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HISTORY
OF THE
NEW NETHERLANDS,
PROVINCE OF NEW YORK,
I
▲5D
STATE OF NEW YORK,
TO THE ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
BY WILLIAM DUNLAP.
VOL. II.
• ••■.,
'-..:.'
... .•.•":■
• • » • •• ■ , . •
^ '"'''"■ - "--• ■•»,
• . . . •• .
••, .
NEW YORK:
PRUITfiD Ton THE AUTBOR'i BXPRXSEirTATlVES
BY CARTER & THORP, EXCHAN6K PLACE
1840.
/-A) /I
Emtkrbo, According to Act of Cong rem, in tho year 1840,
BY JOHN A. DUMI.Ar,
In tlM Clark** OAce of the Diitrict Covrt of the Southern DUlrict of
KVW YORK.
. » ■
m
• • • -
' • • •
CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER L rA9n.
Capture of Ticonderoga — Ethan AUeD — ^Arnold — Montgomery — His letters, 9
CHAPTER IL
The Jobnflonfl — Brant — Schuyler's Expedition to Johnstown— The state of the Valley of the Mohawk, 95
CHAPTER HI
Gates, a British officer — ^An American officer — ^At Cambridfe — At New York — Disputes the command with Schuyler — Hancock's letter, ....
CHAPTER IV. General Gates *at Ticonderoga— Arnold — His efforts against Carieton, - - - 48
CHAPTER V.
England buys foreicn troops to hel^ to subdue America — Her army repairs from Boston to Halifax — After being reinforced, the army lands on Staten Island — The troops of Washington— Battle of Brooklyn, and retreat firom Long Island, 66
CHAPTER VI.
Lord Howe meets a Committee of Conffress, on Staten Island — General Howe pushes his army to Heilgate — Math, and death of Henly — Hale m executed— Affair of fcipp's Bay — Difficulties of evacuating the city — Death of Leieh.and of Knowlton — Fire of 1776 — General Howe crosses to Frog's Point-^White Phuns— Fort Waahington—Rawlitt*— Prisoners, • 73
CHAPTER VII.
Retreat to the Delaware — Lee's misconduet— Affiurs in tiie north — Colonel Meigs — Vermont— Starke,
CONTENTS. 5
APPENDIX
TO VOLUME I.
APPBITDIX. PAGE.
A, I
B, II
C, TI
D, ni
£, iz
F, Ill
G, XTI
H, XVII
I, XXIT
J xxn
K, XXIX
L, XXXIX
M, XL
N, ...... . XLII
O, XLIT
P, XLV
On
R
Sf XLTI
T, XLTII
U, LI
V, LT
W LXIV
Appendix referred to, . lvi
Appendix referred to, ... lix
Treaty of Peace of 1763— Indian Hosti- lities after the Peace, . . lxix
Review of Vanderdonck's account of New Netherlands, .... lxzii
Indian Circulating Medium— First Inter- course between the Dutch and New- England, - . . . LZXXIZ
First Organization of Continental Army —New York Regiments, xcvi
English settlement of New Jersey, . c
MISCELLANEOUS MATTER, cxv
ADVERTISEMENT.
It may be thought that an apology is due to the reader for the errours and imperfections, fewer however than under all circumstances might have been expected, which he will meet with in the perusal of these two volumes.
The greater part of the first volume was printed after the author was attacked with a disease, which ultimately proved fatal. For a time he was able to devote some attention to the correction of the press ; but it finally devolved exclusively upon one, who had not by previous studies acquired an equal intimacy with the subject, nor was acquainted with the work itself, except as it came under his observation piecemeal while passing through the hands of the printer. For a considerable time after- ward, the author's situation was such that no application could be made to him to remove doubts or elucidate ob- scurities. The second volume is literally a posthumoua production, the materials of which have been selected and arranged according to the expressed design of the writer, or when that was wanting, pursuant to the most probable conjecture.
Hence have arisen in some few instances, an apparent confusion or involution of facts and dates, which to dis- entangle or evolve, requires it is believed merely a little
8 ADVERTIS
attention : — and also in two or three instances, the repe- tition of the same circumstances or ideas, in the same, or nearly the same language. These are indeed blem- ishes; but such as, it is conceived, cannot niateriallv detract from the gratification and instruction to be. it is hoped derived from the perusal of the AvorL Literal and ver- bal errooTS will occur to the reader : in general, however, not of a natiu^ to mislead or embarrass him. A table of errata concludes the present volume.
The editor begs leave to submit the work, now com- plete, to the kind and candid consideration of the pubUcL
New York. FebruarA'. 1S40.
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
CHAPTER I.
C^ir-r 0/ Ticoiuirroga — Efkan Allf]^— Arnold — Monfgowury
Ths coatro\"er?ies between New York and New Hampshire ^"e been aoucevl in preceding: paces,* but when the great strugigle ^t'-^een :he colonies and Great Britain had arri\'ed at a crisis »ix'h su^Hjrseded in the minds of the leadings: men of New York ^ oc<r considerations* Tr^'on was placed in the position of an rf2ecy to both the contending parties. The contest between Ea^iizd and America had another edect upon this quarrel for ic."vs : :::i::y of those claliuin^ under New York became open e3ec1.es to the o?neril cause of libertw and of course their in* -jesce La urzinj: the claims of that province to the New Hamp- shire ^jants ceased. ITT-5 As soon as open hostilities had commenced at Lesdn^ ton. certain ^H?rsons at Hartford formevl a design upon the of Ticondero^a, and bein; joined by Ethan Allen and >^ ol Mij«achusetts« they turned their thoughts and steps to fi^aaio^rtoo, where they knew men were to be found ready to son upon a dan^c^rous enterprize. On their arrival, a council wis called, aad Allen assumed, or was appointed, the leader. He ftes7a:^hed scouts to the northward to cut odf communication be- :v?en Canavia and the object at which tliey aimed, and then aar.T.ed to Casdeion, where thev arrived on the evenins: of the Ta ol May. 1 77o. Here they decided on their plan of operations. A parrr oi thirty men was to march to the head of the lake and Ki^e Major Skene, the son of the proprietor, who was then in Efi^Uod, and firom whom the spot now called Whitehall wis
10 CAPTUKB OF TI£O3n>EB06A.
then decoQunated Skenesboroozb. This partr was to «eize aH d&e iahabiUDCs and conduce them to the place .Mien aid fixed oa 'he embarkation. As the main body va< preparinz to move to ^he lake, Benedict Arnold arrived with a comtnL§5u>n from the ibs" sachuieos committee of safety, to raL^ men and proceed to the capture of Ticondero-za. unci>as:ioi:^ of the previoLLs movements in Connecticut and :he Green Mountains. Arnold had appotnced omcers to eniiaC men for ihl^ object, but he^nnx of the previaas movf^ment, hastened on. thir.klnj: to tike command bv virtue gc his commissioa irom Massachusetts : this suited the dispoeicoa neither of Allen or his followers : and Arnold, findinj tha: dse men refused to tbllow any ouier than the leader of their choice, agreed to join a« a Tolun:eer.
The whole force, amountinz to 230. pushed for the shore or the lake opposite Ticoaderoira. and were tort una te enouzh to Snd a boy for a zuide. the **ja of a farmer, who was in the habit oC croesinz the lake ia his faLher's b«oa: to play wi:h the Lads of hi» own aie beloc^nz to the nrrisoa. and who bv this means wa jaraillar widi es-erj- path ieadlcr t* the fortress. Nithan Betaaa, (this was the boy's name.) was permitted by hj? fidier to uihi«»rQke the service; and Alien proceeieii u>achi*=ve L^e conqr^est of Lhe pbce whicb had repulsed the flower of a;e Bnd-h soldi-;:} ucder Abercroc:- bie. with a slaughter often times the w hole Eiir.i&erthat now prepami to capture it. I will let Allen tell in his own way, the result of this expedition.
•• The fir-t STsteraatlcal and h\oo*iT atte:r*p: at Lexicitocu to
enslave America, thorouzhlv elec:rlned mv mind, and f.*iiv de-
_ . « •
lermiaed me to take i part with my country. And wblle I waj wishing for an opport:iniiy ti^ slinaLIze myself In iis behalf, direc- tions were privately sent to me irom the then colony, now stite of Connecticut, to raise the Green Mountain Boys. and. if possible, with them to surprise and taJ^e the tortress of Ticondero-,ra. This coierprize I cheerfullv undertook ; ard after nrst ^^:anili!^ all the several passes that lead 'khither. Uj cut on all inteliizence becweca Ae 'arrisoa and the countrv. made a forced mamh irom Be»- nii^toa, and arrived at the Lake opposite TInor.tieroca. oo the eveoinx of the 9th di\' of Ma v. 177-5. widi 2^>j y^\l^r>l Greca Mountain Boys ; and It was with the utmost difficulty that I pn>- cored boats to crosd the lake. However. I landed eljrhtj-chree men near the .^arnsoo. and sent the boats back for the rear zvi^^ commanded by CoIoneL ?*eth Wanier : but :he day be ran to dawn, and I found myself necessitated to attack the fort before the rear cottid cross the lake ; and as it was hazardous. I hamLr^^ed the officers and soldiers in the manner foIlowLr.r : •• Friernis and fellow soldier»^\ou have for a number of }ears past beea a scour^ aad terror (oarburarj powers Yoor valour bail been fiuxked abr<Md«
CAPTURE OF TICONDBROGA. 1 1
mi acknoirledi^v as appears by die advice and orders to me fom liie ppneral assembly of ConDCcticui, to surprise and take the ;«rnsoo now before us. I now propose to advance before you, Uii in person conduct you throucrh tlie wicket gate ; for we must ibis momln^: either quit our pretentions to valour, or possess our- selves of tins fortress in a few minutes ; and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the bravest of men dare under- uke. I do not urire it on coutrar}' to his will. You tliat will usiienake voluntarily, poise your firelock.^*
** Tike men being at iliis time drawn up in three ranks, each poised !iL« LTV lock. I ordered them to face to the right ; and at die head o: *j:e cen!re file marched them immediately to tlie wicket gate ^'.^rvsAJd. wiiere I found a sontrv* posted, who instantly snap|>ed K> fjsee at me. I ma immodiatciv towards him, and he retreated uL-uw^ti the covered way into the parade within the garrison, gave i hiijoo. and ran under a bomb proof. My party who followed :nc into the ton, I formed on tlie parade in such a manner, as to idce the barracks which faced each other. Tlie garrison being asleep, except tlie sentries, we gave tluee huzzas, which greatly surprised diem. One of the sentries made a pass at one of my o5cers with a c]iar::od bavonet, and slighdv wounded him. Mv £rii: thought was to kill him widi my sword, but in an instant I aitered the design nnd fury of die blow to a slight cut on the side of the head : upon which he dropped his gun, and asked quarters, «tiich I readily irranted him : and demanded die place where the commanding: oiiicer kept. He showed me a pair of stairs in the &oni of the garrison, which led to a second stor\' in said barracks, to vbich 1 immediately repaired, and ordered tlie commander, Cipiain Dela place, to come fordi instantly, or I would sacrifice the whole garrison : at which ume the captain came immediately lo the door with his breeches in his hand, wlien 1 ordered him to deliver to me die fort instantly ; he asked me by what authority I demanded iu I answered him, * in die name of the great Jehovah, Msd die Continental Congress.' The authority of congress being very iitde known at that time, he began to speak again, but I in- terrupted him. and with my drawn sword near his head airain demanded an immediate surrender of the garrison ; with which he 'then complied, and ordered his men to be fordiwith paraded without arms, as he had given up the garrison. In the meantime soaie of my officers had given orders, and in consequence thereof, Mndn* of the barrack doors were beat down, and about one third of the garrison imprisoned, which consisted of said commander, a Lieutenant Keltham, a conductor of artillery, a gunner, two ser- geants, and fony-four rank and file : about one hundred pieces of cttaoQ, ooe thineeo inch mortar, and a number of swivels. Thk
12 BTHAN ALLE!f .
siuprise was carried into execution in the grejr of the morning of the lOth of May, 1775."
The prisoners were one captain, one lieutenant, and fortr-eigbt non-commissioned officers and privates, besides non-combatants ; thej were sent to Hartford for safe keeping. One hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, with mortars, swivels, small arms and stores, were made prize of.
Seth Warner, who led the second division of Allen^s army, wan despatched to seize Crown Point, which he efiected, the place being only garrisoned by a sergeant and eleven men, who were taken with sixty cannon, and of course some small arms and stores.
Arnold again attempted to take command, but Allen and his men resisted, and after the party that had seized Major Skene and the vessels at Skenesborough had joined the main force, they de- termined to go down the lake and make an attempt upon St John's. They had now a schooner and several batteaux, and Arnold, who was accustomed to the sea, had charge of the larger vessel ; Allen commanding the batteaux. Arnold arrived first at the point of destination, took the garrison by surprise, (a sergeant and twelve men,) and secured them with a sloop of seventy tons, mounting two brass six pounders. After securing the stores and destroymg such things as he could not bring off, the futiu^ British general sailed triumphantly up the lake and met Allen and his detachment, who could only join in triumph, salutes and congratulations. Allen, however, was determined to perse- vere, and he pushed on with design to hold possession of St. John's : with this intention, he landed and proceeded about a mile, when he was driven back to his boats ^ith the loss of three of his men taken prisoners*
Allen returned to Ticonderoga, to the command of which he was commissioned bv the authorities that were constituted bv the people of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Arnold was stationed at Crown Point and had command of the flf.*et.
Allen now contemplated the conquest of Canada, and had the merit of first suggesting what was soon after adopted as a national measure. Colonel Hinman, arriving at Ticonderosra with troops from Connecticut, the command of the place was yielded to him.
General Schuyler made use of Allen as a missionary, not of religion, but policy, among the Canadians and the Indians of dwt country, and he executed his mission at least to his own satisfiM^ tioBtbemg convinced that if the Americans could advance in force, Ae people of the country would join them.
When General Montgomerj-, by Schuyler's illness, was obliged to take the command of the army designed for Canada, Allen was sent by Schoyier to iiiae a force of Canadians, and succeeded wm
BENEDICT ARNOLD. 13
far as to have 250 men under arms and at his command ; with these he avowed to General Montgomery his intention of joining him to assist in the reduction of 3t. Johns, but while on his march up the St. Lawrence, having arrived opposite Montreal, he was induced either by the persuasion of a Major Brown who met him there, or by his own vanity and love of adventure, to undertake the capture of Montreal independently of Montgomery, whose orders he ought to have solicited and obeyed. According to the plan digested by Brown and Allen, the first was to cross above and the second be- low the town and make a simultaneous attack ; Brown had 200 Americans : Allen crossed the river with eighty Canadians and thirty Americans, in canoes, on the night of the 24th of Septem- ber, and in the morning looked in vain for Brown^s signal for attack. Finding that his consort had failed, Allen would willingly have recrossed the St. Lawrence, but it was too late. The British in the town had notice of his situation, and soon poured out upon him an overwhelming force of regular troops, Canadians and In- dians : after a skirmish, and the desertion of all his men but thirty-eight, Allen agreed to surrender upon " honourable terms." They were marched as prisoners into the town they had captured in anticipation, and Allen was received by General Prescott, the commanding officer, with language and treatment unworthy of any gentleman. After asking Allen if he was the man who took Ti- conderoga, and being answered in the affirmative, he threatened his prisoner a halter at Tyburn, and sent him in irons on board a vessel of war to be transported to England.
The appointment of Benedict Arnold as a colonel in the con- tmental army, and the choice made of him by General Washing- ton to co-operate in the attack on Quebec, which was intended to be conducted by General Schuyler, makes him so prominent an object that we must look back upon his previous history.
He was the son of Benedict Arnold, a cooper by trade, who emigrated to Norwich, in Connecticut, from Rhode Island, in the year 1730, and having accumulated property, engaged in the West India trade, and marrying, became in process of time the father of a man who has stamped his name indelibly on the pages of our hbtory, as that of a gallant soldier and an unprincipled traitor.
Benedict the second, was bom at Norwich, on the 3d of January, 1740. His father, then in successful trade, gave him as good an education as the place afforded; and his father dying while he was yet a minor, he was apprenticed to two druggists. Young Arnold was a source of more trouble than pleasure or profit. He was noted for acts of daring, of perfidy and cruelty, as far as such qualities can be seen in boyhood. Tired of exhibiting his propea- aities for mischief on so small a scale, he, at the age of sixteen
14 BBKEDICT ARNOLD.
▼ears of age, ran awajr, and enlbted for a soldier. H15 mothers distress caused an application for hi« discharge, which was success- ful, but charmed with companions who would acknowled^ bis superiority, and with a licence suited to his perverted faculties, be again abs«conded and joined the troops destined for Lake Cham- plain, where he became acquainted with the scenes of his future varied adventures. From this engagement he deserted, and Bed back to Norwicli — thus his first act of treason aiHl flicht from the colours he had engaged to fight under, was against George II, the grandfather of the master under whose standard he sufa^equent^ carried fire and sword into his native countr\-.
He was received and protected by his masters, who sheltered him from the punishment his desertion merited ; but his conduct was a continued source of dLszust to them, and of misery to his mother, whose days were probably shortened, as well as embiaered by his present conduct and her anticipations of the future. Happily she could not ima:nne the amount of hb future infamv.
He, however, sen'ed out his time and commenced business as a dn]g«:ist in New Haven. The slow increase of property could not content this grasping youth : he commenced trading to the West Indies, and from a port long noted for shipments of horses and mules to that market, Arnold carried on a profitable traffick, oc- casionally visitiifg Canada in the way of trade, and occasionallv making voyages to the West India Island and commandine hti own vessels. He is de«cribed by Mr. Sparks, as " turbiilent, impetuous, presuming, and unprincipled.*' He was ensa^ed m quarrels perpetually. That he should be a smu<:der followed of course, and when informed against by a sailor, such was the ptib- lick opinion of English custom house regulations and acts of par- liament, taxing the colonial trade, that Arnold with impunitr in- flicted lashes on the informer at the publick whippmz post,' and banbbed him fiom New Haven.
Arnold's bold, not to say audacious character, with the qualities which marked him as a leader in whatever was dai]:;erous, so br outweighed his evil qualities and bad reputation as a man in the eyes of the military portion of the inhabitants of New Haven, that be was chosen captain of one of the independent companies, called the Govemour's Guards; and when tiie stirring news of the battle of Lexington arrived. Captain Arnold wiilioutdifficuliv called oat aixty volunteers from the guards and the students of the college, ready to march for the scene of strife. Arnold's troops bad fire arms but no ammunition, and a refusal was returned from the select men to his demand for powder and ball. Drawing up his volun- teers m batde array, the captain sent word tliat if the kevs of the magazine were not delivered to him, he would break down the dooiB and help hinuelC The threat produced the requisite am-
BENEDICT ARXOLD* 15
susitiou« and Amolil and his company were among the earliest of 'Jje jaihering at Cambridi??.
Srinroly had he arrived before Boston, when he proposed to ie Ma5sachusett5 comniiitee of safety, an expedition for the sur- :r.5e of TiconJero^, a place well known to him, when he, as a ."•riraie soldier in the kinc's service, made one of its irarrison. His f !in was seen to be feasible, and he was on the 3d of May, com- =us^ned as colonel in the senico of the province and appointed •j) corcmaiKi 100 men* for the esjvecial purpose proposed by him. Fiimished with nionev, ammunition, and authority to draw on the r-?:nT.:nee for ilie costs of stores and provisions for his troops. Colonel Arnold proceeded to Stockbrid5;:e I'or the purpose of en- '-sdn- men, when to his zreat cha;rrin he learned that men from C->oecncut, had already :rone into the Hampshire Grants to raise •Jr-f Green Mountain boys for the same point of attack. Arnold ir:v::ited oiScers to recniit for him, but with his usual impetuosity :->":: o\i on, and overtoi>k Kthan Allen and his onranized force at Ci3>:!e:on : ai once he showed his commission and claimed com- zuzl : but Kill an u-as a match for Benedict on such an occasion, i::^ hLs niountaineors refused to follow anv other than their own c:*>5ea leader. Arnold si.hinitied to necessity and joined the ex- r^Li^iion is a volunteer. 1 have alreadv iriven the result: Arnold <:::e:ed the fortress side by side with the conqueror: but the post oc-re in possession. h»* a::tiin demanded the command. Allen was i* cecivTod in denial as Arnold could be in requiring, and the Cor. r.^-c tic i:t committee was appealed lo, who immediately ap|K>inted Co!or.el Allen comma Luiant of the conquered post and its de- Kadencies-
Arnold ajain with an i!!-crace submitted : but four davs after -e surrender, his own enlistetl followers arrived at Ticonderoja ^j the way of :>keneslH>rvni:l!i, (now Whitehall) where they had cirnred a schooner belon;rin^ to the British Major Skene, which ifo*:-!:t li:em triumphantly down the lake : with this schooner and *^e!!< rren. Arnold a^ain had a command and on an element fami- jr to ':.\rA : he pii?!:ed down to St. John's, surprised the carrison, i«er.:e3?.r ard twe!\e men, captured a kiiu's sloop and four bat- eaux, \*r.io;i loading witii stores from i!:o tort, he carried to Ticon- OKDja. In this he anriripatod Allen, ul.om he met on the way » Stl John's. Crown Point had fallen into tlie hands of Setli War- mer. ar.il Lhus Lake Ch;::T*;^!aiii with its forts, once so formidable I'd iitil to well appoinvd Briiisii armies, fell into the hands of i few daring undisciplii.ed Americans.
The Ku^Iish to*^)k possession of St. John's with a force much reiier than t::e New Knjiand leaders had in the vicinity, and it was •r.oured that they irteni'ed to come up the lake. Arnold, who ued indepeadenily of Allen, and considered him^self as the navil
14 BEXEDICT AENOLD.
years of as6. ran away, and enli-tc-J for a ^ol'lier. Hi? mo:':.er'» dw!re«3 c&u*eii in ^:>,>\l~Ai'in Kir iii- Ji-r.-iiar.''/. nhWu -.va- ?jcfei»- ful, bui c!,anr;o.i w;i!i -otnj.s :.;'■:.- v.j.o -.(..i.jii a' k:.<i-.\:r.i.-t i.U su[»erl'»riiv. a;!(! «i:;i a licei:rr' .-uitt-i Ifi liU ptne-rit.-,! Juruliir-;, ;,e ■sain al)=con(]e.i a::.i/jJK-ii i;;-- irwijis li-.'^tiueJ for Lake Ci.aru- plain. wiiere he beca:i;t ?.f-<|iaintfcii wliU Uiv -r-i-'i-uei (.f iil- iuiure varied adveniiin?*. Fro:!i u.'i^ t:;ii.;<.'iii(-i3i lie de-*.-rtc-(!. ar.-l t3-ti back lo Norwjrii — ll;:;* liis f.ri-t a-t «it' irta*on and rti:;!ii frr.m liie colour^! he had (-nrarod to fi.-ijt uii>lcr, was aiiairt!-! ("leorji.- II, lije grandf-ither of iht martt-r ujidur wiiO«e $;andarJ lie iultst-ijuenily carried Gre and sword imo ],U native coiinin-.
He wa* receivtil and fin.te^ied Iiv iiis nvi-^icTf, who slieliered him from ihc pnniM.ineni liis de»r:ioii mcriicil : but lii# conduct wa? a cominiit'l .-qv.t'i- of di-z<iM lo liicin, and of miser}' lo hb mother, who-*- day= i^r re probably ■■iionened, af well as embittered by liis present conduct and lier anticipations of the future. Happily she could not itnaziiie the amount of his future infamy.
