USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 3 > Part 11
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 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
At Roxbury, where General Thomas commanded, a strong work had been erected on the hill.
. 108
HISTORY OF THE
The troops from New Hampshire, with a regiment from Rhode Island, amounting to nearly two thousand men, occu. pied Winter Hill. About one thousand men, commanded by General Putnam, were on Prospect Hill. Between four and five thousand men were stationed at Roxbury. The residue. except about seven hundred men, were placed at Sewer', Farm.
Thus the American forces occupied a considerable extent. and effectually prevented the enemy from stirring out of their works.
Washington, about this time, divided the army into three divisions. That part which lay at Roxbury constituted thi right wing, and was commanded by General Ward; those troops at Mystic or Medford river, formed the left, and was placed under General Lee; the centre division, including the reserve, was under his own immediate command. The whole amounted to about fourteen thousand five hundred men. The deficiency of ammunition was such, that no operations could be undertaken. Bayonets, intrenching implements, and even tents, were deficient to a very alarming extent. No uniformity exist- ed in the army, and very little order. In Massachusetts the men had chosen their officers, and felt no inferiority to them. Animated with the spirit of liberty, and collected for its defence, they were not sensible of the importance of discipline, and it was found no easy matter to make them conform to its rules. The army was, consequently, in a state of almost entire disor- ganization. The time of service of many was to expire in No- vember, and none were engaged longer than the last of De- cember.
To the many other wants of the army, was added that of clothes. Their operations were greatly affected too, by the total want of engineers. To increase the derangements, the, appoint- ment of general officers gave extensive dissatisfaction, and oc- casioned several to withdraw.
These disadvantages deducted essentially from the efficiency of the army ; but Washington observed that there were mate-
-----
.
109
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
rials for a good army. He was, therefore, indefatigable in or- ganizing it, so as to render it more useful. He arranged the army into brigades and divisions, and procured the appoint- ment of a paymaster and quarter-master-general, and such other general stati as are necessary in the formation of a regular army.
About this time General Gage was reinforced by a detach- ment of troops from New-York, after which his whole army amounted to about eight thousand effective men: But he made no attempt on the American lines, probably on account of the severe reception given to his troops at Breed's Hill.
Both armies continued to work on their fortifications, with- out seriously molesting each other. Small skirmishes occasion- ally happened between the outposts.
In the mean time the distress of the British army for provi- sions became very considerable. They could obtain none from the country, because all the avenues were strongly guard- ed. Several predatory parties sailed out of Boston, but as they were met by the militia wherever they landed, they could not relieve the wants of their countrymen, cooped up in town.
In July, Georgia joined the confederacy ; after which the style of the Thirteen United Colonies was assumed.
Congress, after a recess of one month, met again on the fifth of September. Immediately after their meeting, they exerted themselves in order to supply the army with arms, ammunition, and other things. They dispatched agents to the coast of Africa, who purchased considerable quantities of powder at the British forts. They also caused a magazine in the island of Bermuda to be seized. Their efforts were also directed to the manufacture of powder. But all these measures, however, were inadequate to the demand.
Orders had been issued in his Majesty's name, to the com- manders of ships of war, to burn such towns situated on the coast as should be found in arms. Accordingly, a small naval force, commanded by Captain Mowatt, sailed for Falmouth. a seaport town between Boston and Halifax, and reduced it to ashes.
110
HISTORY OF THE
This measure was very strongly reprobated throughout America, and was a mean of turning the attention of Congress to their marine.
The convention of Massachusetts, however, before Congress took the matter up, granted letters of marque and reprisal.
Congress, in the first instance, did not grant general letters, but directed such vessels as sailed out under their orders, to capture no ships, but such as were engaged in giving assistance to the enemy.
A few small cruisers had already been fitted out by the di- rections of Washington, and the coast soon swarmed with the privateers of New England. Many captures were made, and very important supplies of ammunition were thus obtained. The cruisers of Massachusetts were very successful; and the enemy, who had not been under any apprehension of attacks, smarted severely under these first essays of colonial maritime warfare.
