USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 21
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While the enemy were in this situation, their security was increased by the captivity of General Lee, who was unfortunately taken in the rear of his army, December 13th at Baskinridge, by a party of light-horse, com- manded by Col. Harcourt. The fortune of our arms was now at its lowest ebb-but the tide was beginning to turn-the militia of this city had joined General Wash-
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ington-the junction of the two armies was soon after effected-and the back counties of this state, roused by the distresses of America, poured out their yeomanry to the assistance of the continental army. General Wash- ington began now to have a respectable force, and resolved not to be idle. On the 26th of December he crossed the Delaware, surprized three regiments of Hessians, and with little or no loss took near a thousand prisoners.
Soon after this manœuvre, and while the enemy were collecting their scattered troops at Princeton and Bruns- wick, General Washington crossed the Delaware with all his army. On the second of January the enemy began to advance towards Trenton, which they entered in the afternoon, and there being nothing but a small creek between the two armies, a general engagement was ex- pected next day-This it was manifestly our advantage to avoid ; and by a master-stroke of generalship, Gen. Washington frees himself from his disagreeable situation, and surprizes a party of the enemy in Princeton, which obliges their main body to return to Brunswick.
Extract of a letter from Rariton, (New-Jersey) Jan. 23. " Last Monday a party of Jersey Militia, consisting of about 400, and about 50 of the Pennsylvania Rifle-Men, marched to attack a body of the enemy, consisting of about 600, who were posted at a bridge at Millstone river, near Abraham Vannest's mill, which is two miles from Somerset Court House. In order more effectually to pre- vent our men from crossing, the enemy had placed three field pieces on a hill, about 50 yards from the bridge, when our men found it impossible to cross there, they went down the river, broke through the ice, waded across the river up to their middles, flanked the enemy, routed them, and took 43 baggage waggons, 104 horses, 115 head of cattle, and about 60 or 70 sheep-We lost 4 or 5 men .- We took 12 prisoners, and from the best accounts
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the enemy had about 24 or 25 killed and wounded. A man who came from Brunswick this afternoon says, the enemy allow that they lost 35 or 36 men, but say the rebels lost 300 .- There were not more than 400 of our men crossed the river : The enemy report that they were attacked by 3000 of General Washington's troops there, and were absolutely certain they were not Militia, they were sure that no Militia would fight in that way .- There has been no engagement to day, the guns were heard be- yond this, but we do not know where it was, nor the event. Our army, I believe, are drawing near Bruns- wick, with an intention to prevent the enemy from getting provisions, if they do so, the enemy will be obliged to leave Brunswick. They (the enemy) do not pretend to send as a foraging party less than 500 or 600 men. The Militia here are in high spirits, and I hope they will con- tinue so."
On Thursday last about 350 Americans attacked a party of about 700 of the enemy near Bonum Town, between Brunswick and Amboy, when our people stand- ing a small brush, retired for want of artillery .- It is said we killed a Col. and 20 men, and mortally wounded a. Lieut. Colonel and 30 or 40 privates .- Pennsylvania. Journal and Weekly Advertiser, January 29, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Bordentown, January 4, 1777. " I am just arrived with Major Mifflin, from an expedi- tion in the lower parts of the Jerseys, a place called Monmouth Court-House. We arrived there Thursday evening. We were informed of a party of men consist- ing of about 200, under the command of Col. Morris.1 We there formed our party (120 in number) in proper order, and intended to attack them in the town about half an hour before night; Col. Morris, it seems, got.
1 Lieutenant-Colonel John Morris, Second Battalion, New Jersey Loyalists.
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notice of our arrival, had his baggage loaded, and his men formed to draw off for Middletown, about 18 miles from the Court House ; they accordingly pushed off from town, and got away about half a mile; we immediately pushed after them, and they halted. We came up about a quarter of an hour before night and engaged them, a . very heavy fire was kept up on both sides, and the enemy stood us about eight minutes, then gave way, and retreated precipitately, at this time it was quite dark, and we could not see what loss the enemy sustained. On our side we had none killed. We marched from the field to the town, and lodged there that night. The next morn- ing we sent out a party to the field we had engaged in, they brought four dead bodies which we buried. We took during the engagement twenty three prisoners, and brought them to this place. We also took seven waggon loads of stores, &c. and twelve horses."
