History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Part 59

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards
Number of Pages: 776

USA > Delaware > History of Delaware : 1609-1888 > Part 59

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).

Kirkwood's roll showed : Cajunin, Robert Kirkwood ; Lieutenant, Richard Wills; Ensign,

1 See preceding pages for Ha-let's muster rolls on these dates. : Mr. Whitely's address, pp 23 to 31.

243

DELAWARE DURING THE REVOLUTION

Griffith Jordan ; Sergeants, Daniel Cochran, James Dougherty, samuel Davis. Robert Hewas; Corp que, James Stenson, Moses Jeali, James Lowery, Archibald M Bible ; and twenty two private 4.

The field and staff were:

Colonel, David Hill ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Charles Poppe ; Mayor, Joseph Vaughan ; Adjutant, George Porvis ; Pasmater, 1 ward Roche; Hur- termaster, Thonris Andersen ; Surgeon, Renben tilder; Surgeon'- Mate, Juho Platt.

In June Lord Howe advanced from Brunswick, but his retreat to Amboy and embarkation aboard his transports was soon known. What was his des- tination, - New England, the Hadson, the Dela- ware or the South? Washington was sorely puzzled to tell, and until it was known, no definite move- ments could be made. Every preparation was made along the Delaware to meet the enemy, and to get prompt and certain intelligence of the line on which he wouldl advance. The committee for driving off cattle were increased, with orders to act upon the first appearance of the enemy. The shores of the Delaware and the chief roads from it west- ward were ordered to be surveyed as far south as Christiana Creek, and on the east bank to Salem, and all the topographical peculiarities of the ground to be carefully noted, swamps, natural obstacles, cover for marksmen, etc. Cirenlars were i-sued to wagon-masters to hold themselves ready to remove stores and provisions under the direction of the Committees of Safety. The outlook at the Dela- ware Capes was the centre of a painful interest at this time, and the feint of entering made by Howe's fleet, with the subsequent steady course southward, made things still more uncertain. Washington moved his army to the Delaware; it lay at Cor- yell's Ferry, Howell's Ferry and Trenton, and there waited. The march to Germantown one day was followed the next by a march back to Coryell's. It was merely marching to occupy time. The ene- my's movements must be more developed before any movements of Washington could be made in one direction or the other.

On the 30th of July the enemy's fleet was seen at Cape Henlopen, and on the 31st Congress received a letter, dated the 30th, from Brigadier-General Cæsar Rodney, at Dover, Delaware; and one of the same date from H. Fisher at Lowes, informing that body that the enemy's fleet had appeared at the mouth of the Delaware, about four miles from the light-house. Congress immediately took the subject under consideration, and believing the des- tination of the enemy to be Philadelphia, ordered all the provisions and stores to be removed from the city, and " Resolved, That the militia of the States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland be immediately called forth to repel any invasion of the enemy in -aid States." Congress also ordered all the live-stock to be driven off from the Delaware borders to the interior. Howe's plans were fully developed by the middle of August, when his war-ships and transports approached Elk River,

and the debarkation began at the head of the Ches. apeake Bay.

On Sunday, August 24th, the main body of the Continental army, ten thousand strong, under Washington's personal command, marched into Philadelphia, and took the road to Che-ter and Wilmington. Washington immediately wrote to General Rodney, who commanded the Delaware militia : " For the pre-ent you can do no more than keep -cout- and patrol- towards the enemy to watch their motions, but as soon as you are joined by more foree from this State . Pennsylvania), by the militia of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and by Richard- son's Maryland battalion, I would have you move as near the enemy as yon can with safety."

In the mean time Washington ordered General Smallwood to proceed to Maryland and organize the militia on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake and Colonel M. Gist the militia on the Eastern Shore. Rodney's Delaware and Colonel Richard- son's Maryland militia were afterwards ordered to co-operate with Smallwood, who was placed in com- mand of the entire force to operate in the rear of the enemy. The Delaware militia, under Caesar Rodney, were hastily posted at the head of the Elk, where, upon the approach of the British, they pressed into service all the teams within reach and secured the greater part of the public stores, only leaving several thousand bushels of corn and oats, which fell into the hands of the enemy.

