USA > New York > A history of the state of New York, from the first discovery of the country to the present time: with a geographical account of the country, and a view of its original inhabitants > Part 16
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corps, two of which, composed in great part of Canadians, under the command of majors Livingston and Brown, were to occupy the attention of the enemy by two feigned attacks of the upper town, towards St. John's and cape Diamond. The two others, led, the first by Montgomery, the second by Arnold, were reserved to assault the lower part of the town from two opposite points. The general was perfectly aware that, after he should have carried this part of Quebec, there would remain many difficulties to be surmounted, in order to conquer the other. But he hoped that the inhabitants, on seeing so great a proportion of their property fallen into the power of the victors, would force the governor to capitulate.
"The last day of the year 1775, between four and five o'clock in the morning, in the midst of a heavy storm of snow, the four columns put themselves in motion, in the best order, each towards the point assigned.
" It is said that captain Frazer, of the Irish emigrants, in going his round, perceived the fusees which the Americans fired to give the signal; and that immediately, without waiting further orders, he caused the drums to beat, and roused the garrison to arms. The columns of Livingston and Brown, impeded by the snow and other obstacles, were not in time to execute their feints. But Montgomery, at the head of his, composed chiefly of New York men, advanced upon the bank of the river, marching by the way denominated Anse de mer, under cape Diamond. Here was encountered a first barrier, at a place called Potasse, which was defended by a battery of a few pieces of cannon : farther on, at the distance of 200 paces from this, stood a redoubt, furnished with a sufficient guard. The soldiers that composed it, being the greater part Canadians, on seeing the enemy approach, were seized with terror, threw down their arms, and fled. The battery itself was abandoned; and if the Americans could have advanced with sufficient expedition, they would certainly have been masters of it. But, in turning cape Diamond, the foot of which is bathed by the waters of the river, they found the road interrupted by enormous masses of snow. Montgomery, with his own hands, endeavored to open a path for his troops, who followed him man by man : he was compelled to wait
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for them. At length, having assembled about 200, whom he encouraged with voice and example, he moved courageously and rapidly toward the barrier. But, in the meantime, a can- nonier, who had retreated from the battery, on seeing the enemy halt, returned to his post, and, taking a match, which happened to be still burning, fired a cannon charged with grape-shot. The Americans were within 40 paces. This single explosion totally extinguished the hopes they had conceived. Montgomery, as well as captains Macpherson and Cheesman, both young men of singular merit, and dear to the general, were killed upon the spot. The soldiers shrunk back on seeing their general fall; and colonel Campbell, on whom the command devolved, was not a man capable of executing so perilous an enterprise. The flight soon became universal ; so that this part of the garrison, no longer having enemies to combat, was at liberty to fly to the succor of that which was attacked by Arnold.
" This colonel, who was himself at the head of the forlorn hope, marched by the way of St. Roques towards the place called Saut-au-Matelot. Captain Lamb followed him with a company of artillery and one piece of cannon : next came the main body, preceded by the riflemen under captain Morgan. The besieged had erected at the entrance of the avenue a battery which defended a barrier. The Americans found themselves confined within a passage obstructed by deep snow, and so commanded by the works of the enemy, that his grape-shot swept it in every direction. Meanwhile, Arnold advanced rapidly under the fire of the besieged, who manned the walls. He received a musket-ball in the leg, which wounded him severely, splintering the bone. It was necessary to carry him to the hospital, almost by compulsion. Captain Morgan then took the command, and, with all the impetuosity of his char- acter, he launched himself against the battery, at the head of two companies. The artillery of the enemy continued to fire grape-shot, but with little effect.
" The American riflemen, celebrated for their extreme ad- · dress, killed many of the English soldiers through the embra- sures. They applied ladders to the parapet. The besieged were daunted, and abandoned the battery to the assailants.
