USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from its earliest settlement to the present time. Ed. by W. H. Carpenter and T. S. Arthur > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
204
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1775.
venting his just indignation, hurried to the camp before Boston.
Meantime a momentous battle had been fought at Bunker Hill, where, serving, according to some accounts, as a volunteer, or, as his biographer more than intimates, as commanding-officer of the field, Putnam had displayed his usual fear- lessness and self-possession.
Two weeks subsequent to the battle of Bunker Hill, George Washington of Virginia, whom the third national Congress had just appointed com- mander-in-chief of the continental forces, joined the army before Boston, and entered immediately upon the active discharge of his duties. Putnam at the same time received from Congress a com- mission as major-general, while Wooster and Spencer were appointed brigadiers.
Threatened by an invasion from Canada, Con- gress determined to anticipate it by an attack upon Montreal and Quebec.
While the brave Montgomery, on his way to Quebec, was reducing St. John's and Montreal, Arnold, now commissioned as a continental colo- nel, was despatched through the wilderness of Maine to co-operate with him in capturing the Canadian capital. Guided by an Indian, and the imperfect journal of a British officer who had passed over the route some years before, he set out with eleven hundred men from Fort Western, on the Kennebec, late in September. The march
205
MARCH TO QUEBEC.
1775.]
of six weeks that ensued was one of the most remarkable in the annals of warfare. Impetuous torrents were crossed, cataracts surmounted, craggy precipices scaled, the extremes of cold, hardship, toil and hunger, patiently endured. Though but few lives were lost, the expedition encountered delays, disasters, and disappoint- ments sufficient to have chilled the ardour of any troops but such as Arnold had inspired with some portion of his own adventurous daring and determined desire to win success.
On the 27th of October the expedition, now reduced by desertion and sickness to less than eight hundred effective men, reached Sertigan, the first French settlement on the Chaudière River. Here Arnold exerted himself strenuously to procure provisions for his troops who, during the last few days, had greedily devoured the flesh of dogs, and the soup made out of moose-skin moccasins.
Ten days afterward, on the 9th of November, the army reached Point Levy, opposite to Quebec. Could Arnold have taken advantage of the sur- prise and consternation excited by his sudden appearance from the depths of an almost un- trodden wilderness, the city might have been captured with slight difficulty. But the want of boats to cross the St. Lawrence caused a delay of several days. Meanwhile, recovering from their consternation, the garrison prepared for a
18
1
1
206
. HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1775.
desperate defence. Still sanguine of success, Arnold, on the night of November the 14th, dar- ingly crossed the river, and scaled the Heights of Abraham. The next morning his little army marched within eight hundred yards of the city wall, and gave three loud and enthusiastic cheers, "hoping to bring out the regulars to an open action on the plain."
Finding that the enemy could not be induced to meet him on fair ground, and having no means to conduct a regular siege, Arnold withdrew up the river to Point-aux-Trembles, where he met Montgomery, who took command.
The two divisions, numbering, all told, scarcely a thousand effective men, marched immediately to Quebec, which they invested in form. Failing to gain any advantage in a siege of three weeks, the two commanders, with a boldness verging upon desperation, resolved to hazard an assault. On the 31st of December this resolution was
carried into effect. The result was a repulse, honourable indeed to the brave little army that suffered it, but rendered disastrous by the death of the gallant Montgomery, and the capture of Morgan and many of his Virginia rifles.
After Montgomery's death the command de- volved upon Arnold, whose leg had been shatter- ed in the assault. Still loath to quit an enterprise upon the success of which he had fixed his hopes, he withdrew three miles up the river, and, shel-
207
CANADA EVACUATED.
1776.]
tering his men behind breastworks of frozen snow, doggedly maintained the blockade of Quebec till spring.
Renewed by Wooster in May, 1776, the siege of Quebec was finally abandoned. Affairs now assumed an aspect unfavourable to the Ame- ricans. Almost decimated by small-pox, greatly outnumbered by the enemy, and suffering reverse after reverse, the northern army, defeated but not disgraced, slowly and reluctantly retreated from the province it had so nearly won.
