Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725, Part 13

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To Col Jona Chase

[R. 5-117] [Certificate of Service. Col. Chase's Regiment.]

H. Q. Saratoga Oct 18th 1777-

These may Certify that Colo Chase with a Regiment of Volunteers have faithfully serv'd until this date in the Northern Army, and are now Discharged with Honor. -

By order of General Gates Jacob Bayley Brigr Gen1

[Orders. General Gates to Colonel Bedel. Bedel Papers, N. H. Historical Society, p. 52.]

Albany November 15th 1777 -

Sir - I am desirous you should without delay engage a Regiment of Volunteers, consisting of five hundred Men, Officers included, to be commanded by yourself, as Colonell, Mr [John] Wheelock as Lieut Colonel, and the Bearer Captain Whitcomb as Major -

While the Men are Collecting I recommend you in the strongest manner to prepare with the greatest secrecy, every thing necessary

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.

for your enterprize ; such as Provisions, Ammunition, Combustibles properly fixed, Snow Shoes &c, with the ordering of all which you from your knowledge of the Climate, Country and other Circum- stances, are much better acquainted with, than I am, myself, I there- fore give you a discretionary power in these matters. - If upon your near approach to Saint John's, you find you can surprize the Fort, I think that the best to be done, for should it fall into your Hands, I conclude the Vessells and Crews, are our own, without fighting. -

Success being thus far obtained I desire the Fort, the Ships, and every article that can be Burnt, be instantly laid in Ashes ; and that you, with your Command, and the Prisoners who shall have fallen into your Hands, retire with all Expedition to Co'os -

I wish you would take with you to Saint Johns, such Indians only, whose Fidelity can be depended upon ; for the least Treachery, when you are on the Point of executing your Project, oversets and ruins all your Hopes. You are therefore to be equally cautious not to take British Deserters, or old Country People; who have no Establish- ment and Family in your Neighborhood, and have not given proof of fidelity and of their being Staunch Whiggs. - In your prepara- tion for this enterprize, I recommend it to you to give out, that you are going to join the Army, intended to take New York this Winter ; and that you are to be at the general Rendezvous at Albany on the Ist of February. - You will, if possible, march off on the first day of that month, about noon ; take the direct Road, but, at Day break, on the next Day, turn short about to Saint Johns. You may then pretend that a large Scout of the Enemy has been discovered com- ing up the Lake, and that you mean to intercept them. -

If upon the Return of the Scouts from Canada you are informed that Sir Guy Carleton has so strongly Garrisoned and Fortified Saint Johns, that it would be fruitless to make an attempt to surprize the Fort, you will lay that Scheme aside, and think of no more than burn- ing the vessels - As soon as you return to Co'os, or as much sooner as it can be safely performed, you will Dispatch an Express, directed to me at York Town in Pennsylvania, with a particular Account of your success. I intreat you to observe the most inviolable secrecy, suffering only Lieut Colo: Wheelock, and Major Whitcomb, to be acquainted with the real Design. I have no Money here at present, but you may rest assured all your Engagements and Expences shall punctually be paid ; and you may at a proper time, declare to all your Men from me, that those who shall distinguish themselves on this bold enterprize, shall be amply rewarded for their service -

The Men should be inlisted for no longer term, than the last Day in March ; and to be then discharged, receiving four pounds a Man

、

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.

pr Month, and the officers in proportion - Sincerely wishing you Success and Honour, I am Dear Colonel

Your Affectionate Humble Servant

Colo : Bedel (Copy) Horatio Gates

[In a memorandum on the document Colonel Bedel says : " 10th Nov' 1777 - Received a Commission from Henry Laurens Esq', President of Congress, which Commission was to continue in force according to the usual Form."- ED.]

[Col. Bedel to Gen. Gates. Bedel Papers, p. 53.]

Haverhill 29th Nov 1777.

