The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Volume 1 (of 2)
by Hazard Stevens · English · Gutenberg #43589 · 1,020,876 chars · public domain (US)
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Volume 1 (of 2)
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States,
you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located
before using this eBook.
Title: The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Volume 1 (of 2)
Author: Hazard Stevens
Release date: August 30, 2013 [eBook #43589]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43589
Credits: E-text prepared by KD Weeks, Jana Srna, Bryan Ness, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by the Google Books Library Project (http://books.google.com)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF ISAAC INGALLS STEVENS, VOLUME 1 (OF 2) ***
Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
file which includes the original illustrations.
See 43589-h.htm or 43589-h.zip:
(https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/43589/pg43589-images.html)
or
(https://www.gutenberg.org/files/43589/43589-h.zip)
Project Gutenberg has the other volume of this work.
Volume II: see https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43590
Images of the original pages are available through
the Google Books Library Project. See
http://books.google.com/books?id=oRdNv3xaMmMC
Transcriber's note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
A carat character is used to denote superscription. A
single character following the carat is superscripted
(example: y^e). Multiple superscripted characters are
enclosed by curly brackets (example: Coun^{clr}).
The 'oe' ligature appears only in the words 'Coeur
d'Alene', and is rendered as 'C[oe]ur.'
Words printed using "small capitals" are shifted to all
upper-case.
Please consult the note at the end of this text for
details of corrections made.
[Illustration: Isaac Stevens]
THE LIFE OF ISAAC INGALLS STEVENS
By His Son
HAZARD STEVENS
With Maps and Illustrations
In Two Volumes
VOL. I
[Illustration]
Boston and New York
Houghton, Mifflin and Company
The Riverside Press, Cambridge
1900
Copyright, 1900, by Hazard Stevens
All Rights Reserved
THIS RECORD
OF
A NOBLE AND PATRIOTIC LIFE
IS DEDICATED
TO
THE YOUNG MEN OF AMERICA
PREFACE
For many years I have felt impelled to write this Life, not only in
justice to General Stevens's memory, but also as an act of duty to the
young men of the country, that the example of his noble and patriotic
career might not be lost to posterity. An only son, closely associated
from boyhood with him, his chief of staff in the Civil War, and always
the recipient of his counsel and confidence, the opportunities thus
given me to know his sentiments and characteristics, and to witness so
many of his actions, plainly augment the duty of making his record more
widely known. In these pages, setting aside, as far as possible, the
bias of filial respect and affection, I seek to simply narrate the
actual facts of his life.
Since beginning this work in 1877, I have been greatly assisted by data
furnished by many of General Stevens's contemporaries, former brother
officers, and associates in the public service, many of whom have now
passed on. I render my grateful thanks to them for such aid, and for
their words of appreciation of General Stevens and encouragement to his
biographer, and especially to Generals Zealous B. Tower, Henry J. Hunt,
Benjamin Alvord, Edward D. Townsend, Rufus Ingalls, A.A. Humphreys, E.O.
C. Ord, Thomas W. Sherman, Joseph E. Johnston, G.T. Beauregard, William
H. French, Truman Seymour, Orlando M. Poe, Silas Casey, John G. Barnard,
M.C. Meiggs, Joseph Hooker, George W. Cullum, David Morrison, George E.
Randolph; Colonels Samuel N. Benjamin, Granville O. Haller, Henry C.
Hodges, John Hamilton, H.G. Heffron, Elijah Walker, Moses B. Lakeman;
Major Theodore J. Eckerson, Major George T. Clark; Captains William T.
Lusk, Robert Armour, C.H. Armstrong; Professors W.H. C. Bartlett, A.E.
Church, H.S. Kendrick, H.E. Hilgard, Spencer F. Baird; General Joseph
Lane, Senator James W. Nesmith; General Joel Palmer, Nathan W. Hazen,
Esq., Alexander S. Abernethy, C.P. Higgins; Judge James G. Swan, Arthur
A. Denny; Hon. Elwood Evans, General James Tilton.
My thanks are also due, for facilities for examining and copying records
in their departments, to the Hon. J.Q. Smith, former Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, and Hon. A.C. Towner, Acting Commissioner; to General H.
C. Corbin, Adjutant-General; General John M. Wilson, Chief of Engineers;
Hon. John Hay, Secretary of State; Professor Henry L. Pritchett,
Superintendent of the Coast Survey; Lieutenant Paul Brodie, formerly
adjutant 79th Highlanders, for copying hundreds of pages of documents in
the Indian Office; Mr. R.F. Thompson, of the same office, for assistance
rendered; Professor F.G. Young, of Eugene, Oregon, for a copy of Colonel
Lawrence Kip's account of the Walla Walla Council, republished by him.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Savage's New England Genealogies.
Abiel Abbott's History of Andover.
Miss Sarah Loring Bailey's Historical Sketches of Andover.
Church and town records of Andover.
Massachusetts Colonial Records.
Family records and correspondence.
History of the Mexican War, by General C.M. Wilcox.
Campaigns of the Rio Grande and of Mexico, by Major Isaac I. Stevens.
General Stevens's diary and letters (unpublished).
His reports in the Engineer Bureau of the Army (unpublished).
Reports of the Coast Survey, Professor A.D. Bache, for 1850 to 1853.
Boston Post newspaper, files for 1852.
Pacific Railroad Routes Explorations, vols. i. and xii., two parts.
General Stevens's reports to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, with
journals of Indian councils and proceedings in 1854-55 (unpublished).
Reports of December 22, 1855, and January 29, 1856, in House Document
48, 1st session, 34th Congress.
Reports of August 28, December 5, 1856, council at Fox Island; October
22, 1856, second council at Walla Walla; April 30, 1857, with map and
census of Indian tribes (unpublished).
Reports to Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, August 15, December 21,
1854; February 19, March 9 and 21, May 23 (two letters), June 8, July 7
and 24, August 14, October 22, November 21 (three letters), 1856. See
documents of 34th and 35th Congresses.
Reports and correspondence of General Wool, Colonel George Wright, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Silas Casey, in said documents.
Governor Stevens's messages to legislature of Washington Territory,
February 28, December 5, 1854; January 20, December, 1856, the latter
accompanied by reports to the Secretary of War and correspondence with
military officers during the Indian war. See, also, above documents and
messages for proceedings relative to martial law.
Governor Stevens's speeches in 35th and 36th Congresses, in
Congressional Globe.
General Joseph Lane's speech in 35th Congress, May 13, 1858, on the
Indian war.
Three Years' Residence in Washington Territory, by James G. Swan.
The Walla Walla Council, by Colonel Lawrence Kip.
Account of Colonel Wright's campaign against the Spokanes, by Colonel
Lawrence Kip.
Report of J. Ross Browne, Special Agent, etc., on the Indian war, House
Document 58, 1st session, 35th Congress.
History of the Pacific States, by H.H. Bancroft, vols. xxiv.-xxvi.
Archives State Department.
Records War Department.
Circular Letter to Emigrants, The Northwest, Letter to the Vancouver
Railroad Convention, by Governor Stevens, published in pamphlet.
The War between the States, by A.H. Stephens.
War Records, vol. v., for Army of the Potomac in 1861; vol. vi., for
Port Royal Expedition; vol. xiv., for James Island campaign; vol. xii.,
in three parts, for Pope's campaign.
Military Historical Society of Massachusetts, vol. ii, entitled The
Virginia Campaign of 1862 under General Pope.
History of the 79th Highlanders, by William Todd.
History of the 21st Massachusetts, by General Charles F. Walcott.
Biographical Register of West Point Graduates, by General George W.
Cullum.
Defence of Charleston Harbor, by Major John Johnson.
Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. xvi.
Official dispatches of Admiral Dupont.
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 C[oe]ur d'Alene Mountains--C[oe]ur
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
MAPS AND PLANS
Route, Vera Cruz to Mexico 118
Battle of Cerro Gordo 124
The Valley of Mexico 162
Battlefields in the Valley of Mexico--Contreras, Churubusco,
Chapultepec, Molino del Rey, Mexico 172
THE LIFE OF ISAAC INGALLS STEVENS
CHAPTER I
ANCESTRY.--BIRTHPLACE
About 1640 a mere handful of English colonists went out from Boston, and
made the first settlement in the town of Andover, Essex County,
Massachusetts. They laid out their homes on the Cochichewick, a stream
which flows out of the Great Pond in North Andover, and falls into the
Merrimac River on the south side a few miles below Lawrence. The infant
settlement was known as Cochichewick until 1646, when it was
incorporated as a town under its present name, after the Andover in
Hampshire, England, the birthplace of some of the settlers.
Among the first who thus planted their hearthstones in the wilderness
was John Stevens. His name stands fifth in an old list in the town
records containing "the names of all the householders in order as they
came to town." The mists of the past still allow a few glimpses of this
sturdy Puritan settler. He was admitted a freeman of the colony, June 2,
1641 (Old Style). He was appointed by the General Court, May 15, 1654,
one of a committee of three to settle the boundary between the towns of
Haverhill and Salisbury, a duty satisfactorily performed. He was
sergeant in the military company of the town, a post then equivalent to
captain or commander. According to Savage, N.E. Genealogies, vol. i., p.
186, John Stevens lived at Caversham, County Oxford, England, and came
to America in the Confidence from Southampton in 1638.
Large, substantial head and foot stones of slate, sculptured and
lettered in the quaint fashion of his day, still mark the resting-place
of John Stevens, after the storms of now two and a third centuries, in
the oldest graveyard of Cochichewick, situated opposite the Kittredge
mansion, and about half a mile north of the old parish meeting-house in
North Andover. He died April 11, 1662, in the fifty-seventh year of his
age, and was therefore thirty-five years old when he founded his future
home. John Stevens was evidently a man of note and substance, the worthy
progenitor of a prolific family, which has filled Andover with his
descendants, and put forth from time to time strong, flourishing
branches into all quarters of the country. It may indeed be safely said
that there is scarcely a State in the Union which does not contain
descendants of this sturdy Puritan.
His son Nathan, the first male child born in Andover, lies buried near
him under a broad freestone slab with an inscription to "Coun^{clr}
Nathan Stevens, who deceased February y^e 19, 1717, in y^e 75 year of
his age." The memorials of many others of his descendants stand thickly
scattered through the quaint old burial-ground. Not the least
interesting of these relics is a stone "In memory of Primus, who was a
faithful servant of Mr. Benjamin Stevens, Jr., who died July 25, 1792,
aged 72 years, 5 months, and 16 days."
A vigorous, long-lived race sprang from the loins of this first settler
John, a hardy, thrifty race of plain New England farmers, honest and
straightforward, with plenty of solid, shrewd good sense, bearing
manfully the toils and hardships of colonial days, and contributing its
quota of ministers and deacons to the church, and officers and
soldiers to the wars with the Indians and the French. In 1679 a grant of
land was made to Ephraim Stevens, son of the first settler, in
recompense of his losses by the Indians. In 1689 Lieutenant John
Stevens, another son, perished in the expedition against Louisburg. In
1698 Abiel Stevens, a grandson, was captured by the Indians, but made
his escape. In 1755 Captain Asa Stevens and Ensign James Stevens died in
the Lake George campaign. Upon the state muster-rolls appear the names
of twelve Stevenses of Andover as soldiers in the Revolution.
[Illustration: GRAVE OF JOHN STEVENS]
The subject of this work, Isaac Ingalls Stevens, was the seventh in
direct descent from John Stevens, the founder of Andover,--1 John
Stevens, 2 Joseph, 3 James, 4 James, 5 Jonathan, 6 Isaac, 7 Isaac
Ingalls Stevens.
Joseph was the fourth son of the first settler John. He was deacon in
the church. He married Mary Ingalls May 20, 1679, and died February 25,
1743, aged 88.
James was the second son of Joseph, married Dorothy Fry, March, 1712,
and died May 25, 1769, aged 84. He participated in the military affairs
and contests with the Indians and French of his times, commanded a
company at the capture of Louisburg, and for his services was granted a
tract of land in Maine. He was a deputy to the General Court. His
gravestone bears the title of captain.
Captain James's eldest son was also named James. He was born in 1720,
and married Sarah Peabody in 1745. This James was an energetic,
promising young man, with a young wife and two boys, when in 1754 a
recruiting party with colors, drum, and fife went about Andover beating
up recruits for the French and Indian war then raging. The young men all
hung back. "Make me a captain," said James Stevens, "and I will raise a
company for the war." This remark led to his receiving the commission
of ensign. He raised a company of the young men of Andover, and marched
away at their head to the shores of Lake George, in New York, where,
November 28, 1755, he died of camp fever, with the rank of lieutenant.
His eldest son, Jonathan, inherited a due share of his father's spirit,
for we find him hastening to Bunker Hill, and fighting manfully in the
battle. He served on other occasions during the Revolutionary war, and
after a successful dash upon the enemy writes the following interesting
letter to his sister:--
LOVING SISTER,--These will inform you that I am very well at
present, and have been so ever since I came from home, and I hope
you and all my friends enjoy the same state of health.
We have been up to Ticonderoga and took almost four hundred
prisoners of the British Army, and relieved one hundred of our men
that were prisoners there.
Our army have come from Ticonderoga down as far as Pawlet, about
sixty miles, and expect to march to Stillwater very soon. So no more
at present.
I remain, Your Loving Brother,
JONATHAN STEVENS.
PAWLET, October ye 1st, 1777.
Jonathan married Susannah Bragg, December 15, 1773, and raised thirteen
children,--Jonathan, Susannah, James, Dolly, Jeremy, Hannah, Isaac,
Nathaniel, Dolly, Moses, Sarah, Oliver, and William.
He united the business of a currier and tanner to his ancestral pursuit
of farming, and achieved the modest independence he so well merited. The
house that he occupied for many years stood on the old road that passed
along the western border of the Cochichewick meadows, that were long
since flooded and converted into a lake, the extension of the Great
Pond, for the water supply of the woolen mills of his son Nathaniel, and
the cellar is still visible on the west side of the road, some three
hundred yards from its junction with the road from the village of North
Andover to the mills. He afterwards built one of those large, square,
substantial mansions, once common in New England, on the crest of the
high ground east of the village, and commanding noble views of the
hamlet, the Great Pond, and the Cochichewick valley and the mills. This
house was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1876.
Jonathan Stevens purchased, for sixpence an acre, a large tract of land
in Maine, which he divided into three farms, and bestowed upon his sons
Jonathan, James, and Isaac. They settled, and named the place Andover,
after their native town, and the descendants of the two former still
reside there.
Jonathan Stevens was a tall, large man of fresh, ruddy complexion and
fine appearance. He was fond of relating the incidents of the battle of
Bunker Hill, and used to recount the tale to his children and
grandchildren every Fourth of July,--how Putnam went along the line and
commanded them not to fire until they could see the whites of the
Redcoats' eyes; and how Abbot, the strongest man in town, bore a wounded
comrade off the field on his back. On the anniversary of the battle he
invariably invited his comrades in the fight to his house, and
entertained them with New England rum and hearty, old-fashioned
hospitality, while the veterans fought the battle o'er again. He sat
among the veterans of the battle at Webster's magnificent oration in
dedication of the Bunker Hill monument. On his eighty-fourth birthday he
worked with his men in the hay field, keeping up with the best all day,
and suffered no ill effect from the unwonted exertion. He died April 13,
1834, at the age of eighty-seven. In 1799 he gave the tract of land upon
which was erected Franklin Academy, on the hill north of the
meeting-house.
Jonathan's brother James, Captain James's other son, also served in the
Revolutionary war, and left a diary of the siege of Boston, recently
discovered in the garret of an old mansion in Andover, which opens like
an epic:--
"April ye 19, 1775. This morning about seven o'clock we had a larum
that the Regulars were gone to Concord. We gathered to the meeting
house, and then started for Concord. We went through Tewksbury into
Billerica. We stopped at Pollard's, and ate some biscuits and cheese
on the common. We started and went on to Bedford, and we heard that
the Regulars had gone back to Boston. So we went through Bedford. As
we went into Lexington we went to the meeting house, and there we
came to the destruction of the Regulars. They killed eight of our
men, and shot a cannon ball through the meeting house. We went along
through Lexington, and we saw several Regulars dead on the road, and
some of our men, and three or four houses were burnt, and some
horses and hogs were killed. They plundered in every house they
could get into. They stove in windows and broke in tops of desks. We
met the men a coming back very fast," etc.
Jonathan's fourth son was Isaac, born in 1785. On reaching manhood he
went before the mast on a voyage to China, and brought back, as a gift
to his mother, a beautiful china tea-set. After his return from sea he
went to Andover, Maine, to settle upon the lands bestowed by his father
upon himself and brothers, Jonathan and James.
With characteristic energy, Isaac Stevens set to work clearing his land,
and reducing rebellious nature to orderly submission. While thus at work
in the woods one day, a heavy tree fell upon and crushed him to the
earth; his left leg was terribly mangled, the bones broken in two
places, and he received other serious injuries. The doctors insisted
that the leg must be taken off in order to save his life, but Isaac
Stevens with inflexible resolution refused to allow the amputation, and
after a long, painful illness finally recovered. The limb, however, in
the process of healing, became materially shorter and permanently
stiffened, so that he was unable to bend the knee joint, and during the
remainder of his life the wound broke out afresh periodically, and
caused him great suffering. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered to
bear the journey, he returned to his native Andover, where, under his
mother's careful nursing, he slowly recovered from the terrible injuries
he had received.
