USA > New York > A history of New York, for schools. Vol. II > Part 13
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Wm. This was great !
Un. Thus was Burgoyne's right arm withered; and the loft, which he had stretched as far as Ben- nington, was arrested by our old friend, Starke, of Bunker hill memory, who had been roused by the calls of General Schuyler.
John. I believe the detachment sent by Burgoyne into Vermont was composed of Hessians.
Un. Principally ; and under the command of a Hessian officer, Colonel Baum. The intention of Burgoyne was to seize the stores accumulated at Bennington, and prevent re-enforcements arriving to Schuyler; and with a corps of tories and Indians united to the expedition, Laum was instructed to
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scour the country, get horses for Reidesel's dra- goons, lay the towns under contribution, and above all, to bring off all the horses, at least thirteen hun- dred, which were directed " to be tied in strings of ten each," in order that one man might lead ten horses. So secure did Burgoyne feel that his suc- cesses and proclamation had overawed the country. Read that letter of Starke's, which I copied from his own handwriting. I think it the most perfect ac- count of Bennington battle, and the best comment on Burgoyne's instructions to Colonel Baum.
Wm. "On the 13th instant, I was informed that there was a party of Indians at Cambridge on their march to this place, (Bennington.) I sent Lieuten- ant-colonel Greg of my brigade to stop them, with two hundred men. In the night I was informed, by express, that there was a large body of the enemy on their march in the rear of the Indians. I rallied all my brigade, and what militia was at this place, in order to stop their proceedings. I likewise sent to Manchester to Colonel Warner's regiment, that was stationed there : likewise sent expresses for the militia to come in with all speed to our assistance, which was punctually obeyed. I then marched in company with Colonels Warner, Williams, Her- rick, and Brush, with all the men that were present. About five miles from this place I met Colonel Greg on his retreat, and the enemy in close pursuit after him. I drew up my little army in order of battle; but when the enemy hove in sight they halted on a very advantageous hill or piece of ground. I sent out small parties in their front to skirmish with them, which scheme had a good effect; they killed and wounded thirty of them without any loss on our side. But the ground that I was upon did not suit for a general action. I marched back about one mile, and encamped; called a council, and it was
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agreed we should send two detachments in their rear, while the others attacked them in front; but the 15th rained all day; therefore had to lay by, could do nothing but skirmish with them. On the 16th, in the morning, was joined by Colonel Si- mons, with some militia from Berkshire county. I pursued my plan, and detached Colonel Nichols with two hundred men to attack in the rear. I also sent Colonel Herrick, with three hundred men, in the rear of their right, both to join, and when joined to attack their rear. I likewise sent the Colonels Hub- bard and Stickney with two hundred men in their right, and sent one hundred men in their front to draw away their attention that way ; and about three o'clock we got all ready for the attack. Colonel Nichols began the same, which was followed by all the rest of those that were detached. The remainder of my little ariny I pushed up in the front, and in a few minutes the action became general. It lasted two hours, the hottest I ever saw in my life-it repre- sented one continued clap of thunder ; however, the enemy was obliged to give way, and leave their field-pieces and all their baggage behind them. They were all environed within two breastworks with their artillery."
John. And from these works, and from their can- non, did these rustick soldiers, with musketry alone, drive veteran and disciplined troops ?
Un. From what follows, it appears that after this two hours fighting, the ranks of General Starke were somewhat out of order. Read on.
Wm. "I then gave orders to rally again, to se- cure the victory : but in a few moments was inform- ed there was a large re-enforcement on their march, within two miles of us."
Un. Meaning a re-enforcement to the enemy.
Wm. "Luckily for us, that moment Colonel
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Warner's regiment came up fresh, who marched on and began the attack anew. I pushed forward as many of the men as I could to their assistance. The battle continued obstinate on both sides till sunset; the enemy was obliged to retreat; we pursued them till dark : but had daylight lasted one hour longer, we should have taken the whole body of them. We recovered four pieces of brass cannon, some hundred stands of arms, and brass barrelled drums, several Hessian swords, about seven hundred prisoners, two hundred and seven dead on the spot; the number of wounded is yet unknown. That part of the enemy that made their escape, marched all night. We re- turned to our camp."
