History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 18

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916

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Learned had previously been elected delegate to the provincial Congress at Concord, and on 12 Jan., 1775, he was again chosen to the same body at Cambridge. During the autumn and winter of 1774-5 with his fellow-officers he was active in military preparations, and when in April the first alarm of war sounded, was ready for action. On the 21st of April, 1775, two days after the first engage- ment, we find him at Cambridge at the head of his command prepared for service. He was ordered to Roxbury, under Gen. Thomas, where he remained as reserve and doing guard duty during the siege of Boston. Samuel Bixby of Sutton, one of his men, kept a diary dur- ing the eight months spent here, and thus describes the battle of

1 A change was subsequently made and Learned placed in command of the Third Mass. Regiment.

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GENERAL LEARNED IN THE REVOLUTION.

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Bunker Hill :-

June 17, Saturday .- Col. Putnam with a large party went on to a hill in Charlestown, called Bunker's Hill, last night to entrench, and this morning the British discovered him and commenced firing at the men on the hill. A heavy fire was opened at Col. Putnam from the ships and also from the forti- fications in Boston. The Regulars went over in barges in great numbers and landed in Charlestown to attack Col. Putnam. Our men returned the fire smartly, and the battle appeared to rage fiercely. The entrenchments were not quite completed, and our men having spent their ammunition still defended themselves bravely, but were obliged to retreat. The regulars set houses on fire and did all manner of mischief, but Col. Putnam retreated to another hill and went to entrenching there, while the British kept up a constant fire upon him.

About noon we fired an alarm, and rung the bells in Roxbury and every man was ordered to arms as an attack was expected, Col. Learned marched his regiment up to the meeting house and then to the burying yard, which was the alarm post, where we laid in ambush with two field pieces placed to give it to them unawares should the regulars come. About 6 o.c. the enemy drew in their sentries and immediately a heavy fire was opened from the fortifica- tion. The balls whistled over our heads and through the houses . . . The enemy threw bombshells hourly into Roxbury during the night. Col. Learned ordered his regiment to encamp in the safest place and we encamped behind a hill.

June 29, Thursday. Haynes Learned [son of the Col. ] crept down to near the regular's guard last night, and fired at one of the sentries, and dropt him.

July 5, Wednesday. Both of the new generals, Washington and Lee came into town [Roxbury] to day.

Nov. 23. Provincial Thanksgiving day. Rev. Mr. Bowman of Oxford preached to us at the Col.'s as usual. Text Ps. 101, 1 v.

Dec. 12. Several companies of militia arrived in Roxbury to day and joined Col. Learned's regiment.

Dec. 25. No chaplain in Col. Learned's regiment at present.

Jan. 1. Paraded, had our guns inspected and returned our ammunition. . . .

Jan. 2. This morning drums beat for prayers and we attended after which the Col. dismissed us with honor.1

Evacuation of Boston.

A crisis in the siege was reached on the 16th of March, 1776, when Gen. Washington sent a strong detachment of men to fortify Nook's Hill. This decided Howe at once to evacuate, and on Sunday the 17th he began the em- barkation of his army. Preparations were at once made in the American camp to enter the town. Putnam marched to Bunker Hill, and Ward with five hundred troops from Roxbury, under the immediate command of Col. Learned, who unbarred and opened the gates, entered the town in that direc- tion. 2

After the evacuation Learned, with his command, remained about two weeks on the highlands south of the town where he could observe the movements of the British fleet. On 20 March, Gen. Greene issued the following order : "Col. Learned is directed to man six whale boats every night while the enemy remain in the harbor, whose duty it is to row about and make discoveries of any movement of the enemy, that the garrison may be apprised thereof." On April 2

1 Mass. His. Soc. Proceedings for 1877. This was a dismissal of the eight months men, whose time then expired.

2 Frothingham.

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

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Learned and his regiment were relieved from duty at Dorchester Point, and were soon after ordered with the main body of the army to the defence of New York. The next record found of him in military life is of date 2 May, 1776, when he writes from that place to Gen. Washington as follows :-

Learned to Gen. Washington.

