USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 11
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"JED. HUNTINGTON.
"General Heath.
" 26th. Your order of yesterday came to hand last night at two o'clock. Colonel Tyler marched at Day- break for Tappan. I hear a large number of wagons are on the road, loaded with flour from Tappan, coming this way. It is said Bergen County is to raise a regiment to join the British Army; and that one Buscart, or some such hard name, is appointed Colonel, and that they have given a specimen of their valor by shooting a Whig, one Zabriskie."
" Colonel Hays to General Heath.
" King's Ferry, November 25th, 1776.
" Dear Sir: I have just now received intelligence that the enemy landed last night from their ships a parcel of men at the place called Nyack, about ten miles from this place. I must therefore request that you will be so good as to send us over proper guards, or we, who have been faithful friends to our country, must fall a sacrifice to a cruel and unrelenting enemy. I will esteem it as a par- ticular favor if you will order the Captain of the row galley to receive a few of my most valuable effects and carry them to New Windsor, if we are obliged to move from this place. A number of the tories from Ramapaugh have gone over to the enemy, and have told persons that they meet on the road that they intend to conduct them up to Colonel Huntington, and surround him and his party. Pray excuse this scrawl, and I am, in great haste, your most obedient humble servant,
" A. HAWKES HAY.
" To Major General Heath."
"Council of War.
" A letter fromn Col. Hay being read, intimating that a party of the enemy had landed at Nyack, and that a number of dissatisfied persons had gone over to the en- emy, declaring as they went that they would conduct the enemy to the pass in the mountain, and cut off our troops.
" The Council are unanimously of the opinion that General Scott, with his brigade, should immediately re- pair to Haverstraw, to cover the stores at that place, and to prevent the advance of the enemy into the pass of the Highlands, should they attempt it.
"W. HEATH, " GEORGE CLINTON, " JOHN MORIN SCOTT."
"Order to General Scott. " Peekskill, November 25th, 1776.
"Sir: Upon receipt hereof you will immediately move with your brigade over to Haverstraw. You will post your men in such a manner as to cover the stores on that side of the river, and to prevent the advances of the enemy into the passes of the Highlands should they at- tempt.
" I am, sir, your humble servant,
"W. HEATH. "Brigadier General Scott."
" General Scott to the New York Convention.
" November 25th, 1776. "Sir: Upon some alarming accounts from Colonel Hay of a probability that the enemy would attempt a landing from their shipping, and of the defenseless state of the country, as well as the danger that many well wish- ers would be reduced by fear to submission, Gen. Heath thought proper to send me over with my brigade. Upon my arrival here I heard a distant firing supposed to be at Aquachneck, where I am assured our army were deter- mined to engage the enemy this day. I am told the firing began early this morning. I hope to be able to com- municate something agreeable to you, which, if in my power, I shall not fail to do by express.
" The sole design of this letter is most earnestly to re- quest the interposition of convention to prevent the dis- banding of my brigade on Sunday next. I have sent an express to General Heath, with a request to send me two more regiments and a field piece or two. But what will that succor avail, if the service is to last only till Sunday? I hope my request will not be imputed to in- terested motives when I assure you of my desire to serve my country one month longer without pay. I flatter my- self the officers will be ashamed to refuse their service. If our convention would think proper to furnish me with a bounty for the men [ think I can hold them. You cannot think, sirs, of what infinite consequence it will be to this part of the country. Without some proper sup- port, if our troops below should not succeed, the country
7
48
GENERAL HISTORY.
below the mountains must submit to the enemy. If my views can be seconded by convention, and General Heath should comply with my requisition, I flatter myself that with the militia of the county, numbers of them I am sure will join me if we countenance thein by some suit- able support. I may fall in the rear of the enemy with two thousand men. You may easily judge that if Gen- eral Washington keeps them well employed in front, the expedient I propose may be successful: at least, I can be strengthened. I am determined to risk it if I should fall in the attempt. In short, sir, our ennetandas have put me out of patience.
" Let me not forget to tell you that thirty men were en- listed last Sunday into the enemy's service. And can you think, sir, that two thousand men to march southward from this would not check the growing mischief? Be pleased, sir, to make my respectful compliments acceptable to con - vention; assure them of my readiness to obey all their commands. Reward the expresses. I keep no accounts with the public. Believe me to be, sir, with undis- sembled respect and esteem, yours and the publick's de- votedly. " JOHN MORIN SCOTT.