John. Well tired, poor fellows, with a hard day's work in August.
Un. He then praises his companions, who "fought through fire and smoke; mounted two breastworks that were well fortified and supplied with cannon ;"' praises Colonel Warner particularly, and concludes with a statement of his loss-forty wounded, and thirty killed. This victory raised the spirits of the whole country, and, with the failure of St. Leger, crippled and arrested Burgoyne. One of the Eng- lish ministry said, that he did not despair of the ex- pedition until he heard of the battle of Bennington.
John. Both these successes were under the aus- pices and during the command of General Schuyler.
Un. But Gates arrived on the 19th, in time to re- ceive Starke's report of the battle, and the congrat- ulation- of all his partisans: nay, the country gener- ally, attributed every success to him; and all the previous retrograde movements were ascribed to want of skill or courage in the man who, by his foresight, exertion, perseverance, and firmness, had already stopped the progress of the enemy, and pre- pared the victory for his rival.
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Wm. Now, Uncle, you must give us the last bat- tle -- that of Saratoga.
Un. There were several actions: but I must in- troduce you to a hero you have not yet heard of -- Daniel Morgan of New Jersey.
Wm. All the New Jersey folks belong to us.
Un. How so ?
Wm. Because Neuw Nederlandts by right extend- ed from Connecticut river to the Delaware.
Un. So then we are all New Yorkers, whether born in Vermont or New Jersey, New York or Western Connecticut; but we will give up that claim and assert a better. We are all countrymen; because native citizens of the free and independent United States of America-one great federal republick. But we now must speak of a time when there was less union, and that little threatened by a powerfulenemy. Daniel Morgan was born in New Jersey, in the year 1736. He was a man of gigantick proportions, and athletick beyond most men.
Of humble parentage, he had little school education, and early in life went to Virginia to " seek his fortune." He was at Mo- nongahela with Braddock, Washington, and Gates, but probably unknown to either. In the humble station of a wagoner attendant upon the army, young Morgan was, on a charge of contumacy to a British officer, tied up, and tortured, mind and body, by five hundred lashes on the naked back. The youth bore this disgraceful infliction in a manner that marked an intellect as powerful as his body was strong. He knew it was unjust, and, in a few days, the officer acknowledged that he had wronged the young pro- vincial, and made an apology. Morgan might for- give, but such humiliating treatment could not be forgotten ; and when in after life he led his riflemen into action, he might perhaps remember the red-coat- ed officer that ordered, and the red-coated drummer
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that inflicted, five hundred gashes on his quivering flesh. He afterward served under Colonel George Washington in the war on the Virginia frontier, and experienced the horrours of Indian warfare in the provincial service. Before the commencement of the dispute with England, Morgan became a man of property, and owned a plantation in Frederick coun- ty. Immediately on the news of hostilities he was appointed a captain, and his character for courage and unrivalled prowess gained him a full complement of choice spirits. This company was the nucleus of the celebrated corps that carried confidence to friends, and terrour to the enemy, throughout the revolu- tionary war. He was with Arnold in the unparal- leled march through the wilderness to Quebec-led the van in the assault on that fortress-he was a vic- tor, and in the town, when the death of Montgomery consigned him and his companions to captivity. Af- ter being exchanged, he was appointed a colonel, and his rifle corps was the efficient right-hand of the American army. Although the commander-in-chief could ill spare such an officer, and a regiment dreaded by the foe, he, in August, 1777, sent Morgan and his riflemen to the support of Gates and the northern army. It is matter of general history, that in every battle that preceded the surrender of the English ar- my, Morgan and his corps were conspicuous, and the enemy acknowledged that their defeat was in a great measure owing to the deadly rifles and their undaunted leader.
Wm. But, Uncle, do tell us more particulars of the battle of Saratoga, because you know it belongs to New York history.
Un. So it does, boy. General Gates had super- seded Schuyler, by a majority in congress who con- sulted the jealousies of New England rather than the dictates of wisdom or justice; a majority, under
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the influence of those who shortly after endeavoured to place this incompetent foreign officer in the com- mand filled by Washington. Soon after this, a young lady of the name of McCrea, was murdered by two of the Indians attached to Burgoyne's army.
