USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement to the present time > Part 24
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351
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1775.]
armed and trained soldiers, imbodied and encamp- ed, and employing them against the unarmed and defenceless men, women, and children of a country, dispersed in their houses, was manifest, and left those who attempted so inhuman and unequal a retaliation without excuse."
It has always been unaccountable that the Brit- ish army made no attempt to raise the siege of Boston. They could hardly have been ignorant of the changeable state of the army and their want of powder. They, however, suffered them- selves to be shut in on the land side ; and several times the Americans proposed a general attack. On the 5th of October Washington described the situation of the enemy as " in a manner surrounded by ships of war and floating batteries," so that it would be " impossible to break their lines without great slaughter on our side, or cowardice on theirs, so that we could do no more than keep them be- sieged, which they are, to all effects and purposes, as closely as any troops on earth can be, who have an opening to the sea." The advanced works were within musket-shot, and the British troops kept up a daily cannonade.
352
THE ARMY DISBANDING.
[1775.
CHAPTER XLI. 1775-1776.
Discontent of the Militia at Boston .- Spirited Measures of Connecticut to furnish Re-enforcements .- Volunteers raised there for New-York .- Colonel Knowlton .- News of the Dis- asters in Canada .- Troops sent thither .- Preparations to evacuate Boston .- Washington occupies Lechmere's Point and Dorchester Heights .- The British retire in Haste .- The Americans enter and occupy Boston .- The Troops sent off to New-York in Detachments .- Military Arrangements .- Loy- alists sent to Connecticut for Security.
As the time approached when the enlistments would expire, Congress appointed a committee to confer with committees of the New-England colo- nies on measures to be taken ; and Connecticut appointed Messrs. Griswold and Wales to attend the important council. They proceeded to Cam- bridge, and the conference was opened on the 18th of October, the commander-in-chief being pres- ent. The proceedings of a council of war were laid before them, which were generally adopted ; and it was agreed that the army ought not to be less than 20,372 men, or twenty-six regiments of eight companies, exclusive of riflemen and ar- tillery ; and that as many of the present troops as possible should be re-enlisted. It was thought that 20,000 might be raised in Massachusetts, 8000 in Connecticut, 3000 in New-Hampshire, and 1500 in Rhode Island. Other business having been done, the conference closed on the 22d.
The Connecticut troops at Boston did not in-
353
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1775.]
cline to enlist again ; and, as the term of service of most of them would expire from the 1st to the 10th of December, Washington learned with regret that they were resolved to return home at that time, especially as the enemy were receiving re- enforcements, and he thought they designed an at- tack.
The officers had at first expressed a strong opin- ion that they would consent to remain until the 1st of January, when they might hope to be relieved by others : but the men refused ; and, by the Ist of December, many left the lines to return home, some before their term had expired, and taking their arms and ammunition with them. Colonel Trumbull was sent to recall them, and many re- turned. Washington wrote to Governor Trum- bull, inquiring " whether an example should not be made of these men, who have basely deserted the cause of their country at this critical juncture." The governor replied, that " the late extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the troops of this colony impresses me, and the minds of many of our people, with grief, surprise, and indigna- tion." He added, " the pulse of a New-England man beats high for liberty ; his engagement in the service he thinks purely voluntary ; therefore, when his term of enlistment is out, he thinks himself not holden without farther engagement. This was the case in the last war." He stated, that he had de- termined to call the General Assembly together at New. Haven on the 14th, and requested Washing- ton to suggest anything he might wish to have submitted to them.
It appears, however, that all except 80 of the GG 2
354
MEASURES OF THE ASSEMBLY.
[1775.
