USA > New York > Kings County > Revolutionary incidents of Suffolk and Kings Counties; with an account of the Battle of Long Island and the British prisons and prison-ships at New York > Part 2
USA > New York > Suffolk County > Revolutionary incidents of Suffolk and Kings Counties; with an account of the Battle of Long Island and the British prisons and prison-ships at New York > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
4. Capt. David Fithian; 1st Lt. Sam'l Conklin ; 2d Lt. Thos. Baker ; En. Dan'l Conklin.
21
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
5. Capt. St. Howell; 1st Lt. John White, jr .; 2d Lt. Lemuel Wick; En. Isaac Halsey.
6. Capt. Wm. Rogers, jr. ; 1st Lt. Jesse Halsey ; 2d Lt. Henry Halsey ; En. Nath'l Rogers.
7. Capt. Josiah Howell, jr. ; 1st Lt. Nath'l Howell; 2d Lt. Mat. Howell; En. Wm. Stephens.
8. Capt. Sam'l L' Hommedieu ; 1st Lt. Silas Jessup; 2d Lt. Ed- ward Conklin ; En. Dan'l Fordham.
9. Capt. John Sandford ; 1st Lt. Edward Topping ; 2d Lt. Philip Howell ; En. John Hildreth.
550. At Smithtown, Sept. 4, '75, Philetus Smith was chosen Capt. ; Edmund Smith, jr. 1st Lt. ; Dan'l Tillotson, 2d Lt .; and Richard Smith, En., under the inspection of Dan'l Smith, Jacob Mills and Thos. Tredwell, Committee-men.
551. Sep. 4, '75. Matthew Rose was chosen Capt. ; Hugh Smith, 1st Lt. ; David Fanning, 2d Lt. ; and John Smith, Ensign, of the 3d Company of 1st Reg. of Suffolk, at Southhold, in presence of Tho's Fanning and Wm. Smith, Committee-men.
Sep. 6, "75. Sam'l Thompson was chosen Capt., Abm. Wood- hull, 1st. Lt. ; Isaac Davis, 2d Lt. ; and Dan'l Satterly, Ensign, of 1st Company of Brookhaven, in presence of Nath'l Roe, jr., Rich'd Woodhull, and Sam'l Thompson, Committee-men.
552. At a meeting at Smithtown, Sept. 5, '75, for nomina- ting Field Officers for the Western Reg. of Suffolk, present,
From Huntington, John Sloss Hobart, Esq., Tho's Wickes, Esq., Dr. Gilbert Potter, Capt. Timothy Carll, Henry Scudder, Stephen Ketcham, Tho's Brush jr., John Squier, Eben'r Platt. From Smithtown, Tho's Tredwell, Esq., Jeffery Smith, Jacob Mills, Jonas Mills, Sam'l Phillips, Philetus Smith, Edmund Smith, Dan'l Smith. From Brook- haven, S.c., Wm. Smith, Tho's Fanning, Noah Hallock, Wm Brews- ter, Jona. Baker, John Woodhull, Jos. Brown, Sam'l Thompson, Dan'l Roe, Nath'l Roe. Wm. Floyd was nominated Col .; Dr. Gil- bert Potter, Lt. Col. ; Capt. Nathan Woodhull, 1st Major; Edmund Smith, 2d Major ; Philip Roe, Adj. ; John Roe, jr., Q. M .; Col. Nath'l Woodhull, Brig. Gen.
553. Sep. 5, "75. Eben'r Miller was chosen Capt. ; Caleb Wood- hull, 1st Lt. ; Jas. Davis, 2d Lt. ; and David Davis, Ensign, of 2d Com-
2*
22
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
pany in Brookhaven, in presence of Tho's Helme, John Woodhull and Noah Hallock, Committee-men.
