USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 8
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The town being now in full possession of the enemy, it was, notwithstanding the subjoined proclamation delivered up except a few instances of protection, to promiscuous plunder; in which besides robbing the inhabitants of their watches, money, plate, buckles, clothing, bedding and pro- visions ; they broke and destroyed their house-hold furniture to a very great amount. Some families lost every thing their houses contained : many have now neither food nor clothes to shift.
A body of militia sufficient to penetrate the town, could not be collected that evening : we were obliged therefore to content ourselves with giving the enemy every annoyance in our power, which was done with great spirit for most of the afternoon at and about the Ditch-corner.
Early on Tuesday morning, the enemy unexpectedly, and with the utmost stillness and dispatch, called in their guards and retreated to their boats, carrying with them a number of the inhabitants captive, most, if not all of whom, were taken without arms, and a few who chose to accompany them. Part of them went on board their fleet, and part.crossed over to General Tryon at Last Haven. On Tuesday afternoon the militia collected in such numbers, and crowded so close upon Gen. 'Tryon, that he thought best to retreat on board his fleet, and set sail to the westward.
The loss of the enemy is unknown; but for many reasons it is supposed to be considerable, and includes some officers whom they lament besides Adjutant Campbell. Ours, by the best information we can obtain, is 27 killed, and 19 wounded. As many of our dead upon examination appeared to have been wounded with shot, but not mortally, and af- terwards to have been killed with bayonets, this demonstra- ted the true reason why the number of the dead exceeded that · of the wounded, to be, that being wounded and falling into the enemies' hands, they were afterwards killed. A further
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confirmation of this charge is, that we have full and dircet testimony, which affirms that Gen. Garth declared to one of our militia who was wounded and taken, that " he was sorry his men had not killed him, instead of taking him, and that he would not have his men give quarter to one militia man, ta- ken in arms."
Although in this expedition it must be confessed to the credit of the Britons that they have not done all the mischief in their power, yet, the brutal ravishment of women, the wanton and malicious destruction of property, the burning of the stores upon the wharf, and eight houses in East Ha- ven ; the beating, stabbing, and insulting of the Rev. Dr. Daggett after he was made a prisoner, the mortally wound- ing of Mr. Beers, senior, in his own door, and otherways abusing him ; the murdering the very aged and helpless Mr. English in his own house, and the beating and finally cutting out the tongue of and then killing a distracted man, aic suffi- cient proofs that they were really Britons.
They were conducted to the town by William Chandler, son of Joshua Chandler, late of this town, who with his fam- ily went off with the enemy in their retreat.
The enemy carried off between thirty and forty of the in- habitants of the town among whom was John Whiting, Esq., Judge of Probate, and Clerk of the County Court.
Names of the persons killed and wounded by the British Troops at New Haven, July 5th and 6th, 1779.
Killed .- John Hotchkiss, Caleb Hotchkiss, junr. Ezekiel Hotchkiss, Capt. John Gilbert, Michael Gilbert, John Kenne- dy, Joseph Dorman, Asa Todd, Samuel Woodin, Silas Wood- in, Benj. English, Isaac Pardis, Jeduthan Thomson, Aaron Russell, a lad, Jacob Thorp, and Pomp, a negro, all of New Haven, Eldad Parker, Wallingford, - Bradley, Derby, Timothy Ludlenton, Guilford, John Baldwin, Gideon Good- rich, Branford, and one person, whose name is unknown.
Wounded .- Rev. Doct. Daggett, Nathan Beers, since dead of his wounds, David Austin, junr. Elizur Goodrich. junr. Joseph Bassett, Capt. Caleb Mix, Thomas Mix, Israel Woodin, and taken, John Austin, Abraham Pinto, Nathan Dummer, Jeremiah Austin, Edmund Smith, and Elisha Tut- tle, (since dead of his wounds, whose tongue was cut out by the enemy, ) all of New Haven, - Atwater, and a Negro, of Wallingford, and Benjamin Howd of Branford.
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The following is the proclamation alluded to in the force going account.
By Commodore Sir George Collier, commander in chief of his majesty's ships and vessels in North America, and Major Gen. William Tryon, commanding his majesty's land forces on a separate expedition.
Address to the Inhabitants of Connecticut.