" To the President of the Honourable Convention, State am sorry that neither the promised field piece nor the of New York."
" General Scott to General Heath.
" Camp at Haverstraw, November 28th, 1776.
" My Dear General: I think it my duty to convey to you every intelligence in my power. In doing this I gratify my own zeal in the glorious cause, and hope to habitants of the lower part of this County, and the upper conimend myself to that opinion which I shall always wish to hold in the estimate of a gentleman so well at- tached to it as you are.
"Since I had the honor of writing to you I received an answer to the letter I wrote to Colonel Huntington, to know of him whether he wanted any aid from me, in- forming me that he wanted none at present, as he ex- pected Colonel Tyler back in a day or two.
" Upon information that about ten tons of lead were lying at Tapan, I wrote to Major Clark, desiring him to convey it by land to one Smith's, on the south side of Verdriger Hook, to which place I have sent flat bottomed 1 boats, with a guard, to bring it to the ferry just above where I am quartered. I think I saw the boats returning this day a little before dinner, but to my surprise I have not yet had a report from the officer of the party, of his doings. I intend to send it to you unless you should direct otherwise. I therefore beg your immediate di- rection.
" I have received an answer to my despatches to our Convention, which have produced resolves that, however the merit of my brigade may be, do me personally in- finitely more honour than my poor deserts could entitle me to. They have also thanked me for my offer to serve one month longer without pay, and have sent me £1,500 as a gratuity to my brigade, to induce them to continue so long in the service. Upon receipt of them I paraded the brigade, published the resolves of the Convention, and endeavored by a speech to animate them to close with the terms; and to remove all suspicions that my
arguments proceeded from motives of interest, I closed all by offering my month's pay as a sinall pittance in ad- dition to the gratuity given by the Convention to non- commissioned officers and soldiers. The brigade having been drawn up in circle, I left them for nearly an hour to free consultation, and in the interim ordered them liquor, not to intoxicate, but merely to refresh them. On my return to the centre of the circle, I addressed myself to the officers with an exhortation that they would set an example to the men, and concluded with requesting those of them who chose to imitate my example to join me in the centre. Upon this, to my great satisfaction, all the field officers but one, who pleaded indisposition, and all the other commissioned officers, except seven, joined me. I then directed the officers in their proper departments to furnish me with returns of the non-com- missioned officers and privates willing to continue in the service, at twelve o'clock to-morrow. The result of the whole I shall not fail to communicate.
" But, sir, should the whole brigade continue, what shall I be enabled to do with them? They will be of lit- tle service unless reinforced by the Army or Militia. I three Light Horsemen are come. I want both much. Be pleased to inform General Lee, without loss of time, that Cooper, whom he sent with despatches to Washing- ton, has, with the despatches, fallen into the hands of the enemy, and is now confined in Hackensack. The in-
part of Bergen County, are going to the enemy daily in great numbers; some carting for them, some going into their service, and others waiting on them for protection. The Tories, insolent and numerous. These evils I inight in a great measure prevent could I be reinforced.
"We have accounts, tolerably certain, that the body of the enemy from Hackensack downwards are about eight thousand ; that the van of those have passed over Passa- ick at a fording place above Acquacknock Bridge; that our Army is increasing; lies posted on the west of New- ark near the mountains; that another body of the enemy have landed at Amboy, eight thousand ; that Lord Stir- ling and General Beall's brigades had not yet joined General Washington, but that two Southern brigades had joined him. I have constantly kept horsemen riding down towards the enenty to procure me intelligence, but I must want the Light Horsemen for this purpose. Rest assured, sir, that I shall seek the best information and make it my business to give you repeated accounts of everything material in my power to collect.
"I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, " JOHN MORIN SCOTT.
" Honourable Major General Heath.
" P. S. I this moment received the inclosed, and have therefore sent a written to Colonel Tyler, at Tap- pan, to remain there with his regiment till he receives my further directions."
"Col. A. Hawkes Hay to John Mckesson.
" Haverstraw, November 28th, 1776. .
"Sir: I make bold to send you the enclosed account,
49
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
and beg you will get it passed and receive the money for a private in Colonel Rawlin's regiment, made his escape me, and send it down by the first safe opportunity. I have often sent it to Fishkill, but could never find Mr. Sands there. The people who trusted Capt. Keas with the necessaries are very impatient for their money, and I do assure you that it hurts the cause very much, and I cannot now purchase any provisions for the Army that pass through that place without advancing the cash. I must also trouble you to add for Captain Kiers what sum the Committee of Safety may think proper to allow him for his great trouble.
