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MEMOIR
^ent^nnittl ^tlshxMan
BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER,
SCHUYLERVILLE, OCT. 17, 1877.
ALBANY:
JOEL MUNSELL.
1878.
SARATOGA MONUMENT.
MEMOIR
OF THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF
HELD AT SCHUYLERVILLE, N. Y.,
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION,
On tlie 17th of October, 1877.
PREPARED BTj
WILLIAM LrSTONE,/> ^ ^'
Secretary of the Association. v
"History itself must now begin as from a new epoch. They are new
powers that must set the wheels of government and of all the world's
machinery in motion."
ALBANY:
JOEL MUNSELL.
1878.
\
NOTE.
The author would here acknowledge his obligations to
Col. D. F. Ritchie of Saratoga Springs, and Mr. P. C.
Ford of Schuylerville, for assistance in recalling the
details of the celebration.
OFFICERS
SARATOGA MONUMENT ASSOCIATION.
President,
HORATIO SEYMOUR, Utica, N. Y.
Vice-JPresiden t,
JAMES H. MARVIN, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Secretary,
WILLIAM L. STONE, New York city.
Corresponding Secretary,
ED. W. B. CANNING, Stockbridge, Mass.
Treasurer,
DANIEL A. BULLARD, Schuylerville, N. Y.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Committee on Design,
William L, Stone, Charles H. Payn, E. W. B. Cannins,
James M. Marvin, Leroy Mowrt,
Committee on Location,
Asa C. Tefft, Benson J. Lossing, E. F. Bullard.
Suilding Cotnmittee,
Charles H. Payn, Asa C. Tefft, William L. Stone.
Executive Committee,
Leroy Mowry, James M. Marvin, Daniel A. Bullard, D. F.
Ritchie.
Advisory Committee,
Edward F. Bullard, Saratoga Springs, P. C. Ford, Schuyler-
ville, N. Y., B. W. Throckmorton, New York city, Oscar
Frisbie, New York city.
Executive Committee for the Centennial Celebration.
William L. Stone, P. C. Ford, Edward F. Bullard.
4 Officers.
TRUSTEES.
Horatio Seymour, Wm. J. Baco>'', Utica, N. Y.
James M, Marvix, Charles H. Payx, E. F. Bullard, David
F. Ritchie, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Wm. L. Stone, Gen. J. Watts De Feyster, Algernon S.
Sullivan, B, W. Throckmorton, Xew York city.
Daniel A, Bullard, P. C. Ford, H. Clay Homes, Schuyler-
ville, N. Y.
Leroy Mowry, Greenwich, N. Y.
Asa C. Tefft, Fort Miller, N. Y.
Charles W. Mayhew, Victory Mills, N. Y.
. E. R. iluDGE, Boston, Mass.
E. W. B. Canning, Stoclcbridge, Mass.
Webster Wagner, Palatine Bridge, N. Y.
Frank Pruyn, Meclianicville, N. Y.
James H. Kelly, Rochester, NT Y.
Giles B. Slocum, Trenton, Mich.
Benson J. Lossing, Dover Plains, N. Y.
Gen. John M. Read, Lemon Thomson, Albany, N. Y.
. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF THE
SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.
NARRATIVE.
At early clay-break on the Centennial of Burgoyne's
surrender 1 stood upon the highly elevated plateau on
which i^sts the foundation for the Saratoga Monument.
A vast amphitheatre was spread at my feet. High as I
was above the village of Schuylerville and the surround-
ing plain, or rather the whole region of country between
the Kayaderosseras range on the west, the Green mount-
ains on the east, and the Cats kills on the south, the
varieties of upland and lowland were lost in the almost
perpendicular line of vision in which they were presented
to the view. As the dawn grew on apace, a gra}- jasper
tinge slowly crept along the edge of the horizon. Flecks
of pale sapphire gradual]}' branched up, which, changing
into shoaling spires of emerald and chalcedony, grew
more and more distinct, until the entire eastern sky was
bathed in the hues of the topaz and amethyst. As the
day advanced, and the rays of light darted thicker and
brighter across the heavens, the purple clouds which hung
over "Willard's mountain, were fringed with a saffron dye
of inexpressible beauty. As the sun ascended above the
horizon — the broad glare of his beams being somewhat
6 Centennial Celebkation of
repressed by u dense atmosphere — the orb could be clearly
defined by the naked eye. After it had gained the horizon
the lesser spires below began to point their tall shadows
toward me ; a cheerful and mellow light gradually diftused
itself around; and the fog, which had rested upon the
lower landscape, gently lifting, disclosed hill and vale,
wood and river, in all their autumnal loveliness, standing
sponsors for the new-born day.
Wednesday, the 17th of October, 1877, was, indeed, a
superb autumn day. The air was mild and balmy, and
by nine o'clock not a cloud could be descried in any quar-
ter of the heavens. It would seem as if the fates had
deliberately combined to render the weather most auspi-
cious. On the Monday previous, a cold, driving rain had
set in ; and although it liad partially cleared, yet the sun
of Tuesday had gone down in gloom ; while the wailing
of the wind in the tall pines and the leaden clouels over-
head gave every indication of another storm. Notwith-
standing, however, these untoward signs and the con-
tinued interrogations "Will it ever clear up?" the citizens
of the patriotic little village of Schuylerville continued
the work of decoration late into the night. Early in the
afternoon of the 16th the advance guard of the visitors,
press-reporters and delegates from different military and
civic associations began to arrive. Among these came
Battery B, of Troy, Captain A. H. Green commanding,
with twenty men and five brass twelve pounders, and,
also. Captain Tracy of the same city with twenty police-
men, whose manly bearing and efifective measures for
preserving the peace during the celebratio^i received the
deserved commendation of all lovers of order. In the
evening, the village was generally illuminated, giving to
the colored decorations a really fine effect, and eliciting
warm encomiums for the tasteful manner in which the
ladies and gentlemen had performed their work.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne, 7
The following morning, a little before sunrise, the
artillery men of Battery B turned out, and dividing into
four squads proceeded in as many directions to the out-
skirts of the village where their cannons had previously
been placed in position.' The day was formally ushered
in by a salute of one hundred guns, the echoes of which
had scarcely died away, when the people of Easton, from
the heights of Willard's mountain, returned the greeting
with the same number of guns. The bells of the churches
then rang out merrily, and the steam whistles from the
factories in the vicinity blew their slirillest notes. The
rumbling of wheels along the several roads leading into
the village was now heard, and soon the streets were
astir with wagons, carriages and omnibusses filled with
people from the surrounding country. In Saratoga Springs,
twelve miles awa}', all the stores were closed, and a still-
ness, more than funereal, hung over its streets; while the
entire leno-tli of the road leading from that village to
Schuylerville was, for more than four hours, covered with
a continuous line of vehicles of every description — from
the field-wagon, with rough board seat and chains on
which to rest the feel and drawn by oxen, to the hand-
some chariotee of the wealthy citizen.^ Toward noon the
'Tliese guns were placed respectively near the corner stone of llie Sara-
toga Monument ; on'the site of the camp of the British Grenadiers ; on the
hill back of Alnnzo Welch's house where General Morgan's riflemen were
stationed, and on the high bluff on tlie east side of the river, the site of old
Fort Saratoga during the French and Indian colonial wars, and, just pre-
vious to the surrender, occupied by Col. Fellows Avith a battery. An eight-
een pounder captiu'ed from the British in 1813, and presented to the
Saratoga Monument Association by Frederick DePeyster and Gen. J. W.
DePeyster, of New York City, was also placed near the corner stone.
'Benj. W. Amsden of No. 70 Lake avenue says that on Wednesday
morning vehicles were passing iiis place, en route to Schuylerville, long
before daybreak. Somewhat surprised at the immense number of people
moving in tlie direction of the surrender grounds, lie began at six o'clock
and kept a tally of each team that passed up to eleven o'clock, five hours,
8 Centennial Celebration of
military, masonic and other organizations that were to
take part in the approaching pageant thronged into the
town, and by mid-day, the pavements and the windows
and porches of the houses were filled with an expectant
miiltitiule anxious to secure a good view of the procession.^
And well might the scene now presented rivet the eye.
It is seldom that a spectacle, such as that which the streets
and buildings of Schuylerville aftbrded on this occasion, is
seen. As early as a week previous to the celebration,
every flag, Uarge or small, every yard, remnant and piece
of colored goods to be found in any of the stores wer.e
purchased, to the great gratification of the merchants, who
had feared that, in their patriotic enthusiasm, they had
been unwise in filling their shelves with so large a stock
of red, blue and white goods. Nor were the decorations,
so universally displayed, massed together in ahetreogene-
ous manner without form or comeliness. Good judgment,
a cultivated taste and a lavish expenditure of money gave
to the public buildings, the hotels and the stores a bril-
liant and striking appearance ; while the fayades of the
houses adorned with bunting and various original devices
illustrative of scenes and incidents of a century ago,
showed good taste and commendable patriotism. This,
and found the number to be three hundred and fifty-four. As tliis is but
one outlet to our village some idea may be formed of Saratoga's delegation
to the celebration when the other streets and avenues on the east side are
taken into consideration. The number of Saratogians who attended the
centennial could not have been less than five thousand. — Saratogian,
Oct. 18lh, 1877.
'It was estimated by persons whose experience in large gatherings of a
like nature rendered them competent judges, that fully thirty thousand
people were in the vilhige and upon the surrender grounds at noon <m
Wednesday. Had the conve3'ance to the village been by rail road instead
of stages and private teams, undoubtedly more than double that- number
would have been present. A more orderly and a more intelligent number
of persons, it was repeatedly remarked during the day by participants in
the Oriskany, Bennington and Beinis's Heights celebrations, was never
observed in any other place Where people were so closely brought together.
, THE Surrender of Burgoyne. • 9
together' with the bright and variegated colors of the
autumn foliage in the yards and along the side-walks, did
much to heighten the general effect. When this hand-
some adornment was so universal, to specify those resi-
dences that were more richly dressed than others would
be invidious. So general, moreover, was the desire to
create a good impression — when neighbor vied with
neighbor in beautifying their houses and places of busi-
ness— that great would be the difficulty to know how or
what to write in regard to the mottoes, buntings, banners
and lanterns of each private dwelling.
Among the public buildings thus decorated were the
new school building, tliii engine-house and the churches
of St. Stephen and of the Visitation. The Dutch Ee-
formed church wreathed garlands of the red, white and
blue around its doric pillars, and the Methodists also ex-
pressed their patriotism by a fine display of flags and
streamers. The Goldsmith and Gaily Houses were pro-
fusely hung with bunting and colored lanterns, and the
Schuylerville House presented a picturesque front with
its heavy festoonings of evergreens interwoven with the
red berries of the ba}^ Suspended over the main street
at a prominent point was a pictorial representation of the
surrender. Burgoyne was painted in the act of handing
his sword to Gates, while underneath the scene was in-
scribed the British general's remark : " The fortune of
war. General Gates, has made me your prisoner." At a
number of points, from newly erected flag-staffs, American
colors were floating^; and here and there one saw now a
'One of these flag-poles, at the corner of Pearl and Burgoyne streets, is
one hundred and fifty feet in height; another, close by the corner stone
of the monument, is one hundred and sixty feet high. Each of these
poles is snrmounted by a large glass ball ; and the one planted bj^ the cor-
ner stone may be readily seen bj' the aid of a field glass by the citizens of
Saratog I Springs, twelve miles distant. These flag-staffs were both the
worli of Mr. Giles P. Laing, of Schuylerville.
10 Centennial Celebration of
•
portrait of George "Washington, and again one of Philip
Schuyler, Morgan or some other old hero in a frame of
evergreen. Nor was this kind of work confined to
Schuylerville. Standing near the site of the monument
the eye took in, for miles around, flags waving from poles
set up for the nonce before innumerable farm-houses. In
the distance, snugly nestled among the lower spurs of the
Green mountains, the pretty villages of Greenwich and
Middle Falls looked like two fleets riding at anchor, their
tall masts flying gaily colored pennants as if for some
great naval victory. Saratoga and Washington counties
seemed in very truth to have hung their banners upon the
outer walls. Indeed, as it wi^ well said at the time,
" What, with the vivid hues of autumn upon the trees,
and the vivid hues of patriotism upon the houses, the vil-
lage and its vicinage looked as gay and attractive as did
the splendid army of Burgoyne, as it sailed up Lake
Champlain in June 1777, when the sun shone on the scar-
let coats of British grenadiers, and on the bright helmets
of the German dragoons^"
As the troops of the several commands arrived they re-
ported to the Grand Marshal, General W. B. French, on
Schuyler Square where they were assigned positions. In
conse(]uence, however, of the late arrival of the more dis-
tant organizations it was noon before the Marshal and
his aides had arranged them into column.^ Finally, the
report of a cannon told that all was in readiness; and at
half past twelve o'clock the procession, headed by a pla-
toon of Troy police, filed out of the square into Gates's
avenue. General French and his staflf gallantly leading
'Mr. .McElroy, in the Albany Ecening Journal.
*Gen. French deserves ninch credit for the skill wiih which I13 held the
procession intact along the line of march. No break or impediment
caused any of those halls or separations that so frequently occur on occ;i-
sions of this kind.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 11
the way. The line of march was from Gates's avenue to
Grove street, thence to Pearl ; from Pearl to Burgoyne ;
down Burgoyne to Broad; up Broad to Spring; thence
to Church, to Burgoyne, to Pearl, to Saratoga, to Green
and up Burgoyne avenue to the monument grounds ad-
joining Prospect Hill Cemetery.
A volume would scarce suffice to detail the particulars
necessary to a full description of the iiags and emblems
and patriotic decorations which graced the arches under
which passed the many divisions and sub-divisions of this
imposing pageant ; nor yet to give the incidents which,
like the fragments of a splendid vision are still floating in
bright and glowing masses through the imagination.
But the spectacle was too brilliant and the scenes too
various for the memory to retain more than certain vague
impressions no less beautiful than indistinct. Those who
were present and saw the magnificent scene on that lovely
autumn day — while it gave them an idea of the appear-
ance of the two armies one hundred years ago at that very
hour and on tliat very spot — will at once admit that it
cannot be painted in language ; and those who had not
that happiness, must content themselves with the assur-
ance that the best endeavors of the writer to convey to
them an adequate idea of its eifect will fail.
The first arch (tastily draped with flags and bunting)
under which 'the procession marched, was at the corner
of Green and Pearl streets, near the handsomely adorned
residences of C. W. Mayhew, and G. W. "Watson. The
next one was at the junction of Burgoyne and Pearl streets
in front of the Dutch Reformed church. Upon it in let-
ters of evergreen were the words of welcome ascribed by
some to Gates on his first meeting the defeated British
general ; " I am glad to see you,"^ with the century
'" It is the custom in England, and in America on approaching any body
for the first lime to say, ' I am very happy to see you.' General Gates
12 Centennial Celebration of
dates of Oct. 17th, 1777, and 1877 ; the right and left of
the centre inscription bearing the names (also in ever-
green), of Schuyler, Gates and Morgan. At the corner of
Burgoyne and Broad streets another arch, festooned with
laurel, spanned the road; while a little further on and
opposite the Methodist parsonage, a graceful arch, thrown
across the street, bore on its south side the legend, " Meth-
odism honors the occasion," and on the north " Methodism
reveres the heroes of 1777." On the lawn, in front of the
Marshall House, ^ from a tall liberty pole floated the stars
and stripes, and a little distance from the foot of Bur-
goyne avenue on the Main street, an old elm, whose trunk
was wreathed with the " red, white and blue," bore this
inscription ; " Near this spot, Oct. 17th, 1777, American
and British officers met and consummated the articles of
capitulation of General Burgoyne to General Gates ; and
on this ground the British laid down their arms thus se-
curing American independence." Standing on the roof
chanced to make use of this expression in accosting General Burgoyne :
'1 believe you are,' rapVied the general, the fortune of the da^- is enlirely
yours'." — Iravels in North America in 1780-83, % the. Marquis De Chastel-
lux.
' " A hundred years ago from yesterday, in the cellar of the house, at
present occupied by Mrs. Jane M. Marsliail, tliere was a jjilifid picture of
ii few crouching, terror-stricken women and cliildren, and a number of
wounded, hungry soldiers ; a century later, yesterday, upon the lawn of
tne same house, there was a joyous, patriotic compaify of wives and
maidens, raising into the air a liberty i)()le whereon, in a few days shall
float the glorious emblem of {reetloni ami victory. With the dark mem-
ories of lliat house upon their minds did these women lift aloft with wil-
ling hands llie celebraiing staff of its peace and domestic love. The sad
records of Madame Kiedesel stand in dark conli-ast with this honorary act
of Mrs. J. M. Marshall, Mrs. George W. Smith, Miss Jennie Marshall (the
two latter the former's daughters), Mrs. Chas. Bartram ofGreenpoiut, L. I.,
Mrs. Wesley Buck and Mrs. Josepli Hudson of this village. The pole is
eighty-nine feet from the ground and will float a flag twelve by fourteen
feet." — ScJtijylerville Slandurd, Oct. 15, 1877.
Mrs. Marshall also, gave the two Albany companies of the Twenty-fifth
regiment, the day after the celebration, an elegant dinner set out on the
lawn. .
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 13
of the Grecian portico of D. L. Potter's dwelling, the God-
dess of Liberty, in life size, shone resplendent in a starry
crown and a skirt made of the American flag. Within
the court-yard of Alonzo Welch — the site of the old Revo-
lutionary Barracks — stood a large marquee from the top
of which were unfurled the American and British colors;
while on the northwest corner of. Pearl and Terry streets
a wooden monument was placed, having upon one of its
sides the following lettering :
Saratoga,
Bemis Heights,
Benniicgton,
Oriskany,
Lexington and Concord,
The eye of beauty, too, gazed with delight upon the pass-
ing scene. Everj^ window was thronged; and the myriads
of handkerchiefs which fluttered in the air was only rivaled
in whiteness by the delicate hands which suspended them ;
while the glowing cheeks, the ingenuous smiles of loveli-
ness and innocence, and the intelligence which beamed
brightly from many a sparkling eye, proclaimed their po-
sessors worthy of being the wives, mothers and daughters
of freemen. It was inline a proud spectacle; but language
fails in attempting its description — mucbmore in impart-
ing to paper the sensations which it created. It is not
difficult to describe individual objects correctly, but it is
impossible to portray their general effect when happily
grouped together. We rejoiced, and all who were there
rejoiced; although, as we looked upon the countless
throng, we could not but remember the exclamation of
Xerxes, and feel that "a hundred years hence, not one of
all that vast multitude will be alive."
Immediately behind the police and leading the proces-
sion proper, came the popular Boring's band of Troy,
composed of twenty-six pieces. Following these, and
3
14 Centennial Celebration of
marching by platooiis, were Company F, Tenth regiment
N. Y. S. N. G., Captain George D. Weiclman commanding,
and Company I, Twenty-iifth regiment under Captain
Walker. Both companies wore a neat gra}'^ uniform, and
by their soldierly bearing did credit to the capital city.
Colt's armory band of twent}' pieces, one of the choicest
musical organizations in the land, and clad in scarlet, fol-
lowed next in order ; and directly after them were the
Governor's Foot Guards of Hartford, Conn., commanded
by Major W. II. Talcott. The presence, on this occasion,
of the Foot Guards was particularly fortunate, and most
appropriate. Dressed in the rich and peculiar style of the
time of George III — bear-skin caps, scarlet coats, knee-
breeches, and black velvet leggins with silver buckles on
their shoes — they gave to the spectators a correct idea of
the appearance of Burgoyne's " Red-coats" at the time of
the surrender. Accompanying the Foot Guards were the
Veterans of the corps in citizen's dress, wearing Kossuth
hats and crimson badges.^ The Park Guard's band, one
of Vermont's best, with the Park Guards of Bennington,
Capt. N. 0. Wilcox, made a striking appearance in their
grenadier hats and steel gray uniforms. Having taken
part in the Bennington centennial, it gave them pleasure
to participate ii> Saratoga's celebration. It was one of the
best equipped commands on the ground. As the proces-
sion moved by, the next command that passed along was
'The Governor's Fool Guards were cliartered in 1771. In October,
1777, il started for Saratoga to offer its services to Gates though organized
specially as a body guard to tlie governor and general assembly of the
colony of Connecticut. The company, under the command of Captain
Jonathan Bull, marched as far as tlie Rhinebeck flats, M'liere, being met
by an express with the news of Burgoyne's surrender, they returned
home. The battalion now numbers about one hundred, including a band
of twenty-five pieces. James Bull, now living at Saratoga Si)rings, is a
grandson of Captain Jonathan Bull, and was a member of the guards
fifty years ago. His father Isaac D. Bull was the first major of the or-
ganization when it became a battalion in 1813, serving until 1816.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 15
the Hughes Light Guards of South Glen's Falls, Capt.
Gleesettle. This company has only recently been organ-
ized, hut the members carried themselves like veterans,
reflecting credit on the most northerly town in Saratoga
county. The Whitehall Cornet band then filed past, lead-
ing the well known and popular Burleigh Corps of "White-
hall, Lieut. Bascom commanding. The Guards and Corps
were dressed in the regulation dark and light blue and
wore the shako, and made a creditable appearance. This
military array was followed by the Knights Templar, their
gay trappings, in the bright sunlight of an unclouded sky,
being sufficiently gorgeous to have filled the eye of a Per-
sian emperor in the height of oriental splendor and mag-
nificence. The Knights Templar constituted the second
division of the procession which was under the command
of very eminent Grand Commander Charles H. Holden,
assisted by Sir Knight B. F. Judson. Preceding the
Washington Commandery of Saratoga Springs, was the
Ballston Cornet band dressed in a showy dark blue uni-
form. Then came the Seventy-seventh regiment band of
Saratoga Springs, composed of twenty-two pieces and
dressed in military uniform, followed by the Apollo Com-
mandery of Troy and the Temple Commandery of Albany.
These comraanderies, together with Washington Com-
mandery, sustained well their reputation as among the
finest appearing and best drilled organizations of Sir
Knights in the state. The Mozart band of Schenectady,
uniformed in white, came next in order preceding the
commanderies of St. George of Schenectady, Be Soto of
Plattsburgh, Holy Cross of Glovers ville, Lafayette of Hud-
son, Little Falls of Little Falls, Killington of Rutland,
Vermont, and the Tefl:'t of Bennington of the same state.
The Schuylerville Cornet band was the next to pass, fol-
lowed by the Master Masons, who precede<i the Grand
Lodge of the state of New York. Along the whole ex-
16 Centennial Celebration of
tensive line of march each of the different organizations
was received with continual cheers, a circumstance which
added not a little to the animation of the scene.
The Saratoga Centennial Cavalry, Major T. S. Ilassett
commanding, brought up the rear. This company num-
bered upward of eighty horsemen, and attired in the
attractive uniform of Gates's Centennials, they elicited
much praise from thebystanders whenever they appeared.
This cavalcade formed the escort, or rather the rearguard,
to the orators, poets, officers of the day, members of the
Saratoga Monument Association and invited guests, who,
seated in open carriages, formed the "civic portion of the
procession. In one of the carriages were Horatio Sey-
mour, George William Curtis and Alfred B. Street, each
wearing on his breast, not the gorgeous insignia of the
courts of kings, but — typical of Republican simplicity —
a silk badge, on which was attaclied a plain rosette made
of the dry leaves of the palmetto.^ Among the most
honored guests were ex-Senator Foster, of Connecticut,
whose father was in both battles of Berais's Heights, and
George L. Schuyler, of New York, a grandson of Gen.
Philip Schu^'ler. In another carriage, also, rode Albert
Clements, aged^ ninety-six, George Strover, eighty-six.
' At the top of the badge is printed the word " Gates," and at the
bottom, " Saratoga, Oct. 17th, 1877." The badges were the gift of Gen.
Steplien D. Kirk, of Charleston, S. C. Gen. Kirk accompanied tiic gifts
with appropriate patriotic sentiments.
^Albert Clements, the most remarkable person in the vicinity of Schuy-
lerville, was ninety-six years old on the 24lh of October, 1877. Born in
Dutchess county, N. Y , he came with his father to Saratoga (Schuyler-
ville) when only eight years old, in 1781, and has resided there ever since.
His father purchased five hundred acres of land west of the Schuyler
tract, which in part he cleared and made very productive in corn, wheat,
buckwheat, fla.x, barley, etc. He also had a distilleiy on the Fishkill,
about a mile south of Victory Mills, near the houses of Vilorus Winney,
and of the father of Mr. Giles B. Slocura, now living in Trenton. Mich.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 17
and William H. McCreedy, eighty-six, the three oldest
men in the village, and honored both for their own
sakes and from- having once been the neighbors of
Gen. Schuyler. The presence of these, three venerable,
but still hale and hearty, village sires, and the distin-
guished ex-Senator Foster, carried back the minds of
the beholders so vividly to those "times that tried
men's souls,"' that they no longer seemed to belong
to the " dim past," but to the vitality of the actual
present. It had been expected that Governor Robinson,
of New York, Governor Rice, of Massachusetts, and Van
Zandt, of Rhode Island, would be present ; but illness
kept them all away. The goyernor of New York was
represented by members of his military family; "but as
he had vetoed the state appropriation for the celebration,
a word of sympathy from him in the commemoration of
the most important of the Revolutionary centennial cele-
brations in New York state would have been fitting and
welcome."'
The procession was more than a mile in length, and
Plis Either wns a most successful distiller, and manufactured an excellent
quality of whisky from buckwheat and potatoes. He also made cider
brandy. The longevity of the family is remarkable. His father died
at ninety, his mother at eighty. Albert Clements has had eleven
children. The youngest living is fitly years old, and he has a son
(Dr. Clements, of Saratoga Springs), aged si.xty-five. He never belonged
to any religious denomination, but attends that of the Methodists. He
has never used (so they tell me), " as much tobacco as would amount to
one cigar ;" but has always drank spirits, " when he felt like it." His
earnest sententious speech, without any of the besetting weakness of old
age, commands the attenticm and interest of all with whom he converses.
His hale, hearty, courteous manner, and his physical activity make him
a man to be noted. When I proposed to send a carriage for him on
the day of the celebration, he rejjlied that " he could walk as well as
not," though he lives two miles from the village. The- father, grand-
father and great-grandfather of Mr. McCreedy were all present as soldiers
at the surrender, jVIr. Clements, Mr. Strover, and Mr. McCreedy, all occu-
pied seats oa the speakers' stand, the day of the celebration.
' Harpefs Weekly.
18 Centennial Celebkation of
contained nearly three thousand people. It was, indeed,
a pageant of indescribable interest, and, to most, of double
attraction ; the occasion being one in which the deepest
sympathies were enlisted, and it being also altogether the
finest display of pomp and circumstance ever witnessed
in northern New York.
A large part of the population of Saratoga and Wash-
ington counties had given themselves up to the enjoyment
of the occasion ; and gladness, in all its fullness, was
depicted in every countenance, while a noble enthusiasm
swelled every bosom. The bond of union was complete;
and every man, carrying himself back one hundred years,
felt as though his country had been rescued, in the last
hour, from the most imminent peril.
The head of the procession reached the open square in
front of the monument at half past one o'clock. The
right of line then opened, and the Grand Lodge advanced
to its position, being surrounded by the subordinate
lodges formed in a square. Tlie commanderies made the
same formation outside of the lodges, while the military,
beyond the commanderies, encircled them, having in their
rear a vast concourse of citizens, estimated at twelve
thousand. The various bands of music, which had
enlivened the march of the procession, were concentrated
in the enclosure, bvit so disposed as not to intercept the
prospect. The Grand Lodge occupied a position upon the
foundation of the monument, and thus the Masonic cere-
monies, which were conducted in the usual form, were in
full view of the multitude.
After the corner-stone had been laid, the procession
was reformed r and, amid the firing of cannons, counter-
marched to the speaking grounds on Schuyler square
where two stands had been built, on which floated the
American and British flags. At the southern stand, where
Hon. Charles S. Lester of Saratoga Springs presided, the"
THE Surrender of Burgotne. 19
orations of Horatio Seymour and George William Curtis,
and the addresses of Judge Lester and Lafayette S. Foster
were delivered, together with the poem of Alfred B. Street,
read by Col. E. P. Howe of Saratoga Springs. The short,
impromptu speech by Senator Foster, was peculiarly
timely and fitting, and of extraordinary interest, owing
to the fact that he had often listened to the story of the
battle from the lips of his father, who was lieutenant and
adjutant of one of the Connecticut regiments on the Ame-
rican side. At the northern stand, Hon. George W.
Schuyler, in the absence of Gen. E. F. Bullard, was called
upon to preside ; but shortly after delivering his intro-
ductory address he was summoned away by a dispatch
from Albany. Before leaving Mr. Schuyler called upon
Col. David F. Ritchie to take his place; and the latter
acted in this capacity during the remainder of the exer-
cises. At this stand were delivered the historical address
of William L. Stone, and the speeches of B. W. Throck-
morton of New Jersey, Judge Austin A. Yates of Sche-
nectady, and H. L. Gladding of Alban}^ General James
Grant Wilson (the biographer of Fitz Green Halleck) read
that poet's Field of the Grounded Arms, and the Rev.
D. K. Van Doren of Schuylerville a poem by General J.
Watts De Peyster prepared expressly for the occasion,
A new version of the Star Span^led Banner, by Col. B. C.
Butler of Luzerne, JS^. Y., was then read by William L.
Stone, and the exercises closed by the reading, by Col.
Ritchie, of letters from Benson J. Lossing, Mrs. Ellen H.
Walworth, Giles B. Slocum, and General Stephen D. Kirk
of Charleston, South Carolina. At the close of the literary
exercises, Governor Seymour presented the following re-
solution which was unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the thanks of the Saratoga Monument
Association be presented to Booth Brothers of JSTew York
20 Centennial Celebration of
city for tlieir generous donation of the corner stone which
has been laid, to-clay.^
It had been the intention to close the celebration with
a brilliant military spectacle representing the surrender
of Burgoyne to the Continental troops. It was, however,
almost dusk when the speaking was finished; and, ac-
cordingly, Judge Lester, in dismissing the audience, stated
that the Connecticut boys^ refused to surrender, and that
the exercises would therefore be brought to an end by a
dress parade. By a curious coincidence both Judge Lester
and Col. Ritchie closed the exercises at the two stands by
announcing an adjournment until the next centennial in
1977. Although these gentlemen seemed to have little
faith that many of their auditors would be present at the
second centennial of the same great event, it is to be
hoped that they will be mistaken in this instance ; and if
such should be the case, we trust they may be among the
number of those who shall be spared to see that joyous
day.
While the literary exercises at the stands were holding,
thousands of people who could not get wdthin hearing dis-
tance, amused themselves by strolling about the village
and visiting the surrender grounds, the remains of old
Fort Hardy, the Marshall House (in the cellar of Avhich
Mrs. Keidesel took refuge during the cannonade) and the
*'Relie Tent" containing a sword said to have belonged
to Burgoyne, the "Eddy collection," and many other in-
' For this liandsonie ,^ift, valued at three hundred and fiftj' dollars, the
Association, as slated in the text, is indebted to the firm of Booth Brothers
whose office is at 51 Chamber street New York. Tiie generosity of this
firm of Scotchmen is the more worthy of special notice trom the fact that
in this matter all other American contractors in granite had turned upon
the Association the cold shoulder. Booth Brothers are the owners of large
quarries, and being, also, contractors and dealers in all kinds of natiVe and
Scotch granites, are deserving of^ liberal patronage. Their kindness de-
serves it.
' The Governor's Foot Guards, who were to personate the British troops.
THE Surrender of^Burgoyne. 21
teresting trophies. The Schuyler Mansion, built by Gene-
ral Schuyler near the site of the one burned by Burgoyne
and owned and occupied by George Strover, was, also, an
object of special attraction during the entire day.^ The
continental cavalry from Saratoga Springs, upon its arrival
in the village, proceeded thither in a body and saluted the
house and its occupants. Among the large number of
persons who partook of the hospitalities of the house were
ex-Governor Seymour, George William Curtis, H. A.
Homes, State Librarian, Hon. George Schuyler, Alfred
B. Street, B. W. Throckmorton, Judge A. A, Yates, H.
L. Gladding, Charles S. Lester and many other prominent
men. Speaking within bounds, at least three thousand
people, during the day and evening, vis\ted the house.
The large portico with its high columns were adorned
with curtains elegantly folded, and with wreaths and fes-
toons of laurels disposed with beautiful and tasteful effect.
Over the door- way was suspended the musket, cartridge-box
and powder-horn used by Col. Strover in the war of 1812.
Immediately after the exercises of the laying of the corner
stone, the Governor's Foot Guards of Hartford, escorted by
Major J. C. Parson of the veteran corps, and Major W.
H. Talcott, with Colt's Military Band, marched to the
house; and upon its arrival on the lawn, paraded inline and
saluted the old mansion and Colonel and Mrs. Strover,
the living representatives of the eighteenth century. The
Guards then stacked arms, and upon entering the hospi-
table mansion were tendered refreshments. They inspected
'This is a good opportunity to correct the common error — into which I
have myself fallen in my Life of General Eeidesel — that the present Schuy-
ler Mansion was built by the American army within ten clays after the
surrender. The massive foundation of the Jiouse is suiBcient of itself to
refute this idea; but if more evidence is required, we have the testimony
of the Marquis de Chastellux, who, visiting Gen. Schuyler at Saratoga in
1783 — five years after the surrender — says that "there is nothing to be
seen but some barns and the ruins of General Schuyler's house."
4 .
22 Centennial Celebration of
all the quaint and curious things which till the house from
cellar to garret. Upon their departure, a parting salute
was given ; and the band, which had executed for the large
number of guests assembled on the portico and lawn, a
number of brilliant pieces of music, then played "Home,
Sweet Home," and marched across the bridge into the
village. Major W. H. Talcott was heard to remark that
this visit of the Guards "was one of the most pleasing
which he should remember with the laying of the corner
stone of the Saratoga Monument."
When at length the sun went down behind the heights
upon which Burgoyne had pitched his camp, the multitude
slowly dispersed and wended its way through the streets of
the village. Broad street took the appearance of Broadway,
New York City, and was a thoroughfare of closely packed
hacks, stages, wagons and horsemen passing and re-pass-
ing toward the several roads leading to their homes. At
night, the street with its pendant flags and gayly colored
illuminated lanterns; its thronging people; the wild
vociferations of the street venders ; the passing of uni-
formed soldiers ; and the out going stages filled with de-
parting visitors, made it a scene not soon to be forgotten
by the citizens of Schuylerville. *
• The centennial exercises were continued at Schuylerville throughout
the following day. Tlie village presented a beautiful appearance, the
artistic decorations and beauties still attracting attention. Though the
crowd was not as large as the previous day, yet there were thousands of
people present — all happy at being able to assist in prolonging the exer-
cises of the preceding day. In the large tents on Sciiuyler square hun-
dreds were banqueted, the supply of provisions furnished being more than
amply sufficient to meet all of the demands made upon it. The grand
stands were crowded dui'ing most of the day, and the corner stone was
visited by thousands of people. The exercises of the day were inter-
spersed witii local si)eeches, nnisic, and a military disjilay by companies
F of the Tenth regiment, and I of the Twenty-fifth. The occasion was
a most joyous one; and to sum up, the citizens of Schuylerville have rea-
son to feel proud at the success of the Centennial Celebration of 1877. —
Schuylermlle Standard.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 23
As night shut in the air became chilly, and the
wind, which had seemingly waited until the celebration
was ended, now swept around the massive foundation of
the monument and over the high table land with a hoarse,
sullen roar. But as midnight approached the breeze was
lulled to silence, the lights of the village disappeared ;
the different sounds from the haunts of men ceased ; and
a gentle silence reigned around. Above hung a broad
and sable canopy studded with countless planets; and
around stretched the weird-looking horizon apparently
dying away into the gloom of that strange firmament.
But as it drew on towards the dawn, the stars, led off by
the twin Pleiades, tripped away and disappeared one by
one ; and the light of another day rested on the ground
where but a little while before, had been gathered a vast
multitude, and where, amid the swelling strains of mar-
tial music, had been collected and displayed, in one grand
view, the flags, and emblems, and costly decorations,
which, in a con,tinued procession called forth such enthu-
siasm of admiration. It was one of those few bright visions
whose evanescent glory is allowed to light up the path of
human life — which, as they are passing, we feel can never
return ; and which, while diffusing a sensation of pleas-
ing melancholy, leads up the mind to contemplation. The
splendor of beauty and the triumph of art sure to excite,
Nor, before bringing our narrative to a close should we neglect to speak
of the hospitality disjUayed, not only of tiie people of Schuylerville, but
also of those of Victory Mills, of Northumberland, of Easton and of
Greenwich. These people gave a hearty and hospitable welcome to all.
Everyone appreciated tlie bounteous refreshments provided by them and
departed with loud spoken compliments and thanks for the goodly enter-
tainment. Mr. Daniel A. Bollard, also, was not only one of the staunch-
est promoters of the Saratoga Monument, but on the day of the celebra-
tion, assisted by his lovely wife, entertained at his hospitable mansion,
Horatio iSeymour, George William Curtis, Henry A. Homes, George L.
Schuyler, Alfred B. Street, Senator Foster, James M. Maun, Gen. Wilson,
B. W. Throckmorton, Governor Robinson's staff and many others.
24 Centennial Celebration of
to dazzle and often to improve the condition and promote
the welfare of mankind ; but " the fashion of this world
passeth away ;" beauty and art, with all their triumphs
and splendors, endure but for a season ; and earth itself,
with all its lakes and oceans, its woods and mountains, is
only as the small dust of the balance in the sight of Him
wlio dwells beyond the everlasting hills. ^
OFFICERS OF THE DAY.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17th, 1877.
PRESIDENTS OF THE DAY:
Hon. Charles S, Lester, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Gen. Edward F. Bullard, " " "
VICE-PRESIDENTS AT LARGE:
George L. Schuyler, New York City.
Philip Schuyler, " " "
Hon. Charles O'Conptor, New York.
William Cullen Bryant, " "
' Yesterday will long be remembered in the history of this country ; and
from the memories of all who participated in the great celebration, it will
never pass away. The blue sky, the gorgeous colors of the autumn foli-
age, the smooth flowing, silver Hudson, the delicious air, the grand old
mountains standing-like sentinels to guard the spot sacred with so many
heroic associations, the brilliant pageant, the impressive ceremonies at
the monument which commemorates the past, honors the present, and
links both to the unborn future, the grand orations, the stirring poems,
the illustrious citizens who recalled to mind the great deeds which those
scenes had witnessed, the scenes themselves where the scepter of foreign
dominion had forever passed away and America awoke from a splendid
dream of Liberty and Independence to find the reality more glorious than
the imagination had had the strength to picture — what more could be
asked from a single day! As we stood upon the monument, and our eye
rested upon the splendid panorama, decorated bj'^ the hand of nature with
a skill and grandeur at whicli man can only wonder, Ave thought of the
days when the souls of our ftithers had been tried and not found wanting,
and of the scene here upon the hallowed ground at our feet which had
been wet with their blood, and where with a joy so intense that it was
silent, and a tender chivalry which restrained all exultation over a van-
(luished foe, Ihej^ saw their proud enemies lay down their arms, and they
knew that their final victory was secure! — Saratogian, Oct. I8th, 1877.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 25
Hon, Hamilton Fish, New York.
Ex-Governor Hoffman, " "
Hon. Frederick DePeyster, Pres, N. Y. Historical Society.
Hon. George W. Curtis, New York.
Manton Marble, " "
Henry B. Dawson, " "
Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, Utica.
Hon. William J, Bacon, "
E. F. DeLancey, New York City.
Thomas W. Olcott, Albany.
Joel Munsell, "
J. V. L. Pruyn,
Hon. Robert S. Hale, Elizabethtown, N. Y.
O. H. Marshall, Buffalo, N. Y.
Hon. Hiland Hall, Bennington, Vt,
C." M. Bliss, Sec. Bennington Men. Ass'n, Bennington, Yt.
Giles B. Slocum, Trenton, Mich.
James McFarland, New Jersey.
Ethan Allen, New York.
Wm. H. Thomas, Bergen, N. J.
Hon. John H. Starin, Fultonville.
Parker Handy, New York.
John F. Seymour, Utica.
Hon. B. W. Throckmorton, Bergen, N. J.
Hon. Henry G. Root, Bennington, Vt.
Maj. a, B. Valentine, " "
Hon. M. S. Colburn, Manchester, Vt.
Ex-Gov. John B. Page, Rutland, "
Lt. Gov. Redpield S. Proctor, Rutland, Vt.
Lt. Gov. E. J. Phelps, Burlington, Vt.
Ex-Gov. John W. Stewart, Middlebury, Vt.
Hon. Frederick E. Woodbridge, Vergennes, Vt.
Wm. H. Clement, Morrow, Ohio.
President Potter, Union College, Schenectady.
Clarence Bate, Louisville, Ky.
Col. John Hay, Cleveland, Ohio.
General Stephen D. Kirk, Charleston, South Carolina.
26 Centennial Celebration of
Saratoga County.
Saratoga — R. Exgt.ish, H. Cramer, George Strover, H.
SciDMORE, E. Raymond, F. Dodd, F. K. Marshall, W. R.
Clothier, P. Dennis, G. Wright, Rev. A. F. Bailey, Rev.
D. K. Van Doren, Rev. G. W. Dean, Rev. H, B. Finnegan,
N, Bennett, J. Osborn.
Saratoga Springs — Hon. James M. Marvin, Hon. A, Bookes,
Hon. O. L. Barbour, General Joshua T. Blanchard,
Stephen H. Richards, President Saratoga Springs, B. F. Jud-
soN, J. W. Crane, C. S. Lester, G. L. Ames.
Ballston — G. G. Scott, N. Gilmour.
Charlton — W. B. Consalus, F. D. Curtis.
Clifton Park — J. Peck, H. Parker.
Corinth — E. Edwards, N. M. Houghton.
Day — I. W. Guiles, E. Darling.
Edinburgh — I. Noyes, jr., S. H. Torrey.
Galway — Dr. Preston, I. Brockett.
Hadley — C. Rockwell, A, Palmer.
Half moon — H. S. Sheldon, E. D. Ellsworth, C. Clute.
Malta — Capt. Rogers, J. Tripp.
Milton — G. West, C. B. Kilmer, H. Knickerbacker.
Moreau — J, W. Shurter, W. A. Sherman.
Northumberland — A. B. Baucus, A. L. Finne, W. Tice, D.
H. Deyoe, H. Thompson.
Providence — W. B. Clark, P. Mead.
Stillwater — G. W. Neilson, G. A. Ensign, L. Van Demark.
Waterford— J. B. Enos, D. T. Lamb,
Wiltoyi — B. B, Grippen, C. Boyce.
Washington County.
Greenwich — R, W. Lober, S. L. Stillman, E. Andrews.
Easton — J. A. Van Schaick, I. Burton, E. W. Hollister.
Fort Edward — J. E. King, S. McKean, A. D. Waite.
Sandy Hill — J. Dwyer, A. L. Allen.
Fort Ann — J. Hall.
Whitehall— W. A. Welkins, W. H. Tefft.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. ^7
GranviUe — R. C. Betts.
Argyle — A. Barkley, H. Dodd.
Hartford — M. J. Ingalsbee, J. M. Noethup.
Salem — J. Gibson, jr., S. W. Russell.
Cartibridge — J. S. Smart, H. Gordon.
Warren County.
Gull's Falls — T. S. Coolidge, W. W. Rockwell, I. Mott,
H. M. Harris, N. Cole, M. B. Little, John Keenan, L. G.
McDonald, Augustus Sherman, Jerry Finch,
Luzerne — B. C. Butler.
Rensselaer County.
Schaghticoke — J. A. Quackenbush, J. Knickerbackkr.
Troy — J. M. Francis, A. G. Johnson, J. B. Parmenter, E.
L. FURSMAN, M. I. TOWNSEND, MaYOR MuRPHY, I. McCONIHE,
J. J. FiLKINS.
Albany County.
Alba7iy — Mayor Banks, J. W. Smith, C. E. Smith, A. A.
Keyes, L. Thompson.
Cohoes — C. H. Adams, D. J. Johnson.
Schenectady County.
C. Sanford, Ex-Mayor Hunter.
Montgomery County.
C. B. WiNEGAR, A, W. Kline, F. Fish.
Clinton County.
S. M. Weed.
SECRETARIES:
W. L. Stone, Secretary Monument Association New York,
E. W. B, Canning, Cor. Sec. Saratoga Monument Ass'n.
D. F. Ritchie, A. S. Pease, E. J. Huling, Saratoga Springs.
H. L. Grose, W. S. Waterbury, Ballston Spa.
R. L. Palmateer, Waterford.
H. C, Morhouse, Greenwich.
28 Centennial Celebration of
H. D. Morris, Salem.
H, T. Blanciiard, Fort Edward.
J. L. McArthur, Granville.
J. H. CusHMAN, Bennington.
GRAND MARSHAL.
Gen. W. B. French, Saratoga Springs.
ASSISTANT MARSHALS:
Saratoga Springs — Capt. B. F. Judson. Col. F. R. Andes,
Maj. W. J. RiGGS, Surgeon Wm. H. Hall, Col. Hiram
RoDGERS, Col. B. C. Butler, Col. Wm. Q. Barrett, Capt.
