PART II.
DOCUMENTS.
[No. 1.]
GENERAL GREENE'S ORDERS
CAMP ON LONG ISLAND
[_Colonel Little's Order Book_]
GENERAL ORDERS.[229]
[Footnote 229: These orders are from the Order Book kept by Colonel Moses Little, of Greene's brigade, while encamped on Long Island during the months of May, June, July, and August, 1776, the original being in the possession of Benjamin Hale, Esq., of Newburyport, Mass. They cover the whole period of active operations there after the arrival of the main army at New York. The book also contains Washington's general orders from headquarters, New York, General Sullivan's orders while in command on Long Island, Colonel Little's regimental orders, and scattering orders from Generals Lee, Spencer, Greene, and Nixon, in September and October, 1776. As all Washington's orders are to be found in Force's Archives, a few only are inserted here to preserve the connection. They are distinguished as "General Orders." Sullivan's and the others are given separately.]
HEAD QUARTERS, April 30, 1776.
(Parole, SAWBRIDGE.) (Countersign, OLIVER.)
... Genl Greene's Brigade is to encamp tomorrow at 10 A.M. on the ground marked out on Long Island....
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
[NEW YORK] April 30, 1776.
The Qr. Mrs. of the 9th, 11th, 12th regts. are to apply to the Q. M. Genl. for tents & camp utensils this evening to be in readiness to encamp agreeably to general orders to morrow morning--at 4 o'clock this P.M. Col. Varnum & Col. Hitchcock & Col. Little are desired to attend at the General's quarters to go over to Long Island & view the encampment marked out. A sergt. & 20 men are to parade at White Hall to morrow at 7 o'clock, to be under the direction of Engineer Smith.
[LONG ISLAND] May 4th, 1776.
Captain Spurs is to draw out a party of carpenters to make Bell tents, they are to apply to Col. Miflin for tools, boards & nails to make them of. 300 men for fatigue to morrow. The Quarter Master is to make an estimate of the necessary quantity of boards to floor the tents & apply to the Quarter Master general for them. The Cols. or commanding officers of each regiment is to give an order for the boards, certifying the quantity wanted. A return is to be made of the state of the cartridges now in possession of the troops & the number wanted to make up each man's twenty rounds.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
[_Col. Little's._]
Officers for fatigue to-morrow, Cap. Gerrish, Lt. Kent, & Lt. Atkinson.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
May 5th, 1776.
A fatigue party of 200 men to morrow morning properly officered. No non-commissioned Officer or Soldier is to pass the ferries to New York without permission from some of ye Field Officers. Any of the troops attempting to pass over without permission will be confined & tried for disobedience of orders. Any of the fatigue parties that leave their work without liberty, shall do constant fatigue duty for a whole week. As the security of New York greatly dependeth on this _pass_, when these works are constructing the General hopes the troops will carefully forward the same as fast as possible.
The inhabitants having entered a complaint that their meadow ground was injured by the troops going upon it to gather greens, they are for the future strictly prohibited going on the ground of any inhabitants, unless in the proper passes to & from the encampments & the forts, without orders from some commissioned officer. The General desires the troops not to sully their reputation by any undue liberty in speech or conduct but behave themselves towards the inhabitants with that decency & respect that becomes the character of troops fighting for the preservation of the rights & liberties of America.
The General would have the troops consider that we came here to protect the inhabitants & their property from the ravages of the enemy, but if instead of support & protection, they meet with nothing but insult & outrage, we shall be considered as banditti & treated as oppressors & enemies.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS May 7, 1776.
(Parole, DEVONSHIRE.) (Countersign, CAVENDISH.)
Every regiment encamped in the lines & every regt. in the brigade on Long Island, exclusive of their quarter & rear guards, are to mount a picket every evening at retreat beating at sun set, consisting of one Capt. 2 Subs, 1 drum & 1 fife & 50 rank & file--they are to lay upon their arms, & be ready to turn out at a moments notice.
One Col. one Lt. Col. & one major are to mount every evening at sunset as Field Officers of the picket.
Immediately upon any alarm or order from the Brig. Genl. of the day, the pickets are to form in the front of their respective encampments, & there wait the orders of the Field Officer commanding the pickets, who is instantly to obey the orders of the Brigr. Genl. of the Day.
A Brig. Genl. is to mount every morning at ten o'clock who will receive all reports, visit all the outguards in the day time & report all extraordinary occurrences to the Commander in Chief & the Brigde Major of the day is constantly to attend head quarters to receive all orders, & distribute them immediately.
The Col. is to go the grand rounds, & the Lt. Col. & the major the visiting rounds of the Camp.
Brig. Genl. Greene will order the same picket to be mounted by the regiments in his brigade as are mounted in the grand Camp. He will also direct one field officer to mount daily to command them. Gen. Greene will report all extraordinaries to the Commander in Chief.
Col. Prescott or the officer commanding on Nutten's or Governor's Island & the officer commanding at Red Hook, are to report all extraordinaries to the Commander in Chief on any appearance of the enemy. The commanding officer at Red Hook will also dispatch a messenger to Genl. Greene.
The officer commanding the riflemen upon Long Island will constantly report all extraordinaries to Genl. Greene, & the officer commanding upon Staten Island will do the same to the Commander in Chief.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
May 8, 1776.
Field officers for the picket, Major Angell, Adjt. for the day from Col. Hitchcock's regiment.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
Officers for picket tonight, Cap. Parker, Lt. Jenkins, Lt. Burnham, Ensign Story. Officers for fatigue to-morrow, Cap. Dodge, Lt. Jared Smith & Ensign Proctor.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
LONG ISLAND, May 10th 1776.
The Brigde Major is to regulate the duty of the regiments, both officers & soldiers, by their number & not by regiments, some being much larger than others, & to establish a regular roster for the regulation of the same. A subaltern & 11 men are to guard the stores & ferries.
The officer commanding the guard is to receive his orders from Deputy Commissary Brown for the number of sentries necessary for securing the stores, to be relieved daily.
The Cols. or commanding officers of the ninth, eleventh, twelfth Regts are to draw as many cartridges from the laboratory as will furnish each man 20 rounds; as many to be delivered out as the cartridge boxes will contain, the remainder to be tied up by the capt of companies, & every man's name written on his cartridges, that they may be delivered without confusion: All the bad cartridges now in the regiments are to be returned to the Laboratory. The Brigde Major will send a party to the Qr Mr Genl to draw tents for the establishment of the main guard, to consist of a subaltern and 21 men. An orderly sergeant from each regiment will attend at the general's quarters daily; they are to bring their provisions with them.
The commanding officers of the 9th 11th & 12th Regts are to make returns of the guns out of repair & the number wanted to furnish every non commissioned officer & soldier with a gun.
May 10th 1776.
A subaltern & 30 men are to parade immediately to fetch over 300 spears from the Qr Mr Genl's store. The officer must pick those that are fit for use. He is also to bring over a grindstone to sharpen the spears on. Col. Hitchcock will send over the arms of his regiment that are out of order, to Mr. John Hillyard, foreman of a shop at the King's Works (so called) where they will be immediately repaired. Any soldier that has his gun damaged by negligence or carelessly injured, shall pay the cost of repairing, the caps & subs are desired to report all such.
May 11th 1776.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night Lt. Col. Henshaw, Adjt from Col. Hitchcock's regt.
DETAIL.
C. S. S. C. D. F. P. Picket 1 2 2 2 1 1 50 Fatigue 1 2 2 2 1 1 80 Main Guard 1 8
REGIMENTAL ORDERS FOR THE 12th REGt OF FOOT.
Those non commissioned officers & soldiers who have occasion to go over the ferry to New York will apply to Lt. Col. Henshaw for their permits.
A regimental Court Martial will sit today at 12 o'clock at Capt Wade's tent to try such prisoners as are contained in the Quarter Guard of the regiment. Cap. Wade, Pres. Lt. Hodgkins, Lt. Parsons, Lt. Knot & Ensn Pearson, members.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
May 12th, 1776.
The 12th regiment exempt from fatigue tomorrow having to be mustered.
May 14, 1776.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night, Major Collins, adjt. for the day from Col. Hitchcock's Regt.
REGl. ORDERS FOR THE 12th REGt. OF FOOT.
IN CAMP LONG ISLAND May 15, 1776.
The Col. desires hereby to remind the officers & soldiers of this regiment of the Rules & Regulations of the army, & of the general orders issued by the Commander in Chief agreable to them, especially that the Rules & Regulations be often read to the men that no one plead ignorance if he is called to account for the breach of any of them.
The Col. desires & orders that the officers pay particular attention that the Rules & Regulations be read to the men agreable to the resolves of Congress, likewise that the officers of each company, off duty, attend morning & evening to the calling of the roll & if possible that a report be made every day of such as be absent. The Col. is sorry to see so much inattention, of the officers & men to the duties of religious worship, & he desires as we are all engaged in the cause of God & our country, & are dependent on the Divine assistance for protection & success, & as it is a duty incumbent on all as far as possible in a social way to wait upon God in the way of his appointment, to implore pardon & forgiveness of all our sins, & to ask his guidance & direction in the prosecution of our affairs, that neither officers nor soldiers will unnecessarily absent themselves from the stated worship of God at the house of Prayer--or on the Sabbath day.
Commissioned officers for picket tonight Cap. Baker, Lt. Knot & Ensign Woodman. Commissioned officers for fatigue tomorrow, Capt. Parker, Lt. Silvanus Smith & Lt. Lamborn; for main guard Ensign Mitchell.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
BROOKLIN May 16, 1776.
Col. Varnum's regiment to be off duty tomorrow morning in the forenoon, to parade on the regimental parade at 8 oclock, to be reviewed, & their arms examined. Every man in the regiment, that is well, is to be on parade with arms & accoutrements. No soldier is to borrow either arms or accoutrements from a soldier of either of the other regiments, as the true state of the regiment with respect to arms is wanted. Col. Hitchcock's regt. will be reviewed next day after tomorrow. Col. Little's the day after that will be reviewed in the same manner.
No soldier is to mount the picket guard without shoes.
May 16, 1776.
