USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. II > Part 11
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In 1758, Starke under the command of Rogers was active in the operations against Ticonderoga, and present in the action where the young and much beloved Lord Howe fell. Rogers with the Ran- gers was ordered to open the way for the army from the lake to the fort through the surrounding thickets. Starke commanded the rear of the party, and at his commander's halting at a bridge guarded by the enemy, came up and impetuously charged, driving the obstruct- ing force before him.
The ill-judged attack of Abercrombie, and the murderous result we have seen. Starke and his rangers shared the dangers without suffering the loss or disgrace of the day. At the close of this cam- paign, the captain obtained a furlough, returned home, and married.
In the campaign of 1759, Starke accompanied Amherst in his tri- umphant progress to the subjugation of Canada-an achievement so gloriously begun and insured by the gallant Wolfe the year before.
While Rogers was employed in the destruction of the St. Fran- cis Indians, Starke's duty was to open a road through the wilder- ness to Connecticut River. On the retiring of the army to winter quarters, he returned home. The next summer, he appears to have been stationed at Crown Point; and at the end of it, retired from the army by resigning his commission. The peace which followed and secured the conquest of Canada, left Starke to pursue the tran- quil and honourable pursuits of agriculture and domestic life.
At the commencement of the revolutionary war, Starke espoused the cause of his country. He was a member of the committee of safety organized in his town, and was looked up to as a military leader by his neighbours. At the first tidings of bloodshed, he mounted his horse, called upon the militia of the neighbourhood to meet him at Medford, where they formed two regiments and elected Starke colonel of the first. In this regiment, as we have seen, General Dearborn commanded a company ; and we have seen how nobly Starke and his New Hampshire men commenced their career of military service on the ever memorable 17th of June, 1775.
Colonel Starke was informed, in the heat of the action, that his son, a youth of sixteen, had fallen. He continued unmoved in the discharge of his duty, and was rewarded by finding that the report had originated in mistake, and was untrue.
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JOHN STARKE.
, After this event, Starke's regiment was stationed at Winter Hill; and having been ordered three successive days to Medford to re- ceive pay, and in every instance marched back without it, owing to some ill natured pique of the paymaster, the Colonel determined to make the cashier take his turn in marching, and sent a file of men to bring him to the soldiers to settle accounts in their quarters. Starke remained at Winter Hill until the enemy retreated from Boston; but some of his men volunteered to join in the arduous expedition against Canada, led by Arnold. Of these, Captain Dearborn was one.
In May, his regiment was ordered to Canada by the way of Al- bany, and joined the army at St. Johns. This was after the deaths of Montgomery and Thomas, and General Sullivan had command. In the disasters and retreat that followed, Colonel Starke had his - share, and was stationed on Mount Independence when the decla- ration of independence was read to the army, and received with cheers.
After the retreat of General Washington through East Jersey to Trenton, Starke's regiment, detached from the northern army, joined the commander-in-chief on the Delaware, and its gallant colonel led the van-guard at the brilliant attack on the Hessians at Trenton.
In all the transactions of this winter campaign, which turned the tide in favour of America, Starke was active among the foremost, and did essential service, when the time for which his men had en- listed had expired, by using his powerful influence to produce a temporary enlistment for six weeks-six weeks of the utmost im- portance. To re-organize his regiment, the Colonel was ordered to New Hampshire, in which he fully succeeded. While there, he learned that his name had been omitted in the recent promo- tions, and he was induced, (in consequence of this neglect or in- tended slight, which originated from the enmity or intrigue of men in office and in congress) to resign his commission and retire to domestic life. On the 21st of March, 1777, a vote of thanks for his many services passed the council and house of delegates of New Hampshire, and was communicated to him by their president.
Although Starke had retired from the army, he declared that he stood ready to obey the call of his country if she needed him : and that call was soon made. Burgoyne was advancing with what ap- appeared to common eyes an irresistible force ; although Washing- ton and Schuyler saw that he was only advancing to certain defeat. The alarm which induced the people of the neighbouring country to fly in the first instance, soon was succeeded by the determina- tion to rally and oppose the invaders. The settlers from New Hampshire on the territory west of the Connecticut, called upon the mother state for aid; and Langdon, the speaker of the assem-
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BENEDICT ARNOLD.
bly, offered his property for the service of the country, and urged the immediate assistance required. " Our old friend, Starke," he said, " who so nobly maintained the honour of our state at Bun- ker's Hill, may be safely entrusted with the conduct of the enter- prize, and we will check the progress of Burgoyne."
