Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725, Part 16

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Quest. Did you hear the Gen1 desire the officers to keep their men together & in good order.

Ans. Frequently.

Quest. Did you hear him forbid plundering the Inhabitants

Ans. I was sent to the heights on the complaint of a poor woman who had been robbed, with orders from the Gen1 to have her goods returned to her, & the person who had taken them confined.

Quest. Did you hear him exhort the Soldiers to keep together & be in readiness to receive the Enemy.

Ans. I did repeatedly as he rode thro' the line.

Quest. Did he after the Enemy appeared come down on the marsh by the shore & endeavour to get the boats across, & remain there till the Pickett had surrendered.

Ans. He did.

J. O. Eustace Aid de Camp Major General Lee

[Major Eustace served on the staffs of Generals Lee and Sullivan, "with honor, fidelity and bravery," and on November 7, 1777, Con- gress granted him a commission as major in the service of the United States. - ED.]

Interrogations to Colº Price. I. Nº 12. 1

Quest. Was you on the expedition of General Sullivan to Staten Island.

Ans. I was.

Quest. Did he appear to be active and attentive in Getting over and arranging his men.

Ans. I think he was.

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Quest. Was you in that Division which he commanded in person. Ans. I was.

Quest. Did he make such Disposition as you thought most proper to intercept the enemy and prevent their escaping.

Ans. I think he did.

Quest. Did he after he had taken Colo Barton and some of his Regiment prisoners and was returning to join General Smallwood de- sire you to keep your men together and in proper order to receive the enemy.

Ans. He did so, and informed me he expected the enemy wou'd attack General Smallwood by the time we cou'd Join him at the Cross Roads.

Quest. Do you know anything of his giving permission to the Soldiers to straggle over the Island to plunder.

Ans. Not to my knowledge.

Quest. Did the Regiment you commanded bring up the rear of the main body after the Junction was formed with General Small- wood.

Ans. They did.

Quest. Did you halt with your Regiment at Cuckolds Town, and how long.

Ans. They did, but how long I can't tell, as I was much fatigued and had Gen1 De Borre's leave to go forward and Cross the Ferry.

Quest. When the General arrived at the Old Star Ferry did he give positive orders that no horses or cattle should be craried across till all the troops were over and appoint an officer to Superintend the Imbarkation.

Ans. I was not present but I was told he did.

Quest. When the enemy appeared in sight did he go down to the Shore and endeavour to get the Boats over & remain there till the rear picket had Surrendered.

Ans. I was not present.

Quest. Could cannon have been placed to advantage on the Jersey Shore to have covered the Crossing of the troops when the enemy were in possession of heights on the opposite Shore.

. Ans. The heights on the Island command the Jersey Shore at the old Starr Ferry.

Quest. Is it your opinion that any of the misfortunes that hap- pened that day were owing to the Carelessness Inattention or Mis- conduct of General Sullivan.

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Ans. It is my opinion Gen1 Smallwoods Brigade should have crossed the Sound at the place the Division crossed at.

Quest. Did you discover any Signs of fear or confusion in General Sullivan in the course of the expedition.

Ans. Not in the least.

Tho. Price Colo. 2 Maryland Regiment.

[Ibid. p. 150.]

Major Adams's Testimony K. Nº 13.

[Major Daniel J. Adams's testimony, in answer to interrogatories, corroborates the foregoing, but is omitted here as it brings out noth- ing materially different from those preceding. - ED.]

[Ibid. p. 151.] Major Vaughan's Testimony L. Nº 14.

Interrogatories to Major Vaughan.

Quest. Was you in the Expedition with Gen1 Sullivan to Staten Island.

Ans. Yes.

Quest. Did he appear to be active and attentive in getting over and arranging his troops.

Ans. Yes, as active as it was possible for a man to be.

Quest. Was you in the Division Commanded by him or that Com- manded by General Smallwood.

Ans. In that Commanded by General Smallwood.

Quest. Have you any reason to doubt if General Smallwoods tak- ing or distroying the troops at Dickers Ferry, if he had not been de- ceived by his Guide.

Ans. I am of opinion that if General Smallwoods Division had been taken in the rear instead of the front of the enemy they must have fallen into our Hands, but what were the instructions given the guide, cannot say

Quest. When he gave orders to his party to retire and form a Junction with General Sullivan would there have been a probability of any of his officers & men being left if those orders had been attended to.

