Northeast Historical Archaeology

Volume 44 Special Issue: Article 9

2015 Finding Cantonment Saranac: The eS arch for Col. Zebulon Pike’s 1812-1813 Winter Cantonment in Plattsburgh, Timothy J. Abel

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Recommended Citation Abel, Timothy J. (2015) "Finding Cantonment Saranac: The eS arch for Col. Zebulon Pike’s 1812-1813 Winter Cantonment in Plattsburgh, New York," Northeast Historical Archaeology: Vol. 44 44, Article 9. Available at: https://orb.binghamton.edu/neha/vol44/iss1/9

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Finding Cantonment Saranac: The Search for Col. Zebulon Pike’s 1812-1813 Winter Cantonment in Plattsburgh, New York

Timothy J. Abel From 2011 to 2013, archaeologists, students and volunteers conducted survey and excavation of the Zagreb site, near Plattsburgh, NY, in an effort to associate it with the enigmatic Cantonment Saranac— Col. Zebulon Pike’s winter cantonment of 1812–1813. Missing for over a century, local historians had tried unsuccessfully to establish its location based on archival descriptions. Until 2011, archaeological evidence from the site was entirely lacking. Using metal detection, the current project has successfully linked the historical to the actual, providing a unique glimpse into events of the early War of 1812 period in the Champlain Valley. De 2011 à 2013, des archéologues, des étudiants et des bénévoles ont prospecté et fouillé le site archéologique Zagreb, près de Plattsburgh (NY) dans le but de l’associer à l’énigmatique Cantonnement Saranac, le cantonnement d’hiver de 1812–1813 du colonel Zebulon Pike. Perdu depuis plus d’un siècle, les historiens ont tenté en vain d’établir son emplacement grâce à des documents d’archives. Jusqu’en 2011, les preuves archéologiques du site étaient absentes. Grâce à l’utilisation de détecteurs de métal, ce projet a réussi à faire le lien entre l’histoire et le présent, fournissant un regard unique sur les événements du début de la guerre de 1812 dans la vallée de Champlain.

Introduction ranging from the Roman era up to and through recent conflicts in the Middle East. In Prior to the recent era of intensive the U.S., much of this research has been bolstered archaeological-sites inventory, the archaeological identification and assessment of ephemeral by the American Battlefield Protection military sites, compared to other types of Program, which gave national priority and more-permanent historical sites, have been funding to the identification and preservation relatively slow to mature. This delay may be of American military sites. While War of 1812 due to the fact that, while abundant historical sites also were included in this legislation, the information may exist about these site types, identification and investigation of these latter standard methods of systematic shovel testing sites has generally lagged. were poorly suited to identifying these sites, Some of this lag can be explained by the much less adequately assessing their limited scope of that war. Concentrated in the archaeological significance. The pioneering northeastern quarter of the , the survey work of Doug Scott and his colleagues rest of the country, save for the eastern and at the Little Big Horn Battlefield demonstrated southern coast, saw little impact from the conflict. that different methods were necessary if This contrasts starkly with the Revolutionary archaeologists were to be able to find and and Civil Wars, which had a much broader correctly assess these site types (Scott and Fox impact all across the nation. The scale of conflict 1987; Scott and Connor 1997). in the American Civil War, particularly, The past two decades of “Doug Scott resulted in a much larger number of sites for Archaeology” have seen a literal explosion in that war. The implications and outcomes of the number of ephemeral military sites identified those conflicts also were seen by many in the and under archaeological investigation; e.g., U.S. as pivotal to the national narrative. Only in Espenshade and Balicki (2010), Geier, Babits, the past few years, with the coming of the War Scott, & Orr (2011), Geier, Orr, and Reeves of 1812 bicentennial, has an interest in War of (2006), and Scott, Babits, and Haecker (2009). 1812 archaeology finally rooted itself within As a result, our understanding of many key the broader scope of military-sites archaeology. aspects of military-site types, the historical The history of the Zagreb site is a record, and of military culture more broadly, manifestation of this broader history of has increased. The array of conflicts covered military-sites archaeology. The site was by these inquiries has also expanded, now discovered during a standard, systematic 148 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