" Sir, with regret I must humbly represent my case, Being so indisposed in body that I am absolutely rendered unfit to serve the much injured and dis- tressed publick with the alacrity and usefulness I could wish, or the impor- tance of the cause requires; yet my hearty and greatest wish is that your . Excellency may receive renown, and the United Colonies' arms still be dis- tinguished with success and victory, and in God's own time every worthy member in the struggle return to and enjoy his own habitation in peace. But at present must request to absent myself from the Army in the manner your Excellency shall prescribe; and if it should be thought most expedient I should be dismissed the Continental service, if my past conduct is equal, should pray I may be dismissed with honor and supported home. In obtain- ing this I shall have fresh instances of your Excellency's favor; and lay me under new obligations ever to remain your very humble servant

"EBENEZER LEARNED." 1

Addressed

To the Hon. His Excellency GEO. WASHINGTON, Esq.

The action of Gen. Washington upon this we do not find, but it is certain that Gen. Learned retired from the service May, 1776, on account of ill health.

Early in 1777 a call was made upon Massachusetts for 15 battalions to recruit the army. In the House of Representatives, 6 Feb., 1777, choice was made of officers for these troops as follows :-

Ebenezer Learned, Esq., Colonel ; Timothy Bigelow, Lieut .- Col. ; David Bradish, Major. Learned declined the honor on the ground that his commission did not bear equal date with others in similar service. In closing his reply he says :-

" Also in justice to Colonel Bigelow I am bound to say when considering his past services, his knowledge in discipline, so very necessary at this time, as also the great confidence that will be put in him in the County of Worces- ter, it would in my opinion much facilitate the raising of the Regiment if your Honors would see fit to appoint him to the chief command."

A commission for Learned was filled and signed by John Hancock, "President," and forwarded to him, which he returned, saying he could not accept it unless his commission could bear date equal to other officers.

Appointed General. What means were used later to secure his promotion is not apparent. Evidently he was held in high regard by men of influence, as on 2 April, 1777, Congress voted his appoint- ment as Brigadier-General. Here he did not hesitate, but accepting the honor he soon joined the northern army under Gen. Schuyler, and in the campaigns of that eventful year distinguished himself as a

1 Force's Arch., 4th series, V., 1174.

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soldier, and placed his name unquestionably among those of the bravest and most efficient officers in the American army. His first service under his new commission was at Fort Edward, whence he proceeded to Fort Ticonderoga, where he secured and removed valua- ble stores before that fort was taken by Burgoyne in his progress southward. On 8 July, 1777, he was in command at Fort Edward, at which date he addressed the following :-

Learned to Schuyler.

" HONd AND DEAR S' :

" I have the agreeable Tidings that our Men at Fort Ann are full of Resolu- tion to Defend the Place and I am Supplying every Request from there yesterday after Noon the Enemy appeared in sight our People out and attacked them and Drove them 3 miles-Saw them carrying off Dead & wounded-the Enemy consisted of Hessians, Canadians, & Indians we had 1 man Killed 3 Wounded-

" from Fort George we are informed that the Enemy have made appearance 7 miles from there on an island-3 bateaux and 1 canoe-and Since we are drove to the great Necessity to Defend ourselves in this bare Handed and confused Situation we are Struggling to do it in the best manner we can. Have but very little Artillery and that unmounted-but very little lead Balls- but very few Tools for fortifying-no Tents more but few Kettles &c &c-but in the midst of these Difficulties we find the great Importance of Defending this last security of our Country which God Grant we may never give up though at Present are very Defenceless-I would ask your Particular Orders and advice in this Critical Time-I have made all Dispatch to remove the most valuable stores from Fort George not with any Design to leave it-but find the Necessity to save what few Medicines &c we have left.

" This moment received from Fort Ann : the Enemy made an attack very near the Fort drove our People into the Fort-have heard no more

" Sr your very Humble Servt

" EBEN" LEARNED B. : G.

" Hond Gen1 SCHUYLER.

" This moment heard there were a Firing on Lake George we had boats sent down &c." 1

Notes from Col. Thomas Nixon's Orderly Book are of interest in this connection :-

" July 12, at Fort Edward. This day Gen. Schuyler ordered Gen. Nixon to immediately march his brigade to Fort Ann. .

"July 19. The Advance Brigades to keep scouts continually out : Gen. Learned to send his up the Hudson river and Lake George, Gen. Nixon to send his to South Bay, Skenesborough and Fort Ann." 2

These troops seem to have been watching and, so far as possible, impeding the advance of the British army. That body, however, continued its southward progress until it reached Saratoga and Still- water, where the decisive battles a few weeks later were fought.

