine appearance in their handsome uniform. Then came the Tibbitts Corps of Yeterans from Troy, with their tall shakos, and headed by Doring's Band. These all moved up to Knower avenue, where the procession was formed and the citizens in carriages brought up the rear of the order above mentioned. "The line of march was up Knower avenue to Bridge street, down Bridge street to Main street, down Main street to the Old Stone Fort, where the exercises of laying the corner stone were to take place, When the head of the line reached the Stone Fort, the road was full of carriages the entire mile between it and the village, and others were still coming, and tlie sidewalks were crowded the entire distance with people on their way to the Fort. Only about one-half of the people could get inside the grounds and in the street which passes by the grounds surrounding the Stone Fort, and these were estimated by com- petent judges to number 5,000. We do not doubt that there were 10,000 people in the village that day. As soon as possible order was restored and Hon. Chas. Holmes, president of the day, announced the foUowing programme : David AVilliams. 199 ORDER OF EXERCISES. Singing of Whitticr's Hymn by tlie Schoharie ^Musical Association. Prayer by Rev. William H. Handy. Singing of the •' Star Spanglnrl Banner " by the Schoharie .Musical Association. Oration by Grenville Tremain, of Albany. Music by Boring's Band. I'oeni, written by Alfred B. Street, of Albany, and read by N. La F. Bach.man, of Schoharie. Singing of " America " by tlie Schoharie Miisical Association. Historical Address by Dr. Knower, of Schoharie. Music by Austin's Band. " Upon the speaker's stand, among others, were two grandsons of David Williams, of the same name, and a number of his descendants." ADDEESS BY GRENVILLE TEEMATN. Mr. President and Fellow Citizens- In that temple of silence and reconciliation where the enmities of twenty gen- erations lie buried, in the tender and solemn gloom of that venerable abbey wherein is gathered the honored dust of England's bravest and best, surrounded by " royal sarcophagus and carved shrine, and by fading banners which tell of the knights of former time; where the Chathams and Mansficlds repose, and where orators and poets lie," is a conspicuous monument, bearing this inscrip- tion : Sacred to the memory op M.wor John Andre, who, raised by ms merit at an early period op his life to the rank of Ad.jutant-General op the British forces in Americ.\ and employed in an important but hazardous enterprise, fell a sacrifice to his zeal for his klng and country. By command of England's king, George the Third, was this monument raised in Westminster Abbey. The sculptor, true to the historical fact, has pictured and perpetuated the singular sense of pain and grief entertained by those who were the foes of him whose name is thus prominently carved in this temple of fame. Contemplating, as it were, with bowed head this rare homage of a great nation to her dead, the spectator is moved to inquire more minutely into the events of this life so grandly immortalized. What has won so much in a career of only twenty-nine years? lu this sacred mausoleum of England's mighty dead, where, Through long-drawn iiisle and fretted vault, swept memories of those who have enriched the language, ennobled the human intellect, elevated humanitj', or perpetuated in immortal verse the emotions and passions of men, on every side are names, the very utterance of which is an era, an army, an anthem, an empire. To associate with these mighty dead, how incalculable the honor ! How indelible the record here engraven ! How immor- tal the fame here perpetuated ! And yet this man thus wept by his foes and immortalized by his country was 200 Centennial Celebrations. an enemy to American liberty, a foe to republicanism, -whose death was ignoble, and whose ashes reposed for forty years under the free soil of our own land, marked only by a tree whose fruit never blossomed.*' That monument to the memory of John Andre would never have been raised, no such inscription would ever have been written, and that grim irony would not have marred the greatness of AVestminster Abbey, but for the critical act, the crucial conduct and the incor- ruptible honor of him whose name is upon every lip and in every heart here to-day. The minute details of the story and the life that are brought to mind by the ceremonies of this day will be wrought out by another and more competent hand. The expression of the thoughts and emotions suggested by the accepted facts connected with the memorable event of September 23, 1780, and a mere outline of the occurrence, are more appropriately within the province of the duty assigned to me. In the contemplation of the performance of that duty I am sustained, buoyed and strengthened by a belief in the leniency of judgment and the charitable consideration of those whom I address. To us, living when the nation's life has spanned a century, when her greatness and her power are recognized in every clime and upon every sea, when the rich blessings of civil and religious liberty accompany every heart-throb and every breath — to us the page that records the fidelity and the transcendent honor of David Williams, John Paulding and Isaac Van Wart, is serried ■ndth lines of the deepest interest, and glorious with letters that can never fade. We open to-day the book that perpetuates the history of revolutionary times, that tells how our country was baptized with fire and blood ; how, through toils, and labors, and sacrifices, and sorrows and prayers, this last hope of repub- licanism arose ; and we know that the ' ' red rain of her slaughtered sires has but watered the earth for the harvest of her gallant sons." We turn to the chapter blackened by the only traitor that disgraced the revolutionary period, to find that his treachery was defeated, and the infant nation saved by the providential pres- ence and the memorable act of him to whom we this day erect with pageant and with pride this monumental tribute. That Andre's was an important but hazardous enterprise is now more fully appreciated than even when the stirring events of that period were being enacted — nay, than dm-ing the first half century of the nation's life. The true nature of that enterprise as well, thanks to the unerring adjustment of time, has become fixed and certain wherever intelligence and judicial fairness prevail over passion or sentimentality. I would not if I could, and certainly I could not if I would, mar the charm of that picture which the character and personality of Major Andre presents. Dissociated from the terrible consequences which would have resulted from a successful termination of that enterprise, and independent of the attempt made in certain quarters in England to cast a shade upon the spotless character of Washington, we cannot contemplate the fate of Andre, without emotions of the profoundest pity. Wherever loyalty and valor are respected, wherever steadfast- ness and manly devotion are admired, wherever youth, ambition, intelligence and beauty combined command interest and win affection, there will the character of Major Andre be cordially and rluly appreciated. But these very qualities of heart and mind were the underlying causes of his connection with the enterprise. Con- sidered wdth all the surrounding circumstances, however, I have no hesitation in saying that,in compai ison with the high-noon glory that surrounds the distinguished *For references by numbers see appendi!t at end of the David Williams proceedings. David Williams. 201 SLTvico, loft J' fiimness and uiitainished honor of our own Natluin Ilale, the con^luct of Andre pales into a glimmering twilight. He who by corruption and bribery seeks profit and renown has no place beside him who for love of liberty consid- ers his own single life but an insignificant offering upon the altar of his country. The method of Andre's death was an inseparable accompaniment of tlie act and of the offense.- Tlie laws of war and of nations liave inexorably imposed the penalty, and its infamy cannot be lessened in the world's estimation by the fact that his brother was invested with the honors of knighthood.^ Vattel, the great expositor of the laws of nations and of war, while he recognizes such enterprises as not contrary to the external law of nations, denies that they are just and com- patible with the laws of a pure conscience, and says: "Seducing a subject to betray his country ; suborning a traitor to set fire to a magazine ; practicing on the fidelity of a governor — enticing him, persuading him to deliver up a place, is prompting such person to commit detestable crimes. Is it honest to incite our most inveterate enemy to be guilty of a crime? * * * It is a different thing merely to accept the offers of a traitor, but when we know ourselves able to suc- ceed without the assistance of traitors, it is noble to reject their offers with detes- tation." At this distance of time, then, we view the act of Andre with that calmness and repose of judgment that does not err, and which is not warped by " Titles blown from adulation . " This is the darker side of the picture essential to its completeness ; but there are lighter shades to attract the eye and warm the heart. Let us examine them. Stand with me ui)on that historic spot, hard by Tarrytown, m the county of Westchester, where the dark blow that was aimed at the life of the young nation was arrested. There the zealous Andre sees visions of future glory and honor, kingliest rewards, within his very grasp. There, as he rides along his solitary path beyond the American lines, and on the very verge of safety, he knows that his heel is upon the throat of American freedom and independence. Within sight the great artery of trade and commerce flows majestic to the sea, uncon- scious that on this hapless morning of September 21, 1780, its bosom is vexed by the Vulture, laden with the fate of nations and of centuries. The giant moun- tains, sentinels of the centuries, stand and see the beginning and the tragic end- ing of the hellish plot which includes the destinies of the nation, and the sacri- fice of the prccioiis life upon which those destinies hang. Standing at this point of observation, the magnitude of the service of David Williams is more fully seen, is more fully comprehended. In the rusty garb of a reduced gentleman the solitary horseman, as he approaches, is now the central figure of our view. And who is he? Major John Andre, adjutant-general of the British forces in America. He has left the " Mercuries reclining upon bales of goods, and the Genii playing with |)ens, ink and paper." Mercantile glories crowd no longer upon his fancy. An " imijcrlinent consciousness " has whispered in his ear that he is not of the right stuff for a merchant, and tlie picture of his beautiful and beloved Honora has lost the talismanic power to lighten toil and inspire industry.^ Accomplished in the lighter graces of music, poetry and painting, graceful and cultured in literary expression, fired with a zeal for glory: '■ Yearning tor the large excitement that the coming years would yield, Eager-hearted as a boy, when first he leaves his father's field," 26 202 Centennial Celebrations. he has tui'ncd his glowing nature toward the profession of his heart. lu the words of his biographer, few men were more capable than lie of winning a sol- dier's reward. A prisoner at the surrender of St. John's, we see him clinging to the picture his own hand had painted of the loved Honoia; promoted for merit and fidelity to a position far above his j'ears and experience, winning the confidence and affection of his chief, Sir Henry Clinton, he is now commissioned for a service of wliich the King of England did not hesitate to say that " the public never can be compensated for the vast advantages wliich must have fol- lowed from the success of his plan." Up to that critical moment, nine o'clock on the morning of the 33d of Sep- tember, there had been no special lack of discretion on Andre's part. He had been borne along by fates that wei'c propitious so far as human ken could see, though in fact perils were approaching from sources called accidental, perils whicli to him were entire!}' unforeseen. For more than a year he had, without exposure or suspicion, conducted a clandestine correspondence with the traitor Arnold. The treason had been hidden under the phrases of the mercantile profession. Arnold, under the feigned name of "Gustavus," had communicated much valu- able, and often highly important information to Andre whom he addressed as John Anderson. Sir Heniy Clinton, the commander of the British forces, had soon suspected the true rank and person of Gustavus. Several attempts at a personal interview had miscarried, but the infidelity of Arnold had never been suspected. He had by unportunity at last succeeded in obtaining from Washington command of West Point without causing the slightest shade of suspicion to cross the saga- cious mind of that watchful commander. There his plottings were renewed. Even the overture which had come in response to his communications, and borne by the ominous Vulture up the Hudson to within fourteen miles of Arnold's head- quarters, near West Point, had been shown to Washington in the presence of La Fayette, with a brazen boldness that extinguished all doubts of Arnold's honor. "I had no more suspicion of Arnold than I had of myself," said the chief in relating this. On the 30th, Andre had boarded the Vulture in the high- est spirits, confident of success. The details of that midnight voyage of twelve miles, from King's Ferry to Teller's Point, and back from the Vulture to Long Clove, are known to all. With oars carefully muffled in sheep-skins, the flag- boat, so called, beneath a serene and clear sky, approached in silence the place of meeting, where the arch-traitor was hid among the firs. From this point occur a series of trivial circumstances, insignificant in them- selves but yet big with fate. The refusal of the boatmen to return to the Vulture tliat night necessitated the journey to the Smith house, some three or four miles distant, the consequent disguise assumed by Andre to escape detection during the return by land, and as well the possession of the papers found under Andre's stockings, which led his captors to the knowledge of his true character. With- out that disguise and without those papers, while the conspiracy might not have been defeated, tlie life of Andre would have been saved. But the memorable act of Col. Livingston is still more remarkable. At daybreak, on the morning of tlie 33d, the Vulture still lingered with impudent audacity in the vicinity of the American fortifications. Her presence had so outraged the spirit of Livingston and the troops that he applied, but without success, to Arnold for two heavy guns. Nothing daunted by the treasonable refusal of Arnold, he had carried a four- pounder to Gallows Point, a lesser promontory of Tellers, and with but a scant supply of powder, he commenced so active a cannonading upon her that she was David Williams. 203 oblicred to drop clown tlic river beyond range.'' In this manner all means of access to hor by water was cut off from Andrr. But for the American grit and perse- verance of Livingston, Andn' would doubtless have found some means of again boardin" the Vulture, carrying with him the instruments for the destruction of West Point and her dependencies. Upon such apparently trivial and accidental incidents does the fate of nations frequently depend. From the window of Smitli's house Andre saw with impatience the Vulture with- draw, but he knew not that she carried with her all his hopes of future glory and renown. All that morning after Arnold's departure, which occurred at ten o'clock, he chafed witli impatience to depart. But the jealous, prying, gossip-loving guide, in whose care Andre liad been left, proved too timid, weak and procras- tinating for the part assigned him. Toward the last of that ill-omened Friday, the return was begun, with Andre's gpirits sunk deep in gloom and sadness. And well might they be. The bargain had been uuide by which, for gold, an officer, high in the esteem of Washington, had sold his birth-right and his honor. During that long night he liad been breathing the foul atmosphere where treason was hatclied, had been looking into a face wrinkled with perlidy, into the blood-shot eyes of a debauclicd and worthless traitor. And he, the soul of honor, "the pet of the Britisli army," had been bartering with devilish coolness for the soul of a fellow-man. Involved in that midnight conference were the lives of men who had never done him injury, and the happiness of innocent women and children who had never cro.ssed his path. He, the hero, who had been fired by a desire to win renown by heroic bravery and distinguished service for his country, was skulking inside the enemy's lines like a common thief in disguise, the companion of a petty tool and his negro, and with his stockings stuffed with an ill-gotten booty, bought with the price Of another's dishonor.'' Is it any wonder that his mind settled into gloomy forebodings ? He crossed King's Ferry at the northern e.Ktremity of Haverstraw bay and took his way, under the dictation of his over-cautious companion, northward, to dis- arm suspicion. Here another trivial circumstance interposed itself with unerring fatality. Smith, the willing tool of Arnold, insisted upon remaining over night on the way. Fatal error! In the darkness and silence of that night there were hidden forces at work, which would block the morrow's path with a wall more impregnable than Fort Putnam. The honor and incorruptibility of David Williams was a part of its masonry. All night the restless Andre tossed upon an uneasy bed, side bj' side with the miserable creature whose easy virtue had yielded to the persuasions of Arnold. Is it wonderful that both should have been robbed of sleep ? Is it strange that at daylight and without breakfast they should hasten on in the path that was to lead Andre to the feet of his sovereign, to receive a grateful country's homage and reward ? And now we approach the place and the act in commemoration of which, by the tardy favor and justice of our State, we are a.ssemblcd here to-day. The three captors of Major Andre, whose names have become renowned, would in all likeliliood havo remained imknown to future generations, had Smith, as he agreed, accompanied Andre to White Plains, below Tarrytown. But yielding to his pusillanimous fears, he refused to go further than Pines Bridge. From this point, then, oiu- solitary horseman approaches the place where we stanisELF, he disdained to acquire TVEAi.rn by the SACRIFICE OF HIS COUNTRY. REJECTING THE TEMPTATION OP GREAT REWARDS, HE CONVEYED HIS PRISONER TO TUE AMERICAN CAMP; AND BV THIS ACT OF NOBLE SELF-DENIAL THE TREASON OF ARNOLD WAS DETECTED, THE DESIGNS OP THE ENEMY BAFFLED, WeST PoINT AND THE AMERICAN ARMY SAVED, AND THESE UNITED States, now, by the Grace of God, Free and Independent, rescued from most imminent peril." At Grcenburgli, near Tarrytown, on the spot where the remains of Isaac Van Wart lie buried, the citizens of tlie vicinity erected, in 1829, a suitable monument, with the fohowing inscription engraven thereon: "Fidelity. On the 23d of September, 1780, Isaac Van Wart, accompan- ied by John Paulding and D.wid Williams, all farmers of the county of Westchester, intercepted Major Andre on his return from the American lines in the character of a spy; and, xotwithst.\nding the large bribes offered tue.m for his release, nobly disdained to sacrifice their country FOR GOLD, secured AND CARRIED HIM TO THE COMM.VNDING OFFICER OF THE DIS- TRICT, WHEREBY THE DANGEROUS AND TRAITOROUS CONSPIRACY OF ARNOLD WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT, THE INSIDIOUS DESIGNS OF THE ENEMY BAFFLED, THE iVMERI- CAN ARMY SAVED, AND OUR BELOVED COUNTRY FREE." On the memorable site where the capture occurred, the young men of Westches- ter county, in 1853, built a cenotaph in lienor of the captors. How appropriate, then, that in this beautiful valley and in this county, where the survivor of the three lived for twenty-six years, and where he died and was buried, there should rise an enduring mark of the gratitude and appreciation of this people 1 It docs not become the time nor the occasion to enter upon any extended dis- cussion of the mooted questions surrounding the purposes and motives of Andre's captors. It is too late a day to reverse the judgment of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, of Congress and the Legislature of this State, all pronounced at the time. Besides the united testimony of a host of their neighbors and acquaintances, the sworn statements of Paulding and Van Wart, and the solemn asseverations of Williams seven months before his death in 1831,'' all unite in bearing down, with an unanswerable weight of testimony, the eleventh-hour statement of Col. Tallmadge thirty-seven years after the capture.* To all this we may add the critical analysis, by Henry J. Raymond, of the whole testimony bearing on the subject.' That acute publicist dismissed the slander to the repro- bation it deserves, and the almost universal judgment of the American people confirms the verdict. For myself, I may l)e pei-mittcd to add, that in my judg- ment, when e.Kamined with fairness, and tested by the rules of common sense and common justice, every candid mind must inevitably conclude that the overwhelm- ing balance of proof is upon the side of the incorruptible honesty and purity of their motives. Nothing more reliable than rumor and suspicion arising from .statements, made solely by Andre, stand u])on the other side, statements, it must never be forgotten, which sprang from a heart sorely dejected, chagrined and mortified by his own lack of common prudence ; made, too, at a time when his mind, sunk beneath a weight of woe almost incalculable, was seeking for relief in the contemplation of what might have been. It is our duty to guard the reputa- tion of these humble patriots against this misty testimony rising out of surh a cuulilron of self-interest. It must always be borne in mind that the British 206 Centennial Celebrations. would not concede that true virtue was a feature of character belonging to Americans; and Andre, fresh from a field where he had witnessed the debased character of a high officer, was in no condition of mind to stem the tide of opin- ion that flowed within the English lines. The virtue of these men, under such circumstances, could not be, and evidently was not comprehended. In the words of Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury, written from Newport, on the 5th of October, 1870: "How great, compared to Arnold, are those peasants who refused the bribe of Andre! Let this be remembered in favor of the poor." I may be permitted to express the hope that somewhere upon this projected monument to David Williams will appear these notable words of Washington in his letter to the President of Congress: "The party that took Major Andre * * * acted in such a manner as does them the highest honor, and proves them to be men of great virtue, * * * their conduct gives them a just claim to the thanks of their country." Perhaps the true nature of this conduct is more eloquently and luminously told in the words of Alexander Hamilton, in the Laurens letter, where he says: " Arnold's conduct and that of the captors of Andre form a striking contrast. He tempted them with the oSer of his watch, his horse and any sum of money that they should name. They rejected his offer with indignation, and the gold that could seduce a man, high in the esteem and confidence of his country, who had the remembrance of past exploits, the motives of present reputation and future glory to prop his integrity, had no charms for these simple peasants lean- ing on their virtue and an honest sense of their duty. While Arnold is handed down with execration, posterity will repeat with reverence the names of Van Wart, Paulding and Williams ! " I owe it to the occasion, to you and to myself, to present some considerations in support of the constantly recurring thought, throughout this discourse, of the grave importance of Arnold's plot. I have already alluded to the estimate of its advantages to the British government, pronounced by King George the Third. From the abvmdant materials furnished by those in the English service at the time, I will only add the following, from the memoirs of Sir Henry Clinton, com- mander of the British forces in New York. In speaking of the arrest of Andre, he says: "I was exceedingly shocked, as maybe supposed, by this very unex- pected accident, which not only ruined a most important project, which had all the appearance of being in a happy train of success, but involved in danger and distress a confidential friend for whom I had deservedly the warmest esteem." Creasy, in his ' ' Decisive Battles of the World, " has succinctly described the great and pivotal victory of the Americans at Saratoga, on the 17th of October, 1777. He has conclusively shown the plan of operations which the English attemi)ted in that year, and which the battle of Saratoga defeated. The English had a considerable force in Canada, wliich had been re-enforced for the purpose of striking a vigorous and crushing blow against the colonies. It was intended that the force thus collected should march southward by the line of the lakes and thence along the banks of the Hudson river. The British army in New York was to make a simultaneous movement northward up the line of the Hudson, and the two expeditions were to meet at Albany. In this manner all communications between the Colonial army in New England, and the principal army under Wnsh- ington, which was watching over Pennsylvania and the South, would be cut off. The army from Canada was under command of Burgoyne, and that in New York under Sir Henry Clinton. The plan was ably formed, and was defeated David AVilliams. 207 only by the consummate skill of General Gates, and the nnpreeedented bravery of his men at Saratoga, aided by the delay caused by the fortifications on the lower Iludsou, the key of which was West Point, which fortification hindered the prompt co-operation of Sir Henry Clinton with Burgoync. Clinton, in fact, reached Kingston, where, hearing of Burgoyne's surrender, he biiriud tlie jjlace and returned to New York. What the capture of West Point would have been to the British will be more fully appreciated by an illustration familiar to all. It will be remembered how the country was stirred to its very center, on the fourth of July, 1863, by the glorious tidings that Vicksburg had fallen, and that "the great Mississippi swept imvexed to the sea." What that meant was soon known. Surrounded, like West Point, with fortifications, redoubts and bastioned forts, it held within its iron grasp the control of the great Mississippi. When it fell, that great artery through which ran the life-blood of the Southern Confederacy was absolutely within the power of the Federal army. The rebellion had been cut in twain. In the lan- guage of Sherman, "the reduction of Vicksburg made the destruction of the Rebellion certain." What Vicksburg and her dependencies were to the Missis- sippi in 1SC3, West Point and her dependencies were to the Hudson in 1780. What had been lost at Saratoga by open force, would have been regained, had West Point and its dependencies fallen by means of the secret plottings of Arnold. "This was the great object of British and American solicitude," says Ir\'ing, in speaking of West Point, "on the possession of which was supposed by many to hinge the fortunes of the war." And again he says, " the immediate result of this surrender, it was anticipated, would be the defeat of the combined attempt upon New York, aud its ultimate effect might be the dismemberment of the Union and the dislocation of the whole American scheme of warfare." From the mass of American testimony at hand, the following additional proofs are selected: La Fayette wrote to his wife October 8th: "A frightful conspiracy has been planned by the celebrated Arnold; he sold to the English the fort of West Point, which was under his command, and consequently the whole naviga- tion of the North river." General Greene issued a general order on the 26th of October, from which the following is taken : " Treason of the blackest dj*e was yesterday discovered. General Arnold, who commanded at WestPoint — lost to everj' sentiment of honor, of private and public obligation — was about to d»!liver up that important post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event must have given the American cause a deadly wound, if not a fatal stab. Happily this treason has been timely dis- covered to prevent the fatal misfortune. The providential train of circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing proof that the liberties of America are the object of divine protection. At the same time, though the treason is to be regretted, the general cannot help congratulating the army on the happy discovery. Our enemies, despairing of carrying their point by force, are practicing every base art to effect by bribery and corruption, what they cannot accomplish in a manly way. Great honor is due to the American army that this is the first instance of the kind, where many were t*» be expected from the nature of the dispute ; and nothing is so bright an ornament in the character of the American soldiers, as their havingbeen proof against all the arts and seductions of an insidious enemy. » * » His Excellency the commander-in-chief has arrived at West Point from Hartford, and is no doubt taking proper measures to unravel fully so hellish a plot. It must be borne in mind, that had the "hellish plot " succeeded it would have involved the captivity of Washington himself. The following remark.able letter of Governor William Livingston to General Washington so entirely expresses the emotions of the hour, that it is inserted in full : 208 Centennial Celebrations. Trenton, 7th October, 1780. Dear Sir — I most heartily congratulate your Excellency on the timely discovery of General Arnold's treasonable plot to captivate your person and deliver up West Point to the enemy, of which the loss of the former, had his infernal machinations succeeded, would have been more re- gretted by America than of the latter. The remarkable disposition of Providence to frustrate the diabolical conspiracy will iuspire every virtuous American with sincere gratitude to the Great Arbiter of all events; and I hope that no true Whig among us will ever forget the memor- able era when we were, by the peculiar guardianship of Heaven, rescued from the very brink of destruction. " I have the honor to be your very obedient servant, " WILLIAM LIVINGSTON." Is it any wonder, then, that, with pomp and circumstance, and with grateful hearts, we assemble to perpetuate, with enduring granite, here under the broad sky, and upon the free acres of our beloved country, that transcendent act and that renowned virtue of these captors of Andre ! Though neglected, he whose ashes lie buried here was not absolutely forgotten by his country, and it is proper that allusion should be made to the rewards which a grateful country, has bestowed upon him. By authority of Congress, in 1780, a silver medal, bearing the inscription of " Fidelity " and the legend " Vincit Anwr Patrice" was presented to each of the captors, and at the same time an annuity was authorized to be paid to each of $200 in specie. In addition, Congress granted to each the privilege of locating any confiscated lands in the county of Westchester to the amount of $1,350, or of re- ceiving that sum in cash. The Legislature of the State of New York granted to each a farm, reciting in the act as a consideration " their virtue in refusing a large sum offered to them by Major Andre as a bribe to permit him to escape." In the fall of 1830 the corporation of the city of New York invited David Williams (the survivor of the three), by special messenger to be present in that city at the cele- bration of the French Revolution. He was drawn, with other heroes of '76, in a carriage at the head of the procession and attracted much attention. He was pre- sented with a silver cup at one of the schools and at another with a silver headed cane, the stem of which was made out of chevata de /rise used near West Point during the revolution. His widow obtained a continuation of his pension, which had ceased at the time of his death. Forty-five years ago, amid a concourse of honoring friends and countrymen, he was buried at Livingstonville, in this county. His remains have been removed by consent of his descendants to this place. Here, in this locality, made memorable by the ruinous invasion of Johnson about the time when the events we have described were transpiring near Tarrytown — here, near the place where the " peeled log " of the enemy'" left its mark upon the old Dutch church — here, where brave men and braver women stood with undaun- ted courage in the midst of conflagration, ruin and death — where the red men showed no mercy, and where patriots never flinched — let his ashes lie. Not in the midst of royal sarcophagi or carved shrines, but surrounded by the veneration of uutold generations of frecborn Americans ; not wholly unhonored, as heretofore, but graced and adorned with a permanent token of our remembrance and esteem. For at last, thanks to the interest and sense of justice of many good men and true, the Legislature of the State, by making an appropriation for the monument, has re- moved the stain which the neglect of forty-five years had fastened upon us. Standing where we do to-day, as it were upon the apex of a pyramid, we look back over the way the nation has so grandly trod. In the beginning we per- ceive tlip toiling multitudes, who, regardless of personal sacrifice, conscious of David Williams. 209 their own rectitiuli- ;imi1 iclyiiij^ upon tlif favor of God, wrought out the greatest empire of freedom the world lias ever seen. In that great work, so full of the riclu'st blessings for us and for our ehildren, let it be remembered, that the jjart performed by the humblest was often as important as that of the greatest. The cause of the colonies was near to the hearts of the people. That was the security of the nation then, and it cannot endure without it now. Oh! if the young men of our time would glow with a healthy pride of race; if they would kindle with the inspiration of patriotism; if they would find annals wealthier in enduring lesson, and bright with the radiance of a holier virtue than ever Rome embraced or Sparta knew, let them read their own land's history. Then may we be hopeful for the future. Then may the story we rehearse here to-day be borne to future ages along with the growing grandeur of this mighty nation which was built upon the devotion, and will be sustained by the bright examjile of tile Hevolutionarv Patriots. POEM BY ALFEED B. STREET. What fires the human heart with noblest flame. And fills, with grandest swell, the trump of fame . Strengthens the sinews, war's dread arms to wield — Scorns the red horrors of the battle-field — Tunes to triumphant song the failing breath. And sheds live brilliance on the brow of death? 'Tis love of country ! mystic fire from Heaven ! — To light our race up stateliest heights 'tis given ; To guard man's home — make that his holiest shrine Where his soul's love grows purest, most divine ; Where dear domestic virtues safely bloom. And joy's rich rainbows deck grief's transient gloom ; At whose bright hearth is changeless summer found Heishtening to pleasure daily duty's round; Where humble wishes sweet enjo\Tnent shed Like violets fragrant in their lowly bed. Not this alone 1 beyond the narrow span Of single souls, it rivets man to man; Links in one circling chain the stretched out hand, And makes one fireside of the whole broad land. Thus home meets liome, though mountains rise between, And winter storms beat backward summer sheen, O'er the wide river, through the forest, all That most repels, on runs the living wall. Against which, should Us faithful strength remain. The world shall hurl its angriest waves in vain. It turns the rocks to roses, stormiest skies To loveliest calm ; where cloudy crags arise The anointed eye views plains knee-deep in flowers; The ear in dumb wastes hears melodious bowers. 210 Centennial Celebrations. Deem we the Esquimaux, though brutisli, sees Heavens that but frown and waters that but freeze ! Think we the Arab, though untaught, surveys Sands that but burn and sunbeams that but blaze ! No ! In that frown the cold-dwarfed shape joerceives Summer's soft gold poured out on emerald leaves ; His wooden streak, while plunging, ripples smooth O'er glassy seas that undulate to soothe ; And the fierce roamer of the ocean gray ■ Treads velvet grass, feels sweet the pleasant ray, Till one oasis smiles along his songful way. Grand love of Country ! from the earliest time Our race has deemed its glory most sublime. To its proud praise the lyre has loftiest rung, Eloquence woke the music of its tongue ; A Hector's deeds filled Homer's breast with fire, And when shall patriot Scipio's fame expire ! Though Rome's dread Eagle darkened earth at will, Thy name, Caractacus, shines brightly still ! Planting his foot upon his native sod He fought ; though made a slave to Caesar's rod, His big heart burst its chains, and up he towered, a God! And thus with willing minds we meet to lay Our gifts on a loved patriot's shrine to-day. Not fortune's favorite he — his humble sail Felt but the shock of penury's ceaseless gale; Never he knew the rose, but felt the thorn ; His pathway led through chill neglect and scorn ; Yet, though man glanced on him disdainful eyes, God had built up his nature for the skies; His heart was mighty, though his path was low — Man made the cloud — God tinged it with his bow. And thus it is ; the humble lifted up ; The pearl oft decks the lowest of the cup. Fame dofl^s aside the Sovereign of a day To make a Shakespeare King with endless sway; Genius, from wealth and titled grandeur, turns To touch as with live flame the tongue of Burns. And thus though Williams' eye but saw the rim Of the low vallej', where alone for him Life's pathway upward led, his mental sight Flashed with the Eagle's from the mountain height; And when the bribe was proffered, off he turned, And with a scornful wrath the base temptation spurned. Well, well for \is, worth, honor were not sold By this high patriot heart for British gold ! Treason had woven his most cunning coil Around our land, its liberty the spoil; The British Lion stood with hungry gloat To flesh his fangs within the victim's throat; David Williams. 