shovel-testing survey of the Plattsburgh Air New Jersey, in 1779, the son of a Revolutionary Force Base in 1993 (Morgan, Abbott, Doggett, War officer of the same name. His storied Hedrich, & Richardson 1995). Prior to this military career began in 1794, and, in 1802, as time, this discovery would have elicited nary a a young lieutenant, he accompanied General second look. Because artifact density was James Wilkinson to the . In small and undiagnostic, however, its 1805 he was appointed to lead an expedition identification as a military site, as well as its west to locate the source of the Missouri River. potential association with Colonel Zebulon He led a second expedition up the Red River Pike’s 1812–1813 winter cantonment, in 1806, during which he described the mountain “Cantonment Saranac,” were questioned. An that would eventually bear his name: Pike’s Peak. even more-intensive assessment carried out in Upon his return from the west, Captain 1995, using close-interval shovel testing and Pike was promoted to major and served as test units, failed to yield diagnostic military military agent in New Orleans from 1809 to artifacts (Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1810. In 1811 he was a lieutenant colonel in the [PESI] 1997). Thus, while the possibility was 4th Regiment, seeing action at the Battle of discussed, direct evidence of a military Tippecanoe. After serving as deputy quarter- association was lacking. master general at New York from April to July It was not until 2011–2013, in work by the 1812, Pike was appointed colonel in August Battle of Plattsburgh Association using metal and given command of the 15th Regiment. detectors as the primary survey tool, that the The army at Greenbush moved north in site was positively identified as Cantonment the fall of 1812. On 8 September, it put into Saranac. This article documents the discovery boats to traverse and arrived and survey of the Zagreb site and its association at Plattsburgh, New York, and Burlington, with Pike’s 1812–1813 winter cantonment. It is , on 11 September (fig. 1). Here the intended to provide a more complete army camped to await remaining units, background to current (Abel 2014) and future including the 16th Regiment and two companies research, as well as an understanding of its of “flying” artillery (light, mobile artillery that significance as both an historical and could support a moving army). No barracks archaeological site. In recognition of this were built, so the soldiers lived in tents while significance, the site was listed on the National waiting to move on Montreal. On 15 Register of Historic Places in 2012, just in time November, General Dearborn arrived to lead for its 200th anniversary. the army across the border and into battle. On the next day the army marched to the village of Champlain, a tiny village just 1 mi. south of Historical Background the Canadian border. The United States declared war on Great There the army stopped to probe the Britain on 18 June 1812. For the United States, British defenses. Small scouting parties were the opening year of the war could not have sent across the border on the evening of the gone worse. Confusion over chain of command, 17th and 18th, none of which reported any politically appointed military leaders, and a enemy contact. Intelligence gathered from reliance on fickle and poorly trained local inhabitants suggested a force of about led to disastrous and embarrassing defeats at 400–500 British and Native Americans were Mackinaw, Detroit, and Queenston. In the encamped at the small village of LaColle, just Northeast, the last hope for an American victory 4 mi. from the border. On the evening of 19 was pinned on an army gathering at November, the 15th Regiment, along with a Greenbush, New York, under the command of few members of the 16th Regiment, some 70 Major General Henry Dearborn. Through the dragoons, and 40–50 militia volunteers from summer and into August of 1812, the army the Troy Rifles, about 600 soldiers in all, crossed trained for an invasion of Canada through the into Canada. In the early morning hours of the Champlain Valley to Montreal. 20th they came upon LaColle Creek. The units that arrived at Greenbush Pike split his force into two columns to included the newly organized 15th Regiment, trap the enemy in a classic pincer. Being well under the command of newly minted colonel, aware of the American army’s approach that Zebulon Pike. Pike was born in Lamberton, evening, however, the British withdrew most Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 44, 2015 149

Figure 1. Movements of Dearborn’s army, 1812. (Figure by author, 2014; adapted from Willard [1829].)

of their forces to the rear, leaving only the deserted. Then we advanced to a log house 40 Indians and a few militia sentries to harass the yards further that stood in the edge of a piece invaders. The Americans crossed the river to of cleared ground where we expected they would make a stand. During this time there attack the enemy position. From this point, was a considerable fire kept up. We were again accounts of the evening encounter differ. disappointed and found the house deserted. Captain Jacques Viger of the Canadian We formed the line in order as we expected the Voltigeurs, in a letter home to his wife, writes: main body would soon attack us. While forming the line there were some shots fired at As the American detachment was moving us from the chamber of the log house. We towards the Indian huts and guardhouse and immediately fired 2 or 300 balls through the firing their muskets, they could not reach their roof and gable ends of the house. After targets. In fact, their gunshots were reaching standing in this situation for 1/2 an hour we their comrades-in-arms in the half-circle. These saw no enemy approach and we set fire to the comrades-in-arms thought that they were being house and shantees and returned by the same fired at by our people and so fired back at their route we came across the river (LaColle). ... I comrades-in-arms. To make matters worse, the have been particular in giving you a description infantrymen from the other side of the river of this little affair as there are many false joined in. (Beaudoin and Blanchet 2009: 178) reports in this place such as our men killing Captain John Scott, who was with Pike that each other and there was no enemy here. There evening, recounts it differently in his letter was sufficient room in the house and shantees for 400 men in all of which there were fresh fires home to family: when we found them. (Fredricksen 1989: 72–73) When we arrived within about 20 or 30 yards Regardless of the account, the firefight left of the first light we were fired on, we immediately fired & charged bayonet and, on entering the six Americans wounded and a number of the first Shantee, as they call them, we found it enemy killed and wounded as well. Pike and deserted. We pressed forward to the others for his men pulled back to Champlain later that there were four of them and found them all morning, where two of his men died of their 150 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

