■"^ P''^> 0?- . o « o , '^^ ^-i V "^- o^° s. ' c*' ^^-^^^ ^"■'t. ^^-^t. *". c^^> THE jBefence of ^tonmgron 7 . (CONNECTICUT) AGAINST A BRITISH SQUADRON, AUGUST 9TH TO I2TH, I 8 I 4. " Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona." HARTFORD: 1864. L 3 5% . S?T6- ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE COPIES PRINTED. FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION. ;^2^, //.4^ CONTENTS. Introductory Note, . . . „^„-„ „ Record of the extraordinary Attack on Stonington, . • Q Names OF Volunteers, FROM THE Connecticut Gazette, , . 20 Muster-roll of Capt. Wm. Potter's Company, . . . 22 Account of the Attack, published by the Borough authorities, 24 Letter from Capt. Amos Palmer to the Secretary of War, 33 Extract from Gen. Root's Speech in Congress, 1817, . . 37 The Battle of Stonington, by Philip Freneau, . , .38 Celebrations OF the Anniversary, , ., Notes, 47 INTRODUCTORY NOTE. HE repulfe of a Britirti fquadron, at Ston- ington, by a few undifciplined volunteers, ^'^ having only two effedlive guns, imperfe6lly proteded by a low earth-work, — and this repulfe accomplifhed without the lofs of a fingle life, — was not the leaft glorious achievement of the War ot 1812-14. The fiftieth anniverfary of the adion is clofe at hand. Few who witnefied, — only three or four who participated in it, furvive. In this day of great events, when armies and navies are gathered on a fcale ofmagnitudeofwhich our fathers never dreamed, — when from the heights of modern fcience, we look back to the guns and the fhips of war of the laft generation, as to the toys of childhood, — when we are in the very crifis of a war greater in itfelf, and waged for a grander iffue, than the world has hitherto witnefTed, — it is not furprifing that fo few find leifure or inclination to look vi ■ IntrodiiBory Note. from the prefent to the part, or to recall to memory the heroifm of their fathers. Yet there are fome for whom the ftory of The Attack has not yet loft its intereft. They learned it in child- hood, from the lips of thofe who fliared the perils and the glory of the adion. They grew up, amid aflbcia- tions which could hardly fail to kindle an honeft pride in their birth-place. To them, the "Tenth of Auguft" was not merely a fchool-holiday, but an anniverfary entitled to equal honors with Independence Day itfelf. They have helped draw the "old Eighteens," through the ftreets of the Borough, in folemn procefTion to the fite of the demolifhed Battery. They have feen the cheriflied Flag — pierced and torn in a dozen places by the enemy';, fhot, — float again from the flag-ftaff, in honor of the day : and fome of them were ftanding by when " Old Hickory" bared his head to falute it, and bade the citizens preferve, with all care, this pre- vious memorial of the courage and patriotifm of their townfmen. It is for thefe — the companions of my own fchool- days, — and in honor of the volunteers of 1814, that I have reproduced fome of the contemporary accounts of the attack and defence of Stonington. The firft (pp. 9-20) was written by Col. Samuel Green, the pub- IntroduBory Note. vii lifher of the Conne5iicut Gazette, who vifited the Borough during the aftion, and obtained his knowledge of fafts of which he was not an eye-witnefs, from the aftors them- felves and from official fources. This account, printed in the Gazette, of Auguft 17th, was copied into many of the newfpapers in the northern ftates, and appeared in Niles's Weekly Regifter, November 5th, with fome additional particulars. Following this, are copies of the mufter-roll of the Borough company of militia ; the official account furniffied for publication by the magiftrates, warden and burgefles (pp. 24-32) ; and a letter from Capt. Amos Palmer, chairman of the citizens' committee of defence, to Mr. Crawford, fecretary of war, contain- ing a concife narrative of the adion. Philip Freneau's Battle of Stonington, — though not of the higheft order of lyric excellence, — challenges favorable comparifon with many of the loyal effufions which have found their way to the public, during the prefent war ; and will be welcomed as an old friend by fome who value patriotifm more than poetry. T. Hartford, Conn., July i^th, 1864. THE DEFENCE OF STONINGTON. [From the Conn. Gazette, Aug. 17th, 1814.] • Record of the Extraordinary Attack on Ston- INGTON.(') New London, August 17, 1814. PN Tuefday the 9th inftant, at 5 P. M. the Ramilies^ 74, Pa^olus, 38, a bomb ihip, and the Difpatch^ 11 gun brig, arrived off Stonington, ^^and a flag was fent on fhore with the following " On board his Majejly s Shipy Rami lies y Stoning ton y Aug. 9. To the Magistrates of Stonington. Gentlemen — One hour is allowed you from the re- ceipt of this communication, for the removal of the unoffending inhabitants. THOMAS M. HARDY.(*) lo T^he Defence of Stonington. This notification was received by two magiftrates(3) and Lieutenant Hough of the drafted militia, who went off to meet the flag. The officer was afked whe- ther a flag would not be received on board. He faid no arrangements could be made. They inquired whe- ther Com. Hardy had determined to deftroy the town. He replied that fuch were his orders from the Admi- ral, and that it would be done mofl; effeftually. When the gentlemen reached the fliore, a crowd waited with great anxiety for the news ; which being fl:ated, confl:ernation flew through the town. An ex- prefs was defpatched to General Cu{hing,(4) at New London. A number of volunteers haftened to collect ammunition ; others ran to the battery, which confifted of two 18 pounders and a 4 pounder, on field carriages, with a flight breafl: work, 4 feet high. The fick and the aged were removed with hafte : the women and child- ren, with loud cries, were feen running in every di- reftion. Some of the moft valuable articles were haftily got off" by hand, others placed in the gardens and lots, or thrown into wells, to fave them from the im- pending conflagration. The fixty minutes expired, but the dreaded moment did not bring the attack. Nel- fon's favorite hero and friend was feized with the com- pundions of magnanimity ;• — he remembered what an- cient Britons were ; he remembered that fomething was due to the charader of Sir Thomas M. Hardy. Three hours in fad elapfed, when at 8 in the evening the attack was commenced by a difcharge of fhells from T^he Defence of Stonington. 1 1 the bomb fhip. Several barges and launches had taken their ftations in different points, from whence they threw Congreve rockets, and carcafles. This mode of attack was continued inceflantly till midnight ; and the fire was returned occafionally from the battery, as the light of the rockets gave opportunity with any chance of fuccefs. The few drafted militia which had been fometime ftationed there, under command of Lieutenant Hough, were placed in the beft diredions to give an alarm in cafe a landing fhould be attempted. During the night the volunteers and militia had aflembled in considera- ble numbers ; and the non-combatant inhabitants had generally removed to the neighboring farm-houfes, in the momentary expedation of feeing their abandoned dwellings in flames. It was a night of inexpreffible anguifli to many a widow and orphan, to many aged and infirm, whofe little pittance they were now appa- rently to lofe forever. But Providence diredled other- wife. This compad; little village of loo buildings had been for four hours covered with flames of fire and bomb fhells, and not a fingle building was confumed nor a perfon injured. At the dawn of day on the loth, the approach of the enemy was announced by a difcharge of Congreve rockets from feveral barges and a launch, which had taken their ftation, on the eafl: fide of the town, and out of reach of the battery. Several volunteers, with fmall arms and the four pounder, hafliened acrofs the 12 T^he Defence of Stonington. pbint, Tuppofing the enemy were attempting a landing. Colonel