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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 4 5 6 u " A t f « ■ n ' \ i \ %! }. ."« MR8. eLLeN HftRDlN WftLWORTH. w- 1(1 '.< ' I* 'I 4 wm ■■■■ N / ' \ !7;3 t/jm^ odrt*- tri-urnJ +f. 4 M mmm \ M /J -4- \ i; "Vl B TH C r i1 /^^^ y y ( HON. irORATIO SEmllection of of priceless or his valu- iblished by e ancestor* liis original > all of the ig courtesy H. W. TDed'a brigade. >rden to "bolA rounded tn the emember your n. I ■'^■•..», I GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN. From a portrait in the possession of Mrs. V. N. Taylor, Wasliinnton, D. C. , wwtw'wvt: TnS iJATTLK C^i BUROOYNE AI:ri! TJH MSIPAJON, 1777 THE ,'ainpaign of Biirgnvn' ■• '^ mm. h light thrnvvn u;>'.ii present thiic lu.tj -'u ' • ri'.stf f f.!-i Mtor or kK8 ■•;!; • •, - ■ i'.ii- by th.? works of great .•ii.^-.'ii-i.-f, -o, '/> portrav again iho gnjat lastcfiu! dr 1777, no;a- the banks of tli.: S: ' i > tragic eiciuoats in October of Few important events liavc "■:,'/ in unity of purpose and i-";!!:,';! iti n: and fow have occupied so <'r:t«;r Canada at the Tliroe IJiv<.i-,, oui'ampruent was des-ertei : i.i ' ia<*iancoe, has ha-'. BO ■;vt it,x Tcvii'w :v the ;;;..o'is, Yol, aa ■ulr, f.oail- '; : vvorlu, which, ■if:-i, ;ire more 'attMiot;iy dramatic; . ,• lui n^-Tthora liOiUKlary \ve nuist '' ! i- ; ■ ■, ! ( »■ t-in:!i! winder ■■ i.i !ni' ■ i '■' ;■ :.^ pl..ce of :-.V . :; I :! . }l ■ ■vli, whcfO ! i'^Mrr St;in>/.i\, ^.11 important point la t]i. 'ii ; on the eaat v.'re the 1' Gran tf, just molding thenisclvus into an organ izud guvornnii.';it, Prlli:^! met their lirtit ropuls-o ; and toward the Hontl;, ii : :■' •' rri.Hm _■■ ^ ■. lii:- l'(irt:i»'r lu rli.sv lid e U>m nr.,nrf-i:vres to- k y-lii-.e that formed a h'ige pide-])l.iy iu;> tliere were but •k, wliije tht ;.s;"-.!-oi;ii(l • ^ ' • : . ! '' ."ce?^ from .icv in .T,.- 1 aouLcl'. di,!' unhinged uiircway of nic lionh, 'i'ii,-OT\deroga, tiiward to meet their iijiai fate in the ]Mcture8ijue region t:4A '."iue, can easily picture to ourseives the iniVgaificeT?t iU t/>ok placo ; we, who so often traverse ihis region F.vltJ'p THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA BUROOYNE AND THE NORTHERN CAMPAION, 1777 THE Campaign of Burgoyne, with its attendant circumstances, has had so much light thrown upon it by skillful writers that its review at the present time may seem unnecessary — even presumptuous. Yet, as artists of greater or less capacity are encouraged to repeat a theme, made famil- iar by the works of great masters, so, perhaps, may be justified this attempt to portray again the great historical drama that opened so exultin^ly in June, 1777, near the banks of the St. Lawrence river, and terminated amid so many tragic elements in October of the same year, on the banks of the Hudson. Few important events have occurred in the history of the world, which, in unity of purpose and culminating interest, are more intensely dramatic ; and few have occupied so vast a theatre. For its northern boundary we must enter Canada at the Three Rivers, where the British and German winter encampment was deserted ; on the west we find the famous carrying place of the Indians between the head waters of the Oswego and the Mohawk, where stood Fort Stanwix, an important point in the action ; on the east were the Hampshire Grants, just molding themselves into an organized government, where the British met their first repulse ; and toward the south, in the Jerseys, those momentous mancEuvres took place that formed a huge side-play to the stirring events further northward; the main armies there were but holding each other in check, while the over-confident English forces from Canada poured through that unhinged gateway of the north, Ticonderoga, and swept on southward to meet their final fate in the picturesque region of Old Saratoga. We, of the present time, can easily picture to ourselves the magnificent stage on which these events took place ; we, who so often traverse this region ^^i^ 8 UArrLB OF HARATOOA by land luul water ; patwiiig thruugh the lovely vi,Moy of the Mohawk from Albany to Lake Ontario ; thence skirting the great northern wilderness, as we sweep around it by water into the borders of Canada, and from there return- ing through the grand river-like Lake Champlain to Whitehall, the old Skenesborough. Again w paijs over fair hills, and by the historic Wood Creek to Fort Edward, aiM thenco by romantic carriage rides, or on the lazy canal, to the mouths of the Mohawk, and to Albany again. Hence, resting on the tranquil waters of the broad Hudson, our sumptuous boat is soon borne onward past the Highlands, past the jire-ravaged town of Kingston; and lower down, whe.e we look for the sites of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, and where Putnam stood guard at Peekskill. We are stirred by memories of the anxieties, the hopes, the fluctuations of despair and joy that sv/ayed our countrymen of that time ; and wo are not unmindful of the agony of longing with which the ambitious Burgoyno listened for one sound of victory, or of hearty co-operation from this region, while he clung to his last foothold before the victorious army of the Patriots. Landing at New York, our imagination still tilled with these visions of the past, we naturally turn to the western shores of the bay ; there the names that float so vaguely in our minds — Mor- ristown, Middlebrook, Quibbletown, and Brunswick — seem suddenly vivified, and resolve themselves into a hieroglyphic that reads : " Remember Washing- ton ! " It wiis his grasp of large events, his steadfastness of purpose, and his firm directing rein, that brought into harmony and effect the confiicting and seemingly inefficient forces that made the closing scene of this spectacle a triumph that astonished the world. The importance of this triumph upon the fortunes of the American struggle for Independence is undibputed. The Battle of Saratoga is declared upon high authority to be one of the fifteen decisive battles of the world. The reactionary feeling it called forth in the Colonics, after the disasters and anxieties of the campaign of the previoup year in Canada, strengthened public sentiment in favor of the patriotic cause, end filled the depleted ranks of the army. It led directly to the indispensable assistance received from France, and thus to the later recognition of other foreign Governments. As in the last French and English war, the campaign of 1759, which embraced the rocky heights of Quebec, the great water line of New York, and the western posts on the great lake :, was the decisive campaign ; so by tLis one of 1777, similar in construction, it eas proposed by the Engush King and his American Minister, Lord Germaine, to divide and crush the Colonies, and terminate the war. HATTI^ OF SARATOGA GenerHl Burj^oynp, who had witii«fiw>d fh«i buttle of Biinkrr Hill, and had watched with critical judgment the cuutioiirt movementH of Sir Guy (^arleton during the year 177»i, had in the latter part of that year returned to p]ngland and hold long consultation^', with the King and (irorrnaine. Hurgoyne brought hin military knowledge and experience and IiIh brilliant intellectual powers into play in depicting to them the wisdom and eHi(*iency of AmherHt'H cam- paign of i7ritt. May he not alHo have htild in Imh fervid imagination Home pit;ture of himself in the nt^ar future receiving hucIi honorH uh had been awarded to AmherHt? We know the result of those coiiHu'tations ; how a definite and explicit plan w..8 formed in Kngland by which every particular in regard to the movement of troops in Canada was sjMScitied, even to the number that should garrison each successive post; how Sir Guy Carleton wag ignored, and ordered to hand over the army of invasion tjCJeneral Bnrgoyne; and how, upon leaving the Canadian boundaries, that army was to be wholly independent of Carleton. Orders were also forwarded to Sir William Howe, at New York, to co-operate with this enterprise by proceeding up the Hudson river to join Bnrgoyne at Albany. These orders do not appear to have been so peremptory as those which were to control the northern division of the array ; at leust Lord Howe interpreted them very freely. He not only sailed south, toward Philadelphia, with the main army, while Bnrgoyne was pushing toward him from the north, but he left Sir Henry Clinton at New York with purely discretionary powers in regard to such co-operation. It was also arranged by Lord Germaine that an expedition should bo sent to Fort Etanwix by way of Lake Ontario, which should make its way thence through the Mohawk valley to Albany ; and St. Leger was designated as the proper person for its command. The New England Colonies were also to be threatened with invasion ; upon this order General Bnrgoyne based very strongly his defense, before the Parliamentary Committee, of his disastrov.b movement upon Bennington. It is thus seen that the culmination of this grand scheme was directed against the very heart — the vital existent i of the great province of New York, even then the most imporcant, the most vigorous of those thirteen young giants who stood so sullealy, defiantly, and yet reluctantly at bay to receive the blow that would decide whether they should submit to the unrea- sonable demands of a tyrannical parent, or remain free for the development of a full manhood. When Burgoyne arrived at Quebec, in May, he found Carleton ready to aid him with alacrity, and in a very short time tlio troops that had been in ■MM I'iJJK^l!! 10 BATTLE OF SASATOOA winter quarters and the noAvly -arrived reinforcements — the Canadian Pro- vinciak and the Indian allies — were in readiness for a forward movement. Burgoyne ordered the sick and the baggrge to be left at Three Rivers, and the whole array to concentrate at St. Johns. This was accomplished by the 12th of June, an J here, on t' at day, around a sumptuous dinner, sat Sir Guy Carle- ton, Generals Biii-e-n" .e, Riedesol, Phillips, Frazer and other officers of rank. While still .t the table a message was brought informing General Riedesel of the long-anticipattd arrival of his wife, the Baroness, at Quebec, and announc- ing to General Carleton the approach of reinforcements for the army in Canala. Hearty congratulations were exchanged, the ifine flowed freely, and amid great hilarity and exultation General Carleton took leave of the army of invasion. A brilliant scene was presented by this trained and disciplined army of two nations, equipped with all that power, wealth and skill could devise and procure, and accompanied by artillery unparalleled at that time for efficiency and splendor. As the guns roared out their farewell salute, and the different corps moved back and forth in their preparations to embark, the "arth shook as though -he would hasten their departure ; and as they floated towards the great lake, its waters quivered under the light of a hazy mystery that seemed to entice them on to unimagined glories. What wonder if the poet-soul of Burgoyne reveled in enchanting fancies that clothed the end in brightness. We have been accustomed to think of him in disgrace, as he yielded his sword to his victorious enemy — or to dwell on his pompous procla- mations, his grandiose follies. Another view may be taken of this hero of misfortunes. Ho made undoubted and serious sacrifices in an attempt to con- trol and humanize his savage allies; his high eense of honor cannot be ques tioned; his calmness and discretion under unjust public opprobrium and censure are worthy of admiration and imitation. The brilliancy of his hope, the persistency of his efforts to accomplish the desired end, his unflinching assumption of entire responsibility, and the quiet dignity with which fin»l disaster was faced and borne, render him one of the most picturesque and pathetic objects that fill for a moment the kaleidoscope of our revolutionary epoch. We have i graphic description of Burgoyne's army on Lake Champlain, given by Anburey, a yoimg officer who accompanied the expedition, in one of his delightful letters to a friend. " Let me just relate," writes he, " in what manner the iirmy passed up the lake, which was by brigades, generally advancing fr':ni seventeen to twenty miles a day, and regulated in such a manner that the second Brigadn should take the place of the first, and so on ^mm ■■«*« BATTLE OF SA.BAT0OA IX BUCceBsively, for each Brigade to fill the ground the other quitted ; the time of departure was always daybreak." In another letter he writes : " I cannot forbear portraying to your imag- ination one of the most pleasing spectacles I ever beheld. "When we were in the widest part of the lake, whose beauty and extent I have already described, it was remarkably fine and clear, not a breeze was stirring, when the whole army appeared at one view in such perfect regularity as to form the most complete and splendid regatta you can possibly conceive. In the front the Indians went with their birch-bark canoes, containing twenty or thirty each ; then the advanced corps in regular line with the gun-boats, then followed the Royal George and Inflexible, towing large booms — which are to be thrown across two points of land — with the two brigs and sloops following ; after them Generals Burgoyne, Phillips and Riedesel in their pinnaces ; next to them the second Battalion, followed by the German Battalion ; and the rear was brought up with the sutlers and followers of the army. Upon the appearance of so formidable a fleet you may imagine they were not a little dismayed at Ticonderoga, for they were apprised of our advance, as we every day could see their watch-boats." While the main army from Canada was thus advancing towards Crown Point and Ticonderoga, St. Leger, with nearly a thousand men, regulars and Canadians, and Sir John Johnson with the Royal Greens, whose homes all lay in the beautiful valley they now wished to ravish and conquer, moved up the St. Lawrence and through Lakes Ontario and Oneida into Wood Creek, by which to approach Fort Stanwix or Schuyler. This fort was garris ^^^^ higgard and worn with their exhausting march, but safe and resolute for ''^iLl^^^Sortunes in the beginning of the campaign involved a heavy l^ss of Ornery, small arms, and stores of all kinds; the consternation of the IS who'fled before Burgoyne seem still more dis^trous, and Schuyler's foSude and composure were most severely tried. He was sustained and ^p^m«i npp I8 BATTLK OK SARATOGA H I i onconraged by conRtant despatches from Wasliingtoii, wlio writes at one time: " We should never despair. If new difticnlties arise wo must only put forth new exertions;" and again he expresses an earnest sympathy for Schuyler amid these thickening ditficultios, and manifests liis unwavering confidence in his ability to overcome them. With unflagging energy Schuyler exerted himself to delay the enemy while endeavoring to collect a sufficient force to meet him with some i-easonable prospect of success. Burgoyue now had his headquarters at the house of a noted loyalist, Colonel Skene ; the victories he anticipated appeared to fall into his hands as the natural result of liis well-laid schemes. The frightened patriots trembled at his approach, and Colonel Skene assured him that hundreds of loyalists were waiting for an opportunity to join his advancing army. Sken<) was an old resident, a large land owner, and was supposed to exert an extended influence ; much weight was therefore attached to his opinion. Bui joy ne was greatly elated, and on the tenth of July ordered a Thanks- giving service to be read " at the head of the line, and at the head of the Advanced Corps, and at sun-set on the same day, a feu de joie to be fired with cannon and small arms at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Skenesborough and Castleton." Ho had now reached the close of the " first period of this campaign," as he divided it in his " State of the Expedition," written after his return to England. These throe divisions we may appropriately consider, from an artistic point of view, as the three acts in this great drama. The second one extended from this time to Burgoyne's passage across the Hudson river, near the Batten Kill, on the thirteenth of September. General Schuyler remained at Fort Edward until he had effectually obstructed the pathway from Skenesborough, where Burgoyne now lingered. Huge stones were rolled into Wood Creek, and trees felled across it ; bridges were destroyed, and the forests leveled across the roads. The surrounding country was stripped of forage and the cattle driven oflf, so that the enemy would be compelled to rely upon his base of operations for provisions ; this proved a serious obstacle to Burgoyne's advance. Having accomplished these purposes, Schuyler fell back to Fort Miller, on the east side of the river, and again paused to destroy tlie road over which he had just passed. He then retreated to Stillwater, and reinforcements coming in but slowly, he finally encamped his Httle army near the mouths of the Mohawk, but maintained his headquarters at Stillwater. At Skenesborough Burgoyne first faced the difficulties of his position. RATTLK OF SARATOGA '9 Hia force was reduced in order to garrison the forts already takou, Carleton having refused to send troops for that purpose. In preparing to marcli through an unfamiliar wilderness, he found that the necessity of carrying provisions and dragging artillery, while engaged in cutting a passage and constructing roads, would seriously retard his progress. Ho was not dis- couraged, but pushed on vigorously. The troops suffered greatly during their severe labors from the excessive heat and innumerable insects. It was, therefore, with a feeling of intense relief that they arrived at Fort Edward on the thirteenth of July. Both officers and men were inspired with enthu- siasm upon thus obtaining their firct sight of the Hudson River, so long the object of their desires and hopes. Burgoyne remained here, and at Duer's House, not far distant, until September 10th, his difficulties and preplexities constantly increasing. His requisition for horses and wagons, upon which his army was so dependent, had been imperfectly filled. It seemed impossible to accumulate sufficient provisions for a long and rapid march. Instead of the friendly and helpful inhabitants who he imagined would flock to his quarters, there was abso- lute coldness on the part of the inhabitants, or the desolation of deserted homes. His Indian allies were insubordinate and troublesome, and soon the murder of J ane McCrea by a party of these savages aroused and intensified the hostile feeling of the Colonists. His own humane and honorable senti- ments were shocked and disgusted by this incident. It was impossible for him to dispense with the services of these wild creatures, from whom so much was expected by the Home Government. He satisfied himself by imposing stringent orders upon their nvovements. This created a general discontent, and they soon began to desert him by hundreds. In the midst of these anxieties he received intelligence of the arrival of St. Leger before Fort Stanwix. According to his original plan, he must now move immediately down the river to co-operate with St. Leger, or at least make a diversion in his favor. An expedition was therefore proposed that, it was thought, would answer many important purposes. Burgoyne was informed by Colonel Skene that at Bennington the Americans had collected many horses, and large stores of every kind for the use of the northern army. Skene also reiterated his assurances concerning the loyalists, who would, by such a movement, secure the opportunity for which they waited to join the British army. So confident were the officers of the truth of these statements of Skene, that when the Americans of Stark's command came creeping around the flanks of the ao nATTT.R OF RARATOOA I Britiflh at Donnington for tli«ir tirHt attack, they wero allowud to advance under tlie impruMiion that they wore loyaliHtfl, whu thus nought ac;ceHti to the BritiHh camp. Tliia expedition was hIbo intended to mislead Schuyler into the belief tliat New England wiw the object of Burgoyne's efforts. Colonel Baiiiii waa aent with u body of German grenadiers, English marks- men, Canadians and Indiana, to make an attack upon Bennington, and secure the much needed horses and pi^/viaions. He set out on the IHth of August, and so eager was General Burgoyne in regard to the success of this enterpriae that he rode after Bautn to impress his orders upon him verbally. The people of Bennington were apprised of Baum*s approach. It hap- pened, fortunately, that General Stark had refused to leave his neighborhood and join General Schuyler at Stillwater, having recently received a slight from Congress, which seems indeed to have had a disposition to ignore or wound the most active officers of the Continental Army. Stark immediately called out the militia, and rallied his brigade ; he also dispatched a message to General Lincoln, at Manchester, to forward reinforcements. On the morning of the 14th he marched out of Bennington. When about six miles on the road, he encountered the British, and a sharp skirmish took place, in which several of the enemy were killed and wounded. Baum now posted himself on a hill, and began t( entrench his cam} while he sent a messenger to Bur- goyne for reinf orcemt nts. A hi ivy rain prevented an engagement on the fifteenth, but there wis constant skirmishing. The New Englanders, now thoroughly aroused to he danger of invasion, flocked hurriedly and in large numbers to the American car "'.p. On the morning ot the 16th a bright sun dispersed all threatening clouds, and Stark, although without artillery or bayonets, prepared to attack Baum in liis entrenchments. He sent a detachment to the rear of the enemy's left, and another to the rear of his right. Simultaneously with the attack from these divisions. Stark, ai he head of his column, exclaimed : " There are the red- coats ; before v'^nf chey must be ours, or Molly Stark's a widow," and rushed upon the entrenc'.ments with impetuous fury. The Germans defended their works steadily and bravely, but the Canadians and Indians were soon driven in upon them ; and the Americans pressing up to the veiy mouth of the cannon, continued the contest with a frenzied determination. They cap- tured the i;uns, and forced the Provincials and Indians to retreat pre- cipitously. The Germans had now exhausted their ammunition; they resorted to their bayonets and broad-swords, and attempted a retreat through the woods. The Americans pursued hotly ; many of the enemy BATTLE or S'RATOOA ai were killed and wounded, among the former Coloael Bauin. AU who •urvived were taken prisoners- At this critical moment Colonel Breyman came upon the ground with his Germans and renewed the attack upon Stark's oxhatisted foruefl. Colonel Warner now arrived from Bennington with his regiment, fresh and vigorous. It was late in the afternoon when this necond cation began ; it was continued until dark, tlu! onuiny retreating slowly, and making a stand from place > place. Stiirk followed up hi« victor' lui long uh tliere waH ii ray of light to expose the enemy. "Another ho'ir of daylight, and he would have captured the whole body." Breyman continued his retreat under cover of the night, leaving his baggage and artillery in the hands of the Americans. This victory, so complete and inspiriting to the Americans, was equally disastrous and disheat'tening to the British. Like the glorious sunshiiie of that summer day, it ripened the growing fruit of patriotism in the hearts of the colonists; and like the droary night tliat followed it, shadowed the despondency of the English, and made darker the forebodings that began to cluster around the anxious heart of Burgoyne. Its practical results were an acquisition of one thoummd stand of arms, and many field-pieces. Nearly six hundred privates and thirty-two officers were made prisoners of war. In the meantime, on the 3d of August, St. Leger had appeared before Fort Stanwix and demanded its surrender. Colonel Gansevoort paying no attention t^ this summons, St. IjCgor began to fortify his camp, and bring forward liis artillery through Wood Creek, preparatory to a regular siege. He also sent detachments in various directions to cut off the garrison from the sjirrounding country. General Herkimer, acting under Schuyler's orders, was advancing to the relief of Colonel Gansevoort ; he sent messengers to apprise that commander of his approach, and directed that signal guns should be f.i-ed upon the arrival of the men in the fort ; a sortie was to be made at the same time, and under this diversion he would hasten forward. The messengers were delayed many hours on the road, and the officers under Herkimer became impatient for an iuivance. Herkimer urged the necessity of waiting for 'the preconcerted signal, but in vain ; the officers continued their unreasonable appeals, and finally taunting him with cowardice or disloyalty, impelled hiiii to a move- ment that his judgment did not approve. Brant, who led the Indians under St. Leger, was informed by his sister of Herkimer's approach. An ambuscade was planned. While Herkimer's van guard was crossing a ravine on a narrow causeway, near Oriskany, the ■W" mssm ■ ! 22 BATTLB 07 8ABAT0GA concealed Indians suddenly assailed them on either side, and a desperate contest endued. It lasted several hours, the Americans defending them- selves with resolute bravery, and the Indians killing the wounded and prisoners like veritable demons of the forest. Herkimer was seriously wounded, but had himself propped against a tree and continued to give his orders and urge on his ti'oopa. British regulars were brought on the field, who repeatedly charged with the bayonet, but were steadily repulsed. A heavy rain checked the contest, but it was soon renewed more des- perately than ever, and became ono of the most terrific hand to hand fights of the war. Johnson's Royal Greenb found opportunity to gratify many long-cberished animosities, as their opponents were their old neighbors of the Valley, and the Indians were excited to unusual ferocity. These last were finally driven back, artd fled, and their supporters hearing firing in their rear returned to their camp. While this contest was in progress, the messengers had reached Gan- sevoort, who ordered a sortie upon the enemy's camp. This was successful, and the whole camp equipage and stores of the Loyalists were secured and brought into the fort. Congress had just adopted the Stars and Stripes as the National ensign. One of the officers at Fort Stanwix now made an American flag of a white shirt and some bits of red cloth ; tlie blue field was made of an over- coat belonging to Oaptaiu Swartout, of Dutchess County. This uncouth emblem wus the first American flag that waved over a British standard ; the colors just captured at the British camp being placed in this ignoble position. St. Leger now caused exaggerated accounts of the American losses at Oriskany to be sent into the fort, and again demanded a surrender. Ganse- voort again treated the summons with contempt, when St. Leger pressed the siege and advanced his lines. On the tenth two officers were dispatched by Gansevoort to make their way through the lines, and obtain assistance from Schuyler. At great risk, and after enduring many hardships, they reached Stillwater. Schuyler wished to respond immediately to this demand, but many of his officers objected ; they urged the imprudence of lessening the force with which Burgoyne's army must be met. Schuyler felt justly indignant with this selfish disregard of the critical situation of the heroic Gansevooit. He assumed the entire reeponsibility of forwarding a detachment, and Arnold volunteered his services for its command. He was soon in the valley of the Mohawk with !"■ ~T BATTLE OF SARATOGA 23 spirit which reaehed forward in eager devices to foil the enemy, and encour- age the besieged. He dispatched messengers to Gansevoort, assuring him of relief and witli great adroitness caused rumors of the advance of a larffe force to be circulated in St. Leger's camp. These rumors were repeated and exaggerated, until the Indian allies became alarmed and ungovernable. They seized upon the blankets and other effects of the British officers, and com him, left 11,3 camp, and followed his retreating alhas, abandoning hie guns and baggage to the exultant patriots, who were now relieved of all apprehen- sion^ Arnold was fory miles from Stanwix at this time, and upon hearing ler%i:;Ter" ' '' *'^ ^"'^^'' "*^"^' ""' ^*^p« *^ ^^'^ *^« -™' This arniy was rapidly increaaing; the long expected regiments from the Highlands had arrived; the New York Militia had rallied nobly; and the New Englanders excited by the victory .t Bennington, were on their way to the camp with their jubilant brigades; Arnold, with an augmented division was approaching The country was buoyant with hope-an exaggerated reac- tion .iter the depression of the early summer. Schuyler was at last in a position to begin offensive operations; he might now see the development of las well laid schemes ; he would soon be able to point exultantly to the result of us toil, his patience, to the unappreciated difficulties no., conquered Such we may imagine General Schuyler's thoughts, as he sprang on his horse one bright morning in August, at the door of his stately mansion in Albany when about to meet his officers for a consultation in regard to an advance movement of his army. As his charger moved restlessly under the rein, an officer approached with an official document. Schuyler, evci on the alert checked his horse to examine the dispatch. It contained the resolutions of Congress that deprived him of his command. This, in the f"..« of the enemy and at the turning point of his fortunes ! A momentary movement of the lip, and a lifting of the eyebrows -then a deepening of the firm lines about the mouth, were the only signs of suppressed emotion. With a graceful bow to the waiting officer, the deeply injured Commander rode quietly on to his head- quarters. When surrounded by his officers he explained the dispatch, and simp^ said: "Until the country is in safety, I shall stilie my resentment." He kept his word, and with unremitting energy continued to perform the arduous duties of his command, until his successor arrived. In a few Tlr ■/»i i iiw n i« n w i l« i m.iiUJ i w ii tmmmtPm tm Mt tA ^, H 34 BATTLE OF SARATOGA Burgoyne wavered and couiitennauded his orde»-3. His last chance of retreat escaped him. " In helplebs indeciBions lie. The rocks on which we stdke an<^ die." The Imperious commander, who had led the forward march with un- flinching resolution, pushing to his end without fear or hesitation, when foiled and sent back, for a moment sluiddered, and refused to accept his fate. He still held his panic-st»'icken army under his will, and he determined once more to wait for the coming of tlio army from below ; it might yet bring him relief. Stai'ting from Dovo^iit, at daybreak, the British moved again, but only to encamp during the day on the heights north of the Fish Kill. The haitdsome residence of vieneral Schuyler was burned on the way. During this time Colonel Fellows, with tlie American artillery had planted his guns on the hills on the east pide of the Hudson, opposite the British camp. General Stark had also taken possession ri l<'ort Edward above. On the tenth General Gates, hav-ng waited for fine weather, followed Burgoyne to Saratoga and encamped on the south side of the Fish Kill. His delay greatly endangered the detachment of Colonel Fello^v?. who could easily have been surrounded and captured ; in fact, some of Burgoyue's officers were anxious to make the attempt, but failed to obtain permission. On the morning of the eleventh, while the autunm mist hung heavily over Fish Kill and the adjacent grounds, Gates, believing that Burgoyne had continued his retreat, ordered his whole army to advance and cross the stream in pursuit. Without a reconnoissance or vanguard, the army was set in motion. The vigilant Burgoyne, having now staked his cliances on delay, was waiting eagerly for any mistake on the part of his adversary. Aware of the proximity of Gates, and of his intention, he drew up his army, under cover of the dense fog, in battle array, on the north side of the stream, to receive him. The American regiments uuder Nixon passed over and were instantly attacked ; a severe contest followed, and Niion soon discovered the British in force ; using his own judgment, and disobeying orders, he retreated, and checked the further progress of the army until communication could be had with Gates. Morgan had crossed the creek towards Saratoga Lake and, screened by the woods, posted his riflemen on the heights in the "°ar and flank of the British camp. This waa strongly intrenched on the hill near the river, but was now entirely surrounded by the Patriots, and all communication destroyed either with the north or south ; and it was soon found by the BATTLE OF SARATOGA 35 British that their camp was exposed in every part to the fire of cannon or riflemen ; no approach to the river was permitted, and there waa much suffer- ing for want of water. The sick, wounded and women were Luddled together in a house where cannon balls tore through the walls, and rolled across the floor, often wounding the helpless men who lay within. Madame Kiedesel, with her children, and the other ladies took refuge in a cellar, where houro of horror were endured with uncomplaining misery. Sir Henry Clinton, having obtained reinforcements from England, at last came storming up the Hudson as though he would annihilate all obstacles between himself and Burgoyne. He obtained possession of Fort Montgomery and Clinton, although they were most courageously defended by Gov. George Clinton and his brother James, who, very skillfully saved their garrisons. The British easily destroyed the obstructing boom across the river, and Putnam, decei'"8d and alarmed by their manoeuvres, left the enemy to a&il unmolested to Albany. Satisfied with the destruction of the American vessels, and having burned Kingston, the seat of the Government, and ravaged the stately manor houses of Livingston and other aristocratic republicans, the Englishman returned to New York, and left Burgoyne unassisted in his perilous position. He had now only five days' rations for his army, and not a spot where he could hold a council of offcers in safety. On the 13th he called them together to consider their desperate condition, and there " General Burgoyne solemnly declared, that no one but himself should answer for the situation in which the army found itself." Three questions were then submitted for their considera- tion. " 1st. Whether military history furnished any example of an army having capitulated under similar circumstances. 2d. Whether the capitula- tion of an army placed in such a situation would be disgraceful. 3d. Whether the army was actually in such a situation as to be obliged to capitulate." These were answered in the atiirmative, and there was an unanimous declaration in favor of capitulation. The terms of surrender were then discussed. A messenger was sent to Gen. Gates, who agreed to an immediate armistice. A meeting of officers to represent the commanders of the respective armies was arranged to take place on the spot where Gen. Schuyler's house had stood. There seemed a poetic justice in this, considering the magnanimous spirit of Schuyler, the relentless destruction of Burgoyne, and the humiliation of the destroyer on the site of the ruin he had wrought. The terms proposed by Burgoyne required that his army, upon its sur- render, should be marched to Boston, and from there be shipped to England. ip»^' I I 36 BATTLE OF SARATOGA Gates refused this proposition, aud demauded an unconditional surrender as prisoners of war, Burgoyne rejected these terras indignantly. The armistice ceased. Burgoyne prepared for the worst. Gktes now heard of Sir Henry Clinton at the Highlands. His fears wbre aroused ; he despatched a message to Burgoyne, in which he agreed to almost every article of the first proposition. Burgoyne gave his assent to these terms. Some further negotiations were in progress in regard to points of minor im- portance. News of Sir Henry Clinton's expedition now reached Burgoyne. Again delusive hopes awoke in his heart. He hurriedly called his oflScers together to consider whether they could honorably withdraw from the agreement to surrender. It was decided that honor held them fast, although the papers were not signed. On the l7th of October the capitulation, or convention, as Burgoyne stipulated it should be called, received the signatures of the two commanders, Gates and Burgoyne. The British f»rmy were now marched out of their camps, under their own officers, to a plain near old Fort Hardy, where the Fish Kill empties into the Hudson. Here, in the presence of only one American, an aid-de-camp of Gates, they laid down their arms. Generals Burgoyne, Riedesel and Phillips now passed over the Fish Kill to the head quarters of Gates, who rode out to meet them, accompanied by his aids. When they met, Burgoyne said : " The fortunes of war, General, have made me your prisoner ;" to which Gates replied : " I shall ever be ready to bear testimony that it has not been through any fault of your excellency." The American army were drawn up in ranks on either aide of the road. The whole army of British prisoners, preceded by a guard bearing the stars and stripes and a band playing Yankee Doodle, were marched between the files of their victors. Gates and Burgoyne stood contemplating the scene. In the presence of both armies. General Burgoyne stepped out, and drawing his sword from its scabbard, presented it to General Gates ; he received it, and silently returned it to the vanquished General. The close of General Burgoyne's campaign is related with graphic force by a Hessian officer, whose letter may be found in the recent volume c f " Revolutionary Letters," by Wm. L. Stone.* "Writing from Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 15, 1777, while a prisoner, he gives an account of the Battles of Saratoga, and referring to that of October 7th, says : * PubUtbtd by If unaall'i Soni, Albany, N. Y. urrender as I f ears were d to almost hese terms. ' minor im- Burgoyne. lis officers from the ;, although ilation, or signatures their own 58 into the G-camp of i Phillips >de out to d: "The eh Gates I through the road, the stars ween the isence of from its 'etumed • ic force ime cf le gives •er 7th, ( I ■ I i^i- m \l l mm ^ 9 r mn iii IB v mm^mmm i i I ?"■ f H U O Q 1 ?; k5 < < j= u. c- !-• C/5 •y^ H >vm'i!TTEES Saratoga !s\o\ Association i 8q I i ur 'Pi, \i-u. „:\ !AMi''' M MARVIN WARNKk MM l.liK WILLIAM L. sr')NE L). S. POTLHR J*)HK ti. STARIN. cX'Ojjuio Ciiairm.jii LL«rjt association OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE Saratoga Monument Associat'on 1 89 1 Tresident JOHN H. STARIN Fice-Tresidents JAMES M. MARVIN WARNER MILLER Secretary WILLIAM L. STONE Treasurer D. S. POTTER P. C. FORD J. M. MARVIN C W. MAYHEW Executive Committee D. F. RITCHIE EDWARD WEMPLE JOHN H. STARIN. ex-officio Chairman Committee on Design WM. L. STONE GEO. W. CURTIS JOHN H. STARIN W. A. SACKETT D F RITCHIE A. de R. McNAIR ■ ■ E F. BULLARO JOHN M. READ p ^ poRp EDWARD WEMPLE GEO. S. BATCHELLER A. B. BAUCUS ELLIOTT T. SLOCUM JOHN FOLEY Committee on Tablets MRS. E. H. WALWORTH A. DE R. McNAIR D. S. POTTER Committee on Custody of the Monument MRS. E. H. WALWORTH ' P- C. FORD C. W. MAYHEW WILLIAM L. STONE A. B. BAUCUS Committee on Proper Conduct of the Dedication, of the Monument A DE R. McNAIR ELLIOTT T. SLOCUM S. D. KIRK P. C. FORD D. S. POTTER D. A. BULLARD C. W. MAYHEW JAMES M. MARVIN W. A. SACKETT D. F. RITCHIE CHARLES S. LEST^.R JOHN M. S1ARIN HORATIO ROGERS JOHN MERDITH READ WILLIAM L. STONE LEMON THOMPSON JOHN G. McNARY JOHN FOLEY WARNER MILLER Committee on Speakers WILLIAM L. STONE MRS. E. H. WALWORTH P. C. FORD JOHN H. STARIN C, S. LESTER Advisory Committee P. C. FORD E. F. BULLARD HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. " The battles of Bemis Heights and Saratoga (Stillwater), and the surrender of Lieutenant-General John Burgoyne, on the 17th of October, 1777, formed a niche in the Temple of Liberty, which patriotism will one day fill with an appropriate monument." Actuated by this sentiment, on 17th of October, 1856, John A. Corey, George Stover, and other patriotic gentlemen, met at the old Schuyler mansion in Schuylerville, N. Y., and discussed thvj pre- liminary steps to be taken in the matter. On this occasion, Alfred B. Street delivered a poem ; a banquet was given, and a celebration on a small scale held.* The result of this meeting was the organization, in 1859, by Hamilton Fish, Horatio Seymour, John A. Corey, Peter Gansevoort, and others, of the Saratoga Monument Association, under a perpetual charter from the State of New York, whose object was the erection of a fitting memorial on the site of Burgoyne's surrender. The original board consisted of fourteen permanent trustees or direct- ors, as follows : George Stover, WillJum Wilcox and Henry Holmes, of old Saratoga; James M. Marvin, John A. Corey and Jas. M. Cook, of Saratoga Springs; Leroy Mowry and Asa C. Tefft, of the County of Washington; Peter Gansevoort, of Albany ; Hamilton Fish, of New York ; Philip Schuyler, of Westchester; Geoxge W. Blecker, of Brooklyn, and Horatio Seymour, of Utica. Upon the death of Mr. Blecker, in i860, Benson J. Lossing, of Pough- keepsie, was chosen to fill the vacant place. Soon after the Association was incorpor. ed, the following organization was perfected: Trustees and Officers. Hamilton Fish, New York City, President; Phillip Schuyler, Pelham P. O. N. Y., Vice-President; James M. Marvin, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Treasurer; John Romeyn Brodhead, New York City, Corresponding Secretary; John A. Corey, Saratoga Springs, Secretary; Horatio Seymour, Utica, N. Y.; Benson J. Lossing, New York City; Peter Gansevoort, Albany, N. Y.; James M. Cook, Ballston Spa, N. Y.; Edward C Delavan, Ballston Centre, N. Y.; William Wilcox, Schuylerville; Henry Holmes, Corinth, N. Y.; Asa C. Tefft, Fort Miller, N. Y.; Leroy Mowry, Greenwich, N. Y. The Trustees held several meetings, and selected the spot upon which to erect the Monument. Bu t the breaking out of the civil war in 1861 cast * On the same day a meeting of the soldiers of the war of iSia was held, to consult about their pensions and celebrate the surrender of BurKoyne. /r mmm 46 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONPMBNT ASSOCIATION. 11 t such a gloom over the whole country, and taxed the patriotic energies of the people to such an extent, that the movement to build the Monument was suspended up to the year 1872, during which time several of the original Trustees had died. In the early autumn of that year, however, Mr. Corey, one of the most efficient of the Trustees, took the matter up and pushed it earnestly. The first section of the Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed April 19, 1859, chap. 498, Laws of 1859, read as follows: Sec. I. " George Stover, William Wilcox, and their associates, shall be a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of the Saratoga Monu- ment Association, for the purpose of taking and holding sufficient real and personal property to erect on such spot in the town of Saratoga, and as near the place where Burgoyne surrenderv.d tlie British army, as a majority of the Trustees hereinafter named shall deem practicable, a Monu- ment commemorative of the battle which ended in Burgoyne's surrender, on the seventeenth day of October, seventeen hundred and beventy-seven." Section four of this Act nam^'d the first Board of Trustees ; but, owing to the exertions of Mr. Corey, it was amended by the Legislature of April 30, 1873, as follows: Sec. IV. " The first Board of Trustees shall consist of Hamilton Fish and William L. Stone, of the City of New York ; Horatio Seymour, of Utica; Benson J. Lossing, of Poughkeepsie; Asa C. Tefft, of the town of Fort Edward; Leroy Mowry, of the town of Greenwich; James M. Marvin; and John A. Corey, of Saratoga Springs, ar;d Charles H. Payn, of Saratoga." Dr. Charles H. Payn and others (Mr. Corey having died), now went vigorously to work ; and in the spring of 1874, the Legislature, owing in a large measure to the exertions of Horatio Seymour and George Batcheller, seconded by Smith Weed and Bradford L. Prince, voted an appropriation toward the erection of the Monument in the following form (Laws of 1874, chap. 323, page 387): "Whenever it shall be made satisfactorily to appear to the Comptroller of the State, thai the Saratoga Monument Association has fixed and deter- mined upon a plan for a Monument, to be erected at Schuylerville, Saratoga County, in commemoration of the battle of Saratoga, and that it will not cost to exceed five hundred thousand, nor less than two hundred thousand dollars, to erect and complete such Monument upon such plan, and that the Association has received and paid over to the treasurer from private subscrip- tions and donations, made by the United States or State governments of States, at least a sufficient sum, with the amount hereby specified, to complete said Monument upon such plans, then the State of New York will pay and /•/7/// 'I Hit; SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, oUmKn* ,"'• *m v m |( 46 fflSTOin OF THK SARATOGA MONtTMKNT ABfiJK'lA'n'MT. such a gloom over the whole country, ;iiiil taxct! the pr;:,itjc energies (A the people to such an extent, that the movemeni to l)i:'' he Monumeit was Mispeufied \ip to tlic year 1872, during wiii-l; t i several of the original Trustees had die *<^-&A ,iS in... Sec. I. " George Stover, William Wilcox, and their as&ociates, shall be a body corporate and oolitic, b\ the name and nyo > ' itoga Monu- ment Assc'ciation, for ihi riii-n..