History of the city of Paterson and the County of Passaic, New Jersey, Part 109

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

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1 Sparks's Washington, VII., 99; Thacher, 242; MS. Journal of Wil- liam S. Pennington, Lieutenant Company A, Second Artillery; Conver- sation with the late Samuel A. Van Saun, May 23, 1874; Mag. Am. Hist., II., 291. One of Lafayette's letters is dated "Au camp de Preak- ness 4 juillet 1780."

428

HISTORY OF PATERSON.

every county in the State to co-operate in this movement, to secure what was needed to supply the wants of the suffering men. Mrs. (Colonel) Theunis Dey and Mrs. (Major) Rich- ard Dey, of Preakness, and Mrs. Robert Erskine, of Ring- wood, were among the ladies of Bergen county selected to serve on the committee. The enemy were not slow to take advantage of the necessities of our soldiers, and a letter from Pompton, in June, 1780, states that the supply-wagons of our army had been attacked in Smith's Clove. 1

Notwithstanding the lack of comforts by our men, there were occasional alleviations of the situation. Surgeon Thacher gives some pleasing details of the manner in which the tedium of camp life, while at Preakness, was now and then relieved. He and several of his friends visited the Pas- saic Falls, of which he gives an excellent description, and the same day called to see Big-headed Peter Van Winkle. 2 Here are a few extracts from his journal:

(July) 5th .- I took an excursion a few miles into the country, to visit the surgeons of the flying hospital; took tea at their quarters, with a wealthy Dutch family,3 and was treated with great civility. They live in a style superior to the Low Dutch in general; the tahle was amply furnished with cherries, raspberries and other fruits, which ahound in this county.

Ioth .- The officers of our regiment, and those of Colonel Wehh's, united in providing an entertainment, and invited a respectable number of gentlemen of our hrigade to dine; Dr. West and myself were appoint- ed caterers and superintendents. We erected a large arbor, with the houghs of trees, under which we enjoyed an elegant dinner, and spent the afternoon in social glee, with some of the wine which was taken from the enemy when they retreated from Elizabethtown. Our drums and fifes afforded us a favorite music till evening, when we were de- lighted with the song composed hy Mr. Hopkinson, called the "Battle of the Kegs," sung in the hest style hy a number of gentlemen.

14th .- An express has arrived at head quarters, from Rhode Island, with the pleasing information4 of the arrival there of a French fleet, accompanied hy an army of six thousand regular French troops, who are to co-operate with our army as allies in our cause. They are com- manded by Count Rochambeau, a distinguished general in the French service.

2017 .- In general orders, the Commander in Chief congratulates the army on the arrival of a large land and naval armament at Rhode Island. sent by his Most Christian Majesty, to co-operate with us against the common enemy. The lively concern which our allies manifest for our safety and independence, has a claim to the affection of every virtuous citizen. The General, with confidence assures the army, that the offi- cers and men of the French forces, come to our aid animated with a zeal founded in sentiment for us, as well as in duty to their prince, and that they will do every thing in their power to promote harmony and culti- vate friendship; he is equally persuaded on our part, that we shall vie with them in their good disposition, to which we are excited by grati- tude as well as hy common interest,-and that the only contention he- tween the two armies will he to excel each other in good offices, and in the display of every military virtue. This will he a pledge of the most solid advantage to the common cause, and a glorious issue to the cam- paign. The Commander in Chief has recommended to the officers of our army, to wear cockades of black and white, intermixed, as a symhol of friendship for our French allies, who wear white cockades.

1 N. J. Gazette, June 14, July 5, 1780.

2 See p. roo, ante.

3 George Doremus, on the Pompton road.

4 There was a discordant note to the pleasure of this information, in the fear lest the French officers should be given positions ahove those held hy Americans who had endured every hardship for four years .- See Life of John Lamh, 243.

22d .- The officers of our regiment received an invitation to dine with Major General Lord Stirling. . . Our entertainment was sumptu- ous and elegant. After the covers were removed, the servants hrought in pails filled with cherries and strawberries, which were strewed over the long tahle; with these, and excellent wine, accompanied hy martial music, we regaled ourselves till evening. .

