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 The Society of the War of 1 8 1 2, 
 
 Instituted January 3, 1826, 
 
 by 
 
 Officers of the Armies and Navies of tiie United States 
 
 in the War of I8J2, 
 
 and 
 
 Consolidated January 8, 1848, 
 
 ■with 
 
 The Veteran Corps of Artillery^ 
 
 In the State of New York, 
 
 Instituted November 25, 1790, 
 
 by 
 
 Officers and Soldiers of the War of the Revolution, 
 
 And called into the Military Service of the 
 
 United States in 1 8 12 and 1 8 14. 
 
 Incorporated January 8, 1892, as a Military Institution, under the Laws 
 of the State of New York, by the surviving Veteran Original Members. 
 Incorporation amended by Act of Legislature, March 9, 1895. 
 

 £X 
 
 MAR 1 1 1916 
 
VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY, 
 MILITARY SOCIETY OF THE WAR OF 18:2. 
 
 New York, April uS\ /S(j6. 
 
 Col. Hknry Chauncev, Jr., 
 
 Adjutant and ^(^i^'t^)'V. 
 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The Committee on Publication, designated at the annual 
 meeting held in the Governor's Room of the City Hall, in the 
 city of New York, on January 8, 1896, having duly examined 
 the valuable records, rolls and other documents of this organi- 
 zation in your official custody, is satisfied that the Veteran 
 Corps of Artillery has been in continuous existence since its 
 formation in 1790, and was duly incorporated in 1848 with 
 the Military Society of the War of 1812 ; and desire that the 
 accompanying reports and communications be published for 
 the information of the members, in addition to the Annual 
 Roster for 1896. 
 
 Very respectfully. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 MORGAN DIX, Chainuan, 
 
 JOHN VAN RENSSELAER HOFF, 
 
 JAINIES BLISS TOWNSEND, 
 
 WILLIAM D. HARDEN, 
 
 GEORGE W. OLNEY, 
 
 LOUIS J. ALLEN, 
 
 Conuiiittcc, 
 
Report No. 1. 
 
 It being deemed desirable, for the information more partic- 
 ularly of military and naval officers of the United States, that 
 the status of the Military Society of the War of 1812, constitu- 
 ting the *' Veteran Corps of Artillery," under Section 1041 
 Revised Statutes of the United States, and the joint resolu- 
 tion of Congress, approved September 25, 1890, should be 
 officially reported, the Navy Department duly detailed Cap- 
 tain Theodore Frederick Kane, U. S. Navy, to investigate 
 and report. 
 
 The following is the communication of the Secretary of 
 the Navy and accompanying report : 
 
 Navy Department, 
 Washington, December 30, 1895. 
 
 Sir : Replying to your letter of the 24th instant, I have to transmit 
 herewith, in compliance with your request, a copy of the report made by 
 Captain T. F. Kane, U. S. Navy, upon the Military Society of the War of 
 1S13. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 H. A. HERBERT, Secretary. 
 
 Navy Yard, 
 New York, August 1, 1895. 
 
 Sir : In compliance with your instructions of June 5, 1894, I have the 
 honor to report that I have inspected and exaniined the records of the 
 MiUtary Society of the War of 1812, commonly known by the title of 
 "Veteran Corps of Artillery," and find as follows : 
 
 This corps constitutes an independent military organization under 
 Section 1641 Revised Statutes of the United States and the Laws of New 
 York. 
 
 It was originally organized in the City of New York in 1790, by ex- 
 officers and soldiers of the War of the Revolution ; and in 1812, and again 
 in 1814, volunteered and was mustered inio the military service of the 
 United States, a detachment having been continued on duty until the 
 peace of 1815. 
 
 After the close of the War of 1812, the corps was recruited and gradu- 
 ally increased from among those who had served honorably in that war. 
 
It frequently paraded and fired salutes on suitable occasions until its 
 veneral)le members became too feeble for tliat duty. 
 
 It has, liowever, continuously since 1815, raised tlie National fla,t;- on the 
 Battery, foot of Whitehall Street, and on the Block House in Central I\uk, 
 in this City, on July 4th, and on Evacuation Day, November SSth, in every 
 year. 
 
 On January 3d, 1826, certain officers and ex-officers of the regular 
 and volunteer forces and militia of the United States, who had served 
 honorably in the War of 1812, met in the City of New York and 
 organized a Military Society by the name of ' ' The Society of the War of 
 1812." 
 
 This organization continued to meet at stated times until January 8th, 
 1848, when it was consolidated with " The Veteran Corps of Artillery." 
 
 On April 30th, 1889, on the occasion of the Centennial celebration in 
 the City of New York, of the inauguration of the (Tovernment of the 
 United States under the Constitution, but five venerable members, in uni- 
 form, were able to meet the President of the United States at the review- 
 ing stand in Madison Square. 
 
 They then decided that, in order to perpetuate the Corps as a Military 
 Society, it was necessary to amend their regulations and admit descend- 
 ants. 
 
 Twenty-two veteran members still survived, of whom fifteen were a 
 quorum. 
 
 These all consented and designated five of their number as Trustees. 
 
