USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 36
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Clinton reached New York with his army after fighting the battle of Monmouth with Washington in the latter part (28th) of June. Meantime France had been giving practical effect to her treaty of alliance by sending a fleet of vessels, under the command of Count d'Estaing, which appeared off Newport, R. I., the last of July, after several prior anchorages. The British forces, six thousand in number, were strongly in- trenched there, but had no naval force. Consequently they were at the mercy of d'Estaing, and to prevent capture a small squadron under their control was destroyed by themselves. It consisted of ten or more armed ships and galleys carrying 212 guns.
Sir Henry Clinton, who had been informed of the pro- jected attack on Newport, sent 6000 troops in transports from New York under convoy of Lord Howe's fleet, which arrived off the harbor on the Ioth. A violent storm prevented the naval engagement between Howe and d'Estaing which both had been courting, and the two fleets having ridden out the hurricane, were both hors du combat, with all the fight knocked out of them by the elements.
As a result of this situation, both commanders retired for repairs, Lord Howe to Sandy Hook and Count d'Estaing to Boston. On August 29 and 30 the land forces of the British and Americans under the command of Generals Pigot and Sullivan respectively, had a battle on Quaker Hill, resulting in the withdrawal of General Sullivan from the island on the night succeeding the second day's engagement. The day fol- lowing Lord Howe returned from New York with reinforce- ments under Clinton, and landed four thousand men twenty- four hours after Sullivan's escape. Nothing remained for him
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to do, and Clinton, finding the Newport garrison short of provisions, detached a foraging party of great strength to re- lieve the situation, which has received the name of "Grey's Raid" from the officer who led it.
The expedition under General Sir Charles Grey, intended to harass the south-eastern coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, consisted of the Ist Battalion of Light Infantry, 637 men, the Ist Battalion of Grenadiers, 624 men, the 3d Brigade, comprising the 15th, the 42d, the 44th Regiments; the 4th Brigade, comprising the 33d, the 46th, the 64th, and the 37th Regiments; Artillery, Pioneers, and dismounted Light Dra- goons, making a total effective strength of 4333 men, em- barked in twenty transports and convoyed by the Carysfort, Zebra, Diligent, Rose, Galatea, Camilla, Fowey, Vigilant, Swan, Raven, and Scorpion, vessels of war.1 They embarked on August 27, at Whitestone, L. I., and sailed for Newport, where they arrived on September I, to find that the American troops had evacuated that place on the preceding day. Part of the expedition went to New London for a sortie, but ac- complished nothing. Then a return was made to Newport, and on the voyage Lord Howe's fleet was hailed and "it was thought advisable to proceed to (New) Bedford in Buzzards Bay.">2
The fleet under Grey reached Clark's Cove about sunset of the 5th, and spent the next two days in destroying property, vessels, earthworks, and chasing "rebel " militia into the interior. In these skirmishes, the British lost one killed, four wounded, and eleven " missing."
On the conclusion of this affair the troops were re-em- barked, and proceeded to their next objective point, the Vine- yard.
THE COMMANDER OF THE EXPEDITION.
It will be instructive, as a preliminary preparation to the narrative itself, to know something of the personality of the officer who was at the head of this expedition, Charles Grey, then major general of his majesty's forces. He was in his
1Captain Robert Fanshawe, commanding the Carysfort frigate, wrote a letter to Lord George Germaine, dated Sept. 6, 1778, off (New) Bedford, enclosing a copy of Rear Admiral Gambier's orders to the accompanying fleet. (Remembrancer, 1778; comp., Freeman, "History of Cape Cod.")
2" The fleet consisting of 47 sail anchored in the harbour," wrote an officer of Colonel Crafts' regiment, stationed at Bedford. (Pennsylvania Packet, Sept. 29, 1778.)
