USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > Memorial of the centennial celebration of the battle of Paulus Hook, August 19th, 1879 : with a history of the early settlement and present condition of Jersey City, N.J. > Part 5
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87 -- History of the American War, III., 283.
88-Annals of the United States, II., 300; Lossing's Pictorial History of the United States, 21; Wilson's American History, 388 ; Alleu's American Revolution, II., 245. 89-Thatcher's Journal, 174.
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says fifty were bayoneted.0 Captain Handy, who led. one of the attacking columns, says, "we put fifty to the bayonet."91 General Pattison, in his report to Lord Townshend,92 says : " By the returns I have received there were killed 4 sergeants, 2 corporals and 3 privates ; wounded 2 sergeants." That the general estimate of killed is too high is beyond doubt. One hundred and fifty-nine were captured and twenty-six were in . the redoubt with Major Sutherland. This makes one hundred and eighty six. How many were in the left-hand block-house is not known. But besides them, if fifty were killed the garri- son numbered two hundred and thirty-six. This figure is too high. I am inclined to give credence to the British account of their loss.
On the side of the Americans there seems to be no discrep- · ancy as to the number of killed and wounded. These were five in all-two killed and three wounded. Among the latter was Ezekiel Clark, one of Captain M'Lane's men, who had the end of his nose shot off. Alas! how fickle is fortune and how fal- lible is fame! Two of his companions left their bodies in "th' imminent deadly breach;" and perhaps their bones are now resting at the crossing of two busy streets in Dummer's hogshead,33 while their names are unknown. Two of his com- panions were wounded, perhaps more severely than himself, yet their names have sunk in the dull waters of Lethe, But as for Ezekiel, the country knows him because he lost his nose !94
I have now described the capture of Paulus Hoeck and its - circumstances as minutely as I am able from the facts within my reach. The Americans were in ecstacy over it, as they had
90-Battles of the United States, &c., 1., 543.
91-Vide Appendix, XII.
92-Vide Appentir, XI.
93-When the ground was graded for the erection of the pottery between Morris and Essex streets, Mr. Dummer placed the bones there found In a cask and buried them at the junction of Washington and Morris streets.
94-"Surprised Powles Hook on the 19th Aug., before daybreak, entered the works with 150 picked men, carried them at the point of the Bayonet, took 150 pris- oners, no loss on the part of the Americans excepting Ezekiel Clark, one of Capt. M'Lane's Company, who lost the end of his nose." M' Lane Mss.
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a right to be. The enemy, while attempting to belittle its results, were forced to acknowledge its brilliancy. Thus friend and foe characterized it: " The splendid enterprise of Paulus Hoeck ;"95 " little stroke in the surprise of Paulus Hoeck * * a brilliant transaction ;"96 " a bold and successful attack ;"97 " a coup de main of splendid audacity ;"98 " an enterprise suffi- . ciently daring in the design and extremely well conducted in . 1. the onset ;">99 " the situation of the post rendered the attempt critical and the success brilliant." " This affair, for the size of * it, may be ranged with the most heroic actions of the war, con- sidering the peculiar position of Paulus Hoeck and its being garrisoned by 200 men. A daring and dangerons enterprise."100 "The attempt was daring, the difficulties many, the success uncertain, and the retreat, admitting the enterprise to succeed, from the situation of the place and its vicinity to New York, exceedingly precarious."101 " A daring and brilliant enter- prise."102 "One of the most daring and insolent assaults to be found in the records of chivalry ; an achievement so brilliant in itself, so romantic in the scale of British admiration, that none but a hero inspired by the fortitude, instructed by the wisdom, . and guided by the planet of Washington, could, by the exploit at Panlus Hook, have furnished materials in the page of history to give it a parallel."108 Congress adopted resolutions thanking
95-" Character," in Pennsylvania Packet, September 28, 1779.
96-WASHINGTON TO REED, August 22, 1779. " We have given the enemy another little stroke in the surprise of Powles Hook (within cannon shot of New York), and bringing off seven officers and one hundred non-commissioned officers and privates. It was a brilliant transaction and performed by a detachment of Vir- ginians and Marylanders under the command of Major Lee of the light dragoons, with the loss of not more than ten or a dozen men. The colors of the garrison were also brought off."
97-Stedman's History of the American War, IT., 153.
98-Irving's Life of Washington, III., 515.
99-Murray's War in America, III., 169.
100-Gordon's History of the American War, III., 283.
101-Shaw's Journal, 66.
102-Allen's American Revolution, II., 245.
103-Duane to Hamilton. Hamilton's Works, I., 86.
