Life of Charles Henry Davis, Rear Admiral.
Letters and statements from gentlemen named in the Preface.
The author, having sought his information from original sources as far as possible, deems it unnecessary to mention the great number of histories, regimental histories, and biographies that he has perused, as they throw little light on the subject, and much of that misleading.
CONTENTS
| CHAPTER I ANCESTRY.—BIRTHPLACE | |
| Isaac Ingalls Stevens, seventh in descent from John Stevens, 1, one of founders of Andover, Mass., 1640—Deacon Joseph, 2—Captain James, 3, captor of Louisburg; deputy to General Court—Lieutenant James, 4, raised company for French and Indian war; died in service—Jonathan, 5, Revolutionary soldier, Bunker Hill; other service; characteristics—His brother James’s diary of siege of Boston—Isaac, 6, crippled by falling tree; marries Hannah Cummings,—her ancestry; hires Bridges farm; untiring industry and thrift; death of wife; second marriage; characteristics; children | [1] |
| CHAPTER II BIRTH.—BOYHOOD | |
| Born, Marble Ridge farmhouse, North Andover, Mass., March 25, 1818—Delicate child—Heroic treatment—Incidents showing character—Devotion to mother—Her death irreparable loss—Early schooling—Over-study—Evil effects—Insists on leaving school—Works in factory a year—Strict treatment— No indulgence—Injudicious urging—Fever—Rupture from over-exertion—Seeks Dr. Warren—Old Put’s school, Franklin Academy—Rigorous daily life of farmer’s boy—Phillips Academy—Appearance on entering—Earns board and lodgings with Nathan W. Hazen, Esq.—Takes first rank in studies—Power of concentration—Habits of study—Proficiency in mathematics— Protests against bigotry—Overcomes extreme diffidence— Appointed to West Point | [13] |
| CHAPTER III WEST POINT | |
| Patriotic emotions on entering West Point—Determines to be head of his class—Better prepared rivals, Biddle, Halleck, and Butler—Distinguished classmates—Extra French lessons— Letters describe life and studies—Father and uncle William disappointed at standing at first examination—Abominates smoking and chewing—Early rising—Halleck and Biddle compare notes—“Little Stevens is driving ahead like the Devil”—Gains first place—Spends 4th of July in New York—Southern contempt for Yankee farmers—Determined to resent it—Dialectic Society—Second year encampment—Military ball—Contrasts his situation with that on entering—Characteristics drawn by Professors Bartlett and Church—Extra drawing lessons, great gains—Admires General Miller’s “I’ll try, sir”—Generous rivalry—Eleven good friends—Visit home | [24] |
| CHAPTER IV WEST POINT.—LAST TWO YEARS | |
| Appointed assistant professor of mathematics—Leading part in Dialectic Society—Efforts at speaking—Reflections on studies and authors—Long walks—Forbidden sweets— Horsemanship—Skating over thin ice—Saves companion from freezing—Letters to father and sisters—Susan goes to Missouri—Again head, third year—Patriotic indignation at British aggression—Advises sending Oliver to college—Letters to Hannah and Oliver—Avows abolition principles—Founds “Talisman”—His own anonymous critic—His intimate friends— Graduates first in every branch—Parents attend graduation exercises | [48] |
| CHAPTER V NEWPORT | |
| Ordered to Newport, R.I.—Phrenological chart—Lieutenants Mason, Beauregard, Hunt—Ascendency over employees—Newport society—Mr. Stevens welcomed—Personal appearance—Meets his future wife—Benjamin Hazard—Horseback rides—Family mansion—Charming Polly Wanton—Colonel Daniel Lyman—German class—Marriage of Susan to David H. Bishop—Death of grandmother—Urges additional fortifications—Proposes to study law—Friendly letter from Halleck—Takes part of Tilden; of H.L. Smith—Death of Hannah—Delivers address before Newport Lyceum—Lecture on Oliver Cromwell—Visits Washington—Fairhaven battery—Death of Susan—Death of Benjamin Hazard—Marriage, September 8, 1841 | [60] |
