Peter Gansevoort (July 17, 1749 – July 2, 1812) was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War who withstood St. Leger's Siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Year 1749 ( MDCCXLIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Barrimore Matthew St Leger (c1733 &ndash 1789 was a British colonel who led an invasion force during the American Revolutionary War. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
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Early life
He was born on July 17, 1749 into the Dutch aristocracy of Albany, New York. Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Year 1749 ( MDCCXLIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County. His father Harman (1712–1801) represented the third generation in America, while his mother, Magdalena Douw Gansevoort (1718–1796) was connected with the Van Rensselaer family {Her mother was a granddaughter of Jeremias Van Rensselaer}. Jeremias van Rensselaer (bapt 18 May 1632, Amsterdam - October 12, 1674, Crailo Rensselaerwyck) was the third director His family had been in Albany, since 1660, when it was the Dutch colony of Fort Orange, and Harmen owned a brewery and farms. His younger brother Leonard was more active politically, serving in the state assembly and senate, as well as the Continental Congress. Leonard Gansevoort (July 1751– August 26, 1810) was an American political leader from New York who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the
As the American Revolution grew closer, Peter joined the Albany militia. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" While he lacked the experience of many older officers, he was a tactful and persuasive leader. Even at his young age, he was over six feet tall, and had a commanding presence. This, along with his family connections, earned him a Lieutenant's rank.
Invasion of Canada (1775–1776)
He joined the Continental Army and was made a Major on June 30, 1775 and served as a field commander in the 2nd New York Regiment. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The 2nd New York Regiment was authorized on May 25, 1775, and formed at Albany from June 28 to August 4 for service with the Continental Army Goose Van Schaick was nominally Colonel, he had raised the regiment and served as its commander from Albany. Colonel Goose Van Schaick (1736-1789 was a Continental Army officer during the American Revolutionary War. Lt. Colonel Peter W. Yates was the primary field commander, but remained as post commander of Fort George when Major Gansevoort led much of the regiment north with Montgomery's forces for the Invasion of Canada. Peter Waldron Yates ( August 23, 1747 -1826 was a lawyer and statesman from Albany, New York. Richard Montgomery ( December 2, 1738 – December 31, 1775) was an Irish -born Soldier who first served in the Background In the spring of 1775 the American Revolutionary War began with the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
Peter led his men during the siege of the Fort at St. Johns, today known by its French name of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a city in the province of Quebec, Canada about southeast of Montreal. In late October, to improve the effect of the siege, Montgomery sent Gansevoort down the river to seize Fort Chambly. Chambly is a Town in southwestern Quebec, Canada, about 25km to the south east of Montreal At Chambly, they captured over 120 barrels of needed gunpowder and a huge mortar which they nicknamed the Old Sow. They also took about 100 prisoners of the Welch Fusilier garrison and their young Captain, John André. For other uses see John André (disambiguation. Major John André ( May 2, 1750 &ndash October 2 Montgomery used Old Sow to open fire on St. Johns, which was compelled to surrender on November 2, 1775. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 He took part in the capture of Montreal, although he became ill during that attack. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec He started on the advance to Quebec, but by the time the force reached Three Rivers, he was being carried on a stretcher. Quebec City ( French: Ville de Québec, or simply Québec) (kwɨˈbɛk or /keˈbɛk/ is the Capital of the Canadian province Trois-Rivières is a City in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, located along the densely populated Quebec City-Windsor Corridor
Gansevoort returned to Montreal and spent the winter as one of the sick with the occupation force. By the spring of 1776, the invasion fell apart at Quebec; Montgomery had been killed, and Benedict Arnold was wounded. Benedict Arnold V ( – June 14, 1801) was a General during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental Major Gansevoort had recovered to the point where he led the remaining New York forces south in a fighting withdrawal that stopped the British advance at Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain (French lac Champlain) is a natural freshwater Lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States As recognition, in June 1776, he was put in command at Fort George.
Siege of Fort Stanwix
Main article: Fort Stanwix. Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26[[ 758]] by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day
In November he was made a full Colonel and given command of the 3rd New York Regiment. Footnotes which he recruited and trained in early 1777. Lt. Colonel Marinus Willett became his 2nd in command. Marinus Willett ( July 31, 1740 &ndash August 22, 1830) was an American soldier and political leader from New York His area of responsibility was extended from the Hudson River valley and Fort Edward and Fort George, along the Mohawk River Valley to Fort Oswego in the northwest. The Mohawk River is a long River in the US state of New York. Fort Oswego was an important Frontier post for British traders in the 18th century This was to be the axis of Colonel Barry St. Ledger's attack during the Saratoga Campaign. British strategy As the year's campaigns were winding down in the autumn of 1776 the British began to plan operations for the next year
The 3rd New York did not have the men and equipment to extend that far, even with the support of local militia units. He conceded Fort Oswego to the British, and elected to defend Fort Stanwix (near modern Rome, New York). Rome is a City in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 34950 at the 2000 census. The fort had been abandoned after the French and Indian War. Gansevoort and Willett restored the fort and strengthened its defenses. The hurriedly set up a garrison, getting the last boatload of supplies into the Fort under fire from St. Ledger's advance force.