Sir - According to your Orders I have Dispatched Three Parties into Canada I was up Connecticut River about 50 Miles a few days ago and found Two Indians who informed me they were in great con- fusion in Canada and that the British Troops were making a Tryal to remove but the weather came on too severe upon them caused great Confusion - I should be glad to know what number of Snow Shoes I must procure and the time to have them in readiness - I have sent by each of the three Parties 15 £ in Specie for their support whilst there Lewis and Vincent are gone for Caughnawaga, they will visit St John's, Chamballe by the Rout I proposed to go to Saint Johns, they are very desirous to have everything prepared against their return for a March being Zealous to push forward. - You will re- ceive this by Major John Wheelock Son of the Revd Dr Wheelock President of Dartm° College who is very desirous of going with me shod be glad to have him if your Honour thinks proper - I have dis- coursed with Gen' Bayley upon the subject of going to St Johns who thinks it highly necessary and that it be done speedily all orders sent shall be punctually obeyed without the least loss of Time by, Sir Your Honours mt Ob Hble Servt

Major Gen1 Gates

[Copy contains no signature.]

[Copy. Bedel to Schuyler and Gates. Ibid.]

Haverhill 30th Nov' 1777 - Copy to Schuyler & Gates.

Gentlemen - According to your orders I proceeded immediately on the business you empowered me to Transact with ye Indians and

REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS. I53

have brout a number of Families down near me who are ready to assist when called upon. I have sent part of them into Canada to gain what Intelligence they can, as also to find out the Disposition of the Inhabitants - I shall have about thirty here this Winter, and shall acquaint your Honours with every particular I may be informed of during the Course of the Winter as I shall Endeavor to make all the Discoveries in my Power that may tend to the advantage of the States - I should be glad to have Three or Four Belts if any to be had for the Indians, also to know if any Cloathing could be had for them, if there shod be any at Springfield I cod get them here by an order for them, shod be glad to know by the return of the bearer Mr John Wheelock - all orders at any time will be cheerfully obeyed without the loss of time - The Indians are very well Satisfied with their treatment - I am Gentlemen

Your mt obt Hble Servt

Major Gen1 Schuyler &c

[College Company. Return of Men in Service. Chase Papers, p. 72.]

In Capt Hendee Company a Return of men Inlisted in New Hamp- shire State Sarves

Jotham Starns : in Capt House Company formerly Inlisted William Winton ) in Capt House Company Inlisted or Hired By

Thomas Clark

sd Capt Hendee Company During the War

Maj John Wheelock Capt Comfort Sever In York

Capt Abel Curtis

Left Eleazer Wheelock

Light Infantry Sarves

Aaron Storrs Isaac Osborn

under

Peter Ingan John Ingan

Majr

Wm Broton Elijah Hamon John Severs man

Wheelock

Benjamin Chase

In Colº Warners

Left John Pane Jonth Gillet

Thomas Abner Benjamin Latherbe

Regiment

John Balden Inlisted with Capt Farwell

The above is a true Return

pr Joshua Hendee Capt

! )

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.

MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN SULLIVAN.

[Charges against him ; Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry, including Testimony ; Letters and Certificates approving his Conduct in the Staten Island Expedition, and the Battle on the Brandywine, 1777.]

[The following papers are important as completely refuting the charges made against General Sullivan, by Major Taylor, of maladmin- istration in the Staten Island expedition ; and the charges made by Mr. Burk, of North Carolina, of bad conduct in the battle on the Brandy- wine, and of general incompetency. The documents are also important as giving detailed accounts of those events, not heretofore published.

General Sullivan's letter, transmitting these documents to the Hon. John Langdon, then Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, is printed in Vol. VIII. pp. 743-745. - ED.]

[Major John Taylor's Complaint. Revolutionary War Rolls. Adju- tant-General's Office. Vol. XI. p. 137.]

Hanover Augt 24th 1777.

