History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 41

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 41

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None but those who have attained proficiency in the science of war by academical training and long experience can fully appreciate' the importance of dis- cipline in an army, or measure the loss resulting in a hundred ways from the want of it, as seen in the

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

improvidence which it begets, the insubordination which it inspires, and the tardiness in men and officers which always endangers and often defeats the best laid plans of the commander.

Great was the astonishment of Steuben upon his arrival. Having united his destiny with the strng- gling patriots, viewing the field of strife through eyes accustomed to the trained and well-supplied armies of Europe, always near the person and headquarters of his sovereign, brightened by the display of royal splendor, he keenly felt the unpleasing contrast as seen at Valley Forge. " He found our cities in the possession of a powerful foe, and when he came to look for the troops to retake them, he saw only a few thousand famished, half-naked men, looking more like beggars thau soldiers, cooped up in miserable log huts, dragging out a dreary winter amid snow and storm." His first tour of inspection disclosed to his practiced eye the impoverished condition of the camp, the want of discipline in officers and men, the vice of gambling, the frequency of petty theft, want of cleanliness of person, and its sure concomitant, pes- tilential disease,-the itch was only more common in the camp than the presence of vermin among the rank and file. So terrible was the poverty of necessary sup- plies, as late as January 12th,1 that the commander-in- chief issued an order to his brigade commanders to collect tallow and ashes with which to make soft-soap for the use of the men in camp. Well might the amazed Stenben declare "that no European army could be kept together under such suffering." Noth- ing daunted, however, and with all the sympathies of his noble nature aroused in behalf of the American cause, he commenced as soon as the season would permit to instruct both officers and men. It was his practice to rise at three o'clock in the morning, dress his hair, smoke, take his cup of coffee, and at sunrise he in the saddle, and if the weather permitted, would have his men marching to the field for morning drill.

He organized one company, which he drilled in person to the highest point of efficiency in the use of the arms then relied upon in the infantry branch of the service, subsequently using them as a model or example by which to instruct regiments and brigades. We regret that history does not furnish us with the letter, name or some means of identifying the com- pany thus selected, the example of which was so effectual in promoting the efficiency of their comrades. Honorable mention is frequently made of the distin- guished service of Baron Steuben in this regard, and for which he was, on May 5, 1778, commissioned major-general. But, alas! for the brave men who answered his imperative roll-call upon these hills at each morning sun, who generously sunk their indi- viduality and became automatons to exemplify the first great duty of the soldier,-i. e., to obey.

1 Brigade Order, Valley Forge, January 12, 1778. Order Book, Penn- sylvania Historical Society rooms.

Truer fame was never won on tented fiekl by more heroic men, and though they be nameless on our history's page, no greater victory emblazoned the banners of the patriot army than that which this company achieved in the discipline of themselves, and, by their example, the discipline of the army at Valley Forge. Unknown though this company be, and nameless its roll of heroes, honor and gratitude alike demand that they should share the credit be- stowed upon their zealous commander by a country whose historians declare the result of this primary school of discipline was seen in the ensuing cam- paign at the battle of Monmouth, where "Washingtou rallied his men when in full retreat, and brought them into action under the very blaze of the enemy's guns. They wheeled like veteran troops in their places, and then moved steadily on the foe."

The department of the inspector-general now re- ceived the attention its vast importance deserved, and discipline, before irregular, or practiced only uuder particular leaders, was introduced into and imposed as a duty upon every command and in every depart- ment. All the arrangements to carry into effect the plans of the commander-in-chief were heartily seconded and perfected by this accomplished master of details, and as the legitimate sequence, the intri- cate machinery of the army began to move in order and in the direction of success.

With the explosion of the Conway cabal, the resto- ration of public confidence by the patriotic officers of the committee of Congress, the induction of Greene into the department of supplies, the assignment of Steuben to the task of organizing and disciplining the army, a burden was lifted from the shoulders of Washington, who, as he calmly surveyed the future, supported by the presence and fidelity of Knox and Stirling, of Hamilton and Pickering and Lafayette, felt that the crisis in his life and country had been reached and passed, and the midnight gloom of the Revolution was broken.