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Ans. I think there would not.

Quest. . At what time did General Smallwood form a Junction with General Sullivan.

Ans. Between the fork of the road and the New Blazing Star, & I think about eleven O Clock, A. M.

Quest. How far was it from Cuckolds Town.

Ans. About four Miles.

Quest. Did the troops halt at Cuckolds Town & how long.

Ans. Yes, near the Town, something better than an hour.

Quest. Did General Sullivan enjoin silence & order upon his men and assure them that the success of the expedition depended on it.

Ans. Yes.

Quest. Do you know anything of his giving permission to the Soldiers to straggle over the Island to plunder.

Ans. No, but positively ordered the contrary.

Quest. When the General arrived at the Old Blazing Star, did he appoint an officer to superintend the embarkation of the troops.

Ans. Yes, Major Woodson was appointed.

Quest. Did he give positive orders that no horses or cattle should be carried over till all the troops had crossed.

Ans. Yes, I understood from Major Woodson such were the orders.

Quest. When he crossed himself, did he leave two of his Aid de Camps to superintend the return of the boats.

Ans. I saw two of the Generals Aid de Camps on the Jersey side after the General had crossed.

Quest. When the enemy were in sight did he go down to the shore and endeavour to get over and remain there till the rear Picket had surrendered.

Ans. Yes.

Quest. Could Cannon have been placed to advantage on the Jersey shore to have covered our Troops in Crossing when the enemy were possessed of the heights on the opposite shore.

Ans. I do not think that Cannon could have been placed opposite the picket to advantage, but that it might have been of service about half a mile below.

Quest. Did you while on the Island Discover any signs of fear or confusion in General Sullivan.

Ans. No not the least.

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Quest. Is it your opinion that any of the misfortunes that hap- pened that day were owing to the carelessness inattention or miscon- duct of General Sullivan.

Ans. No. -

Joseph Vaughan, M. D R.

[Ibid. p. 152.] Major Steretts Testimony M Nº 15.

[This document corroborates the foregoing in most points, and is omitted as containing nothing materially differing from them. - ED.]

[Ibid. p. 153.] [Summary of the Evidence of General Sterling.]

On considering the several matters alledged, and several Evidences, as follows it appears on the day of Gen' Sullivans march from Han- over, that Provisions were ready to be issued to Gen1 de Borres Brig- ade, in time to have enabled them to march at the time appointed by Gen1 Sullivan ; and that their not being ready till three hours after- wards, must have been owing to the negligence of the officers of that Brigade, for it appears that de Borres Brigade had their Provi- sions drawn the Evening before, & that Smallwoods Brigade which lay at a much greater distance from the Commissary's, had their Pro- visions & were ready to march an hour before the appointed time. It appears that Major Taylor must have been mistaken as to the time allowed for halting the Troops, for it appears that at Chatham they halted at least half an hour, and at least 3 hours more before their Embarkation, in the Neighbourhood of Halsteads Point & Elizabeth Town, and had there been any fault in the march of the Troops it could not have been owing to Gen1 Sullivan, as he was gone forward to get the Boats ready, at the proposed place of Embarkation. That if the troops had not so much time to refresh as they ought to have, it was owing to Gen1 De Borres Brigade delaying their march three hours after the time they were ordered. As to sending the two men in the Canoe with a broken Paddle, to carry orders for the boats, & waggons to proceed to the Old Blazing Star, [it] appears from the Evidence that antecedent orders had been given, to the officer who had charge of them, to proceed to the Old Blazing Star, on his hear- ing the Fire proceed that way, and that the stoppage of the boats

