USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 14
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A corps of light infantry had been formed and placed under the command of General Anthony Wayne. This, which was composed of the elite of the army, had been drafted from the various regiments in the Continental Service, and at that time was organized in four regiments,
" Dear Sir: Herewith you will be pleased to receive general instructions for your conduct This you will con- two posts of Verplanks & Stoney points to the enemy is too obvious to need explanation. We ought if possible to dispossess them. I recommend it to your particular at- tention, without delay to gain as exact a knowledge as you can of the number of the garrisons, the state of the creeks that surround the former, the nature of the ground in the vicinity of both, the position & strength of the fortifications, the situation of the guards, the number & stations of the vessels in the river, and the precautions in general which the enemy employ for their security.
"I am Dr Sir,
" Yr " Most Obedt Servt,
"G. WASHINGTON. ยท New Windsor
"July Ist, 1779."
To this letter General Wayne replied on the 3d of July as follows:
" Dear General; In obedience to your Excellencies Order I have Reconnoitred the Situation of the enemy at Stony Point & the approaches to them in the best manner that Circumstances would admit & Returned late last evening to this place.
"The sketch herewith transmitted ( which differs but little from that made the Other day by Col. Butler ) will give you a General Idea of the Strength of their Works on the West Side which in my Opinion Are formidable ( I think too much so for a storm, & to Attempt to Re- duce it by Regular Approaches will require time, as there is no ground within less distance than half a mile but what it commands, * * *
"should Your Excellency Incline to Reconnoitre the Works to-morrow morning or next day I will have a proper Disposition made of the Light Corps so as Effect- ually to cover you, or Attempt the surprize in case it meets your Approbation. The troops at the forrest of Dane may Co-operate with us if thought necessary
" Interim I am your Excellencies " Obt Humb Sert " ANTY WAYNE"
This invitation to reconnoitre was accepted by Wash- ington, but there is no account of the results of the re- connoissance. It took place on the 6th. On the 9th, Washington addressed to Wayne, from New Windsor the following letter giving a general plan of the attack:
6 1
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
" Dear Sir: While the enemy are making excursions to reconnoitred beforehand, and by persons of observation. Single men, in the night, will be more likely to ascertain facts than the best glasses in the day. A white feather, distress the country, it has a very disagreeable Aspect to remain in a state of inactivity on our part. The reputa- tion of the armny, and the good of the service, seeni to or cockade, or some other visible badge of distinction for exact some service from it. The importance of Stony the night should be worn by our troops, and a watchword agreed on to distinguish friends from foes. If success ly taken to prevent, if practicable, the retreat of the gar- rison by water, or to annoy them as much as possible if they attempt it; and the guns should be immediately turned against the shipping at Verplank's Point, and cov- ered if possible from the enemy's fire. Point to the enemy makes it infinitely desirable that this post could be the object. The works are formidable, should attend the enterprise, measures should be instant- but perhaps on a further examination they may be found accessible. A deserter yesterday informed me that there was a sandy beach on the south side, running along the flank of the works and only obstructed by a slight Abatis, which might afford an easy and safe approach to a body of troops.
.
"Secrecy is so much more essential to this kind of en- terprises than numbers, that I should not think it advisa-
"I wish you to take every step in your power to ascer- tain this point, and to gain a more accurate knowledge of ble to employ any other but the light troops. If a sur- the position in general, and particularly on the flank and rear. Would it answer to send in a trusty intelligent fel- low in the character of a deserter, and on some plan that might enable him to return with expedition? I beg you to inform yourself as far as you can, and to give me your opinion of the practicability of an attempt upon this post. If it is undertaken I should conceive it ought to be done by way of surprise in the night. I am dear Sir, etc." prise takes place, they are fully competent to the busi- ness; if it does not, numbers will avail little, As it is in the power of a single deserter to betray the design, de- feat the project, and involve the parties in difficulties and danger, too much caution cannot be used to conceal the intended enterprise till the latest hour from all but the principal officers of your corps, and from the men till the moment of execution. Knowledge of your intention, ten minutes previously obtained, blasts all your hopes; for The next day he wrote as follows: "To Brigadier General Wayne. " New Windsor, 10 July, 1779. which reason, a small detachment, composed of men whose fidelity you can rely on, under the care of a ju- dicious officer, should guard every avenue through the marsh to the enemy's works, by which our deserters or the spies can pass, and prevent all intercourse. The usual time for exploits of this kind is a little before day, for which reason a vigilant officer is then more on the watch. I therefore recommend a midnight hour. I had in view to attempt Verplank's Point at the same instant that your operations should commence at Stony Point; but the uncertainty of co-operating in point of time, and the hazard thereby run of defeating the attempt on Stony Point, which is infinitely the most important, the other being dependent, has induced me to suspend that operation.
