USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818, Vol. II > Part 40
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Captain Samuel Squire was directed to attend the vendue prize goods at Fairfield and purchase such provisions as might be useful to the State, and that he continue supplying the Fairfield County troops with pro- visions and clothing.§
Thaddeus Burr, as sheriff of the County of Fairfield, was ordered to purchase from the merchants of the town such West India goods as they had in store for the army; and if any merchant did not sell them to him at reasonable prices he was ordered to seize and impress them, and make such payments as two or three indifferent persons might allow. |
Meanwhile General Burgoyne had succeeded in reaching the Hud- son, and thinking to divert the alarm his victories had given the Ameri-
* Rec. State Conn., I, 367. + Rec. State Conn., I, 371.
# Rec. State Conn., I. 379.
§ Rec. State Conn., I, 385, 386.
Rec. State Conn., I, 388.
23
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can army on the Hudson, sent a detachment of regulars, Indians and Tories to besiege Fort Schuyler at the head of the Mohawk River.
The American army had by this time not only been strongly reinforced at the north and on the Hudson, but General Gates had been placed in command, having superseded General Schuyler, who had been most unjustly blamed by Congress. Gates had under him Generals Arnold, Morgan, Lincoln and others. General Arnold was dispatched with about eight hundred men to relieve the garrison and to defeat the enemy in their design upon Fort Schuyler. So noted had Arnold become for his daring and successful exploits that upon his approach both the English and Indians fled from the beleaguered fort, leaving their tents, baggage and artillery behind them.
Hoping to capture large supplies stored at Bennington, Burgoyne sent a detachment of five hundred regulars, Indians and Tories under Colonel Baum to seize these stores. Colonel Baum was met on the morning of the 16th by General Stark with a force of New Hampshire militia and recruits gathered along his march. After a hard fought battle of a few hours the British were defeated, with a loss of their artil- lery and baggage. Reinforcements of five hundred men under Colonel Breyman, sent to assist him, were also defeated. In this engagement, it is said, that the British lost over two hundred men and six hundred pris- oners, and the Americans about two hundred in killed and wounded. " Four brass cannon, nine hundred swords, & one thousand stands of arms were secured by the victors."
When the news of these victories reached the army and the States, a flood of patriotism filled the hearts of every patriot, and many hitherto indifferent or discouraged offered themselves to the army. It was de- cided to move nearer the enemy and attack Burgoyne at Still Water or Bemis Heights. By the advice of Benjamin Franklin, Kosciusko, a young Polish officer who had espoused the American cause, having re- ceived a commission in the American army as engineer, superintended the fortifications raised at Bemis Heights.
Colonel David Dimon, one of the bravest and most energetic officers of the Revolution, died on the 18th of September, 1777, in the thirty-sixth year of his age, lamented by all who knew of his great worth and promise as a soldier and citizen of Fairfield. His remains lie in Burial Hill Cemetery .*
* Appendix, Dimon, Genealogical.
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Meanwhile, on the 2d of September, the Governor and Council com- missioned Peter Griffin to be captain of the volunteer company of rangers to be raised to guard the Connecticut coast, Long Island Sound and islands.
At the same time, with hearts filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for the success of the American arms, the Governor and Council recog- mizing: "At this critical juncture when the forces of our enemies are scattered, vigorous efforts by the Divine blessing may dislodge them from their several posts, every one that loves himself, his family, his country & posterity is called to exert himself & stir up his several capa- cities to accomplish this desirable end."*
A bounty of four pounds ten shillings was offered to each able- bodied man who should enlist to fill up the two battalions already par- tially raised for the defence of the sea-coast.
Captain Squire and other commissaries were directed to reserve for the State the hides of beeves killed for the supply of the troops. Econ- omy was practiced to the fullest extent, for shoes and leather clothing were among the great necessaries of the army.t
Lieutenant Aaron Hawley of Newfield was granted " 53 pounds round shot & 100 Lb. weight of grape shot," to defend the fortifications at Newfield or Stratfield.#
On the 19th of September a severe battle was fought at Stillwater or Bemis Heights, which lasted all day, in which Morgan's corps against the Canadians, Tories and Indians, and Arnold's division in an attack on Burgoyne's advance guard, distinguished themselves for bravery. A party of men under Lincoln surprised the enemy's posts around Lake George, and laid siege to Ticonderoga, thus cutting off Burgoyne's communications with Canada.
