USA > Pennsylvania > 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 104
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The number of killed and wounded in this action, as reported by General Wayne, was one hundred and fifty, which statement was subsequently proven to be correct, The British report made the number three hundred, and American writers have generally copied this report, not making allowance for exaggeration. A few persons are yet living who assisted in burying the dead; but fifty-three were found on the field, whose bodies were decently interred by the neighboring farm- ers in one grave, immediately adjoining the scene of action, being one mile south of the Warren tavern, on the Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike road.
On the 20th of Sept. 1817, being the 40th anniversa- ry of the Massacre, a monument was erected over the remains of those gallant men by the Republican Artil- Jerists, of Chester County, aided by the contributions of their fellow citizens. It is composed of white mar- ble, and is a pedestal surmounted by a Pyramid. Upon the four sides of the body of the pedestal, are appro. priate inscriptions. The monument is enclosed by a stone wall, forming a rectangular oblong, from north to south, 60 ft inlength and 20 in width. The historical ac- count of the location of this engagement is erroneous, It is stated to have occurred in the woods, near the en- trance of the road leading from Darby into that leading to Lancaster. The fact is not so. The position of the troops, on that night, was nearly, if not quite, two miles west from this place, and on ground incompara, bly more eligible. The Paoli Tavern is situated at the spot first mentioned. The affair, in consequence of this topographical error, has been styled the "Massacre at the Paoli."
If the General had occupied the ground on the night of the 20th, which some, even American historians, as sert he did, and there the disaster had occurred, he would have been justly accountable to his God and Country for all the blood shed on that night; because the position would have been extremely ineligible in itself, and only one mile from the enemy's lines. The above remarks have been deemed proper, not only on account of the General's memory, but also for the pur- pose of handing down to posterity correct information on a subject, which has never failed to excite much in- terest and inquiry.
Shortly after this affair General Wayne was much distressed to hear that, either from misrepresentation, envy or malice, he was censured for his conduct on ac- count of the unfortunate rencontre on the night of the 20th. He therefore addressed the Commander-in-chief, as follows:
SIR-I feel myself very much injured until such time as you will be kind enough to indulge me with an in- quiry into my conduct concerning the action of the 20th September.
Conscious of having done my duty, I dare my accus- ers to a fair and candid hearing; dark and insidious friends I dread, but from an open and avowed enemy I have nothing to fear.
I have no other mode of showing them forth to open view, than through your means. I must therefore beg
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Your compliance will much oblige your Excellency's most obedient humble servant.
Signed, ANTHONY WAYNE.
To which the Commander-in-chief replied, that "so soon as the army enjoyed a little respite, his request should be granted." Accordingly a few days after the battle of Germantown, the desired courtmartial was held, which after a patient and impartial investigation, unanimously decided, that General Wayne had on the night of the 20th, done every thing that could be ex- pected, from an active, brave and vigilant officer, and therefore acquitted him with the highest honour.
In order that the present and succeeding generations may have a view of the General's conduct on that night, as well as the sentence which was passed on it by a tri- bunal perfectly qualified to judge, the following doc- uments are presented, as extracted from a public print of that day.
Extract of a communication dated White Marsh, 2d November, 1777.
The action of the night of the 20th of September near the Warren, has been variously and very erroneously represented.
"However sanguine some persons were in their at- tempts to detract from the merits of the General, and worthy officers of his division, who, with unparalleled bravery, stood the bayonets of the enemy, saved all the artillery, and effected an honourable retreat in the face of every difficulty and danger, now find themselves e- gregiously deceived in proffering a charge which must have proceeded from the worst of motives and the worst of hearts."
A general court martial, of which General Sullivan was President, was held the 25th, 26th, 27 and 30th of Oct. for the trial of Brigadier General Wayne, on the following charges viz :-
"That he had timely notice of the enemy's intention to attack the troops under his command, on the night of the 20th Sept. last, and notwithstanding that intel- ligence, neglected making a disposition until it was too late either to annoy the enemy or make a retreat, with- out the utmost danger and confusion."