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Morgan, with his companies, and a few soldiers of the centre, who were come up to the vanguard, made many prisoners, English as well as Canadians; but his situation became ex tremely critical. The main body had not yet been able to join him ; he had no guide, and he was unacquainted with the city ; he had no artillery, and the day was still far from dawni- ing. He found himself constrained to halt ; his soldiers began to reflect upon their position ; their ardor cooled rapidly. The ignorance in which they were of their other columns ; the obscurity of night; the snow, which fell with redoubled violence ; the firing of musketry, which was heard on every side, and even behind them ; finally, the uncertainty of the future, filled the boldest spirits with an involuntary terror. Morgan alone resisted the panic ; he rallied his riflemen, promising them a certain victory. He ran to the barrier to spur on those who had remained behind. Lieutenant-colonel Green, majors Big- elow and Meigs joined him with their companies. The morning began to dawn, when Morgan, with a terrible voice, summoned his troops to the assault. He led on with fury against a second battery, which he knew to be only a few paces distant, though masked by an angle of the road. On turning the corner, he encountered a detachment of English, who had sallied from the battery under the command of cap- tain Anderson. The latter summoned the Americans to lay down their arms. Morgan levelled a musket at his head, and laid him dead upon the ground. The English then retreated within the battery, and closed the barrier. A fierce combat ensued, which cost many lives to the two parties, but most to the Americans, whose flanks were exposed to a destructive fire of musketry from the windows of the houses. Mean- while, some of the most adventurous, having rested their lad- ders against the palisade, appeared disposed to leap it ; but, on seeing two files of soldiers prepared to receive them on the points of their bayonets, they renounced this project. Cut down by a continual fire, they now sought shelter in the . houses. Morgan remained almost alone, near the barrier, endeavoring, in vain, to recall his soldiers, and inspire them with fresh courage. Weariness, and the menacing counte- nance of the enemy, had disheartened the most audacious. Their arms, bathed by the snow, which continued to fall
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impetuously, were no longer of any use to them. Morgan, then, seeing the expedition frustrated, ordered the retreat to sound, in order to avoid being surrounded. But the soldiers who had taken refuge in the houses were afraid to expose themselves to the tempest of shot that must have been en- countered, in gaining the corner of the avenue, where they would have been out of danger, and whence they might have retired behind the first barrier. The loss they had sustained, the fury of the storm, and the benumbing effects of the cold, had deprived them of all courage. In the meantime, a de- tachment of the besieged sallied out from a gate of the palace, and captain Dearborn, who, with his company of provincials, held himself in reserve near this gate, having surrendered, the English retook all this part of the city ; consequently, Morgan saw himself encircled by enemies. He proposed to his fol- lowers to open, with arms, the way of retreat ; but they re- fused, in the hope that the assault given on the other part might have succeeded, and that Montgomery would soon come to their relief. They resolved to defend themselves in the meantime; but, having at length perceived, by the contin- . ually increasing multitude of enemies, the true state of things, they yielded to destiny, and laid down their arms.
"Such was the issue of the assault given by the Americans to the city of Quebec, in the midst of the most rigorous sea- sun of the year-an enterprise, which, though, at first view, it may seem rash, was certainly not impossible. The events themselves have proved it; for, if general Montgomery had not been slain at the first onset, it is most probable, that, on his part, he would have carried the barrier, since, even at the moment of his death, the battery was abandoned, and only served by a few men. By penetrating at this point, while Ar- nold and Morgan obtained the same advantages in their attacks, all the lower city would have fallen into the power of the Americans. However this may be, though victory escaped them, their heroic efforts will be the object of sincere admira- tion. General Carlton, using his advantages nobly, treated the prisoners with much humanity. He caused the American general to be interred with all military honors."*
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The death of this excellent officer was deeply lamented both in Europe and America. Born of a distinguished Irish family, Montgomery had entered in early youth the career of arms, and had served with honor in the preceding war be- tween Great Britain and France. Having married an Amer- ican lady, and purchased an estate in the province of New York, he was considered, and considered himself, an Ameri- can. He loved glory much, and liberty yet more. Neither ge- nius, nor valor, nor occasion, failed him, but time and fortune. And if it is allowable from the past actions of men to infer the future, what motives are there for believing, that, if death had not taken him from his country in all the vigor of his age, he would have left it the model of military heroism and of civil virtue ! He was beloved by the good, feared by the wicked, and honored even by enemies. The most powerful speakers in the British parliament displayed their eloquence in prais- ing his virtues and lamenting his fall. Congress directed a monument to be erected to liis memory, expressive of their sense of his high patriotism and heroic conduct.
