ELEAZER WHEELOCK RIPLEY

Was born at Hanover, New-Hampshire, the seat of Dartmouth College, April 15th, 1782. He is the grandson of the venerable and pious founder of that institution, Dr. Eleazer Wheelock, whose name he bears, and nephew of the present learned President, honourable John Wheelock, LL. D. His father, Reverend Sylvanus Ripley, a graduate of the first class, and the first professor of Divinity in the College, died in the beginning of the year 1787, universally respected and beloved. Of the young family of six children, thus left, in circumstances not affluent, to the care of an intelligent and pious mother, the subject of this sketch was the second son, then in the fifth year of his age.

He pursued with assiduity the studies preparatory for admission into college; and having completed his academic course, he received the first honours of the University in 1800. He then applied himself to the study of the law, and shortly afterwards was admitted to practice in the county court of Kennebunk, in the District of Maine, state of Massachusetts. At the bar he manifested talents which ranked him among the higher order of barristers, and procured him a popularity that introduced him to a seat in the Legislature of his native state, as a representative from the town of Winslow or Waterville, as soon as the qualification of age would admit. In that body he was not an inefficient member. His political course was marked with action based on the principles of the constitution of the United States, and the rights of mankind. To contend with political opponents who had evinced talents, such as ranked them high as statesmen, was a task of no ordinary magnitude, and he who undertook it, if triumphant, was sure to stand high in party honours.

In January, 1812, he was elected Speaker of the Legislature of Massachusetts, in the place of the honourable Joseph Story, who had then just been elevated to a seat on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States. At this period he had scarcely attained his 30th year, so fast were his "blushing honours thickening on him." Of the subsequent session of the Legislature, held in May, he was not a member. Having removed to Portland, he was chosen a Senator from Cumberland and Oxford, and took his seat accordingly in the Senate of Massachusetts. In the March following, he disappointed all the fond anticipations of his friends in regard to his rising greatness, by accepting a Lieutenant-Colonel's commission in the army of the United States. The relations then existing between the United States and Great Britain, it was rightly supposed, would eventuate in an open rupture, and he had directed his attentions to the tented field to avenge the wrongs heaped on his country by that haughty and overbearing nation. On the eve of the declaration of war he had been intrusted by General Dearborn with the command of the forts and harbours on the extreme Eastern coast of the Union. In this station he manifested an activity in disciplining his men and strengthening his fortifications, which proclaimed his worth as an officer. In September, 1812, he marched from Portland and reached Plattsburgh in October, a distance of more than 400 miles. Here he joined the Northern army commanded by Brigadier-General Bloomfield. After the campaign had closed, he retired into winter-quarters at Burlington, in Vermont, where, by unwearied exertions he increased his regiment to 700 men before the following spring. His regiment became remarkable for its accuracy in discipline and neatness of dress.

On the 12th of March, 1813, Lieutenant-Colonels Ripley, Gaines, and Scott, were promoted at the same time to the rank of Colonels.

In ten days of that month Colonel Ripley marched his regiment from Plattsburgh to Sackett's Harbour. At the attack on York in Upper Canada, April 27th, "he fleshed his maiden sword."

General Dearborn, with 1700 chosen troops, embarked at Sackett's Harbour, and having arrived before York, confided the immediate command in the attack to the gallant General Pike.