Tomorrow being the day appointed by the Continental Congress to be observed as a day of fasting & prayer & his Excellency Genl. Washington having ordered all duties to be discontinued except the necessary guard until next day after tomorrow, there are no fatigue parties to turn out tomorrow morning & the reviewing of Col. Varnum's regiment is put off until next day after tomorrow, the other regiments are to follow in order as in the morning orders. The general desires that the troops of the 9, 11 & 12 regiments (except those on duty) may be strict to attend the duties of the day in a devout & cleanly manner. Field officers for picket tomorrow night--Adjt. from Col. Varnum's regiment. Detail for Guard & fatigue as usual.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS FOR THE 12TH REGT. OF FOOT.
James Holland, a fifer in Cap. Dodge's Company is appointed fife major to this regiment, & is to be obeyed as such.
Comd officers for picket tonight Lt. Atkinson & Lt. Fiske.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, 17 May 1776.
(Parole, NEW CASTLE.) (Countersign, WILMINGTON.)
Cap. Wolverton's Company of New Jersey is to join General Greene's Brigade. The Cap. is to take his orders from the General respecting his post....
GEN. GREENE'S MORNING ORDERS.
May 17, 1776.
A corporal & 6 men to be sent for a guard to fort Sterling to mount at 9 O'clock. This guard is to be sent every other day. The corporal to receive his orders from Lt. Randall of the train.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night Lt. Col. Henshaw, Adjt. from Col. Varnum's regiment. Fatigue as usual.
May 19, 1776.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night Major Collins, Adjt. from Col. Varnum's regiment. Detail as yesterday.
May 20, 1776.
Field officer for picket, Major Angell, Adjt. from Col. Hitchcock's regiment.
May 21, 1776.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night, Lt. Col. Crary, Adjt. from Col. Little's regiment.
May 23, 1776.
Field officer for picket to morrow night, Lt. Col. Henshaw, adjutant from Col. Hitchcock's regiment.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, May 25, 1776.
(Parole, MUGFORD.) (Countersign, LEONARD.)
A working party consisting of nine hundred men to be ordered tomorrow morning from the different brigades, & the regiments.
Genl. Heath's. { Colos. Leonard's & Bailey's } { Colos. Read's & Baldwin's } To go to Powles Hook.
{ Colos. Parson's & Wylly's--To go to Bayard's Genl. Spencer's. { Hill. Colos. Huntington's to Red Hook. Arnold's { to Fort Sterling. Col. Ward's--50 men with 4 { days provisions to cut pickets.... The remainder { of this regiment's working party--at Fort George.
Lord Stirlings. { Nixon's & Webb's } On Governor's Island { McDougall's & Ritzema's. } every day till further orders.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
May 25, 1776.
Cap. Silas Talbut of Col. Hitchcock's regiment, Capn. Frazier of Capn. (Col.) Wayne's regiment, Lt. Noel Allen of Col. Varnum's regiment & [Lt.] Samuel Huse of Col. Little's regiment are a Committee to inspect the provisions for the troops of this brigade. The commissaries & quartermasters are to apply to them to determine, which is merchantable and which is not. Such as they say are good the quarter masters are to receive and such as they condemn are to be refused.
No non commissioned officer or soldier is to be out of camp after retreat beating, & any that are discovered going out after that time are to be taken up & confined in the main guard, & any that are coming in, that have been out without leave from their officers are to be confined; any sentry that permits them to pass without examination will be punished for disobedience of orders.
Lt. Col. Cornell having reported great negligence among the guards, for the future they will be visited by day & night, by the field officer of the day. Every commissioned & non-commissioned officer that commands guards is to be reported, that has not his guard in good order. No soldier is to be absent from the guard without leave, & not more than 2 commissioned officers nor more than one non commissioned officer at a time. All guards except the picket are to mount at ---- o'Clock in the morning. The retreat is to beat half an hour after sunset. At guard mounting in the morning, the field officer of the day is to attend the parade & give to each respective officer a proper detail of his guard.
One man from each detached guard is to be sent to the grand parade to pilot the new guard to the relief of the old ones.
No person is to be admitted to any of the forts where there are cannon or ammunition except a General officer by day, without the leave of the officer commanding the guard, & a general officer after dark is not to be admitted without leave first obtained of the commanding (officer).
The officer commanding guards where there are cannon or ammunition, is to be very watchful & not to suffer by day or night any person to enter the forts unless they have business there, or are known to belong to the army, or are with some officer belonging to the army.
Adjt. from Col. Varnum's.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, May 26, 1776.
(Parole, HANCOCK.) (Countersign, TRUMBULL.)
... The working party of Col. Nixon's regiment are to be ordered every day to Long Island, instead of Governor's Island as mentioned in yesterday's orders....
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
May 26, 1776.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night, Major Collins, Adjt. from Col. Hitchcock's regiment.
May 29, 1776.
A garrison court martial to sit for the trial of prisoners now in the main Guard.
The commanding officer of the Ferry Guard is to permit the Ferry boats to pass until ten O'clock with common passengers, but no soldier is to pass after retreat beating, unless the Col. or commanding officer of the regiment, to which he belongs, certify the necessity. The troops are to be under arms at roll calling, morning & evening. Every soldier detected snapping his lock without orders from his officer, is to be immediately sent prisoner to the main guard, there to be confined two days & nights, & allowed nothing to eat or drink but bread & water.
All officers are desired to be more careful of discovering the countersign to persons that have no right to know it.
Any soldier on guard that discovers the countersign to any of his fellow soldiers, that are not on guard, is to be immediately confined. Every one that gives the countersign, is to give it as softly as possible so that if any person is listening, he may not hear it.
The sentries are not to suffer any person to stand near them, while they are on their posts after retreat beating.
The General wishes that every part of camp duty may be done with as much exactness, as if the enemy was encamped in the neighborhood, for bad habits once contracted are difficult to get over, & doing duty in a slovenly manner, is both disgraceful & dangerous to officers & men.
Field officer for picket tomorrow night, Major Smith, Adjt. from Col. Hitchcock's regiment.
C. S. S. C. D. F. P. Fatigue 1 2 1 3 1 1 80 Guard 1 1 0 0 20 Picket 1 2 2 2 1 1 49
GENERAL ORDERS.
AFTER ORDERS, May 31, 1776.
Gen. Washington has written to Genl. Putnam[230] desiring him, in the most pressing form, to give positive orders to all the Cols. to have colors immediately completed for their respective regiments.
[Footnote 230: General Washington was absent at Philadelphia from May 21st to June 6th, leaving General Putnam in command at New York.]
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
June 1st, 1776.
A sergeant & 20 men to parade immediately to clear out Mr. Livingston's Dock filled up by the Picket pealings. No pealings to be thrown into the dock for the future.
Six o'clock this evening the troops to be all under arms to man the works.
Five Cos. of Col. Varnum's Regiment upon the right in fort Box. The other three upon the right of fort Green.
Col. Hitchcock's regt. to man fort Putnam & the redoubt upon the left of it. 5 Cos. in the first & 3 in the Last.
Five Cos. of Col. Little's regiment in Fort Green & 3 in the oblong square.
The independent Co. to be reserved in the rear of fort Green.
June 3d, 1776.
150 men & officers wanted from Cols Varnum's Hitchcock's & Little's regts with arms blankets & 2 days provisions cooked & 1/2 a pint of rum a man. To be ready to march at 3 o'clock to morrow morning every man to take his blanket & none to go but such as are decently dressed.
CAMP LONG ISLAND, June 7, 1776.
Cols. of 9, 11, & 12 regiments to have all the arms in their regiments that need repairing sent to the armorers.
The pikes to be placed in the works in the following order--100 in fort Green, 30 in the works on the right of it, 20 in the oblong redoubt, 50 in fort Putnam & 20 in the works on the left of it. Every regt. to clean the spears once a week at their alarm Post.
The officers at the Ferry guard to stop all arms coming over the Ferry to the island, & report immediately to the Genl. who has them & where they say they are going. 2 sentries to be posted at the church to stop all arms going eastward from the city, the names and place of abode of any person stopped with arms to be taken & reported immediately.
June 9th 1776.
Field officer for picket, Lt. Col. Henshaw.
The 9, 11, 12 Regts to parade tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock on the right of the encampment, every officer & soldier not on duty or unwell to join their respective regiments.
The Fatigue party not to turn out till after ye regiments are paraded.
The officers of the 9th, 11th, 12th are desired to exercise together by regts 4 days, & the whole of the officers of the three regiments to exercise together once a week to be exercised by the Col. of the Regt. in turn or by some person appointed by the Col. whose turn it is. The Cols. of the 9, 11, 12, Regts are desired to make returns of the state of the arms &c, agreably to yesterdays order tomorrow.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS June 10, 1776.
(Parole, BEDFORD.) (Countersign, CUMBERLAND.)
The Brig. Gens. are requested to make their different Brigades perfectly acquainted with their several alarm posts & to pay particular attention to the men's arms....
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
June 12, 1776.
A garrison court martial to sit to-day....
The Col. or Commg: officers of the 9, 11, 12 Regts to certify to the Deputy Commissary from day to day the necessary supplies for the sick. The Surgeons to report every day the state and wants of the sick. Centries posted at Hospitals & armory not to demand the countersign of passengers unless they attempt to enter those places.
June 13, 1776.
The Camp Cullimen (?) of the 9. 11. 12 regts. to keep the streets clean, remove the filth, cover the vaults every day & dig new ones once a week; they must attend the Hospitals, & give directions for having them kept in good clean order. Cols. are requested to appoint nurses. No soldier to purchase clothing of another without leave, many soldiers stealing and selling clothing.
June 14, 1776.
The 5 Cos. of Col. Waynes regt. on Long Island are to be mustered to-morrow afternoon. A subaltern sergeant & 20 men to be detached from the picket guard every evening to mount guard at Red Hook Barbette battery to rejoin the picket in the morning.
IN CAMP LONG ISLAND, June 17, 1776.
The rank of the Captains in Col. Little's regt. being unsettled, a Court to day is to establish their rank. The members to be from Col. Varnum's & Hitchcock's Regts.
