Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution Part 34

CASWELL RICHARD is first introduced by the record in the capacity of Governor of North Carolina previous to the Revolution. He was an esteemed member of the Bar and remarkable for his kindness to the poor.

He was a staunch whig and member of the first general Congress in 1774.

In 1776 he commanded a regiment and proved himself a brave and skilful officer. With 1000 minute men he engaged Gen. McDonald with a force of 1500--killed and wounded 70 of his men--took him prisoner with 1500 rifles. This victory gave a fresh impetus to the glorious cause of Independence in North Carolina. This bold patriot ultimately reached the rank of major-general of militia. He was President of the Convention that framed the first Const.i.tution of his State and governor for four years under that Const.i.tution. He was President of the Senate at the time of his death. His life was n.o.bly spent, his usefulness extensive, his reputation unsullied, his death deeply lamented. We died at Fayetteville, N. C. on the 20th of November 1789.

CHAMPE JOHN was introduced on this whirling planet in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1752. He was naturally a soldier. In 1776 he was appointed sergeant-major of Lee's legion of cavalry and gained a high reputation for bravery and n.o.ble daring. He was engaged in the hazardous enterprise of apparently deserting to the enemy at N. York for the purpose of capturing and returning Arnold to the American camp that the life of Andre might be saved. Arnold changed his quarters on the very evening fixed for his abduction and thus saved himself and sacrificed one of the brightest ornaments of the British army. Had Sir Henry Clinton complied with the request of Washington and exchanged Arnold for Andre, justice would have been vindicated--humanity honored and England relieved from supporting a base traitor and his present descendants. Champe went south with the enemy--returned to his corps the first opportunity and met with a warm reception from his old companions. Washington rewarded him liberally and discharged him from the service for fear he might fall into the hands of the British and be treated with a halter. He removed to Kentucky where he died in 1797.

CHRYSTIE JAMES was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, 1750. At the age of 15 he came to Philadelphia and the next year received the commission of Lieutenant in the Continental army. He was soon put in command of a company and held the commission of Captain to the end of the war. He was one of Washington's favorites. No one better deserved his esteem. He was a brave soldier, a firm patriot, a good citizen, an honest man and a consistent Christian. The time of his death is not on the record.

Lieutenant Colonel James Chrystie of the 15th regiment of U. S.

Infantry, who fought so desperately at Queenston and other places during the last war with England, was his son and worthy of his n.o.ble sire.

CLARK GEORGE ROGERS is first introduced to us as a colonel in the service of the state of Virginia and the pioneer warrior of the then far west. No man ever understood better the Indian character and mode of warfare and no man did as much hard service on the frontier as Col.

Clark. He was the protecting father of all the early settlements in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and south western Pennsylvania. He became a terror to the red men. During the whole time of the Revolution he had command of the small forces on the western frontier and was commissioned a Brigadier General of the Continental army in 1781. In all respects Gen. Clark was well qualified to perform the hazardous duties that devolved upon him and did more than the acutest human sagacity dared antic.i.p.ate. After a general peace took place with mother Britain and ultimately with her savage ally--the red men--Gen. Clark settled near Louisville, Kentucky to enjoy the fruits of his long and arduous toils. He was looked upon as the father of that broad section of country. Respected, beloved and honored--he glided down the stream of time until 1817 when his n.o.ble spirit went to its final rest.

CLINTON CHARLES father of James and George, was born in Longford, Ireland in 1690. On the 20th of May 1789 he embarked for America and after a tedious pa.s.sage with a ruffian captain who compelled the pa.s.sengers to give him a large sum of money above the price of their pa.s.sage, he landed at Cape Cod instead of Philadelphia according to agreement. Mr. Clinton ultimately located in Ulster County New York, then a dense wilderness filled with wild beasts and savages more wild than them. He became a prominent public man and opposed the first indications of British oppression. He diffused liberal principles among his neighbors and planted them deep in the minds of his sons who did honor to their n.o.ble sire. He lived long enough to see the lurid clouds that portended the Revolutionary storm--just long enough to prepare his brave sons and neighbors for the approaching crisis. He was an honest man and a Christian. He died at his original residence in Ulster County on the 19th day of November 1773.

