USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. II > Part 2
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In a small front room of this humble mansion, General St. Clair had his headquarters, while that of General Washington was at the True American Inn, kept at that time by Mr. Jona-
* Spencer's History, Vol. I., page 461.
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than Richmond, a few rods north of that of General St. Clair, and immediately overlooking the far-famed and historical Assanpink Creek. At this time, Thursday, January 2d, this place was considered too near the enemy to render it tenable, . and that was the reason why the room of General St. Clair was chosen for the council of war, which was to decide the fate of our struggle for independence.
At that council Washington presided, with Generals Greene, Sullivan, Mercer, Knox, St. Clair, Stevens, Dickinson, Cadwala- der, Mifflin, Wilkinson, Stark and others.
It was the most critical period of the war.
The British troops with their large and well-disciplined army had advanced that day to the Assanpink Creek, and was only kept from crossing the small stream of only about thirty feet in width, by the constant cannonading kept up by the American army planted on the hills, which was kept up until night. Cornwallis was urged by his officers to an immediate attack, but concluded to wait until morning, when, he doubted not, victory . would be easily attained. : He had been warned by his officers that he would not find the old fox there in the morning.
At this council of war, the bold design was adopted of getting in the rear of the British army, falling upon their magazines at New Brunswick, and carrying the war again from the neighbor- hood of Philadelphia into the mountainous interior of New Jersey. No time was lost in putting the plan in execution. The superfluous baggage was sent down the river to Burlington ; the watch fire was kept up; the patrols were ordered to go their rounds; and, still further to deceive the enemy, parties were sent out to labor at the entrenchment, within hearing of the sentinels of the enemy.
While the council was engaged in its deliberations the wife of Captain Douglass passed through the room, observing as she went, "Gentlemen, that which you are now talking about will succeed,"-referring to their plan of operations which proved so successful the next day. This prophecy of the heroic lady so inspired them all with confidence that the plan was unanimously adopted, and, as she predicted, proved eminently successful.
General Washington sent for Mr. Elias Phillips, of Maiden-
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head, who came into the council about ten o'clock. Washington asked him how long he had lived in the place-whether he was acquainted with the direct road to the Quaker Bridge, and made other inquiries, the answers to which were taken down.
He then had Patrick Lamb called in, who lived at the bridge, and the answers he gave to the questions proposed were also recorded.
Ezekiel Anderson, was also sent for, and having questioned him, and finding all their answers to agree respecting the road and the country, Washington appointed these men as guides for his army that night.
Having given orders to the men who were engaged in throw- ing up a breastwork on the south bank of the Assanpink (at the place now known as Quinten's Washington Retreat) to continue their work until it should be neccessary to retire for their own safety, and directing the fires to be renewed and kept up, about midnight he ordered his army to march off and, silently defiling from the camp, they marched off in a circuitous route; taking the lower road through Sandtown across Quaker Bridge, they reached . the Stony Brook, at the Quaker meeting-house early on Friday morning, the 3d of January 1777, where the battle which drove the enemy from this part of Jersey was so successfully fought.
Many years before the American Revolution, there emigrated from the north of Ireland a family by the name of Jackson. They had means, and brought with them a number of Irish servants. These were called Agar, Purdy, Chaffee, Hanlon, Nugent and others. The Jacksons were very wealthy, and purchased considerable landed property on the road then lead- ing to the old saw-mill, east of Allentown, now on the road from Allentown to Waln's mill (formerly called the old saw-mill road) in the rear and adjoining the old Presbyterian parsonage or Glebe land at Allentown. The sons of the Jacksons above named were James and Richard. These were elders or deacons of the Presbyterian church, and lie buried at the east end of the Presbyterian graveyard at Allentown, where their gravestones may be seen. James had but one child, Mary, who married Henry Harper, whose descendants reside in Philadelphia. Richard has descendants, one of whom is a Methodist preacher.
