History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 60

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

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CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK

followed, was largely instrumental in se- northern army at Fishkill, New York, in curing the alliance with France. The abil- April.

ity of Washington had not yet been dis- covered by some of the leading statesmen of the country. Men who never had seen Gates were shouting his praise and he re- ceived a cordial welcome when he reached the inland town of York, then the capital of the infant republic of the United States. His wife and son had preceded him some time before and had been given the best accommodations that could be afforded them. Gates was called upon, fawned and flattered by his supporters in Congress and by the army officers who were then present in York.

Soon after his arrival, he as- Head of the Board of War. sumed his duties as president of the Board of War. Associ- ated with him on this board were four men, all supposed to be inimical to Washington ås the head of the army. These men were Colonel Tim- othy Pickering, of Virginia; Richard Pe- ters, of Pennsylvania; General Thomas Mifflin, and Colonel Joseph Trumbull, of Connecticut. Encouraged by the flattery he had received, and buoyant with the hope that his name would soon be glittering as the commander-in-chief of the American army, Gates began the duties to which Congress had assigned him. The Board of War was then the directing power of the army, and he aimed to use this influential position which he now held to elevate him- self to the highest military position in this country.

When General Gates arrived at York he took up his quarters at a public inn, where he remained two or three weeks. On Feb- ruary II, a bill amounting to $1,333 was ordered to be paid by Congress as expenses for himself, his family and his aides from the time of his arrival. Among the aides who accompanied him were Colonel 'Mor- gan Lewis, son of Francis Lewis, then a member of Congress from New York; Cap- tain John Armstrong, son of General John Armstrong, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Colonel Robert Troup, who had brought the news of the first battle of Saratoga to Congress during the previous October. Later Gates rented a house on the north side of West Market Street near Water, which he occupied until he returned to the

General Lafayette, the youthful Lafayette at York. patriot of France, came to York from Washington's headquar- ters at Valley Forge, on Janu- ary 30, 1778, eleven days after the arrival of Gates. Colonel Pickering arrived .the same day. During the interim, the subject of supplanting Washington by Gates for the head of the army was an important topic for discussion, among members of Congress in private council and other ad- herents of Gates, then in York. Lafayette had arrived in America from France, June 14, 1777, landing at Georgetown, South Carolina. He had proceeded to Philadel- phia, part of the way in a carriage, which broke down, and the remainder of the distance on horseback. It required him more than a month to reach Philadelphia. He had come to this country for the pur- pose of joining the American forces, and aid them in fighting for independence. He had inherited a dislike for the British gov- ernment, for his father had been killed in battle on English soil, before Lafayette was born. When he came to this country, he was only nineteen years of age, and at first received a cold reception from Congress. After he had declared his wish to serve as a volunteer and at his own expense, Con- gress appointed him a brigadier-general, July 31, 1777. The next day he was intro- duced to Washington, and the lifelong friendship between the two men was at once begun. Washington received him with great cordiality and for a time he served as an aide on the staff of the com- mander-in-chief.

At the battle of Brandywine Lafayette received his first baptism of fire and was wounded while gallantly leading a recon- noitering party to find out the position of a division of the enemy. His wound was first dressed by Dr. William Magaw, of Cumberland County, a surgeon in Wayne's brigade. He was conveyed in the private carriage of Henry Laurens, to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he remained two months until he had recovered from his wound. On November 25, in a recon- naissance of General Greene against Corn- wallis's position at Gloucester Point, Lafay- ette, with 300 men, defeated a superior

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

force of Hessians. In recognition of this ley Forge, but in obedience to duty, he had service, he was appointed, December 4, to come to York to discuss the plan of invad- ing Canada. The rank to be accorded him by Congress and the Board of War was a promotion, and if this expedition would fur- ther the cause of independence, he had decided to take command of the army. command a division of Washington's army lately under General Stephen, who had been removed for alleged misconduct at the bat- tle of Germantown. Lafayette spent part of the winter at Valley Forge.

