[ October, 10 ] The [Issue 10–5]

S COURANT YORKER N·Y News & Wisdom from Sir John’s Regt.– The King’s Royal Yorkers

Contents 1 Message from the Colonel 4 Major James Gray Cup Winner Paul Cox 8 Carleton Island – An Important Yorker Site 2 West Canada Wilderness 5 A Yorker Ghost at Fort Ontario 10 Sir John Didn’t Travel Light 3 Fort George was a Major Accomplishment 6 Court martial of 2/ Lieut John Thomas Prenties 11 Letters to the Editor & Links

The Yorker’s attendance was one of the largest the regiment has had in recent Coming Events Message from memory. Prior to Fort George one of the larger turnouts was for the visit of Queen oct 16-17 the Elizabeth ii and Prince Philip at Fort West Canada Wilderness, NY Wellington in 1984. At that event we had 56 (previously Meyers Hill) men at arms and 19 followers. Colonel The following list gives the official attendance roster for Fort George. The  attendance was a little larger for the ranks, were the largest single unit with about 8 but the followers increased dramatically. officers and men. On the Crown side the largest unit was the 24th Foot, with 5 men and Fort George 2010 Fort Ontario 3 officers. The Yorkers were the other half he event at Fort George was prob- The Fort Ontario event was the bar Grand of the Crown side with 7 men at arms (Jon T ably the most spectacular Rev War Encampment for 2010. The site was previ- Wannamaker, Shaun Wallace, Eric Fernberg, event that has ever been held in Canada. ously due to be closed for budgetary reasons Colin Schlacta, Cpl. Scott Turrell, Cpl. Matt The site was as picturesque as it gets and the by the n.y. state government. Liness, Gren. Nathan Das), and myself as weather was perfect. Brigadier Cameron The number of units that registered was army commander. There were an additional has to be applauded for the amount of work reasonable. However, the number of the 3 Butlers Rangers and 2 Royal Engineers on that he put in to make this event an enor- members from each of the units was unbe- our side. All in all there were about 25 on the mous success for everyone. lievably low. On the Rebel side the 8th pa Crown Forces side and about 35 Rebels. [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 2

In spite of the small turnout, all of the Matt and Marie Liness are to be West Canada Wilderness Yorkers who attended thoroughly enjoyed thanked for the hard work that they put in NY – October 16 & 17 this event. It goes to show that you don’t to obtaining the sweatshirts and have the need large numbers of participants, nor do stenciling done, in addition to the hard sell he last event of the 2010 season you need 50 acres of ground to use for a tac- at Fort George. T is West Canada Wilderness, NY. It tical, to have a good time. A nice site, good For future fund raising we are working was originally intended to be a Tactical weather, and old friends can make a memo- on selling polo or T-shirts with a Swiss Weekend on some very lovely ground in rable weekend. embroidered regimental device. The design the Adirondack Mountains of will be a copy of the device on the regimen- State. Unfortunately, none of the rebels Regimental Sweatshirts tal colours. that were expected to attend are now The Regimental sweatshirt sale to raise Colonel James planning to be there. Given the lack of funds for the regiment has been a success. opposition, the event will now be rein- All but 3 of the 41 shirts were sold and this vented as a Trek & Training weekend. The has brought in a total of $495.00 for the reg-  site has been moved from Meyers Hill to imental purse. the West Canada Wilderness. More details will follow for those who plan to attend.

King’s Royal Yorkers Fort George July 31/August 1, 2010

3rd Brigade Commander – LCol Reg James Battalion Commander – Major Allan Joyner Chaplain – Rev Neil Thomsen r t t Brigade RSM – S/Mj David Putnam Battalion RSM – Sj Rob Stewart/Sj Allan Lougheed ______03

M c Donell’s Grenadier Company Loyal Refugees & Followers ______Capt Alex Lawrence Amanda Moore Jenny Carrier Michael Carrier Sjt Michael Manning Cpl Scott Turrall Cpl Matt Liness Andrea Putnam Leisha Bouma Dionne Paine Gdr Neil Young Gdr Robert Wagner Gdr Steve Hall Simone Paine Christine Smith Lilly Moore Gdr Steve Hohn Gdr Nathan Das Gdr Andreas Hohn Tahra Moore Kadence Moore Rachel Liness Gdr Des Corran Gdr Michael Liness Gdr Nicholas Wesson Kate Gregor Lauren Cummings Karen Dittrick r ______Gd______Ken MacNeil Wendy Manning Julia Manning Kathleen Manneke 14 Kady Gibson Elena Anderson Alexis Anderson ______Kathryn Haynes Ann Lawrence Marie Liness Watts’ Light Infantry Company Mardi MacFarlane Kierstan MacFarlane Parker MacFarlane ______Nancy Watt Michelle Rehkopf Nora Joyner Capt Steve Sandford Grace Joyner Debra Turrall Thomas Turrall Vol Matt Fudge Sjt Allan Lougheed Cpl Dave Forrest Kathryn Pratt Dieter Schroeder Rosalind Schroeder Pte Brad Williams Pte Vlad Adamec Pte Mike Anderson Sarah Watt Beatrice Cameron Cadina Meadus Pte Greg Corkum Pte Karl Siberras Pte Ian Schroeder Charlee Meadus Carolyn Knight Sylvie Fisher e ______Pt Patrick Chilvers* ______Ian Brackley 11 ______43 ______

