USA > New York > Queens County > Documents and letters intended to illustrate the revolutionary incidents of Queens county; with connecting narratives, explantory notes, and additions > Part 17
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The impressing of teams was very annoying. No matter how urgentyour business, whether ploughing, going to mill, on a visit, at church, or at a funeral, the team must go. I. R. had a black boy and team impressed, on the road, to carry baggage to Easthampton, and knew not what had become of them till
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the boy returned with his feet frozen. I. R. was himself met in his wagon and pressed, but he resolutely refused to go, though a bayonet was put to his breast. They took his team, however, which he gave up for lost. Some time after, hear- ing they were in New-York, he sent his brother B. for them, who having no scruples, received 8s. a day for their use. One season the Hempstead troop took off nine loads of his hay ; and those from Jericho the rest.t
When the Hessians first came to Westbury, a guard was set to protect the meeting-house, but was withdrawn at the request of Friends. The officers occasionally attended meet- ing, and sat very commendable .- ED.
* The Legion lay at Jericho, and built a fort called Fort Nonsense, on a hill around Dr. Townsend's barn, now Jackson's.
t When forage was carried off in this manner, a certificate was usu- ally given, on presenting which at the forage office, New-York, the holder received his pay at proclamation prices. Doubtless a great deal was taken (especially from whigs) and never paid for.
Gen. Putnam to Gov. Clinton.
388.
Camp, at Reading, Dec. 22, '78.
SIR-This letter will be handed your Excellency by Capt. Wm. Skudder, (see 374) who I understand has your commis- sion to cruise the Sound in an armed boat against the enemies of the United States; under color of which, I am further informed, he has within a few days been on to Long Island and brought off a quantity of goods. These Lieut. Col. Grey, stationed at Norwalk, has seized and holds in his hands, until some legal adjudication can be had.
The particulars of this affair, and the conduct of several other persons, inhabitants of your State, will be reported to your Excellency by Brig. Gen. Parsons, who is entirely acquainted with the subject, and possessed of the original evidence concerning it.
As this is a matter which falls under your immediate cog- nizance, I thought proper to make this representation of it, and to inform you that the orders of the Commander-in-Chief are, that no kind of property be taken from any person under pretence of its belonging to tories.
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These orders I am determined shall be most punctually complied with by the troops under my command, and that every violation of them shall be severely punished.
With regard to those who are not accountable to me for their conduct, I shall take no more upon myself than to inform those to whom they are, of the circumstances : that the inno- cent may be exculpated, and blame (if there be any) fall only where it is merited.
I wrote to his Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, and Gov. Trumbull, on the abuses committed in the Sound and on Long Island, some days ago ; and should have troubled your Excellency on the same subject, by the first opportunity, had not this affair occurred.
As to Mr. Skudder personally, I know nothing to his disad- vantage, but have heard that he is a brave man, has suffered much, and done considerable service in the cause of his coun- try. All that I wish is that justice may take place, to which I know you are equally disposed.
I am your Excellency's obedient, humble servant.
389. All gentlemen volunteers and others, emulous of serv- ing their King and country, and willing to share the laurels of victory with the brave fellows belonging to the Queen's Rangers, are desired to repair to the head quarters of the regiment, at Oyster Bay, where they will receive every en- couragement of bounty, pay, clothing, and all other necessaries to form the complete soldier. The many advantages this corps has in particular, and the public honors it has frequently received, will be sufficient to induce gallant and good men to join the regiment. All persons bringing an approved recruit shall receive one dollar.
Dec. 2, '78, Riv.
