USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 3 > Part 25
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my's army, while on the march. On the twenty-seventh, General Lee was detached with two brigades to reinforce the Marquis, and assume the command. The main army also moved forward at the same time.
Sir Henry Clinton, anticipating the designs of Washington, encamped ou the high grounds about Monmouth court-house, his right wing being protected by a small wood and a marsh extending in the direction of his rear, and his left by woods. His front was covered by a wood and a morass, which rendered his position very strong. The object of Washington was to attack his rear the moment he should move forward with his army. General Lee was commanded to be in readiness to at- tack the rear of the enemy, whenever he should quit his present position. The same commands were sent to the generals who hovered on the rear. Such were the dispositions. On the twenty-eighth of June, about five in the morning, Washington received intelligence that the front of the enemy's army was in motion. The American troops were immediately put under arms, and orders were sent to General Lee to move on and commence the attack.
Sir Henry Clinton, perceiving that the whole American army was near by, placed his baggage .under the care of General Knyphausen, whom he sent on, while he, with the main army, unincumbered, was to follow him. About eight in the morn- ing' the main army descended from the high grounds into the plain, where it took up its line of march in rear of the advance.
General Lee appeared on the heights of Freehold soon after the enemy had left them, and pursuing them into the plain, directed General Wayne to assault their covering in the rear, so as to halt them. Meanwhile he proposed to gain their front by a nearer road on their left, and entirely intercepting their communication with the line, bear them off before they could be assisted. Before he arrived at the point of destination, Con- tradictory information was brought to him concerning the num- ber of the enemy, which perplexed him considerably, and put him in doubt how to act. The country being mostly covered with woods, prevented him from seeing the enemy, in order to
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form an opinion which might enable him how to conduct him- self. Thus circumstanced, he deemed it most advisable to re- connoitre them in person, to the end, that he might come to a conclusion.
Sir Henry Clinton, shortly after the rear division was in full . march, obtained intelligence that a party of Americans was on his left flank. This induced him to halt, for the purpose of sup- porting the left flank and driving the Americans back. This being effected, he resumed his march, when his rear-guard was attacked by a strong corps. Believing that Washington had formed a design of seizing his baggage, he determined, in order to secure it from the danger that threatened it, to attack the ' corps in his rear with all his disposable force, so vigorously as to compel the commander of the Americans to call of those on his flanks. To effect this, he made a retrograde movement, while General Lee was reconnoitreing in order to ascertain his numbers. This was about ten o'clock. While both were pre- paring for action, General Scott, who commanded under Lee, mistook an oblique movement of one of the American columns for a retreat, and in the apprehension of being abandoned, he fell back. Lee did not correct this error made by Scott, but ordered the whole corps, amounting to five thousand men, to retrograde, and gain possession of the heights which they had just passed. The enemy pressed forward upon Lec, and began a brisk fire, which was reciprocated without much effect.
When the first firing announced the commencement of the action, the main army, under Washington, advanced with celerity to support the corps under General Lee. As it ap- proached the scene of action, it met the corps of Lee in full re- treat. Washington, being greatly astonished at this, rode to the rear of the corps, where he found General Lee, and disap- probated his conduct. He gave instant orders to the colonels Stewart and Ramsay to form their regiments, and check the enemy, who were then in full pursuit. He also ordered Lee to make dispositions with the residue of his corps, and stop the British on that very ground. These orders were executed, and a sharp conflict ensued, which terminated somewhat in favour
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of the enemy. While this matter was going on, Washington put the main army in order of battle. Lord Sterling com- manded the left wing, and General Greene the right, the centre of the army being under the General in-chief, in person. In this manner the army moved forward and attacked the enemy's advancing columns, and compelled them to fall back. Sir Henry Clinton, on seeing this, formed his army on strong ground, his flanks being secured by close woods and deep marshes. The fugitives were rallied and re-formed, and dis- positions were made for a general engagement. Washington, notwithstanding the bad conduct of General Lee, and the pre- sent strong position of the enemy, resolved, if possible, to dis- lodge them, and compel them to a general battle. For this purpose he ordered General Poor to gain and turn their right flank, and General Woodford to turn their left flank ; but be- fore these orders could be carried into effect, night came on, and he was obliged to defer the action until the next morning. Poor and Woodford continued with their brigades on the ground through the night, while the main army lay upon their arms, to be in readiness to act as circumstances might require.