Col. Varnum's Regt. is to take fort Box & the Oblong redoubt for their alarm posts, fort Box 6 cos., oblong redoubt 2 cos. Cap. Woolverton's Independent Co. to join those in the redoubt, & to receive orders from Col. Varnum.
Col. Hitchcock's Regt. to take fort Putnam & the fort or redoubt on the left of it for their alarm posts.
Col. Little's Regt. to take fort Greene for their alarm post.
In case of an attack all these posts are to be defended to the last extremity.
The lines to be manned every morning between day & sunrise & the troops to be exercised at parapet firing.
CAMP LONG ISLAND June 18, 1776.
The picket to be discontinued till further orders, except guard at Red Hook.
300 men with their officers to parade at 8 O'clock tomorrow morning to receive orders from Engineer Smith.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS June 19, 1776.
(Parole, LONDON.) (Countersign, MONTGOMERY.)
A working party of 900 men properly officered to parade tomorrow morning near the artillery park.... Brig. Gen. Greene & Col. Prescott will furnish 150 men each as a working party on Governor's Island. On the present emergency all working parties to work till 6 o'clock P.M. Those who go by water will leave work sooner if wind & tide make it necessary.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
June 20, 1776.
Field officer, Lt. Col. Cornell, Adjt. from Col. Little's Regt.
Col. Hitchcock's & Col. Little's regts. to furnish the fatigue party to Governor's Island tomorrow. The remainder furnished by those regts. to be upon the "Abatee" between fort Putnam & the redoubt on the left of it, & the Cap. from fort Putnam to the half moon. Lt. Col. Johnson's 5 Cos. of the 4th battalion of Pennsylvania Regt. (Wayne's) to furnish the fatigue party for Cobble Hill. Col. Varnum's Regt. to be employed on his alarm post. The Gen. disapproves of the report for the establishment of the rank of the 12th regt. & directs the same court to sit again day after tomorrow to examine the rank of the Caps. & to report how the court conceives they ought to rank, & how it may be most equitably established.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
June 21, 1776.
For guard Lt. Burnham, for Red Hook tomorrow night Lt. Collins.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
June 21, 1776.
Lt. Huse is requested to oversee the well-digging in fort Greene. 110 men for Governor's Island & 40 for Red Hook. Those that are to go on the Island to be at St. George's Ferry by 8 o'clock. The others to march to Red Hook as soon as they have had their breakfasts.
June 28, 1776.
Picket guard to mount from the 9, 11, 12, Regts. The 9 & 11 Regts to lie in their alarm posts--the 12th to lie in the oblong redoubt.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, June 29.
... The Commissary Gen. to lodge a fortnights provision on Governor's Island, Powles Hook & in all ye detached posts, Gen. Putnam furnishing him a list of the men.
All soldiers intrusted with the defence of any work will behave with coolness & bravery, & will be careful not to throw away their fire. The Gen. recommends them to load for their first fire with one musket ball & 4 or 8 buckshot according to the size and strength of their pieces. If the enemy are received with such a fire at not more than 20 or 30 yards distance, he has no doubt of their being repulsed.
Brig. Genls. to order Chevaux de Freze & Fascines to close the sally ports of their respective works. 26000 musket cartridges to be sent Col. Prescott on Govr. Isld.
HEAD QUARTERS, June 30.
... Upon the signal of the enemy's approach or on any alarm all fatigue parties are to repair to their respective corps ready for instant action. Working parties are not otherwise to be interrupted in finishing the defences....
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
IN CAMP LONG ISLAND, July 1, 1776.
Cols. or commd. officers of 9th, 11th, 12th, Regts. are desired to make a line round each of the forts & fortifications for the troops to begin a fire on the enemy if they attempt to storm the works & the troops are to be told not to fire sooner than the enemy's arrival at these lines, unless commanded. The line should be about 80 yards from the parapet.
Comg. officers of the guards at Forts Green & Putnam to send a patrolling party to patrol about the 1/4 of a mile to prevent a surprise by a partisan party.
The general thanks both officers & soldiers who turned out voluntarily to work upon the Little Cobble hill; such public spirit is laudable & shall not go unrewarded, if the genl. ever has it in his power to make a more suitable acknowledgement.
No officer below the rank of a field officer to lodge out of camp from their Cos. on any pretence, sickness excepted. The General recommends the strictest discipline & daily attention to arms & ammunition. Brigade being sickly the Gen. recommends the strictest attention to the cookery & that broiling & frying meat so destructive to health be prohibited.
A picket of one hundred to go to Red Hook to night by order of a private message from his Excellency.
TUESDAY July 2d, 1776.
A picket of 50 men in fort Putnam, 25 in fort Box, a sergt. & 12 men at the milldam from the 9th, 11th, 12th Regts. A picket of 20 men at fort Sterling & 25 at Smith's redoubt on Cobble Hill. Upon an alarm Col. Ward's regt. of Jersey militia to form in the rear of Fort Green, the sentries to be placed at the front of the redoubts. Major of Brigade to see to them. Patrols to be kept up from fort Putnam every hour.
July 4, 1776.
Officers of the guards at ye different posts to be accountable for everything in the forts but particularly for the rum lodged there for the people in time of action. Any one destroying the tools or taking the liquor without leave will be punished.
Every Regt. to furnish pickets for their alarm posts & to be credited therefor in the detail for duty. The 9th, 11th, 12th, Regts. & the N.J. battalions under Col. Cadmus & Col. Ward to furnish a fatigue party of 250 men tomorrow morning. Garrison Court martial to sit tomorrow, Col. Little president. Caps. earnestly requested to examine the arms and ammunition of their Cos. & have them ready for action at all times.
CAMP AT BROOKLIN, July 6, 1776.
The Ferry guard upon a night alarm are to repair to fort Sterling. The ground to be levelled from which Col. Hitchcock's Regt. moved. 233 men for picket from Col. Varnum's, Hitchcock's & Little's Regts. 66 men from the same for guard.
July 8, 1776.
Col. Varnum's Regt. to remove their encampment to Red Hook, & do the duty of that post. Col. Forman's N.J. regt. to camp on the ground lately occupied by Col. Hitchcock's regt.
July 8, 1776.
Col. Forman's Regt. to occupy Col. Varnum's old alarm posts, namely, Fort Box and the Oblong redoubt. Brigade Major to lead the troops to the alarm Post at 7 A.M. The guard for the several works to be continued the same as before from the 11th & 12th of the old establishment & the Jersey new levies, that the new levies may have the benefit of the knowledge of the standing troops.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, July 9, 1776.
... The Continental Congress impelled by the dictates of duty, policy and necessity have been pleased to dissolve the connection which subsisted between this country & Gt. Britain, & to declare the colonies of North America, Free & Independent States--the several Brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective parades at 6 o'clock when the declaration of Congress, showing the grounds and reasons of the measure is to be read with an audible voice. The Gen. hopes that this important _Point_ will serve as a fresh incitement to every officer & soldier to act with courage & fidelity, as knowing that now the Peace & safety of this country depend (under God) solely on the success of our arms, & that he is now in the service of a state possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit & advance him to the highest honor of a free country.
The Brigade Majors are to receive copies of the declaration to be delivered to the Brigrs. & Cols.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
July 9, 1776.
Adjt. for the day to carry the Parole & countersign to the guards at Red Hook, Smith's Barbette, Fort Box, Fort Green & forts Putnam & Sterling, & the ferry guard.
A fatigue tomorrow of 100 men for Smith's Barbette.
July 10, 1776.
Deputy Commissary, Mr. Brown, to issue provisions 3 times a week, Tu. Th. & Saturdays.
Putrid fevers prevailing among the troops, the troops are forbid going into the water only in the mornings and evenings, being dangerous in the heat of the day.
A fatigue party of 150 to be furnished from the 11th & 12th & Col. Forman's Regt. for Smith's Barbette to be continued till it is completed.
July 11, 1776.
Fatigue parties to be turned out to be at work on the Hill by five in the morning.
CAMP LONG ISLAND, July 16, 1776.
Prisoners sent to the main Guard by the Field officer of the day with or without arms, unless sooner released by him or the Gen. are only to be kept till the mounting of the new guard, unless a crime be delivered to the Cap. of the guard in writing against (the prisoners) by the person that committed them, with his name to it.
Lt. Col. Cornell & Cap. Warner are appointed to oversee the works at Smith's Barbette & complete them. They are to be excused from all other duty. Fatigue parties for the future are to work as long as the Cols. think advisable every cool day. The general wishes the troops to be as industrious as possible, lest the enemy attack (the works) before they are done.
A subaltern's Guard to mount at Rapalyea's mill upon the point every night, to continue till sunrise.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, July 18 1776.
2 guns from fort Cobble Hill on Long Island to be a signal that the enemy have landed on that Island.
GEN. GREENE'S ORDERS.
July 18, 1776.
Field officer of the day tomorrow, Lt. Col. Henderson, Adjt. from Col. Little's....
Patrolling parties to be sent out every hour to advance as silently as possible & to stop & listen every few rods, to discover spies lurking around the works.
CAMP ON LONG ISLAND, July 19 1776.
The works on Cobble Hill being greatly retarded for want of men to lay turf, few being acquainted with that service, all those in Col. Hitchcock's & Col. Little's Regts. that understand that business, are desired to voluntarily turn out every day, & they shall be excused from all other duty, & allowed 1/2 a pint of rum a day.
Half the fatigue party to work tomorrow at fort Sterling in widening the ditch. Lt. Col. Cornell will detach the party & give the necessary instructions. Cap. Newell of the Train to mount an artillery guard on Smith's Barbette, on Cobble Hill, of a Sergeant & 6 men.
F. Officer of the day tomorrow Major Parker, Adjt. from Col. Forman's Regt. (New Jersey).
July 22, 1776.
F. Offr. tomorrow, Col. Forman, Adjt. from his regt.
The Cols. or Cg. Offrs. of the 1st, 9th, 11th, 12th Regiments are requested to send in a return of vacancies, with a list of names to fill them, by tomorrow at 9 A.M. The 11th, 12th & Col. Forman's Regts. are to parade on the regimental parade tomorrow A.M. instead of going to their alarm posts. Comg. off. of each regt. will receive orders on the spot when & where to march.