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There were several sisters; one married Richard Horsfall, and lived and died near Allentown. He owned about one thousand acres of land near that village. Another sister married a Mr. Hunt, and lived and died near Princeton. Another sister married a Mr. Swangler, who lived in the " old fort" at Allen- town. Her name was Sarah. They removed to Broad street, Mill Hill (then called Queensbury), in the stone house recently removed, on the east side of Broad street, south of the court- house, and lived there throughout the Revolutionary war. They had two children, a son and daughter. The daughter was named Jane, or Jinnie, and married John Ashmore, and lived and died in Lamberton. Her descendants are numerous, and and comprehend the family of Ashmore, now living in Trenton.
Sarah Jackson had a sister named Jane, or, as she was called, Jinnie, who married Abraham Waglum. They resided at Lam- berton, now the Sixth ward of Trenton ; their residence was on the bank of the Delaware River, where they kept a " house of entertainment" for the persons who crossed the "old ferry" and others. Jinnie Waglum, during her visits to her sister, Sarah Swangler, became intimately acquainted with Mrs. Ann Richmond, wife of Jonathan Richmond, the barrack-master for the American army on Mill Hill (or Queensbury, as it was then called). Mrs. Richmond was the sister of the brave Albemarle Collins, a captain and major in the New Jersey militia in the Revolutionary war, died without issue, and was buried in the Quaker burial-ground at Trenton.
Jonathan Richmond was an Englishman, and kept the True American Inn on Mill Hill (late the entrance to Washington Retreat), which was burned down in 1845.
His house was the headquarters of General Washington while in Trenton ; and through the influence of Mrs. Richmond, Mrs. Waglum, nee Jinnie Jackson, offered her services to conduct the troops to Princeton. General Washington gladly accepted the offer of her being the guide for himself and the American army. Arrayed in a man's hat and coat, Jinnie rode at the head of the army, and guided them through the woods by Sandtown and Quaker Bridge, and they arrived safely in Princeton, the night before the engagement with the British troops.
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She left no issue, and after living many years at Lamberton, died in that place, and together with her husband was buried in the old graveyard at Lamberton, now the Riverview Cemetery, and there was once a stone erected to commemorate their memory, but it is now gone.
Some steps should be taken to mark the grave of one who bore such a conspicuous part in the great struggle as did Jinnie Waglum, and we call upon the citizens of this State, and par- ticularly of Trenton, to erect a suitable monument to her memory.
"Although it was the most inclement season of the year, the weather greatly favored the Americans. For two days it had been rather warm, soft and foggy, and great apprehension was entertained lest the roads should be almost impassable for a march requiring rapidity; but about the time the march com- ยท menced, there was a sudden change in the weather. The wind shifted; an intense frost set in, and the road speedily became solid and easy of passage.
" The soldiers were encouraged by this, and believing that Providence had again interposed in their hour of difficulty, they marched forward with high spirit.
"Cornwallis had left three regiments at Princeton, under Colonel Mawhood, with orders to advance on the 3d of January. Towards daybreak, they suddenly came in sight of the approach- ing Continental troops, with whom they were almost immedi- . ately in action.
" The Americans, posted behind a fence, poured in a heavy and well-directed volley, after receiving which, the British with fixed bayonets charged them with such impetuosity that abandoning their shelter, they broke and fled precipitately, closely pursued by their victorious enemies. Both fugitives and pursuers, however, were suddenly arrested by the sight of the force under Washington, who, beholding the rout, hastened on, colors in hand, to rally the discomfited troops. At no time in his life, perhaps, was he exposed to more imminent hazard. The Americans immediately rallied, the English reformed their line, both levelled their guns, and prepared to fire, while Washington, whose ardor had hurried him forward into a most
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perilous position, stood like a mark for the bullets of both. But God preserved him for his country and mankind. He escaped without a hurt, and urged his men forward to the attack. The British, however, did not wait the onset. Maw- hood, already severely handled and seeing reinforcements coming up, wheeled off, leading his artillery, and regaining the Trenton road continued his march to join Cornwallis.
