History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 73

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 73
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 73

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1 "( haracter," in Pennsylvania Packet, Sept. 28, 1779. Vide Appen- dix, xxvi.

Washington to Reed, Aug. 29, 1779. "We have given the enemy another little stroke in the surprise uf Powles Ilook (within rannon-shot of New York), and bringing off seven officers and one hundred non-commissioned officers and privates. It was a brilliant transaction, and performed by a detachment of Virginians and Mary- Jander, under the command of Major Lee, of the light draguona, with the lom of not more than ten or a dozen men. The colors of the garrison were also brought off."

" Standman's " History of the American War, " i. 153.

4 Trying's " laf . of Washington, " iii. 513.

6 Murray's " War of America, " hi. 169.

@ Gordon's " History of the American War," ill, 283.

7 ". Shaw's Journal," 6G.

* Allen's " Amenwenn Revolution," ii. 215.

9 Iunie to Hamilton, " Hamilton's Works, " i. 8G.

14 Appendix, xxiv. The following letter is from the original in the possession of Dr Thomas Addis Emnet, of New York City, and which accompanied the uct of Congress :

" PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 28, 1779.

" SIR I enclose you an Act of Congress of 21th Instant, and am happy In the first exerelse of the important frust with which C'ungrew have been pleased to honor me to have the opportunity of communicat- ing to you the Thanks of Congress for the judicious Measures taken by you to forward the Enterprise against Powles Hook & to sreure the Re- treat of the l'arty.

" I must beg have to inform you that Congress entertains a just sense of the Merit of the Officers and Mulhers employed on that Decusion, as well as if the Army In General, and that the important Business in which they have been engaged prevented an earlier attention to that brillian Action.

" ] anı, sir, your Hble servt,

MAJOR (.FN'I. LIRA STERLINA. "

". SAM'L HUNTINGTON, Prealdent.

11 File Appendix, xxlv.

York, alongside of the storming of Stony Point.12 Lafayette wrote to Major Lee: "The more I have considered the situation of Paulus Hook, the more I have admired your enterprising spirit and all your con- duct in that business," 13 HIoluies, speaking of Stony Point, says : " This enterprise was followed by another that 'equaled' it in boldness of design."" In Gen- eral Orders, under date of Aug. 22, 1779, the com- mander-in-chief said :

"The General has the Pleasure to inform the Army that on the Night of the Isth Instant, Major Lee ut the Head of a Party composed of his own Corps und Detachments from the Virginia and Maryland Lines sur- prised the Garrison at Powles Hook, and brought off a considerable Number of Prisoners with very littel Loss on our Side.

"The Enterprise was executed with a distinguished Degree of Ad- dress, Activity aml Bravery und does great Honor to Major Lee and to all the Officers and Men under his Command, who are requested to rerrive the General's warmest Thanks."

But beneath this wave of popular enthusiasm over an event which should have been cause for general congratulation there was a strong undertow working against Maj. Lee. Great men and brilliant reputa- tions always have been and always will be subject to this undertow. Jealousy is all-sufficient in small minds to justify the meanest actions. It is not the men who labor most or give most to crown with suc- cess an enterprise who indulge in detraction or hostile criticism, but those who are either incapable of com- prehending matters of pith and moment or too base to applaud the success of another.

We have already seen that in the swamps of the Bergen Woods a part of Maj. Lee's force became sep- arated from the expedition. In his report he sub- stantially attributed this to accident. But in this, as in many other important affairs, accident has been foreed to bear more than its just burden. Among the Virginians who joined Lee were a few who were jeal- ous of him. The fact that he held a separate com- mand may have removed them from sympathy with

12 Washington to Lafayette, Sept. 12, 1779.

13 Lafayette to Lee, Aug. 27, 1780: " Lee's Memoir (ed. 1870)," 27. The following correspondence between Wayne and Lee (How first published) shows how the hero of Stony Point appreciated the assault on Punlus Hook :

"FORT MONTGOMERY, 25th Ang't, 1779.