Dear Colº I am this moment returned from an Expedition to Staten Island, the Issue of which has been rather unfortunate. On thursday last we marched from Hanover, at 4 OClock P. M. & con- tinued our march, with little, or no Intermission to Halsteads Point, where we arrived at 3 OClock, in the morning, having marched 22 miles, we immediately began to cross the Sound, but there being only 5 Boats, we did not all get over, 'till neer Sun rise ; Colo Ogden had crossed at the old Blazing Starr, with about 500 men the same morn- ing, whose men, & the separated Brigades of our Division attacked three different parts of the Enemy, before six. Each attack proved successfull. Colº Ogden, who had got over by day break, compleatly surprized the Enemy, killed a few, & made One Hundred Prisoners. De Bores [Brig. Gen. De Borre] Brigade, which Sullivan Commanded in Person, killed about 5, & made near 30 Prisoners. General Smallwood had very little fortune in getting Prisoners, the Enemy having got Intelligence of his coming early enough to scramble off. -

Thus matters stood, at 9 when our two Brigades joined again, and marched off to the Old Blazing Starr, to recross, where Ogden, & his party had crossed, and returned. The main body of the Enemy

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were then discovered to be lurking on our flanks, but evidently with no intention of coming to action. We marched on to the Old Blazing Starr, & began to Cross, but before we had got all our men over, the Enemy came up, & attacked our Rear of about 150 who were on that side. Our people behaved bravely, several times drove the Enemy from the Charge, but all their Ammunition being gone, they dispersed ; some swam the River and the rest were taken. We lost but very few men, except the Prisoners, but the Enemy must have had at least 100 killed and wounded, among the Prisoners, were Colº Antill, Major Woodson, Major Stewart, Major Tilliard, & Matt Duffey, - Capt Heron, L' Campbell, L' Anderson, & Ensign Lee, were not mentioned in a flag which they sent out, proposing an Ex- change from thence I conjecture they are killed. Colo Antill was not with the list of those who wished to be Exchanged, and the officers said he did not chuse to return. - The Misfortunes which attended this Expedition, were numerous & ruinous. I will if possi- ble enumerate them. It was unfortunate, that the march of near 30 miles, before we began to attack should fatigue our Men. It was un- fortunate, that instead of returning by the way we crossed, which was short ; we should march 10 miles further to the Starr, which made the number of miles from our Camp, with our maneaveurs on the Island at least 40 : It was very unfortunate that we continued to march without halting, by which means we had a Rear of 6 miles. It was unfortunate that we observed no Order in our retreat. That every Soldier should be allowed to Plunder, & get straggled all over the Island. It was unfortunate, that we did not attack the main body of the Enemy, who evidently acknowledged our superiority by avoiding us, and as Evidently discovered their intention of attacking our Rear, by hovering on our Flanks. It was very unfortunate that only about 30 Light Infantry of our Regiment composed the Rear by which means, all the Officers of Herons Company were lost, and the rest knowing their situation, and having no Waggons, could not bring off the sick, it was unfortunate, that Orders were sent to the upper Ferrys to have the boats brought down, by two private Soldiers, which coming through an improper Channel was conse- quently disobeyed; It was very unfortunate that no Officers were appointed to superintend the Embarkation, and Disembarkation, of our Troops in the 4 boats, which Ogden had, by which means as much time was lost in the delay on the other side, as would have secured a safe Passage ; for that which was every man's business was attended to by no one. It was unfortunate, that many Plun- dered Horses were brought over, which produced much delay. It was very unfortunate we had no Cannon & that we marched down

