USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume I > Part 31
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While the army lay at Village Green, a tragic event occurred that goes to show that General Howe had become alarmed at the extent of these enormities, and was determined to put an end, at least, to unlicensed plunder. Three Hes- sians one night started on a plundering expedition, crossing Chester creek into Middletown township, and entered the dwelling of Jonathan Martin, now 1862 the property of Bennet Temple. They compelled Mr. Martin to show them through the house, and to point out such articles as they wanted. Miss Mary Martin, the daughter of Mr. Martin, then aged about eighteen years, and afterwards the wife of William Sharpless, of Middletown, reprimanded them for their conduct, which provoked one of them to inflict a slight wound upon her with his bayonet. Not satisfied with the plunder obtained at Mr. Martin's, they proceeded to the house of a Mr. Coxe, in Chester township, recently the property of Thomas McCall, where they appropriated such articles as they
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found suited to their taste, among which was a silver watch. Mr. Coxe had a daughter about the same age as Miss Martin. On the following day, these two young girls proceeded to the headquarters of General Howe and made their complaint to him personally. He promised that if they could point out the nien, they should be punished. The troops were at once formed into line, when the girls passed along and pointed out the robbers after which they retired to some distance. The officers then put the troops through various evolutions, leaving the men in different positions. The same men were again pointed out by the girls as the guilty parties. This operation was again repeated with a like result. The men were then searched, when some of the stolen property was found upon them. They were tried by a court martial and all convicted. Two of them were sentenced to be hung, and the third to perform the office of executioner. Upon whom the extreme penalty should be inflicted, the question was decided by casting lots. The sentence was carried out to the letter. The two men were hung on the limb of an apple-tree on the property owned by George L. Nield, in Aston ; and, what is remarkable, they were allowed to re- main hanging after the army moved away.
Thomas Dutton, upon whose property part of the army lay, was then in his ninth year, his father being deceased. Upon the arrival of the army, he was subjected to a close examination to ascertain the proclivities of his family -whether his father or elder brothers were rebels. Finding nothing objec- tionable in the family, the officers treated his mother kindly, with the exception, that they appropriated to themselves her eatables rather too freely. They notified her that "the butter, cheese, and milk they must and would have, whether she received pay or not." They paid for everything; and upon the eve of their departure, notified her to secure every species of property from the depredation of the camp followers ; to bolt and bar every window and door, and not to admit one of them on any pretence whatever, "as they would steal everything they could lay their hands on."
A few days after the battle of Brandywine, four or five hundred of the American wounded soldiers were taken to Ephrata, in Lancaster county, and placed in a hospital. Here the camp fever set in, which, in conjunction with the wounds of the soldiers, baffled the skill of the surgeons. One hundred and fifty soldiers died, and were buried at this place. They were principally from the Eastern States and from Pennsylvania, with a few British, who had de- serted and joined the American army.
When General Washington retreated to Philadelphia, the main body of his army encamped near Germantown, where he allowed his men two or three days to rest. On the 15th of the month he marched up the Lancaster road, and halting at the Buck tavern, in Haverford township, he despatched a letter to the Council, urging a supply of blankets for the troops. On the same evening he reached the Warren tavern, where, hearing of the approach of the enemy by the way of Goshen meeting-house, he resolved to give him battle, for although the conflict on the Brandywine had been sanguinary and disastrous, the troops. were by no means discouraged. In fact the opinion generally prevailed that
EMLEN HOUSE, WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR 15 92 0 TILDEN FITONE X . AHT.
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the loss on each side was nearly equal, and the British had gained but little more than the battle-field.