| CHAPTER VI CHARGE OF WORKS: NEW BEDFORD, PORTSMOUTH, PORTLAND, BUCKSPORT | |
| Wedding journey to West Point—Returns to Newport—Charge of works at New Bedford—Moves to Fairhaven—Halleck asks aid for engineer corps—Journal—Thanksgiving in Andover—Hazard born, June 9—Fugitive slave harbored in Andover—Elizabeth marries L.M. Campbell in Tennessee—Moves his family to Portsmouth, N.H.—Charge of works there and Portland, Me.—Pleasant society—Examines old forts at Castine—Fort Knox, on Penobscot, buys land for—Youthful appearance— Backwoods uncle, warm welcome—Overwork—Severe illness— Julia Virginia born, June 27, 1844—Visits Andover—Elizabeth and Mr. Campbell—Moves to Bucksport tavern—Goes to housekeeping—New friends—Assistants, Richard Kidder Randolph, Isaac Osgood, A.W. Tinkham—Penobscot River—Barge—Pushes on works—Fine ox-teams—Judge of men—Severe sickness in winter—Visits Washington—Obtains large appropriations— Confidential inquiry if he desires promotion—Characteristic reply—Delighted in dispensing hospitality—Daughter Julia Virginia died, December 7, 1845—Beautiful tribute by Mr. Brooks—Organizes course of lectures—Salmon weir—Advocates engineer company—Enlists first soldier—Views on raising standard of rank and file—Ordered to Mexican war—Speeds to Boston by sleigh | [78] |
| CHAPTER VII VOYAGE TO MEXICO | |
| Placed in charge of pontoon and engineer train—Delays in embarking—Visits from relatives—Death of Elizabeth—Letters to wife—Sails on barque Prompt, January 19, 1847—Diary of voyage—Seasickness—Warm weather—Passes Bahamas, Great Abaco, Hole in the Wall, Berry Island, Black Chief—Steward commits suicide—The weather in the Gulf—Arrives at the Brazos—Meets officers—Great confusion—Sails to Tampico, beautiful, picturesque region—Landing at Vera Cruz, March 9 and 10 | [96] |
| CHAPTER VIII VERA CRUZ.—CERRO GORDO | |
| Vera Cruz—Defenses—American army invests city—Lieutenant Stevens’s zeal in reconnoitring—Hands torn and poisoned— Horse bolts to enemy’s lines—Throws himself from saddle— Looks out route for covered way—Put in charge with large working parties—Volunteers—Independent ways—Diary of siege—Capture of city—Damage by artillery fire—“Moonlight magnificence and sunlight squalidity”—Secures fine horse— Appointed adjutant of engineer corps—Diary of march to Cerro Gordo—National Bridge—Rancheros—Reconnoissances of Cerro Gordo—Disabled by rupture—Compelled to remain in camp—Description of battle—Letter to wife | [110] |
| CHAPTER IX JALAPA.—PUEBLA | |
| Prisoners released on parole—March for Jalapa—Encerro, Santa Anna’s country seat—Reaches Jalapa, Eden of Mexico—Prepares memoir on conducting war against guerrillas—Letters to wife—Feeling address at burial of Sapper Carigan—March from Jalapa to Puebla—Beautiful country—Soldado—Pass of La Hora—Las Vegas—Perote, its plain and castle—Leaves Perote with Colonel Clarke’s brigade—San Antonio—Tepe Ahualeo with General Worth and Garland’s brigade—Hacienda of Virayes— Byzantium—Ojo de Agua—Hacienda Santa Annaced—Nopalucan—El Pinal—Acajete—Amasoque—Column of lancers threaten attack— Sheer off at fire of Duncan’s battery in two bodies— Lieutenants Stevens and McClellan pursue one for five miles—Puebla occupied—Health improved—Reports for