USA > New York > Warren County > Queensbury > A history of the town of Queensbury, in the state of New York : with biographical sketches of many of its distinguished men, and some account of the aborigines of northern New York > Part 45
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3 He was captured by a militia man named Hezekiah Dunham.
1
432
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
to this day as the tory house, situated among the Helder- bergs. There were also several members of the Fairchild family living a few miles further down the river, in the vicinity of the hill known as Hog's back. According to the tradition, in the month of April or May, 1777, Indian runners were de- spatched to these families, notifying them of Burgoyne's in- tended approach, and probably with some suggestions in re- gard to their cooperation with certain bands of tories gathering in the lower part of the Saratoga district.
However this may be, notice of their intentions was received, and a party of whigs were despatched in pursuit, the latter coming from the direction of Ballston.
So hot was the chase, that it is said one of the Jessups only secured his escape by jumping across the river at the Little falls.1
From thence he escaped across the town of Queensbury 2 to Skenesborough, at the head of Lake Champlain, and eventually found his way to Burgoyne's camp at Willsborough falls. After Gates had assumed command of the army, he sent Lieut. Ellis with a party of men to arrest the Jessups and other tories in that vicinity, but finding them gone he, in pursuance of orders, destroyed the settlement, laid waste their grain fields and left nothing standing of their improvements but the mills. It is be- lieved that these were afterwards destroyed. The houses had already been pillaged, and everything of value carried away. Thus was crushed out one of the earliest settlements in Warren county.
1 If it was either of the Jessups, it must have been Edward, as by the petition of Ezekiel Roberts, occurring in this chapter, it appears that Ebenezer Jessup was at this time in Canada, and he was soon after entrusted with a command in Bur- goyne's army. Another version of the affair makes it one of the Fairchilds who jumped the stream, a feat rendered quite possible by swinging down the cliff from the branches of some favoring tree.
According to the same author so liberally quoted, there was near this place, by the wester 1. shore of Lake Luzerne and on the site of the residence of the late Hon. N. B. La Bau, an ancient camping ground and fire-place of the Iroquois .- See Butler's Hand Book of the Adirondack Railway, p. 20.
2 According to one of the manuscript maps in the State library, there was at this time a road extending direct from the upper picket post (Brown's Half-way house) to Fort Ann and Skenesborough.
433
GENERAL BURGOYNE'S CAMPAIGN.
CHAPTER XII.
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN OF 1777, DETERMINED BY THE BRITISH MINISTRY - ORGANIZATION OF THE BRITISH ARMY AND ADVANCE SOUTHWARD -JOINED BY SAVAGES AT THE RIVER BOQUET - INDIAN COUNCIL AND FEAST AT THAT POINT - BURGOYNE ASSUMES COMMAND, AND ISSUES PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE OF THE COLONIES - AMERICANS EVACUATE FORT TICONDEROGA - RE- TREAT UP THE LAKE -ENGAGEMENT AT HUBBARDTON -THE BRITISH OCCUPY SKENESBOROUGH - ACTION AT FORT ANN - RE- TREAT OF ITS GARRISON TO FORT ANN - AMERICANS POSTED AT FIVE MILE RUN - GARRISON AT SOUTH GLEN'S FALLS -THE STORY OF MOSES HARRIS, GENERAL SCHUYLER'S CELEBRATED SPY -EVENTS FOLLOWING BURGOYNE'S ADVANCE.
ST was resolved by the British ministry to prosecute the campaign of 1777 with increased vigor and energy. To this end, an expedition was planned whose purpose was to penetrate the province of New York from the north, and which, by the bold- ness and celerity of its movements, cooperating with another expeditionary force from the south, should bisect the rebellious territory, which thus divided and crippled would be placed helpless and suppliant at the conqueror's feet. With this ob- ject in view, General Burgoyne, who had visited England the preceding winter, and who had assisted in planning the details of the movement, was entrusted with the supreme command.
