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| Albany Republican Artillery, NY State Militia Regimental Color c. 1809 via New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center |
"On that occasion he presented to the Albany Republican Artillery at a dinner in Foot's Fort Orange Hotel a large brass drum, captured from the British at Fort Stanwix by his father, then a colonel."
In his 1934 article for New York History on Herman Melville's Early Years in Albany, Larrabee went on to quote the following "sunburst of rhetoric" near the end of Peter Gansevoort's speech:
The trophy which I present to you, is strongly associated with one of the scenes to which I have alluded, in the glorious struggle for our Independence. Its music was heard in those days of peril; it beat in unison with the war whoop and yell of the merciless savage on the bloody field of Oriskany; it sounded the charge and animated the courage of the enemy at Fort Stanwix; it also sounded his retreat, and was taken from the enemy in the hour of his flight.
On this centennial jubilee, in honor of him, whose monument is in the grateful hearts of a free and intelligent people, I present to you this trophy, as a memorial of that eventful period, when the sun of liberty, in the full effulgence of its glory, irradiated the western hemisphere, and when the first sparks were struck by the fearless asserters of the unalienable rights of man, which enkindled on the altar of freedom, that flame which is gradually illuminating the eastern hemisphere.
The Gansevoort family in Albany apparently kept a close watch on that drum donated in 1832 by Herman Melville's Uncle Peter. In 1877 Melville's cousin, Peter Gansevoort's daughter Catherine (Kate) Gansevoort Lansing procured it for the centennial celebration of the Battle of Oriskany.
... Mr. SEYMOUR exhibited the revolutionary relics. Among these was the brass snare drum, sent up from Albany by Mrs. LANSING. On the brass coat of the drum was the following inscription :
" Presented by Peter Gansevoort, of the city of Albany, counsellor-at-law, to the Albany Republican Artillery Company, on the 22d February, 1832."
"Taken from the enemy on the 22d Aug., 1777, when the British army under Gen. St. Leger, raised the siege of Fort Stanwix, which fortress had been valiantly defended by the garrison under the command of Colonel Peter Gansevoort for 21 days." -- The Centennial Celebrations of the State of New York (Albany, 1879) "Oriskany" page 97.
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| Drum Captured from St Leger - 1777 - Fort Stanwix Photo via Civil War Badges |
The proceedings and toasts of the Albany Republican Artillery, on the 22nd, together with the eloquent and pertinent address of gen. GANSEVOORT, delivered on presenting to the company a brass drum, captured by his ancestor at the siege of Fort Stanwix, and the reply of capt. IGGET, we shall take a pleasure in publishing to-morrow. The toasts, &c. of the "Washington Volunteer Guards," will also appear tomorrow.
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| Albany Argus - February 28, 1832 |
BIRTH OF WASHINGTON -- CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
The military and civic procession having been dismissed by a salute of 100 guns from the artillery, and a feu de joie by the infantry, the respective corps sat down to most sumptuous dinners prepared for the occasion—the 89th and 246th regiments at Crosby’s Long Room, and the Albany Republican Artillery at Foot’s Fort Orange Hotel.
WASHINGTON VOLUNTEER GUARDS.
...
ALBANY REPUBLICAN ARTILLERY.
This elegant and well disciplined company, after performing the arduous duties allotted them by the committee of the day, in a manner highly creditable to them as soldiers, celebrated the centennial anniversary, by partaking of a dinner at the “Fort Orange Hotel;” and it is but justice to say, that Mr. Foot, the proprietor of this establishment, furnished the table not only with every thing that heart could wish but in a style corresponding with the glorious occasion.
The company were honored with the presence of a number of the members of our Legislature and citizens.
The following toasts were drank, accompanied with martial music.STANDING TOASTS.
- The Centennial Anniversary--Century on century may roll away, yet the name of Washington shall perish but with time.
- The Compatriots with Washington, in the cabinet and in the field--The present anniversary calls to memory, the men who "filled the measure of their country's glory."
- The President of the United States--Honor unto whom honor is due.
- The Vice President and National Legislature--When their labors shall have ceased, the People will weigh their actions in the balance of truth, and pronounce a verdict of approval or condemnation.
- The Governor and Lieut. Governor of the State of New-York.
- The State of New-York--In war, the sheet anchor of our country--the terror of our enemies--In peace--the friend of Union and dignified asserter of State Rights.
- Internal divisions--however painful political conflicts and political defeats on either side, let all this day remember, that here Liberty dwells, and that this is their country.
- The Legislature of New-York--Although divided into parties hostile to each other, when they cast their eyes on the majestic form of Washington, which decorates their Hall, may they remember that he represented in all his public acts, the interests of the people alone.
