which, as we were drawing up our men, an advanced guard of the enemy saluted us with several field pieces, which did no damage. We immediately retreated into the woods from whence we returned them a very brisk fire with our rifles, so continued firing and retreating without any reinforcement till about 10 oClock, they plying us very warmly both with their artillery and small arms all the time; about which time we were reinforced with about 400 Hessians (who had been taken at sea going over to America & immediately entered into the Continental service) and three brass field pieces under the command of Lord Stirling. They drew up immediately in order to defend their field pieces and cover our retreat, and in less than an hour and a half were entirely cut off; scarce sixty of them returned safe out of the field; those who did escape were so scattered over the country that a great number of them could not rejoin the Army for five or six days, whilst the Kings troops marched off in triumph with three brass field pieces and a considerable number of prisoners, having sustained but very little loss on their side. This was the last engagement that happened in the Jerseys before General Howe embarked at York. During this time the rebel army advanced as far as Quibbletown where they lay three days, then countermarched back to the Blue Mountains and there continued untill they recd an account of embarkment of the enemy at York. Capt. Dark collected the remains of his shattered party in the best manner he possibly could and continued to execute his orders in reconnoitring and sending intelligence to the Camp, untill Generall Howe crossed over in Strattan Island, at which time we returned to the Camp with scarce two thirds of the men we took away, where we remained 4 or 5 days, then decamped and marched to Morristown and lay there untill we received certain intelligence that the army had gone on board and stood out to sea bearing to the Northward. Upon this news we instantly decamped and marched toward the North River, and encamped at the Clove, about 12 miles South from King's Ferry, where Generall Sullivan left us with about 5000 men and crossed the Ferry. Soon after we again decamped and proceeded further up the River towards Albany. The weather being excessive rainy we were obliged to halt severall days during which time we recJ an account of Gen1 Howe's appearing in the Bay of Delaware, which caused us a very hard and fatiguing march, often marching at the rate of thirty miles per day, which killed a number of the men. was no uncommon thing for the rear guard to see 10 or 11 men dead on the road in one day occasioned by the insufferable heat and thirst; likewise in almost every town we marched through, their Churches were converted into hospitals. Another great hurt to the army was the scarcity of salt and bread, the former of which was not to be had at any rate, for at that time in the Jerseys it sold for 20 dollars pr bushell: as to the latter they were almost in the same condition, altho' they had plenty of flour they had not time to bake it. Thus we marched till we came to Germantown a village about 6 miles from Philadelphia, where we encamped for severall days, and we[re] reviewed by the Congress. In the interim the British fleet stood out to sea again and steering to the Northward as at first, we again removed and marched to the Cross roads in Bucks County, about 20 miles to the Northward of Philadelphia, and there we pitched our tents, expecting every day to hear of their landing at York, or in some part of the Jerseys. During our stay here we were joined by the 13lh Virg* Reg' a small body of new raised troops to the amount of about 200. About this the Rebel army was very sickly, occasioned greatly by the scarcity of salt, and the great fatigue they had sustained, during the late hard and fatiguing march; which was soon followed by another as hard tho' not so long. August 22d we recd an account that Generall Howe had landed in Virginia. Next day we decamped and marched 15 miles towards Philadelphia and prepared to march It through the City next day, which we did in the best order our circumstances could permit, and proceeded towards Virginia with all expedition; but received soon after a true account of his being at the head of Elk in Maryland. General Washington, being determined to stop his progress towards Philadelphia, posted a body of millitia at Ironhill an eminence about three miles from General Howe's out posts. He also posted three brigades of Virginians with 6 field pieces at Christian Creek about 8 miles from Wilmington, from each of which they detached a party of 100 light armed men, as scouts, under the command of Col. Crawford. Among this number I had the good fortune of being one, as I was determined to embrace the first opportunity of escaping, which I fortunately effected. General Washington with the remainder of his army (which in whole by his own account only consisted of 13000 men) and the artillary park, which consisted of 15 brass field pieces and severall howitts, encamped at Brandywine Creek about 12 miles from Elktown where General Howe held his head quarters. On Saturday August 30th we received intelligence by some prisoners that General Howe intended to make an attack on Ironhill next day. Accordingly next morning between two and three o'Clock, we marched over the hill, and formed our selves into an ambuscade, in which position we continued till five, when being persuaded that no attack would be made, a party of 150 men was immediately chosen and sent under the command of the afores Capt. Dark, to reconnoitre. In this party I went as a volunteer, fully resolved never to return unless as a prisoner. However, marching from thence, took several by roads, untill we had got past several of the Hessians posts undiscovered, and proceeding toward an