A party from Col. Humpton's Regiment, who are stationed in West New-Jersey, about the middle of this month, went to Shrewsbury, in Monmouth county, where they took a large quantity of cloth and other stores, col- lected there by a set of tories, who infest that county, many of which were obliged to make a precipitate retreat on board the English men of war.
His Excellency Governor LIVINGSTON,1 with the advice of his COUNCIL, has appointed Thursday, the 6th of March, to be kept throughout the STATE of NEW-JERSEY, as a Day of FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER .- Penn- sylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, January 29, 1777.
We are informed, from good authority, that many of the inhabitants of Monmouth county, in New-Jersey, who received written protections, are now determined to return them to his Britannic Majesty's Commissioners in CARTRIDGES.
1 See note, p. 170.
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Deaths-Capt. Jonathan Smith1 of Cumberland county, New-Jersey .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, January 30, 1777.
New-York, February 3. Immediately after the Affair at Princeton with the gallant 17th Regiment, the greatest Part of Mifflin's Brigade deserted from the Rebel Army. Putnam stopped many of them as they were about to pass the Ferries upon the Delaware.
Mercer, who was mortally wounded in the Action with the 17th Regiment near Princeton, was lately buried at Philadelphia.
By some Persons just arrived from the Jersies, we learn that the Rebel-Army now in that Country, does not exceed 7000 Men. Besides, there are about 300 Light Horse, and foraging Parties.
An epidemic Disorder prevails greatly in the County of Sussex, in New-Jersey, which was brought thither by the Rebels who formed the Northern Army under Gates ; and many have been carried off with it. In short, the Rebels, as a just Punishment from Heaven, begin to feel the triple Scourge of Pestilence, Famine, and the Sword ; and, if they persist in their Delusion, will probably soon receive those dreadful Calamities in an extreme Degree.
The Ravages of the Rebel Army in and about the Jersies are shocking to Humanity. Several Persons upon the bare Suspicion of being well-affected to legal Government, have had their Property seized, and their Houses and Furniture entirely demolished. They have so harrassed the poor Farmers in general, that all Agri- culture is stopt, and every Prospect is opened to an ap- proaching Famine. The Rebels have also forced away almost all their Cattle, and left many Scores of Families
1 Jonathan Smith was a Captain in the First Battalion, Cumberland County, New Jersey, Militia, in the Revolutionary War, and died in January, 1777.
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in the most melancholy Situation of Poverty and Dis- tress .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, February 3, 1777.
In the action at Princeton on the 3d ult. the brave Col. JOHN HASELET' was mortally wounded, and his remains were brought to this city (Phila) and buried with the honors of war, in the burial place of the First Presbyterian Church. (He resided in Delaware.)
On Friday se'nnight was interred, the body of Anthony Morris, Jun. Esq ;2 an officer in the First Battalion of Philadelphia Militia. He fell on the 3d. ult. in the battle at Princeton.
Major Thomas Duff's detachment of Delaware Militia, having served the term of their enlistment with much honour and reputation in New-Jersey, under my com- mand, are hereby discharged.
THOMAS MIFFLIN3 Brigadier-General.
-The Pennsylvania Packet, February 4, 1777.
Sunday last fifteen British soldiers taken a few days before, near the enemy's lines at Brunswick, were brought to Trenton.
By a Gentleman from Head Quarters we learn, that our people have frequent skirmishes with the enemy,
1 Colonel John Haslet commanded the regiment of Delaware State troops. He fought bravely at the battles of Long Island and White Plains. He was wounded by a bullet in his head at the battle of Princeton and died the same afternoon. He is buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Dover, Delaware.
2 Ensign Anthony Morris, Jr., was an officer of the First Battalion, Philadelphia Associators. He received three wounds in the Princeton fight, died the same day and was interred in the Friends' burial-ground at Stony Brook. On January 24th, 1777, his remains were buried in Philadelphia.
3 Thomas Mifflin was born in Philadelphia in 1744. In 1774 he was a delegate to Congress, and, although a Quaker, he entered enthusiastically into the cause of American liberty, and General Washington made him his first Aide-de-Camp. On the 14th day of August, 1775, he was made Major and Quartermaster-General of the Continental Army. On the 16th of May, 1776, he was commissioned Brigadier- General, and on the 19th of February, 1777, Major-General, of the Continental Army. After the war he was elected to Congress and chosen its President, November 3d, 1783. He was also Governor of Pennsylvania for three terms and in 1794 commanded the Pennsylvania quota of troops in the Whiskey Insurrection. He died at Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, January 20th, 1800.
