USA > Pennsylvania > The Pennsylvania-German in the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
The German Baron Steuben found Washington's army
14
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
a mob and made it a machine capable of successfully grappling with the power opposed to it.
But, fascinating as is the story of German valor in general, during our War of Independence, a story which once begun is hard to end, we are reminded that our nar- rative is to be confined to more narrow limits, and must embrace merely the deeds of our Pennsylvania-German ancestors. Even this subject is sufficiently vast to become almost appalling, so much so that the writer cannot claim to do more than touch upon it, leaving to abler hands, in the future, the task of filling in to make the completed whole.
The German immigration to Pennsylvania was far in excess of that to any other colony. So great was their numerical strength that they became a controlling factor which was bound to guide all movements in any desired direction, when once called into play. It is said that the greatest mistake made by the English government was its refusal to allow representation and to give an authoritative standing to the German element of the Province. It
is claimed that, had such been done, so great would have been their content with the existing condition of affairs that they would never have been tempted to ask for a larger freedom, and, with non-cooperation on their part, the consent of Pennsylvania could never have been secured to a separation from the mother country, and the Declara- tion of Independence would have become an impossibility. With the knowledge we possess of the German character this suggestion opens up a most attractive line of thought, but, fortunately, one of no practical value.
An interesting part of our subject rests in the fact that many of the German colonists of Pennsylvania had con- scientious scruples against bearing arms. Their doctrine,
1 5
The Pioneer Exponents of Liberty.
like that of the English Quakers, was one of non-resist- ance. They fled from the persecutions of the Fatherland that they might enjoy this very liberty in Pennsylvania. In spite of scoffing, fines, imprisonments and burdensome taxes, even here in their adopted country, they adhered to their doctrine of peace, to the extent even of soliciting the government to legally excuse them from bearing arms. Amongst those holding this belief, in especial, were the Moravians, Mennonites, Dunkers, Schwenkfelders, and others of like character. Even these never swerved from their duty and, in various ways which will appear later, proved their loyalty to the full measure of laying down their lives for their country in more than one instance.
In numbers, these non-resisting settlers formed no small proportion of the whole. If then the estimate, which has been made, be correct that one half of those from Pennsylvania, who served during the Revolution, had German blood in their veins, how much greater the honor to be accorded the Pennsylvania-German, who did bear arms, for his services at that time.
In the pages to follow it is proposed to show, in brief, that the Pennsylvania-Germans were the " First De- fenders " of the Revolution; that, without the Pennsyl- vania-Germans, there would have been no Declaration of Independence; that, by his valor, the Pennsylvania-Ger- man saved the cause and its army from destruction at Long Island; that, without him, there would have been no means of holding the American army at Valley Forge nor of "bottling up " the British in Philadelphia, and that, finally, whenever and wherever called upon to do his duty he never failed to respond nobly.
CHAPTER IL.
THE FIRST DEFENDERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
N the morning of April 12, 1861, the great Civil War was begun when the troops of South Caro- lina, under General Robert Beauregard, fired upon thic United States flag which floated over Fort Sumter, garrisoned by United States soldiers, under command of Major Robert Anderson.
On April 15, 1861, the President of the United States issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 troops. On April 16 the Ringgold Light Artillery, a company of Pennsylvania-Germans, from Reading, were already en route for Harrisburg, where they were joined by four other Pennsylvania companies, more than half of whose members were likewise Pennsylvania-Germans, and then proceeded through Baltimore, on April 18, where they were violently assaulted by a great mob, reaching Wash-
16
The First Defenders of the Revolution. 17
ington the same evening. They were the First Defenders of that stupendous war which struck the shackles of slavery from the limbs of millions of bondmen and bond- women. So were the Pennsylvania-Germans, of Cap- tain George Nagel's (Nagle) company, of Reading, the First Defenders of the Revolution which gave us a free country and an asylum for the oppressed of all nations.
Somehow Pennsylvania has almost allowed the world to forget that it had any share in the operations around Boston that followed the battle of Bunker Hill, and we, of German blood, have been especially derelict in our failure to make prominent the fact that, of those Penn- sylvanians, probably one half were Pennsylvania-Germans as were also fully one third of their commanding officers.
