USA > Ohio > Biographical and historical memoirs of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, with narratives of incidents and occurrences in 1775 > Part 15
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S. H. PARSONS.
In 1770 Mr. Parsons was appointed major of the four- teenth regiment of militia; and on the 26th of April, 1775, was commissioned by the colony of Connecticut as colonel of the sixth regiment, raised "for the special defense and safety of the colony," and soon after marched to and con- tinued at Roxbury, until the British evacuated Boston, when he was ordered to New York. He was actively engaged at the battle of Long Island, August, 1776. In describing this battle, the historian Botta says, "Lord Percy came up with his corps, and the entire columns descended by the village of Bedford from the hights into the plain which lay between the hills and the camp of the Americans. During this time, Gen. Grant, in order to amuse the enemy and direct his at- tention from the events which took place upon the route of Flatland, endeavored to disquiet him upon his right: accord- ingly as if he intended to force the defile which led to it, put himself in motion at midnight, and attacked the militia of New York and of Pennsylvania who guarded it. They at first gave way, but Gen. Parsons being arrived, and having occupied an eminence, he renewed the combat and maintained his position until Brig. Gen. Lord Sterling came to his assistance with fifteen hundred men. The action became extremely animated, and fortune favored neither the one side nor the other. The Hessians, on their part, had attacked the center at break of day, and the Americans commanded by Gen. Sullivan, valiantly sustained their efforts. At the same time, the English ships, after having made several movements, opened a very brisk cannonade against a battery established in the little island of Red Hook, upon the right flank of the Americans, who combated against Gen. Grant. This, also, was a diversion, the object of which was to prevent them from attending to what passed in the center and on the left. The Americans defended themselves with extreme gallantry, ignorant that so much valor was exerted in vain, since victory
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was already in the hands of the enemy," &c. In Mrs. Williams' life of Olney, she says, "The militia of New York and Pennsylvania were attacked by Percy, and about giving way, when Parsons arrived to their relief, and re- newed the combat, maintaining his position against fearful odds until Sterling came to his relief." President Stiles, in his diary, says " It was said that Grant, (British colonel,) was slain by our Gen. Parsons."
In August, 1776, he was appointed by Congress briga- dier-general, and was with the army at Harlem hights, Kingsbridge, and in the battle of White Plains. He was sub- sequently stationed at Peekskill with a portion of the army to protect the important posts upon the North river, and from thence was frequently detached on various expeditions.
In 1777, about the middle of May, returning to Peekskill from Connecticut with a body of recruits, and learning while passing through New Haven that the enemy had collected a large quantity of forage and provisions at Sagg harbor, for the supply of their army at New York, Gen. Parsons determined to seize the same, and with that view dispatched . Lieut. Col. Meigs with about one hundred and sixty men, who completely effected the object of the expedition, and also burnt one of the enemy's armed vessels, took ninety pris- oners, and re-crossed the sound without the loss of a single man. This was the most important operation of the cam- paign of 1777, and proves, by its successful results, great wisdom and judgment in its design, and consummate skill and valor in its execution. It was specially noticed by Congress and by Washington in a very complimentary manner, and is particularly described by Marshall, in his life of Washington, vol. iii, p. 96, as well as in the follow- ing letter from Gen. Parsons to Gov. Trumbull, dated New Haven, May 30th, 1777:
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"I sincerely congratulate your honor on the success of our arms at Long Island. Col. Meigs left Sachem's Head on Tuesday, at one o'clock, P. M., with a detachment of one hundred and sixty men, officers included, and landed within three miles of Sagg harbor, about one at night; and having made the proper arrangements for attacking the enemy in five different places, proceeded in the greatest order and silence within twenty rods of the enemy, when they rushed on with fixed bayonets upon the different barracks, guards and quarters, while Capt. Troop, with a party under his command, at the same time took possession of the wharves, and vessels lying there. The alarm soon became general, and an incessant fire of grape and round shot was kept up from an armed schooner of twelve guns, which lay within one hundred and fifty yards of the wharves, for an hour; notwithstanding which, the party burnt all the vessels at the wharf, killed and captured all the men who belonged to them, destroyed about one hundred tons of hay, large quan- tities of grain, ten hogsheads of rum, and other West India goods, and secured all the soldiers who were stationed there. The prisoners are about ninety, among whom are Mr. Chew and Mr. Bell. I have the satisfaction of being informed that the officers and men, without exception, behaved with the greatest order and bravery, and not a man on our side either killed or wounded. Eleven vessels, great and small, were destroyed in the above affair, and the prisoners taken were about one-third seamen; the others, generally Ameri- can recruits, are sent to Hartford." See letter to Gen. Washington, May 25, 1777. [NOTE C.]