Washington reached Wilmington on the same day the British landed at the head of the Elk. His army passed through Wilmington and advanced to the high land west of it, where it eneamped, some going as far as Newport. Washington took up his headquarters on Quaker Ilill, in a house which for many years afterwards stood on the west side of West Street, midway between Third and Fourth. Here be issued the following order :

" To Brigadier-General Bylney :

"FIR-The Congress having called upon the state of Delaware fur its proportion of Militia, to assist in deteating the hostile designs of the enemy in this quarter, you are, without loss of tithe, to the your utmost exertions towards accon fishing that Deresstry purpose, and for asar Di- bling and arranging in the best order puissilde, the quota assigned your state, at Millietown and in its bright chood. When assembled they are to co-operate more immediately with the militie from the Eastern shore of Maryland in watching the motions uf the enemy, and taking every opportunity of harassing them, by alarunng them frequently with light panties, lasting up their l'ickets, and intercepting, as often as it can be done, whatever parties they may send out to prucite supplies of force, horses, cattle, proveden- and necessaries of every kind ; which will equally serve to distress them and shelter the inhalatants from their deprestations, and ought therefore to be an object of your peculiar care. The more effectually to distress them in this respect, I would have you to remove su h Fait, cattle, homes stick and other auta les of sub-st- vive, that lie so cuntignons to them, a- to be in more mmechiate dan_er of falling mito their hands, out of their reach, and to continue doing this as they continue their progress through the country. You will also withdraw every kind of carriage which might serve to facilitate the than which you can der thing that will be more inprions to them, ad their is hathning they areder i want ef.

** One more fre Hley as the this was I must recommend to you to the- which is, if there shouts be any Mills in their neighborhood, to tahu away the gunners and have them removed out of their reach. - This will reunder the Mills us less to them and will be little or no det: . ment to the inhabitants, more especially to the well adlected who it is probable will,

i :

244

HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

for the most part, quit their homes where they appear, and to whom they cat Im restored at a proper time

" While you are attentive to annoying and distressing the enemy, Sou will not begheet ny repenteat men-sus for your own security -for this purpure you will take posts the na st advantageous and the bas betle to sargans, you can find, and will station proper grands at every pass by which you are accessilde, addiging them to alserve the strictest sign the and order. You will find scouting parties by day and patroles ly might, going from post to post, and towards the enemy, extremely useful bath to discover eveis doing, that is jasing with theit, and to qualit yourself from any attempt to surprise you.

"If the enemy should match towards Philadelphia, ns is expected, you will hang constantly npon their night flank and rear, and give them all the annoyance in your power, kergang yourself in such i situation as to be always ready to communicate and co-operate with this amy.

I bet you arrive at the place of soul destinations som wad infe tu me of it, and of your numbers atol situation, from time to true ; and yet will make a point of giviter me instant and certain adstr ent . wiry veeur- rence of importance that comes to your knowledge.

"Apply to the Quarter Master and Comm -- Ques of provisions and for- age, and settle a plan with them for furnishing yon duly with such sup- phies as you will have et caston for. in thin respective de partiuents

"As General Maxwell will want persons well acquainted with the country to remain with him, in the capacity of guules, jon will leave with him thirty or forty men, ht for the business, out of the batta'tons that are now advanced towards the enemy. Those should be select men, who have a through knowledge of the conutry. intelligent and of known attachment atul fidelity to the American cause,

"I need not unige it upon you how essential your utmost care and activity are ujum thuis occasion. You are fully sensilde of its importance. and that the season fondly calls for the greatest efforts of every firend to his country. We have no time to spare, and cannot Is too soon prepared, as we have reason every moment to expwet the enemy will prosecute their march towards the object they have in view.

"Given at Head Quarters, Wilmington, thus 31st Angust, 1777. "G. WASHINGTON."

