History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 77

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 77
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 77

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stockades is perhaps somewhat doubtful. If to the latter, it is probable that the opening was to the left of the block-house. This would give access to the brook farther up the gorge. But we are inclined to the opinion that the cleft in the rock was the "subter- raneous" entrance referred to. It was a natural passage, one impossible to pass if defended, and open- ing at the nearest point to water for the garrison, and to the landing for communication with New York, near the door of the block-house, and the only way of escape towards Paulus Hoeck, which Wayne was care- ful to cut off.

The construction of this work was due to an organ- ized effort of a few refugees to induer their compa- triots " to be employed on ample wages to cut fire- wood for the use of his Majesties Harrison of New York." Those inclined to engage in the enterprise under Tom Ward and others were requested to call at the house of Jacob Jeralemon between the 19th and Tuesday, the 25th day of April, 1780.2 On the latter day the opportunity to join the enterprise seems to have closed. There is no doubt that a sufficient num- ber were enrolled for the object contemplated, for on the night of Wednesday, the 30th day of April, a body of refugees, under Col. Abraham Cuyler. who was in command (probably for the reason that he out- ranked Ward), crossed the river and occupied the ground.3 Apprehensive that they might be disturbed in their work, Gen. Pattison, then in command at New York, ordered Maj. Lumin, then in command at Paulus Hoeck, to send one hundred men under a captain, at daybreak of Thursday, May Ist, to take post on these heights for the purpose of covering Col. Cuyler and his men. It was at this time they began the construction of the works already described. Besides the fortifications, a dock was constructed at the mouth of the ravine to facilitate the loading of the boats.

From this time until the 21st of the following July the refugees held the place and proceeded with their work of cutting wood and committing depredations on the people for miles around. The negroes of Ber- gen County regarded this post as the gate through which they might pass from slavery in New Jersey to freedom in the city of New York. They improved every opportunity to secure this change until they became a "burden to the town," and the officer in charge was requested by his superior to prevent them passing the North River.' Where Col. Cuyler was at the time of the attack, and why he was absent, we do not know, but in his absence Capt. Tom Ward, subsequently of Fort Delancey, a refugee post on Bergen Neck, was in command& with about seventy men.

The British army lay on the east side of the Hud son. Their encampment extended as far up as Yonkers.

This door is procurved, and is at Washington's Headquarters at Now- burgh

* File Appoudia, i

" hig Appendix, ii.

AX Y Hist. Soc Coll , 1875,397 6 lbs4., 4134

979

AFFAIR AT BLOCK HORSE POINT 17-6

While the position of the black-house was of great examination of the ground does not appear, but he strength, it's design was not to offer obstinate or long- , was without doubt well acquainted with the locality continued resistance to hostile approach. It was for temporary safety from the attacks of riding parties of the patriots. More than in its own strength the safety of the position lay in the proximity of the Brit- ich army. By crossing the river directly to the posi- tion immediate relief could be given, while by passing lower down a body could pass up the ravine of the Awichaken and strike the rear of an attacking force by way of Three Pigeons, English Neighborhood and Liberty Pole. A source of yet greater danger to an attacking force lay in the case with which a body of the enemy could cross the river from Doble's Ferry to Cluster, pass up the road there constructed and by a short march seize upon the New Bridge. This pass over the Hackensack occupied, and the body march- ing below seizing the "Little Ferry," an attacking force would be effectually entrapped, with no way of escape except by cutting the way through the enemy. On the 19th he submitted to the commander-in-chief a plan of operations. On the following day this was approved, and he was directed to proceed with the First and Second Pennsylvania Brigades and tol. Moylan's dragoons 'upon the exception of the busi- Des"," His cautious chief suggested a mounted " patrol all night," to provide against an andmacade which the enemy might attempt, from information received through their emissaries near the American lines. Immediately on receipt of this order, Gien. Wayne directed Capt. Zebulon Pike to proceed with the horse under his command towards the lower land- ing at 'Juster where he was to keep a strict eye on the motions of the enemy encamped on the opposite side of the river.' Wayne was apprehensive that they would cross in force and push on to New Bridge for the purpose of cutting off his retreat. Capt. l'ike was to be on the ground at " the first dawn of day," provide material for a fire, and in case the enemy indicated an intention to land on the Jersey shore, to " raise as large a smoke as possible on the summit of the hill " in the rear. Expresses with full particu lars in writing were to be dispatched to Wayne by way of the Liberty Pole.