Soon after Gates became

Canadian

Expedition

president of the Board of War, that body conceived a plan for

Planned. the invasion of Canada. They invited Lafayette to York for the purpose of receiving instructions to take charge of the Canadian expedition, with General Thomas Conway second in command. Washington had disapproved of this expedition, but Congress and the Board of War claimed that with the aid of Stark and his Green Mountain boys, and a small force of regulars stationed at Albany, they could make up an invading army of 3,000 men. On January 24, while still at Valley Forge, Lafayette received a letter from Gates, containing information of his appointment as commander of the Cana- dian expedition. He refused to accept the appointment until he had consulted Wash- ington, and made it a condition that Baron de Kalb, who ranked Conway, should ac- company the expedition. He then came to York for instructions, where he was re- ceived with great enthusiasm by Gates and his friends. They laid plans to win his in- fluence and support.

Lafayette now found himself in company opposed to the interests of his friend. The air of the banquet was distasteful to him. After a number of toasts had been offered, General Gates, as president of the Board of War, handed to Lafayette the commission which Congress had voted him on January 23. Deeply impressed with the scenes and incidents that had transpired, the youthful Lafayette accepted his commission of major-general, then with calm dignity he rose from his chair, while breathless silence pervaded the room. All eyes were riveted upon him and the suspense that awaited his action produced a profound im- pression upon every one present. All that is definitely known of this incident is what Lafayette recorded in his own "Memoirs," published in the French language, some years later. He says :

"I arose from my chair and Toast to referred to the numerous Washington. toasts that had already been offered in the interests of the American government and the prosecu- tion of the war. Then I reminded all present that there was one toast that had not yet been drunk. I then proposed the health of the commander-in-chief at Valley Forge. After I had done this, I looked around the table and saw the faces of the banqueters redden with shame.

A banquet had been prepared in honor of the French patriot.

Historic Lafayette was flattered and Banquet. toasted and a brilliant campaign was predicted. Gates assured him that a large army would be at Albany, "The deep silence then grew deeper. None dared refuse the toast, but some merely raised their glasses to their lips, while others cautiously put them down un- tasted." New York, ready to march. Lafayette listened with placid composure and equa- nimity of mind. The fawning flattery which he had received from the intriguers against Washington did not turn his head. It was evident to all the opponents Although of an impulsive nature, like most Plans of Washington that their plans had been foiled, for the young soldier had displayed the loyalty to his chief that afterward marked him as Frenchmen, vanity was not one of his Foiled. characteristics. He had already avowed his loyalty to the commander-in-chief, for whom he showed the most profound vener- one of the most eminent patriots of the ation. The ties of affection which linked Revolution. With a shrug of the shoulders, Washington and Lafayette together in after he stepped away from the table and left the room. He retired to his quarters that night, feeling that he had won a victory years had already been formed. He de- termined not to oppose the views of his commander, whom he had just left at Val- and saved the army from the loss of Wash-

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CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK

ington, whose ability finally succeeded in cultivated manners. He possessed an in- winning triumph to the American arms in teresting personality and a good education. the War for Independence.

Having accepted the commission and re- ceived his instructions, Lafayette soon afterward proceeded to Albany to assume his duties as commander of the northern army. When he reached there, he found neither troops, supplies nor equipments in readiness. Instead of 3,000 regulars, which Gates had promised, he found barely 1,200, and these were not equipped or clothed for a march into Canada. The plan of invasion ended in a complete fiasco. The scheme itself was condemned by public opinion. The opposition which Washington had shown to it increased his power and in- fluence in Congress. Lafayette and de Kalb were glad to return to their chief at Valley Forge.

The antagonism to Washing- The Cabal Collapsed. ton among many delegates to Congress now declined. Gates continued his work as president of the Board of War, but his influence was on the wane. He remained in York for a considerable time. On April 15, he was ap- pointed by Congress to proceed to Fishkill, New York, and take charge of the army at that point. Very little is definitely known of his career in this position. During the summer of 1778. he retired from the army and repaired to his estate in Berkeley County, Virginia. There were still mem- bers in Congress who recognized his mili- tary achievements at Saratoga and believed that he possessed ability to command an army. On June 13, 1780, he was recalled from his retirement by Congress and placed in command of the army in North Carolina, designed to check the progress of Corn- wallis northward through that state. In the battle near Camden, South Carolina, August 16. he was defeated and his army nearly annihilated. He was soon afterward succeeded by General Nathaniel Greene, and suspended from duty .. Thus ended his military career in the Revolution.