23d .- Sunday I attended a sermon preached hy Mr. Blair, chaplain of the artillery. The troops were paraded in the open field, the sermon was well calculated to inculcate religious principles, and the moral vir- tues. His Excellency General Washington, Major Generals Greene and Knox, with a number of other officers, were present.

Some extracts from a contemporary orderly book, 1 albeit badly spelled, give additional views of army events and experiences during this encampment at Totowa and Preak- ness:

July 1. The Grand Parade is asigned on the road near the Marquis De Lefeat's2 Quarters till further orders. A sergt., Corpl., and 12 men from the Ist Penna Brigad to mount at Gen'l Green's Quarters this afternoon.

July 2. A Sergt, Corp1, and 12 men to mount at the Marquis De Le- feat Quarters; allso, a Corp1, and 21 Privats from the Ist Penna Brigad to mount on the road to Morristown. Those Brigades who heave not Drawn Rum to-Day, are to he suplyed with a Gill of rum this afternoon.

The troop to beat at 6 o'clock in the morning. The guards to he on the grand Parade at 7 till further orders.

July 4. The troops to he suplyd with a gill of Rum pr. man this day, In case the heave not already Drawn.

July 5. A detachment to Parad this afternoon, 5 o'clock, near Gen'l St. Clear's Quarters, for a week's Command, with Two days' provis- ions & 40 round pr. man.

July 6. It is expected the greatest care will he taken in inspecting the armies, as so mutch weet weather rather Renders a minute inspections ahsolutely nessory.

A Sergant and 10 men from Maxwell's Brigade for Fatigue Tomor- row. The will he at the hridge at Gen'l St. Clear's Quarters3 at 6 o'clock in the morning.

The maneuvring Batallions are to he formed in the field near to the grand parade, half past 4 in the morning.

July 8, Prackanass. A Corpl. and 4 Dragoons from Major Lee's Corps to attend the grand parade to-morrow morning.

The [xst Penn.] Brigade to march to-morrow morning hy the left. The Gen'l to heat at 3 o'clock, the assembly half past 3, and the Troop will take up their line of march at 4 o'clock Prisaly.

July 9, Totaway. "As soon as the tents are Pitched and the Bowers made, the Troops will attend to Claning and repearing their Cloths & Arms. Racks or Forks are to he fixed in front of each Regt to hear the arms against.

July 11. Mr. Pomroy Quarters at Mr. Peter Decamiss's, on the Hampton road.4

July 12. The Post-office is kept near Two Bridges.

A soldier was tried "for attempting to Pass the Centries of Gen'l Hand Brigade, at 11 o'clock on the evening of the 8 Instant, with his Arms, acutriments, and B., also for indevoring to persuade the Centi- nels who stopt him to leave his Post and go off with him, found guilty and sentence . to suffer death. The Commander-in-Chief ap- prove the sentence."

July 20, Totoway. The troops will take up their line of march from this ground exactly at 3 o'clock p. m.5

1 2d Penn. Archives, XI., 548-564.

2 Lafayette's, near the race course.

3 Prohably the Totowa hridge, crossing the Passaic river. Perhaps Gen. St. Clair had his headquarters in Mrs. Godwin's tavern, recently the Passaic Hotel.

4 Peter Doremus's, on the Pompton road.

5 This was the famous expedition of Gen. Wayne against the Block- House at Bull's Ferry, which was an essential failure, owing to the de-

429

WASHINGTON AGAIN AT PREAKNESS.

July 23. [A committee from the Congress visited the army-Philip Scbuyler, Jobn Matthews and Nathaniel Peabody.]

July 26. The first & third Pennsylvania Regiment will furnish a Company of Rifflemen, each of 42 rank & file . . . Major Parr will take Command of tbes two Companies.

July 28, Head Quarters, Prackness, 12 o'clock. The army, except the Jersey Brigade, will marcb tomorrow morning, by the left. The Gen'l will beat at 2 o'clock, tbe assembly at balf past 2, & the march will comence presily at 3.