CLINTON GEORGE, a brother of James, born in Ulster county, New York, on the 26th of July 1739. They were sons of Col. Charles Clinton who was a native of Ireland. George was liberally educated, possessed a strong mind, great decision of character and highly charged with original--not modern demagogue patriotism. He was a member of the Congress of 1775-6.

He was present and voted for the Declaration of Independence but being a Brigadier General of the Continental army he was compelled to leave before that sacred instrument was prepared for signatures--the reason why his name is not enrolled with the other sages. In April 1777 he was elected the first Governor of the State of New York under the new order of things and filled that office 18 consecutive years when ill health compelled him to decline. He commanded at Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson when they were taken by an overwhelming force after a most desperate resistance of several hours. The British force amounted to 4000--the American to only 500 within a very imperfect fortification.

The works were stormed in the night which enabled the governor and many of his officers and men to escape through the defiles in the mountains.

In 1801 he was again elected Governor of New York and in 1805 Vice President of the United States in which office he continued until the time of his decease which occurred at the city of Washington on the 20th of April 1812 when Congress was in session. A nation mourned the loss of one of her n.o.blest sons, his friends one of their best companions, his kinsmen one of their dearest relatives. The closing sentence on his monument at Washington speaks volumes. "While he lived, his virtue, wisdom and valor were the pride, the ornament and security of his country and when he died he left an ill.u.s.trious example of a well spent life worthy of all imitation."

CLINTON JAMES was first announced to his friends on a bright Thursday--the 9th of August 1736 in Ulster County, New York. He was by nature a military genius--by heritage a stern patriot. With an iron const.i.tution and great physical powers he united an accomplished education, great military experience acquired in the French war of 1756 and the subsequent border wars up to the time the American Revolution commenced. In 1775 he was appointed colonel by the Continental Congress and fought by the side of the brave Montgomery when he fell at Quebec.

On the 9th of August 1776 Congress raised him to the rank of Brigadier General. He was at the desperate defence of Fort Clinton in October 1777 and was severely wounded and escaped after the enemy had stormed the imperfect works with 4000 regulars against 500 soldiers mostly raw militia. He commanded a division under Gen. Sullivan in his expedition down the Susquehanna against the Indians and was one of his most reliable officers. He was raised to the rank of Major General and closed his brilliant military career at the siege of Yorktown. He subsequently filled several civil stations. In all the duties of public and private life he acquitted himself n.o.bly and with great usefulness to his country. He died on the 22d of December 1822 near his native place.

COMSTOCK ADAM was first introduced to his relatives in 1743. He was a soldier by nature--powerful in body, of undaunted courage, an enthusiastic patriot and good disciplinarian. He had the confidence of Washington who raised him to the rank of Colonel in the Continental line. At the brilliant victory at Red Bank he was the officer of the day. Alternately with Gen. Smith of Maryland he commanded at the successful defence of Mud Fort. After the war he filled various civil stations and was many years a member of the New York Legislature. His long and arduous services are a matter of history--no higher Eulogy need be p.r.o.nounced. He died at his home in Saratoga County, New York on the 10th of April 1819.

COWARD JOSEPH was a native of Monmouth County, New Jersey. In view of this cognomen we may well exclaim--"What's in a name my lord?" He was a Coward and yet one of the bravest of the Revolutionary captains. He was a great terror to the refugees _alias_ tories. At the battle of Monmouth and several other places his undaunted courage was conspicuous. When the British fleet lay off Sandy Hook, one of the supply ships ran too near the sh.o.r.e and stuck fast. With a few men Capt. Coward captured her in defiance of two barges manned with superior numbers that were sent to the rescue. At the close of the war he returned to his farm--became the esteemed citizen and fully exemplified the n.o.ble attributes of an honest man.

CROGHAN WILLIAM was born in Ireland in 1752 and came to America at an early age. He had imbibed no love for mother England in his native country--he detested her tyranny in America. At the commencement of the Revolution he pledged his life in favor of equal rights. In 1776 he received the commission of Captain in the Continental army and took command of a company of Infantry in the Virginia line. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and received the high approbation of his superior officers. When the enemy invaded the south he was ordered to that field and raised to the rank of Major. At Charleston he was among the prisoners surrendered by Gen. Lincoln and was not exchanged during the war. He returned on parole and was a looker on at the siege of Yorktown but could not partic.i.p.ate in that glorious victory. In the spring of 1784 he located at Locust Grove, Jefferson County, Kentucky, where he lived respected until September 1822 when he departed to the spirit world deeply mourned by his numerous friends.

