USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie county, and border wars of New York > Part 49
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"The fortress at Treadwell's Neck, called Fort Slongo, [says the journal,] seemed to demand attention, and on the 1st of October I
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
moved my detachment of light infantry into the neighborhood of Norwalk; at the same time I directed a suitable number of boats to be assembled at the mouth of Saugatuck river, east of the town of Norwalk. On the evening of October 2d, 1781, at nine o'clock, I embarked a part of my detachment, and placed Maj. Trescott at the head of it, with orders to assail the fort on a particular point. The troops landed on Long Island by four o'clock, and at the dawn of day the attack was made and the fortress subdued. The block house, and other combustible materials, were burnt, and the troops and prisoners returned in safety, bringing off one piece of hand- some brass field-artillery."
When the campaign of 1782 was opened, many felt as though the independence of the country had already been secured by the capture of Cornwallis and his army, but Gen. Washington, what- ever may have been his private opinion "inculcated upon his troops the necessity of strict discipline, that they might be pre- pared for any emergency." Many supernumerary officers were permitted to retire from the army early this season, the most effi- cient being retained in service. As this year was one of compa- rative inactivity, the soldier's life became irksome, and he sighed for employment.
Towards the close of the year 1782, Major Tallmadge having been informed that six hundred of the enemy had encamped at Huntington, Long Island, conceived the plan of "beating up their quarters." He disclosed his project in person to Gen. Washing- ton, in the latter part of November, and obtained his permission to undertake it, the general claiming to name the time. The 5th of December was the day fixed upon, when the Commander in- tended to execute an enterprise on the Hudson-which was, to throw a large detachment of his troops below Fort Washington, while he moved down with the main body to Fort Independence and Kingsbridge, thus bringing the enemy between two fires. On the evening of the day named, Maj. Tallmadge assembled his troops at Shipand Point, where his boats had been ordered. His forces, some seven hundred men, consisting of four companies of infantry, a party of dismounted dragoons, to mount the captured horses, and a body of Connecticut levies, began to embark at sun- set ; but the half had not left the shore, when a wertern storm arising, they were called back, the boats drawn on shore and turn-
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AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
ed up for a shelter. The Sound was agitated the next day, and at night became quiet, and the troops were beginning a second time to embark, but another gale arising, the troops were shel- tered as on the previous night. Apprised on the morning of the 7th, that three of the enemy's boats from Long Island had taken refuge and were wind-bound on the Norwalk islands, a few miles east of the point, Maj. Tallmadge despatched six sail boats under Capt. Brewster, to give some account of them. Two were cap- tured, after a spirited contest, in crossing the Sound, there about twelve miles wide, and the third escaped to land. Capt. Brew- ster received a bullet in the breast, which passed through the bo- dy, but recovered of the wound. The wind again rising on the third night, the expedition to the island was abandoned. The con- templated movement of Gen. Washington, on the evening of the 5th, was prevented by several British vessels having moved up that day, and anchored above Fort Washington.
In the winter of 1782 and '83, considerable illicit intercourse was carried on by traders along the Sound with the merchants of New York, and boats thus employed often fell into the hands of the vigilant Americans. Informed that a public armed vessel, in the employ of the government, was actively employed in the traf- fic " technically called the London trade," Maj. Tallmadge pro- posed to punish the offenders. The craft was a large sloop called the Sheeldham, Capt. Hoyt. Furnished with a copy of her in- voice of goods, and notified of her expected arrival at Norwalk, Maj. T. repaired to that place with a party of dragoons, and had the satisfaction of seeing her approach the harbor. She anchored near the Old Wells, soon after which he went on board with a warrant, and constable to serve it. Making known his errand, the captain flew into a passion, and threatened to throw him over- board. While the intrepid major was endeavoring to reason with the dealer in contraband wares, the latter weighed anchor, hoist- ed sails, and stood out into the Sound, with a breeze from the north- west. When ordered to put back, he not only refused, but swore he would throw his guest overboard. The rest of the farce is thus noted in the journal :
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" My captain continued his course towards Lloyd's Neck, where the enemy's fleet lay, until we reached the middle of the Sound. I inquired of him where he was going, when he informed we with an oath, he would carry me over to the enemy. I informed him that for such an offence, by our martial law, he exposed himself to be punished with death. He professed to care nothing for the consequences. I maintained my former course, and sternly or- dered him to put about his vessel and return to Norwalk, assuring him that if he executed his threat I would have him hanged as high as Haman hung if ever I returned, as I did not doubt I should. The time now became very critical, for we were rapidly approach- ing the enemy, when I again commanded him to put about his ship and return. He began to hesitate, and in a few minutes or- dered his men to put about ; and then steered directly back into Norwalk harbor. As soon as he came to anchor down at the Old Wells, the captain went ashore in his boat, and I never saw him again. I now found myself in the peaceable possession of the ves- sel, and its cargo. On taking up the scuttle in the cabin, I found an assortment of English goods corresponding with my invoice, which I had duly libeled and condemned. Thus ended my ha- zardous contest with the captain of the Sheeldham, a man void of principle, and unworthy the commission he held."