211 And had the glittering bribe its errand wrouglit, Treason had found tlie victory lie sought, And the tierce lion fastened in his spring Our Eagle's glazing eye, and drooping, dying wing. Oh, Treason, foulest demon eartli has seen, Darkening ev'n darkness with liis midnight mieu ! How oft his spell has fettered Freedom's brand ! And for a smiling, left a blighted laud! In vain has Liberty uprisen ; — unbound Her glorious folds to call her sons around ! In vain the crag has burst out into liordes, Trees into lances, thickets into swords! In vain the cataract's wliite has turned to red. And the wind's murmuring to the war-cry dread ! The dingle's sylvan stillness, where the bird Sprang to its wing if but a leaflet stirred. Changed to the tramp of steeds, the clang of arms, The grassy music to war's wild alarms! In vain, in vain, the blood in vain that ran While the soul soaring lifted up the man ! In vain has liberty with reverent head Heaped to one altar all her sainted dead. And kneeling there fought sword in hand, till down Her foes have fallen, and she but grasped her crown! Like a fell serpent Treason low has crept In patriot garb, till off disguise he swept Striking his blow with such sure aim, his cry Of triumph drowned liis victim's dying sigh. Oh mountain peaks, where clouds were cannon-smoke! Oh glens, whose green liglit battle-banners broke I Oh waves, whose tossings broadside-thunders crushed ! Oh skies, whose tempests strife's wild tumults hushed! All spots where man for native land has fought, Have ye not seen how treason's curse has wrought? How the broad front that Freedom reared to foe Has felt base Treason creeping from below, Close twining round herself and sons till she A grand Laocoon has died to Treachery? But paeans to brave Williams, and the two, Van Wart and Paulding ! no such fate we rue. Song to the three I our whole broad land should raise One sounding anthem to their patriot praise ! For had base Arnold's treason won, we now Perchance, instead of jewels on our brow. Jewels of freedom, with our doom content. Under some kingly bondage might have bent, Native or foreign; or like those wild seas Of tropic States, have surged to every breeze, Dashing in endless strife — for freedom here, 212 CkISTKNNIAIj CKLEBllAXlUKa. And liciT, for kings, until some ruthless spear The war liad ended, and a waste of graves Upheld a Despot's throne, and ours a land of slaves. Now — liail the sight ! — a realm of glorious pride Touching eartli's mightiest oceans either side! Pine meeting Palm in garlands round her head, Starred States, sti-iped climates o'er her banner spread, Great Washington diffused; his spirit grand Incarnate in the person of our land ! I In this green valley where war wildest reigned, Where life's red current every harvest stained, Where peace contrasting, now the brightest glows, And, place of battle's thistle, smiles the rose. Where builds the bird within the sliattered shell, Plumped with soft moss, that slew where'er it fell. Where the blue violet yields the skull its eye, Instead of strife's close ranks, upstauds the rye. Where waves the wheat whence savage plumage flashed, And oft avenging Murphy's rifle crashed By this Stone Fort tliat once threw back the tide Of conflict as its surges smote its side, This day our patriot's aslies we consign To h|s loved earth, liencefortli a sacred shrine. Round which to latest years our grateful hearts shall twine. Now on this flowering of our Century Tree, Apotheosis of our history, This famed Centennial, it is passing well Of patriot hearts and patriot deeds to tell, That they in memory's grasp should firmly cling As gold in quartz, or peai-ls in shells, and fling Like stars, a lustre o'er our Nation's way. Till Time's grand sun shall set, and dawns Eternal Day. HISTORICAL ADDRESS BY DR. DANIEL KNOWER. This large concom-se of people, this fine military display, the presence of these distinguished persons, and the attendance of so many ladies to grace the occa- sion, show that the recollection of patriotic deeds does not die out in the hearts of a free people. David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre, in honor of whose memory we are assembled here to-day, was born in Tarrytown, West- cliester county, in this State, October 21, 1754. He entered the revolutionary amiy in 1775, at the age of nineteen; fought under Montgomery at the battle of St. John's and Quebec; and continued in the regular patriot services until 1779. The capture of Major Andre occurred on the 33d of September, 1780, ninety-six years ago to-day. David Williams. 218 David Williams was tlic^ oldest of the three caplois — he being twenty-five years of age, and John Paulding and Isaac Vau \\'art, his compatriots, being about twenty years old. The following is Williams' account of the capture, as related to Judge Tiffany, at his home in this county, February 13, 1817: "The three (militiamen) were seated beside the road in the bushes, amusing themselves at cards, when their attention was arrested by the galloping of a horse. On approach- ing the road, they saw a gentleman riding toward tliem, seated on a large brown horse, which was afterward observed to have marked on the near shoulder the initials U. S. A. The rider was a light, trim-built man, about five feet seven inches in height, with a bold military countenance aud dark eyes, and was dressed in a tall beaver hat, surtout, crimson coat, with pantaloous and vest of nankeen. As he neared them, the three cocked their muskets and aimed at the rider, who immediately cliecked his horse, and the following conversation ensued: Andre — " Gentlemen, I hope you belong to our party!" Paulding —'• What party ? " Andrt^ — "The lower party." Paulding — "We do." This answer threw him off his guard. Andre — "I am a British officer; I have been up in the country on particular business, and do not wish to be detained a single moment." He thereupon pulled out a gold watch, and exhibited it as an evidence that he was a gentleman, and returned it again to his fob. Paulding thereupon remarked — " We are Americans! " Andre — " God bless my soul ! a man must do any thing to get along — I am a Continental officer, going down to Dobbs' Ferry to get information from below." Andre then drew out and presented a pass from General Arnold in which was the assumed name of John Anderson. Seizing hold of the reins of the horse, they ordered him to dismount. Andre exclaimed — " You will bring yourselves in trouble." "We care not for that," was the reply. They took him down ten or fifteen rods, from the road, beside a run of water, and Williams proceeded to search his hat, coat, vest, shirt and pantaloons, in wliich they found $80 in Con- tinental money; and at last ordered him to take off his boots. At this he changed color. Williams drew off the left boot first, and found nothing in it, and Paul- ding, seizing the foot, exclaimed excitedly, "My God! here it is!" Tlie stocking was then drawn off, and in it, next the bare foot, three half-sheets of written paper were found enveloped by a half-sheet marked "Contents, West Point." Paulding, still greatly excited, again exclaimed, "JlyGod! he's a spy!" On pulling off the other boot and stocking, a similar package was found.* Andre was now allowed to dross, and they marched him across the road into the field about twenty rods. The young men then winked to each other to make further discoveries, and inquired from whom he got the papers ? " Of a man at Pine's Bridge, a stranger to me," replied Andre. He then offered them for his liberty, his horse, which was browsing a short distance away, and his equipage, watch and 100 guineas. This they refused to take, unless he informed them where he obtained the manuscript. He refused to comply, but again offered his horse, equipage, and 1,000 guineas. They were firm in their denial, and Andre, increased his offer to 10,000 guineas, and as many dry goods as they wished, which should be deposited in any place desired — they might keep him and send some •A number of tlie.se original papers are preservedj ond on exhibition in the State Librarj- at Albany. ^ 214 Centennial Celebrations. one to New York (they were at Tarrytown, twenty-eight miles from the city), with his order, so that they could obtain them unmolested. To this they replied, "that it did not signify for him to make any offer, for he should not go." They then proceeded to the nearest military station, which was at North Castle, about twelve miles distant, and delivered him to Col. Jamiesen, the American com- manding officer. The circumstances of the capture as narrated in the testimony of Paulding and Williams, given at the trial of Smith eleven days after the captm'e, and written down by the Judge Advocate at the time, is substantially the same. Williams, in his testimony there says, "He said he would give us any quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any place that we might pitch upon, so that we might get it. jMr. Paulding answered, ' No, if you should give us 10,000 guineas you should not stir one step.' " The importance of the capture of Andre can never be too highly estimated. The plan for cutting the Colonies in two on the line of the Hudson and Lake Champlaiu had been foiled by the capture of Burgoyne. The possession of West Point would have given a successful opportunity for prosecuting the same design. No wonder that Washington burst into tears when he learned of the treason of Arnold. He very well knew what had been our danger, and how narrow had been our escape. Washington wrote to Congress, September 28, 1780 — three days after the capture — saying: "I do not know the party that took Major Andre, but it is said that it consisted of only a few militia, who acted in such a manner uj)on the occasion as does them the highest honor and proves them of great virtue. As soon as I know their names I shall take pleasure in transmitting them to Congress." Again, October 7, 1780, he writes Congress, transmitting the findings of the court, which had tried Andre, and in his letter he says: "I have now the pleasure to communicate the names of those persons who captured Major Andre, and who refused to release him, notwithstanding the most earnest impor- tunities and assurances of a liberal reward on his part. Their names are John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart." Alexander Hamilton, writing in 1780 of the ailair, says: "Andre tempted their integrity with the ofEer of his watch, his horse, and any sum of money they should name. They rejected his offer with disdain." Congress gave each of them $1,250, or the same value in confiscated lands in Westchester county, a pension of $200 and a silver medal. The medals were pre- sented to the captors by General Washington at a dinner to which he invited them, while the army was encamped near Ver Planck's Point ; the one presented to David Williams being now in possession of his oldest grand-son, William C. Williams, of this county.* David Williams was married to Miss Benedict, of Westchester county, by whom he had one son named David, who has seven children living, four in this county, two in Iowa, and one in Virginia, who are worthy descendants in honor and integrity of the Revolutionary patriot. He moved to this county in 1806, and died August 3, 1831, aged seventy-seven, and was buried at Livingstonville with military honors, where his remains reposed for forty-five years, and until the 4th of March, 1876, when they were removed to the cemetery at Rensselaerville. On the 19th of July they were removed to the Stone Fort in Schoharie, to which » It has since been placed In the State Library at Albany. David Williams. 215 destination they were escorted by a large procession, lieaded by the American flag and amid martial music. AH places of business were closed ; the bells toUdd and the cannon at the Fort fired a salute as his coffin, wrapped in the American flag, was deposited near his present resting place. On the first of May, 1870, the Governor signed the following bill, introduced by Senator L.\mont, it having passed both houses : " For erecting a suitable monument in the cemetery grounds of the Revolu- tionary Stone Fort at Schoharie Court House, to commemorate the virtues and memory of David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre, the sum of two thousand dollars, to be expended under the supervision of D.\niel Knowku, Ralph Brewster, supervisor of the town of Schoharie, and Cii.vules Holmes, county judge of Schoharie county, who are hereby appointed a commission for that purpose, and who are hereby authorized to remove the remains of the said David Williams from their present biu-ial in the cemetery at Rensselaerville, to such cemetery at Schoharie Court House, upon first obtaining the consent thereto, in writing, of a majority of the descendants of said Williams, and upon furnish- ing proof thereof to the comptroller; but in case such consent in writing for said removal shall not be obtained, and proof thereof furnished the comptroller within two months from tlie passage of this act, then the above appropriation shall be expended by a commission, consisting of the comj^troller of the State, Erastus D. Palmer, and the President of the Rensselaerville Cemetery Asso- ciation, for the erection of the monument in the Rensselaerville cemetery." Paulding is buried near Peekskill, and a monument was erected over his remains by the corporation of the city of Kew York in 1827. Near Tarrytown the remains of Isaac Van Wart are honored by a monument erected by the county of Westchester. And now in this centennial year has the State of New York recognized, by its Legislature and Governor, this most important event in our Revolutionary history. An event which occurred within its borders, and in which three of her sons had the honor, by their disinterested patriotism and love of country, to save our country in that important crisis of our Revolutionary history. General Washington wrote to the President of Congress, October 7, 1780, two weeks after the capture: ''Their conduct merits our warmest esteem; and I beg leave to add that I think the public would do well to allow them a handsome gratuity. They have prevented in all probability our suffering one of the sever- est strokes that could have been meditated against us." Yet this one of the most disinterested acts of patriotism and love of country recorded in history, strange to say, has been attacked and the motives of the actors impugned. A bill ])assed Congress some 3-ears since appropriating $20,000 for erecting a monument to them,n)Ut did not reach, or was defeated in, the Senate. The patri- otism of these men has been impugned by members of Congress. This bill was likewise opposed in the State Senate by a senator from New York city, on the same grounds. In the language of the poet, '* He who ascends to mountain tops must And The h:>ftiest hills clad in snow ; lie who surpasses and excels mankinds ' Must see and feel their hate below." Williams lived to be seventy-seven years old and died fifty-two years after the" event occurred. Isajic Van Wart lived to the .age of sixty-nine, and died forty- nine vears after the event, and John Paulding reached the age of sixtv, dviiig 216 Centennial Celebrations. forty years after the capture.* All three during these long years bore unimpeach- able characters for honor and integrity, which would not have been possible if they had been marauders and freebooters as represented by those who impugned their motives. Williams, previous to this event, had served four years in the revolutionary army, and Paulding, only three days previous to the capture, had made his escape from the Sugar House British Prison t in New York. These facts indicate beyond all doubt on which side their feelings were. Andre has a monument erected in Westminster Abbey, which is the highest '[From John Gebhard, Jr., the celebrated geologist.] Schoharie, N . y. , October 16, 187C. Dr. Knower, Dear Sir— In compliance with your request, that I would inform you what I know in rela- tion to the standing and character of the late David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre, I would state, that I was well acquainted with Mr. Williams for several years immedi- ately preceding his death, and can bear cheerful testimony to the high standing for truth and integrity, in which he was held by his neighbors and acquaintances. I was present at his funeral, which was large and imposing. After the sermon was preached, the funeral procession proceeded to the cemetery, where an able eulogy was delivered by Robert McClellan, Esq.. and before the remains were lowered to theirresting place R.W. MuitPHY, Esq. , standing beside the coffin, with a sorrowful heart, overflowing with gratitude and sympathy, stated to the vast assemblage that when he was a young orphan boy, David Wil- liams took him to his home, supported and clothed him, gave him a good education and aided him in starting in business. He also gave a full and minute account of the daily life and habits of the deceased; and concluded by saying that David Williams died as he had lived through a long life, an upright and honest man. Respectfully your ob' serv't, JOHN GEBHARD, Jr. Isaac Van Wart is buried at Greenburgh, in the grounds attached to the Presbyterian church, of which he was an efficient officer for many years. The following inscription on his monument by his fellow-citizens of Westchester county, who erected it to his memory in 1839, with whom he passed most of his life, vindicates the integrity of his character: North side—" Here repose the mortal remains of Isaac Van Wart an elder in the Greenburgh church, who died on the 23d of May, 1838, in the 69th year of his age. Having lived the life, he died the death of a Christian." South side— "The citizens of the county of Westchester erected this tomb in testimony of the high sense they entertained for the virtuous and patriotic conduct of their fellow-citi- zen, as a memorial sacred to public gratitude." East side— " Vincit Amor Patriie. Nearly half a century before this monument was built the conscript fathers of America had, in the senate chamber, voted that Isaac Van Wart was a faithful patriot, one in whom the love of country was invincible, and this tomb bears testi- mony that the record is true." West side—" Fidelity. On the 2.3d of September, 1780, Isaac Van Wart, accompanied by John Paulding and David Williams, all farmers of the county of Westchester, intercepted Maior Andr6 on his return from the American lines in the character of a spy, and, notwith- standing the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdained to sacrifice their coun- try for gold, secured and carried him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy haflled, the American army saved and our beloved country free." John Paulding. I have not obtained so much of the details of his life. The monument erected over his remains near Peekskill in 1837, by the corporation of the city of New York, was addressed bv William Paulding, mayor of New York, believed to have been a relative. We understand he has a son residing near Huntington, Long Island, near eighty years of age, a retired rear admiral of the navy, a very distinguished gentleman, not onlyasan officer in the navy, but for his literary ability and talents. [Extract of a letter from J. R. Simms, Historian of Schoharie county.] FoKT Plain, Montgomery Co., October 9, 1876. Long, long ago was the enterprise contemplated. Judge Morphy, whom it was our pleas- ure to know nearly thirty yearsago, and who was then a worthy citizen of Livingstonville, Schoharie county, was brought upfrom childhood in the family of David Williams as one of ills own children. He held the character and virtue of his benefactor in the highest esteem. No one could estimate his character more truthfully, and no man ever knew him better, and the picture he gave of him as a man would compare favorably for candor, integrity and benevolence with that of any man in Schoharie county to-day. Talking with JudL'e Murphy at his own residence upon the subject of a monument to his god-father, we learned that he had been indef.atigable in his efforts to procure one. He repeatedly petitioned Congress to make an appropriation for this purpose, and being a man of good address, he even went in person to Washington to urge upon the law makers their duty. As the event we would honor was one of a national character, it would seem as though ho applied to the right source. tPaulding madehis escape in the dress of aGorman jiiger. General Van Cortland says thiit Paulding wore this dress on the day of the capture, which tended to deceive AndrC- and led Lini to exclaim " Thank God 1 I am once more among friends." David Williams. 217 liunor that can be conferre Brass Field-pieces will be manned from Fort Arnold, as occasion may require. The Commissary and Conductor of Military stores will, in turn, wait upon the Commanding Officer of Artillery for orders. The Artificers in the Garrison (agreeable to former orders) will repair to Fort Arnold, and there receive further orders from the Commanding Officer of Artillery, J. Bauman, Major Comm't Artillery. (Indorsed: Artillery Orders, Sept. 5, 1780.) III. (Kiitim.nte of the Strength of the Oarrison, Sept. 1780. — In Arnold's handwriting.) Estimate of the forces at Wt. Point and its dependencies, Sept. 13th, 1780: A Brigade of Massachusetts Militia and two Regiments of Rank and File, New Hampshire, inclusive of 166 Batteaux Men at Verplaucks and Stoney Points 902 On command and extra service at Fish Kills, New Windsor, &c., &c., who may be called in occasionally 852 Three Regiments of Connecticut Militia, under the command of Colonel Wells, on the lines near No Castle 488 A Detachment of New York Levies on the lines 11.'5 Militia 2,447 Colonel Lauib's Regiment 167 Colonel Livingston, at Verplanck and Stoney Pts 80 Continental 247 (Monel Sheldon's Dragoons on. the lines, about one-half Mounted 142 Batteaux Men and Artificers 250 Total 3,08G (Indorsed: Estimate of the Force at Wi^sl Point and its dependencies, Sept., 1780.) Ai-i'i:.NDi.\ TO (iujiiW iLLE Tkkmaijn's Addue.ss. '221 IV, (Estimate of the Force necessary to completely Man the Works. — In Arnold's hand- ■writing.) Estimate of tliu number of nirn necessary to Man tUe works at Wst. Point ami in the vicinity. Fort Arnold 020 " Putnam 450 " Wyll.vs 140 '■ Webb 140 Redoubt No. 1 150 ■• 2 J 150 " 3 120 " 4 100 " 5 130 ■• G 110 " 7 78 NortU Kedoubt 130 South Kedoubt 130 Total 2, 438 VILLEPAUCHE. Engineer. N. B. — The artillerj'men are not included in the above estimate. (Indorsed : Estimate of Men to Man the Works at West Point, &c., Sept., 1780.) 222 Centennial Celebrations. & cq Si, s f§ ^ t e 'i O § h ^■° o'C .ao &H c 1 m is; Ton 13 pounder, ron 9 pounder, [ron 6 pounder. >OQ 4 pounder, [ron 3 pounder. a, (D g 5 3ja rij tfi tn No. 6, No. 4, No. 1, No. 1, No. 2, 14 £22 ■Ot-rH 1 y~< •moi m -^ oincow-*ift«»QaMci(M'*« co o o o W CO CO 1 saipui -J* ^ \': \ •iH • m •satioui s la .'* ■ :c4 : :=! •saipui o in i ■ ■ o ■S33«!.Ul!0 :SU!I8A13JJ, CO ■CO ■ • -co CO saSBUjEO SujiaABJX -* T-* -W . '-';:: ; : : CO •S3gBU.reO UOSUJBQ 'rH : ; : U ■S9S13IJ.1E0 SUJISABJX : :« : ;Mh •S83EI.IJ130 pajpois «D JMCO »r5 •SSSeUJBiJ UOSUJBQ • 1 ; ;"3 • j |* •saSeujEo nosujBQ CS ': \ ': :^ ': N \ '^W j j C3 •683BIJJE0 p3>[00}S ?3 i*"* ::::**: ; ■ ;« lO •S8aBu.iE0 aosujEO . ■ ■M'JHi-ll-* 'f-t f-HCO • ■T-H ■W* ■S3&B1J.IB0 gU!I9AB-II, CO : i*^ ; jrH j CO •SSSEIJJEO UOSU.TEQ 'o -la •^ ■CO • CO •S33EUJU3 UOSUaEQ a •iH •_ ; .::'-' •siEign Brass. Iron.. Brass. Iron.. Trnn . o c c c c o c c L. [-r L. HHt-H'— c c c c c o c o o c U ^ L. b. k c c u ■ en - c 2 c O £ O FortArnold ■ Fort Putnam ': 0) C 'II J.- 1 c I "'t c ii c • c '■■I ■ c " •a m 5 la s c o a> I C r ^ ^ c.^ >■ '^ ^ ■*<. ^ ;2; CI < >o ^ t^ -J1 M a Appendix to Gkenville Tremain's Ajjdukss. •22:] VI. [Remarks on Works at West Point, September, 1780 — In Arnold's /utndwriting.) Sept. 1780. Fort Arnold is built of dry fascines and wood, is in a ruinous condition, incomplete and subject to take fire from shells or carcasses. Fort Putnam, stone wanting great repairs ; the wall on the east side broke down, and rebuilding from the foundation at the west and south side ; have been a chevaus de frise on the west side broke in many places. The east side open, two Bomb Proofs and Provision JIagazine in the Fort, and slight wooden Barrack. A commanding piece of ground, 500 yards west between the Fort and No. 4^ or Rocky Hill. Fort Webb, built of fascines and wood ; a slight work, very dry and liable to be set on fire, as the approaches are very easy, without defenses, save a slight abattis. Fort Wylly's, built of stone ; five feet high, the work above plank filled with earth ; the stone work 15 feet ; the earth nine feet thick. No Bomb Proofs ; the Bat- teries without the Fort. Redoubt No. 1. On the south side; wood nine feet; the west, north and east sides four feet thick ; no cannon in the works ; a slight and single abattis ; no ditch or picket ; cannon on two Batteries ; no Bomb Proofs. Redoubt No. 2. The same as No. 1. No Bomb Proofs. Redoubt No. 3. A slight woodwork three feet thick ; very dry ; no Bomb Proofs; a single abattis ; the work easily set on fire ; no cannon. Redoubt No. 4. A wooden work about ten feet high and four or five feet thick ; the west side faced with a stone wall eight feet high and four feet thick ; no Bomb Proof ; two sis pounders ; a slight abattis ; a commanding piece of ground 500 yards west. The North Redoubt on the east side built of stone, four feet high; above the stone, wood filled in with earth ; very dry ; no ditch ; a Bomb Proof ; three Batteries with- out the Fort, a poor abattis; a rising piece of ground 500 yards south ; the approaches under cover to within twenty yards; the work easily fired with faggots dipt in pitch, etc. South Redoubt much the same as the North ; a commanding piece of ground 500 yards due east; three Batteries without the Fort. (Indorsed ; Remarks on Works at West Point, a copy to be transmitted to his Excel- lency General Washington.) VII. (Copy of a State of Matters laid before a Council of TVar, by Oeneral Washington Sept. 0, 1780. — In Arnold's liandioHting.) At a Council of War, held in Camp, Bergen county, Sept. 0, 1780. Present — The Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief states to the Council that, since he had the honor of lay- ing before the General Offic(>rs, at Morristown, the 6th of .Tuue last, a general view of our circumstances, several important events have occurred, which have materially changed the prospects of the campaign. That the succor expected from France, instead of coming out in one body, and pro- ducing a national superiority in these seas, has been divided into two divisions, the first of which, only consisting of seven ships of the line, one forty-four, and three smaller, frigates, with five thousand land forces, had arrived at Rhode Island. That a re-enforcement of six ships of the line from England having re-enforced the enemy, had made their Naval Force in these seas amount to nine sail of the line, two 224 Centennial Celebrations. fifties, two forty-fours, and a number of smaller frigates, a force completely superior to that of our allies, and wliich has, in consequence, held them blocked up iu the harbor of Rhode Island till the 29th ult., at which period the British fleet disap- peared, and no advice of them has since been received. That accounts received by the alliance frigate, which left France in July, announces the Second Division to be confined in Brest, with several other ships, by a British fleet of thirty-two sail of the line, and a fleet of the allies of thirty-sis or thirty eight ships of the line, ready to put to sea from Cadiz to relieve the port of Brest. The most of the States, in their answers to the requisitions made of them, give the strongest assurances of doing every thing in their power to furnish the men and supplies required for the expected co-operation. The effect of which, however, has been far short of our expectations, for not much above one-third of the levies demanded for the Continental Battalions, nor above the same proportion of Militia, have been assembled, and the supplies have been so inadequate that there was a necessity for dismissing all the Militia, whose immediate services could be dispensed with, to lessen our consumption, notwithstanding which the troops now in field are severely suffering for want of provisions. That the army at this post and in the vicinity, iu operating force, consists of 10,400 Continental troops and about 400 Militia, besides which is a regiment of Continental troops of about 500 at Rhode Island, left there for the assistance of our allies, against any attempt of the enemy that way ; the two Connecticut State regiments, amount, ing to 800, at North Castle . That the time of service for which the levies are engaged will expire the first of January, which, if not replaced, allowing for the usual casualties, will reduce the Continental Army to less than 6,000. That since the state to the council above referred to, the enemy have brought a detachment of about 3,000 men from Charles Town to New York, which makes the present operating force in this quarter between ten and eleven thousand men. . That the enemies' force now in the southern States has not been lately ascertained by any distinct accounts, but the General supposes it cannot be less than 7,000 (of •which about 3,000 are at Savannah), in this estimate the diminution by the casualties of the climate is supposed to be equal to the increase of force derived from the dis- affected. That added to the loss of Charles Town and its garrison, accounts of a recent misfortune are just arrived from MajorGeueral Gates, giving advice of a general action which happened on the IGth of August, near Campden, in which the army under his command met with a total defeat, and, in all probability, the whole of the Continental troops, and a considerable part of the Militia would be cut off. That the State of Virginia has been sometime exerting itself to raise a body of 3,000 troops to serve till the end of December, 1781, but how far it has succeeded is not known. That Maryland had resolved to raise 2,000 men, of which a sufficient number to compose one battalion, was to have come to this army. The remainder to recruit the Maryland line, but in consequence of the late advices, an order has been sent to march the whole southward. That the enemies' force in Canada, Halifax, St. Augustine and at Penobscot, remains much the same as stated in the preceding Council. That there is still reason to believe the Court of France will prosecute its original intention of giving eff'ectual succor to this country, as soon as circumstances will permit; and it is hoped the second division will certainly arrive in the course of the fall. That a fleet greatly superior to that of the enemy iu the West Indies, and a formidable land force had sailed some time since from Martinique to make a com- bined attack upon the Island of Jamaica, that there is a possibility of a re-enforce- ment from this quarter also, to the fleet of our ally at Rhode Island. Appendix to Grenville Tremain's Address. 225 The Commander-in-Chief having thus given the Council a full view of our present situation and future prospects, requests the opinion of each member, in writing, wliat plan it will be advisable to |)ursue ; to what objects our attention ought to be directed in the course of this fall and winter, taking iuto consideration the alterna- tive of having or not having a naval superiority ; whether any offensive operations can be immediately undertaken and against what point ; what ought to be our imme- diate preparations and dispositions, particularly whether we can afford or ought to send any re enforcements from this army to the Southern Statee, and to what amount ; the General requests to be favored with these opinions by the 10th instant at farthest. (Indorsed: Copy of a Council of War held Sept. Gth, 1T80.) Note 7. — So long a time has elapsed since the documents here referred to were originally published, that they had been very generally forgotten ; and as they are important to a correct judgment of the conduct and motives of the captors of Andre, on which even Mr. Sparks, with less than his scrupulous regard for exact justice, has thrown down unmerited distrust, it may not be amiss to reprint them in this connection. They were originally published in February and March, 1817, imme- diately after the remarks of Major Tallmadge in Congress. Certificate of Inhabitants of Westchester County. "We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the county of Westchester, do certify, that during the Revolutionary war, we were well acquainted with Isaac Van Wart, David Williams and John Paulding, who arrested Major Andre ; and that at no time during the Revolutionary war, was any suspicion entertained by their neighbors or acquaint- ances, that they or either of them held any undue intercourse with the enemy. "On the contrary, they were universally esteemed, and taken to be ardent and faith- ful in the cause of the country. " We further certify, that the said Paulding and Williams are not now resident among us, but that Isaac Van Wart is a respectable freeholder of the town of Mount Pleasant : that we are well acquainted with him ; and we do not hesitate to declare our belief that there is not an individual in the county of Westchester, acquainted with Isaac Van Wart, who would hesitate to dnscribe him as a man whose integrity is as unimpeachable as his veracity is undoubted. In these respects no man in the county of Westchester is his superior. " Jonathan G. Tompkins, aged 31 years. " Gilbert Dean, aged 70 years. " Jacob Purdy, aged 77 years. " Jonathan Odell, aged 87 years. " John Odell, aged 60 years. " Cornelius Vantassel, aged 71 years. " John Boyce, aged 73 years. '' Thomas Boyce, aged 71 years. " J. Requa, aged .57 years. " Tunis Lynt, aged 71 years. " William Paulding, aged 81 years. " Jacobus Dyckman, aged 68 years. " John Requa, aged .'54 years. " William Hammond. " Archer Read, aged 64 years. " John Romer." " George Comb, aged 72 years. Isaac Van Wart's Affidavit. " Isaac Van Wart, of the town of Mount Pleasant, in the county of Westchester, being duly sworn, doth depose and say that he is one of the three persons who arrested Major Andre during the American Revolutionary War, and conducted him to the American camp. That he, this deponent, together svith Uavid Williams and John Paulding, had secreted themselves at the aide of the highway, for the purpose of detecting any person coming from or having unlawful intercourse with the enemy, being between the two armies — a service not uncommon in those times. 29 226 Centennial Celebrations. That this deponent and his companions were armed with muskets, and, upon seeing Major Andre approach the place where they were concealed, they rose and presented their muskets at him and required him to stop, which he did. He then asked them whether they belonged to his party 1 and then they asked him which party was his party? to whicli he replied, ' the lower party.' Upon which they — deeming a little stratagem, under such circumstances, not only justifiable, but necessary — gave him to understand that they were of his party ; upon which he joyfully declared himself to be a British officer, and told them that he had been out on very particular business. Having ascertained thus much, this deponent and bis companions undeceived him as to their characters, declaring themselves Americans, and tliat he mu.st consider him- self their prisoner. Upon this, with seeming unconcern, he said he had a pass from General Arnold, which he exhibited, and then insisted on their permitting him to proceed ; but they told him that, as he had confessed himself to be a British officer, they deemed it to be their duty to convey him to the American camp, and then took him into a wood, a short distance from the highway, in order to guard against being surprised by parties of the enemy, who were frequently reconnoiteriug in that neigh- borhood. That when they had him in the wood they proceeded to search him, for the pur- pose of ascertaining who and what he was, and found inside of his stockings and boots, nest to his bare foot, papers, which satisfied them that he was a spy. Major Andre how showed them his gold watch, and remarked that it was evidence of his being a gentleman, and also promised to make them any reward they might name, if they would but permit him to proceed, which they refused. He then told them that if they doubted the fulfillment of his promise, triei/ might conceal Mm in some 'secret place, and keep him there until they could send to Neio York and receive their reward. And this deponent expressly declares that every offer made by Major Andre to them was promptly and resolutely refused. And, as for himself, he solemnly declares that he had not, and he does most sincerely believe that Pauld- ing and Williams had not, any intention of plundering the prisoner, nor did they con- fer with each other, or even Jiesitate whether they should accept his promises ; but, on the contrary, they were, in the opinion of this deponent, governed, like himself, by a deep interest in the cause of the country and a strong sense of duty. And this deponent further says that he never visited the British camp, nor does he believe or suspect that either Paulding or Williams ever did, except that Paulding was once, before Andre's capture, and once afterward, made a prisoner by the British, as this deponent has been informed and believes. And this deponent for himself expressly denies that he ever held any unlawful traffic, or any intercourse whatever, with the enemy. And appealing solemnly to that Omniscient Being at whose tribunal he must Boon appear — he doth expressly declare that all accusations, charging him therewith' are utterly untrue. ISAAC VAN WART. Sworn before me, this 28th ) day of January, 1817. ( Jacob R.\i)Cliffe, Mayor. John Paulding's Affidavit. John Paulding, of the county of Westchester, one of the persons who took Major Andre, being duly sworn, saith that he was three times, during the Revolutionary War, a prisoner with the enemy ; the first time he was taken at the White Plains when under the command of Captain Requa, and carried to New York and confined in the Sugar-House. The second time he was taken near Tarrytown, when under the command of Lieutenant Peacock, and confined in the North Appendix to Grenville Tkejiain's Address. 