HISTORY: Historic Huntingdon, 1767-1909, Chapter 16, War of 1812, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Nancy Lorz Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Historic Huntingdon, 1709-1907. Huntingdon Old Home Week, September 5-11, 1909. Souvenir Edition. Huntingdon, Pa.: Historical Committee of the Old Home Week Association, 1909. _____________________________________________________________________ 93 CHAPTER XVI. Military - War of 1812. On Monday, May 4, 1812, the "Huntingdon Volunteers' a volunteer company officered by Robert Allison, Captain, and Jacob Miller first Lieutenant, voted unanimously to tender their services to the President in the then impending war with Great Britain, more than a month in advance of the formal declaration of war, which was issued June 18th. The tender was accepted, and on Monday, September 7th, the company marched from Huntingdon to Niagara via. Petersburg, Spruce Creek Valley, and Bellefonte, and reached Buffalo on the 2d of October. Governor Snyder, by general orders dated may 12th, directed a draft, in the manner prescribed by law of fourteen thousand militia, to be formed into two divisions, four brigades, and twenty-two regiments. The quota of the Eleventh Division, Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Center Counties, was as follows: First Brigade. - Artillery....................................13 Cavalry......................................13 Infantry....................................229 ___ 255 Second Brigade. - Artillery...................................21 Cavalry.....................................21 Infantry and rifle corps...................389 ___ 431 On the 9th of June, Moses Canan, captain of "The Juniata Volunteers," a light infantry company shortly 94 before organized at Alexandria, and attached to the One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment, tendered the services of the company to the Governor, and some time later, Isaac Vandevander, captain of a rifle company at McConnellstown, and Jacob Vanderbelt, also a captain of a rifle company, also tendered the services of their respective commands. The Governor, in general orders, dated respectively August 25th and September 5th, accepted these companies. The companies of Capts. Canan and Vandevander marched from Alexandria to Meadville, Friday, September 11th. The rolls of two of the drafted companies from Huntingdon County, as they stood in Nov. 1813, are as follows: Captain, William Morris. Lieutenants, Daniel Weaver, William Isgrig, Cornelius Crum, resigned June 5th; John McIlroy promoted from ensign June 5th. Ensign, William Love, promoted from sergeant June 5. Sergeants, Alexander Cresswell, pro. crd. serg't June 5; disch. Nov. 5. Henry Newingham; John Stratton, disch. Nov .5; Joseph Metzbaugh; William Wilson, pro. from corp. June 5; John Brotherland, pro. from corp. June 30; Joseph Eckley, pro. from corp. Sept. 5. Corporals, Samuel Hollinshead, disch. Nov. 5; John McNamara, disch. Nov. 5; John B. Riddle, disch. Oct. 13; John Mack, pro. from private June 5; Benj. Scott, promoted from private June 5; John Galbraith pro. from privates Sept 5. PRIVATES. Ellsworth, Samuel. McGiffin, Samuel. Kelly, William. Flenner, Jonathan. Gutrie, William. Strong, Daniel. McCammon, John. McKeehan, Samuel. Dean. George. Burns, Isaac. Ewing, David. Kimberlin, Henry. Dearmet, William. Duncan, Daniel, disch. Oct. 13. Thompson, Matthew. Nelson, William. Shoup, George. Walls, Jacob. Fagin, Asaph, disch. Oct. 13. Cornelius, Jacob. 