Historic Furnishings Report FORT CHRISTIANSVAERN \CHRISTIANSTED National Historic Site I Virgin Islands • • • Historic Furnishings Report Fort Christiansvaern Christiansted National Historic Site Christiansted, Virgin Islands by Jerome A. Greene Historian, Eastern Team Denver Service Center and William F. Cissel Curator Christiansted National Historic Site Harpers Ferry Center National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 1988 • • • Contents ACKN"OWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................... vii ADMINISTRATIVE DATA ............................................................................ 1 HISTORICAL DATA ...................................................................................... 3 ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC OCCUPANCY ................................................ 3 Historical Overview--,St. Croix ........................................................... 3 1734-1830 ..................................................................................... 3 The Height of the Military Establishment at Chris- tiansted, 1830-1855 .................................................................. 7 Analysis of Historical Occupancy-Fort Christiansvaern, 1830- 1855 ................................................................................................. 16 Number of0ccupants ................................................................ 16 Commanding Officers ................................................................ 16 1830-1835; 1837 ................................................................ 16 • 1835-1837; 1837-1844 ....................................................... 17 1844-1845 .......................................................................... 18 1845-184 7 .......................................................................... 18 1847-1851 .......................................................................... 19 1851-1855 .......................................................................... 19 Enlisted Men .............................................................................. 20 Biographical Data on Enlisted Men ......................................... 26 EVIDENCE OF ROOM USE, 1830-1855 ................................................ 35 DOl-Dungeon .................................................................................... 36 102-Powder Magazine ...................................................................... 36 103-Cell ............................................................................................. 36 104-Arsenal ...................................................................................... 36 105--,Stable Area ................................................................................ 37 106--0fficers' Quarters ...................................................................... 37 107--0fficers' Quarters ...................................................................... 37 lOS-Gallery ....................................................................................... 37 109-Commandant's Office ................................................................ 37 110-Barracks .................................................................................... 38 111--,Small Cistern ............................................................................. 38 112-Storeroom for Commandant ..................................................... 38 113-Barracks .................................................................................... 38 • 114-Hall ............................................................................................ 38 Ill 115-Barracks .................................................................................... 38 • 116, 124, 128-Arcade and Foyer ...................................................... 39 117, 118--Cells ................................................................................... 39 119-Barracks and Commanding Sergeant's Room ......................... 39 120-Artillery Shed ............................................................................ 39 121--Canteen ..................................................................................... 39 122---lnterior ofRavelin ................................................................... .40 123--Corps de Gard .......................................................................... .40 125--Guard Room ............................................................................. .40 126, 127--Cells .................................................................................. .40 129--Commandant's Servant's Room .............................................. .40 130---Hallway ..................................................................................... 40 131-Barracks ................................................................................... .40 132, 133--Commandant's Kitchen ................................................... .41 134--Commandant's Servant's Room ............................................... 41 135-Barracks .................................................................................... 41 136--N on -Commissioned Officers' Cell ............................................ .41 137-0fficers' Cell .............................................................................. 42 138--Cel1 ............................................................................................. 42 139-Royal and Colonial Treasury ................................................... .42 140---Exercise Yard ............................................................................ .42 141-Bread and Water Cells ............................................................ .42 • 142 and 143-Latrines ....................................................................... 42 201-Water Battery ........................................................................... .43 202--Common Room .......................................................................... 43 203-Terreplein East Curtain ........................................................... 43 204--Southeast Bastion Gun Deck .................................................. .43 205-Reception Hall ........................................................................... 44 207-Daily Parlor ............................................................................... 44 206, 208, 210--Gallery ...................................................................... .44 209, 211-Bedrooms .......................................................................... .44 212--Closet ......................................................................................... 44 213-Pantry ........................................................................................ 44 214--Southwest Bastion Gun Deck ................................................. .45 215-Terreplein West Curtain ........................................................... 45 216--Northwest Bastion Gun Deck ................................................. .45 EVIDENCE OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS ....................................... .45 The Royal Military Depot Account Books ........................................ .4 7 Other Lists .......................................................................................... 61 Furniture for Officers' Quarters ........................................................ 64 The St. Croix Avis ............................................................................... 65 Historic Structure Report ................................................................... 68 Beds and Bedding ............................................................................... 76 • lV • • • FURNISHINGS PLAN ............ . . 79 . 79 . 80 OPERATINGPLAN ........ . RECOMMENDED FURNISHINGS Dungeon (Room 001) . . . . . . . . Powder Magazine (Room 102) . . . . . . . Powder Magazine (Room 102) . . . . . . . . . Arsenal (Room 104) .............. . .. 80 .. 80 .. 81 . . 82 Officers' Quarters (Room 106) . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Arsenal (Room 104) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Officers' Quarters (Room 106) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Officers' Quarters (Room 106) . . . . . . . . . .... 88 Barracks In Southwest Bastion (Room 131) . . . . . . . . . . 89 Officers' Quarters (Room 106) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Barracks In Southwest Bastion (Room 131) .. 90 Barracks in Southwest Bastion (Room 131) .. 91 Barracks in Southwest Bastion (Room 131) .. 92 Working Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 93 BIDLIOGRAPHY ................................. 99 APPENDIXES APPENDIX A--MILITARY UNIFORMS AND AC- COUTREMENTS .......... . APPENDIX B--MILITARY SMALL ARMS APPENDIX C--DANISH ARTILLERY AT CHRISTlANSTED, 1830-1855 .... APPENDIX D--THE EMANCIPATION OF 1848 107 108 122 128 134 ILLUSTRATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 v • • • • • • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of the following individuals and institutions in the preparation of this report: former Superintendent Thomas A. Bradley and the staff of Christiansted National Historic Site; Archivists Poul Erik Olsen and Erik Gobel, Assistant Librarian Peter Buntzen, and the reading room staff of Rigsarkivet (National Archives), Copenhagen Denmark; Curator Bjom A. Neilsen, Tojhusmuseet (Royal Arsenal Museum), Copenhagen; Assistant Librarian John Christiansen, Royal Library, Copenhagen; Archivists Richard Crawford and Karl Weissenbach, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.; Ole Schneider, Roskilde, Denmark; Lisbeth Gustafsen, Lakewood, Colorado; Reverend F. Kenneth Barta, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, former park historian, Christiansted National Historic Site; Associate Professor Arnold R. Highfield, University of the Virgin Islands; William L. Brown III, Staff Curator, Division of Historic Furnishings, Harpers Ferry Center, National Park Service; Library of Congress; Denver Public Library; University of Colorado Libraries; Arvada Colorado Branch Genealogical Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; and the National Park Service Rocky Mountain Region Library, Lakewood Colorado . Finally, we would like to acknowledge the encouragement, guidance, and patient administrative support of Sarah M. Olson, Chief, Historic Furnishings Division, National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, in the production of this report. Jerome A. Greene Denver, Colorado William F. Cissel Christiansted, Virgin Islands Vll • • •• • • • ADMINISTRATIVE DATA Fort Christiansvaern constitutes one feature ofChristiansted National His- toric Site at Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Established as Virgin Islands National Historic Site on March 4, 1952, the park was redesignated as Christiansted National Historic Site on January 16, 1961. Besides Fort Chris- tiansvaern, the several structures composing the park include the Old Danish Customs House, the Steeple Building, and the Scale House. All commemorate the years of colonial occupation and the sugar economy on St. Croix when Christiansted served as capital of the Danish West Indies in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Fort Christiansvaern, in particular, represents Denmark's lengthy military presence on St. Croix between 1738, when the fort was constructed, and 1878, when it became a police station and courthouse. Today the fort is the best preserved example of the several surviving colonial forts in the Virgin Islands. Fort Christiansvaern has been entered on the List of Classified Structures, number 00188, in Management Category A, Must Be Preserved. Further, the structure, as part of Christiansted National Historic Site Historic District, was entered in the National Register of Historic Places on October 20, 1976. According to the approved Interpretive Prospectus (1983), Fort Christiansvaern, "the centerpiece of the historic site," will be interpreted "both as a military structure and as an integral part of Christiansted and the Danish influence on the City." Proposed furnishing of several rooms will interpret the fort's occupation and garrison life as it existed there during the mid-1800s. Previous planning documents pertaining to Fort Christiansvaern: Historic American Building Survey, Fort Christiansvaern (1959) Historic Structures Report, Part I (Historical Data) (1961) Preservation of Fort Christiansvaern (drawings) (1980) Interpretive Prospectus (1983) Cultural Landscape Report (1985) General Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (1986) 1 • • • • • • HISTORICAL DATA ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC OCCUPANCY Historical Overview-St. Croix 1734-1830. Danish military history on St. Croix commenced when settlers and Danish West India and Guinea Company officials arrived at the future site of Christiansted in September 1734.1 Although the island had been purchased from the French Crown in 1733, the effects of the slave revolt on St. John delayed colonization until that later date? Going ashore at the site of a seventeenth century French village called Bassin3 the Danes found among other ruins a square-sided earthwork fortification. It was promptly rearmed with cannon and occupied. Preliminary work was undertaken to improve this primitive fortification as early as 1735 (using in part some of the captured leaders of the St. John revolt, who were sentenced to death by working on the fortification at St. Croix), including bastions at the northwest and southwest salients and a small second-story residence for the colony's govemor. Plans for a permanent structure, however, were delayed by indecision about location, company priorities favoring profits over defense, and the deaths of three military en- gineers sent to the island over a four-year period. Because the hurricane of August 29-30, 1738, severely damaged the structure, a permanent masonry fortification was begun late that year and was essentially completed in 17 49.4 It was named Christiansvaem ("Christian's Defense") in honor of King Chris- tian VI of Denmark-Norway, who reigned from October 1730 to August 1746. From a military perspective, the Danish West India and Guinea Company's administration of"the Danish Islands in America" (1671-1754) was nothing short of disastrous. The quality of both men and equipment was inferior. This state of affairs prompted St. Croix' Govemor Jens Hansen to write sarcastically to the Directors of the Company in Copenhagen in October 1748 about his " ... twenty living men, of whom one is sixty years old, and the others such 1 The Damsh slave trading monopoly, originally chartered in 1671. For a detailed history, see Waldemar Wester- gaard, The Danish West Indies under Company Rule (1671-1754) with a Supplementary Chapter, 1755-1917 (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1917). 2 Ibid., p. 210. An excellent account of the St. John slave revolt is in John L. Andersen, Night of the Silent Drums: Slave Rebellion in the Virgin Islands (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1975). See also John Pary Knox, An Historical Account of St. Thomas, W.I. (New York: Charles Scribner, 1852), and Charles Edwin Taylor, Leaflets from the Danish West Indies (London: William Dawson and Sons, 1888). 3 Herbert Olsen, Historic Structures Report, Part I: Fort Christiansvaern (Christiansted: National Park Ser- vice. 1960), p. 171. 4 Ibid., pp. 5-6 . 3 drunkards that they are hardly able to stand, much less post the watch." Other soldiers were variously described as being "crazy in the head" and " ... hardly [able to] carry his rifle, [with] his cartridge box [dragging] behind him." Reflecting on the high rate of mortality among the troops, Hansen concluded by stating that he had ordered the company's carpenters to " ... build stretchers, since the road to the cemetery is a long one."5 With the complete acquisition of the company's stock by the Danish Crown in 1754, attendant changes in administrative policies affecting the Danish West Indies gradually created the climate for a more realistic military and naval presence.6 Warships sent out annually to the West India Station protected Danish commercial shipping interests, while the military provided nominal external defense and, more importantly in a society whose economy was predi- cated on slave labor, internal security. Although Denmark had long possessed an adequate navy, it realized that its land forces could not hope to compete with potential European rivals without draining the national economy. A policy of strict neutrality in foreign affairs had been in effect since the late seventeenth century both to eliminate this necessity and to create conditions favorable to the expansion of maritime trade during wars between the major powers. 7 Royal decrees were issued emphasiz- ing this position at such times as during the Seven Years' War, the American Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. In practice, however, vested interests both in Denmark and in the West Indies sought the circumvention of this policy. One such case involved the smuggling of arms and supplies to the "patriot" side during the American Revolution. This action led to an exchange of salutes-a traditional courtesy-between a merchantman flying the Grand Union flag and Fort Frederik at the west end of St. Croix. This action, albeit unofficial, constituted the first acknowledgment of the American flag from foreign soil. Although this action provoked a flurry of diplomatic charges and counter-charges between London and Copenhagen, the issue was ultimately dropped. 8 Following quickly on the heels of this alleged breach of neutrality, First Lieutenant Peter Lotharius Oxholm of the Danish Army Engineers was 5 Quoted in Johannes Bronsted (ed.), Vore Gamle Tropekolonier, 2 vols. (Kobenhavn: Westermann, 1953), p. 156. Hansen was governor-general of the Danish West Indies, 1747-1755. Kay Larsen, Guuernorer; Residenter, Komman- danter; og Che{er samt Enkelte andre Fremtraedende Personer i de Tidl.egere danske Tropekolonier (Kobenhavn: Ar- thur Jessens Forlag, 1940), p. 34. 6 Jean Francois Cadet de Gomez, Om Militairvaesenet paa de dansk uestindiske Oer (Kjobenhaven: J.D. Qvist, 1836), pp. 44-47. 7 Ole Feldbaek, Denmark and the Armed Neutrality, 1800-1801 (Kobenhavn: Akademisk Forlag [Universitetsfor- laget], 1980), pp. 14, 18. 8 Florence Lewisohn, The American Revolution's Second Front. Persons and Places Involved in the Danish West Indies & Some Other West Indian Islands (Christiansted: Prestige Press, Inc., 1976), pp. 29-30. 4 • • • • sent to the islands to assess their state of military preparedness. What he found appalled him. Not even the relatively well-established fortifications on St. Croix emerged unscathed from his series of very critical reports.9 • • In response to Oxholm's criticisms, a number of improvements were under- taken in the Danish West Indies, especially on St. Croix. The system of coastal fortifications there was strengthened during the administration of Governor- General Ernst Friderich von Walterstorff under the supervision of Captain of Engineers Balthazar Frederik von Muhlenfels. The following gun batteries were built or improved: Catharina's Fort, north ofFrederiksted; Greig's Battery at Salt River; Fort Sophia Frederika at Protestant Cay; Fort Louisa Augusta at the eastern headland of Christiansted harbor; and, elsewhere along the coast, Carden's, Gordon's, and Hendericksen's batteries at strategic locations near shipping channels through the reefs. A new General Military Law for the Burghers of the Danish West India Islands, promulgated by Governor-General Walterstorffin 1789, raised two militia corps on St. Croix: a cavalry squadron, commanded by Captain Davies, and an infantry company, the so-called St. Croix Volunteers, led by Royal Councillor Colbjornsen.10 . In the mid-1790s, a dramatic increase in military strength (53% over a four-year period beginning in 1792) occurred in the Danish West Indies. 11 The effects of the successful slave revolt on St. Dominque (Haiti) and general unrest in Europe following Napoleon's ascendancy caused Denmark to reassess its strategic position in the West Indies. Because Christiansted had become the capital and de facto garrison headquarters for the Danish West Indies following Royal acquisition in 1754, a larger proportion ofthe newly-allocated troops were stationed there. In 1801, Danish neutrality suffered a major failure. The British, anticipating a rejection of insistent demands for an Anglo-Danish alliance against Napoleon, began naval patrols in Danish territorial waters in the West Indies in early March. A sea battle off St. Thomas ensued on March 3 initiated by two British frigates (the Arab, 26 guns, and the Experiment, 18 guns) against the Danish Brig (Lougen, 18 guns) and a lightly armed schooner (Den Aarvaagne). A prolonged fight resulted in a Danish victory. 12 Celebrations were short-lived in the face of a British invasion force from Antigua. Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth commanded naval forces, while Lieutenant-General Trigge com- manded land forces. British land forces alone (consisting of 3,200 European 9 Eva Ganneskov, "Peter Lotharius Oxholm i Dansk Vestindien, 1778-80," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab, XIII (August, 1978), pp. 9-17. 10 Hans West, 1Utraedelsestale Holden, da Skolen i Christiansted paa St. Croix blev Aabnet den Bde October 1789 (Christiansted: Daniel Thibou, 1789), pp. xvii-vili. 11 Gomez, Om Militoirvaesenet paa de dansk vestindiske Oer, p. 49. 12 Victor Hansen, Vore SoMite: Historiske Fortaellinger (Kjobenhavn og Kristiana: A Christiansens Kunstforlag, 1898), pp. 349-55 . 5 troops of the 3d, 11th, 64th, and 70th Regiments of Foot, a detachment of the • Royal Artillery, and 800 black soldiers of the 8th West India Regiment) outnum- bered Regular Danish forces more than 17 -to-1. St. Thomas capitulated without resistance on March 28, and St. Croix followed suit on March 31. The islands were returned to Denmark on February 22, 1802, under the terms of the Peace ofAmien.13 After five years, Danish forces in Europe and in the West Indies once again faced British aggression in the form of searches of neutral vessels in convoy, impressment of seamen, and renewed demands for abandonment of existing Danish foreign policy. Another force, under the commands of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane and General Henry Bowyer, invaded the Danish West Indies in late December 1807 without the benefit of a formal declaration of war. British forces (22 ships with 520 guns and 3,786 seamen and 2,860 soldiers) outnumbered the local garrisons by 13-to-1. St. Croix capitulated uncondition- ally on Christmas Day. This occupation, however, was to last more than seven years. Although the islands were restored to Danish sovereignty by the Treaty ofKiel (1814), ratified by the Congress ofVienna, a series of mishaps prevented formal Danish repossession until April15, 1815.14 After 1815, both the regular forces and the militias in the Danish West Indies adopted the military fashions of the victorious British. Another short-lived uniform series (1826-1829) still adhered to the practice of separate "summer" • and "winter" uniforms.15 In 1827, Peter Carl Frederik von Scholten was appointed acting govemor- general of the Danish West Indies. Von Scholten was born in Viborg on May 17, 1784. He held the offices of chamberlain and acting govemor-general in 1824 and govemor-general of Danish West Indies from 1827 to 1831, from 1832 to 1834, and from 1835 to 1848 (lapses reflect travel to Europe and/or the United States). He resigned his office on July 6, 1848, as a consequence ofhis proclama- tion of emancipation and died in Altona January 26, 1854.16 During von Scholten's 21-year tenure, he influenced the islands more than any other crown representative sent to the Virgin Islands. Von Scholten was in effect representative of the age in which he lived, taking a personal interest in such diverse disciplines as architecture, education, and social reform. Disposed 13 Wilham R C!ssel to W11iiam Eisenhauer, June 27, 1984. 14 Ibid. 15 Preben Kannick, "'Officers of the Royal Militia, Danish West Indies, 1816," Plate No. 322, Company of Military Historians (reissued 1982); Preben Kannick, "'Regular Infantry, Royal Danish West Indies Forces, 1826-1830," Plate No. 533, Company of Military Historians (reissued 1982). 16 Larsen, Guvernorer, Residenter. Kommandanter, pp. 107..()8. 6 • • as an aristocrat to a life-style ofluxury and the ceremonial, he lavished attention on the military establishment (especially at Christiansted)-at least for the first decade and a half of his governor-generalship.17 Under von Scholten's patronage, both the regular military forces and the militias achieved a status otherwise unparalleled in Danish West Indian history. Herman Lawaetz has written the most comprehensive assessment of Governor-General Peter von Scholten and his times.18 • • The Height of the Military Establishment at Christiansted, 1830-1855. In 1829, Frederik VI approved, with some modifications, Governor-General Peter von Scholten's new organization plan for the militia corps in the Danish West Indies. This plan became effective the following year, 1830.19 The militia forces in the Danish West Indies were organized in the following manner: three stadthauptmaend or town captains, one vice-stadthauptmand, eight colonial adjutants, an additional eight adjutants with unspecified duties, and 52 other officers who, along with 1,980 men, served among 15 units. The majority were raised for St. Croix. Each infantry and artillery company consisted of four officers and 132 men. The ranks of the two cavalry squadrons, each numbering 60 officers and men, were drawn exclusively from planters, estate managers, and overseers. 20 An important adjunct to the militia rolls was the brandcorps, or fire brigade, under the command of a brand-major (fire marshal) and a vice-brandmajor (deputy fire marshal). Each town had a fire brigade, which included in its jurisdiction its respective country districts.21 All personnel in the fire brigades before 1848 were drawn from the Free Black and Free Colored populations. In 1836, the manpower reserve potential for the Danish West Indian militias was calculated from the Free Black male population capable of bearing arms. A similar analysis of the slave population provided comparison.22 Age Group from 17th to 20th year from 21st to 30th year 17 16,a., pp. 107.08. Free 453 1,489 Slaves 796 2,631 18 Peter v. Sclwlten, Dansk Vestindiens sidste Generalgouuernor (Kobcnhavn: Gyldcndalskc Boghandel-Nordisk Forlag, 1940). 19 Kay Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917 (Kobenhavn: C.A. Rcitzcls Forlag, 1928), p. 226. King Frederik reigned from March 13, 1808, to December 3, 1839. 20 Gomez, Om Militairvaesenet paa de dansk uestindiske Oer, pp. 11-12; Axel Barding, "Dansk-Vestindiske Vaaben," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift, X (January 1977), p. 9. The stadthauptmand for Christiansted also served as aide-de-camp to the governor-general. 21 Each brandcorps, as the militia reserve for their jurisdiction, came under the overall command of the stad- thauptmand. 22 Gomez, Om Militairuaesenet paa de dansk vestind.iske Oer, pp. 11-12 . 7 from 31st to 40th year 1,051 2,139 from 41st to 50th year 555 1,515 from 51st to 60th year 331 803 totals 3,879 7,884 remainder (ineligible) 2,906 4,811 According to these statistics, manpower reserves of approximately 1,350 officers and men existed to assist the established militias and the regular forces in emergencies. A separate organization plan for the regular military forces, submitted almost concurrently with the new militia establishment, received royal approbation on October 5, 1830. This plan called for one infantry company and an artillery detachment each to be stationed at Christiansted, Frederiksted, and St. Thomas. The West Indian Infantry stationed on St. Croix were designated the 1st Company (Christiansted) and 2d Company (Frederiksted), respectively, with the St. Thomas/St. John garrison comprising the 3d Company. (These de signa- tions changed by 1851 to indicate the 1st Company at St. Croix and the 2d Company at St. Thomas/St. John.) Men from the burgher artillery companies supplemented the relatively small Royal Artillery detachments. Cavalry duties were performed entirely by the elite King's and Prince's Life Squadrons on St. • Croix. According to the Organization Plan of 1830, the Christiansted garrison • totaled 215 officers and men, or 48% of the Royal forces allocated for the Danish West Indies. 23 Because ofChristiansted's status as capital, the regular military establishment benefited and included a music corps and a preponderance of senior and junior staff. Although Christiansted's regular military establishment generally benefited during the 1830s and early 1840s, hardships and uneven discipline caused general discontent among enlisted men. On September 7, 1835, a mutiny planned by infantrymen of the 1st Company garrisoned at Fort Christiansvaern was revealed. The essence of the plot was to take by surprise a festive assembly (at Government House), attended by the members of the government, officers of the military company, as well as those of the off-lying naval brig (St. Jan), together with part of the inhabitants of the town. The members of the govern- ment, the military officers, and the upper society were to be taken into protective custody and locked in the fort, which would already be in the mutineers' possession. The treasury, located there, would be seized. At length, the cus- tomary signal would be given to the warship to send her boat ashore, where it would be taken over, and an attempt made to capture the warship and sail with her to North America, where the booty would be divided.24 23 Ib1d., p. 48. 24 Gomez, Om Militairvaesenet paa de dansk uestindiske Oer, p. 3. 8 • • • • According to Entry No. 1189 in the Vestindisk Journal (September 26, 1835), Governor-General von Scholten investigated " ... a state of unrest among the men at the Christiansted barracks" and uncovered the planned mutiny. Exploiting differences between the men and their officers, von Scholten supposedly singled out the ringleaders " ... by the expression on their faces." As a consequence, four men at the fort and another six aboard the naval brig were jailed. As a precaution against further unrest, the soldiers detailed to the fort-guard were removed to the barracks, and thereafter men of the militia occupied the fort at night.25 Governor-General von Scholten seems to have laid the blame for this entire sordid state of affairs on the poor caliber of the lower ranks sent from Denmark, and especially the ringleader, a Sjaellander, whom he described as a "worthless fellow." A subsequent court martial held aboard the St. Jan revealed that the catalyst for the mutiny stemmed from a reimposition of military discipline after two years of laxity and "degeneration" under Captain von Scholten and First Lieutenant Schlegel.26 The new commander of the 1st Company, Captain Jacob Heitmann Gyllich, was born in Denmark on March 28, 1795, and was sent to Christiansted as first lieutenant. He became captain and commander of the 1st Company in 1835 and later became brandmajor (fire marshal) for Frederiksted in 1848. He died in Frederiksted on August 16, 1868.27 Gyllich was aided by his second in command, First Lieutenant Carl Ludvig von Gjellerup, who later took command of Fort Christiansvaern in 1851. His biography is contained in the "Historical Occupancy" section. It is not known whether Captain von Scholten was any relation to the governor-general, although it was not his brother Frederik. illtimately, 17 sentenced men were sent back to Denmark in 1836 aboard the St. Jan. No fewer than three officers and 102lower ranks were ultimately "cashiered or otherwise demoted" and returned to Denmark aboard a merchant vessel, the Johanna Maria.28 The official assessment, accurate to a degree, ignored some harsh realities facing Danish troops once the glamor of a tour of duty in the tropics wore off. Several factors warrant consideration. Mortality among European troops stationed in the West Indies was, by all standards, high-along-term avera2e of20%. Periodic epidemics of yellow fever could increase this statistic to 70%! 9 25 Eva Canneskov, 'Paataenkt Opror Paa Christiansted Kaserne 1835," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab, XVIII (May 1983), p. 25. 26 Schultz, Den dansk Marine, 1814-1848, II, 231. 27 Anciennit) Protocol183-, no. 8; Burial records, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Frederiksted). 28 Larsen, Dansk \kstindien, 1666-1917, p. 241. 29 For a thorough discussion of yellow fever epidemics in the Danish West Indies, see Torben Geill, "Den Gulc Feher i Dansk Vestindien," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab, XVI (May 1981). 9 Other factors contributing to poor chances for survival, considering the law of averages, included a six-year tour of duty; communal dormitories, facilitating the transmission of disease; inadequate diet; and heavy uniforms that were designed for service on the European continent.30 Further, a general lack of personal space must have kept some in short temper. Typical barracks space at Fort Christiansvaern in 1835 averaged 28 square feet per man, with personal effects held to a bare minimum. Low pay fostered contention: fourteen years after the 1835 mutiny, Danish enlisted men were paid roughly the same daily wage as a field laborer-16 skillings. Artifacts dating from this period, excavated from floors at Fort Christiansvaern and Fort Frederik, hint at a bone button industry among the lower ranks during off-duty hours as an income supplement. No equivalent strata of civilian society existed for enlisted men, unlike officers (who could socialize with planters and govern- ment officials) and non-commissioned officers (who could nominally associate with petit bourgeois merchants). A lasting legacy of this form of social depriva- tion is the survival of Scandinavian surnames in the Virgin Islands that reflects, in part, common-law relationships between soldiers arid local black women. Finally, alcoholism among the lower ranks as a response to a generally boring • existence is recognized. Insofar as it is considered at all, perceptions of military • life in the Danish West Indies may prove as fictitious as that ofthe universally wealthy sugar planter.31 A log entry for the Allart (April 14, 1836) refers to transporting two officers, one sergeant, two corporals, one drummer, and 25 men from the Christiansted garrison to Frederiksted to " ... assist in a forthcoming execution." If this execu- tion was in any way related to the abortive mutiny the preceding year, the execution was held elsewhere to avoid further exacerbating an already unstable situation, while utilizing a firing squad drawn from the affected garrison "to encourage the others." Mter the execution, the soldiers were marched back to Christians ted. 32 Because St. Croix's economy depended upon slave labor, the military estab- lished there were used as police when slaves rebelled. One such occasion arose on September 8, 1831, when an attempted slave insurrection was discovered on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The essence ofthe plan was "to murder the white males, plunder the island, seize the vessels, and proceed to Haiti with the wives 30 Wilham F. Ctssel, 'A Case of Questionable Loyalty: The Mutiny of 1835," Newsleth!r, Society of Virgin Islands Historians, II (Spring, 1987). 