USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 20
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One grand object of the American commander in planting himself on these heights, and maintaining so long the san- guinary conflict, was to secure the removal of the bag. gage and heavy artillery with the stores of war, which was briskly going on in the rear, while the roar of cannon and the' storm of death were raging in the front. The sentinels of both
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RETREAT FROM RHODE ISLAND.
. Acties were stationed at a distance of not more than seventy rods from each other, so that it required no small degree of gen- eralship to cover the design of retreat from the suspicion of a watchful enemy, and render that retreat triumphant and success- ful. On the 30th of the month, a number of tents were erected in full view of the enemy, and the whole army were apparently engaged in fortifying and strengthening their present position ; after the going down of the sun, they built a large number of fires, extending nearly across the Island, to lull the enemy into security, and cover from suspicion their intended retreat.
As soon as the surrounding darkness favored the design, the tents were struck, and the troops with the artillery and baggage, moved to the north, embarked in their flat- bottomed boats, and were all safely landed on the main before the dawn of day. The brave and generous de Lafayette, who returned from Boston at the moment our troops were landing, was very greatly disap- pointed in not having been permitted to share in the perils of the action. Anticipating such an event, he had rode the dis- tance of seventy miles in about six hours. Nor could he be prevented from passing over to bring off the piquet and other parties who covered the American retreat. This he effected with such consummate prudence and self-possession, that not a man was left behind, nor the slightest loss sustained. This re- treat, notwithstanding the failure of the expedition, reflected the highest honor on the American commanders, and the wisdom and skill by which it was executed, was applauded even by the British officers themselves.
The loss of the Americans, as stated by General Sullivan, was,-
Killed
30
Wounded
137
Missing
44
Total
211
Nearly 1200 Americans were engaged in the action, and they are said to have shown great firmness. The day' after the action, a cannonade was kept up by both armies.
A letter was received from General Washington, informing him (General Sullivan,) that a large body of troops had sailed
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230
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
from New-York, most probably for the relief of Newport ; and a resolution was immediately formed to evacuate the island. The delay of a single day would, probably, have been fatal to the Americans ; for Sir Henry Clinton, who had been delayed by adverse winds, arrived with a reinforcement of 4000 men, on the very next day, when a retreat, it is presumed, would have been impracticable.
The troops on Rhode Island, under the command of General Sullivan, on the 4th of August, were arranged as follows :-
Varnum's brigade, including officers . 1,037
Glover's do.
ditto . 1,131
Cornell's do. ditto
. 1,719
Green's do. ditto
. 1,626
Lovell's do.
ditto
. 1,158
Titcomb's do.
ditto
959
Livingstone's advance,
ditto
659
West's reserve,
ditto
. 1,025
Artillery
ditto
810
Total amount . 10,124
On November 28th, 1776, the day of General Washington's retreat over the Delaware, the British took possession of Rhode Island.
The scenes which have been enacted on the island, invests it with peculiar interest, and should remind us, of the present day, of the sufferings which our fathers endured, to bequeath to their children the rich legacy of liberty and independence. The island has been consecrated by the blood of our patriot sires ; and when we walk over the fields of carnage, may we be reminded of the value of the American Union, and discounten- ance every attempt made by fanatics, to weaken the ties which hold us together as one people.
The British held position of the island, until the autumn of 1779, when Sir Henry Clinton, at New- York, anticipating an attack upon that place by the combined forces of America and France, dispatched a number of transports to bring off the troops from Rhode Island, to strengthen his forces at New- York ; they embarked on the 25th of October, at the south end of the island, and arrived at New- York on the 27th.
RESTORATION OF THE TOWN RECORDS.
On the day the island was evacuated, orders were issued by the British commander, that the inhabitants of Newport should keep within their houses during the time the royal troops were passing through Thames-street, the route which they took to the Neck, the place of their embarkation, on pain of death. This injunction was strictly complied with, so that those who had the curiosity to see the invaders of their peaceful shores march through their streets, stole a glance at them through the crevices of their windows and doors.