"The distresses of the officers and soldiers have become intolerable," writes Gen. Knox, from Preakness, 1 July 27, 1780. Doubtless in view of the intended movement of the army he adds: "There are between 8 & 9 hundred arms and between 5 & 6 hundred accoutrements forwarded to West Point from this place today." And in another letter, the same day: "His Excellency the Commander in chief having directed a corp of riffle men to be formed immediately, I am to desire you will send to camp as soon as possible 4I riffles which are at West Point, and 120 powder horns from Fishkill."2 That same evening there arrived in camp, at Preakness, the sordid traitor, Gen. Benedict Arnold, 3 not unlikely for the purpose of observing the exact condition of the army, in order to report it to Sir Henry Clinton, with whom he was already in correspondence, and to whom he fled precipitately two months later, when his treason was discovered.

On the morning of July 29, the army broke camp and marched to Paramus, where they encamped that night, the Jersey Brigade remaining a day or two longer at Preakness. A British movement against the French army in Rhode Island was anticipated by Washington, who promptly checked it by a threatening advance on the upper part of New York city. On August 23 he withdrew liis forces into New Jersey once more, occupying the northern part of Ber- gen county, where they remained several weeks, and then returned to Tappan. 4

ficient artillery of the attacking party. Gen. Wayne issued a grandilo- quent address of congratulation to his troops, on July.23, after their re- turn to Totowa. See 2d Penn. Archives, XI., 557-9; Sparks's Corres- pondence of the Revolution, III., 34-37. It was the theme of Major John Andre's mock-heroic poem, "The Cow Chase."

1 Washington's letters while at Preakness are variously dated, per- baps to mislead the enemy should they fall into bostile hands; in some cases, no doubt, tbe location was designated in the manner most likely to be understood by the person addressed. For example: July 10- "Head Quarters, near Passaic;" July 14-"Bergen County;" July 20- "Head Quarters, near Passaic;" the same day-"Head Quarters, Colo- nel Dey's;" July 22-"Head Quarters, Preakness," and "Head Quar- ters, Bergen County." Gen. Knox wrote, July 12, from "Camp at Prakenis." In a letter from "Camp Precaness," July 28, the latter com- plains bitterly of the delay by the States in furnishing men and equip- ments, which neglect had frustrated many bopeful plans of tbe com- mander-in-chief.

2 Lamb Papers. In a letter dated "Camp Precaness N J July 28 1780," to Col. Artemas Ward, Gen. Knox indulges in this strain of dis- satisfaction : "We bave been in tbis camp for nearly three weeks mak- ing the necessary arrangements for the campaign. . . . Much might have been expected from this campaign had proportionable and reason- able preparations been made."-Scribner's Monthly , 1876.

3 Ib., J. Asbton to Col. Lamb.

4 Thacher, 246; N. J. Gazette ; Sparks, VII., 129, 181-234 ; Penn. Mag., XX., 302-6; Journals of Major Samuel Shaw, etc., Boston, 1847,75-80.

WASHINGTON'S SECOND ENCAMPMENT AT PREAKNESS.

The forage having been exhausted in that vicinity, the main body of the army marched to Paramus on October 7. Says Washington, writing thence under that date: "We have had a cold, wet, and tedious march, on account of the feeble state of our cattle, and have not a drop of rum to give the troops. My intention is to proceed with them to the country in the neighbourhood of Passaic Falls." The bad weather and consequent wretched state of the roads de- layed this movement for a day or two, until a corps of arti- ficers could be organized for the purpose of repairing the road between Paramus and "Totoway Bridge," to facilitate the movement. Washington wrote from "Head Quarters, Near Passaic Falls," on October 8, and the next day issued general orders from "Head Quarters, Totoway," assigning the locations of the several divisions of the army. The site of the encampment during the previous summer was again occupied, together with additional ground.1 The army was extended along the eastern base of the Preakness mountain, from the Goffle to Little Falls, a distance of five or six miles, being thus furnished with a welcome protection against the inclement blasts, and being at the same time convenient for the wood and stone needed in camp.

