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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01151 5233
A
HISTORY OF NEW YORK,
FOR
SCHOOLS. -
BY WILLIAM DUNLAP.
>
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. 11.
840
NEW YORK:
COLLINS, KEESE, & CO. 230 Pearl street. 1837.
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1737599
ENTERED, According to Act of Congress, in the year 1537, by WILLIAM DUNLAP, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of NEW YORK.
NEW YORK: STEREOTYPED BY F. F. RIPLEY.
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CONTENTS
THE SECOND VOLUME.
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CHAPTER I.
Difficulty of arriving at historical truth, p. 7-Causes of the war of 1775, p. S-Concord, Lexington, Ticonderoga, Ethan Allen, and Seth Warner, p. 8-Battle of Breed's hill, p. 9 -- Plan of Boston and Charlestown, p. 10-Prescott and Knowlton, p. 11 --- Starke, D. 12 -- Gage's letter to the English government, p. 13-Warren, Putnam, P. 14 -- Death of Warren, p. 16.
CHAPTER IL.
Lieutenant-governor Colden, p. 19-Marinus Willet, John Lamb, and Isaac Sears, p. 20-Two governments at the same time in New York, p. 21-General Washington and Governor Tryon arrive on the saine day at New York, and their reception, p. 21.
CHAPTER II.
The provincial congress of New York calls on Connecticut for aid, p. 20-The Asia fires on the town, p. 27-Correspondence between Captain Vandeput and the mayor, p. 29-Critical situation of the city, p. 29-Tryon takes refuge on board the English ships of war, p. 31 -- Governor Franklin of New Jersey, p. 32-General Wooster with Connecticut troops encamp at Haerlein. p. 33-General Lee and Sir Henry Clinton arrive at New York, p. 33-Confusion and terrour in the city, p. 31.
CHAPTER IV.
Mr. Duane detects a spy of Governor Tryon's, p. 34-Advantages of Connecticut in not having a governor chosen by England, p. 35-Ilis- tory of that colony. p. 36 --- Generals appointed by congress, p. 37- Schuyler, Clinton, Woodhull, Tenbroeck, and Livingston, p. 39 -- Me- moir of Philip Schuyler, p. 43-Sir John Johnson and schuyler, p. 49.
CHAPTER V.
Charles Lee, p. 53-Sir Henry Clinton disappointed at New York, and defeated at Fort Moultrie, p. 54-Israel Putnam, p. 55-Biography of Horatio Gates to the time of his appointment as adjuntant.general, p. 63.
CHAPTER VI.
Gates writes to Lee from Cambridge, p. 6 !- General Washington's head-quarters at Richmond-hill, New York, p. 65 -- Gates appointed to command the troops in Canada, p. 65-Sir William Howe and his army arrive at Staten Island, p. 66-Continental Brigadier-generals Wooster, Mercer. Montgomery, p. 67-Montgomery's letters to Schuyler, p. 70-Whitcombe and Brewer, p. 71-Greene, Sullivan, and Stirling, p. 73.
CHAPTER VII.
The idle and the studious boy, with their progress in life, p. 76-Sir John Johnson and his Indians, p. 77-Thomas Mullin, p. 78-Extract from Captain Graydon's memoirs: Connecticut lighthorse at New York, p. SO-James Rivington, p. 50-Washington's army on Manhattan Island, p. 82.
CHAPTER VIII.
Gates attempts to assume the command of the northern department, p. S3-His popularity in New England, and the means by which ho gained it, p. SI-Schuyler resists his pretensions, p. 85-Difficulties that Schuyler and Washington had to contend with from internal enemies, p. 87-Hancock's letter to Gates reproving his pretensions
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CONTENTS.
to command in Schuyler's department, p. 83-Schuyler accused by Gates, and his party, of stopping their letters, p. 89-Battle of Brook. lyn, p. 21-Captain Graydon's account of the retreat from Long Island, p. 101.
