USA > Pennsylvania > The Pennsylvania-German in the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 > Part 4
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In this action the Rifle Regiment and Musketry Bat- talion were so broken up that Gen. Washington ordered the remnant to be consolidated into one regiment.
Col. Atlee was taken prisoner and remained such for twenty-six months, undergoing many sufferings. The fol- lowing is an extract from his journal, in which he speaks of his command as "a regiment by whose efforts, in a great degree, was preserved our retreating troops on the 27th of August."
EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF ' COL. ATLEE.
" LONG ISLAND, Tuesday, August 27th, 1776.
" This morning before day, the Camp was alarmed by an attack upon the Pickett, stationed upon the lower Road leading to the Narrows, commanded by Major Burd of the Pennsylv'a flying Camp. About day light a part of Lord Sterling's Brigade, to wit: Col. Small- wood's, Col. Haslett's, part of Lutz's & Kichline's Flying Camp, and a part of mine, in the whole about 2,300 men, under the Command of Maj. Gen. Sullivan and the Brigadiers, Lord Sterling and Parsons, march'd to sup- port the Pickett attacked by the enemy. About 1/2 after seven the enemy were discovered advancing, about 21/2 miles from the lines at Brookline, in order-their field Artillery in front. This proved the left wing of the
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British Army, the 4th & 6th Brigades, composed of the following Regiments: the 17th, 23d, 40th, 42d, 44th, 46th, 55th, 57th and 64th under the Command of Major General Grant.
" I then rec'd orders from I'd Sterling, with that part of my Battalion in the Field, to advance and oppose the Enemy's passing a morass at the Foot, a fine rising Ground upon which they were drawing up, and give him time to form the Brigades upon the Heights. This order I
AUTOGRAPHI OF LORD STERLING.
immediately obeyed, exposed without any kind of Cover to the Enemy's Fire of Artillery charged with Grape. WVe sustained their Fire until the Brigade was form'd. I then filed off to the Left and took post on a fine woody eminence on the left of the Brigade.
"My troops just posted, when I received a Reinforce- ment of 2 Companies from the Delawares, with orders to file off further to the Left, and prevent, if possible, a large detachment of the enemy from turning the Left of the Brigade. Upon filing off to the Left, according to the orders rec'd, I espied, at the Distance of about 300 yards, a Hill of Clear Ground, a proper situation to op- pose the Regiments endeavoring to flank us; which hill,
-
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND, AUGUST 27. 1776.
RETREAT OF THE AMERICANS UNDER GEN STEALING ACROSS GONALES THEEK
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I determined, if possible, to gain before them, judging they were likewise making for it. On marching up the Hill, and within about 50 yards of the summit, we unex- pectedly rec'd a heavy Fire from the Enemy taken post there before me, notwithstanding the forced march I made. Upon receiving the heavy Fire, my detachment, under a continued and exceeding warm Fire of the Enemy, formed in order.
" The 2 companies of the Delaware Reg't, excepting the Lieuts. Stewart & Harney, with about 16 privates, broke, and had nearly drawn after chem the whole of my detachment. This caused a moment's Halt, but the Officers & men recovering from the surprize at receiving so rough & unexpected a salutation, upon receiving my orders to advance, immediately obeyed, with such Resolu- tion chat the Enemy, after a severe Conflict of a few minutes, left me master of the Hill, leaving behind them a Lieut. and six privates wounded, and fourteen privates killed. My troops, flush'd with this advantage, were for pushing after the flying Enemy, but perceiving at about 60 yards from the Hill we had just gained, across a Hollow way, a Stone Fence lined with wood, from be- hind which we might be greatly annoyed, I ordered not to advance but maintain the possession of the Hill, (which answered at this Time every necessary purpose.) The order was immediately obeyed, when we found by a heavy Fire from the Fence that it was lined as I expected. The Fire was as briskly returned by my brave Soldiers. The Enemy finding it too hott and our fire too well directed, retreated to and joined the Right of this wing of their army. In this severe conflict I lost my worthy Friend and Lt. Col. Parry, whom, in the midst of the action and im- mediately after he fell, I ordered to be bourn by four