- Internal improvements.--Liberally promoted and in a spirit of patriotism, they are monuments of state and national prosperity.
- The Militia--The strong bulwark against King-craft, Priest-craft, and all the crafts of an enemy. It is the impregnable fortress of American freedom.
- Church and State--Priest ridden sycophant, and luke warm Americans talk of a union. Patriots and unshaken republicans stand ready with blood and treasure, to prevent the unhallowed bans of matrimony.
- The oppressed nations of the earth--Before another century shall have closed, may to each of them be born a Washington, who will rise in his majesty--break asunder the chains that fetter the human mind--and proclaim civil and religious liberty to the world of mankind.
- The Fair Sex--May they frown upon all maccaronis and coxcombs--civil and military; and wed plain, honest, and dignified republicans.
VOLUNTEERS.
By Capt. Iggett. Gen. Jackson riding on a rail road at the rate of sixty miles per hour--The Albany Republican Artillery volunteer to carry cannon balls, and protect the baggage waggons on the journey.
By Lieut. Strain. John Mills--The mention of his name will cause every member of this republican corps to render his memory a soldier's, a citizen's, and a patriot's respect.
By Lieut. Sears. Washington--The brightest star in the western hemisphere--there are will o' the wisps that would dim the brilliancy of his glory, but they will sink into the bogs whence they arose, and be remembered no more.
By James B. Spencer, (of the assembly). The Albany Republican Artillery--While such brave and patriotic troops defend our soil, it will never give bread to a tyrant.
By a guest. The two Albany companies who have deserted their colors--whether their military pride for their own city is enhanced in the eyes of Troyans or Albanians is a moot point.
By Sarg't Strain. Gen. Root--Truly the Root of democracy, from whence springs branches that bear better fruit than enemies to republicanism.
By Lieut. H. Merchant, a guest. The members of the legislature--Their patriotism on this glorious anniversary, is a pledge that as men and as representatives, they love their country.
By John C. Buckabee. The rejection of Martin Van Buren--it will be the ejection of his corrupt and federal opponents from the confidence of a free people.
By Engineer Hilton. I have known this company in its infancy under the command of Mills, and rejoice that its manhood is covered with republican glory.
By Wm. C. Locherty. The Militia of the 89th and 246th--May they always follow the example of the militia of '76.
By D. Clemishire. The Albany Volunteers and City Guards--Patriotism requires their presence in honor of the day and duty to their country--henceforth let them be called The Flying Guards.
By C. B. Vanderzee. The Cabinet explosion--Like an honest boiling pot--it throws the scum sky high, and retains merit and worth in their proper places.
By Thos. A. Beekman. Church and State--The Christian may peddle his books, and the Jew pray him out of the market in welcome.
By A. F. Van Buskirk. Martin Van Buren--The pride of his native state, and envy of selfish and mad partizans.
By Wm. Simpson, jr. The Drum which we had the honor of receiving from Gen. Gansevoort--May we never receive a drum from less patriotic hands.
By Ab'm Austin. The infamous Slanderers of Washington--This day may they eat the bread of heaviness and drink the waters of bitterness.
By Mr. H. Yates (a guest). The Albany Republican Artillery--Their principles are not built on sand or Clay hills: they rally round the Hickory tree.
By Corporal Buel. The Man who filled the Measure of his Country's Glory--First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
By Mr. Foot (the host). The American Fair--May they never forget that one of them was the mother of Washington.
By Serjeant Doris. Martin Van Buren--In the firey ordeal the dross will burn away, and he will come out like gold twice refined.
By Engineer Morrell. Washington--The highest compliment we can pay him is, to say that a fanatical priest slandered him.
By Thos. J. Eagleston (Fife Major). Should the alarm of war be sounded upon our shores, and we republican artillerists be summoned to surrender, the answer will be found inscribed upon our drum, in the letters "N. O."!
By James Strain. Peter Gansevoort, esq.--The distinguished donor to the Republican Artillery of one of the trophies of his father's victories--prosperity and honor attend his march through life.
By J. H. Strain. The Memory of Col Peter Gansevoort, the Hero of Fort Stanwix--He would be and was a patriot.
By A. Vanderzee. Gen. Jackson--There is no trouble in extracting all the bullets his enemies can plant in his Herculean frame.
