USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume I > Part 29
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SAML. MILES."
Colonel Miles, with his regiment, crossed New Jersey, was at the unfortu- nate battle of Long Island, and taken prisoner. It would be interesting to fol- low him in the forlorn effort to defend New York, but that is forbidden by the limited scope of this work.
The following extracts from a letter dated at Kingsbridge, on the 22d of September, addressed by Capt. Patrick Anderson, to Dr. Franklin, sufficiently attests the shattered condition of Colonel Atlee's battalion of musketry, after the battle of Long Island :
"Immediately after our defeat on Long Island, the command of the Musquetry Battallion devolved upon me. I found the number of men remaining fit for duty to be about 200, but most of their baggage & some even of their arms and accoutrements Lost, and having no field officers left, applyed to Lt. Col. Broadhead for his advice and assistance; soon after he informed me the General ordered him to annex our Battalion to the Rifle Regt. which I at that time complyed with in expectation of further instruc- tions from the Convention or Council of Safety, as Col. Broadhead wrote you con- cerning it. Want of necessaries sowered the men's mind. Deficiencys in their stipulated rations hath increased it, & neglect of punctual payt. of their pay hath caused their meeting and Desert in great numbers, with arms, &c. So that there is now only scarce eighty-three remaining & they still think if they are taken prisoners, they will not be exchanged, while any prisoners from the Continental army is in the enemy's hands." (On August Ist there had been 397 men in this battalion under pay).
General Washington was obliged to retreat across New Jersey, and was closely followed by the British army. The "Roebuck" was again in the Bay. Every effort was now made for the defence of Philadelphia, the situation of which had become imminently perilous. Troops were mustered into service, defences were erected, munitions of war were provided, and army supplies were collected from every available quarter. Chester county contribute 1 he. full share towards providing for this emergency.
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From a few of the minutes and resolves of the Council of Safety, relat- ing more particularly to Chester county, a good idea may be formed of all the defensive and other measures adopted at this time. On October 4th, it was resolved "that Mr. William Evans be desired to purchase all the coarse cloths, blankets, and stockings in Chester county." November 14th, "Intelli- gence was received by express that several hundred transports had sailed from New York, & stecred their course to the southward & expected to be intended for this city ; whereupon the council wrote a circular letter to the commanding officers of the Battalions of Militia, carnestly requesting them to march their respective Battalions to this city immediately."
"Ordered, That the owners of cattle and other stock near the river side, make the necessary preparations for removing the same, at least five miles from the river, on the shortest notice, as it is Probable that this board may be under the disagreeable necessity of giving the most preremtory orders for their removal, and to see that the same be punctually and suddenly complied with."
"November 23rd, Resolved, That the salt now in the possession of the Council of Safety, be immediately sent to the Committee of the several Counties in the following proportions, to wit : * * (The share of Chester County was eighty bushels).
"The Committees are to sell it to the people at the rate of 15s. pr. Bushel, and in no greater quantity than half a bushell to any one family; they are to make as equal distri- bution as they can, according to the necessities of the people, for which purpose they are to require a declaration of what quantity they are possessed of more than their just proportion of this necessary article, at a time of such very great scarcity of it."
Dec. 4th. "An order was drawn on Mr. Nesbit in favour of Dr. Robert Harris, for £58, for making powder for Congress, to be charged to his Acco't. Mr. Towers was directed to deliver Dr. Robert Harris one ton of Salt Petre, & Sulphur in proportion, to make into Gun powder. Mr. Nesbitt to pay Jno. Morton £3-6-0, for wharfage of the Floating Battery Arnold, in March last."
"Resolved, That Thomas Marle be employed to fix the Boom to the Piers at Fort Island, and to be stationed there to have the care of it, to receive orders, and to be subject to the commanding officer at that station, and he is to employ a sufficient num- ber of hands, and do this business without any delay."