Connecticut troops consented to remain until the 10th; and Washington called in 3000 men from Massachusetts and 2000 from New-Hampshire to take their places ; but he had serious apprehen- sions that all the other troops would leave him at the expiration of their terms, as the enlistments went on very slowly. The Rev. Mr. Leonard, chaplain to the Connecticut troops, received high recommendation from the commander-in-chief, not only for his general conduct and the discharge of his duties, but for "a sensible and judicious dis- course" at the time of difficulty. Governor Trum- bull acquainted Washington that many of the in. habitants of his colony, on hearing of the conduct of the troops, had offered to march to the camp to supply their places. The General Assembly, about the close of the year, adopted a measure which showed their zeal, and afforded great satis- faction to the commander-in-chief. They passed an act for raising and equipping, by voluntary en- listment, one fourth part of the militia of the col- ony, and all the exempts who might be willing to act as minute men for the defence of any of the colo- nies. They also declared forfeit the estates of persons guilty of aiding or informing the enemy, or receiving British protections ; and the former, also, liable to imprisonment for three years. Speak- ing or writing against the acts of Congress or the Assembly was made punishable by disarming, dis- qualification from holding any office, and even im- prisonment. It was farther resolved to provide two vessels of 14 and 16 guns, a spy-schooner of 4, and four row-galleys ; the soldiers of the last and the ensuing campaigns were released from the poll-
355
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
tax ; and encouragement was offered for the ma- king of saltpetre and gunpowder. A furnace was in operation at the lead-mine in Middletown ; and the governor wrote to the commander-in-chief on the 1st of January, 1776, that 20 or 30 tons of lead might be expected to be smelted.
As it was supposed that they intended to seize upon Newport or New-York, Major-general Lee was first sent to the former place, to determine how it might be best put in a posture of defence. He was afterward ordered to New- York, to fortify that city in the best manner, with letters to Gov- ernor Trumbull from Washington, who requested that volunteers might be raised in Connecticut to serve under him, and hoped they might be obtained without farther expense to the country than their maintenance. Washington afterward directed Lee to take two regiments to Long Island, and act against the numerous royalists there ; but Congress countermanded the order ; and Washington, with an expression of regret, ordered Lee to disband his troops as soon as he could do it with safety.
About the middle of January, a bold and success- ful blow was struck at Charlestown by Major Knowlton and a party of his Connecticut soldiers. Taking advantage of a stormy night, they crossed the milldam, captured several British soldiers, and burned eight houses near Bunker's Hill.
Great hopes had been entertained of the success of the expedition against Quebec, although the Ca- nadians and Indians appeared backward : but about the middle of January news arrived of the unfor. tunate attempt made against that city on the night of December 25th, the death of Montgomery and
356 HUMANITY OF GENERAL CARLETON. [1776,
the wounding of Arnold. Colonel Warner imme. diately set off for Canada with the Connecticut troops under his command, to assist the unfortu- nate survivors ; and Governor Trumbull called the Council of Safety, who at once ordered 750 men to be raised for Canada. Soon after, he received notice from Washington that a council of war had determined to request the NewEngland colonies to raise thirteen regiments for the purpose of making a general attack on Boston, of which four regiments were apportioned to Connecticut ; and that a later council, which had met since the arrival of the news from Quebec, had determined that three of the regiments should be sent to Canada. It was equally gratifying to the governor and the com- mander-in-chief that Connecticut had so far antici- pated this requisition. The three regiments were soon raised, and that from Connecticut was placed under the command of Colonel Burrell. Congress also ordered nine battalions on the same service. In spite of all these exertions, however, the Cana- dians were too ignorant to feel their injuries or to perceive their duties to themselves or their poster- ity ; and, having no affection for liberty, which they had never enjoyed nor understood, they showed no sympathy with those who had come to assist them, with very erroneous impressions of their character and wishes.
It was happy for the American prisoners at Que- bec that so kind and humane a man as Gener- al Carleton was then in command at that city. When Major Meigs returned a few months after. ward, having been one of the prisoners, he spoke in terms of gratitude of his humanity and kindness.
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1776.]
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
357
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The soldiers were confined in the Jesuits' College, and the officers in the seminary ; and all enjoyed as much liberty and as many privileges as could have been reasonable : while some of them, on their release, were furnished with clothing, and the sick and wounded were treated with tenderness in the hospital.
Towards the close of February the British re- moved their two mortars from Bunker's Hill, ship- ped their brass cannon, and had their vessels pre- pared for sea. From these and other circumstan- ces, it was presumed that they intended to evacu- ate Boston ; and Washington extended his line to Lechmere's Point, though fearful of weakening it. With great labour, strong batteries were erected there in the frozen ground, which commanded a large part of Boston. During the night of the 4th of March, General Thomas was sent to occupy Dorchester Heights, which he fortified with a vast quantity of fascines and chandeliers before the dawn of morning.