At the close of the war, he retired to his estate in Virginia, where he lived until 1790, when he removed to New York City, where, after a long illness, he died. April IO. 1806, at the age of 78 years. General Gates was a man of pleasant address and

Though having many faults, the chief of which was an overwhelming confidence in his own ability, combined with arrogance and untruthfulness, he had also some noble traits. Before he removed to New York he emancipated his slaves and provided for the support of those who could not take care of themselves.

Mrs. Gates, who spent several

Mrs. Gates months at York, was a

at York. · woman of rare accomplish- ments. While here she shared an enviable hospitality, entertaining the friends of her husband, who had achieved distinction by his victory at Saratoga. She was the daughter of James Valence, of Liverpool, England. At her father's death. before the Revolution, she came to this country, bringing with her $450,000, a wealth which exceeded that of any other woman in America. Their son and only child. Robert, died shortly before the bat- tle of Camden. During the Revolution. Mrs. Gates spent a large portion of her fortune in a lavish hospitality upon her husband's companions in arms. especially those in indigent circumstances. Many Revolutionary heroes were participants of her bounty, including Thaddeus Kosci- uszko. the Polish nobleman, who, when wounded, lay six months at her home. nursed by herself and her husband.

GATES-WILKINSON DUEL.

At the opening of the war, Gates was an ardent patriot, and was present at York on his way to the army, July 1, 1775, when the first troops were about to march from here to join Washington at Boston. In the spring of 1778, General Gates was forty- eight years of age. Wilkinson was twenty. This trained soldier and his youthful aide had been intimate friends from the open- ing of the war until the Conway Cabal was discovered by the friends of Washington. In the fall of 1777, when Congress ap- pointed Gates president of the Board of War, he requested that Colonel Wilkinson should be its secretary.

Wilkinson remained with the Northern army on the Hudson for a time after Gates had come to York. The fact that Wilkin-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

son, while in a convivial mood, had revealed the Cabal to an army friend at Reading, while on his way to York, in October, with the official papers describing the surrender of Burgoyne, caused an estrangement be- tween himself and his superior officer. When Gates discovered that his secret cor- respondence with Conway had reached Washington, he tried to shift the responsi- bility upon Wilkinson.

Early in February, 1778, Wilkin- Trouble Brewing. son, who had been raised to the rank of brigadier-general, re- ceived a letter from President Laurens to come at once to York and as- sume the duties of secretary to the Board of War. He left the military post at Al- bany, traveled in a sleigh to Reading, and from thence to Lancaster on horseback. Upon his arrival at Reading, for the first time, he heard that Gates had denounced him as the betrayer of Conway's letter. This news was confirmed when he reached Lancaster, where he remained one day. Meantime he sent a messenger with a let- ter to Gates, in York, charging the latter with impugning his honor. In this letter, he said, "What motive, sir, could induce me to injure you or General Conway? You, my boasted patron, friend and benefactor, he a stranger for whom I entertained favor- able sentiments."

The response made by Gates to this let- ter was offensive in language and widened the breach between the two men. In sub- stance it said Wilkinson could have any satisfaction he desired.

"Immediately after receiving The this letter," says Wilkinson, in Challenge. his Memoirs, "I repaired to York, arriving in that town by twilight on the evening of February 23, to avoid observation. During the night I met my early companion and friend, Captain Stoddert. I recounted mny wrongs to him and requested him to bear a message from me to General Gates. He remonstrated against my intention to challenge Gates to fight a duel, and warned me that I was first time we parted in displeasure. Soon afterward I met with Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, of the Virginia Line, whose spirit was as independent as his fortune. He deliv- ered to Gates the following note:

"Sir :-

"I have discharged my duty to you and my conscience. Meet me tomorrow morning behind the Episcopal Church and I will then stipulate the satisfaction which you have promised to grant.

