History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 78

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 78
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

as long as the enemy continues to cross for which purpose you'd proper fuel and materials the instant you arrive on the ground.

" You will also despatch two or more trusty horsemen with the par- ticular intelligence in writing of the members &c. that ombark, the moment they get on board tha boats, -they are to push with all possible despatch by the Liberty Pole towards Bull's ferry where I will be found.

"You are to call on Captain Blanck of the six months men to join you with his company, and all tha malitia he can collect, and shon'd the enemy attempt n lundling you and he are to give them every possible opposition-the defila thro' which they must paw to gain the hill will be very favorable for the purpose-and if properly defended may oblige the onemy to retire and reflect lasting honor on the troops that oppose then. As the safety of the whole Division and horse greatly depend on a strict observanca of overy part of these orders I am confident they will be car- ried into execution.

" You will retire tomorrow evening to the new bridge giving Captain Blanck directions to send to that place, if he should make nny discoveries after you leave him.

" Interim, I am your must obt Iluml Servant

"ANTY WAYNE." [ From original in Department of State, Washington. ]

NOTE .- No address to this letter is given. It was possibly written to Col. Moylan, probably to Capt. Pike, who, on the following day, re- ported to Wayne from the place indicated.

VI .- GEN. WAYNE'S DIVISION ORDERS. " After Orders New Bridge,

" 12 o'clock 21st 1780 " A field oficer with two companies or one hund. Rank and file prop- erly officered to take post at this place, which if attacked in the absence of the Invision, must bo defended to the last extremity.

The Sixth Regiment will advance to the lookout immediately . pposito, Spiken-devel Creek or Kings Bridge-the seventh to Fort Live in order to observe the motions of the enemy on York Island ; The Officers and men will secrete themselves so as not to be observed from the opposite side the River

" Lient. Col. Harmer will leave a Capt, and forty men on the bank overlooking the landing place, in order to defend that defile -whilst ho with the remainder advances along the sununit of the mountain about one mile lower down between that und Fort Lee, so as to be in a position to move to either place or point in case the enemy attempt a landing, but the l'apt's command must continue in the post assigned him at all events-

" Patroles to pass constantly between the posts and up the river, should the commanding officer observe the enemy embarking-they are to send immediate notice to Genl. Wayne towards Bull's ferry, and to make every possible opposition, when the eurmy begins to ascend the Hill, and as the situation of these Regiments will admit of Acting in Conjunction in case of necessity ; the General has the fullest confidence that they will maintain the posts assigned them ; and at the point of the Bayonet, meet the enemy in the gorge of the Defiles and dispute that ground at every expense of blood until the arrival of the Division when they may be as- sured of effectual support and in all Unman probability of a glorious victory.

"General frviur with the remainder of his Brigade, will move by fort Lære on the summit of the mountain for Bull's ferry and endeavor to in- troduce a sufficient number of nten between the Block-house and the River if practicable so as to prevent the retreat of the garrison, great caution must be observed on this route least the Troops may be drawn into an ambush, should that be the case the Bayonet will he their true resort-Which they will use with a confidence of being vigorously sup. ported by the Arat Peund, Brigade, moving parallel with them attended by Colo, Moylan's Dragoons and the Artillery along the open road-Geul. Irvine will direct a chain of flankers to observe the advanco of the right column, the situation of the ground being favorable for it-if he makes any material discovery he will to an obliging as to communicate it -- the anonest possible-

" A Detachment from the hrat will prevent the retrent of the Refugees towards Panlers hook, Whilst this Is performing, the Artillery will he preparing to demolish the Block House.

"Every precaution will be used to guard against any serions come- queuren from up the river, and should the enemy be hardy phongh to attempt the relief of this Post from Fort Washington it may add never fuiding laurels to troups which has always stept the first for Glory, and who has everything to expect fromvictory-nothing to dread from dis- grace, for ultho it is not in their power to command noroom, the General

983

AFFAIR AT BLOCKHOUSE POINT, 1780

is well wasred they will produce a convictions to the world that they de. Bert it ' - From origund an Department of State, Hashington.

NOTE. The above order was issued by do moral W van nf 12 o'clock 1 the night between the goth and "lot of July

"July 21st 1780.

" After mounting a fostman behind . I got you will find a

you will have one of the frogs holmen 1, and as many fast as you thank proper in order to every a toto any attempt of the ring by Which ek route.

do not wish you to commit yourelt En. much

"A party of font will advance towards the Pigeon to ener y a in rame you ate pushed when d that event happen y or own gond judgment will govern your retrograde manoutro.

