USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 8
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It is doubtless to these very same raids that reference is made in a letter from Closter dated May 10. 1779 ; and quoted in the History of Bergen County, page 77. That letter adds some details not given in the preceding account and is therefore transcribed : "This day about one hundred of the enemy came by the way of the New Dock, attacked the place, and carried off Cornelius Tallman, Samuel Demarest, Jacob Cole and George Buskirk ; killed Cornelius Demarest : wounded Hen- derick Demarest, Jeremiah Westervelt, Dow Tallman, etc. They burnt the houses of Cornelius Demarest, Matthias Bogert and Cornelius Huy- ler. Samuel Demarest's house and barn, John Banta's house and barn, and Cornelius Bogert's and John Westervelt's barns. They attempted to burn every building they entered, but the fire was in some places ex- tinguished. They destroyed all the furniture, etc., in many houses and abused many of the women. In their retreat they were so closely pur- sued by the Militia and a few Continental troops that they took off no cattle. They were of Buskirk's corps-some of our Closter and old Tappan neighbors, joined by a party of negroes. I should have men- tioned the negroes first in order to grace the British arms."
BRITISH AND HESSIAN RAID UPON HACKENSACK.
Another of these raids is described as follows: " In the latter part of March, 1780, a party of about four hundred British Hessians and refugees passed through Hackensack on their way to attack some Penn- sylvania troops at Paramus. It was about three o'clock in the night when they entered the lower part of the town. All was quiet. A small company of twenty or thirty Militia, under Captain John Outwater, had retired for the night to the barracks, barns and outhouses, where those friendly to the American cause generally resorted to rest. One-half of the enemy marched quietly through, when the rear, consisting mostly of Hessians, arrived, they broke open the doors and windows, robbed and plundered and took prisoners a few peaceable inhabitants, among
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whom was Mr. Archibald Campbell. This gentleman, who had been for several weeks confined to his bed with the rheumatism. they forced into the street and compelled to follow them. Often in their rear, they threatened to shoot him if he did not hasten his pace. In the subse- quent confusion he escaped and hid in the cellar of a house opposite New Bridge. He lived until 1798, and never experienced a return of the rheumatism."
Mr. Romeyn gives another version of that incident to this effect : "He is said to have escaped at New Bridge by hiding under the bridge. and standing, as one version of the affair has it, for some time in two feet of water, which hydropathic treatment may account for the fact that he was cured of his painful disease, unless we may suppose that vigorous bodily exercise at the point of a bayonet. or a good thorough fright, could serve as a curative."
The first narrative continues : " The Hessians burnt two dwellings and the Court House. The latter stood on the west side of the green. eight or ten rods from Campbell's tavern. Fortunately the wind was from the west, and drove the flames and sparks over the green, and the tavern was saved by the family throwing water over the roof. At this those in the outhouses were aroused, and the militia hastened across the fields, mounted horses, and alarmed the troops at Paramus. By the time the enemy had arrived at what is now Red Mills, four miles from Hack- ensack. they ascertained the Americans were on the way to meet them. Disappointed, they retraced their steps, and when near Hackensack turned off to the north, on the road leading to New Bridge ( Old Bridge ). to the left of which there is a range about half a mile distant from the road, the intervening ground being level. Here the Continentals and Militia were hurrying over, kept, however, at a distance by large flanking parties of the enemy, who. on arriving at the bridge. were detained about two hours in replacing the plank torn up by the Americans. In the meantime their parties were skirmishing with our people. Having crossed over, they marched down the east side of the Hackensack through the English neighborhood. being pursued twelve miles to a considerable distance within their lines, down to Bergen Woods. They lost many killed and wounded. There were none killed on our side. A young man of the town was wounded by a spent ball, which cut his upper lip, knocked out four teeth, and was caught in his mouth. Captain Outwater received a ball below the knee that was never extracted. He carried it for many years, and it was buried with him."
THE ATTACK BY MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH.
