History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 72

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830

USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 72
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 72

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Tule Appendix, xxviii. 3 T'ile Appendix, xIl. 3 lul Appendix, vi.

. "I'M Menos ' edition of 1871), 23.

& " fide Appendix, " xIl. 6 Vrede Appanliv, xvi. " } ide Append's, x il.

When the troops became disentangled, and had re- gained their route, it is probable that they came down the hill by the road leading to the Wechawken Ferry, and then by the way of Hoboken and the upland of Ahasimns, passing by file over the narrow causeways and wading the erecks through the marshes."

"The usual time for such exploits," as Washington observed when planning the attack on Stony Point, "is a little before day, for which reason a vigilant officer is then more on the watch. 1 therefore recom- mend a midnight hour."9 This recommendation was incorporated in Lee's plan of attack. The time des- ignated for the assault was at half-past twelve o'clock. In addition to a negligent watch, this hour would have given the attacking force the advantage of ebb tide in crossing the ditch, more time for the destruction of the works, and opportunity to retreat before daylight.

The design was to attack the post at three different points,10 but on reaching the place where he was to divide his force for that purpose which I take to be the upland of Ahasimus near the northerly end of the causeway, Maj. Lee found this plan impracticable, " both from the near approach of day and the rising of the tide." Before reaching this point, Lieut. Rudolph had been detached to reconnoiter and fathom the pas- sages of the ditch at the three several places where the separate columns should pass. But it was now after three o'clock ; the tide was approaching half-flood, when the ditch would be impassable. Without a moment's delay, Maj. Lee ordered the troops to advance in the position they then were, without regard to the punc- tilios of honor or rank, and dispatched a messenger to Cornet Neil at Prior's Mill to inform him of the delay in the attack, and to direct him to communicate with Capt. Peyton. Just at this time Lieut. Rudolph re- turned and reported chat all was silence within the works; that he had fathomed the canal, and found the passage on the central route still admissible. As they were entering the marsb, between Henderson and Warren Streets, Maj. Clark informed Maj. Lee of the

8 I have been not a little perplexed as to the route taken by Lee on his approach. No definite information on the subject has been found, but from the following fuets I conclude that he approached lyy way of Ho- boken :

1. Captain Handy trade Appendia, xii. ) says : " We had a mora to pass of upwards two miles, the greatest part of which we were obliged to pass by files, and revend catala to ford up to our breast in water." No other route would anewer these conditions. The one I have indicated answers them fully. There was the marsh north of the upland of Hoboken, and the march between Hoboken and Ahusimus, both cromed by a narrow and ill-constructed wagon way, and permeated by small tido streams.

2. Whon Lee moved to the attack, he dispatched a mesenger to Coruet Neil at Prior's Mill, probably directing him to communicate with l'apt. Peyton, and inform him of the hour of attack. The sending a messenger seems to imply that Lee had not been at Prior's Mill, and certainly had not men Cornet Seil. He had apprehensions about the Immer, owing to the lateness of the hour. It was natural and prudent that he should send word to Soil and Peyton of the change in the hour of attack. Why should bee have sent the messenger if he had just left Neil at the mill ? That officer would have known of the delay in the uttuck, and could have received orders in person.

9 Irving's " Life of Washington " ill., 503. 10 Face Appendia, xvi.

963

SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF PAULES HOECK.

