History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 36

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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The First Pennsylvania regiment, which, under Colonel William Thompson, of Car- lisle, had won a brilliant record in front of Boston, in 1775, and under Colonel Edward Hand, of Lancaster, at Long Island, Tren- ton and Princeton, was commanded by Colonel James Chambers, of Cumberland County, in the battles of Paoli and German- town. In this regiment were the York County volunteers who had marched to Boston under `Captain Michael Doudel in the summer of 1775, and later fought with gallantry under Captain Henry Miller at Long Island, White Plains, Trenton and Princeton. The company was now in com- mand of Captain James Matson. Captain Miller had been promoted to the rank of major in the same regiment.

After the battle of Brandywine on Sep- tember II, Washington's army fell back to Chester and from thence marched to Phila-

vancing British under Howe. On Septem- ber 16, Wayne's division of Pennsylvania troops met a force of the British at the Warren tavern, twenty-three miles south- west of Philadelphia. The American troops began the engagement with an impetuosity characteristic of their commander, but a heavy shower coming up prevented a con- tinuance of the engagement.

Washington now sent Wayne, A Night Attack. with 1,500 men and four pieces of cannon, to annoy the rear of the British forces and attempt to cut off their baggage train. General Smallwood, with eleven hundred and fifty Maryland militia, and Colonel Gist, from the same state, with seven hundred men, were ordered to unite their forces with Wayne and act under his direction. After a secret march Wayne, with his Pennsyl- vania troops, occupied a secluded spot about three miles southwest of the enemy's line. Howe, hearing of this movement for the purpose of cutting off his wagon train, sent General Grey with a considerable force to surprise Wayne and drive him from his position.

"At nine P. M., September 20," says General Wayne, " a farmer living near, in- formed me before Colonels Hartley, Brod- head and Temple, that the enemy intended to attack me that night. I sent out videttes to patrol all the roads leading to the enemy's camp."

One of the videttes returned and notified the general that the enemy was approach- ing. General Wayne now commanded all his troops to form, having previously or- dered them to lie on their arms, ready for any emergency. Then selecting the First Pennsylvania and the light infantry, he formed them on the right toward which the attacking party was approaching. He re- mained with this force, but owing to in- feriority of numbers, was unable to contend with the impetuous charge of the British, who were ordered to use only bayonets and give no quarters.

At this point in the attack,

Bayonet Charge.

A Colonel Humpton, commanding one of the regiments to the left. failed to promptly obey Wayne's orders. This delay proved fatal and the brunt of the battle fell upon the

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THE REVOLUTION

Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, under Revolution he became an ardent patriot. In Colonel David Grier. Humpton's regiment now fell back in confusion, the Maryland militia failed to appear. The British troops rushed on the Americans with great im- petuosity, and obeying the commands of their superior officers, forced the Pennsyl- vania troops back at the point of the bay- onet. The cry for quarters was unheeded. The British bayonet now did its work with savage ferocity. Wayne had been outnum- bered and defeated. The morning sun looked down from clear skies on a scene of butchery, probably unparalleled in Ameri- can history.

The American loss was not less than three hundred in killed and wounded, many of whom were from west of the Susque- hanna. About seventy became prisoners of war. Colonel David Grier, of York, com- manding the Seventh Pennsylvania, who was conspicuous for his gallantry in this battle, was twice pierced by a British bayonet.

The news of the disaster, known as the "Massacre at Paoli," brought sadness and sorrow to many homes in York and Cum- berland Counties. In a letter from Wayne to General Washington, written the day after the battle, he says, "I must in justice to Colonels Hartley, Humpton, Brodhead, Grier, Butler, Hubley and indeed every field and other officer, inform your excellency that I derived every assistance possible from those gentlemen on this occasion."