31 Ibid. 32 Schultz, Den danske Marine, 1814·1848, II, 532. 10 • and daughters of their former masters." This revelation prompted a request for assistance to the Danish authorities by the governor of the British Virgin Islands. The arrival of the Danish naval brig St. Jan on September 11 sup- pressed the plot. 33 Unquestionably, the greatest challenge to face the military forces on St. Croix between 1830 and 1855 occurred in 1848. The events leading up to, and following, Governor-General von Scholten's emancipation of the slaves on July 3 are, in their entirety, essential to a comprehensive understanding of this slave revolt and the military's response and involvement.34 Governor-General von Scholten resigned on July 6 because of strenuous protests from the planters and some of the military leaders. The newly formed provisional government over- came the indecisiveness and inertia, which had previously prevailed. Continu- ing military activity in the field and the presence of Spanish troops quickly restored order and quelled the insurrection. 35 . Peter von Scholten testified at his subsequent trial in Copenhagen for derelic- tion of duty that the emancipation was inevitable for several reasons. He felt that the strength of even the combined military establishments on St. Croix at that time was inadequate to effectively cope with at least 8,000 overtly hostile slaves and that, therefore, any opposition offered them would have provoked greater losses of property and life than that which at any rate occurred.36 One plausible reconstruction of available military manpower on St. Croix at the beginning of July 1848 can be deduced from several sources:37 Regular Forces ............................. 203 Navy ............................................. 103 Militia ........................................... 503 Brandcorps ................................... 601 Total ........................................ 1,410 Kay Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917, p. 253, gives obviously incomplete, and therefore much lower, totals: Royal forces (including the navy), 270; the militia, 199; the brandcorps, 270; or 739 altogether. Both sets of figures fall far 33 Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, p. 232; J.H. Schultz, and K.E. Ackermann, Den danske Marine, 1814-1848; Or- logsfarten (2 vols.; Kobenhavn: Host and Sons Forlag, 1950), II, 510-11. 34 Appendix D describes in detail the slave revolt and resulting emancipation. 35 Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, pp. 118-19. Sanchez-Nunez and Miller state that the Spanish troops performed guard duty in the towns ("Iberia" in Frederiksted and "Catalunia" in Christiansted) freeing the regular Danish forces and the militia to pursue the insurrectionists. See Sanchez, "Columna Espedicionaria," p. 76; and Miller, "Recollections," p. 186-:70. 36 Casualty figures do not appear in any printed sources. However, Miller, "Recollections," p. 186-:62, alludes to "two or three white men ... killed while trying to oppose [the rioters] single-handed," which has not been cor- roborated elsewhere. 37 Rigsarkivet (especially GTC 1847:20a), Sanchez-Nunez, "Columna Espedicionaria" (1848), and Schultz, Den danske Marine (1950 2: 240-1). 11 short of the totals for the regular forces specified by the Organization Plan of 1830 and the average breakdown of officers and men per unit given in Gomez, Om Militairvaesenet, for the militia corps and the fire brigades. These statistics support von Scholten's equation of numerical strength with military effective- ness. The diminished state of the military establishment on St. Croix, however, was the direct result of the governor-general's recommendations for manpower reduction dating from 1843-4, which were predicated on a perception of the slave population as non-hostile. This premise was rejected from a military viewpoint primarily by Irminger. 38 His successful experience in combined naval-land operations under similar conditions lends some credence to his position that the uprising could have been put down by prompt and vigorous action in spite of the vast numerical supe- riority of the slave population. The advantages of a trained and disciplined force, however small, against a primitively-armed mob should be apparent; the outcome of the confrontation at the entrance of Christians ted on the evening of July 3 serves as a case in point. The overriding fear reiterated by some functionaries with regard to widespread destruction of property if the slaves were opposed by force proved meaningless in light of such activities undertaken even in the face of restraint. The governor-general hindered military interven- tion in the crucial, early stages of the revolt to proclaim the emancipation he had long desired but did not have the power to achieve under ordinary cir- cumstances while ensuring the permanence of that course of action. One can rightly argue that the time for emancipation had come, so von Scholten's rationales were, in effect, nothing more than scapegoats. In the final analysis, it may have been possible to successfully undertake timely action to suppress the insurrection, although at the risk of considerable casualties on all sides. The post-emancipation period proved an unsettled time. While at St. Thomas on September 6, the Ornen was summoned to Christiansted. "Riots had oc- curred, and it was not desirable, except absolutely necessary, to use the Spaniards."39 Under circumstances that are unclear, the Danish West Indian government had "given in" to the wishes of the brandcorps and removed Frederiksen, the "energetic" policemaster for Christiansted.40 Hesitancy to use the "Catalunia" Regiment possibly stemmed from their ill-discipline from a military perspective (their notoriety in Puerto Rico was such that Captain- General Prim ordered their removal from the island within four years of being posted there). Men from the brig reinforced the garrison at Fort Chris- tiansvaern. Order was apparently restored rather quickly so that, on November 27, the Danish troop transport Heinrich Sorensen embarked the Spanish troops 38 Taylor, Lea/lets frOm the Danish West Indies, pp. 133..40. 39 Ibid., p. 140. 40 Ibid. 12 • • • • at Christiansted andFrederiksted and conveyed them to SanJuan, Puerto Rico. • • They were .accompanied by the Danish colonial adjutant, Count Moltke, who thanked the Spanish captain-general for his support.41 As the result of the successful slave insurrection and subsequent disorders, reinforcements totalling 400 officers and men were sent out to St. Croix from Copenhagen, by way ofMadiera, in four troop transports.42 Accompanied by the replacement governor-general, Peter Hansen, they arrived in the islands between November 13 and December 2.43 The two new infantry companies, along with an "espingol" battery, were under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Henrich Christian Kaesemodel, with Captain of the General Staff Theodor Christian Faaborg as chief of staff.44 Kaesemodel was born in Den- mark ca. 1798 and was killed in action at Fredericia, July 6, 1849.45 Faaborg, born in Odense on June 25, 1814, served in the West Indies from 1848 to 1850. He held the offices ofKnight ofDannebrogin 1849, major in 1853, and colonel in 1863. He fell in action at Dybbol in 1864.46 No less than 12 officers accompanied them. All the men were volunteers. Kaesemodel had command over all Royal troops and the militia. Housing the swollen ranks of the regular forces initially proved to be something of a problem, since the Christiansted barracks was underfoing repairs and space availability at Fort Frederik had always been limited.4 Peter Hansen personally took control of the military on April 1, 1849, with Captain Faaborg as second-in-command. In late 1848, Denmark had gone to war with Prussia over the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein. At the outbreak of 41 Larsen, Dansk Vestmdten, 1666-191-7, p. 269. 42 The Heinrich Sorensen, Gladiator, Niord, and Jacob. 43 Hansen, born in Aalborg on November 27, 1798, was appointed governor for the Danish West Indies to succeed Peter von Scholten August 16, 1848, and remained in that capacity until June 24, 1851. Hansen died at Vibaek on September 1, 1880. 44 '"Espingoler"' neither occurs in current Danish-English dictionaries or in Harald Wolfhagen, Marine Ordbog: I. Maritime udtryk paa dansk, engelsk, fransk, og tysk; fl. Sproglige Vtnk pa engelsk, [ransk, og tysk (Kobenhavn: J.D. Qvist and Komp. [Ejnar Levison], 1918). It is of French origin, meaning "blunderbuss." As used by Larsen, the term is used in conjunction with "battery," implying a grouping of artillery. In a 'Ibjhusmuseet catalogue (Erik Chris· tensen, The Cannon Hall. Guide to the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum [Kobenhavn: N. Olaf Moller, 1948], pp. 72- 73), several references are cited for espingols in the museum's collection. One annotated entry (p. 82) remarks that "a young Captain Schumacher ... distinguished himself by inventing the Espingols," which were apparently manufactured at Frederiksvaerk. From these citations, and a photograph of the above-mentioned No. 726 in the Dansk Artilleri-'Itdsskrift (Ole Louis Frantzen, "Artilleriets materiel," LXX [August, 1984], p. 130) one can state con- sistently (a) that "espingols" were a three-barreled weapon; (b) that they were originally smoothbore, and were not rifled until ca. 1851; and (c) that they were mounted on wheeled carriages. "Espingols" therefore appear to be a precursor to the machine gun, and may be compared to the Requa-Billinghurst weapon manufactured in New York in 1861. Francis A. Lord, The Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia (New York: Castle Books, 1965), pp. 160-61. 45 Larsen, Guvernorer, Residenter, Kommandanter, p. 85. 46 C.F. Bricka, Dansk Biografisk Leksikon [30 vols.; Kobenhavn: J.H. Schultz Forlag, 1935], VI, 500.01). 47 Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917, pp. 268-71 . 13 the war, the Danish reinforcements had unanimously petitioned the authorities to be sent home, where they felt their services were needed more than on St. Croix, which was once again peaceful.48 Lieutenant-Colonel Kaesemodel and a number of other officers were permitted to return to Denmark in early 1849 to assume an active role in military operations. In 1851, the military in the Danish Westlndies was reorganized. The old-style "Royal West Indian Troops" were replaced by a more modern West Indian Military Force (vestindiske Haerstyrke). The new system called for a higher manpower total of 543 officers, men, and staff, distributed among the three existing companies. In December of 1852, a yellow fever epidemic raged on St. Croix, having been introduced there by way of St. Thomas. A considerable loss oflife had already occurred. The Danish naval brig Mercurius, lying at anchor in Christiansted harbor, had lost 39 men: half of its officers and a third of its crew. The survivors were being quartered on Protestant Cay, which for 100 years had served as the harbormaster's residence. In an attempt to limit the transmission of the disease, the policemaster for Christiansted placed a ban on the traditional black Christmas Eve festivities, especially the "bamboula" and the Drum Dance. This proclamation was considered unjust by the poorer blacks. Accordingly, a group of country laborers began a noisy party at the Sunday Market, replete with "squashes," drums, mandolins, and triangles. The police, attempting to disperse the gathering, were attacked and forced to withdraw. The militia, called to assist, were attacked in earnest by blacks throwing stones.49 Under orders to stand fast, a number of soldiers were injured. Having fired some blank shots to no avail, the troops, fearing for their lives, opened fire. In short order, the market was cleared. An officer from a British warship, the Scorpion, made his way to the scene and ordered the militia back to their barracks, which they eventually obeyed. The Mercurius sent a landing party ashore to reinforce the fort's garrison and patrol the streets. With a firm hand, they broke up all remaining groups, and an uneasy calm fell over Christiansted. At the market, the sailors found three blacks dead and six severely wounded; they were transported to the hospital and placed under guard. All subsequent investiga- tions su8posedly failed to determine who had given the order for the militia to go out.5 48 Larsen, Dansk Vestmdlen, 1666-1917, pp. 268-71, contradicts this by stating that unrest among the black country laborers continued well into 1849, and credits the presence of the Royal troops, the militia, and the navy as the only deterrent against greater disorder. 49 Larsen uses "militia" and "military" interchangeably. A study of this incident indicates that the unit involved was the black infantry company (the former so-called Fricorps) stationed at Christiansted. 50 Taylor, Leaflets from the Danish West Indies, p. 146; Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917, p. 275. 14 • • • • • • Because blood had been shed and some black women were attempting to incite murder and arson, the detachment of cavalry (either the King's or Prince's Life Squadron) at Kingshill was ordered into town, arriving in a heavy downpour at 5:00 a.m, December 25. At 6:00 a.m., Governor Hans Ditmar Frederik Fedder- sen ordered the fricorps to surrender their weapons on the grounds of a security violation. 51 A regular infantry officer, flanked bt a militia officer and a mounted patrol, effected the disarmament in two hours. 2 As a result of the governor's proclamation of December 25, 1852, the militia corps in the Danish West Indies was disbanded. Another would not be reestablished until1907.53 A riot broke out at Road Town, Tortola, in the summer of 1853 over the rumor that a white man had injured a black. Cane fields were set ablaze, sugar mills destroyed, and the whites had to flee for their lives. The president of Tortola requested assistance from the Danish authorities. Captain von Meincke, 2 non-commissioned officers, and 27 men from the 1st Company (St. Croix) and 1 officer and 34 men from the St. Thomas garrison (which was by now des~ated the 2d Company) were sent over. The disorders were soon suppressed. On February 1, 1854, a law passed regulating the length of service in the West Indian Military Force. It attempted to create more appealing conditions for voluntary service in the Danish islands and thereby attract a higher caliber of recruit. Although the tour of duty for privates and non-commissioned officers was now extended to eight years, provisions existed (predicated on good service) to shorten time in the West Indies to six years, thereafter going into the reserves in Denmark. 55 For two decades thereafter, the West Indian Military Force stagnated in an uneventful climate. The resulting degree oflaxity, together with a reduction in strength in the mid-1870s, would have disastrous repercussions in the early stages ofthe "unexpected" and massive agricultural laborers rebellion (various- ly termed "the Riot," Opror, and the "Firebum") that started at Frederiksted on October 1, 1878. 51 F'eddersen was governor of the Danish West Indies from July 24, 1951, until April 27, 1855. He died at Petersgaard ved Vorrdingborg, 1853. 52 Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917, p. 276. 53 "Ordinance concerning a Militia Corps in St. Croix," July 12, 1907, typescript copy in the files ofChristianstcd NHS. 54 Larsen, Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917, p. 276 . 55 Ibid., p. 277. 15 Analysis of Historical Occupancy-Fort Christiansvaern, 1830-1855 Evidence of historical occupancy of Fort Christiansvaern during the period 1830-1855 appears in the muster rolls and punishment records for those years, as well as in the census returns for Christiansted prepared in 1841, 1846, 1850, and 1855. The former documents contain information about enlisted personnel and officers, while the latter are primarily concerned with officers and their families and, in some cases, slave servants. Biographical data on individual enlisted men, all members ofthe Danish Artillery Detachment stationed in the West Indies, is further augmented by data extracted from recruit lists of troops serving in the Danish West Indies. That for officers is derived from several sources, notably published compilations of capsule biographies of Danish of- ficers, as cited in the footnotes. Number of Occupants. During the period 1830-1855, the number of persons residing in Fort Christiansvaern varied greatly. At the end of June 1830 for example, only eight enlisted men occupied the garrison. Conversely, during the fourth quarter of 1841, according to census figures for that year, the enlisted complement totaled 44. Generally, for the time span considered, the fort's mean enlisted strength stood at 31. All enlisted personnel appear to have been artillerymen, with senior non-commissioned officers apparently occupying those • rooms designated for officers on the early floor plans. Besides the enlisted men, • the fort's occupants included the commanding officer, his family, and, prior to the summer of 1848, the slaves that he owned. For example, in 1841 the garrison commander, Major Christian Peter von Hingelberg, lived at Fort Christiansvaern with his wife and two children. His two slaves also occupied quarters in the fort. In addition, one officer of infantry resided in the garrison. The number of occupants as of October 1841 totalled 49.56 The biographical data below includes information about commanding officers' families and slaves. Commanding Officers. As far as has been determined, the following officers commanded the garrison of Fort Christiansvaern during the span 1830-1855. 1830-1835; 1837. Major Johannes v. Schlingen Magens arrived from Den- mark to command Fort Christiansvaern on January 11, 1830. He had been 56 Vestmdiske F'olketaeliinger (West Indies Census), Christiansted, 1841, 1846, 1850, 1855, Rigsarkivet, Copen- hagen; "Mandatals Rulle for det vestindiske Artillerie for 2 det Quartat 1830," Mandtals Rulle over Vestindiske Trop- per, Generaltoldkammeret, Rigsarkivet; "Mandtals RuUe for det Vestindiske ArtiHerie for 1st Quartat 1835," ibid.; "Mandtals Rulle for det vestindiske Artillerie for lste Quartet 1840," ibid.; "Mandtals Rulle for lste Quartet 1845," ibid.; "Mandtals Rulle for 3die Quartet 1848," ibid.; "Mandtals Rulle over det dansk vestindiske Artillerie for 2d Quartat 1851," ibid. 16 • • associated with the Danish military at least since April 6, 1809, when he was appointed a stykjunker among the artillery cadets. On August 14, 1811, Magens was commissioned a second lieutenant in the artillery corps (although he had served in that grade, evidently by virtue of a brevet, since May 1810). He transferred to the Danish West Indies on April 27, 1827, serving at various locations on the islands before taking command ofFort Christiarisvaern in 1830. Magens turned the garrison over to Captain Christian Peter Hingelberg on March 15, 1835, but had reassumed command by July 1837. He died on December 19, 1837, apparently while overseeing the post. 57 • • 1835-1837; 1837-1844. Captain Christian Peter Hingelberg assumed com- mand from Magens on March 15, 1835, and remained in that position until sometime between June 13, 1836, and July 4, 1837, when Magens returned as commander. Apparently, on Magens's death in December 1837, Hingelberg took over again, his tenure at Fort Christiansvaern lasting until sometime between May 20 and December 11, 1844. Hingelberg enjoyed a lengthy career in the artillery corps beginning August 1, 1809, when he became a cadet. Two years later he was appointed a styk- junker, and in July 1811 won a brevet of second lieutenant in the corps, a grade formalized in August 1813. In the following year, Hingelberg left the artillery service, but returned in 1815 with his former rank. He was promoted to brevet first lieutenant in August 1820 and to first lieutenant in January 1828 with rank to date from January 1827. Hingelberg transferred to the artillery detach- ment in the Danish West Indies in April 1828, with the grade of captain, reserving his rank of first lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. During his service, Hingelberg achieved distinction as a Knight of Dannebrog (1836) and served as Inspector of Civil Artillery in the West Indies. He was promoted to major in November 1840 and retired from the service on January 23, 1847. Hingelberg died at Copenhagen on October 14, 1850, at age 54. The 1841 census indicates that Hingelberg, a native of Jutland, was 46 years old and married to Sarah Elisabeth (Rosenfeldt) Hingelberg, age 34, who also resided in Fort Christiansvaern with their two children, Henriette Chathrine Andiune, 9, and Waldemar Harold, 3. The wife and children were all born on St. Croix; the entire family subscribed to the Lutheran faith. The census further indicates that Hingelberg's slave, Martha Serena Kelley, lived at the fort. A 57 Den Vestmd1ske Rekruttering StralTelister (West Indies recruits punishment list), vol. 103, (1931-1839); Generaltolkammeret, Rigsarkivet, Copenhagen; F.C.W. Hirsch and Kay Hirsch, Fortegn.else over danske og norske Of- ficerer med Fl. fra 1648-1814 samlet og udarbejdetfra 1888-1907 (12 vols.; n.p., n.d_), VII, part I, p. 13; Vilk. Richter, Den Danske Landmilitaeretat, 1801-1894 (2 vols.; Copenhagen: Antikvariat Richard Levin and Company, 1977), II, 49; "Mandtals Rulle for det vestindiske Artillerie for 2dct Quartat 1830," Mandtals Rulle over Vestind.iske Trapper, Gencraltoldkammeret, Rigsark:ivct . 17 native of St. Croix, she was 18 years old and a Protestant baptized in 1823. Another slave, Henry, belonged to a Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. Henry was 28, baptized a Protestant in 1814, and had also been bom on the island. Both servants were deemed of good moral character. 58 1844-1845. First Lieutenant H.A. Raupach took command of Fort Chris- tiansvaem between May 20 and December 11, 1844. His service in that position seems to have lasted through March 1845 although by December 11, 1845, Raupach had been replaced. Little biographical information on this officer has been located. The 1855 census provides certain data about him, namely that at that time he lived at the Royal Military Depot, that he was then 42 years of age, and that his family consisted of a wife, Napoline, age 42; a son, Oscar, age 8; and a daughter, Mattilde, age 6 months. Living with Raupach's family were his wife's sister, Constance Naeser, age 41; and two servants, Juliette Faris, 20, and Elisa Craven, 48. Craven's 10-year-old son, Wilhelm Bredbolle, also lived with his mother at the depot. Conceivably, all of these people, except for Raupach's sons and daughter, could have lived in the commanding officer's quarters at Fort Christiansvaem as late as 1845.59 1845-1847. Raupach had tumed the garrison over to Captain Andraes Siegried Strandgaard by December 11, 1845. Strandgaard served as com- • mander of Fort Christiansvaem until the summer of 184 7. He was a longtime • artilleryman, having been appointed a second lieutenant in a volunteer artillery battalion in March 1813. In October of that year, Strandgaardjoined the West Indian troops, evidently as an infantry officer, for in June 1817 he formally transferred to the artillery corps. He was promoted to first lieutenant in February 1822, to captain in January 1830, and to major at an unknown date. As of October 1846, Strandgaard lived at the fort with his wife and four children. He was then 53 years old, a native of Copenhagen, and had been baptized a Lutheran in 1794. His wife, Jane Cooper (Smith) Strandgaard, was · 46, from St. Croix, and an Episcopalian. They had been married in 1818. Their children were Georgia Louisa Sidney Smith, age 17, and Jane Cooper, age 14. All were of the Lutheran faith and had been born on the island. Strandgaard owned three slaves, all unmarried females born on St. Croix. Meriman Hatchet was 45 years old, a Catholic, and was employed as a washer. Elisabeth Minors was also 45, while Luyg Dyer was a 9-year-old Episcopalian. 58 ber Vestindiske Rekruttering Straffelister, vols. 103 (1931-1839), 104 (1840-1844), 105 (1845-1849); Hirsch and Hirsch, Fortegnelse over danske og norshe Offr.eerer, V, part 2, p. 137; Richter, Den Danske Landmilitaeretat, II, 183; Vestindiske Folketaellinger (West Indies Census), Frie, Ufrie, Christi ansted, 1844. 59 Der Vcstindiske Rekruttering Straffclistcr, vol. 105 (1845-1849); Vestindiske Folketaellinger, Christiansted, 1855. 18 • • • • In mid-1847, Stran~aard was reassigned from Fort Christiansvaem. He died on July 14, 1869. I847-185L In June or July 1847, Captain Anton illrich Troels Vinzel Falbe was appointed first artillery officer, commanding Fort Christiansvaem. A career soldier bom in Helsingoer, Denmark, on March 17, 1796, Falbe was the son of Major General Frederik Vilhelm Falbe (1745-1814). He joined the artillery in 1811 at age 15 and attained a commission of second lieutenant in August 1813. He was breveted first lieutenant in 1820, and promoted to that grade on January 27, 1828, serving as a staff aide-de-camp. Advanced to second captain in the Fifth Battalion, Artillery Corps, in August 1832, Falbe was made a battery chief in January 1841. He became first captain and superintendent of the army's basic training school in July 1842, evidently serving five years in that capacity. Falbe transferred to the West Indies Artillery Detachment as a major on January 26, 1847, commanding Fort Christiansvaem. He eamed promotion to lieutenant colonel (October 1851) and colonel (September 1852) after leaving the West Indies and returning to Denmark, where he commanded the Second Artillery Regiment and, later, the First Artillery Regiment. Falbe retired from the army as a major general on March 27, 1860. He died in Copenhagen on August 24, 1865, age 69 years . During his service Falbe was honored with induction into several Danish orders; he was Knight of Dannebrog (June 10, 1841), Knight of the Red Eagle, and Knight ofGuelford (October 21, 1843). Baptized in the Lutheran religion, Falbe was married to Maria Lund, who died in Paris in 1869. The census record for Christiansted for 1850 neither mentions Falbe's wife nor suggests that she lived with him at the fort. Falbe commanded the garrison for four years, his service there terminating between June 4 and August 14, 1851.61 1851-1855. First Lieutenant Carl Ludwig Gjellerup commanded Fort Chris- tiansvaem from the summer of1851 through at least October 1855. While little is known about this officer, he enjoyed a lengthy military career, most of it spent in the West Indies. Bom in Denmark in 1796, Gjellerup joined the army on October 15, 1817, perhaps as an enlisted man. In December 1819 he was commissioned a second lieutenant on the staff of a Hussar regiment. On July 30, 1826, Gjellerup transferred to the Danish West Indies as a second lieutenant of infantry. He served in various capacities at the different military installa- . 60 Der Vestmdiske Rekruttering Straffclister, val. 105 (1845-1849)~ Hirsch and Hirsch, Fortegnelse over danske og norske Of{icerer, XI, part 2, p. 130; Folketaellinger, Frie, Ufrie, Christiansted, 1846. 61 Der Vestindiske Rekruttering Straffe1istcr, vols. 105 (1845-1849), 106 (1850-1854); Hirsch and Hirsch, Forteg- nelse over danske og rnJrske Of[icerer, III, part. 3, p. 345; Richter, Den Danske Landmilitaeretat, I, 115; Fo1keta1lingcr, Christiansted, 1850 . 19 tions before taking command of Fort Christiansvaem. A widower in 1855, he was then 60 years old and listed his religion as Lutheran. Thirty-seven years after coming to the West Indies, Gjellerup returned to Denmark as a lieutenant colonel. He belonged to the Order of Dannebrog and was a colonel at the time of his death on October 22, 1876.62 Enlisted Men. Because of the large number of enlisted men variously sta- tioned at Fort Christiansvaem between 1830 and 1855, only the names of those for representative years of that chronological block are included in this report. Each man who enlisted for service in the West Indies normally committed himself to a six-year tour of duty in the islands (eight years for lower ranking soldiers after reconstitution of the Danish West Indian command in 1851). The names, dates of arrival, and projected dates of departure (if given in the muster rolls) are presented here. Numbers represent original designations assigned individuals within the artillery detachment stationed in the Danish West Indies, comprising complements at Fort Frederik at Frederiksted and Fort Christian at St. Thomas, as well as at Fort Christiansvaem. The dates of arrival and scheduled departure presented here are as they appear in the muster rolls cited for particular quarters; dates of departure occasionally fluctuated with varying circumstances affecting a soldier's enlistment time and in some cases, such as reenlistment or punishment, were radically altered. Only the men assigned to Fort Christiansvaem appear below. 1830, second quarter Sergeanter (Sergeants) No. 1 Frederick August Nicolay No. 7 Gabriel Bertelsen Overconstabler (Corporals) No. 11 Carl Edward Tromois No. 13 Anders Madsen Petersborg No. 14 Johan Wilhelm Halleson No. 17 Claus Joachim Schultz No. 18 Ernst August Strahlendorff No. 19 Rasmus Christian Jensen Date Arrived September 1827 April1828 September 1829 June 2, 1830 September 1, 1827 Present at Fort Christiansvaern, 8 enlisted men.63 Scheduled Departure 62 Der Vestmdiske Rekruttering StrafTelister, vol. 106 (1850-1854); Hirsch and Hirsch, Fortegnelse ouer danske og norske O[f~Cerer, III, part 3, n.p.; Richter, Den Danske Landmilitaeretat, I, 142; Folketaellinger, Christiansted, 1855. 63 "Mandtals Rulle for det vestindiske Artillerie for 2 det Quart.at 1830," Mandtals Rulle over Vestindiske Trop- • • per, Gencralloldkammcrct, Rigsarkivet. • 20 • • 1835, first quarter Sergeanter No. 1 Gabriel Bertelsen No. 3 Frederick August Nicolay No. 7 Andreas Jorgensen Overconstabler No. 9 David Christian Holm No. 13 Andreas Madsen No. 18 Soren Hjorth No. 20 Feder Olsen Extra Carl Joseph Diesner Date Arrived November 17, 1833 November 17, 1833 November 20, 1833 June 24, 1833 June 14, 1828 June 24, 1833 November 24, 1827 July 20, 1832 Trainconstabler (Specialist Private Gunners) No. 21 Jorgen Hans Christiansen January 31, 1827 No. 23 Rasmus Detlensen June 26, 1834 No. 24 Peter Jensen June 24, 1829 No. 25 Neils Sorenson January 14, 1835 No. 26 Jens Rasmussen January 31, 1827 No. 27 Hans Feder Pedersen June 14, 1829 No. 29 Frederick Bertelsen July 14, 1832 Constabler (Private Gunners) No. 45 Frederick Christian Birckman January 14, 1835 Present at Fort Christiansvaern, 16 enlisted men.64 1840, first quarter Scheduled Departure November 17, 1839 November 17, 1839 November 20, 1839 June 24, 1839 June 14, 1836 June 24, 1839 November 24, 1835 July 20, 1838 January 31, 1835 June 26, 1840 June 24, 1837 January 14, 1841 January 31, 1835 June 14, 1837 July 14, 1838 January 14, 1841 (For more complete data on these men, see biographical data, below.) Sergeanter No. 1 Gabriel Frederick Bertelsen Esterbolle No. 3 Frederick Gustave August Nicolai [or Nicolay] No. 10 Jes Davidsen Overconstabler No. 16 Stephen Hansen No. 18 Peter Christian Andersen No. 19 Johannes Ferdinand Juul No. 21 Carl Magmus Hedelund No. 26 Jorgen Petersen Trampetere (Trumpeters) No. 28 Johan Heinrich Wichman November 17, 1833 November 17, 1833 November 21, 1835 May 18, 1837 November 21, 1835 March 18, 1837 June 26, 1834 November 26, 1835 January 14, 1838 • 64 "Mandtals Ruile for det Vestindiske Artillerie for lste Quartat 1835," ibid. 21 November 17, 1839 November 17, 1838 November 21, 1841 May 18, 1843 November 21, 1841 March 18, 1843 June 26, 1840 November 26, 1841 January 14, 1841 Date Arrived Scheduled Departure Trainconstabler • No. 30 Bartrum Holmer Petersen May 18, 1837 May 18, 1843 No. 35 Jeppe Neilsen November 21, 1835 November 21, 1841 No. 36 Hans Petersen May 18, 1837 May 18, 1843 No.38 Peter Ericksen May 29, 1838 May 29, 1844 No.39 Niels Johansen May 18, 1837 May 18, 1843 No.41 Lars Christian Petersen May 18, 1837 May 18,1843 No.43 Mikkel Christian Jorgensen May 29, 1838 May29, 1844 Constabler No. 64 Mads Petersen December 1, 1838 December 1, 1844 No. 65 Anders Nielsen July 13, 1839 July 13, 1845 No. 66 Soren Andersen July 4, 1837 July 4, 1843 No.67 Henrik Martin Moller June 29, 1835 June 29, 1841 No. 68 Niels Hansen July 13, 1839 July 13, 1845 No.69 Johan Peter Svendsen June 29, 1835 June 29, 1841 No. 70 Carl Rasmussen July 13, 1839 July 13, 1845 No. 71 Peter Petersen July 4, 1837 July 4, 1843 No. 72 Johan Schultz November 29, 1838 January 14, 1841 No. 74 Peter Hans Fredericksen December 9, 1839 December 9, 1845 No. 75 Hans Hansen March 18, 1837 March 18, 1843 No. 76 Mads Rasmussen July 11, 1836 July 11, 1842 No. 77 Niels Christian Nebel December 17, 1838 December 17, 1844 No. 78 Soren Anton Federik Moller May 29, 1838 May29, 1844 No. 79 Niels Gargenson [Jorgensen] May 18, 1837 May 18, 1843 No.80 Christian Jensen July 11, 1836 July 11, 1842 • No.82 Mads Jensen May 18, 1837 May 18, 1843 No.83 Just Nielsen February 19, 1839 February 19, 1845 No. 84 Niels Thogersen May 18, 1837 May 18,1843 No. 85 Peter Christensen Fogh December 17, 1838 December 17, 1844 No. 87 Jens Sorensen July 13, 1839 July 13, 1845 No. 95 Hans Larsen March 29, 1838 March 29, 1844 No. 96 Lorentz Frederik Carl Ludwig May 29, 1838 May 29, 1844 Holtzer No. 101 Christian Frederik Scholdan July 13, 1839 July 13, 1845 Present at Fort Christiansvaern, 40 enlisted men.65 1845, first quarter Sergeanter No.1 Johannes Ferdinand Juul May 18, 1844 May 18, 1846 No.2 Jens Andersen December 9, 1839 December 9, 1845 No.3 Jens Johannes Kofoed December 9, 1839 December 9, 1845 No.4 Niels Christian Miller October 13, 1844 October 13, 1846 Overconstabler No. 13 Niels Olsen December 5, 1841 December 5, 184 7 No.14 Frederik Jan sen May 9, 1841 May 9, 1847 No. 15 Niels Peder C. [?] December 5, 1841 December 5, 184 7 65 aMandtals Ruile for dct vcstindiske Artillerie for lste Quartat 1840," ibid. • 22 • • • No. 16 No. 17 No.18 Johan Christian Niels Hansen Rasmus Hansen Trumpetere Date Arrived July 18, 1842 Novembe.r 17, 1841 July 13, 1839 No. 31 Peter Christian Kjarumgaard March 9, 1843 Trainconstabler No. 34 Anders Nielsen No. 35 Mads Jorgensen No. 36 Hans Claussen Constabler No. 40 Jens Christensen No. 41 Jorgen Pedersen No. 42 Christian Morten L. Risk No. 43 Anders David Mortensen No. 44 Niels Christensen No. 45 Jens Pedersen No. 46 Hans Larsen No. 47 Johan Andersen Tholstrup No. 48 Lars Christensen Svogerslon No. 49 Christian Christensen Hjar- dahl No. 50 No. 51 No. 52 No. 53 No. 54 Petrus Generanus K Ottosen Vacant Johan Christian Schauperss Hans Friederick Soren Hemmingsen Magleb- jerg No. 55 Niels Pedersen No. 56 Niels Hansen No. 57 Jens Christian Nielsen No. 58 Mads Jensen No. 59 Hans Conradsen No. 60 Ole Thomassen No. 61 Christian C.