USA > New Hampshire > Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725 > Part 14
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The Court adjourned 'till to-morrow morning 9 O'Clock.
October 12th 1777. - The Court met according to adjournment, & proceeded to examine the written Evidence, in support of the Charge, and in exculpation of Gen1 Sullivan, and in comparing them together, and after having spent some hours therein, came to the fol- lowing opinion which is the Paper N signed by the members -
Sterling Alex" MeDougall Henry Knox Oliver Spencer T. Clarke
[In Congress, September 13, 1777, General Washington was di- rected to order a court of enquiry to examine into the conduct of
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General De Borre, who was in the meanwhile to be under arrest. He immediately resigned, and his resignation was accepted. - ED.]
[Ibid. p. 140.]
[Major Taylor's Statement. Document Marked A.]
Major Taylor - (1) that about sunset at Hanover, the day before General Sullivans Division marched of for Staten Island, orders were given them to draw three days provision of salt meat if to be had, and parade with their blankets and provision cooked at twelve OClock the next day ; the provisions could not be obtained untill the next day, & then fresh only were issued. (2) the troops marched of about three OClock down to Halsteads point, halting about fifteen minutes at Chatham and about half an hour near the point. (3) General De Borres Brigade had got over before sunrise and were marched off to attack Colo Barton (?) about this time there was a firing heard, supposed to be Colº Ogden. General De Borres Bri- gade attacked Colº Barton between 8 and 9, instantly dispersed his party, and pursued him down to the new Blazing Star, from which place General Sullivan sent two Soldiers in a Canoe, with a broken paddle, to the place where his Division had crossed with orders for the Boats and Waggons to proceed down to the old Blazing Star. (4) Near this place an aider, Mr Armstrong came to General Sullivan and informed him, that the enemy were endeavouring to surround the other Brigade near the cross roads, whither we were instantly ordered, and told by General Sullivan that we should have something to do when the two Brigades met at the cross roads they were ordered towards the old Star, whither they marched in the utmost confusion, de Borres Brigade stopping only half an hour at Cuckolds Town, and marching again before the rear guard came up, which consisted of about 30 or 40 light Infantry of Colo Hazens Regt an anxiety for whose safety caused Major Taylor to apply to the General several times - (5) Much time was lost in returning from the Island, in con- sequence of no Officers being appointed to superintend the Embark- ation & disembarkation of the Troops early enough, as much supposing the enemy to have appeared when they did as would have brought of the whole of the Men. (6) the men were scattered exceedingly for the purpose of plundering, to prevent which no orders were given in hearing of Major Taylor - (7) when the enemy appeared on the Island the troops on this side were marched down in the Marsh, when two men were killed with the enemys Cannon. (S) the troops marched on about eight miles after they crossed where they remained
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till sunrise, when DeBorres Brigade marched up to Chatham, in this round which consisted of about 60 or 70 miles the troops had no opportunity of refreshing them selves, except one, and even at Chat- ham no provision was made for them - (9) Major Tayior is of opin- ion that the march of twenty seven miles - 22 with blankets and three days provisions precedent to an action is too much that making such an attack without carrying matters to extremity by which means a long and dangerous retreat became necessary was ill advised. - That if Colonel Ogdens firing commenced at sunrise, it was im- possible for General Sullivan, who was twelve miles off, and had an action to go through, to support him, that the way the Division came on the Island was most advisable to retreat by, because it was short, because a gut ran through the Marsh, which was crossed over a Boat by way of Bridge, which taken away would have prevented pursuit, & because the straggling men were likely to go that way.
John Taylor
[Endorsed "Major Taylors Evidence A. Nº 4"]
[Ibid. p. 141.] Captn Chamber's Evidence B. Nº 5.