Encouraged by letters from Governor Clinton in New York to hold out, as it was his intention to force his way up the Hudson and place General Gates between their forces, Burgoyne most impatiently awaited the expected reinforcements for about two weeks, but although Clinton succeeded in passing up the Highlands and in reaching Esopus, he found he was too late, and prudently returned.
Meanwhile Governor Trumbull and the Council of War and Safety had renewed their efforts to increase the army of the State for any ser-
+ Ree. State Conn., I, 393.
* Rec. State Conn., 1, 392. # Rec. State Conn., 1, 393.
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vice that Washington might require. Recruiting officers were appointed for each brigade, as well as to secure deserters. Major Elijah Abel was chosen for the Fourth Regiment .*
Fresh troops were ordered to Peekskill, to be under General Putnam, for the defence of Connecticut " & the other United States of America." Another regiment was ordered to Rhode Island, under the cominand of Captain Jacob De Witt and Captain Lieutenant Isaac Abel.+
General Putnam having sent an express that an attack was soon ex' pected in Peekskill, orders were given by the Governor and Council to Generals Wolcott, Andrew Ward and Silliman to forward the detach- ments from their brigades to Peekskill, under the command of General Silliman, with all possible dispatch.+
A General Assembly was held at New Haven on the 9th of October, and adjourned to Hartford on the IIth. Captain Samuel Squire and Major Elijah Abel represented Fairfield.
An act was passed that the estates of aliens or persons inimical to the independence of the United States of America, who either refused or negelcted to take the oath of fidelity prescribed by the State, should not be capable of purchasing or transferring real estate, without a special license from the government.§
An act was also passed "to encourage Fair Dealers & to punish sharpers & oppressors," under which only small quantities of clothing, food and provisions were allowed to be purchased, unless by a license granted by the Governor and Council or the civil authorities of each town, " known to be of good character for probity, public spirit & friends to the freedom & independence of the American States." Il
All misuse of licenses, or refusal to accept the State or United States bills of credit, were to be revoked under a penalty of forfeiting double the value of any article sold or suffer six months' imprisonment. Nor were commissaries or any other person allowed to purchase articles for the army or navy, " without first exhibiting a certificate from the Gov- ernor & Council, under a penalty of treble the value of the purchased articles & be liable to imprisonment for six months."T
An alteration was made in the law concerning " Indians, Mulattoes, Negro Servants & Slaves." Under a previous act servants hired for a
* Rec. State Conn., I, 400.
¿ Rec. State Conn., I, 407. | Rec. State Conn., I, 413.
+ Rec. State Conn., I, 406. § Rec. State Conn., I, 412.
T Rec. State Conn., I, 414.
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time or slaves set at liberty by their masters or owners, in case they came to want, were to apply to and be supported by their former masters and owners. But now, before a servant or slave was allowed to be emancipated, the selectmen of the town in which he lived, were ordered " to inquire into the age, abilities, circumstances & character of such servant or slave, & if found to be of good, peaccable character & capable of self-support the owner or master was to receive a certificate of free- dom, & he & his heirs, executors & administrators were discharged from maintaining or supporting the servants or slaves thus made free."
Wilful destruction of magazines, naval or military stores or vessels by any malicious person was, upon legal conviction, punishable with death.
A proclamation from Governor Trumbull was sent to the ministers of the gospel, to be read in the several societies in each town, warning them against the evils of " a bloody & unnatural war tending to pro- faneness, injustice, oppression & almost every kind of vice-& as virtue is the only foundation of happiness to a free people-& to exhort every person, to avoid oppression, injustice, & every vice; to apply themselves to industry, economy & every moral & social virtue ; to pay a due atten- tion to the high obligations they were under to perform the duties of brotherly kindness & charity; to alleviate each other's burdens: relieve the distressed & poor-& to discountenance the detestable vices of monopoly, engrossing, &c., demanding exorbitant prices, considering them as totally unworthy of election to any public office : & as even the vilest pests of society."+
The delegates from the State were instructed " to move the Conti- nental Congress to immediately draw in & sink their outstanding bills. except bills less than a dollar; & to tax themselves in a sum to be ascertained & proportioned for each State by Congress, sufficient to pay the current annual expenses of the war: & to sink part of the Continental bills drawn in, by taxes & the Continental loan office; to lessen the quan- tity in circulation, & to apportion the whole sum of Continental bills emit- ted to each State, recommending to them respectively to provide suffi cient funds for sinking the same at a reasonable time."+
It was resolved "to provide a Prison Ship for the reception of pris- oners of war."