Randall of the 13th regiment, who at the time was moving towards the battery with a detachment of militia, ordered them to affift the volunteers in draw- ing over one of the 18 pounders to the extreme end of the point ; the fire of which in a few minutes compelled the barges to feek fafety in flight. During this time the brig was working up towards the Point, and foon after funrife came to anchor, fhort of half a mile from the battery, (or more corredly, the breafl;work). Our ammunition being foon exhaufled, the guns were fpiked, and the men who fought them, being only about 15 or 20,(5) retired, leaving them behind for want of fl;rength to drag them off. The brig now continued deliberately to pour her 32 pound fhot and grape into the Village, without our having the power of returning a fhot, for an hour, and the bomb ketch occafionally threw in fhells. A frefh fupply of ammunition being obtained, the 18 pounder was withdrawn from the breaflwork, the vent drilled, and the piece taken back again, when fuch an animated and well direded fire was kept up, that at 3 o'clock the brig flipped her cable and hauled off, with her pumps going, having received feveral fhots below her water line, and confiderable damage in her fpars, &c. During this aftion between the eighteen pounder and the brig, Mr. Frederick Denifon was flightly wounded in the knee,(^) by a fragment of a rock, and Mr. John Miner, badly burnt in his face by the premature dif- T^he Defence of Stonington. 13 charge of the gun. The flag, which was nailed to the mafl, was pierced with feven Ihot holes,(7) the breaft- work fomewhat injured, and 6 or 8 of the dwelling- houfes in the vicinity eflentially injured. At this time a confiderable body of militia had arrived, and Briga- dier-General Ifham(8) had taken the command ; the in- habitants had recovered from the conflernation of the firft moments ; and were deliberately moving off their furniture and goods. At i o'clock the Ramilies and Padlolus had taken ftations about two and a half miles from the town, when refiftance appearing hopelefs, the Magiftrates as a lafl refort applied to the General for permiflion to fend a flag off, being impreffed with the opinion that there must exifl: fome latent caufe of a peculiar nature to induce a commander who had here- tofore difl;inguiflied himfelf for a fcrupulous regard to the claims of honorable warfare, — to induce him to commit an ad fo repugnant to found policy, fo abhor- rent to his nature, fo flagrant an outrage on humanity. The General, we underfl:and, would not fandion, nor did he abfolutely prohibit, a flag being fent. They, therefore, on their own refponflbility, fent on board the Ramilies, Ifaac Williams and Wm. Lord, Efquires, with the following letter. 14 The Defence of Stonington. Copy.) Stonington Augujl lo, 1814. To Sir Thomas M. Hardy, Sir — Agreeable to notice received from you yefter- day, this town is now cleared of " unoffending inha- bitants," and they feeling anxious about the fate of their village, are defirous to know from you, your deter- mination refpeding it. Yours, &c. Amos Denijon, Burgess. William Lord^ Magistrate. The deputation proceeded on board the Ramilies, and fhortly after an officer informed the boatmen that they might return to the fhore, as the gentlemen would be landed in a boat from the (hip ; and that Captain Hardy had declared that no further hoftilities would be committed againft the town. After remaining on board an hour, or more, the deputation were conveyed in a flag from the fhip, which was met by one from the Ihore. They brought with them a very Angular and extraordinary communication. An exa6l copy cannot at prefent be obtained, as official etiquette will not per- mit ; but having read it when it was received on fhore, as far as memory ferves us, it was as follows : On hoard H. M. Ship Ramilies, off Stonington, Aug. 10. Gentlemen — You having given afTurances that no torpedoes have been fitted out from Stonington ; and having engaged to exert your influence to prevent any from being fitted out or receiving any aid from your The Defence of Stonington. 15 town : If you fend on board this fhip tomorrow at eight o'clock, Mrs. Stewart, wife of James Stewart efq. late His Majefty's Consul at New London, and their children, I engage that no further hoftilities fhall be committed againft Stonington ; otherwife I fhall pro- ceed to deftroy it effeftually. — For which purpofe I poiTefs ample means. T. M. HARDY, Capt. This letter was received indignantly. No anfwer was given. It was a fact well known that no torpedoes have been fitted out at Stonington, and that the in- habitants are unfriendly to the fyftem ; but neither individuals nor the town have power to prevent their reforting to that place. The condition fine qua non, is truly tragi- far deal. Neither the town of Stonington or the State of Connecticut, had any legal power to comply with it, which Capt. Hardy well knew. And if Stonington Point with its rocky foundations had been in danger of being blown up, fcarcely a voice would have been raifed to have faved it on fuch difgraceful terms. The firft duty of a citizen we are taught in Connecticut, is to obey the laws. Mrs. Stewart is under the pro- tedlion of the government of the United States, and the petition of her hufband for a permiffion for a de- parture is in the hands of a proper authority, who will undoubtedly decide corredly in the case.(9) Our countrymen at a diftance, from the importance Capt. Hardy has attached to the circumftance of Mrs. 1 6 T^he Defence of Stonington, Stewart's being fent off to the Britiih fquadron, may poflibly apprehend that fhe has received infult, or fig- nified fome fears for the perfonal fafety of herfelf and children. — So far from this being the fadt, no lady ever experienced greater civilities from the citizens ; as no one has better deferved them. And her feelings during the proceedings at Stonington, demanded the fympathy of her friends. By the terms offered by Capt. Hardy, it was impof- fible to difcover whether he was moft doubtful of his ability to accomplifh the destru6lion of the town, or defirous of a pretext to fave it. He aflured the gen- tlemen who accompanied the flag that this was the moft unpleafant expedition he had undertaken. The truce on the part of the enemy having expired at 8 o'clock on Thurfday morning, a flag was foon after obferved at the battery to be coming on fliore, and there not being fufficient time to give information of the fad at head quarters and receive inflirudions, it was determined by the oflicer then commanding to fend a boat off to receive the communication. Mr. Faxon, of Stonington, took charge of the boat, met the flag, and offered to convey the difpatch agreeable to its direftions. The Britifh officer, Lieut. Claxton, queftioned his au- thority to receive it ; enquired whether Mrs. Stewart would be fent off ; and faid he would go on fhore. Mr. Faxon replied, that he knew nothing of Mrs. Stewart; and that if he attempted to proceed for the fliore, he would undoubtedly be fired on. He continued his T^he Defence of Stonington. 