-,e of takii'v "> I Vi ,f;nt real and personal properly to ert.- i ch spi.' ;ga, and as near the place where Burgovne sun? 1 ..rraV; as a majority of the Trustees hereinafter nit'- >•- . > :>te, a Monu- ment conimomorative of tht: battle wli.. ,.!:.;.; surrender, on the seventeenth day of (October, seventern hundieci and rHnmiy-bcven." Section four of this Act named the tirsf Board ot Trustees ; but, owing to the exertions of Mr. Corey, it was amenticd by the Legislature of \pril 30, 1873, as follow.s. Sf.c. 1V^ "The first Board of Trustees shall consist of Hamilton Fish and William L. Stone, of the C"ity of New York ; Horatio Seymour, of Utica; BensoTi !. Lossinti Fort Edward; l.eruy .\I 1" and lohn A ot Poughkeepsie: Asa C. Tefft, of the town of y, of lln; town •!• Greenwich; James M. Marvin t\>ioy, 'ti Saiaioga Springs, and Charles H. I'i' -n, of Saratoi'j Dr. !. 'l,..' ■ ' vigorously ; large measure t.) t:; : seconded by .Smift: toward the erection "^ivi^ .'\i\ iiihris (Mr. C'lroy liaving di'.-.J!, -• . ' liie spring oj i'-'-4 (1)0 Legislat or, '"■■ : xi.:i!!ons of Horatio Seymour and Geor^'c B- We- ti. < /niprroHer .>f the Slate, that the Saratoga Monument Abf- ■: 'atior' has f^jifd and deter- mined upon a plan for a Monumen'. : County, in commemoration of the nau cost 'o exceed five hundred thousand, r • doihirs, to erect and compkt* such Mont. Association has received tions and dnnatir" •>, ■ :' States, at ie -st « ' said Monu. ■ . "■ ' . ^• : !ie, Saratoga i^a, an.l (Hal it will not , I'vo hundred thousnud .<■ :i lu.h plan, and that the isurer from private snbscrip- ates or State governments of nt hereby specified, to complete "iLiie of New York will pay and \ ^^^^n^^^" VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 'mm W III tiliP I mi HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, 47 contribute by appropriation of public moneys, the sum of fifty thousand dollars to aid in the construction of such Monument, and the faith of the State is hereby pledged to such purpose upon such conditions. The plans and estimates of the cost of said Monument aforesaid, shall be submit- ted to and be approved by the Governor and Comptroller of this State, and the Comptroller of this State is hereby made the treasurer of said Monu- ment Association. The plan so fixed and adopted as aforesaid shall not hereafter be changed without the consent of the Governor and Comptroller, nor so as to increase the cost of said monument," At the same time the Secretary of the Association forwarded petitions to the Legislatures of the origiral thirteen States, asking for $5,000 from each; but, with the exception ot Rhode Island, which promised that sum conditionally, no favorable response was obtained. A memorial to Congress was also drawn up by the Committee on Design. This mem(jrial was forwarded to the member of Congress from the Saratoga district, but thinking the time was not auspicious, the latter did not present it. On the fourth of July, 1876, a historical address was delivered in Schuylerville, by Judge E. F. Bullard, which had a happy effect in arousing renewed interest in the necessity for building a Monument on the ground made sacred by the memories of the Revolution of 1776. This address was the begining of the series of events of the centennial years which led up to the building of the Monument. In the early spring of the next centennial year (1877), the above mentioned appropriation of $50,000 by the Legislature, having lapsed by law — more than two years having passed since it was given — a petition to the Legislature of New York to grant such aid as would ensure the laying of the corner stone of the proposed Monument on the approaching centennial anniversary of the surrender, was prepared and signed by members of the Monument Associa- tion, and by a large number of the most prominent men in Saratoga and Washington Counties. This petition read as follows : -(i " To the Honorable Senate and Assembly of the State of New York : "Your memorialists, members of the Saratoga Monument Association, re- spectfully represent that in their humble opinion, considerations of high patriotic duty should prompt the people of this State to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the great victory of the American arms at Sar- atoga, by ceremonies appropriate to the august occasion ; and paramount to all other services, they think should be the laying of the corner stone of the contemplated Monument as a testimonial of their appreciation of those great events to succeeding generations. 48 HISTORY OK TIIK 8ARATOl First Grand Stand. Music, Doring's Band. Prayer, Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D.D., of Albany, Chaplain. Music. Introductory address by the President of the Day, Hon. Charles S. Lester Music. Oration by ex-Governor Horatio Seymour. Oration by George William Curtis. Music. Poem by Alfred B. Street, read by Col. E. P. Howe. Music. Address by Hon. Lafayette S. Foster. Sfxond Grand Stand. Music, Colt's Army Band, Hartford, Conn. Prayer, Rev, F. E. King, of Fort Edward, N. Y., Chaplain. Music. Introductory Address, Hon. George W. Schuyler (in the absence of Gen. Edward F. Bullard), President of the Day. Music. Historical Address by William L. Stone. Address by Hon. B. W. Throckmorton, of New Jersey. Subject, " Arnold." Music. Fitz Green Halleck's Field of the Grounded Arms, read by Halleck's biographer. Gen. James Grant Wilson. Addresses by Hon. A. A. Gates, and H. L. Gladding. Ode by Gen. J. Watts de Peyster, read by Rev. J. R. Van Doren. The Star Spangled Banner, arranged for the anniversary of Burgoyne's sur- render, by Col. B. C. Butler. Read by William L. Stone. Letters from Benson J. Lossing, Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, Giles B. Slocum, and General Stephen D. Kirk, of Charleston, S. C. Read by Col. D. F. Ritchie. Short addresses by Hon. Algernon S. Sullivan and E. L. Fursman. Grand Banquet. Brilliant military spectacle, representing the Surrender of Burgoyne's Army. It is now proposed, whenever sufficient funds are raised, to make the structure (designed by J. C. Markham, of New York City) of granite, and of the obelisk form, "he concrete foundation, forty feet square and eight feet deep, as well as a quarter of the granite plinth or base (coirering the entire foundation), four and a hah feet high, and the corner stone, ten feet square and two feet high, are already completed. Upon this base the main shaft of HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 53 the monument is to be twenty feet square, exclusive of buttresses, which pro- ject three feet on each side. The height is to be 150 feet. The interior at the base will be a room twelve feet square, floored with encaustic tile of original and historic design. The stairs ascending to the several hoors are to be of bronze; the doors, also, arc to be of bronze, the panels to be filled with origi- nal historical subjects, designed by such eminent artists as Launt Thompson, E. D. Palmer, J. Q. Ward and J. C. Taylor. On the four corners of the plat- form are to be mounted four of the large and ornamental bronze cannon taken from the EngliTii at the time of surrender. Of the large niches in the four gables, three are to be filled with appropriate groups of sculpture in bronze, representing the th- generals, Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, with their ac- cessories, the fourt', . mg vacant, with the word Arnold inscribed underneath. Tile Association 1 v obtained by purchase two acres of land near the en- trance to Prospect Hill Cemetery, on which the foundation for the proposed Monument has been built. The spot is directly west of the mouth of Fish Creek, on the high ground overlooking the alluvial meadow where the British laid down their arms. It is as near as can conveniently be placed to where the headquarters of Gates were situated, which witnessed the formal unfurling, for the first time, of the Stars and Stripes.* The successful passage of the bill through the Legislature of an appro- priation of ten thousand dollars for the Sar urogr. Monument, although it was vetoed by the Governor, proved that ttiv sentiment of the people was in favor of State aid to this Association. Based upon a belief in this patriotism, and with the private subscriptions given for the purpose, the proceedings of the Centen- nial celebration just related were undertaken and successfully accomplished. Thus at the end of the year 1878,. which closes the admirable history of the Association by Mr. W. L. Stone, we find that the long-projected Monument had a local habitation and a name. One-fourth 01 the foundation was built, but this foundation stood solely as a suggestion and an inspiration to the Association. Not one dollar in the treasury, and with some embarrassment in regard to the land on which the Monument had been started, and a few debts to be settled, the outlook would have been dreary indeed to any but the few enthusiastic members who now enlisted more vigorously than ever rn the work before them. The address which was delivered on the battle-ground during the Cen- tennial procee dings by Governor Seymour has become world renowned from * It is true that a flag intended for tiie Stars and Stripes, and made out of a white shirt and some bits o.' red cloth from the petticoat of a soldier's wife, firs', floated on captured standards on the ramparts of Fort Stanwix, August 5th, 1777; but the Stars and Stripes as we see them— except as to the number ol stars— was first unfurled to grace the surrender at Saratoga. See De Peyster's "Justice to Schuyler." The Fort Stanwix flag is now in the possession of Mrs. Abraham Lansinir, of Albany, N. V. 54 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. ^£ its sententious style, and the broad yet profound scope of its arguments and illustrations. It was a source of encouragement to the Association, who during the next year had the misfortune to lose, by resignation on account of ill-health, the invaluable services of Chancellor J. V. L. Pruyn, its Vice-Presi- dent, and Mr. Benson Lossing, each of whom had exercised his influence and ability in its behalf. Early in the year 1880, Hon. John H. Starin, w'th the patriotism which is characteristic of him, introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to aid in building the Saratoga Monument. In April it was reported favorably by the Military Committee to which it hiid been consigned. Meetings of the Association iu this year were most important in their results, and were the last over which Governor Seymour presided; extracts of these meetings are here givc.i: " The Board of Trustees held their annual meeting at Saratoga Springs, in the United States Hotel, on the 17th of August, 1880, Hon. Horatio Sey- mour in the chair, Hon. D. A. Bullard, P. C. Ford, and Col. D. F. Ritchie, E. F. Bullard, and Dr. C. H. Payne in .iti adance. The Secretary read letters from the Vice-Presidents and others, regretting their inability to attend. In a letter from Hon. John Starii, he said : "'The bill introduced at the last session of Congress, asking for aid in our undertaking, was not reached before adjournment. It will pass the next session in my judgment. Th^- House was ready to pass it then, but it was thought best to have it brought up in the Senate first, and it was not reached. No effort on my part will be spared when Congress again meets, to push it through to a favorable conclusion. * Truly yours, ' Jno. H. Starin.'" Mr. C. M. Bliss, Secretary of the Bennington Monument Association, had been invited to attend the meeting, and, at the request of Governor Seymour, addressed the Association, stating what he knew oi the sentiment of Congress in regard to appropriating money for monuments on Revolutionary battle- fields, and showing that there is an increasing interest in that body on the sub- ject. He said, further, " that the main objection to an appropriation for the Yorktown Monument a'-pse from the precedent which, it was feared, would be established, so that Congress would be compelled to build monuments on all the battle-fields of the Revolution. When it was discovered that only York- town expected Congress to do the whole work, and that other places only asked assistance, and the Revolutionary battle-fields were few in number, so that even if Congress were to build a monument on every one of them it would not bankrupt the treasury, the change of sentiment in that body was quite manifest. Senator Kernan told the Senate that if Congress should do what 1 It had our, ress ttle- sub- the be )n all York- only er, so vould quite what ^-VlCE-PRjasMiRNfT OP TUF. SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. \ T .41 54 HtSTOKT OF THB SARA'KXJA MOMCMIKT AMBOJlATTON. A its sententious Hyh, and the broad yet profound scope 01 . trguments and iilust rations. !t was a son rce of encouragement to th* /. i.sociaiion, who duitiiK the next year bad the misfortune to lose, by resignali-'i! )n ac( ount of ill-hfr-lth, the invaluable services of Chancelloi J. V. L Prs influence and ability in its behalf. Early in the year jS8o, Hon. John H. Startn, with the patrk.usm which i; characteristic of him, introduced a bill in the House ot Represfntiitives to aid in birlding Hie Sarat>ga Monument.. In April it was reported U%orably by the Military C<.jmmittee to which ii had been consigned. Meetings of the Association in this year were »nt>st inip'-i. results, and were the last over which Governor Seyiocjur pre^' ' these meetings are here giv»n: •'The Hoard of Trustee;, held ihei , . ,j ^ti^ifejif at SaratogA Springs, in the United States Hotel, on the J7th of Aug«s*, iftSo, Hoo, Horatio Sey- mour in the chair, Hon. E). A Bullard, P C. Ford, and Col. I) F. Ritchie, E. F. Bullard, and Dr. C. H. Payne in attendr'-- The Secretary read letters from the Vice-Presidents and others reg • , their inability to attend. In a letter from Hon. John Starin, he said : '"The bill introduc»;d at the last session of Congress, asking for aid in our undertaking, was not reached before adjournment. It will pass the next session in my judgment. The House was ready to pass it then, but it was thought best to have it brought up in the Senate first, and it was not reached. No effort on my t»art will be spared when Congress again meets, to push it through to a favo(Able <"onclijsion. ' Truly yours, * i-'O. H. SxJis Mr. C. M. BlifiS, S*er»ta»ry of the Bennington Monument A-«'.* ,i been invited to attend the meeting, and, at the reqncv; <^i Ci' addressed the Av»c)c»atkf«i, !ii:ating what he knew in regard to appropj«a'iag money for monutru field.s, and showing that ihcte is an increasing >■■<- ject. He said, further, "that the main object Yorktown .Monunient ar<'Se. fro.m the pre established, .so that Congress would be < the battle-fiekls of the Rv.vulntion. W^ town exptrcted Congress to do the ^ asked assistance, UK; the RevolutioiJi*' that even if Ci>ngi«\>; w-ie lohK-ild i^. •: inumtint on every one of them it would not iianknipi the trea,sury, t;'t .■>r:tlie .uiU, it, *i> , iiiarcd, would b i tobjiild monuments on all ;ts discovered that only York . 'fls, and that other places only L'rr-fietds were few in number, so ;r ;^. :/v >. -' il lii I jd. it ur, lilV .'le all ,>rk- JOHN V. L. PRUVN, EX-VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. nil., lit; hi I ■I..I-I HI mimpi ig, . ii ; ,m i i i. y ( ii«i.. 11 i HIBTORT or THE 8ABAT0OA MONtlMKNT ASSOCIATION. 5S dollars, and the expenditure would cover ^^^JJ Congress in aid of feeling that general l^g-f^^VlW from th treasury for every dollar local effort to the extent of o^/^^"^^^^^'" ^^^^ ^ed from abuse, it would un- at home. If such a law could be properly guarded doubtedly pass." Governor Seymour, in corroboration of At the close of Mr. Bliss s speecn o ' ^y sentiment to an his remarks in regard to ^^^^ -"^^^ ^l^^^^^^ ft was more difficult to do appreciation of monuments, saiQ, ^"'^ ^ g^^te was composed in a Ts in New York was that the P^P^/^^ °;^^;' ^^^^^^^^^ nieasure of different "^^^""f ^^'=^' .y.^'/^^^hi,; they reverenced. Still, much ous, and consequently had ^^^^dtS^^^^^^^ could, and had already been ^o" - e^-atrng ^^^^p^^^^^ example, the the deeds of ihe.r ancestors At the Ons y R.^^i^tion) turned Germans (the descendants of those who had fm.gh ^,,,bration one out and made a magnificent ^-Pl^y. J";^^^. '^"""^o extravagantly, when a gentleman being asked by another why ^e "ep-f^ ^ ^J^ ^„,^ ,f the few weeks since he -^V' ^iT m 1^^^ deeds of my ancestors before ! ] ^.s rcmm ^ ^^ _^^ ^ ^^^^^^ having thrashed a Jew, — '^^^^^r,^ .^'d the other, 'that was done ,800 fellows crucified our Saviour, ^/^"t' ^"^°'"'/^f -^ ,„, yesterday.'" yearsago.- 'Well/ he replied I never^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^,^^ ,^,, Thus, those who never heard ot these g ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ . it ^as,' brations been educated ^« l^/^l^^"^^;'^: ^ "egret to him to see the way in continued Governor Seymour, a "^^tter o S ^^.^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ which Congress appropnatea -°"27tltn they are now putting on public money was turned-the mere ^'""^^'"T'l^lZJ L'^^^^ buildings, which often disfigure rather than ad^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ year the expense of erecting ^"\^^^ ^^ ™^;;;"^,d the graves of men who Ipots,the sites of g--V""'VtheTndep c^J^ce <.f our co^ sLrificed their lives in obtamingthMndeperdei ^^^ ^ ^ On motion of Col. Ritchie and Gen. """^^d' ^^^ ^^ ,^ ^ere added to Potter and Mrs. Walworth, who had been invited to be prese , Z^^Tl^r^^^^^^^-^' He.Ms.a„a a.. *a. ^°^Srro'*rorMtp"T'Fo"d,.he «owiag .eso.u.i.„ »as ,K.n ''""it*.., Tha. a commUtee be ap„oi„,ed by Ae chal. of meters of 56 HISTOHY OF THE SABATOaA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. I'< I the Association and others, to procure memorial stones or other marks to designate the points of interest on the Saratoga battle-grounds at Bern is Heights, Freeman's Farm, Wilbur's Basin and other places connected with the Burgoyne campaign, to carry out the suggestion of Mrs. Walworth. The committee to carry out this resolution were Mrs. Walworth, Geo. W. Neilson, James M. Marvin, N. B. Sylvester, D. F. Ritchie, W. L. Stone and George Ensign. A discussion was then held in regard to the immediate prosecution of the building of the Monument, during which, on motion of Gen. Bullard, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, " That the design now submitted by J. C. Markham (the original architect of the Association), be adopted, subject to such modifica- tion as the Association shall hereafter make." * Gov. Seymour then suggested that the details of getting proposals for furnishing granite, building the Monument, etc., be left to the Building Committee. This was at once concurred in, and the Building Committee was duly authorized to proceed, and also to arrange in regard to the title of the ground on which the Monument was to be placed. Before the close of the meeting the Secretary presented bronze medallions to Gov. Seymour and the Trustees present. They were the gift of Mr. Henry Whitmore, of New Jersey, and bear on one side a representation of Burgoyne surrendering his sword to Gates, in has relievo, and the legend "Salus Regionem Septemtrional" (a facsimile of the seal of the Associa- tion), and on the other side a picture of the Monument when completed. During no period of the history of the Saratoga Monument Association has it held a meeting so auspicious and satisfactory in every respect. Gov. Seymour, though in feeble health, was present at great personal sacri- fice; the discussions were hearty, full and unanimou".; and more gratifying than all was the promise of the work being at once taken up with a will and pushed forward to a successful completion." A special meeting of the Saratoga Monument Association was held Aug- ust 3isf, 1880, at its accustomed place of meeting, the parlors of the United HlntttH I Intel, Smiitnga Hprhigs, Hon, Horatio Seymour in the chair. Vice- president J. M.Marvin, D. S. Potter, U. A. BuHard, U. F. Ritchie, P. C. {''ord, aiiil tlie Secretary were present. Gen. C. K. Graham, Surveyor of the I'urt of New Yrjrk, Capt. Howe, Hon. W. A. Sflf'llflU, and J. C Markham were also present as liivlfed guests. The minutes 0/ \\\t last meeting of tw^ weejks since being read and ap- proved, a letter from flon. J. W K«|/jr, orne 0/ tl/fe ftUitMi, W*» read. Gov, Seytnciir thou uddreaitfetl i\w Itiht'lihn as follows * The design mioiileil al this meetini; \% the one after which Itic Muriuili« [>tained from the Legislature of New York, and that he regretted to state that the bill for $1,500, so ably advocated by Judge J. D. Kirk of South Carolina, had been defeated in that State. He also presented ;i copy of the favorable report of the Military Committee in Congress on a bill introduced by Mr. Starin for an appropriation of $30,000 for the Monument. After a resolution of thanks to the proprietors of the United States Hotel fo' their courteous treatment, the President adjourned the meeting until the 8th of March, 1881. The meeting of the Association in March, 1881, was held at the Delavan House in Albany, N. Y., when Hon. John F. Seymour in person presented the following letter from his brother, Hon. Horatio Seymour: Utica, N. Y., March 30, i88r. To the Board of Directors of the Saratoga Monument Association: I hereby resign my place as Trustee under the acts to incorporate the Sara- toga Monument Association, passed by the Legislature of this State. Horatio Seymour. As it was understood by the Trustees present, from the statements of John F. Seymour and the Secretary, that this action of Gov. Seymour was dictated solely by the imperative advice of his physician, his resignation was accepted, but only on the condition that as soon a^ his health permitted he HISTORY OF THK RARATOOA MONUHKNT AB800IATI0N. 59 should resume both the Presirth and William L. Stone were appointed to draw up and forward resolutions expressive of the deep regret with which his resignation had been accepted by his fellow Trustees. The committee accordingly reported the following preamble and resolutions : Preambi E. Whereas, A letter has been received from Hon. Horatio Seymour, tender- ing his resignation both as a Trustee and as President of the Saratoga lonu- ment Association, and stating that he has been forced into this step sol-ly by the imperative advice of his physician; therefore, Resolved, That in accepting his resignation the Association cannot but feel deeply grieved by the thought that in consenting to this action they lose one whose name, influence and active exertions in their behalf have contributed more than anything else to the success attained. Resolved, That the Association express to Gov. Seymour the earnest hope that while withdrawing for the present from active participation in its affairs, he will still continue to assist it with his advice which his wisdom and experi- ence render so valuable. Resolved, That as his resignation has been reluctantly accepted, entirely from the belief that his health would be imperiled were he to continue in the offices of Trustee and Preside-'t, so it is to be hoped that as soon as he is able he will consent again to take the helm. Resolved, That it is the sincere hope of the Association that a kind Provi- dence will speedily restore him to health; and that the hearts of his friends and admirers may be gladdened by seeing him once mure in the full meridian of his usefulness. Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to enter these resolutions in full upon the minutes of the Association, and also to transmit a copy of them, signed by the committee having them in charge, to the Hon. Horatio Seymour at his home in Utica. D. F. Ritchie, Mrs. E. H. Walworth, Wm. L. Stone. The Secretary formally announced that the Congress of the United States, mainly through the exertions of John H. Starin, had appropriated the sum of $30,000 toward the Monument, and that the following was the bill as amended by the Senate and passed by the House on the 3d of the presen*^ month : «■ ■HH ■■■i ■H ■— ■ 4P ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I 11.25 ■^ B^ 12.2 6" .P^w ''? Hiutographic Sdraices Corporation ^ i\ iV <^ ^1%\ 4^%^^ 6^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) •73-4503 '# 1 ■will * • — ■^-^•*»-« *•*•♦. *,'«»»' 60 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. ii ' [Public — No. 91.] AN ACT to provide for the erection of a Monument at Schuylerville, New York, commemorative of the Battle of Saratoga and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. Whereas, Horatio Seymour and other patriotic gentlemen of the State of New York did, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-nine, organize the •' Saratoga Monument Association " under a perpetual charter from the Legis- lature of said State, whose object was the erection of a fitting memorial on the site of Burgoyne's surrender ; and Whereas, Th:; sum of ten thousand dollars has already been donated by the citizens of said State, with which sum said Association has been enabled to purchase two acres of land near the mouth of Fish Creek, on the high ground overlooking the meadow where the British laid down their arms at the battle of Saratoga ; and Whereat, Said Association has recently built upon said lot the foundation of the Monument, of concrete, forty feet square and eight feet deep, as well as a quarter of the granite plinth or base (covering the entire foundation), four and one-half feet high, and the corner stone, ten feet square and two feet high ; therefore Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the sum of thirty thousand dollars be, and the same is, hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not other- wise appropriated, to be expended by said Association under the direction of its Building Committee, in erecting at Schuylerville, State of New York, upon said foundation, the Monuni-ant hereinbefore referred to ; the same to be of granite and of the obelisk form : ?^he main shaft to be twenty feet square, an 1 the height one hundred and fifty feet, as designed by J. C. Markham, of New York City, and adopted by said Association Provided, That before trans- ferring said money, or any part thereof, to the Saratoga Monument Asso- ciation, it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall so certify, that a p.im of money has been raised by said Association which, together with the sum hereby appropriated, 'shall be sufficiojnt to complete the Monument in accordance with the de- sign specified in this act. Approved, March 3, 1881. The following letters were read : New York, March 29, 1881. \V. L. Stone, Esq. Dear Sir — Yours of the 26th received. It will be impossible for me El ! HI8T0KY OF THE SaEATOGA MONDMENT ASSOCIATION. 6i to be present at the Delavan House meeting on the 31st inst., in which case I authorize you to vote for me. What I desire particularly to urge upon the meeting is immediate action. Advertise at once for bids on the stonework of the Monument, in accordance with the plans and specifications, and go ahead and build it ; the $40,000 raised is sufficient for this purpose. If additional sums are needed for tab- lets, etc., when the stonework is completed, it can then be attended to. If we delay a year or two to raise more money, change plans, etc, it is doubtful if it will ever be built. Very truly yours, John H. Starin. Mr. W. L Stone, Secretary. Dear Sir— f regret that I am not able to attend the meeting of the Directors of tt>e Association at Albany. I hope the work of erecting the Monument will not be indefinitely postponed, but will commence this spring. Congress has, in a patriotic spirit, made an appropriation for the Saratoga Monumeiit, v/hich is valuable even more than the amount. The nation has thereby made the Monument its own, and the business must mt languish. Will you do me the favor to vote for me ? You see the spirit with which I would act were I to be present. I am, very truly yours, Algernon Sullivan. New York City, March 27, i88i. To the Committee of Design of the Saratoga Monument Association. Gentlemen— In response to your question. Can the Saratoga Monument be built in accordance with the design described in the Bill of Congress appropriating $30,000 for the purpose, for the sum of $40,000? I give it as my opinion that it can, not including the bronze statuary and interior fin- ish, which have hitherto been regarded as individual works, hereafter to be placed in commemoration of persons or families. In order to settle this question, I would recommend that the Building Committee advertise for proposals to build the Mor.ument. As to any question of further change of design, I see no reason for any. The first order that I received from your Committee was for a design grander than any in this country, and higher than that of Bunker Hill; but the people, in the condensed wisdom of their legislative function, having determined that $40,000 is enough to build your Monument ao feet square and 150 feet high, and according to this design, will you go on and build it, or \f 62 HISTORY OF THE SARATfXJA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. ! will you abandon all that you have done — remove the foundation and corner stone already laid, and begin again where you and others begun more than twenty years ago ? Yours respectfully, J. C. Markham, Architect. The Association then determined that there should be no change ot' de- sign, and by an unanimous vote ordered the Building Committee to proceed with the work of building as soon as practicable, after Gov. Seymour's wise suggestions regarding the preliminary steps had been complied with. To further this, with the understanding, however, that no contract should be give out until the site had been secured and Secretary Windom consulted, the following resolution was passed : Resolved, That the Building Committee advertise until the 3d day of the coming May, in three New York, two county and one Albany paper (or in as many of the above as in their judgment they may deem necessary), for proposals to build the Monument. Mrs. E. H. Walworth, as Chairman of the Memorial Committee, submit- ted the following report : A meeting of the Committee was held at Saratoga Springs on October 9th. Mrs. Walworth, Mr. James M. Marvin, Mr. D. F. Ritchie and Mr. N. B. Sylvester were among those present. A letter from Mr. W. L. Stone, a mem- ber of the Committee, was read, 'in which, after expressing regret for his absence, he says : " Since the last meeting of the Association I have been in correspondence with the Earl of Carnarvon, who succeeded Lord Derby in the Premiership of England. He takes great interest in everything that r^'lates to the Burgoyne campaign, and believes it will not be difficult to have the English Government, through its Parliament, contribute an amount sufficient to erect a substantial and elegant monument over the spot where General Frazer is buried. Lord Carnarvon also will individually contribute a memorial tablet at Dovegat's house (Coveville) to mark the spot where his grea* aunt, Lady Harriet Acland, left the British lines to join her husband in the camp of General Gates." The Committee then took into consideration the question of raising a fund for the erection of tablets. Mrs. Walworth read the following extracts from a letter received by her from Gov. Seymour : " I like your plan for marking places of interest around Saratoga. Many now drive with indifference past spots which they would look upon with great interest if they knew their value. I think .you can bring about your plan, if, in the place of trying to raise a sum to pay for the cost of marking stones in a general way, you ask different persons to give a tablet of some kind for a J HISTORY OF THR SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 63 particular spot. In most cases $50 or $100 will be enough. Some may be desirous of spending more. I will put up something to n.ark the place where a line of defenses vere thrown up in front of the tavei a at the village of Bemis Heights." The Committee then resolved to adopt the method of raising funds suggested by r x-Gov»rnor Seymour. The erection of flagstaffs at Bemis Heights, near Neilson's, and on Burgoyne's Hill, near Freeman's fa.m, was proposed. These are the highest points, and mark the northern and southern limits of the fighting ground. The Committee resolved to visit the battle-fteld in a body to locate the points where the tablets should be erected, and adjourned to meet on the battle-ground October 23, 1880. Although all the members of the Committee were prepared for the expe- dition at the date agreed on, a heavy rain compelled a postponement. It was not practicable to get the Committee together again last year, but the Chairman visited the battle-ground several times in the autumn and made a comparison of the traditionary localities with military and other maps, to identify the places most important to be marked. She also obtained the con- sent of several of the property owners of these localities to the erection of tablets on their ground, and their hearty co-operation in the plans of the Com- mittee, and has also accepted the generous offer of Mr. Markham, the architect of the Monument, to draw simple designs for the tablets. The report was accepted, and the Committee authorized to erect the tablets, with the proviso that they do not exceed thsir funds. It may be readily understood, that the above letter from Mr. Starin, in which he advocates so urgently a prompt building of the Monument, led to a warm response from those present when he was nominated by Mr. W. L. Stone for President of the Association, in place of Gov. Seymour, resigned, and when it was further sta-ed that Gov. Seymour heartily recommended his election. Hon. John H. Starin was then unanimously elected President of the Saratoga Monument Association. Upon being notified of his election, he sent the following letter : _„ , New York, April ist, 1881. Wm. L. Stone, Esq., Jersey City Heights. ^^ My Dear Sir— Your letter of 23d ult., apprising me of the action of the Saratoga Monument Association," at a special meeting held at the Delavan House, Albany, yesterday, received. I regret most sincerely that the health of Gov. Seymour renders it imperative for him to withdraw from the Presi- dency of the Association. His name, influence and active exertions in behalf 1 :'• \M ii^ 1 ' J ( 1 ! 64 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. of the undertaking, has contributed more than anything else to the success attained. * I trust that, although withdrawing from active participa*^''on in its affairs, he will continue to assist us with the advice which his wisdom and experi- ence render so valuable. I cannot but feel complimented and gratified chat he should have expressed a wish that I should be his successor, and that the Association with such unanimity ratified the request. I accept the honor gratefully, and will perform the duty of the office to the best of my ability. I not only have no objections to the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Pruyn being filled by the election of Gen. Husted, but should be much pleased thereat. I think the Association showed wisdom in deciding to accept the presen*^ design and to commence work at once. Yours sincerely, John H. Starin. A special meeting of the Association was held in Albany, N. Y., on June 28th, 1881. Among the letters read were the following: Dear Mr. Stone — Yours of the 2d inst., advising me of my election as a Trustee of the Saratoga Monument Association, is received. You know my engagements, and if you risk me I am content, but it is a hazard to select such a political person as I am. With respect, S. S. Cox. Trenton, Wayne Co., Mich., June 27th, 1881. Mr. W. L. Stone, Sec'y S. M. A. Dear Sir — Yours of the 20th received. I am fully and heartily in accord with the tablet idea, most happily conceived and timely acted upon. Every season has its boom, and let this be the year of monuments. Among the list of points at which tablets are proposed to be erected I do not find that unheaded barrel of rum of which Arnold is said to have partaken a " dipperful " just before he made that headlong charge into the British camp. Now, is this fact or fiction ? If a fact, out with it. Let the whole story be told. No link can be spared in this chain of events; we must bear in mind that rum was in the list o ' rations in that day. Be that as it may, there is no discount on the fact that the battles of Saratoga were the stand-up fights of the war. Erec*. the tablets, and the Tally-Ho coach will be announced " for the bat- tle-fields " as familiarly as it is now for " Saratoga Lake," and cannot fail to be a favorite suburb of Saratoga Springs. warn HI8T0BY OF THE SARATOGA MONLMENT ASSOCIATION. 65 That we may all live to see a compl'^ted Monument, is the fervent wish and hope of Your sincere friend, Giles Slocum. The resignations of Dr. Payne and Hon. W. Bacon were received with regret. George L. Schuyler and Parker Handy of New York City were elected to fill these vacancies. Hon. D. S. Potter reported that a law had been passed by the Legislature, and signed by Governor Cornell, which would enable the Association to settle all difficulties concerning the land on which the Monument was to be built. A committee consisting of Messrs. Ford, Potter and Ritchie were appointed to arrange this matter. Mrs. Walworth, having been requested by parties in New York City to try and secure the influence of the Association in behalf of a bill of which Mr. Astor had charge in the New York Legislature, offered the following resolu- tion : " That Senator Wagner, Hon. J. W. Husted and Hon. D. S. Potter, Trustees of the Saratoga Monument Association, be requested to urge upon the Legislature now in session the propriety of authorizing the Governor of the State of New York to extend the courtesies of the State to the representa- tives of the French Government who have accepted the invitation of the United States to be present at the Yorktown centennial, and to make a suit- able appropriation for this purpose." It was passed unanimously. At the annual meeting in Saratoga Springs, August 9, 1881, the Building Committee reported that the contract for building the stonework of the Monu- ment had been given to Messrs, Booth Bros., as the lowest bidders. Resolu- tions were then passed requiring the contractors to give bonds for the faithful performance of the work, and instructing the Treasurer to make payments only upon certificates of the architect, approved by the Executive Committee; also to make a payment to the architect at the time the first payment was made to the contractors. Mr. Ford reported that the Committee appointed to perfect the title to the land for the Monument had been successful in their arrangements. There was a discussion in regard to the design for eagles and lions, which were intended to ornament the exterior of the Monument. Mr. Marvin expressed the sentiment of the meeting when he proposed to omit the lions as there represented, in deference to the good state of feeling now existing between the United States and Great Britain. It may be said here, that the models of carved eagles designed by Mr. Markham, and afterwards accepted by the Committee on De'..'gn, may be considered true works of historic art, mmmm >MMM mmm^mmmmm^imm 66 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT AH8O0IATI0N. 1 I' and they add much to the dignity and beauty of the Monument. This is the more noticeable, as either d'tspondent or flaunting representations of the national bird are so numerous. At this time the following resolution was passed : Whefas, This Association has entered into a contract for the erection of the Saratoga Monument in accordance with the designs of the architect, but with certain carving, statuary, etc., omitted in order to bring the cost of the same within the means ro'v :>t the command of the Association ; and, Whereas, Such omissions, if not supplied, will materially injure the effect, and destroy the allegorical significance of the Monument ; therefore. Resolved, That this Association will take all measures that are necessary to raise additional funds, by national or State appropriations, or otherwise, for the completion of the Monument in a manner worthy of the event it is intended to commemorate. At this point Judge Kirk, a Trustee from South Carolina, made some interesting remarks, in which he said that Saratoga did not belong to New York alone but to the nation. He thought, therefore, that South Carolina would, perhaps, next winter, appropriate at least $1,500 for the interior finish of the monument. Judge Kirk was true to his promise, and repeatedly made an effort to secure this appropriation, sometimes with flattering prospects of success. But the indifference of the remaining original thirteen States seemed to discourage South Carolina in her good intention. The year 1881 proved to be a very busy one for the members of the As- sociation. Still another special meeting took place at Schuylerville on the 1 8th of October. Here resolutions were passed requiring the Treasurer to file bonds to secure the $30,000 which he was also authorized to receive and pay out to contractors, architects, etc. Mr. Ford reported that the title to the land having been secured, suffi- cient money had now been raised to pay for it, independent of the $30,000 which could not be used for this purpose. He was indebted to Mr. Stone for having secured several hundred dollars toward this fund. Gov. Seymour had given $400, and Mr. Kelly of Rochester had paid the last $100. The amount required and raised was $1,724. Mr. Markham, the architect, reported the progress made in the erection of the Monument. He was then instructed to furnish the Executive Com- mittee with a copy of all estimates for work, and also with a plan of the Monument, divided into sections, with estimates of the quantity and value of the stonework in each of such sections, that payments might not be made faster than the work progressed. Thus from the very beginning of the building of the Saratoga Monument lATION. lument. This is the Jresentations of the t for the erection of of the architect, but •ing the cost of the iation ; and, lily injure the effect, therefore, that are necessary tions, or otherwise, y of the event it is irolina, made some lot belong to New lat South Carolina r the interior finish ' made an effort to ospects of success. 1 States seemed to embers of the As- huylerville on the f the Treasurer to ized to receive and >een secured, suffi- ent of the $30,000 i to Mr. Stone for jrov. Seymour had 100. The amount le in the erection i Executive Com- ith a plan of the itityand value of ght not be made atoga Monument -oi 'iii I j M i I iiir irMirrn B • «■ • . «»~t I WILLIAM L. STONE, SECRETARY OF TFIE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. HI8TORY OF THE SARATf)OA MONUMENT A880CIATION. 6/ .-..__„♦ ^t »!,„ .,.„,.i, oc ntr^UtWv rnnHiirffld and as economi- ! K .■■!. i r •: , vi/ I I. , .lei, . Man., i. •?ded in mati v '•'! $1,484.07. "tors in iV li li;r«'lnig at , ' '.» ihe Committee ippiupriation Jif Jt They met i.iry, Mr. association," W L Stone s-.ive of tlie ecied to • '■ Trus- jUent • <:! 'A the : ' .'i!id Mr. i, •'.• f.\lub- ereuMU!*! -And willing ■ uuv J into ■•. ill behalf , n for all ■ ii.!toga ■ -urge •^:f $i5,.^oQ had been ap- i"!!, ., rhe completion ug was the full text of ant of the Comptroller, \i * • »•■ •-• ••••» -~" M-n « I ■MamnNk**^ V VVILLKA .' 1, -T' 1 SFXRETARY OF 1*1 1! SARATtXiA MONl ASSOCIATION. HIHTORY OF THE HAKATOUA MONL'UENT AHHOCIATION. 