Essex Institute Historical Collections (Volume 57) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921. Excerpt: ... HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE Vol. LVII October, 1921 No. 4 THE ESSEX GUARDS. Compiled By Lt. Col. Lawrence Waters Jenkins, M. N. G., Retired. Introduction. The War of 1812 waa very unpopular in Salem, with 800 men on the ocean, and several millions of dollars in commerce imperilled. At a town meeting on June 22, 1812, a committee was chosen to draft a memorial to Congress praying that the country might be saved from an "unjust and ruinous war."1 After the United States had entered the war, the people of Salem did their duty faithfully, although at first perhaps not with the vigor which they displayed when their shores were invaded. For three years forty vessels, practically men-of-war, cruised from this port, heavily armed and officered, and manned by as skillful and brave navigators and seamen as were then afloat. And this does not include over one hundred letterof-marque trading vessels that kept the sea and did some fighting as well as trading.2 The year 1814 was a specially trying one for New England. Hitherto the more northerly coasts of the United States had been very little molested by the British. Now a system of petty invasions commenced, and were followed by more serious operations. Early in June the enemy commenced depredations on the coast of Massa 'Osgood and Batchelder, Sketch of Salem. Hurd, D. H., History of Essex County. (240) chusetts. Fort Lilly, at Gloucester, was armed; Fort Pickering, at Salem, and Fort Sewall, at Marblehead, were strengthened and garrisoned by regular troops.3 Fort Lee, at Salem, was strengthened and garrisoned, and redoubts were built and occupied at Hospital point, Salem, and Hospital point, Beverly, by the militia. Great excitement prevailed in this town, as well as other towns along the seaboard...