227 Dutch C'liurch, in New York ; that both these times he escaped, and tlie last of them only four days before tlic capture of Andre ; that the last time he was taken he was wounded and lay in the hospital in New York, and was discharged on the arrival of the news of peace there ; that he and his companions. Van Wart and Williams, among otlier articles which they took from Major Andn', were his watch, horse, saddle and bridle, and which they retained as prize ; that they delivered over Andre, with the papers found on liim, to Col. Jameson, who commanded on the lines ; that shortly thereafter they were summoned to appear as witnesses at tlie head-quar- ters of General Washington, at Tappan ; tliat they were at Tappan some days, and examined as witnesses before the court-martial on the trial of Smith, who brought Andre ashore from on board the sloop of war; that while there. Col. William S. Smith redeemed the watch from them for thirty guineas ; which, and the money re- ceived for the horse, saddle and bridle, they divided equally among themselves and four other persons, who belonged to their party, but when Andre was taken, were about half a mile off, keeping a look-out on a liill ; that Andre had no gold or silver money with him, but only some Continental bills, to the amount of about eighty dol- lars ; that the medals given to him and Van Wart and Williams, by Congress, were presented to them by General Washington, when the army was encamped at Ver- planck's Point, and that tln-y on the occasion dined at his table ; that Williams re- moved some years ago from Westchester county to the northern part of the State, but where particularly, the deponent does not know. And the deponent, referring to the affidavit of Van Wart, taken on the 38th of January last, and which he has read, says that the same is in substance true. JOHN PAULDING. Sworn before me, this Gth ( dayof May, 1817. (' Charles (i. Van Wtck, Master in Chancery. AutobioffrapJiy of Damd Willia7ns. The following biography of David Williams appeared in the Albany Daily Adver- tiser, in January preceding his death, said to have been dictated by himself : "I was born in Tarrytown, then called Philips' Manor, Westchester county. New York, October21st, 17.54. I entered the army in 1775, at the age of 21, and was under General Montgomery at the siege of Fort St. .Johns, and afterward on board the flat- bottomed boats to carry provisions, etc.; and served out my time which was six months ; I then went, listed again in the spring of 1776, and continued iu the service by different enlistments, as a New York militiaman, until 1779. In 1778, when in Capt. Acker's company of New York militia, at Tarrytown, I asked his permission to take a walk in company witli William Van Wart, a boy sixteen or seventeen years old; I proceeded to the cross-roads on Tompkins' ridge ; stood looking a few mo- ments ; saw five men coming, thoy had arms; we jumped over a stone fence and concealed ourselves in a corner of it ; ob.served that they were armed witli two mus kets and three pistols; they came so nigh that we recognized two of them, viz.: Wil- liam Underhill and William Moshcr. wlio were tories, and Icnown to be of DeLancy's corps ; when they came within proper distance, I said to ray companion, ' Billy, neck or no joint I' I then said aloud as if speaking to a number, with a view of intimida- ting them.' Men, mni-e rcrtrfy.' ' They stopped immediately; I told them to ground their arms, which they did ; I then said, ' March away ; they did so ; I then jumped over the fence, .secured their arms, and made tliem marcli before us to our quarters ; 1 continued in the service until a week or ten days before the year 1780. In Decern, ber, 177il. Captain Daniel Williams, wlio was commander of our company, mounted us on horses, and we went to Morrisania, Westchester county. We swept all Mor- 228 Centennial Celebrations. risauia clear ; took probably $5,000 worth of property ; returned to Tarrytown and quartered at Young'a house. My feet being frozen, my uncle, Martinus Van Wart, took me to his house ; I told Captain Williams that the enemy would soon be at Young's, and that if he remained there he would be on his way to Morrisauia before morning ; he paid no attention to my remarks — he did not believe me ; but in the course of the night a woman came to my uncle's crying, ' Uncle Martinus! Uncle Martinus!' 1"he truth was, the British had surrounded Young's house, made prison- ers of all the company except two, and burnt the barn. Having got well of my frozen feet, on the 3d of June, 1780, we were all driven from Tarrytown to the upper part of Westchester county, in the town of Salem. We belonged to no organized company at all ; were under no command, and worked for our board or johtiny-enke. Isaac Van Wart, who was a cousin of mine (the father of Williams and mother of Van Wart were brother and sister), Nicholas Storms and myself went to Tarrytown on a visit; we carried our muskets with us, and on our way took a Quaker who said he was going to New Y"ork after salt and other things. The Quaker vras taken before the American authority and acquitted. " In July or August a number of persons, of whom I was one, went on a visit to our friends in Tarrytown, and while on his way took ten head of cattle, which some refugees were driving to New York, and, on examination before the authority, the cattle were restored to their right owners, as they pleaded in- nocence, saying they were stolen from them. I then returned to Salem, and worked with a Mr. Benedict for my board, until the 23d of September. It was about one o'clock p. M., as I was standing in the door with Mr. Benedict's daughter (who was afterward my wife), when I saw six men coming ; she remarked, ' They have got guns.' I jumped over a board fence and met theni. ' Boys,' said I, ' where are you going ? ' They answered ' we are going to Tarrytown.' I then said ' if you will wait until I get my gun I will go with you.' Tlie names of the six persons were, Isaac Van Wart, John Paulding, William Williams, John Yerks and James Romer ; the name of the sixth I have forgotten. W^e proceeded about fifteen miles that night, and slept in a hay barrack; In the morning we crossed Buttermilk hill, when John Paulding proposed to go to Isaac Rjed's and get a pack of cards to divert ourselves with. After procuring them we went out to Davis' hill, where we separated, leaving four on the hill and three, viz.. Van Wart, Paulding and myself, proceeded on the Tarrytown road about one mile and concealed ourselves in the bushes on the west side of the road, and commenced playing cards three handed, that is, each one for himself. We had not been playing more than an hour, when we heard a horse galloping across a bridge but a few yards from us ; which of us spoke I do not remem ber, but one of us said, ' there comes a trader going to New York.' We stepped out from our concealment and stopped him. ' My lads," said he, ' I hope you belong to our party.' We asked liim 'what party?' he replied, 'the lower party.' We told him ' we did.' He then said, ' I am a British officer, have been up the country on particular business, and would not wish to be detained a minute,' and as a token to convince us he was a gentleman, he pulled out and showed us his gold watch ; we then told him we were Americans. ' God bless my soul,' said he, ' a man must do any thing these times to get along,' and then showed us Arnold's pass. We told him it would not satisfy us without searching him. 'My lads,' said he, 'you will bring yourilem of freedom and victory. With the dark memories of that house upon their minds did these women lift ah)ft with willini: hands tlie celebrating staff of its peace and domestic I'lve. The sad records of iVIadanie Riedesel stand in dark contrast with this lionorary act of Mrs. J. M. Marshall, Mrs. Georse W. Smith, Miss Jennie Marshall (the two latterthe former's dauKhters), Mrs. Chas. Dartram of Greenpoint. L. T., Mrs. Wesley Buck and Mrs. Joseph Hudson of this viliaKe. The pole Is ei:;htv-nine feet from the ground and will float a flag twelve by fourteen feet."— Si'hiiiilrrrill: SlmtdnnU Ucl. l.i. 1S77. Mrs. Marshall also, gave the two Albany companies of the Twenty-flfth regiment, the day after the celebration, an elegant dinner set outon the lawn. SCHUYLERVILLE. 239 exclamation of Xerxes, and feel that " a linndred years hence, Tiot one of all that vast multitude will be alive." Immediately behind the police, and leading the procession proper, came the popular Doring's band of Troy, composed of twenty-six pieces. Folluwiug these, and marching by platoons, were Company F, Tenth regiment N. Y. S. N. G., Captain George D. WEmiiAN com- manding, and Company I, Twenty-fifth regiment, under Captain Walker. Both companies wore a neat gray uniform, and by their soldierly bearing did credit to the capital city. Colt's armory band of twenty pieces, one of the choicest musical organizations in the land, and clad in scarlet, followed next in order ; and directly after them were the Governor's Foot Guards of Hartford, Conn., commanded by Major AV. PI. Talcoit. The presence, on this occasion, of the Foot Guards, was particulary fortunate and most appropriate. Dressed in the rich and peculiar style of the time of George III — beai--skin caps, scarlet coats, knee-breeches, and black velvet leggins with silver buckles on their shoes — they gave to the spectators a correct idea of the appear- ance of Burgoyne's " Eed-eoats," at the time of the surrender. Accompanying the Foot Guards were the Veterans of the corps in citizen's dress, wearing Kossuth hats and crimson badges.* Tlie Park Guards' band, one of Vei-mont's best, with the Park Guards of Bennington, Capt. N. O. Wilcox, made a striking appearance in their grenadier hats and steel gray uniforms. Having taken part in the Bennington centennial, it gave them pleasure to participate in Sara- toga's celebration. It was one of the best equipped commands on the ground. As the procession moved by, the next command that passed along was the Hughes Light Guards of South Glens Falls, Captain Gleesettle. This company has only recently been organized, but the members carried themselves like vetei-ans, reflecting credit on the most northerly town in Saratoga county. The Whitehall Cornet band then filed past, leading the well-known and ])opular Burleigh Corps of Whitehall, Lieutenant Basdosi commanding. The Guards and Corps were dressed in the regulation dark and light blue, and wore the shako, and made a creditable appearance. This military array was followed by the Knights Templar, their gay trappings, in the bright sunlight of an unclouded sky, being sufficiently gorgeous to have tilled the eye of a Persian emperor in the height of oriental splendor and magnificence. • The Governor's Foot Otmnls were chartered in 1771. In October, 1777. it started for Saratoga to offer its services to Gates, though organized specially as a bodyguard to the governor and general assonilily of the colony of Connectirnt. The company, under the command of Captain .lonathan Bull, riiarched as far as the Riiinebeck flats, wliere, being met by an express with the new.qof Burgoyne's surrender, they returned lionie. The battalion now numbers ahout one hun- dred, inelU'ling a band of twenty-five pieces. ,Taues Blti.l, now living at Saratoga .Springs, is a grandson of Captain .Innatltjin Bull, and was a member of the guards fifty years ago. His father. Isaac D Dull, was the llrst major of the organization when it l)ecame a battalion in 1813, serriug until 1816. 240 Centennial Celebrations. The Knights Templar constituted the second division of the proces- sion, whicli was under the command of very eminent Grand Com- mander Chaeles H. Holden, assisted by Sir Knight B. F. Judson. Preceding the Washington Coinmandery of Saratoga Springs was the Ballston Cornet band, dressed in a showy dark blue uniform. Then came the Seventy-seventh regiment band of Saratoga Springs, com- posed of twenty-two pieces, and dressed in military uniform, followed by the Apollo Commandery of Troy and the Temple Commandery of Albany. These eommanderles, together with Washington Command- ery, sustained well their reputation as among the finest appearing and best drilled organizations of Sir Knights in the State. The Mozart band of Schenectady, uniformed in white, came next in order preced- ing the commanderies of St. George of Schenectady, De Soto of Plattsburgh, Holy Cross of Gloversville, Lafayette of Hudson, Little Falls of Little Falls, Killington of Rutland, Vermont, and the Teiit of Bennington of the same State. The Schuylerville Cornet band was the next to pass, followed by the Master Masons, who preceded the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Along the whole exten- sive line of march each of the different organizations was received with continual cheers, a circumstance which added not a little to the animation of the scene. The Saratoga Centennial Cavalry, Major T. S. Fassett commanding, brought up the rear. This company numbered upward of eighty horse- men, and attired in the attractive uniform of Gates's Continentals, they elicited much praise from the bystanders whenever they appeared. This cavalcade fonned the escort, or rather the rear guard, to the orators, poets, officers of the day, members of the Saratoga Monument Associa- tion and invited guests, who, seated in open carriages, formed the civic portion of the procession. In one of the carriages were Horatio Sey- MouE, George William Curtis and Alfred B. Street, each wearing on his breast, not the gorgeous insignia of the courts of kings, but — typical of Republican simplicity — a silk badge, on which was attached a plain rosette made of the dry leaves of the palmetto.* Among the most honored guests were ex-Senator Foster, of Connecticut, whose father was in both battles of Bemus Heights, and George L. Schuyler, of New York, a grandson of Gen. Philip Schuyler. Li another carnage, also, rode Albert Clements, aged ninety-six, George Strover, eighty- six, and William H. McCreedy, eighty-six, the three oldest men in the village, and honored both for their own sakes and from having once been the neighbors of Gen. Schuyler. The presence of these three * At the topof the badge is printed tlie word "Gates." and at the bottom, "Saratoga, October 17th, ]8"7.'" Tlie badges were the gift of Gen. Stephen D. Kirk, of Charleston, S. C. Gen KiiiK accompanied the gifts with appropriate patriotic sentiments. SCHUYLERVILLE. 241 venerable, but still hale and hearty, nllage sires, and the distinguished ex-Senator Fostkr, carried back the minds of the beholders so vividly to those " times that tried men's souls," that they no longer seemed to belong to the " dim past," but to the vitality of the actual present. It had been expected that Governor Robinson, of New York, Governor Rice, of Massachusetts, and Van Zandt, of Rhode Island, would be present ; but illness kept them all away. The governor of New York was represented by members of his military family. The procession was more than a mile in length, and contained nearly three thousand people. It was, indeed, a pageant of indescribable in- terest, and, to most, of double attraction, the occasion being one in which the deepest sympathies were enlisted, and it being also altogether the finest display of pomp and circumstance ever witnessed in northern New York. A large part of the population of Saratoga and Washington counties had given themselves up to the enjoyment of the occasion ; and glad- ness, in all its fullness, was depicted in every countenance, while a noble enthusiasm s\\-elled every bosom. The bond of union was complete : and eveiT man, carrying himself back one hundred years, felt as though his country had been rescued, in the last hour, from the most imminent peril. The head of the procession reached the open square in front of the monument at half-past one o'clock. The right of line then opened, and the Grand Lodge advanced to its position, being surrounded b}- the subordinate lodges formed in a square. The command eries made the same formation outside of the lodges, while the military beyond the commanderies encircled them, having in their rear a vast concourse of citizens, estimated at twelve thousand. The various bands of music which had enlivened the march of the procession were concentrated in the inclosure, but so disposed as not to intercept the prospect. The Grand Lodge occupied a position upon the foundation of the monu- ment, and thus the Masonic ceremonies, which were conducted in the usual form, were in full view of the multitude. After the corner-stone had been laid, the procession was reformed ; and, amid the firing of cannons, counter-marched to the speaking grounds on Schuyler Square, wliere two stands had been built, on which floated the American and British flags. At tlie soutliern stand, where Hon. Charles S. Lester of Saratoga Springs presided, the orations of IIoKATio Seymour and George Wilt.iaii Cfrtis, and the addresses of Judge Lester and Lafayette S. Foster were delivered together with the poem of Alfreo B. Street, read by Col. E. P. Howe of Saratoga Springs. The short impromptu speech by Senator Foster was pecu- Jia,rly timely and fitting, and of extraordinary interest, owing to the 242 Centennial Celebrations. fact tliat he had often listened to the story of the battle from the lips of his father, who was lieutenant and adjutant of one of the Connecti- cut regiments on the Amei'ican side. At the northern stand, Hon. Geoege W. Schptlee, in the absence of Gen. E. F. Bullaed, was called upon to pj-eside. At this stand were delivered the historical address of William L. Stone, and the speeches of B. W. Thkockmoeton of New Jersey, Judge Austin A. Yates of Schenectady, and 11. L. Gladdlnct of Albany. Gen- eral James Geant Wilson (the biographer of Fitz Green Halleck) read that poet's Meld of the Qrounded Arms, and the Eev. D. K. Van Doeen,. of Schuylerville, a poem by General J. Watts De Peystee, prepared expressly for the occasion. A new version of the Star Spangled Banner, by Col. B. C. Butlee of Luzerne, IST. Y., was then read by William L. Stone, and the exercises closed by the reading, by Col. Ritchie, of letters from Benson J. Lossing, Mrs. Ellen H. Walwoeth, Giles B. Slocum, and General Stephen D. KiEK of Charleston, South Carolina. It had been the intention to close the celebration with a brilliant military spectacle representing the surrender of Burgoyne to the Con- tinental troops. It was, however, almost dusk when the speaking was finished ; and, accordingly. Judge Lestee, in dismissing the audience, stated that the Connecticut boys* refused to surrender, and that the exercises would therefore be brought to an end by a dress parade. While the literary exercises at the stands were holding, thousands of people who could not get within hearing distance, amused themselves by strolling about the village and visiting the siu'render grounds, the remains of old Fort Hardy, the Marshal House (in the cellar of which Mrs. Riedesel took refuge during the cannonade) and the "Relic Tent" containing a sword said to have belonged to Burgoyne, the " Eddy collection," and many other interesting trophies. The Schuyler Mansion, built by General Schuyler near the site of the one burned by Burgoyne and owned and occupied by Geoege Stkovee, was also an object of special attraction during the entire day.f The conti- nental cavalry from Saratoga Sj)rings, upon its arrival in the village, proceeded thither in a body and saluted the house and its occupants. Among the large number of persons who partook of the hospitalities of the house were ex-Governor Seymoue, Geoege William Cijetis, H. A. Homes, State Librarian, Hon. Geoege W. Schuyler, Alfekd B. ♦The Governor's Foot Guards, who were to personate British troops. tThisis agood opportunity to correct the common error — into which I have myself fallen in my Life, of Oeveral Kiedexcl —that the present Schuyler Mansion was built by the American army within ten days after the surrender. The massive foundation of the house is sufficient of itself to refute this idea; but if more evidence is required, we have the testimony of the Marquis de Chastellux, who, visiting Gen. Schuj'ler at Saratoga in 1783- five years after the surrender- says that "there is nothing to be seeu but some barns and the ruins of General Schuyler's house." SCHUYLEBVILLE. 243 Street, B. ^Y. Throckmorton, Judge A. A. Yates, II. L. Gladding, ChjVKLEs S. Lester and many other proniinunt men. Speaking within bounds, at least three thousand people, during tiie day and evening, visited tiie house. The large portico with its high columns were adorned with curtains elegantly folded, and with wreaths and festoons of laurels disposed with beautiful and tasteful effect. Over the door- way was suspended the musket, cartridge-box and powder-horn used by Col. Strover in the war of 1812. Immediately after the exercises of the laying of the corner stone, the Governor's Foot Guard of Hart- ford, escorted by Major J. C. Parson of the veteran corps, and Major W. H. Talcott, with Colt's Military Band, marched to the house ; and, upon its arrival on the lawn, paraded in line and saluted the old man- sion and Colonel and Mrs. Strover, the living representatives of the eighteenth century. The Guards then stacked arras, and upon enter- ing the hospitable mansion were tendered refreshments. They in- spected all the quaint and curious things which till the house from cellar to garret. Upon their departure, a parting salute was given ; and the band, which had executed for the large number of guests assembled on the portico and lawn, a number of brilliant pieces of music, then played " Home, Sweet Home," and marched across the bridge into the village. Major W. H. Talcott was heard to remark that this visit of the Guards " was one of the most pleasing which he should remember with the laying of the corner stone of the Saratoga Monument." "When at length the sun went down behind the heights upon which Burgoyne had pitched his camp, the multitude slowly dispersed and wended its way through the streets of the village. Broad street took the appearance of Broadway, New York city, and was a thoroughfare of closely packed hacks^, stages, wagons and liorsemen passing and re-passing toward the several roads leading to their homes. At night, the street with its pendent flags and gayly colored illuminated lanterns ; its thronging people ; the wild vociferations of the street venders ; the passing of uniformed .soldiers ; and the out-going stages filled with departing visitors, made it a scene not soon to be forgotten by the citizens of Schuylerville.* •The centennial exercises were continued at Sehuylerville throughout the foUowinR day. The village presented a beautiful appearance, the artistic decorations and beauties still atiractinc attention. Though the crowd was not as large as the previous day. yet there were thousands t»f people present — all happy at beinfj able to "assist in i>rolonping tlie exercises of the preceding day. In till' l.'irt;!' t'*n(s on ,'^(■llll.^*lt•r siniare hundreds were banqueted, the supply of provisions furnished bc'inj,' nii.r.' ihaii aniiily suilli-icnt to meet all the demands made upon it. The grand stands were crowded ilui-iii;^ most of tlie da.v. and the corner stone was visited bj* thousands of peojile. The exercises of tlie dav were interspersed with local speeches, music, and a military display by companies F of the fentli regiment, and I of the 'rweniy-flfth. The occasion was a most joyous one; and to sum up, the citizens of Sclniylerville have reason to feel proud at the success of the Centennial Celebration of lH77.—f!cliu!ili ri'ilh- St'imlm-d. Nor, before bringing our narrative to a close, shouM we neglect to speak of the hospitality dis- played, not only of the pmple of Sehuylerville. but :dso of those of Victory .Mills, of Northumber- land, of Easton and of Greeuwicb. These people gave a hearty and hospitable welcome to all. 244 Centennial Celebrations. As night shut in the air became cliilly, and the wind, whicli had seemingly waited nntil the celebration was ended, now swept around the massive foundation of the monument and over the high table land with a hoarse, sullen roar. But as midnight approached the breeze was lulled to silence, tiie lights of the village disappeared ; the ditt'er- ent sounds from the haunts of men ceased ; and a gentle silence reigned around. Above hung a broad and sable canopy studded with count- less planets ; and around stretched the weird-looking horizon appar- ently dying away into the gloom of that strange firmament. But as it drew on toward the dawn, the stars, led off by the twin Pleiades, tripped away and disappeared one by one ; and the light of another day rested on the ground where but a little while before had been gathered a vast multitude, and -where, amid the swelling strains of martial music, had been collected and displayed, in one grand view, the flags, and emblems, and costly decorations, which in a continued procession called forth such enthusiasm of admiration. It was one of those few bright visions whose evanescent glory is allowed to light up the path of human life — which, as they are passing, we feel can never return ; and which, while diifusiug a sensation of pleasing melancholy, leads up the mind to contemplation. The splendor of beauty and the triumph of art serve to excite, dazzle and often to improve the condi- tion and ]5romote the welfare of mankind ; but " the fashion of this world passeth away ; '" beauty and art, with all their triumphs and splendors, endure but for a season ; and earth itself, with all its lakes and oceans, its woods and mountains, is only as the small dust of the balance in the sight' of Him who dwells beyond the everlasting hills, OFFICEKS OF THE DAY. Presidents. Hon. Chables S. Lester, Saratoga Springs, Gen. Edward F Bullahd, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. N. Y. Vice-Presidents. George L. Schptleb, New York City. James McFarland, New Jersey. Philip Schuyler, " " Ethan Ai.len, New York Hon. Charles 0'(Jonob, New York. Wm. H. Thomas, Bergen, N. J. William Cullen Bryant, " Hon. John. H. Starin, Fiiltonville. Hon. Hamilton Fish, New York. Parker Handy, New York. Ex-Governor Hoffman, " John F. Seymour, Utica. Hon. Frederick DePeyster, Pres. N. Y. Hon. B. W. Throckmorton, Bergen, N. J. Historical Society. Hon. Henry Q. Koot, Bennington, Vt. Every one appreriated the bounteous refresliments provided by them and departed with loud spoken compliments and thanks for the goodly entertainment. Mr. Daniel A. Bullard, also, wasnot only one of the staiinohe.st promoters of the Sar.itoga Monument, but on the day ot the celebration, assisted by his lovely wife, entertained at his hospitable mansion Horatio Seymour, George William Curtis. Henry A, Homes, Geiirgk L .Schuyler, Alfred B. Street, Senator Foster. James M. Marvin, Gen. Wilson, B. W. Throckmorton, Governor Robinson's staff and many others. SCHUYI.ERVILLE. 245 Hon. George W. Curtis, New York. Maj. A B. Valentine, nennington, Vt. Manton Marulj:. " Hon. M. S. Colbukn, Manchester, Vt. Henky B. D.wvsoN, " ExUov. JOH.v B. Paoe, Rutland, H.in. ELLI3 H. UoBEKTS, Utica. Lt.-Gov. UedfieldS. ruoCTOK, Rutland, Vt. Hon. Wlllia.m J. Bacon, " Lt.-Gov. E. J. 1'helps, Burlington, Vt. E. F. DeLancev, New York City. Ex-Gov. John W. Stewaiit, Middlebury, Vt. Tao.MAS W. Olcott, Albany. Hon. Frederick K Woodbridge, Vernen- JoEL .MuNSELL, " nes, Vt. J. V. L. Pruvn, " Wm. H. Clement, Morrow, Ohio. Hon KoBEiiT S. Hale, Elizabethtown. N. Y President Potter, Union College, Schen- O. H. Marshall, Buffalo, N. Y. ectady. Hon. HiLAND Hall, Bennington, Vt. Col. Clarence S B.4tf., Louisville, Ky. C. >I. Bliss, Sec. Benniugton Mon. Ass'n, Col. John Hav, Cleveland, Ohio. Bennington, Vt. General Stephen D. Kirk, Charleston, South Giles B. Slocu.\!, Trenton, Mich. Carolina. Besides a large nuinljer of otliei's. Secretaries. W. L. Stone, Secretary jronument Associa- R. L. Palmateer, Waterford. tion. New York. H. C. Morhodse, Greenwich. E. .W B. Casking, Cor. Sec. Saratoga Menu- H. D. Morris, Salem. ment Ass'n. H. T. Blanchard, Fort Edward. D. F. Ritchie, A. S. Pease, E. J. HcLn»'c, J. L. McArtror, Granville. Saratoga Springs J. H. Cushman, Benniugton. H. L. Grose, W. S.W.4TERBURY,BallstonSpa. Grakd IIakshal. Gen. W. B. Fresch, Saratoga Springs. Assistant Maeshals. Saratoga Spnncrs— Capt. B. F. Judsox, Col. F. R. Asdfs, Maj. W. J Riggs, Surgeon Wm H. Hall, Col. Hira.m Rodoers. Col. B. C. Butler, Col. Wm. Q Barrett, Capt. A. A. Pat- terson, J. W Lester, R. A. Hemingway, Capt. W W. Worden, Capt. James M. Andrews, Jr., Hiram Owen, Maj. E. T. Brackett, Capt. E. P. Howe, Ebenezer Holmes, Capt. P. F. Allen, Samuel F. Corey. Bu!l*m Sjw — Col. C. T. PEfK, Capt W. W French. Stillimter — Capt. L. Van Demark, Capt. Thomas. GreemcicU ~ Dr . Gr.ay'. Scftuyifn'iHf — Capt. George Robinson, D.,S. Potter, A. 'Welch, J. S. Dillenbeck, C. H. McNaughto.v, S. McCreedy, P. S. Wheeler, Dr. N. C. Harris, Lieutenants Dit-linbeck, Fletcher, Pennock. AViany — Gen DiCKERMAN. Troy — Gen. Carr. Sandy ffWi — Gen. Charles Hughes. Luzerne — Col. B. C. Butler. Tlie following was the order of the day as issued bv the Chief Marshal : National salute at sunrise by Battery B, Capt.ain A. H. Green. The procession will be formed on Schuyler square, 11 : 30 A. M., in the following order: First Division. ' Platoon of Police; Gen.W. B. Frencu, chief marshal, and staff; Boring's Band of Troy; Co. F's Drum Corps; Co. F, Tenth regiment. Captain George D. Weidman, commanding, of Albany; Co. I's Drum Corps; Co. I, Twenty-fifth regiment, Capt. Walker, commanding, of Albany; First Company Governor's Foot Guards of Hartford, Conn., in old English uniform worn in the reign of George III; W. II. Talcott, Maj. Com. Battalion; Colt's Band, Hartford, Conn., 246 Centennial Celebrations. Thos. G. Adkins, leader; Capt. A. H. Wiley Com. first company; Lieut. R. D. BuRUiCK Com. second company; Lieut. S. E. Hascall Com. third company; Lieut. W. E. Eaton, Com. fourtli company ; Park Guards Band ; Park Guards of Bennington, Vt., Capt. O. N. Wilcox, commander; Hughes Light Guards of Glen's Falls, Capt. Gleesbttle, commanding ; Whitehall Band ; Bm-leigh Corps, Capt. Thomas Hall, commanding, Whitehall Band. Second Division. Sir TowNSBND Fonda, R. E. Grand Commander; Sir Chaeles H. Holden, V. D. Grand Commander; Sir Knight B. F. Judson; Ballston Spa Cornet Band; Washington Commandery of Saratoga Springs; Seventy-seventh Regiment Band, Saratoga Springs ; Apollo Commandery of Troy ; Temple Commandery No . 2, of Albany ; Schenectady Band ; St. George's Commandery Ko. 37, Schenectady, N. Y. ; De Soto Commandery No. 49, of Plattsburgh ; Schuylerville Band ; Holy Cross Commandery, Gloversville, N. Y. ; Lafayette Commandery, Hudson, N. Y. ; Little Falls Commandery, Little Falls, N. Y. ; Killington Commandery, Rutland, Vt. ; TefEt Commandery, Bennington, Vt. ; Master Masons ; Ashler Lodge, No. 584, Greenwich, N. Y. ; Montgomery Lodge, No. 504, Stillwater, N. Y. ; Schuyler Lodge, No. 676, Schuylerville, N. Y. ; Rising Sun Lodge, No. 103, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. ; Fort Edward Lodge, No. 267, Fort Edward, N. Y. ; Home Lodge, No. 398, Northumberland, N. Y. ; Grand Master of Master Masons of the State of New York, M. W. J. J. Couch ; Grand -Lodge of the State of New York. Third Division. Capt. W. W. WoRDEN, assistant marshal, commanding; New York State olE- cials; Presidents of the day; orators; poets; speakers; clergy and chaplain in carriages ; Bemus Heights Centennial committee ; the Saratoga Monument Asso- ciation; descendants of Revolutionary soldiers; invited guests; Continental Cavalry, from Saratoga, Major Fassett, commanding; his excellency Governor Robinson, represented in the person of General J. B. Stonbhotjse and Colonel A. H. Taylor. ROUTE OF MARCH. Gates avenue to Grove street ; Grove to Pearl ; Pearl to Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Broad ; Broad to Spring ; Spring to Church ; Church to Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Pearl ; Pearl to Saratoga ; Saratoga to Green ; Green to Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Monument grounds, where a hollow square will be formed by the military out- side the Knight Templars, and the corner stone of the Monument laid by M. W. J. J. Cough, Grand Master, and R. W. Edmund L. Judson, Deputy Grand Master Masons of the State of New York. After which ceremony the procession will march down Burgoyne to Pearl ; Pearl to Grove, thence to Schuyler square, where the following exercises will take place at the First Grand Stand. Music, Doring's Band. Prayer, Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D. D., of Albany, Chaplain. Music. Introductory address by the President of the Day, Hon. Charles S. Lester. Music. SCHUYLERVILLE. 247 Oration by Ex-Governor Horatio Seymour. Oration by George Whliam Curtis. Music. Poem, by Ai.kked B. Street, Read by Col. E. P. Howe. Music. Address by IIou. Lafayette S. Foster. Second Grand Stand. Music, Colt's Army Band, Hartford, Conn. Prayer, Rev. J. E. King, of Fort Edward, N. Y., Chaplain. Music. Introductory address. Hon. George W. Schuyler, Acting President of the Day. Music. Historical address by William L. Stone. Address by Hon. B. W. Throckmorton, of New Jersey. Music. Fitz Green Halleck's Field of the Oronnded Arms, read by Halleck's Biographer, Gen. James Grant Wilson. Addresses by Hon. A. A. Yates and H. L. Gladdlng. Ode by Gen. J. Watts DePeyster, Read by Rev. D. K. V.\n Doren. The Star Spangled Banner, arranged for the anniversary of Burgoyne's surrender by Col. B. C. Butler, Read by William L. Stone. Letters from Benson J. Lossing, Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth, Giles B. Slocum and Stephen D. Kirk, of Charleston, S. C, Read by Col. D. F. Ritchie. Short addresses, by Hon. Algernon S. Sullivan and E. L. Fuksman. GRAND BANQUET. Brilliant Military spectacle representing the surrender of Burgoyne's army. ■ LAYING OF THE CORNEE STONE. The ceremony of placing the comer stone in its position was con- ducted by M. "W. J. J. Couch, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York, with the cei-enionies usual to so important an occasion. The Grand Treasurer placed in the corner stone articles prepared by the trustees as follows : ' List of Articles Deposited in the Corner Stone of the Saratoga Mon- ument, Oct. 17th, 1877. A history of the Saratoga Monument Association by its secretary, Wm. L. Stone. A copy of the Bil>lc translated out of the original, presented by the Saratoga county Bible society. Burgoyne's Campaign anil St. Lcger's E,\pedition, by VVm. L. Stone. 248 Centennial Celebrations. A cop3' of JIis. T^'illaid's history, and an American flag, presented by R. N. Atwell. Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth's Visitor's Guide: Saratoga, the Battle and Battle- grounds. Gen. Schuyler and the Burgoyne Campaign of 1777 — the annual address deliv- ered by Gen. John Watts De Peyster, before the New York Historical Society, .January, 1877. Saratoga County, an historical address by Geo. G. Scott, and a centennial address by J. L. L'Amoreaux. Saratoga and Kay-ad-ros-se-ra, a centennial address by N. B. Sylyesteb. The Burgoyne Campaign ; an address delivered on the battle-field on the one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Bemus Heights, September 19th, 1877, by John Austin Stevens. History of Saratoga and the Burgoyne Campaign of 1777; an address by Gen. Edward F. Bullard. An address to the American people in behalf of a monument, to be erected in commemoration of the victory of the American army at Saratoga, under Gens. Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, October 17th, 1777, by, J. C. Markham. Leading industrial pursuits of Glens Falls, Sandy Hill and Fort Edward, by J. S. Buckley. A silver half dollar coin of George HI, dated 1777, and one of the United States, dated 1877, deposited by Alanson Welch, president of the village. Memorial of the opening of the New York and Canada Railway, presented by Edward F. Bullard. Song, commemorative of the surrender of Burgoyne, arranged by Col. B. C. Butler, of Luzerne. Annual report of the canal commissioners of the State of New York. Records of Schuj'ler Lodge, No. 176, F. and A. M., and Home Chapter, No. 176, R. A. M. A photograph of the monument from the architect's drawing. The cards of John and Samuel Matthews, and E. F. Simmons, the operative masons who built the foundation, base and corner-stone of the monument. The architects' statement of the progress of the work of building the founda- tion, base and corner-stone. D. A. Bullard in charge. Prospectus of the Bennington Battle Monument Association; volume on the Bennington centennial of the week of the 16th of August, 1877. A pamphlet containing a statement of the Bennington Historical Society, and an account of the battle of Bennington, by e.x-Gov. Hiland Hall, published in March, 1877. The Standard (daUy) of Schuylerville ; The Saratoga County Standard (weekly), Schuylerville ; copy of the Troy Daily Press, Troy; Daily Times, Troy; DaUy Whig, Troy ; Northern Budget, Troy ; Troy Observer, Sunday Trojan ; Daily Saratogian, Saratoga Sun ; Argus, Press, Express, Journal, Times, and Post, of Albany; Herald, Times, Tribune, Sun, World and Express, of New York city. SCHUYLERVILLE. 249 ADDKESS OF GRAND MASTER J. J. rOFCII. We are standing upon historic ground ; as citizens we join in commemorating the events of one hundred years ago. As masons we bring to the present under- talving the symbol and traditions of antiquity far more remote. The story of the campaign which gives special interest to the day will be recited by eloquent ora- tors who arc present with us. It is my office to say a word with reference to the masonic work tliis day performed. We hold to this truth, that the controlling and characteristic thoughts of a people crystallize and take permanent form in their architecture. That is alike true of the past and the present; we know not how long the material may have been in solution, or for how many generations the process of crystallization may have jjroceeded among the ancient Egyptians. That process is, however, clearly brought down to us in the pyramids, the obelisks, the sphinx; the square massive portals sm-mounted by winged globes, all speak- ing the predominant characteristic of mystery, which has come down to us from that people. In Greece the same process of crystallization is found with its nucleus at the Acropolis at Athens, and the result of that process comes down to us in the single word — classic art. Passing on to Italy, we find the same process again taking the form of empire. The story of the feudal ages is plainly written in the ruins of the castles along the banks of the Rhine. The early architecture of England also tells its own story. In sacred story we have an account of a pil- grimage, the thread of which commences with the mysteries of Egypt and run- ning through the Red sea and the wilderness, reaches to Jerusalem, where the pilgrims builded the temple. From here we have the story of another movement, commencing with the apostles, taking in its way something from the philosophy of Alexandria, something of the classic art of Greece, and gathering to itself also the power of the Roman empire. This movement received its characteristic architectural illustration in the swell- ing dome of St. Peter's, and in the magnificent Gothic architecture which spread over Europe. These various forms were the landmarks wliich permanently fixed the ideas of different peoples and ages. Crossing to tliis country the process of crystallization is still going on. Tlie interest of to-day centers upon the closing events of a campaign memorable in our nation's history. In laying the corner stone we essay to make i)ermancnt the rec- ord of these events. The thousands of people here assembled will separate never to meet again ; the orators of the occasion and their orations will after a time pass from the public mind. The one permanent fact which shall remain to recall the tradition associated with this spot will be the monument this day commenced.