In and about Gen. Washington's headquarters there was a constant scene of activity, the general officers and their aides de camp continually galloping up for orders and off again. Numerous grooms were always on hand to take care of the fine horses belonging to the General and to the other officers. His famous Life Guard was encamped within the precincts of the house, ever on the alert to protect their be- loved commander, every man of them having his allotted duty, ready to spring to arms at a moment's notice, when the drums should beat an alarm, or a particular retreat. Nine wagons, for the conveyance of the General's baggage, were ranged close to the house. The most perfect military discipline prevailed, no confusion being noticeable, not- withstanding the constant movement and bustle. 2

Some distance in front of the headquarters was stationed Brigadier General Henry Knox's brigade of artillery, on the brow of the hill, between the two wings of the army, pro- tecting the headquarters and commanding the approaches from the Passaic river. The Park of Artillery was a second centre of life in the camp. Here was the army post-office. Visitors were always escorted thither, to see the evolutions of the men at their guns; while the whole camp listened with interest for the firing of the sunset gun. Gen. Knox was accompanied, as usual, by his wife, who, with her little girl of three years and lier six-months babe, occupied a small farmhouse in the vicinity.

The right wing, consisting of the First and Second Penn- sylvania, and the First and Second Connecticut Brigades, the whole commanded by Major General Lord Stirling, was located a short distance southwest of the present Laurel

1 Whiting's Revolutionary Orders of Washington, 117; Sparks, VII., 237 ; Penn. Mag., XX., 309.

2 Travels in North-America, in the years 1780, 1781 and 1782, by the Marquis de Chastellux, London, 1787, I., 140.

430

HISTORY OF PATERSON.

Grove cemetery, the two Pennsylvania brigades forming the advance. The camp-ground is now traversed by Beattie avenue. The left wing, commanded by Major General Arthur St. Clair, consisted of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Massachusetts Brigades; they were encamped on Totowa, from near the present Lincoln bridge to Haledon. The First and Second Massachusetts Brigades composed the front line of this wing.

The broad plateau extending for half a mile or more from the mountain to the river, at an elevation of fifty to one hundred and fifty feet above the stream, not only afforded fine opportunities for exercising the troops in military evo- lutions, but was also well adapted for defensive purposes. The Grand Parade ground was near the Falls, on an exten- sive bare field, known and used eighty or ninety years later (1860-70) as the "Cricket ground," in the Totowa region of the present Second ward of Paterson.1 On Oct. 20 it was ordered changed to a field between Gen. St. Clair's and Gen. Huntington's quarters-near the present cemetery of the Holy Sepulchre.

Lafayette's Light Infantry Corps, formed in the preced- ing August, and comprising six battalions, or two brigades, 2 held the extreme left, extending from Haledon to the Goffle, his headquarters tent being on the Goffle brook, directly back of the house of the late George I. Ryer- son.3 After the custom of the time, a large bowl of grog was a stationary feature of his table, from which every officer who entered the tent was invited to help himself. In a large hollow near by the soldiers were wont to bake their bread every day for the troops. Says the Marquis de Chas- tellux:

I found this camp placed in an excellent position; it occupied two

1 Between Totowa, Redwoods, Union and Sheridan avenues.

2 Sparks, VII., 134-135; 2d Penn. Archives, XI., 552, 554. Lafayette was very proud of his Light Corps, and equipped the men largely at his own expense. It was a delicate matter to make the same proposition to the officers, hut he managed it gracefully. In a letter of September 15, 1780, to Col. Aaron Ogden, he said he had received a proposition from a merchant to furnish clothing for the officers in his division "nearly on the same terms as the prime cost in France," and hopes it will he "found to be perfectly suited to the convenience of the officers of the division." The next day he writes again to Col. Ogden, and mentions the fact that he had ordered swords in France for his officers. "Having now re- ceived them, I would solicit a new mark of your Friendship by your ac- ceptance and each of the officers of your regiment of one of them, as they cannot he had at present in America."-Original MSS. Writing from "Totowa Bridge, on the Passaic, 8 October, 1780," to the Count de Vergennes, he says: "The liberty which has been allowed me, Mon- sieur le Comte, ohliges me to remain steadily where I think I am least useless. As long as I am of this opinion, I shall not leave America. My position is as agreeable as that of a man can he who is a great enemy of inaction . . . I am in command of a flying camp which forms the advanced guard of the American army, and is composed of the élite of the troops."-Stevens Fac Similes, No. 1628. Other letters were dated "Totaway-Bridge ce ro octobre 1780," and "Camp de la division légère, 30 octobre 1780," the latter giving a description of his corps, the uni- forms, etc .- Mémoires, etc., General Lafayette, Paris, 1837, Tome Premier, 376-7.