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into the Marsh opposite the Enemy, where two of our Men had their brains knocked out, with their Field Pieces. It was very un- fortunate that we had nothing to Eat for near 43 hours, and were marching for most of that time, which did such Injury to the Troops, that at one time yesterday DeBores Brigade could not Muster above 40 Men : My arithemetick will not serve for the whole enumeration, I will therefore halt here. By the Enemies Return they have 130 Prisoners of ours ; but you may be assured, we shall not get off under 200, several Field Officers & Commanders fell into our Hands, and the General talks of an Exchange - Figure to yourself, the sit- uation we are in ; Then hear that we are to march, in two, or three days to the Southward, and wish but do not hope to see many of us come forward -I wish my Dear Colo you could join us, your presence is absolutely necessary to reclaim that order which we have been gradually loosing ever since you left us. I am so much fatigued, that I am wholly unable to write to M' Penn, I should therefore be obliged to you to show this Letter, and tell him further, that if Con- gress do not make an Enquiry into this affair, they will not do their Duty to their Constituents -

I am Dear Colo Your most Hble Servt John Taylor

To Colº Hazen

[Taylor was a major in Col. Moses Hazen's regiment. Septem- ber 1, 1777, Congress directed General Washington to appoint a "court of enquiry on the late expedition by general Sullivan against the British forces on Staten-Island." September 14, Congress "Re- solved, That general Sullivan be recalled from the army until the en- quiry heretofore ordered into his conduct be duly made." September 16, in consequence of a remonstrance from General Washington, Con- gress voted "That the execution of the resolution of Congress for the recall of general Sullivan from the army in the present critical sit- uation of affairs, be left to the discretion of general Washington until further orders." On the same day a motion to submit to Gen- eral Washington "whether it would not be advisable to place the Maryland and Delaware troops under the command of some other major general, it being at the request of the delegates of those states," was negatived by a vote of nineteen to four. Washington's letter, and this action of Congress, show their confidence in Sulli- van's usefulness, and desire to retain his services. - ED.]

[Extract from General Washington's letter to Congress, dated "Buck Tavern Sept. 15, 1777, three o'clock P. M. . . . Whether the

1 ...

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.

charges alleged against general Sullivan are true or false, or whether his conduct has been exceptionable or not, I am satisfied the resolu- tion for his recall at this time was unhappily adopted, and, if carried into execution, will not fail to add new difficulties to our present distresses ; and I am obliged to observe, in justice to my own charac- ter, that I cannot be answerable for the consequences that may arise from a want of officers to assist me."]

[Ibid p. 138.]

[General Sullivan's Letter to the President of Congress.]

Camp at Perkcoming Oct1 6th 1777

Dear Sir : - Since writing the Letter which accompanies this, have had no opportunity of forwarding my Papers to Congress: I beg leave to trouble Congress, with some remarks, upon the severe, & I think very unjust censure cast upon me respecting the Intelli- gence sent by me to Gen1 Washington, the day of the Battle on Brandywine. I wish only to acquaint Congress with the facts; It was ever my opinion that the Enemy would come round on our right flank, this opinion I often gave the General. I wrote him that morning that it was clearly my opinion ; I sent him two Messages to the same purpose in the forenoon, & the first Intelligence I received that they were actually coming that way, I instantly communicated to him ; after which the General sent me word to cross the Brandy- wine with my Division, & attack the Enemy's left, while the Army crossed below me, to attack their right, this I was preparing to do, when Major Spear came to me & informed that he was from the upper Country, that he had come in the road where the Enemy must have passed to attack our right, and that there was not the least Appearance of them in that quarter; and added, that General Wash- ington had sent him out for the purpose of discovering whether the Enemy were in that quarter: The account was confirmed by a Sergt Tucker of the light Horse, sent by me on purpose to make discoveries, & had passed, as he said, to the Lancaster Road ; This Intelligence did by no means alter my opinion, which was founded not upon any knowledge I had of the facts, but upon an Ap- prehension that Gen1 Howe would take the advantage which any good officer, in his situation, would have done. I considered how- ever that if my opinion, or the Intelligence I had sent the General, · had brought him into a plan of attacking the Enemy on the advan- tageous Heights they were possessed of, & a defeat thence follow,

