USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 9
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" I am, sir, your very humble servant, " JOHANNES D. BLAUVELT, Colonel.
" To Brigadier Gen. Woodhull, Pres. of the Honorable Convention."
"General Washington to the New York Convention. "New York, September 8th, 1776.
"Sir: I wrote you this morning by your express, but forgot to mention a matter of consequence. It being determined to move our sick to Orange Town, we shall fatigue of traveling that distance by land would not only be more than patients could bear, but we have full em- ploy for our wagons in transporting baggage, tents, &c., for the troops from hence to our posts. I must therefore
beg the favor of your honorable body to procure the above number of vessels, and send them down with as much despatch as possible to this city.
"I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant, " GEO. WASHINGTON. "To the Hon Abraham Yates, Esq., President, &c.
" P. S. I shall be glad to know by return of the express when I may possibly expect the sloops down. There are several now on the lower parts of the river, with boards, perhaps you might engage them to come this day, which would save time."
"Extract of a Letter from Gen. Washington to the President of Congress. ** * * That the sick should be immediately re- moved to Orangetown, and barracks prepared at Kings
"Extracts from the proceedings of New York Com- mittee of Safety.
"September 9th, 1776.
"A draft of a letter to Brigadier General Clinton was [read and approved, and is in the words following. to wit: ** * I have it in charge to desire you to de- spatch a whaleboat, well armed, with a proper officer; early to-morrow morning, to proceed towards New York, with orders to impress four of the first large convenient sloops, they meet with and send them to the city of New York, by request from General Washington, in order to bring up the sick to the town of Orange in Orange County, for which purpose the captains of the sloops,Con their arrival, are to apply to the Director- General of the Hospital.
" I am, respectfully, your very humble servant, "By order." " To Brigadier General James Clinton.
" A Warrant for impressing Sloops was sent to General James Clinton in the following words, to wit:
"Sir: You are hereby required, authorized, and em- powered to proceed with a whaleboat, well manned to- wards New York, and impress the first four large, con- venient river sloops you meet with, and send them (in pursuance of a request of His Excellency, General Washington ) to the City of New York, to remove the sick from the hospitals there to Orange Town in the County of Orange; for which purpose you will direct the captains of the said sloops respectively, on their arrival at New York, to inform General Washington of their ar- rival, and to apply to Dr. Morgan, the Director General of the Hospital, for further orders, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant.
"By order of the Committee,
"ABM. YATES, Jun., President."
"To such officer as General James Clinton shall ap- point to execute this Warrant.
" Ordered, That Mr. McKisson pay the bearer of the want four large Albany sloops for that purpose. The above Letter and Warrant eight shillings to engage them to make despatch.
" Ordered, That John Moore, Esq., one of the mem- bers of the Committee, be authorized to proceed to Fish- kill Landing, and there impress two Sloops, with proper
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HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
persons to navigate them to New York, to assist in the |Ulster and Orange, be directed to provide for the defense removal of the Sick from the Military Hospitals to Or- of their frontier country by detachments from the ange Town. * * * *
"From Ebenezer Hazard, New York, Postmaster. "Dobb's Ferry, September 12th, 1776.
"Sir: I am honoured with your letter of the roth inst., desiring, in behalf of the Committee of Safety, that the Albany post may ride on the east side of the Hudson, and cross it at the Fishkill or New Windsor, when it is his turn to ride it on the west side. In answer to it I beg leave to inform you that I can see no reason why he should not ride as the Committee request, unless it will be contrary to the following order froin the Comptroller, dated the 7th inst .: 'I desire the route of the Albany post may not be altered till there is an absolute necessity or order from the Postmaster-General.' However, sir, I cannot conceive that the alteration you propose can any way affect the revenue of the Post-Office, or occa-
my own part, shall have no objections against it, but I do not expect to have the management of these matters much longer, having desired that another Postmaster may be appointed for the district of New York.
" I am, respectfully, sir, your and the Commissioner's most obedient, humble servant,
" EBEN HAZARD.
" To Abraham Yates, Esq., President of the Com- mittee of Safety at Fishkill.
" P. S. The Convention are indebted to me for some postage; will you please procure an order for the pay- ment of it."
"Sam'l Gale and Isaac Ludlum suspected of treason- able correspondence. Extracts from the Proceedings N. Y. Committee of Safety.