"DEAR LER :- The pleasure I experienco in your Success I can much better feel than express-what n Second Stony Point affair ! aml that in the center of their own Ground ; Sr. Harry, you have nothing for it but tostrike Les or Wayhe or both ; the Lustre of the British Arms le tar- nished, thegr Military famo depends upon n Brilliant action ; be well guarded, my friend ; I ask your pardon for this unnecessary cautiun ; but believe me that there are not a few who would not feel munch pain on n small Draster happening to either you or me,

"I wish to God that we could once form a junction in a Christinn Country. I am d-Al tired of this Cuitiff place.

" My best wishes attend the Corps.

" Your most Affectionately,

"+ ANT". WAYNE."

" MY DRAR GEN :- I am happy In your approbation. I disregard the onvy and mulice of a certain sett.

" Present no most sincerely to my friends Archer & Flalbanne & believe me to be Must nff'y,

"HENRY LEV, JUN. Ang. 25th."

" GEN. WAYNE.

[From originale in possession of II. B. Dawson. [

14 " Holmes' Annals of the I nited States, " il. 300.

967

SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF PAULES HOECK.

him or bis plans. The expedition to which they were now ordered, if successful, would raise him yet higher in official and popular estimation. They claimed that several of their officers were injured by reason of Mai. Lee having been given the command. It was claimed that Maj. Clark's commission antedated Lee's, and that by military usagre he was justly entitled to the command. It was said that, to surmount this ditli- culty, Maj. Lee had misrepresented the date of his commission, giving it an older date than it really hore.1 Whatever justification there may have been for these charges, we are not left in doubt as to Maj. Lee's counter-charge that about one-half of the Vir- ginians deserted him, and those who remained with him were lukewarm in their support.2 After the enterprise was a success these discontents, as strenu- ously as the British, sought to belittle its results. They echoed the taunts of the enemy, that Maj. Lee left the Ileeck in a great hurry, that he did not cap ture all of the garrison, did no damage to the works, did not blow up the magazine, did not fire the bar- racks, did not spike the guns.3 That these charges suggested, if they did not express, a falsehood was a matter of no concern to these disappointed patriots. As unreasonable as they were, they were sufficient for the purpose. A cabal was formed against Maj. Lee.4 Ile was arrested and tried before a court-martial upon cight charges.5 He defended himself before the court in an eloquent review of the facts, and concluded as follows : " 1 have now gone through with my deferse, and, after thanking the court for their attention and the patience with which they have heard me. I have only to beg, that whatever may be their decision, it may be pointed. If I have misbehaved. punish me with severity ; but if it shall appear that Ihave done my duty, and that the prosecution is groundless and vexations. I trust, Gentlemen, you will tell the worl ] so."6 Of course, he was speedily and honorably acquitted and his enemies silence 1. 7

20th " to make an Enquiry into the Causes of the Atfront suffered there from the enemy this morning."A As the result of the trial the major was found not guilty, was honorably acquitted and released from arrest. 9

It did not, however, fare so well with pour Sorgt. John Taswil, of Van Buskirk's battalion, who was ou duty at the left-hand block-house at the time of the assault. Ile was gravely harged with quitting his pas, when it wasonly Hobson's choice with him,- run away or be captured. But "the 13th Article of the H4th Section of the Articles of War" could not be trifled with. Did it not say that a soldier must not quit hus pest, even if a good retreat is better than a bad stand? What if one hundred and fifty men, with one hundred and fifty bayonets at his breast, said he must leave, either for the " Round Redoubt," whither May. Sutherland and his twenty-six Hessians had fled, or for the " New Giaol" at Philadelphia, to which secure retreat his one hundred and fifty-eight companions were about to take up their line of march.

The post had suffered an "affront," and some one must be made a scape-goat to hear the iniquity of that affront. The gallant major had already been honora- bly acquitted ; therefore John Taswell must be tried for quitting his post in a shameful and scandalous manner. The unfortunate sergeant was found guilty, and duly " sentenced to suffer Death by being hanged by the Neck until he is Dead." The time named for the taking off of Sergeant John was Thursday, the 9th of September, " between the Hours of Nine and Twelve, within the Garrison at l'aulus Hook." 10 But on the morning of that day the former good character of Taswell came to his relief, and it pleased the com- minder-in-chief to grant him a free pard m and dis- charge from his Majesty's service,"-a service into which as a Jerseyman he never should have en- tored.

