USA > Pennsylvania > The Pennsylvania-German in the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 > Part 8
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The morning was bitter cold, and it began to hail as the troops started on their march. The snow and hail on the ground deadened the foot-falls of the men, as well as the noise of the artillery wheels. Fearing that the storm had rendered useless many of the muskets, Sullivan sent an aide to his chief to report and ask what was to be done, to whom Washington replied, " Tell your general to use the bayonet, and penetrate into the town; for the town must be taken, and I have resolved to take it."
Washington's column reached the enemy's outpost ex- actly at eight o'clock, and within three minutes he heard the firing of Sullivan's division. "Which way is the Hessian picket? " he inquired of a man chopping wood at his door, and the surly reply came back, "I don't know." "You may tell," said Capt. Forrest, of the artillery, " for that is General Washington." The aspect of the man changed in a moment. Dropping his axe, and raising his hands to heaven, he exclaimed, " God bless and prosper your Excellency ! The picket is in that house, and the sentry stands near that tree there."
So silent was the march of the American troops that their presence was unnoticed until they approached the enemy's outpost, on the outskirts of the town. One of the sentries called out to David Laming, of near Trenton, the guide, who was some little in advance of Washing- ton's column, "Who is there?" Lanning replied, "A friend." " A friend to whom?" queried the sentry. "A friend to General Washington," was the answer, when the sentry fired and retreated.
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As soon as the alarm was given, both divisions of the American army rushed into the town. The enemy made but a feeble resistance, and the fruit of the morning's work was nearly a thousand prisoners, the same number of arms, and several cannon.
The moral effect of this victory can hardly be realized, even now. It was simply tremendous. It infused new life into the cause and the country, and its quickening influence was felt from Massachusetts Bay to Georgia. It was really the turning point of the Revolution.
The army returned, with its prisoners, and recrossed the river at MeKonkey's ferry. Washington then inaugu- rated the skillful campaign which followed, and which nearly relieved New Jersey of the enemy.
Cornwallis, on hearing of the American victory, gave up his visit to England and hastened towards Trenton, where Washington had again established his quarters, with even a larger, and certainly more hopeful, army than before. . The terms of enlistment of a large number of men, amongst the Americans, expired with the year 1776, but they were induced to remain. The British com- mander, having reached Princeton, began his march on Trenton, January 2, 1777, with 8,000 of his best troops, which they reached late in the afternoon. Cornwallis was now determined to throw his entire force against Washington, crowd him to the bank of the Delaware, and capture his whole army. But his men were weary and it was evening so he decided to wait till the next morning. He retired in high spirits, saying, " At last we have run down the old fox, and will bag him in the morning." The fox, however, was too wily to be caught. Realizing his inferiority in numbers he decided not to risk a battle. Keeping his fires burning brightly all night, and a few nich
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busily engaged in throwing up entrenchments within sound of the British, he silently removed his army, around the left wing of the enemy, to his rear, and, by daylight, was happily marching toward Princeton. As the army neared the town a detachment, under Gen. Mercer, encountered some 2,000 British, under Col. Mawhood, marching to join Cornwallis. An immediate conflict ensued. After a fierce volley, the British charged with the bayonet, which the Americans could not withstand and fled, leaving their gallant commander upon the field, mortally wounded.
As the enemy pursued the fugitives they came to the brow of a hill, where they met the main army, under Washington, hastening to the rescue. The battle be- came general but the foe was soon routed, and Cornwallis was amazed to discover, on the morning of January 3, that his prey had again escaped him. Ile broke camp and made a dash for Brunswick to save his stores col- lected there, while Washington moved northward to Morristown, and went into winter quarters in a strong position, having done a marvelous work for liberty, and achieved a most brilliant campaign, within the short period of three weeks.
From The Phenix, of March 24, 1832, published at Wellsborough, Pennsylvania, the following interesting personal narrative of Sergeant R --- is taken. His name is not given, nor his regiment, but he seems to have been under command of Gen. Mercer :
DIARY OF SERGEANT R --- AT PRINCETON.