A. A. Patterson, J. W. Lester, R. A. Heminway, Capt. W.
W. WoRDEN, Capt. James M. Andrews, jr., Hiram Owen,
Maj. E. T. Brackett, Capt. E. P. Howe, Ebenezer Holmes,
Capt. P. F. Allen, Samuel F. Corey.
Ballston Sjm — Col. C. T. Peck, Capt. W. W. French.
Stillwater — Capt. L. Van Demark, Capt. Thomas.
Greenwich — Dr. Gray,
Schuylerville — Capt. George Robinson, D. S. Potter, A.
Welch, J, S. Dillinbeck, C. H. McNaughton, S. McCreedy,
P. S. Wheeler, Dr. N. C. Harris, Lieutenants Dillinbeck,
Fletcher, Pennock.
Albany — Gen. Dickerman.
Troy — Gen. Carr.
Sandy Hill — Gen. Charles Hughes.
Vjuzerne — Col. B. C. Butler.
COMMITTEES:
Reception — N. C. Harris, N. J. Seelye, O. Brisbin, F. Gow,
H. A. McRea.
Music — C. M. Dennis, S. R. Lawrence, J. T. Smith, J. O.
Hannum.
Finance — S. Sheldon, G. F. Watson, W. H. Smith, A. M.
Greene, H. C. Holmes, S. Thorn, S. F. Brott, J. Billings,
JR., J. R. Deyoe.
Entertainment — E. Doolittle, J. H. DeRidder, R. N.
Atwell, C. E. Ingerson, E. C. Bullard, M. B. Grippen.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 29
Transportation — J. H, Dillingham, T. Toohey, G. H. Ben-
nett, C. E, Washburn.
Decoration — G. P. Laing, R. W. Rice, I. Whitman, F.
McNa-ughton, B. J. Bristol.
Military — D. S. Potter, A. Welch, J. S. Dillinbeck, C.
H. McNaughton, S. McCreedy, P. S, Wheeler.
Grounds and battlefield arrangements — W. P. Ostrander,
W. P. Finch, H. Marshall, S. Winney, D. Craw.
Auditing — D. Dean, R, Sutfin, T. Sweet.
Printing — R. Minxsay, jr., Chas. F, Paul, C. H. At well,
E. M, Carhart.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
National salute at sunrise by Battery B, Captain A. H. Green.
The procession will be formed on Schuyler Square, 11:30 a. m.,
in the following order :
FIRST DIVISION.
Platoon of Police ; Gen. W. B. French, chief marshal ; chief
marshal's staff, Capt. B. F. Judson, Col. F. R Andes, Maj.
W. J. Riggs, Surgeon Wm. H. Hall, Col. Hiram Rodgers,
Col. B. C. Butler, Col. Wm. Q. Barrett, Capt. A. A. Patter-
son, J. W. Lester, R. A. Heminway, Capt. W. W. Worden,
Capt. James M. Andrews, Jr., Hiram Owen, Maj. E. T. Brack-
ett, Capt. E. P. Howe, Ebenezer Holmes, Capt. P. F. Allen,
S. F, Corey, Saratoga Springs ; Col. C. T. Peck, Capt. W.
W. French, Ballston Spa. ; Capt. L. Van Demark, Stillwater ;
Capt. Geo, Robinson, Capt. Thomas, Dr. Gray, D. S. Potter,
A. Welch, J. S. Dillenbeck, C. H. McNaughton, S. McCreedy,
P. S. Wheeler, Dr. N. C. Harris, Lieutenants Dillenbeck,
Fletcher, Pennock, Schuylerville ; Doring's Band of Troy ;
Co. F's Drum Corps ; Co. F, Tenth regiment, Capt. George
D. Weidnian commanding, of Albany ; Co. I's drum corps ;
Co. I, Twenty-fifth regiment, Capt. Walker commanding, of
Albany ; First Company Governor's Foot Guards of Hart-
ford, Conn., in old English uniform worn in the reign of
George HI ; W. H. Talcott, Maj. Com. Battalion ; Colt's
5
30 Cenntennial Celebration of
Bund, Hartford, Conn., Thos. G. Adkins, leader ; Capt. A.
II. Wiley Corn, first comjjany ; Lieut. R. D. Burdick Com.
second company ; Lieut. S. E. Hascall Com. third company ;
Lieut. W. E. Eaton Com. fourth company ; Park Guards
Band ; Park Guards of Bennington, Vt., Capt. O. N. Wilcox,
commander ; Hughes Light Guards of Glen's Falls, Capt.
Gleesettle, commanding ; Whitehall Band ; Burleigh Corps,
Capt. Tho's Hall, commanding, Whitehall Band.
SECOND DIVISION.
Sir Townsend Fonda, R. E. Grand Commander ; Sir Chas. H.
Holden, V. D. Grand Commander : Sir Knight, B. F. Judson ;
Ballston Spa Cornet Band ; Washington Commandery of
Saratoga Springs ; Seventy-seventh Regiment Band, Saratoga
Springs ; Apollo Commandery of Troy ; Temple Command-
ery No. 2, of Albany ; Scheuectady Band ; St. George's
Commandery, No. 37, Schenectady, N. Y. ; De Soto Com-
mandery No. 49, of Plattsburgh ; Schuylerville Band ; Holy
Cross Commandery, Gloversville, N. Y. ; Lafayette Com-
mandery, Hudson, N. Y. ; Little Falls Commandery, Little
Falls, N. Y. ; Killington Commandery, Rutland, Vt.; Tefft
Commandery, Bennington, Yt. ; Master Masons ; Ashler Lodge,
No. 584, Greenwich, N. Y. ; Montgomery Lodge, No. 504,
Stillwater, N. Y.; Schuyler Lodge, No. 676, Schuylerville, N.
Y. ; Rising Sun Lodge, No. 103, Saratoga Springs, N. Y, ;
Fort Edward Lodge, No. 267, Fort Edward, N. Y.; Home
Lodge, No. 398, Northumberland, N. Y.; Grand Master of
Master Masons of the state of New York, M. W. J. J. Couch ;
Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
THIRD DIVISION.
Capt. W. W. Worden, assistant marshal, commanding ; New
York State officials ; Presidents of the day ; orators ; poets ;
speakers ; clergy and chaplain in carriages ; Bemis Heights
Centennial committee ; the Saratoga Monument xissociatiou ;
descendants of Revolutionary soldiers ; invited guests ; Con-
tinental Cavalry, from Saratoga, Major Fassett, commanding ;
his excellency. Governor Robinson, represented in the persons
of General J. B. Stonehouse and General A. H. Taylor.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 31
ROUTE OF MARCH.
Gates avenue to Grove street ; Grove to Pearl ; Pearl to Bur-
goyne ; Burgoyne to Broad ; Broad to Spring ; Spring to
Church ; Church to Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Pearl ; Pearl
to Saratoga ; Saratoga to Green ; Green to Burgoyne ; Bur-
goyne to Monument grounds, where a hollow square will be
formed by the military outside the Knight Templars, and the
corner stone of the Monument laid by M. W. J. J. Couch,
Grand Master, and R. W. Edmond L. Judson, Deputy Grand
Master Masojis of the state of New York. After which
ceremony the procession will march down Burgoyne to Pearl ;
Pearl to Grove, thence to Schuyler square, where the follow-
ing exercises will take place at the
First Grand Stand.
Music, Boring'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.
Second Grand Stand.
Music, Colt's Army Band, Hartford, Conn.
Prayer, Rev, J. E. King, of Fort Edward, N". Y., Chaplain.
Music.
Introductory address, Hon, Geo, W, Schuyler, Pres, of the Day.
32 Centennial Celebration of
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. Yates and H. L. Gladding.
Ode by Gen. J. Watts DePeyster,
Read by Rev. D. K. Van Doren.
The Star Spangled Banner, arranged for the anniversary of
Burgoyne's surrender by Col. B. C. Butler,
Read by William L. Stone.
Letters from Benson J. Lossing, Mrs. Ellen H. Walavorth,
Giles B. Slocum and Stephen D. Kirk, of Charleston, S. C,
Read by Col. D. F. RiTCHii:.
Short addresses, by Hon. Algernon S. Sullivan and E. L.
Fursman.
GRAND BANQUET.
Brilliant Military spectacle representing the surrender of
Burgoyne's army.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 33
CEREMONIES AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER
STONE OF THE SARATOGA MONUMENT
BY THE
Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Wm. L. Stone to .J. J. Couch, Grand Master of State of New YoRtf.
New York City, Sept. 7,1877.
J. J. Couch, G. M. State of N. Y. :
My Dear Sir: The citizens of Scbujierville, N. Y., have requested
the Saratoga Monument Association to invite the Grand Master and
Grand Lodge of the State of New York, to lay the corner stone of the
Saratoga Monument, to commemorate the surrender of General Burgoyne,
on the 17th of Oct. next.
I need not say, sir, in being the instrument of conveying this invitation,
how much pleasure it would give the Saratoga Monument Association to
have this invitation accepted; and if you could make it convenient, your-
self, to attend and perform this august ceremony, it would, doubtless,
gratify not only the masons in the immediate vicinity, but the fraternity
throughout the United States.
Washington, who, through ^c\\ny\Gr,])^(inned the campaign, xuhich won
the battle of Saratoga, was a mason ; and, therefore, aside from the respect
which we pay to living masons, we pay — and you, sir, pay in this also —
homage to the memory of one of its greatest and most revered members.
No expense, permit me to add, will be suffered to be incurred by the
Grand Lodge while our guests. Hoping for a favorable reply, I remain
respectfully yours,
William L. Stone,
Sec^y Saratoga Monument Association.
J. J. Coucn to Wm. L. Stone.
New York, Sept. 14, 1877.
Wm. L. Stone, Esq., Secretary of the Saratoga Monument Association :
My Dear Sir: I have received your letter of invitation, conveying
the wish of the good people of Schuylerville and your associates, that the
corner stone of the Saratoga Monument should be laid by the Grand
34 Centennial Celebration of
Master of Masons in the State of New York; and tliat this service should
be performed on the ITtli of October ;»'oa;, in connection with the celebra-
tion of the centennial of Burgoyne's Surrender.
Your cordial invitation is cheerfully accepted; and, in company with
the ofliccrs of the Grand Lodge of New York, I will attend at the ap-
])ointetl time and place, prepared to perform the ceremony of laying the
corner stone in" ample form " according to the time-honored usage of our
fraternity. Right worshipful John C. Boak, Grand Marshal, will take
charge of the preliminary arrangements on the part of the Grand Lodge.
Address No. 8, Fourth avenue. New York City.
Very respectfully yours,
J. J. Couch,
Grand Master.
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE.
The ceremony of i)lacing the corner stone into its position was con-
ducted by M. \V. J. J. Couch, Grand Master of Masons of the state of
New York. He first recited the invitation to the Grand Lodge to per-
form the cereinonj', and then called up the Grand Lodge' bv saying:
" Tlie first duty ot masons in any undertaking is to invoke the blessing
of the Great Architect upon their work. Let us pray."
Invocation by the Grand Chaplain.
Thou Supreme Architect. Thou Master builder of the universe. Thou
who hast made all things by the word of Thy power. Thou who hast
formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting Thou art
God. Thou art He whom we worship and adore, and in whom we are
taught to put our trust, and whcjse blessing we seek in every undertaking
in life and in all the work of our hands. Thou, O God, hast blessed the
fraternit}' before thee, and prospered them in numbers, in strength and
in influence, so that we are here assembled as Thy servants and as mem-
bers of the ancient and honorable craft to begin the erection of a monu-
ment which we devoutly trust shall stand as a monument tor future gene-
rations to the praise and glory of Thy name. Grant Thy blessing, O
Lord God, upon this enterprise, that It may be carried to successful com-
pletion, and may answer tiie end for which it was designed. That each
of us may so adorn our minds and hearts with grace that we may befitted
as living stones for that spiritual buililing, that house not made with hands ;
eternal in the heavens; and unto Thy holy and ever blessed name will
we ascribe honor and praise, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
The Grand Master then said : "The Grand Treasiu'er will now place in
'The Grand Lodge was made up of ]\r. W. Joseph J. Couch, Grand Master, R. W.
Edraond L. Judsoii, Dt;puty Grand Master ; M.W. James Gibson, Senior Grand Warden ;
R. W. Benjamin Fla.'lcr. Junior Grand Warden; R. W. Gregory Salterlee, Grand Treas-
nrer; William T. WoodrnfT, Grand Secretary; R. W. and Rev. John G. Webster, Grand
Chaplain ; R. W. John C. Boak, Grand Marshal; R. W. William E. Fitch, Grand Stand-
ard Bearer: R. W. Edwin Gates, Grand Sword Bearer; R. W. Albert Parker. Grand
Steward ; 1{. W. William Scott, Grand Slewar,! ; R. W. Anthony Yeoman, Grand Steward;
R. W. John G. Bar:;er. Grand Steward ; R. W. Stephen L. Stillman, Senior Grand Dea-
con; R.W.John M. Riley, Junior Grand Deacon; R. W. John A. De Reuier, Graud
Purauivant, and R. W. John Hoolc,'Grand Tiler.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 35
the corner stone articles prepared for the purpose," which was done. The
Grand Master then said: "The Grand Secretary will read a list of the
articles so deposited."
List of Articles Deposited in the Cokiser Stone of the Saratoga
Monument, Oct. 17th, 1877.
A history of the Saratoga Monument Association by its secretary, Wm.
L. Stone.
A copy of the Bible translated out of the original, presented by the
Saratoga count}^ Bible society.
Burgoyne's Campaign and St. Leger's Expedition by Wm. L. Stone.
A copy of Mrs. Willard's history, and an American flag, presented by
R. N. Atwell.
Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth's Visitors Guide: Saratoga, the Battle and
Battle-grounds.
Gen. Schuyler and the Burgoyne Campaign of 1777 — the annual ad-
dress delivered by Gen. John Watts DePeyster, before the New York
Historical Society, Jan. 1877.
Saratoga County, an historical address by Geo. G. Scott, and a centen-
nial address bj^ J. L. L'Amoreaux.
Saratoga and Kay-ad-ros-se-ra, a centennial address bj'- N. B. Sylvester.
The Burgoyne Campaign ; an address delivered on the battle field on
the one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Bemis's Heights, Sept.
19th, 1877, by John xVustin Stevens.
History of Saratoga and the Burgoyne Campaign of 1777 ; an address
by Gen. Edward F. Bullard.
An address to the American people in behalf of a monument, to be
erected in commemoration of the victory of the American army at Sara-
toga, under Gens. Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, Oct. 17th, 1777, by J. C.
Markham.
Leading industrial pursuits of Glen's Falls, Sandy Hill and Fort Ed-
ward, by J. S. Buckley.
A silver half dollar coin of George IH, dated 1777, and one of the Uni-
ted States, dated 1877, deposited by Alanson Welch, president of the
village.
Memorial of the opening of the New York and Canada railway, pre-
.onted by Edward F. Bullard.
Song, commemorative of the surrender of Burgoyne, arranged by Col.
B. C. Butler of Luzerne.
Annual report of the canal commissioners of the state of New York.
Records of Schuyler Lodge, No. 176, F. and A. M., and Home Chapter,
No. 176, R. A. M.
A photograph of the monument from the architect's drawing.
The cards of John and Samuel Mathews, and E. F. Simmons, the
operative masons who built the foundation, base and corner stone of the
monument.
36 Centennial Celebration of
The architects' statement of the progress of the work of building the
foundation, base and corner stone. D. A. Bullard in charge.
Prospectus of the Bennington Battle Monument Association ; forthcom-
ing volume on the Bennington centennial of the week of the 16th of
August, 1877.
A pamphlet containing a statement of the Bennington Historical So-
ciety, and an account of the battle of Bennington, by ex-Gov. Hiland
Hall, published in March, 1877.
The Standard (daily) of Schuylerville ; The Saratoga County
Standard (weekly), Schuylerville ; copy of the Troy Daily Press, Troy;
Daily Times, Troy ; Daily Whig, Troy; Northern Budget, Troy; Troy
Observer, Sunday Trojan; Daily Saratogian, Saratoga Sun ; Argus, Press,
Express, Journal, Times, and Post, of Albany; Herald, Times, Tribune,
Sun, World and Express, of New York city.
The grand master then spread the cement upon the stone.
Music by the band and the stone was lowered to its place.
The grand master then seating the lodge proceeded as follows:
G. M. — Brother D. G. M. what is the jewel of your otKce?
D. G. M. — The square.
G. M. — What does it teach ?
D. G. M. — To square our action by the square of virtue, and by it we
prove our work.
G. M. — Apply your jewel to this corner stone and make report.
(Done.)
D. G. M. — The stone is square, the craftsmen have done their duty.
G. M. — Brother S. G. W., what is the jewel of your office ?
S. G. W. — The level.
G. M. — What does it teach ?
S. G. W. — The equality of all men, and bj'itwe prove our work.
G. M. — Apply your jewel to this corner stone and make report.
(Done.)
S. G. W. — The stone is level, the craftsmen have done their duty.
G. M. — Brother J. G. W., what is the jewel of your office ?
J. G. W. — The plumb.
G. M. — What does it teach ?
J. G. W. — To walk upright before God and man, and by it we prove
our work.
G. M. — Apply your jewel to this corner stone and make report.
(Done.)
J. G. W. — The stone is plumb, the craftsmen have done their duly.
The senior and grand deacons advanced to the stone bearing trowel
and gavel. The grand master, preceded by the grand marshal, ad-
vanced to the stone, took the trowel and spread cement, then took the
gavel and struck three blows on the stone, retired to his station and said :
I, John J. Couch, grand master of the masons of the state of New York,
declare this stone to be plumb, level and square, to be well formed, true
and trusty, and duly laid.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 37
The grand stewards proceeded to the stone, followed by D. G. M., S.
G. W., bearing the corn, wine and oil.
The D. G. M., scattering the corn, said:
May the blessing of the Great Architect of the universe rest upon the
people of this state and the corn of nourishment abound in our land.
The S. G. W., pouring the wine, said :
May tlie Great Architect of tlie universe watch over and protect the
workmen upon this monument and bless them and our laud with the
heavenly wine of refreshment and peace.
The J. G. W., pouring the oil, said :
May the Great Arcliitect of tiie universe bless our land with union, har-
mony and love, the oil which maketh man be of joyful countenance.
The grand marshal presented the architect, saying :
I present the architect of this monument. He is ready with craftsmen
for the work and asked the tools for his task.
The grand master handed him the plumb, level and square, and directed
him to proceed with his work.
The grand master then said :
Men and brethren, we have assembled here to-day as regular masons,
bound by solemn engagements to be good citizens, faithful to the breth-
ren, and to fear God. We have commenced the erection of a monument
which we pray, may be a memorial for ages to come. May wisdom,
strength and beauty abound, and the fame and usefulness of our ancient
and honorable institution be greatly promoted.
Benediction.
The grand marshal then made the following proclamation :
In the name of the most worshipful grand lodge of free and accepted
masons of the state of New York, I proclaim that the corner stone of this
monument has this day been fouud square, level and plumb, true and
trusty, and laid according to the old custom by the grand master of
masons.
The grand master, thereupon turning to the audience, made the follow-
ing address :
Address of Grand Master, J. J. Couch.
We are standing upon historic ground ; as citizens we join in commem-
orating the events of one hundred years ago. As masons we brino- to tlie
piesent undertaking the symbol and traditions of antiquity far more re-
mote. The story of the campaign which gives special interest to the day
will be recited by eloquent orators who are present with us. It is my
office to say a word with reference to the masonic work this day per-
formed. We hold to this truth, that the controlling and characteristic
thoughts of a people crystallize and take permanent form in their archi-
tecture. That is alike true of the past and the present ; we know not how
hmg the material may have been in solution, or for how many generations
the process of crystallization may have proceeded among the ancient
Egj'ptians. That process, is however, clearly brought down to us in the
6
38 Centennial Celebration op
pyramids, the obelisks, the sphinx ; the square massive portals surmounted
by winged globes, all speaking the pi-edominant characteristic of mystery,
which has come down to us from that people. In Greece the same pro-
cess of crystallization is found with its nucleus at the Acropolis at Athens,
and the result of that process comes down to us in the single word —
classic art. Passing on to Italy, we find the same .process again taking the
form of empire. The storj^ of the feudal ages is plainly written in the
ruins of the castles along the banks of the Rhine. The early architecture
of England also tells its own slory. In sacred story we have an account
of a pilgrimage, the thread of which commences with the mysteries of
Egypt and running through the Red sea and the wilderness, reaches to
Jerusalem, where the pilgrims builded the temple. From here we have
the story of another movement, commencing with the apostles, taking in
its way something from the philosophy of Alexandria, something of the
classic art of Greece, and gathering to itself also the power of the Roman
empire.
This movement received its characteristic architectural illustration in
the swelling dome of St. Peters, and in the magnificent Gothic architecture
which spread over Europe. These various forms were the landmarks
which permanently fixed the ideas of different peoples and ages.
Crossing to this country the process of crystallization is still going on.
The interest of to-day centres upon the closing events of a campaign
memorable in our nation's history. In laying the corner stone we essay
to make permanent the record of these events. The thousands of people
here assembled will separate never to meet again ; the orators of the oc-
casion and their orations will after a time pass from the public mind.
The one permanent fact which shall remain to recall the tradition asso-
ciated with tills spot will be the monument this day commenced.'
The exercises were then brought to an end by the benediction.
EXERCISES AT THE SOUTH STAND, HON. CHARLES
S. LESTER PRESIDING.
Prayer by the Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D.D., of Albany, N. Y.
Almighty and everlasting Father, we adore Thee as the Sovereign of
the universe and the fountain of every blessing. We rejoice in Thee
as our Creator, Preserver and bountiful Benefactor ; and that in Thee we
live, move and have our being. May we to-day be sensible of Thy pre-
sence, feel the influence of Thy divine love, be inspired by Divine wisdom
and be led to consecrate our whole being with all we have, to Thy service.
We render thanks to Thee, that Thou didst guide' our fathers to the
shores of this continent, and pi'olect them and their families amid the
hardships of the wilderness, and the hostility of savage tribes ; and that
under Thy providential direction and goodness they were enabled to lay
broad and deep the foundations of the American republic.
'The gavel used by the grand master on this occasion was made from woad of the his-
toric charter oak, and is the property of Manhattan Lodge, No. 62, of New York city.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 39
We bless Thee for the unity of spirit and patriotic order that pervaded
their councils ; and for the wisdom, bravery and noble enthusiasm that
inspired the authors of the Declaration of the Independence of these Uni-
ted States. We thank Thee for the self-sacrificina; devotion, the heroic
fortitude and courage of tlie officers and soldiers who were enabled to
make this Declaration a living fact, attracting the attention of the world,
and the admiration and gratitude of the friends of human rights and civil
liberty. Especially would we acknowledge Thy divine interposition and
goodness in the achievements gained for the American cause on this spot
where we are permitted on this beautiful day, with these assembled th<iu-
sands, to gather to commemorate the victories of the past, that shed such
lustre upon our military forces, inspired our people with fresh hopes, and
so largely contributed to the final success of our army.
To Thee we owe our fervent gratitude, for the establishment of the
American republic with its free institutions, its system of popular educa-
tion, its just laws, and pure religious faith. Through Thy goodness and
watchful care we have enjoj^ed a cenlhry of rapid development, and great
prosperity in commerce, agriculture, art ; and in all the means that con-
tribute to the happiness of the people, and the stability and growth of the
nation. We thank Thee for peace at home, and respect abroad, and we
fervently pray that in the future, as in the past, our flag may represent, in
all seas, islands and continents the rights of man, and the blessings of
freedom.
Vouchsafe to us the continuance of Thy parental care, and Divine pro-
tection, and guidance. Bless all the efforts made to extend the principles
i^four holy religion, and to educate the people to reverence Thy word,
and accept it as a lamp to their feet, and a light to their path. Stay the
progress of infidelity, Sabbath breaking, intemperance, licentiousness,
fraud, and every evil that weakens the republic, and perils its existence.
Bless Thy servant, the President of these United States, and all associ-
ated with him in authority. Attend with success his efforts to promote
unity, purify the government, and revive business throughout the whole
land. Give wisdom to our senators and representatives, integrity lo our
judges, ability and discretion to our foreign ministers, and a pure and
lofty patriotism to all who occupy positions of power, honor or trust.
Bless Thy servant, the Governor of this State, and the members of the
Senate and Assembly. May such laws be enacted, and such measures
recommended and adopted as shall be for the best interests of this com-
monwealth, and the honor of Thy holy name.
Graciously preside over the deliberations of this interesting occasion.
Aid Thy servants who shall address us. Endue them richly with the
spirit of hunuinity,* patriotism, religion; and may their words fire the
hearts of the vast multitude before them with fresh gratitude and ardent
thanksgiving to Thee, and with new resolution and zeal to maintain our
national life and prosperity, and to transmit unimpaired to future genera-
tions the precious inheritance bequeathed to us by our fathers.
Bestow upon each individual here the richest of spiritual gifts. Help
us to love, honor and serve Thee. May we have strong faith in thy be-
40 Centennial Celebration of
loved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and grant to us the hope of a glorious
immortality.
And to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost we will give the praise
forever. Amen.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS OF HON. CHARLES S.
LESTER, PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
Citizens of Saratoga, and Fellow Citizens of our great Ameri-
can Republic :
It has been the custom among all nations which have attained
to any degree of civilization to commemorate with appropriate
ceremonies the returning anniversaries of those events in their
histories which have been productive of great results. It has
been the custom too, upon such occasions, to pay a fitting
tribute to those whose valor and wisdom have benefitted the peo-
ple and brought advantage to the state and to contemplate their
achievements with gratitude and hold up their example to
succeeding generations as worthy of imitation.
In pursuance of such a custom and in grateful remembrance
of the heroes who successfully resisted the army of the invaders
upon the heights of Saratoga, we have come together to cele-
brate the centennial anniversary of that great event in our his-
tory which made it possible for us to assemble here to-day as
free citizens of a free republic.
It was on the 13th of September, a hundred years ago, in full
view of the place where we now stand, near where the beautiful
Battenkill joins the majestic Hudson, that a proud army, under
the leadership of a brave general who had won distinction on
many a European battlefield, crossed the river to carry out the
mandate of a cruel and arbitrary king, and to crush, if possible,
the infant colonies which were struggling for independence.
This army, carefully equipped and furnished in abundance
with all the munitions of war, was intended to split like a di-
viding wedge the patriots of Vermont, New Hampshire and
Massachusetts from their brethren in the central and southern
colonies. It was intended to deprive them of mutual assistance
and advice, and cut off all communication with each other. It
was intended to effect a junction with the forces of Sir Henry
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 41
Clinton at Albany, and form an array which might move with
irresistible effect upon the New England provinces which had of-
fered the first opposition to the British crown and had evinced
a stern determination to maintain to the bitter end the bold and
noble principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence.
This army, full of confidence in its ability to overcome every
obstacle, full of contempt for the undisciplined militia that the
colonies had sent to the field, felt as it crossed the Hudson, that
the important mission with which it had been intrusted was
well nigh accomplished, and vainly deemed its own prowess
irresistible.
" Ah," said the proud Burgoyne, " Britons never retreat,"
and after the passage of the army, he caused the bridge of
boats to be broken up behind him. " Britons never retreat, and
I shall eat my Christmas dinner in Albany," said the exultant
general, as he reviewed the splendid columns of the Brunswick
grenadiers and British light infantry. And as he marched on
he dreamed that Albany was already a captured city ; that the
rebellious provinces had been subdued, and that he had received
from a grateful sovereign the reward he so much coveted.
But this splendid army, led by oflicers of conspicuous courage
and experience, was destined to meet a foe inspired by a feeling
loftier than the mere love of victory and a determination deeper
than the mere desire for renown.
It was in defense of their homes, in defense of their liberties,
in defense of their families from the savage allies of Burgoyne
and the still more cruel arts of domestic traitors, in defense of
those noble principles of human rights and human liberty that
animated the signers of that immortal declaration not then two
years old, that the Americans from every settlement, from
every hillside, from every valley, from the log hut of tlie pioneer
and from beautiful mansions like Schuyler's, flocked to the
standard of Gates to aid in repelling the invader.
It is not my province to detail to you those events which
have become doubly familiar to you all in this centennial year.
You know what happened at Berais's Heights, and of those
victories the glorious fruits were gathered and this spot couse-
42 Centennial Celebration of
crated to freedom and rendered immortal by the complete sur-
render of tlie invading army a hundred years ago to-day.
Our elevated social and political condition is the manifest re-
sult of that conquest and I do not think it is mere national
pride that induces us to claim that among the many moment-
ous contests of the world's history none were productive of
grander results or greater changes in nations and empires than
the campaign that closed here a hundred years ago. England
and France were powerful nations then, and had been hundreds
of years. Their histories stretch back through centuries of
growth, of progress, of varying prosperity and power, and of
all the powerful nations that existed a century ago, they alone
have maintained their leading position.
The deep importance of that event of which this is the anni-
versary, will more i)lainly appear when we remember that the
struggling infant which was on that day baptized down by the
banks of this our national Jordan, is to-day the acknowledged
equal in arts, in power and civilization of those ancient empires.
My friends, fifty years ago to-day a smaller company than
that assembled here was gathered down on the plain by the
river where the ruins of Fort Hardy were then plainly discern-
ible, and where the army of Burgoyne laid down their arras, to
celebrate as we are celebrating here to- day the same glorious
event. And among the company which was gathered then,
there were white-haired men who had fought under General
Gates — men who had, from the heights beyond the river,
watched the moving columns of Burgoyne — who had seen
Morgan at the head of his riflemen, and Lincoln at the head of
his brigade — who had known and loved the noble Schuyler,
who once owned the broad fields where you now stand — who had
lain in the entrenchments which ran along where yonder corner
stone has been laid ; and men who had modestly stood in line
while the captured British army marched by after the sur-
render.
They were gathered to rejoice in the success of the struggle
in which they bore a part ; to rejoice in the splendid sunshine
of national prosperity which had followed the termination of
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 43
that struggle, and to receive the grateful thanks of the genera-
tion which had sprung up to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
Fifty years have gone since then and all of that little band
have passed away. Not a soldier is left who stood in the ranks
on those memorable days, not a living witness remains of those
interesting scenes.
Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore
Who danced our infancy upon their linee
And told our marvelling hoyhood legends store
Of their strange ventures happ'd on land and sea.
How are they hlotted from the things that be !
So completely has that generation passed away that I believe
there is here to-day but one man who can remember to have
seen and conversed with Philip Schuyler. He is with us as a
connecting link between the present and the past.
The services of to-day give promise that soon a monument,
too long delayed, shall rise from yonder foundation bearing
suitable inscriptions to the worth and valor of those heroes.
But of those men there i-emains an unwritten memorial in
the heart of every true American. Theirs is the renown that
never grows old, but shall be everlastingly recorded with each
returning anniversary of this glorious day.
It will be our privilege to-day to listen to the fascinating
story of the events to which I have barely alluded, from the
lips of eloquent gentlemen who are here to address you.
From the enjoyment of their eloquence I will no longer de-
tain you, but join with you in listening with never flagging in-
terest to the recital of those stirring events.
ADDRESS OF HON. HORATIO SEYMOUR.
4
One hundred years ago, on this spot, American Independence
was made a great fact in the history of nations. Until the sur-
render of the British army under Burgoyne, the Declaration of
Independence was but a declaration. It was a patriotic purpose
asserted in bold words by brave men, who pledged for its main-
tenance their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. But
here it was made a fact, by virtue of armed force. It had been
regarded by the world merely as an act of defiance, but it was
now seen that it contained the germs of a government, which
44 Centennial Celebration of
the event we celebrate made one of the powers of the earth.
Here rebellion was made revolution. Upon this ground, that
which had in the eye of the law been treason, became triumphant
patriotism.
At the break of day one hundred years ago, in the judgment
of the world, our fathers were rebels against established autho-
rity. When the echoes of the evening gun died away along
this valley, they were patriots who had rescued their country
from wrong and outrage. Until the surrender of the British
army in this valley, no nation would recognize the agents of the
continental congress. All intercourse with them was in stealthy
ways. But they were met with open congratulations when the
monarchs of Europe learned that the royal standards of Britain
had been lowered to onr flag. We had passed through the bap-
tism of blood, and had gained a name among the nations of the
earth.
The value of this surrender was increased by the boastful and
dramatic display which had been made of British power. It
had arrayed its disciplined armies ; it had sent its fleets ; it had
called forth its savage allies, all of which were to move upon
grand converging lines, not only to crush out the patriotic
forces, but to impress Europe with its strength, and to check
any alliances with the American government. It made them
witnesses of its defeat when it thought to make them the judges
of its triumph. The monarchs of Europe who watched the
progress of the doubtful struggle, who were uncertain if it was
more than a popular disturbance, now saw the action in its full
pro])ortions, and felt tliat a new power had sprung into exist-
ence— anew element had entered into the di})lomacy of the
woi-ld.
The interests excited in our minds by this occasion, are not
liniiU'd to a battle fought, or an aruu' cai)tured ; they reacli
even beyond the fact that it was a turning point of the revolu-
tionary struggle. AVe are led to a consideration of a chain of
events and of enduring aspects of nature, which have shaped
our civilization in tlie ]>ast, and which now and throughout the
future, will influence the foilunes of our country. Burgoyne
did not merely surrender liere an army, he surrendered the con-
TUE Surrender of Burgoyne. 45
trol of a continent. Never in the world's history, was there a
transfer of a territory so vast, and of influences so far reaching,
as that made a century ago where we now stand.
We meet to-day to celebrate the surrender of Burgoyne, by
appropriate ceremonies, and to lay the corner stone of a monu-
ment which will commemorate not only that event, but every
fact which led to that result. The reproach rests upon the
United States, that while they stand in the front ranks of the
powers of the earti), by virtue of their numbers, their vast do-
mains and their progress in wealth and in arts, they give no
proof to the ej^es of the world that they honor their fathers or
those whose sacrifices laid the foundations of their prosperity
and greatness. We hope that a suitable structure here will tell
all who look upon it that this was the scene of an occurrence un-
surpassed in importance in military annals. And it will also
show that a hundred years have not dimmed its lustre in our
eyes, but that the light shed upon its significance by the lapse
of time, has made deeper and stronger our gratitude to those
who here served their country so well, and by their sacrifices
and sufferings, achieved its independence and secured the
liberties, the prosperity and greatness of the American people.
All that throws light upon the scope and policy of the de-
signs of the British government are, on this day, proper topics
for consideration. When we trace out the relationships which
these designs bore to preceding occurrences ; and Avhen we fol-
low down their bearing upon the present and future of our
country, we shall see that a suitable monument here will recall
to all thoughtful miuds the varied history of our country during
the past two centuries. It will do more. For the enduring
causes which have shaped the past, also throw light upon the
future of our government, our civilization and our power.
The occurrences which led to the surrender of the British
army, have been appropriately celebrated. The great gather-
ings of our people at Oriskany, at Bennington and at Bemis's
Heights, show how this centennial of what has been well termed
the year of battles, revives iu the minds of the American peo-
ple an interest in the history of the Revolution. These celebra-
1
46 Centennial Celebration of
tions liave tended to make our people wiser and better. It is
to be hoped that they will be held on every battle field in our
country. They will not only restore the patriotism of our people
but they will teach us the virtues of courage and patient endur-
ance. This is a time of financial distress and of business dis-
order, and we have lost somewhat of our faith with regard to
the future, and we speak in complaining tones of the evils of
our day. But when we read again the history of the war for
our independence ; when we hear the story of the sufferings of
all classes of our citizens ; when we are reminded that our sol-
diers endured from want, and nakedness, and hunger, as no
paupei-, no criminal suffers now ; when we think that the fears
which agitated their minds w^ere not those which merely con-
cerned the pride of success, the mortification of failure, or
the loss of some accustomed comfort, but they were the di-ead
that the march of hostile armies might drive their families from
their homes, might apply the torch to their dwellings, or worse
than this, expose their wives and children to the tomahawks
and scalping knives of merciless savages, we blush at our com-
plaints. In view of their dangers and sufferings, how light
appear the evils of our day.
But there is something more than all this to be gained by
these celebrations. Before the Revolution the people of the
several colonies held but little intercourse. They were estranged
from each other by distance, by sectional prejudices, and by
differences of lineage and religious creeds. The British go-
vernment relied upon these prejudices and estrangements to
prevent a cordial cooperation among the colonists. But when
the war began, when the men of Virginia hastened to Massa-
chusetts to rescue Boston from the hands of the enemy and to
drive them from New England ; when the men of the east and
south battled side l)y side with those from the middle states,
apd stood upon this spot as brothers to receive with a common
pride and joy the standards of a con(]uered foe ; when Green
and Lincoln went to the relief of the southern colonies all pre-
judice not only died away, but more than fraternal love ani-
mated every patriot heart from the bleak northernmost forests
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 47
of New England to the milder airs of Georgia. And now that
a hundred years have passed, and our country has become great
beyond the wildest dreams of our fathers, Avill not the story of
their sufferings revive in the breast of all the love of our coun-
try, of our whole country and all who live within its boundaries?
Men of the east and men of the south, or you who can trace
your lineage back to those who served their country a century
ago upon the soil of New York, we do not welcome you here
PS guests ; you stand here of right, by virtue of a heritage from
our fathers, who on this ground were common actors in the
crowning event of the war waged for the liberties, the glory, and
the prosperity of all sections of our great country.
At this celebration of the grand conclusion of the campaign
of Burgoyne, we have a broader field of discussion than that of
a battle, however stirring it may have been. The occasion calls
not only for praise of heroic courage, not only for a deep in-
terest in every statement showing the influence of its victories
over the judgment of the world as to the strength of our cause,
but also for its importance as one of the links in the chain of
events reaching back more than two centuries, and which will
continue to stretch down into the future far beyond the period
when human thought or conclusions can be of value.
INFLUENCE OF THE TOPOGRAPHY OF OUR COUNTRY.
The speaker and others who have addressed the public with
regard to American history, have made frequent references to
the extent that it has been shaped by the topography of this
part of our country. On this occasion it forces itself upon oi;r
attention, and we must again outline its relationship to events.
We cannot, if we would, separate the design of the campaign
of Burgoyne, nor the military aspects of its progress, from the
character of the valleys through which its forces wei-e moved,
nor from the commanding positions at which it was aimed. Our
mountains and rivers have been the causes of so many of the
great facts in the history of this continent ; they are so closely
identified with its political and social affairs, that they seem to
become sentient actors in Hs events. We are compelled to
48 Centennial Celebration of
speak of their bearings upon tlie course of war, of commerce
and of civilization, to make a clear statement of the scope and
significance of the events we celebrate. This cannot be given
if we speak only of the things which relate to the British inva-
sion of 1777, and of its signal defeat.
Those who would learn the causes which have shaped the
course of military and political affairs on this continent, which
have given victoiy in war and prosperity in peace, must spi^ead
out before them the map of our country. Having traced its
grand system of mountains, rivers and lakes, they will be struck
with the fact that for a thousand miles the Alleghanies make
long ranges of barriers between the Atlantic and the great
plains of the interior. About mid-way of their lengths these
lofty mountains are cut down to their bases by the gorge of the
Hudson, through which the tides of the ocean pour their floods
in triumph. Towering cliffs overshadow the deep waters of
the river. Had but a single spur of those rocky buttresses
which crowd upon either shore been thrown across the narrow
chasm, had but one of the beetling cliffs which stand upon its
brink been pushed but a few feet across its course, the currents
of events would have been changed as coni])letely as the cur-
rents of the floods. The nations who controlled the outlets of
the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence would have been the mas-
ters of this continent. Ko one who has marked the physical
character of our country, and who has studied its history, can
pass through the highlands of the Hudson and note how at
every turn of its stream the cliffs threaten to close its course,
without feeling that the power which made tlie mountain chains
to stop abruptly at its brink, Avas higher than blind chance —
something more than the wild, unreasoning action of convulsed
nature.
The valley of the Hudson does not end Avhen it has led the
ocean tides through the mountain passes. It stretches its
channel northwaixl to the St. Lawrence, and holds within its
deep basin not only the Hudson flowing south, but Lake Cham-
plain, Avhich empties its waters into the ocean far north through
the gulf of St. Lawreuce. It thus not only connects the har-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 49
bor of New York with the basins of the great lakes, but by the
Mohawk branch of the Hudson it has also channeled oiit another
level passage, stretching westward to the plains watered by the
confluents of the Mississippi. These valleys of tlie Hudson and
Mohawk have been the pathways of armies in war and the
routes of commerce in peace. They have been the highways
through which the nations of Europe and the people of the At-
lantic coast have poured their host of emigrants into the vast
regions which stretch out from the Alleghanies to the base of
the Rocky mountains. But nature did not stop in her work
when she gave to the regions in which we meet advantages of
deep valleys, making the easy communication from the sea coast
to the interior of our country. From the outward slopes of
highlands which guard these channels of intercourse, the waters
flow by divei'ging valleys into almost every part of our Union.
These highlands make, in many ways, the most remarkable
watersheds to be found on the face of the earth. There is not
elsewhere an instance where interlocking sources of rivers pur-
sue courses diverging in so many directions, forming so many
extending valleys, and at length find their outlets into the ocean
at points so distant from each other, and from the headwaters
on the ground where they had their common origin. For these
reasons the valleys of the Hudson and the Mohawk, and the
mountain strongholds which command them, have ever been
the great central points of control in the wars of both civilized
and savage races. Once when in company with General Scott,
we overlooked from an elevated point the ground on which we
stand and the confluence of these rivers, and the range of high-
lands which marked their courses, the old warrior with a kind-
ing eye, stretched out his arm and said : " Remember this has
been the great strategic point in all the wars waged for the con-
trol of this continent."
The mountains and valleys of New York not only make
channels for commerce in peace, but a grand system for defence
and attack in war. They are nature's commanding works,
which dwarf by comparison all human monuments of engineer-
ing skill into insignificance. Their influence is most clearly
50 Centennial Celebration of
shown by llie power they gave to the Indian tribes who held
them when Europeans iirst visited our continent. The rivers
which flowed in all directions from their vantage ground on the
liighlands, first taught the Iroquois the advantages of united
action, and led to the formation of thoii- confederacy. Pouring
their combined forces at different times into the valley of the
Delaware, or of the Susquehannah, or the Alleghany, they were
able to subdue in detail the divided tribes living upon these
streams. Thus gaining courage and skill by constant victories,
they boldly pushed their conquest into remote sections of our
country. The British ordnance maps published during the col-
onial period, make the boundaries of their control extend from
the coast line of the Atlantic to the Mississippi liver and from the
great lakes to the centre of the present state of North Carolina.
There is no instance in history where a region so vast has been
conquered by numbers so small. Their alliance with the British
government was one of the grounds on which the latter con-
tested the claims of the French to the interior of our continent,
by virtue of its discoveries on the St. Lawrence and Mississippi.
Thus the victories gained by the Iroquois, through their geo-
graphical position, had a great influence in deciding the ques-
tion, whether the civilization of North America should be French
or English in its aspects, laws and customs.
It is a remarkable fact, that with a view of overcoming the
British power on this continent, nearly a century before the
campaign of Burgoyne, its plan was forecast by Frontenac,
the ablest of the French colonial commanders. He proposed
to move against the colony of New York by the same routes
followed by the British forces in 1777. He was to lead his
army through the valley of Lake Champlain and LTpper Hudson
to Albany. At that point he designed to seize vessels to pass
down the I'iver, and there to act with the French ships of war,
which were to meet him in the harbor of New York. Nothing
can show more clearly the strategic importance of the valley
in wdiich we meet, than the fact that he urged this movement
for the same reasons which led the British king to adopt it
after the lapse of so many years. Frontenac saw that, by gain-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 51
ing control of the course and outlet of the Hudson, the French
would command the gateway into the interior, that they would
divide the British colonies, and New England thus cut off,
would, in the end, fall into the hands of the French. He also
urged that in this way the Iroquois would be detached from
the English alliance.
The influence of the valleys of our country has not been lost
in the wars of our day. " We should have won our cause,"
said Governor Wise, a distinguished leader of the Southern con-
federacy, " had not God made the rivers which spring from the
highlands of New York, to flow from the north to the south,
thus making by their valleys, pathways for armies into all parts
of our territories. Had their courses been in other directions,
their streams would have made barriers against Northern ai-mies
instead of giving avenues by which they could assail us." Nor
have they been less controlling in peace than in war. They
make the great channels of commerce between the east and the
west, and enable us to draw to the seaboard the abundant har-
vest of the valley of the Mississippi, and to send them to the far
off markets of Europe. Numerous and varied as have been the
movement of armies along these watercourses, even they sink
into insignificance compared with the vast multitudes which
have poured through them from Europe and the Atlantic coast
to fill the west with civilized states. Through them we draw
armies of immigrants, prisoners of peace captured from Europe
by the strength of the inducements held out to them by the
material and political advantages of our country.
We are in our day the witnesses of a greater movement of the
human race, both as to numbers and influence upon civilization,
than is recorded in past history. It can tell of no such con-
tinued and great transfer of population from one continent to
another. Unlike other invasions, it does not biing war and ra-
pine, but it bears peaceful arts and civilization into vast regions
heretofore occupied by scanty tribes of warring savages. Fa-
miliar with this great movement, we are prone to look upon it
with some degree of indifference. But through the centuries
to come it will be regarded as one of the greatest events in the
history of mankind.