But Maj. Lee was not the only one who was sub- With this pardon and discharge ende the story et the surprise and capture of Paulus Hoeck. That there was nothing during the course of the whole war more brilliant, more audacious, more dangerous or more successful was the testimony of friend and foe. In- chivalry and romance, may be searched and but few human efforts can be found to rise above it in the scale of admiration. By that brave act this spot was consecrated to perpetual remembrance. jected to the uncertain finding of a court-martial for this Paulus Hoeck affair. Gen Pattison said, "the enterprise, bold as it was, succeeded but too well, and little to the Honor of the Defendants." Ile, therefore, ordered Maj. Sutherland under arrest and to prepare deed, the records of ancient and modern times, of for trial before a court-martial upon a charge of gen- eral misconduct as commandant at Paulus Hook on the 19th instant. This order was made on the day the garrison was captured. He also ordered two brigadier-generals and three fich! officers to assemble at Paulus Hoeck at ten o'clock on the morning of the

1 l'ile Appendix, xix

: I'nde Appendix, xviil. The third charge against Maj. Lee was that almost the whole first battalion wur lost. Vedle Appendix, vrr

3 l'ide Appendix, xiii. Ser sixth charge on which Major Lee was tried. Appendix xx1

$ I'nde Appendix, XUY

4 Vide Appendix, VIVI 6 " Show 's Journal, " er

7 " Major Clark, who in exceedingly the gentleman, advised and en- denvored to dissande them officers from the prosecution, but in vain."- Shetar's Journal, G8.

€ Vale Appendix, v

· Tode Appendix, xix

10 l'ide Appendix, xxl

From the 19th of August, 1779, until the 22d of November, 1783,-our Evacuation day,-the British remained in the undisturbed possession of the place. I Un that day they folded their tents, like the poetical Arab, and silently stole away, -the Britons to Eng- land, the Tories to Nova Scotia,-and Paulus Hoeck was left free to become Jersey City.

963

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

APPENDIX .- CORRESPONDENCE AND ORDERS REFERRED TO IN PRECEDING CHAPTER

I. GEN. PATTISON TO LIFUT. - COL. VAN BUSKIRK. "New York, July 22d 1779

Hai g found It necessary to prevent Persons of Suspicions Charac- ters from passing and refusing to and from this City : I have Issued a Proclamation for regulating Boats, small Craft, and Country People pasang therein.

"I have dirveted the Police to furnish you with Blank Recommen- dations for sach People as you may think may be trusted with Bouts to attend this Market from Bergen Shore below Panlis Hock, niso blank Permusi ins for such Persons as you may think proper to allow to pass with Country produce to the City."- New York Historical Society's Cul- lections, 1875.

II. - GEN. WASHINGTON TO MAJ. LEE.

" Ilend Quarters West Point 10 August 1779

' I have received your letter of yesterday with its enclosures. The plao you propose for the attack of Paulus Hook, and for making good the retreat of the party, is well concerted, and such as would be most bkrly to succeed, if the enterprise were to be carried into execution. But upon the whole, in the present position of the enemy's army, I should deem the attempt too hazardous, and not warraoted by the mag- mitile of the object. We should lose more in case of failure, than we could gain in case of success; and a singlo deserter, or disaffected in- habitant, may disch se the design and involve the party in ruin. The ilea I had of the matter was, that it might not require more than three hundred men. It becomes the less eligible from the greater number y m think requisite, which is too great to expose to any material danger. These considerations indure me to suspend the attempt till & more favorable opportunity, unless it can be minde in a manner less hazard- (18. The manner I have in view is by water, by way of Newark Bay. Boats may be collected near Elizabethtown, so as to threaten Staten Island.