defection of the Virginians. This must have been a severe blow to him, but at such a supreme moment nothing could daunt this intrepid leader. Truc, it seriously diminished the number of his attacking force. and deprived him of the aid of several officers of distin- guished merit. I was, however, equal to the occasion, in spite of the defection " and every other dumb sign which indicated lack of hearty co-operation, and pushed ou to the attack." He had resolved to capture the post or leave his dead body within the enemy's lines. The information brought by Leut. Rudolph was passed from front to rear and the troops moved forward with resolution, order and coolness. They marche l in three solid columns, "with bayoneta, pans open, corks fallen," in the most profound silence. The right column, under Maj. Clark, and the centre column, under Capt. Forsyth, were preceded by the forlorn hopes, led by Lieut. Mc Allister, of the Marylander-, and Lieut. Rudolph, of the Legion Dragoons, to as- sault the works on either thank. The left column, under Capt. Handy, was to move against the front, and to act as a reserve should one be found necessary. Si silently did they advance, and so unsuspecting was the garrison of any attack, that they were either not dis- covered, or were thought to be Van Buskirk's force returning until the forlorn hopes plugged into the ditch .? Instantly the enemy opened a musketry fire from the block-houses, but the Americans pressed for- ward and broke through all opposition. The forlorn under McAllister, supported by the right column, immediately on passing the abatis filed to the right. and captured the fort before a piece of artillery could be fired and "re-echoed the watchword."3 This gal- Innt lieutenant was fortunate enough to capture the British flag.' The centre column, with Lieut. Arm- strong leading the advance, tiled to the lef. ud cap- tured the right-hand block-house and the officers and men stationed there. The left column moved forward in support of the whole.

Within the fortifications this audacious and unex- peeted assault eaused the utmost consternation. .. soldier rushed to the hut where Lient. Cockburne was sleeping, within thirty yards of the fort, and gave him the alarm. The lieutenant ran to the fort, but found Maj. Lee's force in possession. He then tled to the left- hand block-honse, and thus saved himself from cap- ture. At the first alarm Maj. Sutherland, with C'apt. Van Schallern and twenty-five Hessians,? escaved

Fide Appendia, " xviii.

l'ide Apquindix, x. In "Ler's Memoirs" (Edition of 18"). 2. I find the following : "The stratagem relied on was to have right or Ten soldiers disguised as countrymen carrying provisions for sale who procure the gate to be opened in the sentinel, and hold it until the rest of their party, concealed near, rashed in " !!

1 " l'ide Appendix, " xvi.

" This has been doubted, but we Lec's report and Appendix, viii. antl xiv. .

" There in great discrepancy among writing to the number of the Hondaus with Maj. Sutherland. Sir Henry Clinton, Appendix. X .. PAYS . "forty Heraus:" Marshall's " Life of Washington," is. 1. " forty or Any Hrecians ; " Murray's " War in America," nt 109, " forty

through the darkness into the round redouft' and opened an irregular fire upon the assnilants." But in n few minutes " Maj. Lee had possession of the works, excepting this redoubt and the left-hand block-house. It is very probable that the firing from the redoubt, and the alarm thereby given, had more to do with preventing the Americans getting into the magazine than the alleged failure to find the key, or torobtain means to break it open."

It was now four o'clock. The firing of guns in New York and from the ships in the harbor r -ved that the alarm was completely given.19 The ammunition having been destroyed when crossing the ditch, Maj. Iwc's men bad not tired a musket during the assault. They had no means to dislodge Maj. Sutherland and the Hessians. The ammunition in the magazine way beyond their reach. The barracks contained some sick soldiers, women and children, and humanity for- hade their destruction. To spike the guns was useless, to bring theor off' in possible. The British, being now on the alert, could in a short time cross to the Hoeck in large bodies. The expedition thus far had been successful. The post had been surprised and its par- rison captured. The next consideration was to effect a safe retreat with the prisoners. Because of this striet con pliance with the orders of Washington, and the plain dictates of ordinary prudence, the enemy affected to sneer at the victorious assailants." That

