USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > History of Newport County, Rhode Island. From the year 1638 to the year 1887, including the settlement of its towns, and their subsequent progress > Part 61
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638
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Under the charter of 1643, organized in 1647, the first assem- bly convened at Portsmouth on the 19th, 20th and 21st of May, 1647. This assembly was composed of the majority of the free inhabitants or landholders of the colony. Thus Portsmonth may boast the honor of being the scene of the first meeting of the colonial assembly, the birthplace of the organization which has since become the state government, in fact the first capital of the present state of Rhode Island. At that meeting it was voted that if the number of those present should be reduced by the departure of men to their homes, to the number of forty, they should be a quorum, competent to continue the delibera- tions and transact the business of the body as though all had remained. A budget of acts was passed and the organization of the government effected. Under it the number of represent- atives from each town was fixed at six. These representatives were constituted the general assembly of the colony. also called the representative court, and it was enacted that this court should " consist of six discreet and able men chosen ont of each Towne for the transacting of the affaires of the Commonwealth; and being mett they shall have powre to make and establish rules and penalties for the ordering of themselves during their sessions." One of the first records found of the election of deputies is as follows:
" May the 10th 1654.
"At a towne meetinge of the Free Inhabitants of Ports- mouth it is agreed by voate to send a Committee of six men for this towne unto the General Court to be held at Warwick this present month of May."
About the year 1671 there appear to have been some move- ments made in the colony to lessen the number of deputies from the several towns to the general assembly, and to increase their pay. This town was favorable to an effort to pay more promptly the expense of their deputies, but refused to acquiesce in the plan of reducing the number. Evidently the people had greater confidence in the superior counsel of numbers.
The following is as complete a list of the deputies represent- ing the town in the different successive sessions of the general assembly as records existing render it possible to make it:
May, 1648: Captain Morris, John Tripp, George Layton, Wil- liam Almy, John Briggs, Samuel Wilbor, Jr.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
May, 1653: Jonathan Mott, Richard Sussel, John San- ford, Jr.
May, 1654: Richard Bordin, John Briggs, Thomas Lawton, Edward Andros, John Anthony, Samuel Wilson.
August, 1654: William Baulston, Richard Burden, John Roome, Thomas Cornell, John Briggs, William Hall.
September, 1654: William Baulston, Richard Burden, John Roome, John Briggs, John Tripp, Thomas Cornell.
May, 1655: William Banlston, John Roome, John Tripp, John Briggs, Thomas Laighton, Thomas Brownell.
June, 1655: William Baulston, John Roome, JJohn Briggs, John Tripp, Thomas Laighton, Thomas Brownell.
March, 1656: John Roome, Thomas Layton, William Almie, Samuel Wilbore, John Briggs, John Sanford.
October, 1656: William Baulston, Richard Burden, John Briggs, William Hall, William Woodell, James Badcocke.
May, 1657: William Almy, Richard Burden, William Free- borne, John Sanford, John Greene, Edward Greenman.
March, 1658: William Baulston, John Porter, Thomas Lay- ton, Samuel Wilbore, James Badcocke, John Sanford.
November, 1658: Benedict Arnold, William Baulston, John Tripp, Henry Pearcy, John Almy, John Sanford.
May, 1659: Benedict Arnold, William Baulston, Roger Wil- liams, Joseph Clarke, Samuel Wilbore, John Sanford.
August, 1659: William Baulston, John Briggs, John Roome, John Porter, James Badcocke, John Sanford.
May, 1660: John Porter, William Hall, Samuel Wilbore, Lieutenant John Albro, Edward Fisher. John Sanford.
October, 1660: William Brenton, William Baulston, Benedict Arnold, Philip Tabor, Richard Morris, John Sanford.
May, 1661: William Banlston, John Roome, John Briggs, Thomas Brownell, Lieutenant John Albro, John Tripp, Peter Tallman.
May, 1662: Peter Tallman, William Baulston, John Sanford, Robert Hazard, Francis Brayton, Thomas Greene.
October, 1662: William Banlston, John Brydges, John Tripp, Samnel Wilbore, John Sanford, Thomas Brownell.