" The party intended for the enterprise may either embark there, proceed up the bay, and land within two or three miles of the post, or it miny meet the boats near Newark, embark there, aod croas directly ov.r. The doubt is, whether, notwithstanding the collection of the boats would look immediately towards staten Island, it may not al give the uların for Paulus Houk, and put them upon their guard. This, I work, is somewhat to be apprehended. I would however wish you to turn your thoughts this way, and give me your opinion as to the probability of su cess. '- Writings of Washington, vi .. , 317.

III .- ORDERS.

"Ionel Gordon will please to Bring back his whole Detachment to New York As soon as Col. Buskirk's Corps is returned within the Posts at Paulin Hook, and will likewise bring over at the same time the party of Hersiana, when were sent from hence last oight, nud ten of the Num- ber that weht this Morning, and will leave a Captain, one Sub'n & 5! Hessians to remain at Paulis Ilook, till they are relieved, which will be to-morrow Murning.

"Jag. PATTISON, ". Major Gen'l.

: 12 past G a'Clock, 19 Angust 1779."

"New York Anguat 19 1779

".Sir I mu directed by Major Gen'l Pattison to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter, which informed him of c'ol. Buskirk and his Poty having returned, but as he imagines the Men of your Garrison must be much fatigued, he has ordered a Captain and 50 Hessians to remain at Paulis Ilook as a Reinforcement, but which will be relieved to-morrow

. The Commander in Chief having signify'd to Major Gen'l Pattison his Orders for assembling a Board of General and Full Officers to-um rrow Morning at Paula Hook, to examine into the Affront given to that l'ost th y morning. The General has been pleased to direct that Brie'r Gen Is Martin & Garth, with Lieut. Col'e Martin & Melhoram & a Field fifficer of the Guards, do compose the same, am] will wssemble af In ", l'lixk in the Morning. You will care that all the OffHeers of your Pit will attend at that Hour, & the Captain & two other Officers, (Heran) who were engaged in the conflict must also attend the Board ; if any of them have crusand over they shall be ordered to return.

"S. P. A.

" Tn Major Sutherland."-New York Historical Society's Collection,

IV .- GEN. PATTISON TO SIR HENRY CLINTON,

"New York August 19 1779

# 12 past 8 P. M.

" I have the satisfaction to inform your excellency, that Major Suth- erland has reported to me that Col. Buskirk after a trifling Skirmish with the Rebels about 12 o'Clock near the Liberty Pole, is safe returned to Panhs Hook with the loss of a Man, and with four Prisoners.

" Major Sutherland has also brought in a Captain and Six Prisoners. I have hereupon sent orders to Cd. Gonlon to bring back his whole Detach- ment of Guarda, as likewise all the llessian Party, except n Cap'n & 50 Men which I have [ordered] may remain at the Post to reinforce for this Night, the rest of the Garrison having been much fatigued by the distant Sortie of this day, before I knew the fate of Col. Byskik and whether the Guards could return or not, (as the Town was so drained of Troops) for the Alain Guard of lessians to be reinforced with a Sub'n & 20 Men & all the Mon of their three Regiments off duty, in Camp to be cosidered as Pirquets ready to march into the City at the Shortest Notice, but from the intelligence received from Major Suther- land, I immediately contradicted the Order.

"I am just now honored with your Excellency's Commands for Brig'r Gen'ls Martin & Garth, with three Field Officers to form A Board at Panlis Hook to-morrow Morning at 10 o'd'lock to enquire into the Canse of the Affront suffered at that Post which will be only carried into execution."-New York Historie il Collections, 1875, 254.

V .- BRITISH GARRISON ORDERS.

" New York August 19, 1779. " Parole, Malda. Countersign, Jersey. " Head Quarters, New York, 19th August 1779. " After Orders, Eight at Night

" The commander in Chief is pleased to direct that Brigadiers General Martin and Garth with Three Field Officers shall assemble at Panlin Haok to-morrow morning at Ten o'clock, to make an Enquiry into the Chuses of the Affront, suffered there from the Enemy this morning, and tu report their opinion of the same to his Excellency.

" Brigadier General Martin, President.

" Brig. Gen. Garth.

"Lt. C'ol. Martin, Royal Artillery,

" Lt. Col. McPherson, 42d Reg't, "Lt. Col. Madden, Foot Guards.

