Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution Part 39

SCAMMEL ALEXANDER commenced his infancy in Mendon, Ma.s.s, about 1748. He was liberally educated and excelled in mathematics--strong evidence of an a.n.a.lyzing mind. He was among the first and the last in the war field of the Revolution. In 1775 he was made a brigade-major and the next year a colonel in the line of Continental troops raised by New Hampshire. At the battle of Saratoga in 1777 he commanded the 3d regiment and was severely wounded. He was subsequently appointed adjutant-general of the American army and was generally beloved. As this did not lead him into the din of battle and clash of arms he resigned and took command of a regiment of infantry. On the 30th of September 1781 he was examining the position of the enemy at Yorktown--was suddenly sprang upon and captured. After he had surrendered the barbarous foe gave him a mortal wound which terminated his brilliant career at Williamsburg, Va. on the 6th of October 1781. The death of no officer was more deeply lamented--no one of his grade deserved better of his country and his friends.

ST. CLAIR ARTHUR was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a Lieutenant under Wolfe and served through the French war. He subsequently located in Pennsylvania, became naturalized and took a deep interest in the prosperity of his adopted country. He was President of the Cincinnati Society of his state. At the commencement of the Revolution he espoused the cause of Freedom and in 1777 was commissioned a Major General. His military laurels increased and rested gracefully upon him during the war with mother Britain. In 1785 he was elected a member of Congress and in 1787 was President of that body. He was the first governor of the North West Territory. In 1790 he was put in command of the memorable expedition against the Miami Indians. On the 4th of November 1791 he met them in mortal combat and was defeated with the loss of many brave officers and soldiers who had braved the fury of the Revolutionary storm unscathed. By many he was censured--how justly is not a subject to be discussed in this place. That he was a brave and skilful officer when opposed to regular troops he had fully proved.

Braddock had done the same. To fight the red man on his own ground is a very different affair. It is reasonable to presume that his disastrous defeat arose from an ignorance of Indian warfare--not from any want of courage or an ignorance of regular military tactics. On his return he resigned his military commission. He was severely pierced by the keen arrows of poverty during his latter years. He died in 1818.

SCHAICK GOSEN VAN commenced his mortal career at Albany, New York in 1737. He entered the British army in 1756 with the commission of Lieutenant and served mother Britain faithfully to the end of the French war at which time he had reached the rank of Lieut. Colonel. Had he not been a superior officer he could not have attained that rank among Englishmen. At the first sound of the war cry in 1775 he was on hand ready for action and spent his life and fortune in the cause of FREEDOM.

He was placed in command of the first regiment of the New York line and ultimately rose to the rank of Brig. General of the regular army. He fought bravely at Monmouth and other places and had the high esteem of Washington. In 1779 he commanded the successful expedition against the Onondaga Indians for which Congress pa.s.sed a resolution of most hearty thanks. Gen. Schaick did honor to his country and to every station in which he moved. He was an able officer, a good citizen--an honest man and repaired to his final rest in 1784.

SCHUYLER PHILIP was born in New England in 1732. He was commissioned a Major General and had no superior in energy, vigilance and courage. For some time previous to the approach of Burgoyne he ably discharged the multifarious duties of the northern command. When that proud General advanced he found traces of Schuyler's industry at every point and his scouts in all directions. Bridges were demolished--the roads blocked with trees--the navigation of Wood creek deranged--supplies removed and his army kept in constant alarm by the light troops of Schuyler who laid the foundation of the victory that virtually saved our Independence.

This opinion was often expressed by a revered uncle of mine who was with Schuyler during all his services in the north. At the very time this General was prepared to s.n.a.t.c.h the laurels of victory from Burgoyne's brow and place them on his own--Gates superseded him. He loved his country too well to be governed by the strict rules of military etiquette at that momentous point of time. He surrendered the command to him with all the papers and information he had acquired, with these burning remarks--"I have done all that could be done, as far as the means were in my power, to injure the enemy and to inspire confidence in the soldiers of our army and I flatter myself with some success--but the palm of victory is denied me and it is left to you, General, to reap the fruits of my labor. I will not fail to second your views and my devotion to my country will cause me, with alacrity, to obey your orders." This language would have been more terrible to me than a thousand crashing thunder bolts. It would have taken more than the laurels of Saratoga to heal the deep gashes my mind would have received from this keen sarcasm of the injured but patriotic and magnanimous Schuyler. A sarcastic remark from Schuyler to Gen. Burgoyne when dining with Gates soon after the surrender is worthy of record. The British General had caused Schuyler's house to be reduced to ashes and attempted an apology which was interrupted by the other--"Make no excuses General. I feel myself more than compensated by the pleasure of meeting you at this table."

