History of the city of Paterson and the County of Passaic, New Jersey, Part 105

Author: Nelson, William, 1847-1914
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Paterson : Press Printing and Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 466

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1 Reed's Reed, I., 248.

2 Force, III., 629.

3 Said Washington, on Nov. 8, in justification of this harsh order : " Experience has shown that a contrary conduct is not of the least ad- vantage to the poor inhabitants, from whom all their effects of every kind are taken, without distinction, and without the least satisfaction." -Force, 603; Sparks, IV., 165.

4 Force, 620. 5 Ib., 674. 6 Sparks, IV., 174; Ford, V., 24.

7 Force, 663. 8 Ib., 699.

9 Ib., 1481 ; Mag. Am. Hist., I., 65. 10 v. Eelking, I., 97.

11 Force, 779, 780, 790, 925 ; Lee Papers, II., 289. 12 Force, 781.

413

THE RETREAT OF SEVENTY-SIX.

quarters,1 where the intelligence was confirmed by a patriot farmer,2 who had hurried from the scene at the landing. To this man's zeal Gen. Howe ascribed his failure to surround and capture the Fort and garrison.3 Since the loss of the fortification on the opposite side of the river, Washington had been causing the stores and munitions to be removed from Fort Lee, with a view to distributing them at "Acquay- . kinac Bridge" and other places further south, where they "would not be subject to sudden danger in case the enemy should pass the [Hudson] river."4 This removal had not been fully accomplished at this time, and on the first impulse he ordered out the troops to meet the enemy, but finding they were facing greatly superior numbers, they were with- drawn.5 This post, garrisoned by only about 2,000 men, was obviously no longer tenable, so Gen. Greene hastily re- treated, in some confusion, abandoning much stores and ordnance, 6 and marched across the country for Hackensack, six miles distant. The "New" bridge (as it is still called) across the broad Hackensack river, about two miles above the town, was distant six miles from the Americans, and but three miles from the British advance. Washington placed himself at the head of liis troops, and marched them straight for the bridge. It was an anxious moment. Would the enemy dispute the passage? Fortunately they did not, and the greater part of the army crossed it in safety; others by the ferry, and still others by a mill-dam on a small creek between the bridge and the ferry, making their way through the marsh and over the river.7 It was about dusk when the head of the troops entered the village-a dark, cold and rainy night, the men "ragged, some without a shoe to their feet, and most of them wrapped in their blankets."8 Washington's headquarters had been located at Hacken- sack since November 15, in a private house, of Peter Zabris- kie, his mess table being supplied by Archibald Campbell, the tavern-keeper hard by.9 Orders, reports and letters had been issued from these headquarters in a steady stream on November 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 2010; but now the situ- ation was no longer safe. As he had been hemmed in be- tween the Hudson and the Hackensack, so now he was simi- larly hemmed in between the Hackensack and the Passaic, with an overwhelming force opposed to him. He writes to Gen. Lee, from Hackensack, on the morning of November 2I: "As this country is alinost a dead flatt, we have not an

1 Ib., 780.

2 Stedman (I., 219) says the information was given by a deserter, but Howe says he was a farmer.

3 Force, 925.

4 Ib., 764.

5 Ib., 765 ; Sparks, IV., 187. 6- Force, 765, 790, 828, 1343.

7 "The Crisis," No. I., by Thomas Paine; Force, 779, 780, 790, 1291.

8 Hist. Collections of N. J., 81. For Washington's letters relating the loss of Fort Lee, see Force, as cited, 764, 765, 780, 790. For Howe's ac- count, see Force, 925 (he erroneously gives the date as Nov. 18); other British accounts, Force, 856, 1058; Stedman, I., 219; Dodsley's Annual Register, 1776, p. #180. For other accounts, see Force, 779, 789, 821, 1332, 1343; Irving's Washington, II., 430. Tom Paine's narrative is one of the best, he having been with the troops on their retreat.