One of the enemy's sloops of war having been seen repeatedly to cross the Sound and anchor under Stratford Point, Conn., where she went to barter merchandize for produce, measures were taken to capture her. At Bridgeport, Maj. Tallmadge met Capt. Amos Hubbel, who had a suitable vessel, and readily engaged in the enterprise. The captain agreed to bring his craft along side the hostile ship, if indemnified against her loss in case of capture by the enemy, to which proposition Maj. Tallmadge readily assented. On the 20th of February, 1783, when the English sloop was at the point, the major placed forty-five men of his detachment, un- der the immediate command of lieutenants Rhea and Hawley, with Capt. Brewster's boat's crew of continental troops, on board of Capt. Hubbel's vessel, the whole to be commanded by Capt. Brewster. Capt. Hubbel, taking the helm in person, sailed at two o'clock, P.M., and at four was within hail of the foe. The Ame- rican troops were kept concealed until the vessels were brought in contact. As they neared, the enemy opened a broadside, which crippled their antagonist considerably in the mast and rigging ; but Capt. Hubbel, with great presence of mind, brought her up
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AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.
gallantly to the work. The troops, at a given signal, appeared on deck, discharged a volley of balls, and under Capt. Brewster boarded and carried the enemy at the point of the bayonet, " as in a moment," nearly every man on board being either killed or wounded. Not one of Brewster's men were harmed, nor was the vessel materially injured. In a few hours both vessels were moor- ed in safety at Black Rock harbor. The affair being duly report- ed to Gen. Washington, he expressed his thanks to Maj. Tall- madge by letter, ordered the condemnation of the prize, and the avails thereof to be distributed among the troops who captured it.
In view of the disbanding the army, on the 10th day of May, 1783, a meeting of the American officers was held to organize the association, afterwards called "The Society of the Cincinnati," at which the Baron de Steuben, the senior officer, presided. Gene- rals Knox, Huntington, and Hand, and Capt. Shaw, were appoint- ed to prepare a written form or constitution expressive of its ob- ject; and at a meeting held at the quarters of Steuben on the 13th of May, their report was adopted. Of the State Society organ- ized in the Connecticut line, Maj. Tallmadge was chosen treasur- er for several years, and until he became its president. Most of the state legislatures granted acts of incorporation to these asso- ciations, but that of Connecticut refused a charter, and the society disbanded, giving the balance of its funds to Yale College.