At the time of the attack, which is the subject of this paper, Washington's headquarters were at the " Pey House," in Preakness, and tion. Wayne's at Totowa, (now Paterson). When and to whom first oreurred the thought of destroying the block-house it is quite impossible to say. But there is no doubt that the aid and comfort which the refugees were giving to the enemy in securing a vast quantity of fuel, and the number of cattle owned by the farmers of Bergen County which were liable to capture by foraging parties, suggested the propriety of breaking up this Tory lodge and driving the cattle into the American camp." The enterprise having been de- termined on, its execution was entrusted to Gen. Wayne. With his usual energy he forthwith began to reconnaitre the ground and its approaches, to weigh carefully the probabilities of the post being relieved from New York City, and to prepare a warm reception tor Clinton's grenadiers should they attempt to reach the heights through the passes leading up from the river.

Accompanied by Robert Erskine, geographer of the Continental army, Wayne visited Closter on the 17th of July, and carefully considered the possibilities of the British crossing the river from Phillips' farm and pushing on to New Bridge by way of t'loster Landing. Ilow near to Bull's Ferry he extended his

1 Tidde Appendix, iii.

" In a letter, dated " near the Interty Polo, Bergen County, August 26th, ITM)," Washington writes to lievernor lavington. . Dar extreme distress for want of provision makes me destrous of lessening the con wanndion ys much as possible. Some brigutre of the army have been five days without ment. Tu endeav r to relleve their wants by at ipping the lower part of the country of its cattle. I moved two days ago to this place, and yesterday completely foraged Burtondogs and Bergen Nacke scarcely any cattle were found but milch pros and calves of who and two years old, ail even there is no great plenty " Now Jermy Revolution ary Correspondence, 254). For an interesting amount of the foraging party, ride New York Journed, Sept . 1, and Winhold's "History of Hudson l'uunty, ' 183.

With the force mentioned and four six-pounders belonging to t'al. Proctor's artillery, in all about eighteen hundred men, Wayne moved from his camp at Totowa at three o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th by the road leading to Hackensack.5 At nice in the evening he arrived at the New Bridge. This was a little above the village, and was the only bridge over the Hackensack River south of the old bridge. Here he halted until one o'clock in the morning, when he again took up his line of march on the road leading to the Liberty Pole, (now Englewood). To insure the safety of the New Bridge and his line of retreat, a fieldl officer, with one hundred rank and file, properly ofhierred, was left at this point. The remainder of the force proceeded by way of Liberty Pole and the road leading to Bergen to the road leading from the latter, at what is now Levonia, to Fort Lee. Here the Second Brigade marched up the Fort Lee road to the Palisades, the Sixth Regiment to the lookout directly opposite to Spusten Duyval Creek, the Seventh to Fort Lee to observe the motions of the enemy on York Island. These two regiments lay concealed from observation, but ready to meet the enemy should they land and enter the defiles. Lient .- L'ol. Harmer also posted a captain and forty men on the bank overlooking the landing opposite to Spayten Duyvel, while he, with the remainder of his command, advanced southerly along the summit of the moun- tain about one mile towards Fort Lee, so as to be in a position to defend either pher. Patrols were or-

· V'ade Appendia. »

980

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

dered to pass constantly between these points. Gen. the block-house and opened fire. Without intermis- Irvine, with the remainder of his (Second) brigade, sion, the cannonade was kept up until a quarter after twelve. During this time fifty-two shots penetrated the front of the block-house, its two small guns were dismounted, and moved from Fort Lee on the mountain towards Bull's Ferry. As he moved along he threw out a chain of flankers upon his right to beat up the enemy if, hav- ing scented the movement, they had prepared an " Five Refugees ('tis true) were found Stiff on the block-house floor." ambush. From Bull's Ferry he moved along the

river at the foot of the rocks and took a position on That any of the shot which penetrated the house the plateau, near the landing, in order to cut off the retreat of the garrison by the boats.1

