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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
About the middle of April, 1782, Washington left Philadel- phia and joined the army, his headquarters being at Newburg.
The quotas of troops expected from the different States were not filled up, as the Commander-in-Chief hoped they would be, promptly and fully. Worn down with toils and sufferings, the people could not be induced to further exertions, now that it had become almost certain that the war must speedily end. Washington endeavored to arouse the States, by a circular letter, from their apathy, but with no great success. The discontent of the officers and soldiers in consequence of the arrearages of their pay, had for some time increased ; and brooding over their hardships, they contemplated an act which must have pained Washington to the very soul. Having seen how miserably inef- ficient Congress was as a government, and probably almost in despair of the success of a republican form of government, the notion was broached that the only way to obtain an effective authority in the State, was to place such authority in the hands of one man. A colonel in the army was deputed to convey their sentiments to the Commander-in-Chief. In a very able letter, which discussed the present position of affairs, and set forth the defects of the political organization existing at the time, the subject was presented to the attention of that noble patriot who had so long stood at the head of the army ; the writer adding: "This must have shown to all, and to military men in particu- lar, the weakness of republics, and the exertions the army have
1
96
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
been able to make by being under a proper head. Therefore, I little doubt that when the benefits of a mixed government are pointed out, and duly considered, such will be readily adopted. In this case it will, I believe, be uncontroverted, that the same abilities which have led us through difficulties apparently insur- mountable by human power, to victory and glory, those qualities that have merited and obtained the universal esteem and venera- tion of the army, would be most likely to conduct and direct us in the smoother paths of peace. Some people have so connected the ideas of tyranny and monarchy as to find it very difficult to separate them. It may, therefore, be requisite to give the head of such a constitution as I propose some title apparently more moderate ; but, if all things were once adjusted, I believe strong arguments might be produced for admitting the name of KING, which I conceive would be attended with some material advan- tages."
The answer of Washington to this communication was in the following terms :
" NEWBURG, 22d May, 1782.
" SIR: With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured, sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have ex- pressed, and I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity. For the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary.
" I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which, to me, seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagree- able. At the same time, in justice to my own feelings, I must add, that no man possesses a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to the army than I do ; and as far as my power and influence in a constitutional way extend they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect it, should there be any
97
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
occasion. Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never com- municate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like nature.
I am, Sir, &c., " GEORGE WASHINGTON."
" Truly this was an indignant and stern rebuke ! Whatever may have been the motives which prompted those who addressed Washington with such a proposal, it is plain that his integrity was incorruptible, and his love of his country infinitely superior to any and every personal consideration. After this effort no further attempt was ever made to induce the Father of his Country to entertain a proposition of the like nature."*
With an army of not more than ten thousand men, Washing- ton, even if disposed, was unable to undertake offensive opera- tions ; consequently the summer passed away in inactivity at the North. Sir Guy Carleton, on his part, kept quiet in New York, and the contest seemed to have ceased. Early in August of this year, 1782, Carleton and Digby informed the Commander-in- Chief that negotiations for a general peace were begun in Paris ; that the Independence of the Thirteen United States would be acknowledged ; that Mr. Laurens was set at liberty ; and that passports were being prepared for such Americans as had been hitherto detained prisoners in England. Another letter soon followed from Carleton in which he declared that he no longer saw any object of contest, and therefore disapproved of further hostilities by sea or land, which, as he observed, " could only tend to multiply the miseries of individuals, without a possible advantage to either nation." He added that, in consequence of this opinion, he had restrained the practice of detaching the Indian parties against the frontiers of the United States, and had recalled those which were in the field. These communications seem to have awakened the jealousy of the French minister in America; and in order to put to rest any feeling on his part, Congress renewed its resolution to enter into no discussion of any overtures for pacification but in confidence and in concert with his most Christian Majesty.
* Spencer's History of the United States, Vol. II., page 15.1.
7
98
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
On the capture of Henry Laurens, John Adams was sent to Holland as minister-plenipotentiary, and empowered to negotiate a loan. After considerable delay he was officially recognized, and the United Provinces, on the 19th of April, acknowledged the independence of the United States of America. This was the second European Power that made that acknowledgment. Mr. Adams concluded a treaty of amity and commerce early in October, and was also successful in effecting the desired loan in behalf of his country.