" If a mo ement of the enemy ap the rier renders a retreat le mury. I will find means of giving you the os first inte'hg hre.

" You will ofdige the muhabitants to serve as finides, letterthem know the consequences of a reception.

"I wish you ettecess and am with much eaterm

MAN11 WAINI [ From original in Department of Nuts, Washing N.

NOTE. - Tina order must have been given in the morning, I for the attark was begun, probably before the First Bri wote left the main road at England Neighborhood.

VIII .- C'APT. PIKE. TH GEN. WAYNE. " At the New Ih k of t'loster. . July 21, 1780.

" Dear tieneral,

" The Kuemy Agrecalde to a rough cal ulation 1 px embarked ton board nine shape one whooner und to , siempre about three thousand Trong. And are now nader way beating down towards New York they appear tr have left a niall encampment near I'hi lips House but perhuje not many Trough now there may be necessary to fored on the remains of the Baggage, if any there las there has several miall season ich im al mis und schooners gone up this day and lay neur Phillipe's House which pus sibly they mean to embark the remainder of their troupe & Baggage on board, of the movements of their Trope, of the Manor, spyware to be very Genl.

" I am with Respect your most oled. servant.

" To Gienl Wayne "-From original in Department of Mate Washington.

IX .- GEN. WAYNE TO COL MOVIAN. ",July 21st, 12 d'chine k

"Circumstances reader expedition necessary therefore begin to drive the cattle from Three Pigeons-this may be done with the home only

" You will proceed with all possible despatch to the Liberty Pile. We will cover your reur

" Yours mont Sincerely, "ANTY WAINK.

"To inenel Moylan." From original in State Department, Wash-

X- CIES. CLINTON'S THANKS TO THE LEFT OFFS. " Headquarter July 21, 1750.

" sir,

"The Commander in Chief admiring the Gallantry of the Refugees, who in such anuit Numbers defended their Post against so very consider- able a Corps and withstood both their Cann ende med Assault ; desires his very particular Acknowledgement of their Verit may be testified to them.

"His Excellency requests you will give in a Return of the Numbers present at this spirited Defense, that he may give Directions for maiform, Cloathing und Hats being given them from the Inspector tieneral's Office.

"In future your Requisition of Ammunition will be valid with the Ordinance.

" ] have the Honor to In

sir. Your most dedient

and Hunt humble Servant

" JOHN ANDRY.

[ Hwington'a Gasette, July 20, 1780

NUTS. - The above approbation war sign led to Col. Cuyler by the adjutant-general.

X] GEN WAYNE TE GIN WASHINGTON

" New Bridge Drittenk P. n at July 17

" firar tieneml

" Being convinced that our Bold-games were for light to make the wished impremnom on the block-t wor o Itul > Ferry tr in an experience of more than an hour it n prester di tance than from nifty tu mevetity vards , during with thine bith frem and mnou rien din | _ree of bravery wellum . wald, but never .. and was the os my in minti 1 : York Island, and their shipping under way long her with rer tain aute of the embarking of a very large taly of t go from Valentine's Hill, it was unabits ely determined, in a foun it I Was the field, to withdraw the artillery, umud fall Im k 1v ay digre to this place, to prevent the disagreesble choquen es of thing shut up in For- gen Nack We accordingly nu vel of, afte, burning One flate and Immin Ivin at the landing, and driving the attie from that auntry which was part of war plan. Our love is from fifty to sixty kille I and wounded. whom we carried of, without the last t batatoon I will have the honer of Transmitting to Your Farelle ney the port wi rs tomorrow

"I think it my duty to mention, that the enemy are in full motion ou the North Hiver chief part of their traite erit rked. An they have completed their foraging in the Fast and Westchester may not good] polic. indure them to take j st between the Liberty Pol a ) this place, in order to runder that erential article very difficult for your hate Honey to procure, in case of a meg t will shift my granny about two in the in tuing, and fall back towards the camp." -Spark's Correspondence of the Revolution, In. 34

XI .- CART PRUT TO GES WASSY

" Cump Tetawn July the 22 .. Dr General,

"En Goed I have sent you return of the killed and wounded of the A villery detached to first and second Pennaya Brigade

"I am sorry avery thing was not done that was expected from the Artillery in the attack on the Block Homme yeats play I believe you are convinced it was impossible for men te do more than was done both by men and officers but the login were to thick that it is unpromible for six te to penetrate them and in consequence rendered it imponibile for us to demolish it. if we had twelve or eighteen pounders instead of mix we would have completed the husit.