52 Centennial Celebration of
I have not dwelt upon these hills and valleys merely because
they have been the scenes of the most dramatic and important
events in American annals, but because they have given birth
to these events. I have spoken of them, not because they have
been associated with history, but because they have made his-
tory. They gave to the Iroquois their power ; they directed
the course and determined the result of the war between France
and Britain for domination on this continent. Neither the sur-
render of the British army on these grounds, the causes which
preceded nor the consequences which flowed from it, can be
appreciated until the enduring influences of the great features
of our country are clearly brought into view. Elsewhere rivers
and mountains mark the lines which make enemies of mankind.
Here they form the avenues which bind us together by inter-
course. They give not merely to a country, but almost to our
whole continent, a common language, customs and civilization.
The world has never before seen a social structure with founda-
tions so broad. Time may make many changes, but there will
ever be a unity in the population of North America, a commu-
nity of interests upon a grander scale than has yet been seen
among mankind. He who studies the map of our continent and
doubts this, does not merely lack political faith, but is guilty of
impiety when he closes his eyes to the truths which God has
written by streams and valleys, upon the face of this continent.
It was the design of the British government in the campaign
of IVV? to capture the center and stronghold of this command-
ing system of mountains and valleys. It aimed at its very
heart — the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson. The
fleets, the armies, and the savage allies of Britain were to fol-
low their convei'ging lines to Albany. Its position liad made
that city the place where the governors and agents of the
colonies had been used to meet with reference to their com-
mon interest. Here the agents of the New England and
southern provinces came to consult with the chiefs of the
Iroquois, and to gain their alliance in their wars with the
savages of the west, who threatened the European settle-
ments. In the expressive language of the Indians, Albany was
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 53
called the " Ancient Place of Treaty." It was also the point at
which the military exjDeditions against the French at the north
and west were organized. Even before Benjamin Franklin
brought forward his plan at Albany for colonial union, the idea
of such alliance was constantly suggested by the necessity of
common action in attack or defence against savage or civilized
enemies.
There was much to justify the boastful confidence of the
British that they could thus crush out American resistance.
To feel the full force of this threatened blow, we must foi-get
for a time our present power ; we must see with the eyes of
our fathers, and look at things as they stood a century ago.
The care with which the army of Burgoyne was organized, its
officers and men selected, and its material for an advance and
attack provided, has been made familiar to our people by this
year's addresses. The progress of the British navy up the Hud-
son to a point west of the Alleghany range, its seizure in its
course of Stony Point and Fort Clinton, its success in forcing a
jDassage through the highlands at West Point, the capture and
burning of Kingston, where the British admiral awaited commu-
nication from Burgoyne, have all been clearly narrated on the
pages of history. Had the commander of the expedition gone
to Albany he might have saved the army of Burgoyne. Gene-
ral Gates saw if this had been done he would have been forced
to retreat into New England. But it was not known at the
time how great a peril was averted by an act of negligence in
the British war department. It appears that orders were pre-
pared, but not sent to General Howe, directing him to cooperate
with Burgoyne Avith all his forces. If this had been done, there
is reason to fear the result would have been fatal to our cause.
This is one of those strange occurrences recognized in the lives
of individuals as well as in the affairs of nations, showino- that
there is an over-ruling Providence that watches over both.
The importance of the movement from the west by St.
Leger and his Indian allies is not generally understood by our
people. It was made with confidence of success : and when its
commander wrote to Burgoyne that he would be able to sweep
8
54 Centennial Celebration of
down tlie valley of the Mohawk and })lace himself in the reai*
of the American army, there was much to justify that confi-
dence. The address of Mr. Roberts and others, at the Oi-iskany
celebration, are valuable contributions to the history of St.
Leger's invasion. The Palatines wlio inhabited the valley of
the Mohawk were, by their position, language and usages,
severed from the body of the American colonies. The wise
policy of Sir William Johnson had done much to attach them
to the British crown. To enable them to worship God in ac-
cordance with their own creed and in the faith of that part of
Germany from which they came, aid was given to them for
the erection of churches for' their use. Many of these were
strong stone churches, which were afterwards fortified and used
as places of refuge and defence during the Revolution by the
families of the settlers against the ruthless warfare of savages.
Most of these churches still stand, monuments of the past, and
are now used for the sacred purposes for which they were built.
The heirs and representatives of Sir William were with the
array of St. Leger, and assured him that the dwellers upon the
Mohawk would respond to their appeals, and rise in arms to
uphold the cause of the crown. No stronger proof can be given
that the love of liberty and of democratic principles were en-
gendered and born itpon our soil and not imported in some
latent form in the ships which brought over the first colonists,
than the fact tliat these settlers from the Palatinates of Ger-
many, who had not known of I'epublican usages in tlieir native
land, and who could not, from their position and their language,
receive impressions from the other colonists, had yet, amidst the
trials and perils of border life and warfare, gained the same
political convictions which animated the colonists in all parts
of our country. It was the most j-emarkable fact of the revo-
lutionary war, and of the formation of state and general go-
vernments, that, although the colonists were of different lineages
and languages, living under different climates with varied pur-
suits and forms of labor, cut off from intercourse by distance,
yet, in spite of all these obstacles to accord, they Avere from the
outset animated by common views, feelings and purposes.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 55
When the independence was gained, they were able, after a few
weeks spent in consultation, to form the constitution under
which we have lived for nearly one hundred years. There can
be no stronger proof of the fact that American constitutions
were born and shaped by American necessities. This fact
should give us new faith in the lasting nature of our govern-
ment. In the case of the Palatines of the Mohawk this truth
shines out more clearly than elsewhere. Isolated by language,
lineage and position, the great body of them fought for the
American cause, and showed a sturdy valor from the outset.
They endured more of suffering and danger in its most appall-
ing form, than were felt elsewhere. With the loss of their
language and from the great inflow from other states and coun-
tries into Central New York, many of the incidents and tradi-
tions of the valley of the Mohawk are lost. It is due to them
from the whole country that, as far as possible, its history
should be developed and made familiar to our people. The
most telling blow to the canse of the crown, and to the hopes
of St. Leger, was that the mustering of the men under Hei'-
kimer, their desperate valor in the fight at Oriskany showed
that he was to be met with undying hostility where he had
looked for friends and allies. From that day the hope which
animated him when he promised to aid Burgoyne faded away.
The defeat of St. Leger and their allies was given by Bui--
goyne as one of the great causes of his failure to reach Albany
While the hostile Indians inflicted great evils upon the Ameri
can settlements, their prestige was lessened in the eyes of the
world.
INDIAN ALLIES.
The importance of the Indian alliance with the British during
the Revolution, has been undervalued by most of those who
have written the histories of the Revolution. We look upon
Indian wars as mei-e savage outbursts, which may cause much
misery and suffering, but which threaten no danger to govern-
ments. We are apt to think that the savages were merely
used to divert and distract the American forces. But such
5G Centennial Celebration of
was not the import of their alliance, in the judgment of the
contending parties or of the nations of Europe, who watched
witli interest the course of military events on this continent.
We must bear in mind the estimation in which the Iroquois were
held at the close of the French war. They had done much to
give the victory to the English. At times, the hostility of
these savage confederates would have been fatal to the British
cause. Their position made them conquerors of their kindred
races. Victories inspired them with heroism. Extended con-
quests had taught them much of the policy of government. In
the councils of their confederacy^, orators and statesmen had
been formed. They extorted from their French enemies expres-
sions of admiration and statements of virtues, which we should do
well to imitate in our own day and in our own councils. Golden,
who was familiar with their polity, states that the authority of
their rulers consisted wholly of the estimation in which they
were held for integrity and wisdom, and they were generally
poorer than the rest of the people. He adds, " there is not a
man of the Five Nations who has gained his office otherwise than
by merit." Their enemies, the French, testified in their his-
tories, that while they were the fiercest and most formidable
people in America, they were politic and judicious in the man-
agement of their affairs. For nearly a century the French and
English struggled to gain their friendship by every influence of
religion, of diplomacy and display of power. Even as late as
1754, George Washington, then a colonial officer, called upon
them for assistance in his movements against the French on the
Ohio river, and claimed that he went forth to fight for their
rights, because the French were occui)ying territories which
belonged to the Iroquois. Only twenty years before the re-
volutionary war, the British ministry insisted in its correspond-
ence with the French government, that the Iroquois were the
owners, by conquest, of the Ohio territory, and that they were
the subjects of the British crown. This was the claim set up
against the French rights of discovery. It is a remarkable fact,
that the French did not deny the right of conquest by the
Iroquois, but denied that they were the subjects of Britain in
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 57
these strong words : " Certain it is that no Englishman durst,
without running the risk of being massacred, tell the Iroquois
that they are the subjects of England." One of the first acts
of the continental cong-ress was designed to secure the alliance
of the Six Nations. In this they were unsuccessful, except as to
the Oneidas. The coijperation of their savage allies was deemed
of the utmost importance by the British.
I do not speak of the action at Bennington nor of the battle
of Bemis's Heights. The late celebration upon the grounds
upon which they took place, have made the public familiar with
all their aspects and results.
INFLUENCE OF BURGOYNE's SURRENDER.
France saw that upon the very theatre of war where Bi-itain
had wrested from it the control of this continent, its ancient
enemy had been beaten by the new power which was springing
into existence. To the French government this victory had a
significance that no like victory could have had upon other fields.
It knew better than others the commanding features of this
region. Its missionaries were highly educated men, who marked
with care the character of our mountains, lakes and streams.
Impelled by religious zeal and devotion to the interests of their
native land, they boldly pushed into the remote portions of the
continent in advance of commercial enterprise or military expe-
ditions. Their narratives are to this day of great value and
interest. The surrender of Burgoyne had also a marked effect
upon the tone and policy of the British cabinet ; it no longer
fought for conquest, but for compromise. Its armies were
moved with a view of saving a part if it could not hold all of
its jurisdiction. It was able to take possession of the principal
cities, but it could not find elsewhere positions, like that aimed
at by Burgoyne, which would enable it to sunder and paralyze
the patriot forces. It exhausted its armies in campaigns which
produced no results, even wlien successful in repulsing our forces
or in occupying the points at which they were directed. Its
commanders were animated by only one gleam of hope. The
proud power which at the outset called upon the world to witnest
58 Centennial Celebration of
its strength in crushing rebellion, stooped to dealings with a
traitoi', and sought to gain l)\- corruption what it could not gain
by force. The treason of Arnold excited the deepest feelings,
because the loss of West Point, the key of the Hudson, Avould
have given the British a position from which they could not
have been dislodged at the center of the strongholds of defence
and the couunanding basis for attack of the Hudson and its
guardian mountains. The fact that the loss of West Point
would have been deemed a fatal blow to the American cause
places the strategic importance of this region in the strongest
light.
The surrender of Burgoyne not only gave new hope to the
patriots, but it exerted a moral influence upon our soldiers. The
colonists up to that time had been trained in the belief that
British soldiers were irresistible. To hold them sui)erior to all
others in arms had been American patriotism. Through the
century of the French wars, precedence had always been yielded
to the officers of the crown ; and the colonists looked mainly to
the British army to protect their homes from invasion. Colonial
papers showed an extravagance of loyalty wliich is frequently
exhibited in the outlying and exposed settlements of all nations.
The Revolution, while it made a revulsion of feeling, did not at
the outset destroy this sense of the superior skill and power of
British arms. The early engagements in the open fields had not
been fortunate for the patriot cause. The armies of the crown
were still buoyed up by that sense of superiority, which, in itself,
is an element in martial success. Burgoyne did not doubt his
ability to destroy any army he could reach. The battle of
Bemis's Heights was a fair and open contest on equal terms.
In strategy, in steadiness, in valor, the continental troo[)s proved
themselves in all ways equal to the picked and trained men
against whom they fought.
From the day that victory was won, the American soldier
felt himself to be the equal of all who could be brought against
him, and he knew that he was animated by higlier and nobler
purposes than those which moved the ranks of his enemies. The
^hole spirit of the contqst was changed. Our armies reaped a
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 59
double triumph on this field. There was much in the contempt
which had been shown by their enemies of their qualities as
soldiers, much in the taunts and sneers of the British cabinet,
much in the pillage and destruction which ever attend the march
of invading armies, to excite tiie victors to exhibitions of triumph
over fallen foes. But they bore themselves, not as men intoxi-
cated by successful fortunes in war, but as men who felt it was
in them to win victories there or elsewhere. There was a calm-
ness in the hour of triumph, which more than even courage upon
the battlefield, impressed the defeated army with the character
of those of whom they had spoken so contemptuously. The
enemy were twice conquered, and in many ways the last victory
over them was most keenly felt. The moi-al and the military
advantages of the surrender of the British army was marred by
no act which lessened the dignity of the conquerors. And he
who reads the story of the contest, finds himself most triumphant
in his feelings over the moral rather than the martial victory.
GENERAL SCHUYLER.
When we read the story of the event, which we now celebrate,
whether it is told by friend or foe, there is one figure which
rises above all others upon whose conduct and bearing we love
to dwell. There is one who won a triumph Avhich never grows
dim. ■ One who gave an example of patient patiiotism unsur-
passed on the pages of histor}'. One who did not, even under
cutting wrongs and cruel suspicions, wear an air of martyrdom,
but with cheerful alacrity served where he should have com-
manded. It was in a glorious spirit of chivalrous courtesy with
which Schuyler met and ministered to those who had not only,
been enemies in arms, but who had inflicted upon him unusual
injuries unwarranted by the laws of war. But there was some-
thing more grand in his service to his country than even this
honor which he did to the American cause, by his bearing upon
this occasion. Tlie spirit of sectional prejudice which the Biitish
cabinet relied upon to prevent cordial cooperation among the
colonies, had been exhibited against him in a way most galling
to a pure patriot and a brave soldier. But, filled with devotion
60 Centennial Celebration of
to his country's cause, lie uttered no murmur of complaint, nor
did he for a moment cease in his labors to gain its liberties.
This grand rebuke to selfish intriguers and to honest prejudices
did much to discomfit the one and to teach the other the injustice
of their suspicions and the unworthiness of sectional prejudices.
The strength of this rebuke sometimes irritates writers who
cannot rise above local prejudices, and they try to lessen the
public sense of his virtue by reviving the attacks, proved to be
unjust upon investigation, and which, by the verdict of men
honored by their country, were ])roved to be unfounded. The
judgment of George Washington and of the patriots who sur-
rounded him, with regard to men of their own day and affairs
with which they were familiar, cannot be shaken by those who
seek to revive exploded scandals and unfounded suspicions.
The character of Gen. Schuyler grows brighter in public regard.
The injustice done him by his removal from his command, at a
time when his zeal and ability had placed victory almost within
his reach, is not perhaps to be regretted. We could not well
lose from our history his example of j^atriotism and of pez'soual
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 luster to his character, and we are forced to say of
Gen. Schuyler that, while he had been greatly wronged, he had
never been injured.
SARATOGA MONUMENT.
The association formed under the laws of this state to erect a
suitable moiuunent to commemorate the defeat of the Bi-itish
army under Burgoyne, has selected this spot upon which to
place it, because here it will recall to the mind not only the final
act, but every event which led to the surrender. It will carry
the thoughts of him who looks upon it back to the first and tierce
fight at Oriskany. It will remind him of the disaster to the
British forces at the battle of Bennington. It will excite the
deepest interest in the contest on the hills at Bemis's Heights.
It will do more. It will bring before the public mind that grand
THE Surrender of Burgotne. 61
procession of events, which for«two centuries have passed through
the valleys of the Hudson and the Mohawk. When it shall
excite the interests which attach to the occasion which we cele-
brate linked history will lead the public mind back, step by step,
to the earliest period of the French and English settlements on
this continent. We shall be taught what made the savage tribes
of this region superior in war and polity to their kindred races.
We shall be reminded of the forays of savages, the march of
disciplined armies, the procession of Christian missionaries, which
exceed in dramatic interest and in far reaching consequences,
all other incidents of war, of diplomacy, and of i-eligious zeal
exhibited on this continent. The events which have occurred
in these valleys have also been closely connected with the most
important facts of European history. The ambition of Louis
the fourteenth of France aimed at supremacy on two continents.
The prolonged war over the balance of power in Europe, con-
cerned the civilization of America. The genius of Marlborough,
and the victory of Blenheim, were of more enduring consequence
to us than to the parties engaged in the contest. They did not
foresee that they were shaping the civilization of a continent, or
the destinies of a people at this day exceeding in numbers the
united populations of the countries engaged in the war. Where
else in our country can a monument be placed, from which will
radiate so much that is instructive ? Where else can a struct-
ure be erected which will teach such varied history ? Elsewhere,
great achievements in peace or war, make certain spots instinct
with interest. Elsewhere, the great features of nature have
influenced the fate of nations. But it is not true that elsewhere
mountains and rivers have been such marked and conspicuous
agents in shaping events. Here they have directed the affairs
of this continent. In selecting a place where a monument should
stand, this association has not been embarrassed by any questions
as to the comparative importance of the act of surrender of the
British army, or of the battles which made that surrender in-
evitable. Each has its peculiar interest, and each should be
marked by suitable monuments. But the last scene in the drama
unfolds to the mind the plot and incidents which reach their
9
62 Centennial Celebration of
conclusions at the close. A monument on this ground not only
commemorates what occurred here, but it recalls to the mind all
the incidents and battles which ])receded it, and gives to each a
deeper interest, than when they are considered separately. Each
is viewed not only in the light of the wisdom, valor or patriotism
displayed, but of its bearing ui)on the grand result. He who
visits the scene of the bloody light at Oriskany, or looks over
the hills where the men of Vermont drove back the troops of
Burgoyne, or studies the movements of the armies at the battle
of Beniis's Heights, finds that his thoughts do not rest until they
dwell upon the grand conclusion reached upon this spot. When
his mind is kindled with patiiotic pride upon either of the battle-
fields to which I have alluded, he will turn to the ground upon
which we now meet, and thank God for the event we now cele-
brate.
The surrender of Burgoyne marks the dividing line between
two conditions of our country : the one the colonial period of
dependence, and the other the day from which it stood full
armed and victorious here, endowed with a boldness to assert
its independence, and endowed with a wisdom to frame its
own system of government. From this review of the past we
instinctively turn our minds and try to scan the years that
are to come. It is not given to us to forecast the future. But
when we study the great natural features of our country, and
see how they have directed the past, we learn from the silver
links of rivers and the i-ocky chains of mountains that God has
written and stamped on the face of this continent, that it shall
ever be held by those speaking a common language, with a
common civilization, and living together with that freedom of
intercourse which shall forever, under some forms, make them
one people.
A monument upon this spot will not merely minister to local
pride ; it will not foster sectional ])rejudices ; every citizen of
every state of this union will feel as he looks upon it that he
has a right to stand upon this ground. It will tell of the com-
mon sacrifices and common trials of the fathers of the republic.
Men from all parts of our union will here be reminded that our
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 63
independence as a people was wrought out by the sufferings and
sacrifices of those who came from every quarter of our country
to share in this valley in the perils of battle and in the triumphs
of victory. Here sectional passions will fade away ; and the
glorious memories and the fraternal feelings of the past will be
revived.
We are told that during more than twenty centuries of war
and bloodshed, only fifteen battles have been decisive of lasting
results. The contest of Saratoga is one of these. From the
battle of Marathon to the field of Waterloo, a period of more
than two thousand years, there was no martial event which had
a greater influence upon human affairs than that wliicli took
place on these grounds. Shall not some suitable structure recall
this fact to the public mind ? Monuments make as well as mark
the civilization of a people. Neither France, nor Britain, nor
Germany, could spare the statues or works of art which keep
alive the memories of patriotic sacrifices or of personal virtues.
Such silent teachers of all that ennobles men, have taught their
lessons through the darkest ages, and have done much to save
society from sinking into utter decay and degradation. If
Greece or Rome had left no memorials of private virtues or
public greatness, the progress of civilization would have been
slow and feeble. If tlicir crumbling i-emains should be swept
away, the world would mourn the loss, not only to learning and
arts, but to virtue and patriotism. It concerns the honor and
welfare of the American people, that this spot should be marked
by some structure which shall recall its history, and animate all
who look upon it by its grand teachings. No people ever held
lasting power or greatness, who did not reverence the virtues
of their fathers, or who did not show forth this reverence by
material and striking testimonials. Let us, then, buikl here a
lasting monument, which shall tell of our gratitude to those
who, through suffering and sacrifice, Avrought out the independ-
ence of our country.
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS'S ORATION.
Within the territory of New York, broad, fertile and fair,
from Montauk to Niagara, from the Adirondacks to the bay,
there is no more memorable sjjot than that ou which we stand,
64 Centennial Celebration of
Elsewhere, indeed, the great outlines of the landscape are more
imposing, and on this autumnal day the parting benediction of
the year rests with the same glory on other hills and other
waters of the imperial state. Far above, these gentle heights
rise into towering mountains ; far below, this placid stream
broadens and deepens around the metropolis of the conti-
nent into a spacious highway for the commerce of the world.
Other valleys with teeming intervale and fruitful upland, rich
with romantic tradition and patriotic story, 'filled like this with
happy homes and humming workshops, wind through the vast
commonwealth, ample channels of its various life ; and town
and city, village and hamlet, church and school, everywhere
illustrate and promote the prosperous repose of a community
great, intelligent and free. But this sj^ot alone within our
borders is consecrated as the scene of one of the decisive events
that affect the course of history. There are deeds on which
the welfare of the world seems to be staked ; conflicts in which
liberty is lost or won ; victories by which the standard of
human progress is full high advanced. Between sunrise and
sunset, on some chance field the deed is done, but from that
day it is a field enchanted. Imagination invests it with
" The light that never was on sea or land. "
The grateful heart of mankind repeats its name ; Heroism feeds
upon its story ; Patriotism kindles with its perennial fire.
Such is the field on Avhich we stand. It is not ours. It does
not belong to New York ; nor to America. It is an indefeasi-
ble estate of the world, like the field of Arbela, of Tours, of
Hastings, of Waterloo ; and the same lofty charm that draws
the pilgrim to the plain of Marathon resistlessly leads him to
the field of Saratoga.
The drama of the Revolution opened in New England, cul-
minated in New York, and closed in Virginia. It was a happy
fortune that the three colonies which represented the various
teri'itorial sections of the settled continent were each in turn
the chief seat of war. The common sacrifice, the common
struggle, the common triumph, tended to weld them locally,
politically and morally together. Doubtless there were con-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 65
flicts of provincial pride and jealousy and suspicion. The
Virginia officers smiled loftily at the raw Yankee militia ; the
Green mountain boys distrusted the polished discipline of New
York ; and the New York Schuyler thought those boys brave
but dangerously independent. In every great crisis of the war,
however, there was a common impulse and devotion, and the
welfare of the continent obliterated provincial lines. It is by
the few heaven-piercing peaks, not by the confused mass of
upland, that we measure the height of the Andes, of the Alps,
of the Himalaya. It is by Joseph Warren not by Benjamin
Church, by John Jay not by Sir John Johnson, by George
Washington not by Benedict Arnold, that we test the quality
of the revolutionary character. The voice of Patrick Henry
from the mountains answered that of James Otis by the sea.
Paul Revere's lantern shone through the valley of the Hudson,
and flashed along the clift's of the Blue Ridge. The scattering
volley of Lexington green swelled to the triumphant thunder
of Saratoga, and the reverberation of Burgoyne's falling arms
in New York shook those of Cornwallis in Virginia from his
hands. Doubts, jealousies, prejudices, Avere merged in one
common devotion. The union of the colonies to secure liberty,
foretold the union of the states to maintain it, and wherever
we stand on revolutionary fields, or inhale the sweetness of
revolutionary memories, we tread the ground and breathe the
air of invincible national union.
Our especial interest and pride, to-day, are in the most im-
portant event of the Revolution upon the soil of New York.
Concord and Lexington, Bunker Hill and Bennington, the
Brandywine and Germantown, have had their fitting centennial
commemorations, and already at Kingston and Oriskany, New
York has taken up the wondrous tale of her civil and military
achievements. In proud continuation of her story we stand
here. Sons of sires who bled with Sterling on the Long Island
shore ; who fought with Herkimer in the deadly Oneida defile ;
who defended the Highland forts with George Clinton ; who,
with Robert Livingston and Gouverneur Morris, were driven
from town to town by stress of war, yet framed a civil consti-
66 Centennial Celebration of
tutioii, all untouched by the asperity of the conflict and a noble
model for all free states ; sons of sires who, leaving the plough
and the bench, gathered on tliis historic war-path — the key of
the then civilized continent ; the western battle ground of Eu-
rope ; the trail by which Frontenac's Indians prowled to Sche-
nectady, and crept to the Connecticut and beyond ; the way
by which Sir William Johnson and his army passed in the old
French war, and humbled Dieskau at Lake George ; the road
along which Abercrombie and his bright array marched to dis-
aster in the summer morning, and Amherst marshaled his men
to cooperate with Wolf in the humbling of Quebec ; sons of
sires, who, mustering here on ground still trembling with the
tread of armies, where the air forever echoes with the savage
war whoop, or murmurs with the pathetic music of the march
and the camp —
"Why, soldierB, why
Should we bu niflancholy, boys ?
Whose business 'tis to die !"
even here withstood the deadly British blow and enveloi^ing
the haughty Burgoyne, compelled not only him to yield his
sword, but England to surrender an empire ; sons of such sires,
who should not proudly recall such deeds of theirs and grate-
fully revere their memory, would be forever scorned as faith-
less depositaries of the great English and American tradition,
and the great human benediction, of patient, orderly, self-re-
strained liberty.
When King George heard of the battle of Bunker Hill, he
consoled himself with the thought that New York was still un-
swervingly loyal ; and it was the hope and the faith of his
ministry that the rebellion might at last be baffled in that great
colony. It was a region of vast extent, but thinly peopled, for
the poi)ulation was but little more than one hundred and sixty
thousand. It had been settled by men of various races, Avho,
upon the sea shore, and through the remote valleys, and in the
primeval wilderness, cherished the freedom that they brought
and transmitted to their children. But the colony lacked that
homogeneity of population which produces general sympathy
of conviction and concert of action ; which gives a community
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 67
one soul, one heart, one hand, interprets every man's thought
to his neighbor, and explains so much of the great deeds of the
Grecian commonwealths, of Switzerland, and of Old and New
England. In New York, also, were the hereditary manors —
vast domains of a few families, private principalities, with feudal
relations and traditions — and the spirit of a splendid proprie-
tary life was essentially hostile to doctrines of popular right
and. power. In the magnificent territory of the Mohawk and
its tributaries. Sir William Johnson, amid his family and de-
pendants, lived in baronial state among the Indians, with whom
he was allied by marriage, and to whom he was the vicar of
their royal father over the sea. The Johnsons were virtually
supreme in the country of the Mohawk, and as they were in-
tensely loyal, the region west of Albany became a dark and
bloody ground of civil strife. In the city of New York, and in
the neighboring counties of Westchester upon the river and
sound, of Richmond upon the bay, and Queens and Suffolk on
the sea, the fear that sprang from conscious exposure to the
naval power of Great Britain, the timidity of commercial trade,
the natural loyalty of numerous officers of the crown, all com-
bined to foster antipathy to any disturbance of that established
authority which secured order and peace.
But deeper and stronger than all other causes was the tender
reluctance of Englishmen in America to believe that reconcilia-
tion with the mother country was impossible. Even after the
great day on Bunker Hill, when, in full sight of his country
and of all future America, Joseph Warren, the well-beloved
disciple of American liberty, fell, congress, while justifying
war, recoiled from declaring independence. Doubtless the
voice of John Adams, of Massachusetts, counseling immediate
and entire separation, spoke truly for the unanimous and fer-
vent patriotism of New England ; but doubtless, also, the voice
of John Jay, of New York, who knew the mingled sentiment
of the great province whose position in the struggle must be
decisive, in advising one more appeal to the king, was a voice
of patriotism as pure, and of courage as unquailing.
The appeal was made, -and made in vain. The year that
68 Centennial Celebration of
opened witli Concord and Lexington, ended witli the gloomy
tragedy of the Canada campaign. Pn the last day of the year,
in a tempest of sleet and snow, the combined forces of New
England and New York made a desperate, futile onset ; and
the expedition from which Washington and the country had
anticipated results so inspiring was dashed in pieces against the
walls of Quebec, The country mourned, but New York had a
peculiar sorrow. Leaving his tranquil and beautiful home up-
on this river, one of her noblest soldiers — brave, honorable,
gentle — the son-in-law of Livingston, the friend of Schuyler,
after a brief career of glory, died the death of a liero. " You
shall not blush for your Montgomery," he said to his bride as
he left her. For fifty years a widow, his bride saw him no
more. But while this stately river flows through the mountains
to the sea, its waves will still proudly murmur the name, and
recall the romantic and heroic story of Richard Montgomery.
The year 1776 was not less gloomy for the American cause.
Late in November Washington was hurriedly retreating across
New Jersey, pursued by Cornwallis, his army crumbling with
every step, the state paralyzed with terror, congress flying
affrighted from Philadelphia to Baltimore, and the apparent
sole remaining hope of American independence, the rigor of
winter, snow, and impassable roads. Ah, no ! It was not in
winter but in summer that that hope lay, not in the relentless
frost of the elements, but in the heavenly fire of hearts beating
higli with patriotic resolve, and turning the snow flakes of that
terrible retreat into immortal roses of victoiy and joy. While
Howe and his officers, in the warm luxury and wild debauchery
of the city they had captured, believed the war ended, gaily
sang and madly cai'oused, Washington, in the dreary Christ-
mas evening, turned on the ice of the Delaware, and struck the
Hessians fatally at Trenton ; then in the cold January sunrise,
defeating the British at Princetown, his army filed with bleed-
ing feet into the highlands of New Jersey, and half starved and
scantily clothed, encamped upon the frozen hills of Morristown.
"The Americans have done much, " said despairingly one of
their truest friends in England, Edmund Burke, " but it is now
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 69
evident that they cannot look standing armies in the face."
That, however, was to be determined by the campaign of 1777.
For that campaign EngLand was already preparing. Seven
years before, General Carleton, who still commanded in Canada,
had proposed to hold the water line between the gulf of St.
Lawrence and the bay of New York, to prevent a separation of
the colonies. It was now proposed to hold it to compel a sepa-
ration. The ocean months of the great waterway were both in
complete possession of the crown. It was a historic war path.
Here had raged the prolonged conflict between France and
England for the control of the continent, and in fierce war upon
the waters of New York, no less than on the plains of Abraham,
the power of France in America finally fell. Here, also, where it
had humbled its proud rival, the strong hand of England grasp-
ing for nnjust dominion was to be triumphantly shaken off.
This region was still a wilderness. Seventy years before, the
first legal land title in it was granted. In 1745, thirty years
before the Revolution, it was the extreme English outpost. In
1777, the settlers were few, and they feared the bear and the
catamount less than the tory and the Indian. They still built
block houses for retreat and defence like the first New Eng-
land settlers a hundred and fifty years before. Nowhere during
the Revolution were the horrors of civil war so constant and so
dire as here. The tories seized and harassed, shot and hung
the whigs, stole their stock and store, burned their barns and
ruined their crops, and the whigs remorselessly retaliated.
The stealthy Indian struck, shrieked and vanished. The wolf
and the wild cat lurked in the thicket. Man and beast were
equally cruel. Terror overhung the fated region, and as the
great invasion approached, the universal flight and devastation
recalled the grim desolation in Germany during the thirty
years' war.
Of that invasion, and of the campaign of 1777, the central
figure is John Burgoyne. No name among the British generals
of the Revolution is more familiar, yet he was neither a great
soldier nor a great man. He was willing to bribe bis old com-
rade in arms, Charles Lee, to betray the American cause, and
10
70 Centennial Celebration of
he threatened to loose savages upon the Americans for defending
it. Burgoyne was an admirable type of the English fashionable
gentleman of his day. The grandson of a baronet, a West-
minster boy, and trained to arms, he eloped with a daughter of
the great whig house of Derby, left the army and lived gaily
on the continent. Restored to a military career by political
influence, he served as a cai)tain in France, and returning to
England was elected to parliament. lie went a brigadier to
Portugal, and led a brilliant charge at Valentia d' Alcantara,
was complimented by the great Count Lippe, and flattered by
the British prime minister. For his gallantry the king of
Spain gave him a diamond ring, and with that blazing on his
finger he returned once more to Englaiul, flushed with brief
glory. There for some years he was a man of pleasure. He
wrote slight verses and little plays that are forgotten. Rey-
nolds i)ainted his portrait in London, as Ramsay had painted it
in Rome. Horace Walpole sneered at h'un for his plays, but
Lord Chatham praised him for his military notes. Tall and
handsome, graceful and winning in manner, allied to a noble
house, a favorite at court and on parade, he was a gay com-
panion at the table, the club and the theatre. The king ad-
mired his dragoons, and conferred upon him profitable honors,
which secured to him a refined and luxurious life. In parlia-
ment, when the American war began, Burgoyne took the
high British ground, but with the urbanity of a soldier, and he
gladly obeyed the summons to service in America, and sailed
with Howe and Clinton on the great day that the J>ritish trooi)S
marched to Concord. He saw the battle of Bunker Hill, and
praised the American courage and military ability, but was very
sure that trained troops would always overcome militia. The
one American whom he extolled was Samuel Adams. He
thought that he combined the ability of Caesar with the astute-
ness of Cromwell ; that he led Franklin and all the other
leaders, and that if his counsels continued to conti'ol the conti-
nent, America must be subdued or relinquished.
Burgoyne saw little actual service in this country until he
arrived at Quebec on the Gth of May, 1777, as commander of
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 71
the great enterprise of the year. The plan of campaign was
large and simple. One expedition led by Burgoyne, was to
force its way from Quebec to Albany, through the valley of the
Hudson, and another, under St. Leger, was to push through the
valley of the Mohawk, to the same point. At Albany they
were to join General Howe, who would advance up the river
from the bay. By the success of these combined operations,
the British would command New York, and New England
would be absolutely cut off. This last result alone Avould be a
signal triumph. New England was the nest of rebellion.
There were the fields where British power was first defied in
arms. There were the Green mountains from which Ethan
Allen and his boys had streamed upon Ticonderoga. There
was Boston bay where the tea had been scattei'ed, and Narra-
gansett bay where the Gaspe had been burned, and the harbors
of Machias and of Newport, from which the British ships had
been chased to sea. There were P"'anueil Hall and the town
meeting. There was Boston, whose ports had been closed —
Boston with the street of the massacre — Boston, of which
King George had bittei'ly said that he would " as lief fight the
Bostonians as the French. " There were the pulpits which
preached what Samuel Adams called liberty, and Samuel
Johnson sedition. The very air of New England was full of de-
fiance. The woods rustled it, the waters murmured it, the
stern heart of its rugged nature seemed to beat in unison with
the stout heart of man, and all throbbed together with the in-
vincible Anglo-Saxon instinct of libei'ty. To cut off New Eng-
land from her sisters — to seize and hold the great New York
valleys of Champlain and the Hudson — was to pierce the heart
of the rebellion, and to paralyze America. Here, then, was to
be the crucial struggle. Here in New York once more the
contest for the western continent was to be decided. Burgoyne
had airily said in London, that with an army of ten thousand
men he could promenade through America, and now the bril-
liant gentleman was to make good his boast.
While he was crossing the ocean to begin his task, and when
every possible effort should have been made by congress to
72 Centennial Celebration of
meet the ample and splendid preparations for the British inva-
sion, wretched intrigues displaced General Schuyler in the north-
ern department, and it was not until late in May that he was
restored to the command. The peril was at hand, but it was
impossible to collect men. By the end of June, the entire gar-
rison of Ticonderoga and Fort Independence, the first great
barrier against the advance of Burgoyne, consisted of twenty-
five hundred continentals and nine hundred militia, barefooted
and ragged, without proper arms or sufticiont blankets, and
lacking every adequate preparation for defense. But more
threatening than all, was Sugar-loaf hill, rising above Ticonde-
roga, and completely commanding the fort. General Schuyler
saw it, but even while he jiointed out the danger, and while
General St. Clair, the commandant of the post, declared that
from the want of troops nothing could be done, the drums of
Burgoyne's army were joyfully beating in the summer dawn ;
the bugles rang, the cannon thundered, the rising June sun
shone on the scarlet coats of Brittish grenadiers, on the bright
helmets of German dragoons, and on burnished artillery and
polished arms. There were more than seven thousand trained
and veteran troops, besides Canadians and Indians. They were
admirably commanded and equipped, although the means of
land transport were fatally insufiicient. But all was hope and
confidence. The battle flags were unfurled, the word was given,
and with every happy augury, the royal standard of England
proudly set forward for conquest. On the 1st of July, the
brilliant pageant swept up Lake Champlain, and the echoes of
the mighty wilderness which had answered the guns of Amherst
and the drum-beat of Montcalm, saluted the frigates and the
gunboats that, led by a dusky swarm of Indians in bark canoes,
stretched between tlie eastern shore, along Avhich Kiedesel and
the Germans marched, and the main body advancing with
Phillips ui)on the west. The historic waters of Champlain have
never seen a spectacle more splendid than the advancing army
of Burgoyne. But so with his glittering Asian hordes, two
thousand years before, the Persian king advanced to Salamis.
At evening the British army was before Ticonderoga. The
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 73
trained eye of the English engineers instantly saw the advan-
tage of Sugar-loaf, the higher hill, and the rising sun of the
5th of July glared in the amazed eyes of the Ticonderoga gar-
rison, oil the red coats entrenched upon Sugar-loaf, with their
batteries commanding every point within the fort, and their
glasses every movement. Sugar-loaf had become Mount De-
fiance. St. Clair had no choice. All day he assumed indiffer-
ence, but quietly made every preparation, and before dawn the
next day he stole away. The moon shone", but his flight was
undetected, until the flames of a fire foolishly set to a house
suddenly flashed over the landscape and revealed his retreat.
He was instantly pursued. His rear guard was overtaken, and
by the valor of its fierce but hopeless fight gave an undying
name to the wooded hills of Hubbardton.
TiconderOga fell, and the morning of" its fall was the high
hour of Burgoyne's career. Without a blow, by the mere
power of his presence, he had undone the electric deed of Ethan
Allen ; he had captured the historic prize of famous campaigns.
The chief obstruction to his triumphal American promenade
had fallen. The bright promise of the invasion would be ful-
filled, and Burgoyne would be the lauded hero of the war.
Doubtless his handsome lip curled in amused disdain at the
flying and fiightened militia, plough boys that might infest but
could not impede his further advance. His eager fancy could
picture the delight of London, the joy of the clubs, of parlia-
ment, of the king. He could almost hear the royal George
bursting into the queen's room and shouting, "I have beat all
the Americans." He could almost read the assurance of the
minister to the proud earl, his father-in-law, that the king de-
signed for him the vacant Red Ribbon. But his aspiring am-
bition surely anticipated a loftier reward — a garter, a coronet,
and at last, Westminster Abbey and undying glory.
Ticonderoga fell, and with it, apparently, fell in Europe all
hope of the patriot cause ; and in America, all confidence and
happy expectation. The tories were jubilant. The wavering
. Indians were instantly open enemies. The militia sullenly went
home. The solitary settlers fled southward through the forests
74 Centennial Celebration of
and over the eastern hills. JEven Albany was appalled, and its
pale citizens sent their families away. Yet this panic stricken
valley of the upper Hudson was now the field on which, if any-
where, the cause was to be saved. Five counties of the state
were in the hands of the enemy ; three were in anarchy. Schuy-
ler was at Fort Edward with scarcely a thousand men. The
weary army of St. Clair, shrunken to fifteen hundred continen-
tals, all the militia having dropped away, struggled for a week
through the forest, and emei'ged foilorn and exhausted at the
fort. Other troops ari'ived, but the peril was imminent. New
York was threatened at every point, and with less than five
thousand ill-e(|uii»ped regulars and militia to opi)ose the victori-
ous Burgoyne, who was but a single long day's march away,
with only the forts and the boom and chain in the Highlands
to stay Clinton's ascent'from the bay, and only the little gar-
rison at Fort Stanwix to withstand St. Leger, General Schuyler
and the council of state implored aid fi-om every quarter. A
loud clamor, bred of old jealousy and fresh disappointment,
arose against Schuyler, the commander of the department, and
St. Clair, the commander of the post. The excitement and dis-
may were universal, and the just apprehension was most grave.
But when the storm was loudest it was pierced by the calm
voice of Washington, whose soul quailed before no disaster :
" We should never despaii- ; our situation has before been un-
promising and has changed for the better ; so I trust it will be
again." He sent Arnold to Schuyler, as an accomplished officer,
familiar with the country. He urged the eastern states to
move to his succor. He ordered all available boats from Al-
bany to New Windsor and Fishkill, upon the Hudson, to be
ready for any part of his own army that he might wish to de-
tach. While thus the commander-in-chief cared for all, each
cared for itself. The stout-hearted George Clinton, and the
council of New York were thoroughly aroused and alert.
Vermont called upon New Hampsliire, and the White mount-
ains answered to the Green by summoning Stark and Whipple,
who, gatliering their men, liastened to the Hudson.
While this wild panic and alarm swept through the country,
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 75
Burgoyne remained for a fortnight at the head of Lake Cham-
plain. He, also, had his troubles. He was forced to garrison
Ticonderoga from his serviceable troops. His Indian allies be-
gan to annoy him. Provisions came in slowly, and the first
fatal weakness of the expedition was already betrayed in the
inadequate supply of wagons and horses. But the neighbor-
ing tories joined him, and counting upon the terror that his
triumphaftt progress had inspired, he moved at the end of July
from Lake Champlain toward the Hudson. His march was
through the wilderness which Schuyler had desolated to the
utmost, breaking up the roads, choking with trees the navigable
streams, destroying forage, and driving away cattle. But
Burgoyne forced his way through, building forty bridges and
laying a log-wood road for two miles across a morass. The
confidence of triumph cheered the way. So sure was victory,
that as if it had been a huge pleasure party, the wives of of-
ficers accompanied the camp, and the Baroness Kiedesel came
in a calash from Fort Geoi-ge to join her husband with Bur-
goyne. But before that slowly toiling army, the startled fron-
tier country fled. Almost every patriot house west of the
Green mountains and north of Manchester was deserted. The
tories, proud of British protection, placed signs in their hats
and before their doors, and upon the horns of their cattle,
wearing the tory badge, as Gurth wore the collar of Cedric
the Saxon. To us the scelie is a romantic picture. The scarlet
host of Burgoyne flashes thi-ough the forest with pealing music ;
the soldiers smooth the rough way with roystering songs ; the
trains and artillery toil slowly on ; the red cloud of savages
glimmers on his skirts, driving before him farmers with wives
and children, faint and sick with cruel apprehension, flying
through a land of terror. To us, it is a picture. But to know
what it truly was, let the happy farmer on these green slopes
and placid meadows, imagine a sudden flight to-night with all
he loves from all he owns, struggling up steep hills, lost in
tangled woods, crowding along difticult roads, at every step
expecting the glistening tomahawk, the bullet, and the mercies
of a foreign soldiery. Not many miles from this spot, the
76 Centennial Celebration of
hapless Jane Mac Crea was killed as Burgoyne's savages hurried
her away. Her story rang through the land like a woman's
cry of agony. This, then, was British chivalry ! Burgoyne,
indeed, had not meant murder, but he had threatened it. The
name of the innocent girl became the rallying cry for armies,
and to a thousand indignant hearts, her blood cried from the
ground for vengeance. We come with song and speech and
proud commemoration to celebrate the triumph of *this day.
Let us not forget the cost of that triumj)!), the infinite suffering
that this unchanging sky beheld ; the torture of men ; the heart-
break of women ; the terror of little children, that paid for the
happiness which we enjoy.
Burgoyne reached the Hudson unattackcd. As he arrived,
although he had no tidings from below, he heard of the suc-
cessful advance in the valley of the Mohawk. St. Leger had
reached Fort Stanwix without the loss of a man. It was neces-
sary, therefore, for Burgoyne to hasten to make his junction
at Albany with Howe and St. Legcr, and on the 6th of August
he sent word to Howe that he hoped to be in Albany by the
22d. But, even as he wrote, the blow fatal to his hopes was
struck. On that very day the patriots of Tryon county, men of
German blood, led by Nicholas Herkimer, were hastening to
the relief of Fort Stanwix, which St. Leger had beleaguered.
The tale has just been eloquently told to fifty thousand children
of the Mohawk valley gathered on the field of Oriskany, and it
will be told to their children's children so long as the grass of that
field shall grow, and the waters of the Mohawk flow. In the
hot summer morning, Herkimer and his men marched under
the peaceful trees into the deadly ambush, and in the
de})th of the defile were suddenly enveloped in a storm of fire
and death. Ah ! blood-red field of Oriskany ! For five doubt-
ful desperate hours, without lines, or fort, or artillery, hand to
hand, witli knife and rifle, with tomahawk and spear, swaying
and struggling, slipping in blood and stumbling over dead
bodies, raged the most deadly battle of the war. Full of heroic
deeds, full of precious memories ; a sacrifice that was not lost.
The stars that shone at eveninrr over the field, saw the Indian
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 77
and the white man stark and stiff, still locked in the death
grapple, still clenching the hair of the foe, still holding the
dripping knife in his breast. The brave Herkimer, fatally
wounded, called for his Bible and tranquilly died. He did not
relieve the fort, but it held out until Benedict Arnold, sent by
Schuyler, coming up the valley, craftily persuaded St. Leger's
Indians that his men were as the leaves of the forest for
number. ♦ The savages fled ; St. Leger's force melted away ;
the Mohawk expedition had wholly failed, and the right hand of
Burgoyne was shattered.