He was supported by a corps of carefully selected, able and experienced officers, furnished with an ample supply of war material, and a well appointed army of which the regular troops alone amounted to seven thousand one hundred and seventy- three men,1 exclusive of the artillery corps, and a body of Canadian militia, which swelled the number to upwards of ten thousand. The regulars were veteran and thoroughly dis- ciplined troops fresh from the battle fields of Europe, and fondly believed invincible.
To perfect and coordinate the operations of the campaign, "the inhabitants of Canada were commanded to furnish men
¿ Stedman's American War, vol. I, p. 320.
55
434
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
sufficient to occupy the woods on the frontiers, to prevent deser- tion, to procure intelligence, and to intercept all communication between the enemy, and the malcontents in the province." 1
Detachments of Indians were sent forward to the river Bo- quet on the one side of Lake Champlain, and to Otter creek on the other, to clear the way from scouting parties of the enemy, while Commodore Lutwych advanced with a powerful naval force up the lake, prepared to sweep away any obstructions that might present to retard or obstruct the rapid advance of this large and well appointed army.
Burgoyne arrived at Quebec in the month of May. On the 31st, orders were issued to the several commandants of the de- partments, embodying instructions for the order of march. On the second of June the movement southward began, such of the troops as were not provided with transportation by water, moving along parallel with the water of the river and lake as far as Cumberland head, where other shipping had been pro- vided. At Bouquet river 2 he was joined by a party of four hundred Indians of the fierce and merciless tribes of the Cana- dian wilderness, under some of the same chiefs and leaders who rendered themselves infamous by their barbarities and cruelties at the Fort William Henry massacre in 1757. Here Burgoyne gave a war feast on the 21st of June, on which occasion he made a conciliatory speech, and " humanely endeavored to soften their ferocity, and restrain their thirst for blood."3 On the 26th the army reached Crown Point, where Burgoyne in person assumed the entire command, which had hitherto remained divided among the respective generals of the department.4
Burgoyne's famous proclamation, which so justly aroused the indignation, contempt, and derision of the American people, was issued from the camp near Ticonderoga, and was dated July 2d, 1777.5 On the same day General Phillips advanced, and took possession of an elevation some two miles northwest
1 Stedman's American War, pp. 320-1.
2 " This river derives its name from a Colonel Bouquet who commanded an ex- pedition against the Indians whilst Canada was under the French government."- Anbury's travels, vol. I, p. 280.
3 Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, p. 135.
4 Memoirs of General Riedesel (Stone's translation), vol. I, pp. 99-109.
5 See Nile's American Revolution, pp. 262, 3, 4, for copy of the proclamation, and an amusing and satirical travesty, in which the bombast and pretension of the former are very happily set off. The latter was dated at Saratoga July 10, 1777.
435
GENERAL BURGOYNE'S CAMPAIGN.
of the fortifications at Ticonderoga, where he threw up breast. works, and entrenchments, which he named Mount Hope in the anticipation of an approaching victory. This movement caused Gen. St. Clair to abandon and destroy the defenses in the direc- tion of Lake George.1
PROPOSED WORK.
OUTLET OF LAKE GEORGE.
REN
INE
ES REPAIRED.
4TH BRIGADE
, TO BEREPAIREJ .
IN WINTERDI
BATTERY
F
DOCK.
3º BRIGADE
AWARTILERY
! IST BRIGADE.
ICHED,
LANDING.
CHAMPLAIN.
SKENESBOROUGH LANDING FROM
MOUNT INDEPENDENCE
VTV MORASS .!
RISING GROUND.
LOW LAND.
DEEP MORASS AND CREEK ..
SKETCH OF TICONDEROGA.