October 11th 1777
Captain Benjamin Chambers of Colonel Hazen's Regiment, says that the Brigade to which he belonged, marched from Hanover, in New Jersey about 3 P. M. the twenty first of August last, to Chatham, and halted there half an hour, from thence they marched within one mile of Elizabeth Town, leaving it on the left hand, there halted half an hour, where they found General Smallwoods Brigade resting, from this they marched in the rear of General Smallwoods Brigade to Halstead's point, and halted a little distance from it, as that Brigade was Crossing the sound to Staten Island; soon after the Brigade to which he belonged Crossed also, leaving their packs behind, but before they Crossed two Companies of light Infantry belonging to this Brigade were ordered out with a guide under him Captain Chambers, to take General Skinner, at his Quarters, when he got on the Island, he was informed by one of Inhabitants, that General Skinner had shifted his Quarters, upon this intelligence he was ordered to march with the said Companies of light Infantry as an advanced guard to General Smallwoods Brigade, till they arrived to the Dutch Church at the Mills where a British Regiment of Foot and some new levies were posted, upon the advanced guard coming
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within 150 yards of the enemy they retired over a Bridge, and were pursued by the advanced guard 150 yards beyond it, the Brigade halted at the Bridge, immediately after he was ordered by General Smallwood to return to the Brigade, when the General ordered a Regt to watch the motion of the enemy at the Bridge, the rest of the Brigade retired in a disorderly manner to the Church, where they scattered to collect Clothes & Water out of the neighbouring Houses, about one hundred yards distance. after a quarter of an hours rest & near the Church, he understood that General Smallwoods Brigade had retired on the same road they advanced, when he came near the forks of the road leading to the New Blazing Star, he heard some arms discharged in the rear, which induced him to halt his men, soon after General Sullivan came to him on the Road from the New Blaz- ing Star, and asked him what was the firing in the rear, he answered he thought it to be some of our own men who were Drunk, upon which General Sullivan ordered him to halt there, to let the straglers pass by, and bring them up to the rear guard, which he accordingly did for an Hour, in this time a considerable number of officers and . men came on and passed by him when he brought the straglers to the rear Guards, he retired to join his Regiment which was just em- barking when he came to the Old Blazing Star Ferry, he and his company's followed in the next Boat -when he got on the Jersey side General Sullivan asked him if he had seen anything of the enemy, he replied in the negative, the General then asked him whether he had brought on all the straglers as he ordered him, he answered he had, all those who were able to walk, and Waggons were sent for the lame.
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[Ibid. p. 142.] Major Recd's Testimony. C. Nº 6.
Camp IIth October 1777
Previous to our setting out on the expedition, I myself was Indis- posed having the Ague and Fever upon me, and lay in a house adjacent to the Camp so that I know nothing of the orders given or preparations made for the expedition we marched I think between three & four O Clock P. M. and proceeded to a small village the name of which I do not recollect, neither can I ascertain the distance. We halted there and our people grounded their arms, when they received orders to march in fifteen minutes. I took the minutes from my watch, but observed it was thirty Minutes when they lifted their
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arms, we then proceeded to a place near Elizabeth Town where we halted longer, our provision was ordered to be left there, when we marched down to the sound and began to throw over the troops, which was not accomplished 'till near sun rising. General Small- woods Brigade was in Front and marched towards the uper end of the Island. General Sullivan with General De Borre's Brigade marched a different rout, when we had proceeded about a mile we heard Col- onel Ogden at work towards the lower end of the Island, a few min- utes after we saw some Hessians [in] the wood through which we marched, and one of General Sullivans Aids told one of my people to go and catch one for the General, he went and caught one, we had not gone far before the Generals Aids had procured Horses for them- selves, however we soon discovered some of Colonel Bartons People and I being in front the General ordered me to pursue, which I did untill I came within sight of their main Body where I waited for our People ; when they came forward we advanced and the enemy thought proper to retreat in a very disorderly manner so that our people pursued them in several directions, when I came opposite to where they were drawn up, I found a Horse Saddled which I mounted, but being much fatigued, and knowing the enemy to be much inferior in numbers, I followed no further but went to the House where they rendevouzed to take