USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume I > Part 23
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A fairly large force was left in possession of the lines which had been vacated, and during the night it set fire to several barns and one house which contained forage; and some provisions which for the want of teams could not be removed were also destroyed. On the morning after the withdrawal of the main body of the American army from its lines at the head of the White Plains General Howe gave orders for the occupation of those lines by the British; but again a violent rain inter- posed, and the project was abandoned. At a later hour, however, the Hessian Grenadiers were moved from Chatterton's Hill, and occupied those lines, very possibly as the beginning of a movement against the new position of the American army, which after a due examination of its strength, was conducted no further. On the morning of Friday, Novem- ber 1st, simultaneously with the movement of the Hessian Grenadiers and with other equally important preparations, the whole, it would ap- pear, preliminary to an assault on the new position of the American army on the high grounds of Northcastle, a heavy body from the right of the British army, with a number of field pieces, was moved against the extreme left of the American lines, where the division commanded by General Heath was posted, and opened a heavy fire, which was re- turned by Captain-Lieutenant Bryant and Lieutenant Jackson of the American artillery, neither party sustaining any loss which was par- ticularly worthy of record. A violent rain, however, again interposed, and the project, whatever it may have been, was abandoned.
Thus foiled in his endeavors to cut off the communications of the American army with the upper country as well as with New England and to draw General Washington to give him battle in a general en- gagement, in other words, having been completely out-generaled by the commander-in-chief of the forces whom his associates in arms had so contemptuously ridiculed-General Howe determined to abandon the attempt and to withdraw his powerful command from Westchester County in search for laurels on other and more inviting fields. The
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two armies continued in their respective lines, not more than a long cannon shot from each other, until the following Saturday night, when the American sentries heard what they supposed to have been a rum- bling sound of moving artillery. On Monday night, November 4th, however, the entire encampment of the enemy was broken up, and on the following morning he made a sudden and unexpected movement from all the posts in front of the American lines which he had previ- ously taken. As early as the preceding Monday, evidently preparatory to this movement, General Knyphausen, who had been left at New Rochelle with the second division of the German troops, to keep open the communication between the army and the fleet, had been ordered to leave the regiment of Waldeckers, who formed a portion of his com- mand, at that place, and to move with the remainder of the division, six fresh battalions of Hessians, towards Kingsbridge; and on Saturday, November 2nd, he had occupied a position on Manhattan Island, near that place. On Sunday, November 3rd, the entire army had been or- dered to provide itself with forage, for three days' consumption. On the following day Major-General Grant, with the fourth brigade of British troops, had been moved down to Mile Square and Valentine's Hill; General Agnew, with the sixth brigade of British troops, the same that had been moved to Mamaroneck, on the morning after the Queen's Rangers had been so roughly handled by Colonel Haslet and his com- mand, had been moved from that place to a bridge over the Bronx River, near De Lancey's Mill, in the town of Westchester; and the Waldeckers, whom General Knyphausen had left at New Rochelle on the preceding Monday, were moved to another bridge, also over the Bronx River, three miles above the other, then and later known as Wil- liam's Bridge, and every other necessary preparation for an orderly and undisturbed retreat had, in the meanwhile, been taken.
