USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 12
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SOON after the battle of Monmouth, Washing- ton crossed the Hudson and encamped at White Plains. Learning that D'Estaing had arrived with a fleet and four thousand troops, he con- certed with him an attack upon New York. Forced to abandon this enterprise, Washington
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
[1779.
directed his attention toward Newport, where Pigot, with a large body of the enemy, was now stationed. Having collected New England mi- litia and continentals to the number of ten thousand, Sullivan, to whom the attack upon Newport was confided, only waited for the co- operation of D'Estaing. But as the French admiral, who had put to sea in hopes of meeting the British squadron, was about to engage with Howe, a fierce tempest sprung up, separated the contending fleets, and drove that of France, badly damaged, into Boston. In the mean time, Sullivan had advanced to within a short distance of Newport. Here he received intelligence of D'Estaing's ill-fortune, and was compelled, much to his mortification, to abandon his works and retreat to the main land.
Nearly a month later, in September, two columns of the enemy, conjointly eight thousand strong, left New York and ascended the Hudson by either bank, with the twofold design of col- lecting forage, and of diverting attention from a proposed expedition against Little Egg Harbour. On the night of the 27th, the advanced corps of the western column, commanded by Major- General Grey, moving with silent celerity, suc- ceeded in surprising a party of American light- horse, under Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, who were sleeping soundly in a barn near Tappan, in the county of Bergen. So suddenly and unex-
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MASSACRE OF TROOPS.
1778.]
pectedly did the British appear, that Baylor's men were unable either to fly or to resist. They supplicated for quarter; but were bayoneted almost without mercy. Out of one hundred and four privates thirty-seven only escaped. Of the remainder, twenty-seven were killed and wounded ; among the latter of whom was Baylor himself. By the humanity of one of Grey's captains, forty were made prisoners, in disobe- dience to previous orders to allow no quarter. This massacre, as it was called, stirred up a feel- ing of fierce indignation against the British, who, however, apologized for it, by pleading the excitement of a surprise and a night attack.
In the mean time, the southern expedition having landed at Little Egg Harbour, on the 5th of October, destroyed thirty prize vessels lying in port, burned the village of Chestnut Neck, and ravaged all the surrounding country. To check this movement, Pulaski's legion had been ordered into the neighbourhood; but it did not arrive until three days after the landing of the British. While encamped in the vicinity of Tuckerton, Pulaski's picket guard was surprised through the treachery of a deserter, and every man composing it-thirty in all-put to death. Gathering up his cavalry, the fiery Pole started in pursuit of the enemy, who had immediately begun a hasty retreat, but was unable to over- take them. So closely did he push them, how-
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1778.
ever, that the only sloop of war in the expedi- tion having got aground, was obliged to be set on fire and abandoned, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Americans.
On the 27th of October, a new legislature met at Trenton. Having again chosen Livingston governor, both houses, in committee of the whole, proceeded to a renewed consideration of the " Articles of Confederation," to which Congress had once more urged their attention. The sub- ject was earnestly discussed for nearly a fort- night. Declaring that ." every separate state interest ought to be postponed for the public good," the committee rose, and, by their advice, the delegates of New Jersey in Congress were immediately instructed to subscribe to the new plan of union. At the same time the committee, in their report, maintained that "the objections lately stated and sent to Congress were found- ed in justice and equity," and were of the "most essential moment to the interests" of their constituents. For the removal of these objections, they still relied firmly upon the " candour and justice of the several states."
This subject having been thus quietly disposed of, a bill was presently passed to raise the sum of one hundred thousand pounds ; after which the legislature took a recess.
The campaign in the north was now, in effect, at an end. D'Estaing, with the French squad-
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1778.1
MOVEMENTS IN THE SOUTH.
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ron, left Boston for the West Indies on the 3d of November. Upon the same' day, five thou- sand British troops, escorted by a formidable fleet, sailed from New York with a like destina- tion. Toward the close of the month, a second British detachment, three thousand five hundred strong, was sent from New York to act against ยท Georgia. Having formed a junction with the forces of the governor of Florida, they cap- tured Savannah, and in a brief period overran the whole state.
