USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations > Part 6
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Lord Stirling, who was at this time in command of the American forces in New Jersey, recognizing the importance of holding this territory, ordered measures to be taken for placing Bergen in a state of defence. He counselled the building of forts at Paulus Hook, which would in a measure guard against attack from the Bay, and at the same time defend the approaches to the Hudson, and likewise ordered defences to be erected on Bergen Neck, to guard against any inroads from the southerly quarter. The fort at Paulus Hook was located on the high ground occupying the space now bounded on the north by Essex Street, and between Warren and Hudson.
The British fleet had left Boston, and its place of destination was unknown, although it was supposed to be New York. As it was hovering about this vicinity, great uncertainty prevailed as to the time and place of attack. This uncertainty was soon dis- pelled, for before the close of June, the enemy's fleet was descried nearing Sandy Hook, and as the ships approached the Staten Island shore, the troops com- menced disembarking. They erected their tents, and encamped on the hills that sloped to the water's edge.
The Provincial Congress learned on the 29th of
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June that nineteen sail of the enemy's fleet were at Sandy Hook, and forty-five in sight. Washington in a communication to Congress, July 4, 1776, from New York, says : " The enemy are already landed on Staten Island, and are leaving no arts unassayed, to gain the inhabitants to their side, and induce many to join them, either from motives of interest or fear, which I fear will be accomplished, unless there is a force to oppose them." The great aim of the British was now discovered to be to gain possession of New York City and the Hudson. Gen. Howe, writing to the home government, states: '"We landed on this Island " (Staten), "to the great joy of a most loyal people, long suffering on that account, under the oppression of the rebels stationed among them.
" There is great reason to expect a numerous body of the inhabitants, to join the Army, from the province of New York, and the Jerseys, and Connec- ticut."
Shortly after landing on Staten Island, the British general stationed a small force, with two six pound- ers, on the extreme southeasterly point of Bergen Point, now called Constable Hook. The Americans, recognizing the danger of active operations being in- stituted by the British from this base, took precau- tionary measures to prevent their inroads. They strengthened the redoubt that was located on the high ground (near Forty-fifth Street and Avenue C) in Bayonne ; and July 4, 1776, Gen. Mercer was or- dered to place there a garrison of five hundred sol- diers, and likewise a strong guard at the ferries over
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the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers. Earthworks were erected on the heights of Bergen, east of Summit Ave- nue and near the line of Academy Street. As the need was felt of better facilities for the transportation of supplies, troops, etc., a good road leading from Paulus Hook to Brown's Ferry was projected, and also one from Weehawken to the northerly crossing of the Hackensack.
On the 12th of July, two vessels of the enemy's fleet, the Phoenix, forty guns, and the Rose, twenty guns, with their tenders, came up the Bay, and di- rected their course up the Hudson. The lookout on the Jersey shore, as well as that in New York, gave the alarm, and immediately all was activity. The bat- teries at Paulus Hook were freshly manned, and the priming of the already loaded guns was looked to ; and as the vessels came within reach, they were greeted with a tremendous cannonading. They sustained but little damage, however, as they were amply protected with sand bags; and they passed on up, out of reach of shot, and anchored above Castle Point. The passing of these two vessels up the Hudson caused much anxiety, as it was feared that a landing of troops might be effected, which would not only harass and de- stroy the property bordering on the river, but might also cut off and capture the American troops stationed along Bergen Neck and Paulus Hook.
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Chapter XXII.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
ON the evening of the same day great alarm was caused by a heavy cannonading down the Bay, and Bergen Heights were lined with patriots who were anxiously watching every movement of the enemy. It was discovered, however, that the great commotion was caused by the arrival of Lord Howe, who had sailed from England with reinforcements for his brother the general.
Meanwhile, matters were shaping themselves that ultimately led to the entire independence of the colonies. The Resolution of Independence, by the Continental Congress, was received by the New Jersey Committee, July 17th, 1776, and the following Pream- ble and Resolution were adopted :
" Whereas the Honorable Continental Congress, have declared the United Colonies free and indepen- dent states, We deputies of New Jersey in Provincial Congress, Resolve and declare, that we will support the freedom and independence of said states, with our lives and fortune, and with the whole force of New Jersey."
