USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Essex > History of the town of Essex : from 1634 to 1868 > Part 19
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HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 4.
have to retreat soon, for most of our ammunition was gone, and but few of us had bayonets. They did not, however, dare to come up as before. A portion of them took a circuitous route to the south side of our hill, and soon scaled our works. We were now attacked on both sides, and the contest became very hot. Story and I were side by side, when a ball struck his head, his brains flew into my face and he fell back into the ditch, which ran along behind the fence. Another shot gave me a slight wound upon the shoulder, which made me stop for a few moments to get breath. A boy was standing not far from me, by the side of his father. When his father was just ready to apply the lighted torch to a cannon, a shot struck him and he in- stantly fell. The boy at once seized the torch from his father's hand and touched off the cannon, which did great execution upon the enemy. But after fighting awhile under the greatest disadvantage, we had to retreat, and more of our men fell while retreating, than when standing at the breastworks. Providentially for us, a fine, large company of Connecticut troops that had not been in the hottest of the action, moved up in good order near Mystic River and covered our retreat. One thing I forgot to mention, which was greatly in our favor. The wind blowing strong from the west, drove all the smoke directly into the face of our enemy, but as it rose a little above them we could see under the cloud, and point our guns breast-high."
The minister of this parish is chaplain of Col. Little's regiment-" the 17th Foot, Continental army-enlisted July 1, 1775," at Cambridge. He practiced as he preached. It was remarked to the author by aged people, forty years ago, that Mr. Cleaveland preached all the men of his parish into the army, and then went himself. Three of his four sons were in the service for a longer or shorter time. One of them, Nehemiah, enlisted in his sixteenth year, and served in the army investing Boston, and, at a later period, in New Jersey and at West Point. “Not only by his professional services as Chaplain, but by vari- ous contributions to newspapers, he did much to encourage and further the great enterprise which had its issue in our national independence."
From printed documents it appears that Ipswich fur- nished more men for the army this year than any other town in the county except Salem.
On the 9th of August, the Falcon sloop-of-war, having chased an American vessel into Gloucester harbor, dis- patched three boats with about forty men, to bring her off,
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POST-OFFICE.
1774 -- 1800.]
when the party were so warmly received by the militia, who had collected on the shore, that the captain thought it necessary to send a reinforcement, and to commence can- nonading the town. A very smart action ensued, which was kept up for several hours, but resulted in the complete de- feat of the assailants, leaving upwards of thirty prisoners in the hands of the Americans. Many people there were so alarmed at the approach of the enemy that they fled with their valuables into the interior. Some only came as far as this place, bringing silver plate and other valuables with them, and tarried awhile until the danger seemed to be over. For the defence and protection of the coast of Cape Ann, a force of militia from the more inland towns was drafted, to be stationed there. On their march thither they passed through Chebacco, halted and were paraded on the common (near the present North meeting-house), where they received their Chebacco fellow-soldiers. On this occasion, a prayer was offered by the ardent and pa- triotic Cleaveland. While he was praying in his stentorian voice " that the enemy might be blown "-" to hell and damnation," loudly interrupted an excited soldier-"to the land of tyranny from whence they came," continued the undisturbed chaplain, without altering his tone or appar- ently noticing the interruption.
The Continental Congress this year established a line of posts, from Falmouth (now Portland) in New England to Savannah in Georgia, and unanimously appointed Ben- jamin Franklin postmaster-general. The Provincial Con- gress had before this, in the month of May, appointed a post-office for Ipswich, and James Foster postmaster. This was the first post-office ever opened in Ipswich. The year before, a stage with four horses commenced run- ning twice a week, from Newburyport through Ipswich to Boston : which was a great improvement upon the open stage-chair running once a week only from Portsmouth to Boston.
1776. The Massachusetts militia in Washington's army 27
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HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 4
near Boston, in which Chebacco was well represented, had increased on the first of March to about six thousand, and in the work of fortifying Dorchester heights, on the night of March 4th, which compelled the evacuation of Boston by the British, our men bore their full share.