" Three or four days after the victory at Trenton, the American army recrossed the Delaware into New Jersey. At this time our troops were in a destitute and deplorable
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condition. The horses attached to our cannon were with- out shoes, and when passing over the ice they would slide in every direction, and could advance only by the assistance of the soldiers. Our men too, were without shoes or other comfortable clothing; and as traces of our march towards Princeton, the ground was literally marked with the blood of the soldiers' feet. Though my own feet did not bleed, they were so sore. that their condition was little better. While we were at Trenton, on the last of December, 1776, the time for which I and most of my regiment had enlisted expired. At this trying time Gen- eral Washington, having now but a little handful of men and many of them new recruits in which he could place but little confidence, ordered our regiment to be paraded, and personally addressed us, urging that we stay a month longer. He alluded to our recent victory at Trenton; told us that our services were greatly needed, and that we could now do more for our country than we ever could at any future period; and in the most affectionate manner entreated us to stay. The drums beat for volunteers, but not a man turned out. The soldiers worn down with fatigue and privations, had their hearts fixed on home and the comforts of the domestic circle, and it was hard to forego the anticipated pleasures of the society of our dearest friends.
" The General wheeled his horse about, rode in front of the regiment, and addressing us again said: ' My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could be reasonably expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses, and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you. If you will consent to stay only one month longer, you will
:
CHE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY
SURRENDER OF COL. RAHL AFTER THE BATTLE OF "RENTON. DECEMBER 25. 1775.
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render that service to the cause of liberty, and to your country, which you probably never can do under any other circumstances. The present is emphatically the crisis, which is to decide our destiny.' The drums beat the second time. The soldiers felt the force of the appeal. One said to another, 'I will remain if you will.' Others remarked, 'We cannot go home under such cir- cumstances.' A few stepped forth, and their example was immediately followed by nearly all who were fit for duty in the regiment, amounting to about two hundred volunteers [about half of these were killed in the battle of Princeton or died of the small-pox soon after .- Ed.]. An officer inquired of the General if these men should be enrolled. He replied, 'No! men who will volunteer in such a case as this, need no enrolment to keep them to their duty.'
" When we were about commencing our march for Princeton, Lord Cornwallis left that place with the in- tention of attacking, and at one blow cutting off the rebel army. He appeared near Wood creek or the Assanpink river, where a skirmish took place at the bridge over the creek. The Hessians were placed in front of the British troops, and endeavored to force the bridge. They retired, and we were left undisturbed for the night.
" Leaving our fires kindled to deceive the enemy, we decamped that night, and by a circuitous route took up our line of march for Princeton. General Mercer com- manded the front guard of which the two hundred volun- teers composed a part. About sunrise of the 3d Janu- ary, 1777, reaching the summit of a hill near Princeton, we observed a light-horseman looking towards us, as we view an object when the sun shines directly in our faces. Gen. Mercer observing him, gave orders to the riflemen who
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were posted on the right, to pick him off. Several made ready, but at that instant he wheeled about, and was out of their reach. Soon after this as we were descending a hill through an orchard, a party of the enemy who were entrenched behind a bank and fence, rose and fired upon us. Their first shot passed over our heads cutting the limbs of the trees under which we were marching. At
this moment we were ordered to wheel. As the platoon which I commanded were obeying the order, the cor- poral who stood at my left shoulder, received a ball and fell dead on the spot. He seemed to bend forward to receive the ball, which might otherwise have ended my life. We formed, advanced, and fired upon the enemy. They retreated eight rods to their packs, which were laid in a line. I advanced to the fence on the opposite side of the ditch which the enemy had just left, fell on one knee and loaded my musket with ball and buckshot. Our fire was most destructive; their ranks grew thin and the victory seemed nearly complete, when the British were reinforced. Many of our brave men had fallen, and we were unable to withstand such superior numbers of fresh troops.
" I soon heard Gen. Mercer command in a tone of dis- tress, 'Retreat ! ' Ile was mortally wounded and died shortly after. I looked about for the main body of the army which I could not discover -- discharged my musket at part of the enemy, and ran for a piece of wood, at a little distance where I thought I might shelter. At this moment Washington appeared in front of the American army, riding towards those of us who were retreating, and exclaimed, 'Parade with us, my brave fellows, there is but a handful of the enemy, and we will have them di- rectly.' I immediately joined the main body, and marched over the ground again.