Colonel

Colonel David Grier, who con- manded the Seventh Pennsyl-

the fall of 1775 he recruited a company of sixty men from York County, which was assigned to the Sixth Pennsylvania bat- talion. This battalion, under command of Colonel William Irvine, took a prominent part in the expedition to Canada. It was present and suffered a considerable loss in the battle of Three Rivers. For his gal- lantry in action and his military capacity, Captain Grier was promoted major of the battalion, October, 1776. He returned with his command to Carlisle. Later he was as- signed to command the Seventh Pennsyl- vania Regiment, with the rank of lieutenant- colonel. When the British approached Philadelphia, his regiment was placed in Wayne's brigade, and with it Colonel Grier took a conspicuous part in the battle of Brandywine. At the battle of Paoli, as stated above, his regiment was engaged in the hardest fighting. While leading his regiment, endeavoring to repel the British assault, he was twice bayoneted, receiving wounds from which he never recovered. This disabled him for further military ser- vice in the field. After recovering from his wound he was appointed to take charge of the post at York, where he rendered efficient service in the quartermaster's department. After the war, he practiced law at York and became one of the leading citizens west of the Susquehanna. He was elected to the General Assembly in 1783, served as a dele- gate to the Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution in 1787, and was chosen by the Constitutionalists one of the first presi- dential electors. Colonel Grier died at York, June 3, 1790.

David vania Regiment at Brandywine Grier. and Paoli, had a brilliant military career during the Revolution. He was the son of William Grier, one of the THE BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. earliest of the Scotch-Irish settlers who After the battle of Brandywine, Wash- ington retreated toward Philadelphia and encamped near Germantown, now the northern part of the city. Although he had suffered a serious defeat at Brandywine on September II, and the division of Penn- sylvania troops under Wayne, had been routed at Paoli nine days later, the com- mander-in-chief was undismayed. Wash- ington's reserve power now asserted itself in a masterly way. Before leaving Phila- delphia, Continental Congress had again clothed him with extraordinary powers took up lands in the Manor of Maske, near the site of Gettysburg, and was born there in 1742. He received a classical education and during his early manhood removed to York, where he entered upon the study of law with James Smith, who became one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence. He was admitted to the bar in 1771. and began the practice of his profession at York. During the French and Indian war he joined a military company which marched against the Indians on the frontier of Pennsylvania. At the opening of the which he used with discretionary effect. In

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

obedience to his request, measures were powering it and coming in on his rear. The adopted to increase the army. Continental York county militia served in this command. troops serving on distant stations were The divisions under Greene and Stephen summoned to his assistance and the militia from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and adjoining states were called out.

Howe, following in pursuit of the Ameri- can army, took possession of Philadelphia immediately after it was evacuated. Antic- ipating the approach of the enemy, Con- gress had adjourned on the 23rd of Septem- ber to meet at Lancaster on the 27th. Still fearing the danger of an approaching enemy, after holding one day's session . at Lancaster, Congress adjourned to York, where it remained nine months, holding its first session September 30th. Meantime Howe's army had taken possession of Phil- adelphia and part of his forces encamped at Germantown, ten miles north of Independ- ence Hall. Admiral Howe, commanding British army to the head of the Chesapeake, before the battle of Brandywine, now de- scended that bay and moved up the Dela- ware to capture the force below Philadel- Drove phia.

Another battle was now imminent near Philadelphia, and the commanding generals for several succeeding days were engaged in manouvering their armies to obtain an advantageous position. After holding a conference with his generals, Washington determined to attack the camp at German- town. The morning of October 4 was de- cided upon as the time for the attack.

The main part of the American

Plan of army was encamped fourteen Attack. miles northwest of the enemy. On the evening of October 3rd, Washington took up the line of march to- ward Germantown, moving in person with the divisions under Sullivan and Wayne. The Continental troops of York county were serving under Wayne. On account of the roads being rough, the advance of the American army did not reach the outposts of the enemy until sunrise, and the alarm was quickly given to the British camp. Ac- cording to the plan of battle, Conway's brigade of Sullivan's division moved on the right flank and General Armstrong with 1000 Pennsylvania militia, moved on the ex- treme right of the American line for the Nash's and Maxwell's brigades, bore down purpose of attacking the British left, over- after Sullivan, and would have made the day

flanked by the brigade of McDougal, formed the left of the American line for the purpose of attacking the British right. The New Jersey and Maryland militia moved on the extreme left of the Americans, with the pur- pose of turning the right of the British line and coming in on the rear. The other bri- gades under Stirling were held in reserve.

