ter-general; 17th Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Birch; 71st Highlanders, 1st Battalion, Major John McDowell; 2d Battalion, Major Norman Lamont.

Brigade of Guards.-Major-General Matthew; Light Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Honourable Alexander Leslie; 1st Battalion Light Infantry, Major Thomas Musgrave; 2d Battalion Light Infantry, Major Straubenzie; 3d Battalion Light Infantry, Major Honourable John Maitland; 4th Battalion Light Infantry, Major John John

son.

Reserve.-Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Earl of Cornwallis; Brigadier-General the Honourable John Vaughan; 33d Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Webster; 42d Regiment, (Royal Highland), Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Stirling; 1st Battalion Grenadiers, Lieutenant-Colonel Honourable Henry Monckton; 2d Battalion Grenadiers, Lieutenant-Colonel William Meadows; 3d Battalion Grenadiers, Major Thomas Marsh; 4th Highland Grenadiers, Major Charles Stewart; Royal Artillery and Engineers, Brigadier-General Cleveland.

CHAPTER XXIV.

HOSTILITIES ON STATEN ISLAND-CONTINUED.

HE battle of Long Island, which resulted so disastrously to the Americans, caused a spirit of gloom to rest over the struggling colonists. The army of Washington had lost considerably over a thousand, while the British had lost scarcely four hundred. Generals Sullivan, Stirling and Woodhull were prisoners. The British were greatly elated with victory, and would have followed up the assault but for the prudence of their commander.1

Fortunate would it have been for the Americans, had their illfortune terminated in the defeat experienced on Long Island. To other and not much less mortifying reverses they were destined, ere the deepest point of depression should be reached.

It was the ardent wish of Washington to retain possession of New York; but, finding, as he said, in a communication to Congress, the

militia "dismayed and intractable," and "leaving the camp in some instances almost by regiments, by halfones, and by companies at a time"; he was compelled to relinquish the place to his enemies, and to abandon, which he still more regretted, all the heavy artillery, and a large portion of the baggage, provisions, and military stores. On leaving the city, the American army took post on Harlem Heights.

Here Washington had time to ponder upon his situation, and form his plans. His army had become seriously reduced, and from the despondency and dismay which were visible among them, it might be come at any time still more reduced. On the other hand, the forces

1 To Washington and his officers the great defect in the American army was apparent. It was twofold--first, the employment of by far too large a proportion of militia, and, secondly, the utter impracticability of introducing among them that discipline and subordination which could place them on equal footing with the practiced and veteran troops of the enemy. At length, convinced of the justness of the views of Washington on these

points, Congress decided that a regular army should be formed, in which the soldiers should be enlisted to serve during the war; and that it should consist of eighty-eight battalions, to be raised in all the provinces, according to their respective abilities. A bounty of twenty dollars and a grant of land were offered. At a subsequent date soldiers were allowed to enlist for three years; in which case, however, they were not entitled to the grant of land.

of the enemy were numerous, and withal consisted of regular and well-disciplined troops. It was futile, therefore, to attempt to maintain offensive operations against them. Far better in his judgment to risk no general engagement; but by retiring gradually before them, to lead them as far as possible from their resources; and in the mean while to inspire his own troops with courage, by engaging them in skirmishes, where success was probable. Having adopted this cautious system, he prepared to put it in practice.

A few days after the battle of Long Island Lord Howe sent General Sullivan, who was still a prisoner of war, with a verbal message to the Continental Congress, requesting that body "to appoint some of its members in a private capacity, to meet him for the purpose of adopting such measures as might be agreed upon for the restoration of peace in the country," intimating that " he was clothed with sufficient power for that purpose." On the 6th of September, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania; John Adams, of Massachusetts, and Edward Rutledge, of South Carolina, were appointed such committee, and on the 14th they meet Howe at the old Billopp House, on Staten Island. The story of this event is told at some length in a previous chapter. Nothing, however, came of the interview.

After this event Lord Howe determined to effect a landing at Kipp's bay, and accordingly sent five frigates from the Staten Island fleet to that point. On the evening of the 13th they passed up the East river, where by keeping close to the Long Island shore they were able to endure without serious damage the constant fire of the Americans from the fortifications on the New York side. Three battalions of Hessians, which were encamped at Hessian Springs (near New Brighton corner), were also detailed to take part in the expedition.

Major Aaron Burr, an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Washington, a short time afterward laid before the General a well-conceived plan for capturing the fortifications on Staten Island, and thus seizing the place and holding it to the advantage of the American army. Major Burr, who was thoroughly familiar with the Island, offered to lead the expedition; but on account of his age, (being then not more than twenty-one years old), he at once became the subject of jealousy of older officers of higher rank, and Washington, after hesitating for some time, refused to grant the request of his ambitious aide. Major Burr's plans, however, were placed in other hands; but were never carried into successful effect.

The British learned of Major Burr's plans, and extra precautions were taken at all points where the Americans would be likely to make a landing. General Knyphausen, the Hessian commander, frequently sent out expeditions into New Jersey, where the most horrid atrocities were committed. These were usually not sent forth on their

errands of robbery and murder unless they were known to be much superior in number to the Continentals, who were likely to meet and oppose them, or had some other important advantage.