At this stage of the war it began to be seen that some- thing must be done upon the water, as well as upon the land, to guard the sea-coast and make reprisals upon the enemy's property upon the ocean. Our Provincial Con- gress encouraged the fitting out of private armed ves- sels, which were very successful in capturing British vessels, containing merchandise, provisions and ammuni- tion. Some of our best merchants and sea-captains were engaged in the business, under authority of government. It was with some reference to nautical affairs, probably, as well as to other measures of safety and defence; that the inhabitants of this town on the 24th of April met and chose a committee, " to meet with other sea-port commit- tees, of the county at the tavern near Beverly meeting- house this day, and consult on measures to be taken for our safety in this difficult time." The Continental Congress during this year fitted out thirteen vessels of war, five of thirty-two guns, five of twenty-eight and three of twenty- four guns. At a meeting in April the town chose dele- gates " to attend a county convention to meet here this month relative to an equal representation, by every man's having a like voice in the election of the legislative body of this colony." This convention met, and drew up a memorial in favor of this, to be presented to the Provin- cial Congress.
At a town meeting, June 10th, it was voted "that the representatives be instructed, if the Continental Congress should for the safety of the colonies, declare them inde- pendent of Great Britain, that the inhabitants here will solemnly pledge their lives and fortunes to support them in the measure." Similar resolutions were passed in most of the towns. After the Declaration of Independence was
211
COL. JONATHAN COGSWELL.
1774-1800.]
passed in Congress July 4th, printed copies were circulated and read in all the churches on Sabbath afternoons, at the close of public worship, and the Declaration recorded in the Town books, according to the order of the State Council.
From January to August, four of our men died of dis- ease in the army. Thomas Emerson Cole, aged 25; Jonathan Cogswell, 3d., aged 22; William Jones, aged 50; and David Goodhue, aged 22. In the Fall, Joseph Mar- shall Jr., was killed by a cannon ball at Lake Champlain.
In accordance with orders of the 15th of September, every fifth able-bodied man under fifty years of age was drafted into the army. The militia were also called upon for further active service. Jonathan Cogswell, Esq., of Chebacco, had been elected by the House of Representa- tives, on the 15th of February, Colonel of the third regi- ment in this county, embracing Ipswich, a part of Rowley, Topsfield and Wenham. As appears from the testimony of the aged, he rendered important aid to his country as a military officer, during the whole of the Revolutionary struggle. If the particulars of his military course, could all be ascertained, they would doubtless afford abundant confirmation of this testimony. His regiment had been already reduced in numbers by the frequent drafts made upon it, for sea-coast men and various expeditions, before he took the field. From documents which he left in his family, we gather that he was at Fairfield, Ct., with his regiment, on the 19th of October, at Rye, November 3d, and at North Castle, on the 20th of the same month. While at Fairfield, as appears from his "return," his regi- ment, which was then a part of Gen. Parsons' Brigade, consisted of six companies-19 commissioned officers, 5 staff officers, 22 non-commissioned officers, and 309 rank and file. Nineteen of the latter were sick or absent on duty elsewhere, leaving 290 privates fit for duty ; making his whole effective force 336. The Chebacco company in the regiment, under command of Capt. Perkins, contained 2 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants and 55 rank and file, " present,
.
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HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 4
fit for duty." An order received by Col. Cogswell there, in the handwriting of Washington, was preserved among his papers, and is now extant. The following is a copy of it :
" Whatever Troops are on the road from Connecticut towards Marroneck (in New York), are hereby ordered and directed to advance towards Mar- roneck, and there put themselves under the command of the Senior Officer, until further Orders ; who is, with the whole of his Troops, to use every pos- sible means to protect the Stores of Provisions at the Saw Pitts, and give their best assistance in sending them off to places of safety. Given under my hand this twenty-first day of October, 1776. GEORGE WASHINGTON."