The garrison of Quebec consisted, at the time of the above attack, of about 1500 men ; the American forces were about S00. The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, was about 100, and 300 were taken prisoners.
SEC. XI. 1776. Congress received informa- tion, that a large number of the inhabitants of Tryon county were disaffected to the American cause, and, under the direction of sir John Johnson, were making military preparations. It was resolved to disarm them, and the business was accordingly committed to general Schuyler.
General Schuyler, about the middle of January, called out :00 of the Albany county militia, and commenced his march ; but such was the enthusiasm of the people, that, on his arrival at Caghnewaga, his force amounted to near 3000, including 900 of the Tryon county militia. The approach of so formi- dable a force intimidated the royalists to such a degree, that they were ready to make proposals of submission.
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It was agreed that sir John, having given his parole of honor not to take up arms against America, should confine himself to certain limits ;- that he should deliver up all the cannon, arms and military stores, that, to his knowledge, were in the county, a few favorite family arms excepted ;- that the in- habitants should surrender their arms and 12 prisoners, who were to be selected by general Schuyler, and to be treated with - humanity and due deference to rank. The whole number disarmed was supposed to amount to about 600.
About the same time, a considerable number were intrenching themselves on Long Island, for the purpose of supporting the royal cause. A detachment of the Jersey militia were sent over, by whom they were disarmed, and their leaders secured.
SEC. XII. General Lee, preceded by a de- tachment of the continental troops, entered New York carly in February. In March, general Washington succeeded in expelling the British troops from Boston, and, anticipating an attempt upon New York, soon after, made this place the head-quarters of the army.
About the time of Lee's arrival, the inhabitants were thrown into great consternation by the appearance of general Clinton, with an armed force, at the Hook. General Lee gave out- " If the men of war set one house on fire in consequence of my coming, I will chain an hundred of their friends together, and make that house their funeral pile." Had any thing been attempted, he would, probably, have retaliated in a formidable manner ; but Clinton, after tarrying a short time at the Hook, sailed to the southward.
SEC. XIII. The siege of Quebec was regular- ly maintained during the winter, and considerable reinforcements were ordered to that post. Gen- eral Thomas was appointed to take the command,
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and arrived on the 1st of May. The American force before Quebec amounted to 1900 men ; but, the small-pox having broken out among the troops, not more than 900 were fit for duty. As it was impossible, in the present state of the army, to effect any enterprise, it was resolved, May the 5th, to make the best retreat in their power.
. The arrival of reinforcements gave the British a decided superiority, and the American army, in a series of unfortunate movements, were compelled to abandon one post after another, until, on the 17th of June, they wholly evacuated Canada.
