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 19

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 19


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" ' The Frenchman boasted much of the care he took of nis patient, and perhaps was skilful enough as a surgeon, but otherwise was a mere simpleton. He was rejoiced when he found I could speak his language, and he began to address many empty and impertinent speeches to me : he said, among other things, he could not believe that I was a general's wife, as he was certain a woman of such rank would not follow her husband. He wished me to remain with him, as he said it was better to be with the conquerors than the conquered. I was shocked at his impudence, but dared not show the con- tempt I felt for him, because it would deprive me of a place of safety. Towards evening he begged me to take a part of his chamber. I told him I was determined to remain in the room with the wounded officers; whereupon he attempted to pay me some stupid compliments. At this moment the door opened, and my husband, with his aid-de-camp, entered. I then said, ' Here, sir, is my husband ;' and, at the same time, eyed him with scorn, whereupon he retired abashed ; neverthe- less he was so polite as to offer his chamber to us.


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"' Some days after this we arrived at Albany, where we so often wished ourselves ; but we did not enter it as we expected we should, victors! We were received by the good general Schuyler, his wife and daughters, not as enemies, but kind friends ; and they treated us with the most marked attention and politeness, as they did general Burgoyne, who had caused general Schuyler's beautifully finished house to be burnt. In fact, they behaved like persons of exalted minds, who deter- mined to bury all recollection of their own injuries in the contemplation of our misfortunes. General Burgoyne was struck with general Schuyler's generosity, and said to him, 'You show me great kindness, although I have done you much injury.' 'That was the fate of war,' replied the brave man ; 'let us say no more about it.' "*


" The fortunes of lady Harriet Ackland were not less in- teresting than those of the baroness de Reidesel, just recited. ' This lady,' says general Burgoyne in his ' State of the Expedi- tion from Canada,' ' had accompanied her husband to Canada, in the beginning of the year 1776. In the course of that campaign, she traversed a vast space of country, in different extremities of the season, and with difficulties of which a European traveller cannot easily conceive.'


In the opening of the campaign, in 1777, she was restrain- cd from offering herself to a share of the fatigue and hazard expected before Ticonderoga, by the positive injunctions of her husband. The day after the conquest of the place, he was badly wounded, and she crossed lake Champlain to join him.


As soon as he recovered, lady Harriet proceeded to follow his fortunes through the campaign; and, at fort Edward or at the next camp, she acquired a two-wheel tumbril, which had been constructed by the artificers of the artillery, some- thing similar to the carriage used for the mail, upon the great roads in England. Major Ackland commanded the British grenadiers, which were attached to general Fraser's corps, and, consequently, were always the most advanced part of the army. They were often so much on the alert, that no person slept out of his clothes. One of their temporary encamp-


. Wilkinson's Memoirs, from the Memoirs of the Baroness de Reidesel


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ments, a tent in which the major and lady Harriet were asleep, suddenly took fire. . An orderly-sergeant of grenadiers, with great hazard of suffocation, dragged out the first person he caught hold of. It proved to be the major. It happened that, in the same instant, she had, unknowing what she did, and perhaps not perfectly awaked, providentially made her escape, by creeping under the walls of the tent. The first object she saw, upon the recovery of her senses, was the major on 'the other side, and, in the same instant, again in the fire in search of her. The sergeant again saved him, but not without the major's being very severely burnt in his face, and different parts of his body. Every thing they had with them in the tent was consumed.


This accident happened a little time before the army crossed the Hudson, 13th September. It neither altered the resolu- tion nor cheerfulness of lady Harriet ; and she continued her progress, a partaker of the fatigues of the advanced corps. The next call upon her fortitude was of a different nature, and more distressing, as of longer suspense. On the morning of the 19th of September, the grenadiers being liable to action at every step, she had been directed by the major to follow the route of the artillery and baggage, which were not expos- ed. At the time the action began, she found herself near an uninhabited hut, where she alighted." When it was found the action was becoming general, the surgeon of the hospital took possession of the same place, as the most convenient for the first care of the wounded. Thus was this lady in the hearing of one continued fire of cannon and musketry for four hours together, with the presumption, from the post of her husband, at the head of the grenadiers, that he was in the most exposed part of the action. She had three female companions, the baroness de Reidesel, and the wives of two British officers, major Harnage, and lieutenant Reynell; but, in the event, their presence served but little for comfort, Ma- jor Harnage was soon brought to the surgeon very badly wounded, and a little time after came intelligence that lieutenant Reynell was shot dead. Imagination will want no help to figure the state of the whole group.