This action on the part of the state authorities cemented still more firmly the provincial forces, and they became more determined to resist the unjust
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demands of the mother country, pledging themselves to resist to the utmost, and oppose and destroy if pos- sible, any force brought against them. Many projects were suggested to this end, and notable among them was one of Ephraim Anderson, adjutant to Second New Jersey Battalion, who conceived the idea of de- stroying the enemy's fleet in New York harbor, and submitted to Congress his plan for accomplishing it. It was favorably entertained, and Washington was in- structed to aid him in carrying it into effect.
Anderson commenced at once the construction of fire ships, with which the fleet was to be attacked. At the same time an attack was to be made on the British camp on Staten Island, by troops from Mer- cer's flying camp, and others stationed at Bergen, under Major Knowlton. As Gen. Putnam was engaged in a plan for obstructing the passage of the enemy's ships up the Hudson at Fort Washington, he entered into this scheme with great ardor. He wrote to Gen. Gates : " The enemy's fleet now lies in the Bay close under Staten Island. Their troops possess no land here but the Island. Is it not strange that these in- vincible troops are so fond of islands and peninsulas, and dare not put their feet on the main? . . . We are preparing fourteen fire ships, to go into their fleet."
On the 3Ist of July, Anderson wrote to the Presi- dent of Congress : " I have been for some time past very assiduous in the preparation of fire ships. . . . In my next I hope to give you a particular account of a gen- eral conflagration, etc." But he was disappointed, for it was not possible to construct a sufficient number of
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fire ships in time. Likewise, the recruits for the flying camp coming in slowly, the contemplated attack on the camp at Staten Island had to be abandoned. Still, a partial night attack was twice attempted by Mercer and Knowlton, but both failed.
The British army continued to gather, until at the beginning of August, there were in the vicinity of New York about thirty thousand men. On the 17th, Washington received word that three days' provisions had been cooked, and many of the troops had gone on board the transports, indicating that some important movement was to be undertaken.
At this time a gallant attempt was made to destroy the Phoenix and Rose-which had been threatening the shores of the Hudson since their passage up the river-by means of two of the fire ships. Although the attempt failed in its immediate object, one of the ten- ders to these vessels was burned, and the very daring of the attempt determined the commander of the vessels to join the rest of the fleet in the lower bay, and on the 18th of August, he made sail early in the morning and accomplished his purpose.
On the 21st, Brig. Gen. Wm. Livingston wrote Washington : " Having noticed unusual activity in the enemy's camp on Staten Island, I sent over a spy at midnight, who reported that twenty thousand men had embarked to make an attack on Long Island and up the Hudson, and that fifteen thousand had remained on Staten Island, to attack Bergen Point, Elizabeth- port and Amboy. The spy reported he had heard the cafders and conversation of the Generals."
L. of C.
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It can readily be imagined that the situation was deemed most grave. To discover and thwart the de- signs of the British commander now occupied the ut- most energies of Washington and his generals; and from the shores of " Old Bergen " anxious eyes were continually peering through glasses to discover the first intimation of his purpose.
Likewise, the presence of the Tory or royalist ele- ment, who were quite numerous throughout the ter- ritory, made it necessary to exercise additional care and watchfulness, in order that they should be prevented from conveying to the enemy any knowledge of exist- ing conditions, or of any intended movement of the patriots. Every endeavor was made to apprehend the disaffected, and prevent their communicating with the British.
At last the purpose of the enemy became evident. In the latter part of August, Clinton crossed the Narrows from Staten Island to Long Island, and the battle of Long Island shortly followed, resulting in the defeat of the American army, which withdrew to Harlem Heights, leaving New York City in complete possession of the English. This necessitated the greatest watchfulness on the part of the Americans at Paulus Hook, not only to prevent its capture, but because of the overbearing and aggressive action of the Tories among them, who were much emboldened by the success of the British arms. Consequently, stringent measures were adopted, and all the adher- ents of the royal cause were obliged to seek refuge in New York.