Previous to the retreat of the Americans from before Quebec, Arnold had been stationed at Montreal. To prevent an attack from the English posts on the Upper St. Lawrence and the lakes, a party of the Americans, amounting to 390, had been stationed at the Cedars, a small fort, 43 miles above the city, under the command of colonel Beadle. A detachment of the British, under the command of a captain Foster, had come down from the lakes against this place. It consisted of 40 British soldiers, 100 Canadians, and about 500 Indians; but they were armed only with muskets. Beadle, in a pusillani- mous manner, abandoned the command of the fort to a major Butterfield, and repaired to Montreal for a reinforcement ; and Butterfield, with an equal want of spirit, surrendered the fort and garrison to Foster, on the 15th of May. Major Henry Sherburne, a brave and able officer, was detached from Mon- treal, with 140 men, to relieve the post at the Cedars. Before Sherburne arrived, Butterfield had surrendered, and his small party was surrounded and taken prisoners by the savages. . Many of them were sacrificed to the savage fury, butchered by the tomahawk, or barbarously wounded and maimed after they had surrendered. Twenty were killed in cold blood, and seven or eight were carried off by the Indians; the rest were
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stripped almost naked, drove in that situation to the fort, and delivered to captain Foster. To check this scene of conquest . and barbarity, Arnold marched for the Cedars, at the head of 8 or 900 men. To save himself and his garrison, Foster ac- quainted Arnold, that, if he would not agree to a cartel, which Sherburne and the other officers had been required and agreed to sign, but moved on to attack him, the Indians would immediately proceed to put every prisoner to death. Arnold hesitated, and was much averse to such a measure. At length he agreed to it, as the only expedient to save the prisoners from an immediate massacre. A cartel was conclud- ed and signed the 27th of May, for the exchange of 474 Americans, who had been taken at the Cedars; and that four American captains should remain as hostages till the prisoners were exchanged. The threatenings of Foster, his avowal of . , an universal massacre of the Americans, and the actual mur- der of several of them after their surrender, were deeply resented by congress. They resolved that Arnold's agreement was nothing more than a sponsion that might be annulled or confirmed by them, as he had no power to dispose of prisoners not in his possession or under his direction. They refused to return the British prisoners on their part, till the British com- mander in Canada should deliver into their hands the perpe- trators of the murders committed on the American prisoners, and make indemnification for the plunder of prisoners, con- trary to the articles of capitulation. At the same time, they cashiered Beadle and Butterfield, and declared them inca- pable of ever bearing a commission again in the American armies .*
General Thomas died of the small-pox at Sorelle, and the command devolved on general Sullivan. By the assistance of Stark, Poor, Wayne, and other excellent officers, he succeeded in making a safe retreat before a far superior British force, and bringing the shattered remains of the American army safe to Crown Point.
In June, an expedition was conducted by the British, under general Clinton and sir Peter Parker, against Charleston, South Carolina. On the 28th, they attacked the fort on Sullivan's
* Williams.
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Island, six miles below the town, with two 50 gun ships, four frigates of 28 guns, besides several smaller vessels, and above 3000 men. On the fort were mounted 26 cannon, with which the garrison, consisting of 375 regulars and a few militia, under the command of colonel Moultrie, made a most gallant defence. The attack was sustained for above 10 hours, when the British were compelled to retire, having their ships much shattered, and with the loss of 200 killed and wounded. . The loss of the Americans was only 10 men killed, and 22 wound- ed. The fort, in compliment to the commanding officer, was, from that time, called fort Moultrie.
SEC. XIV. The Americans, notwithstanding the misfortunes which had attended their opera- tions the present year, were not dispirited. On the 7th of June, a motion was made in the con- tinental congress, then in session at Philadelphia, for a declaration of independence. After mature deliberation, they, on the 4th of July, 1776, in the name and by the authority of the people of the united colonies, solemnly published and declared-
" That the united colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States; and that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."
The motion for the declaration of independence was made in congress by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia. This motion occasioned very interesting and animated debates, and gave great scope to genius and eloquence. Mr. Lee concluded his address to the house as follows :- " Why, then, do we longer delay? why still deliberate ? Let this most happy day give birth to the American republic. Let her arise, not to devastate and conquer, but to re-establish the reign of peace and of the
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· laws. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us. She demands of us a living example of freedom, that may contrast, by the felicity of the citizens, with the ever-increasing tyranny which desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum, where the unhappy may find solace, and the persecuted repose. She entreats us to cultivate a propitious soil, where that generous plant, which first sprang up and grew in Eng -. land, but is now withered by the poisonous blasts of Scottish . tyranny, may revive and flourish, sheltering under its salubrious and interminable shade all the unfortunate of the human race.
" This is the end presaged by so many omens, by our first victories, by the present ardor and union, by the flight of Howe,* and the pestilence which broke out amongst Dun- more's people,t by the very winds which baffled the enemy's fleets and transports, and that terrible tempest which ingulfed 700 vessels upon the coast of Newfoundland. If we are not this day wanting in our duty to our country, the names of the American legislators will be placed, by posterity, at the side of those of Theseus, of Lycurgus, of Romulus, of Numa, of the three Williams of Nassau, and of all those whose memory has been, and will be for ever, dear to virtuous men and good citizens."