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:
Major Lee " for the remarkable prudence, address and bravery displayed by him on the occasion." They ordered to be strnek a gold medal101 " emblematical of this affair," and appropriated fifteen thousand dollars for distribution among the soldiers engaged in the attack.105 Washington placed the surprise of Paulus Hocek and the capture of its garrison, within cannon shot of New York, alongside of the storming of Stony Point. 100 Lafayette wrote to Major Lee : "The more I have considered the situation of Paulus Hook the more I have admired your " enterprising spirit and all your conduct in that business."107 Holmes, speaking of Stony Point, says: "This enterprise was followed by another that 'equaled' it in boldness of design."108 In General Orders, under date of August 22d, 1779, the Commander-in-Chief said : " The General has the Pleasure to inform the Army that on the Night of the 18th Instant, Major Lee at the Head of a Party compos'd of his own Corps and Detachments from the Virginia and Maryland Lines surpris'd the Garrison at Powles Hook, and bronght off a considerable Number of Prisoners with very little Loss on our Side.
" The Enterprise was executed with a distinguished Degree of Address, Activity and Bravery and does great Honor to Major Lee and to all the Officers and Men under his Command, who are requested to receive the General's warmest Thanks."
But beneath this wave of popular enthusiasm over an event which should have been cause for general congratulation, there , was a strong undertow working against Major Lee. Great men and brilliant reputations always have been and always will be subject to this undertow. Jealousy is all sufficient in small minds to justify the meanest actions. It is not the men who labor most or give most to erown with success an enterprise who indulge in detraction or hostile criticism, but those who are either incapable of comprehending matters of pith and moment, or too base to appland the success of another.
104-Appendic, XXIV.
105-Vide Appendir, XXIV.
106-Washington to Lafayette, September 12, 1779.
107-Lafayette to Lee, August 27, 1780. Lee's Memoirs (Ed. 1870) 27.
108-Holmes' Annals of the United States, II., 300.
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We have already seen that in the swamps of the Bergen Woods a part of Major Lee's force became separated from the expedition. In his report he substantially attributed this to accident. But in this, as in many other important affairs, acci- dent has been forced to bear more than its just burden. Among the Virginians who joined Lee were a few who were jealous of . him. The fact that he held a separate command may have removed them from sympathy with him or his plans. The expedition to which they were now ordered, if successful, would raise him yet higher in official and popular estimation. They claimed that several of their officers were injured by reason of Major Lee having been given the command. It was claimed that Major Clark's commission antedated Lee's, and that by military usage he was justly entitled to the command. It was said that, to surmount this difficulty, Major Lee had misrepre- sented the date of his commission, giving it an older date than it really bore.109 Whatever justification there may have been for these charges, we are not left in doubt as to Major Lee's counter-charge that about one-half of the Virginians deserted him, and those who remained with him were lukewarm in their . support.110 After the enterprise was a success these discontents, as strenuously as the British, sought to belittle its results. They echoed the taunts of the enemy, that Major Lee left the Hoeck in a great hurry, that he did not capture all of the garrison, did no damage to the works, did not blow up the magazine, did not fire the barracks, did not spike the guns.11 That these charges suggested, if they did not 'express a falsehood, was a matter of no concern to these disappointed patriots. As unreasonable as they were, they were sufficient for the purpose. ; A cabal was formed against Major Lee.112 He was arrested and tried before a court martial upon eight charges, 118 He defended him-
109-Vide Appendix, XIX.
110-Vide Appendix, XVIII. The 3d charge against Major Lee was that almost the whole first battallon was lost. Vide Appendix, XXV.
111-Vide Appendix, XIII. See sixth charge on which Major Lee was tried. Ap- pendix, XXV.
112-Vide Appendix, XXXI.
113-Vide Appendix, XXV.
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self before the court in an eloquent review of the facts, and concluded as follows: "I have now gone through with my defence, and, after thanking the court for their attention and the patience with which they have heard me, I have only to beg, that whatever may be their decision, it may be pointed. If I have misbehaved, punish me with severity; but if it shall appear that I have done my duty and that the prosecution is groundless and vexations, I trust, Gentlemen, you will tell ; the world so.""" Of course, he was speedily and honorably acquitted and his enemies silenced.115
.But Major Lee was not the only one who was subjected to the uncertain finding of a court martial for this Paulus Hoeck affair. General Pattison said, "the enterprise, bold as it was, succeeded but to well, and little to the Honor of the Defend- ants." He, therefore, ordered Major Sutherland under arrest and to prepare for trial before a court martial upon a charge of General Misconduct as commandant at Paulus Hook on the 19th instant. This order was made on the day the garrison was captured. He also ordered two brigadier generals and three field officers to assemble at Paulns Hoeck at ten o'clock on the morning of the 20th "to make an Enquiry into the Causes of the Affront, suffered there from the enemy this morn- ing."" "116 As the result of the trial the Major was found not guilty, was honorably acquitted and released from arrest.117
It did not, however, fare so well with poor Sergeant John Taswell, of Van Buskirk's battalion, who was on duty at the left-hand block-house at the time of the assault. He was gravely charged with quitting his post, when it was only Hobson's choice with him, run away or be captured. But " the 13th Article of the 14th Section of the Articles of War " could not be trifled with. Did it not say that a soldier must not quit his post, even if a good retreat is better than a bad stand ? What
114-Show's Journal, 67.