It was at this time that he formed an attachment with Hannah Cummings,
the daughter of a sterling farmer family like his own, and who united to
a warm and affectionate heart, noble and elevated sentiments, strong
good sense, and untiring industry. Their marriage followed soon after,
on the 29th of September, 1814. He now relinquished the project of
settling in Maine, and hired an old farmhouse with some twenty acres of
land of Mr. Bridges. This house, one of the oldest in Andover, is
situated at the end of Marble Ridge, a short distance south of the Great
Pond, and at the point where the road from the village to Haverhill,
after crossing the Essex Railroad, forks, the left branch leading on to
Haverhill, while the other turns short to the right and conducts to
Marble Ridge Station. The solid timbers and stockaded sides of the rear
part of this old house--for the front is a later structure--were the
mute witnesses of a stratagem in early Indian troubles as novel as it
proved successful. The stout-hearted farmer settler was alone, with his
wife and little ones about him, one night, when he discovered a large
party of savages stealthily approaching, and spreading out so as to
encompass his house. Hastily barricading the doors, he seized his
trumpet, which he bore as trumpeter of the military company of the
settlement, stole unperceived out of the house, caught and mounted his
horse, and, making a circuit through the fields, gained the high road
between the Indians and the village. Then, putting spurs to his steed,
and pealing blast upon blast from his trumpet, he charged furiously down
upon the Indians, now in the very act of assailing his domicile, who,
thinking no doubt that the whole force of the country-side was upon
them, incontinently fled into the forest.
Judged by the standard of these days, the young couple had an
unpromising future. They were very poor, the husband a cripple, and they
held as tenants a few barren acres from which to extract a livelihood.
But Isaac Stevens now toiled early and late with untiring energy; he
saved at every point, and turned everything to account with true Yankee
thrift. He built a malt-house, and after laboring on the farm from
earliest dawn until dark, would work at preparing the malt until late in
the evening. His farm embraced a large meadow lying on both sides of the
Cochichewick, just below where it issued from the Great Pond, but now
flooded by the milldams still lower down, where he cut vast quantities
of meadow hay, with which he filled his barns and fed a goodly number of
horned stock during the long, rigorous winters, realizing thereby a
handsome profit in the spring. His young wife joined her efforts to his,
and frequently cut and made clothing for the neighbors around, in
addition to the unceasing and arduous labors of a farmer's wife. Such
thrift and industry could not fail of success. The Bridges house and
land were purchased, largely on mortgage at first; then the wet meadow
was added; then a goodly tract of generous land was bought of the
father, Jonathan Stevens, and other fields and tracts were added from
time to time. During the thirteen years following their marriage, the
first scanty holding grew to a farm of one hundred and fifty acres of
their own, and free from debt. Seven children, too, came to bless their
union and increase their cares. Then the devoted wife and mother died,
November 3, 1827, leaving this helpless little flock, the oldest of whom
was but twelve and the youngest two years of age. Henceforth life was a
heavy and unceasing labor to Isaac Stevens. The little farm grew no
larger, and all his efforts were now required to maintain his family and
keep free from debt. Two years afterwards he married Ann Poor, of North
Andover, impelled by his situation and circumstances, with so many
helpless children about him and the household economy of the farm
unprovided for. The second wife failed to restore the happiness of home.
She had no children, and died in 1866, four years after her husband.
Isaac Stevens was a man of deeply marked and noble characteristics. His
fortitude was severely tested by the misfortune which left him a
lifelong cripple. His cool courage and inflexible resolution are best
illustrated by his manner of dealing with a dangerous bull he once
owned. This animal grew daily more and more savage, until every one
stood in fear of it except the owner, who, as often happens in such
cases, persisted in thinking it quite harmless. At length, however, the
bull one day chased a neighbor, who had imprudently ventured to cross
the field in which it pastured, and overtaking him just as he reached
the fence, tossed him high in air, so that falling fortunately on the
farther side of the inclosure, he escaped with no more serious injuries
than some severe bruises and a broken nose. The bull, furious at the
escape of his prey, was bellowing and pawing the ground. "The bull must
be shot!" cried the man who helped off the injured neighbor. But Isaac
Stevens at once armed himself with a stout cudgel, coolly hobbled into
the field, disregarding all remonstrances and entreaties, fixed his eye
upon the enraged beast, backed him into a narrow corner where he could
not escape, and thrashed him over the head with the club with such
terrible severity that he was completely subdued, and ever after
remained perfectly gentle and submissive.
Always strictly observing the Sabbath, he held liberal views of religion
and attended the Unitarian Church. He kept himself informed of the
current events of the day, taking the New York "Tribune" and Garrison's
"Liberator," and manifesting the greatest interest in education,
temperance, anti-slavery, and every cause that would make mankind better
or happier. "How he denied himself all comforts almost, and _quietly_
sent money to free the slave and for the temperance cause! He was a
strong pillar of the foundation principles of right and justice that it
would be well for young men of this day to study," said one who knew him
well.
He was, above all, a man of perfect integrity and truth, and of a strict
sense of justice. There was not a fibre of guile or indirection in his
moral nature. He held strong and ardent convictions, noble and lofty
ideals of duty and philanthropy, and an intense hatred and scorn of
wrong or oppression in any form. He strongly opposed and denounced the
use of liquors and tobacco, and became early in life a vehement and
outspoken abolitionist of slavery, at a period when the advocacy of such
doctrines demanded unusual moral courage as well as stern conviction of
right. At his decease, years afterwards, he bequeathed five hundred
dollars to the Anti-Slavery Society, requiring only that Wendell
Phillips should deliver a lecture in the parish church of North Andover.
The untiring industry which, with his frugality and good management,
enabled him to achieve comparative independence so early in life, was
not the course of a drudge and miser, but of an ardent, resolute spirit
spurning poverty, debt, and dependence. All through life he manifested
an unconquerable aversion to debt. He loved a fast horse, and the old
mare which he kept until she died, over twenty-seven years old, was, in
her prime, the fastest in the town. After reading a newspaper or book,
he was in the habit of giving it to a neighbor, telling him to hand it
to another after perusing it. He took great pains with his orchards, and
planted apple-trees along the stone walls bordering his fields. He also
planted the noble elms now overhanging the old farmhouse, and the long
lines of this graceful tree now bordering the road from the house to the
crest of the hill overlooking the village and the road over Marble
Ridge, and the numerous clumps and rows in his fields wherever a sightly
eminence seemed to require such an adornment.
His children were:--
HANNAH PEABODY, born September 24, 1815, died November 24, 1840.
SUSAN BRAGG, born February 14, 1817, died April 8, 1841.
ISAAC INGALLS, born March 25, 1818, died September 1, 1862.
ELIZABETH BARKER, born July 14, 1819, died December 10, 1846.
SARAH ANN, born January 13, 1822, died February 8, 1844.
MARY JANE, born August 5, 1823, died June 22, 1847.
OLIVER, born June 22, 1825.
The following account of the ancestry of Hannah Cummings is given by her
nephew, Dr. George Mooar, D.D., of Oakland, California, who has
collected much information concerning the Cummings genealogy:--
"Hannah, wife of Isaac Stevens, was the third child of Deacon Asa
and Hannah (Peabody) Cummings, born October 23, 1785, married
September 29, 1814, and died November 3, 1827.
"The line from her father to the first American ancestor runs thus:
Asa (6), Thomas (5), Joseph (4), Abraham (3), John (2), Isaac (1).
"Deacon Asa was born in Andover, Massachusetts, but removed in 1798
to Albany, Maine, a pioneer settler there, a trusted, intelligent,
and capable citizen, who in 1803 represented his district in the
General Court.
"Captain Thomas (5) was born in Topsfield and died September 3,
1765. He married Anna Kittell, the widow of Asa Johnson, of Andover.
"Captain Joseph (4), of Topsfield, was quite a character. The
biographer of Dr. Manasseh Cutler says that he found among the
papers of that eminent person a notice of Captain Cummings in which
he is spoken of as a remarkable man, well versed in the politics of
the day, and he adds: 'From the interest Dr. Cutler felt in him, he
must have been a stanch patriot and Federalist.' In a notice which
appears in the 'Salem Gazette' we are told that when nearly a
hundred he would readily mount his horse from the ground. He died in
his one hundred and second year.
"Abraham (3) was a resident of Woburn and of Dunstable.
"John (2) was quite a large proprietor in Boxford, Massachusetts,
and later was one of the first fourteen proprietors of the town of
Dunstable.
"Isaac (1) appears on a list of the 'Commoners of Ipswich in 1641,
but appears to have arrived in America three years before. No exact
knowledge of his previous residence in Great Britain has been
obtained. The prevailing tradition gives him a Scottish descent.'
"An elder brother of Hannah Cummings was Dr. Asa Cummings, D.D., of
Portland, Maine, eminent for classical learning and piety, and
editor of the 'Christian Mirror' for many years."
CHAPTER II
BIRTH.--BOYHOOD
ISAAC INGALLS STEVENS first saw the light at the old Marble Ridge
farmhouse, on the 25th of March, 1818. He was a delicate infant, and it
was impossible for his mother, with her other little ones and the
engrossing labors of the farmhouse, to bestow upon him the care his
condition required. His grandmother, one day visiting the farm, was
shocked to see him still in his cradle, though three years old, and,
remarking that unless he was taught soon he never would walk, insisted
upon taking him home with her, where, under her gentle and experienced
hands, he quickly learned to run about. After returning home his father
used to plunge him, fresh from bed, into a hogshead of cold water every
morning.
Such heroic treatment would be sure to kill or cure, and perhaps no
better proof could be given of the native vigor of his constitution than
the fact that he lived, and became strong, active, and hardy.
Even as a child he was active, daring, and adventurous. He used to climb
the lofty elms in front of his grandfather's house, and cling like a
squirrel to the topmost branches, laughing and chattering defiance to
his grandmother's commands and entreaties to come down.
One afternoon Abiel Holt, the hired man on the farm, went a-fishing for
pickerel, and took Isaac, who was then a very little urchin just able to
run about cleverly. After catching a fine string of fish, they came to
the old causeway which crossed the water where now stands the dam under
the Essex Railroad, but which was then submerged several feet deep in
the water for some distance.
A rude footway had been contrived here by driving down forked stakes at
suitable intervals along the causeway, and placing loose poles in the
crotches from stake to stake, forming one row for the feet and another a
little higher for the hands.
The contrivance was rickety and unsafe to the last degree; the poles
swayed and bent at every step, and it required great care and the use of
both feet and hands to avoid a ducking. It was now time to drive up the
cows, which were pasturing beyond the water; so Holt, bidding the child
remain there, crossed over after them, taking with him the string of
fish, which he hung up on one of the stakes on the farther side, for he
wanted the pleasure of taking his spoils home in triumph, and feared, if
he left them with Isaac, the latter would take them and run home while
he was away. On returning he was struck with consternation to find no
trace of either the child or the fish. He carefully scrutinized the
water without result, and at length slowly returned to the farmhouse,
filled with misgivings, and was not a little relieved to find both his
charge and his fish safe at home. The child had worked his way across
the water by the poles, although, standing on the lower row, he could
hardly reach the upper one with extended arms, and had returned, holding
the string of fish in his teeth, in the same way. His father ever after
was particularly fond of relating this anecdote in proof of the daring
and adventurous spirit so early manifested.
[Illustration: BIRTHPLACE OF GENERAL STEVENS, ANDOVER, MASS.
_From Historical Sketches of Andover, by Sarah Loring
Bailey_]
He was a sensitive, earnest child, not demonstrative, but having great
affection and tenderness, which he lavished upon his mother. Her early
death was his first and greatest misfortune. When he was only seven
years old, his father, who always drove furiously, in driving with
his wife in his wagon rapidly around a corner, overset the vehicle. They
were thrown out violently upon the ground, and the unfortunate mother
struck upon her head. From this shock she never really recovered, and
died two years after the unhappy accident. During this period Isaac
attached himself closely to his mother, and acquired no slight influence
over her. The early death of this tender and devoted wife and mother
well-nigh destroyed the happiness of her family. Isaac ever cherished
her memory with the tenderest veneration. He thought that from her were
inherited great part of his talents, and that had she lived he would
have been spared the injudicious forcing of his mind in his childhood,
to which he always declared he owed a real mental injury.
After the mother's death, a housekeeper was employed to provide for the
helpless little flock, and attend to the household duties; and two years
later the father married his second wife, Ann Poor.
Isaac was sent to school before his fifth year, where from the first he
displayed great power of memory, close application, and devotion to
study. His teachers were astonished to find that he did not stop at the
end of the day's lesson, but habitually learned far beyond it, often
reciting page after page. It was said that there was no need of telling
Isaac how much to study; it was enough to show him where to begin, and
he would learn more than the teacher cared to hear. His first teacher,
Miss Susan Foster, said with astonishment one day, after hearing his
lesson in arithmetic, "There is no use for me to teach him arithmetic;
he is already far beyond me in that."
After his tenth year he attended Franklin Academy, in North
Andover,--Old Put's school, as it was usually and more familiarly
styled,--kept by Mr. Simon Putnam, who attained great repute as a
teacher. This was situated on the hill north of the meeting-house, on
land given for the purpose by grandfather Jonathan. Here he studied the
usual English branches. Among his schoolmates were William Endicott,
Jr., the well-known philanthropist, Hon. Daniel Saunders, the late
George B. Loring, and Major George T. Clark. It appears that wrestling
was a favorite sport with the active and hardy boys at this school.
His father, proud and ambitious on his account, kept him constantly at
school, and urged on to still greater efforts this earnest, ardent
nature, intense in everything he undertook. The evil effects of such
mistaken treatment soon made themselves felt. His mind became wearied
and dull from overtasking. The teacher advised rest. The boy, then but
ten years old, begged his father to take him out of school and let him
work on the farm, telling him that he could no longer study; that he
could not learn his lessons. But the father refused, not realizing the
son's condition, and bade him go back to school and study what he could.
Isaac then went to his uncle Nathaniel, who owned the Cochichewick
woolen mills, situated two miles below the farm, and obtained his
permission to work in the factory for a year. He prevailed upon his
grandmother to let him lodge at her house in order to be nearer the
factory; and having thus decided upon his course, went home and informed
his father of the arrangements he had made, who, astonished at the
judgment and resolution of the boy, acquiesced. So Isaac went to work in
the factory, lodging at his grandfather's, rising long before daylight
that he might eat a hurried breakfast, walk a mile to the factory, and
begin the day's work at five o'clock in the morning, and toiling ten to
twelve hours a day. He entered the weavers' room, where he soon learned
to manage a loom. The best weavers were women, it seems, and able to
run two looms apiece. Isaac at once determined to excel the most
capable; and before he left the factory, succeeded in reaching the goal
of his ambition, and managed four looms unassisted.
After a year of this unremitting labor, he left the mills. As he was
returning home with the scanty sum he had earned in his pocket, taking
it to his father, he passed a shop where some tempting hot gingerbread
was displayed for sale, and felt an intense longing to buy a
penny-worth; but reflecting that his earnings belonged to his father,
and it would be wrong for him to spend any of them, he overcame the
desire and went home. But when he handed the money to his father, and
asked for a cent to buy the gingerbread with, he felt stung to the quick
by the latter's refusal. In truth, the father's hard struggle with
poverty and adverse circumstances had narrowed his noble nature. Too
much had life become to him nothing but hard work, self-sacrifice, and a
severe sense of duty. He did not appreciate the sensitive nature of a
child, and its needs of sympathy, recreation, and occasional indulgence.
Directly across the road from the house was a small pool called the
frog-pond. Isaac selected a corner of this pond for his garden, filled
it up with stones, and covered them with rich earth brought from a
distance in his little cart with great pains and labor. He eagerly
seized every moment that could be spared from school and his unceasing
round of morning and evening chores to devote to this darling project.
At last the garden was prepared, and planted with his own favorite
seeds. But his father, fearing that it might distract and take up too
much time from his studies and duties about the farm, rudely uprooted
his tenderly cared-for plants, and put in potatoes instead.
On another occasion his father's injudicious urging nearly proved
fatal. Isaac was helping in the hay-field, and was working with such
ardor and had accomplished so much that his father was actually
astonished. Instead of restraining, he praised him without stint. Under
this stimulus the ambitious boy redoubled his exertions until he was
prostrated by a sunstroke, resulting in a raging fever, from which he
barely escaped with life after a severe sickness.
On another occasion, when twelve years old, he was working in the
hay-field, pitching hay upon the cart; he was badly ruptured, and had to
be carried to the house. As soon as he was able to travel he went alone
to Boston, and sought out Dr. Warren, a noted surgeon, and laid his case
before him. Dr. Warren was so much struck with the lad's courage and
intelligence that he refused to accept any fee. "If you do exactly what
I tell you, you will get well," he said, "and I know you will do so from
looking in your face." The surgeon had a truss made, and prescribed
treatment, but all the remainder of his life Isaac was obliged to wear
the truss, although he outgrew the injury in a measure until it broke
out afresh in Mexico from over-exertion.
