USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > Centennial history of Somerset County [New Jersey] > Part 8
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While the movements indicated above were being made, the whole army of Washington had remained paraded every day on the heights north of Bound Brook, really to act as circumstances might require. But now, in order to
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cover his light parties which hung on the British rear. he descended from his position and advanced to New Market, some six or seven miles eastward, and the division under Lord Sterling proceeded still further. to Metuchen meeting house, being directed to act with the several parties of Green and Morgan already on the lines and harrassing the rear of the retreating army.
As soon as Washington had made this movement, Sir Wm. Howe thought the moment had arrived to bring on a general engagement, a thing which he had sought and hop- ed for from the commencement of active operations. With this view, on the night of the 25th he hastily recalled the troops which had been transported to Staten Island, and early next morning, made a rapid movement in two col- umns, toward Westfield. The right, under command of Lord Cornwallis, took the route by Woodbridge, to Scotch Plains, and aimed to seize the strong pass through the mountains west of Plainfield, and thus, by gaining the rear of Washington, force him from his advantageous position on the high grounds, and oblige him to fight on the plains. The left, under the personal direction of Sir Wm Howe, marched by Metuchen meeting house, and intended to at- tack the Americans at New Market, and, ultimately, gain also the heights on the left of the camp at Middlebrook. If this well concentrated movement had succeeded, Wash- ington would have either been obliged to fly towards the Highlands, on the Hudson River, or to fight the well ap- pointed army before him with his feeble force, upon such terms and in such a position as to afford but slight hopes of success. But a kind Providence averted the well aimed blow.
Howe's own account is in the following words : The necessary preparations being finished for crossing the troops to Staten Island, intelligence was received that the enemy had moved down from the mountain and taken post at Quibbletown, (New Market) intending, as was given out, to attack the rear of the army removing from Amboy- that two corps had advanced to their left-one of 3000 men and eight pieces of cannon, under the command of Lord Sterling, Gen's. Maxwell and Conway ; the last,
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said to be a captain in the French service. The other corps, consisted of about 700 men with only one piece of cannon. In this situation, it was thought advisable to make a move- ment that might lead on to an attack, which was done on the 26th in the morning, in two columns.
At Woodbridge, the right column of the British fell in with the light parties sent out to watch their motion, and thus acquainted Washington with the movement. He at once penetrated the whole design, ordered his army back with the utmost celerity to their original position at Middle- brook, and sent out a party to guard the heights which the enemy intended to seize. The left, under Cornwallis, en- countered Lord Sterling, and after a severe skirmish, drove him from his position and pursued him over the hills as far as Westfield, where they halted. But the pass in the moun- tain west of Plainfield being guarded, and Washington, like an eagle, perched again upon his eyry, and Sterling beyond the reach of Cornwallis, the British commander saw that the object in view of which his whole manœuver had been made, was beyond his reach, turned his face again towards the seaboard; and on the 30th of June crossed over to Staten Island with his whole army. His course was a clear acknowledgment that he was beaten ; and that too, by a force far inferior to his own. Both his designs were de- feated. He had neither gained an open road to Philadel- phia, nor brought on a general engagement ; and after manoeuvering a month and more, was obliged to change the whole object of the campaign ; or seek to gain its end by a circuitous route, in which there was both danger and uncertainty.
As the result of his contest with Sterling's command, the British General claims to have captured three brass cannon and three captains ; and computes the American loss at 60 men killed and more than 200 wounded, while he avers that Cornwallis had only 5 killed and 30 wounded, and ends by excusing the want of success, from the day prov- ing so intensely hot, that the soldiers could with difficulty continue their march. In fact there was always something the matter with the British commander. His most suc- cessful feat seems to have been that moonlight race from
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the battle of Monmouth in the next summer. It was so swift and successful, that when the morning dawned, Washington dispaired being able to come up with him, and let him go until another time.
So now, from Westfield and Scotch Plains, he glories in having made a safe retreat again to his ships at Amboy.
Even in this he was not left unmolested. Scott and Conway were despatched to watch his motions, and annoy him in every way ; and the rear guard of the British army was not yet out of Amboy, before the former marched into it, and took posses ion. But the guarded and soldier like manner in which the whole retreat was managed, prevent- ed any successful attack, and so the prize fled from our State in safety.