Pillaging Lower Westchester County-At the time that Washington and the main body of the American army were thus falling back from their position at North Castle, the British commander, Howe, and the main body of the invading army continued to fall back and approach Kingsbridge. On Sunday, November 10th, a brigade of Hessians was moved to that place to increase the strength of General Knyphausen's already strong division ; and two days afterwards, the main body of the British army broke up the encampment at Dobbs Ferry, which it had occupied from the preceding Wednesday, and in two columns moved towards Kingsbridge. It rested on November 13th on the heights of Fordham and formed a line with the right upon the road leading to the borough town of Westchester, and covered by the Bronx River and with the left on the Hudson River, where it remained, until preparations
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for the assault on Fort Washington, which had been reasonably deter- mined on, had been completed. The progress of the enemy through Westchester County was marked by many outrages. The victims in- cluded both men and women, old and young, the children and the aged and infirm, as well as those who were disposed to favor the British. As General Washington put it, while forewarning the Governor of New Jersey of what the fate of that people would be, "they have treated all, here, without discrimination; the distinction of Whig and Tory has been lost in one general scene of ravage and desolation." The British and the Hessians earned equal infamy in the work of pillage and mur- der; and what of property the soldiers spared was frequently carried away by the soldiers' wives and mistresses, who formed a part of the retinue of the army. Indeed the cumulation of outrages called out from one of the most prominent of the anti-American element the following graphic depiction of the work of ravage:
The inhuman treatment alluded to was the indiscriminate plunder suffered to be committed, by the soldiery under his command, on Staten Island, Long Island, the White Plains, and in the Province of New Jersey, where friend and foe, loyal- ist and rebel, met with the same fate-a series of continued plunder, which was a disgrace to an Army pretending to discipline, and which, while it tended to relax the discipline of the troops, could not fail to create the greatest aversion, even in the breast of loyalty itself, to a service which, under the fair pretence of giving them protection, robbed them, in many instances, even of the necessaries of life.
The hardships inflicted on the inhabitants of Westchester County were not confined to those produced by the royal British army and its followers. Soldiers and officers in the American army were also in- volved in depredations. General Washington was constrained to add to his previous General Orders another denunciation illustrative of the practice and of his views concerning them : His language was vigorous :
It is with astonishment the General hears that some Officers have taken Horses, between the enemy's Camp and ours, and sent them into the country, for their private use. Can it be possible that persons bearing Commissions and fighting in such a cause, can degrade themselves into plunderers of Horses? He hopes every Officer will set his face against it, in future; and does insist that the Colonels and commanding Officers of Regiments immediately inquire into the matter, and re- port to him who have been guilty of these practices; and that they take an ac- count of the Horses in their respective encampments; and send to the Quarter- master-general all that are not in some public service.
While some of the officers of the American army were thus employed in replenishing their own stables, at their respective homes, from the stables of the farmers in the valley of The Bronx, others of the army, officers and private soldiers, were systematically visiting the houses of the farmers of the district and robbing them of things greatly valued by them. Like the British and Hessians they were respecters neither
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of the friends of the American cause nor of the friends of the enemy ; as Scharf, historian of Westchester County, puts it :
Nor did they hesitate to rob helpless and unprotected females and their fam- ilies; sometimes turning them out of their houses, undressed and in their night- clothes; and generally adding personal abuse to their victims to the crime of rob- bing them. Nothing whatever was unacceptable to the thieves; and the bags of Feathers and of unmanufactured Wool, the desks and Tea-tables and Chairs, the Book-cases and Books, the Andirons and brass and copper Kettles, the linen Cur- tains and Looking-glasses and women's Hats, the Churns and Washtubs, the sets of Sleigh-harness and skips of Bees, which appear recorded among the articles which were thus stolen by the soldiers whom Massachusetts and Connecticut had sent into the Army, very clearly indicated that while the Horses of the farmers of Westchester County were stolen for the supplying of the stables of the thieves, at their respective homes, the Household Furniture belonging to the same farmers, and the Clothing of their wives, and their unmanufactured Wool and Feathers, and their Bees, were also stolen for the purpose of enriching the homes and work- rooms and the gardens of those same "Christian" New Englanders, and the ward- robes of their families. Among those who were thus robbed were Miles Oakley, who was the landlord of the Tavern, contiguous to the Court-house, in the Village of White Plains; John Martine, the grandfather of the late Caleb Martine of Green- burgh, and the widow of the late Thomas Dean of Tarrytown, whose homestead is now occupied by Isaac F. Van Wart, of Greenburgh; Talman Pugsley, who is said to have lived where the brick School-house now stands, opposite to the resi- dence of Abraham Beare, of Greenburgh; Phoebe Oakley, who was the sister-in- law of Talman Pugsley; Marmaduke Foster, who was the son-in-law of John Martine; and Solomon Pugsley and the widow Elizabeth Pugsley, whose places of residence are not known to us; and their Depositions and Statements and the Schedules of the articles stolen from John Martine and his son-in-law, afford at once the evidence of the robberies and the comforts which were to be found in the homes of the quiet and industrious and intelligent residents of Westchester- county, at that time. Among the thieves whose names have come down to us, were Major Bacon, Captains Gale, Shaddock, and Ford, and others, of Colonel Brewer's Regiment of Artificers, of the Massachusetts Line; and Officers and Privates of the Regiment of Connecticut troops, commanded by Colonel Charles Webb.
