E 356 19 H2 ^^^HHBHBH^x 1 / 5 : ^o v^ t» o. ^•. '^^o^ o^-^ia'- ^ov^ % '"^^s i ^" ♦ ** ^^^'^^ °oTOW*' .^^'''^^. -.^^i^.'^ <^.'^' -^x. ^WC^- ^^^•'^^ % -^^0^ r ' ^0 - '^bV^ '. '-^^0^ /, ^^^°^ V •je«5;!^v»k'^ o ^oV' s-,* V ^^ ^o ^ -^^ >■♦ . o « . - '^. x.*!^* ..-•* '^. bV '^o bV" v-^' % -^^0^ f l£^ ^Cp- ^'^' =-^^%^' ./% o > "1 o ■» o ft-0^ j5-. ^oK ^o^^r^^**/ "v*-^^\/ V'^'V" . v^^'^^"-' • ^-^..^^ ,^;!$^^o \/ ;^^V %,^ :l iV^. ^'j^. '/>*"^^ -.^W!" .^^^X •-! 4 o o . » ' G'^ ^ */Tvr» <^ o . >„ THE TWENTY-FIRST'S TROPHY of Niagara By CELWYN E. HAMPTON Captain and Commissary Twenty-first Infantry UNITED STATES ARMY A^ Viz COPYRIGHTt'D 1909 CELWYN E. HAMPTON V w> \- y ciB. ft, i; i 3 ;; u i )UL U 1909 THE SOUL OF OUR SAMURAI The swords that once in battle rang, And smote their way to glory, Now hang, in silence, on our walls, Scarce known to song or story. The patriot hands that wielded them Have long to clay been turning. But on our hearths their sturdy strength Built fires that yet are burning. The flag that once our columns led Is now but rags and tatters. And, one by one, its silken threads, In formless dust it scatters. The men that bore it, long ago, Beneath the sod are sleeping. But yet they live, in us again; Our lives are in their keeping. Oh! guard ye well what they have won. Their prizes, nobly given; Their knightly souls still bid us on, To strive as they have striven. COAT OF ARMS TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY UNITED STATES ARMY Quarterly — l. Argent, on a cross gules, a lion passant Guardant or. 2. Gules, a saltire az., bordered ar., charged with 13 stars of the last. 3. Quarterly — i. and 4. Gules, a castle of Castile or. 2. and 3. Azure, three stars or., withui an equilateral triangle argent. 4. Argent, a quiver gules, charged with ornaments or., fringed sable, con- taining four arrows of the last. Over all an oval inescutcheon in pretence, Gules, a cannon or. Crest. A star voided of twenty-one points enclosing the figures 21 and the letters U. S. all or. Motto: "I'll try. sir." Historical Description of the Coat of Arms of the Twenty-first Infantry This Coat of Arms was designed and drawn by the author during the winter of 1906-1907, and was adopted by the officers of the regiment in May, 1907. Its purpose is to indicate the history of the regiment and its name. The escutcheon is divided quarterly, each quarter bearing charges that represent one or more wars in which the Twenty-first Infantry has been en- gaged. The first quarter, indicative of the War of 1812, is of a silver field, bearing a rectangular red cross upon which is charged, in gold, a lion of the royal Eng- lish form. Without the lion this quarter is a reproduction of the British man- of-war's flag with the canton omitted. The second quarter, indicative of the Civil War of 1 861-1865, is of a red field, bearing a silver cross of the Greek form. On this is charged a blue cross of the same form, and on the latter are charged thirteen silver stars. The whole is a reproduction of the battle flag of the Confederacy. The third quarter is divided quarterly. The first and fourth, of a red field, are charged with the castle of Castile, from the Spanish Coat of Arms, and indicate the Spanish-American War. The second and third, of a blue field, are charged with an equilateral triangle of silver, inclosing, in its angles, three stars of gold. These are the Katipunan symbols and indicate the Philippine Insurrection. The fourth quarter, of a silver field, is charged with a red quiver containing four arrows of black and fringed with hair of the same. The quiver is also charged with a sun and minor designs of gold. The whole indicates the Indian campaigns in which the regiment bore a part. These were against the Apaches, in Arizona, in 1869-70; the Modocs, in Oregon and California, in 1873; the Nez Perces, in Idaho, in 1877; and the Bannocks and Pi Utes, in Oregon, in 1878. An oval inescutcheon, centrally located, is borne as an augmentation of honor, being of a red field charged with a gold cannon. Motto, in gold on a blue scroll beneath the