Howe, anxious to give battle, on the next day marched towards the American army. Some skirmishing occurred between the pickets, but a rain- storm of almost unprecedented violence set in, and separated the two armies. the Americans retreated to the Yellow Springs, where they discovered that scarcely one musket in a regiment could be discharged, and that scarcely one cartridge-box was fit for use. This state of things suggested the precaution of moving to a greater distance. The army accordingly retired to Warwick Fur- nace, where a supply of ammunition was obtained, and soon after crossed the Schuylkill, except the division under General Wayne, consisting of 1500 men, which was dispatched to the rear of the British army, where he was to join General Smallwood, who was in command of a body of militia. On the even- ing of September 20th, Wayne was encamped on the ground now marked by the "Paoli Monument," a pedestal erected in commemoration of the serious dis- aster of that night. General Howe. having been informed by tories residing in the neighborhood of the exact position of Wayne's encampment, dispatched General Gray with an adequate force to capture the whole party. Cautiously approaching in the dead of the night, and probably guided by some local ene- my of the American cause, he drove in the pickets with charged bayonets, and at once rushed upon the encampment. "Wayne instantly formed his division ; and with his right sustained a fierce assault, directed a retreat by the left under cover of a few regiments, who for a short time withstood the violence of the shock." The total loss of the Americans has been variously estimated at from 150 to 300, while the British only admit a loss of seven.
When the attack commenced, General Smallwood was within less than a mile of Wayne's encampment, a circumstance unknown to General Gray. But his militia gave way on the approach of a party of the British returning from the pursuit of Wayne, with the loss of but one man. Some severe animadver. sions on this unfortunate affair having been made in the army, General Wayne demanded a court martial, which, after investigating his conduct, was unani- mously of the opinion, that he had done everything to be expected from an ac- tive brave and vigilant officer ; and acquitted him with honor.
Having already been led into a detail of events happening beyond the limits of our county, a further notice of the particular movements of the two armies will be omitted. The British crossed the Schuylkill on the 22d, and en- tered Philadelphia on September 26th, from whence both Congress and the Executive Council had adjourned to Lancaster only a few days before.
The next object of Washington was to prevent the army at Philadelphia from receiving supplies from the fleet. The works on the Delaware have al- ready been noticed. Immediately upon the entry of the British into Philadel- phia, an effort was made by the armed vessels appearing in front of the city, to deter them from erecting defences. This movement resulted in the loss of a frigate called the "Delaware," which ran aground and was captured by the enemy.
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After the battle of Brandywine, Lord Howe, who commanded the fleet, sailed to the mouth of the Delaware, and several light vessels entered the river. Among them was the "Roebuck," whose commander, Captain Hammond, was rather familiar with our waters and their defences. Upon his suggestion, Gen- eral Howe sent a detachment from Chester across the river under Colonel Stirling to attack the fort at Billingsport in the rear. This was accomplished October 2d, without resistance : the small party in charge having first spiked the guns and destroyed the barracks. The site of this fort was regarded by an engineer as the best on the river ; much money had been expended in recon- structing it so as to accord with his views; a tier of chevaux-de-frize had been laid across the channel opposite to it, and yet it is left without even an apology for a garrison for its defence. The capture of this fort placed it in the power of the enemy to make a passage through the obstruction in the channel, and to bring their vessels within striking distance of Fort Mifflin.
While a division of the British army was over the river, engaged in the capture of Billingsport, Washington regarded it as a favorable opportunity to make an attack on the troops stationed at Germantown. This happened on the 4th of October. On the same day Billingsport was abandoned by the British, having. it is probable, received news of the attack made on their troops at Ger- mantown. Before evacuating the fort they destroyed every destructible thing left by their predecessors, and so injured the works as to render them almost useless for military purposes. As yet, however, they had not succeeded in floating any considerable part of the chevaux-de-frize, nor in making an availa- ble passage through them, being foiled in their efforts, both by the strength of the obstruction and the spirited attacks that were made by the water craft from above. On the evening of the 6th the enemy's vessels, nine in number, fell down to Chester, where they remained till the appearance of the main body of the fleet, which anchored below New Caste on the 8th.