" Washington advanced to Princeton, putting to flight a regi- ment of the British troops, and taking a number of prisoners in the town. The loss of the British was about a hundred killed, and some three hundred were made prisoners. The American loss was only thirty killed, including several officers."*
Among those that fell on that memorable morning was the gallant Hugh Mercer, who first engaged the enemy, and who fell at an early hour, covered with wounds. He expired on the 12th. His death was deeply deplored by his countrymen.
The late Dr. Moses Scott, of New Brunswick, with other surgeons, was with General Mercer under the tree, after the battle, and said that he had received sixteen wounds by the bayonet, though these were not thought by the General himself (who was a physician) to be necessarily mortal, but that while lying on the ground, a British soldier had struck him on the head with his musket, "and that," said he, " was a dishonor- able act, and it will prove my death."
Had Cornwallis taken the advice of Sir William Erskine, as soon as the British army had reached Trenton on the 2d, and engaged the Americans at once, the disaster to our cause would have been fearful ; but thinking the escape of Washington im- possible, and his own troops being fatigued, he concluded to wait until morning, as it was then just at evening. But in the morning he was greatly chagrined at finding that Washington had escaped out of his hands, and he was for a time perplexed to ascertain whither he had gone, until he heard the booming of the cannon in the direction of Princeton. He then saw how Wash- ington had out-generaled him. Alarmed for the safety of his stores at New Brunswick, he advanced rapidly towards Prince- ton.
* Spencer's History, pages 461, 462.
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The Americans had determined to proceed to New Brunswick by a forced march, and capture the baggage and stores of the enemy, but the complete exhaustion of the men, who had been without rest, and almost without food, for two days and nights, prevented the adoption of the measure, and General Washington proceeded towards Morristown, while Lord Cornwallis pressed on his rear; but the Americans after having crossed the Mill- stone River, broke down the bridge at Kingston, and thereby impeded the progress of their enemies, ending the pursuit.
At this time both armies were completely worn out, one being as unable to pursue as the other was to retreat.
General Washington reached Morristown, and took up his headquarters there, while Lord Cornwallis reached New Bruns- wick, and stationed himself there to protect his baggage and stores. .
The headquarters of Washington at Morristown was difficult of access by the enemy, being situated among the hills, while around him was a fine country to furnish supplies for his army, and the Delaware was easy of access, in case he found a retreat across that stream necessary.
From here he overran both East and West Jersey, spread his army over the Raritan River, and penetrating into the County . of Essex, became master of the coast opposite Staten Island. Thus with a greatly inferior army, by his judicious movements he wrested from the British almost all their conquests in New Jersey. New Brunswick and Amboy were the only posts which remained in their hands, and in even these they were considera- bly alarmed regarding their safety, as the American army were unwearied in their activity, frequently surprising and cutting off the British advanced guards, and they therefore could not tell at what moment the Americans would come down upon them, and wrest from them these places.
General Matthews was in command at New Brunswick, and was greatly alarmed as to its safety ; and while he took measures to defend himself, he used the utmost industry to remove the military stores to a place of greater safety.
The battles of Trenton and Princeton were considered great victories, and inspired in the breasts of the American people
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confidence in the ultimate success of their cause, and showed plainly the superiority of our army and its general over that of the foe. This confidence revived in the minds of the people, was the cause of greatly augmenting and strengthening their arms, as numbers at once flocked to it.
Congress at this time feeling themselves insecure, removed from Philadelphia to Baltimore, where they authorized General Washington to raise sixteen additional regiments, and conferred upon him, for the term of six months, powers for the conduct of the war which were almost unlimited.
The favorable change in American affairs was in no place so sensibly felt as in New Jersey, for her people had suffered all the horrors which could flow from a licentious and almost unrestrained soldiery.
Within four days after the affair at Princeton, between forty and fifty Waldeckers were killed, wounded, or taken at Spring- field, by an equal number of the New Jersey militia, which but a month before had abandoned all opposition. For this gallant achievement, conducted by Colonel Spencer, he was rewarded with the command of a regiment.