* * *
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| Peter Gansevoort, Jr. Maria Louisa Wagner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
Next appears the formal address by Peter Gansevoort and the reply of Captain Iggett--both printed, like the preceding toasts, on page 2 of the Daily Albany Argus for February 29, 1832:
The following address was delivered by gen. PETER GANSEVOORT, on the 22d inst., on presenting to the Albany Republican Artillery a Brass Drum, captured by his father, col. PETER GANSEVOORT, at the siege of Fort Stanwix:--
Citizen Soldiers--I present to the officers and privates of the Albany Republican Artillery Company, and to their successors, a trophy of the revolutionary war--a large brass Drum, taken from the enemy on the 22d day of August, 1777, the day on which gen. Barry St. Leger raised the seige of Fort Stanwix. That fortress had been regularly invested by St. Leger's army for twenty-one days, and was, during that time, valiantly and successfully defended by the garrison under the command of Colonel Peter Gansevoort.
The year 1777 forms an important epoch in the annals of our country's glory; the brilliant triumphs of the American arms, during that year, gave liberty and independence to these United States.
The British were in possession of the city of New York, and elated by the successes of the preceding year, opened the northern campaign with the most favorable prospects. Their object was to obtain the command of the river and of the lakes, so as to effect a free communication between the city of New York and the Canadas. Burgoyne, with the main army from Canada, advanced on Lake Champlain, and St. Leger, with a large force, by the way of Lake Ontario. Sir Henry Clinton, with a chosen army, accompanied by a strong armament, from the bay of New York, was forcing his way up Hudson's river, to effect a junction with Burgoyne and St. Leger, at or near this city.
If that junction, so confidently anticipated, had been formed, the hopes of liberty and independence would have been extinguished forever. Burgoyne and St. Leger, with their hordes of Indian allies, would have spread fire and carnage in this fair city of our fathers, and carried devastation into the surrounding country. The union of their forces with those of Sir Henry Clinton, who had stormed and carried Stoney Point and reduced Kingston to ashes, would have brought the combined armies in combination with Sir William Howe, in his bloody conflicts with Washington on the banks of the Delaware. Congress had the second time fled from Philadelphia, and that city had become a British garrison. Washington was obliged to risk a general action, and lost the battle on the Brandywine.
Our affairs were in the most disastrous condition--our army was without money and without clothing; and it is a matter of history, that at the close of the campaign, when Washington marched his army into winter quarters at Valley Forge, they might have been tracked by the blood of their feet, in marching without shoes or stockings on the hard frozen ground.
If at this hour of extremity the union of the British forces had been effected, Washington, the great and the good, would not have been distinguished as the Father and the Saviour of his Country: He, and the other patriots and statesmen of the Revolution, "the giants of those days," would have been branded as traitors and punished as rebels.
How different would have been our condition from that, which, as republican citizens, we now enjoy. How vastly different that of our free and happy and beloved country. But I will not indulge the painful reflection. It is enough to say, that we should not have been permitted, on this day, to celebrate, as freemen, the centennial anniversary of the birth of our illustrious Washington--of him, whose services claim a nation's gratitude; and whose character stands unrivalled before the world, as "the first in war, the first in peace, the first in the hearts of his countrymen."
But, by the aid of Almighty God, who sustained our fathers in the dark days of our country's peril, the union of the British armies was prevented.
The victory obtained by General Stark, at Bennington, and the obstinate and successful resistance made at Fort Stanwix, under the most appalling circumstances, gave a new impulse to the revolution. These brilliant events infused fresh ardor into our troops, animated the drooping spirits of our countrymen, invigorated the hopes of patriotism, and stimulated our army at Saratoga to the most noble daring. The system of evacuating and retreating was abandoned. Our army attacked the enemy in his entrenchments, even on his vantage ground, and forced him to a capitulation.
The triumphant march of Sir Henry Clinton was arrested, and our northern and western frontiers were relieved from the invading armies. This, in the language of history, was the hinge on which the Revolution turned.
The trophy which I present to you, is strongly associated with one of the scenes to which I have alluded, in the glorious struggle for our Independence. Its music was heard in those days of peril; it beat in unison with the war whoop and yell of the merciless savage on the bloody field of Oriskany--it sounded the charge and animated the courage of the enemy at Fort Stanwix;--but, it also sounded his retreat, and was taken from the enemy in the hour of his flight.
On this centennial jubilee, in honor of him, whose monument is in the grateful hearts of a free and intelligent people, I present to you this trophy, as a memorial of that eventful period, when the sun of liberty, in the full effulgence of its glory, irradiated the western hemisphere, and when the first sparks were struck by the fearless asserters of the unalienable rights of man, which enkindled on the altar of freedom, that flame which is gradually illuminating the eastern hemisphere.