In June, 1777, we find him in New Jersey, reinforcing the army of Gen. Washington, encamped at Middlebrook, an- ticipating an attack from Gen. Howe, who, it was supposed, had designs on Philadelphia. The following letter, written
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June 22, 1777, by Gen. Parsons, to his wife, describing the locality of a marching army watching the movements of his enemy, may not be uninteresting :
"I have no way to tell you where I am, but by describing the place which has no name. Our camp is about two miles advanced in front of the mountain where the army is posted, on the road to Quibbletown, about one and a half miles north of that town, about two and a half miles northwest of Samptown, about three miles west of Browsetown, and about ten miles northwest of Spanktown, about eight miles northeast from Brunswick, six miles from Middlebrook, about one mile from the stream called Bonn's brook, east- ward, but further distant from the village of that name. If you can find me by this description, I shall rejoice to hear from you. I expect to remove from this place very soon. Our neighborhood with the enemy gives us frequent skir- mishes, though nothing very material has occurred since the rascals retreated in so scandalous a manner from Somerset court-house to Brunswick. Their grand encampment seems now to be extended from Brunswick to Amboy. We are induced to believe they are embarking for some other place, and this state will soon be clear of them; however, this is at present not certain. I think their retreat must have an exceeding good effect in every point of view. If they advance to Millstone or Somerset to try the credit they may give their friends, and see what number will join them, they must be greatly mortified to find almost every man who had re- ceived his majesty's protection and most gracious pardon in arms against them. Not the militia only of this state, but almost every man in it able to bear arms, have voluntarily flown to arms on this occasion. If they designed to pene- trate the country to Philadelphia, they are convinced it is impracticable. If they designed to turn the flank of our army, and draw us from our strong grounds, they are disappointed.
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The effect this maneuver will have on their army and our forces, and on the minds of the disaffected in the country, will probably be of great advantage to us. Our army is now respectable, but not such as that we incline to attack them in their strongholds at present; especially as delay is considered as fatal to them, if we prevent their penetrating the country. The general is very well, and in good spirits ; and our affairs have a more promising aspect, than since the war began. Where their next movement will be, is yet uncertain ; perhaps, if I live, I may see you sooner than I expected, when I left home. About one thousand of my brigade have joined us; more are expected every hour. Col. Butler and Maj. Sill are at Morristown ; I expect they will soon have orders to join their brigades. Every neces- sary of life is exceedingly dear; salt is from ten to twenty dol- lars per bushel, and other things very extravagant. I am in very comfortable circumstances myself, though not very well.
Since writing the above, the enemy have evacuated Brunswick, with great precipitation and evident signs of fear, and are fled to Amboy. They left Brunswick at ten o'clock, and Gen. Gaines took possession by the time they were out. They left a considerable quantity of flour and other things, but I have not seen the return yet. We pur- sued them, and attacked their rear and flank, to Amboy, where they are going on board their ships. This state is once more delivered from those pests of society; who will next be in- fested with them, is uncertain, but we are in high spirits, and ready to march to any part of the country. I expect orders to march, very soon, perhaps to the North river again, where I shall write you.
I am, my dear, with love to children,
your affectionate husband,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS."