At St. John's, the last Canadian post to be evacuated, Arnold, who commanded the rear of the army, lingered " till he had seen every boat leave the shore but his own. He mounted his horse, and, attended by Wilkinson his aid-de- camp, rode back two miles, when they discovered the enemy's advanced division in full march. They gazed at it, or, in military phrase, recon- noitred it for a short time, and then hastened back to St. John's. A boat being in readiness to receive them, the horses were stripped and shot, the men ordered on board, and Arnold, refusing all assistance, pushed off the boat with his own hand; thus, says Wilkinson, «indulging the vanity of being the last man who embarked from the shores of the enemy.' The sun was now down, and darkness followed, but the boat over- took the army in the night at Isle-au-Noix."
208
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1776,
CHAPTER XVI.
Boston evacuated-Declaration of Independence-Battle of Brooklyn Heights-Nathan Hale-His patriotism-He is captured by the British-Is sentenced to death as a spy- Cruelty of his captors-His last words-New York captured -Death of Colonel Knowlton-Arnold on Lake Champlain -Charge of dishonesty preferred against him-Washington retreats across the Jerseys-Battles of Trenton and Prince- ton-Neglect of Arnold by Congress-Tryon's attack on Danbury-British assailed by the militia-Death of Wooster -Bravery of Arnold-Exploit of Colonel Meigs-Arnold appointed a major-general-Singular inconsistency of Con- gress-Arnold demands an investigation into his conduct- Favourable report of the Board of War-Action of Congress -Arnold tenders his resignation-At the recommendation of Washington is sent to the northern army-Battles of Behmus' Heights-Surrender of Burgoyne.
ON the 26th of March, 1776, General Howe evacuated Boston with seven thousand British troops. By this time the desire of the American people to dissolve their political union with Eng- land had become evident. In Connecticut, the oath of allegiance to the king was dispensed with on the 6th of May. On the 17th of June, the assembly instructed its representatives in Congress "to give their assent to a declaration of independence." Pending the final action of Congress upon this subject, Howe, with the late garrison of Boston, landed on Staten Island, and
209
1776.] BATTLE OF BROOKLYN HEIGHTS.
there awaited reinforcements, preparatory to an attack on New York. Six days afterward, on the 4th of July, the Declaration of Independence, as drafted by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, was adopted by Congress, and signed, on behalf of Connecticut, by Roger Sherman, Samuel Hunt- ington, William Williams, and Oliver Wolcott.
After more than a month's delay, Howe, with a well-appointed army of twenty-four thousand regulars, advanced upon New York. To oppose him, Washington had a force somewhat superior in numbers but illy-equipped and undisciplined. On the 28th of August the battle of Brooklyn Heights was fought, in which the Americans, commanded by Putnam, met with a disastrous, but not dishonourable defeat. Two days subse- quently, Long Island was abandoned to the enemy.
Having fixed his head-quarters at Morrisiana, Washington presently found it highly important that he should learn the strength and position of the enemy at Brooklyn. To Colonel Knowlton, commander of a Connecticut regiment, he in- trusted the task of procuring a person of intelli- gence willing to risk the dangers of an attempt to obtain the desired information.
Among Knowlton's subordinate officers, to whom he disclosed the wishes of Washington, was Nathan Hale of New Haven, a young cap- tain, with the academic honours of Yale College
18*
210
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. [1776.
yet fresh upon his brow. An enthusiast in the cause of liberty, the battle of Lexington had called him to the field, where his genius, talents, activity, and assiduous attention to discipline, were fast winning him an enviable reputation. Impelled solely by a desire to serve his country, young Hale made known to his superior his in- tention of undertaking the enterprise proposed by the commander-in-chief. In vain his friends endeavoured to dissuade him from an attempt which, if successful, would gain him neither glory nor pecuniary reward, and, if he should be de- tected in it, would inevitably hurry him to an ignominious end. Replying that " every kind of service necessary to the public good was honourable," he disguised himself and crossed over to Long Island.
As he was on the point of returning with the intelligence Washington required, Hale was un- fortunately arrested. To Howe, before whom he was immediately taken, he frankly acknowledged the design of his visit to the camp. He was tried, found guilty, and in accordance with the laws of war, sentenced to be hanged the next morning as a spy.
" This sentence the prisoner was prepared to meet with a fortitude becoming his character. But the circumstances of his death aggravated his sufferings. The provost-martial, to whose charge he was consigned, was a refugee, and
211
DEATH OF KNOWLTON.
1776.]
treated him most unfeelingly, refusing the attend- ance of a clergyman and the use of a Bible, and destroying the letters he had written to his mother and friends.