Hoei hs ; " St . Iman's " History if the Amerien War, "il 1" , "sixty Hogians . Dawson's " Battles of the 1 tiled staten In Lari and Son." :", " forts or fifty Hasiane; " Irving's "life of Washington " H. 175, "what mixte Hosting; " Iner's " Life of fort Sterling," 2". " forty or fifty Hessmans , Shropder's " lafe and Times of Washington. ' il , 94, " sixty Howians : " " Thatcher's Journal," 171. "ale ut FA vn of his men .' Riri glom's Royal Gazette, Ang. 28, 1979 'a captain subaltern and twenty-five gallant Ilimi:" fen. Partinin. Appenlix xi .. "a aptain and twenty-five Hemisns." I . pelit tle lust number. Only forty -ne Hisians were sent wir to Tante Hoek on the leth to increase the for + of th garrisinin Van Ni kirk'salmen . Lovers of those were captured. This would have but thirty on the Heck If some of the killed were lions (which is probat lol, the a lot -all nt have exceeded the number mentioned by ton. lations lote Appemilit, Tv

" There has been a variety of statements as to what works Lee's forros capture I, and into what Maj. sutherland and the Hrad ins threw them- selves. Sir Henry Clinton and the historians Murray and stalman was the Stericane carril a block haus sul two redoubts, and that Such r Intel was in a realouls Conlon and Irving y Sutherla i ente 1 a book-house on the left of the fort. Maj Shaw mys Sother and was in "a little en land work inside the in in one." Marshall were there were "A fost, three block-bones and mine reloubts." The Frame Market of Aug 28, 1770. Appendix. xvi , «peaks of a . letaml Fort." an "Impregnerle fort mental ly a chain of might." But Gen. Patrimon Appendix, xi , who wrote with a plan of the works Inform hum, says the American captured the principal fort and the right-hand and venire blick hours while the "Bonnt Becourt" in which Maj. Sutherland was, and the left-hand block-house & redefor! !

""In less than thirty minutes," Appendix, xif "in less than un minutes » · were in comji te jurewon of the work"," Appendu,

" Lee's Report. How he expected to fest the key in the confusion and darknon is a problem difficult to a Ive.

" Marshall's " Life of Washington," is., 139. Ast the way the alarını wasgiven, ride Appendix, xl

" Vale Appendix, x "The Americana shamefully deserted their new pwets with as much expenlition and me little difficulty ne they had been

964

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

enemy had fled from the charge of the bold one hun- dred and fifty, yet had the courage to eriticise the manner of "making a retreat from under the very nose of the enemy's whole force." If they did not move with sufficient grace to suit such fastidions taste, the bold defendants should have considered the fact that each American had his prisoner, and yet there were nine! With the enemy's ships-of-war in the harbor, their headquarters one mile away, and their army stretching for nine miles along the line of his retreat, Maj. Lee aeted with prudence by retiring with all possible dispatch. Maj. Clark, with the right col- umn and the greater part of the prisoners, was put in motion over the causeway. Capt. Handy followed with the left and the remainder of the prisoners. Lieuts. Armstrong and Reed, with the centre, formed the rear guard. At the commencement of the retreat Capt. Forsyth was sent forward to Prior's Mill to col- Ject men from the different columns most fit for action, and take post on the heights of Bergen, to cover the retreat. When Maj. Lee, who remained with the rear of his retreating forces, reached Prior's Mill he was surprised to hear from Cornet Neil that the messenger sent to him previous to the attack had not arrived, nor had he heard from Capt. Peyton. Apprehending some disappointment in regard to the boats, he rode forward and reached the advance when near the ferry. ' To his dismay, not a boat was to be seen. It had been under- stood by Capt. Peyton that Maj. Lee would be at the ferry before daylight, but in the morning, no intelli- gence having arrived, he supposed the attack had been postponed. The danger of his situation, the fear that the discovery of the boats woald disclose the design and prevent its execution on a subsequent night, indueed him to retire with the boats to Newark .? The retreating forces were pouring down Cherry Lane leading to the ferry, anxious to place the Hackensack between themselves and the enemy who were hasten- ing their preparations to pursue. Maj. Lee inne- diately countermarched his troops to the "road lead- ing from the town to the English Neighborhood," afterwards known as the Bergenwood road.3 Ile ! dispatched a messenger to Lord Stirling, who had moved from his camp at Ramapo to the New Bridge, for assistance, and then returned to the rear guard at Prior's Mill. As he stood upon the bridge near this mill in the early gray of that morning, and thought of the difficult march before him, the possible ruin of all his plans, and the certainty of a vigorous pursuit by

an insulted foe, he was overwhelmed by the gloomy prospect. He speaks of this in his report :