He. however, .-erved out hi^ lime and commenced burinesB u a dniL'::iM in Nc-n Haven. The »Iuw increase of proper^ could not content tbi^ in^-pin? youth : be commenced tndiog to lbs WhI In<iie$, and from a ji^in Ion; noied for EhipmenU of bon^ ■—! mules to thai inarkcL Arnold carried on a j ca-cionally vj:>itiifz Cana<la in the way of trade, and < makins voyairfs to the We^t India Idaod md e own resseU. He is described by Mr Sparks, m ' impetuous, pre^umin^, and unprincipled." He % quarreU perpeinallr. That be sboiild be a uuui course, and nhcn informed against by a lick opinion of Kn::iiT>h custom boiuc 'l-, liament. taxinz tiie colonial trade, ibai . flicied lii^hc? on the informer at tbe pul banished htm fiom New Hareo.
Arnold':' bold, not to say audadc which marked him ai a leader m oulweinhcd his eril qualities id ' eyesofUie military portion of* be was chosen captain of one ibe Ooterrour's Uuards ; av of Lexininon arrived, Capta sixty volunteers from the gu ready to march for the acen arms but no ammunition, and men to his demand for powd leers in battle array, tbe cap magazine were not delirere doon lod help himielC ^
tsL-.;?«ti.. w."
16 BEXBDiCT ▲RXQLD.
commander, prepared his flotilla to oppose them. Besides a Dum- ber or batte^ux, he had the captured schooner and sloop, and widi this ibrce he took post at Crown Point. AVith part of die artillery taken in the forts he armed his vessels, and despatched cannon by the way of Lake George, intended for the anny at Cambridge.*
In the meantime, doubts respecting Arnold's conduct in mat- ters respecting propert}*, very naturally arose in the minds of those who first commissioned him as a colonel, and gave a command of men and money, and moreover his former reputation might well occasion suspicions as to his prudence, and the legislature of Mas- sachusetts sent three delegates to Lake Champlain to inquire into the state of affidrs. They were instructed to inquire into his " spirit, capacity, and conduct," and authorized, if they saw fit, to order his return to Massachusetts to give an account of the money, ammunition, and stores, intrusted him. Inquiries of tbb nature troubled Arnold all tlirough life : and this at the commencement of his heroick carreer greatly irritated him. He was likewise superseded in command ; Colonel Hinman being appointed his superiour. Truly all this did not appear a suitable return ibr the activity and ability he had displayed, and Arnold complained loudly of the injustice and indignity with which he was treated, and in conclusion resigned his commission.
Having no furtlier business on the lake, he proceeded to Cam- bridge, loudly complaining of the treatment he had received. His accounts were allowed, but not without that suspicion which seems to have attended him in ever)' period of his life.
The military talents Arnold had displayed, his intelligence, spiritt activity, and perseverance, recommended him to General \^aab- ington as a leader fit for the arduous enterprize of conducting a force through the eastern wilderness by the way of Kennebec River to Quebec, a task justly considered to be of a most arduous nature, and requiring a man of tried hardihood and undaunted resolution. Such a man, Washington saw in Benedict Arnold, and the moral deformities of his character, were passed over — he was a tool fitted for the work to be done — and the commander-in-chief commis- sioned him as a colonel in the army of the continent, furnished him with the necessar}' instructions, and put under his command 1,100 men, and several officers, who subsequently became famous in the struggle then commencing. Lieutenant Colonel Christo- pher Greene, aftenvards the hero of Red Bank ; Lieutenant Co- lonel Enos ; Majors Bigelow and Meigs ; Captain Dearborn and Captain Daniel Morgan with his riflemen, so famously conspicuous
* The committee at Albaaj forwarded abandaat nippUes of pork and tmu to the eoaqiieron of tbe lake.
MONTGOMERY. 17
in every action from Quebec to Monmouth, and at a later period in a higher command, the conqueror of Tarleton at the Cowpens.
These troops were designed to co-operate with the force which invaded Canada, and formed a junction with tliem under the walls of Quebec.
In surmounting the difficulties of the arduous march through the wilderness to Quebec, and in every action attendant upon the dis- astrous expedition and attack upon the capital of Canada, in which Montgomery fell, Arnold by his ardour and daring — by his cool intrepidity and endurance of hardship — by his resources in every difficult emergency, increased his military reputation, and his popu- larity with all the friends of the great cause he so conspicuously served. I leave to the historian of the United States, the details of the Canada expedition, and will take up the story of Benedict Arnold, when we again meet him on the territory of New York.
Richard Montgomery was born in the year 1736, near the town of Raphoe, in the north of Ireland, and educated -at the college of Dublin. At the age of eighteen he entered the army, and was sent to Halifax with the regiment to which he belonged in 1767.
In 1758, he served under Amherst at the capture of Louisbourg, the American Gibraltar, which as we have seen, had been before taken by the American provincials and restored to France by Great Britain, to the great detriment of the colonists.
The 17th regiment, to which Montgomery was attached, fol- lowed Amherst to Lake Champlain, and introduced him to the fu- ture scenes of his republican military service under his friend Philip Schuyler. He followed the triumphant course of General Amherst until the conquest of Canada was completed in 1760. In the latter year, Montgomery was promoted to the rank of captain, and as such followed Monckton from Staten Island and New York to Martinico, the surrender of which, and of the Havana, was soon followed by the peace of February 10th, 1763.
Returning with the regiment to New York, he remained there, as it appears, some years, and then went to England. From some disgust to the service, he sold his commission and returned to New York in 1773. Having purchased an estate on the Hudson, in the neighbourhood of the Livingston family, he married the daugh- ter of Robert R. Livingston, and thus became the brother-in-law of the late accomplished chancellor.
In the year 1776, he was elected by the county of Duchess, to the first provincial convention held in New York. 1775 The continental congress, probably guided by the ad- vice of Washington, as in the choice of Charles Lee and Horatio Gates, appointed Captain Montgomery one of the first brigadier-generals that were selected for their army.
Philip Schuyler who at the same time was selected as a roajor-
VOL. II. 3
^
18 MCniTGOlfSKT.
general* wis appoinieil to cororoaml the army intended (or so H* tempt upon Canaih, by the way of Lake Cliamplain, while nno- dier force was pu<lied for the same purp<i^ by land throiig|i the wilderness under Arnold ; but intended for ^huyler's eom- fDtnd.
Montgomery repaired to Albany, and wm? ordered by bis friend Schuyler, to Ticondero;!a, recently seize^l upon by Ethan Allen.
He proceedeil with a small body of troops down tbe lake. Beinc^ joined by his friend and commander, they effected a boding near S>t. Johns and proceeded on their march to the ton oo the 5tfa of ^ptember, but were attacketl while fordin;; a creek, and thrown in some disorder by an Indian ambuscade. Tbe enemy was however soon di«per^ with lo«s to diemselFes* wmd principally by the prompt movement of the command immediaiely led by Montgomery.
General ;5cboyler wa? carrieil back to Ticonderoga in a Mate of extreme sickness and exhaustion, yet never ceasing to ibrward the men, artillery and stores, necessary for ilie expedition. On re- ceiving a reinforcement, Montgomery began his investment of ^L Johns.
After establishing an entrenched camp of 300 men in a position to intercept communication between St. Johns, CliainbU' e, and Mon- treal, he opened bis fire of artiller)' upon the lieseiged. But be experienced all the difficulties arising from incompetent guns, am- monition, and artillerists — his engineer was without the rudiinents of knowledge, as such— his troops were undisciplined, and sunk onder the effect of exposure to cold and wet, fatigue and unwbol- aome water. His efforts were counteracted by the insubordiaatioo of his officers and men. Tbe conduct of Ethan Allen in making an attack on Montreal without ordere from the general, and with a Ibrce altogether inadequate, added to the nuNtificatioos of Moot fomefy.
Tbe capture of .\llen took place on the 2-5th of September. Shortly after, Mr. James Livingston, who had at tbe imanrr of Montgomery, succeeded in raising a corps of 300 fanadiani, in conjunction with Major Brown, and a detachment from the army, aocceeded in capturing Chamblce, its garrison and stofea, aoioag which was the very acceptable acquisition of one bimdred and twenty-six barrels of gunpowder.
This success and the danger of the post of St. Johns, rendered it necessary for General Carleton the English commander m Ca- nada, to quit Montreal, and with a moifey army of Canadians, Scotch emigrants, Indbns, and some English troops of tbe regular force, to risk a field movement for the purpose of attacking Mont- gomery. Mc Lean of the British army was encamped at tbe moocb of tbe Sorel» and Carlctoo*s 6ni move was a jonctioo with
iiontoomert's lbttbss. 19
him. This Montgomery forestw, and gave euch orders to Colonel Warner as placed him in a situation at Loiiguiel to 0|>po.«e the movement ofCarleton, who crosi^ing the Sl Lau*rence, was receiv^ from the south bank by a fire of inuriketry and artillery, nhich had been marked, and which put to rout the whole arm'-inienL Thb 9«iccess, and tlie advance of a further American force, induced Mc Lean to abandon hi.s post and descend the Su Lawrence.
Carleton giving up all hope of savin:; Montreal, put himself on board of a boat, and with muffled oars, in a dark ni«£ht, succeeded in passing the American posts and descended the river in safety. St. Johns surrendered on the 3d of November, and on the 13ih Montgomery had full possession of Montreal, eleven sail of English vessels. General Prescott, and 120 regular troops of the •eveoth and twenty-sixth regiments.
On tlie 4th of December, Montgomery effected a junction with AiDold, and immediately proceeded to Quebec. In this fortress, snder the command of a veteran soldier, the force consisted of 450 teamen and marines ;• 50 privates of the 7th regiment ; 160 of Mc Lean^s corps, and 2-30 Canadian militia. To invest the place with bis miserable shadow of an army, less in number than the garriaon, was out of the question with the commander of the Americant, and the inclemency of winter in Canada equally forbade it. Es- calade was determined on. After tlie ceremony of surrender and lome preparation, the attempt was made as detailed in many of our histories, and ti)e gallant Montgomery fell. The Lieutenant Govemour Cramaht^, requested tiiat tlie body of the fallen general might be buried within the walls, and Carleton granted die request. It was subsequently removed to the city of New York, and depo- siled many years after his deaili, with all military honours, under the monument voted by congress and erected to his memory in St Paul's cha)>el.*
The following extract^t from unpublished letters of Montgomery, VTiiteo during ihe last and most eventful period of his life, to bit friend Schuyler, whom he constantly addi esses in the most respect- ful and affectionate terms, cannot but be read with interest
TictrnJiTftg't^ Aifgifftf 1>, 177.5. — "The troops destined for ttie eeoerous effort to relieve our brethren of Canada, will in all pix)b«biiity be at St Johns in fourteen days.**'
Tiattuieroga^ Aifgm^f :i5. — '* I ho|>e you will join us with all expedition. Let rne iiitreai you (if you can (Kissihiy) to follow in a whale boat, leaving somebody to bring foiward liie troo[w and
* .\« to the It veil of AUen And Mont^omeir. ice Sparka'f Amcrinii Biofrapbj, Vol. l— of Arnold— SjiarU Vol 3.
t For ikam I am ini*T>**^' to mj higU/ Kiiunwl friend, Ez-cfaABoeUor KtaL
7.*
20 uontgomert's letters.
ardlleiy. It will pve the men irreat confidence id your 9[Hrit and activity. Be assure! 1 have your iionour and reputation hiebly at heart, as of the greate-^t consequence to the public service ; that all iDV ambition is to do inv duiv in a subordinate canacirv, without the least unsrenerous intention ofiesTicnini the merit so iiisllv vour due, which 1 omit no opportunity of setlinfr in its fullest light."
Camp, ttmr Sf, J'^hns, S*pt. 19, 177o. — "We arrived here oo the 17th, in the evenin::. 1 have srrest dependence on your pres^ ence to administer to our many want."*. Major Broivn was driven off yesterday mominc: by a party of British when he landed on the left side of the lake."
Campy south tide Si* Jnhns, Sfpf. t34. — " I can say nothing pleasing as to my troops. The other niihi Captain Moti basely deserted the mortar batter}' without beini: attacked, though he made me a report that the enemy had rushed on him. I expect to set our mortars to work to nitrht. If successful I shall endeavour to have deputies sent from Canada to the congress, giving tbem assurances that before an accommodation takes place, Canada must have a free government, and that the congress will as soon give up the Massachusetts government to the resentment of the ministry as relinquish this point.
I should like to have three enlighfenrd members of congress as a council, immediately, lest I should make ^ thnx pa$.
Should Arnold come in my neidibourhood, has he orders to put himself under my command r You know his ambition, and I need not point out the bad consequences of a separate command.**
Campf near St. Johns, Sej^f. 25. — *' Colonel Allen passed the St. Lawrence below St. Johns with twenty of ours and fifty Canadians. He was attacked from the garrison and taken prisoner, and two or three of his men killed. I lament that his imprudence and ambi- tion urged him to this affair sinixlehanded."
Same date. — " We have opened a batter}* of two twelve pounders upon the ship yards and schooner. 1 want men and ammunition ; the weather is bad, and the iiround encamped on, swampy. \Vc are scant}- in pork and flour. 1 have sent back ten boats with the naked and lazv.'*
Camp, south side St, Juhns^ Oct. 0. — " Your diligence and fore- sight have saved us from the dilhculties that threatened us, and we are no longer afraid of star\-ing. I am wailing with impatience for the arrival of troops.
We have a post at La Prairie, and a conference by Major Brown, and some of our officers, with the principal inhabitants of Mon- treal, at La Prairie to-morrow. I am too feeble in men. The weather has been miserable. If I could send -300 men to Montreal h would declare for us.
Oar army shows a great want of military spirit. They petition
U03ITG0MBRT*S LETTERS. 21
for the release of the base coward Captain Mott. Oui sensible officers swallow ever)' old woman's stor\- that is dropped into their mouths. General Carleton is still at Montreal."
Camp J south side St. Johns, Oct. 9th. — " There has been shock- ing embezzlement of the public stores end monies. Fray send me Yorkers, they dont melt away half so fast as their Eastern neighbours. We want iron, steel, ammunition, a ten inch mortar. Your residence at Ticonderoga has probably enabled us to keep our ground. How much do the public owe you for your attention and activity ?"
Camp, near Si, Johns, Ocf.lSth. — "A general dissatisfictioii prevails in the army, and that unless something is done in a few days, I am told there will be a mutiny. It seems I am at the bead of troops who carry the spirit of freedom into the 6eld and think for themselves. Owing to the want of subordination and discipline, I thought it expedient to call a council of the field officers. Tbe result has deprired me of all hopes of success. The troops it the post of La Prairie have shown great intimidation, and ^I have had great difficulty in keeping them there. The friendly Canadians grow exceedingly uneasy at their situation should we not succeed.
You will see the propriety of putting Ticonderoga in a state of defence against a winter coup-de-Aiain, by a stockade, and by having a post at Crown Point. The vessels to be placed in stockade also : preparations for a naval armament in tlie spring."
Camp, near St. Johns, Oct. 20th. — " Chamblee surrendered to Major Brown and Mr. Livingston. The latter htaded 300 Cana- dians. He had not above 500 of our troops. It was a plan of the Canadians, who carried down the artillery past the fort of St Johns in batteaux. We have got six tons of powder, which with the blessing of God, will finish our business here. I have found Major Brown on all occasions active and intelligent. We have sunk the enemy's schooner ; our troops are now in high spirits.
The quantity of women and baggage taken at Chamblee is aston- ishing. The officers of the 7th regiment taken at Cliamblee are genteel men. I have had great pleasure in showing them all the attention in my power. I have not in my camp above 7o0 men."
Camp^ near St. Johns, Oct. 26th. — " In a few days I hope to have a battery to the north side, of three twelve, and one nine pounders, upon a dry piece of ground to the north west."
St. John^s, October 31. — ** I must earnestly request to be suf- fered to retire should matters stand on such a footing this winter as to permit me to go off with honour. I have not talents nor temper for such a command. I am under the disagreeable neces- sity of acting eternally out of character — to wheedle, flatter and lie. I stand in a constrained attitude. I will bear with it for a
S2 ltOXTGOSfERT*« LETTERS.
fihort time, but I cannot bear it long. Mr. Wooster bas behaved bitherto much to mv ftatisfactioii."
Camp^ nrar St. John's^ Stfrember 3d, — " The garrisoD surrender^ ed last oight, and tlii^ morning we take poisei^ion. We pbjed CO the fort from our battery of four twelve pounders on liie north west, and of two twelve pounders on tlie east side. Major Preston commanded. Governour Carleton made an attempt to land with thtrty-lbiir boats full of men at Longuiel, and was repulsed with Warner's detachment : send all tlie troops you can/'
Montreal^ Sorembcr 13'/r. — " This momi..g lliis city capitulated. and Carleton with his garrison has gone doun to Quebec/* [He talks of 6nishin<i^ the business it once bv a viirorous attack oo Quebec.] '* If your healili will not permit you to engage in this tflSur, Lee ought tj all means to have the command here. The troops are exceedingly turbulent, and indeed mutinous. My fcx- ation and distress can only be alleviated by reHectin:: on the great public advantages which must arise from my unparalleled good fiHtune. I shall call a convention in Canada when my intended expedition is finished. Will not your health permit you to reside at Montreal this winter ? I must go home this winter — lam uxary of powtTj and totally want that patience and temper so requisite for such a conmiand. I wish some method could be fallen upon of engaging gentlemen to ser\'e : a point of honour and more know- ledge of the world to be found m that class of men, would gready reform discipline and render the troops much more tractable. The officers of the 1st regiment of Yorkers were very near a mutinj the other day, because I would not slop the clothing of the garrison of St. Johns. I would not have sullied my own reputation, nor disgraced the continenuil anny, by such a breach of capitulation, for the universe. There was no driving it into their notldles that the clothing was really the property of tlie soldier, that he liad paid for h/'
Montreal^ Socember 17M. — '* Colonel Easton has six guns mounted at the Sorrel, and disturbs CarIeton*s eleven sail in the river. I am making preparations to attack him on my si«)e with artillery. I hope to give a final blow to ministerial )K>litics in this province. I cannot retire with honour until the campaign is fin- iibed, but that instant it is over 1 must retire/*
JtfoR/rra/, Savember 19/A. — " 1 have an express from General Arnold — he lias crossed the river to the Quebec side — Ite had been near surprising the town. Carleton is fifteen miles this siile Sorrri. I presume he is with that fleet. Arnold has no artillery, nnd is in want of warm clothing. I have set a regiment on foot of
fames Livingston, colonel, i have declared to the
that I should call a con%'ention u|K)n my return from
The Papiik ifnaU have hitherto done us all the mischief
MONTOOMBRT's LBTTXK8. S3
in their power* The inhabitants are our friends on both sides of the river down to Quebec. They permit our ex|)rcsses to pass unmolested.*'
MonirtaU SffremfH^- 20M. — " Captain Lamb of the artillery is active, spirited and industrious. The rascally Green Mountaio Boys have left me in the lurch, after promi.-in^ to go down to Quebec. I am oSIii^ed to fnpeak to you of Colonel Ea.4ioo in tbe warmest terms of acknowledgment.*'
Montretd^ November 2^fh. — *• 1 am ashamed of staying here so long and not getting to Arnold's assistance. To-morrow I shall sail with two or three hundred men, some mortars and other ar^ tillery. Lieutenant Halsey« whom I left as assi:<tant engineer at St. Johns, has run away and taken the artificers 1 had left to cany on the works ; he deserves the severest punishment. Poor Allen is sent to England in irons. I wish Lee could set off immediately for the command here. ( )ur commissaries have made great havoc with the public stores. There are great abuses to be rectified* Several commissaries and other officers have flown without settling their accounts. I wish exceedingly for a respectable committee <^ congress. I really have not weight enough to carry on business by myself. I have not above 800 effectives here ; but I can hare as many Canadians as I know how to maintain.
An affair hapened yesterday which had very near sent me home. A number of officers presumed to remonstrate against the indul- gence I had given some of the officers of the king's troops* Such an insult I could not bear and immediately resigned. To-day they qualified it by such an apology as puts it in my power to re- sume the command. Captain Lamb is a restless genius, and of a bad temper, and at the head of it : he is bnve, active and intelli- gent, but very turbulent and troublesome."
Hollfind Hmi^e^ mar tJie Heigh fs of Abraham^ Dec. bth."^^^ 1 have joined Colonel Arnold ni l^oint aux Trembles, where I ar- rived with the vessels. They carried 300 troops equifiped for a winter campaign. Colonel Livingston is on the way with a part of his regiment of Canadians. Mr. Carleton is shut up in tbe town with a shew of defence. I mean to assault his works towards the lower town, which is the weakest part. I shall be yery sorry to be reduced to this mode of attack, because I know the melan- choly consequences.
Colonel Arnold's corps is an exceeding fine one, and have a superiour style of discipline. I am not intoxicated with the favour I have received at the hands of fortune, but I do think there is a &ir prospect of success. I have been under the necessity of clotliing the troops. As a stimulant to the troops to go forward, I was obliged to offer as a reward all public stores taken in tbe ▼eaaebi to tbe troops, except ammunitiop attd provisions. I gave
24 HOKTGOMBRT*8 LETTERS.
them the rearms clothing of the sereoth and tweoty-sixtb regiments. 1 would not wish to s€e le^^^ than 10.000 meo ordered here io the spring to protect the province, with artillen', fxiw-gallies, etc The Canadians will be our friend? so Ion:: as we are able to main' tain our ground. I am mucli obliired to you for coram unicating to congress my desire of retiring. I wish like a New Englaod maD for the moment of my release. Mc Pherson is a young; mao (Cap- tain) of good sense and a great deal of spirit, and nH)st amiable.**
Head Qwtrtcn^ Uf'orf (ItieUr^ Dtc. 16r/r. — ** Yesterday we opened a batter}' of Gve c:uns ; very little effect : the govemour would not receive any letter or summons. The enemy hare Feiy hesrj roetaL I never expected any advantage from our artillery than to amuse the enemy and blind them to my real intention. I propOK tbe first stronc: north wester to make two aiUich by night— one about one-third of the troops oo the lower town — the other Cape Diamond bastion by escalade. I am fully convinced of the practicability ; but if tbe men should appear not to relish this mode of proceeding, I shall not press it. The enemy are weak in pro- portion to the extent of their works. We have not much abore 800 men fit for duty, exclusive of a few ragframuixin C) We want cash, and shirts and artillery stores. The will not relish a union with the colonies till thev see the whde countrv in our hands. Were it not for this I should have been inclined to a blockade till towards the first of April."
H^id Quarters^ hrjore QntUc^ Ike. 26th. — ^** I have discovered diat three companies of Colonel Arnold's detachment are rerj averse to a coup-de-main. Captain Hanchel, who has inctmed Colonel Arnold's displeasure, is at the bottom of it : a field officer 15 concerned in iu This dangerous party threatens the ruin of our afiiurs. I shall at any rate be obliired to chans:e my plan of attnelc. I am afiraid my friend Major Brown is deeply concerned in diii affair : he wishes to have, and they wish him to have, the command of those companies. The ofiicers have offered to provided they may join some other corps. This is against Arnold.
Send a lar^e corps of troops down as soon as the lake is ble. I am distressed for money. Paper will not pass in Mr. Prictn of MmUreal^ has been a most faithful and Faloabk fiiend to our cause. I have had X5000 York currency cash fron him. I take it (or granied measures are taken to supply my place, as I am determined to return home. If this business sliouM ter- minate in a blockadt^ I shall think myself at liberty to retiun ; Aoifvrer, if possible^ I s/udl jirtt make an tffort for the redmclum t/ tketouM.^'
J0H]|90ilS. 96
CHAPTER n.
IV^Afanow — Bnmi — Sckmyler's Eiptditkm to Johuimm^^
fftht mlify €f ike IVbAairl.