CHAPTER IX.
Brooklyn, p. 102-Manœuvres of Sir William Howe, p. 102-He offers to negotiate, p. 101-American troops withdrawn in part from the city, p. 104-Affair at Kipp's bay, p. 105-Major Burr guides a portion of the army from Bayard's Mount in safety, p. 107-Route through woods and swamps now in the centre of the city, p. 108-Gallant conduet of Colonel Knowlton of Connecticut, and Major Leitch of Maryland, with their brave compatriots, p. 110-Great fire of 1776, p. 114.
CHAPTER X.
Death of Captain Hale. p. 116-Skirmishes at White Plains, p. 117- Attack on Fort Washington, and capture of a large portion of the Ameriem army, p 121-Captain Graydon's narrative : Treatment of the prisoners, p. 130.
CHAPTER XI.
The Waltou house, p. 131-Loss of Fort Lee, p. 133-Intercepted letter, p. 134-Affairs in the northern part of the state, p. 135 .- Schuyler's efforts to resist external and internal foes, p. 137-Carleton victori- ons on Lake Champlain, p. 133-Injurious treatment of Schuyler, p. 139.
CHAPTER XII.
Washington on the Palisades opposite New York Island, and Fort Washington, p. 110-Retreat through New Jersey, p. 141-British soldiers phindering a village, p. 112- Alexander Hamilton, p. 113- General Leo's disobedience of orders, 14t-This letter to Gates, 145 -- Suffers himself to be surprised and made prisoner, p. 146-Great tri- umph of the enemy, p. 116-His capture a blessing to America, p. 117. CHAPTER XIII.
Washington's army, and his plans, p. 149-Attack on Trenton, p. 150- Lond Cornwallis advances to Trenton, p. 152-Attack upon Prince- ton, p. 152-British army, p. 151-Foraging party, p. 156-General Lee in New York. p. 156-General Heath, p. 157-Affair of Danbury, r. 155-Colonel Meigs, p. 158.
CHAPTER XIV.
General Gates snecceds in supplanting Schuyler. p. 100-General Con- way, p. 1or -- Junes Lovell's letter to Gates. p. 162-Schuyler is reap- poured, and Gates retires hom the northern department. p. 164- Schuyler's strennous exertions to meet the enemy, and the inade- quate means afforded hun. p. 169-Retires before Burgoyne ; battle of Bennmigion and defeat of St. Leger cripple Burgoyne; Schuyler prepares to act on the offensive ; is superseded by Gates, p. 169.
CHAPTER XV.
Gerinan Lutheran church in the Swamp. p. 170-Battle of Oriskany, and death of Herkiner. p. 172-Siege of Fort Stiuwix, by St. Leger, p. 173-Defence by Colonels Gansevoort aml Willet, p. 173-Doctor Dwight's account of the raising of the siege. p. 175-Battle of Sara- toga, and the surcenter of Burgoyne, p. 1-Schuyler's reception of Burgoyne. p. 1.4)-Of Madame Reidosel, p. 192-Adulation offered Gates, and sights shown to Washington, p. 1.3.
CHAPTER XVL.
Old jail ; Provost; and Captain Cunningham, p. 195-American prison- cra, p. 190-Conway, Gates, and Washington, p. 202.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
American naval prisoners, p. 203-Old Jersey prison ship, p. 201-Suf- ferings of Thoinas Andros, p. 205 -- Capture and sufferings of a citizen of New York, p. 208-Escape of prisoners by bribing the subaltern officials, p. 200.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The ruins of Trinity church as left by the fire of 1776, p. 211-Smith's description of the church as it was in 1757, p. 212 -- Organization of the goverment of the state, p. 214-Battle of Monmouth, p. 215- Charles Lee sentenced by court martial, and suspended trom com- mand, p. 216-Second great fire in New York, and explosion of a powder magazine, p. 217-Controversy with Vermont, p. 213.
CHAPTER XIX.