Measured by modern conditions, it was a severe and laborious home life
in which the farmer's boy grew up, but it was a wholesome one, and well
adapted to bring out all his powers. Morning and evening, throughout the
year, he had his round of duties, feeding and milking the cows, feeding
the pigs, cutting and bringing in wood, etc. During the winter he rose
long before daylight to attend to these chores and shovel snow from the
paths, then after a hasty breakfast trudged away to school, and on
returning again resumed the round of unending farm work. In summer there
was no school for three or four months, and then he worked on the farm,
hoeing corn, making hay, driving oxen, and performing all the hard and
varied labors of a New England farmer's son. But the New England farmers
of that day were the owners of the soil. They knew no superiors. The
Revolutionary struggle, as recent to them as the great Rebellion is to
us, was fresh and vivid in their minds, and stimulated noble ideas of
liberty and national independence. The standard of personal honesty,
manhood, and morals, bequeathed from their Puritan ancestry, was high.
Such was the moral atmosphere of Isaac Stevens's household, heightened
by his own earnest, philanthropic, and elevated sentiments. All his
children were intellectual and high-minded, and nothing can be more
touching than the constant ambition and striving of his five daughters
for education and self-improvement. All became teachers, but died young,
victims of consumption.
Nor was the life of the youth nothing but a round of hard work and
privation. If he worked hard and studied hard, he enjoyed play with
equal zest, and shared the rougher sports of those days with his cousins
and other boys of his age. They were more pugnacious and rougher than
nowadays. Wrestling was a common sport, and boyish fights and scuffles
were usual.
At the age of fifteen he entered Phillips Academy in Andover. Nathan W.
Hazen, Esq., a well-known and respected lawyer of the town, furnished
him board and lodgings, in return for which he took care of the garden,
and did the chores about the place. One of his schoolmates, describing
his first appearance at the academy, said: "The door opened, and there
quietly entered an insignificant, small boy, carrying in his arms a load
of books nearly as large as himself. But the impression of
insignificance vanished as soon as one regarded his large head, earnest
face, and firm, searching, and fearless dark hazel eye."
He remained at the academy over a year. As usual, he took the front
rank from the beginning. His reputation as a scholar, especially in
mathematics, extended beyond the school. Besides his studies he took
sole care of Mr. Hazen's garden, a half acre in extent, groomed the
horse, milked the cow, and fed them, cut and brought in the wood, and
did many other jobs about the house, performing an amount of labor, as
Mr. Hazen declared, sufficient to dismay many a hired man. He studied
early in the morning and late at night. His power of concentrating his
mind upon any subject was extraordinary. His industry was untiring. The
impress this boy of fifteen made upon those with whom he came in contact
during his stay at this place is really remarkable. Mr. Hazen, who
proved a considerate friend and adviser to the struggling youth, relates
that every evening Isaac would bring his chair close to the office
table, at which the former was accustomed to read or write, in order to
avail himself of the light, and would work out mathematical problems on
his slate. He would remain quietly with his hand to his head in deep
thought for a little time, when suddenly he would shower a perfect
rainstorm of figures upon his slate without hesitation, or erasure,
oftentimes completely filling it. Generally the correct result was
reached; but when the solution was not found the first time, he would
rapidly wipe off every figure and begin again as before. His mind always
sought out and mastered the bottom principle. It was remarked that,
whenever he had once solved a problem, he could unhesitatingly solve all
others of the same character.
On one occasion a mathematician of some note, who had just published a
new arithmetic, brought his work to the academy, and tested the
acquirements of the scholars by giving them his new problems to solve.
When Isaac was called to the blackboard, he astonished the author and
the teacher alike by the ease and rapidity with which he solved every
example. They plied him again and again with the most difficult
problems, but he mastered them in every instance. "Well, sir," exclaimed
the author, somewhat piqued, "I think you could make the key to this
book." Isaac took the book, and in three days returned it with every
example worked out.
A very difficult problem was sent from Yale College to the academy.
While the teachers and scholars were puzzling over it, Isaac sat in
thought for half an hour with his hand to his head, then rapidly worked
out the problem on his slate and presented the solution.
Young as he was, it seems that he had thought enough on religious
subjects to become a decided Universalist and Unitarian. A religious
revival took place while he was at the academy, and many of the scholars
were brought within its influence. Among others, one of the teachers
became "converted," and sought all means to promote a similar experience
among his pupils. In order to remove the stumbling-blocks of doubt and
ignorance, he offered to answer any questions they might propound on
religious topics. The first question Isaac put, "Can a sincere
Universalist be saved?" was met by a decided and uncompromising "No."
But the youth plied the unfortunate zealot with such queries that he was
forced to confess his inability to answer them, and to withdraw his
offer. Once, when he wanted the whole class to attend one of the revival
meetings, he put it to them that all who were willing to dispense with
the afternoon session and attend the meeting should rise. All promptly
stood up except Isaac, who resolutely kept his seat. "Every one in favor
except Stevens," exclaimed the teacher with some bitterness, realizing
the protest against his own bigotry. In truth, the youth's sense of
right had been shocked by the doctrines he heard advanced; he was
strongly opposed to such revival meetings, and his earnest nature would
not bend in a matter of principle.
At one of these meetings his two sisters, Hannah and Susan, yielded to
the exhortations and influences of the occasion, and took their seats on
the converts' or mourners' bench, as it was called. Perceiving this,
Isaac immediately marched up to the front, and made them both leave the
church with him, no slight proof of his influence over them, older than
himself. In fact, while they felt great pride in his talents, his
sisters had come still more to respect and lean upon his sound judgment
and firm will. He lavished upon them all the great tenderness and
affection of his strong and earnest nature.
During his boyhood he was affected with excessive diffidence, or
bashfulness. With characteristic resolution and good sense, he set
himself to overcome this weakness. He made it a point always to address
any one whose presence inspired this awkward feeling, but, he said, it
was years before he overcame it.
After a year and four months of this severe application, Isaac completed
his course at Phillips Academy. He wished to study law with Mr. Hazen,
but that gentleman discouraged the idea. At this juncture his uncle,
William Stevens, suggested West Point, and wrote to Mr. Gayton P.
Osgood, the member of Congress for the North Essex District, in which
Andover was situated, inquiring if there was an appointment in his gift,
and suggesting Isaac's name. Mr. Osgood replied that there was no
vacancy. But uncle William was not satisfied; he wrote to William C.
Phillips, the member representing the South Essex District, by whom he
was informed that no cadet had been appointed from Mr. Osgood's
district. Accordingly he formally made application in behalf of his
nephew. A lawyer by profession, and cashier of the Andover bank, he was
a man of some influence. Mr. Hazen and other friends joined their
recommendations. Mr. Phillips exerted a favorable influence, and
although there were other candidates with more influential backing, Mr.
Osgood bestowed upon Isaac the desired appointment. Both uncle William
and Mr. Hazen declared that the recommendations had little weight, and
that Mr. Osgood selected him on account of his reputation for ability
and scholarship.
CHAPTER III
WEST POINT
The following letter to his uncle William, written immediately after his
arrival at West Point, vividly portrays the mingled emotions that
stirred the heart of the raw but ambitious country youth on reaching the
goal of his boyish hopes,--his ardent patriotism, awakened by the
historic scenes about him; his ambition and determination to be first in
his class, "by unflinching resolution, indomitable perseverance, fixing
his whole soul upon the object he wishes to attain with concentrated and
undivided attention;" his gratitude to his uncle and friends for his
appointment, and his affectionate regard for his family. It is also
significant of his self-reliant character that he expresses no fears in
regard to the impending examination for admission, but remarks, with
well-grounded confidence, that "there can be no difficulty in sustaining
myself with honor and respectability."
WEST POINT, June 13, 1835.
DEAR UNCLE,--I now enjoy the long-anticipated happiness of
addressing you from West Point. And perhaps you may ask, does it
meet my expectations? I am not prepared to answer this question
fully at present, but will say that I like my situation, although
subject to very strict regulations, and fully believe there can be
no difficulty in obeying every regulation and sustaining myself with
honor and respectability. And be assured that I always shall
consider myself greatly indebted to you for your kind exertions in
my behalf, and it shall be my determination to demean myself in such
a manner as to convince you and all my friends that their exertions
have not been thrown away. Here I am surrounded by young men from
every State in the Union, who are eagerly endeavoring to arrive at
distinction, many of whom have determined, and, what is better
still, will make every exertion to carry their resolve into effect,
to be first in their class.
Every one must buckle on his armor for the conflict: let him be
girded with unflinching resolution, indomitable perseverance,
decision and firmness of mind, singleness of purpose, integrity of
heart, let him fix his _whole_ soul upon the object he wishes to
attain with concentrated and undivided attention, and he will
undoubtedly, with scarcely the possibility of a doubt, obtain the
post of honor.
The first class graduated yesterday. The whole number attached to
this class was 54, which is the greatest number that ever graduated
at any one time from this institution. There were splendid fireworks
last evening, which lasted until nine o'clock. All the cadets were
permitted to partake of the sport. It is said that the cadets who
leave here are so affected that they even shed tears. Is it to be
wondered at? Is there a spot in the whole United States which is
associated with so many hallowed and pleasing recollections of the
patriotism, of the struggles, and of the victories of our
Revolutionary fathers? We are as it were in the cradle of liberty,
in the stronghold of freedom, and may we be scions worthy of the
tears and of the blood of our Revolutionary sires: may I not
disgrace my country, my State, and that character of proud disdain
and patriotic valor which inspired the heroes of Andover on the morn
of Bunker's fight; and above all may I cherish that love of freedom
and sympathy for the sufferings of mankind which characterized the
life of Washington, of Kosciusko, and the other worthies of the
Revolution; and in fine may I cherish a heart full of gratitude for
those kind friends who by their exertions have assisted me to
procure my present situation. I shall be examined Monday, and the
encampment will be pitched on Tuesday. We shall have no uniforms
until the 4th of July, at which time the new cadets mount guard. As
soon as I have entered upon the active duties of the station, I
shall again write to Andover. Give my love to father, mother,
brother and sisters, to your own family, and all inquiring friends,
remembering me especially to grandmother. I remain your grateful
nephew,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
WM. STEVENS, ESQ.
He entered the academy resolved to place himself at the head of his
class, not in presumptuous or ignorant self-confidence, but fully
recognizing the arduous struggle before him. A boy of seventeen, with
scanty advantages of education, but inured to hard work and hard study,
he did not hesitate to contest the palm with youths older and far better
prepared than himself, of whom two at least had received a collegiate
education, and had publicly avowed their determination to attain the
first place. These were Henry W. Halleck, of New York, distinguished as
major-general, and at one time commanding the army in the war of the
Rebellion, and Henry J. Biddle, of Philadelphia, both of whom were older
in years, of assured social position and wealthy connections,
accomplished French scholars, and well up in mathematics; and one may
fancy the derision with which they regarded the rivalry of the
undersized farmer's boy from Andover.
"One evening," says General E.D. Townsend, late adjutant-general of
the army, "a classmate of mine, who was very fond of mathematics,
General Israel Vogdes, came to my room, and told me there was a
'Plebe' just entered from my State, who was a fine mathematician
already, and would stand 'head of his class in math.' This
interested me, and I went around to offer to assist my
fellow-statesman in entering on his career. This was previous to his
first encampment. I found Mr. Stevens a modest, straightforward
young man, who, in reply to my offer of any assistance I could give
him, informed me he wanted to stand head of his class,--that he was
not afraid of mathematics, but knew nothing whatever of French. I at
once suggested to him to do what was sometimes but not often done,
to apply for permission to take lessons during the encampment of one
of the professors, for which a small compensation would be allowed
to be deducted from Mr. Stevens's pay. He caught at this idea, and
subsequently carried it out. The result was he stood fourteenth in
French in the first January examination, and first in mathematics.
This did not satisfy him, as I found on congratulating him on what
I deemed a most creditable standing. The next June examination, by
his untiring application, he stood head both in mathematics and
French. There were some four young men in his class who were ripe
scholars when they entered West Point, and who were by no means
wanting in studious habits.
"The following year, drawing was added to the course. Mr. Stevens
came to me for more advice, saying he had not the slightest notion
of drawing. I suggested to him, first, great care in his outlines to
get them accurate, and then, if he found on trial that he had no
talent for shading, that by using a very fine-pointed crayon, and
making with patience and care light, smooth marks, he might succeed
in producing a well-finished and pretty picture. He came to me
shortly after to say that he had improved upon my hint, for he first
filled in the outline with a fine pencil, and then traced over this
with a coarse one the prominent lines of the picture. Well, he stood
head in drawing, and this although at least one of his competitors
was quite expert with his pencil before he entered the academy. As
might be expected from the beginning, Mr. Stevens graduated at the
head of his class in every branch throughout the course."
Among his classmates, who afterwards rose to be generals in the army,
will be recognized Henry W. Halleck; Henry J. Hunt, the distinguished
chief of artillery of the Army of the Potomac; George Thom; Edward O.C.
Ord; Edward R. S. Canby, who commanded the army against Mobile in 1865,
and was massacred by the Modocs in 1873, when in command of the
Department of the Columbia; and James B. Ricketts; and in the
Confederate army, Jeremy F. Gilmer.
Among those in the three classes above him, distinguished as generals in
the army, were Montgomery C. Meiggs, quartermaster-general during the
war, Daniel P. Woodbury, James Lowry Donaldson, Thomas W. Sherman, Henry
H. Lockwood, John W. Phelps, Robert Allen, of the class of '36.
Henry W. Benham, Alexander B. Dyer, S. Parker Scammon, Israel Vogdes,
Edward D. Townsend, William H. French, John Sedgwick, the soldierly and
steadfast commander of the Sixth Corps, beloved of his troops, Joseph
Hooker, John B.S. Todd, of the class of '37; and on the Confederate
side, Braxton Bragg, Jubal A. Early, Edmond Bradford, and John C.
Pemberton.
William F. Barry, Irvin C. McDowell, Robert S. Granger, Justus
McKinstry, Charles F. Ruff, and Andrew J. Smith, of the class of '38,
and P.G. T. Beauregard, the distinguished Confederate leader, as also
William J. Hardee, Edward Johnson, and Alexander W. Reynolds.
In the class of '40 were the distinguished W.T. Sherman, George H.
Thomas, George W. Getty, Stewart Van Vleit, and William Hays; and on the
Southern side, John P. McCawn, Richard S. Ewell, and Bushrod R. Johnson.
In the class of '41 were Zealous B. Tower, Horatio G. Wright, Amiel W.
Whipple, Albion W. Howe, Nathaniel Lyon, John M. Brannon, and Schuyler
Hamilton.
In the class of '42 were Henry L. Eustis, John Newton, William S.
Rosecrans, Barton S. Alexander, John Pope, Seth Williams, Abner
Doubleday, Napoleon J.T. Dana, Ralph W. Kirkham, and George Sykes; among
the Confederates, James Longstreet, D.H. Hill, Gustavus W. Smith,
Mansfield Lovell, Lafayette McLaws, and Earl Van Dorn.
Now fairly entered upon the life and duties of a cadet, his intense and
ardent nature found full occupation. His ambition was aroused. Hard
study agreed with him. The days sped rapidly and pleasantly away. He
fell into companionship with the most talented and high-spirited young
men. Nor, time and attention all absorbed by severe application, did he
sink into a mere bookworm. Every morning before breakfast, rain or
shine, he walked around the post for exercise, a distance of two miles.
He shared, too, in the escapades natural to a free and spirited youth,
and did not always come off scot-free from these scrapes, for his name
stands forty-third on the conduct roll for the first year.
"I have never been homesick for a single minute since I have been
here," he writes his sisters Hannah and Elizabeth, September 8,
1835; "I never passed three months more pleasantly in my life, and
since I commenced my studies time never seemed more fleeting. We are
obliged to stand guard once a week, drill every day, have a dress
parade, with roll calls, etc. We study ten and a half hours a day,
two and a half of which are spent in the recitation room. I have
recited four lessons in algebra and three in French, and I think I
can get my maximum unless sick, or otherwise disabled, that is, miss
no questions in any of my studies the coming year. I can get both of
my lessons in half an hour, and I shall have much leisure time. If I
had some Greek books I think I could pass my time to better
advantage.
"I like the military life very much. There is as fine a set of
fellows here as ever breathed the air. We study hard, eat hearty,
sleep sound, and play little. In camp every one was wide awake for a
scrape, or for any kind of fun. But in barracks we are as sober and
steady as Quakers. We go to the section room with long and solemn
faces. I assure you we know that by study and severe application
alone we can keep our places. I admire the spirit which pervades the
whole class. The common remark is, 'I intend to bone it with all my
might.' _To bone it_ means _to study hard_. Every one seems
determined to rise, or keep his present standing at any rate. We are
divided in four sections in mathematics, and seven in French,
arranged in alphabetical order. Consequently I stand in the last
section in each. A transfer will be made in the course of the week,
those who do best being put in the higher sections, and those who do
worst into the lower sections. I hope to rise in both. That I may do
so, I intend to get my lessons in the best possible manner. It shall
be my aim not only to understand my lessons, but to convince my
instructors that I understand them. To do this I must accustom
myself to collect my ideas readily, to be free from embarrassment
and trepidation, and always to be perfectly calm and
self-possessed."
TO HANNAH.
November 28.
I am doing pretty well. My health is strong and vigorous. I am not
only contented with my situation, but like it very much indeed. We
are kept tremendously strict, I assure you. I was visiting last
Wednesday evening, and they arrested me for it, and did not release
me until this evening, and in addition to that they obliged me to
perform an extra tour of Sunday guard duty, which is very tough, I
assure you, this cold weather.