 Before all the arrangements were completed, three of the members 
 died. Tlie remainder, however, ratified in due legal form the acts of tlieir 
 Trustees, and the enclosed exhibit is a certified copy of part of such rati- 
 fication. 
 
 On January 8th, 1892, the five veteran Trustees duly incorporated their 
 organization as a Military Society under the laws of New York, by the 
 name of the "Society of the War of 1812." 
 
 Since then, lest there might be any question that by such incorporation 
 the Veteran Corps had waived any of its former rights and privileges as 
 an independent military organization, the Legislature of the State of New 
 York on March 9tli, 189."), by an Act amending the incorporation, has con- 
 firmed the Corps in all its original privileges as a military society and or- 
 ganization under Section 1041 U. S. Revised Statutes. 
 
 Its officers take the constitutional oath of office, which is filed in the 
 Adjutant General's Office, at Albany, and the Adjutant-General of the 
 State of New York is, by law, designated as the Inspector of the Corps. 
 
 Four veteran members of the War of 1812 still are borne on its rolls, 
 two of them, including Lieutenant Michael Moore, U. S. A., retired, being 
 members of its Council of Administration. 
 
 I have the honor, therefore, to report that " The Society of the War of 
 1812" in the State of New York, known also legally by the title of the 
 "Veteran Corps of Artillery," is a Military Society within the meaning 
 and intent of the joint resolution of Congress, approved September 25th, 
 1890, said organization having beeri actually formed by men who them- 
 
 
 
selves served in a National War declared by Congress, namely the War 
 
 of 1812. 
 
 Very respectfulh^, your obedient servant, 
 
 THEO. F. KANE, 
 
 Captain U. S. Navy. 
 The Secretary of the Navy, 
 
 Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Report No. 2. 
 
 Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 91, Laws of New- 
 York, approved March 9, 1895, under which this organiza- 
 tion is subject to the visitation and inspection of the Adju- 
 tant General of the State, or officer deputed by him, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen H. Olin, Assistant Adjutant 
 General 1st Brigade, National Guard, was detailed by the 
 Adjutant General, in communication dated General Head- 
 quarters, State of New York, Adjutant General's Office, 
 Albany, January 3, 1896, to inspect the records of the organ- 
 ization, and inquire into its status, and report the result of 
 such inspection, accompanied by such transcripts from the 
 records and rolls as he might deem desirable. 
 
 The following is the report : 
 
 Headquarters First Brigade, N. G. N. Y., 
 Park Avenue and Thirty-fourth St., 
 
 New York, January 28, 189G. 
 The Adjutant General, Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Sir : In obedience to your communication of January 8, instant, I 
 have the honor to report that I have inspected the records of the Militaiy 
 Society of the War of 1812, and inquired into its status. 
 
 On January 3, 1826, a number of officers who had served during the 
 War of 1812, met at the City of New York and organized with the purpose 
 of petitioning Congress to reward with a donation of land their past 
 services. 
 
 On September 25, 1826, they resolved that their organization should be 
 perpetuated and should be a Military Society. 
 
 On January 8, 1848, the Society consolidated with "The Veteran Corps 
 of Artillery," and was afterwards generally known by the latter title. 
 
 This Corps was an independent military organization, formed Novem- 
 ber 25, 1790, by a number of men who had served in the Revolutionary 
 War as officers or soldiers. 
 
 On September 2, 1814, it was mustered into tlie military service of the 
 United States, and attached to the 3d Regiment, N. Y., State Artillery, 
 find was on December 3, 1814, honorably discharged, 
 
The Corps kept up its organization, from time to time enx-olling vet- 
 erans of the War of 1812. In 1S52 it assumed an Artillery Brigade organ- 
 ization. It took part in patriotic demonstrations, in reviews and parades, 
 and received honorable recognition from military and civic authorities, 
 including the commander of the First Division of the State Troops and 
 the Mayor of New York. 
 
 On September 10, 1890, new Regulations were unanimously adopted by 
 the nineteen surviving veteran members, providing for the admission of 
 hereditary members and the appointment of officers and council of 
 administration. 
 
 On January 8, 1892, the Corps was incorporated under the laws of 
 the State of New York, and on March 9, 1895, the Legislature amended the 
 incorporation of " The Society of the War of Eighteen Hundred and 
 Twelve," extending its powers, confirming its privileges and making it 
 subject to tlie visitation and inspection of the Adjutant General. 
 
 There are upon the roster the names of four original and eighty -seven 
 hereditary members. The records are duly kept. 
 
 I have the honor to subscribe myself. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 STEPHEN H. OLIN. 
 
 Assistant Adjutant Ceneral. 
 
 Report No. 3. 
 
 On May 14, 1895, the Board of Aldermen of the City of 
 New York unanimously adopted the following resolution, 
 which was duly approved by the Mayor, Honorable William 
 L. Strong, viz. : 
 
 (^General Order 2'9.) 
 