The American army, having debarked, formed in two lines. The 21st regiment, divided into six platoons, with Colonel McClure's volunteers on their flanks, composed the second line. Thus disposed, they moved on to the attack in columns, when the British General, panicstruck, retreated, blowing up one of his magazines. The explosion was tremendous, and friend and foe were its common victims-General Pike was mortally wounded, and died smiling in the arms of victory.---Colonel Ripley was slightly wounded, and the command devolved on Colonel Pearce, of the 17th regiment, until General Dearborn came on shore. The British General Sheaffe, was distinctly seen on his retreat, and the wounded Colonel Ripley pressed his pursuit without delay. The apprehension of another explosion, produced an hour's delay, which enabled the fugitive foe to escape. The town, containing public property of great value, was captured. Some excesses, by the American soldiery, were at first committed. To put a stop to this, General Dearborn ordered Colonel Ripley and his regiment, as a town guard, to protect private property. The Colonel executed the command with the strictest propriety, and under circumstances very honourable to himself--for spoils which by the rules of war were his, he spurned to touch. By some unaccountable neglect, he remained on duty three days and nights without sleep. Incessant duty and fatigue impaired his health. The army after it again disembarked at Niagara was sickly, in consequence of its exposure to rains for a week on board the fleet. Colonel Ripley was present at the capture of Fort George, on the 27th of May; but was not present in the action on Stony Creek, when Generals Chandler and Winder were taken by surprise. In order to afford him an opportunity to repair his feeble health, General Dearborn ordered his regiment, diminished by hard service, to convoy the prisoners to Oswego, and then proceed to Sackett's Harbour. Having accomplished this

duty, he was detained at that post for several days by severe sickness. His devotion to the military art, induced him to resist every advice of his friends while at Sackett's Harbour, to withdraw for some time from the duties of his station. His attachment to Fame, induced him to press forward, and make every sacrifice to enter the portals of her Temple.

Preferring the British mode of drill, he made his regiment perfectly acquainted therewith, prior to their embarcation under General Wilkinson, in the attack against Montreal, the failure of which was owing to the then Secretary of War, and General Hampton.

In descending the St. Lawrence for the attack on Montreal, a severe duty was necessary--every corps of the army was exposed to the attacks of a vigilant foe. The 11th of November, was distinguished by the battle of Williamsburgh, where the lamented and brave Covington fell. Colonel Ripley, with his regiment, commenced the action. His conduct, throughout the contest, was marked with peculiar bravery. The troops fought in great confusion, and the battle lasted for three hours. In giving orders, the fence on which he stood, was carried away by a cannon ball. The part of his regiment in action, amounted to three hundred and thirty-nine, of which about eighty were killed or wounded. He went into winter quarters at French Mills, in consequence of the refusal of General Hampton to unite with General Wilkinson. Here his regiment, on the consolidation of the army, was united with the 11th. His wife, to whom he was married in 1811, repaired to him in camp, against the entreaties of friends, in order to assist him in his feeble state of health. In the midst of winter, the cantonment was ordered to be broken up, and the army ordered to repair to the Niagara frontier. Colonel Ripley was ordered to proceed to Albany, to forward on artillery and stores for the ensuing campaign. At this time the consolidated regiment was restored. On the 18th of April, Colonel Ripley was advanced to the rank of Brigadier-General. He took leave of the officers and men of his regiment on this occasion, who manifested for him every token of respect,

the officers having presented him an elegant sv grateful recollection.

A short time previous to this, General Scott, i sence of General Brown, took the command of at Buffalo. This officer used every exertion to a strict and necessary discipline. Each corps lous to excel. General Ripley devoted his tin instruction of his brigade.

On the arrival of General Brown at Buffalo,* 1813, it was determined to invade the upper pro order to attack Fort George and recover Fort Nia thence to march round the lake to Kingston. ject General Ripley opposed with all his talen was confident that the army, which consisted of three thousand regular troops, was too feeble t plish the proposed object. He had already acc three invasions of Canada, with an incompete He knew that Fort Erie, directly opposite to Buf immediately fall; but in respect to the ultimat he saw no prospect of success. Although the brought high honour to the American arms-in which he had a full participation-yet the resul his opinions. Not one of the grand objects prop accomplished.

In making the necessary arrangements, the 9 and 25th regiments, were assigned to the brigad neral Scott, while General Ripley had the 21s Major Grafton, with which were incorporated, du campaign, one company of the 17th under Capt. and one of the 12th under Lieut. M'Donald. a battalion of the 23d regiment under Major M consisting principally of recruits lately received, perfect in discipline. The four regiments first ed were of New-England, and the last one o York.

He

On the 3d of July, the American army crossed agara river. Gen. Scott with the main body cross

This arrangement was made by the War-Minister to cover th ceptions of General Brown, in regard to his orders to attack Kingst explanation of which, see note to General Brown's Life.

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