duty— Reconnoitres road to Tlascala—Examines position in city— Generals Scott and Twiggs arrive—Santa Anna renounces power—His career and character—Attends church—Bull fight— Army recruiting strength—Drilling—Awaiting reinforcements— Engineers making maps—Collecting information—Wealthy Mexican offers to act as spy—Dominguez, robber chief, with some of his band, employed as spies and couriers—Submits memoir on system of espionage and employing robbers—Rumors— Guerrillas invest El Pinal—Colonel Harney marches to disperse them—Arrival of volunteers—Review—Sorry appearance—Good material—Heavy defenses and eighteen thousand troops at City of Mexico—Character of Mexican governing class—Letters to wife—Description of Puebla—Climate—People—Confidence of the troops—Character of General Scott—Arrival of General Pierce | [129] |
| CHAPTER X ADVANCE TO MEXICO, EL PEÑON, CONTRERAS, CHURUBUSCO | |
| Advance to valley of Mexico—Description of defenses—General Scott and staff with Twiggs’s division reach Ayotla—Daring reconnoissances of El Peñon by Lieutenant Stevens—March around Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco—Occupy San Augustin— Reconnoissances of enemy’s positions—San Antonio road strongly fortified—Pedregal—Intrenched camp at Contreras— Battle of Contreras—Lieutenant Stevens urges decisive movement adopted by Twiggs—“Attack the enemy’s left; you cut him off from reinforcements and hurl him into the gorges of the mountains”—Stormy night—Discouragement—Scene at Scott’s headquarters—Second day’s battle—Reconnoitring from church steeple at Coyoacan—Enemy in full retreat on San Antonio road—Instant advance by Twiggs, led by Lieutenant Stevens, who comes up against fortified convent and brings on battle of Churubusco—Description of battle—Terrible scenes of battlefield banished sleep—Letter to wife—Tacubaya occupied— Armistice | [163] |
| CHAPTER XI MOLINO DEL REY.—CHAPULTEPEC.—CAPTURE OF CITY OF MEXICO.—RETURN TO UNITED STATES | |
| General Scott and staff enter Tacubaya—Take quarters in Bishop’s Palace—Commissioners to negotiate peace—Mexican treachery—Armistice terminated—Battle of Molino del Rey—Useless attacks—Severe losses—Battle of Chapultepec—Castle stormed—Quitman advances on Tacubaya causeway—Worth on San Cosme causeway—Lieutenant Stevens, with Worth, wounded—Enemy retreat in night—American troops occupy city—Lieutenant Stevens’s remarks on the movements—His character sketches of Lee, Beauregard, Tower, Smith, McClellan, Foster, Mason—Removed to city—quartered in the Palace—Severe wound—Ups and downs—Mounts crutches—Journeys in ambulance with Lieutenant Foster to Puebla—Arrives at New Orleans | [202] |
| CHAPTER XII HEROES HOME FROM THE WAR | |
| Proceeds to Washington—Flattering reception—Gives full accounts to Colonel Totten—Joyful reunion with family in Newport—Shoots mad dog—Ordered to Savannah—Letter to brother—Character of Cromwell—Makes garden—Justice of Mexican war—Savannah orders countermanded—Resumes works at Bucksport—Purchases house, garden, poultry—Characteristic reply to inquiry as to willingness to be sent to Pacific coast—Brevetted captain and major—Efforts to secure justice for brother officers—Opinion of General Taylor—Brevet pay—McClellan asks assistance for engineer company— Lieutenant Stevens’s views—Advocates reorganization of the army | [226] |
| CHAPTER XIII COAST SURVEY | |
