Buckskin Pimpernel

by Mary Beacock Fryer

  The bargaining over, Justus and his escort returned to the British vessel. Sailing towards Isle aux Noix, Justus reflected that the British and loyalists were at a disadvantage. The rebels held more prisoners — a situation that could be remedied. Some of the privates might be exchanged for civilians, but Justus was desperately short of rebel officers. Abductions of important rebel leaders would help, but for this work he would require the co-operation of the various post commanders, Majors Carleton and Dundas and Brigadier Powell. They would have to allow him to call upon the services of reliable men in the provincial corps who knew the country.

  His plotting was interrupted when he noticed the crew lowering the ship's cutter. When the boat returned from the shore of the lake it brought a large party of refugees. At Isle aux Noix Justus went to report to Major Dundas on his mission, and upon reaching Fort St. Johns he repeated his story to Brigadier Powell. Post commanders had to know what intelligence anyone coming from rebel territory had brought, but to his dismay, so did everyone else. Brushing aside all the eager interrogators, Justus strode angrily towards his house. Almost immediately Powell sent for him again.

  Major Christopher Carleton had received orders to destroy some blockhouses and mills on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain, and he wanted Justus to serve as one of his guides. Carleton's force consisted of 327 regulars with 31 officers and a surgeon, as well as 30 of Sir John Johnson's men, and several officers from the temporary list who were from the area. Justus' role was to guide Lieutenant Farquhar and 30 regulars to Moor's sawmill on Putnam's Creek, a few miles south of Fort Ticonderoga.

  After rowing in bateaux down the long arm of Lake Champlain in the direction of Skenesborough, Justus ordered the regulars ashore, and after a short march inland they burned the mill and made prisoners of the employees.4 Then the expedition returned to Fort St. Johns.

  Reporting to Brigadier Powell, Justus discovered that all the provincials had been ordered to Sorel, where Governor Frederick Haldimand wanted to inspect them. Lieutenant John Dulmage had already marched his company to Sorel from Lachine, and Justus was to follow as soon as possible. Noting how gaunt and exhausted Captain Sherwood appeared, the commandant procured a horse for the journey. Gratefully Justus accepted the mount, and after taking leave of his family he rode at the head of the little column of provincials who had been on Major Carleton's expedition. Justus' thoughts were on the new governor as he travelled the seventy-five kilometres to Sorel, where the Richelieu flowed into the St. Lawrence. Would Haldimand carry on in the style of Carleton or make upsetting changes?

  Reporting to Colonel Peters when he reached Sorel, Justus learned that Governor Haldimand, a Swiss professional soldier, had paraded and inspected all the provincial troops on October 16. The men who had served with Burgoyne had put on the poorest show. As well as their depleted numbers, they were the shabbiest. Sir John Johnson's King's Royal Regiment of New York, and Brigadier Allan Maclean's Royal Highland Emigrants — both members in good standing of the Northern Department — had been impressive. The two corps were only two-thirds strength, and Haldimand was signing commissions as each company was completed. This procedure was different from Carleton's, who had agreed to sign all the officers' commissions when a regiment reached two-thirds full strength.6

  Peters wanted Justus, as senior captain of the Queen's Loyal Rangers, to be his second-in-command until Major Wright could be exchanged. The regiment was to remain at Sorel, working on fortifications, because Haldimand wanted to seal off that route to the rebels. A large force had penetrated Canada by the Richelieu in the spring of 1776, something that must not be allowed to happen again. Justus was willing to remain at Sorel, but he wondered whether Brigadier Powell might raise some objections. The work with the prisoners and refugees at Fort St. Johns was more important than supervising a below strength corps this far inland. His prediction was correct, for soon after his arrival Peters received a message for Captain Sherwood to report to Haldimand's headquarters.

  Making his way to the château where the new governor was in residence, Justus fairly cringed when he spotted Samuel McKay, who still had the men he had seduced away from the Queen's Loyal Rangers the year before. Then Justus recognized someone, the sight of whom made him freeze in his tracks.