wounds. The bloodshed rattled the militia, winds, and a fire to put my feet to at night. This who informed Dearborn that morning they with my blanket defends me from the weather. would invoke their privilege as militia and not We have not one tent in our Regt. I wish you could see the style in which we live. The snow cross the border. The army remained in is six inches deep. (Fredricksen 1989: 73) Champlain for two more days, while Dearborn called a council of war among his senior The miserable conditions, coupled with officers. On the 22nd, to the astonishment of disease and a lack of sanitation, killed off the his troops, Dearborn abandoned the campaign men by the dozens. While an accurate and marched the entire army back to accounting of the number who died that first Plattsburgh, arriving on 23 November (Everest month is lacking, estimates from the rate of 1981; Fredricksen 1985, 1989). death given by Dr. Ward at Greenbush place The army set out for the campaign without the number at nearly 200 (Everest 1981: 95). winter provisions. There were few tents, no Colonel Pike, himself, who remained in winter coats, and, after the failed march into Plattsburgh, reportedly fell ill with pleurisy Canada, most of the food and provisions were and had to seek convalescence in the village left at Champlain, where they were quickly for most of December (there is some question as pilfered. So after ten days of marching and to the authenticity of his illness). Pike returned camping in the cold, wet, late-November to camp in mid-January, once his hut was snow, the nearly 6,000-man army arrived 2 mi. finished. Dr. William Beaumont, chief surgeon south of Plattsburgh to begin preparations for of the 16th Regiment, wrote: winter quarters. Five days later, on 28 [T]he weather was very various––warm and November, the army separated by brigade. cold, sometimes raining, sometimes snowing–– The 1st Brigade, including the 6th, 15th, and the men lying upon the cold, wet ground, with 16th regiments, was to be encamped at only a fire before their tents for two, three of Plattsburgh. The 2nd Brigade, made up of the four weeks. Whilst in this wretched and 9th, 11th, 21st, and 25th regiments, was to be deplorable situation, the men were seized with Dysentary, Intermittants, Pleurisy, encamped at Burlington and Pittsfield. Peripneumony, Cynanche, and Rheumatism, According to Colonel Cromwell Pierce of which made the very woods ring with coughing the 16th Regiment: and groaning. (Myer and Osler 1912: 50) Here commenced the ruinous and disgraceful The first huts were completed on practice of officers obtaining furloughs, Christmas Day (Fredricksen 1985), though immediately on the army entering winter quarters, in order that they might spend the most were not completed until after 1 January. remainder of the winter in the cities. In the According to Captain John Scott of the 15th mean time, soldiers were deprived of that care Regiment: “There are 4 rooms, 20 ft. square, so essential to subordination; contracted bad allotted to each company, one of which is habits; and in many cases, when disease occupied by the officers of each company at pervaded whole regiments, officers could not present” (Fredricksen 1989: 74). That works be found to give such directions as necessary out to about 40–50 soldiers per hut. But as not only for the health of the men, but for the Captain Scott notes, the huts were but shells, safety of the troops. ... Every General and field officer had left the post; except for Colonels for they had no chimneys. By 16 January, half Pike and Pearce. (Fredricksen 1985: 134) still had no chimneys, and none of them, but Colonel Pike’s, was “fit for living in.” By The 1st Brigade marched 4½ mi. up the January, with the soldiers in their huts and Saranac River to the “Pine Forrests,” where it order being restored, the death rate dropped commenced building winter huts (Fredricksen precipitously. 1985: 134). Each company was responsible for Approximately 2,000 soldiers under Colonel preparing its own quarters. This included Pike comprised what came to be known clearing, cutting timbers, and constructing log variously as Camp Plattsburgh, Camp Saranac, huts. Until the huts were constructed, the men Cantonment Saranac, or Pike’s Cantonment sheltered themselves with whatever they could (Everest 1981: 93). Life at Cantonment Saranac find. As Captain Scott states in a letter home: was harsh, to say the least––as harsh as I am writing this at the root of a large pine tree Washington’s first winter at Valley Forge, if with a few sticks set up to keep off some of the not more so. As Captain Scott recounted: Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 44, 2015 151