 Whereas, The Veteran Corps of Artillery, incorporated as the Military 
 "Society of the War of 1812," has since the close of the second war witli 
 (jreat Britain, in 1815, annually on Independence Day (July 4), and Evacu- 
 ation Day (November 25), caused the flag of the United States to be raised 
 on the flagstaff at the Battery and at the Stone Block House in Central 
 Park; and 
 
 Whereas, It is reported that said flagstaffs require to be painted and 
 repaired and receive new hempen halyards in order to put them in safe 
 condition, and that the flags heretofore used by said Corps for the above 
 mentioned patriotic duty are worn out and no longer serviceable; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the Commissioners of Public Parks be and hereby are 
 re.spectfully requested to have said flagstaffs painted and put in good con- 
 dition, and to procure two regailation United States flags (twenty by thirty- 
 six and ten by twenty), best standard bunting with Italian hempen hal- 
 yards, at a total cost not to exceed one hundred and fifteen dollars, and 
 that said flags be intrusted to said Veteran Corps on suitable occasions to 
 
enable tliem to perform tlie before mentioned patriotic duty, and that said 
 Corps continue to perform said duty until further order. 
 
 On June 19, 1895, at a regular meeting of the Department 
 of Public Parks of the City of New York, the following reso- 
 lution was adopted, viz. : 
 
 Resolved, That in compliance witli the request of the Board of Alder- 
 men (G. O. 259), the Veteran Corps of Artillery, incorporated as the Mili- 
 tary Society of the War of 1812, whereof the Revd. Morgan Dix, S. T. D., 
 D. C. L., is President and Commandant, continue to have charge of rais- 
 ing the National flag at the Battery and at the Block House in Central 
 Park on July 4, the anniversary of American Independence, and on 
 November 25, Evacuation Day, in every year, and that the Superintendent 
 of Parks place in charge of said Corpe for said occasions two regulation 
 United States flags of the prescribed dimensions. 
 
 In November, 1895, certain descendants of John Van Ars- 
 dale, who had been a member of the Veteran Corps until his 
 decease in 1 836, appeared before the Board of Aldermen and 
 asked for a special investigation and rescission of the above 
 mentioned resolution of May 14, 1895, claiming that John Van 
 Arsdale had raised the United States flag at the Battery on 
 November 25, 1783, and had personally continued to do so in 
 every year thereafter until his decease, and that thereafter his 
 son, David Van Arsdale (who had also been a meml^er of the 
 Veteran Corps), continued annually to do so until his decease 
 in November, 1883, and that this had been a personal privi- 
 lege in this family for one hundred and twelve years. 
 
 Thereupon, on November 12, 1895, the Board of Aldermen 
 adopted the following resolution, viz. : 
 
 Whereas, This Board did, on May 14 last, adopt a resolution requesting 
 the Commissioners of Public Parks to procure new flags to be raised at the 
 Battery and at the Stone Block Ho vise in Central Park, on Independence 
 Day and Evacuation Day ; and 
 
 Whereas, There appears to be some misunderstanding as to whom 
 should be intrusted the flags in question, for such purpose on those par- 
 ticular days; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee on Lands, Places and Park Department 
 be and they are hereby instructed to investigate and report thereon at the 
 next meeting, vrith such recommendations as may seem desirable. 
 
 Upon due published notice, this Committee of the Board 
 of Aldermen had a public hearing and investigation in the 
 City Hall on November 21st, 1895, at which the descendants 
 of John Van Arsdale were represented by counsel, and all 
 desired evidence submitted. 
 
The attorney for the principal petitioner and claimant 
 among- the descendants of John Van Arsdale, presumably 
 with the view of making the investigation thorough and 
 conclusive, served the Military Society of the War of 1812, 
 constituting the " Veteran Corps of Artillery," with the fol- 
 lowing notice to produce all its books and records. 
 
 This notice, although not properly directed nor subscribed 
 by the attorney's full name, was nevertheless duly acknowl- 
 edged and complied with, and afforded a suitable opportunity 
 to demonstrate, by such production on the aforesaid public 
 hearing, as may be seen by the unanimous report of the 
 Committee on Lands, Places and Park Department, the 
 falsity of statements made in the daily and periodic press 
 and before the Committee concerning this Organization. 
 
 The notice to produce was as follows, viz. : 
 
 You are hereby notified to produce the following, viz. : All papei's, 
 documents, letters, letter-heads, books, records, minutes of meetings, 
 whether of the society called "The Military Society of the War of 1812 
 Veteran Corps of Artillery," or of its Executive Board or Committee. 
 Also its Year Book for 1895, called "Annals, Regulations and Roster." 
 Also a document alleged to be in existence which is said to have been 
 signed by certain veterans of the War of 1812 on the 10th day of Septem- 
 ber, 1890. Also certain letters relating to the society aforesaid, alleged to 
 have been written by veterans of the War of 1812 to each other or to the 
 officers of the said society. Also all correspondence between Asa Bird 
 Gardiner and Appleton Morgan between the 13th day of November, 1891. 
 and this date. Also copies of all the evidence, testimony, affidavits or 
 minutes of conversation made before the Committee on Military Affairs of 
 the Assembly of the State of New York, upon the occasion of its report of 
 an act known as "Assembly No. 200, third reading. No. 602,782 of the 
 State of New York," before the Committee on Lands, Places and Park 
 Department of the Board of Aldermen of the City of New York, at Room 
 13, at the City Hall of the said city, on Thursday, the 21st day of Novem- 
 ber, 1895, at 12 o'clock noon, or at any adjournment of such meeting. 
 