The battle opened by Conway's brigade of Sullivan's division attacking the enemy's picket line. This movement having been already anticipated, was quickly reinforced. Sullivan's entire division moved forward and captured the enemy's baggage and camp equipment. The Continental troops under Greene and the Pennsylvania militia under Armstrong failed to appear at the time expected. Wayne's division was or- the enemy's fleet which had brought the dered to move toward the British left.

Washington ordered a concentrated at- tack of all his forces in line of battle.

Although the British regiments were lying behind entrenchments

British

the and stone walls, the forces under Wayne and Sullivan, the centre of

Back. the American line, moved forward with impetuosity and drove the British regulars back to the main force at Germantown. While retreating, the Brit- ish took advantage of every dwelling house or other building as a defensive fortress to fire upon the advancing American troops. One of these buildings, used with disastrous effect, was the large stone mansion of Ben- jamin Chew, then chief justice of Pennsyl- vania. Six companies of the 40th British regiment under command of Colonel Mus- grave, threw themselves into this building, barricaded the doors and lower windows and opened a murderous fire on the Ameri- can troops from the roof and upper win- dows. After leaving a regiment to guard this house, General Wayne pressed onward and with Sullivan continued the pursuit a mile further through the streets of German- town, while the reserve under Stirling fol- lowed. In this onward movement, Wayne used the bayonet in driving back the British, in retaliation for the massacre at Paoli. Conway on the flank, and Washington, with

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THE REVOLUTION

fatal to the British, had not Colonel Mus- important information. The weather had grave stationed himself in the Chew man- sion. At this place Washington halted with his reserve and called upon Musgrave to

already become severe. During the latter part of November, Washington moved with his little army to the village of White surrender, which he declined to do. The Marsh, situated in one of the beautiful val- British opened fire upon Maxwell's brigade, leys of Montgomery county, sixteen miles northwest of Philadelphia. After holding a council with his subordinate officers, he determined to go into winter quarters at this place, unless the danger of the situation required him to find a better location. causing considerable loss of life. The delay brought about by this affair gave Howe in Germantown an opportunity to reform his lines, and after a battle which lasted in all two hours, he defeated the American army. The British loss in this battle was 13 officers and 58 men killed, 55 officers and 395 men wounded. The American loss was 30 offi- cers and 122 men killed, 117 officers and 404 men wounded, and about 50 officers and 350 men taken prisoners.

The cause of this defeat is attrib- Cause of Defeat. uted to the use of the Chew house as a fortification, and the con- fusion which arose between the divisions of Stephen and Wayne. Owing to a dense fog and the incapacity of Stephen, his brigade fired upon Wayne, mistaking his troops for the enemy. This blunder ruined the battle and gave the victory to the Brit- ish forces.

Chestnut The defeat of Washington at German- town when it was hoped he would win a Hill. victory, was a sad misfortune. to the cause town, moved out from Philadel- phia, fifteen thousand strong. to again attack the American of American Independence. If he had de- forces. General Jamies Irvine's brigade of feated the enemy as he had done at Trenton 600 Pennsylvania militia, in which the bat-

and Princeton, the war might soon have been brought to a close.

Congress at York, eagerly awaited the result of this battle. The gloom and de- the enemy and a lively skirmish ensued. spondency which pervaded this body and the entire thirteen states was removed after hearing of the surrender of Burgoyne and his entire army of 6000 men at Saratoga, on October 19, two weeks after the defeat at Germantown.

MOVEMENTS AFTER GERMAN- TOWN.

After the battle of Germantown, Wash- ington kept himself thoroughly informed concerning the movement of the enemy in and about Philadelphia. Colonel John a prisoner of war in Philadelphia and New Clark, of York, who had served with dis- York until June 1, 1781. From 1782 to 1793 he was major general of the Pennsyl- vania militia, vice-president of Pennsylvania and one of the first trustees of Dickinson College. tinction in the Flying Camp, and later as an aide on the staff of General Greene, now acted as chief of scouts for Washington, frequently bringing the commander-in-chief

Continental Congress was now in session at York, pervaded by the gloom and de- spondency which had spread throughout the country. While Congress awaited with eager interest the success of the campaign of Gates against Burgoyne, who was then attempting to come down the Hudson, cut the country in twain and join the British in New York, this body also looked with hope and expectation to the important future for the army under Washington and the defence of the forts in the hands of the Americans below Philadelphia.