95 PRIVATES (Continued). Weston, Joseph. Bingham, John. Wilson George. Williamson, Hugh. Wharton, Samuel. David, William. Shaw, James. Clark, Samuel. Bolinger, Jacob. Griffin, John. Long, John, disch. Oct. 13. Irwin, Samuel. Black, Robert. Forsley, Thomas. Dun, John, disch. Sept. 15. Kint, Nicholas. Stewart, William, died Nov. 5. Fleming, John, July 16. Thompson, Rees. Ralston, Thomas. Getties, Robert. Ricketts, Hezekiah. McKeehan, David, died 15th Booth, Thomas, disch Aug. 18 Swetchal, Jacob. Clabaugh, Henry. Shade, George. Taylor, William Wilson. Larrimore, Thomas. Hanen, William, disch. Boweroock, Jacob. Smice, John. Camberlin, John. Campbell, Hugh. Hyte, James, disch. Oct. 13. Rudy, Daniel, disch. Oct. 13. Fitzmons, Henry. Moorehead, Samuel Long, Henry. Stewart, James, disch. Glen, James, disch. Oct. 13. Hollis, William, disch Nov. 15 Bingham, Hugh. Dougherty, Edward. Lightner, Matthias. Clemens, Robert. Scott, John. Stewart, John, disch. Oct. 13 Hewet, Henry. Hawkenbery, Adam, July 16 Logan, Robert. Baugher, Henry. Johnson, Hugh, disch. Oct. Lennox, John. King, Patrick. Gooshorn, Samuel. Swartz, Michael. Shorthill, Thomas. Johnson, Anthony, on furlough till the end of term. Johnston, Thomas, died May 29. Grady George, volunteered on board, Aug. 11. "I certify, on honor that the within pay-roll is just and true, and the remarks set opposite the men's names are correct, to the best of my knowledge. "W. MORRIS, Captain. "REES HILL, Colonel commanding." 96 ROLL OF CAPT. EDMUND TIPTON'S COMPANY. Captain Edmund Tipton; First Lieut., John McCabe; Second Lieut., Isaac Vantrees; Third Lieut., John Cox; fourth Lieut., Christian Deulinger; Ensign, Patrick Madden; Sergeants, John Calderwood, Banjamin McCune, Jesse Moore, Peter Hewit, Jacob Shafer; Corporals, James Mathers, Thomas Rees, Abraham Law, James Parks, Zaduck Westover; Drummer, Elisha Ross. PRIVATES McLin. John W. Parker, Ira. Harbst, John. Walls, Jonathan. Welsh, William. Emy, John. Sackett, Azarah. Bailey, George. McWilliams, James. Thompson, William. Williamson, James. Bumbarger, Joseph. Cahr, Joseph. Kelly, Davis. Patton, Samuel. Newell, Joseph. Wilson, James. Gardner, William. Shank, John. Gearhard, John. Metzenbaugh, Daniel. Gallagher, James. Moore, Abraham. Hopkins, James. Tipry, Abraham. Elliot, John Moore, Ephraim. Doil, Dennis. McMillen, John. Jones, James Luckart, George. McClelland, James. Burgart, Samuel. Johnston, David. Buell, Joseph. Vanpoll, Henry. Laughlin, Hugh. Jamison, John. McClelland, Joseph. Keighley, Jacob. Willerman, Jacob. Brown, Joseph. Raub, Henry. Boyd, Alexander. Mavry or Maurer, Jacob. McClelland, Nathanial. Burns, Daniel. Stewart, Isaac. Kephard, Henry. Gibson, Gideon. Kemberling, Ludwig. Dixon, Samuel. Bailey, William. Dellinger, George. Smith, John. Fox, Jacob. 97 PRIVATES (Continued). Sharp, Thomas. Gaud, William. Ellis, William. Aurand, John. Dunn, alexander. Lanzer, Abraham. Miller, Henry. Gibson, Jesse. Shoener, solomon. Daly, Henry. Hyle, John. Wilson, Abraham. Fulton, Henry. Ganoe, Samuel. Mung, Henry. Ganoe, James. Hunter, John. Hunter, Samuel. Smithly, Martin. Smock, Abraham. Smithly, Stofel. History of the Huntingdon Volunteers - Extracts from the Diary of Capt. Robert Allison. The diary of Robert Allison, Captain of the Huntingdon Volunteers, which left Huntingdon Sept. 7, 1812, for Niagara, New York, to engage in the war against the English, contains an account of the march of the company, and although there is no roll, yet it shows accounts with the different members for clothing and shoes furnished them, from which an almost complete roll can be made. Three names have been obliterated. October 8, 1812, he reported to major General Hall that he arrived at Buffalo, Oct. 2, with a company of volunteer infantry consisting of one captain, two subalterns, four corporals, two musicians, and thirty- three privates. The following is the roster made from the diary: Captain, Robert Allison. 1st Lieutenant, Jacob Miller (Father of G. Ashman Miller). 2nd Lieutenant, Henry Swoope. 1st Sergeant, Henry Miller. Ensign, Samuel Swoope (uncle of J. C. Swope). George Armitage (grandfather of Wm. Hale Armitage). William Brown. 98 (Roster continued). Robert Brown. Ethan Chilcot. John Cunningham. George Davis. James Davis. William Dean. William Donaldson. Jacob Dorland (uncle of Mrs. Theodore H. Cremer) Benjamin Elliot (father of Alex. Elliot). Peter Engle. Samuel Eidhelberger. George Fee. John Fee. Charles Glazier (grandfather of Mrs. Sam'l. H. Irvin). John Glazier (grandfather of C. H. Glazier). Samuel How. Thomas King (grandfather of K. M. King). Samuel Lemon. John McConnel. James Miller. John McFadden. John Nash (father of John Nash, deceased). James Osborn (uncle of Hon. J. Simpson Africa. John Parks. James Ramsey. David Snyder, discharged Oct. 17 (grandfather of R. J. Mattern). James Simpson. John Saxton (grandfather of Mrs. McKinley, wife of Ex-Pres. McKinley and uncle of Mrs. James Miller, of Huntingdon). Samuel Swigarts. Peter Shultz. George Thompson (discharged Nov. 22. on account of sickness). Joseph Trappier. Abraham Vandevander. 