390. Lieut. Col. Simcoe arrived at Oyster Bay Nov. 19, '78. As it was understood the village was to be the winter canton- ment of the corps, no time was lost in fortifying it. The very next day the whole corps was employed in cutting fascines. There was a centrical hill, which totally commanded the vil- lage, and seemed well adapted for a place of arms; the outer circuit of this hill, in the most accessible places, was to be for- tified by sunken fleches, joined by abattis, and would have
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contained the whole corp. ; the summit was covered by a square redoubt, and was capable of holding 70 men ; platforms were erected in each angle, for the field pieces, and the guard- house in the centre, cased and filled with sand, was rendered musket-proof, and looped so as to command the platforms and surface of the parapets; the ordinary guard of 20 was sufficient for its defence. Some of the militia assisted in work- ing one day when Sir Wm. Erskine came to Oyster Bay inten- tionally to remove the corps to Jericho, a quarter the Legion was to quit in order to accompany him to the east end of the island. Lieut. Col. Simcoe represented to him that in case of the one- my's passing the Sound, both Oyster Bay and Jericho were at too great a distance from any post to expect succor, but that Jericho was equally liable to surprise as Oyster Bay ; that its being farther from the coast was no advantage, as the enemy, acquainted with the country and in league with the disaffected inhabitants of it, could have full time to penetrate undiscovered through the woods, and that the vicinity of Oyster Bay to the sea coast would enable him to have a more watchful eye over the landing places, and to acquire a knowledge of the princi- ples of the inhabitants in these important situations ; and that provisions from New-York might be received by water. Sir W. Erskine was pleased to agree with Lieut. Col. Simcoe ; and expressed himself highly satisfied with the means that had been taken to ensure the post; and on his representation the corps was permitted to remain in its present cantonments. There was a small garrison at Lloyd's Neck, within twelve miles of Oyster Bay; a feint in case of attack would serve to have kept this post within its redoubts. The nearest cantonment was at Jamaica, where the British grenadiers lay ; this was almost 30 miles from Oyster Bay. The New England shore was not more than 12, and in many places but 7 or 8 miles over ; and there were many favorable landing places within a mile or two of Oyster Bay. The enemy could raise any number of men for such an expedition. Gen. Parsons lay with some regular troops in the vicinity, and there were whale boats sufficient to carry 2000 men, who in three hours might attack the canton- ment. The situation was an anxious one, and required all the vigilance and system of discipline to prevent an active enemy
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from taking advantage of it. Every separate quarter was loop- holed and surrounded with abattis in such a manner that it could not be forced. A house [the New Light Meeting House] was moved bodily to the rear, near to the beach, where the Highland and Grenadier companies were quartered. A gen- eral plan of defence was calculated for the whole ; and proper orders were given in case of attack. Patroles were frequently made; the friendly inhabitants were on the watch; and some depredations having been committed, convalescent soldiers of good characters were sent to lodge in the houses of those in the vicinity who chose it; and signals were appointed to be made by the country people in case any plunderers were out, on which sentinels were to be placed on each barrack and the rolls immediately called ; by these and other precautions, ma- rauding was effectually prevented.
The situation of Oyster Bay was extremely well calculated to secure the health of the soldiery: the water was excellent ; there was plenty of vegetables and oysters to join with their salt provisions ; and bathing did not a little contribute, with the attentions of the officers to cleanliness, to render them in high order for the field ; nor were they without sufficient exercise ; the garrison in New-York being in great want of forage, Oys- ter Bay became a central and safe deposit for it, and frequent expeditions towards the eastern and interior parts of the island were made to enforce the orders of the commander-in-chief in this respect ; excursions were also made to execute other or- ders relative to the intercourse with the inhabitants of the rebel coast, and to escort messengers, &c., between Sir W. Erskine, who commanded on the east end of the island, and Jamaica. When the weather permitted, the corps was frequently exer- cised together, particularly in occupying ground, on the sup- position of the enemy's landing to attack the post; they were shown how to make and navigate rafts constructed on the sim- plest principles and with the slightest materials. The troop were instructed in the regular and methodical mode of dressing and feeding the horses. The corps had been constantly exer- cised in the firing motions and the charging with bayonets on their respective parades ; as the season opened they were as- sembled together ; they were particularly trained to attack a
10*
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supposed enemy posted behind railing-the common position of the rebels ; they were instructed not to fire, but to charge their bayonets with their muskets loaded, and upon their arrival at the fence, each soldier to take aim at their opponents, who were then supposed to have been driven from it. The light infan- try and hussars were taught to gallop through woods, and acting together, the light infantry learnt to run by holding the horses' manes ; the cavalry were also instructed, as the infan- try lay flat upon the ground, to gallop through their files.
April 18, '79, a party of Refugees [led by Capt. Bonnel, with Capt. Glover and Lieut. Hubbell,] went from Oyster Bay, being furnished with arms agreeable to an order from Head Quarters, to take the Generals Parsons and Silliman, from the opposite shore. They did not risk the attack on Gen. Parsons, but brought Brigadier Silliman to Oyster Bay. He was sent next day to New-York .- Journal, 93-99.
The Queen's Rangers, 360 in number, in great health and activity, left their cantonments May 18, for King's Bridge.
VALENTINE :
From Liout. Col. J. G. SIMCOE, to Miss SARAH TOWNSEND ; written and delivered at Oyster Bay, L. I., Valentine's Day, (1779.)
Fairest Maid ! where all are fair,
Beauty's pride and Nature's care ; To you my heart I must resign,
O choose me for your Valentine !