Such were some of the busy scenes enacted in the coun- ties of Somerset and Middlesex, in the spring and early summer of 1777. Armies were marching and counter- marching daily. The tread of the war horse echoed through their peaceful solitu les, and the glitter of steel flashed in the sunlight, while the vast interests dependent upon every movement, filled the minds, not only of the actors, but also of all the inhabitants, with the most in- tense interest.
On the apex of the Round top, on the left of the gorge, in which Chimney Rock stands, there are yet to be seen rude remains of a hut, which Washington sometimes fre- quented, during these anxious months of 1777. On the east side of the gorge, also, fronting the plain north of Middlebrook, there is a rock, which has been named "Washington Rock," because there he often stood to gaze anxiously upon the scene it overlooks.
On the mountain, west of Plainfield also, there is a very large rock, which has received the same appellation, from this circumstance. On the 30th of June, . while Sir Wm. Howe and Cornwallis were moving in the plain between the Raritan and Amboy, no more favorable position from which to see every motion, could be desired, and it is not improbable that there, the noble form of the American Fa- bius was often seen from morning until evening, during all these anxious days. Perhaps we owe to these spots, more
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than has yet been imagined. A less perfeet knowledge on the part of Was. ington, of every movement of his enemies, might have involved him in a false position. Had he not been in a situation, when on his rock elevation, to see at once the aim of Sir Wm. Howe in that well concerted movement from Amboy, his regiments might have been captured after he left his strong camp at Bound Brook and advanced upon the plain, and then our soil too, would have been saturated with human gore, and our vicinity celebrated as another of the battle fields of liberty. But as it was, life was spared, the designs of our enemies frus- trated, and the triumph of the principles of human liberty secured. Let the memory of all such places live, and let pilgrims visit them as consecrated spots, as long as the glory of the great deeds and the enduring fame of the noble man with whom they are associated shall continue.
The British remained on Staten Island until the middle of July, and then embarked and sailed for the Chesapeake. Washington, after a few days, hearing of Burgoyne's ap- proach to Ticonderoga, moved his army to Morristown, and advanced Sullivan as far as Pompton Plains-and then again to Peeks Kill, while he himself took position at Pompton. But as soon as Howe had passed out of Sandy Hook, knowing well that his aim was to the city of Phila- delphia, he returned through the county of Somerset, and crossed the Delaware at New Hope, hastening to the scene of action. The result was the battle of Brandywine on the 11th of Sept. Germantown Oct., 4th, and finally the oc- cupation of the city of Philadelphia by the British forces.
The route of this march across the State is no where stated so far as we have read. It was probably by the way of Newark and New Brunswick, by the troops fron Peekskill ; and by Morristown and Millstone, by those from Pompton. The State was now cleared of all Milita- ry companies and warlike action, and remained so until the evacuation of Philadelphia, June 18th, 1778. It was al- most a year of sweet rest for its wasted inhabitants .- When the British entered it again, there was a very diff- erent state of feeling existing among the people.
For some time after Sir Wm. Howe had embarked his
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troops at Amboy, there hung great uncertainty over his destination, but on the 30th of July the fleet appeared off the Capes of Delaware apparently desiring, but fearing to enter the river, and only finally reached the Chesapeake on the 16th of August. Washington, upon learning this, concentrated his army at once in the vicinity of Philadel- phia. On the 25th of Angust the British landed at the Ferry of Elk Run. The whole force was computed at 18,000 men. On the 15th of September, occurred the Battle of Brandywine. Varions movements and skirmish- es succeeded, the taking of the forts on the D laware, then came the battle of Germantown, and finally the oc- eupation of the city of Philadelphia, the great object of solicitude, on the part of Howe. during the whole sum- mer. Then came news of the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 13, and Washington encamped for the winter at Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, and the active operations of another year ended.