554. Committee Chamber, Huntington, Sept. 11, "75. Oficers of the 1st three Militia Companies.
1. John Wickes, Capt .; Epenetus Conklin, 1st Lt .; Jonah Wood,2d Lt. ; Ebenezer Prime Wood, Ensign.
2. Jesse Brush, Capt. ; Epenetus Conklin, 1st Lt. ; Philip Conklin, 2d Lt .; Jos. Titus, Ensign.
3. Timothy Carll, Capt. ; Gilbert Fleet, 1st Lt. ; Joel Scudder, 2d Lt .; Nath'l Buffet, jr., Ensign.
4. The South part not yet elected officers.
555. At a meeting of the several committees in the 1st Reg. of Suffolk Co. held at Smithtown, Oct. 24, '75 Wm. Smith was appointed Chairman ; present,
Jesse Brush, Esq., John Squires, Stephen Ketcham, Tho's Wickes, Esq., Timothy Ketcham, Henry Scudder, Dr. Gilbert Potter, Tho's Brush, jr., Israel Wood, Stephen Kelsey, Ebenezer Platt, of Hunting- ton. Dan'l Tillotson, Tho's Tredwell, Esq., Jeffery Smith, Philetus Smith, Dan'l Smith, Capt. Job Smith, Jacob Mills, Edmund Smith, jr, Epenetus Smith, Sam'l Philips, of Smithtown. Wm. Smith, Jonah Hulse, of Manor St. George. Capt. Josiah Smith, of Moriches. Capt. Sam'l Thompson, Wm. Brewster, John Woodhull, Dan'l Roe, Nath'l Roe, Noah Hallock, Capt. Jona. Baker, Richard Woodhull, Esq., of Brookhaven.
Jeffery Smith was nominated 1st Major in place of Nathan Wood- hull declined ; and Capt. Jesse Brush 2d Major in place of Edmund Smith, jr., declined.
556. Nov. 7, '75. John Sloss Hobart, Tho's Tredwell, Selah Strong, Nath'l Woodhull, Ezra L'Hommedieu, David Gelston, Tho's Wickham, and Dan'l Brown, Esqrs., were elected Deputies to Pro- vincial Congress.
557. Nov. 27, "75. Lt. Case took his commission [as Capt.] ; Tho's Hempstead, 1st Lt .; Wm. Horton, jr., 2d Lt. ; John Drake, En- sign.
558.
Huntington, Dec. 10, '75.
SIR : You will receive this by Major Brush, who is appointed by the Committee to lay before the Congress, the state of the town as
23
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
to their slackness in military preparations, as also that we have great reason to believe all methods are used by our neighbors to make them indifferent in this great contest. We not only beg your advice but assistance, for it is my opinion, if there is not a sufficient number of men immediately sent to effectually subdue Queens Co. and to intimi- date the people among us, a great many from here will soon be in a little better condition than the rebels of Queens Co., which we have great reason to believe is making interest with our slaves and other ser- vants. I have exerted myself in my station, but if nothing is done by your House, I must be obliged to desist : but as to myself as an individual, I am determined to live and die free.
I am sir, your most humble servant,
GILBERT POTTER.
To JOHN S. HOBART EsQ. in Pro. Congress.
559. Commissions issued Dec. 12, "75. 2d Comp. Jona. Ti- tus, Capt. ; Joshua Rogers, Ist Lt. ; Tho's Brush, 2d Lt. 3d Comp. Joel Scudder, Capt. ; Nath'l Buffit, 1st Lt. ; Epenetus Smith, 2d Lt. ; John Hart, Ensign.
560. Manor St. George, Dec. 15, '75.
GENTLEMEN : There have enlisted as minute men 70 able-bodied men, within the bounds of Brook Haven, Smithtown, Manor St. George and the Patentship of Moriches, who have chosen Dan'l Roe, Capt .; Hugh Smith, 1st Lt .; Caleb Brewster, 2d Lt .; Eben'r Phil- ips, Ensign. And as Hugh Smith and David Fanning, Ist and 2d Lts. of the 3d Company in Brookhaven, (whereof Nath'l Roe is Capt.) have enlisted in the minute service, the company have chosen John Smith, 1st Lt. ; Wm. Baker, 2d. Lt .; Doxey Lane, Ensign.
The choice of the above was made in presence of us, who are of the committee. The minute men (who are much needed to still in- testine disaffection) want powder, ball, guns, drum, colors &c., which are not to be had here ; and if to be bought, a great part of the com- pany not able to purchase.
Your humble servants, WM. SMITH. JOSIAH SMITH.
To PRO. CONGRESS.