"September, 13th, 1776.
" A letter from Gen. George Clinton, dated at Kings Bridge, the 12th instant, and directed to Mr. McKisson was read. He therein gives information of the state of the army near him, and of the enemy; and from the in- telligence therein contained, there is reason to believe that Samuel Gale aud Isaac Ludlum of Orange County, have a correspondence with persons inimical, now on Nassau Island.
"This Committee being informed that Samuel Gale, and Isaac Ludlum, of Orange county, are concerned in a dangerous correspondence with enemy;
" Resolved, That Colonel Allison immediately repair to Orange county, and take such methods as he may think proper to have the said Samuel Gale and Isaac Ludlum immediately apprehended, together with all papers on the subject of the present troubles, or relative thereto, and cause them, with the said papers, to be forthwith brought before this Committee, or the Convention of this State, and for that purpose that he be authorized to search the
militia from those Counties, and that the expenses there- of be defrayed by this Convention."
"Extract from a letter from Gen. Scott to Gen. Heath, relative to Mrs. Scott who is in distress at Tappan.
"Camp near Kings Bridge, October 6th, 1776.
I have accounts of Mrs. Scott, of her be- ing at Tappan with her whole family, in one room. She is overwhelmed with distress, and continually in tears, not knowing how to dispose of all that are dear to her except myself. She cannot be comforted till she sees me and receives my directions for her future disposal. I have a light skiff that rows with four oars, which will be the most expeditious way of going to her, and I promise you, unless accidents should happen, not to sleep till I return. I shall sett off in an hour, if I do not receive your orders to the contrary, which shall in all cases be sion any inconvenience to the publick, and, therefore, for obeyed by, sir, your most obedient servant,
" JOHN MORIN SCOTT."
"Tench Tilghman to the New York Committee, rel- ative to the passage of the British Ships up the Hudson. " Headquarters, Harlem Heights, October 9th, 1776. "Gentlemen: About eight o'clock this morning the Roebuck and Phoenix, forty-four guns each, and a frigate about twenty guns got under weigh from about Bloomingdale, where they have been lying for some time, and stood on, with an easy southerly breeze, towards our chevaux-de-frise, which we hoped would have given them some interruption, while our batteries played upon them. But, to our surprise and mortification, they all came through without the least difficulty, and without receiving any apparent damage from our forts, which kept playing on them from both sides of the river .* How far they in- tend to go up I do not know, but his Excellency thought fit to give you the earliest information, that you may put General Clinton on his guard at the Highlands, for they may have troops concealed on board with intent to sur- prise those forts.
"If you have any stores on the water side you had bet- ter have them removed, or secured in time, boards especially, for which we shall be put to great straits if the communication above should be cut off. The enemy have made a move on the land side.
"I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
"TENCH TILGHMAN."
" To the Honorable Committee of Correspondence, State of New York:
"Be pleased to forward the intelligence up the river, and to Albany. The two new ships are put in near Col. Phillips. A party of Artillery, with two twelve-pounders
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"*October 9th, 1776 .- Early this morning three ships, two of forty guns and one frigate, with two or three tenders, stood up the North River. They were briskly cannonaded from Fort Washington and houses, and all such other places belonging to them as he Fort Constitution. They, however, passed our works and the chevaux- may judge necessary." de-frise, the Amerienn Galleys, small craft, and two large ships standing on before thein. The two ships were ran on the shore Dear Phillip's " October 5th, 1776. Mills, and two of the galleys Dear Dobb's Ferry. The enemy took pos- "N. Y. Committee of Safety. session of the two galleys and got them off. A boat landed a number " Resolved, That the Committees of the Counties of of men, who plundered a store, stove the casks, and then set the store on fire and left It. The Americaus soon extinguished the fire."
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GENERAL HISTORY.
and one hundred Riflemen, are sent up to endeavor to secure them.