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The following letter, dated August 8, 1776, was sent by the general commanding at New York to the president of the Provincial Congress in New Jersey : " I have received repeated information that a number of persons, known to be inimical to the cause of the American States, have removed to your State, and some very dangerous characters, lurking in the neigh- borhood of Hackensack, and what is called English Neighborhood, with intent, no doubt from its situation, of communicating with, and aiding our enemies. Urging stringent measures-as there is the greatest reason for believing, that the enemy intend to begin their operations in a very few days, and that with a very powerful force-you are urged to adopt effective measures, for furnishing troops and equipments."
During the active military operations above New York City, which culminated in the surrender of Fort Washington, November 16, nothing of any importance occurred within the territory of " Old Bergen," except the reception and assignment of troops, and constant watchfulness to guard against any sudden or unex- pected movement on the part of the enemy.
Chapter XXIII.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
IN September, 1776, Washington wrote to Gen. Mercer, of the flying camp, to keep a close watch on the movements of the enemy from the Jersey shore, and likewise to station videttes on the Neversink Heights, to make known at once if the British fleet should put to sea. He personally crossed over to Fort Constitution, afterwards named Fort Lee, a few miles above Hoboken, and extended his reconnoiter- ings down to Paulus Hook, to observe for himself what was going on in the city of New York and among the enemy's ships.
Gen. Greene now had command of all troops in the Jerseys, and was at liberty to make his headquarters at Basking Ridge or Bergen, as circumstances de- manded, but was specially urged to at all times keep up communication with the main army on the east bank, so as to secure a safe line of retreat if necessary. He determined " to keep a good, intelligent officer at Bergen to watch the motions of the ships."
In an official letter dated September 16, 1776, Washington writes: "Yesterday at about II a. m., the British troops, under cover of a tremendous fire from eight or ten ships of war, effected a landing near Mr. Stuyvesant's house in the Bowery, and in a few
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hours took possession of the City of New York. About that time the Asia man of war, and two other ships, proceeded up the North River, but were roughly handled by the American battery at Powles Hook. This morning at daylight, the Asia came down much faster than she went up, she and her consorts having narrowly escaped destruction, by four of our fire ships that run in among them."
On the 23rd of September, part of the British fleet came up, and subjected the fort to a cannonading of over half an hour's duration. During this Mercer abandoned Paulus Hook, and withdrawing across the Hackensack, left a small scouting party at Bergen, with an advanced guard at Prior's Mill. A party of British was landed from the ships, and a force sent from New York in twenty boats, which took possession of the abandoned fort in the name of the king, im- mediately strengthened its defences, and held it con- tinuously until the close of the war.
Bergen remained the headquarters of the American army until October 5, 1776. A letter dated October 4th says : " To-morrow we evacuate Bergen, as it is a narrow neck of land, accessible on three sides by water, and exposed to a variety of attacks in different places at one and the same time. A large body of the enemy might infallibly take possession of the place whenever they pleased, unless we kept a stronger force than our number would allow."
In October, 1776, while Washington and his army were at White Plains, two British frigates moved up the Hudson, with the intention of cutting off commu-
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nication between Forts Lee and Washington. A battery on the cliffs at Fort Lee fired down upon them with but little effect. Two eighteen pounders were likewise brought down from Fort Lee, and planted opposite the ships. By the fire from both shores, they were hulled repeatedly, and General Green wrote : " Had the tide been flood one half hour longer, we should have sunk them."
The British army suddenly disappearing from White Plains caused Washington much uneasiness. On November 7, he wrote Gov. Livingston of New Jer- sey : " They have gone toward the North River and Kingsbridge I think Gen. Howe will make an incursion into Jersey." He recommended that the militia of the state be put on the best possible footing, and that those living near the water should be pre- pared to remove their stock, grain, etc., at the shortest notice. Information being received that Fort Lee was to be attacked, Washington directed Gen. Greene to have all stores not absolutely necessary for defence, immediately removed, and to destroy all supplies in the neighborhood which the owners refused to move, so as to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy.