Uncle William, it seems, was disappointed at his early standing in the
class, and wrote him rather a reproachful letter of exhortation and
advice, winding up with the wish that he should stand first in
mathematics by the end of the year. In reply he explains that his first
rating was low because his name came near the end of the alphabet.
WEST POINT, December 5, 1835.
DEAR UNCLE,--Your letter was received yesterday, and read with much
pleasure. I feel gratified that I still retain your confidence, and
that you expect me to sustain an honorable stand. It is also rather
flattering than otherwise to know that you feel disappointed because
I have nothing more than a respectable standing in my class, for it
shows that your estimate of my abilities is as high as, perhaps
higher than, it should be. I assure you that your wish shall be
gratified not only within the close of the first year, but within
the first six months, if it is within my power. Should my stand be
no higher than at present, you must not feel disappointed. For such
a stand is not only "_very respectable_," but very high in a class
like ours. I beg of you, however, to think no more of the
communication, because my stand even then was much higher than 19.
The sections since then have been rearranged, and I have risen very
much. You must also recollect that at first I was within seven of
the foot both in M. and F. In two weeks I rose 25 men in M. and 80
in F. I then remained in the second section in mathematics till the
middle of November, when I was transferred to the first section.
There are only two in our class who have got the maximum at every
recitation both in M. and F. since the commencement of our studies;
these are cadet Biddle from Penn. and a fellow from Mass., whose
birthplace, I believe, is Andover. I am now at the head of my
section in French. My present standing in M. _is_ as _high_ as the
_highest_, and it is considered so by every member of my class.
There are four of us in M. who have done equally well, that is, we
have each of us got the maximum, done all the extras, and
demonstrate equally as well. Their names are H.J. Biddle, of Penn.,
I. Butler, of Va., H. W. Halleck, of N.Y., and ----, of Mass. I have
often thought of the advice you gave me, and I hope I have profited
by it. I have spent two hours in studying other authors, and in
learning to demonstrate eloquently and with perspicuity, to every
hour devoted to the text-book. In French I have risen more than any
other man in the class. My stand at first was 67th, now it is 22d.
When I came, I had scarcely looked into a French book for five
years, and could not pronounce a single syllable. And, believe me,
it is not egotism which prompts me to say this, but it is in order
to put to rest all your apprehensions on my account. I also wish to
assure you that I associate with none whom I ought not to respect.
WEST POINT, December 20, 1835.
DEAR FATHER,--You have probably received a communication from the
War Department giving my stand for the month of November, which I
hope will give you better satisfaction than the last return. I think
my general standing in January will be still better. I shall be
examined one fortnight from to-morrow, and I intend to do my best.
My standing will greatly depend upon it. At the examination, each
one has a demonstration to perform, besides some 20 or 30 questions
to answer. If my demonstration is good, and the answers to all my
questions are correct, my stand will remain in mathematics at least
as good as it was in November, which, I presume, is fourth. In
French I think I shall rise considerably, because my mark is as good
as any one's, and I think I have gained the good-will of my teacher.
Very much depends upon this. We can always secure their esteem by
being attentive and respectful, and, last though not least, by
paying considerable attention to our personal appearance. Lieutenant
Church, my professor in mathematics, and Mr. Molinard, my professor
in French, are both very fine men and accomplished teachers. The
latter is a Frenchman.
I am acquainted with many Westerners, who generally are very fine
fellows. They are generally very generous and open-hearted, and it
is very easy to get acquainted with them. There have been two duels
fought between cadets since I have been here, though no ill
consequences followed. In each case the combatants were Westerners.
If they had been found out, they, together with the seconds, would
have been dismissed.
Our State does the best of any in the fourth class. There are three
in the first section in mathematics, and two in the first section in
French. Penn. has two in each. Henry J. Biddle, of Penn., will
probably be head in mathematics in January. His name comes before
those who have an equal mark with him; he is a splendid
mathematician, and has graduated at a college, and was undoubtedly
better prepared than any other member of the class. He will also be
head in French. We have a splendid collection of Philosophical,
Mathematical, and Historical works in our library. There is no
difficulty in getting books, and I intend to avail myself of its
many advantages. There is a universal history of modern times,
consisting of 42 volumes. I am now reading Rollin's Ancient History.
Our evenings are very busy. We study from half past five till ten.
It is noticeable in his letters that he finds the regular course of
studies very easy, owing undoubtedly not less to the remarkable native
powers of his mind than to his habits of study and faculty of intense
application. Yet, as in boyhood, not content with the prescribed
curriculum, and spurred on by his ambition to achieve the headship of
his class, he takes extra French lessons, spends "two hours in studying
other authors, and in learning to demonstrate eloquently and with
perspicuity, to every hour devoted to the text-book," and reads Rollin's
Ancient History. Such indomitable resolution and energy combined with
great ability could not fail. In six months he had gained a high place
in the first section, and had become the competitor with three others
for the leadership. He writes uncle William, who has congratulated him
on his standing, and now thinks it best to caution him against studying
too hard:--
WEST POINT, February 1, 1836.
DEAR UNCLE,--It was very gratifying to learn that my standing was so
satisfactory to my friends. Since it has been attained by no extra
exertion, it is incumbent on me to _deserve_ to sustain it for the
future by strict and unwearied attention to all my academic studies.
Your caution respecting hard study shall be observed, for the very
good reason that it is impossible to do otherwise. The regulations
in this respect are very good, and are such as to secure to each one
the privilege of studying as much as is necessary, while it
restrains all from over-exertion. We retire at ten and rise at six.
Of the remaining sixteen, four hours are devoted to recreation,
meals, etc., and twelve to study. Of these twelve hours, two and one
half are spent in the section room. The intercourse between the
cadets is so free and uninterrupted that it is impossible to study
except during study hours. Surely twelve hours' study per day ought
to injure no one of a sound constitution.
Our class will have a society next fall. Every class, except the
fourth, has one or more societies, which meet every Saturday
evening. We have some very fine speakers in the corps, and many take
great pains to improve themselves.
You wish to know our uniforms, rations, etc. Our uniform is gray.
Our pantaloons are made as usual, except a stripe of black velvet on
each leg. Cousin Charles can describe our coats, which are the same
both winter and summer. In summer we wear white pants made of Russia
drilling.
Remember me to all inquiring friends, especially to grandmother and
your own family.
Your nephew,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
N.B. Tell our folks to write soon.
To his sister Susan:--
WEST POINT, February 23, 1836.
DEAR SISTER,--Be assured that advice from _you_, and advice from
_all those_ whom I _know_ to be my _friends_, will afford me the
greatest pleasure, and will always be received with the most
respectful attention. The disgusting habits of chewing, smoking,
etc., I abominate, and therefore shall never indulge in them. As for
drinks, either distilled or fermented, I do not use them, because in
the first place they cannot be obtained, and, in the second place, I
have no desire for them. The fact of the case is, that in barracks
there are no temptations offered us but what every one who has any
mind could easily resist. In camp it is not the case; then many
temptations are offered us, to which we are in great danger of
yielding, since we have much leisure. When a person has his whole
time employed, there is little danger of falling into bad habits.
Last fall, when I commenced the Algebra, I had very little to do,
and came very near contracting some very bad habits, as sleeping in
the morning, etc., which at first required some little difficulty in
breaking; but now I do not think of such a thing, not even Sunday
mornings, and I often rise at four or five o'clock. This is owing to
having hard lessons to get. You mention that you are studying Latin
and like it very much. I have but one caution to give you on this
subject, which is, get your grammar perfectly. Everything depends
upon this. You can never make a good Latin scholar unless you know
everything about the grammar. Since you are studying French, I
intend next encampment to write you a letter in French, which you
must answer, and we will correct each other. We use Levisac's
Grammar, and at every lesson get about half a page of exercises, and
are obliged to get them so that we can write any sentence our Prof.
gives us upon the blackboard without referring to the books. We are
now writing sentences upon the pronomial verbs. We get for our
translation eight pages in Charles XII. per day. Our teacher, Mr.
Bevard (the author of the French Lessons), is a very good linguist,
and the most thorough teacher I ever was under. He is very
particular about our pronunciation, and corrects us very frequently.
I think by June I shall be able to pronounce French pretty well and
read it fluently, and shall endeavor to rise considerably.
You must write whenever you can find it convenient, and your letters
shall always be punctually answered. I observe that you pay the
postage. I wish that you would allow me to pay it, as I think I am
better able to do it than you. Remember me to all inquiring friends.
Your brother,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
Miss S.B. STEVENS.
His letters show the maturity of the mind and judgment of the youth of
seventeen, and exhibit a slight formality and precision that indicates
that he was taking pains in the composition. His correspondence must
have taken no little time. His great, warm heart went out towards all
his relations, and he was frequently writing to his uncle William, and
his cousins in Andover and Salem, Mass., in Albany, Maine, and in
Nashville, Tenn. He wrote constantly to his father and sisters, keenly
alive to their welfare and happiness. The latter were beginning to
scatter widely from the paternal roof-tree. Hannah, the eldest, was at
Haverhill, earning her livelihood. Susan was attending the female
seminary at the South Parish (Andover); Mary was at Methuen, at Mr.
Stephen Barker's; and only Sarah and Elizabeth remained at home. Deeply
sympathizing with them, he comforts them, urges them to treat their
stepmother with respect, and touchingly alludes to their father's
unfortunate condition, his growing infirmities, and his sincere
affection for and devotion to his children.
The first academic year rolled rapidly away. One day, as the examination
drew near, Halleck and Biddle were comparing notes as to the prospects.
"That little Stevens," said the former, "is driving ahead like the
devil, and he is sure to be first in mathematics. I don't think he can
beat me in French, at any rate." "And I am sure," rejoined Biddle, "that
he cannot touch me in drawing next year. One thing I have made up my
mind to,--if he gains the head of the class over me, I shall resign."
This dialogue was overheard, and repeated to "little Stevens," who
related it in after years with some amusement.
He had pursued his object with unflagging zeal, energy, and
determination during the year, but, reflecting how heavily he was
handicapped in the race by men like Biddle, Butler, and Halleck, so much
older and farther advanced in their studies at the beginning, he might
well feel anxious. He entered the examination room, as he describes it,
cool and collected, with nerves high-strung yet under perfect control,
and fully determined to come out ahead. He was not disappointed. He rose
to the first place,--a place, once achieved, which no competitor was to
wrest from him.
CAMP JONES, July 6, 1836.
DEAR UNCLE,--I received your letter by Mr. Johnson, and although
short it was very acceptable.... We had a fine time on the Fourth
of July, an oration, dinner, etc. I had a great desire to spend the
Fourth at New York city. I applied and obtained a leave of two days,
commencing on Sunday noon and ending on Tuesday; had a very fine
time,--went to the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, got introduced to about half
a dozen midshipmen, etc. The military were out, as well as several
societies. In the evening I went to the theatre, where Celeste
danced _as usual_.
Since we have been in camp we have had a very easy time, nothing to
do but go on guard two or three times per week, attend roll calls
and dress parades. Next week we will be drilled three times per day
as well as recite in infantry tactics, and attend the
dancing-school. I have come to the determination to study French
this encampment: shall commence next week. I cannot reasonably
expect to keep my present standing in that branch unless I exert
myself. I can translate quite readily, but I write quite
indifferently, and can speak it but very little, whereas there are
three immediately below me who can read, write, and speak the
language very well. Why the Board placed me above them is more than
I can conceive. Two of them have told me they _would rise me_, and I
have told them they _should not do it_. If they _do_ rise me, I
shall not complain; and if they do not, so much the better. As to
mathematics, I have no cause for fear,--both Biddle and Halleck
admit I ought to stand head, and my professor had no doubts about
who should be placed there. As soon as we reënter barracks, we
commence drawing. Success in this branch depends as much (and
perhaps even more) upon persevering application as on a natural
taste. I intend to do my very best, otherwise I shall fall very much
in general merit, even should I keep my standing in other branches.
Biddle will stand head, or near the head, in D., as he now draws
very well. If he was third in D. and I was twelfth, he would rise me
in general merit. Our merit rolls will be published in about two
weeks. I am entitled to five, and shall send one home. In this roll
the standing of every cadet, the class to which he belongs, and the
number of his demerits are published. Mass. stands better in my
class than any other State. Greene and Grafton, both from Boston,
stand ninth and tenth. But there was one from Salem found deficient
in French, although he passed well in M. I think he is a smart
fellow, and will stand high next year. His name is Humber. He had
been a sailor for six years, and French came very hard to him by
reason of the very limited knowledge he had of language. I suppose
that the farmers must have begun haying in good earnest. I should
much prefer working on a farm for two or three months to the life I
now lead. It is now thirteen months since I have done any work to
which I have hitherto been accustomed, and I shall probably _soon
get my hand out_. Many of the cadets, chiefly those who come from
the slavery States, have a great contempt for our Yankee farmers,
and even pretend to compare them with their slaves. They have the
greatest contempt for all those who gain a subsistence by the sweat
of their brows. For my own part I shall always respect every man who
is honest and industrious, and more particularly those who live in
the manner that has been ordained by God himself; and whenever any
man, in conversation with me or in my hearing, compares that class,
of which I am proud to be one, with slaves, I shall always consider
it as an insult offered to myself, and shall act accordingly.
Remember me to all inquiring friends. Write when convenient.
Your nephew,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
WM. STEVENS, Esq.
CAMP JONES, WEST POINT, August 16, 1836.
DEAR UNCLE,--You probably have seen most of my letters that I have
written home this encampment; you will see that I have taken things
fair and easy, and have had quite a pleasant time. I can always get
a permission to walk into the country whenever I ask for it, so
that, between attending my military duties, dancing, rambling about
in the country, and reading novels, I could not do otherwise than
pass my time pleasantly. I cut rather a sorry figure dancing, as
might be expected, but there is a chance for improvement, which I
intend to make the best of.
There is a standing society in the corps called the Dialectic
Society. Ten or fifteen persons are selected from each class except
the fourth class, so that it consists of forty or fifty members. The
society is continued by selecting the above number from every new
class after it has been here one year. I intend to get elected into
it, if possible. They have a fine collection of books to the amount
of several hundred volumes. There are also many fine speakers in it,
and many of them take great pains to improve themselves, even to the
neglect of their studies. This is unquestionably bad policy. It is
losing a dollar for the sake of saving a sixpence; but there is no
kind of difficulty in paying proper attention to our studies, and
improving ourselves in writing and speaking: by writing, I of course
mean composing. If you will examine our merit rolls, you will see
that Jennings and Halbert, of the second class, are among the
deficients. These men were decidedly the best writers in the class,
and the former was the orator on the Fourth of July. As it is always
better to _act_ than to _talk_, so they have missed it in neglecting
their studies in order to become good speakers.
As I stand head in French, you may possibly suppose I can speak the
language. Such is not the case; but one thing _is_ certain, I am
determined to be able to speak it one year from this time. But how I
shall do it is another thing. I can write it some, but it will
require great pains to be able to write it correctly and speak it
fluently. Neither time nor patience shall be wanting on my part in
order to accomplish both the above objects. As soon as we commence
studying, I intend to have a talk with Mr. Bevard, the head teacher
in French, and a most estimable man, about it, and do as he directs
me.
In return for this I shall expect a good long letter, telling me all
the news and giving me good advice. Remember me to all inquiring
friends, to Aunt Eliza, and cousins Eliza, William, Susan, and
George.
I remain your nephew,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
WM. STEVENS, Esq.
WEST POINT, September 1, 1836.
DEAR FATHER,--In my letters you often have me write about my leave
next year. I look forward to this with a great deal of pleasure. As
you may well suppose, I want to see my friends very much. How long a
leave had I better get? I can have ten weeks if I choose, or a
shorter time. I am now a corporal, and shall probably be made a
sergeant next June. If I get a leave of ten weeks, I cannot keep my
office. But if I retain it, my leave will not exceed four or five
weeks; but to make up for this I could get as long a leave the year
after; whereas, if I resigned my office and took the ten weeks'
leave, I could get no leave the next encampment. The office now is
not worth much, but it is very well to have it when I am in the
first class, for then I shall be made a lieutenant, if my conduct is
good. What had I best do? If I continue to be head in mathematics,
there is a chance of my being made an assistant professor in M. next
year. Two of the cadet professors will then graduate, and their
places will have to be filled. I do not think, however, it is best
to place any dependence upon it. If there was an even chance of my
being made such, I would not hesitate about resigning my office, if
you should think it best to obtain a leave of ten weeks.
Your son,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
Mr. ISAAC STEVENS.
WEST POINT, September 2, 1836.
DEAR FATHER,--Yesterday we commenced our studies. We entered the
barracks the 30th of August. The ball on the 29th was a most
splendid one, and the hall was very full. We made use of the
mess-hall, which was decorated in fine style. Our band was present,
and their performances served to increase their reputation. The ball
was continued until after three o'clock, but I did not remain after
half past one. It was estimated that nearly six hundred visitors
were present. As this is the only thing of the kind we have during
the year, the corps take unusual pains to have everything done in
the best manner, and great care was taken that the whole should
present quite a military appearance. Many of the lamps were
encircled by brightly burnished bayonets, which served as
reflectors. Directly in front of the hall was a battery of cannon,
in rear of which sentinels were stationed to keep off those who had
no right to be present. I enjoyed myself very much, and took part in
several cotillions.