" Dear Sir: Immediately upon receipt of your letter of this date, I ordered the quartermaster general to furnish the espontoons you wrote for, and I presume you will get them in a day or two. My ideas of the enterprise in contemplation are these: That it should be attempted by the light infantry only, who should march under cover of the night and with the utmost secrecy to the enemy's lines, securing every person they find, to prevent dis- covery. Between one and two hundred chosen men and officers I conceive fully sufficient for the surprise; and I apprehend the approach should be along the water on the south side, crossing the beach and entering at the abatis. This party is to be preceded by a vanguard of prudent and determined men, well commanded, who are to remove obstructions, secure the sentries, and drive in the guards. The whole of them are to advance with fixed bayonets and muskets unloaded. The officers command ing them are to know precisely what batteries, or par- ticular parts of the line, they are respectively to possess, that confusion and the consequences of indecision may be avoided. These parties should be followed by the main body, at a small distance, for the purpose of support and of making good the advantages that may be gained, or to bring them off in case of repulse and disappoint- ment. Other parties may advance to the works (but not so as to be discovered till the conflict is begun) by the way of the causeway and river on the north if practicable, as well for the purpose of distracting the enemy in their defence as to cut off their retreat. These parties may be small, unless the access and approaches should be very easy and safe.
" These are my general ideas of the plan for a surprise, but you are at liberty to depart from them in every in- stance where you think they may be improved, or changed for the better. A dark night, and even a rainy one, if you can find the way, will contribute to your success. The officers, in these night marches, should be extremely attentive to keep their men together, as well for the pur- pose of guarding against desertion to the enemy, as to prevent skulking. As it is a part of the plan, if the sur- prise should succeed, to make use of the enemy's cannon against their shipping and their post on the other side, it will be well to have a small detachment of artillery with you to serve them. I have sent an order to the park for this purpose, and to cover the design I have ordered down a couple of light field pieces. When you march you can leave the field pieces behind. So soon as you have fixed upon your plan and the time of execution, I shall be obliged to you to give me notice. I shall immediately order you a reinforcement of light artillery and espon-
" The three approaches here mentioned should be well toons. I am, dear Sir, etc."
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Some further communications between the two gen- erals, with reference to the time of the attack, were had, and on the 15th, at 11 A. M., the following letter was ad- dressed by Wayne to Washington:
" Dear General: On the 11th, Cols. Butler & Febriger and myself Reconnoitred the Enemies works at Stony point in the most Satisfactory Manner possible, and are decidedly of Opinion that two real attacks and one feint ought to be made, agreeable to the Enclosed plan & Dis- position which I now do myself the honor to transmit. By the Unanimous Voice of the field Officers present as well as your Excellencies permission I have ventured to add the Second Attack which is the Only alteration from yours of the tenth. I perfectly agree with your Excel- lency, that an Enterprise of this Nature don't so much depend upon Numbers as on Secrecy & prowess. Yet the Mass of our Soldiery will derive Confidence from the Reputation of Numbers. From this Conviction I have taken the Liberty to Order Colo. Ball's Regiment Sta- tioned at Rose's farm to follow in my rear & shall give out that the Whole Virginia Line are to support us. It can have no bad effect, but it may have a very happy one.
" I have taken every possible precaution to secure the passes Leading to Stoney point, for which purpose I have detached three small parties of picked men under pru- dent & vigilant Officers with directions to Approach near the Revene little before' night so as to Reconnoitre & fix on the proper places to plant their Sentries as soon as it's dark, also to secure Certain persons to serve as guides, * *
"Adieu my Dear General," etc.