Duncan’s Line Infantry Company ______The Loyalist Fifes & Drums ______Capt David Moore Ens John Moore Vol Dan Moreau D/Mjr Michael Putnam f/Mjr Fred Putnam Fifer Peter Johnson Vol Eric Lorenzen sjt David Smith sjt Robert Stewart Fifer Dionne Paine Fifer Simone Paine Fifer Leisha Bouma Cpl Keith Lindsey Cpl Shawn Finnegan Cpl Brock Dittrick Fifer Neil Gregor Fifer Kierstan MacFarlane Fifer Kate Gregor Pte Gavin McGeachie Pte Jeff Paine Pte Jon Bradshaw* Drummer Christine Smith Drummer Rori Gregor Fifer Lilly Moore (13) Pte Charles Baker Pte Ron Maybee Pte Mike Janssen* ______04 Pte Phil Rock Pte Jon Wannamaker Pte Neil Thomsen ______Pte Ken Taylor Pte Brian Carver Pte Paul Cox Herkimer’s Bateaux Company Pte Ed Cass Pte Gordon Forrest Pte Mike Turner ______Pte Brad Ryerson Pte John MacFarlane Pte Fraser McKay* Sjt/Foreman David Smith Cpl/Coxswain Shawn Finnegan Pte Gordon Sova Pte Chris Armstrong Pte William Boggess Pte/Coxswain Ken Taylor Pte Jon Wannamaker Pte Jon Bradshaw e e e e ______Pt Justin Boggess Pt Dave Fisher Pt Phil Rock Pt Mike Janssen ______e e ______31______Pt Fraser McKay Pt______Mike Turner (10)

S subtotal 59 ______01______G grand Total 107 [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 3

Fort George W as a Major Accomplishment

ort George was a spectacular And, I’m not just thinking men-at-arms own is a major accomplishment. AND, the F accomplishment for the Royal Yorkers. here. Just give some thought to our thirty- lf&d are pretty and uniform. Yes, there were a few ups and downs, but on one Loyal Refugees and Followers. They And, our newest subunit, Herkimer’s balance, the regiment did extremely well. certainly had an important role is this Bateaux Company, did yeoman’s work Once again, we proved ourselves to be regimental victory, not only in their role on the water. Two well-armed and well- the largest regiment in the hobby. When of parading about in their finery like they manned boats and a large camp. I’m Brigadier Cameron pointed this out to Ken owned the fort, but in key ‘provost’ roles on advised that our ex-serjeant of Lights, Siegel, the British Brigade Provost officer, the field and slugging away at Saturday’s who was the Parks Canada Safety Officer Ken muttered, “Well, they’re on their own tavern. No officer at this event worked assigned to the boat company, recog- ground” – a typically dismissive comment harder with her troops than Head Woman nized the freedom the bateauxmen could made by all officers of the BritBde. If they Amanda Moore. We can be proud she’s have if they went off and engaged Fort had any idea how far some of our mem- ours, a daughter of the regiment. Niagara and the Marina. Good on him!! bers travel to get to Fort George and the Did you observe Ian Brackley of our And, the bateauxmen made thunder. nonsense they have to go through to get Lights teaching and exhibiting fencing? And, when they weren’t getting doused through or around Toronto, they’d be a lot Didn’t do anything for us on the field, but in in rum and their feet wet and hands cal- more appreciative. camp, it rocked. loused, they trudged up the hill to fight We’re certainly not the prettiest regiment And, the only Fifes & Drums that equaled in the ranks of Duncan’s. Sterling effort out there and, because we’re Provincials, the numbers of our Loyalist Fifes & Drums on their part. we have the luxury of putting men into the was the fort’s. Yes, the fort’s people were In the infantry, our Grenadiers delivered ranks in civilian clothing, which adds to on home ground, but not the lf&d. And, two small sections; the Lights, one large our numbers. But what they can never take another thing to recognize – the fort’s drums section and Duncan’s, at its peak, four small away from us is our performance and disci- practice for hours daily, all summer long. sections. Now, it’s been a long, long time pline. We deliver, in spades! That our drums can more than hold their since we’ve had numbers like that! [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 4