The ungenerous and wanton insurrection against the sovreignty of Great Britain, into which this colony has been deluded, by the artifices of designing men, for private purposes, might well justify in you, every fear which conscious guilt could form, respecting the intentions of the present armament.
Your towns, your property, yourselves lie within the grasp of the power whose forbearance you have ungenerously construed into fear ; but whose lenity has persisted in its mild and noble efforts, even though branded with The most unworthy imputation.
The existence of a single habitation on your defenceless coast, ought to be a subject of constant reproof to your ingratitude. Can the strength of your whole province cope with the force which might at any time be poured through every district in your country ? You are conscious it cannot. Why then will you persist in a ruinous and ill judged resistance ? We hoped that you would recover from the phrenzy which has distrac- ted this unhappy country ; and we believe the day to be near come, when the greater part of his continent will begin to blush at their delusion. You who lie so much in our power, afford that most striking monument of our mercy, and therefore ought to set the first example of returning to allegiance.
Reflect on what gratitude requires of you; if that is insufficient to mnove you, attend to your own interest; we offer you a refuge against the distress, which you universally acknowledge, broods with increasing Jad intolerable weight over all your country.
Leaving you to consult with each other upon this invitation ; we do Low declare that whosoever shall be found, and remain in peace, at his stal place of residence, shall be shielded from any insult, either to his person, or his property excepting such as bear offices, either civil or mil- try, under your present u- orped government, of whom it will be fur- ther required, that they shall give proofs of their penitence and volunta- ry submission ; and they shall then partake of the like immunity.
Those whose folly and obstinacy may slight this favorable warning, must take notice, that they are not to expect a continuance of that leni- ty which their inveteracy would now render blamable.
Given on board his Majesty's ship Camilla on the Sound, July 4, 1779.
GEORGE COLLIER, WM. TRYON.
The following is from the London Gazette, of Oct. 6, 1779.
Whitehall, Oct. 6, 1779.
Copy of a letter from Maj. Gen. Tryon, to Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, dated .Vote York, July 20, 1779.
Having on the 3d instant, joined the troops assembled on board the transports at Whitestone, Sh George Collier got the fleet under way the
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same evening; but the winds being light, we did not reach the harbor of New Haven until the fifth, in the morning.
The first division, consisting of the flank companies of the Guards, the Fuziliers, 54th regiment, and a detachment of the Yagers, with 4 field pieces, under the command of Brig. Gen. Garth, landed about 5 o'clock, (A. M.) a mile south of West Haven, and began their march, making a circuit of upwards of seven miles, to head a creek on the west side of the town.
The second division could not move till the return of the boats, but before noon I disembarked with the 23d, the Hessian, Landgrave, King's American Regiments, and 2 pieces of cannon, on the eastern side of the harbor, and instantly began the march of three miles, to the ferry from New Haven, East, towards Branford.
We took a field piece, which annoyed us on our landing, and possess- ed ourselves of the Rock Battery, of three guns, commanding the chan- nel of the harbor, abandoned by the rebels on our approach. The armed vessels then entered and drew near the town.
Gen. Garth got into the town, but not without opposition, loss and fatigue, and reported to me at half past one, that he should begin the conflagration, which he thought it merited, as soon as he had secured the bridge between us, over Neck Creek.
The collection of the enemy in force, on advantageous ground, and with heavier cannon than his own, diverted the General from that pas- sage, and the boats that were to take off the troops being not up, I went over to him, and the result of our conference was a resolution, that, with the first division, he should cover the north part of the town that night, while with the second, I should keep the heights above the Rock Fort. In the morning the first division embarked, at the south east part of the town, and crossing the ferry, jovled us on East Haven side, ex- cepting the 5.4th, which were sent on board their transports.
In the progress of the preceeding day, from West Haven, they were under a continual fire ; but by the judicious conduct of the General, and the alertness of the troops, the rebels were every where repulsed. The next morning, as there was not a shot fired to molest the retreat, Gen. Garth changed his design, and destroyed only the public stores, some vessels and ordnance, excepting six field pieces, and an armed priva- teer, which were brought ott.
The troops re-embarked at Rock Fort,+ in the afternoon, with little mo- lestation ; and the fleet leaving the harbor that evening, anchored the morning of the Sth off the village of Fairfield. * *
* The general effect of the printed address from Sir George Collier and myself, to the inhabitants, recom- mended by your Excellency, cannot be discovered till there are some further operations and descents upon their coasts. Many copies of it were left behind at New Haven, and at Fairfield.