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was not owing to the want of orders, but to the appearance of a Sloop in which Colo Ogden sent off his Prisoners, and which was mistaken for one of the Enemys Tenders; - It appears from the Evidence that it would have been very improper to have halted the Division until they came to Cuckold's Town, at which place they halted a full hour, and not a half only as Maj' Taylor asserts. - That the straggling march was contrary to the Express orders of Gen1 Sullivan, delivd by himself in Person, and by his aids repeatedly. - It also appears that the Light Infantry of Hazens were only halted for the purpose of bringing up stragglers to the Rear Guard, as asserted. - It appears by a number of Evidences that Major Woodson was early appointed to superintend the reembarkation of the Troops, at the Old Blazing Star, and that he exerted himself much for that purpose. - It also appears that Gen1 Sullivan appointed two of his aids to see that the boats returned with expedition from the Jersey side. - It appears in the fullest manner from the Evidence that Gen1 Sullivan gave repeated orders in the most positive terms against Plundering. - That altho: two men were killed by the Enemy's Artillery while on the Marsh in the Jerseys, still it appears to have been a proper measure to station the Troops there, in order to cover the retreat of the Rear Guard, & that it had a good effect, in check- ing the Enemy. - It appears that after the return of the Troops from Staten Island, that Gen1 Sullivan immediately took every measure necessary to furnish his Troops with Provision and 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 were there furnished with Provisions, but that Gen1 Debores, contrary to his positive orders, did march off towards Chatham: on hearing of which Gen1 Sullivan expressed his displeasure, and immediately sent orders to Gen1 Debores to halt his Troops at Springfield, where there were plenty of Provisions. - That Gen1 Debores instead of obeying his order, sent word back that his troops were on the march, & that they should go to Chatham- & that was the reason why the march of that Brigade was so greatly prolonged before they were refreshed. - It appears from the Evidence & Papers, that Major Taylor's opinion is not founded in the best Information, and that he has been grossly mistaken in a number of essential Particulars of the Expedition. -

The above in answer to Major Taylor's Evidence - Major Reed says that Gen1 Sullivan's Aid de Camps procured Horses in the Island for the General & themselves. - It appears from the Evidence that this was essentially necessary - The General & his Aids not having carried their Horses over to the Island. -

Sterling - President.

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[Ibid. p. 154.]

Opinion of Court of Inquiry. N. Nº 16.

Camp at Foamensing October 12th 1777 -

At a Court of enquiry held at Major General. Lord Sterlings Quarters by order of his Excellency General Washington to examine into the Conduct of Major General Sullivan in the expedition Com- manded by him to Staten Island in the month of August last

Present, Major General Lord Sterling, President. Brigadier General McDougal Brigadier General Knox Members. Colonel Spencer -Colonel Clark

The Court after hearing the evidences against the conduct of Major General Sullivan and those produced by him in his defence, and duly considering the same, are Unanimously of opinion that the expedition against the enemy on Staten Island was eligible and promised great advantages to the cause of America. That the expe- dition was well concocted, and the orders for the execution proper and would have succeeded with reputation to the General and Troops under his command had it not in some measure been rendered abor- tive by accidents which were out of the power of the General to foresee or prevent. - That General Sullivan was particularly active in embarking the Troops to the Island and took every precaution in his power to bring them off - That he made early provision at Eliza- beth Town for refreshing the Troops of his Division when they re- turned to Jersey, and that upon the Maturest consideration of the evidence in possession of this Court, General Sullivan's conduct in planning and executing the expedition was such in the opinion of this Court, that he merits the approbation of his Country, and not its censure. The Court therefore are Unanimously of opinion that he ought to stand honourably acquitted of any unsoldierlike conduct in the expedition to Staten Island. -

Sterling Alex. McDougal Henry Knox Oliver Spencer T. Clark -

[The foregoing judgment of the court was transmitted to Congress by General Washington, and on October 20th that body

" Resolved, That the result of the court of enquiry into the expe-

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dition of Staten-Island, so honourable to the character of General Sullivan, is highly pleasing to Congress, and that the opinion of the said court be published in justification of the injured character of that officer."

It was also satisfactory to Washington, who admired Sullivan for his energy, activity, and fearlessness, and to a large majority of the officers of the army. - ED.]

[Ibid. p. 155.] Copy of Colonel Ogden's Letter, Nº 17. [Contains a detailed account of the plan of action.]

Dear Sir. - As you are in my opinion very unjustly censured for your conduct respecting the Staten Island Expedition, I cannot in Justice to you, or the Public Service omit presenting you with my narrative of the affair, which if you please you may make Public.

I do not mean to call in question the proceeding of the Honourable Congress, I doubt not they have been imposed on by a misrepresenta- tion of facts, otherwise they would not have ordered a Court of En- quiry. I am certain it is not their Intention to injure the Character of an Officer for being successfull.