As repulse had followed repulse in rapid succession in the preceding months, at Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown, giving rise to detraction, crimination, infidelity, divided and dissenting counsels, so now in the lengthening days and genial suns of coming spring he felt the assuring circumstance of returning confi- dence, found new and better men to fill the places of those who had been tried and found weak, vacillating and faithless, and, above all, and greater than all these agencies of human life, he saw in the impending prov- idences of Almighty God, in whom he reposed an abiding trust, a hastening ally in France, the assur- ance of whose friendship and co-operation, in means and men, by land and sea, removed the last doubt in his mind of achieving " Independence, Liberty, and Peace." Coming and portentous events cast their long and succoring shadows before, and although no electric wire flashed the glad news of Franklin's sue- cess at the court of Louis XVI. in concluding a

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" treaty of amity and commerce " on the 6th of Febru- ary, 1778, and also a defensive treaty of alliance, in which the two parties mutually engaged not to lay down their arms until "the Independence of the United States should be assured by the treaties ter- minating the war ;" yet the constancy of Lafayette, his influence with and assurances from his sovereign, made him a daily monitor at the side of the great commander, and prepared him for the reception of the official announcement, which reached Valley Forge on the Ist day of May, 1778. His official order, issued May 7th, announcing the event, and preparing his camp to celebrate the occasion, beautifully and feelingly expresses the sense of gratefulness univer- sally felt by army and people, and, as we may believe, was inspired by the fervent prayers he uttered on bended knees in his season of joy upon the hills of Valley Forge : 1

" It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the canse of the United States, and finally raise up a powerful friend amung the princes of the earth to establish our liberty and independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine interposition. The several brigades are to assemble for this purpose at nine o'clock to-morrow, when their chan- laine will communicate the information contained in the postscript of the Pennsylvania Gusatte of the 2d inst., and offer np a thanksgiving and deliver a discourse snitable to the event."

The day was signalized as one of national deliver- ance. Devotional exercises were followed by patriotic addresses, national salutes were fired, and upon a given signal the whole army joined in a grand huzza, " Long live the King of France ! Long live the friendly powers of Europe and the American States !"

The commander-in-chief and staff were the guests of the New Jersey troops during the religious services of the day, after which the general officers of the com- mand joined him at the Potts mansion, whereat was served in true Continental style one of those famous

1 The following account of Washington's prayer at Valley Forge was copied from a paper in the handwriting of Ruth Amy Potts, daughter of Isaac Potts, who died in 1811, (see Potts' Manual, by Mrs. F. P. James, member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society) : "While the American army lay at Valley Forge, a good old Quaker by the name of Potts had occasion to pass through a thick wood near the headquarters. As he traversed the dark, brown forest he heard a voice, which, as he advanced, became more fervid and interesting. Approaching with slowness and ciremspection, whom should he behold in a dark bower, apparently formed for the purpose, but the commander-in-chiet of the I'nited Colo- nies on his knees, in the act of devotion to the Ruler of the universe. At the moment when friend Potts, concealed by the trees, came up, Wash- ington was interceding for his beloved country. With tones of grati- tude that labored for adequate expression, he adored that exuberance of goodness which, from the depths of obscurity, had exalted him to the head of a great nation, and that nation fighting at fearful odds for all the world holds dear. . . .

" As soon as the General had finished his devotions and retired, friend Potts returned to his house and threw himself in a chair beside his wife. ' Heigl, Isaac,' said she, with tenderness, 'what is the matter ?' 'lu- deed,' quuth he, 'if I appear agitated, 'tis no more than what I am. I have seen this day what I shall never forget. Till now I have thought that a Christian and a soldier were characters incompatible, but if George Washington be not a man of God, I am mistaken ; and still more shall I be disappointed if God, through him, do not perform some great thing for this country.'"

dinners for which Washington always manifested a fondness.