| Professor A.D. Bache tenders charge of Coast Survey office— Accepts conditionally—Retains charge of works—Assumes new duties—Estimate of General Taylor—Magnitude of Coast Survey Office—Organizes the force—Reforms the office— Meets “men of Mexico”—General Shields—Approves compromise measures—Puritan father condemns Webster— Visits Bucksport—Daughter Gertrude Maude born—Wound breaks out afresh—Contemplates leaving Coast Survey—Moves family to Newport—Pays $400 on house—Generous in money matters—Spends summer in Washington—Letters to his wife— Ideals of woman, marriage, duty, ambition—Admiration for Henry Clay, the master spirit—Compromise measures passed—Fine health—Carries appropriation—Truth and directness superior to low cunning—Office improving, duties more pleasant daily—Publishes Campaigns of Rio Grande and of Mexico—General Scott takes offense | [241] |
| CHAPTER XIV LIFE IN WASHINGTON | |
| Moves family to Washington—Pleasant society—Takes hold Fourteen Years’ Bill—Reorganization of army—Urges brother officers to do “their duty to their profession”—Army man, not a corps man—Moves to Mrs. Janney’s, on 8th Street—Takes family to Newport for summer, 1851—Another phrenological chart—Rents house on 3d Street and goes to housekeeping—George Watson Stevens—Letters to wife—Responds to toast of Army and Navy at banquet to Kossuth—Advocates coast defenses, and writes articles—Appointed member of Lighthouse Board—Sells Bucksport house—Advocates election of General Franklin Pierce as President—Articles in “Boston Post”—Speeches in Andover, Newport, and Portsmouth—Taken to task by Secretary of War Conrad—Pungent reply—Leader among young officers—Numerous calls—Friendship with Professor Bache—Continued improvement of Coast Survey Office | [257] |
| CHAPTER XV GOVERNOR, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.—EXPLORATION, NORTHERN ROUTE | |
| Washington Territory organized—Exploration of routes to Pacific determined on—Appointed governor—Letter of resignation from army—Colonel Totten’s reply—Silver service presented by friends on the Coast Survey—Obtains charge of exploration of Northern route—Takes high ground—Impresses his views on the administration—Applies for Captain McClellan—Letter to him—Sends Lieutenant Donelson to Montreal to procure maps and data from Hudson Bay Company—Prepares his own instructions—Magnitude of task—Organizes the expedition— Gives McClellan charge of construction of the military road, Steilacoom to Walla Walla—Declares independence of Hudson Bay Company—Busy scenes in 3d Street house—Sends officers to San Francisco, St. Louis, and St. Paul to hasten preparation— Selects territorial library—Exploration fully reported in vols. i. and xii., Pacific Railroad Reports | [280] |
| CHAPTER XVI THE PARTY.—THE START | |
| Leaves Washington—Expedites matters in St. Louis—Dispatches party up Missouri—Up Mississippi to St. Paul—Rouses party in camp before breakfast—Breaking mules—Incessant rains—Roster of the party—General plan—March to Sauk River—Winnebago Indians—Canadian voyageurs—Pierre Boutineau—Camp regulations—Assimilated rank—All to stand guard—Pembina train—Pushing on detached parties—March to Pike lake—Swollen streams, bogs—Crossing Sauk and Crow rivers—Lightning Lake—Fish and game—Relieves Lieutenant Du Barry—Discharges inefficient men—White Bear Lake—Parties reassemble at Pike Lake | [302] |
| CHAPTER XVII PIKE LAKE TO FORT UNION | |