May, 1663: William Banlston, John Brydges, John Tripp, Samuel Wilbore, John Sanford, Thomas Brownell.
October, 1663: William Almie, Lott Strange, William Woodall, Francis Brayton, William Hall, Philip Tabor.
640
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
November, 1663: William Almie, Lot Strange, William Wodall, Francis Brayton, William Hall, Philip Tabor.
May, 1664: William Baulston, John Sanford, Robert Hazard, Thomas Cooke, John Briggs, Thomas Brownell.
October, 1664: William Woodall, Thomas Cornell, Samuel Wilbore, Joshua Coggeshall.
February, 1665: William Woodall, Lott Strange, William Hall, Peter Tollman.
October, 1665: John Sanford, George Lawton, Philip Sher- man, John Briggs.
May, 1666: John Sanford, Thomas Lawton, William Wodell, John Albro.
September, 1666: John Tripp, John Anthony, Lieutenant John Albro, John Sanford.
October, 1666: John Card, John Sanford, Joshna Coggeshall, John Albro.
May, 1667: John Card, William Wodell, William Hall, Robert Hazard.
July, 1667: John Card, Philip Sherman, Edward Lay, John Tripp, Sr.
May, 1668: William Hall, Left. John Albro, Joshna Cogge- shall, Capt. John Sanford.
October, 1668: John Sanford, John Briggs, John Tripp, John Albro.
May, 1669: John Sanford, John Briggs, Sr., John Tripp, Sr., Lott Strainge.
October, 1669: John Sanford, Samuel Wilbur, Francis Bray- ton, William Woodel.
June, 1670; Joshua Coggeshall, Samuel Wilbur, Robert Haz- ard, Lott Strainge.
October 13, 1670: Joshua Coggeshall, Robert Hazard, William Cadman, John Cooke.
October 26, 1670: Joshua Coggeshall, William Woodell, Rich- ard Borden, John Sanford.
May, 1671: Thomas Cornell, William Smyton, Joshua Cogge- shall, John Sanford.
September and October, 1671: John Sanford, Robert Hazard, Caleb Arnold, Lt. Francis Brayton.
March, 1672: John Sanford, Joshua Coggeshall, George Law- ton, Thomas Cornell.
April 2, 1672: John Sanford, John Tripp, George Lawton, Thomas Cornell.
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IIISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
April 30, 1672; William Wodell, William Hall, Edward Fish- er, Anthony Emry.
October, 1672: John Sanford, Jolin Tripp, John Anthony, William Cadman.
May, 1673: William Hall, William Wodell, William Cadman, Robert Dennis.
October, 1673: John Sanford, Edward Fisher, Adam Mott, John Borden.
May, 1674: John Sanford, William Cadman, Lott Strainge, William Woodell.
October, 1674; Jacob Mott, Daniel Lawton, Thomas Fisher, Sr., John Anthony, Jr.
May, 1675: Captain Jolin Albro, George Lawton, Gideon Free- borne, William Woodell.
May, 1676: George Lawton, Samuel Wilbore, Gideon Free- borne, Lt. Francis Brayton.
October, 1676: William Woodell, Matthew Bordin, John Bordin, Daniel Lawton.
May, 1677: John Sanford, Francis Brayton, Edward Lay, Thomas Wood.
October, 1677: John Sanford, George Lawton, Caleb Arnold, Latham Clarke.
April, 1678: John Sanford, Hugh Parsons, William Cory, William Wilbore.
October, 1678: William Woodell, Robert Hodgson, Francis Brayton, Sr., Latham Clarke.
May, 1679: George Lawton, William Cory, Francis Brayton, William Cadman.
October, 1679: Latham Clarke, William Woodell, Pelleg Tripp, John Borden.
May, 1680: George Lawton, William Wodell, William Cory, John Borden.
October, 1680: William Cadman, Latham Clarke, Peleg Tripp, John Briggs, Sr.
May, 1681: Latham Clarke, William Wodell, Peleg Tripp, Arthur Cook.
October, 1681: John Sanford, Caleb Arnold, Arthur Cooke, Gideon Freeborne.
May, 1682: William Cadman, Latham Clarke, Henry Bright- man, William Wodell.