Upon which the Court pronounced their sentence as follows :-
The Court having fully considered the charge against Brigadier General Wayne, and the evidence produced to them, are unanimously of opinion that General Wayne is not guilty of the charge exhibited against him, but that he on the night of the 20th Sept. ultimo, did every thing that could be expected from an active, brave and vigilant officer, under the orders which he then had .- The Court do acquit him with the highest honour.
The Commander-in-chief approves the sentence. The following is the General's defence.
After the expiration of five weeks, during which pe- riod the tongue of slander has not been idle, I am hap- py to bring my case before a court of whose honour and impartial judgment I cannot have the least doubt.
I shall not intrude on the patience of this court by any useless preface, but proceed to answer the charge.
The charge exhibited against me, is "that I had time- ly notice of the enemy's intention to attack the troops under my command on the night of the 20th Septem- ber, and notwithstanding that intelligence, I neglected making a disposition until it was too late, either to an- noy the enemy or make a retreat, without the utmost confusion."
The first part of the charge that "I had timely no- tice of the enemy's intention to attack the troops under my command," is very readily answered.
by the enemy and liberated again, who said that he had heard some of their soldiers say, that they intended to attack me that night. Although this could not be deem- ed a sufficient notice on any military principle, yet I im- mediately ordered out a number of videttes, in addition to those already planted, with direction to patrol all the roads leading to the enemy's camp. I also planted two new piquets, the one in front on a blind path leading from Warren to my camp, the other to the right, and in the rear, which made on that night not less than six clifferent piquets.
I had exclusive of these a horse piquet under captain Stoddard well advanced on the Swedesford road, being the very way the enemy marched that night. But the very first intelligence which I received of their advanc- ing was from one of the very videttes which I sent out in consequence of the timely notice from Mr. Jones, who had only time to go about a mile before he met the e- nemy. Immediately on his return the troops were all ordered to form, having been warned to lay on their arms in the evening, for a purpose which I shall pre- sently mention; at this time it was raining, and in order to save the cartridges from wet, I ordered the soldiers to put their cartouch-boxes under their coats. This, gentlemen, does not look like a surprise, it rather proves that we were prepared either to move off or act as the case might require, when once apprized which way the enemy were actually advancing. To have made any move, previous to ascertaining that fact, might have been attended by fatal consequences, or totally sub- versive of the views of the Commander-in-chief. So soon as it was discovered that the enemy were pushing for our right, where our artillery was planted, Major Ryan carried my orders to Colonel Humpton, and to the division to wheel by sub-platoons to the right, and to march off by the left, and gain the road leading on the summit of the hill towards the White-Horse, it being the very road on which the division moved two miles the previous evening. The division wheeled ac- cordingly, the artillery moved off, but owing to some neglect or misapprehension, which is not uncommon, in Colonel Humpton, the troops did not move until a sec- ond and third order were sent, although they were wheeled and faced for the purpose. At the very time this order for the retreat was at first given, and which I presumed was obeyed, I took the light infantry and the first regiment and formed them on the right, and remained there with them and the horse in order to cover the retreat. If this was not making a disposition, I acknowledge I know not what a disposition is.
Those troops met and received the enemy with a spirit becoming free Americans, but were forced to to give way to numbers. The neglect or misapprehen- sion of Colonel Humpton had detained the division too long, otherwise the disposition would have been per- fect. I was in consequence necessitated to form the fourth regiment to receive the enemy and favour the retreat of the others; this, Colonel Butler and the of- ficers of the infantry of that regiment, were concerned in and witness of. About three hundred yards in rear of that, I again rallied such of the divisions as took the proper route; those who went a contrary way, and out of supporting distance, perhaps Colonol Humpton can give the best account of. Here I have a fair and ample field for recrimination, were I so disposed. I shall waive the subject, and beg leave to read the orders which I received from time to time from his excellency Gen- eral Washington.