The splendid victory of Rodney over the Count de Grasse, on the 12th of April, gave security to the British West India Islands, and it was apprehended that the negotiations for peace might be protracted and hostilities even renewed. It was in contempla- tion to reduce the army, but through the culpable neglect of the States, there was no means to pay the officers and troops. In- deed, hardly enough could be obtained to furnish daily subsist- ence to the army. In a confidential letter to the Secretary of War, Washington, while he doubted not the wish of numbers to retire to private life, could they obtain only their just dues, added : "Yet I cannot help fearing the result of reducing the. army, where I see such a number of men, goaded by a thousand stings of reflection on the past, and of anticipation on the future, about to be turned into the world, soured by penury and what they call the ingratitude of the public ; involved in debts, with- out one farthing of money to carry them home, after having spent the flower of their days, and many of them their patrimo- nies, in establishing the freedom and independence of their country ; and having suffered everything which human nature is capable of enduring on this side of death. I repeat it, when I reflect on these irritating circumstances, unattended by one thing to soothe their feelings or brighten the gloomy prospect, I can- not avoid apprehending that a train of evils will follow, of a serious and distressing nature.
" I wish not to heighten the shades of the picture, so far as the real life would justify me in doing, or I would give anecdotes of patriotism and distress which have scarcely ever been paral- leled, never surpassed, in the history of mankind. But you may rely upon it, the patience and long sufferance of this army are
.
1 99
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
almost exhausted, and there never was so great a spirit of dis- content as at this instant. While in the field it may be kept from breaking out into acts of outrage ; but when we retire into winter quarters (unless the storm be previously dissipated), I cannot be at ease respecting the consequences. It is high time for a peace."
After this some skirmishing occurred in the South. General Clarke commanded the troops in the province of Georgia, amounting to about one thousand regular soldiers, besides militia whom he concentrated in Savannah. While Wayne was watching the British, a sudden and unlooked for attack was made upon him in the night of the 23d of June, by a strong party of Creeks. Nothing but the excellent materials of which his force was composed, and their courageous and steady beha- vior, saved the detachment from defeat. This sharp conflict terminated the war in Georgia. Savannah was evacuated on the IIth of July, and Wayne rejoined General Greene.
General Leslie commanded in Charleston, and held the place · till the 14th of December, though the intention of evacuating it was announced on the 7th of August. In that interval Leslie proposed to General Greene a suspension of hostilities ; Greene was strongly inclined to agree to this proposal, but the matter was in the hands of the civil authority, and he did not conceive himself empowered to enter into any arrangement of the kind with the British General. Leslie also offered full payment for rice and other provisions sent into the town, but threatened to take them without compensation if withheld. General Greene, suspecting that it was intended to collect a large quantity of rice in Charleston to supply the army while it acted against the French islands in the West Indies, declined the arrangement. The consequence was, that the British made some foraging in- cursions into the country, and skirmishes ensued. In themselves these skirmishes were unimportant; but they derived a lively interest from the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, who fell in one of them, August 27th, to the deep regret of his country- men, among whom he was universally esteemed and beloved. Soon after, Captain Wilmot made an attack upon a party of British on James Island, near Fort Johnson ; the Captain and
100
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
some of his men were killed, and the rest retreated. This was the last blood shed in the American war .*
In the spring of 1782 the contending Powers in Europe took measures to settle upon terms of peace. In April Mr. Oswald went to Paris, and was soon afterwards followed by Mr. Gren- ville, who consulted with the Count de Vergennes in reference to the preliminaries for a general peace between all the Powers at war. The British Court acted nearly all the way through with a sort of sullen acquiescence in results which they could not prevent, and many annoying difficulties were interposed, so as to perplex the negotiations as much as possible, and deprive the United States of every advantage which could be wrested from them.