an Inventory of their Stores, which when I had done I joined the Brigade, they were then returning from their pur- suit, and a great many of the Soldiers had Horses and plunder of different kinds, we then set out the same road we had come, and in a short time met General Smallwoods Brigade, which turned about and the Division marched to the road that lead from the uper end of the Island to the lower Blazing Star Ferry where contrary to my expecta- tions they turned down, I then enquired of the Inhabitants how far it was to the Blazing Star they told me 9 miles. I observing General De Borre to be much fatigued, offered him the Horse I had, which he accepted. I had not marched far before I percieved my strength fail, so that I was obliged to fall towards the rear where I saw our people in a scattered disorderly and dangerous situation, I made up of every effort then in my power to curb the licentiousness, and stop the greedy grasp of our Soldiery, but found they had such a propen- sity to plunder that my exertions were ineffectual, however I pro- ceeded to a small Village called Cuckolds Town, when I came there the troops were gone. I myself with a few others stayed there about fifteen minutes, when I heard Capt. Heron of the Regiment to which I belong was killed or made prisoner in our rear ; Capt Old- ham and myself got horses and went back, we had not gone far before we met Capt Chambers with the light Company of our Regi-
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ment. I asked him if there were any of our people behind, he said there were, we went on but soon discovered a party in a woods about a quarter of a mile from the road whom we took to be the enemy attempting to hang on our rear, I called back our light Company to skirmish with them till our straggling rear should get out of the way, but finding them to be our own people sent them forward telling them their danger, we then went back about a mile and a half where we met some soldiers who said they were so overcome with hunger and fatigue, that they could go no further, but we perswaided them to rise and hurried them on till we came within sight of Cuckolds Town when we left them and followed our Army, our People were then scattered from that place to the ferry, at which place when I arrived our Regiment was Crossing over and I embarked and came over to this side, shortly after I came over, I saw the enemy appear. I took particular notice of the ground, which on this side did not command that on the other, but notwithstanding if we had had our artillery considering the timidity of those Green Coats, I thought we could prevent their coming forward before our people might get over James R. Reed.
[Ibid. p. 143.] Major Sherburne's Testimony. D. Nº 7-
Camp near Newport 6th Sept 1777.
On Wednesday the 19th of August 1777 I was desired by Major General Sullivan to write a note to the Brigadiers Smallwood & De- borre desiring them with their Brigades (such only as were able to endure a march) to Parade at Head Quarters at 12 O Clock the next day with their knapsacks & two days Provisions Cook'd, leaving their Tents standing. On Thursday the 20th of August the General noti- fied to his family [staff] to ride Giving out word that the Troops were to march to the Southward and he was himself a going forward (now I have reason to suppose that the true intention of this move was made known to Gen1 Smallwood the evening before, as he and Gen1 Sullivan were in close Conference for some considerable time, & I understood from the Gen1 afterwards that the Troops had orders to march precisely at 12 OClock) Agreeable to the Genls order his Aid - followed him, he taking the Road leading to Morristown about 21 miles, when turning to the left we proceeded to Chatham & from thence to Elizabeth Town, where the Gen1 calling his Aid de Camps let them into his Intentions, Informing them that the Troops were to be near the Town about dark & that he had form'd a design
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to make a Desent on Staten Island, that he with his Division was to embark from Halsteads point & make a landing on the opposite shore, while Col. Ogden with his own & Col. Daytons Regt with some Militia made a Landing from Old Blazing Star. The plan was then, that after the Troops had made good their Land'g Col. Ogden with his party was to surround Lt Col. Lawrence and his party & lay still while light, & then make what prisoners he could, after which he was to attack Col. Duncan & Allen and then proceed down the sound in order to form a junction with General Sullivans Division. In the mean time Gen1 Sullivan was to dispose of his Division in the follow- ing manner (to wit) after gaining the main post road from the Marshes, Gen1 Smallwood was to file off to the left : taking the Road leading to Dickers ferry where Baskirk was posted with his Regt in order to surprise and make Prisoners as many as he could, in the meantime General Sullivan at the Head of Gent Deborres Brigade was to file of to the right, & taking the Road leading to the new Blazing Star in order to surprise Col. Barton with his party after which he was to march back and cover Gen1 Smallwoods retreat in case t should be necessary, Capt" Barnett with a party of the Lt Infantry of Col. Hazens Regt was to surprise Gen1 Skinner who the Gen1 under- stood kept at one Wards - The Gen1 having told his Aid de Camps this in the presence of Col. Ogden & some other officers who he thought proper to call in, in order to consult with them about the Boats &c, &c. -
