History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 74

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 74
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 74

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"The appearut » f daylight, my apprehension lest some no Hent might have In fallen the tests, the rum our difficult y of the retreat, the haram state of the tn yd ani the destruction of all cur an nuni- 11v4 by puntig tha canal, conspired in i finencing me to retire at the moment fvictory. Major clarke, with the right + Jump, was insine- dintely put in m din with the greater part of the pris ners. titan Handy followed with the remainder Lieutenanta Armstrong atul lineal Connel the Trar Guar t.

" Jumidiately en the commencement of the retreat, I ment forwant Captain Forsyth to Priur's Mill to collect such men from the diferent Falunins as w re must ft for acti n, ami to take pust on the heights of Ber- ern to rover the retreat.

"on my rem hing this plare, I was infinned ty Cornet Neill who had been preted their du ing the night for the part of laying the bridge, and communlasting with the boats that my niewe iner direct ) to him previous to the attack had not arrived, nor had be heard f m Captain l'eyten, who had charge of the bats.

"Struck with appre hension that I should be disappointed in the route of retreat, I rende forward to the front under Majer ( arke, whom I found very ueur the front of embarkation, and no boats te receive them. In this enti al situation, I lost no thin in my decision, but ordered the trompe to reguin the Bergen road, and move on to the New Itridge. At the some time, I communicated my dispon ent to Lord stirling by express, then returned tu Prior's Bridge to the rear guard.

"12th Sept'r 1779.

970

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

"Oppressed by every possible misfortune, at the head of troops worn down by a rajad march of thirty miles through mountains, swamps, and deep morases, nithunt the least refreshment during the whole march, anununition destroyed, encumbered with prisoners, and a retreat of four- teen nnles to make good, on a ronte sulmissible of interception at several pants by a ma ch of two, three, or four miles, one body moving in our rear, und another (from the intelligence I had received from the cap- tured officers) in all probability well advanced on our right, a retreat naturally impossible to our 1 ft, under all the distressing circumstances, my sole dependence was in the persevering gulluntry of the officers, and obstinate courage of the troops. In this I was fully satisfied by the shouts of the soldiery, who gave every proof of unimpaired vigor at the moment the enemy s approach was announced.

" Hla ing reached the point of interception opposite Wrcheck, Captain J', y with directed to move with his division on the Mountain road, m C to facilitate the retreat. Captuin Catlett of the 20 Virginia regi- ment, fortunately joined me at this moment at the head of fifty men with gonxl ammunition. I immediately halted this officer, aud having de- lached two parties, the one on the Bergen road in the rear of Major M'turke, the other on the banks of the North River, I moved with the Jurty under the command of the captain on the centre route, By these precautions a sudden approach of the enemy was fully prevented. 1 am very much indelated to tins officer and the gentlemen under ham, for their ulaerity and vigilance on this ocasion.

"On the rear's approach to the Fort Lee road, we met a detachment under the command of Cobommel Ball, which Lord Stirling hud pushed forward on the first notice of our situation, to support the retreat. The colonel moved on and occupied a position which effectually covered us.

" Some little tune after this, n body of the enemy (alluded to in the intelligence I mentioned to have received from the others while in the fort made their appearance, issning out of the woods on our right, and moving through the helds directly to the road. They immediately com- mieneed a fire upon our rear. Lieutenant Reed was ordered to face thetu, while Lieutenant Rudolph threw himself with a party inton stone lumse which commanded the road. These two officers were directed mutually lo support each other, and give time for the troops to pass the English Neighborhood Creek, at the Liberty Pole. On the enemy's observing this disposition, they immediately retired by the same route they hud ap- preached, and gained the woods, The precipitation with which they re- tued, preventing the prawibility of Colonel Ball's falling in with them, atved the whob.

" The body which moved in our rear, having excessively fatigued thema les by the rapidity of their march, thought prudent to bult be- fore they come in contact with us.

" Thus, Sir, was every attempt to cut off our rear completley baffled. The troops arrived safely at the New Bridge with all the prisoners, about one o'clock P M. on the nineteenth. I should commit the highest in- justice, was I not to assure your Excellency that my endeavors were fully seconded by every officer in his station ; nor can any discrimination Justly be mule, but what urver front opportunity. The troops vied with each other in patience under their inany suffernigs, and conducted them- belves in every vi insitude of fortune with a resolution which reflects the highest In nor on them.

" During the whole action, not a single musket was fired on our side,- the bayonet was our sole dependence.

