Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-11-29


of Wilmington = How Brave They
Looked on Review Day.
In continuing his "reminiscences of
the Older history Of Wilmington, Albert
Thatcher said yesterday:
Before entering into our talk of the
war of 1919, to see how many rcminis.
cences we can find the fact must be
mentioned that there exist here earth
works belonging to some war, either of
the Revolution or Of the war of 1912, |
think most likely Of the former. These
earthwOrks were evidently thrown up
by soldiers rs u defence from the enemy.
OF a certain plucc north of Broome
street, between Shalcross and Lowering
avenues, there used to be "Reminiscences
that soldiers had at least put up there
for the night and had gotten their sup
per ard breakfast and then left, but
whore they were from l am unable to
say.
Again, down near the old Swedes'
Church there was Il fortiticntion Of some
strength in the war of 1912, which was
on the Chnsiiana, but for some reasons
perhaps because of the two ships, the
Roebuck and her consUrt, spoken of in
q previous paper, this preparation for
defence was never used. A little story
contracted with the first is as follows:
A gentleman who was visiting the
Gilpin paper mills for walk one after
noon came across these earthwDrks.
The first thing he knew of while look
ing round he was violently attacked by
u snake.
The reptile fastened itself around the
mans leg. Mortified at the attack of
the snake the man cried loudly for help.
and was heard by passer by, William
Baxter by name, who came to his relief.
The earthworks, as near as lean locate
them now, were between Clayton and
du Pont and north of Fourteenth
street. have repeatedly visited them
in the years that arc past,
Leaving the North We will now go
| South to New Orleans where Andrew
jackson was then in charge of the
army, and had to contend with the most
violent opposition not only from the
city of New Orleans but also from the
Federal party especially of the New
England States.
A few words now about the Hartford
convention will throw some light upon
the matter. 1t had met December 10Th,
| 1914, the convention lasting twenty days
with closed doors, shutting out the pub
| lie. There is no record of that meeting
yet, save as people surmised and accused
those present Of treason and various
things.
Thus opposed it will be seen that
Jackson had good deal to contend
with. There was Il warrant served on
him from a certain judge, whose name
is not known and the general refused to
answer the summons. He put the judge
in Jail and declared martial law. After
defending New Orleans against the
British, in which the Americans won n
signal victory, and General Pakeenham
and two other British commanders
were killed, Jackson entered the court
where the judge was sitting and gave
himself up. The judge having read the
warrant to the general fined him 81 600
for contempt of court, which was paid
at once by General jackson. After the
great victory at New Orleans the
English never came bnck to wage war.
fare ON our shores, but rather as one
nation visits another in fellowship and
amity.
When was apprenticed to old John
Harris, who was a person having knowl
edge of men and things, have Otter
listened to him telling of u certain com,
pany who went down to New Orleans
composed in part from Wilmington
There were two men mentioned espe-
cally whose names were Janvier anC
Walraven, who were not only rather
diminutive in size but in their looks
| 80 .
pany were robust, healthy men. They
took part in defence of their country a
New Orleans, and yet it was not sail
that any of them were killed in tho
fight. That dreadful disease yellow
fever, laid hold OF the company ant
when they returned there were but tw,
mea left Who do you suppose wer
those two men? Those two, described
as diminutive and cousumptivc, Janvie
, and Walraven!
At the ending Of the war of 1912 thcr,
was yet military feeling among thu
; people Of Delaware and the militia still
, turned out twice Il year on battalion
and review days. 1t was looked upon ,
good deal as farce, nevertheless i
brought about the establishment of vol
urtee- companies. But the turnout q
the militia was n great day among tn
! boys and those men and women, blacI
and white, who had refreshment stand
/ and served dinners and also liquors, II
much as they dared.
We had three very nice voluntee
companies, Captain Porter's Invncible
and Artillery Company. There was
: nice company called the "Wnshingto
Greys." The third company were rifle
: men under Captain John Rice.
+ These companies often paruded an
visited other cities. They were we
drilled and well behaved and were
credit to our city. They We're SUPPLE
with music. The Yearsley's wer5 til
4 filters and the Bannards were the drum
mers. On extra occasions such as bal
TALON and review days the cOmpanic
r would employ bands.
T On certain Fourth of July tho com
| panies turned out to celebrate the da,
7 on uice lot back of the old almshouse
4 north of Front street and west o
t Broome. After spending day in drill
9 ing and showing themselves off, an
having their dinners, Captain Porter
G company having two field-picces wit
q them was ordered to drill and fire, usin
4 blank cartridges. After firing fo'
5 rounds with the guns, one of them b.
came heated. The man who was attend
ing the vent told the two gunner
who were loading, Terence Brady an
William Hyatt, to stand clear for
: could not hold it. The gun went o
: prematurely, MORALLY woundiny Brad!
G who died soon afterward, Il piece of tn
g ramrod having been driven through hi
G neck.
I Hyatrs arm was blown off inst abov
5 the elbow. Their day of rejoicing i
: rplehrot inp tin. F1urfb wound nm |