 And you are hereby notified that if you fail to produce the above 
 named, or any of them, secondary evidence will be given of their contents. 
 
 Dated New York, November 18, 1895. 
 
 The report of the Committee on Lands, Places and Park 
 
 Department to the Board of Aldermen on November 36, 1895, 
 
 was as follows: 
 
 New York, November 22, 1895. 
 
 To the Honorable the Board of Aldermen : 
 
 The Committee on Lands, Places and Park Department, to whom was 
 
 referred the annexed resolution relative to the resolution of this Board 
 
dated May 14, 1805, requesting the Park Commissioners to procure new 
 flags to be raised at the Battery and at the Block-house in Central Park on 
 Independence Day and on Evacuation day, respectfully 
 
 REPORT: 
 
 That the same has been carefully and duly considered, and that a pub- 
 lic hearing was held on due notice on November 21, 1895, to which all in- 
 terested parties were invited, and a full and free discussion had thereon. 
 
 Under the before mentioned resolution of May 14, 1895, and resolve 
 thereon of the Department of Public Parks, of June 19, 1895, the duty of 
 seeing that the National Standard is duly displayed on the Battery and at 
 the Block- house in Central Park is intrusted to the Veteran Corps of Artil- 
 lery, which was duly incorporated as the Military Society of the War of 
 1812 by veterans of that war, two of them still being members of its 
 Council of Administration. 
 
 This military organization, under chapter 91 of the Laws of 1895, con- 
 tinues to be recognized by the State as a corps for certain highly patriotic 
 purposes, and among these may be included the proper military celebra- 
 tion of Independence Day and Evacuation Day by raising the flag, and 
 otherwise. 
 
 It was urged before the Committee that the before mentioned resolu- 
 tion of this Board of May 14, 1895, and of the Department of Public 
 Parks, should be rescinded, and the duty of seeing that the National flag 
 is properly displayed on the flagstaff at the Battery on Independence Day 
 and Evacuation Day in every year vested in a descendant of John 
 Van Arsdale, of whom Christopher R. Forbes, a great grandson, was to be 
 considered the present representative for such purpose. 
 
 This application was based on the claim that John Van Arsdale, who 
 had been a soldier during part of the War of the Revolution, afterwards 
 by occupation a boatman and a member of the Veteran Corps of Artillery, 
 raised the American flag at the Battery on November 25, 1783, while the 
 British Army were evacuating this city, and that he continued to raise 
 the flag in every year thereafter until his decease in 1836, and that he was 
 then succeeded by his son, David Van Arsdale, also a member of the Vet- 
 eran Corps of Artillery, who continued to raise the flag until his decease 
 in November, 1883, and that since -then Christopher R. Forbes, a great- 
 grandson of John Van Arsdale, has annually on that day and on Inde- 
 pendence Day raised the flag at the Battery 
 
 In support of this claim Christopher R. Forbes appeared and was rep- 
 resented by James Appleton Morgan and other counsel. 
 
 Chai'les B. Riker, a grandson of John Van Arsdale, and several others, 
 also appeared before tlie Committee and made arguments in support of the 
 claim, and several affidavits were submitted, including two from James 
 Appleton Morgan and references to historical volumes. 
 
 Under a formal notice to produce, the before mentioned Veteran Corps 
 produced before the Committee its original veteran rosters of members, 
 muster roll of the corps in United States service in 1814, and subsequent 
 proceedings to date of members who had served in the War of 1812, together 
 
 10 
 
with its orderly and minute books of proceedings and other documentary 
 records and annals. 
 
 Historical volumes were also submitted, together with an allidavit of 
 John G. Norman, nephew and representative of John Norman, an original 
 member. 
 
 After due deliberation, your Committee has unanimously arrived at 
 the following conclusions : 
 
 There seems to 1)6 considerable doubt as to the claim that John Van Ars- 
 dale raised the American flag at Fort George, the site of the present 
 Bowling Green Row, in this city, on November 35, 1783, and much valua- 
 ble evidence was submitted, showing that it was raised by the regulars of 
 the American service, which is corroborated by documents published by 
 this Board in the Manual of the Common Council for 1870. 
 
 We are led to believe, however, that John Van Arsdale or some other 
 person nailed on the cleats to the flagstaff and rove the halyards to enable 
 the flag to be hoisted on that occasion. 
 
 The statement that he was the "sailor boy" or mariner who had any- 
 hing to do with raising the flag on Evacuation Day, 1783, first appears to 
 have been publicly made in the announcement of the order of procession 
 for Evacuation Day parade, November 25, 1830, forty- seven years after the 
 event. It was coupled with the statement tliat he had torn down a Brit- 
 ish flag, which was, it was alleged, nailed to the flagstafl". The honor of 
 raising the American flag was, however, then given to the venerable 
 Anthony Glean, of Saratoga, N. Y., formerly Lieutenant in the Conti- 
 nental Navy, who had come to this city to attend the ceremonies and was 
 in the procession with John Van Arsdale. 
 