October, 1682: Gideon Freeborne, Caleb Arnold, Joseph Nicholson, Robert Hodgson.
642
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
May, 1683: William Wodell, John Albro, Latham Clarke, Thomas Cornell.
June, 1683: John Sanford, Latham Clarke, Robert Hodgson, Pelez Tripp.
August, 1683: William Wodell. Caleb Arnold, Arthur Cooke, Latham Clarke.
October, 1683: John Sanford, Henry Brightman, Peleg Tripp, John Coggeshall.
May. 1684: William Wodell, Francis Brayton, Caleb Arnold. Robert Dennis.
May, 1685: Latham Clarke, Henry Brightman, John Cogge- shall, Joseph Nicolson.
October. 1685: Matthew Borden, John Sanford, Thomas Cor- nell, Giles Slocum.
May, 1686: William Wodell, John Coggeshall, Peleg Tripp, Robert Hodgson.
October, 1686: Thomas Townsend, Isaac Lawton, Captain Robert Lawton, Latham Clarke.
October, 1689: Christopher Almy, Isaac Lawton, Henry Brightman, Samson Shearman.
February, 1690: Christopher Almy, Ichabod Sheffield, Henry Brightman, Latham Clarke.
May, 1690: George Sisson, Gideon Freeborn, Henry Bright- man, Robert Lawton.
September, 1690: George Sisson, Peleg Tripp, Giles Slocum, Ichabod Sheffield.
May, 1691: Henry Brightman, Latham Clarke, William Cog- geshall, Jolın Reese.
February, 1692: Christopher Almy, Giles Slocum, Isaac Law- ton, Thomas Durfee.
May, 1693: George Lawton, Jr., William Earle, Peleg Shear- man, Thomas Cornell.
March, 1694: Thomas Durfee, George Sisson, William Wil- bir, John Ward.
September, 1694: Isaac Lawton, Latham Clarke, George Law- ton, William Cory.
May, 1696: John Coggeshall, Joseph Sheffield, William Cory, Isaac Lawton.
-, 1697: John Anthony, John Coggeshall, John Bor- den, Robert Fish.
643
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
January, 1698: John Coggeshall, John Borden, Gideon Free- borne, George Brownell.
May, 1698: Latham Clarke, Isaac Lawton, Robert Fish, Robert Lawton.
September, 1698: Joseph Cook, John Corey, John Borden, Daniel Pears.
May, 1699: George Brownell, Benjamin Hall, Isaac Lawton, John Ward.
October, 1699: John Borden, George Sisson, Joseph Cook, John Cory.
May, 1700: George Brownell, Isaac Lawton, Benjamin Hall, John Ward.
October, 1700: Daniel Lawton, Thomas Cornell, Jr., William Arnold, Matthew Borden.
March, 1701: John Borden, Thomas Durfee, Benjamin Hall, Abraham Anthony.
May, 1701: Giles Slocum, John Ward, Daniel Pearce, Ben- jamin Hall.
October, 1701: John Cory, John Sanford, George Sisson, Thomas Durfee, Jr.
March, 1702: Abraham Anthony, John Coggeshall, John Borden, Giles Slocum.
May, 1702: George Sisson, Isaac Lawton, George Brownell, Robert Lawton.
October, 1702: John Borden, Giles Slocum, Abraham Anthony, John Ward.
November, 1702: Giles Slocum, John Borden, Thomas Cor- nell, Jr., Jeremiah Lawton.
Jannary, 1703: Caleb Arnold, Isaac Lawton, George Sisson, George Brownell.
May, 1703: John Coggeshall, Abraham Anthony, Gideon Freeborn, John Ward.
October, 1703: William Earll, John Anthony, John Bordin, John Coggeshall.
May, 1704: Isaac Lawton, Joseph Cook, Benjamin Hall, Thomas Cornell.
October, 1704: Jolin Borden, Abraham Anthony, Gideon Freeborn, William Earll.
May, 1705: Isaac Lawton, George Sisson, Abraham Anthony, Benjamin Hall.
June, 1705: John Borden, Jacob Mott, Jr., John Coggeshall, Jr., Jonathan Hill.
