Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution Part 33

PART II.

ALLEN ETHAN was a native of Salisbury, Connecticut and removed to Vermont when a boy. He was a man of strong mental powers which were improved by a close observation of men and things--not by a school education. He took an active part in public affairs from an early age to the time of his death. He was emphatically a "Rough and Ready." When the revolutionary storm commenced he was the kind of man to brave its fury.

He was then a militia colonel and at once rallied a brave band of Green Mountain boys around him. Soon after the battle of Lexington he received orders from the general a.s.sembly of Connecticut to make a descent on Ticonderoga and Crown Point. About that time Arnold had been charged by the Ma.s.sachusetts Committee to raise 400 men for the same purpose. On his arrival he found Col. Allen prepared to march with 300 men and became his aid in the expedition. On the 9th of May 1775 they arrived at the lake opposite Ticonderoga and with great difficulty landed 83 men near the garrison during the night. As day was approaching the Colonel determined on an immediate attack. He led his Spartan band to the wicket gate where a sentinel snapped his gun at the bold intruders and fled into the fort closely followed by the Green Mountain boys who rushed in and formed on the parade ground facing the two barracks and made the welkin ring with three loud huzzas. One of the guard who begged for quarter pointed out the apartment of the officers. Col. Allen entered with his sword drawn and demanded the surrender of the fort from the astonished Capt. De la Place who was in command. He jumped out of bed, rubbed his eyes and asked by whose authority the demand was made. The Colonel quickly replied--"_I demand it in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress._" The summons was promptly obeyed. Crown Point surrendered the same day and shortly after, the only British sloop of war, which gave Col. Allen the mastery of Lake Champlain. In the fall of that year Col. Brown pledged himself to act in concert in an attack upon Montreal but failing to meet him Col. Allen was overwhelmed by numbers and taken prisoner, loaded with irons and treated with proverbial British cruelty--a mistaken policy on the part of the crown officers that did much towards rousing the Americans to resistance. He was sent to England with a strong promise of a halter on his arrival. In 1776 he was returned to N. York and was not exchanged until the 6th of May 1778. Bad treatment had ruined his iron const.i.tution. A base attempt was made to bribe him which he resented with the dignity of an honest freeman. He wrote a history of the cruelties uniformly practised upon the American prisoners. During his confinement in N. York he estimated that over 2000 perished by hunger, cold and disease produced by the impurity of the prisons and prison s.h.i.+ps. Col. Allen was highly esteemed as a stern patriot, a good citizen--an honest man. He died suddenly at his home in Colchester, Vermont, on the 13th of February 1789.

ALLEN EBENEZER a brave subaltern officer who was with Col. Allen at the capture of Ticonderoga. At the head of only 40 of his Spartan comrades he took the fortress on the hill Defiance without the loss of a man. At the brilliant affair near Bennington he headed the small division that was stationed behind a ledge of rocks and kept the enemy at bay until Gen. Stark could form his men to drive back the reinforcement that came up before he could properly dispose of the large number of prisoners he had taken. Mr. Allen closed his mortal career in 1805.

ALLEN MOSES was born in Northampton, Ma.s.s. on the 14th of September 1748. He graduated at Princeton college--prepared for the ministry--became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Medway, Georgia--advocated the cause of equal rights in the pulpit and when mingling with the people. In 1778 the British under Gen. Provost made a descent upon Medway--laid in ashes the meeting house and most of the private dwellings. Mr. Allen was made chaplain of the Georgia brigade--repaired to Savannah--was there taken prisoner--sent on board a s.h.i.+p of war--was treated with great cruelty--attempted an escape by swimming to the sh.o.r.e and was drowned on the 8th of February 1779.

ALEXANDER WILLIAM was born in the city of New York in 1726. He was a Major General in the Continental army--fought bravely at the battle of Long Island on the 27th of August 1776 where he was taken prisoner. At the battle of Germantown his brigade was a part of the reserve. At the battle of Monmouth he commanded the left wing of the American troops and did himself great credit as a brave, discreet and accomplished officer.