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and that scarce a day passes without their bringing in some prisoners.
Yesterday between twenty and thirty more prisoners were brought to town, among whom we hear there were two commissioned officers .- The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 5, 1777.
Run away, last March, from the subscriber, living in Pitsgrove township, Salem county, West-New-Jersey, an apprentice lad, named Joseph Garison, aged near 20 years, but small of his age, dark hair, blue eyes ; had on a white cloth coat, a silk waistcoat, leather breeches, blue yarn stock- ings, shoes tied with strings, &c. he was pretty well dressed, but that he may alter. It is supposed he is enlisted in the provincial service, where he will do some good if he cannot help it. Whoever will bring home the said lad to his mas- ter, shall have Two Pence reward, and One Penny for his trouble.
October 5, 1776. CORNELIUS AUSTIN. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 5, 1777.
New-York, February 10. There are several maraud- ing Parties of the Rebels scattered about the Jersies, who rob and plunder the poor Inhabitants of Whatever they can find ; and they who venture to complain, are treated only with more Cruelty, under the Pretence of being Tories.
On Saturday the 1st Instant, a smart Skirmish hap- pened at Springfield in New-Jersey, between a Party of near 4000 Rebels, under the Command of Sullivan, and the 42d Regiment (the famous and gallant Highlanders) under Sir William Erskine. The Rebels were attempt- ing to possess a Hill, which would have given them a considerable Advantage. Sir William, perceiving their Design, directed his Highlanders to dispute the Ground. They advanced with their usual Ardor and Intrepidity upon the Enemy, notwithstanding the great Disparity of
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their Numbers, and came instantly to close Quarters with them. The Spirit of these Heroes was not to be matched by Rebels ; and, accordingly, they soon gave up the Point, and retired with the utmost Precipitation, leaving behind them above Two hundred and Fifty Men killed upon the Spot. The Bravery and Conduct of Sir Wil- liam Erskine and this Regiment have been only equalled by Col. Mawhood and the gallant 17th. The Loss, on the Part of the Troops, amounted only to 18 in killed and wounded.
Lady Johnson, who has long been detained among the Rebels in the Northern Part of this Province, and treated by them with the most unmanly Meanness of Incivility, escaped from them within the Course of the last Week through the Jersies to this City. This Lady's Spirit and Conduct, in a most trying Situation, do her the highest Honor. Unawed by the barbarous Threats of the Rebels, repeatedly made to her Person and Family, she en- countered every Danger, and, with a Firmness of Mind which despised all Difficulties, effected her Escape through the Woods and Wilds to Powles's Hook, where she was met by Sir John Johnson, and safely conducted to Town. -New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, February 10, 1777.
[Extract of a Review of Gen. Washington's Procla- mation of January 25, 1777, printed in this paper. ]
" Dr. BROWN,1 of Newark in the Jersies, relying not merely upon Mr. Washington's Word as a Gentleman, but upon his public Faith, pledged in the foregoing Paper as a public Man, immediately wrote to him, desir- ing Leave to withdraw himself and Family to New-York, pursuant to his Proclamation. Instead of complying
1 Probably the Rev. Isaac Brown, rector of Trinity Church, Newark, 1744-77. He studied medicine, and was elected a member of the New Jersey Medical Society in November, 1766. He went to New York early in 1777, where he remained until 1783, and then to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, dying there in 1787. His son, the Rev. Samuel Brown, also a physician, accompanied his father to New York and Nova Scotia .- W. N.
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with the Doctor's Wishes, he sent a Party of his Rebels to drag him away to Morris-Town. He is now confined there in a Jail, his Family is almost distracted, and all his Property seized. So much for the public Faith of Mr. Washington."-New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, Feb- ruary 10, 1777.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD
Deserted from Captain Ephraim Anderson's company of the second New Jersey regiment, commanded by Col. Israel Shreves, a certain Charles Downs, about 26 years of age, full faced, of a swarthy complexion, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high ; had on when he went away, a brown coat, light coloured waistcoat and buckskin breeches.