[?] No. 62 Andraas Peter C. No. 63 Feder Olsen Nos. 64-69 Vacant July 13, 1839 May9, 1841 March 20, 1841 March 20, 1841 July 18, 1842 May 22, 1843 July 18, 1842 May 22, 1843 May 22, 1843 May 8, 1841 November 17, 1842 March 20, 1841 May 11, 1843 May 22, 1843 July 18, 1842 December 5, 1841 July 18, 1842 February 6, 1841 July 18, 1842 February 6, 1841 May 18, 1843 July 18, 1842 April 5, 1840 February 6, 1841 May 22, 1843 May 11, 1843 Present at Fort Christiansvaern, 37 enlisted men.66 1848, third quarter Sergeanter No. 1 Ludvig Peter Christian Franck June 4, 184 7 No.2 Christian C. Joskovdermmer February 6, 1847 [?] 66 aMandtals Rulle lor lste Quartat 1845, .. ibid . 23 Scheduled Departure July 18, 1848 November 17, 1848 July 13, 1845 March 9, 1849 July 13, 1845 May 9,1847 March 20, 1847 March 20, 1847 July 18, 1848 May22, 1849 July 18, 1848 May 22, 1849 May 22, 1849 May9, 1847 November 17, 1848 March 20, 1846 May 11, 1849 May22, 1849 July 18, 1848 December 5, 184 7 July 18, 1848 February 6, 184 7 July 18, 1848 February 6, 184 7 January 15, 1846 July 18, 1848 April 5, 1846 February 6, 184 7 May 22, 1849 May 11, 1849 June 4, 1853 May 22, 1849 No.3 No.4 Stephen Hauser Jens Andersen Date Arrived December 10, 1846 December 10, 1846 Overconstabler No. 13 Lens Neilsen February 7, 1848 June 31, 1846 December 19, 1844 June 7, 1845 No. 14 Johan Frederick Weichert No. 15 Carl Wilhelm Mortensen No. 16 Eduard Sophus August Ben- No.17 No.18 thin Ole Seirsen N orre Hans Christensen December 29, 1844 February 7, 1848 Trompetere No. 31 Mathias Jensen June 7, 1845 Trainconstabler No. 34 Claus Peter Andersen May 22, 1848 May9, 1847 December 19, 1844 July 18, 1842 extended(?) July 18, 1848 No. 35 Mercli Jorgensen No. 36 Anders Rasmussen No. 37 Jens Jorgensen No. 38 Anders Peter Christensen May 22, 1843 Constabler No. 42 No.43 No.44 No.45 No.46 No.47 No.48 No. 49 No. 50 No. 51 No. 52 No. 53 No. 54 No. 55 No. 56 No. 57 No. 58 No. 59 No. 60 No. 61 No. 62 No. 63 No. 64 No. 65 Niels Jensen December 29, 1844 Peter Sorensen February 7, 1848 Niels Christensen May 20, 1843 JensAndersen July 9, 1847 Jens Nielsen February 7, 1848 Christopher Petersen January 26, 1845 Jens Nielsen June 7, 1845 Jochum Christian June 7, 1845 Carl Julius Wilhelm Schmidt December 29, 1844 Peter Jensen January 31, 1846 Jorgen Birk Rasmussen February 23, 184 7 Fred erik Wilhelm Frederiksen February 7, 1848 Johan Larsen June 7, 1845 Hans Nielsen February 23, 184 7 Jens Jensen Worm June 7, 1843 Hans Petersen February 7, 1849 Mads Jensen May 9, 1848 Peter Sorensen February 7, 1848 Christopher Petersen June 7, 1845 Jens Wogensen May 22, 1848 Lars Nielsen February 7, 1848 Niels Johansen June 7, 1845 J ens Christensen March 20, 184 7 Knud Mikkelsen February 7, 1848 24 Scheduled Departure December 10, 1852 December 10, 1852 February 7, 1854 June 31, 1852 December 29, 1850 June 7, 1851 December 29, 1850 February 7, 1854 June 7, 1851 May22, 1854 June 7, 1851 December 29, 1850 July 18, 1848 July 18, 1849 May 22, 1849 December 29, 1850 February 7, 1854 May 22, 1849 July 9, 1853 February 7, 1854 January 26, 1851 June 7, 1851 June 7, 1851 December 29, 1850 January 31, 1852 February 23, 1853 February 7, 1854 June 7, 1851 February 23, 1853 June 7, 1851 February 7, 1854 May 9,1849 February 7, 1854 June 7, 1851 May22, 1854 February 7, 1854 June 7, 1851 July 18, 1848 February 7, 1854 • • • • • • Date Arrived No. 66 JohanAndersen November 17, 1842 Nos. 67-69 Vacant Present at Fort Christiansvaern, 41 enlisted men_s7 1851, second quarter Sergeanter No. 1 Christian Ludwig Schellerup No.2 Christian OluffFerdinand Muller No. 3 Ole Larsen Overcom;tabler No. 13 Johannes Peter Lehn Wolff No. 14 Ernst Ludvig Heiden No. 15 Vacant No. 16 Vacant No. 17 Hans Petersen No. 18 Peter Sorensen Trompetere No. 31 Hans Sorensen Traincom;tabler No. 34 Claus Peter Anderson No. 35 Niels Johannes No. 36 Andreas Rasmussen No. 37 Johannes Nielsen Com;tabler No. 42 Jens Peter Jensen No. 43 Peter Sorensen No. 44 Christen Jensen Moller No. 45 Christian Holm No. 46 Reinbold Frederik F. Rjerbye No. 47 Hans Jensen No. 48 Jacob Rasmussen Toede No. 49 Peter Eilersen No. 50 Simon Hansen No. 51 Jens Jensen No. 52 Jorgen Birk Rasmussen No. 53 Poul Andersen No. 54 Christian Jorgen Hendriksen No. 55 Niels Larsen No. 56 Carl Rasmus J. Tharing No. 57 RasmusJocobsen No. 58 Rasmus Christensen No. 59 Christen Peter Bertsen 67 LMantals Rulle lor ad1e Quartat 1848," ibid . June 4, 1847 July 18, 1848 February 7, 1848 May 31, 1851 May 31, 1851 January 31, 1846 February 7, 1848 July 18, 1849 May22, 1848 June 7 (illeg.) June 7, 1851 September 6, 1848 May 31, 1851 February 7, 1848 January 31, 1846 January 31, 1846 May 31, 1851 February 7, 1848 May 31, 1851 May22, 1848 December 11, 1846 May 31, 1851 February 23, 184 7 May 22, 12848 February 7, 1848 May 31, 1851 May 31, 1851 May 31, 1851 January 31, 1846 May 31, 1851 25 Scheduled Departure November 17, 1848 June 4, 1853 July 18, 1851 February 7, 1854 May 31, 1859 May 31, 1859 January 31, 1852 February 7, 1854 December 11, 1852 May22, 1854 January 31, 1852 September 6, 1853 May 31, 1859 February 7, 1854 January 31, 1852 January 31, 1852 May 31, 1859 February 7, 1854 May 31, 1859 May 22, 1854 December 11, 1852 May 31, 1859 February 23, 1853 May22, 1854 February 7, 1854 May 31, 1859 May 31, 1859 May31, 1859 January 31, 1852 May 31, 1859 No. 60 Peter Jophansen No. 61 Hans Wogensen No. 62 Mads Johanson No. 63 Christian Neilsen No. 64 Hendrik Meinert Johannes No. 65 Knud Mikkelsen Sonderkjoge No. 66 Johan Andersen No. 67 Soren Rasmussen Nos. 68-69 Vacant Overcomplette No.8 Bombardier Mads Hansen No.9 Niels Josias Petersen Date Arrived February 7, 1848 May22, 1848 February 7, 1848 February 23, 184 7 February 7, 1848 February 7, 1848 May 31, 1853 May 31, 1851 September 6, 1848 Present at Fort Christiansvaern, 41 enlisted men.68 Scheduled Departure February 7, 1854 May22, 1854 February 7, 1854 February 23, 1853 February 7, 1854 February 7, 1854 May31, 1859 May31, 1859 September 6, 1853 Biographical Data on Enlisted Men. The following capsule biographies of the enlisted men who garrisoned Fort Christiansvaern during the first three months of 1840 are representative of those soldiers stationed at the post throughout the period 1830-1855. Generally, they comprised individuals of diverse backgrounds who committed themselves to an assignment of six or eight years duration by volunteering for service in the West Indies. Biographical data has been derived from pertinent recruit lists, muster rolls, and punishment records, as cited below. Enlisted grades for the artillerymen consisted of • constable (private gunner), overconstable (one step above constable and • equivalent to corporal), trainconstable (private gunner with specialty designa- tion for moving artillery and ordnance equipment and serving with horse-drawn batteries), and sergeant. Several conclusions regarding the nature of enlisted service at Fort Chris- tiansvaern can be drawn from the information about these men. First, all or most of them were artillerymen; all were reasonably seasoned veteran soldiers, with prior service in Denmark being a prerequisite for volunteer duty in the islands. Generally, the men came from small Danish towns and were employed at trades before enlisting. Probably many were paid substitutes for men in the larger cities who wished to avoid conscription. Most had served previous time in the infantry prior to being reassigned to the artillery detachment, and many served multiple enlistments in the islands during their army careers. Nearly all of the soldiers belonged to the Lutheran church, and physically their average height was about 5 feet 4 inches. The large number of punishments meted among the troops indicates that they often found themselves in trouble with their superiors for various, usually minor, offenses. These infractions can possibly be explained as normal behavior for troops contending with a mundane existence after the novelty of their initial experience in the West Indies wore off. Some trouble was doubtless caused by frustration stemming from the low 68 'Mandtals-Rulle over det dansk vestindiske Arti11erie for 2d Quartat 1851," ibid. 26 • • salaries the soldiers received. Finally, because many goods for St. Croix arrived aboard commercial vessels from the United States, the Danish soldiers, upon discharge, occasionally took passage to that country. • • Sergeant Gabriel Frederick Bertelsen Esterbolle. As of May 8, 1840, Esterbolle had seen 14 years of service with the West Indian troops. He was from Fyen, an island in Denmark, where he was born in 1804 a member of a distinguished family of authors. He stood 5 feet 2 inches tall and had blonde hair and blue eyes. Apparently joining the artillery detachment after service in the infantry, Esterbolle returned to Europe in 1831 or 1832, then shipped back to the islands in May 1832 aboard the St. Croix. He was recommended for reenlistment in April1833 and was discharged in July 1838. Enlisting again, Esterbolle apparently requested an early discharge in May 1840 at which time Captain Hingelberg urged approval, noting that Esterbolle had "never been punished._ but on the contrary, has always performed honorably for the royal service."6" Sergeant Frederick Gustave Nicolay. This individual was a soldier of long standing and upon his retirement in May 1841 was deemed to be of exemplary behavior. Nicolay was born in Denmark in 1795. He stood 5 feet 2-1/2 inches tall, was considered of medium stature, and- had blue eyes and brown hair. His religion was Lutheran. Nicolay served in the West Indies for more than twenty years. Evidently he was discharged and returned to Europe but in 1833 was recommended for reenlistment and returned to the islands for another six-year tour in September aboard the ship Johanne Marie. Over the course of his several enlistments Nicolay committed a number of minor infrac- tions. In one instance in 1822 he mistreated a mulatto and was given twenty days imprisonment on bread and water. Other instances of misbehavior and bad conduct in 1824, 1829, 1830, 1832, and 1838 brought additional punish- ment. In June 1839 Nicolay spent twenty-four hours in arrest for improper behavior against Lieutenant v. Meinke, who operated the Royal Military Depot at Christiansted. Nicolay's career ended with his disability after having his right hand blown away by a cannon discharge at Battery Louisa Augusta, a short distance from Fort Christiansvaern. Sergeant Jes Davidsen. This soldier was from Brinck, Denmark. He came to the West Indies as a musketeer in November 1835, on the ship Allart, transferring to the artillery some time after his arrival. Evidently Davidsen was an excellent soldier, with no punishment record and winning promotion to sergeant by early 1840. He was scheduled to return to Denmark in November 69 'lh1s and the following biographies have been compiled from data contained in the following sources: "Liste over herfra udsente, samt i Vestindien anhvervede Recruttcr til de vestindiskc Tropper, Lit B, 1832-1852." Den Ves- tindiske Rekruttering F04-154l, Mandskabsfortcgnelser Soldaterboger 82, Generaltoldkanuneret, Rigsarkivet; Den Vestindiske Rekruttering Straffe1ister, vols. 103 (1831-39), 104 (1840-44), GEneraltoldkammeret, Rigsarkivct. 27 1841. He extended his service as a substitute until May 1843, however, and for yet another year until May 22, 1844, when he was discharged and sent back to Denmark. Overconstable Stephen Hansen. Hansen was a native ofEbbelnas, Den- mark, and evidently served at least two tours of duty in the islands. He arrived in May 1837 and was scheduled to depart in May 1843. Records indicate that he set forth for the West Indies aboard theAllart on October 24, 1846, for another six-year tour. He apparently enlisted as a paid substitute for persons avoiding conscription on at least two occasions, the first lasting until September 1853, and the second scheduled to last until December 1860. Hansen died on August 13, 1859, while in the infantry service. Overconstable Peter Christian Andersen. This man came from the town of Salboe in Denmark. Arriving in the islands as an infantryman aboard theAllart in November 1835, Andersen was reassigned to the artillery detach- ment and in 1840 resided in Fort Christiansvaern. Apparently discharged according to schedule in November 1841, Andersen evidently took sick on St. Croix and died there the following Christmas Day. Overconstable Johannes Ferdinand Juul. Enlisted as an infantryman, • Juul embarked for the West Indies on the Johanne Marie on April1, 1837, and • later transferred to the artillery detachment. His tour of duty was scheduled to end in March 1843. On May 18, 1844, Juul reenlisted for one year as a substitute. He was discharged on April 3, 1847, and evidently stayed in the West Indies until July 1848. Overconstable CarlMagmus Hedelund Born in 1807 in Sweden, Hedelund was a soldier of medium stature, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall. A member of the Lutheran church, he had brown hair and blue eyes and in his civilian life worked as a shoemaker. Enlisted as an infantryman, Hedelund came to the West Indies aboard the Emerald in June 1834 and was reassigned to the artillery on July 1, 1837. He received punishment for being drunk while on a service-related trip in Frederiksted and on several other occasions became inebriated while on duty. Consequently, Hingelberg advised against reenlisting him. Hedelund was discharged at the expiration of his term of service and returned to Denmark in late May 1840. Overconstable Jorgen Petersen. A native ofTryggelov, Denmark, Peter- sen went to the islands as an infantryman aboard theAllart in September 1835. He transferred to the artillery detachment and remained in that unit until his scheduled departure in November 1841. Petersen had another enlistment, this as a substitute lasting until October 1844. 28 • • • • Trumpeter Johan Heinrich Wichman. Wichman arrived aboard the Emerald in January 1838, evidently after extending his enlistment for three years. Scheduled to depart in January 1841, he died the previous month, most likely while stationed on St. Croix. Trainconstable Bartrum Holmer Petersen. Petersen was from Thiset, Denmark. He came to the West Indies on the Johanne Marie as an infantryman in May 1837. In July 1842 Petersen was charged with improperly selling lumber and nails from the fort. He was later punished, losing his daily alcohol ration and pass privilege for eight days. Mter serving with the artillery detachment, Petersen was discharged and sent home in April 1843. Trainconstable Jeppe Neilsen. A native of Lundbye, Denmark, Neilsen debarked for the West Indies as an infantryman aboard theAllart in September 1830 and reached the islands in November. He evidently transferred to the artillery soon after. The punishment list indicates that Neilsen was far from being an ideal soldier. In January 1836 he was charged with bringing rum into the barracks for which he received twenty-four hours imprisonment. Later offenses included disorderly conduct and fighting, insubordination, and absence without permission for which he received various punishments from flogging to imprisonment on a bread and water diet. Because he had not been punished for any major crimes, Major Hingelberg recommended that Neilsen be reenlisted on expiration of his term. Neilsen took his discharge, however, in March 1842, after serving at least two enlistments. Trainconstable Hans Petersen. Petersen, from the city of Skoven, shipped aboard the Johanne Marie on Aprill, 1837, and reached the West Indies the following month. He transferred to the artillery and stayed with the West Indian command until his discharge April2, 1843, when he sailed for Denmark. During his service at Fort Christiansvaem, Petersen was charged with several infractions involving fighting, drunkenness, an·d general misconduct. He was variously punished with flogging, loss of pass privileges, arrest, and confine- ment on a diet of bread and water. Trainconstable Peter Eriksen. Born in 1813 in Steenstrup, Odense, Den- mark, Eriksen was Lutheran and stood 5 feet 5 inches tall and had blue eyes and dark hair. He was of medium stature and in 1841 was considered to be in good physical condition. Sent to the Danish West Indies as an infantryman in April 1838, he arrived aboard the Johanne Marie on May 29 and transferred to the artillery detachment the following month. Evidently his island service comprised his second enlistment. In 1840-41 Eriksen committed several minor offenses for which he was flogged. Nonetheless, his general behavior was deemed excellent, and Major Hingelberg recommended him for reenlistment 29 during the latter year. On June 12, 1841, Eriksen was listed as having substituted for another man. Trainconstable Neils Johansen. An infantry soldier from Sengelose, Denmark, who arrived in the West Indies on the Johanne Marie in May 1837, Johansen was reassigned to the artillery detachment and spent the balance of his enlistment in that arm. In May 1840 he was charged with general miscon- duct and spent eight days in fort arrest. In July 1842 Johansen was caught selling goods from Fort Christiansvaem and was sentenced to perform guard duty daily for eight days. Other than these infractions, there were no com- plaints about his service, and in March 1843 the commanding officer recom- mended that he be reenlisted. However, Johansen took his discharge the following month and returned to Denmark. Trainconstable Lars Christian Petersen. Petersen was born in Aalborg, Jutland, Denmark, in 1816. A member of the Lutheran faith, he was of medium stature, standing approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, and had brown hair and blue eyes. Petersen came to the West Indies aboard the Johanne Marie, arriving in the islands in May 1837 as a musketeer of infantry. Reassigned to the artillery detachment on July 7, 1838, he was deemed to be a military problem, although his moral behavior was pronounced good. In May 1841 Petersen was charged with "inexcusable conduct" against a senior non-commissioned officer and in the following month was involved in a fight in the courtyard. He was punished for both offenses and was not recommended for reenlistment. Upon his discharge in December 1844, Petersen departed for America. Trainconstable Mikkel Christian Jorgensen. This soldier was from Sneiberg, Denmark. He came to the West Indies aboard the Johanne Marie as an infantry musketeer in May 1838.- Reassigned to the artillery, he evidently served out his enlistment as scheduled and left the islands in May 1844. Constable Mads Petersen. This soldier was from Beds ted, Denmark, and came to the West Indies aboard the Johanne Marie late in 1838. He transferred to the artillery and served at Fort Christiansvaem during which time he was charged with numerous minor offenses mostly involving drunkenness on duty, fighting in town, and general misconduct. Disciplinary action included loss of his daily ration of snaps (alcohol) for eight days and walking for four days within the fort carrying a fully loaded backpack. Once Petersen fell asleep while on duty in one ofthe sentry boxes for which he received punishment of bread and water for eight days. Upon his discharge in May 1843, Petersen emigrated to America. Constable Anders Neilsen. Neilsen was hom in Weistrup, Denmark. He travelled to the islands in May 1839 as an infantryman aboard the Active, and 30 • • • • • • some time following his arrival transferred to the artillery. During his tenure at Fort Christiansvaern, Neilsen was prone to being absent from quarters and dressing in a slovenly manner for which he was punished at various times with fort arrest. He was discharged from the service on March 17, 1845. Constable SorenAndersen. A native of Astrup, Denmark, Andersen volunteered for West Indian service and sailed aboard the Grant in April 1837. Arriving an infantryman, he transferred into the artillery detachment and served at Fort Christiansvaern. His record from 1840 to 1843 is replete with charges of drunkenness, rowdiness, and general bad conduct. In the latter year, Major Hingelberg advised against Andersen's retention, and he was discharged and sent home on June 15, 1843. Constable Henrik Martin Moller. Moller arrived in the West Indies on the brig St. Jan in late June 1835. Like most other volunteers, he was in the infantry but transferred to the artillery detachment before serving at Fort Christiansvaern. His scheduled departure date was June 29, 1841, however, Moller served as a substitute until July 11, 1842. He was discharged on July 10, 1844. Constable Niels Hansen. A native ofFroerup, Denmark, this soldier came to the islands in July 1839 on the Active and evidently was reassigned from the infantry to the artillery shortly thereafter. Hansen's West Indian service was scheduled to end in July 1845; however, he died on March 6, 1844. Constable Johan Peter Svendsen. Infantry musketeer Svendsen came to the Danish West Indies in June 1835 aboard the St. Jan. He was discharged from the artillery detachment on May 21, 1841, and returned to Denmark. Constable Carl Rasmussen. Rasmussen was from Smidstrup, Denmark. He came to the islands as an infantryman aboard the Active in July 1839. Reassigned to the artillery detachment, Rasmussen served there until his death on July 13, 1842. Constable Peter Petersen. A native of Skippinge, Denmark, Petersen sailed to the islands as a musketeer in April1837. He died while in the artillery service on May 3, 1841. Constable Johan Christian Schultz. Born in Copenhagen in 1803, Schultz had served thirteen years in the Danish West Indies as of March 1841. He was 5 feet 2-1/2 inches tall, of medium stature, and had brown hair and blue eyes. Before joining the army, Schultz worked as a saddlemaker; he transferred to the artillery detachmentfrom the infantry in July 1837. In March 1841 Major Hingelberg recommended against his reenlistment because of numerous infrac- 31 tions. An 1835 insubordination charge brought a flogging punishment. In several instances Schultz was drunk on guard duty, evidently at the fort, while incidents of drunkenness and fighting resulted in additional floggings and arrests through October 1840. Constable Peter Hans Fredericksen. He was from Ordrup, Denmark, and came to the West Indies in December 1839 aboard the Allart as an infantry musketeer. He transferred to the artillery and served at Fort Christiansvaern. Scheduled to depart the islands on December 9, 1845, Fredericksen apparently became sick and died while en route home on December 23. Constable Hans Hansen. Hansen was from Worup, Denmark. He arrived in the islands in March 1837 and apparently departed six years later. He returned under another enlistment in 1848 and apparently remained until finally discharged in February 1854. Several petty offenses incurred during his service included fighting and rowdiness in the fort, absence from guard duty, and general misconduct. Lieutenant Raupach nevertheless recommended Han- sen for reenlistment in December 1844. Constable Mads Rasmussen. Rasmussen was from Ravnehuus, in Praes- toe County, Denmark, where he was born in 1813. A member of the Lutheran • religion, he came to the islands in July 1836 as an infantryman aboard the • Emerald. Rasmussen was a man of medium stature, standing 5 feet 3 inches tall, and had blue eyes and brown hair. He transferred into the artillery in July 1837 and was scheduled to return to Denmark in July 1842. His service in the West Indies and at Fort Christiansvaern was generally excellent, although on three occasions he was punished for infractions involving his performance on guard duty. While recommended for reenlistment by Hingelberg, Rasmussen was discharged and sent home in March 1841. Constable Neils Christian Nebel Nebel embarked for the West Indies on the Johanne Marie on October 22, 1838. A musketeer of infantry, he was reassigned to the artillery detachment and was sent back to Denmark in arrest on March 17, 1842, more than two years before his scheduled departure. Constable Soren Anton Frederik Moller. Moller served with the in- fantry in Denmark before coming to the West Indies in May 1838 aboard the Johanne Marie. He later transferred into the artillery. Moller was a good soldier and committed few transgressions, enabling Major Hingelberg to favor his reenlistment in the Danish West Indian Artillery. Moller died in the service, apparently on St. Croix, in 1842. Constable Neils Jorgensen. This volunteer was from Sonder Westut, Denmark. An infantryman, he shipped on the Johanne Marie in April 1837 32 • • • • arriving in the Danish islands the following month. Transferring to the artil- lery, Jorgensen served in that arm until his death on March 7, 1842. Constable Christian Jensen. This man came from Copenhagen, where he was born in 1810. Physically, he was 5 feet 3-112 inches tall, of medium stature, with brown hair and blue eyes. He came to the West Indies in July 1836 aboard the Emerald, and transferred from the infantry to the artillery a year later. Records indicate that Jensen was not a good soldier and he was frequently placed under arrest and subjected to flogging for various infractions usually involving his drunkenness and rowdiness. In one instance he used a pass and a shirt belonging to a trainconstable for which he received twenty-five lashes. In 1841 Hingelberg advised against retaining him in the army, and upon his discharge Jensen took passage to America. Constable Mads Jensen. A native ofRodkjaer, Denmark, Jensen sailed to the West Indies aboard the Johanne Marie in April1837. He arrived in May and was reassigned from the infantry to the artillery. On January 3, 1842, Jensen was punished for drunkenness with fourteen days fort arrest and loss of his daily ration of snaps. Similarly, he was punished the following April for being drunk on duty. Jensen's projected departure from the islands was May 18, 1843; he extended his tour several times, however, until June 9, 1849, when he was discharged on St. Croix . Constable Just Neilsen. Like most other soldiers who volunteered for service in the Danish West Indies, Just Neilsen left Denmark an infantryman and later transferred to the artillery. He was from the town ofKukkeshuus and embarked aboard the Allart late in 1838, arriving in the islands in February 1839. His sole misdeed during his service appears to have involved the misuse of a pass shortly after his arrival for which he received punishment of eight days in fort arrest. Neilsen was discharged and sent home on May 28, 1843. Constable Niels Thogersen. An infantry musketeer from Kisum, Den- mark, Thogersen reached the West Indies aboard the Johanne Marie in May 1837. Like other enlistees, he joined the artillery after his arrival. His projected departure date in May 1843 was evidently rescinded; instead, Thogersen was discharged in June and remained with the West Indian troops in an unknown capacity. Constable Peter Christensen Fogh. This infantryman, from Hedehuus, Denmark, sailed to the islands on the Johanne Marie, arriving there in mid- December 1838. He transferred to the artillery and evidently was discharged about seven months early, in May 1843, when he shipped to America . 33 Constable Jens Sorensen. Sorensen was from Kullerup, Denmark. He sailed to the West Indies aboard the Active as a musketeer. Reassigned to the artillery detachment after his arrival in July 1839, Sorensen served until his discharge on May 5, 1845. Constable Hans Larsen. This infantry volunteer came to the islands in late March 1838 on the Johanne Marie. He transferred to the artillery and was discharged in May 1842, whereupon he went to America .. Constable Lorentz Frederik Carl Ludwig Holtzer. An infantry enlis- tee, Holtzer came to the Danish West Indies in May 1838 aboard the Johanne Marie. Like other volunteers, he was reassigned to the artillery. Holtzer died on January 23, 1844, four months before he was scheduled to retum to Den- mark. 34 • • • • • • EVIDENCE OF ROOM USE, 1830-1855 Fort Christiansvaem measures overall210 feet north to south, from the water battery overlooking Christiansted Harbor to the ravelin entrance to the struc- ture, and 226 feet east to west, embracing the boundary walls. The south curtain contains two stories and measures 77 feet long by 30 feet 6 inches high by 21 feet wide. The east and west curtains each measure 72 feet long by 17 feet wide by 10 feet high, while the north curtain, containing the water battery, measures 84 feet long by 37 feet wide. The battery proper stands 9 feet above grade. Bastions situated at the comers of the fort measure approximately 27 feet square; that at the northeast comer is 11 feet higher than the floor of the water battery. In the center of the fort is a courtyard measuring 73 feet north to south by 68 feet east to west. Between 1834 and 1837 the fort witnessed a major rehabilitation effort that involved significant additions and alterations. The walls adjoining the east and west curtains were raised at this time, along with a stable and carriage house outside the east retaining wall. Other changes included construction of a brick stairway to the roof from the southwest bastion and the addition of a roof on the northeast bastion to establish a recreational facility (called a "common" room) for the soldiers. Further structural modifications completed in the 1840s involved conversion of part of the stable into a granary and reconstruction of the water battery. 1 The stuccoed walls of the fort were limewashed in yellow, ocher, and brown-red, and the woodwork was painted gray until 1829, when the walls were repainted blue-gray and the woodwork a light yellow. In 1836 all woodwork was painted dark green and all hardware black. Three years later the masonry walls were again limewashed in the former yellow-brownstone color.2 Thus, Fort Christiansvaem during the period specified for interpretation (1830-1855) represented an amalgam of physical changes that reflected attain- ment of the basic configuration that lasted until the fort was tumed over to the United States. The curtains and bastions contained numerous rooms with a variety of functions ranging from cells to quarters for officers and enlisted men to administrative offices to magazines and ordnance storage areas. Use of some rooms varied over time, while most seem to have remained static throughout the designated period of interpretation. 1 For more specifics of these and other changes, see Herbert Olsen, Historic Strnctures Report, Part I [Historical Data Section], Fort Christiansuaern (Christiansted: National Park Service, 1961), pp. 8-9. 2 Ibid., pp. 191-93. The original plans repose in the Rigsarkivet, Copenhagen, Denmark 35 Information about room function at Fort Christiansvaern from 1830 through 1855 has been determined, most notably, from plans of the structure rendered in March 1836 by First Lieutenant v. Gjellerup and Second Lieutenant v. Friis. 3 Room use in the fort, as derived from these plans, from data contained in the Historic Structures Report, and from more generalized sources, is described below. Designated room numbers are those provided in NPS drawings prepared in 1980 and entitled "Preservation of Fort Christiansvaern." 001-Dungeon Located beneath the southwest bastion, this enclosed cell was used for incar- cerating slaves. Early correspondence (1753) referred to it as the "black hole," as it seldom received air or light. Between about 1796 and 1835 the dungeon served as a storeroom while other parts of the fort were used as cells. In the latter year, however, the brick-floored room was redesignated for its original purpose. A heavy trap door at the head of the steps led to the dungeon.4 102-Powder Magazine This vaulted room, located in the north end of the fort beneath the water battery, contained wooden barrels filled with large quantities of gunpowder used for firing the artillery. To protect the powder from dampness, the barrels stood on a raised wooden floor constructed with wooden pegs to preclude the pos- sibility of sparks and to ensure adequate ventilation. The floor joists and boards were replaced in 1840.5 108-Cell In 1836 this small room adjoining the stairs leading to the east side of the water battery was employed as a prison cell.6 104-Arsenal This room in the northeast casemate after 1834-35 served as the storehouse for ordnance, particularly artillery, its component equipment, and small arms. 3 Ibid., pp. 31, 33, 47. 4 Ibid., pp. 85-86. 5 Ibid., pp. 76-77; George Smith, An Universal Military Dictionary (London: J. Millan, 1779; reprint, Ottawa: Museum Restoration Service, 1969), p. 155; Henry L. Scott, Military Dictionary (New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1861; reprint, New York: Greenwood Press, Publishers, 1968), p. 394. 6 Olsen, Historic Structures Report, p. 77. 36 • • • • • • Deposited ordnance was kept clean, repaired, and in otherwise serviceable condition in the arsenal. The room had formerly been used as the powder . 