Gen. Schuyler was in all respects a first rate man. Jealously had put slander in motion against him which was the reason he was superseded.

Investigation cleared away the fog from the minds of those in power but did not heal the wounds in his. He was subsequently a member of the Continental Congress and served 12 years in the United States Senate under the Federal Const.i.tution. He died in 1804.

SEDGEWICK THEODORE began his earthly career at Hartford Conn. in 1746.

He became a strong lawyer and firm supporter of the cause of Liberty. He was frequently in the legislature of Ma.s.sachusetts and a member of the Continental Congress. He was a member of the convention of his adopted state that sanctioned the Federal Const.i.tution and was subsequently a member of the United States Senate. At the end of his term he was placed upon the Supreme Bench of Ma.s.sachusetts and dignified his station until 1813 when he was summoned from earth and its toils to the dread tribunal of the great Jehovah.

SERGEANT JONATHAN d.i.c.kINSON was born at Princeton, New Jersey in 1746.

He became an eminent lawyer and a strong advocate for American rights.

He was elected a member of Congress in February 1776 and continued in that body until July 1777 when he was made Attorney General of Pennsylvania. Why he did not sign the Declaration of Independence is a problem I should like to see solved. In the Connecticut controversy he was employed by his adopted state to advocate her interests. When the yellow fever raged at Philadelphia in 1793 he was a very efficient member in the Board of Health and fell a victim to that fearful disease in October. His private virtues shone conspicuously through his whole life--his country, the poor, the widow and the orphan deeply mourned his premature death.

SMALLWOOD WILLIAM was a citizen of Maryland and a brave Brigadier General in the Continental army--a member of the old Congress and governor of his state. In every station and in all the departments of life he performed his whole duty and enjoyed the love and confidence of his friends and country until 1792 when he cancelled the debt of nature and descended peacefully to the tomb.

STEUBEN FRANCIS WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BARON DE commenced his n.o.ble life in Prussia in 1733. He became perfect master of military tactics at an early age in the Prussian army--was an Aid to Frederic the great with the rank of Lieutenant General and was in constant service in his native land until he embarked for America. He landed in New Hampshire in 1777 and was soon after appointed Inspector General of the American army with the rank of Major General. With untiring industry and great energy he rapidly introduced an effective system of discipline, tactics and evolutions, that essentially improved the whole army and rendered it much more efficient in the field. He partic.i.p.ated in the battle of Monmouth and had charge of the entrenchments at the siege of Yorktown.

At the conclusion of peace his valuable services were partially rewarded in the grant of a farm by the state of New Jersey and 16000 acres of land in Oneida county New York granted by that state. He died on his farm near New York city November 28th 1794.

STRONG CALEB was born at Northampton, Ma.s.s. in 1744. He was a profound counsellor at the bar of his native town--an able advocate in the cause of Independence. He was a prominent member of the Committee of Safety that was virtually the government of the State for some time. He was a member of the legislature and fearlessly espoused the cause of Liberty.

He was a member of the convention that framed the Const.i.tution of Ma.s.sachusetts and of the one that formed that of the United States. He was elected to the United States Senate and was governor of his native State eleven years. He was an efficient public officer, a devoted patriot, an esteemed citizen--an honest man. He died in 1820 sincerely mourned by his country and most deeply regretted by those who knew him best.

SULLIVAN JOHN entered on his earthly career in Maine in 1741. His father came from that country called by Aristotle and Strabo _Irene_--by Caesar, Tacitus and Pliny, _Hibernia_--by Mela and others _Juverna_ all of which names may be traced to the original--_Ir_, _Eri_, _Erin_--now called Ireland. Gen. Sullivan left a lucrative practice at the bar and was commissioned a brigadier-general in 1775 and the next year was raised to the rank of major-general. On the 4th of June 1776 he superseded Arnold in Canada and on the death of Gen. Thomas he was left in command of all the American troops then there. Owing to the illness of Gen. Greene Sullivan was put in command of his division on Long Island and was taken prisoner at the battle on the 27th of August. On the 22d of August 1777 he planned a successful expedition against Staten Island. He acted a brave part at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and in every place where he was engaged. In 1778 he was placed in command of the troops at Rhode Island and commenced a siege on Newport in August of that year in antic.i.p.ation of the co-operating aid of the French fleet which was prevented by a storm. This compelled him to raise the siege at once and retreat from a superior force which he effected with consummate skill and success after repulsing the pursuing enemy on the 29th of that month. The next year he commanded the successful but cruel expedition against the Six Nations of Indians. He penetrated the very heart of their country, killed and captured considerable numbers, burnt eighteen of their towns, many of their isolated wigwams--destroyed 160,000 bushels of their corn, all their vegetables, fruits and everything that could be found to sustain life. The expedition was suggested in consequence of the Wyoming ma.s.sacre. It can be sanctioned by the law of retaliation--no other. Gen. Sullivan was subsequently a member of the Continental Congress for three years--president of New Hampshire and in 1789 was appointed a judge of the District Court which office he dignified until the 23d of January 1795 when he cancelled the debt of nature and slumbered in death. He was very efficient in quelling Shay's insurrection. In every sphere of life he exhibited talents of a high order and left a public fame and private reputation untarnished by corruption.