We marched into barracks the day after the ball, and were allowed a
day or two to arrange things. My situation is much different now
from what it was one year since. Now I have attained a situation
which then I scarcely hoped for. Now I am surrounded with my
classmates and friends, when one year since I had no friends; for we
were strangers to each other, and consequently displayed that cold
civility, and uttered those unmeaning compliments, which distinguish
the intercourse of strangers. One year since I was unknown to the
officers of the institution; now I trust I have secured the
confidence and esteem of those with whom I have come in contact.
Then I was a _poor plebe_, who had not passed his January
examination; now I no longer bear that title, but possess the
privileges and the name of an _old cadet_.
The fourth class is a very large one, upwards of a hundred. Next
June I do not believe upwards of sixty will be left, and it is
doubtful whether upwards of forty-five graduate, so many are found
deficient and discharged. My room-mates are the same as last year,
with the exception of Mr. Bacon. I think we shall always room
together, at least I hope so. Both Carpenter and Callender are hard
students and steady fellows. The former is a very smart man. The
latter you will find, by reference to some of my old letters, roomed
with me before January, resigned, and was reappointed this year. I
do not expect to stand first next January, but think my standing
will not be below second. Drawing will come hard to me, and I shall
stand quite low the first three or four months. No efforts of my own
shall be wanting to secure a good standing in this branch. We spend
six hours per week in the drawing academy, but I intend to practice
twelve hours per week in my own room.
Your son,
ISAAC A. STEVENS.
Mr. ISAAC STEVENS.
From early boyhood General Stevens made a strong impression upon every
one he met. Undersized, and at first glance insignificant in appearance,
his intense individuality and intellect were always deeply felt. At once
he commanded the respect of the professors at the academy; and their
recollections of him, and of his characteristics, were still vivid after
the lapse of forty years, and the continual passing of an army of youth
before their eyes. Said Professor W.H.C. Bartlett, July 16, 1877, who
was professor of natural and experimental philosophy:--
"General Stevens was a small, undersized, young man when he entered
West Point, very modest in demeanor. He had the habit of speaking
carefully and distinctly, and of clearly and precisely expressing
the exact idea he wished to convey. His mind was comprehensive,
given to generalizations; he had the faculty of generalizing, of
always thinking out first principles. In solving a mathematical
problem, he would apply the principles which governed the class of
problems, and not simply seek a solution of the single one before
him. He was very early regarded by the faculty as a man of great
talent and promise, sure to take a high stand in his class and in
the world. He was popular with his class, but his popularity arose
more from their opinion of his abilities than from social qualities.
The professors soon felt that whatever he said was worthy of
attention. I recollect that he took an active part in the Dialectic
Society, and recollect his moving the books and busying himself in
the room. Biddle was his competitor for the headship of the class,
and after he left there was practically no one to contest the honors
with him.
"Halleck's was an entirely different mind from Stevens's,--less
comprehensive, less devoted to original research, to principles.
Halleck was strong in history, in precedents.
"I recollect Stevens's answer when a witness before a court of
inquiry,--how he knew that a party had done so and so,--if he had
said so. 'No,' replied he, 'he did not say so, but what he said and
his manner combined convinced me of the fact; and the manner is a
great part of any conversation.' When he graduated, he stood not
only at the head of his class, but among the highest that ever
graduated from the academy."
Professor A.E. Church (of mathematics) writes July 27, 1877:--
"My recollection of your father as a cadet at West Point is very
vivid. I remember him as an earnest, industrious student, strictly
attentive to every duty. He possessed mathematical talents of the
highest order, standing in this branch, as in every other, at the
head of his class, notwithstanding rival classmates of great
abilities. A distinguishing trait which he possessed in a remarkable
degree, and, from what I know of his after life, continued ever
prominent, was an unhesitating readiness to apply and carry on
strictly and systematically every principle he had learned, never
failing to come to the right result.
"While others were pondering over the intricacies of a mathematical
proposition, often in vain seeking some shorter way or more curious
result, he seemed at once to grasp the most practicable rule, and
straight onward to pursue it to an end which admitted of no doubt.
"Though admirably adapted for a military commander and great
engineer, had he selected the profession of the law he would have
been prominent among the most distinguished lawyers of the age. His
early death was a serious loss to the army and country, and with his
many friends was sincerely mourned by myself."
The grasp and thoroughness of his mind, his power of generalization, of
seeking and mastering first principles, which Mr. Hazen remarked in the
boy, impressed the West Point professors, too, as the prominent mental
characteristic of the youth.
Says General Zealous B. Tower:--
"I roomed with Cadet Stevens for four months in one of the small
rooms in the south barracks. Stephen D. Carpenter was the other
occupant of that limited living and bed room. Each cadet was
provided with a small mattress, to be spread upon the floor when
needed, and when unoccupied to be rolled up in its canvas, well
strapped, and put into a corner of the room. Later, iron bedsteads
were introduced, but the mattresses were never unrolled and spread
until the hour for retiring. A cadet inspector visited the rooms
half an hour after reveille; the Officer of the day also inspected
them, and the company officers also went the rounds. Tattoo at 9.30
P.M. was the signal for retiring, and taps at ten P.M. for putting
out all lights, when one of the officers again inspected each
'stoup,' or floor, of the barracks.
"Stevens's duties as assistant professor of mathematics occupied an
hour and a half each day, taking that portion of time from his study
hours; but it did not interfere with his studies, for he possessed
quick intelligence, and great concentration of his mental powers.
This faculty was very pronounced, and would have given him
distinction in any profession that he might have undertaken, and the
more so that it was allied to industrious habits and an enthusiastic
nature. He never plodded over his lessons, but often finished them
in half the time allotted to their acquisition. Stevens was a
pleasant room-mate, being very genial, kind, and considerate to
others. He never failed in his friendships, or in anything that
appeared a duty to his fellows. He was popular among those of his
associates who valued sterling, manly qualities, and among the most
prominent members of his corps. He spoke rapidly when a matter of
interest engaged his attention, for he thought rapidly. Though,
rather short in stature, his large head and very expressive,
intelligent eyes made him noticeable and attractive in conversation,
engaging the marked attention of his auditors. His enthusiasm and
strong convictions gave an energy to his manner of discussing
favorite topics that lent the charm of eloquence to his speech."
WEST POINT, March 11, 1836.
DEAR FATHER,--Last week we commenced Calculus. This is considered
the most difficult branch of mathematics. Our text-book is a
compilation from the most distinguished French mathematicians by
Professor Davies. We have about ten pages per lesson, and will be
about five weeks going through it. We next study surveying, which
ends our course in mathematics.
Since the examination I have attended the drawing academy every day,
the regular attendance being every other day. Were I two files
higher in this branch, it would put me head in general merit. I am
now drawing our Saviour, represented as a child. I have been at work
on it for about four weeks. It will probably take me eight weeks
more to finish it. It is very slow work, I assure you, but as our
standing depends entirely upon the excellence and not upon the
number of pieces, I consider the time is not lost, provided what I
do is done well.
It seems there is a very great excitement in Congress respecting the
slavery question. It must afford pleasure to every friend of free
discussion to learn that the South did not succeed in the
resolutions censuring Mr. Adams. At the same time, I think he is
unnecessarily agitating this dangerous question, and that his zeal
will tend to awaken only feelings and desires which should never be
cherished. Is not the dissolution of the Union a subject of fearful
foreboding? Ought then the sages of our land like Mr. Adams at this
time to agitate a question which in the opinion of the South
infringes upon their rights, and which, inflexible as we know them
to be in their maintenance, will cause them to look upon a secession
from the Union as the only means of preserving them? The South are
sensible of the evils of slavery. They deplore the existence of this
curse, entailed upon them against their consent by the arbitrary
decrees of England, and I believe that (if left to themselves) they
will adopt some measures to rid themselves of it.
Your son,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
[Illustration: INFANT JESUS
_Crayon drawing at West Point_]
WEST POINT, March 5, 1836.
DEAR SISTER,--I received your letter this morning informing me of
aunt Eliza's death. She was certainly the finest woman I ever knew,
and the remembrance of her engaging qualities will long be
cherished. Uncle William is very much to be pitied.
Have you any school in view now for next summer? You also appear to
be very much interested in Latin. I detested Latin when I first
commenced to study it, but I soon brought myself to like it. So it
is with drawing. I take more pleasure in drawing than in anything
else. I like it full as well as reading novels. In my last you will
recollect that I wrote of the piece I was then drawing. I have now
got it most half done. I was all last week (two hours per day)
drawing one eye, a part of another one, and one curl of hair. You
can see by this that I draw very slowly, much slower than any one in
my class. The time spent in the drawing academy seems shorter than
any other part of the day, and I have not yet felt any impatience at
my slowness in drawing since I have commenced my last piece, a sure
sign that I like it very much.
Your brother,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
Miss SUSAN B. STEVENS.
DEAR SISTER ELIZABETH,--You spoke of Mr. Maynard thinking I ought to
be content with my present standing, and ought not to expect to
stand higher. Be that as it may, one thing _is_ certain, that I will
_never_ cease to try for number one till I have got it again, and
were I convinced that it was almost an impossibility, I would still
_try_. I like the reply of General Miller to his superior officer in
the last war, when, being directed to attack and carry a battery of
cannon on an almost inaccessible eminence, the silencing of which
was indispensable, made this answer only, 'I will try,' and with the
most determined courage carried it in an almost incredibly short
space of time. I don't like _backing out_; it is contemptible. I
shall, however, be contented with whatever standing is given me, and
since I have been here I have always endeavored to prepare myself
for any contingency. This is absolutely necessary. It is the only
way to guard against envy, jealousy, and all those mean and
degrading passions to which the human heart is prone. Harry Biddle
and myself are now the only members of our class who are contending
for head, yet I don't believe there are two men in the class on
better terms. He is one of the finest young men I ever knew; and
although he was very much disappointed last June, he never uttered a
word showing he harbored the least ill-will against me. When the
result of the June examination was known, he came and congratulated
me, but told me he meant to rise me. In January it appeared he had
redeemed his word, and so I went and congratulated him, and balanced
the account. This is the only way to get along, for if we allow
those passions I have mentioned to obtain the least ascendency over
us, it will render us disagreeable and unhappy. There are eleven of
us in four rooms, which are contiguous to each other, who are all
good friends, and we enjoy ourselves as much as any other eleven men
in the corps.
At the end of the second academic year he again stood head of his class,
and had the pleasure of announcing his success to his father. He stood
seventeen on the conduct roll, having eleven demerits.
WEST POINT, June 18, 1836.
DEAR FATHER,--I received a letter from Oliver a few days since. He
says he is "going a-gunning" on his birthday, and wishes me to be at
home to keep him company. I wish this could be the case, but under
present circumstances I shall not come home until the last of July,
and my leave will last but four weeks only. I did not know this till
about a week ago, and I have deferred writing to be able to give you
my standing. The examination was closed yesterday. My standing is
first in mathematics, first in French, and fourth in drawing, which
puts me head in general merit. Mr. Biddle is second in M., third in
F., and first in D. I presume you will be satisfied with this. You
recollect that Mr. Biddle rose me in French last January, and I
suppose that rising him again this June will make it all right
again. I had very good luck indeed, and my recitation in mathematics
was much better than at any previous examination. We march into camp
on Tuesday. It is to be called Camp Poinsett, as a compliment to the
Secretary of War.
In July he returned home, after an absence of two years, to spend the
brief leave of a month. He had foregone one the previous year, partly on
the score of economy, at his father's suggestion, and it was with a
heart full of joy and glad anticipations that he hastened to visit the
loved ones at home, and the dear and familiar scenes of his childhood.
Isaac must have keenly enjoyed this visit. His sisters were proud of
him, and overjoyed at his return. He had surpassed the most sanguine
hopes of his friends, and on every hand met with a warm welcome. His
success at the academy, his cadet uniform, and his erect, soldierly
bearing invested him in the eyes of the community with the new-found
respect and importance accorded to rising and promising young manhood.
His cousin Henry, writing after his return to the Point, says: "If you
look as dignified as you did when you were here, I do not wonder that
you are beyond suspicion. I should like very much to see one hundred
cadets playing at football. Do you run as erect as you walk?" West Point
drill and discipline, however, had not abated his adventurous spirit, or
love of the sports natural to his age. Sailing on the Great Pond with a
number of companions, and the wind having died out, for pastime he
climbed to the top of the mast, which suddenly broke and let him fall
headlong into the lake. On another occasion he was poling a boat with
his little brother up the Cochichewick towards the "Hatch," as the point
where the stream flowed out of the Great Pond was called, when the oar
stuck fast in the tenacious mud of the bottom, and, grasping it too
firmly, Isaac lost his foothold, and was dragged over the stern into the
mingled mud and water, to the sad defilement of his speckless white
cadet trousers. Exasperated at this ridiculous accident, he swore
lustily, calling upon Oliver in no gentle tones to bring back the boat.
CHAPTER IV
WEST POINT.--LAST TWO YEARS
Returning to the Point after this brief respite, the young cadet resumed
his studies with his accustomed vigor. He was appointed assistant
professor of mathematics, a position of additional labor as well as
honor, which he retained to the end of his course. Moreover, he took an
active part in the Dialectic Society, which as a "plebe" he looked
forward to joining. In a letter to Mr. Hazen he recounts his early
efforts in debate:--
"You are probably aware that we have a debating society here, of
which I have the honor to be a member. Last evening (we hold our
meetings on Saturday evenings) we had an animated debate on the
expediency of studying the _dead languages_. It was the only
tolerable one we have had this fall. Some pretty good speeches were
made. One was particularly fine. Mr. Jennings, the person to whom I
allude, in my opinion was made for an orator. He is undoubtedly a
man of a large mind, and expresses himself admirably. His delivery
is very good, and his diction is choice and effective. Declamation
is one of the regular exercises; and as my turn came round, I had
the pleasure of unburdening myself of a short piece, and of being
most woefully used up by the critical, who are regularly appointed
for such performance. This is not very encouraging, to be sure. I
must, however, acquit myself better next time.
"You are probably aware of the great defects in our course of study.
It is not calculated generally to strengthen and improve the mind as
much as a four years' course of study should. Some of the faculties
are developed in a high degree, whilst others are almost entirely
neglected; its effect is--if the expression can be used--to cast the
mind in a rough, strong mould, without embellishing or polishing it.
Its effect is also (perhaps no more than any other regular course
of study) to confine our attention to particular pursuits, and make
us neglect all that general information which is essential to a man
of liberal education, and in fact absolutely indispensable for any
one who engages in the actual pursuits of life. Don't you believe it
is of greater advantage to a person to have a good idea of political
economy, or a knowledge of the elementary principles of composition,
than to be able to solve some abstruse problem in mathematics?
"I almost wish I could content myself with standing about fifth in
my class. I could then spend three or four hours a day in reading
and getting valuable information, and could improve myself in
composition. I might also cultivate a taste for the higher branches
of literature, my taste for all which at present, except novels, is
about at the zero point. As it is, I am obliged to work hard to get
an hour a day to devote to reading; and as I consider history and
solid works of that nature most valuable, I have been able to read
but one novel within the last three months. I have been reading some
of the speeches in 'British Eloquence' of late; also in the
'Eloquence of the United States.' Do you think the characters of
Pitt, Fox, and Burke, as described by the author in the former work,
are correct? My former ideas of Chatham were somewhat different. The
author makes him out a more selfish man than I supposed him to be. A
few days since I picked up a volume of Phillips's Speeches, and read
most of them. Is not his speech in the case of Blake v. Wilkins
admirable? What do you think of them generally? It seems to me there
is more of the pomp of words than real, effective oratory in them.
He has too much pathos in some of his speeches. A little of it, and
sometimes much of it, produces a very good effect; but where it is
nothing but a pathetic appeal to the feelings, the effect is
destroyed, at least with people of sense."
This letter shows that the youth was beginning to think for himself, and
to weigh things according to his own ideas. The arduous course of study
he was pursuing did not wholly engross his attention. He soon became the
leading member of the Dialectic, active in getting up lectures and
other literary exercises. Nor was he simply a bookworm. "The eleven of
us, in contiguous rooms, who are all good friends, and enjoy ourselves
as much as any other eleven men in the class," derived some of their
enjoyment from breaking the rigid rules of the institution, and in
hairbreadth escapes from detection. They used to run over to Benny's
without leave. They would bring pies and other edibles into barracks
buttoned up under their coats, and, after the post was wrapped in
slumber, would indulge in these forbidden sweets. His companions
ofttimes complained that Stevens would learn his lessons in a minute,
and then come about, making a racket, and disturbing them in their
studies. He used to take long walks and excursions about the neighboring
country.
Naturally active and fearless, he became a fine horseman, and always
appeared to best advantage when mounted, where his erect figure and
soldierly bearing gave him the effect of higher stature than when on
foot.
In winter the cadets were in the habit of skating on the river. Isaac,
light, active, and fearless, and exceedingly adventurous, delighted to
skim full speed over the thinnest ice he could find, which bent and
crackled under his skates. His companions kept remonstrating with and
forewarning him of a catastrophe, which in his case never occurred. One
extremely cold day, however, one of his associates broke through the ice
and fell into the river. They rescued him with some difficulty, and bore
him dripping wet to the barracks in all haste, but the unlucky youth was
nearly frozen when they carried him into his room. His mates at once set
to work making a hot fire, and bringing blankets, etc. But Isaac now
took the lead, as the commanding spirit always does in a real emergency.