* Rec. State Conn., I, 415. + Rec. State Conn., 1, 417. # Rec. State Conn., I, 418.
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It was also resolved " to import blankets & coarse woolens into the State to supply the army to the amount of twenty thousand pounds sterling from France or elsewhere."*
An order was given to print the sum of five thousand two hundred and fifty pounds in bills of two, three, four, five and seven pence; and sixty thousand bills of cash, without interest, of the same tenor of the last issue, payable on or before October, 1782. Captain Samuel Squire was made one of a committee to receive " these bills from the Treasurer & sign the same without fee or reward."+
David Morehouse was commissioned ensign of the Norfield society train-band in Fairfield in the Fourth Regiment.#
Nathan Seeley of Fairfield was appointed surveyor of lands for the county. §
While the Connecticut Assembly was exercising its usual activity in raising, equipping and sending troops northward and to Peekskill, Gen- eral Burgoyne had been left by Governor Clinton to fight out his battle with the American forces.
On October 7th his second battle on Bemis Heights took place, when he attacked the Americans with great impetuosity, and was met with a like response by them and was driven back; but rallied and again renewed the attack. So close was the struggle that a single cannon was five times taken and retaken, but the Americans secured it at last, and Colonel Cilley, dedicating it to the States, turned it upon the enemy, who were driven back with the loss of some of their best officers. Gen- eral Morgan's corps repelled the attack of Colonel Frazier on their flank by attacking the British right. General Arnold, who by his gallantry at Bemis Heights on the 19th of September had the misfortune to have awakened the jealousy of General Gates, and been most unjustly deprived of his command, unmindful of all else but victory, mounted his horse, galloped to the fray and was hailed with acclamations of delight by the troops, who followed him with renewed impetuosity.
General Frazier, who was one of the bravest British officers, was slain. An officer was shot by the side of Burgoyne, who in vain endea- vored to rally his men, but found it impossible. Finding himself de- feated, he retired to his camp. His intrenchments in one quarter had been forced by the Americans, who had succeeded in capturing a part
* Rec. State Conn., I, 418. + Rec. State Conn., I, 428.
# Rec. State Conn., I, 431.
§ Rec. State Conn., I, 433.
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of his artillery and ammunition. During the night he secretly withdrew his army to a height in his rear, and then retreated to Saratoga. Find ing himself in an untenable position, surrounded and cut off from a further advance or retreat, he still held out for one week, when, with no way to provide his army with recruits or provisions, on the 16th of Oc- tober he found himself obliged to capitulate. He had thus far lost about four thousand men, and the remainder (5,642) of the army of ten thou sand, with which he had set out from Canada, were taken prisoners of war. All his camp equipage, cannon, arms and baggage fell into the hands of the Americans. When this news reached Fort Ticonderoga. the British garrison left in charge retreated to Canada, and once more Ticonderoga was in the possession of the victorious Americans.
This victory was joyful news to the United States, and was received with every demonstration of gratitude and encouragement to hope for final victory and peace.
While this victory was being achieved, Governor Trumbull and his Council were engaged at Hartford in carrying out measures for the benefit of the army and navy, and in exchanging prisoners.
Captain Ebenezer Bartram was granted from the State treasury the balance due him on account of his services on board the brig " Defence."
On the 18th of November General Silliman was ordered to detach and send forward to General Putnam two hundred men from his brigade, to join with other companies of the State in forming a full brigade.
