USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Paper read before the historical society of Hudson County. 1908 > Part 11
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The American troops were hard pressed for want of pro- visions, and during the time the army remained at Hackensack and vicinity made frequent raids. General Washington wrote from headquarters near Liberty Pole: "Our extreme distress for want of provision makes me desirous of lessening the con- sumption of food by discharging 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 stripping the lower parts of the county of its cattle, I moved two days
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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 consumed, I know not to what quarters to look."
Raids were frequent, and the occupants of this territory were kept in a constant state of unrest. From English sources we learn April 7, 1777, that "the rebels came down to Secaucus last Wednesday and carried away all the grain, horses, cows and sheep they could get together, which they were obliged to swim over Hackensack River for want of boats."
"May 12th Colonels Barton and Dougan marched with a force of three hundred men by way of Paramus to attack some rebels under General Heard at Pompton. A party of rebels, consisting of some officers and twelve men, proceeding on an enterprise to seize the person of Mr. Van Buskirk at Bergen Point, were intercepted on their return through the vigilance of Colonel Tumbull, commander at Powles Hook, whose men fired upon them, and Mr. Livingston was killed on the spot, and another person named Van Dobson taken prisoner, and was brought to town the next day and safely lodged in the Provost. The above gentry plundered several houses in and about Pemrepogh, particularly Barent Van Horne, Mr. Vree- land, Mr. Van Wagenen and Walter Clendenne, and in the last mentioned house Mr. Livingston received his wound."
"May 26, 1779. The detachment of the enemy that landed in Bergen County on Monday, the 17th instant, consisted of about one thousand men, composed of several different corps under the command of Colonel Van Buskirk. Their path in this incursion was marked with desolation and unprovoked cruel murders. Not a house within their reach belonging to a Whig inhabitant escaped . . Having in some measure sat- iated their appetite for blood and plunder, and dreading the vengeance of our militia, which by this time was collecting in considerable numbers, the enemy precipitately retreated to their boats and went off to New York."
On the other hand we learn from English sources under date of July 24, 1779: "Early yesterday morning a party of the Fourth Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers, were ordered out by their Lieutenant Colonel Buskirk, under Captain Allen to intercept a gang of rebels who paint themselves black and
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commit murders and thefts in Bergen County. Three of them were met at a small distance from the town of Bergen carrying off an inhabitant, but being briskly pushed, two of them were made prisoners !"
But it is unneccessary to continue the recital. Enough is here shown to foreshadow the existing conditions in Hudson County during this period.
Major Henry Lee of Virginia in one of his frequent raids down into and across Bergen Neck, discovered that the post at Paulus Hook was carelessly guarded. He conceived the plan of making a sudden descent, capturing the garrison and destroy- ing the defences. Washington thought the attempt attended with too much risk and was unwilling to favor the enterprise, but Lee's pertinacity and enthusiasm overcame all his object- ions. Finally he gave his consent, but enjoined him to exercise the greatest caution, and if successful to bring off at once any supplies, or destroy whatever could not be removed. It seemed a rash undertaking to attempt to cross the deep marshes and overcome the strong fortifications that had been erected, and that within the hearing of the garrison at New York. Truly "fortune favors the brave." The very strength of the position had rendered the garrison careless in their security. The nat- ural defences, as have been described, had been greatly strengthened by cutting a deep ditch across the westerly bound. ary of the Point with a row of Abatti inside. A fort stood near the intersection of Grand and Washington Streets, and along the southerly boundary a row of redoubts stretched with block houses in commanding positions. A garrison of 500 men under Major Sutherland occupied the defences. Lee was stationed at New Bridge about 14 miles from the Hook, and when pre- pared for the enterprise in order not to excite suspicion that he was about to engage in an unusual enterprise, made his cus- tomary preparations as for a foraging expedition. So that his line of retreat would be secure, he ordered boats to be stationed at Dow's Ferry on the Hackensack (foot present St. Paul's Av- enue) to facilitate his return; for there was no intention of any attempt to hold the place. The only object was, through a sudden and unexpected descent to gain access to the works, dis- mantle them, destroy all stores possible, and withdraw his troops, with whatever prisoners might be captured, and thus by a brilliant "coup" infuse new courage and vigor in the hearts