9 Hist. Collections of N. J., 81.

10 Force, 699, 706-8, 312, 740, 750-51 ; Sparks, IV., 180, 182, 185-7; Lee Papers, II., 285, 294-5.

entrenching tool, & not above 3,000 men, & they much broken & dispirited not only with our ill success, but the loss of their tents and baggage, I have resolved to avoid any attack, tho' by so doing, I must leave a very fine country open to their ravages, or a plentiful store house, from which they will draw voluntary supplies."1 One more letter the General wrote from Hackensack, that same morning, to the President of Congress, giving substantially the same reasons for his course.2 Then the long-roll was sounded, and the sorrowful retreat was resumed. Before Washington left he rode down to the dock, where the bridge now is, near the court-house, and viewed the enemy's encampment, stretched out in martial array on the opposite side of the river. 3 Then he turned his liorse's head and followed his diminished army. What were his emotions as he wheeled about from gazing on that martial host beyond, arrayed in all the insolence of power, and all the bright panoply of war, to look upon his little band of straggling soldiers, in tattered raiment, with downcast looks and laggard step, as they marched onward, inspired rather with anxious dread of the enemy behind them, than with hopes for future victory and their country's coming triumph? 3 His own letters in the trying days that followed give some idea of the stub- born resolution, the fixed determination of the man to do his duty, whatever others might do, or say, or think, and to look forward, rather than backward. He shrank not from setting forth in the plainest terms the condition and the prospects of his army, and how much better both might have been, had his repeated entreaties and counsels been heeded.4 "But as yesterday cannot be recalled," he says, "I will not dwell upon a subject, which, no doubt, has given much uneasiness to Congress, as well as extreme pain and anxiety to myself."5 It was with that spirit of indiffer- ence to the past, and confidence in the future, that he led his heroic and suffering soldiers onward. Steadily yet anx- iously they followed the lower road from Hackensack, to the old Terhune farm, south of the present Corona; then turned northwesterly to Saddle river, which, if needful, might be placed between them and their pursuers. The road from the present Lodi to Garfield was next followed, and then the southern bank of the Passaic, until the bridge at Acquackanonk came in sight. Ilow eagerly the men strained their vision to see if the British had arrived there first! But no, the enemy was not in sight, and the army passed safely over, and now had another large river to pro- tect their retreat. Here Washington paused long enough to write a letter, dated "Aquackanoc Bridge, 21 November, 1776," to Gov. Livingston, of New Jersey: "I have this moment arrived at this place with General Beall's and Gen- eral [Nathaniel] Heard's brigades from Maryland and Jer- sey, and part of General [James] Ewing's from Pennsyl- vania. Three other regiments, left to guard the passes upon Hackinsac River, and to serve as covering parties, are expected up this evening. As our numbers are still

1 Sparks, IV., 185; Lee Papers, II., 295.

2 Sparks, IV., 187. 3 Hist. Collections of N. J., Sz. 5 Ib., 203.

4 Sparks, IV., 184, 190, 193, 229.

. ʻ

414

HISTORY OF PATERSON.

very inadequate to that of the enemy, I imagine I shall be obliged to fall down towards Brunswic, and form a junction with the troops, already in that quarter, under the command of Lord Stirling."1 The regiments which had been left be- hind, having broken up the New Bridge on the Hackensack, also passed over the Acquackanonk bridge, 2 which was then destroyed, to hinder the enemy's pursuit. The only con- temporary account of this act is in the Journal of Captain William Beatty, of th Maryland Line, who, after speaking of the loss of Fort Lee, says: "We now began our retreat through the Jersey by the way of Aquakanack Bridge Which Was tore up after Our troops had pass'd it."3 The late Henry P. Simmons, of Passaic, was wont to relate that John H. Post had narrated to him countless times the par- ticulars of the destruction of this bridge, and that he had assisted in cutting it down. Among the papers of Henry Garritse, 4 member of the Legislature, and of the Acquack- anonk committee of correspondence at the time, is a tavern bill of James Leslie, which contains a significant item under what appears to be the date of November 22: "To 3 Bol Tody5 for Soldiers at work at the Bridge, 6-0." This doubtless refers to the refreshments furnished to the soldiers who were cutting down the structure. The bridge at that time lay nearly opposite the church, or about in the rear of where Speer's warehouse now is. A British detachment which arrived at the river on November 22 found that the Americans had all got over the stream, and were making some show of opposition, "their advance being at Aquakin- unc."6 Washington made little pause here, however, but followed the road on the west shore of the Passaic to Sec- ond River [now Belleville], where he stationed liis rear- guard, while he pushed on to Newark. He had expected to find a considerable body of militia at Newark, he wrote thence on November 23, but was disappointed to learn that there were not more than four or five hundred at the differ- ent posts.7 A council of war being held it was deemed in- advisable to make a stand north of the Raritan, 8 and on the advance of the British the retreat was resumed at seven o'clock on the morning of Thursday, November 28,9 the army marching in two columns-one via Woodbridge (which was reached by sunset), and the other via Newark moun- tain, Springfield, Scotch Plains and Quibbletown, both col- umns converging at New Brunswick, 10 on Friday, November 29.11 Gen. Greene tersely summarizes the march, in a let-