* The masonic exercises were then bronglit to an end by the benedic- tion. • The (ravel used bv the grand master on this occasion was made from wood of the historic charier oak. and is the property of Manhattan Lodge, No 63, of New York city 33 250 Cen'iennial Celebkations. AT THE SOUTH STAISTD. At this stand Hon. Ciias. S. Lestek presided, and after prayer by the Bev. Ktnrus "W. Clauk, of Albany, delivered an introductory address to the immense crowds attending at that stand. ADDEESS BY IIOK OHAS. S. LESTER Citizens of Sakatoga, and Fellow Citizens op our Great American Republic : It has been the custom among all nations which have attained to any degree of civilization to commemorate with appropriate ceremonies the returning anniversa- ries of those events in their histories which have been productive of great results. It has been the custom, too, upon such occasions, to pay a fitting tribute to those whose valor and wisdom have benefited the people and brought advantage to the State and to contemplate their achievements with gratitude and hold up theii- example to succeeding generations as worthy of imitation. In pursuance of such a custom and in grateful remembrance of the heroes who successfully resisted the army of the invaders upon the heights of Saratoga, we have come together to celebrate the centennial anniversary of that great c\'ent in om' history which made it possible for us to assemble here to-day as free citizens of a free republic. It was on the 13th of September, a hundred years ago, in full view of the place where we now stand, near where the beautiful Battenkill joins the majestic Hud- son, that a proud army, under the leadership of a brave general who had won distinction on many a European battle-field, crossed the river to carry out the man- date of a cruel and arbitrary king, and to crush, if possible, the infant colonies which were struggling for independence. This army, carefully equipped and furnished in abundance with all the muni- tions of war, was intended to split like a dividing wedge the patriots of Ver- mont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts from then- bretlireu in the central and southern colonies. It was intended to deprive them of mutual assistance and advice, and cut off all communication with each other. It was intended to effect a junction -ndth the forces of Sir Henry Clinton at Albany, and form an army wliich might move with irresistible effect upon the New England provinces which had offered the first opposition to the British crown and luid evinced a stern determination to maintain to the bitter end the bold and noble principles enuncia- ted in the Declaration of Independence. This army, full of confidence in its ability to overcome every obstacle, full of contempt for the undisciplined militia that the colonies had sent to the field, felt, as it crossed the Hudson, that the imitortant .nission with which it had been intrusted was well nigh accomi)lished, and vainly deemed its own prowess irre- sistible. "Ah," said the proud Burgoyne, "Britons never retreat," and after the pass- age of the army he caused the bridge of boats to be broken up behind him. " Britons never retreat, and I shall eat my Christmas dinner in Albany," said the ScnUYLERVir.LE. 251 exultant gencial, as liu reviewed the splcnJid columns of tlie Brunswick grena- diers and British lijfht iiifantr}-. And as ho marched on he dreamed that Albany was already a captured city; that the rebellious provinces had been subdued, and that he had received from a grateful sovereign the reward he so much coveted. But this splendid army, led by officers of conspicuous coui-age and experience, W!is destined to meet a foe inspired by a feelisg loftier than the mere love of vic- tory, and a determination deeper than the mere desire for renown. It was in defense of their homes, in defense of their liberties, in defense of their families from the savage allies of Burgoyne and the still more cruel arts of domestic traitors, in defense of those noble princiijles of human rights and human liberty that animated the signers of that immortal declaration not then two years old, that the Americans from every settlement, from every hillside, from every valley, from the log hut of the jjioneer and from beautifid mansions like Schuyler's, flocked to the standard of Gates to aid in repelling the invader. It is not my province to detail to you those events which have become doubly familiar to you all in this centennial year. You know what happened at Bemus Heights, and of those victories the glorious fruits were gathered and this spot consecrated to freedom and rendered immortal by the complete suiTender of the invading army a hundred years ago to-day. Our elevated social and political condition is the manifest result of that con- quest, and I do not think it is mere national pride that induces us to claim that among the many momentous contests of the world's history none were productive of grander results or greater changes in nations and empires than the campaign that closed here a hundred years ago. England and France were powerful nations then, and had been hundreds of years. Their histories stretch back through centuries of growth, of progress, of varjdng prosperity and power, and of all the powerful nations that existed a century ago, they alone have maintained their leading position. The deep importance of that event of which this is the anniversary will more plainly appear when we remember that the struggling infant which was on that day baptized down by the banks of this our national Jordan, is to-day the acknowledged equal in arts, in power and civilization of those ancient empires. My friends, fifty years ago to-day a smaller company than that assembled here was gathered down on the plain by the river, where the ruins of Fort Hardy were then plainly discernible, and where the army of Burgoyne laid down their arms, to celebrate as we are celebrating here to-day the same glorious event. And among the company which was gathered then, there were white-haired men who had fought under General Gates — men who had, from the heights beyond the river, watched the moving oolumns of Burgoyne — who had seen Morgan at the head of his riflemen, and Lincoln at the head of his brigade — who had known and loved the noble Schuyler, who once owned the broad fields where you now stand — who had lain in the intrenchments which ran along where yonder corner stone has been laid ; and men who had modestly stood in line while the captured British ai-my marched' by after the surrender. They were gathered to rejoice in the success of the struggle in which they bore a part ; to rejoice in the splendid sunshine of nation.al prosperity, which had fol- lowed the termination of that struggle, and to receive the gr.ateful thanks of the generation which had si)rung up to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Fifty years have gone since then and all of that little band have passed away. 252 Centennial Celebrations. Not a soldier is left -who stood in the ranks on those memorable days, not a living witness remains of those interesting scenes. Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore "Who danced our infancy upon their knee And told our marvelling boyhood legends store Of their strange ventures happ'd on land and sea, Ilow are they blotted from the things that he ! So completely has that generation passed away that I believe there is here to-day but one man who can remember to have seen and conversed with Philip Schuyler. He is with us as a connecting link between the present and the past. The services of to-day give promise that soon a monument, too long delayed, shall rise from j'onder foundation, bearing suitable inscriptions to the worth and valor of those heroes. But of those men there remains an unwritten memorial in the heart of every true American. Theirs is the renown that never grows old, but shall be everlast- ingly recorded with each returning anniversary of this glorious day. It will be our privilege to-day to listen to the fascinating story of the events to which I have barely alluded, from the lips of eloquent gentlemen who are here to address you. From the enjoj'ment of their eloquence I will no longer detain you, but join with you in listening with never flagging interest to the recital of those stirring events ADDEESS OF PTON. HOEATIO SEYMODH. One hundred years ago, on this spot, American Independence was made a great fact in the history of nations. Until the surrender of the British army under Bur- goyne, the declaration of Indej^endence was but a declaration. It was a patriotic purpose asserted in bold words by brave men, who jjledged for its maintenance their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. But on this ground it was made a fact, by virtue of armed force. It had been regarded by the world merely as an act of defiance, but it was now seen that it contained the germs of a government, which the event we now celebrate made one of the powers of the earth. Here re- bellion was made revolution. Upon this ground, that which had in the eye of the law been treason, became triumphant patriotism. At the break of day one hundred years ago, in the judgment of the world, our fathers were rebels against established authority. When the echoes of the evening gun died away along this valley, they were patriots who had rescued their country from wrong and outrage. Until the surrender of the British army in this valley, no nation would recognize the agents of the Continental Congress. All intercourse with them was in stealthy ways. But they were met with open con- gratulations when the monarchs of Europe learned that the royal standards of Brit- ain had been lowered to our flag. We had passed through the baptism of blood, and had gained a name among the nations of the earth. The value of this surren- der was increased by the boastful and dramatic display which had been made of British power. It had arrayed its disciplined armies, it had sent its fleets; it had called forth its savage allies, all of which were to move upon grand converging- lines, not only to crush out the patriotic forces, but to impress Europe with its strength, and to check any alliances with the American Government. It made ScHrYLKKvrr.LK 253 them witnesses of its defeat wliin it tlinught to make them the judges of its triumph. The monarchs of Europe, who watclied the progress of the doubtful struggle, wlio were uncertain if it was more than a popular disturbance, now saw the action in its full proportions, and felt that a new power had sprung into existence — a new clement had entered into the diplomacy of the world. The interests excited in our minds by this occasion are not limited to a battle fought, or an army captured; they reach even beyond the fact tliat it was the turning point of the revolutionary struggle. We are led to a consideration of a chain of events and of enduring aspects of nature, which have shaped our civiliza- tion in the past, and which now and throughout the future will influence the fortunes of our country. Burgoyne did not merely surrender here an army, he surrendered the control of a continent. Never in the world's history was there a transfer of territory so vast, and of influence so far reaching, as that made a cen- tury ago where we now stand. We meet to-day to celebrate the surrender of Burgoyne, by appropriate cere- monies, and to lay the corner stone of a monument which will commemorate not only that event, but every fact which led to that result. The reproach rests upon the United States, that while they stand in the front ranks of the powers of the earth, by virtue of their numbers, their vast domains and their progress in wealth and in arts, they give no proof to the eyes of the world that they honor their fathers or those whose sacrifices laid the foundations of their prosperity and great- ness. We hope that a suitable structure here Avill tell all who look upon it that this was the scene of an occurrence unsurpassed in imjiortance and far-reaching consequences in military annals. And it will also show that a hundred years have not dimmed its lustre in our eyes, but that the light shed upon its significance by the lapse of time, has made deeper and stronger our gratitude to those wlio here served their country so well, and by their sacrifices and sufferings achieved its in- dependence and secured the liberties, the prosperitj- and greatness of the American people. AU that throws light upon the scope and policy of the designs of the British Government are on this day proper topics for consideration. When we trace out the relationships which these designs bore to preceding occurrences ; and when we follow down their bearing upon the present and future of our country we shall see that a suitable moniunent here will recall to all thoughtful minds the varied history of our country during the past two centuries. It will do more. For the enduring causes which have shaped the past, also throw light upon the future of our government, our civilization and our power. The occurrences which led to the surrender of the British army have been appropriately celebrated. The great gatherings of our jieople at Oriskany, at Beimington, at Bcmus Heights, show how this centennial of what has been well termed the year of battles, revives in the minds of the American people an inter- est in the history of the revolution. The celebrations have tended to make oiu- peoi)le wiser and better. It is to be hoped that they will be held on every battle- field in our country. They will not only restore the patriotism of our people, but they will teach us the virtues of courage and patient endurance. This is a time of financial distress and of business disorder, and we have lost somewhat of our faith with regard to the future, and we speak in complaining tones of the evils of our day. But when we read again the history of the war of our independence; when we hear the story of the sufferings of all classes of our citizens ; when we are reminded that o>ir soldiers siiffered from want, and nakedness, and hunger, as no 254 Centennial Celebrations. pauper, no criminal suffers now ; when we think that the fears which agitated tlieir minds were not those which merely concerned the pride of success, the mortification of failure, or the loss of some accustomed comfort, but they were the dread that the march of hostile armies might drive tlieir families from their homes, might apply the torch to their dwellings, or worse than this, expose their wives and children to the tomahawks and scalping knives of merciless savages, we blush at our complaints. In view of their dangers and sufferings, how light appear the evils of our day ! But there is something more than all this to be gained by these celebrations. Before the revolution the people of the several colonies held but little intercourse. They were estranged from each other by distance, by sectional prejudices, and by differences of lineage and religious creeds. The British Government relied upon these prejudices and estrangements to prevent a cordial co-operation among the colonists. But when the war began, when the men of Virginia hastened to Mass- achusetts to rescue Boston from the hands of the enemj' and to drive them from New England ; when the men of the East and South battled side by side with those from the Middle States and stood upon this spot as brothers to receive with a common pride and joy the standards of a conquered foe; when Green and Lincoln went to the relief of the Southern colonies, all prejudice not only died away, but more than fraternal love animated every patriot heart from the bleak northernmost forests of New England to the milder airs of Georgia. And now that a hundred years have passed, and our country has become great beyond the wildest dreams of our fathers, will not the story of their sufferings revive in the breasts of all the love of our country, of our whole country, and of aU who live within its boundaries? Men of the East and men of the South, or you who can trace your lineage back to those who served their country a century ago upon the soil of New York, we do not welcome you here as guests; you stand here of right, by vii-tue of a common heritage from our fathers, who on this ground were actors in the crowning event of the war waged for the liberties, the glory and the prosjaerity of all sections of our great country. At this celebration of the grand conclusions of the camjjaign of Burgoyne, we have a broader field of discussion than that of a battle fought and a victory won. The occasion calls not only for praise of heroic courage, not only for a deep interest in every statement sho-n-ing the influence of its victories over the judgment of the world as to the strength of our cause, but also for a consideration of its importance as one of the links in the chain of events reaching back more than two centuries, and which will continue to stretch down into the future far beyond the period when human thought or conclusions can be of value. Inflitence op the Topogkapht op orrn Countkt. The speaker and others who have addressed the public with regard to Ameri- can histor3'' have made frequent references to the extent that it has been shaped bj' the topography of this part of our country. On this occasion it forces itself upon our attention, and we must again outline its relationship to svents. We cannot, if we would, separate the design of the campaign of Burgoyne, nor the military aspects of its progress, from the character of the valleys through which its forces were moved, nor from the commanding positions at which it was aimed. Our mountains and rivers have been the causes of so many of the great facts in the history of this continent ; they are so closely identified with its political and social ScnUYLERVILLE. 255 iiffairs, that they seem to become sentient actors in its events. We are compelled to speak of their bearings upon the course of war, of commerce and of civiliza- tion, to make a clear statement of tlie scope and significance of the events we celebrate. This cannot be given if we speak only of the British invasion of 1777 and its signal defeat. Tliosc who would learn the causes which l\uve shaped the course of military and political affairs on this continent, which have given victory in war and pros- perity in peace, must spread out before them the map of our country. Having traced its grand system of mountains, rivers and lakes, they will be struck with tlie fact that for a thousand miles the Allcghanies make long ranges of barriers between the Atlantic and the great plains of the interior. About mid-way of their lengths these lofty mountains are cut down to their bases by the gorge of the Hudson, through which the tides of the ocean pour their floods in triumph. Towering cliffs overshadow tlie deep waters of the river. Had but a single spur of these rocky buttresses which crowd upon either shore been thrown across the narrow chasm, had but one of the beetling cliffs, which stand upon its brink been jnished but a few feet across its course, the ciurents of events would have been changed as completely as the currents of the floods. The nations who controlled the outlets of the Jlississippi and the St. Lawrence would have been the masters of this continent. No one who has marked the physical character of our country, and who has studied its history, can pass through the highlands of the Hudson and note how at every tiu'n of its stream the cliffs threaten to close its course, without feeling that the power which made the mountain chains to stop abruptlj' at its brink, was higher than blind chance — something more than the wild, unreasoning action of convulsed nature. Tlie valley of the Hudson does not end when it has led the ocean tides through the mountain passes. It stretches its channel northward to the St. Lawrence, and holds within its deep basin not only the Hudson flowing south, but Lake C'hamplain, which empties its waters into the ocean far north through the Oulf of St. Lawrence. It thus not only connected the harbor of New York with the basin of the great lakes, but by the Mohawk branch of the Hudson it has also channeled out another level passage, stretching westward to the plains wateied by the confluents of the Mississippi. These val- leys of the Hudson and ^lohawk have been the pathway of armies in war and the routes of commerce in peace. They have been the highways through which the nations of Europe and the people of the Atlantic coast have poured their hosts of emigrants into the vast regions which stretch out from the Alleghanies to the base of the Rocky Mountains. But nature did not stop in her work when she gave to the regions in which we meet the advantages of deep valleys, making easy comminiication from (lie sea-coast to the interior of our country. From the outward slopes of higlilands which guard these channels of intercourse, the waters flow by diverging valleys into almost every part of our Union. These highlands make in many ways the most remarkable watersheds to be found on the face of the earth. Tliere is not elsewhere an instance where interlocking sources of rivers pursue courses diverging in so many directions, forming so many extending valleys, and at length tind llieir outlets into the ocean at points so distant from each other, and from the head waters on the ground where they had their common origin. For tliese reasons the valleys of the Hudson and the Mohawk, and the momitain strongholds which command them, have ever been the great central points of control in tlie wars of both civilized and savage races. Once, when in company with Gen. Scott, we overlooked from an elevated point 256 Centennial Celebrations. the ground on which we stand and the confluence of these rivers, and the range of highlands wliicli marked their courses. The old warrior with a kindling eye, stretched out his arm and said: " Remember, this has been the strategic point in all the wars waged for the control of this continent." The mountains and valleys of New York not only make channels for commerce in peace, but a grand system for defense and attack in war. They are nature's commanding works, which dwarf by comparison all human monuments of engi- neering skill into insignificance. Their influence is most clearly shown by the power they gave to the Indian tribes who held them when Europeans first visited our continent. The rivers which flowed in all directions from their vantage ground on the highlands, first taught the Iroquois the advantage of united action and led to the formation of their confederacy. Pouring their combined forces at different times into the valley of the Delaware, or of the Susquehanna, they were able to subdue in detail the divided tribes living upon these streams. Gaining courage and skill by constant victories, they boldly pushed their conquests into remote sections of our country. The British ordnance maps published during the colonial period make the boundaries of their control extend from the coast line of the Atlantic and from the great lakes to the center of the jji-esent State of North Carolina. There is no instance in history where a region so vast has been conquered by numbers so small. Their alliance with the Britisli Government was one of the grounds on which the latter contested the claims of France to the interior of our continent by virtue of its discoveries on the St. Lawrence and Mississippi. Thus the victories gained by the Iroquois, through their geographical position, had a great influence in deciding the question, whether tlie civilization of North America should be French or English in its aspects, laws and customs. It is a remarkable fact, that with a view of overcoming the British power on this conti- nent, nearly a century before the campaign of Burgoyne, its plan was forecast by Frontenac the ablest of the Frencli colonial commanders. He proposed to move against the colony of New York by the same routes followed by the Britisli forces in 1777. He was to lead his army through the valley of Lake Champlain and Upper Hudson to Albany. At that point lie designed to seize vessels to pass down the river, and there to act with the French ships of war, which were to meet him in the harbor of New York. Nothing can show more clearly the stra- getic importance of the valley in which we meet than the fact that he urged this movement for the same reason which led the British King to adopt it after the lapse of so many years. Frontenac saw that by gaining the control of the course and outlet of the Hudson, the French would command the^gateway into the inte- rior, that they would divide the British colonies, and New England thus cut off, would in the end fall into the hands of the French. He also urged that in this way the Iroquois would be detached from the British alliance. The influence of the valleys of our country has not been lost in the wars of our day. " We should have won our cause," said Governor Wise, a distinguished leader of the Southern Confederacy, " had not God made the rivers which sjiring from the highlands of New York, to flow from the North to the South, thus mak- ing, by their valleys, pathways for armies into all parts of our territories. Had their courses been in other directions, their streams would have made barriers against northern armies instead of giving avenues b}' which they could assail us." Nor have they been less controlling in peace than in war. They make the great channels of commerce between the East and the "West, and enable us to draw to SCIIU YLERVILLE. 257 the seaboard the abundant harvests of the valley of tlie Mississippi, and to send them to the far-off markets of Europe. Numerous and varied as have been the movements of armies along these water-courses, even they sink into insignificance compared with the vast multitudes which poured through them from Europe and the Atlantic coast to fill the West with civilized States. Through them we draw armies of immigrants — prisoners of peace captured from Europe by the strength of the inducements held out to them by the material advantages of our country- We are in our day the witnesses of a greater movement of the human race, both as to numbers and influence upon civilization, than is recorded in past history. It can tell of no such continued and great transfer of population from one conti- nent to another. Unlike other invasions, it does not bring war and rapine, but it bears peaceful arts and civilization into vast regions heretofore occupied only by scanty tribes of warring savages. Familiar with this great movement, we are prone to look upon it with some degree of indiiierence. But through the cen- turies to come it will be regarded as one of the greatest events in the history of mankind. I have not dwelt upon these hills and valleys merely because they have been the scenes of the most dramatic and important events in American annals, but because they have given birth to these events. I have spoken of them, not because they have been associated with history, but because they have made history. They gave to the Iroquois their power ; they directed the course and determined the result of the war between France and Britain for domination on this continent. Neither the surrender of the British army on these grounds, the causes which pro- ceded, nor the consequences which flowed from it, can be appreciated until the enduring influences of the great features of our country are clearly brought into view. Elsewliere rivers and mountains mark the lines which make enemies of mankind. Here they form the avenues which bind us together by inter- course. They give not merely to a country, but to neai-ly our whole continent, a common language, customs and civilization. The world has never before seen a social structure with foundations so broad. Time may make many changes, but there will ever be a unity in the population of North America, a community of interests upon a grander scale than has yet been seen among mankind. He wlio studies the map of our continent and doubts this does not merely lack polit- ical faith, but is guilty of impiety when he closes his eyes to the truths which God has written, by streams and valleys, upon the face of this continent. It was the design of the British government in the campaign of 1777 to capture the center and stronghold of this commanding system of mountains and valleys. It aimed at its vei7 heart — the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson. The fleets, the armies, and the savage allies of Britain were to follow their converging lines to Albany. Its jjositiou had made that city the place where the Governors and agents of the colonies had been used to meet with reference to their common interest. Here the agents of the New England and Southern provinces came to consult with the chiefs of the Iroquois, and to gain their alliance in their wars with the savages of the AVest; who threatened the European settlements. In the expressive language of the Indians, Albany was called the "Ancient Place of Treaty." It was also the point at which the military expeditions against the French at the north and west were organized. Even before Benjamin Franklin brought forward his plan at Albany for colonial union, the idea of such alliance was constantly suggested by the necessity for common action in attack or defense against savage or civilized enemies. There was much to justify the boastful con- 33 258 Centennial Celebrations. fidence of the British that they could crush out American resistance. To feel tlie full force of this threatened blow we must forget for a time our present power, we must see with the eyes of our fathers and look at things as they stood a cen- tury ago. The care with which the army of Burgoyne was organized, its officers and men selected, and its material for an advance and attack provided, has been made familiar to om' people by this year's addresses. The progress of the British navy up the Hudson to a point west of the Alle- •ghany range, its seizure in its course of Stony Point and Fort Clinton, its success in forcing a passage through the highlands at West Point, the capture and burn- ing of Kingston, where the British Admiral awaited communication from Bur- goyne, have all been clearly narrated on the pages of history. Had tlie com- mander of the expedition gone to Albany he miglit have saved the army of Bur- goyne. General Gates saw if this had been done he would have been forced to retreat to New England. But it was not known at tlie time how great a peril was averted by an act of negligence in the British War Department. It appeared that orders were prepared, but not sent to General Howe, directing liim to co-operate with Burgoyue with all his forces. If this had been done, there is reason to fear the result would have been fatal to our cause. This is one of those strange occur- rences recognized in the lives of individuals as well as in the affairs of nations, which shows there is an overruling Providence that watches over both. (Note A.) The importance of the movement from the west by St. Leger and Ms Indian allies is not generally understood by our people. It was made witli confidence of success; and wlien its commander wrote to Burgoyne that he would be able to sweep down the valley of the Mohawk and place himself in the rear of the Amer- ican army, there was much to justify his confidence. The address of Mr. Roberts and others at the Oriskany celebration, are valuable contributions to the history of St. Leger's invasion. The Palatines who inliabited the valley of the Mohawk were, by their position, language and usages, severed from the body of the American colonies. The wise policy of Sir William Johnson had done much to attach them to the British crown. To enable them to worship God in accordance with their own creed and in the faith of that part of Germany from which they came, aid was given to them for the erection of churches. Many of these were strong stone structures, which were afterward fortified and used as places of refuge and defense dm-ing the Rev- olution, by the families of the settlers, against the ruthless warfare of savages. Most of these churches still stand, monuments of the past, and are now used for the sacred purposes for which they were built. The heirs and representatives of Sir William were with the army of St. Leger, and assured him that the dwellers upon the Mohawk would respond to theii- appeals, and rise in arms to uphold the cause of the crown. No stronger proof can be given that the love of liberty and of Democratic principles was engendered and born upon our soil, and not imported in some latent form in the ships which brouglit over the first colonists, than the fact that these settlers from the Palatinates of Germany, who had not known of Republican usages in their native land, and who could not, from their position and their language, receive impressions from the other colonists, had yet, amidst the trials and perils of border life and warfare, gained the same political convictions which animated the colonists in all parts of our country. It was the most remark- able fact of the Revolutionary war, and of the formation of State and General Governments, that, although the colonists were of different lineages ard lan- guages, living under different climates, with varied pursuits and forms of labor. ScnuTLERvn:,LE. 259 cut off from intercourse by distances, yet, in spite of all these obstacles to accord, they were from the outset animated by common views, feelings and purposes. When their independence was gained, tliey were able, after a few weeks spent in consultation, to form the Constitution under which we have lived for nearly one hundred years. There can be no stronger proof of the fact that American constitutions were born and sliapcd by American necessities. This fact should give us new faitli in tlie lasting nature of our government. In the case of the Palatines of the Mohawk, this truth shines out more clearly than elsewhere. Isolated by language, lineage and position, the great body of them fought for the American cause, and showed a sturdy valor from the outset. They endured more of suffering and danger in its most appalling form, than was felt elsewhere. The change of their language, and the inflow from other States and countries into central New York, many of the traditions and incidents of the valley of the Mohawk have been obscured. Its history should be developed and made familiar to our people. The most telling blow to the cause of the crown and to the hopes of St. Leger, was that the mus- tering of the men under Herkimer, theii- desperate valor in the fight at Oriskany, showed that he was to be met with undying hostility where he had looked for friends and allies. From that day the hope, which animated him when he prom- ised to aid Burgoyne, faded away. The defeat of St. Leger and their allies was given by Burgoyne as one of the great causes of his failure to reach Albany. Indi.\n Allies. The importance of the Indian alliance with the British during the Revolution has been under-valued by most of those who have written the histories of the Revolution. We look upon Indian wars as mere savage outbursts, which may cause much misery and suffering, but which threaten no danger to governments. We are apt to think that savages were merely used to divert and distract the American forces. But such was not its import then, in the judgment of the con- tending parties, or of the nations of Europe, who watched with interest the course of military events on this continent. We must bear in mind the estimation in which the Iroquois were held at the close of the French war. Their alliance had done much to give the victory to the English. At times, the hostility of these savage confederates would have been fatal to the British cause. Their posi- tion made them conquerors of their kindred races. Victories inspired them with heroism. E.xtcnded conquests had taught them much of the polity of government. In the councils of their confederacy, orators and statesmen had been formed. They extorted from their French enemies expressions of admiration and statements of virtues, which we should do well to imitate in our own day and in our own councils. Colden, who was familiar wth their polity, states that the authority of their nilers consisted wholly of the estimation in which they were held for integ- rity and wisdom, and that they were generally poorer than the rest of the people, lie adds, "there is not a man in the Five Nations who has gained his office other- wise than by merit." Their enemies, the French, testified in their histories, that while they were the fiercest and most formidable people in America, they were ])olitie and judicious in the management of their affairs. For neai-ly a ceiftury tlie French and Englisli struggled to gain their alliance by every influence of religion, of diplomacy and display of power. Even as late as 1754, George Washington, 260 Centennial Celebkations. then a colonial officer, called upon them for assistance in his movements against the French on the Ohio river, and claimed that he went forth to fight for their rights, because the French were occupying territories which belonged to the Iro- quois. Only twenty years before the Revolutionary war, the British Minister in- sisted in its correspondence with the French Government, that the Iroquois were the owners by conquest, of the Ohio territory, and that they were the subjects of the British Crown. This was the claim set up against the French rights of dis- covery. It is a remarkable fact, that the French did not deny the rights of con- quest by the Iroquois, but denied that they were the subjects of Britain in these strong words: " Certain it is that no Englishman durst, without running the risk of being massacred, tell the Iroquois that they are the subjects of England." One of the first acts of the Continental Congress was designed to secure the alliance of the Six Nations. In this they were unsuccessful, except as to the Oneidas. The co-operation of their savage allies was deemed of the utmost importance by the British. (ISTote B.) I do not speak of the action at Bennington nor of the battle of Bemus Heights.' The late celebrations upon the grounds upon which thej' took place have made the public familiar with all their aspects and results. Ikpltjence op Bukgotne's Surrender. France saw that upon the very theater of war, where Britain had ■uTcsted from it the control of this continent, its ancient enemy had been beaten by the new power which was springing into existence. To the French Government this vic- tory had a significance that no like victory could have had upon other fields. It knew better than others the commanding features of this region. Its missionaries were highly educated men, who marked with care the character of our moun- tains, lakes and streams. Impelled by religious zeal and devotion to the interests of their native land, they boldly pushed into the remote portions of the continent in advance of commercial enterprise or military expeditions. Their narratives are to this day of great value and interest. The surrender of Burgoyne had also a marked effect upon the tone and policy of the British Cabinet ; it no longer fought for conquest but for compromise. Its armies were moved with a view of saving a part if it could not hold all of its jurisdiction. It was able to take pos- session of the principal cities, but it could not find elsewhere positions, like that aimed at by Burgoyne, which would enable it to sunder and paralyze the patriot forces. It exhausted its armies in campaigns which produced no results, even when successful in repulsing our forces or in occupying the points at which they were directed. Its commanders were animated by only one gleam of hope. The proud, power, which at the outset called upon the world to witness its strength in crushing rebellion, stooped to dealings with a traitor, and sought to gain by cor- ruption what it could not gain by force. The treason of Arnold excited the deepest feelings, because the loss of "West Point, the key of the Hudson, would have given the British a position from which they could not have been dislodged, at the center of the strongholds for defense and for attack. The fact that the loss of West Point would have been deemed a fatal blow to the American cause places the strategic importance of this region in the strongest light. The snrrender of Burgoyne not only gave new hope to the patriots, but it exerted a moral influence upon our soldiers. The colonists up to that time had been trained in the belief that British soldiers were irresistible. To hold them superior SciIUYLERVUiLE. 