Captain Manly was remarkable fortunate. He made many very valuable captures of vessels loaded with military stores, among which was a large ship, having on board arms and am- munition, with a considerable assortment of such working tools, utensils, and machines, as were most needed in the American camp ..
These captures, and others, increased the distress of the Bri- tish troops very much.
Mr. Tryon, who was very popular in the province of New- York, and who had recently been recalled from his government of North Carolina, and appointed governor, arrived. This step had been taken by the English cabinet, under an expecta- tion that he would be able to calm the disturbances, and detach the colouy from the confederacy. He, on his arrival, exerted · all his influence, and this was seconded in . no small degree by the Asia, man-of-war, whose guns commanded the city. Con- siderable disaffection soon began to manifest itself, and it was not without some difficulty that he was compelled to take re- fuge on board of a ship then in the harbour.
The temper shown by the royalists in the colony of New-
------
-
11ł
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
York, excited fears respecting the Highlands on the Hudson, a post at that time of vital importance. The convention, which was then in session, submitted to Congress a plan for their oc- cupation by a military force. This plan was warmly seconded by Congress, who recommended that works should be imme- diately constructed. Two regiments were directed to be levied in New-Jersey, on the continental establishment, to serve for one year, and a detachment was ordered to the Hudson.
But the subject, which next to the supply of arms and ammu- nition, most interested the Congress, was the re-enlistment of the army at Boston.
Their early attention to this very interesting object had been most earnestly solicited by Washington. A committee had been appointed to repair to the camp at Cambridge, to consult with him, and with the chief magistrates of New England, on the most effectual method of continuing, supporting and regu- lating the army. Unfortunately, in constituting the first mili- tary establishment, an essential error was committed. The en- listments, instead of being for the continuance of the war, were only for the term of one year. Hence the men, generally, on the expiration of the period for which they had enlisted, return- ed home. The enthusiastic ardour which had brought such numbers into the field, after the battle of Lexington, was be- ginning to abate, and serious apprehensions were entertained, whether the army would be able to keep its present position. In this trying situation, Washington, conformable to the plan, sent out recruiting officers into all parts of the New England provinces. This service, however, went on very slowly. The difficulty of recruiting the army was greatly increased by the danger apprehended from the small-pox. Notwithstanding all the difficulties and discouragements under which he laboured, the army in the course of the winter was considerably aug- mented.
In the mean time Washington caused Plowed Hill, Cobble Hill and Lechmere's Point, to be occupied, and carried his ap- proaches within half a-mile of the enemy's works at Bunker's Hill.
112
HISTORY OF THE
The British army, under General Howe, who, on the recall of · General Gage, in October, had succeeded to the command of it, remained inactive in Boston, and was still closely blocked upon the land-side by the Americans.
1776 .- In the beginning of February, the whole effective force under Washington, independent of militia, consisted of eight thousand eight hundred and fifty-three men. Of this force, nearly two thousand were without arms of any kind.
About this time General Lee marched from Connecticut to New-York, with twelve hundred men. On his arrival a com- mittee of three, from the local government, waited on him, in order to consult with him, and the council of safety, respecting the defence of the place. At this consultation it was agreed to fortify some commanding part of the city, to be occupied by two thousand men ; to erect inclosed batteries on both sides of Hellgate, so as to protect the town on that side, and secure a communication with Long Island, where it was proposed to form a camp for three thousand men, and also to make the defences of the Highlands as strong as possible, and to post one battal- ion in them.
General Clinton arrived about the same time from Boston, but without troops. He gave out that no hostilities were de- signed against the city of New-York, and that he was only on a visit to see his friend Tryon.
The fortifications for the defence of the city of New-York, were prosecuted with great vigour.
Towards the latter end of February, there were various ap- pearances among the British troops at Boston, which denoted an intention on their part of evacuating that place.