4


From the date of that action to the 7th of October, lady


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Harriet, with her usual serenity, stood prepared for new trials ; and it was her lot that their severity increased with their num- ber. She was again exposed to the hearing of the whole action, and, at last, received the word of her individual mis- fortune, mixed with the intelligence of the general calamity ; the troops were defeated, and major Ackland, desperately wounded, was a prisoner.


The day of the Sth was passed, by lady Harriet and her companions, in uncommon anxiety ; not a tent nor a shed being standing, except what belonged to the hospital, their refuge was among the wounded and the dying. , 1


" When the army was upon the point of moving, I received a message from lady Harriet, submitting to my decision a pro- posal, and expressing an earnest solicitude to execute it, if not interfering with my design, of passing to the camp of the enemy, and requesting general Gates' permission to attend her husband.


" Though I was ready to believe, for I had experienced, that patience and fortitude, in a supreme degree, were to be found, as well as every other virtue, under the most tender forms, I was astonished at the proposal. After so long an agitation, exhausted not only for want of rest, but absolutely want of food, drenched in rain for 12 hours together, that a woman should be capable of such an undertaking as deliver- ing herself to the enemy, probably in the night, and uncer- tain of what hands she might first fall into, appeared an effort above human nature. The assurance I was enabled to give was small indeed. I had not even a cup of wine to offer; but I was told she found, from some kind and fortunate hand, a little rum and dirty water. All I could furnish to her was an open boat, and a few lines, written upon dirty and wet paper, to general Gates, recommending her to his protection." This letter was as follows :-


SIR, -- Lady Harriet Ackland, a lady of the first distinction by family, rank and personal virtues, is under such concern on account of major Ackland, her husband, wounded and a prisoner in your hands, that I cannot refuse her request to commit her to your protection.


21 *


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Whatever general impropriety there may be, in persons act ing in your situation and mine, to solicit favors, I cannot sco the uncommon pre-eminence in every female grace and ex- altation of character in this lady, and her very hard fortune, without testifying that your attentions to her will lay me under obligations.


I am, sir, Your obedient servant,


Oct. 9, 1777. M. G. GATES. J. BURGOYNE.


With this letter did this woman, who was of the most tender and delicate frame, habituated to all the soft elegancies and refined enjoyments, that attend high birth and fortune, and far advanced in a state in which the tenderest cares, always due to the sex, become indispensably necessary, in an open boat, leave the camp of Burgoyne, with a flag of truce, for that of the enemy. The night was advanced before the boat reached the shore. Lady Harriet was immediately conveyed into the apartment of major Henry Dearborn, since major- general, who commanded the guard at that place ; and every attention was paid her which her rank and situation demanded, and which circumstances permitted. Early in the morning, she was permitted to proceed in the boat to the camp, where general Gates, whose gallantry will not be denied, stood ready to receive her, with due respect and courtesy. Having ascer- tained that major Ackland had set out for Albany, lady Har- riet proceeded, by permission, to join him. Some time after, major Ackland effected his exchange, and returned to England. The catastrophe of this tale is affecting. Ackland, after his return to England, procured a regiment, and at a dinner of military men, where the courage of the Americans was made a question, took the negative side with his usual decision. He was opposed, warmth ensued, and he gave the lie direct to a lieutenant Lloyd, fought him, and was shot through the head. Lady Harriet lost her senses, and continued deranged two years ; after which she married Mr. Brudenell, who ac- companied her from general Burgoyne's camp, when she sought her wounded husband on Hudson river.


