The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 103

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

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more attention to his books, I shall be under the pain- ful necessity of dismissing him from the school."

The father, as may be supposed, was much mortified by the account given him of his son, and at the next in- terview not only lectured him severely; but threatened to withdraw him from school and consign him to the lowest and most irksome labour of the farm. Knowing the decisive character of his father, and dreading the execution of his threat, Anthony determined to aban- don, at least for the present, all his military schemes; and to prosecute his studies with vigor. He therefore returned to his uncle, and re-commenced the mathe- matics; in which he persevered so effectually, that, at the expiration of eighteen months, his uncle acknowl- edged that he could instruet him no further, as Antho- ny had exhausted his whole stock of information in that science, and advised his brother to send him to Phila- delphia, for the purpose of acquiring an academical ed- ucation.

Anthony, having reconciled his uncle, and gratified the hopes of his father, was, at the age of sixteen years, entered as a pupil in the Philadelphia Academy, where he remained until he arrived at eighteen years of age. His attachment to mathematical science was so ardent, and his geal to reach its summit so great, that the uni- ted solicitations of his friends and tutors could not pre- vail on him to devote more time to the dead languages than was merely sufficient for the acquirement of their rudiments. After leaving the academy, Mr. Wayne took up his residence in his native county, the settle- ment and improvement of which, though as yet in their infancy, were daily advancing. At this time a surveyor of competent abilities was much needed in the adjust- ment of controversies, on account of disputed and ill-de- fined lines; and the location of roads for public and pri- vate accommodation; he therefore commenced the pur- suit of surveyings and also devoted a portion of his time to practical astronomy and engineering. The manu- scripts which he has left behind him on those subjects have attracted the notice and elicited the applause of distinguished professors.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin, that patron of science and learned men, about this period found out Mr. Wayne in his retirement, and admiring his manners, and highly appreciating his talents, became his steady friend, until death deprived his country of that great and excellent man. To promote the interest and encourage the lau- dable ambition of his youthful friend, the Doctor, in the year 1764, suggested an association for the purpose of purchasing and settling a large body of land in the pro- vince of Nova Scotia. A company was soon formed, consisting of many wealthy and distinguished characters. Of this association Mr. Wayne became a member, and was immediately appointed the agent to carry its objects into operation.

After some considerable time being spent with his uncle, it appears that his progress in learning was very discouraging; hence his relative despatched him to his father with this mortifying message-"I really suspect that parental affection blinds you, and that you have mistaken your son's capacity. What he may be best qualified for, I know not-one thing I am certain of, he will never make a scholar; he may perhaps make a sol- dier; he has already distracted the brains of two-thirds of the boys under my charge, by rehearsals of battles, In the month of March, 1765, Mr. Wayne having en- tered his twenty-first year, embarked for Nova Scotia. The agency for this new population company was high- lý responsible and arduous. Warrants were to be taken out, actual surveys were to be made and returned, pa- tents to be procured for the lands, &c .; in addition to which, actual settlements were to be made. So ardent was his zeal for the accomplishment of the object of bis sieges, &c. They exhibit more the appearance of Indi- ans and Harlequins than students. This one decorated with a cap of many colors, others habited in coats as va- riegated, like Joseph's of old, -some laid up with bro- ken heads and black eyes. During noon, in place of the usual games of amusement, he has the boys employ- ed in throwing up redoubts, skirmishing, &c. I must be candid with you, brother Isaac-unless Anthony pays | mission, that he suffered nothing within his controul to VOL. III.

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impede its progress. Having executed the views of the company thus far, about the middle of December he returned to Pennsylvania, and laid before his friends and employers charts of the lands taken up, with a de- tailed account of his proceedings, which afforded the most perfect satisfaction.

Early in the spring of 1766 he returned to Nova Sco- tia, in order to complete the task so advantageously commenced in the preceding year, taking with him ma. ny settlers, implements of husbandry, provisions, &c .- Late in the autumn of that year, Mr. Wayne returned, having, in a manner highly honorable to himself, and gratifying to the company, accomplished the various ob- jects of his agency.