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Soldiers off the Field into the Lines at Brook Line. The Enemies situation here was so advantageous that had they been marksmen, and directed their Fire with judgment, they might have cut off the greatest part of my detach- ment, I having left, for the security of my Right Flank and to protect my Rear in case of Retreat, a Company in a Wood upon my Right. After this first Attack which continued in the whole for about 15 minutes, we brought from the field such of their wounded whom I judged might be assisted, and about 25 stand of Arms. The wounded I placed in my Rear under the Shade of some Bushes it being intencely hott; the arms I distributed to such of my soldiers as were the most indifferently arm'd, and the wounded Lieut. taken at our first gaining the Hill I sent to L'd Sterling by a Drum & Fife. He died on the way. After placing the proper Guards, I ordered my fatigued soldiers to rest themselves. We continued in this situation about 20 minutes, when the Enemy was discover'd marching down to make a second attempt for the Hill. Both officers and soldiers immediately flew to arms, and with remarkable coolness and resolution sus- tained and returned their Fire for about 10 minutes, when the Enemy were obliged once more to a precipitate flight, leaving behind them, Killed, Lt. Col. Grant, a number of Privates, and great many wounded. These wounded not mortally, I likwise removed into my rear; one I sent to L'd Sterling that had rec'd a wound in the leg. I sent my Adjutant to his Lordship, with an acc't of my successive advantages, to know his lordship's further orders and to request a Re-inforcement. My Adjutant returned with 2. Companies of Riflemen of the flying Camp, who re- main'd with me a few minutes, being soon order'd to rejoin their Corps. Very luckily, after this second en-
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gagement, an ammunition Cart belonging to Col. Hunt- ington's Reg't arrived at my post, of which we stood in great need, having entirely exhausted our ammunition and fired many rounds from that taken from the Enemy every time we had the good fortune to beat them off the Field. The officers were extremely alert, and, from the ammunition so opportunely arrived, soon supplied their men with sufficient Stock to sustain another attack, should the Enemy think proper to make it. They did not suffer us to wait long. In about half an Hour we were alarm'd of their appearance the third Time.
" The eagerness of the Officers and Soldiers to receive them deserves my warmest acknowledgments and those of their Country. They were received as usual, and as usual Fled after a warm conflict of about 10 or 12 minutes. I now determined to pursue but observed a Reg't which proved to be the 22d or Royal Highlanders coming down to sustain the Royal Runners who were the 23d and 44th. I halted, prepared to receive them likewise, but the drub- bing their Friends had so repeatedly received, I believe, prevented them, and they seemed satisfyed with protecting the Refugees and conducting such as were able to the army.
" Major Burd, who was taken at the attack of the Pickett on the Right, and was at Gen'l Grant's Quarters during the above several attacks, informed me after each great number of Officers and Soldiers came in wounded.
" I fully expected, as did my Officers, that the strength- of the British Army was advancing in this Quarter with intention to have taken this Rout to our Lines, but how greatly were we deceived when intelligence was received that the Center, composed of the Hessians and the Right wing, were rapidly advancing by our Rear, and that we were nearly surrounded.
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" This we were soon convinced of by an exceeding heavy Fire about a mile in our Rear, no Troops being in that Quarter to oppose the march of this Grand Body of the British Army but Col. Miles, 2 Battalions of Rifle men, Col. Willis's Reg't of Connecticut, and a part of Lutz's Battalion of Penn'a Flying Camp.
"I once more sent my Adjutant to Lord Sterling to acquaint him with my last success and for further orders, but receiving no answer and after waiting for the Enemy
Kalv Del
THE CORTELYOU HOUSE AROUND WHICH THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND WAS FOUGHT.
more than half an hour, they not approaching in Front, those in the Rear drawing very near, 1 judged it most prudent to join the Brigade, where I might be of more
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service than in my present situation. I therefore ordered a march, leaving upon the Field, Killed, Lt. Col. Grant and upward of sixty men and great number wounded, beside those taken at Sundry times into my Rear. The World may judge my surprise when coming to the Ground where our Brigade had been drawn up, to find they had gone off without my receiving the least intelligence of the Retreat or orders what to do.
" I cou'd, I doubt not, with considerable loss, have made my retreat, but perceiving at a distance, near the water, the Rear of our Troops and at the same time a Body of the Enemy advancing toward them, who proved to be the British Grenadiers, commanded by Col. Monck- ton, these were attacked by a few brave fellows. Not able to prevent them, I ordered my Fatigued party once more to advance and take possession of a post and Rail Fence, at the Foot of a rising Ground over which the. Grenadiers were moving with great rapidity. The Timely assistance brought these few brave fellows by a party this day, often try'd and as often victorious, en- couraged those already engaged and obliged the Gren- adiers to quit the ground they had gain'd and retire to a fence lined with wood. Here we kept up a Close and constant Fire for upwards of a Quarter of an Hour, untill the Brigade had retreated out of our Sight. Our am- munition now again entirely spent and our Retreat after the Brigade effectually cut off, I was then obliged to file off to the Right with what men I cou'd collect and en- deavor to find a way out in that Quarter.