| General course W. 10° N.—Lieutenant Grover surveys separate route—Country within forty miles examined by side trips—Route passes near Breckinridge, Jamestown, Minot, and Great Northern Railroad nearly to Rocky Mountains—Crosses Chippewa River—Camp regulations—Bois de Sioux—Description of country—Red River hunters—Sheyenne River—Lander’s adventure—False alarm of Indians—Myriads of buffalo—The hunt—Lake Jessie—Buffalo threaten camp; stop train—Horse and mules go off with buffalo—Governor Stevens disabled— Lander returns—Inveterate horse-killer—James River—Anxiety at non-return of Tinkham—Guns fired—Parties sent back to find him—Sioux reported approaching—Train arranged for defense—Red River hunters—Tinkham returns safe—Governor Wilkie and Red River hunters—Customs—Hunts—Government—Air tainted by slaughtered buffalo—Maison du Chien—Coteau de Missouri—Mouse River—More Red River hunters—Exchange visits—Express dispatched to Fort Union—Assiniboine Indians—Council—Distribution of presents—Arrives at Fort Union | [320] |
| CHAPTER XVIII FORT UNION TO FORT BENTON | |
| Description of Fort Union—Alexander Culbertson—The Blackfeet—Making peace—Surveys by side parties—Bugbear stories—Moving westward—Blackfoot war party—Big Muddy— Missouri bottom—Every one ordered to walk part way daily— Milk River—Field order—Abundant game—Gros Ventres—Feast and council—Feud with Blackfeet—Peace made between them— Trading horses—Cypress Mountain—Stories of Indian fights—Bear’s Paw Mountains—Party sent to view them—Box Elder Creek—The Three Buttes, favorite resort of Blackfeet— Crosses Marias and Teton rivers—Scene of bloody Indian conflict—Fort Benton—Fort Campbell | [347] |
| CHAPTER XIX WIDESPREAD EXPLORING PARTIES | |
| Gathering information—Lieutenant Grover to Bitter Root valley—Lieutenant Mullan to Muscle Shell River—Lieutenant Donelson to examine Cadotte’s Pass—Mr. Lander to Marias Pass—George W. Stevens describes outfitting war parties—Funds fall short—Governor Stevens takes responsibility of incurring deficiency—Starts to visit main Blackfoot camp—Chiefs join the party—Culbertson’s defense of Fort McKenzie—Death of Rotten Belly—Reaches Marias River—Express brings report from Lieutenant Saxton that mountains are impassable for wagons— Returns to Fort Benton—Lander ordered back—Want of harmony in his party—Stanley proceeds to Piegan camp—Lieutenants Saxton and Grover meet on summit of Rocky Mountains—Tinkham returns from Three Buttes and Marias River—Outfitting with pack animals—Lieutenant Saxton, with Culbertson and twenty-eight men, descends Missouri in keelboat—Doty stationed at Fort Benton—Lander’s insubordination curbed—Stanley returns with thirty chiefs—Talk with Blackfeet—Their dress—Peace advocated—Chief Low Horn—His good faith | [364] |
| CHAPTER XX EXPLORING THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS | |
| Lieutenants Saxton and Grover start down the Missouri—March up the Teton via Sun and Dearborn rivers to Cadotte’s Pass— Description of country; game—Governor Stevens proclaims inauguration of civil government on summit of Rocky Mountains— Descending western slope—Big Blackfoot and Hell Gate rivers— Overtakes main party—Fine condition of animals—Bitter Root valley and river—Fort Owen—Lieutenant Arnold here with train and provisions—Nine passes examined—Lander’s erratic course— Council with Flatheads—Chief Victor—Lieutenant Mullan stationed at winter post in Bitter Root valley—Lieutenant Donelson with main party sent via Clark’s Fork and Pend Oreille Lake—Dr. Suckley descends rivers in canoe—Tinkham to explore Marias Pass—Proceed to Fort Benton—Cross mountains to Walla Walla—Governor Stevens moves down the Bitter Root—Meets the Nez Perces—Crosses the Cœur d’Alene Mountains—Cœur d’Alene Mission—Indians—Lake—Falls—Spokane Indians—Spokane Garry, head chief—Forced ride to Colville—Meeting with McClellan—His explorations—Dilatoriness—Reports against country and passes | [375] |