He caused them to put out the fire, throw open all the windows, and to
vigorously rub the insensible youth with snow brought from the outside
until his circulation was restored, and the frost taken out of his
benumbed extremities, when he suffered them to rebuild the fire and
renew the warm comforts, both solid and liquid.
His uncle Moses, a distinguished teacher, settled in Nashville, Tenn.,
visited West Point this fall; and his father writes, "Your uncle Moses
speaks of your acquirements in rather extravagant terms."
During the winter his father's health was poor, and he suffered much
from his injured leg. Oliver alone remained at home. Hannah was in
Haverhill, attending school, and supporting herself by her needle; Sarah
was in Lowell, working in a factory; Elizabeth was at Belfast, Maine,
visiting an aunt, and attending school; Mary was at Methuen; and Susan
was attending school at the South Parish. The latter, a girl of warm
heart and lively sensibilities, had not been satisfied with the sober
Unitarianism of her family, and had become attached to the "Orthodox,"
or ancient Puritan faith, a sincere and somewhat enthusiastic convert.
The letters of these motherless girls, thus scattered about, reveal a
touching picture of their earnest desire and efforts for study and
self-improvement, their tender affection for their father, and their
endeavor to treat their stepmother with respect and affection. It was to
their brother Isaac that they resorted for comfort and guidance. They
confided to his warm and sympathetic heart all their troubles,
aspirations, and plans, and constantly sought his advice. The noble old
man at the farm, too, had come to rely upon the manly character and
sound judgment of the youth of nineteen at West Point. He writes of the
difficulty of making both ends meet, of his earnest desire to give more
schooling to his three younger daughters, and of preserving intact for
his children the little property he had accumulated so laboriously. He
asks Isaac to write and advise Susan, who he thinks lacks stability,
and Hannah. He entreats his son to come home every summer vacation.
WEST POINT, December 17, 1836.
DEAR FATHER,--It was with much concern I heard of your lameness, and
I am very much afraid it will prove more serious than you seem to be
aware of. You ought not to think yourself obliged to work, when it
is of manifest injury to you. You are now getting to be along in
years, and you have done hard work enough. You ought now to think of
making yourself comfortable. I _do_ hope you will be careful about
exposing yourself, and will endeavor to enjoy the little property
which you have accumulated with so much toil. Your children, you may
be assured, had much rather that it should all be consumed in making
your declining years pleasant and happy, than receive a single cent
of it themselves. I think you will do wrong to feel the least
anxiety about leaving property to your children. You have evinced
the greatest affection for us, and the utmost disinterestedness in
consulting the welfare of your children, and it is our duty to make
every return in our power. Believe me, we will endeavor to exert our
utmost in order to secure the happiness of the remaining period of
your life, and we ask of you, as a favor, no longer to undergo the
toil and exposure to which you have hitherto been accustomed.
I wish I could have been at home Thanksgiving time. Three successive
Thanksgivings have seen my absence from home, and it is very
probable that three more will pass away without allowing me the
opportunity of spending them at home. As it is, I hope I shall be
enabled to pass two or three weeks at home next summer, but it is
very uncertain. The superintendent has come to the conclusion no
longer to permit the members of the first class to be absent on
leave during the encampment, and it will be very difficult to obtain
a leave unless the application is _backed_ by very urgent reasons.
At last Susan decided to go to Missouri, encouraged by the favorable
reports of relatives who had moved thither, and hoping to find a more
promising field as a teacher. In May, 1838, her father accompanied her
to Port Labadie, situated on the Missouri River, some miles above St.
Louis. Here she found kind friends, and met with tolerable success in
her chosen vocation.
At the June examination of 1838 Isaac again stood at the head of his
class. On the conduct roll he was number twenty-three, with twenty
demerits. He spent part of the summer leave at home. Returning to the
Point, he made a pedestrian trip to Philadelphia with a classmate, in
the course of which they were thoroughly drenched in a rainstorm.
The following letter exhibits his patriotic indignation at the British
aggressions on the Maine frontier, a precursor of the spirit with which
he resisted and defeated similar aggressions on the extreme northwest in
after years:--
WEST POINT, August 21, 1838.
DEAR FATHER,--You must have seen from the papers that the executive
of the State of Maine is making preparations to carry into effect
the resolutions of its legislature, and that the commissioners will
be supported in the running of the boundary line by the whole
military force of the State. Kent has pursued a course alike
honorable to himself and the State which he represents. If the
national government shows itself so regardless of the honor and
interests of a State as has been evinced by the cold indifference
with which negotiations for the last fifty years have been carried
on, it becomes the solemn duty of the sovereignty thus trampled upon
to rise and maintain its own rights. This fawning subserviency to
expediency in a matter of principle I despise. So does every
honorable man; better die in a just cause than live by an
abandonment of it. I have sufficient confidence in the virtue and
patriotism of the people of Maine to believe that they will
triumphantly sustain their executive in his energetic and honorable
measures. Should there be actual resistance and the difficulty
resolve itself into an open conflict, the government _dare_ not
withhold its prompt assistance. The whole Senate, without a single
dissentient voice, have borne witness to the fallacy and gross
injustice of the claim made by the British crown upon the lands in
question. Was this meant to vanish into thin air? The 4th regiment
of artillery are now in New York city. Why not send them to the
east? They are certainly wanted on the boundary.
He had frequently remonstrated with his father for treating Oliver with
too exacting strictness, and he now urged him to send the boy to college
as soon as he became old enough. In reply the father declares:--
"As to Oliver's going to college, it is out of the question. A great
many boys are ruined by going to college that would have made useful
men if they had been put to some trade, or compelled to be
industrious. By the most rigid economy I can adopt, the income of
the farm will not pay my expenses. I am willing to rise early, work
late, live on simple fare, but dunning letters I detest; rather live
on two meals a day. I would advise every young man, who means to be
punctual, and honest, to keep out of debt."
Oliver, however, in due time entered Bowdoin College, Maine, with the
consent and aid of his father; graduated well, and became a successful
lawyer in Boston, where he has held the position of district attorney
for nearly thirty years.
He urges Oliver to cultivate a taste for solid reading, and assures him
that a taste for any subject can be acquired when the determination is
fixed upon it.
"Let me advise you to get Plutarch's Lives, and read them. Plutarch,
you know, is a celebrated Roman author. His Lives of the
distinguished men of Greece and Rome has justly immortalized his
name, and it will live as long as the men whose actions he has
related are admired. The style is simple and unaffected. He has
seized upon the principal events in the life of each; relates to us
many, anecdotes of their efforts, of their disappointments and
failures; then he describes in bold and feeling language that
untiring industry, that patient and ceaseless thought, which
overcame every difficulty. Read the lives of Cicero and
Demosthenes, Nicias and Phocion. When you next write, tell me what
you think of them. Another work I want you to read; it is Sparks's
'American Biography.' We should certainly be intimately acquainted
with the deeds and characters of our own great men. Have you ever
read any volumes of the 'Spectator'? There are, I think, ten
volumes of them, consisting of essays of four or five pages each
upon all subjects. The style is flowing and graceful, exceedingly
interesting; a vein of wit and sprightliness pervades them all.
"For myself, things have gone smoothly on since I was at home. My
daily duties are all sources of pleasure. This renders me satisfied
with myself and with all around me. I am never afflicted with low
spirits, or with feelings of discontent,--all this for the simple
reason that all my time is interestingly employed.
"Have you finished harvesting? Did you gather many walnuts? We have
a large number of chestnut-trees at West Point. I have gathered
quite an abundance of them."
TO HIS FATHER.
November 17.
DEAR FATHER,--I have just come from the meeting of our society. Our
proceedings are quite good; and there is an evident improvement
every evening. It is indeed much better to employ Saturday evening
in listening to, and participating in, a debate on some interesting
subject than staying in one's room reading novels, or perhaps doing
nothing. We had quite an animated discussion the other evening on
the justice of lynch law. We got very warm; indeed, the debate came
very near merging into the discussion of abolition. This, you are
aware, is a very tender subject, and, for our society, a very
improper one. For my own part I got very much excited, and my free
avowal of abolition principles did not tend to allay the feeling
which existed among the members.
You can well suppose that I am looking forward to graduating with
much interest. My entering this institution I consider my first
important step in life. I have succeeded better than I have ever had
any right to anticipate. I have endeavored to make it my rule never
to relinquish any undertaking, but always to _try_ till success
crowned my efforts. I have thus got along pretty well. I have not
the slightest doubt that I shall succeed well enough as long as my
efforts are carried on in a proper spirit, which is never to rely
too confidently on success, and to bear every disappointment with a
good grace.
I feel much anxiety to see Oliver improve. These long winter
evenings should not be trifled away. Oliver might study, read to the
family, or otherwise improve his time, till half past nine o'clock.
If he should be disposed to read any longer, let him have a good
warm fire, and his reading will not be thrown away. You are, I know,
a great admirer of Franklin. He used to study until twelve at night
when obliged to work hard all day. How could Oliver and the girls,
if any are at home, pass the time better than reading or studying
till perhaps ten in the evening?
TO HANNAH.
January 27, 1839.
DEAR SISTER,--It may be said that Scott and Addison are elegant
writers. Johnson, that intellectual giant, said that whoever wished
to become a perfect writer must give up his days and nights to
Addison. The style of Addison is peculiarly easy and harmonious, the
very music of composition; and although not so deep and original a
thinker as many whose styles are less attractive, his works will
always be admired for their sound views on moral and religious
subjects. Scott, you know, has been called the _magician_, and
excelled all his contemporaries in the ease, rapidity, and finish of
his performances. The last volume of his "Waverley" was written in
one week, and his novels were ushered into the reading community
with so rapid a succession as astonished every one. Some think that
Scott excelled as a poet, and, wonderful as he was as a writer of
romance, he was still more successful in verse. Some of his poetry
and a few of his novels are well worth reading. His "Lady of the
Lake" and "Ivanhoe" are much admired. The "Tales of my Landlord" and
"Guy Mannering" also are very fine. There is a little volume of
poetry, called "The Book of Pleasures," which I intend to read, the
first opportunity. It contains The Pleasures of Memory, of Hope, and
of the Imagination, all three beautiful poems. You had better read
them, if they are to be obtained.
Our examinations are finished, and we are again under full sail for
the next, and, for myself, last examination. The result of the
present is, head in three branches and second in the fourth. The
last five months I spend at West Point should be employed to better
advantage than any other five months before. I have marked out for
myself a pretty severe course of study, by which I shall endeavor to
abide. When I graduate, it will be a satisfaction to look back upon
my four years' course, and feel a consciousness that I have improved
my opportunities. After graduating, where I shall be stationed is
uncertain. But I shall endeavor to get ordered to Boston under
Colonel Thayer. There are extensive fortifications now erecting in
Boston harbor on George's Island. It would be a capital chance to be
employed upon them, particularly when the superintendent of the
works is so distinguished a man as Colonel Thayer. There are
reasons, which you can well imagine, why I wish to be near home.
He must have been an omnivorous and rapid reader to have mastered
Franklin, Plutarch, Addison, Scott, Rollin's Ancient History, besides
poetry, speeches, and novels; one wonders where he could have found the
time, but he was ever working at high pressure. In addition to the hard
work necessary to retain the headship of the class, and to discharge the
duties of assistant professor, he took the most active and leading part
in the Dialectic, and delivered the valedictory address at the
graduation of the class. He also founded "The Talisman," a journal for
the practice and improvement of the cadets in composition. In the
introductory address, which he wrote as editor, he presents his views of
the need for, and objects of, the paper in glowing language,
concluding:--
"We have thus announced our intention of establishing a paper. Its
character will be readily understood from the preceding exposition
of our views. We shall hoist the white flag, emblematic of our
motives and intentions. On it shall be inscribed in golden letters
_The Talisman_. This flag will we defend with our life's blood; and
when expiring nature is about to give up her last hold upon us, we
will wave it aloft in triumph and die beneath its shadow."
In a letter to his uncle William he gives an amusing account of
anonymously criticising his own effusions:--
"Several of us have amused ourselves in writing a paper, which we
have called 'The Talisman,' and having it read at the meetings of
the Dialectic. Our motto is, The Human Intellect the Universal
Talisman. The best of the joke is, no one can divine who are
concerned in it. Indeed, once I wrote a most famous blowing up of
one of my own performances, and was extremely amused to have several
of my friends console me; in fact, one told me he would not give a
fig for these criticisms, to which I assented, asking him if he had
any idea who were the editors of the paper, to which he replied in
the negative. When we graduate next June, we wish to have an address
delivered before the society by some able man. Do you think we could
get Governor Everett?"
As already stated, Cadet Stevens was put forward by his classmates to
deliver this address himself.
He contributed to "The Talisman" a series of articles, written in a
simple, direct, and forcible style, and marked by an earnest tone and
elevated sentiments, among which were "Agency of Steam in Mechanical
Operations;" "In Jury Trials, ought the Twelve Jurors to be required to
be Unanimous?" "Has Man a Conscience?" "The Importance of a Good Style
of Writing to an Officer of the Army;" "History;" "The Proper Study of
Mankind is Man."
His most intimate friends at the Point were Henry L. Smith, Jeremy F.
Gilmer, Zealous B. Tower, Henry W. Halleck, Stephen D. Carpenter, Bryant
P. Tilden, William B. Greene, Franklin D. Callender, John D. Bacon, Paul
O. Hebert. Among these high-spirited and intellectual young men he was
an acknowledged leader; and even after leaving the academy, they were
continually calling on him for advice in their own affairs, and for aid
in efforts to benefit the service, to secure increased rank and pay,
etc.
Thus the last term sped rapidly away. At the examination he was first,
as usual. He stood thirty on the conduct roll, having sixteen demerits.
It will be observed that in "conduct" during the course he stood but
little above the average. Evidently, with his spirited and vigorous
nature, he did not mind infringing the rules at times. When the Academic
Board reviewed the standing of the members of the class to award to each
his proper grade, it was found that Cadet Stevens stood at the head, not
only generally, but in every one of the studies. Moreover, his standing,
as compared with all who had ever graduated from the institution, was
among the first. This remarkable achievement, together with his strong
personality, deeply impressed the officers of the academy. They were
proud of their pupil, they felt that he reflected honor upon the
institution, and they vied with each other in encomiums and attentions
which they deemed his due.
He invited his father and stepmother to attend the graduation exercises,
and they came. When they arrived they were astonished to see the honors
heaped upon their son, and the high estimation in which he was held.
They, too, were overwhelmed with attentions on his account. Prominent
seats were found for them, and the professors came up to pay their
respects to the parents of the first graduate, and to congratulate them
upon his remarkable talents and promise.
CHAPTER V
NEWPORT
Crowned with these well-earned honors, and promoted to be second
lieutenant of engineers, July 1, 1839, he accompanied his parents home,
expecting to enjoy a long and delightful vacation; but his anticipations
were speedily cut short by orders to proceed to Newport, R.I., to take
part in the building of Fort Adams, so that he was permitted to spend
only the Fourth of July in Andover.
Phrenology was in vogue then, and the young man, on his way through
Boston, had his head examined by a professor of the new science, who,
much to his amusement, pronounced him a poet. He reached his station
early in July, and took quarters with Miss Castoff, who kept a
boarding-house on the corner of Spring and Ann streets. Lieutenant James
L. Mason, also of the engineer corps, boarded at the same place. The two
young men became warm friends and companions. Daily they rode over to
the fort together in the morning, and returned in the afternoon.
Lieutenant P.G. T. Beauregard, afterwards the well-known Confederate
general, was also on duty there as an engineer officer, and remained
several months after Stevens's arrival. Fort Adams was garrisoned by a
detachment of the 2d artillery, officered by Lieutenants Lewis G.
Arnold, Arthur B. Lansing, and Henry J. Hunt.
Fort Adams, commenced twenty years previously, and now nearly completed
under the able superintendence of General Joseph G. Totten, was the
largest defensive work in the country, Fortress Monroe only excepted,
and, as General Cullum declares in his biographical sketch of General
Totten, "the first in its combination of the principles and details of
the art of fortification." It must have afforded a most gratifying field
for the energies of the ardent and accomplished young officer, fresh
from the military academy, and eager to test his acquirements and
abilities in real work. The redoubt, the inner and separate stronghold
in rear of the main work, was mostly built under his superintendence,
1839-42. Entering upon this duty with his accustomed zeal, his sound
judgment in laying out the work for the workmen, and energy and
diligence in pushing it, soon attracted attention. He took control with
the self-reliance and habit of command of a natural leader. He was
strict and exacting with the employees, but at the same time just and
considerate, and took a real interest in them. He soon won their respect
and goodwill. Even the man who groomed his horse, John A.C. Stacy, long
years afterwards, when he had himself become a wealthy contractor, spoke
of Lieutenant Stevens with the greatest admiration. His unconscious
success in this direction nearly led to a breach with Mason. The latter
became cold and distant in manner, and openly avoided him. Stevens
demanded an explanation, whereupon Mason burst forth indignantly with
the charge, "You are destroying all my influence with the men on the
work. When you appear, they hang upon every word you utter, and cannot
do enough for you, while they scarcely notice me, although I am the
senior, and have been longer on the work." But Mason was soon satisfied
by his friend's remonstrances, and his own good sense, that Stevens was
not to blame for that result. Mason was a man of remarkable talents,
brilliant in conversation, and fascinating in social intercourse.