17 courfe, when a centinel was direded to fire forward of the boat, but the ball pafled through the after fail. They immediately put about and fleered for the fhip ; the lieutenant fwearing revenge, for what he termed an infult to his fiag. An explanation of the circumftance was immediately tranfmitted by General Ifham to Capt. Hardy, which he received as fatisfadory. At the moment, a fiag had flarted for the Ramilies,(i°) from the civil authority of the town, which was received on board; by which was fent the following letter: — Stonington Boro\ Aug. 14, 18 14. To Thomas M. Hardy, Commander of H. B. M./hip Ramilies. Sir — Since the flag went into New London for Mrs. Stewart, and family. General Cufhing, who commands at New London, has written, we are informed, to the Secretary of War on the fubjed, and it is our opinion that the requeft will be complied with. But whatever may be the refult of the communication from Gen. Cufhing, you will be fatisfied it is not in our power to enter into any arrangement with you refpeding her. From yours, &c. Isaac Williams, ~\ William Lord, > Magijirates, Alexander G. Smith, J Joseph Smith, Warden. Geo. Hubbard, ) „ ^ Amos Denison, ) ^ S,W^^' 1 8 The Defence of Stonington, To this letter, Capt. Hardy replied verbally, that he fhould allow till 12 o'clock for Mrs. Stewart to be brought on board. ("^ At this time the principal part of three regiments of militia had arrived, and the town was perfedly fecure againft a landing. At 3 o'clock, the bomb {hip commenced throwing fhells into the town ; and being out of reach of our cannon, the General withdrew the militia excepting a guard of 50 men who were ordered to patrol the ftreets for the extinguifhment of fire, fhould any happen. The bombardment continued till evening. On Friday morning the bomb fhip renewed her ope- rations a little before funrife, while the Ramilies and Padolus were warping in. At eight o'clock the frigate opened her fire and was foon followed by the Ramilies. At this time the cannon were ordered to be moved to the north end of the town, where they would have been ferviceable if an attempt had been made to land under cover of the (hips. This was a very hazardous fervice, as the party would be entirely expofed to the fire of the enemy. Volunteers in fufficient numbers infl:antly offered their fervices ; among whom were upwards of twenty of the Norwich artillery. The command of the party was entrufted to Lieutenant Lathrop, ('-) of that corps. They marched to the battery and brought oflF the pieces without the fmalleft accident ; exhibiting all the fteadinefs which charaderifes veteran foldiers. . This tremendous c;.nnonade and bombardment con- tinued till nearly noon, when it ceafed ; and about 'The Defence of Stonmgton. 1 9 four o'clock the fhips hauled off to their former an- chorage. During the fucceeding night a large force was kept on guard, in the expectation and hope that a landing would be attempted. The militia during this affliding fcene difcovered the very beft difpofition, and were eager to take revenge of the enemy or.facrifice their lives in the conteft. It may be considered miraculous that during the fe- veral attacks, while (o many were expofed to this ter- rible and protraded bombardment and cannonade, not a perfon was killed, and but five or fix wounded, and thofe but flightly. Among the wounded is Lieutenant Hough('3) of the drafted militia. On Saturday morning the enemy relinquifhed the hope of burning the town, weighed anchor, and pro- ceeded up Fifi:ier's Ifland found. The volunteers who fo glorioufly fought in the bat- tery, deferve the thanks of their country. No men could have done better. Their example will have the happiefl: influence. About forty buildings are more or lefs injured, 8 or 10 eflentially fo ; and two or three may be confidered as ruined. The damage was principally done by the brig. Many fiiells did not explode, feveral were ex- tinguifiied. The Congreve Rockets which were fright- ful at firft, loft their terrors, and effeded little. The inhabitants, fearing another attack, have not returned to their dwellings, and their defolate fituation 20 The Defence of Stonington. calls loudly upon the philanthropy of their fellow citi- zens. If a brief fhould be granted for colledions in the churches of the State we truft very efTential aid will be furnifhed. Nineteen-twentieths of the inhabitants, it is faid, have no other property than ther dwellings. A Nantucket man has been on board the Britifh fleet to redeem his boat, and learned that the Difpatch had 2 men killed and 12 wounded; her lofs was un- doubtedly much greater. NAMES OF VOLUNTEERS. [From the Conn. Gazette, Aug. 24th.] The following is handed us as a lift of the volunteers (tho' prefumed not entirely perfed,) of thofe who fo bravely ftood the brunt of the attack of Stonington Point:— Of Stonington : — Capt. George Fellows, Gurdon Trumbull, Capt. Wm. Potter, Alex. G. Smith, Dr. Wm. Lord, Amos Denifon jun., Lieut. H. G. Lewis, Stanton Gallup, Enfign D. Frink, Eb. Morgan, John Miner. The Defence of Stonington. 2 1 0{ Myftic:— JefTe Deane, Jeremiah Holmes, Deane Gallup, N. Cleft, Fred. Haley, Jedediah Reed. Of Grot on : — Alfred White, Frank Daniels, Ebenezer Morgan, Giles Moran. Of New London : — Major Simeon Smith, Capt. Noah Lefler (formerly of the Army), Major N. Frink, Lambert Williams. From Majfachujetts: — - Capt. Leonard, and Mr. Dunham. [From the Conn. Gazette, Aug. 31ft.] By an error of the compofitor, the following names were omitted in the lift publifhed in our laft paper, of volunteers who fo greatly contributed to the glorious defence and prefervation of Stonington, viz. : — Simeon Haley, Thomas Wilcox, Jeremiah Haley, Luke Palmer, Frederick Denifon, George Palmer, Jphn Miner, Wm. G. Bufti. Afa Lee, There were probably others, whom we have not learnt. 22 T^he Tie fence of Stoningtort. [From the original in the Comptroller's office, at Hartford.] Muster Roll of the 8th Company of Infantry un- der the command of Captain Wm. Potter in the Thirtieth Regiment of Con. Militia in fervice of the United States, at Stonington, commanded by Lieut. Col. Wm. Randall, from the 9th of Auguft when laft muftered, to the 27th of Auguft 18 14. — Commencement Expiration Alterations and Re- Names and Rank. offer-vice. offer-vice. marks fince laji Captain, William Potter, Aug. 9 Aug. 27 Lieut. Horatio G. Lewis, Enfigrij Daniel Frink, Sergeants : Francis Amy, Charles H. Smith, Peleg Hancox, Gurdon Trumbull, Corporals : Azariah Stanton jr., Junia Cheefebrough, Jofhua Swan jr., Privates : Phineas Wilcox, Hamilton White, Henry Wilcox, Nathan Wilcox, Sam.uel Burtch, Jonathan Palmer, Andrew P. Stanton, .9^ ^ug. 27 mujier. 9 9 (C 27 23] detached for fervice and ordered to N. London, Aug. 2a. 19 (C 27 9 cc 27 22 ii 27 9 (C 27 16 cc 27 9 cc 27 22 cc 27 1 f detached for fervice; 9 cc 23 < ' & ordered to New ( London, Aug. 23. 9 11 27 f detached for fervice 9 9 cc 23 ' 27 ' & ordered to New ( London, Aug, 23. 9 c^ 27 9 cc 27 9 cc 27 The Defence of Stonington. James Stanton, Thomas Breed, Amos Loper, " Samuel Bottum, Jr., " Benj. Merritt, " Eliiha Cheefebrough Jr., " Chriftopr. Wheeler, " Amos Hancox, '« Zebadiah Palmer, " Nathl. Waldron, Thomas Spencer, " Nathl. M. Pendleton, Simon Carew, " Elifha Faxon Jun., " Ebenezer Halpin, " Afa Wilcox Jun., Warren Palmer, Aug. 9 Aug. 27 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 15 15 19 20 22 22 22 22 22 Jofeph Bailey Jun.) 9 Nathl. Lewis, j '^'''^'''^ '^ 27 27 23 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 23 23 27 23 Volunteer exempt, difcharg., Aug. 17. Volunteer exempt, difcharg., Aug. 20. Produced certificate of parole on 15 th Aug. & difcharged. detached for fervice & ordered to New London, Aug. 23. 3 27 I 23 I detached for fervice & ordered to New London, Aug. 23. detached for fervice & ordered to New London, 23 Aug. Waiter to Capt. Wm. Potter. Waiter to Lieut' G. Lewis. I certify, upon honor, that this Mufler Roll exhibits a true ftatement of the 8th Company ; and that the remarks fet oppofite the men's names are accurate and juft. William Potter, Capt. 24 The Defence of Stonington. We certify upon honor, that the foregoing Mufter Roll exhibits a true ftatement of Captain William Pot- ter's Company ; and that the remarks fet oppofite the men's names are accurate and juft. John Jamjeson Jr., AJft. Adjt. GenL ^ Mujlering Officer, per order. Wm Lord, Regimental Surgeon. Account of the Attack, furnished for publi- cation, BY THE Magistrates, Warden and Bur- gesses. ('I-) [From the Conn. Ga?ette, Sept. 7th,] Stonington Borough, Aug. 29, 18 14. Mr. Green — In relation to the extraordinary attack of the enemy, of the 9th inft., on this village, the public have been furnifhed with various accounts ; and though thecircumftantial and generally correal account given in your paper [of the yth of Auguft,] precludes the neceffity of a recapitulation of the whole tranf- adion, yet this village having been the object of the attack and refentment of Sir Thomas, the Magiftrates, Warden and Burgefl'es refiding therein, feeling deeply interefted that fome official document comprehending a fupply of fome fads not given', and alteration of The Defejice of Stonington. 