  Marching at the head of a full company of Sir John Johnson's regiment was John Munro, dressed as an officer and in the captain's spot, no doubt with a signed commission, too. Seeing his old adversary from the Green Mountains gave Justus a nasty jolt. How that dour scotsman with the thick skull — the magistrate escorting Remember Baker to gaol six years ago — had done so well was downright incredible! Relieved that Munro had not noticed him, Justus slunk past and soon found himself in front of the governor's residence.

  He was ushered into the governor's presence by Captain Robert Mathews, 53rd Regiment, who warned Justus beforehand to speak distinctly. His Excellency's first language was French, and he spoke fluent German, but he had some difficulty with English.

  Frederick Haldimand, a major-general with the British army, was a man of vast experience in North America. He had come, at the outset of the Seven Years' War in 1756 to command a predominantly German-speaking battalion of the Royal American or 60th Regiment. As lieutenant-colonel of his battalion, Haldimand was stationed in Albany when he was a brother officer of Philip Schuyler, now a rebel general. Later, Haldimand was at Oswego, and he was with Lord Jeffrey Amherst's expedition that captured Montreal.

  In 1773, Haldimand was commander-in-chief of British forces at New York City. At that time Governor Tryon begged him to send regulars into the Green Mountains to deal with Ethan Allen's Boys. Haldimand refused on the grounds that Tryon ought to be able to keep order on the frontier.8 The new governor had been with the British army in Boston until 1775, and after three years on duty in Britain he received his present appointment.

  After reading Sir Guy Carleton's reports, Haldimand decided to interview Captain Sherwood. The governor did not trust anyone unless he had just cause, and his previous experience had left him wary of all colonials, whether Canadian or American. He was having houses built for loyalist families across the St. Lawrence from Sorel in the parish of Machiche. Very few French-speaking inhabitants lived there, and the women and children would be close to their husbands and fathers. They would also be well away from the Canadians, which suited Haldimand, lest spies be sent with them to stir up trouble among His Majesty's francophone subjects.9 But Captain Sherwood might be a colonial he could trust. He had already demonstrated compassion for refugee loyalists and an ability to secure information from prisoners, and Haldimand suspected he might be useful.

  Captain Robert Mathews, newly commissioned in Brigadier Powell's 53rd Regiment, had come from England with Haldimand, and had not been part of the garrison during Burgoyne's campaign.10 Both the new arrivals were sizing Justus up, and both were inclined to be impressed with the lanky frontiersman, who spoke with a Yankee twang but otherwise showed some vestiges of refinement.

  On his part Justus was doing some assessing of his own. Mathews was a sturdily built man in his red coat and red facings and single gold epaulette, standing beside the governor, who was seated behind a massive oak desk. Haldimand appeared slightly built with a receding hairline and snapping, penetrating eyes. This meeting must be important, Justus reckoned. Surely it was not usual for a mere captain of provincials to be called before so important a person as the governor. Mathews began the conversation, and prisoner exchanges were the first item on his agenda. One major difficulty was the shortage of appropriate prisoners to offer for the return of provincials and regulars the rebels were holding.

  Justus recommended sending parties of kidnappers into New York State to abduct important rebel leaders, but the governor urged caution. Mathews stepped in, warning Justus that relations with France were a tricky matter, and these might affect his cause. When Burgoyne's army had taken to the field, the French were watching. When that army was defeated by the rebel frontiersmen, Britain'
s traditional enemy decided that the Continental Congress had some hope of success. In February, the French had formed a military alliance with the rebels. Soon French troops would be in the colonies, and in a position to retake Canada, a possibility, His Excellency admitted, that was giving him sleepless nights.

  If an army of rebels appeared on Canada's borders, as had happened in the autumn of 1775, the governor thought he could rely on some support from the Canadians. But if the rebels were supported by French troops, the Canadians would return to their former allegiance, and Canada would be doomed. Haldimand's first duty was to Canada, and he reminded Justus that keeping the province out of rebel hands was in the best interests of the loyalists in the northern colonies. Haldimand's domain was their place of refuge.

  After commending Justus for the work he had done thus far with the prisoners and refugees, Haldimand ordered him to return to Fort St. Johns, but under no circumstances should he try any kidnapping without His Excellency's consent. And he was to remember that the governor would not tolerate atrocities by any of his provincials. All prisoners were to be treated with the greatest civility and humanity.