The engineer corps, assisted by a detail of men, proceeded to take possession of Sugar hill, a commanding eminence on the south side of the outlet of Lake George and immediately over-
1 The miserable condition of our own army, and its unfitness for encounter with the well armed, well clad, well provisioned, and highly disciplined troops of Eng- land can be judged by the following extract :
" General Schuyler visited Ticonderoga and Mount Independence on the 20th of June, 1777. He found the troops there miserably clad, and armed, and nothing in store for them. Many were 'actually barefooted,' he said, 'and most of them ragged." He besought congress to procure clothing, arms, and blankets. He held a council of officers, who observed, with much concern, the great lack of pre- parations for attack, caused by the utter inadequacy of the garrison for many months to do the work, and the want of effort on the part of Gates while in com- mand; and when Schuyler spoke of the danger of the enemy taking a position on Mount Defiance, rising seven hundred feet above Ticonderoga, on the opposite
2º%,BRIGADE
PROPOSED AS A DOCK.
PART
OUT OF REPAIR.
AND REDOUBTS
OLD FORT
INTENDED REDOURTS
LAKE
SPARK.
ÈRED
LOW LAND
HIGH LAND
LOWLAND.
436
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
looking the fort. The name of this elevation was at this time changed to Mount Defiance. A road was made to its summit, and a battery erected there so that on the morning of the fifth, the fort became no longer tenable. The year before, a military work known as a star fort, had been erected on a hill on the Vermont side of the lake opposite to Ticonderoga, which in honor of the declaration of our liberties was named Mount In- dependence. Here the general hospital had been established by Dr. Potts, while the small pox cases were despatched to the head of Lake George. This post was connected with that of Ticonderoga by a floating bridge of massive structure sup- ported by piers and protected on the north by a heavily ironed boom which it was thought sufficient to prevent the passage of shipping from the north.
Immediately upon the discovery that the British were in possession of Mount Defiance, Gen. St. Clair called a council of war, by whom an evacuation of the fort and retreat was de- termined upon. This was not made known to the troops until the following midnight, when orders were issued to embark the women, the sick and wounded on board two hundred long boats gathered for the purpose.
" The boats were then loaded deep with cannon, tents, and provisions, and at three o'clock in the morning, started for Skenesborough, accompanied by five armed galleys and a guard of six hundred men, under command of Col. Long, of the New Hampshire troops." 1
As soon as this detachment was fairly under way, St. Clair with the main body of the army crossed the bridge, and retired
side of the inlet to Lake George, it was the unanimous opinion of the officers that such occupation was almost impossible, owing to the rugged character of the ap- proaches to it, and secondly, that all the troops in the department were insuffi- cient to construct fortifications there, and to defend them and the other posts. So it was resolved to defend Ticonderoga and Mount Independence as long as possible. To this end Schuyler gave St. Clair definite instructions, at the same time leaving him to exercise large discretionary powers, to meet any emergency, while Schuyler was below making provision to meet the anticipated invasion of the Mohawk country. He appealed to Washington for reinforcements, informing him that if the Americans should be compelled to evacuate Ticonderoga, and Burgoyne should make his way to the south part of Lake Champlain, he had not a man to oppose him, the whole number at the different posts at and on this side of the lake, in- cluding the garrison of Fort George and Skenesborough, not exceeding seven hundred men."-Lossing's Schuyler, vol. II, p. 193.
1 Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, p. 141.
437
EVACUATION OF TICONDEROGA.
in the direction of Castleton. During this retreat, a continued cannonade was kept up in the direction of Mount Hope to dis- tract the attention of the enemy and distract suspicion. At the same time the intrenchments at Mount Independence were evacuated.
The conflagration of General de Fermoy's quarters who had command here, and who set fire to them, in contravention of express orders, gave the enemy the first intimation of the retreat. Commodore Lutwych immediately set sail, and forcing his way through the boom, bridge, and other obstructions, gave chase to the retreating craft, a portion of which were overtaken and captured, some of the boats beached and burned with their contents to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy .! The remainder made their way to the head of the lake at Skenesborough, where, within the protection of the recently erected batteries, the fugitives had a brief rest. In a few hours, however, the approach of the enemy, whose vessels had passed up South bay and landed their forces, made it necessary to resume their retreat, and some in boats up Wood creek, and some by land escaped to Fort Anne, and thence to Fort Edward.
