Greenbush in the War of 1812: The Cantonment-- Part 3

Major John Defreest, who lived in what is now North Greenbush,  was an officer in Colonel Carr's New York Militia.    Carrr was one of several Rensselaer County soldiers who served during the war.

Depending upon which story you believe, Col. Carr's soldiers arrived just in time to turn the tide at the Battle of Plattsburgh, or was too late to tip the  balance for an American victory.

After the war ended in 1815, the government continued to station a few soldiers at the Cantonment and finally sold the property to  Hathhorn  McCulloch for $8,007, in 1831.

Today, the only building left at the site is one of the officers' quarters and it is a private residence.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Montgomery on Lake Champlain-- Part 5: Joseph Totten

Directly behind the fort itself, between it and the actual shoreline, a massive manmade island was constructed.  Standing higher than the fort itself,  the earthen berm was known as the "cover face" and protected the fort against an enemy on land being able to utilize heavy siege guns to reduce the walls.

It was connected to land by a narrow stone causeway and to the fort itself by a bridge.  Also, during the fort's latter construction, Chief Engineer of the Army, Joseph Totten, invented an iron reinforced embrasure for cannons which would better protect the gunners.

This upgrade was added to the fort's design in the upper tier.  The two lower ones had aleady been completed so were left with the brick embrasures.

Totten was no stranger to the area either, having served as a major under Generals Izard and Macomb during the 1814 Battle of Plattsburgh where he had been in charge of constructing the American defenses.

Later, he was brevetted to lieutenant colonel for gallantry under fire.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Montgomery on Lake Champlain-- Part 1: How It Got the Name Fort Blunder

From Wikipedia.

FORT MONTGOMERY (ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN)

Fort Montgomery on Lake Champlain is the second of two American forts built at the northernmost point of the American part of the lake. A first, unnamed  fort was built on the same site in 1816.  Fort Montgomery was built in 1844.

FORT BLUNDER

Construction on the first fort at this location, an octagonal structure with 30-foot high walls, in 1816 to protect against attack from British Canada such as what had happened at the Battle of Plattsburgh/ Battle of Lake Champlain in 1814. 

In July 1817, President James Monroe visited the incomplete  fortification and the adjacent military reservation known locally as "The Commons."

However, due to an earlier surveying error, it was found that this American fort was actually situated on the wrong side of the border.  This resulted it as sometimes being referred to as Fort Blunder.

--Brock-Perry

Pivotal War of 1812 Battles

From the May 3, 2022, 24/7 Wallst. site "The most pivotal battles that made America what it is today" by Angelo Young.

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, Ohio, September 10, 1813.

BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA, Ontario, July 5, 1814

BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE, Ontario, July 25, 1814

BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, New York, September 11, 1814

BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH, New York, September 11, 1814

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, January8, 1815

Just of Interest.  --Brock-Perry

An American Spy (for the British)-- Part 3: A New Exhibit

Keith Herkalo did 18 months of research on Cadwallader R. Colden and found that Colden was a British loyalist, a regular at the racetracks and lacked a lot of skills.  Herkado termed him  an overall "schmuck."

Colden's story, along with  the fate of the British fleet from the Battle of Plattsburgh, is now the latest exhibit in the War of 1812 Museum in Plattsburgh.

The guy hid in plain sight for over 200 years.  Nobody knew what he had done.

The museum's exhibit features plaques retelling Colden's story, including his influential mother who wrote to early American figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and a new display made from walking sticks made from British warships at the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Looks like I am going to have to do some research myself about this act of treason Colden was going to initiate.

--Brock-Perry

An American Spy (for the British) in the War of 1812-- Part 1

From the September 27, 2021,  Press-Republican " 'In plain sight':  New museum exhibit reveals American spy in War of 1812" by Fernando Alba.

Keith Herkalo, president of the War of 1812 Museum in Plattsburgh, New York, was looking over some documents  from the University of Michigan when he saw something of great interest.  It was from an American merchant to a British merchant in Montreal after the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814.

The merchant wanted to move his goods north into the St. Lawrence River and then on to Halifax in Canada.  The letter was sent just three months after a British invasion had been turned  back at the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Only, that letter was treason since the U.S. had an embargo on.  The merchant was in New York City and wanted to "go around" the embargo and make some money.