In the eyes of gentlemen and officers I trust that I stand justified for the part I took on that night. I had the fullest and clearest advice that the enemy would march that morning at two o'clock for the river Schuyl- kill, and in consequence of this intelligence, I had re- connoitered a road leading immediately along the right flank of the enemy, in company with Colonels Hump- ton and Hartley, and had the men laying on their arms,
I shall briefly notice what these gentlemen call a timely notice :- A Mr. Jones, an old gentleman, living near where we were encamped, came to my quarters between 9 and 10 o'clock at night, and informed me, before Colonels Hartley, Broadhead and Temple, that a servant boy belonging to Mr. Clayton had been taken | to move, (as soon as General Smallwood should arrive,)
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not from but to the enemy. For this purpose I had sent Colonel Chambers, as a guide, to conduct that of- ficer into my rear, who with his division was expected to arrive every moment from two in the after noon until ·we were attacked, at which time he was within a short distance of our rear, and retreated to the White Horse.
I shall just put a serious question or two, and then submit the matter to the decision of this cou t. Sup- pose that, after all these repeated orders from his excel- lency, and the arrival of General Smallwood, I had re- treated before I knew whether the enemy intended to attack me or not, and that they should have marched for the Schuylkill that morning, which they actually did, would not these very gentlemen have been the first to default me, for putting it out of my power to attack their rear? would not his excellency, with the greatest justice, have ordered me in arrest for cowardice and disobedience of his repeated, peremptory, and most pointed orders? would not I have stood culpable in the eyes of the world? would I not justly have merited im- mediate death or cashiering> I certainly would-What line could I follow but the one I trod? what more could be done on the occasion than what was done? The ar- tillery, ammunition, &c. were covered and saved by a body of troops who were rallied and remained on the ground more than an hour after that gentleman, Col. Humpton, the prosecutor, had effected his escape from danger, although, perhaps, not without confusion.
I hold it needless to say any more, or to take up the time of this court on the occasion. I rest my honor and character, which to me are more dear than life, in the hands of gentlemen, who, when deciding on my honor, will not forget their own."
It has been repeatedly asserted, that Colonel Hump- ton, fearing an investigation of his own conduct, had resolved to anticipate the General by proffering a charge against him. The Colonel could not have entertained any apprehensions on the subject, had he been appriz- ed of the contents of the official account relative to that engagement. The General was perfectly willing to take on himself, in the first instance, the whole respon- sibility of that night's military proceedings.
Whatever mortification the Colonel subsequently ex- perienced, could not have been rendered less piognant by his voluntary agency in producing it.
Sir William Howe, early on the morning of the 21st of September, decamped from Great Valley, and by easy march continued his route to Philadelphia, and on the 26th took a position in the village and immediate vicinity of Germantown, 7 or 8 miles distant from the city. General Washington having called in all his de- tached parties, broke up his camp at Pottsgrove, and with the view of placing his army in a strong position, and within a convenient distance from his enemy, en- camped on the Skippack road, about 16 milss from Ger- mantown.
The American General being apprized that the en- emy were weakened in consequence of sending off de- tachments for a variety of purposes, decamped on the 3d of October, and moving with security and circum- spection attacked the British in their camp at the dawn of day, on the 4th. Every prospect of success was at first brilliant, but the day closed on our retreating army. On this day the division commanded by Wayne, pres- sed forward from the onset, and followed its leader, mingled in the "thickest of the fight, "until by a train of unpropitious circumstances, the Americans at the mo- ment victory was ready to crown them, commenced a retreat, in the covering of which General Wayne used every exertion which bravery and prudence could dic- tate.
Camp near last Head Quarters, 2 October 4th, 1777, 8 o'clock, P.M. S
DEAR GEN .- After we left the field of battle, the troops, who took the upper route, were formed at White Marsh Church, under General Stephen. It was
thought advisable to remain there for some time in or- der to collect the stragglers from the army.