The First Brigade, under Col. Humpton, with whom were also tien. Wayne, Moylan's dragoons and the artillery, moved along the open road by way of English Neighborhood to Bull's Ferry. Before leaving the old road Wayne ordered Col. Moylan to mount a foot soldier behind each of his dragoons, and ride with all possible speed towards Bergen. On arriving at the Three Pigeons, he left one or two horsemen and some foot to take post at that place to eover him from any attempt of the enemy by way of Weehawken. A detachment of foot also marched to the same point to aid the cavalry in case of need. With the remainder of his dragoons and mounted foot Col. Moylan proceeded to and occupied the fork of the road leading to Paulus Hoeck and Bergen .? This point was, in my opinion, on the top of Weehaw- ken Ilill. Here the roads divided, one leading to the town of Bergen and Paulus Hoeck and the other to Weehawken Ferry. By occupying this position he was sure to intercept an enemy coming from Paulus Hoeck or from New York by way of Weehawken. No evidence has been found to justify a conclusion that the dragoons went nearer Bergen on this ovea- sion. And the fact that one month afterward Bergen Neck was toraged of its cattle seems to justify a be- lief that they did not ; so that the cattle collected and driven off in this expedition must have been found between the present Union Hill and the New Bridge. This finds corroboration in Maj. Andre's "('ow Chase," which, as a whole, may be regarded as more historial than poetical,-

" [ under cover of th' attack Whilst you are all at blows, From English Neighb'rood and Tinurk Will drive away the cows."

On arriving near the block-house, at about ten o'clock in the morning, Wayne reconnoitered the works. The First Regiment was posted in a hollow way about one hundred yards to the north of the block-house, the Second covered the artillery and the Tenth occupied the ravine to cut off' the retreat of the garrison towards Paulus Boeck. The First and Tenth Regiments were ordered to keep up a con- stant fire into the port-holes of the block-house to favor the advance of the artillery. These dispositions having been made, at eleven o'clock the artillery ad- vanced to the medium distance of sixty yards from

) Vide Appendix, si

* V'ude Appendix, vii.

passed through, I have no other evidence than the fact that on the opposite side of the ravine two six- pound shot have recently been found, and the follow- ing stauza from the "Cow Chase ":

" No shot could pass, if you will take The Gen'ral's Word for true ; But 'tisa d-ble Mistake, For every Shot went thru'."

But the refugees stationed in different parts of their defenses maintained a stubborn resistance, and fired upon the assailants with telling effect. At this point of time Wayne received a dispatch from Capt. Pike at Closter Landing that the enemy at Valentine's Hill had embarked about three thousand troops on board of nine ships, one schooner and two sloops, and were beating down the river.3 Convinced of his inability to destroy the block-house with the light guns he had. and expecting the enemy to land on the Jersey shore for the purpose of reaching the upland to attack him or cut off his retreat, he convened a council of war on the field. This body soon arrived at the conclusion to retreat without delay. Wayne immediately sent word to Col. Moylan to drive off' the cattle from the Three Pigeons and proceed with all dispatch to the Liberty Pole.4 When the troops, however, compre- hended the situation, and that they were to retreat, leaving the works undestroyed and the garrison un- captured, the First Regiment left the hollow in which they had awaited the effect of the artillery fire, and with impetuosity broke through the abatis and rush- ed up to the stockade. The Second caught the eu- thusiasm and also rushed forward. The Tenth, being in the ravine, and Gen. Irvine's troops, being below the rocks along the river, were unable to advance. It was at this juncture that the heavy losses of the day occurred. The attacking force was unable to pass the stockade. This being within easy musket range of the block-house, the refugees, firing through the loop- holes, deliberately shot down the bathed troops. After considerable effort of the officers to withdraw their troops they fell back, and with the artillery moved up towards Fort Lee and Closter to meet the enemy should they attempt to land. This, however, was not attempted. After destroying some wooden-boats at the landing near the mouth of the ravine, and capturing the deck-hands and cabin-boys, the disappointed troops marched back to New Bridge, taking with them the killed und wounded, except three who lay dead under the stockade. tien. Wayne remained at

3 l'ide Appendix, viii.

+ Fide Appendix, ix

AFFAIR AT BLOCKHOUSE POINT, 17SO.

New Bridge that night, and reach his headquarters at Totowa on the following day.

The results of this expedition were not gratifying to the Americans, They drove off, between the Three Pigeons and New Bridge, " several hundred quad- rupede, consisting of horses, horned cattle, sheep and hogs ;" or, as Maj. Andre described it,-

" All in a cloud of dust were men "The sheep the horn, the goat, The gentle Hrifer, an ulumrene, The Yearling and the shunt.