A force was placed under the command of General Starke, and he marched at the head of men who had implicit confidence in his conduct and courage. He had, however, stipulated with the go- vernment of New Hampshire that he should not be obliged to join the main army, and only be accountable to his own state ; and that government had given directions accordingly. In consequence of this arrangement, when Starke was met by Lincoln, who had orders to conduct the militia to the main army, he refused obedience, and produced the instructions under which he acted. But upon re- monstrance from Schuyler, he agreed to serve under his orders.
General Burgoyne, already straitened for provisions, and in want of horses-at the same time aware of the ill will with which the settlers on the grants looked upon the state of New York-des- patched a detachment under Colonel Baum, with instructions to penetrate into Connecticut. The result will be hereafter told.
In July, 1777, General Arnold joined the northern army, under Philip Schuyler.
The importance of his military services makes it necessary to look back to his story from the time of his defeat on Lake Cham- plain to the present moment.
Carleton having returned to Canada, a portion of the troops on the northern frontier of New York were marched to reinforce the main army which had retreated before the army of Sir William Howe. Orders which General Washington had despatched to Arnold, directing him to repair to Rhode Island and take command, missed him by some accident ; and he had little more than joined the main army, when he repaired to Providence to assist General Spencer in the defence of that part of the country against the British force stationed at Newport. Plans were formed for attacking the enemy ; but a sufficient force could not be collected ; and the win- ter passed in inactivity, though not in contentment with the ambi- tious Arnold. One cause of discontent flowed from the appoint- ment of five new major-generals, without including him, and they were all his juniors. General Washington, who estimated Arnold's military talents, was as much surprised at this slight, as the object of it. He wrote a soothing letter to him, and exerted himself to repair the injustice and prevent the injury the service must sustain by the loss of Arnold. He complained of the ingratitude of his country, but demeaned himself with a self-command that was not expected from him. In reply to the commander-in-chief, he, as was common with him, expatiated on his unblemished character,
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BENEDICT ARNOLD.
pure motives, patriotism, sacrifice of ease and happiness for his country, and did not forget his services, risks, sufferings, and loss of blood ; he had received his commission with pleasure only as a means of serving his country, and he can resign it with equal pleasure when he can no longer serve his country with honour. He requests a court of inquiry ; he sensibly feels the ingratitude of his countrymen ; but all personal injuries shall be buried in his zeal for the service of his country.
General Washington continued his exertions to remedy this in- justice done to an efficient and popular officer. Congress attribu- ted the slight to a necessity of gratifying each state by appointment of officers in proportion to the men furnished ; and as Connecticut had already two major-generals, another from that state could not be appointed.
" I confess," said General Washington, " this is a strange mode of reasoning, but it may show you that the promotion which was due to your seniority was not overlooked for want of merit in you."
Arnold was not disposed to receive consolation (under what he knew was an expression of the opinion of congress relative to his character) from the lame excuse made, or from the soothings of his great commander. The slight rankled in his breast, and with the censure of his conduct respecting the goods of the Montreal mer- chants, contributed to the sum of evil which was accumulating with- in. Determining to visit head-quarters and obtain permission to visit congress, he commenced his journey ; but in passing through Connecticut, he fell in with a body of troops commanded by General Wooster, hastily collected to oppose the ravages which 'Tryon was committing upon the defenceless towns and villages near the sound.
Already had this king's governour of New York penetrated from Fairfield to Danbury, and destroyed the public stores, when Arnold joined the troops which had been hastily collected by Wooster and Silliman, about 600 in number, of whom 100 were regular soldiers. When they arrived within four miles of Danbury, they learned that the mischief was done and the incendiaries on the retreat. It was night when they gained this intelligence of the enemy's motions, and they rested their army until morning ; then dividing their little army into two parties, Wooster, with one third, marched to harass the rear of the English, while Arnold and Silliman, with four hun- dred men, took a direction intended to intercept their retreat. Wooster soon came up with Tryon's rear and commenced an at- tack ; but his men recoiled on receiving a discharge from the artil- . Jery and musketry of their opponents. The veteran, to encourage them, rode forward, crying " Come on my boys ! never mind such random shot," and at the moment received a ball in his side and fell from his horse. He was carried to Danbury, and there died.