In view of these offenses and of others concerning which no records have been preserved the Committee of Safety for the State addressed a letter to the President of the Continental Congress, which concludes with these words: "I have the satisfaction to assure you that the for- titude of this State and their zeal for the glorious cause in which we are engaged is not abated; on the contrary, we are prepared to meet even severer misfortunes with a spirit and firmness becoming the generous advocates of Liberty. Unhappily am I to add that amidst all our suffer- ing the Army employed for the protection of America have not re- frained from embittering even the calamities of War. At a time when the utmost resources of this State were laid open to their wants, and the members of Convention personally submitted to the labour and fa- tigue which were necessary, on a sudden emergency, and after frequent
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losses of Provisions and Barracks, to supply two numerous Armies, augumented by the Militia, with every article which they required, the Court-house and the remains of the Village, at the White Plains, which had been spared on the retreat of our forces, was, after the enemy had, in their turn, retired, wantonly destroyed, without the Orders and to the infinite regret of our worthy General. Besides, in spite of all his Excel- lency's efforts, wherever our troops have marched or been stationed, they have done infinite damage to the possessions and farms, and have pilfered the property of the people.
"I am directed, Sir, to submit it to the honorable Congress whether some effectual remedy ought not to be provided against such disor- derly and disgraceful proceedings. The soldier who plunders the country he is employed to protect, is no better than a robber, and ought to be treated accordingly ; and a severe example ought, in the opinion of the Committee, to be made of the officer who, without necessity or his General's permission, set fire to the Court-house and other build- ings, at the White Plains. He is guilty of the crime of Arson; and if he cannot be punished by the Articles of War, he ought to be given up to the Laws of the land. If so glaring a violation of every sentiment of humanity should be passed over, in silence, if the Army is not seasonably restrained from such acts of barbarity, the consequence must be fatal to the cause of a people whose exalted glory it is to be advocates for the Rights of Mankind against the tyranny and oppression of lawless power."
The line of conduct taken by the American commander in the trying events. of that memorable campaign in the valley of the Bronx has received the approbation of his country and of a good part of the outside world, and secured for him high honor as a soldier and commanding general. The conduct of General Howe, the British commander, has received no more than the approbation of the English king, his step- brother, and of the part of the Opposition in the English Parliament, of which he was a member. The commanders of the British forces, both of the army and the fleet, were arraigned both in the British press and in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, for what was de- scribed as their want of judgment in the elaboration of their plans and with lack of energy and vigor in their execution. "A connection with the Opposition, and a resolution, assumed before their departure from England, to frustrate every measure of the present Administration and thereby to bring them into disgrace with their Sovereign and the Nation," were also boldly charged on the two brothers; while others "shrewdly suspected that their poverty, not their will, consented"-they said that it was "obvious to all, that, had the Admiral destroyed the rebel ships in their ports or effectually blockaded up their harbors no
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valuable captures of Tobacco or Indigo could have fallen to the share of the British Admiral"; and they did not hesitate to assert that large fortunes were accumulated from that source. They also took advantage of the friendship which had existed between the family of Howe and the Americans during the French war and they boldly charged the brothers with positive friendship for the American cause. A good many of the charges had a more or less sound basis. The Howe brothers were both lazy and pleasure-loving; they were fond of company, wine and play ; they were known to have kept a sharp eye on the spoils. But there were other circumstances of which their accusers knew very little and of which later generations have not learned much. When the Committee of the House of the House of Commons was charged with the duty of inquiring into the conduct of General Howe during his command of the king's troops in North America, that officer made a written de- fense, in which we find the following words relative to the operations of the royal army in the valley of The Bronx.