On June 14, 1775, three days before the clash of arms on Bunker Hill, and a day before the appointment of George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, Congress had already passed a resolution authorizing the raising of six companies of expert riflemen in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland and two in Virginia, to join the army near Boston so soon as completed. By a resolution, dated June 22, the " Colony of Pennsylvania " was directed to raise two more companies, which, with the six, were to be formed into a battalion, and to be commanded by such officers as the Assembly or Convention should recommend. On the IIth of July Congress was informed that two companies had been raised in Lancaster County instead of one, and, accordingly, resolved that both be taken into the Continental service. This battalion, therefore, consisted of nine companies, enlisted as follows: Captain James Chambers in Cumberland County (now Franklin), Cap- tain William Hendricks in Cumberland, Captain Michael Doudel in York (now Adams), Captain James Ross in
2
18
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
Lancaster, Captain Matthew Smith in Lancaster (now Dauphin), Captain John Lowdon in Northumberland, Captain Robert Cluggage in Bedford, Captain George Nagel in Berks, and Captain Abraham Miller in North- ampton.
In accordance with the resolution of Congress, on June 24 the Assembly decided " that the members of Congress deputed by this Assembly be a committee to consider of and recommend proper officers of the said battalion." The commissions to these officers are dated the next day, Sunday, June 25. The following is a copy of one of them :
" The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hamp- shire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, in Delaware, Mary- land, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
" To John Lowdon, Esq.
" We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do by these pres- ents, constitute and appoint you to be a captain of a con- pany of riflemen, in the battalion commanded by Col. William Thompson, in the army of the United Colonies raised for the defense of American liberty, and for re- pelling any hostile invasion thereof. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of captain, by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as captain, and you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress for that pur-
The First Defenders of the Revolution. 19
pose appointed, or Commander-in-Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
" By order of Congress
" JOHN HANCOCK, President. " PHILADELPHIA, June 25, 1775.
" Attest
" CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary."
The form of enlistment was, " I have this day volun- tarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the American Con- tinental Army for one year, unless sooner discharged, and do bind myself to conform in all instances to such rules and regulations as are or shall be established for the gov- ernment of said army."
Each company was to consist of one captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates.
The pay of the officers and privates was as follows : Captain, twenty dollars per month; lieutenant, thirteen and one third dollars; sergeant, eight dollars; corporal, seven and one third dollars; drummer or trumpeter, the same; privates, six and two thirds dollars; to find their own arms and clothes.
All these men were expert riflemen. Their endurance, marksmanship and thorough scouting made them Wash- ington's favorite troops during the war. On account of their hunting shirts and rifles the British spoke of them as "shirt-tail men with their cursed twisted guns, the most fatal widow-and-orphan-makers in the world." They
-
20
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
turned the tide at Saratoga by their sharp-shooting, Gen- eral Fraser being a victim; they were Morgan's reliance at Cowpens; British regulars were powerless against them as the rifle was unknown to the British armies, as well as to the New England and coast troops generally.
The patriotism of Pennsylvania was evinced in the haste with which the companies of Col. Thompson's bat- talion were filled to overflowing, and the promptitude with which they took up their march for Boston.
The exact time of arrival of each of these companies has been a subject of great interest and some little dispute. The records are more or less incomplete, and, in several instances, evidently misleading. As an example of this latter statement we have an extract from the Philadelphia Evening Post of August 17, 1775, publishing a New York item " that between the 28th of July and 2d instant. the riflemen, under the command of Captains Smith, Lowdon, Doudel, Chambers, Nagel, Miller and Hend- ricks, passed through New Windsor (a few miles north of West Point), in the New York government, on their way to Boston." The incorrectness of this item is evident when we recall the fact that several of these commands had already reached their destination prior to July 28, and that others did not pass New Windsor until August 20.