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of the Colonists, and at the same time impress upon the British officials their stern determination to continue to the bitter end their struggle for Independence. Lee's arrangements were made with great care. A force under command of Lord Stirl- ing was stationed at New Bridge to cover his retreat, and guards were posted at the different roads leading to Paulus Hook. His route was down the present Hackensack turnpike to Union Hill and thence through the woods to Prior's Mill, from whence a roadway led to Powles Hook. To fully realize the possibility of these movements, it must be remembered that the whole range of high ground known as Jersey City and Weehawken Heights was covered with dense woods, affording a complete shelter for large bodies of men. In some manner, either through the treachery or ignorance of the guide, the troops were misled, so that they did not reach Prior's Mill until three o'clock on the morning of the 19th, although they had started in the afternoon of the previous day. Already the eastern sky began to show signs of coming day, and as the tide was rising, which at its full overflowed the causeway and filled the ditch at Warren Street, no time was to be lost. The skir- mishers reported complete silence at the works, and the troops were immediately pushed forward under the command of Lieuts. McAllister and Rudolph. As they plunged into the ditch a sentinel fired his musket and an uproar immediately ensued. The guards were seized and in a few moments the Americans were masters of the situation. Major Sutherland succeeded in reaching a block house with a small force, whereby he escaped capture. As day was approaching Maj. Lee could not delay long enough to dislodge him. The firing had aroused the Brit- ish in New York, and he ordered an immediate retreat. Captain Forsyth was sent to Prior's Mill with a picked body of inen and ordered afterward to take a position at Bergen to cover the retreat.
I quote from the official Report of Major Lee:
"On my reaching this place I was informed by Cornet Neill, who had been posted there during the night for the purpose of laying the bridge and communicating with the boats, that my messenger directed to him previous to the attack had not ar- rived, nor had he heard from Capt. Leyton who had charge of the boats.
"Struck with apprehension that I should be disappointed
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in the route of retreat, I rode forward to the front under Major Clarke, whom I found very near the point of embarkation and no boats to receive them. In this very critical situation, I lost no time in my decision, but ordered the troops to regain the Bergen Road and move on to the New Bridge. At the same time I communicated my disappointment to Lord Stirling by express, then returned to Prior's Bridge to the rear guard.
"Oppressed by every possible misfortune, at the head of troops worn down by a march of thirty miles through mount- ains, swamps and deep morasses, without the least refreshment during the whole march, ammunition destroyed, encumbered with prisoners, and a retreat of fourteen miles to make good, on a route admissible of interception at several points, by a march of two, three or four miles, one body moving in our rear, and another (from the intelligence I had received from the captured officers) in all probability well advanced on our right; a retreat naturally impossible to our left. Under all these dis- tressing circumstances, my sole dependence was in the perse- vering gallantry of the officers and obstinate courage of the troops. In this I was fully satisfied by the shouts of the sol- diery, who gave every proof of unimpaired vigor on the moment that the enemy's approach was announced.
"Having gained the point of interception opposite Wee- hawken, Capt. Handy was directed to move with his division on the mountain road in order to facilitate the retreat. Capt. Catlett, of the Second Virginia Regiment, fortunately joined me at this moment at the head of fifty men with good ammunition. I immediately halted this officer, and having detached two parties, the one on the Bergen Road in the rear of Major Clarke, the other on the banks of the North River, I moved with the party under the command of the captain on the center route. By those precautions a sudden approach of the enemy was fully prevented. I am very much indebted to this officer and the gentlemen under him for their alacrity and vigilance on this occasion.
"On the rear's approach to the Fort Lee road we met a detachment under the command of Colonel Bull, which Lord Stirling had pushed forward on the first notice of our situation to support the retreat. The colonel moved on and occupied a position which effectually covered us.
