USA > New York > A history of New York, for schools. Vol. II > Part 8
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America or Great Britain could be said to be com- pelled to it. 'The answer returned was; "that con- gress being the representatives of the free and inde- pendent States of America, cannot, with propriety, send any of its members to confer with his lordship in their private characters ; but that they being de- sirous of establishing a peace on reasonable terms, would send a committee to learn whether he had authority or not." Accordingly, Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge passed over to Sta- ten Island, from Perth Amboy; and, on their return, reported that Howe had received them politely, on the 11th of September ; he observed that he could not treat with them as a committee of congress ; but was glad of the opportunity of a conference with them as private gentlemen. They answered, that he might consider them in what light he pleased, and make any propositions; but they could consider themselves in no other character than that in which they were announced. Howe's propositions amount- ed to the return of the colonies to their allegiance ; and the committee let him know that was not now to be expected, and. so the fruitless conference ended.
John. General Washington soon withdrew all his troops from New York, sir, did he not ?
Un. Yes; and not too soon. Too much reliance had been placed upon a chevaux-de-frise, which General Putnam, in a letter to Gates, prides himself upon having invented, but which proved inefficient. General Greene pressed the evacuation of New York, and pointed out the ease with which the , enemy could land on either side the island, and throw strong lines across, supported at each end by their ships: this would divide the American army, and force those in the town to capitulate, or fight to great disadvantage with a very superiour adver-
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sary. Greene strenuously advised the destruction of the city.
John. That would have been a great pity, sir.
Un. It was his wish that the enemy should not find shelter there.
Wm. But it had been fortified, and I would have fought these proud foreigners in every street. -
Un. Unfortunately, the army General Washing- ton commanded, was generally more disposed to run away than fight, and very little inclined to obey their officers.
WVm. Do you say so, Uncle ?
Un. You must know the truth, boys. As to the city, it had been fortified at every point-the spade had been liberally used. Fort George-the battery below and to the south of it. The wharves and streets had redoubts and breastworks. Bayard's mount was crowned by a fort, and called Bunker's hill. Corlear's hook was surrounded by batteries, and lines crossed the island at various distances. But Washington saw that the enemy could sur- round the town -- their troops had possession of the islands, and their ships passed his batteries un- harmed, on either side of the city. He had no con- fidence in his army, and little command over the best of his troops: reluctantly he agreed with his council of war, to abandon a place that had cost so much labour to strengthen for defence, and which he knew the congress and people expected him to hold. Still he hoped to make a stand on Manhattan island at Haerlem heights, Fort Washington and Kingsbridge. At the council, many thought the post should be retained ; but Greene saw the danger ·of the attempt, or even of the measures resolved upon of withdrawing a part of the army to the forts and lines at Kingsbridge; he urged an immediate re- treat from the island, and burning the city and
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suburbs. However, against the destruction of the place the congress had determined ; and as it could not be defended by troops without discipline, and in- feriour both in spirit and numbers, all Washington could do was to withdraw his forces and stores, with as much safety as circumstances permitted. About the middle of September, events occurred which convinced the general and all his officers that a speedy retreat from New York was necessary. The Connecticut militia he directed to be withdrawn, and stationed on the sound, and opposite the enemy's force on Long Island. To remove the stores was an object of great consequence and difficulty, while an attack was momentarily expected. 'To secure an overflowing hospital, and give every convenience to a great number of sick, was another service that tasked this great man's care and humanity : and. every moment the enemy were taking stations with the ships of war, or divisions of soldiers, that in- creased the difficulty of evacuating the city. On the 13th of September, four frigates had passed be- tween Governor's island (of which the English had taken full possession) and Long Island, through Butterinilk Channel, and anchored opposite Stuy- vesant's house, above the town. Other ships passed the city, up the North river, and were stationed off Bloomingdale. These last prevented the removal of stores, or the sick, by water. General Washing- ton now shifted his head-quarters to Colonel Morris's house, at Haerlem heights; and, on the 15th, the enemy attacked his redoubts at several points. The general finding that they were attempting to land at Kipp's bay, where two brigades were posted, rode
thither, and found his soldiers flying in every direc- tion, even before a boat of the enemy had approached the shore. The appearance alone of an advance guard, caused the brigades of Fellows and Parsons
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(notwithstanding the efforts of these officers to keep them in their redoubts) to fly in the most scandalous confusion, About fifty men of the enemy were landed, and Washington was left by his countrymen, alone, exposed to their fire, and for a moment wish- ing for death rather than the power to witness such dastardly conduct. It is said, that he threatened the cowards with death by his pistols; but they feared the English more than their commander, who was in a manner forced from the spot by those around him. He soon recovered his equanimity-issued orders for covering the retreat, and sccuring the heights of Haerlem; and the enemy gained a foot- ing on the island without farther advantage than the capture of part of the baggage of the American army.