Between the hours of Nine & Ten in the evening word was brought that the troops had arriv'd, on which the General ordered them to refresh themselves and lay still untill further orders ; to the best of my remembrance the two Brigades had orders to be at Hal- steads point precisely at two O Clock, at the hour appointed Gen1 Smallwoods Brigade made its appearance, followed after by Gen1 De- borre and his Brigade between two and three the Troops began their Embarkation ; the Gen1 in Person assisting in ordering the Boats and seeing them properly stowed & Requesting the officers & soldiers to be silent as the success of the Expedition depended on their avoid- ing a Discovery ; Gen1 Smallwoods Brigade having got over, Gen1 Deborres Brigade began their Embarkation the 3ª boat of which General Sullivan and his Aid de Camps went over in, first giving the necessary orders to the Commanding Officers behind how to conduct himself in getting his Troops over. I think from the time we began our Embarkation to the time we Compleated it did not exceed one and a half hours
The Troops from Halsteads point had to land on a marsh and then to march several mile crossing a small creek before we could reach
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the main road, the occasion of Gen1 Sullivans going over before all the Troops had got over, was in order to give General Smallwood his directions & Rout, & to give Capt" Barnett his Command who was to surprise Skinner. Gen1 Sullivan having given Gen1 Smallwood his necessary order and a Pilot to conduct him, & Barnett his order he sent them off, and Returned to the marsh where waiting a few minutes Gen1 Deborre hove in sight with his Brigade, all the part of them were considerably in the rear Gen1 Deborre having got up & after waiting a few minutes for a Pilot who had gone to put the other Troops in the proper road as their Pilot was not acquainted with the road from off the marsh; after waiting a few minutes for him the Gen1 ordered the Brigade to march we picking out the Road as well as we could untill the Pilot returned who went with us afterwards, we proceeded on our march for several mile when we discovered part of the Enemy Flying, the General perceiving it ordered Col. Price to file off to the right with his Regt in order to intercept the En- emies retreat, after which the General Pushed on the Troops until he discovered a Party of the enemy Paraded in a cornfield, the Troops were anxious to push on but the Gen1 thought proper to order a party to file off to the left in order to get on the Enemies right flank, they perceiving the Generals intention threw down their arms and ran away. L' Col. Barton who commanded that party surrendered himself a prisoner of war as did a number of his men who could not effect their escape. The Gen1 understanding there was a party of the Enemy at the point he ordered his troops to push on which they did but to little purpose for the enemy had made their escape in Boats we only taking a few that could not effect it, the General find- ing how matters stood, returned with his Troops by the same Road that he went, in order to meet Col. Ogden with his party - As I understood from the Gen' that he had sent Major Eustace to Col. Ogden to hasten his march but Eustace returning very soon after re- ported to the General, that he could not procure a Boat to cross the Creek; but on the march the General was met by Mr Armstrong (a volunteer with General Smallwood) with word from Gen1 Smallwood that the enemy were endeavouring to surround him and begged he would form a junction as soon as possible, upon which the Gen1 pushed on with his Troops in order to effect it which he did within half a mile of the Crotch of the Road, one of which leads to Dickers Ferry, the other to the Old Blazing Star which the Gen1 took in hopes of meeting Col. Ogden with his party but being dis- appointed he pushed for Cuckolds Town, half a mile the other side the General ordered me to direct Gen1 Smallwood to take possession of the heights on the right & rest his men, he also ordered me to