SULLIVAN JAMES was born at Berwick, Me. in 1744. He became a bright ornament of the bar and an able advocate of the cause of freedom. He was an active member of the legislature--of the Provincial Congress and of the Continental Congress. He was a judge of Probate and in 1790 was appointed attorney-general of his State. In 1807-8 he was elected governor of Ma.s.sachusetts and died in December 1808. He was an admirable model of human excellence, adorned those qualities that dignify a man and crowned his life with the lucid exemplification of primitive Christianity.

STEVENS EDWARD commenced his earthly career in Culpepper County, Va. and his bold military achievements at the battle of the Great Bridge near Norfolk, Va. where he commanded the rifle battalion with a bravery and skill that elicited general commendation. Soon after that he was placed in command of the 10th Virginia regiment and repaired to the headquarters of Washington. At the battle of Brandywine his skill and courage in covering the retreat of the Americans astonished friends and foes and saved the army from capture. At the action of Germantown his gallantry was publicly applauded by Washington upon the field of glory.

He was subsequently placed in command of the Virginia Brigade and fought with great bravery at Camden under Gates, at Guilford Court House under Greene and at the siege of Yorktown under Washington. From the formation of the republican Const.i.tution of Virginia to 1790 he was constantly a member of her legislature. He was a man of untarnished reputation, substantial talent and usefulness. His patriotism soared above all party considerations--he could not be swayed by demagogues. He went for his whole country--the Const.i.tution and our UNION for ever. He looked upon the Federal Const.i.tution as the Jews did upon their ark--the repository of the safeguards and glory of our Republic. He closed his useful life at his residence in Culpepper, Va. on the 17th day of August 1820--ripe in years and full of honors.

THOMAS JOHN was reared in Kingston, Ma.s.s. He was a brave officer in the service of England during the French war. He was one of the first who rushed to the battle field in 1775. At the siege of Boston--on the heights of Dorchester--in every place where duty called him he acted a bold and n.o.ble part. He was soon raised to the rank of brigadier-general and ordered to Canada to take command of the troops who had survived the fatigues of the campaign under Arnold and Montgomery where he fell a victim to the small pox. His great experience, ardent patriotism, known courage, untarnished character--all combined to render his loss a great misfortune to his country and his friends.

THOMAS THOMAS was born in the State of New York in 1745. He was among the first and most devoted patriots. He was a brigadier-general and commanded a body of troops in 1776 at the battle of Harlaem Heights and White Plains. In the autumn of that year the British burnt his house and carried his aged father to New York where their proverbial inhumanity soon produced his death. Gen. Thomas was a severe scourge to the enemy--ever on the alert--energetic, bold and shrewd. He was subsequently taken prisoner, stripped of his regimentals and hat and marched through the streets of New York in the most disgraceful manner.

He was at length placed on parole and permitted the limits of Brooklyn.

After he was exchanged he sought every opportunity to make up lost time until the foe was driven beyond the great heron pond. He then removed to the town of Harrison, Westchester County, New York where he lived respected and died deeply regretted in July 1824. He was several times a member of the legislature of his State.

TRUXTON THOMAS took his station on this rolling planet at Rhode Island in 1755. He was delighted with old Ocean from his boyhood and became an expert mariner at an early age. He loved Liberty and was willing to pay its price without discount. He was placed in command of an armed vessel in 1775 and continued capturing prizes during the whole period of the Revolution without a single reverse of fortune. He made constant inroads on the commerce of Great Britain and was too wary a fox to be trapped, cornered or run down by the celebrated British sportsman of the seas. In 1794 he was put in command of the frigate Const.i.tution. In 1799 the French government became ripe for naval exercise and quite belligerent in its manners. The frigate L'Insurgent made battle with Commodore Truxton and after a brief action surrendered. The French ship of war La Vengeance then met the Const.i.tution and after pa.s.sing the very significant salutes usual at hostile meetings surrendered at discretion to Com. Truxton. On his return to the United States he retired to Philadelphia where he lived in the esteem of our nation and his friends until 1822 when his cable of life was cut and his soul launched on the ocean of eternity.