To crown the day with universal rejoicing, before the hour of dining he issued the following order, and directed its immediate execution :

" The commander-in-chief, in this season of general joy, takes occasion to proclaim pardon and release to all persons now in coufinement, whether in the provost or other places. This he is induced to do that the intln- ence of prosperity may be as extensive as possible. Even those that merit punishment rather than favor should not be excluded the benefit of an event so interesting to mankind as that which lately appeared to the officers of America. Ile hopes the indulgence will not be abused, but excite gratitude and produce a change of conduct, and an allowance of every practice consistent with the duty they owe their country."

With the changing season came the hopeful change in the tide of human affairs. Guided by the unfalter- ing wisdom of the great chieftain, who never for a moment loosed his grasp upon the helm of power committed to his command, he steadily, amidst praise and blandishment, detraction and calumny, directed the combined agencies of America and her ally around the sharp angle, the turning-point in the Revolution, and on the high road to final success. Within forty-eight hours after signing the treaties of commerce and alliance between America and France, British spies carried the portentous news to their sovereign, whose ministry at once sought, by well- marked measures of conciliation, to paralyze the inevitable result contemplated by the alliance. Three months elapsed before Washington was apprised of the proceedings; yet so certain and well founded were his anticipations of the event, so thoroughly had he prepared the public for its announcement, so closely had he discounted the probable action of the home goverment, that all their well-laid schemes to disconcert him and induce the acceptance of terms at variance with the declared will of the people utterly failed, leaving him master of the situation with an army fresh for the field, reorganized, equipped, drilled, and disciplined by the exertions of his splen- did staff.

Active operations along the entire line, from Wil- mington to Trenton, were commenced at an early period. Smallwood and Morgan and Lee were con- stant in their efforts on the west of the Schuylkill, and Lacy and Jameson and MeLane were equally as . vigilant on the east side of that river, to press back the outer line of the British and confine them to a eity, the occupancy of which was now seen to be a blunder, if not the pregnant source of approaching disaster to Howe's aray. Washington, feeling assured of its evacuation, prepared for the event, and on the 18th of May directed General Lafayette, with a corps oftwo thousand five hundred picked men to occupy Barren Hill, observe the movements of the enemy, and in the event of their retreat across New Jersey, to fall upon their left and rear, while he was to follow as rapidly as possible? with the main army. The

2 Early in the month of May, 1778, intelligence reached Washington in

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

story of Lafayette at Barren Hill is one of the most interesting historical episodes of the Revolutionary war. The assignment of this youthful and illustrious

his camp that the British were making preparations to evacuate Phila- delphia. In order to cover this intended movement, scouting and forag- ing parties were almost daily scouring the country between the Delaware and the Schuylkill, as far west as the Skippack and Towamencin Creeks, and on the 7th of May they sent an expedition up the Delaware River to destroy all the local shipping between Philadelphia and Trenton. Be- tween forty and fifty vessels were burned, a considerable quantity of army stores were destroyed, and many inhabitants were killed or wounded. To prevent these incursions, and at the same time to cut off all possible communication between the country and the enemy, to ob- tain positive information concerning the movements of the enemy, and to be ready to follow up Howe's retreat with the utmost promptness and force, Washington detached Lafayette with the force before mentioned to take position at Barren Hill. He crossed the Schuylkill River ut Matson's Ford (Conshohocken) about noon on the 18th of May, and pro- ceeded to the Ridge Road, thence to Barren Hill, and weut into position about a fourth of a mile west of the church. The position was naturally a strong one, but at the same time a critical one, owing to the concentra- tion of prominent roads at that point, and its proximity to the main body of the enemy. Ilis position was remarkable for its location, and very skillfully selected. His artillery was planted so as to command the main road to Philadelphia, supported by the right wing of his forces, while the main or Ridge Road was occupied for several miles in frout by Captain McLane with a squadron of cavalry, to which command was attached a body of fifty Indians, who were used as scouts through the surrounding country, then densely wooded, His left was, as he sup- posed, covered by a body of six hundred Pennsylvania militia, who were posted " near Whitemarsh." Whether this body of troops were detailed from those commanded by Lafayette, and by bim put in position, or whether they were acting under other orders, we are left to conjecture, but from the fact that they changed their position without his orlers or knowledge would seem to indicate that they were an independent body of troops, upon whose presence he was led to rely, and only when his discomfiture was almost accomplished by his cnoning and vigilant enemy did he learn to his great surprise that the officer in command of these troops had retired without communicating with him, thus leaving bis left flank exposed to imminent peril ; this view is further corrobo- rated by the fact, as before stated, that the officers aml troops detailed were selected with great care ; it is therefore improbable that militia con- stituted any part of it.