" I have the honor to be with respect your very

" JOUR PRIE.

"The Honorable Lienl Wayne. '

" Return of the Killed and Wounded of that part of the Fennaglemens Though engaged at the Blick House at Bulls Ferry un the 21a' July 17un

" Prostor Artillery Wounded, I Corporal. I Bombardier, 2 tunne N MARTINS

"Jutached Party of the Arst Regt .- billed, 2 Serjenuts & 8 Rank & Elle, Wounded, Lient Hammond, Liest Crawford, 2 Sergeanta, and 24 Rank & File.

"Second Best .- Killed. 1 Serjeant & t Bank & File , Wounded, Lieut. De Hart and 3 Rank and File.

"Detached Party of the Tenth Regt. W minded, 1 Serjeant att $ Itank and File.

" Artillery Total Wounded 12

Infantry-Total Killed 15

Total Wounded -

" futal Artillery & Infantry Killed & Wounded . . " Jim HARmaa I.t ( 1). "

ALLE GES WHINE TO LEN WASHINGTON

Tutowa 22 July, 1781

" Dear General.

"In pursuance of the plan, which your Excellency was pleased to adopt the first and awond Pennsylvania briguden with four pieces of artillery belonging to l'olonel P'rurtor's regiment, and C-lenel Moylan's dragoons, took up their line of march on the Sith, at three "' luck P N und arrived, a little in the near of New Bridge, at nine in the evening We moved again at que in the morning. In order to occupy the groun ì in the vicinity of Fort Lee and the landing opprette King's Bridge, Is the dawn of day ; and agreeably to the luckand order, we advanced towards Hull's Ferry, General Irvine, with part of his Frigade, along the sum- mit of the mountain, and the first brigade, under Col n ] Hampton, with the artillery and Colonel Movlan's horne, on the common road About ten o'clock, part of the first brigade had reached that place. Colonel Meylan with the home, and a detachtnent of infantry, remained at the

984

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

fork of the road leading to Paulus Hook and Bergen, to receive the Henry, if they attempted any thing from that quarter.

on reconnaitering the refug . Post, near Bull's Ferry, we found it to onsist of a block-house, surrounded by an ubafis, and stockade to the perpendicular rocks next the North River, with a kind of ditch or puapet, serving as a covered way By this time we could di-cover the ·emy in motion on York Island, which began to open a prospect of our Fiat taking a full ffet. General Irvine was directed to halt in a posi- tinh from which b . could move to any point where the enemy should att mpt to land, either in the vicinity of this post or Fort Lee, where the vih and seventh regiments were previously concealed, with orders to want the landing of the enemy, and then, at the point of the bayonet, to laspente the pass i the gorge ot the mountain, at every expense of blood, mutil supported by General Irvine, and the remainder of the troops.

" The first regiment was posted in a hollow way on the north side of the block-house, and the tenth in noother hollow on the south, with order to keep up a constant fire into the port-holes, to favor the advance of the artillery, which was covered by the second regiment. When the four field-pieces belonging to Colonel Proctor's Regunent arrived at the medium distance of sixty yards, they commenced a constant hre, which waa returned by the enemy, and continued without intermission from eleven until a quarter after twelve o'clock. By that time we received expreses from l'luster, that the enemy were embarking their troops from Valentine's Hill, at Phillips Landing. We also saw many vessole and boats in wing up with troop from New York, which made it necessary to relinquish a lesser for a much greater object, that is, drawing the enemy over toward the posts already mentioned, and deciding the fortune of the ·Ly in the defilos through which they must pass before they could gain Immersion of the strong grounds.

" In the interim we found that our artillery had made but little impression, although well and gallantly served, the metal not being of sufficient weight to traverse the logs of the 1back h use ; but when the troops understand that they were to be drawn off, anch was the enthusi- astic bravery of all ranks of officers aod men, that the first regiment, Do longer capable of restraint, rather than leave a post in the rear, rushed with impetuosity over the ubutis, and advanced to the stan kades, from which they were with difficulty withdrawn, although they had no means of forcing an entry. The contagion spread to the second ; Init by very great efforts of the officers of both regiments, they were at last restrained, nut without the loss of some gallant officers wounded and some bravo men killed. Happy it was that the ground would not adınıt of the fur- ther advance of the tenth regiment, and that the situation of General Irvine's brigade prevented them from experiencing a loss proportioned to thus immediately engaged las the same gallant spirit pervaded the whole), which might be the means of frustrating our main object, by incumberiog us with too many wounded.