This n.o.ble veteran died at Albany, New York on the 15th of January 1783.

ARMSTRONG JOHN was early enrolled with the list of heroes that periled life for Liberty. He was one of the brave officers who so n.o.bly defended fort Moultrie against the desperate attack of Sir Peter Parker when he visited Charleston harbor on a belligerent pleasure excursion. He was raised to the rank of Brigadier General and distinguished himself at the battle of Germantown and other places. After the Revolution he located in Pennsylvania and was elected to Congress from that state. He was in all respects a worthy man and took his final leave of his friends in 1795.

BARRY JOHN was born in the county of Wexford, Ireland in 1745 and came to Philadelphia, Pa. when he was but 15 years of age. Previous to the American Revolution he became a skilful mariner and rose to the rank of captain of a large merchant vessel. In February 1776 Congress put him in command of the brig Lexington with 16 guns with which he made several successful cruises. In 1777 the British attacked the little American Navy in the Delaware, then under the command of Commodore Barry and destroyed it at White Hall. He subsequently took charge of the Raleigh of 32 guns and was run on sh.o.r.e in Pen.o.bscot Bay by the enemy and lost his s.h.i.+p. He was then transferred to a s.h.i.+p commissioned with letters of marque and reprisal and cruised among the West India Islands with success. On his return he was put in command of the Alliance frigate and left Boston in February 1781 for France with John Laurens, American minister to that kingdom. When returning he came in contact with the British s.h.i.+p Atlanta and brig Treposa on the 29th of May and captured them both after a severe engagement. In February 1782 he had what the British captain called a drawn battle with an English frigate of equal metal with his own but could out sail her. The enemy had 37 killed and 50 wounded--Com. Barry but 3 killed and 11 wounded. Lord Howe offered him 20,000 guineas and command of the best frigate in the British navy if he would turn traitor. This base proposition was repelled with contempt. When war seemed inevitable with France he was put in command of the frigate United States and cruised on the West India Station. He was n.o.ble in spirit, humane in discipline, discreet and fearless in battle, urbane in his manners, a splendid officer, a good citizen, a devoted Christian and true patriot. He died in Philadelphia on the 30th of September 1803.

BEATTY WILLIAM born in Frederick county Maryland on the 19th of June 1758. In 1776 he was commissioned an Ensign under Col. Griffith and served under Gen. Was.h.i.+ngton at New York. The next year he was commissioned Lieutenant and in a few months was raised to the rank of Captain and ultimately transferred to the renowned 1st Maryland regiment of regulars under Col. Gunby which was ordered south and performed astonis.h.i.+ng feats of n.o.ble daring at the battle of Cowpens and at Guilford court house on the 15th of March 1781. He there engaged in single combat when the battle was raging with the fury of desperation and pierced his antagonist through the heart. That battle was emphatically fought hand to hand like those of Chippewa, Lundy's lane and Bridgewater during our last war with mother Britain. At the battle near Camden South Carolina on the 25th of the next April, Captain Beatty fell mortally wounded as he was gallantly leading on his company to the charge. His loss was keenly felt. He was in all respects a n.o.ble man and an officer of great promise. In his report Gen. Greene remarked--"Among the killed is Capt. Beatty of the Maryland line one of the best of officers and an ornament to his profession."