The account of another raid is to this effect: In December, 1776, it was reported that there were at Hackensack about one thousand of the enemy, and the suggestion of Huntington to Major-General Heath was to intercept them in their foragings. The latter on the 14th expressed his purpose to sweep the village, which he did the next day. Making a forced march by way of Tappan, he came upon the inhabitants by sur-
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prise ; but the enemy had left. He says, . The enemy had left the lower town some days since, except five, whom we took, two of them being sick. We had taken about fifty of the disaffected, and about fifty or sixty muskets, the greater part of which had been taken from the Whigs, it is supposed, and stored. At the dock we found one sloop loaded with hay, house furniture, and some spirits, etc., which we have this day un- loaded, etc. A brig, loaded, ran down the river about seven miles and grounded. I am afraid we shall not be able to secure the effects. A schooner loaded with hay, furniture, etc., which had sailed from the dock, ran on the banks of the river, the wind being very fresh, and in the night overset, by which the goods are damaged, if not lost. Two or three companies have been raising here and there in the vicinity, and field-officers appointed : one Van Buskirk, Colonel. At his home we found fifty barrels of flour, a number of hogsheads of rum, and at one Brown's, who is Lientenant-Colonel, about one thousand pounds of cheese. One Tenpenny is Major. They are all gone to New York to have matters properly settled, get ammunition, arms, etc., and were to have returned yesterday. I believe we have luckily disconcerted them. Such inhabitants as are friendly, received us with joy, but are almost afraid to speak their sentiments, and indeed, little or no intelligence can be got from the inhabitants."" In referring to the brig that ran aground seven miles below, Mr. Romeyn writes : "The brigantine which grounded just below the village was subsequently boarded, but was re- taken by the enemy. Among other articles taken from her was a large chest of plate, said to belong to a Mr. Yates, but it had been put in his possession for safety at Hackensack by Mr. William Wallace. It was worth about fifteen hundred pounds."
REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCE.
From the History of Hackensack published in the Bergen County Democrat we copy the following :
It is related by our worthy citizen, Mr. Henry Vanderbeck, of River Street, that in 1878, a party of British soldiers came up the Hackensack River and burned the Court House and raided the neighboring farm- houses.
Among the places visited was the house of his grandfather, Paul Vanderbeck, situated near the present home of the grandson. At the time of this raid, Paul Vanderbeck was in camp with Captain Outwater. then stationed near Paramus. Mrs. Vanderbeck was at home alone. and tried by every possible means to hide away some few things in the cellar, among which she unfortunately stored away three or four geese. When the British had stolen all the pigs and geese and almost every eatable thing, including a batch of hot bread just from the oven, together with all the butter in the house, and were about to retire with their booty, one of the imprisoned ganders, with goose-like simplicity, gave a loud cry which called attention to their hiding place, and resulted in their being taken along with the other plunder. These raiders placed
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the hiot bread in the same bag with the rolls of butter, already stowed away, and Mrs. Vanderbeck rejoiced greatly when watching them depart along the lane to note the melted butter running down the backs of the red coats of the Britishers who bore that part of the forage.
Some two hours later, two British officers rode up and asked Mrs. Vanderbeck if she could furnish them with something to eat, and she informed them that their Hessian troopers had stolen everything she had to eat, except a loaf of bread which she had hidden and the cream which she was just about to churn when the raid took place. They told her to place the cream in the churn and they would do the churning for her, which they did. When they observed Mrs. Vanderbeck working the butter with a wooden ladle, they expressed surprise and commented on the superiority of this method over that of working it with the hand, such as prevailed in their country. After being supplied with the re- maining loaf, and the new butter, and a liberal quantity of fresh milk. they each gave her a guinea to compensate her for her loss and took their departure.
THREE COMMANDERS COLONEL AARON BURR, COLONEL GEORGE BAYLOR, BRIGADIER-GENERAL ENOCH POOR.
They find place and mention here, for a reason previously given, and that has governed in the selection of the subject matter of this portion of the work, viz., their relation to our local history.