The duties being exceedingly heavy on the men, the Genl. thinks proper to lessen the fatigue party 1/2 & reduce the guard in forts Green & Putnam 1/3, & a Serjt. & 12 men to mount in fort Box, instead of the present guard.
July 24, 1776.
A fatigue party of 40 men & 1 sub. to cut fascines to parade this P.M. 4 days provisions to be provided. Passengers going into the city not to be stopped at the ferry unless there is reason to suspect them. No one to come out without a proper pass. Fatigue for home duty to be lessened as much as the number detached.
IN CAMP LONG ISLAND, July 28, 1776.
The success of the campaign must depend on the health of the troops; nothing should be neglected that contributes to it. Good Policy as well as humanity claims the attention of every officer to this object; our honor as well as our success depends on it.
The good officer discharges his duty not only in one but in every respect. It is a mistaken notion that the minutiæ of military matters is only an employment for little minds. Such an officer betrays a want of understanding and showeth a person ignorant of the necessary dependence and connection of one thing upon another. What signifies knowledge without power to execute? He who studies the Branches of military knowledge relating to Dispositions, & neglects to preserve the health of his troops will find himself in that disagreeable situation.
The general is pained to discover inattention to the digging and filling vaults for the regts. & to the burial of filth and putrid matter. The general directs camp Columen(?) of the several regts. to dig new vaults, and fill up old ones every 3 days, & that fresh dirt be thrown in every day to the vaults, & that all filth in and about the camp be daily buried. The sickly season coming on, & Putrid fevers prevailing, the Gen. recommends a free use of vegetables & desires the men may keep themselves & clothes clean, & cook their provisions properly; & little injury is to be dreaded. A neglect of these matters at this critical season may be attended with dreadful consequences.
Complaints are made of the troops stealing water mellons. Such practices must be punished. A few unprincipled rascals may ruin the reputation of a whole corps of virtuous men. The General desires the virtuous to complain of every offender that may be detected in invading people's property in an unlawful manner, whatever his station or from whatever part of the country he may come.
Aug. 1, 1776.
All the straw bunks & ---- in ye different regts. occupied by the well to be collected for the sick of Col. Forman's regt. A sergeant & 8 men to be employed cutting wood for a coal pit for the armorers shop--apply to master armorers for orders.
IN CAMP LONG ISLAND, Aug. 4, 1776.
4 Cos. of Col. Gay's regt. to take fort Sterling for their alarm post & 4--Cobble Hill.
The countersign having spread too generally in the camp, & amongst many that don't belong to the army, the Genl. orders every person to be punished who is base enough to discover it to those who have no right to it.
No person allowed to pass after 10 o'clock with or without the countersign within the limits of the camp or circle of the sentries, except Genl. & Field Officers, Brigade Majors & expresses. This order extends to inhabitants as well as the army.
A fatigue party from Col. Little's, Col. Forman's & Col. Gay's regts. of 200 men, properly officered, to work at Fort Sterling tomorrow. Col. Gay or the comg. officer of his regt. is directed to lead his troops into their alarm posts at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Officers are directed to acquaint themselves with the ground for miles about their camps.
MORNING ORDERS, Aug. 6, 1776.
Commanding Officers of fortifications are requested to pay particular attention to ye provisions lodged at each alarm post for the support of the troops in case of seige, and also that ye water casks & cisterns are filled & when the water is bad to have it pumped out & fresh water put in.
Aug. 6, 1776.
By a deserter from Sir Peter Parker's fleet we learn that the Hessians, from England, & Clinton's troops from S. Carolina are arrived & that the enemy meditate an attack on this Island & the city of New York. The Genl. wishes to have the troops provided with every thing necessary to give them a proper reception. Caps. are directed to examine the arms of their cos. immediately.
Aug. 8, 1776.
A sub. & 20 men to parade immediately to march to Jamaica. Let the men be decently dressed, & the officers keep them from offering insolence or abuse to any person. They are to escort & assist Lt. Skinner & wait there for his directions.
Aug. 9, 1776.
A report from Col. Hand mentions a large number of regulars drawn up at Staten Island Ferry, & boats to embark in. No officer or soldier to stir from his quarters that we may be ready to march at a moment's warning if necessary.
Aug. 16, 1776.
Col. Smith (L.I. militia) to appt an Adjt., Q.M. & Serjt Maj. & Q. Mr. Serjt to his regt., & to have the troops in his regt not on duty exercised daily in learning the necessary manoeuvres and evolutions.
Genls. Nixon and Heard are to furnish a fatigue party from their brigades and to form the necessary lines from fort Box to fort Putnam. The gin shops and houses selling liquor, strictly forbidden to sell to soldiers, excepting near the two ferries.
The inhabitants of houses near the lines are immediately to move out of them, and they are to be appropriated to the use of the troops. The General is determined to have any soldiers punished that may be found disguised with liquor, as no soldier in such a situation can be fit for defense or attack.
The General orders that no sutler in the army shall sell to any soldier more than 1 gill of spirits per day. If the above orders are not adhered to, there shall no more be retailed out at all.
The Colonels of regts. lately come in are immediately to make returns to the Genl. of their number of men & where they are quartered. Col. Hitchcock's and Smith's Regts are to do duty in Genl. Nixon's brigade--Cols. Van Brunt's and Gay's Regts. to do duty in Genl. Heard's brigade. Capts in the brigades are to be particularly careful that the Rolls are called 3 times a day & that the troops do not stray from quarters.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEAD QUARTERS, Aug. 20, 1776.
... General Sullivan is to take command on Long Island till Gen. Greene's state of health will permit him to resume it. Brig. Ld Sterling is to take charge of Genl Sullivan's division.
[No. 2.]
MAJOR GENERAL SULLIVAN'S ORDERS
CAMP ON LONG ISLAND
[_Colonel Little's Order Book_]
[LONG ISLAND,] August 20, 1776.
Field Offr of the Day tomorrow, Col. Phipps, (?) Adjt from Col. Little's regt.
August 21st, 1776.
Five hundred men to be on fatigue to-morrow to be on the works by 8 o'clock, to leave at 12, & begin at 2 o'clock, & work till half past 6. Nothing can be more disagreeable to the Genl. than to call upon the men to be so constantly on fatigue, but their own salvation, and the safety of the country requires it. He hopes that in 2 or 3 days more the encampment will be so secure that he can release the men from fatigue and give them an opportunity to rest from their labors. Adjt. of the day to attend at the Genls. quarters every morning at 8, and an orderly from each brigade daily. Four men are to be drafted to row the Genls boat and do no other duty. The Brigade majors, upon receiving orders from Head Quarters are to call at Gen. Sullivan's quarters for his orders, or send adjts to take them off.
Col. Johnson's and Newcomb's regts are to consider the woods on the west side of the creek as their alarm post, and repair there in case of an alarm. Gen. Nixon will show the ground this evening at 6 o'clock to the commg officers of the Regts.
Aug. 23, 1776.
The men not to turn out to their alarm posts this afternoon, (but) to get 2 days' provisions ready, & to be at their alarm posts to-morrow morning by 3 o'clock in order for action.
Cols. Miles & Ransom's (Remsen's of L.I.) regts. to take possession of the Bedford road this night--Col. Ransom's regt. to march at 5 o'clock. Col. Miles' regt. is on the spot. Cols. Little's & Hitchcock's Regts to possess the Flatbush road & Cols. Johnson's & Martin's to take possession of the road near the river. All these regts. to be at their posts by 6 o'clock. Upon their arrival the troops now there are to retire to their encampments & get 2 days provisions dressed, & be ready for action. The Gen. will never make a 3rd. requisition to the majors of brigade, to attend for orders.
LONG ISLAND Aug. 24 1776.
A return to be made to the Gen. this afternoon at 5 o'clock of all ye Light Horse & companies of troop within the lines. The adjt. of Col. Little's regiment is to attend at Genls. quarters at 7 o'clock A.M. to-morrow.
The Genl. returns his thanks to the brave officers & soldiers who with so much spirit & intrepidity repulsed the enemy & defeated their designs of taking possession of the woods near our lines. He is now convinced that the troops he has the honor to command, will not, in point of bravery, yield to any troops in the universe. The cheerfulness with which they do their duty, & the patience with which they undergo fatigue evince exalted sentiments of freedom, & love of country gives him most satisfactory evidence that when called upon they will prove themselves worthy of that freedom for which they are now contending.
Col. Ramsons (Remsen's) Regt. to mount no guard except quarter guard of 12, but be considered a fatigue party, to which they are to attend from day to day. The Genl. is sorry to find that Regt. flying from their posts, when timid women would have blushed to have betrayed any signs of fear at any thing this regt. discovered at the time of their flight.
Officers are requested to see that their men always keep at least 2 days provisions, ready dressed by them. The Commissary is to deal out one gill of rum per man each day on this Island until further orders. Soldiers are not to be out of their encampment but upon urgent business. Gen. Nixon to take command of the lines next the enemy until further orders, to post his men in the edge of the woods next the enemy. Brigde Majors to attend punctually at the Genl's. quarters at 10 A.M.
LONG ISLAND Aug. 25 1776.
The following arrangement to take place on Long Island until further orders--Viz: Col. Mile's 2 battalions, Col. Atlee's, Col. Lutzs, Major Hayes, Col. Lashers and Drake's to be formed into one brigade under the command of Gen. Ld. Stirling. Col. Hand's, Prescott's, (Late) Nixon's, Varnum's, Hitchcock's, Little's, Smith's, & Ramson's to be under Gen. Nixon. Wylly's, Huntington's, Taylor's, (Tyler's) Silliman's, Chester's, & Gay's under Gen. Parsons; Johnson's, Courtlandt's, Martins, Newcombs & Freeman's (Forman's), under the command of Brig. Gen Hurd.
The General orders that the Brigrs. attend at Head Quarters at 8 A.M. to-morrow for directions. Brigde Major Box is appointed to act as Adjt. Genl. for this department until further orders.