67 was the management of the work as carefully conducted and as economy cally planned as if it had been a private enterprise. The year 1882 opened for the Association with a special meeting at Albany, where the Trustees had been called to appear before the Committee of Ways and Means of the Legislature, to solicit an appropriation of $15,000 'or advancing the original plans of the Monument. They met at the Delavan House, with Mrs. Walworth in the chair. The Secretary, Mr, Stone, announced the death of "a valued member of the Association," Webster Wagner. A committee, composed of Mr. Giles Slocum, W. L. Stone and D. F. Ritchie, was appointed to draw up resolutions expressive of the sorrow of the Association at his death. Hon. W. A. Sackett was elected to fill the place of Mr. Wagner. The meeting then adjourned, and the Trus- tees went in a body to the Capitol, where Mr. Sackett made an eloquent address and earnest appeal to the Legislative Committee in behalf of the Monument, asking for the appropriation of $15,000. Gen. Bullard and Mr. Stone ably seconded this appeal, and Mr. Markham's drawings were exhib- ited to the Committee, who appeared to be mucii interested and willing to give the matter a fair consideration. In February of this year, Hon. George West had introduced into Congress, and had referred to the Library Committee, a bill in behalf of the Saratoga Monument Association, which contained a provision for all Revolutionary batti '-fields. The regular a^. .ual meeting of the Association was held in Saratoga Springs, at the United States Hotel, on the 8th of August, 1882. Hon. George W. Curtis and Mr. W. L. Stone, Jr., were elected Trustees. Hon. D. S. Potter, Chairman of the Executive Committee, submitted the following, viz.: That at a meeting of this Committee, held at the United States Hotel, Saratoga Springs, June 14th last, at which were present Hon. James M. Martin, Col. D. ¥. Ritchie, himself and J. C. Markham, the architect, a statement was presented showing that the sum of $16,101.95 had already been expended in material and labor, and to the architect ; Mr. Markham hav- ing received $1,484.07. An additional installment of $5,000 was ordered paid to the contractors in accordance with the terms of the contract. This left at that date, viz., June 14th, a balance in the hands of the Treasurer, D. A. Bul- lard, of $18,898.05. Mr. Potter further stated that in addition to the above amount, at that time unexpended by the Treasurer, the further sum of $15,000 had been ap- propriated by the New York Legislature at its last session, for the completion of the outside of the Monument, of which the following was the full text of the bill : Section 1. The Treasurer shall pay, on the warrant of the Comptroller, Vv^-; >fi>-iiiiW|»MjPHWi^yiig |f 't 6u mSTOBY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. from any funds not otherwise appropriated, to the persons to be appointed commissioners as hereinafter provided, fifteen thousand dollars, which sum is hereby appropriated to aid in the erection of a suitable monument at Schuylerville, New York, in commemoration of the decisive battle of the Rev- olution and the surrender of General Burgoyne, on tie seventeenth day of October, seventeen hundred and seventy-seven. Said money shall be expended under the sup^^rvision of three commissioners to be appointed by the Governor, who shall file a verified statement and vouchers for such expenoiture, in the office of the Comptroller, within sixty days after said money shall have been expended, it being understood that said sum Df fifteen thousand dollars will complete said Monument, and the State is hereby relieved from the payment of any further or additional sum of money to complete the same. In accordance with said bill, continued the speakei, Hon. Charles S. Les- ter and Hon. John M. Davison, of Saratoga Springs, and James H. Dillingham, of Schuylerville, had been appointed by Governor Cornell, commissioners to carry said bill into effect ; that on the 13th of last April a contract had been entered into by the Building Committee for the eagles, contingent upon the then expected appropriation of $15,000 by the New York Legislature, the original of which was in the possession of the Secretary ot the Association. Mr. Potter, resuming his remarks, gave a full report of the progress of the building of the Monument up to the present time. The Monument, he stated, had now attained the height of forty-two feet and one-half ; and arrangements had been made by which the contrj ctor, for th ; amount in hand, which included the last appropriation of $15,000, would complete the outside stone work of the Monument including the eagles and the other carving con- templated by the design. Mrs. E. H. Walworth, as Chairman of the Commitcee on Tablets designed to mark the prominent points during the progress of the battle of the 19th of September and the 7th of October, 1777, submitted the following report : Your Committee on Memorial Tablets would respectfully report that they have visited the battle-ground al Bemis Heights, and with great care have located nineteen points of especr-pounder mortar, all adversely le report ; w PQ U . 3 OS d faction rasp, and ve learned lore than r of Bur- the injus- f patriotic lid: 'We KX-ViC*. KATOGA MONUMENT ASSCKTIATIOK 74 HT.^TVtRV OF THT. !IA»ATO«U MONUMRWT ASBOOIATION. for tlM! Statue of General irr •■ reply. Mr. Ford's finish »ml the bronze statues for the exterior, which belonged to the design a* it had been accepted. Numerous appeals aJso came to the Association to '■' ,iui«" to General St Iiiryler before' a colt^hrntion should be held. The '•, Mr. Starin, had the matter under very «ruv«' <;ousideraiion, and, ■ ufori', at the special meeting held in New York, December 20, 1883, he n isiKl delay, and said that the excitement incidental to, a IVcsidential elcc- 1, as well as other considerations, would prove prfjudicial to a celebration j< \ ch would be worthy of the occasion. Mr. Georjiic W. Curtis also said: " That nearly twenty years elapsed between the iayini; of the corner stone of «j< Blinker Hill Monument and its formal dedica'! n, unii that a delay in the piescnl case would work no ill, ,t.^ the public * -id, s > to speak, a satiety of centennial celebrations." Mr. Ford »!so sent » opi**. of a letter he had addressed to the public, in an app«;f»i for ' S<.huyler, and some letteis which *:. i '-"■ letter was as follows • " Disappointment having been express^i-f * u the part of some that it has been decided not to celebrate the completion >^< the Saratoga Monument until another year, I desire to call attention to one very important reason ^lo say nothing of several others that might he mentioned) why it would be unwise and improper to hold the celebration ilie present year. In the first place, it wo\ild hardly seem appropriate to celebrate the completion of an incomplete work It is true that the granite shaft of. the Monument has been finished ; that its towering and graceful proportions present the appearance of compac- tion, and yet the most interesting and sugt:festive part of the Monument, as designed by the architect, 's still wanting. I refer to the statue of General Philip Schuyler. " All who have read with attention the story of Bi rgoyne's campaign must fflel thi'.t General Schuyler is the one figure rising above 4I: others connected with those s'lr.ing events, as worthy of our respect and aumiration It was he who prepared the harvest for another to rea;.. It was he who fairly won the laurels thsif were placed upon the brow c>t <,»<. \ On the very eve of victory he was displH* ed by Qeneral Gates. .SJander, intritjue and faction robbed him of th** h^nor and triumph that were almost within his grasp, and for a time obscured hi*; fa r>e ; hut in The calm lipfht of history we have learned to place a true estimate upon his character and services. To him more than to any other do we owe the gru 's achieved in the surrender of Rur- goyne. Unlike Arnold, Hlthow;;! ■. .cd to the heart, he endured the injus- tice heaped upon him with manly ror'itude ?nd with no abatement of patriotic devotion to his country's caiise, Ex-Governor Seymour has well said : 'We EX-VICE-PRESIDENT SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. ^^f^Ma^^^^M^^^ 1 ■Ml (I! mu i lBHWJ!lU4ai4i.UJJll iiaiiiilMli! HIBTOBT OF THK SARATOGA MONUIIKNT ASSOCIATION. 7S could not well lose from our history his example of patriotism, and of per- sonal honor and chivalry. We could not spare the proof which his case furnishes, that virtue triumphs in the end. We would not change if we could the history of his trials, for we feel that they gave lustre to his character.' " If Saratoga is worthy of a monument (and who can say it is not ?) then, certainly, the name and fame of General Schuyler are worthy to be associated with it in the most expressive, tangible and enduring form that art can devise. Without ihis, embellish the structure* as you may, and it will come far short of its design ; it will lack that which, if supplied, would be its most fitting and eloquent characteristic ; it will fail to recall, in their full force and import, the momentous events it is intended to commemorate, and to tell as it ought to tell 'of our gratitude to those who, through suffering and sacrifice, wrought out the independence of our country.' General Schuyler's statue, connected with the Monument as designed, would be a fitting, although a tardy tribute to his memory, overlooking as it would his broad estate, his summer home, the village still bearing his name, and the scene of the brilliant victories and final surrender he was so largely instrumental in securing. It is a tribute every patriotic citizen, especially every citizen of Saratoga county, ought, it seems to me, most earnestly to insist shall be paid before the com- pletion of the Saratoga Monument shall be celebrated." These are among the letters received by Mr. Ford: Sir — I have your favor of the 2d inst., and the paper containing the notice of General Schuyler, for which please receive my sincere thanks. In terse and eloquent terms it covers the ground of Gen. Schuyler's services and sacrifices in the war of the Revolution. I need not say how much his family would be gratified at having a statue erected in his honor by the citizens of his native State, o- of the United States, under the auspices of the Sa-aioga Monument Association. Very truly yours, George L. Schuyler. New York, May 7th. Mv Dear Sir — I have your note of the 2d, and have no doubt that it would be harder to raise the money for the Schuyler statue after the celebra- tion than before; and as it seems to be an integral part of the Monument, it should be in place when the completion is celebrated. Indeed, how is a work complete without all its parts finished ? I agree with yof that an address 76 HT8T0RY OF THE SAKATOOA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. li^ ; t upon Schuyler at the unveiling would be an interesting chapter of New York history. As one of the committee, I hope to have a voice in the selection of a sculptor for the statue. Very truly yours, George William Curtis. Ithaca, N. Y., May 5th. My Dear Sir — Referring to your letter of May 3d, I am glad to see that you are moving in the matter of a statue to Gen. Schuyler. It seems to me "hat the placing of such a statue on your beautiful Monument is not only due in reparttion to the honored subject of it, but is an incentive to patriotism hereafter. Allow me to say, also, that having traveled much over the world, and seen many monuments erected in honor of distinguished men and in com- memoration of noted events, I have difficulty in recalling one more interesting than your own, marking as it does the spot of one of the few great decisive battles of the world, and presenting, as I conceive, in its sculptured docora- tu^vi, one of the happiest 'deas ever embodied in a similar structure, namely, sta\ ues of the three generals who served the country, rad the niche left vacant where would have been the statue of the fourth, had he not become a traitor to his country. It seems to me that the erection of these three statues and the leaving vacjnt this fourth niche is a noble idea, which cannot but suggest valuable trains of thought to every beholder; the vacant niche, especially, like the vacant place of Marino Falieri, in the ducal palace at Venice, will, perhaps, be most eloquent of all; but to make it thus eloquent the other three niches must be filled. Earnestly wishing you success in your undertaking, I remaii:, Respectfully yours, Andrew D. White. Dover Plains, N. Y., May loth. Dear Sir — If only one statue was to form a p&rt of the Saratoga Monu- ment, I think that of Major General Schuyler pre-eminently entitled to that distinction. To his wise counsels ; his unselfish patriotism ; to his military skill-; to his vigilance, which won for him the name of "The Great Eye of the Northern Department ; " to his fortitude ; to his great influence and to his patient endurance, truthful history awards the honor of achieving the rapture of Burgov ne and his army. He prepared the way for Arnold to win the prize of honor and fame, so wrongfully awarded to Gates. When, many years ago, I was preparing to write a biography of General HISTORY OF THE SABATOOA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 77 Schuyler, all his collected papers — his letters, books and correspondence, the latter embracing about five thousand pieces — v/ere placed in my hands by his grandchildren. The careful study of these papers with other cotemporary documents, deeply impressed me with the true greatness of Gen. Schuyler's character in every phase of it, as a citizen, a soldier and a patriot. He was the strong right arm of Washington in the field and out of it, in many a perilous hour of the great conflict, and to Schuyler only did the Commander- in-Chief, in all his military correspondence, write at the close of his letters, " Your affectionate friend." Therefore, with my thorough knowledge of the true greatness of the character of Gen. Schuyler, under all circumstances, I heartily endorse the words which you have so well and truthfully spoken. Yours truly, Benson J. Lossing. At the same meeting, Mr. Curtis offered this resolution : " That at present it is inexpedient to name a particular time for celebrating the completion of the Monument." The architect was asked about the amount necessary for completion of the Monument according to the design, and stated that his estimate fov fur- nishing the interior of the Monument with the bronze staircases and doors and the sculptured allegorical designs for the interior, including the three bronze statues to Generals Schuyler, Morgan and Gates, was $100,000, but by the substitution of terra cotta it might be reduced to $60,000. Mr. Potter then moved " that the whole subject of memorialising Con- gress and the State Legislature, the amount to be asked for, and the details necessary to carry it to a successful issue, be referred to the Committee on Design," which was carried. At the annual meeting the following reports were presented : The Chairman of the Committee on Tablets reported that the committee, as represented by Mrs. E. H. Walworth, Lt. Comd.A. deR. McNair, N. B. Sylvester, and Mi, Geor£;e Ensign, accompanied by Mr. J. W. Drexel and Mr. J. H. Ehninger, haci visited the battle-ground to inspect the tablets just deliv- ered thers by the contractors, Booth Bros. They were found satisfactory in every respect, and had been correctly placed, under the supervision of Mr. Ensign. The tablets are of Quincy granite of different dimensions, and are about twenty inches square, and from seven to nine feet in length. They have been placed upright, and are carefully secured at their base in four feet of grouting. The tablets respectively designate the following places : First.— 1\i^ Bemus Tavern, at one time the headquarters of General Gates, on the river highway at the foot of Bemus Heights, directly in front of :he •NWumwaMii aBHMHMI 78 HISTORY OF THE BABATOOA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. cellar which indicates the old tavern. This tablet was given by Giles B. Slocum, of Michigan. Second. — Fort Neilson, in the dooryard of William Neilson, on Bemus Heights, and on the site of the old Revolutionary house. Given by James M. Marvin, of Saratoga Springs. Third. — Line of Battle, near Mill Creek, on lands of Perry Congdon, originally the Joseph Walker farm. Given by Mrs. J. V. L ,'ruyn, of Albany, in r .emory of her husband, who was Vice-President of this Association. Fourth. — The Fall of General Fraaer, also on the Walker farm, and on the spot indicated over half a century ago by Ezra Buel, who was in the battle and had personal knowledge concerning this event. The gift of J. W. Drexel. Fifth. — Freeman's Farm, the scene of the initial encounter between Mor- gan's riflemen and Ackland's grenadiers. It was placiid in the dooryard of William Esmond, on the site of Elisha Freeman's log house, and is the gift of George West, of Pallston Spa. Sixth. — Memorial of Nicholas Fish, who fell at th« battle of Saratoga, October 7th, near Mill Creek. It is on the highway, and marks the northern line of the American entrenchments, and is the gift of his son, ex-Gov- ernor Hamilton Fish, of New York. Seventh. — The Line of Retreat, where Burgoyne's army were pressed on October 8th. On the premises of George Ensign, and is the gift of the family of the late Webster Wagner, of Palatine Bridge, carrying out the expressed w Q < ^ HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENl ASSOCIATION. 79 u u H u X u ^: M ft! H 2- (d 2: u ft! U < Q U U 2: > Q tion of the bill appropriating *is,ooo, reported, with the items, that the whole amount had been paid to the contractors, on the certificate of the architect. J. W. Drexel was elected a member of the Association. Resolutions of respect and regret were passed upon the announce- ment of the death of the Hon. James B. Campbell, of Charleston, S. C. The Secretary also announced that through the liberality of the Presi- dent, Mr. Statin, he had lately been able to secure for the Association a manuscript journal of great value, kept by Captain Pausch, Riedesel's chief of artillery, during Burgoyne's campaign. This journal has been preserved in the State archives of Cassel, Germany. After an adjournment of the meeting, the Trustees spent some time in examining the designs of the architect for the bas-relif fs to li^e the walls o.' the Monument. Some of them had been cast in bropze plates of about two feef square, and others had been handsomely photographed on a large scale, and all were appropriately framed. They elicited great admiration, and were left at the United States Hotel for some time on public exhibition. The year 1884 marks an era in the progress of the work of the Saratoga Monument Association. The Monument was now erected to its topmost stone, and in a manner which is generally considered complete for such com- memorative structures. Plain doors and windows, and a simple stairway, would put it apparently in suitable condition to stand as the accomplished work of the Trustees, to whom this great public and patriotic task had been assigned. Thty might with propriety now hand the Monument over to the National Government as a finished structure. To stop now would save them a vast amount of work and harrassment and responsibility, and might be seriously considered. Did the members of this Association hesitate ? Did they fold their hands and say : " We have done enough ; let others do their share ?" No ! not for a moment did the patriotism or enthusiasm of their purpose flag, although they knew, as few outside of this Association can know, the burden which they cheerfully assumed. Those engaged in disin- terested, gratuitous public enterprises will understand the nature of the renewed responsibility. This was an effort to carry out the grand and artistic conception of the architect, who had devoted many years of study to this par- ticular subject. The Trustees appreciated his ideal and believed in it, and whatever criticisms may be due to the execution of the work as it was after- wards accomplished, should be attributed to the experimental condition of all architectural art in our country. The best known artiists were employed to develop and perfect this noble conception of the architect ; and those who honor art, as well as those whose hearts burn with love of country, must yield a tribute of appreciation and admiration to this new departure in monumental art, and concede that it is a I 80 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. I ^1 w J I generous effort to develop true American art and perpetuate heroic mem- ories. The officers and committees were as follows : President, John H. Starin ; Vice-Presidents, James M. Marvin, J. Watts Depeyster ; Secretary, William Stone ; Treasurer, D. S. Potter. Standing Committees. Committee on Design : William L. Stone, John H. Starin, D. F. Ritchie, E. F. Bullard, P. C. Ford, Algernon S. Sullivan, George William Curtis, J. Watts Depeyster, Charles K. Graham, W. A. Sackett. Building Committee : P. C. Ford, D. A. Bullard, William L. Stone. Executive Committee : D. S. Potter, J. M. Marvin, D. F. Ritchie, P, C. Ford, C. W. Mayhew, J. G. Dillingham, C. S. Lester, J. M. Davison. Advisory Committee : Algernon S. Sullivan, P. C. Ford, E. F. Bullard. Committee on the Custody of the Monument : Mrs. E. H. Walworth, P. C. Ford, J. H. Dillingham, W. L. Stone. Committee on Tablets : Mrs. E. H. Walworth, A. de R. McNair, J, W. Drexel. Committee on the Proper Conduct of the Dedication of the Monument : P. C. Ford, D. S. Potter, S. A. Bullard, C. W. Mayhew, Jas. M. Marvin, W. A. Sackett, D. F. Ritchie, Chas. S. Lester, J. M. Davison, J. H. Dillingham. Committee on Speakers at the Dedication of the Monument : W. L. Stone, P. C. Ford, Mrs. E. H. Walworth. The President of the Saratoga Monument Association called a special meeting of the trustees February 8, 16&S, at the Gilsey House, in New York city, where he had prepared a sumptuous banquet to entertain them, after the long session with its perplexing questions had come to an end. There were present at this meeting, John H. Starin, President ; James M. Marvin and J. Watts Depeyster, Vice-Presidents ; W. L. Stone, Secretary; Chas. R. Graham, Algernon S. Sullivan, Jos. W. Drexel, Chas. S. Lester, D. S. Potter, J. H. Dillingham, A. B. Baucus, J. M. Davison, W. L. Stone, Jr., Edward Wemple, W. A. Sackett, and J. C. Markham the architect. Interesting and encouraging letters were read from many distinguished Trustees who could not be present. The Secretary announced that through the wise and earnest efforts of Trustees Cox and Wemple, Congress had appropriated forty thousand dollars for the statuary of the Saratoga Monument. The Association expressed high appreciation of these efforts, and a vote of thanks was also sent to the New York Senators, Mr. Warner Miller and Mr. Lapham, for their valuable assistance in obtaining the passage of this bill. \ HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 8i With regard to the expenditure of this money, there were many points lo be discussed. Shoula the three bronze statues be ordered first, or should the historical tablets for the walls of the interior precede these ? Or, again, should the bronze doors and stairway come before either, or should there be a cheaper substitute for them ? Would it be better to advertise for bids for the statues, or select well known artists to offer models ? There was a diversity of opinion, but the following resolutions were unanimously agreed upon : That the entire question of the statues should be left with the Committee on Design ; and the interior tablets should be in the same manner in the hands of the architect, and that he would be respons.oie for a proper execution of this work. It was further resolved " that the Com- mittee OP Design should apply the present appropriation to the three statues of Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, and to the interior decoration of one story of the Monument." Another subject of deliberation was the method of soliciting the Legisla- ture of New York for twenty-five thousand dollars for the remaining deco- ration of the Monument and for the expenses of the dedication. Mr. D. S. Potter submitted the draft of a bill which was approved, and a committee, with Mr. Potter as Chairman, was appointed by the President to endeavor to secure this appropriation. At the annual meeting, August 12, 1884, in Saratoga Springs, the Senior Vice-President, James M. Marvin, occupied the chair ; the Secretary, Mr, Stone, announced the death of Trustees Giles B. Slocum and Isaac N. Arnold, and paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of each. The President, John H. Starin, sent the following letter : My Dear Sir — It is, I am sure, unnecessary to say to you in writing what I have frequently said verbally, that I am thoroughly alive to the importance of the meeting of the Saratoga Monument Association to be held the coming week. Being so fully impressed with its importance, I regret the more that it will not be possible for me to attend, and for the reason that I wished per- sonally to bid the Trustees to be of good cheer, and to say to them that I had every assurance that we would get an appropriation from the Government at the coming session. I had also wished to bear personal testimony to the exceedingly able address in behalf of the Monument Association, which was delivered before the Congressional Committee by Mr. Algernon S. Sullivan. It would also have been appropriate, I think, to have referred to the eloquent letter of Mr. George W. Curtis which did good work in the same direction, and to bear testimony to the indefatigable energy, tact and good sense dis- played by Mr. Congressman Wemple in his efforts to secure the passage of the appropriation bill. As it is, however, I am forced to forego these pleas- ures ; business of the utmost importance will prevent me from being present I -"i<-5p^ 1 < iVP ^?^ ^m -^vmmm^^^wt 8a HISTORY OF THE SABATOOA MONCHENT ASSOCIATION. 1 with you. My consolation is, that Mr. Marvin, our worthy Vice-President, will doubtless be present to preside over your deliberations. It will be your duty as Chairman of the Committee on Design to read to the meeting the report of that committee. It will doubtless have the more weight as it was made unanimously. I sincerely hope the Association will approve our action in regard to accepting the architect's designs for the interior sculpture which seemed, not only to myself, but to Mr. Curtis, Mr. Sullivan, Judge Bacon and Mr. Potter, together with the Library Committee of both Houses of Congress, to be exceedingly appropriate, both in the alle- gorical ideas conveyed and in the manner in which it is proposed to execute the work. I have every reason to believe that there will be no hesitancy in giving Mr. Markham, the architect, every credit for his laudable efforts. Again regretting that I cannot be present at the meeting, and in the sin- cere hope that it may be successful in every way, I have the honor to be Sincerely yours, John H. Starin. The Chairman of the Committee on Design, Mr. W. L. Stone, submitted his report, which was unanimously adopted. It gives a r6sum6 of the work of the Association during the year. He said : " The Committee on Design, to which was intrusted the business of approaching Congress, in conformity with the by-laws of the Association, held a meeting in New York, in Decem- ber, 1883. Designs for the statues and bas-reliefs were submitted by the architect, which after a full discussion and interchange of views, were unani- mously approved and accepted, and the architect was requested to go on with his studies, so that when the expected appropriation from Congress should be obtained there might be no delay in their execution. The designs which were shown to the Committee and accepted are as follows : The statues are to be of bronze and seven feet high ; they represent Generals Gates, Schuyler and Morgan, and will fill the niches in the three sides of the Monument, the fourth side to be left vacant with Arnold's name inscribed under it. Bas- reliefs are to line the walls of the five stories of the Monument, p'-°tsenting in enduring bronze historical and allegorical scenes germane to to the campaign. Eight of these on the first story are to be placed in a series of four each. The first four represent scenes on the British side — a ' Consultation of George III. and his Generals,' the ' March of the British Army,' the ' Battles ' and the ' Sur- render of General Burgoyne to General Gates.' The second series represent scenes on the American side — the ' Women of the Revolution,' the ' March of the Continental Army,' the ' Transfer of Command from Schuyler to Gates,' the 'Wounding of Arnold.' " It was arranged at this meeting that the President, Mr. Starin, and Mr. Algernon Sullivan should go to Washington, and Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Stone 1 HI8T0KY OF TUB SARATOGA. MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 83 were requested to draw the bill to be presented to Congress. Accordingly on February 13th, 1884, these gentlemen and Mr. Potter appeared before the joint Congressional Library Committee of both houses. As a result of the efforts of that committee in Washington, the following papers are presented : In the Senate of the United States. (March 4, 1884, — Orde.'ed to be printed.) Mr. Sherman, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the follow- ing Report (to accompany bill S. 1309) : The Committee on the Library, having had under consideration the bill (S. 1309) appropriating $40,000 to provide statuary and historical tablets for the Saratoga Monument, respectfully report : It appears that the State of New York incorporated, tinder perpetual charter, " The Saratoga Monument Association," with a purpose to suitably commemorate the surrender of the British Army by General Burgoyne, A. D. 1777. That Association has acquired title to four acres of land within the lines of Burgoyne's intrenched camp, overlooking the field of the sur-^nder, and has also erected thereon a beautiful monumental shaft, 155 feet high. The structure is completed, and is ready now for statues of the generals who commanded the Continental Army, and for the historic tablets in bronze, which, according to the designs of the Monument Association, shall record in words and allegorf.cal pictures, the events and circumstances of the Revo- lutionary struggle, at the period of the battles on and near the plains of Saratoga. The battle of Saratoga was beyond doubt the most momentous battle of the Revolutionary war, and most decisive in results. It peculiarly combined the soldiers from colonies North and Fouth, and united them more than ever. Its victory led instantly to the alliartce of France. In every respect the event appeals to Congress for special recognition of its historic import. To meet the expense of their work the Association have rec^ved $25,000 from the State pf New York, $30,000 from the United States, and about $10,000 from individual contributors, making $65,000. This appears to have been expended judiciously and economically. Your committee approve the designs for adding to the Monument suitable descriptive features, in statues and bronze tablets, the sketches and drawings for which have been exhibited to this committee. To enable the Association to carry out these designs, they require a sum equal at least to that already expended. They intend to apply to the State I p^ /, I i 'I 84 HISTOBT OF THE SARATOGA MONUMKMT AB80CIATI0N. I * of New York and to its citizens for all except $40,000, which they ask that Congress shall appropriate. In view of the dignity of the event to be noted, the appropriateness of the plans adopted, the favorable progress of the design to the present time, the high character of the Monument Association, your committee recommend the passage of the bill. As a fuller statement of the considerations which prompted the cou- mittee to report this bill, we beg leave to append as an exhibit the proceedings of and statements made before this committee at its meeting on the 15th of February ultimo: Washington, February 15, 1884. At a meeting of the Committee on the Library, having under considera- tion the bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to the President of the Saratoga Monument Association the sum of $40,000 to complete the statuary and historic tablets of the Saratoga Monument, a committee was present on behalf of said Association, viz., Hon. John H. Starin, Hon. William J. Bacon, Mr. D. S. Potter, and Mr. Algernon S. Sullivan. Mr. George William Curtis, a member of the committee, could not be present, but sent a letter to be read, favoring the proposed bill. At the request of Mr. Starin, Mr. Wemple made the following statement: We exhibit to the Library Committee a photograph of the Saratoga Battle Monument as it stands completed in granite to-day. It is 155 feet high, and stands within the lines of the battle-field, on a blufi 300 feet above and over- looking the Hudson, thus giving it an actual height above the river level of 455 feet. * * • All that remains to be added are the bronze statues in the outside niches, and the sculptured decoration inside. This sculpture will represent in aUo relievo historical and allegorical scenes connected with the earlier period of the Revolution. • * ♦ The cost of the grounds, grading, etc., amounting to about $10,000, has been paid by private subscription of the Trustees of the Association and by citizens of Schuylerville. The design for the Monument, originally sug- gested by Hamilton Fish and Horatio Seymour, was to combine the character of the Egyptian obelisk with the gothic style of architecture. Accordingly, in 1873, ^ committee of design commissioned Mr. J. C. Mark- ham, their architect, to furnish a design for a monument which should be much more imposing than that whiph has been constructed. The design originally furnished was for a monument, the estimated cost of which was $500,000. Discovering the difficulty of raising such a sum, the Association was compelled to modify their plans in accordance with the Monument as it now exists. But to compensate for the reduction in ATION. which they ask that appropriateness of to the present time, mmittee recommend prompted the cou- ibit the proceedings ting on the 15th of )ruary 15, 1884. ug under considera- )uy to the President 3o to complete the t, a committee was tarin, Hon. William Ar. George William but sent a letter to )llowing statement: h of the Saratoga It is 15s feet high, 'eet above and over- the river level of bronze statues in rhis sculpture will :onnected with the about $10,000, has \ssociation and by U, originally sug- to combine the s of architecture. d Mr. J. C. Mark- ent which should onstructed. The estimated cost of sing such a sum, accordance with the reduction in •• 1. ;i J. C. MARKIIAM, ARCHITECT OF THK SARATOGA MONUMENT. ^< 1 ill ■ I' f ' i Kl ^ 1 1 Li ^ 9mm HISTORY OF THE 8ARAT0OA MOMtTMRNT ASBOCIATIOK. 85 ■ im»H . *'hi ■■■ . ,'.l nil; . ntin. ' 'h. > ;■>, rtt ' h. !"< ■w • -. ti t ■,>!■ 1 ■ n hi-ff^i \ St . • •■ir •<] • 1 t'. !-. . Wll . •■ Vi. i r Treasuf , •• i cari V ' • f ij.ooo in T.<'i > lOfty and inde- ratoga and the ory only. The statuary to be ,»J < which was to line . ' staircases and - scope for the t of the Monu- telling speeches it the time on lark but make ■ tare that your duced in Con- st 4m for the Monu- ion, Hon. John ) complete the the work, d he feel upon that before he :hers to obtain :hat if that sum an go to Con- itone upon the s, added to the » ,ooo for ground ■nt, as you now lai «f the T' ■•tone, Benson J. . ".'(g t M nuaent Association ' ew, V>..'-k The object was to ■ le's surrcndi I. That Associa- iltiCb. Tlicy laid the corner- ■.iin>:n ' ■! . ^ ! 'he capstone was site is anjust identical with ver 01 tlu' Bi tish army to the ' ion are : Horatio ^- • '•""•"'''•■•••WEaj' ARC HIT! r. MARK i I NM. TlIF, SARATCX.A M SUMKNT. HI8T0BY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENV ASSOCIATION. 85 ! I ' size two elements were substituted : The first was that of a lofty and inde- pendent shaft or tower overlooking the classic plains of Saratoga and the battle-fields of Bemis Heights, and being expressive of victory only. The second and more important element of this design was the statuary to be placed in the niches and the tower, and historic sculpture which was to line the interior of its walls to the height of 65 feet, with bronze staircases and floors of a costly tile of original historic design. This gives scope for the partial realization of the dec'gn of 1873, and it is this element of the Monu- ment which Horatio Seymour refers to when, in one of his most tell; ng speeches delivered at the laying of the corner-stone, standing, rn fact, at the time on its. corner-stone, he says: "National monuments not only mark but make the civilization of the people." It is for this historic sculpture that your committee urged the passage of the bill which has been introduced in Con- gress at their request. In 1880 the State of New York had appropriated $25,000 for the Monu- ment, and the President of the Saratoga Monument Association, Hon. John H. Starin, appeared before Congress, asking for $30,000 to complete the structure, and he represented that that sum would accomplish the work. His word has been made good. Indeed, so strongly did he feel upon this point, and so determined that it should be made good, that before he would, as President of the Association, sign the requisite vouchers to obtain the warrant from the Treasurer of the United States, he said that if that sum were not sufficient to carry the tower to completion, rather than go to Con- gress for more money, he would, in order to place the capstone upon the Monument, give $5,000 in person. The $30,000 from Congress, added to the $25,000 from the State of New York, and the sum of about $10,000 for ground and other expenses, has been sufficient to pay for the Monument, as you now see it, and, in fact, it is 16 feet higher than the original design. THE ASSOCIATION. In 1859 Hamilton Fish, Horatio Seymour, William L Stone, Benson J. Lossing and John A. Corey organized the Saratoga Monument Association under a perpetual charter from the State of New York, The object was to engage a fitting memorial on the site of Burgoyne's surrender. That Associa- tion has pursued its object amid many difficulties. They laid the corner- stone of the structure on the centennial of the surrender, and the capstone was placed in position on November 3, 1882. The site is almost identical with that where Gen. Burgoyne surrendered the flower of the British army to the American General Gates. Among the active trustees and members of the Association are : Horatio 86 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. Seymour, Warner Miller, E. G. Laphatn, S. S. Cox, J. Watts De Peyster, Chas. K. Graham, James M. Marvin, Edward Wemple, Douglas Campbell, William L. Stone, Benson J. Lossing, George William Curtis, William J. Bacon, Giles B. Slocum, D. S. Potter, and many other distinguished citizens of New York ; S. D. Kirk, W. W. Sale, Charles H. Simonton and Samuel Dibble, of South Carolina ; and Isaac N. Arnold, of Illinois, whose character as^sures the coun- try that any sum appropriated by the bill under consideration will be faith- fully applied to the object for which it is asked. THIS APPLICATION. It is due to the dignity of the Association that we should call attention to that which we regard as the exceptional nature of this application and justify- ing it. In such a case as that interesting centennial celebration which recently took place in New York City, that is, the commemoration of the fina' depart- ure of British troops from America, and the erection of a statue » ity given to the Committee on Design by the Trustees enabled them to appoint a sub-committee on Finance. These were Messrs. Starin, Curtis, Sullivan, Sackett and Wemple. This " Financial Committee " had full power to make all contracts and expenditures in finishing the Monument under the Congressional appropriation, and they were also empowered to employ artists and workingmen to carry out the plans of Mr. Markham. It was Resolved, " That Messrs O'Donovan, Doyle and Bissell be re- quested to submit designs for the statues of Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, and the Finance Committee be instructed to select one, two, or all three of such statues from any one artist, as may seem most desirable and appro- priate." At th'- nt^t meeting of the Committee, Mr. Curtis moved that the resolu- tion in the minutes be struck out which stated that " O'Donovan, Doyle and Bissell had been selected," and as a substitute to put in the folloving which he said expressed the intention of the motion : " That in the modification of the previous resolution, Messrs. O'Donovan, Doyle and Bissell be requested to submit designs or models for the proposed statues, and that the Financial Committee be instructed to select one, two, or three of such statues from any one artist as the Committee deem best, pro- vided that the Committee shall not be bound to accept, or make a contract for any such statue, unless the design or model be satisfactory to them ; and that provision be made in any contract to secure thorough and artistic work." Much discussion followed the reading of this resolution. Mr. Curtis urged the necessity of employing those artists only, of the same recognized rank. " For," said he, " if it becomes generally known that this Committee employ unknown men, and the results should be unsatisfactory, it will be held up to the ridicule of posterity." The amended resolution was then passed. Mr. Bissell was in Europe, but Mr. O'Donovan and Mr. Doyle were separately and successively called in before the Committee and the last resolution was read to them, and they each agreed to its terms. Mr. Bissell also acquiesced in this decision. Mr. Stone, in his report of this Committee, continues : The sub-committee met November 19th, at the office of President J. H. Starin, where models of the three statues were exhibited and their merits dis- cussed, but without a decision being reached. A week later another meeting was held, and there were present J. H. Starin, Geo. Wm. Curtis, J. W. de Pey- ster, Wm. L. Stone and J. C. Markham, the Architect. After a thorough examination of the different models for three statues and an animated dis- HISTORY OF THE BARATCXM MONUMKNT 1880CIATION. 93 cussion in regard to tJxem, Resolved, "That this committee conditionally approve of the statues of Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, and if these gentlemen acquiesce in the suggestions of the Committee, and the changes thus made are satisfactory to the Chairman, Mr. Starin, then he is empowered to contract with the said gentlemen for the execution of the statues, subject to the approval of the Committee." The artists agreed to make the desired changes, and the contracts with them were closed. The report of the Committee on Design was approved. Mrs. E. H. Walworth, Chairman of the Committee on the Custody of the Monument, submitted the following report : " That in compliance with the principal duty assigned to the Committee, immediately after the last meeting, they appointed as custodian of the Monu- ment Mr. V. W. Ostrander, who has been recommended by the Secretary and other Trustees ; he still fills the place. He lives just across the road from the Monument where some member of his family can see every person who approaches it ; he owns property there, and feels an interest and pride in the Monument. Your committee have not found it feasible to carry out a resolution passed by this Association which fixed the price of admission, but have found it necessary to reduce the amount. A large proportion of the visitors yet are farmers and others from the vicinit) The fact that there is a Monument of such size and importance seems to e very little known by the visitors at Saratoga Springs. Mr. Ostrander was instructed to keep an account of all receipts and expenditures, and a copy of his account accom- panies this report. The Committee have placed a register in the Monument for each visitor to inscribe his name and address. " The grounds around the Monument should be graded and planted with grass ; plain benches should be placed in the top story ; and a large register, bound especially for the purpose, should be provided, with a suitable stand to hold it. " Thus far, the Committee have not felt justified in spending any money from the receipts except for the repair of windows and for lamps and oil, and the very small amount a"nwed Mr. Ostrander." Many letters were read from Trustees expressing regret for their inability to be present, and manifesting an earnest interest in the additional work on the Monument which was now fully initiated. The events of the next three years may be traced through brief extracts from the reports of committees, and resolutions passed by the Association. In 1885 the Chairman of the Committee on Designs reported that "the Financial Committee, or more properly its Chairman, Mr. Starin, ably seconded by the Architect, has been most unwearied, nay, most indefatigable in his ' i 94 HTBTORT OF THB 8AIUT0OA MONTTMENT ABSOOIATIOK. ki exertions to complete the contracts, so as to be able to report definite prog- ress at this meeting. Indeed, the time thus spent and the labor undergone in accomplishing this result cannot be realized by any one who is not personally cognizant of the details to be looked into and carefully weighed before a decision can be reached. Thus, Mr. Starin, neglecting nothing that could aid in making the funds on hand go as far as possible, now presents, through the Architect, the following report: *' Contracts have been awarded to Booth Bros, for setting of historic tablets on interior walls, and lettering the same, and for door casings of two stories ; to Alfred Boat, for the floors in five stories ; to Wemple & Sons, for iron stairway; to Maurice J. Power, for back to niches; to W. R. O'Donovan, statue of Morgan ; to Moffat and Doyle, statue of Schuyler ; to Geo. E. Bissell, statue of Gates ; to J. E. Kelly, eight historic tablets ; to J. S. Hartley, eight historic tablets." The Secretary continues: "I would remind the Trustees that this Monu- ment upon which we have b>.f n so long engaged is one of the most important works of historic art ever produced in this Republic, for not only does it por- tray in enduring granite and bronze the true character of the events it seeks to commemorate, but it most happily illustrates the philosophy of history. " The design and development In all the details of this extraordinary work is the result of the inspiration, devotion and perseverance of our Archi- tect, Mr. J. C. Markham, who, more than thirteen years ago, was induced by me, with no available funds at my command, to undertake it, and who, at a great outlay of time and labor, has not only produced this great art work, but has also rendered efficient aid in procuring the means with which to carry out the same, and at a cost so smnll, as to actually detract from the popular appreciation of its value, thus illustrating the old Horatian maxim, Omne ignotum pro magnifico I "This being the case I am sure that nothing more than this reminder will be required to cause you to see that he has the financial aid necessary to carry out his part of the work. "The tablets designed by him, sixteen in number, depict the following scenes : 1. Women of the Revolution. 