Newport at this time contained many old families, among which the
traditions of colonial grandeur, when the port was the largest and most
flourishing city in the colonies, mingled with the fresher recollections
of the Revolution, the British occupation, the battle of Rhode Island,
the romantic capture of General Prescott, the English commander, the
brilliant though brief sojourn of the French allies under Rochambeau,
and the visit of Washington. The town was celebrated for beautiful and
charming girls. It was the resort in summer of the cultivated, wealthy,
and fashionable from other parts of the country, especially from the
South. The Hazards, Lymans, Randolphs, Vernons, Lawtons, Hunters, Kings,
Turners, Gardiners, Fowlers, Gibbs, Tottens, Perrys, and others, all
more or less related, afforded a cultivated and high-toned, yet simple
and cordial society, free from the ostentation of wealth and the absurd
pride of caste. The army and naval officers stationed there, and the
families of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, of
General Totten, and of others who had served their country, added a
patriotic and military element. Into this charming society the young
officer entered with keen enjoyment, and his modest demeanor and
sensible conversation, not less than his reputation for ability and
scholarship, soon made him welcome.
One of these Newport belles thus described him:--
"The first time I saw Mr. Stevens was in church. He sat in the pew
behind ours. He was very young, of small, alight figure, had a very
large head, with fine carriage,--a noble head, thick, bushy, black
hair, and dark complexion. He was considered very homely, but he had
a large, dark hazel eye, which looked one through and through, and
compelled one's attention."
Notwithstanding that "he was considered very homely," young Stevens took
an active part in the social life and festivities of the town, calling
upon the old families, escorting with other young men bevies of young
ladies on delightful long walks to the beach, along the cliffs, the Blue
Rocks, Tammany Hill, and other resorts, and attending the numerous
parties.
It was at one of these rather informal, but enjoyable gatherings that he
first met the young girl who was soon to become his wife. Mason had
warned him to "beware of Margaret Hazard," as the two young men were
setting out to attend a tea party at the Vernons' hospitable mansion,
two miles out of town. The young lady was a daughter of Benjamin Hazard,
for years recognized as the ablest lawyer and statesman in the State,
who had represented the town in the state legislature for thirty-one
years without a break, having been elected sixty-two times in
succession. Although very young, she possessed many attractions of
person and character, had many admirers, and was one of the acknowledged
belles. Notwithstanding the friendly or jocose warning, Mr. Stevens was
duly presented to Miss Hazard, and had the pleasure of escorting her
home, and improved the opportunity by inviting her to ride on horseback
the following afternoon. Miss Margaret lacked a suitable habit, it
seems; but an old cloak skillfully adapted served for the long sweeping
skirt then in vogue, a cousin furnished his new beaver for a riding-hat,
and another admirer contributed a handsome silver-mounted riding-whip,
so that when the cavalier presented himself on his gray charger with a
groom leading the "Indian Queen," the young lady was ready. The "Indian
Queen" was the name of a noted saddle-horse from the stable of Nicholas
Hassard, who for many years kept the livery stable on Spring, or Back
Street, corner of Touro. When asked if the "Indian Queen" was a safe
horse for the young lady, Mr. Hassard replied, "Miss Margaret Hazard can
ride any horse in my stable."
This ride led to others, and it was not long before the two rode over
the beaches together nearly every pleasant afternoon. Mr. Stevens would
come with the horses about five o'clock, and the usual ride was over the
three beaches and around by the green End road; and a more romantic,
beautiful, and pleasant course it would be hard to find.
A fearless horseman, he was fond of horses and of riding. He owned and
delighted to ride a fiery gray, which ofttimes taxed all his strength,
skill, and daring to master, and which occasionally ran away despite all
efforts. Once the steed, with the bit in his teeth, dashed headlong for
the stable. "Stevens is done for!" exclaimed Mason; "the stable door is
too low to ride under, and his brains will be knocked out." But the
rider threw himself along the side and neck of the furious animal just
in time to avoid this danger.
Mason's warning was indeed in vain. Writes his intimate friend, H.L.
Smith, as early as April:--
"Not in love, Stevens; why, your description fired me. By heavens!
it is a glorious thing to see a girl with a large soul. Would there
were more such. 'Dark blue eyes;' 'Rides fearlessly;' 'Loves
Channing, Carlyle, Milton;' 'A sweet smile,' etc."
He became a frequent caller upon, and intimate in the family of,
Benjamin Hazard. The latter was slowly sinking under the lingering
disease, consumption, which carried him off in 1841. The gifted and
sympathetic young man would have long talks and discussions with the
intellectual, learned, and experienced senior, and would read to him
from his favorite authors, Swift and Shakespeare. "I think our young
lieutenant is very handsome," remarked Mr. Hazard, doubtless alluding to
his fine head and sound, bright mind, and perhaps quietly rebuking the
disparaging term "homely." It was not long before he became an
acknowledged suitor for the hand of Miss Margaret, and they were
betrothed in the summer of 1840.
The mansion occupied by this family, situated on Broad Street, on the
southern corner of Stone Street, and near the state house, is one of the
oldest in Newport, the timbers of which, according to tradition, were
cut and hewn in the woods between the harbor and the beach. By a curious
coincidence it has descended in the female line for three generations.
Before and during the Revolution it was the home of John G. Wanton, a
wealthy colonial merchant and the son of the colonial governor, Gideon
Wanton.
It was a favorite resort of the brilliant French officers who landed in
Newport to aid the struggling patriots, one of whom cut with a diamond
upon a small, old-fashioned window-pane in the great parlor, "Charming
Polly Wanton, Oct. 17, 1780." But an American officer, Colonel Daniel
Lyman, afterwards chief justice of Rhode Island and president of the
Society of the Cincinnati in Rhode Island, married "Charming Polly" away
from her French admirers.
Mary Wanton was an only daughter, and inherited the old mansion, where
she reared a family of thirteen children, and dispensed the gracious
hospitality to which she was accustomed.
One of her daughters, Harriet Lyman, married Benjamin Hazard, and upon
the removal of Colonel Lyman and his family to Providence, succeeded to
the old Newport homestead, which thus for generations was the scene of
family happiness, worth, refinement, and hospitality. It is now owned
and occupied by two of Benjamin Hazard's daughters, Misses Emily Lyman
and Mary Wanton Hazard, who maintain the traditions of the old mansion
with charming grace.
Now time speeds away rapidly and pleasantly with the young officer. He
has long talks and discussions with Mason, noted for his brilliant mind
and conversation. His official duties are congenial. He heartily enjoys
the social pleasures in which he takes part, and moreover he lays out a
stiff course of study for the winter. He writes uncle William, October
31, 1839:--
"My brother officer, Lieutenant Mason, is quite familiar with
politics. He is a Nullifier. I am a loco-foco Abolitionist. Though
we agree on many points, yet we have at times quite warm though very
friendly debates upon these points upon which we differ. I shall be
glad to spend most of the winter in study, and I think of giving
about half my time to my profession and its kindred branches of
physics and mathematics, and of the remaining portion a moiety to
politics and the political history of our country (which will
necessitate the careful reading and study of the Federalist and
Madison papers, and other documents illustrative of the peculiar
glories of our institutions), and the remainder to general reading."
TO HANNAH.
My situation at Newport continues to please me as much as ever. We
are still pretty busy throughout the day, but are able to secure
considerable time for reading and study.
I have been reading Byron's Poems of late. Although his verse is far
inferior (in my opinion) to Shakespeare and Milton, still it has
many and peculiar merits. Many of his productions are overflowing
with lofty and correct ideas. No sycophantic awe, or respect for
place and title, restrains his caustic and withering pen. He soars
upon his own pinions, and looks down upon them all.
[Illustration: OLD WANTON MANSION IN NEWPORT]
Thus his time was well occupied, yet he was also an indefatigable
correspondent, writing frequently to his West Point classmates and
friends, now beginning to scatter, and to his father, sisters, brother,
and cousins, but especially to his sisters, whose welfare and happiness
he had so much at heart. He is constantly sending them books and
papers, and advising them in regard to their studies and plans. Susan
was still in Missouri, doing well as a teacher. During the fall Hannah
was teaching school, or in Boston earning her livelihood in a store.
Elizabeth and Sarah were at school, and only Mary and Oliver remained at
home. The father, working too hard, had serious trouble with his injured
leg, and was unwell. But it was a joyous reunion when the elder brother
came home at Thanksgiving, and the scattered family were all assembled,
except Susan, in the great roomy kitchen in the old farmhouse, around
the well-filled board, loaded with the roast turkey and cranberry sauce,
snowy biscuits, mince, pumpkin, and apple pies, cake, preserves, and all
the good things of that generous and kindly season.
Returning to Newport, Lieutenant Stevens made one of a class for the
study of German, although one may suspect that the language was not the
only attraction. Charles T. Brooks, the gifted poet, preacher, and
writer, and who has since translated so many poems and works from the
German, was then settled over the Unitarian Church in Newport, and a few
years previously had married Harriet Lyman Hazard, an elder sister of
Margaret. An accomplished and enthusiastic German scholar, Mr. Brooks
organized the class, and acted as their instructor. Mrs. Brooks, Mrs.
Shroder, Miss Margaret L. Hazard, Miss Julia Randolph, Stevens, and
Mason met regularly once a week at Mr. Brooks's house on Barney Street.
An incident is related showing the facility with which Mr. Stevens
acquired any subject which he undertook. Mr. Brooks one day asked him a
difficult question in grammar, which he answered promptly. Another
question was put with the same result. The teacher then plied him with
question upon question, all of which he answered without hesitation.
"Why," exclaimed Mr. Brooks, "you seem to know the whole grammar." "Oh,
yes," replied Stevens, "I've run it over."
A long and affectionate letter from Susan informed him of her marriage
to David H. Bishop, a man of fine character, and engaged in the
profession of an educator, on December 26, 1839. Mr. Stevens at once
wrote to his new relative welcoming him in his hearty and warm-hearted
manner, and a friendly correspondence ensued between them, which
developed into a long and well-maintained political discussion, for Mr.
Bishop was a Whig, while Stevens was an uncompromising Democrat, of
Free-soil convictions,--"loco-foco Abolitionist," as he defines himself.
In April the fostering and indulgent grandmother, the widow of the
Revolutionary soldier, Jonathan, died at an advanced age, attended
during her last illness by Sarah. Mary, early in the year, visited aunt
McFarland in Belfast, Maine. Elizabeth was in Lowell, and later also
went to aunt McFarland, and only Sarah and Oliver remained at home this
year.
His father's letters reveal how much he was coming to lean upon the
self-reliant young man, and to feel the need of his support and
affection. "I was glad to hear you say in your last letter that in
matters relating to yourself you should be guided by your own judgment,"
he writes. In every letter he urges him to come home, if only for a
short visit.
DEAR SON,--In your letter to Oliver you mention not coming home
until Thanksgiving. I hope it will be convenient for you to come
home and spend a few days in the summer. Your visit in March was
very short, but short as it was, it was better than none. I learn
from you that you are far from being satisfied with your present
attainments. Why should young men talk of having finished their
education when in fact they have only commenced it, considering how
much more they might learn if they would only press forward! May all
you learn be sound and durable; one rotten piece of timber may wreck
a ship. Do not study too hard. My days of anticipating worldly
happiness are over (not so fast), I do anticipate seeing my children
useful and happy.
Your father,
ISAAC STEVENS.
Lieutenant Stevens was promoted first lieutenant, corps of engineers,
July 1, 1840.
His active and thoroughgoing mind, looking beyond the duties assigned
him, saw the necessity of other works to complete the defenses at
Newport. He wrote urgent letters to the Engineer Department in
Washington, representing the need of a thorough survey of the harbor and
the surrounding ground, and especially of the fortifying of Rose Island,
which, situated in mid-channel between Rhode Island and Conanicut, and
three miles north of, or inside Fort Adams, would supplement and support
that work, and render the main entrance of Narragansett Bay impregnable
to a hostile fleet. He was ambitious to plan and carry out the
fortification of this point, but his recommendations were disregarded,
and he was informed that his views, though sound, were premature. Of
late years the importance of fortifying Rose Island has been recognized,
and the government has erected a powerful battery there.
During the spring and summer his long-cherished idea of becoming a
lawyer took more definite shape in his mind, as will be seen from the
following letter to his uncle William, August 5, 1840:--
MY DEAR UNCLE,--You recollect that when last in Andover I was
revolving in my mind the expediency of studying law, with a view of
making it my permanent profession. Entering the West Point Academy
with no idea of remaining in the army, my present occupation cannot
be regarded as one that I have voluntarily and after mature
reflection selected, but as one which circumstances and good luck
have forced upon me. Therefore, in balancing the advantages and
disadvantages of the army and the law in order to a decision of the
question, Which shall I select as my occupation? I think I have
nothing to do with certain objections that many would advance, that
it would be changing my business,--it would betray a want of
fixedness of purpose,--it would be an act of inconsistency. To be
sure, some of the studies at West Point throw no light upon the law,
but most of them contribute, and contribute in an eminent degree, to
induce the habits and call out the faculties essential to the able
lawyer. Something more is wanted,--as a knowledge of the classics,
of ethics, of history. Three years' rigorous, systematic devotion of
my leisure moments to these pursuits would more than place me on a
level with the graduates of our colleges; by economy enough of my
pay could be laid up to defray my expenses, should I then resign and
go through a three years' study of the law. As the thing, therefore,
can be accomplished, as the law for many reasons would suit me
better than the army, as I have no false notions of delicacy on the
ground of consistency, etc., I have at length concluded to give up
the army for the law. As soon as I decided, I began to act. On that
very day, about three weeks since, I commenced Latin and a course of
reading in History. Greek I shall commence next November. As I do
not wish justly to render myself liable to the charge of hastiness
or obstinacy, I have determined to consult my friends. If they can
adduce reasons against my course, I should be very much obliged if
they would let me know them. The thought that one's course is
approved by his friends is consolatory,--it serves to strengthen his
confidence in his own judgment. It removes many cross currents that
would impede his course. _You_ it was that first suggested my
application to enter the military academy. Though the military
academy was not intended to make lawyers, yet in my case I hope it
may be an example that "the longest way round is the shortest way
home." I have been very fortunate in making the acquaintance of Mr.
Benjamin Hazard, whom (by report) you must know. He has the
reputation of being the first lawyer in the State, and is
unquestionably _au fait_ with his profession. He has been so kind as
to give me a great deal of information both with regard to law and
lawyers in this country, and the best method of studying law. Mr.
Hazard lent me some time since Warner's Law Studies. I read it
through twice very carefully, but much of what he said I thought
totally inapplicable to the profession in this country, much that
was contradictory, and some opinions I was confident were wrong. I
wish you would write me soon and give me your opinion of my course,
which is to remain in the army till the 1st of August, 1843, then to
resign and enter some office in Boston or Newport for three years.
From all I can learn, I think that Jeremiah Mason, of Boston, would
be the man for me. Whether he takes students I know not. Webster,
Mr. Hazard tells me, contends that Mason is the first lawyer in the
country,--superior to himself. Remember me to your own family, and
my friends generally.
Your nephew,
I.I. STEVENS.
He also wrote on this subject to his father, Mr. Hazen, and H.L. Smith.
All whom he consulted discouraged the project except his classmate,
Smith. Mr. Hazen judiciously advises:--
"It seems to me to be premature to determine quite so much at this
time. It occurs to me that you might enter upon a course of legal
reading, which would be useful to you in any station, uniting it
with attention to military duties, which would consist with
promotion in the army, and leave a little to the future to determine
between the professions."
Although his increasing military duties, with his marriage and the
Mexican war, compelled him to defer carrying out this plan, it was never
definitely given up. The career open to him in the army did not satisfy
his ambition, and at last in 1852 he resigned, seeking a wider field.
Meantime he was keeping up his correspondence with his classmates and
friends. Halleck writes:--
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY,
WEST POINT, February 9, 1840.
DEAR STEVENS,--It is now Sunday morning, and I know not that I can
better employ the time that will elapse before old Jasper commences
his oppression, than by writing an answer to your very kind letter
of last Sabbath. I am happy to renew with you our old friendly
intercourse. We have passed together four long years in mutual
goodwill and then parted, I believe, as warm friends, and why should
we now float away from each other towards the great ocean of
eternity without ever exchanging a friendly hail? My old associates
are still dear to me, and my lone heart sometimes softens when I
think of the past spent in their society. Indeed, I have here become
so disgusted with humbugs, toadeaters, and punsters, that my heart
gladdens at the receipt of a letter from an old friend whom I know
to be a reality and no sham.
We have been co-workers in at least one thing, the Dialectic, and I
believe that to us as much or more than to any others, the society
owes its present prosperity.
Sincerely yours,
H.W. HALLECK.
Tilden, having become involved in a controversy with the authorities at
the Point, comes to Newport to consult with Stevens, who takes up his
case, advises him what to do, and writes Halleck, Smith, and others in
his behalf. "My visit to Newport," writes Tilden, "was of essential
service to me, and has served to strengthen the good resolutions
suggested by yourself and example."
H.L. Smith, too, feeling aggrieved at the action of a court-martial
reflecting upon his evidence as a witness, has recourse to his friend
Stevens, who responds in such manner as to call forth Smith's grateful
and somewhat enthusiastic thanks:--
"I refer in part to your reply to Colonel Totten at table. Be
assured I _did_ anticipate your reply to my request. But, Stevens,
there are not many who would have taken the part of a friend as you
did with Colonel Totten. I shall never forget it as an act of
friendship, never cease to admire it as an act of generous
independence."