A Brigr. Genl. of the Day to attend the Grand Parade at Guard mounting at 10 A.M., every day afterwards at 8, whose duty it shall be to see that the guards are regularly made up, & properly posted & duly relieved. No firing at the outposts _to be allowed_ on any pretense, except by permission of the Comg Gen. of the day, & none within the lines except by permission. This order not to extend to sentries on guard.
Brigr. for the day Gen. Ld. Stirling.
The Gen. is surprised to find the soldiers strolling about, notwithstanding repeated orders, miles distant from the lines, at a time when the enemy are hourly expected to make an attack. The officers are enjoined to cause the arrest of any soldier who shall be found strolling without the lines unless they can show a written permit from their Cap. or Comg. officer of the regt. or company. All the officers and soldiers are to keep within their quarters, unless ordered on duty.
All troops in this department are desired to wear a green bough or branch of a tree in their hats, till further orders.
Col. Ward's Regt. to be added to Gen. Parson's brigade. All the troops not[231]----
[Footnote 231: The order breaks off at this point in Colonel Little's book, but it is fortunately preserved entire in an orderly book kept by Captain John Douglass, of Philadelphia. (Hist. Mag., vol. ii., p. 354.) The following order from General Lord Stirling also appears in Captain Douglass's book:
[LONG ISLAND] August 25th 1776.
"The Adjutants of each Corps of this Brigade are to attend Brigade Major Livingston at Gen. Sullivan's Quarters every morning at 9 o'clock to receive the orders of the day. The Weekly Returns are to be brought in this day. Such regiments as have tents are to encamp within the lines as soon as possible."]
All other troops not mentioned and those which may be sent here without a General Officer to command them are to be considered as a part of Lord Stirling's Brigade till further orders.
A return of the several Brigades to be made immediately. Eight hundred (men) properly officered to relieve the troops on Bedford Road to-morrow morning, six field officers to attend with this party. The same number to relieve those on Bush (Flatbush) Road, and an equal number those stationed towards the Narrows. A picket of three hundred men under the command of a Field Officer, six Captains, twelve Subalterns to be posted at the wood on the west side of the Creek every night till further orders.
It is a very scandalous practice unbecoming soldiers whose duty it is to defend the liberty and property of the Inhabitants of the country to make free with and rob them of that property; it is therefore ordered that no person belonging to this army do presume on any pretense whatever to take or make use of any Corn, Poultry or Provision, or anything else without the consent of the owners nor without paying the common price for them; any breach of this order will be severely punished. The Commanding Officer of each Regiment and Company is to see this order communicated to their respective corps and to see it carried into execution....
Brigadier Lord Stirling to command the front of our lines next Hudson's River and to command the reserve within the lines, and when either of the other Brigade Generals have the command of the Advance Lines Lord Stirling is to have command of his post in his absence. Each Brigadier General to assign the Alarm Posts to the several Regiments under their command.
[No. 3.]
GENERAL ORDERS
HEAD-QUARTERS LONG ISLAND Aug. 29, 1776.
Parole, SULLIVAN, } Countersign, GREEN. }
As the sick are an encumbrance to the Army, & Troops are expected this afternoon from the flying camp in Jersey, under Genl Mercer, who is himself arrived & room & cover is wanted for the troops, the commanding Officers of Regt's are immediately to have such sick removed. They are to take their Arms & Accoutrements & be conducted by an Officer to the Genl Hospital, as a rendezvous & then to cross to-gether under the directions of the Person appointed there, taking general Directions from Dr Morgan. As the above Forces under Genl Mercer are expected this afternoon, the General proposes to relieve a proportionate Number of Regiments & make a change in the situation of them.
The Commanding Officers of Regiments are therefore to parade their men with their Arms, Accoutrements, and Knapsacks, at 7 oClock, at the Head of their Encampments & there wait for Orders.[232]
[From MS. Order Book of Col. Wm. Douglas.]
[Footnote 232: The series of Washington's general orders in Force's Archives does not contain this order of August 29th, which throws light on the preparations made for the retreat. It is found, abridged, in both Col. Little's and Capt. Douglass's order books; in Col. Douglas's book it appears in the above form. Original in the possession of Benjamin Douglas, Esq., Middletown, Conn.]
HEAD-QUARTERS, NEW YORK, August 31, 1776.
(Parole, HARLEM.) (Countersign, FLUSHING.)
... Both officers and soldiers are informed that the retreat from _Long-Island_ was made by the unanimous advice of all the General Officers, not from any doubts of the spirit of the troops, but because they found the troops very much fatigued with hard duty, and divided into many detachments, while the enemy had their main body on the Island, and capable of receiving assistance from the shipping. In these circumstances it was thought unsafe to transport the whole of an Army on an Island, or to engage them with a part, and therefore unequal numbers; whereas now our whole Army is collected together, without water intervening, while the enemy can receive little assistance from their ships. Their Army is, and must be, divided into many bodies, and fatigued with keeping up a communication with their ships; whereas ours is connected and can act together. They must effect a landing under so many disadvantages, that if officers and soldiers are vigilant, and alert to prevent surprise, and add spirit when they approach, there is no doubt of our success....
[Force, 5th Series, Vol. I., p. 1248.]
[No. 4.]
GEN. WASHINGTON TO THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY
HEAD-QUARTERS, Colonel Roger Morris's House, ten miles from } New York, September 19, 1776. }
GENTLEMEN: I was honoured the night before last with your favor of the 13th instant, and at the same time that I conceive your anxiety to have been great, by reason of the vague and uncertain accounts you received respecting the attack on _Long Island_, give me leave to assure you that the situation of our affairs, and the important concerns which have surrounded me, and which are daily pressing on me, have prevented me from transmitting, in many instances, the intelligence I otherwise should have conveyed.
In respect to the attack and retreat from _Long Island_, the publick papers will furnish you with accounts nearly true. I shall only add, that in the former we lost about eight hundred men; more than three-fourths of which were taken prisoners. This misfortune happened in great measure, by two detachments of our people who were posted in two roads leading through a wood, in order to intercept the enemy in their march, suffering a surprise, and making a precipitate retreat, which enabled the enemy to lead a great part of their force against the troops commanded by Lord _Stirling_, which formed a third detachment, who behaved with great bravery and resolution, charging the enemy and maintaining their posts from about seven or eight o'clock in the morning till two in the afternoon, when they were obliged to attempt a retreat, being surrounded and overpowered by numbers on all sides, and in which many of them were taken. One battalion (_Smallwood's_ of _Maryland_) lost two hundred and fifty-nine men, and the general damage fell upon the regiments from _Pennsylvania_, _Delaware_ and _Maryland_, and Colonel _Huntington's_, of _Connecticut_.
As to the retreat from the Island, it was effected without loss of men, and with but very little baggage. A few heavy cannon were left, not being moveable on account of the ground's being soft and miry through the rains that had fallen.
The enemy's loss in killed we could never ascertain; but have many reasons to believe that it was pretty considerable, and exceeded ours a good deal. The retreat from thence was absolutely necessary, the enemy having landed the main body of their army there to attack us in front, while their ships of war were to cut off the communication with the city, from whence resources of men, provisions, &c., were to be drawn....
I have the honour to be, &c., GO. WASHINGTON.
To the Hon. _Jeremiah Powell_, Esq., President, &c.
[Force, 5th Series, Vol. II., p. 399.]
[No. 5.]
BRIG. GEN. PARSONS TO JOHN ADAMS
PHILADELPHIA
LONG ISLAND 29 Aug 1776.
... Before this reaches you the account of the battle of Tuesday last will arrive--'tis impossible to be particular in a narrative of the matter as many are yet missing, who we hope may come in. In the night of the 26th nine Regiments of the English troops perhaps about 2500 with Field artillery &c passed the Western road near the Narrows from the flat land, for our lines. We had a guard of 400 or 500 men posted in the wood, who about three o'clock Tuesday morning gave notice of the enemy's approach, a body of about 1500. We immediately marched down to oppose the progress of the enemy. We took possession of a hill about two miles from camp and detached Col Atlee with a Reg't of Delaware [Penn.] to meet them further on the road; in about 60 rods he drew up & received the enemy's fire & gave them a well directed fire from his Reg't, which did great execution & then retreated to the hill; from thence I was ordered with Col Atlee & part of his Reg't & Lt Col Clark with Col Huntington's Reg't to cover the left flank of our main body.
This we executed though our number did at no time exceed 300 men & we were attacked three several times by two Regiments ye 44th & 23d and repulsed them in every attack with considerable loss. The number of dead we had collected together & the heap the enemy had made we supposed amounted to about 60. We had 12 or 14 wounded prisoners who we caused to be dress'd & their wounds put in the best state our situation would admit. About 10 o'clock we found a large body of the enemy had advanced on the other roads near our lines, but a constant fire was kept up on the enemy till about 12, when we found them fast advancing on our rear to cut off our retreat. Our little main body advanced boldly up to the enemy in the rear & broke through their lines and secured the retreat of most of the party; but it fared still harder with my little party who had three times repulsed the enemy in front and once in the rear; we had no notice of the retreat of the main body till it was too late for us to join them, the enemy having cut off our retreat on three sides & the main body having broke through the enemy's lines on the other side and left them between us. We had no alternative left but force through one line into a thick wood, which we attempted & effected with part of our men, the other part with Col. Clark being before sent into the wood. When we had made our way into the wood, I was accidentally parted from Col. Atlee & most of the men whom I have never seen since. I came in with 7 men yesterday morning much fatigued. Our loss is impossible to be ascertained. In my party a Lt. Col. Parry was killed and one wounded. Our loss in killed & wounded is inconsiderable, but many are missing among whom are General Sullivan & Lord Sterling. Colonels Miles, Atlee, Johnson, Lt. Col. Clark Maj. Wells & several other officers of distinction are yet missing. I think the trial of that day far from being any discouragement, but in general our soldiers behaved with firmness.
I am sir, with esteem & Regard Yr. Humble Svt. SAM'L H. PARSONS.
MORRISANIA Oct. 8, 1776.