" After various Struggles running thro' the Fire of many of the Enemy's detachments, and nearly fatigued to death, not having eat or drank since the day before about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, no alternative present-
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ing, I was obliged to surrender to the 71st Highlanders, having with me about 40, officers included. About 5 o'clock arrived at Gen'l Howe's Quarters, receiving as we passed thro' the right wing of the British Army, the most opprobrious and scurrufous Language.
" Thus ended this unfortunate 27th of August, during which myself and small detachment underwent inexpress- able Fatigue, and escaped death in a variety of Instances ; and, altho' the day terminated unsuccessfully, I have the pleasing reflection that sundry Times the entire ruin of the Troops was by my small detachment prevented; First in the three successful attacks made upon the 23d and 44th British Regiments, who were attempting to turn our left, and lastly, in preventing the Grenadiers from destroying the Rear in their retreat over the water.
"In the first, Grant fell, and in the Last was sundry officers and many soldiers killed, and Monkton wounded thro' the Body. I, myself, several months after, was shewn the Graves of several of the Officers who fell at this time.
" I cannot here forbear testifying my acknowledgments to those brave few for their Courage this day so repeatedly Shewn.
" I think I may, without Vanity, conclude that no Regi- ment in this or any other service, considering the Dis- parity of Numbers & Discipline, has in the same time per- formed greater services.
"S. J. A. "Exchanged Oct. Ist, 1778."
The above interesting experience of Col. Atlee is sup- plemented by the experience of Col. Miles, and his Penn- sylvania Rifle Regiment, on the left, as recorded in his journal.
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JOURNAL OF COL. SAMUEL MILES CONCERNING THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.
"On the landing of the British army on Long Island, I was ordered over with my rifle regiment to watch their motions. I marched near to the village of Flat Bush, where the Highlanders then lay, but they moved the next day to Gen'l Howe's camp, and their place was supplied
COL. SAMUEL MILES.
by the Hessians. I lay here within cannon shot of the Hessian camp for four days without receiving a single order from Gen'l Sullivan, who commanded on Long Island, out of the lines. The day before the action he came to the camp, and I then told him the situation of the British Army; that Gen'l Howe, with the main body, lay on my left, about a mile and a half or two miles, and
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I was convinced when the army moved that Gen'l Howe would fall into the Jamaica road, and I hoped there were troops there to watch them. Notwithstanding this in- formation, which indeed he might have obtained from his own observation, if he had attended to his duty as a General ought to have done; no steps were taken, but there was a small redoubt in front of the village which seemed to take up the whole of his attention, and where he stayed until the principal part of the British army had gotten between him and the lines, by which means he was made prisoner as well as myself. If Gen'l Sullivan had taken the requisite precaution, and given his orders agreeably to the attention of the Commander-in-Chief there would have been few if any prisoners taken on the 27th of August, 1776. As Gordon in his history of the war has charged me indirectly with not doing my duty, I will here state my position and conduct. I lay directly in front of the village of Flat Bush, but on the left of the road leading to New York, where the Hessians were Encamped. We were so near each other, that their shells they some- times fired went many rods beyond my camp.
" The main body of the Enemy, under the immediate command of Gen'l ITowe, lay about 2 miles to my left, and General Grant, with another body of British troops, lay about four miles on my right. There were several small bodies of Americans dispersed to my right, but not a man to my left, although the main body of the Enemy lay to my left, of which I had given General Sullivan notice. This was our situation on the 26th of August. About one o'clock at night Gen. Grant, on the right, and Gen. Howe, on my left, began their march, and by day- light Grant had got within a mile of our entrenchments, and Gen. Howe had got into the Jamaica road, about
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two miles from our lines. The Hessians kept their posi- tion until 7 in the morning. As soon as they moved the firing began at our redoubt. I immediately marched towards where firing was, but had not proceeded more than 1. or 200 yards until I was stopped by Colonel Wyllys, who told me that I could not pass on; that we were to defend a road that lead from Flatbush road to the Jamaica road. Col. Wyllys bearing a Continental and I a State commission, he was considered a senior officer and I was obliged to submit; but I told him I was convinced the main body of the enemy would take the Jamaica road, that there was no probability of their coming along the road he was then guarding, and if he would not let me proceed to where the firing was, I would return and en- deavor to get into the Jamaica road before Gen. Howe. To this he consented, and I immediately made a retro- grade march, and after marching nearly two miles, the whole distance through woods, I arrived within sight of the Jamaica road, and to my great mortification I saw the main body of the enemy in full march between me and our lines, and the baggage guard just coming into the road. A thought struck me of attacking the baggage guard, and, if possible, to cut my way through them and proceed to Hell Gate to cross the Sound. 1, however, ordered the men to remain quite still, (I had then but the first battalion with me, for the second being some distance in the rear, I directed Major Williams, who was on horse- back, to return and order Lt. Col. Brodhead to push on by the left of the enemy and endeavor get into our lines that way, and happily they succeeded, but had to wade a mill dam by which a few were drowned, ) and I took the adjutant with me and crept as near the road as I thought prudent, to try and ascertain the number of the baggage
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guard, and I saw a grenadier stepping into the woods. I got a tree between him and me until he came near, and I took him prisoner and examined him. I found that there was a whole brigade with the baggage commanded by a general officer.