"Oppressed by every possibile misfortune, at the head of troops worn down by a rapid march of thirty miles through mountains, swamps and morasses, without the least nourishment during the whole march, am- munition destroyed, encumbered with prisoners and a retreat of fourteen miles to make good, on a route admissible of interception at several points by a march of two, three and four miles ; one body moving in our rear, another in all probability well advanced on our right, a retreat naturally impossible on ont left, . . . my sole dependence was in the persevering gallantry of the officers and the obstinate courage of the troop."

But the shouts of his soldiers when informed of the approach of the enemy dispelled all doubt in case of a conflict. He was entirely without ammunition, but the bayonet had done its service in the attack, and on it was his reliance for defense. The whole foree now moved as rapidly as possible. On reaching the Hack- ensack road at Union Hill, Maj. Lee divided his force. Maj. Clark's column, with the prisoners, took the road hy way of Three Pigeons and the English Neighbor- hood. In his rear, on the same road, moved the een- tre column. To guard against an attack upon the right flank of these columns by forces penetrating the mountain through the passes leading from the river, Capt. Handy, with the left column, took the road on the bank of the river, now known as the Bull's Ferry road. Just after this disposition had been made, ('apt. C'atlett, of the Second Virginia Regiment, came up at the head of fifty men with good ammunition, a portion of which was distributed among the different columns. With Capt. Catlett and his force, Maj. Lee took the centre route. It is probable that both detach- ments moving on the mountain deffected to the left on reaching a point just above Bull's Ferry, and joined the two columns moving on the main road at the English Neighborhood. As the rear approached the Fort Lee road, at the place now called Leonia, they met Col. Ball, with two hundred men, who had been pushed forward by Lord Stirling to support the retreat. C'ol. Ball moved on and took position to meet the enemy, who were in rapid pursuit. Early in the morning Lieut. Col. Cosmo Gordon had been sent from New York with the flank companies of the guard and one hundred men from the brigade and nearly the same number of lles- sians, He took command of the post, and sent out Mai. Sutherland, with one light infantry company of the guard under Capt. Dundass, and another light infantry company, consisting of ninety rank and file under Capt. Maynard, in pursuit of Mai. Lee.' This was the party which now confronted Col. Ball. But they thought it prudent to halt before coming in con- tact with the victorious Americans.5

While Maj. Lee was pushing along between the Fort Lee road and the Liberty Pole, Lieut .- Col. Van Buskirk emerged from the woods upon the right, marched through the fields to the road and opened

obtained, and wo by a retreat as disgraceful as the attempt was apparently bold and wellconducted they abandoned a conquest already evident in their hands, without even having courage to spike the artillery ur set hre t , the barracks. "-Murray's " War in America " iii. 109.

| " shaw's Journal,' 66.

2 .. Marshill's Life of Washington, " Jv. 139.

" "Shaw's Journal, " 67. It is here said, " By the time he found out the bunts were gone, the troops who had separated during the night came up. Ire picked out about fifty of these mien ny a rear guard, of which he took command." It is evident that this refers to Capt. C'estlin's Company who joined Lee at Union Hill. What became of the remainder of the Virginians who left Leo ?

& l'inde Appendix, vil.

&" Had the tide proved favorable, not A single animal of the rubel host would have escaped." File Appendix, vii.