WADSWORTH JEREMIAH was a native of Connecticut and early in the field to do battle for his loved--his injured country. He rose to the rank of general and was remarkable for great energy, undaunted courage, ardent patriotism and untiring industry. He was a member of Congress for some time. In public and private life he adorned the virtues that ever dignify the man and pa.s.sed from the stage of life peacefully in 1804.

WARD ARTEMUS was born in New England in 1727. He was a man of fine parts, strong common sense, thorough education, a zealous patriot. He was the first major-general commissioned by the Continental Congress, his commission bearing date the 7th of June 1775. At the siege of Boston he commanded the right wing of the army resting on Roxbury. His feeble const.i.tution induced him to resign the ensuing April. In a legislative capacity he continued to serve his country faithfully. He was repeatedly a member of the old and new Congress. A more incorruptible man never came from the clean hands of the Creator. He patiently endured a lingering illness for years and was relieved from the toils and pains of earth on the 28th of October 1800.

WARD HENRY was a valued citizen of Rhode Island and stood in the front rank of her n.o.ble and daring patriots. He did good service in the tented field--was Secretary of his state--filled up his measure of usefulness and called his friends to mourn over his final exit and perform the last rites of sepulture in 1797.

WASHINGTON WILLIAM was a native of Stafford County, Va. He was a distant relative of George Washington and among the first of the chivalric sons of the Old Dominion to respond to the thrilling war cry--_Liberty or death_. He commenced his military career in command of a company of infantry in the 3d regiment of the Virginia line commanded by Col.

Mercer. Captain Washington first distinguished himself for undaunted courage at York Island and in New Jersey. When Gen. Washington attacked Col. Ralle in command of the Hessians at Trenton, Capt. Washington led the advance of one of the columns. He received a musket ball through one of his hands which was not mentioned by him until after the enemy had surrendered. Soon after the brilliant affair at Trenton and Princeton he was transferred to Col. Baylor's regiment of cavalry with the rank of major and proceeded to Virginia with the regiment to increase its strength with fresh recruits. In 1775 this regiment was surprised by a superior force under Maj. Gen. Grey and nearly annihilated. Major Washington escaped and was then put in command of the consolidated remnants of the cavalry regiments of Cols. Baylor, Bland and Maylan and ordered to report himself to Gen. Lincoln in South Carolina. He was in constant service from the time of his arrival. His corps suffered at the battle of Monk's Corner and at Leneau's Ferry. He then proceeded with Col. White to North Carolina for the purpose of raising recruits. This laudable project was not approved by Gen. Gates for reasons not explained which formed a link in his chain of disasters. Col. Washington proceeded to replenish his regiment and resumed field service under Gen.

Morgan. At Cowpens, Hobbick's Hill, Eutaw, Guilford Court House--Col.

Washington gained increasing epic laurels for himself and Spartan corps.

At the battle of Eutaw he was unfortunately taken prisoner and not exchanged until after the surrender of Yorktown. In 1782 he led the amiable and accomplished Miss Elliott to the hymeneal altar and located at the ancestral seat of his wife at Sandy Hill in South Carolina. He there enjoyed life with his family and friends in the happy way that Virginians well understand and fully exemplify. A braver soldier, a more n.o.ble and generous man than Col. Washington did not exist in the human family. He made his final exit in 1810.

WINDER LEWIS was a resident of Maryland and a brave soldier of the Revolution. In the struggle for Independence the best men were not office seekers but sought the good and glory of their country. Many soldiers in the ranks were men of strong intellect and substantial education. So with this veteran. After the close of the war toils he filled various public stations and became governor of his state. He enjoyed the esteem of his country and friends until 1819 when he slumbered in death.

WHEELOCK JOHN was a favorite son of Ma.s.sachusetts and one of the n.o.ble patriots who left the halls of literature and periled their lives in defence of chartered rights. He was an active officer in the army and had the esteem of his countrymen. He was subsequently a popular President of Dartmouth College. He made himself extensively useful until 1817 when he took his journey to "that country from whose bourne no traveller returns."

WILLIAMS OTHO HOLLAND was ushered into life at the county of Prince George, Md. in 1748. At the commencement of the Revolution he resigned a lucrative office under the crown to teach the man who dishonored that crown that Americans dared to a.s.sert their rights at the cannon's mouth as well as in paper essays. He was lieutenant in a rifle corps under Capt. Price and marched to head quarters at Cambridge in 1775. In 1776 he was raised to the rank of major in the rifle regiment under Col.