-
24
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
561. Jan. 5, "76. Congress send 1000 lbs. powder to Hunting- ton Committee.
562. Jan. 12, "76. Gilbert Potter certifies that St. Kelsey and Eben'r Platt, Committee-men, had inspected the election of officers at Cow Harbor, 5th comp. of Huntington, viz. Platt Veal, Capt. ; Michael Heart, Ist Lt .; Isaac Dennis, 2d Lt .; Jacob Conklin, En.
Thos. Wickes and Jesse Brush certify the election of John Buffet, Capt. ; Isaac Thompson, Ist Lt. ; Zeb. Ketcham, En. of the 4th Comp.
Suffolk Co., Jan. 24, "76.
563. GENTLEMEN :- In pursuance to your order, we have ap- pointed the Field-officers for the minute men and artillery company in this county. The militia of this county but little exceeds 2000. The great exposedness of the east end, and the extensiveness of the county, induces us to desire a no. of Continental troops may be sta- tioned here. We make no doubt the Continent proposes to protect this Island, and hope a sufficient force may be stationed here.
We have a no. of poor men who are good soldiers and friends to the cause, and would be glad to enlist as minute men, but have no guns. We should be glad to know if some could be procured at the public expense.
The situation of this county makes it difficult to raise and train the minute men. They complain that they are not sufficiently paid, considering the great distance they are obliged to travel ; many, 8, 10, and 12 miles, and that on foot, to exercise. The officers also, on the same account, are at considerable expense, besides the ex- pense of raising their companies, and pray they may be considered.
By order of the Committee, WM. SMITH, Chairman.
564.
Officers of Minute Men.
Feb. 20, "76.
Josiah Smith, Col .; John Hulbert, 2d Col .; Isaac Reeve, 1st Major ; Jona. Baker, 2d Major ; Ephraim Marvin, Adj., (in place of Isaac Overton, declined,) Eben. Dayton, Q. M.
Officers of the Artillery.
Wm. Rogers, Captain ; John Franks, Capt. Lt .; Jerem'h Rogers, Ist Lt. ; Thos. Baker, 2d Lt .; John Tuthill, Lt. fireworker.
25
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
565. Isaac Thompson, Chairman of the Committee of Islip, writes to Congress, Feb. 9, "76, that there never has been a militia company in that precinct, but that the east part bore arms in the Smithtown company, and the west were under a Huntington Captain, which has caused uneasiness. The people, with the consent of Col. Potter, assembled and chose Benajah Strong, Captain ; Jerem'h Ter- ry, Ist Lt. ; Sam'l Oakley, 2d Lt. ; and Annen Mowbray, En., who signed the association. The company numbers 36 or 37.
566. Thos. Cooper and S. Halsey, Committee-men, certify the election of Zeph. Rogers, Capt .; Nath'l Howel, jr., 1st Lt .; and Mat. Sayer, 2d Lt., of a company of minute men in South Hampton, before Feb. 23, "76.
.
Maltby Gelston certifies the election of David Pierson, Capt. ; John Foster, jr., 1st Lt .; Abm. Rose, 2d Lt .; and Edward Topping, En., of another company of minute men in South Hampton.
Ezekiel Mulford, Capt .; John Miller, 1st Lt. ; and Nath'l Hand, 2d Lt., of a company of minute men at East Hampton.
567. Wm. Smith, Chairman, requests of Congress, March 1, "76, the loan of £500, to be lodged with the Treasurer, Col. Josiah Smith, who is to pay out the same.
568. Mar. 4, '76. John Chatfield of E. Hampton, and Thos. Cooper of S. Hampton, are directed to station persons to keep look- out for the British fleet.
569. Mar. 27, '76. Nath'l Roe and Sam'l Thompson, certify the election of Selah Strong, Capt .; Wm. Clark, 1st Lt .; Caleb Brewster, 2d Lt. ; and Nath'l Brewster, En., of a minute company in Brookhaven.
570. Ap. 7, 76. Nath'l Platt, Capt. ; Sam'l Smith, Ist. Lt. ; Henry Skudder, 2d Lt .; and Henry Blatsley, En.
571. Account of Capt. Jeremiah Rogers, £22 18 6, for keeping look-out at South Hampton, March "76, when British fleet was ex- pected, certified by Henry Herrick, member of the Committee, was exhibited for payment, Jan. 28, "77. Jour. 791.
