The Portland daily press., 1885-12-26
COL. scAMMELL AND GENERAL
DEARBORN.
Two Revolutionary Officers identi-
fed with Portland.

fled with Portland.
ssNashoonoow" in the Boston Journal gives
sketches of prominent Vermont men among
whom are mentioned Col, Scammell, for
whom Fort Scammell, Portland Harbor, and
Gen. Dearborn, grandfather of the late Mrs.
A. w. II. Clapp. We give the sketches of
these two distinguished patriots:
COL. ALEXANDER scAMMELL.
In our search for knowledge concern the heroes
and patriots of the Revolution we have discover
ed that less is known by New Hampshire people,
and less has been written concerning Col Scam
Scanned was the second son of DR.. Samuel L.
Scammel who came to this country from Eng
laed in 1888, and was born in Mendon, now Mil
University in 1862 and 1872 settled at Ports
mouth and entered upon the business of eXplor-
ing lands in Maine and New Hampshire. He as
sisted Capt. Holland in making the first maps of
these States that were anything like accurate.
Previous to the Revolution he entered the law
office of Gen. Sullivan at Durham, as student
When the war broke out Gen. Sullivan desired
him to take charge of his practice, but his patri-
otism was such that he could not be induced to be
gade, was appointed Brigade Major and served
with distinction in the battles and sieges that cul-
minated in the evacuation of Boston. He served
with his brigade in 1776 and participated in all
the hardshipS and disasters of the army in and
about New York and was one of the prominent
ture of Gen Lee by the British In the campaign
of 1777 he was placed at the head of the first
regiment in the New Hampshire line at Ticon-
deroga, where he was wounded, and in the re-
treat of the army from that fortress to Saratoga
partook Of all its fatigues, deprivations and NOR
tifications" Washington here recognized his
merit and promoted him Adjutant General From
this time to 1871 he was identified with the main
army in all its movements. He was conspicuous
Monmouth, and, after the battle, was directed by
Gen. Washington to place his old commander
Gen. Lee under arrest; al In letter written at
ingtOn never had so fair an opportunity of gaining
a decisive victory over the enemy as at Monmouth
had Lee done his whole duty" He also wrote
and the saying was thought to be new to the Re-
belion of 1861-"The enemy seems determined
to die in the last ditch"
toms battles: In 1871, when the army was organ
lied for the final campaign, which ended at York
town. he was given command of the light infantry
OF the army The corps was made up Of the most
active and soldierly young men of the New En-
gland regiments, and the Colonel was INDUCED
the liberty OF choosing his own officers. This lib
erty was a great annoyance to other Colonies, but
WaShington'S confidence in him was such that no
obstacles were allowed to interfere with his plans
His conduct during the campaign as in former
ones, was such as to win the affection and admira-
ton Of all his associates. During the siege of
restless energy, Clinton, under cover of night
withdrew from his front. The next msrning he
headed accommodating party for the purpose of
discovering Clinton's new position. In the en-
counter he was mortally wounded. From the best
authority that can be obtained il would seem that
he was wounded after he had surrendered and
lived six days. He served from the commence
ment of the war as a s0ldierfrom New Hampshire
Col. Scanned was exactly what could be wished
for the fatigue. pomp and parade of war. He was
six feet high and not too much encountered with
flesh. He was intelligent high-minded and brave.
He was energetic in action decisive and ga brave
leader. 1t is said of him that in the social circle
he was 'easy, graceful and even playful, and no
officer IN the service could approach Washington
SO familiary without giving offence" tits also said
that the common soldier, thirty and forty years
after the close of the war, always spoke Of him
with delight, affection and respect declaring that
the veterans were always satisfied whatever
were their depriyations, dangers and hardships
when it was known that Colonel SCANNED was in
camp" His body was buried at Williamsburg,
Va, and monument was then erected to his
memory, but whether OF not it is now standing we
doubt If ten New Hampshire men can tell.
GENERAL HENRY DEARBORN.
Major General Henry Dearborn, concerning
whose career very little is known by the present
generation. was born at Hampton, N. H., Feb. %,
1851. He studied medicine with DIR. Hall jack
son at Portsmouth, and settled in practice at Not
tingham. He employed his leisure hOnrs-when
the storm that broke forth in the Revolution was
brewing-in military exercises, and when the call
to arms rang through New England hastily assem-
bled go of the inhabitants of the town and vicin-
ity, and by march of fiftyfve miles in less than
appointed captain in the First New Hampshire
Regiment, and was engaged in skirnisheS at Hog
Island and Winnismmet Ferry. and made stub
born fight at Bunker Hill: Following these exct-
ing events he volunteered his services in Arnolds
expedition up the Kennebec and through the viii
derness to Quebec. In this expedition he suffered
terrible hardships land reduced to the extrenl-
ity of dividing his fayorite dog among his suffering
comrades. He led one of the companies in the
assault upon Quebec on the 31st of December,
1775. The whole corps was killed, wounded OF
made prisoners. Dearborn was put in rigid con-
tinement and suffered untold hardships. In the
following May he was paroled and was put upon a
vessel and roughly treated until, after weary
months, he was put ashore at Portland. In March,
rnpina0t ffiS command he
at Ticonderoga. At Saratoga he led the charge,
and Gen. Lewis said of him, "a more vigilant and
Coils. Adams and Colburn were killed in the action
and Major Dearborn was promoted to a lieutenant
colonelcy. AT Frazer's camp and the movements
about Albany he again distinguished himself in
battle. In the campaign OF 1878 Lieut.. Col Dear
born was attached to Col Ciley's regiment and in
this command was in the thickest of the battle at
Monmouth. For his conduct in this engagement
he received the thanks of Washington, who de-
clared that the gallant conduct of his regiment
was the salvation OF the army. In 1873 he ac-
companied Gen. Sullivan in the campaign against
the Indians in the interior of New York. In 1880
he was with the main army in New Jersey This
year Gen. Enoch Poor Dearborn's brother-in-law,
and distinguished soldier, died in the service.
In 70 he was at the siege of Yorktown and on
the death of Col. Scamnell succeeded to the COM
mand of the First New Hampshire Regiment He
remained with the army till the peace of 1888
and was at all times a trusted Lieutenant and
friend OF the Commander-in-Chie After the
war he settled on the Kennebec river in Maine,
and in 1897 was appointed Major General by the
COfnlnOnWedlln OF MASSACHUSETTS. Wben General
Washington became President he remembered
his distinguished compatriot and appointed him
Marshal Of the District of Maine. In 1901 he
was called by the President to preside over the
War Department, which position he held eight
years.
When the war of 1912 broke out he was selec-
ted by President Madison as one of two Major
Generals appointed at that time. He served
through the war with distinguished ability, and
shortly after It's close sent by President Mon
roe, with the unanimous consent of the Senate,
Minister of the Court of Portugal. He discharged
He was also Collector of the port of Boston and
Commander-n-Chief of the Army. He died at his
home in Roxbury, Mass, June 6, 1929, in the
10Th year of his age. Gen. Dearborn was stout
and active, six feet in height and weighed CON
sderably more than two hundred pounds. His
commanding His mind was solid and compre-
hensiye, and he was entitled to the highest mill
tary and civic stations.