Every day lost to the English general was now a disaster.
But his fatal improvidence forced him to inaction. He could
not move without supplies of food and horses, and an expedi-
tion to secure them would also serve as a diversion to favor
St. Leger. Three days after Oriskany, and before he had
heard of that battle, Burgoyne detached the expedition to
Bennington. New England was ready for him there as New
York had been at Stanwix. Parson Allen from Pittsfield came
in his chaise. Everybody else came as he could, and when the
British advance was announced, John Stark marched his
militia just over the line of New York, where the enemy was
entrenched on the uplands of the Walloomsic, and skillfully
surrounding them, the Yankee farmers who had hurried away
from their summer work, swept up the hill with fiery and re-
sistless fury, seized the blazing guns, drove the veteran troops
as if they were wolves and wild cats threatening their farms,
and after a lull renewing the onset against fresh foes, the New
England militia won the famous battle of Bennington, and the
left hand of Burgoyne was shattered.
So soon was the splendid promise of Ticonderoga darkened.
The high and haughty tone was changed. "I yet do not de-
spond, " wrote Burgoyne on the 20th of August, and he had
not yet heard of St. Leger's "fate. But he had reason to
fear. The glad light of Bennington and Oriskany had pierced
the gloom that weighed upon the country. It was everywhere
jubilant and everywhere rising. The savages deserted the
British camp. The harvest was gathered, and while New
11
78 Centennial Celebration of
England and New York had fallen fatally upon the flanks of
Burgoyne, Washington now sent Vii-ginia to join New York
and New Elngland in his front, detaching from his own army
Morgan and his men, the most famous rifle corps of the Revolu-
tion. But while the prospect brightened, General Schuyler, by
order of congress, was superseded by General Gates. Schuyler,
a most sagacious and diligent officer whom Washington wholly
trusted, was i-emoved for the alleged want of his most obvious
quality, the faculty of comprehensive organization. But the
New England militia disliked him, and even Samuel Adams
was impatient of him ; but Samuel Adams was also impatient
of Washington. Public irritation with the situation, and jeal-
ous intrigue in camp and in congress procured Schuyler's re-
moval. He was wounded to the heart, but his patriotism did not
waver. He remained in camp to be of what service he could,
.and he entreated congress to order a speedy and searching in-
quiry into his conduct. It was at last made, and left him
absolutely unstained. He was unanimously acquitted with the
highest honor, and congress approved the verdict. General
Schuyler did not again enter upon active military service, but
he and Rufus King were the first senators that New York sent
to the senate of the United States. Time has restored his
fame, and the history of his state records no more patriotic
name among her illustrious sons than that which is commemo-
rated by this village, the name of Philip Schuyler.
Largely re-enforced. Gates, on the 12th of September, ad-
vanced to Bemis's Heights, which the young Kosciuszko had
fortified, and there he awaited Burgoyne's approach. Bur-
goyne's oi'ders had left him no discretion. He must force his
way to Albany. With soldierly loyalty, therefore, he must
assume that Howe was pushing up the Hudson, and that his
own delay might imperil Howe by permitting the Americans to
turn suddenly upon him. On the 11th of September he an-
nounced to his camp that he liad sent the lake fleet to Canada,
that he had virtually abandoned his communications, and that
his army must fight its way or perish. On the 1.3th he crossed
the Hudson, and then received his first tidings from Howe, in
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 79
a letter from him written long before, and which did not even
mention a junction. Burgoyne had already felt himself de-
serted if not betrayed, and he comprehended his critical situa-
tion. Howe was on the Delaware and Carleton would give
him no aid from Canada. The country behind him was already
swarming with militia. He was encamped in a dense forest,
with an enemy hidden in the same forest before him, whose
drum-beat and morning gun he could hear, but whose numbers
and position he did not know. Yet while he could see nothing,
every movement of his own was noted by an eagle eye in a tree
top on the eastern side of the Hudson, and reported to Gates.
And when at last Burgoyne marched out in full arraj^ with all
the glittering pomp of war, to find the foe in the forest. Gates in-
stantly knew it. Burgoyne boldly advanced, his communica-
tion with Canada gone, the glory of Ticonderoga dimmed, the
union with Howe uncertain, disaster on the right hand and on
the left, the peerage and Westminster Abbey both fading from
hope, and he suddenly confronted breastworks, artillery and an
eager army. He must fight or fly, nor did he hesitate. At
eleven o'clock on the morning of the 19th of September, he ad-
vanced in three . columns towards Gates's line on Bemis's
Heights. At one o'clock the action began ; at four it was
general and desperate ; at five, Burgoyne's army was in mortal
peril ; at nightfall the Germans had stayed the fatal blow, and
the battle ended. Both sides claimed the victory, and the
British bivouacked on the field. As on Bunker Hill, the first
battle in America which Burgoyne had seen, if this were a
British victory another would destroy the British army.
Burgoyne huddled his dead into the ground, hastily entrenched
and fortified a new position, soothed his discouraged army and
meditated a fresh assault. But receiving the good news of
Howe's success at the Brandywine, and of the immediate ad-
vance of Clinton to break through the highlands of the Hudson
and fall upon the rear of Gates, he decided to wait. He was
encamped in the wilderness without communications, but he
sent word to Clinton that he could hold out until the 12th of
October. Again through the forest he heard the morning and
80 Centennial Celebration of
evening gun and the shouting of the American camp, and once
the joyful firing of cannon tliat he could not understand, but
which announced Ameiican victories in his rear. The alarm
of the British camp was constant. The picket firing was in-
cessant. Officers and men sk'i)t in their clothes. Rations were
reduced, and the hungry army heard every night the howling
of the wolves that hunted the outskirts of the camp as if mak-
ing ready for their prey. At last, with provisions for sixteen
days only, and no news from Clinton, Burgoyne summoned his
generals for a final council. It was the evening of the 5th of
October, and, could he but have known it, Howe at German-
town, had again succeeded and Sir Henry Clinton Avas just
breaking liis way through the Highlands, victorious and deso-
lating. On the very morning that liurgoyne fought his fatal
battle, the river forts had fallen, the boom and chain were
cleared away, the marauding British fleet sailed intoNewburgh
bay, Clinton sent word gaily to Burgoyne, "Here we are !
nothing between us and Albany," while Putnam was hastening
up along the eastern bank and Geor-e Clinton along the west-
ern, rousing the country and rallying the flying citizens from
their alarm. Of all this Burgoyne knew nothing. In his ex-
tremity, his own plan was to leave boats, provisions and maga-
zines, for three or four days, and falling upon the left of the
Americans, to attempt to gain the rear. The German General
Riedesel advised falling back toward the lake. The English
Fraser was willing to fight. The English Phillips was silent.
Compelled to decide, Burgoyne at last determined to reconnoi-
tre the Americans in force, and if he thought that an attack
would be unwise, then to retreat toward the lake.
On the morning of the Tth of October, at ten o'clock, fifteen
hundred of the best troops in the world, led by four of the most
experienced and accomplished generals, with a skirmishing van
of Canadian rangers and Indians moved in three columns to-
ward the left of the American position into a field of wheat.
They began to cut forage. Startled by the rattling picket fire,
the American drums beat to arms, and the British approach
was announced at headquarters. Morgan and ihe Virginia sharp-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 81
shooters were thrown out beyond the British riglit. Poor, with
the New York and New Hampshire men, moved steadily through
the woods toward the British left, which began the battle with
a vigorous cannonade. The Americans dashed forward, opened
to the right and left, flanked the enemy, struck him with a
blasting fire, then closed and grappling hand to hand, the mad
mass of combatants swayed and staggered for half an hour, five
times taking and re-taking a single gun. At the first the fire
upon the left, the Virginia sharp-shooters, shouting, and blaz-
ing with deadly aim, rushed forward with such fury that the
appallerl British right wavered and recoiled. Whileit yet stag-
gered under the blow of Virginia, New England swept up, and
with its flaming muskets broke the English line, which wildly
fled. It reformed and again advanced, while the Avhole Ameri-
can force dashed against the British center, held by the Ger-
mans, whose right and left had been uncovered. The Germans
bravely stood, and the British General Phraser hurried to their
aid. He seemed u]:)on the British side the inspiring genius of
the day. With fatal aim an American sharp-shooter fired and
Eraser fell. With him sank the British heart. Three thousand
New Yorkers, led by Ten Broeck, came freshly up, and the
whole American line, jubilant with certain victory, advancing,
Burgoyne abandoned his guns and ordered a retreat to his
camp. It was but fifty-two minutes since the action began.
The British dismayed, bewildered, overwhelmed, were scarcely
within their redoubts, when Benedict Arnold, to whom the
jealous Gates, who did not come upon the field during the day,
had refused a command, outriding an aid whom Gates had sent
to recall him, came spurring up ; Benedict Arnold, whose name
America does not love, Avhose ruthless Avill had dragged the
doomed Canadian expedition through the starving wilderness
of Maine, who volunteering to- relieve Eort Stanwix" had, by the
mere terror of his coming, blown St. Leger away, and who, on
the 19th of September, had saved the American left, — Bene
diet Arnold, whom battle stung to fury, now whirled from end
to end of the American line, hurled it against the Great Re-
doubt, driving the enemy at the point of the bayonet ; then
82 Centennial Celebration of
flinging liiniself to the extreme riglit, and fin ;ling there the Mas-
sachusetts brigade, swept it witli liim to the assault, and stream-
ing over the bi'eastworks, scattered the Brunswickers who de-
fended them, killed their colonel, gained and lield the point
which commanded the entire Britisli position, wliile at the same
moment his horse was shot under him, and lie sank to the ground
wounded in the leg that had been wounded at Quebec, Here,
upon the Hudson, where he tried to betray hi^s country, here
upon the spot where, in the crucial liour of tlie Revolution, he
illustrated and led the American valor that made us free and
great, knowing well that no earlier service can atone for a later
crime, let us recall for one brief instant of infinite pity, the
name that has been justly execrated for a century.
Night fell, and the weary fighters slept. Before day dawned,
Burgoyne, exhausted and overwhelmed, drew off the remainder
of his army, and the Americans occupied his camp. All day
the lines exchanged a sharp fire. At evening, in a desolate au-
tumn rain, having buried solemnly, amid the flash and rattle of
bombs and artillery, his gallant friend, Phraser ; leaving his sick
and wounded to the mercies of the foe, Burgoyne who, in the
splendid hour of his first advance had so proudly proclaimed
" this army must not retreat, " turned to fly. He moved until
nearly day-break, then rested from the slow and toilsome march
until toward sunset, and on the evening of the 9th he crossed
Fish creek and bivouacked in the open air. A more vigorous
march — but it was impracticable — would have given him the
heights of Saratoga, and secured the passage of the rivei\ But
everywhere he was too late. The American sharpshooters
hovered around him, cutting off supplies, and preventing him
from laying roads. There was, indeed, one short hour of hope
that Gates, mistaking the whole British army for its flyiug rear-
guard, would expose himself to a destructive ambush and as-
sault. When the snare was discovered, the last liope of Bur-
goyne vanished, and unable to stir, he sat down grimly north
of the creek, whei'C his army, wasted to thirty-four hundred
effective men, was swiftly and completely encircled by the
Americans, who commanded it at every point, and harassed it
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 83
with shot and shell. Gates, with the confidence of overpower-
ing numbers, purposely avoided battle. Burgoyne, deserted by
his allies, his army half gone, with less than five days' food, with
no word from Clinton, with no chance of escape, prepared
honorably to surrender.
On the 14th of October, he proposed a cessation of arms to
arrange terms of capitulation. His agent, Lieutenant-Colonel
Kingston, was received at the crossing of the creek by Adju-
tant-General Wilkinson, and was conducted by him, blindfold,
to General Gates. Gates's terms required an unconditional
surrender of the army as prisoners of war. Burgoyne, anxious
to save his army to the king for service elsewhere, insisted that
it should be returned to England, under engagement not to
serve again in North America during the war. Gates had no wish
to prolong the negotiations. He had heard from Putnam that
the English army and fleet were triumphantly sweeping up the
river, and that he must expect " the worst, " and he therefore
hastened to accept the proposition of Burgoyne. But Wash-
ington, with his Fabian policy, scorned even by Samuel and
John Adams, had made " the worst " impossible. Hanging
upon the army of Howe, engaging it, although unsuccessfully,
at the Brandywine and at Gerraantown, he had perplexed, de-
layed and disconcerted the British general, gaining the time
which was the supreme necessity for success against Burgoyne.
By reason of Washington's operations, Howe could not strengthen
Clinton as they both expected, and Clinton could not move until
his slow re-enforcements from over the sea arrived. When
they came, he burst through the Highlands indeed, with fire
and pillage, and hastened to fall upon the rear of Gates. But
before he could reach him, while still forty miles away, he
heard the astounding news of Burgoyne's surrender, and he
dropped down the river sullenly, back to New York, he, too,
baffled by the vigilance, the wariness, the supreme self-command
of Washington.
For a moment, when Burgoyne heard of Clinton's success, he
thought to avoid surrender. But it was too late. He could
not, honorably, recall his word. At nine o'clock on the
84 Centennial Celebration of
morning of tliis day, a luiiiclred years ago, he signed the con-
vention. At eleven o'clock his troops marched to this meadow,
the site of old Fort Hardy, and with tears coursing down
bearded cheeks, with passionate sobs and oaths of rage and de-
fiance, the soldiers kissing their guns with the tenderness of
lovers, or with sudden frenzy knocking off the butts of their
muskets, and the drummers stamping on their drums, the
king's army laid down their arms. No American eyes, except
those of Morgan Lewis and James Wilkinson, aids of General
Gates, beheld the surrender. As the British troops filed after-
wards between the American lines, they saw no sign of exulta-
tion, but they heard the drums and fifes playing "Yankee
Doodle." A few minutes later, Burgoyne and his suite rode to
the headquarters of Gates. The English genei al, as if for a
court holiday, glittered in scarlet and gold ; Gates plainly clad
in a blue overcoat, attended by General Schuyler in citizen's
dress, who had come to congratulate him, and by his proud and
happy staff, received his guest with urbane courtesy. They
exchanged the compliments of soldiers. " The fortune of war,
Geneial Gates, has made me your prisoner. " Gates gracefully
replied, "I shall always be ready to testify that it has not. been
through any fault of your Excellency. " The generals entered
the tent of Gates and dined together. With the same courtly
compliment the English general toasted General Washington,
the American general toasted the ki'ig. Then, as the English
army, witluut artillery or arms, approached on their march to
the sea, the two generals stepped ou( in front of the tent, and
standing together conspicuous upon this spot, in full view of the
Americans and of tlie British army. General Burgoyne drew his
sword, bowed, and presented it to General Gates. General
Gates bowed, received the sword, and returned it to General
Burgoyne.
Such was the simple ceremony that marked the turning point
of the Revolution. All the defeats, indeed, all the struggles,
the battles, the sacrifices, the sufferings, at all times and in
every colony, were indispensible to the great result. Concord,
Lexington, Bunker Hill, Moultrie, Long Island, Trenton, Oris-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 85
kany, Bennington, tlie Brandywine, Germantown, Saratoga,
Monmouth, Camden, Cowpen, Guilford, Eutaw Springs, York-
town, — what American does not kindle as he calls the glorious
battle roll of the Revolution ! ^whether victories or defeats,
are all essential lights and shades in the immortal picture. But,
as gratefully acknowledging the service of all the patriots, we
yet call Washington father, so mindful of the value of every
event, we may agree that the defeat of Burgoyne determined
American independence. Thenceforth it was but a question of
time. The great doubt was solved. Out of a rural militia an
army could be trained to cope at every point successfully with
the most experienced and disciplined troops in the world. In
the first bitter moment of his defeat, Burgoyne generously
wrote to a military friend, " A better armed, a better bodied, a
more alert or better prepared army in all essential points of
military institution, I am afraid is not to be found on our side
of the question." The campaign in New York also, where the
loyalists were strongest, had shown, what Avas afterwards con-
stantly proved, that the British crown, despite the horrors of
Cherry Valley and Wyoming, could not count upon general or
effective aid from the tories nor from the Indians. At last it
was plain that if Britain would conquer, she must overrun and
crush the continent, and that was impossible. The shrewdest
men in England and in Europe saw it. Lord North himself.
King George's chief minister, owned it, and grieved in his blind
old age that he had not followed his conviction. Edmund
Burke would have made peace on any terms. Charles Fox ex-
claimed that the ministers knew as little how to make peace as
war. The Duke of Richmond urged the impossibility of con-
quest, and the historian Gibbon, who in parliament had voted
throughout the war as Dr. Johnson would have done, agreed
that America was lost. The king of France ordered Fi-anklin
to be told that he should support the cause of the United States.
In April he sent a fleet to America, and from that time to the
end of the war, the French and the Americans battled together
on sea and land, until on this very day, the 17th of October,
1781, four years after the disaster of Burgoyne, Cornwallis, on
12
86 Centennial Celebration of
the plains of Yorktown, proposed a surrender to the combined
armies of France and tlie United States. The terms were set-
tled U2:)on our part jointly by an American and a French ofHcer,
while Washington and La Fayette stood side by side as the British
laid down their arms. It was the suirender of Burgoyne that
determined the P'rench alliance and the French alliance secured
the final triumph.
It is the story of a hundred years ago. It has been ceaselessly
told by sire to son, along this valley and through this land.
The later attempt of the same foe and the bright day of victory
at Plattsburgh on the lake, renewed and confirmed the old hos-
tility. Alienation of feeling between the })arent country and
the child became traditional, and on both sides of the sea a
narrow prejudice survives, and still sometimes seeks to kindle
the embers of that wasted fire. But here and now we stand
upon the grave of old enmities. Hostile breastwork and re-
doubt are softly hidden under grass and grain ; shot and sliell
and every deadly missile are long since buried deep beneath
our feet, and from the mouldering dust of mingled foemen
springs all the varied verdure that makes this scene so fair.
While nature tenderly and swiftly repairs the ravages of war,
we suffer no hostility to linger in our hearts. Two months ago
the British governor-general of Canada was invited to meet
the president of the United States, at Bennington, in happy
commemoration not of a British defeat but of a triumph of
English liberty. So, upon this famous and decisive field, let
every unworthy feeling perish ! Here, to the England that we
fought, let us now, grown great and strong with a hundred
years, hold out the hand of fellowship and peace ! Here, where
the English Burgoyne, in the very moment of his bitter humil-
iation, generously pledged George Washington, let us, in our
high hour of triumph, of power, and of hope, pledge the queen !
Here, in the grave of brave and unknown foemen, may mutual
jealousies and doubts and aTiimosities lie buried forever !
Henceforth, revering their common glorious traditions, may
England and America press always forward side by side, in
noble and inspiring rivalry to promote the welfare of man !
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 87
Fellow-citizens, with the story of Burgoyne's surrender —
the revolutionary glory of the state of New York — still fresh
in our memories, amid these thousands of her sons and daugh-
ters, Avhose hearts glow with lofty pride, I am glad that the
hallowed spot on which we stand compels us to remember not
only the imperial state, but the national commonwealth whose
young hands here together struck the blow, and on whose older
head descends the ample benediction of the victory. On yonder
height, a hundred yeai's ago, Virginia and Pennsylvania lay
encamped. Beyond, and further to the north, watched New
Hampshire and Vermont. Here, in the wooded uplands at the
south, stood New Jersey and New York, while across the river
to the east, Connecticut and Massachusetts closed the trium-
phant line. Here was the symbol of the Revolution, a common
cause, a common strife, a common triumph ; the cause not of a
class, but of human nature — the triumph not of a colony, but
of United America. And we who stand here proudly remem-
bering— we who have seen Virginia and New York — the
North and the South — more bitterly hostile than the armies
whose battles shook this ground — we who mutually proved in
deadlier conflict the constancy and the courage of all the
states, which, proud to be peers, yet own no master but their
united selves — we renew our heart's imperishable devotion to
the common Aineiican faith, the common American pride, the
common American glory ! Here Americans stood and tri-
umphed. Here Americans stand and bless their memory.
And hei-e, for a. thousand years, may grateful generations of
Americans come to rehearse the glorious story, and to rejoice
in a supreme and benignant American Nationality.
88 Centennial Celebration of
ALFRED B. STREET'S POEM.'
READ BY COL. E. P. HOWE.
When fell Rome's fabric in the chasm it wrought
Dense darkness rushed without one star of thought :
Scowled the whole midnight heaven, one general tomb,
Where formless monsters moved in Gothic gloom.
What though breathed Music in Proven<;al bowers,
And architecture wreathed its fadeless flowers :
The loftiest virtues of the soul lay dead
Right, swordless, crouched to Wrong's crowned conquering head,
And though grand Freedom's essence never dies,
It drooped, despairing, under despot skies.
If aught it asked, Darius-like the throne
At its awed look, in wrathful lightnings shone.
Its food the acorn and its home the cell.
Its only light but showed its manacle :
Until its eye, at throned Oppression's foot,
Saw slavery's towering tree, its heart the root,
Cast Upas shadow o'er one common grave,
With naught but its own soul its life to save.
And then it rose; up with one bound it sprang ;
Thunder from a clear sky its war-shout rang; —
Out like a sunburst, flashed its falchion wide.
And gladdened thousands sought its warrior side ;
As the mist streaming from some towering crag.
It spread the blazon of its glittering flag.
In savage gorges which the vulture swept,
In lonely caverns where the serpent crept.
Close where the tumbling torrent hurled its spray.
And shadowy cedars twined a twilight day :
Clutching its sword and battling on its knee.
Still Freedom fought ; and though the swelling sea
Of cruel Wrong still drove it struggling higher
It could not quencii its pure celestial fire ;
From peak to peak it rose until the height
Showed it but heaven wherein to take its flight.
» The text gives only euch portions of the poem as, owing to the lateness of the hour,
were read on the occasion.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 89
Round flew its glance, it saw its myriad foes
Following, still following, rising as it rose ;
Following, still following! was no refuge nigh?
Naught on the earth, and only in the sky?
Round flew its glance, it pierced heyond the wave!
Ha ! the New World emerges ! — shall it save ?
Hark, a wild cry ! It is the eagle's scream !
See, a broad light, the far league-conquering stream
Linking all climates, where it reaching flows ;
Its head the snow-drift and its foot the rose.
Mountains rise there that know no tread of kings ;
Blasts that waft liberty on chainless wings :
Lakes that hold skies, the swallow tires to cross ;
Prairies, earth-oceans ; woods a whirlwind's toss
Would seem a puny streak : and with one tongue
All thundered "Come!" the welkin, echoing, rung
" Come ! " and it went ; it took its Mayflower flight ;
Fierce raged the blast, cold billows hurled their might :
Winter frowned stern, it pierced to Freedom's heart;
White spread the strand and hunger reared its dart ;
Round the frail hut the panther prowled, the gloat
Of the wolf's eyeball starred the chimney's throat;
Though winter entered in its heart, it braced
With strength its frame ; its feet the forest traced
Despising hardship ; by the torrent rocked
Its bark canoe ; the wild tornado shocked
Way through prostrate woods, it grazing, sent
No dread, as by its roof it whirling went:
From choice it climbed the dizzy cliff" to glance
O'er its realm's magnificent expanse.
Oh, glorious Freedom ! grandest, brightest gift
Kind heaven has given our souls to heavenward lift I
Oh, glorious Freedom ! are there hearts so low
That its live flame finds there no answering glow ?
It soars sublime beyond the patriot's love
Stateliest that sways save thought that dwells above.
Slaves love their homes, a patriot glad will die
For native land, though she in cliains may lie ;
Noblest of all the soul that loves to fall
In the red front at Freedom's sacred call ;
His heart right's shield, he braves the despot's ban.
Not for himself to perish but for man.
90 Centennial Celebration of
So ^vhen crowned Wrong made here, his first advance,
Fhislicd from our fathers wrath's immediate ghince;
Freedom their life, tlie sceptre but essayed
Attempt, to send their swift hand to their blade.
Their serried front said " stay !" their eyes " beware !
Rouse not the still prone panther from his lair ! "
But vain the mandate, vain the warning spoke,
The king strode onward and the land awoke.
Stately the sight recording History shows
When the red walls of our Republic rose.
Reared in deep woods, beneath a scarce-known sky
In punj^ strifes that hardly claimed the eye ;
Of lands still trembling with the thundering track
Of Saxe and Marlborough ; where startling back
Russia's black Eagle had the Crescent hurled
Threatening so late to dominate the world.
*****
Three threatening strands were woven by the Crown —
One stretching up Champlain ; one reaching down
The Mohawk valley, w'hose green depths retained
Its Tory heart. Fort Stanwix, scarce restrained,
And one up Hudson's flood — the three to link
Where stood Albania's gables by its brink.
Glance at the picture, ere we spread our wing.
Of the grand battle whose famed deeds we sing.
Here spreads Champlain with mountain-skirted shore —
Caniadere Guareniie — open door
Of the fierce Iroquois to seek their foes
In regions stretching from Canadian snows.
West, in a purple dream of misty crag.
The Adirondacks wavy outlines drag :
East the Green mountains, home of meadowy brooks.
Of cross-road hamlets, sylvan school-house nooks,
Church-covered hills and lion-hearted men.
Taught by the torrent tumbling down the glen.
By the grand tempests sweeping round the clitf.
By the wild waters, tossing by their skiff.
Freedom, till Freedom grew their very life,
And slavery with all earthly curses rife.
Next the dark Horican, that mountain-vein,
Bright islet-spanglecl tassel to Champlain ;
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 91
The Highlands, souled with Washington and grand
Witli his high presence watching o'er the land ;
Thy heights, oh Bemis ! green with woods, yet white
With flalies of tents, zigzag with works and bright
Willi flags ; while in perspective, we discern
Grouped round giand Washington, with features stern
In patriot care and doubt, tlie forms of Wayne,
Putnam and Greene and all the shadowy train
Of congress, wrapt spectators from afar
Of where fierce Battle drove his flasiiiug, thundering car.
As when some dream tumultuous fills the night
With changeful scenes and plunges past the sight
In hazy shapes looks frowning, till at last
With all its weird, wild phantasm it is past.
So the broad picture as it melts away,
And once more in our heart peals out our trumpet-lay.
A deep, stern sound ! the startling signal-war !
And up Champlain Burgoyne's great squadron bore.
In front his savage ally's bark canoes
Flasiiing in all their bravery wild of hues ;
Their war songs sounding and their paddles timed ;
Next the bateaux, their rude, square shapes sublimed
With pennon, sword and bayonet, casting glow
In pencilled pictures on the plain below ;
Last the grand ships, by queenly Mary led,
Where shines Burgoyne in pomp of gold and red,
And then in line St. George, Inflexible,
And Radeau, Thunderer, dancing on the swell
The glad wind made ; how stately shone the scene !
June in the forests, each side smiling green !
O'er lier dark dome the cliestnut's tassels stretched
Like golden fingers ; pearl that seemed as fetched
From Winter's heart the locust mantled o'er,
While its rich, creamy mass the dogwood bore,
Like a white helmet with its plumes atop.
And the sweet basswood higher appeared adrop
With ivory gems : the hemlock showed its edge
Fringed with fresh emerald ; even the sword-like sedge
Sharp mid the snowy lily-goblets set
In the nook shallows, like a spangled net
Was jewelled with brown bloom. By curving point
92 Centennial Celebration of
Where glittering ripples amber sands anoint
With foamy silver ; by deep, crescent bays
Sleeping beneath their veil of drowsy haze,
By watery coverts shimmering faint in film,
Broad, rounded knolls, one white and rosy realm
Of laurel blossom, witli the Kalmia-urns
Dotted with red, the fleet, as sentient, turns
The winding channel ; in tall towers of white
The stately ships absorb the emerald light
Glossing the lake ; like huge, dark claw-urged crabs
Ply the bateaux their poles ; the paddle-stabs
Of the canoes make music as they move.
Gliding along unjarred, as in its groove
The car-wheel glides ; the panther views the scene
And bears her cubs within the thicket's screen ;
The wolf lifts sharpened ear and forward foot ;
Waddles the bear away with startled hoot,
As some sail sends a sudden flash of white
In the cove's greenery, slow essa3'ing flight
The loon rears, flapping, its checked, grazing wings,
Till up it struggling flies and downward flings
Its Indian whoop; the blue-bird's sapphire spark
Kindles the shade; the swarming pigeon's dark
Deep blue breaks out ; the robin's warble swells
In crumply cadence from^the skirting^dells:
And restless rings the bobolink's bubbly note
From the clear bell that tinkles in his throat.
Thus stately, cheerily move the thronging fleet!
O'er the lake's steel the blazing sunbeams beat;
But now a blast comes blustering from a gorge.
The whitecaps dance ; it bends the tall St. George
And even the Thunderer tosses : the array
Breaks up; canoe, bateau grope doubtful way
Through the dim air; in spectral white each sail
Glances and shivers in the whistling gale ;
All the green paintings of point, bank and tree
Vanish in black and white, and all but see
A close horizon where near islands lose
Their shapes and distant ranks of forest fuse
Into a mass ; at last the blast flies off',
Shallows stop rattling, and the hollow cough
Of surges into caves makes gradual cease
Till on the squadron glides, once jnore in sunny peace.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 93
So in some blue-gold day white clouds up-float
In shining throng, and then are dashed remote
By a fierce wind, next join in peace again
And smoothly winnow o'er the heavenly plain,
Or some fleet of wild fowl on the lake
Dipping and preening quiet journey take,
Till the sky drops an eagle circling low
For the straight plunge, wild scattering to and fro.
*****
When lay Champlain in eve's gold-plated glass,
And rich, black pictures etched the glowing grass,
The crews debarked, their camp-fires round would rear,
And hang their kettles for their nightly cheer ;
Then rose the tents, like mushrooms to the moon,
Swords would be edged and muskets polished ; soon
Slumber would fan its wings, and in the bright.
Soft, delicate peace would croon the summer night.
Then the gray day-dawn through the leaves would look.
Red coats would gleam iu every emerald nook
And weapons glitter; as the mist would crawl
From the smooth lake and up the forest-wall,
Sails would shine out and spottings of canoe
Moored with bateau would thicken on the view ;
Rings of dead ashes, fallen trees half burned,
Trunks into black Egyptian marble turned.
Where curling fires had scorched the streaky moss,
Roofs of dead leaves where branches stooped across.
And soil burned black and smoking still would show
Where through the night had shone the camp-fire glow ;
Limbs drooping down and logs with gaping cuts
Where the brigade had reared their bushy huts;
A deer's head on a stump, a bear skin cast
On trampled ferns — the red man's late repast;
The damp drum's beat would sound, and shrilly fife.
Dingle and aisle would flash with martial life ;
Once more the fleet would start and.up their way
Take as the whole scene brightened into day.
On Lady Mary's deck Burgoyne would stand.
Drinking the sights and sounds at either hand.
Replete with beauty to his poet-heart,
Laughing to scorn man's paltry works of art,
13
94 Centennial Celebration of
The firass}' vista witli its grazing deer,
The lone loon soaring on its shy career,
The witiiered pine tree with its fish-hawk nest,
The eagle eyrie on some craggy crest,
The rich white lilies that wild shallow told.
Their yellow sisters with their globes of gold
At the stream's mouth ; the ever changeful lake,
Here a green gleaming, there a shadowy rake
Of scudding air-breath ; here a dazzling flash
Searing the eyeball ; there a sudden dash
Of white from some swift cloud ; a streak of white
The wake of some scared duck avoiding sight.
*****
Changing the scene, Burgoyne his camp would trace
Round the Red House at the Great Carrying Place ;
There when the sun is bright the sentry sees
Madame Riedesel dining under trees.
As the chasseur beholds her gliding round
Ofi" flies his bear-skin helmet to the ground.
* * * * *
Meanwhile the tidings of Oriskany
And Benningt(m careered, and glad and free
Hope spread white pinions; throngs to Schuyler pour
Swelling his ranks, all abject terror o'er.
Poor Jennie's mournful doom has roused an ire
Wrapping the region with consuming fire.
The boy strode downward in his rustic sleeves.
His coarse frock fragrant with the wheateu sheaves;
The old blue swallow-tailed artillery coat
Trod by the hunting shirt from wilds remote.
*****
But on ! the morning dawns : still on ! the height
Of Saratoga hails the pallid light
Of closing eve, and here at last the weighed
And weary step of poor Burgoyne is stayed.
Gates follows after from the jewelled isles
Of Horican, the stately rocky piles
Of blue Luzerne, where the majestic crags
Of " Potash Kettles " change the clouds to flags.
Within a ball-swept tent Burgoyne sits now
In council with despair upon his brow;
Curtains of scowling blackness fold him round,
Closed is the net and he is firmly bound.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 95
Turns he toward Horican ? the foe is there !
East, Fellows' cannon-lightnings scorch the air.
West, the live forest but his coming waits,
And in his rear the frowning front of Gates.
*****
On the Fort Hardy green, this dainty day,
The conquered hosts of England march, to lay
Their weapons down. The hour has struck, and now
With heavy footstep and with sullen brow
They come, but with no patriot eye to see.
For nobly Gates in generous sympathy
Has banished all within their tents. They come
Yet with no banner spread, no beating drum.
Tramp, tramp, they come ! tramp, tramping rank on rank!
Tramp, tramp, they come! tramp, tramping; hark, that clank 1
Those piling arms! clank, clank ! that tolling knell
To bowed Burgoyne ! what bitter, bitter swell
Of his proud heart ! ah, sad Burgoyne ! what death
To thy high hopes, all vanished like a breath !
* * * * *
Loudly may laureled Saratoga claim
A marble tribute to her splendid fame !
In the grand chariot which her war-steeds drew
She first placed Freedom, pointed to her view
The glorious goal. Shall pagan Egypt bid
The heavens be cloven with her pyramid ?
Shall Greece shrine Phidias in her Parthenon
To live till fade the stars and dies the sun ?
Rome with her mighty Coliseum whelm
The earth with awe ? — a peerless, wondrous realm —
And our free nation meanly shrink to write
With marble finger in the whole world's sight
Grand Saratoga's glory ? Sound aloud
Song thy wide trumpet ! let the heavens be bowed
With love of country's wrathful thunders, till
A reverent people with united will
Shall bid the monument arise and stand
Freedom's embodied form forever in the land.
96 Centennial Celebration of
EX-SENATOR FOSTER'S ADDRESS.
In introducing the speaker to the audience, Judge Lester said :
Fellow Citizens : I take pleasure in informing you tliat there is on
the platform with me the son of a soldier who fought at Bemis's Heights
one hundred years ago. (Cheers) But that is not his only title to our
esteem. He has served his own state with distinction in the United
Slates senate, and iiasheen vice-president of these United States. I have
the honor to introduce to you Senator Foster from Connecticut.
Ex-Senator Foster then stepping to the front of the platform spoke as
follows :
Will you pardon rac, fellow citizens, if I say that I am quite
in symj^athy with the whole of this vast crowd which surrounds
this stand ? The thought that is uppermost in all your minds
at this moment I am sure is that he must be a bold man, bold
even to rashness, who should dare at this hour of this day to
stand before you with the design of making a speech. The
eloquence of two most distinguished citizens of the Empire
state is yet ringing in your ears. They have discussed the
great event which we are assembled to commemorate and per-
petuate, in such a manner as to leave nothing to be added ;
at least I have not the courage to attempt it, and I trust I have
no cowardly blood in my veins, for my father stood on this
field one hundred years ago to-day. In the battles which pre-
ceded the surrender he bore an active part, and I think thot I
am warranted in saying that he performed his duty faithfully
and well. My mother had two brothers here. My state had
two regiments here, and several troops of Light Horse. So I
don't feel myself a stranger or intruder here. Your worthy ex-
governor has courteously said, that though this celebration w'as
in the state of New York, for a victory won on the soil of New
York, it "was not alone a New York celebration. The descend-
ants of those from other states, who aided in winning the
victory, were here, not as guests, but because they had a right
to be here. One of the Connecticut regiments w\as made up
from the eastern part of the state, from New London and
Windham counties. To that my father belonged. He was a
lieutenant in the line and adjutant of the regiment. Colonel
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 97
Latimer was the commander. My father's warrant as adjutant
is dated the iVth of October, 1777, and was given on the field.
He has been dead fifty-three years, and the earliest recollec-
tions of my boyhood are sitting on his knee and listening to the
stories of the march, the camp and the battle field, with all the
eagerness belonging to that period of life. Those tales made
an impression on my mind too deep and too vivid ever to be
erased. May I quote to you a stanza of a song, which he was
in the habit of singing, especially on the return of this day, a
day he never failed to celebrate, as he celebrated the 4th of
July. It ran thus :
" The ITth of October,
The morning being clear,
Brave Gates unto his men did say
'My boys be of good cheer,
For Burgoyne he is advancing,
And we will never fly.
But to maintain our chartered rights,
We'll fight until we die.' "
The eloquent orator who has preceded me has alluded to the
manner in which General Arnold bore himself on the field at
the final battle before the surrendei*. I well recollect hearing my
father say that Arnold came dashing along the line, the speed at
which he rode leaving his aid far behind, and as he came up to
my father's regiment he called out, " Whose regiment is this ?"
My father replied, " Col. Latimer's, sir. " " Ah, " said he, " my
old Norwich and New London friends. God bless you ; I am
glad to see you. Now come on, boys ; if the day is long
enough, we'll have them all in hell before night. " General
Arnold was a native of Norwich, and was born within fifty rods
of my house in that town. Until after this surrender, we felt
proud of him as a son of Connecticut. Subsequently, he be-
came a son of perdition, and so we let him pass.
Among the numerous incidents that my father used to relate,
which occurred a short time prior to the suri-ender of Burgoyne,
I call to mind one that I will rejieat. His regiment was or-
dered at a certain time to take up a new position. In marching
through the woods to the post assigned them, they encountered
a body of Hessians who were lying in ambush in their way, and
who rose up suddenly and fired upon them. My father was
98 Centennial Celebration of
marching by the side of Colonel Latimer. On receiving the
enemy's fire, the colonel slapped his hand on his thigh, as my
father thought in a rather excited manner, and called out, fire !
The order was very promptly obeyed, and the order to form in
line was almost simultaneously given. My fatlier was march-
ing with a musket, which he snapped when the order to fire was
given, but from some defect in the musket-lock, it stopped at
half-cock, and did not go off. Most of the men by this time
had changed their positions, and my father was left standing
almost alone. He made up his mind, however, not to leave till
he had fired his gun. He re-cocked it, took aim again, pulled
the trigger and fired. He then took his place in the regiment,
and after one or two more volleys, the Hessians retreated in
disorder. On reaching their position, the regiment pitched
their tents and encamped. My father occupied a tent with
Colonel Latimer, and at night, when the colonel pulled off his
boots to tui-n in, a bullet droi^ped from one of them on the
ground. This led to an examination, and they soon found that
his coat which had long pocket-flaps, reaching down on his legs,
had a bullet hole through one of the pockets. In that pocket,
the colonel had a large pocket-book quite filled with papers,
and among them his colonel's commission. The bullet had
passed through this pocket-book, and was thus so deadened in
its force, that on reaching the colonel's person it made only a
slight indentation in the skin and dropped down into his boot.
This served to explain the hurried manner of slapping his thigh
with his hand when the first fire of the Hessians was i-eceived.
The slight twinge which the bullet gave him was immediately
•forgotten in Ihe excitement of the occasion. The commission
was folded as it lay in the })ocket-book, and when opened, it
showed seven bullet holes through it. My father always al-
luded to that commission as one tliat a soldier would prize.
I would like also to say something of the march of my father's
regiment towards Albany the day after the surrender, and the
crossing of *' the Sprouts " of the Mohawk — the lateness of the
hour forbids.
Allusion has been made .to some of the battle-fields famous in
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 99
the world's history, and this is surely worthy of mention in that
connection. Dr. Johnson said that man was little to be envied
whose patriotism did not grow warmer on the plain of Mara-
thon. There certainly can be no man with an American heart
in his bosom, whose patriotism is not warmed into a fervid glow
on this plain of Saratoga.
After the reading of the poem the president of the day closed
the exercises as follows :
Ladies and Gentlemen : The commemorative exercises of
to-day are over. Our first centennial celebration has been
made a magnificent success by the eloquence of our speakers
and the golden sunshine with which we have been favored. It
becomes my duty now to adjourn this meeting for one hundred
years.
100 Centennial Celebration of
EXERCISES AT THE NORTPI STAND. HON. GEORGE
W. SCHUYLER {in the absence of E. H. BULLARD) PRE-
SIDING.
Prayer by Rev. Joseph E. King, D.D., of Fort Edward, N. Y.
Lord God of nalions, our father's God, and ours, we reverently and
humbly worship Thee, and grateiully acknowledge Thee as the giver of
all good. We bless Thee devoutly, that Thou hast been benignly present
in all the history of our country. We bless Thee for the herciic race of
wise and patriotic men, whose self-sacrificing and successful exertions to
found an independent nation, we are met to commemorate, on this au-
spicious day. We bless Thee, also, for the discreet and godly and pa-
triotic women of that time, worthy to be the motliers and wives and
daughters of the men who vindicated by their counsels and their arms, the
right of our infant republic, to take its place among the nations of the
earth. Bless us, with thy presence, who unite in these memorial services,
inspire the people of this historic valley, witli noble purposes and make
us worthy of our ancestors. Vouchsafe thy blessing to this common-
wealth and its chief, under whose protection we are met. Bless the
president of the United States and all the states which are clustered
under that banner which was unfurled in victory here one hundred years
ago. Let this nation live ! O, let it not be, that the people whom the
mightiest monarchy could not subjugate, whom the most appalling civil
war could not divide, should, after all, fall a victim to political corruption
and to the weakness and wickedness of intemperance. O impart to us
that righteousness which alone exalteth a nation. Grant us, this our
prayer, O God, with the pardon of our sins, we humbly beseech Thee
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS OF HON. GEORGE W.
SCHUYLER, PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
One liundred years ago General Bnrgoyne, at the head of a
large and well appointed army, on these grounds, surrendered
to the undisciplined forces of a few millions of people just
struggling into national existence. It is only natural that we
should forget the event for a moment, and enquire as to the
actors in the drama. Standing upon the ground where the
surrender was made we look into the past. We see the English
general with well disciplined legions and savage allies sweeping
through the northern lakes and down through the valley of the
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 101
Hudson, driving the little army of the republic from post to
post. In their front we see the army of citizen soldiers, few in
number ; without uniform, without supplies, almost without
arms, disputing the way step by step, until recruited from the
farms and workshops of New England and New York, with a
Spartan band from the sunny South, they take position on
the heights of Saratoga, and stay the onward progress of the
enemy.
We see the armies preparing for the contest — there the
English regiments, and their German mercenaries, with Canadians
and Indians on their flanks — here the patriot army unused to
arms, but self reliant and hopeful.
We see the form of General Gates at the door of his tent, at
a safe distance from the scene of conflict, sending by messengers
his orders to his oflicers in the field. We see the fiery Arnold
at the head of his command charging furiously — the brave and
prudent Lincoln leading his men into the deadly strife — the
lion-hearted Morgan with his southern riflemen raining deadly
fire on the enemy's wavering ranks — we see thousands of noble
heroes intent upon victory or death.
Still gazing back off to the left, up the valley of the Mohawk,
we behold the dying Herkimer with his patriot band within the
toils of Butler's tories and Indian allies at Oriskany — we see
the gallant Gansevoort at Fort Schuyler sending word to St.
Leger and his beleaguering hosts, " we will hold the fort or
die," — and near by we see Hons Yost (termed the half-witted)
and one Indian companion, warily threading their way through
the forest alone to raise the seige, and relieve the half starved
garrisou.
Still backward, off to the right, among the green hills of Ver-
mont, our gaze rests upon the manly form of the modest and
determined Stark. Surrounded with his hardy neighbors they
are rejoicing in victory over the cohorts of General Baum.
But among the hosts of brave and gallant men there is one
that fixes our gazing eyes. In citizen's dress, quiet, dignified,
earnest, he looks, as he is, the hero. Pardon me, fellow citizens,
while we take a longer look at this one than at the others.
14
102 Centennial Celebration of
Fatherless, in his boyhood he assumed tlie jjhice of a father
in Ills dead father's family. Reserved and silent, in early youth
he began the battle of life. In early manhood his business pur-
suits associate him with an English officer with whom against
the French of Canada he acquires some knowledge of war. In
later years we see him as a legislator contending lor the rights
of the people against the abuses of arbitrary power. We see
him sacrificing social position and the friendships of years, and
voting for the right, sometimes alone.
Later the congress place him in command of the northern
department with the rank of major-general. He knows the
difficulties of the position with no army, no arms, no supplies,
no money, no credit. But hfs patriotism will not allow liim to
decline, and he accepts the trust with all its responsibilities. In
the dei)artment of the north were included the upper valley of
the Hudson, the Lakes Geor.ge and Champlain with the con-
tiguous territory stretching through the wilderness to Canada ;
and the valley of the Mohawk with the almost unknown country
beyond to the great lakes. These had been the great highway
through which the French for more than a century had led their
armies to devastate the outlying settlements, and, if possible, to
capture Albany, thus giving them control of the territory west
of the Hudson. Through these valleys it was believed the En-
glish would now seek to lead their armies, gain possession of
Albany and the lower LTudson, thus sundering the colonies and
making it easy to subdue the patriots in detail. In anticipation
of these designs the northern general organized a force for the
invasion of Canada, and by conquering that province securely
close the gates through which our state might be attacked.