572. Ap. 18, '76. Nath'l Woodhull, Thos. Tredwell, Selah Strong, John Sloss Hobart, Thos. Wickham, David Gelston, Dan'l Brown, and Ezra L'Hommedieu, were elected to represent Suffolk
26
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
Co. in Provincial Congress, as appears by the certificate of Wm. Smith, Chairman, and Ezra L'Hommedieu, Clk. of the Committee.
573. Capt. John Davis had enlisted 70 men ; and Benj. Marvin, 1st Lt. of Capt Griffin's company, 75 men, before Ap. 3, "76.
574. In consideration of the defenceless state of E. part of Suf- folk Co., the 3 companies raised for continental service, were con- tinued there. Ap. 3, 76.
575. May 3, "76. Officers of two companies of minute men in Southold, Col. Smith's Reg.
1. Jona. Bayley, Capt. ; Joshua Youngs, 1st Lt .; John Tuthill, 2d Lt .; James Reeve, En.
2. Paul Reeve, Capt .; John Corwin, 1st Lt. ; David Horton, 2d Lt .; Nath'l Hudson, En.
576. May 9, "76. 2d N. Y. Reg.
1. Dan'l Roe, Capt. ; Jona. Titus, 1st Lt .; Geo. Smith, 2d Lt. ; Benj. Titus, En.
2. Daniel Griffen, Capt. ; Benjamin Marvin, 1st Lt. ; Nath'l Nor- ton, 2d Lt. ; Jacob Conklin, En.
3. John Davis, Capt. ; Wm. Haven, 1st Lt .; Edward Conklin, 2d Lt. ; Silvanus Conklin, En.
577. Return of Col. Smith's Regiment, May 30, "76.
Captains.
Lts.
Ensig's.
Serg's.
Corp's.
Drum's.
Fifers.
Privates
Remarks.
David Pierson,
2
1
3
3
1
1
42
Complete in arms.
Ezekiel Mulford,
2
3
3
1
1
40
do.
do.
Zeph. Rogers,
2
3
3
1
1
33
do.
do.
Paul Reeve,
2
1
3
3
1
1
35
do. except bayonets. do. except bayonets.
Jona. Bailey,
2
1
3
3
1
1
27
Selah Strong,
2
1
3
3
1
1
57
Nath'l Platt,
2
1
3
3
1
1
42
Thos. Wicks,
2
1
3
3
1
1
31
complete, except one man.
Total.
16 6 24 24
8
8 307
want 15 guns and bayonets. complete.
Drums, fifes, colors, all deficient.
27
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
Staff of Minute Regiment.
Josiah Smith, Col .; John Hulbert, Lt. Col. ; Isaac Reeve, Maj. ; Isaac Overton, 2d Maj .; Eph'm Marvin, Adj. ; Eben. Dayton, Q. M.
578. Wm. Smith writes to Congress from Manor St. George, May 25, '76, that there is a communication from Winthrop's Patent, and the Ships of War at the Hook ; that one Gyer, a skipper, had carried off a no. of disaffected persons, mostly from Conn., who had been skulking in the woods, particularly one Fountain, a gunsmith. It is suspected the British also get water, clams, and oysters. 15 minute men have been stationed there since last Monday, but as they are farmers, they cannot leave home without ruining their familes ; the matter is referred to Congress.
579. Lt. John Holliday sends to Gen. Greene, from Far Rocka- way, May 29, "76, Nathan and Lazarus Gyer, of Blue Point, and Benj. Scribner, taken in a clam boat near against Silas Carman's Landing, O. Bay. Gyer set 7 men ashore at Fort Neck Point, who were seen by Gilbert Jones, of the O. Bay Committee, with a pros- pect-glass. They were examined, May 26, before Joshua Ketcham and B. Birdsall.
580. June 8, "76. Jona. Baker and Steph. Fountain, convicted by the joint committees of Brookhaven, Manor St. George, and Pa- tentship of Moriches, of taking up arms and corresponding with the British ships, and promoting discord among the inhabitants and se- ducing many to forsake the cause of their country, were brought to Congress by Lt. Wm. Clarke, and committed to safe custody.
Jour. 484.
July 18. Nathan and Lazarus Gyre and Jona. Baker were sent to Litchfield jail. Jour. 530.