Love, Mighty God, thou know'st full well,
Where all thy mother's graces dwell,
Where thoy inhabit and combine
To fix thy power with spells divine ;
Thou know'st what powerful magick lios
Within the round of Sarah's eyes, Or darted thence, like lightning fires, And Heaven's own joys around inspires ;
Thou know'st my heart will always prove The shrine of pure, unchanging love ! Say, awful God, since to thy throne Two ways that lead are only known,- Here gay Variety presides, And many a youthful circle guides
Through paths where lilies, roses sweet, Bloom and decay beneatlı their feet, Here Constancy, with sober mien, Regardless of the flowery scene, With myrtle crowned that never fades, In silence seeks the cypress shades,
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Or, fix'd near Contemplation's cell, Chief with the Muses loves to dwell, Leads those who inward feel and burn, And often clasps the abandon'd urn,- Say, awful God, didst thou not prove My heart was formed for constant love ? Tlinu saw'st me once on every plain To Delia pour the artless strain- Thou wept'st her death and bad'st me change
My happier days, no more to range O'er hill, o'er dale. in sweet employ Of singing Delia, Nature's joy ; Thou bad'st me change the pastoral scene,
Forget my crook ; with haughty mien To raise the iron spear of war, Victim of grief and deep despair ; Say, must I all my joys forego,
And still maintain this outward show ?
Say, shall this breast, that's framed to feel,
Be ever clad in horrid steel ;
Nor sweil with other joys than those Of conquest o'er unworthy foes ? Shall no fair maid with equal fire Awake the flames of soft desire ? My bosom, form'd for transport, burn And raise my thoughts from Delia's urn ?
" Fond youth," the God of Love replies, " Your answer take from Sarah's eyes."
[I am indebted for the above to Silvanus Miller, Jr .- ED.]
391. The Five Brothers, schr. 24 tons, Abm. Cock, master, was taken below high water mark, Feb. 3, '79, nine miles west of Huntington Harbor, by Capt. Elderkin, of the True Blue. A sloop of 45 tons, the property of one Youngs, going to New- York, was taken on the high seas, four miles west of Oyster Bay, Feb. 15, '79.
392. March 10, '79, Riv. Two Guineas Reward. De- serted from Capt. Miles's company, 3d battalion of Delancy's brigade, Daniel Wingfield-had on a short blue coat, red trou- sers, large round hat, and is supposed to be gone on board some privateer. Whoever takes him up and secures him in the Provost till I can be acquainted with it, at the quarters of the battalion, Lloyd's Neck, shall receive two guincas reward.
ELIJAH MILES.
393. New Haven, May 11, '79. The Charming Sally and
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cargo was taken in Oyster Bay by T. White, in a continental armed schooner.
394. June 16, '79, Riv. On the night of 9th inst. a party of rebels crossed the Sound and came to the house of Clark Cock, at Oyster Bay, and plundered him of cash to a considerable amount, and goods to the value of £400 and upwards.
395. June 23, '79, Riv. Some days ago a party of rebels came over to Tredwell's farm, L. I., conducted by Major Brush, and carried off Justice Hewlett and Capt. Youngs. Since which the refugees went over to Greenwich and returned with thirteen prisoners ; also with forty-eight cattle and four horses. The militia guard took a whale boat with three solitary Jona- thans on board.
396. June 28, '79, Gaine. Last week a whale boat came near to Musquito Cove to carry off a boat lying there. Being observed to approach, a few men from the shore got on board unperceived, with arms, and as soon as the whale boat came nigh enough, gave the rebels such a dose, that three were killed the first fire ; when they went off with the greatest pre- cipitation.
397. July 3, '79, Riv. Last Monday night a party of rebels, supposed from Horse Neck, headed by one Benjamin Kirby, (whose father lives on Long Island, near where he landed, and is known to be an atrocious rebel,) at 12 at night attacked the house of Abraham Walton, Esq., at Pembroke, Musquito Cove, forced open the door with the butt ends of their muskets, seized upon Mr. Walton's person, who was much indisposed in bed, used him coarsely, forced him to walk four miles, plundered the house, took away all the silver plate they could find, and de- manded Mrs. Walton's money, which she delivered. They then proceeded to the neighbors, as Dr. Brooks, Albert Coles, and eight more very respectable and loyal inhabitants, and carried them all off together to Connecticut, where they were to be in- terrogated by Gen. Lewis Morris, of Morrisiana. Kirby is a native of Long Island, and had taken the oath of allegiance, but on d'Estaing's arrival at Sandy Hook, he revolted to Jona- than.