Having succeeded in planting this new community, the company continued him as agent to extend and im- prove it. Although he did not revisit the settlement, he directed the concern whilst it retained the character of an association. The correspondence which remains on this subject proves him to have been an able nego- ciator, and his numerous field notes, charts, and astron- omical observations, exhibit accuracy as well as great taste in execution. The labour bestowed on this infant establishment promised a rich reward to the association, but the active and glorious part which Mr. Wayne and his companions espoused in behalf of their country, pre- vious to, and during the revolutionary war, deprived them of enjoying the fruits of their enterprise in Nova Scotia.

In the year 1767, Mr. Wayne having married a daugh- ter of Mr. Bartholomew Penrose, an eminent merchant of the city of Philadelphia, established himself on a farm in his native county. From this period until the year 1774, his time was devoted to agriculture and practical surveying. Such was his celebrity in the latter profes- sion, that he was called for on all important and intri- cate cases, both in his own and the neighboring coun- ties. Many of the provincial and other leading roads in Pennsylvania have felt the impress of his chain and compass. During the above period Mr. Wayne was elected to fill some higher grades of county offices, and at the same time he took a very active part among his compatriots in the preparation for that awful struggle between the mother country and her colonies, which eventuated in the liberty and independence of the lat- ter. He was one of the provincial deputies who, early in the year 1774, were chosen by the different counties to take into consideration the alarming state of affairs between Great Britain and her colonies, and report thereon. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania convention, which shortly after this, assembled in the city of Philadelphia, whose patriotic and spirited pro- ceedings excited an honorable and powerful emulation in the other colonies.

The state of public affairs strongly indicated that the Pennsylvania Legislature of 1774-5, should be compo- sed of men possessing the soundest heads and stoutest hearts; the greatest care was therefore taken through- out the province to secure the election of characters of this description. Among the members returned from Chester county was Anthony Wayne, who, in conjunc- tion with Charles Thompson, Thomas Mifflin, and oth- zealous patriots of the same body, led the way in pre- paring for the decisive part which Pennsylvania after- wards took in the general contest. In the summer of 1775, Mr. Wayne was appointed a member of the com- mittee of safety with Dr. Franklin, John Dickinson and others, alike distinguished for zeal in their country's cause. To this committee appertained the duty of cal- ling into actual service, as they were termed, the 'Asso- ciators," and providing for the defence of the province against invasion from abroad and insurrection at home.

Mr. Wayne having resolved to enter the service of his country the moment an opportunity should occur, most assiduously applied his mind to acquiring a knowledge of military tactics. Every author of eminence on the subject, and within his reach, was procured; and every

day, which he could spare from other public duties, he devoted to performing the services of a drill officer, and infusing into the minds of his fellow citizens a knowl- edge of military science, the aid of which he clearly per- ceived our great and glorious cause would soon require. His growing popularity brought to his standard large as- semblages of the yeomanry wherever he appointed a drill, and intrepidity, if ever brought to the test, insu- red the most prompt and strict attention to his orders.

At this stage of the memoir, it may be gratifying to the reader to be presented with a description of Mr. Wayne's person. It is given as follows, from the pen of one who most distinctly recollects the facts:

"He was above what is commonly termed the 'mid- dle stature,' and well proportioned. His hair was dark; his forehead was high and handsomely formed; his eyes were dark hazel, intelligent, quick and penetrating; his nose inclined to the acquiline; the remainder of his face was well proportioned, and his whole countenance fine and animated."

The best likeness of the subject of this memoir is that which was taken by Mr. Charles W. Peale, near the close of the revolutionary war, and which is exhibited among those of other American patriots in the gallery of the Philadelphia Museum. From the same pen it is stated, that "The natural disposition of Mr. Wayne was very amiable-that he was ardent and sincere in his at- tachments-that his morals were chaste and his manners refined."

So desirous was Mr. Wayne of disciplining the differ- ent military associations in his native county, that he re- tired from the civil councils of Pennsylvania in the month of September, 1775. In a few weeks he raised a regiment of volunteers, of which he was unanimously elected Colonel, and by his address and assiduity soon exhibited, to the surprise of his countrymen, a corps more resembling veterans than militia.

