Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 1, July 1849Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 1, July 1849
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
On one occasion, when the American prisoners dined at the garrison mess,
an officer of the British staff arose, and with a pointed pomposity gave
the toast, “Mr. Madison, dead or alive.” The faces of the American
officers flushed with indignation, which was not diminished when they
saw a young American lieutenant rise from his chair, and in the blandest
manner, and with a most insinuating smile, give thanks for the
remembrance of the Chief Magistrate of the United States. All thought
him drunk or mad, as he proceeded to say, “he felt the weightiness of
the burden imposed on him by the silence of his seniors, that he would
not give thanks for the toast last drunken, but would give another in
return. He was sure the officers of both services present would
understand him when he gave ‘the health of his royal highness, the
Prince of Wales, DRUNK OR SOBER.’” If a shell had exploded under the
table the surprise could not have been greater, and the danger of a
collision became imminent, when the senior officer of the British army
present, a man of tact and taste, interfered, and sent the person who
had given the first toast from the table under arrest. This anecdote is
variously told in the service, and sometimes is attributed to Gen.
Kearny, and sometimes to the late Mann Page Lomax, major of artillery,
who was at the time a prisoner in the castle of Quebec. It is perfectly
characteristic of each of these officers, and whether Gen. Kearny be the
hero or not, aptly enough illustrates this portion of his career. The
American victories in the West, by which hosts of prisoners were
acquired, soon placed the men of Queenstown in a different position, and
they were exchanged.
Kearny was with Scott at the time the latter officer resisted the
attempt to place in confinement the Irishmen surrendered at Queenstown,
and ably sustained him in his energetic action in relation to this
high-handed measure. He sailed in the cartel to Boston, and immediately
on his arrival, proceeded to rejoin his regiment. He was subsequently
stationed at Sacket’s Harbor, where he acquired the reputation for
discipline and soldiership which never deserted him. While at this post
the British commander, Sir James Yoe, and Commodore Chauncy, were
manœuvring for possession of the lake. On one occasion, when in
possession of a temporary superiority, Sir James appeared in front of
the harbor and challenged the commodore to a fight. This the latter
refused, because he had no marines. When the reason was told Capt.
Kearny, (he had in the interim been promoted) a gallant officer of New
York, a captain of artillery, named Romain, offered at once to go on
board and serve as marine. The offer was not, however, accepted, much to
the chagrin of Kearny and Romain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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