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 17

Author: Eastman, Francis Smith, 1803-1846 or 7
Publication date: 1832
Publisher: New York, A. K. White
Number of Pages: 930


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 17


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, De Heister to detach a part of his force against those who were engaged near Bedford. There, also, the Americans were broken, and driven into the woods; and the front of the British column, led by general Clinton, continuing to move forward, intercepted and engaged those whom De Heister had routed, and drove them back into the woods. There they again met the Hessians, who drove them back on the British. Thus alternately chased and intercepted, some forced their way through the enemy to the lines of Brooklyn; several saved themselves in the coverts of the woods ; but a great part of the detachment was killed or taken.


" The left column, led by general Grant, advancing from the Narrows along the coast, to divert the attention of the Amer- icans from the principal attack on the right, had, about mid- night, fallen in with lord Stirling's advanced guard, stationed at a strong pass, and compelled them to relinquish it. As they were slowly retiring, they were met, on the summit of the hills, about break of day, by lord Stirling, who had been directed, with the two nearest regiments, to meet the British on the road leading from the Narrows. Lord Stirling having posted : his men advantageously. a furious cannonade commenced on both sides, which continued several hours. 'The firing toward Brooklyn, where the fugitives were pursued by the British, . giving notice to lord Stirling that the enemy had gained his rear, he instantly gave orders to retreat across a creek, near the Yellow hills. The more effectually to secure the retreat of the main body of the detachment, he determined to attack in person a British corps under lord Cornwallis, stationed at a house somewhat above the place where he proposed crossing the creek. With about 400 men, drawn out of Smallwood's regiment for that purpose, he made a very spirit- ed attack, and brought up this small corps . several times to the charge, with confident expectation of dislodging lord Cornwallis from his post; but, the force in his front increas- ing, and general Grant now advancing in his rear, he was compelled to surrender himself and his brave men prisoners of war. This bold attempt, however, gave opportunity to a large part of the detachment to cross the creek, and effect an escape."*


* Holmes's Annals.


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The loss of the Americans in the battle on Long Island, in killed, wounded and taken prisoners, was upwards of 1000. Among the prisoners captured by the enemy were generals Sullivan, Stirling and Woodhull. The loss of the British was estimated at about 400.


The successful retreat from Long Island was attended by favorable auspices, and conducted with the most consummate address. After the necessary preparations, on the 29th of August, at eight in the evening, the troops silently began to move, and at eleven were on board their vessels. A violent north-east wind, and ebb tide, at first prevented their passage. Fortunately, the wind suddenly veered to the north-west, when they immediately made sail, and landed in New York. About two o'clock in the morning, a thick fog, at this season of the year uncommon, covered Long Island, the New York side remaining perfectly clear. It was not till some time after sunrise, that the fog was dispelled, and the English perceived that the Americans had abandoned their camp, and were shel- tered from pursuit.


SEC. III. Immediately after their victory on Long Island, the enemy made dispositions to attack New York. It was thought prudent to evacuate the city, and the American troops re- , tired to Haerlem and King's Bridge. The Brit- ish took possession of the place on the 15th of September, and encamped the main body of their armny on York Island, near the American lines.


The day following the retreat from New York, a considerable body of the enemy appearing in the plains between the two camps, general Washington ordered colonel Knowlton, with a corps of rangers, and major Leitch, with three companies of a Virginian regiment, to get in


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their rear, while he amused them by making ap- parent dispositions to attack their front. The plan succeeded, and a skirmish ensued, in which the Americans charged the enemy with great intrepidity, and gained considerable advantages. This action exerted a happy influence in reviv- ing the depressed spirits of the army.


A few days after the British took possession of New York, a very destructive fire broke out in the city, nearly one fourth part of which was laid in ashes. About 1000 houses were consumed.


SEC. IV. The American army being, in point of numbers, greatly inferior to that of the ene- my, it was resolved, in council of war, to adopt the course of evacuating and retreating. Gen- cral Washington, accordingly, drew off the main body of the army from York Island, and en- camped at White Plains. Lord Howe advanced upon him with 15,000 effective men, and an en- gagement ensued on the 28th of October. The loss on each side amounted to several hundreds, but no decisive advantage was obtained.