General Armstrong with the Pennsylvania mili- tia from Wilmington, and General Rodney with the Delaware militia, and Generals Greene and Weeden reeonnoitered the country between Wil- mington and the head of the Elk. Washington proceeded to the scene of operations and also made a personal reconnoissance before the enemy took up their line of march. On the 3d of September their lines extended from Glasgow, then called Aiken's or Aikentown, to Iron Hill. On that day a severe skirmish took place between them and the Delaware and Maryland militia near Cooch's Bridge. The Americans lost about forty in killed and wounded; the British loss is unknown. After this engagement the British burned Cooeh's Mill near Iron Hill, and committed many other arts of wanton destruction of property. They removed the records of the Cecil County court-hou-e and burned the building. " A writer of the period says the British captured all the records and public pa- pers of New Castle County and every shilling of the public money, together with the fund belong- ing to the trustees of Newark Academy."

Howe' advanced from the head of Elk to Elk-

1 To allay public alarm, and to insure immumty for hisstragglers, Gen- eral Howe on the 27th of August boned the following :

" Declaration to the mhalatants of Peitisylvain, the lower coun- tiey on the DJaware, and the counties on the Eastern Shore of Mary lan ! :

"sir William Hlowe, regretting the calamities to which many of his Majesty's faithful suggests are still exposed by the continuate of the rebethou ; and no loss destions of protecting the innocent than deter- mined to pursue with the rights of war all those whoin his Majesty's forces, in the course of their progress, buty find in arms against the king; Doth hereby assure the peacealle whatants of the prince at Penn- sylvain, the Liver counties on the Iblesate, and the counties of Maryland on the eastern shore of Chesapeake lisy, that an modet to re- move any grontfess apprehensions which may have Inen faseil of their sufferings by depredations of the artuy under his command, he

ton, Maryland, whence he began to move on Sep- tember 3d, while Washington was still in Wilming- ton. Howe had 17,000 picked men and Washing- ton 11,000. The latter was in danger of being driven into the Delaware or down the peninsula, when Howe, on the date mentioned, marched by the left flank and sought to turn the American right and occupy the upper fords of the Brandy- wine River. It was only by extreme activity that Washington was able to break through this flank- ing strategy, and after several skirmishes along its banks, the two armies found themselves, on Sep- tember 11th, on opposite sides of the Brandywine, the British planning to force the passage of the stream, the Americans seeking to hold the fords and attack the enemy wherever he tried to cross.2

The Brandywine is a historie river, yet not much more than a mill-stream in its dimensions. Its source is a double stream, uniting in Chester Coun- ty, Pa., seeking the Delaware lowlands and empty- ing into the Christiana. There were numerous ford-, especially on the upper stream, with hills on either side. The main road from Delaware to Philadelphia crosses the Brandywine at Chadd's Ford; a mile and a half below was Pyle's Ford ; two miles above was Brinton's Ford. Ilowe's army was massed at Kennett Square, several miles south of the Brandywine, on the road to Chadd's

hath issued the strictest orders to the troops for the preservation of regularity and good discipline ; and has siemified that the most exen- pdlary pumsliment shall be inthur ted npon those who shall dare to fun- der the property or molest the petsous of any of Ins majesty's well du- Pure i salytels,

"sermatty and protection are likewise extended to all persons, inhal- itants of the province and counties afuresind, who 'not guilty of having assumed legislative of judicial authority) may have acted theyally in subordinate stations, at const ions of their misconduct, been induced to leave their dwellings ; Provided such persone do forthwith return and remain pracealdy in their usnal place of almile.

"Considering, moreover, that many offers and private mon, now actually in nitus against his majesty, may be willing to relinquish the part they have taken in this rebellion and return to their due alle- giance .-

"Sir William Howe doth there fore promise a free and general par lon to all such officer, and private men as shall voluntarily surrender them- selves to any detachment of his majesty's fontes, before the des on which it shall be notified that the sud indulgence shall be discontinued. "Given under my hatid, at head-quarters of the army, the sith of August, 1777.