THE COMMAND IN GREAT DANGER .- Immediate notice of his arrival was given Sir William Howe, who the same day reconnoitered the posi- tion and at once formed his plan to surprise and cut him off. Our best historiaus differ in relating who forwarded the information of Lafayette's arrival at Barren Hill, as also in the matter of the officer in command at Philadelphia. Lossing says Lafayette at first quartered in the house of a Tory Quaker, who sent a messenger with the information to Sir Heury Clinton. Marshall, in his " Life of Washington," ynotes from General Wilkinson's memoirs, and says that this notice was given by a person formerly a lieutenant in Proctor's artillery regiment, who, disgusted at being discarded from the American service, became a spy to Sir William Howe, and the better to fulfill his new engagements, kept up his ac_ quaintance with his former comrades, and frequently visited the camp at Valley Forge, To avoid suspicion, which would be excited by his visiting Philadelphia, a rendezvous was established on Frankford Creek, where he met a messenger from General flowe, to whom the information was immediately given. The distinguished author says this statement is certainly correct. From the account given by Lossing we would be led to believe that Sir Henry Clinton was in comunand at that time. But Marshall says that this was the last enterprise attempted by Sir William Howe previous to his resignation of the command in this country,

In pursuance of the plan which Ilowe had formed to capture the " Stripling Frenchman," as Lafayette was called by many of the thoughtless enemy, General Grant was, on the night of the 10th, directed to move with a column of five thousand of his choicest troops and gain tlie rear of Lafayette's position. In this movement General Grant was accompanied by Sir William Erskine. All night this flanking column marched, hastened in their steps as they neared their objective-point without meeting so much as a picket to fire the alarm, or intimate to Lafayette their coming. The road over which these troops marched ou the night in question, as indicated by history and tradition, was as

officer by the commander-in-chief to the command of an independent expedition, composed of the flower of the army, charged with duties certain to expose

follows: From Philadelphia direct to Flourtown, thence to the present village of the Broad Axe, thence to the Plymouth meeting-house, where the main borly of the troops halted just about daylight the following morning. The Ridge Road was occupied by the advance guard in force, at the junction of the road leading to Matson's Ford (now Conshohocken turnpike), with pickets throwu down the Ridge Road almost to the camp of the American forces. Such was the situation on the left just about the hour the presence of the enemy became known. While this move- quent was in progresson the left, General Grey, with a strong detachment, estimated at fifteen hundred men, advanced up the Ridge Road and took possession of the next ford south of Matson's on the river Schuylkill, while the main body of the enemy, under the direction of General Howe, had advanced to the summit of Chestnut Hill, on what was then known as the Manataun road. The distance from the advance of General Grant's forces to Matson's Ford, the only point at which Lafayette could possibly recross in safety, was a mile, at least, nearer the former than the latter, and being uninformed of any other road by which Lafayette could reach that point of crossing than the one he ocenpied, he halted and went into position in the certain belief that the game was as good as bagged.