The Plan ordered by you after consulting those Gentlemen (in whom you could confide) who were best acquainted with the Island, and the situation of the Enemy was this. - That Gen1 Smallwood & DeBorre, should cross at Halsteads point, the former to attack Bus- kirk at the Dutch Church, and the latter Barton at the New Blazing Star. I was to cross at the Old Blazing Star, with the first and third Jersey Regiments, & a part of the Militia, & attack the Regi- ments of Lawrence, Dongan, & Allen, which if I found an overmatch, I was to take post on advantageous Ground, & wait until I was sup- ported by a Regiment from Gen1 DeBorre, which Regiment in case I drove the Enemy was to head them, & pick up the stragglers. One Regiment from Gen1 Smallwood was to be left for the same pur- pose at the Cross Road above, & to take up those that should escape General De Borre, after which the whole of your Division was to join & march to where I had crossed, & where you were to recross. - This Plan appeared to me well concerted and perfectly consistent. The Officers on my part performed every duty required, or expected, they routed the Enemy, and made many of them Prisoners, with very little loss, how far the Officers of your Division executed their part, I cannot pretend to say, Tho : this I am certain of, that the loss of most of the men was owing to the Carelessness of the Officers Com-

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manding Plattoons in suffering their men to fall out of their Places, those that were lost with the Rear Guard sold themselves dear, and their being exposed was unavoidable. I am Sir with respect & esteem Your Hble Sert M. Ogden.

To Major General Sullivan.

[Ibid. p. 156.] General Smallwoods Letter, No. 18.

Swan Creek September 7th 1777.

Dear Sir - Its with much concern I hear your Conduct is called in Question, on the Expedition to Staten Island, and I am conscious it is undeserved, and its to be lamented that Gentlemen who write, do not exercise more Candor, Judgment, and accuracy in representing facts, as I would fain hope the Gentlemen who you mention to have subjected your Conduct to an Enquiry, have erred thro' Inadvertency more than any settled designs of injuring your Reputation but in every instance unless our Prospects and success are very sanguine, Censure becomes very liberal, and fashionable ; and seems to be a Tax which every General Officer unavoidably yields to the Publick, which too frequently censures without an impartial enquiry, or with- out making a proper allowance for Events, which seldom succeed to expectation, 'tho designs are ever so well concerted, and executed. - This is a poor Encouragement for a Person to risque his life, fortune, and what is still more dear his Rap itation. - I have answered your Interrogatories to the best of my recollection, and I am sorry I can- not be personally present, as many accidents may cast up in Point, in course of the Enquiry, which they have not, nor can I advert to at present, which might tend to set your views and Conduct in a clearer Light. I have the Honour to be with much regard,

Your most Obedt & very Hble Servt Wm Smallwood Major Gen1 Sullivan

[Ibid. p. 157.]

Copy of General Sullivan's 3d Letter to Congress, Nº 19.

Camp on Mebuckin Hills Octobr 17th 1777.

Dear Sir. - I do myself the Honour to enclose Congress a Copy of the result of a Court of Enquiry, respecting my Conduct on Staten Island, after perusing which & examining the Evidence sent by me in a former Letter : Congress must be at some loss to know how it was

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possible for L' Col. Smith, and Major Taylor, to write so warmly against me to their friends in Congress when there was no Colour for it -I shall now give Congress the Key to it, and it will no longer re- main a mystery - On the 13th August last, when my Division lay at Hanover, these two Gentlemen attacked Majr Sherburn (who acted as Depty A. Gen1) on the Public Parade before, all the Soldiers about the severity of their duty ; avering that there was no necessity of Pic- quets, or out Guards, as we were in a friends Country, and the Enemy at such a distance. This was said with heat on the one side & re- plied to with as much warmth on the other ; I was much surprised at hearing so dangerous a doctrine had been advanced by Field Officers, before the Soldiers of my Division. I knew it was an established Rule among Military men, to use the same precautions in a friends Country as in an Enemy's, a relaxation, or neglect of duty, has proved the destruction of many armies : The fate of Hannibal after his troops had tasted the delights of Capua, was a striking Instance of the evil tendency which follow those neglects. I therefore on the next day issued orders to my Division (which you have enclosed)* this matter being known throughout the Division, it was early per- ceived against whom they were pointed. - This was by them deemed unpardonable, & I suppose retalliation determined on. But no op- portunity offered till the affair of Staten Island; they immediately began to make a Party against me, in which they were warmly sec- onded by the valerous & entrepid General DeBorre, whose sagacity first discovered that the British Troops affixed fish Hooks to their Balls ; one of which (as he informed Gen1 Conway) unfortunately wounded him in the Cheek as he was running away from the Enemy at Brandywine. I hear that he is now soliciting to be made a Major General, to which this important discovery, together with his military conduct in general will entitle him. This Sir was the foundation of all the Clamour raised against me, but every Engine was set at work to raise a report throughout the Country, that my Officers in - general were dissatisfied with my Conduct. This report coming to the hearing of the Officers, they have met on the occasion, and the Regiments have many of them delivered in & the others are making out papers similar to the one you have enclosed from Colo Fords Regiment. I believe some Officers in Hazen's Regt will not do it, but many of them have, and some conclude by saying that if they were as happy with the Field Officers of Colo Hazen's Regim' as with