" By his Excellency's command, " RoDr. MCKENZIE, Secretary."

" Howe's movement on Pinladelphia by the route through Maryland And Ih lawme was somewhat unaccountable except on the supprition that in the Delaware and Maryland country and the lower district of Penny Ivama he would derive great and from the Tories, and that even if the first movement of Philadelphia tuled. It would be easy to cut off Washington from his magazines at Lan ister, and the supplies from the rich country to the westward of that fits. But Howe was disappoint- ed in the feeling of the print.ar counties, Galloway, a Tory, who acted as a British guide, said, in his testimony before the House of Commons, in 1979 ; " At and about the hea lot Elk, a number of per- sony ilsdl deset! their houses and carry off the ir rffrets, but not all, after Fir Win Howe had ady theed mita the country fi on thenes about right ar ten miles, I don tie have that I saw, in the whode route of the army, from then. . to Phil delpdlna, consisting of at least to miles, above ten, of at most fifteen, houses deserted, The inhalatants were found quietly at their homes, and ty ins there affwaruErweiy mark of pleasure at the trengs arriving in the colony." sull the disaffection was rather pay sive than active. The n.halst ints remained at home on the principle et paso eta non-interneten of land the extent of their assetime to the British was to allowed inquiries as the eligible fines of much and the vicinity of the enviny, and occasionally to foumish from their well- stocked fartus and dairies supplies to the invaders -Life of Joseph feed, vol. i , p. 305.

245

DELAWARE DURING THE REVOLUTION

Ford. Washington's army-Armstrong. with the nearly parallel with the Brandywine. General Pennsylvania militia, hell Pybe'- Ford; Washing- ton, with Wayne and Greene, hold the centre; Wer- den's and Muhlenberg's brigades, Greene's division, held the heights in the rear of Chadd', Ford a- a reserve. On a hill at the ford was Proctor's ar- tillery, sheltered by a rude redoubt and supported by Wayne's brigade. Maxwell's light infantry were in the advance, hokling the south side of the ford and the approaches to it. On the right, con- necting with Wayne and Greene and with pick.ts, videttes and light cavalry thrown out up -- tream to the forks, was Sullivan's division and those of Ste- phen and Stirling, holding Brinton's Ford. Salli- van was charged to louk to the security of that Hank, but had not the means with which to do it, and, besides, was not competent to conaband the entire wing of an army.1

He had only some light cavalry under Bland. Stirling was brave, but dull ; Stephen wa- a super annuated veteran and dull besides. The country was disaffected in the extreme - full of Tories and Quakers-and while Howe, guided by Galloway, had all the intelligence he needed, Washington not only did not know of the enemy's movements, but seemed to be only partially acquainted with the lay of the land. lle was very anxious for Howe to attack him at Chadd's Ford, confident that he would be able to defeat him there, and that was precisely what Howe did not intend to do.3

The relation of the battle of the Brandywine need be but brief. Although it was partially fought on Delaware soil, there exists no chronicle of the doings of Col. Hall's regiment in it. We do not even know to what brigade they were attached. Probably their officers described the action in letters and reports, but nobody took care to preserve the documents that at the present day would be invaluable. The official reports of the army mentioned only the brigades and did not specify the regiments which compo-ed them. It is a conjecture that receive, the color of probability that the Delawareans were with the 'Maryland troops in Sullivan's' division and consequently shared in the defeat inflicted by Cornwallis upon Sullivan near Trumbull's and Jeffrey's Fords. Sullivan's dispositions were bad, in addition to his being surprised and flanked. At daybreak the column under Cornwallis moved along the Lancaster road, which for several miles ran

1 Scharf & " History of Philadelphia," vol i., paze "47.

"" It will appe ir that the movement of Genial Howe was as brilliantly executed as it was cimbruitly scratch atal pecubor to his unit daly habit."-Carryaglio's " Battles of the Lietelefon," jorge 37 3.