On December 3, the British

. The army, encouraged by its success

Affair at at Brandywine and German- talion from York county served, was or- dered to the left of the American line in the vicinity of Chestnut Hill. Irvine engaged

His militia broke ranks at the first fire, ow- ing to the superiority of the enemy's num- ber. In this engagement which lasted but a short time, the British lost twelve in killed and wounded. Among the wounded was Sir James Murray, a young officer serving in a regiment of light infantry. While at- tempting to rally his troops, General Irvine had a horse shot under him, lost three fin- gers by a bullet, and received severe bruises in the head in falling from his horse to the ground. Irvine was captured with five of his men who were wounded. He was held

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

There was no further collision The Skirmish at White Marsh. between the armies until De- cember 7, when Morgan's Penn- sylvania and Virginia riflemen were ordered forward on the right. They were supported by Webb's Continental regiment and Potter's brigade of Pennsylvania militia. Colonel James Thompson from York County, with a battalion of nearly 300 men formed a part of Potter's brigade in this engage- battalion of about 150 men, was also present. Morgan originally opposed the advance of the enemy commanded by Lord Cornwallis. Four British officers and three men fell before the unerring aim of the riflemen. Webb's regulars and the Pennsylvania militia under Cad- wallader, Reed and Potter, took a posi- tion in a woods forming the left of the American line. Here they offered a stub- born resistance for a short time. When the British advanced in solid column, the militia opened a severe fire after which the Ameri- can line broke and fell back in disorder. At this time in the fight, General Joseph Reed, who afterward served as president of Penn- sylvania, was entreated by the militia to rally them for action. While attempting to do this, his horse was shot under him, and he narrowly escaped capture. Meanwhile, Washington with his headquarters at White Marsh, was preparing for a general engage- ment. The severity of winter had now ar- rived and the British retraced their steps to Philadelphia. Washington was surprised at Howe's prompt retrogade, for the British officers had boasted that they were going to "drive Mr. Washington over the Blue Mountains."

On December 10, a grand foraging party of 3000 men, lead by Cornwallis, came up the Schuylkill and attacked Potter's brigade of 2000 Pennsylvania militia. Three regi- ments of this brigade behaved gallantly in a sharp contest with the enemy, but were driven across the river by a superior force. In this engagement the casualties were few. After destroying several buildings and ob- taining booty, the British returned to Phil- adelphia, December 16.

County militia, then stationed at Wilming- ton, Delaware, under General James Potter, I major, 4 companies, 4 captains, 4 lieuten- ants, 4 ensigns, 4 sergeants, 2 drummers, 2 fifers, and 121 men fit for duty out of a total of 127.

On November 24, at Camp White Marsh, near Valley Forge, Colonel Thompson re- ported I major, 6 companies, 6 captains, 12 lieutenants, 6 ensigns, I adjutant, I quarter- master, 24 sergeants, 4 drummers, 3 fifers, ment. Colonel David Jameson, with a or 202, fit for duty out of a total of 215.

On the same date, Colonel William Rankin, at White Marsh, reported I major, 3 companies, 3 captains, 4 lieutenants, 3 ensigns, I adjutant, I quartermaster, 9 ser- geants, I drummer, I fifer, or 78 fit for duty out of a total of 81. Colonel David Jame- son, at the same camp, reported 3 com- panies, 3 captains, 4 lieutenants, 3 ensigns, I adjutant, I quartermaster, 9 sergeants, or 70 fit for duty out of a total of 75.

On December 22, at the camp near Valley Forge, Colonel Andrews reported I major, 5 captains, 6 lieutenants, 3 ensigns, I adju- tant, I quartermaster, 13 sergeants, or 120 fit for duty out of a total of 165.

These militia battalions from York County were a part of the force called out before the battle of Brandywine, but did not take part in that engagement. They were present at the battle of Germantown and the minor engagements at White Marsh and Chestnut Hill, in the militia brigades of Armstrong and Potter.

