Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-10-28

the termination of the French war of
1744.
Castine became permanently settled
by the English, in 1760. AT an early
period of the Revolution, the settlers
evinced their patriotism by taking the
crew of British vessel prisoners, and
sending them to Gen. Washington's head
quarters, at Cambridge, Mass. Four
years after this event j. e. in the sum-
mer of 1879 the place was invaded, and
taken by British force, $50 men, with
three sloops of war. The English Gov
eminent had long been sensible that the
establishment of military post there,
would be Of essential service in checking
the ravages of privateers, as we'll as in
securing a supply of timber, for the roy
al navy. Preparations were at once
made by them, for fortifying the place,
and an extensive fortress was common
ced, on the summit Of the peninsula
The people Of Massachusetts determined
to dislodge the invaders, and In few
weeks large American force was fitted
out, consisting of forty-three vessels, car
rying two thousand men, and mounting
three hundred and forty guns; which sail
ed from Boston for the Penobscot. At the
time of their arrival, off Castine the fort
was not more than half completed, but
by assiduous labor the British Command
er was enabled to put it in tolerable
condition of defence. He had also taken
the precaution to erect batteries at all
the points of the peninsula which he re-
garded as accessible. After being twice
repulsed the American forces at last eff
fected landing on the northwestern
bank, by climbing precipice with a
loss of one hundred of their number
In this conflict the British sustained a
loss of thirty. A battery was erected
by the Americans in front of the enemy's
fort, and both parties maintained a can
nonading for several days. Meanwhile
the commanders of the American land
and naval forces, were wasting their time
in discussing the expediency of carrying
the works by storm. During this delay
a feet of seven British ships of war ar
rived, and the Americans made haste tC
t retreat up the PenobscOt river. AL
their vessels and military stores were
either captured or destroyed, the officer
n and men escaping with difficulty into thu
a woods. This expedition, called in his
+ tory the " PenobscOt Expedition" stand
upon record as the most disastrous issu'
: our arms have ever experienced. Tn
commander of the naval forces was cash
= tered from the incapacity, or pusillanimi
d ty to which such disgraceful defeat wa
lel
Justly attributed. From this to the clos
d of the war, Castine remained in tn
n hands of the British.
y 1t was again taken by the British dur
D. ing the war of 1912, who repaired an
m strengthened the works which they ha
o. built during the revolutionary war, an
ID occupied them at pleasure. Four thol
sand troops we're stationed there at or
is time, No attempt was made to dislods
ny them; and the town continued to be Il
j. seat of important military operations,
we'll as of an extensive trade, for near
a year. And though during this tin
parts of many dwelling of the citize
were taken possession of, and occupi'
$500 by the British officers and men, y
:. further than this they seemed not dispc
: ed to infringe upon the rights Of t
On people. 1t is said that the officers seei
- ed DESTROYS of securing the good will
;.s the citizens, and that their bearing
wards them was for the most part 1
70 spectful and gentlemanly.
no. No place in Maine has passed throu
On so many changes as this ancient TOW
,,d which has been held alternately by
1T Indians, the French, Dutch, English a
r Americans. During nearly the VIII
all of the seventeenth century the flag
:. France foated over its forts, in defar
han of the English, whose attempts to gai
d., foothold there were unavailing. No
=, than five naval engagements have tai
place on the bosom of its harbor,
English having attacked it twice {
the American once. From 1880
wv 1888 it was at no time without ga
son. 1t has ever been regarded by
MUS different powers who have held pos
VI sion there, as point Of very great
. !" portance. And the policy of the Tn
u VI States government, in abandoning
as strond hold, and suffering the z
fort, on its summit, to 60 to decay, wi
might at comparatively trifing expt
be put in a condition TO defend & pro