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fiftieth year, having been born in 1729 at Howick, Northum- berland, the second surviving son of Sir Henry Grey, first baronet of that title. He was designed for an army career, and at nineteen he obtained an ensigncy of Foot, and saw service in the Rochefort expedition of 1757, and at Minden in 1759, where he was wounded while acting as aide-de-camp to Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel in 1761 and assigned to the 98th Foot, which he commanded at the seige of Belle Isle and the capture of Havana. In 1763, when peace was declared, he was placed on half pay. In 1772 he was promoted to the rank of colonel, and detailed as aide-de-camp to the king. He came to North America in 1776, with the reinforcements under General Howe, and was appointed to the local rank of major general in America, - which was made substantive two years later. He surprised a force under Major-General Anthony Wayne, and routed them on the 21st of September, 1777, at which time he ordered the flints removed from the muskets of his troops to prevent any possible betrayal of their advance, from which he acquired the nickname of "No-Flint Grey." He commanded the Third Brigade at the battle of Germantown, Oct. 4, 1777. His exploits on this present expedition will be described in detail, and follow in chronological sequence his previous military record. Upon his return to England in 1782, he was appointed and promoted lieutenant-general and made a Knight of the Bath, as well as designated the commander-in- chief of the army in North America, but the war having ter- minated, he never took the actual command. He subsequently held commands in several British colonies. He was created Baron Grey of Howick in 1801, and in 1806 was advanced to the earldom of Grey and was made governor of Guernsey. He died Nov. 14, 1807, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Charles, the celebrated statesman and champion of Parlia- mentary reform, and prime minister of England. It will thus be seen that Sir Henry Clinton put the expedition in charge of an intrepid officer, of whom it may be said that, if he had been charged with the military policy of the war, the results might have been different. He was a bold and dashing officer.
STAFF AND REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.
The adjutant-general attached to the expedition Major John Andre, who is perhaps the most interesting personality
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MAJ. GEN. SIR CHARLES GREY
Grey's Raid
among those who were attached to it, but it will not be necessary to enter into his career, so well known to all readers of history. His tragic fate has made him one of the most pathetic figures of the Revolution. The daily accounts of the movements of this expedition, recorded in the official journal of Major Andre, will be incorporated in this narrative, as the most detailed and authentic statement which we have.1
Of the regiments and their commanders a few details may be permitted. The 33d, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel James Webster, the 42d (known as the Royal High- landers), commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Stirling, the 46th (known as the South Devonshire), commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Enoch Markham, the 64th (the South Staffordshire), commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Honorable Alexander Leslie, the Ist Battalion of Light Infantry, and the Ist Battalion of Grenadiers, composed the military force. The colonels of the several regiments were not with the expedition. They were noted officers, Lord Cornwallis commanding the 33d, Lord John Murray the 42d, Honorable Sir John Vaughan, K. B., the 46th, and General John Pomeroy the 64th.
The Carysfort was the flag-ship of the fleet, commanded by Captain Robert Fanshawe, R. N., who received his orders from Admiral Gambier, commander-in-chief of the American squadron.
The progress of the expedition, prior to its appearance in our harbors, is told by Major Andre in his journal, in the following entries: -
(Sept. 6) Major-General Grey determined to proceed from thence, (New Bedford), to Martha's Vineyard, and wrote to Sir Robert Pigot at Rhode Island to desire he would send vessels to receive cattle.
Sept. 7th. The Fleet got under way this morning, but the wind fail- ing, came to an anchor at II o'clock. . . . .
8th. The Fleet got under way at noon. The General was obliged to reduce the allowance of provisions to two thirds. Came to an anchor about two leagues from Quickse's Hole.
9th. Sailed at 7 in the morning. The ships could not all get thro' the Hole before the tide turned.
Ioth. The Fleet weighed anchor at 6 in the morning and turned thro' the Vineyard Sound passing Tarpaulin Cove, Wood's Hole Harbour and Falmouth. The gallies went into the last place and cut out two sloops and a schooner and burned another vessel.
At I o'clock the Carysfort came to an anchor off Holmes's Hole. The transports and small vessels were ordered into the Harbour, excepting
1Journal of Major John Andre, II, 30-43.
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those which carried the Grenadiers and Light Infantry and 33rd Regiment, which Troops General Grey intended taking with him to Nantucket.
General Grey wished Captain Fanshawe (of the Carysfort) to proceed on the Nantucket service without coming to an anchor off Homes Hole harbor, as the wind was fair, but Captain Fanshawe, insisting on the necessity of assembling his captains, the deliberation lasted until the wind changed.1
THE FLEET AT HOMES HOLE.