John. Was it not wrong, sir, in the English, to employ Indians ?
Un. Not more in them, than in the French, and in our own people; except, that, in my opinion, the warfare of Britain against America was wrong, and in self-defence America might have been justified in employing savages against the invaders of her rights and her property. The most atrocious acts committed by the savages were under the direction of Sir John Johnson and Colonel St. Leger-these individuals must bear the reproach.
John. Who was Miss McCrea, sir ?
Un. It appears that she was the daughter of a clergyman, deceased ; and had been engaged to a young man in the neighbourhood of Fort Edward. who had joined the English in their attack upon his country, and receivel a subaltern's commission. Advancing at this time with the enemy, he had notifi- ed his intended bride that he would send a party to bring her off; (the house at which she resided be- ing within the American posts.) Accordingly she was prepared, and the party sent for this purpose being Indians, attacked the American picket by sur- prise, killed the officer, Lieutenant Van Vechten, and several others, and while they were in the in- toxication of blood and savage triumph, scalping the dead and wounded, the young lady and a female friend joined them. Two chiefs carried her off, as directed by her intended husband ; but each coveting the promised reward, they quarrelled, and in the struggle for the possession of the prize, as one drew her (now, affrighted, kneeling and imploring) to him,
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the other seized her by her long dishevelled hair and buried his tomahawk in her brain. Her scalp was borne off to meet her bridegroom. As this is an interesting subject, and one of the examples of the horrours of war, and especially war in which sav- ages are left to follow the dictates of uncontrolled passion, I have procured a picture of the event to impress it on your minds, and could wish that it might disgust you, and make you abhor all scenes of strife, battle, bloodshed, and murder. For it is not alone the Indian that commits these atrocious acts : the European soldier-the civilized man, the man calling himself Christian-sacks cities, burns villa- ges, murders females and aged men ; and it is call- ed glorious war! and the actors are denominated heroes.
John. It is an impressive picture, sir.
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Un. Well designed by Mr. Brown, and engraved by Mr. Hooper.
John. Did General Gates notice this transaction ?
Un. Gates wrote an insolent letter to the English commander, misstating the fact, and accusing that officer (whom he sneeringly calls "the famous Lieu- tenant-general Burgoyne, in whom the fine gentle- man is united with the soldier and the scholar") with hiring " the savages of America to scalp Europe- ans and their descendants;"' and says, the bride, dress- ed to receive her promised husband, " met her mur- derer, employed by you." To this the answer of Burgoyne was, though indignant, that of a gentle- man and a scholar. But I must go to the battle, I suppose.
Wm. O yes, sir !
Un. We have seen that St. Leger and his savages had been discomfited, and that the Hessians had been beaten and routed by the veteran Starke, under the auspices of Schuyler. We have seen him di- vested of command when his army was increasing, his enemy's diminishing, and the American force taking ground to face, with every prospect of suc- cess, their hitherto triumphant adversary. Morgan with his riflemen, Arnold with the force which had been detached up the Mohawk, all the continental troopsdestined for the northern department, and large bodies of militia, joined the army now under Gates. Burgoyne seems to have been reduced to the neces- sity of deciding the contest by a general engagement, and on the 13th and 14th of September, he crossed the Hudson, and encamped at Saratoga. On the morning of the 19th, the English advanced in full force towards the American left. Morgan was de- spatched to meet them, and drove in their pickets, but was by the main body forced, in his turn, to re- tire. Two regiments advanced to his support; and
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the Americans forming in a wood, again and again repulsed the advancing enemy, and in turn, when pushing forward, were obliged to retreat. In this conflict, which lasted all day, three thousand of our troops encountered the whole right wing of the British army, commanded by Burgoyne in person. The most distinguished officer of the Americans engaged that day was Daniel Morgan. The Brit- ish claimed the victory, and lay that night on their arms near the field of battle. The Americans, who had been engaged, retired at night to their camp, convinced that they could cope with their enemies on equal terms, if not beat them. The loss on each side was probably much the same.