The retreating army was followed from Mount Independence by the columns of Fraser and Riedesel. The rear guard under Colonels Warner and Francis was overtaken by Fraser at Hubbardton on the morning of the 6th when a sharp and san- guinary engagement took place,2 in which, Col. Francis was killed at the head of his regiment, and the Green mountain
1 " The loss to the Americans, by the evacuation of Ticonderoga, was very great; no less than one hundred and twenty-eight pieces of cannon, together with all the boats, provisions, stores, and magazines were either destroyed or fell into the hands of the British. Among the trophies of the day was the continental standard, which the Americans had neglected to take with them on their retreat.
The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence was condemned through the country. The people were not prepared for so disastrous an event, for it was generally believed that the works on Lake Champlain were in a condition to re- sist any attack of the enemy. Both Schuyler and St. Clair were severely and unjustly censured ; the former for not sending reinforcements when he had none to send, and the latter for omitting to fortify Mount Hope and Mount Defiance, when his whole force was insufficient to man the defences of the forts them- selves."- Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, p. 144.
2 Colonels Jessup and Peters had command of battalions in this action. David Jones was one of a company of tory scouts assigned to Fraser's division at this time. The veritable Baron Munchausen was also present, attached to Riedesel's corps, as a subaltern .- Correspondence of the late Judge Hay.
-
438
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
boys under Warner were badly cut up. On the 8th the battle of Fort Anne ensued, in which Col. Long of the new Hampshire contingent, after a prolonged and desperate resistance, con- tinued until his ammunition was entirely exhausted was obliged to evacuate the post and retreat to Fort Edward. It is to be remembered that Col. Long's force consisted of cripples, con- valescents enfeebled by disease, and raw militia; while the attacking force commanded by Colonel Hill, consisted of the 9th British regiment, and another detachment of regulars, already flushed with victory, and confident in their success.1
The remains of Cols. Francis and Warner's regiments, effected a junction on the route of retreat with the main army under St. Clair, and all arrived at Fort Edward on the 12th, where General Schuyler was posted 2 with a small force, and awaiting with anxiety intelligence from the scene of hostilities. These rapid successes of Burgoyne had almost paralyzed the country. Fort Ticonderoga was popularly considered impreg- nable. A favorite theory of General Washington which had obtained in some way general acceptance, was, that no attack would be made by the way of Lake Champlain. The succes- sive evacuation and loss of these frontier posts, was speedily followed by general distrust and unwarranted charges of treachery and collusion with the enemy against Schuyler, and St. Clair, two of the purest and most patriotic men in the service.
During the progress of events herein narrated, General Schuyler had not been inactive. He had gathered up and swept before him for the use of his little army, or to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, all the resources of
1 Silliman's Tour, p. 165. "8th July. The enemy after an attack of three hours, were totally repulsed, and fled towards Fort Edward, setting fire to Fort Anne, but leaving a saw mill, and a block house in good repair, which were afterwards possessed by the king's troops .- Burgoyne's State of the Expedition, Appendix, XIX.
2 In a letter dated at Fort Edward the 9th of July, 1777, Gen. Schuyler says, " I have not been able to learn what is become of General St. Clair, and the army, The enemy followed the troops that come to Skenesborough as far as Fort Anne, where they were yesterday repulsed ; notwithstanding which, Colonel Long, con- trary to my express orders, evacuated that post. I am here at the head of a hand- ful of men, not above fifteen hundred, without provision, with little ammunition, not above five rounds to a man, having neither balls, nor lead to make any ; the country in the deepest consternation ; no carriages to remove the stores from Fort George, which I expect to learn every moment is attacked."- Washington Corre- spondence, vol. IV, p. 192, note.