SEC. XVIII. During the operations at Sara


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toga, sir Henry Clinton, with 3000 men, convoy- ed by several ships of war, proceeded up the Hudson, with the view of effecting a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. On the 6th of October, he made an attack upon forts Montgomery and Clinton. The attack was obstinately resisted during the day ; but, on the following evening, the works were carried at the point of the bay- onet. Most of the garrison escaped.


Forts Independence and Constitution were, the next day, evacuated, and general Putnam, who had the command on the Hudson, retreated to Fishkill. General Tryon, the day following, burned Continental Village, where considerable stores were deposited. General Vaughan, with a strong detachment, proceeding up the river, devastated the settlements along its banks, burn- ed the village of Kingston, and then embarked for New York.


Misfortune still continued to attend the operations of the southern department of the army. The Americans were de- feated at Brandywine, on the 11th of September, and Phila- delphia fell into the hands of the British. On the 4th of October, Washington attacked a body of the British troops at Germantown, but was repulsed with a loss of double that of the enemy.


SEC. XIX. On the 9th of September, the first legislature under the new constitution as- sembled at Kingston, and proceeded to organize the government. After making some arrange- ments for the defence of the country, and appointing delegates to the general congress, they adjourned on the 7th of October, having


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received intelligence of the approach of the enemy.


The members present, at the opening of the first session of the senate, at Kingston, were Pierre Van Cortlandt, John Morris Scott, Philip Livingston, Abraham Yates, jr., William Floyd, William Smith, Alexander Webster, Dirick W. Ten Broeck, Levi Pawling, Jesse Woodhull, Zephaniah Platt, Jonathan Loudon and Arthur Parks. Pierre Van Cortlandt, esq. was elected president. The delegates appointed to the general congress were Philip Livingston, James Duane, Francis Lewis, William Duer and Gouveneur Morris.


The time appointed for this session to commence was the first of September ; but, on account of the disturbances oc- casioned by the military operations in the country, a number sufficient to transact business did not assemble until the ninth. During their deliberations, members were frequently called off to assist the military in defending the country, or attend to removing their families from the scene of action.


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CHAP. XIII.


REVOLUTIONARY WAR CONTINUED TO ITS TERMINATION.


Legislative Proceedings. Revival of Controversy relative to the Grants. Treaty of Alliance with France. British Army concentrated at New


York. French Fleet arrives. Campaign of


1779. Operations at Stoney Point and Ver-


planck's. Expedition against the Indians. Campaign of 1780. Depredations of the royal Army. . Arnold's Treachery. Campaign of 1781. Capture of Cornwallis. ' Independence acknowledged. British evacuate New York, and the Americans take Possession. Army disbanded.


SEC. I. 1778. The legislature was assem- bled at Poughkeepsie, by proclamation of the governor, on the 15th of January, and the "ar- ticles of confederation and perpetual union between the United States of America," which had been drawn up by congress the preceding year, presented for their consideration. An act was passed, by which these articles were unani- mously approved, and the delegates from the state of New York authorized to ratify the same. They then proceeded to make provision for the better organization of the militia for the defence of the country, and to enact such laws as the general or local interests of the community were supposed to require.


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The termination of hostilities in the northern part of the state was attended by a revival of the controversy relative to the New Hampshire grants. Delegates from the inhabitants of the grants, having assembled at Westminster in Jan- uary, 1777, passed a resolution absolving all allegiance to the government of New York, and declaring that district an independent state, to be distinguished by the name of Vermont.


They then enclosed a copy of the declaration to congress, with a petition that it might be received, that the district therein described might be ranked among the free and inde- pendent American states, and their delegates be admitted to a seat in congress.


Application was also made, by the New York committee of safety, to congress, stating that, by the influence of cer- tain designing men, a part of the state had been prevailed on to revolt, and disavow the authority of its legislature, and requesting that body to discountenance these disorderly pro- cecdings. In another communication to congress, March Ist, they represent, "that they depend upon the justice of that honorable house, to adopt every wise and salutary expedient, to suppress the mischiefs that must ensue to that state, and to the general confederacy, from the unjust and pernicious pro- jects of such of the inhabitants of New York, as, merely from selfish and interested motives, have fomented this dangerous insurrection.