On the 30th, the British army, having received considerable reinforcements, again made dispositions to attack the Ameri- can lines ; but a violent rain setting in induced a postpone- ment of the assault. The Americans, soon after, withdrew, in the night, to the heights of North Castle, about five miles from White Plains; there their position was so strong, that the enemy declined any attempt. General Washington, leaving about 7500 men, under general Lee, for the defence of North Castle, then crossed the Hudson, and continued his retreat to the southward.


SEC. V. The American army continued re- tiring from New York, and sir William Howe


REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 221 embraced the opportunity of reducing fort Washington, on the Hudson.


'The fort was invested by the English forces on the 16th of November. After a severe contest, which continued nearly the whole day, colonel Magaw, the commander, finding his ammunition mostly exhausted, surrendered the fortress, and, with it, about 2000 men, as prisoners of war. Fort Lec, on the Jersey shore, was soon after abandoned to the enemy.


SEC. VI. While these operations were going on in the southern part of the state, the northern division of the army, under general Gates, was engaged in repairing the fortress at Ticonderoga, and making preparations for securing the com- mand of lake Champlain. The works of Ti- conderoga were considerably enlarged, and, by the 18th of August, a considerable naval force was equipped and fitted for action.


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This armament consisted of one sloop, three schooners, and five gondolas, carrying 55 guns, besides 70 swivels, and was manned with about 400 men. The British, in the mean- time, at the north end of the lake, were engaged in fitting out a superior naval force, which was completed early in October. In the number of vessels, guns and implements of war, and the number of men, the strength of the British was double to that of the American fleet.


SEC. VII. The American fleet under general Arnold, the last of August, sailed down the lake, and took a position between Isle Valcour and the western main. General Carlton, with the British, proceeded up the lake, and made an attack on the 11th of October. An engagement ensued, which was obstinately maintained for several hours, when, the wind being unfavorable for the British, they withdrew their vessels from


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the action. Arnold, convinced of the superior strength of the enemy, endeavored, during the night, to effect a retreat. He was pursued on the following morning, and, on the. 13th, a sec- ond engagement took place, near Crown Point, in which the British were completely victorious. Arnold landed his men, and, after blowing up his vessels, and firing the fortress at Crown Point, retreated to Ticonderoga.


SEC. VIII. General Gates had now put the works at Ticonderoga in a state of defence, and, with 12,000 effective men, awaited an attack from the enemy. General Carlton, after recon- noitring the place, and not deeming it prudent to make the attack, remained some time at Crown Point, and, on the approach of winter, returned to Canada.


General Washington, after having crossed the Hudson, con- tinued his retreat through New Jersey, and crossed the Dela- ware into Pennsylvania. The unfortunate operations of the war in this quarter spread a deep and general gloom over the American cause. The continental congress were, however, not discouraged by these misfortunes, and proceeded to draw up articles of confederation and perpetual union between the states.


On the night of the 25th of December, general Washington recrossed the Delaware, and advanced to Trenton, where, on the following day, he surprised and made prisoners 1000 Hessians, who were in the service of the enemy. After se- curing these prisoners on the Pennsylvania side of the Del- aware, he proceeded to Princeton, and attacked a detachment - of the British, who had taken refuge in the college. Sixty of the enemy were killed, and three hundred taken prisoners.


, SEC. IX. 1777. The people of New York from the commencement of the war, and the


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consequent abolition of the legal authority, had been governed by the ordinances of the state convention and the directions of the council of safety. Early in the present year, they directed their attention to the more perfect organization of their internal police, and the establishment of civil government.


A convention of delegates, elected and au- thorized for this purpose, assembled at Kingston on the 20th of April, and adopted the state con- stitution. George Clinton, esq. was, soon after, elected by the freeholders to the office of gov- crnor.


The character of the constitution, adopted by this conven- tion, was republican; and, while it formed the original compact between the people and their rulers, it served as a declaration and bill of rights. By this constitution, the supreme executive power was vested in a governor, and a lieutenant-governor, who was to preside over the senate, and perform the duties of the supreme executive in case of any vacancy. The supreme legislative power was vested in the senate and house of as- sembly, who were to hold, at least, one session every year. The governor and members of the senate and house of assembly were to be elected by the freeholders of the state of New York.