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I have the honor herewith to transmit to your Excellency a general return of the killed, wounded, and missing, on this expedition.
At New Haven, July 5.
Guards, I officer, I rank and file killed; 1 officer, 1 sergeant, 9 rank and file wounded : 14 rank and file missing.
# Now Fort Halc.
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· "ith, or Royal Fuziliers, I sergeant, 7 rank and file wounded; 2 rank and file missing.
23d, or Royal Welch Fuziliers, 1 drummer, I rank and file wounded.
54th Regiment of foot, I sergeant, 5 rank and file killed ; 2 officers, 1 . drummer, 5 rank and file wounded ; 1 sergeant, 7 rank and file missing. Landgrave regiment, 2 rank and file wounded.
Detachment of Yagers, 1 rank and file wounded; 1 rank and file missing.
King's American Regiment, I officer killed ; 1 sergeant, 6 rank and fle wounded.
Royal Artillery, I driver wounded.
Names of the Officers Killed and Wounded.
Guards, Adjutant Campbell, killed ; Captain Parker wounded. 54th Regiment of foot, Captain Bickop, Lieut. Powell, wounded.
King's American Regiment, Ensign and Adjutant Watkins, killed. WM. TRYON, M. G.
NORTH VIEW OF SAVIN ROCK,
In Orange, (formerly West Haven) ;-- it was at this place that part of the British forces landed, when on their expedition against New Ha- ven, in July, 1779 .- It is now a place of resort to many, during the warm season of the year.
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The following additional particulars, relativeto the invasion of New Haven by the British Troops, was received from persons who were residents of the town at the time.
When information of the enemy's landing at West Haven. reached the town, and as their forces approached the place, persons of every age, and sex, were seen fleeing in all directions. A number of the inhabitants took refuge on the East Rock, where they remained until the enemy left New Haven. Many, however, chose to remain, hoping that by staying quietly in their habitations, they should be secure from the molestations of the enemy ; but a large number of the more patriotic inhabitants, made instant preparations to harass the English as much as possible. Capt James Hill- house, with a small band of brave young men, some of whom were students of Yale College, advanced very near the Roy- al troops, while on parade ground near the West Haven Church ; and when they commenced their march, fired on the advanced guards and drove them back to the main body, but owing to superior numbers, this little band was soon forced to retreat. The Rev. Dr. Daggett, at this time Pres- ident of Yale College, was a warm friend to the American cause ;- armed with a musket, he joined his fellow citizens and went out to oppose the enemy ; he was wounded and taken prisoner near the West Bridge. Dr. Daggett, would in all probability have been murdered by the British, but for the interference of Chandler, their guide, who was for- merly his pupil at the College. Whilst in their hands, the President was asked, whether if released, he would again take up arms against them ?- to which he answered, " I rather believe I shall if I get an opportunity."
The British entered New Haven on the old Derby road through Hotchkisstown: a small body of men under Capt. Phineas Bradley with 2 small cannon made a stand to op- pose their entrance on the top of the hill, the east side of Hotchkisstown Bridge, (formerly called Thompson's Bridge,) but their ammunition failing, they were obliged to retreat. The embankments thrown up ou this occasion by the Americans are still visible. The enemy then continued their course towards New Haven and when at the West end of Cbapel Street, placed a large loaded field piece, and fired it off down the street. Our informant, Mr. Amos Doolittle who was one of the party who resisted the enemy, at Hotchkisstown, states, that when obliged to leave there, his wife being sick,
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he returned to his house which was near the College, and after throwing his gun and equipments under the bed await- ed the coming of the enemy with anxiety. As soon as they arrived front of his house, an English lady, who resided with him stepped to the door, and addressing one of the officers, requested a guard for the house. The officer asked her with an oath, who she was; she informed him that she was an English woman and then had a son in his Majesty's service ; upon which the officer addressing a Highlander, ordered him to guard the house, and not to allow the least injury to be done to its inmates. It was owing to the address of this lady, that Mr. D. was not carried to New York by the enemy; for some of the soldiers entering the house by the back door, and discovering the gun under the bed inquired the purpose of it. The lady with great presence of mind, answered that the law obliged every man to have a gun in his house, ad- ding, that the owner of it was as strong a friend to King George as themselves. A store near his house, having been broken open by the soldiers, one of them advised Mr. D. to go and provide himself with whatever he wanted, adding, that he was perfectly welcome-but not wishing to take ad- vantage of his neighbor's distress, the offer was of course declined.