2. Ladies of the British Court. . 3. T*?e Town Meeting. 4. The Rally. 5. George III. in Council. 6. Burgoyne addressing the Indians. 7. The Wives of British officers, in their caloches, traveling through the wilderness. •J^ K«««*!«i«pin HISTORY OF THK 8ARATOOA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 9$ inite prog- dergone in personally i before a t could aid fi rough the 3f historic igs of two i Sons, for 'Donovan, :o Geo. E. ; to J. S. fiis Monu- important oes it por- ts it seeks history, aordinary )ur Archi- duced by who, at a art work, h to carry i popular :im, Omne inder will ;essary to following through 8, Schuyler felling trees to obstruct the evening's march. 9. Mrs. General Schuyler firing her wheat fields. 10. The murder of Jane McCrea. 11. Burgoyne reprimanding his Indian allies for their barbat'ities. 12. Schuyler transferring his command to Gates. 13. The passage in a boat of Lady Acland to the American camp, 14. The wounding of Arnold at Breyman's redoubt. 15. The burial of General Frazer. 16. Burgoyne surrendering his sword to Gates." Mr. Potter, Chairman of the Executive Committee, reported that the additional contract for the four and a half feet which had been added to the height of the Monument, in the process of building, had been approved, and it was recommended that the contractors receive payment therefor. Mrs. Walworth, Chairman of the Committee in charge of the Monument, submitted a financial statement of receipts and expenditures, and continued : "Your Com- mittee have visited the monument from time to time, and find it well cared for. We would call the attention of the Association to the condition of the grounds around the Monument. We recommend that funds be raised to grade these grounds and put them in good order, and that a group of trees be planted in them." The report was adopted, and afterward Mr. Starin said that he would like to do something toward beautifying the grounds about the Monument, and with the approval of the Association he would have a landscape gardener look the ground over, and he would give three hundred dollars toward the expense of grading and fitting up the Monument grounds. A Committee, Messrs. Hardy, Wemple, Stone and Ritchie, were appointed to draft resolutions of regret on the death of ex-Governor Seymour. They reported as follows : Resolved, That in the death of ex-Governor Horatio Seymour, for many years the honorable President of the Saratoga Monument Association (which has occurred since our last Annual Meeting), this Association feels that it has suffered a profound and irreparable loss, inasmuch as the successful prosecu- tion of the great task devolving upon it, has from the first been so faithfully and ably promoted by him both by his purse and his pen. Resolved, That as the erection of the Saratoga Monument was made possi- ble by the writings of Governor Seymour, by which public opinion was educated to a proper appreciation of its necessity as a great educating power, so the final completion of this noble and beautiful work of art will forever illustrate that pregnant sentiment enumerated by him at the laying of the corner stone, viz. : " That monuments not only mark but make the civilization of a people." ii 90 HIBTORY OF THE HARATHV "1' IHK 8ARA'r(l<4\ MONCMKNT ASSOCIATION. iliHi these resolutions bo engross6 Senator Warner Miller muoduced a petition in the -^ I ; u'. fronni the Saratoga Monumi.'iit Association, in regard to iii'.ii i>t' funds for a suitable dcili' a; u>n, and soon afterward the witij^- ItMi 1 vvus received from the Senatur . i ! fi. itho; V;lll,e: , ))i AK S'-iJ * * * I liave not ihinnjhi iht' CI ; "bration this year, as they ar.- lUiii All :.i< mtfean appropriation iiif in connection with the •-'viire it for Saratoga. Next : Matue, and it would not be besl sluill lak ' !t up early in the session, and shall e.xpect you and some •,1 f^tees li> come i<> W'ashinj.'. '!■ ■ ■<■ "■.;'■■ < ■ r,i ike a strong showing. i',!-c express my rei^ret to the .V!.:: -cr:-. a; S.iratoga, and express my h . ii , ( i-opmalion in getting an appropiiation next winter. Yours truly. Warnkr Mulkk. f i faf-ji. ■t inuring the session ol i.he New Vr),-k i^egislature of this winter, 1885-86, a biU appropriating $10,000 for the Monument was passed, through the inde- )le exertions of Edward Wemplt, Geo. S. Batcheller and Jas. W. !, hut it was vetoed by Governor Hill. tiie annual meeting of 1886, Mrs. Walworth, of the Tablet Committee, :■■.:' fAu itlier tablets had been presented, and called attention to ' 1 f <'-.]M(;ial importance that were still unmarked, these were : :''' V ,n,,n's IJill, fitiKTul tiates' Headouarters. (■■• r •diiiil't where Frazer was buried. ' ' >i >) organ's attack on the right ilank of the British. ■■i ■'■■' tablets on the battle-ground at Bemus' Heights are appre- pl • in the vicinity of tiie ii.ittlf ground, who feel an interest ■ '" , t!iat these tablets havi gi. > o interest and emphasis to , I. if>) with this field, is md: ated by the enthusiasm of '' i< V n on the field since they were erected. ■i f-specially encour.iged toccmtimie their work, since , i y iiiem has met witii such favor that many historical , IS oi the country are now indicated by similar tablets. •rib., m her r<.'port as Chairman of the Committee in charge of i"< :itt<:nti(.>n to the heavy glass an suitable and exji PJRJiU ■HHHPi^lP he family of ition in the in regard to fterward the ppropiiation on with the itoga. Next u and some <; showing, express my .R Mil LKR. liter, 1885-86, gh the inde- and Jab. W. t Committee, attention to e were : ish. ts are appre- 1 an interest emphasis to ithnsiasm of - vvurk, since iiy historical r tablets. in charge of lors recently there was no rt of receipts ELLEN HARDIN WALWORTH, CHAIRMAN OF THK COMMITTRK ON TAIU.KTS. SARATOCA MONUMENT ASSOCIATIUN. MUM* HISTORT OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 97 At the annual meeting of 1887 the Architect submitted the following report : "At the annual meeting of 1883, 1 had the honor to submit to this Associ- ation a statement of the works then remaining to be done to complete the Saratoga Monument, together with an estimate of the funds required for its execution, amounting to the sum of $100,000, which report was adopted and referred by the Association to the Committee on design with authority to raise the money and to carry out the work. " In the execution of this trust the Committee in making application to Congress exhibited to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives the designs and drawings furnished by the architect for the works, and said tha^ $75,000 additional would be required for its execution, and modestly asked Congress to appropriate $40,000, it being hoped that the State of New York and private donations would make up the rest. " The bill appropriating the amount asked for was immediately reported favorably, and afterwards was called up out of its regular order and passed unanimously ; and just here I desire to record the fact, that all applications hitherto made in behalf of the Saratoga Monument, whether to the National Congress or to the State Legislature, have been responded to with patriotic enthusiasm, every honest and intelligent citizen concurring in the idea so happily expressed by the late President of your Association, Hon. Horatio Seymour, that the national monuments ' not only mark but make the civili- zation of a people." Yet the first appropriation of $50,000, secured mainly through the intelligent and purely patriotic efforts of the Hon. Geo. S. Batcheller, was so loaded \' th conditions by his political rivals as to defeat its use. So also when this committee of yours met at Albany, for the nurpose of making the application for the amount referred to in the foregoing report, they were prevented by some unknown influence from obtaining even a hearing by a legislative committee, thereby defeating the generally expressed will of the legislature and necessitating a suspension of the work. " Nevertheless, upon the passage of the congressional appropriation bill the committee decided to go on and if possible finish the first two stories of the Monument with the $40,000. And in conformity with this decision certain modifications were made in some of ihe minor details of the work and the con- tracts were entered into. The three bronze statues of Generals Schuyler, Gates and Morgan are in place and compare favorably with other works, the Gates, of Bissell, being pronounced by competent judges one of the best of American statues. "The sixteen historic sculptures of the two first stories are all in place and are said to be not second to any in historic truth and interest, and as low reliefs they mark a decided advance in this department of art. For the stairs rj, 98 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONTTMENT ASSOCIATION. the committee decided to adopt iron instead of bronze, thereby saving some $12,000 and still giving stairs unexcelled for strength, lightness and beauty at a cost of $2,700. The granite and terra cotta were much simplified in design and are in the two stories in a satisfactory manner at a cost of $2,699 for granite and $430 for terra cotta. The bronze doors and windows of the design were changed to brass and those of the two first stories were contracted with a firm entitled ' The American Art Metal Works,' but their work being unsat- isfactory to the committee and not fulfilling the contract, $750 is withheld from them and a contract has been made with Mr. C. S. Closson to complete that work for the sum of $250 and $50 for fitting second story windows, included in their work. " From the foregoing statements it appears that the three statues and the historic sculpture and finishing of the two first stories of the Monument originally estimated to cost about $55,000, have been done for less than $30,- 000; and that if the State had made the appropriation of $25,000, as expected, the Saratoga Monument would have been to-day completed, and at a cost of at least $20,000 less than the original estimate, a fact which will doubtless inspire such a continuation of public confidence in the Monument as to insure all requisite aid in the final completion of this important national work, of which there still remains to be done the bronze top or roof, the granite base and bronze or brass window frames and tile floors and the twenty tablets i.f historic sculpture of the three upper stories, the ceilings of all live stories and the four guns with their bronze carriages for the platform. " All these things are still remaining unprovided for, yet are not absolutely essential to a grand public dedication of the work. On the contrary, such a dedication if properly conducted would undoubtedly facilitate its grand con- summation ; all of which, with my most profound expression of gratitude to the Saratoga Monument Association for its cordial co-operation throughout the progress of the work, is most respectfully submitted. "J. C. Markham, Architect." Mrs. E. H. Walworth, from the Committee on Tablets, submitted the the following report : We would respectfully state that the suggestion made in our report of last year, that at least four new tablets should be erected on the battle-field at Bemis Heights, has been carried out. Four tablets have been subscribed lor, are now completed, and will all be placed on the field before the anniver- sary of the battle in September and October. One of them was presented by General J. Watts dc Peyster ; it is a beautiful shaft of white marble elabor- ately and appropriately decorated by the skillful artist who designed the fine statue of Gen. Gates which commands the portal of the great monument at HI8T0KT OF THK flARATOGA MONTTMENT ABSOCIATION. 99 Schuylerville. It marks Breyman's Hill* (erroneously called Burgoyne's Hill) and the spot where Arnold was wounded, and where he broke through the last barrier to success in the great battle of October, 1776. Another tablet has been presented by Mrs. Taylor, a granddaughter of General Daniel Mor- gan ; it will be placed at the foot of Morgan's Hill, on the road between Freeman's farm and Neilson's house. A third tablet is presented by Mrs. Estelle Willoughby ; it will be placed where the battles swayed back and forth on the edge of the great ravine ; it is the spot where the royal artillery was broken and defeated and where Major Ackland was desperately wounded. The fourth tablet is the gift of General Martin D. Hardin, U. S. A., to commemorate the distinguished services of his great-grandfather. Colonel John Hardin, in the battles of Saratoga ; it will probably be placed on the river road, as indicating the path of the reconnaissance led by Colonel Hardin before the battles took place. It seems appropriate to explain why points so important as the headquarters of Gen. Gates, and the commanding spot where Gen. Frazer was buried, should remain unmarked. In regard to this last place, one of our trustees, who is both generous and active in historic work, Mr. J. W. Drexel, promises us a subscription for this interesting spot from a gentleman in Scotland. It is peculiarly appropriate that the memory of the distinguished Scotchman, Gen. Frazer, should be perpetuated by one of his countrymen. The headquarters of Gen. Gates is so prominent in inter- est and locality that we could easily have placed upon it a tablet like a majority of those already located, but it has seemed appropriate to have erected on this spot a more imposing stone, similar to the one given by Mr, James M. Marvin or to the one erected by Gen. J. Watts de Peyster. In closing our report we would very earnestly thank the members of the Association for the encouragement and inspiration we have received from their sympathy and their generosity in the prosecution of our work. Ellen Hardin Walworth, Chairman. P. C. Ford, as Chairman of the Committee on the Dedication of the Monument, reported that owing to the unfinished condition of the Monument they had been unable to make arrangements for the dedication this year, as had been contemplated. Whereupon Col. Ritchie moved to accept the report and extend the time of the Committee with the same instructions as those given last year, the dedication to be held in September, 1888, the particular day to be designated by Messrs. Starin and Marvin of the Committee. The following resolution, introduced by the Hon. Edward Wemple, was then passed : Resolved, That a Committee consisting of John H. Starin, Warner Miller, Edward Wemple, S. S. Cox, Jas. M. Marvin and Geo. Wm. Curtis, be instructed • *}^^t' ^?'.''" ?'°,0' ''i* ''•'* y**'! '891, discovered a new fact in re^rd to Colonel Bi-eyman, from the mano- script of a Major in Von Rhetz » remment, viz.: that Breyman was shot by one of his own men, after he, Brey- man, had sabred four of his men. He is described as a man of ungovernable ferocity. H I r ••mm: T V'.^ lOO HISTORY OF THE 8ARAT0OA MONTTMRNT ASSOCrATION. to ask Congress for a sum not less than $25,000 to prepare for the dedication of the Monument and the expenses incidental to it. On motion of Lieut. -Com. McNair, seconded by Gen. De Peyster and E. T. Slocum, the following resolution was then passed : Resolved, That ihe Committee having in charge the dedication of the Monument, be instructed to invite to participate in the ceremonies the follow- ing, viz. : The President and Cabinet. The foreign representatives, especially of France. The Governors of the several States of the United States. The Military Order of the Cincinnati. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. The Grand Aimy of the Republic. The descendants of those who participated in the campaign of Saratoga. A petition in reference to the appointment of a Janitor of the Monument was then referred to the proper committee with full power in the premises. On motion of Mrs. E. H. Walworth, Hon. George S. Batcheller was elected a Trustee of the Association in plf.je of Mr. Strover, deceased. In the autumn of 1887 the Monument was struck by lightning ; the heavy cap-stone was lifted from its place and carried a short distance from the base of the Monument ; for about seven feet below the cap-stone the structure was shattered, but fortunately the damage did not reach lower down, so the statues and other ornaments were undisturbed. At the annual meeting of 1888, among the letters read were the following : Dear Old Comrades and Brother Members of the Saratoga Monument Association : I had not heard until the receipt of your note of the ? ,ident to our Monument. I am sad thereat. If the spirit of Sir John Burgi /ne were per- mitted to revisit the scene of his discomfiture and capitulation, I could almost believe that it operated through the bolt which untopped the memorial of American triumph over his arrogant campaign. Would not a patriotic Congress, which has justly recognized its claim, with commendable generosity, acknowledge as a paramount duty the repair of a work so emi- nently national, with an additional provision for its future safety? Whose duty is it more appropriately ? Very truly yours, E. W. B. Canning. AsHFiELD, Mass., August 9th, 1888. Mv Dear Mr, Stone — I am very sorry that I shall be unable to attend the meeting of the Trustees of the Saratoga Monument Association on the HI8T<»RV dy of the Saratoga Monument Association the four 12-pound bronze pieces captured from Burgoyne and now at the Watervliet arsenal, the same to be planted at the four corners of the Saratoga Monument at Schuylerville, and that our present member of Congress, Mr. Sanford, be requested to secure these pieces so that they may at once be placed in the custody of the Monument Asso- ciation." The committee (John H. Starin, Warner Miller, Edward Wemple, S. S. Cox, James M. Marvin and George William Curtis), whose duty it is to mem- orialize Congress for an appropriation to defray the expenses of the coming dedication, was continued ; also, on motion of Mr. Potter, the committee (Wemple, Ritchie and Lester), whose province it is to adjust and arrange for the payment of all bills and claims against the Association, was continued. President Starin called the attention of the meeting to the advis- ability of having a lightning rod placed on the Monument, it having, within three years, been struck twice. On motion of Mr. Potter, Commander McNair was appointed to inquire into the best means of protecting the Monument from lightning, and to report as soon as possible, consistent with a full investigation of the subject. A letter was then read from Mr. John J. Dalgleish of Edinburgh, Scot- land, whose grandfather was in Burgoyne's campaign, enclosing an article from the Edinburgh Scotsman of August 3, in reference to a picture of the Saratoga Monument now on exhibition at Edinburgh. At the annual meeting of the Association, August 12, 1890, the President, John H. Starin, presided. Letters were read from absent trustees, and the Secretary announced the great loss the Association had sustained in the decease of three of its members — Hon. S. S. Cox, John M. Davison and George L. Schuyler — and he paid a warm tribute to the memory of each. He then said : We must not neglect to refer to the death of Lord Carnovan, late Secre- tary of the Colonies of Great Britain, who was t^e grandnephew of L{?dy Acland, and would, had he lived, have placed a handsome cenotaph to hor memory on the battle-field of Saratoga. He took an earnest interest in this, Association, as evinced by the interesting letters from him which have been laid before us from time to time. The Secretary then read to the Association a letter from Mr. Dalgleish, of Edinburgh, in which he states that the colors of the 5th Regiment, which were to be given up on the surrender of Burgoyne, are now in the military chapel at Sandhurst, England. These colors, in defiance of the capitulation, were not surrendered, but with the military chest were concealed by the colonel of the regiment ; and it was this violation of the agreement which caused the Congress of 1777 to resolve that the "convention troops " should not be sent back to England, but be kept in America for further negotiations. Washing- 104 HIHTORY OF THK SARATOGA MONUMENT AMOOTATION. ton himsolf ..ulvised Congress to this course ; and thus it was that these very colors of the 9th Regiment led to such negotiation. Our friend Mr. Dalgleish proposes to have a large photograph made of the colors and present it to the Association, to be placed in the relic room of the Monu- ment. In Mr. Stone's report, as Chairman of the Committee on Design, he said : " During the present session of Congress two bills have been introduced into both houses, the first read twice and referred to the Committee on the Library. The second bill relates to the loaning by the General Government of the eight cannon taken from Burgoyne, and now in the arsenal at Water- vliet, Troy, N. Y. The first bill is to obtain $18,500, to pay all remaining claims on the Monument ; to procure a bronze top, or cap, and for the dedi- cation. Mr. Sanford, in a letter to Mr Starin, writes : " ' In regard to the Saratoga Monument bill the Library Committee are unanimous in its favor ; and I am authorized to report it favorably whenever there is a chance of doing anything with it.' " The following are copies of these bills : AN ACT to authorize the Secretary of War to loan certain cannon to the Saratoga Monument Association. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be, and is hereby authorized to loan to the Saratoga Monument Association the following can- non and so forth, captured from General Burgoyne at Saratoga, and now on hand at the Watervliet Arsenal, West Troy, New York, namely four twelve- pounder guns, one eight-inch howitzer, one twenty-four pounder howitzer, one eight-inch mortar, and one twenty-four pounder mortar, all bronze : Pro- vided, That the Secretary of War shall cause the four twelve-pounder guns to be mounted on suitable carriages before their delivery : Provided, That said cannon shall be removed from said arsenal without expense to the United States Government. Approved, January 26, 189 1. A BILL to approoriv.te $18,484.57 for the completion and dedication of the Monument commemorating the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, by Mr. Sanford. (May 10, 1890. — Read twice, referred to the Committee on the Library, and ordered to be printed). Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled : That the sum of eighteen thousand four hundred ATION. Hius it was that iation. Our friend nade of the colors room of the Monu- >n Design, he said : en introduced into Committee on the ;neral Government : arsenal at Water- pay all remaining , and for the dedi- ry Committee are vorably whenever >n cannon to the 'te United States of e, and is hereby !ie following can- oga, and now on lely four twelve- >under howitzer, ill bronze : Pro- jounder guns to "vided. That said 2 to the United dication of the tt Saratoga, by t Library, and 7mted States of four hundred .'; 1 .1 I itj [**i 1 I ■ Ji SARATOGA MONUMENT. "Monuments make, as well as mark, the civilization of a people.' If- HIBTORY OF THE 8ASATOOA MOMCMKNT AMOOIATION. 105 and eighty-four dollars and fifty-seven cents be, and the same is hereby appro- priated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the completion and dedication of said Monument, the said money to be paid to the Association aforesaid upon the order of the Secretary of War, and subject to the same requirements authorizing former appropriations for said Monu- ment : Provided, That the said appropriation be applied to the payment of the following claims against the Monument Association for work done, and to the other objects herein named, namely : To J. C. Markham, architect, for services, seven hundred and fifty dollars ; to Booth Brothers, for mason work already done, one thousand seven hundred and forty-six dollars ; to C. S. Closson, for repairs, grading and so forth, already done, five hundred and eighty-eight dollars ; for tablet, six hundred dollars ; for brass window-frames in three stories, to replace wooden frames, two thousand dollars ; for copper top and lightning conductor, two thousand dollars ; for grading, landscape gardening, and fencing and retaining wall, three thousand three hundred dollars ; to William L. Stone, Secretary of Association, for services since its organizKtion, one thousand dollars ; to American Art Metal Works, in compromise of claim, five hundred dollars ; to cover expenses of dedication, six thousand dollars. House or Representatives. 51st Congress, ist Session. Report No. 3077. Completion and Dedication of the Saratoga Monument. (September 10, 1890. — Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed.) Mr. Sanford, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the following report (to accompany H. R. 10118): The Committee on the Library, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 10118) appropriating $18,484.57 for the completion and dedication of the Mon- ument commemorating the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, beg leave to make the following report : The purpose of the accompanying bill is to furnish the Saratoga Monu- ment Association with sufficient means to liquidate certain existing claims for work already done, and to pay for certain furnishings yet necessary to be supplied in connection with the final completion of the Saratoga Monument, and to enable the Association to suitably dedicate said structure. The above Monument having been built partly by national aid and having been the subject of former reports to Congress, it will be unnecessary, for the I i :l 1 'r' n^ 1 i . .'1 «t.; M ! I io6 HI8TORT 3F THR 8AKAT0OA MOMDMENT ABflOOLlTION. purpose of this report, to recite at length the successive steps leading to its origin and construction, but a brief statement of what has been done and of the amounts which have been expended by those having the building of the Monument immediately in charge, may facilitate a better understanding of the bill which your committee has had under consideration. In 1859 a few public-spirited citizens of the State of New York, under the leadership of Hamilton Fish and Horatio Seymour, organized what is known as the San.toga Monument Association. The Association is duly incorporated under a perpetual charter from the State, and was formed for the purpose of fittingly commemorating the surrender of General Burgoyne, by means of a suitable memorial erected upon the site of the battle of Sara- toga. In pursuance of its purpose the Association secured title to the neces- sary grounds at a cost of $io,ooo, which amount was paid by the private subscription of members of the Association and other citizens. Plans and specifications were also prepared and the task of securing an original and elegant monumental design was successfully accomplished. In 1880 the State of New York appropriated $25,000 and Congress $30,000 to the building of the Monument, which amounts were exhausted in complet- ing the structure proper, which consists of a magnificent shaft, or tower, 155 feet, combining the Egyptian and Gothic styles of architecture. The most important feature of the Monument, namely, the historic sculp- ture, tablets, bronze ar.d brass furnishings which were designed to embellish the interior of the tower, together with the statues of Generals Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, which it was intended should adorn the exterior thereof, yet remained to be provided for, and in 1884 Congress appropriated $40,000 for these decorative purposes. The sum thus appropriated, it appears, has been economically and judiciously expended in payment for such furnishings, statuary and historic tablets only, as were most essential to a completion of the design and a proper portrayal of the great event to be commemorated. Certain work yet remains to be completed and paid for, an itemized account of which is given in the accompanying bill, after which the magnificent structure awaits a suitable dedication. For the payment of a few existing claims and to complete this work yet necessary to be done, and to provide means with which to properly dedicate the Monument, the Association has asked, and this bill seeks to appropriate, the sum of $18,484.57. It will be seen from the foregoing that while th.^ building of the Saratoga Monument has not been directly under the supervision of Congress, yet that it has beeri the policy of the National Government to encourage, by substan- tial aid, the successful accomplishment of the great undertaking. And it is certainly but meet and proper that a nation whose existence has been crowned by more than a hundred years of unparalleled prosperity, and whose people HI8TOBT OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. 107 ding to its '^B one and of 1 hH ding of the ' ^B standing of 'tm^_ fork, under H ltd what is ^B ion is duly :^B formed for gH Burgoyne, :^| Lie of Sara- ^Hi- the netcs- ^H the private I^H Plans and ^IhHhL riginal and S ress $30,000 '9 in complct- ;^M tower, 15s ■ 'mm storic sculp- V^^^^B. embellish i'jn^B Is Schuyler, rior thereof, ifln ited $40,000 Hi ippears, has 'Sn furnishings. .«■ mpletion of 'IB memorated. J|B zed account ~^|tt magnificent (t^B^^B ew existing jH|| d to provide "^^M. ociation has he Saratoga ss, yet that .^ by substan- ISB And it is mB een crowned ^R hose people 3| are now at peace with all the world, should commemorate with becoming r^'j^nity the great historic events which made such an existence and condition possible. Never did a more important battle, when measured by its results, occur on American soil than was that waged and won oi the consecrated plains of Saratoga. By the signal victory there attained the French alliance was secured and the hearts of the American colonists were inspired wj h renewed confidence and courage, enabling them to deliver the final s ' ^.^^ ;t Yorktown v»hirh broke the bonds of English tyranny and establishe< fortve.* our national independence. In view, therefore, of the national importance of the great military event to be commemorated, and believing the sum named to be actually necessary to a proper consummation of a laudable and patriotic purpose, the con*, jittee earnestly recommend the passage of the bill. The annual meeting of the Saratoga Monument Association was held at the United States Hotel, in Saratoga Springs, August nth, 1891, Vice-Presi- dent Marvin, in the absence of the President, John H. Starin, in the chair. The Trustees present were : Hon. D. S. Potter, Comptroller Edward Wemple, Lieut. MvNair, Mrs. E. H. Walworth, Senator John Foley, Col. D. F. Ritchie and Lemon Thompson. Letters and telegrams were received and read from President Starin, Hon. Geo. William Curtis, Hon. Geo. S. Batcheller, Minister to Portugal, Gen. John Meredith Read, Hon. Warner Miller, E. T. Slocun., Gen. Horatio Rogers, Hon. Howard Carroll, Gen. S. D. Kirk, E. J. Lowell, Hon. Jas. W, Husted, Jno. G. McNary, Architect Markham, Chas. M. Bliss, Gen. Bullard, Hon. Chas. S. Lester, Wm. L. Stone, Jr., Hon. Jas. L. Benedict and others. There were also present, as invited guests, Prof. D, M. Xelsey, A. A. Pat- terson, M. S. Potter, B. G. Carpenter and wife, Frederick NcNaughton, Chas. M. Davison, the sculptor Mr, Geo. E. Bissell, Mr. George Whittemore, of the New York Press, and Gen. N. M. Curtis. JOHN H. STARIN'S LETTER. New York City, August 8th, 1891, To W. L. Stone, Secretary Saratoga Monument Association .- My Dear Sir— I regret exceedingly my inability to meet the Saratoga Monument Association on Tuesday next, but I find that my engagements are such that I cannot possibly leave New York at this time. In my absence I ask that you will be good enough to present to f.ho Association— to be placed in the Monument— a bronze bust of its first President, the honorable and '^1 t ft, r , I I ■ I Ml ..^■ji;^^-!^ . -;»j.c-.ri;''*»l ipiMniap (•> ]' ;.{»' io8 HISTORY OF THE 8ABAT0GA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION. honored Horatio Seymour, which I have caused to be executed by the sculptor, Bissel. Gov. Seymour was the pathfinder, so far as our Monument is concerned, and now thit we are about to close the work, which he so well began, it seems to me fitting that I should honor his memory in that way. Bespeaking for you a meeting in every way successful and harmonious. I am, sincerely yours. John H. Starin. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS LETTER. AsHKiELD, Mass., July 22d, 1891. My Dear Sir — In my inability to attend the annual meeting, I am glad to think the affairs of the Association are in such faithful and devoted hands. We have reason to congratulate ourselves that the bill originally drawn by the late Hon. S. S. Cox lending to us the ten bronze cannon has become a law. They are a fitting and permanent decoration of the great memorial work that we have in charge, and I like to think of them as " spiked " forever by the mutual good will 01 England and America. The surrender of Bur- goyne contributed to our independen>';e of the British crown, but not of the traditions and the power of the race from which we are chiefly sprung. I trust that the dedication of the completed Monument will not be long delayed, and that the bill, which was unanimously reported by the Library Committee at the last session, will be promptly passed by the next Con- gress. Very cordially yours, George William Curtis. To the same effect Mr, r, C. Ford wrote, and after expressing his wish that the dedication should not be Ion'- delayed, said : "An old man passing by the uncoffined remains of the great Webster, feelingly rema"ked : ' Ah ! Mr. Webster, the world will be lonesome without you ; ' so the Saratoga Monument Association would to me seem a lonesome place without its pres- ent President and Secretary." The officers and committees for the ensuing year were then elected. General James Grant Wilson, Matthew Clarkson, whose grandfather was aid of Gen. Arnold at the battle and Hon. Amos J. Cummings, the successor f f the late Hon. S. S. Cox in Congress, were then elected trustees. f^mmmi ted by the Monument he so well 1 that way. lious, Jtarin. IIMTORT OF THE SARATOGA MON''MENT ASSOCIAiroN. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DESIGN. 109 1, 1891. am glad to 3ted hands, y drawn by s become a t memorial :d " forever ler of Bur- not of the ung. lot be long he Library next Con- .URTIS. ig his wish lan passing sd : ' Ah ! 2 Saratoga ut its pres- elected, [father was e successor Geiitletnen of the Saratoga Monument Association : In presenting the annual report of your committee, the first item of moment is the success which has been met with in securing for the Associa- tion the cannon captured from Burgoyne at the surrender. This was accom- plished by the efforts of our trustee — Hon. John Sanford — during the last session of Congress ; and the cannon now at Watervliet Arsenal, and consist- ing of four i2-pounder guns, one 8-inch howitzer, one 24-pounder howitzer, one 8-inch mortar, and one 24-pounder mortar, all bronze, having been given to the Association in trust, provided a bond for $3,500 is filed in the War Depart- ment for the safe keeping of the property. The cost of mounting them on bronze carriages will be $1,500 ; but four unused wooden carriages at Water- vliet can be altered to fit the four 12-pounder guns at a cost of $25. Action regarding this proposition will of course be taken at this meeting. Mr. Sanford, however, was not so fortunate in obtaining an appropriation of $18,48/ for the dedication of the Monument. A bill for this purpose was introduced by that gentleman on May 10 of last year, read twice, referred to the " Committee of the Library," and ordered to be printed. In addition to which the Committee were not only entirely unanimous in recommending its passage, but urged Mr. Sanford to report it to Congress. This Mr. Sanford lost no time in doing, and at first everything looked most auspicious for its passage. Indeed, the bill would havj been undoubtedly passed had it noi been that the tariff, free coinage and Lodge bills, coming up nearly simultan- eously, completely absorbed the attention of Congress to the exclusion of every other interest. Consequently, as the next Congress is a new one, our efforts to secure an appropriation must be begun de noiw. Our worthy Presi- dent and ot Representative in Congress, however, do not despair of being successful during the coming session. They will also be greatly aided by Mrs. Walworth's new work, containing engravings of the memorial tablets on the battle ground, and when it is remembered that the Association have been rying ever since 1882 — when our lamented associate, Hon. S. S. Cox, first troduced the bill — to secure the captured cannon, this last success may be considered a great victory ! Nil desperandum has, from the first organization, ever been its motto. Nor will we despair of ultimate success ! Some of the Trustees now around me will recall ten years since, when we were assembled in this same room with not a cent in the treasury and nothing to encourage us save a noble resolve to persevere. On that occasion the late Gov. Seymour and Chancellor Pruyn, James M. Marvin and John H. Starin said, "be of good cheer" — even as the Indians of Narragansett first greeted Roger Williams — driven from the inhospitable shores of Massachusetts for I '' ?1 no HISTORY OF THE 8ABAT0OA MOKDMENT ASSOCIATION. opinion's sake — as his boat grounded upon their beach, with the words, " What cheer ? " And what is the result ? The Saratoga Monument Associa- tion having, in 1879, nothing in its treasury save the sentiments of patriotism, first obtained frorn successive New York Legislatures, by the exertions of Charles S. Lester and b S. Potter, $15,000 and $10,000, and from Congress through President Starin hi st. $30,000 ; and, secondly, through our President again and Algernon S. SuUivao, S. S. Cox, George William Curtis and our representative in Congress, Edward Wemple, $40,000 — $95,000 ; and now by their efforts, the Saratoga Monument, in massive granite, overlooks " the field of the grounded arms," and stands unrivaled among the monuments in Europe and America, both for artistic finish and grandeur of design. Said Irenaeus Prime, I know of nothing which can compare with it ; and to the same effect, wrote President Andrew D. White, in all of my travels both in the Old and the New World, I have never seen anything which equals it. Judgments from such distinguished men and art critics are of the most superlative value. Said Gov. Seymour in his oration at the laying of the corner-stone of our Monument : " Monuments not only mark, but make the civilization of a people ;" and Lord Macaulay ii. his comments on the siege of Londonderry, wrote : " A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants." Since the last meeting I have received a letter from the Secretary of the Countess of Carnarvon, widow of the late Earl of Carnarvon, in response to the action of the Association at its last annual meeting. The financial condition of the Association is the same as by last report. It remains but to announce the death, since our last meeting, of Mr. Edward W. B. Canning, our first and only corresponding Secretary, and one who, by his pen, rendered great aid to the Association in its first beginning. He died on August 12th of last year — just after he had penned his usual felici- tous letter to be read at our annual meeting — yea, even as I was reading it to you, the writer was in the throes of death. Mr. Canning was mainly instrumental in procuring the erection of the Monument which now marks the site of the fall of Col. Ephraim Williams (the founder of Williams College) at the battle of Lake George in September, 1755, and Mr. Canning's name is very appropriately inscribed on the Monu- ment as one of the originators of that tribute to a most distinguished man in Colonial times. He was also, until his deati., a valued Trustee of the Saratoga Monument Association ; and until a few years since — when his many engagements forced him to resign the office — its Corresponding Secretary. He ivrote' several HISTOBT OF THB SABA.TOGA MONimENT ASSOCIATION. Ill the words, ent Associa- ■ patriotism, exertions of m Congress ir President 'tis and our ind now by :s " the field numents in :sign. Said and to the ■els both in h equals it. f the most •tone of our zation of a )ndonderry, Ls of remote with pride itary of the response to St report, ing, of Mr. ry, and one beginning, usual felici. eading it to tion of the m Williams September, the Monu- ied man in Monument ents forced ate several exquisite poems — marked by finished versification — for the Association, one on the death of General Fraser. Another beautiful piece appears in my " Burgoyne's Campaign," entitled, " To the Relics of My British Grenadiers." It was suggested by Mr. Canning having in his possession the skull of a British officer found at Lake George, the first stanza of which is as follows : Strange bivouac, old Grenadier, Thou, in my quiet study here, Hast found at last ; While I, who life's campaign begun When thou for forty years hadst done, Patrol the past. William L. Stone, Chairman of the Committee on Design. Mrs. Walworth, as Chairman of the " Committee on the Custody of the Monument," presented the following report : Your Committee woujd respectfully report : That they have visited and made a careful examination of the Monument this month. The substantial character of the work is manifest in the good preservation of all the important parts of the Monument. We would call attention to a few minor things, as the discoloration of the iron stairs and ceilings, which now need a coat of paint. Stone or wooden sills under each window might, perhaps, prevent the rain and thawing of ice or snow from dripping in, which appears to be the cause of the discoloration referred to above. We would recommend that, as soon as practicable, the names of Gen- erals Schuyler, Gates, Morgan and Arnold should be cut in the stone base under the three statues, and under the vacant niche where Arnold's statue would be but for his treason ; there are visitors unfortunately ignorant enough to read the names of the sculptors and believe them to be the heroes of the revolution, instead of the eminent artists of to-day. Your Committee feel, with the Association, a special pride and interest in the long-desired historical cannon, now secured to us through the efforts of Mr. Sanford, and would express a wish that the trophies may be sent up from Watervliet before the canal closes this autumn, that they may be placed on the four corners of the Monument in time for the beginning of the next season. We would also respectfully request the Association to invite the President of the United States to visit the Monument during his expected sojourn in i\\ i i 112 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMBNT ASSOCIATION. Saratoga Springs this month. A financial statement of receipts and expendi- tures at the Monument accompanies this report. All of which is respectfully submitteC. Ellen Hardin Walworth. Lieut. McNair, to whom was assigned the office of investigating the best method of protecting the Monument (which has been struck twice), reported in favor of the plan adopted for the Washington Monument, viz.: that the lightning rods should descend from a metallic cap placed on the apex of the Monument, and running through the interior, be sunk in the earth. Lieut. McNair was continued on the Committee, and was given entire charge of this special feature. HISTORIC TABLETS. The following is the report of the Tablet Committee : Your Committee would respectfully report : That they have visited the battle grounds at Bemis Heights twice during the year, to inspect the tablets erected there, and that they are in good condition. The Chairman of the Committee has this summer had photographs taken of these tablets (Captain McNair of the Committee accompanying the pho- tographer to secure the best view of the tablets, and of other points of in- terest on the battle-field), and has presented to each donor of a tablet a pho- tograph of the tablet given. Several of these patriotic men and women have been unable to visit the battle-ground since the erection of these memorial stones which their generosity has provided for the public ; they all express much satisfaction with the appearance of the tablets as represented in these views. Two important points of interest on the field are still open to subscribers, one the headquarters of Gen. Gates, the other the line of American entrench- ments as planned by Kosciusko, beginning at the river bank ; it was the point selected by Governor Seymour for the tablet, which he would have erected but for his rapidly-falling health, which followed immediately after his selection of this spot for a memorial tablet. It is expected, however, that points of so much interest will very soon find willing subscribers. Respectfully submitted, Ellen Hardin Walworth, Chairman of Tablet Committee. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. Under this head a resolution was passed that an invitation should be tendered President Harrison (on his coming visit to the village) on behalf of fi i HtSTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONtTMKNT ASSOCIATION. 113 nd expendi- WORTH. ing the best e), reported z.: that the apex of the rth. Lieut. ; charge of visited the the tablets aphs taken Ef the pho- •ints of in- blet a pho- nd women ti of these c ; they all epresented ubscribers, entrench- it was the rould have lately after vever, that imittee. should be 1 behalf of the Association to visit the Monument ; and ' irther, that the local members of the Association should be a committee to escort him (in case of his accept- ance) to the Monument. DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION. Lieut. McNair then offered the following resolution, which was unani- mously passed : " Whereas, The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, established in Washington city October 11, 1890, and presided over by Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, and represented by women of acknowledged standing and ability, has for its object: "To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who obtained American Independence by the acquisition and protection of his- torical spots, and the erection of monuments, etc. "And to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American free- dom, to foster true patriotism and love of country ; therefor/;, "Resolved, The Saratoga Monument Association sends greeting and cordial wishes for success in their patriotic undertakings to the • Daughters of the American Revolution.' " PRESENTATION OF THE BRONZE BUST— MR. STONE's REMARKS. The meeting closed by the presentation by Secretary Stone, on behalf of President John H. Starin, of a magnificent bronze bust of the Association's former President, the late Horatio Seymour. Mr. Stone said : In presenting to the Association, on behalf of our respected president, a bronze bust of its former president, the late Horatio Seymour, a brief sketch of the latter seems appropriate— a sketch not of his public and private life, but of his relations with the Saratoga Monument Association. As one of its original incorporators, and for many years its Vice-President and President, his connection with it was not merely nominal or confined to verbal platitudes expressive of general interest in its welfare. From the very beginning his efforts were most assiduously devoted, both by his pen and on the platform to creating a public spirit in favor of the objects of the Association, These efforts, moreover, were began and preserved in for many years before the recent centennial celebrations all over the land had become the fashion and made such efforts comparatively easy ; and, when, consequently, it was down- right "uphill" work to create a public sentiment in favor of monuments of any kind, no matter how patriotic and praiseworthy the deeds they were designed to commemorate. The effects of this continued effort on Governor .r- mmmm ■l,"tlfffJtW um I!, 114 BISTORT OF THB SA.HATOOA MONUMENT ASBOOIATION. Seymour's part were at length apparent, when, in procuring the several National and State appropriations, his name was always used as a rallying cry for patriotic men of all parties in advocating these measures. He delivered, it will be remembered, one of the chief orations at the laying of the corner stone of the Monument, and contributed most liberally, not only towards the expenses of that celebration, but to everything designed to further our success; and, when he became too feeble to act longer as our President, he summoned me from New York to his bedside at his home in Deerfield, near Utica, (chosen partly on account of its overlooking the Oriskany battle ground), for the pur- pose of tendering his resignation. On this occasion, after giving me, at my request, various valuable suggestions for the final completion of the Monu- ment, he stated that he had requested my personal presence chiefly to beg of the Association that John H. Starin should be tendered the position of Presi- dent made vacant by his resignation. This, he urged, should be done not only in recognition of Mr. Starin's successful efforts in procuring from Congress the $30,000 appropriation by which the idea of a Monument had been crystal- lized into a hard and solid fact, but because he thought that the interests of the Association could not be confided to worthier or abler hands. Governor Seymour at this time also spoke to me in substance as follows : Mr. Stone, the election of Mr. Starin, descended as he is from an old Revolution family in the Mohawk Valley, nearly all of whom suffered for their patriotism in their persons and fortunes during St. Leger's raid — would be eminently fitting, besides being a worthy tribute to a most patriotic man. Hence, Governor Seymour being one whose memory Mr. Starin " delighteth to honor," has had this classic bust, now before you, made by one of America's well-known and best sculptors, Mr. George E. Bissell — the same who fashioned the heroic statue of General Gates, which now stands above the por'^-'ls of the Monument. I, therefore, have now *he honor to present the Saratoga Monument Asso- c -^tion, on behalf of President Starin, with the bust of our late revered Presi- dent, Horatio Seymour, which, as you will perceive, is a most life-like likeness. Alas! how often have we all of us seen its original seated in this very room and at the very table where now stands his simulacrum : His walk through life was marked by every grace ; His soul sincere, his features void of guile, Long siiall remembrance all his virtues trace. And fancy picture his benignant smile. This gift — so long as bronze endures — shall perpetrate the generosity and high patriotic spirit of two noble men ; and, as future visitors to the Monu- ment shall read the name on this bronze tribute, so shall they, perchance, UI8TOBT OF THK SARATOGA MONCMENT ASSOCIATION. 115 he several allying cry delivered, the corner wards the ur success; summoned ca, (chosen jr the pur- me, at my the Monu- to beg of 1 of Presi- le not only I Congress en crystal- iterests of Governor :)m an old jfiered for id — would iotic man. r. Starin ide by one -the same nds above recall the words of Cicero, uttered on a somewhat similar occasion : ipsis legendis, redeo in memorium mortuorum." 'His To these remarks Co? D. F. Ritchie, in accepting the bust on behalf of the Association, responded in his usual felicitous manner as follows : Mr. Chairman — Permit me on behalf of the Saratoga Monument Associa- tion to acknowledge this fitting gift from a generous hand. Mr. Starin, the President of this Association, has given to us in enduring bronze the simili- tude of one who honored this Association in accepting the Presidency of it, and to whom it is indebted f?<' much of the success that has attended its efforts during the vicissitudes of its history. Mr. Seymour honored the Association not so much because of his high rank as the chief executive of our great commonwealth, but that he was one who profoundly loved his State, and appreciated as a deep and thoughtful student her rich but unde- veloped historic treasures, richer perhaps in this section than any other portion of our great country. Mr. Seymour always exhibited, as Mr. Starin has done, the liveliest interest in this Association and its work up to the hour of his death, and no more grateful tribute could be paid to his memory by his successor, Mr, Starin, the President of this Association, whose absence we regret, than is furnished in this artistic and life-like memorial fashioned by the deft hand of so skilled an artist as Bissell. And I offer, sir, as a minute of this Association, That we gratefully acknowledge and receive from John H. Starin this noble bronze bust of Horatio Seymour to be placed in the Monument at Schuylerville. The minute was unanimously adopted, and the bust placed in the hands of the Monument Committee. At the conclusion of these remarks the following resolution was passed : Resolved, That the Saratoga Monument Association, appreciating most deeply this classic gift of their honored President, John H. Starin, tender him their most hearty thanks for the same, and unite in the belief that the donor will remain enshrined in the hearts of the patriotic public, so long as the bronze which perpetuates the features of their late President shall endure. We also congratulate him in having selected a sculptor who has reproduced such a wonderful life-like image of the original. Upon the adjournment of the meeting the attention of the trustees was called to the copies of steel plate portraits and engravings of historic tablets prepared for the History of the Association about to be issued by Mrs. Walworth ; they were heartily approved. A more careful view was now taken '»I •\ % I 'i ii6 HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA MONUMKNT ASSOCIATION. of the bust of Governor Seymour, and mucii gratification was expressed that the generosity of Mr. Starin had enriched the art treasures and the valuable memorials of the Monument with this must appropriate gift. The busi; was left on exhibition in the hotel for one week, and was then conveyed to Schuy- lerville and deposited on a handsome pedestal in the lower room of the Monument, a fit companion for the bronze tablets of heroic men and women of the American Revolution. » ', \ I J '^ »!m|| , ■i'' jfW 24-POUNDER TAKEN FROM THE BRITISH, 1813. The Gift of J. Watts de Peyster. ! I 1*/ ,\h r ; f HtSTORY OF THK 8AHAT0GA MONCMKNT ASSOCIATION. ii6a Members of the First Board of Trustees of the Saratoga Monument Association, Created by the New York Le(;iblature, April 19, 1859. HAMILTON FISH,* J. ROMEYN BROADHEAD,f GEO. W. BLEECKER.t PHILIP SCHUYLER,f EDWARD C DELAVAN.t WM. WILCOX,t HENRY HOLMES.t GEO. STROVER,t JAMES M. COOK,t PETER GANSEVOORT,t JOHN A. COREY,f ASA C. TEKFT,t LEROY MONEY.t HORATIO SEYMOUR.t BENSON J. LOSSING.t JAMES M. MARVIN.t First Board of Trustees, Created by the Amended Act of New York Legislature, Passed April 30, 1873. HAMILTON FISH,* JOHN A. COREY,t HORATIO SEYMOUR,t CHAS. H. PAYNE.f BENSON J. LOSSING,t JAMES. M. MARVIN,t ASA C. TEFFT,t WILLIAM L. STONE.f LEROY MONEY,t Second Board of Trustees, Elected Since the Passage of the Amended Act. JOHN WATTS DE PEYSTER,* ALGERNON S. SULLIVAN.f JOHN H. STARIN, * Resigned, t Deceased. B. W. THROCKMORTON,f CHAS. K. GRAHAM,t S. S. COX.f ii6b HISTORY OF THK SAtlATOOA MONl MKNT A8HOCIATION. Second Board of Trustees — Continued. \ kA I', i t J : \ DOUGLAS CAMPBELL,* D. F. RITCHIE, EDWARD F. BULLARD, MRS. E. H. WALWORTH, D. A. BL'LLARD, P. C. FORD, H. CLAY HOLMES.t C. W. MAYHEW, STEPHEN D. KIRK, HORATIO ROGERS, JOEL MUNSELL.t LEMON THOMPSON, J. MEREDITH READ, J. V. L. PRUYN,t HORATIO SEYMOUR, Jr.,* CHAS. M. BLISS, GILES B. SLOCUM,t JAMES H. KELLY,* WM. Ji. BACON,t FRANK PRUYN.t E. W. B. CANNING.f JAMES W. HUSTED, E. R. MUDGE,t WEBSTER WAGNER,t D. S- POTTER, GEO. L. SCHUYLER,t PARKER HANDY,t • Resigned, t Deceased. JAMES B. CAMPBELL,! W. A. SACKETT, GEO. WM. CURTIS, WM. L. STONE, Jr., ISAAC N. ARNOLD.t CHAS. S. LESTER, WARNER MILLER, E. G. I.APHAM,t EDWARD WEMPLE, J H. DILLINGHAM,! JOHN SANFORD, C. S. CLOSSON, J. M. DAVISON,! J. G. McNARY, JOSEPH W. DREXEL,t A. B. BANCUS, A. R. N. McNAIR, ELLIOTT T. SLOCUM, GEO. S. BATCHELLER, E. L. FURSMAN, N. B. SYLVESTER, HOWARD CARROLL, JOHN FOLEY, EDWARD J. LOV/ELL, AMOS J. CUMI.1INGS, GEN. JAMES GRANT WILSON, MATTHEW CLARKSON. w niwwi i uiiu i M W I i IHiBBBr i t a SCHUYLERVn.LE LSON, BBBiaBSBi ■( « » SCHUYLERVILLE This village, the Saratoga of the past, which forms so important and interesting a feature in the Burgoyne campaign, is beautiful'- situated on the right bank of the < .son River, aboi.t thirty-five mil s afcove Albany and twelve miles east of Saratoga Springs. The drive from the latter place is ovor a regular stage road, that is kept in good condition; a start is made through one of the most delight- ful streets. Lake avenue, and when about a mile out, a beautiful view of the village of Saratoga Springs may he seen; after a stretch of plain and hill, as the approach is made towards the river in the last half of the ride, fine views are obtained, and a pictur- esque farming country is traversed. Schuylervillt lies on the lower slope of the historic heights of Old Sara- toga, and every foot of ground as one enters the village limits is rich in in- terest, is thronging with memories of the past. Old Saratoga ! the great Indian hunting ground of the seventeenth century, the great Indian patent of the eighteenth century, the home of the Christian Iroquois, the outpost of white civilization, the place of forts, the scene of massacres, the birthplace of heroism, the hills of triumph ! Who could fail to feel a thrill of pride and joy, yet tremulous with rising tears, as he stood on the Heights of Old Saratoga; old, indeed, since it has nearly reached the second century of its existence, for " on the second day of August, 1690, Saratoga took its place among the long list of our coun- try's geographical names." From that time it constantly appears in the accounts of the wars or the progres- sive settlement of the country. It is, however, pre-eminently important as the place of Burgoyne's surrender, the last spot to which his harrassed, yet sternly disciplined army was driven; the grcand upon which his ambitious spiiit succumbed to the inevitable for- tune of war, when he reluctantly called his officers together and gave his vote with theirs for capitulation; and where, on a terrace-like bluff, before the assembled thousands, friends and foes, he yielded his sword to General Gates. Here is a'so the plain, now partly filled by canal and basin, and marked by the elm tree of traditional renown, where the British stacked their arms. Here also is the site of the Schuyler mansion, which was burned by Bur- goyne's order, and where the officers representing the commanders of the respective armies first met for the consideration of the terms of surren- ■?JTSr^W*' I 20 8CHUYLEBVILLE. m ) \ \ 0. der, and near it is the first place of meeting between B jrgoyne and Gates, for an interchange of the courtesies of military life before the final surren- der. The Schuyler mansion, as re- built and occupied for many years by the General, is scill standing. On a pine-crested hill, south of the Fish Creek, which overlooks the ceme- tery on the north side, are the remains of earthworks. On this hill Major Stevevis probably placed the artillery from which were thrown the very balls that tradition says interrupted so rudely the dinner of Vhe British generals. This cemetery hill, stretching to- wards Victory, was evidently that strongly fortified part of the camp indicated on the old military mnps as the position of Frazer's light rangers, and those now living assisted in the destruction of the Cv/thworki, as de- clared in the affidavits below. A drive from the cemetery along the heights takes one quite through the site of the British camp, and is appro- priately terminated at th j Riedesel house, now owned by Mr. Ma'-shall, and shown to visitois with great kind- ness and intelligent interest. This house was ' isited by Mr. Lossing nearly thirty years ago, v;hcn he sketched the interior and exterior for hjs Field-Book. Since then the house has been remodeled, but the main timbers, and, in fact, all the rooms remain as they were in 1777. The rafter and base boards, through which the cannon balls passed, have been removed. They are carefully pre- served, and upon inspection will be found to authenticate Madame Rie- desel's thrilling account of the days spent in this house — seines that are vividly recalled as one stands upon the cellar floor, where her little chil- dren crouched in terror. Frcn '^he piazza may be seen the hills 3n the east side of the river, where the American artillery was posted, from which were thrown the balls that tore through the house. The exact place whce Burgoyne crossed the river is also in sight ; and upon riding to that spot, the river bank will he found cut away on each side, to facilitate the passage of the army. A little to the south are the hills on which the Americans, under Fellows, were posted. Many places of minor interest may be visited at Schuylerville, and the tourist of leisure would be well re- paid for a week or more of rambling and driving about this lovely village, where every comfortable accommoda- tion can be found at the Goldsmith House, which has also the induce- ment of a good sulphur spring in its grounds. The village is quiet and quaint, and is remarkable for the large number of families who have lived within its limits or neighborhood for several suc- cessive generations. This fact gives an unusual interest and authentica- tion to the traditions of the place. The following affidavits were made by two of the oldest inhabitants for the use of the Senate Committee hav- ing the Saratoga Monument under eCHCYLEKVILLB. 121 ion will be idame Rie- )f the days les that are lands upon r little chil- le seen the the river, tillery was thrown the the house. Burgoyne sight ; and ;, the river my on each age of the ith are the cans, under iterest may le, and the )e well re- f rambling ely village, ccommoda- Goldsmith he induce- jring in its quaint, and number of within its several suc- fact gives luthentica- the place, vere made bitants for nittee hav- ent under consideration ; they are now pub- lished for the first time.* State of New York, County of Saratoga. ss. Albert Clements, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I reside in the town of Saratoga, in said county, in the vicinity of the village of Schuylerville, and have resided there since the year 1789 — am now ninety-five years of age. I came to this town from Dutchess county. Abraham Marshall was re- siding here then on the farm now occupied by his grandson, William Marshall. I heard him (Abraham) say that he wiinessed the surrender of Burgoyne's army ; that the British army marched down below the gravel hill located on the west side of the river road, south of Fish Creek, and Burgoyne there surrendered his sword. I have frequently heard sol- diers who were in Gates' army tell the following incident: After the retreat of the British army from Stillwater towards Schuylerville, the American army pursued them as far as a hill on the south bank of Fish Creek, nearly opposite the village of Victory, and there erected a battery, and fired their guns towards the point on the north side of the creek, where Burgoyne happe:!ed to be at the table eating, and a ball came on the table and knocked off a leg of mutton. I remember, when I was a boy, of seeing breastworks extending as much as a quarter of a mile in length along the hill where Prospect Hill Cemetery now is located, in the direction of the road just west of the cemetery. I assisted in tearing them down. They were made of pine log., and earth. I ploughed up a cartridge box contain- ing about sixty musket balls. I remember the old Dutch Church, which stood on the south side of the road now running from the river road to Victory ; I frequently attended meeting there. It was a wooden structure, heavy timbers and clap- boarded. There were no other buildings on the south side of the creek except General Schuyler's mansion, and only two on the north side at that time. I visited General Schuyler's man- * I have had the pleasure of conversing with these old men, and can bear witness to the clearness and readiness of their memory. Mr. Clements is exceedingly interesting, and a man of some attai.nmcnts. He has been a civil engineer, and told me that he had surveyed the first lots that were laid out in Schuylerville, Philip Schuyler, grandson of the General, and Mr. Beadle, who afterwards laid out the village of West Troy, carrying the chain. Mr. Clements also said he had made the survey that settled the disputed line between the towns of Northumberland and Sara- toga, jnd a curious incident enabled him to verify his work. He found the old survey mark in a log of yellow pine (known to be very durable) under ground, and corresponding with his own lines. Mr. McCreedy is one of four generations who have fought in the various wars of the country. His father and grandfather were in the battles of Saratoga; he fought in the battle of Plattsburgh in the war of i8ia, and his son took an active part in the late war. His wife, who is near his own age, and has lived with him sixty years, is a very bright old lady. She gives a vivid account of a Fourth of July celebration that took place at Schuylerville fifty-five years ago, when the veterans of the revolution had a banquet spread for them on the plain before Fort Hardy, where the British stacked their arms. She says the old men were very spry on that day, and that there was then assembled the largest crowd of people ever gathered at Schuylerville. E. H. W. R F^^ f 1"' I ■i. i 1 122 SOHtJYLERVILLE. i \ sion when he was there ; I saw him signing deeds or leases. Albert Clements. Sworn to before me, April 13th, 1877. S. Wells, Notary Public. State of New York, ) Saratoga County. J William H. McCreedy, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am eighty- six years of age, now reside in the village of Schuylerville, in said coun- ty, and have there resided for over sixty years past. I remember of hearing my father and grandfather, who were both in Gates' army, say : that they witnessed Burgoyne's sur- render ; that the terms of the sur- render were signed under the elm tree now standing on the east side of Broad street, in Schuylerville, between the feed store of Simon Sheldon and the blacksmith's shop adjoining on the south; and that the British army marched down the river road just below Gravel Hill, south of Fish Creek, and surrendered. I remember seeing breastworks, ex- tending north and south, on the river flats, between the village and the river. I dug up five cannon balls there some fifty years ago. I visited old General Schuyler at his mansion several times. I dined there on one occasion; and after finishing my meal, the old General asked me if I had eaten enough. I answered that I had all that I wani.ed, and he replied: " If you have, knock out your teeth." My grandfather, Charles McCreedy, and father, James McCreedy, were both in the engagements fought at Bemis' Heights, September 19th and October "• '777- They told me that General * - :■■ .es' headquarters were south of the old Dutch Church, and were present at the surrender ; and that the old turnpike road was about where the canal now is. William H. McCreedv. Sworn before me, April 13th, 1877. S. Wells, Notary Public. 4, 4. /■. •><» a^ eastworks, ex- h, on the river lage and the cannon balls igo. I visited t his mansion there on one hing my meal, me if I had red that I had e replied: " If ir teeth." les McCreedy, idy, were both jht at Bemis' I and October that General e south of the were present that the old ut where the McCreedy. -il 13th, 1877. iry Public. GUIDE TO THE BATTLE GROUND AND SCHUYLERVILLE ■^\ ts^p^iimmM I i <]u ^ I' L t ,» 1 \ W''-i GUIDE TO THE BATTLE GROUND (Nine miles southeast). See Map of the Third Period of Burgoyne's Campaign; also Map of Drives.) The Battle Ground proper is about nine miles from Saratoga Springs; but to drive there, around and through all the interesting spots and back again, makes a drive of about twenty -four miles. Taken leisurely, it is a delightful day's expedition. Having ordered a carriage, or, for a large party, chartered an omnibus, and prepared a lunch to be eaten at some historic spot — either in the British Camp near Freeman's Farm, at Gates' Headquarters near the Neilson House, or at Wilbur's Basin down by the river — leave the village at eight or nine o'clock in the morning, expecting to re- turn at five or six o'clock in the after- noon. Drive out Union Avenue to the Lake, down the hill behind Moon's to the Tolime's House, crots the bridge, and fol- low the road along the Lake shore, about a mile and a half, to Myer's Cedar Bluff Hotel. Here take the first left hand road, and drive up Caldwell's Hill, from which there is a view similar to that from Chapman's Hill. Take the second left hand road, which turns off between an orchard and a little cemetery, and enters a pleasant wood. Keep first to the right and ther to the left. On emerging from the woods, drive straight on past a small red school-house, and up Summit Hill, the highest point on the drive, from which there is a splendid view in every direc- tion. Standing out prominently on the eastern bank of the Hudson, Willard's Mountain, from which the Americans looked into the British camp at Sword's House, is seen, and remains in sight dur- ing the drive over the Battle Ground. From here a cross-road is passed, and the road skirts a rounded, pine-crowned hill, at the foot of which it turns sharply to the right, and reaches the highway to Quaker Springs. Here turn to the right again near the Quaker Meeting House, and keep to the left where the road forks. From the moment the Quaker Meet- ing House is reached, one is on historic ground. Frazer's march through the woods to the first fight was about where the road now is. At a »h**e on the right, which is now occupied by Mr. Brightman, stands on the old revolutionary clearing of "Freeman's Farm," around which raged the fury of both battles. Some interesting relics, dug up in the neij^- borhood, are shown here, and the old well is pointed out, for the possession of which the British and American soldiers fought fiercely on the 19th of September In the woods just across the road from " Freeman's Farm " is an old graded road, made by Burgoyn# to bring his rannon across the ravine (/»tel/ the iiiuiffft has b«en rebutk, and nom farm wagons travel in the ruts of the old can- I: ( I 'I V ■i f n t26 GUIDE TO THE UATTLK ORODND. non wheels. From Breyman's Hill, which still retains faint traces of en- trenchments and an old road, and which may be reached by a walk over the fields, one can get a good view of the ravines in the rear of the British Camp, and the battle field of October 7th, stretching off to the south and west. On Bemis' Heights, about two miles south, is seen the Neilson House, near a poplar tree. This stood in the American Camp. On Breyman's Hill will be found the beautiful marble tablet erected to mark this interesting spot, and on Freeman's farm' will be seen the solid granite tablet which marks the buttle of September 19th, and also the tablet which commemorates the taking ot Balcarras' Redoubt and the distinguished services of Col. John Hardin. From Freeman's farm return to the main road, and driving south there will be seen on the right side of the road the tablet which marks the spot where Frazer fell ; a few rods farther on the left is the tablet that stands on the position taken by the British in their line of battle ; still onward, down the hill, will be found a tablet whh ll marks the great ravine where the tide of battle iwayed back and forth. Driving on to the first turn to the east brings one to t)je foot of Mor- gan's hill, whe.'^e ffie Morgan tablet tells its own story. Following east- ward lip the hoightH bringti nue. in Fort Neilsun, with its handsome tab- let commemorating this point of defence, and the headquarters 0/ pool and Morgan. Here the road turns sharply to the south for a short dis- tance, and again east, where another tablet marks the headquarters of General Gates ; then going onward alorg the heights there is soon a gradual descent to the river, where the present Bemis' Heights Tavern is located, and near which will be found the tablet that marks the sight of the Revolutionary building. North on the river road, will be seen a tablet marking the river defences, and far- ther on the tablet which indicates the most advanced entrenchments of the Americans and comm-^morates the ser- vices of Col. Nicholas Fish ; continue on to the Ensign farm, near which are tlie three high hills entrenched by the British, the largest of which was the Great Redoubt where General Frazer was buried, while under these redoubts the whole British Army was crowded during October 8th, and here were their hospitals. A tablet marks this interesting spot. The drlvR over historic ground may now be completed by going up the heights through the scene of Burgoyne's camp. The main road is reached at the Leggett farm, and a turn to the left will bring you again on the road to Saratoga. The Round Trip to Bemis' Heights AND 8L»M/vi,eRviLLB. Af(«r driving out to the Battle Ground and visit- ing the various spots mentioned I iiiHtPBci III n'tnrniug to Sara- ('(nii riiiiings, drivt ./// ihe river tnuii to Sfc'liuyliivlllp Alonjr 'his road the British army lit- tti Ihe liflttle Ground and retreaicj In Iht GUIDE TO THE BATTLE GROUND 13/ road turns a short dis- lere another :iuarters of ing onward ' is soon a iver, where :s Tavern is ill be found sight of the North on :en a tablet ;s, and far- idicates the ents of the itestheser- ; continue lear which entrenched t of which re General nder these Army was h, and here blet marks c ground going up scene of nain road farm, and ning you ' Heights ' driving iiid vlsit- lentioned to 8a ra- iver tfmii f)is load I III the d to HfB Place of Surrender, halting each time at Dovegat or Coveville. Spend the night at the Goldsmith House in Schuylerville, and return to Saratoga Springs the next day, visiting in the meantime all the his- toric spots at Old Saratoga. Omnibuses may be chartered for this trip. Guide to Schuylerville. (Twelve miles east.) The regular stage road to Schuylerville leaves Broadway, Saratoga Springs, at ] :-• ^ ^\ *3.:si ■■■■■■■nttidiili iuiilts mm ,%, ^. wH^ ^^ ^,^v<^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) fc lllll^^ ^Ki 12.2 11.25 US 111 wuu U BI.6 ^. 7] v lie Sdaices Corporation 2$ WiST MAIN STRiKT WIBSTBIi.N.Y. 14S»0 (7l6)a73-4503 "^^^^^ •%'• ,.«%4iaPii: Xfi.JBv takititf FfeeiiianJfFrtJ'm as a land - TiifU'k the ivhjttvrposiiioti of'thi-v hattle may veitthly ho ,veeii oji tfie prhicipal mtip ""^'^mmmmmiK^m ' 1 1 E \ Lm !■ i i ift''^ m| I' 'I iJ li ' I f w KEY TO THE MAP OF THE THIRD PERIOD OF BURGOYNB'S CAMPAIGN, 1777 The March. The military move- ments may be easily followed on this map by starting with the line of march of Burgoyne's army where it crosses the Hudson river on the bridge of boats, above the Batten Kill; follow to the first encampment at Saratoga, the second at Coveville, the third at Swords House. From this place began the march to at- tack the American camp posted on Bemis' Heights, and which resulted in the battle of September 19th. The march is in three columns, indicated by three colored lines; lollow two of these columns to Freeman's Farm. Battle OF September 19TH. Leave the large map and trace the battle in the smaller division marked Battle of Sep- tember 19th. In the first position it will be seen that Riedesel's corps (green) has not yet reached the field; the Canadians are in advance, pushed by the Ameri- cans (yellow); the British columns are breaking up to form in line of battle. In the second position Canadians are driven back, British regulars (red) are in action, the light artillery are on Burgoyne's hill (marked Breyman's camp). In the third position may be seen the onset of the Americans ; Riedesel comes into action; British and Hessian grenadiers are drawing up in lines, Amer- icans are resisting this. In the fourth position the British lines are unbroken, the Americans are pushed towards their entrenchments. The Camps. Refer again to the large map and find the British camp estab- lished on the field of September 19th; Freeman's Farm and Burgoyne's Hill (marked Breyman's camp) being within the entrenchments, which extend to the river, where the hills are fortified with redoubts, and the hospital, artillery stores and batteaux are covered by a strong battery, near which is the bridge of boats. The defences of the American ^nA British camps, which lay within two miles of each other from September 19th to October 7 th are readily traced by follow- ing the course of the streams in the front and rear of the camps; these in- dicate ravines that deepen toward the river, Battle of October 7TH. In trac- ing this action observe the British and Hessians drawn up in line of battle southwest of their camp, with Frazer's light infantry on the right, the Hessians in the centre and the British grenadiers on the left. The Americans are seen pouring from their camp in three main columns. Next observe Frazer's second position to cover the retreat into the en- trenchments; this position he never fully obtained, being wounded, and his troops thrown in confusion in the act of taking it. Balcarras' camp was next stormed; Williams' artillery having been captured, and the grenadiers being driven within the works, along which the battle raged, Breyman's camp, the final point of at- 'i,;. 1^^ 130 KEY TO THE MAP tack, was captured; this being, as is read- ily seen, the keystone of Butjjoye's en- camped position. Position on the Morning of Oc- tober 8th, Refer to the small map marked "Position on the Morning of October 8th." The British will be found crowded down by the river near the hos- pital and batteaux, the Americans close upon them. While in this position the funeral of Frazer took place on the great redoubt. The Retreat. This will be traced along the river road to Coveville, where a halt was made; thence to Saratoga and across the Fish Kill. Camp on the Heights of Sarato- ga. It will be seen at this point that the British were strongly posted; the Americans will be found surrounding them on every side. The Surrender. The place where the British stacked their arms is indicat- ed on the plain near Fort Hardy ; the spot where Burgoyne surrendered his sword to Gates is a short distance below the church, which is south of the Fish Kill, on the river road. Opposite the Batten Kill two houses are indicated by dark spots on the map, on each side of the road to Fort Miller; the most northerly is the one in which the Baroness Reidesel took refuge. It was commanded by the guns seen on the hills north of the Batten Kill, from which shot was thrown into the houses. 9 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND i mmmm I inssaManvMtoi***- ■■ii< ii» . .. Ill g\ jl 1 :; if m H X O u u " .s •< -• u « u - 3 5 < 5 o u H o I lis mm mm "TF^l T A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 51 m IT 7?- i f a I I. "America is the Old rather than the New World, being the first-bom among the continents; " when " Earth was young and keeping holiday- Monster fishes swam the silent main, Stately forests waved their giant branches, Mountains hurled their snowy avalanches, Mammoth creatures stalked across the plain." It is a pleasant morning late in June. One of those ineffable days that belong to this month in the region of country lying along the south-eastern foot of the Adirondacks; that " angle between the great northern and western war-paths " of the past that followed " the encircling chain of almost a thousand miles of liv- ing waters that surround Northern New York." In this atmosphere are combined the freshness of the mountains, the mel- lowness of the plains, the healthfulness of the pines. In the heart of this region, on the edge of the Laurentian rocks of the world's first continent, sits the village of Saratoga Springs, drawing to herself, magnet-like, the men and women of many nations; attracting them by various prop- erties, yet pouring forth to all alike the treasures of her wonderful chemical lab- oratory, and clothing all in new vigor with her mountain-freighted atmosphere. On the western piazza of one of her famous hotels, the United States, are numerous groups of visitors. Miss Kate Van Eyck, a blooming blonde of twenty; Miss Pelham, her young friend, graceful and fashionable, recently returned from Europe; and Mrs. Harris, a middle- aged, youthful looking widow, sit loung- ingly near the piazza railing, their books and fancy-work lying neglected in their laps. Mr. Winship, a young lawyer from Boston, enjoying his short vacation, leans against a column, gazing absently at Miss Van Eyck; Judge Van Eyck, her father, " a true Knickerbocker in the fullest sense of the word," approaches with a firm, even tread, suggestive of dig- nity, self-reliance, and exactness of char- acter. Judge Van Eyck, as he draws up a chair and sits down: "Well, la<'.ies, do we go the battle-field to-day? it is a glo- rious morning, and I am already inspired with some patriotic emotions. I find there is nothing like a little leisure to allow the sentiments to expand — with the help of an entertaining book. I must thank you, Mrs. Harris, for my re- awakened interest in the glories of my country." Mrs. Harris: "How is that, Judge; was it the shabbv little volume I loaned you yesterday ? " Judge Van Eyck: "Yes; I always find these impromptu journals of army offi- cers the most delightful kind of history. They photograph the scene on the spot, quite a different process from your ela- borate painting, such as the historian of the future gives, filled with imaginary figures, and diffused with an atmosphere of his own ideas and opinions. It is re- i T34 A VTSIT TO THE BATTTR ORDTTVO ' 11 II lll.) u freshingly real to find these young Eng- lish lords of '76, Captains and Lieuten- ants, calling us rebels, and predicting our speedy annihilation." Mrs. Harris: " Some of vH'- n were un- consciously elegant writeis; but have you read any of the journals and travels written by Hessian officers who were with the British army ? They are charming; the simplicity, qurintness and truth with which they describe the country and th:; people are incomparable." Miss Van Eyck: "O, Mrs. Harris! do tell father that delightful story about the German poet." Mr. Winship, drawing near: "What do I hear about a poet, Miss Van Eyck?" Miss Pelham: ''Of course Kate has found a poetic element in the subject under discussion; she is so romantic." Mr. Winship: " I am glad to hear Miss Van Eyck is romantic. I thought her eminently practical." Miss Van Eyck: "I protest against being discussed before my face, and if we arc going to the battle field, we had better start; but I don't want to go to day. I thought I knew all about the battle of Saratoga, and I have just dis- covered that I know nothing. Mrs. Harris is a perfect encyclopedia, and I know she will tell me all about it, if we wait ,1 few days; won't you, Mrs. Harris ? Why should we hurry, father .' ' Judge Van Eyck : "I am in no hurry, Kate ; you know I promised that while here I would obey you orders, but the other ladies may prefer to go now ; decide it among yourselves." Miss Pelham : " Dear me, Kate ; you do not expect to know all the history and details concerning places you visit. do you .' I tried the guide-books in Europe, and found them detestable. I think if you have a general idea that something wonderful has happened at « place, that is sufficient to excite an agree- able interest. It's an awful drag to try to remember the names of kings and generals who were on this side, and who on that — it interferes with the sentiment ; now you like sentiment, why bother about facts." Miss Van Eyck : " Which means, I suppose, that you do not wish our trip deferred." Miss Pelham : " O no, not at all ; one day will suit me as well as another, but I am thinking how I will dispose of the time while you and Mrs. Harris are talk- ing history. I must go in search of a new novel." Mrs. Harris : " You forget. Miss Fan- ny, that I have made no promise yet, and Kate's jest about my knowledge is no guarantee that I have the information necessary to bore you. I do not half believe in your avowed preference for ignorance, however, and I have no doubt but you will assist in recalling the men and events that give historic interest to the old battle ground." Miss Van Eyck : " What was the name of that German officer you were telling me about ? " Mrs. Harris : ** His name was Seume, and he was not an officer, which gives additional interest to iiis trials and hard- ships ; he bore the.n with philosophical endurance, or rather an easy indiffer- ence. His comrades, the German com- mon soldiers, employed by the British, were ignorant, coarse and degraded, mere slaves of the petty despots who 5- rf. M A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 135 ruled them ; yet there must undoubt- edly have been an occasional individual like Scume himself, who possessed edu- cation and refinement. The officers were entirely of this < lass, and more than that, they all belonged to the nobility, and were among the most accomplished gentlemen of Kurojje." Mr. Winship: "Why, Mrs. Harris! you astonish me ; are you not mi-taken ? Surely the Hessians employed against us were universally a gross, thieving, de- graded set of wretches. I did not sup- pose a word could be said in their favor. Even their own countryman, Frederick the Great, taxed them like so many head of cattle for the privilege of passing over his territory. Certainly, he intended by this to show hi', disgust for the enter- prise in v/hich they were engaged, and his cohtenpt for their rulers." Judge Van Eyck : " I fear we can- not give Frederick credit for these noble sentiments. He was the last man likely to sympathize with the cause for which the Americans contended. He was simply angry and jealous that the troops he had been in the habit of hiring for his own purposes, for a trifling sum of money, were now let out at a high price, thus raising their market value, and he determined to appropriate a part of the profit to himself." Mr. Winship : " Really, one is tempted to throw all histories into the fire, when discovering the false impressions receiv- ed from them. I begin to think that it is not worth while to read history at all. I believe I have never felt my sympa- thies and opinions fully in accord with people or events in the past, that I have not afterward had my whole theory about them upset, and my facts ques- tioned." Judge Van Eyck : " Yes, sir ; you will generally find this to be the case, which only proves that we have no right to theories or feelings in regard to histori- cal persons and events. We must sift out the fncts an weU as we can, and look upon them as abstract facts alone." Miss Van Eyck : " Indeed, father, you know that cannot be done — and that you certainly do not do it ; you have the strongest kind of likes and dislikes. You must remember how you defend Gen. Schuyler ; and as to Gen. Gates, I think you talk dreadfully about him, consider- ing he was one of the Revolutionary heroes." Mrs. Harris : " You are all wandering very far away from my young German student, although I find I have really very little to tell you about him. He was a youth of brilliant poetic talent, and an eager student ; was on his way from the university at Leipsic, to Paris, where he would soon complete his course of study, when he was suddenly seized by a recruiting officer, and driven like a slave to the nearest military post. Yet so little idea had the men of that time of their individual rights, that it does not seem to have occur- red to him to make even a protest against such an outrage. Imagine an ardent, refined young man forced from place to place, and finally plunged into the depths of one of those horrible ships that transported the German troops from England to Canada. Their Land- grave sent them to England, almost des- » i. . 