Mr. Romeyn wrote of Colonel Aaron Burr as follows : " It was just above the village of Hackensack, about two miles, in September, 1777, that Colonel Burr ( Aaron Burr ) played a very active part which gave him his first military reputation. Hearing, at the point where his regiment was lying, that the British had marched out of New York, and were devasting the country, and were within thirty miles of him, he started to meet them with his small force. About ten o'clock in the evening, when within three miles of Hackensack, he received information that the most advanced of the enemy pickets were only a mile distant. His mmen having marched thirty miles since breaking camp, and being ex- tremely fatigued, he ordered them to lie down and keep silent until he returned. In a few moments they were all asleep.
In the meanwhile. Colonel Burr went forward alone to reconnoitre. stealthily he felt his way toward the picket, and found them lying on the ground guarded by the sentinels. He was near enough to hear their watchword. He ascertained by making a wide detour that this picket was so far in advance of the main body as to be out of hearing. In gaining this information, so much time was spent, that it was within an hour of daybreak before he returned to his regiment. Quietly and quickly waking his men, he informed them of his purpose to attack the enemy's picket, and ordered them to follow a certain distance, and for- bade any man to speak on pain of instant death. So accurately had the Colonel noted the locality and calculated the position of the senti- nels, that he was able to lead his men between those two unsus-
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pecting individuals at the moment when they were farthest apart; and he was almost upon the sleeping picket before a man of it began to stir. When at a distance of ten yards, Burr was challenged by a sentinel, whom he immediately shot dead, and then gave the word of attack. One officer, a sergeant, a corporal and twenty-seven privates fell into their hands, on this occasion. Only one of the pickets besides the sen- tinel, made any resistance, and he was overpowered after he had received two bayonet wounds. He attempted to march away with his comrades, but after going a short distance was compelled to lie down exhausted and fainting from loss of blood. "Go a little further my good fellow," said Burr, "and we will get 'a surgeon for you." ."Ah!" gasped the dying veteran, "all the doctors in America can do me no service, for I am a dying man ; but it grieves me sore to the heart that I have served my King upward of twenty years, and at length must die with a charged musket in my hand."
From the more extended account, found in the history of Bergen and Passaic Counties. we extract the following statements concerning Colonel George Baylor : Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander, to divert attention from some of his projected military movements, ordered Lord Cornwallis, Major-General Charles Grey, and General Knyphausen, to undertake a foraging expedition into East New Jersey. General Washington, in order to check this movement of the British up the Hud- son, "ordered Colonel Baylor with the Third Regiment Light Dragoons of Virginia, to move from their station at Paramus, a small hamlet on Saddle River about six miles northwest from Hackensack, and post them- selves on the Hackensack River to watch the movements northward of the force under Lord Cornwallis. Colonel Baylor had up to this time proved himself a very gallant officer."
"It was just at twilight, September 27, 1778, when Colonel Baylor and his troopers came to the little stream of the Hackensack, somewhat over three miles southwest from Tappan Village. Here he learned that Brigadier General Anthony Wayne was but a short distance north of Tappan with a body of militia. So fearing, perhaps, the superior rank of Wayne, and not wishing to lose his detached authority, he halted his mien on the Overkill Neighborhood Road, and quartered his dragoons in the barns of thrifty farmers. His force consisted of twelve officers and one hundred and four enlisted men. Colonel Baylor, with his regimental staff officers, knocked at the farm house of Cornelius A. Haring, and his son Ralph, who had just been married, opened the door for them. They told Mr. Haring of their desire to spend the night there, and he received them willingly, although he informed them that he understood the British were lying at New Bridge and might at any time come upon them. Colonel Baylor did not appear alarmed at this statement, but after seeing that his men were well provided for, and after posting a guard of sergeant and twelve men at the bridge over the Hackensack about half a mile south of Mr. Haring's house, with strict orders to
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keep a patrol of two men on each road to watch them a mile below and to be relieved every hour, he retired to sleep in fancied security."