The sight must have been a thrilling one - two score vessels including twelve ships of the line. It amazed and terrified the peaceful people, now removed from participation in the war and behaving as neutrals. No one knew whether it meant destruction, or a fleet seeking anchorage. A com- mittee of leading citizens was chosen to find out the intentions of this formidable gathering. Col. Beriah Norton was its head, and we have his account of what transpired from his own statement. He says: -
th Io. General Gray, Commanding a detachment of his Majesty's army, arrived at Martha's Vineyard Sep'r 10, 1778, when I waited on him on board ship & agreed to deliver him 10,000 Sheep & 300 head of Cattle, the General informing me at the same time that payment would be made for the Same. The General then required the Stock to be brought to the landing the next day.
Andre's account of the interview is as follows: -
In the evening a Flag of Truce with three Committeemen came on board. They professed the most peaceable dispositions and the utmost readiness to comply with the General's requisitions. General Grey or- dered them ashore to direct the inhabitants to drive in their sheep and cattle, or that Troops should be marched thro' the Island; likewise to bring in their arms, or that the Colonel and Captains of the Militia should be sent prisoners to New York.
General Grey adds further particulars:
On our arrival off the Harbour the inhabitants sent persons on board to ask my intentions with respect to them, to which a requisition was made of the arms of the Militia, the public money, 300 oxen and 10,000 sheep: They promised each of these articles should be delivered without delay.
1"From the difficulties of passing out of Buzzard's Bay into the Vineyard Sound thro' Quickses Hole, and from the head winds, the Fleet did not reach Holmes's Hole Harbour in the Island of Marthas Vineyard, until the 10th. The Transports with the Light Infantry, Grenadiers, and 33rd Regiments, were anchored without the Harbour, as I had at that time a service in view for those corps whilst the business of collecting cattle should be carrying on upon the Island. I was obliged by contrary wind to relinquish my designs." (Report of Gen. Chas. Grey, Vol. 134, P. R. O., London.)
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To give the demands permanent character the general directed his aide to issue a written order to Colonel Norton, so that the inhabitants of the island should not profess ignor- ance of the things required of them through their represen- tatives as an excuse for non-compliance. This order was given :.-
Beriah Norton,
The Carysfort, Ioth Sept. 1778
Colonel of Militia at Martha's Vineyard,
Is required to order the Militia of the Island to assemble at Day Light to Morrow morning, Collect the horned cattle (milch Cows excepted) & Sheep in their Different Districts & proceed with them to Homeses hole. They are expected at the appointed place precisely at two in the afternoon, in failure of which the Troops will March at that hour to Collect them. The Militia are ordered to bring their armes, accoutrements and ammu- nition.
B. SYMES Aide-de-Camp to Gen'l Grey
Humiliating as this was, there seemed no alternative but to accede, as resistance would be futile against the force swarm- ing on board the armed vessels. Colonel Norton thereupon issued the following order to the various officers of the island militia :
To Captain
Dukes County, Sept. Ioth, 1778.
Agreeable to orders I have this Day Received from Major General Gray, now commanding the British Army on bord the King's fleet in holmesis hole, you are hereby ordered to muster your Company of militia By Day Light to-morrow morning, & collect all the oxen & sheep in your District, and Bring them, with your arms, acuterments and amunition, to holmesis hole harbour, By two o'Clock to-morrow; there to Receive fur- ther orders.
BERIAH NORTON, Colo.
Messengers were dispatched to the settlements "up island," and we may imagine the astonishment of the isolated farmers, aroused by these notifications, delivered in hurried words, to collect all their horned cattle, milch cows excepted, all their sheep and swine, and drive them down to the harbor at the "Hole" without delay, or suffer military punishment! They were hastily told that there were over forty ships in that harbor, and about four thousand troops ready to strike, if compliance was refused. The night must have been an anxious one. Also one of scheming, for the men and women of the island had some spirit left, and as the first astonishment died out,
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they began to plan how to save something out of their herds and flocks for themselves. Some led a few pets into the woods and tied them up in dense thickets. It is stated that one panic- stricken female drove her cow up into the attic, where she was locked safely during the four days that the raid lasted. Many amusing stories are related of this character which show a vein of fanciful improbability. But we are dealing with facts in history, and must not be led away from the true narrative of undisputed evidence. The morning of the 11th (Friday) came and found the people all over the island, under guidance of the militia, stirring early to start on their long and irksome drive from Chilmark, Edgartown, and Middletown, with sheep and cattle, raising long clouds of dust along the high- ways. The troops in the fleet were in readiness to enforce the demands of their officers.