The effective force, under Washington, about this time, was rather over fourteen thousand men, exclusive of six thousand . militia, which had been lately called out. He, therefore, deter- mined on taking more efficient measures against the enemy, and for this purpose, detached a body of his men to take pos- session of Dorchester heights, which command part of the har- bour. This being accomplished, he seized on Nook's Hill, which he caused to be fortified. The possession of these hills,
-- ----
----
113
STATE OF, NEW-YORK.
gave the army the command of Boston harbour. Immediately after, he began a heavy bombardment and cannonade on the town, and the lines of the enemy. On the night of the fourth of March, a detachment of the American army, under General Thomas, crossed the neck from Roxbury, and took possession of the heights, and began to fortify them. When daylight dis- closed their operations to the British, a considerable degree of embarrassment appeared, and an ineffectual fire was commenc- ed on the detachment. This fire was returned on them. ;
The British general now perceived that it was necessary either to dislodge them or evacuate the town. 'He, therefore, sent Lord Percy, with three thousand men, to effect this, but the transports which carried the troops, being dispersed by a storm, the enterprise fell through. On the seventeenth day of March, the enemy evacuated the town, it being no longer tena- ble. The recovery of this important town was an event that gave universal joy.
We shall now return to the operations in the north. So early as the month of June, 1775, Congress passed a resolution, directing General Schuyler to repair to Ticonderoga, and take measures for securing that post and Crown Point, and for re- taining the command of Lake Champlain. He was, at the same time, authorized, if he should find it practicable, to take posses- sion of St. Johns and Montreal.
- Three thousand men from New-York and New England, to be commanded under General Schuyler, by Brigadiers Montgom- ery and Wooster, were designed for this expedition. These troops assembled at Ticonderoga, where batteaux were con- structed for their transportation.
General Schuyler repaired to that place, and assumed the command. Soon after his arrival, Congress instructed him to invade the province without delay.
Before the preparations were complete, the impatience ex- pressed by some friends in Canada, seemed to render an im- mediate movement advisable. General Schuyler had returned 10 Albany to hold a convention with the Indians, who had man- ifested some hostile dispositions, when he received a communi- VOL. II,
15
114
HISTORY OF THE
cation from General Montgomery. Orders were immediateh given to embark with the troops, and General Schuyler havin, directed the expected reinforcements, to rendezvous at the Ish Aux Noix, twelve miles south of St. Johns, joined him before he reached that place.
The American force, consisting of one thousand men, with- out artillery, embarked on the Sorel, on the sixth of Septem- ber, and proceeding towards St. Johns, debarked within a mile and a-half of that place, in a swamp, from whence they march- ed towards the fort, for the purpose of reconnoitering its situa- tion. On their march they were suddenly attacked by a body of Indians, whom they dispersed ; after which they threw up a small intrenchment and encamped for the night. The intelli. gence received at this place, determined the general to return to the Isle Aux Noix, and there await the arrival of the remain- ing troops, and some artillery, which he expected.
The Isle Aux Noix lies in the Sorel, just below its issue out of Lake Champlain-and to prevent the armed vessels at St. Johns from entering the latter, a boom was drawn across the channel.
In consequence of the indisposition of General Schuyler the command now devolved on Montgomery.
A Mr. Livingston, residing on the Sorel, below Chamblee, who was strongly attached to the American cause, pressed so earnestly for a detachment from the army, to cut off the com- munication between St. Jolins and La Prairie, that a party was ordered out for that service. But the troops being seized with one of those panics to which new levies are so liable, fled back to the camp.
Livingston, in the 'mean time, calculating on the aid for which he had applied, had collected about three hundred Ca- nadian volunteers, and grew very apprehensive of being left to the whole force of the enemy.
Montgomery, on the twenty-fifth day of September, embark- ed with two thousand men and some pieces of cannon, and pro- ceeded to invest St. Johns. This place was garrisoned by about eight hundred men, and was well provided with artillery
€
115
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
and military stores. The army under Montgomery, as well as the other armies of the colonies, was illy supplied with pow -. der. The reduction of Chamblee, a small fort farther down the Sorel, in which was found one hundred and twenty barrels of powder, afforded a temporary relief. This place was cap- tured by three hundred and fifty Americans and Canadians, commanded by Majors Brown and Livingston.
Montgomery pressed the siege of St. Johns, the garrison of which made a resolute defence under an expectation of relief.