Congress, on the 3d of Jan. 1776, appointed him Co- lonel of one of the regiments which they had resolved to raise for Pennsylvania. So soon as the appointment was announced, his former associates almost unanimous- ly agreed to follow his fortunes in the regular service of their country, -a circumstance highly flattering to him and honorable to themselves, and by which means he was speedily enabled to take the field. At the opening of the campaign of 1776, Col. Wayne received orders to join the army under Gen. Lee, at New York; thence he proceeded with his regiment to Canada.

General Sullivan, who at this time commanded the army in Canada, being apprised of the approach of the enemy, was desirous of not only checking their advance, but striking them before they could concentrate their forces; he therefore resolved to attack the advance guard, under Gen. Frazer, then posted at Three Riv- ers. The expedition was entrusted to General Thomp- son. The troops principally consisted of Pennsylvani- ans, and of the regiments of St. Clair, Wayne, Irvine, and Hartley.

Although the plan of this expedition was well laid, and considerable resolution discovered in its execution, yet a combination of untoward circumstances compelled the Americans to retreat in the greatest confusion .- General Thompson and the gallant Col. William Irvine, with some of our officers, were taken prisoners, and several rank and file were killed. On this occason Co- lonel Wayne, although wounded, was much distin- guished for his bravery and good conduct in uniting and bringing off the dispersed and broken bodies of troops.

Soon after the defeat at Three Rivers, the American army was compelled to retreat out of, and from Canada, and ultimately, after many feats of bravery, enduring much toil, and innumerable privations, it was concentra- ted at Ticonderoga. At this post and its dependencies General Gates and Schuyler, then commanding, deter- mined to take their stand, and defend them at every sacrifice. General Carlton with part of his fleet appear-

1829.]

ANTHONY WAYNE.

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ed in view of those posts, and landed his army, as if de- termined to attack them; however, after reconnoitering the works, and observing the defiance exhibited by their defenders, he re-embarked his army and retired into winter quarters.

Immediately after the main body of the British had withdrawn from the neighborhood of Ticonderoga, General Gates repaired to Washington's army with a strong detachment of the northern troops; hence the command of the remainder devolved on Gen. Schuyler, by whom the following orders were issued:

SARATOGA, Nov. 23, 1776.

Sir-The care of the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence being committed to you, as com- manding officer, with a garrison composed of your re- giment, and those of Wood, Dayton, Irvine, Burrell, and Whitecomb, to compose the garrison, together with the artillery, under Major Stevens, the light in- fantry companies, under Col. Whitcomb, Col. Baldwin, the chief engineer, with sundry artificers, and Maj. Hay, A. D. Q. M. General, including in all upwards of 2,500 rank and file. I have the fullest confidence in your vi- gilance, attention, and foresight, to guard against sur- prise, and to do every thing that may have a tendency to secure your post and promote the weal of the ser- vice, &c. &c. Signed,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Col. ANTHONY WAYNE.

The compliment paid to Col. Wayne in selecting him for the command of those important posts, was certain- ly a high and flattering one; they were the barriers be- tween the two powerful forces of the British army, and to a young but gallant officer their defence was entrus- ted, from the month of November, 1776, until May, 1777. The details of this command are highly interes- ting and honorable to the Colonel, but the limits assign- ed this memoir preclude their insertion.

On the 21st day of February, 1777, Colonel Wayne was promoted by Congress to the rank of Brigadier General. He continued in command of Ticonderoga and its dependencies until the month of May, at which period, in consequence of his earnest solicitations, he was ordered to join the main army, then under his ex- cellency, Gen. Washington, in New-Jersey. . A few days previously to the General's departure for head quarters, the field officers of the continental army at Ti- conderoga unanimously addressed him in the most affec- tionate and flattering terms.

About the middle of May, General Wayne arrived at head quarters, and was received by the officers and sol- diery of the army, but especially by those of the Penn- sylvania line, with great pleasure. Being immediately placed in the command of a brigade, he made every possible exertion to bring it into the field in the most enviable style of discipline: for this purpose, as well as on account of the deeply interesting crisis of the war, did he forego the pleasure of even visiting his family, from whom he had then been separated more than six- teen months; yet he had his reward in the consciousness of doing his duty and gratifying his General, with whom he soon became a favourite, and at all times shared largely of his confidence.