-
439
THE COUNTRY STRIPPED OF RESOURCES.
the surrounding country. A despatch to General Ten Broeck on the 10th, announced that he had already saved about forty pieces of cannon, and fifteen tons of gunpowder by removing
1 The following affidavits and vouchers exhibit in part the losses of the inhabit- ants of Queensbury at this time :
No. 1.
Affidavit of Abraham Wing relating to losses incurred during the retreat of the American army at the time of Burgoyne's advance, towards Saratoga.
In the month of July, 1777, the under-mentioned cattle were taken from me by General Orders and Converted to the use of the Continental Army, for which I have never received any compensation, vizt :
1 Red Sorrel Horse aged 7 years and worth £25,, 00 , 0
1 Large Mare aged 2 years worth 20,00 , 0
1 Mare and her Colt worth. 18,, 00 , 0
1 Cow five years old worth. 8,, 00 , 0
2 large fatt Calves worth when taken 3,00 , 0
11 Best Sheep worth two Dollars each 8,,16, 0
£83,16 ,0
And in the month of July, 1777, my mills were dismantled of 25 Saws, 2 Rag- Wheels, Gudgeons, Hoops, Bands, Hoggles, Roundsills, Hands, Dogs, Barrs & all other utensills necessary for two Mills in Compleat Repair, for none of which articles I have ever received any compensation whatever.
These Mill Irons were carried off in two waggons on the retreat of the Con- tinental army from Fort George and were worth at least one Hundred and Twenty Pounds
ABRAHAM WING.
Washington }
County 6th March, 1786
This Day personally appeared the above named Abm Wing and made affirmation to the truth of the above before me.
ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus. Pe.
No. 2.
Affirmation of Abraham and Benjamin Wing, concerning grain and hay converted to the use of the Continental Army.
We do hereby most solemnly affirm that in the month of July, 1777, the under- named grain was taken from us for the use of the Continental Army on their retreat from Fort George for which we have Never received any Compensation in any Manner & grane, and the Quantity was apprised by Morgan Lewis and the price affixed by Phinehas Babcock, Andrew Lewis and James Higson, viz.
16 Bushels Oats
18 Bushels rye
30 Bushels of Oats 66 Bushels of Corn 36 Bushels of Wheat 3 tons of hay
Valued at forty three pounds five shillings ABRAHAM WING BENJAMIN WING
Washington ) 6th March 1786
County 5 This day personally appeared the above Signers and Solemly affirmed in the presense of Almighty God that they had not received any com- pensation for the above articles.
ADIEL SHERWOOD, Juss Peice
440
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
them from Fort George. In a letter written about the middle of the month, he states, " if the enemy will permit me to pass unmolested, three days longer to Fort George, I shall be able
Certificate of the Quartermaster General to the receipt of Grain and Hay for the use of the Continental Army.
60 Bushels Potatoes 80 Skipples Wheat
Abm Wing
5 Tons Hay
16 Busls Oats
18 Do Rye
30 Do Oats
66 Do Corn
Benjn Wing
36 Do Wheat
3 Tons Hay
The above is agreeable to appraisement made by order Maj'r Gen'l Schuyler.
9 May 1778
M. LEWIS, D. Q. M. G.
No. 4. Affidavit relating to the same.
We do hereby solemnly swear that to the best of our knowledge the different articles as certified by Morgan Lewis which were taken from Abraham and Benjamin Wing by the Continental Army were worth vizt. :
from Abraham Wing amount
60 Bushels potatoes worth 2s. 6d. + Bushell. £7,10,0
80 Skipples Wheat 4s. 6d. # Skipple. 18 ,, 00 , 0
5 Tons Hay 60s. + Ton. 15,00 , 0
£40,10 , 0
From Benjn Wing.