"Some little time after this a body of the enemy (alluded
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to in the intelligence I mentioned having received from the officers while in the fort) made their appearance, issuing out of the woods on our right, and moving through the fields di- rectly to the road. They immediately commenced a fire upon my rear. Lieutenant Reed was ordered to face them, while Lieutenant Rudolph threw himself with a party into a stone house which commanded the road. These two officers were directed mutually to support each other and give time for the troops to pass the English Neighborhood Creek, at the Li- berty Pole. On the enemy observing this disposition, they immediately retired by the same route they had approached, and took to the woods. The precipitation with which they re- tired preventing the possibility of Colonel Bull's falling in with them, saved the whole.
"The body which moved in our rear having excessively fatigued themselves by the rapidity of their march, thought prudent to halt before they came in contact with us. . . . The troops arrived safe at the New Bridge with all the prisoners about one o'clock p. m. on the 19th."
The American loss in this dash was but two killed and three wounded, while they had secured and carried off 159 pri- soners. The effect of this brilliant affair was most encouraging to the Patriots. Congress passed a resolution of thanks, and Washington wrote a letter of high commendation.
During the following winter but little occurred in Hudson County except the usual raids. The inhabitants obtaining a quasi protection from the British, continued their avocations as best they could and found in them, on the whole, ready and profitable customers for whatever they could furnish in the way of supplies and provisions. Some of them secured passes and crossed over to the city, where they found a ready and better market than at home, but these expeditions were always attended with danger, for the watchful Tories and Refugees, ever on the alert, frequently despoiled them on their return, of whatever they may have received from their venture. These attacks the burghers attempted to avoid through preconcerted signals, but these were soon discovered and the originators were subjected to additional indignities because of their attempt at evasion.
As an illustration of the manner in which information as to the enemy's designs and movements was obtained, we
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might relate an incident wherein one of Bergen "haus vrouws" was the chief actor.
Janetje Van Ripen, wife of Nicholas Tuers, whose home- stead stood on the site of the present Fourth Regiment Armory, had crossed over to the city on one of her occasional marketing trips. While there, she stopped at a tavern kept by "Black Sam," so called because of his dark complexion. Sam was a stanch Patriot at heart and was enabled ofttimes to convey valuable information to the American commander. As his host- elry was frequented by British officers, he was enabled often to gain a fair knowledge of what was occurring, through the scraps of conversation he overheard. On the occasion of Mrs. Tuer's visit, knowing her deep sympathy with the Patriot cause, Sam confided to her that he had overheard some British officers talking about a conspiracy, that was under contempla- tion in the American Army that would be far reaching in its effect. On her return home she told her brother Cornelius Van Ripen, who immediately went to Hackensack, the then head- quarters of the army in this section, and revealed what he had heard. When offered a reward, the sturdy old Patriot spurned it with indignation saying, "he did not serve his country for money." The discovery of Arnold's contemplated surrender of West Point proved the accuracy of the information.
The capture of Andre and the discovery of Arnold's infam- ous treachery caused great consternation in the American camp, and persistent rumors were prevalent of an extended conspiracy involving other officers of the army high in position. Washington desired to secure the person of Arnold so as to thoroughly in- vestigate these rumors, and at the same time if possible save ยท Andre from an ignominous death. Why such special efforts should have been made to protect him from the natural conse- quences of his disreputable conduct is hard to understand, save that the universal horror and condemnation of Arnold's infam- ous conduct over-shadowed every other consideration, and Andre's personal bravery and social attractions excited a deep sympathy for him in his unfortunate position.
He was possessed of those peculiar qualifications that at once captivated all with whom he came in contact. He was intensely loyal to his King, and his conscientious adherence to the cause he had professed, could excite nothing but respect and admiration; but when he disregarded the sacred rights of
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the home to which he had been welcomed, and presumed upon the intimacy and opportunity that such recognition afforded him, to initiate and carry on, with a man already tempted be- yond his strength, a project so infamous as to merit the con- demnation of even the very power he served, it must be admit- ted that the great sympathy he had inspired was not justified.
