USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations > Part 7
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July 9, 1777, a letter was received by Gov. Living-
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ston, complaining of the conduct of the Tory women, " as they secrete the goods, and conceal everything they can. When called upon for anything, they peti- tioned to leave, and go away Christians, and not be detained among brutes, as they call us. Pray make an order to send them among their Christian friends, our enemies."
August 26, 1777, the Governor and Council confined a number of disaffected inhabitants, chiefly of Bergen County ; " to be released for an equal number of honest citizens stolen and imprisoned in like manner, to be determined in the future, thus to retaliate, till the enemy shall think proper to discontinue that infamous part of their infamous system."
Chapter XXVI.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
GENERAL WASHINGTON to Gov. Livingston, Head- quarters near Liberty Pole, Bergen County : "Our extreme distress for want of provision, makes me de- sirous of lessening the consumption of food, by dis- charging from this place as many as possible. Some brigades of the army have been five days without meat. To endeavor to relieve their wants, by strip- ping the lower parts of the county of its cattle, I moved two days ago to this place, and yesterday completely foraged Barbadoes, and Bergen Neck. Scarcely any cattle were found, but milch cows, and calves of one and two years old, and even these in no great quantity. When this scanty pittance is con- sumed, I know not to what quarters to look."
August 27, 1777, Washington writes to the Gover- nor : " It has been no inconsiderable support of our cause, to have had it in our power, to contrast the con- duct of our army with that of our enemies, and to con- vince the inhabitants, that while their rights were wantonly violated by the British troops, by ours they were respected. This distinction must now unhappily cease, and we must assume the odious character of the plunderers, instead of the protectors, of the people, unless very vigorous and immediate measures are taken
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by the State to comply with the requisitions made upon them."
Gov. Livingston wrote December 21, 1777: “I am afraid in furnishing clothing to our Battalions, we forget the County of Bergen, which alone is sufficient to supply them amply with winter waistcoats, breeches, etc. It is well known, that the rural ladies in that part of New Jersey pride themselves on an incredible number of petticoats, which, like house furniture, are displayed by way of ostentation, for many years, be- fore they are decreed to invest the fair bodies of the
proprietors. Till that period, they are never worn, but neatly piled up, on each side of an immense escri- toire, the top of which is decorated with a capacious brass-clasped Bible, seldom read.
" What I would therefore most humbly propose to our superiors, is to make prize of these future female habiliments, and after proper transformation, immedi- ately apply them to screen from the inclemency of the weather those gallant males who are fighting for the liberties of their country ; and to clear this meas- ure from any imputation of injustice, I have only to observe, that the generality of the women in that county, having for above half a century, worn the breeches, it is highly reasonable that the men should now, especially on so important an occasion, make booty of the petticoats."
The success of the American arms at Trenton and Princeton, and the practical hemming in of the British army in the extreme eastern part of the state, encour- aged the patriots to renewed activity, and Washing-
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ton, in urging the necessity of prompt forwarding of supplies and reinforcements, writes : "There is now a fair opportunity offered, of driving the enemy en- tirely from the Jerseys, or at least to the extremity of the Province." In most parts of New Jersey the people, exasperated at the treatment they had been subjected to by both British and Hessians, were re- sorting to arms; and the situation of the British army becoming more difficult, in the latter part of January, Sir William Howe crossed to Staten Island with his troops, and again occupied the old camping ground on the Bay of New York.
In the fall of 1777, the reinforcements awaited by Sir Henry Clinton arrived in New York Bay, and there were evidences of some important, combined movement designed by him. There was a great un- certainty as to its object, and Washington urged espe- cial care and watchfulness, to prevent any unexpected movement. He sent scouts to the heights of Bergen, Weehawken and Hoboken, to be stationed at points which would command a view of the bay and river, to observe the situation of the enemy's forces, and note whether there were signs of an expedition up the Hudson, the occurrence of which Washington at all times strove to prevent.