" Having gmned the fort, such was the order of the troops, and atten- tion of the otheers, that the sobliers were prevented from plundering, althey' in the muist of every wort.

" American huumnity has been again signally manifested. Self pres- ervato n str ngly dictated, on the retreat, the putting the prisoners to death, and British one Ity fully justified it ; notwithstanding which, not a funn was wantonly hurt.

" During the progress of the troops in the works, from the different re- ports of my utheers I conclude out more than fitty of the chemy were killed, aml a few wounded. Among the killed is one officer, supposed (from his harription) to be n captain in C'olouel Buskirk's regiment. Our bmw on this occasion is very trithing. I have not yet had a report from th detachment of Virgininns ; but, as I conclude their loss to be propor- t nate te the loss of the other troops, I can venture to promnance that the les of the whole in killed, woundled, and missing, will not exceed twenty. As Much as the reju it comes to hand, I will transmit to headquarters an w curate return. I herewith inclose u return of the prisoners taken from the enemy.

"Al every point of the enterprise I stood highly indebted to Major I'larke Ir his zeal, activity, and example. Captains Handy and Forth havr clau to my particular thanks for the support I experienced from

them on every occasion. The Captains Reed, M'Plane, Smith, Crump, and Wilmot, behaved with the greatest zeal and intrepidity. I mint Ik knowledge myself very much indebted to Major Burnet aml Captain Peyton, of the drag wos, for their counsel and indefatigability in the pre- vions preparations for the attack. The premature withdrawal of the boats was owing to the non-arrival of my despatches ; and though u most mor- tifying circumstance, can be called nothing more than unfortunate. Lieutenant Vamleville, who was to have commanded one of the forlorus, but was thrown ont by the alteration of the disposition of the battle, conducted himself perfectly soldier-like. The whole of the officers be- haved with the greatest propriety ; and, as I said before, no discrimination can justly be made, but what arose from opportunity.

"The Lieutenants M'Callister, Armstrong, Reed, and Rudolph, distin- guished themselves remarkably. Too much praise cannot be given to those gentlemen for their prowess and example. Captain Bradford, of the train, who volunteered it with me for the purpose of taking direction of the artillery, deserves my warmest thanks for his zonl and activity I am personally indebted to Captain Rudolph, and Dr. Irvine of the dra- goons, who attewird me during the expedition, for their many services.

" I beg leave to present your Excellency with the flag of the fort by the hatla of Mr. M'Callister, the gentleman into where possession it fell. It is needless for me to explain my reasons for the instantaneous evarnation of the fort. Your Excellency's knowledge of the post, will suggest fully the propriety of it The event confirms it.

" Among the many unfortunate circumstances which crossed our wishes, hone was more so than the accidental absence of Colonel Bus- kirk, and the greatest part of his regiment. They had set ont on an ex- perlition up the North River the very night of the attack. A company of vigilant Hes-ians had taken their place in the fort, which rendered the secrecy of approach more precarious, and, at the same time, diminished the object of the enterprise by a reduction of the number of the garrison. Major Sutherland fortunately saved himself by a sobher's counterfeiting his person. This imposition was not discovered until too late.

" I intended to have burnt the barracks ; but on hading a number of sick soldiers and women with young children in them, komunity forbade the execution of my intention. The key of the magazine could not the found, muy could it be broken open in the little time we had to spare, many attempts having been made to that purpose by the Lieutenants M'Callister und Reed. It was completely impracticable to bring off any pieces of artillery. I consulted Captain Bradford on the point, who con- firms me in my opinion. The circumstance of spiking them being trivial ; it was omitted altogether.

"After most of the troops had retired from the works, and were passed and passing the canal, a fire of musketry commenced from a few strag- glers, who had collected in an oll work on the right of the main fort Their fire being ineffectual, and the olgect trifling, I determined not to break in upon the order of retreat, but contine passing the defile in front. I cannot conclude this relation without expressing my warmest thanks to Lord Stirling for the full patronage I received from him in every stage of the enterprise. I must also return my thanks to the cay - alry for their vigilant execution of the duties assigned them.

" Captain Rudulph waits on your Excellency with these despatches. I bog leave to refer to this officer for any further explanation that may be required.

" Paramus, August 20, 1779."-Pennsylvania Packet, Sept. 2, 1779.

MAJJ. LEE TO JOHN JAY.

" West Point, Head Quarters Sept 1-1779

"Sir On perusing my report to the Commander in Chief, I find that C'apt. Dudley's name is omitted. It arises from the hurry with which my account to the General was copied. Be pleased to include his name among the Captains Reed, M Land &c. before the report goes to the press, als d'aptain Brackruridge's.