He successfully opposed the influence of Sir William Jolinson
and his numerous tory adherents, organized the patriots, and
placed the valley of the Mohawk in a position of defence. He
procured arms and supplies for the trooj^s, pledging therefor his
personal responsibility and his private fortune. His small army
under the command of an able general i^enetrates the enemy's
country, capturing their forts and strong positions until before
the walls of Quebec the gallant Montgomery 1\'1I, when the tide
of success is turned.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 103
In the following year he is confronted by a large and well
appointed army, before whom his handfull of men is forced to
retreat out of Canada through the lakes, down to the Hudson.
Another army composed of regulars, Canadians, tories and
Indians, marches from Oswego to the upper valley of the Mo-
hawk, and lay siege to Fort Schuyler, the only obstacle between
them and Albany.
Our general has not yet an army sufficiently strong to meet
and resist this double invasion. He is without supplies or
money. Congress fails to render efficient support. There is
disaffection in the ranks, and coldness among the people. But
he is not dismayed. He is still hopeful and pleads for assistance.
Forced to retreat, step by step he obstructs and delays the ad-
vance of the enemy, gaining the needed time for reinforcements
to join him. At last reaching a strong defensible position, with
an army reunited in numbers and courage, he prepared for bat-
tle. He saw his enemy far from his base of supplies, his num-
bers depleted by battles and desertions, his line of retreat cut
off, and he knew that with a well delivered blow he must sub-
mit to capture. But when about to strike, his arm was arrested.
His domestic foes had proved more powerful than hostile armies,
and had prevailed on congress to remove him from command.
Another takes his place, who, almost against his will, delivers
the battle already prepared, and is crowned with the glory be-
longing to another.
Although wronged and insulted, his love of country did not
grow cold. His advice and services still sought were rendered
cheerfully. He encouraged his friends in the army, and when
the victory was won, he rejoiced with perfect satisfaction.
Standing on the neighboring heights, he witnessed the destruc-
tion of his mills and manufactories, of his houses and barns, of
his crops and orchards, by the defeated and fleeing enemy, and
called it " the fortune of war." In his tent he received the wid-
ows and orphans of enemies slain in battle, soothing their sorrows
and supplying their wants. In his own house in the city he
gave asylum to the captive general and his officers, winning
their sympathies for his oppressed and struggling people.
104 Centennial Celebration of
lie saw the reAvards of his own personal Labor and sacrifices
bestowed ui)on another, lie saw the crown prepared for him-
self placed npon th<5 brow of an alien. He endured detraction
and reproach. But his love for the cause never failed. Free-
dom from the yoke of England became a passion which no flat-
tery could soothe, no wrong extinguish.
The memory of General Philii) Schuyler needs no eulogy from
one who bears his name, and in wliose veins there is only a trace
of collateral blood. History will yetdoliini jusiice. Posterity
will crown him the Hero of Saratoga. The nation will recog-
nize him as the general who prepared the battle which won our
freedom.
WILLIAM L. STONE'S HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
The battles of the 19th of September and the 7th of October,
were so fully described at the Bemis's Heights celebration, that
I jjass at once to the occurrences succeeding that event and im-
mediately preceding the surrender.
On the morning of the day succeeding the action of the 7th
of October, Burgoyne, before daybreak, left his position, now
utterly untenable, and defiled on to the meadows by the river
(Wilbur's basin) where were his supply trains : but was obliged
to delay his retreat until the evening, because his hospital could
not be sooner removed. He wished also to avail himself of the
darkness. The Americans immediately moved forward, and
took possession of the abandoned camp. Burgoyne having
concentrated his force upon some heights, which were strong
by nature, and covered by a ravine running parallel with the
intrenchments of his late camp, a random fire of artillery and
small-arms was kept up through the day, particularly on the part
of the German chasseurs and the provincials. These, stationed
in coverts of the ravine, kept up an annoying fire upon every
one crossing their line of vision, and it was by a shot from one
of these lurking parties that General Lincoln received a severe
wound in the leg while riding near the line. It Avas evident from
the movements of the British that they were prei)aring to re-
treat ; but the American troops, having, in the delirium of joy
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 105
consequent upon their victory, neglected to draw and eat their
rations — being withal not a little fatigued with the two days'
exertions, fell back to their camp, which had been left standing
in the morning. Retreat was, indeed, the only alternative left
to the British commander, since it was not quite certain that he
could not cut his way through the American army, and his sup-
plies were reduced to a short allowance for five days.
Meanwhile, in addition to the chagrin of defeat, a deep gloom
pervaded the British camp. The gallant and beloved Fraser —
the life and soul of the army — lay dying in the little house on
the river bank occupied by Baroness Riedesel. That lady has
described this scene with such unaffected pathos that we give it
in her own words, simply premising that on the previous day
she had expected Burgoyne, Phillips, and Fraser to dine with
her after their return from the reconnaissance. She says :
" About four o'clock in the afternoon, instead of the guests
who were to have dined with us, they brought into me upon a
litter poor General Fraser, mortally wounded. Our dining
table, which was already sj)read, 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. The noises grew continually
louder. The thought that tliey might bring in my husband in
the same manner was to me dreadful, and tormented me inces-
santly. The general said to the surgeon, ' Do not conceal any
thing from me. Must I die ?' The ball had gone through his
bowels precisely as in the case of Major Harnage. Unfortunately,
however, the general had eaten a hearty breakfast, by reason
of which the intestines were distended, and the ball had gone
through them. I heard him often, amidst his groans, exclaim,
' O fatal ambition! Poor General Burgoyne! My poor wife!'
Prayers were read to him. He then sent a message to General
Burgoyne, begging that he would have him buried the follow-
ing day at six o'clock in the evening, on the top of a hill which
was a sort of a redoubt. I knew no longer which way to turn.
The whole entry was filled with the sick, who were suffei-ing
Avith the camp sickness — a kind of dysentery. I spent the night
in this manner : at one time comforting Lady Ackland, whose
106 Centennial Celebration of
husband was wounded and a })nsonc'r, and at anotlier looking
after my child ivn, whom T had put to bed. As for myself, I
could not go to sleep, as I had General Fraser and all the other
gentlemen in my room, and 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. About three o'clock in the morning they told
me that he could' not last much longer. I had desired to be
apprised of the approach of this moment, I accordingly wrapped
up the children in the coverings, and went with them into the
entry. Early in the morning, at eight o'clock, he died. '
" After they had washed the corpse, they wrapped it in a
sheet and laid it on a bedstead. We then again came into the
room, and had this sad sight before us the whole day. At
every instant, also, wounded officers of my acquaintance ar-
rived, and the caimonade again began. A retreat was spoken
of, but there was not the least movement made toward it.
About four o'clock in the afternoon I saw the new house which
had been built for me, in flames ; the enemy, therefore, were
not far from us. We learned that General Burgoyne intended
to fulfill the last wish of General Fraser, and to have him buried
at six o'clock in the place designated by him. This occasioned
an unnecessary delay, to which a part of the misfortunes of the
army was owing.
" Precisely at six o'clock the corpse was brought out, and we
saw the entire body of generals Avith their retinues assisting at
the obsequies. The English chaplain, Mr. Brudenell, performed
the funeral services. The cannon-balls flew continually around
' General Fraser belonged to the house of Lovatt, whose family name was Fraser.
The Earl of Lovatt was one of the noblemen who were corapromlsed by the rebellion of
the last Stuart pretender, and whose fortunes were ruined at the battle of CuUoden, in
1745. General Fraser, a scion ol the house, of a sanguine temperament, ardent and
ambitious, entered the army, and became so distingiiishcd for his military ability as to
be advanced to the rank ol brigadier-general, and was selected for a command in Bur-
goyne's expedition. He had received intimations that, if the enterprise were successful,
the government would revoke the act of attainder, and restore to him the family title
and estates. With a knowledge of these facts, it is easy to understand the meaning of
the wounded general's exclamations as he lay waiting for death in the little "Taylor
Farm-house" — the lirst alluding to tlie sad extinction of his own cherished hopes of
well earned position and renown, the second betraying his anxiety for his commander,
whose impending disgrace he clearly foresaw.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 107
and over the party. The American general, Gates, afterwards
said that if he had known that it was a burial, he would not
have allowed any firing in that direction. Many cannon-balls
also flew not far from me, but I had my eyes fixed upon the
hill, Avhere I distinctly saw my husband in the midst of the
enemy's fire, and therefoi'e I could not think of my own dan-
ger." " Certainly," says General Riedesel, in his journal, " it
was a real military funeral — one that was unique of its kind."
General Burgoyne has himself described this funeral with his
usual eloquence and felicity of expression : " The incessant
cannonade during the solemnity ; the steady attitude and unal-
tered voice with which the chaplain ofiiciated, though frequently
covered with dust, which the shot threw uj^ on all sides of him ;
the mute but expressive mixture of sensibility and indignation
upon every countenance — these objects will remain to the last
of life upon the mind of every man who was present. The
growing duskiness added to the scenery, and the whole marked
a character of that juncture that would make one of the finest
subjects for the pencil of a master that the field ever exhibited.
To the canvas, 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 and their period,
find due distinction ; and long may they survive, long after the
frail record of my pen shall be forgotten !"
As soon as the funeral services were finished and the grave
closed, an order was issued that the army should retreat as soon
as darkness had set in ; and the commander who, in the begin-
ning of the campaign, had vauntingly uttered in general orders
that memorable sentiment, " Britons never go back," was now
compelled to steal away in the night, leaving his hospital, con-
taining tipward of four hundred sick and wounded, to the mercy
of a victorious and hitherto despised enemy. Gates in this, as
in all other instances, extended to his adversary the greatest
humanity. ,
The army began its retrograde movement at nine o'clock on
the evening of the 8th, in the midst of a pouring rain, Riedesel
leading the van, and Phillips bringing up the rear with the ad-
vanced corps.
108 Centennial Celebration of
111 tliis retreat the same lack of judgment on the part of Bur-
goyne is a})ijarent. Had that general, as Riedesel and Phillips
advised, fallen immediately back across the Hudson, and taken
up his former position behind the Batten kil, not only would his
communications Avith Lake George and Canada have been re-
stored, but he could at his leisure have awaited the movements
of Clinton. Burgoyne, however, having arrived at Dovogat
two hours before daybreak on the morning of the 9th, gave the
order to halt, greatly to the surprise of his whole army. "Every
one," says the journal of Keidesel, " was, notwithstanding, even
then of the opinion that the army would make but a short stand,
merely for its better concentration, as all saw that haste was of
the utmost necessity, if they would get out of a dangerous
trap." At this time the heights of Saratoga, commanding the
ford across Fish creek, were not yet occuj)ied by the Americans
in force, and up to seven o'clock in the morning the retreating
army might easily have reached that place and thrown a bridge
across the Hudson. General Fellows, who by the orders of
Gates, occupied the heights at Saratoga opposite the ford, was
in an extremely critical situation. On the night of the 8th,
Lieutenant-Colonel Southerland, who had been sent forward to
reconnoitre, crossed Fish creek, and, guided by General Fel-
lows's fire, found his camp so entirely unguarded that he marched
around it without being hailed. He then returned, and report-
ing to Burgoyne, entreated permission to attack Fellows with
his regiment, but was refused. " Had not Burgoyne halted at
Dovogat," says Wilkinson, " he must have reached Saratoga
before day, in which case Fellows would have been cut up and
captured or dispersed, and Burgoyne's retreat to Fort George
would have been unobstructed. As it was, however, Burgoyne's
army reached Saratoga just as the rear of our militia were as-
cending the opposite bank of the Hudson, where they took post
and prevented its passage." Burgoyne, however, although
within half an hour's march of Saratoga, gav^ the surprising
order that " the army should bivouac in two lines and await
the day."
Mr. Bancroft ascribes . this delay to the fact that Burgoyne
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 109
was still clogged with his artillery and baggage, and that the
niglit was dark, and the road weakened by rain." But according
to the universal testimony of all the manuscript journals extant,
the road, which up to this time was sufficiently strong for the
passage of the baggage and artillery trains, became, during the
halt, so bad by the continued rain that when the army again
moved, at four o'clock in the afternoon, it was obliged to leave
behind the tents and camp equipage, which fell most oppor-
tunely into the hands of the Americans. Aside, however, from
this, it is a matter of record that the men, through their officers,
pleaded with Burgoyne to be allowed to proceed notAvithstand-
ing the storm and darkness, while the officers themselves pro-
nounced the delay "madness." But whatever were the motives
of the English general, this delay lost him his army, and, per-
hajjs, the British crown her American colonies.
During the halt at Dovogat's there occurred one of those
incidents which relieve with fairer lights and softer tints the
gloomy picture of war. Lady Harriet Ackland had, like the
Baroness Riedesel, accompanied her husband to America, and
gladly shared with him the vicissitudes of campaign life.
Major Ackland was a rough, blunt man, but a gallant soldier
and devoted husband, and she loved him dearly. Ever since
he had been wounded and taken prisoner his wife had been
greatly distressed, and it had required all the comforting atten-
tions of the baroness to reassure her. As soon as the army
halted, by the advice of the latter ~ she determined to visit the
American camp and implore the permission of its commander
to join her husband, and by her presence alleviate his sufferings.
Accordingly, on the 9th, she requested permission of Burgoyne
to depart. " Though I was ready to believe," says that general,
" that patience and fortitude in a supreme degree were to be
found, as well as every other virtue, under the most tender
forms, I was astonished at this proposal. After so long an
agitation of spirits, exhausted not only for want of rest, but
absolutely want of food, drenched in rains for twelve hours
together, that a woman should be capable of such an undertak-
ing and delivering herself to an enemy, probably in the night,
15
no Centennial Celebration of
and uncertain of wljat hands she niiglit fall into, appeared an
effort above human nature. The assistance I was enabled to
give was small indeed. All I could furnish to her was an open
boat, and a few lines, written upon dirty wet paper, to General
Gates, recommending her to his protection."
In the midst of a driving autumnal storm, Lady Ackland set
out at dusk, in an open boat, foi- the American camp, accom-
panied by Mr. Brudenell the chaplain, her waiting-maid, and
her husband's valet. At ten o'clock they reached the American
advanced guard, under the command of Major Henry Dearborn.
Lady Ackland herself hailed the sentinel, and as soon as the
bateau struck the shore, the party were immediately conveyed
into the log-cabin of the major, who had been ordered to detain
the flag until the morning, the night being exceedingly dark,
and the quality of the lady unknown. Major Dearborn gal-
lantly gave up his room to his guest, a iiie was kindled, and a
cup of tea provided, and as soon as Lad}^ Ackland made herself
known, her mind was relieved from its anxiety by the assurance
of her husband's safety. " I visited," says Adjutant-General
Wilkinson, " the guard before sunrise. Lady Ackland's boat
had put off, and was floating down the stream to our camp,
where General Gates, whose gallantry will not be denied, stood
ready to receive her Avith all the tenderness and respect to which
her rank and condition gave her a claim. Indeed, the feminine
figure, the benign aspect, and polished numners of this charming
woman were alone sufficient to attract the sym])athy of the most
obdurate ; but if another motive could have been wanting to
insi)ire respect, it was furnished by the peculiar circumstances
of Lady Harriet, then in that most delicate situation which can
not fail to interest the solicitudes of every being possessing the
form and feelings of a man." '
On the evening of the 9th the main ))ortion of the di'enched
and weary army forded Fish creek, waist deep, and bivouacked
1 The kindness which had been sliown to his wife Major Acklniid reciprocated, while
on a i)arole in New York, by doins all in his power to mitigate the sfutferings of the Ame-
rican ijrisoners. His end was particularly sad. On his return to Rnglnnd he was killed
in a duel to which he had been challenged for having warmly defended American courage
against the aspersions of a brother officer.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. Ill
in a wretchod position in the open air on the opposite bank.
Bnrgoyiie remained on the south side of the creek, with Hamil-
ton's brigade as a guard, and passed the night in the mansion
of General Schuyler. The officers slept on the ground, with no
other covering than oil-cloth. Nor did their wives fare better.
"I was wet," says the Baroness Riedesel, "through and through
by the frequent rains, and was obliged to remain in this con-
edition the entire night, as I had no place whatever where I could
change my linen. I therefore seated myself before a good fire
and undressed my children, after wifich we laid down together
upon some straw. I asked General Phillips, who came up to
where we were, why we did not continue our retreat while there
was yet time, as my husband had pledged himself to cover it
and bring the army through. '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 ? Would that you
were our commanding general ! He halts because he is tired,
and intends to spend the night here, and give us a supper." '
Burgoyne, however, would not think of a further advance that-
night ; and while his army were suffering from cold and hunger,
and every one was looking forward to the immediate future with
apprehension, "the illuminated mansion of General Schuyler,"
says the Brunswick Journal, " rang with singing, laughter, and
the jingling of glasses. There Burgoyne was sitting with some
merry companicns at a dainty sapper, while the champagne was
flowing. Near him sat the beautiful wife of an English com-
missary, his mistress.' Great as the calamity was, the frivolous
general still kept up his orgies. Some were even of opinion that
he had merely made that inexcusable stand for the sake of
passing a merry night. Kiedesel thought it his duty to remind
his general of the danger of tlie halt, but the lattei returned all
1 Were this statement made by the Baroness Riedesel alone, and not by the Brunswick
Journal, it would bf necessary to receive it with caution, since her prejudices often
carried her unintentionally into extremis. Mr. Fonblanque, however, in his admirable
Life and Correspondence of General Burgoyne. admits this by implication, but seeks to
leave the impression that the cliarapagne and tlie " flirtation," as he calls it, were in-
dulged in to relieve the mental agony consequent upon his defeat. Mr. Fonbliinque's
book is characterized by great fairnessand liberality of tone — a circumstance which must
commend it to the American reader.
112 Centennial Celebration of
sorts of evasive answers." Tliis statement is corroborated by
the Baroness Riedesel, who also adds : " The following day
General Burgoyne repaid the hospitable shelter of the Schuyler
mansion by burning it, with its valuable barns and mills, to the
ground, under pretense that he might be better able to cover
his retreat, but others say out of mean revenge on the American
general."
But the golden moment had fled. On the following morning,
the 10th, it was discovered that the Americans, under Fellows,
were in possession of the Batten kil, on the opjiosite side of the
Hudson ; and Burgoyne, considering it too hazardous to attempt
the passage of the river, ordered the army to occupy the same
quarters on the heights of Saratoga which they had used on
first crossing the river on the 13th of September. At the same
time he sent ahead a working party to open a road to Fort
Edward, his intention being to continue his retreat along the
west bank of the Hudson to the front of that fort, force a passage
across, and take possession of the post. Colonel Cochran,
however, had already garrisoned it with two hundred men, and
the detachment hastily fell back upon the camp.
Meanwhile General Gates, who had begun the pursuit at noon
of the 10th with his main army, reached the high ground south
of P^'ish creek at four the same afternoon. The departure of
Burgoyne's working party for Fort Edward led him to believe
that the entire British army were in full retreat, having left only
a small guard to protect their baggage. Acting upon this im-
pression, he ordered Nixon and Glover, with their brigades, to
cross the creek early the next morning under cover of the fog,
which at this time of year usually prevails till after sunrise, and
attack the British camp. The English general had notice of this
plan, and placing a battery in position, he posted his troops in
ambush behind the thickets along the banks of the creek, and,
concealed also by the fog, awaited the attack, confident of vic-
tory. At early daylight Morgan, who had again been selected
to begin the action, crossed the creek with his men on a raft of
floating logs, and falling in with a British picket, was fired upon,
losing a lieutenant and two privates. This led h'un to believe
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 113
that the main body- of the enemy had not moved ; in which case,
with the creek in his rear, enveloped by a dense fog, and unac-
quainted with the ground, he felt his position to be most critical.
MeaM while the whole army advanced as far as the south bank
of the creek, and halted. Nixon, however, who was in advance,
had already crossed the stream near its confluence with the
Hudson, and captured a picket of sixty men and a number of
bateaux, and Glover was preparing to follow him, when a de-
serter from the enemy confirmed the suspicions of Morgan.
This was corroborated, a few moments afterward, by the capture
of a reconnoitering party of thirty-five men by the advanced guard,
under Captain Goodale, of Putnam's regiment, who, discovering
them through the fog just as he iieared the opposite bank,
charged, and took them without firing a gun. Gates was at
this time at his head-quarters, a mile and a half in the rear ;
and before intelligence could be sent to him, the fog cleared up,
and exposed the entire British army under arms. A heavy fire
of artillery and musketry was immediately opened upon Nixon's
brigade, and they retreated in considerable disorder across the
creek.
General Learned had in the mean time reached Morgan's corps
with his own and Patterson's brigades, and was advancing ra-
pidly to the attack in obedience to a standing order issued the
day before, that, " in case of an attack against any point, Avhether
in front, flank, or rear, the troops are to fall upon the enemy at
all quarters." He had arrived within two hundred yards of
Burgoyne's battery, and in a few moments more would have
been engaged at great disadvantage, when Wilkinson reached
him with the news that the right wing, under Nixon, had given
way, and that it would be prudent to retreat. The brave old
general hesitated to comply. " Our brethren," said he, " are
engaged on the right, and the .standing order is to attack.'''' In
this dilemma Wilkinson exclaimed to one of Gates's aids, stand-
ing near, "Tell the general that his own fame and the interests
of the cause are at hazard — that his presence is necessary with
the troops." Then, turning to Learned, he continued, " Our
troops on the right have retired, and the fire you hear is from
114 Centennial Celebration of
the enemy. Altliougli I have no ordci's for your retreat, I pledge
my life I'or tlie general's approbation." ]}y this time several
field officeis had joined the group, and a consultation being held,
the proposition to retreat was approved. Scarcely had they
faced about, when the enemy, who, expecting their advance,
had been watching their movements with shouldered arms, fired,
and killed an ofllcer and several men before they niade good
their retreat.
The ground occupied by the two armies after this engagement
resembled a vast amphitheatre, the British occu])yiug the ai'ena,
and the Americans the elevated surroundings. Burgoyne's
camj), upon the meadows and the heights of Saratoga north of
Fish creek, was fortified, and exteuded half a mile parallel with
the river, most of its heavy artillery being on an elevated plateau
northeast of the village of Schuylerville. On the American side
Morgan and his sharp-shooters were posted on still higher ground
west of the Biitish, extending along their entire rear. On the
east or opposite bank of the Hudson, Fellows, with three thou-
sand men, was strongly intrenched behind heavy batteries, while
Gates, with the main body of Continentals, lay on the high
ground south of Fish creek and parallel with it. On the north.
Fort Fdward was held by Stark Avith two thousand men, and
between that post and Fort George, in the vicinity of Glen's
Falls, the Americans had a fortified camp ; while from the sur-
rounding country large bodies of yeomanry flocked in and vol-
untarily posted themselves up and down the river. The "trap"
which Riedesel had foreseen was already sprung.
The Americans, impatient of delay, urged Gates to attack
the British camp ; but that general, now assured that the sur-
render of Burgoyne was only a question of time, and unwilling
needlessly to sacrifice his men, refused to accede to their wishes,
and quietly awaited the course of events.
The beleaguered arm)- was now constantly under fire both on
its flanks and rear and in front. The outposts were continually
engaged with those of the Americans, and many of the patrols,
detached to keep up communication between the centre and
right wing, were taken prisoners. The captured bateaux Avere
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 115
of great use to the Americans, who were now enabled to trans-
port troops across the river at pleasure, and re-enforce the posts
on the road to Fort Edward. Every hour the position of the
British grew more desperate, and the prospect of escape less.
There was no place of safety for the baggage, and the ground
was covered with dead horses that had either been killed by the
enemy's bullets or by exhaustion, as there had been no forage
for four days. Even for the wounded there was no spot that
could afford a safe shelter while the surgeon was binding up
their wounds. The whole camp became a scene of constant
lighting. The soldier dared not lay aside his arms night or day,
except to exchange his gun for the spade when new entrench-
ments were to be thrown up. He was also debarred of water,
although close to Fish creek and the river, it being at the haz-
ard of life in the daytime to procure any, from the number of
sharp-shooters Morgan had posted in trees, and at night he was
sure to be taken prisoner if he attempted it. The sick and
wounded would drag themselves along into a quiet corner of the
woods, and lie down and die upon the damp ground. Nor were
they safe even here, since every little while a ball would come
crashing down among the trees. The few houses that were at
the foot of the heights were nearest to the fire from Fellows's
batteries, notwithstanding which the wounded officers and men
crawled thither, seeking protection in the cellars.
In one of these cellars the Baroness Riedesel ministered to
the sufferers like an angel of help and comfort. She made them
broth, dressed their wounds, purified the atmosphere by sprink-
ling vinegar on hot coals, and was ever ready to perform any
friendly service, even those from which the sensitive nature of
a woman will recoil. Once, while thus engaged, a furious can-
nonade was opened upon the house, under the impression that
it was the head-quarters of the English commander. "Alas !"
says Baroness Riedesel, " it harbored none but wounded sol-
diers or women !" Eleven cannon balls went through the house,
and those in the cellar could plainly hear them crashing through
the walls overhead. One poor fellow, whose leg they were
about to amputate in the room above, had his other leg taken
116 Centennial Celebration of
off by one of these cai)non balls in the very midst of the opera-
tion. The greatest suffering was experieneed by the wounded
from thirst, which was not relieved until a soldier's wife volun-
teered to bring water from the river. This she continued to do
with safety, the Americans gallantly withholding their fire
whenever she appeared.
Meanwhile order grew more and more lax, and the greatest
misery prevailed throughout the entire army. The commissa-
ries neglected to distribute provisions among the troops, and al-
though there were cattle still left, no animal had been killed.
More than thirty officers came to the baroness for food, forced
to this step from sheer starvation, one of them, a Canadian, be-
ing so weak as to be unable to stand. She divided among them
all the provisions at hand, and having exhausted her store with-
out satisfying them, in an agony of despair she called to Adju-
tant-General Petersham, one of Burgoyne's aids, who chanced
to be passing at the time, and said to him, passionately, " Come
and see for yourself these officers who have been wounded in
the common cause, and are now in want of every thing that is
due them ! It is your duty to make a representation of this to
the general." Soon afterward Burgoyne himself came to the
Baroness Riedesel and thanked her for reminding him of his
duty. In reply she apologized for meddling with things she
well knew were out of a woman's province ; still, it was impos-
sible, she said, for her to keep silence when she saw so many
brave men in want of food, and had nothing more to give them.
On the afternoon of the 12th Burgoyne held a consultatiou
with Riedesel, Phillips, and the two brigadiers, Hamilton and
Gall. Riedesel suggested that the baggage should be left, and
a retreat begun on the west side of the Hudson ; and as Fort
Edward had been reenforced by a strong detachment of the
Americans, he further proposed to cross the river four miles
above that fort, and continue the march to Ticonderoga through
the woods, leaving Lake George on the right — a plan which
was then feasible, as the road on the west bank of the river had
not yet been occupied by the enemy. This proposition was ap-
proved, and an order was jssued that the retreat should be be-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 117
gun by ten o'clock that night. But when every thing was in
readiness for the inarch, Burgoyne suddenly changed his mind,
and i^ostponed the movement until the next day, when an unex-
pected maneuver of the Americans, made it impossible. Dur-
ing the night the latter, crossing the river on rafts near the
Batten kil, erected a heavy battery on an eminence opposite the
mouth of that stream, and on the left flank of the army, thus
making the investment complete.
Burgoyne was now entirely surrounded ; the desertions of
his Indian and Canadian allies,^ and the losses in killed and
wounded, had reduced his army one-half ; there was not food
sufficient for five days ; and not a word from Clinton. Accord-
ingly, on the 13th, he again called a general council of all his
officers, including the captains of companies. The council were
not long in deciding unanimously that a treaty should be at
once opened with General Gates for an honorable surrender,
their deliberations being doubtless hastened by several rifle-
balls perforating the tent in which they were assembled, and
an 18-pound cannon-ball sweeping across the table at which
Burgoyne and his generals were seated.
The following morning, the 14th, Burgoyne proposed a ces-
sation of hostilities until terms of capitulation could be arranged.
Gates demanded an unconditional surrender, which was refused ;
but he finally agreed, on the loth, to more moderate terms, in-
fluenced by the possibility of Clinton's arrival at Albany.
During the night of the 16th a provincial officer arrived unex-
pectedly in the British camp and stated that he had heard,
through a third party, that Clinton had captured the forts on
the Hudson highlands, and arrived at Esopus eight days pre-
viously, and further, that by this time he was very likely at
Albany. Burgoyne was so encouraged by this news, that, as
the articles of capitulation were not yet signed, he resolved to
1 In justice to Burgoyne it should be stated that the chief cause of the desertion of his
Indian allies was the fact that they were checked by him in their scalping and plunder-
ing of the unarmed. Indeed, tlie conduct of the English general was, in this respect,
most huraiine ; and yet, with strange inconsistency, he was among the first strenuously
to urge upon Lord North the employment of the Indians against the colonists. See
Fonblanque's work, p. 178,
16
118 Centennial Celebration of
repudiate the informal arrangement with Gates. The hitter,
however, was in no mood for temporizing, and being informed
of this new phase of affairs, he drew up his troops in order of
battle at early dawn of the next day, the 17th, and informed
him in plain terms that he must either sign the treaty or pre-
pare for immediate battle. Riedesel and Phillips added their
persuasions, representing to him that the news just received
was mere hearsay, but even if it were true, to recede now would
be in the highest degree dishonorable. Burgoyne thereupon
yielded a reluctant consent, and the articles of capitulation were
signed at nine o'clock the same morning.
They provided that the British were to march out with the
honors of war, and to be furnished a free passage to England
under promise of not again serving against the Americans.
These terms were not cairied out by congress, which acted in
the matter very dishonorably, and most of the captured army,
with the exceptions of Burgoyne, Riedesel, Phillips, and Hamil-
ton, were retained as prisoners while the war lasted. The
Americans obtained by this victory, at a Very critical period, an
excellent train of brass artillery, consisting of forty-two guns
of various calibre, 4,647 muskets, 400 sets of harness, and a
large supply of ammunition. The prisoners numbered 5,804,
and the entire American force at the time of the surrender, in-
cluding regulars (Continentals) and militia, Avas 17,091 effective
men.
At eleven o'clock on the morning of the 17th the royal army
left their fortified camp, and formed in line on the meadow just
north of the Fish creek, at its junction with the Hudson.
Here they left their cannon and small-arms. With a longing
eye the artillery-man looked for the last time upon his faithful
gun, parting with it as from his bride, and that forever. With
tears trickling down his bronzed cheeks, the bearded grenadier
stacked his musket to resume it no more. Others, in their
rage, knocked off the butts of their arms, and the drummers
stamped their drums to pieces.
Immediately after the surrender, the British took up their
march for Boston, whence they expected to embark, and bivou-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 119
acked the first night at their old eucampment at the foot of the
hill where Fraser was buried. As they debouched from the
meadow, having deposited their arms, they passed between the
Continentals, who were drawn up in parallel lines. But on no
face did they see exultation. " As we passed the American
army, " writes Lieutenant Anbury, one of the captured officei'S,
and bitterly prejudiced against his conquerors, " I did not ob-
serve the least disrespect, or even a taunting look, but all was
mute astonishment and pity ; and it gave us no little comfort
to notice this civil deportment to a captured enemy, unsullied
with the exulting air of victors. "
The English general having expressed a desire to be form-
ally introduced to Gates, Wilkinson arranged an interview a
few moments after the capitulation. In anticipation of this
meeting, Burgoyne had bestowed the g;reatest care upon his
whole toilet. He had attired himself in full court dress, and
wore costly regimentals and a richly decorated hat with stream-
ing plumes. Gates, on the contrary, was dressed merely in a
l^lain blue overcoat, which had upon it scarcely any thing indi-
cative of his rank. Upon the two generals first catching a
glimpse of each other, they stepped forward simultaneously,
and advanced until they were only a few steps apart, when
they halted. The English general took off his hat, and making
a polite bow, said, " The fortune of war, General Gates, has
made rae your prisoner. " The American general, in reply,
simply returned his greeting, and said, " I shall always be ready
to" testify that it ha's not been through any fault of your excel-
lency. " As soon as the introduction was over, the other cap-
tive genei-als repaired to the tent of Gates, where they were
received with the utmost courtesy, and with the consideration
due to brave but unfortunate men.
After Riedesel had been presented to Gen. Gates, he sent for
his wife and children. It is to this circumstance that we owe
the portraiture of a lovely trait in General Schuyler's character.
"In the passage through the American camp," the baroness
writes, " I observed, with great satisfaction, that no one cast at
us scornful glances ; on the contrary, they all greeted me, even
120 Centennial Celebration of
showing compassion on their countenances at seeing a mother
with her little children in such a situation. I confess I feared
to come into the enemy's camp, as the thing was so entirely new
to me. When I approached the tents, a noble looking man
came toward me, took the children out of the wagon, embraced
and kissed them, and then, with tears in his eyes, helped me
also to alight. He then led me to the tent of General Gates,
witli whom I found Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, who were
upon an extremely friendly footing with him. Presently the
man, who had received me so kindly, came up and said to me,
' It may be embarrrassing to you to dine with all these gentle-
men ; come now with your children into my tent, where I will
give you, it is true, a frugal meal, but one that will be accom-
panied by the best of wishes.' ' You are certainly,' answered I,
' a husband and a father, since you show me so much kindness.'
I then learned that he was the American General Schuyler."
The English and German generals dined with the American
commander in his tent on boards laid across barrels. The din-
ner, which was served up in four dishes, consisted only of ordi-
nary viands, the Americans at this period being accustomed to
plain and frugal meals. The drink on this occasion was cider,
and rum mixed with water. Burgoyne appeared in excellent
humor. He talked a great deal, and spoke very flatteringly of
the Americans, remarking, among other things, that he admired
the number, dress, and discipline of their army, and, above all,
the decorum and regularity that were observed. " Your fund
of men," he said to Gates, "is inexhaustible ; like the Hydra's
head, when cut off, seven more spring up in its stead," He also
proposed a toast to General Washington ■ — an attention that
Gates returned by drinking the health of the king of England.
The conversation on both sides was unrestrained, affable, and
free. Indeed, the conduct of Gates throughout, after the terms
of the surrender had been adjusted, was marked with e(iual deli-
cacy and magnanimity, as Burgoyiic himself admitted in a letter
to the Earl of Derby. In^that letter the captive general particu-
larly mentioned one circumstance, which, he said, exceeded all
he had ever seen or read of on a like occasion. It was that
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 121
when the British soldiers had marched out of their camp to the
place where they were to pile their arms, 7iot a man of the
American troops was to be seen, General Gates having ordered
his whole army out of sight, that no one of them should be a
spectator of the humiliation of the British troops. This was a
refinement of delicacy and of military generosity and polite-
ness, reflecting the highest credit upon the conqueror.
As the company rose from table, the royal army filed past on
their march to the sea board. Thereupon, by preconcerted
arrangement, the two generals stepped out, and Burgoyne,
drawing his sword, presented it, in the presence of the two
armies, to General Gates. The latter received it with a court-
eous bow, and immediately returned it to the vanquished general.
General Burgoyne added to a prepossessing exterior the
polished manners and keen sagacity of a courtier. He was also
witty and brave. But personal courage alone does not con-
stitute a commander; for of a commander other qualities are
expected, especially experience and presence of mind. Bur-
goyne lacked both. In his undertakings he was hasty and
self-willed. Desiring to do everything alone, he hardly ever
consulted with others ; and yet he never knew how to keep a
plan secret. While in a subordinate position, continually carp-
ing at his military superiors and complaining of the inferiority
of his position, yet when given a separate command he was
guilty of the same faults which he had reprehended in others.
Being a great Sybarite, he often neglected the duties of a gene-
ral, as well toward his king as his subordinates ; and while he
was enjoying choice food and wines, his army suffered the keen-
est want. Soon after the surrender he returned to_ England,
and justly threw the failure of the expedition upon the adminis-
tration.' He was received very coolly at first by the court and
1 There can be no donbt that had Burgoyne been properly supported by Howe, he
would, despite his mistakes, have reached Albany, since in that case Gates would not
have been at Still water with an army of men to oppose him. Mr. Fonblanque makes
public, for the first time, a fact throwing entire new light on the apparent failure of Howe
and clears np all that has hitherto seemed mysterious and contradictory. Orders fully
as imperative as those to Burgoyne were to have been sent to Howe, but, owing to the
carelessness of Germaine, they were pigeon-holed, and never forvv'arded. Hence
Howe acted on the discretionary orders sent him previously, and concluded to go to
122 Centennial Celebration of
people, the king refusing to see him ; l)ut, ujion a change of
tliL' ministry, he regained somewhat of his poi)iilarity.
In regard to General Gates, the same incapacity which after-
wards characterized his unfortunate southern campaign was
manifested from the time of his assuming the leadership of the
northern army until the surrender. It was, perhaps, no fault
of his that he had been placed in command at the North just at
the auspicious moment when the discomfiture of Burgoyne was
no longer problematical. But it is no less true that the laurels
won by him ought to have been worn by Schuyler. Wilkinson,
who was a member of Gates's own military family, has placed
this question in its true aspect. He maintains iliat not only had
the army of Burgoyne been essentially disabled by the defeat
of the Germans at Bennington, before the arrival of Gates, but
that the repulse of St. Leger, at Fort Stanwix, had deranged
his plans, while safety had been restored to the western frontier,
and the panic thereby caused had subsided. He likewise main-
tains that after the reverses at the North, nowise attributable
to him, and before the ai-rival of Gates, the zeal, patriotism^
and salutary arrangements of General Schuyler had vanquished
the prejudices excited against him ; that by the defeat of Baum
and St. Leger, Schuyler had been enabled to concentrate and
oppose his whole Continental force against the main body of
the enemy ; and that by him, also before the arrival of Gates,
the friends of the Revolution had been reanimated and excited
to manly resistance, while the adherents of the royal cause were
intimidated, and had shrunk into silence and inactivity. From
these premises, which are indisputable, it is no more than a fair
deduction to say that " the same force which enabled Gates to
subdue the British army would have produced a similar effect
under the orders of General Schuyler, since the operations of
Philadelphia, instead of to Albany, merely telling Clinton, if other reinforcements came
meanwhile from England, he might make a divtrsion in favor of Burgoyne. Primarily,
then, the lailiire of Burgoyne's expedition was dne to the negligence of the war minister.
Even, however, with the failure of Howe's support, Burgoyne. but for his errors, might
have joined Clinton. Neither does this failure of flowe palliate the blunders by which
he lost his army during the retreat. It should also be stated that Burgoyne, in arr.inging
with the Iving for the campaign, insisted most strongly that his success depended on
Howe's cooperation.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 123
the campaign did not involve a single instance of professional
skill, and the triumph of the American arms was accomplished
by the physical force and valor of the troops, under the pro-
tection and direction of Ihe God of battles."
THE FIELD OF THE GROUNDED ARMS, SARATOGA.
WRITTEN IN 1831 BY FITZ GREENE HALLECK.
Read by General James Grant Wilson, Halleck's Biographer.
Strangers ! your eyes are on that valley fixed
Intently, as we gaze on vacancy,
When the mind's wings o'erspread
The spirit world of dreams.
True, 'tis a scene of loveliness — the bright
Green dwelling of the summer's first-born hours,
Whose wakened leaf and bud
Are welcoming the morn.
And morn returns the welcome, sun and cloud
Smile on the green earth from their home in heaven.
Even as a mother smiles
Above her cradled boy,
And wreathe their light and shade o'er plain and mountain,
O'er sleepless seas of grass, whose waves are flowers,
The river's golden shores.
The forest of dark pines.
The song of the wild bird is on the wind,
The hum of the wild bee, the music wild,
Of waves upon the bank,
Of leaves upon the bough.
But all is song and beauty in the land,
Beneath her skies of June ; then journey on,
A thousand scenes like this
Will greet you ere the eve.
Ye linger yet — ye see not, hear not now,
The sunny smile, the music of to-day,
Your thoughts are wandering up.
Far up the stream of time.
And boyhood's lore and fireside-listened tales.
Are rushing on your memories, as ye breathe
124 Centennial Celebration of
That valley's storied name,
Field of the Grounded Arms.
Strangers no more, a kindred " pride of place,"
Pride in the gift of country, aii^l of name,
Speaks in your eye and step —
Ye tread your native laud.
And your high thoughts are on her glorj^'s day,
The solemn sabbath of the week of battle.
Whose tempest bowed to earth
Her foeman's banner here.
The forest leaves lay scattered cold and dead,
Upon the withered grass that autumn morn,
When, with as widowed hearts
And hopes as dead and cold,
A gallant army formed their last array
Upon that field, in silence and deep gloom.
And at their conqueror's feet
Laid their war-weapons down.
Sullen and stern, disarmed but not dishonored;
Brave men, but brave in vain, they yielded there
The soldier's trial-task
Is not alone " to die."
Honor to chivalry ! the conqueror's breath
Stains not the ermine of his foeman's fame,
Nor mocks his captive doom —
The bitterest cup of -war.
But be that bitterest cup the doom of all
Whose swords are lightning-flashes in the cloud
Of the invader's wrath.
Threatening a gallant land !
His armies' trumpet-tones wake not alone
Her slumbering echoes ; from a thousand hills
Her answering voices shout,
And her bells ring to arms !
The danger hovers o'er the invader's march.
On raven wiugs hushing the song of fame.
And glory's hues of beauty
Fade from lh.e cheek of death.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 125
A foe is beard in every rustling leaf,
A fortress seen in every rock and tree,
The eagle eye of art
Is dim and powerless then, ^
And war becomes the people's joy, the drum
Man's merriest music, and the field of death
His couch of happy dreams.
After life's harvest-home.
He battles heart and arm, his own blue sky
Above him, and his own green land around,
Land of his father's grave.
His blessing and his prayers ;
Land where he learned to lisp a mother's name.
The first beloved in life, the last forgot.
Land of his frolic youth.
Land of his bridal eve —
Land of his children — vain your columned strength.
Invaders ! vain your battles' steel and fire !
Choose ye the niorrow's doom —
A prison or a grave.
And such were Saratoga's victors — such '
The Yeoman-Brave, whose deeds and death have given
A glory to her skies,
A music to her name.
In honorable life her fields they trod,
In honorable death they sleep below ;
Their souls' proud feelings here
Their noblest monuments.
B. W. THROCKMORTON'S ADDRESS.
SUBJECT, ARNOLD.
Who among us has ever gazed upon scenes more magnificent
and insi)iring than those by which we are this day surrounded.
In Milton's phrase they might " create a soul under the ribs of
death." We stand upon holy haunted ground. We gaze upon
a vast sea of humanity. Now surging and restless, now lulled
to quiet, even as the ocean swells and slumbers. A quickened
mass ; awakened to an intensity of patriotism. Above, a clear
17
126 Centennial Celebration op
October sky, from which the sunliglit falls like a benediction.
Around lis hills rising into mountains, illiiniinated by heroic
deeds and events, with no less brightness than that which now
glorifies them, shining resplendent as they do in tlieir rich au-
tumnal colors, by " nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid
on." Almost at our feet the historic Hudson, the "still-Avater"
of the olden time, glides onward with murmurs harmonious as
music heard in dreams. While beyond from the hilltops,
wreathed masses of smoke curl ui)\vard from batteries, planted
where one hundred years ago other cannons belched forth their
fires, signals to the commanders in the field. Participating in
the ceremonies of an occasion such as this, surely one may say,
life has not been lived altogether in vain, such a celebration has
no mere sectional import. It is national in its interest. The
pride felt by New York to-day provokes no jealousy in other
states. A representative, so to speak, of New Jersey, let me
say a word for her. ?Ier sacrifice in blood and treasuie, in pro-
portion to her wealth and population, Avas as great, during the
revolutionary struggle, as that of any other colony; indeed
some historians assert they were greater. She is immortal in
the memories of Princeton, Trenton and Monmouth.
Some of her troops formed a part of the right wing of Gates's
army during the battle of Bemis's Heights, September 19th ;
and more would have shared with those of New York
and other of the colonies the glories of Saratoga, had
they not, with Wa,shington at their head, been engaged in
defending their own firesides. New Jersey is jealous of the
glorious w^ork she did in securing for this nation its independ-
ence, l^et to-day, she congratulates New Y^ork that, upon its
soil were fought the battles that, being crowned with victory,
secured the French alliance, and dissipated the gloom that had
hitherto hung like a pall over the hearts of those who hoped
and struggled for the ultimate of American liberty.
Orators and poets have this day, already painted the scenes
of the past, so glowingly, that they stand out before the imagi-
nation even as the colors of the master upon the canvas.
There seems to be but little left for me, save the work of
THE Surrender OF Burgoyne. 127
needless reiteration. And yet, I cannot refrain from adding my
contribution of spoken words to this occasion. In one respect,
it almost seems a melancholy one.
Who shall say otherwise, when contemplation dwells upon
the subsequent career of him, who was perhaps the most con-
spicuous actor in the drama, the end of which was announced,
when the curtain fell upon the surrender of Burgoyne.
Millions have lived upon the earth, and given expression to
thoughts that should never die. Heroism has been displayed
and sacrifice endured on land and. sea, deserving of deathless
memory. Deeds have been performed in' every walk in life
that might put to blush many that are recorded as the noblest ;
yet, as to these, history is silent. Poetry tunes not her lyre,
and not even a name is graven upon churchyard stone. Lives
that have benefited the world, seem to have been but as drops
that fell into the ocean of time and were lost.
A great virtue may never be remembered, but how deathless
is a great crime !