Dr. Thomas Bond proposed "instituting hospitals for the sick in Darby. Chester, Marcus Hook, Wilmington & Newcastle." "I think," he says, "the water carriage from Trenton to those places would save much carting, and this plan much better than one proposed of sending the sick to East Town, [ Eas- ton] Bethlehem, Nazareth, Reading, &c."
The successful attack made by General Washington, on the night of De- cember 25th, on a body of Hessians encamped at Trenton, and the capture of a large number of them, with a great number of guns and military stores, at once turned the tide of events, at this period, in favor of the American cause. and relieved our people from any immediate apprehension of the presence of the enemy.
As nearly as can be ascertained, up to the close of the year 1776, the sev- eral meetings of the Society of Friends within what now constitutes Delaware county, had disowned eighty-one members for being concerned in military af- fairs. But three or four were reclaimed who had taken up arms The minutes
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of the meetings during this period show an increased activity in visiting such members as continued to hold slaves, and generally with good success. Many slaves were emancipated by members of the Society about this time. A more lively testimony was borne by the meetings than heretofore against the use of alcoholic drinks. Early in the following year, "friends are advised and desired to avoid being concerned in the distillation of grain, or selling grain to such as distil, or purchasing the produce thereof."
The year 1777 was the most eventful period of the revolutionary war. To the people of this county it was a period of the direst calamity. Circumstances placed the seat of war in our midst, and the events of the year being adverse to the American cause, our people, almost without discrimination or exception, were subjected to the ravages and plunder of the successful invaders of our soil. Though relieved from the apprehension of an immediate attack on Phil- adelphia, the Council of Safety did not slacken their efforts in providing for the defence of that city. Early in January an order was issued to county com- mittees of the nine counties nearest the city, to furnish 38,000 bushels of horse- feed for the army. The apportionment of Chester county was 4000 bushels.
The suspicion that Gen. Howe intended to attack Philadelphia by water, was confirmed by the arrest of one James Molesworth, who had been sent on from New York to secure pilots to conduct the British fleet up the Delaware. Subsequent movements of Howe rendered it difficult to decide whether he would carry out this intention, and made it necessary to embrace a wider scope in providing for the defence of the city.
On April 25th, at the request of Congress, a call was made for 3000 mili- tia, one-half of whom were to be encamped at or near Chester. Each soldier was to be provided with a blanket, but if blankets cannot be purchased, "they must be impressed." At this time the number of men returned in Chester county capable of bearing arms, was 5000.
It was required of the committees of the counties of Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks. "to take an inventory of all the flour, wheat, rye and Indian corn, oats, beef, pork, horses, neat cattle, sheep, hogs, &c., also wagons, carts, &c. in said counties." The ostensible object of this inventory was to have the articles removed in case of any sudden alarm ; but it is probable that a desire to know what amount of provisions and means of transportation could be made availa- ble for our army, was at the bottom of this enumeration.
The defences on the Delaware were submitted to the inspection of a French engineer named De Coudray. In his report he utterly condemns the works at Billingsport and Fort Mifflin as almost useless. Of the fort at Red Bank he says, "This fort is better conceived, directed and executed than either of those above mentioned. It does the more honor to Col. Bull, [who super- intended its erection] as he had no other assistance than natural good sense, unenlightened by theory." He, however, also condemns this fort for the ob- ject for which it was constructed, and recommends a radical change in the plan and construction of that at Billingsport. The fort at Red Bank, Fort Mifflin, and all the gun-boats, floating batteries, fire-ships, and chevaux-de-
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frize, were constructed wholly at the expense of Pennsylvania; the fort at Billingsport alone having been erected at the charge of the United Colonies. A considerable amount of money was expended in remodeling this latter fort,. but it appears never to have answered any valuable purpose.
Upon the application of General Schuyler, of the Continental army, an order was issued by the Board of War for the collection of 4000 blankets in Pennsylvania for the use of the Continental troops. These blankets were to be collected from the inhabitants "in such quantities as is proportionate to the number they have in the family, and the stock of blankets they may be pos- sessed of ; for which blankets they shall be paid the full value, according to an appraisement to be made of them." The proportion to be furnished by Ches- ter county was five hundred.