The following letter was written by General Wayne to his brother-in-law, Sharp Delaney of Philadelphia, after all the arrangements had been made for the assault and the troops were awaiting the order to move forward. It was directed to be sent, with other papers, to his friend General Irvine, with the request that, in case of his death, the packet might be forwarded to the one to whom it was addressed.
" Spring Steels, 11 o'clock P. M., 15th July 1779 & near the hours & scene of Carnage.
" Dear Delaney: This will not reach your eye until the Writer is no more. The Enclosed papers I commit (in their rough state) to your charge, that in case any un- generous Reflections may hereafter drop from Illiberal minds, my friend may be enabled to defend the Charac. ter and support the honor of the man who loved him, who fell in defense of his Country & the rights of man- kind.
" You have often heard me default the Supineness & unworthy torpidity into which Congress were lulled, & that it was my decided Opinion this would be a Sanguin- ary Campaign in which many of the Choicest Spirits & much of the best blood in America would be lost, owing to the parsimony and neglect of Congress.
"if ever any prediction was true it is this, and if ever a great & a good man was Surrounded with a Choice of Difficulties, it is Genl. Washington. I fear the Conse-
quences. I see clearly that he will be Impelled to make other attempts & Efforts in order to save his Country; that his numbers will not be adequeat to, & that he may also fall a Sacrifice to the folly and parsimony of our worthy rulers.
"I know that friendship will Induce you to attend to the Education of my Little Son & Daughter. I fear that their tender Mother will not survive this stroke. Do go & Comfort her. Tell her her Children claim her kindest offices & protection.
" My best & Sincerest Wishes to Mrs. Delaney & fam- ily & to all friends. I am called to Sup. But where 10 breakfast? Either within the Enemies Lines in triumph, or in an Other World. Then farewell, my best & Dear- est friend, & believe me to the last moment,
"Yours Most Sincerely, " ANTY WAYNE."
No better account can be given of the storming of Stony Point than that contained in the reports of Gen- eral Wayne to General Washington, which were as fol- lows:
"Stony Point two o'clock A. M. 16 July 1779.
" Dear General: The fort and Garrison, with Colonel Johnson, are ours. Our officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free.
" Yours Most sincerely, " ANTHONY WAYNE." "Stony Point, 17 July 1779.
" Sir: I have the honor to give you a full and particu- lar relation of the reduction of this Point, by the light infantry under my command.
"On the 15th instant, at twelve o'clock, we took up our line of march from Sandy Beach, distant fourteen miles from this place; the roads being exceedingly bad and narrow, and having to pass over high mountains, through deep morasses and difficult defiles, we were obliged to move in single files the greatest part of the way. At eight o'clock in the evening the van arrived at Mr. Springsteel's, within one mile and a half of the en- emy, and formed into columns as fast as they came up, agreeably to the order of battle annexed; namely, Colonels Febriger's and Meigs' regiments, with Major Hull's detachment, formed the right column; Colonel Butler's regiment and Major Murfey's two companies the left. The troops remained in this position until several of the principal officers with myself had returned from reconnoitering the works. At half after eleven o'clock, being the hour fixed on, the whole moved forward. The van of the right consisted of one hundred and fifty vol- unteers, properly officered, who advanced with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Fleury. These were preceded by twenty picked men, and a vigilant and brave officer to remove the abatis and other obstructions. The van of the left consisted of one hundred volunteers, under the command of Major Stewart, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, also preceded by a brave and experienced officer, with twenty men, for the same purpose as the other.