The days are now so short and the weather so the border in warships. Alarms cold men can do but little in a day. We have were dispatched to Burlington with pleas to nothing new at this place, our time is all occupied bring the army forward, but they were ignored in getting wood and endeavoring to finish the in favor of protecting the stores there. The huts. ... We have good sleighing here since the 1st of December. There have been one or two British, under Lieutenant Colonel John days that it has thawed any. The days are cold and Murray, landed unopposed on 29 July and the nights much colder. (Fredricksen 1989: 74, 76) proceeded to burn all public buildings (and a few private ones), including Cantonment February was, for the most part, uneventful, Saranac, on 31 July. He left Plattsburgh on 1 save for Pike’s trepidation at attempting to August (Everest 1981). control local smuggling. Everyone, from the common citizen, who committed the smuggling, to the merchants, who funded it, to the local Finding Pike’s Cantonment Saranac militia, that turned a blind eye, was complicit The location of Cantonment Saranac has and guilty. The problem was so widespread been the subject of intense historical debate for that even the local judges condoned the practice the better part of the last century. This is by refusing to prosecute arrested smugglers. In largely due to the vague accounts of the fact, many of the arresting officials found encampment that have survived (Harris 1987), themselves incarcerated for wrongful impris- and the fact that no contemporary map of the onment. The sole customs agent at Plattsburgh cantonment was ever produced. The firsthand was easily intimidated into helplessness, and accounts and early historians favored a location, neither could the army do anything to curb the known locally as the “Indian Falls,” near the flow of goods into Canada, mostly provisions former air-force base runway, but later historians destined for the forces of the Crown. shifted their focus to another location, known In March, Colonel Pike received orders to as the “Main Mill,” after an 1812 coin was move the brigade under his command found in the river there. The evidence favoring (consisting of the 6th, 15th, 16th, and a the Main Mill site was believed to rest on detachment of light artillery) to Sackets General Alexander Macomb’s map of the Harbor, some 175 mi. west and over the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814, which shows the Adirondacks. According to firsthand accounts, British army’s crossing near that bend in the Pike set off on 4 March with some 400 men on river. In his written account, it is mentioned 130 sleds through 3 ft. of snow (Fredricksen that the British army crossed the Saranac River 1985: 135). Some of the men switched to in front of the former cantonment 3 mi. from snowshoes to keep from freezing. He arrived the American forts, a location that favors the in Sackets Harbor on the 19th. The remainder of Pike’s units followed him, leaving Indian Falls (PESI 1998). Plattsburgh undefended, aside from a More recent research, conducted by Leon company of militia, the sick, and the wounded. Harris and Keith Herkalo, proves quite Shortly after arriving in Sackets Harbor, Pike convincingly, at least from archival data, that was minted a brigadier general and would the Indian Falls site was the most likely location lead the assault on York (Toronto), where he of Cantonment Saranac (Harris 1987; Herkalo was killed by an exploding magazine on 27 2001). This location also corresponds to local April 1813. private collections of military artifacts recovered Life in Plattsburgh returned to normal from areas around the Indian Falls (Thomas after the army’s departure, though on edge Pray, pers. comm. 2012-2014). These collections because of its exposed and undefended contain examples of military artifacts diag- position. Governor Daniel Tompkins protested nostic to the opening year of the war. the removal of the army to General Dearborn, When preparations were being made for who responded by simply removing all the the closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base in army’s stores farther south, to Burlington, 1993, a Phase 1 archaeological survey of the which was defended by a small force of installation was conducted by the Construction contracted militia and regulars. The fears were Engineering Research Laboratory (Morgan, realized in July of 1813, when a force of about Abbott, Doggett, Hedrich, & Richardson 1995). 1,000 British, bound for Plattsburgh, crossed The Zagreb site was found during that survey 152 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