" I immediately returned to the battalion and called a council of the officers and laid three propositions before them: Ist to attack the baggage guard and endeavor to cut our way through them and proceed to Hell Gate and so cross the Sound; 2nd, to lay where we were until the whole had passed us and then proceed to Hell Gate; or, 3d, to endeavor to force our way through the enemy's flank guards into our line at Brooklyn. The first was thought a dangerous and useless attempt as the enemy was so superior in force. The 2nd I thought the most eligible, for it was evident that adopting either of the other propositions we must lose a number of men without affecting the enemy materially, as we had so small a force, not more than 230 men. This was, however, ob- jected to, under the idea that we should be blamed for not fighting at all, and perhaps charged with cowardice, which would be worse than death itself. The 3d propo- sition was therefore adopted. and we immediately began our march, but had not proceeded more than half a mile until we fell in with a body of 7 or 800 light infantry, which we attacked without hesitation, but their superiority of numbers encouraged them to march up with their bayonets, which we could not withstand, having none our- selves. I therefore ordered the Troops to push on towards our lines. I remained on the ground myself until they had all passed me, (the enemy were then within less than 20 yards of us,) and by this means, I came into the rear instead of the front of my command. We had proceeded
.
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but a short distance before we were again engaged with a superior body of the enemy, and here we lost a number of men, but took Major Moncrieffe, their commanding officer prisoner, but he was a Scotch prize for Ensign Brodhead, who took him and had him in possession for some hours, but was obliged to surrender himself. Find- ing that the enemy had possession of the ground between us and our lines, and that it was impossible to cut our way through as a body, I directed the men to make the best of their way as well as they could; some few got in safe, but there were 159 taken prisoners. I was myself entirely cut off from our lines and therefore endeavored to conceal myself, with a few men who would not leave me. I hoped to remain until night, when I intended to try to get to Hell Gate and cross the Sound; but about 3 o'clock in the afternoon was discovered by a party of Hessians and obliged to surrender-thus ended the career of that day."
In addition to this record of Col. Miles in direct com- niand of the First Battalion, we have the following indi- vidual experience of Lieut. James McMichael, of the Second Battalion of the Rifle Regiment :
EXTRACT-DIARY OF LIEU !. JAMES McMICHAEL.
"August 22 .- The enemy having landed on Long Island, our brigade was paraded and ordered thither. After leaving our camp, the order was modified-one-half to proceed to Long Island, the remainder to be in readi- ness to follow at a moment's notice. The First Battalion together with our musketry, and the Delaware Blues, went to the island and we were ordered to our tents.
" August 24 .- At 10 A. M., we all marched from our encampment and crossed St. George's ferry to Long Island.
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Just after we had joined the brigade, we had a heavy cannonade, with some small arms. This night we camped in the woods, without tents, in a hard rain. Sentries firing all night.
" August 25 .- This morning we were alarmed that the enemy were about to attack us in force; we got ready and marched to meet them. Not finding them we returned to our camp.
" August 26 .-- A sconting party of 120 men, properly officered, were ordered out, but returned without making any discovery.
