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354 JEFFERSON COUNTY.
of riflemen, and, Sept. 20, made a descent upon Gananoqui, Canada, and destroyed a large quantity
of provisions. The details of the operations upon the n. frontier belong to general history.
Sackets Harbor became the principal seat of military and naval preparations, and from this post
were fitted out the armaments that captured Little York and Ft. George, and the disgraceful expe¬
dition, under Gen. Wilkinson, that descended the St. Lawrence late in the fall of 1813.1 Large
bodies of troops were stationed here during most of the war; and a fleet of frigates of the largest
class was fitted out at this point, to cope with jone, equally formidable, built at Kingston. The
enemy were repulsed in an attack upon Sackets Harbor, May 29, 1813, and were subsequently
defeated at Cranberry Creek and Sandy Creek and in several minor engagements. After the war
the costly navy was left to rot, or was sold for commercial purposes; and, in accordance with the
provisions of the convention of April, 1817, but one armed vessel was left afloat upon the lake.
Extensive barracks were built in 1816-19 at Sackets Harbor. A considerable body of regular
troops was stationed here until withdrawn for service in the Indian wars of the Northwest and
of Florida. In the abortive scheme known as the “ Patriot War," in 1837-40, this co. became the
scene of intense excitement, and the seat of many grave as well as ludicrous events. “Hunter
Lodges" were formed in every village to promote the Patriot cause, and large sums raised for the same
purpose found their way into the pockets of the leaders, most of whom evinced a c'owardice as little
creditable to their honor as was their financial management to their honesty.
The earliest market of this co. was down the St; Lawrence, which has ever been the route of the
lumber trade. Several State roads were built through the co. before the war, and a military road
was laid out and partly worked from Sackets Harbor to Plattsburgh. Soon after the introduction
of canals and railroads many projects of internal improvement were formed, and surveys were
made in this co., without result. The Watertown and Rome R.R. extends from Cape Yincent s.
through Lyme, Brownville, Pamelia, Watertown, Adams, and Ellisburgh, connecting with the
N. Y. Central at Rome. The Sackets Harbor and Ellisburgh R. R., a branch of the preceding,
extends from Sackets Harbor through Henderson to Pierrepont Manor. The Potsdam and Water¬
town R. R. extends n. e. from Watertown through Pamelia, Le Ray, Philadelphia, and Antwerp,
forming a connection with the Ogdensburgh R. R. at Potsdam. In 1848-51 about 170 mi. of plank
road were built within the co., by over 20 companies; but most of the lines have been surrendered
to the towns in which the roads were laid. Steam navigation commenced upon Lake Ontario in
1816, and commodious lines have since been run, touching at Sackets Harbor, Cape Yincent,
Clayton, and Alexandria Bay, within this co.
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stores, including the spoils of Little York, from
the accidental burning of the storehouse.
1813, June 1, Com. Chauncey returned with the fleet.
“ “ 12, Ship Pike launched.
“ “ 14, Lieut. Wolcott Chauncey went on a cruise, and
took a schooner laden with stores and arms.
“ July 2,—Maj. Gen. Morgan Lewis arrived and took com¬
mand.
“ “ 3, A secret expedition to burn the Pike was defeated.
« « xbe Neptune and Fox sailed on a privateering
expedition down the St. Lawrence. (See p. 355.)
“ “ 20, Com, Chauncey,- with the Pike, sailed for Nia¬
gara. The Sylph (built in 33 days) accompanied
him.
“ Aug. 26, Gen. Wilkinson held a council to decide upon
offensive measures.
“ Sept. 5, Gen. Armstrong, Sec. of War, arrived.
“ Oct. 26, Gdn. Wilkinson sailed on an expedition down
the St. Lawrence, with disastrous results.
“ Nov. 2, The Pike and other armed vessels sailed on a
cruise among the Thousand Islands.
Dec. and Jan. The remaining part of the fall and winter was
spent in ship building and in strengthening
fortifications.
1814, Mayl.—Frigate Superior, of 66 guns, was launched in 80
days from the commencement of building.
“ June 15, The crew of the ship Congress began to arrive
from Portsmouth.
“ “ “ An expedition under Lieut. Gregory sailed, and
a few days after captured the gunboat Black
Snake in the St. Lawrence, for which act Congress
awarded $3000 in 1834.
* “26, Another expedition, under the same, sailed, and
in a few days burned a vessel on the stocks and
a quantity of stores near Prescott.
“ July 31, The American fleet sailed for Niagara.
* Sept. 14, Gen. Izard arrived from Lake Champlain.
“ “ 30, A gig belonging to the Superior captured several
boats laden with goods for Kingston.
“ Oct. Great alarm was felt for the safety of the harbor,
which led to the assembling of large bodies of
militia. |
1
The following is a chronological list of the principal events
which took place at Sackets Harbor and(vicinity during the
war:—
1812, May.—The Lord Nelson, a British schooner, was taken,
and condemned, for violating the revenue laws.
Her name was changed to “ Scourge.”
“ Col. C. P. Bellinger was stationed here with a
regiment of militia.
“ June 14, Schooner Ontario taken, and discharged.
“ July 19, Village attacked by 5 vessels of the enemy. No
ipjury done to the Americans, and the British
retired with loss.
“ July 80, Capt. Benj. Forsyth arrived with the first regular
troops.
“ July 31, Schooner Julia sailed for Ogdensburgh, and en¬
countered 2 hostile vessels at Morristown.
“ Aug. 20, Col. Bellinger’s regiment were disbanded before
they were paid.
“ Sept. 20, Capt. Forsyth started upon an expedition against
Gananoqui.
“ Sept. 21, Gen. Dodge arrived, and ordered Gen. Brown to
proceed to Ogdensburgh.
“ Oct. Commodore Chauncey and Gov. Tompkins ar¬
rived, the former having been appointed com¬
mander of the naval forces on the lake.
“ Oct. 12, Capt. Forsyth’s company and others were sent to
Ogdensburgh.
“ Nov.8-14, Com. Chauncey cruised upon the lake before
Kingston, and took several vessels.
“ Nov. 26, ShipMadison was launched 45 days after commence¬
ment. Fort Tompkins and barracks were com-
v pleted about the same time.
1813,March.—Gen. Dearborn arrived and took command.
“ April 7, Brig Jefferson launched.
“ “ 10, Brig Jones launched.
“ “ 19, The Crowler sailed to reconnoiter.
“ “ 22, Gen. Pike’s forces embarked for Little York.
“ “ 25, Expedition sailed.
“ May 13, Expedition returned laden with spoils.
“ “ 22, Com. Chauncey sailed with the fleet for Niagara.
“ “ 29, Sackets Harbor attacked by the enemy, who
were repulsed with the loss of 150 men. The
Americans lost a large quantity of military
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