DEAR SIR
Your's of the 2d inst I rec'd last night, for which I am obliged to you. If any information I can give will contribute to your satisfaction or my country's good I am happy in furnishing what falls in my observation. I agree fully with you that you were in the dark as to some facts relative to the transactions on Long Island & am fully satisfied you still remain so, or you could not suppose the surprise there was in the day time. To give you a clear idea of the matter, I must trouble you with a description of that part of the country where the enemy landed, and encamped, and the intervening lands between that and our lines. From the point of land which forms the east side of the Narrows, runs a ridge of hills about N.E. in length about 5 or 6 miles, covered with a thick wood which terminate in a small rising land near Jamaica; through these hills are three passes only, one near the Narrows, one on the road called the Flatbush Road & one called the Bedford Road, being a cross road from Bedford to Flatbush which lies on the southerly side of these hills; these passes are through the mountains or hills easily defensible being very narrow and the lands high & mountainous on each side. These are the only roads which can be passed from the south side the hill to our lines, except a road leading around the easterly end of the hills to Jamaica. On each of these roads were placed a guard of 800 men, and east of them in the wood was placed Col Miles with his Battalion to watch the motion of the enemy on that part, with orders to keep a party constantly reconnoitering to and across the Jamaica road. The sentinels were so placed as to keep a constant communication between the three guards on the three roads. South of these hills lies a large plain extending from the North River easterly to Rockaway Bay perhaps 5 miles & southerly to the sound bounded on the south by the sound and on the north by the hills. Those hills were from two to three miles and a half from our lines. The enemy landed on this plain & extended their camp from the River to Flatbush perhaps 3 or 4 miles. On the day of the surprise I was on duty, and at the first dawn of day the guards from the West road near the Narrows, came to my quarters & informed me the enemy were advancing in great numbers by that road. I soon found it true & that the whole guard had fled without firing a gun; these (by way of retaliation I must tell you) were all New Yorkers & Pennsylvanians; I found by fair daylight the enemy were through the wood & descending the hill on the North side, on which with 20 of my fugitive guard being all I could collect, I took post on a height in their front at about half a mile's distance--which halted their column & gave time for Lord Sterling with his forces to come up; thus much for the West road--On the East next Jamaica Col. Miles suffered the enemy to march not less than 6 miles till they came near two miles in rear of the guards before he discovered & gave notice of their approach. This also was in the night & the guard kept by Pennsylvanians altogether--the New England & New Jersey troops being in the other two roads through which the enemy did not attempt to pass.
We were surprised--our principal barrier lost by that surprise, but as far as the cover of the night is an excuse we have it.--The landing of the troops could not be prevented at the distance of 6 or 7 miles from our lines; on a plain under the cannon of the ships, just in with the shore. Our unequal numbers would not admit attacking them on the plain when landed.
When our principal barrier was lost, our numbers so much inferior to the enemy, they not disposed to storm our lines, but set down to make regular approaches to us--were part of the reasons which induced a retreat from thence and a consequent abandoning New York--. Our sentinels & guards in my opinion were well posted, they might have been better, too great security I thought prevailed with some leading officers, but I still am of opinion, if our guards on the West road & Col. Miles on East End of the hills had done their duty, the enemy would not have passed those important heights, without such very great loss as would have obliged them to abandon any further enterprise on the Island....
I am sir Your Most Humble Sv't SAM'L H. PARSONS.
[Originals in possession of Hon. Charles Francis Adams.]
[No. 6.]
BRIG. GEN. SCOTT TO JOHN JAY
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.
NEW YORK Sept. 6, 1776.
DEAR SIR:
I received your letter about half an hour ago by the messengers of the honorable convention, in which you inform me that they are anxious to be informed of any transactions at this place that may be of use to the State, or otherwise of importance. My duty would have directed me to execute this task before the receipt of your letter, had I been possessed of the means of conveyance. I shall do it now as far as the want of good pen and ink, as scarce as almost every other necessary article, will permit.
I shall begin with our retreat from Long Island. For previous to that event the convention was so near the scene of action that they must have been acquainted with every occurrence. I was summoned to a Council of War at Mr. Philip Livingston's house on Thursday 29th ult. never having had reason to expect a proposition for a retreat till it was mentioned. Upon my arrival at the lines on the Tuesday morning before, and just after the enemy, by beating General Sullivan and Lord Stirling, had gained the heights _which in their nature appear to have been more defensible than the lines were_, it was obvious to me we could not maintain them for any long time should the enemy approach us regularly. _They were unfinished in several places when I arrived there_, and we were obliged hastily to finish them, and you may imagine with very little perfection, particularly across the main road, the most likely for the approach of the enemy's heavy artillery. _In this place three of my battalions_ were placed, the traverse of the line in ground so low, that the rising ground immediately without it, would have put it in the power of a man at 40 yards' distance to _fire under my horse's belly_ whenever he pleased. You may judge of our situation, subject to almost incessant rains, without baggage or tents and almost without victuals or drink, and in some part of the lines the men were standing up to their middles in water. The enemy were evidently incircling us from water to water with intent to hem us in upon a small neck of land. In this situation they had as perfect a command of the island, except the small neck on which we were posted, as they now have. Thus things stood when the retreat was proposed. As it was suddenly proposed, _I as suddenly objected to it_, from an aversion to giving the enemy a single inch of ground; but _was soon convinced by the unanswerable reasons for it_. They were these. Invested by an enemy of above double our number from water to water, scant in almost every necessary of life and without covering and liable every moment to have the communication between us and the city cut off by the entrance of the frigates into the East River between (late) Governor's Island and Long Island; which General McDougall assured us from his own nautic experience was very feasible. In such a situation we should have been reduced to the alternative of desperately attempting to cut our way [through] a vastly superior enemy with the certain loss of a valuable stock of artillery and artillery stores, which the continent has been collecting with great pains; or by famine and fatigue have been made an easy prey to the enemy. In either case the campaign would have ended in the total ruin of our army. The resolution therefore to retreat was unanimous, and tho' formed late in the day was executed the following night with unexpected success. We however lost some of our heavy cannon on the forts at a distance from the water, the softness of the ground occasioned by the rains having rendered it impossible to remove them in so short a time. Almost everything else valuable was saved; and not a dozen men lost in the retreat. The consequence of our retreat was the loss of [late] Govrs Island which is perfectly commanded by the fort on Red Hook. The enemy however from fear or other reasons indulged with the opportunity of two nights to carry off all except some heavy cannon. The garrison was drawn off in the afternoon after our retreat under the fire of the shipping who are now drawn up just behind [late] Govrs Island, and the fire of some cannon from Long Island shore; but with no other loss than that of one man's arm. What our loss on Long Island was I am not able to estimate. I think the hills might have been well maintained with 5000 men. _I fear their natural strength was our bane by lulling us into a state of security_ and enabling the enemy to steal _a march upon us_. I think from the best accounts we must have killed many of the enemy. We are sure that late Colonel and afterwards General Grant who was so bitter against us in Parliament, is among the slain. General Parsons late Col. and promoted to the rank of a general officer escaped from the action and pursuit as by a miracle. I believe him to be a brave man. He is a Connecticut lawyer. He told me that in the action he commanded a party of about 250 men, with orders from Lord Stirling to cover his flank; and that when the enemy gave way, he threw into a heap about thirty of the enemy's dead, and that in advancing a little further he found a heap made by the enemy at least as large as that which he had collected. Lord Stirling had ordered him to maintain his ground till receipt of his orders to retreat. However, finding that no such orders came; and finding the enemy by rallying to increase on his hands, he flew to the place where Lord Stirling was posted, leaving his party on the ground with strict orders to maintain it till his return, but he found his Lordship and his whole body of troops gone. There can be no doubt but Lord Stirling behaved bravely; but I wish that he had retreated sooner. He would have saved himself and a great number of troops from captivity, but he refused to retreat for want of orders. We miss him much, he was a very active officer. General Sullivan who was also made a prisoner in the action on the heights went some days ago on parole to Congress to endeavor to procure his exchange for Prescot. I have not heard of his return. Two or three days ago the Rose frigate went up between the islands and took shelter, after a severe cannonade from us, behind Blackwell's Island. She retreated yesterday as far as Corlear's Hook, where she was briskly cannonaded till night. I have not heard of her this morning. By the loss on Long Island and the running away of our militia, _especially those of Connecticut_, to their respective homes, our army is much diminished, and I am sure is vastly inferior to that of the enemy....
Poor General Woodhull with a lieutenant and four men were made prisoners on Long Island. I had a letter from him dated the first inst. but not dated from any place, nor does he tell me how he was taken. He has lost all his baggage and requested of me two shirts and two pairs of stockings, which I should have sent him had not the flag of truce been gone before I recd the letter. I shall comply with his request by the first opportunity. Commend me with all possible devotion to the honorable Convention.
I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant JNO. MORIN SCOTT.
P.S. _The army badly paid & wretchedly fed._ 1100 men arrived from the southward. A deserter tells me be (?) 3000 foreign troops on Staten island. I know not what the flying camp is doing. He says the enemy on Long Island are 26,000. I believe this much exaggerated; and 1000 in the shipping.
[Original in possession of Hon. John Jay, New York.]
[No. 7.]
COL. JOSEPH TRUMBULL TO HIS BROTHER
LEBANON, CONN.
NEW YORK 27th August 1776.
DEAR BROTHER
Since my last the enemy have landed their main force on Long Island near New Utrecht Church--between that & Flat Bush, our people and theirs have frequent skirmishes in all which our people have had the better of them. We have lost several men, killed and wounded--. Col. Martin of New Jersey badly wounded in the breast, but I hope not mortally. We just have received an account of a smart skirmish this morning at break of day--the particulars I don't yet know, if I can get them before the gentlemen go who bring this I will write you them. Col. Huntington is unwell, but I hope getting a little better. He has a slow fever. Maj. Dyer is also unwell with a slow fever. Gen'l Greene has been very sick but is better. Genls. Putnam, Sullivan, Lord Sterling, Nixon, Parsons & Heard are on Long Island and a strong part of our army. We have a fine ridge of hills and woods to meet them in on Long Island before they come near our lines.
I am dear Brother your Affectionate JOS. TRUMBULL.
JONA TRUMBULL JUNR Esq.