In the fall of 1780, the revelation of the treachery of Arnold and the capture of Andre, created a great sensation in both the American and British lines. The base treachery of the former, together with the manly, courtly bearing of the brave but unfortunate Andre, created a desire for the capture of Arnold, and
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a hope that Andre might escape punishment. Cap- tain Aaron Ogden, an officer of the New Jersey troops, was selected by Washington to bear a letter from Andre to Sir Henry Clinton. He was to take it to Paulus Hook, and from thence was to be conveyed across the river to New York. Captain Ogden was instructed to ascertain from the officer commanding at that post, whether Sir Henry Clinton might not be willing to deliver up Arnold in exchange for Andre. On his arrival at Paulus Hook, Captain Ogden, in the course of conversation, alluded to such possibility.
The officer demanded if he had any authority for mak- ing such a proposition, and Ogden replied : "I have no such assurance from General Washington, but I am prepared to say that if such a proposition were made, I believe it would be accepted, and Major Andre set at liberty." The officer crossed the river before morn- ing, and submitted the matter to Sir Henry Clinton, but he rejected it, as incompatible with honor and military principle.
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Chapter XXVII.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
IT was Washington's determination, if possible, to secure possession of the person of Arnold, and in an interview with Major Lee, he said : " I have sent for you in the expectation that you have in your Corps, individuals capable and willing to undertake an indis- pensable, delicate, and hazardous project. Whoever comes forward upon this occasion, will lay me under great obligations personally, and in behalf of the United States, I will reward him amply. No time is to be lost . . . The timely delivery of Arnold to me, will possibly put it into my power to restore the amiable and unfortunate Andre to his friends."
A plan was formulated, and Maj. Lee selected John Champe, a young Virginian about twenty-four years of age. It required the utmost urging on the part of Lee to secure his assent to the plan, not because of fear of the danger to which he might be exposed, but because he was deterred "by the ignominy of deser- tion, and the hypocrisy of enlisting with the enemy." At last his scruples were overcome, and he entered upon the enterprise with all his native enthusiasm.
He was to make a pretended desertion to the enemy at New York, and there he was to enlist into a corps which Arnold was raising, and at a favorable moment
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in the night was to seize him, gag him, and bring him across the Hudson into Bergen Woods. Sergeant Champe's pretended desertion took place on the night of October 20. Besides stationary guards, he had to evade patrols of horse and foot, as well as irregular scouting parties, and so was obliged to proceed with great caution. At about eleven o'clock, taking his cloak, valise, and orderly book, he succeeded in mounting his horse and starting out. Shortly after, an alarm was sounded, that a dragoon had evaded the guard and escaped. The matter was reported to Major Lee, through whose instrumentality the affair was to be carried out. He was compelled to order out a pursuing party, under Cornet Middleton, but he contrived so many hindrances, that it was over an hour before the party could get off. The re- mainder of the incident is described by Major Lee as follows :
" Ascending an eminence before he reached the Three Pigeons, some miles on the north of the vil- lage of Bergen, as the pursuing party reached its sum- mit, Champe was descried not more than a mile in front.
" His intention was to gain the British Post at Paulus Hook, but noticing his pursuers at about the same time they discovered him, and realizing that they would divine his purpose, he changed his route, and determined to seek protection from two British galleys lying a few miles to the west of Bergen. En- tering the village, Champe turned to his right, and disguising his change of course, as much as he could
+ BRITISH VESSEL
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by taking the beaten streets, turning as they turned, took the Road toward Elizabethtown Point.
" His pursuers coming up shortly after, inquired of the villagers of Bergen, whether a dragoon had been seen that morning, ahead of his party. They were answered in the affirmative, but could learn nothing satisfactory as to the route he took. At last his trail was discovered, and followed so rapidly that they soon drew near. He lashed his valise containing his clothes and orderly. book, on his shoulders, and draw- ing his sword, threw away the scabbard. The delay occasioned by these preparations, brought his pur- suers within two or three hundred yards. He then dismounted, and running through the marsh to the river, plunged into it, calling for help. The galleys fired on the pursuing party, and sent a boat to meet Champe, who was taken on board and carried to New York."
