407:, John Topham, and Thayer. Seven more companies formed the center and rear of the attack column. In the approach march, the column suffered some casualties from enemy fire. Since a snow storm was raging, the head of the column became disoriented and lost its direction before Thayer, who knew the way, led the soldiers on. Presently, they arrived before a barrier armed with two cannons which fired, causing further losses. As the guns were withdrawn to reload, Thayer and Morgan climbed through the gunports, followed by their men, and captured 60 of the defenders. Continuing up the street, the Americans surprised a group of Quebec militia and made them prisoners, making a total of 130. Since their own firearms were wet from the snow, the Americans appropriated the dry weapons of the Canadians. A second barrier farther along repelled all their attempts to seize it, partly because so many muskets misfired in the blizzard. After four hours of fighting, the Americans found themselves trapped and they surrendered when the British promised to grant them quarter.
357:
79:
90:
110:
493:
122:
621:
command. When the
British counterattacked, Scott's men had to retreat across a swamp. During the withdrawal, a near-miss by a cannonball caused blood to flow from both eyes. With difficulty he remained in command during the day, but he had to leave the army the next day to recover. Thayer permanently
319:
on August 9, 1757. He survived the massacre of many
British prisoners by pro-French Indians that followed the surrender. The captured troops were stripped of their weapons and much of their clothing and made to march from the fort. A tomahawk-armed Native American seized Thayer by his under-waistcoat
658:
He had nine children, several of whom did not survive infancy. They were Nancy (1762–1783), William
Tourtelott (b. 1767), Susan (d. 1768), Stephen Tourtelott (?–1769), Hannah Tourtelott (January–March 1769), Simeon (1770–1791), Polly (1772–1814), Richard Montgomery (b.
410:
Total
American casualties in the disaster were 35 killed, 33 wounded, and 372 captured. Thayer's company suffered two killed, three wounded, and 25 captured. Of the latter group, seven men later agreed to enlist in the British army. For nine months he was held captive by the British. In September
552:
On
November 11, during an intense bombardment, Smith was badly bruised when a cannonball crashed into the barracks, struck him in the left hip, and showered him with bricks. Before being removed from the fort, Smith tried to get someone to volunteer to take command but no one stepped forward.
485:. During the battle, Thayer commanded a section of Fort Mercer's defenses. After the successful action, Greene sent him with a small party to bring in the wounded. While on this duty, two Hessian grenadiers pointed out to Thayer where their commander was lying wounded. He located the Colonel
553:
Finally, Smith appointed Thayer to lead the defense, noting he was, "the bravest man he had ever known." Thayer accepted. He would command the fort from the 12th to the 15th. When he took charge, the situation was rapidly becoming critical. On
November 15, the British managed to work
654:
Of medium stature and agreeable nature, he was married three times. His first wife was Huldah
Jackson (1738–1771), his second wife Mary Tourtelott (b. December 24, 1742), and his third wife was Huldah's sister (1763–1803), the former Mrs. Angell.
524:
soon caught fire and the flames quickly spread. British accounts suggest the blaze was either set deliberately by the crew or caused accidentally by flaming wadding from her guns. The
Americans claimed that hot shot from Fort Mifflin or fire ships set the
508:
which lasted from
September 26 to November 16, 1777. The defenders of the fort held out heroically against a bombardment by warships in the Delaware and by British batteries on the north bank. On October 23, the defenders scored a significant victory when
320:
and began dragging him toward a swamp. The garment tore off, allowing Thayer to flee his captor. He soon joined another prisoner and the two were pursued by an Indian who tomahawked his companion to death. Thayer began sprinting and reached
303:
on April 30, 1737, of parents David and Jane Keith Thayer. His eight brothers and sisters were named Jean, David, Susanna, George, Faithful, Jemima, Mary, and
Elizabeth. As a young man, he served as an apprentice to a wig-maker.
594:. There were about 300 survivors. Thayer stayed behind with about 40 men to burn down what remained of the barracks and left at midnight. On the morning of November 16, the British took possession of the wrecked fort.