They captured a few men in charge of the wood-boats at the landing and burned the boats. They killed six and wounded fifteen refugees. Nothing more than this was accomplished, notwithstanding the comparatively large force employed, the labor per- formed and the bravery exhibited. But as n set-off' to these meagre results were the works at the post under stroyed, fifteen killed and forty-nine wounded. The failure produced a keen and deep-felt mortification. Washington deeply regretted the misfortune, and hastened to explain away its bad effect upon Con- gres«.1 Gen. Wayne spoke of the attack as only n ruse to draw the enemy over to the Jersey shore, that he might cut them to pieces in the gorges of the mountain.2 Ile afterwards assigned another object to the expedition, in which he claims to have been successful, but which to me seuns an afterthought, viz. to prevent, or at least delay, the British sailing from New York to attack the French, then recently arrived at Newport ;3 yet all of these ideas may naturally have made part of the general combination to keep the British force at New York alarmed and on the alert.

To add yet a keener pang to the mortification of failure, the enemy indulged in great exultation. In their sarcasm it did not require the trained soldiers of the King to rout the "rebels " with the hero of Stony Point at their head, a few mercenary wood-chop- pers were able to withstand the flower of the Ameri- can army, although about twenty-five times their number. Sir Henry Clinton testified to them "his very particular Acknowledgement of their Merit."' The King of Great Britain acquainted " the survivors of the brave seventy that their behavior is approved of by their Sovereign." and characterized their resist- ance as a "very extraordinary instance of courage." 5 A sarcastic notice was published in Rivington's Gazette of July 28, 1780 :

" A lasly presents her compliments to the S.r ( lement of the Philadel- phin Ball Rooms, and desires the next country dance may commence with a new movement, culled

A TRIP TO THE BLOCK-HOUSE, OR THE WOODCUTTERS' TRul uru.

In complement to a certain tieneral, who (emulating his brother Arne lad) was lately checked on the North River by a malheureuse event, and he

1 l'ide Appendix, xviii.

" l'ide Appendix, xvil.

4 l'idr Appenliv, x.

& l'ade Appendix, xv1.

6 l'ade Appendix, xxi

clarks inow on the l'une theratened with an insuperable martha-

The most keen and clever satire of the expedition was the mock heroic poem, by Maj. Andre, called " The Cow t'hase." But not withstanding all this re- joining, the refugees did not care to try the experi- ment of another attack. They had been saved, not through their own powers but through a mistake in attacking them with such light guns. On the 9th of August following they evacuated the place, burnt the block-house and retired to Fort Delancey, on Bergen Neck.

Thus ends the story of Wayne's attack on the block-house, near Bull's Ferry, July 21, 1780. What little glory is derivable from it does not belong to the American side. It is true, while they were Loyalists in sentiment, the refugees were American born. The only comfort the patriots could derive from repulse was found in the fact that they were go manfully with- stood by refugees and not by the British. H when Greek meets fireck in the tug of war, the glory of triumph belong- alike to victor and vanquished, then the pa- trinta could insist upon their right to a share of what the refugee claimed for themselves for the stubborn defense of their works. Viewed in any other light, they were entitled to but little credit for the labors and sacrifices of that day. Block House Point did not add freshness to the laurels which Stony Point had placed upon the brow of Gen. Wayne.

APPENDIX. - CORRISPONDENTE AND EXTRACTS FROM JET- TERS OF PROMINENT MEN IN 1.81.

". Notice & Refugees and others, That are inclined to be employed on ample wages to cat Fine Woon for the use of his Majesty a liarrive at New York, under the direction of Cape Thomas Ward, David Babe ok. John Everet and Philip Luke, Loyal R fuporn, are dered to call le- tween the date hereuf, abd Tuesday the Enth instant, at the house of Juc & Jeraleman. Inn-Keeper, joining the Teu-Water Pump, where attendam e will be given at all times by the alive named perulis.

" New York, April 10, 17M " _Hirington's Gazette April 22, 170

I .- liEv. PATTERNS TO MAS. LEUN. " New York, April 30, 1 Ml.

. You will In pleaseul to order a Detachment . In Captain and Ino Men, from the Garrison at Paulis Hook to march from thence benwr- row Morning at Day break, with One day . Provisions. - This Detachment will proceed upon the Real leading to the English Neighbourhood, and the Commonling Officer will take Post upon the Heights, half a Mile Ilew Bulls Ferry, upon the North River, in such manner as will not effectually cover a Body of Refugees under l'al Cuyler, who are to take l'ont und extaldinh themselves, at the Place above mentioned this Night, to order to cut wood for the Army The distance from Paulis Hook s Eight Miles. The Detachment will remain till son set and then return te their Quarters, and the Ilfficer Conunanding the Party will communi- cate with Mr Custer in euch manner, as may must effectually tend to forward this morvice

"T have only further bo ole rve that Mr. C'uster is not to la uuder tomat as having any Military rank upon this (icamion."\' I' Hatori- ral Society Collections, 1275.

