Moses Hazen

 

Fun Fact

Moses Hazen is the subject of the fun fact. I came across him while doing research on Benedict Arnold:

He served as a lieutenant and then a captain in Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian Wars where he was characterized as ruthless and courageous. Following an action in which he ordered the execution of 6 prisoners and the burning of a building with 4 men, 3 women and 2 children locked inside, he was made a permanent captain by General Jeffery Amherst.

Hazen and his rangers were called upon frequently by General James Wolfe and referred to themselves as "cowboys" for driving cattle along the St. Lawrence as food for the British army. After the wars he settled in Montreal. He engaged in land speculation and cutting timber, which wasn't always on his own land. He had an attitude of doing what he wanted in war, commerce, and other matters. When he was sued for seducing another man's wife, he used his influence to have the man imprisoned for a non-existent debt. He and his business partner parted ways and became embroiled in legal action against each other. 

Hazen married in December of 1770 and turned his attentions to farming--which generated few lawsuits. His land in the Richelieu River region was on the north-south invasion route between Canada and the American Colonies. Hazen offered to renew his services to the British and was sent to deliver dispatches to General Thomas Gage. When he returned he observed Benedict Arnold's night attack in May of 1775 on the garrison at St. Jean and capture of supplies. Hazen went north to Montreal to report the matter. Major Preston authorized Hazen to raise troops for the British, but Hazen instead met with the advancing American general. He made a pessimistic report to the American general, but another individual provided a more optimistic report and provided 300 souls to fight on the American side. As a result, Hazen fell under suspicion and the general had him arrested. 

Hazen was released only to be arrested by the British when he reported. He languished in jail in Montreal until Carleton fled, taking him to Quebec and releasing him there. Upset at his treatment, Hazen joined the Americans, accompanying Montgomery on his approach to Quebec. After the failed attack and Montgomery's death, Arnold sent Hazen to Philadelphia to report. 

Congress had approved the raising of two Canadian regiments. Hazen persuaded Congress to let him command the 2nd regiment. 

Hazen's clash with Arnold began in May of 1776, when the officers supported Hazen's counsel to wait rather than crossing the Ottawa River to rescue some captives. Arnold ordered Hazen to prepare the line of retreat along the Richelieu River. Arnold also sent merchandise he had seized in Montreal. When it arrived, Hazen refused to accept it. This did not improve Arnold's disposition toward him. The wikipedia article on Hazen indicates that the Hazen recognized the goods as belonging to his friends in Montreal, and that's why he refused to accept them. The goods were plundered and lost in the retreat.

In July, Hazen brought up the rear guard of the American retreat. When he arrived at Crown Point, Arnold had him arrested for disobeying orders and neglecting the merchandise. While trying to oversee the construction of boats with which to defend Lake Champlain, Arnold proceeded with the court martial of Hazen. Arnold lashed out at the jury and officers requested an apology. Arnold refused. General Gates and the court acquitted Hazen. Hazen and his regiment were sent south to Albany. 

Hazen's regiment of men from Canada, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey fought in the Battle of Staten Island in August, and the Battle of Brandywine Creek in September of 1777--losing over 40% of the regiment's strength in the process. They lost more men at the Battle of Germantown in October of that year. 

Following the surrender of Burgoyne after Saratoga, Hazen lobbied for another invasion of Canada. He was appointed quartermaster in January 1778 for a planned invastion under Lafayette. Hazen went to Albany to assemble supplies and transport and, even though he failed to procure the needed supplies and transport, he wrote to Lafayette that he could provide for an army of 3,000 for 60 days. When Lafayette arrived and discovered the true nature of affairs. He called off the invasion, and Congress agreed.

In July 1778, Hazen went on a spy mission into Canada, and was soon back pushing for another invasion.

Hazen and his regiment were present for the hanging of Major Andre, October 2, 1780. In June 1781 the regiment went to patrol the Mohawk River Valley on rumor of natives gathering for an attack. Within a month Hazen was back at West Point and made a Brigadier General. Hazen and his troops were dispatched to Yorktown.

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