Congress proceeded to act on these communications in June, and, after several adjournments, passed resolutions. disapproving of the proceedings of the inhabitants of the grants ; and their petition to be received as an independent state, and their delegates admitted to a seat in congress, was dismissed. The inhabitants of the grants, however, still per- sisted in their opposition to the government of New York, and proceeded to draw up a constitution for the new state, and to establish a regular form of government.


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SEC. II. The success which had attended the Americans in the campaign of the preceding year placed them on higher ground, and opened new resources to their view. The capture of Burgoyne laid the foundation for the acknowl- edgment of their independence abroad, and for acquiring the assistance of foreign nations.


On the 6th of February, a treaty of commerce and alliance was concluded between the com- missioners of the United States and Louis XVI. of France. The arrival of a French fleet, early in July, with supplies of men and military stores, to cooperate against the enemy, gave powerful aid to the American cause.


The commissioners in behalf of the United States had been, for more than a year, residing at Paris, to accomplish this important object. During this period, their prospects of success had constantly varied, according to the aspect of American affairs. The result of the American struggle was yet too doubtful for that country to embroil herself in war with Great Britain. The capture of the British army at Sara- toga gave indications of the ultimate triumph of the American arms, and decided the wavering policy of the French court.


In the treaty of alliance it was declared, "that if war should break out between France and England during the existence of that with the United States, it should be made a common cause, and that neither of the contracting parties should conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain, without the formal consent of the other first obtained; and they mutually engaged not to lay down their arms until the independence of the United States shall have been formally, or tacitly, assured by the treaty or treaties, that should termi- nate the war."


SEC. III. On receiving intelligence of the alliance of America with France, the British


--


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' evacuated Philadelphia, and concentrated the royal army at New York. The Americans en- camped at White Plains, where they remained till late in autumn. The operations of the war in this quarter, the present year, were not at- tended with any important achievements.


Upon the termination of the campaign of 1777, the British ·army had retired to winter quarters at Philadelphia, and the Americans at Valley Forge. On the 18th of June, the royal army crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, and continued their retreat towards New York. They were attacked by general Washington, at Monmouth, on the 28th, and a severe engagement ensued, in which the Americans obtained the ' advantage. Night only separated the two armies, and general Washington resolved, the next day, to renew the attack. About midnight, the British general drew off his troops with such perfect silence, that their escape was not discovered until morning, when the Americans declined the pursuit. The British made good their retreat to New York, and the Amer- icans withdrew towards the Hudson.


The French ficet, consisting of 12 ships of the line, and 6 frigates, commanded by count D'Estaing, arrived off Newport, the Ist of July, to act in concert with the Americans in an attempt on Rhode Island. Lord Howe, at the same time, ar- rived with his fleet from New York; and, instead of cooperat- ing with the Americans, D'Estaing went out to give him battle. A storm separated the fleets, and D'Estaing sailed for Boston to repair his vessels. Some skirmishing took place between the Americans and the British, but nothing decisive was effected. The siege of Newport was soon after raised, and the Ameri- cans retired.


On the 28th of August, the British army made an excursion up the Hudson, moving in strong force on each side of the river. Receiving intelligence, that colonel Baylor, with a regiment of American cavalry, had taken quarters at Tappan, . they devised a plan for cutting them off. A party, detached for this purpose under the command of general Gray, com-


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· 253


pletely surprised the whole regiment, as they lay asleep. Out of 104 privates, 67 were killed, wounded and taken prisoners.


The attempts of the British had, thus far, been directed chiefly against the Northern States. They now formed the plan of invading the Southern States, and that quarter became the principal theatre of their offensive operations. In November, sir Henry Clinton sent a squadron, with about 2000 men, to Georgia. After an engagement, in which the British were victorious, Savannah, the capital, and with it the state of Georgia itself, fell into the hands of the enemy.


