on keelboats. Returned on foot with several of his men, the trip taking three months, carrying their guns and subsisting largely on game. He died in 1832. He was a kind, generous and provident father and husband, patriotic, and a leader without arrogance. Charles Pentland, author of the diary giving the exact daily movements of the Blues, making the most valuable record of the company's active service, was a son of Major Ephriam Pentland, one of the most prominent public men of the time in Pittsburgh and the state. He died in 1833. Edward F. Pratt became a captain in the Pennsylvania militia after his service in the Northwestern campaign. 1813. William Richardson was killed at Fort Meigs May 5, Chas. Wahrendorf was wounded at Fort Meigs May 5, 1813. Promoted to quartermaster sergeant in service. Was merchant in Pittsburgh and advertised staple and fancy goods, dry goods, jewelry and hardware, imported from Germany after a trip to Europe. Moved to St. Louis, where he engaged in business. He died Sept. 4, 1831. He was a native of Hanover, Germany. The survivors of the Blues held a meeting in Pittsburgh. Capt. Butler presided and passed resolutions of sympathy to Wahrendorff's family, and resolved to wear crepe on the left arm for 30 days. George S. Wilkins promoted May, 1813. LINES ON THE DEATH OF JAMES NEWMAN (These lines, on the death of Jas. Newman, of the Pittsburgh Behold yon band whose lightning gleams afar; 'Tis Butler's corps, so lately crowned with fame; And pluck the honors of a spotless name On Maumee's banks they met their steel clad foes, * * * * * * * Curst war away! Let peace return once more; The following poem was found among old papers of the Ferree family, and credited to Jacob Ferree Jr. aged 18 years by Cora A. Weber Lindsay, a descendant of the Ferree's. Colonel Joel Ferree commanded the First Pennsylvania regiment and Captain Jeremiah Ferree had command of a company in the same infantry regiment in the northwestern army of General Harrison and served in the same outfit with the Pittsburgh Blues THE PITTSBURGH BLUES. By JACOB FERREE, JR. Farewell peace! Another crisis Made when monarchs and their vices When injustice and oppression, Dare avow the tyrant's plea Who would recommend submission? History spreads her flag before us, Truth unfolds to assure us, Sons of freemen have descended Rob us of our sacred right. Come then, war! With hearts elated To thy standard we will fly, Every bosom animated, Either to live free or die. May the wretch that shrinks from duty Or deserts the glorious strife Never know the smile of beauty, Or the blessing of a wife. ERRATA. In the April 1921 number, was published the roster of the Blues, and after the name of John Marcy it reads: "Discharged for disobedience." This should read "Discharged for disability." LIST OF REFERENCES AND NOTES. Pittsburgh Papers-Gazette, Mercury, Tree of Liberty, Commonwealth, Morning Chronicle. Pennsylvania Archives. Photostat copies of original rosters and payrolls, (1812-1813). U. S. War Department. Memoirs of Western Pennsylvania Historical Society. "Old Westmoreland" (Edgar W. Hassler). "History of Pittsburgh" (N. B. Craig). "The Olden Time" (N. B. Craig) "History of Pittsburgh" (Sarah H. Killekelly). "History of Allegheny County" (A. Warner & Co.) "Standard History of Pittsburgh" (Erasmus Wilson, Editor). "History of Westmoreland County" (Ellis). "Centennial History of Allegheny County". "Hazard's Register Pennsylvania History." "Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal" (Jenkins). "Allegheny County, (100 years)" (George H. Thurston). Chas. W. Dahlinger. George T. Fleming. THE END. NOTES AND QUERIES REGARDING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES An interesting communication was received a short time ago from Edmund Hayes Bell of Washington, D. C., relating to the various items of property belonging to Fort Pitt and sold by the British upon its abandonment by them, the matter being recalled to the writer's mind by reading the article on Fort Pitt, recently published in this magazine. Mr. Bell's letter inclosing a number of papers refered to there is dated May 22, 1922, and is printed in full herewith. The papers follow: I have been interested in the History of Fort Pitt which has lately been published in your magazine. Perhaps the most important Pennsylvanian who had some connection with Fort Pitt was General William Thompson, and if the people who are looking for further facts concerning the Fort will search for the correspondence of General Thompson I am sure they will find in it a chapter of Fort Pitt history as yet unwritten. I am inclosing