Also a certain James Boyd, about 29 years of age, full face and fair hair ; had on when he went away, a grey surtout, light coloured waistcoat and leather breeches ; has one sore toe, and could not wear a shoe on his left foot. Whoever takes up said deserters, shall have the above Reward, or TWENTY DOLLARS for either of them, and reasonable charges, paid by
EPHRAIM ANDERSON, Captain. -The Pennsylvania Packet, February 11, 1777.
Last Friday a number of British prisoners, and some Hessians, were brought to Philadelphia from the Jerseys. -The Pennsylvania Packet, February 11, 1777.
By His EXCELLENCY WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, ESQUIRE,
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New-Jersey, and territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same.
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS some of the Justices of the Peace of this State have been too remiss in discharging the duty
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required of them, by a certain law, entitled "An act to punish traitors and disaffected persons," passed on the fourth day of October last. I have therefore thought fit, by and with the advice of the Council of this State, to issue this Proclamation, hereby strictly charging and commanding all Justices of the Peace within the same, to carry the said act into execution so far as to them it doth appertain.
AND WHEREAS it has been represented to me, that several detachments of the militia of this State have, at different times, seized and carried away the goods and effects of their fellow inhabitants, on pretence that the owners thereof were inimical to the liberties of America; or had submitted to, or taken protections from, the enemy. A practice which, however attempted to be vindicated under pretext of inflicting condign punish- ment on the internal enemies of our country, is not only repugnant to the laws of the land, whereby every man's property is secured and protected until it is declared for- feited by judicial process ; but hath a manifest tendency to inflame the minds of the sufferers ; to excite jealousies and contentions between the inhabitants, at a time when we ought to be peculiarly studious of cultivating una- nimity and concord; to disuse amongst the soldiery a spirit of licentiousness and plunder, and to relax, or rather abolish all discipline in the military, as well as all order in the civil department. I have therefore farther thought fit hereby strictly to charge and command all the officers and privates of the militia under my command, and all other persons whatsoever within this State, to desist for the future from all such depredations and violence. PROVIDED NEVERTHELESS, that nothing herein contained is intended to restrain the militia from seizing any of the goods or effects of suspected persons, by the express orders of any general officer in the service of the United States, or of the militia of New Jersey, whenever such
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general officer shall judge it necessary for the public weal, in which case after having taken an inventory of the goods or effects so seized, the commanding officer of the party seizing them shall deliver one copy thereof to the owner or last possessor, and another to the general officer who ordered such seizure to be made; and such goods or effects shall be safely kept without waste or dis- tribution, until disposed of by due course of law.
AND WHEREAS the property of many of the faith- ful and loyal subjects of this State, well affected to American freedom, and exempt from all suspicion of abetting the designs of the enemy, has been carried away or destroyed by parties of the militia of this State in their marches through, and on their stations within the same ; the commanding officers of all such parties are hereby strictly charged and commanded, diligently to exert themselves in preventing the like disorders and violence for the future ; and to return the name or names of every person and persons who shall hereafter be dis- covered to commit such disorders or violence, together with the particular nature of the offence, to the Colonel of the regiment to which such offender belongs. And the several Colonels of the militia of this State are hereby ordered and directed not to suffer any corps exceeding the number of six men, belonging to their respective regiments, either in marching to, or returning from their quarters, to travel without their proper officers.
Given under my hand and seal at arms at Haddonfield, this fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. By his Excellency's command, CHARLES PETTIT, Secretary. GOD save the PEOPLE. -The Pennsylvania Packet, February 11, 1777, No. 274.
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Deserted from Captain James Dillon's company, and second regiment of the State of New-Jersey, commanded by Israel Shreve, Esq ; the following men, viz.
William Glinn, about 5 feet, 9 or 10 inches high, light blue eyes, fresh complexion ; had on a light coloured Wilton coat, striped lincey jacket, leather breeches, blue yarn stockings, small round hat ; he says he belongs to Marcus-Hook, Pennsylvania.
Edward Evenden, about 5 feet 5 inches high, pale com- plexion, thick set, a worthless ordinary fellow, pretends to beat on the drum, had on a grey short coat, white stockings, new shoes.
George Gettill, a Dutchman, about 5 feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, grey eyes, short curled hair ; had on a blue regimental coat, turned up with red, grey cloth jacket, and leather breeches.
Thomas White, a short thick fellow, fresh coloured, light blue eyes, much given to liquor ; had on an old regimental coat, faced with red, leather breeches, Wilton jacket ; this fellow makes a practice of defrauding the continent by listing in several different companies.
