WILLIAM MAXWELL.
William Maxwell, though little is known of his personal history, is believed to have been born in Ireland, and brought to New Jersey in his early life. He entered the colonial service in 1758, serving through the French and Indian War, and as colonel of one of the New Jersey regiments, took part in the disastrous campaign of 1776 in Canada. On the 23d of October of that year he was commissioned brigadier-general. He was with Schuyler on Lake Champlain, and later was attached to the main army under Washington. In August, 1779, he joined Sullivan’s expedition against the Indians, but soon after the action at Springfield, he sent in his resignation, which was accepted by Congress on the 25th of July, 1780. Washington said of him, “I believe him to be an honest man, a warm friend to his country, and firmly attached to its interests.” He died on the 12th of November, 1798.
MATTHIAS ALEXIS ROCHE DE FERMOY.
Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy, born in the West Indies in 1737, was the thirty-fourth on the list of Continental brigadier-generals, his commission bearing date the 5th of November, 1776. On coming to this country and offering his services to Congress, Fermoy represented himself to be a colonel of engineers in the French army. While serving under Washington in the Trenton and Princeton campaigns, he was ordered on the 1st of January, 1777, to hold an advanced post on Mile Run, beyond Maidenhead, now Lawrenceville. That same night, however, leaving his command, he returned to Trenton,—a breach of discipline that under the circumstances was most reprehensible. Ordered North to join the army under Gates, by direction of Congress, and notwithstanding a protest from Washington, he was placed in command of Fort Independence, opposite Fort Ticonderoga. When St. Clair found it necessary to abandon the latter post, Fermoy, in defiance of the express orders of the commanding officer, set fire to his quarters on Mount Independence at two o’clock on the morning of the 6th of July, 1777, thus revealing to Burgoyne St. Clair’s retreat, which otherwise would have been accomplished in safety. In December, he applied for promotion to the rank of major-general,—a request which Congress refused. Displeased at this action, Fermoy requested permission to resign, which was granted on the 31st of January, 1778, Congress at the same time appropriating $800 to pay his debts and enable him to return to the West Indies.
ENOCH POOR.
Enoch Poor, born in Andover, Massachusetts, on the 21st of June, 1736, was educated in the common schools of his native place. Removing to Exeter, New Hampshire, he engaged in commercial pursuits until summoned by his country to take up arms in her defence. Immediately after the battle of Lexington, three regiments of militia were raised and equipped in New Hampshire, and the command of one intrusted to Poor. Serving first in New England, then in New York, and afterward joining in the ill-starred Canadian expedition, he used all his influence to dissuade General Schuyler from abandoning Crown Point, and when that measure was decided upon, joined with several other officers in sending him a written protest. Considering this a breach of discipline, Schuyler appealed to the commander-in-chief, who, while declining to reverse the general’s decision, wrote him a private letter, approving Colonel Poor’s judgment, and regretting the abandonment of Crown Point, which he considered the key of the lakes. On the 21st of February, 1777, Poor was commissioned brigadier-general and attached to the army under Washington. In 1779, he joined the expedition against the Six Nations and subsequently was attached to Lee’s command, remaining with him until after the defeat at Monmouth, when Poor was ordered to join the division under Lafayette. The following year he fell a victim to fever, dying, after a short illness, at Hackensack, New Jersey, on the 8th of September, 1780. Washington, in acquainting Congress with the sad intelligence, said of him, “He was an officer of distinguished merit, who as a citizen and a soldier had every claim to the esteem of his country;” and Lafayette, on revisiting this country many years after, testified his loving remembrance by paying a tribute to the memory of Poor when called upon for a toast.