In the retreat from New York, it is said that, by some error, Silliman's brigade remained too long in the city, and by the cowardly behaviour of the men at Kipp's bay, were nearly cut off. Colonel Knox led them to the fort on Bunker's hill, or Bayard's mount, where they must have surrendered; but Burr, then an aid to Putnam, saw their situation, and marched them, by cross roads, towards the west side of the island, and in safety they joined the main army. This Bunker's hill fort was on a small cone- shaped mount, to the west of the junction of Mott and Grand streets, and could not have contained half a brigade. Major Burr, being familiar with our island, knew that by crossing the new road, now Broadway, about the site of the present Grand street, he could lead these lost men along the edge of a swamp, and to the woods which surrounded the house, formerly Washington's head-quarters: and that, by then taking the Greenwich road, he must avoid the enemy. The service was important, and reflects honour on Burr's military talents.
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John. Why did not Colonel Knox lead these men by the way which Burr pointed out ?
Un. Colonel Knox and the men with him were strangers on this island ; and finding that the enemy had possession of the Boston road, and, for any thing he could know, all that part of the island between them and the army, Knox seems to have selected this cone-shaped hill, with its redoubts, as a place for at least temporary defence. Bayard's mount, or Bunker's hill, looked down on the city, from which it was separated by the kolch, or fresh water.
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John. I think you have said that this hill was near Mott street ?
Un. At the time of which we speak, a few strag- gling houses marked the Bowery, or Boston road. The new road had been cut through the hills, and partially levelled. This extended to Sandy hill, and is now a part of Broadway. A crooked cross- road led from the new road to the Bowery, com- mencing at what is now the corner of Grand street. Between this crooked path and the Kolch, were the house and garden of Nicholas Bayard, with the hill called Bavard's mount. To the north and east were orchards and woods. To the west, Mr. Knox could have seen only swamps and woods.
Wm. But how did Colonel Burr know this ground better ?
Un. He had been familiar with the island from childhood, and was, for a short time, a member of General Washington's family, when his head quar- ters were at Richmond hill, the house I have men- tioned to you as built by an English paymaster- general. This place, now the corner of Varick and Charlton streets, was on an eminence surrounded by woods; and between it and the river, lay the road to Greenwich and Bloomingdale. Burr, says his biographer, rode out several times with the
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general, and by that and other means knew the shel- tered and devious ways leading from Bayard's mount to the North river road. After crossing the new road, and descending a hill, they would be con- cealed, in a great measure ; and by passing through the woods north of Richmond hill, would gain the safe and secluded Greenwich road.
John. This was valuable service, sir.
Un. And Mr. Burr complained that the general took no notice of it; for which, and other neglects, Burr became the avowed enemy of Washington, and adherent of Lee and Gates.
Wm. Did the commander-in-chief wrong him, sir ?
Un. The character of the two men must answer that question, My opinion is, that the licentious and unprincipled conduct of Mr. Burr, when he left General Washington's family and became an aid to Putnam, so far developed his selfish character, as to prevent the general's favour, or future protection. If he did him injustice, I need not say that he was wronged.
Phil. It seems very strange to me, Uncle, to hear you talk of leading soldiers through swamps and woods, and over hills, here, in the middle of New York !