3 When Lafayette visited this neighborhood in 1825, his party came from Hackensack to Paterson via the Goffle, and he was amused and touched to see that a hoard, suitably inscrihed, had heen set up hy some of his old soldiers to designate the spot where his tent had heen erected in the Revolutionary days.

heights separated by a small hottom, but with an easy communication between them. The river Totohaw or Second River, protects its right, and it is here that it makes a considerable elbow . . . The principal part of the front, and all the left hank, to a great distance, are covered hy the rivulet which comes from Paramus, and falls into the same river . . . This troop made a good appearance, were hetter clothed than the rest of the army ; the uniforms hoth of the officers and soldiers were smart and military, and each soldier wore a helmet made of hard leather, with a crest of horse-hair. The officers are armed with espontoons, or rather with half-pikes, and the suhalterns with fusils . . . The tents, agreeahly to the American custom, formed only two ranks; they were in regular lines, as well as those of the officers ; and as the season was advanced, they had good chimneys . . huilt on the outside, and conceal the entrance of the tents, which produce the double effect of keeping off the wind, and of preserving heat night and day.1

Major Henry Lee, with his famous Virginia legion, whose gallant exploits gave him the soubriquet, "Light Horse Harry Lee," occupied the broad, level fields between the Goffle and Wagaraw, to "take care of the approaches to his [Lafayette's] encampment," making his headquarters in the old Alyea house, near the Bergen county end of the present Wagaraw bridge. 2

The extreme right was held by Col. Stephen Moylan's Pennsylvania Dragoons, and Major James Parr's Rifle Corps, both stationed south of the Passaic river. The former were encamped at Little Falls, to guard the ap- proach from Newark and Elizabethtown from the east side of First Mountain, as well as the road .through the Great Notch. Both were ordered to "patrol on the road towards Newark and Aquakanack." The Rifle Corps occupied a broad ravine northwest of the Notch, in a position to com- mand that important pass, and the roads through it from Acquackanonk, Second River and Newark. Major Parr held this post only a week, being then (Oct. 17, 1780) or- dered to join Lafayette's Light Corps, at the Goffle, while a regiment from the Second Connecticut Brigade replaced him at the Notch. Although he occupied it for so short a time, Major Parr's original position is to this day known by the people in the neighborhood as "the Rifle Camp," and the road leading from Paterson, via Stony Road, over Gar- ret Mountain to the Notch, is called "the Rifle Camp road." It is said that Washington caused a lookout to be erected on the peak on the north- side of the Notch, whence he could command a clear view of the whole country for twenty miles or more, including New York, Newark, Elizabeth- town, Hackensack, Fort Lee, etc.3 Fifty years later there were still to be seen huge boulders on the edge of the mountain, overlooking the gorge, and tradition asserted that these masses of stone had been rolled there by Washing- ton's command, to be hurled down upon the enemy if they

1 Travels, I., 103.

2 "This corps consisted of three troops of horse, and three companies of infantry, giving a total of 350 effectives."-Lee's Memoirs, etc., 182. It remained at the Goffle about three weeks, occasionally riding to Fort Lee and thence patrolling the road to Bergen. Ahout the first of Novemher it was dispatched to the South. Washington wrote, Oct. 23 : " The corps itself is an excellent one, and the officer at the head of it has great resources of genius."-Sparks, VII., 277, 285.

3 The timher platform that stood here some years ago was erected for the uses of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic surveys, about 1850, or per- haps earlier.

431

CAMP-LIFE AT TOTOWA AND PREAKNESS.

attempted to force a passage through the Notch. Even sixty years after the War, the ruins were still plainly visible of the ovens built in the "Rifle Camp" for the soldiers' meagre baking.

