History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 76

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 76
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 76

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" Suffern's tavern In A very convenient place for the sale."- copies of the originals in possession of Lyman C. Draper, of the Waronan Historical Sarvity

XXVIII -LORD STIRLING TO MIAS. ILARK

" Parmain August 1xth, 1774

On secept of this, you will put yourself with your detachment, unefor the command of Major Las, and give your lost wwistan to him in carrying into execution certain mesures I have concerted with him." -tagy of the original sn p areasum of Lyman ( traper, o the Ha oui Hutorlent Society.

1. Major Jonathan Clark www a prominent figure in the attack nt Paulus Hoeck, and as the incidenta of hin active and eventful life have never been published, I will be partone for the following brief refor. uiuc từ hềm .

He was born in Albemarle County Va., m 1750. When alumt fonr years of age las father removed to Careller County, in that state, and afterwards located at Workstock, in the Virginia Volley. In this county (Dunmer . Jonathan was made clock of the court, and in 1771 was chomen with Res afterwards tieneral) Poter Saldenburg to represent that county in the House of Burgerus, At the same time he was chosen a delegate to the State Convention. In July, 175, he was apquinten First Laentenant in an Independent Riffe l'empany in that only. At the close of that your he was apgranted Contain In Muhlenberg's with Virginia Regiment. He raced a company of the men and right ofleers.

Early in (27 this res nett was staat und at suff Ik, on the Virginia const, to guard against tard lommer In June the recipient was sent to charleston to all in its fon again Fritter Parker and Inton. In Jil the regiment wan mat to savanunh on an ite lei exp ht un against st Augustin This maatte falling three ch, \ regiuneit was alit north to Join tenersi w hingt . In February 1"" M henburg Was nhuận a Brig vier 1, ne al and Alrulam lkimin was afja ut- ! his regiment was enzig I in the flow ig tw, y ars. Den ga ] rt uf this time he wes 1 Culotel Wood's Iz h Virgiun Reg ment, prat-bly owing to a union of the sth and 12 5 leg mente. The rth mist leva anfferul avere I was, fra ber ib the Fall d 1"'s to, Sijer ilank, roleved (w a suju.reunirary om r.

Yet on the Sith of March 17", Clark was app Had Myr in the Kth Virginia Regiment, to take rank as such from the Juth of Jamary, 177% bude bee's letter erclark in Appendix vox where Ler ante 177 %, he was apprinted lub Ponant-Cal nul f the xth Vigen, to take rank on the lith of May per ling This shows that the par eld Ath,' though redthe ad, Fad not len ic y rat=] i t the 12th, and "'lark, it would orem, was not in the l'th very long Ou ton "id f July, Fro, be commanded the guard over the primary taken at stony Point. In December, 175 he was in command of the 4th Earl in Ist he Win wat with to the def ner of Charleston, and was nuste printer May of that year.

appointed by Governor Patrick Henry a Major in the Vin. In V. vonleer, 1743, he was elected by the la gulature of THE us ennef the four Major Generale of the State. Siwant To be removed to Kentucky an I wottle 1 about four miles from Langsville, where he died of aju,jdexy in the fall of Iall He was ab elder ho ther df General bourg lingers Clark, mr famous in the history of Kentu ky

XXIA LARI STERLIN . TO MAJ. CLARK

"Camp Rumun ppogh, August 21-t 1-79

" When it was det minined . atten pt a surpris of the Garr = n of Towles Hook, Mejor les requested that I would apprent you to the Command of the party I was to furnish him with, in a mather partie n- larly favorable to your character, and under a auf sition that ball were a junker oficer to him. Inder that apprehen ion I appsuted you for that service , and I do more you, I did not know the contrary till ) . terday on my way to this place, had I known it, your going should have dejs nded un your own option, for I never would have hurt the feelings · f any officer so much as to order him t serve umaler a junior . Mer

" Your revliness to gion the service, and your behavior on it, not only have my Ingbest approbation, but demand my particular thanks '

MAJ. LEE TO MAJ CLARK

"I'aramum, Ang 22, 1773.

" It affects the most wird ly to find the mistake committed respecting

"In being honored with the command of the troupe destined for the atomn of P Hock, 1 inquired, previone & ts producing ten tal Wash- ingt ai's lat. to Lord Stirling, of the rank of th . Virginia Majors. I was repeatedly told you were in "71 This presumption was so improved un my mind that i gave a thoughthe answer to your questions al it ou mi- moluns during the hurry of the march, ronhrming our mutual opinions

"It Is mo evident that i must have suppe | you a jums r ihcer, that nohe Int those gentlemen who hate me for reum his nuk town to me, can seriously sie a doubt on the antiget

" Why should I have m licited your bring joined to ne on the Expen- dition, bad ! not believed you to be younger in office tard stirling, if calleul on, will declare my solicitation to have lwen minte, and that wa bith premned yourself junter in communion.