Un. Right, boy. And when I look for these hills, woods, and swamps, so familiar to me sixty years ago, the present scene "seems very strange" to me. But we must attend to movements on an- other part of the island, which, although changed. is not yet covered with streets, houses, and churches. The American army now occupied the heights of Haerlem, and the British held the town and the plain between, far outnumbering, in real soldiers, our disheartened and downcast countrymen. But a skirmish took place which revived the courage of
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the Americans, and called from the mortified com- mander-in-chief the cheering words, "our troops behaved well !"
Wm. Tell us something of this, Uncle, to make up for Kipp's bay.
Un. The general, in his letter of the 18th of Sep- tember, 1776, to congress, says, that, seeing several large bodies of the enemy in motion on the plain below the heights, he rode down to the outposts to prepare for their reception if they should attack. When he arrived, he says, he heard a firing, which, he was informed, was between a party of our rangers, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Knowlton, and an advanced party of the enemy.
Wm. I remember that name, sir.
John. Was it the same brave Captain Knowlton who fought at the rail fence by the banks of the Mystic ?
Wm. And with his hardy Connecticut men covered the retreat of good old Colonel Prescott and his m'en, when their ammunition was expended ?
Un. He acted with sturdy Starke and the New Hampshire men, while Prescott fought in the re- doubt. I am glad to find that you do not forget the heroes of Bunker's hill. At this time a lieutenant- colonel, Knowlton commanded a body of rangers, composed of volunteers from the New England regiments ; and, under such an officer, they were equal to any troops in the world.
Wm. I wish they had been at Kipp's bay.
Un. General Washington being informed that the body of the enemy, who kept themselves concealed in the wood, was greater than Knowlton's force, ordered three companies of Virginians, under Major Leitch, to his assistance, with orders to try to get in the enemy's rear, while a disposition was making as if to attack them in front, thereby to draw their VOL. II .- 10
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· whole attention that way. This succeeded ; and the British, on the appearance of the party advancing in front, ran down the hill, and took possession of some fences and bushes, and commenced a distant and ineffective firing. The parties under Knowlton and Leitch commenced their attack too soon, and rather on the enemy's flank than in the rear. In a little time Major Leitch was brought off wounded, having received three balls through his side.
Wm. But Colonel Knowlton was left ?
Un. In a very short time after, he fell, mortally wounded. Still their men fought on undaunted ; and the general sent detachments from the eastern regiments, and from the Maryland troops, to their support. These re-enforcements charged gallantiy. drove the enemy out of the wood into the plain, and were pushing them from thence, having, as the general says, " silenced their fire, in a great measure," when the British commander, preparing to send on a large re-enforcement, Washington ordered a retreat. The foreign troops that had been engaged consiste l of the second battalion of light infantry, a battalion of Highlanders, and three companies of Hessian sharp-shooters, the whole under the command of Brigadier-general Leslie. This affair, trifling in itself, and attended by the loss of two gallant officers. one of them before distinguished for courage and conduct, was of great consequence in giving con- fidence to the American troops. It was a contrast to the shameful rout of the day before, and proved that their foes were not invincible.
Wm. Well! I hope we shall be a match for the English after this !
Un. Not yet, my good boy. I have to tell of sad disasters before the tide of battle turned in our fa- vour ; but first we must look to the fate of the city after the enemy took possession of it. A few days
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after the death of Colonel Knowlton, an eighth part of New York was destroyed by fire. This was at- tributed by the English to design. If so, it was cer- tainly without the knowledge or approbation of any publick body or responsible officer, though many ardently desired it.
John. General Greene had advised it.
Un. Captain John Lamb, who had acted with Mc Dougal and Sears before the war, and had since been a brave and efficient officer in Canada with the lamented Montgomery, was at this time a pris- oner on board an English ship in the harbour of New York. Called up to view the flames, he ex- pressed his delight. " What," said the captain of the vessel, "do you rejoice in the destruction of your native place ?" " I do," was the reply; " it will af- ford no shelter to your countrymen."
W'm. I believe I should have felt so too.
John. I am sure I should not. What are the au- thentick accounts of this great fire, sir ?