7 magazine. 105--Stable Area Beyond the east curtain and retaining wall, this area contained a stable yard and related structures all erected in the 1830s and 1840s. On the west side of the stable yard wall stood, from south to north, a granary, stables, and laundries, measuring in all about seventy-five feet long. At the southwest comer of the stable yard, and immediately inside the entrance, stood a carriage-house with a room for a night watchman. The room contained a wooden floor. 8 lOG-Officers' Quarters During the renovations of1834-35 this room was converted from a strong room for the state treasury into a quarters for officers. Extensive remodeling included the panelling, furring, wallpapering, and construction of architraves for doors and windows. Wood surfaces in the room were painted with Spanish green mixed with white lead.9 107-0fficers' Quarters This room became an officers' quarters at the same time the foregoing room was converted. Remodeling entailed work identical to that described above. 10 108-Gallery Erected in 1836 along the inside of the east curtain, this covered passageway had a green galvanized iron roof with laths and roof beams painted white.11 109-Commandant's Office This room served as the administrative focal point of the garrison, the headquarters of the commanding officer of Fort Christiansvaem. Records indicate that it was limewashed and plastered in 1835.12 7 Ibid., p. 28; Smith Universal Military Dicticnary, p. 12; Scott, Military Dictionary, p. 55. 8 Olson, Historic Structures Report, pp. 29-31, 102-07. 9 Ibid., pp. 65, 68. 10 Ibid., p. 68. 11 Ibid., p. 68. 12 Ibid., p. 68 . 37 nO-Barracks As of 1836, the time of the Gjellerup and Fries plans, this room housed six enlisted men. The room was likely plastered and limewashed in 1835 and may have been wallpapered. 13 ill-Small Cistern A water reservoir occupied this space as early as 17 44 and measured 16 feet long by 8 feet wide by 6 feet deep. It had a wooden cover and a chain-run pump, and, as of 1838, a lead overflow pipe. Another pipe led underground to the stable yard. 14 112-Storeroom for Commandant Located below the commandant's quarters on the second level, this small room provided storage space for that officer and his family. 113-Barracks This casemate underwent conversion to a quarters in 1834-35. It could accommodate, apparently, twelve men, as indicated on the plans by Gjellerup and Fries, although Olsen stated that the room was designed to hold eight men. In any event, the barracks had a wooden floor over the original brick floor. Besides the outer door, there was an inner one covered with duck or linen.15 ll4-Hall This passage provided entrance and egress for rooms 112 and 113 along the east curtain and in the southeast bastion. 115-Barracks This room in the south curtain accommodated six enlisted men as of 1835. It had whitewashed plaster walls, while the ceiling and woodwork was likely painted white. Like the other enlisted quarters, this had an inner blind door covered with linen or duck materiai.16 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid., pp. 25, 69. 15 Ibid., pp. 28, 79. 16 Ibid., pp. 48-49. 38 • • • • 116, 124, 12s-Arcade and Foyer • • This hallway fronted the rooms along the south curtain across from the cells. Across from the entrance to the fort, the hallway broadened and the overhang of the commandant's gallery formed a foyer, which served as an extension of the Corps de Gard. 117, 1.18-Cells These two small rooms served as prison cells in 1836. Each could hold but one person. 119-Barracks and Commanding Sergeant's Room Between 1831 and 1835 this room functioned as a barracks for four soldiers. Beginning in the latter year the senior artillery sergeant of the garrison kept his quarters there. It had a wooden floor by 1850 (and probably earlier), had whitewashed plaster walls, and, most likely, white-painted wood trim. 17 120-Artillery Shed This wood-shingled shed housed cannon and related noncombustible ordnance materiel and was covered on the outside with a red-brown colored tar. The interior was evidently limewashed in a gellow ocher. A brick shed with metal roof replaced the wooden shed in 1848.1 121-Canteen As of 1836 or earlier this southernmost room in the fort functioned as a canteen, a refreshment and recreation shop operated for the leisure benefit of the garrison where tobacco and other articles could be obtained. Formerly the salient angle of the canteen had served variously as a powder magazine and as one or more cells. While used as a canteen, the room also served on occasion as a storehouse. 19 17 Ibid., pp. 49-50. 18 Ibid., pp. 92-93. 19 Ibid., p. 91; Scott, Military Dictionary, p. 145 . 39 122-lnterior of Ravelin Those entering the fort crossed over this area. Soldiers defended the fort from land attacks through loopholes in the walls in the ravelin.20 123--Corps de Gard The military ceremony of guard mount occurred in the main entrance to Fort Christiansvaem whenever a new guard was installed or an old one relieved.21 125--Guard Room This room was designated a guard room in 1836. Soldiers serving garrison guard duty were mustered near the guard room and spent their time on relief inside. It had a wooden floor, apparently plastered and limewashed walls, and a white-painted wooden ceiling. Very early in the fort's history the room was used as a church and a courtroom.22 126, 127-Cells Each of these rooms had a capacity for one prisoner. 129-Commandant's Servant's Room As of 1835 this room became a pantry and quarters for the commandant's servant. It evidently had a wooden floor installed during its 1835 renovation, along with a lattice partition, complete with door, across the center of the room.23 130-Hallway This short passageway led to the southwest bastion barracks entrance (131), the commandant's kitchen (132, 133), and the dungeon (001). 131-Barracks This casemate seemingly served as a barracks soon after its construction in 17 48. Sometime prior to 1807 the room was partitioned into three cells. 20 Smith, An Universal Military Dictionary, pp. 221-22. 21 Smith, An Universal Military Dictionary, p. 118. 22 Olsen, Historic Structures Report, pp. 50-51. 23 Ibid., pp. 51-53. 40 • • • • • • Converted back to a barracks in 1836, nine men were housed in the casemate. During this time a wooden floor was laid over the existing brick floor.24 Although the work is undated in the Historic Structures Report, the walls were likely limewashed and the woodwork painted white, as in the other rooms used as barracks. 132, 133-Commandant's Kitchen Constructed in 1748 in part of the southwest bastion, this kitchen provided meals for delivery to the commandant's quarters on the upper level. The room underwent certain structural modification from its original construction, and in 1835-36 the cistem was segregated by a wooden partition with latticework and with an entrance to the kitchen placed in the east wall. In 1838 the kitchen was limewashed yellow; two years later the walls were yellow washed and the ceiling whitewashed. In 1903 a doorway was added in the west wall of the room. The large cistem situated at the north wall of the kitchen was constructed in the 1740s and had a capacity for 400 to 500 barrels of water. It had a wooden cover and utilized a chain-operated pump throughout the period 1830-55.25 134-Commandant's Servant's Room Prior to 1835-36 this space was part of a long room of undetermined purpose . During the renovations of the mid-1830s a wood partition divided the room in two, with the south section designated as quarters for the commandant's servant.26 135---Barracks This west curtain room comprised the north part of the room divided in 1835-36. It served as quarters for four enlisted men. In 1839 its plastered walls were limewashed yellow.27 136--Non-Commissioned Officers' Cell Between 1784 and 1816 a second large room in the west curtain was parti- tioned in two by the construction of a masonry wall. The southemmost room became, at least as of 1836, a cell for retaining non-commissioned officers. 28 24 Ibid., pp. 83-84. 25 Olsen, Historic Structures Report, pp. 74-75. 26 Ibid., p. 70. 27 Ibid., pp. 70, 73. 28 Ibid., p. 70 . 41 137--0fficers' Cell This northernmost of the two rooms created between 1784 and 1816 by dividing a large west curtain room served as a cell for imprisoning officers.29 138--Cell During 1835-36 another long room in the west curtain was divided with a masonry wall. The south room of this division was used as a cell, presumably for slaves.30 139-Royal and Colonial Treasury This room seems to have assumed the function of strong room for the state treasury about 1836 after room 106 was converted into an officer's quarters. The room was created by partitioning a longer west curtain room. During the refurbishment the door was fitted with two iron cross bars. In 1846 the room was limewashed in yellow.31 140-Exercise Yard • This space inside the west boundary wall, or tenaille, served as an exercise • yard for prisoners. Because the north and northeast part of the spiked wall contained loopholes for riflemen, the area could potentially have been occupied by soldiers defending the fort. 141-Bread and Water Cells The casemate of the northwest bastion served as a kitchen from the 17 40s until1834-35. Numerous repairs to its chimneys, hearths, and floors occurred through the early 1820s, and proposals for converting the kitchen for cell use were made as early as 1822. During 1834-35 that objective was accomplished by erecting wood partitions inside the casemate.32 142 and 143--Latrines Construction of the earliest latrine dates to 1785-87, with a newer addition built on the north end in 1802-03. Part of the older latrine was partitioned for 29 Ibid. 30 Ibid. 31 Ibid., pp. 70, 72, 73. 32 Ibid., pp. 28, 83-84. 42 • • • • officers' use; it was fitted with a locked door, and a galvanized iron roof replaced the brick one sometime after 1849. Woodwork in the officers' latrine was painted green. Enlisted men of the garrison used the newer latrine, while in 1839 yet another partition was built adjoining the officers' privy to provide latrine facilities for the servants. The brick roof above the newer section was replaced with one of galvanized iron in 1855. Walls in all the latrines were plastered and whitewashed, with a one-foot-wide blue or black painted strip at the base of the walls.33 201-Water Battery The water battery stood on the terreplein of the north curtain; its eight guns overlooked the harbor approaches to the fort to defend against enemy shipping. The battery was constructed in the 1770s utilizing a previous emplacement; it was reconstructed in 1846 when part of the gun deck showed signs of sub- sidence.34 20~ommon Room This room, built on the northeast bastion and roofed with brick, served as a recreation place for enlisted men of the fort garrison. Completed by October 1836, the room's ceiling beams and laths were painted a pearl color, while the plastered walls were limewashed and door and window blinds were }:!ainted green. After 1841 a wooden floor was installed over the brick gun deck.35 203--Thrreplein East Curtain The terreplein joined the northeast and southeast bastions, while providing a deck for guns and troops in defensive operations. Guards passed along the terreplein while making their rounds. The gun deck was repaired in 1834-35 and was reconstructed in 1843.36 204-Southeast Bastion Gun Deck The bastion contained a gun deck and embrasures for six cannon.37 33 Ibid., pp. 88-90. 34 Ibid., pp. 75·77. 35 Ibid., pp. 29,80-81. 36 Ibid., pp. 63-64; Smith, An Universal Military Dictionary, p. 243. 37 Olsen, Historic Structures Report, pp. 78~79 . 43 205--Reception Hall In this large room the commandant received visiting officials and dignitaries from abroad and entertained during various social functions. The room under- went renovation between 1779 and 1836 to remove a pantry and privy; however, during most of the period 1830-55 the room functioned as a reception hall. Evidently the room was wallpapered and panelled, and in 1857 rosettes were purchased for the ceiling.38 · 207-Daily Parlor The daily parlor adjoined the west end of the reception hall. It was a semi-private room employed for entertaining visitors. Like the reception hall, it was fanelled and wallpapered, and rosettes were bought for the ceiling in 1857.3 206, 208, 210--Gallery This covered passageway fronting the north entrances to rooms in the commandant's quarters includes a balcony near the stairways overlooking the courtyard. 209, 211-Bedrooms These rooms were created by partitioning a larger room sometime before 1806-07.40 212-Closet This room, by 1836, served as a cloakroom or closet in the commandant's quarters.41 213-Pantry Adjoining the north side of the closet was a room for provisions and other supplies for the commandant's quarters.42 38 Ibid., 24·25, 54, 62. 39 Ibid., pp. 24-25, 39-40, 62. 40 Ibid., p. 54. 41 Ibid. 42 Ibid. 44 • • • • • • 214-Southwest Bastion Gun Deck This gun deck had embrasures for six artillery pieces.43 215-Terreplein West Curtain This level section of the rampart connecting the southwest and northwest bastions could be occu,p,ied defensively by guns and troops. It also served guards making their rounds. 4 216--Northwest Bastion Gun Deck The gun deck contained embrasures for five cannon. A wooden guardhouse stood in the bastion between 1826 and 1852. In 1836 it was painted green.45 EVIDENCE OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS Evidence of the fumishings at Fort Christiansvaem during the period 1830- 1855 has been derived from several sources. The most comprehensive of these are the account books of the Royal Military Depot on St. Croix, which comprised annual inventories of articles provided the garrison ranging from items of clothing and equipment to ordnance components to furniture and routine materials needed to support the day-to-day existence of the artillery troops stationed therein. Although none of the account books examined provided a room-by-room distribution of the articles listed, some room locations are sug- · gested by the nature of the objects, like iron beds, which no doubt were found in quarters. Likewise, laboratory related articles would have been found in the fort arsenal, where munitions were prepared. Similarly, horse accoutrements would likely have been located in the stable area adjoining the east wall ofthe fort. Although every attempt has been made to accurately translate individual items from the original Danish records, a number of puzzles remain. Some questions doubtless stem from the difficulty in translating early nineteenth century Gothic-style script, a problem often compounded by illegibility of the manuscripts themselves. Further, the meaning of some terms appears to have changed or been lost altogether through the years. Wherever such questions 43 Olsen stated that a 1779 plan showed the bastion with five embrasures; ibid, p. 84. 44 Ibid., pp. 70·71; Smith, An Universal Military Dictionary, p. 243. 45 Olsen, Historic Structures Report, pp. 35, 82, 98-99 . 45 relative to definition have arisen in the course of translating the inventories, they are duly noted. Moreover, in those instances where translation proved impossible or inconclusive, the original Danish spelling has been retained with the hope that others so inclined might attempt a meaning. Besides the Royal Military Depot account books, evidence of furnishings has come from several other sources. Items requisitioned during the latter part of the interpretive period and mentioned in Danish government documents pro- vide further data about articles that would have been present in Fort Chris- tiansvaern. A contemporary newspaper published at Christiansted, The St. Croix Avis, occasionally referenced an item or activity at Fort Christiansvaern that provided information about some feature of furnishing. The Historical Data Section of the Historic Structures Report prepared by Herbert Olsen in 1961, while concentrating primarily on the construction and architectural attributes of the fort, sometimes included data regarding the furnishing of specific rooms. Moreover, notecards prepared by Olsen in the course of his research reveal a significant body of furnishings references that were not incorporated into the Historic Structures Report. Finally, a considerable body of information about particular items of Danish West Indies army barracks furnishings has been assembled from materials located in the Rigsarkivet (National Archives of Denmark), Copenhagen. The data accumulated from these sources suggests a number of observations about the soldiers of the Danish West Indian command at Fort Christiansvaern and the articles consumed during their service. All items, of course, contributed to the routine day-to-day operation of the garrison. Of these, it appears that uniforms, shoes, and uniform materials often needed replacement because these items wore out frequently through constant exposure to the rigors of the tropical climate. Because of this apparent need for replacement clothing, many uniform- related items were locally manufactured according to military specifications rather than being imported. Advertisement for clothing procurement in the St. Croix Avis, moreover, suggests that the Danish command adhered closely to prescribed regulations regarding dress. Other information imparted by the documents indicates that the command attempted to insure the well-being and comfort of the enlisted men and even tried to provide recreational activities. Doubtless the men had some personal items with them, but these were not reflected in the government inventories. The data also confirms the operation of Fort Christiansvaern as an artillery post, with the major share of items on hand relating to artillery and ordnance material and equipage. Certain items of ordnance were present at the fort throughout the 1830s, 1840s, and 1850s. In the matter of ammunition, evidence suggests that, at least during the designated period of interpretation, some of these supplies, particularly artillery projectiles, saw infrequent use. 46 • • • • • • The Royal Military Depot Account Books The account books provided annual inventories of all articles present and used in the garrisons of the West Indies posts, namely, Fort Christiansvaem, the Infantry Barracks at Christiansted, Fort Frederik (at Frederiksted), and Fort Christian (at St. Thomas), together with their collateral structures, such as outlying batteries. Only those items identified as having been on hand in the Fort Christiansvaem garrison are listed below. Totals presented here are for each type of item on hand during the designated year (September for 1830, January for 1835, 1842, 1847, and 1850); the figures do not reflect the number of articles issued at the fort during the year (except for 1847), the number lost because of deterioration, etc., nor the number of articles on hand at the conclusion of the year. Moreover, the arbitrary arrangement of the yearly inventories, together with difficulties encountered in translating outmoded and defunct Danish terms, necessitated their reorganization into the manageable format presented below. (Source: NA, RG 55, Royal Military Depot Account Book, 1830, n.p.; NA, RG 55, Royal Military Depot Account Book, 1835, pp. 127-60; NA, RG 55, Royal Military Depot Account Book, 1842, pp. 147-98; NA, RG 55, Royal Military Depot Account Book, 1847, n.p.; Rigsarkivet, Copen- hagen, Generaltoldkammeret, Vestind. Rev. Regnsk. Depotregnskab, Royal Military Depot Account Book, 1850, pp. 1-106.) On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Uniforms and Equipment Bags (valises) 43 Bandoleers 43 122 6 112 Blue QOmQons 103 44 Boots 6 Brass artillery in- 78 84 signia Bread bags 43 Canteens 43 Cape straps 43 Cartridge pouches 42 Cartridge pouches 45 Cases for chaQkas 40 39 Coats, light blue, 1 used Coats, dark blue, 4 2 used Coats, dark blue, 7 new Dark blue caps 36 Dress hats (chap- 43 41 3 48 kas) 47 On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort • Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Duck trousers, new 9 Duck gaiters, new 6 Epaulettes, pairs 1 Field caps, used 1 Field ca12s, new 114 Knapsacks 43 Linen stockings 234 Linen shirts 362 Runner sacks (dis- 2 atch cases?) Sabre knots, yellow 7 Sentry's capes 7 7 [overcoats?] Shoes 180 Sword belts 50 Sword belts, black 128 8 82 Yellow cordons (for 103 3 44 chapkas) Small Arms and Edged Weapons Bayonet , scab- 29 15 bards Flint stones 50 34 100 100 • Musket slings 24 48 with 24 bayonet, scab- bards, wormers, pulls, and SJ20nges 23 Stocks (musket?) 3 Sword scabbards 43 3 43 Swords with scab- 39 bards Swords 22 42 3 42 Furniture and Materials for Quarters Bench for ironing 1 clothes (to sit on) Benches 4 12 9 15 17 Blankets 8 42 49 46 Bleached linen 22 Blinds 12 12 12 Cabinets 2 Clocks 1 2 Clothes ress 1 • 48 • On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Duck linen for 24 205 112 sheets Guard benches 1 3 3 and chairs (stools) Guard tables 3 Hammocks 8 Iron beds 42 43 44 Mattresses 42 42 43 Ordinary tables 7 12 12 13 Pillows 8 42 50 47 Rolling benches 1 Sheets 16 158 148 2 160 Spittoons 6 22 18 24 Stencils 46 46 46 46 Wall clocks 1 2 Wood boxes with 43 51 54 locks (for uniforms) Wood beds 1 • Horse Equipments Brushes 4 4 Combs 4 5 Currycombs 7 Girths 5 Hair horse covers 24 18 (blankets) Halter reins 10 13 Harnesses (for 1 1 5 front horses) Horse brushes 4 4 4 Horse cover girths 5 Horse covers 5 1 5 Iron bits 8 8 Leather halters 5 8 Nose ba s 3 Riding reins 2 Riding whips 4 Saddle girths 3 9 Saddle cloths 4 8 Saddles with stir- 1 1 6 rups Sponges 7 Water bridles with 5 4 bits Water brushes 4 5 • 49 On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort • Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Books and Paper Biguadrate l!aJ:!er 2 Brown paper, gross 20 2 Cardboard, sheets 3 Cartridge paper 15 Construction 3 J:!aJ:!er, sheets Copy paper 4 Draft paper, gross 8 8 98 Drill regulations 2 4 Field service 1 1 manuals Hymn/psalm books 10 10 10 Ordnances 2 Protocols 1 Regulations for 4 4 weapons, gar- risons, and field service Subordination 1 ordnance War articles 2 2 2 WeaJ:!Ons manuals 4 • Writing paper, 6 19 57 gross Kitchen Accessories and Utensils Corkscrews 1 Cupboards 3 3 (cabinets) Knives 4 5 4 3 Meat holders 8 Paper cupboard 1 Pewter cups 5 9 Pewter plates 2 Saltcellars 1 Tin plates 2 Tin cups 5 4 Wooden blocks 2 2 2 (chopping?) Common Tools Axes 1 1 1 2 4 Crowbars 2 2 2 2 Hammers 1 3 3 3 Handsaws 4 Iron rakes 2 2 • 50 • On hand at fort Issned to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Limers and 12 brushes Monkey wrenches 23 Pickaxes/hoes 2 1 1 2 Pliers (pincers) 2 2 9 1 2 Saws 1 2 Scrapers 24 Screw cutters 32 Screwknives and 8 iron Spades 2 4 4 2 Starn s 1 Turn screws 2 (screwdrivers?) Wire cutters 5 3 Wrenches 9 6 6 12 Paint and Hardware Materials Brass wire, yards 80 Brown red ~aint 20 Green oil paint 2 • Industrial olive oil 1/2 5 Linseed oil, pots 18 2 Paint powder, 10 ounds Pitch, barrel 29 (pounds?) Resin 19 Spanish green 24 aint Staining (wood 1 1 stain) Tar 1 Tar brushes 6 6 Thick turpentine 5 Train oil 2 Turpentine, bottles 9 White oil paint 2 Yellow oil paint 15 Artillery and Ordnance Equipment Useless iron can- 22 20 13 non Iron cannon, 18- 9 9 9 22 22 dr. Iron cannon, 6- 9 9 8 10 10 • pdr . 51 On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort • Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Iron cannon, 4-pdr. 11 11 11 4 8 Cannon barrels 3160(?) Cannon barrels, 3- 89 pdr. Bronze cannon, 3- 5 9 9 9 9 dr. Bronze howitzers, 4 4 4 4 4 10-pdr. Howitzers, 20-pdr. 2 2 Bronze mortar 1 1 1 with accessories Spare wheels 3 3 3 3 Spare booms (can- 3 3 3 non gins) Spare iron axles 3 3 3 3 S are bars 3 Gun carriages, 18- 9 8 8 12 12 pdr. Gun carriages, 6- 9 6 9 9 9 dr. Gun carriages, 4- 11 11 7 8 8 pdr. Gun carriages, 3- 4 4 4 • dr. Gun carriages 4 4 4 4 with accessories Howitzer car- 4 4 4 riages, 10-pdr. Wood rammers 22 28 Rammers with 23 31 sponge, various Rammers, 18-pdr. 10 Rammers, 6-Edr. 14 Rammers with 2 3 sponge, 6-pdr. Rammers, 4-pdr. 12 Rammers with 2 11 s on e 4- dr. Rammers, 3-pdr. 2 Howitzer ram- 7 7 mers, 10-pdr. Wormers 27 27 19 Wormers various 5 21 12 Wormers, 3-pdr. 4 8 Wormers, 1- and 3- 5 pdr. Sponge covers, 18- 6 dr. • 52 • On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Sponge covers, 4- 6 pdr. Ladles, various 22 16 Ladles 6 Cannonballs, 18- 1998 1998 1982 2126 2125 pdr. Cannonballs, 12- 572 572 572 566 566 pdr. Cannonballs, 8-[>dr. 510 510 510 510 510 Cannonballs, 6·pdr. 939 939 922 935 935 Cannonballs, 4-pdr. 1181 1181 1180 1178 1178 Cannonballs, 3-pdr. 1474 1474 1400 1409 1409 Cannonballs, 3-pdr. 18 Cannonballs, 1-pdr. 310 310 310 Solid shot, 18-pdr. 14 114 Solid shot, 6-pdr. 2 34 Solid shot, 3-pdr. 23 23 Grape shot, 18-pdr. 293 293 390 490 490 Gra[>e shot, 3-[>dr. 118 Case shot 41 9 Case shot, 6-pdr. 100 100 68 68 Case shot, 4-pdr. 99 99 83 83 Case shot, 3-pdr. 1130 1030 909 915 • Carcass hotshot 15 15 Hot shot, 3-pdr. 68 Iron shells, boxes 1 1 Hollow shells, 20- 60 60 60 160 160 pdr. Hollow shells, 10- 1045 1045 1045 1044 1044 dr. Drills (blank 28 22 cartridges?) Drills, 6-pdr. 12 (blanks?) Drills, 4-pdr. 12 (blanks?) Drills, 3-pdr. 6 10 4 (blanks?) Drill cartridges, 1- 300 pdr. (blanks) Exercise 14 cartridges, 3-pdr. (blanks?) Hollow grenades, 20 20 20 10-pdr. Hand grenades, 3- 787 887 887 dr. Hand grenade 800 800 800 tubes, 3-pdr . • 53 On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort • Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Grenade fuse 1 material Cartridges, 20 681 calibre Cartridges, 20 and 14786 18146 12688 22 au e Cartridges, 22 17818 gauge Cartridges, pistol 2760 1325 660 370 Cartridges, rifle 33000 62500 53844 Cartridge cases 15 15 Haircloth 69 cartridges, 6-pdr. Haircloth 83 cartridges, 4-Qdr. Haircloth 917 cartridges, 3-pdr. Cartridge bags, 3- 12 10 8 8 pdr. Bullets 7072 Bullets, 21 gauge 1000 Bullets, 22 gauge 6400 Lead [for?] bullets, 84 ds. • Cannon gunpow- 2064 2664 2182- 322- 3000 2867-3/8 der, pounds 114 3/8 Musket gunpow- 681 571 3013- 1339 1877-5/8 der, QOunds 3/4 Fine grain gun pow- 35 10 10 der, pounds Saltpeter, pounds 14 64 4 1 SulQhur 18 14 45 Empty powder bar- 52 99 30 59 rels Empty powder 52 99 30 49 sacks (for pre- measured char- es) Fuse, pounds 64 374 8 4-112 222 30-112 Percussion bolts 8 Tows [tow hooks?] 114 32 Cannon tompions, 10 9 19 18- dr. Cannon tompions, 9 9 17 6-pdr. Cannon tompions, 9 9 16 4-pdr. TomQions [3-Qdr.?] 4 4 603 550 Shell tompion, 6- 533 533 533 533 533 pdr. • 54 • On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Shell tompion, 3- 643 664 642 413 413 dr. Shell tompion, 3- 921 pdr. Shell tompion, 1- 310 310 dr. Ammunition carts, 2 2 3-pdr. Powder carts 11 Laboratory 1 benches (for ar- senal) Laboratory tables 1 1 1 1 (for arsenal) Laboratory 6 6 3 3 6 3 wooden trays Tin boxes for live 68 61 rounds Wooden powder 2 2 2 2 measure Copper powder 21 11 10 10 10 measure Gunner's flasks 12 23 11 11 10 • Powder barrels 12 16 15 Iron powder 2 measure for cartrid es Blocks with acces- 4 sories [maneuver- ing blocks?] Muzzle caps 4 Laboriaton sight 6 Quadrants 2 2 2 Tongs 18 Jacks [lifting 1 1 1 jacks?] Fuses 5 Baxebomme (long 1 6 1 pieces of wood for moving can- non; maneuver- ing handsEikes?) Wooden shovels 1 4 5 Copper funnels 5 5 5 5 Strainers of wood 2 2 6 4 (laboratory sieves) [wooden shot u es?J Laboratory hollow 2 2 2 2 2 • punches 55 On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort • Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Punches, 3-pdr. 6 Braendeblokke 6 6 (fire stone?) Laboratory knives 12 Laboratory scissors 4 Pulley blocks 1 1 Lin stocks 24 43 10 46 22 35 Braendstok 12 12 (portfires?) Cartridge rods 15 15 Cartridge pinds, 14 14 iron 18- dr. Tow (rope fiber) 8 Loaders 30 Loading equip- 2 ment holders Brikker 15 15 15 Bar to move can- 1 nons Spear 1 Spiking nails 28 28 28 26 26 Range finders 1 1 1 1 1 with string Triggers 3 • guoins 9 8 33 Quoins and blocks 8 Gun quoin, 18-pdr. 14 Gun quoin, 6-pdr. 17 Gun quoin, 4-pdr. 13 Gun guoin, 3-Edr. 4 Devices for load- 8 2 ing cannons from side, 3-pdr. Sattere Ooaders?) 22 Krumsattere (_ 8 16 6 10 7 settings?), 3-pdr. Ligesaettere ( __ 4 2 2 9 settin ?) Loading drawers, 4 6 3-pdr. Percussion pipes 3127 Friction Erimers 1480 1000 Friction primers, 3- 3238 pdr. Primers 9 Tube knobs 3800 4900 Tube sears 1717 3600 Vindlys [slow 50 263 317 match?] Burners 15 20 3 410 (?) • 56 • On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Trigger hooks 4 Found ots 1 Casting tubs 1 Loading drawers 6 13 2 9 Handspikes 58 34 35 50 76 Pestles 1 Pickaxes, 3-pdr. 2 3 Spades, 3-pdr. 1 Cartridge pouches, 8 3- dr. Lanterns with bas- 2 kets, 3-pdr. Paulins, 3-pdr. 8 TarPaulins 3 2 1 Lead tar Qaulins 28 25 Tin kegs 25 26 26 Tin kegs, 18-pdr. 25 5 Tin kegs, 6-pdr. 4 Tin kegs, 4-pdr. 7 Haircloth 168 88 10 Needles [priming 39 wires?] Needles for clean- 25 12 • ing primer holes, 18- dr. Needles for clean- 12 ing primer holes, 6-pdr. Needles for clean- 12 ing primer holes, 4- dr. Needles for clean- 16 8 ing primer holes, 3-pdr. Colanders, 6-pdr. 12 Colanders, 4-Qdr. 12 Colanders, 3-pdr. 4 Colanders 25 32 Loading equip- 4 4 ment holders HandsQikes, 3-Qdr. 8 8 8 8 Bore pin ties, 3-pdr. 3648 Mirrors, 3-pdr. 599 Pipe studs, 3-pdr. 5152 10 4300 PiQe stems, 3-Qdr. 4992 3000 Fuse holders, 3- 4 8 4 pdr. (fuse set- ters?) Jacks, 3-pdr. 1 • Wrenches, 3-Qdr. 7 57 • On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Handcuffs 1 1 2 1 Horn lanterns 1 5 4 Ink 16 Instruments for 1 1 1 1 saving the as- h iated Iron tinned boxes 33 Iron pistons [for 1 trum ets?J Krumslut- 2 ningsjern (hog tie? punishment restraining device?) Lanterns with bas- 3 2 kets Lanterns 2 1 1 Lanterns with 2 2 2 2 candles Lanyard, fathoms 150 Large ro;yal fla~ 4 2 2 1 1 1 Large glass 5 5 lanterns • Large padlocks 1 1 4 Long dust brooms 2 1 6 6 5 Measuring buck- 1 1 ets Megaphones 2 1 2 Money box 1 1 1 Mo s 4 6 Ordinary nails, pounds Padlocks for field 3 2 chains Padlocks 2 Pennants 2 1 1 3 Planks, feet 44 Pulley ropes 118 Pumprods with 8 8 6 sera ers Pumps 2 2 2 2 Quill pens 250 Rattan canes 2 2 2 3 Red signal flags 1 3 Ric hand 7 7 Rope lines, various 1-112 Rope, fathoms 160 118 11 Scissors 3 4 Scrubbing brushes 2 6 6 6 • Sentry brushes 1 1 2 2 59 On hand at fort Issued to fort On hand at fort • Item 1830 1835 1842 1847 1847 1850 Sewing needles, 65 40 42 doz. (?) Short dust brooms 1 3 5 4 6 Signal lanterns 7 3 4 Slate blackboards 1 6 5 Small royal flags 1 2 3 2 2 3 Small glass lanters 1 3 2 Small nails, 500 300 200 650 pounds Small 12adlocks 24 24 String 8 2 Tallow, pounds 32 20 2 18 Thread, pound 2 Timber, feet 144 Trum ets 1 1 Twill rope, fathoms 150 Twine, pound 3 1 1 5 Uncleanliness 6 5 3 toppe [drain sto s?] Unpickable pad- 16 9 locks Vinegar, bottles 2 2 1/2 • Wafers(?) 1/8 Wash trays 2 (laundry) Water containers 1 1 Water barrels 1 2 Waterta s 1 Water ladles 6 Water sacks 3 Water buckets 9 6 12 9 5 Wheel barrow 1 1 2 White signal flags 1 2 2 Wicks 52 Wooden pistons 1 (for trumpets?) Wool hides 7 10 1 2 Wool ;tarn, 12ound 112 • 60 • • • Other Lists (Source: Annual Account Books of the Royal Military Depot of Christiansted, 1823-1903 [for designated years]. NA, RG 55.) Items delivered from Fort Christiansvaern to the Royal Military Depot at Christiansted, St. Croix, March 8, 1852: 26 40 2 9 24 40 1 3 28 2 10 16 1 1 Requisitions: December 17, 1830: Bayonet scabbards Linen bandoleers Leather bandoleers Guard straps Muskets Marching weapons [?] Small flag pennant for drumsticks Swords Linen shoulder belts for swords Leather shoulder belts for swords Sword scabbards Constablers' powder pouches Trainconstabler's powder pouch Trumpet For four pairs duck uniform pants with gaiters: 18 allen Duck material [1 allen= 24.72 inches] 6-2/3 doz. Wood button forms 4 Sewing needles 12/50 pound Grey thread 4/200 pound Wax For two fatigue jackets: 9 2/8 allen Duck material 1 allen Seambinding 5-4/6 doz. Wood button forms For two pairs fatigue pants: 8-111 allen Duck material 1-1/2 allen Seambinding 10/12 doz. Wood button forms For two fatigue caps: 1/2 allen 1/16 allen 1-6/8 [?] 1/2 allen For two fatigue suits: 6/25 pound 4 2/100 pound Grey cloth Blue cloth Binding Grey thread Sewing needles Wax 61 Requisitions, Continued August 9, 1847: 3 3 9 3 3 6 3 3 3 6 3 12 12 12 3 August 13, 1847: 1 July 15, 1850: 1/8 4 2 1 1 1 2 2 4 1 24 50 March 6, 1851: 5 4 32 3 4 25 4 2 1 1 Dark blue uniform jackets Dark blue fatigue jackets Pairs of duck pants Field caps Swords with accessories Leather suits Swords Sword tassels Haversacks Pairs of bootees [gaiters?) Neck ties (stock) Pairs of shoes Pairs of socks Shirts Account books Dark blue uniform coat with artillery [insignia?) pound Wafers [?) Floor scrubbers Cans green paint Can white paint Can black paint Can boiled linseed oil Leather headstalls Wood shovels Large water taps doz. Sewing needles [?)Boxes Boards Baxebomme (long pieces of wood for moving cannon) [Maneuvering handspikes?) Flag lines Handspikes Powderhorns Powder carts Powder kegs Royal flags Blue signal flags Signal flag with pole Flag pole 62 • • • • • • Requisitions, Continued 8 3 2 3 2 13 18 20 42 22 60 40 6 50 4 10 10 3 2 3 5 3 2 4 3 2 7 4 2 3 5 3 1 1 20 1 1 6 6 10 1 1 June 16, 1851: 5 2 30 Hair horse blankets Laboratory knives Laboratory scissors . Pickaxes Cartridge bags Setters for bullets [cannon balls?] Horsehair mattresses Headstalls Sheets Bed blankets Linen bandoleers Gun straps [slings?] Swords Linen shoulder decorations [slings?] Sentry guard capes Pairs Wooden soled boots with metal protectors Pairs rubber boots Grooming brushes Saddles Saddle girths Leather halters Coachmen [?] Wheelbarrows Wood shovels Water brushes Benches Floor scrubbers Large padlocks . Small padlocks Iron rings Glass signal lanterns Horn lanterns Brass candlestick Wax candle Spittoons Tin cup Awl Dirt plugs (stoppers) Water plugs [drain stoppers?] Water buckets Water buoy Water barrel Baxebomme (long pieces of wood for moving cannon) Flag lines Hands pikes 63 Requisitions, Continued 5 3 1 150 12 12 114 8 6 2 4 6 2 3 12 1 3 2 6 4 6 2 3 2 1 1 16 2 1 July 28, 1853: 1 2 12 4 4 1 Royal flags Signal flags (2 blue, 1 red) Flag pole pounds Caulking rope Pencils Slate pencils pound Inkpowder Hair horse blankets Laboratory knives Laboratory scissors Sentry guard capes Horse grooming brushes Currycombs Horse whips Bottles missotalin Saddle Saddle girths Wood shovels Water brushes Large padlocks Small padlocks Iron rakes Glass signallan terns Horn lanterns Brass candlestick Spittoon [Wooden?] trays Tin cups Water buoy New clasp nut New spikes New quoins New linchpins Long hooks and 8 clamps Pair of clamps Furniture for Officers' Quarters The Royal Military Depot Account Books occasionally provided general data about the types of pieces located in the officers' quarters at Fort Christiansvaern. According to the account book for 1851, the following items were on hand in the officers' quarters during that year: 64 • • • • • • 6 Chairs 1 Card table 1 Mirror 1 Wardrobe 1 Dining table 1 Washstand 1 Corner cupboard The St. Croix Avis This weekly newspaper primarily contained advertisements for goods received from overseas, announcements of foreclosures and auctions of estates, and news from abroad, with limited coverage oflocal activities except for governmental functions. The name of the tabloid was Dansk Vestindisk Regierings Avis between 1815 and 1843. Thereafter, until1917, it was titled The St. Croix Avis. The bi-lingual (Danish and English) paper contained few references to Fort Christiansvaern, usually mentioning the structure only when it figured in ceremonial functions, such as the annual celebration of the King's or Queen's birthday, when cannon salutes were customarily fired from the water battery.46 Of potential furnishings value, especially for officers' and enlisted men's per- sonal items, are the numerous advertisements in the Avis listing articles comprising the cargoes of incoming vessels from Europe and the United States. Furnishings evidence for Fort Christiansvaern, 1828-1855, contained in the pages of The St. Croix Avis follows and is arranged by object. Bedsteads. While the following reference specifically pertained to the infantry barracks at Christiansted, it most assuredly reflected conditions at Fort Chris- tiansvaern as they concerned iron beds. "The Barracks, which had been lately repaired and painted ... attracted our attention; the spacious and handsome sleeping rooms, with their iron bedsteads .... " (February 14, 1833) Statement of the Landtreasury Revenues and Expenditures for 1833 includes freight charge for shipping "Iron bedsteads from Frederiksted to Christiansted." (March 2, 1835) 46 See, for example, the issues of October 8, 1849; October 7, 1850; May 8, 1851; October 6, 1851; July 2, 1852; Oc- tober 7, 1853; and October 9, 1855 . 