The enemy, having been prevented by a storm from attacking the position before it was too strong, finding that some inferior and nearer eminences could command the harbour and town, began to load their ships in the greatest haste. On the 17th their troops were seen marching down Bunker's Hill, and two men were sent to the spot, who made signals that it was deserted. As many boats were seen leaving Boston, General Putnam crossed to Sewal's Point, landed without opposition, and the troops from Roxbury soon opened the enemy's gates, and, finding their powerful lines guarded only by a few stuffed jackets in the forms of sen-
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358
THE ARMY AT NEW-YORK.
[1776.
tinels, the whole town was soon in possession of General Putnam, to the great joy of the remaining inhabitants.
The enemy's ships, amounting to 78, lay in Nan- tasket Roads, ten miles from Boston, for ten days, which left their intentions doubtful ; so that Wash- ington sent off at first only a few regiments for New-York. Most of the remainder soon followed. They were marched to Norwich, Connecticut, where they embarked, in vessels provided before- hand, for New-York. On the 29th General Put- nam was ordered to follow, and complete the forti- fications there planned by General Lee; while General Thomas was on his way to Canada, to take the chief command there. Washington him- self set out for New-York on the 4th of April. Governor Trumbull visited him at Norwich, where they held an interview. On his arrival at New- York, he found the troops actively engaged in dig- ging intrenchments on Staten and Long Islands, and in making other preparations, hourly expect- ing the enemy's arrival. These works had been begun under Brigadier-general Lord Sterling, by the 2000 Connecticut militia on the spot, and a few from New-Jersey. Congress had ordered out 1000 from the latter colony, and some from New-York and New-Jersey : but very few had arrived. The Connecticut militia were discharged not long af- ter, when their term expired. Being generally farmers, their presence at home was necessary at ploughing-time. The government and citizens of New-York had not yet generally espoused the. common cause with as much zeal as New-Eng- land and some of the southern colonies, which ren-
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359
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
dered it necessary to bring in more troops from abroad. At the close of April there were but about 10,000 troops at New-York, including 2000 on furlough ; and six more regiments were to go to Canada.
The smallness of the army gave Washington much uneasiness; and he wrote to Governor Trumbull the day after the report was made out, that, unless a body of select troops from the west- ern part of Connecticut and New-Jersey should be organized, and prepared to march at the first notice of the enemy's arrival, he feared any other ar- rangements would require too much time and prove useless.
In May, General Washington having been called to Philadelphia to confer with Congress, he left General Putnam in command, with instructions to afford military aid to the New- York provincial Con- gress in their exertions to apprehend persons dis- affected with the revolution in that colony, who were said to be plotting in favour of the enemy. Num- bers were taken and imprisoned in Connecticut.
A flying camp was ordered, in June, to be form- ed in the Middle Department, to be ready to march to any point ; and 13,800 militia were ordered to be raised in Connecticut. New-York, and New-Jer- sey, and sent to New-York. The Canada army was suffering much from smallpox (of which Gen- eral Thomas had died), and finally had to retire before General Burgoyne. General Wooster was ordered home, and went to present himself before Congress. Re-enforcements were sent to the north, where General Gates now had the com- mand; and Fort Stanwix was rebuilt : but the
360
ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH FLEET. [1776.
Americans were finally obliged to retire to Crown Point. There was now much reason to fear that the enemy might occupy the line of Lake Cham- plain and Hudson River; and Fort Washington was formed, with several redoubts and breastworks, on Harlæm River, while the militia were called in from the western part of Connecticut, to assist those of New-York in occupying and fortifying the High- lands, to prevent the loyalists from seizing them.
Among the prisoners sent to Connecticut was Governor Franklin, of New-Jersey, who was placed under the care of Governor Trumbull, with liberty to go at large on parole if he should choose, or otherwise to be confined.
CHAPTER XLII. 1776.
British Fleet under General and Lord Howe begins to arrive at New-York .- Declaration of Independence .- Unfortunate Sit- uation of General Knox and the Army on Lake Champlain. -British Re-enforcements at Staten Island .- Call on Con- necticut for more Troops .- Fourteen Regiments march under Colonel Wolcott .- The Battle of Long Island .- Retreat of the Americans .- Militia Desert .- New Re-enforcements from Connecticut .-- New- York Evacuated by the Americans .- They are driven into New-Jersey .- Battles of Trenton and Princeton.