136 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND titute of clothing ; contracts were made with Englishmen to supply them, and the boxes of clothing were not opened until the ships had sailed, when it was discov- ered that much of it was utterly worth- less — some of th*; cases contained ladies' shoes, and other things equally appropri- ate." Miss Pelham: " O, let us suppose that the dainty young poet could wear a pair » ' the ladies' shoes — who knows but Le may have had a mantilla and parasol, too ! " Mr. Winship: "Why, yes; what an al- leviation of his sufferings. If he could not wear thetn, he could hang them up, and apostrophize them in melodious lines." l^'rs Van Eyck: "I thi k you are most unfeeling to ridicule a man in such a position. I suppose the poor fellow had not even a book to distract his mind from his miseries." Mrs. Harris: " He seemed to look upon his misfortune as an inevitable fate, and to adopt it as a sort of Bohemianism. Upon his return to Germany, he wrote an autobiography." Miss Van Eyck: "Was it there you found that curious description of the uniform of ^he American soldiers and officers? " Mrs. Harris: "No; that was in the ' Briefwechsel, ' v/here the letter of a German officer says that some of the American officers, quite in contrast to their simple dress, wore large, powdered wigs, for which the soldiers felt the most profound reverence. But many of these German accounts are full of serious matter, that will probably be an efficient guide through some of the intricacies of the Saratoga campaign, as the German view of it is quite different from either the British or American." Judge Van Ey^k: "I suppose we have that in the Memoirs of Madame Riede- sel, and the journals of her husband, translated some years ago by Mr. Stone." Mrs. Harris: "Yes; that is one of the most entertaining accounts of Burgoyne's Campaign that can be found. I have written a sketch of the Baroness, drawn from that book and other ooi'rces, which I have promised to lend Kate." Miss Pelham, rising: " It is time for me to go the Clarendon Spring for my tonic water, and I shall stop at the book- store for a novel. Won't you go, Kate ?" Mr. Winship: " Will you all go to the bowling alley, and have a game of ten- pins ? " Miss Van Eyck: "O, yes! I want to retaliate on father and Mrs. Harris; they shall not beat us so badly again." They saunter through the broad hall and down the front steps of the hotel, the ladies raise their sunshades, and without further preparation continue their walk to the spring. Miss Pelham, Miss Van Eyck and Mr. Winship in ad- vance, talking with animation upon some subject not historical. Mrs. Harris and the Judge stray sh-wly on behind them, still interested in the subject that has occupied them during the morning. Judge Van Eyck: "I have read the memoir of Madame Riedesel. I was charmed with the Baroness; her intelli- gence and refinement, as well as her de- votion to her husband and children, are remarkable. With what vividness and skill she pictures the events passing A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND nr around her, and with what naivetd she relates the most trifling incidents of her own experience ! " Mrs. Harris: "Yes; that is the very thing that gives such reality to her ac- count of the carapaigii, and the long captivity that followed. By the way, Judge, do you not think it was rather disgraceful in our Congress to refuse to ratify the terms of the convention signed at Saratoga? Certainly Burgoyne and his officers had reason to feel aggrieved, although the English Government bore it very quietly. I believe that Washing- ton urged upon Congress their obligation to confirm the terms of the convention." Judge Van Eyck: " Yes, he did; and however it might be regretted that Gates' weakness, and Burgoyne's firmness had fixed the terms as they were, it has seemed to me there was no honorable course for Congress to pursue but to confirm them. Yet we must remember that there were many minor points which may have weighed with them, and are not appar- ent to us. It is said that La Fayette's influence prevailed in the matter. He was interested for the French Government, wishing to prevent the use of Burgoyne's army against France, as war was impend- ing between that country and England." Mrs. Harris: "I remember now hav- ing read somewheni that he urged, as a precedent for disregarding the articles of the convention, the surrender of the Duke of Cumberland at Kloster Seven, on which occasion the terms of capitu- lation were ignored by the English." Judge Van Eyck: "Burgoyne himself did obtain leave to go back to England, although he was unsuccessful in secur- ing the return of the army." Mrs. Harris: " I always feel a pro- found sympathy for him on that return trip. Although we cannot say, as the poet does of one of the kings of Eng- land, that * he never smiled again,' it is known that, even after he was excul- pated from censure by Parliam'^nt, when he enjoyed great social distinction, and was flattered and app'^'ided in conse- quence of the success of his drama, " The Heiress," that ' ihe shadow of Saratoga always rested on his brow.' The buoy- ancy and zest of his aspirations were destroyed by a stroke of the pen that signed his humiliation and General Gates' triumph. One thing has occurred to me. Judge, as rather remarkable since I have read something of the private lives of these officers of the invading army. They all seem to have been model husbands; even Burgoyne, who was considered a gay, pleasure-loving dilettante, treated his wife with tender devotion and an unlimited confidence and defer- ence." Judge Van Eyck: " Did he not elope with her? I think she was an Earl's daughter." Mrs. Harris: " Which proves there was a romantic attachment to begin with; this ripened into a life-long affection, and her family became not only recon- ciled to Burgoyne, but were devoted to his interests ever afterwards. You will remember that Gen. Frazer spoke pa- thetically of his wife in his dying mo- ments; Major Ackland reciprocated the devotion of Lady Ackland, and Gen. Riedesel was a veritable lover to the Baroness. The young people are wait- ing for us; we must win another victory over them." '-38 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 11. It is afternoon. Judge Van Eyck and Mr. Winship are enjoying their cigars and the New York papers in the gentle- men's reading room. The ladies of their party have retired to their cottage, in the south wing of the great hotel, and disposed themselves for an afternoon rest. Miss Pelham lies on the bed,, turning over lazily tY j pages of her new novel. Mrs. Harris, on the sofa in the parlor, is lost in one of those short, profound naps that assist in preserving the freshnesii of ladies on the shady side of forty. Miss Van Eyck has drawn a large easy chair to the window; she opens the manuscript which Mrs. Harris has given her, and reads a sketch of THE BARONESS RIEDESEL IN AMERICA On the nth of June, 1777, in the har- bor of Quebec, a ship, just arrived from England, cast anchor. On its deck stood the Baroness Riedesel with her three young children, Gustava, Fred- erika and Caroline ; her faithful maid, Lena, who had followed her from Ger- many, and another she had hired in England. There the Baroness had been obliged to remain nearly a year, waiting for a suitable transport to Canada; that new land, where her thoughts and desires were constantly drawing her towards the gallant husband who had parked from her in grief, and now, she was sure, awaited her arrival with anxiety and joy. Gazing wistfully towards the shore sh- thought, "scarcely one short hour, and his arms will encircle me." At this moment the booming of guns from all the ships in the harbor, firing a salute in honor of her arrival, increased her excitement; tears of hope and joy streamed from her beautiful blue eyes, she clasped the little Caroline more closely to her breast, while Gustava and Frederika danced about her, wild with delight, in anticipation of a release from the lor.;^ confinement of eight weeks on board ship. Their demonstrations of joy increased^ when they ' w a. boat, "containing twelve sailors, dressed in white, with silver helmets and green sashes," approaching the ship to carry them ashore. With it came letters from Gen. Riedesel, informing his wife that he had been unable to awai ; her arrival at Quebec, and had started on the summer campaign with General Burgoyne. Here w&s a bitter disappointment, but this gentle, resolute woman gave little time to unavailing regrets. Only remaining in Quebec long enough to dine with the wife of General Carleton, and without resting from the fatigues of the long sea voyage, on the evening of the same day the Baroness, with her family, em- barked in a small boat and proceeded up the 3t. Lawrence, hoping to overtake her husband, and spend at least a few hours with him. It was a beautiful moonlight night; they were accompanied by a splendid band of music. Mingled emotions of disappointment &.nd antici- pation stirred the sensitive heart of the wife and mother as they glided on so weirdly over the waters of the broad, strange river. The children, wearied with the excitement and novelty of the day, soon feel asleep. At midnight they were awakened, and prepared for a long ride across the country. Three light calashes were provided for them. "I could not," gays the Baroness, wm A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 139 "bring my heart to trust a single one of my children to my women servants; and as our calashes were open and very small, I bound my second daughter, Frederika, fast in one corner; took the youngest, little Caroline, on my lap; while my old- est, Gustava, as the most discreet, sat between my feet on my purse. As I had no time to lose, if I would overtake my husband, I promised a reward to the servants if they would drive very fast, and consequently we went as quickly as vehicles and horses would allow." She rode in this way until the following afternoon, when she made the pas- sage of the Three Rivers in a light ca- noe, made of bark. At one end of this frail boat the Baroness sat with her three children in her lap, while her servants balanced it at the other end. The boat- men told her that the slightest movement would overturn the canoe. This fright- ened little Frederika, who i creamed, and tried to jump up. The Baroness, there- fore, had to hold her firmly while she con- tinued to scream with great terror. They proceeded in this painful manner until they reached the village of Thice Rivers. At this place ♦^he Hessian troops had been in winter quarters, and General Riedesel had left a house prepared for the reception of his family. The distress of the Baroness was increased by the surrounding manifestations of the affec- tionate care and forethought of her ab- sent husband, ia providing for her com- fort. The enthusiastic affection and re- spect with which he was spoken of by the friends he had left here, at once con- soled and afflicted her, since she was told that he had been quite sick, and was not yet recovered, and that his, illness had been increased by his solicitude for her during the long voyage — rumors having reached him of disasters at sea, that he feared might have robbed him of his lit- tle family. The Grand Vicar of the vil- lage, sympathizing with her anxiety to join her husband, loaned her a covered calash in which she immediately resum- ed her journey in pursuit of the advanc- ing army. The '/eatherwas exceedingly stormy, and the road difficult and rug- ged, but she still pushed forward with impatient eagerness. She says, "this vehicle went so lapidly that I could scarcely recover my breath, in addition to which I was so jostled about (as I was constantly obliged to hold my children) that I was completely beaten to pieces. I was obliged at every post station to stretch out my arms and walk around a little to render my joints more limber." How touching a picture is this ! A deli- cate, refined woman, accustomed only to the comfort, luxury and shelter of un old civilization, in a circle of devoted rela- tions and friends, encountering the hard- ships of the wilderness — self-reliant, cour- ageous, perseveWng — not for one moment forgetting or neglecting the babes who are dependent on her tenderness, even while her whole soul is absorbed in that intensity of wif ;ly love and devotion that renders her regardless of fatigue, pain, and repeated disappointment. If we are moved with enthusiasm in recalling the valor and se'J-forgetfulness of the soldier in the se^'ice of his country — on the wearying march, and amid the carnage of the field — may we not be equally stirred at a manifestation of heroic endurance and self-abnegation in a-, exercise of the most sublime of human emotions ? The .-■>•«* -.'■!v.J*^'ftA.^'tife^- •II tf>. .140 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND love that outstrips time, space, obsta- cles — that endures, waits, yearns, la- bors for the beloved one, and never wearies, never flags, but grows, strength- ens and expands until lost in the immor- tal love of the hereafter ! Is this mere high-flown sentiment — are these words for romancers and poets ? We need no other answer than a glance at the tired, eager face of this woman, who only typi- fies a class upon whom the world gazes with blind eyes. A messenger had been dispatched in advance to inform General Riedesel of the approach of his wife ; he started im- mediately to meet her ; unfortunately as he advanced upon one road, he pai^sed her upon another, and thus by one of those unpropitious chances that often set united efforts at cross purposes, was the union of these anxious hearts still fur- ther delayed. Arrived at Chambly, the place from which he had started, the Baroness was advised to await his re- turn, She says, "my children and my faithful Rachel kept a constant watch on the high road, that they might bring me news of my husband's arrival. Finally a calash was descried, having a Cana- dian in it. I saw from a distance the calash stop still ; the Canadian got out, came nearer, and folded the children in his arms. It was my .lusband ! As he still had the fever, he was clothed (though it tvas summer) in a sort of cassock of woolen cloth, bordered with ribbons, and to which was attached a variegated fringe of blue and red, after the Canadian fashion of the country. My joy was be- yond all descrption, but the sick and feeble appearance of my husband terri- fied me, and a little disheartened me. I found both my elder daughters in tears. Gustava for joy at again seeing her father, and little Frederika because she saw him in this plight. For this reason she would not go to him at all, but said, " No, no, this is not my papa ; my papa is pretty." " The very momen'i, however, that he threw off his Canadian coat, she tenderly embraced him." How graphically the wife describes the emotions of her chil- dren — how little she says for herself. " It was my husband ! My joy wus beyond all description," and again : " We re- mained with each other two happy days." How inadequate to depict the emotions of the heart are "11 outward expressions ! Months, years of deferred hope may finu their culmination in a few hours of joy ; a lifetime of unselfish motives, of persist- ent effort, its reward in a few days of rest, a few moments of delight. Yet how may we give utterance to the fullness of joy, the beatitude of culminated hopes ! General Riedesel informed his wife that she could not acompany the army at that time, and that it would be neces- sary for her to return to Three Rivrs, and await the development of events. The confidence of an assured love, the satisfaction of a mutual appreciation may alleviate the hours of separation, but the heart rebels, and we grieve with the loving wife, who says : " I was forced, to my great sorrow, to go buck to Three Rivers. I suffered yet more upon wit- nessing the departure of the troops against the enemy, while I, with my children, was obliged, alone and desert- ed, to return and live in a strange land, among unknown people. Sorrowful, and very much cast down, I travelled back. What a difference between this journey A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 141 and that which I had made a little while before ! This time I did not move so quickly ; for at every post station, which removed me further from him I loved, my heart was torn open afresh." A few weeks were passed by Madame Riedesel at the little village of Three Rivers, where with discretion and amia- bility she adapted herself to the people around her, and found the contentment that ever follows such efforts. In the meantime the British and German forces had swept on victoriously past Ticonder- oga, Fort Independence, ard Skenes- borough. Major Ackland had been '.vounded at Hubbardton, and his wife was allowed to join him. As soon as this permission was granted, General Burgoyne, beaiing in remembrance his own tender solicitude for his lamented wife, thoughtfully turned to General Riedesel, and said : " Your wife shall come too, General ; despatch Captain Willoe to escort her at once." Captain Willoe soon arrived at Three Rivers, when the Baroness and her fam- ily once more joyfully embarked in a small boat, accompanied by another one containing the soldiers, baggage and pro- visions. The first night they were obliged to land on a small island — the second boat, being heavily 1 iden, had fallen far behind. The little family were without supper and candles or other comforts. A deserted hut was found, containing some bushes, upon which shawls were spread, and the little ones were induced to lie down to rest. During the night they were frequently disturbed by strange sounds and sudden lights, which could be seen through the chinks of the cabin. At breakfast, which wa? spread upon a stone for a table, Madame Riedesel ask- ed the Captain what had caused the alarming sights and sounds. He admit- ted that he had discovered, when too late to make a change, that this was Rattlesnake Island, so called because a very great number of these reptiles infested the place. He had tried by the unusual sights and sounds to keep them at a distance. Upon hearing this, the breakfast was hurried, and they left the island as quickly as possible, arriving at St. John's soon after. Here they took passjje in larger boats, and had a prosperous and beautiful trip through Lake Champlain ai:d the transparent waters of Lake George. The magnificent scenery was a constant source of d^li^ht to the culti- vated taste and pure mind of the Baron- ess, whose happy anticipations were in harmony with the joyous spirit of sum- mer, that seemed to vivify this lovely re- gion with the breath of a living beauty. As the boat drifted near the shores of the picture-like islands, the delicate colors of the varied wild flowers, and the full-throated carol of the fearless birds, entranced her; and again, in the midst of the broad lake, the grandeur of the primitive forests, the largeness of vision granted by the rarified atmosphere, the rounded, verdant mountains, and the shadowed valleys inspired a depth of thought and gratitude that subdued the impatient eagerness of all purely human affections. The little family traveled on pleas- antly, the children reflecting the happi- ness of the mother; they soon reached Fort Edward, where Burgoyne's army was then encamped. They were re- T sar JAKT? 'r^ -I^.^J ■^n" ■F»W^ mafl t42 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND ceived with unbounded delight by Gen- eral Riedesel, and warmly welcomed by the commanding officers. Immediately after this, communication was cut off with Canada, and the Baroness congrat- ulated herself greatly on having been able to join her husband, as otherwise she would have been separated from him during all the years of his captivity. Upon her arrival, a room was assigned her at headquarters in the Red House; "and here," says the Baroness, "I had the joy of spending three happy weeks in the greatest tranquility. We had a very pleasant life. The surrounding country was magnificent; and we were encircled by the encampments of the English and German troops. The weath- er was beautiful, and we often took our meals under the trees." She and her children endeared themselves greatly to all the military household. This inter- est continued through the hardships of the following weeks; and many brave men felt their hearts stirred with sympa- thy and tenderness towards these gentle beings, who seemed like lovely flowers tossed hither and thither on the tempest- uous waves of war. On the nth of September, the army moved slowly forward over an obstructed pathway, and thus were the little family often weary and hungry with waiting during the day, and exhausted and sleepy long before they could stop at night. Madame Riedesel says: "We made only small day's marches, and were very often sick; yet always contented at being al- lowed to follow. I had still the satisfac- tioii of daily seeing my husband. In the beginning all went well. We cherished the sweet hope of a sure victory, and of coming into the 'promised land;' and when we passed the Hudson river, and General Burgoyne said, 'The English never lose ground,' our spirits were greatly exhilarated." After the battle of the 19th of Sep- tember, and while the British were en- camped near Freeman's Farm, Madame Riedesel, with her family, occupied Tay- lor's house, a mile or two north of the encampment. General Riedesel 's head- quarters were a long ride from Taylor's. Madame Riedesel daily visited the camp, and sometimes took breakfast or dinner with her husband, but more frequently he came, accompanied by other officers, to dine with her. Colonel Williams of the artillery, noticing the fatigue to which these visits subjected General Riedesel and his wife, offered to build a block- house for her near the camp. She gladly accepted his offer. It was built of heavy logs, and would form a comfortable shel- ter from the autumn chilliness. General Riedesel was still suffering from the ef- fects of fever, and the Baroness says: " I was to remove into it the following day^ and was the more rejoiced at it as the nights were already damp and cold, and my husband could live in it with me, as he then would be near the camp. Sud- denly, however, on the 7 th of October, my husband, with the whole general staff, decamped. Our misfortunes may be said to date from this moment. I had just sat down with my husband at his quar- ters to breakfast. General Frazer, and I believe Generals Burgoyne and Phil- lips, were to have dined with me on the same day. I observed considerable move- ment among the troops. On my way homeward, I met many savages in their ; 't- K a; < t/3 < u u J= 'J 05 S 03 1! S H W H 0-, W (T, u. O u H H < P3 I WB HP mmm^f^ A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND »43 war dress, armed with guns — they cried out 'War! war! ' This completely over- whelmed me, and I had scarcely got back to my quarters, when I heard skirmish- ing and firing, which by degrees became constantly heavier, until finally the noises were frightful. It was a terrible cannon- ade, and I was more dead than alive. About three o'clock in the afternoon, in place of the guests who were to have dined with me, they brought to me, upon a litter, poor General Frazer (one of my expected guests), mortally wounded. Our dining table, which was already spread, was taken away, and in its place they fixed up a bed for the General, I sat in a corner of the room, trembling and quaking, lest my husband should be brought to me in the same manner. Prayers were read to General Frazer, af- ter which he sent a message to General Burgoyne, begging that he would have him buried in the great redoubt on the hill. " I knew not which way to turn, the whole entry and other rooms were filled with sick. Finally, towards evening, I saw my husband coming, upon which I forgot all my sufferings, and thanked God that he had been spared to me. He ate in great haste with me and his adju- tant, behind the house. We had been told we had gained an advantage over the enemy, but the sorrowful and down- cast faces; which I beheld bore witness to the contrary; and before my husband went away again, he drew me to one side, and said that things might go very badly, and I must keep myself in constant read- iness for departure, but to give no one the least inkling of what I was doing. I, therefore, pretended that I wanted to move into my new house the next morn- ing, and had everything packed up. " My Lady Ackland occupied a tent not far from our house. In this she slept, but during the day was in the camp. Suddenly one came to tell her that her husband was mortally wounded, and had been taken prisoner. At this she became very wretched, for she loved him very much. She was the loveliest of women. I spent the night in this manner; at one time comforting her^ and at another looking after my children, whom I had put to bed. General Frazer and all the other gentlemen were in my room, and I was constantly afraid that my children would wake up and cry, and thus disturb the poor dying man, who often sent to beg my pardon for making me so much trouble. At eight o'clock in the morning he expired. * * About four o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the new house which had been built f^c me in flames; the enemy, therefore, were not far from us." When describing General Frazer's fu- neral, she says: "Many cannon balls also flew not far from me, but I had my eyes fixed upon the hill, where I distinctly saw my husband in the midst of the en- emy's fire, and, therefore, I could not think of my own danger," rJurgoyne, after describing the sol- emnity of this scene, and the steadiness of the officiating elergyman who was " frequently covered with dust which ♦^he shot threw up on all sides of him," thus apostrophises his friend : " To the can- vas, and to the faithful page of a more important historian, gallant friend, I consign thy memory ! There may thy talents, thy manly virtues, their progress. 1 144 A VISIT TO THE HATTLE GROUND and their period, find due distinction ; and lonj; may they survive, long after the frail record of my pen shall be forgot- ten ! " Immediately after the funeral a retreat was ordered. Madame Riedesel entered her calash with her children and maids, and traveled the whole night in a pour- ing rain. The strictest silence was en- joined lest the enemy should discover the retreat. Little Frederika had became so ne'vous and frightened by the painful events of the day, that her tears and screams could not be restrained, and her mother was obliged to hold a pocket handkerchiv f over her mouth to prevent her cries from being heard. At six o'clock in the morning a halt was made. General Riedesel came up, and being greatly exhausted, dismounted from his horse, and sat in the calash, soon falling asleep with his head on his wife's shoul- der. His little daughter now became very docile and quiet, reassured by the presence of her father, whom she loved dearly ; she could easily understand how he would be disturbed, though rebellious against the military order for silence. The drenching rain continued through this whole day, which was spent without shelter. Several officers brought Mad- ame Riedesel their watches, rings and purses, requesting her to take care of them. She promised to do so, and after- wards found them a source of much anxiety to her. The Baroness says that during this halt, one of her maids " did nothing, cursed her situation, and tore out her hair. I entreated her," she continues, " to compose herself, or else she would be taken for a savage. Upon this she became still more frantic, and tore her bonnet off her head, letting her hair hang down over her face, and said : "You talk well! You have your hus- band ! But we having nothing to look forward to, but dying miserably on the one hand, or losing all we possess on the other!" To quiet her, I promised to make good all her losses. My good Lena, though much frightened, said nothing." At night they moved on about half an hour's march, and camped at old Sara- toga. Here a good fire was built, the children were warmed, wrapped in dry clothing, and laid upon some straw near the fire to sleep. While sitting near them, distressed and exhausted, General Phillips came up, and she asked him why the retreai was not continued. " Poor woman," answered he, " I am amazed at you ; completely wet through, have you still the courage to wish to go further in this weather!" On the next morning the Baroness says : " The greatest mis- ery and utmost disorder prevailed in the army. The commissaries had forgotten - to distribute provisions. More than thirty officers came to me who could en- dure the pangs of hunger no longer. I had coffee and tea made for them, and divided among them all the provisions with which my carriage was filled. We had a cook, who, although an arrant knave, was fruitful in expedients, and often in the night would steal from the country people, sheep, poultry, and pigs, which he afterwards sold to us for a high price — a circumstance that we only learn- ed a long time afterward." In the afternoon cannonading was heard, and everything was in confusion. The Baroness with lier family hurried i I. A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND '45 was into the calash, and drove to a house near by. As she arrived at the door she saw some men at a distance leveling their guns towards this spot ; she threw her children into the bottom of the cal- ash, and herself over them ; at the same moment a soldier just behind her had his arm shattered by one of these balls. She hurriedly entered the house which the Americans supposed to be occupied by the Generals ; a heavy fire was di- rected towards it. Madame Riedesel and her family took refuge in the cellar. Here, during the whole night, she sat upon the floor, while the terrified child- ren hid their heads in her lap. The sound of cannon balls crashing through the walls of the house above, the cries of the children, the stench of the sick and wounded who had crowded in, and above all, the uncertainty of her hus- band's fate, contributed to the suffering and anguish of this horrible night. " Yet in this terrible den of affliction, this extraordinary woman preserved her courage and compassion." When the morning came, she prevailed upon all to leave the cellar, until she could have it cleaned and fumigated ; in the meantime she placed the little girls under the cel- lar stairs, as she feared to trust them a moment from her presence. When the cellar was cleaned, and the door opened for the women and the wounded to enter, a great rush forward was made by a crowd of frightened and desperate soldiers who had fled from the camp, and now sought a place of safety. The Baroness and her children were in danger of being crushed and overwhelm- ed ; she, however, with great resolution and calmness, stood in the doorway, and spreading out her arms, firmly com- manded the men to stand back. They shrank away ashamed. The helpless ones were then brought in. Major Hamage, who was wounded, with his wife, and Mrs. Reynell, whose husband had been killed the day before, curtained off a corner of the cellar, and wished to arrange another corner for the Baroness. She preferred to stay near the door, where she thought she could more readily save her children in case of fire, and where she could the more easily slip out during the night to see if the camp fires were still burning. She was in con- stant fear that the army would make a hasty retreat, and leave her behind ; she had a great dread of falling into the hands of the Americans. She lived in this dreadful way for six days, and during this time " acted the part of an angel of comtort and help to the sufferers around her. She was ready to perform every friendly service, even those from which the tender mind of woman will recoil. By her energy she restored order from chaos, and the soldiers obeyed her more readily than their commanding officers." General Riedesel's horse was kept con- s«;antly saddled for her to mount in case of a sudden retreat. Three of the wounded officers, who were resolved not to be left as prisoners, swore to the Bar- oness that in case of a retreat, they each would take one of her children before him on his horse, and assist her in her flight. They were very fond of the ilttle girls, and often endeavored to quiet their fears. One of the officers could bleat like a calf, and bellow like a cow. When «apMMa»rw vAanv* wm 146 A VISIT TO THE HATTLE GROUND r I I Frederika would wake up in the night and cry, he often mimicked these ani- mals, when she would laugh heartily, and thus reassured, fall asleep again. They suffered greatly for water, as the Americans would not allow the British to approach the river, but picked off with their well aimed rifles every man who at- tempted it. A soldier's wife was found, however, who undertook this service, and the Baroness was much impressed by the conduct of the Americans in leav- ing her unmolested on account of her sex. On the 17th of October the army capit- ulated. After the generals of the conquered :«rmy had been received by General Gates, a message was sent to the Baron- ess, asking her to join her husband in the American camp. Once more she entered the calash that had carried her sc many weary miles. Trembling und anx ous at the thought of going among strange peo- ple in so trying a position, she dr^ ve up to the headquarters of the American General. " Here," says she, " a noble looking man approached us and took the children out of the wagon, embraced and kissed them, and then with tears in his eyes, helped me also to ali fit. 'You tremble,' said he; 'fear nothi ij/ ' No,' replied I, ' for you are so k.i <;1. and have been so tender toward my children, that it has inspired me with courage.' " He was General Philip Schuyler. " He then led her to the tent of General Gates, where they found Generals Phillips and Burgoyne, and the latter said to her: "You may now dismiss all your appre- hensions, for your sufferings are at an end." General Schuyler then took her and her children to his own tent, where he entertained tiiem with considerate hospitality. In the evening he sent an officer to accompany her to Albany. She was kindly received at his house by Mrs. Schuyler and her daughters, where she remained three days. Ujjon leaving this hospitable mansion, the Baroness Riedesel, with her husband and children, entered upon the vicissitudes and trials of their long captivity. They traveled with the captured army by land to Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, where they re- mained several months, expecting from time to time to embark for England ; when Congress finally refused to ratify the convention of Saratoga, they jour- neyed again by land to the interior of Virginia, where they put up temporary houses, made gardens, and domesticated themselves as they could in their trying position. I'ofore starting for Virginia, Madame Riedesel gives the following ac- count of the preservation of the German flags : " Now I was forced to consider how I should safely carry the colors of our German regiments still further, as we had made the Americans at Saratoga belive that they were burnt up — a cir- cumstance which they at first took in bad part, though afterwards they tacitly over- looked it. But it was only the staves that had been burned, the colors having been thus far concealed. Now my hus- band confided to me this secret, and en- trusted me with their still further con- cealment. I, therefore, shut myself in with a right honorable tailor, who helped me make a mattress in which we sewed every one of them. Captain O'Connell, under pretence of some errand, was sent to New York, and passed the mattress I i. ^ u 03 ° i o ! I OS ffi u i» A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 147 off as his bed. He sent it to Halifax, where we again found it on our passage from New York to Canada, and where — in c/der to ward off all suspicion in case our ship should be taken — I transferred it into my cabin, and slept during the whole of the remaining voyage to Can- ada upon these honorable b?dges." Upon Madame Riedesel's return to Europe, and to Brunswick, she says: " I found our entire family mansion in the same order as I had left it on my depart- ure to America. * * About a week af- ter\vards, I had the great si tisfaction of seeing my husband, with his own troops, pass through the city. Yes, those very streets in which, eight and a half years before, I had lost my joy and happiness, were the ones where I now saw this beau- tiful and soul-stirring spectacle. It is beyond my power to describe my emo- tions on beholding my beloved, my up- right husband, who the whole time had lived solely for his duty, and who had been so unwearied in helping and assist- ing, as far as possible, those who had been entrusted to him, standing, with tears of joy in his eyes, in the midst of his soldiers." Thus we find this loving, this devoted wife, bearing the test of time and change, yet preserving the fervor, the fre-^hness, and the enthusiasm of her love — an en- during crown of youth and beauty to ennoble and adorn the completeness of her womanhood. Her daughter, the impetuous little Frederika, became one of the celebrated women of her day. She married the Count Reden, and was also on warm terms of friendship with Humboldt, Ba- ron Stein, and many distinguished men. for whom her house was a favorite resort. After her death, Frederick William, King of Prussia, caused a beautiful monument to be erected to her memory. Kate Van Eyck drops the manuscript in her lap, her hands lie listlessly on the arms of the large chair, and she gazes dreamily out of the window. Mrs. Harris: " Well, Kate, how do you li!:e my heroine? " Miss Van EycK: " She is unreal. Do you think there is such devotion as her's in real life? I never saw it." Mrs. Harris: "You must believe with- out seeing, Kate. Romance is simply real life at a distance." Miss Van Eyck: " What do you mean?" Mi3. Harris: "That we are living a romance, as the people of every age and every time have been. One hundred years hence, we will be seen tnrough a misty atmosphere of sentiment and ex- aggeration that will idealize us and our time to the people of that day." Miss Pelham, coming from the back room : " Do lay history aside now, and let us discuss the dinner we are to have at the lake to-morrow. Did you hear, Mrs. Harris, that Colciel Shelby is expected from West Point this evening? " Mrs. Harris: "Yes. He will be an agreeable addition to our party." The ladies are now busy with the af- fairs of the toilet, and soon pass out to the piazzas, fresh, composed and ele- gant, as cultivated women of ample means and honorable connections should be, near the close of a pleasant day, whose remaining hours will be devoted to ra- tional pleasures. Colonel Shelby t^rrlves, and during the ■^ 148 A VISIT TO THE UATTLE GROUND evening it is arranged that they will all enjoy a trout dinner at the Lake House on the following afternoon. Judge Van Eyck gives orders to his coachman to go early in the morning, and order the din- ner, to insure a good supply of the deli- cacies peculiar to the place. III. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the landau, buggy and saddle horses carry our pleasure seekers from the "United States" past Congress Hall and the Grand Union. They sweep around the curve, guarded by the bronze sentinel of the "77th Volunteers," who stands ever watchful on his tall granite pedestal, and on past the grent spring and the race- course, over the smooth, broad road that has been gradually widened and leveled, and lifted from the rugged, marshy path of the wilderness to the well-watered, evenly graded avenue, with its continu- ous sidewalk and tempting resting places. Colonel Shelby, a tall Virginian, rides with the easy grace of a Southerner and the precision of a West Point graduate, while Miss Van Eyck manages her rest- less horse Guido with equal confidence and skill. Ascending the last hill, they catch a glimpse of the romantic little Lake Lonely, once called Owl Ditch — a name equally significant, though less me- lodious. Quickening their speed as they reach the summit, they suddenly rein in their horses among tho cluster of bril- liant equipages at the Lake House. The whole party now alight, and stand on the lawn of the hill side, enjoying the beau- tiful view of Saratoga Lake, which lies stretched at their feet. Miss Pelham: " Hov placid the lako is, and what a beautiful feature Snake Hill is in this view. I wonder it should have received such a name! " Judge Van Eyck: " It was probably suggested by the number of rattlesnakes found there; they were once exceedingly numerous in all this region. I like such names — anything that indicates a fact or idea, absolutely connected with the place itself, is preferable to an affectation that applies classical or historical names to our new places." Mrs. Harris: "There is an interesting Indian legend associated with Snake Hill. I will write it c vt io ou some time, Kate." While Mrs. Harris is speaking the dark- faced, white-aproned waiter announces dinner. They all repair to the shadec- dining room, where, over a luxurious re- past, they discuss *rout and bass; the Adirondacks ar^u the Thousand Islands, with the comparative pleasures and pen- alties of each — hunting, fishing and camp- ing. Miss Van Eyck: "Father, did you not tell me that General Schuyler of the Rev- olalm was a famous hunter?" Judge Van Eyck: " Yes; that v. ' per- haps, one reason why he had sn '-.flTj ence with the Indians; there ■ o* another in the province, except the j--—if sons of " Johnson Hall," who could man- age them so well. General Schuyler was appointed Indian Commissioner in 1775, and held that position until long after the Revolution. He was constantly called upon by both Congress and the State Government to conciliate or cor.ti ."I the restless and influential tribes of the Six Nations. He was a capital shot and a i -■■ mmm A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 149 placid the laky 1 feature Snake 'onder it should ne! " t was probably of rattlesnakes nee exceedingly •n. I like such icates a fact or d with the place affectation that •rical names to s an interesting "th Snake Hill, ou some time, aking the dark- ter announces to the shadet a luxurious re- ^nd bass; the usand Islands, sures and pen- ding and camp- er, did you not ler of the Rev- ;r? " that v: id S1V lerf • ;ept iht j . -j 10 could mciii- Schuyler was oner in 1775, long after the tantly called id the State • contijl the s of the Six I shot and a ' per- • ot fine horseman, which seem to me to be incontestable proofs of his personal cour- age, which some prejudiced persons have called in question. Do you think, Col- onel Shelby, that a man can handle a gun with ease and accuracy during a long life, and be always at home on a horse of high metal, and yet lack physical courage, especially if he has the princi- ples and instincts of a gentleman, as all admit that General Schuyler had?' Colonel Shelby, laughingly "Well, Judge, I believe General Gates was a high-toned gentleman in a certain sense, yet he is said to have been an arrant coward. He continually shirked danger, and at Camden ran like a fox when the hounds are in pursuit. I think, too, he was a good horseman." Mr Winship, warmly: "You are not justified in making such sweeping asser- tions in regard to General Gates. Un- fortunately, by the force of circumstances, he became the rival of General Schuyler, who always showed a partizan spirit, and, like all narrow minded men, could only lead a clique. General Gates saved the campaign of '77 at the North, and he cannot be stripped of his laurels. If he met with disasters at the South after- ward, it is no more than other command- ers have suffered, whose characters have not been questioned. He had no op- portunity to retrieve himself after that defeat at Camden, but was immediately stripped of his command, which, you will remember, was given to General Greene." Colonel Shelby: " I beg your pardon, sir; I really have no feeling in this mat- ter, and have expressed a stronger opinion than I entertain. I was but quoting the statements of a leading New Yorker, who is familiar with these dis> puted points, and should know more about it than I do." Judge Van Eyck: " You were quite riglt. Colonel, it requires little investigation to iearn that General Gates deserved all the censure he has received, and more. He was an infamous intriguer against Gen- eral Washington, as well as against Gen- eral Schuyler. His success at Saratoga brought into full blossom the seeds of his presumptuous aspirations. He made no report of the surrender there to the Commander-in-Chief. He sent it di- rectly, and only, to Congress bv Wilkin- son, who was so long in delivering it that when Congress, overflowing with grati- tude foi his good tidings, voted him a sword, a shrewd Scotchman observed: ' I think ye'U better gie the lad a pair of spurs.' You know General Gates' con- nection v/ith the 'Conway Cabal," do you not? If he was not its master spirit, he at least labored to gain the greatest possible advantage from its success. He had succeeded in supplanting Schuyler; he had robbed him of his ripening fame; had calumniated and degraded him, yet he considered this but a stepping stone to the main object of his ambition — the chief command of the whole army. The extent of his efforts and the support he received in Congress has never been made known, and never will be. The sessions of Congress were held with closed doors; the after success and continued popular- ity of Washington induced the members, who had opposed him and favored G^tes to be very close-mouthed, while their colleagues of the other side were gener- ous,, and said nothing. It is well known uaaeuaiuu> ■^■^ I 150 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND that Gates was constantly hanging about the doors of Congress; and you know, Colonel, that to this day the choice places are often secured by the officers who fre- quent the capitol, keep a sharp lookout for their own interests, and stimulate the ardor of their friends — human nature is ever the same. " It was in the restless desire to elevate Gates that John Adams ridiculed the * Fabian ' policy of Washington ; the promptings of Gates, then in consulta- tion with Congressional friends, pushed on the bitter invectives against the un- fortunate but faithful Generals of the North, when it was said in Congress: ' We must shoot a General before we can win a victory.' In one of the most try- ing hours of Washington's life, when he was giving orders for the famous passage of the Delaware, Gates failed him as usual, and made off to Baltimore, where Congress was then in session; and, ac- cording to Wilkinson, he spent the time on his journey criticizing Washington's plan for the winter campaign, and con- structing one of his own, that, he said, it was his intention to propose to Con- gress. What sort of conduct was this for a military man, to leave the fighting behind him, and run after politicians; to criticize where he should have obeyed? Upon my word, I think it was a worse * run ' than the one at Camden, inas- much as fear is a more inspiriting mo- tive than deliberate selfishness." Mr. Winship : " You have brought a miscellaneous set of charges against General Gates, Judge, each of which wouid require a long explanation, but you must admit that he had some just cause of complaint to Congress, and I suppose he had a right to present his grievances and