1 Sparks, IV., 189; Force, 790; Ford's Writings of Washington, V., 49.

2 Marshall's Washington, II., 521,

3 Hist. Mag., Feb. 1867, 80. Col. H. B. Carrington's statement (Bat- tles of the American Revolution, 256) that the Americans "burned the bridge after a brief skirmish," is not substantiated by any documentary evidence.

4 In the author's possession. 5 "3 Bottles of Toddy."

G Gen. Howe's report, Force, 925.

7 Washington to the President of Congress, Sparks, IV., 191. There were 5410 troops at or near Newark, fit for duty, including those who had marched with Washington from Hackensack .- Force, 821.

8 Force, 919. 9 Ib., 891.

10 Capt. Wm. Beatty's Journal, Hist. Mag., Feb. 1867, 80.

11 Force, 919.

ter from Trenton, December 4: "We retreated to Hacken- sack; from Hackensack to Equaconeck,1 from Equaconeck to Newark, from Newark to Brunswick, from Brunswick to this place."2 "Both officers and men," says Tom Paine, in "The Crisis," No. I., "though greatly harassed and fatigued, frequently without rest, covering or provision, the inevitable consequences of a long retreat, bore it with a manly and martial spirit. All their wishes centered in one, which was, that the country would turn out and help them to drive the enemy back. None can say that our re- treat was precipitate, for we were near three weeks in per- forming it, that the country might have time to come in. Twice we marched back to meet the enemy, and remained out till dark. The sign of fear was not seen in our camp." It was with the memory of this retreat vivid in his mind that, under date of December 23, 1776, he issued the first number of "The Crisis," beginning with the burning words:

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country ; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

THE BRITISH MARCH THROUGH ACQUACKANONK.

Tramp !- Tramp !- Tramp !- Tramp ! "Hark !- again the martial stamp On the hollow bridge resounds, From the steepy shore rebounds, Peopling thick with sounds the air ; Mid shouting horns and glittering armor fair ! See ! in dazzling pomp advancing, Banners flaunting, horses prancing, Seas of plumes in billows dancing, And far away the frosty hayonets glancing !" . .

They're gone beyond the hills afar : Convulsive, faint, no longer shrill, Along Passaic's lonely brink Swell the last clarion-notes of passing war, That heave, and sink- Heave and sink, And all again is still !"3

Having followed the retreating American army well out of the reach of the British, let us now return and accompany the victorious cohorts on their triumphal progress through this region of New Jersey. On November 21, the day after the Americans had quit Fort Lee and retired to Hackensack and Acquackanonk, Gen. Howe dispatched Major General Vaughan, with the Light Infantry and the British Grena- diers, to New Bridge, on the Hackensack, and a detach- ment of the Sixteenth Dragoons, under the command of Col. Harcourt, to Fort Lee. This latter detachment, with some companies of the Light Infantry, scoured the country on the 22d, as far as the Passaic, as already related, only to find that the Americans had abandoned the intermediate country, and were safely established at and beyond Ac-

I Acquackanonk. 2 Force, 1071.

3 "The Retreat of Seventy-Six," in "Passaic," hy "Flaccus," 151. The writer has taken a poet's license to rebuild the bridge which had heen destroyed by the Americans on their retreat.