We have seen the British resting in Philadelphia, in the winter of 1777 and 1778, and Washington watching them along the Schuylkill from Valley Forge and Whitemarsh. The winter was a weary and discouraging one. The American troops were ill clad, ill fed, and exposed to sick- ness, but they endured it all with patriotic patience, and waited for the opening of the next spring for action - And a stirring scene it was indeed. The British army had been comfortable in their quarters in the city, and the officers had sought to ingratiate themselves with the inhabitants by "theatricals, balls, and suppers ;" but their success bad hardly corresponded to the efforts put forth, They lingered through the whole spring, but finally, on the 18th of June, crossed the Delaware at Camden and Burlington, and proceeded on their march to the city of New York, by the way of Allentown, Washington put his troops in motion to follow their footsteps, and if possi- ble, bring on an engagement before they had reached their ships on Monmouth shore. He crossed his army at Cor- velle's Ferry and marching by the way of Pennington and Kingston, approached his enemy.
From the lines on which the two armies were marching,
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it soon became evident that there would be a meeting and conflict, somewhere in the vicinity of Freehold or English- town, in Monmouth county. Washington was greatly em- barrassed however, by differing opinions among his officers. Lee, with five other general officers, was in favor of the policy of a perpetual annoyance of the enemy on the march; Green, Wayne and Lafayette, thought with Washington, that it was possible to defeat the British army and make them prisoners, before they could extricate themselves and reach their ships in the Raritan Bav. Finally, soon after passing the Millstone, at Kingston, the Commander-in- Chief determined to take the responsibility and to carry ont his own private views, by attacking his enemy with his whole force. Detatching Wayne, with 1000 men to the front, and giving Lafayette command of all the ad- vanced parties, he moved forward the main body of his troops to Cranberry on the 26th of June. On the 27th, Lafayette reached Englishtown. Sir Henry Clinton ap- prehending an immediate attack, placed all his baggage in his front, and took up a strong position at Freehold.
In this situation the morning of the 28th of June dawn- ed. It was the Christian Sabbath. The sky was cloud- less over the plains of Monmouth, and the sun came up with all the fervor of the summer solstice. It was the sultriest day of the year, but twenty thousand men had girded on the implements of cruel war, and stood ready for the battle which decided a long conflict and gave us our freedom. We refer to the published description of the battle for particulars.
We only remark that notwithstanding the misconduct of Lee, for which he was tried and dismissed from the army, the victory of the Americans was so complete, that during the night the British forces retreated to their ships at Mid- dletown shore, and so made their escape before Washing- ton had time to reach them in the morning. Sir Henry Clinton's moonlight raid from Freehold to the waiting ships, of which he wrote a brilliant account to his friends at home, may be quoted as one of the most successful run- nings of the war, if not among its most brilliant exploits.
On the day of the battle of Monmouth the French fleet
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arrived off the coast, one month earlier the British ships would have been caught at Philadelphia. It was proposed to attempt the same thing in the harbour of New York, but unfortunately they drew so much water, that they were unable to pass the Bar at Sandy Hook, and went to Newport, and Washington marched his army again to the Norh River above New York, sending a part of it into Rhode Island to assist in the attack made by the French fleet up- on Newport. He himself continned with his troops at Haverstraw.
In a few desultory movements the season was spent, and the French fleet in December, went to winter in the West Indies and the campaign closed.
Washington with the remainder of his troops came to the vicinity of Somerville and selected as the place for en- campment. the slope of woodland north east of Mount Pleasant, the officers occupied the huts which had been erected on the south side of the mountain east of the gorge of Chimney Rock. He himself took up his quarters at the house of William Wallace, in Somerville, and here Mrs. Washington came and joined him, and they passed the winter.
There were about 7000 men at Mount Pleasant and at Chimney Rock ; the principal part at the former place. The Commander-in-Chief had, on the 26th of October through Lord Sterling, caused the following resolutions of the Continental Congress to be published to the armny, sub- scribed by Francis Barber, Adj. Gen'l. viz :
WHEREAS, religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness ;
RESOLVED, That it be, and hereby is earnestly recom- mended to the several States to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement thereof, and for the sup- pression of theatrical entertainments, horse racing, gaming and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, dis- sipation, and general depravity of principles and manners.
RESOLVED, That all officers in the army of the United States, be hereby strictly enjoined to see that the good and wholesome rules provided for the discountenance of pro-
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faneness and vice, and the preservation of morals among the soldiers, are duly and punctually observed.