1774 SiK William Jobxsox bad filled offices aod peribrmed actioiis in the province of New Yorii of too much impoit*
to permit the historiam to pass ov^ his death unnoticed. He made a vojasre to £n£:landf in 1773« and returned prepared l» take part in the struggle which was anticipated between tbe nfin^ countrr and her provinces. He had assembled his Indian fcirads» and prepared the Iroquois to raise the tomahawk agaiast cokxiists : but, on the 24th of June* he died of apoplexr* at bouse near Johnstown. His son John succeeded to his estate tide. His effims against the American cai»e will be foimd in seqaeL The friend of Brant, without some of lus good quali-* Ss tbej were both scourges and dealers in mischief to tbe western aad ooftbem part of this state, even before she took that proud tzie. Guy Johnson, the son-in-law of Sir William, succeed^ bin as Enslisb agent for Indian adairs : Brant was adranced to tbe afice of secretanr ; these with Miss MoUv — Brant^s sister, and tbe larooec Sir William's concubine — added to the hereditary noblet Sr John, moved every engine, and exerted all their power to op> tbe spirit of libert}* which was aroused in the east and spread heoi^n induence even to the \~aIleT of liie Mohawk. Heixirick John Frey, Christopher P. Yaies aod Isaac Ferris, names un- to the officials of Britain, fanneii tbe dame of freedom | in the &ce of tbe Johnsons and Miss Molly, published a de» of rights and echoed the voice of the patriots of the dxj York.
Builers. John and his son Walter N., (famous for their subseouently, in conuection with Brant and his Inditos) early coadjutors with the Johnsons, in opposition to the colo* They were all bound to England by offices, and by the belief that she was the stronger party in the contesL
1775 The tones of Tryon county assembled at Johnstown, at the time of holding court, and procureil the signatures o[
to an addresis in opposition to tliat of the coogress. The tv named after Tryon, embraced all the seulomcnts west and sooth west of Scbeecctady* This etTort of the torie* aroeaed n. 4
26 GUT JOHNSON*
the friends of reform ; and meetinss were called, and commidees. appointed in erer}' district. At Caughnawaga they proceeded to the erection of a liberty pole ; but the Johnsons, with other offi- cials, attended by their associates, tenants, and followers, armed, made their appearance, to oppose this demonstration. Guy faai^ rangued the multitude, and told them of the irresistible power o( Britain, her justice, and the insolence of her opponents. The whigs interrupted his oratory, and a scuffle and bloodsbed by bruises ensued, principally endured by the liberty boys. Id Cherry Valley the whigs held their meeting at the church, in the month of May, and, with enthusiasm, signed an address, approving the pro- ceedings of Congress. But in the Palatine district the Johnsons overawed the people by show of force, and prevented thor assem- bling. Sir John fortified his house, armed the Highlanders of Johnstown, and with his family and the Buders, prepared the In- dians to act against the colonies. Brant was secretary to Coloiiel Guy, and an influential agent with the Mohawks. The Oneidas, influenced by the Kev. Mr. Kirkland, espoused the American part, and Brant was active in opposition to liim. Guy, in the name of the British government, ordered away the missionary.
In June, Gen. Washington wrote to Schuyler to keep a witch- fnl eye upon Guy Johnson, which that patriot was already to do ; and Colonel Guy was in an uneasy position, which be deavoured to mitigate by addressing a letter to the people of Cana- joharie and others, professing hb desire to keep the Indians quiet, hinting dangers to himself from the New England people, and the vengeance of the Iroquois upon those who injured their agent — himself.
The committee, however, denounced Johnson, as taking upon himself unauthorised powers, arming those around him, stirring op the Indians of the upper country, and cuttine oflT commnnicatioo between the districts favourable to Congress with the city of Albuiy. The Albany commiuee advised the people thus oppressed by Johnson, to procure arms and ammunition, act on the defensive, and coiuteract Johnson^s intrigues with the Indians. These fron- tier whigs showed a determined spirit ; at the same time they acted with praiseworthy caution.
Guy Johnson likewise addressed the people of Albany and Schenectady by letter, of a tenor similar to that sent to the people of the Mohawk valley. The leaders at Albany replied, that die report of danger threatened to the colonel, was an artfid ramonr raised to enlist the feeling of the Indians on his part, and against the colonists. They assured them, however, of their vnah to preserve peace and friendship with them, and the tribes in Us charge.
The seat of Colonel Johnson, was caUed Guy Paik, tad Ae
vnmmvmm axd xsGoniLTioNs with the ixdians. 97
OQ die ktnk of the Mohawk* m indicates the sub-
5(4eBdoMr of the a^Mit who ^deti the Iruquok for the bene-
ot Brauft. At this place Johu^oo held a council of Mohawks»
tbe piupotfe of onkuur known the iuiention of supporting and
pcvKctiaur Johasown* He had iu% ited the other trib(»> but ther
i HOC appear. He called a ;kX'oad council to remedy thtt
acmcT, and appealed with his followers at the Oennan Flats*
1>B the dd of June* a full meeting of the Tryon county com*
0MC» in desstpite of the e&ns of the Johnsons and Buders.
Paer echoed the sentiments of the people of the colonies cene-
niy, who ptedaeed themse^es to delend the liberty of their coim-
«T. Tner addressed the Indian a^nt : rebuned the charges
Maehc asaixKt cbem : they called u|K^n him to keep the Indians
innfrtipfing in the quarrel between the colonies and En^rland;
y nseetied their ri^rfat to meet, and reprobate his iuterierence. The
€iiinnci answered their address. He treated their iK^ars of the In-
OKK k» oaty pn>paj:ated tor bad purposes : tus political opinicai
K an»w^ aind his belief that the kin;? ot' En«:land would recdAr all
Hsst cvtcnpiiaints : he considers his frequent meeting with the In-
tfiaofr benencial to the country : and char^ces the whifs with inter-
cceCBti: the ciits to the indiatts. — He acknowledges that he had
ixtitted hti^ hotsse* and considers the re(H>rts as true« which induced
ut S9 w> do. he bein^: threaceuoil with captivity, which if accom-
Mihfd» would bcave raised the ire of the IrvH)uois« and of course
:Mr veo^ceaEMTe. He assures tiK^ (veople. dtat they hare iKUhin^
)> xar ttixn him : but tiiat he wishes to proaiote their true
At tbf i^ennan Flats no cv^uckuI of Indians took pbce. and John- his companions pr\x*eeded to Fort Stanwix* which sail fur* cscittd the a^tprehensions of the colonists, who saw him ^ op the Indcm country attended by hts £&mity. bis depen- and a body of the Mohawks. These apprehensions were by the pcorincial con^^ress of Massac hissects, who laid the prv»TiR\*rjiI c\>:*cr^">s of New Yv^rk. and the conti- eoojTestjK. It wjs beLte\e\i ihac (he huiian s^^nc persuaded ie Iniquofts that the coloi;i^ts h*:eui{t\l ;o c\iinvi:e ihetn. and hy i« cneaiis attached iheiu to Kr^ilasul as a prv^ev-iress.
The thends of iifc»erty and ih^* ivv>i>Io, nuiie eiTorts on their part )>cvxsanact the schen^es of the Johnsotis : anvl the Oueidas, and met depuaes frvMU TrvvM^ c\>i:ntY and Albany, on the 01 June, at the iicryviii F'.Jit>. i:v. i i^U\i^" of ncuuulirv was ^NKiiaed ttoc* tiHxse tribes.
U the meantiine. iiuv Johcso:: prvvt'evicvi from Fort StanwLx to OiOn(K ooc without ex;x*rie:K*hic s<>:re tokens of uie iejiU>a<v of iohalHCanss of the rilLev of :;to Mohiwk. ^\ho seizevl some on dieir way to his troops. Frv>m Ontario he iotormed
98 nnpRiatmt and nbgotiatioks wiTfit tun niBiAirs.
Ae committee at Albany, that he was finiahing his business with the Indians, having 1,340 warriours^ with him. That he disclaimed the orders of congresses and committees, as not consistant with his lojnal^—- again threatens the vengeance of the Indians if he is injured ; and professes too much humanity to promote the destruction of the colonists.
Ouy Johnson was accompanied into Canada by the two Buders and Brant. The Oneidas and Tuscaioras remained at home : as did Sir John Johnson, who had as stated, fortified his house at Johnstown^ and was a brigadier-general under the king, and had at his com- mand a great number of armed followers. Colonel Herkimer wrote to Albany for succours, as he expected Guy and his Indians would return and carry desolation through the valley, aided by Sir John. Guy held another council with the Indians at Oswego, and «cill further set them against the colonists. He thence joined Carle^ ton and Haldimand in Canada. Carleton, the comiranding officer,
E posed Co the Indians to enter the king's service. At Montreal, Idimand addressed the confederated Indians, and engaged them to serve against the Americans.
In 1775, congress appointed commissioners with instructions to endeavour to keep the Iroquois and their allies, in a state of neutrality : Philip Schuyler was one of these. In August, two of the commis^ sioners assembled as many as they could, at the German Flats for thb purpose, and proposed a more full council at Albany. The chie& of the Iroquois present, agreed to meet at Albany, but de- clined sending to their allies or to the Caughnawagas : among the the latter they said, Guy Johnson was present, and carried them in an opposite course. The Iroquois likewise required assurance of safe^ in coming to Albany, which was given them; and on the 23d of August, the chiefs assembled at Albany, and the magis* trates joined with the commissioners in a formal visit to them at their quarters, in which visit the Albanians called themselves the descendants of Quidder^ or Peter Schuyler, by way of claiming fiiendship with the Iroquois.
Previous to a council with the commissioners, the Indians wished to have a talk with the magistrates, and head men of Albany, and accordingly a committee consisting of Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and Samuel Stringer, was appointed to make arrangements, and the meeting took place in the evening. The Oneidas professed tlieir pacifick disposition, and said, Guy John-
* Accordin/^ to Mr. Stone, the historian of Brant, Sir William Johnson made the aamberof Mohawk warriouri 160: Oneidas 850: Tascaroras 140: Onoiidiigas 150: Cayagaii200: Senecas 1,050. Total 1950. And during the American re- Tolution, the English had in their service 300 Mohawks, 150 Oneidas, 800 Tusca- fMif, dOO Oaondtgas, 830 Cajrugas, tiid 400 Seneca*.
■UBTIAin OF THB IBOQIIOIS. 99
«i bttd todattoured lo engage tbem agamsc the colonists, and Wdaaeaolqr reqoest of Gcnml Gage. On the25ih of Augiat, fe jiand oovacil with the commiseaoners took place. It was not the bflC day of August, that the Mohawk chief, Liitk Abra- gaw the determination of the Iroquois, which was, for a neu* tiBqr, bat is supposed to haTe given a ftise gloss to the conduct rf Cartf lun and Guj Johnson on the subject. The next daj the
■Bade their reply in confonni^ with the iitteotion of
Philip Schujier and Volkirt P. Douw, w«re appointed
to ksep up the amicable couTention with the Iroquois, umI hold
ctaacBs anth them at Albany ; but this was the last : the hostihtf
rfthe IndJans, and their attachment to England, and the Johnsons
after aTowed.
this council the Iroquois returned home, satisfied with gocMl
and abundant presents, but soon after an epidemick broke
them, and swept off great numbers. The Mohawks of
were almost exmrnmated. The agents of England
■Bade the Indians beliere, that disease and death were a proof
rf God's anger against them for not joimngthe king and the John*
toak In thtt bdief they took up the hatchet against the colonists ;
tad ijhe tiftes that had most suffered, were the most cruel enemies
rfAe people of die ralley of the Mohawk, and said to be pre-emi-
aent in atrocitr. It will likewise be recollected that with the ex*
ception of the Oneidas, and the tribe of Mohawks nearest to Sdw-
BsctHly, the other Iroquob were already led away by Brant and
Ui impbyii, Guy Johnson.
To prof e that Brant was right in ]»eferring the party of Eng->
10 that of America, his eulogist tells us that the Indian being
by Doctor Wheelock, his former instructor, to join the
of the colonists, or to remain at peace as neutral, repliedY
ho only followed die Doctor^s maxims, in attaching himself to
, as his preceptor had taught him to ** fear God, and
the king.**
If ihb justified Brant, how vile roust appear the Waahingtoos,
Jeftfsons, Franklins, Schuylers, and the thousands of
patriots, who set themselves in opposition to die king
oflkers. The writer well remembers that he was taught,
(md such was the teaching of Americans generally, until I77fi,)
aK tnlT ^ to fear God and honour the kinii:,*' but to honour qU
ta oMikonhf under his most sacred majesty. But those
we owe iHir liberties, and the world a br^t example,
justice more than the kingt and despised those put in
imder him, when they prored to be blind or selfish tools
if the naster who paid them. In childhood I was taught to *' fear
C^ «9d hoaonr the kina. and all those out in antboritv imdar
30 PnCBXBOIGS ox THE MOHA
knn ;** but three score and ten rears, with a stud j of die acr^iCnres. their oofBineiitators and the philoisopby of histofj has taaelit me to ^ toie God, and to honour most hiffaly, such of h» ueatiues as appear to do fab wilL" If this is a digression, I wiQ porsoe ii no finther than to remark, that the Brants, the Johosoos, ot JoIbb* i9ini and Trvon conntr, and the hundreds of eoremoiirs and odier piace-men, who bonoored the kinzy and joined his standard, m oppositioo to the colonists, were serrants of the kin^ and of senrants, and were interested to support the power that paid The Ifoqoois were no hmger the independent repnbEoDs of the aeventeenth centorr, ther were led far Brant and Johnsoo to tt the hatchet on the part of those, who were most likrijr to 9Bfftf theat most pleotifuUT with euns, powder, and blankets.
In speaking of the Iroquois ^nerally as inimiral to Americm, 1 do not speak of the year 1775, for at the time of the last cooril at AInny such was not the case, and the friendly meetine of Ao- gQSt restofcd for a time tranqoility to the dwdiers oo our froaticck
A libeity pole had been erected in the Mohawk VaDeT, at the German Flats. The Dutch inhabitants, (hich and Urn) weie geaetally patriots. The Scotch, and other tenants ot the Jobs- aoos, were tories. The king's sheriff^ Alexander White, was a leader in catting dcywn the detestable emblem of rcbrlBng •H thoae put in authority onder majesty. The people by cammittfe remored Mr. White from office and appoiitfed Colond John Frey, one of the people.
White had rendered himself nnpopolar by other violent acti, and had been engaged in a riot which produced the first dmrhMt^ of fire arms with intent to kill, in tins part of \ew York ; and which was turned to the disadrantaee of the whigs br a aienal from Johnson Hall, which was known to be for calling oat Ae knight's tenants in martial array.
Diimigped by the people. White was re-commissioned by Tiron ; bat finding the committee more powerful than the goremoor, he Aed to Canada. The whiz committees ^oFemed the coantrrwidb Tigoor and prwlence. Still Sir John and his armed tenantry were at hand, and to be carefully watched. The partisans wete neigh- boars, but litde of neiriibourly lore dwelt amooe them. Of Ae whig committeemen Christopher P. Yates and Nicholas Heridmer, are names subsequently distinguished in oor annals.
The agents of England felt themsdres strcme enough to inqaire the inhabitants of the Schoharie Valley lo arm in opposition to the canse of liberty, which was spreading in erery dirnrtion, and the people were summoned to meet at the boose of Captain and take the oath of allegiance to the kin?. Mann was in his exertions, and many took the oath required, some wilfingiyv othco Ofawufed by armed toiies and Ifwi«»a^ Some bolder
FS00EEDIN6S ON THE MOHAWK. 81
the rest refused, and retired to their homes prepared for defence or sufiertng. Mann paraded his forces with red cockades and caps, indicative of loyalt}% day after day, and was perfecting them to the amount of one hundred before his door, when a troop of horse under Captain Woodlake, arrived from Albany, for the purpose of putting down the tories of Schoharie. At the sight of this troop, Mann fled, and his soldiers threw away their red badges. Pursuit was ordered for the purpose of securing Mann ; but it failed, and he escaped. The horsemen however fell in with a Mohawk chief called Neckus, one of Johnsons warm partisans, who had attended Mann's parade, and with tomahawk in hand threatened diose who refused the oath and badge of loyalty. Neckus was killed with wanton cruelty, as is stated, and may easily be credited, and his death may have caused some of the subsequent cruelties exercised by the Iroquois in this devoted district.
While Tryon was on board the Duchess of Gordon, in the haibour of New York, he on the Sd of January 1776, wrote to the British government that he was informed by the person bearing his letter, that Sir John Johnson could muster 500 Indians to sup* poit the English government, and these with some regulars mi^t retake the forts. The letter of Sir John enclosed was to Gover- Dour Tryon, informing him, that having consulted with all his friends in that quarter of the country, among whom were many old and good officers, he had resolved to form a battaUon, had named the officers and engaged many of the men. That he waits till support and supplies are at hand, before openly avowing this plan* It will thus be seen that General Schuyler's expedition was not too early or too rigorously executed.
At length the committee in September, informed the provincial congress of those proceedings on the part of Sir John Johnson, which produced the movement of General Schuyler in arms upon Johnstown, and resulted in Sir John Johnson's flight.
Sir John bad fortified his house, armed his Scotch tenants, and cairied on a correspondence with Guy, by means of Indian run* Ders, who secreted leners in the heads of their tomahawks, and passed to and fro with impunity.
On the 26th of October, the Tr)'on county committee sent a deputation and letter to Johnson, requiring to know from him whether he would allow die inhabitants of Johnstown and Kingsbo- rough to form themselves into companies as directed by congress, ibr the defence of the country ; whether he would assist in the ame ; and whether he would resist the committee in any use they ibould make of the court house or jail f
The deputies reported in answer, that he considers the buildings in question as his property until he shall be paid j£700, paid by him in building tbem. That he has not forbidden his teoants
loio couipAiiiBS M dfavdBd Djr he kaev that tiiej would not As to ISmiadit he iKftd befiBve he wvnild M his Iniid agamrt lu Idag. Tbiiif OBkvfol see is nude of die jaO, be would oppoK k. That diMs of die Canqdnrie and Gennan Fbla people, iaio die meiftuies of die oommiaee ; aoddnt he eoaadend the Boafciaiian as in open lebdlioo.
Sv John wcNdd not pennk die ooounhiee to piacr die jnl; and diej were oUt^ed to dispose of dwai Thejr infcnned d»B pcoviocial congress of die stale of Aev coBtiBiinirafion it was replied by Nadnmel Woodfanfl^ dene, dm diej should not cany nntteis to extremes widi Ji but q»peal to the gorernoor of the cohmj.
In the meantoDe, (jeneralSdin^lerbaTingbeeBobfiged the annj against Canada to Montgomefj, and retnro in 31 ABnnjr, his attention was paiticiilarfy called to the Indiasv bf an net of boslilitjy the first commiaed by them in this ecnlHtt whidi had been pcipetiJted bj the Mohawks near St. Johns 8>ise of the Indians cngagnd in this affiar retnnied to the town of hariet the Mobwks castle, and boasted of killing Anericai cniariy one called Wilham Jdbnaon, (probabl j the aon of Sk Wllism, who defined a gentleman to be one who drank Madeira and kept race hones, as Sir Williara did,) who had fiva^ Montgomery. In conaeqocnoe of this the duBsed the Mohawks of Canajobaiie, remonstrating breach of the laie treaty at Aktny. The IndianB they had not ibcgotlen their agrecmeats; bat said young men had been seduced to Canada, and if they they care not — some have come back — and the "^^"ifrr hape the arintos will take no finther notice of it. Shortly after dKy^piad fivche dischaigeoftwo Indians fitim prison, iHbich itappcandny were gratified in, in order to keqi them quiet.
HoaRever, in December, congrem made known to Goncnl Schuyler the inlbnnation they had reoeired respecting Sir Ji Johnson^s preparations far annoyance, and lequired the tories, secure their leaders, and secure die tiannnility of frontier. Congress appropriatod ^^rty hard doDan fiw dna and ordered tUi treasure to be sent to the general undrr a
General Schuyler having no troops wheliewitb to cmocii oraers of congress, and knoamg thai soticcy and de^iaftch f cfssaiy tohai success, communicated his phn to a of Albany county, adminiwtrring an oath ef seareey ; bnl nrired fiom Tiyon county respecting die hoatle prepasslions of
hiiFiiiiiilii Ill sail iiliiiiiiili. ■iiaiH ai lliii MidMnli.
secrecy unueceaaaffy, and aeten hundred of the called not with the annped pmpoae of
WCKCTtMWL^ SXFKDinoX TO JOHKSlOWH> tt
ciwniT. With this force the sreneral marched, but before be lemched Cauttinawiura« his annv had increased to three thousand* At Schenectady a deputation from the Mohawks met him. Schuy- Wr bad $eot them a mes^crc inforniin^ them of hi^ intention to ■«rch into their countrv. but ii:ith no dc^i^rn of hostiliir to them. At thetr meeting the u^ual fonn of making :^^>eeche5 took place. Tbey ackiiowteiipHi the receipt of his mes^:;e, and his intorroa- &OQ that a cumber of men were eniboiiit^ about Johnstown and :Hr Jc^hnak and intended to commit hi><tili:ie5 down the river ; and caat be vas coniinjT to inquire into the matter. Tliey acknoirledsied ant be bnd a^ured them no harm wa^ intended to tiiem : as ther ad the Inst summer publickly en^:reii to take no part a«rainst him iii tae dispute with tlie jrreat kins: over the water. They proposed 19 Schuyler, that instead of marvhin^ his trooj^ to Johnstown, he «ao(x;d send up si^ men to inquire into the truth of what he had Wtni. and send his soldiers home. Thev said that the council of teir natiuo had sent them to meet him. and warn him to take care viot be was about. Thev remind him n^ln of their asreeniem to km peace, and that he had said ** if any person was found in jheir acietuboarbood inimical to peace, he should consider such person as an enemv ;** and the Six Nations thouirht he meant tlie son of Sir WnUam. and they particularly desire that he should not be They repeaietily warn the ^neral not to spill blood, and thev intend to observe the treatv made with him. and re- ■ala at pence. They say their chiefs had berrced Sir John not to It the a^zressor: that he had promiseil he would not. That he W but a handful of men. and could not be the airtnressor : there* if Schuyler and his men should come up ami any evil happen, ij should look ufK>n him as the atreressor. or as shutting up the padi of peace. They denied that >ir Joim was making military or fortifvinj his liouse. and ascserted tlmt everv thinir in the time of Sir William. They profess a sincere for peace, but acknowledj;:e that some anion c them are dis- lo boetiliiies. They insinuate that if this hostile array pro* ther mav not be able to restrain their narriour^. wiw are if Schuyler persists in iroin:: to Johnson-Hall, to at his meeiins: with Sir John, ard tite connsellors coiild not he answerable for what mrrhi happen* The orafior concludes, by saying, t: at he had persuaded the iiar- lo sit still, and await his reuirn with the answer Schurler pT9 him. Sehnvler answered tliem in their own fashion. The substance «ik that he bad hopeil a previoirs message sent by him to the Six had convinced them no hostile intentions were enterained then : and is sorry tl^e Mohawks had not sent that mea- That ho hnd Ml proof that many peo{rie in Johnsiowvtnd
B FSOGBXDIlf €MI OH THB
fonaing themselTes into companies » directed bj tmigmmt fcci he knew that thejr woold not As to binMeU^ he woold low Ue head before be would lift his hand against bis king. That if wmf onlawfol use is made of the jail, he would oppose iL That two* dufds of the Canajobaiie and Gennan Flats people, were coetced mto the measures of the committee ; and that he considered the Bostonians as m open rebellion.
Sir John would not permit the committee to place prisoaeri id die jail ; and they were obliged to dispose of them elsewhere* Thqr informed the provincial congress of the state ofaflUn : to communication it was replied hj Nathaniel Woodbull, prest* that they should not carry matters to extremes with Johosoo; hot ^peal to the govemour of the ccdony.
In the meantime. General Schuyler baring been obliged to leave the army against Canada to Montgomery, and return in ill health to Albany, his attention was particularly called to the Indians by ao act of hostility, the first committed by them in this contnstf irinch had been pcipetiJied by the Mohawks near St. Johns. Seme of the Indians engaged in this affiur returned to the town of Caaayo* haiie, the Mohawks castle, and boasted of killing Americans, parti- eahrly one called William J(rfmson, (probably the soa of Sir William, who defined a gentleman to be one who drank Madeira wine and kept race horses, as Sir William did,) who had foeghc agamst Montgomoy. In consequence of this the committee duaaeid the Mohawks of Canajobarie, remonstratiag against breach of the late treaty at Albany. The Indians replied^ that they had not forgotten their agreements; bat said some of Adr young men bad been seduced to Canada, and if they are fciOed they care not — some have come back — and the sachenv hope the ■fa^ will take no further notice of it. Shortly after they applied far die discharge of two Indians from prison, which it appears tiny were gratified in, in order to keep them quiet.