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"O, the barbarity of man! On our retreat, we had left a comrade of ours whose name was Loomis, front Lebanon, Ct., whose leg was broken by a musket ball, under a cart in a yard; but on our return he was dead, having received several wounds from a British bayonet. My old associates were scattered about groaning, dying
THREE DOLLARS.
No. 106804
THIS Bill entitles the 1 BEARER to receime Three SPANISH milled DOLLARS, on the Value thereof in Gold or Silver .. according to a Resolution: of CONGRESS, puffed at Philadelphia Februa- :YA1. 17782
. DUR
THREE + D 69
3(THREE + DYOU
THREE DOLLARS
CONTINENTAL, CURRENCY IN WHICH THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WERE PAID.
and dead. One officer who was shot from his horse lay in a hollow place in the ground rolling and writhing in his blood, unconscious of anything around him. The ground was frozen and all the blood which was shed remained on the surface, which added to the horror of this scene of carnage.
" The British were unable to resist this attack, and retreated into the College, where they thought them- selves safe. Our army was there in an instant, and
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cannon were planted before the door, and after two or three discharges, a white flag appeared at the window, and the British surrendered. They were a haughty, crabbed set of men, as they fully exhibited while prisoners, on their march to the country.
In this battle, my pack, which was made fast by leather strings, was shot from my back, and with it went what little clothing I had. It was, however, soon replaced by one which had belonged to a British officer, and was well furnished. It was not mine long, for it was stolen shortly afterwards.
" Immediately after the battle an officer observing blood on my clothes said 'Sergeant R- you are wounded ? ' I replied 'No,' as I never expected to be injured in battle. On examination I found the end of my forefinger gone, and bleeding profusely. When and how it happened I never knew; I found also bullet holes in the skirts of my coat, but, excepting the slight wound of my finger, was not injured.
" In this battle and that of Trenton, there was no ardent spirits in the army, and the excitement of rum had nothing to do in obtaining the victories. As I had tried powder and rum on Long Island to promote courage, and engaged here without it, I can say that I was none the less courageous here than there. The army retreated to Pluckemin mountains. The weather was extremely cold, and we suffered greatly from its severity. We stayed three or four days and then marched through New Jersey towards New York. The inhabitants mani- fested very different feelings towards us, from those ex- hibited a few weeks before, and were now ready to take arms against the British. At Morristown I was sick of the small-pox and many of our little army died there of that disease.
" Such were some of the hardships and self-denials en-
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dured in securing the blessings now enjoyed by this free and happy country. But the old soldiers have been almost forgotten, until they have nearly all gone to their graves. Many never received a cent of compensation for some of the most trying services, as I am sure I never did for the month for which I volunteered."
ATLEE'S MUSKETRY BATTALION.
The interesting record of this battalion at Long Island has already been given. After that it was merged into the Rifle Regiment, with its history.
A large number of its members were Pennsylvania- Germans, including, almost in whole, the following com- panies, with a fair representation in others :
Capt. Thomas Herbert-Lancaster County.
Capt. Abraham De Huff-Lancaster County.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
In April, 1777, the Pennsylvania State Regiment of Foot was formed upon the remains of Miles' Rifle Regi- ment and Atlee's Musketry Battalion as a nucleus, and supplied with field and staff officers. It, of course, con- tained many Pennsylvania-Germans.
On June 2, the regiment was stationed at Fort Mercer, under Col. Bull. Col. Walter Stewart took command on July 6, 1777, and commanded it at Brandywine and Germantown, where its losses were sixteen killed and missing, and twenty-two wounded.
Having been transferred by the State Assembly, on June 10, 1777, from State control to that of the Conti- nental Congress, by resolution of the latter body, No- vember 12, 1777, Col. Stewart's regiment was annexed to the Pennsylvania Line in Continental service, and formed the Thirteenth Regiment.
EN
SEAL OF THE
GERMAN SOCIETY.
OROAR
CHAPTER VII.
THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE.