Members.

" After orders, half past Ten at Night.

"Lt. Col. Pennington will be for the Court of Enquiry nt Paulus Ilook, to-morrow morning, and not Lt. Colonel Madan, na before Ordered,

" Morning Garrison Orders, August 21st, 1779.

"The court of Enquiry not being Dissolved, Lt. Col. Gordon, Fiekl Officer for the day in place of Lt. Col. Pennington."- From Original in Collection of New York Hustorical Society.

VI. LORD STIRLING TO JOHN JAY.

"Paramis August 20, 1779. "I moved from the camp at Ramopegh to Huckensak New Bridge, that evening I sent off Major Lee who had taken great pains to gain a knowledge of the enemy's situation, with about 400 men, in order to surprize the garrison ut Powles Ilook, which they offerted before daylight the next morning, and brought off 160 prisoners which I have went on to Philadelphia. The killed and wounded left behind is uncertain, As it was necessary for the troops to come off before the day appeared. They are all returned afe to camp, with the loss of not more than four or five, uftor a march of upward of eighty miles in less than three days. Further particulars yon will no doubt receive through his Excellency Gen. Washington. This I write on my way to camp at Romopugh."-Penn- sylvania Packet, Aug. 24, 1779.

The following returns are from originals in possession of Lyman (. Draper, Erg., of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and have never, so far as is known, børn published :

" Return of Officers and men belonging to the Maryland detachment on the enterprize, Powles Houk, under command of Major Lee, Aug't 1: th, 1779.

Capts.

Sub'n. c Serg'ts. 4

kank & file. 72

"8th Sept. 1779.

" LEVIN HIANDY, Capt'n Comm't.

969

SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF PAULU'S HOECK.

" List of Officer, non-commission'd and privato at P. H. h.

1 Sub

R. & File.

1+1 & 10th Ri gta

₦

Int State

6th Reg't

"No. fr un Each R gt in Ge d'l Muhlenberg's Brigade on the Experli- tim at " Husk (This return is not signed, but as an Jing flash shand. writing, un i among his paper- ]

Sub.

Kerkta.

1l & fila.

211

" No. from Each Regt. in Gon I Woodford's Brigade on lowles Iluck Expedition.

"J CLARK

" A Return of Officer and Men detacht, belonging to the Partizan Rangers, under the Command of Capt'y Mebane, who were at the Enter- prise on lowles Hook, under the command of Mayor Henry Lee, Fay . ye 19th Aug't '79.

Capt. 1

Liout.

Sergts.

3 Corpls

Rk. & file. 37

" MICHAEL RUnul.PH, " Lt. Partizan Rangers.

"On Thursday morning af about half an hour past three (' lock a detachment from Lord Str Ung - division, consisting of about six hun- dred men, attempted a ( oupd main upon the garrison at l'iwles Houk. which was attacked by one hundred rebels, the rest being posted on the heights of Bergen to wrure a retreat ; they surceesled - far as to carry off, as we are iiformed, twelve of the Royal art Hery, tuche Hrajour and a sergrunt with some invalids. Tuy when required by Majer Sutherland who commanded at that just The preceding even s tebouel Buskirk had marched with a det. hment of upwards at one hundred ant 30 men from the garris u. ugan an enterprise to the English Sorgt bor- h. mHd.

. Early in the morning a detachment from the trial of the Guards. and the Heasians, landed at Far Ins Hook- Majer Sutherland with a furt of the light Indantry, e aumwanded by the Hon Capt. Maynard, pursued the fugitive rebels, took Capt. Nale, of Virginie and rix pris des of the neviling party, who were yesterday morning hade In front.

" The Guards returned with their pris news about a a lock, sfer having marcheI swear 20 miles without having. Had the tale per vel favorable, not a single animal of the rebel host would have escaped. l'ol Buskirk on his sortie, kall d a number and bought into P'in les Houk three prisoners."-Rungton's Royal to as the. Any. _ 1779.

VIIJ .- GEN. WASHINGTON TO P'ntacist of C'INGRESR. " Head-Quarters, West Point, August 23, 1779.