Meanwhile Major General Grey-known as "No flint General,"" from his habit of ordering his troops to take the flints from their guns, and depend on their bayonets-advanced to make the ordered attack upon Colonel Baylor. The remainder of the story is soon told. "The troops ( British ) just before midnight, September 27th, marched on the road on the west bank of the Hackensack River silently and in perfect order until they arrived within half a mile of the patrol on that road. Here they halted, and, guided by some Tories who knew the ground, a party of picked men ** made a detour to the left through the fields, and then passed to the rear of the sergeants' guard at the bridge and the patrol on the river road, and without the slightest difficulty Ifa.le them prisoners. O.je, at least, however, escaped. The sentinel who had escaped from the sergeants' guard at the Bridge awoke Ralph Haring. who aroused his father. The warning, however, came too late, as the Eritish soldiers were upon the heels of the sentinel, and burst into the house with the cry of 'no quarter to the rebels.' Then the brutal sol- diers began to bayonet the inmates. Lieutenant John Smith and his company, quartered in the barn, were quickly surrounded, and, although they surrendered, were inhumanly treated and wounded, and but few escaped. Other houses and barns in the neighborhood, where the American soldiers had been quartered, were visited by the British troops and the scenes of cruelty and bloodshed repeated. 'The cries for mercy of the defenseless soldiers were answered only by acts of savage cruelty.' · The dragoons, surprised, incapable of successful defense, with no pros- pect of inflicting injury on their foe, could only site for pity. But the bayonet was still at its bloody work, and thrust after thrust was given whenever any sign of life appeared.'
"The result of this slaughter was that out of the one hundred and sixteen men of the regiment, eleven were instantly bayoneted to death, seventeen left behind covered with bayonet wounds and expected to die, and thirty-nine were taken prisoners, eight of whom were severely wounded. The rest of the troopers escaped in the darkness. All the arms and seventy horses were part of the booty captured."
"A strong feeling of indignation spread over the country when this cruel massacre was announced." "The affair, while it seemed so very brutal, was also certainly very impolitic, as the killing a few de- fenceless men in the night would hardly reward the enemy for the bitter hatred engendered in the hearts and openly expressed in the homes of the patriots." Congress, by special resolution, directed an investiga- tion of the affair by Governor Livingston, and when he had secured the desired information, his report of the barbarous action was published to the world. and served to keep alive for two generations thereafter, the feelings of hatred cherished by Americans toward their former foes. While great sympathy was expressed for Colonel Baylor, his care-
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lessness and unsoldierly conduct under the circumstances brought up0:1 him severe and merited condemnation.
"In September, 1780, the American Army lay at Kinderhamack. in what is now Washington Township, Bergen County. While here, on the 8th of September, occurred the death of Brigadier General Enoch Poor."
A military journal of September 10th, 1780, records the following: "We are now lamenting the loss of Brigadier General Poor, who died last night of putrid fever. His funeral solemnities have been attended this afternoon. The corpse was brought this morning from Paramus. and left at a house about a mile from the burying yard at Hackensack. whence it was attended to the place of interment by the following pro- cession: A regiment of light infantry in uniform with arms reversed: four field pieces; Major Lee's regiment of light horse; General Hand and his brigade; the Major on horseback; two chaplains; the horse of the deceased, with his boots and spurs suspended from the saddle, led by a servant; the corpse borne by four sergeants, and the pall supported by six general officers. The coffin was of mahogany. and a pair of pistols, and two swords crossing each other, and tied with black crape, were placed on the top. The corpse was followed by the officers of the New Hampshire brigade, the officers of the brigade of light infantry which the deceased had lately commanded. Other officers fell in promiscuously, and were followed by His Excellency. General Washington, and other general officers. Having arrived at the burying-yard the troops opened to the right and left, resting on their arms reversed; and the procession passed to the grave (in the yard of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Hackensack ' where a short eulogy was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Evans. A band of music with a number of drums and fifes played a funeral dirge, the drums were muffled with black crape, and the officers in the procession wore crape around the left arm.
"The regiment of light infantry were in handsome uniform, and wore in their caps long feathers of black and red. The elegant regiment of horse, commanded by Major Lee, in complete uniform and well dis- ciplined, exhibited a martial and noble appearance."
On the tablet covering his remains this inscription may be found: "In memory of Hon. Brigadier General Enoch Poor. of the State of New Hampshire, who departed this life on the 8th of September. 1780. aged 44 years." Washington, Lafayette and a portion of the American Army attended the funeral of General Poor.