The line of battle was prescribed in general orders, Oct. 15, 1780, to be as follows:

Light Corps Maj. Parr's Rifle Corps

· . Maj. Lee's Legion

Light Infantry

2d Brigade, late Gen. Enoch

Poor's

Ist Brigade, Gen. Edward Hand

Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette.

Front Line.

Mass., and Bedkin's Troop. Col. Stephen Moylan's Dra-

goons.

Left. Wing, Maj. Gen. St. Clair

Right Wing, Maj. Gen. Lord

Stirling.

2d Mass., Gen. Glover, Ist Mass., Gen. Nixon Maj. Gen. Howe.

Gen. Wayne.

Second Line.

3d Mass.,

4th Mass.,

2d Conn.

Ist Conn.

Col.

Gen.

Bailey

Paterson

Gen. Henry Knox

Brig. Gen. Parsons

Washington's Headquarters.

All through the army the troops tried to make themselves as comfortable as their scanty means would allow. Broad flat stones were gathered and laid to form a level floor; upon this was set up a tent, or a hut. Outside was built a rude chimney, usually of stone laid up in clay. In general orders, dated "Headquarters, Totoway, October II, 1780," is this caution: "As the Soldiers have begun to build Chimneys for their tents the Genl. desires that the Com- manding officers of regiments and companies will be par- ticularly attentive in seeing that the funnels are raised so much above the ridgepole of the tents as to prevent damage from the fire which heretofore has been very injurious to the tents of the army." This order appears to have been much neglected, for on Oct. 25 it is again ordered: "The Funnels of the Chimneys which are not already raised above the tents are without delay to be completed." It was not until the "hard times" of 1857, when labor was very cheap, that the Totowa farmers thought it worth while to plow up the land at the base of the mountain, where there had remained undisturbed in all the intervening years the stone floors of the huts or tents erected by Washington's army during the encampments of 1780. But there had been constantly turned up cannon balls and other reminders of the military occupancy of those peaceful fields. 1

VISIT OF THE MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX.

The Marquis de Chastellux, who arrived at the camp on Nov. 23, 1780, has given us a charming picture of Washing- ton and his surroundings at this time. After visiting the Great Falls he rode along the front of the army,

meeting perpetually with posts, who took arms, drums beating, and the officers saluting with the espontoon. All these posts were not for the safety of the army; many of them were stationed to guard houses and barns, which served as magazines. At length, after riding two miles along the right flank of the army, and after passing thick woods on the right, I found myself in a small plain, where I saw a handsome farm ; a small camp which seemed to cover it, a large tent extended in the court, and several waggons round it, convinced me that this was his Excel- lency's quarter ; for it is thus Mr. Washington is called in the army, and throughout America. M. de la Fayette was in conversation with a tall man, five feet nine inches high, (about five feet ten inches and a half English) of a noble and mild countenance. It was the General himself. I was soon off horseback, and near him. The compliments were short ; the sentiments with which I was animated, and the good wishes he tes- tified for me were not equivocal. He conducted me to his house, where I found the company still at table, although the dinner had been long over. He presented me to Generals Knox, Waine, Howe, &c. and to his family, then composed of Colonels Hamilton and Tilgman, his Sec- retaries and Aides de Camp, and of Major Gibbs, commander of his guards ; for in England and America, the Aides de Camp, Adjutants and other officers attached to the General, form what his called his family. A fresh dinner was prepared for me, and mine ; and the present was prolonged to keep me company. A few glasses of claret and Madeira accelerated the acquaintances I had to make, and I soon felt myself at my ease near the greatest and best of men. The goodness and benevo- lence which characterize him, are evident from every thing about him ; but the confidence he gives birth to, never occasions improper familiar- ity ; for the sentiment he inspires has the same origin in every individ- ual, a profound esteem for his virtues, and a high opinion of his talents. About nine o'clock the general officers withdrew to their quarters, which were all at a considerable distance; but as the General wished me to stay in his own house, I remained some time with him, after which he conducted me to the chamber prepared for my Aides de Camp and me. This chamber occupied the fourth part of his lodgings; he apologized to me for the little room he had in his disposal, but always with a noble politeness, which was neither complimentary nor trouble- some.

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History of the city of Paterson and the County of Passaic, New Jersey, Part 109

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