" It is not in my power to way more on the subject I can only de. clare niemt merrells that I believe i jou to have been one of the y ningest Majors of the Line, and that this bellef a toated me condu to our and I rter know the contrary till informed hy Major L'alu Won the 19th

"I msure you, sir, that I am under great of gathers to you for the temper and coins with which you conduct yourwill It must proceed from the persuasion vou peters that the clash was unfort inate, and all · ning to mistake and harry

"Make what une you pleum of the I'r, and believe man t be, sir, with great respect, & . Major Clark, Wennfund . Brigade ' - Copies of the . sounds in possession of Lyman C' Imper, of the 15 Becomea High risal society

976

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

"In the night of the Isth to the Hth of August they fell upon the post at Paul's Hook. This is a tongue of land on the Jersey side and opposite to New York, which extends out into the month of the Hudson, and is sepa sted from the land by a brook and a morass. There was only one solid roud leading through the latter, and only one bridge over the brook, and as the peninsula besides the steep hills and the rocks scatter-Kover it was also provided with redoubts and blowk-houses at the more import- aut points, it was . unadered quite impregnate. Anahatis was also con- structed along the brook. The garrison usually consisted of a British battalion, 60 invalids, and a division of provinciale,

"On the night mentioned a part of the garrison was ordered off on an expedition in the region of New Bridge. The American General Stirling, being in the vicinity, determined to take advantage of this opportunity for an attack upon the weakly garrisoned post and destined 500 nien un- der Major Lee for this purpose.

" To reinforce wanewhat the weakened garrison, the Hesian Captain Von Schallern, of the Regiment Hereditary Prince, received orders to go over from New York to Paul's Hook with 40 men of his company.

"When the division appointed for the expedition had marched off, Major Lee, who had hitherto been lying in ambush, set about executing bis design. He paused over the mora and the brook by the bridge and attacked in the rear the Hessian post stationed on it, consisting of one mnbaltern officer and ten mien, who could not hold out against the au- perior force and were raptured after the braveut resistance. The invalids, sleeping arelessly in a block-house, were now attacked. Captain Yon Schallern, with his men, might have been doing the same, for the Eny- fish commander himself had told him to go quietly to bed ; but luckily for both, he had a better judgment of his situatum and kept his men un- der arInın, AR the enemy unexpectedly and quickly advanced, Schallern threw bimmelf into a fleche lying in his rear, att here awaited the eu- emay. Major Lee called ont tu hun to surrender, as he was surrounded and all resistance was consequently useless, and in case of refusal no quarter would be given. Schallern answered . 'if you want me, attack me, both sides will then have more honer from the affair.' Then he ur- dered fire !' and with his band of 30 men bravely resisted every assault of the superior force, until towards morning assistatire arrived, upon which the enemy withdrew. "-Translated from" Die deutschen Halfstruppen in Nord -. Amerikanwhen Befreiungskriege, 1776 bis 1753," ron Mar ron Elking, vol. ii. p. 54.

[For the Pennolyan .. Packet.]

"To impede a young man climbing to fame through the difficult and tedious with of merit requires a depravity of moul which few possess. It is in anch exertions that human nature thiscovers its baseness. With what Infamy then are we to mark the attempts that have been nudle to throw a shade over the splendid enterprise of Paulus Hook? How must we lament that offleera in the American Army have undertaken the un- generous business ' It is well known that Major Lee has been arrested, armigned and tried by a court martial. un what ground, or from what motiver the prosecution was maintained, his honorable acquittal from every charge may sufficiently explain. However, in justice to the Army let it be known that it was begun and romlucted by the venerable Col. Gist, who was led to believe it his anty from the insinuations of some oh- scure officers in the Virginin Line. How distressing that a gentleman of his rank and age should declare himself ro apen to imposition ! How fortunate for the chagrined whisperers that their names are as unknown as their actions are insignificant ! Happy in their obscurity, they are secie h .m ignominy It is observable that one of the chargea exhib- Ited against Major Lee convey - an idea that the objects ot the enterprise were not completely accomplished. Let the following estreets from his Excellency'e letter of Instructions illustrate that point. "My objects are to surprise it, to bring the garrison of immediately, and to effect a secure retreat. Was not the post of Paulus Hook surprised? Was not thr gur- rinen brought off inimmediately ? Was not a secure retreat offerted ?