"I am your most humble servant,

"JAMES WILKINSON."

This was an open challenge to fight a duel with his old commander. He had de- termined to defend his integrity and his honor. Gates had charged him with false representations at Reading to Major Wil- liams, an aide to Lord Stirling. These charges he could not endure and he now discovered that he was to be made the scapegoat of the Conway conspirators. So Colonel Ball, in obedience to his request, carried the challenge to the residence of General Gates, on the north side of Market Street, near Water. He was met at the doorway by the general, who read the chal- lenge with evident surprise. This was the age of duelling; if a man would not accept a challenge he was considered a coward. With calm dignity, he responded:

"All right, sir. We will meet tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock."

"He made no reference to the

The kind of weapons to be used nor

Meeting the distance. The place - desig-

Place. nated as the duelling ground was on the lawn to the rear of the Episcopal Church, near the Codorus Creek. At 8 o'clock on the following morning, Colonel Wilkinson walked down Beaver Street, accompanied by his second, Colonel Ball. They saw General Gates standing on the street in front of the Episcopal Church, in company with Captain Stoddert. Gates was unarmed, for during the night he had decided to meet his former friend on terms of peace. Wilkinson halted a distance away and Stoddert approached him, saying :

"General Gates wishes to speak to you."

"I will meet him on the duelling ground in answer to the challenge which he ac- cepted," said Wilkinson.

Then Captain Stoddert pleaded with the young soldier and begged him to walk down to the church and greet his former going headlong to destruction. For the chief, who did not wish to fight a duel with

a person for whom he entertained the high- est regard and affection.

"There is no occasion to fight a duel. Go with me and meet the general standing yonder in front of the church."

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CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK

A minute later the young colonel, who brigadier-general in the army, but as yet had brought the news of the victory at had been assigned to no important duty. Saratoga to Congress, was greeted with a After Gates returned to the Northern army, near Kingston, on the Hudson, the two men again met. warm clasp of the hand from the former commander of the Northern army, who had received the sword of Sir John Burgoyne The controversy about the Conway and accepted the terms of surrender of The Cabal had not been settled. Wilk- 6,000 British and Hessian soldiers at Sara- toga, a few months before. It was a strik- ing scene, and doubtless, was witnessed by very few persons, for little mention is made of this incident in the private correspond- ence of the members of Congress then in York, or in the family traditions of the citi- zens.

"Come, my dear boy," said General Gates, with tender emotion, "we must be friends again. There is no cause for ill will between us. Conway has acknowledged that he wrote a letter criticizing Washing- ton and has since made harsher statements about him."

After this friendly greeting, Wilkinson Retires. General Gates and Colonel Wilkinson left Colonel Ball and Captain Stoddert behind and walked away together. They engaged in a long conversation about the episode at Reading and their relation to General Stir- ling and Thomas Conway. Before they separated, it was agreed that Wilkinson would assume his duties the next day, as secretary of the Board of War. In his private correspondence he recorded that when he went to the war office he found General Gates barely civil and that he found Richard Peters and Timothy Picker- ing, other members of the board, agreeable companions. The coolness of the president

Captain Ball, who was selected as second to Wilkinson for the proposed duel at. of the board made his position uncomfort -. York, commanded a Virginia company, able, and a few days later he resigned his position and went to Valley Forge, where he personally met Lord Stirling and Gen- eral Washington and recounted to them his difficulties with General Gates. then encamped at York. Captain Benjamin Stoddert, second to General Gates, com- manded a company in Colonel Hartley's Regiment, then acting as a guard to Con- gress.