41
644
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
August, 1705: George Brownell, John Coggeshall, Benjamin Hall, Isaac Lawton.
October, 1705: John Borden, George Cornell, Giles Slocum, Jr., William Allin.
March, 1706: George Brownell, Isaac Lawton, Latham Clark, Benjamin Hall.
May, 1706: Caleb Arnold, Isaac Lawton, William Earll, George Sisson.
June, 1706: Caleb Arnold, Isaac Lawton, Benjamin Hall, Wil- liam Earll.
September, 1706: William Earll, Abraham Anthony, Ben- jamin Shearman, Jeremiah Smith.
February, 1707: George Sisson, Benjamin Hall, Abraham Anthony, Joseph Cook.
May, 1707; Benjamin Hall, William Arnold, Benjamin Shear- man, Abraham Anthony.
During the trying times of the revolution this town, in com- mon with the other parts of the island, was occupied by the British. The remark has been made by a historian of this state that there were "a vast many tories in Rhode Island, particu- larly on the Island, at the commencement of the troubles." However true this might have been of other parts of the island, we think it a distortion of the truth as far as the town of Ports- month was concerned. We have no reason to doubt but that the people of this town were alive to the duties of the hour, and as fully imbued with patriotic devotion as were the people of other New England towns.
One of the first documentary evidences of the patriotic sen- timents of the people is found under date of January 11th, 1768, when Portsmouth in town meeting considered the ques- tion of British oppressions, and voted "that the inhabitants will comply with the same measures for the Promoting and In- couraging of Industry, Frugality & our own Manufactures that the town of Newport hath come into." The town council was also instructed to reply by letter to the communication of Newport in effect as stated. The people of this town also par- ticipated in the subsequent events of the eve of the revolution with as hearty a zest as any, but their active and open patriot- ism was smothered by the island falling into the occupancy of the British soldiers. During the war the people suffered greatly from the oppressions of the troops, their property and
645
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
their lives being at the mercy of a tyrant and his ruthless horde. During the summer of 1774 the harbor of Newport was blockaded by the British squadron, and raids were made thence on different points in the bay. In December they made a de- scent with about two hundred and fifty men upon the island of Prudence, belonging to this town. This attack had been antic- ipated and a force of militia had been stationed there to pro- tect the cattle, but they were too weak to do so, and were fortu- nate in saving themselves by making a successful retreat to Warwick neck.
As the war clouds darkened, preparations were made to defend the island against the possible attacks of the British. Colonel Barton, with a force of militia, was stationed in Middletown. In May, 1775, the assembly, in order to prevent the danger of property being carried away by a sudden descent of the British army from the fleet upon Newport, resolved to remove the general treasury thence to Providence, and also the secretary's office. In the distribution of arms to the several towns for their protection, William Anthony, the town treasurer of Ports- . month, whose office it was to receive them here, being a Quaker, would not receive them because of his religious scruples. The assembly then appointed the Honorable Metcalfe Bowler to re- ceive the proportion of the colony arms for this town. In An- gust, 1775, the following officers were appointed by the assem- bly to command the company of minute men for this town: John Earl, captain; James Peckham, lieutenant; and Cook Wilcox, ensign. A company of men was stationed on Pru- dence to protect the stock and hay that was stored there, but the assembly decided in Jannary, 1776, that it was not safe to retain them there, so that body directed the removal of the property, and the transfer of the company to the defense of Bristol.
From the peculiarly exposed position of the island it was deemed expedient to abandon the post occupied by Barton, and his force was transferred to Tiverton heights. On the 7th of December, 1776, the British fleet anchored in the bay, and two days later the army, having disembarked without resistance, marched into Newport. A large number of them were soon quartered in the farm houses all over the island. The people were, however, allowed to remove their property and families from the island. In doing this the waters of Narragansett bay
646
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
presented a scene the like of which was never seen before nor has ever been seen since. Everything that could be put in re- quisition was employed to bring the poor families off. Those who had nothing to lose by staying were the most anxious to flee, and the multitudes who thins left their homes on the is- land for some refnge on the main gave the waters a lively scene. But many of the people who had property to defend remained and endured the hardships, the oppressions, the robbery, the personal indignities and abuse, and the spoliation which the British troops, under the leadership of Prescott, were pleased to practice upon them.