"['HARACTER. "

[ Pennsylvania Packet, Sept. 2%, 177 !.

The following is tol. Gist's reply to the above letter :

"To the Printer of the Pensylvania Packet .

"I observe in your paper of the 28th of Supt. a piece signed ''har- a ter Whoever the anonymous anthur in, or whatever his character in life may be, he certainly will never be entitled to the character of an in- partial historian noless his future productions prove essentially differcut. That Major Lee was arrested, tried and honorably acquitted by a court Martial is a truth ; and the extract from his instructions may be genuine likewise, but in the other part of his narrative he has either ignorantly

or with design perverted things in the grosest manner. I am not at present inclined to onter into a detail of matters or examine by what means a shade was cast over the splendid enterprise against Powles Hook. I am unareustomed to paper wars and have a total aversion to them ; but if I am compelled to engage, it shall not be in the dark. I must first know who my antagonist is, that I may frame my answer accordingly, for I should be very sorry to waste time and employ my pen in answering the productions of n genius upon whom a cane might be employed to much better purpose I shall, therefore, call upon Mr. Character to throw asidle the fictitious and arenmo the real name, that I may know to whom I ani beholden for the favor intended me. If Mr. Character is a gentleman I make no doubt this request will be complied with ; in that case it is more probalde that he will hear further from me. Mr. Chanter would add greatly to the favors already conferred, and perhaps avvil further interrogations, if, at the same time, he would point out those ob- seure officers in the Virginia line, who are so ready to impose upon the unwary, that gentlemen who have hitherto escapeel the share may in future be guarded against them.

" NATHANIAL GIST, " l'ol. 16th Virginia Reg't.'

XXXII. - EXTRAITS FROM DIARY OF L'AP'T M'LANE, BEGINNING "PHIL- ADELPHIA, JUNE 10, 1779," AND ENDING " BURLINGTON, JAN'Y, 1780."

"Thursday July 29-Whet morning. all well, this afternoon joined Maj. Lee ut the New City-lay this night at Steven Stevenson's

" Friday morning 30 July, Moved down towards Bergen County, lay this night near clarkstown.

"Saturday July 31. Mr. Rudolf joined me at Smith's house and moved the Infantry to Seromburg church, reconnuitered the Enemy with Mr. Sitcher and Kelly, found them moving from Philip's farms at 2 o'clock their whole fleet sailled towards New York. Sent an express to Maj. Lee, this night took post near the lilu rty pole, Detacht Lieut. Itadolf to- wards Bergen town -- this night all well.

"Sunday morning reconoitred towards New York, conbi ohserve a large incampment near Hell gate below harlem hights, counted fifty top- mail vessels at New York and 20 ut fort Washington, Rec'd intelligence that the Grayhound sloop of War arrived friday lust, next day all tha alps of forse put to wet and the army moved from Philip's farm to York Island. Gen. Tryon Inui returned from the eastward with the fleste, this Evening sent a letter to Maj. Les, took post at Quickinbushes near Seranlenburg church, Report prevails in New York that a trench Bort in on the cant, fornwallis is arrived from Eng'd, nu ringforcomente, a hott

took place friday hest, two Regt's imbarker on bord the fleet ... orders I found to stop the intercours between New York and pollen- looke.

" Monday August 2, moved down to fort Lee, detacht a gurty towards Bargain town, the inteljance of this day confirms the account of yester- day, this Evening a covering pity came from Lord Stirling to ferridg in Ten Jerk, this night lay near Cluster Dork.

"Tuvlny 3d Angust moved down towards Bargain Woods reconvitred New York from Green point, coll discover an incampmient near New York Commons, heard a Breing at Sen, the transports drawn up indicato a imburkation note conjecture for Boston, their main incumpment still below harlem hights, this night took just at the old bridge, all Well.

" Wennlay Ith Angust moved to the new bridge, the men enyduyed cooking three day's provisions. Caleb Lewick joined me, he had bene in the service of the Enemy but chuse to retun to the servire of his Country, he served in Buskerks Regt rupt Rattans company. One of the six months men took a man Returning to bergen and insisted on making him a prize altho' he had Maj'r Lee's pass, on my interfering he abused me mutch, I confined him and reported him to Muj Lee, this Evening moved to Harkenwwwk.

" Thursday August 5th moved to old bridge, & Desertets come from Lord Roduiers corps of Irish Vollunteers, they inforin the Enemy are fortifying across from river to river hear Spiking devil creek. Joseph Marshall is a . . . in the corps they run from. this night moved towards powleshock lay in the wounds all night.