It is mentioned in the preceding account that among the killed and wounded, were Mr. Beers, and Capt. Gilbert. The circumstances of their death are as follows :---
As the British entered the town, Capt. Parker a British of- ficer, overtaking Capt. Gilbert ordered him to surrender; upon which Capt. G. turning round shot the officer and bad- ly wounded him. He was immediately pursued, and in his endeavors to escape, passed the house of Mr. Beers, who then lived near the corner of York and Chapel St. This gentleman attracted by the noise near his house went to his front door to discover the cause, when in the hurry of the moment, he was shot by one of the British soldiers .- Capt. Gilbert, being wounded in the Jeg whilst endeavoring to es- cape, was soon overtaken by the enemy and immediately dispatched with their bayonets.
After the royal troops left the town, thousands of country people and militia, flocked in without any order : soon after they entered, a report having been circulated that the Brit- ish army was surrounding the place, they fled for the coun- try and their progress could be traced for miles by the im- mense clouds of dust which arose in all directions. It is
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said, that some of the country people, were base enough to take advantage of the general confusion, and carried off goods to a large amount.
The following advertisements, notices, S.c. are copied from the Connecticut Journal and New Haven Post Boy, pub- lished during the Revolutionary War:
New Haven, April 12th, 1775.
" We are informed from the parish of East Haven, that last week, the women of that parish, in imitation of the generous and laudable example of the societies in the town of New Haven, presented the Rev. Mr. Street, of said parish, with upwards of one hundred and thirty run of well spun linen yarn; which was gratefully received by the family ; and the generous guests, after some refreshment, and taking a few dish- es of coffee, agreeable to the plan of the Continental Congress, to which that society unanimously and fixedly adheres, dispersed with & cheerfulness that bespoke that they could be well pleased without a sip from that baneful and exotic herb,* which ought not so much as to be once more named among the friends of American liberty.
I, A ****** W **** , having by my conduct for some time past, given great offence to my countrymen, do take this public occasion to ac- knowledge that my conduct has been such as justly to alarm the friends of this distressed and injured country,-in that I have ridiculed the do. ings of the Hon. Continental Congress; the Committees chosen in con- sequence of their resolution, and in'not complying with their advice --- also in speaking slightly of the money emitted by our Assembly, and their proceedings, and of the soldiery raised by them in defence of the Colony. My conduct herein I acknowledge to be imprudent and une justifiable, and for which I am sincerely sorry, and do promise for the future, as far as I am able, to behave myself in such a manner as to give no offence to the community.
Dated at New Haven, 23d May, 1775. A. W.
I, ABRAHAM HICKCOX, having by my conduct for some time past, given great offence to my countrymen, do take this public occasion to acknowledge that my conduct has been such as justly to alarm the friends of this distressed and injured country,-in that I have ridiculed the doings of the Hon. Continental Congress; the committees chosen in. consequence of their resolutions; and in not complying with their ad- vice. I confess that I have not only treated the Continental Congress with disrespect and abuse, but I have also greatly abused the General Assembly of this Colony, in saying that they spent their money for no- thing, which appears by evidence, though I dont myself recollect it, and have also tryed to ridicule the soldiers which have been raised for the defence of the Colony, by asking the question, whether they intended to fight Gage with their feathers.and at the same time told them that they would go to fight New England Rum, more than any thing else ,
" Tea.
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and that the soldiers enlisted for no other motive, but to get the govern- ment's money, and to live a lazy life. I further have said that the full character of a Whig is a liar, or words to that effect, and that Gage is an honest man, with many other reflections upon the character and doings of those, who in this day of distress, stand forth for the defence of the liberties of this country. My conduct herein I acknowledge to be im- prudent and unjustifiable, and for which I am sincerely sorry, and I do promise for the future, so far as I am able, to behave myself in such a manner as to give no offence to the community.
Dated New Haven, May 31st, 1775.
ABRAHAM HICKCOX. .
Messrs. Printers .- Please to give the following lines a place in your. next, and you will oblige your humble servant. Z.
