USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History and antiquities of New Haven, Conn. : from its earliest settlement to the present time, with biographical sketches and statistical information of the public institutions, &c., &c., 3rd ed. > Part 11
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the river is here fordable ; yet having received a small accession of strength by the coming in of the militia, they gave the enemy a smart fire from two field pieces and small arms, which continued with little abatement, till the enemy were in possession of the town. Our people being obliged to retreat, either to the fields north and west of the town, or through the town across the Neck Bridge, the enemy entered the town between 12 and ! o'clock. In the meantime, the divisions of the enemy, before men- tioned to have landed at South End, which was under the immediate command of General Tryon, was bravely re- sisted by a small party of men with one field piece, who, besides other execution, killed an officer of the enemy, in one of their boats at their landing. This division marched up by land, and attacked the fort at Black Rock ; at the same time, their shipping drew up and attacked it from the harbor. The fort had only 19 men and 3 pieces of artillery, yet was defended as long as reason or valor dictated, and then the men made good their retreat.
The town being now in full possession of the enemy, it was, notwithstanding the subjoined proclamation, de- livered up, except a few instances of protection, to pro- miscuous plunder ; in which, besides robbing the inhabi- tants of their watches, money, plate, buckles, clothing, bedding and provisions, they broke and destroyed their househole furniture to a very great amount. Some fami- lies 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, there- fore, 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 East Haven. On Tuesday afternoon the militia collected in
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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 rea- sons 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 examina- tion, appeared to have been wounded with shot, but not mortally, and afterwards to have been killed with bayo- nets, this demonstrated the true reason why the number of the dead exceeded that of the wounded, to be, that being wounded, and falling into the enemy's hands, they were afterwards killed. A further confirmation of this charge is, that we have full and direct testimony, which affirms that General 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 taken in arms."
Although in this expedition it must be confessed, to the credit of the Britons, that they have not done all the mis- chief 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 Haven ; the beating, stabbing and insulting of the Rev. Dr. Daggett after he was made a prisoner; the mortally wounding 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, are sufficient proofs that they were really Britons.
They were conducted to the town by Wm. Chandler, son of Joshua Chandler, late of this town, who with his family went off with the enemy in their retreat.
The enemy carried off between thirty and forty of the inhabitants of the town, among whom was John Whiting, Esq., Judge of Probate, and Clerk of the County Court.
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Names of the persons killed and wounded by the British Troops at New Haven, July 5th and 6th, 1779.
Killed .- John Hotchkiss, Caleb Hotchkiss, jun., Eze- kiel Hotchkiss, Capt. John Gilbert, Michael Gilbert, John Kennedy, Joseph Dorman, Asa Todd, Samuel Woodin, Silas Woodin, Benjamin 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 Goodrich, Branford, and one per- son whose name is unknown.
Wounded .- Rev. Dr. Daggett, Nathan Beers (since dead of his wounds,) David Austin, jun., Elizur Good- rich, jun., Joseph Bassett, Capt. Caleb Mix, Thomas Mix, Israel Woodin ; and taken-John Austin, Abraham Pinto, Nathan Dummer, Jeremiah Austin, Edmund Smith, and Elisha Tuttle, (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.
The following is the Proclamation alluded to in the fore- going account.
By Commodore Sir George Collier, Commander-in-chief of his majesty's ships and vessels in North America, and Major General 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 sovereignty 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
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time be poured through every district in your country ? You are con- scious 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 distracted this unhappy country ; and we believe the day to be near come when the greater part of this 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 move you, attend to your own interest ; we offer you a refuge against the distress which, you universally acknowledge, broods, with increas- ing and intolerable weight over all your country.
Leaving you to consult with each other upon this invitation, we do now declare, that whosoever shall be found, and remain in peace, at his usual place of residence, shall be shielded from any insult, either to his person or his property, excepting such as bear offices, either civil or military, under your present usurped government, of whom it will be further required, that they shall give proofs of their penitence and voluntary submission ; and they shall then partake of the like im- munity.
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 blameable.
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, OUT. 6, 1779.
Copy of a letter from Maj. Gen. Tryon to Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, dated, New York, July 20, 1779.
Having, on the 3d instant, joined the troops assembled on board the transports at Whitestone, Sir George Collier got the fleet under way the same evening ; but, the winds being light, we did not reach the harbor of New Haven until the 5th, 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
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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 pos- sessed ourselves of the Rock Battery, of three guns, commanding the channel 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, joined us on East Haven side, excepting the 54th, which were sent on board their transports.
In the progress of the preceding 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 privateer, which were brought off.
The troops re- embarked at Rock Fort, [now Ft. Hale,] in the after- noon, with little molestation ; and the fleet leaving the harbor that evening, anchored the morning of the 8th off the village of Fairfield. * * *
* * * The general effect of the printed address from Sir George Collier and myself, to the inhabitants, recommended 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, 1 officer, one rank and file, killed ; 1 officer, 1 sergeant, 9 rank and file wounded ; 14 rank and file missing.
7th, or Royal Fuziliers, I sergeant, 7 rank and file wounded ; 2 rank| and file missing.
23d, or Royal Welch Fuziliers, 1 drummer, 1 rank and file wounded.
54th Regiment of Foot, 1 sergeant, 5 rank and file killed ; 2 offi- cers, 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. )
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King's American Regiment, 1 officer killed ; 1 sergeant, 6 rank and file wounded.
Royal Artillery, 1 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.
The following additional particulars, relative to the inva- sion 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 Ha- ven 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, hop- ing 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 British as much as possible. Capt. JAMES HILLHOUSE, with a small band of brave young men, some of whom were students of Yale College, advanced very near the royal 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, ow- ing to superior numbers, this little band was soon forced to retreat. The Rev. Dr. Daggett, at this time President 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 formerly 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 oppor- tunity."