Gansevoort with about 750 men held the fort, which was now strong enough to resist a simple assault. St. Ledger arrived on August 2 with about 860 mixed troops and 1000 Indians, and the siege began. Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the The American force refused to be intimidated, and Peter led a spirited defense. He held for three weeks, in spite of the failure of General Nicholas Herkimer's relief at the Battle of Oriskany. Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Background See also [[Battle of Saratoga]] [[Battle of Bennington]] A two-pronged attack known as the Saratoga Campaign of 1777, was launched by the While St. Ledger was occupied during that battle, Gansevoort ordered Willett to make a sortie which destroyed much of the British supplies. The siege was broken on August 22 on news of the approach of a second relief column under Benedict Arnold which arrived on the 24th. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. Benedict Arnold V ( – June 14, 1801) was a General during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental
He received the grateful thanks of the Congress, as John Adams noted that "Gansevoort has proven that is possible to hold a fort. John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. "
1778–1781
Gansevoort eventually turned Fort Stanwix over to a garrison of the 1st New York Regiment. The 1st New York Regiment was authorized on May 25, 1775 and organized at New York City from June 28 to August 4 for service with the Continental Army He moved his headquarters to his new command at Fort Saratoga (near modern Schuylerville, New York). Schuylerville is a Village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. He led his regiment in the Sullivan Expedition of 1779. Background When the American Revolutionary War began British officials as well as the colonial Continental Congress sought the allegiance (or at least the neutrality He had another bout of illness that winter (1779–1780) and returned home for a while, but, by July 1780, he was back with the 3rd at West Point. West Point is a federal military reservation (and a Census-designated place) located North of the Village of Highland Falls in Orange County New York He was assigned to command the New York Brigade, and reestablished his headquarters at Fort Sarratoga.
In the reorganization and downsizing of the New York Line in 1781, Gansevoort was left with no assignment in the Continental Army. He returned home and became Brigadier General of the Albany County Militia.
After the revolution
Peter continued to make his home in Albany where he operated the family brewery. He expanded his farms, adding grist mills and a lumber mill, in the area that eventually became Gansevoort, New York. Wilton is a Town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. He served for a while as sheriff of Albany County, as a commissioner of Indian affairs, and continued his support of the military in the militia and as a quartermaster. Albany County is a County located in the US state of New York, generally located in the vicinity of Albany New York, the Capital
Peter had married Catherine (Katy) Van Schaik on January 12, 1778 in her family's home at Albany. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 1778 ( MDCCLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or She was the daughter of Wessel and Maria Van Schaik, and her brother Goose had been Peter's commander and Colonel in 1775. Over the years, they had at least three children; Peter Jr. , Leonard, and Maria. Peter Jr. (22 Dec 1788 – 4 Jan 1876) married Mary Sanford, the daughter of Congressman Nathan Sandford. Nathan Sanford ( November 5, 1777 Bridgehampton, Suffolk County New York - October 17, 1838 Flushing, Queens Peter Jr. and Mary were the parents of Brevet Major General/Colonel Henry Sanford Gansevoort (1835–1871) of the 13th New York Cavalry; Leonard's son Guert Gansevoort had a distinguished naval career that spanned 45 years. Commodore Guert Gansevoort ( 7 June 1812 &ndash 15 July 1868) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American Maria married Alan Melville in 1814, and their son was the author Herman Melville. Herman Melville (August 1 1819 &ndash September 28 1891 was an American novelist Short story writer Essayist and poet
In 1809, he was made a Brigadier General in the United States Army and commanded the Northern Department. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. In 1811, he was called on to preside over the court-martial of General James Wilkinson who was charged as an accomplice in Aaron Burr's western conspiracy. James Wilkinson ( 24 March, 1757 &ndash December 28, 1825) was a U This article discusses Aaron Burr (1756-1836 the US politician Wilkinson was found not guilty, and the court adjourned on Christmas Day. Hurrying back to his family, Peter's old illness returned, and he never recovered. He died at home in Albany on July 2, 1812. Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
Further reading
- Alice P. Kenney; The Gansevoorts of Albany: Dutch Patricians in the Upper Hudson Valley; 1969, Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, New York, ISBN 081562137X.
- Alice P. Kenney; Stubborn for Liberty: The Dutch in New York; 1975, Syracuse University Press, ISBN 0-8156-0113-1. (1989 Paperback: ISBN 0-8156-2482-4)
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