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39S. July 31,'79, Rir. Last Tuesday morning, 2 o'clock, John Townsend, Esq., of Oyster Bay, was carried off by the rebels, [led by Jonas Youngs. ] who robbed his house of many valua- ble articles, [silver tankard, linen, &c .. ] and partly demolished it. At the same time W. Sutton, of' Maroneck. and a young man named Arnold Fleet, were carried off to Stamford and pa- roled. [The men carried their boat over the beach. Their sentinel, not hearing the signal, was left behind, and wandered about on Mill Neck till starvation forced him to give up.]
July 31, '79, Rir. The frigate Restoration (formerly Oli- ver Cromwell) is now fitting for sea, and in six days will join the Associated Refugee Fleet in Huntington Harbor, and in- tends soon to pay a visit to the rebel coast. All good sea- men will receive five guineas advance and £3 sterling per month, and one share of all property taken from His Majesty's revolted subjects.
399. Capt. Sandford's Company of Bucks county Dragoons, Capt. Diemar's hussars, and the Queen's Rangers, all under command of Lieut. Col. Simcoe, marched from King's Bridge for Oyster Bay, Aug. 13, '79; the Cavalry and cannon by the route of Hell Gate, and the Infantry by Frog's Neck, and ar- rived at Oyster Bay the 17th. Simcoe left Oyster Bay Oct. 19. His cavalry marched to Jericho. where they remained un- der Lieut. Col. Tarlton. and the infantry to Jamaica, which proceeded to Yellow Hook, and embarked the 24th. Shortly after the hussars of the Queen's Rangers and Capt. Sand- ford's troop went from Jericho to Staten Island .- Simcoe's Journal, p. 110.
400. Sept. S, '79, New Haven. A whale boat crossed the Sound a few nights past, and brought off from near Lloyd's Neck thirteen men and some plunder. Among the prisoners was one Glover, that headed the party which carried off Gen. Silliman and son.
401. New London, Oct. 6, '79. Last Monday five vessels went into Oyster Bay and captured a guard brig pierced for 14 guns. but had only 10 mounted, a sloop of 6 guns, com- manded by Samuel Rogers, (who has been thrice taken and brought to this town since March last,) three other sloops and
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a schooner, taken from under a two-gun battery [on Lloyd's Neck]; three of the prizes are laden with wood, and one, a large valuable Bermudian built sloop, in ballast. The prizes are all arrived in safe port.
402. Fishkill, Dec. 9, '79. On the evening of Nov. 4, about 25 volunteers under Capts. Hawley, Lockwood, and Jones, and Lts. Jackson and Bishop, crossed the Sound from Newfield (since Bridgeport) to Stony Brook, near Smithtown, and marched to the house of the Hon. Thomas Jones, Justice of the Supreme Court of New-York, at Fort Neck, (now Thomas F. Jones',) where they arrived about 9 o'clock on the evening of the 6th, hiding in the woods by day. The whole distance was 52 miles. There was a ball in the house, and the noise of mu- sic and dancing prevented the approach of the adventurers be- ing heard. Capt. Hawley knocked at the door, and receiving no answer, forced it, and found Judge Jones standing in the en- try. He told him he was his prisoner, and immediately con- ducted him off and a young man named Hewlett. A guard of soldiers was posted at a small distance from their road. When they came near the spot, the Judge hemmed very loud, but was forbidden to repeat it. He did, however, but on being fur- ther threatened, desisted. An alarm arose, which obliged the men to retreat rapidly, travelling 30 miles the same evening, and to secrete themselves next day, by which time the British light-horse were near. The next evening they reached their boats, having taken two prisoners more, and arrived safe at Black Rock, Fairfield, on the 8th, except six men in the rear, who were overtaken and captured by the light-horse. Judge J. was taken to Middletown, and in May, '80, was exchanged for Gen. Silliman, a prisoner at Flatbush. Mr. H. was ex- changed for the General's son, one Washburn being thrown in as a make-weight. After the exchange, the Judge and General dined together.
(See Thompson, I. 208.) [This was not the first time Jones was in durance in Connecticut, for it appears that, " Sept. 24,'76, he was in the hands of the rebels, and Nov. 15, John Rapalje, of Brooklyn, in jail at Norwich, was permitted to go to Long Island and bring to Judge Jones and others with him in Norwich, such supplies of clothing and other necessa- ries as they might want ; but in Decz, '76, the gentlemen sent from Long
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Island to Norwich by Washington, had liberty to return home on pa- role."-ED.]