Un. You will find in Sparks's Washington that Howe wrote to his government, and attributed the fire to design; saying, that matches and combusti- bles had been prepared with great art, and applied by incendiaries in several places. Many, he says, were detected, and some killed upon the spot by the soldiers. He computes the destruction at one fourth of the town.
John. Is there any American account of this fire, sir ?
Un. Yes. Mr. David Grim, a very respectable inhabitant of New York, who remained in the city when the British took possession, has left us this. Read it, William.
Wm. " The fire of 1776 commenced in a small wooden house, on the wharf, near the Whitehall slip. It was then occupied by a number of men and wo-
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men, of a bad character. The fire began late at night. There being but a very few inhabitants in the city, in a short time it raged tremendously. It burned all the houses on the east side of Whitehall slip, and the west side of Broad street to Beaver street. A providential and happy circumstance oc- curred at this time : the wind was then southwester- ly. About two o'clock that morning, the wind veer- ed to the southeast : this carried the flames of the fire to the northwestward, and burned both sides of Beaver street to the cast side of Broadway, then crossed Broadway to Beaver lane, and burning all the houses on both sides of Broadway, with some few houses in New street, to Rector street, and to John Harrison, esquire's, three-story brick house, which house stopped the fire on the east side of Broadway ; from thence if continued burning all the houses in Lumber street, and those in the rear of the houses on the west side of Broadway to St. Paul's church, then continued burning the houses on both sides of Partition street, and all the houses in the rear (again) of the west side of Broadway to the North river. The fire did not stop until it got into Mortkile street, now Barclay street. The college yard and the vacant ground in the rear of the same, put an end to this awful and tremendous fire.
" Trinity church being burned, was occasioned by the flakes of fire that fell on the south side of the roof. The southerly wind fanned those flakes of fire in a short time to an amazing blaze, and it soon became out of human power to extinguish the same, the roof of this noble edifice being so steep that no person could go on it.
"St Paul's church was in the like perilous situa- tion. The roof being flat, with a balustrade on the eaves, a number of citizens went on the same, and extinguished the flakes of fire as they fell on the
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roof. Thus, happily, was this beautiful church saved from the destruction of this dreadful fire, which threatened the ruin thereof, and that of the whole city.
" The Lutheran church being contiguous to houses adjoining the same fire, it was impossible to save it from destruction. This fire was so furious and vio- lently hot, that no person could go near it, and there were no fire engines to be had at that time in the city.
" The number of houses that were burned and destroyed in this city at that awful conflagration, were thus, viz. : from Mortkile street to Courtlandt street, one hundred and sixty-seven; from Court- land street to Beaver street, one hundred and seven- ty-five; from Beaver street to the East river, one hundred and fifty-one: total, four hundred and ninety- three.
" There being very few inhabitants in the city at . the time, and many of those were afraid to venture at night in the streets, for fear of being taken up as suspicious persons.
" An instance to my knowledge occurred. A Mr. White, a decent citizen, and house-carpenter, rather too violent a loyalist, and latterly, had addicted him- self to liquor, was, on the night of the fire, hanged on a tavern sign-post, at the corner of Cherry and Roosevelt streets. Several of the citizens were sent to the provost-guard for examination, and some of them remained there two and three days, until they could give satisfactory evidence of their loyalty.
" Mr. Hugh Gain, in his Universal Register for the year 1787, page 119, says, New York is about a mile and a half in length, and half a mile broad, containing, before the fires on the 21st of Septem- ber, 1776, and 3d of August, 1778, about four thou- 10*
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sand two hundred houses, and thirty thousand in- habitants."'
Un. Over the ruins left by this fire I have wan- dered when a boy in every direction. You observe by Mr. Grim'saccount that the houses on the west side of Broadway, and which were south of Beaver street, escaped the conflagration, and it was in these, that the English generals lived; what is now No. 1, be- ing head-quarters. I must observe that the houses in Broadway, north of Trinity churchyard, were not burned. The City Tavern was on part of the site of the present City Hotel. Between this and St. Paul's church the houses were small, and most of them of wood. The last brick houses in the town were next beyond the church. The ruins on the southeast side of the town were converted into dwell- ing places by using the chimneys and parts of walls , which were firm, and adding pieces of spars, with old canvass from the ships, forming hovels, part hut and part tent. This was called "Canvass-town;" and was the receptacle and resort of the vilest dregs brought by the army and navy of Britain, with the filthiest of those who fled to them for refuge.