25 others, and a general ftatement relative to the whole, fhould be publifhed, — offer the public the following statement : On Tuefday afternoon of the 9th inft. anchored off our harbor, the frigate Pactolus, the Terror^ a bomb fhip, and the brig Difpatch of 20 guns. From the dif- ficulty of the navigation in Fifher's Ifland Sound, we have been generally impreffed that such fhips of war dare not approach us ; but the prefumption of the enemy has created new fears, and we think it our duty to fay, that further means of defence and protedion ought to be afforded us ; this we have often requefted. Various were the opinions refpeding the objed of the enemy, but foon all was fettled. A flag was difcovered to leave the frigate and row towards the town. The impropriety of fuffering them to come on fhore was fuggefled ; and a boat was immediately obtained, Capt. Amos Palmer, William Lord Efq., and Lieut. Hough of the detachment here, feleded, and the flag of the enemy met by ours, when we received the following unexpeded and fhort notice — (This not having been furnifhed the public corredly we give it at length :) His Britannic Majejiy s fhip Pactolus, 9M of Auguft^ 1 8 14, halfpaft 5 o'clock, P. M. Not wifhing to defl;roy the unoffending inhabitants refiding in the town of Stonington, one hour is given 4 26 'The Defence of Stonington. them from the receipt of this, to remove out of the town. T. M. HARDY, Capt. of H. B. M. Ship Ramilies. To the Inhabitants of the Town of Stonington. From the date of this communication it will appear that Commander Hardy was himfelf on board the Pac- tolus to dired; the attack ; the Ramilies then laying at anchor at the well end of Fiflier's Ifland. The people aflembled in great numbers to hear what was the word from the enemy ; when the above was read aloud. The enemy in the barge lay upon their oars a few mo- ments, probably to fee the crowd and if fome confter- nation might not prevail. Whatever effed: was pro- duced, this we know, that Sir Thomas's "unoffend- ing inhabitants" did not agree to give up the fhip, though threatened by a force competent, in a human view, to deftroy them, when compared with theprefent means of defence in their power. It was exclaimed, from old and young. We will defend. The male citi- zens, though duly appreciating the humanity of Sir Thomas, in not wifhing to deftroy them, thought pro- per to defend their wives and their children, and, in many inftances, all their property ; and we feel aplea- fure in faying that a united fpirit of defence prevailed, and, during the fhort hour granted us, expreffes were fent to Gen. Cufhing at New London, and to Col. Randall, ('5) whofe regiment refided neareft to the fcene The Defence of Stonington. 27 of danger. The detachment ftationed here under Lieut. Hough was embodied; Capt. Potter, refiding within the Borough, gave orders to aflemble all the officers and men under his command that could be immedi- ately colleded. They cheerfully and quickly affembled, animated with the true fpirit of patriotifm. The am- munition for our two i8-pounders and 4-pounder was colleded at the little breaft-work ereded by ourfelves. The citizens of the Borough, affifted by two ftrangers from MafTachufetts, manned the i8-pounders at the breaft-work, and alfo the 4-pounder. One caufe of difcouragement, only, feemed to prevail, which was the deficiency of ammunition for the cannon. This circumftance, however, together with the fuperior force arrayed againft us, did not abate the zeal for refiftance. Such guards of mufketry as were in our power to place, were ftationed at different points on the ftiores. In this ftate of preparation we waited the attack of the enemy. About 8 o'clock in the evening they commenced by the fire of a fhell from the bomb-fhip, which was im- mediately returned by a fhot from our i8-pounder. This attack of the enemy was immediately fucceeded by one from three launches and four barges, furround- ing the point, throwing rockets and fhot into the vil- lage. This alfo was returned as often as, by the light of the rockets ftreaming from the barges, we could dif- cover them. AfTifted by the above military force, the inhabitants alone, fome feventy years old, defended the town until about 11 o'clock; and had it not been for 28 The Defence of Stonington. the fpirlted refiftance manifefted, a landing no doubt, would have been efFefted. At this time Col. Randall had arrived, and having iflued orders to the militia un- der his command, they began to alTemble, and from the fhort notice given them were truly prompt and ac- tive in appearing at the poft of danger : fome volun- teers had alfo arrived. From this additional ftrength, the appreheniions of the enemy's landing, in a mea- fure vanifhed. Their Ihells, rockets and carcafTes, ha- ving been prevented from fpreading the deftrudion intended, they ceafed firing them about 12 o'clock. All was ftill from this time until day-light. A fire of rockets and fhot from the launches and barges again commenced, which was fpiritedly returned from our artillery taken from the breaft-work, in open view of the enemy and expofed to their fhot, on the end of the point, and they [were] compelled to recede. This truly hazardous fervice was nobly performed. Col. Randall having been prompt in his appearance, as were all the officers and foldiers of his regiment, they were now organized, ready and eager to receive our invaders. From the fpirit manifefted among the citi- zens, volunteers and foldiers, and the judicious ar- rangements made of the troops affembled, had a landing been attempted a good account would no doubt have been given of them. We were now alfo afTifted by numbers of volunteers. The barges having receded from the fire of our four and eighteen-pounder on the Point, they were taken back to the breaft-work. The Defence of Sto?iingfon. 29 About 8 o'clock in the morning of Wednefday, the Brig [^Difpatch'] hauled within half a mile of our breaft- work, and opened a well direded and animated fire. Our few guns being now well manned by citizens and volunteers, from Stonington, New London, Miftick and Groton, they were ready to receive her. Her fire was returned with a fpirit and courage rarely to be equalled, — and of those gallant fouls who flood this conflidl, we can only fay, they glorioufly did their duty. Heroes having fo nobly aded, with ours, will receive the plaudit of their country. What effed fuch bravery had on the enemy, will appear from the fad, that the brig was compelled to cut her cable and retire out of reach of our fhot. Her anchor has fince been taken up, with a number of fathoms of cable. No attack was afterwards made by the brig. This conteft with the brig (called the Difpatch), continued on our part from the breail-work until the ammunition was ex- pended. To this circumflance, unfortunately for the village and mortifying to thofe fo gallantly engaged in the defence, may be attributed the principal injury fuftained by the buildings. For two hours or more fhe kept up a conftant fire without having it in our power to return a fhot : during which time, we are con- fident, had there been a fupply of ammunition, fhe would have been taught the ufe and meaning of her name. The further particulars which tranfpired on Wed- nefday and Thurfday, having been noticed by you, in 3© The Defence of Stonington. the publication above referred to, very correftly, the public muft be latisfied without any comments from us. In the publication of the tranfadions of Friday, we have