Fairfield being a sea-port on Long Island Sound, he was doubtless there, to protect the coast and prevent the land- ing of the British. How long he had been there his pa- pers do not say. From other sources, we know that he was at the battle of White Plains, thirty miles north-east of New York. His minister, the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, was also there at the same time as chaplain of his regi- ment, as was also Mr. Cleaveland's son, Nehemiah, a pri- vate. This battle was fought on the 28th of October. The attack was made by the British, with a view to get possession of the eastern roads, and thus cut off the sup- plies which Washington was receiving for his army. But, though there were many killed on both sides, the British failed of their object. Washington maintained his ground, till the night of the 30th, when he removed his army to North Castle, a town three miles north-east of White Plains. Leaving here most of the New England troops under General Lee, Washington crossed the Hudson, and pressed by the British, soon after retreated across New Jersey. Some of our Chebacco men were with him in this retreat, as we have often heard them say. We must follow them, for the history of towns, is the history of townsmen, especially when acting for town and country. The British army under Lord Cornwallis follow hard after Washington through New Brunswick, Princeton and Tren- ton. At the Delaware they expect the river will delay him, and they with their superior force shall crush him at
-
213
1774-1800.]
THE JERSEY CAMPAIGN.
once. But he has just crossed over as they come up. Having no boats to pass with, they encamp and wait for the river to freeze. Washington, having called in some detachments of his army and being strengthened by 1500 militia under General Mifflin, determines to recross the Delaware, and surprise the British posts at Trenton. With the greatest difficulty, this bold undertaking is ac- complished on the night of the 25th of December, by a part of the army, led by Washington himself. After much toil and suffering and loss of time, the force reaches Tren- ton at eight o'clock in the morning. Col. Rahl, the com- manding officer of that post, attempts a defence, but he is mortally wounded at the first fire, and his troops in dis- may seek to escape by the Princeton road, but Washington intercepts them, and defeats their design, and they are compelled to surrender. Of our troops, two are killed and two are frozen to death. Not wishing to hazard what he has gained, he recrosses the river with his prisoners, and six pieces of artillery, a thousand stand of arms and some military stores. Two days after, he erosses the Del- aware again, and takes possession of Princeton. Lord Cornwallis, leaving a part of his troops at Princeton, marches with the rest of his army to give battle to Wash- ington at Trenton. But our wise and skillful General, aware that his force is much too inferior to hazard a battle, resorts to stratagem. Leaving his fires burning briskly, and some small parties to throw up entrenchments within sound of the British sentinels, that his army might not be missed, he silently decamps in the night, and by a circuitous route, gains the rear of the enemy between Princeton and Trenton. Two British regiments are com- ing from Princeton to join Cornwallis. A conflict ensues. Our troops give way. But Washington rallies and leads on the main body, and victory is ours. We press on toward Princeton, where one regiment is left. A part save them- selves by flight. The rest fall into our hands. Cornwallis hearing the firing towards Princeton, suspects the whole
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HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 4.
at once, and immediately turns his troops towards Prince- ton, that he may save his stores at New Brunswick. Washington, on his approach retires to Morristown, Jan- uary 6, 1777, where he entrenches. Cornwallis goes into winter quarters at New Brunswick. All the rest of New Jersey, except Amboy, falls into the hands of our people. These remarkable exploits, so signally blessed of heaven, kindle new life in the breast of every soldier, and send a thrill of joy throughout the country. In our little com- munity here, from which most of the men are gone, the news flies from house to house, and female lips exclaim, " Glorious news from the Jerseys."
1777. February 27th, the town offer a bounty and extra pay to every soldier enlisting in the continental army for three years; first year, £6; second year, £8; third, £10. If they die while in service, the same shall go to their heirs ; or such soldiers shall have £18 at the end of three years.
June 9th. The town instruct their representatives " to oppose the repeal of the Price Act; to act against the General Court's forming a new plan of government; to try for the removal of this Court to some country town ; for having all the State's money redeemed with continental currency, so that there be but one kind of currency in the United States, and for giving encouragement to the raising of flax and wool."
August 18th. Voted, " that the committee hire men, who shall be called to serve during the war." Thirteen men of Chebacco are reported this month by the Colonel as already in service in the northern army. Six more are now drafted from the military company here to serve in that army, which number (six), according to Capt. David Low's "return " of August 15th, was one-sixth part of the able-bodied men at home. In September, Lieut. John Choate makes return of eight others, "who marched out of Capt. David Low's company in Chebacco, with said Capt. Low, to re-enforce the northern army." . September 17th,
215
THE NORTHERN ARMY.