261 to all others in arms hail been American patriotism. Through the century of the French wars precedence had always been yielded to the officers of the Crown ; and tlie colonists looked mainly to the British army to protect their homes from invasion. Colonial papers showed an extravagance of loyalty which is frequently exhibited in the outlying and exposed settlements of all nations. The Revolu- tion, while it made a revulsion of feeling, did not at the outset destroy this sense of the superior skill and power of British arms. The early engagements in the open held had not been fortunate for the patriot cause. Tlie armies of the Cro\vn were still buoyed up by that sense of superiority whicli, in itself, is an ele- ment in martial success. Burgoyne did not doubt his ability to destroy any army he could reach. The battle of Bemus Heights was a fair and open contest on equal terms. In strategy, in steadiness, in valor, the Continental troops proved themselves in all ways equal to the picked and trained men against whom they fought. From the day that victory was won, the American soldier felt himself to be the equal of all who could be brought against him, and he knew that he was animated by higher and nobler purposes than those which moved the ranks of his enemies. The whole spirit of the contest was changed. Our armies reaped a double triumph on this field. There was much in the contempt which had been shown by their enemies of their qualities as soldiers, much in the taunts and sneers of the British Cabinet, much in the pillage and destruction which ever attend the march of the invading armies, to excite our fathers to exhibitions of exultation over fallen foes. But they bore themselves, not as men intoxicated by siiccessful fortunes in war, but as men who felt it was in them to win victories there or elsewhere. There was a calmness in the hour of triumph, which more even than courage upon the battle-tield impressed the defeated armies with the character of those of whom they had spoken so contemptuously. The enemy were twice conquered, and in many ways the last victory over them was most keenly felt. The moral and military advantages of the surrender of the British army was marred by no act which lessened the dignity of the conquerors. And he who reads the story of the contest, finds himself most triumphant in his feel- ings over the moral rather than the martial victory. General Schuyler. .When we read the story of the event which we now celebrate, whether it is told by friend or foe, there is one figure which rises above all others upon whose con- duct and bearing we love to dwell. There is one who won a triumph which never grows dim. One who gave an example of patient patriotism unsurpassed in the pages of history. One who did not, even under cutting wrongs and cruel sus- picions, wear an air of martyrdom, but with cheerful alacrity served where he should have commanded. It was in a glorious spirit of chivalrous courtesy with which Schuyler met and ministered to those who had not only been enemies in arms, but who had inflicted u])on him unusual injuries unwarranted bj' the laws of war. But there was something more grand in his service to his country than even the honor he did to the American cause by his bearing upon this occasion. The spirit of sectional prejudice, which the British Cabinet relied upon to prevent cordial co-operation among the colonies, had been exhibited against him in a way most galling to a pure patriot and a brave soldier. But, filled with devotion to his country's cau.se, he uttered no murmur of complaint, nor did he for a moment cease in his labors to gain its liberties. This grand rebuke to selfish intriguers 262 Centennial Celebkations. and to honest prejudices did much to discomfit the one and to teacli tlie otlicr the injustice of tlieir suspicions and the unworthiness of sectional prejudices. The strength of this rebuke sometimes irritates -ivriters who cannot rise above local prejudices, and they try to lessen the public sense of his virtue by reviving the attack, proved to be unjust upon investigation, and -which, by the verdict of- men honored by their country, was proved to be unfounded. The character of Gen. Schuyler grows brighter in public regard. The injustice done him by his removal from his command, at a time when his zeal and ability had placed victory witliin his reach, is not perhaps to be regretted. We could not well lose from our history his example of patriotism and of personal honor and chivalry. We could not spare the proof which his case furnishes, that virtue triumphs in the end. We would not change if we coiild, the history of his trials. For we feel that in the end they gave lustre to his character, and we are forced to say of Gen. Schuyler that, while he had been greatly wronged, he had never been injui-ed. Saeatoga Monument. The Association formed under the laws of this State, to erect a suitable monu- ment to commemorate the defeat of the British army under Burgoyne, has selected this spot upon which to place it, because here it will recall to the mind not only the final act, but every event which led to the surrender. It will carry the thoughts of him who looks upon it back to the first and fierce fight at Oriskany. It will remind him of the disaster to the British forces at the battle of Bennington. It will excite the deepest interest in the contest on the hills at Bemus Heights. It will do more. It wDl bring before the public mind that grand procession of events, which for two centuries have passed through the valleys of the Hudson and the Mohawk. When it shall excite the interests which attach to the occasion which we celebrate, linked history will lead the public mind back, step by step, to the earliest period of the French and English settlements on this continent. We shall be taught what made the savage tribes of this region superior in war and polity to their kindred races. We shall be reminded of the forays of savages, the march of disciplined armies, the procession of Christian missionaries, which exceed in dramatic interest and in far-reaching consequences all other incidents of war, of diplomacy, and of religious zeal exhibited on 'this continent. The events which have occurred in these valleys have also been closely connected with those most important in European history. The ambition of Louis the Fourteenth of France aimed at supremacy on two continents. The prolonged war over the balance of power in Europe concerned the civilization of America. The genius of Marlborough and the victorj' of Blenheim were of more enduring consequence to us than to the parties engaged in the contest. They did not foresee that they were shaping the civilization of a continent, the destinies of a people at this day exceeding in numbers the united populations of the cduntries engaged in the war. Where else in our country can a monument be placed, from which will radiate so much that is instructive ? Where else can a structm-e be erected which will teach such a varied history ? Elsewhere, great achievements in peace or war make certain spots instinct ■with interest. Elsewhere, the great features of nature have influenced the fate of nations. But it Is not true that elsewhere mountains and rivers have been such marked and conspicuous agents in shaping events. Here they have directed the aflfairs of this continent as if they were sentient things. In selecting a place where a monument should stand, this Association has not been SCHUYLEUVILLK. 263 embarrassed l)y any questions as to the comparative importance of the act of sur- render of the British army, or of the battles which made that surrender inevitable. Eacli lins its pecuHar interest, and each should be marked by suitable monuments. But the last scene in the drama unfolds to the mind the plot and incidents which reach their conclusion at the close. A monument on this ground not only com- memorates what occurred here, but it recalls to the mind all the incidents and battles whicli preceded it, and gives to each a deeper interest than when they are considered separately. Each is viewed not only in the light of the wisdom, valor or patriotism disjjlayed, but of its bearing upon the grand result. lie who visits the scene of the bloody fight at Oriskany, or looks over the hills where the men of Vermont drove back the troops of Burgoyne, or studies the movements of the armies at the battle of Bemus Heights, does not rest until he dwells upon the grand conclusion reached upon this spot. When his mind is kindled with patri- otic pride upon either of the battle-fields to wliich I have alluded, he will turn his thoughts to the ground upon which we now meet, and thank God for the event we now celebrate. The surrender of Burgoyne marks the dividing line between two conditions of our country : the one the colonial period of dependence, and the other the day from which it stood full armed and victorious here, endowed with a boldness to a.ssert its independence, and endowed with a wisdom to frame its own government. From this review of the past we instinctively turn our minds and try to scan the years that are to come. It is not given to us to forecast the future. But when we study the great natural features of our country, and see how they have directed the past, we learn from the silver links of the rivers and the rocky chains of mountains that God has written and stamped on the face of this continent, that it shall ever be held by those speaking a common language, with a common civilization, and living together with that freedom of intercourse which shall forever, under some forms, make them one people. A monument upon this spot will not merely minister to local pride ; it will not foster sectional prejudices ; every citizen of every State of this Union will feel as he looks upon it that he has a right to stand upon this ground. It will tell of the common sacritices and common trials of the fathers of the Republic. Men from all parts of our Union will here be reminded that our independence as a people was wrought out by the sufferings and sacrifices of those who came from every quarter of our country to share in this valley in the perils of battle and in the tri- umphs of victory. Here sectional passions will fade away ; and the glorious mem- ories and the fraternal feelings of the past will be revived. We are told that during more than twenty centuries of war and bloodshed, only fifteen battles have been decisive of lasting results. The contest of Saratoga is one of these. From the Battle of Marathon to the field of Waterloo, a period of more than two thousand years, there was no martial event which had a greater influence upon human affairs than that which took place on these grounds. Shall not some suitable structure recall this fact to the public mind ? Monuments make as well as mark the civilization of a people. Neither France, nor Britain, nor Germany, could spare the statues or works of art which keep alive in the minds of their citizens the memories of patriotic sacrifices or of personal virtues. Such silent teachers of all that ennobles men, have taught their lessons through the darkest ages, and have done much to save society from sinking into utter decay and degradation. If Greece or Rome had left no memorials of private virtues or public greatness, the progress of civilization would have lost a powerful stimulus. If their crumbling remains should be swept away, the world would mourn the loss, 264 Centennial Celebkations. not only to learning and arts, but to ^'il■tue and patriotism. It concerns the honor and welfare of the American jieople, that this spot should be marked by some structure which shall recall its history, arid animate all who look upon it by its grand teachings. No people ever held lasting power or greatness, who did not reverence the virtues of their fathers, or who did not show forth this reverence by material and striking testimonials. Let us, then, build here a lasting monu- ment, which shall tell of our gratitude to those -who, through suffering and sacri- fice, wrought out the Independence of our country. ADDEESS BY GEOKGE WILLIAM CURTIS ■ Within the territory of New York, broad, fertile and fair, from Montauk to Niagara, from the Adii-ondacks to the bay, there is no more memorable spot than that on which we stand. Elsewhere, indeed, the great outlines of the landscape are more imposing, and on this autumnal day the parting benediction of the year rests with the same glory on other hills and other waters of the imperial State. Far above, these gentle heights rise into towering mountains; far below, this placid stream broadens and deepens around the metropolis of the continent into a spacious highway for the commerce of the world. Other valleys with teeming intervale and fruitful upland, rich with romantic tradition and patriotic story, filled like this with happy homes and humming workshops, ■^^^nd through the vast commonwealth, ample channels of its various life; and town and city, village and hamlet, church and school, everywhere illustrate and promote the prosperous repose of a community great, intelligent and free. But this spot alone within our borders is consecrated as the scene of one of the decisive events that afEect the course of history. There are deeds on which the welfare of the world seems to be staked ; conflicts in which liberty is lost or won ; victories by which the stand- ard of human progress is full high advanced. Between sunrise and sunset, on some chance field the deed is done, but from that day it is a field enchanted. Imagination invests it with "The light that never was on sea or land." The grateful heart of mankind repeats its name; Heroism feeds upon its story; Patriotism kindles with its perennial fire. Such is the field on which we stand. It is not ours. It does not belong to New York ; nor to America. It is an inde- feasible estate of the world, like the field of Arbela, of Tours, of Hastings, of "Waterloo ; and the same lofty charm that draws the pilgrim to the plain of Mara- thon resistlessly leads him to the field of Saratoga. The drama of the Revolution opened in New England, culminated in New York, and closed in Virginia. It was a happy fortune that the three colonies which represented the various territorial sections of the settled continent were each in turn the chief seat of war. The common sacrifice, the common struggle, the common triimiph, tended to weld them locally, politically and morally together. Doubtless there were conflicts of provincial pride and jealousy and suspicion. The Virginia officers smiled loftily at the raw Yankee militia ; the Green Moun- tain boys distrusted the polisjied discipline of New York ; and the New York Schuyler thought those boys brave but dangerously independent. In every great crisis of the war, however, there was a common impulse and devotion, and the SCHUYLERVILLE. 265 welfare of the continent obliterated provincial lines. It is by the few heaven- piercing peaks, not by the confused mass of upland, that we measure tlie height of the Andes, of the Alps, of the Himalaya. It is by Joseph Warren, not by Ben- jamin Church, by John Jay, not by Sir John Johnson, by George Washington, not by Benedict Arnold, that we test the quality of the revolutionary character. The voice of Patrick Henry from the mountains answered that of James Otis by the sea. Paul Kevere's lantern shone through the valley of the Ilud.son, and flashed along the clitis of the Blue Kidge. The scattering volley of Lexington green swelled to the triumphant thunder of Saratoga, and the reverberation of Burgoyne's falling arms in New York shook those of Cornwallis in Virginia from his hands. Doubts, jealousies, prejudices, were merged in one common devo- tion. The union of the colonies to secure liberty foretold the union of the states to maintain it, and wherever we stand on revolutionary fields, or inhale the sweet- ness of revolutionary memories, we tread the ground and breathe the air of iuviu- cible national union. Our especial interest and pride, to-day, are in the most important event of the Revolution upon the soil of New York. Concord and Lexington, Bunker Hill and Bennington, the Brandywinc and Germantown, have had their fitting cen- tennial commemorations, and already at Kingston and Oriskaily, New York has taken up the wondrous tale of her civil and military achievements. In proud continuation of her story we stand here. Sons of sires who bled with Sterling on the Long Island shore; who fought with Herkimer in the deadly Oneida defile; who defended the Higliland forts with George Clinton; who, with Robert Livingston and Gouverneur Morris, were driven from town to town by stress of war, yet framed a civU constitution, all untouched by the asperity of the conflict and a noble model for all free States ; sons of sires who, leaving the plough and the bench, gathered on this historic war-path — the key of the then civilized con- tinent; the western battle-ground of Europe; the trail by which Fronteuac's Indians prowled to Schenectady, and crept to the Connecticut and beyond; the way by which Sir William Johnson and his army passed in the old French war, and humbled Dieskau at Lake George ; the road along w-hich Abercrombie and his bright array marched to disaster in the summer morning, and Amherst mar- shalled his men to co-operate with Wolf in the humbling of Quebec ; sons of sires, who, mustering here on ground still trembling with the tread of armies, where the-air forever echoes with the savage war whoop, or murmurs with the pathetic music of the march and tlic camp — ** Wliy, soldiers, why. Should we bo melancholy, boys? Whose business 'tis to die." even here withstood the deadly British blow and enveloping the haughty H\ir- goync, compelled not only him to yield his sword, but England to surrender an empire ; sons of such sires, who should not proudly recall such deeds of thcu'S and gratefully revere their memory, would be forever scorned as faithless depositaries of the great English and American tradition, and the great human benediction, of patient, orderly, self-restrained liberty. , When King George heard of the battle of Bunker Hill, he consoled himself with the thought that New York was still unswervingly loyal; and it was the hnpi- and the faith of his ministry that the rebellion might at last be baffled in that great colony. It wa.s a region of vast extent, but thinly peopled, for the po|)ulatiou was but little more than one hundred and sixty thousand. It had 34 266 Centennial CELEBiiAxiONS. been settled by men of various races, -n-ho, upon the sea shore, and through the remote vallej^s, and in the primeval wilderness, cherished the freedom that they brought and transmitted to their children. But the colony lacked that homo- geneity of population which produces general sj'mpathy of conviction and concert of action ; which gives a community one soul, one heart, one hand, interprets every man's thought to his neighbor, and explains so mucli of the great deeds of the Grecian commonwealths, of Switzerland, and of Old and New England. In New York, also, were the hereditary manors — vast domains of a few families, private principalities, with feudal relations and traditions — and the spirit of a splendid proprietary life was essentially hostile to doctrines of popular right and power. In the magnificent territory of the Mohawk and its tributaries, Sir Wil- liam Johnson, amid his family and dependents, lived in baronial state among the Indians, with whom he was allied by marriage, and to whom he was the vicar of theu- royal father over the sea. The Johnsons were virtually supreme in the coun- try of the Mohawk, and as they were intensely loj'al, the region west of Albany became a dark and bloody ground of civil strife. In the city of New York, and in the neighboring counties of Westchester upon the river and sound, of Rich- mond upon the bay, and Queens and Suffolk on the sea, the fear that sprang from conscious exposure to the naval power of Great Britain, the timidity of commer- cial trade, the natural loyalty of numerous officers of the crown, all combined to foster antipathy to any disturbance of that establislied authority which secured order and peace. But deeper and stronger than all other causes was the tender reluctance of Eng- lishmen in America to believe that reconciliation lA-ith the mother country was impossible. Even after the great day on Bunker Hill, when, in full sight of his country and of all future America, Joseph Warren, the well-beloved disciple of American liberty, fell, congress, while justifying war, recoiled from declaring independence. Doubtless the voice of John Adams, of Massachusetts, counsel- ing immediate and entire separation, spoke trulj' for the unanimous and fervent jiatriotism of New England ; but doubtless, also, the voice of John Jay, of New York, who knew the mingled sentiment of the great province whose position in the struggle must be decisive, in advising one more appeal to the king, was a voice of patriotism as pure, and of courage as unquailing. The appeal was made, and made in vain. The year that opened with Corscord and Lexington ended with the gloomy tragedy of the Canada campaign. On the last day of the year, in a tempest of sleet and snOAv, the combined forces of New England and New York made a desperate, futile onset ; and the expedition from which Washington and the country had anticipated results so insjiiring was dashed in pieces against the walls of Quebec. The country mourned, but New York had a peculiar sorrow. Leaving his tranquil and beautiful home upon this river, one of her noblest soldiers — brave, honorable, gentle — the son-in-law of Livingston, the friend of Schuyler, after a brief career of glory, died the death of a hero. " You shall not blush for your Montgomery," he said to his bride as he left her. For fifty years a widow, his bride saw him no more. But while this stately river flows through the mountains to the sea, its waves will still proudly murmur the name, and recall the romantic and heroic story of Richard Montgomery. The year 1770 was not less gloomy for the American cause. Late in November Washington was hm-riedly retreating across New Jersey, jjursued by Oornwallis, his army crumbling with every step, the state paralyzed with terror, congress flying afErighted from Philadelphia to Baltimore, and the apparent sole remaining hope SCITUYLEKVILLK. 267 of AmcTicaii independence, tlit- rigor of winter, snow, and impassable roads. All, no! It was not in winter but in summer that that hope lay, not in the relentless frost of tlie elements, but in the heavenly tire of hearts beating high witli patriotic resolve, and tui-ning the snow flakes of that terrible retreat into immortal roses of victory and joy. While Howe and his officers, in the warm luxury and wOd debauchery of the city they had captured, believed the war ended, gailysangand madly caroused, Washington, in the dreary Christmas evening, turned on the ice of the Delaware, and struck the Hessians fatally at Trenton; then in the cold January sunrise, defeating the British at Princetown, his anny filed with bleed- ing feet into the highlands of New Jersey, and half starved and scantily clothed, encara})ed upon the frozen hills of Morristowu. "The Americans have done much," said despairingly one of their truest friends in England, Edmund Burke, " but it is now evident that they cannot look standing armies in the face." That, however, was to be determined by the campaign of 1777. For that campaign England was already preparing. Seven years before. Gen- eral Carleton, who still commanded in Canada, had proposed to hold the water line between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the bay of New York, to prevent a separation of the colonies. It was now proposed to hold it to compel a separa- tion. The ocean mouths of the great waterway were both in complete possession of the crown. It was a historic warpath. Here had waged the prolonged con- flict between France and England for the control of the continent, and in fierce war ujion the waters of New York, no less than on the plains of Abraham, the power of France in America finally fell. Here, also, where it had humbled its proud rival, the strong hand of England grasping for unjust dominion was.to be triumphantly shaken off. This region was still a wilderness. Seventy years before, the first legal land title in it was granted. In 1745, thirty years before the Revolution, it was the extreme English outpost. In 1777, the settlers were few, and feared the bear and the catamount less than the tory and the Indian. They still built block houses for retreat and defense like the first New England settlers a hundred and fifty years before. Nowhere during the Revolution were the horrors of civil war so constant and so dire as here. The tories seized and harassed, shot and hung the whigs, stole theii- stock and store, burned their barns and ruined their crops, and the whigs remorselessly retaliated. The stealthy Indian struck, shrieked and vanished. The wolf and the wildcat lurked in the thicket. Man and beast were eipially cruel. Terror overhung the fated region, and as the great invasion approached, the universal flight and devastation recalled the grim desolation in Germany during the thirty years' war. Of that invasion, and of the campaign of 1777, the central figure is John B\ir- goyne. No name among the British generals of the Revolution is more familiar, yet he was neither a great soldier nor a great man. He was willing to bribe his old comrade in arms, Charles Lee, to betray the American cause, and he threat- ened to loose savages upon the jVmericans for defending it. Biu-goyne was an admirable type of the English fashionable gentleman of his day. The grandson of a baronet, a Westminster boy, and trained to arms, he eloped with a daugh- ter of the great whig house of Derby, left the army and lived gaily on the conti- nent. Restored to a military career by political influence, he served as a captain in France, and returning to England, was elected to parliament. He went a brigadier to Portugal, and led a brilliant charge at Valeiitia d' Alcantara, was com])limentcd by the great Count Lippe, and flattered by the British ])rime min- ister. For his gallantry the king of Si)ain gave him a diamond ring, and with 268 Centennial Celebrations. that blazing on his finger he retui-ned once more to England, flushed with brief glory. There for some years he was a man of pleasiire. He wrote slight verses and little plays that are forgotten. Reynolds painted his portrait in London, as Ramsay had painted it in Rome. Horace Walpole sneered at him for his plays, but Lord Chatliam praised him for his military notes. Tall and handsome, grace- ful and winning in manner, allied to a noble house, a favorite at court and on parade, he was a gay companion at the table, the club and the theater. The king admired his dragoons, and conferred upon him profitable honors, which secured to liim a refined and luxurious life. In jjarliameut, when the American war began, Burgoyne took the high British ground, but with the urbanity of a soldier, and he gladly obeyed the summons to service in America, and sailed with Howe and Clinton on the great day that the British troops marched to Concord. He saw the battle of Bunker Hill, and praised the American courage and military abOity, but was very sure that trained troops would always overcome militia. The one American whom he extolled was Samuel Adams. He thought that he combined the ability of Csesar with the astuteness of Cromwell ; that he led Franklin and all the other leaders, and that if his counsels continued to control the continent, America must be subdued or relinquished. Burgoyne saw little actual ser\dce in this country until he arrived at Quebec on the 6th of May, 1777, as commander of the great enterprise of the year. The plan of campaign was large and simple. One expedition led by Burgoyne, was to force its way from Quebec to Albany, thi'ough the valley of the Hudson, and another, under St. Leger, was to push through the valley of the Mohawk, to the same point. At Albany, they were to join General Howe, who would advance up the river from the bay. By the success of these combined operations, the British would command New York, and New England would be absolutely cut off. This last result alone would be a signal triumph. New England was the nest of rebel- lion. There were the fields where British power was first defied in arms. There were the Green mountains fron^ which Ethan Allen and his boys had streamed upon Ticonderoga. There was Boston bay where the tea had been scattered, and Narragansett bay where the Gaspe had been burned, and the harbors of Machias and of Newport, from which the British ships had been chased to sea. There were Faneuil Hall and the town meeting. There was Boston, whose ports had been closed — Boston with the street of the massacre — Boston, of which King George had bitterly said that he would "as lief fight the Bostonians as the French. " There were the pulpits which preached what Samuel Adams called lib- erty, and Samuel Johnson sedition. The very air of New England was full of defiance. The woods rustled it, the waters murmured it, the stern heart of its rugged nature seemed to beat in unison with the stout heart of man, and all throbbed together with the invincible Anglo-Saxon instinct of liberty. To cut off New England from her sisters — to seize and hold the great New York valleys of Champlain and the Hudson — was to pierce the heart of the rebellion, and to paralyze America. Here then was to be the crucial struggle. Here in New York once more the contest for the western continent was to be decided. Burgoyne had airily said in Loudon, that with an army of ten thousand men he could prom- enade through America, and now the brilliant gentleman was to make good his boast. While he was crossing the ocean to begin his task, and when every possible effort should have been made by congress to meet the ample and splendid prepa- rations for the British invasion, wretched intrigues displaced General Schuyler in Schuyler viLLE. 2G9 the nortiicrn department, and it was not until late in ilay that he was restored to the command. The peril was at hand, but it was impossible to collect men. By the end of June, the entire garrison of Ticondcroga and Fort Independence, the first great barrier against the advance of Burgoyne, con-sisted of twenty-five hun- dred continentals and nine hundred militia, barefooted and ragged, without proper arms or sufficient blankets, and lacking every adequate preparation for defense. But more threatening than all, was Sugar-loaf hill, rising above Ticonderoga, and completely commanding the fort. General Schuyler saw it, but even while he pointed out the danger, and while General St. Clair, the commandant of tlie post, declared that from the want of troops nothing could be done, the drums of Burgoyne's army were joyfully beating in the summer dawn ; the bugles rang, the cannon thundered, the rising .June sun shone on the scarlet coats of British grena- diers, on the bright helmets of German dragoons, and on burnished artillery and polished arms. There were more than seven thousand trained and veteran troops besides Canadians and Indians. They were admirably commanded and equipped, although the means of land transport were fatally insufficient. But all was hope and confidence. The battle flags were unfurled, the word was given, and with every haj^py augury, the royal standard of England proudly set forward for con- quest. On the 1st of July, the brilliant pageant swept up Lake Champlain, and the echoes of the mighty wilderness which had answered the guns of Amherst and the drum-beat of Montcalm, saluted the frigates and the gunboats that, led by a dusky swarm of Indians in bark canoes, stretched between the eastern shore, along which Riedcsel and the Germans marched, and the main body advancing with Phillips upon the west. The liistoric waters of Champlain have never seen a spectacle more splendid than the advancing .army of Burgoyne. But so with his glittering Asian hordes, two thousand 3'ears before, the Persian king advanced to Salamis. At evening the British army was before Ticonderoga. The trained eye of the English engineers instantly saw the advantage of Sugar-loaf, the higher hill, and the rising sun of the .5th of July glared in the amazed eyes of the Ticonderoga garrison, on the red coats intrenched upon Sugar-loaf, with their batteries com- manding every point within the fort, and their glasses every movement. Sugar- loaf had become Jlount Defiance. St. Clair had no choice. All day he assumed indifference, but quietly made every preparation, and before dawn the next day he stole away. The moon shone, but his flight was undetected, until the flames of a fire foolishly set to a house suddenly flashed over the landscape and revealed his retreat. He was instantly pursued. His rear guard was overtaken, and by the valor of its fierce but hopeless fight gave an undying name to the wooded hills of Hubbardton. . Ticonderoga fell, and the morning of its fall was the high hour of Burgoyne's career. Without a blow, by the mere power of his presence, he had undone the electric deed of Ethan Allen ; he had captured the historic prize of famous cam- paigns. The chief obstruction to his triumphal American promenade had fallen. The bright promise of the invasion would be fulfilled, and Burgoyne would be the lauded hero of the war. Doubtless his liandsomo lip curled in amused disdain at the flying and frightened militia, plough boys that might infest but could not im- pede his further advance. His eager fancy could picture the delight of London, the joy of the clubs, of parliament, of the king. He could almost hear the royal George bursting into the queen's room and shouting, "I have beat all the Ameri- cans." He could .almost read the assurance of the mini-ster to the proud earl, his 270 Centennial Celebrations. fatlier-in-law, that the King designed for' him the vacant Red Ribbon. But his aspiring ambition surely anticipated a loftier reward — a garter, a cornet, and at last Westminster Abbey and undying glory. Ticonderoga fell, and with it, apparently, fell in Europe all hope of the patriot cause ; and in America, all confidence and happy expectation. The tories were jubilant. The wavering Indians were instantly open enemies. The militia sul- lenly went home. The solitary settlers fled southward through the forrests and over the eastern hills. Even Albany was appalled, and its pale citizens sent their famOies away. Yet this panic stricken valley of the upper Hudson was now the field on which, if anywhere, the cause was to be saved. Five counties of the State were in the hands of the enemy ; three were in anarchy. Schuyler was at Fort Edward with scarcely a thousand men. The weary army of St. Clair, shrunken to fifteen hundred continentals, all the militia having dropped away, struggled for a week through the forest, and emerged forlorn and exhausted at the fort. Other troops arrived but the peril was imminent. New York was threatened at every point, and with less than five thousand ill-equipped regulars and militia to oj^pose the victorous Burgoyne, who was but a single long day's march away, with only the forts and the boom and chain in the Highlands to stay Clinton's assent from the bay, and only the little garrison at Fort Stanwix to withstand St. Leger, General Schuyler and the council of State implored aid from every quarter. A loud clamor, bred of old jealousy and fresh disappointment arose against Schuy- ler, the commander of the department, and St. Clair, the commander of the post. The excitement and dismay were universal, and the just apprehension was most grave. But when the storm was loudest it was pierced by the calm voice of Washington, whose soul quailed before no disaster : "We should never desjiair; our situation has before been unpromising and has changed for the better ; so I trust it will be again." He sent Arnold to Schuyler, as an accomplished officer, familiar with the country. He urged the eastern states to move to his succor. He ordered all available boats from Albany to New Windsor and Fishkill, upon the Hudson, to be ready for any part of his own army that he might wish to de- tach. While thus the commander-in-chief cared for all, each cared for itself. The stout hearted George Clinton, and the council of New York were thoroughly aroused and alert. Vermont called upon New Hampshire, and the White Moun- tains answered to the Green by summoning Stark and Whipple, who, gathering their men, hastened to the Hudson. While this wild panic and alarm swept through the country, Burgoyne remained for a fortnight at the head of Lake Champlain. He, also, had his troubles. He was forced to garrison Ticonderoga from his serviceable troops. His Indian allies began to annoy him. Provisions came in slowly, and the first fatal weakness of the expedition was already betrayed in the inadequate sujiply of wagons and horses. But the neighboring tories joined him, and counting upon the terror tliat his triumphant progress had inspired, he moved at the end of July from Lake Champlain toward the Hudson. His march was through the wilderness which Schuyler had desolated to the utmost, breaking up the roads, choking with trees the navigable streams, destroying forage, and driving away cattle. But Burgoyne forced his way through, building forty bridges and laying a log- wood road for two miles across a morass. The confidence of triumph cheered the way. So sure was victory, that as if it had been a huge pleasure party, the \vives of officers accom- panied the camp, and the Baroness Riedescl came in a calash from Fort George tc join her husband with Burgoyne. But before that slowly toiling army, the star- ScHliYLERVILLE. 