65 Clothing. The following advertisements for persons to make uniform clothing • indicate that these goods were needed by "the Garrison" or "the Garrisons," suggesting either the Christiansted barracks garrison or the fort garrison, but probably both. "Notice. A Number of Uniforms and Military Cloaks are required to be made for the Garrison. For further particulars apply to the Subscriber at the Military Depot. Gylich." (June 30, 1834) "Notice. A Number of Uniforms are required to be made. For further par- ticulars apply to the Subscriber at the Royal Military Depot in Christiansted. June 15th 1835. Meinecke." (June 18, 1835) "A number of uniforms are required to be made for the garrison .... " (February 15, 1836) "A number of uniforms & cloaks is required to be made for the Garrison." (March 16, 1837) "Notice. A Number of Uniforms are required to be made for the Garrison. Persons wishing to undertake the work, are requested to forward SEALED TENDERS to the Undersigned. The Royal Military Depot, St. Croix, April 23d • 1838. By Order, Meincke." (April30, 1838) "Notice. A Number of Uniforms are required to be made for the Garrison, persons wishing to undertake the work, are requested to forward Sealed Tenders to the Undersigned. The Royal Military Depot, St. Croix, 16th April 1839. By Meincke." (April 18, 1839) "Notice. A Number of Uniforms & Cloaks is required to be made for the Garrisons. Persons wishing to undertake the work, are requested to forward sealed tenders to the Undersigned. To Royal Military Depot, St. Croix 5th February 1840. By Order Meincke." (February 17, 1840) "A number of uniforms is required to be made for the Garrisons." (March 29, 1841) In 1844 the Royal Government sold a number of uniform materials on hand at the depot, as follows: A parcel ofUniform-Cloth and Cords &c. fine Blue Cloth circa 30 Ells some yards fine white Cloth 66 • • • • middle fine ponceau Cloth ditto white ditto ditto ditto ditto cut 600do 300do for uniforms 25 do ditto yellow cloth 100 do flat white Epaulet cords 1900 do round ditto ditto ditto 2800 do flat yellow ditto ditto 400 do round do ditto ditto 600 do Cords for Furageer Caps 200 do Rosets yellow and white 1400 pairs Epaulet Frames 900 pairs (February 22, 1844; April 22, 1844) Fire Buckets. "There are several Fire Buckets, belonging to the Fort ... used at the fire on the night of the lOth inst., which are missing ... ." (Issue of January 21, 1853) Fire Engine and Hose for Fire Engine. Announcement for bids for "the procuring of 2 hose to the engines attached to the Fort and Police Office of this Jurisdiction, as also 12 fire buckets for the use ofFrederiksfort." (June 28, 1838) Statement of the Landtreasury's Revenues and Disbursements for 1836 in- cludes payment "for oil and cleaning of engine at the fort." (October 18, 1838) Statement of the Landtreasury's Revenues and Disbursements for 1842 in- cludes expenditure for "repairs of fort engine." (August 22, 1844) Contemporary information (1849) about fire engines and hose used on St. Croix estates: "Several of the hand engines belonging to the various neighboring Estates, were out of order .... To keep them in good repair ... they are to have the screws taken out and examined at least once a month, as well as the tube and pumping valve or box well cleaned, oiled, replaced and closely screwed together." Web hose "has been introduced since the [1833 regulations respecting fires] ... in lieu of those ofleather ... ." Hoses "should be hung up a couple of days, that the water may be properly drained and well dried, after which they should be rolled together and not left with the engine, but put up in a dry place." Directive from Brandmajor H.M. Keutsch to district militia. (January 29, 1849) Ordnance materiel. Solicitation for bids for "new 18-pound carriages," "traversing carriages," and "appurtenances for all of the above." The carriages were to be "all of hard wood, with iron hardware to be reused." (December 4, 1828) 67 Shoes. The following advertisement solicited goods evidently for the infantry stationed at Christiansted, but perhaps also for the artillery at Fort Chris· tiansvaem. "Wanted for the Garrison, 250 pair of shoes, for which Tenders will be received by Captain Gyllich, at the Military Depot ... ." (April14, 1834) Small Arms and Incendiary Devices. Each year at Christmas the Avis pub- lished the following order: "Every Person who is in possession of SQUIBS, ROCKETS, and other Combustibles, or a larger quantity of POWDER than permitted by the Militia Law, shall, within 24 hours after this Publication in the St. Croix Gazette, deliver such thi~gs at the Fort ... ." (December 21, 1843) "Notice. A RIFLE, with powder hom, ten bullets and a yellow box containing percussion caps, which was taken from the Fort on Wednesday last the 5th instant, by one of the Volunteers, will be thankfully received at the Printing Office." (July 20, 1848) "Notice. A RIFLE, marked (Delcomyn), with powder hom [etc., as above]. ... " (July 31, 1848) "During the late disturbances, a double barrel, flint lock GUN marked 'W. Smith, London' was taken from the Fort in Christiansted, any person in • possession of said Gun will be pleased to return the same at the Fort or to H. • Elliott. 26th Oct. 1848." (November 23, 1848) Historic Structure Report During research for the Historical Data Section, Historic Structures Report, prepared in 1961, a number of references relating to furnishings for the period 1828 to 1846 were located by Historian Herbert Olsen in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and in the Rigsarkivet in Copenhagen. This information, transcribed on notecards, was excluded from the structure report and is presented chronologically as follows: 1829. Approval for the following work: "fabricate 4 18-pounder carriages @ $200 . . . and their appurtances." (Rigsarkivet, Skrivelser til Overbyg- ningsinspektoratet [Bygningsinspektoratet i Christiansted] [hereafter cited as RA, SBI]: 1825-29; April14, 1829.) 1829. Bill submitted for the fabrication and installation of: "17 hard wood posts to support the muskets of the soldiers, and masoning up the same." 68 • • • • a "sett" of guard benches containing 12 seats, as well as repairs to sundry tables and chairs. (RA, SBI: 1825-29; July 13, 1829, nos. 7, 8, and 9.) 1830. Bill submitted for: "A new lantern for the Fort's guard room." (RA, SBI: 1830-39; July 23, 1830, no. 3.) 1830. Bill submitted for: "repair to wallpaper, etc." for officers' quarters. (RA, SBI: 1830-39; July 28, 1830, no. 4.) 1831 Bill submitted for: "glass for the lanterns at the Fort." (RA, SBI: 1830-39, 1831, no. 13.) 1835. Accounting for the following work: "14 wood closets with pegs for articles of clothing and footwear," used in the Guard Room, cells for those under fort arrest, and dormitories for artillerymen and trainconstablers. "3 new spitoons for the guard room, and repairs to the remainder." "a new flag-chest." "a new bottom for the artillery guard house." the above "painted with oil-color." (RA, Protokol for Garrisonhaandvaerkerne [hereafter cited as PGH]: 1835-40; May 1, 1835.) 1835. Accounting for the following work in the commandant's kitchen: "fabri- cated 2 sets of shelves and 2 tables." "replaced a drain pipe from the [dish]washing bench." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; 1835.) 1835. Accounting for the following work: "a new shelf was fabricated for the Guard Room at Fort Christiansvaern." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; May 1, 1835.) 1835. Accounting for the following work: "repaired some ofthe guard chairs [or stools]." "repaired one of the Fort's lanterns, which was blown down, with new glass." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; June 5, 1835.) 1835. Accounting for the following work for the guard room: "prepared a new shelf." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; July 1, 1835.) 69 1835. Accounting for the following work: "the guard house by the Fort gate repaired." "tin lamps for the third of the Fort's lanterns repaired to prevent oil from leaking out." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; August 1, 1835.) 1835. Accounting for the following work in room 17: "a gun rack fabricated and nailed up." "a clothes rack." "a new wooden table." (RA, PGH: 1835-40: December 1835.) 1836. Accounting for the following work in the common room: "4large corner cupboards." "4 new tables and 8 new benches." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; August 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "burnished and polished the second 3-pounder bronze cannon at the new Common Room. In all4 3-pounder bronze cannon will be polished." "took down the 3-pounder bronze cannon which stood on the platform by the Fort gate, in order to polish the bronze cannon and repair the field carriage." "repaired 12 powder barrels with new bands." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; March 1, 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "cleaned and oiled the 206 old Minie-rifles, which were placed in the walkway in front of the water and the bread-arrests." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; May 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "purchased green oil color to paint cannon carriages, etc." "11 4- and 6-pounder cannon and carriages on the Fort's northwesterly and southwesterly bastions painted with black and green oil color." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; June 1, 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "the flagstaff painted with green oil color." "the flag-chest painted the same color." 70 • • • • • • "fabricated a new hard wood frame for the [dish-]washing bench in the commandant's kitchen." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; June 1, 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "15 iron beds were painted with green oil color." "4 new shelves for the cabinet in the Guard Room." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; June 1, 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "painted the 8 IS-pounder and 5 4- and 6-pounder carriages ... as well as loading equipment and handspikes with green oil color." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; June 1836.) 1836. Accounting for the following work: "painted 16 chests for the garrison in the fort with green oil color." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; July 1836.) 1837. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated 4 new hard wood carriages for the 10-pounder howitzers and painted the same once with oil color." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; February 28, 1837.) 1837. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated 4 new hard wood carriages for 10-pounder howitzers, and painted the same ... oil color." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; February 1837.) 1839. Accounting for the following work in the commandant's residence: "installed 2 cabinets and reinforced shelves." Included in the material list were "2 small brass door locks and 2 small brass hinges." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; January 1839.) 1839. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated 1 cupboard, 1 bench, and 2 tables, which are required among the Fort's inventory." "small repairs to the table and cabinets in the Common Room." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; September 30, 1839.) 1839. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated a bedstead for the domestic quarters." "fabricated one new wagon-pole for the field artillery." "began 2 benches for the Corps du Garde." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; November 30, 1839.) 71 1839. Accounting for the following work: "painted ... 8 iron beds and 3 of • the men's equipment cabinets [lockers]." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; December 31, 1839.) 1840. Accounting for the following work: "repaired the artillery guard house on the northerly bastion." "painted the artillery guard house on the Battery ... as well as 3 4-pounder and 2 6-pounder carriages with green oil color." (RA, PGH: 1835-40; February 29, 1840.) 1840. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated a wood rack on which to hang lantems in the Common Room, as well as repaired tables, benches, and cabinets therein." "repaired the 8 18-pounder hard wood carriages on the Water Battery." "painted ... the lantem rack in the Common Room, part of the loading equipment for the Fort's Water Battery, carriages and cannon on the flag bastion, and carriages in the Common Room." (RA, PGH: 1840-46; April 30, 1840.) 184L Accounting for the following work: "fabricated the table and the second • of the benches in the new mangle [laundry] and polishing shack." "fabricated 4 peg racks and 4 new mangle boards [for rolling laundry] for the above location." ''installed fireplace in the Fort commandant's kitchen." ''painted the guard house." (RA, PGH: 1840-46: July 31, 1846.) 184L Accounting for the following work: "fabricated 4 new table tops for the garrison's Common Room." (RA, PGH: 1840-46; August 31, 1841.) 1842. Accounting for the following work: "repaired the men's chests and cupboards for the Common Room ... as well as fabricated 4 new peg racks for one of the sleeping rooms in the Fort." (RA, PGH: 1840-46; September 30, 1842.) 1844. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated a new flag chest as well as 9 new cannon ball racks ... ." (RA, PGH: 1840-46; May 31, 1844.) 72 • • 1845. Accounting for the following work: "fabricated 5 new ammunition • • chests for the Fort's powder magazine, and repaired two old ones." (RA, PGH: 1840-46; August 31, 1845.) 1846. Accounting for the following work: "installed shelves in the powder magazine." (RA, Referat og Korrespondanceprotokol for Christianstedjurisdik- tion: 1842-50; June 12, 1846, p. 172.) The Historical Data Section, Historic Structures Report, contains limited relevant furnishings data. As previously noted, it is especially useful for its documentation of wall coverings and colors for certain rooms in Fort Chris- tiansvaem, as well as for its description of the color of the exterior walls of the structure. Other pertinent furnishings information for specific interior areas during the period 1830-1855 is as follows: Rooms 106, 107. Officers' Quarters. "A jalousie door was also provided for the communicating door between [the rooms] .... " (p. 65) Rooms 106, llO. Officers' Quarters, Barracks. "The renovations of 1836 brought no major changes in the windows in the west wall, although it is probable that the windows in Rooms [106] ... and [110] ... were also equipped with movable jalousies thereafter. In any event, the window in Room No. [110] . .. definitely had a jalousie in 1867, and the window in Room No. [106] ... was similarly equipped in 1878." (p. 67) Room 107. Officers' Quarters. The east wall windows "were equipped with glass panes below and 'half' jalousies above [in 1836]. . . . In 1839 venetian blinds were apparently provided for the glass portion of these windows .... These two windows must have been equipped with iron bars as early as 1802, since they were in an exposed position, and hurricane shutters." (p. 66) Room 113. Barracks. "The firing or airholes were equipped with inner frames and shutters in 1834-35 in addition to the usual iron bars .... Aside from a solid outer door, the casemate also had an inner blind door with linen or duck whenever it was used as a barracks." (p. 79) Room 115. Barracks. "The doorway must have been equipped with a solid outer door, as was customary. Later, when the room was converted into a barracks for six men in 1835, it was also equipped with an inner blind door covered with duck." "As for the two windows made in the south wall in 1835, they were equipped with both hurricane shutters and interior jalousies. The recessed window in the north wall was probably also equipped with an interior jalousie as early as, if not earlier than, 1835." (p. 48) 73 Rooms ll7, 118. Cells. "Two of the cells were converted into storerooms for the • garrison's polishing equipment in 1838 with the installation of five shelves." (p. 46) Room 119. Barracks and Commanding Sergeant's Room. "From 1835 on, when it was converted into quarters for the commanding sergeant of the artillery, it was definitely equipped with an inner jalousie door." "When the room was converted into a barracks for four men in 1831, two small openings were cut on either side of the door in the west wall and they were equipped with jalousies." "The small firing holes in the south wall were converted into a window equipped with iron bars and a double jalousie in 1835. It is not known when the recess of the north window was masoned up nor when the window was first equipped with a double jalousie, although the latter dates back to 1835 or earlier." (pp. 49-50) Room 125. Guard Room. "The two firing holes shown in the south wall in 1779 were enlarged into two windows equipped with iron bars set in hardwood frames in 1835. These windows were probably also equipped with hurricane shutters at the same time." In 1835 "the window in the north wall was converted into a door with an inner blind door covered with duck and an outer solid double door." In 1835 "the door in the west wall was converted into a window equipped with a fixed jalousie .... This window was also equipped with exterior shutters • prior to the time that the window was masoned up [probably after 1878]." "The firing holes ... in the south wall ... were slightly enlarged in 1835-36 and were equipped with iron bars and interior wooden shutters." "When the room was converted into a pantry and servant's quarters in 1835-36, a lattice partition with a door in the center was erected across the middle of the room." (pp. 51-52) Room 13L Barracks. "All the airholes were provided with iron bars .... The door into the casemate was always equipped with a solid outer door; and during the period when it was used as a barracks, the casemate also had an inner blind door oflinen or duck." (pp. 84-85) Rooms 136, 138. Non-Commissioned Officers' Cell, CelL "The openings of Rooms [136] ... and [138] ... were apparently also equipped with inner fixed jalousies in 1835-36." (p. 73) Room 137. Officers' Cell. "From 1836 to 1878 ... the officer's [sic] cell ... was equipped with an inner jalousie door instead of a blind door." (p. 72) Room 139. Royal and Colonial Treasury. "The opening of Room No. [139] . . . was equipped with an inner shutter in 1846 which was subsequently replaced in 1848 by a jalousie." (p. 73) 74 • • • • Room 202. Common Room. "The windows and doors were equipped with inner linen covered frames and outer hurricane shutters and doors." (p. 80) Rooms 205, 207. Reception Hall and Daily Parlor. "Four rosettes were purchased for the ceiling in the reception hall ... and the adjacent daily parlor ... in 1857, and these are believed to be the same rosettes from which the present electriclights hang today [1960]." (p. 54) "The glass windows in the south wall were equipped with venetian blinds in 1826 to reduce the heat of the afternoon sun in the quarters. New venetian blinds were made in 1838. Sometime between that year and 1851, the hurricane shutters on three of these windows were replaced with exterior jalousies. The remaining four windows in the south wall were similarly equipped in 1852. Installation of the exterior jalousies must have been designed to do away with the venetian blinds .... " (p. 60) Rooms205,207,209,2ll Comrnandant'sQuarters. As of "1821 it is definitely known that two of the five doors in the north wall were equipped with inner jalousie doors. In 1840 the two jalousie doors to the reception hall ... and the entrance door to the daily parlor ... were altered and made into double glass doors with four panes of glass per wing. The doors of ... [the bedrooms] were equipped with jalousie doors." "In 1816 the glass windows in the east and west walls of the quarters facing the southeast and southwest bastions were replaced with jalousies because the firing of the cannons broke the windows so often. The northern window in the east end wall was still equipped with a jalousie in 1902 . . . . " (pp. 56-59) Rooms 206,208,210. Gallery. "The year 1839 witnessed the enclosure of the arches of the gallery with wooden jalousies and glass fanlights. Solid double doors with glass fanlights above were installed in the openings at the head of the stairs and at either end of the gallery. As for the arches of the stairway extension which faced north, the two smaller ones were also enclosed with jalousies and glass fanlights, while the larger center arch was provided with casement windows surmounted by a glass fanlight. The section of the gallery to the west of the stairway extension was partitioned off by the erection of a double jalousie door with a glass fanlight above. The solid doors at the top of the stairs were fitted with brass boxlocks, while the jalousies were apparently equipped with brass bolts. Hurricane bars were provided for the entire gallery." (p. 46) Room 216. Northwest Bastion Gun Deck. "The flagpole shown in the northwest corner of the bastion in 1779 was not moved to the southwest bastion until sometime after 1919." (p. 82) "The bell in the cot on the northwest bastion was removed in 1836 or perhaps earlier." (p. 97) "The flagpole [ was]located in the northwest corner of the northwest bastion. All subsequent documentary sources and illustrative materials show the flagpole in this same location until 75 1919." (pp. 97-98) A guardhouse located on the water battery "was cut in two in 1826, and the parts were moved from the water battery to the northeast and northwest bastions. The hurricane of August 17, 1827, destroyed the artillery guardhouse which was apparently the one located in the northwest bastion, and a new one was made in the following year. Both guardhouses were repaired in 1834-35. The one in the northeast bastion was done away with when that bastion was roofed over in 1836. The guardhouse in the northwest bastion is shown at this time to the north of the bell cot and on the east side ofthe bastion. . . . The exterior of the guardhouse was painted green in 1836 to match the exterior woodwork of the fort. The guardhouse in the northwest bastion was thoroughly rehabilitated in 1840. . . . In 1852 the guardhouse was sold and removed from the northwest bastion, and it was apparently not replaced thereafter." (pp. 98-99) Beds and Bedding Beds and bedding materials were requisite items wherever soldiers were stationed, and the barracks areas in Fort Christiansvaern contained at least as many of these basic articles as there were men garrisoning the structure. Available documentary evidence acquired from the national archives of the United States and Denmark provides no information about the appearance of • the beds, save for the fact that they were fashioned of iron and apparently • painted to prevent rusting. What may be an example of the pattern iron bed used in the fort during the 1830s, 1840s, and 1850s survives at Christiansted National Historic Site, although this bed may also be representative of the latter part of the nineteenth century (fig. 23). Yet, Proceedings of the Colonial Council for the Danish-Westindia Possessions, 5th Session 1861 and the Extraordinary Session 1862 (St. Croix and Copenhagen, ca. 1862, pp. 41-42), suggests that "certain bed requisites" could be used for as many as fifty years by the Danish military in the West Indies; it is thus possible that the substantially constructed iron beds enjoyed such longevity and that the example in the park indeed dates from the earlier period. Another example of an iron military bed, this of a designated 1870 pattern, is in the collections of the Tojhusmuseet in Copen- hagen. The following information about beds, pillows, mattresses, and blankets came from documentary materials located at Rigsarkivet, specifically, from Kolonier- nes Centralbestyrelse. Kolonialkontoret Gruppesager til Vestindisk Journal, 1830-1852. Haerstyrken XVI. Beds_ Evidently, wooden beds were used at the fort untill830, although there is evidence to suggest that hammocks saw frequent garrison use during the early history of Fort Christiansvaern. In that year, possibly because of termite infestation of the wooden beds, Governor-General von Scholten directed that a 76 • • • • prototype iron bedstead be fabricated. Von Scholten appears to have designed the bedstead himself. If drawings existed, they likely went to a blacksmith in Denmark who made the sample. In May 1830, Von Scholten contacted the military factory at Fredericksvaerk, Denmark, requesting the production of 425 iron beds based on his prototype for shipment to the West Indies. He asked that the order be completed as soon as possible because the beds were meant to replace the older (wooden?) beds. Each new iron bed was to cost 22 rigsdollars 48 shillings. The director of the manufacturing plant responded that the beds would be ready in September 1830, but he needed 4000 rigsdollars in advance to start the work. It was determined that the money should come from a special fund rather than from the normal military source because of the high number of beds ordered .. Presumably, the iron bedsteads arrived in the West Indies garrisons during the late fall of1830. Additional iron beds were apparently shipped to the islands in 1848 and 1851 when the garrisons were increased. In February of the latter year the Fredericksvaerk plant was directed to produce "180 painted iron beds" at a cost of 18 rigsdollars each. These units, "carefully made of the best iron," actually cost 19 rigsdollars apiece. Three crates containing 18 iron beds were slated for delivery to the royal government on St. Croix. Distribution of the beds within garrison commands seemingly was procedural; they were first divided out among the underofficers, and then distributed by lot among the private soldiers. Based upon the known dimensions for mattresses, the sleeping surface of each iron bed likely measured about 74 inches long by 31 inches wide. Mattresses and Pillows. At the time Von Scholten procured the new beds in 1830, he also placed an order with a saddler named Monich in Copenhagen for two specimen mattresses and pillows for one hospital bed and one barrack bed. In June 1830, he ordered 425 duck mattresses for use with the new beds. Each mattress measured 3 allen long and 11/4 allen wide (1 allen= 24.72 inches). Matching pillows were to be the same width and 1 1/2 allen "in girth." The mattresses were to be stuffed with horsehair, and each was to weigh 27 pounds. Cost for each mattress was 21 rigsdollars. The mattresses, apparently also manufactured at Fredericksvaerk, were to be delivered to Copenhagen at the beginning of October 1830, for shipment overseas. Through the years, many of the mattresses became soiled and damaged, requiring their replacement. Spanish troops ruined many during their stay on St. Croix in 1848. When additional beds were requisitioned in 1851, more mattresses were also ordered. (One notation suggested that horsehair stuffing could be obtained quickly and easily from America, while another recommended using coconut fiber instead.) Thirty mattresses, costing 5.65 rigsdollars apiece, were to accompany an order for 180 beds. In March 1851, 150 duck mattresses of the earlier dimensions, each stuffed with 27 pounds of horsehair and costing 10 rigsdollars, were packed at Fredericksvaerk for shipment to the islands. And in March 1852, twenty-four 77 crates containing 120 additional horsehair mattresses departed Copenhagen for the West Indies. Sheets and Blankets. According to Royal Order No. 56, May 1, 1830, the iron beds identified by Von Scholten were to be accompanied by sheets and blankets. Each bed should have two sheets per year and one blanket every three years. Traditionally, Danish army blankets have been a grey color with the entire edge of another color. This appears to have been the case in the West Indies and at Fort Christiansvaem. In July 1830, the Royal General Custom Office in Copenhagen received an order for 425 woolen blankets for delivery to the West Indian troops. These, to be manufactured at the "poor house," were described as "fine woolen bed blankets with light blue borders." 'lbtal cost for the blankets was 2125 rigsdollars, or 5 rigsdollars each. Exercise Equipment. In addition to the beds and bedding, there is evidence that unspecified gymnastic apparatus was sent to the West Indies at a cost of 1400 rigsdollars. The expense was considered to be high because the equipment was made of stronger wood and was painted to deter termite infestation. However, it is not known if the equipment was employed at Fort Chris- tiansvaem. 78 • • • • • • FURNISHINGS PLAN The interpretive period reflected in the furnishings proposed for Fort Chris- tiansvaern is 1830-1855. Several factors influenced the decision to interpret this chronological span. By the 1830s the fort had largely attained its present structural configuration; physical changes after that time were minimal and negligibly altered its overall appearance. The designated period, moreover, represents the zenith of the Danish military occupation of St. Croix. It conforms generally with the tenure of Governor-General Peter von Scholten, whose administration of the Danish West Indies was marked by longevity and by significant social changes, particularly the emancipation of the slaves in 1848. Further, with some exceptions this period in the fort's history is characterized by a fairly constant use of patterned uniforms and equipment among the Danish West Indies command on St. Croix. OPERATING PLAN Based upon knowledge of room function arid historical data about room contents, as well as present condition and accessibility, five rooms are recom- mended for furnishing. These comprise the dungeon (Room 001), the powder magazine (Room 102), the arsenal (Room 104), an officers' quarters (Room 106), and a barracks room (Room 131). In addition, two virtually empty cells (Rooms 117 and 118) can be interpreted as historic interiors. Visitors enter Fort Christiansvaern through the sally port on the south side of the structure. Because each furnished unit is self-contained, no sequential traffic pattern is required. An unobtrusive security system, such as an infrared beam, is required for the barracks, arsenal, and officers' quarters. The contents of the furnished rooms vary, necessitating different barrier systems that will not impede wheelchair views or access. Visitors will have full access to the dungeon. The powder magazine will have barriers that allow visitors to walk into the center ofthe room. The officers' quarters will have barriers at the door, permitting orily a few visitors to view the interior at one time; however, the barrier might be removed for tours. The barracks and arsenal will have a recessed entry so that more people will have access. In the barracks, the barrier will be on the south and west sides, with the north wall forming the other boundary. In the arsenal, the entry will extend into the room to accommodate two people at a time . 