History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 32

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 32

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*XI Col. Rec., 427.

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sunrise, and halted near Peter Little's town, it being fourteen miles.

From there they continued the march through Taneytown to the Monocacy, and "passed through Fredericktown about 8, where was a number of British officers, pris- oners, who took a view of us as we passed through the town."

"On June 10th they formed a part of the Marquis de Lafayette's troops, about 11 o'clock, and arrived about the 12th of September in the neighborhood of Yorktown."

The regiments of the Pennsylvania Line were reduced to six, January 1, 1781, and re- enlisted. On the 5th of April, 1781, orders were issued for a detachment of the six regi- ments to hold themselves in readiness to march to York, Pa., immediately. The pro- portion of officers and men each regiment was to furnish, will be found in Gen. St. Clair's order (Penn'a Arch. O. S. Vol. IX, page 60). It was to amount to 960 men besides officers. Lieut .- Col. Robinson, of the First ; Col. Walter Stewart, of the Sec- ond ; Lieut .- Col. Harmar, of the Third ; Col. Richard Butler of the Fifth, and Col. Hump- ton of the Sixth.

When Wayne was about leaving York, May 26, 1781, there was some insubordina- tion, which he promptly quelled by shooting down the offenders .*

ORDERS OF GENERAL ST. CLAIR. HEADQUARTERS, PHILADELPHIA, April 5, 1781.

A detachment of the Pennsylvania Line to hold themselves in readiness to march to and assemble at Yorktown immediately.

First and Second Regiments are to form

One Battalion, 8 comp. of 40 R. & File each 320 men. Third & Fifth Do. One Battalion 320 men.

Fourth & Sixth Do. One Battalion 320 men.

960

By Order Majr .- Gen. St. Clair. JOSEPH HARMAR, Lt .- Col.

General Wayne wrote to President Reed : YORKTOWN, 26th May, 1781.

Dear Sir: I steal a moment whilst the troops are marching thro' the town to acknowledge your favor of the 21st Instant and to thank you for the inclosed intelligence. We have a rumor this moment from Baltimore that Genl. Philips and Lord Cornwallis have formed a junction in Virginia, which is very probable, as they were but Eighty miles apart yesterday two weeks. I am happy to Inform you that harmony and Discipline again per- vade the Line-to which a prompt and exemplary punishment was a painful tho' necessary prelude. I must beg leave to refer you to Genl. Irvine for particulars who can precure a Return of the Detach- ment from the Board of War if necessary.

Permit me to wish you all happiness, & believe me yours most sincerely,

ANTHONY WAYNE.

*Letter to President Reed, Ar. IX, p. 673. Copy p. 28C-X Arch., N. S, and note, VII Ar., 238.

In Major Denny's Journal, * is the follow- ing :

CARLISLE, May 1st, 1781.

The Pennsylvania Line, after the revolt and dis- charge of the men, last winter, were reduced to six regiments ; the officers ordered to different towns in the state to recruit. An appointment of Ensign in the 7th had been obtained for me in August last; the 7th and 4th were incorporated, and, under com- mand of Lient .- Col. Comt. William Butler, rendez- voused at this place-companies now about half full. The effective men were formed into four companies, and marched to Little York ; I was arranged to one of the marching companies, Samuel Montgomery, Captain, and George Bluer, Lieutenant. All the recruits, fit for service, from the different stations. were brought to York, formed into two regiments of eight companies each, destined for the State of Virginia. A few days spent in equipping, etc., and for the trial of soldiers charged with mutiny, Gen- eral Anthony Wayne, the commanding officer, influ- enced no doubt by the experience of the revolt last winter, expresses a determination to punish with the utmost rigor, every case of mutiny or dis- obedience. A general court martial continued sit- ting several days ; twenty odd prisoners brought before them ; seven were sentenced to die. The regiments paraded in the evening earlier than usual ; orders passed to the officers along the line to put to death instantly any man who stirred from his rank. In front of the parade, the ground rose and de- scended again, and at the distance of about 300 yards over this rising ground, the prisoners were escorted by a Captain's guard ; heard the fire of one platoon, and immediately a smaller one, when the regiments wheeled by companies, and marched ronnd by the place of execution. This was an awful exhibition. The seven objects were seen by the troops just as they had sunk or fell under the fire. The sight must have made an impression on the men ; it was designed with view.