115-" Major Clark, who is exceedingly the gentleman, advised and endeavored to dissuade those officers from the prosecution, but in vain." Show's Journal, 68.
116-Vide Appendir, V.
117-Vide Appendix, XIX.
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if one hundred and fifty men with one hundred and fifty bayo- nets at his breast, said he must leave, either for the " Round Redonbt," whither Major Sutherland and his twenty-six Hessians had fled, or for the "New Gaol " at Philadelphia, to which secure retreat his one hundred and fifty-eight companions were about to take up their line of march. The post had suffered an "affront " and some one, must be made a seape goat to bear the iniquity of that affront. The gallant Major had already been honorably acquitted ; therefore John Taswell must be tried for quitting his post in a shameful and scandalous manner. The unfortunate Sergeant was found guilty and dnly " sentenced to suffer Death by being hanged by the Neck until he is Dead." The time named for the taking off of Sergeant John was Tlinrs- day, the 9th of September, " between the Hours of Nine and Twelve within the Garrison at Paulus Hook. "118 But on the morning of that, day, the former good character of Taswell canie to his relief, and it pleased the Commander-in-Chief to grant him a free pardon and discharge from his Majesty's service119-a service into which as a Jerseyman he never should have entered.
With this pardon and discharge ends the story of the SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF PAULUS HOECK. That there was nothing dur- ing the course of the whole war more brilliant, more audacious, more dangerous, or more successful, was the testimony of friend and foe. Indeed the records of ancient and modern times, of chivalry and romance, may be searched and but few human efforts can be found to rise above it in the scale of admiration. By that brave act this spot was consecrated to perpetnal remem- brance.
From the 19th of August, 1779, until the 22d of November, 1783-our Evacuation Day-the British remained in the undis- turbed possession of the place. On that day they folded their tents like the poetical Arab and silently stole away -- the Britons to England, the Tories to Nova Scotia-and Paulus Hoeck was left free to become Jersey City.
118-Vide Appendic, XXI.
119-Vide Appendix, XXII.
APPENDIX.
I.
GENERAL PATTISON to LIEUT .- COL. VAN BUSKIRK.
New York July 22d 1779
Having found it necessary to prevent Persons of Suspicious Characters from passing and repassing to and from this City ; I have Issued a Proclama- tion for regulating Boats, small Craft, and Country People passing therein.
I have directed the Police to furnish you with Blank Recommendations for such People as you may think may be trusted with Boats to attend this Market from Bergen Shore below Paulis Hook, also blank Permissions for such Persons as you may think proper to allow to pass with Country produce to the City. [New York Historical Society's Collections, 1875.]
II.
GENERAL. WASHINGTON to MAJOR LEE.
Head Quarters West Point 10 August 1779
I have received your letter of yesterday with its enclosures. The plan you propose for the attack of Paulus Hook, and for making good the retreat of the party, is well concerted, and such as would be most likely to succeed, if the enterprise were to be carried into execution. But upon the whole, in the present position of the enemy's army, I should deem the attempt too hazard- ous, and not warranted by the magnitude of the object. We should lose more in case of failure, than we could gain in case of success ; and a single deserter, or disaffected inhabitant, may disclose the design and involve the party in ruin. The idea I had of the matter was, that it might not require more than three hundred men. It becomes the less eligible from the greater number you think requisite, which is too great to expose to any material danger. These considerations induce me to suspend the attempt till a more favorable' opportunity, unless it can be made in a manner less hazardous. The manner I have in view is by water, by way of Newark Bay. Boats may be collected near Elizabethtown, so as to threaten Staten Island.
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The party intended for the enterprise may either embark there, proceed up the bay, and land within two or three miles of the post, or it may meet the boats near Newark, embark there, and cross directly over. The doubt is, whether, notwithstanding the collection of the boats would look immediately towards Staten Island, it may not also give the alarm for Paulus Hook, and put them upon their guard. This, I think, is somewhat to be apprehended. I would however wish you to turn your thoughts this way, and give me your opinion as to the probability of success. [ Writings of Washington, VI., 317.]