"Our General ordered Colonel Sargent, with five hun- dred Infantry, forty Light Horse, Captain Horton, of the Artillery, with two twelve-pounders, and Captain Crafts, with a howitzer, to inarch immediately with all possible expedition to Dobb's Ferry. The enemy took a schoon- er loaded with rum, sugar, wine, &c., and sunk a sloop which had on board the machine invented by and under the direction of a Mr. Bushnell, intended to blow up the British ships. The machine was worked under water. It conveyed a magazine of powder, which was to be fired under the keel of a ship, then forced from the machine, and left with clock-work going, which was to produce fire when the machine had got out of the way. Mr. Bushnell had great confidence of its success, and had made several experiments which seemed to give him countenance, but its fate was truly a contrast to its de- sign.
"Our General's division was formed in line with its advance, reserve, flank guards, and artillery all in order of battle, when they were moved down over the different grounds which it was supposed might be the scene of action. Some of this ground was very broken, and there were many fences. These afforded frequent opportuni- ties for the troops to break off and form, for the pioneers to open avenues, &c., and the whole to become acquaint- ed with every part of the ground, and the best choice of it, if suddenly called to action.
"HEATH."
"Col. Tilghman to Gen. Heath. " Headquarters, October 9th, 1776.
"Sir: I have this moment yours of this evening. The party of one hundred men were ordered up to assist a detachment of Artillery in covering the two new ships, should the enemy attempt to cut them out or destroy them. Soon after I got home from Fort Washington, I received a report that the enemy had passed the new ships, and were landing at Dobb's Ferry. I then di- rected Col. Reed to desire you, if that should be the case, to send field pieces and howitzers forward, if it should be judged necessary, and as General Clinton best knew the ground, to consult him upon the necessity of sending on the artillery, and, if it was sent, that a strong covering party should go with it. Till I received yours I heard no more of the matter. I am sorry you have been misinformed as to the movement of the other ships below; they have never stirred from their moorings. You will therefore be pleased to order Captain Benson to be as expeditious as possible in getting the new ships afloat and bringing them down to where they may be conven- iently ballasted. I will take proper care of the prisoners you are sending down.
" While I was writing the above, by his Excellency's direction, he went to bed. I thought it a pity to disturb him to sign it. I therefore have the honor to subscribe myself your most obedient servant,
" TENCH TILGHMAN."
"Colonel Reed to General Heath. "October 9th, 1776.
"Sir: Besides the men ordered on the duty of bring- ing down the ships, the General desires you would order one hundred men from the regiments of your division nearest King's Bridge, immediately to be employed in ballasting the two hulks which lay at Spiking Devil. These men are not to leave the service till it is com- pleted, and officers who can be depended on are to over- see them, as the work of the army constantly suffers by these means.
" I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant, "Jos. REED, Adjutant General.
"To General Heath.
" No movement below."
" Orders to Colonel Sargent. " King's Bridge, October 9th, 1776.
"Sir: The enemy, as it is reported, have landed a number of troops at or near Dobb's Ferry; and, it being thought indispensably our duty to dislodge them, you are immediately to take command of the detachment de- signed for that purpose, consisting of five hundred men. You will march without the least loss of time, with the said detachment and forty Light Horse to Dobb's Ferry, taking with you one howitzer, and a detachment of the Artillery now at Phillip's Mills, if you should think it necessary. You will take particular care that the howit- zer is properly covered and defended by the battalion men.
" You will, if possible, dislodge the enemy; killing or taking prisoners as occasion may require. If the enemy should have re embarked on board their ships, you will give me notice thereof by express, as you will frequently of every occurrence worthy of notice. Col. Drake will march with you and afford you every assistance in his power. You will also take command of the company commanded by Captain Darrow, and also the guard now at Dobb's Ferry. If you should find, upon conference with the commanding officers of the Artillery, that they have no express orders from the Commander-in-Chief, you will give them such orders as you may think proper for the good of the service.
"I am, sir, with respect, your most humble servant, "W. HEATH. "To Colonel Sargent."
" Lieutenants Putnam and Cleaves to Gen. Washington. " North River, October 9th, 1776.
"Sir: This is a copy of the proceedings on board the galley Independence.