99 (Roster continued). Jacob Vandevander. John Westbrook (grandfather of John H. Westbrook). Levi Westbrook (father of Levi Westbrook of Smithfield). John Waggoner. John Yocum. Jacob Zimmerman. Captain Allison received August 22, 1812, from Captain Jos. Wheaton, Ass't D. Q. M., a commission from the President to himself as captain and to subaltern officers, bearing date August 14, and orders from the Secretary of War to march his company to Niagara, N. Y. The company left Huntingdon at 2 p.m. September 7, 1812, arrived at Petersburg (distance 6 miles) at 5 p.m., here a sleepless night was spent, owing in part to the noise of the soldiers and intemperate and noisy conduct of private citizens. Here they were hospitably entertained by Mr. M----- without any compensation. They left Petersburg September 8, at half past five in the morning and arrived at Mr. Marshalls (on Spruce Creek distance 9 miles) at 9 a.m., where they were feasted by Mr. Marshall who refused any remuneration. At half past 12 the march was renewed and reached John Gray's (Graysville, distance 7 miles) at 4 p.m. 16 miles marched this day. September 9, left at half past five in the morning and arrived at Frederick Dales (Center County) distance 6 miles at 9 a.m. where breakfast was taken. Here a number of the neighboring citizens refused to let the soldiers pay any bills and advanced the amount to the landlord. Moved on to James Johnston's at Centreville (distance 8 miles) where they arrived at 3.30 p.m. 14 miles marched this day. Some of the men were considerably fatigued and several unwell; four of the soldiers were obliged to go to bed without supper. Here the land lord wanted to charge regular tavern rates. 100 September 10, marched to Bellefonte, where they found an elegant breakfast prepared at the house of Evan Miles, grandfather of Mrs. W. Dorris, and given at the expense of the citizens. Remained there until 5 p.m. and had some washing done for the company. Marched down Nittany valley to George N-----'s and remained there during the night. Whole day's march 11 miles. September 11, marched to Isaac McKinney's who had prepared an excellant breakfast for the whole company. Each sergeant and corporal had his canteen filled with whiskey gratuitously. Then moved on to Alexander Robison's making the day's march 14 miles. September 12, marched to Sebastian Shade's for breakfast (distance 5 miles) then proceeded to the ferry on the Susquehanna, opposite Dunnsburg; remained at John White's in Dunnsburg over night; (distance 6 miles), Sunday, September 13, marched to Stephen Duncan's (distance 9 miles) for breakfast, where they were liberally entertained without expense; marched to Jersey Shore, (distance 3 miles) where the citizens had provided a handsome entertainment. The company left Jersey Shore September 14 and marched via. Williamsport, Reynolds, Bath, Danville, Caledonia, Batavia and Landis, and arrived at Buffalo, N. Y., Friday, October 2, after a march of 331 miles, without tents. Here the company was halted by order of the commander-in-chief and was attached to a New York Regiment commanded by Col. McClure, an Irish Democrat from New York, who was a very clever man. The following extract taken from a copy of letter dated Oct. 19, addressed to the Secretary of War, will show the hardship endured by Captain Allison's soldiers. "Was yet without tents or any prospects of getting them. My men have no winter under-dress being directed to leave home with linen pantaloons and waistcoats; their shoes are worn out and many of them have no stockings and are entirely without the means of procuring any kind of comfortable clothing suitable for the approaching season which this 