escutcheon, "I'll try, sir." This as well as the augmentation above described, is derived from the incidents of the battle of Niagara, July 25th, 18 14. Colonel James Miller, then in com- mand of the Twenty-first Infantry, being ordered to capture a British battery located in a commanding position, replied in the words we have used as our motto. The regiment charged and captured the battery, and held it against repeated, desperate attempts at recapture, although almost destroyed in so doing. The crest is a twenty-one pointed star whose center is voided and encloses the number 21 and the letters U. S., all in gold. The supporters are two rifles, of gold, crossed behind the shield. The crest and supporters show the name of the regiment. < 1^ I— I h < cc H c w ;^ H < THE BATTLE OF NIAGARA The combat to which our popular historical works of the present day refer as that of Lundy's Lane is known in official English records as the Battle of Niagara. It was by that name that reference was made to it in our own earlier accounts and it seems regretable that the custom did not continue. It is only by a freak of nomenclature that it has come to bear the name of one of the most unimportant, instead of that of the most significant of the topographical fea- tures in the vicinity of which it was fought. Lossing, in his Field Book of the War of 1812, discusses this subject as follows: The battle was fought wnthin sight and hearing of the great Falls of Niagara, and should bear that dignified name. It was so in one of the first published accounts of it. "The Battle of Niagara," said the Albany Argus, at the begin- ning of August, "commands, like the achievements of our naval heroes, the admiration of all classes of the American people, a few excepted." The hottest of the contest having occurred in the struggle for the batter}' in Lundys Lane caused the battle to be called after the name of that road. About a mile above the field of battle, on the banks of the Niagara, were mills called The Bridge- water Mills. A person attached to the American Army, but not in the battle, wrote while it was in progress to some friend in the interior of New York, say- ing that a great battle was then raging near the Bridgewater Mills. This letter was published extensively, and the conflict was called the Battle of Bridgewater. It was so announced in Niles' Register. August 13, 1814. In some measure, however, the Twenty-first should have a sense of satis- faction in the name "Lundy's Lane," for it was that very "hottest of the con- test," the struggle for the battery, that the regiment fought and w^on. At sunset, in the evening of July 25th, 18 14, General Winfield Scott's brigade, advancing down the Niagara River, on the Canadian side, found itself confronted by the British Army draw^n up on rising ground a short distance below the Falls. Although greatly outnumbered and overmatched in artillery, Scott unhesi- tatingly engaged the enemy and sent word to General Brown, at Chippewa, of the perilous situation. The latter ordered General Ripley forward and hastened to the battlefield. At nine o'clock, P. M., Ripley's brigade, consisting of the Twenty-first and Twenty-third Infantry regiments, with a detachment of the First, arrived upon the scene. Scott's troops were exhausted and scat- tered by the continuous fighting, and Ripley's were at once pushed for\vard to form a new line. A British battery of seven guns posted on a hill in the center of their line, near a road called Lundy's Lane, was seen to be the key of their position. Turning to Colonel James Miller, who commanded the Twenty-first Infantry, General Brown said. "Colonel, take your regiment, storm that work and take it." Colonel Miller's prompt reply, "I'll try, sir," is one of the few sentient speeches of the battlefield that our history has delighted to transmit from gen- eration to generation. In the dim moonlight the Twenty-first climbed the hill until it reached a rail fence near the battery. Resting their muskets on this fence, our men poured in a volley that killed or wounded every one of the gunners, rushed into the battery and took possession of the guns. A British line, lying in support, fired with deadly effect and then charged, with intent to retake them with the bayonet, but were driven back. Three times they made desperate efforts to recapture the battery, but the Twenty-first doggedly held its ground. The combatants were so close that the fire from their muskets crossed, and it is said that the buttons on the enemies' uniforms could plainly be distinguished by its li-pounder guns here, of Eniilish manufacture, an- twering within description. ]. \\. Bknet. Ij.