But, he would need  support from someone in the British government for safe passage.

So. Who Was This War of 1812 American Spy and What Info Did he Give the British?  --Brock-Perry

Vergennes Shipwrights Played Role in Battle of Lake Champlain-- Part 7: A Complete and Total American Victory

During the battle, the massive broadsides of both fleets could be heard as far away as Highgate, on the Canadian-Vermont border.  Macdonough's superior tactics won the day.

He anchored his ships in a way that allowed him to swing his vessels quickly to fire a second  broadside at the British  line of ships.  This means that the Americans would fire a broadside and then the ship would swing around so that the guns on the other side of the ship could then fire a broadside and rake the British ships.

So, for every one broadside the British fired, the Americans would get in two.

The tactic worked to a devastating effect.  In a battle that lasted barely two hours, Macdonough captured the entire British fleet except its swift gunboats, which were able to flee.

The American victory proved to be a turning point in the war.  Having lost the support of the British fleet, the British Army had its supply line threatened and commenced a retreat back to Canada.

The war in North America officially ended  in December 14, 1814, with the Treaty of Ghent, although news of the treaty did not reach America until  weeks afterwards.

Naval historian and future British prime minister Winston Churchill later called the Battle of Plattsburgh, sometimes called the Battle of Lake Champlain, "the most decisive engagement of the war."

If not for the work of the shipwrights at Vergennes, the outcome of this decisive  engagement might have turned out differently.

--Brock-Perry

Shipwrights in Vergennes Were Key to Battle of Champlain-- Part 5: A Naval Arms Race on the Lake

Learning of the new larger threat of the HMS Confiance, Macdonough pleaded with the Navy to build another large ship.  Navy Secretary William Jones rejected this request saying there was not enough money.  However, President James Madison intervened.

This time, the Navy hired Adam Brown, Noah Brown's brother, who brought along with him about 200 shipwrights.  In just 19 days, they built the Eagle, a 120-foot long, 20-gun brig and launched it on August 11,  two weeks before the Confiance was launched.

The Browns and their bands of shipwrights were invaluable to the American cause, as was proven on September  11, 1814.

At the time, the British had troops invading south along the New York side of Lake Champlain and many of those troops were in the Plattsburgh area.  The British commander wanted to wait for the Royal Navy to defeat Macdonough's ships before storming Plattsburgh. (Plattsburgh with an "h" at the end of it because  that's the most common way the Battle of Plattsburgh is described.)

--Brock-Perry

The Career of Thomas Macdonough-- Part 3: A Complete American Victory

Thomas Macdonough immediately took advantage of the situation  and using brilliant seamanship and ingenuity, Macdonough maneuvered his ship to fire a broadside into the Confiance causing that ship to surrender.

With the Confiance out of action, the British fleet lost its strongest ship, the remaining enemy ships were pounded by the Americans and it became a total victory for Macdonough's fleet.

The result was a total victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh (also called Battle of Lake Champlain)  The British withdrew to Canada and the British got serious about negotiating a peace.

--Brock-Macdonough

Some More On the Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh-- Part 3: Great-Great Granddaughter to Speak

Thomas Macdonugh's great-granddaughter and Isabelle Verkaart Parlin's mother, Isabelle Agnes Macdonough, who was 11 at the time, unveiled the monument at its dedication in August 1926.  Her daughter will speak at this anniversary.

The monument is 135 feet high and topped by an eagle with a 22 foot wingspan.  It serves as a constant reminder of the great victory that was there and the lives lost.

The Macdonough Monument stands in the park directly across from the Plattsburgh City Hall.  The monument overlooks the Saranac River which glows into Cumberland Bay which is connected to Lake Champlain.

--Brock-Perry

Some More on the Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh-- Part 1

From the September 10, 2014, Press-Republican (NY)  "Ceremony to honor Macdonough Monument" by Cara Chapman.

The great-great granddaugher of Thomas Macdonough will speak at a ceremony marking the 88th anniversary of the monument that honors him in Plattsburgh, New York.