Early in June, General Howe, commander of the British forces at New York, showed a disposition to advance by land across New Jersey, and to take possession of Philadelphia. On the 14th of that month he actually made an advance by two columns, which led General Washington to believe that this was his real intention. This information being communicated to Congress the same day, that body ordered, "That the 2nd Class of the Militia of the county of Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, & Northampton, be ordered to march to the places to which the first class of the said counties respectively are ordered, and that the third class be got in readi- ness to march, and also that the ist and second classes of the City Militia, be ordered to march to Bristol, & the 3rd Class hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice." This order was promptly responded to by the Supreme Executive Council of the State, which issued a circular letter to the lieutenants of the counties named, "to forward the first Class of Militia im- mediately, and to hold the second class in readiness to march at the shortest notice." Forty wagons were also ordered to be sent from Chester county, thirty from Philadelphia, and thirty from Berks.
But it so turned out that the marching of Howe was intended to draw General Washington from the strong position he then occupied, and in that event to give him battle, which he declined to do as our troops were then posted. Washington wisely refused to risk his army in an open field fight, and Howe would not venture to cross the Delaware, leaving so large a force as that commanded by Washington in his rear, so that Philadelphia was again relieved from being attacked by the way of New Jersey. The policy of the British general was understood in the course of a few days, and, as a consequence, on the 25th of June the order for the marching of our local militia was sus- pended.
Besides the regular army and militia, there were at this time, independent companies of volunteers. On the 11th of June, Benjamin Brannen, Esq .. one of the sub-lieutenants of Chester county, informed the Council "that there were several companies of artillery men formed in that county, and requested that they may be furnished with a piece of artillery proper for exercising the men,
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and also a few pounds of powder for practicing the firings with." A proper piece, and twelve pounds of powder were ordered to be furnished.
The militia appear to have been divided into eight classes. When a class was called out, many belonging to it could not, or would not go. The defi- ciency was made up by the employment of substitutes, either taken from the other classes, or from those not subject, by law, to the performance of military duty. These substitutes were procured by means of a bounty, which was paid by the State, to be remunerated by the fines imposed on delinquents, and varied from £15 to £50, for two months' service. In some regiments the num- ber of substitutes nearly equaled the number of those regularly drafted. The system of employing substitutes, at high rates, was much complained of by the officers of the regular army, who regarded it as a serious obstruction to re- cruiting by enlistments.
It having become apparent that General Howe had definitely changed his plan for gaining possession of Philadelphia, the marching orders for all the mi- litia, except those of Philadelphia and Chester county, were countermanded. News of the embarkation of a large British force, at New York, very reason- ably suggested the idea that the attack on the capital of Pennsylvania would be by way of the river Delaware; and doubtless that was the plan of General Howe when he sailed. Every effort was accordingly made for the defence of the river. The modification of the works at Billingsport, recommended by De Coudray, was ordered by Congress to be carried out, under the direction of the authorities of Pennsylvania. Much labor was expended at this point, while Fort Mifflin, (but recently known by that name,) and the earth works at Red Bank were strengthened and improved. Some other points were fortified. One of these was near the mouth of Darby creek,-doubtless on the Island of Tinicum.
Agreeably to some general suggestions made by the commander-in-chief, a survey of the grounds bordering the river, to the distance of four miles from its banks, was ordered by the Council. The surveyors were instructed to note particularly the great roads, even beyond four miles ; "the several places where an enemy may land, and the kind of ground adjoining, whether marshy, hilly, open, or covered with woods, and where there are several heights near each other, remarking their altitudes and distances apart:" the streams of water, "as high up as the tide flows, and the places where they may be forded or passed by bridges-where there are swamps near the river, or roads-their kinds and sizes." Passes of difficulty to an army, were to be accurately sur- veyed and well described. The surveyors were directed to enter upon their duties immediately, and with as much secrecy and dispatch as the case would admit, and all persons were requested to be aiding and assisting them in the service. The duty of making the survey from the Schuylkill to Christina creek was assigned to Nathan Sellers.