646:
On October 3, 1780, Congress voted to combine the two Rhode Island regiments, effective on January 1, 1781. On the latter date, Thayer retired from the Continental Army. He was an original member of the Rhode Island
586:(32) blasted Mud Island from the river while numerous batteries flayed the fort from the land side. Thayer gamely directed his men to move a 32-pound cannon to the threatened area. The gun crew put 14 shots into
379:
A muster roll from September 10, 1775, showed that Thayer's company consisted of two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a fifer, and 79 privates. That month his company was selected to join
1138:
590:
but soon had to abandon the piece as the position was deluged by fire. With the situation hopeless, Thayer ordered the fort to be evacuated that evening and the survivors were rowed across to
634:
on June 23, 1780. In this contest, he led the center of the regiment in the defense of the bridge and later covered the retreat. When the enemy force fell back, Brigadier General
1148:
411:
1776 he was allowed to return to Providence on parole to await prisoner exchange. While he was still on parole in February 1777, the assembly promoted Thayer to the rank of
1118:
1128:
1108:
1123:
605:
discovered that major British forces were converging on his detachment. La Fayette sent Thayer and 300 men to fight a delaying action while he slipped away across the
267:
in the autumn of 1777. For the period of four days he commanded the garrison until he was compelled to evacuate the fort by the tremendous bombardment. He fought at
662:
He bought a house on Stamper's Hill in 1781 and opened the Montgomery Hotel in 1784. After operating the hotel for a few years, he sold it and bought a farm in
1158:
1133:
1103:
1153:
638:
asked him to determine which way they were marching. Though he was frequently fired upon, Thayer followed alone on horseback and made reports.
356:
481:. When Fort Mercer was attacked by the Hessians on October 22, the 2nd Regiment was rowed across the river to help and participated in the
372:
on May 19, arriving there two days later. These were the first Rhode Island troops to arrive in Boston. His company became part of Colonel
324:
in safety. The effort of running a great distance on a hot day impaired his health and rendered him unfit for service for the rest of the
1143:
1113:
380:
245:
602:
630:
on August 29. During 1779 he served as an enlistment officer. Returning to his regiment in New Jersey, he led his troops at the
431:. An undated return of the regiment's 2nd Battalion under Thayer shows 141 soldiers present for duty. Of these, 33 hailed from
1054:
1035:
977:
Stone & Thayer, 77. The source gave Thayer's immediate commander as "Col. Sylla" which is almost certainly Joseph Cilley.
240:, the Rhode Island assembly appointed him an officer. He quickly raised a company of soldiers and marched with them to the
669:
Thayer died on October 14, 1800, after being thrown from his horse into a stream where he drowned. He was buried at the
609:
with the bulk of his force. Thayer held off the British advance guard and brought off his small command intact. At the
501:
280:
707:"New York State Society of the Cincinnati: Biographies of Original Members and Other Continental Officers (review)"
1071:
321:
614:
300:
45:
631:
335:, bought a piece of property and was married. When trouble with Great Britain started in 1772, he joined a
276:
316:
162:
534:
237:
169:
686:
648:
444:
428:
257:
217:
663:
618:
489:
and ordered six Americans to carry him into the fort. The Hessian officer later died of his wound.
440:
432:
332:
65:
1078:
473:
on October 11 and the 2nd Regiment a week later. Soon after, the 2nd Regiment was sent to defend
384:
249:
174:
307:
In 1756 he volunteered for military service with a Rhode Island regiment. Soon after, he joined
287:
for three years. He was married three times and died after being thrown from a horse at age 63.
651:. For three years afterward he held the title of Brigadier General of the Providence militia.
627:
623:
598:
505:
451:
436:
325:
296:
268:
264:
233:
194:
184:
179:
157:
41:
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591:
538:
8:
670:
565:
466:
400:
315:
during three separate clashes with French-allied Indians. He became a prisoner after the
1065:
443:, and the rest from smaller towns. At that time, the 2nd Regiment was brigaded with the
734:
610:
545:
were killed as they struggled in the water to escape. After this disaster, the crew of
510:
482:
392:
312:
272:
229:
189:
1050:
1031:
738:
726:
448:
209:
718:
606:
469:, on September 29, 1777. The 1st Regiment under Colonel Christopher Greene reached
373:
253:
126:
572:
549:
set their ship on fire and rowed away. The smaller vessel later blew up as well.
388:
368:
in May 1775. He personally enlisted his company to full strength and marched for
241:
83:
49:
986:
Morrissey, 85. The author noted that Joseph Cilley led a detachment under Scott.
486:
478:
404:
365:
236:
and made a harrowing escape from French-allied Indians. At the outbreak of the
1087:
730:
558:
458:
455:
424:
399:'s company. Morgan's advance guard was followed by the companies of Captains
396:
95:
252:
and was captured. After being paroled, he again served as an officer in the
706:
622:
lost vision in his right eye from the wound. After a five-week recovery at
474:
462:
412:
144:
115:
722:
564:
into a 20-gun floating battery, into a position 200 paces from the fort.