" I anı, dear Sir, your very humble servant,
" A. HAWKES HAY. " To John Mckesson, Esq."
" Haverstraw, 15th June, 1776.
"Captain Karce to John Staples debtor on account of moved from this place. One of our little scouting par- Congress.
2 hhds. Rum, 222 galls, at gs. hd., £103, 12, 0;
6734 gallons spirits, at 12s., 40, 13, 0;
534 do. Gin, at 13s., 3, 14, 9;
712 do. Rum, of J. Waldron, at 9s, 4d., 3, 10, 0;
To 1 Case of Gin,
£151, 9, 9; 4, 10, 0;
£155, 19, 9."
" Dr. The Convention of the State of New York to the Precinct of Haverstraw, in Orange County, for sun- dries supplied the Guards while the ships of war lay in the Bay of Haverstraw and Nyack from the 12th of July to the 21st of August. 1776."
To Samuel Yeomans for 2 sheep, at 18s., £1, 16," 0;
" John Vander Voord for 4 19S., 3, 16, 0;
Benjamin Binson 2 18s., I, 16, 0;
Joseph de Clark for " I
18s., 18, 0;
" John Coe for half ton of Hay, 2, 0, 0;
" Michael Vander Voord for Half Ton do., 2, 0, 0;
the Widow Noyelles for half ton do., 1, 16, 0;
£14, 2, 0.
To Potatoes
2, 6;
1134 lbs. Butter, at IS., 11, 9;
19 bushels and I Peck Indian Corn, 3, 17,10;
3 Bran, at Is. 4d., 4, 0;
3 bush. salt, of the widow Noyelles, 1, 10, 0;
Abraham Fen, for 162 lbs. Mutton, at 372, 2, 6, 7;
Theodore Snedeker, 812 Mutton, 31/2, 6, 9;
10, 15, 812.
70 more items, amounting altogether to 423, 8, 83/4 . To Paulus Vander Voord, omitted, 14, O.
"This is to certify that the above account is just, and that I have in my possession vouchers for every article in this account.
"A. HAWKES HAY, Commanding Officer."
CHAPTER VIII.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY (continued).
" John Clark, Jun. to General Washington. "Tapaan, November 29th, 1776.
"May it please your Excellency. The bearer of this,
from the enemy in New York yesterday. He is an intel- ligent fellow, and brings information that upwards of ten thousand of the enemy embarked on Sunday last under the command of General Clinton, the place of their des- tination uncertain. Some of them informed him they were gone to Carolina, and others say to the eastward (query, if not to the capes of Delaware?) The number of the enemy at Fort Lee, three thousand, at Hackensack about seven thousand, under the command of Lord Corn- wallis. Dr. Pell has just made his escape from them. He also confirms the above accounts, but says it was believed by many the troops under Clinton were gone to Rhode Island.
" I have the pleasure to inform you the stores are all
ties brought off a wagon and horses yesterday from the enemy within a few rods of them; 'tis marked General Vaughn No. 1. To-day I march my detachment in hopes of joining you soon.
" Should the above intelligence be of any service, I shall think myself happy; and am your Excellency's most obedient,
" JOHN CLARK, Jun., Major.
" To His Excellency General Washington."
"Colonel Tyler to General Heath,
" Tappan, November 29th, 1776. " Dear General: I am here with my regiment, and have got away the stores agreeable to your Honour's orders. Major Clark is gone with his party this day. I have or- ders this day from General Scott to tarry here till fur- ther orders. My regiment has not their baggage with them, nor their cooking utensils, which makes it very difficult to be here, but shall tarry until further orders. I believe the people in general that are friendly have got away their valuable effects. Should be glad your Honour would take the matter into your wise considera- tion, and give such orders as you think proper, which I shall be fond of executing.
" Am, in haste, your humble servant,
" JOHN TYLER, Colonel. " To General Heath.
" Have sent Ensign Doramme, who took three horses below the enemy's lines yesterday. The Ensign will ac- quaint your Honour about the affair. Thought proper to acquaint yourself concerning the horses, and send the officer. J. T.
" P. S. Propose to keep a good lookout, &c. By the best information I can get, the enemy are making toward the southward."