"Friday 6th August moved to Bargain town, several people were taken conung out New York the Enemy lay Vinry Close cold observe an inrampment on the river shore near New York, this night lay near the old bridge, Coll Dabney came from Lord Sterling's division to . . aa a forridging party in the English nabourhoud

"Saturday Augt 7 "TO cook provisions near Storm's home Detacht a party to act with Y'all Dubneys troops, lay all night near the widow Sebriskers house, all well.

"Sunday July 8 '79 Detacht Mr Rudolf with a party to lay near burgan Woods, moved myself to throw obstruction in the reds leading

977

AFFAIR AT BLOCKHOUSE POINT. 1750.

from fort Lee and Bull forry, a toute fromhet in Harkinack river owen to a heavy rain lay near l'orh . Bu arka

" Motolay Augt 9th cont nued throw Ing . butructions in the different pes temlik from the north river between quete Spiken devil creek and Bulls Ferry, imployed hunt of the farmer in English ants rhonel cutting down trers, 1 drew waty Hishetons, the Bilal men joined me seut them down with sa gt Ingin las this might sar plus someim orn.

Tuesday Lagt luth cooked Provisions wheat upt. Kak u, left my party In var of tapt l'nyton.

" Wenndas Augt 11, Returned to Bargain, found the party at the add Bindg, Mr Rudolf not yet joined, by this might near Hackensack ('rock, Th-tacht serut Mitchell with six ten in 4 rrh for W: Rinde Te jmarty

"Tluuwlay 12th "9 Mr Rudolf Joined # o'clock detacht a party in pursuit of one Sobrinker and another refugee, las thing is at & brinkest

" Frutas lith August Sobrinker wow taken at Paramas and Brought under Guard, ho pleads he came out to Give himself up him Inhaver in

Sanction of deserter till they make dressers This bring sitt Mitchell Returned, lay at Iraac Voorbroome of Pech uns, rode fr m odil bridge.

" Saturday 14th August, drew two days provisions and cooked them, a deventer came from the Enemy at lashes Hook an intelijant for w. he informa the Carring consists of Buskirke Best Son strong. Invalide 200 strong. a bient. comnal of Artilery, the whole un ler Maj'r sutherland lay at John Boverts

"Sunday Ang lo Enlisted Richard Home a boy that formerly his with Hairtede. Detached Mr Rudolf to las in Bargain Wears, this night tay myself at Henry Bonters in surkup

" Monday August Inith Moved toward Fow les Hook to recutentre, took two prisoners on Hoback or by miner of Buskarks, and Able Pett of the invalids coned by Major Sutherland. Returned with the party to Har kinmark. That night lay at Storun lardier

" Turday 17 Aug Drew four days provisions Detached two Perate with 12 men entch to lay in Bergain Win + dos night Int Hear the lilærty ĮMile.

" Wennday In August this morning received Orders from My t Les to take just in the winds neat Bargusti in order to inter fe the communi. cation lostween Powhs book and the country and to Jen horn at a sortait place in the woods near the Three Pidgente in order to conduct him to attack Powles lunk met him and after wane Detienity arrived in the morning at the works half past three, stormed them without more low than two men killed and five wounded, we killed about fifty tack lim primousers, & officials and then retired to the new Bridge the distance of 22 Males, John Page was among the Browserd " stopy of the megrand in paracasion of the Sere Yak Hont. Fico Scorety

CHAPTER XVI.

AFFAIR AT BLOCK-HOUSE POINT, 1780.2

FOR a proper understanding of the event which we have undertaken to describe it will be necessary to know the condition of the British wood-pile. . The

I The following are the manws of the En , ish Neightwithod farmwy from the Liberty Pole towards Bergen :

Thomas Harris, nt Lazier's Mill ; Elas Bolocher Wolow Bouwen un Dominic Snedeker" place , John Benson on the right Jach Vangl . and William Day on the left , Peter the Groot on the right Whlow Lemator on Covenhoven's place ; Jacob Demot on the left ; John Your at Van Hora's Mill, Derick Freeland and John Klase on the left, on Hours place: - Hour on the left Wilow Marce, Samuel Moor, Samuel Moor, P Yame, Peter Berdott.