Meanwhile, finding that a successful attack upon New York, even with its greatly reduced garrison, would be utterly impossible, Washing- ton went into winter quarters at Middlebrook, hutting his troops in a line of cantonments, reaching from Danbury in Connecticut, across the Hudson at West Point, to Elizabethtown, New Jersey.
Already with a strong foothold in the south- ern states, the British, retaining the islands about New York, were henceforth to exhibit their more active and important efforts in the south. Yet the force under Clinton at New York and Newport, was still not less than sixteen thousand men, able at any moment, with the assistance of a powerful fleet, to concentrate at either point. Scarcely equal to the enemy in number, the troops under Washington could not be readily brought to bear, with any prospect of
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY [1779.
success, either upon Newport or New York. In 1779, consequently, the war, not yet fully open- ed at the south, in the north consisted chiefly of a series of skirmishes.
Early in the year, however, an expedition was planned against the Six Nations, whose recent at- tacks upon the border settlements of New York and Pennsylvania called for prompt and severe re- taliation. The force to be sent into the Indian country, with orders to burn and devastate their villages and cornfields, consisted of five thousand men, under the general directions of Sullivan.
While this army was being concentrated, pre- paratory to its final march, alarming symptoms of discontent appeared in Maxwell's New Jersey brigade, which formed a considerable part of the proposed expedition. For more than a year these troops had been vainly memorializing the legislature with regard to their extremely neces- sitous condition. In April, 1779, Maxwell ad- dressed two highly caustic letters to the assembly on the subject; and, soon afterward, wearied out with delay, the officers of one of the regi- ments, in a brief but pithy memorial, called upon the legislature for immediate relief. . Wearing the appearance of a threat, this memorial placed the legislature in a disagreeable quandary, from which it seemed scarcely possible that they could extricate themselves without sacrificing either their dignity or a number of their best
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SURPRISE OF STONY POINT.
1779.]
officers. But both were saved by a compromise. Promised that their wants should be immediately supplied, the complainants withdrew their me- morial, and the legislature presently voted, and paid at once, the sum of two hundred pounds to each officer, and forty dollars to each private.
Preparations for the Indian expedition now went on. On the 22d of August, the whole army was concentrated where the town of Athens, in Pennsylvania, now stands.
Meanwhile, having ascended the Hudson and captured the American works at Verplank's and Stony Point, Clinton, early in July, despatched a marauding expedition against Connecticut, hoping by this means to entice Washington from his stronghold in the Highlands. New Haven was plundered, and Norwalk, Fairfield, and Green Farms wantonly burned. An attack was about being made upon New London, when the enemy were suddenly recalled by intelligence of Wayne's brilliant and successful assault on Stony Point, during the night of the 16th of July. The British ascending the river in force, Wash- ington found it necessary to again abandon the recovered post, after dismantling its fortifications and removing its artillery and stores.
Wayne's surprise of Stony Point was present- ly followed by an enterprise equally as bold. While Lee, with his legionary corps, was watch- ing the movements of Clinton on the Hudson,
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1779.
he received intelligence that suggested to him the possibility of carrying off the British garri- son at Paulus Hook, on the Jersey shore, imme- diately opposite New York city. The attempt was one of great danger, and could only be suc- cessful by secrecy and celerity. Lee's plans were well laid, however, and he possessed the daring to execute them. On the night of the 18th of August, the assault was made. The enemy were taken by complete surprise. New York being immediately alarmed, Lee could not stop to destroy the works ; but he effected a suc- cessful, though hazardous retreat, carrying off with him one hundred and fifty of the enemy as prisoners. This feat was highly complimented by Washington, and reflected much honour upon the corps by which it was accomplished.
At length, on the 26th of August, the Indian expedition, under Sullivan, commenced its march up the Chemung branch of the Susquehanna. On the morning of the 29th, at Conewawa, now Elmira, about fifteen hundred Indians and Tories, headed by Brant and Butler, were discovered in a strong position on a rising ground, the approach to which in front was defended by a breast- work half a mile long. A brief but spirited action ensued. Outflanked by Poor's New Hampshire regiment, and vigorously assailed in front by Maxwell and Hand, the enemy aban-
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PARTISAN WARFARE.