The council of safety were directed by the convention to regulate the manner in which the first elections should be made, and were invested with all the powers necessary for the safety and preservation of the state, until a meeting of the legislature. The time appointed by the convention for the first meeting of this body was the Ist of July ; but, on account of the embar- rassment occasioned by the warlike operations in the country, the time for this meeting was postponed, by several successive prorogations, to the Ist of September.


SEC. X. A principal object of the British, in the campaign of the present year, was to open .


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a communication between New York and Canada, and separate New England from the neighboring states.


The plan of operations consisted of two parts. General Burgoyne, with the main body of the army from Canada, was to advance by way of lake Champlain, and effect a junction, at Albany, with the royal army from New York. A detach- ment of British soldiers, and a large body of Indians under colonel St. Leger, with a regi- ment of New York loyalists under sir John Johnson, were to ascend the St. Lawrence to lake Ontario, and penetrate toward Albany by the way of the Mohawk river.


SEC. XI. Early in the spring of the present year, several enterprises were undertaken by the royal army in New York for the destruction of American stores.


A detachment of about 500 landed at Peekskill, March 23, but, on the approach of an American force, fired the principal store-houses, and retired. Another detachment, of 2000, under general Tryon, proceeded, April 26th, to Danbury, in Connecticut, and, after destroying 18 houses, with large stores of provisions, were attacked by the Americans, and retired with considerable loss.


In retaliation for these predatory excursions, an enterprise was soon after undertaken by the Americans against Long Island. Sagg Harbor was, May 23d, completely surprised, and 12 vessels, with forage for the use of the army, were de- stroyed. About 100 of the enemy were killed and taken prisoners, without the loss of a single man, by the Americans.


SEC. XII. On the 30th of June, general Burgoyne, with an army of above 7000 men, exclusive of a corps of artillery, and a large


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body of Indians, advanced to Crown Point, and proceeded to. invest Ticonderoga. General St. Clair, the American commander, abandoned the fortress on the 6th of July, and, after a laborious and distressing march, effected a junction with general Schuyler at fort Edward.


The rear guard of the American army, under colonel Warner, consisting of above 1000 men, was overtaken and attacked at Hubbardton by a body of the enemy amounting to 850, under general Fraser. The Americans made an ob- stinate resistance, until a reinforcement of the enemy arrived, when they were completely rout- ed, with the loss of about 400 men killed and taken prisoners.


The forces of general Schuyler at fort Edward, after the junction of St. Clair, did not amount to over 4400 men. Con- sidering the superior force of the enemy, it was resolved to evacuate this post ; and, accordingly, on the approach of Burgoyne, Schuyler retired over the Hudson to Saratoga.


SEC. XIII. General Burgoyne arrived at fort Edward on the 30th of July. . On the 3d of Au- gust, St. Leger, with a large detachment, invest- ed fort Schuyler,* under the command of general Gansevoort. On the approach of the royal forces, general Herkimer assembled the militia for the relief of the garrison, but fell into an ambuscade, and was defeated with great slaughter.


The force under St. Leger, consisting of English, Germans, Canadians and American loyalists, amounted to about 800 men. He was followed by a train of savages, with their


* Formerly fort Stanwix, at the head of the Mohawk river.