In 1824 Lafayette revisited this grave, and, turning away much much affected. exclaimed: " Ah! that was one of my Generals."
Brigadier General Poor, who was a native of New Hampshire. re- ceived that title in 1777, and was one of the most competent and re- spected officers of the Continental Army, and served throughout his career, in which he rose rapidly through the ranks, from Colonel to General, with distinction and honor.
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THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
L'pon the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion in 1861. when call was issued by the President for seventy-five thousand men, the quota for the State of New Jersey was three thousand, one hundred and twenty men, or four regiments of seven hundred and eighty each, to be detached from the four general military divisions of the State. The War Depart- ment also required that in addition to the regiments called for, the reserve militia in the several states should be organized as rapidly as possible.
Governor Olden received the requisition of the War Department on the 17th of April, and immediately issued a proclamation directing all individuals or organizations willing to respond to the call, to report themselves within twenty days. On the same day he notified the War Department that the call for troops would be attended to as rapidly as possible, and issued orders to Major-Generals of the several military divisions of the State. to detail. each one regimeut of ten companies, and also to organize immediately the reserve militia in their respective brigades. The Major-Generals in detailing the regiments required, were directed to accept the services of volunteers, but if the requisite number did not offer. they were required to draft from the reserve militia to make up the deficiency.
New Jersey's quota under the first call was filled in a few days.
At Hackensack a meeting was held on April 22. 1861, presided over by Hon. J. A. Zabriskie, when a committee was appointed to draft reso- lutions, and after remarks by William S. Banta, Esq .. the following were drafted :
" WHEREAS, The union of the States is in danger, and the Consti- tution, framed at so great a cost by our fathers, which contains within itself all needful provisions for the necessities of the government, has been set at defiance : and whereas our national flag has been insulted and government property invaded and seized by armed traitors, therefore
" Resolved, That the Union shall be preserved at all hazards, the Constitution upheld, the right of the government vindicated. and the Declaration of Independence maintained in its full spirit and power.
" Resolved, That for the defense and maintenance of our country and its institutions we are prepared, if need be, to sacrifice our wealth, . shed our blood. and lay down our lives.
"Resolved that our country is the best country in the world, and that we are not prepared to witness its destruction without first exerting all the means at our command for its perpetuation.
"Resolved. That Bergen County will stand by our national banner in the eventful crisis, and those who go out from among us to the tented field to uphold that sacred banner merit and will receive our warmest sympathy and aid.
"Resolved. That a committee of six be appointed by this meeting to provide means for the support of those left destitute by the absence of their husbands or fathers who may volunteer in the defense of their country."
·
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The following gentlemen were appointed such committee : D. A. Berry, Garret G. Ackerson, W. S. Banta, John L. Earle, John H. Banta, and John J. Anderson. A book being then opened for volunteers, a large number of names were enrolled.
Under an Act of Congress approved July 22, 1861, the Twenty-sec- ond Regiment was organized, and on September 22, 1862. was mustered into the United States service, for nine months. This regiment. the Twenty-second Infantry, was the contribution of Bergen County. and consisted of nine hundred and thirty-nine men, including officers. These men consisted chiefly of men from the agricultural districts, robust and soldierly in appearance. The regiment started to Washington, D. C., on the 29th of September, 1862, and upon their arrival were ordered into Camp at Georgetown, having been assigned to a provisional brigade "Casey's defenses of Washington." After remaining until the last of December they were sent to Aquia Creek, Va., and assigned to Patrick's bridge, provost-guard Army of the Potomac, their duties being the guarding of the railroad, transferring of wounded, prisoners, etc. They were next placed in the Third Brigade, First Division. First Army Corps, Their only important engagement was that of Chancellorsville, Virginia. on the 2nd and 3rd of May, 1863. Upon the expiration of their term of enlistment the regiment was ordered to return to New Jersey for its dis- charge, and was mustered out of service at Trenton on the 25th of June. 1863, their term of service having expired on the 18th of that month.
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