"Extract of a letter from General Heath to General Scott. * * I would have Colonel Tyler's regiment continue at Tappan until the stores and provis- ions are all moved off, after which I think it would be best for him to return to his post, though I should be glad to hear from that quarter before he returns."
" November 30th, 1776.
" The enemy have not yet decamped as was reported,
50
GENERAL HISTORY.
but are still at Dobb's Ferry. Part of our army have come this side of the river. General Washington will cross to-day. Deserters confirm the suspicion of the enemy's design to pay us a visit in the Jerseys; but the attempt is so dangerous, and so long delayed, that I can scarcely believe it is seriously in agitation. Yesterday Colonel Magaw's men killed thirteen Hessians and an officer and stripped them. This little enterprise gives spirit to our men, and sensibly reduces the number of the enemy."
" Extract of a Letter from Gen'l Sir William Howe to Lord Germain, dated
New York, November 30th, 1776. * During the continuance of the Army at Dobb's Ferry, the enemy sent a large detachment over the North River by King's Ferry to Jersey, and were em- ployed in intrenching at Croton Bridge and White Plains and building barracks at those places, and at Peek's Kill, near the foot of the Highlands, for their winter hab- itations."
"General Scott to General Washington.
" Camp at Haverstraw, November 30th, 1776.
"Sir: By express last evening from General Heath I received an extract from a letter from Head Quarters to him dated 27th inst., in which it is mentioned that your Excellency is assured of my exertions to influence my troops to continue in service with General Heath fifteen or twenty days longer.
" You have doubtless, sir, been apprised by that gentle- man of the reason of my coming hither. But lest it should be otherwise, give me leave to mention that on an application to him by Colonel Hay, of this place, a gentleman uncommonly spirited in the public cause, rep. resenting the exposed state of this part of the country by reason of the vicinity of the enemy and the great number of Tories between this and the enemy's Army, he thought proper to consult with his Brigadiers on the subject, who advised him to throw a body of troops across the river. This measure being approved by him, he inquired what troops should be sent, upon which I offered my service with my brigade. On the 25th in the evening, I received my orders for crossing 'to cover the stores on this side of the river, and to prevent the advances of the enemy into the passes of the Highlands, should they attempt.' Early in the morning I moved, and arrived here about the middle of the day; and on inquiry found Colonel Hay's fears too well grounded. Therefore, after making the necessary disposition of the troops, and on consider- ing that the few remaining days of service would put it out of my power to answer the end for which I came, I immediately wrote a pressing letter to our Convention, requesting them to conjure the troops, in the strongest terms, to continue one month longer in the service, and to offer them a gratuity to induce them to do it. How ever, before my letter had reached the Convention, they had taken up the subject, as you will see by No. I en- closed, which came to hand yesterday. The Convention, however, on receipt of my letter, came to the resolves No. 2. * * * *
" JOHN MORIN SCOTT."
" General Heath to Col. Tyler.
" Peekskill, December 1st, 1776.
" Dear Sir: I have received your favor of the 29th ultimo, and thank you for the vigilance which you have discovered in securing stores, &c., at Tappan. I should have ordered you to return to your former post before this time, but have waited for the moving of part of the Army, whom I have been for several days expecting would cross the river. They will most probably pass this day or to morrow, after which you will join Colonel Huntington with your regiment, except two companies which you are to detach, upon receipt hereof, to Colonel Hays to protect such stores and provisions as are there until further orders. General Scott is now at General Hay's with his brigade, but the time of their engagement expired yesterday, and 1 fear that not many of them will stay longer. I am, dear sir, yours affectionately,
"W. HEATH.
"Col. Tyler."
"Committee of Safety, Fishkill, December 2d, 1776.
"Sir: Mr. Wisner informs the Committee of Safety that about 450 cattle, purchased for the use of the Continental Army, are now at Smith's Clove, under your care, and desires our opinion how they ought to be disposed of. We desire you to apply to the Commissary General for his directions. We have not authority to interfere; and if we thought it advisable to have the cattle killed and put up, we have no salt. If the cattle are ordered to fol- low the Army, your own prudence will suggest the neces- sity of using such caution as will prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy.
" I am, sir, your humble servant, " PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT, V. Pres't. Mr. Stephen Gilbert."
" Isaac Nicoll to Pierre Van Cortlandt.