P.S. It was true the enemy attacked in the morning--Several parties of them penetrated thro' the woods & the whole body are now thro' & within 2 miles of our lines. Some parties of them have been up to the lines but are drove back, or upon the Heights about 2 miles off from the lines. There has been some very brisk firing & smart engagements; what numbers are killed or wounded on either side--the firing ceases at present but expect it renewed again by & by. We have lost a Mr. Rutgers of this town, an artillery man & Lt. Col. Parry of Pennsylvania. These are all we know yet.
Your's as before.
[Original in possession of Henry E. Parsons, Ashtabula, O.]
[No. 8.]
COL. TRUMBULL TO HIS FATHER
LEBANON, CONN.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1st, 1776.
HONORED SIR,
... We have been obliged to retreat from Long Island and Governor's Island, from both of which we got off without loss of men. We have left a great part of our heavy artillery behind. The field train is off. We are in hourly expectation that the town will be bombarded and cannonaded--and the enemy are drawing their men to the eastward on Long Island, as if they intended to throw a strong party over on this island, near Hell Gate, so as to get on the back of the city. We are preparing to meet them. Matters appear to be drawing near to a decisive engagement. Gen. Sullivan is allowed to come on shore, upon his parole, and go to Congress, on the subject of exchange of himself, Lord Sterling, and a large number who are prisoners; by the best accounts we yet have, we have lost, in last week's defeat, about 800 men killed and missing; how many of each, is not yet known. I rather expect that they will push in a body of troops between the town and our posts at and near King's bridge. If they do we shall have them between two fires, and must push them to the last extremity or be killed or taken prisoners. The event is in the hand of the Almighty, Disposer of all events....
I am, honored Sir, Your dutiful son, JOS. TRUMBULL.
[Collections of the R.I. Hist. Soc., Vol. VI.]
[No. 9.]
COL. MOSES LITTLE TO HIS SON
NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
IN CAMP LONG ISLAND June 22d 76.
DEAR SON--We still continue in Camp at this place. No arrivals since my last. Some hints this morning that the Torys had laid a plan to destroy the general officers of our army. The particulars I have not yet. The Regt generally well.
July 6--1776.
About 160 ships and transports and other vessels are arrived with about 10000 soldiers--Numbers are landed on Staten Island. We expect 12000 more to join them. Camp very healthy. I have lost only one man since we left Prospect Hill (near Boston). Our men in good spirits. I am of opinion our hands will be full--hope we shall do well.
July 31, 1776.
Ten ships are added to the King's troops--part very large, can't say whether they are men of war or transports. This island is a place of great importance, & if possible must be defended. We are five _small_ regts, are scattered, & have 10 forts to defend. Col. Hand's Regt is scattered over 5 miles in length. I am posted in fort Green which is the largest. I never desire to give it up, nor be taken while I am alive. I am of opinion my regt. will stand fast in the cause of the United States.
August 9, 1776.
The enemy were seen to embark 30 boats full of men on 3 vessels & 100 boats full on the other transports. We expected an attack, but all is still & quiet.
Our enemies have been reinforced by the Hessians & Clinton's fleet. Deserters say the enemy are 30,000 strong & Genl. Greene judges them 20,000. I think them 16,000. We have only 1600 fit for duty on Long Island. I shall pay the Q.M. Genl. the balance due him for cloathing my regt. this day, which will square all accounts.
Aug. 22 1776.
I have thought fit to send you my will--you will take all charge necessary &c.
The enemy this day landed on this Island & marched within 3 miles of our camp. Three or four regiments lodge within 2 miles of the enemy. I expect morning will bring us to battle.
IN CAMP NEW YORK Sep. 1, 1776.
The enemy left Staten Island & landed on Long Island the 22d. Encamped on a large plain 5 or 6 miles across, at Flat Bush 4 miles distant. Our troops encamped in the edge of the woods in front of them. Our line extended about four miles on the night of the 27th. In the morning, at 2 o'clock, the enemy attacked our right wing (a smart engagement for some time).
The enemy also advanced on the left. Lord Stirling reinforced the right wing & defended himself till 12 o'clock when our wing gave way. My regt. was in the center on guard. The enemy's right wing almost encircled 2 or 3 regt's & as they were not together they were not able to defend themselves & retreated with about 20 wounded. Our people came in about 11 o'clock. The enemy at the same time with their light horse & English troops attempted to force our lines, but soon retreated being met with a smart fire from our breast works.
Two deserters informed us that the enemies dead & wounded was upwards of 500--I wish ours may not be more. On the morning of the 28th the enemy were encamped on the heights in front of our encampment. Firing was kept up on both sides, from the right to the left. Weather very rainy. 29th very rainy. Firing by both sides in front of Fort Putnam. About sunset the enemy pushed to recover the ground we had taken (about 100 rods) in front of the fort. The fire was very hot, the enemy gave way, & our people recovered the ground. The fire ceased, & our people retired to the fort. The enemy took possession again, & on the morning of the 30th had a breastwork there 60 rods long, & 150 rods distant from fort Putnam.
Two ships of war had got up the sound as far as Hell gate by this time. The general ordered each regt. to be paraded on their own parades at 7 O'clock P.M. & wait for orders. We received orders to strike our tents & march, with our baggage, to New York. Our lines were manned until day break.
The reason of the retreat was, that we should have had no chance to retreat if the ships came up. I am not certain we shall be able to keep the city of New York. You may hear of our being at King's Bridge. A great battle I think will be fought here, or near there.
I am in a good measure of health.
I am your affectionate father, MOSES LITTLE.
To Mr. JOSIAH LITTLE.
IN CAMP FORT CONSTITUTION, Oct. 1, 1776.
I have been solicited by Genl. Green to remain in the service. I before declined, but he will not hear one word about my refusing to serve.
[Original in possession of Benjamin Hale, Esq.]
[No. 10.]
LIEUT. COL. WILLIAM HENSHAW TO HIS WIFE
LEICESTER, MASS.
LONG ISLAND 22d June, 1776.
MY DEAR--
... Last evening a Conspiracy of the Tories was discovered; their plan was to murder Genl. Washington, seize on the Persons of the other General officers, & blow up our Magazines, at the Instant of Time the King's Troops should Land. A number of our Officers rode last Night to Flat bush on this Island, & seiz'd the Mayor of the City, who is now in safe Custody & suppos'd to be in the Conspiracy--several others are also taken & the Names of others we have, which I hope we shall soon be able to give a good account of.
In haste, I conclude Yours affectionately, WM. HENSHAW.
Augt. 29th 1776.
I have but just time to inform you I am well, as I hope this will find you, our Family & Friends. You will undoubtedly hear, before you see this, that we have had an engagement with the Enemy--were surrounded, & had a Number Killed & Taken. I was with the Party who were Surrounded & through a kind Providence, got through their fire without being Wounded or Taken.--The Particulars of which I have not time to relate as the Enemy are close to us & we expect to be attacked every hour. I have wrote to Brother Josy by this conveyance which letter he will let you see.--May God Bless & preserve you from every disaster, is the unremitting wish of yours &c.
N. YORK Sept. 1st 1776.
Last Friday we left Long Island, (being unable to keep it any longer, without being made Prisoners) and came to New York. How long we shall stay here is uncertain--Our Public Enemies are numerous--Our private Ones not a few. Happy shall I esteem myself, if I live to see these Publick Calamities at an End, when we can live peaceably at home & Enjoy the Fruit of our Labors, the Sweets of Liberty, & none to molest us: 7 Regiments marched to King's Bridge Yesterday Afternoon. Lord Sterling & Gen. Sullivan are made prisoners by the Enemy. Sullivan was with us yesterday and is now gone to Philadelphia to Congress. Numbers of our People who were surrounded by the Enemy at Flat Bush, and we thought were Taken by them, have since got in--My Duty to Parents. Love to Sally, Bettsey, Ruthy & Josey, Brothers, Sisters & all Friends, with which I conclude,
Yours, &c.
WHITE PLAINS, Octr. 31st, 1776.
In your last, you want to know whether I was in the Brush or Battle,[233] mentioned in my last.--I was there. In our Brigade was Kill'd & Wounded, 75--in the whole Kill'd & Wounded on our side, about 100--of the Enemy by the best Information we have about 500--since which we have had several Skirmishes. I was not in them, though I saw several of them. One of them last Week was fought by Reed's & Learned's Regts., where we had six--kill'd & a number Wounded; the Enemy had Kill'd & Wounded, about 200--the same Week, a Scouting Party came across the famous Rogers Scouts, with a scouting party of the Enemy, took 30 of them Prisoners, & kill'd a number of them--This Week we had some Battles with them. Monday the 28th Inst. about 2000 of them came on a height of Land on these Plains, Attacked our Picquet, & after some time, forced our People to give Back. The Loss on either side I cannot ascertain, but suppose we had Kill'd & Wounded near 100, as the Fire of Cannon & Small Arms was heavy for some time. The Day before, they Attacked our Lines near Fort Washington with two of their Brigades & some of their Ships--Their Ships were much damaged; one of them they were obliged to Tow off; Our People at the Lines reserv'd their Fire till the Brigades advanced pretty near, then gave them a heavy Fire which caused them to Retreat; they form'd & advanc'd the second time, when our People gave them the second Fire; they Retreated as before, & form'd the Third time, came up & Fired at the Lines, which was so warmly returned, that they Retreated. Our People then Jump'd over the Lines, and pursued them, & Kill'd many, but the Number is not ascertained.--should I have another Opportunity to write, can better inform you: we had but one Kill'd in this Battle. We took 14 Hessians one Day this Week, & one English Officer; have had several Deserters come in this Week. The Enemy are now Encamp'd within Gun shot of us, so that there is a continual firing of Small Arms--We let two Hessians, which we took some time ago, return to the Enemy's Camp--We daily expect an engagement with the Enemy----
[Footnote 233: Harlem Heights, Sept. 16.]
Brother Denny was here Yesterday to see me; is well & station'd at Terry Town on the North River about 8 miles from this. Capt. Lincoln Parkman & our People in general, were well a few Days ago.