470:
364:
When war broke out, the Rhode Island general assembly commissioned him a
635:
542:
526:
492:
336:
248:
during which time he kept a journal of his experiences. He fought at
1139:
American Revolutionary War prisoners of war held by Great Britain
340:
308:
284:
213:
383:. On the morning of December 31, 1775, the Americans opened the
465:. Ordered to join the main army, the Rhode Island Brigade left
369:
275:, where he was seriously wounded. He led his men in a clash at
561:
1047:
Monmouth Courthouse 1778: The last great battle in the North
423:
After being exchanged on July 1, 1777, he served in Colonel
533:
blew up in an enormous explosion that shattered windows in
500:
Thayer fought under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel
279:
and retired from the army in 1781. Later, he served as a
677:
was edited by Edwin Martin Stone and published in 1867.
387:
by attacking the city. The main column under Colonel
1149:
Deaths by horse-riding accident in the United States
626:, he hastened to rejoin his regiment but missed the
537:. The blast was heard 30 miles (48 km) away at
228:(April 30, 1737 – October 14, 1800) fought in
1119:
People of Rhode Island in the French and Indian War
1063:
1129:People of Massachusetts in the American Revolution
1109:Rhode Island militiamen in the American Revolution
1124:People of Rhode Island in the American Revolution
529:afire. The result is not in dispute. At mid-day,
418:
1085:
331:In 1761, Thayer, now employed as a wig-maker in
1079:Rhode Island American Revolution Burial Records
907:
905:
520:(18) went aground near the fort. The stern of
1049:. Long Island City, N.Y.: Osprey Publishing.
613:on June 28, 1778, Thayer fought with Colonel
1159:Burials at North Burying Ground (Providence)
1064:Stone, Edwin Martin; Thayer, Simeon (1867).
902:
360:Thayer was captured at the Battle of Quebec.
1134:Militia generals in the American Revolution
1104:Continental Army officers from Rhode Island
311:Fry's Massachusetts regiment and served in
964:
962:
802:
800:
1044:
1030:. Mechanicsburg, Penn.: Stackpole Books.
814:
812:
675:Journal of the Invasion of Canada in 1775
603:Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette
491:
376:'s regiment in the Army of Observation.
355:
1154:Deaths by drowning in the United States
1025:
959:
941:
797:
1086:
809:
704:
381:Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec
346:
246:Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec
1028:The Philadelphia Campaign, Volume II
788:
786:
784:
263:Thayer distinguished himself at the
13:
1144:People from colonial Massachusetts
14:
1170:
1114:People from colonial Rhode Island
781:
673:in Providence, Rhode Island. His
541:. Sixty crew members including a
256:. Simeon Thayer was a member of
617:detachment in Brigadier General
496:A Hessian map of Mud Island Fort
120:
108:
88:
77:
1072:Rhode Island Historical Society
1007:
998:
989:
980:
971:
950:
932:
923:
914:
893:
884:
875:
866:
857:
848:
839:
830:
711:The Journal of Military History
1067:The Invasion of Canada in 1775
821:
772:
763:
754:
745:
698:
504:during the latter part of the
419:Fort Mifflin and other actions
260:of the State of Rhode Island.
1:
1019:
641:
301:Province of Massachusetts Bay
290:
258:the Society of the Cincinnati
705:Aimone, Alan Conrad (2005).
659:1775), and Henry (b. 1785).
7:
1045:Morrissey, Brendan (2008).
1026:McGuire, Thomas J. (2007).