"Sir: I have just learned, from good authority, that there is a considerable quantity of goods near Orange Towm, belonging to Colonel William Bayard and sundry other disaffected persons, who are now actually with the enemy. There is, to a considerable amount in and about the camp, of goods-two horses, one yoke of oxen, and cart, belonging to Joshua Barnes-which goods was taken going to the enemy. If I could have proper authority I could have them secured for the good of the State.
" From your sincere friend and humble servant,
" ISAAC NICOLL." "Colonel Malcom to General Heath.
" Camp at Nyack, December 3d, 1776.
"Sir: I arrived here yesterday with about one hundred men and several of my commissioned and non-commis- sioned officers as volunteers. Love of our country, respect for our General, and the reputation of the regi- ment, all conspire to incline us to comply with his Excel- lency's request ' to serve until the middle of the month.'
" I have formed two guards, about a mile distant, and opposite the fleet, which consists of two ships of war, two galleys, one schooner, a transport brig, and a sloop. The inhabitants are much pleased with our arrival. They
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
were much exposed. The boats landed twice last week, plundered a house, and took off some cattle.
" I mount but few sentinels, but depend upon patrols from each guard moving along the shore. At this season they are more alert and in our situation answer for the duty.
"Captain Treadwell is with us; will be useful in case of an alarm at night, or their small vessels approaching the shore in the day.
" I request your Honour's instructions concerning the publick arms, tents, &c. As there is a respectable guard at Colonel Hay's perhaps you may consider that as a proper place to deposit them for the present. I also re- quest a whale boat to use as a guard boat. I could also thereby be enabled to communicate to your Honour, with more despatch, anything extraordinary that way happening in this quarter.
"With respect, I am your Honour's most obedient people at the expense of the Tories, which has a double and obliged servant,
" W. MALCOM.
" Honourable General "Heath."
"Colonel Hay to General Heath,
" Haverstraw, December 3d, 1776.
" Dear Sir : Agreeable to your desire I have informed Colonel Lather that he must take care of the tents, arms, cooking utensils, and other belongings to his regiment, until you send a party for them. Colonel Malcom and his regiment have consented to stay in the service four- teen days longer, consequently will want theirs. Colo- nels Drake and Hardenberg have left this place with their regiments, and I do not know what they have done with their tents, &c.
" I am, dear sir, with great respect, your most obedient and humble servant,
" A. HAWKES HAY.
"To the Honourable General Heath, Peekskill." "Colonel Huntington to General Heath.
"Camp Ramapaugh, 4th December, 1776.
"Sir : Six companies of Colonel Tyler's regiment re- turned to camp last night. They have brought with them six pipes of Madeira Wine, ten barrels of wine in bottles, much broken and wasted, said to be Teneriffe; one box of soap; all which await your orders. The last article is as much wanted here as it can be anywhere. I will venture to say as much of the wine, or at least a part of it. The officers will be glad of some of it on some terms or other. Part of the wine is marked Gabriel Ludlow.
" The two other companies of Tyler's regiment are at Haverstraw; their baggage goes from us this night.
"Colonel Tyler tells me there are eleven chests of armourer's tools, besides bellows, anvils, &c., in the care of Abraham Post, at Tapan, who promised to put them into a store of Abraham Maybie's at the Slote. He thinks they are very safe with the present keeper, and there is a safe passage for boats from that in Haverstraw.
" I am, sir, your most obedient and humble servant, " JED H. HUNTINGTON."
"General Lee to General Washington.
" Haverstraw, December ye 4th, 1776.
" Dear General: I have received your pressing letter, since which intelligence was sent me that you had quitted Brunswick, so that it is impossible to know where I can join you. But, although I should not be able to join you at all, the service which I can render you will, I hope, be full as efficacious. The Northern Army has already ad- vanced nearer Morristown than I am. Shall I put myself at their head to-morrow? We shall, on the whole, com- pose an army of five thousand good troops in spirits. I should imagine, dear General, that it may be of service to communicate this to the corps immediately under your command. It may encourage them and startle the enemy. In fact, their confidence must be risen to a pro- . digious height if they pursue you with so formidable a body hanging on their flanks or rear. I shall clothe my
good effect; it puts them in spirits and comfort, and is a correction of the iniquity of the foes of liberty. It is paltry to think of our personal affairs when the whole is at stake; but I entreat you to order some of your suite to take out of the way of danger my favorite mare, which is at Hunt Wilson's, three miles the other side of Princeton. " I am, dear General, yours, "CHARLES LEE. " His Excellency General Washington." "General Lee to General Heath. " Haverstraw, 4th December, 1776.
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