New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-17

Gnvernor Ct New-Ycrk $50 1911 Military Volume
state Historian published by the State Of New
York. octave; Pr xiv. 81 Wy ra,epp -iia'''"
beck-Crawford Company. STATE fr'h'elS'
Mr. Hastings has undertaken task useful
not only TO his own state. but to the history OF
the Union. The figure Of Governor Tompkins Is
a fine one among the makers OF the Empire
state and the troubled times in which ne served
as the Executive for both peace aad war were
let us hope unique II is very easy to say Ma
ton" now. but Governor Tompkns was among
the first TO use thai significant word readily
and as matter Of course He was Repub-
lican. and yet he won the respect of the leaders
in the waning and jealous Federal party, and
the earnest support of A man like Rufus King.
who had good reason to consider the War of
1912. in q special sense a personal calamity.
without him the war might have had diff
ferent ending This volume without the OK
planatory Introduction OF Mr. Hastings would
not show this: the routine of courts martial and
prescriptions for uniforms and quarrels OF Of
ncers high and low about rank almost conceal
the orders md suggestions here and there
which advanced the enterprises Of real war.
But as we read further into the hear, Of the
collection we see the Farmers Boy and the
politicians Man" without militia ry experience
and with comparatively little civil experience in
high place taking upon himself not merely the
burden Of his state affairs. but those Of tho
whole Nation within the confines Of the region
which he administered. The Nation wants
funds: Tompkins secures S3O00OO0. two-thirds
Of which is disbursed for the general Govern
ment. In less than forty days. without as
sistance and money from the National Govern
ment he mustered into the field at various
points Of danger in New-Yorh fifty thousand
men who were organized. armed and equipped:
and in less than sixty days. when the credit or
the National Government was absolutely gone.
he raised 81 100000 for the public service and
made himself personally liable for the entire
amount" IL may be said that TonrFins made
virtue OF necessity. TIE weight OF war Eel!
upon the New-York frontier. Consequently. the
Governor of New-York was not troubled by that
vexatious question as 10 the liability OF the
militia OF a State to service beyond its borders.
But on the other hand simply because that
question furnished a convenient subterfuge he
got less help from his neighbors than he had
right to expect The enemy cunningly made
war upon the state, in order 10 separate IL from
New-England and left the numerous party in
the Northeastern part OF the Union which was
opposed 10 war as undisturbed As possible. But
the inef1ic!ercy OF the general Government
such that even the peril of NewYork City. al
most the heart Of the Union. only drew out the
remark that the Governor would have 10 help
himself Mr.. Hastings docs not lose the op-
pcrtunity Of saying that similar answer was
given by the general Government in the Civil
War, when New York dreaded the approach Of
the ironclad Merrimac. But in that case the
National Government was really active and
could justly claim 10 be overtasked for a mo-
ment Nobody has ever asserted this in Madl
sons behalf 1t adds to the merit Of Governor
Tompkins that he had to do so much which the
man who should have been his commander-in-
chief neglected.
The Governor had one great reward. He could
and did feel delight in the achievements Of the
troops which he gathered and sent into the
field In view Of the fact that large number
OF the British soldiers in Canada were veterans
Of the long continued war in Europe, and that
in 1914 some OF the regiments which had been
with Wellington in the Peninsula were added.
while the number OF United States Regulars
was comparatively scanty. the militia did fine
service. The British never gained a fcothold In
New York State. This was largely owing TO the
militia, in spite OF the fact that this undrilled
soldiery had habit OF running away whenever
things looked disastrous. Everybody who has
read Cooper's Spy will remember how the
militia was looked upon IN early times. Mr.
Hastings mentions the fact that one BODY or
these troops ran away from the red coats or their
own New-York cavalry near Plattsburg But II
was not every field At Fort Erie. as Cen
eral Brown wrote in letter 10 Governor Tomp-
kins "the New-York militia redeemed their
character-they behaved gallantly." The splen-
did record OF the month OF September, ISL in
New-York State doubtless had something to do
with the appointment OF Governor Tompkns
to the command OF the Third Military District.
This seems TO have included New-Jersey as well
as New-Yorx One Of the traditions connected
with this appointment Is that Tompkns re-
ceived with it a commission Major General.
Mr. Hastings has investigated the matter and
finds the tradition incorrect. Governor Tomp-
kinss new honors were thrust upon him because
he was already the commander n-chief OF the
militia Of the State Of New-York. He is thence
forth described as His Excellency. the Com
mandant Of the District" In this capacity he
took efficient measures for the protection OF
New-York City and Harbor. The devices that
were necessary 10 exc out the public provision,
State and National for this purpose are shown
by an order, In which the Governor by one OF
his aides de- camp. having been Informed that
several Inhab itants or the CITY arc possessed OF
cannon. muskets. broadswords. pistols and other
military articles. which are not wanted for their
own private use. and which will be Of service
to the public in case of invasion. requests that
every inhabitant having articles OF that descrip-
ton in his possession will report them to the
Comm!ssary OF Military Stores at The State
Arsenal. whore such of them as may be fit for
use will be received and paid for" No indica-
ton is given in these papers Of the results or
this order But the Governor expressed himself
as highly pleased with the enthusiastic response
Of the militia Of New-York and New-Jersey to
his call, their excellent discipline and general
good conduct in the camps and fortlhcations
about the harbor. IT was in this period that the
historic court martial was convened at ktica