403. New Haven, Nov. 24,'79. Monday sen'nit, two small pri- vateers of 4 guns each, commanded by Capts. Lockwood and Johnson, ran into Oyster Bay under British colors, where were four wood vessels under protection of a large 8 gun brig, who asked the privateers " Where from ?" and on being answered from New-York, they were permitted to run along the brig unsuspected, and boarding her, the people were surprised into an immediate surrender without even firing a gun, though manned with 20 stout fellows; on which the other vessels also submitted, and were all brought out of port destined for Nor- walk or Stamford ; but on being pursued by some armed vessels from Huntington Harbor, the brig unluckily run on a reef of rocks near Norwalk Harbor, and fell again into the enemy's hands, who got her off and took her away. The other prizes got safe into port.
The Lively, of 70 tons and a cargo of salt, was taken in Oys- ter Bay, Dec. 7, '79.
404. June 17, '80, Riv. 10 guineas reward and reasonable charges paid. Stolen from the barn of Samuel Cock, Oyster Bay, on the night of the 14th, a bright bay stallion ; from Geo. Underhill, a bay stallion ; from Daniel Underhill, a black mare ; from John Weekes, a bay horse.
405. Aug. 23, '80. Simcoe returned from the east end of the Island to Oyster Bay, where he saw Major Andre, and re- mained there and in its vicinity tilljSept. 22, when he marched to Jamaica and crossed to Staten Island, Oct. 8. Jour., p. 150.
406. Dec. 11, '80. Solomon Aaron, living at Mr. Willis's, Jericho, is intent to leave. Those indebted to him & Co., are desired to discharge their accounts.
407. As there were many Loyalists who, from peculiar cir- cumstances, were unwilling to become soldiers by profession, though ardently inclined to take up arms and contribute their aid toward reducing the rebels ; to embody and employ these, the Hon. Board of ASSOCIATED LOYALISTS was established Dec. 28, '80, Wm. Franklin (former Governor of New Jersey and son of Dr. F.) President, with a view to annoy the sea
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coast of the revolted provinces and distress their trade, under a commission from Sir H. Clinton. The important post of Lloyd's Neck was put under their direction, and they were furnished with suitable armed vessels, provisions, arms and ammunition, to defend the post and carry on enterprises against the rebels.
Conditions.
1. Each associator was to receive 200 acres of land in North America.
2. All captures made by them to be their own property.
3. Prisoners taken by them to be exchanged for such Loy- alists as the Board may name.
4. The sick and wounded to have the benefit of the King's hospital. A skilful surgeon, with a complete medical chest, to reside at Lloyd's Neck, and accompany the associators in their excursions.
5. It will be their care to stop those distinguished cruelties with which colonial loyalists are treated, when in the hands of rebels, under the distinction of prisoners of war and prisoners of state. The Directors will omit nothing to make the rebels feel the just vengeance due such enormities .- Gaine.
408. Feb. 23, '81. Lt. Col. Upham, Deputy Inspector Ge- neral of refugees, at Lloyd's Neck, (who distributed provisions, &c., among them, ) had an address of thanks singned by
Col. THO'S GILBERT, and Capt. JOHN COCHRAN.
409. March 31, '81, Rir. Capt. Ives, of the Associated Loyalists, with 22 men in an unarmed schooner, commanded by Capt. Church, was sailing from City Island to Lloyd's Neck, in company with two other vessels armed with swivels, when he was attacked by four whale boats full of men, from Stamford, which he beat off with muskets only, although the rebels took the armed vessels and turned the swivels against Ives' party. In the midst of the firing, two rebels were seen to fall overboard, and three others appeared disabled. Two boats, which after- wards drifted ashore, were bespattered with blood, and shot through in several places. One had a dead man, four muskets and several coats in it. Next morning another man was found dead on the shore. During the contest, Capt. Church was
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forced to run his schooner on shore, when the rebels landed a party to annoy the loyalists more effectually, but were driven off by the militia of Long Island, who readily turned out.
410. April 6, '81. At Lloyd's Neck are assembled 800 men, chiefly refugees and deserters from the American army. About 500 of these are properly armed. Their naval guard consists of one vessel of 16 guns, two small privateers, and one galley. -Col. Talmadge.
Just before the war, the Lloyds had cut off 100 acres of land around where the fort was afterwards built, in '78, so that half a mile east of the fort was clear. Here was the parade. South were the huts and gardens on a declivity. The vegetables were left in good condition when the place was evacuated. The wood had mostly been cut off. The fort had a well 130 feet deep, which Huntington was assessed £176 to pay for the digging of.
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