" I have the hour to in love your Excellen y M is Lee's r part of the surprise and Capture of the guardian of l' wis Heck The Major dingde yed a remarkable degree of fond-mer, addnew enterpain and bravery upon this occasion, which do s him the highest voor, t himself aru'l to all the officers und men nuder his commonul. The situation of this just ren lered the atten pt critical, and the en e br lhunt , it was filasile in consequence of roformation that the garrison wus in a state of ne li- geht menrity, which the event ha justified.

" I am much indebted to Major-finneral Dont Sterling for the judi cious measures he took to forward the enterprise, and to secure the tr- trent of the party.

" Leut. M'tallinter, who will have the honor of delivering these de- apatches, will prevent Congress with the standard of the garrison which fell Into his process in during the attack. Major Les speaks of this gentleman's conduct in the bandsomist tornis.

"P. S. The reguart not having been received till this day, presented a dier transmission Mayar Las mentiras 2 men let on our side, Captain Rudolph Informing that since the report was cum luded, several of

the miming hud returned, which will I .n the mupp werd len Drar De- half

MAJ T.VE'd REPLAY TO GAN WASHIN AT N.

" August _J 1-79

" Sir Lord Sterling was pleased to communi at in your Fee ency my vertul report to hits Lo't hip of the 19th instant. 1 bow do tus If the honor to, pre-nt a parti ular relation of the euterprize which your Ex- cellency was pleased Esun imit to my dir ti n.

" I look command of ve Ir ve [ employ Ja this or sica, on the Inth They am unted to four hundn J infantry, comspelof detw hattof the Virgina atul Maryland das ams, and on troop of na untrd dra

"The trang moved from the rainty of the New Bruge almut ( r o'clock P' M. J'atr Is of herum being detached wo watch the , inmuni- Nous with the North River, and | arties of infantry stati ned at the dif- ferent avenue leading to, Powle's H .k. My auxirty tn dr the man h na easy as prible luced me to pure. the Bergen Fred .wer than I intended. After filing int the mountains, the 1 maty or treachery of the principal gurl dongel a short man h int es march of Three hours ; by this mesta the troops were exceedingly hurune 1, mint

rutte, mane jarties of the rear were unfortunately m parated The af- forted me most enonly, as it but only diensthad the number of the men de card for the assault, but deprived me of the art of several offe TH · f distinguished merit

" Oh mawhing the point of separat in, I found my first al ition isu- practicable , both from the near approach of day, and the raing of the tide. Not a m went In ing tospare, I paid ne attention t the june 1- ios of honor or tank, but ordered the troupe to advance in their then das- Tresit on Lieutenant Rud Iph, whom I had previously detached ter - conn itre the passage of the canal, returned to me at ih ap it of time, and reported that all was silence within the works ; that he hal fath mel the canal, and found the passage on the centre route st' 1 admuimible. This intervening inte ligence was immediately c mmuni ated from frint rear, and the trucje pushed on with that resolution, nler, and cd- new, which insure success.

" The forl ru hojas, les by Lieutenant M'Allister of the Maryland, and Lieutenant Rudolph of the dragoons, mar .bed un with trailed uris in the most profound silence. Such was the singular address of theme two gentlemen, that the first notice to the garrison was the ( chine plunging into the canal. A fring immediately commen of from the bok-house, and af ng the hue of abattus, but did not in the least check the advance of the troops. The forlorn supported by Major Clarke's the lwad of the right column, bruke through all opposit'en, and found =n entrance into the min work so rapid wa- the movement f the troupe that we quined the fort Infor the discharge of a alogie piece of artillery The centre robin, con lui ted by Captain Forsyth, en passing the uhat- tis, for k a direction to their left. Ientenant Arnun ng led us the mel- vase of this column. They son pourved the melives of the thereand trunga [ sted at the hole S. c. and fully co pl ted the al jest of their dretmunt in. The rear column. under Captain Handy, moved forward 10 suple rt of the whole. Thua were we completely vi torious in the ng wen of a few moments

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 73

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