Achievements of 1777. In order to a satisfactory under- standing of Gen. Learned's services it is necessary to review some of

1 Gen. Learned's correspondence was limited and very few letters of his are extant. The original of this was in the collection of Mr. Lossing, the historian, and was sold at a high price at an autograph sale in Boston in Feb.,

1890. The present possessor is Charles Robert, Esq., of Phildelphia, to whose courtesy we are indebted for a copy.

2 Temple, His. Fram., 308.

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the leading events of the year, which can best be done by quotations from authorities who have made thorough studies of the subject. Gen. Burgoyne had early in the spring been put in command of the British army, the plan of the season's campaign having been to move from Canada southward by Lake Champlain and Ticonderoga to Albany, there to join Gen. Howe, who was to ascend the Hudson from New York, and thus by a line of military posts northward from that point cut off New England from the rest of the country. In the furtherance of this design Burgoyne on the 6th of July got possession of the stronghold at Ticonderoga, the Americans retreating to Fort Edward, and later to Stillwater on the Hudson.

Fort Stanwix. Meantime a detachment of the British under St. Leger was sent up the St. Lawrence through Lake Ontario and the lesser waters towards Fort Stanwix, an important post in the Mohawk valley, about 45 miles northwest of Albany, with the intention of capturing it and afterward joining the main army in the valley of the Hudson. St. Leger reached the fort on the third of August. Peter Gansvoort, a fearless soldier, was in command, but the garrison was small and a protracted resistance impossible. Gansvoort sent for reinforcements to Schuyler, who, knowing his needs, had already ordered Gen. Learned with a part of his brigade forward to Fort Dayton.1 Calling a council of his under officers Gen. Schuyler found them all opposed to weaken- ing the main army by sending troops to aid Gansvoort, but he, feeling it a necessity, decided to assume himself the responsibility and called for a volunteer to lead the expedition. Not a brigadier responded. But Maj .- Gen. Arnold being indignant at this treatment of Schuyler's proposition offered to lead the movement, and very soon eight hun- dred men volunteered under him, many of whom were of Learned's brigade.2 This body marched immediately, and on 20 Aug. joined Learned at Fort Dayton. On the 21st Arnold called a council of war, which decided it would be injudicious and hazardous to move until further reinforcements had arrived.3 Arnold, however, learning that Gansvoort was hard pressed, overruled the council and pro- ceeded at the head of 1,200 men toward Fort Stanwix. But no besieging army was there. St. Leger having heard reports of large coming reinforcements became alarmed and was making all haste toward Lake Ontario, leaving cannon, stores and camp equipage to fall into the hands of the Americans ; Stanwix was saved, and Arnold and Learned marched back in triumph to the Hudson.

Saratoga battles. During their absence the battle of Benning- . ton had been fought and Schuyler had been superseded by Gen. Gates. Burgoyne was preparing for an advance on Albany and to oppose his progress Arnold and Kosciusko had selected a position to fortify called Bemis' Heights, a rise of ground peculiarly appropriate for the purpose, lying between the river (near which was the highest

1 Carrington, Battles of Revolution, 324.

2 Life of Arnold, 153.

3 MSS., N. Y. His. Soc., IX., 70.

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1777

portion) and Saratoga Lake about six miles from it. On this ground, on the 19th of September, occurred the first of two hard fought battles, and from the best evidence we have, Arnold was a lead- ing spirit in the day's contest, and Learned, who commanded the centre brigade, acted a very important part under him. Neilson in describing this battle says, "towards the close of the day Gen. Learned's brigade and another regiment, I think Marshall's, were principally engaged on a rise of ground, west of the cottage (Free- man's) with the British grenadiers and a regiment of British Infantry, and bravely contested the ground till night." 1 Lossing says, " But for Arnold on that eventful day Burgoyne would have doubtless marched into Albany at the Autumnal Equinox a victor." 2

On 26 Sept. Gen. Gates issued the following :-

"The Public business having so entirely engaged the General's attention that he has not been properly at leisure to return his grateful thanks to Gen. Poor's and Gen. Learned's brigades, to the regiment of Riflemen, Corps of Light Infantry, and Col. Marshall's regiment for their valiant behavior in the action of the 19th inst., which will forever establish and confirm the reputation of the Arms of the United States."