difcovered one error. Amidft the combined fire of the Ramilies, frigate and bomb-fhip, Lieut. La- throp and volunteers from the Norwich Artillery, in fad did proceed, to undertake in affifting to get off the cannon from the breafl-work, but they met other brave lads who had accomplifhed this hazardous duty. The praife therefore of this performance, however they may have diflinguifhed themfelves in other duties, is not corredly beftowed. In pafling the proceedings of Thurfday and Friday, we would not overlook the fingular communication received from Commodore Hardy, which preceded the fire on Thurfday. Two fubjeds efleemed very im- portant by Sir Thomas feem conneded, Torpedoes and Mrs. Stewart, — a lady we prefume worthy of the notice even of Commodore Hardy. But a demand made on thofe with whom, it was well known, no power exifted to comply, is not a little extraordinary : befides, this communication is totally different from and uncon- neded with the one it was fent as an anfwer to. It would appear from reading the documents, that affu- rances were given that no torpedoes ever did, or ever fhould, go from this place. This was not the fad ; no promifes or confeffions of any kind were ever made. To this fingular letter no general reply was given ; that part, only, [was] noticed, relative to Mrs. Stewart. The Defence of Stonington. 31 The enemy left us on Friday, without having accom- plifhed that deftrudion which they told us was to be effedied. The damage done the buildings is eftimated at about four thoufand dollars. This would undoubt- edly have been much greater, had not the volunteer vigilant firemen('^) from Capt. Potter's company before mentioned, and others, continued firm at their pofts, determined that not a flame kindled by thofe fiery en- gines of the enemy but fhould be extinguifhed, — and it was done. This duty, perhaps, was as important and ufeful for the falvation of the village, as any per- formed during the confli6l. The lifl: of individuals given to the public as diftin- guiihing themfelves during the contefl:, we efleem very imperfeft. To give a corred; lifl; of all thofe who did diftinguifli themfelves in the various duties that were performed, is not eafy to do ; we fliall therefore for- bear. Having thought proper to beflowa juft tribute of praife on the officers and foldiers of the 30th Regi- ment, who firft arrived at the fcene of adtion, it becomes us to exprefs, alfo, the high fenfe which we entertain of the fervices and judicious and foldier-like condud: of Brigadier-General Ifliam, and the officers and foldiers of the 8th and 20th Regiments, afl'embled under his command. During this protradled bombardment, nothing more excites our aflonifliment and gratitude than this, that not a man was killed on our part. We underftand from good authority, the enemy had a number killed and 32 Tihe Defence of Stonington. feveral badly wounded,('7) in this unprovoked attack upon us. We have made fome eftimate of the number of fhells and fire carcafles thrown into the village, and we find there has been about three hundred. The amount of metal fired by the enemy will exceed, we think, fifty tons. About three or four tons of bombs, carcafles and fhot have been collefted.* William Lord, Alex. G. Smith, Joseph Smith, Amos Palmer, Amos Denison, Geo. Hubbard, Thomas Ash, Reuben Chesebrough, Magiftrates. Warden. 1 ■ BurgeJJes. * " Some refpeftable citizens from motives of curiofity weighed feveral Ihells &c., and found their weight to be as follows. One of the largeft carcafles, partly full of the combuftible, 216 lb. One of the fmalleft fort do. 103 One of the largeft kind empty, 1 89 One of the largeft bomb fliells, 1 89 One of the fmalleft do. 90 One, marked on it (fire 16 lb) 16 One of the largeft carcafles pardy full, was fet on fire, which burnt half an hour, emitting a horrid ftench ; in a calm the flame would rife ten feet. Some of the rockets were fharp pointed, others not, made of flieet iron very thick, containing at the lower end fome of them a fufee of gre- nade, calculated to burft, and if they were taken hold of before the ex- The Defence of Stonington. 33 Letter from Capt. Amos Palmer, to the Secre- tary OF War. fFrom Niles's Weekly Regifter, Oct. 21, 1815.] Defence of Stonington. The defence of Stonington by a handful of brave citizens was more like an efFufion of feeling, warm from the heart, than a concerted military movement. The refult of it, we all know, and it afforded fincere delight to every patriot. But the particulars we have never feen fo accurately defcribed as in the following concife narrative from the chairman of the committee of defence, to the Secretary of War, of which we have been provided with a copy for publication. — Nat, In- telligencer. " Stonington Borough, Aug. ai, 1815. To the Hon. Wm. H. Crawford, Secretary of War. Sir : The former Secretary of War put into my hands, as chairman of the committee of defence, the two 18- pounders and all the munitions of war that were here belonging to the general government, to be ufed for the defence of the town, — and I gave my receipt for the fame. plofion, might prove dangerous ; one or two perfons received injury in this way. They appear to contain a greater variety of combuftibles than the fire carcafles. 5 34 T^^^^ Defence of Stonington. As there is no military officer here, it becomes my duty to inform you [of] the ufe we have made of it. That on the 9th of Auguft laft [year], the Ramilies 74, the Pa5iolus 44, the Terror bomb-ffiip, and the Dejpatch gun brig, anchored off the harbor. Commo- dore Hardy fent off a boat, with a flag ; we met him with another from the fhore, when the officer of the flag handed me a note from Commodore Hardy, in- forming that one hour was given the unofl^ending in- habitants, before the town would be deftroyed. We returned to the fhore, where all the male inhabit- ants were coUeded, when I read the note aloud ; they all exclaimed, they would defend the place to the lafl; extremity, and if it was defliroyed, they would be buried in the ruins. We repaired to a fmall battery that we had hove up nailed our colors to the flag ftaff — others lined the fhore with their muflcets. At about feven in the evening, they put off five barges and a large launch, carrying from 32 to 9 lb. carronades in their bows, and opened their fire from their fhipping, with bombs, carcafl^es, rockets, round, grape and cannifter fhot, and fent their boats to land under cover of their fire. We let them come within fmall grape difl:ance, when we opened our fire upon them, from our two iS^pounders, with round and grape (hot. They foon retreated out of grape diftance, and attempted a landing on the eaft fide of the village ; we dragged a fix-pounder that we had mounted over. 77/^ Defence of Stonington. 35 and met them with grape, and all our mufkets opened fire on them, fo that they were willing to retreat the fecond time. They continued their fire 'till 1 1 at night. The next morning at feven o'clock, the brig BeJ- patch anchored within piftol fhot of our battery, and they fent five barges and two large launches to land un- der cover of their whole fire (being joined by the Nim- rod 20 gun brig). When the boats approached within grape diftance, we opened our fire on them with round and grape fhot. They retreated and came round the eaft fide of the town. We checked them with our fix pounder and muflcets, 'till we dragged over one of our 18 pounders. We put in it a round fhot and about 40 or 50 lbs. of grape, and placed it in the centre of their boats as they were rowing up in a line and firing on us. We tore one of their barges all in pieces ; fo that two, one on each fide, had to lafh her up, to keep her from finking. They retreated out of grape diftance, and we turned our fire upon the brig, and expended all our cartridges but five, which we referved for the boats, if they made another attempt to land. We then lay four hours without being able to annoy the enemy in the leafl:, except from mufkets on the brig, while ■^ the fire from the whole fleet was direded againft our buildings. After the third exprefs to New London, fome fixed ammunition arrived. We then turned our cannon on the brig, and fhe foon cut her cable and drifted out. The whole fleet then weighed, and anchored nearly 36 T^he Defence of Stonington. out of reach of our (hot, and continued this and the next day to bombard the town. They fet the buildings on fire in more than twenty places, and we as often put them out. In the three days' bombardment they fent on fhore 60 tons of metal, and, ftrange to fay, wounded only one man, fince dead. We have picked up 15 tons, including fome that was taken up out of the water, and the two anchors that we got.