try to obtain their re- dress. If Schuyler was superseded by him, was he not also superseded time and again. If he did not consider General Washington infallible, according to your own account, there were many who agreed with him, and surely some undue elation might be pardoned after such a triumph as that of Saratoga. The flat- tery and 4'.dulation he received in conse- quence of that might naturally have sug- gested the ambition you attribute to him, if there was already dissatisfaction with the chief of the army. " After the Conway difficulty had been settled, all accounts agree in declaring that General Gates conducted him -elf with great dignity and propriety — as he did, in fact, on many trying occasions. Always in his intercourse with the Brit- ish, and with the people of the country where his army was located, from time to time, he displayed wisdom and moder- ation. He was uncompromising in his adherence to the great principles of the revolution, and the respect accorded him by foreigners, who judged dispassionately of the men of those times, should save him from the petty attacks of partizan feeling." Mrs. Harris : " Mr. Winship, how do you account for the singular conduct of General Gates in delaying, after the sur- render of Saratoga, to reinforce Wash- ington with the recruits that had been detached from the main army ? Gene- ral Morgan obtained permission from Gates to return in advance of the other division." ?ress, and I present his in their re- Jerseded by led time and Jer General ling to your many who some undue ifter such a The flat- id in conse- ly have sug- )ute to him, i'action with ty had been n declaring ed hiro-elf iety — as he occasions, th the Brit- :he country from time and moder- sing in his pies of the :orded him assionately lould save )f partizan ip, how do :onduct of ;r the sur- rce Wash- had been ? Gene- sion from the other u ca o H o OS H •X. S5 CD . « i y. o u u < H H < < O a; o nf wmmmm \ \ hi l,'l A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND '5« Mr. Winship : " General Gates had good reason for believing that a most advantageous movement could be made in this State " Miss Pelham, interrupting : " Was not Morgan one of the picturesque heroes — a sort of bandit ? Bryant has written some verses about him, 'Our band is few, but true and tried.' " Mrs. Harris, smiling : " The verses relate to Marion and hi;, men. Morgan urged upon Gates the serious need of the commander-in-chief for the services of his corps, knowing as he did, that Wash- ington had organized it for special pur- poses connected with his immediate com- mand, and a reluctant consent was ob- tained from Gates to allow its departure in advance of the other regiments. Washington had written that the want of these troops from the North, embar- rassed all his measures. He finally sent Colonel Hamilton to hasten them, and after great delay and hesitation on the part of Gates, Hamilton wrote to Wash- ington that he doubted whether he would have had a man from the northern army if they could have been kept with any decency, yet Governor Clinton had urged Gates to forward the troops to Washing- ton's army, telling him that 'upon its success every thing worth regarding de- pended.' This, you will remember. Judge, was just before the terrible winter at Valley Forge, and Washington must have felt that his misfortunes during the fall were owing in a large measure to the sacrifice he had made in sending the con- tinental regiments to assist Gates, who delayed them so unreasonably. Yet, Washington declared at that time that, if the cause were advanced, he cared not in what quarter it happened.' " Judge Van Eyck : " The delay of Gates is similar to that of Lee, just after the fall of Fort Washington ; he was then the hero of the hour, as Gates was at this time. The requests, entreaties and com- mands of Washington were alike disre- garded by Lee, who held on to the troops, thinking he could seize upon a favorable opportunity to strike a blow at the British in New York City, and thus raise himself over his superior. The same desires and the same schemes instigated Gates ; he cherished a hope that he and Put- nam could drive Sir Henry Clinton out of New York City — thus a brilliant dash, that would bring personal eclat, filled the minds of these two men who had little conception of the larger schemes and more elaborate end toward which Wash- ington was patiently toiling. The head of each had grown light with a tempo- rary triumph ; it requires the exercise of greater qualities for a man to preserve his equilibrium upon the summit of a great success, than to nse above the depression of a disastrous f;.ilure." Mrs. Harris : " I thought General Gates was planning a winter campaign into Canada about that time." Judge Van Eyck : " That was later, during the winter, when he was head of the board of war. Do you remember how they had La Fayette, not then twenty- one years old, appointed commander of this expedition, which was a mere shadow, for they never collected either troops or stores for it, but sent La Fayette and De Kalb with a retinue of officers to Albany. The poor young marquis wrote most pa- % I i 153 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND '1 > ^hetically to Washington, complaining of the ludicrous position in which he was placed, anr) which he declared would make hiin the laughing stock of Europe. The scheme was found to be impracti- cable, and as usual Jongress had to re- turn to the quiet, far-sighted methods advised by Washington." Mr. Winship : " Judge, you travel over a great deal of ground in making out your case against General Gates, but some how you have not touched the im- portant point as between Gates and Schuyler. Was it not a wise decision that gave Gates the command of the northern army before the battle of Sara- toga? Why, T'urg.yne had already run Schuyler nearly into Albany. He was at Van Shaick's Island, where he could not possibly have maintained himself ; the British could have crossed the Mohawk above him. In fact, I think it was by the route crossing those ferries that Gene- ral Phillips advised Burgoyne to ad- vance from Lake George. Some persons contend that Burgoyne's failure to follow this advance was the cause of his dis- asters." Judge Van Eyck ; " You are mis- taken, Mr. Winship, about the strength of the position at the mouth of the Mo- hawk, and you forget that General Schuy- ler retained his headquarters at Still- water, and evidently intended to advance his whole army as soon as it was in a condition to meet the enemy. It would have been sheer madness to encounter such an army as Burgoyne's with the handful of militia Schuyler then had, and with his scarcity of arms and ammu- nition. Gates is excused six weeks later for not following up the battle of the 19th of September, because he was short of ammunition. Schuyler, while still at Fort Edward, had ordered the window leads to be taken from all the houses in Albany, and melted into balls, but it re- quired time to carry out this order. Gates reaped the benefit of it, and many others. When Schuyler was at Van Schaick's Island, it may be said that he had neither men, guns, or lead. The very desperation of his condition, and the efforts he made to remedy it reacted in lifting Gates over his shoulders." Mr. Winship : " But Schuyler was responsible for the bad condition of things ; why had he not collected the mihtia, prepared proper equipments, and placed himself in a secure position before this?" Judge Van Eyck: " Gates was the man who should have done that, if it could have been done, which I doubt. He was in command of the Northern Depart- ment during the spring, when arrange- ments should have been perfected for the summer campaign. The lesson of years, the experience of every war in this coun- try, proved that the defenses of the Hud- son, with those of Lakes Champlain and George, would be the first objects of at- tack. During the previous winter, Gen- eral Schuyler's orders to his officers show the activity of his preparations for the coming campaign; and just as these orders might have become effective by the com- bination and direction they would receive from the controlling mind that had con- ceived them, their force was dissipated and destroyed by a change of command- ers, caused by the restless ambition of Gates, then at Ticonderoga. Thus were the affairs of the department in great A VISIT TO THE RATTLE GROUND 1S3 s short of e still at le window houses in but it re- his order. and raaiiy 5 at Van id that he ead. The ition, and it reacted ders." luyler was ndition of lected the raents, and ition before ras the man if it could )t. He was m Depart- in arrange- cted for the jn of years, 1 this coun- »f the Hud- m plain and jects of at- inter, Gen- [ficers show ns for the hese orders ly the com- uld receive t had con- dissipated command- mbition of Thus were it in great "'I confusion at the most important moment, for when Schuyler returned to the com- mand in June, Burgoyne was already prepared for his advance, which was made with great rapidity in the begin- ning." Colonel Shelby: '* I think there is too much importance attached to the capa- bilities and actions of the commanders of the American army in this campaign. We are apt to forget the real condition of affairs that no immediate skill could remedy. The militia every where were reluctant to turn out, unless their own neighborhood was in danger, especially at a season when their crops were to be planted. The Continental army was not only small, but undisciplined; it could scarcely be said to have an organizailon until some months later, when Steuben began his system of training. The con- ception of a Nation to be established or defended had but a vague hold on the minds of the people. It was only the strong stimulus of fear, indignation or success, such as it was the good luck of General Gates to strike upon — caused then by the absolute invasion of peace- ful homes, the cruel murder of Jane McCrea, and the victory of Bennington — that could inspire the enthusiasm nec- essary to draw an army together, and push it to victory. And when such an army was collected, it became neces- sary to put it into immediate action, or it soon fell to pieces. It was tnis propen- sity to dissolve, perceptible to the quick eye of Arnold, that led him to write to Gates, even when he sat sullenly in camp without a command, saying that he felt in honor bound to disclose to him the restless impatience of his troops, who were threatening to leave the camp In large numbers, if they were not soon led into some active service." Mr. Winship: "Gates was only using a necessary precaution at that time, for he found great difficulty in obtaining in- formation of Burgoyne's movements, and he had but just begun the fortifications at Bemis' Heights." Colonel Shelby: " Yes; I remember that this uncertainty about Burgoyne's whereabouts is mentioned by Wilkinson in his memoirs. In his usual style, Wil- kinson makes himself the hero of a reconnoissance made by a detachment of Morgan's corps. The truth is that Bur- goyne's Indians had been too numerous and too shrewd for all the scouts sent out by Gates, who were either captured or deceived. It was finally determined that Morgan should select one of the most couraijeous and adroit of his offi- cers, who v/ould advance as near as pos- sible to Bui yne's camp, and obtain the necessary information, The duty was assigned to Lieutenant Hardin, who conducted it with skill and success. lu Wilkinson's narration of this expedition, he pays a fine tribute to Hardin's ser- vices later in the war, while complacently putting him in the background on this occasion," Miss Van Eyck: " Father, is he tha Wil- kinson who says that Arnold was not on the battle field at Saratoga on the day of the first fight, and will give him no credit for the second battle? " Judge Van Eyck: " Well, Kate, I be- lieve the ladies — all ladies — are pleased, as you seem to bC; with Arnold's crazy capers. He may have done some good service at Saratoga, but after all he was «54 A VISIT TO TJIE nATTLE GROUND i| i t: 1 i ' x''iF^B M Si Ti ffln 1 i'/i ■, it ) 1 1 i*^ vf " a reckless, headstrong scoundrel. I don't like like to find young people cher- ishing any sentimental regard for him." Mr. Winship: " It is a question, I think, when a man yields to a great temptation and comniits an ignominious act, whether this should throw discredit on his former conduct." Judge Van Eyck: " I do not think it should. And I am sure that Arnold, in urg- ing upon Gates the necessity of meeting Burgoyne on the 19th of September, was actuated by the most honorable motives, and that his judgment was correct ; it is probable, too, that if Burgoyne had not been attacked as he was, that he would have driven Gates back to Albany, or further." The ladies of the party now excused themselves, and wandered down to the lake shore. The gentlemen disposing themselves comfortably, and lighting their cigars, continued the conversation. Colonel Shelby: "Do you know it is frequently said now that neither of the battles of Saratoga were necessary? I do not know. Judge, whether you belong to the party that claims General Schuyler had ' bagged the game ' before General Gates arrived in camp. They say that Burgoyne's fate was inevitable from the time that Stark annihilated the German regiments at Bennington, Schuyler hav- ing previously stripped the country of provisions so completely as to paralyze Burgoyne s movements. You know it has been said that ' an army moves on its belly,' which is true; the strictest dis- cipline, the staunchest courage and best equipments are useless, if soldiers are poorly fed. In modern warfare, the commissariat is justly considered the heart of the army." Mr. Winship: "Confirming the adage, 'that a man's heart lies in his stomach.' I can easily believe that his courage does; we are all liable to grow faint-hearted waiting for a long delayed meal." Judge Van Eyck : " It is certain that Bur- goyne's precarious position was owing in a large measure to this difficulty. * Every pound of pork he distributed was brought from Ireland; ' and among the three causes of failure specified by Burgoyne's latest biographer, one is a ' want of administra- tive arrangement and preparedness in the essentials of army supply.' Yet I am far from thinking that this scarcity of provisions would have led to Burgoyne's capture." Colonel Shelby: " Have you noticed some statements lately that assert it was St. Clair, instead of Sohuyler, who im- peded Wood Creek, and felled trees on the road between Skenesborough and Fort Edward?" Judge Van Eyck : " I have a sincere respect for General St. Clair, who suf- fered undeservedly so many misfortunes, but I am sure he would have indulged in a dry, incredulous smile at that sugges- tion. He was plodding his way through the wilderness from Castleton, and quite to the east, while Schuyler was destroy- ing the road between Sl»enesborough and Fort Edward, where St. Clair joined him after his mysterious disappearance of several days. It is true Colonel Long, of St. Clair's division, after his gallant fight of Fort Anne, had rocks rolled into the creek as he retreated, but this was a small matter compared with the work that was done. Schuyler's orders to Generals Fellows and Nixon, and many others, dated at Fort Edward, before St. Clair arrived, show what active measures HJ ng the adage, his stomach.' courage does; faint-hearted meal." rtain that Bur- vas owing in a ulty, ' Every i was brought e three causes joyne's latest if administra- paredness in )ply.' Yet I lis scarcity of o Burgoyne's you noticed assert it was ler, who im- lled trees on )orough and ive a sincere air, who suf- misfortunes, ! indulged in that sugges- way through in, and quite ivas destroy- borough and r joined him pearance of alonel Lonej, • his gallant s rolled into it this was a h the work 5 orders to I, and many i, before St. ve measures ^1 •it I Ill :f , 'hi u m o H U o X u u u. o Q OS o; c •5 u K d c c J CO a a u uo W U u A VISIT TO THE UATTLE GROUND iSS 05 W 09 O H U O 5^ U H W o 5 Q 05 5 t/) < 05 33 Q U HI < < CO U U u he was taking to impede the roads, and to strip the country of provisions and wagons that might aid the enemy. He also gave the most careful orders in re- gard to the intimidation of tories, and encouragement of patriots, and for secur- ing the guns and stores at Fort George, and at the same time he was using the utmost vigilance to protect the western frontier. I tell you, sir ; the energy, the extraordinary business capacity and the unflinching courage of Schuyler, exer- cised at that time, when all was dark and threatening, saved the campaign of '77. It was at the very moment when Burgoyne considered himself invincible, and was prepared to push rapidly for- ward, that Schuyler, with a shattered, despairing, empty-handed luadof men, put shovels and axes in tl ir hands, and urging, scolding, and imploring, pushed them right and left to turn the very trees and rocks into frowning defences and sheltering walls, that would conceal the weakness of his force." Mr. Winship : " 1 do not deny that, Judge, but why had Schuyler so weak a force ? Because he had not the qualities necessary to collect or keep an army, or keep it together at that time. His aris- tocratic, overbearing manners made him repulsive to the militia; he had no influ- ence over them, and his partizan feelings separated him from many of the officers. He could not stand even behind the de- fences he had made, but was compelled to retreat again and again. When Gates took the command, he immediately ad- vanced, posted himself in a strong po- sition, and then set about surrounding Burgoyne on every side. He succeeded in doing this, and thus he obviated the necessity for an open fight. 1 believe General Gates was right in wishing to avoid such a risk. Was it not a neces- sary precaution. Colonel .'" Colonel Shelby : " O, no, sir ! You are mistaken. The Americans were much better at a dash or a skirmish in the woods than behind entrenchments. The plan of Burgoyne for the 19th of September, was a skillful one, and he had the means for success, while his chances were very fair. Gates had not com- pleted the entrenchments at Bemis' Heights. When he was informed of Burgoyne's advance, he had the baggage wagons packed, and they stood in long lines behind the camp the whole day, in readiness for a retreat, which he evi- dently thought would be necessary. If the army had remained quietly behind their works, as Gates intended they should do, it is highly probable that Burgoyne would have accomplished his design. In that event the American camp would have been laid open to him in the identical way in which the British camp was exposed to our troops after the capture of Breyman's redoubt, in the battle of the 7th. If Burgoyne had been permitted to advance but little further than he really did, when his forces encountered Morgan, he would have gained possession of the heights from which Morgan, in the last battle, hurled himself upon Frazer's five hun- dred. These heights commanded the left of the American camp, and Phillips' artillery would soon have bristled among those trees, and swept Gates from Bemis' Heights, as Burgoyne was swept from his camp on the night of the 7th of Oc- tober. No, sir ; it was not mere impa- 4 I 156 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND tience that Jnstigaied Arnold ; he had the eye and the spirit of a soldier, wretch as he afterwards proved himself. His entreaties to be allowed to meet Bur- goyne's advance saved the American camp on the 19th of September, and the check received then was after all the first insurmountable obstacle that Bur- goy-o had encountered. 7t was Arnold's desperate valor in the next contest that drove Burgoyne back upon his retreat, and into the terrible circle where the cautious Gates finally came up and se- cured him, and there is no doubt but the roar of Sir Henry Clinton's artillery on the lower Hudson caused him to let his ^ame out on easy terms." " Mi- Winship: " Well, really. Colonel, I thought you were going to take an im • partial view of these matte. J, but you are as prejudiced as the Judge. You must admit, however, that if Clinton had followed up the advantage he gained on the Hudson, as it was reasonable xo suppose he would, there could have been no question about the importance of Gates' securing the surrender with all possible despatch." Colonel Shelby: " That is a strong point for General Gates; under the cir- cumstances, it was wise for him to hurry, but he had Burgoyne so completely in his power that he might easily have dic- tated his own terms. Did you ever no- tice. Judge, in the accounts of these battles how vaguely the American artill- ery is mentioned, and yet it evidently contributed largely to the successful re- sult? We are told the story of the can- non ball that struck the table around which Burgoyne and his officers sat while considering the necessity for capitula- tion, and we can realize how pcwerrifl an argi^ment it was in hastening the de- cision. We hear poetic allusions to the cannon balls that fell among the officers who stood around Frazer'i. grave, and of other balls tearing through the house where Madame Riedesel and many wounded had taken refuge. She repeat- edly refers to the terrific cannonading, especially on the afternoon of the loth of October, when a halt was made at old Saratoga, and the British were thrown into 'great confusion and disorder; ' but all these hints are vague; there is no ac- count of the position in which the guns were placed, either during the battles or afterwards, but some of these positions are found on British military maps; and little mention of the officers who cora- roanded them." Judge Van Eyck: " You know, I sup- pose*, that Major Stevens had command of the artillery of the Northern Depart- ment at that time. In the retreat from Ticonderoga, he took a number of his guns on the batteaux, but they were lost, of course, at Skenesborough. In Au- gust, he wrote from Stillwater to General Knox that he was actively engaged in preparations for an attack from the en- emy. He undoubtedly handled the ar- tillery very skillfully, not only in the battles of Saratoga, but in the intervals of waiting he gave Burgoyne continual reminders of the precarious position he occupied, and during the last days be- fore the armistice that preceded the surrender, the artillery harrassed the British incessantly. Major Stevens' con- duct was apprecia'~i at the time, for he received a resolution of thanks from Congress for his efficient services, and I U low pcwerrifl ning the de- usions to the ; the officers jrave, and of I the house and many She repeat- annonading, of the loth as made at were thrown iorder; ' but iie is no ac- ch the guns le battles or se positions maps; and » who cora- low, I sup- command irn Depart- :treat from iber of his r were lost, In Au- to General ngaged in m the en- id the ar- ly in the 3 intervals continual osition he : days be- aded the ssed the 'ens' con- time, for nks from ices, and A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 157 strict attention to duty, while command- ing officer of artillery of the Northern Department." Colonel Shelby: " I am glad to know that. In fact, our best histories are very deficient in many particulars that are full of interest, and are of importance in any effort to understand the events of the revolutionary period. It is perhaps because the records of public men, their letters and official papers, are still in pos- session of private families, many of which do not know the value of the pa- pers they hold." Judge Van Eyck : " It is a subject on which the people need instruction, and in which their interest should be aroused. There is scarcely an event, or a single individual even remotely con- nected with the revolution that has not an historic interest. This was peculi- arly so in regard to private soldiers and subordinate officers, who Avere so often persons of influence outside of the army, and whose opinions and actions were of more consequence than their rank would indicate." Mr. Winship: That is true. Judge, and is the reason why the New England men were so often misunderstood and berated by Schuyler and other aristo- cratic New Yorkers. Every man from New England knew he was a power in himself." Judge Van Eyck: "Yes, they had conceit enough. That might have been overlooked if their actions had corres- ponded with their opinion of themselves, but unfortunately, when the fighting or hard service was at hand, they too often made off for home. They were an in- subordmate, hard-headed set." Mr. Winship : " Perhaps so, when under the direction of purse-profd Dutch New Yorkers. When officered by men in whom they had confidence, the New England militia were invincible. Re- member what they did at Bennington, at Saratoga, and in the detachments sent out by Lincoln." Judge Van Eyck : " Well, Mr. Win- ship, you and I will have to compromise. When you come down to my country house, you must read the letters and or- ders of General Schuyler, which furnish an authentic history of what he did, and endeavored to do during the Saratoga campaign. They are a complete vindi- cation of every charge that has been brought against him." Mr. Winship : " I will be glad to ob- tain any new information on this subject, but I am confident that although General Schuyler may be thoroughly vindicated, that General Gates cannot be justly the subject of censure. He must be ac knowledged at all times as a skillful, hu- mane, and dignified commander, and the hero of Saratogr " Colonel Shelby : " I think, gentlemen, we had better go and find the ladies." It grows dark in-doors, and the gentlemen walk down the hill to the lake shore. They join the ladies who sit on the benches, or walk about enjoying the moonlight. A sail boat lies at anchor near the pier, and Mr. Winship proposes a sail. The boat is immediately se- cured ; he steps on board and adjusts the sails. Colonel Shelby follows, and takes the rudder. Miss Van Eyck seats herself near Mr. Winship, and Miss Pel- ham is beside the Colonel, who disposes his long limbs rccliningly, and lingers over 158 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND his appointed w k with a genuine spirit of relaxation. Mr. Winship puts the lit- tle vessel under full sail, and they soon glide out toward Snake Hill. They chat merrily for a few minutes, but soon the silence of the night, the darkness of the water near them and its shimmering brightness in the distance; the undu- lating, wooded shores of the lake, ac- cented by its legend-haunted, strongly marked promontory, Snake Hill, the dis- tant sky that here seems lifted to such incomprehensible heights — all contribute to subdue gaiety and arouse deeper emo- tions. As they drift on the artificial world seems left behind. The conven- tionalisms of society disappear — Parisian elegancies, military restraint, Boston pos- itiveness, and shy dignity are forgotten; the simplicity and earnestness of na- ture asserts itself in the human soul, in harmony with the spirit that pervades the surrounding scene. Colonel Shelby in low tones and picturesque language tells a wild, tragic story of life in Neva- da; he speaks of the towering mountains and tumbling cataracts amid which the scene took place. Miss Pelham, in an awed voice: "Col- onel, your story oppresses me; I do not like to hear of those savage people, and the thought of their immense moun- tains is terrible; how much more pleas- ing are these sloping hills and this quiet lake; one could not imagine a tragedy taking place here." Miss Van Eyck, speaking gently: "It was not far from here that the awful tragedy of war was played. Perhaps you will all think that I am battle-struck, but my mind is full of this expedition to Bemis Heights, and I feel as if we might be going there now as we glide over this lake; it takes us so much nearer. Some of the people who fled before Burgoyne's army came on canoes through Fish Creek and into this lake. How anxious and yet indignant they must have been; how different from the peacefulness that we feel now ! — and yet the lake is as it was; how insignificant it makes one feel to think of this — that we come and go as time flows on and are never the same, and yet the hills, the waters and the sky remain fixed, immovable." Mr. Winship: "Not immovable. Miss Kate; they change, but under fixed laws, and so do we; no doubt we feel the same fears, anxieties and hopes that the peo- ple of those revolutionary times did, only our sensations are directed into other channels. Indignation and terror, despair and love, hold the same sway over us now as then." Miss V.^.n Eyck, to Mr. Winship: " Don't you think Lady Ackland dis- played a more heroic love than any that can be found at the present day ? — and by the way, you said you could tell me something more about her than I yet know. Her adventures are an appropri- ate subject for such a place as this. How strangely she must have felt while in that little boat that carried her >om the Brit- ish camp to the Americans; it was not a night like this, it was dark and stormy. But tell me, Mr. Winship, what you know of her." Mr. Winship: "I will, Miss Kate, most gladly, if you will first sing me a song." Miss Van Eyck, evidently in a yield- ing mood: "I will sing a song of the Hudson in a storm," i A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 159 lide over tliis earer. Some ■e Burgoyne's lirough Fish How anxious It have been; efulness that lake is as it akes one feel ome and go ^er the same, and the sky )vable, Miss r fixed laws, feel the same bat the peo- times did, rected into 1 and terror, same sway r. Winship: ckland dis- an any that day ? — and Juld tell me than I yet n appropri- I this. How ^hile in that m the Brit- was not a nd stormy. t you know liss Kate, sing me a in a yield, ng of the SONG. On thy bosom angry river, Still I safely rest and dream, Knowing thee a faithful iover, Though dark passions I discover Mid the lightnings fitful gleam. Oft when thou wert calmly smiling. Stormy griefs I whispered thee, And forgot them while reclining On thy bosom— thou beguiling Me to dreams of ecstasy. Now I love thee for thy raging. Like my soul's unrestful ways. Storms or sunshine thee engaging, Still my wot-, thou art assuaging. Lover thou who ne'er betrays. Soft and clear the rich tones of Kate Van Eyck's voice float out on the moon- lighted air. As she finishes, a deep quiet prevails. Mr. Winship in low> distinct tones: " 'To gallant Gates, in war serenely brave. The tide of fortune turns its refluent wave; Forced by his arms, the bold invaders yie'd The prize and glory of the well-fought field; Bleeding and lost the captured Ackland lies—.' He is in the hands of the enemy, quite helpless, wounded in 1 ith legs. His valet, who is warmly attachea to him, is groping about in the darkness among the wounded on the open field, in the chill, autumn night, peering into dead and suffering faces, examining the cloth- ing of the killed and mangled, patiently passing from group to group of prostrate officers and men in his sad search. He forgets that he is approaching the ene- my, but is suddenly reminded of their proximity by a sudden shock and fall; in struggling to rise he finds himself wounded in the shoulder. Bleeding profusely, it is with difficulty he gets back to the camp." • Miss Van Eyck : " Was he the same man who saved his master's life when the tent was burning ?" Mr. Winship : " I don't think he was. Major Ackland seems to have inspired an ardent affection in all who surrounded him. The man who twice in the same night risked his life to save the Major's, was a sergeant. The tent occupied by Major Ackland and his wife took fire from a candle upset by a favorite dog. Lady Ackland was soon aroused, and crept out under the side of the tent, at the same time the sergeant eniered it. He found the Major in a profound sleep and carried him out in his arms. As soon as contact with the air had aroused the sleeper, he saw the condition of af- fairs, and not knowing that his wife had escaped, he immediately rushed into the flames to rescue her. He was overcome with the fire and smoke, and would prob- ably have been smothered had not the sergeant followed him and again dragged him from the flames." Miss Pelham: "Wasn't it strange they should have a pet dog on such an expedition ?" Mr. Winship : " Many of the officers had dogs. They were probably hunting dogs, and no doubt they expected to have much pleasure hunting in the wild forests of New York. They tell of a dog belonging to Lord Balcarras, that had a curious escape from death when the army encamped at Crown Point, on its way down the lake." Colonel Shelby : " Did you know the Earl Balcarras was a very young man, and ' fleshed his maiden sword ' at Hub- bar dton?" Mr. Winship: "An interesting fact, « V u\ 1 1 f fi I } 1 I 1^ il I i6o A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND Colonel, but to continue my story : large trees were being cut down. One Off them fell directly on the dog, and by its weight seemed to bury him in the earth. The dog was unusually intelli- gent and quick ; he had became a favor- ite in the camp — there was a general rush for his rescue by the soldiers around. Some of them said it was no use trying to get him out of his hole; of course he was dead, but others chopped diligently at the great tree, and soon lifted the heavy log from his back, when to the astonishment of all, the dog trot- ted off in apparently good condition and spirits." Colonel Shelby : " He must have been imbedded in soft, alluvial soil in such a way as to relieve him of the weight of the tree and the force of its Tall." Miss Van Eyck : " Do you know whether Lady Ackland was as beautiful as she was lovely in character ? " Mr. Winship : I have seen a print of her from a portrait by Rivers — one of the most interesting faces I ever saw ; the features are classical and the express- ion spiritual; the dress, too, is pictur- esque. You can easily believe her to have been one of those women who give and inspire an extraordinary affection, one that would stimulate a man to great deeds, that would keep active the higher sentiments of his nature." Colonel Shelby : " Ton my word, Winship, I don't like to spoil your pretty romance, but I have no doubt but Ack- land was just such a wine-bibbing, fox- hunting fellow as the rest of those British officers." Mr. AVinship : " But we know, Colo- nel, that Ackland not only performed heroic deeds on every field, and was repeatedly wounded, but that he was actuated by high and honorable senti- ments. The very fact that these traits were not swallowed up in the indulgence of coarser tastes shows that there was some strong influence at work to coun- teract sensuality, and keep active his higher nature. The conduct of Lady Ackland, as well as her appearance, indi- cate that hers was the purifying spirit that guided and influenced him. When she joined her husband in the American camp, she was received by General Gates with the greatest tenderness and respect. Indeed, I think it is hard to suppose that a man who showed as manly and noble traits in his treatment of women as Gates always did, should have been a coward. Surely, Colonel, we can draw as just a conclusion from this, as the Judge did from General Schuyler's horse- manship." Colonel Shelby : '' Perhaps so. But he must indeed have been a mist i able poltroon who would have done less for Lady Ackland, arriving in camp under such circumstances." Mr. Winship : " Her husband soon recovered. Miss Kate; but after their return to England he was shot in a duel caused by his defence of the valor of the American troops. The sudden shock of his death affected Lady Ackland's mind ; she was insane two years, but was finally restored and found consolation in the affection of Mr. Brudenell, whom she afterwards married. He was the chap- lain who perfoimed the ceremony at Frazer's funeral, and he had also accom- panied Lady Ackland on that perilous boat-ride between the two camps; her fV^' mm^m" A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND i6i husband's faithful valet, although wound- ed, also went with h;ir. A sister of Lady Ackland, Lady Susan O'Brien (they were both daughters of Lord Holland) was visiting, at the beginning of the revo- lution. Sir William Johnson, in the Mo- hawk valley. No doubt the sisters were together in Canada, before Lady Harriet joined her husband at Skenesborough. I believe she wrote a narrative of the campaigns in which she followed the army in America. IV. " After the thunder-storm our heaven is blue : Far off, along the borders of the sky, In silver folds the clouds of battle lie, With soft consoling sunlight shining through; And round the sweeping circle of yon hills The crashing cannon-thrills Have faded from the memory of the air. And Summer pou rs from unexhausted fountains Her bliss on yonder mountains : The camps are tenantless ; the breastworks bare ; Earth keeps no stain where hero-blood was poured : The hornets humming on their wings of lead. Have ceased to sting, their angry swarms are dead. And, harmless in its scabbard, rusts the sword !" The day is shadowy. A brilliant sun rides high in the heavens above a pale blue, far-reaching sky. Great drifting silvery clouds float slowly from the east, throwing dark shadows on the distant hills and fields — r.nd one, a van-guard, casts its gloom so long over the broad street facing the great hotels, that the day seems dark. Under its softened light, Kate Van Eyck strf^lls quietly, pen- sively across the lawn from the cottage piazza, Mr. Winship following her silent- ly. They join the other members of their party who are starting for their ride to the battle ground. Mrs. Harris is al- ready seated in the landau. Miss Van Eyck, Mr. Winship and Judge Van Eyck take their places with her, and they are driven off toward the laka on Union Avenue, Colonel Shelby and Miss Pelham have decided to visit Schuylerville instead of Bemis Height, and the Colonel turns the heads of the horses that draw their light buggy towards the Town Hall, where they turn into Lake Avenue, and thence follow the Schuylerville road. Miss Pelham : " Colonel, I do not intend to forget Kate's admonition to ask you for information about Schuyler- ville." Colonel Shelby: "It is the place, Miss Pelham, where the surrender of Bur- goyne took place, and near where the vil- lage of Old Saratoga stood, and also where Schuyler's handsome country res- idence was burned by Burgoyne on his retreat." Miss Pelham: "I once saw a picture of Mrs. Schuyler setting fire to a field; had that anything to do with it ? " Colonel Shelby, smiling: "Well, no; not with Burgoyne's fire. She had taken her furniture out of the house and re- turned to Albany some time before he arrived, but when she was leaving she set fire to the grain to prevent it from falling into his hands." Miss Pelham: "Did you say there was a monument at Schuylerville ?" Colonel Shelby, evidently amused at Miss Pelham's eageiness to obtain in- formation at the dictation of Miss Kate: m 162 A VISI-^ TO THE BATTLE GROUND ■' Not yet, but it is proposed to put one there in commemoration of the battles i)f Saratoga." Miss Pelham, perplexedly: "But I thought the battles were not fought there. You see, Colonel, I am hopelessly mixed when it comes to military matters. But do enlighten me about this monument." Colonel Shelby: "It is claimed that the place of surrender is a proper loca- tion for the monument, as being the cul- minating point of a long series of stra- tegic movements and conflicts. My preference would be for the field where the battles took place, some miles below. The two principal contests were upon the same ground, and there, where the blood was shed and the retreat began which led to the surrender, seems a more suita- ble place." Miss Polham: "I think it is a pity to put anything worth seeing in either of these out-of-the-way places. Who will ever go to look at them;" adding play- fully: " I am sure we never would hav- thought of such a thing if Kate had not taken a freak in her head about some romantic incidents in the battles that pleased her. She has not let any of us rest since; we had to come in self-defence." Colonel Shelby: " I do not consider the seclusion of either of these pl.