| CHAPTER XXI UPPER COLUMBIA TO PUGET SOUND | |
| McDonald’s Indian tales—Chemakan Mission—Settlements in Colville valley—Visits Spokane House—Garry’s Lodge—Arrival of main party at Camp Washington—March to Walla Walla—Pelouse River— Crosses Snake River—Rides to old Fort Walla Walla—Visits Walla Walla valley—Pu-pu-mox-mox—Lander ordered to survey Nahchess Pass—Descends Columbia to Dallas, to Vancouver—Colonel Bonneville—Ascends Cowlitz River in canoe—Four days in drenching rains—Lander balks—Tinkham ordered to cross Snoqualmie Pass—Officers reach Olympia—Captain McClellan ordered to run line to Snoqualmie Pass—His failure—Tinkham succeeds—McClellan aggrieved—Governor Stevens’s opinion of pioneers—McClellan’s | [396] |
| CHAPTER XXII ORGANIZING CIVIL GOVERNMENT.—THE INDIAN SERVICE | |
| Wild country—Scanty population—Character of settlers—Serious problems—Governor Stevens arrives at Olympia—Issues proclamation—Organizes Indian service—Appoints agents—Visits all parts of Sound—Meets Governor Douglass at Victoria, B.C.—Reports on Hudson Bay Company’s claims—First message— Halleck exposes Southern political schemes—Purchases homestead—Preparing exploration reports—Secretary Davis stops further surveys—Drafts protested | [411] |
| CHAPTER XXIII RETURN TO WASHINGTON.—REPORT OF EXPLORATION | |
| Warm welcome in San Francisco—Lectures on Northern route— Advocates three routes—Via Isthmus to New York—Joyful family reunion in Newport—Proceeds to Washington—Complete report of exploration—Deficiency provided for—General Hunt relates incident—Secretary Davis disparages Northern route—General Stevens’s rejoinder—His final report—Severe labors—Sickness— Doing the work of the delegate—Appointed commissioner to treat with Blackfeet and other tribes—Unimpaired influence | [425] |
| CHAPTER XXIV CROSSING THE ISTHMUS | |
| Steamer from New York—Riotous scenes—Stops at Havana— Aspinwall—Forlorn place—Cars to the summit—Carusi’s pavilion—Scene at night—Proceeds on mule-back—Tropic rainstorms—Crossing the Chagres River—Lost children— Panama—Embarks on Golden Age—Touches at Acapulco—Panama fever—Reaches San Francisco—Welcomed by friends—Delayed by sickness—Rebuke to General Wool—Steamer up the coast— Into Columbia—Lands at Vancouver—Canoe trip up Cowlitz River—Muddy roads to Olympia—Disappointing appearance— Second message | [433] |
| CHAPTER XXV INDIAN POLICY.—TREATIES ON PUGET SOUND | |
| Beneficent Indian policy—Intention to write account of his Indian service frustrated by early death—Indians of Puget Sound, helpless, ready to treat—Organizes treaty force—Decides on policy and terms—Sends agents to assemble Indians—Great pains to make them fully understand and to consult with them—Council and treaty of She-nah-nam or Medicine Creek; of Point Elliott or Mukilteo; of Point-no-Point; of Neah Bay—Speeches—Visits Victoria, and calls on Governor Douglass to restrain Northern Indians—Napoleonic campaign—What was accomplished—Present condition of the Indians | [448] |
ILLUSTRATIONS
| PAGE | |
| General Isaac I. Stevens, at the age of 43, from a photograph | Frontispiece. |
| Grave of John Stevens | to face page [2] |
| Birthplace of General Stevens, Andover, Mass | [14] |
| Infant Jesus. Crayon drawing at West Point | [44] |
| Old Wanton Mansion in Newport | [66] |
| General Stevens at the age of 23, from a miniature by Staigg | [74] |
| Margaret Lyman Stevens, from a miniature by Staigg | [76] |
| Low Horn, Piegan Chief | [374] |
| Charles H. Mason, Secretary of the Territory, from a photograph | [414] |