 On the following day, November 36, 1830, the ' ' New York Gazette " 
 had a long account of liow Lieutenant Glean, having found the cleats to 
 the flagstaff knocked off , and halyards missing, and staff slushed, "pro- 
 cured a ready and willing sailor, who by the aid of a ladder ascended the 
 pole and reeved the halyards, when, by the hands of Lieutenant Anthony 
 Glean, the American Standard was first raised while the British were still 
 getting into the boats and evacuating the city. 
 
 " The standard waving in the air, the artillery again fired a .salute of 
 13 guns." 
 
 Lieutenant Glean's statement does not appear to have been disputed 
 by John Van Arsdale. The latter's own claim that he was the sailor boy 
 or mariner who rove the lialyards, appears to rest on his own uncorrobor- 
 ated statement, made after that great lapse of time from the occurrence. 
 
 The flagstaff then stood, not on the present Battery, which was then 
 under water, but in old Fort (xeorge, on the site of the present Bowling 
 Green Row. 
 
 The evacuation of this city by the British army took place by precon- 
 certed arrangement between General Washington and the British Com- 
 mander in-Chief, Sir Guy Carleton. 
 
 As the British withdrew from different positions the American forces 
 under General Washington followed in plain view and occupied them. 
 
 Governor's Island and other necessary stations were held by the British 
 
 11 
 
for a few days later. Tlie Rritisli transports were anchored between 
 (Governor's Island and Whitehall, where the British troops leisurely 
 embarked. 
 
 It is not necessary to discuss whether the British left their garrison 
 Hag nailed to tlie staff in Fort George, as stated by Lieutenant (llean, so 
 as to subject it inevitably to be toi'n down in their plain view by whoever 
 rove tlie lialyards. 
 
 Captain John Van Dyck. of the Second Regiment, Continental Corps 
 of Artillery, a former honored citizen of New York, having seen the news- 
 paper account above referred to, wrote to the "New York Commercial 
 Advertiser," June 80, ISiJt, and said lie was in Fort (leorge, within two 
 feet of the flagstaff, when the flag was raised. 
 
 (Jeneral Washington had sent a regiment of regular infantry and com- 
 pany of regular artiilexy to take possession of Fort George, raise the 
 American flag and salute it with thirt<'en cannon. 
 
 Captain \'au Dyke, in his letter, insisted that it was a sailor boy (not a 
 man) who rove the halyards, and that there was no British flag on the 
 staff to be i)ulled down. In addition to his positive personal recollection, 
 lie stated the military reasons why the British would not have loft their 
 Hag flying, when they were withdrawing under a concerted arrangement 
 with Genei'al Washington, and appealed to the officers of the American 
 army for the correctness of his opinion. 
 
 All these facts will be found collated in the Manual of the Corporation 
 of the City of New York, i)ublished by order of this Board in 1870, pp. 
 840-844. 
 
 It is proper to add that the late Benson J. Lossing, LL. D., in his 
 " Field Book of tlie Revolution" (Vol. II. p. 839), says that it was a sailor 
 l)oy who ascended the flagstaff. If it was a boy, it could not have been 
 Van Arsdale, who was then a man and master of a sloop. 
 
 It ai)pears from the records of this Board that Old Fort George soon 
 fell into a "state of dilapidation and decaj'." 
 
 The Common Council inspected it on July 30, 1789, and on August 12, 
 1789, provided for its demolition, and that the earth from the parapets 
 should be used to fill in the land under water, in front of the fort. Thus 
 was commenced the present Battery, which was not completed until 179'), 
 and was but a narrow strip of crescent-shaped greensward less than 300 
 feet wide between the buildings on State Street and the water's edge. 
 
 (See Neir Voi-k Citij in 17S;>, by Thomas E. V. Smith, Secretary Sons of 
 the Revolution, Edition ISS'j, pp. 20, jl.) 
 
 In the spring of 1813. Major-General George Izard, U. S. A., requested 
 l)ormission of the Common Council to erect temporary breastworks around 
 this little greensward, wliich permission was grantcMl by this Board. 
 
 These works were commenced in April, 1813, and completed the follow- 
 ing month, and a tall flagstaff was placed at the south end opposite 
 (Governor's Island. 
 
 {See New York City during the War of IS/?, by R. S. Guernsey, Vol. I., 
 pp. JSl, 1S2.) 
 
 The Battery was thereupon g.arrisoned as a militaiy post by United 
 
States troops during the remainder of the War of 1812, and was not turned 
 over to the City until the Peace of 1815. 
 
 The raising of the flag at sunrise and National salute on July 4 and 
 November 25, in 1813 and 1814, were therefore performed by the United 
 States garrison at the Battery. 
 
 On October 6, 1813, John Van Arsdale became a private in the Veteran 
 Corps of Artillery, then composed of ex-officers and soldiers of the War 
 of the Revolution, and was mustered with it into the military service of 
 the United States on September 2, 1814, and continued in United States 
 service until honorably discliarged December 3, 1814, as appears by the 
 muster rolls on file in the War Department at Washington. 
 
 He continued a member of this Veteran Corps in New York City until 
 his decease, and was buried by it with appropriate military ceremonies. 
 His son, David Van Arsdale, also became a member and continued a 
 member until his decease in 1.S83. Officers and soldiers who had served 
 lionorably in tlie War of 1812 were also admitted, and, after a time, the 
 patriotic work of the Corps devolved on them by the decease of the last 
 of the -vieteran members who had served in the first War of Independence. 
 