During the years of war which followed, this town was the scene of two events of national importance. These were the cap- ture of Prescott, and the battle of Rhode Island. The capture of Prescott was one of the most daring but well planned and completely successful exploits in the annals of the war. It took place in the summer of 1777, the British General Prescott, then having charge of the island, being quartered at a house in the southwestern part of the town, on land now owned by Joseph Chase. The account of the exploit is given, as it was after- ward narrated by General Barton, who conceived and led its execution to so successful a consummation. The account, in General Barton's own hand writing, is preserved in the cabinet of the Rhode Island Historical Society, and has never before appeared in print. By the kind permission of that society it is presented entire.
" A narrative of the particulars of the capture of Major General Prescott and his aid de camp, Major Barrington.
" In the month of November, A.D. 1776, a detachment of british troops took Major General Lee prisoner by surprise. Having a very high opinion of the Generals abilities I was re- solved if ever an opportunity offered to surprise a Major General of the british army with the view to procure his exchange. In the month of December the same year the enemy took posses- sion of the islands Rhode island, Conannient and Prudence. I then being in the service of this state was ordered to the post of Jamestown where I used the greatest endeavor to get intelli- gence of some british officer of the same rank with Major General Lee whom Imight surprise and then effect an exchange of the great man. On the 20th of June 1777 a Mr. Coffin made his escape from the enemy on Rhode Island and was bronght to
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
my quarters; being examined where Major General Prescott quartered, he said, at the house of a Mr. Remington on the west side of the island, and being requested gave a description of the house. I now entered very seriously on the plan of sur- prising General Prescott in his own quarters. A few daysafter this a deserter came off the island who gave the same intelli- gence with Mr. Coffin. I could not yet enter fully on the enter- prise there were so many obstacles presented themselves. The troops as well as myself were not long inured to service and never had attempted an enterprise of this sort, & I was sensible if this plan should be blasted, that my country would reprobate my conduct as rash and imprudent; but after some considerable struggle with these difficulties I determined to throw myself into the hands of fortune and make the attempt. I communi- cated my plan to Col'n Stanton the then commanding officer at this post, & requested his permission to put it in execution. He very readily gave me liberty to go and attack the enemy when and where I pleased. I then selected several officers in whose abilities & secrecy from a long personal acquaintance I could confide. I then asked them if they were willing to go with me on an enterprise, but where and for what particular enterprise I could not then inform them. They all consented to go. The names of the officers were, Samuel Phillips, Capt. Joshua Babcock, Lieut. Andrew Stanton, Ensign John Wil- eocks. The next step to be taken was to proenre boats, which was attended with some difficulty, as there was but two at our post, however in two or three days we obtained live whale boats and had them fitted in the best possible manner. All was now ready except the men who had not been procured for fear it should create suspicion. As I wished to have them all volunteers the regiment was ordered to be paraded. I then thus addressed them: Brother Soldiers I am about undertaking an enterprise against the enemy. I wish to have about forty volunteers. those who dare to risque their lives with me on this occasion will advance two paces in the front. At this the whole regi- ment advanced. I then thanked them for their willingness to go with me, but as it was not necessary to have the whole regiment beginning on the right I went through the regiment & whenever I came to a soldier who understood rowing & on whom I might depend I chose him ont from the others. Hav- ing thus obtained the men and all things in readiness we em-
648
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
barked on the 4th of July, with an intention to proceed to Bristol. After we got into Monnt Hope bay there came on a heavy storm of thunder and rain, by which I lost sight of all the boats but one; the two boats which were not separated pushed on with all speed and landed at Bristol 1 o'clock at night, being the 5th. I went to the commanding officers quar- ters where there was a deserter who had just made his escape from Rhode Island; taking him into a room by myself I ques tioned him concerning the enemy's position, whether there had been any alteration in the British encampment within a few days, he said there had not; I then asked him where the com- manding chief quartered; he very much surprised me when he answered in the town of New-port; I asked him if ever he went with such a guard as a sergeant & ten men to the west part of the island; he told me he had not; I again asked him if he knew of such a guards being detached from the grand par- ade every morning at 8 o'clock; he said he did. I was now very well convinced