Massacre at Cherry Valley, p. 219-Expedition of Generals Sullivan and Clinton against the Indians, p. 220- General Wayne, p. 2220-His at- tack on Stoney Point, p. 221-Major Henry Lee's attack on Powles Hook, p. 223-The English burn the towns in Connecticut, p. 224- Transactions in New York city, 1779, p. 225.
CHAPTER XX.
Massacre of Baylor's regiment, p. 228-Major Lee defeats the Yagers, p. 229 -- Pulaski's legion defeated, p. 229-Sir John Johnson, Brandt, with their Indians and tories, lay waste the settlements near the Mo- hawk, p. 230-Defeated by General Van Renselaer, p. 230-Colonel Nicholas Fish, p. 231-Colonel Marinus Willet defeats the Indians, p. 231-His " Harrah," p. 232-His victory over Ross and Butler at Jolinstown, p. 233-Death of Butler, p. 233.
CHAPTER XXI.
Albany, p. 234-Winter of 1779-80, p. 235-Lord Stirling's attempt on Staten Island, p. 235-Distress for fuel in New York. p. 236 -- Distress in the Autrican army, p. 236 -- Knyphausen's expedition to Spring. field, p. 237-Murder of Mrs. Caldwell, p. 237-Retreat of the British army. p. 237-Baron de Kalb. p. 237-Gates defeated at Camden, p. 23-Death of De Kalb and flight of Gates, p. 339-Bartle of Cowpens, p. 239-Morgan. p. 210-Arnolit's treason, p. 211-Dormant comumis- sion given to Dundas and Sincoe, authorizing them from Sir Henry Clinton to arrest Arnold, and take his comeand, on appearance of treason to England, p. 212-Story of Sergeant-major Champe, p. 247. CHAPTER XXII.
Arnold burns New London. p. 249-Murder of Colonel Ledyard, p. 249 -Surrender of Cornwallis, p. 219-Governor William Frankhn and the board of refugees in New York, p. 231-Story of Captain Huddy, and trial of Lippicot for bis murder. p. 255.
CHAPTER XXIU.
Peace concluled, p. 256-Discontents of the army, p. 257-Incendiary letters, p. 250-Convention of officers addressed by General Wash- ington, and the designs of incendiaries defeated, p. 200-Extracts from letters addressed to General Gates, p. 261.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The friends of Washington and Gates, p. 262-Washington inaugurated as president of the United States, p. 263 -- Events in New York, in 175), p. 260-Rivington and Ethan Allen. p. 265-Wastungton takes leave of his companions in arms at Black Sam's tavern, p. 260-Pro- cession on the adoption of the Federal Constitution, p. 267-Philip Schuyler, p. 267-tforatio Gates, p. 268-Benedict Arnold, p. 256 -- Conclusion, p. 208.
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ADVERTISEMENT.
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THE author of the History of New York, for Schools, has long been engaged in collecting materials for a history of the city and environs, from the earliest period to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. His intention is, that the City of New York shall be the central point in his work, the environs a wide circuit, comprehending all that is con- nected with that point, or that can elucidate its history. This work he intends to publish by subscription; and jt must necessarily be years before its accomplishment.
In the mean time, he presents these little volumes as precursors, in the hopes of inspiring the rising generation with a desire to obtain a thorough knowledge of their coun- try, a love of her institutions, and a reverence for the men to whom they owe the blessings they enjoy. That these men may be known, they must be separated from the mass, which an indiscriminate tendency to applaud, or condemn, has generated. No one can appreciate Washington who is unacquainted with the characters of those who endeavour- ed to subvert him.
If this abridged work is adopted in our schools, the youth of New York will be prepared for the study of a more com- prehensive history of the State; and it shall be the endeav- our of the author to present it to the publick.
1
HISTORY OF NEW YORK,
FOR SCHOOLS.