('^) We took up and buried four poor fellows that were hove overboard out of the finking barge. Since peace, the officers of the Defpatch brig have been on fhore here : they acknowledge they had 21 killed, and 50 badly wounded ; and. farther fay, had we continued our fire any longer, they ihould have ftruck, for they were in a finking condition : for the wind then blew at S. W. diredly into the harbour. Before the ammunition arrived, it fhifted round to north, and blew out of the harbour. All the ihot fuitable for the cannon we have referved. We have now more 18 pound fhot than was fent us by govern- ment. We have put the two cannon in the arfenal, and houfed all the munitions of war." T^he Defence of Stonington. 37 Extract Jrom the Speech of Gen. Erastus Root, OF New York, In the Houfe of Reprefentatives, on the Bill to provide for the payment of Militia called out by State authority, and not placed under the command of the United States. [After animadverting with great feverity on the affair at Pettipaug point,('9) and the courfe purfued by Governor Smith, of Connedicut, for the defence ot New London] — " There was one achievement, faid Mr. R.j which brightened the annals of Connedicut and fhed luftre on the American character. He alluded to th^ Defence of Stonington. A more brilliant affair, faid he, had not taken place during the late war. It was not rivalled by the defence of Sandufky, the glorious triumph on the Niagara, nor the naval victories on Erie and Champ- lain. And yet that heroic exploit is claimed in favor of Governor Smith's militia, and is to gild the pill which we are called upon to fwallow. The detached militia, faid Mr. R., had nothing to do in that affair. It was achieved by fourteen democrats, volunteer demo- crats, who were determined to defend the town or perifh in its ruins. Commodore Hardy, fearful that that democratic town would fend torpedoes among his fquadron, demanded a pledge that no harm fhould be done to his Ihips. No pledge being given, and after 3 8 The Defence of Stonington. advifing the removal of women and children from the town, the enemy made a vigorous attack, firft in barges, and afterwards in a brig of war. This heroic little band, with a fingle gun mounted on a fmall bat- tery, drove off the brig as they had before driven off the barges. They fent havoc and death among the enemy, — faved the town, — and crowned themfelves with never fading laurels." — ^'he (Hartford) TimeSy March i8, 1817. The Battle of Stonington, on the Seaboard of Connecticut. BY PHILIP FRENEAU. In an attack upon the town and a /mail fort oftwoguns, hy the 'RAMii.hiiiSyfeventy four gun fhip^ commanded by Sir Thomas Hardy ; the Pactolus, 38 gun fhip ; Despatch hrigy and a razee, or bomb fhip, — Augufl, 18 14. Four gallant fhips from England came Freighted deep with fire and flame. And other things we need not name, To have a dafh at Stonington. Now fafely moor'd, their work begun, They thought to make the Yankees run, And have a mighty deal of fun In flealing fheep at Stonington. The Defence of Stoniiigtoti, 39 A deacon then popp'd up his head. And Parfon Jones's fermon read, In which the reverend doctor faid That they muft fight for Stonington. A townfman bade them, next, attend To fundry refolutions penn'd, By which they promifed to defend With fword and gun old Stonington. The {hips advancing different ways, The Britons foon began to blaze, And put th' old women in amaze. Who feared the lofs of Stonington. The Yankees to their fort repair'd. And made as though they little cared For all that came — though very hard The cannon play'd on Stonington. The Ramillies began the attack, Defpatch came forward — bold and black-"— And none can tell what kept them back From fetting fire to Stonington. The bombardiers with bomb and ball Soon made a farmer's barrack fall. And did a cow-houfe fadly maul That flood a mile from Stonington. 40 The Defence of Stonington. They kill'd a goofe, they kill'd a hen, Three hogs they wounded in a pen — They dafh'd away, — and pray what then ? This was not taking Stonington. The fliells were thrown, the rockets flew. But not a fhell, of all they threw. Though every houfe was full in view. Could burn a houfe at Stonington. To have their turn, they thought but fair ; — The Yankees brought two guns to bear. And, fir, it would have made you ftare, This fmoke of fmokes at Stonington. They bor'd FaEiolus through and through. And kill'd and wounded of her crew So many, that fhe bade adieu T' the gallant boys of Stonington, The brig Dejpatch was hull'd and torn — So crippled, riddled, fo forlorn — No more fhe caft an eye of fcorn On the little fort at Stonington, The Ramillies gave up th' affray. And, with her comrades fneaked away. Such was the valor on that day. Of Britifh tars, near Stonington. T^he Defence of Stotiington, 41 But fome affert, on certain grounds, (Befides the damage and the wounds,) It coft the King ten thoufand pounds To have a dafh at Stonington. [Few of Frenau's earlier and better poems were fo popular as this of " The Battle of Stonington," in its day. All Connedicut boys knew it by heart, and it had an eftablifhed place among the ' declamations' of fchool exhibitions. Until within a few years it was to be found in the aflbrtment of every ftreet vender of ballads and patriotic poems, — fometimes in its original form, but more often, with * emendations and cor- reftions.' In the broad-fide from which I firft learned it (bought at a flail in the neighborhood of Fulton market, fome thirty years ago,) for the twelfth and thirteenth verfes was fubftituted this : — *' They bored the Dejpatch through and through, And kill'd and wounded half her crew ; 'Till crippled, riddled, fhe withdrew, - — And curf'd the boys of Stonington."] 42 T^he Defence of Stonington. Celebrations of the Anniversary OF THE Attack. 1815. Thurfday, Aug. loth, the firft anniverfary of the battle, was obferved as a day of thankfgiving a^d prayer. The old flag was again hoifted on the flag- fl:afi^ at the battery : and a proceffion, formed at that place, marched to the Congregational meeting-houfe, to liften to a difcourfe by the paftor, Rev. Ira Hart. On its conclufion, the proceflion returned to the bat- tery, where the exercifes of the day were clofed by prayer. " On Friday evening a grand anniverfary ball was given ; the aflembly being both numerous and brilliant." — Conn. Gazette, Aug. 23^. 1818. Celebration at the Borough, on Monday, Aug. loth. <' The company was very numerous, and the bufinefs of the day went ofl^ with great eclat." — Id. Aug. \ith, 1818. 1824. An Oration was delivered at the Congregational meeting-houfe, by Rev. David Auftin, '' charaderifttic of h's talents, patriotifm, and eloquence." The con- courfe of citizens from Stonington and the neighboring towns was unufually large and refpedable. An excel- lent dinner was provided by Major Babcock, at the Borough Hotel, to which a large number of citizens 'The Defence of Stonington. 