CROPPER JOHN was born in Virginia in 1746. He was a captain in the 9th Virginia Regiment at the age of 19 which joined the northern army in December 1776. He was soon raised to the rank of major in the 5th Virginia Regiment which was literally cut to pieces at the battle of Brandywine. He retreated with those who could march and lay concealed in a thicket until after midnight and then proceeded to Chester with a red handkerchief upon a ramrod for a flag. His friends were no less astonished than rejoiced to see him and his brave remnant of soldiers, supposing they had fallen or were prisoners. He was subsequently raised to the rank of colonel and commanded the 11th Virginia Regiment until the 30th November 1782 when he returned to his long neglected home. When Commodore Whaley was attacked in the Chesapeake Bay by five British barges and was deserted by the three that were with him at the commencement of the fight, Col. Cropper was in the barge with him. The Commodore and half of his men being killed the Colonel continued the action and for some minutes defended himself against two white men and a negro of his own who was the means of saving his life. The moment he discovered it was his young master he cried out--"_Save my young master!_"--for which Col. Cropper gave him his freedom and settled him comfortably in Baltimore. The Colonel was ultimately promoted to the rank of general--lived highly esteemed at Bowman's Folly until the 15th of January 1812 when he departed in peace to the upper world leaving an untarnished reputation and a well-earned fame on the records of history.

CUSHING THOMAS was ushered into life at Boston, Ma.s.s. in 1725. He received a good education and commenced a useful public career soon after reaching his majority. In 1763 he was chosen speaker of the General Court of Ma.s.sachusetts and was continued for several years. He was with Adams, Hanc.o.c.k and the other bold Whigs in all the measures of that eventful period. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1774-5 and continued active and unwavering in the cause of freedom until it was consummated. He filled various legislative and judicial stations after the Revolution and performed all the duties of public and private life with ability and fidelity. He adorned the Christian character. He was lieutenant-governor when he died on the 28th of February 1788.

DALE RICHARD was born in Virginia in 1756. In 1776 he was made a midshipman on board the Lexington. The next year he was taken by the enemy and sent to the celebrated Mill Prison in England. At the end of a year he escaped to France and joined Paul Jones on board the American armed ship Bon Homme Richard and was made first lieutenant. He was in the desperate action with the British frigate Serapis. In 1794 he became a captain in the United States navy. In 1801 he was put in command of the American squadron that sailed to the Mediterranean and humbled the insolent Bashaw of Tripoli by battering down his caste. On his return in 1802 he located in Philadelphia where he lived in peace and plenty until 1826 when he made his final bow to the king of terrors and launched upon the ocean of eternity. He earned an enduring reputation for bravery, skill and humane discipline as a naval officer. As a citizen he sustained an unblemished character.

DARKE WILLIAM made his first appearance on earth in the county of Philadelphia, Pa. in 1736. His parents removed to Virginia when he was a child. He was with Braddock at his memorable defeat in 1755. At the commencement of the Revolution he entered the Continental army with the commission of captain and served faithfully to the close of the war when he had reached the rank of major. In 1791 he was put in command of a regiment under Gen. St. Clair--lost a son in the disastrous battle of the 4th of November of that year and had several hair-breadth escapes himself. His latter years were peaceful and happy. He died at his seat in Jefferson County, Virginia, on the 26th of Nov. 1801. He left an unsullied reputation.

DAVIE RICHARDSON WILLIAM came into the world under the auspices of the crown of Britain at Egremont, England, on the 20th of June 1756. In 1763 his father brought him to North Carolina and left him with the Rev.

William Richardson a maternal uncle, who adopted him as a son and gave him a liberal education. At the commencement of the Revolution he resolved to join the patriots in the defence of equal rights. He was soon put in command of a company of dragoons and annexed to the legion under Count Pulaski. In a few months Capt. Davie was promoted to brigade major of cavalry. When Gen. Lincoln attempted to dislodge Lieut. Col.