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Before noon, Arnold, with his command, which was augmented on the way, arrived at Ridgefield and taking a position at the northern extremity of the village, he formed a barricade of carts, logs, and earth across the road the British were expected to pass. Accordingly they appeared, marching in a column in front of the barricade, and commenced firing as they advanced. The right of Arnold's post was covered by a house and barn, and his left by a ledge of rocks ; and thus situated, his little band maintained a fight for some minutes against four times their number of veteran soldiers. Tryon, extending his column, was surrounding the barricade, by stretching to right and left, while he amused the Americans in front. Arnold then ordered a retreat, and as usual, was the last man to leave the ground. While thus alone, one of the flanking parties, having ascended the rocks, discharged their muskets at him, and his horse fell lifeless. The rider disengaged himself, and sat on the carcass ; which being perceived by a soldier, he rushed forward to bayonet him. Arnold waited the soldier's approach until he had come so near as to make his aim with a pistol sure ; then draw- ing one from his holsters, he shot him dead, and springing from his seat, followed his retreating companions unharmed.
Rallying his men, he continued to annoy the British during their march to their ships, and seized every opportunity which pre- sented to throw himself and his party within skirmishing distance. This was continued during the day, and recommenced the next, without intermission. Just before the embarkation of the enemy, while exposing himself and encouraging his followers, a second horse was shot through the neck and sunk beneath him.
The news of these exploits soon reached congress, and Arnold was immediately appointed a major-general. Still he ranked below the five juniors that had preceded him ; and although he continued in the service, he never forgot the injustice. General Washington continued his good offices, and to heal the wound, appointed him to a command of high responsibility. He declined it, and asked permission to repair to Philadelphia, which was granted.
On reaching the seat of congress, Arnold's complaints were loud in proportion to the popularity his daring had gained, rather than to any consciousness of moral worth. As was usual with him, he descanted on his sacrifices, services, and patriotism, and demanded an inquiry into his conduct, particularly respecting the charges brought against him by Colonel Brown. The matter was referred to the board of war, who reported that the character of General Arnold had been " cruelly and groundlessly aspersed." Congress confirmed the report, but did not restore his rank ; although they complimented him with the gift of a horse suitably caparisoned.
Unfortunately, while his character was before the board of war, his accounts were before congress, and it was discovered that he
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had introduced a series of extravagant charges in his own fa- vour ; some of them dubious in their character, and others manifestly unreasonable, even if the items could be proved .-- He had swelled his claims upon Congress to an enormous amount, although it was well known that he had not brought into the ser- vice either money or credit to give probability to such advances.
While his accounts were undergoing scrutiny, he was appointed to the command of the troops at Philadelphia ; and when General Howe advanced from Brunswick, Arnold was ordered to take post on the Delaware, above Trenton. When the British retired, Ar- nold was recalled to Philadelphia ; where, impatient that his rank was not restored, he tendered his resignation to congress, couched in his usual style-in which his honour and patriotism ever figured most conspicuously. On the day this was received by congress, they likewise received a letter from General Washington, recom- mending that General Arnold should be immediately sent to join the northern army, then threatened by the supposed invincible host of Burgoyne. General Washington described Arnold as "active, judicious, and brave," and enforced his wish that he should be sent to the scene of danger, by saying that the "militia had great confidence in him."
Flattered by this appointment, Arnold suspended his demand for justice in respect to rank, accepted the task of danger so congenial to his disposition, and repaired, in July 1777, to the army commanded by General Schuyler. Kosciusko, the engineer of the northern department, selected the high grounds near Moses Creek for the encampment of the army ; and a division under Arnold was so situated that his head quarters were between that place and Fort Edward.