"The artillery was, therefore, drawo off, and forwarded towards the wished-for point of action. The killed and wounded were all moved away, except three, that may dead under the stockades. During this period, Colquel Moylan's horse drove the cattle ke. from Bergen up towards the Liberty Pole, whilst a detachment of infantry destroyed the aloups and wood-boats at the landing, in which were taken a Captain and mate, with two sailors. Some others were killed whilst attempting to escape by swimming. Having thus effected part of our plan, wa pushed forward to oppose the troops from Valentine's Hilt that we expected to land ut the nearest point to New Bridge. If effected, we were determined to drive them back, or to cut our way through ; but in this project we were disappointed : the enemy thought proper to remain in s less hostile position than that of the Jersey shore. We therefore passed the New Bridge, and, by easy degrees returned to this place about an hour ago.

" Inclosed is a copy of the orders of the 20th together with a return of the killed and wonndel, 64 in number, among whom aro Lieutenants Hammond and Crawford, of the tirst, and Lieutenant Dehart of the grond, all very worthy oficera , the latter, m rtally wounded.

"I cannot attempt to discriminate between officers, regiments, or orpe, who, with equal opportunity, would have ucted with equal forti- tudo Should my . mluet, and that of the troops under my command, meet your Excellency's approbation, it will much alleviate the pain I exp ricoe in not having it in my power to carry the whole of the plan Inte execution, which was valy provented by the most malicious fortune." Correspondence of the Revolution, lii. 37 ; The Casket Df 1829, ni. 396.

I Valentine'a Hill was the residence of Thomas Valentine, about two And a half nales below Y nkera.

XIV .- GEN. WAYNE'S DIVISION ORDERS.

" July 2 d, 1780.

' It is with infinite pleasure that General Wayne acknowledges to the worthy offirers and soldiers under his command since the 20th inst., that he never saw more true fortitude than that exhibited on the 21st by the troops immediately at the point of action-Such was the enthusiastic bravery of all ranks of officer and men that the last regt, no longer capa- te of restraint, rushed with impetuosity over the Shattis and up to the Stockades, from which they were with difficulty withdrawn ; the con- tagion spread to the 2d-but by the united efforts of the field and other officers of each regt, they were at last restrained. The General fortu- nately would not admit of the further advance of the Joth & the situation General Irving's & the other troops, prevented them from experience- ing some loss of nien ; as the same gallant Spirit pervaded the whole, they very probably would have shown the same nager desire for close uction The Block-house was only a secondary Object, & to serve as a line to draw the enemy across the river, & to afford ua an opportunity of decid- ing the fate of the day in the defiles through which they might jus before they cunld possess the strong ground. At 12 o'flock the affairs assumed A pleasing aspect-By intelligence from Cluster that the British were embarking at Phillips & falling down the river towards Fort Lee, where the 6th & 7th regts were pouted with orders to secrete themselves, and after the enemy landed to meet them in the gorge of the mountain & dispute the pass with the point of the Bayonet at every expence of blood, untill General Irvine with the 2d, and Colonel Humpton with the first Brigades would arrive to support them. So that there ought to be no difficulty in giving up a small object for one that was capital. Indeed, had the artillery been of sufficient enliber, the brave officers & men who conducted them would have succeeded in the reduction of the block- house by a constant fire of more than one hour, within the medium dis- tance of 60 yards, & not he under the disagreeble accusation of leaving a post unreduced behind them ; this being too trifling an affair to attend to any longer, when a more ample and glorious prospect was before us, but in this way we have been disappointed as the enemy prudently chose to remain in a less bostile position than that of the Jersey shore.

The General cannot attempt to discriminate between officers, Regts or Corps, who with equal opportunity would have acted with equal Forti- tude-& he fondly hopes that day is not far distant, when the prowras of those troops will be acknowledged by the European & American World.

" By order of General Wayne "B. FISHnovax "'A. Camp."

[ Pennsylvania Archives, viii, 452. ]

XV-GEN. IRVINE TO C'AIT TaUMAU'LL. "Camp, July 23d, 80 " sir .

" I am perfectly convinced that so far from any thing Irving wanting in the officers and the men of Artillery at the attack on the Blockhouse that I think it would have been immersible for meu to have behaved better. Give me leave to assure you that I am of opinion, their conduct on that occasion presage happier efforts in the future.

"I wish you to have your expenditurea of Commutation replaced sa soon as possible, butas to the quantity & quality ] leave that to you. "Janı Sır

" Yr abt St

"W. Eavisg "Captain Trumbull."-From the original in possession of Dr. 15. A. Irvine.