Wednesday evening last, a number of ladies and gentlemen, belong- ing to this town, collected at a place called East Farins, where they had a needless entertainment, and made themselves extremely merry with a good glass of wine ;- such entertainments and diversions can hardly be justified upon any occasion ; but at such a day as this, when every thing around us has a threatening aspect, they ought to be discountenanced, and every good man should use his influence to suppress them. And are not such diversions and entertainments a violation of the eighth arti- cle of the Association of the Continental Congress? And is it not ex- pected that the Committee of inspection will examine into such matters, and if they find any persons guilty of violating said Association, that they treat them according as the rules of it prescribe ?
July 19th, 1775.
Messrs. Printers .- As an unhappy dispute has arisen between the Students of Vale College and Abiathar Camp, of New Haven, by the desire and ardent request of a number of gentlemen, we ask a place in your paper for the following particulars, that the impartial public may themselves judge of our proceedings.
Vale College, June, 1775.
Reports being current throughout College that the political principles of Abiathar Camp, (a member of College,) were unfriendly to the just liberties and privileges of America ; it was thought proper to choose a Committee from his own class, to treat with said Camp, concerning said reports. The Committee unanimously chosen, met, and after his refus- ing a friendly invitation to appear before them, sent him the following letter.
Yale College, &c.
Sir .- As some very disagreeable reports have been spread through our class, concerning your political principles, we have thought best to appoint a Committee to examine the truth of them, and to make report whether they be true or not. We therefore, the said Committee, fond of conciliatory measures, (although you have been once invited in a friendly manner, yet Jest we should be thought to act rashly,) once more desire you would be so much a friend to yourself and us, as to favor us with your company at the aforesaid place to-morrow afternoon, and either clear up your character, or let us certainly know that you are a professed enemy to your much injured country. Your present beha- viour gives us too much reason to believe that what we hear is but too
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true, and unless you appear at the time and place appointed, to convince us to the contrary, we must take it for granted that those reports are real facts, and act upon them according to the best of our judgment. Consider us .as your equals-as persons who have no desire to usurp authority over you, but as those who are determined to maintain (as much as in us lies,) our liberties and privileges, even if it be to the total neglect (as well of our dearest friends as) of you.
Signed, &c.
Said Camp returned in answer as follows.
New Haven, June 13th, 1775.
" To the Honorable and Respectable Gentlemen of the Committee, now residing in Yale College.
" May it please your Honors, ham-ham-ham.
" Finis cumsistula popularum gig."
" A man without a head has no need of a wig."
Said Committee, after receiving the above insulting answer, and find- ing said Camp resolved to persist in his principles, thought fit to refer . the whole matter to a Committee chosen from the several classes now residing in College, which met, and after choosing Solomon Porter, Chairman, and Benoni Upson, Secretary of said Committee, proceeded to pass a number of Resolves, the particulars of which we shall not in- sert. In general recommending a firm adherence to every particular mentioned in the Resolves of the Continental Association. Then pro- ceeded to examine evidence relative to said Camp, which was as follows, given by persons of undoubted veracity.
That said Camp said he would by no means stand by the doings of the Congress ; that all those who recommended the doings of the Congress, or justified the destroying of the tea at Boston, were a pack of - Rebels ; and further, said Camp sail, if he was at home, and the Liberty Party should rise against the Administration, he would fight on the Ministerial side till he bad killed a number of the Rebels, (as he called them,) be- fore they should kill him ; and further said, if he was advertised by the Committee, or neglected by the College, he would treat them with ridi- cule.
Upon hearing the above evidence, the Committee unanimously agreed to advertise said Camp, as an enemy to his country, to withdraw all con- nections with him, and treat him with the utmost neglect. Pursuant to which agreement, we advertised said Camp, upon the Hall Door, and leave the public to justify or condemn our conduct.
Signed by order of the Committee, BENONI UPSON, Secretary.
I, ABIATHAR CAMP, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven, in the Colony of Connecticut, do confess, although I well knew that it was the opinion of a number of inhabitants of said town, that vessels ought not to clear out under the Restraining Act, which opinion they had, for my satisfaction, expressed by a vote when I was present; and although I had assured that I would not clear out my vessel under said Restraining Act, did nevertheless afterwards cause my vessel to be cleared out agreeable to said Restraining Act; and did, after I knew that the Committee of Inspection had given it as their opinion that it was most advisable that vessels should not clear out under said Restraining Act,
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