USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Paper read before the historical society of Hudson County. 1908 > Part 10
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And why should we judge them too harshly. Of course, from our present standpoint, saturated as we are with a spirit of patriotism, we are apt to condemn any course that would seem antagonistic to the principles of our liberty as now under- stood, but we must remember that at the period to which we allude, while the desire for a certain liberty was very general, the methods of securing and maintaining such a condition were by no means unanimous. As we have seen in all the remon-
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strances and petitions presented to the Home Government, there was expressed not only an unwillingness to sever the bond that united the Colonies with it, but a desire to continue the existing relations, even while demanding a practical recog- nition and correction of the injustice to which they were sub- jected. There was grave doubt in the minds of many whether a stable independent government could be established by the Colonies. There were disagreements and controversies among the States in regard to their individual rights and an unwilling- ness to combine for the general good: and even after the Pro- visional Government was formed, it had no authority to en- force its own enactments or protect its own people. The cau- tious conservativeness of the early settlers of Hudson County would naturally cause them to hesitate the risk of losing their all, by adherence to a projected policy that had but little chance of enforcement. At the very beginning of the strife they saw what seemed to be the overwhelming defeat of the American army, and in its weakness, its inability to hold or protect the territory in which they lived. Their homes, their all, were left to the mercy of a foreign soldiery, and is it great wonder that they attempted to preserve a neutrality that could not be maintained? Being in the possession of and under the control of the British, the territory was considered by the Patriot army as legitimate ground for spoilation, and hence through theiraction estranged any who may have been favorably inclined. As a result the affiliation of the settlers with the Royalist army was but natural, and their recognition of, and adherence to the English Government to be expected.
An equal candor, however, compels the assertion that there were some, whose love of liberty overbalanced every other con- sideration and their names shine forth with a greater lustre by reason of the contrast.
The people of Hudson County were soon to realize that actual warfare was commenced. On the 12th of July, 1776, a ship of forty-four guns, a frigate of twenty-eight, and three tenders got under way at Staten Island and were seen coming up the bay. The drums beat to arms, and in a few minutes every man was at his station, well provided with all necessities for a vigorous defence. As they drew near, the batteries sta- tioned at the lower end of New York City opened up a vigorous fire, to avoid which, when off Bedloe's Island, the ships veered
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toward the Jersey shore. They here met with a warm recep- tion, and the batteries at Paulus Hook opened up a spirited fire, which was actively replied to by broadsides from the vessels as they passed up the Hudson. Whether on account of unskil- ful gunners, or the rapid motion of the ships, but little damage was done, the report being "none killed or wounded, and but two shots penetrated the house of Verdine Ellsworth, a hotel keeper at Paulus Hook." That the ships of war were not so fortunate may be seen from an extract from a letter dated at Fort Montgomery: "The ships of war in the North River are now at Haverstraw. 'Tis evident their designs are frustrated, not expecting we were so well prepared to receive them . . The most damage they received was in passing the Battery at Powles Hook and the Blue Bell. The cook of one of the ships had a leg shot off, and some others were wounded. A twelve pounder lodged in the foremast, one came through her quarter galley into the cabin, and her shrouds and rigging suf- fered much." In this engagement "our troops behaved with uncommon bravery," and the steadiness they displayed under fire encouraged the Americans to redouble their efforts for suc- cessful resistance. The wisdom of General Mercer in posting a guard at Bergen Point was shown in the defeat of several attempted raids by the British, from their vessels, as well as from Staten Island. A despatch dated New York, July 22d, states: "Yesterday several discharges of cannon and musketry was heard in this city, and by the appearance of a cloud of smoke over Bergen Point it is imagined our people on the Jersey shore have had a skirmish with the enemy from Staten Island."