He had used his former acquaintanceship with Mrs. Arnold to establish through her, a means of communication with her husband, and her unconscious co-operation rendered the task comparatively easy.
At the time of Arnold's assuming the command at West Point July, 1780, his condition was desperate and deplorable. He was not only filled with resentment because of the public reprimand he had received, but his extravagances had burd- ened him with debts from which there was no escape, and his reckless nature led him to welcome any project that promised any prospect of pecuniary relief. The fact that West Point was considered the key to the whole military situation, placed him in a position that would enable him to solve all his difficulties, and at this critical moment came the voice of the tempter urg- ing the hope of a munificent reward, could he secure special military advantage to the English forces. Andre carried on the nefarious negotiations with all the charm and finesse he possessed, and the point was reached, when a personal inter- view became necessary. Andre became the accredited agent for the consummation of the scheme, which failed only because of a combination of circumstances too well known to need rep- etition here.
The previous intentions or readiness of Arnold to engage in some such scheme does not excuse Andre for treacherously betraying the confidence gained through friendly association and social intimacy. His condemnation would only seem the deeper because of his thorough knowledge of social amenities and exactions. However, one of the reasons given for the at- tempted capture of Arnold was, that Andre might be preserved from an ignominous death.
Major Lee was summoned to a conference with the Com- mander in Chief, and the situation discussed at length. The evidence that Arnold was not alone in the base conspiracy was circumstantial, and involved officers who stood high in the con- fidence of Washington. So great was the suspicion aroused in
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Washington's mind through the defection of Arnold, that when Major Lee suggested, that the information they had re- ceived might have been put forth designedly by the British commander to destroy the good feeling existing among the offi- cers of the American army: he replied that the same sugges- tion could have been made in regard to Arnold a few days be- fore.
After long deliberation a plan was determined upon, where- by Arnold was to be seized, carried to Hoboken and from thence to the American camp. As a reward for his treachery he had been made a Brigadier General in the British army. and all the deserters from the American army assigned to his com- mand.
In order to obtain access to Arnold's person, it was neces- sary to find some stanch, reliable Patriot to assume the dis- graceful role of a traitor and seemingly cast in his lot with the enemies of his country. After much persuasion John Champe, a young Virginian, a member of Lee's Flying Camp, reluct- antly consented, and the time was fixed for carrying out the design.
It was determined in case of the premature discovery of the pretended desertion of Champe, that Major Lee would, on some pretext, delay the pursuit until Champe's escape would be assured. Unfortunately, as he was about leaving on his mission, he fell in with a patrol who at once challenged him. Finding his challenge unheeded, he discharged his musket, and immediately the camp was in an uproar. Meanwhile Champe put spurs to his horse and rapidly sped on his way.
Captain Carnes, officer of the day, assembled his squadron and reported the facts to Major Lee. Chagrined at the possible interruption of the plan determined upon, the Major used ev- ery endeavor to delay the pursuit. Pretending to have been just awakened from a sleep, he required the captain to repeat his report in detail, and then asserted that the guard had mis- taken some frightened countryman, who had inadvertently wandered in the vicinity of the camp, and ridiculed the idea that any member of the legion would desert.
But the desertion of Arnold was too recent to allow such an event as impossible, and the captain retired to inspect the assembled horse. He quickly returned and stated that the scoundrel who had gone was Sergeant John Champe.
