The Portland daily press., 1883-09-19
AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT.
Portiand's Defences in the War of 1e1.

The following letter has been contributed to
the archives OF the Maine Historical Society
by Hon. John A. Peters of Bangor:
To His Excellency, Caleb Strong, Esquire,
Governor and Commander-in-Chie OF the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Sir-Tbe undersigned. committee of gener-
al safety and defence for Portland, duly sp-
pointed by the town, beg leave to address you
on the subject OF further defensive measures
for this town and harbor.
We have received authentic Information
that the principal part OF the United states
troops, stationed at the several ports In this
district are now under marching orders. Col.
Learned, the PRESENT commanding officer In
this district has enlisted under him between
six and seven hundred men, and has received
orders to march off one full battalion, or 500
men, on the first of September.
When this order is executed, there will re-
main but handful of men 70 garrison all the
different forts in this district aud in case of an
attack upon Forts Preble and Scammell, little
or no defence could be made, and this town
would inevitably be left at the mercy of the
enemy.
Under these circumstances we would respect
fully suggest the expediency of ordering out
detachment of two companies of the militia,
to be held in readiness to act as emergencies
may require, either in defenos of the town and
harbor, or forts, in case the State troops would
be permitted to defend the latter.
The committee have the pleasure to ac-
knowledge the receipt of two hundred stands
small arms apd four 18-pound cannon, from
the Q M. General. The latter are now mount
ing, under the superintendency of Major Lem'l
Weeks, and will be ready for service in few
days.
AS we are now provided with the iastrn-
ments of defence, the next care of the coTNmit-
tee is to request your Excellency and the Hon.
orabie Council 10 authorize the enlistment of
another artillery company from among the OK
empts to take charge OF one pair of the Is
Founders. We are assured tina. a company OF
this description may readily be raised without
the least expense to the commonwealth. The
two artillery companies in this town belonging
to the battalion of Major Lemuel Weeks, do
not contain more than go men in the whole ;
none of these, therefore, could be spared in
time OF action, to manage the heavy ordnance.
In fact, under the present circumstances OF.
this town and vicinity, it Is very necessary, in.
the opinions OF this committee, that there
should be an augmentation of the artillerists.
As 1t might not be convene MT to raise by
voluntary enlistment, from among the exemptS
more than one company, we have an assurance
that the Rife Company, commanded by Capt.
Atherton, (which contains about seventy men,,
bers,) will readily take the management of the,
two remaining pieces, provided the measu re,
received the sanction of your Excellency.
In presenting these requests to your Excel
lency, we have not merely expressed the opn-
ions and wishes of this committee, but OF the
inhabitants of Portland generally.
We have the honor to be, with perfect con-
sideration and respect,
Your most obedient servants,
DANIEL TUCKER,
COTTON B. BROOKS,
Jos. H. INGRAHAM,
PETER WARREN,
LEMUEL WEEKS,
ROBERT ILsLEy,
A. w. ATHERroN,
RICHARD HUNNEwELL,
Committee of General Safety and Defence for
the Town of Portland.
Portland, Aug oath, 1913.