After the retreat of Gen. Howe from New Jersey, the brigades of Parsons and Varnum were detached from
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Middlebrook to Peekskill; and those continental troops at Peekskill, which had been ordered by Gen. Washington to join him in New Jersey, and had proceeded as far as Pomp- ton plains, now returned to their former station, with direc- tions to hold themselves in readiness to move on the shortest notice. (Marshall, Vol. iii, p. 119.) It was conjectured that the British Gens. Burgoyne and Howe would endeavor to effect a junction of their two armies at Albany. Orders were therefore given to Gen. Putnam, who commanded at Peekskill, to prepare for such an event, by concentrating at that post the militia of the country, and to guard against any sudden attempt from New York. The importance of defending the Highlands, and the necessity of large rein- forcements, was strongly urged by Gen. Parsons, in a letter to Gen. Washington, July 30, 1777. [NOTE H.] The result shows the wisdom and foresight which prompted the sug- gestion. Large requisitions were made on the militia of the adjoining states, but before effectual measures were con- summated, Gen. Clinton, with a large force, advanced up the North river, captured Forts Montgomery and Clinton, and proceeding above the Highlands, compelled Gen. Put- nam to evacuate the post at Peekskill, and Forts Inde- pendence and Constitution, and return to Fishkill. In the meantime, he visited Connecticut, to urge upon his country- men the importance of prompt and energetic action. The appeal was not in vain. Always ready in the hour of trial, that patriotic state had not forgotten that on the day suc- ceeding the battle of Long Island, eighty-four companies of her volunteers had marched to the relief of Boston : that she had struck the most offensive and effectual blow for liberty, and had sent one thousand of her brave sons to maintain the conquest of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, planned by her wisdom, and achieved by her valor : that more than four- teen thousand of her brave and hardy yeomanry composed
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the army of Washington at New York, in 1776; yet she was ready, ever ready, with her accustomed energy and undaunted spirit, to shed her best blood in defense of the rights of a bleeding country. A general levy was made, and two thousand men obeyed the call, marched to meet the enemy, and again planted the standard of liberty upon the summit of the Highlands. (P. 30.)
Among the several military expeditions during the year 1777, allusion is made by Gen. Parsons in a letter to Gen. Washington, dated December 29, 1777, to a descent on Long Island for the purpose of destroying the timber and boards prepared at the east end of the island, for barracks in New York -to decoy the fleet at Southhold from Rhode Island, loaded with wood, attack a regiment stationed about eight miles eastward of Jamaica, and remove or destroy whatever public stores should be found on the island at Shetocket. With this view Col. Meigs was to have landed at Hempstead harbor, to attack the regiment near Jamaica- Col. Webb near Huntington to sustain Meigs, and afford such aid to the division eastward as should be wanted, and destroy whatever was collected in that part of the county of Suffolk for the use of the enemy. The easternmost division under Gen. Parsons landed at a place called Hockaback, about forty miles from the east end of the island. The fleet, (ex- cept the Swan and Harlem sloops of war and four other vessels,) had sailed: one sloop had taken in her cargo of timber and boards; the other three had taken none, but being light, hauled into the bay under cover of the armed vessels.
The loaded sloop was captured, and all the timber and boards prepared for New York; also a large quantity of wood cut for another fleet expected from New York. The boats commanded by Capt. Ascough, of the ship Swan, were attacked within twenty yards of the shore; two of the
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officers, with their commander, badly wounded, as well as several soldiers, and eight killed. The enemy's ships kept a constant fire, but without execution. The eastern division under Gen. Parsons, after accomplishing their designs, re- turned to the main again, with about twenty prisoners. Col. Meigs, who was to have crossed from Sawpits, through the roughness of the water, was unable to pass over in his boats. The other two divisions under Col. Webb, sailed from Norwalk the evening of the 9th instant, with fair pros- pects, but unfortunately the next morning, just before light, the sloop in which Col. Webb embarked, fell in with the British frigate Falcon, on her passage from New York to Newport, was forced on shore near a spot called the Old Man's, and captured.
This expedition was well planned, and would have been fully and most successfully accomplished, but for the adverse elements which prevented the embarkation of Col. Meigs, and the unfortunate capture of Col. Webb by the frigate Falcon, circumstances which could not have been anticipated nor avoided.