1779.]
doned their works and fled precipitately and in extreme confusion.
Laying waste the country in his route, Sullivan crossed over to the Gennessee valley, then the cen- tre of the Indian settlements. Two weeks were spent in desolating this delightful region. Eight- teen villages, many thousand bushels of corn, and numerous orchards were utterly destroyed. The blow was a grievous one to the Indians, many of whom never returned to the homes from which they were thus expelled. For a brief period their activity was wholly prostrated ; but the re- collection of the chastisement they had received was soon obliterated by a keen desire for ven- geance, and they began again their attacks upon the frontier settlements.
While these events were transpiring, New Jersey had been the scene of a fearful partisan warfare. Marauding bands of Tories from New York and Staten Island roamed through the eastern counties, plundering, capturing, and murdering the unarmed inhabitants ; in some in- stances not sparing even the women and children. To aggravate the sufferings thus inflicted upon the people, parties of freebooters, sallying out from their hiding-places in the pines, robbed and murdered all that fell into their power, with scarcely any regard to the distinctions of Whig and Tory.
But the Americans did not remain idle. Tories
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1779.
and pine-robbers were alike objects of their san- guinary vengeance. Against the organized ex- peditions of the former, the militia were prompt to rally, frequently beating them in fair fight. Many of the prominent freebooters, after having made their names a terror, were hunted out, captured, and hung in chains. Others were shot down like wild beasts, and left unburied where they met their death. So fiend-like were the atrocities they had committed, that none ex- pected and none received mercy.
In the mean time, Prevost, commander of the British troops in Georgia, with about three thou- sand regulars and Indians, made an attack upon Charleston, in South Carolina. Repulsed by Lincoln, the American general, he returned to Savannah, late in June, enriched with a great quantity of plunder.
On the 1st of September, D'Estaing returning from a successful cruise in the West Indies, ap- peared before Savannah, which he summoned to surrender. Presently joined by Lincoln, a formal siege was opened, with every prospect of success. But a premature assault, on the 9th of October, having resulted in the repulse of the allied forces, with a loss of nearly nine hundred men, the siege was abandoned, and D'Estaing returned to the West Indies.
The intelligence of these events determined both commanders upon strengthening their re-
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REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES.
1779.]
spective armies in the south. Leaving New York in charge of General Knyphausen, Clinton, late in December, sailed in person for Savannah ; while a considerable number of troops was des- patched by Washington in the same direction.
From a late day in October, the legislature of New Jersey had been in session, anxiously deli- berating upon the involved condition of the finances of the state, and of Congress. In No- vember, resolutions were received from Congress, recommending the several states to raise their respective quota of money, for the purpose of redeeming the continental currency, which, in spite of every effort to the contrary, had depre- ciated almost to worthlessness. In compliance with this recommendation, nine millions of dol- lars-estimated according to the value of the currency of the period-were ordered to be raised in New Jersey, by October of the ensuing year.
For the relief of his army, which was almost reduced to a starving condition, Washington, from his winter quarters at Morristown, presently issued a requisition couched in somewhat harsher terms. Each county in the state was called upon to furnish the camp with a certain quantity of flour and meat. Urging the invincible necessity for these supplies, the commander-in-chief stated that he would be compelled to use force in ob- taining them if they were not furnished volun-
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1779.
tarily. But, greatly to their honour, the state authorities took the matter in hand. The requi- sition was speedily answered, and the employ- ment of force rendered unnecessary.
Thus relieved from the pressure of immediate want, Washington again set on foot an expedi- tion against Staten Island, where twelve hun- dred British troops were quartered for the winter. A passage to the island was now easy, even for artillery, over the ice, which the almost unparal- leled severity of the season had formed between it and the main land. Every arrangement had been completed, and Stirling, in command of the expedition, was about to leave the shore, when intelligence was received that the enemy, rein- forced from New York, were fully prepared for successful resistance. Consequently, three days afterward, on the 17th of January, 1780, Stir- ling deemed it advisable to fall back upon the main army, which he did, not unmolested, how- ever, by the British cavalry, from the charges of which he suffered a slight loss in the early part of his retreat.