The British burnt all the barracks at Fort Adams, and the light-house at Beaver Tail, and carried off with them the Town Records, consisting of the books of Registry of Deeds, the Records of the Town Council, the Court of Probate, &c., which, in their passage to New-York, were unfortunately sunk with the vessel which carried them away, near Hell Gate, and were under water for several hours before they were recovered. They were detained in New-York about three years, and when they were afterwards returned to Newport, they were in a damaged condition. Had they been copied immediately on their recovery, many valuable documents might have been pre- served, but having been neglected so long, they are now in a dilapidated state, and of little use.
On the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, the last William Cod- dington, an aged and respectable gentleman, who held the office of Town Clerk, not willing to remain in prison, left the island, and went to Providence, there to reside until the army had abandoned the enterprise, and left the State. It is to be regretted that he had not taken with him the Records of the town, instead of placing them in the hands of his friend, Walter Chaloner, who took them to New-York, and their fate has been described above.
In 1782, the Town Council of Newport, having made applica- tion to General Carlton, the British Commander at New- York, for the return of the Town Records, which had been taken away at the evacuation of the town; they, in December, received by a flag of truce, the books and papers, General Carlton expressing his sorrow, " for the damage they had sus- tained, from the sinking of the transport in Hell Gate, and the long time they had lain (three years,) without examination."
The possession of the island for three years, by a strong and
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
powerful foe, who treated its inhabitants as rebels against the authority of their King, and consequently claiming the divine right of his Majesty to whatever the royal troops should please to possess, reduced the inhabitants to the greatest poverty and distress. At this distant period, it is impossible to form the least conception of the wretchedness and misery endured by the inhabitants of the island at that trying period ; and nothing but the providence of God sustained them in the hour of peril ; they were, however, delivered from their enemies, and ultimately achieved their freedom from the galling yoke of British tyranny.
During the period of their stay, they had cut down and consumed all the flourishing groves of forest trees, with many of the most valuable orchards, and numerous ornamental trees, which beautified and adorned the island, so that the inhabitants were entirely destitute of fuel. The wells at Portsmouth were filled up, the houses on the heights of Middletown were set on fire by the General's order, and even the wharves, in Newport, which at that period were built of timber, were torn up for fuel, as the weather was so extremely severe in 1779-80.
It is estimated that nine hundred dwellings, besides ware. houses, were destroyed, while the British had possession of Newport. The town presented a wide scene of desolation after the evacuation, and it should be no surprise to the reader that Newport has never recovered her former prosperity, when the ravages committed by a lawless and infuriated nation are duly considered.
Rhode Island was one of the principal points, and her spacious harbor, capable of containing the whole British fleet, rendered it a key of great importance, in pushing forward their schemes, in the subjugation of the rebellious Colonies.
During the possession of the island by the British, the free- men of Newport had held their Town Meetings, for choice of representatives in the General Assembly in Providence, the " hornet's nest," as the British called it, agreeably to an Act of that body, granting tbem permission to do so.
Middletown and Portsmouth held Town Meetings in Tiverton, for the election of representatives to the General Assembly ; but after the evacuation of the island by the enemy, that body passed an act, empowering the town of Newport to resume
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233
ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH.
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their corporate powers, and choose Town officers, providing every person should be excluded from voting, who had in any- wise aided the enemy. The first meeting of the freemen for the choice of officers, was held at the Friends' Meeting-House, in November, 1779.
In January, 1779, the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful money, was granted by the General Assembly, for the relief of the distressed inhabitants of Newport ; and large contribu- tions continued to be made for the same object, in this, and the adjoining States.
The General Assembly, at their June session, in 1780, banished thirty-six persons from the State, and confiscated their estates, for adhering to the enemy.
On the 10th July, 1780, the French fleet, of seven sail of the line and five frigates, with a large number of transports, and an army of six thousand men, arrived at Newport, to the great joy of the inhabitants. The fleet was commanded by the Chevalier de Tournay, and the army by Count de Rochambeau. The town was illuminated, and the arrival of the fleet and army greeted with the fullest demonstrations of gratitude and joy. Complimentary addresses were made by a committee of the General Assembly, then in session, both to Admiral de Tour- ney and Count de Rochambeau, to which they gave the most spirited and patriotic replies.