  Feeling as though his wings had been clipped, Justus returned to Colonel Peters to inform him that he would not be remaining at Sorel. He expected him to be disappointed, instead Peters was downright angry. He was also jealous of his subordinate, who was being given the important task of working with prisoners and refugees, receiving special status. Saddened and a trifle bewildered by Peters' fractiousness, Justus mounted his horse for the ride back to Fort St. Johns.

  Trotting his horse along the bank of the Richelieu, Justus pondered the status of Butler's Rangers at their base, Fort Niagara. Butler's was the only provincial corps that had not paraded at Sorel. Justus had heard that independent companies were operating from Fort Niagara with Butler's Rangers, and under the auspices of the Indian Department. When he reached his house, he wrote to Captain Mathews, requesting permission to transfer his company to the Indian Department. This would remove him from the temporary list and ensure that his men became part of the Northern Department. He might not be able to go to Fort Niagara for a while, but Lieutenant John Dulmage could lead the company, and the men would be happier serving on the frontier than building fortifications at Sorel.12

  The letter in the post, Justus resumed his duties at Fort St. Johns. He was tired, and looking forward to some well deserved rest, but he was soon disappointed. Brigadier Powell ordered him to go to Pointe au Fer and take some scouts then at Isle aux Noix with him. Major Christopher Carleton wanted Justus to accompany him along Lake Champlain, to see whether the Vermonters were rebuilding the outposts which the regulars and provincials had destroyed during the late summer and early autumn.13

  Justus gathered his party at Isle aux Noix, among them Joseph Bettys, who had gone scouting for information on Sir Henry Clinton during the last days of Burgoyne's campaign. Bettys had been journeying back and forth between Isle aux Noix and Albany with dispatches, and Justus wanted to know him better. He would be useful whenever Haldimand gave orders for abducting rebel leaders.14 From Pointe au Fer, by bateau and on foot, Justus and his party guided Christopher Carleton to all the posts, and they found them exactly as the major's foray had left them, charred, empty shells. Returning to Pointe au Fer, Justus went aboard a vessel with his scouts for the journey back to Isle aux Noix, and leaving the scouts at that post he proceeded on to Fort St. Johns.

  Meanwhile at Sorel, certain of his brother officers were looking for a way to escape from the Central Department. On November 21, John Peters and some other leaders sent a petition to Haldimand asking to have their men incorporated into a second battalion, King's Royal Regiment of New York.15 His Excellency refused. Since Burgoyne's provincials belonged to the Central Department, Haldimand had no authority to take them into his own Northern Department.16

  For the same reason he ignored Captain Sherwood's request to join the Indian Department. Besides, Justus was doing excellent work with the prisoners and refugees. Some of Carleton's reports indicated that this captain of provincials was a gallant officer, but he would be of greater service at Fort St. Johns than in the employ of John Butler, a man Haldimand did not like very much.

  For Justus and Sarah, the winter of 1778-1779 passed quietly. The tranquil time was important, the opportunity to make things his family needed, to sit by the fire in the evening, smoking his pipe, reading Pope, Swift and other popular authors, chatting with Sarah as she wove linsey-woolsey. Occasionally a party of refugees arrived, or Brigadier Powell asked him to choose men for scouting parties that left the fort on snowshoes, but most of the time Justus could relax, and admit that he could not drive his less than robust body indefinitely. Elijah Bothum had leave to join them at Christmas, and Thomas Sherwood called in on his way to Fort Edward for one of his frequent clandestine visits with Anna and his children. Justus treasured the quiet time, certain his activities outside the home would soon be even heavier than during this last summer and autumn.

  Chapter 8

  Banished Yankee

  In February 1779, a scout returning from the Green Mountains informed Justus that the Vermont Legislature had passed an order of banishment against him.1 The scout had visited Elijah Bothum Sr. in Shaftsbury, who sent a warning to his son-in-law not to attempt to visit the illicit republic. If caught, he might be hanged on the spot. This news numbed him momentarily. To be sure he had enemies in Vermont, but he still had many friends there as well. He wondered what effect his banishment might have on New Yorkers. As the snow began to melt he half suspected that his brother Samuel's days in Kingsbury Township might be numbered.