111 -ET WANNE TO GTV. WASHINGTON

"Totow a, 14th July, 17an " In olwellence lo y ur Exrelleney's orders I proceeded with Mir Fr skine to reconnaitre the landing places from Cluster to bude's Ferry, and found the following viz -

"( fuster landing situate about six or sven milles above Fort Lee- nud

982

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

a little sonth of Phillips's was formerly made use of by the Inhabitants in its vicinity, and rendere practicable for two horas aleds, from the Declivity f the mountains to the river is nhout one half of a mile which is to steep and narrow to admit of Common Carriages-the I went being equal to one foot in five on an average-nor is there a sufficient area at the Dork to turn a team, or bulge stores upon-not- withstanding this the enemy f und means to carry up a few light held : sin II but from experience I know that Artillery can be conveyed by natinal lador over precipi es and tuto defiler impracticable for Horses and waggons which must have been the case here.

" This road is nt present obstructed by felled trees and large rocks 80 that nothing but single footin n can pass and that with difficulty. A few infantry might defend the avenue-yet it will not afford a proper Ierition to rrect a Battery to cover the landing from the Inanlt of shipping.

" The next is called "'loster Dork-about a mile and a half higher up the river, and a little North of Phillips's, this road is also Imprarti- rable for waggons part of the way forening an angle of near 20 degrees descent-but as a Military position mach superior to the first-between this and Doble's is another landing, less practicable than either of these. "(hn uext object was Dohls's ferry which affords an easy and safe o, riage, the roade leading to it from Cluster, Paramus, de, -being very level and with A little improvement may be mule excellent-there are six months men under Captains Laurence und Blanck, at Tappan und ('] ster sufficient for the purpose.

" The ground on the West side of the river is favorable far Batteries against shipping-an attempt was made by the enemies Gallies to annoy the ferry way in 1778 -- when they soon found it expedient to fall down the river on receiving a few shot from a little work thrown up in haste to cover the landing.

" There are two small eminences one on the North the other on the South side the road which with a Block-house and Captains commanding each, wouldl effectually cover the Battery from any attempt by Innd unless accompanied by Artillery and in forte.

"The east side is also favorable for Batteries to cover the landing- Ail inimmediately to the S. K. is A hill or strong rising ground command- ing all the country within reach of cannon shot, and may be rendered a Anfr repository for the stores when landed.

" I must bex leave to refer you to Mr. Erskine for the state of the roads and their distances.

". Interim, I am your Excellency's most ofdient and very flamble Servant.

" ANTY WAYNE.

" There is a very fiur forage country in the vicinity of Dobbs's, the onurry chietly t'aitift -.

" Him Excellency

"Gond. Washington "- From original in Department of State, Wash-

IV .- GEN. WASHINGTON TO GEN. WAYNE. "Hond Quarters Colonel Dey'e "20 July, 1780.

"You will proceed with the first and second Pennsylvania brigades, all Colonel Moylan's regiment of dragoons, upon the execution of the lumines planned in yours of yesterday. I do not at present think of any nervesary ulteration, except that of detaching a few horse this after- toon to patrol all night, and to ver that the enemy do not, in the course of the night, thron over any troups to form an andbioscade. They need not go mo low down, nor in such nutabere, as to create any alarm. They assy enquire as they go for drsorters, after whom they may say they are In pursuit. The enemy have so many emlesaries among us, that wearer a move or An order pues unnoticed You are so well acquainted with the critical situation of the ground, that it In needless in me to rec mi- motul the extreme of caution. I most heartily wish you success, bring with real esteem, &c."-Spurka' Writings of Washington, vii , 115.

V .- GEN. WAYNE TO [ ---- ]. " Totoway 20th July 1780.

' Pear Sir

"You will proceed with the home under your command towards the lower landing at Cluster, as an to bo certain of arriving on the lookout to- Diorrow morning by the frut dawn of day -where you will keep the strictest rye on the motion of the enemy, ouranged on Voluntine's hill, and near Phillipe's, -should yont discover an attempt in then to effort a landing on this side the North River you will immediately raise as large a moke as possible un the summult of the hill In your rear keeping It up

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 77

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