ABOUT the close of June, the British fleet arrived at Staten Island in detachments, where they were well received by the inhabitants ; and, encouraged by the promises of Governor Tryon, of New- York, and many royalists, prepared to operate in case negotiation should fail.
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361
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
When news was received of the fate of the pe- tition sent to the king by the Congress, all hope of reconciliation disappeared. He had refused to hear it read, and declared to Parliament that the colonies were in open rebellion, and intended to establish an independent empire ; that he had in- creased the forces, and also intended to appoint persons to grant pardons and receive the submission of such colonies as might wish to return to their allegiance. Parliament passed an act forbidding commerce with the colonies, giving their vessels, and all foreign vessels trading with them, to those who might capture them, while the crews might be forced to serve in the British navy, even in war against their countrymen. In short, the king's ministers said that the olive-branch should be of- fered to the Americans with one hand, and the sword with the other, and they were to make their choice. Sixteen thousand foreign troops were soon levied and sent to America : yet it required much argument and reflection to bring the people of the colonies to decide on a final separation from England ; and some chose to accept of pardon as offered by Lord Howe. This was done by 960 persons in New-York in a single day.
Congress, however, immediately admitted the ships of all nations to their ports, and encouraged the capture of British property. The Assembly of Connecticut, on the 14th of June, 1776, unani- mously agreed to instruct their representatives in the approaching Congress "to give their assent to a declaration of independence, and to unite in measures for forming foreign alliances, and pro- moting a plan of union among the colonies." This H HI
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362
MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY. [1776.
was after a similar step had been taken by North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New-Hampshire ; and Maryland and Pennsyl- vania had instructed theirs to oppose it. Mr. Lee, of Virginia, had already proposed the subject in Congress, on the 7th of June, and it had been postponed till the 1st of July. Conventions were held in several of the colonies, in which the peo- ple expressed their wishes in favour of the Dec- laration of Independence : so that on the 4th of July it was adopted by a vote of the whole. The delegates from Connecticut whose names are signed to that important document, were Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, and Oliver Wolcott.
Troops came into New-York very slowly : but Colonel Seymour arrived on the 8th, with a part of three regiments of light-horse. These, to the num- ber of 400 or 500, were actuated by such a spirit, that, when informed by Washington that there was no forage provided for their horses, they got them pastured at Kingsbridge, offering to pay the ex- pense themselves if Congress should decline, and to serve as long as they might be needed. They were, however, dismissed in July, not being will- ing to do fatigue or sentinel duty.
Lord Howe, on the 12th, sent a letter addressed to " George Washington, Esq.," doubtless with pro- posals to treat of peace : but it was not received, Congress having instructed the commander-in-chief to hold no communication with the British govern- ment, unless they would acknowledge the inde- pendence which had been declared.
Two of the enemy's ships took advantage of the
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363
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1776.]
tide and wind on the 13th of July, and sailed up the North River, without suffering materially from the batteries, and moored in Tappan Bay, about 40 miles above. They were the Phoenix, 44 guns, and Rose, 20. There they were out of the reach of shot from the shore, and cut off all communica- tion with the army under General Knox about Lake George. That general was in a painful sit- uation. He had just evacuated Crown Point, and retired to Mount Independence, opposite Ticonde- roga, on account of scarcity of provisions and sick- ness in his army, the main body of which was now at Lake George. Between May Ist and July 15th, he lost 5000 men by death and desertion ; and 3000 were now sick. One quarter of all the mili- tia of the four neighbouring counties of New-York were ordered out, under General George Clinton.
Washington sought to annoy the enemy by every means. Major Knowlton, who was stationed at Bergen, New-Jersey, was appointed to head a par- ty of Continental troops, on the 18th of July, to the point opposite Staten Island, and cross in boats to make an attack, supported by General Mercer. But the plan was defeated by tempestuous weather. Another project to take 3900 men failed for want of boats.