Oliver visits him in September, and in his next letter speaks of "our
fine rides on horseback." Elizabeth has decided to go to Nashville,
Tenn., to visit her uncle Moses, principal of an academy there, in hopes
of finding employment as a teacher; and the father calls upon his son
in Newport for pecuniary assistance, and informs him that Hannah has
come home seriously ill.
The next letter from his father contained the sad intelligence that
Hannah was sinking fast, and urged him to come home immediately. He
spent the last few days of life with the dying girl, doing all in his
power to comfort her. She died in November, 1840.
On his journey back to Newport, Mr. Stevens stopped in Boston to hear a
lecture by John Quincy Adams, an account of which he gives his father:--
"His subject was the four stages of man in his progress from the
savage to the civilized state,--first, as a hunter; second, as a
shepherd; third, as a tiller of the soil; fourth, as a member of a
community in which all trades, occupations, arts, and professions
were confined to their appropriate spheres, each receiving the
protection and encouragement of all. His delivery was very
energetic, though uncouth. His fancy was exuberant, and his
speculations were not entirely, it seemed to me, supported by the
truth of history.
"I wrote to Susan, as you desired, and gave her a detailed account
of Hannah's illness, with such other matters as I thought would be
interesting. Since I have been back to Newport, I have been reading
Blackstone pretty diligently. Thus far, I am much pleased with him."
"It was a sad Thanksgiving at the homestead this year," Oliver writes,
"so different from the year before, when all were at home except Susan,
and death had not yet broken the family circle." Now all the children,
except Sarah and Oliver, were scattered far and wide,--Susan at Union,
Mo., Elizabeth at Nashville, Tenn., Mary in Belfast, Maine, and Isaac in
Newport. The father was again disabled with his leg, and unable to
attend the Thanksgiving sermon. Oliver concludes his pathetic letter
with a wish to go to West Point.
NEWPORT, December 15, 1840.
DEAR BROTHER OLIVER,--I have been very busily engaged since your
letter came to hand in preparing an address to be delivered before
the Newport Lyceum. As it was the introductory one, I felt very
desirous that it should be no discredit to myself, and that all
proper expectations should be fully realized. This is my apology for
not immediately answering your letter. As the address has been
delivered, I will now write you briefly respecting the
subject-matter of the latter part of your communication....
There is nothing new here. I am passing my time very pleasantly. We
have a debating club in successful operation, consisting of about
sixty members,--clergymen, lawyers, physicians, tradesmen, etc.,
etc. We have a talk this evening on the French Revolution. I don't
know whether I shall say anything or not. Write as soon as you can
find it convenient. Remember me to father, mother, and Sarah, and
friends in general. I hope father will take every care of his
health. Is it vacation with John Loring now? One of his classmates,
young Dunn, is at home in Newport.
Your brother,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
Mr. O. STEVENS.
NEWPORT, R.I., January 17, 1840.
MY DEAR FATHER,--As soon as I get to Washington I shall put Oliver's
application on file in the Department of War, and will obtain an
interview with Mr. Cushing to secure his interposition, of which I
think we may entertain some expectation, as no one has yet applied
for the vacancy in his district. One of my classmates, Lieutenant
Halleck, who is on duty at Washington, was kind enough to ascertain
and inform me of all cadets and applicants from Massachusetts, with
their districts, and in his list I perceive the 3d District is put
down vacant without any applications. I have never seen our
representative, for which reason some might deem it advisable to
procure a letter of introduction; but after some consideration I
have concluded to take none, but to introduce myself. It is better,
if successful, than the other mode; to be sure, the risk is
greater,--I will run it, however. If I make a good impression on
Mr. Cushing under the circumstances of a vacancy and no application,
it may go far towards getting his assistance. I will try it at all
events.
[Illustration: ISAAC INGALLS STEVENS
_From Miniature by Staigg, 1841_]
I shall leave on Wednesday and be absent three weeks. The Armisted
case comes up before the Supreme Court next Friday, and will
probably be in progress the ensuing week; this will enable me to
hear Mr. John Quincy Adams, of which I am very desirous. Mr. Clay's
resolution respecting the repeal of the Sub-Treasury will soon be
called up, and will probably cause that whole subject again to be
discussed. Should it call out the able men of the Senate while I am
in Washington, I could not desire a better opportunity to compare
them. I will write you on my arrival, and afterwards from time to
time. You must take good care of your health, and take things
easily. I know of no one that has a better right. We have nothing
new in Newport. My health is perfect both in body and mind; in other
words, I have never had better health in either respect. Give my
love to all friends and the family.
Your son,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
Writes Halleck, January 15, 1841:--
I hope to soon meet you here, and enter into a friendly interchange
of thoughts and feelings without the formality of paper and ink. I
am anxious to give you a hearty shake by the hand and welcome you to
Washington. If you are left to your leisure hours, you will
undoubtedly have much enjoyment both in society and in Congress. You
must not anticipate too much pleasure in the crowded parties of the
metropolis. To me they are perfect bores.
Let me know when you are to come on, and if not immediately I will
write you a long letter. Read this if you can.
Yours in the true bonds of friendship,
H. WAGER HALLECK.
Although unable to procure the cadet appointment for Oliver, he greatly
enjoyed his first visit to the capital, especially the debates in the
Senate, where he listened to both Clay and Webster. The former impressed
him as more a leader of men and controller of measures than the latter.
One would think that with his official duties, and all the studies and
pursuits he was carrying on, every minute of his time must have been
taken up; yet he organized a course of lectures for the winter, and
himself delivered an address on Oliver Cromwell, whose character and
achievements he greatly admired. In this lecture he presented with great
force and clearness a new and original conception of the great Puritan,
depicting him as a true patriot and a religious, God-fearing man,
obliged by the circumstances of the times to seize the helm of state in
order to save his country from despotism or anarchy. This was much the
view afterwards so ably set forth by Carlyle. This lecture excited no
little attention at the time; and when Carlyle's Cromwell appeared, not
long afterwards, it was said that the lecture would seem to have been
taken from that work, had it not been delivered before that was
published. He afterwards delivered this lecture in Andover and other
places.
In the spring of 1841 he was placed in charge of Fairhaven Battery in
New Bedford, Mass., in addition to his duties in Newport. This required
frequent trips to the former place, which he usually made by stage, but
several times he traversed the intervening country on foot. On one of
these trips, in an economical mood he refrained from dinner in order to
save the cost of the meal. Soon afterwards a lean and friendless dog
attached himself to him, and followed his footsteps so persistently, and
looked so piteous and hungry, that the young man's sensibilities were
touched, and he stopped at a farmhouse and purchased a good dinner for
the half-starved animal, which, as he laughingly declared, cost all he
had saved by his self-denial.
[Illustration: MARGARET LYMAN STEVENS
_From Miniature by Staigg, 1841_]
A letter from Mr. Bishop conveyed the afflicting and unlooked-for
intelligence of the death of Susan, April 8, 1841, from pulmonary
disease, after a brief illness. Thus unexpectedly passed away another
loved sister, and one whose sunny, affectionate disposition, fine mind,
and high principles had especially endeared her.
Benjamin Hazard died March 10, 1841. During his lingering illness he
derived much comfort and pleasure from the society and attentions of the
talented and sympathetic young man. He gladly sanctioned his betrothal
with his daughter Margaret, and willingly intrusted the future of his
beloved child to one whom he both loved and respected, and in whose
character and ability he had the fullest confidence.
The marriage was solemnized by Mr. Brooks, September 8, 1841, in the
great parlor of the old mansion, the same apartment which witnessed the
wedding of "Charming Polly" and her Revolutionary hero, and of their
daughter Harriet and Benjamin Hazard, the parents of the present bride.
It was a quiet and simple ceremony, so soon after the death of Mr.
Hazard, but the ample room was well filled with beautiful young girls,
the sisters and cousins of the bride, officers in full uniform, the
companions of the groom, and old friends of the family. Hither came from
Andover the groom's brother Oliver, and cousin Henry H. Stevens, his
West Point friend, Lieutenant Jeremy F. Gilmer, from Washington,
Lieutenants James L. Mason, Henry J. Hunt, and Lewis G. Arnold, from
Newport, and a goodly number of Lymans and Dunnells from Providence,
uncles, aunts, and cousins of the bride.
CHAPTER VI
CHARGE OF WORKS: NEW BEDFORD, PORTSMOUTH, PORTLAND,
BUCKSPORT
The wedding journey was to New York by Long Island Sound, and thence up
the Hudson to West Point, where they spent several days, and were
received with flattering attentions by his old friends. With great pride
and pleasure Mr. Stevens presented them to his lovely bride, and
revisited with her the romantic scenes of the Point, endeared by so many
pleasant associations. They returned by way of Springfield and Boston.
NEW BEDFORD, September 24, 1841.
MY DEAR FATHER,--I was very glad to see Oliver and my cousin Henry
at Newport on the occasion of my marriage, and, though your presence
would have afforded me much pleasure, yet, as I well knew that it
was a busy season with you, and that something very unusual only
could induce you to leave home, I was not much disappointed at your
not coming. You will certainly see us as early as next Thanksgiving.
We had a most pleasant trip, were favored with unusually fine
weather, and were disappointed in no one of our anticipations.
Margaret had never visited West Point before, and had always lived
in a country the scenery of which is very tame compared with the
alpine grandeur of the Highlands. I had said a great deal to her
about West Point, and I feared that her expectations were raised
high above the reality. I was, however, agreeably surprised by her
assertion that her ideas had scarcely approached the truth. The day
after our arrival at West Point she insisted upon climbing to the
Crow's Nest, which you recollect is two miles from West Point, and
commands the plain about twelve or fourteen hundred feet. Finding
that my dissuasion had little effect, I took her up one of the
roughest ways,--in many places we had to ascend almost perpendicular
rocks. In one hour and a half we were on the very topmost height of
the mountain. We came back by a rough, winding, long road, and got
to the hotel four hours after leaving it. I call that a pretty good
feat for a lady. From Hudson to Springfield the road was completed
except about two miles near Chester Factories. It passes through a
most wild and picturesque country, follows the valley of one of the
rivers that empties into the Connecticut for some thirty miles,
crossing it frequently and constantly changing direction, and is
constructed in a truly magnificent style.
We got back to Newport just seven days after leaving it. There I
found orders had been awaiting me two days to repair to New Bedford,
to take charge of all the repairs of the old fort. You can judge of
the urgency of the orders from my going to New Bedford the next day,
and leaving Margaret at Newport, where she has been ever since. We
arrived at Newport about four o'clock on Thursday. I left the next
day at two o'clock, made an inspection of the fort on Saturday
forenoon, issued a hand-bill the same day for mechanics and
laborers, and on Monday morning had a gang of about twenty men at
work. I never was in New Bedford before, and knew not a single man
in the place. Monday morning I fell in with a real full-blooded
Yankee, whom I engaged as overseer, and immediately sent around the
country for stone-cutters and masons. I went on Monday into a ledge
of granite rock, and have already thrown out about two hundred tons
of stone, and got about a hundred feet cut. The people in New
Bedford are disposed to criticise my plans, but they will find out I
know what I am about, and that they had better save their sneers for
some other object. After I had been at work three days, I dismissed
three men for idleness, which had a very good effect. My plan is to
be rather familiar with every man, but at the same time to make
every one feel that he must do his duty. To-morrow I am going to
Newport after Margaret. I have been so busy that I have had no time
to miss her. In fact, this is the very first moment since I have
been in New Bedford that I have been able to write home. Now my
business has got into a regular course, and will require but little
time to attend to it. Whether I shall spend the winter in Newport,
or New Bedford, I don't know. I have at present only orders to get
in readiness platforms for nine guns.
Your son,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
Mr. ISAAC STEVENS.
The young couple boarded in Fairhaven, a suburb of New Bedford, for
several months, and then removed to the town. They entered with lively
interest into the society of the place, at that time the abode of many
wealthy and somewhat aristocratic families. Mr. Stevens had already made
the favorable acquaintance of the first people before bringing his wife
there; her family and personal attractions were known, and they were
cordially received. Mrs. Hazard made them a short visit during the
winter.
Halleck asks his assistance in starting an engineering journal for the
corps.
I know too well your zeal for the profession to doubt for a moment
that the measure will receive your countenance, and the support of
your able pen. If we succeed in the undertaking, I am quite sure
that it will be of much advantage to us individually, and will
contribute greatly to the reputation of the corps.
If the delights of married life have not entirely driven away the
recollection of old bachelor friends, I hope you will again favor me
with one of your old-fashioned letters. I have heard too much of the
attractions of your bride to scold you for so long neglecting me.
From all accounts, my dear Stevens, I must pronounce you a most
fortunate and happy man, and I shall embrace the first opportunity
to make the acquaintance of your lady, and most heartily welcome her
into our corps.
Yours most truly,
H. WAGER HALLECK.
The young couple spent Thanksgiving in Andover. The stern but
true-hearted father, deeply mourning the untimely loss of his two elder
daughters, was gladdened by the presence of five children,--Sarah,
Isaac, Oliver, Mary, and the new daughter, Margaret. The latter was
greatly admired, and was received with warm affection and kindness by
them, and by uncles William and Nathaniel and their families. She was
highly interested and pleased with the Thanksgiving festivities, a new
experience to her; for the Quakers and Come-outers of Rhode Island, many
of whom left Massachusetts to escape the tyranny of the "Lord Brethren,"
never made much of that holiday, but kept Christmas instead.
After a delightful visit of a week, they returned to New Bedford and the
pleasures of domestic life, and for the young husband what he always
enjoyed,--hard work. This seriously encroached upon his proposed course
of study and reading, yet with Mason he would run up to Providence to
hear Ralph Waldo Emerson's lectures.
On June 9, 1842, their first child, a boy, was born in the old Newport
mansion, and named Hazard, after his maternal grandfather.
NEWPORT, June 9, 1842.
MY DEAR FATHER,--I came here last Friday with the intention of
returning to New Bedford on Monday, but I was seized with a very
violent bilious attack that kept me in the house for a day or two.
The physician that was called prescribed calomel, and I was fool
enough to take it, the consequence of which is that instead of being
perfectly well to-day, as I should otherwise have been, I have a
pain in my bones, and not half the elasticity that generally attends
my recovery. However, calomel or no calomel, I don't regret my
illness, for it has been the cause of my being in Newport at a most
interesting moment. Early this morning Margaret was safely delivered
of a fine, healthy boy, after an uncommonly short and easy labor.
She was fortunate in the attendance of a most judicious, skillful,
and experienced physician, a younger brother of her father, who has
been in an extensive practice for more than forty years. Now,
father, you may fairly say that you have a right to your gray hairs.
Gray hairs and grandfathers always go together. The little fellow
has been squalling most unmercifully this morning, and seems to take
it for granted that no one's convenience is to be consulted but his
own. If he will but show the same energy in the development of his
other faculties, we may expect great things of him.
Your son,
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
During the greater part of this year Oliver pursues his studies at
Phillips Academy in South Andover; Sarah is teaching an unruly school in
Saugus, Mass., where she punishes a refractory boy, maintains order, and
overcomes the unreasonable anger of the boy's parents in a way that
proves her gifted with much firmness, decision, and good sense. Only
Mary remains at home. She writes: "We had a fugitive slave to spend the
night with us. He was as black a person as I ever saw." So it appears
that the old Abolitionist is doing his part towards the "underground
railroad," as harboring and forwarding fugitive slaves was termed.
Elizabeth, in Tennessee, became engaged in the spring to Mr. L.M.
Campbell, a promising young lawyer, and they were married September 9.
After the birth of the child, Mr. Stevens and his wife went to keeping
house in New Bedford. Sarah visited them in the winter, and on her
return home in March, 1843, they accompanied her as far as Boston, where
they remained a week while Mr. Stevens attended to some engineering
duties on one of the islands in the harbor. In April he was again in
Boston, while his young wife was visiting her mother in Newport for
election day in May, when the state government was to be inaugurated.
Lieutenant Stevens received orders to assume charge of the
fortifications at Portsmouth, N.H., to which those at Portland, Maine,
were added soon afterwards. These consisted of Forts Constitution and
Scammell at the former, and Forts Preble and McClary at the latter
place. Breaking up housekeeping at New Bedford in 1843, and leaving his
wife and boy in Newport, and the little stock of furniture and
belongings stored in the old mansion temporarily, Lieutenant Stevens
proceeded to Portsmouth and took charge of the works. Having in his ever
prompt and energetic manner set everything under way, he returned to
Newport, and brought his little family to the new station. They boarded
for a short time, then he leased a spacious house, using a portion of it
as an office. They speedily found themselves among warm friends and
pleasant surroundings. Lieutenant Tom Breese, of the navy, a generous,
whole-souled gentleman, who had married Lucy Randolph, a cousin of Mrs.
Stevens, was stationed at the navy yard, and made them more than
welcome. Lieutenant A.W. Whipple, of the engineers, a fellow student at
West Point, was conducting a survey of the harbor. He became a
major-general, commanded the third division, third corps, Army of the
Potomac, and was mortally wounded at the battle of Chancello
Showing first 200,000 characters. Full text: gutenberg.org/ebooks/43589