Maitland at Stono, Maj. Davie was severely wounded and disabled for five months. After his recovery he raised a corps of one company of dragoons and two of mounted infantry and spent the last shilling of a large estate in furnishing equipments and supplies for the service. He partic.i.p.ated in the trying scenes of the southern campaigns under Generals Gates, Greene and others, until the foe was conquered and Independence secured. No officer of his grade did more to promote the cause of Liberty. After the war he became an eminent lawyer. He was a member of the Convention that framed the Federal Const.i.tution. Every station he occupied in public and private life he filled with dignity and integrity. He was major-general of militia--governor of his State and minister to France in 1799. On his return his amiable wife was ill and soon died. He then removed to South Carolina and died at Chester in 1820. In life he exemplified all those high qualities that adorn the man and the Christian. He never united with any church because he considered manufactured creeds too dogmatical and sectarian lines drawn too closely for the growth of charity which he considered as broad as the human family--as diffusive as mountain air.

DAVIDSON WILLIAM was first presented to his fond parents in Lancaster County, Pa. in 1746 and when but four years of age removed with his father to Rowan County, N. C. At an early age he enlisted under the star spangled banner and was presented with the commission of major in one of the first regiments raised in North Carolina. Under Gen. Nash he repaired to the main army then in New Jersey. In 1779 he returned south, colonel of his regiment. By calling a few days at his home he escaped being made prisoner at the surrender of Charleston. He was very efficient in raising troops and supplies in his own state. In an engagement at Colson's Mills he was severely wounded and disabled for five weeks. On the last day of January 1780 Gen. Greene detached him with 300 men to prevent the enemy from pa.s.sing the Catawba river. His corps was too small to repel the overwhelming force of Lord Cornwallis.

He made a desperate defence and was instantly killed at his post. Col.

Hall and several more of the British fell at the same time. In life Col.

Davidson was greatly beloved and was an officer of great promise. His loss was keenly regretted and sincerely mourned.

d.i.c.kINSON PHILEMON was ushered into blooming life at Dover, Del. on the 5th of April 1739. Previous to the Revolution he located on a farm near Trenton, N. J. where he soon became prominent in public affairs. As in duty bound he boldly opposed the arrogant a.s.sumptions of mother Britain.

He was a member of the Convention that formed the first const.i.tution of his adopted state. He was made Commander-in-chief of the militia of N.

J. and was very active in promoting the glorious cause of Independence.

When stationed at Somerset Court House in January 1777 with only 300 plough boys of the true blue, Lord Cornwallis sent a foraging party of 400 regulars to a mill on the opposite side of Millstone river. Gen.

d.i.c.kinson and his men forded the cold river which was up to their hips and rushed upon the enemy with such impetuosity that the red coats ran for dear life leaving their field pieces, nearly 50 wagons and over 100 English draft horses with a considerable number of cattle and sheep. So rapid was the flight that but 10 prisoners were taken. A number of killed and wounded were carried away in light wagons. Gen. Washington reported the brave act to Congress. Gen. d.i.c.kinson possessed great energy of character. When Red Bank was in jeopardy the Governor refused to order out the militia because his time had just expired and the election had pa.s.sed through his own default. The General a.s.sumed the responsibility and brought them into the field in good time. He rendered essential service at the battle of Monmouth. He performed all the duties of life with promptness and fidelity. He was a member of the Senate of the U. S. He died at his residence in February 1809.

DRAYTON WILLIAM HENRY commenced his infantile career at some place in South Carolina in 1742--at what point the record saith not. He was educated in England but did not fall in love with the principles of monarchy. He was among the first, boldest, ablest and most energetic patriots of his native state. He did much with his pen to open the minds of the people to a sense of their true condition politically. In 1774 he addressed a pamphlet to the Continental Congress under the t.i.tle of "FREEMEN" which raised him to a prominent position among the patriots.