And again on July 25th : "Our troops stationed at Bergen Point give the ministerial fleet and army some uneasiness by firing at the tenders, boats, etc. It so galls and provokes them that they return the fire with great fury, but have not done the least damage to our people. Last Lord's day a great many shot were heard in this city. The occasion was this: a barge from the fleet full of men landed on the Point, but were opposed and driven off by our troops. A smart fire ensued from a tender for a considerable time without doing any injury." Rumors of contemplated attacks from Staten Island were per- sistently circulated, and August 22d, 1776, a letter from New York stated: "This night we have reason to expect the grand
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attack from out barbarian enemies. The reason why follows: the night before last a lad went over to Staten Island, supped there with a friend, and got safe back again undiscovered. Soon after he went to General Washington, and upon good authority reported that the English army amounting to fifteen or twenty thousand men, had embarked and were in readiness for an engagement . . That the Hessians, being fifteen thous- and strong, were to remain on the island and attack Perth Amboy, Elizabethtown and Bergen, while the main body were doing their best here."
The enemy delaying the expected attack, General Mercer determined to take the initiative and attack the British encamp- ment on Staten Island. In this movement he was obliged to proceed with great secrecy and caution, so that the enemy might not be apprized of his intention, by the Tories who abounded in and about Bergen. A detachment of the British forces had crossed from Staten Island and succeeded in estab- lishing a battery at Constable Hook, on what is now the Stan- dard Oil property, and Mercer's plan contemplated a descent upon this post. His orders state "that a party was to attempt to surprise the enemy's guard on Buskirk's Point, which is on the south-east corner of Bergen Point; this party does not seem to be large, but it is possessed of two six pounders. The party that makes the attack must not go over the causeway or road over the meadow, the cannon being in all probability appointed to command that pass, but should be provided with some boards and proceed in two or three columns over the meadow, where they will meet with no other obstructions than a small creek or ditch, which they will easily pass with the aid of the boards. If this place is carried, a cannonade and bombardment, should as soon as possible commence on the ships, a great number of which now lie within reach of the place. A cannonade should also commence on Bergen Point opposite the church and Decker's, where it is said about six hundred men are posted. This cannonade with round and grape shot would confuse the troops in forming and prevent their succoring the guard at Elizabethtown point, or opposing our party who make their descent near Shuter's Island . . . The party for these several matters should be about seven hundred men beside the rifle- men." Unfortunately a fierce storm set in which prevented the crossing of the Kills as intended, and defeated the project.
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In the early part of August, Bergen was occupied by Colo- nel Bradley's regiment. General Mercer had collected through- out East Jersey a considerable number of men, and Washing- ton needing reinforcements in New York, wrote him to that effect. Mercer replied as follows: "Powles Hook, August 15th, 1776:" "The points along the shore opposite to Staten Island are sufficiently guarded and new troops are daily arriving. If you approve, a body of four hundred men, well accoutred, from the Delaware Counties, may be stationed at Powles Hook and four hundred of the Jerseymen for the flying camp at Bergen town : eight hundred men will cross to-day to join you." At this time special activity was observed among the British troops on Staten Island, and it was conjectured that some decisive movement by them was eminent. On the 28th of August General Mercer wrote to the President of Congress, from New- ark: "On the way yesterday evening General Wooster's Aid- de-Camp met me with a few lines from the General, signify- ing that it was General Washington's orders that I should march with all our army under my command immediately to Powles Hook. The necessary orders were sent to Amboy, Woodbridge and Elizabethtown last night, and I hope to have on Bergen ready to pass over to New York, if required, from three to four thousand men. Our whole force including the New Jersey militia from Powles Hook to Shrewsbury amounts to eight thousand three hundred men . . . What troops I have I am pushing on to Bergen, and shall be with them immediate- ly."
The British had at last decided upon a definite plan of ac- tion, and at the very time this letter was written the battle of Long Island was raging fiercely. It is not our purpose to fol- low in detail the disastrous results that followed this engage- ment. The defeat, and successful retreat of the American army across the East River, their brief occupation of New York City, the successive engagements there, are all matters of familiar history. A fort had been commenced on the New Jersey shore, opposite Fort Washington, to aid in preventing the passing and repassing of hostile ships. It was named Fort Constitution, and was supported by a strong detachment from the flying camp entrenched in its vicinity.