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wives and children, thirsting indeed for carnage and plunder, but feeble auxiliaries in besieging fortresses. Colonel Gan- sevoort, on being summoned by the English, answered that he should defend himself to the last. Apprized of this state of things, and knowing the importance of this fort to the United States, general Herkimer, a leading man in the coun- ty of Tryon, assembled the militia, and marched with all ex- pedition to the relief of Gansevoort. He sent an express from the camp of Erick, six miles from the fort, to inforin him, that he was about to advance and make every exertion to effect his junction with the garrison. Gansevoort directed lieutenant-colonel Willet to make a sally upon the British lines, in order to favor the attempt of Herkimer; but the English commander, perceiving how dangerous it was to receive the enemy in his intrenchments, and knowing full well how much better the Indians were adapted for the attack than for acting upon the defensive, detached colonel Johnson, with a part of the regular troops and the Indians, to intercept the Americans upon their approach. General Herkimer advanced with ex- treme negligence, without examination of his ground, without a reconnoitring party in front, and without rangers upon his flanks-a thing the more surprising, as he could not have been ignorant how liable he was to ambuscades from the nature of the country, and the singular adroitness of the savages in that mode of war. These barbarians soon found occasion to give bim a sanguinary proof of it. They concealed themselves with a detachment of regulars in the woods near the road by which the Americans approached. The moment the column had passed, they suddenly fell upon the rear-guard with in- conceivable fury. After the first fire, the Indians rushed on with their spears and hatchets, and killed with the same cru- elty those who resisted and those who surrendered. The disorder became extreme; the carnage was frightful; and even the horrible aspect of the principal actors contributed to heighten the terrors of the scene. The Americans, however, recovered from their first surprise, and, forming themselves into a solid column, attained an advantageous ground, which enabled them to maintain a spirited resistance: They would, nevertheless, have been overborne by the number and fury of


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the enemy, if the intelligence of the attack upon his camp by colonel Willet had not induced him to retire. Four hundred Americans were slain, and among them general Herkimer. Many of the most distinguished men of the province, and several of the most considerable magistrates, shared the same fate. The royalists looked upon this success as a sure pledge of the approaching reduction of the rebels. Their victory, however, was not bought without blood. Besides a certain number of regulars, about 60 Indians were killed and wound- ed, among whom were several of their principal chiefs, and of their most distinguished and favorite warriors. It appears also, that, in the heat and confusion of the conflict, several savages were killed by the English themselves. Thus these intractable and undisciplined barbarians, by nature ferocious, and inclined to suspicion, irritated at finding a resistance to which they had not been accustomed, became still more re- fractory, and still more ruthless. They wreaked the first transports of their rage upon the unhappy prisoners, whom they inhumanly butchered in cold blood. Submission to European officers became insupportable to them, and they refused to obey. It was now perceived, that their presence was more prejudicial, and even more dangerous, than useful to the British army.


Meanwhile colonel Willet had conducted his sally with great spirit and ability. He entered the enemy's camp at the first onset, killed a great number of his men, and drove the rest into the woods or into the river. But, his sole object being to make a diversion in favor of Herkimer, as soon as he had accomplished it, he returned into the fort, carrying with him, in triumph, the spoil and besieging utensils that he had taken from the enemy. The English were desirous of intercepting his retreat, and had prepared an ambuscade for the purpose, but his vigilance eluded the danger : he kept the assailants at a distance by a violent fire of musketry, and of artillery with grape-shot. He led back his whole corps with- out loss, and raised a trophy, composed of the conquered arms and baggage, under the American standard, which waved upon the walls of the fortress. He afterwards undertook, in com- pany with another officer, named Stockwell, a much more


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perilous expedition. They passed by night through the Eng- lish camp, and, in contempt of the danger and cruelty of the savages, made their way, for 50 miles, through pathless woods and unexplored morasses, in order to raise the country and bring relief to the fort: an action so magnanimous it is im- possible to commend too much.


Colonel St. Leger left no means untried to profit by his victory, by intimidating the garrison. He sent verbal and written messages, stating their hopeless situation, the utter - destruction of their friends, the impossibility of their obtaining . relief, as general Burgoyne, after destroying every thing in his way, was now at Albany, receiving the submission of all the adjoining countries. After prodigiously magnifying his own force, as well as that of Burgoyne, he promised the Americans that, in case of an immediate surrender, they should be treated according to the practice of civilized nations : at the same time he declared, that if, through an incorrigible obstinacy, they should continue a hopeless and fruitless defence, not only the soldiers would fall victims to the fury of the savages, but that, however against his will, every man, woman and child, in the Mohawk country, would be massacred and scalped without mercy.