1774-1800.]
voted, " that the selectmen supply the families of soldiers who are in the continental army."
As we have twenty-eight men in the northern army under Gen. Gates, we will go there and witness some of the operations. The British General Burgoyne, has come from Canada with an army of eight thousand regular troops, to effect a junction with the British at New York. He has taken Ticonderoga with its numerous artillery, and the important post of Skenesborough (now Whitehall); has the full command of Lake Champlain and Lake George; after much labor and fatigue, and the loss of about two hundred men in skirmishes by the way, has now reached the Hudson River, and by a bridge of boats has crossed over from the east side to Saratoga on the west.
As the British advance, our army leaving Saratoga, fall down the river and finally encamp near the confluence of the Mohawk and the Hudson on Bemis Heights. The camp is the segment of a circle, with the convex towards the enemy, and is connected with the river by a deep in- trenchment covered by strong batteries. The right is also covered by a deep hollow descending to the river and thickly wooded. On the 19th of 'September, an alarm being given about noon that the enemy is approaching, Col. Morgan with his riflemen is sent forward to meet them, and soon the regiments from New Hampshire, Con- necticut and New York follow, and by the middle of the afternoon, the action becomes general ; and our Massachu- setts troops act their part with great bravery. The Brit- ish have four field-pieces in operation. But the ground occupied by our troops, a thick wood on the border of the open field, does not admit of the use of artillery. On the opposite side of this field, on a rising ground, in a thin pine wood, the British troops are drawn up. As soon as they come forward in the open field, tlie fire of our marks- men, drives them back in disorder; and whenever our troops push forward into the open ground, the British rally, charge, and drive them back. This alternate ad-
216
HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 4.
vancing and retreating is continued and repeated perhaps not less than a dozen times. Every time our troops drive them back, their artillery falls into the hands of our men ; 1 but the ground is such, that they cannot bring off the guns, nor keep them long enough to use them against the British. The contest is furious, and the fire of mus- ketry and the shout of battle continue till the darkness of the evening shuts in upon us. The British remain upon the ground, and claim the victory. Our troops re- turn to their camp, and feel that in maintaining their ground, they have gained a decided triumph. The field is covered with the dead and the wounded. The British have lost more than five hundred ; our loss is less than three hundred. Among the badly wounded, is one of our Chebacco neighbors, Joseph Burnham, who continues in much pain and distress about two weeks, and then closes his eyes in death.
In our camp all is preparation for another trial with the British. In the meantime, news is brought that a detach- ment of militia, under Col. Brown, has taken the posts at the outlet of Lake George, with three hundred prisoners, and also several armed vessels upon the lake. This cut off Burgoyne's communications with Canada, so that his situation became more and more critical. Provisions for his army were daily diminishing, without any hope of re- newing the supply, except by the conquest of our army. But this was becoming every day less and less probable, for our success in the recent battle was noised abroad as a great victory, and the militia were coming in to join us in great numbers. Burgoyne must, however, retreat or risk another battle, for his troops are already suffering severely from a scanty supply of provisions. On the 7th of October, therefore, he makes an advance upon our army. As soon as this is discovered, our whole force is in motion. The British are so furiously assailed that amidst a shower of grape and musketry they begin to give way, and with difficulty reach their camp. Col.
217
1774-1800.] SUCCESS OF TIIE NORTHERN ARMY.