In the mean time, Sir Henry Clinton, after having caused his wounded to be removed, drew off the British army with such . silence, that it was not known to Washington before dawn of day. As it was manifest that the enemy would gain the high grounds about Middletown, before the American army could overtake them ; and as it was manifest that they could not be attacked to advantage on those grounds ; and as the battle already fought, had resulted in such a manner, as to make a favourable impression to the American arms, it was deemed inexpedient to continue the pursuit. Washington having left the New-Jersey brigade, Morgan's corps, and some light troops, to watch the motions of the enemy, cut off their foraging par- ties, and protect the country, moved the main body of his army to the Hudson, and took a position which effectually covered the passes of the Highlands or Matteawan mountains.
Both parties claimed the victory at Monmouth. The advan- tage, however, was decidedly with the Americans. The facts
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seem to be these :- in the early part of the day, the British pre- vailed, in consequence of the bad conduct of General Lee, who fell back without any apparent cause, but in the after part, the Americans rallied, and repulsed the royal army, and were only prevented by the night coming on, from reaping a complete victory. The commander of the British army was too sensible of this to wait till day, and then hazard an action. The loss of the enemy, in their retreat from Philadelphia to New York, was nearly two thousand men, one thousand of whom were deserters.
. . The conduct of General Lee was universally condemned. He was arrested, tried, and suspended from his command for one year, in consequence thereof.
Congress was so highly gratified with the success which attended the American arms_at Monmouth, that they passed a resolution of thanks to the commander-in-chief and his army.
Before Washington reached the ground, that he designed to occupy in the vicinity of the Highlands, the Count D'Estaing, with a powerful French fleet, appeared off the northern extre- mity of the coast of Virginia. He had sailed from Toulon in France, on the thirteenth of April, with twelve ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a considerable body of land forces. On reaching the Capes of Delaware Bay, he announced bis arrival to Congress. Learning that the enemy had quitted Delaware Bay with their fleet, he proceeded along the coast to . Sandy Hook, in order to attack the British fleet. Here he continued eleven days, and then put out to sea, and sailed to Newport in Rhode Island. This was in pursuance of a plan entered into with Washington, to attack the British troops in that state.
Sir Henry Clinton, soon after his arrival at New York, being apprehensive for the safety of the troops at Newport, sent re- inforcements to General Pigot, who commanded at that place, which increased the army under that general, to six thousand men.
General Sullivan, who was over the American forces in Rhode Island, had now directions to call on the New England
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states, to furnish their quotas of militia, in order to enable him, . in conjunction with the Count D'Estaing, to attempt the ex- pulsion of the enemy from that state. Washington, in the mean time, detached the Marquis de La Fayette, with two brigades to join Sullivan.
At this time, the main body of the enemy lay in Newport, a town situated on the west of the isthmus, which connects the southern with the northern, and principal part of the island, and which was detended by a chain of redoubts, stretching almost across the island from east to west. and by batteries facing the wa- ter. Some other works, occupied by small detachments, had been constructed at the north end of the island, to prevent a descent from the continent ; and three regiments on Connanicut Island, lying a little westwardly of Newport. The Americans under Sullivan, lay on the main about Providence.
There are three entrances to Rhode Island. One to the east called Seaconnet ; another on the west of the island, between it and Connanicut, called the main channel ; and a third on the west of Connanicut, called the west or Narragansett passage. Each of these passages was guarded by several frigates and galleys, which the enemy destroyed, to prevent their falling into the hands of the French, who stationed some ships of war, both in the Seaconnet and Narragansett passages, while their fleet blocked up the main channel, by anchoring at its mouth. General Sullivan went on board the admiral's ship, soon after the arrival of the fleet, where a plan of operations was concerted, between him and the Count D'Estaing. -
General Pigot immediately after this, drew off the troops from Connanicut Island, and concentrated all his forces about Newport.