Let’s not forget our overall brigade. The Probably all of you recognized the The full-scale, Power Point presentations 3rd Brigade was commanded by LCol Northern Brigade’s contribution to the he made to the BritBde and ContLine for James. With the Ranger battalion under Continental Line - Capt Chase Paterson the last four seasons. The amount of worry- Maj Neil Sorenson and the Yorker battalion and his eleven men of the Connecticut ing and fretting that he undoubtedly went under Maj Allan Joyner, Reg commanded Line. Personally, I’d have rather had them through. And, Christian’s novelist’s imagi- double the size of any other brigade. It in Butler’s Rangers, but their contribution nation gave us such a varied weekend. Ken was a powerhouse and composed virtually to the rebel side was greatly appreciated by Siegel even thought this event may have of all Northern Brigade units. Our guys the Continental Line’s officers and they been the best ever for challenging variety. were up from New Hampshire, Vermont, were rock-solid in performance. Wow – ‘praise from Sir Rupert is praise New York and Pennsylvania. Again, the And, let’s not forget that our Grens indeed.’ NorBde delivered. rebadged as rebels and assaulted and car- McGeachie And, our 3rd Brigade didn’t have the ried a battery in the opening phases of Marksmen. That was a major loss, as they Sunday’s battle. delivered twenty-six on the field, their larg- This event was a major accomplishment est turnout in four or five years. Just think for our brigadier. The number of hours he – our Ranger battalion would have been the spent over the last six months, travelling same size as the Yorker battalion if the csm down to notl to plan, negotiate, persuade had been with us. and plead with Parks Canada was incredible.

LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK LK

M ajor J ames G ray C up spreading the word, who knows, we might what is expected. His contribution was rec- even get more recruits. ognized this year at Fort George where he W inner Finally, Paul was the surprise winner of was awarded the Major James Gray Cup. the Seneca Run at Fort Wellington. A great deal of money was lost by the Regimental Capt. David Moore Paul Cox bookies on that one! Paul sets a good example as a guy who is q a solid musketman and who goes beyond

aul Cox has been a member of P the King's Royal Regiment of New York since 2001 and has been a dedicated member of the unit in his own low key way. Paul has demonstrated his dedication to the unit by his excellent attendance, even to some of the more extreme events, such as "Under the Redcoat" at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Many of you will remember that the temperature at that event, with the humidex, reached 114 degrees Fahrenheit. Paul recruited his son into the unit. And most importantly, Paul has gone above and beyond the call of duty by speak- ing at various schools and historical societies in the eastern end of the province over the years. As Yorkers, we all know that our mis- sion is to keep our military/Loyalist heritage alive by public displays and presentations. It is members like Paul who do work behind the scenes that helps us in this mission. By Major James Gray Cup - Paul Cox Yorker of the Year - Ian Schroeder [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 5

A Yorker Gho at Fort Ontario R

he only extant grave marker Daniel and Henry, in the King’s Royal attention to a forgotten loyalist soldier bur- T known for a soldier of the King’s Regiment of New York on 22 May 1780 ied just outside the fort walls in Oswego, Royal Regiment of New York that was and were more than likely stationed at Fort New York. And then, on April 17,1877 a story erected during active service is located at Haldimand on Carleton Island. Henry died appeared in the New York Times about the Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York on the in 1783 while in garrison at Fort Haldimand appearance of a ghost in Oswego, ny who south shore of . The stone and is buried on Carleton Island. went by the named of George Fikes. The belongs to musketman George Fikes of original article can be found by using the Captain Thomas Gumersall’s (Gomersall, link below: Gummersel, Gunnersall, etc.) Company in http://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/2501/data?n=15 the Second Battalion of the regiment. The inscription on the stone reads: “He arose, and bowing politely, introduced himself as George Fikes, formerly a pri- Here Lieth the body of vate in the British army, who had died in George Fikes Soldier [in?] Oswego, while in garrison, in the year 1782. The 2d Battn Ks. Rl Regt He always wears the same old-fashioned of New york In Capt British uniform of George iii’s reign, with Gumerſalls Compy, who the exception of his hat, which he is in the departed this Life Novemb habit of frequently changing.” (Tongue The 30th 1782 Aged 27 in cheek.... it doesn’t mention that he ever years. changed his facings) This new found notoriety would have Below is a scroll of leaves followed by an a drastic effect on the 18th century grave upside-down heart. At a time when most markers in the King’s cemetery. Eventually graves were marked simply with a wooden 6 stones were removed for safe keeping. The cross or a wooden plank/slab, musketman removed stones included: Fikes received an inscribed stone marker George Fikes, 2nd Battalion, that has survived to this day. Kings Royal Regiment of New York, ſ Early records seem to indicate that the Image photo credit: Courtesy of Fort Ontario State Historic Capt. Gumer alls, Company, died Fikes (Fykes, Phykes, Feix, Veix) fam- Site, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation andH istoric November 30th 1782, aged 27 years. ily had emigrated from the Rhine Valley Preservation — (possibly Alsace) to America about 1750 Lieu Basil Dunbar, 4th Battalion, Royal and were tenants on lands belonging to American Regiment, October 12th 1759, Sir William Johnson (the Kingsborough On February 18, 1782 Governor Haldimand age 35 years. Patent). George Fikes was born on the 30th instructed Major John Ross of the 2nd Bn — day of November in 1755. A study of the krrny to go to Oswego and to re-establish John Ricclass, late corporal of the LV Fikes family serves as a good example of a garrison there. In April, a garrison made up reg’t, died July 15th, 1764, aged 32 years. how loyalty split families during the revo- of Yorkers and Butler’s Rangers, was trans- — lution and how loyalty could also change ported from Carleton Island to reoccupy the Here Lieth Body of Kirn Par Depart during those confusing times. George ini- abandoned fort site. George Fikes died 6 This Life Th 19 of Oct. 1773 Ag 3 Mont. tially joined the 2nd (Palatine) regiment of months later while reconstruction of the fort — the Tryon County Militia under Col. Jacob was under way. He was buried in the King’s Here Lies the Body of Elbis Parlo that Klock, with his older brother Philip Adam, cemetery near the waterfront. The cause of departed this Life The 19th of October 1771 where they served as privates. The 2nd regi- his death has not been identified, but it may Age 22. ment of the Tryon County Militia fought at have been due to injuries he suffered from an — Oriskany, but neither George or his brother accident while working on the fortifications, Here Lyeth the Body of Elezh Bleaen Philip were part of the regiment at that or possibly from yellow fever which was a Wife of John Higgie Who Died May the time. George later switched his allegiance constant concern during the war. 8th 1761 Aged 24 years. and enlisted, along with his brothers Peter, For the next 95 years no one paid much — [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 6