The estrangement between General Gates and Colonel Wilkinson, which began at York, in February, 1778, continued for several months. Different statements had been made concerning the conduct of Gates when he failed to meet the challenge made by his opponent at York. After re- maining a short time at Valley Forge, Wilkinson returned to the Northern army on the Hudson. He now held the rank of of the same year, took part in the battles of

Duel. inson decided to meet his opponent again on the field of honor and chal- lenged Gates to a duel, which took place near St. Clair's headquarters on the Hud- son, September 4, 1778. Captain John Car- ter, of Virginia, acted as second to Wilkin- son, and Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the Polish nobleman who was serving as a colonel in the American army, was second to Gates. In the duel flint-lock pistols were used. At the first shot, Wilkinson fired in the air, while Gates' pistol flashed the powder in the pan and did not discharge the ball. They charged their pistols a second time and when the order was given, Wilkinson fired, but Gates refused. When the word was given the third time, General Wilkin- son fired but missed his aim and the flint- lock which Gates held again flashed in the pan. The seconds now interposed and the antagonists shook hands. After the duel General Gates signed a certificate to the effect that Wilkinson behaved like a gentle- man in the encounter at York. Upon re- quest, Wilkinson refused to sign and deliver up a similar certificate concerning the con- duct of Gates at York. Wilkinson then challenged Gates to another duel, but Gates refused, and the two men never became firm friends.

General Thomas Conway, the Thomas reputed leader of the conspiracy Conway. against Washington, was a na- tive of Ireland, born in the year I733. He had served for a time in the French army and came to this country at the request of Silas Deane, the American commissioner at Paris. In May, 1777, he was made a brigadier-general and in the fall

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Brandywine and Germantown. Embittered in 1775, and finally passed the Declaration by Washington's opposition to his promo- of Independence, in 1776. tion to the rank of major-general, he began When Congress convened at York, Sep- tember 30, 1777, in the minds of some of its members and many people of the United States, there was little hope that the army under Washington would eventually de- feat the British forces in America. At that time, everything was dark and foreboding and the success of the War for Indepen- dence seemed doubtful. The patriots who came here, however, continued to legislate for the army and the establishment of the freedom of the United States. While Con- gress held its sessions in York, it passed the Articles of Confederation, which, when adopted, made the Declaration of Inde- pendence a reality. It received the news of the surrender of Burgoyne's army at Sara- toga ; made Baron Steuben a major-general and sent him to the headquarters of the army to drill the American soldiers in the military tactics used by Frederick the Great of Prussia. It received the news from the American commissioners at Paris that the French nation had entered into a treaty of Alliance with the United States, and would send money, a fleet and an army to aid in the struggle for American independence. to write anonymous letters to prominent men, criticizing the ability of Washington as commander-in-chief. Conway came to York late in January, 1778. About the same time, Lafayette arrived here to meet the Board of War, and receive instructions regarding the projected Canada campaign. Conway was present at the famous banquet given by Gates in honor of Lafayette. After the plan to invade Canada had ended in a fiasco, Conway lost favor with Con- gress, and in a fit of passion he resigned his commission, and left the army. Because of his repeated attacks on Washington, he was challenged by General Cadwallader to fight a duel. The antagonists met July 22, 1778, near Philadelphia, and Conway was shot in the month, the ball passing through his neck. A few days later he wrote a letter of apology to Washington, disclaiming that he ever conceived a plan for the latter's re- moval as commander-in-chief of the army. He then returned to Paris and entered the French army. During the French Revolu- tion he was obliged to flee the country. Nothing further is known of him. He is supposed to have died about 1800 in ob- scurity, in the city of London.

LIST OF DELEGATES AT YORK.

Continental Congress was first brought together in September, 1774, at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia. From the time of its organization until the Constitution of the United States went into effect, in 1789, it was composed of one body, which elected

It was during the month of June, 1778, that Congress at York, and Washington at Valley Forge planned the campaign result- ing in the victory over the enemy at Mon- mouth, which transferred the seat of the war to the south.

Continental Congress sat for a brief period at Princeton, one day at Lancaster, about two months at Baltimore, and a short time at Annapolis, but transacted no busi- its presiding officer. John Hancock was . ness at these places of importance to the president of Congress from May, 1775, nation. While in session at York, some of until October 31, 1777, when he resigned. He was succeeded by Henry Laurens, of South Carolina, who presided over Con- gress eight of the nine months it sat in York. The delegates were chosen annually by the state legislatures.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 60

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