The news of Burgoyne's defeat stimulated General Howe to make every possible endeavor to accomplish a victory over the Americans. On the night of the 2d of December he held a council of war at the house of a Quakeress named Darrah, who was a sincere friend to the American cause. Although Mrs. Darrah retired to her room, she took advantage of the privilege offered to learn something of the enemy's movements, and overheard General Howe issue orders for his forces to be in readiness to march the next night and surprise General Washing- ton, then at White Marsh. At an early hour she procured a pass to go to a neighboring mill for a bag of flour, and was so fortunate as to meet an American officer, whom she informed of Howe's design. The next day the British set out for Washington's camp, but upon their arrival found the American army strongly entrenched and prepared to receive them. In vain for three days Howe endeavored to draw Washington from his entrenchments, but not succeeding, he returned with his troops
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to Philadelphia. Mrs. Darrah's absence from home occupied so short a time as to place her above suspicion, and it was found upon inquiry that no member of her family had left the house during the night.
Winter now having set in, Washington removed his army to Valley Forge, a distance of twenty-two miles from Philadelphia, on the south- west side of the Schuylkill. His patriotic soldiers suffered great hard- ships during the eight days' march to Valley Forge over rough roads covered with snow and ice, on which their bruised and bare feet left bloody prints. Washington now found himself surrounded with Tories, and as they were unwilling to accept the Continental bills, with which he was furnished, he found it very difficult to supply his army with provisions, and was forced, by an order from Congress, to scour the country within seventy miles and to seize what he needed in the way of supplies. Meanwhile the British army in Philadelphia readily purchased with gold and silver, at high prices, all they needed of the farmers.
The sufferings of Washington's army during that memorable winter were very great, and need no recapitulation here. The noble soul of Washington was wrapped in gloom, not only to see his faithful army thus deprived of absolute necessities, but, harder still, to find himself censured by the Pennsylvania Assembly for going to Valley Forge, and by a coldness and want of confidence exhibited in Congress in creating a new board of war, and placing officers not friendly to him in prominent places, some even going so far as to propose that he should be super- seded by General Gates or Lee; but the last humiliation brought forth a storm of indignation throughout the country, and Congress awoke to a keen sense of their own neglect of duty in not furnishing him with an ample supply of every necessity to maintain an army of patriotic sufferers in the field. Many hours were spent by Washington in supplicating the God of battles to help him bear the great burden of the overpowering situation ; and thus he was, by Divine grace, enabled to bear with patience the ordeal he was passing through. There are moments in the lives of such men when God speaks to them in the still small voice of his up- holding strength, and lifts them above the sting of earthly reproach, while strong in their purpose to carry out His Divine will. But the dawn of victory had already opened in the north, and soon spread its enliven- ing rays over the whole land.
Congress set apart the 18th of December to be observed as a day
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of public thanksgiving throughout the United States. Governor Trum- bull sent a printed proclamation of this order to the churches throughout the State .*
The Connecticut Council of Safety forwarded in the most expeditious and liberal manner clothing and stores to Washington. On the 10th of December an order was sent by Governor Trumbull to a Boston firm to provide sufficient clothing "for four thousand men, with trimmings crimson, scarlet, buff or light colours for lapels for the same," to send to General Washington; and also to apply to them for a proper propor- tion of blankets, shirts, caps, shoes and stockings, to be sent to Con- necticut by twenty ox or horse teams, with carts and sleds, to bring such clothing to the care of Colonel Joseph Trumbull, subject to orders from Congress; and to fill any extra wagons with salt. t
Three hundred copies of the Articles of Confederation, "lately received from Congress " were ordered to be distributed to each of the towns in the State without delay.+
The inhabitants of the towns along the Sound and on the Hudson were kept in a constant state of alarm by the enemy, who in October penetrated the country to attack General Putnam and Parson's forces, but were driven off. The next day they attacked Peekskill, but were again defeated. Along the Sound they frequently landed to pillage, de- stroy and take live stock. The privateer commanded by Captain Smedley and the " Oliver Cromwell " by Captain Seth Harding, with other privateers, galleys and whale-boats, secured several prizes and prisoners.