271 tied frontier country fleil. Almost every jiatriot house west of the Green moun- tains and north of Jlanchester was deserted. The tories, proud of British pro- tection, placed signs in their liats and before their doors and upon the liorns of their cattle, wearing tlie tory badge, as Gurth wore the collar of Cedric the Saxon, To us the scene is a romantic jiieture. The scarlet host of Burgoyne flashes tlu'ough the forest with pealing music; the soldiers smooth the rough way with roystcring songs; the trains and artillery toil slowly on; the red cloud of savages glimmers on his skirts, driving before him farmers with wives and eliildren, faint and sick with cruel apprehensions, flying through a land of terror. To us, it is a picture. But to know what it truly was, let the happy farmer on these green slopes and placid meadows, imagine a sudden flight to-night witli all he loves from all he owns, struggling up steep hills, lost in tangled woods, crowding along difficult roads, at every step expecting the glistening tomahawk, the bullet, and the mercies of a foreign soldiery. Not many miles from this spot, the hapless Jane Mac Crea was killed as Burgoyne's savages hurried her away. Her story rang tlirough the land like a woman's cry of agony. This, then, was British chivalry! Burgoyne, indeed, had not meant murder, but he had threatened it. The name of the innocent girl became the rallying cry for armies, and to a thousand indig- nant hearts, her blood cried from the ground for vengeance. We come with song and speech and proud commemoration to celebrate the triumph of this day. Let us not forget the cost of that triumph, the infinite suffering that this unchanging sky beheld; the torture of men; the heartbreak of women; the terror of little children, that paid for the happiness which we enjoy. Burgoyne reached the Hudson unattacked. As he arrived, although he had no tidings from below, he heard of the successful advance in the valley of the Mohawk. St. Leger had reached Fort Stanwix without the loss of a man. It was necessary, therefore, for Burgoyne to hasten to make his junction at Albany with Howe and St. Leger, and on the Gth of August he sent word to Howe that he hoped to be in Albany by the 23d. But, even as be wrote, the blow fatal to his hopes was struck. On that very day the patriots of Tryon county, men of Ger- man blood, led by Nicholas Herkimer, were hastening to the relief of Fort Stan- wx, which St. Leger had beleaguered. The tale has just been eloquently told to fifty thousand children of the Jloliawk valley gathered on the field of Oriskany, and it will be told to their children's children so long as the grass of that field shall grow, and the waters of the 3Iohawk fiow. In the hot summer morning, Herkimer and his men marched under the peaceful trees into the deadly ambush, and in the depth of the defile were suddenly enveloped in a storm of fire and death. Ah! blood-red field of Oriskany! For five doubtful desperate hours, without lines, or fort, or artillery, hand to hand, with knife and rifle, with toma- hawk and spear, swaying and struggling, slipping in blood and stumbling over dead bodies, raged the most deadly battle of the war. Full of heroic deeds, full of precious memories ; a sacrifice that was not lost. The stars that shone at even- ing over the field, .saw the Indian and the white man stark and .stifl, still locked in the death grapple, still clenching the hair of the foe, still holding the drii)])ing knife in his breast. The brave Herkimer, fatally wounded, called for his Bible and tranf|uilly died. He did not relieve the fort, but it held out until Benedict Arnold, sent by Schuyler, coming up the valley, craftily persuaded St. Leger's Indians that his men were as the leaves of the forest for number. The savages fled ; St. Leger's force melted away ; the ^lohawk expedition had wholly failed, and the right hand of Burgoyne was shattered. 272 Centennial Celerkations. Every day lost to the English genoral was now a disaster. But his fatal impro\'i- denee forced him to iniietion. He could not move witho\it sujiplies of food and liorses, and an expedition to secure them would also serve as a diversion to favor St. Legcr. Three days after Oriskany, and before he had heard of that battle, Burgoyne detached tlie expedition to Bennington. New England was ready for him tluTC as New York had been at Stanwi.K. Parson Allen from Pittslicld rame in his chaise. Everybody else came as he eould, and when the British advance was announced, John Stark marched his militia just over the line of New York, where the enemy was intrenched on the uplands of the Walloomsic, and skillfully surromiding them, the Yankee farmers who had hurried away from their summer work, swept up the hill with fiery and resistless fury, seized the blazing gims, drovt^ the veteran troops as if they were wolves and wild cats threatening tlieir farms, and after a lull renewing the onset against fresh foes, the New England militia won the famous battle of Bennington, and the left hand of Burgoyne was shattered. So soon was the splendid promise of Ticonderoga darkened. The high and haughty tone was changed. " I yet do not despond," wrote Burgoyne on the 20th of August, and he had not yet heard of St. Leger's fate. But he had reason to fear. The glad light of Bennington and Oriskany had pierced the gloom that weighed upon the country. It was everywhere jubilant and everywhere rising. The savages deserted the British camp. The harvest was gathered, and while New England and New York had fallen fatally upon the flanks of Burgoyne, AVashingtou now sent Virginia to join New York and New England in his front, detaching from his own army Morgan and his men, the most famous rifle Corps of the Revolution. Indeed, Burgoyne's situation was worse than he knew. It now appears that the orders of co-operation with him were not sent to Lord Howe. Lord Shelburne in a memorandum upon Lord George Germaine, recently published, says of the inconsistent orders, given to the two Generals in America, that Lord George was very impaticMit of trouble, and that he had ai)poiuted to call at his office and sign the despatches, but by some mistake those of Lord Howe's were not fairly copied ; Lord George would not stop and the clerks promised to send them to the country. But then ensued f orgetfulness and delay, and the packet sailed without Lord Howe's orders. Of this, however, Burgoyne knew nothing. He was still comiting upon the active co-operation of Lord Howe, while he chafed under his own mishaps. But while the American prosjiect brightened. General Schuyler, by order of Congress, was superseded by General Gates. Schuyler, a most sagacious and diligent officer whom Washington wholly trusted, was removed for the alleged want of his most obviovis quality, the faculty of comprehensive organi- zation. But the New England militia disliked him, and c\-cu Sanruel Adams was ini])atieiit of him; but Samuel Adams was also impatient of Washington. Public irritation with the situation, and jealous intrigue in camp and in Congress pro- cured Schuyler's removal. He was wounded to the heart, but his patriotism did not waver. He remained in camp to be of what service he could, and he entreated Congress to order a speedy and searching inquiry into his conduct. It was at last made, and left him absolutely unstained. He was unanimously acquitted witli the highest honor, and C(nigress apin-oved the verdict. General Schuylei- did not again enter upon active military service, but he and Rnfus King were the first senators that New York sent to the senate of the United States. Time has restored his fame, and the history of his State records no more patriotic name among her SciIUYLERVILLE. 273 illustrious sons than tliut which is rommcraorated by this village, the name of Philip Schuyler. Largely re-enforced, Gates, on the 12th of September, advanced to Bemus Heights, -which the young Kosciusko had fortified, and there he awaited Bur. goyne's approach. Burgoync's orders had left him no discretion. lie must force his way to Albany. With soldierly loyalty, therefore, he must assume that Howe was pushing up the Hudson, and that his own delay might inijieril Howe by jier- mitting the Americans to turn suddenly upon him. On the 1 1th of September he announced to his camp that he had sent the lake fleet to Canada, that he had vir- tually abandoned his communications, and that his army must fight its way or perish. On the 13th he crossed the Hudson, and then received his first tidings from Howe, in a letter from him written long before, and which did not even mention a junction. Burgoyne had already felt himself deserted if not betrayed, and he comprehended his critical situation. Howe was on the Delaware and Carleton would give him no aid from Canada. The country behind him was already swarming with militia. He was encamped in a dense forest, vnth an enemy hidden in the same forest before him, whose drum-beat and morning gun he could hear, but whose numbers and position he did not know. Yet while he could see nothing, every movement of his own was noted by an eagle eye in a tree top on the eastern side of the Hudson, and reported to Gates. And when at last Burgoyne marched out in full array, with all the glittering pomp of war, to find the foe in the forest, Gates instantly knew it. Burgoyne boldly advanced, his communication with Canada gone, the glory of Ticonderoga dimmed, the union with Howe uncertain, disaster on the right hand and on the left, the peer- age and Westminster Abbey both fading from hope, and he suddenly confronted breastworks, artillery and an eager army. He must fight or fly, nor did he hesi- tate. At eleven o'clock on the morning of the lOth of September, he advanced in three columns toward Gates's line on Bemus Heights. At one o'clock the action began; at four it was general and desperate; at five, Burgoync's army was in mortal peril; at nightfall the Germans had stayed the fatal blow, and the battle ended. Both sides claimed the victory, and the British bivouacked on the field. As on Bunker Hill, the first battle in America which Burgoyne had seen, if this were a British victory another would destroy the British army^ Burgoyne luuldled his dead into the ground, hastily intrenched and fortified a new position, soothed a discouraged army and meditated a fresh assault. But receiving the good news of Howe's success at the Brandywine, and of the immediate advance of Clinton, who had been left in command in the city of New York, to break through the Highlands of the Hudson and fall upon the rear of Gates, he decided to wait. He was encamped in the wilderness without commu- nications, but he sent word to Clinton that he eould hold out until the 12th of October. Again through the forest he heard the morning and evening gun and the shouting of the American camp, and once the joyful firing of cannon that he could not understand, btit which announced American victories in his rear. The alarm of the British camp was constant. The picket firing was incessant. Officers and men slejit in their clothes, rations were reduced, and the hungry army heard every night the howling of the wolves that haunted the outskirts of the camp as if making ready for their jirey. At last, with provisions for sixteen days only, and no news from Chnton, Burgoyne summoned his generals for a final council. It was the evening of the 5th of October, and, could he but have known it, Howe, at Qermantown, had again succeeded, and Sir Henry Clinton 35 274 Centejstjstial Celebrations. was just breaking his way tlirougli the Highlands, victorious and desolating. On the very morning that Burgoyne fouglit his fatal battle the river forts had fallen, the boom and chain were cleared away, the marauding British fleet sailed into Newburgh bay, Clinton sent word gaily to Burgoyne, "Ilereweai-e! nothing between us and Albany," while Putnam was hastening up along the eastern bank and George Clinton along the western, rousing the country and rallying the flying citizens from their alarm. Of all this Burgoyne knew nothing. In his extremity his own plan was to leave boats, provisions and magazines, for three or four daj's, and falling ujjon the left of the Americans to attempt to gain the rear. The Ger- man General, Riedesel, advised falling back toward the lake. The English Fraser was willing to fight. The English Phillips was silent. Compelled to decide, Burgoyne at last determined to reconnoitre the Americans in force, and if he thought that an attack would be unwise, tlien to retreat toward the lake. On the morning of the 7th of October, at ten o'clock, fifteen hundred of the best troop)s in the world, led by four of the most experienced and accomplished generals, with a skirmishing van of Canadian rangers and Indians, moved in three columns toward the left of the American position into a field of wheat. They began to cut forage. Startled by the rattling picket fire, the American- drums beat to arms, and the British ajiproach was announced at head-quarters. Morgan and the Virginia sharpshooters were thrown out beyond the British right. Poor, with the New York and New Hampshu-e men, moved steadily through the woods toward the British left, wliich began the battle with a vigorous cannonade. The Americans dashed forward, opened to the right and left, flanked the enemy, struck him with a blasting fire, then closed and grappling hand to hand, the mad mass of combatants swayed and staggered for half an hour, five times taking and re-taking a single gun. At the first the fire upon the left, the Virginia sharp- shooters, shouting, and blazing \vith deadly aim, rushed forward with such fury that the apjialled British right wavered and recoiled. While it yet staggered under the blow of Virginia, New England swept up, and with its flaming mus- kets broke the English line, which wildly fled. It reformed and again ad\'anced, while the whole American force dashed against the British center, held by the Germans, whose right and left had been uncovered. The Germans bravely stood, and the British General Fraser hurried to their aid. He seemed upon the British side the inspiring genius of the day. With fatal aim an American sharp-shooter fired and Fraser fell. With him sank the British heart. Three thousand New Yorkers, led by Ten Broeck, came freshly up, and the whole American line, jubilant with certain victory, advancing, Bvu-goyne abandoned his guns and ordered a retreat to his camp. It was but fifty-two minutes since the action began. The British dismayed, bewildered, overwhelmed, were scarcely within their redoubts, when Benedict Arnold, to whom the jealous Gates, who did not come upon the field during the day, had refused a command, outriding an aid whom Gates had sent to recall him, came spurring up ; Benedict Arnold, whose name America does not love, whose ruthless will had dragged the doomed Canadian expedition through the starving wilderness of Maine, who volunteering to relieve Fort Stan- wix had, by the mere terror of his coming, blown St. Leger away, and who, on the 19th of September, had saved the American left, — Benedict Arnold, whom battle stung to fury, now whirled from end to end of the American line, hurled it against the Great Redoubt, driving the enemy at flic point of the bayonet; then flinging himself to the extreme right, and finding there the Massachusetts brigade, swept it with him to the assault, and streaming over the breastworks, SCIILVI.KUVILLE. 275 scattered the Brunsmckers who defended them, killed their colonel, gained and held the point wliich commanded the entire British position, while at the same moment his horse was shot under him, and he sank to the ground wounded in the leg that had been wounded at Quebec. Here, upou the Hudson, where he tried to betray his country, here upon the spot where, in the crucial hour of the Revo- lution, he iUustrated and led the American valor that made us free and great, knowing well that no earlier service can atone for a later crime, let us recall for one brief instant of infinite pity, the name that has been justly execrated for a century. Night fell, and the w^eary fighters slept. Before day dawned, Burgoyne, ex- hausted and overwhelmed, drew ofi the remainder of his army, and the Americans occupied his camp. All day the lines exchanged a sharp fire. At evening, in a desolate autumn rain, having buried solemnly, amid the flash and rattle of bombs and artillery, his gallant friend, Fraser; leaving his sick and wounded to the mercies of the foe, Burgoyne who, in the splendid hour of his first advance had so proudly proclaimed " this army must not retreat," turned to fly. He moved imtil nearly day-break, then rested from the slow and toilsome march untO toward sunset, and on the evening of the 9th he crossed Fish creek and bivouacked in the open air. A more vigorous march — but it was impracticable — would have given him the heights of Saratoga, and secured the passage of the river. But everywhere he was too late. The American sharpshooters hovered around him, cutting off supplies, and preventing him from laying roads. There was, indeed, one short hour of hope that Gates, mistaking the whole British army for its flnng rear-giiard, would expose himself to a destructive ambush and assault. "When the snare was discovered, the last hope of Burgoyne vanished, and unable to stir, he sat down grimly north of the creek, where his army, wasted to thirty-four hundred effective men, was swiftly and completely encircled by the Americans, who commanded it at every point, and harassed it with shot and shell. Gates, with the confidence of overpowering numbers, purposely avoided battle. Bur- govne, deserted by his allies, his army half gone, with less than five days' food, with no word from Clinton, with no chance of escape, prepared honorably to surrender. On the 14th of October he proposed a cessation of arms to arrange terms of capitulation. His agent, Lieutenant-Colonel Kingston, was received at the cross- ing of the creek by Adjutant-General Wilkinson, and was conducted by him, blindfolded, to General Gates. Gates's terms required an unconditional surrender of the army as prisoners of war. Burgoyne, anxious to save his army to the king for service elsewhere, insisted that it should be returned to England, under engage- ment not to serve again in North America during the war. Gates had no wish to prolong the negotiations. He had heard from Putnam that the English array and fleet were triumphantly sweeping up the river, and that he must expect "the worst,"' and he therefore hastened to accejit the proposition of Burgoyne. But Washington, with his Fabian policy, scorned even l)y Samuel and John Adams, had made "the worst" impossible. Hanging upon the army of Howe, engaging it. although unsuccessfully, at the Brandywine and at Germantown, he had per- ])lexed, delayed and disconcerted the British general, gaining the time which was the supreme necessity for success against Burgoyne. By reason of Washington's operations, Howe could not strengthen Clinton as they both expected, and Clinton could not move until his slow re-enforcements from over the sea arrived. When they came, he burst through the Highlands indeed, with fire and pillage, and 276 Centennial Celebrations. hastened to fall upon the rear of Gates. But before he could reach him, while still forty miles away, he heard the astounding news of Burgoyne's surrender, and he dropped down tlie river sullenly, back to New York, he, too, baffled by the x'igilaneo, the wariness, the supreme self-command of Washington. For a moment, when Burgoyne heard of Clinton's success, he thought to avoid surrender. But it was too late. He could not, honorably, recall his word. At nine o'clock on the morning of this day, a hundred years ago, he signed the con- vention. At eleven o'clock his troops marched to this meadow, the site of old Fort Hardy, and with tears coursing down bearded cheeks, with passionate sobs and oaths of rage and defiance, the soldiers kissing their guns with the tender- ness of lovers, or with sudden frenzy knocking off the butts of their muskets, and the drlimmers stamping on their drums, the king's army laid down their arras. No American eyes, except those of Morgan Lewis and James Wilkinson, aids of General Gates, beheld the surrender. As the British troops filed afterward between the American lines, they saw no sign of exultation, but they heard the drums and fifes playing " Yankee Doodle." A few minutes later, Burgoyne and his suite rode to the head-quarters of Gates. The English general, as if for a court holiday, glittered in scarlet and gold ; Gates plainly clad in a blue overcoat, attended by General Schuyler in citizen's dress, who had come to congratulate him, and by his jiroud and happy staff, received his guest with urbane courtesy. They exchanged the compliments of soldiers. " The fortune of war. General Gates, has made me your prisoner." Gates gracefully replied, "I shall always be ready to testify that it has not been through any fault of your Excellency." The generals entered the tent of Gates and dined together. With the same courtly compliment the English general toasted General Washington, the American general toasted the king. Then, as the English army, without artillery or arms, approached on their march to the sea, the two generals stepjied out in front of the tent, and standing together, conspicuous on this spot, in full view of the Ameri- cans and of the British army. General Burgoyne drew his sword, bowed, and presented it to General Gates. General Gates bowed, received the sword, and returned it to General Burgoyne. Such was the simple ceremony that marked the turning-point of the Revolution. All the defeats, indeed, all the struggles, the battles, the sacrifices, the sufferings, at all times and in every colony, were indispensable to the great result. Concord, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Moultrie, Long Island, Trenton, Oriskany, Bennington, the Brandywine, Germantown, Saratoga, Monmouth, Camden, Cowpen, Guilford, Eutaw Springs, Y'orktown, — what American does not kindle as he calls the glorious battle roll of the Revolution! whether victories or defeats, are all essen- tial lights and shades in the immortal picture. But, as gratefully acknowledging the service of all the patriots, we yet call Washington father, so mindful of the value of every event, we may agree that the defeat of Biu-goyue determined American independence. Thenceforth it was but a question of time. Tlie great doubt was solved. Out of a rural militia an army could be trained to cope at every point successfully with the most experienced and disciplined troops in the world. In the first bitti'r moment of his defeat, Burgoyne generously wrote to a military friend, '• .V better armed, a better bodied, a more alert or better prepared army in all essential points of military institution, I am afraid is not to be found on our side of the question." The campaign in New York also, where the loyal- ists were strongest, had shown, what was afterward constantly proved, that the British crown, despite the horrors of Cherry Valley and Wyoming, could not SciIUYLERVILLE. 277 count upon general or elTective aid from the toriesuor from tlie Indians. At last it was plain that if Britain would conquer, slie must overrun and crush the conti- nent, and that was imiiossiblo. The shrewdest men in England and in Europe saw it. Lord Xortli himself, King George's chief minister, owned it, and grieved in his blind old age that he had not followed his conviction. Ednuii\d Burke would have made peace on anj- terms. Charles Fox exclaimed that tlie ministers knew as little how to make peace as war. The Duke of Richmond urged the impossibility of conquest, and the historian Gibbon, who in parliament had voted throughout the war as Dr. Jolinson would have done, agreed that America was lost.-' The king of France ordered Franklin to be told that he should support the cause of the United States. In April he sent a fleet to America, and from that time to the end of the war, the French and the Americans battled together on sea and land, until on this very day, the seventeenth day of October, 1781, four years after the disaster of Burgoyne, Cornwallis, on the plains of Yorktown, proposed a surrender to the comljined armies of France and the United States. The terms were settled upon our part jointly by an American and a French officer, while Washington and La Payette stood side by side as the British laid down their arms. It was the surrender of Burgoyne that determined the French alliance and the French alliance secured the final triumph. It is the story of a hundred years ago. It has been ceaselcssl}- told by sire to son, along this valley and through this land. The latter attempt of the same foe and tlie bright day of victory at Plattsburgh on the lake, renewed and confirmed the old hostility. Alienation of feeling between the parent country and the child became traditional, and on both sides of the sea a narrow prejudice survives, and still sometimes seeks to kindle the embers of that wasted fire. But here and now we stand upon the grave of old enmities. Hostile breastwork and redoubt are .softly hidden under grass and grain; shot and shell and every deadly missile are long since buried deep beneath our feet, and from the mouldering dust of min- gled foemen springs all the varied verdure that makes this scene so fair. While nature tenderly and swiftly repairs the ravages of war, we suffer no hostility to lin- ger in our hearts. Two months ago the Briti.sh governor-general of Canada was invited to meet the president of the United States, at Bennington, in happy com- memoration not of a British defeat but of a triumph of English liberty. So, upon this famous and decisive field, let every unworthy feeling perish ! Here, to the England that we fought, let us now, grown great and strong with a hundred years, hold out the hand of fellowship and peace ! Here, where the English Bur- goyne, in the very moment of his bitter Inmiiliation, generously pledged George Washington, let us, in our high hour of triumph, of power, and of hope, pledge the queen ! Here, in the grave of brave and unknown foemen, may nuitual jeal- ousies and doubts and animosities lie buried forever ! Henceforth, revering their common glorious traditions, may England and America press always forward side by side, in noble and inspiring rivalry to promote the welfare of man ! Fellinv citizens, with the story of Burgoyne's .surrender — the revolutionary glory of the State of New York — still fresh in our memories, amid these thou- .sands of her sons and daughters, whose hearts glow with lofty pride, I am glad tluit the hallowed spot on which we stand compels us to remember not only the imperial state, but the national commonwealth whose young hands here together struck the blow, and on whose older head descends the ample benediction of the victory. On yonder height, a hundred years ago. Virginia and Pennsylvania lay encamped. Beyond, and further to the north, watched Kew llampshirc and Ver- 278 Centennial Celebrations. mont. Here, in the wooded uplands at the south, stood New Jersey and Kew York, while across the river to the east, Connecticut and Massachusetts closed the triumphant line. Here was the symbol of the Revolution, a common cause, a com- mon strife, a common triumph ; the cause not of a class, but of human nature — the triumph not of a colony, but of United America. And we who stand here proudly remembering — we who have seen Virginia and New York — the North and the South — more bitterly hostile than the armies whose battles shook this ground — we who mutually proved in deadlier conflict the constancy and the courage of all the States, which, proud to be peers, yet own no master but their united selves — we renew our heart's imperishable devotion to the common Amer- ican faith, the common American pride, the common American glory ! Here Americans stood and triumphed. Here Americans stand and bless their memory. And here, for a thousand years, may grateful generations of Americans come to rehearse the glorious story, and to rejoice in a supreme and benignant American Nationality. BUEGOYNE. A Poem by Alfred B. Street. When fell Rome's fabric, dire the ruin wrought; With spectral twilight all the earth was fraught; A few stars shone that twilight to illume Where Superstition groped in Gothic gloom. To cloistral walls fled Learning in affright Missals to blazon mystic scrolls indite. What though breathed music in Provencal bowers, And Architecture wreathed its fadeless flowers; Built the dim church, with painted panes aglow, And arched the abbey on its pillars low ; Though Painting, of all Nature's hues the heir, Enameled canvas into jewels rare ; The loftiest wtues of the soul lay dead. Right, swordless, crouched beneath Wrong's conquering tread, And though grand Freedom's essence never dies, It drooped, despairing, under despot-skies. If aught it asked, Darius like, the Throne, At its awed look, in wrathful lightnings shone. Its food the acorn and its home the cell, Its only light but showed its manacle ; Until its eye, at throned Oppression's foot, Saw slavery's towering tree, its heart the root. Cast Upas shadow o'er one common grave, With naught but its own soul its life to safe. And then it rose; up \vith one bound it sprung; Tlmnder from a clear sky, its war-shout rung; Out flashed its falchion with a sunburst wide. And wakened thousands sought its warrior side. As the mist streaming from some towering crag, ScilUYLEliVILLE. 279 It spnad till' lilazon of its glittering flag; In savage gorges which the vulture swept, lu lonely caverns where the serpent crept. Close where the tumbling torrent hurled its spray. And shadowy cedars twined a twilight day, Clutching its sword and battling on its knee. Still Freedom fought ; and though the swelling sea Of cruel Wrong yet drove it, struggling, higher, It could not quench its pure, celestial fire ; From peak to peak it rose, until the height Showed it but heaven wherein to take its flight. Round flew its glance, it saw its myriad foes FoUowdng, still following, rising as it rose; Following, still following! -was no refuge nigh? Naught on the earth, and only in the sky? , Round flew its glance, it pierced beyond the wave? Ha ! the New World emerges ! — shall it save? Hark, a wild cry ! — it is the eagle's scream ! See, a broad light, the far league-conquering stream Linking all climates, where it reaching flows, Its head the snow-drift, and its foot the rose. Mountains rise there that know no tread of Kings; Blasts that waft liberty on chainless wings ; Lakes that hold skies, the swallow tires to cross; Prairies, earth-oceans ; woods, a whirlwind's toss Would seem a puny streak ; and with one tongue All thundered " come! " the w'elkin, echoing, rung " Come ! " and it went ; it took its Jlay flower flight. Fierce raged the blast, cold billows hurled their might. Winter frowned stern, he pierced to Freedom's heart ; White spread the strand, and Hunger reared his dart ; The tree-crouched panther met, by day, its sight, The wolf's eye starred the window-pane at night; Thouo'h winter entered in its heart, he braced With strength its frame ; its feet the forest traced. Despising hardship; by the torrent rocked Its baVk canoe; the wild tornado shocked Way through the prostrate woods and, grazing, sent No dread, as by its roof thc'-horror went; — From choice it climbed the dizzy cliff to glance Over its realm's magnificent expanse. There the vast forest stood, the free, the green. The w-ild, a tangled, thronging, vaulted scene. In mantling emerald stretched its wavy floor Carpets of moss and vines rich spreading o'er; There, the white cohosh, furzy sumac, gems Of the wild allspice, grass and clover stems, And strawberry, the curious Indian pipe, The creeping pine that lays its fringy stripe 28U Centennial Celebrations. Beside the running hemlock ; liigher stood Oak, beach and majile sprouts, a brotherhood Twin-leaved ; the branchy fern and feathery brake ; Still higher, the dense bushes wreathed, that make A sea waist-deep ; the saplings higher still ; Then loftier leaves that, one twined ceiling, fill The eye ; and towering over all, the pine And hemlock, whose green crowns forever shine In light, or frown in gloom, and feel the breath Of every wind; while, motionless as death. The depths below; througli this cleft roofing, pries The sunshine ; vistas open where the skies Admit the grass to grow and bird to build. The flowers to flourish and the sunlight gild. Through ambush green the little mole-rill tells Its burrowing by its purl along the dells ; Mounds in the soft, black mould proclaim the dens Of reedy marmot, fox and rabbit ; fens Bristle ; vast swamps of laurel spread around In pools where trees dead, spectral, stand; the ground Sodden with wet, yields rank, green slime and moss To old, black logs and branches fallen across; In hideous contrast to the lovely green And living things of the surrounding scene. Here glance the graceful d^ear ; the panther prowls ; The big, black bear jolts round; the gaunt wolf howls; The small, red tribesmen of the woodland swarm. Live their glad summer lives, and nestle warm In their close winter haunts ; the eagle claps His pinion here ; the famished vulture flaps In searching flight ; the pigeon of the wood Colors the green with blue ; her downy brood The partridge hides at danger's sign ; the quail Chequers the vista's gold ; its nightly wail The whippoorwill repeats; till Autumn's sad Katydid dirge proclaims that all things glad Are leaving; then October's sunset glows And Winter's twilight brings the choking snows ; Broadening the picture, here, grand rivers rolled, Grand mountains rose ; and in their numbers bold, Wild focmen thronged with tomahawk and knife Ready to whelm in most unequal strife. But what of these ! a stalwart heart and arm Freedom upbore, the danger owned a charm. And in the forest with bold tread it trod Waging the contest for itself and God. And soon blithe harvests waved where forests frowned ; Roofs studded rivers; and in gladdening sound The song of Peace and industry arose, SCHUYLEKVILLE, 28 1 Where ))urst the war-whoops of unsparing foes; And cliuieli-siiiies pointed where up towered the pine; And Freedom pUiuted sure its ever-living shrine. Oh! glorious Freedom ! grandest, brightest gift Kind heavoa has given our souls to heavenward lift ! Oh ! glorious Freedom ! are there hearts so low That its live flame finds there no answering glow? It soars sublime beyond the patriot's love, Stateliest that sways, save thought that dwells above ! Slaves love their homes ; a patriot glad will die For Native land, thougli she in chains may lie; Noblest Ijy far, the soul tliat loves to fall In the red front at Freedom's sacred call; His heart right's shield, he braves the Despot's ban Not for himself to perish, but for man. So when crowned Wrong made here his first advance, Flashed from our fathers, wrath's immediate glance ; — Freedom their life, the sceptre but essayed Attempt, to send their swift hand to their blade. Theii- serried front said "stay!" their eyes "beware! '■ Rouse not the still prone panther from his lair! " But vain the mandate, vain the warning spoke, The ICing strode onward and the land awoke. Stately the sight. Recording history shows When the red walls of our Republic rose ! Reared in deep woods, beneath a scarce -known sky, In puny strifes that hardly claimed the eye Of lands still trembling with the tluindering track Of Saxe and jMarlborough ; where startling, back Russia's black Eagle had the Crescent hurled, Threatening so late to dominate the world. In a grand age our Nation opened eye! A dazzling sunshine bathed the mental sky; Voltaire his keen bright darts of wit still sent; Rousseau his tender moonlight sentiment; Napoleon's star was rising to absorb All space in grandeur of his fierce, wild orl); Painting wore garland that Sir Joshua wreathed; Promethean life Canova's marble breathed ; ' Cowper was shedding his soft gentle strains Over old England's rustic fields and lanes ; Burns, lyric lark! whose nest was by the plow, Forming his song-pearls for his Scotia's brow; At Oarrii-k's art the Drama laughcil and grieved; In Dilidin's sailor songs, pleased Ocean heaved; Johnson was building up his pomi) of words; 36 282 Centennial Celebrations. White hearkening speecli from animals and birds ; Goldsmitli had just, by death, from his resort Been freed, his picturesque, craclved, clothes-lined court ; Linnaeus was yielding language mute to flowers; Gibbon re-rearing Rome's majestic towers; Herschel, with daring clutch, was making prize Of God's grand secrets in the startled skies ; Burke shedding round his rich auroral gleams ; Pitt weaving Britain in a web of schemes ; While Cook, his far away sea-bird wing unfurled. Searching Pacific's dim, mysterious world Weltering round isles where Fancy reared her throne, In scenes to Learning's utmost lore unknown. Mid all this affluence of deed and thought With which this age of majesty was fraught, Two war-cries rung on a new nation's breath, This from the warm South, ' ' Liberty or Death ! " This from the cold North, l^oth stern shouted thence, " Nothing for tribute, millions for defense! " Up sprung a land with weapon bared for use, Like Pallas bounding from the brow of Zeus. The Revolution, our Heroic Age ! Its deeds, its times should every heart engage I Not in the mist of mythic doubt it lies ; Its fingers touch us and it fills our eyes. The household antlers hold the musket yet Which rang at Concord ; — that bent bayonet Glittered at Yorktown ; — yea, but few years back, The grand-sire lingered who had seen the track Of famed Burgoyne a century ago, Wlio bowed his haughty head before his generous foe. Yea, a Heroic Age ! athwart the breast Of many a battle-field, its seal is prest ; In woods, still sighs the pine for many a lost ; Fields in thick waves, by many a grave are crossed Many the deeds that dear Tradition keeps; Many the heart with household fame that leaps. The dead that perished! many and many a shrir.e Is strewed around where tenderest memories twine ; In gloomy gorges where the eagle wheels, Under the storm-cliEE where the thunder peals, In grassy dingles where the wild-bird sings, By the bright streamlet where the cowslip swings, In rocky glens where cascades whiten down. In cliasms where hemlocks cast eternal frown, In woods where wail the wnds without a break, SciIU-i-LEKVILLK. ^83 In lonely cloaiins and '>}' sail-white lake, There sleep the brave; we reap the seed they sowed! Cherish their memories then, while memory holds abode. On Concord green, the rustic king's arm woke ; And Bunker donned his battle helm of smoke; Clnbbing his musket, on he strode to where His footstep led him through the Lion's lair; The Union Flag, with crosses of St. George And Andrew, and the stripes in Freedom s forge Wrought like hot steel's white crimson hues, appeared At Cambridge camp, by Washington up-reared; (The crosses sign of our yet loyalty ; The stripes significant we would be free) ; The foe was swept from Boston, but his tread Was o'er the Excelsior City's humbled head; Washington, printing Jersey with his blood, Fled from the foe, then o'er the icy flood Of Trenton sent the king his Christmas-dole Launched in tierce lightnings from his wrathful soul; And then his New Year greeting, where the height Of Princeton gleamed in victory's gladdening light. The Crown surveying thus the varying tide Of conquest, towering in its haughty pride, In close debate, at last its plan evolved, And on one final crushing blow resolved. Ne-w England, east of the Excelsior State, In. its stern hills and rocky vales, the great And teeming camp for freedom's battles, formed; West, the wild lakes with savage nations swarmed, That struck the war-post for their sire, the King; Could Britain's arm, in one grand effort, swing A blow to cleave the Excelsior State beneath ; New England's blade were powerless in its sheath ; Their portals spread, the Great Lakes woiild outpour Their fierce red floods to whelm the region o'er, The struggling, hopeless South, then, part by part. Would yield, till freedom left the nation's heart. Three threatening strands were woven by the Crown; One stretching up Champlain; one reaching down The Mohawk Valley whose green depths retained Its Tory heart, Fort Stanwix scarce restrained; And one of Hudson's flood ; the three to link Where stood Albania's gables by its brink. Glance at the picture — ere we spread our wing — Of the grand battle whose famed deeds wc sing! Here spreads Champlain with mountain skirted shore 284 Centennial Celebrations. Caniadere Ct-uwentie, open door Of the fierce Iroquois to seek their foes In regions stretching from Canadian snows. "West, in a purple dream of misty crag, The Adirondacks' wavy outlines drag; East, the Green Mountains, home of meadowy brooks. Of cross road hamlets, sylvan school-house nooks, Church-covered hOls and lion-hearted men Taught by the torrent tumbling down the glen. By the grand tempests sweeping around the cliff. By the wDd waters tossing by their skiff Freedom, till freedom grew their very life And slavery with all earthly curses rife. Kext, the dark Horican* that mountain vein. Bright islet-spangled tassel to Champlain ; The highlands souled with Washington and grand With his high presence watching o'er the land ; Thy heights, oh Bemus ! green with woods yet white With flakes of tents, zigzag with works and briglit With flags ; while, in perspective, we discern Grouped round great Washington, with features stern In patriot care and doubt, the forms of Wayne Putnam and Green and all the shadowy train Of Congress, wrapt spectators from afar. Of where fierce battle drove his fiashing, thundering car. As when some dream tumultuous fills the night With changeful scenes, and plunges past the sight In hazy shapes, and dark looks, till at last With all its weird, wild phantasm, it is past, So the broad pictm-e as it melts away, And once more in our heart peals out the trumpet-lay. A deep stern sound ! the starting signal roar ! And up Champlain Burgoyne's great squadron bore. In front his savage ally's bark canoes Flashing in all their bravery wild of hues ; Their war-songs sounding and their paddles timed ; Next the batteaux, their rude, square shapes sublimed With pennon, sword and bayonet, casting glow In penciled pictures on the plain below : From winter lingering in the Indian Pass, Mantled the locust; as in April grass Rich dandelions burn, the basswood showed Its bells of yellow ; while the dogwood glowed In a white helmet thickly plumed atop ; The earlier cherry let its sweet pearls drop With every breeze ; the hemlock smiled with edge * Lake George is beginning to be known at last as Lake Horican, so named by the great American novelist, Cooper. SciU'YLEKVILLE. 