415

THE BRITISH MARCH THROUGH ACQUACKANONK.

quackanonk. 1 On this day Howe had his headquarters at DeLancey's Mills, on the New York side of the Hudson. Significantly enough, the parole for the day was "Corn- wallis," and the countersign, "Jersey."2 The same day Gen. Howe "went to Jersey," probably to have a conference regarding the next move to be made, with Lord Cornwallis, who then lay about three miles from Fort Lee. Their counsels were protracted until a late hour, as the General 'did not return to his quarters until eleven o'clock that night.3 Doubtless in pursuance of the arrangements then made between the two Generals, the Second and Fourth Brigades of the British and a battalion of the Seventy-first Highlanders, reinforced his Lordship on the 24th. Leav- ing the Second Brigade at Fort Lee, he advanced on No- vember 25 with the main body to New Bridge, 4 and proba- bly to the Passaic river, at Acquackanonk, the same day, as heavy firing was said to have been heard from that vicinity, beginning early in the morning.5 He was delayed in his march by the weather, it raining heavily all the time, 6 and by the fact that all the bridges on the route had been de- stroyed by the Americans.7 Although he did not hesitate to march his troops through shallow streams, despite the cold, 8 he was at a loss just where to attempt the passage of the Passaic. Accordingly, his soldiers were spread out along the eastern bank of the river, encamping on the high ground extending from the Saddle river northerly along the hillside nearly or quite to the Dundee dam, where Adrian Post then had his grist- and saw-mills. The next day, November 26, he determined to cross the river by the ford just below the dam. The river was full of ice, and he also feared that there might be deep holes into which his men might flounder if they attempted to wade across without a guide. So Adrian Post, the oldest son of Adrian, the miller, at Slooterdam, was pressed into the service, and at the point of the bayonet was compelled to wade through the icy water, and lead the troops across by the ford. 9 He was only twenty years old at the time, and the exposure brought on a cold and rheumatism, which made him an in- valid until his death, twelve years later.10 The British army having crossed the river, followed the Wesel road to Acquackanonk bridge, and thence passed down the River road, on the west bank of the Passaic, until they came to

Second River and Newark.1 Writing from Newark, on November 27, Washington says: "I have nothing in partic- ular to advise you of respecting the enemy, more than that they are advancing this way. Part of them have passed the Passaic."2 That same night he learned that the British had advanced near Second River, and at once issued orders for his army to be put under arms early the next morning for another retrograde movement, which began at seven o'clock.3 As Washington wrote a day or two later: "The enemy's advanced guards were entering the town [Newark] by the time our rear got out."4 Another writer says: "We hear the enemy were on the march through the town [Newark] soon after we left."5 Gen. Howe reported: "On the enemy retiring from Newark, as his Lordship ap- proached, he took possession of that place on the 28th [of November], and is now following them, retreating towards Brunswick."6 And so the retreat and the leisurely pursuit went on, as far as Brunswick, where Gen. Howe called a halt,? and Cornwallis was restrained in his purpose to fall upon and crush Washington and his little army, who were so soon to turn and strike that double blow at Trenton and Princeton, which was to send a shock of consternation throughout the British empire, and to thrill the American patriots with pride, courage and confidence-in their Wash - ington, their army and their cause.

BRITISH DEPREDATIONS ON THE MARCH.

Come we now to one of the saddest chapters in military annals, and one which must forever smirch the fair fame of England's army. Why was the British pursuit of Washing- ton so feebly pushed ? That General wrote from Newark, on November 27, that the British progress "had been retarded by the weather, which has been rainy for several days past."S Writing the next day from the same place, to Gen. Lee, he says : "It has been more owing to the badness of the weather that the enemy's progress has been checked, than any resistance we could make."9 But there was an - other and more potent reason. Lord Cornwallis reached the Passaic on November 25; the next day he crossed that river, at the Dundee dam, and began his march down the river to Acquackanonk Landing, Second River and Newark. It was not until the evening of the 27th that his advanced guard reached Second River. He had marched eight miles in two days! Granted that the weather was rainy, the roads muddy, and bridges destroyed. There were only four

1 Howe's Report, Force, 925. It was reported on Nov. 24 (Kemble's Journal, 102) tbat the Light Horse had proceeded as far as Second River. This was probably incorrect; if they did go so far, they must have retired speedily on the main body, as they were not in force to make such a daring advance at all safe.