In consequence whereof, the Commander-in-Chief of the army in this State, directs, that strict obedience to the foregoing resolves be paid by all officers and soldiers within the same, By order of Major-General Lord Sterling, Com- mander of the Confederate troops of New Jersey.
FRANCIS BARBER, Adj .- Gen.
On the 6th of February, 1779, when the encampment was just completed and regular order fully established, Washington himself supplemented the above by the fol- lowing additional orders :
The Commander-in-Chief approves of the order issued by Major Gen. Lord Sterling during his command at the camp, and thanks him for the endeavor to preserve order and discipline, and the property of the farmers in the vi- cinity of the camp. He doubts not but the officers of eve- ry rank, from a just sense of the importance of securing to others the blessings they themselves are contending for, will use their utmost vigilance to to maintain those privileges and prevent abuses, as nothing can redound more to their personal honor and the reputation of their respective corps. Extract from general orders,
ALEXANDER SCAMMIL, Adj .- Gen.
Precisely when the encampment broke up in the next summer is not readily ascertained Gen. Wayne, whose corps lay on the south side of the Raritan River, left there on the last days of June for Stony Point, which he as- Saulted and captured on the 15th of July. It is probable that the troops were gradually withdrawn, and from this time our County ceased to be the resting place of the ar- mies fighting in the cause of liberty, and the foot of a British soldier trod it no more except in one hasty visit, which is to be related.
The alliance which had been formed with France in consequence of which, Rochambeau and Count De Grasse were sent to the United States, was, during the winter 1779, a matter of universal congratulation. After the ar- my had been comfortably hutted, the officers of the artill- ery stationed in the vicinity of Pluckamin, gave an enter-
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tainment, consisting of a ball and supper in honor of the event. We extract the following account of this joyous occasion from cotemporary records. It is in the following words : "The anniversary of our alliance with France was celebrated on the 18th ultimo at Pluckamin, at a very ele- gant entertainment and display of fireworks given by Gen. Knox and the officers of the Corps of Artillery. It was postponed to this late day on account of the Commander in Chief being absent from the camp. Gen. Washington, the principal officers of the army, with Mrs. Washington. Mrs. Green, Mrs. Knox, and the ladies and gentlemen of a large circuit round the camp, were of the company. Besides these, there was a vast concourse of spectators from every part of the Jerseys.
The barracks of the artillery are at a small distance from Pluckamin, on a piece of rising ground, which shows them to great advantage. The entertainment and ball were held at the Academy of the Park. About 4 o'clock in the af- ternoon, the celebration of the Alliance was announced by the discharge of 13 cannon, when the company assembled to a very elegant dinner. The room was spacious and the tables were prettily disposed, both as to prospect and con- venience. The festivity was universal and the toasts de- scriptive of the happy event, which had given certainty to our liberties, empire and independence. In the evening was exhibited a very fine set of fire works conducted by Col. Stevens arranged on the point of a temple 100 feet in length and proportionately high. The temple showed 13 arches, each displaying an illuminated painting. The centre arch was ornamented with a pediment larger than the others, and the whole edifice supported by a colonade of the Corinthian order
The illuminated paintings were disposed of in the follow- ing order. The 1st arch on the right represented the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, with this in- scription-"The scene opened ;" 2d, 'British Clemency ,' represented in the burning of Charleston, Falmouth, Nor- folk and Kingston ; 3d, "The separation of America from Britain." "By your tyranny to the people of America, you have separated the wide arch of an extended empire ;
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4th, "Britain represented as a decaying empire, by a bar- ren country, broken arches, fallen spires, ships deserting its shores, birds of prey hovering over its mouldering cities, and a gloomy setting sun. Motto :
The Babylonian spires are sunk Achaia, Rome and Egypt mouldered down : Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones,
And tottering Empires crashed by their own weight."
5, America represented as a rising Empire, prospect of a fertile country, harbors and rivers covered with ships, new ca als opening, cities rising amidst woods, splendid sun emerging from a bright horrizon. Motto,
"New worlds are seen emerging from the deep The old descending in their turn to rise."