The defence of this obstruction might have been still more successful, but for the great defection that occurred among the seamen by whom the galleys, floating batteries, and other craft were manned. After the loss of Billings- port and the frigate "Delaware." a despondency ensued that induced large num- bers, both officers and men, to desert : some of whom went over to the enemy. Desertions also occurred from Fort Mifflin, and Red Bank was nearly forsak- en by the militia, to whom its defence had been entrusted. "This desponding temper in the troops was checked by the battle of Germantown, and by throw- ing a garrison of Continental troops into the fort at Red Bank, now called fort Mercer." The militia of New Jersey were relied on to reinforce the garrison, but were not forthcoming with the expedition required at this critical time ; Lieutenant Colonel Smith in a letter, earnestly requested a reinforcement of Continental troops. In consequence of the representations of this officer, Col- onel Angel, of Rhode Island, with his regiment, was ordered to Red Bank, and Lieutenant Colonel John Greene, of Virginia, with about 200 men, to Fort Mifflin. Previous to the arrival of these reinforcements, the effective force at
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Fort Mifflin was reduced to 156 men, and that at Red Bank did not much ex- ceed 200.
In order to prevent General Howe from obtaining supplies for his army in the well-cultivated district west of the Schuylkill, General Potter with 600 militia was ordered to scour the country between that river and Chester. Con- gress had also adopted a resolution subjecting to martial law and death all who should furnish provisions or certain enumerated articles, and who should be taken within thirty miles of any place occupied by the British troops.
A battery was erected at Webb's, now Penrose's Ferry, near the mouth of the Schuylkill, but this was soon silenced by the galleys under Commodore Hazlewood. On the night of the Ioth of October a party of over 100 men crossed over at the ferry, and threw up a redoubt opposite and within two musket-shots of the block-house on Fort Island. As soon as discovered on the morning of the IIth, Commodore Hazlewood ordered three galleys to at- tack this hastily-built redoubt, and also one of the floating batteries to play on it, which they did so warmly that the enemy dared not fire a shot. "After about two hours the enemy held out a flag, and the soldiers appeared on the bank with their muskets clubbed." When the Commodore and Colonel Bradford, who with several boats went off to take the prisoners on board, had succeeded in securing about fifty of them, Colonel Smith, who was in the block-house, seeing some British soldiers coming from the house of Adam Guyer, impru- dently fired two shots at them, which caused the balance of those who had surrendered to run off, take possession of their battery again, and fire on their captors. It was at first supposed that the soldiers coming from Guyer's were mere stragglers, but it afterwards turned out that the British were there in force, and had just arrived to reinforce the party at the redoubt. The prisoners captured were one lieutenant, one ensign, and fifty-six privates.
The reinforcement sent to the enemy's redoubt was large, but the galleys and floating battery renewed their attack upon it in the afternoon. Failing to make much impression that day, on the morning of the 12th a party of about 150 men were landed from the fort on Province Island, with the intention of tak- ing the redoubt under the fire of the three galleys and the floating battery ; but the number of the enemy proving to be much greater than was expected, un- der cover of the redoubt, and discovering a party equal to their own from the direction of Adam Guyer's, the Americans were obliged to return to the fort, with the loss of two men killed and five wounded. From this time the enemy continued to throw up works at several places in the meadows.
The enemy's ships had taken a position near Billingsport, and had suc- ceeded in removing one of the chevaux-de-frize. On the night of the 12th, the Commodore went down "with two chains of fire rafts to drive them away from that place," which being effected, he returned with his armaments to the fort. Several conflicts ensued at this point from day to day, the enemy suc- ceeding, by degrees, in removing portions of the obstruction in the channel.
The army under General Washington was now in the most destitute situa- tion for the want of clothing, blankets, &c., besides which, no provision had
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been made for the recruits coming in. A strong appeal was made by General Washington to Congress for supplies, which, in turn had the matter brought to the notice of the Executive Council. The following order from that body suf- ficiently explains the means resorted to, to obtain a portion of these supplies, without which the army could not have been continued in the field :
"In Council, Lancaster, October 21, 1777.