The fate of New York City was now evident. Preparations for its capture and occupancy were completed by the British
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commander, and the waters of both the East and North Rivers bore the vessels of the fleet into commanding positions for aiding the design. "On the morning of the 15th of September, 1776, the Asia and two other ships of war proceeded up the North River, but were roughly handled by our battery at Powles Hook, and the next morning by daylight, as reported, the Asia came down much faster than she went up, three ships of war being nearly all destroyed by four of our fire ships that ran in among them, and nothing prevented their total destruc- tion but a gale of wind that sprung up at that instant." The energy with which the American army, even under the threat- ening aspects, carried on their defensive operations, frustrated the enemies' intention of dividing the Colonies by obtaining full control of the Hudson.
Congress decided that Fort Washington "should be re- tained as long as possible." It was strongly reinforced and Fort Constitution opposite-afterward called Fort Lee- strengthened. A temporary cessation of hostilities now pre- vailed, and Washington was greatly perplexed at the continued inaction of the enemy. He admonished General Mercer to keep a vigilant watch from the Jersey shore: occasionally he crossed over to Fort Constitution and with General Green, who had commanded there, and extended his reconnoiterings down to Powles Hook, to observe what was going on in the city and among the enemy's ships. Green, who had been made Major Gen. with permission to establish his headquarters at Bergen or Basking Ridge, as circumstances might require, was enjoined to keep in communication with the main army, so as to secure a retreat in case of necessity. It was soon seen, in view of sub- sequent military operations, that Powles Hook was untenable, and I herewith append an authoritative account of the succeed- ing occurrences.
Powles Hook, September 15, 1776. "After Long Island was evacuated, it was judged impos- sible to hold the City of New York, and for several days the artillery and stores of every kind had been removed, and last night the sick were ordered to Newark in the Jersies, but most of them could be got no further than this place and Hobuck. As there is but one house at each of these places, many were obliged to lie in the open air till the morning, and their distress, when I walked out at daybreak, gave me a live-
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ffer idea of the horror of war than anything I ever met with before: the Commandant ordered them everything for their comfort that the place afforded, and immediately forwarded them to the place appointed and prepared for them."
About eight this morning three large ships came to sail and made up toward the Hook. The garrison consisting of the 20th Continental Regiment (Colonel Durkee's) and a regi- ment of Jersey militia (Colonel Duychinck's) were ordered into our works. Soon after they had taken their posts, the ships came up near Jersey shore to avoid our shot from the grand battery-the removal of the cannon from which they were ig- norant of-and as they passed up the North River kept up an incessant fire upon us. Their shot, a great part of which was grape, raked the whole Hook, but providentially one horse was all the loss we sustained by it. The fire was briskly returned from our battery by Captain Dana, who commanded a company of the train on this station. It gave me great pleasure to see the spirit of the troops around me, who were evidently anima- ted by the whistling of the enemy's shot, which often struck so near as to cover them with dust.
About eleven o'clock a furious cannonade was heard a little above New York, and before night numbers came over from the city, and informed us that it was evacuated by our troops, and about sunset we saw the tyrant's flag flying on Fort George. Having received intelligence that a number of our troops were in the city, and the enemy spread across the island above it, two small parties were ordered to assist them in making their escape. Two captains with about forty men, two brass howitzers and about two tons of military stores were brought off by one of them; the other party, consisting of five men only, were fired upon by the enemy, when one Jesse Squire, of Norwich, was wounded, who together with another man fell into their hands.
16th. About two o'clock this morning an attempt was made to burn the ships that passed up the North River yester- day, and anchored about three miles above us. One of them, the Renown, of fifty guns, was grappled but broke her grapp- ling and came down to us again, another cannonade ensued, but no damage was received on our side. The brave Colonel Duychinck, who did all he could to retain his men, could now keep his regiment no longer, but was obliged to retreat to
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Bergen, from which time Colonel Durkee was left on the Hook with only a part of his regiment, consisting of about three hundred effective men.
17th. An express arrived with information that Colonel Williams from Connecticut was ordered to reinforce us and might be expected the next day, but he was not able to join us till our retreat to Bergen the 23d. This day a large quantity of lead, musket ball and buck shot was discovered in a sus- pected house about a mile and a half above us, and brought down to this place and properly secured for the United Colonies. Toward night the Renown returned back to her station up the North River, but kept near the eastern shore to avoid the shot from our battery which, however, kept up a brisk fire upon her as long as she was within reach.
