The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-09-29
For The Cecil Wing.
Historical Researches that Quilp Made
rs Il Bohemian.
TIE WAR OF 1912


lsh under the command of RearA dmral
Cockburn, in the Spring of 1913, partook
more of the nature of raid or a large
marauding expedition, than the invasion
of country by the army of a civilized
nation. In the Revolutionary War the
British still had hopes of conquerng and
conciliating the people of the colonies, and
refrained from doing any thing to exasper-
ate and enrage them. No such hope in
spired them in the war Of 1879; and when
they visited the head waters of the Chesa-
peake Bay, in the year of which we write,
their great object was to plumber the ill.,
habitants and destroy their property. They
hoped by doing these things to replenish
their stores of provisions, and to harass
and impoverish the people, and make them
sue for peace.
They visited nearly all parts of the Chesa-
peake Bay, and many places upon its tribu-
taries, and were actuated by the same
spirit wherever they went. The people of
the United States were divided in their
being opposed to it. This class was called
| Federalists. Those who believed that the
war was just one, and should be ener-
getically prosecuted, were called Demo
Gratis. The British knew of this difference
of opinion among the citizens of the United
States, and, while upon this memorable
raid, they recognized their friends, the
Federalists, and did not modest them or
destroy their property. To the credit of
Cecil county, they found few Fcderalists
here. They were more numerous in the
Eastern States, and were quite rs obnoxious
to the Democrats of 1914 as the Tories
We're to the patriots of 1776
The British very wisely left their ships
in the Bay when they made an incurson
up the rivers to pillage and destroy a de.
tenseless village or town, and embarked
upon large barges. These barges are de-
scribed by those who saw them, as about
thirty feet long, and with decks extending
only short distance from either side, leav-
ing an opening in the middle which extend
ed nearly from bow to stem, SO that the
oarsmen could stand on the bottom of the
boat when rowing. The most of them had
a cannon or two on board of them which
were called swivel guns. These guns were
mounted in such a manner that they could
be turned around and fired in any direction.
The British landed in our county at Tur-
key Point, in April, 1913, where they are
said to have tried to make friends with the
people, and offered to pay for some pro-
visions they obtained there. The officer in
command tried to make up with the daugh-
ter of the lady who lived in the farm house
on the Turkey Point farm. She was a
bright little girl of ten or twelve years of
age, and spurned his offers of friendship
with scorn and contempt. The officer re-
marked to her mother that the child knew
he was her enemy.
Major VIM. Boulder, the grandfather of
VIM. T. Boulder, Democratic candidate for
Sheriff Of Cecil county, tried to prevent
their passage up the Elk river by firing at
them from Welch Point, but he had no
artillery, and though he made a brave
effort, it was useless. George Boardly, an
aged colored man, now in the employ of
Geo. w. Boulder, the son of Major Boul
den, was spectator to the fight. He
climbed up small tree that stood on Welch
Point. During the fight cannon ball
fired from one of the barges struck the
tree and cut it in two. The upper part,
to which he was clinging, fell to the ground,
but he escaped uuhurt.
They went on up the Elk river and
reached Frenchtown Oh the Goth of April,
1918. The Americans had three cannons
there which they had taken from the hold
of a ship on which they had been used for
ballast since the close of the Revolutionary
War, and hastily mounted for the defense
of Frenchtown. The militia that were
there at one time, had abandoned the place
and probably retired to Fort Hollingsworth,
at Elk Landing.
Niles Register Of Saturday, May Sth,
1918, gives the following account of the
GALLANT EXPEDITION.
"On the Goth ultimo, the bravery of the
enemy in the Chesapeake was put to the
severest trial Rear admiral Cock burn, of
the Marlborough of n guns, having learnt
that large body of well disciplined stage
drivers, amounting lii the whole to ten
persons, were in garrison at Frenchtown;
which was also defended by powerful bat
terry of three great guns a pounders) lately
taken from the hold of vessel, where they
had remained harmless ballast since the
revolution-resoived to seize the golden
opportunity to impress the cowardly de
scendants of those who fought in the Re
bellion, with due ideas of British courage
and constancy. Twelve barges, manned
with about 400 volunteers, picked seamen,
and 800 marines, were allotted for this
arduous servicer. He laid his plans with
consummate wisdom and foresight. Tie
marines were landed to attack the fort in
the rear, while the barges opened ire
mendous fire in the front. Shot from of all
sorts and Sizes from IS Founders to musket
balls. flew like hail in all directions; yet
the sons of the whip, for considerable
time, checked the progress of his ma
.jesty's arms. But what can resist the
British bayonet?' The marines were at
hand and the whole ammunition of the
Rebels being expended, they made one OF
tHC DuhO " iu|t o
without loss; after killing and woundpg
some of his majesty's, subjects. The fort
being thus silenced, the barges approached;
and party of officers and petty officers
from them, under cover CT the marines,
attacked Il 9 storehouses. The ponde.ous
doors gave way to the oft repeated stroke
of British axes; aud large quantity Of
oats in the lower mouse, with some valuable
goods in the upper, surrendered at dis
erection. The commander alots to the
different corpse the choice of the spoils,
nightly eXtolling the deeds of the day,
and declaring the whole should be faithful
REGISTERED. Then, with the GOODNESS
that characterized British seamen, he ap.
piled the torch to the rausacked buildings;
and one wide blaze, bonfire of glory, pro
claims the humane victory; two vessels
swell the general flame, and teach the
kissing waters the homage due its SOY
ereign lord George Guelph, regent of the
British kingdoms. This being performed,
'his majesty's force returned to their ships.
Such without irony, is the subs ance of
the proceedings of the enemy at French
town. The loss of the goods is estimated
at from 90 to 80 600 dollars. The place,