that part of what he said arose from his ignor- ance of the quarters. At S o'clock the other boats joined us. I then took the officers with me on a small island (called hog island) in plain sight of the British encampments and shipping, where, after we had viewed them some with a glass, I thus ad- dressed them: Gentlemen: the enterprise which I have projected and which I want your assistance to execute is this to go on to the island of Rhode Island, surprise Major General Prescott at his own quarters and bring him prisoner to the main. The officers who knew nothing of my intention seemed somewhat surprised; I gave them all the intelligence which had been ob- tained, the situation of the house where the General quartered, the part each must act, & in short every particular of the in- tended enterprise. The officers then very readily consented to what I had proposed. After giving them the most solemn charge not to communicate to any one the least hint of our en- terprise we returned to Bristol where we staid till the 6th at night; then about 9 o'clock P. M. we embarked & crossing Narragansett Bay landed on Warwick Neck from whence we meant to take our departure for the island. On the 7th the wind came into the E. N. E. which brought on a storm & retarded the execution of the plan. On the 8th the weather was fair but there were several new obstacles which hinderd our going. The next day being the 9th the weather promising everything
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
appeared to invite us to the enterprise. The boats were now numbered & every one assigned his boat and seat, to every boat there was one commissioned officer besides one with me. Night now came. About 9 o'clock P. M., I formed my little party, consisting of forty-one men officers and men into a circle and thus addressed them. My fellow Soldiers, I think it my duty before you proceed on our intended enterprise to make you ae- quainted with it, with the importance and danger of it; to be brief my plan is to go on to the island of Rhode Island & marching to Major General Prescotts quarters, to make him prisoner. I wish not to deceive you: the enterprise will be at-
THE CAPTURE OF MAJOR GENERAL PRESCOTT.
tended with danger & it is probable some of us may pass the shades of death before it is accomplished. I will not ask you to encounter any hazard but what I shall be exposed to equally with you. I pledge my honor that in any difficulty & danger I will take the lead. I paused for a moment when they all with one will cried ont, we will go, we will go. I then said Soldiers you must be sensible how much the success of our enterprise depends on the strictest attention to order. I entreat yon not to have the least idea of plunder for if that has over- thrown the greatest armies, what will it do with us who are
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
but a handful. I charge you not to utter a syllable & when yon come to the boats let each one place himself in his own boat and upon his own seat. If there is any one in the party who has been so improvident as to furnish himself with spiritu- ous liquors I order him to leave it. I must entreat you as you regard your lives and honor that you keep yourselves cool & at the same time firmly resolved to face any danger that shall attend us in our present undertaking. I doubt not that if you succeed your country will award yon if not you will be re- warded in the eternal world for we are endeavoring to get him that is bound in prison, viz. General Lee. As this may be the last time that I ever shall have an opportunity of addressing you all I offer up my sincere prayer to the Great Disposer of all events that he will be pleased to smile on our intended enterprise; if consistent with his will may success attend us and each one be returned to his friends. After this address we pro- ceed to the shore. I direct the commanding officer at this port to keepa look out, and if he should hear three distinct muskets to come on to the north end of Prudence to take us off for we had reason to fear that the men of war would send out their boats to cut us off from the main. We were now come to our boats, that I went in was posted in the front with a pole about ten feet long & an handkerchief tied to the end so that my boat might be known from the others, and that none might go before it. We went between the islands, Prudence and Patience in order that the shipping which lay against Hope Isle might not discover ns. We rowed under the west side of Prudence till we came to the south end where we heard the enemy on board the ships crying ont all is well. When we were within about three-quarters of a mile off Rhode Island we heard a noise like the running of horses. This threw a consternation over the minds of the whole party; but no one spoke as I had given the most positive orders not to have a syllable uttered. In thinking on the matter for a moment I was sure that the enemy could not have the least knowledge of our design & con- eluded that it must be horses running as they often would do. We now pushed for the shore. There was a man left to each boat to keep them ready for a push for we expected that the enemy might try to impede our retreat. The party being now ready, we marched with the greatest silence in five divisions to the house were the General quartered. The entrance into it
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