-CoL, Ord. Dfpt., U. S. A ., Commanding. 33020 56 8th Endorsement. 65-146 Br. — I. Rock Island .\rsenal. III., July 27, I908. I. Respectfully returned to the Chief or Ordnance, U. S. A., through the Commantling f)fficer. Fiankfonl Arsenal, with the^formation that there are, at this arsenal, no f>-pounder bronze puns of English manufacture, th.Tr will answer to the description. F. E. Hobbs, Lt.'CoI., Ord. Dfpt., U. S. A., Commanding. 3392a 56 9th Endorsement. W. 4-12 Frankford Arsenal. Pa., July 30, 1908, 1. Respectfully returned to the Chief of Ordnance. U. S. A., through the Commanding Officer. New \'ork Arsenal. 2. One bronze gun. 6-pounder. is on hand at this Arsenal, marked as fol- lows: No. 61. On left trunnion is the mark P 256; on the right trunnion is the mark No. 67. It is about 2 inches bore. No other marks of any kind are on the gun. Frank Heath. E. R. Colonflf Ord. Dfpt., U. S. A., Commanding. W. R. S.— Mil. 33920-56 loth Endorsement. 8939-94 New York Arsenal, N. Y., August 3, 1908. I. Respectfully foi-warded to the Chief of Ordnance, U. S. A., through the Commanding Officer, Watertown Arsenal, with report that there are no 6-pounder bronze guns at this Arsenal answering description. O. B. MiTCHAM, Lieut.-CoL, Ord. Dept., U. S. A., Commanding. S-Co. 33920-56 nth Endorsement. 128-438 Watertown Arsenal, Mass., August 10, 1908. Respectfully returned to the Chief of Ordnance, U. S. A., through the Com- manding Officer, Watervliet Arsenal, with the information that there are no bronze 6-pounder guns at this Arsenal, of British manufacture, or answering the description given within. J. C. NiCHOLLS, Capt., Ord. Dept., U. S. A., Commanding. 33920-56 1 2th Endorsement. 23-23 Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., August 13, 1908. 1. Respectfully returned to the Chief of Ordnance, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. 2. The gun referred to within is now at this Arsenal and has been reserved for the War College. 3. The following is the official description, as taken from the records of this Arsenal: Field Gun, bronze, English, Cal. 3I". Marks: On breech: "Taken at the battle of Niagara, July 25, 1814; i° £ff Hy, King 1797;" English Arms. "Honi soit qui mal y pense. G. R." On right trunnion: No. 492. Face of breech: 6-0-2. Length: 65". Location: South side of office walk. W. A. tag marks: 18-6 pdr. English W. C. His- tory: Taken at the Battle of Niagara, July 25, 1814; 1° ^ Hy. King 1797; English Arms. Reserved for War College. Under breech; U5 481. On chase: English Arms CCCCLXXXIV. This is thought to be the gun referred to within. W. W. Gibson, Lieut.-CoL, Ord. Dept., U. S. A., Commanding. 33920-5^ 13th Endorsement. |. J. C— L. c. f. Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Washington, Aug. 18, 1908. 1. Respectfully returned to Capt. Celwyn E. Hampton, Twenty-first In- fantry, U. S. A., Fort Logan, Colorado, inviting attention to preceding en- dorsements hereon. 