Over time Basil Dunbar also acquired a the hand carved stones. Ouija board frag- who were present had a chance to view the reputation for ghostly appearances. With ments were found at the bottom of one of original markers. their new found fame as ghosts, the grave the stones. The site manager at Fort Ontario, Paul markers of George Fikes and Basil Dunbar Since 1988 the removed stones have Lear, would like to erect a replica of the became much sought after places to visit for been held in a secure place within Fort original stone on George Fikes grave, but those with spiritual connections, or those Ontario. Rumours circulated that the stone operating on barely life support over the aspiring to meet a ghost. The King’s cem- of George Fikes had been lost, or stolen, or past number of years has made the financ- etery is not a secured location on the fort misplaced in the NY state parks inventory ing of this next to impossible for the site. property. It also became a ritual for local of artifacts. Rest assured, the stone is still at college students to jump over the markers Fort Ontario and the grave of George Fikes, Shaun Wallace during their final exams for good luck. The along with the others, are clearly marked Duncan’s Coy tipping point for the safety and security of with foot stones. 18th century markers came one night in During the August 13-15 Rev War event 1988 when vandalism occurred in the cem- at Fort Ontario, the Colonel, members of etery and somebody started pecking away at Duncan’s Company, and the Grenadiers 

court martial of second lieutenant John Thomas Prenties

In Gavin Watt’s latest book, “I am heart- it.” A day later, Gray went to Riviere du to defend the wounded man, till Captain ily ashamed – The Revolutionary War’s Chene to investigate the details concern- Duncan then Commanding Officer inter- Final Campaign as Waged from Canada in ing his Grenadier second lieutenant, John fered by getting his men under arms, sent 1782”, he tells a story about 2/Lt John Thomas Thomas Prenties, son of the Quebec a Guard to the house of the wounded man Prenties, 1 Bn KRRNY. This case describes very Provost, who was under arrest for several and was obliged to apply to the Priest, to well the rough-and-tumble world of Yorkerdom indiscretions. assure the Inhabitants who were then ready and gives some fascinating insight into the inner …On June 4, a regimental court mar- with Arms and Bludgeons to begin the workings of the regiment. (Note: If you haven’t tial sat at Montreal to review a number of Fray; that he would secure Mr Prenties and already got your copy of Gavin’s book, I highly charges laid against Second Lieutenant give the injur’d man all the Justice that could recommend it as an excellent read). DWP John Thomas Prenties of the Grenadier be expected at the same time order’d Mr Company, 1 krrr. In part, these read: Prenties to deliver his Sword and go imme- n April 25… [Major Commandant His “constant practice of fighting and diately to his room Both which Mr Prenties O James] Gray apprised [Major/ abusing inhabitants, which brought much refus’d to do. Adjutant General Richard] Lernoult of censure upon the Regiment.” Perhaps This charge told a part of the story and the fact that 1 krr Ensign Thomas Smyth John Thomas’ upbringing in Quebec City, only from the viewpoint of keeping the would be sent with the forty Yorkers march- where his father held a position of prestige peace between the inhabitants and the ing to St. John’s to do duty as marines aboard and influence, had given him a false sense soldiery. The event had unfolded as fol- the shipping and, when there, he was to be of superiority over the so-called “con- lows – Lieutenant Prenties, Ensign James examined by his father, Dr. George, for quered people.” McAllpin, and Adjutant John Valentine some sort of ailment. The Major crypti- [His] conduct at the Riviere du Chaine (later reported to be Ensign Jacob Glen) had cally referred to another incident between where he stabbed a Canadian in his own been on the town one night. They arrived his men and the Canadiens, noting that house which was like to bring on a Rupture late at the door of Valentine’s (Glen’s) bil- Captain Duncan said the account was “not between the Regiment and the Inhabitants let “disguised in liquor” and pounded on the half as Bade as the Inhabitants Represents when a number of the Canadians assembled door to rouse the owner. Said owner, one M. [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 7