From the twelfth of October, the day the Army landed on Frog's-neck, to the twenty-first of the same month, we were employed in getting up Stores and Pro- visions; and in bringing over the Dragoons, the Second Division of Hessians, and the carriages and horses for transporting Provisions, Artillery, Ammunition, and Baggage. Four or five days had been unavoidably taken up in landing at Frog's- neck, instead of going, at once, to Pell's-point, which would have been an im- prudent measure, as it could not have been executed without much unnecessary risk. On the twenty-eighth of October, the engagement at the White Plains took place. But it has been asserted, that, by my not attacking the lines, on the day of that action, I lost an opportunity of destroying the Rebel Army; and it has been also said, that I might have cut off the enemy's retreat by the Croton-bridge. Sir: an assault upon the enemy's right, which was opposed to the Hessian troops, was intended. The Committee must give me credit when I assure them, that I have political reasons, and no other, for declining to explain why that assault was not made. Upon a minute inquiry those reasons might, if necessary, be brought out, in evidence at the Bar. If, however, the assault had been made, and lines . carried, the enemy would have got off, without much loss; and no way had we, that I could ever learn, of cutting off their retreat by the Croton-bridge. I can- not conceive the foundation of such an idea. By forcing the lines, we should, un- doubtedly, have gained a more brilliant advantage, some Baggage, and some Pro- visions; but we had no reason to suppose that the Rebel Army could have been destroyed. The ground in their rear was such as they could wish, for securing their retreat, which, indeed, seemed to be their particular object. And, Sir, I do not hesitate to confess that, if I could, by any manoeuvre, remove an enemy from a very advantageous position, without hazarding the consequences of an attack, where the point to be carried was not adequate to the loss of men to be expected from the enterprise, I should certainly adopt that cautionary conduct, in the hopes of meeting my adversary upon more equal terms.
Cowboys and Skinners in No Man's Land-At the time of the British occupation of New York City, what was known as the neutral territory of Westchester County, called also No Man's Land, referring to a
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portion of the county stretching from the New York City line to the Croton River, was continually exposed to British and American raids, writes Ralph Burrell. "The raiding forces east of the Hudson, between the American and British lines, were infested with bands of robbers and outlaws, not regularly attached to either army. These ruffians, under the pretext of keeping up a partisan warfare subjected the in- habitants of this territory to numerous raids and forages. There were two sets of these outlaws, the Cowboys or cattle thieves and the Skinners. These terms were used to refer to their political connections rather than to their practices, for in this respect they were the same. The former marauded under the British banner, the latter were Ameri- cans. But as a matter of fact both parties were enemies to any farmer or lonely traveller whose unprotected situation offered a prospect of booty." Washington Irving describes these parties as follows: "This debatable territory was overrun by predatory bands of outlaws from either side, sacking hen roosts, plundering farmhouses, and driving off cattle. Hence arose those two great orders of border chivalry, the 'Skinners' and the 'Cowboys.' The former marauded under the British, the latter under the American banner ; but both in their hurry of military ardor were apt to err on the safe side and rob friend as well as foe. Neither of them stopped to ask the politics of the horse or cow they drove into captivity or to trouble their heads, when they wrung the neck of some rooster, to ascertain whether he had crowed for Congress or King George." It is a fact, however, that several of the most important and most formidable raids were made outside of the Neutral Grounds proper. Important among them was the attack made by the Cowboys or Tories on the American post at Yorktown and Compound in 1789. In fact these two villages were continually exposed. But American raids were not lacking. Daring assaults were made on the British lines as far south as Kingsbridge. The command of the American armies on the outskirts of the Neutral Ground was given to officers of approved courage and enterprise. Colonel Aaron Burr distinguished himself here by the discipline and efficiency he maintained. Because of the lack of forces it was necessary to know the political opinions of the inhabitants. General William Hull, who later surrendered Detroit without a battle, here proved himself a different man. General Hull had selected a number of families on whose loyalty he could rely and formed a line of them from Kingsbridge to his most advanced lines, so that he could communicate his plans or secure reliable information of British movements. He requested the people on learning valuable information to take a pitcher or jug and go to his neighbor for cider. His neighbor on learning the information repeated the trick until the news reached Hull. Thus he could offset Tory raids and guarantee
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the Americans some protection. Awful conditions prevailed in the Neu- tral Ground. The houses were scenes of desolation. The cattle were gone. The fields were covered with weeds. Everything was at a stand- still. But these parties did not stop at theft. They seemed to enjoy the sight of suffering. Often they left their victims from whom they plundered everything, stretched upon barn doors by their arms or thumbs. But as already stated the military force was too small to provide safety."