2. The return of this paper to this office is desired. Jno. T. Thompson, Major, Ord. Dept., U. S. Army, Acting Chief of Ordnajice. Headquarters Twenty-first Infantry, Camp Emmet Crawford, Wyoming, August 28th, 1908. Commanding Officer, WatervUet Arsenal, Watervliet, Neiu Tork. Sir: — In an endorsement dated August 13th, 1908, on a letter written by me to the Chief of Ordnance, U. S. Army, requesting information regarding a gun captured by the Twenty-first Infantry, at the battle of Lundy's Lane, July 25-26, 1814, you gave a description of a British 6-pounder now at Watervliet Arsenal. The inscription on the gun, together with the known historical facts, makes it certain that this is the one for which I am seekine. I am very desirous of obtaining a photograph of this gun of sufficient size and clearness to show the marks on it and, if possible, the inscription. If you will have this done and send the photograph to me at Fort Logan, Colorado, I will pay all the necessary expenses and will consider your interest in the matter a great favor to myself and the Twenty-first Infantry. Very respectfully, Celwyn E. Hampton, Captain &' Commissary, Twenty-first Infantry, Regimental Historian. 1st Endorsement. 23-24 B — p. Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., September 5, 1908. I. Respectfully returned to Captain C. E. Hampton, Twenty-first In- fantry, through Commanding Officer, Fort Logan, Colorado. The photo- graphs have been made and will be forwarded under separate cover. No expense involved. W. W. Gibson, Lt.-CoL, Ord. Dept., U. S. A., Commanding. 2 ends, separately. 2d Endorsement. Ft. Logan, Colo., 9-1 1-08. To Capt. C. E. Hampton, Twenty-first Infantry. THE TWENTY-FIRST'S TROPH\' OF NIAGARA The Origin of "Cadet Gray" The day before the Battle of Chippewa, July 4th, 1814, there was constant contact between the opposing armies. Ours had just begun the campaign, was acting with great aggressiveness, and steadily drove its opponents before it. The Marquis of Tweeddale observed that the American troops were uniformed in gray, instead of the customary blue, and supposed that they were militia. He was surprised, therefore, at their activity and steadiness under fire, as this was something entirely foreign to his experience with that branch of our armed forces. The following is quoted from Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812: "Believing Scott's troops to be only Buffalo Militia, the Marquis could account for their bravery by the fact of its being the anniversary of American Independence, which gave them patriotic inspiration and courage. He was un- deceived on the following day. "General Scott explained to the writer the cause of the marquis' mistake. While at Buffalo Scott wrote to the quartermaster for a supply of new clothing for his regulars. Word soon came back that blue cloth, such as was used in the army, could not be obtained, owing to the stringency of the blockade and the embargo, and the lack of manufacturers in the country, but that there was a sufficient quantity of gray cloth (now known as 'Cadet's Gray') in Philadelphia. Scott ordered it to be made up for his soldiers, and in these new gray suits they marched down the Niagara on Canada soil. Believing them to be only militia, Riall regarded them with contempt when preparing for battle on the 5th. Because of the victory, won chiefly by them, at Chippewa on the 5th, and in honor of Scott and his troops, that style of cloth was adopted at the Military Academy at West Point, as the uniform of the cadets." The cadet full dress uniform is still nearly the same as that worn in 1814. OBVERSE OF GOLD MEDAL PRESENTED HY CONGRESS TO GENERAL MILLER Biography of General Miller James Miller was born at Peterborough, New Hampshire, on the 25th of April, 1776, He was educated for the bar but entered the United States Army in 1808, being commissioned Major of the Fourth Infantry on July 8th of that year. On November 30th, 18 10, he was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifth Infantry, but remained on duty with the Fourth, with which he performed gallant services under General Harrison in the campaign against the Indians that ended with the Battle of Tippecanoe. In the spring of 1812 he led the Fourth to Dayton, Ohio, where he joined about 1,200 militia, and the whole force, under Brigadier General William Hull, started for Detroit. Upon their arrival there, early in July, they crossed into Canada where they were successful in some small actions, Lieut.