2 Kemble's Journal (N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1883), I., 413.

3 Ib., 101.

4 Force, 925 ; Stedman, I., 219.

5 Force, 841. The intentions of the British were indicated by the parole-"Hackensack," and the countersign-"Newark," at Howe's headquarters on Nov. 25. See Kemble's Journal, I., 102.

G Washington's Letters, Ibid., 871 ; Beatty's Journal, Hist. Mag., Feb. 1867, 80.

7 v. Eelking, 99. 8 Ib., 99.

9 This is a well-authenticated family and local tradition.

10 He was b. May 13, 1756. and d. Jan. 4, 1789 (not 1799). See p. 146.

1 In Stedman's map (Hist. of the War, I., opp. p. 214), showing the movements of the Americans and of the British in November, 1776, it is indicated that Lord Cornwallis took the "road down the meadows," or toward Boiling Spring, on November 28th. It is possible, but higbly improbable, that one column took tbe road on the east side of the Pas- saic as far as Lyndhurst, where there was a ford, and there crossed to the west side. There was no bridge over the river below Acquack- anonk, and the depth and width of the river below Lyndhurst would have made fording out of the question. The date, November 28, moreover, is certainly erroneous, as shown in the text above.

2 Force's Am. Archives, 5tb Series, III., 871; Lee Papers, II., 318.

3 Force, 891. 4 Sparks, IV., 194; Lee Papers, II. , 319-20.

5 Force, 891. 6 Ib., 925. 7 Stedman, I., 219.

8 Force, 871. 9 Lee Papers, II. , 319.

416

HISTORY OF PATERSON.

or five streams to cross, the most considerable being the Third river, and all were easily fordable.

The slowness of the march is accounted for by the license permitted to the soldiers to lay waste the country, and to prey upon the helpless inhabitants. After the army had passed, its route was marked by havoc and desolation on every hand. Nothing came amiss to the predatory sol- diery.

After camping all night on the farm of Adrian Post, the miller, on the east bank of the river, just below the present Dundee dam, when they left on the morning of November 26, 1776, they carried off this plunder, as inventoried and sworn to by him: "One pair of men's shoes, almost New, 7s., 6d .; one pair weomens Shoes, almost New, 7s., 6d .; thirteen pair mens and weomens shoes and Stockins & worn, &3, 6s., 6d .; one felt hat, and a good axe New, 15s .; Six pair of pillow Cases with Lace, £2, Ios .; A New Silk Weomens hat, 15s .; twelve handkerchiefs and half-worn shirts, £2, 8s." Two days later some of the laggards of the army gathered up on Mr. Post's premises "twelve weomens Caps faced with Lace, £2, 75 .; one Black horse About 14 hands high, £18; A half worn Saddle worth tliree Dollars or £1, 25., 6d .; six pair of pillow Casses one third worn, £I, Ios .; five Check Aprons one third worn, 16s."

Cornelius I. Van Houten, his next-door neighbor, on the north, had a new wagon and set of wagon gears, worth 175., 5d., taken on November 26. Another neighbor, 'on the south, Cornelius Post, lost 800 panel of fence, worth £48; two horses, worth £45, and other property, amounting in all to £160, 75., 3d. Philip Van Bussum, also of Slooterdam, who came from Rockland county, N. Y., about 1770 or 1771, had a quarter of beef hanging up, which the soldiers carried off, the frightened women in the house not daring to remonstrate. Doubtless some of Cornelius Post's fence rails served not only to make comfortable bivouac fires, but to roast tlie stolen beef for the hungry soldiers.