In November, 1777, Gen. Parsons learning that the enemy were practicing a system of warfare inconsistent with the common principles of humanity, by burning the dwellings and imprisoning the persons of peaceful and unoffending citizens, with many outrageous acts, addressed to Gov. Tryon a letter remonstrating against such savage barbarity. It is written with energy, and that fervent patriotism peculiar to the author, containing sentiments bold, dignified, and un- answerable, while the reply of Gov. Tryon evinces a mind puerile, ignoble, base and cowardly.
" MARONECK, Nov. 21st, 1777.
SIR : Adding to the natural horrors of war the most wan- ton destruction of property, is an act of cruelty unknown to civilized nations, and unaccustomed in war until the servants
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of the king of Great Britain have convinced the impartial world, that no act of inhumanity, no stretch of despotism, are too great to exercise toward those they term rebels. Had any apparent advantage been derived from burning the houses in Phillips' manor last Monday, there would have been some reason to justify the measure; but when no benefit whatever can be proposed by burning those buildings and stripping the women and children of apparel necessary to cover them from the severity of a cold night, and when captivating and leading in triumph to your lines, in the most ignominious manner, the heads of those families, I know not what justifiable cause to assign for those acts of cruelty, nor can I conceive a necessity for your further orders to de- stroy Tarrytown. You cannot be insensible it is every day in my power to destroy the houses and buildings of Col. Phillips and those belonging to the family of Delancey, each as near your lines as those buildings were to my guards; and notwithstanding your utmost vigilance, you cannot pre- vent the destruction of every house this side of Kingsbridge. It is not fear-it is not a want of opportunity has preserved those buildings ; but a sense of the injustice and savageness of such a line of conduct, has hitherto saved them; and nothing but necessity will induce me to copy the examples of this sort, frequently set by your troops. It is not my in- clination, sir, to war in this manner, against the inhabitants within your lines, who suppose themselves within your king's protection. But necessity will oblige me to retaliate in kind upon your friends, to procure the exercise of that justice which humanity used to dictate, unless your explicit disa- vowal of the conduct of your two captains Emmerick and Barns, shall convince me that those houses were burned without your knowledge, and against your orders.
I am, sir, your humble servant, Gov. Tryon.
SAMUEL H. PARSONS."
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The following is Gov. Tryon's reply to the foregoing : "KINGSBRIDGE, November 23, 1777.
SIR : Could I possibly conceive myself accountable to a revolted subject of the king of Great Britain, I might an- swer your letter, received by the flag of truce yesterday, re- specting the conduct of the party under Capt. Emmerick's command, upon the taking of Peter and Cornelius Van Tassell. I have, however, candor enough to assure you, as much as I abhor every principle of inhumanity or ungener- ous conduct, I should, were I in more authority, burn every committee-man's house within my reach, as I deem those agents the wicked instruments of the continued calamities of this country ; and in order the sooner to purge this col- ony of them, I am willing to give twenty-five silver dollars for every active committee-man who shall be delivered up to the king's troops. I guess, before the end of the next campaign, they will be torn in pieces by their own country- men, whom they have forcibly dragged, in opposition to their principles and duty, (after fining them to the extent of their property) to take up arms against their lawful sov- ereign, and compelled them to exchange their happy con- stitution for paper-rags, anarchy, and distress. The ruins from the conflagration of New York, by the emissaries of your party last year, remain a memorial of their tender re- gard for their fellow-beings, exposed to the severity of a cold night. This is the first correspondence I have held with the king's enemies, on my part, in America; and as I am immediately under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, your future letters, dictated with decency, would be more properly directed to his excellency.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
WILLIAM TRYON, major-general.
To Gen. Parsons."
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Gen. Parsons to the Hon. Mr. Laurens, President of Congress :
"SIR: On the 18th ult., Gen. Tryon sent about one hundred men, under the command of Capt. Emmerick, to burn some houses within about four miles of my guards, which, under cover of a dark night, he effected, with circumstances of most savage barbarity, stripping the clothing from the women and children, and turning them, almost naked, into the street, in a most severe night: the men were made pris- oners, and led, with halters around their necks, with no other clothes than their shirts and breeches, in triumph to the enemy's lines. This conduct induced me to write to Gen. Tryon upon the subject; a copy of my letter and his answer I have herewith sent you. As the practice of deso- lating villages, burning houses, and every species of unne- cessary distress to the inhabitants, ought to be avoided, I would not wish to retaliate in any instance, but where, in its consequences, the enemy may be injured, or one of our people saved by it. I am aware, if, in any instance, this shall be done, I shall subject myself to censure, unless it is in consequence of some general orders of Congress, by which I may be warranted. As these instances may be fre- quently repeated by the enemy, I wish to know in what, or whether in any instance, Congress will direct a retaliation.