On the Both of september the Delaune and Mrshand delegates ta Congrew coquested fat body to remove Gentil Sultan and play the Delaware and Maryquel troops "maler the committed 1 - the other natjer general." & juan the eyes and now being called, it was decided a the wepative-New Hampshire, Mrsachusetts, Whale Isbust, Coune u cut, New Jersey, Prunes Isant, Virginia, South Carolina and South Carolina voting " no," and Maryland sad D-Liware voting "aye" Georgia was divided

Flowe was with this division. Knyphausen and his command movel forward at nine o'clock. . dense fog enshironde! the country, and the seout- ing-parties of both arnies often came in clos contact before they were aware of their proximity. From behind the walls of the graveyard of the Kennett meeting-boire, and ako of houses, trees wal clumps of bushes, parties of militia kept up an annoying fire upen the advancing enemy. Kryphausen, however, pitched forward toward Chady's Pord. ile sent a strong advance party to dislodge Maswell. They met at about ten o'clock and a severe engagement ensued. Max- well was driven back to the verge of the stream at the ford, where he was re-enforced. Turning upon his pur-ucis, he made a furious charge, the ranks of the enemy were thrown into confusion and fall back upon Knyphau-en's main column. Unable to cope with Maxwell in open battle with- out bringing a larger force into action. Knyphau- zen sent a detachment through the woods to make an attack on his fiank. Perceiving this move- ment, Maxwell retreated across the stream, leaving the whole west bank of the Brandywine in possession of the enemy. Knyphausen now brought forward his advance, and from the brow of the hill upon the west side of the stream he kept ap a strong cannonade upon the Americans with- out attempting to cross. The fire was returned with spirit by Proctor's artillery. Knyphausen did not cross the Brandywine, because he was in- structed by Howe to amuse the Americans with feigned efforts to make the pas-age of the ford until Cornwallis should cross above and gain the right and rear of the patriots. This strategy Cornwallis successfully accomplished, and when he did so he won the day by taking Sullivan in the flank and doubling his divisions one upon the other. Just as this movement was developing, Washington was preparing to attack Knyphausen in front, while Armstrong crossed below and Sullivan above. But Howe's flank movement was the more quickly executed. His columns pressed in between the American divisions and drove all be- fore them and were rapidly gaining the main road, when the reserve, under Washington and Greene, came up and checked the enemy long enough to prevent a rout and cover the withdrawal of the army.+

Many records and traditions of the engagement

4 The number of the killed and wounded is only conjectural. Wash- ington Was unable to make a feira of the AAturtican loss of ac ount .f the confusion whe h f df wwed the de feat, mity of the mattis companies being chinted by norrtion. Gernetal Greene estimated the lus at the Ameri ans in kall. d, wonuded ated [ risque rs at 1_ 1, afel towe repe ited

Det liments of the fautich aris, many . ( whom were Hewants. mitet the battle entered Wilmington, singing some of the wall. Med with them. The i'd Frestyrelsen Church on Market Street was used as a hospital, and many houses were demanded to be opened for the care of the wounded

....

245

DELAWARE DURING THE REVOLUTION

Ford. Washington's army-Armstrong. with the nearly parallel with the Brandywine. General Pennsylvania militia, held Pybe' Ford; Washing- ton, with Wayne and Greene, hold the centre; Wer- den's and Muhlenberg's brigade-, Greene's division, held the heights in the rear of Chadd's Ford e- a reserve. On a hill at the ford was Proctor's ar- tillery, sheltered by a rade redoubt and supported by Wayne's brigade. Maxwell's light infantry were in the advance, hobling the south side of the ford and the approaches to it. On the right, con- necting with Wayne and Greene and with pick.ts, videttes and light cavalry thrown out up -- tream to the forks, was Sullivan's division and those of Ste- phen and Stirling, holding Brinton's Ford. Salli- van was charged to look to the security of that flank, but had not the means with which to do it, and. besides, was not competent to conasand the entire wing of an army,1

He had only some light cavalry under Bland. Stirling was brave, but dull ; Stephen was a super annuated veteran and dull besides. The country was disaffected in the extreme - full of Tories and Quakers -- and while Ilowe, guided by Galloway, had all the intelligence he needed, Washington not only did not know of the enemy's movements, but seemed to be only partially acquainted with the lay of the land. He was very anxious for Howe to attack him at Chadd's Ford, confident that he would be able to defeat him there, and that was precisely what Howe did not intend to do.