16 Bushell Oats worth 2s. 6d. # Bushell. £2,,00 , 0
18 Bushell Rye 5s. # Bushell. 4 ,,10 , 0
30 Bushell Oats 2s. 6d. # Bushell. 3,,15 , 0
66 Bushell Corn 4s. # Bushell. 13, 4,0
36 Bushell Wheat 6s. # Bushell. 10 , 16 , 0
3 Tons Hay @ 60s. # Ton 9,00 „ 0
Amount of the whole £43, 5, 0
PHINEHAS BABCOCK
JAMES HIGSON
ANDREW LEWIS
Washington County, 6th March 1786
This day personally appeared before me the above signers and made Solemn Oath in the presence of Almighty God the above estimation was to the best of their knowledge.
ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus.
No. 5.
The following memorandum of account fixes the date of the foregoing. The Public
1777 To Abraham Wing Dr
July 16th To 60 Bushels @, 6s ... £18 ,, 00 ,0
80 Skipples Wheat @ 15s. 45 , 00 , 0
5 Tons Hay @ £6, 30 , 00 , 0
441
THE COUNTRY STRIPPED OF RESOURCES.
to bring away all the stores from thence and then draw off the few troops we havethere. Burgoyne corroborates this in aletter 1
No. 6. Affidavit of Andrew Lewis,- relating to loss of Horses.
I do hereby most solemnly Swear that on the retreat of the Continental Army from Fort George, there was a black mare taken from me by order of Major General Schuyler, by a party Commanded by Col Morgan Lewis, which mare was worth at least Twelve pound in Gold or Silver & under nine years of age.
ANDREW LEWIS.
Washington { 6th March, 1786.
County
This day personally appeared before me Andrew Lewis the signer of the above and made solemn oath to the truth of the above. ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus.
No. 7.
Benjamin Wing's affirmation respecting the loss of Cattle, &c.
I do hereby most solemnly affirm that in the Month of July 1777, the under- named Cattle were taken from me by order of Major General Schuyler for the Use of the Continental army on their retreat from Fort George, vizt
1 Large Young Horse worth £26-0-0
1 Large Ox worth.
10-0-0
1 Bull worth . 5-0-0
3 Milch Cows worth 7€ Each 21-0-0
2 Large fatt Heifers worth 12-0-0
3 Calves worth 3-0-0
£77-0-0
which Cattle I do solemnly affirm were worth at Least Seventy-seven pounds in Gold or Silver, when taken from me, & for which I never have received any Com- pensation myself nor no other person on my account. BENJ WING. Washington - 6th March 1786.
County
This Day personally appeared before me the above signer Benj Wing and affirmed in the presence of Almighty God that the above act is True for which he had received no Compensation. ADIEL SHERWOOD Jus
No. 8.
Plinehas Babcock's affidavit concerning Josses.
I do hereby most Solemnly Swear that on the retreat of the Continental Troops from Fort George
Captain Lyman & a party of Soldiers £6-0-0
took from me one Milch Cow value
Capt. Whitcumb & a party of Soldiers took from me 10 Sheep value 10s Lieut Howard & a party of Soldiers took from me 1 yoke of oxen valued
5-0-0 €
at £20
30-0-0
1 Mare 3 years old value
10
£41-0-0
Amounting in all to forty-one pounds, for which no compensation whatever has been made to me or any other person on my behalf & I do further most solemnly
56
442
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
to Lord George Germaine, in the following words. " The enemy are laboring to remove the magazines from Forts George and
swear that the above Cattle were worth the above valuation of forty-one pounds, in Gold or Silver, when taken from me for the use of the Continental Army - PHINEHAS BABCOCK.
Washington 6th March 1786.
County
This Day personally appeared before me the above Signer Phinehas Babcock Made Solemn Oath in the presence of Almighty God that the above Estimation was true and that he had not received any pay or Compensation for any of them. ADIEL SHERWOOD Jus :
No. 9.
In addition to the cattle heretofore enumerated were a number of milch kine which were returned to the owners pursuant to the following order of Maj. Gen. Schuyler.
Sir : A number of Milch Cows have been brought down from beyond our lines some of which belong to Mr. Abraham Wyng and his family and as he is so situated that he cannot move I have permitted him to remain and consented that he should take back eight of his cows. You will therefore please to deliver them to him.
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