iron work where they had another post, we discovered a few of the Welch fusileers cooking at a barn in the middle of a large field of Indian Corn. Capt Dark resolved to take them if possible, on which account he divided his men into 6 parties of 25 each, under the command of a Lieu' and 2 Serjeants. The party on the left to which I belonged, he ordered to surround the field, which we did, but were discovered by those whom we thought to surprise, who were only a few of a party consisting of fifty that were out foraging. They drew up immediately and marched out of the field; upon which our Lieu' and 4 of his men fired upon them, which they returned with a whole volley, and plyed us very warmly from among the trees for some considerable time, untill the other parties came up and attacked them in the rear; whom they also gallantly repulsed and put to flight. The party I belonged to upon the approach of the rest, retreated; at which time I left them, and made the best of my way to the English Camp. In my way I saw severall of the rebells lying dead, and was afterwards informed that a number more of them fell in that action; which in every probability will be the fate of the whole, if they come to a generall engagement, which of necessity they must in a short time, as it is impossible they can sustain the war much longer; the Country being entirely laid waste, the inhabitants disaffected and entirely wearied of the war, and independency; numbers of them are detained from coming to the Royal Standard only through fear of being detected by General Washington's army, the army small, undisciplined, disaffected to the cause, badly paid, in very dull spirits, being certain they are far inferior to the British troops in every point, and entirely destitute of every necessary for carrying on the war, having neither arms nor ammunition, but what they receive from the French or Dutch. From these and many other cogent reasons it is highly probable this unhappy war will soon be terminated to the honour of His Majesty and a terror to all other who may attempt to rebell in like manner for the future. Thus Sir I have given you a short narrative of the facts that came to my knowledge during my stay in the rebell army, and hope it will give your Honour the satisfaction required. I think myself happy in having the honour of serving you in this manner and of subscribing myself Your most obedient & humble Serv Ship Queen, Indiaman at Gravesend Nov 24"1 1777 WILLIAM GRANT. Governor Tryon to Lord George Germain. [New-York Papers (S. P. O. ) CLXIX. 1 N° 45. My Lord, King's Bridge Camp. 1. December 1777. I seize the opportunity by Gov' Wentworth, whose conduct while in this Govern' has been truly meritorious, to acquaint your Lordp that my sphere in Civil Govern' is not enlarged this last Campaign. The operations of the Grand Army being directed to the Westward, could not afford support to the military movements in this Province. I can now hardly be said to sit within the shade of my Govern'. If therefore it should be His Maju'' pleasure, I would cheerfully wish to resign my Govern', If I might be honored with the command of a Regiment, and liberty to sell my Company in the Guards, which I desire might be purchased by Lord Rawdon,1 whom I have the honor to be distantly connected with in relationship, and who is willing to purchase. Sir Henry Clinton has intrusted to me the charge of this important Post, and I have every reason to be satisfied with the liberal confidence, with which he honours me. The short time we were up the North River (and only on its Banks) I swore in near three hundred of the Inhabitants, and about one hundred listed in the Provincial Corps. Numbers 1 FRANCIS, 1st Marquess of Hastings, K. G. and O. C. B., eldest son of John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira, was born 7th December, 1754. He entered the army in the 17th year of his age as Ensign in the 15th foot (7th August, 1771), and obtained a Lieutenancy on the 20th October, 1778, in the 5th regiment, and embarked for America. The bloody fight of Bunker Hill was his first battle, and in July following, he was appointed to a company in the 63d, and soon after Aid-deCamp to Sir Henry Clinton. He was at the battles of Brooklyn and White Plains, in the attack of Fort Washington, Fort Clinton and in other affairs of 1776 and 1777. In 1778 he was named Adjutant-General of the army in America, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was engaged in the retreat through the Jerseys, in the battle of Monmouth, and at the siege of Charleston. In 1780 he raised a Provincial Corps called the Volunteers of Ireland, and was engaged with it in the battle of Camden, where one-half the regiment was killed or wounded. He afterwards defeated General Greene at Hobkirk Hill, 25th April, 1781, and then retired to Charleston. He was obliged, however, by illness, to embark for England; on the passage the vessel was captured by the French and carried into Brest, but he was almost immediately released. On his return to England his regiment was accepted, and numbered the 105th; he was appointed Aid-de-Camp to the King and Colonel in the army 25th November, 1782. In 1783 he was created a British Peer by the title of Baron Rawdon. He succeeded to the title of Earl of Moira, 20th June, 1793, and in October following became Major-General. In 1794 he was sent to Flanders with reinforcements for the Duke of York, whom he extricated at Malines. He became Lieutenant-General in 1798; in September following, was promoted to be General in the army, and appointed commander of the forces in Scotland. In 1804 he became Colonel of the 27th Inniskilling regiment; in 1806 Master-General of the Ordnance and Constable of the Tower of London, and in 1813 Governor-General of India. In 1816 he was advanced to the dignity of Marquess of