When the royal army entered New Jersey, the inhabitants pretty generally remained in their houses, thousands of whom received printed protections, signed by order of the British Com- mander-in-Chief. "This event," says General Livingston, "en- abled the patriots more effectually to distinguish their friends from their enemies. It winnowed the chaff from the grain. It discriminated the temporizing politician, who, on the first ap- pearance of danger, determined to secure his idol-property- at the hazard of the general weal, from the persevering patriot, who, having embarked his all in the common cause, chose rather to risk, rather to lose, that all for the preservation of the more inestimable treasure, Liberty, than to possess it upon the igno- ninious terms of tamely resigning his country and posterity to perpetual.servitude." But it did more : "It opened the eyes of those who were made to believe that their impious merit in abetting the persecutors would exempt them from being involved in the common calamity."
But all the assurances given by the enemy did not save the
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people from either plunder or insult. Their property was taken and destroyed without distinction of persons. They exhibited their printed protections, given by order of the Commander-in- Chief of the British army, but it availed them nothing, for the Hessians were unable to read them, and would not understand them, and therefore the British soldiers considered it a disgrace that the Hessians should do all the plundering.
Discontents and murmurs constantly increased, by the fearful ravages of both, which if not sanctified by general orders, were tolerated, without any attempt to put a stop to them, sparing neither friend nor foe, protecting neither age or sex from out- rage. Thus infants, children, old men and women, were left naked and exposed, without even a blanket to cover them from the inclemency of the winter. Furniture which they were unable to carry away was wantonly destroyed ; dwellings and outhouses burned or rendered uninhabitable; churches and other public buildings were consumed, and the most fiendish outrages were perpetrated upon women, and even very young girls. But all these things turned upon the oppressor. For had every citizen been secured in his rights, his property protected, and the sup- plies taken by the enemy paid for, it might have proved fatal to the cause of independence, for the people feeling themselves secure in their persons and property, would not have been aroused to that indignation against the foe that these outrages produced. What the earnest commendations of Congress, the zealous exertions of Governor Livingston and the State authori- ties, and the ardent supplications of Washington failed to effect, the royal forces, by their devastation and rapine, produced in an eminent degree, for they roused the whole country, and it in- stantly became hostile to the invaders. Those who had suffered arose in their might to repel the hostile invaders, and revenge their personal injuries.
Those who from age and infirmities were incapable of military service, kept a strict watch upon the movements of the royal army, and communicated with the soldiery.
On the 20th of January, General Dickinson, with about four hundred militia, and fifty Pennsylvania riflemen, defeated, near Somerset Court-house, on the Millstone River, a foraging party
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of the enemy consisting of about the same number as their own, from whom they took forty wagons, upwards of one hun- dred horses, besides a large quantity of cattle and sheep which they had collected. They retreated so precipitately that only nine prisoners were taken, but many dead and wounded were carried off. Much courage and bravery was manifested in this affair, and the General received great praise for his conduct. Those he had with him were raw troops, and though not accus- tomed to service, he led them through the river up to their mid- dle, and charged so impetuously that the enemy, although they had three field pieces, fled and left them on the field.
In the month of February Colonel Neilson, of New Brunswick, with a detachment of one hundred and fifty militia, surprised and captured Major Stockton, at the head of fifty-nine privates, refugees, in British pay. Stockton was called by the sobriquet of " Double Dick," in consequence of his known treachery.
There were no important military enterprises during the three months succeeding the battle of Trenton, except those above enumerated.
Major-General Israel Putnam established his post at Princeton, with only a few hundred troops, although he was within eighteen miles of the strong garrison of the British army. His object was to guard the country around, and at one time he had less men capable of performing military duty than he had miles of territory to guard. General Washington, at Morristown, was no better supplied. His force was small compared with that of the British ; although neither the enemy nor his own countrymen were aware of it, but supposed he was amply provided. This deception was kept up in parading a numerous army. The enemy were thus surrounded by an almost imaginary army, who would disappear at the approach of any considerable force, but instantly present themselves when that force disappeared.