BIDDLE NICHOLAS was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750. He became a seaman when but 14 years of age and gave great promise of becoming one of the n.o.blest sons of the main. He and his s.h.i.+pmates were cast away on a barren island on the 2d day of January 1766 two remaining there with him for nearly two months in a state of extreme suffering. In 1773 he and Horatio--afterwards Lord Nelson, doffed their uniforms and s.h.i.+pped before the mast on board the Carcase bound on a voyage to the north pole and penetrated to 81 39' north lat.i.tude. At the commencement of the American Revolution Capt Biddle was put in command of the Camden galley on the Delaware. He was subsequently transferred to the Andrew Dorin of 14 guns with 130 men and attached to the infant fleet of Commodore Hopkins, destined for the Island of New Providence. On arriving at the capes the small pox became general among the other crews--disease obliged the fleet to run into New London. After replenis.h.i.+ng his numbers Capt. Biddle was ordered to cruise off the banks of Newfoundland where he was so successful in capturing British s.h.i.+ps that when he arrived in the Delaware he had but five of his original crew, the others having been put on board the prizes.

On his return he was placed in command of the frigate Randolph of 32 guns and sailed from Philadelphia in February 1777 with a crew partly made up of English seamen. Shortly after he got to sea he was overtaken by a gale which carried away nearly all the masts of his frigate. He then steered for Charleston to repair. On the way mother Britain's children formed a plan to dispatch the Americans and take the s.h.i.+p although they were s.h.i.+pped upon their own urgent solicitation professing to sustain the cause of Independence. They were promptly put down and sullenly returned to duty. When thoroughly repaired he again put out to sea. On the third day he fell in with four English vessels, one the True Briton with 20 guns, all of which he captured. He took several other prizes and returned to Charleston. So highly did the citizens of that city esteem Capt. Biddle as an officer and gentleman that they fitted out the s.h.i.+p General Moultrie--the brigs Fair American, Polly, and Notre Dame and placed on board the Randolph fifty men from the first regiment of the South Carolina infantry to act as marines--the whole of which were placed under command of Capt. Biddle. His little fleet continued cruising and capturing prizes until the night of the 7th of March 1778 when it came in contact with the English two decker s.h.i.+p Yarmouth of 64 guns, Capt. Vincent. At 8 P. M. a severe action commenced. Capt. Biddle was severely wounded in the thigh but continued on deck encouraging his brave tars. His fire was incessant--at least three broad sides to that of one from the enemy. In 20 minutes after the commencement of the fight the Randolph blew up--the brave, accomplished, intrepid and gallant Biddle was launched into eternity. The Yarmouth was so badly crippled that she permitted the other vessels to depart unmolested.

BLAND THEODORIC was born in Virginia in 1742. He was one of the early patriots and left a lucrative medical practice and took command of a regiment of dragoons. In several actions he proved himself a brave and efficient officer. In 1779 he was put in command of the convention troops at Albemarle barracks. The next year he was elected to Congress.

He was a member of the Virginia Legislature when the Federal Const.i.tution was adopted and voted with the minority for the same reasons that induced Patrick Henry to oppose it. When adopted he was its firm adherent and was a member of the first Congress that convened under its broad mantle. He died on the 1st of June 1790 while a member of the House of Representatives. He was a good, discreet and honest man.

BLOUNT THOMAS was born in North Carolina in 1760. He entered the Continental army at the age of 16 and served faithfully to the close of the war. He was subsequently made a major-general of the militia of his native state. He was a valued member of Congress for many years. He was a man in the full sense of the word. He died on the 8th of February 1812 while at his post in the national legislature.

BOUDINOT ELIAS was ushered into life on the 2d day of May 1740 in the city of Philadelphia. He read law with Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1776 Congress appointed him Commissary General of prisoners. The next, year he was elected to the Continental Congress and proved an able and efficient member. In 1782 he was elevated to the presidential chair of that bright galaxy of sages and had the high honor--the untold pleasure: of signing the treaty of peace forced from mother Britain. In 1780 he was elected a member of Congress under the new const.i.tution. In 1795 President Was.h.i.+ngton placed him at the head of the Mint at Philadelphia which office he filled for 12 years. He then retired from the public arena and settled at Bordentown, N. J. where he died on the 24th of October 1821. He was a n.o.ble, generous, talented and good man. He was the first President of the American Bible Society and made liberal donations to that and several other benevolent inst.i.tutions.