However, in December, congress made kaowe to Genenl Schuyler the information they had recdlved respecting Sir J< Johnson's preparations for annoyance, and required him to the tories, secure their leaders, and secure the tranqoilitf of the frontier. Congress appropriated,^^ hard dollars for this auikat and ordered tins treasure to be sent to the general under « gnstd*
General Schuyler having no troops wherewith to eiccua die orders of congress, and knowing tlttt secrecy and despatdi f ceMary tohis success, communicated his plan to as of Albany county, administering an oath of aeore^ ; bet advices arrived from Tryon county respecting the hostik prepaiathma ef Johnson, his Scotch tenants and adherents, aswell as the that made seciecy unnecessary, and seven hundred of ihe i' called out with the avow^ purpose of diaaimingAii
BGmJTtMaL*9 BZPEDITIOK TO JOHNSTOWH. tt
cneniT. With this force the general marclied, but before be tenched Caugrhnawaga, his amiy liad increased to three thousand. At Schenectady a deputation from tlie Mohawks met him. Schuy- ler had sent them a messa«re informing: them of hi:< intention to ■«rch into their countrv, but with no desis^n of hostility to them. At their meeting the usual fonn of making speeches took place. They acknowledged the receipt of his message, and his informa- tion that a nutnber of men were embodied about Johnstown and Sir Johns, and intended to commit hostilities down the river; and that be was coming to inquire into the matter. They acknowledged that he had assured them no harm was intended to them ; as they had the last summer pubhckly engaged to take no part against him in the dispute with ilie great king over the water. They proposed ID Schuyler, that instead of marching his troops to Johnstown, he should send up six men to inquire into the truth of what he had beard« and send his soldiers home. Thev said that the council of their natioD had sent them to meet him, and warn him to take care vbat he was about. They remind him again of their agreement to keep peace, and that he had said ** if any person was found in |heif aetghbourhood inimical to peace, he should consider such person as an enemy ;** and the Six Nations thouirht he meant the son of Sr William* and they particularly desire that he should not be iajnred. They repeatedly warn the general not to spill blood, and mr that thev intend to obsen*e the treatv made with him, and re- ■ain at peace. They say their chiefs had begced Sir John not to kt the aggressor : that lie had promised he would not. That he kad but a handful of men« and could not be the ag<rressor ; there^ ibre, if Schuyler and his men should come up and any evil happen, diej should look upon him as the aircressor, or as shutting up the path of peace. They denied that isir John was making miliiaij preparations or fortifying his liouse. and asserted that every thing lennincd as in the time of Sir William. They profess a sincere ibr peace, but acknowledge that some among them are dis- to bosuHiies. They insinuate that if this hostile array pro- ceed, ther mav not be able to restrain their warriours, who are •eiennined, if Schuyler persists in goinir to Johnson-Hall, to ke present at his meeting with Sir John, and the counsellors mi chieb could not he answerahle for what mirht happen. The orator concludes, by saying, tl.at he had persuaded the war- ntHirt to sit still, and await his return \\\\h the answer Schuyler ■igfal giro him. SchaTler answered them in their own fashion. The substance that he had hoped a previoirs message sent by him to the Six bad convinced them no hostile intentions were entertained them ; and is sorry the Mohawks had not sent that mes- Tkaa ba kad fell proof that many people in Johascownrand
SA SCHUTLX&'S EXPKDrnOSr to J<»DrSTOWM.
the oeigUworfaood had been makino: preparations to cairj execution the wicked designs of die kin^':s e^ii counsellors. Tbat the force be commands is not brought for war with the Six NatHMH, but to prevent it, by seeing that the people of Johnstown do noC interrupt the harroony of the colonies with the Indians. That be will not injure the people of John^towny if they airree lo sneh terms as sbdl give assurance of security to their nei^rhbours. Tbat be will not permit any of his followers to set foot on the Mohawk famds ; all he requires of them beins: that they do not interfere in the family quarrel of the whites. He reminds them that notwith- standing tbeir treaty of peace, some of their warriour? bad attack* ed the Americans at St. Johns, and had been killed there ; which, be says, you did not complain of, as you knew it was right to kill tbem in self-defence. He says, in a little time, I and my frieodi may be called to 6?ht our enemies to the eastward, and will it be prudent to leave our wives and children expoe^ed to enemies here at band ? We shall send a letter to Sir John invitinrr hira to us on the road, and if every ih'mz is not settled he shall return to his own house. He wished the Indians to be present at the in- terriew ; but added, that if he is oblio:ed to resort to iorce, and tbey join his enemies, they must take the consequence. He begs
tbem to repeat all this to their council. 1776 The 16th of January the sreneral despatched a letter to
Johnson, sayin^: that information havin;x been received of designs dangerous to the liberties of his majei^ty^s subjects in the county of Try on, he had been ordered to march thither to cootrareae tbem, and wishing that no blood might he shed, he requests Sir Joho to meet him the next day on his way to Johnstown, pled^ng his ho- nour for his safe conduct back and forth; concluding with a roessaee tending to quiet any apprehensions in the mind of Lady Johmctt. Accordingly, the next day Johnson met the general on bis march, and received terms recpjiring the delivery of all the cannon and military stores under his control, except his personal arms and ammunition therefor. That he should remain on parole in Tryon coun^. That the Scotch inhabitants immediately deliv^- op tbeir arms and give hostages. That all presents Intended by Engiand ibr the Indians be delivered to a commissary appointed to receive tbem. If these terms be aa:reed to, Schuyler pledges himself (or the protection of Sir John and the inhabitants of the county.
At first he blustered a little, and said the Indians would sopport bim, and that some were already at Johnston-Hall for the purpose. To this the answer was, force will be opposed to force, and blood must follow ; on which Sir John asked time to consider untO nest evening, which was granted. Another Mohawk chief waited on Schuyler, and assured him that the Indians would not interfere acept as mediators. The general then marched ferward
9cmm.Ba*s expeditiox to johxstowh. SS
fathed within four miles of Johnstown, where he received propo- 5i»n< &tMH Johnfi^m for himself anil the |K*ople of Kinsr4K>rough» w*iich WTTP, thai all anns holon::i :: to Sir Jolm and the oilier cren- wmen should remain with ihenn all others to l>e given up. Of raiiitu^ stores belon<rin<r to the cmwn he savs he has none. He rinects to CO whore ho pleases. Tiie Scotch inhabitants will de- arer up their aniis« and pminise not to take any without }>emiission Rx*ra thect^iiiinenial con^n^ss : hut tliey canni^t command hostasres* Tsis is s:>ne\l. J. Johnson. Allan Mc Dousrall ; and dated. John- 9c»-Hail. I<;h Januan*. 1770. Schuyler answers, that this pro- wiiioQ cannot be accepted, and he must obey his orders. He •: lf» same time sends a passport to I-ady Johnson, with a request Gnt she would retire. Tiuiv^ is allowed until midni::hi for another a::*swer. ami renilenien si^nt to rt»coive it. Sixni al^ter, the sachetns of rv MoMaw ks wail upon Sclujyler and ask more lime lor Sip Jo'-'s answer. This is cranicd for their sakes, and within the >pfKxi t?\ed the knight a^nvs for himself and ihe inhabitants of KlttirsK^roi'.irh to cive uj> their anus, and that he would not go wejTwarvi of tie man Flats and Kinsland district ; likewise, that six Scotch inhabitants mav be taken as hosla;res. Sir John md ae Scotch centJemen pkNli^* liiemselves, as far as their influence rw^ K>r i!>e deli\er}' of the arms of the inhabitants, and Johnsoa ries assuratice that he has no stores in his |H^ssession as presents IP :he Indians. I'jhmi i\H^:^i\ inc tlie last answer. Schuyler told r>* lir:^iins iliat all woviKl be settled, and ihev micht !rt> home. On rw l^•Tn liie iri^:ieral marched into Johnstown and drew up his men i:^ a line : the Hi^ildandeT^ were drawn up facinc them, and r^-"»xied ihcir arms. Tiie miiiiarv stores uen» surrendered: aiKl i!:i* jerrice bcii^ir jH^rfonuctl. S*hu\ ler and his militia relumed. It w»* found atV^rwanl tliat the Ili;:Itlanders had not delivered up x^eir brxwdswortls or their a! n munition.
It was tound that Oonneli who had informed cons^ress that arms w^je burie*! near Johnston-Hull was an imposier. Schuyler re- tcmed with his motlev armv to Oaiiirhnawaia. and the davs iinme- c-it^lv lo":towi!V a ni;nil>or of lories were secured. Colonel HeTk"»ri>er ua-* left bv Sciu:\ler to complete the disamiiu;: of the ^vtiie inhal»i:a::ts, ard ii,e iiencral mun^liod back to Albany. Co3,:Tess rt" uirot d liiai^ks to tiio ::eneral, and to the militia who »«oinpanie\i liim. but iuv^cd liicy would not demand pay while $w?:^res>in ' a riiis^Miief wi,i'.':i oo;^v\ r.u\l i!:om>elves so nearlv.
Nomiiiisranilinj liis word oi ho:io;ir, il)e banquet continued his ^c«iie intrigues with the lndian<, and otherwise lorleited his pro- mise. It was I'oiind n«vessary to seiuiiv Johnson, and in May I77d, Colonel Davton was sent bv Schuvlcr on this duiv. The of AJImldv c^ve noiice to Sir John of Davioa*s inarch frith
W aOBUTLBR^S SXPEDITI09 TO JOHK8TOWH.
this regiment, and the knight with his followers Bed to the and escaped to Canada ; arriving at Montreal after nineteen dajs suffering and starvation. It seems strange that he should bnve •opposed the Americans would permit him to remain plotting and executing mischief against his country witliout interruption ; vet such appears to have been Johnson's expectation, for he made no preparation for flight. An iron chest with the family bible and papers was buried in die garden.* On arriving in Canada, the baronet was commissioned a British colonel ; raised a regiment of tones, and did all the mischief he could during the war to the state of New York. By taking part with Great Britain he forfeited an immense estate, but no part of his conduct leads us to belieTe, that in his choice he wa^ governed by any motive that was nol selfish ; by breaking his parole he forfeited claim to the character of a gentlemen ; and his subsequent conduct through life was in unison with the last forfeiture.
Brant went to England in 1775, and Guy Johnson was sof>- posed to have gone with him, but the Mohawks returned in time to take part in the affair of the Cedars, not strictly witliin any pro- vince, but mentioned in connection with Arnold. This affair, die- graceful to the American arms, and to English good £iith, had the ^Sect of rendering exchange of prisoners, which is one chief soften* ing feature in grim visaged war, more difficult, and in causing con- gress to resolve upon the employment of Indians on their part.
The situation of the army of Canada when driven thence, and met by Gates on Lake Champlain, is fully and truly given by Stone, t and the conduct of Mr. John Trumbull, the acting adjiiuni general to Gates, was wise.
The preparations for defence made by the inhabitants of the Mohawk valley, were in proportion to their exposed situation as far as their limited means permitted. Clierry Valley, the principal settlement south of the river, and between the Mohawk castles and the Indian post of Oghnwaga, was much exposed. Here a com- pany of rangeiB was organized, but being marched elsewhere, the destitute inhabitants earnestly remonstrated, and at length obtained Captain Wirm^s company of rangers for their defence. Their committee were men of energy ; and the names of Moore, Clyde, Campbell, Dunlop, Scott, Wells, and Ritchy, deserve a placo in New lork histor}-. They had intimation of the preparations
* Mr. 8u»M, in his bifSorr of Bnat, tclk iu u a note, that Mr. Tavloi, wmrd Ueatenant Govemoor of the state. pDrcha«ed at anction thb B.ble, i
other cos^?«aled property, and with proper feelnij^ let Bir John JobwoD
tlHt the hook va* at htf service : die in^heh baiooet aeot a perMB lor it wiA nnmj to pajr for the porcfaaie. with ao other dircctioa, bm ** pat fot ib« book and take iL^
t Vot J, p. 164.
mSSGLTXDw S7
making bj Jobason and Butler (or tbeir desmictiofi. and ere* those who from aee or in&nnitv were eieninied iroai milisarr si vice, or^Dized aod armed tbem^elres ibr seir-deieace.
Fort Stanwix was tbe citp ofSchoyier. Situare.i in ibe sent viUa^ of Rome, at tbe bead iraier$ of the Mobawk, and of Wood Creek, it bad been cbo^eo in tbe ibniier Freocb war, as a post for tbe command of tbe carry ine place beiween tbe river and tbe cfE^ leading to Lake Ontario, tbrouf h tbe IHieida Lake and Oswego River. Colonel Dayton, wbo bad been staiiooed witii bb regiment at Jobnstown, was ordered lo repair and fit.isb tbe works at F'ort Stanwix, and tbe Tnroo countr militia, were called out to assist bim. Colonel Van Scbaick witb bis regiment was quartered at German Flats.
Fort Stanwix bad been erected bv tbe seneral of tbat name, is 1758, at an enormous expense for tbo^ days, upwards of oae bundred thousand pounds. It was at this time in a ruinous state, but was put in a state to sustain tbe siege wbicb 1 sbaU bare to record.
Tbe narrow piece of land between tbe waters flowing to the Hudson and tbose running to tbe St. Lawrence, was likewise for- ti6ed, by tbe redoubts of Fort Ball and Fort Newport, naned Gnoa officers of 1755, but Fort Sunwix was a great gtiardian of this
important pass (lom Canada to tbe «^alley of tbe Mobawk. 1777 1 bave previoiisly meniiooed tbat the emt council of tbe Iroqtiots was beld at Onondagi. Here tlie cnieGi of tbe confederated nations met at stated times, to consult and detcr- oiine on peace or war, alliances witb die Enelisb or French cola* nists, and all tbe affairs tbat concerned ihr union. In tbe figurative language of the Indians, here tlie $n^at council-6re was kept ever burning ; but it appears by a speech of tbe Oneida duefs to Colo- nel Emore, delivered at Fort Stanwix, in January. 1777, tbat tbe council-fire was now extinguished, which as I understand it, is, tbat tbe confederacy was dissoUed. Never after did the cbiels meet in council at Onondaga. The O.ieiJa^ adhered in part to tbe American cause, the other tribes, under tbe name of Mohawks go* rally, were tbe followers of Brant, Butler, and Johnson.
Mr. Stone tells us, that this dissolution of tbe confederacy announced by tbe Oneidas, with tbeir desire tbat it should be rounicated to General Schuyler, and to such of tbe Mohawks as remained in tbe lower castle. How this dissolution took place we are not informed, but it would appear tbat many of tbe Onondaga tribe tlien suffisred death, either by violence or disease.
In the month of Februar}', the inhabitants south of the Mohawk were alarmed by the gatliering of the Indians at Oghkwo^a, and Colonel John Harper, of Harpei^field, was directed by the pro- vincial congreas of New York, to ascertain tbeir intentioos* Thia
88 ATROCITIJS8 OF BRANT.
gendemen was one of four brothers, who with a few companions settled in 176S, in this tract of country. He visited the Indians as directed, and they professed the moat friendly intentions, by which he was deceived.
The Indians left the Susquehanna, and joined Johnson and But- ler, who were collecting their forces at Oswego. Here by the orders of the British commander in Canada, a great council of the Iroquois was convened, and such of them as had engaged with Schuyler at the German Flats and Albany, to hold the chain of friend- ship inviolate with the colonists, were induced by the presenu, the representations of the English agents, formally to enter the service of Britain, for the purpose of inflicting misery and murder upon the Americans. Each Indian received a kettle, a gun, a tomahawk, a scalping knife, plenty of ammunition, money in advance, and a promise of more for every scalp brought in.
Soon after this engagement. Brant led his warriours upon the settlements of the valley, breathing death and destruction ; but as he lurked in a wood watching his destined prey, he saw a com- pany of boys with wooden guns, parade in imitation of their fathers, and deceived by distance, mistook the children for soldiers ready to receive him. He drew off his redoubted Mohawks, and linger- ing in ambush between Cherry Valley and the Mohawk, perform- ing no other exploit or mischief, but way-laying and murder- ing by a volley from the covert of bushes, a young man who had been sent to assure the people that succours were at hand, and a regiment ready to garrison the place next day. This youth and an attendant, were shot down by the warriours unseen, and Brant carried off the young man's scalp in triumph. This young officer was well known to the chief, and had been a neighbour. They were not only acquaintances, says Mr. Stone, but friends : and he further tells us emphatically, that this gallant officer was scalped by Brant's own hand, he had fallen from liis horse wounded. The attendant messenger escaped.
On the 17th of July, General Herkimer seeing that the enemy were about to invest Fort Stanwix, issued a proclamation calling upon all the inhabitants to arm and repair to the 6eld : except those above sixty, and they were ordered to take arms for the de- fence of homes, women, and children. Those refusing or disaf- fected, were to be disarmed and secured. Committee men and other exempts, were called upon to repair to the rendezvous. This call, and immediate approach of danger, from which there was do escape, produced their effects, and the militia turned out with some show of spirit.
B0EATIO OAT8S. 99
CHAPTER m.
Gtte$^ a Brifish opictT — Am Amrrican o^ctr — At Cambridge Af Xfw York — Dujmfes iAe command wttA ScAmylcr — Hancvck'$ kuer.
Horatio Gates was born in England, and was the son of Cap- uin Robert Gate^v* of tlie British army ; so that both Lee and Gate^ were not only Englishmen, and in the British army, but ams of his majesTv's officers* Gates received his first name froin his jTodfather, the celebrated Horatio or Horace Walpole ; who c e ttioRS him as his srodson, on an occasion hereafter to be do- DDed. What farther connexion Gates had with the iamily of the Eari of t>rford, I do not know ; certainly he was in early life pro- lected by high aristocratick indiience, and had hopes from that dass« of promotion of no ordinary character, until 1773. That he rereired a liberal education is evident from his letters. As earlj a? 17-19, he serveti as a volunteer under General Edward Corn- Tallis, who comman Jed in Nova Scotia as <rovemour of Halifax. By him Horatio was appointed a captain-lieutenant in Warburton's irgiment. and Cornwallis esjwused his interest very warmly, oflfier- mg by letters to his father, an advance of money for the purchase of a company for the young man. In this letter, directed to Cap- ttm Gates, Southampton street, l^ondon. he further says, that he be eiven his son an employment that will bring him in two hun- dred pounds a vear. Four vears after this, vouns: Gates wis in Eh^ikI. busily en<!a<!ed in pun^hasing promotion in the armj, and on tlie 13th of Septeml>er, 1751, is dated his commission as aptain of an inde|>endent comjvany, at New York, late Clarke^ This is siirned " Holderness," hv order of Geors^e II. In 1755. Captain Horatio Gates had returneti to America, and shared with Braddock in the disasters of Monongahela. Here the British oF- Seer was wounded in tlie shoulder, and conveved to Mount Ver- BOQ to be nursed and cured, as liis friend Lee had been to the Bansxm of Schuvler.
Previous to leaving England, the young captain had married Miss Phillips, the daughter of an English officer. In the years 1756, *7 and 'S, Gales ^*as on serxice in the western part of the province of r^ew York, and in the last of these years received !!»
M HOEATIO GATBS*
mppoinuneot of briride-major froTii General Sfamrix. tbe^ year^ M^ijor <i3!e5 belJ lise in.JepeDdeDt cofD|anj at New York, w:/icb iie r-"jrcii3-ed oi'Cap!aio Clarke.
Jame? AbercromSie writer to hi:n. si%in? some incideiits oTtbe war. and sayinz i^^a* ii:€r proi inciaU ii:rouzb isnoraoce misEed si op- ponuuity of ^etimlnz the French force near Fort Edward. He says, they are a\ er-e to ** a junction wiib the Lin^'*s troopft.'^ ** ^^]nce tiiev are u.'^'.^iiiiiiz to take our a^sbtance, I would e'tm kt them try it iheinseU e:^. but have regulars lo secure the fook in case ibey should be rep^il.se.i."
In 170(1. General Robert Monckion was ctmtamodfTAm chitf of the trc*'- ' a: New York, and he aj^pointed Major Gates ooe of bis aid?. T:.e major bein^ in PhlhJelphta in October of tins j Gorcmojr Boo.ie of New Jer.^ev uToieto him.
*• October l^J'h. 17GJ. Poor Delancev ! ha%-e I writftoi to since his death r General Monckton is talked of far the ment. (of New York,) and desired. Pownal is dreaded. General Gaze is said likewise to bare applied. iDZ of the coionlsis, be says, their politicks are coniboiHlodt their society is worse, by the loss of the best cximponioo ia Oliver is in the council, and Jemmy Delancey, iio kmger a dier, is a candidate for tiie cit%'.*'
Tiie troops destined to attack Martinique were eocaapei Staten Kland, under Moockton's command : and Geoeial Ai came o.i from the nonh to succeed Monckton as chief. >tnnse a^ it may appear, on Suten Island, Ambttsi via invested with ti:e insi;:n}a and title of a knight of the BariB* hf Monckton ; due autlsoriiy having been received from pnetmmta^ Monik'jon and Gates o^'iarted (ot the West ladies, and Sr Jefienr remained commander of the trooDS io the paaviara. '3Ioncktoa took Martinique, and despatched Gates with ihe ai- umphant news to London, w hich of course caiaed hiia and on the 2Gih of Apiil. 1702, Mr. Townsend lafemia he is appointed to be major to the forty-fifth re^iDent of loot. It was on this occasion that Horace Walpoie, bj way of claimed credit for the capture of Martinique, as hb namesake broujrLt the news. The connexion of Galea aad Larf Oribrd appears mys:enou^. Major Gates remained seven in London, much di^saiis£ed with the promolioo be had and as^id'jou^ly endeavouring, by petition and die ioii friends anK>ng tiie iK>bility, to obtain somethini; niore li but his success was not equal to the efforts made, and ha j to America as major of the forty-fifth. He had bcea disposins of his company of independents ; for ia Au^aai, 1701^ those companies bad been disbanded, and Gales it aa baias ^* oat of the acrape.*'
mOMATtO OATBS. 41
He nade freqpeot tppUoLtioiis to the war office, and in August^ 1T63« ffained Ambersi^s very reluctant leare of absence to go to Lon- doo. He does not appear to have been a bvourite with Sir Jefieiy, wix> frirhr iriis him that hu desire to leave his station appears to be onlj ** dktaied br hb own interest^* His hopes were with Monckton, aad be was assured by one of his correspondents that the general bad oDdeitakeo his al&ir. The leave oi absence was communi- caaed in ibese ungracious words : *^ If you are determined to go, TOO have bis leave to setde accordingly.^^ And« accordingly, the ■ajor was in England before November 22d, 1763. At which ttne the historian of New Yoiky writes to his friend Gates :
** Soch a retreat as that in which* he savs, * with the aid of Bac- chw;. and in the pride of philosophy, we laughed at the anxieties «f the greiaL' He says, we in America want aid, * not to maintain ^ dc^ndency of the colonies, for you know, saucy as we are, diere is nothing to fear on that account/ * Sir AMliiam Johnson k coodnuallv terrifvinf us with the defection of the Six Nations : bsL thank heaven, those barbarians love themselves too well to dvow off the mask of friendship. Amherst has left New York.* He praises Boone, and reprobates the cowardly expedient of the Eng- Esh ministry in removing govemours because the people dislik^l ihem. He says« Colden, for want of purse, and more for want of flfirit to imitate Monckton, has retired to Flushing. The little star 4oes not yet appear, the twilight of his predecessor is still too strong i» peonit such a twinkling luminan' to glitter. In another letter to ibe same, he continues in the like strain. Mentioning Morrises death, on the 27th of Januar\% 17i>4, he says, * Gay in the morning — dend in the evening. He came out to a rural dance, be took «t the parson^s wife, danced down six couple, and fell dead on the lM)r,wi£boutaword,agroan, or a sigh." Hethen goeson tomention ife prominent men of the time in New Jersey, where this happened. 'FiaaUin has put Charles Reade in his (Morrises) place on the ksch, and filled up Readers with John Berrian, a babbling coun- av snrrevor. Franklin after Boone — after Morris, Reade !' He diEfwards says * the first errour is on your side of the water/ (Eng- had.) That is, as he says, in recalling Boone because of his con- tat with a proud, licentious assembly. We are a great garden — cultivation will keep down the weeds ; remember they planted by liberty and religion near a hundred years ago ; are strong roots that will soon despise the gardener^s utmost ■rength. When Great Britain loses the power to regulate these dependencies, I think ^tis clear she will have no other left. He coachides by ^calling for govemoiu^ and judges of spirit and
hi ^member, 1764, he was appointed to a majority in the Aijal Ammran% as a special ma^ of his majestj^s fit voor, as it
n. 6
49 HOEATIO 0ATB8.
tnnounced to him from the war office ; and in December he received permission to remain four months in England. Soon after, through his agent, he received proposals from a captain of dragoons, ofiering j£d,000 for his majority ; and not long after, in a letter written by a relative, it is mentioned that he falid sold oot on halfpay. He still remained in England, evidently expecting promotion through the interest of General Monckton, and bis bro- ther. Lord Galloway, and probably, by the influence of his god- fiither. His friends in New York point out offices for bim to ap- ply for, particularly that of paymaster-general, as, says one, *' Abra- ham Mortier goes to England next spring, with his fat lady ; mj friend, could you not contrive to g^t his place — ^be has made a fortune."