According to the plan of attack concerted between Sullivan and D'Estaing, the French fleet was to enter the harbour, and land the troops of his Christian Majesty; on the west side of the island. The Americans were to land at the same time on the opposite coast. To be in readiness for the execution of this plan, General Greene marched on the sixth of August, a
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detachment of continental and state troops, with some militia to Tiverton, which lies on the east side of the east channel.
Meanwhile the aids from New-York, under the Marquis de La Fayette, arrived. As the militia of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, who were principally volunteers, approached, Gene- ral Sullivan joined General Greene ; and it was agreed that the fleet should enter the main channel immediately, and that the descent should be made the following day.
In execution of this plan, the ships of war entered the chan- nel and passed into the harbour. The militia not arriving at the time expected, General Sullivan desired the Count D. Estaing to postpone the attack another day. The enemy recalled his troops by night from the north end of the island into his lines at Newport. On discovering this in the morning, Sullivan crossed the east passage, and landed on the north end of the island.
About this time a British fleet appeared, which after sailing close into the land, and communicating with General Pigot, withdrew some distance, and came to anchor off Point Judith.
The next morning the Count D' Estaing put out to sea, in order to give battle to the British fleet. Lord Howe, who com- manded it, on seeing this, weighed anchor and also put out to sea. He was followed by the French fleet, and both were soon out of sight.
The departure of the French fleet considerably disconcerted the plan of operations. General Sullivan, however, being re- inforced with the militia, resolved, on the fifteenth of August, to commence the siege of Newport ; and for this purpose marched within three miles of the town and encamped. The succeeding morning the siege was commenced, and continued for some days. The two fleets, soon after they had gone out to sea, were dispersed by a violent storm, in which they sustained great damages.
The fleet of the French, upon this disaster, returned to New- port, from whence it sailed for Boston, declining a co-operation . with the Americans. The injuries sustained from the storm,
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and the information received, that Admiral Byron had arrived on the American coast with a fleet, induced the Count to take this course.
No hope remaining of carrying on the siege with success, General Sullivan came to the determination of abandoning it, and withdrawing to the north end of the island.
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In the night of the twenty-eighth of August, General Sul- livan decamped in great silence, and took post at the north end of the island, pursuant to the foregoing resolution. The enemy the next morning followed him, and attacked the rear, under the Colonels Livingston and Laurens, but without much effect. The Americans made a stand at their camp. The British form- ed in order of battle on Quaker Hill, something more than a mile distant. In this position the two armies cannonaded each other for some time, and several skirmishes were fought in the intermediate space, between small parties. About two o'clock the enemy in force attempted to turn the right flank, and made dispositions of an intention to dislodge the right wing under General Greenc.
Four regiments were moved forward to meet them, but these ' not being strong enough to check them, General Greene ad- vanced, with two other regiments and a brigade of militia, to their support, when the action for a short time was very warm, Colonel Livingston's regiment being ordered up to reinforce Greene, the enemy were compelled to retire. The cannonade was then renewed and kept up till night. In this action the Americans displayed great firmness and bravery. The loss on the side of the Americans was two hundred and eleven men, and that on the side of the enemy two hundred and sixty, ac- cording to the account of their general.
Shortly afterwards, General Sullivan, on learning that Sir Henry Clinton was on his way to join General Pigot, with four thousand men, brought off his army to the continent, where be took a position.
Sir Henry Clinton, finding that General Sullivan had retired to the main, and that there was no prospect of attacking him with success, returned with his fleet of transports towards Now-
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York, as far as New London in Connecticut. Against this place he had contemplated an expedition, but finding the winds unfavourable to his entering the river Thames, on which the town stands, he left the fleet and proceeded to New- York, leav- ing the troops on board the transports with General Gray, whom he directed to take the town and other places, as far eastward as Buzzard's Bay.
