MADISON BARRACKSat Sackets Harbor, New York, was founded because of the area'sstrategic importance and has served the nation in nearly every war since theWar of 1812. It has been considered one of the best military posts and a key toAmerica's northern defense.
In1841, a young man, seemingly of great means, found himself on the wrong side ofarmy officials and was locked up in the guard house there, awaiting a courtmartial and 50 lashes, after surrendering for having deserted. Anxious tosecure his release, he pled his case toJ. THOMAS ANGEL, aninfluential and wealthy official of Sackets Harbor. Angel helped to establishSackets Harbor Bank in 1834. The young man claimed to be Harmar P. Denny, sonof a congressman by the same name from Pennsylvania, although militaryofficials refer to him as F. Shepard.
Highlysympathetic to the young man's case, Angel relates his story in an 8” x 10”, 3pp, ALS to CongressmanHARMAR DENNY(1794-1852) of Pittsburgh.Angel noted that since the soldier was worth more than $5,000, he cannot beretained in military service against his will. He added, however, that he wasnot an attorney or familiar with the law.
Toassure that the letter was delivered to the congressman, Angel convincedZENOALLEN,postmaster of Sackets Harbor, to send the letter under his freefrank, to his counterpart postmaster in Pennsylvania, hoping to assure itsdelivery to the Congressman. This underscores the influence thatpostmasters exercised between each other at the time.
Theletter contains two letters to the congressman, Angel's long narrativedescribing the young man's plight and a plea from Allen on the verso advocatingfor the young man. It also contains a note pleading with the postmaster on theaddress leaf to deliver or forward it to the congressman. Finally, a docketnote from the congressman or his representative states how he handled thesituation. Punctuation added for clarity.
First,Angel's explanation of the case to the congressman:
“Theonly apology I have to make for thus introducing myself to you is the detail Iam about to make. A few weeks ago, I became acquainted with a soldier in thegarrison at this place. He was then in confinement in the guard house awaitinghis trial for desertion. Soon after he had his trial & proceedings of theCourt Martial was sent to Portland to Gen. Eustis for approval – about the timehe sent for me. I called at the Guard House & he gave me thefollowing account of himself. He told me his real name was Harmer P. Denny (heis called by the name of Shepherd) and that his Father was a man of wealth& influence, had been or was a member of Congress & lived in AlleghanyTown opposite Pittsburgh, that his own mother was dead, that she left him alarge estate in Boston, among other [things] was the ‘Burley House' so called,that this father had given him many advantages at school & college, hadonce sent him to Europe with a tutor, that he went to Liverpool, London, then toFrance & Spain then home. He went into the state of Ohio, there got married& in Sept 1839 started for Boston & Cleveland, Ohio being beset wasinduced to enlist & did – from that place he came here & joined the 8thregtin Capt Bownel's company, that company in the winter 39 & 40 were stationedat Ogdensburgh from which place he deserted & went to Boston & attendedto his property & employed an agent & in Jan. last returned to thisplace & gave himself up as a deserter. He says that Capt. H. Clair Dennywas his uncle (I was acquainted with Capt. Denny of the U.S. Army nowresigned). He says he has been what we call a wild child or in other words hasbeen reckless of consequences & now to date mourns his folly. On therecital of his parentage & situation I became interested in his case &immediately wrote General Eustis & got Judge Allen, the Post Master of thisplace to join me in requesting the Gen. if consistent to remit the penalty orif he could not, to have the infliction of punishment postponed until I couldlearn more of his history. The following is an extract from the Gen's reply toour letter:
“‘Iwill direct the Commanding Officer at Madison barracks to postpone theexecution of his sentence for a short time to enable you to communicate withMr. Denny on the subject. According to your second request, I desire you willcause that gentleman distinctly to understand that any appeal he may make infavor of his son should be addressed not to me but to one of my superiors'meaning, I suppose, Maj. Gen. Macomb [Alexander Macomb, commanding General ofthe Army, regarded as a hero during the War of 1812] or the Secretary of War[John Bell].'
“He[the young man] is a man I think about 24 or 25 years of age, rather thick setfull faced, rather dark complexion, brown hair, I think. Now, sir, if by thisshort account you can recognize a son I hope you will lose no time in appealingto Gen. Macomb or the Sec. of War for his discharge. He feels very penitent& I believe is sufficiently punished for his rash step. Your own judgmentwill dictate to you the course to be pursed with the Department to obtain hisdischarge. I have understood that a soldier could not be retained in theservice contrary to his will if he was worth over $5,000. I am not a lawyer& have never examined the law on this subject. This case requires immediateattention & that you may know that I am not imposing upon you. I haveobtained the signature of Hon. Zeno Allen as Post Master of this place &late Judge of Jeff. Co. Com. Pleas. Please write me immediately on the receiptof this letter. I am, Sir, your obt. Servant, Thos. J. Angel”
Onthe verso, Allen wrote to the congressman: “Sir – this is written in good faith& in addition to what the subject has written I will inform you what theprobably sentence will be from the experience I have had in such cases – itwill be 50 lashes on the bare back and you may try to get the sentence remittedby application to the acting president [Vice President John Tyler became afterthe abrupt death of William Henry Harrison.] or get him discharged[because] he is your son. He has been & is like the prodigal of old…toreturn to his father… Zeno Allen”
Accordingto the docketing, the congressman wrote to both Allen and Angel. “T.J. Angel,Z. Allen Sackets Harbor, NY, respecting enlisted soldier F. Shepard. April 17,1841 rec'd on 29thApr wrote same day to Angel enclosed to Mr.Allen & on 30 wrote to Gen's Eustis…”
Versocarries an integral address leaf with détaillant a beautiful circular Sackets Harbor, NY,postmark, FREE Frank stamp, Zeno Allen's signature as postmaster and a note tothe postmaster “will please deliver this immediately or if Mr. D is from homeplease forward it & oblige a friend.”
Thesemen went to great lengths to exonerate the young soldier from a punishment theybelieved he should not endure.
Letteris in blue ink and very readable. Folds, toning, light expected soiling, acouple of fold breaks and a seal tear. This letter is a wonderful piece ofSackets Harbor military Americana illustrating the influence of postmasters.
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