Colonel M.Clean raised a regiment of Highlanders in the province of Canada, and encamped near the mouth of the Sorel, where he was joined by several hundred Canadians. General Carlton, the governor of Canada, was at Montreal, where he had assembled about one thousand men, mostly Cana- dians. Among these were some regulars and volunteers, and several British officers. At the head of these he hoped to effect a junction with M'Clean, after which he designed to march with his whole force against Montgomery, and endeavour to compel him to raise the siege ; but, on attempting to cross over from Montreal, he was totally defeated at Longue Isle, by a detach- ment of Americans under Colonel Warner. Another detach- ment of Americans advanced on M.Clean, and compelled him to retreat in the direction of Quebec.
On receipt of this intelligence, Montgomery seut one of the prisoners into the fort with a letter to Major Preston, the com- mandant, requiring him to surrender. All hopes of relief hay- ing now vanished, the garrison capitulated.
After the reduction of St. Johns, Montgomery proceeded against Montreal. This place, which was not in a condition to resist, capitulated on the thirteenth of November. Governor Carlton retired to his flotilla. While preparations were making to attack the flotilla, Carlton made his escape in a dark night, in a boat, down the river. The flotilla soon after surrendered to Colonel Easton.
At Montreal many of his soldiers left him, their time of ser- vice having expired ; and Montgomery had the extreme morti- fication to find that there would be little over three hundred
-
116
HISTORY OF THE
men to accompany him to Quebec, after deducting the garri sons of St. Johns, Chamblee, and Montreal.
Washington, in August, had projected an expedition against Quebec. The command of the troops destined for this impor- tant object was committed to Colonel Arnold. The number of men amounted to one thousand. Colonel Burr, late Vice- President of the United States, accompanied Arnold. They were to proceed from the camp before Boston to Kennebeck river, and thence up that river to the mountains, which they were to cross, and then advance down the river Chaudiere to Quebec. ` But the difficulties to be surmounted were far greater than had been anticipated. The country had not been suffi- ciently explored. and it opposed obstacles to the march, which only perseverance like that of Arnold and his intrepid followers, could have vanquished. Colonel Enos, who commanded the rear division, consisting of one-third of the detachment, desert- ed from Dead river, a branch of Kennebeck, with his men ; and though his appearance at first excited the greatest indignation in the army, yet on being arrested, he was acquitted by a court-martial, on the ground that provisions could not be had ou the route to preserve the men from starvation.
Arnold, who at the head of the two first divisions still prose- cuted his march, was thirty two days traversing the wilderness, without seeing a single house or human being. The troops were under the necessity of hauling their batteaux up rapid streams; of taking them on their shoulders, with their provi- sions, across carrying places ; and of traversing and frequently repassing, for the purpose of bringing their baggage, deep morasses, thick woods, and high mountains. These impedi- ments, notwithstanding the wonderful exertions of his men, so protracted his march, that he did not reach the settlements on the Chaudiere before the third of November, eighteen days later than he had expected.
After so arduous a march, of which history scarcely furnishes a parallel, Arnold halted no longer than to allow his men a short repose, and then proceeding down the Chaudiere, he ar- rived at Point Levi, opposite Quebec, on the 9th of November.
£
117
1
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
. "The city was almost without a garrison, and the inhabitants were in the utmost consternation on beholding these men emerge from the woods.
. Could Arnold have immediately passed the St. Lawrence, it is believed that he might have entered the city without opposition ; but a very high wind, and the want of boats, prevented him.
In the mean time, the wind for several nights continued so high as to render the passage of the river in canoes, collected from the people of the country and found on the southern bank, too hazardous to be attempted; and it was only in the night that he could hope to cross, because a frigate had anchored opposite the town, and three other armed vessels were distri- buted in stations, so as to guard the passage of the river for some distance. Whilst thus detained, Colonel M.Clean enter- ed the city with his regiment of Highlanders.
At length the wind abated, and Arnold leaving behind him one hundred and fifty men to make ladders, determined to at- tempt a passage. Eluding the armed vessels, he, with infinite ` difficulty and danger, crossed over in the night, and landed the van of his little army about a mile and a-half above the city. The passage of the rugged cliffs, which continue on the left bank of the St. Lawrence, for some distance above Quebec, being at this place absolutely impracticable, he marched down on the shore to Wolfe's Cove, and ascending the precipice with his men, formed on the heights near the plain of Abraham. Lieutenants Humphries and Heath, who had been detached towards the town for the purpose of reconnoitering, soon re- ported that the centinals were at their posts.