But for the valor of Benedict Arnold, there had been no
reason, perchance, for the assembling of this vast concourse, and
this corner stone might never have been laid, of a monument,
which, when completed according to design, will recall with
startling and awful emphasis, a deed that blackened a soul, and
had for its purpose the ruin of a nation !
Remembering the services Arnold rendered his country upon
the battle field of Saratoga, one can almost wish that oblivion
might blot his name from the future pages of history. But this
could not be.
To every virtue, doubtless its reward ! To every evil, its
avenging sequel ! And, it would almost seem that the avenging
sequel to the evil Benedict Arnold wrought, would affright the
world against the crime of treason !
Wounded before Quebec, Arnold wrote : " I am in the way
of duty, and I knoAv no fear."
" Conscience does make cowards of us all."
He knew what "fear" was, when he skulked from the presence
of Washington and made his traitor flight from West Point.
128 Centennial Celebration of
It was at Saratoga, a century ago, October Vtli, that a shot
struck the leg that had been wounded at Quebec. Better a
thousand times, it had pierced theheait or cleft tlie brain of liini
whose own treachery taught him cowardice.
A very okl couplet runs thus :
"Burgoyiie, alas, unknowing future fates.
Could force his way through woods, but not
Through gates."
Unmerited honor is even in this quaint rli ynic, bestowed upon
one, who, in Schuyler's place, should have stood in citizen's
dress beside the commander who received the sword of Bur-
goyne.
The blows that crippled the English general were struck
September 19th, and October 7th, 1777. On the morning of
the 19th, both armies were ready for battle. Gates, of whom
Bancroft says, " he had no fitness for command, and wanted
personal courage," had determined to act upon the defensive
within his own lines, and scarcely left his tent throughout the
whole of the conflict. Towards noon of the day, a hoarse gun
booms its echoes through the surrounding country. It is the
signal for the advanced guard of the enemy to move forward.
At length a large force push toward the left, right and centre,
of the American army. Yielding at last to Arnold's repeated
pursuasions and entreaties, Gates permits him to send out
Morgan and Dearborn to begin the offensive. American pickets
drive back a party of Canadians, tories and savages. Burgoyne
prepares to fall upon the American right and centre. Fraser
seeks to turn the American left. Arnold makes a rapid and
brilliant movement to turn the British right, but fails, because
Gates refuses to furnish him with reinforcements.
Each army now pressed forward with little knowledge of the
other's Tuovemcnts, because of the density of the forest. Unex-
pectedly they meet, and a desperate conflict ensues upon the
banks of Mill creek, the waters of which run red with blood.
Arnold, forced back by Fraser, rallies his men and hurls them
upon the foe with an impetuosity that compels the enemy to
waver, but with the aid of^fresh troops they stand liriii. There
THE SURKENDEK OF BURGOYNE. 129
now comes a lull — like the sudden quiet that precedes the giant
storm ; the jjause in which nature seems to steady herself for
resistance to the blow that must fall— and the terrible tem-
pest of battle is renewed. An intervening wood shelters the
Americans. The British are in an open pine forest. Burgoyne
recommences his hostilities with a fierce cannonade, orders a
bayonet charge, and pushes columns of infantry across the
cleared space toward the American troops. The latter, silent
and motionless, wait, until the fire of the foe has been drawn,
and then hurl themselves with such fury upon them that they
are forced back half way. Arnold is at head quarters, plead-
ing for reinforcements, in vain. He is told that the battle is
again raging. That victory for either side hangs in the balance.
Impatiently exclaiming, " I'll soon put an end to it," he mounts
his horse and sets off at full speed. His jiresence infuses new
ardor into the troops, and for three hours the conflict rages,
closing only when darkness enwraps the scene. " But for Ar-
nold on that eventful day," says Lossing, " Burgoyne would
doubtless have marched into Albany, at the autumnal equinox,
a victor."
And again during the fearful and decisive battle of October
7th, where was General Gates? Directing his orders from the
camp, and part of the time engaged in wordy discussions with
his prisoner. Sir Francis Clarke, upon the merits of the Revolu-
tion. Where was Arnold ? Refused a command through the
jealousy of his superior ofiicer, hurt to the core by the indignity
thus heaped upon him, he watches with eager eyes the progress
of the battle. He sees Morgan hurl himself with resistless
fury upon the British right flank and throw it into confusion ;
sees Dearborn with fresh troops attack the shattered masses of
the foe upon their front ; sees their terrified flight, but marks
their rally under the inspiration of Lord Balcarras ; unable
longer to keep down the impetuous ardor that forces him to the
front, he puts spurs to his horse and rushes headlong into the
conflict. Gates instantly sends Major Armstrong to call him
back. Arnold beholds him coming, guesses his purpose, and
before it can be carried out, is at the head of three regiments,
130 Centennial Celebration of
and in the very thickest of tlie contest. From this moment,
mid flame and smoke and the terrible heat of battle, he is the
master power. With sword in hand, the incarnation of valor,
he encourages by voice and action those who follow him even
to a point within the enemy's entienchments. Here, at the
head of the troops he has led to victory, the foe in lull retreat,
wounded and disabled himself and hishoi'se killed beneath him,
he is overtaken by Major Armstrong with Gates's order that he
return to camp, lest he " might do something rash." The " rash
something " he had already done — made Burgoyne's surrender
a foregone conclusion. The student of history, pausing here,
might well think a grateful peo^jle would erect upon this scene
of conspicuous triumph, a monuiuent dedicated to Arnold alone.
But the corner stone of such a monument will never be laid.
And when the monument, of which the corner stone is this day
laid, shall lift its granite shaft one hundred and fifty feet to-
ward the heavens, there will be niches in the four large gables
— three filled with groups of sculptured bronze, representing
the three generals, Schuyler, Gates and Morgan, the fourth va-
cant, with the word "Arnold " underneath.
The glory earned by Arnold at Saratoga, is obliterated by
his subsequent treason, the reward for which was fifty thousand
dollars and the brevet rank of brigadier in the British army.
Who shall estimate his punishment ? ITis countrymen exe-
crated him. Even one of his own kin could write the scorching
acrostic, pronounced by Lossing to be " bad poetry, and worse
sentiment. "
" Born for a curse to virtue and mankind.
Earth's broadest realms ne'er knew so black a mind ;
Nislit's sable veil your crimes can never hide,
Each one so great 'twould glut historic tide;
Defunct, your cursed memory shall live.
In all the glare that infamy can give.
Curses of ages will attend your name,
Traitors alone will glory in your shame.
Almighty's vengeance sternly waits to roll
Rivers of sulphur on your treacherous soul ;
Nature looks shuddering back with conscious dread,
' On such a tarnished blot as she has made.
Let hell receive you, rivetted in chains,
Doom'd to the hottest focus of its flames. "
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 131
And though he received British gold and rank he was de-
spised by the nation that bought him.
English statesmen refused to speak in the House of Commons,
observing Arnold in the gallery. And upon one occasion when
George III was addressing parliament, Benedict Arnold stood
at his right hand. Lord Lauderdale, on returning to the
Commons, could not restrain an expression of his indignation
that his majesty should have been supported by a traitor !
Lord Balcarras, with whom he almost crossed swords at Sara-
toga, and who there recognized him as a brave and honorable
foe, spurned an introduction, even at the hands of his sovereign,
remarking, as he turned upon his heel, " I know General
Arnold, and I desijise traitors. " A challenge followed from
Arnold. The two met. They were to fire simultaneously.
The signal being given, Arnold discharged his weapon. Lord
Balcarras turned contemptuously away without even deigning
to aim. " My lord, " exclaimed Arnold, " why do you not
fire ?" " Sir, " said Lord Balcarras, " I leave you to the
executioner. " The prejudice of English officers was so great
that when he made apjjlicatiou to serve in the war between
England and France, it was denied because they refused to as-
sociate with him.
. Something of an insight into Arnold's own feelings may be
obtained from his reply to Talleyrand, who, knowing him
simply as an American, requested some letters to some friends
in his own country. His answer was : " I was born in
America, and have lived there ; and I am the only man in the
wide world who can raise his hand to heaven and say, ' I have
not one friend in America ; no, not one ! My name is Bene-
dict Arnold.' "
The consciousness of crime, the knowledge of the loss of men's
regard, the certainty of being an object of loathing, the stings
and smitings of conscience are terrible enough, but an immortal,
tainted memory, is more terrible still. Throughout ages to
come, thousands in each succeeding generation will visit this
spot to view the monument that commemorates the surrender
132 Centennial Celebration of
of Burgnync. The niche left vacant, will i)vonipt, forever, the
question " why V" But one answer can he made.
Tliat niche can never really be vacant — eni])ty to the sight —
Benedict Arnold will fill it. There he will stand, pilloried
before the gaze of centuries, ten thousand times more than if a
figure of bronze met the eye with the word " traitor " stamped
upon it. The designers of the monument leave that vacant
niche from no fondness in contem})lating the dark crime of
the traitor, but because of the lesson it must forever teach.
By its warning may it help to enkindle throughout the length
and breadth of our land a love of country so fervent, that from
hencefoilh there will be no need for empty niches in any
monuments erected upon our soil, to commemorate American
achievements. 1
' In striking contrast to the sentiments of the acrostic in the text is the following letter,
which, itself a model of tenderness and simplicity, was written by Hannah Arnold to
Benedict Arnold, and has lately been lurnished me through the kindness ol Hon. Horatio
Seymour. The original is in the possession of Miss A. Varick, New York City.—
[B. W. T.]
N. Haven, June, l!i"5. W
" Dear Brother:
Take this opportunity pr. Capt. Oswald to congratulate you on your late success in re-
ducing Ticonderoga and making yourself master of the vessels on the lakes. Sincerely
wish all your future endeavors to serve your country may be crowned with equal su' cess.
Pity the fatigue you must unavoidably suffer in the wikU'rness. But as the cause is un-
doubtedly a just one hope you may have health, strength, fortitude and valor for what-
ever you may be called to. May the broad hand of the Almighty overshadow you ; and
if called to battle may the God of armies cover your head in the day of it. Tis to Him
and Him only my dear brother that we can look for safety or success. His power is ever
able to shield us from the pestilence that walks in darkness and the arrows that fly by
noonday. May a Christian resignation to His will strengthen your hands and fortify
your heart. May you seek His aid and rest your whole confidence in Him ; and then
you will have no fear but 1 1 at of oflending Him; and if we are to meet no more in time
may a wise preparation for eternity secure to us a happy meeting in the realms of bliss,
where painful sep.irations are lor ever excluded. The men who w\;nt under your care to
Boston give you the praises of a very humane, tender officer. Hope those now with you
may meet with an equal degree of tenderness and humanity.
Your little family arc all well. Benedict is eager to hear everything relative to his
papi. Mr. Mansfield, contrary to all expectation, is again able to rid^ out; and his
physicians think he is in a fa.r way of recovering a comfortable state of health. Mr. Har-
rison, you have undoubteilly heard, is dead by a fit of the apoplexy. We have numl)ers
of [jeople daily coming here from N. York and Boston. Capt. Sears, and Mrs. Brown,
and Piatt with several other families from York are now here. The world seems a uni-
versal flutter and hurry. What the event will be God only knows But in all its changes
of this I am certain ; that your health and prosperity are dear to me as my own.
Your afl'ectionate sister,
Hannau Aknold."
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 133
H. L. GLADDING'S ADDRESS.
In listening to the eloquent sentences of the gentlemen who
have preceded me on this Centennial occasion, I have been re-
minded of the words which the great dramatist puts into the
mouth of the Archbishop of Canterbury in reference to Kino-
Henry V —
"When he speaks,
The air, a chartered libertine, is still.
And the mute wonder lurketh in men's ears
To steal his sweet and haueyed sentences."
For the scenes of the decisive events which we to-day celebrate
and the deeds of the brave men who were actors in them, have
been so graphically portrayed that nothing is needed to be
added to the noble tribute which has been here paid to the
heroes of October, 1777.
It is said that on entering the apartment that contains the
matchless statue of the Apollo Belvidere, and standing before
that most wonderful creation of human genius, there is on the
part of the visitor an involuntary straightening up of the figure
• a standing erect, and a feeling that his own form dilates, be-
coming taller and nobler.
And so to-day, coming among these scenes, and standing upon
this consecrated ground made forever memorable by an event
which gave form and shape to the future destiny of the young
republic, there is an instinctive lifting up of the soul ; and as
upon this one hundredth anniversary we gather to reverence
the memory of its heroes and to call the roll of those gallant
men — Morgan, Dearborne, Learned, Ten Broeck, Lincoln,
Glover, Poor, Cilley, Kosciusko and Schuyler, and their no less
gallant associates in the ranks — the men who took part in or who
were instrumental in bringing about this glorious consummation,
among whom were some of the noblest figures that ever stood
in the forefront of a nation's life — we to-day cannot fail to be
imbued with something of the spirit which animated them and
a desire to emulate their noble patriotism and their self-sacrific-
ing efforts.
The declaration of freedom made on the 4th of July, 1776,
18
134 Centennial Celebration of
did not iuiinediately bring forth the fruits of freedom. Years
of struggle were necessary. A new-born nation, accustomed
only to peaceful pursuits, without a standing army, without a
navy, was to confront on many fields of bloody strife an old
and powerful government ; a government which through hun-
dreds of years had been trained in martial arts* which had
amassed great Avealth and secured vast material resources, a
nation whose armies were the acknowledged conquerors of the
earth, and whose flag everywhere proclaimed her the mistress
of the seas.
The year which followed the declaration of independence
witnessed little else than a series of disasters to the cause of the
colonists. With the exception of Trenton, Princeton and Ben-
nington the long list of reverses to our arms was almost un-
broken. It was indeed the most gloomy period of the Revolution ;
it was the crisis of the struggle of these colonies for independ-
ence. Look at the sad record of the year. First the defeat of
Putnam on Long Island, of McDougall at White Plains, of the
brave Col. Magaw at Fort Washington, with the loss of two
thousand of the best troops in the American army. Then came
the abandonment of Ticonderoga, a fortress deemed impregna-
ble— the loss of Fort Ann and Fort Edward — the defeat at
Hubbardton — the terrible reverse at Brandy wine — the defeat
of the impetuous Wayne at Paoli — of Washington himself at
Germantown — and the loss of Forts Clinton and ^Montgomery.
The mere mention of these names brings to our minds continued
scenes of gloom and suffering. For the greater part of the time
during these sad months, from August, 1776, to October, 1777,
our army, reduced in numbers, depressed by defeat, exhausted
by fatigue, naked, barefoot, destitute of tents, and with scanty
provisions, was fleeing before a triumphant enemy, who was
well appointed and abundantly supplied. And, Avorse than all,
the continued triumphs of the British had produced a common
apprehension (in the minds of the people of the middle states at
least, if not generally), that any further struggle would be use-
less and that this country must eventually return to her allegi-
ance to Great Britain.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 135
But this long and gloomy night of defeat and disaster was
about to pass away, and joy and a new hope was to spring
up in the heart of this people in the bright morning of victory.
The conflict of October 7th, 1*777, was to demonstrate the
fact that the Continental armies were able to meet the martial
hosts of Britain and her mercenaries in the open field, and to
scatter them as the dead leaves of the forest before a mighty
wind. As the armies of ancient Israel, under divine guidance,
were to overcome their enemies, however great in numbers or
skilled in war, so under .the direction of the God of battles were
our fathers upon these fields to overcome the proud and power-
ful hosts of Great Britain.
We have heard to-day in glowing words the story of Saratoga.
Masters of the art have pictured to us the scenes and incidents
of the campaign, Avhich its projectors believed would end
in the complete subjection of the colonies to the mother country.
We have seen the British general on his triumphant march from
Canada, foi-tress after fortress falling an easy prey into his
hands. We have seen the hosts of England crossing the Hud-
son and for the first time planting their feet upon the soil of
old Saratoga. We have seen Burgoyne's army in holiday attire,
with drums beating and colors flying, with furbished arms
glistening in the sunlight, marching to what they believed
would be an assured victory. We have seen that on the 19th
of September, this proud army for the first time learned that
their march to Albany was not to be a holiday pastime. We
have seen the conflict that day waged on both sides with des-
perate valor, a conflict that was only closed by the mantle of
nio-ht falling over the scene.
Then we have been brought face to face with the second act
in this terrible drama. We have seen the British army, brought
to bay on the memorable 7th of October, making a last desperate
effort to cut its way through the ranks of the opposing forces,
in the hope to join Sir Henry Clinton upon the lower Hudson.
But it was not so to be. General Burgoyne, who on the 6th
of August, wrote so confidently to General Howe, "I shall be
in possession of Albany on the 22d or 23d3" was indeed to be
136 Centennial Celebration of
tliere only a little more than two months later, not however as
he had anticipated, in the royal robes of a conqueror, but in the
sackcloth of a prisoner of war. Alas ! the sanguine general
forgot the proverb —
"The man who once did sell the lion's skin
While the beast lived, was killed with hunting him."
And so on the 7th of October, 1777, the sun went down upon
the leagued hosts of Britain and Germany discomtittcd, scattered,
overthrown ; and these hosts, with seeming judicial blindness,
not availing themselves of their last hope, a speedy retreat,were
compelled only ten days later, upon this immediate spot, under
the starry flag, then first thrown to the breeze of heaven, to
surrender to the hitherto despised army of the colonies.
" To the sages who gpoke, to the heroes who bled.
To ihe clay and the deed strike the harp-strings of glory ;
Let the songs of the ransomed remember the dead.
And the tongue of the eloquent hallow the story ;
O'er the bones of the bold be the story long told,
And on fame's golden tabU'ts their triumphs enrolled.
Who on freedom's green hills freedom's banner unfurled.
And the beacon fire raised that gave light to the world."
As the great law giver of ancient Israel was permitted from
the top of Pisgah to look over into the promised land which
was soon to become the possession of the Jewish people, so
from these green heights one hundred years ago were our fathers
enabled to see in the near future the Canaan of freedom spread-
ing out in all its radiant beauty before them, and as the leader
of the chosen people rejoiced over the prospect of the promised
inheritance of his followers, so did our revolutionary sires in
that glad hour rejoice that the reward of all their toils was be-
fore them. And all over the colonies the full hearts of strong
men overflowed with gratitude and went up to heaven on wings
of praise to that God who had given them the victory.
And there was to be rejoicing elsewhere over this great event,
our friends abroad must speedily learn of this glorious success.
So the good news goes forth, and the manner in which this news
is received in Europe clearly shows that there, as well as here, the
event of the surrender of Burgoyne's army was regarded as deci-
sive of the final result. "A fast sailing vessel is prepared and a
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 137
special messenger goes to cany the tidings to France, the natural
ally of the young re})ublic. The messenger crosses the ocean,
arrives at Paris, and pushes on rapidly to Dr. Franklin's residence
at Passay; but swiftly as he goes a rumor of the amval of im-
portant news precedes him, and on his arrival at Passay he finds
the whole circle of official Americans there, who, as the noise
of his carriage is heard, hurry out to meet him. Before he has
time to alight Dr. Franklin cries out : ' Sir, is Philadelphia
taken ?' ' Yes,' replies the messenger, ' but I have greater
news than that. Gen. Burgoyne and his whole army are prisoners
of war?' Tlie effect was thrilling, electrical, overichelming^
indescribable.'''' In a few days all Europe rang with the news,
and except the tory party and the holders of English stocks all
Europe rejoiced at it. France immediately threw off the veil
with which she had endeavored to conceal her intentions and
notified the British govenmient that she had concluded a treaty
of alliance, friendship and commerce wi<h the American states.
On the 18th of December, only sixty days after the surrender
of Burgoyne, M. Gerard informed the American commissioners
that, after mature deliberation, his majesty Louis XVI, had
determined to recognize the independence of the United
States, and that he would not only recognize it, but looiild
supi^ort it with all the means in his power. And the deeds
of this great nation proved the honesty of her words ; her
material aid was prompt and effective. The French govern-
ment--which had at that time a navy that equalled if it did
not exceed Great Britain's — at once fitted out a squadron under
Count D'Estaing, which in the spring of 1778 sailed for the
United States.
In England the alarm created by the tidings of Burgoyne's
surrender was increased by the still more fatal news that the
disaster had roused the Bourbon courts to avenge the humilia-
tion of the seven years' war. The most brilliant success had
been expected in the campaign, the most ignominious result had
occurred ; the pride of the British nation was humbled, and
those who had disapproved of the war poured upon the ministry
a torrent of invective. The Duke of Richmond and a large
138 Centennial Celebration of
number of wl)igs openly advocated the acknowledgment of Ame-
rican independence. That noble man and true friend of the
colonies, Lord Chatham, in the British parliament pressed for
peace, sayiwg with prophetic ken, " You can never conquer Ame-
rica, never, never, never!" When we remember that six months
after this that great man breathed his last, we may conclude that
" The sunset of life gave him mystical lore,
And coaling events cast their shadows before."
Even in the minds of the British ministry all hope of con-
quering America had disappeared, tinder these circumstances
the cabinet determined to grant to the colonies all that they had
demanded at the beginning of the contest. Two bills of a
pacific character were passed by parliament, one of which pro-
hibited any further imposition of taxes upon the colonies, and
commissioners were sent to America to effect a reconciliation.
But it was too late, the Rubicon had been passed. Congress
refused to treat with the commissioners until Great Britain
should withdraw her fleets and armies or acknowledge the in-
dependence of these states.
Had it not been for the insane obstinacy of one man, the close
of the year 1777 would have witnessed the acknowledgment on
the part of Great Britain of American independence. But King
George III was not ready to acknowledge the inevitable. The
monarch who in 1774 had vauntingly said, "Four regiments
will be sufficient to bring the Americans to their senses," was
not quite prepared to acknowledge his mistake. The obstinacy
of the king, which was only equalled by his ignorance and
vulgarity, was clearly shown in the terms which he proposed
to Germaine (Lord Shelburne) upon his accession to office as
state secretary. The king said to Germaine, I will be plain
with you ; the point next my heart, and which I am determined
never to relinquish but with my crown and life, is to prevent a
total unequivocal recognition of the independence of America,"
and he added, "promise to support me in this matter and I will
leave you unmolested in every other and with full power as the
prime minister of this kingdom."
Upon this one hundredtlj anniversary of the great event which
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 139
more than any other event of the Revolution led the way to the
practical realization of American independence, we take the
first steps to commemorate the decisive deect. It is proposed
upon this corner stone to erect a shaft which in its colossal pro-
portions and stately grandeur shall fitly tell to coming ages the
story of the glorious deeds of October, 1777.
The noblest obelisk now upon the soil of America is that one
which rears its top heavenward from the crest of Bunker Hill.
It is indeed a grand structure, worthy of the gallant deeds it
commemorates and. of the noble state upon whose bosom it rests.
But if there is a spot in all this broad land, from the waves
of the stormy Atlantic to the shores of the mild Pacific, upon
which should be erected an enduring monument with a broader
base and more lofty proportions than all others it is here upon
these consecrated heights of old Saratoga, where our fathers
taught the chivalry of England and the pride of Britain's
soldiery that in a righteous cause they were invincible, and
where the world learned the lesson that these united colonies
were destined to be, as they of right ought to be, free and in-
dependent states.
Let the people of the Empire state see to it that the stain
winch has hitherto rested upon her proud escutcheon, in failing
to recognize and honor these great events, is speedily effaced.
Let them see to it that neither the tardiness of legislation nor
the opposition of the executive is allowed longer to hinder this
laudable work. The great state of New York owes it to her-
self in this matter to at once refute the libel which asserts the
ingratitude of republics. " It is time to arise and build !" and
the good work commenced let it go steadily on to full comple-
tion. Let this monument ascend in its simple grandeur until
the top stone shall be brought forth with shoutings of grace,
grace unto it. The men of Massachusetts commenced the shaft
on Bunker Hill, but they left the work for the women of Massa-
chusetts to complete. All honor to the noble women of the
old Bay state for their high purpose, their indomitable resolu-
tion, their unwavering faith. But whether it shall be the men
of New York who shall do this work, or whether by their failure
140 Centennial Celebration'of
it shall become necessary for the noble, patriotic women of this
great state to assume tlie responsibility, the work Avill go on,
this monument will surely be built.
And, as was said by Mr. Webster in regard to Bunker Hill
monument so let the people say in regard to the Saratoga
monument, " let it rise until it meets the sun in his coming ; let
the first rays of the morning gild it and the last beams of ex-
piring day linger and play upon its summit."
A. A. YATES'S ADDRESS.
This is a strange as well as memorable place. Though here a
mighty republican empire was born, and here kingly rule met
its death-blow, the precise spot where a ceremony occurred that
was the pageantry of a nation's biith, is yet the subject of de-
bate and discussion. Men have wandered over meadow and
through rapine, by brookside and river, to seek in some strag-
gling patch of earthwork, some excavation that looks like a
rifle pit, for the convincing proof of the place where John Bur-
goyne made his last parade. The memories of those gone be-
fore us have been called np, that the testimony of the dead
might set at rest the doubts of the living — the aid of nature
invoked, that her speaking face should show us the way or give
some landmark that should stand like a way-side shriHe beside
the ])lace where a heroic deed was done, or gleam like a star
over the spot where a hundred years ago the young child of
liberty la^".
Marvelous indeed is it that, though the splendid achievement
which this monument shall commemorate, is so young that its
record has but just become impartial history — so far from old
in the world's story that it has no right to put on the silver
crown of traditioji — yet the visible signs of it are as indistinct
as the dust and ashes in the Englishman's cotlin — as untrace-
able as the Hessian's level grave. Embankment and fortress,
earthwork and embrasure have been flattened by the hundred
heavy hands of the century, or ploughed and riven and harrowed
out of all resemblance to Avar by the husbandman of peace.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 141
We believe we are standing now where we should be, on the
sacred spot where our fathers stood in the happy hour of their
triumph — that the white spire shall glisten in the morning like
a finger pointing upward from the very place where they raised
their country from despair to faith, that it shall lay its shadow
at evening along the pathway where the brave man walked to
give up his sword to braver men.
We have in times gone by cared but little to know of the
earlier days. In our sjjlendid progress the eyes of a people, the
youngest on earth, have been earnestly gazing into the future.
The centennial has come upon us with a bound. Startled —
surprised, in our young manhood, this magnificent young giant
of a Republic halts, astonished at its strength, marveling at its
.own progress. With all our conscious power — our free, young
healthy life, there comes over us a sense of deep and lasting
gratitude, a feeling of unutterable and thankful reverence for
the grand and sturdy ancestors, whose stubborn, stalwart hero-
ism on fields like this made free the land we love. And we
pause in unspeakable sorrow to reflect, that while England
knows just where King John stood six centuries ago when he
surrendered to a favored few the rights of freemen, that while
the Irishman knows just where his countryman won imperish-
able renown at Fontenoy, and Prussia can show just where the
great Frederic won his most splendid victory, we are arguing
as to which side of the stream it was where the Lord of Eng-
land discovered in sorrow and defeat that he could not be mas-
ter of America. We shall take better care of history in the
future !
We are gathered to-day, some of us children's children of the
very men who stood here a hundred years ago, all representing
difi^erent shades of political belief and social life — every one of
us just like the men conquered here — brethren of the same loyal
faith in our beloved land — fellow citizens united in one com-
mon sentiment that overshadows all others.
And we are'looking back with intense interest upon the pan-
orama that passed in review before the world's eye just a cen-
tury ago. Thanks to one historic artist who has hunted up the
19
142 Centennial Celebration of
old picture from the national garret, given over in our thought-
lessness to rust and decay, as useless incumbrance and by the
touch of restoring genius has given it to us in all its brilliant
hues we can see it distinctly.
Who are we that look upon it : democrats and republicans?
No ; a thousand times, No ! Old revolutionary whigs ! Not
a tory or the son of a tory among us !
Are we conjecturing who shall be governor next year, presi-
dent two years after ; who shall be postmaster of Saratoga or
town clerk of Stillwater? Are we longfaced or chuckling over
the election returns from Ohio ?
Thank heaven ! No. We are all with one accord doing
homage to those who made presidents and governors possible,
and filled honored graves before little Ohio was born.
What a grand spectacle it is and what a strange picture it
presents !
On either side, drawn up in parallel lines stand the conquer-
ors, in every style of garment, with every hue of dress known
to the man of a hundred years ago. Not decked for a holiday
parade — this is the first they have had for many a weary
month and the smell of the fire of Bemis's Heights is yet upon
their garments, the stain of Stillwater powder on their bronzed
faces. Here and there perhaps a uniform of blue and buff,
powdered hair, shining boots and showy laces on neck and wrist,
mark the stylish oflicer whose pi'ide is as mighty as his bravery.
On the left the faded green and yellow of Morgan's riflemen.
Let us recognize them with applause. They came from under
a southern sky to rush beside their northern brethren against
their common enemy. We trust in a good providence that is
making their descendants our brethren once more, that their
children will never again be found anywhere else.
And who are these who march between the lines ?
Lords and gentlemen, the i)et and flower of the English army
glittering in epuuleted splendor, flaring in scarlet and gold,
downcast, sullen, disappointed brave men, put down by the iron
will and resolute valor of men who with home behind them and
home in their hearts no ai-my could subdue.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 143
And who are these who wear neither English dress, nor Eng-
lish faces, at the sight of whom the colonist grows stern and
hard in face and at whom he mutters a smothered curse. These
are they left of those whom John Stark hunted up hill and down
dale, who, driven through ravine and underbrush and hounded
like beasts of prey, thank the Lord for their rest at last, the
hireling Hessians learning the lesson yet taught to-day that he
who serves the cause of wrong for place or money will sooner
or later in this broad land of ours find not rest for the crown of
his head or the sole of his foot.
Within sight of the strange scene, the commanders of either
army — the one massive and haughty, the very type of his pow-
erful nation beyond the sea, the other shorter, j)lainly dressed,
rugged of face — look upon the scene.
Within sound of the rejoicing is the displaced commander
whose patient courage and brave soul was but illy rewarded
when the laurel of victory was snatched from his grasp.
Within sight of the lovely village that bears his honored name
posterity in this hour of commemoration does full and ample
justice to the courage and valor and magnanimity of Philip
Schuyler.
Another was absent from the place where the fruits of his
rash mad bravery were to be gathered. Smarting from the
wound that gave him more mental suffering than bodily pain,
when it took him from the sight of his humiliated enemy, the
then gallant soldier was fretting and fuming, his impetuous,
fiery and turbulent nature chained down upon a couch of
agony.
Would to heaven that after the 19th of September the histor-
ian had no more to record of Benedict Arnold. A hundred
years ago this day this land of ours rang with his praises and
gloried in his si3lendid name. To-day the sculptor, in obedience
to a merciful command, permits the blank unchiseled tablet to
be expressionless in the story of his shame, — to be faceless and
formless, that his face and form may be hidden from the peo-
ple he betrayed, that the sculptured silence above his name shall
mutely tell of the undeserved forbearance, the unfeigned sor-
row of posterity.
144 Centennial Celebration of
There were mellow lights and gloomy shadows in the days
that followed — the land was chequered with the brightness
and gloom of victory and disaster, but now in the broad light
of history that streams upon tliis place iu this, the meridian of
our national greatness, we know that the morning of our de-
liverance broke upon us here — and there is no place on earth
where the monumental tribute of a nation's pride coiild more
fitly be placed, to stamp the soil with a people's unforgetting
gratitude and crown it with the mausoleum of its heroic deeds.
What a splendid lesson was handed down by the men of that
stern day to the men of this, written all over the long miles
that were trodden down by the feet of contending armies then,
that are brilliant with the victories of peace to-day !
Nations, so runs the storj^ of the world, must be born like
man in pain and travail. But to march on in progressive great-
ness there must be years of peace on earth, good will to men.
This vast battle field has been restored to the farmer, not by
the hand of science nor by the level of the engineer. Military
genius has not flattened the earthwork which military genius
reared. Long years of patient labor lias made the battle wil-
derness to bloom, the seamed and scarred ravine to blossom
witli the fruits of the better days of peace. In the fate of him
whose splendid courage and restless genius was the life and
soul of yonder battle for the rights of the people, let the sel-
fishness that prostitutes the country's good to gratify the pas-
sion of personal resentment, or subserve personal ambition,
take a solemn warning. No glitter of splendid achievement
on field or forum will reconcile the people of this land to the
betrayal of the people's lasting good for the price of money, for
office or for sectional hatred and the president, senator or sol-
dier who forgets this lesson may remember it in horror in a
fall like Arnold's.
It was shoulder to shoulder, with the touch of elbow that
brought the conquerors through many red days of carnage to
this place of triumph. It was the northern and the southern
soldier who fought the fight for the good of the whole people.
It is in the Union created Oct. 17th, 1777, it is in the Union re-
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 145
stored October 17, 1877, that by the blessing of God this go-
vernment of the people, by the people and for the people, shall
not perish from the earth.
Let then this monument rise till it meets the sun in its com-
ing, whose first rays lingering on Mount Willard to gild the
spot where the faithful sentry stood, shall glitter and play upon
its summit. Grand and everlasting, its solid firmness shall com-
memorate the faith of those who stood as proudly here one hun-
dred years ago and perpetuate the memory of those whose dust
has been traceless for a century within sight of its spire. Let
the last rays of the evening fasten its shade on the pathway our
fathers walked amid the ringing praises of their grateful coun-
trymen.
Let us all come closer together beneath its base. We too
have had our sorrows We have had our killed in battle. We
have the mourners who go about our streets — we have the
widow and the fatherless — we have our poor in heart.
The evening of our first century has been red as theirs with
the scarlet tinge of blood. Webster's awful foreboding has
been realized. The land has been rent with civil discord and
drenched with fraternal blood, but we, like the men who
gathered here, have had our triumph and heart-elating victory,
and we can thank the God of our fathers that the statesman's as-
pii-ation has been realized, tliat the new flag first unfolded here,
waves over a land happy, free and prosperous, that there is in-
scribed upon it no such motto as " what is all this worth" or that
other miserable inscription, " Liberty now and Union after-
wards," but written all over its bright folds as it floats over
the land and over the sea those other memorable words,
"Liberty and Union now and forever, one and inseparable."
146 Centennial Celebration of
GENERAL J. WATTS De PEYSTER'S ODE,
Read by Rev. D. K. Van Doren.
THE SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE, " SARATOG," 17th
OCTOBER, 1777.
Brothers, this spot is hol)^ ! — Look around ! —
Before us flows our inem'ry's sacred river,
Wliose banlis are Freedom's Shrines. This grassy mound.
The altar, on whose heiglit the Miglity Giver
Gave Independence to our country ; when,
Tlianlis to its brave, enduring, patient men.
The invading host was brought to bay, and laid
Beneath " Old Glory's" new born folds, the blade,
The brazen thunder-throats, the pomp of war,
And England's yoke, broken forever more.
Like a destroying angel, Burgoyne's host
Burst through Ticonderoga's bulwarks, hoary ;
And flaming wrecks, wide ruin 'long its coast,
Renew'd past awful scenes of Champlaiu's stor}--.
When France's Lilies dy'd themselves in blood.
Floated to triumph on Algonquin flood —
Made William Henry's siege a tale of horror —
Made Abercrombie's failure land-wide sorrow,
Like many conflicts though right bravely fought — ;
The only comfort was by Schuyler brought.
Our frontier people shrunk before the scare ;'
The load was left for Schuyler 'lone to bear.
And how he bore it, now, at length, we know ;
How steadfastly he damm'dthe crimson tide;
Baffled and stopp'd the five-fold stronger foe;" .
' The scare or panic whicti succeeded the first appearance of Bnrsoyne was of the
same character with that which shook the whole country after Bull Run First, Slst of
July, 1861, and was equally causeless The jeople recovered from it much quicker in
1777 than In 1861, for Oriskiiny and its rich harvest, due to Schuyler, which l)roke the spell,
was fought exactly one nion.h to a day after the fall of Ticondcroga. whereas the victory
won by General Thomas, the Schuyler of the Slaveholders' Kebellion, at Mill Spring
which taught the Nortli that, under an honest and al)lc leader, theirs were the best men,
was not achieved until the 19th of January, 1862, six months after the first battle of Bull
Run.
2 Allen says Schuyler did not have over 1,000 men at Fort Edward, and even after he
got down to Ilalf-Moon, it would appear that the majority of his troops were boys, old
men, negroes and parti-colored. If the real truth could be reached, there is very little
question but that proof exists that Burgoyne had over 10,000 men, regulars, provincials
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. ■ 147
To timid couusels hero strength supplied.
Burgoyne victorious, ere he left Champlain,
Startled preceiv'd his brilliant prospects wane ;
Saw in the Lion's path a Nimrod stand ;
Saw all his mighty projects counterplann'd ;
Ere Burgoyne reached the Hudson, fast empoigii'd
In Schuyler's grasp, he felt he was " Burgoyn'd."
O mighty soul ! — by envious souls decried,
New York's great son in giant height now stands ;
Argus to watch, Ulysses to decide,
Gath'ring resources with Briarean hands.
His the victorious field Uarkheimer made
St. Leger's foil, stopp'd Johnson's tiger raid ;
Fort Stanwix sav'd, the Mohawk valley sav'd —
Was all his work, who cowiu-d counsels brav'd ;
Stak'd honor, fortune, all, upon the throw.
So by the cast he beat his country's foe ;
Oriskany is due to New York's son ;
Likewise to Schuyler's brain is Bennington,
Fought on our own state soil, on Hoosic's hill,
Yict'ries that yet the nation's pulses thrill.
At length Burgoyne, the haught}^ brought to bay
At Saratoga knew our country's might ;
At Freeman's Farm saw triumph fade away ;
Saw Hope itself take wings on Bemis Height.
Barr'd, baffled, beaten, crippled, short of food,
In vain his craft, his vet'rau multitude,
Caught in the toils through which he could not break,
Chain'd like a victim to the fatal stake
Just where we stand — thanks to Sabbaoth's Lord
Boasting Burgoyne gave up his vet'ran sword. ••
Here Albion's battle flag, which, round the world,
Following the sun at morning-gun 's uufurl'd.
Here, where we stand, the crucial flag of Mars
Stoop'd, in suri'ender, to our Stripes and Stars
Where at an army's head, was first display'd
Our Starry Flag with triumph's halo ray'd.
or loyalists, Cauadlans and Indians, when he started on this expedition. He himself
admits 7,863 men. Schuyler at Fort Edward, when Burgoyne was within twenty-one
miles of him, had only 1,5U0 miserably furnished troops. Burgoyne surrendered, valida
and invalids, 5,763 men to Gates, who had, besides staff, batean-raen, artificers, etc., a
force numbering 18,024, according to official returns. Gov. and Gen. C'linton of New
York estimated the forces of Gen. Gates at between 23,000 and 24,000 armed men.
148 Centennial Celebration of
A century since Burgoyne surrender'd here ! *
British dominion its Centennial year
Had just comploted — which its Lion tore
From Holland's zone, the richest gem it bore, —
And now assembled thus, we celebrate
The triumph sure which seal'd th' invader's fate ;
Without this deed, Freedom had not been ours;
Without this fact, unbroken Britain's powers;
Burgoyne defeated, France became our fiiend,
A source of strength on which we could depend,
For all that War's strong sinews constitute —
To foster Freedom's tree — ^neath us the root.
All was decided here, and at this hour
Our sun leap'd up, though clouds still veil'd its power.
From Saratoga's hills we date the birth, —
Our Nation's birth among the powers of earth.
Not back to '7G New Yorker's date :
The mighty impulse launched our " Ship of State"
'Twas given here — where shines our rising sun
Excelsior ! These hills saw victory won.
This vale the cradle where the colonies
Grew into states — despite all enemies,
Yes, on this spot — Thanks to our Gracious God
Wiiere last in conscious arrogance it trod,
Defil'd as captives Burgoyne's conquer'd horde;
Below ^ their general yielded up his sword
There' to our flag bow'd England's, battle-torn.
Where now we stand * th' United States was born !
1 Tljg New Netherlands were not definitely ceded to Great Britain, and did not become
permanently New York until the t)th Fel)ruary, 1674, by the peace sii;ued at Westmins-
ter. The city of New Amsterdam or New York, was not finally yielded up, however,
until the 10th November, 1674.
* " Belmo.'''' On the alluvial flat, a few feet distant from the foundation of the contem-
plated Saratoga Monument (according to W. L. Stone), Burgoyne went through the
ceremony'of resigning his sword to Gates. The Duke de Rochefoucauld-Liancourt (ii,
302) who visited "Saratog" in 1795, says that the ceremony took place in the courtyard
of Schuyler's ruined homestead.
' " Therey About a hundred rods to the front and eastward, near the site of old Fort
Hardy and present village of Schuylerville, the British forces laid down their arms.
■■ " Here where we stand.''^ The Convention of Saratoga traversed all the British plans,
lost to ihe Crown an army which could not be replaced, won by the colonies the French
alliance, without whose men, material and money, independence was siill an impossi-
bility. Ami afterwards no great general biittle was fought, nor did the English achieve
a single success which led, even com])aratively speakini:, to iraportunt results. The sun
of the 17th of October, 1777, witnessed the safe delivery of the infant United States.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 149
Note by the Editor to the Preceding Poem.
The writer of these verses has endeavored to convey in a few lines facts
worthy of remembrance, which thus concisely put could be recalled with-
out exertion, and read or listened to witlioul fatigue. The facts thus
grouped together in rhyme, and so briefly presented, were the result, how-
ever, of years of the closest study. The author's researches had already
borne fruit in a series of publications. The most prominent of these was
an " Annual Address," delivered on the 23d of January, 1877, before the
New York Historical Society, and entitled " Major General Schuyler and
the Burgoyne Campaign, in the summer of 1777 :" June, October, 1777;
"Justice to Schuyler," published in the Neio York Citizen, Citizen and
Round Table, in or about January, 1868; also " Scliuyler and Practical
Strategy," published in the Army and Navy Journal, 27th January, 1865,
vol. Ill, page 336. The last two were published in 1876, as a Monograph,
with notes. In addition to these, the author. Major General J. Watts de
Peyster, prepared a series of nineteen articles, bearing the general title
" The Revolutionary Year, 1777," which came out in the New York
Evening Mail and New York Mail. The first appeared on the 5th of
April, and the nineteenth on the 13th December, 1877. The series treated
of all the prominent events of " the real beyond contradiction. Centennial
year." They filled nearly thirty columns of this Evening Daily. Over and
above this immense labor, the same exponent of the truth of American
history, wrote twelve voluminous articles on "the Burgoyne Campaign"
for the New York Daily Times, treating in detail, not only the Burg03'ne
Campaign, proper, but all the military operations bearing upon (n- con-
nected with the same. These occupied at least thirty-six columns brevier
and agate type in this prominent daily journal. Some of them were pro-
nounced by experts to be exhaustive of facts and authorities. Nor was
this the entirety of his labors. He furnished a monograph and poem on
the Battle of Oriskany, with notes to Stone^s New York Military Gazette,
of the 15th November, 1860, and a detailed article on the same subject to
the New York Historical Magazine (new series, vol. v, No. 1), for January
1869. The poem which first appeared in the Military Gazette, was con-
sidered of sufficient merit to be translated into German and republished in
Hon. Friedrich Kapp's " Gerchichte der deutchen Anwanderung in Ame-
rika," vol. 1, " GescMchte der Deutachen in l^taate New York bis zum
anfange des neunzehnten Jahrlmndert^^ New York, 1867, pages 389-90. It
was again i(?produced in the Staats Zeiiung, of the 6th of August, 1877.
His second poem on Oriskany, written for the occasion, was read at the
Centennial Anniversary of this decisive battle, noteworthy in connection
with the battles and capitulation of Saratoga, because it did decide the fate
of the Burgoyne Campaign. This received the most flattering notice from
the press throughout the state as well as elsewhere.
The motive for all this work was patriotism in the sense in which it was
applied in old«n times when a man's syn>pathies were not expected to
embrace a continent: Love of New York, the Empire state in the truest
sense of such an appellation, imperial even in its errors. With gradually
developing thought, even New England has attained the majesty of justice
to Schuyler (see Stevens's Burgoyne Campaign, page 27).
20
150 Centennial Celebration of
Alas ! this justice comes just one century too late. New England's envy
and injustice, in 1777, deprived Schuj-Jer of liis glory in the very hour of
triumph. New England, for which Washington liad so little good and so
mucii bitter both to say and to write.
All the contlicts of the Burgoyne campaign were fought on New York
soil, and all the great factors in the triumph, except the mere nominal chief
actor, were boru within the limits of the original colony, of the New
Netherlands, afterwards New York. Children of its soil fouyht out the
question, on the Upper Hudson (underlying Fort Anne), atOriskany, and
in the passes of the Highlands. Mamesake and kinsman, blood relation and
connection, neighbor and dependant, met breast to breast, to solve the
great problem whether their c(rantry should be happier, under a consti-
tutional m()nai»chy, or a constitution and congress.
The}' did not decide it then, and it is an enigma which still remains un-
solved. Events are tending fast to its solution, but the tangled skein is
certainly not yet entirely unravelled.
What scathing words Washington hurls around him, at various mem-
bers of the old original Thirteen. He is unsparing. New England does
not escape, nor Pennsylvania, nor even his own native Virginia.
"In 1777 (says Theodore Parker in his Historic Americ(ins) \\\\gi\ the
British held Philadelphia, and Washington went into winter-quarters at
Valle}' Forge, only a day's march off, at a time of the gieatest peril, the
* * state of Pennsylvania had but twelve hundred militia in the field to
defend their own firesides." " Pennsylvania * * did little for independ-
ence."