BOWDOIN JAMES first breathed the vital air in Boston, Ma.s.s, in 1727. He became a prominent public man at an early age--was a bold and sterling whig--opposed the usurpations of the crown--was one of the trio of the committee that bearded Gen. Gage, who ostracised him, Dexter and Winthrop from the General a.s.sembly. Mr. Bowdoin was elected to the first General Congress in 1774 but was prevented from attending by ill health.

He was President of the Convention that framed the first const.i.tution of Ma.s.sachusetts under the new order of things. In 1785-6 he was Governor of his native state. He was an able statesman, a firm patriot, a devoted Christian--an honest man. He died at Boston on the 6th of November 1700.

BRADFORD WILLIAM was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. on the 14th of September 1755. In the spring of 1776 he was made brigade-major under Gen. Roberdeau who commanded the flying camp. He subsequently commanded a company of regulars under Col. Hampton for a short time and was then appointed Deputy Paymaster General and served two years when he left the military service--resumed the study of law--was admitted to the Bar in 1779 and in 1780 was made Attorney-General of the Keystone state. On the 22d of August 1791 Gov. Mifflin raised him to the Bench of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania which office he filled with great dignity until the 28th of January 1794 when he was appointed Attorney-General of the United States, which office he held up to the time of his death. He performed all the duties of public and private life with great ability and strict fidelity. He stood approved by his country, his conscience and his G.o.d. He died at Philadelphia on the 23d of August 1795 in full hope of an unfading crown of glory.

BROAD HEZEKIAH was born in Ma.s.sachusetts in 1748. He was a man of strong common sense, great moral courage, stern integrity--discreet and consistent in all things. He early and firmly opposed British oppression. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1774 and a delegate of the Ma.s.sachusetts Convention that framed the state const.i.tution in 1779. He filled various public offices with honor to himself and usefulness to his const.i.tuents. He died at Nantick, Ma.s.s, on the 17th of March 1824.

BROOKS ELEAZER was first introduced to his friends in Concord, Ma.s.s. in 1726. He was a man of bright intellect and untiring perseverance.

Without the advantages of a school he became a man of extensive information by studying books, men and things. In 1774 he was elected to the General Court and remained a distinguished member of the different branches of the Legislature for 27 years. He was an uncompromising enemy to all tyranny. At the battle of White Plains in 1776 he commanded a regiment with the skill of a veteran soldier. At the battle of Still Water on the 7th of October 1777 his cool and determined courage was the subject of general remark. He lived esteemed and died lamented at Lincoln, Ma.s.s. on the 9th of November 1806.

BROOKS JOHN was first presented to the human family in Medford, Ma.s.s. in 1752. He was well educated--became a physician and commenced a successful practice in the town of Reading near his native place. When the revolutionary storm commenced its fury he exchanged his amputating knife for a sword. His n.o.ble bearing and skill in military tactics attracted the attention of Was.h.i.+ngton. He was soon promoted to the grade of lieutenant-colonel and rendered important service in the capture of Burgoyne. At the close of the war he resumed the practice of medicine at Medford. He became major-general of militia and commanded the military that put down the insurrection in Ma.s.sachusetts in 1786. During the last war with mother Britain he was the adjutant-general of Gov. Strong and succeeded him as chief magistrate of the State. He performed all the duties of public and private life with a well tempered zeal and unquestioned integrity. He died in Medford, Ma.s.s. in 1825.

BROWN ANDREW was one of those brave spirits who seized their rusty muskets, powder horns and slugs and met the enemy on the heights of Lexington. At the noted battle of Bunker's and Breed's Hill he was among the last who left the entrenchments for want of "a little more grape,"

He removed to Philadelphia when his war-toils were over and conducted the Federal Gazette in Chestnut Street. On the 27th of January 1797 his office and dwelling house were consumed by fire. His wife and three children perished in the flames. In an attempt to rescue them he was so severely injured that he expired on the 4th of February following.