" In the midst of these barbarities, Hale was calm, collected, firm-displaying to the last his native elevation of soul, dignity of deportment, and an undaunted courage. Alone, unfriended, without consolation or sympathy, he closed his mortal career, with the declaration, "that he only lamented he had but one life to lose for his country !"
Soon after this sad termination of young Hale's promising career, Howe effected a landing on York Island, three miles above the city. Panic- stricken, the militia stationed to oppose his de- barkation, fled disgracefully, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of Washington and Putnam to rally them.
In a considerable skirmish the next day, the Americans, behaving with commendable gal- lantry, routed the enemy in a hand-to-hand en- counter. But this momentary triumph, rendered a melancholy one by the death of Colonel Knowl- ton, though it wiped away the stain of the pre- vious defeat, did not prevent Howe from taking possession of New York.
Meanwhile, the northern army, driven out of. Canada, had abandoned Crown Point and fallen back upon Ticonderoga. In two successive naval
212
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1776.
engagements, fought on the 6th and 7th of Oc- tober, and which resulted in the American loss of Lake Champlain, Arnold, as commander of the continental fleet, had, by his heroism and skill, " covered himself with glory," and con- verted what were really disasters « into a species of triumph."
Even before this time, however, the defects of Arnold's character had begun to dim the bright- ness of his military reputation. His seizure of certain goods belonging to merchants of Mon- treal had already subjected him to a charge of dishonesty in the exercise of his public functions. Though the facts of this affair did not fully sus- tain the accusation, there were many who believed it true, from their own knowledge of Arnold's want of straightforwardness in his private deal- ings; while his challenge of the court-martial, individually and collectively, by which the charge was being examined, afforded very slight evidence of due reflection, proper self-respect, or genuine sensitiveness, on the part of the challenger.
The northern army, or what remained of it, was already quartered for the winter, when, having encountered disaster after disaster, Wash- ington was finally driven, with "the phantom of an army," across the Jerseys to the western bank of the Delaware, opposite Trenton.
The cause of liberty now seemed lost. But, before the gloom created by the misfortunes of
213
NEGLECT OF ARNOLD
1777.]
the campaign could become settled, the victories of Trenton and Princeton, following each other in quick succession, gave new life and vigour to the hopes of the Americans. Having thus, in little more than a week, wholly neutralized the dispiriting effects of the previous successes of the enemy, Washington retired to winter-quarters at Morristown.
Previous to the opening of the campaign of 1777, Congress appointed five new major-gene- rals, all the juniors of Arnold, over whom they were elevated. The avowed reason for this silent censure, or, at least, unjustifiable neglect of the most brilliant officer in the army, was that " the members from each state insisted upon having general officers proportioned to the num- ber of troops furnished by it, and, as Connecticut had already two major-generals, there was no vacancy for another." "I confess," wrote Wash- ington to the. mortified and indignant Arnold, " this is a strange mode of reasoning, but it may show you that the promotion, which was due to your seniority, was not overlooked for want of merit in you."
Arnold, who knew that he had many enemies, would not rest satisfied with this explanation. He insisted that his character was at stake ; and, notwithstanding the kindly-written advice of Washington, determined to proceed to head- quarters, and personally solicit leave to visit
214
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1777.
Philadelphia, to demand of Congress an investi- gation into his conduct. .
About the time he departed from Rhode Island with this design, in April, 1777, Governor Tryon left New York, at the head of two thousand men, landed between Fairfield and Norwalk, and, un- opposed, penetrated the country to Danbury, where he burned eighteen dwelling-houses, toge- ther with a large and valuable collection of public stores. In the mean time, Generals Wooster and Silliman had succeeded in collecting about six hundred of the Connecticut militia, when they were joined by Arnold, who volunteered to take part in their intended attack upon Tryon. The force was now divided. Wooster, with two hun- dred men, undertook to harass the British rear ; while Arnold and Silliman, leading the other division, by a nearer route, were to cut off their retreat.
Quickly coming up with Tryon's rear-guard, Wooster, an old man of sixty-six winters, led a spirited attack. Few of his men had ever been in battle. Met by a brisk fire from the British artillery and musketry, they seemed ready to fly. At this moment, to encourage them, Wooster spurred forward his horse, and, waving his sword toward the enemy, called out, "Come on, my boys ! never mind such random shot." Scarcely had the words left his lips, when, struck in the side by a musket-ball, he fell heavily to the
215
BRAVERY OF ARNOLD.