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SURRENDER OF CHARLESTON.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
Campaign of 1780-South Carolina invaded and overrun by the British-Discontent in Washington's army-Knyphausen lands at Elizabethtown Point-Marches toward Springfield -Burns the village of Connecticut Farms-Retires to the Point-Is joined by Clinton-Patriotism of the Rev. James Caldwell-He becomes obnoxious to the Tories-His wife is murdered by a refugee, during the attack on Connecticut Farms-He is shot by a sentinel at Elizabethtown Point- Clinton advances against Springfield-Is met by Greene- Springfield burned-Clinton retires to Staten Island-Arri- val of Rochambeau-Gloomy opening of the year 1781- Revolt of the Pennsylvania line-Part of the New Jersey brigade mutinies-Mutineers shot-Cornwallis in the south -Battle of Cowpens-Battle of Guilford Court House- Green partially recovers South Carolina-Cornwallis enters Virginia-Fortifies himself at Yorktown-Is besieged by the allied armies, and the fleet of De Grasse-He capitulates- Prospect of peace-Tory outrages in New Jersey-Murder of Captain Huddy-Peace.
THE campaign of 1780 opened in the south. On the 12th of May, Charleston was surrendered to the British forces under Clinton, after the garrison had obstinately sustained a vigorous siege of more than a month's duration. By the middle of June, the whole of South Carolina was in the hands of the enemy. Leaving Cornwallis in charge of the re-established royal government, Clinton returned to New York.
Meanwhile Washington was struggling to put
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. [1780.
the northern troops in a condition to co-operate with the French fleet and army, which were ex- pected to arrive early in the summer. In per- forming this duty, he found many difficulties to overcome. Scantily supplied, and poorly paid in a depreciated currency, the troops were filled with discontent. So alarming, indeed, was the spirit of insubordination they exhibited, that, at one time, it seemed doubtful whether they could be prevented from disbanding.
Highly coloured statements with regard to the tendencies of this discontent were carried into New York, and along with them others, greatly exaggerating some few complaints of the people of New Jersey, occasioned by Washington's late requisition. Hoping to win over the dissatisfied troops and people to the British standard, Knyp- hausen, on the 6th of June, landed five thousand men at Elizabethtown Point, and advanced through the country toward Springfield. Every- where, however, he met evidences that he had been deceived. The militia were prompt to take up arms against him ; and at Connecticut Farms, four miles from Elizabethtown, he was compelled to order a halt. Incensed by the unexpected opposition they had received, his soldiers fired this beautiful little village, which, together with its church and parsonage, was reduced to ashes. Washington soon after appearing in force, Knyphausen fell back to Elizabethtown Point,
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REV. JAMES CALDWELL.
1780.]
where he was presently joined by Clinton, with six thousand additional troops.
During the halt of the British at Connecticut Farms, an outrage was perpetrated that thrilled the entire confederacy with horror and indig- nation.
Prominent among the American patriots was the Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the Presby- terian church at Elizabethtown. Of a fiery, en- ergetic nature, and an enthusiastic lover of liberty, he had, at the opening of the War of Independence, ardently espoused the cause of the colonies. Elected chaplain of the Jersey bri- /gade, his zeal and activity won for him the esteem and confidence of the commander-in- chief, by whom he was presently appointed to the commissary department. Faithfully per- forming his public duties, he did not neglect those of his religious mission. A pure Christian, an ardent patriot, and a practical philanthropist, he soon became a general and well-known fa- vourite with the army and the people.
But the same qualities that gained him the love of the Americans, made him a conspicuous object of hatred to the enemy. To the Tories, especially, he became extremely obnoxious, and they offered large rewards for his capture. When the village of Connecticut Farms was de- stroyed, his church and parsonage were the first buildings to which the torch was applied. The
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
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night previous, Caldwell, hearing of the enemy's approach, had proceeded to Washington's quar- ters, having first endeavoured in vain to induce his wife, a most excellent and exemplary woman, to accompany him. Trusting that her sex and unprotected condition would save her house from pillage and herself from insult, Mrs. Caldwell, as the enemy entered the village, retired to her room, and there, surrounded by her children, and with an infant in her arms, was engaged in prayer, when a private of one of the loyalist brigades came to the window, and discharged his musket into the group. The unfortunate mother received the ball in her breast, and in- stantly expired. Her lifeless body being carried into the open street, the house was then fired.