BROWN JOHN was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1736. He led the party that dared to resist the crown task-masters and destroyed the British sloop of war Gasper in Narraganset Bay in 1772. That was the second kick the Rhode Islanders gave the revolutionary ball. He was an enterprising merchant--at one time member of Congress--a friend to education and public improvements, a good citizen and worthy man. He died at Providence, R. I. in 1803.

BROWN MOSES was welcomed to earth in 1741 at some place in New England--of the precise location we have no record. He was a bold mariner--never liked old England--became an active patriot--commanded several privateers with great success and did good service for his country until he saw her free and independent with the white, red and blue floating in the breeze of LIBERTY. He lived respected and died regretted in 1803.

BROWN ROBERT was born in Northampton County, Pa. in 1745. He was among the first officers who entered the field against the invading foe and was taken prisoner at the unfortunate affair on Long Island. Being a man of fine sense, pleasing manners and good address, he was not closely confined and was permitted to work at his trade of blacksmith and distributed his earnings among the dest.i.tute prisoners. He was subsequently raised to the rank of brigadier-general of militia in his native State--filled many civil stations--was member of Congress for sixteen years--voted for the war in 1812--lived to see mother Britain flogged a second time--spent his last years in the full suns.h.i.+ne of quiescent peace--died at Allentown, Pa. in 1823 most deeply mourned by those who knew him best.

BRYAN GEORGE was a native of Ireland--when he came into the world and made his final exit the record saith not. He came to Philadelphia soon after he reached his majority and became a wholesale merchant and highly respected citizen. He had imbibed no love for England during his youth--in manhood he sternly opposed her innovations upon the chartered rights of his adopted country. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1775. He was subsequently made Vice President of Pennsylvania and in 1778 filled the presidential chair of that State. He adorned every station he occupied with becoming dignity and usefulness.

He was a Christian, gentleman and scholar.

BURD BENJAMIN was born at Fort Littleton, Bedford County, Pa. in 1755 and was made a lieutenant in Col. Thompson's regiment of riflemen at the age of twenty. He was in several fights near Boston in 1775. He was at the disastrous battle of Long Island and behaved with great gallantry.

In 1777 he was commissioned captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment--was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and in every instance stood highly approved by his superior officers. At Germantown he acted as major. In 1779 he was with the detachment that dispersed the Indians up the Hudson and burnt their towns. After the war he located at Fort Littleton--subsequently removed to Bedford where he lived highly esteemed for his past n.o.ble services, uniform virtue and correctness in the discharge of all the duties of a life well spent. He died at Bedford on the 5th of October, 1823.

BURR AARON commenced his remarkable life in Newark, N.J. in 1756. As manhood dawned upon him his genius rose in all the brightness of the sun on a cloudless morning. He was hailed as a brilliant luminary to light up the pathway to the goal of LIBERTY. He was a powerful advocate in the cause of FREEDOM and exemplified his precepts by feats of n.o.ble daring in the battle field. He was aid to the brave Putnam and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. At the close of the Revolution he stood on a lofty eminence and commanded the admiration of the populace. His towering genius was fast ascending to high meridian in refulgent glory.

He was elected to the United States Senate where his giant intellect became more conspicuous--his thirst for power more prominent. He was next elected Vice President and made a desperate attempt to supplant Thomas Jefferson as President. He made an unsuccessful Cataline grasp at the presidential chair which blotted out his political sun for ever.