THE FORAGING BEGINS.
Andre makes the following record of the day's doings from his point of view: -
IIth. A detachment of 150 men from each of the Corps in the Har- bour disembarked under Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling. He consented not to march into the country provided the inhabitants should immediately furnish 10,000 sheep and 300 oxen with hay for them. Twenty vessels from Rhode Islands arrived to take in stock.
Colonel Norton's diary of the proceedings adds some further particulars of the day's doings, and is quoted in full: -
th II. This day the troops Landed under the Command of Colo. Sterling. Said Sterling then informed me that General Grey had directed him to assure me that the whole of the Stock should be paid for if they came down according to our Conversation last Night ..
Colo. Sterling then informed me that persons must be appointed to apprize the Stock before he would take any on Ship board, to which I agreed, & we jointly agreed to & did appoint proper persons to that business, which persons ware Sworn by me to the faithfull discharge of there trust by the request of Colo. Sterling.
The troops landed at the head of Vineyard Haven harbor, and camped on the open field now traversed by Main street, and north of Church street. It was the first close view of British "regulars" which the Vineyarders had obtained since the war opened. Although their mission was hardly of a war- like character, under the circumstances, yet it might have been accompanied by casualties, if resistance were offered. We
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may imagine how the two girls, Polly Daggett and Maria Allen felt in spirit about this time, as they saw the hated "red- coats" helping themselves to what they wanted and nobody to deny them.1 Two of their demands were especially dis- tasteful,- the surrender of their arms and the public funds. Their muskets and swords could be concealed, and they did not intend to give them up until compelled. Who can picture Captain Nathan Smith handing over his sword without resis- tance? The second day passed without any important de- velopments. Cattle and small stock came steadily down to the landing stage, and preparations were made to load them on the vessels which General Grey had requisitioned from Newport.
MILITIA OFFICERS ARRESTED FOR CONCEALING ARMS.
The 12th (Saturday) was the third day of their stay, and was filled with the most active work on all sides. It was a time for General Grey to take note of the results, thus far, of the compliance with his orders. The cattle and the sheep were constantly, if slowly, being driven up to the appointed place, but there was a suspicious slowness about other and more important demands. Major Andre gives us new and valuable testimony: -
12th. Wind unfavourable for Nantucket. A quantity of stock was embarked for Rhode Island and the vessels sailed.
The 17th, 37th and 46th regiments were ordered from their dif- ferent positions to the beach. The 44th, under Colonel Donkin, marched towards the southeast end of the island.2 Only 229 stand of arms having been brought in, the colonel and five captains were confined. The com- mittee men were likewise confined for having concealed a quantity of ammunition.
Colonel Norton makes mention of this incident of his arrest, with that of the militia officers and the committee. We can only conjecture who they were. Besides himself it is probable that Barachiah Bassett, the colonel of the seacoast- defence, Captains Benjamin and Nathan Smith, and Jeremiah Manter, of the same corps; Uriah Tilton, major of militia, and a further guess might be made of any of the captains enumerated in the roster of April, 1776, heretofore given. Who the committee men were is not so easy to determine,
1It will be remembered that Parnell Manter, the third of the "Liberty Pole" girls, was dead at this time, having deceased in the previous July.
?This is an error in direction, as Donkin went to Chilmark.
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but we may suspect that either Shubael Cottle, James Athearn, or Joseph Mayhew were numbered among its members. Otis called them "the head Whiggs."1 Grey now undertook to give the Vineyard a lesson in the folly of resistance to the king's troops, and he ordered the detachments already landed to march into the interior of the island, and force compliance with his demand for all arms to the utmost. The Scorpion, under command of Captain Philip Brown, was sent to Edgar- town, where her crew found congenial occupation in burning and destroying vessels. Colonel Stirling of the Royal High- landers headed a land force to that town, while Colonel Donkin took another "up island" in the direction of West Tisbury and Chilmark to hasten the people there. The troops in various detachments scoured nearly the whole island, and gathered up everything that was eatable that they could lay their hands on; live stock of all kinds, vegetables, corn, rye, etc. Brigadier Joseph Otis, then at Falmouth, gives us a picturesque description of their work. He says they
caryed off and Destroyed all the corn and Roots two miles round Homes Hole Harbour: Dug up the Ground everywhere to search for goods the people hid; even so Curious were they in searching as to Disturb the ashes of the Dead: Many houses had all Riffled and their Windows broke.2
INCIDENTS OF THE RAID.