About this period the people of Pennsylvania, were, unhappily, much divided on the subject of state policy. In order that he might aid in the restoration of harmo- ny, many of General Wayne's former political associates were very desirous of his visiting his native state; among them was one of her most favorite sons,* then a member of the Pennsylvania delegation in Congress, who thus addressed the General :- "Come, my dear Sir, and let us weep together over this dear nurse of our childhood, the protectress of our youth, and the generous reward- er uf our riper years. 'De republica nunquam despe- randum est.' Let us unite our efforts once more, and

perhaps we may recover Pennsylvania from her deliri- um. At present she has lifted a knife to her own throat. Your timely prescriptions may yet save her life. I need not say, that in the field, we expect the Pennsylvanians will show us the 'metal of their pasture' in the day of trial. Let no other State bear away from us the palm of military glory."

The General, after replying very fully to the political part of this letter, and regretting that his military duties prohibited his absence from the army, adds :- "The en- emy do not seem fond of meeting disciplined troops .- My brigade offered Gen. Grant battle six times the oth- er day; he as often formed, but always on our approach his people broke and ran, after firing a few vollies, which we did not return, being determined to let them feel the effects of a close fire, and then give them the bayonet under cover of the smoke. This hero, who was to march through America at the head of 5,000 men, by a flank fire of our artillery had his coat much dirtied, his horse's head taken off, and himself badly bruised, for having the presumption, at the head of sev- en hundred British troops, to face five hundred Penn- sylvanians. You may rest assured, Sir, that the Penn- sylvanians will not give up "the palm of military glory' to any troops on earth."

After the British retreated from New Jersey, the Com- mander-in-chief complimented General Wayne on the honour which he had acquired in contributing a "large share of bravery and good conduct" in driving the ene- my from that State. In an official letter to Congress, under date of the 22d June, General Washington said: "General Greene desires me to make mention of the conduct and bravery of General Wayne and Col. Mor- gan, and of their officers and men, upon this occasion, as they constantly advanced upon an enemy far superior to them in numbers and well secured behind strong re- doubts."

After this event, some time elapsed before Sir Wm. Howe developed the real object of his next movement. So soon as it was ascertained General Wayne received the following order from the Commander in-chief, which was promptly obeyed and satisfactorily executed:

HEAD-QUARTERS.

"The fleet have gone out of the Hook, and as Dela- ware appears to be the most probable destination, I de- sire that you will leave your brigade under the next in command and proceed yourself immediately to Chester, in Pennsylvania, where your presence will be necessa- ry to arrange the militia who are to rendezvous there."

General Washington having received intelligence that the British fleet with the army was standing up the Chesapeake bay, he instantly decamped from the mar- gin of the Delaware, in Bucks county, and marched with his whole army to oppose, if not defeat, the object of his enemy-the reduction of Pennsylvania, particu- larly that of Philadelphia; and this at most fearful odds -fifteen thousand American troops, including militia, opposed to eighteen thousand British regulars, com- pletely appointed and equipped, commanded by the most renowned Generals that Europe could produce.

The first important opposition to this powerful army was made on the banks of Brandywine, the 11th day of September, 1777. On this memorable day Gen. Wayne conducted a division. His command was stationed at Chad's Ford, with orders to resist the passage of the column under Knyphausen. So soon as Sir William Howe commenced the attack on the right, Knyphausen made his arrangements to pass the Ford, when a tre- mendous cannonade, accompanied by small arms, com- menced on both sides. The conflict was most gallant- ly kept up by Wayne and his troops until near sunset; at length, overpowered by numbers, and perceiving the enemy, who had vanquished our right column, ap- proaching near his flank and rear, he was compelled to retreat. Much credit was bestowed on the General and his division for their coolness and bravery throughout the day, and it was well merited. Their gallant resig-

*Doctor Rush.

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ANTHONY WAYNE.