The Marquis of Rockingham died on the Ist of July, and was succeeded by Lord Shelburne. This nobleman agreed with the King in determining, if possible, to prevent any open and abso- lute recognition of American independence. Dr. Franklin left upon one of his papers the following memorandum : " Imme- diately after the death of Lord Rockingham, the King said to Lord Shelburne, 'I will be plain with you ; the point next to my heart, and which I am determined, be the consequence what it may, never to relinquish but with my crown and life, is to prevent a total, unequivocal recognition of the independence of America. Promise to support me on this ground, and I will leave you unmolested on every other, and with full power as the
* It has been estimated that the loss of lives in the various armies of the United States during the war is not less than seventy thousand. The number who died on board the horrid prison-ships of the enemy cannot be calculated. It is, however, confidently asserted that no less than eleven thousand of our brave soldiers died on board the one called the Jersey Prison-ship only! This dreadful mortality is universally attributed to the cruel treatment which they received while crowded together in close confinement. The loss to Great Britain is two large armies captured by the United States, exclusively of many thousands killed and taken in various actions during the war; thir- teen Coloniés dismembered from her; and an increase of her national debt in seven years, {120,000,000. The United States have gained that indepen- dence and liberty for which they contended, and find their debt to be less than . $45,000,000, which is short of {10,000,000 sterling .- Thacher's Military Journal, page 350.
IOI
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
prime minister of the kingdom.'" The firmness of Congress and the American Commissioners in Paris, prevented the plan being carried out.
Happily for our country's interests, they were entrusted to men entirely capable of understanding, appreciating, and de- fending them. The venerable Dr. Franklin, now almost four- score years old, was American Minister to France; he was joined by Mr. Jay, from Spain, on the 23d of June, and these two principally conducted the negotiations. Mr. Adams came from Holland about the close of October, and Mr. Laurens from London only a few days before the terms of the treaty were agreed upon.
The three main questions, of independence, the boundaries, and the fisheries were arranged to mutual satisfaction, the two latter being ably discussed between Mr. Jay and Mr. Oswald. Other questions relating to compensation to the loyalists for losses, the giving up of Canada to the United States, etc., occu- pied the attention of the commissioners ; but with no particular result. Finally, on the 30th of November, 1782, the provisional treaty was signed at Paris by both parties, in due. form, and early the following year was approved and ratified by Congress.
The first call made on New Jersey for troops was by a resolu- tion passed by Congress October 9th, 1775, as follows :
" Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention of New Jersey that they immediately raise, at the expense of the Continent, two battalions, consisting of eight companies each, and each company of sixty-eight privates, officered with one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, and four corporals.
"That the privates be enlisted for one year, at the rate of five dollars per month, liable to be discharged at any time on allow- ing them one month's pay extraordinary.
"That each of the privates be allowed, instead of a bounty, one felt hat, a pair of yarn stockings, and a pair of shoes; the men to find their own arms.
"That the pay of officers, for the present, be the same as that of the officers in the present Continental Army ; and in case the pay of the officers in the army is augmented, the pay of the
THE NEWBERRY
102
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
officers in these battalions shall, in like manner, be augmented from the time of their engaging in the service."
On the 13th of October a copy of the above resolutions from the Journal of Congress was laid before the Provincial Congress of New Jersey, with the following official letter of transmittal :
" PHILADELPHIA, October 12th, 1775.
"GENTLEMEN: Some late intelligence laid before Congress seems to render it absolutely necessary, for the protection of our liberties and safety of our lives, to raise several new battalions, and therefore the Congress have come into the enclosed resolu- tions, which I am ordered to transmit to you. The Congress have the firmest confidence that, from your experienced zeal in the great cause, you will exert your utmost endeavors to carry the said resolutions into execution with all possible expedition.
"The Congress have agreed to furnish the men with a hunting- shirt, not exceeding the value of one dollar and one-third of a dollar, and a blanket, provided these can be procured ; but these are not to be made part of the enlistment.
"I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,
" JOHN HANCOCK, President."
With this was forwarded forty-eight blank commissions for captain and subaltern officers in the New Jersey battalions.