Isabelle Verkaart Parlin will be among family members at the event scheduled for 1 pm Friday.  There will be a large number of direct descendants as well as many descendants of his brother.  There is hope that the families of those people involved in the monument's construction will also be there.

It was erected in 1926 and dedicated August 18 if that year.

Plans for the monument began as early as 1913 in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the battle in 1914.  This was the work of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commission which hoped that "by itself, or in cooperation with  the government of the United States, to provide for, erect, and establish a suitable memorial to  Thomas Macdonough in the city of Plattsburgh, N.Y."

In 1914, the state of New York and U.S. Congress appropriated funds to do just that.  The commission used these funds to acquire the land and selected architect John Russell Pope to design it.  Pope also had designed buildings such as the Roosevelt memorials, the Plattsburgh City Hall and the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C..

--Brock-Perry

Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh, NY-- Part 2: Unveiled By His Great Granddaughter

The Plattsburgh Sentinel had this to say about the proceedings:  "Macdonough Monument Is Unveiled Before Thousands.  Hero of the Battle of Lake Champlain is Given Fitting Memorial in Honor of Glorious Deed in Defense of Plattsburgh and the Young Nation." 

The Plattsburgh Centenary Commission printed a booklet to mark the occasion.  A Macdonough descendant expressed gratitude.

Thanks to an allotment appropriated by New York state during the centennial celebration and matched by the federal government, the dream of a monument honoring the Battle of Plattsburgh, first proposed in 1886, was realized.

The young girl unveiling the monument on August 18, 1926, was 11-year-old Isabelle Agnes Macdonough, great-granddaughter of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, hero of the September 11, 1814, naval battle.  Of interest, Isabelle returned on September 9, 2001, to cut a ceremonial ribbon  at the door with Mayor Dan Stewart to mark the 75th anniversary of the monument.

Newspaper articles leading up to the big day of the monument's unveiling, August 18, 1926, emphasized that there was no admission fee for it, but come early as the commission could not guarantee seating for everyone.

And, I'd Never Heard of This Monument Before.  Well, before I started this blog, I had never heard of Thomas MacDonough or the Battle of Plattsburgh (I only knew of the Battle  of Lake Champlain.)--Brock-Perry

Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh, N.Y.-- Part 1

From HMdb  "THOMAS MACDONOUGH MEMORIAL MONUMENT"

Commemorates the American naval victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 and was designed by John Pope.  It commands the park which is opposite of the Plattsburgh City Hall, which was also designed by John Pope.

Inscribed at the base are Macdonough's four primary vessels:  Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Eagle and Preble.

The monument is 14 feet square at its base.  The bronze eagle at the top has a twenty-foot wingspan.  Pope also designed the National Archives and Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C..  He used Indiana  limestone for the Macdonough Monument and City Hall.  Pope's firm, established in New York City in 1900, consistently produced  dignified architecture of classical inspiration.

The formal dedication of the monument took place on August 18, 1926, "an ideal summer day."  Secretary of State Frank Kellogg spoke to the vast throng.  It was reported that an estimated 7,000 people attended the ceremony in front of City Hall.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Plattsburgh/Lake Champlain 2020 Commemoration-- Part 2

Macdonough's limited naval experience was  irrelevant  given unanticipated winds that impacted the otherwise overpowering British Navy's ability to  to maneuver on the lake, with intentions of heading south through the state of New York toward New York City.

During the action, the British naval commander was killed and the British general  ordered his forces to retreat to Canada.  Thus, British attempts to secure Lake Champlain was thwarted and this eventually led to the Treaty of Ghent and the end of the war.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Plattsburgh/Lake Champlain Commemoration-- Part 1

From the June 3, 2020, Plattsburgh (NY) Sun  'Monumental' drone footage by Alina Walentowicz.

Alternative planning continues for the Battle of Plattsburgh (BOP)  commemorations which will be virtual this year in September.  Local history enthusiast Tom Donahue has gotten drone footage of the Macdonough monument across from city hall in downtown Plattsburgh.

It is sometimes called the Battle of lake Champlain (which is what I've always called it, but then I'm kind of a Navy guy myself, so).