ITH the expiration of the term of service of the Pennsyl-
vania State Battalions, in January, 1777, a reorganization of the troops was made. Thirteen regiments of in- fantry, besides some small bodies of cavalry and artillery, were enlisted in Pennsylvania directly for the Continental service, for a period of " three years or the war." Many of the mem- bers of these new regiments had belonged to the old State battalions. They were all, at this time, in Washington's army, and formed what was known as "The Pennsyl- vania Line."
These troops were formed into two divisions, com- manded, respectively, by Gen. Wayne and Lord Stirling, and were made up as follows :
DIVISION OF BRIG. GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE-NOV. 1,
1777. First Brigade.
Ist Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. James Chambers. 2d Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Walter Stewart.
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7th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Col. Morgan Con- nor. Ioth Pennsylvania Regiment-Liet. Col. Adam Hubley.
Second Brigade.
4th Pennsylvania Regiment -- Lieut. Col. William Butler. 5th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Col. Francis John- ston.
8th Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Daniel Brodhead. IIth Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Richard Humpton.
DIVISION OF GEN. LORD STIRLING-July 1, 1777. Conway's (formerly Mifflin's) Brigade.
3d Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Thomas Craig.
6th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Coi. Henry Bicker. 9th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. George Nagel.
12th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. William Cooke.
De Borre's Brigade.
German Regiment-Col. Nicholas Haussegger.
WAYNE'S DIVISION-1778. First Brigade ---. April 11, 1778.
Ist Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. James Chambers. 2d Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Henry Bicker. 7th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. William Irvine.
roth Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. George Nagel.
Second Brigade-April 19, 1778.
4th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Col. William Butler.
5th Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Francis Johnston. 8th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Daniel Brodhead.
IIth Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Richard Humpton.
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Ist Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. James Chambers. 2d Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Walter Stewart. 7th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. William Irvine. roth Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Richard Humpton.
Second Brigade-October 24, 1778.
3d Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Thomas Craig. 5th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Francis Johnston. 6th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Col. Josiah Harmar. 9th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Richard Butler.
MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR'S DIVISION -- Oc- tober 15, 1779. First Brigade-Gen. Anthony Wayne.
ist Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. James Chambers. 2d Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Walter Stewart. 7th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Col. Morgan Con- nor.
roth Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Richard Humpton.
Second Brigade-Gen. William Irvine.
3d Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Thomas Craig. 5th Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Francis Johnston. 6th Pennsylvania Regiment -- Lieut. Col. Josiah Harmar. 9th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Richard Butler.
PENNSYLVANIA LINE (Six Regiments)-January 17, 1781.
Ist Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Daniel Brodhead. 2d Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Walter Stewart. 3d Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Thomas Craig.
The Pennsylvania Line. 129
4th Pennsylvania Regiment-Lieut. Col. William Butler. 5th Pennsylvania Regiment -- Col. Richard Butler. 6th Pennsylvania Regiment-Col. Richard Humpton.
With the reorganization of the army, in 1777, a large number of new recruits were sent to it, which, added to the confusion of a forniative period, made it, naturally, weak and unfit to operate, offensively, against a trained and seasoned foe. Washington's policy, therefore, was of a Fabian character. His success, at Trenton and Prince- ton, enabled him to assume an excellent defensive position on the high ground near Morristown, which he strength- ened by entrenchments, and thus, on the right flank of his foe, prevented him from making any hostile movement looking to the capture of Philadelphia, while still per- mitting himself to so manœuvre as to intercept the British commander, should he endeavor to form a junction with Burgoyne up the Hudson river.
During the month of June, Washington's army was en- camped at Middlebrook, near the Raritan, strongly en- trenched. Various efforts were made by Sir William Howe to coax the Americans away from this admirable position into the open field, but without avail. Finally, despairing of success, he determined to approach Phila- delphia by sea, and, accordingly, embarked his troops at Staten Island, immediately upon the evacuation of New York.
While there was much uncertainty as to the destination of the English, whether it was to reinforce Burgoyne or to capture Philadelphia, yet Washington felt assured that the latter was the case, and promptly sent Gen. Wayne to organize the Chester county militia, which were then placed under command of Gen. John Armstrong, a vet- eran of the French and Indian War.