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that I should be justly censured for withholding from him part of the Intelligence I had received, and thereby brought on the defeat of our Army : I therefore set down and wrote Major Spear's account from his own mouth, and forwarded it to his Excellency by a Light Horse- man, and ordered the Major to follow himself ; I never made a com- ment, or gave my opinion upon the matter. Colº Harrison Member from Virginia, is possessed of a Copy of the Letter, as the Gen's Aid de Camp informs me. I beg Congress to see it, and then judge whether I could have been excused for withholding that Intelligence, merely because my opinion did not coincide with the declaration. Had the General crossed over, left his own advantageous post, (when I considered to oppose an Enemy in front,) and found the whole British Army well posted on his front, & his Army put to the rout, having a River unfordable in rear, except in one or two places, and most of his Troops pushed into it, which must inevitably have been the case, if he was defeated ; I say if this had all happen'd, which was at least possible, and he had afterward found out that I had recd and withheld the Intelligence which might have prevented the Misfor- tune, & demanded my reasons, I believe I never should have been able to give one which would be satisfactory to him, to Congress, or the World. I know it to be part of my duty to give him every In- telligence I receive without withholding any part of it, because it does not coincide with my own opinion. And I as well know it is ex- ceeding hard to be censured for doing my duty, which has been too much the case with me since I have been in the army. I must beg leave to make an observation upon the latter part of Colo Price's Testimony respecting the Staten Island Expedition ; he gave it as his opinion, that one Brigade should have recrossed where we crossed in the Morning. - When it is known that Gen' Smallwood had retreated two miles & a half from the Fork of the Road that leads there, in order to form a Junction with me ; that part of the Enemy kept even with him all the way ; & the residue followed in his rear ; that they were between him, and the ferry, and on his flank, had he been sent back. It requires no great share of Military Knowledge to see the Madness of separating my force, & sending one part to be first sacri- ficed, that the other might afterwards be cut to pieces with the greater ease. I must add to this, that a Tender lay near that place, which in ten minutes might have been compleatly possessed of the place we had crossed at, & have prevented all possibility of pass- ing: What must have been the fate of this Brigade, if I had ordered them over in that place, and marched the other off at the distance of eight Miles, may easily be conceived. I have ever conceived it dan- gerous, when it remains doubtful, whether the whole force, under an

REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROLLS AND DOCUMENTS.

officer's Command, is capable to combat with and vanquish the Enemy, to divide his force, and send them by different Routs, & put it in the power of the Enemy to follow either party with an assurance of their own Superiority of Numbers, & the certainty of the In- feriority of the party they wish to destroy. - I have been thus par- ticular because I know some of my officers have censur'd my conduct because I did not adopt the plan mentioned by Colo Price - I hope Congress will excuse the length of my Letter, as they will not, in future, be troubled with many Letters from

Your most Obedt Servt John Sullivan

His Excellency John Hancock Esq're

[Ibid p. 139.] [Proceedings of a Court of Enquiry.]

At a court of Enquiry held by Order of his Excellency General Washington, to Examine into The Conduct of Major General Sulli- van, in the Expedition Commanded by him to Staten Island, in the month of August last, held in Camp at the House of Christian Stouffer, in the County of Philadelphia, the fourth day of August 1777 - [This date is evidently wrong.]

Present, Major Gen1 Lord Sterling - President Brigadier § McDougal Colonels, Clark § Spencer

Generals, Knox

Ordered that the General Order for the Holding this Court be En- tered on the minutes of this Court, and is as follows.

A Court of enquiry Consisting of four members, and Major Gen- eral Lord Sterling president, to set at 12 o'clock to day at the Presi- dents Quarters, & examine into the Conduct of Major Gen1 Sullivan, in the Expedition commanded by him to Staten Island, in the month of August last. Major Taylor, & others, who can give Information of this matter, are to attend ; But if the Court see cause to postpone the examination for want of Evidence, (after hearing what Major Taylor has to urge upon that head) they are to do it accordingly. -

Head Quarters Octor Ioth 1777

Members

Major Gen1 Ld Sterling - President

Tim : Pickering A. G.