XYL .- GEN. WAYNE TO COLS. DELANY AND JOHNSON. " Tutoway 26 July 1780 " Dar Colonels,

" You have undoubtedly heard of our march to Bergen, but as iguor- ance, malice or envy, aided by the tongue of slander, may attempt to misrepresent that atfair, I shall just mention the objects in view, viz .: to drive the stock out of Bergen Neck ; to prevent the enemy from receiv- ing constant supplies from that quarter, and in case of a siege to secure to our own use those cattle which they would carry into New York. One other was the destruction of the Refugee Post near Bull's Ferry, consisting of n Block-House, surrounded by a stockade and nhattis, with @ ditch or parapet serving as u covered way, garrisoned by refugees, tories, nod all the banditti, and robbers and horse thieves of that country, with somte pieces of artillery. But the grund object was to draw the army which General Clinton brought from Charleston, made up of grenadiers, guards and light infantry, into the defilen uf tho mountain itt the

AFFAIR AT BLOCKHOUSE POINT. 1780.

vicinity of Fort lar, where we expect. I them to land, in order to mic- pour the Refugee port, or to ondeas r to cut off our retreat to New Bridge , the object to them was great ; the lure appeared to take ; theve theland British embarked st Phillips s ated fell down ypg mite the land- inge, where the sixth and weer th regiments ware pusted with orders to Neroto thomalves until the spring had dobarkid, and then to meet them in the gorge of the defiles, and with the poet of the Besote t, dispute second brigades, which would goare the British boys to paie three mile firma, aided by the bayonet, too much for human firmware to withstand, but these gentry prudently remained on bonpl, which was a box hel position than that of the Jersey shore. I may new with safety men- tion, that one object, not the least, was to divert their attention from a meditated attend upon Hilsode loland, In n embine I attack by Fort and water ou the French feet and army at that place, Six thousand ! mon were actually embarked, who have been delayed ty this man uvre four days, a circumstance which will render their meditated stta .k wholly nhortive, I always hud the highest opinion of the Pennsylvanm troupe, if it were possible, on this occasion they would base inepanel my wmnirattun.

.. Tell Mrs Del ney and Mrs Peters that of equal rank no country or wirvies can produce a more worthy officer than their brother, Lenten- ant & donel Rotanon ; if he has a fault, it in extreme excess of henvery Je commanded the first regiment that day ; his hore was wounded under mim in two places, and his rost riddled by musket balls and hus hobot ; he has deservedly become the lol of his soldiers."- The Cooket September, 1×20), lil. 397

XVII -GEY WAYNE TO PRESIDENT REED. " Tatoway, 26 July, 1780.

" pr. sır.

" You have undoubtedly board of war tour to Bergen, but it is a duty I owe to you, the troupes I commanded & to myself, to make you acquainte with the objects of that expedition, lest the envy, Malice, or tongue of Sunder should attempt to misrepresent that affair.

" One was to take all the stork out of Bergen neck to prevent the enemy from receiving constant supplies from the Inhabitants out of that Quarter, and in case of singe to secure to their own wire those Cattle that they would Inevitably curry into New York, another was the Destruction ot a post near Bull's ferry, consisting of a Block-House, surrounded by n trong Stawkade, and abattis, Garrisoned by the Refugees & a wretched Innditti of Robbers, horse thieves, &c.

" But the Grand Objeet was to draw the army which Sir Henry Clinton brought from Charles town into action in the Defiles of the Mountain in the Vicinity of Fort Lee, where we expected them to Land in order to succour the refugee post, and to endlesyour to cut off our retreat to the laberty Polo .& N. w Bridge, the apparant object to them was great, and the luru had like tu take the wished effect. Three thousand men, con- aleting of the flower of the British Army were embarked from Phillips and stood down the river hovering off the Landing wear Fort Lee, where the fith & ith Pennsy Regiments lay concealed with directions to let them land unmolested (giving me Intelligence of the attempt, ) & then to meet them in the Gorge of the Defile and with the point of the Bay onet to dispute the pure at every expense of blood, until the arrival of the first and second Penny. Brigades when we should put them between three such fires as no Imman fortitude world withstand, and I may now with safety mention that it was also designed to divert their attention from a Medi- tatea attempt on Rh ute Island by n combined attack by Land and Water n the French feet & Army in that place, this has had the effect of r. tarding them four days after they had actually Embarked upwards of six thousand men fur that vory porpme, it will therefore he too late to attempt anything at this period as the freuch will be prepared for it.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 78

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