These predatory excursions, however, were not confined to the British. The Americans, on their part, sadly annoyed their enemies by striking at them whenever the opportunity offered. The first of these hostile demonstrations on the part of the Americans, occurred in October, 1776. General Hugh Mercer, who was in command of the American forces in that part of New Jersey contiguous to Staten Island, attempted to carry out a part of the plan of Major Burr.

Crossing to Staten Island with part of the troops posted at Perth Amboy, on the night of October 15th, he advanced to within a few miles of Richmond, at which point he had been informed three companies one of British regulars, one of Hessians and another of Skinner's loyalists-were stationed.2 Colonel Griffin was detached with Colonel Patterson's battalion and Major Clarke, at the head of some riflemen, to fall in upon the east end of Richmond village, while the remainder of the troops enclosed it on the other quarters.

Both divisions reached Richmond by break of day; but the enemy had learned of their approach through tory spies, and were prepared to flee, exchanging only a few shots with Colonel Griffin's detachment. Two of the enemy were mortally wounded, and seventeen taken prisoners, two of the Americans being killed. Colonel Griffin received a wound in the foot from a musket ball, and LieutenantColonel Smith was slightly wounded in the arm.

The Americans, feeling secure in their victory, halted for a time just east of the village; but were surprised by a volley of musketry from the vicinity of St. Andrew's Church. Major Clark, with his riflemen, made a dash in that direction, and were met in front of the church by a detachment of Skinner's men. They fired a second volley and retreated into the church, which was occupied at the time as a British hospital. Major Clark at first refused to follow up the pursuit and fire upon the building; but when one of his men was shot down at his side by a musket pointed from a window, he instantly determined to retaliate.

The whole American force at that time assembled near St. Andrew's church, and Colonel Griffin, being in command, demanded the surrender of the troops huddled inside. This they refused to obey and again fired upon the Americans. Colonel Griffin ordered his troops to surround the building and to storm it. In a few moments

2 There are two theories relative to the route taken by General Mercer's troops. One is that, after landing on the Island opposite Amboy, they followed the shore road to Old Blazing Star, (Rossville), where the skirmish ensued; then, taking a southeasterly course, came out on the Old Post, or Amboy road at a point east of Huguenot, and followed the

Amboy road east. Another theory is that the troops landed at Billopp's ferry (which is quite unlikely, because of the close proximity to the British redoubt), and followed the Amboy road as far as it was necessary to reach Richmond; and that the skirmish ensued in the vicinity of Giffords.

Not

every pane of glass in the building was pierced by bullets. knowing that the church had been converted into an hospital, the Americans, to save ammunition, began throwing rocks into the windows, when suddenly a soldier came out of the door and said all would surrender, and pleading that they would not injure the sick inmates of the building.

Colonel Griffin, with several officers and men, entered the church, and ordered all but the sick to march out, which order they obeyed. He allowed the surgeon to return to his post. Then forming the prisoners in line, the Americans proceeded to return to Old Blazing Star landing, where boats were in waiting for them. They had gone but a short distance, when British re-inforcements reached the village and started in hot pursuit.

Fortunately for the Americans they had secured good headway, and were permitted to place themselves in ambush. Near the site of the old Bedell homestead at Fresh Kill, (Green Ridge), was a dense thicket, so large that the entire Continental force, when divided into three detachments, ready for attack, was safely concealed. The British were permitted to pass the first and second detachments; but just as they were approaching the hiding place of the third, it came out suddenly and sent a volley of musket balls into the ranks. of their pursuers. This was followed by a second volley from the other detachments in the rear. The British outnumbering the Continentals, three to one, soon recovered from the shock and drove their foes at the point of the bayonet for some distance. In the skirmish several were wounded, and three British officers, including the colonel in command, were killed. The wounded were carried into the old Bedell homestead, where they were cared for as circumstances would best permit.3

In the retreat from Fresh Kill the British made three or four attacks upon the fleeing Continentals, and succeeded in re-capturing the prisoners and property which had been secured from St. Andrew's church. This consisted of about twenty-five men, forty-five muskets and other implements of war, and one standard of the British Light Horse. Boats were in waiting just below Old Blazing Star, and it was with great difficulty that the Americans crossed the kills, and not, however, without having several killed and wounded and a number taken prisoners.

Later in the month, (October, 1776), the British fleet was anchored partly at the "Watering place," (Tompkinsville), and partly in Prince's Bay, (near Seguine's Point), from the latter of which troops were frequently disembarked to the Jersey shore and up the Raritan,

3 Marshland (Green Ridge) was an important military post during the whole of the occupancy of Staten Island by the British, and a redoubt was located near the Old House by the Mill, similar to the one still standing on the hill back of Richmond. The commandant,

together with his fellow officers, occupied the old Bedell homestead. They permitted the family to remain "at home" and care for their special wants! That was a very convenient custom which the British adopted throughout the war.