"I min sorry tu give this trouble, but as I am conscious that the omis- sion is injurious, must beg a rompliance with my request."-Pennsylvania Pucket, Sept. 14, 1779.

IX. - GEN, WASHINGTON TO LORD STIRLING.

" West Point 21 August 1779 " My Lord :

" I have lwen duly favored with your letter of the 19th, written at nine o'clock in the morning, and that of the same date, of one o'clock in the afternoon, contuining the agreeable information of Major ber's having succeeded agahet Paulus Houk. I join my congratulations with your Lentship's on this ocension, and thank you for the effectunl assistance afforded to Major Lee In completing the enterprise. The increase of con- fidence, which the army will derive from this affair and that of Stony

971

SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF PAULUS HOECK

Point, I flatter myself, though great, will be and ug the heart of the il. santagen resulting from there revente

" As the arany sound food themselves slingers I by chow homme, they may

ment, I masko medoutt, has trurred to your laelwhip, and will oft urm proportion Your vigilance to the nature of your situato n, and to the dan- ger which may be apprehended. Your 1. niship will be pleased to xis muy thanks to the ficere and | | interrued in the epp ureof the gar- ri in st Paulun Hook, for their g of conduct and gallant behast c on the dension. The umminary of prisoners is directed tosend and receive the British prison in . B.tags of Bushington, ri . 20.

"On the 19th Instant, The Guardian of Paulus Hank bing com. Corred, Lieutenant Colonel Buskirk was dotar bed with part of the fringe for cut off some small partion where interruptand the waspplex of Prossimioh, a considerable to ly of the Role aussiled the war logs of hat opportunity to attrangt the list. At theer in the Morning they nelvance I to the fate of the Wake, and long mistaken by a negligent dinard for Lient. I alone! Inskick a l'orge returning roten i without apportion. I four they found the Caution or mandalonely almeirim I in contulence of their security, that they made themselves Mastersof a Block house and Two Redoubts with se atvely any dille ulty The Varm win now spread, Majer Sutherland the Commandant thees himself with F ty legiang inte a Redoubt, by Au incewant fire from which In forced the Firmy to quit the Pot with out either damaging any of the Cammen, or setting fire to the Barracks. In short their retreat was an disgraceful is their attempt was will con ductad. Thes carried off with them near Forty Invalide pramen . A Detachn & being sent over from New York, Major Sutherland Turned Der. Enemy and coming up with their rear mule a Captain steel some Pri- vates premier Lieut. Codonel Bumkirk on las return had a small kirmatch with the Rebels & took four prisoners with at any low on hi- part I cannot as you decide upon this afir I have ordered Major Sutherland to be tried on a charge of general som mit as Command-

" New York August 22, 1779.

. Thuralay list, when a most Extraordinary Attempt was Hast. to take by Semult the Post at Paulin Howh, that has been seuped by the King's Troupes ever din't they took l'occasion of New York It seon the Jersey Shore opposite to this Town and considered an Appemlage con am sorry to say the Enterprise, hold as it was, wie scaled last time well, and little to the Honor of the Deformante. That your lordship may judge of the Strength of this Post, from its Natural Situation, and from the Works resteed for its Protection. I and the machine Plan, which will show how for it ought to have been out of the Beach of Tanult,

"The Frogs allotted to garrison it, were the 4th Battalion of Skin 1-r'n Provincial Brigade, und ( che C' manand of Colonel Buskirk, and a part of the Invalid Battalion Major Sutherland, of the Invalid Bat- tallon, was the commandant. On the preceding Day it was determined that Colonel Buskirk shou'd march ont & Detach'nt that Evening with a Ireign of surprising a party of how Rebels neur English No ghhelind.

The following letter from Lord Saladbary ia W / Hqgin Km Secretary of Location, wheat my request made an effort to secure a copy of the " Plan," will show that it cannot be found

"Ih tober 15, 1879.

'SIR : With reference to your letter of the lich September last, re- questing that a tracing or vagy might be raul of the plan of the works on Powles Hook (Jersey City) which accompanied the account to General Pattine, the British Commander at New York, of its capture by Major Lve in 17:, I have now the honor to inform you that your request was duly forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who referred it to the Record Department, in wher cuntonly the papers of that personal exist, and who have replied that a careful search has been made for the plan, but without Nurrer.

" A letter, however, from Sir Henry Clinton, then commanding the British forwat New York, has been found, which appears to relate to the circumstances of the 19 August, 1770, to which you allude, and I have much pleasure in forwarding to you a copy of it. The Kooper of the Rowerde, however, states that it contains the only information that can be discovered on the subject.