285 Fringed in fresh emerald ; even tlie sword-like sedge, Sharp raid the snowj' lily-goblets set In the nooked shallows like a spangled net, Was jeweled with brown bloom. By curving point Where glittering ripples nmber sands anoint With foamy silver, by deep crescent bays Sleeping beneath theii- veil of drowsy haze, By watery coverts shimmering faint in film. Broad, rounded knolls one creamy, rosy realm Of laurel blossom with the kalmia-urns Dotted with red, the fleet, as sentient turns The winding channel ; in tall piles of white The stately ships reflect the golden light Dazzling the lake ; the huge batteaux ply deep Their laboring, dashing pathway ; fronting, keep, With measured paddle-stabs, the light canoes Their gliding course ; the doe, upstarting, views And hides her fawn ; the panther marks the scene And bears her cubs within the thickets screen ; The wolf lifts sharpened ear and forward foot; Waddles the bear away with startled hoot As some sail sends a sudden flash of white In the cove's greenery, slow essaying flight The loon rears, flapping, its checked, grazing wings, Till up it struggling flies and downward flings Its Indian whoop; the bluebird's sapphire hue Kindles the shade ; the pigeon's softer blue Breaks, swarming, out ; the robin's warble swells In crumply cadence from the skirting dells ; And restless rings the bobolink's bubbly note From the clear bell that tinkles in his throat. Thus stately, cheerily moves the thronging fleet ! On the lake's steel the blazing sunbeams beat ; But now a blast comes blustering from a gorge ; The white caps dance; it bends the tall St. George And even the Thunderer tosses ; the array Breaks up; canoe, batteau, grope doubtful way Through the dim air; in spectral white, each sail Glances and shivers in the whistling gale ; All the green paintings of point, bank and tree Vanish in black and white, and all but see A close horizon where near the islands lose Their shapes, and distant ranks nf forest fuse Into a mass ; at length the blast flies off Shallows stop rattling, and the hollow cough Of surges into caves makes gradual cease Till on, the squadron glides, once more in siinny peace. So on some blue-gold day white clouds up-float In shining throng, and next are dashed remote 286 Centennial Celebrations. By a fierce "wind, then join in peace again And smoothly winnow o'er the lieaveuly plain ; Or so some fleet of wild fowl on the lake, Dipping and preening, quiet journey take, Till the sky drojis an eagle circling low For the straight plunge ; wild scattering to and fro They seek the shed of bank, the cave of plants, Tunnel of stream, wherever lurk their haunts, Until the baffled eagle seeks again His sky, and safely holds once more, his reign. When lay Champlain in eve's gold plated glass And rich, black pictures etched the glowing grass. The crews debarked ; their camp-fires round would rear And hang their kettles for their nightly cheer ; Then rose the tents, like mushrooms, to the moon; Swords would be edged and muskets polished ; soon Slumber would fan its wings, and in the bright Soft, delicate peace, would croon the Summer Night. Then the gray day-dawn through the leaves would look ; Ked coats would gleam in every emerald nook And weapons glitter; as the mist would crawl From the smooth lake and up the forest wall, Sails would shine out and blottings of canoe Blent with batteau would thicken on the view ; Rings of dead ashes, prostrate trees half burned. Trunks into black Egyptian marble turned "Where curling fires had scorched the streaky moss, Roofs of dead leaves where branches stooped across And soil bvu-ned black and smoking still, would show Where through the night had shone the camp-fire glow, Limbs drooping loose and logs with gaping cuts Where the brigade had reared their bushy huts ; A deer's head on the stump, a bear-skin cast Beneath, where late the red man held repast ; The drum's beat then would sound, and shrilly fife ; Dingle and aisle would flash with martial life ; Once more the fleet would start, and up its way Take as the whole scene brightened into day. On Lady Mary's deck Burgoyne would stand Drinking the sights and sounds at either hand Replete with beauty to his poet-heart; Laughing to scorn man's paltry works of Art. The grassy ^'ista with its grazing deer ; The lone loon oaring on its shy career ; The withered pine-tree with its fish-hawk nest; The eagle-eyrie on some craggy crest ; SciIUYLERVlLLE. 287 The rich white lilies that wide shallows told; Their yellow sisters with their globes of gold At the stream's mouth ; the ever changefvil Lake ; Here, a green gleaming, there, a shadowy rake Of scudding air-breath; here, a dazzling flash Searing the eyeball ; there a sudden dash Of purple from some cloud; a streak of white The wake of some scared duck avoiding sight ; The dogwood plumed with many a jiearly gem, Was a bright queen with her rich diadem; An oak with some crooked branch up pointing grand, A monarch with his sceptre Ib his hand ; A rounded root a prostrate pine-tree rears A slumbering giant's mighty shield appears ; A long-drawn streak of cloud with pendent swell Of hill, a beam with its suspended bell; In some grey ledge, high lifted up, he sees An ancient castle looking from its trees ; Some mountain's rugged outline shows the trace Of the odd profile of the human face ; A slender point tipped with its drinking deer Seems to his losdicr eye a prostrate spear ; In the near partridge-pinion's rolling hum. He hears, with smiles, the beating of the drum ; And in the thresher's tones with music rife, The stirring flourish of the whistling fife ; And thus his fancy roams, till twilight draws Around the fading scene its silver gauze. A golden, lazy summer afternoon ! The air is fragrant with the scents of June Wintergrecn, sassafras and juniper. Rich birch-breath pungent mint and spicy fir And resinous cedar ; on Carillon's walls The sentry paces where cool shadow falls; His comrade sits, his musket on his knee, Watching the speckling gnats convulsively Stitching the clear dark air that films some nook. He hears the dashing of the Iloricau brook Loud at the West — that curved and slender chain By which the Tassel hangs upon Chaniplain ^ It chimes within his ear like silver bells. And the sweet jangling only quiet tells; In front he sees the long and leafy points ('\irving the waters into elbow-joints Of Bays ; a crest beyond the old French Lines, . Domes the flat woods; east, opposite, inclines Mount Independence, its .sloped summit crowned With its star-fort, with battery breast-plate boiuul, The floating bridge between, the massive boom 288 Centennial Celebrations. And chain in front, and in the rearward room A group of patriot craft ; and sweeping thence The forest landscape's green magnificence. Southward the lake a narrowed river bends With one proud summit where the brook suspends Horican's tassel to King Corlaer's* crown, Close to Carillon's dark embattled frown. Sunset its arrows through the fortress shot ; In velvet softness shone the warlike spot ; Gold filled embrasures, walls in rich array Stretched betwixt bastions ; shadows crawled away To nooks and angles, or slept cool and dark Within the ball-coned corners ; many a spark The cannon glanced, their grim mouths bright in sheen With muskets yoked to pyramids between. Owned the steel-pointed spear beside him cast, Sudden one starts! around the northward curve, Turrets of white, in stately motion, swerve. With blocks, like giant beetles, stretched in rank. Canoes, batteaux and boats ! and either bank In gleam and flash with moving spots of red. Telling the coming f oeman's landward tread ; While hovering in the front, like ducks, in nooks Of the bent banks and coves of entering brooks. In the ^\Teathed lilied sliallows, mid the drift Of brush-wood bays, white rapids shooting swift, Or threading some low brink's impending arch. The patriot watch-boats warn the approaching march ; The flashing shores, the moving fleet between, Making a picture of the sunset scene. Through roused Carillon quick the story flies; Guns change to groups and loopholes stare \vith eyes. Up glides the flag, defiant shouts outbreak; Soon would Burgoyne his backward pathway take ! Swift will Carillon's thunder hurl his doom Even ere he splintered on the barrier-boom ! Ah, false belief! ah, mocking cheer ! but stay! Let sad experience the fell truth display ! Twilight creeps grayly forth ; the French Lines crest And Sugar Loaf in dreamy blue are drest ; Glimmers the Lake, the sails, in dusky white. Seem ghosts half merged within the pallid light ; Peace with her soft, warm stars, breathes o'er, till soon Rosy and roundly lifts the whitening moon. * French name for Ticonderoga. SciIUYLERVILLE. 289 A silver painting now the scene displays ; The forests glitter and the waters blaze ; Carillon's black is turned to tender white Where the moon enters with transforming light; Bastions are sleeked, grim curtains smootlied, and loops Dart streaks of pearl o'er ball and musket-groups ; The hostile sails are brightened into snow ; The woods seem slumbering in the mantling glow; The French Lines summit surges on the sky; Peaceful and soft and quiet to the eye Looks towering Sugar Loaf ! could Carillon's sight Have pierced the distance, what a shuddering fright Had seized his heart ! there, struggling groups of men Clambered rough rocks; the torrent of the glen Sprinkled strained ropes that lifted cannon up From tree to tree ;. the hollow's ferny cup, The cavern's lichcned ledge, the panther's lair, The wolf's close haunt, the chamber of the bear, Felt trampling throngs all fighting toward the top; The moonlight mountain, as they climbed, let drop Its varied sounds ; its car had never before Hearkened such tumult ; thus the night hours bore The chequered pictures to the tints that make Day-break cartoons of forest and of lake. The scene now glimmers with the frescoes drawn By the gray pencil of the rising dawn ; Then the white pictures painted by the mist; Then the east's rim by living radiance kissed ; Sugar Loaf glitters in the crimson hues ; Not those the dyes the morning beams diffuse! Like a dense curtain up the mist is rolled ; The Lake expands in point and headland ; bold Tlie woods stand forth, the vessels whiten out; And a fresh summer sunrise smiles about. Carillon gazes ; those rich tints now here Now there, gleam brokenly and disappear; Is that a banner-flash? that brassy glow Cast by a cannon ? yes ! it is the foe ! Carillon shudders ; there he naked stands His vain-drawn weapons useless in his hands ; Certain destruction threatens from on high ; Naught can avert, like lightning from the sky. On the warm ledges of the mountain's crest Starred with blue harebells o'er the velvet breast Of fringy moss, the red-coat sentry sees, As sunset glitters through the golden trees, Carillon quiet, with his sullen frown. Seeming in slumber ; Night with pearly crown 37 290 Centennial Celebrations. Follows ; what glare bursts sudden forth ! the sheen Startles to fierce, wild, crimson life, the scene ! It shows dark masses through the floating bridge Streaming where Independence rears its ridge, Streaming from bared Carillon ; on the Lake A fleet of patriot boats and galleys take Their upward path; Mount Hope, the Frencli Lines crest Named by the foe to mark tlie joyous zest Its capture gave — sends Fraser, battle-famed, In quick pursuit; while j\Iount Defiance — named From Sugar Loaf to show his scorn — yields too Its throngs exultant, eager to pursue. Within the eastward woods they plunged, in rear Of the retreating foe ; by moonlight clear And mottled gloom, the rough road led them on ; — O'er zigzag rails the elder blossoms shone Like silver lanterns ; on the banks, in spots The foxfire glared ; the yager over knots Of roots groped slow, his spatterdashes soaked In the fern's dew, his bayonet frequent yoked With branches ; the chasseur's huge helmet now Cleaved the low leaves like some aerial plow. And now the grenadier of Earner crushed His sharp cap on some ledge as by he brushed. Dawn its gray glimmer through the gloom distils ; Then morning glitters on the Pittsford hills. At Hubbardtou the patriot foe makes pause, And Battle, for the first his falchion draws. But stay not, Song, thy fairy sandal here ! The lyre is mute at whistle of the spear ! Let but one cadence, brief and mournful, tell How Fraser triumphed and how Francis fell. While on St. Clair through wilds, torn, bleeding, passed Until Fort Edward refuge gave at last. Meanwhile, Burgoyne pursued the patriot fleet Up the cm'ved narrowing Lake ; the glittering sheet Showed now their path, and now, where high banks wound, Hidden the waj' ; Morn flings her jewels round Where the lake's head sweeps, crescent like, about. And Skenesboro' stands with store-house and redoubt ; Moored, there, the patriot-craft ; but soon War claims His horrid spoil ; the sjiot is wrapped in flames Waked by the patriots and Bui-goyne ; at night Brave Long, with his Carillon force in flight. Threads a blind pathway tunnelled through the trees To where Wood Creek Fort Anne's earth-rampart sees. All night, a stump or bush, along their road. Like a crouched savage lurking for them, showed. SCUUYLKKVILLK. -91 Or flushes of some hunter's camp-fire looked Like red-coats ; witli a log, buside them nooked, Seeming a cannon to dispute tlieir way; So on they stniggkd till the rich moon's ray Shrank in the rosy brilliancy of day. Haste, likewse, from this spot, oh Song! thy lyre Too frail for thunder-tones; the battle-fire Makes its gold strings too hot for thy soft touch: In the bright spear thou secst the wretched crutch Of the maimed soldier ; in the trumpet's twang Thou hear'st the orphan's cry; yet if the clang Of war could joy thee, well thy tones could ring Here, where the Lion felt the Eagle's wing Cut keen and deep ; but as thy tones expire, Haste I scenes more grateful claim thy jeweled lyre. Face to the foe brave Schuyler down retreats ; Fort Edward's ruined bastions now he greets ; His thin ranks thinning with the thickening days Now Saratoga meets his longing gaze. In vain ! no refuge ! on 1 till Mohawk's smile Welcomes the wanderer to her safety-isle. Days roll along; at length Burgoyne begins His downward march, but progress brief he wins. Schuyler, with prescient, patient toil, had wrought, Till the wide pathway of the foe was caught Within a web of levelled woods, of streams Bridgeless, paths choked, tangles of broken beams, Smooth avenues beckoning to quick-sand swamps, xVll shackling every step; war's glittering pomps Turned to a huddling, struggling, writhing mass Striving with wild, con\Tilsive strength, to pass. Thus, the wroth region flings itself across The invader's path ; the pines and hemlocks toss Their mighty amis, ask hoarse through windy leaves "Why comes he here? " the towering windfall weaves Its torturing net ; the bog its treacherous length Clutching the footstep, wearying down the strength. Spreading its Indian plumes in crimson glow As if to warn him of the blood to flow; The streamlet, hid in nooks of sunken logs And marshy reeds, the ponderous cannon clogs; Vainly the gallant Jones swift plies his scourge. His buried battcrj--wheels can scarce emerge ; The hoof of Fraser's stout grey warhorse sinks In flowerj- mire ; Riedesel's sabre clinks On the prone trunk his barb essays to scale; Low boughs the flag, wrapped round its staff, assail ; 292 Centennial Celebrations. Order was lost ; the sword of the chasseur Jostled the drum ; the trail the moccasin wore The musket widened to a path ; o'er hill Through vale, beside the little lyric rill, Over ravines by prostrate trees, they wend From morn till evening's blurring shades descend. Here, zigzag breast-works, left so late, the print Of leaving feet shows fresh ; the crushed down mint There, telling where the gun was hauled away Prom the embrasure; pickets in array "With none to man them ; on, thus, on, they go, Weary with seeking a dissolving foe. The Kingsbury marshes shine one blusliing hue Of rarely absent Indian plumes ; in blue Of moose-heads, glow the streams; warm mulber tints Display the rushes in wet nooks ; a cliintz Of lovely tinges in the glossy browns Of piny knolls their own hue nearly drowns In flowery dyes ; and in gi-een dells is spilt A mass of color like a brindled quilt. The running-hemlock's drops of ruddy wax, The hanging honeysuckle's streak)' sacks, The yet scarce aster, and the golden rod Whose curling plume begins to light the sod, Kindle their path with all the wealth of flowers That Summer summons to her forest bowers. At night, the camp-fire's mighty eyeballs glare In flashing rings ; the trees around them stare ; The grenadier's red coat shines one fixed blush; The Hessian's crimson cap takes livelier flush; Here, gleams a buckle ; there, a feather-plate ; A brazen clasp; in all his painted state The Indian stands and edges by the glow Anew his hatchet for the coming foe. As on, Burgoyne — Fear files before, around, With ear erect to catch the faintest sound, And eyes wild starting every sight to see; Is that a red-coat glancing from a tree? Or sunset's straggling beam? that sound, the tramp Of the approaching foe? the hunter's camp Cowers lonely in the woods; the settler's hut Has lost its latch-string, and its door is shut. The ambushed trap lurks baitless by the creek ; The deer treads fearless to the pearly lick ; The cattle-group have left the rubbing-tree. In far away coverts they roam wild and free ; SCHUYLERVILLE. 293 The ripened rye lies matted round the stumps ; Through whitening buckwheat bold the rabbit jumps, Among the graining corn licneath the moon Nibbles, unmarked, the seated, shy raccoon i The back-log blackens where the kettle sung; The cat stalks ghostly where the clock-tones rimg To merry household groups ; and the dust pearls now The fringed asparagus, whose mounded bough Filled the wide hearth-stone; in the yard, the axe Lies in the chips late showering from its hacks; And the dry grindstone hangs its wheel of gray Stirless; and but half -pitched, stands by its loft, the hay. War's red romance now claims the sorro\\Tiig lyre ! Love's victim I let the trumpet-tones expire ! No dulcet strain beneath the moonlit sky ; The mournful cadence breathes but one long sigh. Ah, hapless maiden ! ah, poor Jennie McCrea? The Wyandotte Panther grasps his hapless prey ! Ah, savage heart ! he aims — she falls ! the sweep Of glorious tresses, black as midnight, heap The wampum belt! ah, lovely, lovely head, By the unsparing knife so foully shred ! But let the minstrel of the period tell How that dark deed, that murder base, befell. The mill his muse, its great throb beat the strain Of the poetic measure in his brain ; Its gliding straps the lines in smoothness wrought; Its hoppers, reservoirs of stirring thought ; The wheat wove golden pictures as it poiu-ed-; The tireless millwheel music as it roared ; And all the region round, witli blended will, Hailed as the minstrel, Robbie of the Mill. This ruthless slaughter claimed his tuneful tongue. Though shudderings shook Ms soul, aud thus he sung: List all you good people my sorrowful lay. While I sing the sad doom of poor Jennie McCrea. She waited her lover, her lover to join, lie came, the fierce savage, preceding his path As the cloud with the lightning red launching its wrath. She waited her lover, instead of him came The Wyandotte Panther with eyeballs of flame. He seized her, and bearing her up on his way. From her steed shot the maiden, poor Jennie McCrea? 29-1 Centennial Celebkations. Another fierce savage, as demon-like, shred The long glossy-locks from her beautiful head. Weep, souls of soft pity ! weep over this woe ! Swear, hearts of stern vengeance ! to strike back the blow ! Let us peal forth the shout, as we rush to the fray, The loud, wrathful war shout of "Jennie McCrea!" For as sure as God lives, will he deeply repay The dark, bloody deed of poor Jennie McCrea. With soldier songs down treads the exultant foe, Down -n-ith the region showing wild its woe. "Britons retreat not," boasts Burgoyne; and down. Still down, his buoyant march. Can fortune frown On such a host, rebelhon foul to crush With courage burning, and with conquest flush ? But while he boasts thus, bright with fortune's sun, "Never despair," rings out from Washington. In his wild Highland " Clove" he fixes gaze With dauntless spirit, and the scene surveys. As some grand eagle poising in the sky. Sees the wide prospect with unwavering eye ; Clouds roll around him, veiUng aU the light; Yet through the darkness, penetrates his sight To where the sun is waiting forth to spring. And o'er all Natm-e gleams of gladness fling. So he, and on his heart, amid the storm. He upward bore the Nation's fainting form. Turn we to other scenes ! In beauty bright The Mohawk Valley claims our wandering sight Veined by its river; loveliest landscapes smiled On every side, the rural and the wild. Here, shone the field in billowy gold, and there. The shornless forest twined its leafy lair. Here, the red homestead weltering in its wheat ; There, the rude shanty in its green retreat ; Where the plow paused, the trapper hid his trap ; The kinebeU mingled with the rifle's clap; The league-long sable-line stretched on, where ceased The farm-lane with the frequent hay cart creased. The jutting, loop-holed block -house standing guard O'er the rude hamlet by its pickets barred. Along the river, poled the heaped batteau; O'er tlie rough roads the wagon jolted slow; And civilization reared her school-house, where .The skin-clad hunter lately slew the bear. SCHUYLERVILLE. 295 At the green valley's head Fort Stanwix stood, Its bastions, half restored, ringed close with wood, Smooth meadows, southward to the Mohawk led North, De-o-wain-sta's mile-long portage spread To wild Wood Creek whicli linked beneath its screen With Lake Oneida"s rich, transparent green. Opening that region where a fringe of lakes Hangs from a skirt of wilderness that makes A sylvan border to the southern flow Of the grand inland sea, Ontario; Those watery pendents not disordered flung, But seeming as in measured spaces hung To ornament Ontario's emerald dress With tassels of pure, diamond loveliness. A band of boats spots dark Oswego's breast; St. Leger's corps, Fort Stanwix to invest; Where foamed the Falls, they plunge within the woods In battle order; the wild solitudes Glitter with knife and musket; massive boots Tear through tlie thickets, stumble over roots ; Here, the lithe Indian's light, elastic bound, There, the slow yager's tramp ; the Ranger found His old hacks on the trees when other days Saw him a trapper ; and the sylvan maze Welcomed tlie Royal Green whose erewhile tread. Tracked, as the hunter, where the runway led. Oneida shines between the stems ; again They launch their barks upon the grass- hued plain ; They fright the wild duck from her haimt, they rouse The fish-hawk from her pine-built nest; they mouse Around some lurking bay; they penetrate Tunnels of branches where the shores create Roofs of dim, watery caves; when dayhght fades. The Indians, tramping through the forest shades, Kindle their camp-flres like great panther eyes. And dance their dances; the flotilla plies Dabbling, still upward, till the boats they beach At the Creek's mouth, and soon Fort Stanwix reach, Where gallant Gansevoort and biavc Willett stand. To hurl defiance at the coming band. Gansevoort, the young, the gallant, with a soul That only knew bold duty for its goal. AVhat though the walls were incomplete! behind Uptowered a heart no abject fear could bind ! To the foe's threat his fort-made flag he reared, Sustained by patience, and by courage cheered ; When came demand to yield, lie calm replied With firm refusal, and tlii' worst defied 296 Centennial Celebrations. Down the green valley fly the tidings ; swift The Germans spring; the living torrents drift To the Fort's aid ; by day, the thronging trees Are freckled with quick glints; steel glitterings seize Upon the leaves and change them to white gems; By night the camp-fires dance along the stems, Turn green to ruddy gold, and black to red, BuUd crimson roofs and floors of carmine spread, Bold Herkimer has left, to lead the band, His hearth, half fortress and Iialf house, to stand Defenseless on the Mohawk ; many a roof A rustic manor-house, walls bullet proof. Stately in terraces and shrubbery. Old oaks, green walks to dingle, statued tree Eagle-shaped thicket, bushes carved to deer And wolf, and whose huge hearth glared red vntli cheer, Fragrant with woodland feasts, is left to breeze And sunshine and protecting walls of trees While the roused dwellers march with Cox the brave, And Paris, their loved sylvan soil to save From the invader's tread ; the farm-house, too. With broad piazza, dormer windows, hue Of red, and native poplars belted round. Whose leaves in hot days yield a cooling sound. With the vast barn of stone, a fort at need ; And pastures where sleek cattle, frequent steed And flock luxuriate, also sends its tlirongs Wild to avenge the invaded region's wrongs And smite the foe ; the hamlet, likewise, set At grassy cross-roads, where the rude church met The ruder Inn, in whose broad, straggling streets Neighbor, 's\'ith news of humblest import, meets With neighbor, where the learned surveyor dwells Who chains wild lots, and where the Justice spells The law to litigants, the liunter claims Bounty for wolf -scalps, lighting fallow-flames The settlers strive with handspike and with axe. Seeing their buckwheat-plats and meadow-stacks Melting, sends freemen to drive back the foe. Their sluggish bosoms warmed to patriot-glow. v And the lone dingle, where the shanty's shape Juts from the windfall's orb — a jaw agape — With pan and kettle under the propped lid Of the rough ox sled, where the spring is hid In the sunk barrel, and on hemlock-fringe The inmate sleeps, but up at daylight's tinge For trap or runway, lone the shanty sees As the wild dweller, groping by blazed trees, Wades his dim way to join the patriot band Summoned to drive the foeman from the land. SCIICVLKUVIIJ.K. 297 Together blent at last, the gallant throng Down tlic rough roatl, unmindful, streams along; A hollow lies in front ; the patriots reach Its causeway: with a sudden burst and screech Of rifle shots and warwhoops, savage forms Rise from the marshy borders; hissing storms Of bullets rain upon the broken ranks That strive to rally; from the deadly banks Blazes swift death ; the painted warriors dash Wild in the whirling midst ; knives, hatchets flash And foes mad throttle; Indian, German, close In grapple ; Ranger, neighbor, meet as foes Bosom to bosom ; as speeds fierce the fray The Germans form in circles and repay Carnage with carnage ; Herkimer has dropi)ed But still directs the furious conflict propped Against a friendly stem ; a flashing wakes Fiercer and redder, a loud tumult breaks Grander and sterner than the deadly scene, The battle of the skies ! its mightier mien Of loftier anger checks the lesser strife, But as it marches off, the fight for life Rages anew with fiercer, wilder burst. For now the Royal Greens, friends, neighbors erst Yea brothers of their foes, have joined the fight And Havoc greets them with renewed delight. Here, the clubbed rifle, there, the thrusting spear And plunging knife; Cox, Paris fall ! career The steeds of slaughter through that awful dell Till baffled, l>caten, the cowed redskins swell Their shrill retreating cries, and quick the form Of battle strides away, as strode the storm From the red dell; down, quiet settles sweet; The bobolink gurgles, and the yellow feet Of the checked partridge print the neighboring scene, But Nature to itself consigns the dread ravine. During the sky's fierce onslaught, at the Fort A whirlpool raged of strife; the sallyport Sent Willett forth to .Tohnson's camp at hand. And drove him headlong; evening's air-breaths fanned The sylvan Fort in its renewed repose, While night closed sad on its disheartened foes. Down to Fort Edward, now Burgoyne has passed. Want gnaws his forces; his red allies fast Forsake his darkening path ; but full sripplies At Bennington are stored, war's welcome prize Of food and steeds. Hoosic's green landscapes sound With Baum's approach; its rustic roads are ground 38 298 Centennial Celebkations. . With cannon- wheels ; the red-coat grenadier And green chasseur trudge on, the promised cheer Brightening their brows; but lion-hearted Stark Stands with his rural ranks before the mark. A picturesque, rude church its little bell Tinkles one Sabbath morn ; wild hills upswell About a hamlet with its palisade. Meadows of grass stretch out and fields arrayed In ripening grain; bold Parson Allen mounts The rustic pulpit, and with fire recounts How boastful, vain Burgoyne has hither sent Baum's fierce dragoons on schemes of plunder bent. " Rouse men of Berkshire, I will lead you ! meet " The red-coat foe ! " all spring ujjon their feet ; The hunter leaves, within the hamlet-square, The frowning carcass of the sable bear; The trapper slings his traps upon his back ; The settler cuts his latch-string ; to his stack The farmer ropes his ox ; the sawmill sings No longer to its dam ; the slider brings No more the prone log to the severing saw ; The steed stamps idly the locked stable's straw ; The miller brushes from his coat the meal. And his white rafters hear no more the wheel; All flock, with Parson Allen at their head, Down the wild hills ; the heavens their torrents shed, But on they strea:m to where with his platoons. Stark waits the coming of the Baum dragoons. For days along the dim and rainy scene Had glimpsed the red-coat host ; but now serene Glitters the summer day ; Walloomsac's banks View in their rude array the patriot ranks. Stark mounts the meadow fence; "see, men," says he, "The red-coats ! ours by sundown they must be Or Molly Stark's a widow ! " words that claim. Though quaint, the tongue of overliving Fame. The golden quiet of the afternoon, The forests sleeping and the fields in tune, Is broken by the battle; twice the throat Of War roars forth its fierce and fiendish note ; In vain the Hessian battery hurls its death ! Up climbs the foe albeit no blasting breath Of cannon aids them; up, still up! they sweep The Tory ranks away ; like panthers leap Over the breastwork; vahi the weighty sword Of the chasseur! as sunset's gold is poured Along the scene the Hoosic woods ring out Freedom's great thunder-voice, hei- grand victorious shout. ScHUYLEKVILLE. 290 On glide the days; the Lion Banner droops Over Fort Edwurd's walls. Burgoyne still stoops His ear for Cliutou's hoped approach ; instead Oriskauy and Bennington with dread Seize ou his heart and paralyze his strength ; And thus time drags along its lazy length; The chasseur sees the leafy Deadman's Point Drowsing in noon's hot haze ; the dews anoint The Balm of Gilead at the water-gate That lately reared its green and three-trunkcd state, With honey dew for bees whose murmurings fill The drummer boy with sleep; on Jennie's Ilill Beside the rustic breastwork overgrown With brambles by rich, ripening raspberries strown, The hunter pauses with his hound to look Down in the Fort; within some shady nook He sees the grenadier in coarse, red cap Playing with dice ; upcm some grassy lap The green-garbed Hessian mends his spatterdash, The Sergeant crooks his chevron, and his sash The ensign twines; all speak of peaceful day; And as the limping partridge hires away The hunter from her brood, on Panther Hill He meets the trapper who, with hearty will Says Schuyler calls all patriots to his side, And toward Cohoes both speed with willing stride. On Rogers Island, lazy red-coats stray Among its shades to pass the summer day; Or seek the Griffin House where cattle browse In stumpy pastures, for a night's carouse ; Tramp the Old Lumber Road where, on its creek The ruined saw-mill yields no more its click ; Where blackened shingles and prone logs stripped nude And broken stone-boats, all around are strewed ; Or wander the Old Military Road, Where stares for hoiu-s the unmolested toad ; Wade through the marsh to gather Indian plumes, Or seek the foot-path full of chequered glooms; Hang on the wreck of Bagky's Bridge athwart Fort Edward's creek, whose pools are the resort Of |)oising trout; or, Black Tom roping slow, Cross McCrea's ferry in liis rough batteau. Others along the Richlield Plains would wend, Between Forts Anne and Edward, at the bend Of Hudson's bed where the (ireat Carrj'ing Place Began, and the batteau its polling pace Ceased for the wagon's jolt whose canvas cave Was piled with rustic goods and blankets brave 300 Centennial Celebrations. For settler and for savage, or jerked slow O'er stony roads, with swinging pail below And trotting dog, its four great steeds with stalk Stately, and shrill bell jangling in their walk ; Pausing at roofs where buyers could be found, And stores with shelves of cloths and dangling round With bacon, loaves, whips, lanterns, in dim nooks Hogsheads and barrels, and with blinking looks Ranges of cutlery, and bringing up By night, at small, rough, wayside Inns, to sup And lodge, then on, repeating day by day The life ; o'er these smooth Plains they oft would stray Sheeny with flowers, where roads all courses led Vocal with frogs from swamps at each side spread Or rolled in dells and knolls of pine-trees tanned With their brown fringe, and veined with silver sand ; Or in some dimpling dingle would they rest Playing at cards upon a prone tree's breast Pearled with white lichen, rough with glossy spines Crimsoned with moss or fringed with fairy pines. The striped ground squirrel cantered by their side Brush lifted like a gun ; the woodchuck tried To leave his den but shrank back as they looked ; And the rare black fox from his burrow crooked ; The quail gazed at them, and a movement quick Betrayed the bell-owl in his covert thick Wakened from sleep; the breezes flitting brief Would plant wliite stars on every wavering leaf; The flying squirrel, bird and brute combined, Would shoot askance, until the arbors twined Thickened in evening's shades of India ink And from the skies the silver stars would wink. Or in some gravel-pit where bushes clung, And merry music from the insects rung. On the warm gravel they their length would lay Helmet cast down and musket laid away. And think how sweetly they could slumber here With naught but crickets cliirping to their ear Instead of reveille and quick tattoo Or march to time their tread, and naught to view But moonlight stepping on her tender feet Straying around as if their eye to greet Free from the tent's close folds : till glowing red On the pit's rim would tell that day had fled. Beneath a bridge above some shrunken stream Where bent the arch, or stretched the web-like beam, On the ridged earth they oft would crouch and hear The frog's hoarse bellow echoing on their ear I 0) in o & CO p Fh SciIVYLERVrLLE. 