Mortier built a house which once was the head-quarters of Wash- ington, called Richmond Hill, at that time surrounded by a park, and situated on an eminence, now the comer of Varick and Chariton streets, on a level with its neighbours, surrounded by bouses, and called the Richmond Hill theatre. Thb place was then^ and untfl ft few years, far out of the city.
In 1766, the major's father died ; and by the letters of General Monckton, it appears, that the hopes of the general are deferred, and of course those of Gates ; who now looking for an appointment under his friend, resided with his family in retirement
In 1768, Major Gates was in London, and waiting the resah of Monckton's expectations ; and Gates about this time sold his hatf> pay and commission to Monckton's younger brotlier : and was in expectation of accompanmg the general to the East Indies ; but delays occurred, and the years 1769 and '70, we Gnd the Major stifl living in retirement, and expectations of a post under Monckton, who being disappointed in his East India scheme, receives the of- fice of a reviewing-general, and endeavours, in the latter part of 1770, to obtain the post of town-major for Gates, and this failing, Monckton (having his hopes revived as to the East) renewed 1m promises to his expectant protegee ; as late as Jnly, 1771, be writes thus, in answer to Gates : *' You know it has not been in tbie least in my power to serve myself, and therefore could not do what I wished by you. What you have heard about the East Indies is partly true ; but whether or not I shall succeed is rerj uncertain. I can only assure you, that should it succeed, you are the only one I have as yet thought of." And in December, " I am sorry to iuform you the East India matters do not go on so well as I could wish. You need not hurry yourself to come up tiD you hear from me agnin." In 1772, Major Gates having riven up all hopes of a place under the king's government, and hb k^rmer com- missions having been sold, resolved to emigrate to Virginia ; wberet b Blakely countyi be purchased and resided in 1778 ; vid adt
BOEATIO QATS8. 48
as we have seen, he and his friend Charles Lee, likewise a pur- chaser in the same counQr, visited General Washington at Mount Vernon.
We have seen that General Lee was sent on to prepare New York for defence, and while he was thus employed, the comman- der-in-chief thought of him as a fit person to supply the loss of the brave and generous Montgomery, in Canada. About this time General Gates wrote to Lee from Cambridge. Some extracts from the letter will be of service to us. It is dated fr6m Head- Quarters, February 26th, 1776. Speaking of Fort George, at New York, he says, *' I like your intention of making the fort an open redoubt ; I think some heavy guns upon the south and west sides, with good sod merlons, will make the men-of-war keep aloof. It is a pret^ high situation, and battering it at a distance, over the lower batteries, would have but little effect. Clinton, I am satisfied, went * to see how affairs were circumstanced at New York, to consult with Tryon, and to prepare the way for Howe's reception. We shall march with the utmost expedition to support you. Little Eustace is well, but nothing is done for him as yet. You know the more than Scotch partiality of these folks. I have had much to do to support the lad you put into Colonel Whitcomb's reri- ment. They have no complaint in nature against him, but that ne is too good an officer." By this is seen what Gates's feelings were towards the New England men, yet he had the art to conci- liate their favour and use it to supplant others. Shortly after thiSf General Lee was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, to op- pose Clinton ; so that he being imployed in the south, and Schuy- ler at the north, Putnam, as the only remaining major-general, had command in the city of New York. He made his head-quarter^ in a house left vacant by the owner, Captain Kennedy, of the Bri- tish navy, being the first house in Broadway, since enlarged, and known as No. 1. But General Washington soon arrived, and fixed his head-quarters in the house built by Mortier, the English paymaster-general, who, as we have seen, had made his fortune and gone to England.
Gates had conceived his plan of overthrowing the commander- in-chief, and supplying his place, while at Cambridge, and ad- jutant-general. Immediately on receiving that appointment he accompanied General Washington to New York, with the two major-generals, Lee and Schuyler, and the htt^ having been charged with the northern department. Gates proceeded with Lee and Washington to 'Cambridge.
The blockade of Boston continued until the spring of 1776,* during which, Mrs. Gates who was no beauty, but a woman whose
• Commnnioated verlMUy, l^ GoTemow Morgan Lswii, who was prMiit
44 HORATIO QATB8*
ambition pras as great, and her talent for intrigue greater than her husband's, saw the court paid to the commander's lady and others, with an evil eye ; and though glad in England to see Gates a fort- major, now saw even Israel Putnam, take rank of him. Gates applied to congress for' the rank of major-general, and supposed himself not supported by General Washington : Mifflin was likewise disappointed, and both vowed revenge^ and joined in enmity to the commander-in-chief.
Gates had been about one year in the service, when congress appointed him a major-general, and directed that he should take command in Canada to replace Montgomery.
These troops had been forwarded by Schuyler with the intent of commanding them hifnself in that expedition, but sickness pre- « Tenting, they had been intrusted to the gallant Montgomery. They were now (under the command of General Sullivan) ordered by the commander of the department (Schuyler) to Crown Point ; where, in the condition of a sick, dispirited, and defeated army. Gates found them ; he not only super- seded Sullivan in the command of this force, but affected to con- sider himself independent of, if not superiour to, Schuyler. (Sates had assumed the style and mode beBtting the chief officer of a great department. In one of his letters to Washington, he says, *^ I must take the liberty to animadvert a little upon the unpre- cedented behaviour of the members of your council to their com- peers of this department."
He had, during the blockade of Boston by the eastern troops, used those arts which Montgomery said were so averse to his cha- racter. Gates could '* wheedle and flatter." His manners were specious, as were his talents, and he was indefatigable, by writiog and otherwise, in his efforts to attach to himself the eastern mem- bers of congress, and other men of influence. He was the booo companion of the gentlemen, and the " hail-fellow, well-met," of the vulgar. He saw from the first that Schuyler was unpopular in New England, who was like his friends Montgomery and Wash- ington, unfitted for wheedling, flattering, and lying ; and besides had, in the preceding disputes between the province of New York and New England, maintained the rights of the people who bad sent him to the legislature. Gates knew at this time that seve- ral members of congress wished him to supersede Schuyler. Elbridge Gerry had, by letter, declared that he wished him to be generalissimo at the north. Messrs. Lovel, Samuel Adams, tod others, were bis adherents. He kept up a correspondence of a firiendly nature with John Adams, but there is no evidence of that great man having appreciated him to the disadvantage of Schuyler. He had sounded Adams as to the character of Robert Morrisy and
HORATIO GATBS. 46
a high enk^um in aosirer. Shoitly after, Robert Morris VToie to Gales, aod speaking of the disasters in the north, he says, * I find some p«H>ple attributing thb to a source I should never suspected : is it possible that a man who writes so welt and so much anxiety for the cause of his country as General S r docs — I «ay, is it possible that he can be sacri6cing the
itujt of that country to his ambition or avarice ? I sincerely Inps it is not so, but such intimations are dropped/'
Giles gained, and anempted to gain, men of influence as agents it his phns of ambition. Connecticut was then a roost efficient *r of the union, and Govemour Trumbull, as steady a pa- as any on the continent, was the friend of Washington and of country, but placing great reliance on Gates. He had three B at this time in the seriice ; if more, I know not. One of yoang men was appointed a paymaster-general, another a r-general, and the youngest was appointed by Gates, after be received his commission of major-general, (which the 24ih of June, 1776,) and was empowered to make such M appointment for the army in Canada, his deputy adjutant-gene- nl ; and this young gendeman he took on with him and retained, iidioogh there was no longer an army in Canada, appointed the yoongest son of the govemour of Connecticut, his deputy-adjutant- paenl, aod Morgan Lewis, whose father was a member of congress, kii qoanerHBaster^neral. Mr. Joseph Trumbull, tlie commissa- ly-feoeral, was appointed by the same authority to furnish supplies far the northern department, of which, as has been seen, Schuyler ais the commander ; and notwithstanding that that general had 1 conunissary-general, Mr. Livingston, of his own choice. Gates U influeoce enough to force Mr. Joseph Trumbull upon him. All das Kcured to him the attachment of a powerful family, and of the of Connecticut, where the good old govemour was jusdy es- fer talents and patriotism. Schoyler issued his orders for the relief and safety of the army ii Canada* now driven back to his immediate department and com- ■od. Gates, on his arrival, refused to submit to the authority af Scbovler, who met his unauthorized disobedience in the most coatteons manner, and althou<xh the commission of Gates was in ach plain terms that none but the wilfully blind could fail to un- it, Schuyler offered to refer the mauer in dispute to con- I have had an opportunity of tmnscribins: part of a letter VTttini by Commissar}'-^neral Trumbull, to his patron, which dntms li^ht on the subject, and on the characters of the pardes CQocened. The letter is addressed to Major-general Gates.
He mentions letters received on the subject of his department, ^ ajs, * by which I find you are in a cursed situation, your au-
4ft GATB'9 INT&I0UB8.
thority at an end, and commanded by a person who will be willlog to have you knocked in the head, as General Montgomery was, if he can have tlie money-chest in his power. I expect soon to see you and your suite, back here again.' He adds, tliat he has ahowo these letters from his deputy-commissaries to General Waab- ington, and told him that he would order his agents back again ; as a deputy, who could have no money from an} body but Gene- ral Schuyler, could be of no use in that part of the world : further* he says, he told the general he would ' not be answerable for the consequences where his authority and the chief command were both disputed.'
Such were some of the difficulties which Schuyler and Washington had to contend against. The reader will remem- ber the extracts from the letters of Montgomery, and can judge how differently that gallant officer and good man thought of Scbuyler, who is here charged with avarice and peculation, if not directly, certainly by implication. Yet we know that ' this high- iouled gendeman advanced his own money for the publick service when the envied chest was empty ; and saw his houses, milla, and plantations at Saratoga, committed to the flames by the enemy, without r^reting any sacrifice for his country's service. One would suppose, that mean suspicion could not add to this, yet I find the charge against Philip Schuyler of intercepting the letters forwarded by congress to the friends of Gates ! It was thus that Schuyler and Washington had to contend against internal as well as external enemies. As early as January, 1776, this persecuted patriot wrote to his friend and commander, ^' I could point out particular persons of rank in the army, who have frequently declaredf that the officer commanding in this quarter, ought to be of the co- lony from whence the majority of the troops came." Ke says, be has come to the conclusion '' that troops from the colony of Con- necticut will not bear with a general from another colony." Ha laments the ^* unbecoming jealousy in a people of so much publick virtue." Writing to the same, in May, 1776, he alludes to the clamour raised against him, which had been attributed to artful practices of the tories, and says, *' I trust it will appear that it was noore a scheme calculated to ruin me, than to disunite and create jealousies in the friends of America. Your excellency will please to order a court of inquiry the soonest possible." He had before said that he had reason to apprehend that the tories were not the only ones who propagated evil reports respecting him. He afterward knew full well who were leagued against him.
Scbuyler had ever been a champion for the rights of New York : and much of what he terms a general aversion to men of other pro- TiBceSy was personal enmity to him. This was fostered and in- creased by the arts of a foreign officer, to whom these Americans looked up as almost tte only leader vrfiose knowledge could stft
BXIUTI TO SCHTTUnu Cf
It v31 be RcoUected that this wis etrh* in die straggle.
Wpyle IemI ho ciMifidencc id their omi militinr skiO, and saw in
Charles Lee and Horatio Gates* men posses^inc that knowledge
whack fiftsed them abore anv provincial. We must recollect tint
had beard for vear? of their own inferioritT« and of the
adTant.iges poi?sesised bv the British officers^ Therefote,
k w«s not unatiiral that men who feh their own deficiencv in mili-
(aiKl bad almost been made to beliere that tfaej were
m e, compered to Europeans) should look np to those
who hnd seen soine semce*
John Hancock wrote to him, that congress having considaied
Sdbnier*s letter to Washinjcton^ laid belbre them bv the mutual
of the parties dtsputing^ had resohred that his com*
iDiaOT independent of General Scfanrler'^a. while the
in Camda. ^ Your letter of the d9th w«s deBvcied lo
■evidiin this baU' hour. lexperiencethe finest feelings^ from year
Keadlvdecluatioii* Yoiiwillnever«mvdearsar^outHiomeinactiof
iieadibipL^ In the mean time the expectatioos of General Gelaa
vfte more than kept alive bv his eastern and other friends ; £1-
kiige Genj wrote to htm firom Hartft>rd« ^^ we want Tetr mncb
tosee voa with the sole command in the northern department, b«l
bift that TOQ win not reKnqutsh yiHir exertions nntil a faiiwirabh
ntv sfaaU edfect it.** He had previoosljr ofiered lo give
iifarmation of the measures of coocress^ tbor causes nnd
ptinciplea. Samuel Chase writes nom congress, **I wirii
^ vooM inform me of vour stispicioos^ and dedose the
ifriiss which Ttm suppotse have influenced men and
;aar depeitment.** Schuyler, meantime, was sensible of tbe m-
iifiRsacaiifest him, and of the jealousies kept aKve by maehination.
^tamely willing to retire, be kept his post and encoimtered aB iha
of this imforttmate northern campaign.
48 SnOTT TO SCHUTIiKm.
CHAPTER IV.
Gaieral Gaia at Tiamitroga — Armold — Him ^qtU agamd Cadaotu
Chr tbe 3d oT August, 1776, Schurlerwrites topalesat to a friead, kroeittuig that be dx>iild be tbe object of eDiy, wben his wish k to be in a prirate sution. He says, thai ** tbe coodoaoD of tbe hal campaigD I besrired leare of coogress to retire, and in coofideoce eommmucated to General Washingtoo my more iimiicdiaie m- lons for lU'^ He laments tbat be was persuaded to cootiBoe.
Sarroanded by difficulties, whicb were rejoiced io and increMed by tbe mao to whom be comrouoicated tbem. General Scbuyler wrote to Gates tbat be had notified coneress and General Wash- ington, of bis detenninatioo to resign bis commission, and insaC oo a bearing. He says, ^^ My countrymen will be astonished lo find tbat I shall not only clearly exculpate myself of all ■"^"'ffiff charges laid to me, but point out tbat it ought to be bestowed ehe> where.*' At this time Joseph Trumbull writes to Gales : ** I find tbat General Schuyler is about to resign ; I congratulate joo and mvself thereon."
While forwarding tbe senrke of bis country on Lake Champhin, he was ensaged, as be sairs in a letter to WashinEton, ** oo bi the most disagreeable, to a roan accustomed tocifil society, that be possibly cooceired." A whole month, at tbe German Fhfs, wv he endeavouring to secure the neutrality of tbe Indians by speeches and presents. He says, he " believes the Six Nations wiU not 60 on the frontiers :^' but he was, at the same time, preparing for de- fence. To congress he complains, tliat bis character Ittd beea barbarously traduced : he asks for a committee to inquire how far the miscarriages in Canada, if at all, are to be imputed to him. He says, ^^ conscious of the mediocrity of my talents, and tfatt I am Taady inadequate to the command I am honoured with, yet, oo this occasion, I may be allowed to say, that I do not belieire tint I shall even be convicted of an errour of judgment. Coi^deoce of die army, in me, I know, is, m a great measure destroyed, by in- aidioos insinoatiofis, mdustriously propagated by a set of miscie- aota.** Sepleoiber 14tb, be teiiders bis resignation to congress : ^laaaatQlwilfiiigio meet any ioqoirj. Oppressed aa I haTe beoi
ATmaxrmmikMm 49
I dull be alwijs retdj to do te datn of a good oad 10 give mj •Qcee»or all tbe iofivmatioo aod a^OTiapco ia ODT power/*
Congress would not accept his resignation. Slill, their condoct liwarda him was so uosatisiaciory, that but ibr erents on Lake ChamplasB, that called upoo his patrtotisiB, be would have retired
Arnold when last mentiooed) was before Quebec with the unfor*
gaUaat Mootgomery. As 90oa as the news of the attempt
tibe capital of Caoada retched coDgress« thej promoted
Araold to the nnk of brigidier general. Ever woithj of praise
kf ^ oouiage and eoterpriae, he was at the same time obnoxiotts
li CMMue liar turbulence and rapacity.
Migor Brown had been one of those who opposed the preleii*
of Arnold, at the time of the captuie of Ticonderoga by
AUeo. By the death of Min^mery^ Brown, who had
that amiable man to Quebec, was placed under the
of Arnold, little prone to fergireness, or scnipulcnis in
of indicting injury. He wrote letters to oertiia mem*
hen of ooi^ress charging Brown with tnving plundered tbe
ige and property of prisoners taken in Canada. This being
known lo Brown, he applied successively to Generals Wooa*
m^ Thomas and Gates, for a court of inquiry : but Arnold bad
iaiaenoe eoongh to prevent this mode of wiping off the atigma
ht had anttcied, and even to induce Gates to evade the orders of
wUch Brown, now a colonel, had obtained ibr his redrees*
in aU his attempts to obtain justice, the injured man pub-
a namtive of the afiair, after having demaiuled the arrest of
Amald on a aeries of charges, including ** numerous misdemean-
ama and criminal acts during the course of hftscommand.^^ Amold»
ifta always had the words honour and innocence at oommand«
epm 10 ike last of his life, never, during the course of these cbargea
kf Brown^ demanded a coort of inquiry upoo his own conduct
dwt wan the obvions mode of proving both bis innooenoe
AmoM having been superceded In command before Quebec, by I atriial o( Genial Wooster in April 177G, pleaded his womids, removed to Montreal, where he again had the command. The anranj wnte soon approaching in force. The ** a&ir of the '^ ' ** * ' ne 10 use the words of Mr. Sparks, ** nearly 400 men and a hondred more were killed or taken in a bravo V* celled forth the spirit and actirity of General Arnold* Ik d» Mdi of Nay he arrived at St. Anne'a with 800 men. B» hi sent n m^mmgt by some friendly Indiaias, to the hostile eavagea ii Ae other aeila of the liver, demandiog a anmnder of the noBon* and threatenii^ if any nmrdeia
00 AKSbLD AT UOSTMMAL,
dmt he would put to death erery Indian he took. His roesseneen returned with a threat in answer, that if Arnold attempted to cross to the rescue of the prisoners they held, ever}' one of them, 5U0 in number should be sacri6ced.
Arnold was not a man to be deterred bv a threat. He roanoed bb boats and pushed for the Island where tlie prisoners bad been confined. On landing he found five American soldiers, naked and almost famished ; the other prisoners bad been remoTcd to Qmse Chie/Uj five miles lower on the river, except two, who being sick, bad been butchered. Advanciuj^ with his boats to Quinze Clnensy be found the enemy prepared to receive him and prerent bis bod- ing. Major Foster was then commander, who with two field pieces, forty British troops, one hundred Canadians, and four bnodred Indians, repulsed the Americans, who retired to St. Anne for the night, it being determined to attack the enemy as soon as the Kgfat of morning permitted. But at midnight arrived an oflicer with a flag, bearing articles which had been entered into between Major Sherburne, the superiour officer among tlie prisoners, and Major Foster ; who had prevailed on Sherburne (by assurances that be could not controid the Indians, and that every prisoner woak? be massacred the moment their fiiends approached to rescue tbem) to sign articles by which it was stipulated that the prisoners sboaM be released on parole in exchange for British prisoners in the bands of the Americans : the Americans were not again to take up arms, and should pledge themselves not to give any informatioo by words, writing or signs which should be prejudicial to bis ma- jesty's service. Thb clause Arnold rejected, but in coasideratiOB of the barbarous threat which had induced Sherburne to sign ibis agreement, he consented to the other articles, by which sii davs were allowed for sending the prisoners to St Johns : foor Ameti- can captains were to go to Quebec and remain as hostages, till the exchange could be effected, and reparation was to be made, for all property that had been destroyed by the continental troops. Sock were the articles imposed upon prisoners in his power by a British oflhxr, as the only means to prevent indiscriminate slanghier hjr h» followers.
Arnold returned to Montreal, and held that post imtQ die Amer* can commander in Canada had made a precipitate retreat to Crown Point. Having sent off his troops he reserved a boat for twwM^»ll^ and mounting his horse, he rode with his aid, Wilkinson, two miles to view the approaching army under Burgoyne : tbej, after reconnoitering, dismounted, stript and shot their horses, uid em* barked in the boat that attended them.. Arnold-*tbat he might be the last nian to retreat from the hostile shore poshed off the boat himaelf, before springing into it It was night before bn •feitook the ainj at lsfe^nu>«oiz; .