"Ordered: That Col. Evan Evans, Col. Wm. Evans, Col. Thomas, Col. Gibbons, Capt. Thomas Levis, Capt. William Brooks, and Capt. Jacob Rudolph, be authorized and required to collect without delay, from such of the inhabitants of the County of Ches- ter as have not taken the oaths of allegiance and abjuration, or who have aided or assisted the enemy, arms and accoutrements, blankets, shoes and stockings, for the use of the army; that they appraise the same when taken, according to their quality, allow- ing at the rate of three pounds for a new single blanket, and give certificates for the same to the owners; that they call to their aid the militia of this Commonwealth, who are hereby ordered to obey and assist them in the execution of this order; and that they deliver the same, so taken, to the order of the Clothier General, or his agent, with whom they are to correspond in the discharge of this business."
The Quakers having generally refused to take the oath of allegiance and abjuration, were, no doubt, great sufferers from the enforcement of this order ; for. in addition to the inconvenience of parting with articles provided for fam- ily use. their conscientious scruples would not permit them to receive the prof- fered compensation.
It was not until the middle of October that the enemy had so far succeeded in removing the obstruction in the river between Billingsport and Hog Island, as to afford a narrow and intricate passage through them. In the mean time, the fire from the Pennsylvania shore had not produced all the effect expected from it: and it was perceived that greater exertions would be necessary for the reduction of the works than could safely be made in the present relative position of the armies. Howe, therefore, withdrew his troops from German- town preparatory to a combined attack by land and water upon forts Mercer and Mifflin.
In pursuance of his plan for securing the control of the Delaware, Howe, on October 22d, detached Count Dunop with 1200 Hessians, to capture the fort at Red Bank, orders having been issued for a simultaneous attack to be made on Fort Mifflin by water. The out-works at Red Bank were too exten- sive for the garrison, but to obviate the difficulty, an inner embankment, eight or nine feet high. "boarded and fraized," had been thrown up. The attack was made about four o'clock in the evening upon the outworks, after a sum- mons to surrender had been answered by a reply of defiance. The garrison maintained its position for a time, but upon the near approach of the enemy. fell back behind the inner work. The Hessians, supposing themselves in pos- session of the fortress, rushed forward in some confusion, when the Ameri- cans, from their second, but more secure position, poured upon the advancing masses such a destructive fire. that they were forced to retire as rapidly as they had approached. The loss of the Hessians was estimated at 400. includ- ing Count Dunop and his second in command, while the whole American loss.
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in killed and wounded, was only thirty-two men. The garrison had been re- enforced from Fort Mifflin, and was aided by the galleys which flanked the Hessians in their advance and retreat.
Early on the same day, several of the enemy's ships passed the lower chevaux-de-frize, and awaited the assault on Red Bank before opening upon the galleys and floating batteries. At the appointed signal the action on the river commenced, part of the manoeuvring of the enemy's ships being intended to draw off the galleys that were aiding in the defence of Red Bank. The ships that came up were the "Augusta," a new 64, the "Roebuck," 44, two frigates, the "Merlin" of 18 guns, and a galley carrying a 32-pounder. These were driv- en back by the galleys and floating batteries, without having accomplished any material part of their mission ; but in going down, the "Augusta" and "Merlin" ran aground, owing, it is said, to some change having been caused in the chan- nel by the artificial obstructions. The unfortunate situation of these vessels was not known to the Americans that night, but failing to get off at flood tide, their helpless condition was fully understood early in the morning, when they were furiously set upon by twelve galleys and two floating batteries, under the command of Commodore Hazlewood. The "Roebuck," two frigates and a gal- ley, attempted to defend the disabled vessels, but it was to little purpose, for so fierce and terrible was the fire from the American fleet that the "Augusta" was soon in flames, and blew up about noon, making so terrific an explosion that great apprehensions were entertained at the headquarters of the army- now at Skippac-for the safety of the fort, as the explosion was attributed to the blowing up of the magazine. The action was still continued with the other vessels, but the enemy was forced to give way, first setting fire to the "Merlin" which also exploded. It is supposed the "Augusta" lost 150 or 160 men in killed and drowned ; the "Roebuck" was driven from her station, having six killed and ten wounded. The fire-ships that had been prepared with so much care and expense, were sent against the enemy's vessels; but the combustibles being ignited too soon, they served no valuable purpose. Two guns, clothing and other plunder, were obtained from the wreck of the "Augusta" the next day.