In July, it having been ascertained that a large naval and land force were destined against Newport, the inhabitants associated, and formed themselves into companies, both for the common defence, and also that the disaffected might be known. The town was divided into four districts, and by a vote of the freemen, the inhabitants were required to meet, and sign articles of association ; and those who should not appear at the place designated in the several districts; were to be deemed as enemies of their country ; and all persons refusing to take up arms against the enemy, were to be banished from the place. It was voted that a copy of the list of disaffected persons, ordered to be forwarded to the Council of War, be also sent to General Heath, that if the British fleet and army arrive, before any return is received from the Council, he may · know what persons the town requests should be removed from the island. The list sent to the Council of War, was called the
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234
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
" black list," embracing the votes of the town, that such persons be sent instanter from the island, as inimical to the United States.
The militia from Connecticut and Massachusetts, were ordered to the defence of Rhode Island. The expedition was, however, abandoned by Sir Henry Clinton, even after having sailed from · New-York with a large fleet, and an army of eight thousand men, as far as Huntington Bay, on Long Island, much to the disappointment and grief of our magnanimous allies, who were prepared to give him a most warm and hearty reception.
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It is painful to be called upon to notice a class of men, who rendered themselves so obnoxious in the war of the Revolution. They were traitors to their country, and had no just claim on the sympathies of the people ; they had flattered themselves with the idea of the final triumph of the British arms, and, consequently, sided in with what they conceived to be the strongest party. But they were deceived, and highly disap- pointed, and the name of traitor was affixed to their character, and by that appellation they have ever been known. The course pursued towards them by the town was just, and highly commendatory. As patriots, warring for liberty, they could give no quarter to traitors.
On the 20th of August, nineteen warriors of the Oneida Indians, arrived in Newport, and dined with General Rocham- beau and Admiral de Tourney ; they also dined with General Heath, from all of whom they received presents.
Admiral de Tourney died soon after his arrival at Newport, and was buried with military honors, in Trinity church-yard, where a slab was afterwards erected to his memory, on the north side of the church. The funeral procession is said to have been grand and imposing, extending from his residence on the Point, at the Hunter House, to the church-yard, one dense mass of living beings, with the bands of music from the fleet, 1 playing the most solemn strains, was a scene of deep interest to contemplate.
In March, 1781, General Washington, the saviour of his country, arrived at Newport. He passed over from the main by Conanicut Ferry, and landed from his barge at the head of Long Wharf. As he passed, the French fleet, lying at the back of the fort, fired a salute, and the army was drawn up in
235
RECEPTION OF WASHINGTON.
order for his reception at the Long Wharf. Washington, the immortal commander-in-chief of the French and American armies, never appeared to greater advantage than when he passed over to Newport to review the French forces under Count Rochambeau. He was received at the head of Long Wharf by the French officers, at the head of 7,000 men, who lined the streets from thence to the State House.
" I never," says a bystander now living, " felt the solid earth tremble under me before. The firing from the French ships that lined the harbor, was tremendous; it was one continued roar, and looked as though the very Bay was on fire. Wash- ington, as you know, was a Marshal of France; he could not command the French army without being invested with that title. He wore, on this day, the insignia of his office, and was received with all the honors due to one in that capacity. It is known that many of the flower of the French nobility were numbered in the army that acted in our defence. Never," said the aged narrator, " will that scene be erased from my memory. The attitudes of the nobles, their deep obeisance, the lifting of hats and caps, the waving of standards, the sea of plumes, the long line of French soldiers and the general disposition of their arms, unique to us, separating to the right and left, the Chief, with Count Rochambeau on his left, unbonneted, walked through. The French nobles, commanders, and their under officers, followed in the rear. Count Rochambeau was a small, keen looking man, not handsome as was his son, afterwards Governor of Martinique. Count Noailles looked like what he was-a great man. But the resplendent beauty of the two Vios- minels eclipsed all the rest. They were brothers, and one of them a General in the army, who bore the title of Count too. Newport never saw anything so handsome as these two young brothers.