801 Like a far gun roar; cool the shadows hiy With here ami there the gold dart of a I'ay From chink and knot-iiole; on the bits of sod Stood spears of grass and tufts of golden rod ; And, now and then, a robin would look in And chirp to see the scarlet colors win Gleams from the ilusk; below, the waters dark Shone like gilt ebony, or sliot a spark Bright as a toad's eye ; cool and sweetly damp The sheltered spot imtil they sought the camp. Changing the scene, Burgoyne his camp would trace Round the Red House at the Great Carrying Place ; There when the sun is bright, the sentry sees Madame Ricdesel dining under trees. As the chasseur beholds her gliding round Off flies his bear-skin helmet, to the ground His carbine slides; the bronze-browed grenadier Lifts his red cap and smiles with honest cheer, For the glad vintage of the father land Lives in her presence; through its mountains grand Winds the loved Rhine ; the forests melt away. Cot, wife and children smOe ; all shines one hapjiy day. Now like a sun blot in the circling camp Her sandal specks the lumbering yager's stamp; In the rain-rumbling barn, now, round rough boards Sitting, with spades by plumes and scythes by swords; Under the loft stuffed full of fragrant hay Where the mustachioed weasel prowls for prey; Where pronged the pitchfork, the strawcutter showered Its glittering dots, and the wheelbarrow cowered With the grey grindstone, and the resting plow By the tall ladder leading to the mow Rustling with insects like a trickling brook; And the asli-l)arrel rounded from the nook. , Burgoyne, too, often, brings his epaulets In the dusk barn when rain the landscape wets; His scarlet coat ujion the straw would gleam ; His snowy plumes beneath the rafters stream ; And when he left it seemed as if the place Relapsing dim had lost a gliding grace. Still restless, he Fort Miller's walls would seek Where at the spreading ford, the rapids wreak Their foam on ,slo])ing rocks; their ceaseless tongue Soothed his vexed ear, and whin rich film was flung By the soft south wind on the mcllinv air. His glittering greenduke bait would dimple where 302 Centennial Celebrations. The whirling j^ebble-stones of Bloody Ruu Had scooped deep pools; his fowling piece would stun Some cedar cavern where the quail had sought Refuge ; or ho would rouse his tuneful thought To poesy amid the glorious scenes Of forest gorges, dingles and ravines; Or, with jjleased smile would watch the timid doe Hiding her fawn too yoimg to flee, as slow He trod some grassy aisle ; or as his hound Treed the scared partridge, echo would rebound To his loud shout, while the poor brindled thing Too faint with fright to sjiread delivering wing Would cower among the leaves ; and thus the hours On led his steps through mingled thorns and flowers. As sunset glows, up Horican's pure tides, A battery-corps of Phillips slowly glides In large batteaux ; as ripple their fronts along, The boatmen wake the echoes with the song Of their \\'ild, frontier life ; the mounted brass In the low light gleams golden; black the mass Of shade from point and curve of bank; the lake Reflects the scarlet coats ; the pennons shake In the light puffs of air; they pass Burnt Camp As the first breeze of sunset winnows damp; Then Bosom Bay allures their wandering eyes In the rich coloring of the western skies ; Sabbath Day Point in streaks of brilliance glows And its black picture paints the Lake's repose ; By the bold grandeur of famed Rogers Slide Shining in varied tinge, they sluggish glide; Past Prisoner's Island rich in sunset stains ; Juniper Island now their pathway gains ; Past green Slim Point; Bluff Point is now before Buck Mountain rears its crest along the shore; Sugar Loaf Mountain glows in tender red ; On Battery Island, softest tints are spread ; Over the water breathes the birch's scent The mints and pines in balmiest fragrance blent ; The golden beauty of the evening lies Round like a blessing ; the flotilla plies Up past Tongue Mountain where the wood-duck oars Her flight of terror, and her duckling shores ; The heavy battery-wheels, stout traces, chains. Thick massive collars, tough but pliant reins. Large saddles studded with big nails of brass. And stalwart, stamping steeds, all upward pass. Balls are coned round ; great powder-bags and swabs Lean in the nooks of trunnions and of knobs. With rammers ; men stand, sit, at full length lie ; SCHUYLERVILLE. 303 They shout and whistle, gaze on cartli and sky, Wrestle in sport and tisticufl in joke, Tlieir limbs tliey daiigk-, and their pipes they smoke, Reliearse old war-scenes, fondly hope for new. Discuss commanders, pass in swift review Tlie late events, and lavigh derisively At such rude rustics fancying to lie free. Darker and darker grow the spreading shades, Till twilight's glamor the wide scene pervades. The sparkling isles all round tliem looked confused. And the whole scene in lonely silence mused. Heaves Shelving Rock in front; they pass it now The jeweled Dipper beaming on its brow. They mark the lovely tints of evening play On the calm surface of Ganouskie Bay; And now Dome Island in mid sight appears. And toward it each batteau, loud rippling, steers Here lies the goal until the morning sheen And sooii the camp-tires glitter on the scene. Large as a cannon-wheel, the rosy moon Rises; the Lake begins its nightly croon, Ripple on bank, rustle of circling leaves. All the soft sounds that summer silence weaves, Some wakeful bird's note, the loon's startling whoop, The myriad, dillering cadence in one group Filling the ear. Morn dawns in gorgeous tints: The tJashing deep the rude flotilla prints; Soon Diamond Island's glossy shade is sjiread Upon the water's gemmy gold and red ; Next, close adjoining, sits Long Island green With leafy beauty, rich in dewy sheen ; On the batteaux ; Phelp's Bay upon the east, Yields to their gazing sight a dazzling feast; Along the west, they pass the Rattlesnake Lifting its crest above the glittering Lake, Where the glad lustre twines its golden wreath Upon the trees in the ravine beneath; Artillery Cove, with its one cedar isle, Sends o'er the sparkling flood its sylvan smile ; And now the ramparts of a ruined Fort Rise on the shore, and there, they all resort. They haul their cannon and they hoist their stores; They scale cracked walls and traverse broken floors. Planting their loads; Fort George that late wsus mute In forest silence, save the wavelet's flute, The bobolink's bugle, robin's flageolet. And frog's bassoon, now buzzed with rush Of busy life; and there, for many days llorican viewed the scarlet banner blaze; Till the rough road, that linked Fort Edward, saw 304 Centenkial Celebrations. Thither the train its jolting progress draw. Along the base of wild French Moimtain, slow They plunge and crunch; its summit shines aglow With sheen, but shaded winds the road ; beyond They cross the stream of neighboring Long Pond ; Still on they jolt; they pass the old stockade Of the French War ; at night they bivouac made Within Fort Amherst, at the Half- Way Brook. And when morn glowed, again their pathway took Along the forests chirping either side Until they hailed the Fort at eventide. Meanwhile the tidings of Oriskany And Bennington careered ; and glad and free Hope spread white pinions ; throngs to Schuyler pour Swelling his ranks, all abject terror o'er. Poor Jennie's mournful doom had roused an ire Wrapping the region with consuming fire. The boy strode downward in his rustic sleeves, His coarse frock fragrant with the wheaten sheaves ; The brassy buttoned, blue, artillery coat Trod by the hunting-shirt from wilds remote; The scythe, sword-handled, met the king's arm red In rust ; the plumed cap touched the shaggy head ; Hid away hamlets, far away farms sent out Their patriot throngs ; the hunter's startling shout No longer checked the flying deer; at dusk. The fireflies saw the trap whose snaring musk Allured the mink, snap on its gasping prey With no rough hand to bear the fur away; Unseen by prying eyes the otter slid Down the smooth bank and in the streamlet hid; From glossy hamlets and from forests wide, From lakes like oceans, and from river-tide. From streaks of fresh-blazed trees where sable-lines Ran leagues, from watery dungeon-nooks where shines The Indian Plume's rich torch; where slender reeds Point by the cabin, bright in pickerel-weeds. From the green cross road soft with school-house hum, From tumbling milldams, and from dingles dumb Save the whistling bird ; from all points, came High patriot hearts, shrines bright in freedom's flame, Crowding the camp whei-e Schuyler, lingering lay. His sti'ength increasing each succeeding day. As when the spring tide brings the roaring rains And the swollen Mohawk from its winter chains Dashes in fury down the broad Cohocs And wakes the forests from their calm repose, So came the living torrents to the scene Where Freedom's banner shone in beckoning sheen. SCIIUYLEUVILLE. 3U5 Back to Fort Stanwix. As Time nnwRi-d stepped, Closer St. Leger's threatening purallels crept. In tlie near meadow at the Scal|ir Eagle; France unsheathed her sword And sought our side; and Spain and Holland poured Their smiles upon us; ^ide our Eagle flew! Cowpens, Kings Mountain, saw glad Victory strew Her flowers beneath their tread ; till Yorktown wreathed Our land with laurel ; War his falchion sheathed ; Aud Glory smiling on her Washington Led PKEEDOM to her Tlirone ; omi heritage was won. Hail, noblest Washington ! thy soul sublime Towers with the loftiest from the earliest time Great Alexander trampled on a world. Yet to the cup, inglorious banner furled; Majestic Caesar with the earth beneath Sought but to hide his baldness with his wreath ; Bacon, whose thoughts were stars, his mind a sky, His rich, bright ermine stained with venal dye; Marlborough, grand Achilles of the sword ! Lived the mean slave to gold that he adored ; Napoleon, pulse of prostrate Europe's heart. Shook with weak fear at Fortune's threatening dart; Alone, blent Washington all hues to white Harmonious radiance of transparent light ; Stern, and yet meek, no change of fate disturbed ; His a swift courage by slow caution curbed ; In danger calm, ambitious but in good ; In trial strong, temptations all withstood; In darkness, breaking out a cheering sun ; No trouble bowed him and no pleasure won ; Fixed in resolve, yet bending patient ear ; In action prompt, in deep disdain of fear ; He drew his sword when country asked his aid, And when need passed, serene retm-ned the blade Hiding the wreaths the grateful nation twined Where green Mount Vernon all his joys enshrined. A rocky column he, shaft, brow and base. Of flowery sculj^ture, and Corinthian grace ; A stalwart oak, with smiling tendrils wreathed ; A pointed spear, in loving roses sheathed ; A mountain, towering in its state aloft, Builded of granite, but with verdure soft ; Holding alike the blossom and the pine, The storm cloud's shadow and the noontide's shine; Now, the bird warbling in the dell, and now. The eagle pealing from the craggy brow ; Hail, patriot Chief, all hail ! Historic Fame In purest gold, hath traced thy glorious name ! Earth has Niagara, the sky its sun, And proud mankind its only Washington. SCHUYLERVILLE. 319 Hail, Saratoga, hail 1 tlie whole broad land Should peal thy triumph in one i)a;an grand Nature yields homage ; each recurring year Honoring thy mighty deeds which rendered clear The truth our nation should at last be free, October shows its leafy blazonry. For in our clime alone those gorgeous dyes Vie with the splendor of its sunset skies. All hail ! may thy proud glories heavenward burn Till to a cinder Time the sun shall turn. And now our Banner I oft its hues it changed ; Through many varjing shapes its aspect ranged ; The elm of Massachusetts and the oak Of Carolina into being woke The Tree of Liberty : (liow strangely shows This patriot union of such after foes !) Till a new Constellation starred its blue And red and white their deep, striped colors drew; Blue, red and white, like tints that quiver and reel Over the velvet rich of red hot steel. Wide streamed that Banner ! as its folds flashed free Auroral splendors flashed in sympathy ; Until the patriot saw the earthborn dyes Reflected in the Standard of the skies. Oh, while those splendors beam upon the sight May that broad Banner glow in living light! Oh, may its trophies wave in pomp sublime Till melts the midnight of departing Time. Loudly may laurelled Saratoga claim A granite tribute to her splendid fame ! • In the grand cliariot which her war-steeds drew She first placed Freedom, pointing to her view The glorious goal. Shall pagan Egypt bid The heavens be cloven with her pyramid? Shall Greece shrine Phidias in her Parthenon To live till fade the stars and dies the sun? Rome with her mighty CoHseum whelm The earth with awe, a peerless wondrous realm? And our free nation meanly .shrink to write With lasting finger in the whole world's sight Grand Saratoga's glory? sound aloud. Song thy wide trumpet', let the heavens be bowed With Love of Country's wrathful tlnmders, till A reverent people, with united will Shall bid the Jlonument in sculptured art Rise, Freedom's visible form, our land's embodied heart. 320 Centennial Celebrations. In introducing tlie next speaker to the audience, Judge Lester said : Fellow Citizens : I take pleasure in informing you that there is on the plat- form witli me the son of a soldier who fought at Bemus Heights one hundred years ago. (Cheers.) But that is not his only title to our esteem. He has served his own State with distinction in the United States senate, and has been vice- president of these United States. I have the honor to introduce to you Senator Foster from Connecticut. Ex-Senator Fostek then stepping to the front of the platform spoke as follows : ADDEESS OF HON. L. F. S. FOSTER Will you pardon me, fellow citizens, if I say that I am quite in sjinpathy with the whole of the vast crowd which surrounds this stand? The thought that is uppermost in all your minds at this moment I am sure is, that he must be a bold man, bold even to rashness, who should dare at this horn- of this day to stand before you with the design of making a speech. The eloquent words of two most distinguished citizens of the Empire State are yet ringing in your ears. They have discussed the great event which we are assembled to commemorate and perpetuate, in such a manner as to leave nothing to be added; at least I have not the courage to attempt it, and I trust I have no cowardly blood in my veins, for my father stood on this field among the victors, one hundred years ago to-day. In the battle which preceded the surrender, he bore an active part, and I think I am warranted in saying that he performed his duty faithfully and well. My mother had two brothers here. My State had two regiments here, and several troops of Light Horse. So I don't feel myself a stranger or intruder. Your worthy ex-Governor has com-teously said, that though this celebration was in the State of New York, for a victory won on the soil of New York, it was not alone a New York celebration. The descendants of those from other States, who aided in vi-inning the victory, were here, not as guests, but because they had a right to be here. One of the Connecticut regiments was made up from the east- ern part of the State, from New London and Windham counties. To that my father belonged. He was a lieutenant in the line and adjutant of the reguuent. Colonel Latimer was the commander. My father's warrant as adjutant is dated the 17th of October, 1777, and was given on this field. He has been dead fifty- three years, and the earliest recollections of my boyhood are sitting on his knee and listening to the stories of the march, the camp and the battle-field, ^^'ith all the eagerness belonging to that period of life. Those tales made an impression on my mind too deei^ and too vivid ever to be erased. May I quote to you a stanza of a Song, which he was in the habit of singing, especially on the return of this day, a day he never failed to celebrate, as he celebrated the 4th of July. It ran thus : " The ITth ot October, The morning being clear. Brave Gates unto his men did say ' My boys be of good cheer, For Burgoyne he is advancing, And we will never fly, But to maintain our chartered rights, We'll flght until we die.' " ScHUYLEKVILLE. 321 The eloquent orator who has preceded me has alhided to the manner in which General Arnold bore himself on the field at the final battle before the surrender. I well recollect hearing my father say that Arnold came dashing along the line, the speed at which he rode leaving his aid far behind, and as he came up to my futlier"s regiment he called out, " Whose regiment is this ?" My father replied, "Col. Latimer's, sir."' "Ah," said he, "my old Norwich and Now London friends. God bless you ; I am glad to see you. Now come on boys ; if the day is long enough, we'll have them all in hell before night." General Arnold was a native of Norwich and was born within fifty rods of my house in that town. For his preWous services and for the gallantry he displayed here, we felt proud of him as a son of Connecticut. Subsequently, he became a son of perdition, and so we let him pass. Among the numerous incidents that my father used to relate, which occurred a sliort time prior to the surrender of Burgoyne, I call to mind one that I mil repeat. His regiment was ordered at a certain time to take up a new position. In march- ing through the woods to the ])ost assigned them, they encountered a body of Hessians who were lying in ambush in tlieii' way, and who rose up suddenly and fired upon them. My father was marching by the side of Colonel Latimer. On receiving the enemy's fire, the colonel slapped his hand on his thigh, as my father thought in a rather excited manner, and called out, fire! The order was very promptly obeyed, and the order to form in line was almost simultaneously given. My father was marching with a musket, which he snapped when the order to fire was given, but from some defect in the musket-lock, it stopped at half-cock, and did not go ofi. Most of tlie men by this time had changed their positions, and my father was left standing almost alone. He made up his mind, however, not to leave till he had (ired his gun. He re-cocked it, took aim again, pulled the trigger and fired. He then took his place in the regiment, and after one or two more volleys, the Hessians retreated in disorder. On reaching their position, the regiment pitched their tents and encamped. My father occupied a tent with Colonel Latimer, and at night, when the colonel pulled off his boots to turn in, a bullet dropped from one of them on the ground. This led to an examination, and they soon found that his coat which liad long pocket-flaps, reaching down on his legs, had a bullet hole through one of the pockets. In that pocket, the colonel had a large pocket-book quite filled with papers, and among them his colonel's commission. Tlie bullet had passed througli this pocket-book, and was tlius so deadened in its force, that on reaching the colonel's person it made only a slight indentation in the skin and dropped down into his boot. This served to exi)lain tlie hurried niauiier of .slajjping liis thigli with his hand when the first fire of the Hessians was received. The slight twinge which the bullet gave him was immediately forgotten in the excitement of the occasion. The commission was folded as it lay in the pocket-book, and when opened, it showed seven bullet holes through it. My father always alluded to that commission as one that a soldier would prize. I would like also to say something of the march of my father's regiment toward Albany the day after the surrender, and the crossing of "the Sprouts" of the Mohawk — the lateness of the hour forbids. Allusion has been made to some of the battle-fields famous in the world's history, and this is surely worthy of mention in that connection. Dr. Johnson said that that man was little to be envied whose patriotism did not grow warmer on the plain of 41 322 Centennial Celebrations. Marathon. There certainly can be no man with an American heart in his bosom, whose patriotism is not warmed into a fervid glow on this plain of Saratoga. After the speech, the Chainiiau of the stand said : Ladies and GENTt.EMEN : The commemorative exercises of to-day are over. Our first centennial celebra- tion has been made a magnificent success by the eloquence of our speakers and the golden sunshine with which we have been favored. It becomes my duty now to adjom'n this meeting for one hundred years. EXEECISES AT THE NOETH STAND. mTRODUCTOEY ADDEESS OF HON. GEOEGE W. SCHUYLEE. One hundred yeare ago General Burgoyne, at the head of a large and well ap- pointed army, on these grounds, surrendered to the undisciplined forces of a few millions of people just struggling into national existence. It is only natural that we should forget the event for a moment, and inquire as to the actors in the drama. Standing upon the ground where the surrender was made we look into the past. We see the English general with well-disciplined legions and savage allies sweep- ino- through the northern lakes and down through the valley of the Hudson, driv- inf the little army of the republic from post to post. In tlieir front we see the army of citizen soldiers, few in number; without uniform, without supplies, almost without arms, disputing the way step by step, until, recruited from the farms and workshops of New England and New York with a Spartan band from the sunny South, they take position on the heights of Saratoga, and stay the onward pro- gress of the enemy. We see the armies preparing for the contest — there the English regiments, and their German mercenaries, with Canadians and Indians at their flanks — here the patriot army unused to arms, but self reliant and hopeful. We see the form of General Gates at the door of his tent, at a safe distance from the scene of conflict, sending by messengers his orders to his otficers in the field. We see the fiery Arnold at the head of his command charging furiously — the brave and prudent Lincoln leading his men into the deadly strife — the lion- hearted Jlorgan with his southern riflemen raining deadly fire on the enemy's wav- ering ranks — we see thousands of noble heroes intent upon victory or death. Still gazing back off to the left, up the valley of ttie Mohawk, we behold the dying Il-erkimor with his patriot band witliin the toils of Butler's tories and Indian allies at Oriskany — we see the gallant Gansevoort at Fort Schuyler sending word to St. Leger and his beleaguering hosts, "we will hold the fort or die," — and near by we see Hon Yost (termed half-witted) and one Indian companion, warily threading their way through the forest alone to raise the siege, and reUeve the half-stai-ved garrison. SCHUYLEKVILLK 323 Still backward, oil to the right, aiiumg the green liills of Vermont, our gnze rests upon the manly form of the modest and determined Stark. Surrounded with his hardy nciglibors they arc rejoicing in victory over the cohorts of General Baum. But among the hosts of brave and gallent men there is one that fixes our gazing eyes. In citizen's drcs.s, quiet, dignified, earnest, he looks, as he is, the hero. Pardon me, fellow citizens, while we take a longer look at tliis one than at the others. Fatherless, in his boyhood he assumed the place of a father in his dead father's family. Reserved and silent, in early youth he began tlie battle of life. In early manhood his business pursuits associate him with an English officer with whom against the French of Canada he acquires some knowledge of war. In later years we see him as a legislator contending for the lights of the people against the abuses of arbitrary power. We see him sacrificing social position and the friend- ships of years, and voting for the right, sometimes alone. Later the congress place him in command of the northern department, with the rank of Major-general . He knows the difficulties of the position with no army no arms, no supplies, no money, no credit. But his patriotism will not allow him to decline, and he accepts the trust with all its responsibilities. In the depart- ment of the north were included the uppervalley of the Hudson, the Lakes George and Champlain with the contiguous territory stretching through the wilderness to Canada; and the valley of the Mohawk with the almost unknown country beyond to the great lakes. These had been the gi-eat highway through which the French for more than a (century had led their armies to devastate the outlying settle- ments, and, if possible, to capture Albany, thus giving them control of the terri- torj' west of the Hudson. Through tliese valleys it was believed the English would now seek to lead their armies, gain possession of Albany and the lower Hudson, thus sundering the colonics and making it easy to subdue the patriots in detail. In anticipation of these designs the northern general organized a force for the in- vasion of Canada, and by con(iueringthat province securely closed the gates through which our State might be attacked. He successfully opposed the influence of Sir William John.son and his numerous tory adherents, organized the patriots, and placed the valley of the Mohawk in a position of defense He procured arms and supplies for the troops, pledging therefor his personal responsibility and his private fortune. His small anny under the command of an able general penetrates the enemy's country, capturing their forts and strong positions until before the walls of Quebec the gallant Montgomery fell, when the tide of success is turned. In the following year he is confronted by a large and well-appointed army, before whom his handful of men is forced to retreat out of Canada through the lakes down to the Hudson. Another army composed of regulars. Canadians, tories and Indian.s, marches from Oswego to the upper valley of the Mohawk and lays siege to Fort Schuyler, the only obstacle between them and Abany. Our general has not yet an army sufficiently strong to meet and resist this double invasion. He is without supplies or money. Congress fails to render efficient support. There is di.salTcction in the ranks, and coldness among the people. But he is not dismayed. He is still hopeful and pleads for assistance. Forced to retreat, step by step he obstructs and delays the advance of the enemy, gaining the needed time for re-enforcements to join him. At last reaching a strong defensible position, with an army reunited in numbers and courage, he prepared for battle. He saw his enemy far from his base of supplies, his numbera 324 Centennial Celebrations. depleted by battles and desertions, his line of retreat cut off, and he knew that with a well-delivered blow that enemy must submit to capture. But when about to strike, his arm was arrested. His domestic foes had proved more powerful than hostile armies, and had prevailed on congress to remove him from command. Another takes his place, who, almost against his own will, delivers the battle already prepared, and is crowned mth the glory belonging to another. Although wronged and insulted, his love of country did not grow cold. His advice and services, still sought, were rendered cheerfully. He encouraged his friends in the army, and when the victory was won, he rejoiced with perfect satis- faction. Standing on the neighboring heights, he witnessed the destruction ot his mills and manufactories, of his houses and barns, of his crops and orchards, by the defeated and fleeing enemy, and called it " the fortune of war." In his tent he received the widows and orphans of enemies slain in battle, soothing their sorrows and supplying their wants. In his own house, in the city, he gave asylum to the captive general and his officers, winning their sympathies for his oppressed and struggling people. He saw the rewards of his own personal labor and sacrifices bestowed upon another. He saw tlie crown prepared for himself placed upon the brow of an alien. He endured detraction and reproach. But his love for the cause never failed. Freedom from the yoke of England became a passion which no flattery could soothe, no wrong extinguish. The memory of General Philip Schuyler needs no eulogy from one who bears his name, and in whose veins there is only a trace of collateral blood. History will yet do him justice. Posterity will crown him the hero of Saratoga. The nation will recognize him as the general who prepared the battle which won our freedom. HISTORICAL ADDEESS BY WILLIAM L. STONE. The battles of the 19th of September and the 7th of October were so fully described at the Bemns Heights celebration, that I pass at once to the occur- rences succeeding that event, and immediately preceding the surrender. On the morning of the day succeeding the action of the 7th of October, Bur- goyne, before daybreak, left his position, now utterly untenable, and defiled on to the meadows by the river (Wilbur's basin) where were his supply trains; but he was obliged to delay his retreat until the evening, because his hospital could not be sooner removed. He wished also to avail himself of the darkness. The Americans immediately moved forward, and took possession of the abandoned camp. Burgoyne having concentrated his force upon some heights, which were strong by nature, and covered by a ravine running parallel with the intrench- ments of his late camp, a random fire of artillery and small arms was kept up through the day, particularly on the part of the German ■ chasseurs and the pro- vincials. These, stationed in coverts of the ravine, kept up an annoying fire upon every one crossing their line of vision, and it was by a shot from one of these lurking parties that General Lincoln received a severe woiuid in the leg while riding near the line. It was evident from the movements of the British that they were preparing to retreat; but the American troops, having in the delirium of joy, consequent upon their victory, neglected to draw and eat their SCHUYLEKVILLE. 325 rations — being withal not a little fatigued with the two days' exertions, fell back to theii" camp, which had been left standing in the morning. Retreat was, indeed, the only alternative left to the British commander, since it was not quite certain that he could not cut his way through the American army, and his sup- plics were reduced to a short allowance for live days. Meanwhik', in addition to the chagrin of defeat, a deep gloom pervaded the British camp. The gallant and beloved Frascr — the life and soul of the army — lay dying in the little liouse on the river bank occupied by Baroness Riedesel. That lady has described this scene witli sucli unaffected pathos that we give it in her own words, simply premising that on tlie previous day she had expected Bur- goyne, Phillips and Fraser to dine with her after their return from the recon- naisance. She says: "About four o'clock in the afternoon, instead of tlie guests who were to have dined witli us, they brought into me upon a litter poor General Fraser, mortally wounded. Our dining table, which was already spread, was taken away, and in its place they fixed up a bed for the general. I sat in a corner of tiie room, tremb- ling and quaking. The noises grew continually louder. The thought that they might bring in my husband in the same manner was to me dreadful, and tor- mented me incessantly. The general said to the surgeon, ' Do not conceal any thing from me. Jliist I die? ' The ball had gone through his bowels precisely as hi the case of JIajor Ilarnage. Unfortunately, however, the general had eaten a hearty breakfast, by reason of wliich the intestines were distended, and the ball had gone through them. I lieard him often, amidst his groans, exclaim, ' O fata ambition ! Poor General Burgoyne ! My poor wife ! ' Praj^ers were read to him. He then sent a message to General Burgoyne, begging that he would have him buried the following day at si.x o'clock in the evening, on the top of a hill which was a sort of a redoubt. I knew no longer which way to turn. The whole entry was filled with tlie sick, who were suffering with tlie camp sickness — a kind of dysentery. I spent the night in this manner; at one time comforting Lady Ack- land, whose husband was woimded and a prisoner, and at another looking after my cliildren, wliom I had put to bed. As for myself, I could not go to sleep, as I had General Fraser and all the other gentlemen in m_v room, and was constantly afraid tliat my children would wake up and cry, and thus disturb the poor dying man, who often sent to beg my pardon for making me so much trouble. About three o'clock in the morning they told me that he could not last much longer. I had desired to be apprised of the approach of this moment. I accordingly wrapped up the children in the coverings, and went witli them into tlie entry. Early in the morning, at eight o'clock, he died.* " After they had washed the corpse, they wrapped it in a sheet and laid it on a bedstead. We then again came into the room, and had this sad sight before us the whole day. At every instant, also, wounded officers of my acquaintance arrived, and the cannonade again began. A retreat was spoken of, but there was not the • General Fraser belonged to the house of Lovatt, whose family name was Frascr. The Earl of Ix>vatt was one of the noblemen who were compronwsed by the rebellion of the last Stuart pre- tender, and whose fortunes were ruined at the battle of'TuIIoden. in 174.5 General Fraser. a scion of the house, of a sanj^nine temperament, ardent ami ambitious, entered the army, and became so distinpTuished for his military ability as to be aflvanced to the rank of bripalie'r-pen- eral, and was selected for a command in Rurfjoyne's expedition. He hail received intimations that if the enterprise were successful, the government would revoke the act of attainder, and restore lo him the family title and estates. \\ ith a kn'iwledce of the.se facts, it is en.-sy to understanlan<|uc. Iiowovor, in his admirable Z/i/c annmleurc t'f General l}iiiy'>iiii'\ admits this by implication. l)ut seelis to leave the impression that the cham- pagne and the " flirtation." a.s he calls it. were indulced in to relieve the mental agony consequent upon his defeat. Jlr. Fonblanqne's honk is cliaraclerized bj- great fairness and liberality of tone —a oiix'umstauee which must commund it to tli« American reader. 43 330 Centennial Celebrations. fog cleared up, and exposed the entire Britisli army under arms. A heavy fire of artillery and musketry was immediately opened upon Nixon's brigade, and they retreated in considerable disorder across the creek. General Learned had in the meantime reached Morgan's corps with his own and Patterson's brigades, and was advancing rapidly to the attack in obedience to a standing order issued the day before, that, "in case of an attack against any point, whether in front, flank, or rear, the troops are to fall on tlie enemy at all quarters." He had arrived witliin two hundred yards of Burgoyne's batterj^, and in a few moments more would have been engaged at great disadvantage, when Wilkinson reached him with the news that the riglit wing, under Nixon, had given way, and tliat it would be prudent to retreat. The brave old general hesi- tated to comply. " Our brethren," said he, "are engaged on the right, and the standing order is to attack." In this dilemma Wilkinson exclaimed to one of Gates' aids, standing near, " Tell the general that his own fame and the interests of the cause are at hazard — that his presence is necessary with the troops." Then, turning to Learned, he continued, " Our troops on the right have retired, and the fire you hear is from the enemy. Although I have no orders for your retreat, I pledge my life for the general's approbation." By this time several field officers had joined the group, and a consultation being held, the proposition to retreat was approved. Scarcely had tliey faced about, when the enemy, who, expecting their advance, had been watching their movements with shouldered arms, fired, and killed an officer and several men before they made good their retreat. The ground occupied by the two armies after this engagement resembled a vast amphitlieatre, the British occujDying the arena, and the Americans the elevated surroundings. Burgoyne's camp, upon the meadows and the heights of Saratoga north of Fish creek, was fortified, and extended half a mile parallel with the river, most of its heavy artillery being on an elevated plateau north-east of the vil- lage of Schuylerville. On the American side Morgan and his sharp-shooters were posted on still higher ground west of the British, extending along their entire rear. On the east or opposite bank of the Hudson, Fellows, with three thousand men, was strongly intrenched behind heavy batteries, while Gates, with the main body of Continentals, lay on the high ground south of Fish creek and parallel with it. On the north, Fort Edward was held by Stark with two thousand men, and between that post and Fort George, in the vicinity of Glens Falls, the Amer- icans had a fortified camp ; while from the surrounding country' large bodies of yeomanry flocked in and voluntarily posted themselves up and down the river. The " trap " which Riedesel had foreseen was already sprung. The Amei'icans, impatient of delay, urged Gates to attack the British camp; but that general, now assured that the surrender of Burgoyne was only a question of time, and unwilling needlessly to sacrifice his men, refused to accede to their wishes, and quietly awaited the course of events. The beleaguered army was now constantly under fire both on its flanks and rear and in front. The outposts were continually engaged with those of the Americans, and many of the patrols, detached to keep up communication between the center and right wing, were taken prisoners. The captured batteaux were of great use to the Americans, who were now enabled to transport troops across the river at pleasure, and re-enforce the posts on the road to Fort Edward. Every hour the position of the British grew more desperate, and the prospect of escape less. There was no place of safety fur the baggage, and the ground was covered SCHUYLERVILLK. 33] willi (Iciul lior^cs lliat liad oitlirr been killorl by tlic fiii'iiiy's bulk'ts or by exhaus- tion, as tlicro liad Iji-cn no forage for four days. Even for the \vounipon holy haunted ground. We gaze u|)on a vast sea of humanity. Now surging and restless, now lulled to quiet, even as the ocean swells and slumbers. A quickened mass ; awakened to an intensity of patriotism. Above, a clear October sky, from which the sunlight falls like a benediction. Around us hills rising into mountains, illuminated by heroic deeds and events, with no less brightness than that which now glorifies them, shining resplendent as they do in their rich autumnal colors, by "nature's Pbilndclphia. inst«a