581. Quota of Suffolk, 200 ; of Queens, 175; of Kings, 58 men, to reinforce the Continental army at N. Y. June 7, "76.
582. The guard-boats Montgomerie and Schuyler lay at Fire I. Inlet, June 19, "76.
583. June 27, '76. Gen. Nath. Woodhull, Ezra L'Hommedieu, John Sloss Hobart, Burnet Miller, Thos. Dearing, David Gelston, Wm. Smith, and Thos. Tredwell, Esqs., elected to the 4th Pro. Con-
:
28
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
gress, with powers to establish a new form of government, as appears by a certificate of the committee, signed by Wm. Smith, Chairman. Jour. 515.
584. June 29, '76. Officers of 2d Comp., 3d Bat., Militia.
Edmund Howell, 1st Lt. ; Selah Reeves, 2d Lt. ; Jas Wells, En.
585.
List of Officers of Col. Smith's Reg.
Col. Josiah Smith ; Lt. Col. John Sands ; Maj. Abm. Remsen ; Chaplain, -; Adj't Thos. Waterman ; Q. Master Increase Carpen- ter ; Sergeant Maj. John Stratton ; Q. Master Serg. Maj. Jas. Hollid ; Surgeon, -; Surgeon's Mate, -.
Ist Company. Capt. Zeph'h Rogers ; Ist Lt. Edward Tapping ; 2d Lt. Paul Jones ; Serg'ts Hugh Gelston, Tim. Halsey, David Lupton ; Corp's Jehiel Howell, Elias Pierson, Jona. Cook.
2d Comp. Capt. Nath'l Platt ;* 1st Lt. Sam'l Smith ; 2d Lt. Henry Skudder ; Serg'ts John Stratton, John Carll, Jesse Bunce ; Corp's Jas. Hubbs, Jed'h Mills, John Hart.
3d Comp. Capt. Benj. Coe ; Ist Lt. Robt. Furman ; 2d Lt. -; Serg'ts Wm. Penfold, Nathan Furman, Gabriel Leveridge ; Corp's Ga- briel Smith, Thos. Gillinworth, John Furman. (See Q. Co. p. 93.)
4th Comp. Capt. Peter Nostrand ; Ist Lt. Thos. Williams, (See Q. Co., p. 85) ; 2d Lt. John Carman ; Serg'ts Benj. Cornell, Martin Ryer- son, Abm. Probasco ; Corp'l Rem. Hardenbergh.
5th Comp. Capt. Thos. Wicks ; 1st Lt. Brush ; 2d Lt. Whitman ; Serg'ts Ketcham, Vail, Sammis ; Corp's Rusco, Conklin, Kelsey.
6th Comp. Capt. R. Manee ; Ist Lt. Jotham Townsend; 2d Lt. Richard Townsend ; Serg'ts Wm. Roe, Sam'l Burr, Hicks ; Corp's Mitchell, Jackson. (See Queens Co., p. 94.)
7th Comp. Capt. Selah Strong ; Ist Lt. Caleb Brewster ;t 2d Lt. [Nath'l?] Brewster ; Serg'ts Woodhull, Smith, Woodhull ; Corp's Haw- kins, Marvin, Lyons.
8th Comp. Capt. Youngs ; Ist Lt. John Robert ; 2d Lt. Isaac Hicks ; Serg'ts Beasley, King, Conn ; Corp's Racket, Lawey [or Lowere ], Smith. (See Q. Co., p. 98.)
9th Comp. Capt. [Paul] Reeve ; Ist Lt. Curen [Corwin ?] ; 2d Lt. Benjamin ; Serg'ts Wheelock Roe, Rich'd Hubbard, Nath'l Conklin ; Corp's Solomon, Havens, Wells.
10th Comp. Capt. Wmn. Ludlam; Ist Lt. Increase Carpenter ; 2d
29
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
Lt. Ephraim Marston ; Serg'ts Thurston, Higbie ; Corp's Oba. Smith, Noah Smith. (See Q. Co., p. 97.)
11th Comp. Capt. B. Birdsall.