III.
ORDERS.
Colonel Gordon will please to Bring back his whole Detachment to New York as soon as Col. Buskirk's Corps is returned within the Posts at Paulis Hook, and will likewise bring over at the same time the party of Hessians, who were sent from hence last night, and ten of the Number that went this Morning, and will leave a Captain, one Sub'n & 50 Hessians to remain at Paulis Hook, till they are relieved, which will be to-morrow Morning,
JAS. PATTISON, Major Gen'l.
¿ past 6 o'Clock, 19 August 1779.
New York August 19th 1779
Sir : I am directed by Major Gen'l Pattison to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter, which informed him of Col. Buskirk and his Party having returned, but as he imagines the Men of your Garrison must be much fatigued, he has ordered a Captain and 50 Hessians to remain at Paulis Hook, as a Rein- forcement, but which will be relieved to-morrow.'
The Commander in Chief having signify'd to Major Gen'l Pattison his Orders for assembling a Board of General and Field Officers to-morrow Morn- ing at Paulis Hook, to examine into the Affront given to that Post this morn- ing. The General has been pleased to direct that Brig'r Gen'ls Martin & Garth, with Lieut. Col's Martin & McPherson & a Field Officer of the Guards, do compose the same, and will assemble at 10 o'Clock in the Morning. You will care that all the Officers of your Post will attend at that Hour, & the Captain & two other Officers (Hessian) who were engaged in the conflict must also attend the Board ; if any of them have crossed over they shall be ordered to return.
I am Sir &c S. P. A.
To Major Sutherland ... -
[New York Historical Society's Collection, 1875, 252.]
!
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IV.
GENERAL PATTISON to SIR HENRY CLINTON.
New York August 19th 1779 # past 8 P. M.
I have the satisfaction to inform your Excellency, that Major Sutherland has reported to me that Col. Buskirk after a trifling Skirmish with the Rebels about 19 o'Clock near the Liberty Pole, is safe returned to Paulis Hook with the loss of a Man, and with four Prisoners.
Major Sutherland has also brought in a Captain and Six Prisoners. I have hereupon sent orders to Col. Gordon to bring back his whole Detach- ment of Guards, as likewise all the Hessian Party, except a Cap'n & 50 Men which I have [ordered] may remain at the Post to reinforce for this Night, the rest of the Garrison having been much fatigued by the distant Sortie of this day, before I knew the fate of Col. Buskirk and whether the Guards could return or not, (as the Town was so drained of Troops) for the Main Guard of Hessians to be reinforced with a Sub'n & 25 Men & all the Men of their three Regiments off duty, in Camp, to be considered as Picquets ready to march into the City at the Shortest Notice, but from the Intelligence received from Major Sutherland, I immediately contradicted the Order.
I am just now honored with your . Excellency's Commands for . Brig'r Gen'ls Martin & Garth, with three Field Officers to form a Board at Paulis Hook tomorrow Morning at 10 o'Clock to enquire into the Cause of the Affront suffered at that Post which will be duly carried into Execution. [Neio York Historical Collections, 1875, 254.]
V.
British Garrison Orders. New York August 19, 1779 Parole. Malda. Countersign, Jersey .. . Head Quarters, New York, 19th August 1779. After Orders, Eight at Night.
The commander in Chief is pleased to direct that Brigadiers General Mar- tin and Garth with Three Field Officers ; shall assemble at Paulus Hook to -. morrow morning at Ten o'clock, to make an Enquiry into the Causes of the Affront, suffered there from the . Enemy this morning, and to report their opinion of the same to his Excellency.
Brigadier General Martin, President, Brig. Gen. Garth, Lt. Col. Martin, Royal Artillery, Members.
Lt. Col. McPherson, 42d Reg't,
Lt. Col. Madan, Foot Guards.
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After orders, half past Ten at Night. Lt. Col. Pennington will be for the Court of Enqury at Paulus Hook, tomorrow morning; and not Lt. Col. Madan, as before Ordered.
Morning Garrison Orders August 21st 1779.
The court of Enquiry not being Dissolved, Lt. Col. Gordon, Field Officer for the day in place of Lt. col. Pennington. [ From Original in Collection of New York Historical Society. ]
VI.
LORD STIRLING to JOHN JAY.