in a location near the Indian Falls. Shovel The layout of these mounds is similar to an testing at 10 m (33 ft.) intervals revealed a 1892 account from Kellog, in which he scatter of 19th-century architectural and describes the remains of the cantonment as domestic debris across a roughly 1 ha (2.5 ac.) consisting of rows of low mounds with a area. At the time, it was concluded that the site “central mass of stone and brick in each was probably related to the building of the tumulus [that] formed the dividing wall former Dannemora Railroad spur, but a between the two compartments and contained remote possibility was raised that it might, in the large open fireplaces which warmed the fact, represent part of Cantonment Saranac. The rooms and ventilated them through the site was recommended for Phase 2 investigations. chimney above” (Harris 1987). The Phase 2 archaeological site assessment Surrounding the mounds is a moderately was performed in 1997 by Parsons Engineering dense debris midden, characterized by charcoal, Science, Inc. (PESI 1998). It conducted test cut nails, pieces of window and container excavations to determine the nature of roughly glass, pieces of ceramics, and pieces of white ten, low, rock platform mounds on the site, clay smoking pipes. Additionally, since 2011 and performed shovel tests at 7.5 and 15 m the investigation has recovered seven artifacts intervals to aid in delineating the site’s of military context within this midden. Most of boundaries. The mounds were recognized as the artifacts exhibit evidence of burning, which certainly being in situ architectural features, further agrees with accounts of the destruction perhaps the remains of Pike’s cantonment of the cantonment by the British in 1813. chimneys, noted in a late 19th-century account of a trip on the Dannemora Railroad (Harris 1987). Of 140 artifacts, however, no diagnostic Research Design and Methodology military artifacts were found; 73% were faunal For the Zagreb site to be considered remains, while 26% of the artifacts were representative of Zebulon Pike’s 1812–1813 architectural, almost all of which were nails. Cantonment Saranac, it needed to produce a The remainder of the assemblage (1%) was significant number of artifacts diagnostic to made up of nondiagnostic glass and white military sites of the early War-of-1812 period clay-pipe fragments. (i.e., military buttons, musket balls, lead sprue, or other military objects). The 2011–2013 survey Location and Physical Setting investigations turned to metal detection as a The Zagreb site (A01940.01086) is on the primary sampling tool. To accomplish this south side of New York State Route 22 in the goal while leaving the majority of the site’s town of Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New artifacts in context, a transect interval of 10 m York (fig. 2). It is within the confines of what (33 ft.) was used. Metal detection was completed was formerly Plattsburgh Air Force Base, now by Murat O’Hara, using a Minelab Explorer SE Plattsburgh International Airport, on a terrace Pro, and by the author, using a White M6. overlooking the south bank of the Saranac Each positive detection was flagged and River. The surrounding terrain is mostly mapped prior to investigation. Because of wooded, with sparsely scattered government, forest cover, hotspots were mapped using a commercial, and residential sites within a 1.6 grid laid in by compass and tape measure (fig. 3). km (1 mi.) radius. Hotspots, where metal was detected, were The site consists of a 1 ha (2.5 ac.) area mapped and then investigated using shovel characterized by 13 low mounds oriented on a test pits (STPs) 35 cm (14 in.) in diameter. Soils northwest–southeast axis below a high bluff. from each were screened through ¼ in. mesh At least six of these mounds are characterized to recover artifacts. When a metal object was by worked limestone blocks and ubiquitous found, each STP was again cleared by metal brick and charcoal, while the others (e.g., detector prior to documentation and backfilling. Mounds 1 and 11) are clearly of modern When no object was found, the STP was origin, containing cinderblock and late 20th- expanded up to 70 cm in an effort to recover century debris. The former mounds tend to an artifact. If no metal object were recovered occur in pairs. In at least two of the mounds (3 within 70 cm of the center, the detection was and 10b), the blocks form a rectangular platform assumed to be false. The stratigraphy of each roughly 100 × 120 cm (3 × 4 ft.). STP was documented by measuring the depths Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 44, 2015 153 Figure 2. Location of the Zagreb site, along with localities referenced in the text. (Figure by author, 2014; adapted from USGS Digital basemaps by National USGS Digital basemaps by National 2014; adapted from by author, in the text. (Figure site, along with localities referenced 2. Location of the Zagreb Figure Geographic.) 154 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

to the bottom of each soil horizon. All STPs Cantonment Saranac. Cut nails are generally were excavated to sterile subsoil. regarded to mark the middle to late 19th In order to document the site boundaries, century. More intensive investigations at transects were surveyed in three areas. Zagreb, however, have shown that these cut Transects A–D were placed in the area defined nails are associated with other nail forms both as the Zagreb site according to the 1997 PESI in and around the structures on the site (Abel survey. Transects E–I were placed on the 2014). Their burned nature suggests that they terrace above the defined site area to rule out were present during the burning of the site in the possibility of multilevel occupation. 1813. There is absolutely no evidence that the Transects J–M were placed to the east of the site was reoccupied after the 1813 burning. In defined site area to confirm the eastern site addition, since nail-cutting machines were in boundary. The north boundary was assumed use on the East Coast as early as the 1780s to be the edge of the disturbed Route 22 corridor. (Nelson 1968; Phillips 1993, 1996), there is no The south boundary was assumed to be the reason to doubt that cut nails would make it to edge of an adjacent wetland (fig. 3). this location. In short, it is clear that the cut nails are associated with Cantonment Saranac. Results Brick fragments accounted for 25% of the artifact assemblage recovered from STPs. The A total of 102 hotspots were investigated brick fragments are of so-called soft brick–– on Transects A–D, with all but four resulting in low-temperature fired clay bricks––that would the recovery of 534 historical artifacts. have been in common production during the Transects E–I produced 17 hotspots, only two time period, likely in close proximity to the of which contained historical artifacts. The rest site (several extant buildings in downtown consisted of modern ammunition casings and Plattsburgh are undoubtedly made of bricks clips. Transect I was not surveyed. Transects J–M produced 88 hotspots. Transects J and K Table 1. Summary of artifact frequencies by group. produced an abundance of historical artifacts. Transects L and M produced many hotspots, Group n % but nearly all were modern artifacts (fig. 3). Architectural 440 82 The stratigraphy of the site is generally characterized by a light grayish brown, silty, Unaffiliated 35 7 duff topsoil that extends to a depth of about 5 Firearms 8 1 cm (2 in.) (Stratum 1). Beneath this is dark Food 34 6 gray-brown sandy loam extending to a depth of 10–15 cm (4–6 in.) (Stratum 3). No features Personal 6 1 were noted, save for ash lenses, which were Kitchen 5 1 ubiquitous across the site. Beneath this is an orange- to yellow-tan coarse, cobbly sandy loam Activities 6 1 (Stratum 4), where excavation was terminated. Total 534 – The artifact assemblage is, not surprisingly, dominated by the Architectural group (82%), Table 2. Summary of nail types represented in the followed by the Unaffiliated (7%), Food (6%), assemblage. and other groups (tab. 1). Of the assemblage, 57% (n=188) is made up of nails and nail Type n % fragments (fig. 4A). These were of the wrought, Cut finish nail 54 29 transitional, early, and modern cut varieties (Belton 2013) (tab. 2). Many of the nails were in Cut nail fragment 45 24 pristine, rust-free condition, having been heat Wrought 3 2 hardened. Nails were found predominately along Transects A–D, but a few were also Transitional 13 7 found elsewhere (Transects G, J, and L). Early 32 17 This particular site characteristic, the Modern 41 22 ubiquity of cut nails, I suspect, is what had thrown previous researchers off the trail of Total 188 – Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 44, 2015 155