" I have the homar to be, St.,

A. the Carrion would thinky te may wishine. The Mis applied to me for a Reinforcement for that Night of a tijd i & 41 Meu, which I complied with and went them from the Hoian Rop's of hayphun. St half past But look the next Morning Advice was brought to me, that Firing of Marques Iming het at l'amie Heck, it was probably at- tucked, lost having moon after the d'antanil was given tor of this tar- ring, ental lined with Major s . rland the signal he was to make in Low he heald be attak al in such For . na tr require sne r from and being informed that no tant on had been heard of light son, I ten ble ! that Huskirk was on his Return ani that some sms | Party lad In n hardoing his Rer, the Firing at thest Tuur Faving nearly rua'd, however limitedlately ment ar tu know what was the re Estate the Post I poon the Iteturn of the Mowy niger I wne DOfed will) \-ton - istment at nerising a latter fo in Major Sutherland, was The that the Enormt having got the. the Abbati- haul taken the right-hand and center lock . Haysen t the Principal Ert, but that the Huntel Rukuhet in which was hi ne If with a Captain amd 25 He-ione had been ilef ude I, that the left Black-House was Thewise wife and that the Enemy had re- treatral, carrying off with them the Guards of the two (Snk-HI us which the' almost impregnable except in Cannon were shamefully al saloned, the Intachment of Artillery from the Fort, and much univers and soldiers u were in the Barrack. He further added that he was under great Apprehensy din of L'ol nel Buskirk's Corps being cut off. [ thereupon without low of Time rent aver the Flank Compens a of the Ouards with 100 Men from the Brigade and mer's the sune Number of Hemos with a party of Artillery under the Command of the Field Dmeer ut the Dav, Lient. Colonel Gordon The Light Infantry wer nished forward about ten Miles beyond Bergen, and I done! Buskirk. after the coup manque, made his Hetrest good to Paulis Block, Infor it was durk, without any loss, bringing four Frisbee & the County like- wir took a l'agetain A six Prisoners on their March. What was nearly Extraordinary as the Enterprise itself & the Success of it, is that the Enemy, the' in full Passing of the Fort, did not Spoke a Gian, destroy the Ammunition or do the least Injury to any of the Buildings

"The Strength of the Garrison at the time it was Anulteri, was abent 201 and by the Returns I have received there were killed 4 Sery in, 2 Compila & 3 Privates, Wounded 2 serj'is & taken or mixing & Subalterne, 7 Sur la, & Comp'le and WE Privates. Lieut Cockburne who was the Ar- tillery cotheer on Duty there, maya that a soldier came to the Hut where he slept within 39 Yarile of the Fort, to give him the Alarm, that he in- seantly flow towards the Fort, but found the Enemy Masters of it, where- upon he ran to the Block Hhour, and thereby was'd himself from being taken Prisoner.

" The Commander in Chief was pleased to order a Board of two Brig'r Can't and three Field Oftheer to wemble the Day following to enquire into the tank of the Affort suffered at Fiulis Block of the Morning of the 19th ant to report to him thereupon, & yesterday having received the Opinion of the Board, He gave Orders for putting Mujer Sutherland in Arrest, and for him to prepare to take his Tryal Infore a l'onrt Martial, upon a l'harge of General Misendect as Commandant at Hanli- Hook, on the Morning of the 19th Instant. . . . "-New York Historical Society Collections. 1875, 4.

XII CAIT LEVIN HVAD TE GEORGE HANDA

** P's PHIMUM 22 July 1779. " Before this reaction you, I could not but you have heard of bur que- cen at Fowler Hook, where the enemy had a very strong fort, within en and a quarter miles from New York. We startedl fr m this place ou Wednesday Just last halt after ten o'clock, taking our route by a place called the New Bridge on Hacketisne River, where my two companies wore joined by three hundred Virg mand and a company of Dismounted Dragon Dar mmauded to Capt. Mi Lane. We took meour Lins f March about 5 o'clock in the evening from the Bridge, the nearest mate with safety, to Powles, distant then almost twenty mike, with me detachment in front, the whole under command of the gallant Major Lee. The works were to be carrie I by storm-the whole to advance in three willd columns, one of which I had the honour to command. The attack was brnowerden wir march, and having a number of difficult to surmount,

N P. A. tu MAJ. SUTHERLAND.

