French Mills, New York

French Mills was the site of a saw mill which started making clothes in 1795.  It was sold to Abel french in 1800 and became a tavern.

U.S. forces retreated here after the Battle of Crysler's Farm.

Over 200 soldiers died here during the winter of 1813-1814, one of them being Robert Lucas.

French Mills is now the town of Fort Covington, New York.

--Brock-Perry

West Point Class of 1806: Robert Lucas-- Part 3

In late January 1814, Secretary of War John Armstrong ordered Wilkinson to detach a division of 2,000 men to Sackets Harbor and to fall back with his main body of troops to Plattsburgh, New York, on Lake Champlain.  The sick and wounded were to be moved to Burlington, Vermont.

Robert Lucas was one of those sick men, but he didn't make it to Burlington as he died February 4, 1814, at French Mills, New York, at the age of 26.

--Brock-Perry

West Point Class of 1806: Robert Lucas-- Part 2: Winter Quarters at French Mills, NY

Continued from March 3, 2016, post.

After the British victory at Crysler's Farm 11 November 1813, the defeated American army under Major general James Wilkinson went into winter quarters at French Mills, New York, by the Canadian border.

The Americans arrived at French Mills with few supplies and, because of the poor state of roads, lack of transport and draught animals and the inefficiency of the Quartermaster General's Department, it was impossible to supply his army.

Sickness increased until there were no less than 450 sick men in the hospital at Malone, New York and many more in French Mills.

--Brock-Perry

French Mills in the War of 1812-- Part 2: Cold and Unhealthy Winter

Now called Fort Covington, New York, French Mills was the site just inside New York state from Canada where Gen. Wilkinson retreated after the disastrous Battle of Crysler's Farm in November 1813.

He and 2000+ men arrived here by boats up the Salmon River from across the St. Lawrence River.

The winter camp at French Mills was extremely cold and unhealthy.  Food was scarce as the nearest supply base was 200 miles away at Plattsburgh and involved travel over some very poor roads.

Over 200 soldiers, including Robert Lucas, dies there.

By February, the troops burned their boats and began to withdraw to Sackets Harbor and Plattsburgh.

General Covington was an officer who was fatally wounded at the Battle of Crysler's Farm and died enroute to French Mills.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Robert Lucas Died at French Mills, NY

This was another Robert Lucas, not the one I wrote about from Scioto County, Ohio, who went on to become a governor of Ohio and territorial governor of Iowa.  Whether he was related to that Robert Lucas is not known to me.

West Point graduate No. 23:  Robert Lucas.

Cadet from Dec. 29, 1804 to Nov. 14, 1806.  Appointed 2nd lieutenant, Regt. of Artillerists Nov. 14, 1806.  Served in garrisons along the Atlantic coast 1806-1810.  Resigned Oct. 31, 1810.

Reappointed to Army with rank of major in 22nd Infantry, March 3, 1813.  Served during the War of 1812 on the Northern Frontier, 1813-1814 and was engaged in the capture of Fort George, Upper Canada, on May 27, 1813 and was in General Wilkinson's Descent of the St. Lawrence River in 1813.

Died Feb. 4, 1814, at French Mills, New York, at age 26.

--Brock-Perry