-ices an objection. The battle-field, where the rest of the party are going, would be, in its retirement, the very place where a person like Miss Van Eyck, for instance, who has a genuine sentiment about such things, might feel most strongly the as- sociations of the place and recall most vividly the events which were commem- orated. It is also but a continuation of the favorite drive to Saratoga lake. Miss Pelham: "What else am I to remember at Schuylerville; was there no fighting at all there ? Colonel Shelby: "Yes, there was a skirmish that came near being an un- lucky affair for the Americans, but they retreated in time to save themselves ; it was not an event in which we can feel much pride. There was some skillful cannonading there by the Americans for a few days before the surrender, and it is where Madame Riedesel spent those dreadful nights in a cellar." Miss Pelham: "Don't tell me anything about that. Battles are quite grand in the abstract, but I don't like the particu- lars." In the meantime the remainder of the party on the other road, in the landau, are pass'.ig the gate of the race course. Miss Van Eyck, addressing Mrs. Har- ris: " You have not told me that second version of the story of Jane McCrea, who was murdered by the Indian allies of Burgoyne; we will soon get to the lake and I would like to hear it before I leave you." Mrs. Harris: "I suppose you know the most generally accepted xount of it?" Miss Van Eyck: " The school histories tell us that Lieutenant Jones, a tory, in Burgoyne's army, was betrothed to jane McCrea; that he sent a party of Indians to bring her from Fort Edward to the British camp near there, and promised them a barrel of whiskey as a reward if they would bring her in safety. I think he was a very inconsiderate lover; well, y 5U know the Indians quarreled about the whiskey they were to get and tomahawk- ed Jane McCrea on the road " li ' n }wrm m A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 163 Mrs. Harris: " But the lover did not offer the whiskey as a reward, and he did not send for her either. I think those facts are well established, although there are several different versions of the trag- edy. All agree that Jenny lived with her brother, near Fort Edward, and that he was a whig, who wished to leave his home as the British advanced and take refuge in Albany. At this time Jenny was at Fort Edward, visiting her tory friend Mrs. McNeil, who was a relative of Gen- eral Frazer. Jenny's brother sent repeat- ed messages for her to join him. She delayed, probably quite willing for the British to arrive, as her lover was with them. Finally yielding to the entreaties of her brother, she prepared to leave in a batteau on a certain evening. On the uiorning of ihat very day a marauding party of Indians burst into the house of Mrs. McNeil and dragged her and Jenny out of a cellar, where they had concealed themselves, and carried them off as pris- oners. Jenny, in her fright, promised them a large reward if they would spare her life and take her in safety to the British camp. This was the reward they quarreled over, as stated by a niece of Jenny. She was carried a^^ay on horse- back, but Mrs. McNeil was so large and heavy that the Indians could not get her on a horse, and they pulled her along by both arms, and frequently compelled her to fall on her face, as they did them- selves, to avoid the bullets of the Ameri- cans, who were pursuing them. A grand- daughter of Mrs. McNeil has said that the Indians told her grand-mother that Jane McCrea was shot by the Americans who were pursuing them; that they only scalped her after she was dead. Mrs. McNeil believed this, because her own life had been endangered in the same way, and because a larger reward was of- fered for prisoners brought into the camp alive than for scalps. This theory of the tragedy has been adopted by several of the later narrators." Judge Van Eyck : " I think if any such representation had been made by the Indians at the time of the murder, Burgoyne would gladly have availed him- self of it, and have made it known; but, on the contrary, he was anxious to punish the murderer, and was only deterred from doing so by the representations and solicitations of de Luc. I have no doubt but the Indians tomahawked her. It was not an unusual occurrence, but the ex- citement of the time gave it great impor- tance. Inhuman cruelty was attributed to the whole British army, who sheltered the savages, and it waked up the militia and sent them to the American camp." Mrs. Harris: " I had supposed. Judge, that the family of Jenny were all whigs, but I see in Burgoyne's biography there is reference to a letter, written by one of her brothers to General Burgoyne, some years after the war, soliciting his influ- ence for an appointment in the army. It seems General Burgoyne endorsed this letter with a few lines, in which he ex- pressed his gratification at having this proof that the family of Miss McCrea believed that he had acted with humanity and honor at the time of her murder; and he also says that he was able to obtain the appointment desired." Miss Van Eyck: '• What became of the lover, Mrs. Harris? " Mrs. Harris: "As soon as he was charged with having sent for Jenny, he ../ m I I i I! t ?. H l64> A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND offered his resignation as Lieutenant in the army. It was not accepted. One account says he fought desperately in the battles at Saratoga, and was killed; but the more authentic one states that he de- serted immediately after the de^th of Jenny, and went to Canada. He bought her scalp from the Indian who had taken it; her hair had been beautiful, dark brown, and over a yard long. Lieuten- ant Jones preserved this sad memento as long as he lived, and I think he was an old man when he died. Every July, as the anniversary of the sad event ap- proached, he would seclude himself en- tirely from his friends, and they never at any time referred to the Revolution in his presence." Mr. Winship: "I have seen Jane Mc- Crea's grave at Fort Edward. Do you know how they recovered her body? " Mrs. Harris: " It was found by^the pur- suing Americans near the spot where she was killed, and they sent it to her brother on the very batteau in which she ex- pected to have gone down the river to meet him. She was buried on the banks of the Hudson, and many years after- wards her remains were removed to the cemetery at Fort Edward." They arrive at the Lake House, and alight for a short time. Miss Van Eyck's horse Guido is awaiting her there. She mounts him, and followed by her groom, turns to the right, and goes slowly down the long hill, past the Brigg's House, and over the bridge that crosses the "nar- rows." The steady clamp, clamp of Guide's feet on the bridge seems to make more palpable the quietness of the placid scene of beauty before her. The lake lies motionless, and in Kate's mind it harmonizes with her calm expectancy of pleasure in the final object of her ride. Following along the road, she passes through a cool, shady marsh, where the varied stems of the willows and the ten- der ferns and grasses underneath give variety and interest even to this tame spot. The road now follows close to the lake shore, and Guido, seemingly tired of his dull paces, voluntarily starts off at a brisk canter, and brings her quick'y lO the Cedar Bluff Hotel, which she passes, and then turns to the left, moving more slowly up tiic long hill. When near the top, she glances suddenly off to the northwest, and is so strongly impressed with the distant mountain view that she checks her horse entirely, and turns to enjoy it. As the landau approaches, the Judge orders William to stop. Judge Van Eyck: "I am glad you stopped here, Kate. When going to the White Sulphur Spring, one day last sum- mer, with a gentleman familiar with this region, we took a turn up this hill, and he pointed out the different ranges of mountains that we can see from this place. Do you notice how those two ranges lie, one over the other? " Mr, Winship: " Yes; they are quite distinct upon a second look, though at first they seemed to be but one. There is a break in the forward range." Judge Van Eyck: "That is the Pal- mertown range; it divides and surrounds Lake George, Far to the north you see a few high knolls that lie at the head of that lake. Now follow down a short dis- tance to the gap you speak of. That is where the Hudson breaks through this Palmertown range. You see that range dwindles down as it ne» s the village. A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 165 They tell me its terminus is at Glen Mitchell, or rather North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The higher range be- yond is the Kayadrossera, which shows almost an unbroken line as it descends. Now look across the lake." Miss Van Eyck: "O, see, father, how beautiful i The whole extent of the lake lies beneath us; " pointing southward. " What mountains are those beyond it? " Judge Van Eyck: "Those are the northern peaks of the Catskills." Mrs. Harris: " How could we have been at Saratoga so often and so long without hearing of this fine view? Judge, I am really disposed to reproach you for not bringing us sooner." Judge Van Eyck: "Well, I had for- gotten it, although I was much impressed with it when I first came here, and I re- member now that Mr. Jones, who was with me, said there was a still more ex- tensive lookout from a hill two or three miles beyond this. I think we go over it to-day. Kate, you had better let us take the lead now." Mr. Winship has alighted from the carriage and stands near Kate: " I real- ize now the advantage you have in being on horseback. You can enjoy the beau- tiful landscape at every turn without effort. I did not know that such views were to be seen on this ride." Miss Van Eyck: " This is an unex- pected pleasure, and I congratulate my- self upon having persevered in my de- sire to go in this way." They now ride rapidly on, turning to the left at the top of the hill, and enter- ing a chestnut grove whose dense shade is restful to the eyes after gazing intently over the water and at the distant views. To Kate especially is this secluded, wind- ing road in the thick forest a delight; siie lets the reins hang loosely on Guido's neck as he walks slowly and -laintily on, her mind still filled with thoughts suggested by the distant, misty hills. Coming out of the woods she sees the carriage, a mere sjieck, and seemingly sta- tionary before her; hurrying on she finds them waiting for her, as here, at the cross- roads near the red school-house, they fear she may mistake the way. They now all keep on the direct road up another extended hill, and Kate gallop- ing ahead, reaches the summit first, turns abruptly and waves her handkerchief. The carriage comes up. Miss Van Eyck: "This must be the hill you were telling us of. Do have the carriage thrown entirely open so you can stand up and see it all. There, father, are the two ranges of mountains you showed us on the other hill, only they look higher and more irregular from this p ,int, and we can see so much further north; are those the Lake George moun- tains? and, oh look! in the opposite di- rection. I do believe there is * The Old Man of the Mountain; ' see, Mrs. Harris, there are other mountains south of that, and turn quite around, there is still another range entirely separate Is not this magnificent? I was never in such an ampitheatre before. Can you see them all?" Mr. Winship: "Indeed, Miss Kate, this is very fine. Those are doubtless the Green Mountains and the Hudson river hills you have pointed out toward the east, and there is the veritable * Old Man of the Mountains ' in the Catskills, lying on his back as usual." ■^ II 105 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND i :\ . Si i f« ll ^ r Judge Van Eyck: " Kate, those are the high hills of Lake George to the north, and the Kayadrossera chain breaks up into peaks there to the northwest. We must have a view of one thousand square miles under our eyes here. Sara- toga ought to make more stir about such a ride as this, and have guide-boards with directions to these hills; the last one was Caldwell's — this is Summit; but come, we must be moving on." They proceed cautiously down the long, uneven slope and soon leave the pine-crowned hill on the left, where they turn sharply to the right and drive over a smooth road through a lovely circular valley to the Quaker meeting house, where Kate, who is in advance, stops for directions as she comes to a cross road. Miss Van Eyck, as they approached: "Which way, father?" Judge Van Eyck: " To the right again. This is the main road from Quaker Springs to Bemis' Heights. Across the hills where this road now runs was a part of the battle ground. The road follows just about the course that must have been taken by Arnold when he made his first charge against the Hessians in the last battle, but we have quite a drive yet before reaching that part of the road. I think it will be better for us to go to Freeman's Farm first." Mrs. Harris : "That will be the most interesting spot, because the heaviest fighting in both battles was there." At the next cross road they turn to the left and in a few minutes stop before the house on Freeman's Farm. They alight and enter, and find the hostess very ami- able and glad to tell them all she knows that will interest them. She also shows them the relics that have been ploughed up on the farm. There are musket balls, a twenty-four pound cannon ball, buckles and buttons bearing the number ( f Brit- ish regiments, and the jaw bone of a man with the teeth still preserved. They are told that just beyond a little knoll near the house the blood run a foot deep; a statement they take with a grain of al- lowance; and yet one may believe that it was indeed a sanguinary spot, for just there Balcarras made his heroic defence against Arnold's mad attack and succeed- ed in repulsing him. He held the redoubt upon this place until Burgoyne moved his army during the night after the battle. Judge Van Eyck, while they all stand on the site of the old redoubt: "Which is Burgoyne's hill, as it is called?" A high knoll, covered with trees of a light growth, and surrounded by a ravine, is pointed out across the road, but some distance back from it. " That, Kate, is really Breyman's hill; at least it is where the redoubt was located, which he de- fended. There were earthworks between this redoubt and that. In the last bat- tle the Massachusetts regiments broke through these works about the time of Arnold's repulse here by Balcarras. See- ing the advantage thjy had gained, Ar- nold, with Learned's regiment, dashed around from here to the hill where Brey- man was, and succeeded in getting pos- session of that. Breyman was killed at his guns, and his men all driven away. Arnold was also wounded there; but the Americans held the redoubt, and you can see how it gave them the command of the whole British camp, and made it necessary for Burgoyne to abandon his u> A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 167 position. We will now go to the sight of Frazer's camp, in the pine woods just across the road." Mrs. Harris: "I think, Judge, that we have lingered so long on the way that we had better take our lunch at once, and make further investigations afterwards." Judge Van Eyck: " A good suggestion, Madame; and if you like a genuine pic- nic, those woods are just the place for it. Robert, have the coffee boiled, and buy some milk here at the farm-house. Bring the feed for your horses to the woods; the ladies will ride over," They entered the woodland through an opening in the fence, where the old military road, construrted by Burgoyne for the advance of his ai.ay to Free- man's Farm, was plainly visible. Alight- ing from the carriage, and turning a little to the right, they soon found an open yet shaded place to spread their lunch on the ground. The wraps and cushions from the carriage were disposed around, and lounging on them in oriental fashion, with sharpened appetites, the whole party enjoyed the informal repast. Light- hearted jests, animated discussions about the next thing to be done, and good- natured disputes, caused a pleasant hour to slip away unheeded upon the very spot where, " all day long the noise of battle rolled." The lunch is over. Mrs. Harris, w alking to a small stream near the fence: " Judge, what ravine is this? Will you show it to mc on the map?" Judge Van Eyck: " Yi.3. You see that is a small branch of the north ravine, which is behind us. It ran in front of the British camp down by the river, and then passed through the camp, as you find it in this place. Do you see here on llie map that the bridge across the north ravine is just above the fork made by this small one? " Miss Van Eyck: "Come, f;ither, I am sure we know that map by heart; let us go and look for the bridge." Mr. Winship: "Wait a few minutes, Miss Kate; I want to take another look. I see, Judge, it is (juite easy to find on the map the exact spot where we have lunched." Judge Van Eyck: "This is in front of the north ravine. Now stand up and look across the fields. You can trace the line of the middle ravine, which lay between the two camps. Y-a can see Bemis' Heights and Neilson's Farm, where the American camp lay. There was also a ravine in front of that, and one behind it." Mr. Winship: "The ground seems to have been well chosen by both commanders. We are coming, Miss Kate." They follow the military road back through the woods for a few rods. Mrs. Harris: "Here is the bridge; a very modern one, by the way, which seems singular, as the road does not seem to have been used, and looks as if it might have remained undisturbed in the forest all these years." Judge Van Eyck: " This road was only discovered or noticed two years ago, and there was then no bridge over the ravine, but distinct marks of the old bridge could be seen; this new bridge covers the same place. This forest has remained untouched sin^;e the revolu- tionary time. You can see how these few acres have been left, and how in the i68 A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND IM I ■ clearings all around the old relicE of the past, earthworks and roads have been ploughed up, and are quite lost." Miss Van Eyck: "This is a beautiful glen, with the water tumbling over the rocks. Didn't you tell me, Mrs. Harris, that these ravines would all be dry? " Mrs. Harris: "I supposed they would, for I have heard that all the small water courses in this country had become greatly reduced, or were quite dried up." Miss Van Eyck and Mrs. Harris linger on the little bridge. Judge Van Eyck and Mr. Winship pass over, ascend the slope on the other side and walk on a few yards. Mr, Winship: "Look at this. Judge; here is another road, branching off from the one we have followed." Judge Van Eyck: "This is, indeed, clearly another road of the same kind; let us follow it. You see it is graded in the same way. There were in those times no roaHs in New York as carefully and skilfully graded as these are. You can easily see the difference between these and the country >. ds we have been rid- ing over to-day. Take a look now up and down this ravine, and at the sur- rounding country. Do you see that where that little bridge crosses the ravine is the only place that an army could have been taken over without the construction of a very long bridge, and a far greater ex- penditure of time and labor than Bur- goyne used. He had skilfuU engineers. This road you have just pointed out must have been made to carry the artillery and stores to Breyman's and Balcarras' re- doubts." Mr, Winship: "Do you think, Judge, that these can be the old ruts made by the artillery and wagons in Buigoyne's time? Would they not have l-eep filled up long ago by the deposit of leaves and dirt? " Judge Van Eyck: " It is said that a de- pression of four inches in the earth will be perceptible for a much longer time. This road has been sheltered by the for- rest, and there can really be no doubt about these old roads; it is not only that they show in themselves what they are, but they correspond exactly with the roads on the military maps, drawn at the time," Mr. Winship: "This thefn is one of the plainest and most interesting land-marks of the revolutionary period that we pos- sess; but the glaring new boards on that bridge make one think that the old will soon be lost in the new," Judge Van Eyck: " I think, Mr, Win- ship, that the most suitable commemora- tion of the battles that could be made would be a purchase of part of Freeman's Farm, including this little woodland. Al- though the battle of the 7 th began off on the hills, the British were soon driven back here, where tlie fighting of the 19th took place. If this place was preserved without change, it would be interesting in itself, and in the course of time a monument could be erected upon it," They join the ladies and it is decided that they will ride down to the river, a distance of two miles or more. The pub- lic road passing Freeman's Farm is fol- lowed. They go over a succession of irregular and very steep hills, they make various surmises as to the probable lo- cality of Burgoyne's headquarters, which they know they must pass on the way. The middle ravine is plainly seen as they proceed. It grows wilder and more in Buigoyne's time? e L'cep filled up long )f leaves and dirt?" " It is said that a de- hcs in the earth will I much longer time, sheltered by the for- i really be no doubt is; it is not only that jelves what they are, id exactly with the y maps, drawn at the rh is then is one of the iteresting land-marks y period that we pos- g new boards on that link that the old will new." :: " I think, Mr. Win- suitable commemora- i that could be made le of part of Freeman's is little woodland. Al- )f the 7 th began off on tish were soon driven he fighting of the 19th is place was preserved ; would be interesting the course of time a be erected upon it." adies and it is decided e down to the river, a les or more. The pub- freeman's Farm is fol- over a succession of f steep hills, they make as to the probable lo- e's headquarters, which must pass on the way. le is plainly seen as they ows wilder and more « I ii I ^ ■H •.•.<»►. A* «JB-'' w A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND 169 Q W Q o w o H U o a: in 03 Q °* s < 2 H (/) H (A < ►J t/3 C5 rugged and the hills more precipitous. They can understand now why the col- umns of Burgoyne's army were so widely r.paiated on their advance; they must either go on the river road or far to the west. It would be impossible to drag artillery over these hills and glens. It becomes more and more evident that the American position was well chosen. Ap- proaching near the river they cross one of the ravines on a precarious bridge; they see Wilbur's basin on the right and cross the canal bridge, then turn sharply to the left on the river road. Miss Van Eyck, coming to the side of the landau: "This is Just like the pic- tures with which we are familiar; there are the three hills on which the British tents are always seen in the pictures. The middle one must be where Frazer is buried. Sf.e, there are the two trees, the graos covering most of the slope, and even the man with his plough ; he must have come out on purpose to com- plete the view. What a beautiful place this is; no wonder Frazer chose it for his burial." Mrs. Harris: " It must have been here that Lady Ackland embarked in the little boat that was to take her to the Ameri- can camp. No, that was at Coveville. Judge Van Eyck: " It was just here, too, that the British army was huddled to- gether on the night after the lost battle. Look behind you at the flats where the river bends a little and you will see where the Americans posted themselves when they followed Burgoyne that night; and just on that rise of ground Major Stevens must have planted the cannon that made such sad ".vcrk at the funeral. You can see how impossible it was for Burgoyne to remain here long. Shall we now ride up the river to the house where Fraxer died?" Mr. Winship: " I think if will be more interesting, as we cannot see all these places to-day, to ' isit Bemis' Heights, below this; it will probably be a pleasant drive down the river." Mrs. Harris-" "Let us follow ••i n- ship's suggestion. I do not • nt '.•.. e- turn without seeing the exact posiL.v^j of the American camp." Miss Van Eyck: "Before we go, let us walk up the hill, and see ii :here is anything to mark Frazer's grave." Mrs. Harris: "You will find nothing there, Kate, more than can be seen from here; yet I am sure it was a false charge made by some of the British, in which they stated that the Americans had opened the grave and scattered the bones of the hero in their search for chests of gold that they believed had been buiied with him." William: " But, Judge, they did find big chests of money soii e where out here, and not very long ago. I heard about a workman o.i a farm, who found one of these chests. The farmer made him give it up to him, because it was found on his land. Soon afterwards the workman bought himself a farm ; so they knew he must have got a good deal of the money." Judge Van Eyck: "It is not improb- able that some money may have been found, as the British might very naturally have buried it before the retreat, to pre- vent it from falling into the hands of the Americans. We must go down the river now. Drive on, William." They have a beautiful ride of about two miles over the flats and near the I 1 1 7© A VISIT TO THE BA.TTLE GROUND river, when they reach the site of the old Bemis House. Here they turn to the right, and begin the long and gradual ascent to the heights. This road they ob- serve, as they examine the map, follows the line of the American camp, and runs along a ridge, with a ravine in front and behind. The remains of an old cellar on the left indicate the place of General Gates headquarters. Finally reaching the height, a turn to the right soon brings them to the Neilson House, v.-here Mor- gan and Poor had their Headquarters. Part of the original building is still stand- ing, and in it the room where Lady Ackland was conducted to the bedside of her wounded husband. The house is still owned and occupied by descendants of the family to whom it then belonged. They have many relics that have been found on the farm, arrow points, balls, bayonets, camp spoons, and other things suggestive of the great conflicts or the camp life of the contestants. These are examined by the visitors, who also have pointed out to them the remains of the earthworks that may still be seen. Judge Van Eyck now hurries his party home over the road leading to Quaker Springs. Between Neilson's Farm and Freeman s Farm they pass over a part of the battle- field, and with the aid of their map they locate the positions of the dififerent corps of troops, as they are represented 'here. Kate Van Eyck rides close to the car- riage, and makes inquiries, or points out such places as she believes have an espe- cial interest. As they continue their ride home, the gorgeous sunset seems to be repeated again and again, as it is lost under the shadow of some great hill, to be found once more as they emerge from its dark- ened side. The lake still lies in a pro- found calm, only repeating with startling distinctness the undulating line of its shores with their fringe of trees. As they near the village, the moon comes out in full splendor. Mrs, Harris: " What a glorious day we have had. Judge; the moon seems to appear now to put a climax on its per- fections." Mr. Winship: " It has been a most en- joyable day, and I have never visited a battle field with more satisfaction. It is generally difficult to realize the connec- tion between the place and the event; but the locations of the two camps, with the battle ground between, on the Sara- toga field suggests vividnesss of recol- lection that is unusual." They reach the hotel, alight and pass into their cottage. Colonel Shelby and Miss Pelham are sitting on the front piazza, waiting for their arrival. Col- onel Shelby assists Miss Van Eyck from her horse. Colonel Shelby: " I hope your antici- pations have been fulfilled; that you have had a pleasant day." Miss Van Eyck: " It has been more than delightful. Before I went I had a lurking fear that when I actually got upon the battle ground all my imaginations p'^iout it would take flight — that it would be only an every day field and common- place hills, but it was not so. As I rode over the ground I did realize that it was sacred to a great cause — that it had been the arena upon which great ideas had displayed their impelling force, and that A VISIT TO THE BATTLE GROUND. 171 to be found om its dark- is in a pro- ^ith startling line of its trees. As loon comes ious day we seems to on its per- a most en- ■T visited a tion. It is le connec- the event; imps, with the Sara- of recol- while many of the contestants had 'Builded better than they knew,' they must still have been inspired with some dim vision of the future." Colonel Shelby: "You convince me, Miss Van Eyck, that the pleasure or profit we may find in any object is with- in ourselves. How many persons would witness the scenes you have looked on to-day and feel no responsive emotion, have no new thoughts awakened. I envy the person whom you will permit at any time to be the companion of your thoughts and sentiments. Will you al- low me to hope that I may occasionally have such a happiness? You must be convinced by this time that such occa- sions cannot be too often repeated to please me. Will you allow me to go with you to-morrow on the proposed ex- pedition to Prospect Hill?" Miss Van Eyck: " I will tell you in the morning, Colonel, what arrangements we have made." and pass lelby and the front ^al. Col- ^yck from ur antici- you have en more : I had a got upon jinations it would ommon- s I rode It it was lad been eas had ind that u gliiLKlijJiBW HiB wmmmm^H Wtf,KV »^' *■ .^f,\U VISITORS' GUIDE TO SARATOGA SPRINGS Ml J !, .^u If II , IIIMV^mipi SARATOGA SPRINGS IN RELATION TO THE GREAT ROUTES OF TRAVEL. The village of Saratoga Springs is located directly on the main northern railroad between Nevir York City and Montreal. It is about five hours' ride from New York City, one hour from Troy and one hour and a quarter from Albany. Through trains, with drawing-room cars, arrive from New York and other points several times each day. The Hudson River day and night steamboat lines connect with the morning and evening trains. From the west, New York Central Railroad trains make immediate con- nections with Saratoga trains at Schenectady, which is one hour's ride from the Springs. From Boston and the east, many trains of the Boston and Albany connect with Saratoga trains without delay. The station of the Fitchburg Railroad, Hoosick Tunnel route, is on Lake avenue, three minutes' walk from Broadway and the principal hotels ; quick trains connect with Boston, and several trains each day provide for excursions to Saratoga Lake, Schuylerville, etc. The Adirondack Railroad has its southern terminus at Saratoga Springs. Passengers on that road can go to North Creek, then by stage to Cedar River and to Blue Mountain Lake, the head-waters of the Raquette River. Excursions can be made to Lake George on the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co.'s railroad to Glens Falls, and thence by stage, ten miles, to the south end of the lake, or by railroad to the north end of the lake, which is traversed daily by a pleasant little steamboat. Thus it is seen that tourists passing over any of the great routes, north, south, east or west, can reach Saratoga to refresh themselves with its health-giving waters, or visit its objects of interest with little loss of time, while those who remain during the season can make frequent excursions to delightful places of resort, or reach the cities for business purposes without effort or serious waste of time. The depot of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co.'s railroad is on Division street, near Franklin square, in the central part of the village, and one block from Broadway, which is its principal street. Hotel omnibuses convey passengers to the hotels free of charge. Livery carriages and horses are also in waiting for the use of travelers, and the agent of a reliable baggage express company is in attendance on the cars and in the depot. It is but a short walk from the depot to most of the hotels, boarding-houses and springs. ^1 ■A I 176 visitors' otttde I) !1 Hotels. The hotels of Saratoga are probably the largest in the world. These immense brick buildings are graceful and imposing in appearance. They are richly furnished with taste and elegance, and have all the modern accessories of comfort and convenience. Klevatois are constantly in operation ; gas, bells and water pipes communicate with each set of apart- ments. Broad piazzas, supplied with easy chairs, face the gay pan< ramie view on Broadway, and also sweep around the inner courts with their beautiful lawns, cooling fountains and fine shade trees. A first-class band of music is employed by each hotel, not only to furnish dancing music for the balls, hops and morning " Germans," but to give each day a piazza or parlor concert of classical music. A programme of these concert? is published daily in TAe Saratogian, and they form one of the most de- lightful features of Saratoga life. The United States Hotel contains 1,100 rooms, and capacity for 2,000 guests. It offers an especial advantage to visitors in the large number of its cottages and full suites of rooms having a private entrance, numerous connecting rooms, large closets 1 bath-rooms appropriated to each. In these rooms are combined the seclusion and repose of family life with the ease and luxury of hotel living. The cottage halls and parlor windows open upon large piazzas, which face the beautiful lawn ; the whole forming a mag- nificent interior view. The enormous halls, the reading-rooms and smaller parlors of the house are but introductory to the recherche effect of the grand drawing-room. Far surpassing the parlor of the old United States Hotel as this room does, it but suggests to many old-time frequenters of the former the charming days when the ('lite of the whole country met there during each successive "season." They came together wiih the sure and pleasant expectation each of finding the other in his accustomed place, except when death stepped in and left a theme of regretful ^mtiment to be dwelt upon by the survivors. The traditional flavor of the old aristocratic element still lingers about the United States, and is constantly strengthened by its present visitors, that more numerous throng of cultivated and high-toned people who gladly leave their city homes to refresh themselves with country pleasures and metropolitan comforts. The Grand Union Hotel has a frontage of 1,364 feet on Broadway, and its fine central tower commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country and distant mountains. The hotel will accommodate 1,800 guests, and is deservedly popular and delightful. Congress Hall can receive 1,000 guests. It is a first-class hotel in all VlsrrOBs' OtTIDB. 177 - i its appointments. Its picturesque bridge, thrown across Spring street, and connecting the hot( vith the ball-room, when brilliantly lighi. d, is one of the most beautiful gaslight views of Saratoga. It is on the site of the oUi md famous h'«tel of the same name which w is burned in 1866, and is built in the mosi substantial manner of brick, with brown-stone trimmings, and presents a graceful architectural appearance. Its walls are 20 inches thick and hollow in the center, insuring safety and an even temper.iture. The roums of Congress Hall are all larger, and therefore afford pleas.mter and more healthy apartments than can be found elsewhere. Its genial and accomplished landlord, Colonel Clement, who served bravely as an officer in President Harrison's regiment during tiie late war, is so well known throughout the country that his name alone insures a charming company and a full house. The Clarendon fronts Congress Park, and will accommodate 500 guests, and is a favorite summer home for many of the best families of New York City. The Adelphi Hotel. This new brick hotel adjoins the United States. It is one of the oldest and most popular houses of Saratoga. Remedial Institute, SyK ester S. Strong, M, D. This is an unique institution, combining in a nove; manner the pleasant features of the sani- tarium, the hotel and the private boarding-house. The Kenmore, on North Broadway, corner of Van Dam street, is a most comfortable family hotel for all the year around. Heated throughout with steam, well carpeted, a model of cleanliness, with ample piazzas, it is a delightful home, summer or winter. Walworth Mansion, also a family hotel on North Broadw ^y, is a most desirable abiding place at all seasons. Its historic associations, and the atmosphere of home-like hospitality that seems to pervade its premises, render it peculiarly interesting to strangers. It presents a broad front to the summer shade and winter sunshine, and its grounds afford amusement with tennis court, croquet grounds, summer-house, etc. It is heated in every room with steam. The WoRDEN, Victoria, Aldine, American, Waverley, Holden House, Windsor, Columbian, Everett, are excellent hotels on Broadvay. The Continental, Vermont and many others are pleasantly situated on other streets. Boarding-Houses. The Balch House, Garden View, Mrs. Dr. Putnam's delightful home, The Willoughbv, Broadway Hall and Washington Hall, on Broadway, if 78 VISITOBfl OUIDK. U ! ill tt \ are houses long established and favorably known. There are many other good houses on Broadway and other streets that are to be found equally desirable. The Albanian, corner of Philadelphia and Regent streets, is a house well known for comfort, refinement and good liv'ng. Some of the charms of old Albany and a newer life in Saratoga are happily blended. It is open summer and winter. The Saratoga Sanitarium, made famous when first established by the renown of its consulting physician, maintains its high reputation. Dr. Hamilton's Medical Institute offers a pleasant and refined home, with many advantages to invalids; it is on Franklin street. Teft's is a large and comfortable house on the same street. Temple Grove Seminary for young ladies is an excellent institution of learning, and during the season it is a delightfui boarding-house, with its ample grounds and pleasant rooms, to which guests are welcomed by its cultured proprietors. The Public Schools are of a high standard ; the High School affords adm irable facilities for a preparation for college. The Athenaeum, a public reading-room and library, is one of the im- portant features of Saratoga life. Here, for fifty cents a month or five dollars a year, may be had all leading magazines and many newspapers. Books may also be taken from the library. The rooms are pleasant and quiet, loolcing on Broadway, near Caroline street, and are in charge of an intelligent and painstaking librarian. The Pompeia, a grand Roman house, illustrating the art, architec- ture, mythology and customs of the Roman Empire, affords one of the most remarkable exhibits ever displayed. It consists in a reproduction of the House of Pansa at Pompeii, buried by Vesuvius, A. D. 79. Here Mr. Franklin W. Smith, who was the originator of a return to the Moorish or Spanish style of architecture in St. Augustine, Florida, and of the peculiar construction ^of the new buildings there, is the owner of this Pompeia. Upon it he has expended not only money and labor, but he has devoted years of study and travel to this subject with earnest enthusiasm, and has thus succeeded in producing a work of art and a source of education which must be seen to be appreciated. The Mineral Springs. In an irregular valley, several miles in length, lie the Mineral Springs of Saratoga' county. The most noted are within the limits that terminate at the Excelsior and Union Springs towards the northeast, ;l i i VISIT0B8' OniDK. 179 ly other equally and ihe Geyser, with other spouting springs, towards the south. The valley winds through the village of Saratoga Springs, between the two principal streetH, Broadway and Circular, crossing the latter near the Empire, and the former near the Congress Springs. This valley is at the base of the great chains of mountains towards the northwest. Beneath it is a " fault " or fracture in the earth's crust, which penetrates several geological strata. "The rocks on the west side of the 'fault' are hundreds of feet above those on the east side." This dis- placement prevents the free flow of waters past the "fault," the Hudson river slates being here opposed to the lower silurian rocks; and thus are thrown towards the earth's surface not only the mineral springs that sur- prise and delight us, but vast numbers of sparkling fresh water springs of unrivaled purity and power. The High Rock Spring is the historic spring of Saratoga. It was known to the Indians before a white man trod this continent, and their sick were frequently brought to the " Medicine Spring of the Great Spirit." The first white man who visited the spring was a sick French officer, who was brought by the Indians from Fort Carillon. In 1767, Sir William Johnson was carried to the spring on a litter, the Indians having persuaded him that the waters would be a sure remedy for the serious illness he frequently suffered in consequence of an old wound. In 1783, General Philip Schuyler opened a road from the Fish Kill, through the forest, to the spring, near which he raised a tent, and lived in it during the summer. The next season he put up the first frame house that was built at the springs. Considered medicinally, the waters of this spring are among the very best of the mineral fountains of Saratoga, and many old residents prefer them to any others. The especial feature of this spring, however, is its remarkable geological formation. " It is one of the greatest natural curiosities in the world — perhaps the most remarkable specimen of its kind upon the whole face of the earth." It can be reached by descending into the valley from Rock street down a long but easy flight of steps, or by walking a few rods around the hill by the Empire Spring. The rock is nearly four feet in height above the surface of the ground, and over twenty-four feet in circum- ference at the base. The spring bubbles up through an aperture in the center of the rock, remaining ten inches below the top, where the opening is one foot in diameter. The walls of the rock are of nearly uniform thick- ness. The spring formerly overflowed this rock, which has been formed from the mineral deposits of the water. " The mineral substances held in solution in the springs with the carbonic acid gas are magnesia, lime and iron; these substances, together with others furnished from materials about .'I I i i8o VISITOES' GTJIDB. f, * I i I i 1 1 the spring, such as leaves, twigs, nuts and shells of snails, compose the High Rock. The phenomenon is not an isolated instance of this kind of formation at thr springs of Saratoga. A large amount of this deposit was thrown down at the Flat Rock Spring, and at the mouth of the Empire there was a deposit of tufa, about the size of a two-quart bowl, with an aperture of two-inches," These deposits are always going on, but they seldom repos*" long enough to accumulate and be cemented together. The position of the Congress Spring in the side of the rock, from which it made a rapid descent into the creek just below, prevented any such accumulation. The water of the High Rock Spring is of uniform quality, and an excellent tonic; it is also bottled on an extensive scale. Congress Spring and Park, corner of Broadway and Congress streets. Let us revert for a moment to Saratoga Springs in the past. It is \ugust, 1792. Near the High Rock Spring stand two rude log houses, to which rough additions have been made which convert them into taverns for the accommodation of visitors to the one spring then known [in this locality; in the rear of these houses is a quaint blacksmith's shop, built of heavy stone. Not far distant, embowered by the primitive forest, is the simple summer house of General Philip Schuyler, consisting of two rooms, with a large stone fireplace and chimney betw een them. A mile to the west is the " clearing " of Gideon Putnam. A few visitors are gathered at the little taverns. They come to use the waters of the " great medicine spring " of traditional renown, the High Rock; some of the gentlemen being attracted simply by the fine hunting and fishing to be enjoyed in the vicinity. The dense forest, the abundance and variety of game, and the repose of the wilderness appealed more strongly to the men of that day than to those of the present time. We can easily imagine the sense of treedom and invigorated life with which the statesman and merchant of '92, already familiar from boyhood with the use of gun, boat and horse, would hasten to the forest "spring" for a few weeks of rest and refreshment. Among such visitors was Governor John Taylor Gilman, of New Hampshire, who had been a delegate to the Continental Congress. " On a sunny afternoon he took his gun and wandered from the High Rock up the creek into the deep woods in search of game. Coming to a little waterfall he found at the foot of it a small jet of sparkling water issuing t»om the rocky bank of the stream ; st^^oping down to drink he found this little sparkling jet, no bigger than a pipe stem, to be mineral water. He hastened back to his boarding place and made known his discovery. Every person in the settlement was soon at the foot of that cascade in tue deep, wild woods, wondering at the curious spectacle. immSS nBM^^pn>l<^i< i».>i«><il"oyhood spring " overnor e to the in and search i small 'toping ; stem, 1 made ^e foot ctacle. visrroES' guidb. i8i You could almost count them all on your fingers. There was Risley, prop- rietor of one of the log houses, and his family, and Bryant, the patriot scout of the Revolution, who owned the other one. There were also General Schuyler, Dr. Blakesley, Gideon Putnam, a brother of Governor Gilman, with a few more guests c the log tavc-ns. There, too, was Indian Joe, from his clearing on the hill, where the Clarendon now stands, and some of his swarthy brethren from their huts near the High Rock, wondering at the strange commotion among the pale-faces at the little waterfall in the brook. " They all, gathering around it, each in turn tasted the water of the newly found fountain. They pronounced it of superior quality, and they named it then and there the Congress Spring, to compliment its distinguished dis- coverer, and in hone, f the old Continental Congress, of which he had been a member." Such was the '.t i ning of the reputation of the great spring, which has been and must continue to be a living fountain of joy to Saratoga— her treasure and Iier pride — her Kohinoor ! How pure, how cencentrated and how firmly fixed must the elements be that compose this generous fountain of health, nestling as it does in the \z^y midst of a bed of fresh, pure waters ! The amphitheatre-like knolls around it are bursting forth and brimming over, by nature, at every crevice with great jets of fresh water. Before improvements were begun these waters permeated the marshy basin beneath, which, though dense with vegetation, still held them caressingly, and only reluctantly allowed them to flow off in a l'*ne stream through the valley. In 1804 the spring was found insufficie.it for the demands made upon it. Gideon Putnam, who then owned it, thought he saw indications of gas in the creek some distance from the spring, which he deemed might indicate its original source. He turnedthe bed of the creek and found his sup- position correct ; a large stream flowed from this place. He immediately sunk a strong wooden tube, which secured it for forty years, and it has seldom been in need of repairs. The improved method of bottling the Congress water has greatly increased its value, as will be readily recognized by those familiar with it in the past, or by any one who will look through tlie bottles at the transparent, sparkling fluid. Although the best known processes were used for bottling, they all involved the loss of some of the gases by pumping or otherwise disturbing the water. The bottling is now done several feet below the surface of the ground, where the water runs naturally from the spring. Columbian Spring. This is a tonic spring, and many patients who are suffering from general debility are sent by their physicians to Saratoga to obtain the benefit of this water. :WV- 182 VISITORS GUIDE. Excelsior Spring -nd Park. This spring, with its surrounding park, is about three-quarters of a mile northeast of the village. The park embraces that beautiful portion of Saratoga Springs which was known for many years as " The Valley of the Ten Springs," with the table land lying on either side of the valley. The high ground commands fine views of the mountains of Vermont and of those around Lake George. The fine, ..^tural forest of the park affords the most delightful rambies, with some beautiful woodland views. This is pre-eminently "the walk" outside of the village, and can be made long or short, according to the path chosen. Thk Excelsior Spring is remarkable for ics crystaline purity, its min- eral substances being held in such perfect solution that "seeing is [not] believing," but one must taste the water to receive assurance that the long list of chemicals — sodium, lime, magnesia, iron, etc., are really within its transparency. This, the most important of the "Ten Springs," vvas retubedwith great care in 1859. The excavation was made to the "Trenton lime rock, where the mineral water from five different points flowed into the well." The Excelsior only needs to be known to be appreciated. The water is sparkling and delightful to the taste, its medicinal effects are active and its surroundings charming. It is bottlei; without sediment, and any visitor who enjoys getting at the " bottom facts " o; things, and all those who recognize scientific thoroughness and honorable earnestness, will do well to inspect the ways and means used in bottling at this spring by the Messrs. Lawrence Bros. These gentlemen were the first to devise and put into effect the new method of bottling — carryinji^ )!•. this work below the surface of the ground, on a level with the spring, and thus leaving its gases undisturbed, instead of forcing the water of the spring up, for the convenience of the work. They have also invented a new process of supplying spring water oii draught, by which it can be drawn from the fountain of the druggist, pure and unadulterated, as it came from the spring. Heretofore, even when the genuine