Lavallee, was the local captain of militia, a man of means and influence who was not happy to be pulled from his bed in such a fashion, and he went to the door and told them to “sod off.” When the pounding and shouting continued, Lavallee discharged his firelock through the door and slightly wounded Valentine (Glen), whereupon an enraged Prenties broke down the door and took his sword to the man, but whether he employed the blade or the hilt went unstated. The rest was as written in the charge. While one might have sympathy with Prenties’ reaction to the shooting, his refusal to submit to Captain Duncan understandably roused the ire of the regi- ment’s officers. • “Braking his Arrest at Several times” and “Disobedience of Orders.” Obviously, John Thomas was a proverbial “loose cannon.” • “His drinking and keeping Company with the soldiers, going to their Quarters at unseasonable hours in the night, Challenging them to fight,” and “Boxing with his Servant in his own Quarters.” The officer corps viewed this type of behavior as most inappropriate, as it was believed essential to maintain a social dis- tance from the rankers in order to foster respect and obedience. Brawling with the men was utterly beyond the pall. To chal- Three weeks later, Gray informed head- part of my conduct warrants but too justly lenge Grenadiers, the regiment’s tallest, quarters that he had instructed Duncan your selection from my society, and disincli- most muscular and athletic young men, “to acquaint Mr Lavallu to make up his nations to share the duties of our profession required considerable nerve and showed Damages done him by Prentice, McAlpin, with me…. Convinc’d and repenting of my Prenties to be one tough fellow. and Glen, his Expenses going & coming to imprudencies, [I] ask pardon, of the whole Clearly, John Thomas was quite the lad. Montreal will be the most, as I have seen Regiment for the discredit and trouble, I It would be many months before these what he Complen’d.” Seven days later, Gray may have brought on them by my irregular problems played out. wrote to Major Lernoult, “I was Presented sallies, dictated merely by the folly of youth The Prenties disgrace continued down its by Mr Lavala from the River Duchine, with and inexperience of the world, and not, I sordid path in Montreal. Captain Duncan an Acct of £50, for his Damages, I Refused trust I may be believed, proceeding from a reported to Gray from Riviere du Chene on payment, as the sume was Extravegant, bad Heart. July 12: but offered him an Reasonable sume, for This remorseful confession had elicited The affair between Mr Lavalla and Messrs his Expenses, he would have the whole a memorial from his fellow officers that Prentice, McAlpin, & Glen [note, Glen or non[e] – I suppose thyle send it to the Gray also forwarded. “At the same time in not Valentine], I have done every thing in Commander in Chief, - I sent Capt Saml consideration of his long confinement[,] my power to settle it, but to no purpose – I Anderson to Isle Jesue to get Mr Prentice to his youth, his contrition, his earnest desire offer’d Mr Lavalla Twenty pounds on con- sign the Certificate Agreeable to the form to make every reparation and his promise dition that he wou’d give a Receipt in full you sent me, which he has Refused to doe.” to behave better in future, we request you for all damages done, & to withdraw any In Montreal, the John Prenties affair please to signify to His Excellency that we Suit in Law commenc’d against the afore- reached its climax. Major Gray sent a would wish to shew him lenity and not bring said Parties – he said his accepting any Sum sheaf of documentation to headquarters, him to trial.” These appeals were sufficient of Money wou’d appear mercenary in the including a pleading letter from the culprit and Prenties was returned to duty, which he Eyes of the General [Haldimand], but that addressed to his fellow officers: must have performed to everyone’s satisfac- whatever sum His Excellency wou’d name, I have committed great errors and indiscre- tion, as he held a first lieutentancy when the he should cheerfully abide by and accept. tions, and am free to confess that [the] great battalion was reduced in December 1783. [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 8