In the summer of 1783, after preliminary articles of peace had been announced, Maj. Tallmadge, with the approbation of Gen. Washington, proceeded to New York, under the sanction of a flag, to grant that protection the times demanded, to such persons as had transmitted intelligence of the enemy's doings from time to time during the war, to Maj. T. and others employed by the Com- mander-in-chief to procure it. Private emissaries, in other words secret spies, employed for years in the American service were thus protected against the insults of their countrymen, who, on enter- ing the city, might otherwise have treated them with indignity, instead of merited respect. Several Enoch Crosbys were secretly engaged in the Revolution in transmitting to Gen. Washington, as best they could, important information of the enemy's move- ments in and around New York.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Maj. Tallmadge was with the troops under Gen. Washington, who entered New York on the day it was evacuated by the ene- my. On this occasion, Gen. Knox, at the head of a select corps, led the van of the American army. " The Commander-in-chief, accompanied by Gov. Clinton, and their respective suites, made their public entry into the city on horseback, followed by the lieu- tenant governor and members of the council, the officers of the army, eight abreast, and citizens on horseback, eight abreast, ac- companied by the speaker of the Assembly and citizens, on foot, eight abreast. So perfect was the order of march, that entire tranquility prevailed, and nothing occurred to mar the general joy." Gov. Clinton gave a public dinner on the occasion, at which Gen. Washington and numerous other guests were present. On the Tuesday evening following, a most splendid display of fire- works took place near the Bowling Green, at the foot of Broad- way. Maj. Tallmadge was also present, at Francis' Tavern in Pearl street, when Gen. Washington took final leave of his offi- cers. They assembled at 12 o'clock, M., soon after which Gen. Washington appeared. After partaking of a little refreshment, in almost breathless silence, His Excellency filled his glass with wine, and turning to his companions in arms, thus addressed them : " With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable" The officers drank a glass of wine with him, after which he added : " I cannot come to each of you, but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand." Gen. Knox, being nearest, grasped his hand, and they embraced each other in si- lence. This was no doubt one of the most affecting interviews of the kind ever known. Each officer, in turn, imitating the exam- ple of Gen. Knox, embraced their Commander, and saluted him with a kiss, while their tears mingled profusely with his own. Waving his hand to his comrades, he left the room, and passing through a corps of light infantry paraded to receive him, he walk- ed in silence to Whitehall, where a barge waited his arrival. His officers followed to the wharf, where a large multitude had
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assembled to see his departure, and there witnessed his last salu- tation, which was the waving of his hat above the boat.
On the return of peace, Maj. Tallmadge again visited his native place, where the patriotic citizens got up a festival, roasted an ox whole, and made the major master of ceremonies.
On the 16th of March, 1784, Maj. Tallmadge led to Hymen's altar, the eldest daughter of the Hon. Wm. Floyd, of Mastick, Long Island ; after which he commenced the mercantile business in Litchfield, Connecticut. He was much respected for his ta- lents, and represented the district in which he resided in the coun- cils of the nation.
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CHAPTER XIX.
Among the officers of the American army deserving of notice, was Captain Thomas Machin, engineer; distinguished alike for his mathematical skill and patriotic bravery. He was born March 20th, 1744, O. S., four miles from Wolverhampton, Staf- fordshire, England. His father, John Machin, a distinguished mathematican, had two sons, John and Thomas. The former was killed at the seige of some town near the outlet of the Red Sea ; and the latter was one of a corps of English cadets, which, with the British infantry became so distinguished for their bravery in the battle of Minden, Germany. The cadets, or fencibles, as called, were almost annihilated in that battle, which took place between the allied army under Ferdinand and the French, in Au- gust, 1759.
The Duke of Bridgewater, who may justly be styled the father of the canal navigation of Great Britain, projected at his oum expense a canal from the coal measures on his lands in the town of Worsley to Manchester, a distance of some ten miles; obtain- ing his first act for the same at the session of parliament for the winter of 1758 and 59. A few years after he obtained an act for carrying a branch of it to Liverpool, nearly thirty miles. The former canal was carried by a stone aqueduct over the river Ir- well, forty feet above its surface, so that shipping might pass un- der it in the river ; and the latter over the Mercer. Those great works which were looked upon at their commencement by the. incredulous as wholly impracticable, were prosecuted to comple- tion under the direction of the celebrated engineer and mechani- cal inventor, James Brindley. Soon after Brindley began those works, Thomas Machin entered his employ ; and it is not sur- prising that under such a tutor, he, too, should have become a
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
good practical engineer. He was engaged in taking the levels for the Duke's canal; and as clerk paid off many of the laborers employed by Brindley.
After making a voyage to the East Indies, Machin sailed for America, and arriving in 1772, took up his residence in the city of New York. The principal object of his voyage was to ex- amine a copper mine in New Jersey. After a short stay in New York, he went to reside in Boston, and evidently intended a per- manent residence ; as he warmly espoused the cause of the Bos- tonians against his " father land." He was one of the celebrated Boston tea party of 1773. He was engaged and wounded (in one arm) in the conflict on Bunker's hill, while acting as lieuten- ant of artillery.