Champe in his flight passed through Bergen Woods, and intending to reach the fort at Paulus Hook, directed his course along the easterly brow of the hill, and reached the vicinity of Prior's Mill. Find- ing himself cut off, he followed a lane leading up to the Mill Road, striking it just south of Academy Street ; and continuing along the same, he came to Bergen Avenue at Foye Place ; thence passing through Bergen Avenue, down to the neighborhood of present Clen- denny Avenue, he took the road to Brown's Ferry, at the Hackensack, in the neighborhood of which he was rescued by the British boats.
Champe's successful evasion of his pursuers and
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reception by the enemy, made it appear as if the plan would be successful. He enlisted in Arnold's corps, and arranged to surprise him at night, in a garden in the rear of his quarters. Champe's intention was to secure Arnold, while he was indulging in his usual evening walk, gag and bind him. By the removal of several pickets from the garden fence, he secured direct access to a boat, lying in wait near by. He was then to be taken across the Hudson and delivered into the hands of the American general. On the appointed night, Lee and three dragoons, with three led horses, were in the woods of Hoboken, waiting to receive the captive, but to their great disappointment no boat approached, and the Major and his companions were obliged to return to the camp.
The failure was afterward explained by the fact that the day preceding the date fixed upon, Arnold moved his quarters to superintend the embarkation of his troops (consisting chiefly of American deserters), among whom was Champe, whose plans were consequently foiled. He was unable to make his escape, and resume his real character for a long time. When he did so, he was amply rewarded by the Commander in Chief, and received the admiration and respect of his companions in arms.
The winter of '77 and '78 was of unusual severity, and even among the British army occupying New York City were its rigors felt. Fuel became scarce, and the wooded shores of "Old Bergen" were liberally levied upon. They furnished in great
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measure the fuel that was imperatively demanded to prevent suffering from cold. Many of the refugees, and those who were lukewarm, seized upon the opportunity to obtain some of the British gold in exchange for the timber they transported to the city. At Weehawken there was a natural gorge, which can- still be seen in part, that afforded easy access to the water. Down its declivity, the logs were rolled to the water, and then towed across the river. There was likewise a similar ravine just above the West Shore ferry, that was used for like purposes. The scouting parties of the Americans discovering this, interfered with the traffic so successfully that the British erected a block-house at the head of the pass, to protect the wood-choppers. This was occupied by a detachment under Col. Cuyler, and was the scene of many conflicts until 1782, when it was abandoned and the garrison transported to Fort Delancy on Bergen Neck. This gorge was likewise taken advantage of by the runaway slaves from Bergen, who crossed to New York City in such numbers that an order was issued by the commander of the forces in the city, to Col. Cuyler, that he must prevent their crossing as they had become " such a burden to the town."
Chapter XXVIII.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
ANOTHER incident deserving of mention, was the capture of the fort at Paulus Hook in 1779. The intense sufferings and privations of the American army at Valley Forge almost disheartened the most sincere patriots, and filled all hearts with gloomy forebodings. The great-hearted, faith-inspiring exam- ple and energy of Washington alone prevented the dissolution of the American army, and made possible the after events that checked the tide of despondency, inspired the struggling colonies with new hope, and foreshadowed the final triumph of a righteous cause. The battle of Monmouth as the result of his genius, the capture of Stony Point through the dashing bravery of the impetuous Wayne, and the overpowering and capture of the British garrison at Paulus Hook, through the shrewd foresight and daring intrepidity of Light Horse Harry Lee, were three events that deserve to be classed together, as among the most brilliant and important that occurred during the whole war.