In the meantime, the question of Arnold's rank was decided against him in Congress, by a majority of nearly three to one. It was the first occasion on which the yeas and nays were entered on the journals. Upon the news of this decision, Arnold asked leave of General Schuyler to retire ; but the persuasions of Schuyler prevailed upon him to stay where he was so much wanted, and Arnold volunteered to lead the ex- pedition against St. Leger ; and on his return to the main army, he found it under the command of Horatio Gates. The left wing of the army, stationed at Loudon's Ferry, was placed under the command of General Arnold. He had two brigades, and the ever effective corps under Daniel Morgan, who likewise commanded Dearborn's light infantry. These were intended to arrest or impede the progress of Burgoyne towards Albany. But the head of opposition, gathered and prepared by Schuyler with the defeats of Baum and St. Leger, had already stopped the Brit- ish general in his previously triumphant career. He lingered at
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BURGOYNE AT SARATOGA.
Saratoga ; and the American army, elated by the late successes, advanced upon him. At Behmus's Heights, Arnold still had the command of the left division.
It was on the 13th and 14th of September, that Burgoyne crossed the Hudson, and encamped at Saratoga. On the noon of the 19th, he advanced in full force towards the American left. Arnold sent Morgan's Riflemen and Dearborn's Infantry to repulse the enemy, and prepared to support them, if necessary. Thus an action was brought on, which was supported wholly by detachments from Ar- nold's division, and one regiment from another brigade. Morgan had forced the enemy to retreat, and had been beaten back. Two regiments advanced to his support ; and the Americans forming in a wood, again and again repulsed the advancing enemy, and in turn, when pushing forward, were obliged to retreat. In this conflict, which lasted all day, three thousand of our troops encountered the whole right wing of the British army, commanded by Burgoyne in person.
Gates and Arnold were together in the camp when word was brought that the action was undecisive. Arnold exclaimed, " I will soon put an end to it !" and set off on full gallop from the camp. But Gates despatched an aid after him and ordered him back.
The most distinguished officer of the Americans engaged that day, was Daniel Morgan. The British claimed the victory, and lay that night on their arms near the field of battle. The Ameri- cans, who had been engaged, retired at night to their camp, con- vinced that they could cope with their enemies on equal terms, if not beat them. The loss on each side was probably much the same.
This rencounter inspirited the army, and brought in militia from all quarters, General Lincoln, who joined Starke after the battle of Bennington, fell into the rear of Burgoyne, and pushed three detachments against the posts Burgoyne had left behind-most of which fell, and added to the prospect of complete success-al- though Ticonderoga and Mount Independence repulsed their assailants.
The treatment which Gates adopted on this occasion, aroused "the indignation of Arnold ; and shortly after, the jealous comman- der withdrew a portion of his command from him without his know- ledge. In Gates's official communication to congress, he made no - mention of Arnold or his division. Of this Arnold complained. High words passed between them; and Gates told him that he thought him of little consequence in the army.
On the 1st of October, Arnold wrote to his commander : the correspondence which passed is characterized as "haughty and arrogant on the part of Gates-intemperate and indiscreet on that
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of his unruly associate." Arnold remained, although deprived of command.
Colonel Varick, writing from camp to General Schuyler, three days after the action, said, " Ile seems to be piqued, that Arnold's division had the honour of beating the enemy on the 19th. This I am certain of, that Arnold has all the credit of the action. And this I further know, that Gates asked where the troops were going, when Scammell's battalion marched out, and, upon being told, he declared no more troops should go ; he would not suffer the camp to be exposed. Had Gates complied with Arnold's repeated de- sires, he would have obtained a general and complete victory over the enemy. But it is evident to me, he never intended to fight Burgoyne, till Arnold urged, begged, and entreated him to do it." After the convention of Saratoga, Colonel Varick again wrote as follows, in a letter from Albany. "During Burgoyne's stay here, he gave Arnold great credit for his bravery and military abilities, especially in the action of the 19th, whenever he spoke of him, and once in the presence of Gates."
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PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Plun of the Campaign-Gates's Intrigues-Efforts of Schuyler- Ticonderoga tuken-Atjair of Miss McCrea-Siege of Fort Stanwix-Retreat of St. Leger-Affair of Bennington-Trans- actions at Saratoga-Daniel Morgan -Death of General Frazer-Howe's Expedition up the Hudson-Capture of Bur- goyne-Gates's arrogance-Wilkinson.