79 Several of the rooms require interior finish work before receiving furnishings. The powder magazine needs to be repointed and whitewashed and the wooden floor must be replaced. The brickwork in the arsenal must be repointed and the walls replastered. The officers' quarters needs extensive restoration to include the repair of wainscotting, reproduction and installation of wallpaper, and general painting. The dungeon and barracks require no work. RECOMMENDED FURNISHINGS Dungeon (Room 001) The room was sparsely furnished, containing only restraining devices for the prisoners incarcerated therein. Object Documentation LEG SHACKLES, An iron staple in the west 2, iron wall indicates the one-time presence of leg shackles. Powder Magazine (Room 102) Source Acquire (reproduc- tion) Location One each at north and west walls. Place staple in floor where it meets the wall to prevent damage to wall. The room contained gun powder for use in firing the artillery surmounting the water battery, the ordnance emplaced on the roofs ofthe bastions, and the small arms ammunition. Stored in barrels, kegs, and boxes, the powder was distributed in the latter containers in response to munitions needs. Fire posed a constant threat. Because ofthe volatile nature of the contents ofthe magazine, wooden floors and tools made of wood and copper prevented sparks and conse- quent explosions from occurring. At Fort Christiansvaern, most of the artillery saw use only in ceremonial and commemorative activities. The refurnished powder magazine represents the room during a typical day between 1830 and 1855. Barrels of powder are neatly arranged on racks with the tools for handling the substance. Kegs are placed near the entrance so they might be easily transported to the arsenal. Ever aware of fire danger, water buckets and a water barrel are poised near the door. 80 • • • Powder Magazine (Room 102) Object Documentation Source Location • POWDER BAR- Royal Military Depot Ac- Acquire Arrange in racks RELS, 50, wood count Books (hereafter (reproduc- along two aisles cited as RMDAB) 1842, tion) running from 1847, 1850. north to south on the east and west ends of room. POWDER BAGS, RMDAB 1842, 1847, 1850; Acquire On top shelf of 50, unfilled for Royal Military Depot (reproduc- rack. pre-measured (hereafter cited as RMD) tion) charges requisitions. RACK, 2, wood Historic Structures Report Acquire Two each along in- (hereafter cited as HSR) (reproduc- side of south wall notecards. tion) on either side of doorway. POWDER KEGS, RMD requisitions. Acquire On shelves. 23, wood (reproduc- tion) AMMUNITION HSR notecards. Acquire North end of cen- • CHESTS, 7, wood, (reproduc- ter aisle on a low for small arms tion) pallet of wood. (muskets) TARPAULIN, 1 RMDAB 1830, 1842, 1850. Acquire On top of small (reproduc- arms ammunition. tion) SHOVELS,2, RMDAB 1842, 1847, 1850; Acquire Leaning against wood RMD requisitions. (reproduc- barrels to left of tion) entrance. POWDER CART, RMDAB 1842; RMD requi- Acquire Inside center aisle 1, wood sitions. (reproduc- in middle of tion) magazine FIRE BUCKETS, RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire Against inside of 2, leather 1847, 1850; RMD requisi- (reproduc- south wall, either tions. The St. Croix Avis tion) side of doorway. mentions fire buckets at the fort . • 81 Powder Magazine (Room 102) Object WATER BAR- REL, 1, wood Documentation RMDAB 1847, 1850;RMD requisitions. Arsenal (Room 104) Source Acquire (reproduc- tion}-park collection in- cludes a 100- gallonrum barrel Location Outside, at left of entrance to magazine. This room in the northeast bastion housed storage and repair facilities for the fort's ordnance materiel, including artillery and small arms. Muskets and swords and their appurtenances were stored in the arsenal. Munitions were loaded in the room, artillery components requiring repairs were taken there, and extra implements for servicing the guns could be found there. To prevent explosions of powder, which was brought in kegs from the magazine as required, spark-producing metal tools were avoided. Artificers, soldier mechanics profi- cient with these weapons and their service, worked in the arsenal. The refurnished arsenal represents its appearance during a typical day. Muskets, bayonets and swords, and related accoutrements are stored in a wood rack placed against the south wall. The long laboratory table contains various articles associated with the preparation of munitions and repair of ordnance, including friction primers, laboratory knives, and fuse material. Ammunition chests containing projectiles of different calibres are stacked along a wall as are a set of artillery implements. Fire buckets are ever present. In essence, the room reflects both its utilitarian storage function as well as the vocation of the soldiers assigned duty in the arsenal of this artillery post. A wayside exhibit will augment the furnished room, graphically describing the multi-purpose nature of the arsenal as the storeroom and repair facility for the post's ordnance materiel, as well as the place where the garrison's ammuni- tion was prepared. Object Documentation Source Location LABORATORY RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1847, Acquire Against west wall TABLE, 1 1850. (reproduc- in northeast tion) comer of room. LABORATORY RMDAB 1842. Acquire In front of table. BENCH, 1 (reproduc- tion) 82 • • • Arsenal (Room 104) Object Documentation Source Location • POWDER RMDAB 1835, 1842, 1847, Acquire On laboratory MEASURES, 2, 1850. (reproduc- table. wood tion) POWDER RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On laboratory MEASURES, 5, 1847, 1850. (reproduc- table. copper tion) LABORATORY RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On laboratory TRAYS, 5, wood 1847, 1850. (reproduc- table. tion) CARTRIDGE Common practice. Acquire On laboratory PAPER AND (reproduc- table. MATERIAL TO tion) ROLL CARTRIDGES MUSKET RACK, HSR notecards mention the Acquire Along south wall. wood, to hold 40 presence of a musket rack. (reproduc- muskets and 40 tion) swords • MUSKETS, 40, RMDAB 1842, 1847, 1850. Acquire On musket rack. model of 1831 (reproduc- One musket to be tion) dismantled on laboratory table. MUSKET RMDAB 1847, 1850. Acquire On muskets. SLINGS, 40, (reproduc- leather tion) BAYONETS, 40, RMDAB 1842, 1847, 1850. Acquire Reversed, on muz- model of 1831 (reproduc- zles of muskets. tion) SHORT SWORDS RMDAB 1830, 1847, 1850. Acquire On right part of WITH SCAB- (reproduc- musket rack BARDS, model of tion) along north wall. 1840 • 83 Arsenal (Room 104) Object Documentation Source Location FIRE BUCKETS, RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire Inside, on either • 2, leather 1847, 1850; RMD requisi- (reproduc- side of doorway. tions. The St. Croix Avis tion) mentions fire buckets from the fort in its issue of January 23, 1853. AMMUNITION RMDAB 1830, 1842. Acquire On built-in shelv- CRATE, 1, wood, (reproduc- ing along north- for 3-pounder tion) east wall. AMMUNITION RMDAB 1842. Acquire On built-in shelv- CRATE, 1, wood, (reproduc- ing along north- for 6-pounder tion) east wall. AMMUNITION RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On built-in shelv- CRATE, 1, wood, 1847, 1850. (reproduc- ing along north- for 4-pounder tion) east wall. AMMUNITION RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On built-in shelv- CRATE, 1, wood, 1847. (reproduc- ing along north- for grapeshot tion) east wall. AMMUNITION RMDAB 1850. Acquire On built-in shelv- • CRATE, 1, wood, (reproduc- ing along north- for 18-pounder tion) east wall. AMMUNITION RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1847, Acquire On built-in shelv- CRATE, 1, wood, 1850. (reproduc- ing along north- for caseshot tion) east wall. SHELLS, 2, 18- RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On laboratory pounder 1847, 1850. (reproduc- table. One being tion) fused, one com- plete. FRICTION RMDAB 1842. Acquire On laboratory PRIMERS, 1 box (reproduc- table. tion) LABORATORY RMDAB 1835; RMD requi- Acquire On laboratory KNIVES,2 sitions. (reproduc- table. tion) POWDER KEGS, RMD requisitions. Acquire On laboratory 2,wood (reproduc- table. tion) • 84 Arsenal (Room 104) Object Documentation Source Location • LABORATORY RMDAB 1835; RMD requi- Acquire On laboratory SCISSORS, 1 pair sitions. table. FUSE COIL, 1 RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On floor, next to 1847, 1850. (reproduc- laboratory table. tion) FREE-STAND- No Danish documentation; Acquire North wall, north- INGRACK a similar rack is described east corner. in the Ordnance Manual for Officers of the United States Army, 1861. Be- cause no physical evidence supports a wall-mounted device, the arsenal at Fort Christiansvaern probably had a free-standing rack similar to that used by the U.S. Army. ARTILLERY IM- RMDAB 1850 (rammer); Acquire On free-standing PLEMENTS FOR 1830, 1835, 1842 (wormer); (reproduc- rack, north wall, 18-POUNDER 1835(sponge);1847,1850 tion) northeast corner. • (Rammer, (ladle). Wormer, Sponge, Ladle), 4 sets HANDSPIKES, 2 RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On pegboard, 1847, 1850; RMD requisi- (reproduc- north wall, north- tions. tion) east corner. LINSTOCK, 1 RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1842, Acquire On pegboard, 1847, 1850. (reproduc- north wall, north- tion) east corner. AMMUNITION Park collection. Acquire On laboratory CHEST, 1, copper (reproduc- table. Arranged tion) with lid open, dis- playing fuse material within. ARMOROR'S A complete set of Acquire On floor, east wall. TOOLS gunsmith's tools were (reproduc- needed to dismantle mus- tion) kets . • 85 Arsenal (Room 104) Object WOODWORK- INGTOOLS, small set TOOLBOXES LANTERNS,3 Documentation A small set of woodworking tools would be needed to make gun stocks and car- riages. Tool boxes were used to store tools when not in use. RMDAB 1830, 1835, 1847. There is evidence of hangers for lanterns in the ceiling. Officers' Quarters (Room 106) Source Location Acquire On floor, east wall. (reproduc- tion) Acquire On floor, east wall. (reproduc- tion) Acquire 'lbp of vaults in ceiling. While the room was formally designated for the use of commissioned officers, the dearth of junior officers assigned to Fort Christiansvaem between 1830 and 1855 suggests that it most likely served non-commissioned officers in a day use capacity during most of that period. In that regard, the quarters served as a dining area, an informal receiving room, an office, and a meeting room, with the non-commissoned officers residing outside the fort. In keeping with its setting • and the intended rank of its occupants, the room was wainscotted and • wallpapered. The refurnished room will provide a view of the quarters as utilized on a daily basis by one or more non-commissioned officers. The furniture in the room suggests the essentials for comfortable daily use and probably consisted of middle-class, civilian style mahogany pieces. The presence of other articles, like office supplies, reflects the use of the room for completing official assignments related to routine operation of the garrison.· Object Documentation DINING TABLE, RMDAB 1851. 1 CHAIRS, 8 RMDAB 1851. 86 Source Acquire Acquire Location Arranged in a north to south alignment in cen- ter of room to take advantage of breezes. Six arranged around dining table; one on each side of card table. • Officers' Quarters (Room 106) Object Documentation Source Location CARD TABLE, 1 RMDAB 1851. Acquire In front of west window of room. WASHSTAND, 1, RMDAB 1851. Acquire In northeast probably with corner of room. marble top WASHBASIN, 1, Park collection. Pieces of Acquire On washstand. ceramic ceramic wash basin have been salvaged from the fort grounds. PITCHER, 1, Park collection. From ar- Acquire In wash basin on ceramic cheological salvage on fort washstand. grounds. WARDROBE, 1 RMDAB 1851. Acquire Center of north wall. CORNER CUP- RMDAB 1851. Acquire Southeast corner BOARD, 1 of room. MIRROR, 1 RMDAB 1851. Acquire Above washstand. SPITTOON, 1, RMDAB 1842,1847, 1850; Acquire On floor, near brass RMD requisitions. dining table. CANDLESTICK, RMDAB 1842, 1847, 1850; Acquire One on dining 1 pair, brass, with RMD requisitions. table; one on card candle and hur- table. ricane shades QUILL PEN; 1 RMDAB 1847. Acquire On dining table. INKWELL, 1, Park collection. Artifact Acquire On dining table. stoneware retrieved during archeologi- cal salvage. WAR ARTICLES, RMDAB 1830, 1847, 1850. Acquire On dining table. 1 copy (reproduc- tion) ARTILLERY RMDAB 1847,1850. Acquire On dining table. DRILL REGULA- (reproduc- TIONS, 1 copy tion) STRAFFELIST Rigsarkivet microfilm. Acquire On dining table. (PUNISHMENT (reproduc- LIST), 1 copy tion) 87 Officers' Quarters (Room 106) Object Documentation Source Location • NON-COMMIS- Standard Danish military .Acquire Across chair back SIONED dress. (reproduc- at dining table. OFFICER'S tion) COATEE, 1, pat- tern of1830 ARTILLERY Barding, "Dansk-Vestin- Acquire Across back of SHORT SWORD, diske Vaaben," p. 7. (reproduc- chair. 1, pattern of 1840, tion) and SWORD BELT, pattern of 1830 FIELD CAP, 1, RMDAB 1847 Acquire On seat of chair. 1830 pattern (reproduc- tion) PEGBOARD Markings on the walls indi- Acquire Southeast wall, cate the presence of a peg- (reproduc- next to doorway. board in this room. tion) GREAT COAT, 1, 1830 uniform regulations; Acquire On pegs pattern of 1830 RMDAB 1847. (reproduc- • tion) SEVERAL Period practice. Acquire On walls. FRAMED PIC- (reproduc- TURES, possibly tion) period illustra- tions of the Chris- tiansted waterfront or maps of St. Croix or Denmark LANTERN, 1, Evidence of a hook used for Park collec- with candles a hanging lantern has been tion found in this room. • 88 • • • Officers' Quarters (Room 106) Object WALLPAPER Documentation Park collection. Removed from historic structure. Barracks In Southwest Bastion (Room 131) Source Location Samples of On walls. wallpaper removed from the walls of the officers' quarters are unrepro- ducible; paint walls lime green, the back- ground color of the wallpaper Approximately one company of 40 soldiers occupied Fort Christiansvaern at various times during the period 1830 to 1855. Before 1836 Room 131 in the southwest bastion had been divided into imprisonment cells. During that year the room was converted into a barracks, and it received a wood floor. Research conducted for the Historic Structures Report indicates that the walls were probably limewashed and the woodwork painted white. According to an 1836 plan of the garrison, the southwest bastion barracks could accommodate as many as nine men. This probably reP,resented maximum strength, for placement of that many bunks and collateral furniture would have produced extremely crowded room conditions. More likely fewer men-perhaps five-actually occupied the barracks. The refurnished room is to convey an orderly, military appearance, repre- senting the barracks during midday when the troops are performing duties elsewhere. The bunks are made up with blankets arranged on top and with bedsheets and pillows in view at the head of each. One bunk might have only a mattress on top, perhaps folded, indicating the absence of one man. A simple wooden box-type footlocker sits at the foot of each bunk. One footlocker is opened to show items of clothing. Three wood cabinets, or closets, stand against the north and south walls, one of them opened to reveal contents of uniform dress items. Spittoons are placed strategically on the floor. The room is equipped with canvas or heavy linen blinds to regulate light and air flow, while lanterns provide light at nighttime. The overall appearance of the room is neat and well maintained . 89 Barracks In Southwest Bastion (Room 131) Object BUNKS, 5, single, iron (of pattern in park collections), painted green, to accommodate 5 soldiers Documentation Iron bunks are listed in the RMDAB 1842, 1847, and 1850 and are mentioned in the St. Croix Avis. Green paint for them is specified in HSR notecards citing Rigsarkivet documents. Based on known dimen- sions of mattresses in 1830, the bunks measured about 74 inches long by 31 inches wide. One in the park col- lection measures 78 inches long by 31 1/4 inches wide. Evidence in the form of a painted festoon on the north wall of the Southeast Bastion Barracks (Room 113) indicates the place- ment of the head of a bunk against that wall, suggest- ing that the remaining bunks in that room as well as in Room 131 were placed similarly. 90 Source Reproduce using original in park collec- tion. Location Along east and west walls, ar- ranged lengthwise (90 de- gree angle with wall), with 2 along east wall and 3 along west wall. • • • Barracks in Southwest Bastion (Room 131) Object Documentation Source Location • FOOTLOCKERS Boxes appear in the Acquire Under bunks. (wooden boxes), 5, RNDDAB, 1842, 1847,and (reproduc- Place uniform ap- wooden, painted 1850. Their color is tion) pare! in an open green, with locks, specified in HSR notecards. footlocker close to and UNIFORM An attributed Danish West the door. APPAREL, one Indies piece is located in pair white duck the Guard Hussars Bar- trousers, one red racks Museum, Copen- wool coatee, and hagen. Uniform items are one pair white documented in the 1830 duck gaiters uniform regulations and in RNDD requisitions. See Ap- pendixA. MATTRESSES, 5, RMDAB,1842,1847,1850. Acquire Placed on bunks. horsehair filled, Also, RMD requisitions. (reproduc- covered with duck See "Beds and Bedding" for tion) measurements. SHEETS, 5, duck RMDAB, 1830, 1842, 1847, Acquire On mattresses. linen 1850; RMD requisitions. (reproduc- See "Beds and Bedding." tion) • BLANKETS, 5, RMDAB, 1830, 1842, 1847, Acquire On bunks. gray with light 1850, 1851; RMD requisi- (reproduc- blue borders tions. See "Beds and Bed- tion) ding." PILLOWS, 5, RNDDAB, 1830, 1842, 1847, Acquire On the head of duck with horse- 1850. Pillows measured ap- (reproduc- each bunk. hair filling proximately 31 inches wide tion) and were 37 inches in girth. See "Beds and Bedding." • 91 Barracks in Southwest Bastion (Room 131) Object Documentation Source Location WOOD EQUIP- HSR notecards; park collec- Acquire On north wall. • MENT tion. (reproduc- CLOSETS, two, 6- tion) 1/2'x 4'x 18"d, yel- low pine, painted green, interior details: left side of cabinet con- tains a hanging bar, the right side three or four she!- ves (1 closet per 3 men = number is- sued [14] to gar- rison as of 1836), UNIFORMAP- RMDAB 1842, 1847,1850. Acquire On bed closest to PAREL, 1 chap- See Appendix A. (reproduc- door. kas [dress tion) shakos], 1 button board, 1 dress coat, 1 cartridge box and sling, 1 sword and sword • sling INTERIOR HSR, pp. 48-49. Acquire At bastion win- JALOUSIES, 4, (reproduc- dows. for bastion win- tion) dows TABLE, 1, wood RMDAB, 1835, 1842, 1847, Acquire South wall. 1850. (reproduc- tion) CHAIRS, 2, wood Common practice. Acquire At each end of (reproduc- table. tion) SPITTOONS, 2, RMDAB,1842,1847,1850; Acquire On floor between painted iron RMD requisitions. bunks. LANTERNS, 2, RMDAB, 1835, 1842, 1847. Acquire Hanging from the with candles top of ceiling vault on north and south sides of room. • 92 • Working Drawings • • 93 Powder Magazine (Room 102) • • • Arsenal (Room 104) • • • Officers' Quarters (Room 106) I I h • • • Barracks in Southwest Bastion (Room 131) • • • • • • • • • BffiLIOGRAPHY MANUSCRIPT MATERIALS Christiansted, Virgin Islands. Christiansted National Historic Site. Copies of documents: Ansats og Mottrik til Opsatsen og Falk til 6-pd., 12-pd., 12-pd. Granat·, og 24-pd. Granat-Kanonerne, System 1834. [Pl. I] Afsnit, 11.18.No. 261 Lit. D., 1842. Constructioner til Dimensionstabellen over Mortererne (Faestnings = og Beleirings- Artillerie) [Pls. IV-V] and Dimensionstabel for Pl. IV. Jernskytssystem 1834: Constructioner til Dimensionstabellen over Kanonerne (Felt=, Faestnings = og Beleirings=Artillerie) [Pls. I, II] and Dimensionstabel for Pl. I. 1842. Saettere og Viskere, Ladeskuffer, Speilskruer og Falkenterser til det nye Jernskyds: Ladetoi og Reqvisitter, Pl. I & II. 1842. 12-pd. Faestnings=Artillerie: Faestningsaffutage [Pls. 1-iii] and Rappert med Traeaxel [Pls. I-III]. 1854. 36-pd. Kyst=Artillerie: Kystaffutage [Pls. I-VIII]. 1854. 6-pd. Faestnings=Artillerie: Voldlavet [Pls. 1-iii]. 1855. 168-pd., 84-pd., og 24-pd. Morter (Faestnings=og Beleirings=Artillerie Morterstol: Affutager [Pls. I-VII]. 1855.Aaben Reqvisitvogn [Pl. 1-X]. 1858. Lukket Reqvisitvogn [Pls. I-IV]. 1858. 6-pd. Felt=Artillerie Lavette: Blokaffutage [Pls. 1-X]. 1862. 6-pd. Felt=Artillerie: Blokammunitionsvogn [Pls. 1-V]. 1863. 6-pd. og 12-pd. Felt=Artillerie: Blokbatterier [Pls. I-XI]. 1867. Kran (Faestnings=og Beleirings=Artillerie) [Pls. l=IX]. 18-. 99 Cissel, William F. Communication to William Eisenhauer, Hyde Park, New York, June 27, 1984. "New Light on the Emancipation at St. Croix, Danish West Indies: an Eyewitness Account." Paper Presented at the Symposium on Slavery and Emancipation in the Virgin Islands, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus, November 2, 1987. "Old Danish Guns on the Virgin Islands (The former Danish West Indies)." Typescript copy from Tojhusmuseet, 196-. Nistal-Moret, Benjamin. "Exterior Woodwork Color for Fort Christiansvaem." Report to Unit Manager, Christiansted National Historic Site, National Park Service, May 2, 1983. Sanchez-Nunez, Manuel. "Columna Espedicionaria del Ejercito de Puerto Rico en la Isla Dinnamarquesa de Sta. Cruz. Memoir descriptiva que de dicha Isla la farma el Capitan del Real Cuerpo de Ingenieros Manuel Sanchez Nunez." 1849. Archivos General de las Indias, Seville, Spain. United States, Department of State. Enclosure to dispatch No. 47, Geo. Latimer, U.S. Consul, San Juan, Porto Rico to James Buchanan, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C. July 12, 1848. Copy in the park library. Copenhagen, Denmark. Raupach, Heinrich Andreas. Notebook and sketches, 7 185-. Mss. in·the possession of Ms. Eva Ganneskov. _. Rigsarkivet. Bygningsinspektorens og Landmaalerens Arkiv fra St. Croix (BLA). _. Rigsarkivet. Vestindiske Folketaellinger(Censuses), Christiansted, 1841, 1846, 1850, 1855. Rigsarkivet. Koloniernes Centralbestyrelse (KCB). Generaltoldkammeret. Haerstyrken XVI. _. Larsen, Kay. Dansk Vestindiske og Guineiske Personalia og Data. Ms. dated 1923. New Orleans, Louisiana. Tulane University. Miller, Dora Richards. "Recollections of a West Indian Home and Slave-Insurrection." Ms., 186-. Neilsen, Bjorn. Communication to William F. Cissel, June 20, 1985. 100 • • • • • • _. Communication to William F. Cissel, April 9, 1986. Washington, D.C. National Archives. Record Group 55. Danish Government of the Virgin Islands. Records of the Military Forces of the Danish West Indies. Records of the Commander in Chief. PERIODICALS AND NEWSPAPERS Barding, Axel. "Dansk-Vestindiske Vaaben," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift, X (January 1977):5-15. Cissel, William F. "A Case of Questionable Loyalty: The Mutiny of 1835," Newsletter, Society of Virgin Islands Historians, II (Spring 1987). Dansk Vestindisk Regierings Avis. 1839. 1841. 1842. Frantzen, Ole Louis. "Artillerietsmateriel," Dansk Artilleri-Tids-skrift. Nr. 4, 70.aargang (August 1984):117-61. Ganneskov, Eva. "Peter Lotharius Oxholm i Dansk Vestindien 1778-80," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab. Vol. 13, no. 3 (August 1978):9-17 . _. "Paataenkt Opror paa Christiansted Kaseme 1835," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab. Vol. 18, No.2 (Maj) 1983:25. _. "Urolighedeme paa St. Croix Julen 1852," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab. Vol. 18, No.3 (September 1983):10-14. Geill, Torben. "Den Gule Feberi Dansk Vestindien," Dansk Vestindisk Selskab. Vol. 16, No.2 (Maj) 1981:8-19. Hansen, Jesper Godvin. "Den Riflede Musket M.1831 og dens Varianter," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift. Vol. 16, No. 2 (February 1983):40-52. Kannik, Preben. "Private, Royal Militia, St. Croix, Danish West Indies, 1829," Company of Military Historians. 1958. Plate No. 1. _. "Governor General with Staff, Royal Danish West Indies, circa 1834." Company of Military Historians, Military Uniforms in America series. Plate No. 534, 1982 . 101 _. "Regular Infantry, Royal Danish West Indies Forces, 1826-1830." Company of Military Historians, Military Uniforms in America series. Plate No. 533, 1982. Lund, F.C. ",1854: Garde, Infanterist, Jaeger, Dragon, Infanterieofficer." Color uniform plate. Copenhagen, 1870. Nilsson, Birger. "Danske Felttegn og Sabelkvaste: I," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskri{t. Vol. 20, No. 1 (January 1987):9-24. _. "Danske Felttegn og Sabelkvaste: II," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift. Vol. 20, No. 2 (February 1987):48-54. _. "Danske Felttegn og Sabelkvaste: Ill," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift. Vol. 20, No.3 (March 1987):82-100. Ovesen, Erik Troldhuus. "Patrontasker for Den kgl. Livgarde m.fl.," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskri{t. Vol. 16, No.6 (October 1983):178-182. _. "Sko til den Vestindiske Haerstyrke," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift. Vol. 19, No. 3 (March 1986):100. Rasmussen, Inga Flemming. "U niformer fra de Tidligere dansk vestindiske Oer: en Oversigt 1755 til 1917 ," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskri{t. Aarbog XXVII, 1981:79-102. _. "Artilleriets uniformer og faner gennem 300 aar. 1685-1984," Dansk Artilleri-Tidsskri{t, No.4 (August 1984):162-85. St. CroixAvis. 1843. 1844. 1845. 1846. 1847. 1848. 1849. 1850. 1851. 1852. 1853. 1854. 1855. BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS Anderson, John. Night of the Silent Drums: Slave Rebellion in the Virgin Islands. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1975, Arms Gallery. Catalog No. 12. Copenhagen, Denmark, 1982. Bergsoe, Adolf Frederik. Den danske Stats Statistik. 14 vols. Kjobenhavn: Bianco Luno, 1853. 102 • • • • • • Bricka, C.F. Dansk Biografisk Leksikon. 30 vols. Kobenhavn: J.H. Schultz Forlag, 1935. Bronsted, Johannes (ed.). Vore Gamle Tropekolonier. 2 vols. Kobenhavn: Westermann, 1953. Brunn, Chr. V. Danske Uniformer. 3 vols. Reprint of 1837-1845 editions. Kobenhavn: Forlaget ZAC, 1968. Christensen, Erik (trans.). The Cannon Hall. Guide to the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum. Kobenhavn: N. Olaf Moller, 1948. Dahlerup, Hans Birch. Mit Livs Begivenheder 1815-1848. Kobenhavn: Gyldendal, 1909. Exerceerreglement for Det kongelige danske lnfanterie. Kobenhavn: Thieles Bogttrykkerie, 1821. Exerceer-Reglement for det kongelige danske lnfanterie. Kobenhavn: Trykt hos Directeur Jens Hostrup Schultz, kongelig-og Universitets-Bogtrykker, 1842 . Execeer-Reglement for den Kongelige danske Artilleribrigade. Kobenhavn: Louis Klein, Eier af det Seidelinske Officin, 1844. Feldbaek, Ole. Denmark and the Armed Neutrality 1800·1801. Kobenhavn: Akademisk Forlag (Universitetsforlaget), 1980. Gomez, Jean Francois Cadet de. Om Militairvaesenet paa de dansk vestindiske Oer. Kobenhavn: J.D. Qvist, 1836. Hansen, Victor. Vore Sohelte: Historiske Fortaellinger. Kjobenhavn og Kristiania: A. Christiansens Kunstforlag, 1898. Hass, H. (comp.). Danske Historiske Militaer-Marscher. Album for Klaver. Kjobenhavn & Leipzig: Wilhelm Hansen, Musik-Forlag, 1900. Hirsch, F.C.W., and Kay Hirsch. Fortegnelse over daniske og norske Officerer med Fl. fra 1648·1814 samlet og udarbejdet fra 1888-1907. 12 vols., n.p., n.d. James, Charles. An Universal Military Dictionary, in English and French; in which are Explained the Terms of the Principal Sciences that are Necessary for the Information of an Officer. Fourth edition. London: T. Egerton, 1816 . 103 Knotel, Richard, Herbert Knotel, and Herbert Sieg. Uniforms of the World. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1980. Knox,JohnPary. AnHistoricalAccountofSt. Thomas, W.l. New York: Charles Scribner, 1852. Larsen, Kay. Dansk Vestindien, 1666-1917. Kobenhavn: C.A. Reitzels Forlag, 1928. _. Guverrwrer, Residenter, Kommandanter, og Chefer samt Enkelte andre Fremtraedende Personer i de Tidlegere danske Tropekolonier. Kobenhavn: Arthur Jessens Forlag, 1940. Lawaetz, Hermann. Peter v. Scholten, Dansk Vestindiens sidste Generalguvenor. Kobenhavn: Gyldendalske Boghandel-Nordisk Forlag, 1940. Lewisohn, Florence. St. Croix Under Seven Flags. Hollywood, Florida: The Dukane University Press, 1970 . . The American Revolution's Second Front. Persons and Places Involved in the Danish West Indies & Some Other West Indian Islands. Christians ted: Prestige Press, Inc., 1976. Lord, Francis A. The Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia. New York: Castle Books, 1965. Lundbye, C.C. (comp.). Ledetraad i Artillerie til Brug ved Forela esninger. Kobenhavn: S.L. Moilers Bogtrykkeri, 1852. Moller, Thorvald. Gamle danske Militairvaaben. 2 vols. Kobenhavn: Host & Sons, 1868. Morton, Henry. Danish West Indian Sketchbook and Diary: 1843-1844. Copenhagen: Dansk Vestindisk Selskab and St. Croix Landmarks Society, 1975. Olsen, Herbert. Historic Structures Report, Part I: Fort Christiansvaern. Christiansted, St. Crois, U.S. Virgin Islands: National Park Service, Christiansted National Historic Site, 1960. Proceedings of the Colonial Council for the Danish-West India Possessions. 5th Session 1861 and the extraordinary Session 1862 St. Croix and Copenhagen, ca. 1862. 104 • • • • • • Richter, Vilk. Den Danske Landmilitaeretat, 1801-1894. 2 vols. Copenhagen: Antikvariat Richard Levin and Company, 1977. Schultz, J.H. (Kommandor), and K.E. Ackermann. Den danske Marine, 1814-1848: Orlogsfarten. 2 vols. Kobenhavn: Host & Sons Forlag, 1950. Scott, Henry L. Military Dictionary. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1861; reprint, New York: Greenwood Press Publishers, 1968. Smith, George. An Universal Military Dictionary. London: J. Milan, 1779. Taylor, Charles Edwin. Leaflets from the Danish West Indies. London: William Dawson and Sons, 1888. Topsoe-Jensen, Theodor Andreas. Personalhistoriske Oplysninger om Officerer afdet danske Soofficerskorps, 1. January 1801-19. September 1932, udgaaet fra Sokadetakademiet Soofficersskolen eller Kadetskolen. Kjobenhavn og Kristiania: Gyldendalske Boghandel-Nordisk Forlag, 1919. West, Hans. Tiltraedelsestale Holden, da Skolen i Christiansted paa St. Croix blev Aabnet den 8 de October 1789. Christiansted, St. Croix: Daniel Thibou, 1789 . Westergaard, Waldemar. The Danish West Indies under Company Rule (1671-1754) with a Supplementary Chapter, 1755-1917. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1917. Wolfhagen, Haraold. Marine Ordbog: I. Maritime udtryk paa dansk, engelsk, fransk, og tysk; II.·· Sproglige Vink paa engelsk, fransk, og tysk. Kobenhavn: J.D. Qvist & Komp (Ejnar Levison), 1918 . 105 • • ·- • APPENDIXES • • 107 APPENDIX A MILITARY UNIFORMS AND ACCOUI'REMENTS The Organization Plans of 1829 and 1830 gave rise to a new series of Danish West Indian uniforms for the militia and royal troops respectively. Stylistically, they mirrored prevailing military fashions in Denmark, whose details were in turn adopted from a variety of countries, including Great Britain, France, Germany, and Poland. Although sartorially elegant, uniforms designated for use in the Danish West Indies were hardly practical, but neither were those of the other colonial powers in tropical regions. The only noticeable "conces- sion" was the commonly-worn white trousers; otherwise the cut and weight of the coatee, headgear and equipment were identical to those worn on the continent. The regular forces retained the traditional red coatee, with silver or white trim, facings, and insignia for the infantry, and gold or yellow for the artillery.1 All militia units adopted a base color of dark green, usually with silver or white trim and appointments regardless of branch of service. Uniform regulations for the Royal West Indian Troops in the 1830s and 1840s were grounded in the Plan of October 5, 1830, Part III ("Uniforms and Schedules of Replacement"). 2 For the artillery, they may be summarized as follows: For sergeants and corporals (infantry as well as artillery, and drum-majors): Every year Every 2d year Every 3d year Every 6th year Outer garments 1 uniform coat, with insignias of rank and epaulette 3 pairs duck trousers 1 field cap 1 greatcoat with mantle, with insignias of rank and epaulettes 1 chapka with cords 1 Chnst1an V. Bruun, Danske Uniformer (3 vols.; Kobenhavn, 1837-45. Reprint, Kobenhavn: Forlaget ZAC, 1968). Although Bruun is ambiguous on this point, metal trim as well as embroidery was silver for officers and white for non-commissioned officers and privates in the arti1lery. 2 RA, GTC: 1830, No. 1!9. 108 • • • • • • Every year Every2dyr. Under garments 1 neckcloth (stock) 2 pairs duck gaiters 1 sword knot 2 pairs of shoes 3 pairs socks 3 shirts 1 extra pair of shoes For artillerymen (as well as infantrymen and musicians [i.e., oboe-players and drummers]): Every year Every 2dyr. Every 3d yr. Every 6th yr. Every year Every 2dyr. Outer garments 1 uniform coat, with insignias of rank and epaulette 3 pairs duck trousers 1 field cap 1 greatcoat with mantle, with insignias of rank and epaulettes 1 chapka with cords Under garments 1 neckcloth (stock) 2 pairs duck gaiters 1 sword knot 2 pairs of shoes 3 pairs socks 3 shirts 1 extra pair of shoes 109 For recruits being sent out to the West Indies and soldiers being sent home 40 pairs kersey cloth trousers 40 pairs cloth gaiters supplied every 2 years The following costs were estimated for these uniform items. All values are given in Rigsdaler vestindisk Courant (Rdl. v. C.) and skilling (sk.) (96 sk. to the Rdl.): Item Cost each Total/6 yrs chapka 4.03 Rdl. 4.03 Rdl. field cap .74 " 2.22 " uniform coat 7.86 " 47.16 " duck trousers 1.33 " 23.94 " duck gaiters (pair) .46 " 5.52 " neck stock .17 " 1.02 " shoes (pair) 1.42 " 34.08 " shoe soles (pair) .34 " 4.08 " socks (pair) .38 " 9.12 " shirt .94 " 22.56 " greatcoat 9.88 " 19.76" Details for military uniforms and equipment used on St.Croix for the period from 1830 to 1855 are derived from a variety of sources. 3 All types of military 3 Orgamzation Plan of 1830; Bruun, Dansk Uniformer; Henry Morton, Danish West Indian Sketchbook and Diary: 1843-1844 (Copenhagen: Dansk Vestindisk Selskab and St. Croix Landmarks Society, 1975); Heinrich Andreas Raupach, "Notebook and Sketches." Mss.; F. C. Lund, tjl854: Garde, Infanterist, Jaeger, Dragon, In- fantericofficer." Color uniform plate, 1870; lnga Flemming Rasmussen, "Uniformer fra de Tidligere dansk vestin- diske Oer: en Oversigt 1755 till917," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift (Aarbog XXVII, pp. 79-102; and the collection of Christiansted National Historic Site and William F. Cissel. 