* Head Quarters Hanover 14th Aug' 1777.

Pickets as usual - A strict and regular attention to the duty of the Camp is expected as much as though the Enemy were at hand - Good officers will readily see the necessity of this, and those who cannot at present discover it, may gain knowledge from the Conduct of others.

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me, they would be as happy as they could wish. I hope after having delt thus openly with Congress, & laid everything before them, The Party who have risen up against me will at least be sensible that they have injured me without cause. - I am happy that my conduct in Military Life thus far will bear the strictest scrutiny & every enquiry into it will redound to my Honour, But I am far from expect- ing this always to be the case, I well know that I am in common with the rest of mankind liable to Errors and it must be a miracle if I es- cape them all ; At the same time, though at a distance from the Sen- ate, I know that there is a Party who would improve the first to work my ruin. This was the only motive that induced me to ask to retire from the Army; It was not because I was weary of serving my Country, but to rescue my Reputation from Ruin : It is exceeding hard for me to fight against the Enemies of my Country, and at the same time, combat with the very Persons I am fighting for. The last action took off half my family, perhaps the next may sweep the residue, and involve me in their fate, and what is still more terrible to me, my Reputation may unjustly perish by my side. This is a poor Encouragement to sacrifice that Life, which I have often ven- tured in my Country's Cause, and to Exchange Domestic ease for the Dusty field of Mars. But as every American looks up to Con- gress for Justice, I cannot persuade myself that Congress will refuse either to approve my Conduct publickly, or grant me leave to retire from the Army.

I am Dear Sir with much Respect Your Excellencys most Obedt Humble Servant -

His Excellency John Hancock Esq™

Jnº Sullivan

- -

[Ibid. p. 158.]

Copy of General Sullivan's 4th Letter to Congress, Nº 20

Camp near White Marsh Octo. 25th 1777.

Much Esteemed Sir - In a letter from Mr Burk, member from Nº Carolina dated the 12th Inst : he informs me that he has represented to Congress that I was posted with the Command on the right wing of our Army previous to the Battle of Brandywine.

2nd That I was early in the day cautioned by the Commander in Chief to be particularly attentive to the Enemy's motions, who he supposed would attempt to cross higher up the Creek. And that I was furnished with Light Troops for that purpose which I neglected,. & suffered them to come upon me by a Rout I never expected.

}

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3rd That I conveyed false Intelligence to the General, which caused him to alter his dispositions, and brought on a defeat.

4th. That when the mistake was at length discovered, I brought up my Troops by a Circuitous march, and in a disorder from which they never recovered. - -

5th. That he heard my Officers Commenting in the bitterest terms that they were cursed with such a Commander, whose evil Conduct was ever productive of misfortunes to the Army.

6th. That my Troops had no confidence in my Conduct.

7th. That I had not sufficient Talents for my Rank and office, that I am void of Judgment & foresight in concerting of deliberate vigor in executing, and of presence of mind under accidents & emer- gencies, - from which has arisen my repeated ill success.

As the Gentleman has been generous enough to acknowledge the several points he has urged against me, it becomes my duty to remove every impression from the minds of Congress which those assertions might have made, and I doubt not Congress will indulge me in it while I treat with Decency the Gentlemen who inform me that as a member of that respectable Body he made these represen- tations, as I wish freedom of speeches ever to be maintained in that August Assembly. I have the most sanguine hopes that the Person - whose Conduct has been by mistake of a member misrepresented, may have every opportunity of removing the prejudice which those representations may have made. -

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Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, 1629 to 1725, Part 16

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

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