1777.]
ground. His men then retreated to Danbury, where he died.
Meanwhile, Arnold had taken a strong posi- tion at Ridgefield, and thrown up a barricade of carts, logs, and earth, across the road by which the British were expected to pass. About three in the afternoon, Tryon's leading column made its appearance. A brisk engagement en- sued. For nearly half an hour the Americans obstinately maintained their ground against a force of four to one. At length, finding both his flanks in danger of being turned, Arnold or- dered a retreat, remaining himself alone upon the field. Climbing above the ridge of rocks which had protected the American left, a platoon of the enemy fired upon the solitary chief. His horse fell under him in the agonies of death. Cool, collected, watchful, Arnold sat upon his struggling steed, while one of the soldiers rushed forward to bayonet him. Waiting till his op- ponent was quite near him, he drew a pistol from his holsters, took deliberate aim and fired. As the soldier fell dead, Arnold sprang to his feet, and escaped unhurt to his troops. Rallying them, he continued to harass the British severely during their entire march to the sea-shore. Here he had a second horse shot, in a skirmish with the enemy previous to their embarkation. Tryon's loss during his retreat was one hundred
216
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1777.
and seventy in killed and wounded, almost double that of the militia.
Retaliating Tryon's plundering expedition, Colonel Meigs, of Connecticut, left New Haven on the 21st of May, with two hundred men, in thirteen whale-boats, and, landing on the east end of Long Island, forced his way to Sag Har- bour, burned thirteen of the enemy's vessels, took ninety prisoners, and returned to Guilford without losing a man. For his « prudence, ac- tivity, enterprise and valour," Meigs received a letter of approbation from Washington, and a sword from Congress.
Meanwhile Arnold's bravery in the attacks upon Tryon had extorted from Congress his ap- pointment as a major-general. But, singularly enough, he was still left, by the date of his com- mission, below the major-generals who had been raised over him. Viewing his promotion, or the manner of it, as a species of degradation, he at once proceeded to Philadelphia, and demanded an investigation into his conduct. " I am ex- ceedingly unhappy," so he wrote to Congress, "to find, that after having made every sacrifice to serve my country, I am publicly impeached of crimes which, if true, ought to subject me to disgrace, infamy, and the just resentment of my countrymen. Conscious of the rectitude of my intentions, however I may have erred in judg- ment, I must request the favour of Congress to
217
ARNOLD BEFORE CONGRESS.
1777.]
point out some mode by which my conduct and that of my accusers may be inquired into, and justice done to the innocent and injured."
Congress having referred this letter to the Board of War, that body, after examining nu- merous documents, relating chiefly to the Mon- treal affair, reported their entire satisfaction as to Arnold's character and conduct, which they declared " had been so cruelly and groundlessly aspersed." Agreeing to this report, Congress however said nothing about restoring Arnold to his relative rank. Their gift to him of a horse, fully caparisoned, did little to soften the chagrin and anger which he evidently felt.
Worried and disgusted at length by the in- consistency of Congress, Arnold tendered his resignation. On the very day that Arnold did this Congress received a letter from Washing- ton, recommending him to be sent to the north- ern army, which, having evacuated Ticonderoga, was slowly retiring before a formidable British force under General Burgoyne. Flattered by the language in which his chief spoke of him, and "looking forward to a scene of action in which he always delighted," Arnold procured a suspension of his demand for leave to resign, and hastened to join the troops at Fort Edward, where he arrived late in July.
Following up the capture of Ticonderoga, Bur- goyne pressed on triumphantly till the fatal de-
19
218
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1777.
feat of Baum at Bennington, and the failure of St. Leger's enterprise against Fort Schuyler, began to turn the tide of British success and revive the hopes of the Americans. On the 19th of September was fought the first battle of Behmus' Heights, which being doubtful in its result was almost as disastrous to Burgoyne as a defeat.
For more than a fortnight subsequent to this affair, the two armies remained near each other without coming to a general engagement. In the mean time a sharp quarrel sprung up be- tween Arnold and Gates, the commander of the American forces. Whether the presumption and hasty temper of Arnold, or the arrogance and envy of Gates were the causes of this dispute, is a matter of uncertainty. Its effect was to deprive Arnold of his command in the division.