12th Comp. Capt. Ezekiel Mulford ; Ist Lt. Sayre ; 2d Lt. [Nath']] Hand ; Serg'ts M. Mulford, Pierson, Domini; Corp's Henry Sherrel, Benj. Crook, Ludlam Parsons.}
* Capt. Nath'l Platt, of Col. Smith's Reg't of militia drafts raised on L. I., rec'd, March 8, '77, of Congress £8, for the last half bounty paid Nath'l Smith, Matthew Beal, and Thomas Peters, privates. Also £141, 17, 6, in full of a Pay and Subsistence Roll of part of his company that joined Col. H. B. Livingston's Reg. Jour. 828.
t Jan. 16, '77. A Pay Roll for £70, 18, 9, of Caleb Brewster, Lt. and Cor. Clark, Zophar Hawkins, and Jacob Jones, privates in Capt. Selah Strong's Company, in Col. Smith's Reg., who joined Col. Livings- ton's Reg., from July 20 to Dec. 29, was paid by Congress.
Jour. 774.
# Capt. Hulbert's account current :
Dr. Pay Roll, Aug. 31, 1776, £332. 17. 8.
Amount of billeting, 137. 15. 24.
Acc't of supplies, 12. 12. 11.
£483. 5. 94.
($72 for enlisting men, (£28. 16.),
officers' wages and billeting ) Cr. cash rec'd of Thomas Wickham, Esq., 140. 00. 0.
Balance due, 343. 5. 94.
£482. 5. 94.
586.
Smith Town, Aug. 12, '76.
SIR :- I here send you inclosed, the Resolution"of the Convention and a Letter from the President ; likewise a Letter from Gen. Greene. I desire that you would with all speed embody all the new raised Levies under our command, at the most convenient place that you think proper in your county, on the way to Gen. Greene's encampment. Sir, the companies in Suffolk County are now on their march, and I expect to meet you at Increase Carpenter's to-morrow, some time in the latter part of the day.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
JOSIAH SMITH, Col.
To Col. John Sands at Cow Neck.
30
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York, at Harlem, Aug. 8, 1776, Resolved, That Col. Josiah Smith immedi- ately march all his new Levies to the western part of Nassau Island, . and within 2 miles of Brig. Gen. Greene's encampment ; and that he obey such orders as he may receive from time to time from Gen. Greene.
Harlem, Aug. 8, '76.
SIR :- You will see by the inclosed resolution that you are ordered to march the whole force under your command within 2 miles of the army at the west end of L. I., commanded by Gen. Greene. It is expected by this Convention, that you order Kings and Queens Counties first, as they are near, and Suffolk to follow as soon as possible. These direc- tions, with the inclosed, I am directed to send you with dispatch, not doubting you will execute them with the utmost diligence.
From your friend and very humble servant.
NATH'L WOODHULL, Pres't.
Col. Josiah Smith.
N. B. If this letter finds you in Queens County or Kings, you must dispatch your orders to your officers by express, and Congress will pay the cost.
[See Greene's Letter, Sec. 93, Queens Co .- Ed.
587.
Huntington, July 23, "76.
Yesterday the Freedom and Independence of the Thirteen Uni- ted Colonies was, with beat of drum, proclaimed at the several places of parade, by reading the Declaration of the General Congress, to- gether with the Resolutions of our Provincial Convention thereupon ; which were approved and applauded by the animated shouts of the people who were present from all the distant quarters of this district. After which the flag which used to wave on Liberty-pole, having Lib- erty on one side, and George III. on the other, underwent a reform, i. e. the Union was cut off, and the letters George III. were discarded, being publicly ripped off; and then an effigy of the Personage, repre- sented by those letters, being hastily fabricated out of base materi- als, with its face black like Dunmore's Virginia [negro] regiment, its head adorned with a wooden crown, and its head stuck full of feathers, like Carleton and Johnson's Savages, and its body wrapped in the Union, instead of a blanket or robe of state, and lined with gun-powder, which the original seems to be fond of. The whole, to- gether with the letters above mentioned,was hung on a gallows, ex- ploded and burnt to ashes. In the evening the Committee of this
31
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
town, with a large number of the principal inhabitants sat around the genial board, and drank 13 patriotic toasts, among which were, The free and independent States of America; The General Con- gress ; The Convention of the 13 States; Our principal military Commanders, and success and enlargement to the American Navy. Nor was the memory of our late brave heroes, who have gloriously lost their lives in the cause of Liberty and their Country forgotten.
Holt's N. Y. Journal.