It is hard to understand why an enterprise, considered at the time of so great importance, should be scarcely alluded to in our school histories. Washington wrote: "The increase of confidence
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which the army will derive from this affair and that of Stony Point, though great, will be among the least of the advantages resulting from these events." He also sent a special communication to Congress, commending Lee's remarkable degree of prudence, address, enterprise and bravery. Congress in full assembly, echoed the eulogy of the commander in chief, and ordered a gold medal, suitably inscribed in commemoration of the event, to be presented to Major Lee, a distinction which no other officer below the rank of general received during the war. Brevet rank and pay of captain were given to Lieutenants McAllister and Rudolph, and $15,000 in money distributed among the men, non-commissioned officers, and privates.
Lafayette in a letter to Major Lee says : " 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." James Duane, in a letter to Alexander Hamilton, characterizes it as " One of the most insolent and daring assaults that is 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 Wash- ington, could by the exploit at Paulus Hook, have furnished materials in the page of History, to give it a parallel."
In Irving's Life of Washington we find the following graphic account of this exploit : "In the
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course of his reconnoiterings, and by means of spies, Major Lee discovered that the British Post at Paulus Hook, immediately opposite New York, was very negligently guarded. Paulus Hook is a long low point of the Jersey Shore, stretching into the Hudson, and connected to the main by a sandy isthmus. A fort had been erected on it, and garrisoned with four or five hundred troops, under the command of Major Sutherland. It was a strong position. A creek, fordable only in two places, rendered the Hook difficult of access. Within this, a deep trench had been cut across the isthmus, traversed by a drawbridge with a barred gate ; and still within this, was a double row of abatis extending into the water. The whole position, with the country immediately adjacent, was separated from the rest of Jersey by the Hackensack, running parallel with the Hudson, at the distance of a very few miles, and only* traversable in boats, excepting at the New Bridge, about fourteen miles from Paulus Hook.
" Confident in the strength of his position, and its distance from any American force, Major Sutherland had become remiss in his military precautions ; the lack of vigilance in a commander soon produces care- lessness in subalterns; and a general negligence pre- vailed in the garrison.
" All this had been ascertained by Major Lee, and he now proposed the daring project of surprising the fort at night, and thus striking an insulting blow ' within cannon shot of New York.' Washington was
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pleased with the project ; he had a relish for signal enterprises of this kind. He was aware of their strik- ing and salutary effect, upon both friend and foe, and he was disposed to favor the adventurous schemes of this young officer. The chief danger in the present case, would be the evacuation and retreat, after the blow had been effected, owing to the proximity of the enemy's force at New York.
"In consenting to the enterprise, therefore, he stipulated that Lee should not undertake it unless sure from previous observation, that the post could be carried by instant surprise. When carried, no time was to be lost, in attempting to bring off cannon, or any other articles, or in collecting stragglers of the garrison who might skulk and hide themselves.
" He was ' to surprise the post, bring off the garri- son immediately, and effect a retreat.'
" On the 18th of August, 1779, Lee set out on the expedition at the head of three hundred men of Lord Stirling's division, and a troop of dismounted dragoons under Capt. McLane. The attack was to be made that night. Lest the enemy should hear of their movement, it was given out that they were on a mere foraging excursion. The road they took lay along that belt of rocky and wooded heights, which borders the Hudson, and forms a rugged neck between it and the Hackensack.
"Lord Stirling followed with five hundred men, and encamped at the New Bridge on that river, to be on hand to render aid if required. As it would be perilous to return along the rugged neck just men-
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tioned, from the number of the enemy encamped along the Hudson, Lee, after striking the blow, was to push for Dow's Ferry on the Hackensack " (foot of pres- ent St. Paul's Avenue) " not far from Paulus Hook, where boats would be waiting to receive him.
" It was between two and three in the morning, when Lee arrived at the creek, which rendered Paulus Hook difficult of access. It happened fortunately that Major Sutherland, the British Commander, had the day before, detached a foraging party under Major Buskirk, to a part of the country called English Neighborhood (now Englewood). As Lee and his party approached, they were mistaken by the sentinel, for this party on its return.