Wm. Uncle, let us go on with the war.
Un. First let us take our walk ; and to-morrow I will tell of the fate of more brave men,
CHAPTER XI.
Un. There is a small island near ITell-gate which was, in 1776, called Montresor's island. The Brit- ish had possession of this place, and in an attempt to surprise their garrison, another gallant officer lost his life: this was Major Thomas Henly. But he
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fell a volunteer in an expedition for his country's service, and instantly expired after receiving a shot, surrounded and lamented by his friends. But a more lamentable tale I have to tell of the fate of a fine young man who voluntarily risked the meet- ing of an inglorious death among his country's ene- mies, exposed to brutal taunts, and that, without the hope or promise of other reward than an approving conscience. 'This intelligent young man, late a stu- dent at Yale college, and now a captain in Knowl- ton's Rangers, being informed of the great lack of information respecting the enemy, after the retreat from Long Island offered to go among them in dis- guise, and bring accurate statements to General Washington.
Wm. A spy!
Un. Yes. A spy ; but from pure motives. All the world has heard of Major Andre. He has been sung by poets, and monuments have been raised to him. He fell into the snare he had contrived with a traitor for the destruction of thousands; but Cap- tain Hale, who died, only lamenting that he had " but one life to sacrifice for his country," has, until recently, been unnoticed by history ; and no stone tells where his bones were interred.
John. What is known of the manner of his death ?
Un. He passed in disguise through the English posts on Long Island, and had made such observa- tions as an intelligent gentleman alone could make; but in attempting to return he was apprehended, and carried before General Howe. He acknow- ledged his object and rank, and was delivered over to the provost-marshal, Cunningham, for execution. This savage added all in his power to the bitter- ness of death. "The presence of a clergyman was de- nied him. He was permitted to write to his mother and other friends, but the letters were destroyed.
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Thus, unknown to all around him and mocked by ruffian executioners, died as fine a young man as America could boast, breathing his last in prayers for his country. It is said, Cunningham gave as a reason for destroying the young man's letters, that the rebels should not see how firmly one of their army could moet death .- Let us resume the military history of the two contending hosts. General Howe, finding that the position taken by Washington was too strong to be attacked in front, moved his main army higher up the sound, and crossed over to Frog's Point. This ren- dered it necessary for a change of position on the American part. Accordingly, leaving a garrison
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at Fort Washington, the army was marched to White Plains. General Lee was now with Wash- ington; and General Greene had command at Fort Lec, opposite to the garrison left on York island. By this little map you will see the situation of the principal places mentioned in the narrative. Num- ber 1 is Haerlem. 2, Fort Washington. 3, Fort Lee. 4, the English redoubts raised to cover the crossing Haerlem river. 5, Fort Independence. 6, Kingsbridge. 7, Morrisania. 8, West Chester. 9, East Chester. 10, The river Bronx. Between Forts Washington and Lee had been placed several contrivances to prevent the English ships passing up the Hudson, but they were found to be useless.
John. Which must have rendered these forts use- less, I think.
Un. It was so. While Howe moved his army from Frog's Point to New Rochelle, he was at- tacked successfully by skirmishing parties behind stone walls. At White Plains an action took place without decisive advantage to either party, and Washington, taking a stronger position, expected and awaited an attack. A rain storm intervened ; and the Americans withdrew to the heights of North Castle, where their adversary deemed it im- proper to assault them. Leaving General Lee at this post, the commander-in-chief crossed the North river to Fort Lee, and from thence to Hackinsac. Howe seized this opportunity to attack Fort Wash- ington, left with too slender a garrison under the command of Colonel Magaw. Works were erected on Haerlem river to cover the crossing of the Eng- lish, which nothing could impede. Now, William, you may read again from Captain Graydon, who, as an eye-witness, and a man of observation, places men and things before us as none but such can do. But first read this extract by another hand, as a more
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