. Gray, after his departure, entered the Thames and destroyed several privateers and merchantmen. The towns of Bedford and Fairhaven, in which were military stores, were mostly re- duced to ashes. The troops re-embarked the next day, before the militia could be assembled in sufficient force to oppose them, and sailed to Martha's Vineyard, where they destroyed a nun- ber of vessels and some salt works, and levied on the inhabi tants a heavy contribution. While so large a detachment of the British force was committing depredations on the coasts of New England, there were in the city of New-York indications of an intention to carry on some distant expedition. In order to be in readiness to oppose a combined attack by sca and land on the French fleet, without exposing the passes on the Hudson to the enemy, General Gates was directed, with three brigades, to proceed to Danbury in Connecticut, and there await further orders. The camp at White Plains, in the county of Westches- ter, was about the same time broken up, and the main army under Washington took a position at Fredericksburgh, which is further north. General Putnam was detached with two bri- gades to the vicinity of West Point. .
Soon afterwards the troops under General Gray returned, and also the squadron uuder Lord Howe, which removed all appre- hensions respecting the French fleet.
The British army, on the twenty-seveuth of September, moved. up from the city of New-York on each side of the Hudson in considerable force. The troops on the west, under Lord Corn- wallis, consisting of five thousand men, took a position with its right on the Hudson, extending to Newbridge on the Hacken- sack ; while those on the east side of the river, under General Knyphausen, amounting to three thousand, advanced about the
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same distance and extended themselves from that river to the . Bronx. The possession of the Hudson enabled the troops un- der these generals to re-unite, in case it should be necessary.
Colonel Baylor, on the morning of that day, had marched from Paramus in New-Jersey to Herringtown in Rockland, ' with his regiment of cavalry, where he encamped. Immediate notice of this was given to Cornwallis, who formed the design of cutting him off. To this end he detached General Gray, who being conducted by some of the inhabitants, surprised the · regiment, and put most of the men to death, although no resis- tance was offered, and quarters were asked.
The cruelty used by the enemy on this occasion, excited no slight degree of horror and indignation. Soon after this, Count Pulaski, on his way from Trenton in New-Jersey to Little Egg Harbour, was surprised, and forty of his infantry bayoneted, without allowing quarter. The Count, however, opportunely escaped with his cavalry.
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As soon as Admiral Byron, who reached New-York and took command of the British fleet, about the middle of Septem- ber, had made the repairs to his shattered squadron, which were -necessary to enable him again to put to sea, he sailed for the port of Boston, for the purpose of blocking up the Count . D'Estaing, and of availing himself of the first opportunity which might favour an attack on the French fleet. He had been but a short time, however, in the bay, before a furious storm came on and drove him out to sea, and damaged his ships so much, that he was obliged to put into Newport in Rhode Island in order to refit. This favourable moment was seized by Count D' Estaing, and he set sail on the third day of No- vember for the West Indies.
- Thus terminated, without any material advantage, an expe- dition concerning the success of which sanguine hopes had not, without reason, been entertained. A variety of accidents had defeated plans judiciously formed, having every probability of success in their favour. The original object of the armament,
· to the attainment of which it was entirely competent, was the British fleet in the Delaware and the army in Philadelphia.
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But a passage from Toulon, of most extraordinary length, og. which it was impossible to have calculated, detained it at sea, until the enemy's fleet and army had withdrawn. By a very few days too, the opportunity of finding Lord Howe without the bar at Sandy Hook, and of obstructing the passage of Sir Henry Clinton from the continent to the Hook, was lost. Nor was the departure of D'Estaing from Sandy Hook, less un- propitious ; for within eight days after his leaving that station, four ships of the line, belonging to the enemy, came in singly, and which, in all probability, had they reached their destination sooner, would have fallen into his hands. This reinforcement was the more essential, as without it Lord Howe could not have ventured to molest the operations against Rhode Island.
The storm which parted the fleets, in the moment when an engagement was beginning, with the advantage of the wind, and a superiority of force on the side of the French, which dis- masted and unfitted for service the admiral's ship, and some others, was an untoward event, and effectually defeated the en- terprise against Rhode Island. So much are the best laid plans dependant on accident.