Gen' McDougal, Gen1 Knox

Colº Spencer - Colo Clark

1 1

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Ordered that Gen' Sullivan, and Major Taylor be notified, that Court is sitting, and that their attendance is requested. - At half past one P. M. Gen1 Sullivan attended, haveing been detained by the funeral of Major White - Major. Taylor appears at the Court, about half past 3 O'Clock P. M. and asserting that his evidences were not ready the Court adjourned 'till to-morrow morning 8 O'Clock to meet at the same Place. -

October IIth 1777 - The Court met according to adjournment, present as before. Major Taylor delivers to the Court a written Nar- rative of the Expedition to Staten Island which is in the following words, in the Papers Marked A *-

Major Taylor being asked, whether he knew any other Person who can Corroborate the fact mentioned in his Narrative, Said Colo Hall, the Elder, Colo Stone L' Colo Smith, Major Forrest, all of whom are absent from the Camp & Major Read Captain Chambers, who are in Camp.

General Sullivan said, that in order to expedite the Business, and prevent delay, he admit that if the Gent" mentioned now to be absent were all present, would each of them deliver in a paper similar to the one delivered in by Major Taylor. -

Capt Chambers attending was called upon, & gave the Testimony Contained in the Paper marked B.

Major Reed attending was called upon & gave the Testimony Contained in the Paper marked C.

General Sullivan then began his account of the Expedition, in course of which, he produced the written Testimony of the following Persons vizt

Major Sherburns - D. General Smallwoods marked E

M' Armstrongs - F. Major Morris - G

Major Eustace - H. Colo Price's - I

Major Adams - K. Major Vaughan - L

Major Sterrett - M.

He also produced Colo Ogden who declared, that he had the after- noon before by General Sullivan been made acquainted with the Plan of the Expedition, and that he had approved of it, that it is opinion, that the Enemy had it in their Power whenever our Troops, should attempt to retreat, to fall on our Rear, as there was not boats sufficient to take off the Troops, but at several trips. Colº Ramsey also appeared, his account in general was very similar to the Papers, D. E. F. & G. but adds that the Confusion at the Church, mentioned by

[* The papers designated by letters will follow the proceedings of the Court in regular order. - ED.]

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Capt Chambers was nothing but the men getting a Drink of Water, by Gen1 Smallwood's leave, & that Major Woodson was appointed to, & did superintend the Reimbarkation of the Troops, in the retreat, & that he being in the second Regiment of the first Brigade, which passed, & saw Major Woodson active in the Service - Major Morris, & Docr Armstrong being further examined Declare -That no Horses belonging to Gen1 Sullivan, or any of his family [his staff] was carried over to Staten Island, and therefore that it became necessary to get Horses on the Island, to mount the General & his Aid de Camps, which was accordingly done, but those Horses were left on the Island. Gen1 Sullivan having ordered, that not any Horses should be brought from the Island, untill all the men were sent off. That this order was obey'd in every Instance in Gen1 Sul- livan's family, excepting one, which was a Horse of Major Eustace, sent off by mistake of the officer Conducting the Embarkation. They likewise declare, that immediately after their Return from Staten Island, Gen1 Sullivan took every measure necessary to furnish his Troops with provision, & to refresh them, and for this purpose ordered the whole of his Troops to assemble at Elizabeth Town, that Gen1 Smallwood with his Brigade did actually go to Elizabeth Town, and was there furnished with Provisions, but that General Borre contrary to his positive Orders, did march off towards Chatham, on hearing of which, Gen1 Sullivan expressed his displeasure, and im- mediately sent orders to Gen1 De Borre to halt his Troops at Spring- field, where plenty of Provisions were provided for him, that Gen1 De Borre, instead of obeying his Orders, sent word back, that his Troops were on their March, and that they should go to Chatham, and that this was the Reason why the march of that Brigade was so greatly prolonged before they were refreshed.

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Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725, Part 13

Author: None Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 860

Author: None
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 860