November 16, 1776, Fort Washington was attacked. Washington, with several of his officers, witnessed the battle from the heights above Fort Lee, and he saw with emotion the lowering of the American flag, that indicated its surrender. Realizing that Fort Lee would now be tenable no longer, he ordered all the stores and ammunition to be moved to a place of safety. This
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had been nearly accomplished, when it was learned that on the morning of the 20th about two hundred boat loads of British troops, under command of Lord Cornwallis, had crossed a few miles above.
They landed at Closter, six miles above Fort Lee, under the Palisades. Sir Wm. Howe states they " were obliged to drag the cannon up a very narrow road, for nearly half a mile, to the top of a precipice whichi bounds the shore for some miles on the west side." On receipt of such information, Washington, determin- ing that the enemy's object was to extend their line across to the Hackensack, and thus entrap all the American forces below, gave orders for the abandon- ment of Fort Lee and the immediate withdrawal of all the troops. So great was the haste required, that much stores and most of the artillery were abandoned.
The retreat to the Hackensack commenced, and the American army succeeded in crossing the river safely, although they encountered the van guard of the enemy at the bridge crossing.
Chapter XXIV.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
FROM its conformation, " Old Bergen " was untenable by the Americans after their defeat at Fort Washing- ton, and the attack of the enemy on Fort Lee and its surrender. The British possessing full control of the waters that surrounded it on three sides, the danger was evident that by throwing any considerable force across the isthmus, their commander would effectually hem in and cut off all forces that might be quartered there. Consequently, Washington wisely withdrew his army, and continued his retreat across the Hack- ensack, camping at Hackensack from Nov. 19th to 2Ist, at Newark 23rd to 27th, at New Brunswick Nov. 30th to Dec. Ist, and at Trenton Dec. 3d to 12th. By this retreat East New Jersey was left in complete possession of the British, with the exception of a few scouting posts held temporarily by the Americans.
The heights of " Old Bergen," from their proximity to New York and their natural advantages, became the vantage ground of either side, as a place of observa- tion, as well as a basis of operation, and Gen. Mercer was left in command of the flying camp at Paulus Hook for the purpose of reconnoitring. He kept there a small force, and was ordered to remain near the Hook and obtain what information he could, but to retire
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when threatened by the enemy. From its location and surroundings, the fort at Paulus Hook was well cal- culated to prove a secure outpost, through which the British were able to communicate directly with their headquarters in New York; and it was likewise well designed, as a base of operations, for any movement against the surrounding hostile country.
Built on a high peninsula, extending out into the bay, connected with the mainland by a narrow strip of sand, and otherwise surrounded by deep ditches, which could be artificially widened and deepened, and by almost impassable morasses, it is little wonder that it was in the continued possession of the British, throughout the whole of the Revolutionary War. From it, the enemy were able at all times to send out bodies of marauders to scour the country in search of booty or supplies, retiring in safety behind its defen- ces, if surprised or threatened by superior forces.
The great importance of learning promptly of any contemplated movement of the British, caused General Mercer to station outposts along the heights of Ber- gen to watch for any indications of activity by the troops stationed in New York City. These scouts, concealed by the shadows of the woods and thickets with which the heights were covered, were enabled to approach unseen the brow of the hill, and from their elevated position gain important information that enabled the general to thwart the purpose of the enemy. " Old Bergen " was from this time forth the scene of active operations. Raids were frequent, and its inhabitants were at all times subjected to extreme
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privations. They saw their possessions in danger, and oftentimes their families were dispersed, and the fruits of their industry scattered. Patriots and Tories, with intermingled interests above and beyond a loyalty to a general government, that could in neither case guar- antee safety and protection, were held between con- flicting forces, and yet there were those in whose breasts the fires of patriotism burned brightly, and who, even in the darkest days, were ever true to the cause they had espoused.