I am, sir, your obedient humble servant,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS."
Gen. Parsons answer to Gen. Tryon's letter of 23d of November, 1777 :
" FISHKILL, January 1st, 1778.
SIR: Since I received yours of the 23d of November, I have till now been employed in matters of importance, which have not left me at liberty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter before, and lest you should think me wanting in
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respect due to your character, I beg your acceptance of this letter, which closes our epistolary correspondence. It will ever be my design 'to dictate with decency' any letters I may send, however remote it may be from my intention to copy the examples of the persons my duty compels me to correspond with. As propriety and decency ought to be observed in every transaction, even with the most infamous characters, I never wish so nearly to assimilate myself to them, as to be found destitute of that respect which is due to my fellow-beings in every station in life. I should not have entertained a thought that you had been deficient in the duty you owe your king in every part of the globe, or that you did not inherit the spirit of his ministry, which has precipitated the present crisis, even if you had omitted to assure me this had been the first correspondence you had held with the king's enemies in America. The conflagra- tion of New York you are pleased to charge to Ameri- can troops, under the decent name of a party. This de- serves no other answer than to assure you it has not the least foundation in truth, and that we are assured it gains no credit with officers whose rank and candor gives oppor- tunity to know and believe the truth. This, like many other occurrences, is charged to the account of those who were never believed guilty, to excite to rage, and direct the resentment of the ignorant and misruled against very im- proper objects. Perhaps I might with equal propriety and more truth suggest this unhappy event was brought about by your own party, from the same motives which induced them in August, 1776, to mangle the dead bodies of some of the foreign troops, in a most shocking and inhuman manner, and place them in the most conspicuous parts of the road through which their brethren were to pass.
A justifiable resistance against unwarrantable invasions of the natural and social rights of mankind, if unsuccessful
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according to the fashion of the world, will be termed rebel- lion, but if successful, will be deemed a noble struggle for the defense of everything valuable in life. Whether I am considered as a revolted subject of the king of Great Brit- ain, or in any other light by his subjects, is very immaterial, and gives me little concern. Future ages, I hope, will do justice to my intentions, and the present to the humanity of my conduct. Few men are of talents so very inconsid- erable as to be unalterably excluded from every degree of fame. A Nero and Caligula have perpetuated their memo- ries. Perhaps 'twenty silver dollars' may be motives with those you employ to do great honor to your Machiavelian maxims, especially that which advises never to commit crimes to the halves, and leave lasting monuments of your princi- ples and conduct, which will hand your memory down to the latest posterity in indelible characters. We act on a different scale, and hold ourselves indispensably bound never to commit crimes, but to execute whatever is necessary for our welfare, uninfluenced by sordid, mercenary motives. In the field of conjecture I shall not attempt to follow you. You may have a better talent of 'guessing' than I can boast of. This satisfaction at least you may enjoy, that if you find yourself mistaken in one conjecture, you have an undoubted right to guess again. I shall content myself to wait until the event verifies your prediction, or shows you are mis- taken, assuring you I shall never pursue your measures for restoring peace, whether ' my authority is greater or less,' fur- ther than necessity shall compel me to retort the injuries the peaceable inhabitants of this country may receive from the hand of violence and oppression.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
Gov. Tryon."
During the winter of 1777, Gen. Parsons, suffering under
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feeble health, and a constitution broken down in the service of his country, expressed to the commander-in-chief a desire to retire temporarily from the active duties of the army, but in consequence of the urgent solicitation of Gen. Washing- ton, he relinquished the desire, as may appear by the fol- lowing letter, dated
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