SEC. XV. The intelligence of the declaration of independence was received on the 9th by the convention of the state of New York, then in session at White Plains. They immediately passed a unanimous resolution, fully approving of the measure, and expressing their determina- tion, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, to unite with the other colonies in supporting it.
The declaration was signed by all the members of the con- : tinental congress. The delegates from New York were Wil-
* Alluding to the evacuation of Boston by the British under Howe. t Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia, retired to the Fowey man of war, on board of which, and the other vessels of his squadron, a pestilential malady broke out, which carried off great numbers of the crowd, both white and black, which had thronged his vessels.
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liam Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, and Lewis Morris. (For the declaration, see Appendix, No. 1.)
When the declaration arrived at New York, it was read, in accordance with general orders, at the head of each brigade of the continental army, and was every where received with the utmost demonstrations of joy. The same evening, the : equestrian statue of the king was laid prostrate, and the lead, of which it was composed, doomed to be cast into bullets, for the use of the army.
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CHAP. XII.
1 THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. FROM 1776 TO 1778.
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Disposition of British and American Troops at New York. Battle on Long Island. Ameri- cans evacuate New York. Americans continue to retreat. Fort Washington taken by the British. Operations on Lake Champlain. Convention adopt the State Constitution. Commencement of the Northern Campaign in 1777. Invasion of Burgoyne. His Capture. Enterprise of Clin- ton. State Government organized.
SEC. I. 1776. It was now expected, that the enemy would make New York the principal point of attack, and great exertions were made for putting the place in a posture of defence. General Washington arrived on the 14th of April. The command of the British force was intrusted to lord Howe and his brother sir Wil- liam. On the 22d of August, lord Howe landed his troops, estimated at 24,000 men, at Graves- end bay, on Long Island. The American army, amounting to 15,000, under the command of gen- eral Sullivan, were encamped on a peninsula near the village of Brooklyn.
The centre of the British army, composed of Hessians, under general Heister, encamped at Flatbush. The left wing, under general Grant, extended to the coast. The right wing, composed of the principal army, under the command of gen- erals Clinton, Percy and Cornwallis, was extended towards the opposite coast at Flatla
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The Americans had thrown up strong fortifications, which were separated from New York by East river. A line of in- trenchments from Mill creek to the elbow of East river en- closed the American camp. The armies were separated by a range of hills, covered with thick wood, which intersected the country from west to east, terminating near Jamaica. These high-lands were occupied by large detachments from the American army.
SEC. II. On the 27th of August, the British made an attack on the advanced posts of the American army. After an obstinate engagement, the. Americans were compelled to retire, with great loss, to their intrenchments. They now resolved to withdraw from the island, and, on the 30th, a safe retreat was effected.
" The position of the Americans having been reconnoitred, sir William Howe, from the intelligence given him, determined to attempt to turn their left flank. The right wing of his ar- my, consisting of a strong advanced corps, commanded by general Clinton, and supported by the brigades under lord Per- cy, began at nine o'clock at night, on the 26th of August, to move from Flatland, and, passing through the New Lots, ar- rived on the new road that crosses the hills from Bedford to Jamaica. Having taken a patrol, they seized the pass, without alarming the Americans. At half after eight in the morning, the British troops, having passed the heights, and reached Bedford, began an attack on the left of the American army. In the centre, general De Heister, soon after daylight, had begun to cannonade the troops which occupied the direct road to Brooklyn, and which were commanded by general Sullivan in person. As soon as the firing toward Bedford was heard, De Heister advanced, and attacked the centre of the Ameri- cans, who, after a warm engagement, were routed, and driven into the woods. The firing toward Bedford giving them the alarming notice that the British had turned their left flank, and were getting completely in their rear, they endeavored to escape to the camp. The sudden rout of the party enabled"
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