20th. The Renown returned back again to the fleet, and though she passed close in with New York shore, yet as there was very little wind, about forty shot from our battery were fired at her, many of which took effect. She lay all next day upon a careen to repair.
September 2Ist, Powles Hook-"At two this morning we were waked by the guards, who informed us that New York was on fire. As the fire began at the south-east end of the city a little east of the grand battery, it was spread by a strong south wind, first on the East River and then northward across the Broadway, opposite to the old English Church (if I mistake not the name) from thence it consumed all before it between Broadway and the North River near to the College, laying about one third part of the city in ashes . . . had not the wind, as it veered to the west died away, the remainder of that nest of vipers would have been destroyed. This evening a seaman who said he belonged to Providence, and that he was taken and obliged to fight against his countrymen on board the Roebuck, made his escape by swimming from New York to this place. He informed that the men on board the Roebuck were very sickly, that they had lost one hundred since they left the Capes of Virginia. He also gave notice that preparations had been made to attack this post; that a number of large ships were to come up and endeavor to silence our batteries, while a large body of troops in boats, which we discovered on the opposite shore above us, would endeavor to cut off our retreat: that it
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was to have been executed this morning, but the fire preven - ted."
The abandonment of New York by the American forces, and the subsequent occurrences that led to the retreat across New Jersey, placed the troops gathered at Paulus Hook and Bergen in a very precarious position. The British having con- trol of the waters that hemmed in the peninsula on two sides, and the possibility of their throwing across the northern por- tion a cordon of troops, that would effectually cut off those posted below, made their capture almost certain. Washington, foreseeing this, when he found his position on the east side of the Hudson untenable, ordered the supplies and provisions to be made ready for immediate removal. News of a contem- plated attack having been received through the medium of deserters from the enemies' lines, orders were issued for its evacuation.
22d. "As no reinforcement could be sent us, we received orders this morning to remove our artillery stores and baggage and hold ourselves in readiness to retreat, and before night most of them were removed."
"About 9 A. M. we saw the enemy embarking in flat-bot- tomed boats about two miles above us. They appeared in large numbers on the shore after their boats, about thirty, were full. Four ships at the same time came to sail below and stood up towards us, but they soon came to anchor again, and the boats which had pushed off, returned back. Had they come at this time we must either have retired and left them large quantities of artillery stores, or fought their army and navy at the same time with our small detachment, and that under every disad- vantage, but they thought fit to retire to get more strength, as appeared afterward, though they could not be ignorant of our weakness, the men being paraded every day in full view of them."
23d "At one o'clock P. M., having removed everything of value, we were ordered to retreat from the Hook. As soon as we began our march, four ships came up and anchored near the shore around the Hook. At the same time a great number of boats and floating batteries came down from just above New York, the latter ran up into the cove (Harsimus) opposite the causeway that leads to Bergen. After taking a considerable time to see that there was nobody to hurt them, they began a most
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furious cannonade on our empty works, which continued until they had wearied themselves. In a word, they dared to come much nearer, and displayed the boasted British valor in much brighter colors than ever they had, while there remained a single man to oppose them."
"Meanwhile our little battalion retreated with drums beat- ing and colors flying, to Bergen, and before night the brave Britons ventured on shore and took possession of our evacuated works, where they have taken every precaution to prevent our formidable detachment from returning, and driving them from a post which with so great a display of heroism they have got possession of."
"The post we now possess covers the Jersies. Here we are reinforced by a number of regiments. More are daily coming in. The sick are recovering, the troops in high spirits, and we have no fear but we shall be able to maintain our ground against all the bandits of George the royal" -
The army was now advantageously posted on the heights, about one mile from the enemy, where entrenchments were constructed, the remains of which could be seen at a compara- tively recent date near the present line of Baldwin Avenue, north of Academy Street. Here they received considerable reinforcement. A guard was left at Prior's Mill, which was situated on the west side of Mill Creek, which flowed along the foot of what was known as the Point of Rocks, a high point extending out from Bergen Heights to about where the Penn- sylvania Railroad round house now stands, at the crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad by the tracks of the West Shore.