 From this historic statement, verified from the records, it appears: 
 
 1st. That John Van Arsdale did not originally raise the American flag 
 on November 25, 1783. 
 
 2d. That he could not, even if he had so desired, raise the flag on Old 
 Fort George or the Battery continuously thereafter. 
 
 3d. That there is no proof that he ever did raise the flag on any occas- 
 ion except as gathered from family tradition, which is a kind of testimony 
 wholly unreliable. 
 
 It has been stated to your Committee by his decendants that he was 
 given the freedom of the city at a Common Council held April 1, 1789, be- 
 cause of his alleged services on November 25, 1783. 
 
 This is disproved by the records of this Board. 
 
 He was, by occupation, a North River boatman, and brought supplies 
 to this city on consignment or for sale. 
 
 Under the Montgonierie charter, an ordinance of the Common Council, 
 dated March 9, 1784. required every merchant, trader or shopkeeper to paj'- 
 five pounds, and every handicraft tradesman to pay twenty shillings, for 
 the privilege of engagement in their several pursuits or buying and sell- 
 ing within this city. 
 
 John Van Arsdale, "boatman," upon taking the oath and paying the 
 prescribed fee, was, according to the records of this Board, admitted a 
 Freeman of the city on April 1, 1789, with seven others, viz. : One shop- 
 keeper, one heelmaker, one laborer, one innholder and three blacksmiths. 
 
 After the War of 1812, which was called the second War of Independ- 
 ence, Evacuation Day and Independence Day began to be celebrated on 
 the Battery by a flag-raising at sunrise and national salute to the flag. 
 
 The Veteran Corps of Artillery, as an independent military organiza- 
 tion of the State, was frequently detailed to perform this duty, as can be 
 seen by reference to the newspapers of the day. Its guns, two brass 
 twelve-pounders, were furnished by the State and kept in the old State 
 
 13 
 
Arsenal in White Street, and the ammunition for the salutes was fur- 
 nished by the State 
 
 John Van Ai-sdale and liis son David, without doubt, often paraded 
 with this old organization on those occasions, and assisted in raising the 
 national standard. 
 
 David Van Arsdale, in the closing years of his life, had some little 
 government employment at the Barge Office, Battery, and appears to have 
 been for about twenty years on the detail to raise the flag there. 
 
 {See report of the Joint Committee of Comvion Council and Citizens on 
 Centennial Celebration Evacuation of Neiv York hi/ the British, iSSfj, 
 page lf>2.) 
 
 As the venerable veterans became feeble, they often attended, accom- 
 panied by relatives, sons or grandsons, who did wnatever was necessary 
 in the way of getting permits or even hoisting the large garrison flag at 
 the Battery and at the Block House. 
 
 Tbe Veteran Corps, however, supervised the performance of this patri- 
 otic duty. 
 
 In aid of this investigation, their valuable rolls, records and proceed- 
 ings have all been freely placed at the service of this Committee, includ- 
 ing the Muster Roll of service in the War of 1812. 
 
 In conclusion it will be perceived that if any sentimental claim rela- 
 tive to raising the flag is deemed deserving consideration, the proper de- 
 scendants of Lieutenant Anthony Glean, who raised the flag in November, 
 1783, would be entitled to preference. 
 
 Your Committee, however, see no occasion to enter into such questions. 
 
 Already the responsible duty of paying proper respect to the flag on 
 Independence Day and Evacuation Day has been devolved by the Board 
 upon the Veteran Corps of Artillery, duly incorporated as a military 
 society, and recognized officially by the State of New York as an inde- 
 pendent military organization. 
 
 The records of this Board show that Fort George was removed about 
 the year 1789 in order to erect a Government House, and that there was 
 no new flagstaff erected on any part of the present Battery until several 
 years later, and that during the War of 1812 tlie Battery was, with the 
 consent of this Board, fortified by the United States and made a gar- 
 risoned military post. 
 
 In consideration, therefore, of uncontradicted statements that there 
 was a period of time, after the War of the Revolution, when the flag was 
 never raised or only raised by the United States military authorities, and 
 no evidence produced to show that it was raised with the aid of any of 
 the family of claimants, except for a small number of years, and that 
 the flagstaff is now at a very different place on the present Battery from 
 where it formerly stood ; and in further consideration that the above- 
 mentioned Military Society of the War of 1812 is a patriotic corps to 
 wliich all worthy male descendants of original veteran members or offi- 
 cers in the War of 1813 are eligible to become members and enjoy its 
 privileges, your Committee believe that the duty of seeing that the Na- 
 tional flag is properly displayed on the Battery and at the Block House 
 
 14 
 
on Independence Day and Evacuation Day ought not to be left to indi- 
 vidual caprice, but continue to be entrusted, under existing resolutions, 
 to an Organization which, in its objects and membership, is a guarantee 
 of proper performance. 
 
 In this view your Committee cannot recommend any change in exist- 
 ing resolutions, and respectfully ask that it may be discharged from fur- 
 ther consideration of the annexed resolution. 
 