680:
317:Siege of Fort William Henry
163:Siege of Fort William Henry
10:
1175:
238:American Revolutionary War
170:American Revolutionary War
778:Stone & Thayer, 73-74
687:2nd Rhode Island Regiment
649:Society of the Cincinnati
445:1st Rhode Island Regiment
429:2nd Rhode Island Regiment
351:
244:. He and his men went on
218:Society of the Cincinnati
205:
150:
140:
132:
101:
72:
55:
28:
21:
16:American military officer
692:
664:Cumberland, Rhode Island
597:On May 20, 1778, at the
333:Providence, Rhode Island
66:Cumberland, Rhode Island
806:Stone & Thayer, 102
391:and Lieutenant Colonel
1004:Stone & Thayer, 80
995:Stone & Thayer, 79
968:Stone & Thayer, 78
947:Stone & Thayer, 77
920:Stone & Thayer, 76
872:Stone & Thayer, 75
845:Stone & Thayer, 98
836:Stone & Thayer, 29
827:Stone & Thayer, 28
818:Stone & Thayer, 74
769:Stone & Thayer, 72
760:Stone & Thayer, 71
751:Stone & Thayer, 70
628:Battle of Rhode Island
624:Morristown, New Jersey
497:
361:
1013:Stone & Thayer, i
723:10.1353/jmh.2005.0002
632:Battle of Springfield
599:Battle of Barren Hill
506:Siege of Fort Mifflin
495:
477:on Mud Island in the
452:James Mitchell Varnum
447:under the command of
359:
339:company in the local
326:French and Indian War
265:Siege of Fort Mifflin
234:French and Indian War
195:Battle of Springfield
185:Battle of Barren Hill
180:Siege of Fort Mifflin
158:French and Indian War
133:Years of service
1070:. Providence, R.I.:
793:R. I. Burial Records
592:Red Bank, New Jersey
539:Trappe, Pennsylvania
671:North Burial Ground
467:Peekskill, New York
461:'s division on the
395:was led by Captain
347:American Revolution
295:Thayer was born in
611:Battle of Monmouth
498:
483:Battle of Red Bank
393:Christopher Greene
362:
190:Battle of Monmouth
1056:978-1-84176-772-7
1037:978-0-8117-0206-5
449:Brigadier General
281:brigadier general
223:
222:
210:Brigadier General
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1075:
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929:McGuire, 204–205
927:
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899:McGuire, 198–199
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881:McGuire, 171–173
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854:McGuire, 138-139
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758:
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749:
743:
742:
702:
607:Schuylkill River
385:Battle of Quebec
374:Daniel Hitchcock
283:of Rhode Island
254:Continental Army
175:Battle of Quebec
127:Continental Army
125:
124:
123:
114:
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103:
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59:October 14, 1800
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683:
644:
619:Charles Scott's
615:Joseph Cilley's
421:
389:Benedict Arnold
354:
349:
313:Rogers' Rangers
293:
242:Siege of Boston
230:Rogers' Rangers
216:
206:Other work
201:
121:
119:
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89:
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84:British America
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50:British America
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717:(1): 231–232.
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582:(44), and HMS
487:Carl von Donop
479:Delaware River
420:
417:
405:Henry Dearborn
353:
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63:(aged 63)
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39:April 30, 1737
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563:
560:
559:East Indiaman
556:
550:
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544:
540:
536:
532:
528:
523:
519:
516:(64) and HMS
515:
514:
507:
503:
494:
490:
488:
484:
480:
476:
472:
468:
464:
460:
459:Israel Putnam
457:
456:Major General
453:
450:
446:
442:
438:
434:
430:
426:
425:Israel Angell
416:
414:
408:
406:
402:
398:
397:Daniel Morgan
394:
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226:Simeon Thayer
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96:United States
85:
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58:
54:
51:
47:
46:Massachusetts
43:
31:
27:
23:Simeon Thayer
20:
1066:
1046:
1027:
1009:
1000:
991:
982:
973:
956:McGuire, 209
952:
943:
938:McGuire, 208
934:
925:
916:
911:McGuire, 203
895:
890:McGuire, 174
886:
877:
868:
863:McGuire, 159
859:
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583:
579:
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554:
551:
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535:Philadelphia
530:
521:
517:
512:
502:Samuel Smith
499:
475:Fort Mifflin
463:Hudson River
422:
409:
378:
363:
330:
306:
294:
262:
225:
224:
151:Battles/wars
116:British Army
61:(1800-10-14)
1099:1800 deaths
1094:1737 births
471:Fort Mercer
322:Fort Edward
277:Springfield
269:Barren Hill
232:during the
1088:Categories
1020:References
642:Retirement
636:John Stark
578:(50), HMS
543:lieutenant
527:third rate
441:Smithfield
439:, 15 from
433:Providence
291:Early life
73:Allegiance
35:1737-04-30
739:162248285
731:1543-7795
573:HMS
566:HMS
511:HMS
401:John Lamb
337:grenadier
136:1775–1781
681:See also
588:Vigilant
568:Somerset
555:Vigilant
435:31 from
273:Monmouth
102:Service/
580:Roebuck
531:Augusta
522:Augusta
513:Augusta
437:Newport
366:captain
341:militia
309:Colonel
285:militia
214:militia
1053:
1034:
737:
729:
571:(64),
562:razeed
547:Merlin
518:Merlin
370:Boston
352:Quebec
297:Mendon
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