YORK, May 15.

Provisions for transporting baggage, etc .. and other necessary preparations, commenced our march for Virginia ; the weather pleasant and the roads tolerably good. Passed through Frederick Town (Maryland), where were some British prison- ers quartered, they turned out to see us. Next day reached the Potomac ; here we were detained for want of craft-boats few and in bad condition. The artillery passed over first (a battalion of artil- lery accompanied the brigade). The second flat-boat had left the shore about forty yards, when the whole sunk. Several women were on board, but as hun- dreds of men were on the bank, relief soon reached them ; none were lost-got all over. Proceeded a few miles and encamped. Struck our tents every morning before day. About 8 or 9 o'clock, as we found water, a short halt was made ; the water-call beat, parties, six or eight from each company, con- ducted by a non-commissioned officer, with can- teens fetched water. Seldom allowed to eat until 12 o'clock, when the arms were stacked. knapsacks taken off and water sent for by parties as before. Officers of a company generally messed togetber. sometimes more ; one of their servants carried cooked provisions for the day, no cooking until night. Not acquainted with the country on our route, but understood that we w. re marching much ahout-very circuitous-keeping off the Blue Ridge close on our right. This to avoid the enemy and secure our junction with the Marquis Lafayette.

In "The Yorktown Campaign," is the fol- lowing : "The delay in the arrival of Wayne

$P. 237. Joined the First Pennsylvania Regiment at York as Ensign.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

and his corps was to be referred mainly to these common and vexing causes which had embarrased American operations from the beginning of the war-lack of supplies, quar- ter-master's stores especially, and unsat- isfied pay-rolls. This officer had been ordered southward in February, but could not leave until May. His force, composed of the greater part of the Pennsylvania line, as reorganized since its mutiny in January, con- sisted of three regiments-in all a thousand men-commanded by the brave and experi- enced Colonels, Richard Butler, Walter Stewart, and Richard Hampton. Nine offi- cers and ninety men, with six field pieces, from Proctor's Fourth Continental Artillery, completed the detachment. Nor, when all was in readiness, were the men to leave in the best of humor. They had recently been paid off in the current notes without their depreciated value added, and dissatisfaction at once ran high. Certain leaders went so far as to manifest the old dangerous spirit of insubordination, which called for and received prompt and effective treatment. A drum-head court- marshal was held in camp, and seven of their number tried and executed. This disturbance quelled, the troops left York, Pennsylvania, in the morning of May 28, 1781, and on the 30th were at Frederick, Maryland. There, in reply to urgent letters to push on to Virginia, Wayne wrote as fol- lows to Lafayett: "I well know the necessity of an immediate junction, and beg leave to assure you that our anxiety for that event is equal to your wishes ; may it be speedy and propitious. I wish our numbers were some thing more ; however, we must endeavor to stem this torrent ; and if we have it not in our power to command success, I trust, my dear Marquis, that we shall produce a conviction to the world that we deserve it."

BRITISH PRISONERS.

In 1781, an act of Congress directed that the British convention of prisoners in Mary- land and Virginia be removed to Yorktown, Pennsylvania, from fear of rescue by Corn- wallis, and the York county militia were orderd out to guard them. It appears by a letter from President Reed to William Scott, lieutenant of this county, June 28, 1781, that these prisoners were ordered to be placed in huts near York .* Four and a half miles east of town, in Windsor Township, about twenty acres of woodland were cleared and cultivated by them, surrounded by a picket fence fifteen

feet high. The huts were mostly of stone. Some of the timber of the fence and stones of the huts yet remain. While there a plague of some kind broke out among them, and a large number of them died. Their graves are still visible, marked with stones. Until within some thirty years past, a scaffold, con- sisting of two trees cut off, with a cross piece, was standing there. The story told, is that one night a party, supposed to be marauders, came to the house of William Morgan, (one of the family of that name said to have been the only English one that settled in Kreutz Creek valley,) and called for something to eat. Morgan perceiving that they were Hes- sians, shut the door upon them ; whereupon they fired through the door, wounding him, and then left. A neighbor rode to campand gave informationof the occurrence to the offi- cer in charge. The roll being called it was readily found out who were missing ; and on the return of the party they were court-mar- tialed and hung.