1777 THE British plan of the campaign of 1777, was, that Howe should with his forces occupy Washington and the main army, by attacking Philadelphia-in which he succeeded- while Burgoyne, with a well appointed army, should invade from Canada ; and Clinton from the city of New York, clear the Hud- son, by passing the forts at the Highlands. Burgoyne arrived from England ; and with the assistance of Carleton, soon appeared on Lake Champlain ; after sending St. Leger to invest Oswego and Fort Stanwix.
During the latter part of the winter, General Gates had written to Washington, (knowing his wish and having received his request,) that he, Gates, would resume his former office of adjutant-general, and with alacrity and cheerfulness repair to Morristown. The commander-in-chief thanked him for this mark of his attention to a request of his, and told him that he looked upon his resumption of the office as the only means of giving " form and regularity to our army." St. Clair was to be sent to take command at Philadelphia. But Gates had no intention of complying with the request of Wash- ington, but, on the contrary, was manœuvring with a party in con- gress to supersede Schuyler in the northern department. It was on the 10th of March, 1777, that Washington thanked Gates for complying with the wishes of congress, and appeared to be certain of his assistance as adjutant-general. On the 13th, Gates obtained an appointment for a conference with congress ; and on the 25th, he received his orders from President Hancock to repair to Ticon- deroga, and take the command of the army of that department. About this time, General Gates took into his family, and attached to his interests, a young man who was, by his extraordinary talents, a powerful agent in his future operations. This was Major John Armstrong, son to the general bearing that name. It was by attach- ing to himself those who had talents, like Armstrong, or family in- fluence, like the Trumbulls, that this artful man strengthened him- self and weakened those whose overthrow he contemplated. For it was soon notorious that the men known to be attached to Gates, VOL. II. 14
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GATES'S INTRIGUES.
could not be confided in by Washington, however much he might wish to employ them for the service of the country.
General Schuyler endeavoured by his own exertions, and by his representations to congress and to Washington of the necessity for great exertions in the north, to meet the coming storm which he foresaw would sweep from Canada to New York by the lakes. His exertions were effective, but his advice was too little attended to ; and when, on the 20th of March, he went to Philadelphia, he found he was superseded in his command of the north by General Gates, who received his orders to that effect on the 25th. Schuyler was not a man to sink under such a blow. He took his seat in congress as a delegate from New York, and requested a committee of inqui- ry into his military conduct. This resulted in complete approba- tion ; and by a resolve of 22d May, he was directed to resume the command of the northern department.
James Lovell, a member of congress, writes to Gates,-" Those who profess well to our cause, judge and say that there is but one single man who can keep their subjects united against the common enemy-and that he stands on our books as commander-in-chief in the middle, or, as it is sometimes called, the northern depart- ment ; that his presence is absolutely necessary in his home quar- ters for their immediate succour and service, as well as that of the United States, necessarily connected ; that if he returns, he is a general without an army or military chest, and ' why is he thus de- graded ?' How this matter will be untangled I cannot now exactly determine ; but I suspect, not entirely agreeably to your senti- ments."
This letter was dated on the 1st of May. The resolution of the 22d " untangled" the matter. The resolution was in these words : " that Albany, Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix, and their dependen- cies, be henceforward considered as forming the northern depart- ment," and "that Major-general Schuyler be directed forthwith to proceed to the northern department, and take the command there." A previous order that Albany should be the head-quarters of that department, was repealed. During the debate on this subject, Lovell gives Gates information of the progress, and what is said. It was asserted that by ordering him to Ticonderoga, congress did not intend to supersede Schuyler in the command, and of course that Gates had usurped authority ; and by fixing his head-quarters at Albany and issuing his orders from thence, had not conformed to the direction of congress, which required him to repair to Ticon- deroga. While this was pending in the national council, Gates sent on letters to his friends by another person who had hastily resigned his commission, which had been accepted. Mr. John Trumbull wrote from Philadelphia, on the 24th of May, 1777, thus :
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