CHAPTER I. 1
The interlocutors of the second volume are three boys : John, aged fourteen ; William, aged twelve ; Philip, aged ten ; and their Uncle, aged seventy-one.
John. Now, sir, we are anxious to hear your ac- count of the war of the revolution.
Un. The time that has passed since those events so interesting to Americans, has given an opportu- nity to the studious lover of truth for examining the various and ofttimes contradictory statements which the prejudiced, the misguided, the careless, and the honestly industrious have left us. It is only by as- siduous study, and impartial comparison, that we can hope to arrive at the truth of any history. I shall give you my views of the men engaged in the warfare we have now to consider, and of the civil and military transactions of the time, after having weighed the evidence which I can find with as much critical sagacity as I possess, and with the cool deliberation that characterizes old age. You must all, as you advance in your studies, read and determine for yourselves. My aim is to point the way for your subsequent attainment of knowledge, and to remove some of the impediments in your path. John. We are sure of that, sir.
Un. At the time of the stamp act, all America was united. In the ten years that followed, England had
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sown the seeds of dissension among the colonists ; so that in 1775, there were many who were ready to join the standard of Great Britain when it was displayed in hostility on our shores. Numbers of these were recent emigrants from the territories of England, and they were excited against the native colonists by the numerous governors and officers spread among them. We are now to see the result of these contending passions and interests. The
collecting hordes of licentious troops at Boston, and the injuries inflicted on the people of Massachusetts, led, as we have seen, to preparations for resistance by arms; and the blood shed at Concord and Lexing. `ton was the signal for the most daring patriots to commence hostilities elsewhere. Some of the east- ern men immediately saw the necessity of securing the military posts on Lake Champlain; and, cross- ing into the province of New York, they seized Ti- conderoga and Crown Point.
Wm. I remember, sir, what Ethan Allen said when the officer who commanded at old " Ti," (as they called it,) asked him in whose name he de- manded the surrender: " In the name of the Great Jehovah and the continental congress," said he.
Un. He was a rough character ; and his answer, though striking, and likely to be remembered, was not such as reverence to the name of the Creator, or just notions of his attributes, would have inspired in most men. Allen secured Ticonderoga, and Seth Warner seized on Crown Point.
Wm. These were the men who were so turbulent in the disputes with New York. But now, sir, we have come to the time of the battle of Bunker's hill; and I'm sure I always thought General War- ren was the hero of that day ; and I have read ---
Un. No. As I have said, Colonel Prescott was the commander ; there were many heroes.
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
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Wm. But, Uncle --
John. Hush! surely Uncle knows best.
Un. This first battle, (for the affair of Lexington was a succession of skirmishes without order or de- sign, only as the people rushed individually to avenge the cry of blood,) this first battle I have studied, collated the several accounts, and will give you the result of my deliberate inquiries. I believe you . may depend upon the facts I shall state. I have made a little sketch for you that you may under- stand the relative situations of Boston and Bunker's hill : the English army, and the provincial forces. No. 2-Is the approach to Roxbury. Nos. 1, 1, and 1 -- Boston. No. 3-Charlestown. No. 4 --- Morton's point. No. 6-Bunker's hill; the line between 4 and 6 is Breede's hill, or the line of the battle. No. 7-Is Charlestown neck; and the white spots on each side are the English floating batteries. No. 9-Is the river Mystick. Nos. S and 8-American lines. No. 10-Cambridge. You sce that Boston is on a peninsula, projected northward from the mainland at Roxbury. An- other peninsula projects from the north, on which is Charlestown with Bunker's and Breede's hills. These hills overlook the north part of Boston, and are connected by an isthmus to the main land, on the north, as Boston is by another on the south. To the east is the harbour and the sea; to the west is water dividing the English army and the town, from the American troops at Cambridge, and the . adjacent villages. On the 16th of Jume, 1775, it was determined by General Ward, (who command- ed the provincials,) in council with his officers, to take possession of Bunker's hill, which you see is here.