England did not carry on the war for the subjugation of the American Colonies alto. gether with her own soldiers, but employed mercenaries, known to us as Hessians. The profession of a soldier has always been held honorable, and is none the less so because he receives pay. He is under obligation to give his life, if need be, to the government that employs him, and is authorized by the law of nations to take life in open war. It is not the pay of the individual soldier that makes him a mercenary; it is the hire of his services by his sovereign to another poten- tate. The price of such hire in the case of the Hessians who were engaged to fight our people was enormous. The Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel kept up a splendid court on the price he received from the British Govern- ment, some $15,000,000, for the hire of 20,- 000 soldiers and upward.

From time to time during the war large numbers of prisoners, principally Hessians, were brought to York, under the escort of the militia. In individual instances, by per- mission of the Council of Safety or the Board of War, prisoners were discharged on parole and allowed to take up'a residence from choice; and some Hessians settled in York County.

By the convention made at the surrender of Burgoyne to Gates, several thousand pris- ouers fell into the hands of the Americans, called the "convention prisoners." The militia of the several counties, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster and York, were ordered to escort them through the limits of each county, the York County militia being

*Col. James Wood wrote from Lancaster, on the 30th of June, 1781, that he intended to "hut" the prisoners near York ; and subsequently a spot four and a half miles east of the town was selected.

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ordered to meet them at Wright's Ferry. But by subsequent arrangements these pris- oners passed, under escort of Continental troops, through York and Hanover to Fred- erick, Md. Wherever the Hessian prisoners passed, the people thronged to see these ter- rible beings, and they were hooted as hire- lings to the trade of blood. Some of them were men of education and intelligence, who published accounts of their experience in the American war. They tell in particular of the scoldings they received from the women for coming to rob them of their liberty. Gen. Washington had to cause notices to be put up through the country that they "were in- nocent of the war and had joined in it not of free will, but through compulsion."*

In Lieut. Anberry'st "Travels in Amer- ica" is the following:

FREDERICKTOWN, IN MARYLAND, } December 25, 1778.

My Dear Friend :

After we left Lancaster, we crossed the Susque- hannah, which, though a large, broad and beautiful river, is extremely dangerous on account of the rapidity of the current and innumerable small rocks that just make their appearance above the surface; in crossing it we were not without our fears, for a scow belonging to the Second Brigade, in which Lord Torphinchin and a number of officers and soldiers of the Twenty-first Regiment was near being lost by striking on one of these rocks. This river falls into the Chesapeake, and forms the head of that vast water, which, though one of the largest and most beautiful rivers in America, is the least useful, as it is not navigable above twelve or fifteen miles at the farthest, and above that scarcely so for canoes; the utility of this river would be great if the navigation, even for canoes, was practicable, as the source of the last branch of this river in the Mohawk country, and from thence to the mouth in the Chesapeake, is near 700 miles.

After we crossed the Susquehanna we arrived at Yorktown, which was some time the seat of Con- gress. This is reckoned the second inland town in America. It is not so large as Lancaster, but much pleasanter, being situated on Codorus Creek, a pretty stream which falls into the Susquehannah. This town contains between 2,000 and 3,000 inhabitants, chiefly Irish, intermixed with a few Germans. Here was formerly more trade than in Lancaster, and notwithstanding the troubles, it has still more appearance of it. As we came into the town at 4o'clock in the afternoon, and marched the next morning, you may easily imagine I had but little time to make any very particular observations; but in walking abont I saw the conrt honse, and a few churches, which are very neat brick buildings, and I remarked the houses were much better built, and with more regularity than in Lancaster; of the two, though, York is considerably less than the other. I should give it the preference for a place of residence. As I observed in a former letter, it Was with a view and hope that the men would desert that the Congress marched us at this inclem- ent season; numbers have answered their wishes, especially the Germans, who, seeing in what a com- fortable manner their countrymen live, left us in

great numbers as we marched through New York, the Jerseys and Pennsylvania. Among the number of deserters is my servant, who, as we left Lancas- ter, ran from me with my horse, portmanteau, and everything he could take with him.