WVm. But we beat them, sir; for they were ad- vancing, and Colonel Morgan stopped them.
Un. The advantage, I believe, was with us. Cer- tainly this rencounter inspirited the army, and brought in militia from all quarters. General Lin- coln, who joined Starke after the battle of Benning- ton, fell into the rear of Burgoyne, and pushed three detachments against the posts Burgoyne had left be- hind, most of which fell, and added to the prospect of complete success; although Ticonderoga and Mount Independence repulsed their assailants.
Wm. But there was another battle, sir.
Un. All in good time. General Burgoyne took a position almost within cannon shot of our camp; fortified his right wing, and rested with his left upon the Hudson. Thus the two armies remained until the 7th of October : Burgoyne in the hope of aid from below, where he knew by advice from Clinton that he was advancing ; and Gates receiving addi- tional troops every day ; but he had by some slights disgusted Arnold, who wrote to him on the 1st of October, saying, that notwithstanding his conviction that the treatment he had received proceeded from
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" a spirit of jealousy," he should sacrifice his feel- ings and continue his exertions ; and notwithstanding he had not been consulted, he shall do his duty by informing him that "the army are clamorous for action, and that the militia threaten to go home." After the indecisive action of the 19th of September, Gates sent one of his aids, Major Troup, to congress, with an account of what is called " the repulse" of the enemy.
John. General Gates had several aids-de-camp, I presume, sir.
Un. He had, and displayed judgment in select- ing them. Wilkinson was at this time his adjutant- general, and efficient aid; although a vain man, he was a brave and very active officer. From congress the general received complimentary resolves, and from one of the members, James Lovell, a letter con- taining expressions which show the progress of the cabal against the commander-in-chief. He says, if Gates would allow Burgoyne leisure, he might write a farce " at the expense of congress at least, if not of congress and General Washington." He intimates that people say Howe would not have advanced seventy miles from his ships if Gates had been in his neighbourhood; and concludes with this curious paragraph-" By the winter, the middle army will be divided into Greenites and Mifflinites, if things do not take a great turn from their present situation." John. What is meant, sir ?
Un. Mittin was inimical to Washington: Circene was the commander's friend. During this panse in the action of the opposing armies at the north, the British had pushed up the North river, and not- withstanding a most gallant defence of Fort Mont- gomery, made by a very inadequate force, under the two brothers, George and James Clinton, the place was taken. The English General Clinton sent de- 16*
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spatches by a spy to Burgoyne, with the intelligence of this success, and a letter enclosed in a silver bul- let, saying, " Nous y voici, (behold us here, ) and no- thing between us but Gates." The spy was appre- hended, and swallowed the bullet to prevent detec- tion, but the poor wretch was obliged to disgorge it by a dose of tartar emetick ; Burgoyne did not re- ceive the intelligence, and the spy suffered on the gallows.
Phil. Do you believe the story of the bullet, sir ?
Un. Yes. Governor Clinton, who commanded at the post, told me the circumstance, and showcd me the hollow ball.
Wm. But the great battle, sir ?
Un. Not hearing from Sir Henry, and his pro- visions almost expended, the British general was re- duced to the necessity of trying to beat his adversary without aid. He advanced with his right wing up- on the American camp, and displayed some rangers and Indians in their rear, who had been guided by secret paths for the purpose of exciting alarm in that quarter. Gates intended to await the enemy in his lines, which would have given Burgoyne the advantage he anticipated; but Arnold, without or- ders, advanced and made an attack upon their left wing in front, while Morgan made a circuit, unper- ceived, and seized a very advantageous woody height on their right. Arnold's charge was made in front and on the British left, while Morgan's riflemen poured in a deadly fire on the right wing in front, and on the flank. While thus pressed, Burgoyne perceived that a division of the Americans was mov- ing to intercept the retreat of his right wing to his camp, and ordered General Frazer to cover that wing and secure their retrograde movement. Fra- zer was opposed by the riflemen of the indefatigable Morgan, and was mortally wounded. With great
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difficulty, and with the loss of his field-pieces and ar- tillerists, Burgoyne regained his camp, the lines of which were assaulted in their whole extent. Arnold entered with a few men, and was only stopped in his career by the loss of his horse and by the wounds he had received. Another portion of Arnold's di- vision turned the right of the British encampment, and carried by storm the works occupied by the German corps de reserve, killing their commander, and keeping possession. Darkness put an end to the scene of strife, and blood. The Americans had obtained a decisive victory, taken several cannon, made upwards of two hundred prisoners, many of them officers of distinction, and killed a great num- ber of the invaders. In the night Burgoyne drew off his army, and placed them in a stronger posi- tion on the heights, nearer to the source of the river; thus avoiding an engagement with an enemy who possessed part of his works, and lay ready to renew the attack in the morning.