Though disappointed in the expectation of surprising Que- bec, Arnold did not immediately relinguish the hope of obtain- ing possession of that important place. Not superior to the enemy in numbers, and without one peice of cannon or other implements for a seige, he was incapable of doing any thing ; but he flattered himself that a defection in the garrison might yet put the place into his hands. With this view he paraded on the heights for some days, and sent two flags to summon it to surrender. But the presence of Colonel M.Clean, an ex-
118
.. HISTORY OF THE
perienced and vigilent officer, and who was indefatigable in making arrangments for the defence of the town, restrained those measures which the fears of the inhabitants dictated. Deeming it unsafe to admit of any communication with the assailants, he refused to receive the flag, and fired on the officet who bore it. Fears for the vast property contained in the town, soon united the disaffected, and they were, at their own request, embodied and armed. The sailors too, were landed and placed at the batteries, and by these means the garrison had become more numerous than the Americans.
Arnold, whose numbers, after collecting those he had left on the south side of the river, did not exceed seven hundred men, was in no condition to hazard a battle. His ammunition was also very short. In this critical situation, he was informed that' two hundred men, who had escaped from Montreal, were descending the river; and that M'Clean intended making a sortie at the head of the garrison. Under these circumstances, he deemed it most prudent to retire to Point Aux Trembles, twenty miles above Quebec, and there await the arrival of Mont- gomery.
General Montgomery having secured Montreal, proceeded · at the head of three hundred men, to join Colonel Arnold, at Point Aux Trembles, after which they marched to Quebec. But before their arrival, Gov. Carlton had entered the town, and was making every preparation for a vigorous defence. The garrison now consisted of about fifteen hundred men .-- Montgomery's effective force did not exceed eight hundred men. On his first appearance before the town, he addressed a letter to Carlton and demanded a surrender. The determination to hold no communication with the Americans was still persevered in, and the flag was fired on.
The situation of Montgemery was. extremely hazardous. The severe cold had set in, and the troops were badly clothed and badly housed. He determined, however, to lay seige to the place. In a few days he opened a six gun battery, within seven hundred yards of the walls ; but his artillery was too light to make a breach.
-
-
119
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
Montgomery finding it impracticable to take the place by a seige, determined to storm it. In pursuance of this determi- nation, he divided his little army into four parts ; two of these, consisting of Canadians, under Majors Livingston and Brown, were to distract the attention of the garrison, by making two feints against the upper town at St. John's and Cape Diamond ; the other two, the one led by Montgomery and the other by Arnold, were to make real attacks on opposite sides of the lower town.
Between four and five in the morning of December 31st, 1775, the signal was given, and the several divisions moved to the assault under a violent storm of snow. The plan was so well concerted, that from the side of the river St. Lawrence, along the fortified front round to the basin, every part seemed equally threatened. Montgomery, at the head of the New- York troops, advanced along the St. Lawrence, by the way of Aunce de Mere, under Cape Diamond. . The first barrier to be surmounted on this side was at the Pot Ash. It was defended . by a battery, in which were mounted a few pieces of cannon, about two hundred yards in front of which was a block-house and picket. The guard placed at the block-house being chiefly Canadians, fired and fled to the barrier. The difficulties of the toute rendered it impossible for Montgomery to avail himself of the first impression. Cape Diamond, around which he was to make his way, presents a precipice, the base of which is laved by the river, where large piles of ice had been raised, so as to render the way very difficult. The Americans pressed forward till they reached the block-house and picket. Here he had to halt a few minutes, in order to collect his men. Having re- assembled about two hundred, he advanced at their head to force the barrier. One or two persons had now ventured to re- turn to the battery ; and seizing a slow match, discharged a cannon when the American front was within forty yards. The General, with Captains M'Pherson and Cheesman, the first of whom was his aid, together with his orderly sergeant, and a private, were killed. Colonel Campbell, on whom the com- mand now devolved, retreated precipitately from the city, leas-
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.