SEC. IV. 1779. In the campaign of the present year, nothing decisive was effected. The British attempted no enterprise of any im- portance, and appear to have aimed at little more than to plunder and devastate the unpro- tected sections of the country. In these preda- tory incursions, many acts of cruelty were committed upon the inhabitants, and an immense amount of public and private property destroyed. While the enemy were committing these depre- dations, the main body of the American army was concentrated near West Point, for the pro- tection of that important fortress.


In May, a naval and land force, commanded by sir George Collier and general Matthews, made a descent upon Virginia, and made extensive depredations in the vicinity of Norfolk. A similar force was sent, under governor Tryon, to ravage the sca-board of Connecticut. New Haven was plundered ; East Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk and Green Farms were wantonly destroyed. At New Haven, an aged citizen, who labored under a natural inability to speak, had his tongue cut out by one of the royal army. Women were insulted, abused and threatened, while their apparel was taken from them. Even an infant was robbed of its clothing, while a bayonet was pointed at the breast of its mother.


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SEC. V. In the spring of the present year, the Americans had commenced the construction of strong works at Verplanck's Neck and Stoney Point, situated on nearly opposite points of land, the first on the east, the other on the west side of the Hudson. These positions being of great importance to the Americans, in keeping open an easy communication between the Northern and Southern States, general Clinton resolved upon their seizure, which he successfully exe- cuted on the 30th of May.


Commodore Collier conducted the squadron that ascended the river, general Vaughan the column of the right, which landed on the eastern bank, a little below Verplanck's, and Clinton, in person, the column of the left, which he disem- barked on the western bank below Stoney Point. The Americans, finding the enemy so near, and not being prepared to receive him, evacuated Stoney Point, where they were soon replaced by the royal troops.


At Verplanck's the Americans resolved to resist, and had erected on this point a small, but strong and complete work, fort la Fayette, which was defended by artillery and a small garrison. It was, however, unfortunately commanded by the heights of Stoney Point, upon which the English, by their exertions during the night, had planted a battery of heavy cannon, and another of mortars. Early on the following morning, they opened a tempest of fire upon fort la Fayette. The attack was supported in front by commodore Collier, who advanced with his galleys and gun-boats within reach of the fort ; and general Vaughan, having made a circuit through the hills, at length arrived, and closely invested it on the land side. The garrison, seeing all possibility of relief now cut off, and their fire totally overwhelmed and lost in the magni- tude of that which they received, surrendered at discretion on the following morning. General Clinton gave directions for completing the works at Stoney Point, and, to cover these


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operations, encamped his army at Philipsburgh, about half way between Verplanck's and New York .*


SEc. VI. When it was ascertained, that the British had put the posts at Verplanck's and Sto- ney Point in the highest state of defence, gen- cral Washington formed the design of recovering them from the possession of the enemy. Stoncy Point, now plentifully supplied with all the mu- nitions of war, and garrisoned by about 600 men, was carried by direct assault on the 16th of July. The reduction of this fortress was one of the most bold and daring enterprises which occurred during the war.


General Washington resolved to attempt the surprise of Stoney Point by attacking the works on the right and left flanks at the same instant, and intrusted the execution of this plan to general Wayne. The troops destined for this enter- prise were assembled on the 15th at Sandy Beach, 14 miles from Stoney Point. They moved off at noon, and, having accomplished their march over high mountains, through deep morasses, difficult defiles, and roads extremely bad and narrow, arrived, about eight o'clock in the evening, within a mile of the enemy.


General Wayne then halted to reconnoitre the works, and observe the state of the garrison. The English, however, did not perceive him. He formed his corps in two columns, and put himself at the head of the right. It was preceded by a vanguard of 150 picked men, commanded by a brave and adventurous Frenchman, lieutenant-colonel Fleury. This vanguard was guided by a forlorn hope of about 20, led by lieutenant Gibbon. The column on the left, conducted by major Stewart, had a similar vanguard, also preceded by a forlorn hope under lieutenant Knox. These forlorn hopes, among other offices, were particularly intended to remove the abattis and other obstructions, which lay in the way of the




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