 THOMAS DAVYER, Chairman; 
 CHARLES A. PARKER, Secretary; 
 ANDREW ROBINSON, 
 JEREMIAH KENNEFICK, 
 WILLIAM E. BURKE. 
 
 The report having been laid over and duly printed in the 
 official City Record for November 29, 18:t5, was, at the next 
 stated meeting of the Board of Alderman, held in the City 
 Hall of the city of j^ew York, on December 3, 1895, adopted 
 by a large majority. 
 
 Communications. 
 
 The following communications were received from three 
 of the four surviving veteran original members of this 
 Organization who were unable to attend the annual meeting, 
 held pursuant to law in the Governor's Room in the City 
 Hall of the City of New York, on January 8, 189G : 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 From Lieutenant Michael Moore, U. S. Army, retired. Member of the 
 
 Council of Administration. 
 Born in the City of Neio York, July 4, ISOO. 
 
 No. 20 Seventh Avenue, 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., January 6, 18!)6. 
 
 Reverend Morgan Dix, S. T. D., D. C. L., Commandant and President 
 Veteran Corps : 
 
 Reverend and Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the re- 
 ceipt of the notice for the annual meeting of the Veteran Corps, to be 
 held on January S, 1896, in the Governor's Room of the City Hall. 
 
 It will be impossible for me to be present, much as I would like to be, 
 but my advanced age makes it necessaxy for me to stay at home. I hope 
 the meeting will be a pleasant and profitable one. I was very glad to 
 learn that the Board of Aldermen of New York City refused by a large 
 majority to take away from our Old Corps the duty of seeing that the 
 United States flag is properly displayed at the Battery on November 25 
 and July 4, in every year. 
 
 I was born in New York City, and was stationed on Governor's Island 
 
 15 
 
for upwards of thirty yeai's. On and after the peace of 1815 our Old 
 Corps considered it their duty to attend to this patriotic matter. 
 I have the honor to be, Reverend and Dear Sir, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 M. MOORE, 
 2d Lieutenant, U. S. Army, retired. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 From Thu))ia.s Morgan Sturtevant, Member of the Council of Adminis- 
 tration. 
 Born in the City of Neiv York, March 30, ISOO, 
 
 Madison, N. J., January 6, 1896. 
 Reverend Dr. Morgan Dix, President and Commandant Veteran Corps 
 Artillery. 
 
 Dear Sir : The notice for the annual meeting of this Corps, on Jan- 
 uary 8th next, has been received, and it is with much regret I find myself 
 this time unable to be present. 
 
 The veterans of 1812, like our former revolutionary members, are fast 
 passing away, but I desire to urge upon the present active members of the 
 Corps to preserve unimpaired the national spirit which sustained our 
 fathers in the first War of Independence, and inspired us, veterans, mem- 
 bers in the second War of Independence. 
 
 In later years, when the veteran members were no longer able both to 
 raise and salute our national flag on July 4th and November 25th, they 
 still, with renewed devotion, attended to raising the flag on those mem- 
 orable days at the Battery and at the Block House erected by the soldiers 
 of 1812 in Central Park. 
 
 This duty now devolves on you, and should never be omitted. 
 
 That our old Veteran Corps, now in your charge, may continue to be as 
 patriotic as in the past, when we, veterans, were the active members, is 
 the fervent wish of. Dear Sir, 
 
 Very respectfully, and with affectionate regard, your obedient servant, 
 
 THOMAS M. STURTEVANT, 
 
 Member Council of Administration. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 From Henry Morris, formerly Secretary and Adjutant, and a member since 
 
 ISM. 
 Born in the City of Neiv York, March ,/9, 1801. 
 
 PORTCHESTER, N. Y., January 6, 1896. 
 Reverend Dr. Morgan Dix, President and Commandant Veteran Corps. 
 
 Reverend Sir : I have received notice of the annual meeting of our 
 old Veteran Corps, to be held next AVednesday in the Governor's Room of 
 the City Hall, on the anniversary of the glorious battle of New Orleans. 
 
 I am very sorry I cannot attend, but am kept at home by physical in- 
 firmities. I never failed for very many years, up to about five years ago, 
 
 16 
 
to attend tlie meetings on July 4tli and Evacuation Day, and assist in rais- 
 ing our country's flag, either at the Battery or at the 1813 Stone Block 
 House in Central Park, after we put up a flagstaff there. Whenever we 
 went to one of these places a detail was sent to the other, and afterward 
 we would dine together with songs and toasts. 
 
 I hope the Corps will continue to see that the flag is properly raised on 
 those days at the Battery and at the Block House, as we always consid- 
 ered this an important duty. 
 
 My recollections of our Corps go back to the War of 1813, when most of 
 its members were revolutionary veterans, and that is why we always had 
 '76 on our hats. 
 
 George Crygier, who died in 1888, served with them in the War of 1813 
 as a musician. 
 
 He never failed to parade with us until the year he died. 
 
 I joined a few years after that war. 
 
 Among those, who for many years, until their decease, turned out with 
 the Corps properly uniformed, I may mention General Abraham Dally, 
 whom you succeeded, Thos. Megson, Samuel Ryckman, David Van Ars- 
 dale, Thos. Bloomer and Elijah P. Jenks. 
 