Mr. Machin received his first commission in the American ser- vice, as second lieutenant in the regiment of artillery, command- ed by Col. Henry Knox, which was dated Jan. 18th, 1776. That the patriots of Massachusetts were not only acquainted with Lieut. Machin's skill as an engineer, but actually called it into requisition in laying out the fortifications for the American camp around Boston, the following papers will show.
" Boston, June 19,, 1776-Wednesday evening. " To Lieut. Machin, at Nantasket :
" Sir-I informed the committee that you could go to Sandwich on the survey if it could be taken this week; in consequence of which, we agreed that you might set out as soon as you thought proper, and begin the survey, and that we would follow, and be there next Tuesday. I beg you would let me see you to-morrow evening, that the committee may hear what to depend on.
" Sir, your most humble serv't-
" JAMES BOWDOIN."
" Lieut. Machin, the bearer hereof, being employed in yo Colony service, it is desired he may pass from hence to Sandwich and back without interruption.
" Boston, June 20, 1778."
" JAMES BOWDOIN."
" Camp at White Plains, August 9, 1778.
" These are to certify, that the subscriber, being Aid-de-Camp to Maj. Gen'l Ward, in the year 1776, while stationed at Boston : General Ward directed Lieut. Thomas Machin, of the Artillery, to act as Engineer to erect fortifications for the defence of the
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Town and Harbor of Boston, from the first of April, 1776, to the month of June following, which service he faithfully performed. " JOSEPH WARD."
Owing to the skillful manner in which Lieut. Machin had dis- charged the important task of laying out the fortifications around Boston, he was selected by the Commander-in-chief for the arduous duty of securing the navigation of the Hudson through the Highlands, as the following paper will show :
" Head-Quarters, New-York, 21st July, 1776.
" Sir-You are without delay to proceed to Fort Montgomery, or Constitution, in the Highlands, on Hudson's River, and put yourself under command of Col. George Clinton, or the command- ing officer there,-to act as Engineer in compleating such works as are already laid out,-and such others as you, with the advice of Col. Clinton, may think necessary : 'Tis expected and required of you, that you pay close attention to this business, and drive on the works with all possible despatch. In case of an attack from the enemy, or in any action with them, you are to join and act with the Artillery on that station ; and to return to your duty in the regiment as soon as you can be spared from the works.
" I am, sir, your most humble serv't.
" GO. WASHINGTON."
To the letter of instructions we find wafered the following paper :
" Fort Montgomery, August 9th, 1776.
" A list of the carpenters that have entered into the Continental service under Capt. Burns : Stephen Concklin, Joseph Halsted, Joshua Sager, Silas White, John Young, John Homan, Gilbert Roberts, Barzilla Tuthill, Cornelius Van Vlack, James Scoldfield."
" Capt. Burns-The above persons belonging to your company, being Artificers employed in the works here, you are therefore to have them at this place to be employed by and under the direction of Mr. Machin, the Engineer.
" GEO: CLINTON, Brig'r Gen'l."
Gov. Clinton was promoted about the time Gen. Washington's directions to Lieut. Machin were dated, and having occasion to leave the works, he placed his brother, Col. James Clinton, in temporary command to oversee them, as the following paper will show :
" Fort Montgomery, 10th August, 1776.
" To Lieut. Machin-As I am now ordered to march with the new levies to Kings Bridge, and as you will want many necessa- ries for compleating the new works we have begun on the south
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side of Poplopin's Kill,* and the works to be erected for securing the pass of Anthony's Nose. You are to use your best endeavors by all means in your power, (applying to Col. Clinton from time to time for his aid and advice) to purchase and procure such articles as may be wanted, of which the clerk of the Check is to keep a just account. The artificers already employed and such others as may be wanted, are, (in the erecting of these works) to be under your directions, for which purpose Col. Clinton will be given the necessary orders.
" I am your humble serv't, " GEO. CLINTON, Brig. Gen."
Gen. Schuyler early saw the necessity of obstructing the navi- gation of the Hudson in the Highlands to prevent the passage of British shipping to Albany ; and communicated to the N. York Council of Safety his wishes on that subject, as the following papers will show : and as they are found among the papers of Capt. Machin, there can be no doubt but he was the person em- ployed to make the requisite survey.