ATMOKTmSAK^ SI
BeaeArt esrapfj vith Ktie from MoalraL ehttjtt
assMKt him for oomduct wiiaeli frofJeJ villi hi*
tar dbbiMM^ ami rapariir^ abuI vIhtIi vo«iU Imiv
horn i» meffined i;£iKMiiHi%\ bat itiai ht$ mitittn ami vivdl
£e ami acti%iiT« «me miiueii ii> pbc« a$ a bttnier
iMM^ttv : aad iiaiie»« lo vIkmii the deinK^ ^f
lek iaittMlf uae<i|«fetl id the fife^ vitbom Aivokf a
that Caaatii mu^t be crrm afK be mtake the most of hb f^wmiad at MoMreaL the foods ol the inhabiiaiics anece aranaed far
«a &D» piic<ii viib the pramt^e^ of payment b v cMncmei^ awi tbtn
ooT io Chambk-e^ vheie Coloaet Haaea
lo fara^id them lo Sc Jobtts^ aad tbettte br
«
HaAHk a$ b sftki. relttsed lo meddle with iheaa focred tKxn the ovnet^ aad vbea be did lake them ia ■;. Ml ibem eaL|M«aed lo iaiufy and plunder. The owncia in«w«$ Ol' vbat bad been taken. i«en«al AmoU ior ieizinf the mewnandiie^ ^nd be acenscd llmaen of orders ta not pre^errunjT them irvim injiUT. A Uaaen «m$ the c\Mi$ei)uence« whitb retiHcd m m* IT of AmoidV aj:eoi. vho kid remncd ifae cood% n^ iher aik^iprd a pAity cuoeemed. The general ■iota ^eoer :o the oxirt. Tbev demanded an apok^iy. vbidl ielii«<d. in a kind ol' cnaliefife to the individuab; jtpfmbed lo Gates, then in c\^numiHJi. but be abeoed dfetmKed the c\Hiit. and appointed him a» the com» laie Aobiib that ants to opm?^ the invuswin of CarteaiMi. TW ciwart beflof^ j^^wratinr. ac^uined Haxea vith honour, tboa ocKWitf Amoid lor the setAuie of the mefncbandKBe aft piohabhr ail the saibiietiion tikai ifae onnua
s pferioQS cioFader had l^pen that of a eooscMikMM k is pivbaSMe toai he vo^ not have been jndced axfeir : lor ieaef^ aie e\nau vaich pfure tkat ** ba pmrasiaf'' ^ Mr. Sparks ^<<tsenre$. ** any secret manowifm neaaoval of the foods, or lor rertioinf them ia bb o«m po9* :** jYt OG tne oilh?r lund. de veil kneir^ that by the artstka iu:nwd IO by General Moni4^M:Kry. the citiaeitt nf arere lo be 5ecurevi ;n aii irvtr eA!V£s : and as lo the plen ^iM^ betitf lor rublick service, it was publirkly knowm ocMr articles vere seised haie needed lor iba
h^d bv aider of congress akni commnni of the
tfinj, as nentioiied.* Scbnjler gave bis efieetoal ad io prepUBg tbe DeccsasfT defence of the cuuDtiy, akfaoagfa sensible of tbe in- justice done bim. Arnold repaired to Albanv far tbe purpose of giving tbe commander in tbe nonbem department infannaiioB of tbe state of affairs aAer tbe retreat of tbe American amnr; and be bad scarcely time to tell his tale to General Scbovler, as ibe officer entitled to bear it, before Gai» arri%'ed, as appointed bead of aflair?, and tbe tale had to be retold to him. ScbuTier aecoBH panied bis succ^fiil riral to Crovm Point, to giire bim tbe UHtrae- lion and information tbe service required. Arnold venc with uiem*
It was after General Schuyler's departure to prepare km tbe d^ fimce of tbe western frontier of tbe state, that tbe decision of tba oonrt martial threw censure upon Arnold, and tbe dictatorial op> ders of Gates silenced that censure, and pbced bim as admiral sf ibe flotilla, which was prepared and preparing, to prevent tbe pn^ gnss of General Carletoo.
Bj tbe exertions and influence of Schuyler, (ahbongfa neeeasa- rily absent from tbe bke) and tbe indefatigable activity of Araoy* idm extraordinary man, before the middle of August, saw Umaeif a second time commander of a flotilla, upon tbe inland fer so many years was tbe hizb road for hostile armameflts tn from Canada. He now bad absolute control over tbree armed acboooers carrying 25 guns, a sloop mounting 12, and five goado> las with tbree guns each.
Gates bad ordered the commodore general lo take bis die Isle anx tetes. Tbe order stated, ^^ that as the present tions were designed to be wholly on tbe defensive, tbe bosiness of tbe fleet was to prevent or repel a hostile incursion ; but ool to r«n any wanton risks^ or seek an encounter within the enemy's terri- tory/* Arnold was prohibited, in po«itive terms, not to beyond tbe station above named — where there was a narrow in the lake supposed to be defeasible. But Carleton not only ated a stronger naval force than that of Arnold, bit had ancidpaied hmi, by seinni; this pus, and occupying tbe iriland and botb iboici of tbe lake with his bnd forces.
Tins deposition of the enemy was seen, on tbe arrival of tba Ameriean fleet at Windmill Point ; and there Arnold t<iok his sta* tion, mooring b» vessels in a line across tbe lake.t Thus finding that ho was exposed to annoyance from tbe main land— his advei^
msojusmuMNT on lajke cbamfuain. 6ft
saiy hariog the command of the shores, with a superiour force— -hit letired up the lake eight mile?* cboo^iug a po3t at Isle-la-Motte,, more favourable for opposition to Wis adversary's fleet, and out of reach from the land forces. The men of whom he had the com- mand, were, not such as he could confide in. He wrote to Gatesg September 21st, a letter, which I find in the Gates* papers, sayings **tbe drafts from the regiments at Ticonderoga are a miserable set. Indeed, the men on board the fleet are not equal to half their num- ber of good men." His force had been increased since leaving Crown Point, and before the action of the 11th of Octob^r, con- sisted of three schooners, two sloops, three galleys, and eight gon- dolas. On the morning of that day, his guard boats gave notice that the enemy's fleet was in sight, off Cumberland head, moving up the lake. A ship of three masts, two schooners, a radeau, one gondola, twenty guu-boats« four long boats, and forty-four boats with troops and provisions, soon made their appearance in formi- dable array. The armed vessels were manned by chosen seamea from the English fleet, which had arrived in the St. Lawrence with powerful reinforcements. To this overwhelming force, Arnold had to oppose men who were inspired with courage rather derived from their opinion of him, than their own strength.
Before the action became general, the Americana lost one of their schooners, which grounded, and was destroyed by her crewy who saved themselves. The largest English vessels were prevent*^ ed from coming into the fight at first ; but one schooner nnd all their gun-boats kept up a cannonade with grape and round shot, within musket fire of the American line, from half past twelve to five o'clock, when they were forced to retire. During this en* gagement, Arnold, in the Congress galley, was exposed to the se- verest fire of the enemy. Deficient in gunners, he pointed the guns of his vessel himself, and by his example encouraged his men to persist to the last, although his galley was cut to pieces by the shot of the enemy, and many of his men killed and wounded. The Washington galley was likewise disabled ; one of the gondo- las had her lieutenant killed — her captain and master wotmded $ another lost all her officers.* During the fight, the English had
€zpe«ti the enemy. To etren Tthes hhi vesMlt, which were too low to repel boerd- er% be landed men to cut iiMciLei; Imt they were attacked and boaten off tbo •hore with lost.
* I derive from Geneml Mor^^n Lewis the name of Abraham Nimham, of Stockbrid^e, who, as a gallant ^allor and soldier wai distinguished on this occa- sion. This man, and an Aouiun of the Mentank tribe, joined Arnold in bis petit- ons^ Canada expedition. Nimbam was a sub officer at the time of this naval fight, and wan on board the boat, all of whose officers were kiUed. He took the coip- mand, managed ber with skilkand foaght ber nMmfuH^. At tbe tM&e o( abandoii- ing the boats, be was the last to mn aground ; bat laid his boat so i^ tp pvolMt
M ENGAOBMByr ON LAKE CHAMPLAIX.
landed a body of llieir Indians, who kept up a 6re of musketry upon the American vessels. Sixty men were killed or wounded ; but the enemy bad been repulsed.
It was evident, however, that the fleet could not withstand the force Carleton could bring against it ; and in a consultation of offi- cers, it was detennined to retire to Crown Point, and, if possible, not risk a second encounter. The British commander, knowing his advantage, brought up his larger vessels, before night, within a few hundred yards of ti.e Americans, stretching his line in such a direction as be thought would prevent his enemy from retiring up the lake and avoiding his attack the next day. But the night proved uncommonly dark ; and Arnold, by a skilful movement, avoided the danger, and before light, had removed his little Heet at least ten miles from the enemy, bringini^ up the rear himself, in his crippled galley. At Schuyler's Island, the fleet was anchored to repair sails and stop leaks. Two gondolas were abandoned and sunk. In the afternoon they hoisted sail, the enemy pursuing; but both fleets were nearly becalmed. Next day, Arnold found that Carleton was coming up with his gallies and four of his gondolas, all too much injured to sail freely, while the largest vessels of the enemy were uninjured, and carried a press of sail. The Washings ton galley was overhauled, and after a few broadsides, struck her flag. A ship of 14 guns, and a schooner of 14, bore up and poured their fire upon the Congress ; but Arnold, for four hours, maintained tlie unequal contest, until surrounded by seven of the enemy's vessels, he, as a last resource, ran his galley and four gon- dolas into a small creek on the east side of the lake, ten miles from Crown Point, and, as soon as they were aground, ordered his ma- riners to wade to the shore with their muskets, and keep oflT the enemy's small boats. He, ever the last man in a retreat, remained in his galley until the flames had made such progress that they could not be extinguished ; then, on the shore he maintained his attitude of defence until his vessels were consumed with tlieir flags flying. This accomplished, he led his little band through the woods to Crown Point.
With defeat, the reputation of Arnold was increased ; every de- fect of his character was lost sight of, owing to the brilliancy which was shed around him by hii daring and his military conduct. Men estimate that courage which protects them from harm, (even though it should proceed from insensibility to danger) at a higher value
olhen aiid afuioj the enemy. When neceimy, he swam aibore. and joined in '•▼ery p«nl and every exertion. ThiM gal.ant man wbj« snbMqnenUy killed near White Ptaina. He bad with a nartj been i>eDt to hover near the firitiitb linea, when ibej were aet apon bj a larfe party of finakirk's and l>«lane«y'a maa, aad Mtin '
SCBim.Bm*S XXKETIOICS. M
2AS hofie9>iT« armpuloits anentioa to truth, deference to the rifrfats «?" c*rher*, or any of llie virtue? on which the happine^ of society 6f?et)cl>. The nuMml court^re of the iirLte and irnod never dazzk» — It i» appreciated hv tlie few^ and is unnoticed by the mass of Qiakind.
AmolJ hsd k^i the naral protection of the lake — he had sacri- ired near a hundred Americans who were either killed or wound^ ec. Tlje enemv owned a lo^s of about half the number. The liia wa» alro^retber with Carieton, who now commanded this hiiHi :«ad into the hemrt of liiC country. But Arnold gained rather thao kkst irmitaitioo, bv the e^-ent ; and* as a roilitar\* leader, be desen*ed sie admiFaiioo his actions produced, while he ap|ieared to exeit ^ pc»wer$ for the defence of bis country* &xhq motives that were wrin of all pm^.
This destruction of the naval armament of Lake Champhin, and tbe threaieoed attack upon Ticonderoj^i, again cmlled forth all the eDB&ies of Schu\ler, who forwarded reinforcements and endet* mored to cuard the country by its militia ; but this last species of ivre w«s soch to him as the coromarMler-in-chief bad found it, ** m broken reed,*^ refractor}', insubordinate in all tbin^ : they would wtsAer march nor work, when ordered. But a sufficient show of ty^iuftkion w»s made, to induce the British general to defer his ai-> Tx^ OQ Ticooderoga ; and, as the winter was approaching, (to nvid being frozen in the like, where he would be certain of de-> firactioD from surrounding enemies) be prudently returned to Cmada. and relieved the good people of New York from their fears ibr the prciseot. Btn the exertions of Schuyler and Arnold pre- vraaed tbe co-oper«tioo of Carleton with Howe.
66 «niiAV AOTrTf.fi«nWi
CHAPTER V.
Emglund hn/s foreign troops to help to svhimt America — tier army repain from Boston to HfJ'fox — Affer bang re-^mforctd^ the army lands on Suiten Island — T/te troops of Washington — Bat- tU ^ Brooklyn^ and retreat from Long Island.
1776 While Schuyler and Arnold were contending with the powers of Great Britain in the north and wesi, Washingtoo was engaged at New York with that mighty nation, wad ber pur- diased foreign hordes, from Germany.
A little book published by Ithiel Town. Esq., of New HaTen* written by an EnglUh naral captain, who made one in the fleet wUcb brought General De Heister and his army of Germatis to tbiscoyn- try, gives the only accoimt of the fleets. The fleet and army of England mwaiied at Halifax a reinforcement ; while Sir H. Ciis- too finding New York too strong, and Lee already there, sailed to Cbarieston, South Carolina, where he again found Lee ; and after being beaten off by Moultrie, was in time to join Sir WilliafD Howe and his army at Staten Island. There he refreshed has troops and made preparatioo for attacking New York, awaiting die fleet of Lord Howe.*
* Ob tiw 14tli of April, General Waihnigton bad arrired at New Tefk. fiaai Boaton, after driTing the Britiab from tliat towo. Tbe armj were on tbcir mank fyr New York. General Wathington lelt that place by order of Congmaa It oba- •nlt tbem in Fhiladelpbia ; and Patnam. a« betiif tbe oldeat major ga—gai, waa, daring b» abaence. left in coinmand. Before ^oinj^. be reqnired the eoaaiOM of aaAstj to probibit all pervoni from conunanicaunf witb tbe kind's tkipa in tka h»- boor. as being injnnoas to tbe American interest, and as tbe cdj waa placud in a state of defence, not reqoired by any pmdential considerations. Tbe caMmiBBa aeeofdinglj issued tbeir decree of probibition, onder penalty of being eo«ider«d and treated as enemies to tbe coantry. Among tbe troops at tbis time in New York, was Captain Alexander Hamilton's company of artillery. Tba wbila amj at New York, m April, wa« bat lU;2.{a men.
In Jane, sooie of tbe continental soldieri, by tbeir riotous tteharibvr, dnw IbrA a repriaaand from tbe general. Tbe king's snips were removed firom the hmtenr to Sandy Hook, about tbe last of April. Tbe 17tb of May wm obaerred, hf wiar of Congress, as a day of lasting, biimiliation, and prayer. On the I6lb of Manr, Gates was promoted to be a major-general ; and on tbe'l9lb. by direction W Waiih iBgton, went on to Congress, witb bigb recommendations from btm to llMir *'noliBa and fiiTOors.** But Congress, wisbing tbe presence of tbe coanaandcr^B-ckieC ba laA New York on tba 21st, under tbe command of Putnam, witb Gun. Gfuana diowiig that Waduogtoa dnly
STATS OF AMSftlCAN ABMT. VI
Gen. Howe bad be^n joined bj Governonr Tryon, and mtny
pntlecneD from New York and New Jersey, who encouraged bim
with the hope that great number.^ would gather in arms round his
standard. He appointed Mr. Delancey« of New York, and Mr.
Cortland Skinner, of Perth Amboy, generals of brigade ; and ex*
pected from their influence a great accession of toriea to his Eng*
llsh army. In the mean time. Gen. Washington made erery dis*
posttuNi in bis power with his motley, undisciplined, and refractory
troops, to meet this great and well appointed army. Gen. Mercer*
with what was called the flpng camp, was stationed at Perth Am*
boy, divided by a narrow channel finom the enemy, whose sentinels
were full in riew.
The first troops that came to defend New York, were ea9»> tern of whom Graydon* gives this description :
** The materials of which the eastern battalions were com- posed, were apparently the same as those of which I had seen so oapromising a specimen at Lake George.t I speak particularly of the officers, who were in' no single respect distinguishable from their men, other than in the coloured cockades, which, for this very pinpose, had been prescribed in general orders — a different colour heiag assigned to the officers of each grade. So far from aiming •t a deportment which might raise them above their privates, and Aete prompt them to due respect and obedience to their com* ■ands, the object was, by humility, to preserve the existing bless- mf of equality*— an illustrious instance of which was given by Co* ioMi Putnam, the chief-engineer of the army, and no less a per* ssnage than the nephew of the major-general of that name.— « * Whit,' says a person meeting him one day with a piece of meat ia his hand, ' carrying home your rations yourself, colonel !' ' Yes,' says be, * and I do it to set the officers a good example.' But if any aristocratick tendencies had been really discovered by Iha eolouel among his countr}'men, requiring tliis wholesome ex* aapk, they must have been of recent origin, and the effect of sauthem contamination, since I have been credibly informed, that h was BO unusual thing in the army before Boston, for a colonel to drummers and fifers of his sons— thereby, not only being en*
m» ■ ■ I'll
bttd dirtetioiit in e«M of tke appear&ncn of the eQeoiT to ftmrmrd exprsiv- aM «fNMd m PkiitJaiphM. Oa tiit 3d of Jane, h« dirtc^ed Puumid to in* •jM for e&rpaatars aai mitMiab for foadolat aai tiro n'b for the defence of ■«w Yofk- Oa the 7th of Jane, the com mviier iiKhief was afain in New York, dcknjWr was directed to engage %QO0 ladiane for the »enrice. bnt Ihand iBoei eniearoart nteiwary to prevent them from joining the CngUeh. He mwd to get tiwin to a eoanciU to meet him at German Flats, aiKl nuke treaty kkm- AU thf ■eaenree 9f 9chajler wars counteracted bj 9*f Xalui JohMO». * " If onioirB of a Life, ehiafljr peved in Pennt7lTania.*'--p. 130. t TnL I p. 480. Grajdoa, p. 197.
WQtm tU 8
H^ raw E^GI.A.NS TBOOPS.
nirtKraiitv rhf '■fvi-rr.i*' -it* *"k :;i:v. •" '•:".p?;t. I.t -:'or*. • 3:ir.t>ar»7'i
piMf* of *fjR nr-r-.r. T'iP '/•■ ■ ^': *-' '■ ■-. i r'Vf.iier' ■ "u"- -t?^'^. :•:> ttifv !riis»*»':j.r •- ''on^-i ::;''-.■: ■".:. ■;- •• ■ . ^-^t Lrj":::-:. "^ 1?^ r.::r re-
rjf* <.:n .-,. rii- i- '■ !.- ' ',r>' : ' '. ' -■■- -•*r:-.;»^'. ".■■ il"'- iXr-: ^ 'h
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fjiii ^'v*•*■J i!. Til;-- f'-'/.M,*- -t ? i'-rr- " •^'■■.-r 3. :.: r:".:-»-r !•:" nt^iTrie^. ^T:-!:.-. (/J p^T-^ons iirjarr li-Torj-.^rl -tj . ./^ ^. a--of -o-ior*. /.a,-; a iii.-ajreeaL.e, Arirr^fi\r}'/ ffl'i-'.fi .... TjikiniT Tij^ am.}' in the a^rreiia^e, » iTh hi ^.r|iiipiripnf.< aUiM.jr wl^h it, he m'*''T rip.vp ri»-<»rj a rjovji-e or a ft^nz^zir.t raIri,!^tor, w fio '"oijlri ^'ippo^e ii caj»a^:«=- of '=\-Trtir":r!:j the ioftr !/*»!*• flriH \*Tfr-il fn^T/\ of rorjiTe-as. I:"s p^»ini ot" n:^r.".ber« EDertlv.
0 1 m
if wa* flr-rifii-nt ; tiioiij-n a (an U\pn iJTLle kn«-«n or Tiu.«pec!ed. NVw-<p:i|H-r< ami romrnon rf-iiorl, ind^t^'l. m^fje it imrrensely nu- rnrroij;* ; anrl if wn.- r^-or*:*f-tjreii ihar ^»en»*nil W a.^hinsroa had 50 ifianv rrirn. fliaf \\f wanTfd r.o more, and had a'^TJialir *enT irfinr )t/jrri>-, a< 'iijir-rfiuoija. It i- ir\i*i. ihere were men enoujn comlnff and i-'oin/ ; \ *-f iii^ j.-T»pr- of f hat d^v, dfrmon-a^re hovr tniiv veak h#* w»^, in <ff:«d\, [K:rrnan';nt -oldier-."
Ciriirral W;4*hIri;:»ori, in a Iftffr of 10th Julv. 1776. in the pre- n\f\rrit of rori^rr^-*, <a\*, that th^* hattal:ori« of tf.e ConnecticL! miii- fia will \>*' wry iriffimpU'ff:. and that r/„if -oiemnieni had ordered thff*' rr^'irn^Tif* of fh'fir li.'hthor?'*? to hi* a.-^iMance : bin not havis? thr irieaiM Co -iifiporf ravalry, hf inforrnfrd the gentlemen thai fce roiild ntii rofHf-nl to k«'*rji ih^'lr hor?»es, but wished '• themselves"' to rrmain* It apfif^aM thai while the generality of the troop^s were rw\»\oyt^\ with tin* {■[)ad«> and pickaxe, and the fine re:nnient» from lVnii«vlvaiiia w(»re dailv al uork fortifvin^the banks of Haerlero and Iludiioii rivf-r*, iheM* hiirhrninded " Connecticut li?hthor«e/* 15 th^ rommaiidpr-ifF-f-hief «ay!>, ** notwith^tandins: their promise*' to rofiliniir for the dcfcnrp of .New York, were discharged, ** hirine: prr^in|itorii)' rpfii«fd all kind of fati::ue duty, or e\en to mount
Sianli rlaiminc; an f*xemplir>n a^^ tmoper*.'^ Of thei^e cavaliei?, rajrdon luiyp*— ".Vinon:: the military phenomena of this campai^-D, llw Connerliriii li:;lilhnr.M; 011 ^iht not to be forsrotten. These cod* nlMJ of t ronwiiterable number of old-fa.'*hionpd men. probabij ftnMfV tmi hetil* of families, as thev were ^renerallv middle-a^ed, moy of llirm apparently beyond the meridian of life. Tbej
* Ph^iw.
GENERAL MIFFLIN. 59
were truly irregulars; and whether their clothing, their equipments, or caparisons were regarded, it would have been difficult to have discovered any circumstance of uniformity ; though in the features derived from * local habitation,' they were one and the same. In- stead of carbines and sabres, they generally carried fowling-pieces — some of them very long, and such as in Pennsylvania are used for shooting ducks. Here and there, one appeared in a dingy regimental of scarlet, with a triangular, tarnished, laced hat. In short, so little were they like modem soldiers, in air or costume, that, dropping the necessary number of years, they might have been supposed the identical men who had in pait composed Pepperil's army, at the taking of Louisbourg. Their order of march corresponded with their other irregularities. It * spindled into longitude immense,' presenting so extended and ill-compacted a flank, as though they had disdained the adventi- tious prowess derived from concentration. These singular dra- goons were volunteers, who came to make a tender of their services to the commander-in-chief. But they staid not long at New York. As such a body of cavalry had not been counted upon, there was in all probability a want of forage for their jades, which, in the spirit of ancient knighthood, they absolutely refused to descend from ; and as the general had no use for cavaliers in his insular operations, they were forthwith dismissed with suitable acknowledgments for their truly chivalrous ardour. These gallant troopers performed one exploit in the city. They paraded at the corner of Wall and Queen streets, where Rivington's printing-office and dwelling-house stood, and entering the house, demolished the presses, and threw the type out of the windows, to be distributed by the mob who gathered in the streets."
Mifflin, who had passed on with Washington to Cambridge, as his aid, was now a brigadier, and commanded the Philadelphia re- giments who threw up the works at fort Washington. Governour Lewis,* who was with Gates, as one of his staff, was sent by him to the south, and told to go to Mifflin and see him at his house, in Reading ; but at all events to see him. He found him on horse- back, directing the labourers ; and the young man, having told his story, was desired to say to Gates, '' neither Plutus, Rhodoman-
* Verbal communication from Governour Lewis to the writer To avoid mia- apprehension on the part of the reader, it may be proper to note, that when Go- vernour or General Lewis ia referred to, the venerable Morgan Lewis is intended, who was an officer during the revolution — subsequently Judge — then Chief Jus- tice of the Supreme CN)urt of New York — then Governour or the State, (chosen in a hard contested election, but by a great majority, in opposition to Aaron Burr, in 1304) and finally a Major General in the army of the United States, during the last war.
drasv nor Mioos, shaD be more ezactlj obejed, dm I tbaH obey hk directioiis."
" Wiil not TOOT exceDencT write a line f**
^ No. Write doiTD mj words Tounelff and delirer tbeaa ex* medyr
^ I did so,** saj* GorerDoor Lewis, " witboot aoderstaodinf diesv trntfl Mifflin was Qoarter-master General ; and I dined at Kcadiae, wbere be staid, under plea of sickness, entertaioin]^ tbe general oA* cers in a stvle which I nerer saw equalled ; and then saw tbe road to Washington's camp (where the troops were literallj starriag,) strewed with broken wt^ons, provision, and clotbine**^
When Congre» proroalgaUMi the Declaration of Independeacev it was of coorse read to the soldiers. The declaratioo pected, and not so onirersallj received with appbose as c ceired. Dickenson, tbe cbainnan of the comminee, and soppoaed author of tbe Articles of Confederation, and known aotbor of the £iinoos Farmer^s Letters, refbsed to sign the declaration of tbe 4ih of Julr. Alibougfa wise and good men thoagfat it neceaaarT* manj who bad been officers and active committae-men, irom tte moment became toriea or neotraL
Tbe writer saw Heathcote Johnson, tbe grandson of that Caleb Heathcote, before mentioned, receive tbe command of tbe ? Jersev coropanr, first organized at Perth Ambojr, and anee seen the draft made bv him for immediate service. Yet this tieman took office under the British government, in LoiKioa.