Late in the evening Caldwell observed two soldiers whispering together. His attention was drawn to them by their frequent repetition of " Mrs. Caldwell," which were the only words he could hear. Foreboding evil, he besought them to tell him the worst. It was thus he gained the first tidings of the tragic fate of his wife.
For more than a year subsequent to this mournful event, the patriotic minister continued to perform his religious and military duties with untiring zeal. Late in November, 1781, he was cut off in the vigour of manhood, and in the midst of his usefulness, by a fatality as sad as it was sudden and unexpected. Having gone in
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MURDER OF CALDWELL.
1780.]
his carriage to Elizabethtown Point, to meet a young lady coming on a visit from New York, he was there shot through the heart by a sentinel belonging to the state militia. Morgan, the sentinel by whom he was killed, was immediately arrested and tried. He defended himself upon the ground of having done no more than his duty. But it being proved in court that he had been bribed to the deed by Caldwell's Tory enemies, he was convicted of wilful murder and hung.
Marking his design by a demonstration against West Point, Clinton, on the 23d of June, ad- vanced toward Springfield with six thousand men, intending to make an attempt to carry off the American stores at Morristown. At the bridge over the Rahway, a small stream covering the town, he was met by Greene, with a detach- ment of fifteen hundred continentals, mostly of the Jersey Brigade, and a few militia. After a gallant struggle, overpowered by numbers, the Americans were compelled to retreat, which they did, though in good order. Retiring to some heights a short distance in the rear, Green took up a strong position, which Clinton, discouraged by the stern resistance he had already en- countered, did not venture to assail. Having reduced the thriving village of Springfield to ashes, he fell back to Elizabethtown Point, and thence crossed over to Staten Island. In this
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
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battle the American loss was seventy-two in killed and wounded.
Early in July the expected French fleet, having on board six thousand troops under Count de Rochambeau, arrived in the harbour of Newport ; but as both army and fleet were immediately blockaded by a superior naval force of the Bri- tish, Washington's plan of co-operating with them against New York was frustrated.
This third unsuccessful attempt at co-opera- tion with their French allies, the disastrous de- feat of Gates in South Carolina, and the treason of Benedict Arnold, following each other in rapid succession, were extremely disheartening to the Americans, and with them the close of the year was a period of the deepest gloom and anxiety.
No brighter, but rather a darker prospect opened with 1781. Under the severest trials the soldiers of the continental army had hitherto exhibited no very wide-spread spirit of insubor- dination. But toward the close of December, 1780, an angry discussion sprung up in the Pennsylvania line, quartered near Morristown, which finally led to an alarming revolt. With their pay greatly in arrears, and suffering se- verely from a want of proper food, clothing and shelter, the troops grew discontented; and, al- leging that they had enlisted for three years, or the war, they demanded to be discharged on the
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INSUBORDINATION IN THE ARMY.
1781.]
31st of December, when the three years of their enlistment would expire. The truth, however, seems to have been, as contended by the officers, that the terms under which the greater portion enlisted, were for three years and the war. Consequently their demand was refused.
On the 1st of January, 1781, thirteen hundred men paraded under arms, declaring their inten- tion to march to Congress, and obtain redress for their grievances. While endeavouring to re- strain the mutineers, one officer was killed, and several wounded. Presenting his pistols as if about to fire, Wayne then ordered them to return to their duty. Their bayonets were immediately at his breast :- "We love you, general," was their declaration, " but if you fire you are a dead man. We are not going to the enemy. Should they approach, we will fight them under your orders. But we are resolved to obtain our just rights." Under the leadership of a board of sergeants, they then marched off to Princeton, where Wayne vainly attempted to bring them to terms.
The crisis was a startling one, and as alarm- ing to the Americans as it was gratifying to their enemies. Informed of the revolt, Clinton des- patched his emissaries to the camp of the muti- neers, with liberal offers to induce them to enter the British service. But these agents were ar- rested, handed over to Wayne, and presently
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