"On the 8th, Colonel Tupper sent orders on board for Captain Baker to proceed on shore, and that there was no further business for him on board. On the 9th, at about seven A. M., we observed the ship below to be moving. We immediately called all hands. After see- ing the other galleys under way, we hove up and stood up the river after them, and when we got above the chevaux-de-frise spoke with Cook, and asked him what he intended to do. He answered that he did not know, but stood up the river, and said there was not water
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HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
enough to go into the creek. The wind being moderate, we gained ahead of them, which gave us encouragement to keep along. It soon after breezed up, and the ship gained on us fast, and at about 11 A.M. they began to fire upon us with their bow chasers. At about 12 they over- reached us, which caused us to bear in shore, and at half- past one P. M., we run her on shore, first above Dobb's Ferry, where we had not time enough to get our people and things on shore in the boat, and the shipping began
the fire, which obliged us to swim on shore, but no lives lost, but part of their guns and chief of their baggage, and I observed the enemy to haul up their boats and man them, which they immediately dropped on stern, and fired a broadside of grapeshot, as we lay in the bushes, and immediately sent their boat on board with a warp, and hove her alongside.
" From your most obedient servants, " JEREMIAH PUTNAM, "NATHANIEL CLEAVES, )
Lieutenants.
" To His Excellency, George Washington." " October 9th, 1776.
"Resolved, That the persons hereafter mentioned be appointed to purchase, at the cheapest rate, in their several Counties, all the coarse Woolen Cloth, Linsey Woolsey, Blankets, Woolen Hose, Mittens, coarse Linen, Felt Hats, and Shoes, fitting for soldiers, and that they have their linen made up into sheets.
"That Col. Benjamin Tusteen and Teunis Cuyper be appointed for the County of Orange, and that the sum of one hundred Pounds be advanced to each of them for the purpose of purchasing the above mentioned articles." "October 10th, 1776.
" Resolved, That the Commanding Officer in the South side of the Mountains, or Highlands, in the county of Orange, be directed to order such a number of the Militia, from that part of the said County which lays on the South side of the Highlands, as will be sufficient to guard their shores, and to appoint a Commissioner to supply them with provisions, and that the Commanding Officer on the north side of the Highlands, in the said County, order one hundred of the Militia, from the north side of the Highlands of the said County, to march with- out delay to Peekskill, taking with them 3 days pro- visions. * * * ***
"Extract of a Letter from General George Clinton to the New York Convention.
"King's Bridge, October 10th, 1776.
"Yesterday morning three of the enemy's shipping, to wit: a forty, forty-four, and twenty gun ship, and three tenders passed by in shore east of our obstructions in the river opposite Fort Washington, receiving but little dam- age, and are now up the river as far as Dobb's Ferry. They took two or three of our small river sloops of little value, and I am informed now lay opposite two of our galleys, which ran aground, and I suppose are in their power. The two ships to be sunk run ashore near Colo- nel Phillip's; we sent a party to bring them down last night, so that I hope they are safe. The bearer will in-
form you of any other particulars respecting military matters.
"I am, with due respect, your most obedient servant, " GEORGE CLINTON.
"To the Hon. the President of the Convention of the State of New York at Fishkill."
"Orders to Colonel Sargent. " King's Bridge, October 10th, 1776.
"Dear Sir: Upon receipt hereof, unless affairs should appear different from what I think they are by your letter of this morning, you will leave Captain Darrow's company with the guard at Dobb's Ferry, and if it should appear necessary to leave a Captain and fifty men more there, or in that neighborhood, you will do it. and also ten or twenty of the Light Horse, as may appear most needful; with the remainder of your detachment, both Horse and Foot, you will return to this post without loss of time. You will leave one or two boxes of cartridges with Cap- tain Darrow, and such provisions as you do not want for immediate nse: the remainder of the ammunition you will bring back with you. Major Crafts will also return with the howitzer, at least as far as the place where our ships lie, and if he is not wanted there, to this post. You will direct Captain Darrow to send frequent expresses, as matters worthy of notice may occur.
" I am dear sir, yours affectionately, " W. HEATH.
"To Colonel Sargent."
"Colonel Sargent to General Heath.
" Half past 2 o'clock a: night, Dobb's Ferry. "October 1cth, 1776. "Sir: I have just arrived at Dobb's Ferry. Very peaceable here; can see nothing of the enemy. There is not any of the enemy landed. We have no ammunition on the road for the small arms. The ships are about three miles above this place, where I shall order a party immediately.
"I am your most humble servant, "PAUL D. SARGENT. "To Major General Heath."
" Colonel Cary to General Heath. " Headquarters, October 10, 1776.