About this time a dreadful scourge appeared in the army, more potent than the bullets of the enemy, from which calamity the General resolved to deliver himself and his future force. The small-pox had broken out in severity among the men, and had assumed a painful and hideous type. Inocula- tion had not yet in America stripped it of its terrors, nor vaccina-
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tion rendered it impotent. In despite of the utmost vigilance, it had extended its ravages to the northern and middle armies, and impaired the strength of both. In the northern army, especially, its havoc had been so great that the delay requisite to the command of Lake Champlain, alone, prevented the British army from reaching the Hudson. Inoculation was now resorted to, in order to neutralize the virulence of the disease. With all possible secrecy preparations were made to give the injection to the troops in camp, at Philadelphia, and other places; and thus the army was made exempt from a calamity, the very fear of which endangered the most important operations.
In a letter from General Washington to the President of Con- gress, under date of the 9th of December, after remarking "that the security of Philadelphia should be our next object," he sug- gests that a " communication of lines and redoubts might be formed from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, on the north en- trance of the city ; to begin on the Schuylkill side, and run east- ward to the Delaware. " We have ever found," he continues, " that lines, however slight, are very formidable to the enemy ; they would at least give a check, till the people could recover from the fright and consternation that materially attended the first appearance of the enemy.
"In the meantime every step should be taken to collect a force, not only from Pennsylvania, but from the neighboring States. If we can keep the enemy from entering Philadelphia, and keep the communication by water open for supplies, we may yet make a stand, if the country will come to our assistance till the new levies be collected.
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"P. S. General Mifflin is this moment come up, and tells me that all military stores yet remain in Philadelphia. This makes the immediate fortifying of the city so necessary, that I have desired General Mifflin to return and take charge of the stores ; and have ordered Major-General Putnam immediately down, to superintend the works, and give the necessary directions."
The difficulties to be encountered in this new sphere of action were many and severe. But the hardy old veteran proved him- self equal to them all. Here, as well as in New York, there were many persons strongly disaffected towards the American
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cause-men who, from attachment to royalty, or from fear of losing their property, shrunk from the unequal contest, or lent their aid, secretly, to further the designs of the enemy. Many of them were so decided in their hostility, that it was at one time thought unsafe to withdraw the forces from the city, though their aid was much needed to strengthen the army in the field, lest, in their absence, the whole city should declare for the enemy. It was this, as will be seen hereafter, that deprived General Putnam of a share in one of the most brilliant and suc- cessful enterprises of the army of the Revolution.
The danger apprehended from the steady approaches of Gene- ral Howe was imminent, and the works of defence were required to be constructed with the greatest despatch. The labor was severe and unremitting, and General Putnam never spared him- self when there was work to be done, any more than when dan- ger was to be braved. Humphreys, who was with him at this time, says : "His personal industry was unparalleled, and his health was, for a while, impaired by his unrelaxed exertions." The city was placed under martial law, and his authority, during his command in it, was paramount and supreme. But he made no unnecessary display of his power, scrupulously avoiding every- thing that would needlessly disturb the usual order, or restrain the usual freedom of intercourse among the citizens. He made a diligent use both of authority and example, to conciliate, as far as possible, the contending factions, to win over the disaf- fected to the cause of freedom, and to excite all the citizens to use their utmost diligence in preparing to repel the expected approach of the enemy. He took good care, as he had done in New York, to regulate and sustain the police of the city, by bringing his own military authority to bear upon it, and by en- couraging a cheerful obedience to the laws. The following order will illustrate his care and prudence in this respect :
" GENERAL ORDERS. " HEADQUARTERS, PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 14, 1776.
" Colonel Griffin is appointed Adjutant-General to the troops in and about this City. All orders from the General through him, either written or verbal, are to be strictly attended to and punctually obeyed.
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