 I could mention many others, including your honored father, General 
 John A. Dix, and Thurlow Weed, who were members of our Corps. 
 
 We ever felt we represented the principles for wliich our country went 
 to war with Great Britain, and I hope, now that the Corps has been reju- 
 venated by admitting descendants, that you will never lose sight of those 
 principles for which the Corps contended in the War of 1813. 
 
 I was much pleased to receive a copy of the Annals, Regulations and 
 Roster for 1895, with the portraits of veteran members. 
 
 AVishing you every success, I am, Reverend Sir, 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 HENRY MORRIS. 
 17 
 
An Act 
 
 TO AMEND THE INCORPORATION OF "THE SOCIETY OF THE 
 
 WAR OF EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND TWELVE." 
 
 [Laws of New York, Chapter 91, approved March 9, 1895.] 
 
 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, 
 do enact as follows : 
 
 Section 1. Michael Moore and Thomas Morgan Sturtevant, of the 
 War of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve, Morgan Dix, Asa Bird Gardiner, 
 Gouverneur Mather Smith, James Mortimer Montgomery, Henry Chauncey, 
 Jr., David Banks and Frederic Gallatin, and their successors, constituting 
 the Council of Administration, or Board of Directors, of "The Veteran 
 Corps of Artillery " of that war, incorporated by surviving veteran members 
 thereof on January eighth, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, as a Military 
 Society, under chapter two hundred and sixty seven of the laws of 
 eif'hteen hundred and seventy-five and amendatory acts, by the title of 
 " The Society of the War of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve," may, for 
 the purpose of effecting one of the expressed objects of the incorporation 
 of said Corps, appoint from time to time delegates therefrom to unite 
 with delegates from any military society or societies formed in other 
 states by men who served in the armies and navies of the United States in 
 that war, in instituting a National or General Society of the War of 
 Ei"-hteen Hundred and Twelve for patriotic and commemorative purposes, 
 not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States or 
 this state, and the said Veteran Corps shall, notwithstanding its incorpor- 
 ation as a body politic as aforesaid, be allowed to retain its accustomed 
 privileges, subject, nevertheless, to all other duties required by law. 
 
 Sec. 2. In addition to the burial lots dedicated to its use in eighteen 
 hundred and fifty- four for burial of deceased veteran members of the War 
 of Eight^^en Hundred and Twelve, the said Corps may procure and hold 
 such other real estate as may be required for interment of its deceased 
 members and erection of memorials thereon, and such property shall be 
 exempt from taxation and other liabilities in the same manner as other 
 cemetery lands while used for cemetery purposes and no longer. 
 
 Sec. 3. Membership in said Corps shall be restricted and limited to 
 those persons of full age, qualified by the regulations, in form of consti- 
 tution and by-laws, adopted therefor by its veteran members, of date Sep- 
 tember ten, eighteen hundred and ninety. The officers thereof as condu- 
 cive to the improvement of said organization shall be chosen or appointed 
 in the mode and at the times provided in said regulation, and the tenure 
 of office and removal therefrom shall be as therein prescribed, and every 
 
 18 
 
such officer shall, within fifteen days aftei* his election or appointment, 
 take and subscribe the constitutional oath of office, or all rights there- 
 under shall cease and determine, and a vacancy be tliereby created to be 
 filled by a new election or appointment. 
 
 Sec. 4. In lieu of the requirements of section nine of chapter two 
 hundred and sixty-seven of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy- 
 five, a report, verified by the affidavit of the President as Commandant, 
 and Secretary as Adjutant, or by any two officers of said Corps, shall 
 be made and filed in the office of the Adjutant- General of this state 
 within thirty days after the passage of this act. and in the month of 
 January in every succeeding year, containing the required inventory 
 as to its military and other property and effects, together with a roster 
 of the members and their respective residences, and certifying the 
 officers and Council of Administration chosen or appointed for the 
 same, and said Corps shall be subject to the visitation and inspection of 
 the Adjutant-General or officer deputed by him, and may, for the purposes 
 of its original formation, continue to be known by its said former title. 
 
 Sec. 5. The military fund of said Corps shall be under the control 
 and management of the Board of Officers, which shall consist of the 
 Commandant, Vice-President as Vice-Commandant, Adjutant, Treasurer 
 as Quartermaster, chosen by the Council of Administration from their 
 own number, together with the Chaplain, Assistant Secretary as Pay- 
 master, Registrar as Commissary and Surgeon, chosen by said Council 
 from among the members of the Corps, and the incorporation of said 
 independent organization as a body politic for certain expressed purposes 
 shall not abridge nor make void the privileges, inmiunities, exemptions or 
 liabilities previously conferred or imposed on the same, under section one 
 thousand six hundred and forty one, revised statutes of the United 
 States, and sections seventy-five, seventy-seven, one hundred and thirty- 
 three, one hundred and forty-three, and one hundred and forty-five of 
 chapter two hundred and ninety- nine of the laws of eighteen hundred and 
 eighty-three, and acts amendatory thereof. 
 
 Sec. 6. This act shall take effect immediately. 
 
 19 
 
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