A brisk cannonade was kept up against Fort Mifflin by the batteries on the Pennsylvania shore during both days, which was responded to in the best manner that the condition of the fort and circumstances of the garrison would permit. It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Smith of Maryland. The batteries on the Pennsylvania shore had been reinforced and supplied with pro- visions, just before these attacks on the forts and galleys. General Greene with a large body of men was detached to attack what was supposed to be an escort of provisions, &c., for these batteries. What was supposed to be an es- cort proved to be a large detachment, which proceeded no further than Gray's Ferry; the wagons with provisions, one hundred and thirteen in number, in the mean time were allowed to pass unmolested, and return by way of the Blue Bell. When General Greene arrived at the bridge he found the post evacuated and the bridge torn to pieces. Some works, however, had been com-
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menced by the enemy, and some huts built, which the detachment destroyed and then returned to camp.
General Potter, who, with a body of militia, was detailed to scour the country between the Schuylkill and Chester to prevent supplies reaching the enemy, exhibited considerable daring in the performance of his duties. In a letter to Council dated on October 27th, he speaks of having in one day, in company with a few horsemen, visited the upper, middle and Gray's Ferries, Tinicum Island and Carpenter's Island, where he viewed the enemy's works, and saw what he calls an Abess work thrown up in Guyer's orchard. After this visit to the meadows, he learned that a small breast-work had been thrown up at Boon's dam and mounted with one gun. On the next day, in company with Generals Reed and Cadwalader, he visited Darby and Chester. At and below the latter place, sixty of the enemy's ships were lying. He informs the Council that he had put a stop to the transportation of marketing to the enemy, and had removed all the beef cattle and flour from this part of the country.
The garrison at Fort Mifflin had been subjected to very severe duty, ex- pecting at any moment to be attacked by the troops in the intrenchments on the Pennsylvania shore, and from the enemy's ships in the river. Washington had determined not to divide his army so as to be unprepared for another general engagement, in case Howe should afford him an opportunity, until the troops should arrive from the North, which, since the surrender of Burgoyne, were confidently expected. He did, however, parsimoniously divide three hundred Pennsylvania militia between this fort and Red Bank. General Varnum was also stationed with his brigade near Woodbury, with instructions "to relieve and reinforce the garrisons of both forts as far as his strength would permit."
After the repulse at Red Bank, and the loss of the two war vessels, Gen- eral Howe became more careful in his movements. While he still persisted in his plan of opening a communication with the fleet by the Delaware, his prep- arations were such as would secure that object without any unnecessary ex- posure of his troops. Having completed his preparations, the large batteries on Province Island and on the margin of the river below, now well supplied with heavy guns, opened on Fort Mifflin early in the morning of November 10th, and kept up a constant fire during five successive days. "The block houses were reduced to a heap of ruins, the palisades were beaten down, and most of the guns were dismounted and otherwise disabled." The barracks were so much injured that the troops, when an interval of firing afforded them an op- portunity to take a few moments repose, were obliged to lie on the earth, now rendered muddy by having been intentionally, but unadvisedly. flooded by- opening the sluices. At night a large force was required to repair, as much as possible, the damages of the day : and being under a constant apprehension of an attack by a storming party, little opportunity was afforded for repose, and but for the relief afforded by General Varnum, the duties would have been too arduous to bear.
It was the opinion of both Colonel Smith and General Varnum, that the garrison could not withstand an assault, and General Washington believing
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that none would be made until the works were battered down, gave orders for the defence of the place to the last extremity, which were literally obeyed. These orders, which have the appearance of being severe under the circum- stances, were probably induced by the report of Major Feury, a French engi- neer, who believed the place was still defensible. Colonel Smith was wounded on the second day of the siege, when the command devolved upon Colonel Rus- sell, and subsequently upon Major Thayer.
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