110 • • • • • artifacts with a St. Croix provenance are rare, resulting in a corresponding lack of precise measurements. • • In keeping with the scope and purpose of this Historic Furnishing Report, only artillery uniforms and accessories in use from 1830 to 1855 will be described. As much detail as possible will be given for officers' uniforms in each category (both royal troops and the militia). Subsequent descriptions for non-commis- sioned officers and enlisted men will focus primarily on differences. Royal West Indian Troops, 1830-1851 Officer, West Indian Artillery4 Headgear: High-crowned fore-and-aft hat in black beaver felt. The right side ofthe hat featured an elongated gold bullion loop, consisting of three cords laid side-to-side. A medium-sized, convex, gilt-metal button was centered at the bottom of the loop. This button may possibly have had an embossed design incorporating the crossed cannons of the Royal Artillery. The top of the loop broadened to enclose a cockade in the form of a silver "Dannebrog" cross on a red field. There was a tuft of narrow twisted gold bullion cords at each end of the fore-and-aft. A short spray ofblue feathers was fastened behind the cockade. Coatee: A tunic of superior-quality red wool, characterized by a short waist in front and clipped tails reaching to the back of the knee. Each tail had a pair of medium-width yellow turnbacks, which converged near the bottom. From the Bruun illustration (fig. 12), the coatee appeared to be closely fitted at the chest and sleeves. The rear of the coatee had a pair of scalloped pocket flaps at waist level, the "point" of each flap being secured to a partially exposed medium-sized plain, convex, gilt-metal button by a concealed loop. The coatee was single-breasted, with 12 large, plain, slightly-convex gilt-metal buttons down the front. The tall closed collar was dark blue, trimmed at the front and top edges with medium width gold bullion tape. The cuffs, also of dark blue, were peaked (scalloped) on the outer side of the sleeve, and trimmed at the upper and rear edges in medium-width gold bullion tape. The front and bottom edges of the collar, the front of the coatee, the side and bottom (scalloped) edges of the pockets, and top and rear edges of the cuffs had narrow yellow piping (3mm if latter nineteenth century Danish uniform design had any relevance). Epaulet- tes were constructed in the following manner: a base of stiff material (mostly rectangular, but clipped at the edges near the collar, and broadening to an oval at the sleeve/shoulder seam) was covered on the underside with dark blue wool cloth. The upper side of the "strap" featured scalloped gilt-metal "scales." A 4 Bruun, Danske Vni}ormer, I, 82; III, 128; figure 14 . 111 convex gilt-metal "crescent" affixed over the oval portion of the epaulette surrounded a gilt metal device consisting of a winged artillery projectile sur- mounted by a crown. Rank was primarily determined by the length or absence of fringe (consisting of fine-to-medium diameter strands of twisted gold bullion wire) extending beneath the crescent: for example, second lieutenants had not fringe. Each epaulette was attached to the coatee by passing the rectangular strap through an embroidered gold bullion loop sewn near the sleeve/shoulder seam, and then fastened to the shoulder by an elongated hook attached to the underside of the epaulette strap. An aiguilette of gold bullion cord was worn over the right chest in the following manner: a single cord was fastened at both ends under the epaulette fringe, and passed under the right sleeve. Two tapered aiguilettes of plaited cord began at the front, fastened at the button below the collar, and hung down in the form of two plaited oval "discs," each terminating in a large fringed "acorn." Trousers: Dark blue wool trousers with a broad bold bullion tape stripe at each outside seam were worn for parade- and full-dress. It is not known iflinen trousers in white like the royal infantry, or perhaps in dark blue, were worn for everyday dress. The trousers were tapered and somewhat close fitting. The illustration in Bruun indicates fall front trousers fastened at the corners and at top center by bone buttons. A self-colored cloth strap was sewn in the inside bottom of each trouser leg, and worn around the shoe at the instep. Neckcloth (stock): Black cloth material worn over the shirt, featuring a high collar and "skirt" at the base. It was most probably fastened by small hook-and-eyes at the front and by a bone button at the base of the throat. Waist Sash: Broad bold bullion cloth sash with three equidistant narrow red stripes, fastened on the left (sword) side, with the two ends hanging down and terminating in tasseled knots. The method of fastening the sash at the waist tying or hooking) cannot be determined. Sword Belt and Hangers: Fabrication details for this item cannot be stated with any certainty based on Bruun's illustration. The narrow waist belt and two adjustable sword suspension straps were most probably gold bullion tape or embroidered on a dark blue wool cloth foundation. All fittings were gilt metal. The waist belt fastened with a horizontal "S"-hook buckle (with stylized eagle head ends), which were retained by a pair of slides (each with a loop or "eye"). Each suspension strap had a small rectangular buckle, a snap hook, and a pointed tab at the tip. The set was worn under the coatee. Footwear: Shoes were black leather, slip-on style, with low heels, and worn with gilt-metal spurs and rowels. 112 • • • • • • Non-Commissioned/Enlisted Ranks, West Indian Artillery Czapka, or chapka: The description of this item can be stated with reasonable certainty on the basis of the basic material composition of uniform items described in the Organization Plan of1830. In addition to the implications attending the use of the nomenclature czapka, the itemization of yellow "hangers" (cordonner) as an accessory is of primary importance in determining any further details. Based on that evidence, the artillery czapka was likely very similar to the model used by noncommissioned officers and enlisted men of the· regular west Indian infantry, thus: a rounded crown (containing a suspension liner) and a visor, both of black leather, surmounted by an outward-flaring, four-sided top covered with dark blue wool. The chins trap, ofblack leather with rectangular adjustment slides of yellow metal, was attached to each side of the crown by a large circular convex yellow metal disc embossed with a lion's face. The upper front face of the czapka featured a large yellow metal "star" plate with radiating lines and a central device of a convex disc embossed with a crown surmounting the Royal Danish Coat of Arms (including supporters). The top edge of the czapka was trimmed with broad yellow cotton tape. A large oval metal cockade bearing a white "Dannebrog" cross on a red field within a concentric border was positioned on this trim above the helmet plate. The czapka had the following "cords" and "hangers": two crescent-shaped plaited cords of yellow cotton, suspended from the top sides by rosettes, and hung front and rear. The one in front partially obscured the lower half of the helmet plate. Further, a small fringed "acorn" was hung from the top right-hand rosette, which descended in the form of a double cord lanyard with a retaining slide and then broadened at epaulette level to form to tapered aiguilettes. These were suspended from the button just below the collar, and then hung down as two oval plaited cord "discs," each of which terminated in a large fringed acorn.5 A dark blue "pompon" may have been worn above the cockade for dress. Field Cap: A listing of materials basic to the manufacture of this cap in the 1830 regulations implies, by the quantities mentioned, that it had a dark blue top, "poppy red" (ponceau) piping, and a leather visor. A pencil sketch of"three artillerymen ... at Fort Christiansvaern," although undated, probably repre- sents the style used in the period 1830-51 because the artillerymen's uniform coats conform exactly to the pattern in use at that time.6 This field cap, as shown, consisted of a short-topped, stiff-sided oval body that flared slightly outward and had a flat top, all of navy blue wool. A slightly-raised band of narrow-to-medium width encircled the cap at the top edge. A broad band, possibly of"poppy red" wool, was positioned along the bottom edge. This field cap had a black leather visor. The chins trap was also ofblack leather, with small 5 F'or an illustration, see Bruun, Dansk Unifonner, I, 81 (figure 16 [detail]) . 6 Raupach, Notebook and sketches. 113 rectangular adjustment slides. Two insignias were worn on the front of the cap; • however, their positive identification is not possible because the caps were drawn in profile. They most likely are a small oval cockade in the Danish national colors (red and white) positioned on the upper band, and a smaller-scale helmet plate (possibly the Royal Danish Coat-of-Arms, including supporters) in yellow metal, with the lower edge parallel with the bottom of the lower band. (See fig. 15.) Coatee: The same pattern and color for Royal Artillery officers, but of a lesser quality wool and with shorter tails. All buttons and metal insignia were of yellow metal. All tape trim was of yellow cotton. The construction and method of attachment of the epaulettes were essentially the same as for officers, except that they were more simple, all metal parts were yellow, and the retaining loop was yellow cotton. Rank was indicated by chevrons (one for lance-corporal, two for corporals, and three for sergeants) of medium-width yellow tape, in all probability positioned immediately below the tape trim, framing the peak, or scallop, of each cuff. 7 Trousers: According to the Organization Plan of 1830, white duck trousers were apparently worn for everyday dress. It is not known if dark blue trousers may have been worn for parade dress. Fall front trousers fastened at the corners and at the top center by bone buttons. Neckcloth (stock): The standard military pattern as described for officers. Cross-Belts: Two broad white leather belts (approximately 2.5 inches wide) were worn crossed in front of and under the epaulettes. These suspended, on the left side, an integral sheath for a short sword ("hanger") and, on the right, a large cartridge box. Whether a cross-belt plate was worn, and if so of what design, is not known. Cartridge Box: This cartridge box, of heavy black leather, was designated Model 1835, and was identical in most respects to the Model1806 worn by the Danish Life Guards. Apparently, the principal differences were that the front flap of the M. 1835 was not as long as the M. 1806 and that it had a more pronounced scallop at the bottom.8 The interior of the cartridge box held two wood blocks, each drilled to hold fifteen pre-wrapped paper cartridges (three rows of five holes per block) (figs. 20a and b). 7 Bee, lor example, Bruun, Dansk Uniformer. III, plate 21. 8 See Erik Troldhuus Ovesen, "Patrontasker for Den kgl. Livgarde m.fl," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskrift, XVI (Oc- tober 1983), pp. 178-82. 114 • • • • • Footwear: Shoes were black leather, with low heels. It cannot presently be determined whether these were a slip-on style or the one eyelet-pair type worn by the West Indian Military Force by 1854.9 These were worn with low-cut duck gaiters, worn under the trouser legs with a retaining strap passing around the shoe at the instep (fig. 28). Overcoat: This caped wool overcoat, or greatcoat, is rather reminiscent of the infantry overcoat used by federal troops during the Civil War.10 It was worn on guard duty (primarily nighttime) in the West Indies. An example, stamp-dated 1843, is housed in the collections of the Tojhusmuseet, Copenhagen. From a photograph of this item, the overcoat was single-breasted, with a rise-and-fall collar, and a short cape extending approximately one-third the distance to the elbow. The sleeves appear to be cuffiess. The coat extended to halfway the length of the calves of the legs. A pair of vertically-slit hand warmer pockets were located toward the back of the coat, positioned slightly below elbow level. The specified color was "light blue," although the example is blue-grey. The coat was fastened by approximately eight cloth-covered, self-colored buttons that extended from the base of the throat to wrist-level; approximately seven similar buttons fastened the cape up the front. Several graphic and documentary sources in the Rigsarkiv relevant to the uniforms of the West Indian Troops (1830-1851) appear anomalous to the foregoing descriptions: 1) A hand-colored print ofBruun's "Major of the West Indian Artillery" in the Rigsarkiv, Copenhagen, shows a base coat color of dark blue, with royal blue collar, cuffs, and epaulette underlay. Further, a Fort Christiansvaern inventory dated 184 7 describes "1 dark blue uniform coat with artillery insignia" and "3 dark blue uniform jackets." These descriptions are at variance with both the uniform material specifications set forth in the Organization Plan of 1830 and Bruun's description accompanying the above mentioned 1837 print. One possible explanation is that the base color for the West Indian Artillery coatee may have changed from red to dark blue sometime in the 1840s, while retaining the pattern or "cut" of the coatee. Since the Danish Army did not abandon the red coatee in favor of a double-breasted dark blue coat until 1849, it is unlikely that the foregoing references indicate the later double-breasted style. 2) Annual Accounts for the Royal Military Depot at Christiansted indicate that the cross-belts worn by non-commissioned officers and men were stocked in linen by 1851, contrary to the standard white leather. The new 9 See Erik Troldhuus Ovesen, "Sko til den Vestindiske Haerstyrke," Vaabenhistorisk Tidsskri{t, XIX (March 1986), p. 100 . 10 See Francis G. Lord, The Civil War Collector's Encyclopedia (New York: Castle Books, 1965), p. 302. 115 1849 Danish uniform replaced the white cross-belts with a simple black leather waist belt for suspending equipment. It is possible that no replace- ment stocks of white leather cross-belts were sent out to the West Indies between 1849 and 1851 (at which time the new uniform was introduced with the arrival of the vestindiske Haerstyrke) as a consequence of prioritized supplies during the Schleswig-Holstein War of1848-50. On the other hand, the linen cross-belts have reflected an unofficial local experi- ment in "tropicalized" equipment. 3) References to "a light-blue coat, used" in the 1847 inventory at Fort Christiansvaern cannot presently be explained. The West Indian Military Force (1851) In 1849, the Danish Army abandoned its traditional red coatee, choosing a shorter-length, dark blue coat after the Prussian example. The West Indian Military Force (vestindiske Haerstyrke) introduced this new style with its advent in 1851. The new uniform was a radical departure from preceding styles, reflecting lessons learned since the outbreak of the first war over Schleswig- Holstein in 1848. The double-breasted coat, which had an even-edged skirt, was dark blue with self-colored collar and cuffs. The collar had a pair of broad patches, which for the artillery were carmine in color. Each patch had two narrow loops embroidered horizontally, with a small button at the left edge of each loop. The front and bottom edges of the collar, front of the coat, and scallop and rear edge of the cuffs were piped in carmine. Buttons and other metal fittings continued to be gilt for officers and yellow for other ranks. Epaulettes continued to indicate rank, with distinctions in grade among officers denoted by one to three rosettes or "pips" (for example, a captain wore three "pips"; fig. 26). In addition, non-commissioned officers wore one to three chevrons on both arms above the cuff scallop. Trousers worn by the artillery in the West Indies remained white duck, with light-blue "cloth" trousers for dress and inclement weather; for officers, the former gold stripe along each outer seam were discon- tinued. A dark blue kepi with carmine piping, a small oval cockade in the Danish national colors (red and white), and a black leather visor and chinstrap was worn (fig. 27). The color of load-carrying leather equipment, which was no longer worn crossed, was changed to black. 11 11 RiChard Rnotei, Herbert Knotel, and Herbert Sieg, Uniforms o[tM World (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1980), p. 62; Inga Flemming Rasmussen, "Artilleriets unifonnerog faner gennem 300 aar. 1685-1984," Dansk Artil- leri-7ldsskri{t (August 1984), p. 172. 116 • • • • • • In 1850, an effort (undertaken primarily by the military authorities in Chris- tiansted) had been made to determine the use of suitable "tropical" clothing by the British Army stationed in their West Indian colonies. 12 This study resulted in a detailed proposal for there-uniforming of the regular forces in the Virgin Islands. 13 Those recommendations ultimately adopted (the substitution of cotton shirts and socks for example) seem woefully inadequate vis-a-vis the retention of wool uniform coats and greatcoats, they should nevertheless be viewed as a serious effort toward providing greater physical comfort for the troops. After 1851, uniform standards were set forth in the "Repiations for the Danish West Indian Military Force's Clothing and Arming":1 For Commandoskriveren (?), sergeant-pyrotechnicians (Fyrvaerkere), ser- geants, corporals, lance-corporals (undercorporaler), musicians, and privates of the infantry and the artillery (bombarderer), but not including Transconstabler or the Kingshill Detachment: Every year Every2dyr. Outer garments 1 uniform coat, with insignias of rank 2 pairs duck trousers 1 sword knot15 1 pair light blue field cap16 1 pair light blue cloth trousers 12 RA, RC: KGVJ Haerstyrken XVI. Governor-General of Barbados to Governor-General of Danish Antilles, August 6, 1850. 13 RA, KC: KGVJ Haerstyrken XVI. "Proposal for the Equipment Regulations for the West Indian Military Force," December 30, 1850. 14 RA, KC: KGJV, Haerstyrken XVI, April 29, 1855. 15 Although the 1855 uniform regulations consistently call for a light-blue kepi for all branches, this detail may have been short-lived (if not ignored) by the artillery, who traditional1y wore dark blue. See figure 27 for a typical Danish artilleryman's kepi of the 1850s. 16 Silver and red sabre knots (Sabelgvaster) were worn by Commandoskriveren, Commandeersergenter, and Fyr- vaerkerer; for examples, see Nilsson (1987 1:10-1, figs. 2 and 3). All other underofficerer (non-commissioned officers) and men wore a sabre knot consisting of a "strap" surmounted by a "top," "stock," "crown," and "tassel" of"gold and red" worsted wool (Nilsson 1987 3:97-100). For the general design of the latter type, see figure 33. 117 Every year Issued once Every4 yrs. Every 8 yrs. Every 6th yr. Under garments 1 neckcloth (stock) 4 cotton ("stout~) shirts 4 pairs cotton socks 4 pairs ankle shoes for NCOs, or 2 pairs for corporals and EM 1 pair extra soles Weapons and Leather Equipment 1 infantry rifle17 1 bayonet for the above 1 black leather rifle sling 1 infantry sabre w/scabbard18 1 NCO sabre w/scabbard19 1 black leather waist belt with sword hanger 1 drum with drumsticks 1 black leather drum strap 1 trumpet 1 Banderolle 1 fife 1 fife-case ofbrass 1 pair drum tassels 1 bread bag with str~ 1 canteen with strap Additionally, the following "field~ or guard-duty greatcoats were issued to the infantry: 20 at Kingshill and 30 each at Christiansted and Frederiksted 17 Either the Modell828 or the Modell831/48, both converted to percussion. (See Appendix B "Military Small Anns.") 18 This sabre was possibly the Infantey Model 1854. See Appendix B "Military Small Arms." 19 Either the non-commissioned officer's sabre (Model 1831) or, more likely, the battalion sergeant-major's sabre (Model1854). For a description of the latter, see Appendix B "Military Sma11 Arms." 20 The Model 1831 canteen consisted of a glass flask covered with leather, and suspended by a leather strap (Moller 1968 2:55; see also fig. 25). 118 • • • • • • For any of the above ranks assigned to the Kingshill [cavalry] Detachment, as well as Trainconstabler: Every year Every 4th yr. Every 6th yr . Every year 21 See also footnote no. 15. Outer garments 1 uniform coat, with insignias of rank 2 pairs duck trousers 1 sword knot21 1light blue field cap 1 pair light blue trousers 1 . "d" b t 22 pair n mg oo s 1 pair screw-on iron s:rurs 1leather saber knot2 1 cavalry greatcoat Under garments 1 neckcloth (stock) 2 pairs of shoes 3 pairs socks 3 shirts 22 These were used only by Transconstabler . 23 Many variants exist of the Modell842leather sabre knot; see Nilsson (1987 2:51-53, figs. 2la and 22a-c). 119 Issued once Every 8 yrs. Weapons and Leather Equipment 1 rifled "breech-loadi~ carbine with accessories and black leather slin~ 2 rifled "breech-loading" pistols with accessories25 1 cavalry sabre (for example, the cavalry boardsword [Rytterpallask], Model 1843) with black leather hanger 1 bread bag with strap 1 canteen with strap For soldiers being sent home to Denmark from the West Indies 2 pairs wool socks • 2 flannel shirts • 1light blue cloth trousers 24 POssibly a reference to either the cavalry carbine, Modell836/49 or the "chamber-loading" carbine, Model 1841. For descriptions, see Appendix B "Military Small Arms." Although the 1855 Regulations call the unspecified weapon a "breech-loader" (Baglader), true conversions of that type (the Models 1848/65 and 1854/65), which utilized a self-contained cartridge, were not issued until 1865! It is further known that only percussionized anna (for ex- ample, the Models 1828 and 1831/48) were sent out of the West Indies in 1853 to re-equip the military force. 25 Since the unifonn regulations make reference to "rifled pistols," this would have to refer. to the Model1851 pil- lar-breech (TaprifTel) pistol. See Appendix B "Military Small Arms." • 120 • • • The following costs were estimated for these uniform items. All values are given in Rigsdaler vestindisk Courant (Rdl. v. C.) and skilling (sk.). There were 96 skilling to the Rigsdaler): Item Cost each 'lbtal/8 yrs. uniform coat 5.73 45.84 cloth trousers 4.09 32.72 duck trousers 1.13 18.08 infantry greatcoat 8.20 8.20 cavalry greatcoat 17.30 17.30 field cap 1.20 9.60 riding boots (pair) 5.84 46.72 silver sword knot 3.16 25.28 worsted wool knot .36 2.88 leather sword knot .23 .46 drum tassels (pair) .40 .80 Banderolle 1.32 1.32 screw-on iron spurs .56 4.48 121 APPENDIXB MILITARY SMALL ARMS Firearms of the Regular Forces and the Militia A May 1836 reference to military firearms at Fort Christiansvaern speaks of the "cleaning and oiling of 206 old 'Minie-rifles.'"1 This may well have referred to the flintlock Model 1822, which the Danes had purchased from the French. The fact that these weapons were described as "old" skirted the issue of obsolescence for both small arms and artillery supplied to the troops in the Danish West Indies in comparison with units on the continent. This situation was not novel, for colonial troops regardless of nationality, were more often than not armed with what may be termed "cast-offs" resulting from weapon-upgrades in the mother country. The "old" rifles of the 1836 citation were to serve an additional four years before being replaced. Musket, Model 1822 ("ex-French"}--French manufacturer. Ignition type: flintlock. Barrel: smoothbore, caliber 17.4mm (.68"), 103cm ( 40.6") in length, with fixed rear sight; secured to the stock by three bands. Hardware: all iron fittings except brass trigger guard. Stock: full-length, probably walnut (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1288, pp. 56, 156). In April 1840, the Generaltoldkammer (which administered Denmark's colonial affairs at that time) inquired of Kronborg about supplying 300 rifled muskets, Model 1831, for the West Indian Troops. The request was approved that same year. The weapons were drawn from existing arsenal stocks. In addition, 30 of the so-called "non-commissioned officer rifle" of the Model1829 were sent out. The barrels were stamped on the left side (approximately below the rear sight) with the following designations: "V.T." (Vestindisk Tropperr, or West Indian Troops), the company number ("1" for St. Croix, "2" for St. Thomas), and the military issue number. AModel1831 in a private Danish collection has these marks preceded by "C.W.F." (Christian Werns Fort, or Fort Chris- tiansvaern). The following serial numbers of Model 1831s were sent to St. Croix: ''V.T. l.C. Nos. 24-153," for a total of130 weapons. Of the "non-commis- sioned officer rifles," Model 1829, sent to the Danish West Indies, numbers 1 1 RA, BLA:PG, 1885-40. 122 • • • • • • through 18 were also sent to St. Croix, and issued to sergeants there. The underside of each barrel was proofed near the breech plug with the crowned cypher of Christian VIII. 2 Rifled Musket, M. 1831-Weapon designed by Jorgen Christian Kurtzhals and manufactured at the Kronborg Gevaerfabrik (Kronborg Arms Factory). Ignition type: flintlock. Barrel: caliber 16.9mm(.66"), with six grooves, fixed rear sights secured to the stock by three iron bands. Model1831s sent to the West Indies had bronzed barrels and hardware and case-hardened locks. Stock: full-length walnut. Overall length (excluding bayonet): 131.0cm (51.57"'); 187.0cm (73.62") with the bayonet attached. 'lbtal production: 7,250 between 1831-40 (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1288, p. 42). Non-Commissioned Officers' Rifle, M. 1829--No details on this rifle are presently available . These weapons gave local service for 12 years. Then, as part of the re-equip- ment of the new vestindiske Haerstyrke (West Indian Military Force), 66 Model 1828s, converted to percussion, and 18 "pillar-breech" (Tapriffel) rifled muskets Model1831/48 were sent from Denmark in 1853, followed the next year by an additional 66 Model 1828s. The unconverted Model 1831s were sold at public auction at the Tojhusmuseet, Copenhagen, in 1855, for 2 to 3 Rigsbankdaler per musket.3 Rifle, M. 182S--Ignition type: percussion, 1846 conversion from flintlock. Barrel: round, rifled (replacement for the original smoothbore); caliber 17.8cm (.70"), 104cm (40.9"); with three-stage folding leaf rear sight; secured to the stock by three bands. Hardware: All iron except for brass trigger guard. Stock: full-length, possibly walnut (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1289, pp. 56-156). 2 leaper Godvin Hansen, '"Den Riflede Musket M. 1831 og dens Varianter," Vaabenhistoriske Tidsskri{l, XVI (February 1983), pp-41-42 . 3 Ibid., pp. 42-43. 123 Rifle, M. 183V48 (percussion)-This is the Model1831 musket (for description,' see Rifled Musket, M. 1831, above), with the following differences. Ignition type: percussion, converted from flintlock, utilizing Weng's system, Rear sight: two-stage folding leaf sight, replacing the original fixed sight. For unexplained reasons, the Model 1831/48 was not held in high regard in the West Indies. On January 3, 1857, the Danish Ministry of War gave instructions to the Artillery Brigade to the effect that unpaid-for Model1831/48s should be exchanged for the Model1848 Tapriffel.4 Rifle, Model 184S--Ignition type: percussion. Barrel: round, becoming octagonal near the breech; rifled, caliber 16.9mm (.66"); with Dahlhotrs arched rear sight with long base; length 91cm (35.8"). Hardware: browned iron fittings except brass trigger guard and buttplate. Stock: full-length, possibly walnut (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1287, pp. 56, 156), According to the Regulations for the West Indian Military Force (1855), the the Cavalry Carbine, M. 1836/49; "Chamber-Loading" Carbine, M. 1841; and "Pillar-Breech," M. 1854, presumably were scheduled for issue, but Danish records do not document that they were distributed. Cavalry Carbine, M. 1836/49-French manufacture. Ignition type: percussion, 1849 conversion from flintlock. Barrel: round, rifled; caliber 17.5mm (.68"); fixed rear sight. Hardware: iron, except brass barrel band, trigger guard, and buttplate. Saddle ring on left side. Stock: dark walnut (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1263, pp. 54, 154). 4 Ibid., p. 43. 124 • • • • • • OR "Chamber-Loading" Carbine, M. 1841-Constructor: N.J. Lobnitz. Ignition type: percussion, with access to chamber by means oflever on right-hand side. Barrel: octagonal, rifled, with six grooves; caliber 15.5mm (.61"); fixed rear sight. Special feature was the so-called "trigger-guard lock." In use by the Hussar Regiment, 1841-55 (Thorvald Moller, Gamle danske Militairvaaben [2 vols.; Kobenhavn: Host and sons, 1968], II, 18, no. 2). "Pillar-Breech" Pistol, M. 1854-Manufacturer: A. Francotte, Liege, Belgium. Ignition type: percussion, with ring-type hammer. Barrel: round, rifled; caliber 15mm (.59"); with two-stage folding leaf rear sight graduated at 25 and 75 Alen (51' to 151'); length 30cm (11.8"); secured to stock by one band. Hardware: iron and German silver. Stock: this pistol has a detachable buttstock for greater range, effectively converting the pistol into a carbine; all wood dark walnut (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1303, pp. 57, 158) . In addition, the M. 1829 musket and the M. 1830 musket were issued to the St. Croix Militia from1830 to 1852. Musket, M. 1829-Manufactured by Kronbord-Gevaerfabrik. Ignition type: flintlock with safety (i.e., half-) cock. Barrel: round, becoming octagonal near the breech; smoothbore, caliber 17.6mm (.69"). Barrel, lock, and ramrod of browned iron; other fittings ofbrass. Stock: full-length beechwood. An eight-sided brass plaque bearing the following design was inlet in the right side of the buttstock: crown/St./cross/1830 and the weapon's military issue number. The nusket had a plug-in bayonet with a special locking system designed by Christian Wilcken Kyhl. Overall length: 134.9cm (53.11") overall (excluding bayonet). Weight: 4.37kg (9.63 lbs.). Tojhusmuseet, Copenhagen, has two examples: serial numbers "111" and "112" (Barding, "Dansk-Vestindiske Vaaben," p. 8). Musket, M. 1830-This weapon was alA>st identical to the Model 1829, described above, except for a smaller caliber, i.e., 17.2mm (.87"); reduced overall length to 125.2cm ( 49.29"); and weight pared to 3.52kg (7.76 lbs.). The purpose for changes warranting a new model designation in the very short span of one year are presently not known. The Tohjusmuseet, Copenhagen, has one example (Barding, "Dansk-Vestindiske Vaaben," p. 8) . 125 Edged weapons (excluding bayonets) were used on St. Croix by the regular forces and the militia between 1880-55. Militia issue weapons are specifically noted: Short Sword, M. 1830 (Militia}-Hilt: two-part cast brass, with an off-centered pommel edged with stylized acanthus leaves. Grip: bears the following design on both side&---{!rown/St./cross/1830. Blade: straight, double-edged, with a tapered point. Scabbard: black leather sheath with brass fittings. Overall length: 76.2cm (30"). Weight: 0.88kg (1.94lbs.). (Barding, "Dansk-Vestindiske Vaaben," p. 8.) Infantry Sabre ("Hanger"?), M. 1834-Hilt: brass, with a globular pommel, heart-shaped cross guard, and a slightly-flattened "D"-shaped knuckle bow. Grip: spindle-shaped ribbed brass. Blade: generally straight, with the rib running its greater length, and the last third of the blade curving toward the point. Ricasso usually stamped with abbreviated designation for Danish unit. Scabbard: black leather sheath, with brass fittings (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1087, pp. 42, 135). Artillery Sabre, M. 1840--Hilt: slightly curved, with "D"-shaped knuckle bow and narrow cross guard. Grip: ribbed brass. Blade: straight and double-edged, with a clipped point 62.6cm (24.6") long and 3.5cm (1.4") wide at the ricasso. Scabbard: black leather sheath with brass fittings. Overall length: 76.5cm (30.1 "). (Barding, "Dansk-Vestindiske Vaaben," p. 7.) Cavalry Broadsword, M. 1843 (Haerstyrke}-Hilt: iron, with the grip-back and flat-topped pommel of one piece, as is the hand guard (the ratter having a teardrop-shaped cutout in the lower half of the knuckle bow). Grip: dark brown leather, wrapped with parallel rows of twisted brass wire. Blade: slightly curved and single-edged, with broad fuller or blood-gutter, and a spear point. The ricasso is stamped with the Soligen maker and abbreviated designations for Danish units. Scabbard: iron, with two carrying rings and a heavy drag (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1107, pp. 43, 137). Infantry "Side Arm" (Sidevaaben), M. 1854-Hilt: cast-brass in the Imperial Roman short sword style, with a flattened pommel, short cross guard, and circular quillons. Grip: ribbed brass. Blade: straight, double-edged, with a spear point. Scabbard: black leather sheath with brass fittings (Arms Gallery, 1982, nos. 1099, 1100, pp. 42, 136-37)._ . Sabre for Cornrnandeersergenter, M. 1854-Hilt: Tombac (copper-zinc alloy), with "D"-shaped knuckle bow and two branches and a downward-curved quillon terminating in a flat disc. Grip: sharkskin wrapped with parallel rows of twisted brass wire. Blade: curved, with raised rib and yelman. Scabbard: black leather sheath with 'lbmbac fittings. This edged weapon was derived from a German Fusilier sabre (Arms Gallery, 1982, no. 1081, pp. 42, 135). 126 • • • • • • In conclusion, a brief note on bayonets is appropriate. All Danish military firearms prior to 1867 utilized socket bayonets with triangular blades. Bayonet scabbards consisted of a black leather sheath with brass fittings . 127 APPENDIXC DANISH ARTILLERY AT CHRISTIANSTED, 1830-1855 The primary sources for types of artiilery and their placement at Fort Chris- tiansvaem for the period 1830-55 is a plan numbered "10," dated March 1836, by two officers of the Christiansted garrison, Gjellerup and v. Friis, 1 as well as labor and material accounts for Fort Christiansvaem in the Rigsarkivet. 2 These indicate the following guns in designated positions in 1836: Water Battery ............... 18-pounders x 8 Northeast Bastion ......... 3-pounders x 4 Southeast Bastion ......... 4-/6-pounders x 5 Southwest Bastion ........ 4-/6-pounders x 5 Northwest Bastion ........ 4-/6-pounders x 5 Ravelin Yard .................. 3-pounder x 1 Four 10-pounder howitzers are also recorded in 1837. With the exception of the 3-pounder atop the canteen in the Ravelin Yard, which was mounted on a field carriage, the foregoing cannons were mounted on fortress-type carriages appropriately scaled to barrel size. A later, although undated, schematic plan of artillery at Fort Christiansvaem (obviously postdating 1836 but predating 1878 when the Fort was demilitarized) shows the following arrangement: Water Battery ............... 18-pounders x 8 Northeast Bastion ......... 3-pounders x 4 Southeast Bastion ......... 6-pounders x 5 Southwest Bastion ........ 6-pounders x 5 Northwest Bastion ........ 6-pounders x 5 By that time3 the small field gun had been removed from atop the canteen by the main gate. A survey of Danish cannon remaining at Christians ted Mation- al Historic Site indicates the following were used at Fort Christiansvaem during the period from 1830 to the late 1850s (Tojhusmuseet 196-): 1 Olsen, Historic Structures Report, p. 193. 2 BLA:SB!, 1825-39; PG, 1835-46; and R+PK, 1842-50. 3 NA, SBI: 187-. 