On July 27th, certain information was received by the Council of the ap- proach of the British fleet towards the Delaware Bay. This news produced
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the highest degree of excitement among the people, and induced the authori- ties of the State to redouble their exertions to ward off the threatened blow.
A draft of the militia of Philadelphia county had marched before harvest into New Jersey : one from Bucks had guarded the fords of the Delaware for two months; a second class from Bucks, two from the city, and one from Chester, had occupied for some time and assisted in finishing the defences of the Delaware between the city and Chester. On the 28th of July, Congress made a requisition on the executive council of Pennsylvania for 4000 militia in addition to those already in service : in response to which, the Council, on the same day, ordered one class to be immediately called into service from the city, and one class from each of the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, York. Cumberland. Berks, and Northampton : also a detachment of artillery from the city of Philadelphia, equal to three-eighths of the whole. Most of these troops were directed "to march immediately for Chester."
The persons appointed to drive off the cattle from the borders of the Delaware, on the approach of the enemy, were reminded of the importance of their trust, and of the necessity of holding themselves in readiness for the per- formance of it when the expected emergency should happen. Caleb Davis. who had been recently appointed prothonotary, &c., for Chester county, was directed to remove the county records from the town of Chester to a place of greater security. On July 31st certain information was received of the fleet approaching and entering the Delaware Bay to the number of 228 vessels of war and transports. Arms were wanted for the militia that had been called out, and as an expedient for supplying them, those persons who had refused to take the oath of allegiance were directed to be disarmed. "and their arms made use of by those who are willing, at the risk of their lives, to defend their liberty and property."
On the same day, circulars were again issued by the Council to the county lieutenants, giving the news of the approach of the fleet, and exhorting them to use every exertion to have the militia at Chester as soon as possible. Volun- teers from the classes not called were cordially invited "to step forward on this great and important occasion, before it may be their turn to go into the field in the class to which they belonged. The persons appointed to drive off the cattle and other live stock from the neighborhood of the river, were also notified of the appearance of the enemy at the Capes of the Delaware, and of the near approach of the hour when the execution of their trust could no long- er be delayed. At the same time they were advised that Congress had likewise committed to their care the removal of wagons and carts. The works at Bil- lingsport were hurried on towards completion, and every arrangement within the means of the Council was made to resist the invaders.
Persons were appointed to take an account of all the wheat flour, grain and other stores in the county of Chester within twenty miles westward of the river Delaware. Other gentlemen were appointed in the western part of the county, "for the purpose of Billetting, and providing for the poor that may be
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removed out of the city of Philadelphia." Suspected persons were also to be removed into the interior of the State.
So confidently was the enemy expected to approach Philadelphia by the Delaware, that the different detachments of the regular army, under Washing- ton, were ordered to march to the vicinity of the city, and requisitions had been made on several counties for wagons to be used in the transportation of army stores. After entering the bay. General Howe found the navigation for such an immense naval armament more difficult than he had expected, retraced his steps to the ocean, having determined to make his approach by the way of the Chesapeake. This movement was not at first understood by our people, for no tidings were received from the fleet until August 8th, when it was seen some leagues south of Delaware Bay, but soon again disappeared, having been prevented from entering the Chesapeake by contrary winds, until the 16th of that month. It was not, however, until the 22d that the Council was advised of the presence of the enemy in the Chesapeake.