588. The Committee of Southold expended £24. 17. 4. for mounting four cannon Aug. 19, "76, as field-pieces for the protec- tion of the East End of L. I.
589. Convention send an express on Saturday morning Aug. 24, to Suffolk Co. to Gen. Woodhull, or in his absence to Lt. Col. Pot- ter, to march without delay half the western Reg. of Suffolk Co. Militia, with 5 days' provisions into the Western part of Queens : to order out all the militia of Queens with the horse, to prevent the stock and provisions in Queens from falling into the enemy's hands, either by removing or destroying them.
Aug. 25. Gen. Woodhull arrived in Jamaica, whence he wrote to the convention for further instructions, but the letter is lost-Ed.
590.
Huntington, Aug. 26, "76.
I had not arrived at my house from Jamaica half an hour, before I received information by express from Capt. Thompson of Brook- haven, that two ships, one brig and three tenders had landed a num- ber of regular troops between Old Man's and Wading Rivers, who at one o'clock were shooting cattle. Major Smith has ordered the detachment designed for your party to the eastward, and as our men are gone and the wind fresh to the eastward, I well know they can- not lay there. I expect them in our bay before morning, the only harbor in the Sound : I have not ordered any men from here as yet, but am mustering them to make as good opposition as possible. We must have help here; every thing possible for me shall be done. I think Gen. Washington should be acquainted. Our women are in great tumult.
In great haste, Yours,
GILBERT POTTER.
To Brig. Gen. Woodhull.
591. Benj. Havens, Nath'l Williams, Philip Allen, jr., John Hendrickson and Nathaniel Seaman were empowered to purchase all
32
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
fat cattle and sheep in Queens and Suffolk Co's on account of the Commissary General, and drive them down to Gen. Woodhull's En- campment.
592. Westward of Queens Co., Aug. 27, '76.
GENTLEMEN :- Inclosed I send you a copy of a letter from Col. Potter, who left me yesterday at 11 o'clock, after bringing about 100 men to me at Jamaica. Major Smith has, I expect, all the rest that was to come from Suffolk Co. There has about 40 of the militia joined me from the Regiments in Queens Co., and about fifty of the troop be- longing to Kings and Queens Co's, which is near all I expect. I have got all the cattle southward of the Hills in Kings Co. drove to the eastward of the cross road between the two Co's, and have placed guards and sentries from the North road to the South side of the Island, in order to prevent the cattle going back, and to prevent the communica- tions of the Tories with the enemy. I am within about six miles of the enemy's camp. Their light-horse, * has been within two miles of me, and unless I have more men our stay here will answer no purpose. We shall soon want to be supplied with provision, if we tarry here. I am, gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant
NATH'L WOODHULL. " See Queens Co., Sec. 99, Note .- Ed.
593. Aug. 26. Convention orders Col. Smith's and Remsen's Reg's to join Gen. Woodhull, and that he then take post on the heights near the west of Queens Co., or in any convenient place, for preventing the depredations and incursions of the Enemy : and that he call out the militia and other inhabitants to protect those re- moving, or to destroy stock and other provisions. He is also to pre- vent intercourse with the enemy and secure suspicious persons and search their houses for papers.
Smith's and Remsen's Regiments were now shut up in the American Lines, so that no assistance ever reached Woodhull .- Ed.
594.
Jamaica, Aug. 27, '76.
GENTLEMEN :- I am now at Jamaica, with less than 100 men ; hav- ing brought all the cattle from the westward, southward of the hills ; and have sent them off with the Troops of Horse, with orders to take all the rest Eastward of this place to the East end of Hempstead Plains, and to put them into the fields and set a guard over them. The enemy, I am informed, are intrenching from the Heights near Howard's, South-
33
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
ward .* I have now received yours, with several resolutions, which I wish it was in my power to put in execution, but, unless Col's Smith and Remsen, mentioned in yours, join me with their Regiments, or some other assistance immediately, I shall not be able, for the people are all moving East, and I cannot get any assistance from them. I shall con- tinue here as long as I can, in hopes of a reinforcement ; but if none comes soon, I shall retreat and drive the stock before me, into the woods. Col's Smith and Remsen, I think cannot join me. Unless you can send me some other assistance, I fear I shall soon be obliged to quit this place. I hope soon to hear from you. I am, gentlemen,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.