"Dear Sir; Agreeable to his Excellency's commands, I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of this morn . ing, and to acquaint you the General wishes you to be well informed on every occasion, and in the speediest manner, of the movements of the enemy up the North River, in order to frustrate any designs they may have in view. As General Clinton is supposed to be perfectly well acquainted with the situation of the ground, and the miost advantageous posts, &c., adjacent to Dobb's Ferry, or wherever the enemy may intend a diversion. General Lincoln is therefore referred to him for advice and direc- tion respecting the number and in what, manner to post his men so as to harass the enemy, and effectually pre- vent any communication between them and the inhabit- ants in the country. The General has ordered the pro- ceedings of the Court Martial to be returned, and says he leaves the matter entirely with you, though the conduct
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GENERAL HISTORY.
of the Captain in releasing the prisoner appears extraor- dinary.
" I am, with due respect, sir, your very humble servant, " RICHARD CARY, Jr., A. D. C.
" To Hon. Major General Heath, Kings Bridge.
" You will please communicate to the General as early as possible, such intelligence as you may from time to time receive relative to the motions of the enemy."
" Colonel A. Hawkes Hay to the New York Convention. " Haverstraw, October 10th, 1776.
"Dear Sir: Yesterday three of the enemy's ships of- war, and some other vessels, passed our forts at Kings Bridge, and are now anchored off Nyack ..
"My regiment consists of only three hundred men, and very near one-half of them are without arms. I should be very glad to know what I am to do, and where I must apply for a reinforcement in case they should at- tempt a landing on the west side of Hudson's river.
" We are destitute of provisions for the guards I now have out, and I must therefore request that the Conven- tion will be so kind as to send me, per the bearer, a sum of money to purchase the provisions. I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,
" A. HAWKES HAY.
"To Col. Peter R. Livingston, President of the Con- vention of the State of New York at Fishkill."
"New York Committee of Safety to Generals Schuyler and Clinton.
" Fishkill, October 10th, 1776.
"Sir: I am directed, by the Committee of Safety of this State, to inform your Excellency that yesterday three and that Captain Woodhull be accountable for the ex-
of the enemy's frigates passed the obstructions opposite Mount Washington, and got up Hudson's River; that we have made, from time to time, such large drafts from the
remaining well affected are reduced to a small number, and most of the disaffected in this State are on the east side of the Hudson's River. A Committee specially ap- pointed for the purpose, by the Convention of this State, are setting daily to frustrate their machinations, and several who had enlisted, or engaged to enlist with the enemy, have been discovered, apprehended, and are sent to the westward. Many perhaps remain undiscovered. Should the enemy and the disaffected be able to concert measures, so as to form a junction of the latter with a party from on board the ships in the river, the Committee of Safety are apprehensive of the want of a very speedy assistance, without a diminution of the main army, and have therefore taken the liberty to despatch a copy of the enclosed resolution to each of the Counties therein men- tioned, and have directed me to request that your Ex- cellency would be pleased to give such directions as in case of necessity may afford the most speedy succor.
" I have the honor to be with great respect."
"New York Committee of Safety to Governor Trumbull. " Fishkill, October 10th, 1776.
from the number of disaffected persons in this and West- chester County we have reason to apprehend they med- itate the landing some troops in this neighborhood, and by that means give those deluded wretches an opportunity of joining them, and thereby forming a body superior to the few well affected Militia who are not drafted into the service.
" The zealous attachments of your Militia to the com- mon cause of America, and the readiness with which they stepped forth to the assistance of this State, when called upon on a late occasion, renders any arguments unnecessary to induce them to hold themselves in read- iness to come to our aid on the shortest notice, when re- quested."
"October 11th, 1776.
"The Resolution of yesterday for sending 300 Men from Ulster County to Peekskill, being reconsidered:
" Resolved, That the Militia of the County of Ulster and the northern part of Orange County shall not con- tinue in service longer than one fortnight after their arrival at their stations, within which tinie this Convention will provide ways and means to have them relieved from the more remote Counties, from whom no immediate support can be derived."
"October 11th, 1776.
" Ordered, That the Treasurer of the State advance to Ebenezer Woodhull the sum of two hundred Pounds on account of the Pay and Subsistence of the Orange County Troop of Light-Horse, some time ago called into service by order of Brigadier-General George Clinton,
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