Figure 3. Survey methodology and results. (Figure by author, 2014; adapted from survey and basemap by AES Northeast Architecture, Engineering and Land Surveying Northeast, PLLC, 2011.)

from the same source). Historical research has at a high temperature. Two pieces of clear, flat identified possible brick kilns in nearby glass also were recovered. The fragments are Clintonville, Lower Jay, and Beekmantown, small and thin. The remainder of the artifacts though it is not certain whether any of these included an unidentified iron object and a wire were in operation at the time of the war (Hurd staple, which are undoubtedly modern. All of 1880). The brick fragments all came from the Unaffiliated-category artifacts came from Transects A–D. Transects A–D. Unaffiliated artifacts includes objects whose Food remains accounted for 6% of the function is either ambiguous or indeterminate. assemblage (n=34). Overall, the assemblage is The category accounted for 7% of the assemblage characterized by small fragments of calcined (n=35). The most frequent unaffiliated artifact bone. While a full analysis is pending, most of collected was charcoal, most of which was not the remains appear to be mammalian. All the collected, save for large pieces suitable for pieces came from Transects A–D and J. wood-species identification. Five pieces of melted Kitchen-group artifacts accounted for just glass were included in this category. Glass melts 1% of the assemblage (n=5). These artifacts at 1,300° F which indicates this glass was burned included two sherds of glazed stoneware, one 156 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