John. Yes, sir, to the northward of Breede's hill, and nearer the Charlestown neck or the isthmus.
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
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Un. Of course further from Boston. In conse -. quence of this determination, Colonel William Pres- cott, of Peperill, a veteran officer, who had served in the French wars, and now commanded six or seven hundred militia, was sent with his regiment, and some additional men, among whom were one hundred and twenty Connecticut troops under Cap- tain Knowlton, in all about one thousand, to take possession of, and throw up a redoubt on, Bunker's hill. At the head of his gallant yeomen, he, (dress- ed in his summer suit and morning gown,) departed from camp in the evening of the 16th of June, and by mistake, or willing to place his redoubt nearer to the enemy, passed over Bunker's hill and commenced operations on Breede's. These men, as well as those who afterward joined them under the veteran Starke, were in their ordinary dress, armed with guns of various calibres, to which they had to fit their bul- lets as they could, and they were scantily supplied with powder. Bayonets, of course, they had none. All night, though so near the English ships and troops, they worked undiscovered, and had thrown up a rude fortification by the dawn of day, when, as soon as they were seen, the cannon of the English were opened upon them, but with little or no ef- fect, and they proceeded in finishing their redoubt. Prescott saw that the post would be disputed, and that not only fresh men, who were free from the ef- fects of a night's watching and labour, would be wanted, but a greater number than were with him; he, therefore, sent Mr. Brooks (afterward govern- or of Massachusetts when an independent state) to Cambridge for a reinforcement. Brooks proceed- ed on foot, for no horse was with the detachment, and it was near noon before the additional troops arrived on the ground. They were commanded by Colone! Starke, who had, as well as Prescott, been an officer
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
of provincials in the former wars, and was destined to be famous afterward as the hero of Bennington. The troops under Starke had of course to pass over Charlestown neck to reach Breede's hill. Prescott and his command had crossed unseen in the night ; but now the British ships and floating batteries can- nonaded, with a cross fire, this only road by which Starke and his men could reinforce their comrades. The veteran led his soldiers on deliberately, not- withstanding this exposed situation; and being asked by a young officer if it would not be better to hasten the march, " the sooner to get out of the range of the enemy's shot ?" Starke coolly answered, "one fresh man in action is worth ten fatigued ones."
WVm. Huzza for brave Colonel Starke !
Un. Starke and his companions found Prescott in the redoubt; which was square, with about sixty feet front towards Boston, and a breastwork of fifty or sixty feet extending to the left of the redoubt to- wards Mystick river, which you see here. Part of the British army had already crossed over from Boston in their boats under cover of a cannonade from their ships, and had landed at Morton's point, which you see here. Starke said a few words to his men, told them to give three cheers, and advance to a rail fence which extended farther still to the left. They plucked up another rail fence that was near, put them together, and filled up the vacancies with new mown grass, which they found at hand.
John. But this would not resist bullets.
Un. It served to give confidence to the men placed behind it, who could more deliberately take aim at an enemy. In the mean time, General Gage, the English commander-in-chief, had been pouring over his veteran troops from Boston to dislodge the Amer- icans. Read that extract from'his letter to the Brit- ish government from which we know some partic-
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
ulars of this famous day. It is dated 25th June, 1775.
John. " An action happened on the 17th, between his majesty's troops and a large body of the rebel forces. 'The 'Lively' ship of war gave the alarm at daybreak. The rebels were plainly seen at work raising a battery on the heights of Charlestown against the town of Boston. In a few hours a bat- tery from Boston played upon their works."
Un. That was from Cop's hill, here, on the north side of Boston.
John. "Ten companies of grenadiers, ten com- panies of light infantry, with the fifth, thirty-eighth, forty-third, and fifty-second battalions, with a propor- tion of field artillery, under Major-general Howe, and Brigadier-general Pigott, were embarked and landed without opposition; the rebels being kept within their works by the fire of some ships of war."