Colonel Gansevoort replied, with great firmness, that he . had been intrusted with the charge of the garrison by the United States of America ; that he should defend the trust committed to his care at every hazard, and to the utmost ex- tremity ; and that he neither thought himself accountable for, nor should he at all concern himself about, any consequences that attended the discharge of his duty. He had very judi- ciously conjectured, that, if the force of the British commander had been sufficient, he would have made a more simple sum- mons, or would have attacked the fort immediately, without wasting his time in drawing up so extraordinary a bravado. 'The British commander, finding that neither ambushes nor threats could effect his purpose, turned all his thoughts upon a regular siege. But he was not long in perceiving that the fort was stronger, and much better defended, than it had been reported. He also found, by experience, that his artillery was not sufficient in weight to make much impression at a


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certain distance. The only" remedy was, to bring liis ap- proaches so near that they must take effect ; which he set about with the greatest diligence. But the savages, from the dissatisfaction they felt at their late losses, and from the dis- appointment of their hopes of plunder, became every day 'more sullen and ungovernable. The English commander was in continual apprehension that they would pillage his camp, and abandon the British standard. In this disagreeable situ- ation, he was informed that general Arnold was approaching, at the head of a strong detachment, to relieve the fort. It ap- pears that general Schuyler, upon intelligence that the fort which had taken his name was besieged, had despatched Arnold to its succor, with a brigade of regular troops com- Inanded by general Larned, which was afterwards reinforced by 1000 light-infantry, detached by general Gates. Arnold had advanced, with his usual celerity, up the Mohawk river ; but, before he had got half way, having learned that Gansevoort was hard pushed by the enemy, and knowing all the impor- tance of the expedition, he quitted the main body, and, with a light-armed detachment of only 900 men, set forward by forced marches towards the fortress. The Indians, who were incessantly upon the lookout, were soon informed of his ap- proach by their own scouts, or by the spies that were de- spatched by Arnold himself, who prodigiously exaggerated his strength. At the name of Arnold, and in their present temper, they were seized with terror and dismay. Other scouts ar- rived, immediately after, with a report, which probably grew out of the affair of Bennington, that Burgoyne's army was entirely cut to pieces. They would stay no longer, and assembled tumultuously, intending to abandon the camp. Colonel St. Leger endeavored to dissipate their terrors, and detain them, by promising to lead them himself, to bring all his Best troops into action, and by carrying their leaders out to mark a field of battle, and the flattery of consulting them upon the intended plan of operation. Finally, the British com- mander called a council of their chiefs, hoping that, by the influence which colonel Johnson, and the superintendents, Claus and Butler, had over them, they might still be induced to make a stand. He was disappointed. A part of the sava-


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ges decamped whilst the council was sitting, and the remain- der threatened peremptorily to abandon him if he did not immediately retire. The English were forced to comply with their demands. On the 22d of August, St. Leger raised the siege, and, making a precipitate retreat, returned to Montreal .*


SEC. XIV. While the British army were encamped at fort Edward, a detachment, under colonel Baum, made an attempt to surprise the American stores collected at Bennington, on the New Hampshire grants. General Stark col- lected the militia, and, on the 26th of August, an obstinate engagement took place, in which the British were totally defeated. Their com- mander was mortally wounded, and about 600 men were killed and taken prisoners.


"General Stark, while on his march, with a body of New Hampshire militia, to join general Schuyler, receiving intelli- gence of Baum's approach, altered his movement, and collected his force at Bennington. This gallant officer, being joined, on the 16th, by a company of militia from the grants, and another from the county of Berkshire, in Massachusetts, and having now a collective force of about 1600 men, deter- ' mined to attack colonel Baum in his intrenchments. Having sent colonel Nichols, with 250 men, to the rear of the enemy's left wing, and colonel Hendrick, with 300, to the rear of their right, and placed 300 to oppose their front and draw their attention, he sent colonels Hubbard and Stickney with 200 to attack the right wing, and 100 more to reinforce colonel Nichols. The attack began precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon. The several detachments seconded the onset, and colonel Stark advanced at the same time with the main body. The engagement lasted two hours; but the German troops . were, at length, obliged to abandon their breastworks, and retreat into the woods, leaving their commander mortally wounded on the field of battle. Lieutenant-colonel Breyman, whorn Burgoyne had detached, with 500 Germans, to the as-




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