  That spring Justus received two appointments of importance from Haldimand. The governor made him Commissioner of Prisoners, responsible for negotiating exchanges, and also Commissioner of Refugees, to assist distressed loyalists trying to reach Canada.2 As soon as travel was feasible, Justus carried out his first prisoner exchange, after making arrangements through correspondence with General Stark in Albany. Using passwords and countersigns, loyalists with letters were conducted safely into Albany, rebel scouts to Isle aux Noix. Brigadier Powell ordered Justus to see a tailor for new regimentals. He wanted to be represented at the exchange by an officer who looked the part, not a tattered scarecrow.

  Justus assembled the prisoners at Fort St. Johns, making sure that each was searched from the skin out. If they gave the enemy any information it would be verbal. Meanwhile, the rebels were bringing their charges northward towards Skenesborough, soon to be the scene of many negotiations of this nature. While Justus was preparing to set out, a rebel prisoner named Andrew Stephenson escaped and reached Albany. To General Stark, Stephenson reported overhearing Captain Sherwood boast that if he did not have enough prisoners to exchange for ‘Major French and other worthy gentlemen’ he would go out and catch some if he were permitted. For the benefit of the rebels present, Justus had boosted Jeremiah French's rank.

  His expedition, guarded by British regulars, went as far as Isle aux Noix in bateaux, where the whole party went aboard an armed vessel for the journey to Ticonderoga. There they went in bateaux for the rest of the ride to Skenesborough. Ships of the Provincial Marine could have reached that village, but they were reluctant to enter the narrow arm of Lake Champlain where they had less room to manoeuvre if attacked.

  Justus was shocked at the condition of the men he received. Some had been held in the holds of ships on the Hudson River; others had suffered close confinement in irons. Still others had been performing hard labour. He looked in vain for Jeremiah French, and only when he called his name and received a reply was he able to discern that this was his brother officer. All the exchanged men were provincials. Some of Burgoyne's regulars had been exchanged earlier, but they had been sent to New York City.

  Returning to Fort St. Johns with the freed prisoners, Justus was soon given more responsibility by Brigadier Powell in the selection of scouts who went in quest of intelligence or carried Haldima
nd's dispatches. The governor depended on Sir John Johnson for information from the Mohawk Valley and Albany, where Dr. George Smyth was a reliable resident agent. Justus was more familiar with loyalists in Vermont and New Hampshire, but he was accumulating considerable intelligence on New Yorkers like Smyth, who signed his messages ‘Hudibras’. He had also heard something of a man of mystery the rebels called Hans Waltermyer, a friend of Joseph Bettys, who carried dispatches between Albany and New York City.

  On May 6, 1779, a scout named Caleb Clossen arrived from Fort Edward, bringing a newcomer whom he introduced to Justus as John Walden Meyers. The latter had a dispatch that he would surrender only to Brigadier Powell.3 He spoke with a German accent, towered well over six feet, and had shoulders so broad they dwarfed his massive height — a mountain of a man.4 He glared at Justus disapprovingly, who reflected that the mere sight of him was sufficient to make others wary. While Meyers was closeted with Brigadier Powell, Clossen informed Justus that he had just met the legendary Hans Waltermyer, who had recently anglicised his name.

  Meyers had come all the way from New York City with his dispatch from Sir Henry Clinton, and Clossen had guided him the last stage of the journey because Meyers had never been north of Skenesborough before. Meyers was a tenant farmer from an estate near Albany. Clossen had noticed the look Meyers gave Justus, and he assured him that the scout was a gentle soul.

  When Meyers emerged from Powell's quarters, Justus invited the two scouts to dine at his house, hoping to mend some fences with Clossen as the go-between. Grudgingly Meyers accepted, for he had to eat somewhere. Over the meal, mellowed by generous servings of rum, the big German peasant admitted that Powell had ordered him to go to Quebec City to discuss the contents of his dispatch and his own verbal report with Haldimand. He would say nothing more, and Justus respected his reticence.