Carleton Island An Important Yorker Site

In recent years there has been much , lying about one mile east discussion about having an event on of Lake Ontario in the South Channel of Carleton Island. Many Royal Yorkers the St Lawrence River. It was called Ile aux served at Fort Haldimand during the Chevreuils or Ile Chevreux on French maps, Revolution, and it was an impor- then Deer Island by English speaking car- tant stepping-off point for many of the tographers, and, occasionally, Buck Island raids into the Mohawk Valley. Arther by merchants. Smith, in his book, “Legend of the Lake Prior to Lieutenant Schank’s arrival it – The 22-Gun Brig-Sloop Ontario 1780” had been a transfer point between river (Quarry Press) provides an interesting bateaux and lake schooners. A couple of introduction to the site, and explains the log warehouses and a bunk house served significant role that it played during the the merchants needs. Then in August 1778, war. The following excerpts were taken the island started a brief new life as a boat from this book: yard, building whaleboats for use in raids up the , across Lake Oneida, squadron of small war- and down the Mohawk Valley. The men of A ships had been hastily built on Lake Butler’s Rangers and of Johnson’s King’s Champlain in 1776 and, at the battle of Royal Regiment of New York (krrny) had , inflicted a defeat on the farmed that part of New York State in hap- American vessels, making secure this avoid the rapids. pier times. Driven from their homes, the invasion route for the time being, at least. This energetic and resourceful officer was Loyalist soldiers struck time and again at Lieutenant John Schank of the Royal Navy chosen to oversee the construction of a new the back door of the Revolutionary Army, had distinguished himself in this victory as Lake Ontario dockyard to produce vessels drawing off troops that would otherwise commander of Inflexible, a brig of 16 guns. of various sizes in short order. In January have been available to fight the British He was born in Fifeshire, Scotland in 1740, 1778, he snow-shoed from Montreal to forces on the Atlantic coast. went to sea as a volunteer at seventeen, Niagara to view the country for himself … was appointed served four years as a seaman, was appointed and to check the availability of white oak governor and commander-in-chief of midshipman and commissioned lieutenant and pine suitable for shipbuilding. This Canada. He brought to the post a good in 1776 at Quebec. He had also shown great very difficult feat gives the measure of the knowledge of the inland routes acquired resourcefulness in knocking apart the Royal man. In August 1778, Schank and a large during his earlier command and his boat Navy sloop Maria on the St Lawrence and party arrived at Deer (Carleton) Island by trip down the river with General Amherst re-assembling her on the Richelieu River for bateaux, pitched their tents, and went to [during the ]. use on Lake Champlain. The component work building whaleboats…. Haldimand issued orders in July of 1778 for parts were dragged many miles overland to Carleton Island is one of the larger of the the re-establishment of the former French [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 9 shipyard at Cataraqui, out of use for twenty About mid-August 1778, work com- urging his local commander to grow food, years. He suggested Deer Island (soon to be menced in earnest. Lieutenant Twiss laid but this was really looking into the future. A renamed Carleton) as an alternate site, and out earthworks as a start on the construction farmer was hired to tend the livestock and his subordinates, after looking over both of Fort Haldimand atop the bluff. Sheds an extra baker was added to make bread for locations, elected to set up shop on Deer. for boat building sprang up on the shore. the Indians, many of whom were entitled … The force under Lieutenant Schank A storehouse, carpenter shop, blacksmith to army rations as scouts for the Indian ascended the St Lawrence from Montreal shop, and hospital were completed. Two Department. A century later J. H. Durham in a large convoy of many bateaux. All the hundred pine logs and ten thousand shin- found five mounds of bricks on the island, tools and hardware needed to establish a gles were cut for barrack blocks. A barrack perhaps the remains of bread ovens at the boat-building operation and eventually was one hundred and seventy-four feet long vanished bakery, but they might also have a full shipyard were transported to Deer with several massive stone chimneys, each been the masonry bases of boilers and steam Island. The work force and protective containing two fireplaces back-to-back. boxes used by the shipwrights. garrison consisted of twenty-seven boat One hundred and sixty to one hundred A Madame Mayrant requested permis- carpenters, two and a half companies of and eighty men were accommodated per sion to trade at Cataraqui. This implies that the 47th Regiment of Foot under Captain block. Cargoes of planks and boards were she planned to sell to servicemen as a sutler; Thomas Aubrey, a Royal Artillery detach- offloaded from the vessels, product of the otherwise, no license was required. Soldiers ment under Lieutenant Glennie, and saw mills at Niagara and Oswegatchie visiting Cataraqui may have been employed some engineers under Lieutenant William (now Ogdensburg). A few yoke of oxen and scavenging used bricks at the ruins, cutting Twiss, a Canadian officer in the Corps of teams of horses were bought or hired from locust wood for the shipyard, or harvesting Engineers. the scattered farms of the district. These hay for the animal’s winter feed. …Captain Aubrey was a difficult lay mostly to the north, closer to old Fort …An application was also received from man who fought constantly with both Frontenac [now Kingston]. A scow ferry J. C. Portier, Cataraqui, for a license to Lieutenant Glennie and Lieutenant Twiss. shuttled to Grande Isle, later to be renamed operate boats on the north shore of Lake When it came time to map and name the after General Wolfe, carrying Ontario. This is a puzzler, unless he planned area of Fort Haldimand, the Carleton produce and livestock for the growing gar- a fore-runner of the Wolfe Island ferry to Island redoubt, Twiss and Glennie selected rison. Oats and harness were also purchased provide service between Cataraqui and the the name “Aubrey Head” for the somewhat locally. island. There was a two mile portage to con- penis-shaped point at the west end of the More brigades of bateaux arrived from nect with the boat from Carleton. island enclosing “Schank Harbour”. Aubrey