They did not march as a battalion, but each company pushed forward hurriedly by itself, when ready, to avoid all delay. With few exceptions they all touched at Bethle- hem, which lay directly in the line of march to New York. The Moravian chronicles show that Captain Doudel passed through that town on July 8, Captain Cluggage, from Bedford, on August 13, and another company, unnamed, on August 10.
The journal of Aaron Wright, a member of Captain
21
The First Defenders of the Revolution.
Lowdon's company states that they were sworn in at Northumberland on June 29, 1775, where they lay until July 7, when orders were received to march; marched on board the boats the next morning; reached Reading July 13, and were there given knapsacks, blankets, etc .; left Reading July 20, and were at Bethlehem on August 1; reached North River, opposite New Windsor, August 20. On the 24th marched through Litchfield, Conn., crossed the Connecticut, near Hartford, on the 26th, and reached Dudley, Mass., on the 30th of August. On the 3 Ist they marched to Weston, and stayed all night; thence through Framingham, Watertown, to Cambridge; thence to Prospect Hill. As, however, the regimental returns of August 18, 1775, include nine captains and twenty- seven lieutenants, the field officers, who arrived on the 17th, may have included this company, before its arrival, or Aaron Wright may have been with rear arrivals.
Henry McEwen, in his application for a pension, states that " Hendrick's company left Carlisle on the 15th of July, 1775, and arrived in camp at Cambridge on the 8th of August."
Captain Michael Doudel's company was enlisted, prin- cipally, at Samuel Getty's Tavern, now Gettysburg, June 24, 1775. They left York, for Boston, July 1, and ar- rived at Cambridge, Mass., July 25 at 1.00 P. M., going by the " nearest road."
Captain James Chambers writes from Cambridge, August 13, 1775, " We arrived in camp on the 7th ultimo [August 7], about twelve o'clock."
From a letter, dated at Ilartford, the latter part of July, it is stated, " Yesterday came to town a number of Paxtang boys, dressed and painted in the Indian fashion, being part of a body of two hundred volunteers who are
22
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
on their way to General Washington's army at Cambridge. Several of them we hear are young gentlemen of fortune." Allowing several days for the march from Hartford to Cambridge we would be warranted, therefore, in saying that Captain Smith's company reached camp about July 25 to August I.
Captain Ross arrived in camp at Cambridge on August 18, 1775.
Because of the distance of Captain Cluggage's com- pany, in Bedford County, it is hardly to be presumed that he could arrive at his destination until some time in August. We have no record of the time.
Neither is there any record of the time of arrival of Captain Miller's company of Northampton County, but, as they came from the further end of the county, it is probable that his company was not so promptly organized and was unable to move more quickly than did Cap- tain Nagel, so that it is entirely unlikely that he reached Cambridge in advance of the Reading company. All records are to the contrary. Even were it otherwise they also were Pennsylvania-Germans so that our claim would still hold.
Of Captain Nagel's company a letter, dated " Camp at Cambridge, July 24, 1775," says: " The Reading com- pany of rifles got into camp last Tuesday ( 18th) ; the rest are hourly expected and much wanted." This was barely thirty-four days after Congress had first authorized the formation of this battalion, an incredibly short period for this time in our history.
With this evidence staring us in the face, we feel justi- fied in reiterating our claim that the Pennsylvania-Ger- mans were truly the " First Defenders " of our country in its struggle for independence.
23
The First Defenders of the Revolution.
Thatcher, in his Military Journal of the Revolution, under date of August, 1775, describes the battalion as follows :
" They are remarkably stout and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. These men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance. At a review, a company of them, while on a quick advance, fired their balls into objects of seven inches diameter, at the distance of two hundred and fifty yards. They are now stationed in our lines, and their shot have frequently proved fatal to British officers and soldiers who expose themselves to view, even at more than double the distance of common musket shot."
They carried a green flag, with a crimson field in the center containing the device of a tiger, partly inclosed by toils, attempting the pass defended by a hunter, clad in white and armed with a spear. The motto, on the field was " Domari Nolo."