Captain McLane, a vigilant cavalry officer of great merit, who had command, as before stated, of the Indians accompanying the expedition, and whose forces were actively employed down the Ridge Road. from whence danger was most reasonably apprehended, during the night of the 19th captured a pair of prowling British grenadiers at a place then known as Three-Mile Run. From these men the captain learned of the movement made by General Grant, and also of the detachment then rapidly marching to occupy the ford below Matson's, on the right of La- fayette. Immediately conjecturing the purpose of the enemy, and be- ing familiar with the roads and the country, he sent Captain Parr, with a portion of the command, across the country to Wanderer's IIill to check the column advancing up the Schuylkill, and still another in the direction of Chestnut Hill, while he, in person, at lightning speed, has- tened to the headquarters of his commander to apprise him of the danger now evidently surrounding him. He arrived at headquarters about daylight and gave the information he had received, with his conjecture. A few moments only elapsed when the firing of Parr on the Ridge Road could be distinctly heard, while the simultaneous arrival of a resident of Whitemarsh, who had escaped after the passage of Grant's column, con- firmed the worst apprehensions of the officers in consultation, and con- vinced them that they were in a manner surrounded, but with one possiblo road of escape, and even this could be closed by the forces of General Grant before it could be reached by them, if that general knew the importance of so doing. A singular coincidence took place during this eventful night of the 19th of May, 1778. While Howe was busy in his prepara- tions, made upon information received from a native spy, and which promised him such fruitful results, a quiet citizen, who had been apprised of the intended movement of British troops from their encampments, and believing some important movement was intended, but not knowing exactly its character, escaped through the lines on the south side of the river, hastened to the nearest house of a known patriot, mounted his fleetest horse, and by sunset was flashing headlong up the old Gulf road in the direction of Valley Forge. He reached Washington's head- quarters before daybreak on the 20th, and communicated his intelli- gente. The long roll was at once beat. The whole camp was called to arms ; the danger to Lafayette was considered imminent. Alarm guns were fired to announce it to him, and the whole army was put in readi- ness to act as circumstances might require

Lossing gives a graphic description of the hour. He says the situation of Lafayette was now critical. Owing to the disobedience of orders on the part of the militia in leaving Whitemarsh, General Grant's approach was undiscovered, and the little band of Americans was nearly surrounded by a greatly superior force before they were aware of their tlanger. Early in the morning scarlet coats were scen through the trees in the distant forest. An officer sent by Lafayette to reconnoitre came back in haste with the informa- tion that a large British force was on the road leading from Whitemarsh to Matson's Ford, a little more than a mile from his encampment. The marquis, young as he was, at once comprehended the situation and the extent of his danger. A skillful manœuvre was instantly conceived. He changed his front without disonler, stationed a large party in the churchyard, around which was a stone wall, and drew up the remainder

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him to trials and perils of the most extraordinary character, illustrates the boundless confidence reposed in him, and the manner in which he acquitted himself in disconcerting the plans laid by Howe, Clinton, Grant, and Sir William Erskine to destroy or capture him and his command marks him as an officer of quick and brilliant perceptions upon the field of battle, perfect self-control in the hour of peril, and brave to a fault.

Space will not permit us to repeat the names of the distinguished officers who served with him in the expedition, or disclose the movements by which he extricated himself from a situation made perilous by the withdrawal of the militia from Whitemarsh and a rapid night march by the enemy, but which was timely revealed by the sleepless vigilance of Colonel McLane.1 Suffice it to say, on the morning of May 20, 1778, Washington, surrounded by a number of his

in such manner as to be protected by the stone houses and thick wouds. Ascertaining that the main road to Swedes' Ford was in the possession of the enemy, he resolved to retreat to Matson's Ford, although the distance from his position was greater than from that of Grant. The only road by which he could reach this point unseen by the enemy lay along the southern slope of the hills, and concealed by woods. In order to more effectnally cover this movement of wagons, artillery and troups, he threw forward small detachments through the woods, with orders to show thelli- Selves at different points in the enemy's front, as heads of columns, and thus deceive them into the belief that he was marching with considerable force to an attack. This device was successful, and while General Grant was preparing his forces to resist what he supposed to be an attack upon his flank, the main body of the force made a forced march to Matson's Ford, Brigadier-General Poor leading the advance guard and Lafayette bringing up the rear, carefully retiring all the detachments with which he had so successfully deceived those who, a few hours before, were con- fident of his discomfiture.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 41

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534