But the American army had soon to prepare for an attack from a powerful enemy. Early in Au- gust Governor Trumbull received a letter from Washington, informing him that the whole British fleet was soon to arrive at Staten Island, amount- ing, including Hessian troops, to about 30,000 men ; and that he had not above one third that number, consisting chiefly of raw troops, scattered
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364
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. [1776.
over 15 miles of country. The governor immedi- ately summoned the Council of Safety, who de- - spatched to New-York, with all haste, 14 regi- ments, including the five western ones, under Col- onel Oliver Wolcott as brigadier-general. They also proposed the formation of volunteer compa- nies. The 14 regiments, as he informed the com- mander-in-chief, consisted of " substantial farmers." He soon after furnished two row-galleys.
On the 22d of August, 8000 or 9000 of the ene- my embarked and landed at Gravesend on Long Island. Marching to Flatbush, they lay within three miles of the American line, Colonel Hand having been forced to retreat before them. General Sullivan commanded the works in front instead of General Greene, who was sick, the entire com- mand being under General Putnam. Washington immediately sent over six battalions, having re- ceived re-enforcements of nine small regiments from Connecticut. The enemy, on the 17th of August, having surprised two American detachments in the woods below Gowannis, attacked the third, under Lord Percy, with overwhelming numbers, and, al- though gallantly resisted, killed and captured a large part of them. Their main body then march- ing round through Bedford, turned the American left flank ; and Putnam, on hearing their firing, hastened to meet them, being unable to afford any assistance to his right wing. About 800 Ameri- cans were killed, wounded, and made prisoners ; of whom more than two thirds were among the last. The troops which principally suffered were from New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and Colonel Huntington's regiment. The enemy
365
1776.] HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
had gained such advantages that it was thought by some they would have captured all the remain- ing troops at Brooklyn if they had not encamped. But Washington, with admirable generalship, suc- ceeded in transporting them all to New-York on the 27th, under cover of a thick mist, while the English received the submission of many of the inhabitants of Long Island, and extended their lines to Newtown and Flushing.
After the retreat to New-York, great numbers of the militia left the army ; and those from Con- necticut were soon reduced to 2000. One quarter of the remaining troops were sick, and there were tents for only two thirds. General Greene urged the burning of the city, and an immediate retreat : but a majority of the officers opposed it, and 5000 men were ordered to remain in it, 9000 at Kings. bridge, and the rest between. Congress, however, soon ordered the troops to march out ; and a sud- den attack gave the militia a panic, which was shared by the Continental soldiers, and the retreat was made with a disgraceful haste. Washington was once narrowly saved from being made a pris- oner. The sick, however, had been sent to New. Jersey, and most of the stores removed.
Governor Trumbull had written, ere this, that more troops would soon come from Connecticut ; and Washington, with thanks, remarked that his troops had generally been collected and put in mo- tion as soon as demanded. The army was soon posted on the Heights of Harlaem ; and, on the 16th, they were much inspirited by the successful repulse of a party of the enemy. The brave Colonel Knowlton, however, was mortally wounded. The HH 2
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366
POSITION OF THE ENEMY.
[1776,
British force now amounted to about 25,000, while the Americans, fit for duty, were not more than 12,000 or 14,000. The latter suffered in an affair at White Plains, and were obliged to relinquish one post after another, until Fort Washington alone was occupied by them, on the east side of the Hud- son, south of the Bronx, which now formed their line. The posts and passes of the Highlands were occupied by Connecticut and Massachusetts troops, and General Clinton's New-York militia brigade, under General Heath. General Wooster, with some Connecticut troops, was at Stamford at the command of General Lee, who was stationed at the Bronx.
Fort Washington was taken by assault, and thus Westchester County, New-York, was left open to the enemy. By the extreme activity of the Amer- icans, however, they were so much harassed that they did not advance their lines; and the wide space between the two armies was neutral ground, open to marauding parties from both. Washing- ton, having drawn off what troops remained with him to New-Jersey, prepared to spend the winter where he might, with the most gloomy prospects of danger and suffering. At no period was the condition of the country more sad and dispiriting. General Carleton, however, had failed in his attempt to bring a British army down to the colonies, al- though Lake Champlain had been left almost open to him, and had returned to Canada. Three regi- ments from the northern army therefore marched through the interior of New-York, and joined Washington after he had retired to the Delaware ; while three others, taking the eastern side of the Hudson, re-enforced General Lee on Croton River.
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