Alexander Hamilton made some prophetic remarks upon the prospective danger shadowed by his reaching demonstrations and ulterior designs. He planned and consummated the death of that ill.u.s.trious statesman. The commingled clouds of wild ambition, consuming malice and fell revenge eclipsed the sunbeams of his genius. A blacker cloud spread its ebony mantle over these. The charge of TREASON veiled the bright morning of AARON BURR in darkness impenetrable and paralyzed his day-spring of usefulness. His great legal and consummate shrewdness saved him from its technicality--not from the burning curse of a nation of freemen. To render this darkness more visible he was the Promethean vulture that devoured blooming innocence--the blighting sirocco that withered the bowers of domestic felicity. Like an isolated majestic oak with its green foliage seared by lightning fire--he stood alone for nearly half a century exposed to the scorching heat of bitter scorn--the chilling blasts of cold neglect--a fearful warning to those who wander from the path of wisdom--the only path of safety. He died on Staten I. 14th.

Sept. 1836.

BUTLER RICHARD is first introduced by the record as a brave lieutenant-colonel in Morgan's rifle corps. For his correct deportment at all times and n.o.ble daring on various occasions at the south under La Fayette, he was raised lo the rank of colonel. He was next in command under Gen. St. Clair in his unfortunate expedition against the western Indians in 1791. At the sanguinary and disastrous battle of the 4th of November of that year Col. Butler commanded the right wing of the army with the rank of general and repeatedly led his men to the charge and for a time seemed certain of victory. Bleeding from several wounds he retired for surgical aid and in a few moments was rushed upon by an Indian warrior who gave him a mortal wound with his tomahawk. He immediately killed the savage with his pistol--they slumbered in death together.

BUTLER THOMAS was introduced into the great family of man in 1754. He was brother to Col. Richard Butler just mentioned. There were five brothers engaged in the Continental army. They appear to have been natives of Pennsylvania. Thomas was a law student under James Wilson of Philadelphia at the commencement of the Revolution. In 1776 he exchanged the law office for the camp and proved a brave and efficient officer. He had command of a company to the close of the Revolution and was in nearly every severe battle in the middle States. At Brandywine he received the thanks of Gen. Was.h.i.+ngton on the field of battle through his aid Gen. Hamilton, for rallying a detachment of flying troops and giving the enemy a severe check. At the battle of Monmouth he received the thanks of Gen. Wayne for defending a defile while Col. Richard Butler removed his regiment from a perilous position. He had command of a battalion under Gen. St. Clair on the memorable 4th of Nov. 1791 and behaved with great coolness and intrepidity. Mounted on his horse he led his men to the charge after his leg was broken by a ball. His surviving brother--Capt. Edward Butler, had great difficulty in bringing him from the field. In 1794 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and put in command of the 4th sub legion. He commanded at Pittsburgh and by his undaunted courage more than by the numerical force of his troops he prevented the whisky insurgents from taking possession of the garrison.

He was continued on the peace establishment--made several treaties with the Indians--was persecuted by jealous enemies--charged with misconduct--tried by a court martial--honorably acquitted and died the 7th of September 1805.

CADWALADER THOMAS was ushered into this world in 1743 in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. At the commencement of the struggle for Liberty he was in the front rank of the brave revolutionary generals and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the ill.u.s.trious Was.h.i.+ngton. At the beginning of the war he commanded a corps called the "Silk Stocking Company"--rather a problematical name for patriot soldiers as they were--for so perfect was this corps in military tactics that nearly all of its members were made commissioned officers. He was soon made a brigadier-general and put in command of the Pennsylvania troops. During 1776-7 he was constantly on duty--partic.i.p.ated in the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth--displaying great courage, skill and prudence on each occasion. He loved Was.h.i.+ngton better than his own life. When Gen.

Conway slandered the commander-in-chief he was at once challenged by Gen. Cadwalader and was dangerously wounded. Supposing he might not survive, he wrote to Was.h.i.+ngton acknowledging he had done him great injustice. Gen. Cadwalader was an ornament to the age in which he lived.

In him the soldier, statesman, gentleman and scholar were all harmoniously blended. In public and private life he filled up the measure of a good man and crowned the design of his creation with an imperishable fame. His career was a continued round of usefulness.