By letter of July 8, 1781, the Lieutenant writes: "As we imagined, orders are arrived for the removal of the army to Yorktown and Lancaster, at which places the officers are to be separated from the soldiers," and in a subsequent letter describes the separation as distressing. *

In Lamb's "Journal of the American War"t is the following:

But my joy was of short duration. Scarcely was I settled (at Frederick, Md.) in my hut (in some de- gree of ease and comfort, in comparison to my former sufferings) when I was ordered to be moved under a guard to Winchester, where the regiment to which I belonged was confined. The officers and men were all glad to see me; they had heard of the hardships which I had endured in attempting my escape, and they condoled with me: part of the British troops remained here until January, 1782, when Congress ordered us to be marched to Little York, in Pennsylvania. I received information that, as soon as I fell into the ranks to march off, I should be taken and confined in Winchester jail, as the Americans were apprehensive that when I got to New York, I should again attempt my escape to that place. I was advised by my officers to conceal myself until the troops had marched. I took the hint and hid myself in the hospital among the sick: here I remained until the American gnards had been two days on their march with the British prisoners. I then prepared to follow them, but at a cautious distance. The troops arrived at Little York, and were confined in a prison which I have already de- scribed in page 208,# only a little more limited. About two hundred yards from this pen a small vil- lage had been built by the remains of Gen. Bur- goyne's Army, who were allowed very great priv- ileges with respect to their liberty in the country. When some of my former comrades of the Ninth Regiment were informed that I was a prisoner in Lord Cornwallis's Army, and that I was shortly ex- pected at Little York, they immediately applied to the commanding officer of the Americans for a pass in my name, claiming me as one of their regiment. This was immediately granted, and some of them kindly and attentively placed themselves on the watch for my arrival, lest I should be confined with the rest of Lord Cornwallis's Army. When I en- tered Little York I was most agreeably surprised at meeting my former companions, and more so when a pass was put into my hands, giving me the privi- lege of ten miles of the country round while I he- haved well and orderly. I was then conducted to a hut, which my poor, loving comrades had built for

*Interior Travels through America, p. 502.

+P. 397. Lamb was a sergeant in the Royal Welsh Fusileers. He was taken prisoner at the surrender of Cornwallis at York- town.

#The description of the pen, described on page 208, is as fol- lows: "A great number of trees were ordered to be cut down in the woods; these were sharpened at each end, and drove firmly into the earth, very close together, enclosing a space of about two or three acres. American sentincls were placed on the out- side of this fence, at convenient distances. in order to prevent our getting out. At one angle a gate was erected, and on the outside thereof stood the guard-house; two sentinels were con- stantly posted at this gate, and no one could get out, unless he had a pass from the officer of the guard. but this is a privilege in which very few were indulged. Boards and nails were giveo to the British in order to make them temporary huts, to secure them from the rain and heat of the sun."

*Irving's Life of Washington.

+Lient. Acherry was taken prisoner at the surrender of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga.

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me in their village before my arrival. Here I remained some time, visiting my former companions from hut to hut; but I was astonished at the spirit of industry which prevailed among them. Men, women, and even children, were employed making lace, buckles, spoons, and exercising other mechan- ical trades, which they had learned during their captivity. They had very great liberty from the Americans, and were allowed to go round the coun- try and sell their goods; while the soldiers of Lord Cornwallis's Army were closely confined in their pen. I perceived that they had lost that animatiou which ought to possess the breast of the soldier. I strove, by every argument, to rouse them from their lethargy. I offered to head any number of them, and make a noble effort to escape into New York, and join our comrades in arms, but all my efforts proved ineffectual. As for my own part, I was de- termined to make the attempt; I well knew from experience that a few companions would be highly necessary. Accordingly I sent word of my in- tention to seven men of the 23d Regiment, who were confined in the pen, and that I was willing to bring them with me. I believe in all the British Army that these men (three sergeants and four privates) could not have been excelled for courage and intrepedity. They rejoiced at the idea, and by the aid of some of Burgoyne's Army they were en- abled, under cover of a dark night. to scale their fence and assemble in my hut. I sent word of my intention to my commanding officer, Capt. Saum- arez of the 23d, and likewise the names of the men whom I proposed to bring with me. As my money was almost expended, I begged of him to ad- vance me as much as convenient. He immediately sent me a supply.