Commodore Thomas Macdonough was around 30 years of age at the time of the battle and had been promoted to the rank of master commandant  the year before.  He commanded a small American fleet of 14 ships which were mostly constructed in Vergennes, Vermont.

The monument honoring him is 135-feet and made of Indiana limestone.  At the battle, he was serving under General Alexander Macomb.

Total number of Americans at the battle were 4,000.  The British numbered 14,000 and the battle took place on both land and water.

--Brock-Perry

The Plattsburgh Barracks-- Part 6: War of 1812 Skeletons Found

All of the War of 1812 forts except Fort Brown were leveled to form a huge 40-acre parade ground known as the "U.S. Oval."  This happened in the early 1890s.

In 1892, during the removal of Fort Moreau which had been the main and largest of the War of 1812 forts during the Battle of Plattsburgh, numerous human remains, as many as twenty-five, were unearthed.  They had been hurriedly buried either during or immediately after the Battle of Plattsburgh.

When Fort Scott was leveled, perhaps thirty or more skeletons were also discovered.  Cannonballs and other War of 1812 artifacts were also found.  These were reportedly sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

All of the recovered skeletons were buried with full military honors in the nearby Old Post Cemetery in a mass grave marked by a large monument to the unknown dead of the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

The Plattsburgh Barracks-- Part 3: The Need for Permanent Barracks

Troops were stationed there from 1812-1823, but  they did not have permanent barracks or even a permanent military installation.  Men often stayed in dilapidated and inadequate log structures left over from the War of 1812.

In an October 1839 letter to the General of the Army, Major General Alexander Macomb, who had commended the troops at the Battle of Plattsburgh, and Brigadier General Abraham Eustis told of just how bad the barracks situation was at Plattsburgh.

It was decided to construct permanent barracks, with part of the reason for doing it because the strength of the Army had been raised to 12,539 men because of the Second Seminole War.

--Brock-Perry

The Plattsburgh Barracks-- Part 2: To Guard Against British Canada

From Wikipedia.

What stands in Plattsburgh, New York, today is the last remaining structure of an 1838 U.S. Army Barracks used by the Army for about a century.  A young lieutenant by the name of Ulysses S. Grant even stayed there at one time.  The remaining structure is now the home of Valcour Brewing Company.

Obviously, American soldiers were stationed there during the War of 1812, but their barracks were no where near as permanent or luxurious as the 1838 ones.

In the years after the British defeat at the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 and after the end of the War of 1812, the United States military was highly suspicious and wary of British Canada, being so close.  Relations with England were not good and it was decided to garrison an army post at Plattsburgh because of the strategic importance of the Lake Champlain corridor.

--Brock-Perry

The Plattsburgh Barracks-- Part 1: The War of 1812 Pewter Button

On Tuesday's blog entry, I mentioned that a War of 1812 button had been discovered during the erection of new wooden bunkhouses at the Plattsburgh Barracks in Plattsburgh, New York, in 1917.  The barracks were being built as the United States ramped up for World War I.

This was taken from the July 24, 2017, Plattsburgh Press-Republican "Look-Back July 24 to July 31."

Artifacts were discovered in the construction  "Among those are a pewter button that no doubt dates from the War of 1812 because similar ones have been found upon the site of battlefields in Canada."

Plattsburgh, of course was the site of the big War of 1812 victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain/Battle of Plattsburgh.

--Brock-Perry

31st U.S. Infantry and the Battle of Shadage Woods

I was interested in John Ferdinand Webber's War of 1812 unit, the 31st U.S. Infantry.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find out much about it, or the Battle of Shadage Woods.  I did find out it was a Vermont regiment (as was the 30th U.S. Infantry).

With Webber's company commander, Captain S. Dickinson, I found out the "S" stood for Silas.  Beyond that I couldn't find anything about him.

Nor was there any mention of a Battle of Shadage Woods other than in regards to Webber fighting at it.  It might possibly be referring to the Battle of Longwoods.

I did find mention of a Captain Rufus Stewart, 31st Regiment U.S. Infantry who served from December 25, 1813, to June 7, 1815.  He was asked to raise a company of Vermont militia who patrolled the Vermont-Canada border to prevent smuggling.  He was at the Battle of Plattsburgh.

--Brock-Perry