" New York, July 21, 1779. " Nir . 1 am directed by Miyor tien'I Pattison to signify to you his ap- probation of the miguel you proper to be made from Paulis Hook, In case of all slags, and to desire that they may be mlupfad accordingly " -N. Y. Hat. Soc. t.bll., 1875, p. 230.

972

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

did not arrive at the in int of attack till after four o'clock in the morn- ing, when, after a small fir . from them, we gained their works, and put ab mit fitty of them to the bay net, took une hundred and fifty seven prisoners, ex Juive of essen commanding officers; this was completed in less than thirty minutes, and a retreat ordered, as we had every reason to suppose, unless timely, it would be cut off. Our situation was so ditti- cuit that we could not bring off any stores. We had a morass to pass of upwards two miles, the greatest part of which we were obliged to pass by files, andl several canal- to ford up to our breast in water. We advanced with bayonets, pans ojun, cocks fallen, to prevent any fire from our eide ; and beheve me, when I assure you, we did not fire a musket.

". You will see a more particular account of it in the papers than it is in my power to give you at present. It is thought to be the greatest en- terprise ever undertaken in America. Our loss is so inconsiderable that I ilo not mention it."-Life and C'orrespondence of Reed, li., 125.

XIII .- W C'ROGAN TO BERNARD GRATZ. " Camp North of Smiths Clove ? August 22, 1779.

" I suppose you have had a variety of accounts of the Backing of low- el'a Hook, which was taken by surprise about 3 o'clock the morning of the 19th inst. and instantly evacuated again by na, after doing no greater damage than taking ; cheers and about lidt Rank and File prisoners, and killing almont 20 in the Garrison. We have algot 7 privates missing. Haul not the otherr who commanded Major Ler-been in so great A hurry from the Garrison, much mor , execution anight have been done as they did not take time to carry off all the prisoners, or even to take a Major and party of men who were then in their power. Not the least damage whatever was done to the tiarrison. The Magazine was not blown up, the Barricks not sett on fire, the cannon not apiked, no article of Stores, the thing, &c. &c., of which a great plenty were there, was the least damaged , in fact, nothing farther was dono than rushing into the Garrison in confusion and driving out the prisoners, mustly without their clothes. Perhaps there will ho an inquiry into the reasons of the confit- mon and great haste the party made to get out of the fort without de. stroying so many valuable stores as were in their possession. Several officers have been much injured in the Virginia line, on account of giv- ing Major Ler the command of 300 of our men to reduce Powel's Hook, and unjust methods taken by him to have the command, by telling one of our Majera, who marched with the 300 men, that his commission was older than it really is-otherwise he would not have had the command over him. I believe Major Lee will be arrested. I marched with a covering party but did not go near the Garrison. Lord Sterling, who commands here, is very uneasy at our complaints on this affair. Several letters have passed between his lordship and the otherrs of our line con- corning 300 of our men nmler Major Ler. . . . "-Hist. Magazine, 1, 140.

XIV .- GEN. WASHINGTON TO MAJ. LEE. "Head Quarters 23 August 1779.

" I have received your report of the attack of Panlos look, transmit- ted by Captain Rudolph, which I have forwarded to Congres by Lieu- tenant Me Allister. I shall be surry if this should be contrary to your wish, or Captain Rudolph's expectations, as I have the best opinion of that gentleman's merit. My motives for sending Lieutenant McAllister with the despatches Were, that he commanded & forlorn hope, and got prevention of the standard. Ascustom required the sending of this to Congress, I thought the beaver of it ought to be the person, who bull the good fortnur t . ghin possession of it, especially as yon had forwarded it by him to me ; nor would it have been warranted by precedent to send one with the despatches, and another with the standard. You will find my sense of your conduct, and of that of the officers and men noder your command, expressed in the general order of yesterday, and in my letter to Congres I congratulate you on your success. You will send a small macort of dragoons with Lieutenant Mc Allister." Writings ff Washing- (en, vì. : ::

XV.

" On the evening of the 18th inst Larnt. Colonel Buskirk, in con- no qqneure of intelligence received uf the rebels intending to carry off the forge and grain from the English Neighborhood and Berg 'n, marched with a part of the 4th Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers, and about 20 of the garrison Battalion from lowles Hook, towards the liberty pole, near which they lay concealed till after sunrise, when they offerved a considerable lauly of rete moving towards the New Bridge, which in- dure them to think their demgn had been discovered ; they therefore inuved into the main rond, where they found themselves in the center of a column of eurelle, who were returning from lowles Hook ; it being no time to deliberate, they attacked the enemy with auch spirit, that not-

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 74

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