sherd of pearlware, and two sherds of porcelain. impressions are clearly visible on one side, and The presence of the pearlware is consistent tooth marks from the cap plate are visible on with a War-of-1812 association. All of these the other. sherds came from Transects A–D. One small gunflint fragment was found on Four artifacts were grouped with Activities, Transect B. It is gray white, probably heat- including a pole coupling with an associated treated Brandon flint; compare Witthoft (1966). wood fragment and nails found on Transect C. The flint exhibits spalling, which indicates the This artifact is believed to have come from a heat treatment, and its fragmentary condition regimental standard pole. A jackknife was may have resulted from later burning. The last found on Transect J, and may or may not be firearms-related artifact is an obviously intrusive associated with the 1812 component. A brass brass, .22 caliber, long rimfire casing. screw was found on Transect M and may or Four clothing buttons are placed in the may not have an 1812 context. The last artifact Personal group. They are military-issue coat was found on Transect B, an iron, tailor’s buttons all found on the south end of Transect thumb thimble that was a common accessory in C. Two of the buttons are identical, though military sewing kits (fig. 4C). found several meters apart. Each has a floral Eight artifacts from the Firearms group script I, with an underlying oval cartouche were found. A total of five lead, round balls bearing the number 15. They are classified as were recovered (fig. 4D). All the balls are in a GI34R15, using Albert’s catalog of military coat dropped condition, except one, which appears buttons (Albert 1976) (fig. 4F). One button bears to have been a failed mold pouring. It is an eagle motif with an underlying cartouche characterized by a half ball with attached inscribed: 6 Rt. and is classified as Albert’s sprue. Of the whole balls, two are 0.62 in. in GI32R6C (fig. 4G). These were issued from diameter (.62 caliber) and three are 0.66–0.67 1808 to 1811. The last button is small, bearing in. in diameter (.66–.67 caliber). This is the typical the generic US stamp (Albert’s GI30Av) (fig. 4H). diameter of single-shot projectiles used in the These buttons often were used on military- .69-caliber 1795 Springfield musket. The smaller issued pantaloons, waistcoats, or fatigue rounds were probably used in a typical “buck jackets. All of the buttons were found in a and ball” cartridge, while the larger rounds small area at the southern end of the site, would have been used for single-round along with glassware, ceramics, and animal cartridges. The 1795 Springfield and the .75 bone, perhaps indicating a refuse dump. caliber India Long Land Pattern Brown Bess The 6th, 15th, and 16th regiments were the were the standard-issue long arms of the War of 1812 period. three regiments that made up General One of the musket balls was found on the Dearborn’s 1st Brigade, which was encamped at Cantonment Saranac in the winter of 1812– terrace above the site (Transect F) (fig. 3). It was the only historical artifact found in that 1813. The 15th Regiment was under the area. Two of the musket balls were found to command of Colonel Zebulon Pike from July the east of the site near its eastern boundary 1812 to April 1813. Numerous additional (Transect K). They also were the only historical examples of these same buttons have been artifacts in the area. These isolated, stray collected in the area of the site by Thomas musket balls may be evidence of military Pray (pers. comm. 2012-2014) of Plattsburgh. drilling or perhaps sentry positions in those Regimental buttons were only manufactured areas. The remaining ball was found on through the first year of the War of 1812, and Transect D. only for the original 16 regiments of the army One lead flint cushion was found on at that time. After the first year, only blank or Transect C (fig. 4B). Otherwise known as cap “star” buttons were produced. These provide cushions, these were pieces of either lead or perhaps the best evidence that the Zagreb site leather that were used to wrap the gunflint for represents part of Cantonment Saranac. better grip by the cap screw. Lead cap cushions The last diagnostic artifact is a bayonet- were preferred by the army because leather scabbard chape assigned to the Personal group rotted in inclement weather. This particular (fig. 4E). The object is brass. This item, holding cap cushion is broken in half and stamped the 1795 pattern bayonet, would have been with a beaded design along the border. Flint standard issue to all infantry soldiers of the period. Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 44, 2015 157

Figure 4. Diagnostic artifacts from the 2011 survey: (A) transitional cut nails; (B) cap cushion, obverse and reverse view; (C) tailor’s thumb thimble; (D) .69 caliber round ball; (E) bayonet scabbard chape; (F) 15th Regiment coatee buttons; (G) 6th Regiment coatee button; and (H) U.S. general-service button. (Photos by author, courtesy of the Battle of Plattsburgh Association, 2011)

The bayonet was a three-sided, 15 in., pointed 12 × 15 ft., with a fireplace on each end. One of blade attached to the barrel of the 1795-pattern these was used for cooking, as evidenced by a Springfield musket. It was a secondary-melee burned faunal assemblage, while the other weapon designed to be used as a pike in close appears to have been used solely for heating combat. The leather bayonet scabbard was because it lacked anything other than worn on the hip suspended by a shoulder architectural debris. Based on recovered strap, and the chape prevented the tip of the cultural assemblages, it was likely a log bayonet from running through the scabbard structure with a frame roof. Archival evidence and cutting into the leg during sheathing. suggests that the interior was finished with plank, and the roof was shingled. The hearths were made of brick, but the chimneys were Current and Future Research likely of cribbed wattle-and-daub construction. Excavation conducted at the Zagreb site in The interior of the structure was remarkably 2012 and 2013 concentrated on uncovering an clean, save for small fragments of bone, intact structure floor (fig. 5). This research ceramic, and glass. This pattern is interpreted resulted in the archaeological documentation as evidence of its frequent sweeping and the of the first and only complete, ephemeral, removal of trash. Much of the glass was military habitation structure from the War of melted. The nails associated with the structure 1812 period (Abel 2014). The structure is roughly also, predominantly, showed evidence of heat 158 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

treating. This is taken as evidence that the occupant of stature, more likely an officer than structure was burned, corroborating the enlisted soldiers. historical accounts of the site’s destruction in the summer of 1813. Significance and Research Potential Based on the location of the structure, its A search of the literature reveals that orientation relative to other nearby structures archaeological sites related to the War of 1812 are (defined by associated mounds and chimney rare in New York State when compared to listings foundations), and pieces of Asian export for the French and Indian and Revolutionary porcelain found on the structure floor, the wars. Even rarer is that these archaeological structure is believed to represent an officer’s components have been subjected to controlled quarters. It is located at the top of the hill, a survey and excavations. Among War of 1812 place reserved for officers in Von Steuben’s military sites, most are classified as battlefields–– castramentation plan. Its size is nearly identical only a handful are associated with cantonments. to quarters of field officers documented at the It is, therefore, the case that present knowledge Revolutionary War New Windsor Cantonment of War of 1812 cantonments and encampments (Fisher 1983). The porcelain, which is gilded, is extremely limited when compared to that of likely would have graced the table of an officer, other wars (which is also limited). rather than that of an enlisted soldier. Lastly, the Research at Cantonment Wilkinson in size and layout of the structure suggest an Illinois provides the most tangible starting