6. A grand illuminated representation of Louis 16, the en- courager of letters, the supporter of the rights of humani- ty, the ally and friend of tie American people ; 7th, the centre arch, "The Fathers in Congress." Motto, Nil des- perandum Reipublicae ;" 8th, The American Philosopher and Ambassador. extracting lightning from the clouds ; 9th, Battle near Saratoga, Oct. 7, 1777 ; 10, The Conven- tion of Saratoga ; 11th, A representation of the sea-fight off Ushant, between Count De Orvilliers and Admiral Keppel ; 12th, Warren Montgomery, Mercer, Wooster, Nash, and a crowd of heroes who have fallen in the Amer- ican contest, in Elysium, receiving the thanks and praises of Brutus, Cato and those other spirits, who, in all ' ages, have gloriously struggled against tyrants and tyranny. M .tto, "Those who shed their blood in such a cause shall live and reign forever ;" 13th, represented peace, with all her train of blessings, her right hand displaying an olive bran: h, at her feet lay the honors of harvest, the back - ground was filled with flourishing cities, por's crowded with ships and other elements of an extended Empire and unrestrained commerce.
When the fireworks were finished, the company return- ed to the Academy and concluded the celebration by a very splendid ball.
. The whole was conducted in a style and manner that. reflects great honor on the task of the managers.
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The news announced to Congress, from the Spanish branch of the house of Bourbon, arriving at the moment of celebration, nothing could so opportunely have increased the good humor of the company, or added to those anima- ted expressions of pleasure which arose on the occasion."
The exact locality of the . Academy' tradition fixes on the east side of the village street, a short distance north of the late Boylan residence, and the edge of the wood, on the farm of the late Dr. Henry Vanderveer. There are many graves yet visible near the encampment at the foot of the mountain.
During the time that the troops were at Pluckamin, the child of Gen. Knox died, and was buried in the Cemetery of Bedminster Church. The following is found on the tomb :
" Under this stone are deposited the Remains of Julia Knox, an infant, who died the 2nd of July, 1779. She was the Second Daughter of Henry and Lucy Knox, of Boston, in New England.
This grave is situated directly west of the front doors of the Church, and about 25 feet from the building.
The Spring of 1780, while Washington lingered with his army near Somerville, was a characteristic season of the war, It was earnestly hoped, and by many believed, that the French alliance would bring peace and independ- ence very soon. So they thought at pluckamin and rep- resented in one of their illuminated paintings. In some respects it was an unfortunate delusion, for it, tended to paralyze the exertions of Congress and the people generally and produced delay in all the departments of the civil ard military service.
Then the currency had become largely depreciated. The dollar which in 1777, was worth 7 shillings and six pence, in 1780, passed for only 3 pence. We have had the use of an old list made as a memorandum of this progress of the downfall of the circulating medium, and append it as a curiosity.
September 1777, the Continental dollars passed for 7 shillings and 6 pence ; October, 10s ; November, 6s 3p ; December, 5s &p ; January 1778, 5s 2p ; February 4s &p;
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March, 4s 3p ; April 3s 9p ; May, 3s 3p ; June, 2s 10p ; July, 2s 6p ; August, 2s 2p ; September, Is 10 1-2p ; October, Is 7 1-2p ; November, ls 4p ; December, 1$ 2p ; January 1779. Is ; February: 10 1-2p; March, 9p ; April, Sp ; May, 7 1-2p ; June, 6 1-3p ; July, 6p ; August, 5 1-2p ; September, 5p ; October, 4 1-2p ; November, 4p; December, 3 1-2p ; January 1780, 3p ; February, 3p ; March, 2 1-2p, and up to the 18th of May 1780, 2 1-10p and then 0. How the people managed in such a state of things, to sell or traffic at all, is a mystery, and how the armies were kept in the field is almost a miracle. It is only another confirmation of the adage 'what is to be done will be done.' Robert Morris's immense fortune was often the only confidence which floated the Continental currency, and kept the armies in the field.
In June the army broke up its encampment and moved to the vicinity of Hackensack. Stony Point was taken by Gen. Anthony Wayne on the 15th of July, and on the 18th of August, Lord Sterling, aided by Major Lee. as- saulted and took the fort at Paules Hook, now Jersey City, making prisoners of 150 men and officers.
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