As there was very little prospect of an active winter cam- paign, in the northern or middle states, Sir Henry Clinton sent General Grant to the West India Islands, with five thousand , men. Not long after, a detachment under Colonel Campbell, escorted by Commodore Parker, was sent to the southern states.
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The main American army, in December, retired into win- ter-quarters, on both sides of the Hudson, about West Point, and at Middlebrook in New-Jersey, while the light troops were stationed near the lines. The cavalry were ordered into the interior to recruit.
The troops again wintered in huts, and though not well clothed, their condition in that respect was much meliorated by supplies from France.
About the time that Commodore Parker sailed for the southern states, the commissioners appointed to give effect to the late conciliation acts of Parliament, embarked for Europe. They had exerted their utmost powers to effect the objects of
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their mission without success. The terms offered by them were such as, at one time, America would cheerfully have accepted ; but they required a union of the force of the two nations, un- der one common sovereign. 'These, however, were, terms to which America was no longer disposed, or' at liberty to accede to. All those affections, which parts of the same empire ought to feel for each other, had been eradicated by war ; the great body of the American people was now determined, at every sacrifice, to maintain their independence ; and the alliance with France had bound them by principles of honour and na- tional faith, never to consent to a re-union with the British empire.
The commissioners arrived prior to the evacuation of Phila- delphia by Sir Henry Clinton. They were instructed, among other things, to make the following propositions :-
" To consent to a cessation of hostilities, both by 'sea and land.
" To restore free intercourse, to revive mutual affection, and renew the common benefits of naturalization, through the sev- eral parts of the empire.
" To extend every freedom to trade, that the respective in- terests of Britain and America could require.
" To agree that no military forces should be kept up in North America, without the consent of the general Congress or particular assemblies.
" To concur in measures calculated to discharge the debts of America, and to raise the credit and value of the paper cir- culation.
" To perpetuate the union, by a reciprocal deputation of an agent or agents, who shall have the privilege of a seat and voice in the parliament of Great Britain, or if sent from britain, to have a seat and voice in the assemblies of the different colonies to which they may be deputed respectively, in order to attend the several interests of those by whom they may be deputed.
" In short, to establish the power of the respective legisl ?- tures in each particular colony, to settle its revenue in civil and military establishments, and to exercise a perfect freedom in
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legislation and internal government, so that the British colonies throughout North America, acting with Great Britain in peace and war, under one common sovereign, may have the irrevoca- ble enjoyment of every privilege short of a total separation of interests, or consistent with the union of force, on which the safety of their common religion and liberty depends."
Such were the propositions made, but the time for a com- pliance on the part of America had passed. The enemy had brought on the people such great and manifold calamities, that nothing short of an absolute acknowledgment of independence could be acquiesced in. 1
In the month of July, while the commissioners were endea- vouring to bring about a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, the Sieur Girard arrived at Philadelphia, in the character of minister plenipotentiary of his most Christian Ma- jesty. The joy produced by this event was unbounded. On notice of his being in the Delaware, Congress appointed a,com- mittee to wait on him in order to congratulate him. He was soon afterwards admitted to an audience.
The reception of a minister from the most powerful nation in Europe, being among the first and most important events of in- dependence, was alike new and gratifying to the people of the . United States.
While these things were going on, the war raged on the wes- tern frontiers in its most savage form. Considerable solicitude had been felt by Congress to engage the Indians on the fron- tiers, either to take part with the Americans in the war or to observe a neutrality. In the first stages of the war, many of them evinced a disposition not unfriendly to the United States, but the inability of the government to furnish them with such articles as they had been in the habit of receiving gratuitously, compared with the presents they obtained from Montreal, and the posts held by the enemy on the lakes, soon decided them to take part with Britain. Early in 1778, there were many indi- cations of an inclination on their part to make war on the Unit- ed States and the frontiers, from the Mohawk to the Ohio, were .menaced with the tommahawk and scalping knife. Every re-
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