The bravery and success of Arnold at once aroused the jealousy of Gates and a quarrel ensued, resulting in a request from Arnold to go to Washington, which Gates willingly granted, but his fellow- officers besought him to remain until the decisive blow should have been struck, to which he consented, although his command had been transferred to another.

Second engagement. On the 7th of October the contest was renewed and the great battle of the campaign fought.

"At half past two in the afternoon the battle began. The troops of Poor [of N. Hampshire] and of Learned marched up the slope to attack the Grena- diers and the Artillery under Ackland and Williams with orders not to open fire until after the first discharge of the enemy.3 Silently and steadily they marched forward, and were received by a discharge of musket balls and grape shot which passed over their heads into the branches of the trees. Instantly with a shout they rushed forward and delivered their fire. Then followed a fierce assault and conflict. The Americans charged up to the very mouths and among the cannon and were met with a stubborn resistance . . . Finally after a terrible struggle, and when Major Ackland was severely wounded and Williams taken prisoner, the Grenadiers and Artillery fled, and the Americans held the field." 4

During the early part of this contest Arnold was chafing in his tent-

"Suddenly springing forward, he said to his aids, 'No man shall keep me in my tent to-day, if I am without command I will fight in the ranks. . . . Come on! Victory or death !' and leaping into his saddle he plunged into

1 The grenadiers were the flower of the British army.

2 Life of Schuyler, II., 349. 3 The putting forward of these troops as leaders in the attack was in military usage a recognition of superiority.

4 Life of Arnold. "The headlong impetuosity of the attack confounded the tacticians."-W. Irving.

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HISTORY OF OXFORD.

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the thickest of the fight, and the soldiers welcomed their old and beloved commander with shouts and cheers which rose above the din and roar of the conflict." 1

We now quote from Gen. Carrington : 2

" At this stage of the battle Arnold no longer under self-control burst from the camp and like a meteor rode to the front of Learned's brigade, which had been so recently under his command, and dashed into the fight. He was cheered as he rode past and like a whirlwind the regiments went with him upon the broken British lines. Fraser fell mortally wounded in this assault, and swiftly behind the half crazy volunteer came Ten Broeck with a force nearly double that of the whole British line. That line was now in full retreat. 3 Phillips and Reidesel, as well as Burgoyne in person, exhibited marvellous courage in an hour so perilous . . . but nothing could stop Arnold. Wheresoever he found troops he assumed command and by the magnetism of his will and passion he became supreme in daring endeavor. With a part of the brigades of Patterson and Glover, he assaulted the intrenchments of Earl Balcarras, but was repulsed. To the right of Balcarras the Canadians and Royalists were posted under cover of two stockade redoubts. Here again Arnold met Learned's brigade, took the lead and with a single charge cleared these works, leaving the left of Breyman's position entirely exposed."

Thatcher in his military journal, in speaking of this movement, says :-

"At length the Americans press forward with renewed strength and ardor, and compel the whole British line, commanded by Burgoyne himself, to yield to their deadly fire, and they retreat in disorder. The German troops remain firmly posted at their lines; these were boldly assaulted by Brig .- Gen. Learned and Lieut .- Col. Brooks, at the head of their respective commands, with such intrepidity that their works were carried and brave Col. Breyman, their com- mander, was slain."

Learned's efficiency. Gen. Wilkinson, who was Gates' Adju- tant, and on the field, says :-

"About sunset I perceived Gen. Learned advancing toward the enemy with his brigade, in open column . . . when I rode up to him. On saluting this brave old soldier he inquired 'Where can I put in with most advantage ?' I had particularly examined the ground between the left of the Germans and the light infantry, occupied by provincialists, from whence I had observed a slack fire : I therefore recommended to Gen. Learned to incline to his right and attack at that point: he did so with great gallantry; the provincialists abandoned their position and fled ; the German flank was by this means uncov- ered, they were assaulted vigorously, overturned in five minutes and retreated in disorder leaving their commander . Breyman, dead on the field." 4

"The night was now closing in. The victory of the Americans was decisive." 5

Disaster averted. A subsequent movement in which Learned was prominent was that of the 11th of October, when, on a foggy

1 Life of Arnold.

2 Battles of the Revolution, p. 348.

4 Memoir, I., 272.

5 Washington Irving.

3 " Burgoyne gaed up, like spur and whip, Till Fraser brave did fa', man;

Then lost his way, ae misty day, In Saratoga shaw, man."-Burns.