On the 26th of October, 1775, Samuel Tucker, President of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey, issued two hundred copies of an advertisement, calling for able-bodied men to fill the quota of the Province, appointing Elias Dayton, Azariah Dunham, Joseph Ellis, and John Mehelm, Esquires, muster- masters, to review the said companies, and if when found com- plete, certify the same on the back of the muster-roll to the Provincial Congress, if in session, or in their recess to the Committee of Safety, in order that commissions may be made out to the officers of such company; which commissions the Committee of Safety of this Colony, during the recess of this Congress, upon receiving certificates as above, are required to make out and issue.
" And it is hereby recommended to the inhabitants of this Colony to be aiding and assisting, as far as their influence extends, in raising the aforesaid levies.
103
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
" And it is further resolved, that each muster-master shall have for his trouble for reviewing each company, such reward as this Congress or Committee of Safety shall judge proper for his service, which the Treasurer of this Colony for the time being, appointed by Congress, shall pay out of the bills of credit to be issued by direction of this Congress, upon an order or orders to him produced from this Congress or Committee of Safety."
The following were the officers of the Jersey Line, Continental Troops :
First Battalion, First Establishment: William Alexander (Lord Stirling), Colonel, promoted to Brigadier-General, Con- tinental Army ; William Winds, Lieutenant-Colonel, promoted Colonel in the place of Colonel Alexander ; William D'Hart, Major ; Matthias Ogden was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in the place of Colonel Winds; Matthias Halsted was appointed Quartermaster, but resigned, and Leonidas Chapin was ap- pointed ; Aaron Ogden, Paymaster, and William M. Barnet, Sur- geon.
The Company Officers were : First Company, Joseph Morris, Captain ; Daniel Baldwin, First Lieutenant ; Daniel Brown Sec- ond Lieutenant ; Jonathan F. Morris, Ensign.
Second Company, Silas Howell, Captain ; John Mercer, First Lieutenant ; Richard Johnson, Second Lieutenant ; Jacob Kem- per, Ensign.
Third Company, John Conway, Captain ; Lewis J. Costigan, First Lieutenant; Costigan was retired, and Peter V. Voorhies, Second Lieutenant, was promoted First Lieutenant; Francis Costigan, Ensign.
Fourth Company, John Polhemus, Captain ; John Van Anglen, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Axford, Second Lieutenant ; Thomas Sickles, Ensign.
Fifth Company, Joseph Meeker, Captain ; Giles Mead, First Lieutenant; Archibald Dallas, Second Lieutenant; George Ross, Ensign.
Sixth Company, Andrew McMires, Captain ; Isaac Morrison, First Lieutenant ; Alexander Clough, Second Lieutenant ; Jacob Piatt, Ensign.
Seventh Company, Daniel Piatt, Captain ; Hendrick Fisher,
104
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
First Lieutenant ; John Flahavin, Second Lieutenant ; Cyrus D'Hart, Ensign.
Eighth Company, Elias Longstreet, Captain; Curtenius Schenck, First Lieutenant ; John Holmes, Second Lieutenant ; Abraham Lane, Ensign.
The Second Battalion was officered as follows: William Max- well, Colonel ; Isaac Shreve, Lieutenant-Colonel ; David Rhea, Major ; Ephraim Anderson, Adjutant ; Buddle Shinn, Quarter- master; William Shute, Paymaster ; James Holmes, Surgeon ; Abraham Appleton, Surgeon's Mate; Quartermaster Buddle Shinn declined.
The following were the Company Officers: First Company, William Faulkner, Captain ; Faulkner died, and James Dillon, First Lieutenant, was promoted Captain ; Second Lieutenant Nathaniel Bowman was promoted First Lieutenant ; Ensign John Sparks was promoted Second Lieutenant ; Samuel Shute was ap- pointed Ensign.
Second Company, Joseph Brearley, Captain ; Thomas Yard, First Lieutenant ; Jonathan Phillips, Second Lieutenant; Thomas Ryerson, Ensign.
Third Company, James Lawrie, Captain ; John Hollinshead, First Lieutenant ; James Ashman, Second Lieutenant, died, and Ensign Samuel Hendry was promoted Second Lieutenant, and Andrew Bankson was appointed Ensign.