The capture of Fort Washington on the New York side rendered any attempt to obstruct the navigation of the North River from Fort Lee useless, and Washington determined to withdraw his forces to a more secure place in the interior. He ordered all the ammunition and stores to be removed, prepara- tory to its abandonment. This was effected almost entirely, when early on the morning of the 20th it was discovered that the enemy had landed in force a few miles above. General Green at once sent out troops to hold them in check and noti- fied Washington, who was at Hackensack. He arrived at the fort shortly after, and in order to thwart the design of the enemy to cut off the American troops, saw the necessity of an immediate retreat to secure the bridge across the Hackensack.
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The troops sent out to check the enemy were recalled, and the retreat commenced in all haste. Of necessity much of the bag- gage and stores was abandoned, and even the tents were left standing and camp kettles over the fire. The van guard of the British pressed the American troops hardly, but they succeeded in crossing the river without loss and encamped at Hackensack. The main forces at Bergen were also withdrawn with the con- solation left in a report, "That all grain and military stores liad been removed, and when we are gone a naked spot is all they will find. No other damage will follow except a depres- sion of some people's spirits who, unacquainted with places, circumstances and the secret reasons for such relinquishments, are apt to despond as if everything was lost. We shall leave a guard of observation behind us, this may prevent the enemy's discovering our removal for a day or two."
From the time of the evacuation of Paulus Hook until the close of the war the present territory of Hudson County was practically in the possession of, and under the control of, the English, and its proximity to New York prevented any serious attempts at its continued occupancy by the American troops. Still through the frequent raids of the Patriots, and incursions, the British were kept in a constant state of watchfulness and un- rest, that prevented extended operations on their own part, or in conjunction with the general movements of their army. We are therefore confined in great measure to newspaper extracts, and reports naturally tinged with royalistic sympathy, for our knowledge of events affecting that territory. During the whole duration of the war this section was subjected to its devastat- ing influences, and our investigations convince us that General Sherman's definition of war was just as true in Revolutionary times, as during our Civil War. With the withdrawal of the American troops, the whole of our territory became under the complete control of the British. Although they were as eager to secure the supplies and provisions as the remaining inhabitants were to furnish them-of course for compensation-often times the vigors of war pressed down upon the latter with great severity. Foraging parties were not always actuated by prin- ciples of right and justice, and frequently seized without rec- ompence those supplies that had been so carefully gathered with the hope of pecuniary reward. And then, the frequent descents of bands of marauders, connected with neither party
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except as might from time to time favor their efforts for plun- der, wrought havoc with the belongings of the inhabitants. Their houses were plundered, their grain and cattle seized and them- selves subjected to every indignity. The Refugees stationed at Fort Delancy on Bergen Neck were a source of terror. They were commanded by Major Ward, who was a notoriously vicious character, and vented his spite upon any who did not willingly yield to his demands. Sometimes these incursions developed somewhat ludicrous situations probably not fully realized al- ways, by the participants. On at least one occasion a band of "tatterdemalions" descended upon those who were attending Divine Service at Bergen and compelled an exchange of cloth- ing, and the ragged misfits that adorned the persons of some of the Dutch burghers excited the risibility, even of their terrified "haus vrouws." At another time, as one of the pretty "jonk vrouwes" was engaged in kneading the dough for the weekly bread baking, a party of these marauders suddenly appeared, and as usual unceremoniously entered the house. Demanding eatables they accosted the maiden in a familiar manner. She plainly showed her displeasure, and with mantled cheek and flashing eyes, resented the intrusion. Her indignation so heightened her attractiveness, in the eyes of the officer of the band that he attempted to embrace her, whereupon she seized the dough "bockey" and plunged it over his head. His frantic efforts to rid himself of the sticky mass, which falling to his shoulders closely adhered to his hair and eyes, so excited the merriment of his companions, that the doughty maid was en- abled to escape what might have been serious consequences of her hasty but timely action. Fortunately at this moment a de- tachment from the Flying Camp, which had been closely fol- lowing the marauders, arrived on the scene and captured the entire band.
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