The cruelties inflicted on the American prisoners, and the sufferings of those confined in the prison ships in New York harbor, where men in health were forced to sleep in the hold, packed with the diseased, sick and dying, without proper food, warmth or clothing, by which several died daily, will always be one of the loathsome and disgraceful blots of British barbarism. The Old Prison Ship, as it was called, seemed but one way of depleting the American army. The few sick and starving who escaped to their friends were but skeletons of their former selves. The brutal and beastly acts of hired soldiers, hired only to destroy and kill. are the natural results of war, but officers high in command are expected
* Rec. State Conn., 1, 462. { Rec. State Conn., I, 466.
# Rec. State Conn., 1, 467.
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to possess civilized qualities, which should raise them above inhuman deeds to a fallen foe.
On the 29th of October the Hon. John Hancock, who for over two years had been president of the Continental Congress, having resigned his position, passed through Fairfield on his way to Boston, escorted by a party of light dragoons.
1778. This year opened with brighter prospects for the American cause. The victories over the British and the destruction of their north- ern army had aroused the Americans, after many discouragements, days of gloom among the people and suffering among the soldiers, to a more resolute defence of their country, and to a more courageous and fuller sense of their hope of independence. The vigilance and unwearied labors of the States, and none more so than Connecticut, and no town more active than Fairfield, were now prepared to send into the field thousands of men, well armed with muskets of the best quality, an ample supply of camp equipage, artillery and ammunition. The whole United States united in one determined resolve to conquer their oppressors.
No sooner had intelligence of Burgoyne's defeat reached France, than, on the 6th of February, the French King and his ministry exhib- ited their delight by sending for the American plenipotentiaries. The indefatigable efforts of Benjamin Franklin were rewarded by an intima- tion that France was now preparing to recognize the independence of the American States, and to form with them a treaty of alliance. Mr. Silas Dean left France without delay with dispatches to place before Congress from the Court of France.
This was joyous news to Washington in his winter quarters at Valley Forge, and to the whole country.
Governor Trumbull called together the General Assembly at Hart- ford, on the 8th of January.
Barrack masters were appointed in each town to provide winter quarters for the troops sent to defend the towns, either in barracks, houses, rooms or any other dwelling. Twenty jurymen were ordered to be appointed annually for the town of Fairfield .*
Congress having recommended to the several States that subscrip- tions should be opened in each town for supplies to carry on the war on loan office certificates, the Assembly voted to issue certificates to per- sons ready to loan money to the Continental Loan Office of notes not
* Rec. State Conn., I, 471.
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less than two hundred dollars. Nathan Bulkley, Esq., was appointed to open subscriptions in the town of Fairfield .*
Orders were issued to fill up the battalions to be raised by voluntary enlistment for three years, or to January, 1779; if not filled by February 20th, " the residue shall be raised by a peremptory detachment of able- bodied men, liable to military duty out of the State, from the towns which had not filled up their quota. A bounty of £5 6s. Sd. was granted to each soldier who should enlist until January of 1779.1
The selectmen and their committees in each town were ordered to furnish each officer and soldier belonging to the town " one hunting-shirt or frock, two linen shirts, two pair of linen overalls, one pair of stock- ings & two pair of good, well-made shoes; & half as many blankets as had been ordered in April of the previous year." Even when not able to fill this order, "the selectmen were empowered to seize & impress such articles with just payment to persons who could conveniently spare them." If any town should neglect to comply with this order in due time, " they & each of them shall be assessed by the General Assembly in such sum as shall be just & reasonable." Companies of volunteers were ordered to be raised in each of the sea-port towns." One com- pany of twenty-four men, including one sergeant and one corporal under the command of a lieutenant, was ordered to be stationed at Fairfield.+
Prisoners taken from the enemy, for the safety of the State, were ordered to be confined in prison ships, prisons or elsewhere.s
Clothing and refreshments were ordered to be sent to the American prisoners in captivity at New York, Long Island or elsewhere.
General Silliman and Major Elijah Abel were appointed two of a committee respecting the situation and contemplated improvements of Yale College."
Abijah Morehouse was commissioned lieutenant and Isaac Jennings ensign of the first militia company; Albert Sherwood lieutenant and Wil- liam Wakeman ensign of the seventh company of the alarm list; Stephen Wakeman captain, Joseph Bennet lieutenant, and Ebenezer Morehouse ensign of the sixth company of militia : Ephraim Lyon captain, Samuel Thorp lieutenant and David Bradley ensign of the thirteenth militia con-
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