The relation of the battle of the Brandywine need be but brief. Although it was partially fought on Delaware soil, there exists no chronicle of the doings of Col. Hall's regiment in it. We do not even know to what brigade they were attached. Probably their officers described the action in letters and reports, but nobody took care to preserve the documents that at the present day would be invaluable. The official reports of the army mentioned only the brigades and did not specify the regiments which composed them. It is a conjecture that receives the color of probability that the Delawareans were with the 'Maryland troops in Sullivan's division and consequently shared in the defeat inflicted by Cornwallis upon Sullivan near Trumbull's and Jeffrey's Fords. Sullivan's dispositions were bad, in addition to his being surprised and flanked. At daybreak the column under Cornwallis moved along the Lancaster road, which for several miles ran

" Scharf's " History of Philadelphia," vol i., page "IT.

" " It will appear that the movement of tienenal How " was as brilliantly executed as it was rontently sieutile and pecular is las un ately habit."-Carrington's " Battles of the dictadoland," proje CTS.

Jon the lith of september the Delaware and Maryland delegates in Congr + requested that londy to remove General Sullivan and place the Delaware and Maryhul troops " under the a samband of - the other major general." Upon the ages and may bemy railed, utan derpied in the negative-New Hamplate, Massalabetts, 1. de Island, d'une cut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina al Siu !! Carolina voting "uo," and Maryland sad D-Liware voting "aye" Georgia was divided

Ilowe was with this division. Knyphausen and his command movel forward at nine o'clock. . 1 dense for ensbranded the country, and the scout- ing-parties of both a.mies often came in close contact before they were aware of their proximity. From behind the walls of the graveyard of the Kennett meeting-house, and also of houses, trees wal cium pz of bushes, partiesof militia kept up an annoying fire upen the advancing enemy. Knivphausen, however, pushed forward toward Chael's Tord. He sent a strong advance party to dislodge Maswell. They met at about ten o'clock and a severe engagement ensued. Max- well was driven back to the verge of the stream at the ford, where he was re-enforced. Turning upon his pur-uers, he made a furious charge, the ranks of the enemy were thrown into confusion and fell back upon Knyphan-en's main column. Unable to cope with Maxwell in open battle with- out bringing a larger force into action, Knyphau- sen sent a detachment through the woods to make an attack on his flank. Perceiving this move- ment, Maxwell retreated across the stream, leaving the whole west bank of the Brandywine in possession of the enemy. Knyphausen now brought forward his advance, and from the brow of the hill upon the west side of the stream he kept ap a strong cannonade upon the Americans with- out attempting to cross. The fire was returned with spirit by Proctor's artillery. Knyphausen Jid not cross the Brandywine, because he was in- structed by Howe to amuse the Americans with feigned efforts to make the pas-age of the ford until Cornwallis should cross above and gain the right and rear of the patriots. This strategy Cornwallis successfully accomplished, and when he did so he won che day by taking Sullivan in the flank and doubling his divisions one upon the other. Just as this movement was developing, Washington was preparing to attack Knyphausen in front, while Armstrong crossed below and Sullivan above. But Howe's flank movement was the more quickly executed. His columns pressed in between the American divisions and drove all be- fore them and were rapidly gaining the main road, when the reserve, under Washington and Greene, came up and checked the enemy long enough to prevent a rout and cover the withdrawal of the army.+

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.

History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Part 59

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards Number of Pages: 776

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards
Number of Pages: 776