When the army crossed the river, into Acquackanonk, the farm of Adrian J. Post was thoroughly ravaged, and the house pillaged, the following articles being carried off or destroyed:

2 Calves 8 months old, 30s. Each ; 16 Bushels of Rye at 4s. pr Bu's, £3,4S .; 250 Chestnut Rails at 30S. , £3. 15S. ; 50 Posts 5 holed at 6s., £1, 5s .; I Handsaw, 12s .; One Pannel saw, Ios .; I Tennant Saw, Ios .; Sash Saw, 6s .; compass, 3s .; 2 Pair of Match Inch Ploughs at 7s .; 1 Large Guage & One Chissel, 3s .; 1 Plain Chair, 5s .; Smoothing plain, 3s .; 6 Chissels at Is. Each ; I Morning Gown, {2, 2s .; I Calimanco Gown, 20S .; I Coverlet, Ios .; Pair of pillow Cases, 8s .; 2 Silken handkerchiefs partly worn, 12s .; 2 Pair of Stockings at 3s .; I Iron Pot containing 3 Gall', 8s .; I Holland fiddle, {r, IOS .; I New pair of Worsted Stockings, 6s .; 1 Pair of Stockings partly worn, 4s .; I Pail. 3S .; 3 knives & forkes, 3s. Total, £22, 8S.

Adrian A. Post and his son, Thomas Post, were robbed of:

One black Mare 9 Years old, £25; One brown Mare 5 Years, {20; One brown Gelding 7 Years, {20 ; 2 Ton English hay 40S. pr ton, £4; 10 Bushels of Indian Corn at 4s. pr bush, {2 ; 300 Wt of Wheat flour, 63; 700 Wt of Rye flour, £3, IOS .; 25 Bags at 3s. Each, £3, 15S .; 150 Wt of Pork at 3 pr Ib, {1, 17s. 6d .; Set of Waggon Gears partly worn, LI, IOS. Total, {84, 125., 6d.

Peter H. Vreeland got off very lightly, losing only "I New Castor hat, £I, Ios .; I Silk Handkerchief, 7s .; I Silk

Handkerchief, 5s .; 2 Linen Handkerchiefs at 2s., 6d .; I Check Apron, 4s." Total, £2, 1IS.

A party of soldiers who strayed from the main army as far up the Wesel road as Michael Vreeland's, near the Boule- vard and Twentieth avenue, found that he had concealed his property, and they only got a watch, valued at.£8, two horses, worth ££18, and a set of "geers," worth 5s.

As they came down the road again, they stopped at the house of Henry Post (where ex-Judge Jolin N. Terhune now lives), but Mrs. Post had hidden hier best china and silver in the bed of an aged female slave, who was apparently too fee- ble to rise. The soldiers turned everything upside down in their eager search for plunder, and at last began overhaul- ing this bed, whereat the wench taunted them that they should be so low as to meddle with the bed of an old col- ored slave. This had the desired effect, for the men left her and her bed alone, and Mrs. Post saved her china and silver. 1

The soldiers were more successful at the next house-that of Hessel Peterse, who lived on the upper part of the pres -- ent Cedar Lawn cemetery, and from him they got this good- ly lot of plunder: "I Waggon, £15; 2 Horses about 10 Years old at £10 Each; Good Set of Geers, £2; Negro Man Aged 47 Years, £55; Pocket Compass, 6s .; Case of Survey- ing Instruments, £2; 18 Homespun Shirts & Shifts, £7, 4S. ; 2 Watch Coats, 205. Each; 20 Handkerchiefs at 4s .; 2 Beaver hats, £3; 5 Silver table Spoons, £5." Total, £II6, IOS.

Visiting his next-door neighbor, Annaatje Van Riper, widow of Cornelius Doremus, the soldiers gathered in 15 sheep, worth 15s. each, and no doubt had a jolly feast. Their theft of the following articles was inexcusable: "Psalm book, neatly bound and trimmed with silver, ££I, IOS .; silver teaspoon; cloak partly worn, 125 .; linen sheet, I2s. ; pair women's shoes, 6s .; pair silver sleeve buttons, 45. ; pair pillow cases, 8s .; long gown, £2."

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History of the city of Paterson and the County of Passaic, New Jersey, Part 105

Author: Nelson, William, 1847-1914 Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Paterson : Press Printing and Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 466

Author: Nelson, William, 1847-1914
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Paterson : Press Printing and Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 466