Gravdon, in his *• Memoir of a Life,*'* savs : — ^^ Tbe ration of Independence, whose date will never be forgoctea ao long as libertj remains the fashion, and demagogues contniaa to thrive upon it, was, with the utmost speed, transmitted to the armies ; and when received, read to the respective rcgiiiicatk If it was not embraced with all the enthusiasm that has bees aa» cribed to the event, it was at least hailed frith accbmatioDs, as m doubt anv other act ol' congress, not fiagrantlv improper, would at that time have been. The propriet j of the meastire l»d bees fiole canva:ssed among us ; and perhaps it was to our honour, considiied merely as soldiers, that we were so little of poUtictana. A predi* lection for repubticanism, it is tnie, bad not reached the annjr, at least the Penn^jkania line ; but as an attempt to negociate in oar iroorganized situatioo, would probably have divided and ruined OBy the step was considered wi«e, although a passage of the BobicoB, and calcuhted to close the door to accommodation. Being looked upon as imavoidable, if resistance was to be persisted in, it was ap» pffOfcd ; and produced no resignatioiis among tbe officers that I
* PlifB 140L
tsocBXOcras o:t uoato island. 61
titmre oC except that of Lientenant-colonel Williaiii Allen, who was iritb his regiment io Canada. He called at our camp on hb way to PhUadelphia« where he appeared somewhat surprised and mortified, that his example had no followers.**
Congress had determined to save New York citj. The council of general oflkers resolved t at New York should be defended. Ob the 22d of August, tlie British armj landed at Gra?esend.* Bffookhrn was then a village, leading to the ferry between Long Island and New York. The American lines and encaroproentv which guarded this avenue to the city, extended fron) Gowanua Creek to the Wallabout, from water to water, or the high grounds comnnnding each.
The hills were at that time wooded, and extended from near Teilov Hook to tlie back of Jamaica. These were guarded, and especially the roads, which led to the encampment. Tlie whole was entniiteJ to General Greene, who had formed the defences. Ai that time he was ill, and con6ned to his bed by a violent fever. Gcaeral Washington, who expected a simuluneous attack on Bfooklyn and the cityt sent Putnam, his only resource, to cooi* ■and on Long Island ; wlio, as Sullivan says, superseded him four Ays beiore the baule — he having previously the command at the hiUs, and never himself came beyond the encampment to aee the
On the 2-Sth the commander-in-chief wrote to Majorgeneral Pmuud : that it was with no small degree of concern that he perceived yesterday a scattering, unmeaning, and wasteful fire, our people at tiie enemy. No one good consequence can such irregularities, but se%*eral bad ones will inevitably fot* bw. He says, fear prevents deserters approaching, and mentions evils, which must forever continue to operate, wliilst every ooAsiders hiouelf at liberty to fire when, and at what, be
Mr. W—d hu Jitiin •• llwt m tbe WTCBteeBth ceatarr, tbe iakikiluili cf
itm boA mmetun of tbe libertieis uid rights of EiiftMboieB : bat hm
tbe ■tcieiiity whkb tbe conduct of muij imposed upon tb^ ^^^ ^
itsrf— of •eBdioa GenertI Heard, witb tbe New Jenej mfclk,
I eneoMee to tbe freedom of Ameiicm.
Tnm dw rerr important tables of Mr. Wood. I extract noticee oftbe popnhtioa
«r l0^ Iilna, at diflerent periodt. In 1731. it was 17.r«i0. In 1771—97.731.
In 17b6«-s»35X b 179(^-d64M9. In ldU0-4i,167. In ISIO— 18,7&1. In
I 01 "ifi.TrO la 1776, tbe popnlaiion of tbe west end was tory.
TW Mpolation nf Lon^ iMand. compared to tbat of tbe cirr of New Tork. wm, m irn. two to OM ; tbe inland baving 17.SA, and tbe city d,eid; bnt in 1610, it VMfVvntnnd; dM citjr bad »6.37d. and tbe isUnd 4^7&t
Tbe ptwportioB of popalation of Long IsUand to tbe province and state of New Tetfc. at diierent pehods, stands tbns. In 17;il, it was one to tbree. In 1771— > aM » mm. In 17^ one to seren. In 179D— one to nine. In idOO— one to foni^ In ldIO—«iM to nineteen. In IdJO— one to twenty-four. Tbns itsrelativo
oaetbod m '
92 ' HATHAKISL WOODHUIX.
pleases. He instructs him in the mode of placing his griirds- and appointini: the duty of ins brigadierf^ and field ollicer^ He com- plains of the men buniin«r and plundering houses. He directs that the wood next to Red Hook shouKi be well attended to.
On tlie :fGth Washington was at the lines on Long Island, and returned to the citv in the eveninsr.
In the meantimet on the 2oth of Auinist. or soon after landing, Woodhull, actins: as general of miiitja, approaching the south- west end of the island to drive off the horses and cattle<» fell into the hands of the enemv. He was so barbaronslv treated^ after surrender, that he died of his wounds shortiv afterward.
Nathaniel Woodhull was horn at Mislic. Long Island. Decem- ber 30th, 1722. He was, in early life, a colonel in the provincial armv under both Abercrombie, and Amlierst. He was the coad- jutor of Schuyler and Clinton, in the New York Proiincial Con- gress. He was early in the revolutiouar}* war appointed a Gene- ral, and ordered by the convention of New York to secure all the catde on the west end of the island, and drive to the north and the east. With the aid of his brigade of militia he remained near Jamaica with from seventy to one hundred militia ; and not be'm; joined by more, nor receivini: orders from the convention, be re- mained at his post until the 2Sth August, when he ordered tbe few men who were with him to retreat. He slow ly followed, until he was made prisoner by a party of the enemy. He immediatelT sur- rendered his sword to the officer in conunand.
*^ The ruffian who first approached him,* (said to be a Major Baird, of the 71st) ordered -him to say God fare ike Ai»g; tbe General replied, "'' God save us all ;*' on which be most cowardiv and cruellv assailed the defenceless General with his broad sword, and would have killed him u}>on the spot if be bad not been prevented by the interference of an officer of more bonour and humanity. The General was badly wounded in the bead, and one of bis arms was man£:led from the shoulder to the wrist. He was taken to Jamaica, where his wounds were dressed, and, with other prisoners, was confined there till the next day. He was then conveyed to Gravesend. and with about eiirhty other piisooets, (of which number Colonel Robert Troup, of New York, was one,) was confined on board a vessel which had been employed to transpoit bve stock for the use of the armv, and was without accororooda- tions for health or comfort. Tbe General was released from the vessel on the remonstrance of an officer who bad more hamanitj than his superiours, and removed to a house near the church in
* I qmo%» tbe woidi of Mr. TboBpcon, m kb H'toiy of Loaf Iriiad, Appf ^ pp. 509, 510.
NATHANIEL WOODHXJLL. 6S
New Utrecht, where he was permitted to receive some attendance and medical assis^tance. A cut in the joint of the elbow rendered an amputation of the arm necessary. As soon as this was resolved on, the General sent for his wife, \rtth a request that she should bring; with her all the money she had in her possession, and all she could procure ; which being complied with, he had it distributed an ong the American prisoners, to alleviate their sufferings — thus furnishing a lesson of humanity to his enemies, and closing a use- ful life by an act of charity. He then suffered the amputation, which soon issued in a mortification, which terminated his life Sep- tember 20th, 1776, in the fifty-fourth year of his age.
" It is proper here to state, that the late Chief Justice Marshall, in the Biography of Washington, while narrating the disposition of the American forces immediately prior to the batde of Long Island, fought on the morning of the 27th of August, 1776, makes the fol- lowing remark : The convejition, of New York had ordered Oeneral fVooJJitdl, with the militia of Lons Islaridy to take post on the high grovTtd as near the enemy as possible ; but he remained at Jamaica^ and seemed scarcely to suppose himself under the control of the regit' lav officer commanding on the island.^*
A letter from Chief Justice Marshall, dated February 21st, 1834, addressed to John L. Lawrence, Esq., shows the origin of his mistake and mis-statement. It is as follows :
" Judge Edwards did me the favour to deliver yesterday evening your letter of the 13th, with the documents to which it refers. It is to me matter for deep concern and self-reproach that the Biographer of Washington should, from whatever cause, have ipis-stated the part performed by any individual in the war of our revolution. Accuracy of detail ought to have been, and was, among my primary objects. If in any instance I have failed to attain this object, the failure is the more lamented, if its consequence be the imputation q{ blame where praise was merited.
" The evidence with which you have furnished me, demonstrate that the small body of militia assembled near Jamaica, Long Island, in August, 1776, was not called out for the purpose of direct co- operation with the troops in Brooklyn, and was not placed by the convention under the officer commanding at that post. It is appa* rent that their particular object, after the British had landed on Long Island, was, to intercept the supplies they might draw from the country. It is apparent, also, that General Woodhull joined them only a day or two before the baule ; and there is every reason to believe that he executed with intelligence and vigour the duty confided to him. I had supposed that the order to march to the western part of Queen's County directed an approach to the enemy, and that the heights alluded to, were between Jamaica and Brook-
M BAxnc
Ijm. But I bare not the papers which I md at the tinie from the publicatioas then in mj |io«se5«ioQ. I onlj recoUert the impres- skw tbej made, that General Woodholl was railed into the 6eki Smt the purpiHe of aidinj? the operadons frofn Brookhm ; and that General Washington, knowing the existence of this corps, had a ri^ lo count upon it in some slight degree, as guarding the road leading from Jamaira. In this 1 was mistaken ; and in this the mistake of which you complain originated.
** I think, however, rou misconstrue it ; no aDusioe is made to &e namber of the militia under his command, nor to anjr jealoasj of the militarj officer commamfing at Brookhm ; nor is it hinted that the conrentioa had placed him under that officer. I rather infer that it appeared to me lo be an additional example of the manj inconveniences arising, in the earlj part of the war, frcMO the disposition of the civil authorities to manage aflhira hrionging la the military departmeoc
** I arish much that I had possessed the infermatioo yon have now given me. The whole statement woidd most probably have been omitted, the Gict not bein; connected with the battle ; or, if introduced, have been essentially varied."
The army of General Howe spread fner the flat cooatrj. The Germans, with De Heisier, advanced to beyond Flatboah, and aa English column was poshed on the Bedford road. General Graal advanced by the lower road along the bay. The main army, onder CKntott, Percy and Hoare, marched back, or aootb-west of Ja- maica, and imopposed gained the interval between the hiDs and ths American fines.
The letter of Lord Stirling to General WashingttMi, on tlia fiMi af Atigust,teUstbe event until be surrendered. Thb gentleman riaiswd to inherit thedignity of an earl, from the circumstance that his felhsr^s eoosin, who was Earl of Stirling, died arithoiK male issne. Ge» neral Lord Stirling was m early life knoam as Mr. WiUiam AIsb* ander, and served as an officer io the war of 175d. Is 177ft» be was appointed to the command of the first cotjoeniai that aras raised in New Jersey, and had the dislioction of isg ooe of the first votes of thanks granted by luiiguM It for the successful results of a daring enterprise preceded bj and accomplished by his embarking with a dctachmenc of his regiment from Elisabethtown, and proceeding in three anml o^ armed vcawls to the outside of SuMiy Hook, (while tfaa Asia aaui-oPwar, with her lender, by in the hay of New Tork^) capturing a tranaport ship of three hundred toiM» aimed wkh ipns, and fivighted with stores for the British army. Wo jMraafier aee what share he had iothesnbseqneBteveoisof tka Ho was oacr Iks firm friend of WasfaincioB. Tka
4 . .
^ t
BAXTLS OF LOXG 1SLAX1>. 66
-""*• >:." .rj's srcouri:, a.-.:rt>>>iv] lo Wt^hinrion. of ihe unfop-
r : .1 w ; :-; o .-. ■, . '^ r: -.a n i : \ o i' i : . -V • r .r. : :'. ; v o :i i ■ f \M\aZ h a* bi p-
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' ■: : :r. .:: F.*:: .:*h :o \hc iltii L..-:-. ..:-i."i i c «^-Jirf j n-»i lo march : . :: • • T : ;i o rt\: . : :: .: .^:> n ea re*: £ : .' :. r v: lo r.ir c : i !H' m . T!}0*e i iaf>- >:r.: :j. :^- Hi>:ei'5 .imi Sii)al:v\i>^c*>. \\:\[-\ ^iii.-n I accordioirlj 1— v.^-\:. sr*: us.* o:i xhf ri^ii lo liio .\irrx'»u> jusi a> ibe davii^bt rt-jLz :o ai^;>ej.r. Wo prociViieii ionl::-.;n iU^ui half a mile of -T Kec Lion, .ind ihrrr moi d'lonii Aiii-c. wiih ni* reomenl, *d: :r.:.-fcZT.uvl mt iha: me enor.iv wiro in ^i-ihi: iniiced 1 iben aw ^^-" i-:*r: ;«e:T%tv:i U5 anii \hc lUc Lion. 1 dc#iri>ti Co'jonel Al- W^ :o r:i:«-c hisi reirlnur:: on i.'io !t fi of irc road, and \o wai; iheir -vcilr^ i^T', whi-o 1 nt:*: lo for:;i liiC mo rcii/.-ieni* 1 had bxv>ai:ht *^^ ri-t i".i>ar a rii:c^^ fror.": ine ro.id i:p :*> - jiitve of wooii on the i"c- ::* ibe h;-i- Tn:> was coiae insiir.iiv, on \iry adi'aista^tNDUs
" »>. r or:orz'"::> advanced, a.^d wcrt* nred upon by Ailee's regi- r-rr^ xs; o. afitr i^o or iV.rt-e r\'»iiiid> riirtTiTed lo ihc wood on nar
•
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■ mm
T*"" :-r^JCO* of four rt,::::":i:i:> tr..-:'.. v.:a:i r i:.^ ii'mmand of Gene-
tL ii riz: : w ho ad"* anci' d : i . -: ir . .^ • . i :roo »^> :o t\ i; r. :r. one h u ndred
izsi i'T* \£rd* ol'o;:r ri^r.i fro::!, ai'.d itx^k r'05i>t-»ion of an orchard
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ani: cf tr.iLtrv lo ihe fror/. of o'.:r !ef:. 1.^:: a rl^ini: crou r.d, at
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"Iz L' * r'i">> : : . »: r. '.^ e * : .'O^: »: .i .: .*. i^ r. ^ .: ! r. ^ each oihe r ull near tiTTfr y.-^x-si. i^ber. I fo:;::d :::.ii CM-::er..* Howe, wim me r::a:a ^*ci cf me kTT.^y v. .-.< be m tin rv: :-rd o.:r i.::tr, ar.d 1 saw ma; iha *-T criTce of e5^'u:^:r; btir.^ i!l :'*.ide ;^r-5o:ur?- w^> *o pas* ibe =*ek XMT me Ye:!ow Mil:* : and, in order lo reader mis ibe raore »iK)cabie, I found ii absoluieiv necesurv lo attack a body of
66 BATTLS OP LCma ISLA3n>.
troops, commanded by Lord Comwallis, posted at the bouse near the Upper >fill5. This I instantly did, widi about half of Small- wood^s recriment, first ordering all die other troops to make the best of their way through the creek. We continued the attack a cod- siderable time, the men bavin? been rallied, and the attack renewed fire or six several times, and we were on the point of driving Lord Comwallis firom his station ; but large reinforcements arriving ren- dered it impossible to do more than to provide for safety. I en- deavoured to s:et in between that house and Fort Box, but^ on at- tempting it, I found a considerable body of troops in my front, and several in pursuit of me on the right and left, and a constant firing on me. I immediately turned the point of a hill, which covered roe from their fire, and I was soon out of the reach of my punuers. I soon found that it would be in vain to attempt to make my escape, and therefore went to surrender mvself to General de Heister, dommander-in-chief of the Hessians."
From the letters of R. H. Harrison, the evening of the 27th, we learn that General Washington was then on Long Island, and expected a sreneral attack ; but Howe had witnessed the afiair of Bunker Hill, and gave time for the subsequent manceuvres.
General Sullivan says, in his letters : '^ I was imeasy about a road, through which I had often foretold that the enemv would come, but could not persuade others to be of my opinion. I went to the hill near Fhtbush to reconnoitre, and with a picket of four hundred men was surrounded bv the enemv, who had advanced bv the ver}' road I had foretold, and which I had paid boi semen fifty dollars for patrollins: by night, while I had the command, as I had no foot for the purpose.
" What resistance I made uith these four hundred men against the British armv, I leave to the officers who were with me to de- clare. Let it suffice for me to say, that the opposition of the small party lasted from half past nige to twelve o^clock."
From these several accounts it would appear, that no individol officer had the command in the en£:a^ment. Lord Stirling com- manded the detachment on the ri^ht, which was opposed by tbe British General Granu The redment under Colonel Hand, an* tioned on the heights near Flatbush, was commanded bv General Sullivan, rather by accident than in consequence of any direct older* Williams's and >Iiles*s regiments at die left, posted on the road leading from Flatbush to Bedford, had no other commander tfau their respective colonels.
The number of American troops, who took part in the action, if estimated by Colonel Haslet at five thousand. This estimate if probably ver}- near the tnith. When the detachments retreated from Long island, there were nine thousand in the whole. Tlm^ teen hundred of these had gone over to Brooklyn after the
MJlTTLE of long l$ULM». Cj
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68 BATTLE OF LONG ISLAXD.
By the orders of General Washington, on the 27th, Shee's and MficT.'.v'- ri'criment^i were ordered from near Fort Washinjton to Brook ri. Capl. Gray don, who wa« of Shee's, giics in his " Me- ir.f;:r rt\ a Life"* the feelinjrsof one who tells only what he experi- eurtTfi, and '/ains our confidence for ever}' word he pens:
*' B«'inir forthwith put in motion, we proceeded with the utmost 3pe*-^'i, and reached the city in the afternoon ; but by this time the conflict was over, and the firing had ceased. Here, therefore, we wt.-re quartered for the nisrhi, under orders to be in readiness to cross ilie East Ri\*er bv break of dav in the momins:. Glover's regimen I was also moved to this place, and was under similar or- ders for Long Island. Few particulars of the day's combat were yet known, though it was pretty well ascertained that we had been handled severelv, and lost a considerable number of officers and men ; but what proportion had been killed, or were prisoners, was merely conjecture. New York was at this time a scene of turouh and confusion, and it mic:ht be added, of dismay.
" The circumstance, however, did not deprive roe of my appe- tite, and the inclination for a good supper, which I had not for =o ne months enjoyed ; and therefore, as soon as our men were dis- ..li-sed to their quarters, which was not until dark, Mr, Forrest and myself set out in pursuit of this object. But some of the publick houses were full, others had no eatables in them, and we began to fear that this little enjoyment we had promised ourselves, was not to be obtained, and that we should be obliged to go to bed supper- less. After trying the be.rt lookinir inns to no purpose, we essayed those of more humble appearance, and at length entered one, that was kept by a middle ai'^ed matronly lady. We asked if she could give us supper ; she gave us the common answer — that there was nothing in the house. We were now about to give the matter up, and had retired bevond the door with somewhat of a disconsolate air, perhaps, when the jjood woman seemed touched with compas- sion for us- She had probably sons of her own ; or if not, she was of that sex which, Ledyard tells us, is ever prone to acts of kind- ness and humanitv. .She called us back, and told us that she be- lieved she could make out to <rive us a lobster. At this we bright- ened up, assuring her, as we really thought, that nothing could be better; and being shown into a small, snug apartment, we called
de«eruiif him. and g\ory in the firmneM of the few. and the beroinn of the who never faltered in hi« course, and fousht the liattleit of hi* countnr with toi thin^ worM than the shadow of an army to support him. His H-bole'force. before the affair of Brooklyn. wa.« inidequaie to oppooe the enemy : there he kwt near 2,000: every day dimini^thed the remainder by the denertion of miiilia. H'hole regimenia marched off. and thoi^e who remained were inanbordiiiAte and matiBoaat mdj to ran at the si^t of an enemy.
* Paftl42.
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. 69
for a pint of wine- We now tlioiiirlit ourselve?, instead of out- ca*i*, favourites of fortune, as. upon eompariDir notes with our broinor omoerii, next da v. wo foniiii we luul iva-son : since scarcelv ^ry of tiiem liaii been able lo procure a niouihful.
"On the next day, early in the ft ue noon, we were tnnsported to Lone Island : marched tlown to ihe eiiironchnjonts at l^rooklvn, and [Hisied on ilieir left exironiiiy, oxioiitiini: to the Wallahout. T::e arrixal of our two l^aitalions, (Shoe's and Mairau's, which al- ways acted to::oiher,) wiiii thai of CUtiver. had iho elteci 1 have ilways found lobe produced l»y a hoily of men under arms, havin"* xh^ appearance of discipline. AhluniLrh, owinj: to the ilvsenier\' xEiv.cn had prevailed in our camp, our number v.a-s so reduced ihat the two re::iments could not have amoimted to more ihan eijjht hur^dred men, makini: in the wliole, when joined with Glover's, a:«>.it twelve or thirteen hundred : ve[ it was eviiient liiat tliis small
«
r^i:' force me ni inspired no incoiisidi rahle «h\:ree of con lido nee. T:.e fjce- that had been saddenoil l>\ liio dl'^asiers of veslerdav, as- 5::med a :r learn of animation on our approach, accompanied with a laiirTuur of approbation in the s pec la tors, tu*casionaily srreetins: each Other witii liie remark, ihai ffos' tnr, th.* Utds r/mf mi^hf Jo ,<ttme- •.^'»:r- Whv it should be so. I know not: but tiie mind instinc- cveiy atiaciies an idea of prowess lo the silence, steatiiness. and r^.iiarity of a nulitary as-emMai:e : ant I a lumdrod well dressed, V'^.'l armed, and well discijilinod irrenadiers. are more formidable in a?:H:aranee. liiau a disjiHuied, di-orderlv muhiiude of a thousand. V*..r rejimenis. to be sure, could not arroirate such perfection : but liiit ihev were disiinjui^hed in our vi>unir armv, mav be inferred
• • • *
from an ofiieial letter Iroui (loneral Washinjl(ui. wherein he states mat ' xhev had been trained with nu»ro than common attention.' To sustain the duty now imposed upon us. required both slren::th of body and of minci. Tlie spot at which we were posted, was .ow and unfavourable lor defence. There wa- a I'mi.^-t/ ditch in its Iront. but it ::ave little pn>mise of sceuriiv, as it was e\idenllv commanded hv liie jiround occupied b\ the enemv, wiio entire) v *r.:ioscd the whole of our position, at tlie disiauce o{' hut a few hundred paces. It was e\i«ieiu. also, tiiat lliei were c«instructing baiitries. which wouM have ren«li :\vl our particular situation ex- ^luelv ineliytble, lo sav the lea>i of it. In addition to this dis- c^-Tifort. we were annoved bv a coiuinual rain, which, though never ^cnheavv. was never less tli.m a searciiiu^ drizzle, ami often what niij"t with propriety be called a smart shower. We hat! no tents '•0 jcreen us from its pitiless pelting : nor, if we had had them, *ouid it have comported with the incessant vi:;i lance required, to i^ve availed ourselves of ihcm, as, in I act, it i:iii:ht be said, that '« lay upon our arms durini: liie whole of our stay upon the ^^I^. Id the article of food, we were little better off. We had.
70 BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.
indeed, drawn proFisions, whose quality was not to be complained of. Our pickled pork, at least was good ; but how were we lo cook it ? As this could not be done, it was cither to be eaten as it wa.s, or not eaten at all ; and we found, upon trial, that boilin;^ it, although desirable, was not absolutely necessary ; and that the ar- ticle was esculent without culinary preparation. I remeniber, how- ever, on one of the days we were in this joyless place, getting a slice of a barbae ued pig, which some of the soldiers bad dressed at a deserted house which bounded our lines.