Fourth Company, William Shute, Captain, appointed Pay- master ; Henry Fries, First Lieutenant ; Jeremiah Smith, Second Lieutenant ; William Parrot, Ensign.
Fifth Company, Richard Howell, Captain, appointed Brigade Major ; John N. Cumming, First Lieutenant ; Seth Bowen, Sec- ond Lieutenant ; Samuel Neglee, Ensign.
Sixth Company, John B. Scott, Captain, died ; James Max- well, First Lieutenant ; John Higgins, Second Lieutenant, died ; Francis Duclos, Ensign.
Seventh Company, Joseph Stout, Captain ; Samuel Reading, First Lieutenant ; Ephraim Anderson, Second Lieutenant, ap- pointed Adjutant ; Aaron Lane, Ensign.
Eighth Company, Archibald Shaw, Captain ; Henry Luce, First Lieutenant ; William Holmes, Second Lieutenant ; George Reynolds, Ensign.
105
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
On the 10th day of November, 1775, six companies, com- prising all that were at that time completed of the first and second battalions, were ordered to garrison the fort in the High- lands, on the Hudson River. November 27th the rest of the two battalions were ordered into barracks near New York. On the 8th of December both battalions were ordered into the City of New York, and on the 26th the deputy muster-master there was ordered to muster them. On the roth of January, 1776, three companies were ordered to report to Colonel Nathaniel Heard (First Battalion Middlesex Militia), in command of "Minute Men," for duty in arresting Tories and disaffected persons in Queen's County, New York. The rest of the bat- talion, Lieutenant-Colonel Winds commanding, were stationed at Perth Amboy and Elizabethtown, this State, until May, 1776. On the 3d of May, with the Third Battalion, they left New York to join an expedition to Canada, and having been joined by the Second Battalion, took an active part in the operations before Quebec. At a later day the First and Second Battalions were ordered into barracks at Ticonderoga, and remained at that station until directed by General Sullivan, November 5th, 1776, to return to New Jersey for discharge.
The Second Battalion, on the 8th day of January, 1776, was ordered to Albany, to report to General Schuyler. The want of sufficient arms and clothing delayed the march of the bat- talion.
On the roth of January, 1776, the Continental Congress ordered another battalion, to be called the Third Battalion, to be raised in New Jersey on the same terms as the other two, and on the 6th of February the Provincial Congress of the State issued their orders for raising the same ; none were to be enlisted but healthy, sound, and able-bodied freemen, not under sixteen years of age.
It further specified that no apprentice whatsoever be enlisted within this Colony without the consent of his master or mistress first obtained in writing; and every person under the age of twenty-one years enlisting himself as aforesaid, may within twenty-four hours after their parent or guardian shall have notice of such enlistment, obtain his discharge by refunding the money
106
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
received from the recruiting officer, and returning such necessa- ries as may have been supplied him by the officer, or the value thereof in money.
The same muster-masters were appointed as in the two pre- vious battalions, and the same rules adopted This battalion was to consist of eight companies, each company of seventy- eight privates, and officered the same as the other two.
The officers of the Third Battalion, First Establishment, were : Elias Dayton, Colonel; Anthony Walton White, Lieutenant- Colonel; Francis Barber, Major ; Samuel Shippard, Adjutant ; William Norcross, Quartermaster; Jonathan Dayton, Paymaster; Lewis F. Dunham, Surgeon ; Thomas C. Read, Surgeon's Mate; James Caldwell, Chaplain.
The Company officers were as follows: First Company, Samuel Potter, Captain ; Rinear Blanchard, First Lieutenant, resigned ; Josiah Quimby, Second Lieutenant, promoted First Lieutenant ; Cornelius Hennion, Ensign, promoted Second Lieutenant.
Second Company, Thomas Patterson, Captain ; John Mott, First Lieutenant ; William McDonald, Second Lieutenant, cashiered, and Ensign Edward Patterson was promoted Second Lieutenant.
Third Company, John Ross, Captain ; William McMichael, First Lieutenant, deserted, and Second Lieutenant Richard Cox was promoted first Lieutenant ; Thomas Coachey, Ensign, de- clined. .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.