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The British entered New Haven on the old Derby road, through Hotchkisstown, [now Westville ] A small body of men under Capt. Phineas Bradley, with two small cannon, made a stand to oppose their entrance on the top of the hill, the east side of the Bridge, (formerly called Thompson's Bridge,) but, their ammunition fail- ing, they were obliged to retreat. The embankments thrown up on this occasion were quite recently visible. The enemy then continued their course towards New Ha- ven, and when at the west end of Chapel-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, he returned to his house, which was near the College, and, after throwing his gun and equipments under the bed, awaited 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 of- ficer 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, address- ing 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 dis- covering 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, adding, that the owner of it was as great 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 advantage 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. Gil- bert. The circumstances of their death are as follows :
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As the British entered the town, Capt. Parker, a Brit- ish officer, overtaking Capt. Gilbert, ordered him to sur- render ; upon which Capt. Gilbert, turning round. shot the officer, and badly wounded him. He was immediate- ly pursued, and, in his endeavors to escape, passed the house of Mr. Beers, who then lived near the corner of York and Chapel-street. This gentleman, attracted by the noise near his house, went to his front door to dis- cover the cause, when, in the hurry of the moment, he was shot by one of the British soldiers. Capt. Gilbert, being wounded in the leg whilst endeavoring to escape, was soon overtaken by the enemy, and immediately dis- patched with their bayonets.
After the royal troops left the town, thousands of coun- try people and militia flocked in without any order. Soon after they entered, a report having been circulated that the British army was surrounding the place, they fled for the country. and their progress could be traced for miles by the immense clouds of dust which arose in all directions. It is said that some of the country people were base enough to take advantage of the general con- fusion, and carried off goods to a large amount.
ADJUTANT CAMPBELL.
The cut shows the appearance of a small monumen- tal stone erected by one of the authors of this work, in 1831, inscribed, "Campbell, 1779," to designate the spot where Adjutant Campbell was buried. This place, near the summit of Milford hill, is about two miles from the State House in New Haven. about 120 paces north of the Milford road, in the south-west corner of the second field from the street, still called the " Campbell Lot." The monument is a small, rough stone, and is not readily distinguished, being only about a foot and a half high. The field next westward of the Campbell lot is covered with forest trees. Passing about ten steps eastward from the grave, to the summit of the hill, the observer has a beautiful prospect of New Haven.
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CAMPBELL
1779
Campbell's Grave.
Adjutant Campbell was killed about one and a half miles from West Haven Green, near the summit of the hill ...... "orr the Milford road. He was evidently the idol of the army, and, being tall and elegant in person and dress, was a conspicuous object to an enemy. Being with the advance guard, he was singled out by a militia -. man concealed behind a rock. He fell, pierced by a mus- ket-ball, and was carried to a small house, formerly stand ing in the vicinity, on the south side of the Milford road. He was laid upon a bed in the humble dwelling, and was attended by his servant till he expired. The servant then fled. His bloody remains being found on the bed, they were wrapped in a blanket, and conveyed on a sheep- rack to his grave. A white handkerchief marked with his name was long preserved as a relic of this officer, and it is believed to be still in existence. Several of our peo- ple who fell on this disastrous day were interred in the vicinity ; their bodies, however, were taken up by their friends, and re-interred in the places where they he- longed. )
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The following advertisements, notices, &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 lauda- ble 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 re- ceived by the family; and the generous guests, after some refresh- ment, and taking a few dishes of coffee, agreeable to the plan of the Continental Congress, to which that society unanimously and fix- edly adheres, dispersed with a cheerfulness that bespoke that they could be well pleased without a sip from that baneful and exotic herb, [tea,] 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 ridi- culed the doings of the Hon. Continental Congress : the Committee chosen, in consequence 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 acknowl- edge to be imprudent and unjustifiable, and for which I am sincere- . ly sorry, and do promise for the future, as far as I am able, to be- have myself in such a manner as to give no offence to the commu- nity.
Dated at New Haven, 23d May, 1775. A. W.
I, ABRAHAM HICKOX, 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 com- mittees chosen in consequence of their resolutions ; and in not complying with their advice. 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 nothing, which appears by evidence, though I don't 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
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their feathers, and at the same time told them that they would go to fight New England Rum, more than any thing else ; and that the soldiers enlisted for no other motive but to get the government's money, and to live a lazy life. I further have said that the full character of the 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 ac- knowledge to be imprudent 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 at New Haven, May 31st, 1775.
ABRAHAM HICKOX.
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 be- longing to this town, collected at a place called East Farms, 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 article of the Association of the Continen- tal Congress ? And is it not expected that the Committee of inspec- . tion 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.
BEACON.
The town of New Haven, having this day erected a Beacon on Indian Hill, at East Haven, now Beacon Hill, about a mile and a half south-east of the town; and ordered us, their Committee, to give public notice thereof; we now inform the public in general, and the neighboring towns in particular, that the Beacon will be fired on Monday evening next, the 20th instant, at 6 o'clock ; all persons are then desired to look out for the Beacon, and take the bearing of it from their respective places of abode. that they may know where to look out for it in case of an alarm, which will be announced by the firing of three cannon. If our enemy should attack us, and we be under the necessity of making use of this method to call in the as- sistance of our brethren. We request that all persons who come into the town will take care to be well armed, with a good musket, bayonet, and cartridge box, well filled with cartridges, under their
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proper officers, and repair to the State House, where they will re- ceive orders from Col. Fitch, what post to take.
The Ministers of the several parishes of this and the neighboring towns are requested to mention to their respective congregations the time when the Beacon will be fired.
PHINEAS BRADLEY, ISAAC DOOLITTLE, Commissioners. JAMES RICE.
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