The Aroostook War: The Final Chapter

New Brunswick’s Provincial Governor Harvey demanded the recall of the American troops, by announcing that he had been given authority by the British government to occupy the area by force, if necessary. The State Legislature immediately responded by appropriating $800,000 and a draft of 10,343 militia to be made ready. By the next day, troops were already mustering in the streets of Augusta.
It was mid winter and bitterly cold. Uniforms issued to the militia provided scant protection against the snow and freezing temperatures, which often sunk to -20 to -30 in the battle zone. Thick red shirts and green jackets were issued, and within a week 10,000 troops were either present in The County or on their way. Taking lumber confiscated from Canadian operations, construction was started at Ft. Fairfield.
All this activity finally caught the attention of the Federal government. Congress authorized the President to raise 50,000 troops should Harvey make good on his threat and appropriated $10 million to pay for the operation. General Winfield Scott was placed in command of any future military operation. On March 5, he and his staff arrived in Augusta and took up residence in the Augusta House Hotel.
Scott’s first mission was to avert an armed conflict, and to that end, he started communication with both Governors Harvey and Fairfield of Maine. His letter to Harey stated that he was authorized the use of significant force, and was prepared to use it, but preferred not to. The Canadian, being of a like mind, not wishing to be the one to inflict war on the area, agreed to back off. Governor Fairfield then agreed that he would withdraw the militia and keep open the lines of communication. Thus armed conflict was avoided.
The question was discussed for several more years, apparently without further incident until Secretary of State Daniel Webster and the British Ambassador Lord Ashburton arrived at an agreement, written into the Webster-Ashburton Treaty signed on August 20, 1842. Maine accepted it’s current northern border with Canada and received $200,000 from the British government in compensation for lost territory. The US government also awarded the state $150,000 and was ceded land from Great Britain along Lakes Champlain and Superior.
The Aroostook War ended as all should, with no combat casualties. A Private Hiram Smith died of unknown causes and is buried along Rt. 2 in the Haynesville Woods. A number of soldiers stationed at the Hancock Barracks died of various causes, mostly disease, and are buried in Houlton. Several troops are reported to have gone into the woods on patrol and never returned. Whether they met their ends or took the opportunity to leave the service is unknown.
For further reading, the author recommends The History of Maine by John S.C. Abbott. Written in 1892, it is available online.