Hastings; became Governor of Malta in 1824, and died 28th November, 1826, in the 72d year of his age. Philippart't Royal Military Calendar, L, 67; Dtbrett. - ED. yet remain inflexibly Loyal notwithstanding the coercive Tyranny of the Rebel Party, and long disappointment of relief, have operated strongly against their principles. By the inclosed correspondence between me and Gen1 Parsons, Your Lordp may judge of the tone I think should be held towards the Rebels. I have ventured as Civil Govr to supply the Hessians on this Island, with some blankets by way of present, of which they stood in much need, a donation that has been gratefully received, and I flatter myself will meet with His Maj"'s approbation and allowance, at a time when every insiduous art and invitation of Putnam is renewed to debauch them, but am confident will prove wholly unsuccessful. General Robertson has undertaken to embody the Inhabitants of the City in my absence, and I understand he has met with some success. I am with all possible respect Adding to the natural horrors of war, the most wanton destruction of private property are acts of cruelty unknown to civilized nations, and unaccustomed in war, untill the servants of the King of Great Brittain, have convinced the impartial world, no acts of inhumanity, no strech of Despotism are too great for them to exercise towards those they are pleased to term Rebels. Had any apparent advantage been derived from burning the houses, on Phillips's Manor, last Monday night, there would have been some appearance of reason to justify the measure, but when no benefit can result from destroying those buildings, and striping the women and children of necessary apparel to cover them from the severity of a cold night, and leading off the captivated heads of those families in Triumph to your lines, in a most ignominious manner, I cannot assign a justifiable cause for this act of cruelty; nor can I conceive a reason for your further order to destroy Tarry Town. 'Tis not my inclination, Sir, to war in this manner against the Inhabitants within your lines who suppose themselves within the protection of the King. But necessity will oblige me to retaliate in kind, upon your friends, to compel the exercise of that Justice which humanity used to dictate; unless your explicit disavowal of the conduct of your Captains Enrick and Barns, shall convince me those houses were destroyed without your knowledge and against your order. You cannot be insensible 'tis every day in my power to destroy the buildings belonging to Col: Philips and Mr Delancey; each as near your lines as these burned by your Troops were to the guards of the Army of the United States, nor can your utmost vigilance prevent the destruction of every building on this side King's Bridge. 'Tis not fear, Sir, 'tis not want of opportunity has preserved those buildings to this time, but a sence of the injustice and savageness of such a line of conduct, has hitherto saved them; & nothing but necessity will induce me to copy the example of this kind so frequently set us by your Troops. Could I possibly conceive myself accountable to any revolted subject of the King of Great Britain I might answer your letter received by the Flag of Truce yesterday, respecting the conduct of the party under Capt" Emmerick's command upon the taking of Peter and Cornelius Vantassel. I have however candour enough to assure you, as much as I abhor every principle of inhumanity or ungenerous conduct, I should, were I in more authority, burn every Committee Man's house within my reach, as I deem, those Agents the wretched instruments, of the continued calamities of this Country, and in order the sooner to purge this Colony of them, I am willing to give twenty silver dollars, for every acting Committee Man, who shall be delivered up to the King's Troops. I guess, before the end of the next campaign, they will be torn to pieces by their own Countrymen whom they have forcibly dragged, in opposition to their principles and duty (after fining them to the extent of their property) to take up arms against their lawful Soveraign, and compelled them to exchange their happy Constitution for Paper, Rags, Anarchy and distress. The ruins in the City of New York, from the Conflagration of the Emissaries of your party last year, remain a memorial of their tender regard for their fellow beings, exposed to the severity of a cold night. This is the first correspondence, I have held with the King's Enemies, in America, on my own part, and as I am immediately under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, your future Flags, dictated with decency, would be more properly directed to His Excellency. I am Sir, Your humble servant, 'Major-General Samuel Holden Parsons, Bod of Her. Jonathan Parsons, was born at Lyme, Connecticut, 14th May, 1737, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1756. After studying law, he entered on the practice of his profession in 1759. He was member of the General Assembly of Connecticut from 1762 to 1774, and moved to New London in 1775, when he was chosen Colonel of militia. On 9th August, 1776, ha was appointed Brigadier-General by the Continental Congress, and in 1779 succeeded Putnam in the command of the Connecticut division. On 23d October, 1780, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. In 1786 he was appointed one of the Commissioners to treat with the Western Indians, and in 1788 was named Judge of the Northwestern territory. He acted, in the following year, as Commissioner to treat with the Wyandots and other tribes for the extinction of their claims to the Connecticut Western reserve, and on returning from this service to his residence at Marietta, Ohio, was drowned by the upsetting of his boat in the rapids at the Big Beaver river, 17th November, 1789, in the 53d year of his age. Allen. — Ed. |