63
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
" At twelve o'clock the assault was to begin on the flects the highest honor on them, and accounts for the right and left of the enemy's works, whilst Major Murfey few of the enemy killed on the occasion. amused them in front; but a deep morass covering their " I am not satisfied with the manner in which I have mentioned the conduct of Lieutenants Gibbons and Knox, the two gentlemen who led the advanced parties of twenty men each. Their distinguished bravery de- serves the highest commendation. The former belongs to the Sixth Pennsylvania regiment, and lost seventeen men killed and wounded in the attack; the latter belongs to the Ninth Pennsylvania regiment, and was more for- tunate in saving his men, though not less exposed. I have the honor to be, etc., whole front, and at this time, overflowed by the tide, to- gether with other obstructions, rendered the approaches more difficult than was at first apprehended, so that it was about twenty minutes after twelve before the assault began; previously to which I placed inyself at the head of Febriger's regiment, or the right column, and gave the troops most pointed orders not to fire on any account, but place their whole dependence on the bayonet, which order was literally and faithfully obeyed. Neither the deep morass, the formidable and double rows of abatis, " ANTHONY WAYNE." nor the strong works in front and flank could damp the It is proper here to state that when General Wayne re- ceived the wound, a musket shot in his head, that brought him to the ground, he raised himself on one knee and ex- claimed: " March on! Carry me into the fort, for I will die at the head of my column!" The wound proved not to be serious. ardor of the troops, who, in the face of a most tremen- dous fire of musketry, and from cannon loaded with grape shot, forced their way at the point of the bayonet through every obstacle, both columns meeting in the center of the enemy's works nearly at the same instant. Too much praise cannot be given to Lieutenant Colonel Five hundred and forty-three prisoners were taken in the fort, and the enemy's loss in killed was sixty-three. The assailing party had fifteen killed and eighty-three wounded. Fleury (who struck the enemy's standard with his own hand), and to Major Stewart, who commanded the advanced parties, for their brave and prudent con- duct.
"Colonels Butler, Meigs, and Febriger conducted themselves with that coolness, bravery, and perseverance that will ever insure success. Lieutenant Colonel Hay was wounded in the thigh, bravely fighting at the head of his battalion. I should take up too much of your Excel- lency's time were I to particularize every individual who deserves it, for his bravery on this occasion. I cannot, however, omit Major Lee, to whom I am indebted for frequent and very useful intelligence, which contributed much to the success of the enterprise; and it is with the greatest pleasure I acknowledge to you that I was sup- ported in the attack by all the officers and soldiers under my command to the utmost of my wishes. The officers and privates of the artillery exerted themselves in turn- ing the cannon against Verplank's Point, and forced the enemy to cut the cable of their shipping and run down the river. I should be wanting in gratitude were I to omit mentioning Captain Fishbourn and Mr. Archer, my two aids-de-camp, who on every occasion showed the greatest intrepidity, and supported me into the works after I received iny wound in passing the last Abatis.
" Enclosed are the returns of the killed and wounded of the light infantry, as also of the enemy, together with the number of prisoners taken, likewise, of the ordnance and stores found in the garrison.
" I forgot to inform your Excellency that, previous to my marching, I had drawn General Muhlenburg into my rear, who, with three hundred men of his brigade, took post on the opposite side of the marsh, so as to be in readiness either to support me or to cover a retreat in case of accident; and I have no doubt of his faithfully and effectually executing either, had there been an occa- sion for him.
" The humanity of our brave soldiery, who scorned to take the lives of a vanquished foe, calling for mercy, re-
The officers and men engaged in this enterprise were highly complimented by resolutions of Congress, and the promise of rewards which General Wayne had made were confirmed. It was also enacted that the value of all the military stores taken was to be ascertained and divided among the troops engaged in storming the fort.
The stores were estimated at one hundred and fifty- eight thousand six hundred and forty dollars; and this amount was divided among the troops in the proportion of the pay of the officers and men. The rewards were: to the first man who entered the enemy's works, five hundred dollars; to the second, four hundred; to the third, three hundred; to the fourth, two hundred; to the fifth, one hundred; a total of fifteen hundred dol- lars.
Three medals, bearing the names respectively of Wayne, Fleury, and Stewart, were struck by order of Congress and presented to these officers as a testimonial of the nation's gratitude.