Immediately upon arrival, though tired and worn by their long march of five hundred miles, Captain Doudel's command asked permission of Washington to capture a British transport in the Charles River. While commend- ing them for their patriotism, the Commander-in-Chief deemed the effort inexpedient. On July 29, however, the out sentries, at the foot of Bunker Hill, gave notice that the enemy had cut down several large trees and were busy the previous night in throwing up entrenchments, with abattis in front. In the evening orders were accordingly given Captain Doudel to march his company down to the advanced post on Charlestown Neck, there to endeavor to surround the enemy's advanced post and bring off some
24
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
prisoners, from whom it was hoped the enemy's design might be learned. The rifle company divided and exe- cuted their plan in the following manner : Captain Doudel, with thirty-nine men, filed off to the right of Bunker's Hill, and, creeping on their hands and knees, got into the rear of the enemy's sentries without being discovered. The other division of forty men, under Lieutenant Miller, were equally successful in getting behind the sentries on the left, and were within a few yards of join- ing the division on the right, when a party of regulars came down the hill to relieve the guard, and crossed our riflemen under Captain Doudel, as they were lying on the ground in an Indian file. The regulars were within twenty yards before they saw them, and immediately fired. The riflemen returned the volley, killed several and brought off two prisoners and their muskets, with the loss of Corporal Walter Crouse ( Cruise), who was then sup- posed to have been killed but was taken prisoner, remain- ing such for seventeen inonths, and afterwards was pro- moted to Captain in the Sixth Pennsylvania.
1
On the 23d of September Col. Hand wrote to Judge Yeates: " Day before yesterday, Lieut. Mckenzie of the Bedford company, had his hat blown off by the wind of a cannon ball, and a splinter hit Dr. Ilubley, and over- turned him. Morgan, Hendricks, and Smith, have left with their companies for Canada. Seven hundred mus- queteers from here are on the same expedition. The expedition with which the York company was raised does not keep on for this misconduct; had Smith's command been better behaved they might probably have saved them- selves a disagreeable jaunt. The General refused per- emptorily to take the York company."
A contemporary letter, dated September 13, says :
1
25
The First Defenders of the Revolution.
"On Monday last ( rith) Col. Arnold having chosen one thousand effective men, consisting of two companies of riflemen (about one hundred and forty), the remainder musqueteers, set off for Quebec, as it is given out, and which I really believe to be their destination. I accom- panied on foot as far as Lynn, nine miles. Dr. Coates,
AUTOGRAPH OF BENEDICT ARNOLD.
who goes as surgeon, Mr. Mart. Duncan, Mr. Melcher, and several other southern gentlemen as volunteers. Here I took leave of them with a wet eye. The drums beat, and away they go as far as Newburyport by land, from there go in sloops to Kennebeck river, up it in batteaux, and have a carrying place of about fifty miles, over which they must carry on their shoulders their batteaux and bag- gage, scale the walls, and spend the winter in joy and festivity among the sweet nuns "- Jesse Lukens (son of Surveyor General John Lukens, mortally wounded at Wyoming, December 25, 1775, a sad comment on his sportive letter) .
26
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
In general orders, dated Cambridge, September 11, 1775, occurs :
" Col. Thompson's battalion of riflemen posted upon Prospect Hill, to take their share of all duty, of guard and fatigue, with the brigade they encamp with." Also, September 13: " The thirty-three riflemen of Col. Thomp- son's battalion, tried yesterday, by a general court-martial, whereof Col. Nixon was president, for 'disobedient and mutinous behavior,' are each of them sentenced to pay the sum of twenty shillings, except John Leamon, who, over and above his fine, is to suffer six days' imprisonment. The pay-master of the regiment to stop the fine from each man out of next months' pay, which must be paid to Dr. Church, for the use of the general hospital."