Brooks, afterwards our governor, attacks a German brigade in their intrenchments, forces them from their ground at the point of the bayonet, and captures their camp equi- page and artillery, and a supply of ammunition, which was a great relief to our poorly supplied troops. Night coming on, the battle is interrupted. But our troops sleep upon their arms, ready to renew it as soon as light returns. Burgoyne, having lost four hundred men, with artillery, ammunition, and tents, thinks it best to steal away in the night while our troops are asleep. In the morning, we see him at a distance, drawn up in order of battle, on some high grounds in the rear. The day is spent in skirmishing. The next day he retreats to Sara- toga, in the midst of a rain that falls in torrents, and which prevents our army from giving him any annoyance. But his situation is desperate. A council of war advises him to open a treaty of capitulation. He surrenders Octo- ber 16th. It is a triumphant day for the colonies, when the proud Burgoyne, under the gaze of more than twenty thousand eyes, walks up to our General-Gates, and, as a conquered foe, delivers to him his sword. We see our Chebacco soldiers intently looking on. Among them is a youth in his seventeenth year, who lives to repeat the story in his ninety-fifth year, recalling the scene with all the enthusiasm of youth. This ceremony of delivering the sword being ended, the British troops, to the number of nearly six thousand, march out of their camp with the honors of war, lay down their arms under an engagement never more to serve against the United States, and are conducted to Boston to embark for England. Five Che- bacco men were drafted to form a part of the force which guarded these prisoners of war while they were encamped in Charlestown awaiting transportation. With the fall of Burgoyne, all the posts north of us to Canada line soon fell into our hands.
Some of our Chebacco men are stationed at Albany, the rest join the body of the army under Washington, at Val- 28
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HISTORY OF ESSEX.
[CHAP. 4.
ley Forge, in Pennsylvania. Though sent in November, in a body of five thousand northern troops, by Gen. Gates at the request of Washington, yet, being detained by Gen. Putnam in the neighborhood of New York, they did not reach the Southern camp till December, when they were joined by two thousand more from Gen. Gates. Wash- ington's troops, consisting of about eleven thousand, were now in Winter quarters at Valley Forge, a piece of ground on the south side of the Schuylkill, about twenty miles from Philadelphia. The soldiers are quartered in log huts, nearly eight hundred in number, arranged in rows, each hut containing fourteen men. But they are in destitute condition-almost without clothing, and poorly supplied with provisions. Many, for want of blankets to lie on, are obliged to sit and sleep by the fire at night. Destitute of shoes, their late marches had been tracked in blood over the frozen ground !
Leaving the army at Valley Forge, we turn our atten- tion to the efforts made by our people to resist the enemy upon the sea. Something was done by our public armed ships, but more by swift-sailing privateers, which scoured every sea-even those about the British Islands. They were very successful in capturing merchantmen and ships laden with provisions and military supplies, and thus not only weakened the enemy, but supplied our distressed countrymen with bread and military stores, of which they were destitute. There were some from this parish engaged in privateering-though but few, compared with the num- ber that entered the army. With their vessels of war, the English were at this time masters of all our coasts, on some parts of which the most wanton and cruel depredations were inflicted. On the 1st of August Col. Cogswell is informed by Brigadier Farley that "a fleet of a hundred sail of large vessels were seen from the highlands in Glou- cester standing to the northward," and is ordered "to have his regiment in readiness for what may happen." During this year a British frigate was off our bay. Boats were
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FRANCIS CHOATE, ESQ.
1774-1800.]
sent from her into the harbor of Annisquam. Mrs. Mar- shall, a resident on Hog Island, said to the author that she distinctly saw the flashes of the guns in their boats, and of the guns of our people on shore. A guard of twelve men, she said, was quartered upon the Island to prevent their landing. At one time their boats were seen approaching to effect a landing, when all upon the Island fled, except one resolute woman, the wife of William Choate, grand- mother of the late Hon. Rufus Choate, who declared she would stay and keep house if all the rest ran. She staid with two of her children, and received no harm.
October 15th, Francis Choate died aged seventy-six. He was a brother of Hon. John Choate of Ipswich Centre, and was born on Hog Island in 1701. He was a ruling elder in Mr. Cleaveland's church, and one of his prominent supporters. In 1754, he was made Justice of the Peace, and in town affairs, and as a town officer, he was prominent for many years. His second son, William, was the father of the late Mr. David Choate, and of George Choate, Esq.
1778. January 12th, the town voted to take under consideration, "The Articles of the Confederation and Perpetual Union between the United States of America, as proposed to the Legislature of this State "
January 19th. " Voted, to instruct the representatives to vote that the delegates from Massachusetts favor the Articles of Confederation." -
April 6th. " Voted, that a committee meet with others here at Tread- well's, on the 15th instant, to consider the Constitution and form of govern- ment proposed."
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