128 • • • • • • Danish naval iron 18-pounders of the Model of 1692. These were cast by Danish order at the gun-foundry at Laurvig, Norway. This type was used both on warships and in fortresses, and were brought by warship to St. Croix in 1790. The right trunnion cap featured a crowned "L," indicat- ing the County of Laurvig. The left trunnion cap showed the year of casting; of the five examples of this type at Fort Christiansvaem, three are dated 1784 and two are dated 1786. Each gun had a series of Roman numerals incised at the breech, indicating the weight upon delivery from the foundry. This archaic Danish system of weights can be translated as follows: 1 skippund = 320 pund = 160 kilograms= 352.74 pounds; 1lispund = 16 pund = 8 kilograms = 17.64 pounds; 1 pund = 500 grams = 0.5 kilograms = 1.10 pound. The first 3 to 4 numerals indicated skippund; the second set showed lispund; and the third set, pund. Thus, XIII.VIII.XI = 13 skippund, 8 lispund, and 11 pund, or 4,738.8 pounds. The average weight of the guns of this pattern at Fort Christiansvaem is 4,658.9 pounds. See figures 30-1. The following table presents selected maximum ranges for this gun using solid shot; distances have been converted from the archaic Danish system oflinear measure, Alen, into English measure (1 alen = 2.058 feet):'! Elevation in Degrees 1 3 5 7.51bs 8643.6 8849.4 8437.8 Powder Charge in Degrees 6 lbs 4.5 lbs 3 lbs 7820.4 7408.8 8437.8 7203 7820.4 8437.8 5968.2 7408.8 7408.8 1.51b 4527.6 5556.6 5556.6 Danish iron 6-pounders of the Model of 1834. These guns were cast for the Danish army at the gun-foundry at Aaker, Sweden, in 1840, although examples of this gun were apparently not shipped to the Danish West Indies until 1857. They were used both by the field artillery, in fortresses as landward defenses (on the bastions at Fort Christiansvaem), and as saluting cannon. The right trunnion cap featured the location of the gun-foundry, "Aaker" (Moss Werk). The left trunion cap displayed the 4 Glahn. 1853. p. 80 . 129 crowned cypher of Christian VIII ofDenmark and the year of casting, 1840. • The following inscriptions are to be found on the barrel, on either side of the vent: to the left, the delivery number of the gun in Arabic numerals; to the right, the weight of the gun in Roman numerals, given in skippund, lispund, and pund. The average weight for the five guns of this pattern remaining at Fort Christiansvaem is 869.7 pounds. The casting number in Roman numerals can be found on the breech below the cascabel. (See figs. 35-7). The following table selects maximum ranges for this gun. Distances have been converted from the archaic Danish linear system, Alen, into English measure. It is interesting to contrast this table with that which follows, applicable to guns of the same caliber under the so-called "old system" (pre-Model1834).5 Type of Ammunition Solid Shot Case Shot Case Shot 5 Ibid., pp. 42, 45, 82. 6-pounders, Model 1834 No. of Ball 1 47 47 Powder Charge 2lbs 2lbs 2lbs 130 Elevation in Degrees not given 1/4 1/2 Maximum Range 3704 412 823 • • • • • Elevation in Degrees 1 3 5 6-pounders, "Old System" (Pre-Model 1834) 2.5lbs 5557 5968 5557 Powder Charge 2lbs 1.5lbs 5145 5557 5557 4733 5351 5351 llbs 3910 4733 4939 .5lb 3087 3499 3704 The 18-pounders (Model1692) and 6-pounders (Model1834), of course, do not reflect the entire scope of artillery present at the site during that time. The total absence ofbronze guns (Metalkanoner) confirms that many artillery pieces were eventually shipped back to Denmark on warships. Iron guns (Jernkanoner) were occasionally declared obsolete, "demilitarized" by cutting off one or both trunnions, and sold locally as scrap. In fact, a synthesis of relevant inventories for Fort Christiansvaern (1830s through 1850s) shows the following generic types and calibers: Fortress artillery: .......... 18- and 6-pounders. Field artillery: ............... 6-, 4-, and 3-pounders. Howitzers: .................... 20- and 10-pounders. Mortars:... . ................... unspecified caliber(s). In addition, we know of the temporary inclusion of an "espingol" battery at Christiansted beginning in November, 1848 . 131 Christiansted NHS has copies of measured drawings of barrels, carriages, auxilliary wagons, and cranes (cannon gins) from the Royal Arsenal Museum (Thjhusmuseet), Copenhagen, ca. IS52-55, as well as accessories, e.g., ramrods, sponges, worms, powder scoops, vent picks, tompions, andjacks.6 Gunpowder used by the Danish artillery in the period IS30-IS55 was manufactured at the Royal Arsenal, Frederiksvaerk, adhering to a formula of 76 parts saltpeter, I4 parts charcoal, and IO parts sulphur. Gunpowder was sorted by "grain" into three grades. The coarsest was cannon powder, calculated at 400 to 600 grains per "quintal" (IOO kg. or 220.46 lbs.), followed by musket powder (IO,OOO to I2,000 grains per "quintal"), and finally by the extremely fine so-called "meal" powder, which was used for priming and fuses.7 A representation of artillery projectiles stockpiled at Fort Christiansvaern during this period is derived from an examination of specimens on hand in I9S2. These included solid shot for IS-, 6-, and 3-pounders; bar-shot for IS-pounders; explosive shells for IS- and 6-pounders (there is one example for a 24-pounder); and considerable quantity of small ball for grapeshot for IS-pounders and case-shot for 6-pounders. A brief discussion about the color scheme of the carriages for these guns is appropriate. According to Neilsen (correspondence, June 20, I9S4), there were two basic schemes for the Danish army. For IS-pounders of the Model of I692 throughout the eighteenth century, and until IS40, all woodwork was painted red with gold-yellow iron hardware, representing the colors of the House of Oldenborg (the Danish Royal House). In IS40, the Danes changed the color scheme of the carriages for these and other large-caliber guns to dark green woodwork with black iron hardware. The four reproduction carriages for IS-pounders presently emplaced on the Water Battery, Fort Christiansvaern, are painted according to this latter scheme. These coincidentally match the 6 Jemskytssystem 1834: Constructioncr til Dimensionstabcllen over Kanonerne (Felt=, Faestnings=, og Beleir- ings=Artillerie) [Pis. I, II] and Dimensionstabel for Pl. I; Constructioner til Dimensionstabcllcn over Mortererne (Faestnings = og Beleirings = Artillerie) [Pis. N - V] and Dimensionstabel for Pl. IV; 12-pd. Faestnings = Artilleric: Faestningsaffutage [Pis. I-III] and Rappert med Traeaxel [Pls. I-III]; 6-pd. Faestnings = Artillerie: Voldlavet [Pis. I- III]; 36-pd. Kyst = Artillcric: Kystaffutage [Pis. I-VIII]; 6-pd. Felt= Artillerie Lavette: Blokaffutage [Pls. 1-X]; 6-pd. og 12-pd. Felt= Artillerie: Blokbatterier [Pis. I-XI]; 6-pd. Felt= Artillerie: Blokammunitionsvogn [Pis. I-V}; Aaben Reqvisitvogn [Pl. J.X]; Lukket Reqvisitvogn [Pis. I·IV]; l68·pd., 84·pd. Mortar (Faestnings = og Bcleirings = Artil· lerie Mortcrstol: Affutagcr [Pis. I-VIII]; Kran (Faestnings = og Beleirings = Artillerie) [Pis. I-IX]; Ansats og Mottrik til Opsatsen og Falk til6-pd., 12-pd., 12-pd. Granat-, og 24-pd. Granat-Kanonerne, System 1834, [Pl. I] 1 Afsnit, Il.l8.No.261 Lit. D; (La#ctoi, Rcqvisitter og Redskabcr til 8-pds. Kanan, lste Afsnit, V. 37 .c.No.6 ca.1815); Saettere og Viskcre, LadeslrufTer, Speilskruer og Falkenterser til det nye Jernskyds: Ladetoi og Reqvisitter, Pl. I & II, October 10 and December 23, 1842. 7 C.C. Lundbye (camp.}, Lechlraad i Arlillerie til Brug ued Forelaesninger (Kjobcnhavn: S.L. Moilers Bogtryk- keri, 1852), pp. 34. I32 • • • • • • painting specifications for the fort's woodwork and hardware documented for the 1830s through the 1850s (Nistal-Moret 1983). The 6-pounders (Model of 1834) also followed the red-and-gold color scheme until 1840, at which time, Nielsen stated, the wood carriages were simply varnished and the iron hardware painted black. Labor and materials accounts for Fort Christiansvaern in the Rigsarkiv, Copenhagen, however, clearly show the green-and-black color scheme consistently in use no later than May and June, 1836. This practice continued at least through the 1840s.8 8 RA, PG: 1835-40, 1840-45 . 133 APPENDJXD THE EMANCIPATION OF 1848 The greatest challenge to face the military forces on St. Croix between 1830 and 1855 occurred in 1848. The events leading up to, and following, Govemor- General von Scholten's·emancipation ofthe slaves on July 3 are, in their entirety, essential to a comprehensive understanding of this slave revolt and the military's response and involvement. The precipitating factor was a scheme of graduated emancipation proclaimed by Christian VIII in 184 7.1 In the poetic language of John Pary Knox: "Rendered now more anxious for the sweets of freedom, the slaves in St. Croix .. .in the most quiet and successful manner plotted an insurrection. "2 Frederik von Scholten noted the first overt signs of unrest. The governor- general's brother, Frederik von Scholten, was hom in Copenhagen on April 8, 1796. His Danish naval career brought him to St. Croix, where he became commander and customs inspector at Frederiksted in 1834 and held the office of chamberlain in 1846. He died at Frederiksted on December 2, 1853.3 The ringing of estate bells and the blowing of conch shells, both traditional waming signals, began about 8:00 p.m. on July 2 but were peremptorily discounted by customs inspector and vice-stadthauptmand for Frederiksted, Frederick von Scholten. Furthermore, von Scholten remonstrated with several informants about the " ... evil of spreading ... reports, which ... might awaken ideas among the slaves .... " He did not fear "that they would be disposed to violence or riot" but felt that "they had been generally well treated and were apparently satisfied." Frederik von Scholten took some comfort in complementary obser- vations by two other functionaries. A.S. Andresen, the policemaster for 1 Christian VIII reigned from March 12, 1839, to January 20, 1848. Under this scheme, all children born of slave parents on or after July 28, 184 7, were automatically free. Those already "in bondage .. would be emancipated at the end of twelve years, 1859. Taylor, Leaflets from the West Indies, p. 125. This prolonged waiting period was in part designed to accommodate von Scholten's system of compulsory education and apprenticeship begun in 1840. 2 John Pary Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, p. 112. The generally accepted statement regarding the secrecy in which this slave revolt was planned and executed is refuted, albeit unwittingly, in the testimony of Frederik von &holten and other functionaries (see Taylor, Lea/lets from the Danish West Indies, pp. 127-28), as well as an eyewitness (Dora Richards Miner, "Recollections of a West Indian Home and Slave-Insurrection" [ms ca. 186- in possession of Tulane University, New Orleans], pp. 40-41). 3 Theodor Andreas Topso-Jensen, Personalhistori.ske Oplysninger om Officerer of det danske Sooficerskorps, 1 January 1801-19. September 1932, udgaaet fra Soktuktako.chmiet Sooffu:ersskolen eller Kadetskolen [Kjobenhavn og Kristiania: Gyldendalske Boghandel-Nordisk Forlag, 1919], pp. 342-43). 134 • • • • • • Frederiksted, opined, "Let us not provoke the negroes .... We must proceed with caution if we do not desire to see things worse." An unnamed military officer (possibly Fort Frederik's commandant, Captain J.F.C. von Cas tonier) remarked that "should the negroes be intent on evil, they could easily isolate members of the militia from coming in, and should the opposite be the case, ... saw no reason for calling them from their estates, where they might by their presence be able to check violence and plunder . ..4 Even at this early stage, these statements characterized a rationale fully shared-as shall be seen-by the governor-general himself. This mentality would paralyze general military effectiveness during the crucial stages of the revolt. Throughout that night, and in the face of persistent rumors and reports, Frederik von Scholten considered it imprudent to call out the brandcorps as the reserve militia because it seemed " ... advisable to limit their action until ab- solutely necessary."5 As a precaution, however, he dispatched a message, which noted the "rumors" that had come to his attention, to his brother the governor- general at "Bulow's Minde."6 Peter von Scholten received the news about 2:00 a.m. on July 3. He immediately awakened his house guest, the captain of the Danish naval brig Omen, Carl Ludvig Christian lrminger. Irminger, born in Wevelsfellth, Holstein, on April 3, 1802, had already earned a reputation as a man of action. In command of the same ship, he had the preceding year (184 7) broken the siege of the Danish coastal fort, Prindsensteen, in Guinea (now Ghana) by several thousand Africans. 7 He was a second lieutenant in 1822 and on board the schooner Vigilant during the capture of the Columbian pirate ship, Adolfo, in 1825. He became first lieutenant in 1830, naval adjutant to Prince Frederik Carl Christian in 1832, and lieutenant commander in 1841. He suppressed the African siege of Fort Prinsensteen, Guinea, in 184 7 and helped suppress riots on St. Croix following the emancipation of 1848 (presented with gold Honor Sabre) while performing as naval adjutant to the king that same year. He later held the offices of chamberlain in 1849 and commander in the same year, adjutant general for the navy from 1850 to 1872, Knight of Dan- nebrog and acting minister of the navy in 1852, captain in 1855, senior captain in 1858, rear admiral in 1865, and vice admiral in 1880. Irminger died in Copenhagen on February 7, 1888.8 4 Quoted in Taylor, Leaflets from the Danish West Indies, pp. 127·28. 5 Ibid. 6 "Bulow's Mine" was the estate, or plantation, owned jointly by Peter von Scholten and his Free Colored mistress, Ann Elizabeth Hccgaard. The estate was located approximately two-thirds of a mile west of Christiansted in Company Quarter (District). 7 Topsoc-Jcnscn, Personalhistariske, pp. 183). 8 Ibid., p. 182-83 . 135 He and the governor-general rode the relatively short distance to Government House. Then the governor-general summoned Major von Falbe (commandant of Fort Christiansvaern), Major von Gjellerup (commander of the barracks), Colonel de Nully, Major Keutsch, and others.9 They convened a council of war. Irminger, believing that the riot " ... could have been smothered at the beginning by decisive action," pressed for approval to utilize both the cavalry and his own ship. Peter von Scholten forestalled him by requesting that he " ... remain a little longer in the Government House so as to avoid making any disturbance in town where all was still and quiet." The only decision that von Scholten made by 5:00 a.m. was to send Major Keutsch's coachman to Frederiksted for more informa- tion. Sometime before 8:00a.m., von Scholten also dispatched Colonel de Nully and Lieutenant Arnold Johan von Meinecke to Frederiksted by carriage. Ir- minger again appealed to von Scholten for permission to sail his vessel to Frederiksted but was told that " ... she might possibly be required in Bassin, and [to await] further orders."10 • By then, several thousand rebellious slaves had gathered at Fort Frederik, demanding their freedom by 12:00 p.m.11 As only the governor-general could satisfy this demand, the arrival of Colonel de Nully about 10:00 a.m. failed to have any calming effect. A new deadline was set for 4:00 p.m. after which time Frederiksted would be burned. One of the leaders of the revolt told Frederik von Scholten, "Massa, we poor negroes cannot fight with the soldiers as we have • no guns, but we can burn and destroy if we do not get our freedom, and that is what we intend to do." They had already emphasized that point by sacking the police office and the judge's house, as well as the store and residence of a merchant, Major William Moore, who had been overheard urging Fort Fred erik's commandant, Captain von Castonier, to fire on the rebellious slaves. 12 Finally, at 3:00 p.m., the governor-general arrived in his carriage from Chris- tiansted, accompanied by Kammerjunker and judge of the Danish West Indian Upper Court Louis Rothe. 13 A great crowd of slaves had gathered around the walls ofFort Frederik, anxious to know what von Scholten would do. The Ornen 9 Colonel de Nully was stadthauptmand for Christi ansted and aide-de-camp to the governor-general. 10 Taylor, Leaflets from the Danish West Indies, p. 134. Bassin (Christiansted) is the retention of the French name for the seventeenth century village at that site. Also spelled "Bass-End," which is the creole phonetic corrup- tion. Frcdcriksted was conversely known as "West End." 11 Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, W.l., p. 114. 12 Taylor, Lea/lets from the Danish West Indies, p. 130. 13 Rothe was born on Bornholm on October 23, 1811; chancellor for the solicitor general of the army, 1833; Kam- mer junker, 1840; judge of the Danish West Indian Upper Court same year, chamberlain, 1854; Knight of Dannebrog, 1862; died in Copenhagen on November 20, 1871 (Larsen, Guvemorer. Residenter, Kommandanter, p. 104). 136 • • • • had at last been permitted to sail from Christiansted, and was expected momentarily. Surrounded by a vast, hostile throng, Peter von Scholten read a prepared proclamation of emancipation " ... to all Unfree in the Danish Westlndia Islands," to the consternation of the planters and the amazement of the military officers.14 Von Scholten then requested that the people return peaceably to their estates; many obeyed. 15 Although a detachment of regular troops and militia cavalry from Christiansted had arrived, the governor-general ordered the majority to return with him to the capital about 5:00p.m. First Lieutenant von Holstein remained overnight at Fort Frederik with 40 men and two cannon.16 The Omen anchored in the Frederiksted Roads at sunset. Calm had been partially restored at Frederiksted, if only for the night. In the absence of the governor-general, Major von Falbe stationed militia artillery at Christiansted's principal entran- ces to forestall insurrectionists from entering.17 Orders had been issued for grapeshot to be used on the mob if they failed to heed the warning not to enter the town. Major von Falbe briefed von Scholten upon his return to Chris- tiansted about 6:00p.m. on these measures; von Scholten approved. The major was then allowed to fire the signal-gun from Fort Christiansvaern to call in the militia to protect the town. Procrastinating until 7:30 p.m. for unspecified reasons, von Falbe was about to fire the gun when two significant events occurred in rapid succession. A message arrived from the governor-general rescinding the order to call in the militia and to use live ammunition. This order had no sooner been received when the report of a cannon was heard from the western outskirts of the town. Correctly surmising that an attack had been attempted, Major von Falbe ~ave the command to fire the alarm-gun, in contradiction to higher orders. An attempt had indeed been made by approximately 2,000 rioters by way of the main (western) road. They had been ordered back by the officer in command9 First Lieutenant Adam McCutchin of the Christiansted Burgher Artillery. 1 Having ignored this directive, a blank warning shot was fired from the field- 14 Miller, "Recollections," p. 185. 15 Taylor, Leaflets from thE Danish West Indies, p. 131. 16 Christian Frcderik Caspar Grev von Holstein af Furstenberg. 17 Christiansted has two main entrances: the northwestern outskirts of the town, at the terminus of the Center· Jine and North Side roads; and at the southeastern end of Hospital Street. 18 Taylor, Leaflets from the Danish West Indies, p. 141. 19 Ibid. McCutchin was hom in Ireland in 1801. He resided with his wife and six children (a11 born on St. Croix) at No. 1 and 2 Hospital Street, Christi ansted (1846 Census) . 137 piece to intimidate the mob. Advancing "in the most daring and disorderly manner," grapeshot was at length poured into their dense ranks, killing several and wounding mariy. 20 This single shot had the desired effect. All the rioters fled, giving up any further attempts to enter the town.21 Throughout the night of July 3, fires were visible everywhere. With the exception of Frederiksted, the rebels controlled virtually everything west of Christiansted. On Tuesday, July 4, destruction and disorder prevailed in the country districts. In spite of this state of affairs, Governor-General von Scholten denied permission to Major von Falbe to undertake military operations against the rioters. The Danish authorities in Frederiksted, "recovering from their alarm and surprise," at last called out the militia to provide protection. 22 Rebels from the country once again advanced on that town but, finding that they would be resisted, abandoned their endeavor.23 At 9:00a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, Major von Falbe with a force of 60 cavalry, 140 regular and militia infantry, and 2 cannon marched out ofChristiansted in a belatedly-authorized attempt to halt the widespread looting and burning. Travelling along the Northside Road to Estate "Morning Star," the expedition turned southward to Estate "Sion Farm" and from there along the Center Line Road back to Christiansted, where they arrived at 9:00p.m. The only opposition encountered was at Estate "St. Johns," where rioters briefly fired upon the militia cavalry. The government mail packet Vigilant arrived at St. Thomas that same morning with requests for immediate assistance from the militia corps there, as well as from the British warship, Thunderer. The latter was asked to proceed to Christiansted to ensure the capital's defense. A body of sixty volunteers from the burgher infantry and Jaeger Corps embarked immediately for St. Croix on the Vigilant " ... cheered from the wharfs by an immense concourse of people."24 The steamer Eagle, accompanied by the Spanish Consul at St. Thomas, Don F.V. Segundo, got under weigh at the same time for Puerto Rico to seek additional military aid. Within five hours of receiving this appeal the energetic captain-general of that island, Juan Prim, Conde de Reus, embarked 580 regular Spanish infantrymen, artil- lerymen, and "sappers and miners," in addition to 2 mountain howitzers and 20 Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, p. 116. 21 Ibid.; Taylor, Lea/lets from the Danish West Indies, pp. 141-42. 22 Miller asserted that on the night of July 2-3, Captain J .F. C. von Castonier refused to allow the militia cavalry to take the field without the governor-general's permission, which would not be requested until daylight on the 3d. It was also stated that the militia infantey had no ammunition at that time! "Recollections," p. 186-:47-48. 23 Taylor, Leaflets from the Danish West Indies, pp. 141-42. 24 The Jaegers were, in military usage, a unit of marksmen. 138 • • • • • • 30,000 rounds of ammunition, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Leon Sanguesa. 25 Lieutenant-Colonel Sanguesa, ordinarily commander of the "As- turias" Infantry Regiment, had under his orders the grenadier companies of the "Iberia" and "Catalunia" Infantry Regiments, twenty-five artillerymen, and a work battalion from the Fortification Engineers. Two officers (a major and a lieutenant) were sent as observers for Captain-General Prim.26 A proclamation made to the people of Puerto Rico by Prim on May 31, 1848, makes clear that the captain-general seriously anticipated a slave uprising in the Danish islands and offered to send his military aide-de-camp to Governor- General von Scholten to discuss the extent of Spanish military assistance in such an event-an offer that von Scholten failed to pursue.27 Prim's anticipa- tion, coupled with his customary energy and efficiency, explains the prompt manner in which the Spanish expeditionary force was embarked for St. Croix. Even before the arrival ofthe Spanish troops from Puerto Rico, Knox claimed there were " ... three hundred men under arms at Frederiksted, and one thousand in Christiansted" by early morning of July 6.28 (A large percentage of these numbers must have consisted of planters, estate managers, and overseers who had fled to the towns for safety.) Troops from both ends of the island then marched out to effect a juncture and halt the continuing destruction and looting. Captain von Castonier, in command of the Royal Infantry, the Burgher Artillery, and planters, managers, and overseers from the estates (totalling 40 men on horse and 60 to 70 on foot), in addition to 2 field-pieces, marched out of Fort Frederik at 4:00 a.m. The fort was garrisoned during this expedition by 40 to 50 sailors from the Ornen under Captain Irminger.29 This tactical maneuver was achieved "without the least difficulty" or opposi- tion, intimidating the majority of the insurrectionists and arresting some of their leaders, including "Buddoe." Comparatively little is known about this principal leader of the revolt. The only entry remotely resembling this man was one John Gottliff, born on St. Croix in 1820. In the 1846 Census, he is listed at Estate La Grange as a slave belonging to the "big gang" (field laborers). If John Gottliff and Moses Gottlieb are one and the same, his reputation was stated to have been "not too good," having been sentenced by the courts twice in 1840 for 25 Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, W.l., p. 119. 26 Manuel Sanchez-Nunez, "Columbia Espedicionaria del Ejercito de Puerto Rico en la Isla Dinnamarquesa de Sta. Cruz. Memoir dcscriptiva que de dicha Isla la farma el Capitan del Real Cuerpo de Ingenieros Manuel Sanchez Nunez" (1849), Archives General de las Indias, Sevilla (Spain)." 27 George Latimer, U.S. Consul, San Juan, to Secretary of State James Buchanan, July 12, 1848, enclosure No. 47. 28 Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, p. 118. 29 Taylor, Lea/lets from the Dani.sh West Indies, p. 132 . 139 theft. The origin of the nickname "Moses" is obvious; his other, "Buddoe," was derived from the discarded red (or bordeaux) military coatee he wore during the upnsmg. Most sources (especially Inninger) state that he was tried and deported from the Danish West Indies for life for his leadership role. Gottlieb was supposedly put ashore at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on January 8, 1849. Nine of the prisoners taken were summarily tried and shot. Others had been killed in various parts of the island.30 By Friday, July 7, approximately 100 prisoners, "the greater part [of which] had been brought in by the friendly negroes from the estates," were distributed between Fort Frederik, the Ornen, and various merchant vessels. The Spanish troops arrived at Christiansted that day; 360 were stationed at the capital, and 220 sent to Frederiksted the following day, July 8.31 Governor-General von Scholten resigned on July 6 because of strenuous protests from the planters and some of the military leaders. 30 Knox, Historical Account of St. Thomas, pp. 118-19. 31 Taylor, Leaflets {rom the Danish West Indies, p. 138. 140 • • • • ILLUSTRATIONS • • 141 Figure 1. View ofthe St. Croix waterfront, showing Fort Christiansvaem in 1839. Engraving of a drawingbyTh. ChristianSabroe, 1835. Courtesy of the Royal Library, Copenhagen. 142 • • • Figure 1a. Plan of Fort Christiansvaern, first floor. After Historic American Building Survey, 1959. Note: Room names and numbers have been added to show locations of rooms recommended for furnishing. 144 • • • • I • ! ; l l. • ·•· .. · .... • . . Dungeon (001) ..) .. , : f •...• - Figure lb. Plan of Fort Christiansvaern, first floor. After Historic American Building Survey, 1959. Note: Room names and numbers have been added to show locations of rooms recommended for furnishing. 146 • • • • . .. Powder Magazine (102) • ; ' \ ' ···- -- .~1 ' ' •" . . .. ~ . ·~ • \' \ ··Is- ~ ~ ., \ I \ ' ' I ' i ~-· -•-l'r_ ) ~ " ':/ r;;, I 1. _, __ , -~· ~ ,._; Vj 'If "{t "' "' ~j n .. \\: '(j ~ . A~ , l i J "' 'ii. \$ ,I 1l /• I'\ l . •j \ I ~ ~ ,. l:i ::! ... -- ~ I ' :~ ,, 5~! ,, ., ~ .. 2~~ '• ~- ~, ... ~; ... ~o ~ .. a~~ vj~:li I -~ " u t::.' .. ; ~. Figure 1c. Plan of Fort Christiansvaem, second floor. After Historic American Building Survey, 1959. 148 • • • • l J • •. • ··-....:...,_ . . 4>: •• _ i . .. . -·, ~I ... ~fij·l ~a ·' ·~t:=:~J .u J~·-.,f' .,.1.,. •. ~:.... ·i~·c~ ~~ ' ' I ' ·~ t • ;:- 1 )l " ·• .. <. 1." .. ::. ,, ' ' ' ' ,. Figure ld. Plan of Fort Christiansvaem, second floor. After Historic American Building Survey, 1959. 150 • • • -- - ~· ·--· .. .=.-:._··---- I l ... - .; . . . - -- - -----· lc=JJ c::.T LL..2J -- --:-:-:-= .. --- ~- . . . --:==CJ--. 0 ..• .~ )', 1 ~ ··o.=...___ ~-- .u / • .II, • .~./1 • .#AI,·:• .#.# " " •· •. '- 0 . •· .. , . !' ) "' :: \) :·. J u. t ~· I, ' l ;· Figure 2. Fort Christiansvaem from the harbor (detail), 1843-44. After Morton, Sketchbook, 1975. 152 • • • • I • Figure 3. ' Guard detail in front of Fort Christiansvaern (detail), 1843-1844. After Morton, Sketchbook, 1975. 154 • • • ··---~~- -· - ~,.. '1 (• : .... ' " ~ '·' ..J • .. ' .. • Figure 4. Christiansted infantry barracks (detail). After Sabroe, 1839. • • 156 Figure 5. Govemor-General Peter Carl Frederik von Scholten. After Lawaetz, Generalguvernor, 1940. 158 • • • Figure 6. Captain Anton Ulrich Troels Vinzel Falbe (1796-1865), who commanded Fort Christiansvaern, 1847-1851. Courtesy of the Royal Library, Copenhagen. 160 • • • • Figure 7. Portrait ofFalbe late in his army career. Courtesy of the Third Department, Rigsarkivet, Copenhagen. • • 162 Figure 8. Carl Ludwig Gjellerup (1796-1876), who assumed command of Fort Christiansvaern in 1851. This photo shows him as he probably appeared during his tenure as commanding officer of the garrison. Courtesy of the Third Department, Rigsarkivet, Copenhagen. 164 • • • Figure 9. Portrait of a group of military officers at Christiansted, 1843-44. In the background, Stadthauptmand and Colonel Fred erik von Oxholm; to the right, 1st Lieutenant Arnold J ohan von Meincke. After Morton, Sketchbook, 1975. 166 • • • .. J .. .. ' . I J • Figure 10. Carl Edward von Friis. After Raupach manuscript, 185-. • • 168 ... • • : .'· '~Jt - • ' .. . ~ . • • • • • Figure 11. Heinrich Andreas Raupach, 1836. After a sketch by Frederik von Scholten in Raupach manuscript, 185-. 170 • • • ' .. • • ' . i ; ' ' ., . ,. ::. . . . • .. • . ' -- ... - .•:, .. :-........ :- .._ . .. ,. ..... .... ... _ .......... .. . •'· __ ._: '";., ) ,.. -~ ' ; ·. ; .. , .. . ' f : ,' I I,.,_. . / ·,' I ': ' :: ·,. ;·, .. v~· . • _.>' •• • Figure 12. Major of the Royal West Indian Artillery, 1837. After Bruun, Uniformer, 1968. 172 • • • • • ' 1 ,,, • ~~~·.~.· ' . . . ··~ 1 • Figure 13. -.. . ~ Portrait of royal artillerymen at Fort Christiansvaern, 1830s-1840s. After Raupach manuscript, 185-. 174 • • • . ___ ,... __ _ r·-· . . . ' , • • r , ; I . ~·, i. .. • :r ., .... rw . : ~· ' .. r .. • • •• • . ' I I Figure 14. Royal West Indian infantryman, 1838. After Bruun, Uniformer, 1968. 176 • • • I I I I I I I (.· '., \ ' \ \ • • I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Figure 15. Officer, St. Croix' Burgher Artillery, 1842. After Bruun, Uniformer, 1968. 178 • • • • • • Figure 16a. Danish cartridge box, Model 1806, for the Royal Lifeguards. Front view. Example dated 1864. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 180 • • • Figure 16b. Cartridge Box, Model 1806. View from the rear and bottom. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 182 • • • Figure 17. t ~· .. Danish officer's cartridge box. Example from the late nineteenth century. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 184 • • • Figure 18. Danish artillery powder flask, eighteenth century. After Moller, Vaaben, 1968. 186 • • • JKONGJL·. A mr nJL IL JEJR.u GoJRws ---- • Figure 19. Danish canteen, Model1831. After Moller, Vaaben, 1968. • • 188 Figure 20. Epaulettes for an artillery captain in the Danish West Indian Military Force, 1851-1865. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 190 • • • Figure 21. Kepi for artillery non-commissioned officers and enlisted men in the Danish West Indian Military Force, 1851-1865. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 192 • • • Figure 22. Pattem of shoes for the West Indian Military Force, 1854. After Ovesen, Sko, 1986. 194 • • • , , . , _ .,....., .. ,..,,,,. , _ Figure 23. Iron military bed, nineteenth century, used at Christiansted. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 196 • • • ' Figure 24. 18-pounder cannon, Model 1692, on fortress carriages. Water Battery, Fort Christiansvaem, Christiansted National Historic Site. 198 • • • Figure 25. 6-pounder cannon, Model 1834. Christiansted National Historic Site. 200 • • • • Figure 26. Danish "espingol." After Frantzen, Artilleriets, 1984. • • 202 Figure 27. Danish rifled musket, Model 1831. After Hansen; Musket, 1983. 204 • • • Figure 28. Danish West Indian unit markings for rifled musket, Model 1831. Issued for Fort Christiansvaern. After Hansen, Musket, 1983. 206 • • • Figure 29. Danish rifled musket, Modell831/48. After Hansen, Musket, 1983. 208 • • • Figure 30. Accessories for Danish muskets, ca. 1830s-1850s. Numbers 4 and 5: worms; number 6: take-down tool; number 7: bullet mold; number 8: muzzle plug; numbers 9 and 10: sight adjustment tools. Mter Moller, Vaaben, 1968. 210 • • • 0 - • Figure 31. Artillery short sword, Model 1840, for the Danish West Indian Troops. After Barding, Vaaben, 1977. 212 • • • Figure 32. Danish army saber, Model 1854, for Commandeersergenter. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 214 • • • Figure 33. Danish sword knot for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. Late nineteenth century example. Christiansted National Historic Site collections. 216 • • • Figure 34. Interior of the mess hall, Christiansted infantry barracks, late nineteenth century. Notice construction of tables and benches, which were likely similar to those articles in Fort Christiansvaem, 1830-1855. Courtesy of the Royal Library, Copenhagen. 218 • • • As the nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility tor most of our nationally owned public lands and natural and cultural resources. This includes fostering wise use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing tor the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in America campaign by encouraging stewardship and citizen responsibility tor the public lands and promoting citizen participation in their care. The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. Publication services were provided by the graphics staff of the Denver Service Center. N PS D-8 September 1989 * U.S. GOVERNMENT PAINTING OFFICE: 1989--673-o38!80,044 REGION NO.8 • • •