" But we, the populace, were the only ones that looked at them, for the eye of every Frenchman was directed to Wash- ington. Calm and unmoved by all the honors that surrounded him, the voice of adulation nor the din of battle had ever dis- turbed the equanimity of his deportment. Ever dignified, he wore on this day the same saint-like expression that always characterized him. They proceeded from the State House to the lodgings of Count Rochambeau, the present residence of
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236
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
· the heirs of the late Samuel Verner, corner of Clark and Mary streets. It was a proud day for Newport, to be honored with the presence of Washington, a name dear to every American heart."
A committee of citizens waited upon him on his arrival, and presented him with an address, to which he politely replied.
Committee's Address to his Excellency, George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the Thirteen United States of America.
SIR-The inhabitants of the ancient town of Newport, warmed with the purest sentiments of esteem and respect, beg leave, through their Committee, to congratulate your Excel- lency upon your arrival at this town, the capital of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; permit us to assure your Excellency that words are inadequate to express the joy which your presence has infused into the hearts of our fellow-citizens. Happily guided by the Supreme Director of the American Councils, your Excellency was placed at the head of the armies ; our gratitude is greatly due to Heaven for the protection of your Excellency's person through all those scenes of danger and enterprise incident to war, and which your Excellency has sustained with patriotism and fortitude un- paralleled in the page of history.
We will not cloud the festivity of this day by enumerating the scenes of lawless rapine and devastation, which have so pe- culiarly marked the steps of a tyrannical and rapacious enemy in this town. The thought merely occurs, as it deprives us of affording your Excellency some further manifestations of our sincere regard.
Suffer us here, Sir, because we know it must give your Ex- cellency a most sensible pleasure, to express the happiness this town has enjoyed with the army and fleet of our illustrious ally, who have, by the wisdom and prudence of their commanders, as well as their own most zealous inclinations, allied themselves to us, not as soldiers only, but as friends and citizens ; armed with a most righteous cause, engaged for all that men hold most dear, what blessings may not America, under the auspices of a kind and overruling Providence, be led to expect from the future exertions of your Excellency, the military ardor of the
237
WASHINGTON'S ADDRESS.
American troops, and an army and fleet of a most generous and magnanimous ally, thirsting for glory, and eager to bleed in the cause of liberty and mankind.
We congratulate your Excellency upon the late signal suc. :cesses of the American arms by land, and those of our allies by sea. May the succeeding campaign be productive of the end of all our efforts-liberty, peace, and independence to the United States of America, and happiness to all mankind.
CHRISTOPHER ELLERY, WILLIAM CHANNING, WILLIAM TAGGART, SOLOMON SOUTHWICK,
Committee.
To which Gen. Washington returned the following answer: To Christopher Ellery, William Channing, William Taggart, and Solomon Southwick, Esqrs. :
GENTLEMEN-Among the distinguished honors which have a claim to my gratitude since my arrival, I have seen with pe- culiar satisfaction those expressions of esteem and attachment which have manifested themselves in the citizens of this ancient town.
My happiness is complete in the moment that unites the ex- pressions of their sentiments for me with their suffrages in favor of our allies. The conduct of the French army and fleet, of which the inhabitants testify in so grateful and so affection- ate a sense, at the same time that it evinces the wisdom of the commanders and the discipline of the troops, is a new proof of the magnanimity of the nation. It is a further demonstration of that generous zeal and concern for the happiness of America which brought them to our assistance, a happy presage of future harmony-a pleasing evidence that an intercourse be- tween the two nations will more and more cement the union by the solid and lasting ties of mutual affection.
I sincerely sympathize with you, gentlemen, in lamenting the depredations suffered by the town while in possession of the enemy, and heartily join you in those liberal wishes, the accom- plishment of which would soon more than restore it to its for- mer flourishing condition.
Accept my acknowledgments for the polite and obliging manner in which you have been pleased to communicate to me
238
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
the sentiments of your fellow-citizens, and the assurance of my warmest esteem for them and for you personally.
Newport, March 8th, 1781. G. WASHINGTON.