** Tiicre was an incessant skirmishing kept up in the day time between our riflemen and the enemy's irreirulars; and the firing was sometimes so brisk as to indicate an approaching ^reneral en- ga<rement. This was judiciously encouraired by (general Wash- ington ; as it tended to restore confidence to our men, and was, besides, showing a good countenance to the foe.
" On tlie morning after our first night's watch. Colonel Shee took roe aside and asked me what I thought of our situation. I could not but say, I thought it a very discouraging one. He viewed it in the same liirht, he said, and added, that if we were not soon withdrawn from it, we should inevitably be cut to pieces. »So im* pressed was he with this conviction, that he desired me to eo to the quarters of (general Reed, and request him to ride down to the lines, that he might urge him to propose a retreat without loss of time. 1 went, but could not find him at his quarters, or at any of the other places where it was likely he mi^rht be. It was not Ion?, however, before he came to our station, and :rave the colonel an opportunity of conferrini; with him. This day passed off like the last, in unabatin<; skirmishincr and rain. After dark, orders were received and communicated to us reinmentally, to hold ourselves in readiness for an attack upon the enemy — to take place in the course of die nii^ht. This excited much speculation amoosT the ofiicers, bv whom it was considered a trulv daring undertaking, rendered doublv so from the bad condition of our arms, so loo^ exposed to the rain ; and althouirh we had bayonets, this was not the case with the whole of our force, upon whom we must depend for support. It was not for us, however, to object to the measure : we were soldiers, and bound to obey. Several nuncupative wills were made u{>on the occasion, uncertain as it was whether thepei^ sons to whom thev were communicated would survive, either to prove or to execute them. I was for a while under the impression that we were to fight ; and, in the language of the poet, was ' stiff- ening my sinews and summoning up my blood,' for what, with the rest, I deemed a desperate encounter. But when I came to con- sider the extreme rashness of such an attempt, it suddenly flashed upon my mind, that a retreat was the object ; and that the order
BJLTTLB OP LOXG tSI-AXD. 71
Mr k«iSb£ xSe «SMiDr. w but I coTOT to the ml d««sn. The I ivAlvtiV. upon it. iDc inonc 1 ^rs$ convinced thai I vrts : «M ^tft' Sa*i )\&s;>('ti in the r.x>ni)ii^ inih Cokoel She**, d IP <<Mfii^n n>e in nir opinkni. 1 oomr.iunicatiK! nsv coniec-
x» iiMBe oi" the orwT*, bu* ihev lUrvsi ixm ?iinex ihen^saelres to
*
it vne!) feuT^ciexi. though thev cradiuui^' came over to xuv bv niiJr.:^: they ircre, for the most jMirt, conreits «■»< a oeep murmur in the camp which indicated oTeoDent : anti the oinKtion of the decavin^ sounds vnas idr TOTrard* the ri\er. AKi^ut rwv o'clock, a cannon wvnt iC. t»tre :iiiv froro one ol" our redov.hi*, • pioicin^ the ni^hi^s dull «:/ w-."*r. a trcr.x*niio;:< roar. If ihe e\}>;t\>3on wa* wiihin our ims^ t.v rua wa> pn>hab:y dischirpxi i:i lix- aoi of spikin*: ii : and £ r.'u.yl r.tTTp beer. r*o los? a mi::er of >j^»c»r'i:h'/:on lo ihe eiwmy, Tttj 1." .-.iri^ Vkt-^ I -.x-rcj hciTi: :ho oa;:><* of ::: but whatever h »«s. "iT'i frV'i : <»7> £: orkv a] Arr.". ::■:;: ati*? >;;b'.:::'>e : and whai with aw r^ir-rt-s* vV :r?c ^tAkc. iht- iUrk-.v.-s^of the r.Lcr.'. the uncenjuntr a ::»f .Sfs^^r- ar.i f\'j\*:*.^f haiAri: of the i>*;:o whitover micht be tie :c W*":. :: » o..\: Sr iil5:^uh to concci'ie a n'sore deeply solemn aic ^:5::^-^:lr.^ s:c7>o. 1; never rtv:;r* to ir.y ir.iad. b;:i in the sc^r*; .--.trfr} of '.I'x' chor.:> of >":*.;.k>;x"STY'> He::n* "Jv Fifth* in Ttiiiz, -s- t.Ti'kC*: ::■ a .^;^n>;>r"s:e ^*tx>:v.. ^ ssir.v/.ir ::;ien:£l of dnad
~ As :•..: rf^vv.v :■: "kvi* or.t of :r;c>>c 5;^;vvr:t\^ :o cover the re- rrr- -wc ^:-r:-, c: •ror.rst, .^-/.or^ :::i" .=>: :o r«e ^zrA^:: o::. ino. :t Ft :»f l: .: i; ^- r-: ;. k . V-^" fo rt* v. c rec** ". \ « ■.: o ro. f ^:^ : o re nrt' , W e were ijczf-i B-'j-o::: .:t".i\, i:V. :.A*i :*.:*?." ":h\: :v;ir".\ his^f niv :o the TTfiT. 'w Nf 7. i: "n A> :i:v.-kV.;:"v"iv. ihx: :he lv::"s:*. ".!^r.:>:or<c wvre a:
MB* k -
lUr 3^ .?«». l...~7v«.*a« -I *> w a> ...f 1..V >.,^.?* I . .» i» A^ \ e» ?0
crssjn>j<'."« "..-T^:>::'-i: ::;vr-i. 'J:s: i*~e wtrc "r.Alie.r .i::»i for.:iev^. ihe
:»?fiTf t%s" r!r*irrf of ;he >;:;-»;>>>«-■*: as>a..,i:i:>. \or:f, Vo-never, Kcwirei : fSid ::".-e **5.r.ii r.r.:>: have rr^vs-^ii^v. fn^r.i :hc fear ol *» ¥>• rive "::. iv.arr.'.fk:."-^ :ht "o:>e c^i a :Vw of our owr. horse- uer r::r 1-m: of >q.:Ao.ror< of •J't* t:*.e'vy. Wi a^-?..:: ^x^k :::'» :he ine :c irarch. iD\\ hio. rrvvxxxitv. :■.:: a s:o:: o.:srA:-:c\ witr d)e mc c*: ■L*»f bansdso'n ^i> h.^.Ttxi a <<*\\ •.:*: ::".:e. T:'e o~:ers we te ^fce.Tcd were error iV.> : \^ ;• -Afr-: .r.forv.i*: ;>:a? wc hi.: i>>me rflic s^.-^n« and were i-wv.-v. Ar*::.: « !:r. a.'. e\;xv.:::or :o re;;im to ■t »fC- This a'as a tr^- ". " :: r- .. > ". ■.: :>> : .> ^ .v .m Sv"^" i: !e r> : i: w:i>. iff'strK jf^>« scr-.' : '. v c\^.r. i" '. '. tvl w /. :■ . a •.* »: « -: ?■.- v.: a! .:t\: tjo: '. o>* : h An n to-r iz 'S-c l;r:-s hrftw wc ?f\x^iv, :;-.o stvor^-. orsi-.r :o am.:*-
OIK niifcz.- I. - A* •< >,. .^iX^M.. • • 1 ( o. ... jt • « «• 0 .-^,. we
nc^fC Witr. oe . er.n^ . « t ^.i a r/. rvi a^a . >: v* o:: : .:> . o r. . a :>.": ;:r /. c r i^e fiOiir CO V f r of a :r. . w' k fo; . ^f .^ v' . t* .: :he r . ;. : f of er.: Sirea:x>n
cv>a the eseiuy, wbvx had the uxc:ii::^ been
72 . BATTLE or LONG ISLAND.
clear, would hai'e seen what was going on, and been enabled to cut off the irreater part of the rear. One of my soldiers being too feeble to carry liis musket, whicii was too precious to be thrown away, I took it from him, anil found myself able to cany it, toi^tber with my own fusee. On auaiuing the water, I found a boat pre- pared tor my company, which immediately embarked, and taking the helm myself, I so luckily directed die prow, no object being discernible in the fog, that we touched near the centre of the city. It was between six and seven o'clock, perhaps later, when we land- ed at New York ; and in less than an hour after, the fog having dis- persed, the enemy was visible on the shore we had left."
caxFERCxcE mnru lord Hom^.
CIL\PTER VI,
iredi rtr' HfunJi. — Ha*/ is rjVi^rA? — A^^jir cfAij^p's Bay — Dij^
• » ^^ • • ^ ^
2TT6 Gexkrai. Howb*s obKct wii? to preserve the housses fer
IBS trmr. and lo cet bercoeeji \Vi5hiiurton and tbe main land.
H« ivasbed fervrard fai$ feires to Hell-gmte, occupving an extent of
UK rnksv. axKl eridentlv intended to cioss the Kast Hirer or
Sr^iznd. sio a5 to enclose the Americans on the Island of Manhatiaiu
To piard against these in^ticationss tlie continental armr mus di-
noed into t}uve parts. Fire thousaml men remained in tbe town.
A SwiT soppowid to be nine thousand were near Kinr^ihridce* and
ibe Tvmunder lined the shores opposite to the enemy. While these
ctiiiBarr movements were coinc on. Lord Howe, to take adranta^
ce me reoent rictory. parcelled General Sullivan, and attempted to
necotxa;e wiih congress without acknowfed^iini: thejn as a political
«CT. He, tiuouch Sullivan, expretssed his desire to have a coi»-
teew^f wTifa some of the members, and offeretl to meet them where
tivy sbouid appoinu He said* that he and General Howe had
wwts¥ to senle the dispute on terms adranttpet^us to both the con-*
kc parties. That he wished the compr^c^ir.ise to take place
«iher America or Great Britain could be said m be com*
?eW to It. The answer returned w:a*. •• that congress bcin^: the
"wresemaiivess of the inee and independent Slates of Anerica. can-
*>t with proprietT, send any of its members to confer with his
•ofOsiBp in their private cJjaraciers : but that ihey bein^ de»r>cms
vesabiishini: a peace on reasonable terms, wv^uld 5cntl a comniit-
•f » team whether he had autboriiy or iwi." Accoriiindy. Dr.
Fsaakfia, John Adam», and Edinird Kmleilire, passe*! over to
^^■ei IsJand. ftx>m Penh Araboy : and, or their return, reported
iteHoire had receired them politely. imi the 11th of Sopiember:
^•baened that he could not treat with ti>em as a comminee of
; but was dad of liie opportunity of a conicrence with
as jvivate £>eniJemen. Tiiey answeird. that he micW co!»-
in what hrht be pleased, and make any pit>pi>^itions :
could consider themselves in no other cbarsdcr than
^ in which dier were aniKHinced. Howe's projxtsiiioiiS amount-
^ ti ihe TCnm of ibe coloiues io their alie^ance ; and the com-
10
74 BBTHBAT WWOM SEW TOUC
mittee let him know that wis not now to be expededt and so die fruidess conference ended.
Too moch reliance bad been placed upon a cbenuzx-^e-frBe^ which General Putnam, in a letter to Grates, prides himself opon baring invented ; but which proved inefficient. General Greene pressed the eracuation of New York, and pointed out the case wsh which tbe enemy could land on either ade the ishnd, and dnow strong lines across, supported at each end br their sl^;ifi : das would divide tbe American army, and ibrce tlx»e in the town to capitolafte, or 6gfat to great disadrantage widi a Teij siqierioar ad- Tersanr. Greene strenuoudv adnsed tbe destrocdon of the cinr. Tbe spade bad been libenllj used. FoitGeoige — die batlenr be- low and to tbe south of it ; the whan-es and streets had leJydtai and iHeastworks ; Bayard^s moimt was crowned by a fat, and called Bunker's Hill ; Coriear's Hook was sanomided by batte- ries, and lines crossed tbe island at Tarioos distances. BatWaA- ington saw that the enemy could surroimd the town — die bad possession of the islands — and their ships passed bis unbanned, on either side of the city. He bad no confidence in hit army, and litde command over tbe best of bis troops: leloctaBdjr be agreed with his council of war, to abandon a place tbat bad coit so much labour to strengthen for defence, and wUcb be knew die congress and people expected him to bold. Still be hoped to make a stand on Manhattan Island, at Haeriem Heights, Fort Wasfaine- ton, and Kingsbridge. At the council, many tboogfat the post should be retained ; but Greene saw the danger of the attempt, or even of tbe measures resolved upon, of withdrawing a pan of tbe army to the forts and lines at Kingsbridge ; be urged an ItmmmA^attm retreat from the island, and burning the city and submbs. How- ever, against the destruction of the place congress had deaer- mined; and as it could not be defended by troc^ widxMit disci- pline, and inferiour both in spirit and numbers, all WasbingioB could do was to withdraw his forces and stores, with as ta£ety as circumstances permitted. About the middle of her, events occurred whicb convinced tbe general and aD fau oers that a speedy retreat from New York was neoeaaaij. The Connecticut militia he directed to be withdrawn, and on tbe Sound, and opposite the enemy^s force on Long To remove tbe stores was an object of great consequence and difi- cukjr, while an attack was momentarily expected. To orerflowing hospital, and give every convenience to a her of sick, was another service that tasked this great and humanity ; and every nx>ment the enemy were with the ships of war, or divisions of soldiers, that difficulty of evacuating the city. On the 13th of frigates bad passed between Govemonr^s Island (of vUdi ihc
RBTRBAT PROM NEW TORK. 75
Esfrlish had taken full possession) and Long Island, through But* termilk Channel, and anchored opposite Stuy\'esant^s bouse, above the town. Other ships passed the city, up the North River, and vere stationed at Bloomingdale. These last prevented the remo- Til of stores, or the sick, by water. General Washington now shifted his head-quarters to Colonel Morris's house, at Haeriem Heifffats ; and, on the 16th, the enemv attacked his redoubts at several points. The general finding diat they were attempting to hud at Kipp's Bay, where two brigades were posted, rode thither, lod found his soldiers flying in every direction, even before a boat of the enemy had approached the shore. The English ships were covering the landing by cannonading. The appearance alone of m advance guard, caused the brigades of Fellows and Parsons (notwithstanding the efforts of the bflicers to keep them in their re- faobts) to fly in the most scandalous confusion. About fifty men •ftbe enemy were landed, and Washington was left by his coun* tymen, alone, exposed to their fire, and for a moment wishing for ieath rather than the power to witness such dastardly conduct. It ii said, that he tlueatened the cowards with death by his pistols ; bat they feared the English nx>re than tlieir commander, who was in a manner forced from the spot by those around him. He soon recovered his equanimity — issued orders for covering the retreat, ind securing the height of Haeriem ; and the enemy gained a foot- ing on the island without farther advantage than the capture of part of the baggage of the American aroiy.
Li the retreat from New York, it is said, that by some errour, Sillin»n*s brigade remained too long in the city, and by the coward- h behaviour of the men at Kipp's Bay, was nearly cut off. Co- VmI Kdox led them to the fort on Bunker's Hill, or Bayard's XouDt, where they must have surrendered : but Burr, then an aid to Putnam, saw their situation, and marehed them by cross roads, towards the west side of the island, and in safety they joined the army. This Bunker's Hill fort was on a small cone-shaped to the west of the junction of >rott and Grand streets, and coold not have contained half a brigade. Major Burr, being fami- hr with the island, knew that by crossing the nac road^ now BiQidway, about the site of the present Grand street, hecoiUd lead tbeK lost men along the edge of a swamp, and to the woods which mroonded the house, formerly Washington's head-quarters; and dttt, by then taking the Greenwich road, he must avoid the enemy. The service was important, and reflected honour on Burr's militaiy
Cokmel Knox and the men with him were strangers on this ; tad finding that the enemy had possession of the Boston md, and, for any thing he could know, all that pan of tlie island them and the army, Knox aeemed to have selected this
76 MATHAX
cooe-sfaaped hill, whh i& re^Nibcs, as a phce far at
defence. Bajard's Mocmtf or Bunker's HilU kioked dovni en the
citT, from winch it was separated br die Koldt or fresh water pood*
At the tiioe of which we speak, a few stiag;fiiig'iioaK» markrd the Bowerr, or Boston road. The oewroad lad been cot thiunjth the hills, and partiaDr lereDed. This exsmded to ^odr HiD, nd » now a part of Broadwar. A crooked croos road led fron the new road to the Bowery, coimnencing from what b now the of Grand street. Between this crodced padi and the Kotch, the hoose and garden of Nicholas Borard, with the hiD called Ba^- anTs Moont. To the north and east were orehardb acd To the west, Mr. Knox coold hare seen onlj swauipa and
Before General Howe had croaaed to Fro^s Point, Gencnl Heath had command of the posts abore and below Hacrlem Riser. There is a anaD island near Hell-gate, which wm, in 177^ caBed Montresor s Island. The British had posseaaoo of this piirr, aod in an attempt to surprise their garnson, another gallant life : this was Major Thomas Henlr. Bat 1^ fidl a an expedition for his coontrv's serrice, and instaialy ^ffjwiTd receiTing a shot, snrroonded and lamented br his friendk Biiltaii Smith, who was a captain in Makom's regiment, oommaiided the third boat, and on their touching the island, thejr were leceiied b^r Toities from aboQt KTCTtT fiUghhnders, drawn sp on the had been aware of their approach through the finng of Heaih^s disciplined seatinels.
Nathan Hale, a fine yoong man, roluntarilT risked the of an indoriods death among his coontrr's to brutal taunts, and that, without the hope or pronnae of reward than an approving conscience. This inteffigeot joonci late a student at Yale college, and now a captain in ~ Ransrers, beiosr informed of the ereat lack of infermatioo the enemy, after the retreat from Long Island, o&red logo them in dL«?inse, and brine accurate statements to General Wa ingtoo. Ail the worid has beard of Major Aiidr€. He song br poets, and monuments hare been raised to bin. He fel into the snare he had cootrired with a traitor fer the ^Lftiwiiy of thousands : but Captain Hale, who died, ofdj Uni^Kiffi had ** btit one life to sacrifice foi^his coantrr," has, ontil been imnociced br historr ; and no stone teUs where
Ha pased in disguise tfarongh the English posts oo and haiid made such obserratioos as an intelli^nt coold make; hot in anempting to retom he^was earned before freneral Howe. He acknowledged' his oUect rank, and was deiirered over to the prorogt-manhal, C for execution. This sarageaddedaD in his power ioi^
BATTUt OF HABRLEM HBIGHTS* 77
of death. The presence of a clerc>'inan was denied him. He was pennitted to write to hi$ mother and otlier friends* but the letters woe destrored. Thus, unknown to all around him, and mocked br ruffian executioners* died as fine a voun<r man as America could botss, breathing: his last in prayers for his country. It is said, Cun- ainefaam gare as a reason for destroying the young nian^s letters* thtt the rebeb should not see how firmly one of their anny could awec death.
The American army ix>w occupied the heights of Haerlem, and
me British army held the town and the plain between, far outnum*
kcring, in real soldiery our disheartened and downcast country-
But a skirmish took place which revived the courage of the
and called from the mortified commander-in-chief the
ing words* **our troops behaved well!^^
The general* in his letter of the ISth of September* 1776, to
congress* says* that, seeing several large bodies of the enemy in
Botioo on the plain below the heights* he rode down to the outposts
b prepare for their reception if they should attack. When he ar*
med* he savs* he heard a firing* which, he was informed* was be-
nicjtu a panj of our rangers* under the command of Lieutenant-
eok>nel Knowhon* and an advanced party of the enemy. Gene-
nl Washington beinir informed that the bodv of the enemv, who
Ecpt themselves concealed in the wood* was greater than Knowl-
loa's force* ordered three coroj^anies of Vii^nians, under Major
Leikrh. to his assistance, with ordei^ to ti^* to get in the enemy's
R>r. while a disposition was making as if to attack them in front*
thereby to draw their whole attention that way. This succeeded ;
lid the British, on the appearance of the party advancing in front,
na down the hill* and took possession of some fences and bushes,
lad commenced a distant and ineffective firing. The parties under
Leiirh and Knowhon commenced their attack too soon* and rather
IB their flank than in the rear. In a little time* Major Leitch was
haagfat off wounded, having received three balls through his side.
h a Terr short time after* Colonel Knowhon fell* mortally wound--
V. Scill their men fought on undaunted : and the general sent
detachments from the eastern regiments* and from the Marvland
^laops, to their support. These rciaforcements charged gallandy,
^are the enemy out of tlie wood into the plain, and were pushing
tkm from thence* having* as the creneral sars, ** silenced their fire,
3B a great measure*** when the British commander* preparing to
md on a large reinforcement* Washington ordered a retreat. The
faeifn troops that had been engotreii consisted of the second bat-
ttBoo of light infantry, a battalion of Highlanders* and three com-
pnues of Hessian sharp-shooters — the whole under the command
<f Brigadiei^general Leslie. This aifair* trifling in itself* and al-
~ by the loss of two gallant officers, one of them before di»*
78 CMKAT FOLE IX nw TOUU
tingiiwhfd (or oomge and coodoct. was of ereai giriDe confidenoe to the Amencan troops. Ii was a oontrait to the shamefiil loin of tbe dav beibre. and proved that tfaeir fofts mm not imrindble.
At this period, CSeptend^r 2l5t,) and after tbe retreat of tbe Americans, a great fire occiuTed in the citr, of which Mr. David Grim, a rerr respectable inbabitant of New York^ who remamed in tbe city when tbe British took ]XfS?ession, has left us this :
^ Tbe fire of 1776 comineDced in a small wooden boose, on tbe wfaaii^ near tbe Wfaiti>'baU slip. It was then ooccpied br a ni ber of men and wotnen, of a bad cbaracter. Tbe fire be^an at nidit. Tbere being but a iew inhabitants in the ciir, in a sboit time it raged tremendoiaslr. It bomed ail tbe booses on the cat side of Wbileball slip. aiKl the west nde of Broad eireet to Beaner street. A providential and happy circumstance occuiied at tbii time : the wind was then sootfawesterlv. Aboot two o'clock tbis mormng tbe wind veered to the south-east : this carried the flames of the fire to tbe nonh-westward, and burned both sides of Beaier street to the east side of Broadwav, then crossed BroadwivtDBeft- ver lane, and burning all the booses on both sdes of BnadwaVy with some few booses in New street, to Rector street, and to Joko Harrison's, Esq., three fiorj brick boiue, which boose stopped Ae fire on the east side of Broadwav ; fiom thenoe it cominued ban- ing aD the bouses in Lumber street, and tboee in the rear of Ae hooKS on tbe west side of Broadwav to St. PaoI*s chmcli, ccmliniied btiming the houses on both sides of Partidon street, all the houses in tbe tear (again) of the west sde of Broadway to tbe Nofth River. The fire did not stop until it got into Moi^ile acreec, now Barclav street. The college yard and die Tacant ground in tbe rear of the same, put an end to this awfid and tie- tneiidoos fire.
** Trinitf cbtirch being btimed, nas occaaoned by die flakes of fire that fiedl OQ the souih side of the rooC Tbe sootheriv fiuoied those flakes of fire in a shoit time to an ^nMnng bbiB, it siKHi herame out of htmian power to extinguisb the roofofthis noble edifice being £0 steep that no perMNiooold goooiL
^ St. FauTs church was in the like perilous sitnatioii. The roof being flat, with a balustrade on the eaves, a notnber of titiatoi went on the same, and extinguished the flakes of fire as they Vk OD the rooC Thus, happily, was this beautiful church saved the destmctioo of this dreadful fire, which threaleoed the mini oC >m1 that of the wiiole city.
^ The Lutheran church being contieiioiB to houses adji tbe aaoto fire, it was impossible to save it from deslroctioii. fire vat so fiirioos and violently hot, that ito pecno ooold go ii» aoi there was no fire engioes to be had at tint ttoe io the ciy.