The traditions of many of our families point to a self-sacrifice, endurance, and loyalty to the cause of liberty, unsurpassed in the annals of the country. Their houses were plundered, their grain and cattle seized, and themselves subjected to every indignity. This was the work not only of the Hessian hirelings, but frequently the British soldiers vied with them in their exacting demands. Likewise there were some who thought the rebellion foolhardy, and prompted by the desire of gaining favor with the British authorities, so as to retain their possessions, lost no opportunity of harassing their old neighbors. And yet sustained with the hope of eventually securing the independence to which they had pledged " their lives and fortunes," many of the inhabitants of " Old Bergen " suffered and endured, and 'even while overawed by the presence of hostile troops, eagerly seized every opportunity of affording assistance to the cause they had so much at heart.
The redoubt at Bergen Neck (Bayonne), called Fort Delancy, taken possession of by a party of refugees
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under Maj. Ward, was made the basis of many maraud- ing operations against the Americans. Ward was a notoriously vicious character, and gathered about him- self desperadoes and runaway slaves, who through their excesses and depredations, became greatly feared. Becoming involved in a financial difficulty with one of the neighboring farmers, he hired three of the negroes to kill him. They were seen and recognized, and were afterward hung in the woods northwest of Brown's Ferry (present Glendale) on Communipaw Avenue, about one quarter mile west of West Side Avenue.
On one occasion, when a detachment of the British were foraging from Paulus Hook, to protect themselves against the cold and storm, they took possession of a large barn of one of the old farmers of Bergen, located just west of Bergen Square and north of Academy Street, and built a large fire upon its clay floor. The owner, remonstrating with them, was seized, and would have become part of the fuel, had it not been for the intervention of an officer more humane than his comrades. However, they piled high the wood, which so increased the blaze that the structure was wholly consumed.
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Chapter XXV.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
IN recalling the history of the olden time, it must be remembered that there were those whose homes and everything they possessed were in this territory, and they naturally felt an unwillingness to jeopardize these if it could be avoided ; and though with the exception of the capture of Paulus Hook, no battle of importance occurred within the territory of "Old Bergen," it was the general scouting ground for both parties. The territory was subjected to the worst of all forms of warfare ; it had to endure not only the pillage of regular troops, but also the depredations of abandon- ed, irresponsible gangs, whose sole object was the booty they could secure, whether of friend or foe. Again, the disaffected from the neighboring country were transported thither, and thus added to the misery and sufferings of the inhabitants, as they were enabled to satiate their revengeful feelings on them. A few extracts taken at random will perhaps present a correct idea of the situation at this time.
June 30, 1777, Major Hayes, in pursuance of an order issued by Gov. Livingston, removed from the County of Essex certain women and children, and sent them on the east side of the Hackensack River.
July 1, 1777, a letter to the Governor from Newark
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"OLD BERGEN."
recites that the enemy had left Amboy and gone over to Staten Island and Bergen.
July 7, 1777, Gov. Livingston writes to General Washington : " By order of the Council of Safety, Gen. Winds has collected two hundred of our Militia, to proceed to the County of Bergen, under Major Hayes, to apprehend disaffected persons, and assist the Com- mittee in securing, and disposing of, the personal estates of those who have gone over to the enemy."
July 19, 1777. "This morning the First and Second Pennsylvania Brigades, commanded by Brig. Gen. Wayne, marched from their respective encampments for the purpose of collecting, and bringing off, those cattle in Bergen County, immediately exposed to the enemy. After executing the order, Gen. Wayne on his return visited a Block House in the vicinity of Bergen Town" (probably the post commanded by Col. Cuyler near the Weehawken ferry, and mentioned elsewhere), “built and garrisoned by a number of Refugees, to avoid the disagreeable experience of being forced into the Brit- ish sea service. The work was found to be proof against light artillery, when a part of the First and Second Pennsylvania Regiments were ordered to attempt to take it by assault. After forcing their way through the abatis and pickets, a retreat was indis- pensably necessary, there being no culrain into the Block House, but a subterranean passage, sufficient for one man to pass. The American loss consists of sixty-nine, including three officers, killed and wounded."
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