The town was illuminated, the evening after his arrival at Newport. Count de Rochambeau gave a splendid ball to Gen. Washington, which was attended by the most fashionable fami- lies in Newport. This was the first interview Washington en- joyed with the French officers, and it is said that he and the Count de Rochambeau laid their plans for an attack upon New York, which was disconcerted by the arrival of a large fleet and army to the assistance of Sir Henry Clinton, under the command of Admiral Rodney. About this time, Admiral D'Barras arrived at Boston, and succeeded to the command of the French squadron at Newport. It was soon after decided in a council of war, held at Wethersfield, Conn., by General Washington, Count de Rochambeau, and other distinguished officers, that the troops on Rhode Island (with the exception of about five hundred to guard the works), should immediately march to the North River, to join the American army. Dur- ing the whole period the French army was quartered in New- port, such was their strict regard to the rights and property of the inhabitants, that the whole amount of damage done by them would not exceed one hundred dollars.
The pleasure which the French officers derived in mingling with the polished society of Newport, has been already alluded to, in the description given by Count Seguin in relation to the fancy ball, which was given on the 3d of January, by the offi- cers of the regiments of Royal Duex Ponts. In was an elegant fete, composed of the first rank in the society of the ancient metropolis.
EXECUTION.
On the 1st of June, 1781, a sergeant of the French artillery was executed at the south part of Newport, a little back from what was then called Huddy's Lane, now the Bowery near the Ocean House, in presence of the whole army, who were drawn up in a hol- low square for the occasion. The criminal on being brought to the
239
SUCCESS OF THE REVOLUTION.
place of execution, had his right hand cut off and burnt by the executioner, and he was then hanged. His crime was attempt. ing to murder his officer. It appeared that in a fit of jealousy he had in the night waylaid the Captain of his Company, and after stabbing him repeatedly, had thrown him into an old cellar at the corner of Denison and Spring-streets, where the Barker House now stands. The officer was found in his wounded state and conveyed to his quarters, and afterwards recovered.
The Frenchmen were very much smitten by the Newport ladies, and many of them, it is said, lost their hearts. It is not to be wondered at when we consider the elegance of person, and the refinement of manners which preeminently distinguished the fair sex in the past. Many romantic events have transpired on the island, which if we should allude to them all, would increase our volume beyond the ordinary limit which was designed.
The Chevalier de Fayelle, Aid-de Camp to the Marquis de Lafayette, died very suddenly at Newport, as he was going on board the French frigate Hermoine. He was buried with mili- tary honors in Trinity church-yard.
The surrender of Lord Cornwallis and army, to the united forces of America and France, on the 19th of October, 1781, decided the fate of the Revolution, and was virtually the termi- nation of the war; for although several places of importance were still in possession of the enemy, yet their days were num- bered, and their destiny sealed.
On the 4th of March, 1782, the British Parliament, in the House of Commons, passed a resolution declaring all as enemies to His Majesty, and His Majesty's Kingdom, who should advise to the longer continuance of the war in America. Preliminaries of peace were entered into at Paris, in November, 1782, and a definite treaty, in which Great Britain acknowledged the Sover- eignty and Independence of the United States, was signed in September, 1783.
In 1783, the British frigate Mercy, Capt. Stanhope, arrived at Newport, on the 19th of July, from Halifax. While at New- port he married Miss Peggy Malborn, daughter of Francis Malborn, sen., Esq. Capt. Stanhope was afterward Admiral, and Knight of the Bath, and one of the Lords of Admiralty. We again shall have occasion to allude to this distinguished individual.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Francis Malborn, senior, was a native of Prince Anna county, Virginia, and came to Rhode Island about 1758. He was a ship-master in the employ of Godfrey Malborn; he then en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, and was a partner of the house of E. & F. Malborn, well known as enterprising and successful merchants in Newport, previous to the Revolution. He left two sons and three daughters; one of his sons was the Hon. Francis Malborn, who was representative and subsequently a Senator in the Congress of the United States. He was a fin- ished gentleman of the old school, and universally respected by all classes of the community.
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