The Albany Republican Artillery Company, were volunteers in the second war of our independence. They were honored with the confidence of the patriotic Tompkins, who in 1813, presented them with two brass six pounders.
To you, the successors of those brave volunteers; to the successors of Mills and Clark, who fell in battle, while gallantly resisting the invasion of a foreign foe, I present this Drum, with the hope, that it has sounded its last retreat; and that when its beat shall call the Albany Republican Artillery Company to arms in the service of their country, they will inscribe on their banner, the deeply rooted sentiment of the soldiers and statesmen of the Revolution--
We prefer liberty to life, and death to dishonor.After receiving the Drum, capt. IGGETT replied as follows:--
Sir: In the reception of this inestimable relic of the "times that tried men's souls," rest assured that, to the munificent donor will always be rendered upon the part of the Albany Republican Artillery, a soldier's gratitude and a soldier's respect and remembrance.
Respect to the memory of the noble ancestor of him who has this day presented the trophy that beat the retreat as well as the advance of a hostile invader, who when summoned to surrender Fort Stanwix by a superior and powerful British force, indignantly replied, "that being by the United States entrusted with the charge of the garrison, he was determined to defend it to the last extremity, against all enemies whatever, without any concern for the consequences of doing his duty."
And actuated by the remembrance, sir, that such was the language of an American republican and an American patriot. "When the drum beats to arms," not a citizen soldier belonging to this company will hesitate to pursue the path of duty, and to permit no slave's hostile foot to leave a print upon the shores of our native state, hallowed as it is by being the last resting place of a SCHUYLER, a CLINTON, a GANSEVOORT, a WILLET, a VAN CORTLANDT, and a VAN SCHAICK.
Receiving this drum as we do, sir, from the hands of him who filled the measure of the glory of his native state, permit me to say, upon the part of every man who belongs to the Republican Artillery, that whether in private or in public life, in every member of this corps you will find a freeman who will at all times "render honor unto whom honor is due," and to none other.
-- Albany Argus, February 29, 1832; found on fultonhistory.com.
Update 07/23/2022
Whatever happened to the trophy-drum once possessed by Herman Melville's grandfather Peter Gansevoort (aka The Hero of Fort Stanwix) and ceremoniously bestowed by the Hero's son, Melville's Uncle Peter Gansevoort, on the Albany Republican Artillery Company? Re-gifted exactly fifty years later to the State of New York, as announced in the Albany Journal on February 11th, reprinted in the Buffalo Weekly Courier on February 15, 1882:
TWO GIFTS TO THE STATE.
"An interesting event will occur at the new capitol on the 22d instant. On that day [February 22, 1882] Captain John Palmer will present to Adjutant-General Frederick Townsend, for the state, a flag and drum which are of historic interest. The flag is the one in which the body of Col. Mills was wrapped prior to his burial after the battle of Sacketts Harbor in 1812. Subsequently the flag, which came into the custody of Gen. Gansevoort, was presented by him to the Albany Republican Artillery, an organization which had at that time reached a respectable age. That presentation was made on Washington's birthday fifty years ago or thereabouts. Since then Col. Mills's remains were removed from Sackett's Harbor to this city and buried in the Capitol park, where they lie still. The drum, which is also to be presented to the state, is a relic of the revolution and had been in the possession of the Albany Republican Artillery for many years prior to the dissolution of that organization. Both relics will be placed in the bureau of military statistics."
"Its music was heard in those days of peril; it beat in unison with the war whoop and yell of the merciless savage on the bloody field of Oriskany--it sounded the charge and animated the courage of the enemy at Fort Stanwix;--but, it also sounded his retreat, and was taken from the enemy in the hour of his flight. To you, the successors of those brave volunteers; to the successors of Mills and Clark, who fell in battle, while gallantly resisting the invasion of a foreign foe, I present this Drum, with the hope, that it has sounded its last retreat; and that when its beat shall call the Albany Republican Artillery company to arms in the service of their country, they will inscribe on their banners the deeply rooted sentiment of the soldiers and statesmen of the revolution: 'We prefer liberty to life, and death to dishonor.' "
Later drum update, August 2022: Found it! On display at the NYS Military Museum in Saratoga Springs...
- Centennial of Washington's Birthday in Albany NY
https://melvilliana.blogspot.com/2022/07/centennial-of-washingtons-birthday-in.html
- Oration by Oran G. Otis
https://melvilliana.blogspot.com/2022/07/oration-by-oran-g-otis-on-centennial.html
- Where is the brass drum?
https://melvilliana.blogspot.com/2022/07/where-is-brass-drum.html
- Drum update
https://melvilliana.blogspot.com/2022/08/drum-update.html