Figure 5. Excavation plan of Structure 1. (Figure by author, courtesy of Battle of Plattsburgh Association, 2014) Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 44, 2015 159 point for comparing the Zagreb site to other Conclusions period sites. Cantonment Wilkinson was The confirmation of the Zagreb site as part occupied from 1801 to 1802 in the aftermath of of Colonel Zebulon Pike’s Cantonment Saranac the Quasi-War with France (1798–1800). provides yet another example of the utility and Ironically, Zebulon Pike was there, as well, as a potential of using metal detection as an aid in young lieutenant. Excavations there by the locating ephemeral military sites. Unlike more University of Illinois at Carbondale (Wagner permanent forts and barracks, these sites often 2003, 2012) have revealed a similar debris lack abundant diagnostic assemblages and are scatter dominated by brick and a large trash often masked by a background of debris that pit used for refuse burning. appears to be more domestic than military. and Cantonment Davis in Elusive diagnostic artifacts are recovered more Illinois are War of 1812 period cantonment sites frequently with metal detection, a fact that is that are currently undergoing investigation essential to identifying and assessing these site (Fishel 2012a, 2012b; Nolan, Hickson, Kuehn, & types correctly. It is a method well known to Branstner 2012). Survey and testing at these sites collectors of militaria, but one that have revealed contexts for associating military archaeologists have only begun to implement cultural materials with individual cantonment on a systematic basis. buildings, even though evidence of those build- The 1812 Champlain Campaign began ings has been destroyed by subsequent plowing. with a tremendous amount of hubris, but, like Future research will be directed toward exca- most other American campaigns during that vating these contexts for further insights into war, ended in blunder and disgrace. The 1812– 1813 winter encampment was among the building occupants and activities. worst episodes of the war, resulting in the Excavations at Old Fort Niagara, a deaths of over 200 men, more than died in the primarily French and Indian and Revolutionary initial campaign. The Zagreb site contains war period outpost, have also revealed detailed sufficient archaeological evidence to associate information about the War of 1812. Recent it with Colonel Zebulon Pike’s Cantonment excavations have focused on the “Red Saranac, along with an abundance of Barracks,” a permanent structure used by both architectural features and middens associated American and British soldiers during with this well-documented episode of United successive occupations. This research has given States history. It offers a glimpse into the archaeologists a glimpse into the contrasts management and mismanagement of the army between and similarities in the lives of soldiers during the first year of the war, and into the on both sides of the conflict (Maguire 2012). lives of soldiers during a period for which Looking at the previous wars, excavations little archaeological data exist. at the late Revolutionary War period New Windsor Cantonment (Fisher 1983) provide References Cited some insights into how military castramentation Abel, Timothy J. and material culture changed from the 2014 “I Wish You Could See the Style in Which We Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 periods; Live”: Archaeology Of A Soldier’s Cabin At compare Whitehorn (2006). Cantonment Saranac, Plattsburgh, New Excavations are planned at the Zagreb site York. In Archaeology of the War of 1812, ed. by in 2016 and beyond, focusing on further M. T. Lucas and J. M. Schablitsky, pp. 57-74. defining the context of this structure and its Left Coast Press. Walnut Creek, CA association with adjacent structures. Survey Albert, Alphaeus H. has suggested that the area behind the 1976 Record of American Uniform and Historical structure may have housed a kitchen area and Buttons. SCS Publicpations, Fairfax, VA. trash dump. Meanwhile, adjacent mounds point to nearby structures of similar size and Beaudoin, Leo, and Renee Blanchet, eds. configuration. Investigations of the Zagreb site 2009 Jacques VIGER, une Biographie: Suivi de lettres de Jacques et de Marguerite 1808–1813 will surely increase knowledge of War of 1812 (Jacques VIGER, a biography: according to castramentation, the condition of the army in the letters of Jacques and Marguerite 1808– 1812, and the lives of soldiers during that period. 1813). VLB Editeur, Montreal. 160 Abel/Finding Cantonment Saranac

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Author Information Timothy J Abel received his PhD from SUNY University at Albany. He is a consulting archaeologist specializing in archaeology, St. Lawrence Iroquoians and archaeology of the War of 1812.

Timothy J. Abel Consulting Archaeologist Adjunct Professor of Anthropology SUNY Canton Jefferson Community College [email protected]