Those living about Homes Hole were the greatest suf- ferers from the raid. Undoubtedly, much was done to annoy and damage. The people were indignant, but helpless to resist, except in spirit, and it is not difficult to imagine the attitude of the high-spirited women of the island, when their pantries, chicken coops, and closets were opened and looted in the execution of the general's orders, "to acclerate their compliance with the demand," as he states. Being a blood- less campaign, it is also probable that the soldiers took malic- ious delight in frightening and "bantering" those who could be so treated, knowing that resistance was out of the calcula- tion of the victims. That much wanton destruction and desecration was indulged in is certain. Soldiers in war times
1In 1782 Colonel Norton refers to his arrest in the following language: "How painful then my reflections must have been - when I was exerting myself to the utmost in the services injoined upon me by the General, to be Confined as a Prisoner upon such trivial pretences! I acknowledge I felt a degree of mortification on that occasion not easily to be expressed." (Memorial to Board of Officers [British] at New York.)
2Letter to President of Council, dated Sept. 17, 1778.
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LIEUT. COL. ALEXANDER LESLIE COMMANDING THE 64TII REGIMENT 1731-1794
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know no restraint in the enemy's country. The Vineyard, since the first blow of the Revolution had been struck, was a gauntlet for the ships of war to run, and the recollection of constant dangers to their vessels made them ready to inflict all the injury they could on non-combatants. An instance of this is related of the house formerly occupied by the late John Holmes of Vineyard Haven. Major Peter Norton, then living in this house, upon seeing the imposing British fleet enter the harbor, departed with his goods and effects of value to a place of safety, he having previously in some way made himself particularly offensive to the British. The soldiers in prowling about, perceiving the house closed, forced an entrance, and finding the door leading into the front room hooked on the inside, in order to get at it, split it in pieces with their bayonets, and the door was not repaired thereafter, remaining in the same condition until it was destroyed. Several bricks in the hearth - large square ones brought from England when the house was built - bore marks also, where they pried them up to get at some supposed secreted treasure.1 Similar stories are told of other localities, varied by local surroundings. For- tunately there were no "Hessian hirelings" in these foraging parties, else we might have the painful record of personal assaults instead.
A squad of foreigners alighted upon the cottage of an aged dame dwelling alone with her little grandson, and in spite of prayers and entreaties to spare the widow's living, they took possession of all her live stock, sheep, pigs, cow. As they were about to move off, a sergeant, who had an eye for delicacies, spied a sleek and well-fed grunter concealed behind the old woman's petticoats. Immediately half a dozen grenadiers advanced to capture the coveted quadruped, but the good dame's prayerful tone was changed to one of rebel- lious defiance. Seizing a heavy broom-stick she flourished it in the face of the enemy in a manner terrible to behold. "Away with ye, cursed seed of the oppressor! despoilers of the widow and the fatherless! Take what ye have of mine and begone! But this is Josey's pig, and not a hair of him shall ye touch!" A struggle ensued, but the broomstick proved a good weapon, piggie stuck to his cover, and after several attempts to execute
1Cottage City Star, Jan. 21, 1883. Mr. John Holmes had in his possession several relics of their stay, dug up on his premises. Among these relics were a number of old Spanish coins - coined some fifty years previous to the Revolution - a New Jersey colonial cent, and several brass buttons belonging to the Massachusetts Artil- lery contingent.
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flank movements, the squad retreated, leaving Josey's pig with its lawful proprietors.1
Meanwhile, the militia officers and committee men were "in durance vile," but where we do not know. It is possible that they were confined on board of the frigates, perhaps the flagship, the Carysfort. Perhaps they were held under guard in one of the houses at Homes Hole. The quaint house long occupied by Mr. R. W. Crocker, which retains most of its original peculiarities of construction, characteristic of that period, has some traditions of occupancy by the British during this raid. It was directly on the shore, in front of the fleet, and the officers doubtless found a brief residence in it a wel- come change from the confinement of their cabins. They were in charge of the island for four days, and did as they pleased for their personal comforts and the transaction of their business. The absence of any reference to events of the 12th and 13th in the diary of Colonel Norton is significant. As a prisoner of war he would be denied writing privileges of a private character.
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