Should I live to see Peace restor'd & our Rights Secur'd, shall prize the Blessing more than ever. I have heard many rumors that it would be tedious to write. Last night we took Doct. Whitworth's son (of Boston) Prisoner. He was in some office with the Enemy.
[Originals in possession of Miss H.E. Henshaw, Leicester, Mass.]
[No. 11.]
DEPOSITION BY LIEUT. COL. HENSHAW
[Without date.]
Previous to the Campaign in 1776, there were 3 Regts commanded by Lt. Colonels. General Washington offered me the command of either of them. I conversed with the Officers of these Regiments, & I found they were averse to a change; I informed Gen'l W. that if I accepted his offer, it would be injurious to the Service and declined it. He then said he hoped I would not leave the Service, but would take a Lt. Colonel's commission, which I did under Colonel Little, & in April we marched for New York in the Brigade commanded by Genl Green. Soon after Genl Washington came & ordered said Brigade to Long Island.
The latter part of August, I commanded in a picket guard at Flatbush, where the enemy was encamped, who marched by the East wing of the Pickets, and formed a line between us and our encampments, and knowing the Gen. could not send us orders to retreat we marched to reach our encampments. While marching in the rear of the enemy's line, they were holding a Council of War, whether to storm our lines, or take them by a regular siege. They chose the latter. Had they broke their lines and marched into our front, we must have been made prisoners; but they only turned on their heels and fired at us and we got in with little loss.
[Original in possession of Miss H.E. Henshaw, Leicester, Mass.]
[No. 12.]
COL. EDWARD HAND TO HIS WIFE
LANCASTER, PENN.
LONG ISLAND 27 August 1776 7 P.M.
DEAR KITTY:
Part of the enemy landed on the Island on the 22nd. they did not advance farther than Flatbush until last night--I have had a fatiguing time of it ever since--A number of our troops have been hemned in, but behaved well. Many have got clear and many are yet missing. Our Pennsylvanians were chiefly of the party.
I escaped my part only by being relieved at 2 o'clock this morning--Major Burd and Col. Atlee were out and are yet missing. Jessy and Jacky are yet with me
Adieu--May God preserve you prays Your affectionate EDWARD HAND.
Mrs. KATHERINE HAND Lancaster Pa.
[Original in possession of Mrs. S.B. Rogers, Lancaster, Penn.]
[No. 13.]
MAJ. EDWARD BURD TO JUDGE YEATES
LONG ISLAND 3rd Sept. 1776.
DEAR SIR.
I was taken prisoner at an advanced Post on the morning of ye 27th ulto after a skirmish, on the same day Capts. Herbert and Heister were both made prisoners. I was used with great Civility by General Grant & admitted to my Parole, Brigadier General Agnew and Major Leslie and Major Batt also treated me with great Politeness.
You must be sensible that hard money can only be of service in my present situation: The Politeness of several Gentlemen would have very fully supplied me with it, but I have only taken what will be immediately necessary for me. I should be much obliged to you if you could procure me a small Bill of Exchange in which perhaps Mr. Dundas of Reading could assist you, or Gold to the amount of about £20.
I can not learn the fate of poor Colo Hand or Jesse Ewing but believe they are not prisoners.
Colo Reed, the Adjutant Gen'l will be the only Person who can convey any thing to me, my Letter must be short, my Love to all the Family.
I am Dear Sir Your Affecte Brother [in-law] EDW. BURD.
JASPER YEATES Esqr.
[Original among the Yeates papers.]
[No. 14.]
LIEUT. JASPER EWING TO JUDGE YEATES
NEW YORK Aug. 30, 1776.
HONOURED SIR:
After a very fatiguing march we are all safely arrived. The Genl. yesterday gave orders for all the Regts on Long Island to hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice, and evacuate our Lines for the enemy already had extended their advanced posts across the Island, & we were entirely surrounded, so that the only refuge he had left was New York--This morn'g a party about fifty men went a marauding and were surprised by the enemy, who after firing whole vollies secured one of the Boats, & then the Hessian Riflemen began to play upon them, so that our loss including that of the first engagement amounts to 500 men & upwards.
Lord Stirling & Genl. Sullivan are Prisoners, several officers are still missing amongst whom are Col. Miles and Atlee--The militia from Berks County are almost cut off. The inhuman wretches thrust their bayonets through our wounded men and refused that mercy to us, which we granted to them. The situation of New York is very critical, the enemy being in possession of Long Island may reduce it to a Heap of ashes in a days time.
The loss of the enemy amounts to 1500 men amongst whom are a Brigadier Genl. and several Field Officers.--The Idea which we at first conceived of the Hessian Riflemen was truly ridiculous but sad experience convinces our people that they are an Enemy not to [be] despised, Several Companies of their Light Infantry are cloathed exactly as we are, in hunting shirts and trowers--Mr. Burd who commanded a detachment of 200 men is not yet returned, and sorry am I to say it, he is a Prisoner amongst them.--as this news must certainly afflict Aunt and the whole family, I have forwarned my Brother from making any mention of it.
Please to give my duty to Aunt, mammy, Kitty and my love to all the children,
I remain, Honrd Sir Yr dutiful & obliged Nephew J. EWING.
To JASPER YEATES, Esqr.
[Original among the Yeates papers.]
[No. 15.]
JOHN EWING TO JUDGE YEATES
"_To Jasper Yeates Esq. at Fort Pitt._"
LANCASTER Sept. 14, 1776.
HONRD SIR:
As it has pleased Divine Providence to spare my Life, I think it my Duty to send you as good an act. of the Engagement together with the enclosed Draught as lays in my power, as I had gone from Elizabeth Point New Jersey to Long Island to see my brothers I had an opportunity of seeing everything that occurred from the Time the Enemy landed on the Island untill a Day or two before we retreated from thence. Col. Hand's Regmt. had been on duty 2 days & the second Night were relieved between 12 and 1 o'clock in the morning and about Two it is thought the Enemy began their movements from Flat Bush to the Right, and Left, and at between 7 & 8 o'clock in the morning we had the mortification from our Lines to see our men commanded by Lord Stirling almost surrounded by the Regulars, as they kept their stand on a Hill without flinching an inch, The Regulars were firing at them like Fury they at last descended then there was a continual peal of Small Arms for an Hour or better, our men at last partly got off by the Marsh, as in the Draught inclosed, I have been very Ill of a Fever which I got by being cloathed too thin and lay at York about 2 Days before our People had made that Grand Retreat from the Island which will ever reflect honour to our Generals, from York I was removed to King's Bridge twelve or fifteen miles from thence, after I had recovered, my Health suffered from Travelling. The Colo. was good enough to send me Home in a Carriage which thank God I happily--and dont doubt of recovering Health shortly--I am Sir
Your affectionate Nephew JNO. EWING.
P.S.
I shall refer you to the papers for our Loss in the Battle though it is with infinite regret I must inform you of Major Burd's being among the prisoners who Lord How treats them with great politeness. Time will not permitt my saying so much as I would wish--I left the Colo. & all friends very well at King's Bridge where the Regt. is Stationed as I only left them this day week.
[Original among the Yeates papers.]
A.--The Hill on which Lord Stirling commanded the Brigade which stood a considerable time exposed to the Enemy's Fire from their Field-pieces & small-arms.
B.--Large Bodies of the Enemy marching round our people.
CCC.--Our Camps with the Forts GGG in front of them.
D.D.--The Road to the Red Lion, where the Enemy marched from Flat-bush along the River & got between our People and the Camps.
E.--Flat-bush Road.
F.--Where a considerable Number of our people were stationed with Several Field-pieces & Breast-Works made with Trees felled across the Road to defend themselves when attacked.
H.--Fort Putnam where part of Colo. Hand's men commanded by Lieut. C. Chambers were detached from the Regt. to man the Fort.
I.--A small Upper Fort where [I] was with the Colo. the Day of the Engagement, where we saw the whole Action at A.A.A. Our people after standing their ground at the Hill, at last decended, and the[re] was an incessant Fire of Small-Arms for the best part of an Hour or longer, with little or no intermission, 'till our Men Retreated by the Mill "I," and in their Retreat "O.O." set fire to the house "M" the smoke of which prevented the Enemy at B.B. & K from seeing them retreat & then they came over the Marsh "Q" where several brave fellows were drowned in the Creek "P." in endeavoring to get over. We expected every Minute the Enemy would Storm the Forts & Lines "IH," as they were not above 400 or 450 Yards from Fort "I" to them at "KB," but our Cannon from Fort Putnam obliged them to lay close.
R.--The Enemies Camp the Day after the Battle.
"Draught of the Engagement at Long Island, Aug. 27th, 1776."
_J. Bien Photo. Lith. N.Y._]
[No. 16.]
COL. JOHN HASLET TO HON. CÆSAR RODNEY
PHILADELPHIA
HON'BLE SIR,
I recd. yours with pleasure because it was yours, all the Rest was Indignation--We went over to Long Island, a Genl. Engagement ensued, the Southern Troops i.e. Ld Stirlings Battalion bore the Violence of the Attack & repulsed the Enemy but were outnumbered at least three to one, & obliged to retire; the Delaware Battalion have been complimented as the finest in the Service, they stood unmoved in firm Array four Hours exposed to the fire of the Enemy, nor attempted to retire till they received Orders from the Genl, then effected a most H'oble Retreat up to the middle thro a Marsh of Mud & brought off with them 23 Prisoners--I fear we shall be outnumbered, expect every moment Orders to march off to Kingsbridge, to prevent the Enemy crossing the East River & confining us on another Nook, what the Event will be God knows--Lt. Stewart & Harney with 25 Privates fell in our Regiment--Ld. Stirling & Genl Sullivan Prisoners--Miles & Atlee the same Piper killed--250 of Smallmans (Swallwood's) missing--Atles cut to pieces--I fear Genl. Washington has too heavy a task, assisted mostly by Beardless Boys--if the Enemy can coop us up in N. York by Intrenching from River to River, horrid will be the Consequences from their command of the Rivers.
Between five & six thousand Dollars of Continental Money remain in my hands, unknowing what to do with it, I have entrusted it to the care of Dr. Rogers & Chaplain Montgomery--if I fall, please to take Order in the Matter--I have not time to say one Word more, tis the first