The effect of these raids upon the population was in a way tragic, the same writer goes on to say. The people ever retired at night with the fear that before morning they might be murdered or their homes set on fire. "The people became morose and melancholy. They feared all strangers and were suspicious of their neighbors. When ques- tioned they tried to be polite or at least civil, but they made no effort to continue the conversation. Travelling at that time was rare also because of fear of being kidnapped by one of the parties. The roads were deserted except for some lonely scouting party. These raids were looked on with approval by the British side, and by the American authorities at least without disapproval. But these organizations, al- though outlaws, served their country to a great degree. For the Skin- ners played an important part in the capture of Major André, the British spy. The early part of the conspiracy, Arnold's betrayal, etc., has no relation to the Neutral Ground, but his capture did. As André and Smith, his companion, journeyed through Yorktown, a small village in the northern part of Westchester County, they heard rumors that the Cowboys were out in force. Although they professed to be Tories, André's companion, a local man, knowing their practices, was afraid to continue his journey. André, therefore, was obliged to spend the night at a small farm house, now known locally as the Bryant Farm. They rose before dawn and journeyed until they reached the Croton River, which marked the upper boundary of the Neutral Ground. Arnold had given Smith instructions that in adapting a land route, he should not leave André until they reached White Plains, but he was uneasy and wished to return. He therefore told André that they were in a neutral territory and that André would be safe. Whether Smith had said this intentionally or really believed it, is not known. André, however, think- ing himself safe consented to the return and continued his journey alone. André left to himself struck into the road leading to Tarrytown, hoping to meet no worse enemies than the Cowboys, who would respect his uniform or if they were bent on plunder, would be satisfied with his watch and money. That morning, however, a party of seven Skinners had come out to intercept some Cowboys, who were expected up the road. About nine o'clock as André was approaching the creek above
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Sleepy Hollow he was suddenly confronted by three of this party. André, being a stranger, was stopped. One of the men happened to be wearing a Hessian coat and André, noting this, thought they must be Cowboys. He expressed a hope that they were Cowboys and being answered that this was the case he declared himself a British officer on an important mission. To his great dismay he now realized his mis- take. André showed them a pass signed by Arnold, but they searched him, finding six papers hidden in his stocking. 'By God he is a spy,' said Paulding, the one who wore the Hessian coat. André then tried to buy his freedom, but the men were not to be bought. They sent their prisoner to Colonel Jamieson who was in command of the nearest post. This was at North Castle. Jamieson sent the prisoner to Arnold himself, together with a brief note explaining the case. On re-examin- ing the letters and other papers found on André, he became suspicious and sending a cavalry troop to overtake him, he determined to keep André at his own post. But he allowed the note to be delivered and Arnold immedately escaped to the British. Congress recognized the services of these three Skinners by granting each a pension and in addition three confiscated farms. The Neutral Ground is well repre- sented in literature. Cooper's 'Spy' is, as the title states, a story of the Neutral Ground. Cooper's hero, 'Harvey Birch,' was a real person- age whose name was Enoch Crosby, a respected citizen of Westchester County who died at Golden's Bridge in 1835. Cooper obtained the facts of Crosby's career from John Jay, to whom Crosby had privately related them. But there were other spies of the Neutral Ground un- known to fame as was Crosby, whose services were fully as valuable and equally conspicuous. An interesting story is told of one of them, an Elisha Holmes, who was a firm friend of General Washington. On one occasion Holmes sent certain information to Major Tallmage, who was in command of a post at Bedford. Holmes signed his message 'E. H.' The major recognized neither handwriting nor initials, and sent it to Washington. General Washington wrote back: 'Believe all E. H. tells you.'
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