Part 2- Piskahegan and Its Blockhouse by Rev. Charles M. Smith
James Hannay in his detailed "History of New Brunswick", 1909, St. John, N.B. renders a vivid account of the reactions to the War (of 1812) in Charlotte County in N.B. and in Washington County in Maine, pages 319-321, (Vol. 1). The carefulness with which Washington viewed the Maine-New Brunswick sector also helped to alleviate tensions on both sides of the St. Croix border in communicating the news of the declaration of war through the US Collector at Eastport and the military commander of the garrison at that port, who in turn forwarded the grim news to St. Andrews and thence "by Robert Pagan of St. Andrews to President Smyth". (N.B. At this period, was governed by a President and Council). "On the following day, (June 30, 1812) as Order-In-Council was passed recommending the Officers of Customs to admit American unarmed vessels laden with provisions, into the Port of St. John, and to allow the importers in return to take away British goods, except arms and military stores. This arrangement was made because provisions were scarce in St. John when war was declared...." Further reciprocal and congenial measures were authorized by the Nova Scotia government to facilitate peaceful exchange of essential goods; and although some war did come to Maine and other areas of New England (as well as sea-warfare) the so-called eastern sector was comparatively free of such frightful prospects. (The so-called "War of 1812" makes for an intriguing study).
Some historians have contended that the blockhouses were built mainly for the purpose of intercepting and apprehending deserters from the military establishment; and tales of early Piskahegan days are replete with substantiating episodes of military transients in flight from authority and in quest of asylum in sympathetic homes or cellars or attics or hay-barns. However, it is this writers studied opinion that much of this type of betrayed patriotism has been overdone perhaps at the expense of finding some bonified excuse for the meager military use to which these installations were finally put. In fact---some "deserters" from both sides of the border were reported and pursued. One particular regiment of this era suffered about a 17% loss of enlisted personnel through the desertions over a period of 13 years. (From a brief study of W. Austin Squires', "The 104th Regiment of Foot". Appendix B) Whether some of these so-called "desertions" were what might be known today as "Away Without Leave", or whether all were intended permanent departures from Post or duty, is not clear. A few were recovered to duty and probably transferred to other units. Penalties for desertion on occasions carried the death sentence. Life and discipline were stern; but, strangely enough desertions seem to have been more frequent during peacetime duty; and consequently replacements and recruiting were always fraught with discouragement.
Returning to the military scene,--St. Andrews housed barracks for troops thus making this town a military center some 75 miles from Fredericton,--hence the need for some form of an intermediate base between these two points: The Magaguadavic River crossing was selected, about 43 miles from military headquarters. The following invaluable report of the construction of the Magaguadavic Block-House(provided this author by the N.B. Museum, St. John, N.B.) speaks for itself:
"The party under the direction of Corp'l Micheau consisting of 4 men and a corporal, were employed 15 days upon the house on the St. Andrews road. Calculating from the time they left Fredericton until the 23rd of February, inclusive at which time the work on the house stopped--making 75 days. And the party under my immediate command also the same 75 days and the party under Corp'l Joel Price were employed only to the 19th at which time they were ordered for Fredericton by Major Hatch, making 55 days, total 205 days---Seven more days were added (probably for travel records) making a grand total of 212 days,--and signed as follows:
Joseph Flewelling, Serg't., Fredericton, 30 March 1813".
Whether or not this report concerned the Magaguadavic River Block-House in particular or one at Oromocto or elsewhere this writer is not positively certain although there are strong indications to this effect. However, a recent bit of information shared by the U.N.B. Archives provides us the following report:
"St. Andrew, 23 Nov. 1814
His Honour, Major General Smyth:
Sir: I have the honour to inform you that I have found it necessary to give a Certificate to David Bassett, relating the Block-House built by him at Magaguadavic Forks in consequence of reference being mad to me in the business...and my knowledge of his distress and embarrassed situation for want of his pay. And I trust your honor will excuse the liberty I take of addressing you on this business, and of, referring to the papers he will present to you. . ."
Your obedient servant.
Robert Pagan"
(Apparently there had been some misunderstanding, hence possible delay in the financial conclusion to this contract and Mr. Pagan took the matter into his more capable hands).
The significant item herein of course is, the identification of the person who built the above Block-House. Other papers confirm this fact also,--that Mr. Bassett was the builder. An inspection by (three St. George men) Moses Shaw, Stuart Sealye, and Orange Sealye, was carried out Nov. 21, 1814 and the work was deemed excellent. Another matter or problem that presents itself obtains in reconciling these above two reports both as to time and personnel, one by military in March, 1813; the other by a civilian, probably in 1814. One guess would be that both had a part in the construction with the military assisting Mr. Bassett wherein needed; and that the debate and delay in payment may account for the several months from the Spring of 1813 to the Fall of 1814,--not an unusual occurrence in those early days.
Written by permission of the Saint Croix Courier. Article found in the Dec. 5. edition. Transcribed by Charlene Beney.