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1777

morning, Gen. Gates, with the belief that the enemy was in retreat toward Fort Edward, sent out a body of troops to occupy the camp and follow in pursuit. The rising mists, however, revealed just at hand the whole British army in battle array. A retreat was ordered and a disaster averted. Wilkinson says of this movement :-

" I hastened to head-quarters [when the facts were known], reported to the General and received instructions to order Patterson's and Learned's brigades to support Morgan. Having performed that duty and conducted General Learned [Patterson being general officer of the day, both Maj .- Generals being wounded] across the creek, I returned."

After describing other movements he adds :-

" We had not heard from the corps of Gen. Learned and it occurred to me that, deceived by the firing on the right he might be led into a disadvanta- geous attack, I instantly clapped spurs to my horse, crossed the creek and reached the front of the two brigades at about 200 yards from Burgoyne's strongest post on the crown of a hill. The troops were advancing and had just entered clear ground in front of the intrenchments, which were abbatized. If I had been three minutes later our left wing would have been engaged and the consequences might have been calamitous. I found Gen. Learned near the centre, and begged of him to halt, which was immediately done by passing the word to the right and left. Then I observed to him that he must retreat. ' Have you orders?' said he. I said 'No; as the exegencies of the case will not allow me to see General Gates.' He replied, 'Our brethren are engaged on the right, and the standing order is to attack.' I informed him ' Our troops on the right have retreated and the firing you hear is from the enemy.'"

Lossing says :-

" The brave veteran disliked the idea of retreating, preferring to carry out the standing order to the very letter, but on counselling with Cols. Brooks and Tupper and some other officers a retreat was deemed advisable."

The two brigades fell back half a mile to a field, which they fortified and held until the surrender on the 17th.

Seth Bannister, Brigade-Major under Learned, in a letter to his wife describing the engagement of the 7th of Oct., says :-

" Brig .- Gen. Learned was left in possession and commander of a large encampment of the enemy's with a number of his brigade and other troops, till Generals Lincoln, Glover and Nixon relieved him, about twelve o'clock at night." 1

After disposition was made of the prisoners Learned and his brigade made a forced march to Albany to oppose the approach of the British from the south. Later his and other brigades were ordered southward. On 2 Nov., 1777, Alexander Hamilton, Washington's aid, wrote to him thus from Fishkill: "Gen. Learned's brigade, Morgan's corps, etc., on their march on the west side of the river." Eight days afterward he wrote from New Windsor that Poor's and Learned's brigades still remained there and at Fishkill, and were in a state of mutiny for want of their pay. Gov. Clinton, however, pre- vailed on Learned's brigade, then under command of Col. Bayley, to

1 Massachusetts Spy.

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march to Goshen in hopes they would continue on, and he expected thus to get them to headquarters by means of five or six thousand dollars, which he borrowed to meet the emergency. On 12 Nov. he wrote he hoped both Learned's and Parson's brigades would join Washington in five or six days.

With the Saratoga battles the public services of Gen. Learned ended. His increasing physical disabilities obliged him to retire, and obtaining a furlough he soon returned home.

Washington to Heath. The next mention we find of him is in a letter of Gen. Washington to Gen. Heath at Boston, bearing date 9 Jan., 1778, at Valley Forge, which contains the following : " I beg you will carefully forward the enclosed letters to Brigadiers Glover and Learned. They contain orders for them to join their respective brigades, with which they are much wanted."1 Gen. Heath replied saying these letters had been forwarded as requested. Upon the receipt of Washington's order Learned proceeded to Boston and laid open his case to Gen. Heath, who on 7 Feb., 1778, wrote as fol- lows to Gen. Washington :-

Heath's reply.

"Brig .- Gen. Learned called upon me a day or two since and requested that I would transmit your Excellency the enclosed certificates and represent his present state of health. In the campaign of 1775 by a violent fall he received a breach, which has been increased to a rupture, which greatly incapacitates him for business, especially in the Winter. He cannot ride without much inconvenience, and if he happens to wet his feet is attacked with the most excruciating pain. He has proposed to resign his commission, but the Hon. Mr. Hancock and myself have persuaded him to delay it for the present, as in a summer campaign he may render his country essential service. He is anx- ious to know your Excellency's pleasure." 2

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History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 18

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town Number of Pages: 916

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916