[JUNE

tance at the Ford most certainly prevented the Hessian General from materially annoying our retreating co- lumns. The celebrated Colonel Henry Lee, in speak- ing of this engagement, in his Memoirs of the Southern Campaigns, says :- "The contest, which began on our right, spread to our left, and was warm in some parts of the American line, and many of the corps distinguished themselves. The most conspicuous were the brigades of Wayne and Weeden, and the 3d regiment of Virgin- ia, commanded to Col. Marshall, to which, with the ar- tillery directed by Colonel Proctor, of Pennsylvania, much praise was given." The loss sustained by the Americans in this action has been stated at 300 killed and 600 wounded and 400 prisoners. Sir William Howe stated the loss of his army to be only 100 killed and 400 wounded.

Washington with his army retired to Chester in the night; the next morning he decamped, and marched by the route of Philadelphia. Here he crossed the Schuyl- kill, and resolved to give the enemy another battle .- For this purpose, both armies were arrayed, on the 16th, in Goshen township, Chester county, some dis- tance south-west of the Warren tavern, on the road lea- ding from Philadelphia to Lancaster. General Wayne, who commanded the advance, had commenced the ac- tion with great spirit, when a violent storm, accompani- ed by torrents of rain, stopped its further progress, and rendered it impossible for either army to keep the field. Separated by the tempest from his adversary, the A- merican General resolved to replenish his ammunition, which was ruined by the rain, from the insecurity of the cartouch boxes and artillery tumbrels; he therefore re- tired with the main army up the Schuylkill, and crossed at Parker's Ferry, where a fresh supply of ammunition might be obtained in time to dispute the passage of the Schuylkill. and yet make another effort to save Phila- delphia.

On the 19th of September, General Wayne received the following order from the Commander-in-chief, which had been preceded on the 17th and 18th by others, equally, if not more urgent on the occasion:

Reading Furnace, 6 o'clock, P.M.

DEAR SIR-I have this instant received yours of half past 3 o'clock, A. M. Having written to you already to move forward upon the enemy, I have but little to add. Generals Maxwell and Potter are ordered to do the same, being at Potts' forge, I could wish you and those Generals to act in conjunction, to make your ad- vance more formidable, but I would not have too much time delayed on this account. I shall follow as speedi- ly as possible with jaded men-some may probably go off immediately, if I find they are in condition for it. The horse almost all out upon the patrol. Cartridges have been ordered for you. Give me the earliest information of every thing interesting, and of your moves, that I may know how to govern mine by them. The cutting off the enemy's baggage would be a great matter.

Yours, sincerely,

[Signed,] GEO. WASHINGTON.

The General in reply assured the Commander-in- chief, that "every possible exertion would be made to carry his orders into effect." For this purpose, on the evening of the 20th September, with a great diminu- tion of his division since the morning of the 11th, in con- sequence of the killed, wounded, and invalid, he took an excellent position with fifteen hundred troops, mili- tia included, three miles in rear of the left wing of the British army-whence, after being reinforced, it was his intention to march and attack the enemy's rear when they decamped, and, if possible, 'cut off their baggage;' but in this he was disappointed. Traitors, on the eve- ning above mentioned, passed into the British camp, fully apprised the enemy of his position, and in the night conducted them to it. It has been said that Wayne's encamping ground was well chosen, and this was the fact. No public roads were then in existence which led immediately to it, and from the direction in which the | an immediate investigation by a Court Martial.

enemy lay it was difficult of access, and all his arrange- ments to prevent either a surprise or repulse were well formed,-yet so fully apprised, as has been said above, were the British of every circumstance, and so faithful- ly pilotted over hills and along by-paths, that the Gen- eral was subjected to the mortification of a retreat, af- ter bravely resisting the assailants, many of whom were killed and carried off with the wounded, in litters, by night. To conceal the fact, not a light was permitted to burn in any house on the return march of those mur- derers, by whom no quarters was given to the invalid, though gallant soldier. It would appear that they were determined to wreak their vengeance on the division, because they supposed it chiefly consisted of Irishmen, and their immediate descendants,

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 103

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440