herewith copies of some papers relating to the Fort. The identity of the William Thompson who is recorded as joint purchaser with Alexander Ross from the British Government seems to have been unknown to your historian; also the fact that Dr. Edward Hand, Adjutant General of the Continental Army, was party to the purchase. It is true, Alexander Ross, a Scotchman born and closely associated with Lord Dunmore, and never anything but a British subject, fled from Pittsburgh in the summer of 1776, first to New Orleans by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, then to Pensacola, Florida, and from that port to London, and lost his large American property by so doing; but there never was any question of the loyalty to the revolting American Colonies of General William Thompson and Edward Hand, and their interest in Fort Pitt could not possibly have been jeopardized by the actions of Alexander Ross. Few of the patriots made more sacrifices than Thompson who most unfortunately was made a prisoner by the British at the battle of Three Rivers, near Quebec, in June 1776 and was not exchanged until 1780. He died at his home near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, September 3rd, 1781, a victim of the hardships he had endured, universally regretted as a brave soldier and a sincere patriot. I also inclose copy of Washington's letter to General Thompson, in March 1776, congratulating him on his promotion. Pennsylvania should take just pride in this now almost forgotten soldier, for he was the first colonel of the famous regiment of riflemen, raised in Pennsylvania in the summer of 1775 to join Washington's Army before Boston. Thompson received the first colonel's commission issued by the United States and his regiment became the first regiment of the American Army on the organization of the Continental Line on January 1st, 1776. They were the first troops from any of the Colonies south of New England to respond to the call of the Continental Congress. George Thompson,General Thompson's eldest son, who studied law with Judge Jasper Yeates at Lancaster, was one of the first judges of the Court of Allegheny County, appointed February 26th, 1796, and died a judge on your bench, January 12th, 1807. * His second son, Capt. Robert Thompson, a soldier like his father, was wounded at St. Clair's defeat and participated in Wayne's victory over the Indians. He resigned from the Army in 1799 and died a few years later at Natchez, Mississippi. I may find more facts concerning Fort Pitt in the Thompson papers in my possession, in which case will be glad to advise you. Letters from General Washington at Cambridge, Mass., to General William Thompson, at New York, dated March 27th, 1776. Sir: · Lord Sterling, in his letter of the 20th instant, has informed me of your arrival at New York to take command of the Army there. I take this opportunity of congratulating you on your promotion, and am vastly pleased that the Congress have anticipated my application in your favor, which was dated the 7th instant. I have now to inform you that the fleet have, within a few hours, left Nantucket Road and on the morrow another brigade will march from here under the command of General Sullivan; very soon, if nothing occurs I cannot at present foresee. To I am, with great regard, Sir, Your most humble servant, General Thompson. George Washington. P. S.-General Putnam will set off tomorrow or next day, and if General Schuyler is absent, will take command of the troops. I do hereby acknowledge that Doctor Edward Hand of Lancaster, in the Province of Pennsylvania, is equally concerned with Alexander Ross, Esq. of Pittsburgh in said Province and myself in the purchase of the ruins of Fort Pitt and its dependancies, the brick Redoubt near the town of Pittsburgh and the wood redoubts that stood on the Allegheny River only excepted. As witness my hand at the Continental Camp, near Cambridge, the twenty-first day of August A. D., 1775. (Signed) Wm. Thompson. * Upon the reorganization of the Pennsylvania courts under the constitution of 1790, Allegheny County became attached to the Fifth Judicial District, consisting of Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington and Allegheny counties. Alexander Addison was the first President Judge continuing as such until his removal by impeachment on January 27, 1803. He was succeeded by Judge Samuel Roberts who held the office until his death on December 13, 1820. George Thompson, although a lawyer, having been among the first nine men to be admitted to the Allegheny County bar, was one of the lay associate judges for this county. |