[8] Alexander Scammell was born in Mendon (now Milford), Mass., in 1746; died in Williamsburg, Va., Oct. 6, 1781. Having graduated at Harvard in 1769, he taught for a year or two. In 1772 he was employed at Portsmouth, N. H., in surveying and exploring operations. Having studied law with General Sullivan, he assisted him in his legal business for a time.
Dec. 10, 1776, he became Colonel of 3rd N. H. regiment, but was soon transferred to the 1st regiment. Was wounded at Saratoga, Jan. 5, 1778, while serving under General Gates. In 1780 he was appointed Adjutant General of the army, and became a member of Washington’s staff. Preferring active field work, he was assigned again to the command of his regiment. As officer of the day, Sept. 30th, he was employed in reconnoitering the enemy’s position at Yorktown. He was captured by Hessian dragoons and was treacherously and mortally wounded by them after his surrender. He was the highest American officer killed during the siege. His loss was universally felt and expressed.
[9] Duc de Lauzun.
[10] Gimat, aid to La Fayette.
A PORT OF THE LAST CENTURY
When white frosts and keen, starry nights have turned the foliage of the Niagara gorge into a riotous color scheme is the best time to visit Queenston Heights, and walk the grass-grown thoroughfares of the forgotten hamlet at their base.
It is the best time, because the picnic and tourist season is over, and one’s contemplation of the beautiful view which every point affords is not disturbed; and as for the cluster of roof-trees lying below, it is more picturesque in its autumnal nakedness.
Three-score years ago this village was the second town of importance in the province of Upper Canada. Named for Queen Charlotte, Queenston began life auspiciously in 1787 with a dock, a distillery, and a tavern; and so rapidly did it grow that the opening century found the dock transformed into a wharf flanked with store-houses, the population doubled, and those infallible signs of prosperity in a new country—a grist- and a saw-mill—running on full time.
Situated at the head of the St. Lawrence route, and at the foot of the Chippewa portage, Queenston had every advantage at the start. It was the natural dépôt and point of departure for the western trade, now growing rapidly with the opening of new territory. Across its narrow wharf, and up the Chippewa road, flowed for over a quarter of a century, a continuous tide of traffic, which eddying here, débouched on the near shore of the upper lakes, or spent itself in the wilderness of the far west.
Hither swarmed the motley crowd that follows the hunter’s trail and the pioneer’s axe—fur-traders, settlers, speculators, Indians, emigrants, and adventurers.