Below the road leading down t , the Fort

Roof Westervelt, John Moor, Dansul Bralion and Abraham Day on the left , Michael Smith, - Anderson and - Montania on the right ; Stephen Belet, John Blinket, Whlow Estwell, Jacob Elmil; Ja oh Fitmall and Benjamin Westervelt on the left. - M Lane MISS

" By Hon Charles H. Winfield, Jermy t'ity.

winter of 1779 80 was one of unusual severity Heavy fil of now in the vicinity of New York began abe at the middle of December, and these, added to the in- tense cold, soon cut off all communication with the city by water. By the middle of January the North River between New York and Paulus Hoeck could be crossed on the ice by the heaviest cannon, and soon afterwards " Provisions were transported upon Slight, and Detachments of Cavalry marched from New York to Staten Island HI Miles) upon the ice."' The cold was not only intense, but leng-continued. As a consequence, fuel became so searce in the city as to cause great anxiety. The word on hand rose to such n fabulous quotation that the British commandant was forced to fix the maximum price at tour pounds sterling per cord. So limited was the supply that at one time all the fuel belonging to the army in the city was "70 cords of Wood and 80 Chaldrons of Coal,"' and the barrack-master was driven to " pur- chase n number of old Ships and Hulks to be cut up " to warm the shivering army.' "The Raven, a Brig & Schooner belonging to His Majesty." were devoted to this purpose. This scarcity, and the consequent high price of fuel, added to the urgent appeals of the Brit- ish others, with the offer of one dollar per cord for Putting, stimmtilated many efforts to supply the garri- son. Whenever the scouting patriots were not too near, the heights of Bergen, covered as they were with a heavy growth of timber, were a tempting field to the woodcutter. Paulus Hoeck as a depot, and its garrison to supply covering parties to the woodsmen, were brought into requisition." With these shifts, and the aid which the Tory inhabitants of Bergen gave them the British army passed the winter. But the suflerinigs and annoyances already endured prompted early and abundant provision against their recurrence. During the following summer the crash of falling timber under the sturdy strokes of the woodman's axe, was a familar and frequent sound from Fort Lee to Bergen l'oint. The wood was thrown over the rocks or hauled to the shore to be loaded on boats for tranpor- tation to the city, or stored at Paulus Hueck, for the use of that garrison, and to supply the New York market when needed. The refugees and inhabitants of uncertain patriotism were largely engaged in this business, and by it were at once enabled to testify their loyalty to their King, and earn a livelihood for themselves. But while the work was thus protitable both in a patriotic and personal view, it was not wholly unattended with danger. The patriots of the irregular as well as of the regular army, at uncertain and unexpected times, overran this paradise of the woodchopper, rendered his prospective profits in the business somewhat precarious, and now and then abridged his personal ability to serve his King. This made necessary the construction of redoubts and

· N. Y. Hist. Coll., 1875. 152. . Ibid , 31%

· that., 340.

978

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

block-houses, into which the woodchopper could re- treat at night, and to which he could fly in case of attack by day. The attempt of Gen. Wayne to destroy one of these block-houses is the subject of this story

On the New Jersey shore of the Hudson, directly opposite Eightieth Street in the city of New York, is a ravine, which furnishes a very good pass from the river to the top of the heights. It also supplies an easy grade for the hauling of wood from the swamps on the hill to the landing on the shore. The soil and gravel carried by the water down this ravine have formed a small plateau a little above the level of high tide. The gorge is funnel-shaped, with the small end at the top of the hill, and through it the water from the swamps on the high ground flows to the river. Ascending this ravine, the bearing is north, and thus the land lying on the northeast, or between the gorge and the river, assumes an angle somewhat acute. The easterly or river side of this triangle consists of the Palisades, which are precipitous, though at this point broken and irregular. The southwesterly side is closed by the ravine, with its rocky and precipitous bank, deereasing in height as it ascends the mountain. These two sides are inaccessible to attack. The third side of the triangle opens upon a level field on the top of the mountain. Within this triangle, and thirty-three fect northeast of the bank of the ravine, and eighty-seven feet northwest of the palisade on the river side, stood the block-house. Ita foundation was about fifteen fect square. It was constructed of logs, in shape, probably, like most structures of the kind, and mounted two pieces of artillery.

The traces of the foundation as they exist at this time show the river side of the structure to have stood on a line running northeast and southwest. The door, and probably the only entrance, was on the southwest side and towards the ravine.1 Fifty fort to the south of the block-house is a cleft in the rock. This is twelve feet wide at the bottom, but narrows in the ascent so as to admit the passage of only a single person. The bottom of the eleft is thirty-eight feet below the level of the block-house and forty-three feet, horizontally measured, from the top. It offered the only entrance into the works from the ravine or river side. Across the field in front, and about sixty yards distant from the block-house, an abatis was constructed from the bluff on the river to the bluff' on the ravine. It must have been about two hundred and twenty-five feet in length. Within this abatis, and probably extending from bluff to bluff, was a stockade, near which was a parapet. The only entrance to the block-house through the defenses was "a subterraneons passage sufficient only for one man to pass," Whether this " passage" refers to the cleft in the rock, already described, or to one under the

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 76

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