The enemy made their appearance with a party of Jiglit horse, and from . 1500 to 2000 infantry, with two field pieces. The troops were ordered off, when I covered the rear with some infantry, and Colonel Bland's dragoons, but finding the enemy determined to push us hard, I obtained from Gen. Stephen some field pieces, and took the advantage of a hill which overlooked the road the enemy were marching on; they met with such a reception that they were induced to retire back over the bridge which they had just passed, and give up further pursuit. The time gained by this stand fa- voured the retreat of a considerable number of our inen, three or four hundred of whom are now encamped here, and which I hope will facilitate the retreat of almost all who were scattered; so that you are now, in my humble opinion, in as good, if not a better, situation than you were before the action of this day. Your men are con- vinced that the enemy may be driven, and although we fell back, yet our people have gained confidence and have raised some doubts in the minds of the enemy, which will facilitate their total defeat in the next trial, which I shall be happy to see brought to issue so soon as expedient. I am your excellency's most obedient, ANTHONY WAYNE.
I shall join you to-morrow morning.
The loss of the American army in this action was in killed 152,in wounded 521, in prisoners upwards of 400. It would appear that the real loss of the royal army was in killed and wounded about 800, besides prisoners.
On this day the divisions of Sullivan and Wayne com- posed the right wing. In his offi ial report, the Com- inander-in-chief said, "In justice to the right wing of the army, whose conduct I had an opportunity of observing as they acted immediately under my eye, I have the great pleasure to inform you that both the officers and men behaved with a degree of gallantry which did them the highest honor."
The following is an extract of a family letter in which General Wayne gives a detail of the action, so far as he was personally concerned.
Camp, near Pawling's Mills, 2 October 6th, 1777. 5
On the 4th instant at the dawn of day, we attacked General Howe's army at the upper end of German- town, the action soon became general, when we advanc- ed on the enemy with charged bayonets, they broke at first without waiting to receive'às, but soon formed a- gain, when a heavy and well directed fire took place on each side. The enemy again gave way, but being supported by the grenadiers returned to the charge. Gen. Sullivan's division and Conway's brigade were at this time engaged to the south of Germantown, whilst my division had the right wing of the enemy's army to encounter, on the north of the town, two-thirds of our army being then too far to the north to afford us any as- sistance; however the unparalleled bravery of our troops surmounted every difficulty, and obliged the en- emy to break and run in the utmost confusion. Our people remembering the action of the night of the 20th of September, near the Warren, pushed on with their bayonets and took ample vengeance for that night's work. Our officers exerted themselves to save many of the poor wretches who were crying for mercy, but to little purpose, the rage and fury of the soldiers were not to be restrained for some time, at least not until great numbers of the enemy fell by their bayonets. The fog, together with the smoke occasioned by our cannon and musketry, made it almost as dark as night, our people mistaking one another for the enemy, frequently ex- changed shots before they discovered their error. We had now pushed the enemy near three miles, and were in possession of their whole encampment, when a large body of troops were advancing on our left flank, which being taken for the enemy, our men fell back, in defiance of every exertion of the officers to the con-
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trary, and after retreating about two miles, they were discovered to be our own people, who were originally intended to attack the right wing of the enemy. The fog and this mistake prevented us from following a vic- tory that in all human probability would have put an end to the American war. Gen. Howe for some time could not persuade himself that we had run away from victory, but the fog clearing off he ventured to follow us with a large body of his infantry, grenadiers, and light horse: I at this time being in the rear, with a view of collecting the stragglers of our retreating army, and finding the enemy determined to push us hard, drew up in order of battle and awaited their approach, when they advanced sufficiently near, we gave them a few cannon shot; not being pleased with this reception, our pursuers broke and retired-thus ended the action of that day, which continued from day light until near 10 o'clock. I had forgot to mention that my Roan horse was killed under me within a few yards of the enemy's front, and iny left foot a little bruised by a spent ball, but not so much so as to prevent me from walking. My poor horse received one musket ball in the breast and one in the flank, at the same instant that I had a slight touch on my left hand, which is scarcely worth noticing.
Upon the whole it was a glorious day. Our men are in high spirits, and I am confident we shall give them a total defeat the next action, which is at no great dis- tance.
My best love and wishes to all friends.
Signed, ANTHONY WAYNE.