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Deeply affected at the supposed baseness of a soldier ex- tremely respected, the captain added "he had ordered a party to make ready for pursuit and begged the major's written or- ders." Major Lee continued his dilatory suggestions, but fin- ally, having exhausted every plausible excuse, was obliged to issue in customary form the following order: "Pursue as far as you can with safety Sergeant Champe, who is suspected of de- serting to the enemy, and has taken the road leading to Paulus Hook. Bring him alive that he may suffer in the presence of the army, but kill him if he resists, or escapes after being taken." A shower occurring shortly after Champe's departure enabled his trail to be followed with accuracy. The pursuers pushed forward rapidly and ascending a slight rise near the Three Pigeons, a few miles north of the village of Bergen, they saw the object of their pursuit but a short distance in advance. At the same moment Champe discovered his pursuers and im- mediately put spurs to his horse and abandoning his intention of reaching Paulus Hook-which he realized would appear to his pursuers as his destination-he determined to seek the pro- tection of two British vessels anchored in the bay back of Bergen.
"Entering the village of Bergen, Champe turned to the right, and disguising his change of course as much as he could by taking the beaten streets, turning as they turned, he passed through the village and took the road toward Elizabethtown Point, now Oxford Lane.
"Middleton had meanwhile divided his force, taking dif- ferent routes from the Three Pigeons, but when the two de- tachments reached the bridge (at Prior's Mill) he found the sergeant had slipped through his fingers. Returning up the road he enquired of the villagers of Bergen whether a dragoon had been seen that morning ahead of his party. He was an- swered in the affirmative, but could learn nothing satisfactory as to the route he took. While engaged in inquiries himself, he spread his party through the village to strike the trail of Champe's horse, a resort always recurred to. Some of the dragoons hit it just as the sergeant, leaving the village, got in the road to the Point (Bergen). Pursuit was renewed with vigor, and again Champe was descried. He, apprehending the event, had prepared himself for it by lashing his valise (con- taining his clothes and orderly book) on his shoulders, and
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holding his drawn sword in his hand, having thrown away the scabbard. This he did to save what was indispensable to him and prevent any interruption to his swimming. . . As soon as Champe got abreast of the two galleys, he dismounted and, running through the marsh to the river, plunged into it, call- ing upon the galleys for help. This was readily given. They fired upon our horse and sent a boat to meet Champe, who was taken in and carried on board and conveyed to New York, with a letter from the captain of the galley stating the circumstances he had seen."
The return of the pursuing party to camp with Champe's horse and accontrements suggested to the assembled soldiers that Champe had been killed. Lee, hearing their shouts and acclamations, "reproached himself bitterly with the blood of the high prized faithful and intrepid Champe." When he discovered the contrary, to use his own words, "his joy was now as full as the moment before his torture had been excru- ciating. Never was a happier conclusion ; the sergeant escaped unhurt, carrying with him to the enemy undeniable testimony of the sincerity of his desertion, cancelling every apprehension before entertained, lest the enemy might suspect him of being what he really was."
On Champe's arrival at New York he was, as expected, assigned to Arnold's detachment. The project promised com- plete success, and on the appointed night a guard was stationed at Hoboken to receive the prisoner. Unfortunately the night previous to the appointed time, Arnold changed his quarters, and consequently the project was defeated. Again prepara- tions were made to carry out the original design, but the em- barkation of Arnold and his troops for the Southern Campaign destroyed all hopes, and the attempt was perforce abandoned. Andre's fate and Arnold's subsequent life are matters of history.
During the winter of 1779-1780 there was great privation and suffering because of the severity of the weather. The ex- traordinary demand for fuel in the city of New York carried a corresponding increase in its value. As the heights of Bergen were covered throughout their whole length with a dense growth of timber, the owners were not averse to seize the op- portunity of adding to their substance by cutting it for fuel and disposing of it to the needy citizens. But the Tories and Re- fugees abounding in the county were likewise awake to the
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chance and vied with the owners in securing control of the market.
The extent to which these marauding parties were devas- tating the forests excited the utmost indignation among the settlers of Hudson County, and they made every effort to pro- tect their property. Collisions were frequent, and the marau- ders were obliged to erect defences at different points along the heights for their protection. Perhaps the most noted of these was the Block House erected near Bull's Ferry on Gut- tenberg Heights. It was rendered famous by the well known screed written by Major Andre entitled "The Cow Chase," in which effusion he caricatures liberally General Wayne's at- tempts at its capture July 21, 1780.
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