Un. And he might have added that the Amer- icans had no artillery, and kept their musket balls for close fight. Go on.
Joha. "The troops formed as soon as landed; the light infantry on the right; the grenadiers on the left; two battalions behind them, and two more in a third line."
Un. Thus you see the light infantry would be opposed to the rail fence, and the grenadiers to the ' redoubt. Read on.
John. What follows seems to be a memorandum made by vou, sir.
Un. Read it.
John. "Gage represents the rebels as being in great force, and his veterans as waiting for rein- forcements. After the arrival of a second detach- ment from Boston, he says, 'the troops formed in two lines, advanced and commenced the attack by a sharp cannonade from their field pieces; the lines
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
frequently halting to give time for the artillery to fire. The light infantry were directed to force the left point of the breastwork, to take the rebel line in flank ; the grenadiers to attack in front, supported by the fifth and fifty-second battalions.' All this was executed ' with perseverance ;' and the rebels forced from their 'strong holds;' but he says no- thing of the repeated repulses his veteran forces met with."
Un. You see by this with what a powerful array of the finest troops in the world, accompanied by field artillery, the commander-in-chief acknowledges that the attack was made; and we know that it was directed on raw, half-armed provincials, defending a paltry redoubt thrown up in a few hours, and a rail fence stuffed with grass. Previous to the com- mencement of the battle, Doctor Warren joined Prescott in the redoubt ; who knowing that this dis- tinguished gentleman had been appointed a general by the provincial congress of Massachusetts, (then sitting at Watertown, and of which he had been pres- ident,) asked him if he came to take the command ; and was answered in the negative. He said that he was not commissioned ; that he came to serve under himas a volunteer. Gen. Putnam who had been at the redoubt in the morning, had gone back for reinforce- ments; and appears to have been, during the action, stationed in the rear, and on or near Bunker's hill.
John. So that Prescott wasthecommanding officer. Un. Undoubtedly. But his attention appears to have been given to the defence of the redoubt; while Starke commanded at the rail fence, and along the line to the Mystick river. General Charles Lee, whose opinion on this subject is entitled to high con- sideration, mentions Starke, Prescott, Little, Gard- ner, Nixon, and two gentlemen of the name of Brewer, as deserving immortal honour on this oc-
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
casion ; but is silent with respect to men who were by the vulgar considered the heroes of the day. Both Prescott and Starke cautioned their respective companions not to return the fire of their adversa- ries until within a short distance of the line of de- fence, and then to take deliberate aim; this was strictly attended to; and when the regular troops had advanced, giving their volleys in systematick order by platoons with little effect, and had reached the distance prescribed by Prescott and Starke, a most deadly fire was opened from the Americans, which strewed the field with killed and wounded ; and appears to have been so unexpected and appal- ling that the British forces broke in a few minutes and retreated towards the landing-place. In a short time these disciplined troops were again formed, and again advanced. They attempted more than once to turn the left flank of the provincials near the river, but Starke had, in the time allowed by the retreat of the enemy, thrown up a rough work of stones near the beach, behind which a portion of his men lay ready to receive the attack. Again their well di- rected fire, and the irregular but constant discharge along the line, caused their adversaries to retire with precipitation. Meanwhile a part of the Eng- lish army had entered Charlestown, and set fire to it, so effectually, that of some hundred buildings, in- cluding the church, only a few houses escaped the conflagration. The cannonading of the ships of , war, the flames and smoke of the burning town. the conflict along the line from the redoubt to the Mys- tick river, afforded to the spectators on the hills, steeples, and housetops of Boston, a spectacle of the most imposing and awful nature.
I'm. It was glorious !
John. Was it not dreadful, sir ?
Un. Indeed it was. During this contest, by a
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
. chance shot, fell the highly talented Doctor War- ren ; a man fitted to guide the councils of his coun- try, or to second her best and bravest in the field.
John. Ought he to have been there, sir ?
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