" When the second battle of Behmus' Heights commenced, on the 7th of October"-we con- dense from Sparks-" Arnold was in a state of high excitement and apparent irritation. At length, without instructions or permission, he rode off in a full gallop to the field of battle. This being told to Gates, he sent Major Arm- strong after him with orders. As soon as Arnold saw Armstrong, remembering, doubtless, a per- emptory order to return while on his way out to the former action, he put spurs to his horse and quickened his speed. Armstrong pursued, with-
219
SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.
1777.]
out being able to approach near enough to speak to him. And, in fact, Arnold received no orders during the day, but rode about the field in every direction, seeking the hottest parts of the action, and issuing his commands wherever he went.
"Being the highest officer in rank on the field, his orders were obeyed when practicable. All accounts agree that his conduct was rash. He threw hinself heedlessly into the most exposed situations, brandishing his sword and animating the troops. But the brilliant manœuvre with which the engagement was closed, the assault of the enemy's works and driving the Hessians from their encampment, was undoubtedly owing to Arnold. He gave the order, and by his per- sonal bravery set an example to the troops. He was shot through the leg while riding gallantly into the sally-port, and his horse fell dead under him. The success of the assault was complete, and crowned the day with victory."
Thus defeated, with his communications cut off, his provisions and supplies failing, and his troops fast deserting him, Burgoyne, on the 17th of October, reluctantly surrendered to Gates.
220
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. -
[1777.
CHAPTER XVII.
Effect of Burgoyne's surrender-Arnold raised to his full rank -Lord North's conciliatory bills-Alliance with France- Battle of Monmouth-Massacre of Wyoming-Close of the campaign-Mutiny at Danbury-Putnam's address to the troops-Its good effect-Tryon at Horseneck-Perilous feat of Putnam-British operations in the south-Movements of Clinton-Tryon's attack on New Haven-Murder of inha- bitants-Patriotism of Rev. Mr. Dagget-Burning of Fair- field and Norwalk-Stony Point retaken by Wayne-Sul- livan's expedition against the Indians.
BURGOYNE'S capture, the tidings of which were received with the utmost joy by the American people, shed a brilliant lustre over a campaign that otherwise would have closed in the deepest gloom. Defeated on the Brandywine, forced to abandon Philadelphia, and repulsed in an attack upon the British at Germantown, Washington retired into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
The wild, impetuous, and perhaps rash, but still successful daring displayed by Arnold in the second battle of Behmus' Heights, whether it sprung from the use of stimulants-as has been harshly intimated-or from the desperate workings of his wounded pride, nevertheless re- sulted most fortunately for himself. His military
221
CONCILIATORY BILLS.
1777.]
glory was enhanced; his popularity increased ; and Congress was compelled to concede to him the full rank he had hitherto so unavailingly demanded.
In England, the intelligence of Burgoyne's surrender created a great sensation, and mate- rially changed the course of the ministry. Bills were presently introduced into Parliament by Lord North, virtually relinquishing the original ground of dispute, and appointing commissioners with full authority to treat for the return of the Americans to their allegiance.
But North's " conciliatory" bills, by affording evidence that England was growing tired of the contest, only strengthened the determination of the revolted colonies to win their entire inde- pendence. Nor was this all that they effected. On learning the probability of their being sanc- tioned by Parliament, France acceded to the long-pending proposition of the American com- missioners at Paris, and immediately arranged with the United States an offensive and defensive alliance against Great Britain. The motives of the French Government in forming this alliance - may not have been the most disinterested ; but, adding greatly to the already rising hopes of the colonists, proved in the end of signal advantage to them.
Informed that a French fleet was on its way to North America, Sir Henry Clinton, the successor
19*
222
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1778.
of Howe, apprehensive of the Delaware's being blockaded, evacuated Philadelphia with all his forces on the 18th of June, 1778. Retreating across the Jerseys, he was pursued by Wash- ington, who came up with him at Monmouth, on the morning of the 28th. A spirited but indeci- sive action ensued, and lasted until night; under cover of which Clinton made good his retreat to Sandy Hook, whence he soon afterward embark- ed, without further molestation, for the city of New York.
A few days subsequent to the battle of Mon- mouth, a severe and devastating blow fell upon the settlements at Wyoming, the jurisdiction of which was yet claimed by Pennsylvania and ex- ercised by Connecticut.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.