965

SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF PAULU'S HOECK.

fire on the rear of the retreating forces. Maj. Ler ( " very few of the British were killed." 5 Dunlap snys, ordered Licut. Reed to face them, while Lieut. Ru- dolph, with a party, threw himself into a stone house which commanded the road. This checked Van Buskirk, and gave the retreating forces time to cross the creek at the Liberty Pole. Col. Ball, now finding a detachment of the enemy between him and Maj. Lee, and taking it for grant d that this was only the advanced corps of a much larger body, made a circuit to avoid the contact with them. Van Buskirk, finding a detachment he had not expected, took the same means to secure his own retreat.1 Without further molestation, Lee arrived at the New Bridge at one o'clock in the afternoon, "after a march of upward of eighty mites in three days." ?

The prisoners taken in the surprise of Paulus Hoeck numbered one hundred and fifty-nine, viz :

Sixty-fourth Regiment .- One captain.

Garrison Regiment. Six sergeants, sixty seven rank and file.

I'an Buskirk's regiment .- One surgeon, one sur- geon's mate, one quartermaster, four subalterns, two sergeants, thirty-nine rank and file.

Hessians -One sergeant, ten rank and file.

_Artificers .- Two.

Inhabitants. - - Ten.

_Artillery .-- One sergeant, one corporal, two gunners, nine mattresses.

The surgeon was released on parole. On the follow- ing day Lord Stirling sent the prisoners to Philadel- phia, where, on the 26th we leave them ' safely lodged in the New Gaol." 3

The number of killed and wounded on the side of the British is somewhat uncertain. In the nature of things it was impossible for the attacking force to make a correct estimate. Lord Stirling says, "the killed and wounded left behind is uncertain, as it wa- necessary for the troops to come off before the day appeared." Maj. Lee reported " not more than fifty of the enemy killed and wounded."' Marshall says,

"a few of the British were killed at the first charge. 6 Irving says, "few of the enemy were slain."? Gordon estimates the number at about thirty." Holnies, Losging. Wilson and Allen say, " thirty were killed."" Thatcher says, " about forty were killed. 10 Dawson says fifty were bayoneted. " Capt. Handy, who led one of the attacking columns, says, "we put fifty to the bayonet." 17 tien. Pattison, in his report to Lord Townshend, " says: " By the returns I have re- ceived there were kille l four sergeants, two corporals and three privates, wounded, two cergeants." That the general estimate of killed is too high is beyond doubt. One hundred anl tifty-nine were captured and twenty-six were in the redoubt with Maj. Suther- land. This makes one hundred and cighty-six. How many were in the left-hand block-house is not known. But besides them, if fifty were killed, the garrison numbered two hundred and thirty-six. This figure is too high. I am inclined to give credence to the British account of their loss.

On the side of the Americans there seems to be no discrepancy as to the number of killed and wounded These were five in all, -- two killed and three wounded. Among the latter was Ezekiel Clark, one of Capt. M'Lane's men, who had the end of his nose shot off. Alas! how fickle is fortune and how fallible is fame ! Two of his companions left their bodies in "th' immi- nent deadly breach." and perhaps their bones are now resting at the crossing of two busy streets in Dum- mer's hogshead," while their names are unknown. Two of bis companions were wounded, perhaps more severely than himself, yet their names have sunk in the dull waters of Lethe. But as for Ezekiel, the country knows him brenuse he lost his nose ! 15

We have now described the capture of Paulus Hoeck and its circumstances as minutely as we are able from the facts within our reach. The Americans were in ecstasy over it, as they had a right to be. The enemy, while attempting to belittle its results, were forced to acknowledge its brilliancy. Thus friend and foe characterized it : " The splendid enterprise of Paulus