" August 27 .- At sunrise we were ordered to march easterly from near Flatbush a few miles, when we dis- covered the enemy coming against us with 5,000 foot and 500 horse. We numbered just 400. We at first thought it prudent to retire to a neighboring thicket, where we formed and gave battle. Here my right hand man fell, shot thro' the head. We were attacked by the enemy's left wing, while their right endeavoured to sur- round us. Their superior numbers forced us to retire for a short distance, when we again formed and fought with fortitude until we were nearly surrounded. Having by this time lost a great number of men, we were again forced to retreat, when we found that the enemy had got between us and the fort. Then despairing of making good our retreat we resolved to die rather than be taken prisoners, and thus we were drove from place to place 'till 3 o'clock P. M., when we agreed to attempt crossing the mill-pond, that being the only way left for our escape. Here numbers were drowned, but it was the will of Providence that I should escape, and at half past three, we reached the lines, being much fatigued. The enemy advanced rapidly and endeavored to force our lines, but
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were repulsed with considerable loss. They afterwards marched towards the Narrows, where they found our First Battalion and the Delaware Blues under command of Col. Hazlet. These battalions were chiefly cut off, we were ordered to cover their retreat, which exposed us in open field to a heavy fire from the enemy 'till evening- the remainder of our troops brought us 23 prisoners. At dark we were relieved and ordered to St. George's ferry to take refreshments. Thus happened the memorable action on Long Island, where the enemy attacked and defeated Lord Stirling's brigade, consisting of the fol- lowing regiments : Colonels Miles, Atlec, Smallwood and Hazlet. Major General Sullivan, Brig. Gen. Lord Stir-
Jambon
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AUTOGRAPH OF GENL. SULLIVAN.
ling were taken prisoners, also Col. Miles and Atlee; Lieut. Col. Piper --- all of our regiment also, 19 com- missioned officers, 23 sergeants, and 310 rank and file. My preservation I only attribute to the indulgent Provi- dence of God, for tho' the bullets went around me in every direction, yet I received not a wound.
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" August 28 .- We marched to the lines at dawn of the morning and there lay under arms 'till 2 o'clock P. M., when we were alarmed that the enemy had come out to attack us. Going to the summit of the hill, we found the alarm false, and so returned to the ferry. We have had an incessant cannonade these four days past. We have the pleasing intelligence by some of our men who were captured and escaped, that the loss of the enemy is greater than ours.
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" August 29 .--- Gen. Washington thinking it proper to evacuate the island, we were all ordered to march at 9 o'clock P. M. We crossed at St. George's ferry to New York with great speed and secrecy."
The next narrative contains the interesting personal experience of Capt. John Nice, a brave Pennsylvania- German Officer in Col. Atlee's Musketry Battalion :
EXTRACTS FROM DIARY OF CAPTAIN JOHN NICE.
" August 24, 1776 .- Marched over to Long Island, to the town of Brookland [Brooklyn]; halted about two hours, then received orders to march to a place called New Utrecht to relieve Colonel Jonson's [Johnson, of New Jersey ] regiment. Placed sentrys against dark; it rained very hard all night. Saw the enemy at the Plains next morning, extending from Gravesend to Flatbush. Kept to our lines and exchanged a few shots with them.
" August 25 .- At noon we were relieved by Colonel Clark's [Seventeenth Connecticut ] regiment, and marched back to Brookland, within our lines by night. Drew no provisions; it rained hard and we had no tents, subse- quently we slept in a church.
" August 26-27 .-- Got part of our baggage over, drew provisions, cheerfully arranged our camp and pitched our
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tents, and slept comfortably until daylight, when the alarm guns from Cobble Hill fort were fired. Our drums beat and the Battalion turned out and marched, with the Delaware and Maryland Battalions in advance, down the road to the Narrows. When we got within half a mile of a place called the Red Lion, we saw the enemy ad- vancing towards us, and the brigade was drawn up on the left of the road, by order of General Sterling. The general marched at the head of his battalion. As we came within three hundred yards of the enemy, where they were drawn up on rising ground with his field pieces in front, we received orders to file to the left, as we had the Bay close to our right, and to lay under cover of a fence, which we did for some considerable time. The enemy then began to pour grape-shot into us from his two field pieces, when our Colonel saw that it was vain for us to remain, as we could do no execution with our musketry ; he therefore ordered us to retreat to the right, along the fence. In retreating we lost two men. We were next ordered to retire and incline more to the left, to keep two Battalions from surrounding us, as we observed they were filing off for that purpose. Taking post on an advantageous piece of ground, the enemy came down upon us, when we retreated from our position to the edge of a wood, where we lost our brave Lieut. Col. Parry, who was shot through the head by a musket ball, which killed him on the spot. Animated by seeing him fall, we regained our ground, repulsed and drove them back, killed Colonel Grant (Fortieth Foot), wounded a lieu- tenant and killed nine soldiers. They retired behind a wood, but our Colonel did not think it prudent to follow them, as we had at that time not above fifty men and they had six times our number. We held our ground near
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