It contained a bill of American Rights which was substantially adopted by that Congress. In 1775 he was President of the Provincial Congress and issued the first official order to oppose the enemy by force of arms. It was addressed to Col. William Moultrie directing him to "oppose the pa.s.sage of any British naval armament that may attempt to pa.s.s Fort Johnson." This marked his boldness and his zeal. He pa.s.sed through several judicial offices up to Chief Justice of the state. In April 1776 he used this remarkable language in his charge to the grand jury--remarkable in point of time and the then existing circ.u.mstances of the Colonies. "The Almighty created America to be independent of Britain. Let us beware of the impiety of being backward to act as instruments in the Almighty hand now extended to accomplish his purpose." So long as South Carolina can produce such men she will not secede from the UNION but leave the fanatics of the north to blow off their harmless gas in their political deploys at home. In 1778-9 Mr.

Drayton was a member of the Continental Congress and died at his post in Philadelphia in September 1779. He was cut down in the prime of life and in the midst of a bright career of usefulness. He had earned an imperishable fame and stood approved by his country--his conscience and his G.o.d.

DYER ELIPHALET commenced his first stage of human life at Windham, Conn.

on the 28th of September 1721. He was liberally educated and became a sound lawyer. He took command of a Connecticut regiment in 1755 and served ungrateful mother Britain faithfully during most of the French war. In 1763 he went to England on business and there became thoroughly acquainted with the base designs of the ministry upon the American Colonies. On his return he was prepared to warn the people of approaching danger. He was an ardent whig--a fearless opposer of tyranny. He was a member of the Congress of 1766-74. He was Chief Justice of his state for many years and retired from public life in 1793. He adorned the prominent virtues that dignify a man and make him useful in life--happy in death. He closed his earthly pilgrimage in 1807.

ELLSWORTH OLIVER was born at Windsor, Conn. on the 29th of April 1745.

He graduated at Princeton College, N.J. and became an eminent member of the Bar. He was a firm advocate of chartered rights--a stern opposer of British wrongs. He used his n.o.blest exertions to induce the people to strike for LIBERTY. In 1777 he was elected to the Continental Congress.

His commanding talents, stern integrity, powerful eloquence, keen perception, conclusive logic, lucid demonstrations--all combined to render him an efficient and highly appreciated member. He was a useful delegate of the Convention that framed the Federal Const.i.tution. In 1789 he was elected to the U. S. Senate--in 1796 appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States--in 1799 Envoy Extraordinary to France and dignified each of these high stations. Owing to ill health he resigned his seat at the head of the Supreme Bench in 1800. Several high offices were subsequently tendered to him which he respectfully declined. His whole life was chastened with a republican simplicity and primitive purity seldom found among those in high life at the present ominous era. All admire his brilliant examples--too few will imitate them. Judge Ellsworth slumbered in death on the 26th Nov. 1807.

FORREST URIAH was ushered into life in the county of St. Mary, Md. in 1756. In his youth he was commissioned a lieutenant in one of the Maryland regiments and soon gained the reputation of a brave and skillful officer. He rose rapidly to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He acted a brilliant part in the battle of Germantown where he lost a leg which closed his active military career. A man of strong intellect improved by a good store of useful knowledge--he had a bright career before him. He was a man of unbounded popularity and influence--filled various public stations in his native State--was a member of the Continental Congress--of the Legislature of Maryland and a member of Congress under the Federal Const.i.tution. He was for many years major-general of the Maryland militia. In all his public stations he acquitted himself n.o.bly--in private life he had the esteem of a large concourse of friends. The time of his final exit is not upon the record.

GADSDEN CHRISTOPHER was born in South Carolina in 1724. He was the originator of the LIBERTY TREE in America. To cut loose from mother Britain was a cherished project in his penetrating mind long before the Revolution. He did not join in the general joy caused by the repeal of the Stamp Act. He looked upon it like the transient calm in a storm that often precedes the increased fury of the elements. As early as 1762 he frequently said that nothing but open resistance would ever obtain justice from Great Britain. Upon these matured conclusions he continued to act until his long nursed vision became a happy reality and was eclipsed by the more refulgent glories of the Declaration of Independence. He was a member of the Congress convened at New York in 1765 and of the one at Philadelphia in 1774. He was also a general of militia. He was of great service in rousing the people to action. He was among the prisoners at the city of Charleston and then lieutenant-governor. Being ill he was paroled. On the 27th of August 1780 he was dragged from his sick bed--put on board a prison ship and taken to the castle at St. Augustine in violation of the rights of prisoners on parole. He was there treated with great cruelty. A parole for the town was offered him at St. Augustine which he indignantly refused, saying he could place no dependence on any promise from a British officer. When Maj. Andre was executed Gen. Gadsden was tauntingly admonished to prepare for death as he would be made the retaliatory sacrifice. He firmly replied--"I am always prepared to die for my country." A more inflexible patriot, a more n.o.ble spirit, a more ardent friend of Liberty never came from the clean hands of the Creator.