1 Marshull's " Life of Washington, " iv. 130).

" The Appendix, vi As to the date of this event, is it surprising that so many writers have gone astray. Error moms to Ire immortal. l'api. Hundy, who commanded the left column, wrote to his brother a letter, datel July 19th, in which he described the event. The following works fix the date of July 19th: " Appleton's Encyclopedia, " tide " Heury Lee ;" Allen's " American Revolution," a. S ; Gordon's " History Am. War,' iii. 284 ; Lowsing's " Pictorial History of the ! S., 217 ; Wilson's " American History, " 388 ; Holmes' " Annals of the L'. S., 'ii. 300 , Ruth Bay's " llistory of the Am. Rev. " ii. Ingt; and Snowdon's . Malali Mem- orials of Washington, " 65, with the modul before him. Murray's " War in America, " in. 109, gives July 15thus the late ; Hildreth s " History of the 1' S.," ili. 264, gives August 18th ; and Ollier's " History of the ! "," i. 364, says August 20th. In "Let's Memory" (ed. 1×70), 21, it is maid the, forces " get out the 20th of August upon their dangerous expedition." But Schroeder, " Life and Tinies of Washington, " in vol. 1. 699, says July 19th, and in vol. ii. 91, Angost 20th. Two dates, and buth wrong.

"Letter dated August 26, 1779. In the Ponmegtennia Packet, Sept. 2, 1779, I And . " Saturday, August 28th, Avo uf the British officers, the others being on jurul alsowher and one hundred and forty eight jai- vates taken at Paulus Hook, arrived at P'hitudeiphia."

4 Tide Appendix, v1.

5 " Life of Washington," iv 139.

*** lint ry of New York, in 163.

7 " Life of Washington, " li #15.

8 " History of the American War, " il 283.

"". Am lu of the I'nited sistem, " li 300. Loming's " Pictor al nis- tory of the I nited States," 21 ; Wilson's "American History," 388, Allen's " American Revolution, " il. 215.

10 " Thatcher's Journal," 174.

11 "* Battles of the I natoil Stuten, &c.," 1. 543. 13 17+ Appendix, vii. 13 Judd Appetulix, xi.

14 When the ground was graded for the ore tion of the quittery between Morris and Ex Streets, Mr Dammer geaand the bones there found in a cask, and burled them at the junction of Washington and Morris Stre ts.

1 . Surprised Powles Hook on the 19th of August, Infore daybreak, on. toreof the works with one hundred and fifty picked men, carried them at the paint of the Bayonet, took one hundred and fay prim bert, no ked on the part of the Americans everyting Exokiel Clark, one of Captain

. M'Lane's Company, who lost the end of his ner. "- M laue MS ..

966

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Hoeck ; 1 " little stroke in the surprise of Paulus Hoeck . . . a brilliant transaction ;"2 "a bold and successful attack ; 3 "a coup de main of splendid audac- ity :"4 " an enterprise sufficiently daring in the de- sign and extremely well conducted in the onset ;" 5 " the situation of the post rendered the attempt criti- cal and the success brilliant." "This affair, for the size of it, may be ranged with the most heroic actions of the war, considering the peculiar position of Paulus Hoeck and its being garrisoned by 200 men. A dar- ing and dangerous enterprise."6 " The attempt was daring, the difficulties many, the success uncertain, and the retreat, admitting the enterprise to succeed, from the situation of the place and its vicinity to New York, exceedingly precarious."7 "A daring and brilliant enterprise."8 "One of the most daring and insolent assaults to be found in the records of chivalry ; an achievement so brilliant in itself, so romantic in the scale of British admiration, that none but a hero inspired by the fortitude, instructed by the wisdom and guided by the planet of Washington, could, by the exploit at Paulus Hook, have furnished materials in the page of history to give it a parallel."? Con- gress adopted resolutions thanking Maj. Lee " for the remarkable prudence, address and bravery dis- played by him on the occasion." They ordered to be struck a gold medal 10 " emblematical of this affair," and appropriated fifteen thousand dollars for distri- bution among the soldiers engaged in the attack." 11 Washington placed the surprise of Paulus Hoeck and the capture of its garrison, within cannon-shot of New

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 72

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 830

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830