The contemporary letter above referred to supplements these orders thus :
"Our camp is separate from all others about one hun- dred yards. All our courts-martial and duty was separate. We were excused from all working parties, camp guards, camp duty. This indulgence, together with the remiss- ness of discipline and care in our young officers, has rend- ered the men rather insolent for good soldiers. They had twice before broken open our guard-house and re- leased their companions who were confined there for small crimes, and once when an offender was brought to the post to be whipped, it was with the utmost difficulty they were kept from rescuing him in the presence of all their officers. They openly damned them, and behaved with great insolence. However the colonel was pleased to pardon the man, and all remained quiet; but on Sunday last the adjutant having confined a sergeant for neglect of duty and murmuring, the men began again, and threat-
The First Defenders of the Revolution. 27
ened to take him out. The adjutant being a man of spirit, seized the principal mutineer and put him in also, and coming to report the matter to the colonel where we were all sitting after dinner, were alarmed with a huz- zaing, and, upon going out, found they had broken open the guard-house and taken the man out. The colonel and lieutenant-colonel, with several officers and friends, seized the fellow from amongst them, and ordered a guard to take him to Cambridge to the main guard, which was done without any violent opposition, but in about twenty minutes thirty-two of Capt. Ross' company, with their loaded rifles, swore by God they would go to the main guard and release the man or lose their lives, and set off as hard as they could run. It was in vain to attempt stopping them. We stayed in camp and kept the others quiet. Sent word to Gen. Washington, who reinforced the guard to five hundred men with fixed bayonets and loaded pieces. Col. Hitchcock's regiment (being the one next to us) was ordered under arms, and some part of Gen. Greene's brigade (as the generals were determined to subdue by force the mutineers, and did not know how far it might spread in our battalion). Genls. Washington, lee, and Greene came immediately, and our thirty-two mutineers who had gone about a half a mile towards Cam- bridge and taken possession of a hill and woods, begin- ning to be frightened at their proceedings, were not so hardened, but upon the General's ordering them to ground their arms they did it immediately. The General then ordered another of our companies, Capt. Nagel's, to surround them with their loaded guns, which was im- mediately done, and did the company great honor. How- ever, to convince our people (as I suppose, mind), that it did not altogether depend upon themselves, he ordered
28
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
part of Col. Hitchcock's and Col. Little's regiments to surround them with their bayonets fixed, and ordered two of the ringleaders to be bound. I was glad to find our men all true and ready to do their duty except these thirty- two rascals. Twenty-six were conveyed to the quarter- guard on Prospect Hill, and six of the principals to the
humble Sur Nath huse
AUTOGRAPHI OF GENERAL GREENE.
mainguard. You cannot conceive what disgrace we are all in, and how much the General is chagrined that only one regiment should come from the South, and that set so infamous an example, and in order that idleness shall not be a further bane to us, the General's orders on Mon- day, were ' that Col. Thompson's regiment shall be upon all parties of fatigue (working parties), and do all other camp duty with any other regiment.'
" The men have since been tried by a general court- martial and convicted of mutiny, and were only fined
29
The First Defenders of the Revolution.
twenty shillings each for the use of the hospital-too small a punishment for so base a crime. Mitigated, no doubt, on account of their having come so far to serve the cause and its being the first crime. These men are returned to their camp and seem exceedingly sorry for their misbeliavior and promise amendment. I charge our whole disgrace upon the remissness of our officers, and the men being employed will yet, no doubt, do honor to their Provinces. For this much I can only say for them that upon every alarm it was impossible for men to behave with more readiness or attend better to their duty; it is only in the camp that we cut a poor figure."
October 3 Hand wrives to his wife:
" Capt. Ross goes for Lancaster tomorrow. Henry Fortney is well: his behavior does him credit. Mr. Henry, Junior, has followed the troops to Canada with- out leave. Nothing but a perfect loose to his feelings will tame his rambling desire."
Letters of Mrs. Adams, wife of John Adams, in Phila- delphia Evening Post, 1775 :
"On the 9th of November occurred the skirmish at Lechmere's Point : for their alacrity in which, Col. Thomp- son and his battalion were publicly thanked by Gen. Wash- ington in general orders dated the roth of November. The British had landed under cover of a fire from their batteries on Bunker, Breed's and Copp's Hills, as well as from a frigate which lay three hundred yards off the point. In a high tide it is an island. Col. Thompson marched instantly with his men, and though a very stormy day, they regarded not the tide nor waited for boats, but took to the water, although up to their armpits, for a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.