Montreal with supplies of all sorts. Those …A number of wives of officers and sol- subsequently court-martialled poor Glennie soldiers in the ranks of the 47th, experi- diers came up river from their Montreal for this and other insults, but the conviction enced with axe and adze, were employed area homes and built cabins to be near their was overturned on appeal. in erecting the log barracks for the winter husbands. These people were issued seeds All liked the prospect of easy defense at and in clearing a field of fire to the east of and encouraged to grow garden produce Deer Island. It had a bluff about sixty feet the fort, inland from the coves. Two compa- for the garrison. The drawn to the high on the westerly end. Below the bluff nies of the King’s Royal Regiment of New island had already started growing corn, were two sheltered coves and, in between, York, men from the upper part of that state squash, beans, and peas for their own use. a flat area suitable for shipbuilding. A bat- recruited by Sir John Johnson, arrived from Ginseng, a medicinal root highly prized in tery of guns on the heights would dominate Quebec. There troops were needed to assist China, grew wild in the area. The natives the main channel of the St Lawrence and in the construction of the fort, as well as to gathered this in quantity and sold it to the also protect the dock area. Winter-bound carry out raids. merchants for cash, thus acquiring some vessels, locked in the ice, would not be …On November 17th Captain Aubrey purchasing power. vulnerable to burning by overland raiding reported that he had planted twenty apple Trader Robert Hamilton opened a gen- parties on snowshoes. trees. General Haldimand was always eral store on Carleton in 1779 to cater to [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 10 the needs of the garrison and the grow- Flora Macdonald, was the self-same Flora 8th, 34th, and 47th Foot. The Mohawk scouts ing number of civilians employed in and who accompanied Bonnie Prince Charlie and their kinsmen were given Tyendinaga around the dockyard. He was careful not to over the sea to Skye after the 1745 Highland Township at Deseronto. antagonize Monsieur J. C. Portier, the part- Rising. Serving the king, real or pretender, …Enough whaleboats were completed time trader-farmer at Cataraqui hamlet. M. was a family thing. In due course Captain in 1778 for a fall raid up the Oswego River. Portier had been buying from the firm as Macdonald did indeed become a farmer on Then, in the winter, the artisans turned well as for the Niagara merchant Thomas Wolfe Island and some of his descendants their hands to construction of three gun- Robinson. Other merchants in business at are there today. He himself died on the boats, each about sixty feet long, powered Carleton Island were Alexander Campbell, Island in 1839, aged 97. Other garrison mem- by thirty-six oarsmen and armed with a Robert Macaulay, and Hugh Mackay. Mary bers from Fort Haldimand were granted 12-pounder gun mounted in the bow… Mackay, wife of Hugh, was officially the land in several nearby townships after the All three gunboats were completed by the garrison commissary. The commissary peace. These included men of the krrny, spring of 1779. was a civilian officer of the Quartermaster General who handled matters of supply, bread, pay, movement, and purchases of all manner of non-military stores. Other civil- ians, often wives of soldiers, were licensed as sutlers. These people drew the rations for their units and prepared the soldier’s food. They also sold spruce beer, rum, brandy, and a wide variety of canteen necessities, such as toffee, brushes, pipes, tobacco, soap, and let- ter paper. Their establishment, whether tent or log cabin, was the off-duty social centre for junior ranks. The officers held a weekly dance in their mess, attended by the merchants and any loyalists awaiting passage to Montreal. Sir John Didn’t Travel Light Ice fishing, sleighing parties, curling, and Todd Braisted came across the following two letters. So, regimental clothing for one snow-shoeing were other winter pastimes year, and probably all of Polly’s gowns and the kid’s luggage and Sir John’s Port and and relief from garrison blahs. The long Madiera – EIGHT TONS!! GK Watt hill from the fort to the harbour provided a great sled run. This was a boon to the Iroquois who made and sold quantities of Lisle Street, Leicester Square Lisle Street Leicester Square toboggans, as well as many pairs of snow- 16th April 1782 25th April 1782 shoes. Other articles of local manufacture dealt for the native people by the merchants My Lord My Lord were baskets, moccasins, blocks of dark We are directed by Colonel Sir John We are directed by Colonel Sir John Johnson hard maple sugar, muskrat hats, clay pre- Johnson Bart. to represent to your Lordship Bart. humbly to request your Lordship serve pots, ash paddles, and bark or dug-out that the Clothing for the Two Battalions of will be pleased to write to the Honble the canoes. Doeskin garments embroidered his Regiment and sundry Accoutrements Commissioners of His Majesty’s Navy that with porcupine quills and glass beads were for the Current year remain ready to be directions may be given for the Colonel’s popular items. shipped for Canada where the Corps is Baggage (amounting to about Eight Tons) …In their off-duty hours soldiers of all now on Service: We have therefore humbly to be received on Board the Prudente for ranks explored the river and countryside to request your Lordship will be pleased to Canada. on duck shooting and deer hunting forays. acquaint us for the Colonel’s Information Many of the Loyalist troops knew that no to whom he may apply to have the same We have the honor to be My Lord matter who won the war, they could never taken on board a Government Transport Your Lordships most obedient and return to their pre-revolution homes and for Quebec. most humble Servants farms. To them the rich black humus of Grande Isle (Wolfe Island) appealed as a We have the honor to be My Lord Bisshopp & Brummell location for a post-war community. One of Your Lordships most obedient and (Great Britain, Public Record Office, Home Office, the more enthusiastic was Captain Donald most humble Servants Class 42, Volume 1, folio 61.) Macdonald of the Royal Yorkers. He had been commissioned in North Carolina Bisshopp & Brummell early in the war by King George iii, a bit (Great Britain, Public Record Office, Home Office, S of a surprise considering that his mother, Class 42, Volume 1, folio 50.) N·Y [ October, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 11