Paramis August 20, 1779
I moved from the camp at Ramopegh to Hackensack New Bridge, that evening I sent off Major Lee who had taken great pains to gain a knowledge of the enemy's situation, with about 400 men, in order to surprize the garrison at Powles Hook, which they effected before daylight the next morning, and brought off 160 prisoners which I have sent on to Philadelphia. The killed and wounded left behind is uncertain, as it was necessary for the troops to come off before the day appeared. They are all returned safe to camp, with the loss of not more than four or five, after a march of upward of eighty miles in less than three days. Further particulars you will no doubt receive through his Excellency Gen, Washington-This I write on my way to camp at Romopogh. [Pennsylvania Packet, August 24, 1779.]
[The following returns are from originals in possession of Lyman C. Draper, Esq., of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and have never, so far as I know, been published :]
Return of Officers and men belonging to the Maryland detachment on the Enterprize, Powles Hook, under command of Major Lee, Augt 19th 1779. Capts. 2 Subn. . . Sergts. Rank & file
2 4 72
8th Sept. 1779.
LEVIN HANDY, Capt'n Comm't.
List of Officers, non-commission'd and privates at P. Hook.
C. C. Sub.
Sergts.
R. & File.
1st & 10th Regts.
1
2
1
37
Gist's
2
2
2
27
1st State
1
2
:
3
28
2d do
1
2
25
6th Reg't
-
2
33
5
8
8 150
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No from Each Regt. in Gen'l Muhlenberg's Brigade on the Expedition at P. Hook. [This return is not signed, but is in Major Clark's handwriting, and among his papers. ]
Reg't.
Capts.
Sub.
Sergts.
R. & file 19
2đ
1
1
1
4
3
4
58.
5
2
2
24
7
1
-
1
21
8
2
3
28
2
8 11
150
No from Each Regt. in Gen'l Woodford's Brigade on Powles Hook Expedition.
J. CLARK.
A Return of Officers and Men detacht, belonging to the Partizan Rangers under the Command of Capt'n McLane who were at the Enterprise on Powles Ilook, under the command of Major Henry Lee, Esq. ye 19th Aug't '79
Capt. 1
1 Lieut.
Sergts.
4
1
Corpls. Rk & file 35 6 Riflemen. 3
MICHAEL RUDULPH
12th Sept'r 1779.
Lt. Partizan Rangers.
VII.
On Thursday morning at about half an hour past three oclock a detachment from Lord Stirling's division, consisting of about six hundred men, attempted a Coup de main upon the garrison at Powles-Hook, which was attacked by one hundred rebels, the rest being posted on the heights of Bergen to secure a retreat ; they succeeded so far as to carry off, as we are informed, twelve of the Royal artillery, twelve Hessians and a sergeant with some invalids. They were repulsed by Major Sutherland who commanded at that post. The pre- ceding evening Colonel Buskirk had marched with a detachment of upwards of one hundred and 30 men from the garrison, upon an enterpise to the English Neighbourhood.
Early in the morning a detachment from the brigade of the Guards, and the Hessians, landed at Paulus Hook-Major Sutherland with a part of the light Infantry, commanded by the Hon. Capt. Maynard, pursned the fugitive rebels, took Capt. Neals, of Virginia, and six privates of the assailing party, who were, yesterday morning lodged en Procost.
The Guards returned with their prisoners about 6 o'clock, after having marched near 30 miles without halting. Had the tide proved favourable, not a single animal of the rebel host would have escaped. Col. Buskirk on his sortie, killed a number, and brought into Powles Hook three prisoners. [Rivington's Royal Gazette, August 21, 1779.]
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VIII.
GENERAL WASHINGTON to PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Head Quarters, West Point, August 23, 1779.
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency Major Lee's report of the surprize and Capture of the garrison of Powles Hook. The Major displayed a remarkable degree of prudence, address, enterprise and bravery upon this occasion-which does him the highest honor to himself and to all the officers and men [under his command. The situation of this post rendered the attempt critical, and the success brilliant; It was made in consequence of information that the garrison was in a state of negligent security, which the event has justified.
I am much indebted to Major General Lord Stirling for the judicious measures he took to forward the enterprise, and to secure the retreat of the party.
Lieut. M'Callister, who will have the honor of delivering these despatches, will present Congress with the standard of the garrison which fell into his possession during the attack. Major Lee speaks of this gentleman's conduct in the handsomest terms.
P. S. The report not having been received till this day, prevented a speedier transmission. Major Lee mentions 20 men lost on our side ;- C'apt. Rudulph informs, that since the report was concluded, several of the missing had returned, which will lessen the supposed loss near one half.
MAJOR LEE'S REPORT to GENERAL WASHINGTON.
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