In this period of uncertainty, Washington abated not the least in provid- ing for the defence of the city. On the 15th of August we find him giving di- rections for the improvement of the defences of the Delaware. More chevaux- de-frize were to be sunk, or "the left bank of Fort Island fortification sup- ported by a good battery capable of resisting the cannon of the ship." The ef- fect of the disappearance of the enemy upon the Executive Council was dif- ferent. They dreaded expense, and especially unnecessary expense. An order that had been issued for wagons was countermanded on the 8th of August, and less diligence appears to have been used in forwarding the militia. Up to the 16th of August, agreeably to the report of Colonel John Evans, only about 1000 militia had arrived at Chester, and there was no shelter for more, "all the empty houses being occupied." These troops were from the counties of Berks, Cumberland, Lancaster and Chester. The following letter from the Council to some of the Pennsylvania delegation in Congress, still further ex- hibits the great anxiety of that body to avoid expense, and may serve to ex- plain the policy that lessened the efficiency of the militia when called into actual service :
"PHILADELPHIA, 20th Augt. 1777.
"Gent: Council desire, that you will represent to Congress that the Militia last called out in this State, have been rendezvousing at Chester, and are still arriving there. As this is the season for sowing winter corn, on which this county greatly depends, & labourers are become very scarce, they are sensible that great distress must ensue upon continuing these people embodied. In this circumstance, it will afford very sen- sible 'satisfaction to the Council, as well as relief to the industrious Inhabitants, if pub- lic affairs may admit of the dismissing of part of the Militia, especially as they are- very deficient in Arms, & blankets, & totally unprovided with tents."
Two days later, when news of the approach of the enemy by way of the Chesapeake was received, a very sudden change took place in the measures adopted by the Council. The threatened danger was at hand. Economy yielded to necessity, and the Council at once resumed the work of preparation with
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vigor, which had been unwisely slackened during the short period that the enemy remained invisible. Additional troops were ordered to Chester, and an equal number to Downingtown; the militia from Northampton that had been ordered to proceed northward, were now directed to proceed to Lancaster "with all possible expedition," and in pursuance of a recommendation of Con- gress, all disaffected persons were ordered to be arrested and sent into the interior.
The fleet passed up the Elk river as far as the ships could be navigated with safety, and on August 25th, landed about 18,000 men, "in good health and spirits, admirably supplied with all the implements of war, and led by an experienced general, of unquestionable military talents." On the day before Howe landed, the American army passed through Philadelphia and marched towards the Brandywine. Being deficient in the means of transportation for army baggage, a pressing request was made upon the Council to supply the de- ficiency. This request was promptly responded to by an order upon the jus- tices of the counties of Philadelphia and Chester; each county being required to furnish twenty-five wagons with four horses each.
General John Armstrong was placed in command of the militia at Ches- ter. In a letter to the president of the Council, dated at that place August 29, we are informed that out of the "chaos" in which Gen. Armstrong had found things at that place, he had then forwarded 1,800 men; that in concert with Gen. Potter he had formed a rifle regiment [battalion], and placed at the head of it Col. Dunlap, "a prudent man, and not unacquainted with the busi- ness of a partisan." This rifle battalion, consisting of three hundred privates, which was to march from Marcus Hook the next day, and one hundred and fifty sent from Billingsport the same day, were exclusive of the number above mentioned. The head quarters of General Washington were now at Wilming- ton, where these troops united with the regular army. On the first of Septem- ber, the militia that had been called out in Lancaster county were also ordered by General Washington to join his army at Wilmington.
Up to September 3d, the enemy had made but little progress towards Phil- adelphia. General Maxwell had advanced with a body of light troops to Iron Hill, in Pencader Hundred, Delaware, where on that day he was attacked by a column of the British army, led by Lord Cornwallis, and driven beyond White Clay Creek, with a loss of forty killed and wounded. Up to the 5th of September, the main body of the American army had remained in the vicinity of Wilmington, where some works had been thrown up. On that day, the whole body was removed to Newport, and occupied a position between that place and Red Clay Creek, except General Irwin's brigade, which remained at Wilmington in charge of the works at that place. According to the best in- formation that could then be obtained, the British troops were spread over a "considerable space of country, but in a detached way, from Couch's Mills to some part of Nottingham."
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