43 and invited guefts did ample juftice. The following were among the volunteer toafts : By Capt. Edmund Fanning. The Graf/hopper Forf^' — may it never be forgotten by thofe whom it defended. By Samuel Copp, Efq. American Eight een-pounders-^ as handled in the Graffhopper Fort. By Gen. J. Ifham. Auguft 10/^, 18 14 — May no vile calumniator hereafter attempt to tarnifh the hard earned fame of the heroes of that day. By Gurdon Trumbull, Efq. John ^uincy Adams and Andrew Jackfon — Their elevation to the firft offices of our government, will demonftrate that fovereignty is yet with tht people, and guarantee the defence of our national rights, whether aflailed by the pen or the/word. By Dr. Swift. Capt. Amos Palmer — His memory ; his energy and perfeverance. By W. Storer Jun. Gen. La Fayette-\ — Whom God doth biefs, we will honor. By JelTe Dean Efq. Major Simeon Smith — Who made cartridges of his ftockings, for our defence, on the day we celebrate. — New London Gazette^ Aug. i %th. 1826. The inftallation of Benevolent Chapter of Royal Arch Mafons took place at Stonington, on the anni- verfary of the attack. The revenue cutters Eagle, from * " Alluding to a term ufed by the Rev. Orator of the day." + Gen. La Fayette's arrival at New York w^as daily expefted. He landed at Caftle Garden, Aug. i6th. 44 T^he Defence of Stonington. New Haven, the Newport cutter, and the fteamboat Long-branch (Capt. Mather), from New London, brought numerous mafonic and other guefts,- — military companies, — and a band of mufic. A proceffion of fome three hundred brethren and companions was formed, by order of Doct. Thomas Hubbard, M. E. G. H. P., under the direction of Companions Gen. W. Williams, Samuel F. Denifon, and others, as marfhals. The pro- ceffion marched to the fite of the battery, where a fpa- cious tent had been erected, with feats for 2500 per- fons, — and liftened to a prayer from the Gr. Chaplain, Rev. Seth B. Paddock, and an Oration by Afa Child, Efq. ; after which the new chapter was dedicated in am- ple form, and the feveral officers duly inftalled. A grand dinner clofed the exercifes of the day. — A^. L. Gazette J Aug. 16th. 1827. A grand celebration, on the battle ground, where a a large tent had been ereded. Among the guefts were his Excellency Governor Tomlinfon and his ftafF. The proceffion formed early in the morning, and marched through the principal ftreets, efcorted by the Stoning- ton artillery and Norwich rifle companies, to the tent, ' — where an addrefs was delivered by Gurdon Trumbull, Efq. : after which, the proceffion re-formed, and pro- ceeded to the dinner table (fpread in Mr. Faxon's rope walk, under the fupervifion of Major Paul Babcock). Samuel F. Denifon, Efq., prefided at the table, affifted T^he 'Defence of Stonington. 45 by Major General Wm. Williams, George Hubbard and B. F. Babcock, Efquires. A long account of the celebration, with the toafts drank at the dinner, &c. — is given in the New London GazettCy of Auguft 15th. NOTES. Note i, page 9. ITONINGTON BOROUGH, incorporated by the Legiflature [of Connedlicut,] in 1801, is fituated on a narrow point of _ land about half a mile in length, at the eaftern extremity of Long Ifland found. On its eaftern fide lies Paucatuck bay, and on its weft the harbour, terminating in Lambert's Cove. It has four [two] principal ftreets running north and fouth, interfefted at right angles by nine crofs ftreets, and contains about one hundred and twenty dwelling houfes and ftores. It has alfo two houfes for public worfhip, an academy, where the languages are taught, and two common fchools ; two rope-walks, commo- dious wharves, and ware houfes for ftorage. ... In the cenfus of 1810, the /oa;ff contained 3043 inhabitants, and there arc now [1819], 335 qualified eledors.— P^^y^ ^ Niks' s Gazetteer of ConneSikut. Note 2, page 9. Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Bart. — afterwards Vice- Admiral, and G. C. B., — was at this time not far from thirty-five years of age. He entered the British navy, as a midftiipman, at twelve ; and was promoted to the rank of commander in 1797, for diftinguiOied gal- lantry in the capture of a French brig, under the walls of Vera Cruz. He commanded the Mtitine brig, in the battle of the Nile,— became the favorite of Nelfon, and was appointed to the command of his flag-fhip, ferving with him, fucceffively, in the Vanguard, the Namur, the St. George, (at the battle of Copenhagen), the Iris and Jmphitrion, and the 48 The Defence of Stonington. FiSiory, on boa-d which Nelfon conquered and fell at Trafalgar. Capt. Hardy was created a baronet, in February, 1806; from which period, until 1824, he was almoft conftantly on adive duty in the Well Indies and on American ftations. He was made a knight commander of the Bath, Jan. 1815, and knight grand cross, in 1831. In Oftober, 1827, he retired from the fervice ; was appointed a lord of the admiralty in 1830; and governor of Greenwich Hofpital, in 1834, retaining that office until his death, Sept. 20th, 1839. — Annual Eegijler, vol. lxxxi, p, 365. Difpatches i^ Letters of Nelfon. [Col. Green gave \h.(t fubjiance of this note, from memory. A correft copy of it was publifhed with the official account, in the Gazette of Sept. 7th. Commodore Hardy wrote from on board the FaBolus, — his own fhip, the Ramilies, then lying at anchor off the weft end of Fifher's Ifland.] Note 3, page 10. Capt. Amos Palmer, and Dr. Wm. Lord. The former was the fenior warden of the Borough, and chairman of the committee of citizens who had been entrufted, fome months previoufly, with the preparations for defence. " He was diftinguifhed for his integrity, his republican principles, and his patriotifm.'' — Peafe $ff Niles's Ga- zetteer, 1 8 19. Capt. Palmer's own account of the attack (in a letter to the Secretary of War,) will be found on pages 33-36. He died at Stonington, March 1, 1816, aet. 69. Note 4, page 10 BRiGADiER-General Thomas H. Ciffliing, who commanded at New London. After the ratification of peace, in 1815, General Cufhing received the appointment of colleftor of the port of New London, and retained the office till his death, Oct. 19th, 1822, aet. 6-j. — Hiji. of New London, p. 649. The Defence of Stonington. 49 Note 5, page 12. An account of the " Bombardment of Stonington" [by the Rev. Frederick Denifon] printed in the MyJIic Pmieer of July 2d, 1859, contains many interefting particulars, " gathered from the lips of pro- minent aflors in the battle." This account fays, " The firft men, fo far as remembered, that took ftations in the battery, were four, William Lord, Afa Lee, George Fellows, and Amos Denifon. Juft before fix o'clock, fix volunteers from Myftic, Jeremiah Holmes, Jeremiah Haley, Ebenezer Denifon, Ifaac Denifon, and Nathaniel Clift, reached the place, on foot, and ran immediately to help to operate the gun in the battery." . . . . " The battery being fmall, but few men could work ir> it, and at this time [later in the morning of the loth,] it was operated, as nearly as remembered, by Jeremiah Holmes, Simeon Haley, Jeremiah Haley, Ifaac Denifon, Ifaac Miner, George Fellows, and Afa Lee." This lift is not complete, but is doubtlefs correft fo far as it relates to the Myjik vo- lunteers. Note 6, page 12. The wound proved mortal. Mr. Denifon died November ift, 18 14. He was the fourth fon of Ifaac and Eunice [Williams] Denifon, of Myftic, born Dec. 27th, 1795. On the morning of the attack, Frederick, — a youth not yet nineteen years old, — haftened, on foot, to the Borough, to join the little band of volunteers, with whom were already his two' elder brothers, Ebenezer and Ifaac, and his brothers-in- law, Capt. Jer. Holmes and Capt. Nath. Clift. He went immediately to the battery, where he helped to work the guns, and during the heat of the action, when the match-rope proved unferviceable, volunteered to go out to procure a new fupply. While on this dangerous errand, he was ftruck by a fhot from the brig, or, as other accounts fay, by a fragment fcaled from a rock by a pafling ball. The wound was not confidered dangerous, and if furgical aid could have been promptly obtained, Mr. Denifon's life might have been fpared. In May, 1856, the Legiflature of Connefticut made an appropriation 7 ^o The Defe?ice of Stonington. for a fuitable monument to his memory, which was ereded in Elm Grove Cemetery, at Myftic. — F. D. \Rev. Fred. Denijon,'] in MyJ}ic Pioneer, Aug. 27th, 1859. Note 7, page 13. The colors on the flag ftafF were fhot through nine times. A fence near by was pierced by fixtythree balls." — Mj_/?