" Fishkill, Nov. 6, 1776.
" Gent .- I am directed by the Committee of Safety to transmit you the enclosed extract of Gen. Schuyler's letter, and to request that you'll cause his request to be immediately complied with.
‘· I am, gentlemen, with esteem,
" Your very humble servant, " PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT, V. Pres."
" To the Gent. of the Secret Committee."
" Extract of a letter from Gen'l Schuyler directed to Peter R. Livingston, Esq. President, &c. dated Albany, Nov. 3d, 1776 .- I wish the Convention would order the depth and breadth of Hud- son's River to be carefully taken at such places as they conceive would be most proper effectually to obstruct the navigation ; Ver- planck's Point, or Jan Canten Hook, may be proper places ; per- haps the latter."
" (True extract.) ROBT. BENSON, Sec'y."
Col. Rufus Putnam, an officer of merit, commanded the 5th Massachusetts regiment, and was promoted to Brig. Gen. near the close of the war. He was wall-eyed. The following paper from Col. Putnamt no doubt refers to the survey of the Hudson made agreeable to Gen. Schuyler's request.
· These works, when completed, were called Fort Clinton.
t While Col. Putnam was on duty in the neighborhood of West Point, he
36
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" Peekskill, December 13th, 1776.
" Sir-I beg you will not delay sending a sketch of the North River through the Highlands, with a geographical description of the country on the west side ; as I am going in a few days to wait on His Excellency with the best account of this part of the country that, without an actual survey, I am able to give. If you cannot send to me in two days, you must send it to His Excellency as soon as possible, for I can wait no longer.
" Sir, your humble servant,
"R. PUTNAM."
" To Lieut. Machin, Engineer."
Jan. 7th, 1777, the State authorities took official cognizance of' the doings of Capt. Machin, as appears by several resolutions on the " Journal of the Committee of Safety." His commission dates his rank as Captain Lieutenant of U. S. Artillery, on the 1st day of January, 1777, although it did not pass the office of the Board of War, until April 21st, 1780.
The succeeding papers directed "To Capt. Thomas Machin, at Murderer's Creek," one of which was without date, were evi- dently written while the navigation of the river was being ob- structed, in 1777.
" To Capt. Machin:
" Sir-I have already directed that no more timber should be cut on Mr. Ellison's land for the obstructions to be made in the ri- ver, (except it should be such long walnut pieces as could not be so conveniently had any where else,) until a proportionate share of timber for that use was also got on lands lying equally near the river. I am surprised, therefore, to hear that a company of car- penters are in his woods cutting away timber of every kind, which I trust must be without your order or knowledge. He is willing you should take such long walnut pieces as you want and can't get as conveniently elsewhere ; other kind of timber we certainly
ascended Butter Hill with a party of his troops, and with their aid succeeded in prying off from its summit a rock which weighed many tons. Started from such an eminence, the immense mass came thundering down the moun- tain crushing the forest trees which impeded its onward course, and dashed into the Hudson. Sloops navigating the river sometimes pass it inland. Its course upon the mountain side was long visible from the water to the summit of the Hill, and was called PUTNAM's PATH. The rock is called PUTNAM's Rock to this day. Some writers have fallen into the error of supposing the rock and its path called after Gen. Putnam .- Capt. Eben Williams.
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can, and more so. I expect, therefore, you will direct the carpen- ters to desist cutting in his woods till further orders from me.
" I am your most obed't serv't,
" GEO. CLINTON."
" New Windsor, 31st Jan'y, 1777.
" Dr. Sir-I set out for Kingston to-morrow morning, where bu- siness will detain me a few days. I wished to have seen you be- fore I set out. I cannot now expect it. I think the artificers nei- ther go out early enough in the morning, or continue late enough in the evening, at work. I was surprised this day to see many break off a littte after three in the afternoon. It was said they had not been home to dinner, but allowing that to be the case, from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon is not by any means a day's work. To cure this mischief I enclose you an order which you 'Il publish among those employed, and endeavor to carry it into execution. If you think the hours are too long, make any alteration you think right ; but pray, whatever hours are fixed on, contrive to make them work.
"I am in great haste your most obed't, "GEO. CLINTON." " Capt. Machin."
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