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give the like orders to Gen1 Deborre only he was to take the heights on the left, having made a halt for some considerable time (sufficient for the men to rest) the Gen' ordered the Troops to march having about 4 miles to march to the Old Blazing Star, which when we arrived at, the Gen1 ordered me to post a Picquett upon the heights back of the Ferry for the security of our Embarkation which I did, Consisting of one field officer and one hundred men, in our way from Cuckolds town I remark'd to the General, that I percieved a number of stragglers behind, some of whom would not get up unless there was waggons sent for them, upon which the General ordered me to dispatch some waggons back for them which I did, and as I brought up the rear the last of any officer to Cuckolds town, I did not perceive any stragglers untill I discovered them about one quarter of a mile the other side of the Town upon the strength of which I told the Gen1 as before men- tioned ; We began our Embarkation- The Gen' ordered me to appoint some officer to superintend it, which I did appointing a Major from Col. Hazens Regt giving him his directions also desired him to appoint the officers to act with him. - The Gen' tarried on the Island while Gen1 Smallwoods Brigade Crossed, he himself going in the first boat that crossed with Gen Deborrs men in order to see that the boats were properly managed there, on the Generals landing he ordered one of his Aid de Camps to tarry & see the boats off while he went up to the Troops that had crossed in order to dispatch some messenger for the Provisions that had not arrived agreeable to an order they had received before, to be at the Old Blazing Star that afternoon -
The Troops having all got over excepting a very few beside the Pickett guard, & the Gen1 from the opposite shore discovering the enemy to heave in sight, ordered me down to the boats and see that they were double mann'd. I accordingly obey'd the Genls order double mann'd the boats & used my endeavour to get them off but was all in vain, two boats went off they never reach'd the opposite shore, being as I suppose, terrified by the Enemies incessent fire from their artillery & small arms, the General finding how the matter stood on the marsh came down himself and used his Influence in getting the boats over ordered the men to fire on them which they did but all in vain ; all ye arguments the threats &c. that the Gen! could make use of answered to no purpose the boats did not get over, but ran ashore at the upper end of the marsh & left a small Pickett to defend themselves against an Enemy more than Twenty to one odds ; The enemy finding how matters stood with our little party that was left as it were to their mercy pushed them to the utmost
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and were repulsed with bravery that would do honour to veteran Troops, but being overpowered with numbers & all their ammunition being expended, those that did not chuse to surrender threw them- selves into the sound & swam over & many took to the woods & have since got over ---
Quest. Did you see the Gen' ride up & speak to the Officer Command'g the Rear guard after the Division had gained the main road & were passing on for Cuckolds Town
Answ. I did
Quest. What was the Distance from thence to Cuckolds Town
Answ. About four miles
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Quest. Did not the General give express orders that no Horses or Cattle should be carried over till the Troops had all Crossed
Answ. He did
Quest. Did not you deliver those orders to the officer appointed to superintend the Embarkation when he was appointed
Answ. I did
Quest. Did the General give those orders as soon as he came to the Ferry
Answ. He did
Quest. Could Cannon have been used by us to advantage in Covering the Crossing of the Troops
Answ. They could not
Edwd Sherburne De A. G.
[Major Sherburne was Aid de Camp to General Sullivan. He was mortally wounded in the battle at Germantown, and died October 5, 1777 .- ED.]
[Ibid. p. 144.] General Smallwoods Testimony E. Nº 8.
Interrogatories to Gen1 Smallwood
Quest. Did Gen1 Sullivan let you into the whole Plan of attacking Staten Island & take your opinion upon the Practicability of it pre- vious to his issuing orders for the Troops to prepare for marching.
Ans. He did not as well as I can recollect -- I received Gen1 Sul- livans orders thro' Major Sherburne to draw out all such soldiers in my Brigade as were able to stand a march & provide them with three
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days Provision, & Rum, Cook'd & to Parade them at 12 O'Clock next day at his Quarters compleatly armed & accoutred to march with no other baggage, but Blankets, at the same time received his Billet, requiring my attendance on him immediately, which was com- ply'd with as soon as I had given the above order; when he opened his design & took my opinion, & understood similar orders were sent to. the other Brigade.
Quest. Was your opinion in favour of or against the attempt
Ans. Strongly in favour of it from an impression it was advisable and Practicable.
Quest. Did he issue orders the Evening before the march for the Troops to draw Provision & have it Cook'd & the troops to be in readiness to march at 12 O'Clock next day
Ans. He did
Quest. Did you send him word by the Brigade Major in the morning that your Troops would be ready to march by II O'Clock.
Ans. I did.
Quest. How much nearer was Gen1 Deborres Brigade encamped to the Commissarys stores than yours.
Ans. I think at least a mile and an half if not more.
Quest. Did the General give you orders to send off the Troops from Hanover, towards Elizabeth Town, at 12 O'Clock, by regiments, companies, or in such manner as you thought best to prevent the sus- picion of the Inhabitants, & to rendezvous them back of Elizth Town in the Evening.
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