These are quotations. If the charges are unfounded let the author
justify them. One fact is patent, just as in 1862 and 1868 Pennsylvania
had to call, in 1777, upon her sister states to protect her homesteads.
Meanwhile what is the record of the Rev. William Goidon (111, 399).
in regard to New York, which, " though consuming at both ends, and
bleeding at every pore, had her complement of C(jntinental troops (con-
gress soldiers, regulars), in the field ; beside having raised in the month
of Maj^ [1780J, eight hundred new levies to guard the frontiers."
In 1780, when New York was devastated (at its heart) by her owh off-
spring, while thus suffering and still exerting itself, several of her sister
states were In full and peaceable possession of their territories, seeming)}'
slept in security, and had not a third of their quota in the field." " Yet
(at this very peiiod) in 1779-80, General Arnold, the traitor, with less
than two thousand men (British, regulars and loyalists) ravaged the whole
stale of Virginia for two years. Jefferson did nothing against him."
{Parker's Ilifitoric Americans, Washington, 144.) Nor was the Father of
his Country less severe on the original Colonial Virginia Militia or Pro-
vincial troops. {J bid, 8G-88.)
This theme might be pursued with healthful instructivencss through
pages for the edification not merely of the men of the day, but of i)0sterity,
to show that not only were the shores of the noble river (which bears
his name), " the loveliest country (according to Hudson) on which the foot
of man was ever set," but the men who were bred and born along this
majestic stream audits affluents, were worthy of such a partial soil.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 151
The pen labors to reproduce all the honors that cluster around New
York.
" The curtains of yesterday drop down, the curtains of to-morrow roll up^
but yesterday and to-morrow, both are!''''
The first North American Colonial Congress met at New York, on the
call of Leister in 1690 (Lamb, 1, 379). The second (by many styled the
first), celebrated Congress, consisting of delegates from all the colonies,
convened by order of the Lords of Trade, at Albany in 1754 (Lamb, 1,
640).
The fate of the thirteen colonies was decided in the state of New
York, one hundred years ago ; and the first president of the United States
was inaugurated in the city of New York, eighty-eight years ago, in a
building, Federal Hall, whose site was a gift to his native city, one hundred
and eighty-five years ago, by the then mayor, the lineal ancestor of the
writer of the poem which precedes this note.
So much s]mce has been devoted to this illustration, because if General
de Peyster's part in the exercises on the 17lh Oct., 1877, at Schuylerville
was comparatively small, his " chivalric" labors to place the state of New
York upon the grand elevation its majesty deserves, have not been ex-
ceeded by any " son of the soil," since first it had a literature and records.
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER, PREPARED FOR
THE OCCASION BY COL. B. C. BUTLER.
Read by William L. Stone.
0 say, can you see, hj the dawn's early light.
On Saratoga's broad plains what so proudly is streaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight.
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
For our fathers this day, to this field made their way
To glory, in the conquest of the foes prond array.
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
In its field stood the plow, the axe ceased in the wood,
From his log cabin gladly, the wild hunter sallied.
From city and glen, they came like a flood
To the ranks where the brave and the valiant were rallied.
O let Stillwater's Heights, and Saratoga's dread fight
Tell how nobly our sires, fought and bled for the right,
While the star spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
This day, when our sires trod on scepter and chain.
And the foes of proud Britain were scattered before us,
Then went up to heaven with loudest acclaim
From the hearts of true freemen, that victory is o'er us.
'Twas Huzzah ! Huzzah ! from the lake to the shore,
152 Centennial Celebration of
Our Ciiuse it lias triumphed, we are subjects no more —
The star spangled banner in trimnph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
O, thus be it ever, when freemen sliall stand
Between tiieir loved home and the foes' desolation,
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-blest land,
Praise the power that hath blest, and preserved it a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto, " In God is our trust,"
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
LETTERS FROM BENSON J. LOSSING, MRS. ELLEN
HARDIN WALWORTH, GILES B. SLOCUM, AND
STEPHEN D. KIRK OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
Read by Col. D. F. Ritchie.
BENSON J. LOSSING'S LETTER.
The Ridge, Dover Plains P. O., )
Dutchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 1875. j"
William L. Stone, Esq. :
My Dear Sir — I find, at tlie last moiDent, that circumstances
will deny me the enjoyment of partici])atiiig in the ceremonies
at Saratoga on Wednesday.
I have anticipated much gratification in revisiting the region
of Burgoyne's disaster, over which I traveled twenty-nine years
ago, with pencil and note-book in hand, guided in my researches
on Bemis's Heights, by Mr. Nelson, who, I believe, still lives in
Arnold's headquarters.
The mention of Arnold's name opens to vieV the unpleasant
scene in the career of the "conqueror of Burgoyne," which
Americans are willing to conceal by a curtain drawn by the
hand of charity in behalf of human weakness. I mean the cul-
mination of the intrigues of Gen. Gates to obtain the honorable
position held by Gen. Schuyler as commander of the Northern
Department, whose judicious management with feeble means
had secured the victory to Saratoga before the battle was fought.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 153
The unselfish patriotism of Schuyler, second to that of no
man engaged in the grand struggle for liberty in America a
hundred years ago, was manifested in various ways. He never
let personal feeling or interest stand in the way of the public
good. When Gates came as his successor in command of the
army and treated him with marked supercilliousness, Schuyler
endured the cruel sting with calmness, and not only offered but
promptly and generously gave to Gates his services and his
influence which secured a triumph for the haughty commander
and the patriot cause. He saw with deep concern the danger
with which the cause was menaced by Gates's jealousy of Arnold ;
and he expressed that concern orally and in letters to his friends;
but he never uttered a word in derogation cf Gates who, with
the aid of his friends in congress, had cruelly wronged Schuyler.
The lofty character of that patriot is disjilayed in some private
letters which Schuyler addressed, at the time, to Colonel Richard
Varick, who had been his military secretary and aide-de-camp,
and was his much loved friend. These letters, in unpublished
manuscript, are before me. They have a peculiar interest in
connection with this centennial celebration. I make the two or
three subjoined extracts from them. Two days after the first
battle on Bemis's Heights (Sept. 21, 1777), Schuyler wrote to
Col. Varick, who was in the field in front of Burgoyne :
"I am exceedingly happy that the affair of the 19th has
turned out so much to our advantage. I hope the same good
fortune will attend us in every subsequent one. A report pre-
vails that a second fracas has happened between Gates and
General Arnold, but the occasion is not mentioned. I hope it
is not of such a nature as to oblige that gallant ofiicer to leave
the army. If he does, I shall be far, very far indeed from being
so easy as I feel myself in the reflection that he is with you.
Advise me what has happened."
On the 25th, Schuyler again wrote to Colonel Varick, saying :
" I am pleased to hear that my gallant friend. General Arnold,
has determined to remain until a battle shall have happened or
Burgoyne retreats. Everybody that I have yet conversed with
on the subject of the dispute between Gates and him thinks
154 ' Centennial Celebration of
Arnold has been extremely ill-treated. I wonder at Gates's
policy. He will prohabli/ be indebted to him for the glory he
may ac^quire by a victory ; but perhaps he is so very sure of
success that he does not wish the other to come in for a share
of ity
The destruction of his property to the amount of 850,000,
his mansion and mills at Saratoga, did not draw from Schuyler
a word of complaint. When IJurgoyne, who had caused that
destruction, was entertained at Schuyler's table, in Albany,
after the surrender, and spoke feelingly of the event, the patriot
replied : " Don't speak of it ; it was the fortune of war." And
two days before the surrender, when tidings of negotiations to
that effect" had reached Schuyler, he wrote to Colonel Varick
(Oct. 15, 1877): "The event that has taken place makes the
heavy loss I have sustained set quite easy upon me. Britain will
probably see how fruitless her attempts to enslave us will be.
I set out to-day."
Schuyler's suggestion that Gates might be indebted to Arnold
for the glory he might acquire by a victory, was proiDhetic. It
was even so ; and he showed, in omitting Arnold's name in his
despatch to congress, that he was unwillingthat another should
" come in for a share of the glory."
I have written this letter with an earnest desire to impress
upon the minds of my countrymen the truth which undeniable
facts certify, that to the unselfish patriotism, sleepless vigilance,
untiring industry, marvelous fortitude, rare judgment and skill,
unflinching courage, lofty faith and wide social influence of
Cieneral Schuyler, more than to the exertions of any other man,
is due the honor and the praise of any turning back a most for-
midable invasion of northern and western New York, in 1777,
and the ruin of the armies of the invaders. That event was the
pivotal point upon which the fortunes of the war turned in favor
of the Americans, and led directly to circumstances which
secured our independence.
Yours, with sentiments of high esteem,
Benson J. Lossing.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 155
MRS. WALWORTH'S LETTER.
Saratoga Springs, Sept. 4th, 1877.
Mr. Wm. L. Stone, Sec'y,
Dear Sir — Accept my thanks for your polite invitation, to
attend the Centennial celebration of the surrender of Burgoyne.
I will endeavor to be present. It is an occasion in which I
naturally take a very lively interest, having been over the
ground many times both practically and theoretically in the
preparation of my map of the battles. I have also a traditionary
interest in the event since my great grandfather was in both
battles and present at the surrender. As you have requested
me to furnish you with a short sketch of his life to be used at
the celebration, I enclose a few items and regret that pressing
engagements prevent me from referring to interesting family
papers.
Colonel John Hardin was born in Fauquier county, Virginia,
/ y Oct. 1st, i-&53. Martin Hardin, his father, moved from Fauquier
county, to George's Creek, on the Monongahela river, when
John was about twelve years old. This was a new settlement
on the frontier, and Martin Hardin thought it was in Virginia,
but when the state line was drawn, it was found to be in Penn-
sylvania. In their new situation, hunting was an occupation of
necessity. Young Hardin, with his rifle, tj-aversed the vales,
crossed the hills and clambered the mountains in search of game
until he became one of the most perfect hunters of his time.
The rapidity and exactness with which he used his rifle (a
weapon still preserved in the family), made him what is called
a " dead shot."
In th(3 expedition conducted by Governor Dunmore against
the Indians in 1774, John Hardin served as ensign in a militia
company. The following year he volunteered with Captain
Jack Morgan, and was wounded during an engagement with
the savages. A rifle ball struck his thigh and lodged near the
groin whence it was never abstracted. Before he had recovered
from his wound or could dispense with his crutches, he joined
Dunmore in his march aarainst the Indian towns.
156 Centennial Celebration of
Soon after tlie peace that ensued, Hardin prepared for a
journey to Kentucky, as the scene of new adventures, but
rumors of approaching war with Great Britain led liiin to
abandon this project.
When the American congress called for a military force
Hardin olVei'cd himself to the business of recruiting and soon
joined the continental army with the comniission of second
lieutenant, lie was attached to ^Morgan's rilie corps, and was
held in high esteem by Gen. Daniel Morgan, and was often
selected by him for enterprises of peril which required discre-
tion and intrepidity to ensure success. While with the army
of Gen. Gates he was sent on a reconnoitering expedition with
orders to capture a prisoner for the j)ur[)()se of obtaining inform-
ation. Marching silently in advance of his party, he found
himself, on reaching the abru})t summit of a lull, in the presence
of three ]^ritish soldiers and a ]Mohawk Indian. The moment
was critical, but without the slightest hesitation lie presented
his rifle and ordered them to surrender. The Bj-itish immediately
threw down their arms, the Indian clubbed his gun. Hardin
continued to advance on them, but none of his men having
come up to his assistance he turned his head a little to one side
and called them. The Indian warrior observing Hardin's eye
withdrawn I'roni him reversed his gun with a rapid motion for
the purpose of tiring. Hardin caught the gleam of light that
was reflected from the polished barrel of the gun, and readily
divining its meaning, brought his own rifle to a level, and with-
out raising his gun to his face gained the first fire and gave the
Indian a mortal wound. The ball from the warrior's rifle passed
through Hardin's hair. The British pi-isoners were marched
into camp and Hardin received the thanks of General Gates.
Soon after this he was offered a major's commission in a new
regiment, but he declined, alleging that he could be of more use
where he was.
In 1786, he removed with his wife and family to Kentucky,
and Avas in every expedition into the Indian country from that
state, that occurred during his life. In 1702, he was sent by
General Wilkinson with overtures of peace to the Indians. He
THE Surrender of Bukgoyne. • 167
was on his route to the Miami villages, attended by his in-
terpreter and a paity of Indians who professed to be friendly.
They proved to be treacherous and cruel and shot him to death.
The Indian chiefs assembled in council expressed much regret
upon hearing of Hardin's death though they were suspected of
having instigated the tragedy, the victim being held in dread
as one of the " mighty men " of the " dark and bloody ground."
With cQjt-dial wishes for the success of the celebration, I
remain.
Very truly yours,
Ellex Hardin Walavokth.
GILES B. SLOCUM'S LETTER.
Teenton, Wayne Co., Mich.,
Oct. 10th, 1877.
William L. Stone, Esq.,
My Dear Sir — I take great pleasure in responding to your
request that I should write you some of my early recollections of
Schuylerville, and of the celebration which occurred in that vil-
lage in 1822. Brief, as they must necessarily be, they may,
perhaps, possess some degree of interest.
It may not be out of place to say that my grandfather, Giles
Slocum, was well acquainted with Major-General Schuyler (whom
he greatly admired) as he first rented a farm and afterwards
bought it of that general. The farm is now owned by one Lockro
on the west bank of Fish creek about a mile below Stafford's
bridge. On this spot I was born in 1 808, but my father and grand-
father moved over to old Saratoga, in 1814, and bought the place
now owned by Hiram Cramer, situated about two miles south-west
of Schuylerville. This was the same farm, in fact, on which
resided Major Dunham — the captor of the noted tory Lovelace
who was hung as a spy on the hill just in front of the old
Schuyler mansion, i The remarkable and aged Albert Clements
at that time lived on the adjoining farm to ours, and he is still
living, adjoining, bat about a mile east of his former residence.
When a school boy, we used to find leaden bullets on Bur-
1 The skull of Lovelace is now in the possession of George Strover Esq. — W' L. 3.
21
158 Centennial Celebration of
goyiie's battlo-grouiids of which we made plummets to rule our
writing paper, as they were the softest and best lead to be had.
I well remember the " entrenchments or breastworks" on the
west slope of the heights of Saratoga of which Mr. Clements
speaks in his affidavit ;' and I also well recollect the embank-
ment enclosing Fort Hardy, at the north side of Fish creek, just
at its junction with the Hudson — the point where Burgoyne's
army piled their arms.
About fifty-five yeais ago there was a big celebration on the
4th of July, of which Philip Schuyler, the grandson of General
Schuyler, was the leading actor. The extensive tables on the
occasion were set on the grounds of old Fort Hardy, with a
canopy of evergreens to protect the guests from the sun although
the oration was delivered in a shady grove on the eastern slope
of the heights, near where the Dutch Reformed church now
stands, by the "eloquent but unfortunate" Kev. Hooper Cum-
mings of .Vlbany, at that time a brilliant light in the American
pulpit, but destined, " like a glowing meteor, to go suddenly
down in darkness and gloom."- I well remember, also, that
there were about a dozen old revolutionary soldiers present,
seated in a row on a bench close under the voice and eye of the
orator (so that they could the better hear and see) ; and that
when the speaker, in the course of his remarks, addressed them
personally, it was in such glowing terms of thankfulness and
honor for their invaluable services, few dry eyes could have been
found within hearing of his voice. John Ward, one of the
body guard of General Schuyler, and who was carried off by
the tory Waltermeyer, into Canada, when the latter attempted
the abduction of the general from Albany, was among those
seated on the bench.
The gathering was a very large one, the people of the whole
county being nearly all there. Brigadier General De Ridder
from across the river, a substantial property holder and a gene-
' See Mrs. Walworth's Cfuide Book., and Stone's Burgoyne.
* This noted orator seems to have been a favorite speaker on snch occasions. In the
summer of 182(i, when the remains of Jane McCrea were taken up and reburied, he de-
livered the discourse. See Lossing's field Book of the Jievolution. — W. L, S.
THE SURRENDEK OF BuRGOYNE. 159
ral in the war of 1812, was mounted on a fine horse at the head
of a large troop of light hoi'se (as they were then called) and
other military companies. The " soul stirring drum and ear
piercing fife" were the materials in that day in the way of music.
I recall the fact, also, that the breastworks surrounding the fort
were nearly perfect at that time, as General De Ridder, at the
head of the military, marched around on the top of the entrench-
ments.
Philip Schuyler, and General De Ridder were the great per-
sonages of that day, and were the only ones who came to the
old. Dutch Reformed church in their coaches.
Two years ago, I visited Schuylerville with my son. I then
looked in vain for the first vestige of the old fort, or of the en-
trenchments on the heights. I recollect the old Dutch Reformed
church situated about half a mile south of Schuylerville, as
mentioned by Mr. Clements; and in my childhood was edified
by hearing each Sunday two sermons by the Rev. Mr. Duryea.
The building was enclosed, but not plastered, and was used by
the British in the campaign. I was well acquainted with Philip
Schuyler, the grandson above mentioned, who left that section
of the country in 1 83 7. I, also, left the same year for this place,
where I have resided ever since. I came here for the first time,
however, in 1831.
You will see, therefore, that I cannot but have a great desire
to see the monument completed in my time, as I have always
had a strong attachment for the place of my birth.
I regret very much that I cannot attend the celebration at
Schuylerville on the 17th.
I hope it will be a grand success and insure the erection of a
monument on the far famed " heights of Saratoga" worthy to
commemorate the great event of American history.
With much esteem.
Very truly yours,
Giles B. Slocum,
160 Centennial Celebration of
STEPHEN D. KIRK'S LEITEK.
ClIAKLESTON, S. C, Oct. 10, 1877.
William L. Stone, ^sq.,
My Dear Sir — T am in receipt of your favor. It will give
me great ])leasure to have my name added to the list of the
honorable gentlemen who are to be vice presidents on the great
occasion alluded to ; and, at the same time, thank you sincerely
for assigning one of the descendants of the fathers of one of
the " old thirteen" a place in the programme.
I feel, as all Americans should, that what concerns your great
state, certainly belongs to me also ; and as citi/X'ns of one great
nation, we can only maintain our sovereignty by such feeling.
The year previous to the annihilation of Burgoyne in New
York, Sir Peter Parker was expelled in disgrace from South
Carolina ; and when France and Holland recognized our great
country as free and independent, New York and the Palmetto
state mutually rejoiced at the welcome event. Then why should
not the children and grandchildren, from generation to genera-
tion, love and cherish each other ; and at all times make these
anniversaries national, if not in fact at least in feeling ? My
maternal grandfather (Wm. Roberts) was a soldier of the Re-
volution. My paternal grand uncle (Gideon Kirk) was almost
continually fighting the tories, and, on one occasion, a brother
of his was killed by them through mistake for Gideon. After
the war he was a member of our state legislature at the time of
its adoption of the federal constitution May 23d, 1788.
With much i-espect,
Yours most cordially,
S. D. Kirk.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 161
LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMIT-
TEE FROM THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO BE
PRESENT IN RESPONSE TO TH*E FOLLOWING INVL
TATION.
Box 2374, New York City, August 32, 1877.
Dear Sir : — One hundred years ago — the 17th of October, 1877 —
Burgoyne surrendered on tlie plains of Saratoga; and with that event
closed the most important chapter of the American Revolution. This
secured for us the French alliance — and lifted the cloud of moral and
financial gloom that had settled upon the hearts of the people, dampening
the hopes of the leaders ol the Revolution, and wringing despairing words
even from the hopeful Washington. From that auspicious day, belief in
the ultimate triumph of American liberty never abandoned the nation till
it was realized and sealed, four years later, almost to a day, in the final
surrender at Yorktovvn.
Arrangements have accordingly been made, under the auspices of the
Saratoga Monument Association, to celebrate the one hundredth anni-
versary of the surrender, upon Ihe field of that event, at Schuylerville,
N. Y. , on the seventeenth day of October next, in a manner every way
worthy ot the occasion. Hon. Horatio Seymcmr of Utica, and Hon.
George William Curtis of New York city, will deliver the orations, and
Alfred B. Street of Albany, the poem. You are cordially invited to at-
tend this celebration.
Yours very respectfully, William L. Stone,
Chairman Invitation Committee.
William L. Stone, P. C. Ford, E. F. Bullard, Invitation Committee
representing the Saratoga Monument Association. An early answer is
requested.
THE LETTERS. '
Glencliffe, Garrison, Putnam Co. N. Y., Sept. 4, 1877. William
L. Stone, Esq., New York. My Dear Sir : I am in the receipt of the in-
vitation which you have kindly sent me under date of the 15th. of August,
to attend the celebration on 17th October next, of the one hundredth an-
niversary of the surrender of Bui'goyne on the plains of Saratoga. I
regret that it will not be in my power to be present on the verj^ interest-
ing occasion. The importance of the great event which you propose to
celebrate cannot be too highly appreciated by those who are now enjoy-
ing the benefits of the government whose infant life was secured by the
results of the Battle of Saratoga. Very respectfully yours,
Hamilton Fish.
CuMMiNGTON, Mass., Aug. 25, 1877. My Dear Sir: For various
reasons I cannot attend the commemoration of the surrender of Burgoyne,
on the 17th of October. Few events in the history of our revolutionary
war are of such importance or so well deserve to be recalled to our grate-
ful recollection. I should be glad to hear the oratiou of Mr. Seymour
set off by the advantages of liis voice and manner, and to be present at
iln reading these letters of the distinguished men, the most casual reader cannot
fail to notice the universal recognition ol' the supreme importance of the great event
which was so jipprnpriately and snccessfu ly commemorated. Hid not congress been
in session many of the writers would doubtless have been present. The editor conld
epsilv have filled many pa^-es with the letters that were received had space permittid. He
has thought it best, therefore, to select a few only from the different professions and
walks in life to show the general and kindly response to the invitation of the com-
mittee.
162 Centennial Celebration of
the rcadin;^ of Mr. Strpct's poem, which, I am sure, will worthily cele-
brate the occasion. But I must content mv.'ielt' with seein<>; them in
print, and thaukini; your committee for your obli^ini; invitation,
I ani, sir, faitli fully yours, W. C. Bryant.
New York, Oct. 2d 1877. W. L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir : I accept with
pleasure the iionor of being one of the vice-presidents of your associa-
tion. If my healtii permits I will be present at the celebration on the
17th inst. ' Resi)ectfuily yours, Geouoe L. Schuyler.
Wai-dstein, Fairfield, Ct., Oct. 11, 1877. William L. Stone, Esq.,
Dear Sir. The invitation to me from your committee to attend the Sara-
toga celebration Joes me honor, and I trust that all success will attend the
occasion which cannot but be full of wholesome lessons aiul incentives, as
well as rich in patriotic remembrances. I regret that I must be content
to join with yon and your associates in spirit only and that I cannot leave
home next week. Yours respectfully, Sam'l Osgood.
New York City. My dear Mr. Stone: I am exceedingly pleased with
j^our remembering me in so patriotic a connection, as well as because I
am one of Dr. Wayland's boys. Your letter would have been answered
before, but it would have involved an answer to the question, " Whj' I go
tishing," and neglect correspondence quietly lying at home. I am just
" oir Nantucket," and that is my excuse for tardiness. Congress meets
intli Oct., and your " Event" is 17th Oct. It will be iuii)(>ssible, therefore,
forme to be with you. if Congress is postponed, I will be on liaiui. My
revolutionary centennial is at Monmouth, wliere my grandfather fought,
and that is next year. So my turn will come. With thanks for your in-
vitation, I am Yours truly, S. S. Cox.
Potsdam, Oct. 10,1877. Dear Sir: Yours of the 8th inst., extending
to me an invitation to participate in the ceremonies connected with the
laying of the corner stone of the monument to be erected commemorative
of Burgoyne's surrender is received. I sincerely regret that previous
engagements prevent me from accepting your invitation, as it would
afford me very great pleasure to be present on that patriotic and instruct-
ive occasion, and listen to the orations of the distinguished gentlemen
referred to. Hoping that the association will have all the success which
the cause and occasion should comnumd, and thanking you for the com-
pliment which the invitation conveys, I am ver}' respecltull}'' yours,
E. A. Merritt.
New York, Aug. 24,1877. My Dear Sir: I thank j'ou for your polite
invitation to attend the Centennial of Burgoyne's surrender as one of the
vice presidents of the day. * * * My grandfather bore arms in the critical
and decisive fight which you celebrate (as well as afterwards in the
Jerseys and at tiie surrender of Cornwallis at Y'^orktown), so that it is for
filial as well as for patriotic reasons that I wish you very cordially a com-
plete success. Faithfully yours, Manton Marble.
. FuLTONViLLE, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1877. Wm. L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir:
It will afford me much pleasure to accept your invitation, to be present
on the occasion of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the
surrender of Burgoyne, at Schuylerville. An event wiiich contributed
so notably, to the achievement of the liberties of our country, deserves
suitable recognition. I am assured that the interest displayed in the pro-
posed ceU bialion, as well as well as the sjjirit with which it may be con-
ducted, will not prove unworthy of cither the times, or the nu'u, which
our country hold in such gratelul remembrance. I remain wi,h regard,
Yours very respectfully, " John H. Starin.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 163
New York, Sept. 3d, 1877« Hon. Wm. L. Stone, Dear Sir: I regret
that I cannot accept j'our kind invitation to attend the Centennial celebra-
tion of tlie battle of Saratoga, as one of tlie vice presidents of tiie ceremo-
nies, on tlie 17th of October, next. This has been called one of the decisive
battles of histor}-. Who can say that it was not ? When Burg03'ne sur-
rendered to the victors, the flower of the British forces in America, then,
but not till then, did independence seem possible. It has always seemed
to me that General Fraser was the controlling spirit of the enemy in this
engagement, and the bullet that laid him low, was the chief instrument
of a victory that opened the w^ay to our national existence. If at Lexington,
was tired the " sliot heard round the world," with equal truth that shot,
at Saratoga, that took the gallant Fraser from tlie field, is eclioing through
the centuries. It is commendable that these heroic deeds of our ancestors
should be made the object of our homage. These deeds make us to-day
the freest people on the earth. We are reaping in ease tlie harvest sown
in tears. We sliall be wasteful of our inheritance of liberty and careless
to guard it unless its cost be kept constantly before us: Thanking you
and the gentlemen of your committee tor your invitation. I have the
honor to remain. Yours very truly, Ethan Allen.
Office of the Journal of Commerce, New York, Sept. 3, 1877,
Wm. L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir: I thank you very cordially for the courte-
ous invitation to attend the celebration at Schuylerville of the one hun-
dredth anniversary of Burgoyne's surrender. That event was the turning
point in the American Revolution, and the campaign wliicli led to it is
one of the brightest pages in American history. 1 regret that my pressing
duties will prevent me from joining in the anniversary fesiivilies.
Yours truly, David M. Stone.
New York, Sept. 3, 1877, Dear Sir: Accept my best thanks for the
nonor you have done me in asking me to join in the commemoration of
so glorious and important an anuirersary. If I could stand upon the
Field of Grounded Arms, on the 17th of October, Ishouid be tiie richer for
life by another imperishable raeinorjr ; but engagements made mouths
ago, compel me to be in Boston on that day. Very respectfully j^ours.
Bayard Taylor.
Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1877. My Dear Sir: I am very sorry to be
constrained to decline your kind invitation for the 17th inst., but I have
a positive engagement at home for tliat day at one o'clock, p.m., and of
course cannot be at Schuylerville. I wish very sincerely that it were in
my power to go, and to perform the service which you lequest. Most
truly yours, R. S. Storrs.
New York, Sept. 19th, 1877. William L. Stone Esq. Dear sir. I am
in receipt of an invitation to attend the celebration of the one hundredth
anniversary of the surrender of Burgo^me. I take great pleasure in accept-
ing the same, and should circumstances permit 1 shall be present at the
interesting ceremonies. With much respect, Henry Kiddle, City Supt.
New York City, Oct. 10, 1877. Wm. L. Stone, My Dear sir: Your very
polite invitation to be present at the centennial celebration of Burgoyne's
surrender and act as one of the vice presidents of the day is dulj' received.
While appreciating highly the compliment thus conveyed, I greatly re-
gret that an imperative engagement at Washington for thai day will pre-
vent my being with you in person on that occasion. lam. Respectfully
yours, Parker Handy.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Aug 26, 1877. Dear Sir : I am di-
rected by the president to acknowledge the receipt of your valued lavor
164 Centennial Celebration of
of tlio IStli insf. extending to him an invitsition to attend the celebration
(if the one Imndiedtli anniversary of llie surrender of Buriroyne, at Selniy-
lerviile, N. Y., on llie ITlli of October next, and to say, in reply, that
wliile lie thanks you tor yovir courtesy, he regrets his inability to accept,
owing- to previous engagements. Very truly yours,
O. L. PuuDEN, Ass't Secretary.
WiNDSOK, Vt, Aug. 27, 1877. My Dear Sir : I should be very glad to at-
tend the celebration at Saratoga, and am much obliged to you lor your
personal inviiation which enforces that of the committee. I should expect
great pleasure from hearing ex-Gov. Seymour's oration, and would wil-
lingly take.i)ait in the homage of our generation to the great deeds of our
ancestors on the famous battle-fields of Saratoga. But 1 cannot at
present count upon being able to leave Washington even for a short ab-
sence, in the middle of October. Please convey my thanks to the com-
mittee tor their attention, and accept, for yourself, my acknowledgments
for your personal* courtesy. Wishing all prosperity to the celebration,
I am, yours very truly, • Wm. M. Evarts.
AV.VR Department, Washington, Aug. 2;5, 1877. Wm. L. Sicme, Esq.,
My Dear Sir: I regret exceedingly my inability to accept your very kind
invitation to attend the centennial anniversary of the surrender of Bur-
goyue, for which please accept my sincere thanks. Sincerely yours,
' Geo. W. ]\lcCRARY,/Sec?e?ar^ of War.
Post Office Department, Washington, D. C, Aug. 2()th, 1877. Wm.
L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir : I have received your favor of Aug. lOih in-
vitmg me to attend the centennial celebration of the surrender of Burgoyne
on Oct. 17lh at Schuylerville, N. Y. I thank you, and through you the
committee, for the honor of the invitation, and regret that other engage-
ments prevent me from accepting. Wishing you success in your under-
taking, I remain very truly, D. M. Key.
Department of Justice, Washington, Aug. 28, 1877. My Dear Sir :
I extremely regret that my engagements are such as to comjiel me to de-
cline the jiolite invitation of the committee to join in the celebration of
the important event of the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, on the 17th of
October. Your obedient servant,
Charles Devens, Attorney General.
Department of the Interior, Washington, Aug. 23, 1877. Dear
Sir: I have received your kind invitation to attend the one hundredth an-
niversary of the surrender of Burgoyne and in reply regret to say that in
all probability my oflicial duties will prevent my attendance, much as I
might wish to be with you. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant,
C. SCIIURZ.
Augusta, Maine, Oct. 5, 1877. Dear Sir: In reply to your favor of
Sept. 10, accompanying the formal invitation to the celebration at Schuy-
lerville on tne 17th"iiist., Mr. Blaine directs ine to say that imperative en-
gagements in Washington render it impossible to accept, otherwise he
would be very happy to attend. Very respectfully,
T. H. Sherman, Secretary.
Stowe, Vt., Aug. 21, 1877 William L. Stone, Esq , Dear Sir: As the
Supreme Court meets early in October, I shall be unable to accept the
kind invitation of the committee to be present at the Centennial anniver-
sary of the surrender of Burgoyne. Yours very trul}^
Jos. P. Bradley.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 165
Lyme, Conn., Aup-. 20, 1877. Dc;ar Sir: I am just in the receipt at tliis
place, ot your invitation to atleucl tliecclebratton of Iheoue hundredili an-
niversary of tlie surrender of Burgoyne under tlie auspices of tlie Saratoga
Mt)numeut Association, and regret to say that my official engagements at
Wasliington will prevent my acceptance. Yours very respecttully,
M. II. Waite.
Paris, September 14, 1877. Wm. L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir: The invi-
tation of your committee only found me the other day in Scotland. It
will not be in my pow er to reach home in time to be at Saratoga on the
17th ot October. I hasten to thank you, however, and those associated
with you in your eflbrts to testify the national appreciation of a battle
which — if any one link in the chain of God's Providences is of more im-
portance than another — was beyond question the most important battle
of the Revolution. It was at Saratoga that our militia first became aware
of their ability to cope successfully with English regulars. It was in that
battle the British government learned the lolly, if not the wickedness of
its unholy alliance with savages. It was the defeat of Burgoyne which
practically decided France to lend us her sword, thereby insuring, if not
actually accomplishing, our deliverance. Such a landnuu k in our history
can hardly be made too conspicuous. It is only less meritorious to assist
in perpetuating the memory of important public services than to have
conferred them. The monuments ot a nation's gratitude are perhaps the
truest measure of its patriotism and the most eloquent propagators of
those distinctive virtues by which great states are founded, aggrandized
and perpetuated. Should it be proposed at your gathering in October to
erect some memorial of the Saratoga victory, more durable — if such a
thing be possible — than the discourse and poem to be pronounced on that
occasion, I venture to solicit the privilege of associating myself with the
advocates of such a proposal and, according to my means, with any effort
looking to its realization. I am, dear sir, very respectfully yours,
John Bigelow.
Albany Aug. 22,1877. William L. Stone Esq., My dear Sir: I thank
you for your kindness in sending me an invitation from the Saratoga
Monument Association to attend their celebration at Schuylerville of the
100th anniversary of the filteenth decisive battle of the world. Unless
detained by some untoreseen circumstance, I shall not tail to be present,
that 1 may enjoy the luxury of sharing simultaneously in the patriotic
emotions of the tens of thousands who will be assembled there on the
occasion. Very respectfully yours, Henry A. Homes.
Albany, Sept. 1, 1877. My dear Mr. Stone. I thank you for the kind
iuvitaiion to be present at the anniversary of the 17th of October. From
your intimate knowledge ot my sentiments expressed to y(ni in our many
conversations upon this subject, you must feel assured llial nothing would
give me greater pleasure than to be present on that occasion.
In times like these, however, business must receive the first and the
undivided attention; and an imperative engagement on the day of the
celebration, far away from home, will oblige me to decline. Very cor-
dially yours. John S. Perry.
Albany, Sept. 1, 1877. Sir : I have the honor of acknowledging the re-
ceipt of your very polite iuvitatiou to attend the celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of the surrender of Butgoyne, and I shall be most
happy to avail myself of the same if my official duties here do not prevent.
Thanking you for very courteous attention, I remain, Yours very truly,
Franklin Townskud, Adjutant OeneraL
22
166 Centennial Celebration of
New York, October 3, 1877; My Dear Sir: Your cordial invitation to
attend tlie anniversary at Saratoga on the 17ih inst., has been received.
The many centennial commemorations in which the people now so heartily
partici))a"te have awakened intense interest in the early history of our
country ; and, as a teacher, I rejoice in every such celebration. Tiie anni-
ver.sary of an event so important in tiie Revolution, as the surrender of
Burgoyne cannot tail to arouse every true j^atriot. Congratulating you
upon the great success of your un(h*rlaking, and thanking you for your
kind remembrance. I am "most faithfully yours, John G. McNaky.
Utica, Oct. 8, 1877. W. L. Stone, Esq., My dear Sir: yon will re-
member that in ackno\vleding the reception of your invitation to be pre-
sent at the interesting ceremonies (m the 17th at Saratoga, I intimated the
improbability of my being able to attend. It is now rendered quite cer-
tain thai I cannot from the fact that congress will be in session at that
date, and my pul)lic duty will require me to be there. I need not say how
much I regret the necessity that constrains myal)sence. It would be my
duty, as it certainly would be my pleasure, as one of the associates in the
board of direction,"to countenance the enterprise by my presence, at least,
even if I were able to give to the occasion no other aid, were it possible
for me to attend. These celebrations are great educators of the people.
The one at Oriskany, in which 1 was so happy as to be able to participate,
was such an outjwuring of the people as central New York had never
seen, and a most lively historical interest was imjiarted to the important
events, which that day commemorated. I say" important" because, as I
liavc liad occasion to remark without (Iriskany, it is(juite doul)ll'ul whether
we should have had any Saratoga to celcbraie. Saratoga was the giand
culmination of which Oriskany and Bennington were most essential com-
plements.
Let me add too that the work you have recently given to the public as
the fruit of much labor and extensive research, while it may tend to cor-
rect some popular errors, and should be carefully studied in connection
with the whole story of Burgoyne's nuirches, engagements, and final sur-
render. It may call out .some discussions and even controversy, but it
will be wholesome, if wisely and decorously conducted, and, as to the
result, I venture the prediction that yours will be accepted as the most
veritable narrative of the events of which it treats, and the best sus-
tained by contemporary and reiiable authorit^^
Renewing my regret, that events 1 am unal)le to control, will prevent
my presenceand participation in the ceremonies of the 17lh — and trusting
it will be, as I caiuiot doubt it nuist bi', in all respects, a most successful
demonstration, I remain, with much regard. Your obedient seivant,
^VM. J. Bacon.
Utica, N. Y., October 15, 1877. Hon. William L. Stone : Contrary to
my expectations I shall be prevented from attending your celebration of
the surrender of Burgo3-ne. The campaign of which that was the eon-
summation, had such importance in securing our independence, and
especially is so brilliant and momentous a chapter in the history of New
York, that our people cannot recall it too often, nor mark it with monu-
ments too grand and n splendent. Your celebration will summon so many
and such distinguished men, that my absence will not be observed, but to
myself it is a source of regret and disappointment. Yours very truly,
Ellis II. Robeuts.
Fire Island, N. Y., Sept. 4th, 1877. Wm. L. Stone, Esq., My Dear
Sir: Your kind invitation of the 28th ult., directed to me at Utica has
been forwarded to me at this pjace. Y'our kind invitation to be present
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 167
with you as one of the vice presidents in your exercises of the 17th of
Oct., has not been received by me. I am here as a victim of hay fever
wliich will not permit any escape until the 19th of Sept. On my return
to Utica, and by the 24th of Sejit. I shall be able to ascertain whether it
will be in my power to accept your kind invitation and I will then write
to you again.
If, in any way, I can aid you in your good work do not hesitate to call
on me by letter or otherwise. Sincerely yours, John F. Seymour.
Cambridge, Sept. 13, 1877. My Dear Sir: I regret extremely that I
cannot comply with your request. But I have not a moment's leisure for
anytliing beyond tlic imperative demands upon my time, and nuist beg to
be'^excused. Yours truly, Henry W. Longfellow.
Beverly Farms, Mass., Aug. 25th, 1877. Gentlemen : I regret that my
engagements will not permit me to have the piivilege and pleasure of
attending the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Burgoyne's
surrender, at Schuylerville, to which you have kindly invited me. Very
truly yours, O. W. Holmes.
Worcester, Sept. 4, 1877. My Dear Sir : My public duties will deprive
me of the great pleasure of accepting your invitation for Oct. 17. I am,
yours very respectfully, Geo. F. Hoar.
Burlington, Vt., Aug. 25th, 1877. Dear Sir: Have youis of the 15th
inst., inviting me to attend the celebration of the Centennial anniversary
of the surremler of Burgoyne. I regret that th(! session of congress called
for the 15lh of October will prevent my attendance. I rejoice that you
are to celebrate thai most important event. It was a great white stone,
set up in the long and dreary pathway of the Revolution. As distance
from a mountain is necessary to enable us to see correctly its greatness
and proportions, so the distance of time from which we now observe it,
the grandeur of the Revolution that has now given to us as its happy fruit,
not only the memories of great soldiers and wise statesmen, but one country
of freemen justly rejoicing in universal liberty undtr a government at once
separate and united and with peace and order everywhere. The century
now past should be an inspu'alion to our republic of citizens and of states
for the development in the next and all succeeding ones of that happiness
and prosperity that should grow more and more from universal liberty and
the reign of equal law. Thanking you for your courteous invitation, I am,
Very truly yours, Geo. F. Edmunds.
Burlington, Vt. Aug., 21, 1877. My Dear Sir : I have to thank your
committee for the invitation received this morning, to attend the celebra-
tion at Schuylerville, :)n the 17th of October. I very much regret that
professional engagements at that time, will deprive me of the pleasure of
accepting it. No event in the Revolution is more eminently worthy of
special commemoration, than the surrender of Burgoyne. I trust your
celebration will be in every respect a success, worthy of the occasion, and
of the gentlemen who have it in charge. With much respect.
Very sincerely yours, E. J. Phelps.
Burlington, Vt., Oct 9, 1877. My Dear Sir: I have delayed, until
now, a reply to your invitation to attend the celebration of Burgoyne's
surrender, set for the 17th of October, hoping that I should be able to be
present. I regret to say, that I find it impossible. The 16lh of August at
Bennington, and the 17th of October on the plains of Saratoga, are bound
together as facts of a series — the beginning and the ending — associated
in the memories of either day, and well deserving the rec(;gnition which
168 Centennial Celebration of
the first received at the centennial observance at Bennins:1(>n, and the
latter the crowninjr "nork, siiall receive, upon the field of that event,
after its luindred years of memory and influence. " The (Jreen Mountain
Boy," and the " Yorker " must be at one as they look upon eitlier nionn-
ment, and so, I trust, they shall ever be in all patriotic actions.
With great respect, t am your obedient servant, Daniel Rouekts.
Boston, Mass., Aug:. BO, 1877. My Dear Mr. Stone. Returning: last
niu'lil from a journey, I find your kind invitation to the Saratoga festival
in Octojjer, and regret that I shall be prevented by en^a.irements from
being present on so interesting an occasion. Yours very truly,
F. iPARKMAN.
Newport, Oct. 8, 1877. Dear Sir: Your very kind note of the 6th,
accompanying the formal invitation to be present at Saratoga on the 17th
and act as one of the vice presidents, at the ceh'hration, is at hand.
Be assured that I appreciate your kindness and hope to be able to be
present.
I regret to say that the late severe illness of Gov. Van Zandt will prevent
his making the journey. It would be unsafe for him to do so. I saw him
yesterdaj^ and to-day he rode out a short way in a close carriage for the
first time since his return from the West. I shall try to arrange to leave
here on Monday night and hope to meet you on the old battle ground.
Very truly yours, S. G. Arnold.
Stockbridge, Mass., Oct. 11, '77. My patriotic co-worker, Mr. Stone:
No man who will stand on the " Field of Grounded Arms " on the cen-
tennial anniversary will carry in his bosom a heart more full of rejoicing
than mine, which must necessarily keep time at home to the glad ])ulsa-
tions of the thousands who will shout over the corner st(me. To think
that, after years of labor, discouragement and vexation over disappoint-
ment on every hand, we have begun to witness the fulfillment of our long
deferred hopes, is a glory as well as a joy.
1 feel that, when the foundation stone of our long desired memorial is
duly and deftly laid, the people of the Empire state, if not of other states,
will generously rally for the superstructure, nor feel content till its ]iroud
summit has received its cap-stone and stands in its grandeur, " heir of the
sunset and herald of tlie morning." Under the stimulus of oratory and
patriotism, our enterprise 77ivst receive its title-deed to completo success.
Glorious will be the daj' when the captured cannon of Burgoyne shall tell
the land in thunder tones, that the work has been accomplished. I can
almost fancy the bones of both my grandsires stirring in their graves at
the peals of joy on the field where thej^ witnessed the great surrender.
Very truly yours, E. W. B. Canning.
Narragansett Pier, Aug. 24, 1877. My Dear Stone: I have just re-
ceived your invitation to be present at the celebration of the centennial
anniversary of the surrender of Burgoyne. I must congratulate you on
the success, which has crowned your arduous labors in preparing the pub-
lic for a fitting commemoration of this great event. It would give me
the greatest pleasure to participate in the celebration, but my oflicial en-
gagements render it impossible for me to do so. Thanking you for your
courteous invitation, lam as ever, Yours most truly,
J.\MEs B. Angell.
Buffalo, Oct. 10, 1877. Gent. : Thanks for your invitation to attend
the centennial anniversary of the surrender of Burgoyne. I wish it were
so that I could go. I am reluctantly compelled to decline. My best
wishes attend you at the gathering. Very respectfully j'ours,
O. H. Marshall.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 169
Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 8, 1877. William L. Stone, Esq., My Dear
Sir: I received your kind invitation to be present on the 17tli inst. , on the
ground where Burgoyne surrendered, and join in the celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of that great event. If it were only to visit again
the scenes amid which I spent the earliest years of my childhood, and
near which I spent my early manhood ; if it were only once more to pass
over the historic field that' gave its name to the regiment, "The Bemis
Heights Regiment," which I had the honor to command in the late war
fur the Union ; if it were only for these reasons, I should desire to be with
}'OU. But your invitation has even greater inducements for me than these.
Perhajis the greatest achievements of the revolutionary period were the
Declaration of Independence, the victory of Saratoga, and the Federal
Constitution, and the first and the hist of these turned upon the second as
upcni a pivot. Without that victorj^ the Declaration would have gone
for naught, and the Constitution would never have existed. The battle
of Saratoga, the most important in our Kevolution, has been pronounced
one of the "fifteen decisive battles of the world." How strange that
success in such a battle should seem to have depended upon an accident !
The British war minister wrote peremptory orders to Howe to support
Burgoyne, then put the order in a pigeon-hole and forgot to send it.
Howe marched to Philadelphia and not to Saratoga. Was it an accident ?