— Letters to the Editor — — Links —

Canteen Found at RevWar’75 Website Fort George Gavin Watt passed along this link to a very impressive webpage, with information I found a tin canteen in the vicinity of the concerning Crown and Continental Orderly Books, an index of battles, raids and tavern at Fort George and its owner may skirmishes, plus an extensive resource library. contact me to have it returned? Sjt Rob Stewart John Rees made the following announcement concerning his addition to the RevWar’75 Website: (See http://www.revwar75.com/library/rees or go to http://www.revwar75.com/ and enter the Brandywine diary RevWar’75 Resource Library). I wish to announce fifteen monographs newly posted on RevWar’75. Most have been I was disappointed that I wasn't able to updated from their journal versions, some quite extensively. They are in a printable pdf for- attend Brandywine this year, as the event mat, contain a liberal sprinkling of Don Troiani’s images and other illustrations, and may has a personal connection. My ancestor, provide something to pique your interest. Among the new online offerings are: Gilbert Purdy was with Howe's army as a • Detailed studies of the light infantry and Pennsylvania battalions with Lafayette in guide and wrote of the battle in his diary. Virginia, 1781. Pte Chris Armstrong • Soldier and civilian accounts of weather during the 1778 Monmouth Campaign • The Battle of Millstone, 20 January 1777 Memorandum of • Continental Army officers’ early war military manuals Lieutenant Gilbert Purdy • Black soldiers in Washington’s army [Guides and Pioneers] • Continental Army campaign shelters for the year 1777 • A study of Major General MacDougall’s Connecticut Division, 1777-79, and “Six of our regt lived together …”: Mess Groups, Carrying Food … (and a Little Bit of Tongue) in the "On 11th Day, about five in the morning Armies of the Revolution marched from there [Kennett square] in In addition to having an extensive guide to extant Continental Army and Crown forces’ order two divisions, Lieut General Knyphhausen books, RevWar’75 hosts articles by Don N. Hagist (http://www.revwar75.com/library/hagist/ ) and commanding the right division and Bob McDonald (http://www.revwar75.com/library/bob/ ). marched to attack them at Brandywine, Nancy Watt found the article on Mess Groups very interesting. Particularly the method of where they had fortified themselves, and allotting rations by means of mess numbers. Lieut. General Cornwallis with the left http://revwar75.com/library/rees/pdfs/tongue.pdf column marched round and crossed the forks of the Brandywine about two o’clock in the afternoon and, about bout four o’clock, fell in with the rebels. A smart bat- tle ensued with General Knyphausen on the right and General Cornwallis on the left. The rebels stood – considerable smart battle, more than usual - but they soon ran and we pursued them about six miles until night and took ten pieces of cannon. And one hour later ____ General Knyphausen crossed the Brandywine and took some fortifications ___ and their number killed The and wounded were about a thousand or

eleven hundred, and they were coming in S COURANT daily and taking them prisoner. In the time YORKER N·Y we laid the dead that were buried by us on News & Wisdom from Sir John’s Regt.– The King’s Royal Yorkers the day after the battle were fifty-five by one battalion, besides what was buried by editor layout the rest of the army." Dave Putnam Chritopher Armtrong Original in Archives Canada, R2937-0-8-E [email protected] carmstrong @ interbrand.ca Transcribed by Clayton Purdy