Wm. Well, we have beat them at last ! But Mor- gan and Arnold seem to be the fighting men.
Un. All were now animated by success. Next day, General Gates threw large detachments higher up the river to oppose the retreat of the enemy ; but did not venture to attack: him in his new position. Burgoyne, however, was obliged to abandon the strong post he had chosen. On the night of the 10th of October, he retreated to Saratoga with the loss of his hospital, and part of his baggage and provision. He gained a position on the bank of the Hudson, but found his antagonists already on the opposite side prepared to dispute his passage. The British army was now surrounded by a constantly increasing, and already numerically superiour force, flushed with victory, and anticipating complete con- quest. All these advantages were nearly lost. On
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the morning of the 11th, Gates informed his general officers of his having received certain intelligence that the main body of the British army had been marched off for Fort Edward; and that only the rear guard was now in the camp, who were to follow, leaving - the heavy baggage behind. In consequence, orders were issued to attack the camp forthwith ; and the officers repaired to their posts accordingly. The oldest brigade crossed the Saratoga creek, and a sec- ond brigade was following, when, by the accidental encounter of an English deserter, General Glover learned that the whole army were in the encamp- ment, and he found that the American troops were marching directly upon Burgoyne's park of artille- ry, masked by a line of brushwood. The advancing troops were halted; Gates countermanded his orders, and the brave men so nearly sacrificed, retreated; but not without loss from the fire opened upon them by the enemy's batteries. It was on this occasion that the British burnt Schuyler's house, mills, and other buildings, as they sheltered the Americans from the artillery. Burgoyne's situation was now His Indians and Canadians had
nearly desperate.
deserted him. He had no hopes of aid from Sir Henry Clinton. His gallant army was reduced from nearly eight thousand, to three thousand five hundred fighting men. He was surrounded by enemies in- creasing daily, and already four times his number. Of provisions he had not more than enough for three days. Thus circumstanced, he resolved to abandon every thing but the arms of his companions. and such food as they could carry on their backs, and to force a march up the river by night, cross, and push for Fort George. But even this was found impracticable. Every avenue of escape was guarded. He was obliged to open a treaty with
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Gates, which terminated in surrender, by a conven- tion.
John. And would not this have happened, sir, if Schuyler had remained in the command ?
Un. I sincerely believe that as much would have been gained, or more. Schuyler would have had the same Morgan and Arnold to assist him. The militia were already encouraged by the success of Starke, Willet, and Gansevoort; and the jealousy of the New England men would not have prevented them from defending their firesides, or sharing in the triumphs, a prospect of which was fully open to them before Philip Schuyler was superseded by a man immeasurably his inferiour. But a British army surrendered to Horatio Gates, and the whole continent rang with shouts and songs of praise to the conqueror of Burgoyne. Schuyler was forgotten, or vilified; and in comparison with the triumphant Eng- lishman, Washington was considered unworthy of confidence. Such was popular delusion, heighten- ed by the artful and selfish.
John. Were the terms of convention honourable to the vanquished ?
Un. They were. The British were allowed to march out of their encampment with the honours of war, and lay down their arms; having agreed not to serve against the United States until exchanged. In the mean while, they were to be permitted to em- bark for England. Burgoyne received intelligence of the success of Sir Henry Clinton at forts Mont- gomery and Clinton, after he had surrendered. Sir Henry soon learned the fate of Burgoyne; and hav- ing destroyed several continental ships and galleys, and burnt some defenceless villages and stores, he returned to New York ; where, I think, it is time for us to follow.
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