Some of the casualties in Colonel Hartley's Regiment in the battles of Brandywine, Paoli and Germantown, were : Lieutenant James Dill, Lieu- tenant James Lemon, Sergeant William Chambers, Sergeant John Rousden, Cor- poral Anthony Wall, killed; Private George Blakely, wounded and prisoner at Paoli, in Captain Robert Hoopes' company ; Privates William Cornwall, George Duke, John El- liott, Joseph Finnemore, James Flin, killed; Philip Graham, killed at Brandywine; Jacob Houts, wounded at Germantown ;. Chris- topher Morris and John Shannon, killed; William Price, died of wounds.

WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE.

On September 6, 1777. five days before No further offensive or defensive move- ments were made by either army in 1777, the battle of Brandywine, Colonel James Thompson reported in his battalion of York and December 17, Washington with an army

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THE REVOLUTION

of less than 10,000 men, depleted by the re- mained in camp at White Marsh as cent engagements at Brandywine, Paoli and a guard to watch the enemy's movements Germantown, broke camp at White Marsh and took up the march for Valley Forge, near the site of Norristown.

The Pennsylvania Assembly which had moved from Philadelphia to Lancaster and held its

sessions in the Court House in Centre Square of that town, was unfriendly to Washington. It as- sumed to be a patriotic body, but failed to adopt measures to provide its own militia in Washington's army, with shoes, stock- ings and clothing. As the story goes, al- though perhaps much exaggerated, the blood stained marks of the Continental troops were observed on the line of move- ment from White Marsh to Valley Forge. This, however, was an unnecessary condition of affairs, owing either to negligence or dis- loyalty, for, says a trustworthy authority, quantities of shoes, stockings, clothing and other apparel were lying at different places on the road between Lancaster and Valley Forge. It is claimed that neither horses nor wagons could have been procured to convey them to camp. Congress at York, now recommended to the state legislatures to enact laws giving authority to seize woolen cloths, blankets, linen, shoes, stock- ings, hats and other necessary articles of clothing for the army, wherever they might be found, and sent to the relief of the sol- diers.

On December 30, Congress renewed the authority of Washington, giving him ex- traordinary powers and further ordered him "to inform the brave officers and soldiers of the Continental army now in camp, that as the situation of the enemy has rendered it necessary for the army to take post in a part of the country not provided with houses and in consequence thereof to reside in huts; Congress approving of their soldierly pa- tience, fidelity and zeal in the cause of their country, have directed one month's ex- traordinary pay to be given to each; and are exerting themselves to remedy the in- conveniences which the army has lately ex- perienced from the defects of the commis- sary and clothier's department."

After Washington took up his headquarters at Valley Forge James' Rangers, among whom were loyal-

Crooked Billet some of the Pennsylvania militia, Tavern. under General Armstrong, re- British loss was small.

during the winter. On account of age, de- bility and long service in the French and Indian war and the Revolution, Armstrong asked to be relieved and returned to his home in Carlisle, late in December, 1777. The term of enlistment of some of the bat- talions of Pennsylvania militia had also ex- pired and they returned home until another call demanded their services in the field.

General Potter, who had served in the Canada expedition and in the campaigns in New Jersey and around Philadelphia, asked to be relieved from the service to turn at- tention to his business interests in Cumber- land county.

January 9, 1778. Colonel John Lacey, of Bucks county, was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and given the command of a brigade of militia with headquarters at the Crooked Billet Tavern in Bucks county. The object of Washington in sending Lacey there was to prevent the Tories from New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania from tak- ing their produce and grain to Philadelphia and selling them in that city. In this capac- ity, General Lacey performed an important duty. When Howe discovered the motive in sending the militia into Bucks county, on May I, he sent a body of troops under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Abercrombie, commanding a regiment of light infantry, a squadron of rangers and a detachment of cavalry to sur- round Lacey and his men, and capture them. An attempt was made to attack and surprise the militia force, in the same manner that General Wayne and his brigade had been assaulted in September, 1777, at Paoli. The approach of the British was a surprise, and they nearly surrounded Lacey and his men before they were ready to meet the enemy. It was a night attack, and before the Amer- icans could offer resistance, they endured a formidable assault. In order to protect his entire force from capture, Lacey ordered a retreat, leaving his baggage behind. In this affair the American loss was twenty-six killed, eight or ten wounded, and fifty-eight missing. It is stated on good authority that some of the prisoners were bayoneted and others burned by Simcoe's, Hovenden's and ists who had joined the British cause. The

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 36

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372