/V Pioneer. The flag has been carefully preferved, and was in the keeping of Francis Amy, Efq., — orderly fergeant of Capt. Potter's Company, at the time of the at- tack, — until his death in 1863. Its future prefervation fhould be infured by depofiting it with the Connefticut Hiftory Society. Note 8, page 13. JiRAH IsHAM, Efq., commanding the 3d Brigade of the State Mi- litia, — in the 3d Divifion, (William Williams, Efq., Major General.) Note 9, page 15. On Sunday [Aug. 7] a flag came up [to New London] from the frigate Forth, Com. Hotham. The objedl was to obtain permiflion for James Stewart, Efq., formerly conful here, to take off his family. Mr. Stewart was on board. General Cufliing, we underftand, replied that the requell would be forwarded to Wafliington." — Conn. Gazette, Aug. loth. Note 10, page 17. Mr. Gurdon Trumbull was the bearer of this flag, and was accom- panied by Dr. Wm. Lord. The boat was rowed to the Ramillies by Noyes Brown and Jabcz Holmes. Gen. Ifliam's explanation of the firing on Lieut. Claxton, under a flag of truce, had not been received by Com. Hardy when the boat with this letter from the civil authority 'The 'Defence of Stonington. 51 came along fide. The bearer of the letter was met, at the head of the gang-ladder by a lieutenant, and informed that the Commodore was much incenfed at the infult offered to the flag, and would not receive any communication from the fhore until it fhould be explained. Mr. Trumbull replied that he came as a meflcngcr from the civil and not the military authorities, and was not inftruftcd to offer any explanation : but, as an eye-witnefs of the tranfadtion, he would ftate the circumftances, as they occurred. The lieutenant reported thefe to the Commodore, and returned with a meffage that the latter was " perfedly fatiffied ;" that the defenders of the place were l''ully authorized to prevent the nearer approach of the flag-boat ; and that his officer [Lieut. Claxton] was in the wrong. Mr. Trumbull was then condufted to the cabin, where he found the Com- modore, in confultation with all the other commanders of the fquadron, and delivered the letter from the Borough authorities. Note i 1, page i8. This is not exaftly correft. He faid nothing of Mrs. Stewart ; but, after reading the letter, remarked, " I learn from this, Sir, that I am under the neceffity of refuming hoflilities, — which I fhall do, at one o'clock." Note 12, page 18. Lieut. John Lathrop, of the Norwich Artillery or " Matrofs Com- pany" (Capt. Charles Thomas). It will be feen, by the narrative of the magiftrates, that Lieut. Lathrop was anticipated in the execution of this fervice, by a party of volunteers. Note 13, page 19. Lieut. Samuel L. Hough, of Canterbury, Lieutenant of the L. In- fantry Company (Capt. James Afpinwall), detached from the 21ft re- 52 The Defence of Stonington. giment of militia, — in the fervice of the U. States. Lieut. Hough's wound was not ferious. He is ftill living (June, 1864,) — and in receipt of a penfion from the U. States. Note 14, page 24. This account was written by Alex. G. Smith, Efq. Note 15, page 26. CoL. Wm. Randall, of Stonington, commanding the 30th Regiment of State Militia. Note 1 6, page 3 1 . Too much praife can hardly be awarded to the volunteer firemen, who, during the whole of the engagement, continued to patrol the ftreets, watching the fall of every rocket and fhell, and extinguifliing fires as foon as lighted. Two of this band may be named without injuftice to others, as having rendered efficient and conftant fervice, — Capt, Charles H. Smith and Francis Amy, Efq., both ferjeants in Capt. Potter's company. Capt. Thomas Swan was not lefs adive or perfe- vering. He remained in the Borough, (except for an hour's vifit to his family, placed in fafety at a farm houfe, a mile diftant,) from the begin- ning of the attack till the departure of the fhips ; ferving, as neceffity re- quired, with the volunteer firemen, and with the guard Rationed on the eaft fide of the Point to prevent a landing of the enemy from their boats. Note 17, page 32. See Capt. Palmer's letter to the Secretary of War, next following. Note 18, page 36. The anchor left by the Dijpatch brig, at Stonington, when fhe * cut and run,' has been got up and brought to New London. It weighs up- wards of 20 cwt. — Niles's Weekly Regijler, Sept. 10, 1814. The Defence of Stonington, ^^ " Mr. Chalmers, late mafter of the Terror, bomb-vefTel, employed in the attack on Stonington, has been captured in a Britilh barge and fent to Providence. He fays 1 70 bombs were difcharged from that fhip in the attack on Stonington, which were found to weigh 80 lb. each ; the charge of powder for the mortar was 9 lbs. ; adding to this the wadding, that velTel muft have difgorged eight tons weight." — Ifjid. " The following, appears in a New York paper, in the fhape of an ad- vertifement : Engli/h Manufacture, and Memento of the '* Mxignanimity^^ of Commodore Hardy. Juft received, and offered for fale, about THREE TONS OF ROUND SHOT, confifting of 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 32 lbs., very handfome, being ^Jmah proportion of thofe which were fired from his Britannic Majefty's ihips, on the unoffending inhabitants of Stonington, in the recent brilliant attack on that place. Likewise, a few Carcajes, in good order, weighing about 200 lbs. each. Apply to S. TRUMBULL, 41 Peck-JIip. N. B. The purchafer of the above can be fupplied with about two tons more, if required. New York, November 19th, [1814.]" Niles's Weekly Regifter, Dec. ^d, 1815. Industry. — Many of our readers will recoiled the anecdote of the thrifty American who afked Commodore Hardy, when he would attack Stonington again \ fo that he might have his cart ready to carry off the fhot ; and alfo the accounts we have had of the mighty niafs of metal colleaed there and fold at New York, &c. It feenis, however, that the iron mine is not yet exhaufled, for certain perfons with a diving machine 54 ^^^^ Defence of ^tonington, have raifed no lefs than 1 1,209 ^'^' of fhot, which was thrown overboard from the PaBolus, when fhe was in fuch a hurry to get away from the two guns of Stonington ! They have alfo picked up a quantity of copper. — mies's Weekly Regifter, June 3, 181 5. Note 19, page 38. Capt. Coote, of H. B. M. brig Borer, landed two hundred men at Pettipaug, (Saybrook,) in barges and launches, on the 8th of April, 1814, and deftroyed upwards of twenty fail of veflels, without meeting any op- pofition (until after they had re-embarked,) and without the lofs of a man. — Conn. Gazette, April 13, 18 14. Letters of Commodore Hardy. Since the foregoing pages were printed, my friend Profeflbr D. C. Gilman, has brought to my notice the original letters of Commodore Hardy, to the inhabitants of Stonington and to General Ifham, which are now in the Library of Yale College. The firll (of Auguft 9th) was copied with fufficient accuracy in the account publifhed by the magiftrates, warden and burgefles (page 25), I reprint it here, but with a fac fimile of the fignature. His Britannic Majejiys Ship, Pactolus, gth Auguft, 1 8 14. 1 paft 5 d clock, P. M. Not wiihing to dertroy the unoffending Inhabitants refiding in the Town of Stonington, one hour is granted them from the receipt of this to remove out of the town. <^, />y- cZi^ 2^<- . " W7/ ^K \\v . .\\ fi ^01.^^ <6^^ ^> ^\o*' JyO-V * «5^ '^ ■» His * 4? ^. . S.J' MM' %^^^ -m °o .^o. ^o .^-x> ^0 vV ^ ^ o. * . ^,:^^y/^^ ./.v^^^.%. .*''^'.«,•i:..'>^ „v^ .ii«^.''<=; "^ .f \:> 'b>?' "-^0^ .^^ '>" J^"^^. ';^^^^^;