Each army after this action resumed its former posi- tion. Shortly after which Howe withdrew his troops from Germantown, and concentrated his force in the city and immediate vicinity. Washington being now re- inforced, took a strong position at White Marsh, four- teen miles from Philadelphia, to whom lie added exten- sive field works. Sir William, supposing that the Amer- ican General intended to hazard another battle for the recovery of the metropolis of the United States, resol- ved to march from Philadelphia on the the night of the 4th December, and attempt the surprise of the Ameri- can camp at White Marsh, in the same manner that Washington had actually surprised that of Sir William's at Germantown. But in this design the British General failed. His troops remained a few days in the neighbor- hood of the American lines, and made many demonstra- tions of assault, in the expectation that Washington would quit his strong position in order to bring on a gen- eral action, which he prudently declined. After some considerable skirmishing, Sir William returned to the city, virtually acknowledging by his retreat that he durst not risk a battle with his adversary on ground cho- sen by himself, notwithstanding he outnumbered Wash- ington in regular troops. The Commander-in-chief, in his official account of this excursion and retreat of Howe, says :- "I seriously wish they had made the at- tack; the issue would, in all probability, have been hap- py for us. Policy forbade our quitting our posts to at- tack them."
Howe, on the 7th of December, returned to his win- ter quarters, there to indulge in "all the sweets of luxu- ry and pleasure to be drawn from the wealthy and pop- ulous city of Philadelphia." Whilst Washington, on the 11th, with his almost famished and naked troops, whose march could be traced by the blood from their bare feet, proceeded to Valley Forge, sat down in a woods, and, in in the latter end of December, cheerfully commenced building huts with their own hands, which, after being completed, were palaces in comparison with, their rag- ged tents.
During the whole of the campaign of 1777, General Wayne experienced every vicissitude of the military op- era ions under the immediate command of Gen. Wash- ington. In councils of war and private conference he did every thing in his power to aid his country and Gen- eral. It is a fact which must here be placed to General Wayne's credit, that, owing to a combination of circum-
stances, the duty, which was usually performed by three general officers for a length of time, devolved on him alone. To this case the Commander-in-chief, (at one of the most pressing crisis in the campaign of 1777, ) adverts in an official letter.
"The recall of Gen. St. Clair, obliged me to part with General Lincoln, whom I could but ill spare, so that the whole charge of his division is now upon Gen. Wayne, there being no other brigadier in it than himself." From the encampment the General thus addressed a friend, Richard Peters, Esq .:
Mount Joy, Dec. 30, 1777.
"If the business of office was sufficient excuse for your not answering some of my epistles, I am confident that the late manœuvres of Mr. Howe will plead pow- erfully for me.
We are husy in forming a new city at this place. My people will be covered in a few days, but naked as to clothing; they are in that respect in a worse condition than Fallstaff's recruits, for they have not one whole shirt to a brigade, he had more than that to a company . Have you ever taken notice of P'addy Frizzel or crazy Neddy? if you have, it may serve to convey some faint idea of our soldiers, with only this difference, that the former, from their insanity, are become callous and in- sensible to their sufferings, whilst our poor worthy, na- ked fellows, feel their own misery, and are conscious of meriting better treatment.
The eastern states have taken the wise measure of clothing their own troops; would to God that Pennsylva- nia had done the same. . I hope it is not yet too late. If I had not sent out some of my officers to purchase shoes, stockings, breeches, and blankets, (for which our cloth- ier general refuses payment, ) the Pennsylvania troops must have either perished or deserted before this time; however, I expect soon to be able to procure necessa- ries to make them comfortable, but to effect this essen- tial business, and to recover my health, I shall require three or four weeks respite from camp duty.
After, struggling with a stubborn cold for some weeks, accompanied by a pain in the breast, occasion- ed by a fall at Germantown, when my horse was shot un- der me; this caitiff complaint has taken post in my lungs and throat, and unless I am permitted to change my ground I dread the consequence. I have now been on constant duty for twenty-three months, sixteen of which I served in Canada and at Ticonderoga, the re- mainder with his Excellency, during which period I have never had one single moment's respite.
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