In God's government, whether of matter or of mind, there are no acci-
dents. Who can doubt that it was and is in the order of Providence,
that this republic should be founded, and should survive all assaults from
without and all dissensions from within ?
"The right is with us, God is with the right,
And victory is with God !"
The distance is so great, and my engagements are such, that I cannot
be present, on the 17th inst., on the ground where Burgoyne surrendered.
I must, therefore, content myself with thanking you for inviting me to
participate in so interesting an occasion. I am, very respectfully. Your
obedient servant, James B. M' Kean.
Peoria, III., Aug. 7th, 1877. Gen. E. F. Bullard, Dear Sir: I do not
believe it will be possible for me to be with you on the ininiortal 17th of
Oct. I thank you heartily and sincerely for the invitation. Yours truly,
R. G. Ingeksoll.
Woodside, Ky., Sept. 1st, 1877. Wm. L. Stone, Esq., My Dear Sir: I
have the pleasure of acknowledging your courteous invitation to visit
Schuylervillc and participate in the celebration of the one hundredth an-
niversary of the surrender of Burgoyne, " as one of the vice presidents of
the day." This compliment I highly appreciate ; and unless prevented by
circumstances on which I have no control, I will be with you on that
occasion. Again returning you my thanks for the honor conferred.
I remain. Yours most respectfully. Col. Clarence S. Bate.
Elizabethtown, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1877. My Dear Sir: I thank you
for your kind invitation to attend the Burgoyne centennial. If possible
you may be sure I will not fail to attend, but my engagements for the
month are very pressi;ig and I fear I may fail. You know how great an
interest I have always taken in the history of Burgoyne's campaign, the
turning point of our Revolution and so of American history. I trust and
indeed am sure it will be worthily celebrated. Very truly yours,
Rob. S. Hale.
Executive Department, State of Connecticut, Hartford, Oct. 5, 1877.
Sir : I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your very courteous invitation to
170 Centennial Celebration of
attend the celobratiou of the one hundredth anniversury of tlie surrender
of Biiri^anne. Regretting that I am obliged to deny myself the pleasure,
and thanking you for your courtesy, I have the honor to be, Your ob't
serv't, K. D. IIubbahd.
Boston, Oct. 1, 1877. William L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir: I am di-
rected by his excellency, the governor, to acknowledge the receipt of your
very courteous invitation to attend the one hundredth anniversary ot the
surrender at Saratoga, on the 17tli iust.^ and to communicate to you his
regret that public and official duties Avill compel his presence within the
commonwealth at that time. I am Sir, with high respect, etc.
G. II. Campbell, Private Secretary.
State of Kentucky, Executive Department, Frankfort, Sept. 4, 1877.
William L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir: Yours of recent date in belialt of the
Saratoga ilonument Association, inviting me to atten<l tiie celebration of
the one hundredth nnniversju-y of the surrender of Burgoyne, is at hand
and 1 regret that olllcial engagements will i)revent my attendance. Very
respectfully, James B. McCkeary.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Executive Chamber, Harrisburg,
Aug. 22, 1877. Gentlemen: I beg leave to acknowledge your cordial
invitation to attend the celebration of the annivesary of tiie surrendei' of
Buigoyne on the seventeenth of next October, and regret that my proba-
ble engMgements and the uncertainty of affairs in Pennsylvania lor the
next few months, will not permit me to accept the same. The occasion
is one of so much interest, that 1 should like extremely to particii)ate.
Under the circumstances 1 can only return to the Saratoga Momunent
Association my thanks for their kind remembrance and wish them and
the occasion the greatest success and enjoyment. I am, genth^men, with
high regards. Yours very truly, J. F. Hautuanft.
State op Arkansas, Executive Office Little Rock, Sept. 3, 1877.
William L. Stone, Estj., Dear Sir: Your invitation to attend the one
hundredth anniversary of the surrender at Saratoga, is received. I wish
that it might be possible for me to attend, but have to regret that pressure
of official duties, at home, will probably prevent. Centennial commemo-
tions are frequent enough, just now ; but that of Burijoyne's surrender is
one of exceptional interest. The event, as recorded in history, is one of
those which linger in the recollection of every patriotic American, and go
to assist tiie fund of feeling which makes us one people A common an-
cestry, a common gloiy, a common pride, are the strongest links to bind a
nation together, and the best guaranteeof stability for our political institu-
tions. Very respectfully, your ob'dt serv't, W. R. Miller,
Governor of Arkansas.
State of IMississim, Executive Department, Jackson, Miss., Aug. 22,
1877. William L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknow-
ledge receipt of your courteous invitation, to attend the celebration of the
one hundredth anniversary ot the suirender of liiirgoyne, on the 17lli of
October. I^'ully sympathizing with the objects and purposes of the occa-
sion, I should esteem it a great pleasure to attend, but my engagements
will be such at thai lime as to compel me to deny myself that pleasure,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. Stone.
State of Colorado, Executive Department, Denver, Aug. 22, 1877.
Wm. L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir: In the absence of Governor Routt, I reply
to your invitation of the 15tli iiist. by saying that he will not probably be
able to accept, by reason of certain official duties iu the selection of public
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 171
lands, etc., Avliich will require his presence in the state at the time of your
celebration. He will advise you definitely upon his return, which will be
within a fortnight. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
John M. Reigakt, Private Secretary.
Providence, Aug. 22, 1877. William L. Stone, Esq., Dear Sir : Your
polite invitation to attend the celebration of the one hundredth anniver-
sary of the surrender at S .ratoga came duly to hand. It was addressed
to myself individually, but of course, was intended for the present g^over-
uor, Van Zandt. I have forwarded the invitation and he will undoubt-
edly cordially respond to it. Very truly yours, Henry Lippitt,
Ex-Oovernor of Rhode Inland.
State of Rhode Island, Executive Department, Newport, Sept. 7,
1877. Dear Sir. Your favor is received, and I sliall be gratified to be
present with my adjutant general and the six members of my personal
staff at your celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the surrender
of Burgoyne on the 17lh of October next. With great respect, most truly
yours, Chas. C. Van Zandt,
Governor.
State of New Jersey, Executive Department, Trenton, Oct. 8, 1877.
Wm. L. Stone, Esq., My Dear Sir : Permit me to thank you and the com-
mittee for the honor of an invitation to be present on the 17th inst., at the
centennial of the surrender of Burgoyne.
I find that it is impossible to accept, owing to official duties here. This
I really regret, as the occasion will not only be pleasurable but will com-
memorale'one of the brightest and most important events of the Kevolntion.
Again thanking you, and wishing that the day may be a success as it
cannot be otherwise. I am yours, very respectfully, J. D. Bedle.
Martha's Vineyard, Aug. 23. My Dear Sir: Your very polite invita-
tion to participate in the celebration of tlie one hundredth anniversary of
the surrender of Burgoyne reached me yesteiday. I regret that it will
not be in my power to witness the interesting ceremonies of the occasion,
and beg that you will convey to the gentlemen of the committee my thanks
for their courtesy, and my regret that I cannot avail myself of it. With
my best wishes for the complete success of the celebration,
I ana very respectfully yours, Geo. B. McClellan.
Oregon, Executive Office, Salem, Sept. 12, 1877. Hon. Wm. L. Stone,
Sir: I have the honor to acknoAvledge the receipt nf your courteous in-
vitalion to attend the celebration of The one hundredih anniversary of the
battle of Saratoga. I fully appreciate the impoitauceot the event that this
celebraticm is designed to commemorate. The least observing student of
American history must see that the surrender of Burgoyne was the turn-
ing point of the Revolution. It gave the colonists a confidence in the
stability and ultimate triumph of the infant republic which never after-
awards deserted them, and i.s unquestionably brought to their aid the French
alliance. I have no doubt that your proposed celebration will be an oc-
casion of much interest, and 1 therefore so much the more regret the fact
that my official duties will not permit me to attend. Very respectfully,
your obedient servant, S. F. Chadwick,
Governor of Oregon.
Wisconsin, Executive Department, Madison, Sept. 25, 1877. Wm. L.
Stone, Esq. Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your valued invitation to attend the celebration of the one hundredth
anniversary of the surrender of Burgoyne, and to convey to you my
172 Centennial Celebration.
sincere regret, that nrgont duties will prevent my acceptance of the same,
Were it possible for me to be pieserit on so interestini^ and liisloric an oc-
casion, I would most gladly have availed myself of your distinguished
courtesy. Yours with respect, II. Ludington.
Governor of Wisconsin.
New Orleans, August 27, 1877. Dear Sir : Your kind invitation to
attend the celebration of the one hundredtli anniversary of Burgoj-ne's
surrender at Schuylerville, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1877, is accepted. Thanks.
Truly yours, S. B. Packaud.
Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor's office, Richmond, Sept. 5,
1877. William L. Slone, Esq., Dear Sir: Your k'tter inviting me to
attend the celebration of the 17th proximo, at Schuylerville, New York,
is received as a highly appreciated honor; and I regret that mj' other en-
gajremcnts forbid nie the i)rivilege of uniting with you on an occasion so
interesting. Yours very respectfully, James L. Kemper.
Maine, Executive Department, Augusta, Aug. 28, 1877. Mr. Wil-
liam L. Stone, Dear Sir: I beg you will receive my sincere acknow-
ledgments of your courtesy in inviting me to attend the celebration of the
one hundredth anniver.sary of the surrender at Saratoga, on the seventeenth
day of October next, and'my regrets that I cannot be present on that in-
teresting occasion. Yours very respectfully. Selden Connor,
6over)ior of Maine.
St. JoHNSBTJRY, Oct. 10, 1877. William L. Stone, Esq., My Dear Sir:
I duly received your very courteous invitation to attend the Centennial
celebration of Burgoyne's surrender at Schuyicrviile on the 17tli instant,
and I have hoi)ed to avail myself of that plasurc, Initat this late day I find
that unavoidable business, official and private, will prevent my attendance,
which I much regret. Thanking you for your very kind invitati<m, I re-
main. Yours very respectfully, Horace Fairbanks,
Governor of Vermont.
APPENDIX.
ARCHITECT'S STATEMENT.
To the Building Committee of the Saratoga Monument :
Gentlemen : The foundation of the mounment is built. It is of con-
crete, thirty-eight feet square and eight feet tliick. One quarter of the
granite pHnth or base is also built. D. A. BuUard, of the executive com-
mittee, has been an efficient auxiliary in soliciting aid, purchase of material
and employing of labor, to carry to asuccessful completion the work re-
quired preparatory to laying the corner stone. Much of the labor and
material has been donated by the inhabitants of tlie vicinity ; the granite
corner stone was given by Booth Brothers, of New York, at a cost of
$300. It is of Cape Ann granite They also furnished, under contract,
the granite used in building the quarter of the plinth ; the blue stone was
given by Monta, of Sandy Hill. The master mason employed was John
Matthews. 1 he detail drawings for the granite were made by William T.
Markham in New York, the stone being cut partly in New York, and
partly at the quarry, shipped to New York, and then transferred to a
canal boat and taken to Schuylerville and set without fitting or cutting-
The work has progressed rapidly and without accident ; and to-day the
corner stone is to be laid by the ancient and honorable Order of Free
Masons, the Grand Lodge of the state of New York performing the
ceremony.
J. C. Markham, Architect.
SchuyUrmlle, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1877.
28
174
Centennial Celebration of
LIVING DESCENDANTS OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT IN
THE BATTLES OF SARATOGA 1V77, AS FAR AS AS-
CERTAINED.
Collected by Samuel Wells of Schuylerville, N. Y.
RESIDENCE.
Layfayette S. Foster,
Lemuel H. Hardin,
Martin D. Hardin,
Austin A. Yates, -
John Brisbin,
Josiah St. John,
Herman St. John,
R. D. Palmatier,
Stephen T. Burt,
Killian D. Winney,
Hurland Baker,
Manton Marble,
John Austin Stevens,
John A. Bryan,
J. D. Billings, -
Jeremiah McCreedy,
Robert Bryan, -
Stephen S. Dunn, -
Lewis Ostrander,
James S. Ostrander,
Frank Walworth,
Nathan A. Wells, -
John Dunham, -
John H, Dunham,
George McCreedy,
Henry McCreedy, -
Williani A. Dunn,
Judson Ostrander,
David Brisbin, -
Charles Neilson,
E. R. Mann,
George Dunn,
Norwich, Co/iii.,
Louisville, Ky.
Schenectady, N. Y.
St. Paul, Minn.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Luzerne, N. Y.
Waterford, JV. Y.
N^orthuniberland, H. I
Mechanicsville, N'. Y.
New York City, A". 1'
Saratoga Springs, A\ Y.
Pittsfield, III.
U ((
Cohoes, N. Y.
((
(C
Stillwater, N. Y.
Fort Edward, N. Y
KetchumrCs Corners, N. Y.
Ballston, Spa.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 175
Samuel Wells, - - - - Schuylerville, ISf. Y.
Oliver Brisbin, - - - " "
George Strover, . . . " "
James H. Dillingham, - - « «
Samuel St. John, ... " "
Gorden Van Valkenburgh, - " "
Charles Van Valkenburgh, - " "
David Crane, . . . «• "
William H. McCreedy, - - « «
Peter G. Gillett, - - - « «
Marcus Carey, - - - - " "
Alanson Welch, - - - "
Lorenzo D. Welch, - - - " "
Nathan Welch, - - - an
Dudley Welch, . - - " "
P. Curtis, . - - - " ''
C. Curtis, .... «
George McCreedy, - - « «<
William McCreedy, - - - « ■ «
John McCreedy, - - - " "
Samuel McCreedy, - - - " «
V. W. Ostrander, - - « «
W. S. Ostrander, . - - « «
Cornelius B. Winne, - - « «
Valorus Winne, ... « «
S. H. Winne, ...
Douw F. Winne, . - -
Seward Winne, - - . " "
ROSTER OF THOSE OF THE GOVERNOR'S FOOT
GUARD OF HARTFORD, CONN., WHO WERE PRE-
SENT AT THE BURGOYNE CENTENNIAL CELE-
BRATION.
Wm. H. Talcott, - - - - Major Commandant.
A. H. Wiley, - - - . Capt. and \st Lieut.
W, E. Eaton, - - - -2d Lieut.
R. D. Burdick, - - - - ^d Lieut.
S. E. Hascall, .... uh Lieut.
176
Centennial Celebration of
1st John D. Tucker.
2d James C. Pratt.
3c/ C. C. Strong.
Uh T. J. Lewis.
C. B. Lenourd.
W. W. Bronson.
Samuel Allen,
W. D. Main.
John H. Allen.
W. S. Andrews.
Samuel J. Bidwell.
Frank C. Burr.
J. M. Boyle.
Robert Boyce.
P. T. Bolton.
E. T. Bowers.
W. G. Cowles.
J. P. Collord.
D, D. Donovan.
R. J. Dwyer.
W. S. Dwyer.
H. E. Easterly.
A. H. Embler.
Thos. Fox.
Chas. U. Frazier.
A. W. Gleason.
T. H Goodrich.
C. E. Gilbert.
J. J. Goodacre.
C. G. Goodell.
Jas. Hull.
J. P. Haff, Jr.
Sergeants.
5th L. N. Hillman.
lih T. C. Naedele.
S(h Thomas Hewitt.
Corporals.
E. M. Quigley.
J. A. Downing.
J. Robt. Dwyer.
Privates.
John H, Hale.
L. A. Hitchcock.
Frank Halloner, Jr.
Thos. H. Hewitt.
Augustus Loomis.
Horace G, Lord.
Thos. Moran.
J. H. Mannix.
R. D. McMannus.
G. A. J. Naedele.
F. D. Newell.
Jas. Officer.
Thos. Oakes.
John Propson.
Edwin Smith.
E. D. Sessions.
Jacob Stern.
Frank Stone.
William B. Wells.
Alfred Williams.
Geo. H. Williams.
H. O. Whitney.
Frank G. Wells.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne. 177
VETERAN CORPS.
George B. F'islier, Captain.
Wm. B. Ely, ex major. P. S. Riley.
J. C. Parsons, ex major. F. H. Boyle.
A. M. Gordon. T. H. Laugliton, Hartford
J. B. Russell, Jr. Times.
Geo. W. Newton. F. C. Clark.
A. M. Hurlburt. Edward Wadsworth.
D. C. Pond. Geo. W. Woolley.
E. W. Parsons. William P. Woolley.
J. M. Grant. H. C. Havens.
F. E. Bliss. J. D. Burnham.
N. G. Hinckley. A. B. Work.
Cyrenus Green. C. C. Goodman.
M. R. West, Judge Advocate. T. W. Russell.
H. J. Case. John Olmsted.
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE MEMOIR.
NAME. RESIDENCE.
George L. Schuyler, - - - J^ew York City.
Philip Schuyler, - . . . " " "
Montgomery Schuyler, - - " " "
J. Watts DePeyster, - - - "
B. W. Throckmorto??, - - - " « "
John H. Starin, - - - " " " "
Charles O'Connor, -
Booth Brothers, - - - " u u
James Grant Wilson, - - " " "
Webster Wagner. - - " " "
Parker Handy, - . . " " "
John Bigelow, - - - u u u
Algernon S. Sullivan, - - " " "
Manton Marble, - - " " «
J. J. Couch, . - - - " " "
Edward F. DeLancey, - " " "
David M. Stone, - - - " u u
C. C. Church, - - - « » u
178
Centennial Celebration of
J. C. Mark HAM, -
Henry Kiddle,
John G. MoNary,
Samuel Osgood,
S. S. Cox; - - - -
Ethan Allen, ...
Frank Burdge, -
J. D. Billings,
Thomas Williams,
Horatio Seymour,
William J. Bacon,
John F. Seymour, -
George William Curtis, -
Lafayette S. Foster, -
Mrs. Mary S. Miller,
A. Austin Yates, -
Co. I, Governor's Foot Guard,
Giles B. Slocum,
Stephen D. Kirk, -
Robert S. Hale,
Asa C. Tefft,
Joseph E. King, -
B. C. Butler, - - • -
William H. Clement,
GratZ Yan Rensselaer,
S. G. Arnold,
J. R. Bartlett,
L. B. Packard, •
O. H. Marshall,
James B. McKean,
John Woodbridge, -
John Hay, - - -
Thomas W. Olcott, -
Henry A. Homes, -
Joel Munsell, -
George W. Schuyler, -
RuFus W, Clark,
Nexo York City.
Utica, iY Y.
West New Brightoii, JSF. Y.
Norwich, Conn.
Rhineheck, N. Y.
Schenectady, N. Y.
Hartford, Conn.
Trenton, Mich.
Charleston, S. C.
Elizahethtown, N. Y.
Fort Miller, N. Y.
Fort Edward, N. Y.
Luzerne, N. Y.
Morrow, Ohio.
Ithaca, N. Y.
Providence, R. I.
(C (C
New Orleans, La.
Buffalo, N. Y
Salt Lake, Utah.
New Brunswick, N. J.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Albany, N. Y.
THE Surrender of Burgoyne.
179
H. L. Gladding, - - -
Lemon Thomson,
Abraham Lansing, - - -
John S. Perry, - - -
Charles S, Lester,
e. f. bullard, - - -
James M. Marvin, - - -
WiNsoR B. French,
Joseph G. Cooke, - - -
Philip Menjes, - - -
W. H. Hall, - - - -
H. W. Merrill, -
Miss Wayland, . '. .
Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth.
Mrs. C. H. Brown,
0. L. Barbour, . . .
P. C. Ford, - - - -
A. Welch, - - - -
G. F. Watson, -
C, W. Mayhew,
Mrs. Jane M. Marshall,
Charles M. Bliss, -
F. H. Sands,
1. W. Richards, . . .
George West,
George G, Scott, ...
Apollo Commandery, -
Francis W. Stone, -
Charles D. Stone,
William H. Stone, -
R. S. Storrs, -
Col. Clarence S. Bate, -
Albany, ISF. Y.
Saratoga Springs, JSf. Y.
Schuylerville, N'. Y.
Bennington, Vt.
White Creek, JV. Y
Ballston Spa, JST. Y.
a (.i a
Troy, N'. Y.
Brooklyn, JV. Y.
Louisville, Ky.
180 Centennial Celebration.
ERRATA.
Page 5. 8th line from bottom, for sJioaling, read shooting.
" 13. 4th line from top, for Alonzo, read Alanson.
" 13. 7th line from top, for Terry, rea*d Ferry.
'' IG. 4th line from top, for Hassett, read Fasseti.
" 16. Till line from top, for Gates's CentenniaVs, read Gates's Conti-
nentals.
" 23. "Note, 2d line from bottom, for Mann, read Marvin.
" 23. Last line of text for sure, read serve.
" 25. 3d line from bottom for Clarence S. Bate, read Col. Clarence S.
Bate.
INDEX.
Abercrombie, 66, 146.
Ackland, Lady, 105, 109, 110.
Ackland, Major, 109.
Adams, C. H., 27.
Adams, John, 67, 83.
Adams, Samuel, 10, 18, 83.
AdkiDs, Thos. G., 30.
Albany Evening Journal, 10.
Allen, A. L., 26.
Allen, Capt. P. F.,28, 29.
Allen, Ethan, 25, 71, 73 ; letter from,
163.
Allen, Parson, 77.
Ames, G. L., 26.
Amherst, 66, 72.
Amsden, Benj. W., 7.
Andes, Col. F. R., 28, S9.
Andrews, E., 26.
Andrews, jr., Capt. James M., 28
29.
Angell, James B., letter from, 168.
Anbury, Lieut., 119.
Apollo Commandery, 15.
Archbishop of Canterbury, 133.
Armstrong, Maj., 129, 130.
Arnold, Benedict, 58, 65, 74, 77, 81,
127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 143,
144, 150, 153, 154.
Arnold, Gen., 97, 101.
Arnold, Hannah, her letter, 132.
Arnold, S. G., letter from, 168.
Arnold, subiect of B. W. Throck-
morton's Address, 125.
Atwell, C. H., 29.
Atwell, R.K,28, 29.
34
Bacon, Wm. J., letter from 166.
Bailey, Rev. A. F., 26.
Balcarras, Lord, 129, 131.
Ballston Cornet band, 15.
Bancroft, 108, 128.
Banks, Mayor, 27.
Barbour, Hon. O. L.,26.
Barker, John G., 34.
Barkley. A., 27.
Barrett, Col. Wm. Q., 28, 29.
Bartram, Mrs. Charles, 12.
Bascom, Lieut. , 15.
Bate, Col. Clarence S., 25 ; letter
from, 169.
Baucus, A. B., 26.
Baum, 122.
Bedle, J. D., letter from, 171.
Bemis's Heights celebration, 8.
Bemis's Heights, gathering at, 45.
Bennett, G. H.,29.
Bennett, N., 26.
Bennington celebration, 8, 14.
Bennington, gathering at 45.
Bennington Park Guards, 14.
Betts, R. C.,27.
Bigelow, John, letter from, 165.
Billings, J., Jr., 28.
Blaine, 164.
Blauchard, Gen. Joshua S., 26.
Blanchard, H. T., 28.
Bliss, C. M.,25.
Boak, John C, 34.
Bockes, Hon. A., 26.
Booth Brothers, donate corner
stone, 19, 20.
182
Index.
Boyce, C, 26.
Brackett, Maj . E. T., 28, 29.
Bradley, Joseph P., letter from, lG-4.
Brisben, O., 28.
Brockett, I.,26.
Brott, S. F., 28.
Brown, Mrs., 132.
Brudenell, Mr., 106, 110.
Bryant, William Cullen, 24 ; letter
from, 162.
Buck, Mrs. Weslsy, 12.
Buckley, J. S., 35.
Bull, Capt. Jonathan, 14.
Bull, James, 14.
Bull, Isaac D., 14.
Bullard, D. A., 23, 85.
Bullard, E. C, 28.
Bullard, Gen. Edward F., 19, 24,
35,161.
Bullard, E. H., 100.
Burdick, R. D., 30.
Burgoyne, John, 69.
Burgoyne's surrender, influence of,
57.
Burke, Edmund, 68, 85.
Burleigh Corps, 15.
Burton, I., 26.
Butler, Col. B. C, 19, 27, 28, 29,
31, 35, 101; his Star Spangled
Banner, 151.
Campbell, G. H., letter from, 170.
Canadian allies, desertion of, 117.
Canning, E. W. B.,27; letter from,
108.
Carhart, E. M., 29.
Carleton, General, 69, 79.
Carr, Gen., 28.
Catskills, 5.
Chadwick, S. F., letter from, 171.
Chastellux, Marquis de, 12, 21.
Chatham, Lord, 70, 137.
Church, Benjamin, 65.
Cilley, 133.
Civic procession, 16.
Clark, Rev. Rufus W., D.D., 31;
prayer of, 38.
Clark, W. B., 26.
Clarke, Sir Francis, 129.
Clement, Wm. H., 25.
Clements, Albert, 16, 17, 157, 158,
159.
Clinton, 108, 117, 122.
Clinton, George, 65, 74, 80.
Clinton, Sir Henrj', 41, 70, 79, 80,
83, 135.
Clothier, W. R., 26.
Clute, C, 26.
Cochran, Col., 112.
Colburn, Hon. M. S., 25.
Cole, N., 27.
Colt's military baud, 21.
Counor, Selden, letter from, 172.
Consalus, W. B., 26.
Continental cavalry, 21.
Coolidge, T. S., 27.
Corey, Samuel F., 28, 29.
Corner stone laid, 18, 33, 34; arti-
cles deposited in, 35.
Cornwallis, Lord, 68, 85.
Couch, J. J., 30, 31,33, 34, 36.
Couch, J. J. Grand Master, address
of, 37. ■
Cox, S. S., letter from, 162.
Cramer, Hiram, 26, 157.
Crane, J. W.,26.
Craw, D., 29.
Cummiugs, Kev. Hooper, 158.
Curtis, F. D.,26.
Curtis, Geo. Wm., 16, 19, 21,23, 25,
31, 161 ; oration of, 63.
Cushman, J. H., 28.
Darling, E., 26.
Dawson, Henry B., 25.
Dean, D., 29.
Dean, Rev. G. W., 26.
Dearborn, 133.
Dearborn, Maj. Henry ,-110, 128, 129.
DeLancey, E. F., 25.
Index.
183
Dennis, C. M., 28.
Dennis, P., 36.
DePeyster, Frederick, 7.
DePeyster, Gen. J. W., 7, 19, 31,
35 ; ode by, 146, 151.
DePeyster, Hon. Fredericls, 25.
Derby, Earl of, 120.
De Remer, John A., 34.
DeRidder, Brig.-Gen., 158, 159.
DeRidder, J. H., 28.
De Soto Commaudery, 15.
D'Estaing, Count, 137.
Devens, Cliurles, letter from, 164.
Deyoe, D. H.,26.
Deyoe, J. R.,28.
Dickerman, Gen., 28.
Dieskau, 66.
Dillenbeck, J. S.,28, 29.
Dilienbeck, Lieut., 28, 29.
Dillingham, J. H., 29.
Dodd, F., 26.
Dodd, H., 27.
Doolittle, E., 28.
Dunham, Maj. 157.
Dunmore, Gov., 155.
Duryea, Rev. Mr., 159.
Dwyer, J., 26.
Eastou, hospitality of, 23.
Eaton, Lieut. W. E., 30.
Eddy, collection, 20.
Editor's note on Gen. De Peyster's
ode, 149.
Edmonds, Geo. F., letter from, 167.
Edwards, E., 26.
Ellsworth, E. D., 26.
English, R., 26.
Enos, J. B., 26.
Ensign, G. A., 26.
Evarts, Wm. M., letter from, 164.
Fairbanks, Horace, letter from, 172.
Fassett, Major, 30.
Fellows, Colonel, 7.
Fellows, Gen., 108, 112, 114.
Field of the Grounded Arms, 19,
123.
Filkins, J. J., 27.
Finch, Jerry, 27.
Finch, W. P., 29.
Finne, A. L., 26.
Finnegan, Rev. H. B., 26.
Fish, Hon. Hamilton, 25, 161.
Fish, F., 27.
Fitch, Wm. E., 34.
Flag-pole, great height of, 9.
Flagler, Benj., 34.
Fletcher, Lieut., 28, 29.
Fonblanque, 111, 121.
Fonda, Sir Townsend, 30.
Ford, P. C 161.
Fort Hardy, 42 ; remains of, 30.
Fort Saratoga, 7.
Foster, Hon. Lafayette S., 31.
Foster, ex-Senator, 16, 17, 19, 23 ;
his address, 96.
Fox, Charles, 85.
Francis, J. M., 27.
Franklin, Benjamin, 53, 70.
Franklin, Dr., 187.
Eraser, Gen., 80, 81, 82, 105,106,
116, 128, 163.
French, Capt. W. W., 28, 29.
French, Gen. W. B., 28, 29 ; grand
marshal, 10.
Frontenac, 66.
Fursmau, E. L., 27, 32.
Gall, 116.
Gansevoort, 101.
Gates, Edwin, 34.
Gates, Gen., 53, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83,
84, 101, 107, 108, 110, 112, 113,
114, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121,' 122,
126, 129, 130, 147.
Gates, 148, 152, 153, 154, 156.
Gates's Continentals, 16.
George III, style of, 14.
Gerard, M., 137.
Germaine, 121.
Gibbon, 85.
184
Index.
Gibson, James, 34.
Gibson, J. Jr., 27.
Gilmour, N., 26.
Gladding, II. L., 19, 21, 31 ; address
of, 133.
Gleesettle, Capt., 15. 30.
Glover, 112, 133.
Goodale, Capt., 113.
Gordon, H., 37.
Gordon, Rev. Wm., 150.
Governor's foot guard, 20.
Gow,F.,28.
Grand Lodge of New York, 15, 18.
Gray, Dr., 28, 29.
Green, Capt. A. H., 6, 28, 29".
Green mountain, 5.
Greene, A. M., 28.
Greenwich delegation, 10.
Grippeu, B. B., 26.
Grippen, M. B.,28.
Grose, H. L., 27.
Guiles, I. W.,26.
Hale, Hon. Robert S., 25 ; letter
from, 169.
Hall, Capt. Thos., 30.
Hall, cx-Gov. Hilaud, 25, 35.
Hall, J., 26.
Hall, Surgeon Wm. H., 28, 29.
Halleck, Fitz Greene, 19; his poem,
122.
Hamilton, 116, 118.
Handy, Parker, 25 ; letter from,
163.
Hannum, J. 0.,28.
Hardin, Col. John, 155, 156.
Hardin, Martin, 155.
Harnage, Major, 105.
Harris, Dr. N. 0., 28, 29.
Harris, H. M., 27.
Hartford Governor's Foot Guards,
14.
Hartranft, J. F., letter from, 170.
Ilascall, Lieut. S. E., 30.
Hassett, Maj. T. S., 16.
Hay, Col. John, 25.
Hem in way, R. A., 28, 29.
Henry, Patrick, 65. ,
Herkimer, 37, 65, 76, 101.
Hills of our country, influence of,
52.
Hoar, Geo. F., letter from, 167.
I loll man, e.\-Gov., 25.
Hoklen, Sir Charles H., 15, 30.
Hollister, E. W., 26.
Holmes, Ebenezer, 28, 29.
Holmes, H. C. , 28.
Holmes, O. W., letter from, 167.
Holy Cross Commandery, 15.
Homes, H. A., 21, 23; letter from,
165.
Hoole, John, 34.
Houghton, N. M., 36.
Howe, 121, 122.
Howe, Col. E. P., 19, 28, 29,31, 88.
Howe, Gen., 53, 68, 70, 71, 76, 78
79, 83, 135.
Hudson, Mrs. Joseph, 12.
Hughes, Gen. Chas.,28.
Hughes Light Guards, 15.
Hubbard, K. D., letter from, 170.
Huling, E. J., 27.
Hunter, ex-Mayor, 27.
Indian allies, importance of, 55.
Indians, deserted, 117.
Ingalsbee, M. J., 27.
Ingersoll, R. G., letter from, 169.
Ingerson, C. E., 28.
Jay, John, 65, 67.
Jefferson, 150.
Johnson, 147.
Jolinson, A. G., 27.
Johnson, D. J., 27.
Johnson, Dr., 85, 99.
Johnson, Sir John, 65.
Johnson, Sir William, 54, 66, 67,
102.
Index.
185
Judson, B. F., 15, 36, 28, 29, 30.
Judson, Edmond L., 31, 34.
Kapp, Hon. Frederick, 149.
Kayaderosseras, 5.
Keenan, John, 27.
Kemper, James, L., letter from, 172,
Key, D. M., letter from, 164.
Keyes, A. A., 27.
Kiddle, Henry, letter from, 163.
Killingtoa Commandery, 15.
Kilmer, C. B., 26.
King George, 66, 71, 85, 137.
King Henry V, 133.
King John, 141.
King, Rev. J. E., 26, 31 ; prayer by,
100.
King, Rufus, 78.
Kingston, Lieut. Col., 83.
•Kirk, Gideon, 160.
Kirk, Stephen D., 19, 25, 32, 152;
gift of badges, 16 ; letter of, 160.
Kline, A. W., 27.
Knickerbacker, H., 26.
Knickerbacker, J. , 27.
Knights Templar, 15.
Kosciusko, 78, 133.
La Fayette, 86.
Lafayette Commandery, 15.
Laing, G. P. , 9, 29.
Lamb, D. T.,26.
L'Amoreaux, J. L. ,35.
Latimer, Col., 97, 98.
Lauderdale, Lord, 131.
Lawrence, S. R., 28.
Learned, Gen.,' 113, 133.
Lee, Charles, 69.
Leister, 151.
Lester, Hon. Charles S., 18, 19, 20,
21,24, 26,31, 38; introductory
address of, 40.
Lester, Judge, 20, 96.
Lester, J. W., 28, 29.
Lewis, Morgan, 84, 101.
Lincoln, Abraham, 101, 104, 133.
Lippe, Count, 70.
Lippitt, Henry, letter from, 171.
Little, M. B.,27.
Little Falls Commandery, 15.
Lober, R. W.,26.
Livingston, Kobert, 65.
Longfellow, Henry W., letter from,
167.
Lossing, Benson J., 19, 32, 129, 130,
154; his letter, 152.
Louis XVI, 137.
Lovatt, Earl of, 106.
Lovelace, 157.
Ludington, H., letter from, 172.
Mac Crea, Jane, 76.
Magaw, Col., 134.
Mansfield, Mr., 132.
Marble, Manton, 25 ; letter from, 163.
Markham, J. C, 35.
Marvin, James M., 23.
Marvin, Hon. James M., 26.
Marshall, F. K., 26.
Marshall, H., 39.
Marshall, Mrs. Jane M., 13.
Marshall, Miss Jennie, 13.
Marshall house, 30.
Marshall, O. H., 25 ; letter from, 168.
Masonic division, 30; ceremonies,
36, 37.
Master Masons, 15.
Matthews, John, 35.
Matthews, Samuel, 35.
Mayhew, C. W., 11.
McArthur, J. L., 28.
McClellan, Geo. B., letter from, 171.
McConihe, S., 37.
McCrary, Geo. W. , letter from, 164.
McCreary, James B., letter from,
170.
McCreedy, S., 38, 39.
McCreedy, Wm. H., 17.
McDonald, L. G., 37.
186
Index.
McDougall, 134.
McElroy, Mr., 10.
McFarland, James, 25.
McKean, James B., letter from, 169.
McKean, S., 26.
McNary, Jolm G., letter from, 166.
NcNaughtoii, C. H., 28, 29.
McNaugliton, F., 29.
McRea, H. A., 28.
Mead, P., 26.
Merritt, E. A., letter from, 162.
Middle Falls deleffalion, 10.
Miller, W. R., letter from, 170.
Mingay, R., Jr., 29.
Military companies, 29.
Montcalm, 72.
Montgomery, 68, 102.
Morgan, 78, 80, 112, 113, 114, 115,
128, 129, 130, 133, 142.
Morgan, Capt. Jack, loo.
Morgan, Capt. Daniel, 156.
Morehouse, H. C. , 27.
Morris, Gouverneur, 65.
Morris, H. D., 28.
Mott, J., 27.
Mozart band, 15.
Munsell, Joel, 25.
Murphy, Mayor, 27.
Neilson, G. W., 26, 152.
Nixon, 112, 113.
North, Lord, 85, 117.
Northrop, J. M., 27.
Northumberland, hospitality of, 23.
Noyes, S. Jr., 26.
O'Conner, Hon. Chas., 24.
Olcott, Thomtis W., 25.
Oriskany celebration, 8.
Oriskany, gathering at, 45.
Osboru, J., 26.
O-sgood, Samuel, letter from, 162.
Ostrander, W. P., 29.
Oswald, Capt., 133.
Otis, James, 65.
Owen, Hiram, 28, 29.
Packard, S. B., letter from, 172.
Page, ex-Gov. John B., 25.
Palmateer, R. L., 27.
Palmer, A., 26.
Park Guard band, 14.
Parker, Albert, 34.
Parker, H., 26.
Parker, Sir Peter, 160.
Parker, Theodore, 150.
Parkman, F., letter from, 168.
Parmenter, J. B., 27.
Parson, Maj. J. C.,21.
Patterson, 113.
Patterson, Capt. A. A., 28, 29.
Paul, Chas. F.,29.
Pease, A. S., 27.
Peck, Col. C. T.,28, 29.
Peck, J., 26.
Pennock, Lieut., 28, 29.
Perry, John S., letter from, 165.
Petersham, Adj. Gen., 116.
Phelps, Lt. Gov. E. J., 25; letter'
from, 167.
Phillips, 80, 105, 107, 108, 111, 115,
118, 120.
Piatt, 132.
Poor, 133.
Potter, D. L., 13,28,29.
Potter, President, 25.
Preston, Dr., 26.
Pruden. O. L., letter from, 164.
Procession, route of, 11.
Proctor, Lt. Gov. Redfield S., 25. *
Pruyn, J. V. L., 25.
Putnam, 83, 134.
Quackenbush, J. A., 27.
RaynKmd, E., 26.
Red coats of Burgovne, 14.
Reigart, John M., letter from, 171.
Relic tent, 20.
Revere, Paul, 65.
Revolutionary barrack, 13.
Rice, R. W., 29.
Index,
187
Richards, Stephen H., 26.
Richmond, Duke of, 85, 137.
Riggs, Maj. W. J., 28, 29.
Riedesel, Baroness, 75, 109, 111,
112, 115, 116, 119.
Riedesel, Gen., 72, 80, 107, 108, 114,
115, 116, 119, 118.
Riedesel, Mrs., refuge house of, 20.
Riley, John M., 34.
Ritchie, Col., 19, 20, 27, 32, 152.
Roberts, Daniel, letter from, 168.
Roberts, Ellis H., 25 ; letter from,
166.
Roberts, William, 160.
Robinson, Capt. George, 28, 29.
Robinson Gov., 30.
Robinson's, Gov. , staff, 23.
Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, Duke de,
148.
Rockwell, C.,26.
Rockwell, W, W., 27. .
Rodgers, Col. Hiram, 28, 29.
Rogers, Capt. , 26.
Root, Hon. Henry G., 25.
Route of march, 31.
Russell, S. W.,27.
St. George Commandery, 15.
St. Leger, 76, 77, 101, 122, 147.
Sanford, C, 27.
Saratoga Centennial Cavalry, 16.
Saratoga Monument, 5, 60.
Saratoga Springs, distance of, 7, 9.
Saratoga delegation, 8.
Saratogian, 24.
Satterlee, Gregory, 34.
Schurz, C, letter from, 164.
Schuyler, 133, 146, 147, 152, 153,
154.
Schuyler, Gen., 21, 42, 59, 60, 72,
74, 75, 78 ; bearing of, 59,
neighbors of, 17.
Schuyler, Gen. Philip, 104, 110,111,
■119, 120, 122.
Schuyler, George L., 16, 23, 24 ;
letter from, 162.
Schuyler, Hon. George W., 19,21,
31 ; his address, 150.
Schuyler, Maj. Gen., 157, 158.
Schuyler, Philip, 24, 158, 159.
Schuylerville, 5, 6, 7.
Schuylerville Cornet band, 15.
Schuylerville Standard, 12.
Scidmore H., 26.
Scott, G. G.,26.
Scott, William, 34.
Sears, Capt., 132.
Seelye, K J., 28.
Seventy-seveuth regiment band, 15.
Seymour, Hon. Horatio. 16, 19
21, 23, 31, 132, 161, 164; resol-
ution of, 19 ; address of, 43.
Seymour, John F. , 25 ; letter from
167.
Shelburn, Lord, 138.
Sheldon, F., 28.
Sheldon, H. S., 26.
Sherman, Augustus, 27.
Sherman, T. H., letter from, 164.
Sherman, W. A., 26.
Shurter, J. W , 26.
Simmons, E. F., 35.
Slocum, Giles B., 19, 25', 32, 152 ;
letter from, 157.
Smart, J. S.,27.
Smith, C.E., 27.
Smith, J. T., 28.
Smith, J. W.,27.
Smith, Mrs. Geo. W., 12.
3mith, W. H., 28.
South Glen's Falls Guards, 15.
Southerland, Lieut. Col., 108.,
Stark, Gen., John, 74, 77, 101, 114,
143.
Starin, Hon. John H., 25 ; letter
from, 162.
Star Spangled Banner, 19.
St. Clair, Gen. , 72, 73 , 74.
Sterling, 65.
Stevens, John Austin, 35.
Stewart, ex-Gov. John W. , 25.
Stillman, S. L., 26,34.
188
Index.
Stone, David M., letter from, 163.
Stone, J. M., letter from, 170.
Stone, W. L., 37, 31, 33, 35, 104, 148,
151, 153, 155 ; his address, 19 ;
letter from, 161 ; poem read by,
151.
Stonehouse, Gen. J. B., 30.
Storrs, R S., letter from, 163.
Street, Alfred B., 16. 19, 21, 23, 31,
161 ; poem of, 88.
Strovcr, George, 16, 17, 21, 26, 157.
Sullivan, Hon. Algernon S., 33.
Sutfin, R., 39.
Sweet, T., 29.
Sylvester, N. B., 35.
Talcott, Maj. W. H . , 14, 21, 22, 29.
Talleyrand, 131 .
Taylor, Bayard, letter from, 163.
Taylor, Gen. A. H., 30.
Tefft, W. H., 26.
Tefft Commandery, 15.
Temple Commnadery, 15.
Ten Brocck, 81, 133.
Thomas, Capt. , 28, 29.
Thomas, Gen., 146.
Thomas, Wm. H., 25.
Thompson, H., 26.
Thomson, L., 27.
Thorn, S., 25.
Throckmorton. B. W., 19, 21, 23,
25, 31, 125; his address, 125.
Ticonderoga, fall of, 73.
Tice, W.,26.
Toohey, T., 29.
Topography of our country, influ-
ence of, 47.
Torrey, S. H., 26.
Townsend, Franklin, letter from,
165.
Townsend, M. S., 27.
Tracy, Capt., 6.
Tripp, J., 26.
Troy, battery B., 6, 7.
Troy police, 10.-
Valentine, Maj., A. B.,25.
Valleys of our country, influence
of, 50.
Van Demark, L., 26, 28, 29.
Van Doren, D. K., 19, 26, 31, 146.
Van Schaick J. A., 26.
Van Zandt, Chas. C, letter from,
171.
Varick, Col.,152.
Varick, Miss A., 132.
Veterans, with Kossuth hats, 14.
Victorj' mills, hospitality of, 23.
Waite, A. D., 26.
Waite, M. R., letter from, 165.
Walker. Capt., 14, 29.
Walpole, Horace, 70.
Waltermeyer, 158.
Walworth, Mrs. Ellen H., 19.
Walworth, Mrs. Ellen Hardin Visi-
tor's Guide, 32, 35.
Walworth, Mrs. Ellen Hardin, 158;
letter from, 152, 155.
Ward. John, 158.
Warren, Joseph, 65, 67.
Washburn, C. E.,29.
Washington commandery, 15.
Washington, Geo., 56, 60, 65, 68,
74, 78, 83, 84, 85, 86, 120, 126,
127, 134, 150.
Waterbury, W. S., 27.
Watson, G. F., 11, 28.
Wayland, Dr., 162.
Wayne, 134.
Webster, Rev. John G., 34.
Webster, Mr., 140.
Weed, S. M., 37.
Weidman, Capt. George D., 14, 29.
Welch, A., 28, 29.
Welch, Alanson, 35.
Welch, Alonzo, 7, 13.
West, G., 26.
Wheeler, P. S., 28, 29.
Whipple, 74.
Whisky from buckwheat and pota
toes, 17.
Index.
189
Whitehall Cornet band, 15.
Whitman, S., 29.
Wilcox, Capt. N. O., 14.
Wilcox, Capt. O. N., 30.
Wiley, Capt. A. H.,30.
Wilkins, W. A., 26.
Wilkinson, 108.
Wilkinson, Adj. -Gen., 83, 84, 110,
113, 119, 122.
Wilkinson, Gen., 156.
Willard's mountain, 5, 7.
Wilson, Gen., 23.
Wilson, Gen. J. Grant, 19, 31, 122.
Winegar, C. B., 27.
Winney, S., 29.
Wolf, 66.
Woodb ridge, Hon. Frederick E., 25.
Woodruff, Wm. L., 34.
Worden, Capt. W. W., 28, 29, 30.
Wright, G., 26.
Xerxes, exclamation of, 12.
Yates, A. A., 19 ; address of, 140.
Yates, Hon. A. A., 21, 31.
Yeoman, Antliony, 34.
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