101 climate particularly requires. After diligent inquiry I cannot find any person authorized or who has the means of advancing to my men the amount of clothing agreeably to the act of Congress, or even to pay them their wages as soldiers. I am willing to submit to many inconveniences, but the clamor of my men, and seeing them shivering in the cold for want of clothing morning and evening, when on guard, is very distressing." From letters written by Captain Allison to his wife at this time it appears that he purchased clothing and shoes for his men from his own money and feared that he would be compelled to send home for more. His heart was no doubt made glad on Nov. 12, for on that day his diary shows that he received from Captain James Thomas, D. Q. M., $1,737.60, in lieu of clothing for the members of his company. At this time his men were lodged in a house, having been removed from the Court House on October 27. Oct. 11, he writes, "We have had no alarm from the British; this morning a few cannon were fired across the river at our fort two miles from Buffalo, but no harm done." In this letter of Oct. 19, referring to the Battle of Queenstown, which had been fought a few days before, he says "A flag of truce came over the river today. I was ordered by General Vanrensselar to receive the officers; they had nothing particular to communicate only to inquire for some friends. An armistice has taken place. My opinion is that there will be no further attempt to invade Canada this winter." Some of the Pennsylvania militia stated that they would not cross the river into Canada, as they were not compelled to do so, but all of Captain Allison's company agreed to go and several of Captain Canan's company from Huntingdon agreed to go along with them; among these was Arthur Moore. Nov. 22 a severe cannonading was heard all day which was supposed to be at Lewiston. Nov. 25 Captain Allison wrote a letter to his wife enclosing his will, expecting then to cross over into Canada. Nov. 26 his company was ordered to parade with knapsack, 102 everything in preparation for crossing the river. After moving some distance they were ordered to return. On the night of Nov. 27 about 2,000 regulars and sailors passed over the river, stormed several batteries, spiked a number of British cannon and took forty prisoners. They returned with the loss of about fifty men, killed and wounded. At the dawn of day on the 28th the whole army marched to the place of embarkment. One whole regiment embarked and rowed about half over the river, when the grape-shot from the British artillery poured so heavily upon them that they were obliged to return. The Regulars not amounting to over 1,000 then embarked and went some distance up the river to strike across. The American forces were paraded in detachments on the shore. The British troops and Indians were drawn up in line of battle on the opposite shore, their cannon playing at our boats all the time - our cannon firing at their soldiers and batteries. Captain Allison says: "The balls were whistling about in every direction and appeared to be totally disregarded. The scene was extremely grand and yet something awful in it. Our boat attempted a second time to enter the stream, cannon began to fire at them. It was then growing towards evening. A council of war was called by the General, after the breaking up of which orders were given to all the troops to return to their encampment. They all appeared in high spirits and anxious to get over - victory appeared to them in view." November 29, a general council of war was held when it was decided to postpone the invasion of Canada. A letter to W. Eustis dated at Huntingdon, Pa., Dec. 27, 1812, says "I have returned from the Niagara frontier on furlough, and finding the situation of my private concerns such that it is totally impossible for me to remain longer in the army, I therefore resign my commission as captain of infantry volunteers in the service of the U.S. As part of the diary has been destroyed, where names could not be deciphered and initials have remained, they have been given.