" The darkness of the night favored the mistake. They passed the creek and ditch, and had made them- selves masters of the fort before the negligent garri- son were well roused from sleep. Major Sutherland, and about sixty Hessians, threw themselves into a small Block House, on the left of the fort, and opened an irregular fire.
" To attempt to dislodge them would have cost too much time. Alarm given from the ships in the River, and the forts at New York, threatened speedy rein- forcements from the enemy.
" Having made one hundred and fifty prisoners, among whom were three officers, Lee commenced his retreat without tarrying to destroy either barracks or artillery. He had achieved his object, a 'Coup de main'of signal audacity. Few of the enemy were slain, for there was but little fighting, and no mas-
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sacre. His own loss was two men killed and three wounded.
" Lee's retreat was attended by perils and perplexi- ties. Through blunder or misapprehension, the boats which he was to have found at Dow's Ferry, on the Hackensack, disappointed him, and he had to make his way back with his weary troops, up the neck of land behind that river, and the Hudson, in imminent danger of being cut off by Buskirk and his scouting detachment. Fortunately, Lord Stirling heard of his peril, and sent a force to cover his retreat. Washing- ton felt thegreat advantage of this hardy and brilliant exploit."
Chapter XXIX.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES CONTINUED.
THE following letter, written by one of the officers actually engaged in this undertaking, is of interest. There seems to be a discrepancy between this account and that of Irving in relation to the number killed, as will be seen by comparison. In determining this, it should be considered whether Capt. Handy's position during the excitement of the engagement would allow him to make a positive or accurate report.
" Paramus, July 22, 1779.
" DEAR GEORGE :
" Before this reaches you, I doubt not but you have heard of our success at Paulus Hook, where the enemy had a very strong fort, within one and one-quarter miles from New York. We started from this place, on Wednesday last, at half-past ten o'clock, taking our route by a place called New Bridge, on the Hackensack River, where my two companies were joined by three hundred Virginians, and a company of dismounted dragoons, commanded by Capt. McLane.
" We took up our line of march, about five o'clock in the even- ing from the Bridge, the nearest route with safety to Powles, dis- tant there, about twenty miles, with my detachment in front, the whole under command of the gallant Major Lee, the works to be carried by storm, the whole to advance in three solid columns, one of which I had the honor to command.
" The attack was to commence at half-past twelve o'clock, but having been greatly embarrassed on our march, and having a num-
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ber of difficulties to surmount, did not arrive at the point of attack till after four o'clock in the morning, when after a small fire from them we gained their works, and put about fifty of them to the bayonet, took one hundred and fifty-seven prisoners, exclusive of seven commanding officers.
" This was completed in less than thirty minutes, and a retreat ordered, as we had every reason to suppose, unless timely, it would be cut off. Our situation was so difficult, that we could not bring off any stores. We had a morass to pass, of upwards of two miles, the greatest part of which we were obliged to pass by files, and several canals to ford up to our breasts in water.
" We advanced with bayonets fixed, pans open, and cocks fallen, to prevent any fire from our side, and believe me, when I assure you, we did not fire a musket. You will see a more particular ac- count of it in the papers than I can give you at present. It is thought to be the greatest enterprise ever undertaken in America. Our loss is so inconsiderable, that I do not mention it."
(Signed) LEVIN HANDY.
On the withdrawal of the American troops after this successful assault on the fort at Paulus Hook, great speed and caution were necessary to effect a safe retreat. The line of retreat intended was by the way of Prior's Mill and along Bergen Avenue, down to Dow's Ferry (about foot of present St. Paul's Avenue), it being Lee's intention to cross the Hackensack River, and join the main body near English Neighborhood. Capt. Forsyth was ordered to cover the retreat, and was stationed with a guard in the woods near what is now the junction of Bergen and Sip Avenues, with orders to remain there until Lee could reach the boats with his command. Through some blunder the boats had been removed, and Lee was forced to lead his weary troops over the rocky heights toward the main
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Map showing route of Lee's retreat in direction of Dow's Ferry and northward, and incidentally location of Old Indian burying ground, alluded to elsewhere.
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