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On August 23 the American army marched through Philadelphia, and took post near Wilmington. While here a very thorough reconnoissance was made of the route by which the enemy was advancing, and it was finally de- cided to take post on the eastern side of the Brandywine. and there meet him in open battle.
In the formation of the army, at this engagement, the division of Wayne and artillery of Proctor (also from Pennsylvania ), with the Third Virginia regiment, were posted on the left of the American line, on the east bank of the Brandywine. This creek was fordable in front of the position, at a place called Chad's Ford, and here Wayne's division was stationed, in the rear of a redoubt containing Proctor's artillery; Green's division was in the rear, and to the north of Wayne, acting as a reserve; Max- well, with some light troops, was on the west side of the stream, to skirmish with the enemy as they advanced; the Pennsylvania militia guarded the fords below Chad's Ford; while above Chad's Ford were posted the divisions of Sullivan, Stirling and Stevens. On the 10th of Sep- tember the British were a few miles west of Kennett Square, and every one realized that the conflict must take place the next day.
At daybreak Howe's army was in motion. Knyp- hausen, with from 7,000 to 10,000 men, marched through Kennett Square towards Chad's Ford, and another division, 7,000 strong, under Cornwallis, accom- panied by Howe, took a road running to the north, and leading to Jefferi's Ford, to turn the right Hank of the Americans, while Knyphausen engaged their attention at Chad's Ford.
While the fighting, between Maxwell and Knyphausen, at times became fierce, yet, by alternately advancing and
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retreating, the latter succeeded in preventing a general engagement which he was most desirous of avoiding.
In the meantime, rumors reached Washington of the British movements, in a despatch, received through Sulli- van, from Lieut. Col. Ross, dated Great Valley Road, II a. m., giving minute information on the subject, and the American commander was just on the point of order- ing forward his whole available force across Chad's Ford, to crush Knyphausen before the arrival of Cornwallis,
knick
THE BRANDYWINE BATTLEGROUND, DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNA. From an old print.
when another despatch was received from Sullivan to the effect that, during the morning, Major Spear, of the militia (no such officer has ever been located, notwith- standing many efforts to that end), had ridden over the road upon which Cornwallis was reported to be advanc- ing without seeing any trace of the enemy, and the order was countermanded, Washington feeling assured that, in such case, the whole British force lay before him.
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Greene, who had already crossed the stream, was recalled, and scouts sent out for additional information. Before they had a chance to report, however, a man dashed up to where the general and his staff were stationed, and in- sisted upon speaking to Washington. He told him that Cornwallis had turned his flank and was but two miles distant.
Sullivan was at once ordered to take his division, with those of Stirling and Stevens, and defend the right of the army, by taking position on the high ground to the west. It was half-past two when this order was received. Corn- wallis, from Osborn's Hill, watched Sullivan forming lis men. Taking a final glance at the Americans, and re- marking, with an oath, as he closed his glass, "Those rebels form well," he ordered his men to advance. It was a splendid sight as they gathered on the crest of Os- born's Hill and swept down the southern slope, their bright uniforms, and flashing arms, placing them in strong contrast with the Continental troops that stood on the op- posite hill, awaiting their attack. Of these, no two were dressed alike; the best wore hunting shirts, the others were almost naked. Every variety of arms could be seen in a single company. Their tactics were of the most primitive character. They were unable to wheel by company, or by platoon, into line, and, to change position on the field, they were obliged to make a continuous countermarch; but Lafayette said they were bold and resolute.
The first shots were fired by the Americans from an orchard on the Jones property, at the corner of the Street Road and the road to the Birmingham Meeting House. It was not until the British reached the former that they returned the fire. Then they sprang upon the bank at the side and fired at the Americans through the fence.
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While Sullivan was attempting to close the distance be- tween his divisions, the British were upon him. His troops, thrown into confusion, were swept past the Meet- ing House to the south. It was there Lafayette was wounded, while endeavoring to rally the men. Another stand was made but Sullivan was again obliged to fall back, fighting desperately. For fifty-one minutes the hill was disputed, almost muzzle to muzzle, and Conway, who had seen service in Europe, said he never before wit- nessed so close and severe a fire.
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