Stephenson. He was in the garrison of Fort Washington when attacked by the overwhelming force of Sir William Howe and was taken prisoner. When exchanged he was placed in command of the 6th regiment of the Maryland line and ordered to South Carolina with Baron de Kalb. He was raised to the grade of adjutant-general under Gen. Gates and shared the keen reverses of that general. Under Gen. Greene he was retained in the same office which he bravely filled to the close of the struggle for Liberty.

At Guilford, Hobbick's and Eutaw his efficient services were warmly acknowledged by the judicious Greene, whose bosom friend and constant adviser he was. At all times and under all circ.u.mstances he n.o.bly performed his duty in public and private life. At the close of the war he was commissioned a brigadier-general as a compliment to his high merit. Subsequent to the Revolution he was appointed Collector of the Port of Baltimore where he died in July 1794.

WOLCOTT ERASTUS was a favorite son of Connecticut of commanding talents--a strong lawyer--an ardent patriot--a good citizen--a brave officer--an honest man. He rose to the rank of brigadier-general and subsequent to the Revolution was elevated to the Bench of the Superior Court of his state. His measure of usefulness became full in 1798 when the hermetical seal of death closed his bright career.

WOOSTER DAVID was born in Stafford, Conn. in 1711. Although frosted with near 70 winters when the Revolution commenced, he was eager to share in the glory of repelling an insolent foe from his native land and in making that land the happy abode of the brave and the free. In 1775 he was made a brigadier-general by Congress and put in command of the Connecticut troops. This commission he resigned and became a major-general of the militia of his state. On the 27th of April 1777 he was mortally wounded in leading on his troops against a British force at Ridgefield and died on the 2d of May. His fall was deeply lamented by Congress and our nation. He had all the ardor of youth united with the experience of age. Such men were greatly needed in such a contest as the American Revolution--uniting the sage, hero, citizen and honest man in a harmonious whole.

WYLLIS SAMUEL was a citizen of Connecticut--a major-general of great promise--a man of sterling merit--a patriot of great zeal--a citizen of great worth and was killed by a party of British in 1777 on a predatory "beauty and booty" excursion.

Thus closes a condensed view of the most prominent Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution. I have aimed at an object of greater importance than the relation of historical incidents--an ill.u.s.tration of the heaven-born principles--the G.o.d-like actions of the patriots of '76. If these are not cherished and practised by the present and coming generations of our expanding Republic--the LIBERTY--the _priceless_ FREEDOM we now enjoy will be buried in the smoking ruins of the Elysian temple of our INDEPENDENCE--now towering in majestic grandeur. I have honestly and frankly expressed what I strongly feel relative to the vital interests of our beloved country. My conclusions are based upon laborious investigation, close observation and large experience. In common with every true friend to our government I feel a deep interest in the portentous question of slavery which has so recently rocked our nation in the volcanic cradle of civil discord. I have taken full notes of its whole course from its embryo inception to the present time. I have listened to the arguments of the ablest men in each of the high contending parties. I have read all I could find upon the subject of West India emanc.i.p.ation. So far as the British politicians were concerned I am satisfied that act was a bold stroke of ulterior policy--not of philanthropy. I have made myself familiar with the practical operations of the slave system in our own country by leisurely visiting all the cities, large towns, most of the small ones and the numerous plantations in all the slave States except Florida and Texas.

Without such a tour no man can well form a correct conclusion upon this momentous subject. He can only make an imaginary chamber survey--not the best evidence to present in court. I am not an advocate for the _principle_ of bondage--but few can be found in the slave States who are. I look at slavery as it is--not as represented on the high colored charts of ultra abolitionists. It was _forced_ upon the American Colonies by mother Britain. It is here by entail--not from original choice [see the Preamble of the Virginia Const.i.tution.] This charges George the Third with "prompting _our negroes_ to rise in arms among us--those very negroes, whom, by an inhuman use of his negative he hath refused us permission exclude by law." Its present form in the south is infinitely more humane than the cunningly devised apprentice system of England. Instead of rescued Africans being returned to their native land by that arrangement they are put to hard labor on the British Islands for a season and may then be sent adrift at the pleasure of the employer. A provision for life is insured to all the subjects of bondage in the slave States. There the free man may be stripped of the means of support by process of law--the slaves never. They are practically the most potent freeholders in those States. A large majority of the slaves there are better cared for than the same proportion of the colored population in the free States, both menially and physically. Larger numbers of them enjoy religious instruction and become church members.[A]

[A] The better condition of these slaves is fully proved by the fact, that the ratio of their increase, within the last ten years is 3 to 1 over that of the colored population of the free States.--AUTHOR.