Gen. Gadsden had the love, sympathy, confidence and admiration of every friend of the American cause. He died in 1805.

GANSEVOORT PETER entered upon the first stage of human life at Albany, N. Y. on the 16th of July 1749. His taste for military tactics was manifested in his boyhood. When he arrived at manhood he raised a company of grenadiers that elicited the admiration of every beholder.

Not one of its members was under six feet--Capt. Gansevoort was six feet three. In point of discipline and martial appearance, this company had no superior. Being a firm Whig Capt. G. was ready to do good service for his country at the commencement of the Revolution. He was appointed a major by Congress on the 19th of July 1795. On the 19th of the next month he took command of the second battalion of the New York forces and shared the perilous campaign with Gen. Montgomery which terminated the life of the latter. Congress made him lieutenant-colonel on the 19th of March 1776 and on the 21st of November of that year appointed him colonel of the 3d Regiment in the Continental army. His defence of Fort Stanwix in August 1777 was one of the most brilliant achievements of the American Revolution. It was besieged by a large body of British, Tories and Indians, commanded by Col. St. Leger, who threatened summary vengeance unless an unconditional surrender was made. He soon found he had waked up the wrong pa.s.senger. He was promptly informed that Col.

Gansevoort never surrendered. The fort was defended until aid was sent when Col. St. Leger was compelled to leave suddenly. For this brave act Congress recorded him a vote of thanks on the 4th of October of that year. In 1778 he was ordered to Albany--the next year accompanied Gen.

Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians and with a chosen band of kindred spirits surprised and took the lower Mohawk castle and a large number of prisoners. In 1781 an arrangement was smuggled through Congress by improper influences that legislated this officer and several other gallant men out of the army to the great mortification of Washington. His native State made him a major-general Of militia. After the war he held the office of sheriff in Albany County--was commissioner to fortify the frontier posts--make treaties with the Indians--military agent of the Northern Department and in 1802 was commissioned a brigadier-general in the army of the United States which he held until the 2d of July 1812 when he was suddenly called from time to eternity at the moment our country needed just such men to conduct the second war of Independence. Gen. Gansevoort was endowed with an unusual share of the n.o.ble qualities that dignify a man in public and private life all of which were purified by a life of practical piety.

GIBSON JOHN was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on the 23d of May 1740.

At the age of 18 he was an excellent cla.s.sical scholar. He was in service under Gen. Forbes when Fort Du Quesne [now Pittsburgh] was taken from the French and Indians. He settled there in 1763 for the purpose of trade. In a short time he was taken prisoner by the Indians and had his life saved by an old squaw who adopted him in the room of a lost son. He was detained several years--became familiar with the language of several tribes--with the general habits of red men which prepared him for future duties. On gaining his liberty he returned to Pittsburgh and served under Lord Dunmore in his expedition against the Shawnee Towns which resulted in a treaty with children of the forest. Gen. Gibson was the mediator and interpreter. To him alone was the celebrated speech of the n.o.ble hearted Logan delivered in a copse a short distance from the council ground. By him it was communicated to the other Chiefs and to Lord Dunmore. At the commencement of the Revolution Gen. Gibson commanded a regiment in the regular army--served a short time in New York and New Jersey--was then transferred to his more appropriate place upon the frontiers to keep in check the Indians. After the war he filled various civil stations and was appointed Secretary of Indiana in 1800 and filled the office until the state was formed. He then took up his residence with George Wallace, near Braddock's Field, who had married his daughter with whom he lived until the 10th of April 1822, when his immortal spirit returned to Him who gave it.