Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-08-27

a moro fitting close, had Mr.. Haswell lived
to complete his design,
"REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
OF 1912.
DY THE LATE y. B. HAswELL, ESQ.
Concluded.
On proceeding south the Growlcr and Eagle,
(ately captured from us.) with one Gun
boat, appeared off Burlington and commenced
IA bonn mbardment. One Of their balls entered
the house of Curtis Holgate The guns from
Lieut.. Churchill Battery were found unable
to reach them and 2 twelve FOUNDERS belong
inc to the gun-boats on hislakc during the en-
barge oflS08, were quietly manned ,andby the
assistance of n. b. HdsUcH. and Sererdl Of the
Burlington Mnute-men, or Corps Of Ercmpts,
they were placed in Il large scow, command
ed by Capt. ChappeH of the Army, who
proceeding US far the present Break-watcr
and firing some guns, compelled the Glcmy IN
dro,c off and make good their retreat.
At the time of this movement Of the enemy
there were but few troops on th, station,
our Western frontiers were in Il constant
state of alarm, the capture of Detroit and
surrounding of Hull's army created great ox-
ctement. Expresses were constantly arriv-
ing, and on the 25th Of March 1873, the 9th,
2lst and 25th regiments under the command
Of Gen. Chandler, stationed ut this place,
were ordered to Sackett's Harbor. They
were conveyed in three hundred slcighs, and
presented novel sight many of the teams
were forcibly taken and pressed into service.
The troops stationed ut Plattsburgh were
also ordered to Sackett's Harbor, under the
command of Gen. Pike. This frontier being
left naked, probably induced the British to
plan an expedition into Lake Champlain.
John Cummings. a soldier of the 4th Reg
iment of Infantry, who had deserted was
brought into camp, court-martialed and SEN
fenced to be shot. The sentence was exccu-
ted July -, 1878. lie was pinioncd and
blindfolded caused to kneel upon his coffin,
a volley of musketry sent HIM in moment
into eternity, and he died without struggle.
The Regiment to which he belonged witnessed
and bore part in the execution.
Restoration OF Private Property taken
by the Soldiers.
Gen. Wade Hampton who arrived on the
Sd of July, took command of the Troops, and
was also, with his suite, present. He was
stern, passionate and arbitrary in his charac-
ter, and became very unpopular as 4 conf
manding General Having occasion to call on
him in the case of the capture Of some goods
lying in the Public Store at Plattsburgh
awaiting the decision of the Secretary of the
Treasury, and belonging to rockingham &
Co., of Montreal, here incorporate the sub
stance Of our interview.
had been tho friend and agent Of Mr.
rockingham, whose partner was Samuel
May, of Boston, an old and respectable
wholesale Hardware Merchant. Peter Sally
Esq was the Collector of Customs for the
District of Champlain, and well knowing my
agency and friendship for this House, imme
diately after the seizure, by the British, o.
rockingham & Co.'S Goods, he addressed tC
me friendly letter giving particulars, & sug
gssted the propriety of my Immediately mott
flying MIR. May, and preferred any assistance
that it might be proper for him to give in thC
premises. l forthwith wrote to Mr.. May
(and think enclosed Mr.. Sailly's letter, a
do not find 1t among my papers). To thi
letter, Mr.. May sent the following reply
BosToN, Aug. 10, 1913,
Mr.. ". B. HaspeH;
Dear Sir-I have Just returne
from journey to the District Of Maine, an
find your esteemed favor of the 5th inst, 70
which thank you, although the content
are not the most pleasing. When Mr.. Frotf
ingham was in Montreal last winter, he bro
out with him, by permission, few goods {
which have not the invoices, but of which
subjoin you memorandum taken from lettC
he wrote me at the time and these goods i
deposited with the Collector at Plattsburgf
the Collector being unwilling to bond then
until he had special direction from the Trea
ury Department. The amount was SO smd
that Mr. rockingham did not feel an Undue
ment to take journey'to Washington,
represent his case, but trusted to writ,
statements to obtain for him that permissil
he was so fairly entitled to. You will obser
there was not any wire among the goods, t
statement in the newspapers to the contra
Notwithstanding. Mr.. rockingham is n,
absent on a journey 10 the GenesSee countr
and fear will not return here for three
four weeks the moment he may be inform
Of the affair at Plattsburgh, he will certain
set his face towards Burlington, and will
with you the earliest moment possible.
the mean time | have to request the partiC
lar favor that you would address letter
the British commanding officer, who think
Col Murray, and state to him the fact thatt
property was imported into Montreal by
rockingham, and by permission Of the Can
dian Government, brought out from thel
by him that the property is bona Jide h
and that, as his agent and friend, you mi
this application in his absence, knowing t
he will personally mako application as ST
as informed of the facts. 'Iis the more
portlnt to make an earl y application, as
British say they mean to discriminate betw
public and prirate property, and that the
Ter shall be respected on the land,
If you think or find it necessary to obt
the consent Of the commanding officer Of
American forces at your place, have
objection; and think, perhaps, it nigh
well for you to show him your letter to
British Commander, before sending it
feel very desirous that you should make
application, and that with the least poss
delay
Your early and particular attention
much oblige me ; and please let me hear {
you again, shortly.
With regard, believe me
your ass'd I'd & serv't
SAM'L MAl
some further particulars NAV be neces