Barnaby Higgins, about 5 feet 4 inches high, fresh coloured, short curled hair, blue eyes, by trade a Baker ; it is supposed he has enlisted in the second Pennsylvania regiment ; had on a blue regimental coat, Wilton jacket and leather breeches. Those fellows have been enlisted near two months .- A reward of SIX DOLLARS and TWO THIRDS will be paid for each, on delivering them to the commanding officer at Burlington, or to the Cap- tain at Gloucester.
NATHANIEL BOWMAN, Lieut.
The Recruits of COL. SHREVE'S regiment are com- manded immediately to join their respective companies,
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at Burlington ; such as neglect will be considered as deserters, and advertised as such.
ISRAEL SHREVE, Col. 2d. J. R.
Philadelphia, February 7, 1777.
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, February, 12, 1777.
To be SOLD by private SALE,
A COMPLETE saw-mill, with two saws, on a very good stream of water, and about 5000 acres of pine land, and 50 acres of cedar swamp with a good house, four rooms and two fire places on the lower floor, and two rooms on the upper one, with a good kitchen, and a well of good water at the door, a very convenient barn, and stabling sufficient for 15 horses ; the building, mill, and mill-dam, all in good repair, with all the utensils fit for carrying on the same, with 2 log-houses for sawyers, and other out-buildings; situated on the main branch of Little Egg-harbour river, being the division between Burlington and Gloucester county, near the intersection of the roads leading from Philadelphia to Little Egg- harbour, and from Burlington to Great Egg-harbour, makes it a convenient stand for a house of entertainment ; the Little Egg-harbour stage passing to and from Phila- delphia every week, as also a great number of travellers daily, about two miles from Addison's Iron-works, and seven from the Forks of Egg-harbour, where lumber is transported by water at the moderate price of three shil- lings per thousand, from the saw to the vessel. Any person inclining to purchase, may be shewn the same, by applying to JOSEPH PRICKITT, at said mill, or the subscriber, living in Evesham, Burlington county, New-Jersey. JOSIAH FOSTER.
N. B. The purchaser may be supplied with hay and grain, sufficient to carry on the same for six months. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 12, 1777.
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New-York, February 17. On Saturday the 8th Instant, one of our foraging Parties surprised a Body of the Rebels at Quibble-Town, about six Miles beyond Brunswick, and took the whole Magazine of Forage, &c. which they had collected at that Place. The King's Troops had only four Men wounded in the Skirmish. They Killed about 12 of the Rebels, and took one of their Captains and 5 others Prisoners, whom, together with a large Quantity of Forage, they brought safe to Brunswick.
Last Wednesday in the Night, a Detachment of the Troops under Major Gordon passed over from Staten Island to the Cedars beyond Sandy Hook, and surprised a Party of Rebels, which had for some time past infested Shrewsbury and the adjacent Country. They killed 25 of them, and took 70 Prisoners, with the Loss of only one Man. Had it not been for a Mistake of one of the Guides, they had secured the whole Party, of whom about 50 scampered away.
The whole Rebel Army in the Jersies, we hear, does not exceed 6,000 Men.
-New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, February 17, 1777.
Philadelphia, Feb. 18.
On Saturday last died of a putrid fever, at Trenton, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, ÆNEAS MACKAY,1 Esq ; Colonel of the eighth regiment of Pennsylvania Conti- nental forces and yesterday his remains were interred, with the honors of war, in the First Presbyterian bury- ing ground in this city-In him his country has lost a faithful servant and good officer, his widow an uncom- monly tender and affectionate husband, his children an indulgent father, and the world an honest Man. The great fatigue and anxiety he underwent, owing to the difficulties he had to struggle with in marching his bat-
1 Æneas Mackay, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was the first Colonel of the Eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Continental Line, July 20th, 1776.
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talion in the most inclement season of the year near four hundred miles, made him an easy prey to a relentless disease.
Though at a great distance from his family, he was at- tended during his short and severe sickness by strangers with an assiduity equal to that of nearest relations. The service of his country, to which he was called without his solicitation or even knowledge, tore him from the enjoyment of such a degree of domestic felicity as is ex- perienced only by the favoured few. The partner of his heart is doubtless pleasing herself with the expectation of his speedy return, nor will she hear of his sickness till she receives the fatal news, that he is no more :
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