In a letter to Congress dated July 20th, 1779, General Washington said: * When I came to examine * the post of Stony Point, I found it would require more men to maintain it than we could afford, without inca- pacitating the army for other operations. In the opin- ion of the engineer, corresponding with my own and that of all the general officers present, not less than fifteen hundred men would be requisite for its complete defence. And, from the nature of the works, which were open to- wards the river, a great deal of labor and expense must have been incurred, and much time employed, to make them defensible by us. The enemy, depending on their shipping to protect their rear, had constructed works solely against an attack by land. We should have had to apprehend equally an attack by water, and must have enclosed the post. While we were doing this, the whole army must have been in the vicinity, exposed to the risk
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GENERAL HISTORY.
of a general action, on terms which it would not be for our interest to court, and too distant to assist in carrying on the fortifications at West Point, or to support them in case of necessity. These considerations made it a unan- imous sentiment to evacuate the post, remove the can- non and stores, and destroy the works; which was ac- complished on the night of the eighteenth * * * .
In June, 1780, the American troops had for some time lain idle in New Jersey, and Washington had his head- quarters at Ramapo. The British moved a portion of their force eastward, and thus threatened the safety of of American freedom occurred in Rockland county, and the French contingent, which had effected a landing at the importance of the subject demands that a more de- tailed account shall be given of these than is accorded to matters of less historic interest. Newport, and to meet this Washington made a counter movement, threatening New York. The American army marched through Rockland county, and crossed the In the summer of 1780 General Arnold, who had, dur- ing eighteen months, been engaged in a clandestine cor- respondence with the enemy, by artful representations induced General Washington to place him in cominand of the important post of West Point. His instructions were dated the third of August, and he entered at once on his duties, and established his headquarters at Robin- son's house, two or three miles below West Point, on the opposite or eastern side of the river. Hudson at Kings Ferry on the 31st of July. This movement drew back the British forces, and the attempt on New York was abandoned. The American army re- crossed the river and encamped in and around Tappan. General Greene, who was in command in the absence of Washington, had his headquarters at the old stone house formerly belonging to Mr. Man, at present owned by Wm. Peet, Esq., and occupied by E. N. Taft, Esq. This is situated near the old road leading from Dobbs Ferry At about this time the French allies had landed at Newport, Rhode Island, and Sir Henry Clinton had pre- pared to attack them before they could effect a junction with Washington's army, or even fortify their position. Washington, whose army was then encamped on the west side of the Hudson, at once began a counter movement, crossed the river, and menaced New York. This cross- ing of the river by the American army took place at Kings Ferry, the last of July, 1780. On the abandon- inent by Sir Heury of the expedition to Rhode Island the American army recrossed the Hudson at Kings Ferry, and went into camp, with its center at Tappan, its left wing on the river at Dobbs Ferry, and its right extend- ing toward Hackensack. (Snedens Landing) 'to what is now Orangeburg. The Kings road led through Piermont up around the present residence of John Bell, the taxidermist. By the old homestead of Col. Haring's mother it intersected the Kings road, which led up through Clarkstown to Haver- straw. The main portion of the army was encamped in this locality, one or two regiments resting on the brow of the hill now owned bythe Ruckman estate. The Kings road continued from what is now Orangeburg down through the present village of Tappan, forming a sharp angle to the right below the Mabie house ('76 House) and thence into New Jersey. At this angle a private road led across the creek to the De Wint mansion. The present road leading to Snedens Landing was not laid out at that time. The old maps show only six houses in what is now the village of Tappan.
At this time a body of troops under Colonel Malcom was at Haverstraw, and a regiment under Colonel Living- ston garrisoned Stony Point.
The army left its camp on the 23d of August, and went to Tenafly, ten miles below, on the river, and thence, on the 4th of September, to Hackensack. On the 20th it returned to its old camp at Orangetown.
After the return of the British troops from the East General Washington learned that some important move was contemplated by the enemy, but for a time he was in doubt as to what that move was. With the disposition that had been made of the American forces, at Tappan, Haverstraw, and Stony Point, and with Arnold at West Point, he hardly thought it probable that an attempt was to be made on the latter, though the posts in the high- lands might be attacked. It proved that the proposed surprise of the post at West Point was the project that had been formed by the enemy, and that this was to be accomplished through the base treachery of a trusted American officer.
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