It was on the 1st of March, 1782, that I set off with my party."

On the 21st of November, 1782, a petition from John Fishel, of this county, was re- ferred to the Secretary of War, stating that said John Fishel was inveigled into the British service in 1771; that he was captured with Gen. Burgoyne, and had returned to his native place; that he had married and had now several children; he therefore prayed to be restored to his rights as a citizen. He produced certificates of good behavior, took the oath of allegiance, and was again in- vested with the rights and privileges of an American citizen.

Armand's Legion of French troops, was quartered at York, from January to Novem- ber, 1783. The following petition, dated October of that year, explains itself:

That a number of Troops (commonly called Armand's Legion)have been quartered among Your Petitioners about ten months ago; and that many of said Troops are very mischivious and trouble- some to Your Petitioners, but they contrive it so Crafty that it is a hard matter to discover the Fact, and have them brought to Justice, and which they conceive would be equally dangerous. And that Your Petitioners have been very Subtilly deceived at first, being only required to keep them for a few Days, but have been here ever since and no likeli- hood of being yet removed.

And that many of Your Petitioners might have had the Benefit of Letting some Apartments of their Dwellings, was it not that some of said Troops were Quartered therein.

And that Your Petitioners presume to be highly

injured in their Property and deprived of their Liberty, (which they conceive to be equally entitled to enjoy the same, as other faithful Citizens of this Common-Wealth,) if the said Troops are not im- mediately removed from this Place.

And that Your Petitioners would be willing to bear the Burthen with patience, were it General throughout this Common-Wealth.

Your Petitioners therefore most earnestly solicit Your Excellency and the Honorable Council. to lend an Ear to their excessive Burthensome Griev- ances, and Order that the said Troops may be Quartered in Barracks, which Your Petitioners pre- sume would be more convenient and agreeable to the Troops, and less Injurious to Individuals, and would Relieve Your Petitioners of a very heavy and disagreeable Burthen, in which they most humbly Pray Redress.

And Your Petitioners as in duty bound. &c. will pray.

But all the citizens of York borough were not unfriendly to the men of Armand's Legion, as the following will show:

YORK TOWN, Nov. 18th, 1783.

To Brigadier General Armand Marquis De La Rouerie.

Hearing that your legion is about to be dis- banded, and that you will soon return to your native country, we, the inhabitants of York, in Pennsyl- vania, express to you the high sense we entertain of the strict dicipline, good conduct and deportment of the officers and soldiers of your corps, whilst stationed amongst us for ten months past.

We return to you our hearty thanks, as well for the service rendered to America in the field, as for the attention you have paid to the property and civil rights of the people. Be pleased to commu- nicate our sentiments to Major Shaffner, and all your worthy officers, and assure them we shall ever hold them in the greatest esteem.

We pray that you may have an agreeable pas- sage across the ocean, and that you may receive from your illustrious actions, performed in support of liberty and the honor of the allied arms, and are with great regard your most &c. James Smith, Thomas Hartley, Archibald M'Clean, and others.

Gen. Armand made the following reply to these kind words:

YORK, Nov. 19th, 1783.

Gentlemen-

I received your polite address of the 18th, and from its impression on my feelings, and of the offi- cers and soldiers of the legion, I am truly happy in giving you our united and most hearty thanks.

If the legion has observed that good conduct, which merits the applause you give it, I conceive that, in so doing, they have only discharged their duty, and obeyed punctually the orders and inten- tion of His Excellency, Gen. Washington, whose exemplary virtues, talents and honor, must have raised ambition to some merit in those, who, like the corps I had the honor to command, placed all their confidence in him.

Permit me to say, gentlemen, that soldiers can- not be guilty of misconduct, where the inhabitants are kind to them, also are attatched to the cause of their country, and so respectable as those of York. I think it my duty to thank you for the good be- havior of the legion whilst amongst you, for it was. encouraged and supported by your conduct towards them.

I shall only add, that although the greater part of us will shortly return home, the conclusion of the war rendering our longer stay unneccessary, we- shall be happy again to join the army of America,

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 32

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104