-Colonel Miller being breveted Colonel for distinguished service at Brownstown on August 9th. However, General Hull withdrew to Detroit upon the approach of a British force under General Brock, and surrendered the place and his army on August l6th, 1812. The prisoners were removed to Montreal, but Lieut-.Colonel Miller was exchanged in time to join in the second invasion of Canada, in the spring of 1813. He had been transferred, on September 14th, 1812, to the Sixth In- fantry, and led that regiment at the capture of York (now Toronto) on April 27th, 1813, and at the capture of Fort George on May 27th, of the same year. In the fall he accompanied General Wilkinson in his fruitless campaign on the St. Lawrence River. On March 9th, 1814, he was promoted to be Colonel of the Twenty-first Infantry and led his new regiment, which was a part of Ripley's brigade of Brown's army, in the third invasion of Canada, which took its departure from Buffalo on July 2d. He rendered valuable service at the Battle of Chippewa, on July 5th, and, with his regiment, fought most gallantly at the Battle of Nia- gara, on the 25th, and during the siege of Fort Erie by the British, in August and September. He was breveted Brigadier General for distinguished service at the Battle of Niagara, July 25th, 1814, and received, by resolution of Congress passed November 3d, 1814, a gold medal "in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chip- pewa, Niagara, and Fort Erie, Upper Canada." In consequence of the reorganization and reduction of the army at the close of the War of 1812, General Miller was transferred to the Fifth Infantry, as its Colonel, on May 17th, 1815. He resigned his commission on June 1st, 1819, and was appointed by the President to be Governor of the territory of Arkansas. This office was held by him until March, 1825, when he was ap- pointed Collector of the Port of Salem, Massachusetts. In the latter position he served continuously and faithfully for twenty-four years, until stricken by paralysis in 1849. He then removed to Temple, New Hampshire, where, on July 4th, 1 85 1, he was visited by a second stroke, from which death ensued on the 7th of that month. The obverse of the gold medal presented by Congress is shown on the fore- going page. On the reverse (not shown) is a battle scene upon a slope and eminence similar in appearance to that at Lundy's Lane. Over the scene are the words "Resolution of Congress, Nov. 3, 1814." Below are the words "Battle of Chippewa, July 5, 1814; Niagara, July 25, 1814; Erie, Sept. 17, 1814." I VV tl Scoti as we may at tradition, it produces effects that are attainable in no other V. It IS right for us to know and take a pride in the accomplishments of those that have gone before us. The hardships endured, the battles fought and the victories won by our regiments and companies in the past, have been ."ndured and fought and won by our forefathers in arms. Let us make them ou'- ^^ic fathers in sentiment as well as in fact. We will rapidly do so if the opportunity be given us. (Silver Medal Essay, "Experiences of Our Army," Journal of the Military Service Institution, May-June, 1905.) In this belated, and therefore hast)^ action, the creation of the resulting regiments, of which the Twenty-first was one, may be likened to the birth of the mythical Pallas Athene. Beset by the difficulties of being compelled, without a military arm, to cope with a powerful enemy. Congress smote its forehead and there sprang forth these regiments of regular troops, by whose exertions, combined with those of our navy, the war was brought to a successful conclu- sion, although waged under most disheartening conditions, with the result often in grave doubt. Also, it may be truthfully said of the Twenty-first that it sprang forth mature and fully armed, for its first years form its golden age. May our posterity be enabled to recall our memories and our deeds with the pride with which we recall those of the men who fought at Chrystler's Field, at Erie and at Lundy's Lane. (History of the Twenty-first Infantry.) W4S iP-r^ .r°^ tt'XT^ .. V*'^^'*y' '^^^^■^^•'■^o'' '^^^':„Tro\^v' ^^^ ^oV" ^Ao^ ^Nl^fV' ^-..^^' \ %/ •' •i-^ .!J^d8v.% -> >^ ^^' -^^ r . • • • • " » ' <3>